Original subtitles

Right this way, please.

Mmm, not bad.

An honest effort to good taste.

Oh, Father, you're too much of a perfectionist. It is a new country. They

their own style.

In London, we have style. Here, they have trends.

It doesn't diminish the Stansbury to complement the St. Gregory. Pardon me. I

should try to be understanding.

Good morning.

Charles and Mary Canfield.

Good morning, sir. Welcome to the St. Gregory.

No hotel register?

We're on computers.

I see.

I suppose the trend is to electronics.

It's nice to see you keeping up to date.

I think she'd make a great addition to our security staff.

She's bright.

She was an MP in the Army.

Her looks will be an advantage. Who'd figure that face for security?

Well, you're chief now, Billy. You're responsible.

If you say she's the right one for the job, that's all that matters.

Thanks.

This being in charge business is still kind of new to me.

I thought I said wait in my office.

I was too nervous.

Well, don't be.

Welcome to the St. Gregory's, Sheila. Oh, great.

When do I start?

Right away.

You'll start by walking these hallways.

Be alert to anything that doesn't feel right.

Like what?

Oh, anything unusual. A whiskey order going up early in the morning.

Somebody over -tipping room service.

A favor usually wants one in return.

Okay.

Your style is sure a lot nicer than my last commanding officer.

Well, I was never much for taking orders.

Or giving them, either.

Yes,

very well, then. Goodbye.

Spare me from meetings of NATO ministers.

They want their bodyguards treated like royalty.

And of course today, the first day of the new government regulations, we were

inspected bright and early at nine o 'clock.

What new regulations?

Oh, they're too long to go into now. But the Stansbury was found to be

impeccably in compliance.

Well, of course it was.

Why wasn't I consulted by the ministry?

Why don't we look around the city?

Take a ride on a cable car?

I think you should spend the time freshening up.

I want you to look at your very best when you meet Peter.

Father, I've been thinking what we're doing to Peter.

We're the new seller on tonight.

£1 ,500 for a suit.

I think it should be put to very good use.

What? It's me.

What's the matter?

Oh, I'm sorry.

Look, Peter, how do you cope with paperwork?

It's simple. I give half to Christine and half to Terry.

You find those lost projections?

No, but they're here somewhere.

Well, buzz me when you find them.

Hi.

Reporting for Lobby Talk. Sheila, this may not be the Army, but it is my

When the door is closed, it'd be nice if you didn't walk right in.

It's not that I don't enjoy the company, but I can check the new suite myself.

Of course you can. My office was making me a little stir -crazy, that's all.

Lonely at the top, isn't it?

Sometimes I feel like I'm just marking time, like the hotel is running on its

own momentum.

If it's a challenge you're looking for, Peter, I don't think okaying a

redecorated suite is your answer.

I'm not sure what I'm looking for, only that I'm not finding one.

You know, Peter, you're like my cat.

Paces the apartment like mad and suddenly he disappears for days.

It's a bad case of foot -in -mouth disease going around. I guess my

sapped my resistance.

What?

I'm not used to people apologizing.

In the Army, if something goes wrong, it's your fault.

I know.

I've had my problems in learning that people could be tolerant.

Nice to have something in common.

Even if it isn't our best attribute.

I'll get over it.

May I help you? I expected larger offices.

Are you here to see... No, especially when the suites are so spacious and

attractive. Oh, that's very kind of you to say so.

Oh, what a beautiful suit.

I beg your pardon?

Oh, well, thank you again.

It's a pleasure to find an American secretary with such a milder sense of

It's far too nice today to be working.

Why don't we go up and stroll in Hyde Park?

Peter, I'm sorry. Charles?

Charles?

I don't believe it.

How are you? I'm fine. Fine.

Christine, it's all right. This is Charles Canfield.

Charles, my executive assistant, Christine Francis.

Miss Francis?

I bored her to death with stories of you and London.

Not true.

I'm very happy to finally meet the man behind all those affectionate tales.

I'll leave you two to old times.

But why didn't you cable you were coming? You might have done some special

arrangements. I wanted to come upon you as you are.

And how are we?

There's always room for improvement.

But so far, I haven't noticed where.

I'm proud of you, Peter. Done a marvelous job here.

I've missed you.

And I've missed you, Charles. Seeing you suddenly brings back my youth, most of

which I left in London.

Nonsense. You never look better.

But I brought someone with me who I think might appreciate that more than I

would.

Well?

How do I look?

Not too disappointed, I hope.

Grown -up.

Very grown -up.

