All language subtitles for Tea.And.Sympathy.1956.1080p.BluRay.x264.AAC-[YTS.BZ]-inglés

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- Bo Sturges!
- Hank, you old son of a gun!

How are you, buddy?

Bo, this is my wife Alice.
Alice, this is Bo Sturges.

Bo was a pretty big man
in our class.

Mm, still getting bigger every
day. Hi, Alice, nice to see you.

You know, Hank,
our class married darn well.

A bunch of real pretty women.

- Thank you.
- Where is your wife, Bo?

- How are ya?
- Yeah!

- Oh, this is my boy Ferdie.
- Hello, Ferdie.

- He's a sophomore here.
- Chip off the old block, eh?

Oh, you do look like
your father, Ferdie.

Now that's supposed
to be a compliment, Ferdie.

He can't believe
that I was ever an Adonis.

Listen, I knew your father
at the senior dance

when he had all the girls ga-ga.

I got so tired
of telling your father--

...what a wonderful time
he's had each year

I had to come and see
for myself.

Oh, I came
to the first three reunions

and then I told Remsen,
I just hit the big ones

ten, fifteen, and so on.

- I think they're for the birds.
- Yeah, I think so, too.

You and 50 other members
of our class with new babies.

Sour old bachelor, isn't he?

Nobody has to look
at them, you know?

Oh, not much, they don't.

Why don't you get married and
get some pictures of your own?

Say, tonight at dinner
I'm gonna bring down

pictures of my new factory
and make you all look at 'em.

Say, isn't that, uh,
you know, what's his name?

- Yeah.
- Sure.

I never thought I'd see him
at a class reunion.

- I suppose he's got a right.
- Sure, but would you?

- Oh, I don't think they're in.
- Well, uh..

I used to live here
ten years ago.

Do you think they'd mind
if I went in?

No, of course not.

The joys of love

Are but a moment long

The grief of love

Endures forevermore

- Here, let me.
- Oh, thanks.

- I could have managed it. Heh.
- Well..

Um, over there in the sun,
I think.

Well, uh, too much sun
burns seedlings.

Oh, obviously, I'm a beginner.

I never had a garden
before I came here last fall.

You've got a green thumb, huh?

All those bulbs
you planted last October.

Yes, they're alright, but I need
some more blue in the garden.

Forget-me-nots. I-I'll get you
some seeds. I-I'll plant them.

Oh, you sound like
quite an authority.

Well, I used to have a garden
when I was a kid.

Of course, my dad
wasn't so keen on the idea

but, well, he wasn't around
much anyways, so..

- Oh, it was your mother's idea?
- Oh, no.

She didn't live with us.

I haven't seen her
since I was about five.

Mm, she and my father
are divorced.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Oh, you needn't be.
They aren't.

I was supposed
to hold them together.

That's how I happened
to come into the world.

I didn't work.

That's a terrible thing,
you know, to make a flop

of the first job
you get in life.

Well, don't you ever see her?

Oh, not since I was five.

I was with her till five, and
then my father took me away.

All I remember about my mother
is she was always telling me

to go outside and bounce a ball.

Wh-where do you want these?

Oh, uh, in the study, I think.

My husband's down at the beach
with the Varsity Club.

Aren't you supposed to be
with them?

Tennis team went, didn't they?

Yes.

I've got some water on
for some tea.

Oh, that'd be great.

I've been altering your costume
for the play.

I thought we might find
a moment for a fitting.

Oh, sure.

Uh, do you want the, uh, door
open or shut?

Oh, it doesn't make
any difference.

Well, perhaps
you better leave it ajar

just in case some of
the other boys come back early

and want to drop in.

Oh, sure.

I heard you singing.

Well, I-I-I'm sorry
if it bothered you.

Oh, no! It was very nice.

What's the name of the song?

"The Joys Of Love."

"The joys of love
are but a moment long.

The grief of love
endures forevermore."

Oh. And, uh, is that true?

You sang as though you knew
all about the grief of love.

And you don't think I do?

Well..

- Well, you're right.
- Ha!

- Only the joys, hm?
- Well, neither, really.

Oh, then you're a fake.

Aren't you bringing someone
up to the dance