Have you met him yet?

Who? Charles Canfield.

Oh, yeah, briefly.

Peter went to work for him in London after he... Well, when he left New

And you should have heard his daughter questioning me about guest relations.

His daughter?

Mary, her name is.

Beautiful young lady.

And I get the feeling she knows more about the hotel business than her old

Really?

By the time I was old enough, we had an all -volunteer army.

Well, you didn't miss much.

What?

If that isn't a hooker, I'm a little off an ante.

Could be.

Could be a guest who needs a few fashion tips, too.

One way to find out.

Oh, no confrontations.

If you're suspicious, just keep an eye on her.

I'm sorry.

I guess I need to learn a whole new strategy.

Tell me, how come you're not married yet?

She had the sense not to settle for a second best.

You must be a big help running the Stansbury.

There are certain things that do require a woman's touch.

Your hotel is beautiful, Peter.

Do you supervise everything personally?

I have a very dedicated staff.

And do you go crabbing at the seashore as we did at Great Yarmouth?

Afraid not.

It's too bad.

Mary, my dear, will you excuse us? We have business to discuss.

Yes, of course.

Good night.

Night.

Night. Night.

Sit here.

Now for the main event.

Excuse me, sir. May I speak to you for a minute?

Sorry, but I'm in a hurry.

Maybe you should leave the watch behind.

What? Hey, I don't know what you're talking about.

No, you don't.

What are you doing, for God's sake?

Well, Peter, but I feel the time is coming when the mantle of the hotel must

pass.

But the Stansbury must endure.

Is there any doubt that it will?

It will with the right man at the helm.

Peter, I've always looked on you as a son I've never had.

For years now, I've known it's you I want to take over the ship.

I want you to come to London and be the new general manager of the Stansbury.

Thank you, Charles.

I feel honored, but I already run the finest house on the West Coast.

Well, I admire your alert, but I sense a certain discontent.

Now I couldn't expect to draw you away without something serious to offer,

something you don't already have.

I'll make you a 50 % owner of the Stansbury.

You'll have a future.

Not just a job.

And when I die, 1 % more.

Controlling ownership.

You and your offspring will have security for life.

When we leave space from the St. Gregory, we expect responsible behavior

its security people.

It was her first day, Mrs. Adams, and she did catch a shoplifter.

Mrs. Adams, I'm sorry. All I can say is I was trying to do my job.

Next time, try doing it without destroying half the store.

Now, don't second -guess yourself.

Your instincts are okay. It's your technique that needs a little work.

The first week I was here, I busted this guy walking out with a bag full of

food.

Turns out he was a cook with a surprise dinner he made for his wife.

When Mrs. Cabot does come in, please ask her

to call me.

The tiller at surgeon.

Thanks. What's wrong?

Charles offered me the general managership of the Stansbury.

I turned him down.

Then he offered me half the hotel.

You're kidding.

No, I'm not.

He's not either.

Well, maybe this is the challenge you've been looking for.

Then why does it feel more like a headache?

Does he want an answer right away?

Yes, he does.

And he's being strangely evasive about Mary's involvement in the hotel. I know

she practically runs the place.

I don't know. Quite a coincidence, don't you think?

Both of them here while Mrs. Cabot is away?

Gordon Flynn. I have a reservation.

Yes, Mr. Flynn. Say, do you have a security box here big enough to fit

Certainly, sir. You just need to check at the main desk.

Good. I'll be needing one later.

You can call security any time. Someone will assign a box to you.

Thank you.

Right this way.

How did you ever put up with me, spying on you like a schoolgirl?

As I recall, you were a schoolgirl.

I was on a crusade to keep you single until I grew up.

And I was flattered by the attention.

You weren't even angry when I sent that awful letter to Countess Adriana.

That was you?

I did you a good deed.

She married some Greek shipping tycoon and drove him to an early grave.

No wonder she was never satisfied by our little rowboat rides on the Thames.

You're still a bachelor, then?

Divorced, actually, I am.

Christine?

Christine?

Christine, I'd like you to meet Mary, John's daughter.

Christine is my executive assistant.

Oh, Mary and I haven't seen each other in over, what, ten years?

I don't think Peter even recognized me.

And what about Peter? Has he changed, too?

Still the same.

Irresistible as ever.

Well, it was nice meeting you.

Hope you enjoy your stay.

Thank you.

She's very beautiful.

Do I need to start writing her letters too?

Tell me, why would your father offer me the general managership when obviously

it should go to you?

Father still lives in a world where only the males are dominant.

If I thought he really needed me.

How do you know I don't need you, Peter?

It's hard to snuggle up to a hotel at night.

And I love rowing on the Thames.

Promise me some time later.

If I can, you of all people know what this job is like.

They make a charming couple, don't they?

I gotta give him an answer pretty soon.

He wants to get back to London.

You seem to be receiving enticements from both sides.

I saw you and Mary in the lobby.

Oh, she's just glad to see me.

Sure.

She's picking out a trousseau while her father's upstairs counting

grandchildren.

Would you consider going with me?

To London, I'd be able to choose my own assistant.

We do make a great team.

Sooner or later, I'd get tired of being a team player, Peter.

I've got an agenda of my own, and it doesn't include Charles and Mary

I heard about what happened in the boutique. She doesn't quite have her...

Civilian shoes on you, doesn't he?

Well, Sheila's been through a lot, Mark. Tough neighborhoods, some juvenile

rafts before the army got hold of her.

Are you asking too much?

It's a big adjustment, working security here.

It's a big adjustment for me. I mean, it feels good to give somebody the same

shot I got.

You're a marshmallow. That's your trouble.

Yeah, well, they wind them up pretty tight in the military.

And I guess a person's emotional profile doesn't show up in their discharge

papers, does it?

Good luck.

Hello, Captain Bird, please.

Yes, this is Billy Griffin, head of security, St. Gregory Hotel, San

All right, would you have him call me when he gets in?

Yes, St. Gregory Hotel.

Thank you.

I hope our little boutique doesn't disappoint you.

Oh, hello.

No, actually, I love American fashion.

Will you be staying long?

I really can't say.

I suppose it depends on whether Peter accepts your father's offer.

He told me.

Yes, well, of course. You are his assistant.

I used to dream of having your job.

Working with Peter.

And now you're going to try to make that dream come true?

You make me sound very calculating.

Sorry.

Your interest in Peter sounds much more than professional.

I care what happens to him.

Yes. Well, I know how easy it is to become good friends with Peter.

Perhaps this friendship of yours is the reason he hasn't yet accepted father's

offer.

He'll do what's best for him. I hope so.

I want him to be happy, too.

I like the bank people use this for cash, jewelry, business documents.

We also have a security box for overnight receipts.

Makes sense.

Now, each box has two locks. The guest has one key, and we open the second lock

with the master key.

And they sign in outside at the cashier's desk each time they enter.

Exactly.

Griffin.

Sure, send them in.

There's a Mr. Flynn here.

You handle it.

Mr. Flynn. Yes. I'm Billy Griffin.

This is Sheila Wilson.

Two of you. Well, I'm afraid it's not the Hope Diamond.

Do you have your key?

Yes.

Sheila.

There's a room right over there whenever you'd like a privacy. I'm just packing

it away.

Thanks.

Thank you.

See, nothing to it.

This must be the most private place in the hotel.

Probably.

Good. I've been looking for a spot to stay.

Well?

He just showed me where to find the overnight receipts.

I don't want any last -minute surprises like Fort Washington.

Relax.

I've got a meeting out of my hand.

Can you do the boxes?

Five minutes, Thompson.

I'll call you later.

I guess I'm no better now at hiding my feelings than I was ten years ago.

Peter, I'm afraid that teenage crush is now very grown up

and very real.

And I'm still flattered.

Is that all you are?

Flattered? Father told you I never settled for second best.

That's all they were, Peter, compared to you.

Mary. I'm sorry.

You have enough to worry about from father, don't you?

What about you?

What is your father doing? I mean, doesn't it hurt your pride?

I'm used to it.

You know, I started at the Stansbury as a chambermaid.

Oh. And I worked myself up from there.

And I loved it, the respect, the satisfaction.

I have earned it, Peter.

You know, they wanted me this winter at the St. John in Geneva.

What did you tell them?

How could I leave the Stansbury?

How could I leave father?

Did your father know about the offer?

Oh, it wouldn't make any difference.

Somehow, all I've accomplished is just a substitute until the right man comes

along.

I'll always be his little girl.

But I'm not a little girl anymore.

Hello, darling.

Well, how's the campaign going?

You know, the way Peter was looking at you gives me hope.

He's a man, not an island to be conquered.

Conquered? I'm making him the offer of a lifetime.

And you do still find him attractive?

More than ever.

Mary, some people need a guiding hand to point their destiny.

There are too few of us left who really care about style, grace, courage, heart.

Now, I gave these things to Peter. And he puts them to good use here at the St.

Gregory. He's in exile.

A prince, perhaps, but a prince in exile.

I've come to offer him his rightful place.

And if he chooses to abdicate?

I simply can't let that happen.

Oh, excuse me, Frances.

Where might I find the London Times?

Oh, I'll be happy to send out for one. I'm lost without news from home. I'm

afraid I'm a hopeless patriot.

Except when it comes to your future general manager.

I've always looked on Peter as almost British.

Do you question my choice?

No, not in the least.

But your tactics, too, seem to recall one of your famous countrymen.

Yeah?

Wasn't it Lord Mountbatten who always supported his frontal assault with a

strong flanking attack?

Miss Francis, actually, it was Lord Montgomery.

Three o 'clock and all, as well.

You want somebody to see us? Don't be so nervous.

I am.

So just lay off.

A lot of nice people here. All right, we're not ripping off the nice people.

This is just another rich hotel with lots of insurance. Come on. All right.

Let's just get it over with and get out.

Before someone throws me a party or something.

You're getting a little old in life for a girl watching, aren't you?

I'm never too old to look.

I've always enjoyed just taking a seat and observing the passing scene.

Have you ever considered writing your memoirs?

It would only accentuate the loss.

I miss the old days, Peter.

The style.

I prefer grand dames and their livery to tourists and their guidebooks.

You taught me how to make the everyday tourist feel like the privileged class.

That's a very...

Gracious compliment.

Can I take it as a yes to my offer?

I haven't decided.

Can it be you're not the man of action I once knew?

First of all, I'm sure you realize I won't do a thing without discussing it

Mrs. Cabot. Well, of course.

Don't you think about the proper notice, eh?

Don't take too long.

Mr. Griffin, Captain Byrd, Fort Washington, returning your call, sir.

Ah, Captain Byrd.

Yes.

I was doing a little follow -up on Sheila Wilson.

Yes.

Were there any problems that might not have shown up in her discharge papers?

Well, such as?

Well, I don't know.

Any emotional difficulties?

Is this off the record?

Absolutely.

Small appliances, that sort of thing. We cracked it. But there was

circumstantial evidence that perhaps Corporal Wilson was involved.

Were any charges brought?

No. She took her honorable discharge and we let it go.

Any help to you?

Not exactly, but thanks.

Join me for a cup? First night shift. I plan to be wide -eyed.

Sheila, I had a conversation today with the Captain Bird.

He told me about the black market problem at your base and about your

Here it comes.

The next line usually is, you can pick up your pay in the morning.

Take it easy.

I just want to hear your side of it. I dated one of the men that was involved.

He never told me anything, I swear. I had nothing to do with it.

Um, why didn't you fight the discharge?

Well, you're not wanted.

You don't hang around.

Believe me.

No reason not to.

I thought you'd gone.

Actually, I was waiting to invite you for a drink.

I might not get too many more opportunities.

My bags are not at the dock yet, Christine.

Peter, I'm feeling very lost about all this.

Well, nothing's decided, and your job here is secure, and you know... It's not

my job I'm talking about.

Isn't there more going on between us than redecorated suites or an occasional

dinner?

Somehow it never seems the right moment to talk about it.

And there are times when I feel we should just keep it all professional

us.

I'm sorry, but I don't see the logic in that anymore.

You know, the last time I broke the rules, I nearly finished myself in this

business. I had nowhere to go when Charles took me in.

I understand your feelings for Charles.

And you know my track record with relationships.

Not the best.

Peter, we've all suffered disappointments. Does that mean whoever

forever shut out of your life?

Oh, that's not fair.

We haven't begun to explore our feelings, Peter.

London is a long way to go to keep on avoiding it.

Yes. She'll have to wait a minute. Mr. Flynn isn't finished yet.

Everything okay? Everything's just fine.

Hello, Peter.

Hi. Oh, come and have a drink.

I can only stay a few minutes.

I was going to wait, but I have my answer for you.

It's a tremendous opportunity, Charles, and I'm grateful, but I have to say no.

I see.

So all this talk about gratitude was just talk.

Please don't do this, Charles.

Is the Stansbury a shack to be spurned this way?

Of course not.

What are your prospects here, St. Gregory?

Treaties have been signed in my suites.

What have you got here?

Drunken salesman on convention.

Someone has to look after them.

Thankfully, we do it better than most.

I don't have to tell you what you've meant to me.

It will always mean to me.

Peter.

This, um...

There's something else. I haven't told you everything.

I'm going on to Peter.

The banks won't advance me another penny unless someone of your stature takes

over as general manager.

Do you understand now?

Do you understand what I'm telling you? For God's sake, I'm losing the

Stansbury.

You can't refuse me now, Peter.

You can't.

I have the feeling you've come to a decision.

I'm going to ask Mrs. Cabot for a year's leave of absence.

Stop avoiding this issue, Peter.

Besides, you can't put the St. Gregory on hold.

He's losing the Stansbury. The banks are threatening to take it from him. Then

why did he wait until now to tell you that?

I don't know. Pride?

Desperation.

I'm sorry. I don't believe him.

He's manipulating you, Peter.

Well, that's not true.

You are the heir he doesn't have.

I wouldn't put anything past him. Peter, look, you better come right away. It's

the vault we've been robbed.

These are on their way.

It's a neat job, very professional.

How much did they get?

We don't know yet.

Well, do we know who was in here last night?

Just about everyone who was using a box.

Who was in here last?

Uh, Mrs.

Dunbar. She came in about 10 o 'clock.

Right after Flynn.

You're sure about that rating?

Triple A.

Okay.

Thank you.

Bye.

Just how far are you going to let your father go?

I don't understand.

What do you think?

That if you can just somehow get Peter to London, the rest will work out?

It won't.

He'll resent you both for tricking him.

Just what tricks are you talking about?

You haven't heard your father's latest ploy?

The Stansbury is bankrupt.

Without Peter to front for you with the banks, you're going to lose it.

You want to see me?

You've heard?

Just now. What happened?

Somebody drilled out the security box.

When you went into the vault with Flynn, did you notice anything unusual?

No.

What about the guest who came in after you?

Just some old lady with a lot of jewelry.

All right, thanks.

Is there anything I can do for you? You don't look so hot.

No, thanks. I'll talk with you later.

Yes, may I speak to Captain Bird, please? This is Billy Griffin calling.

I should see the books right away, don't you think? I got a pretty good

relationship with a couple of European banks. Well, we don't actually need that

much money, you know. I've got friends and... If they don't appreciate our

national treasure, are we supposed to beg?

We'll call the papers. We'll shame somebody into helping us. Well, I

want to appear arrogant.

All this, Charles, just to get me to run your hotel.

Mary came to see me a half hour ago.

She told me about the Stansbury's excellent financial standing.

I see.

Betrayed by my own flesh and blood.

By a daughter who's the only real candidate for the job. Why are you the

one who can't see it?

What does that mean?

Mary was offered the St. John in Geneva and turned it down.

I call that loyalty, not betrayal.

Offered another hotel?

Yes. And she stayed because she loves you and the Stansbury.

I won't come between that.

Go see her, Charles.

I don't think it's too late.

You busy?

No, just making notes for the spring menu.

Your mother and I used to do the menus together.

Apart from that, we didn't share much in the hotel.

She had no head for business.

I remember her as being very quiet and very beautiful.

I've always assumed that you were just like her.

I've never accepted that you've become the best of both of us.

Why, thank you, Father.

I've withdrawn my offer to Peter.

I'm sorry.

I had to tell him.

Actually, a new candidate makes it quite unnecessary.

Really?

Yes, really.

You, my darling, are going to be our new general manager.

You have been for years.

Without my realizing it.

I'm sorry I've been such a fool.

Can you forgive your dumb and old father?

Or should I say Mr.

McElroy.

Didn't take Captain Byrd very long at all to recognize the description.

There's no law against changing my name?

There is one against robbery, though.

These gentlemen have a warrant to search your briefcase.

minutes with me.

I don't suppose that includes a walk out the back door?

Just tell me why.

Because that's the way I am.

And what about me? Is that just the way it is, too? Whatever it takes to get the

job done?

It's too bad I didn't meet someone like you.

A long time ago.

Maybe I would have made something of myself.

Ten years is such a long time in which to lose you twice, Peter.

You know, I'll always think of you as family.

Perhaps you'll come to London soon.

Yes.

That's a trip I've put off too long.

We have a beautiful bridal suite.

I decorated it myself.

Quite suitable for a honeymoon in case...

Give my love to Christine.

Okay.

I've just been wished good luck.

Any idea what for?

Maybe.

I take it this means she'll be back in the morning.

In the evening, if you're free for dinner.

Oh, I'll have to check my calendar.

Actually, I was beginning to get used to the idea of you leaving.

You sound disappointed that I'm not.

Well, I did have my eye on a certain general managership that was opening up.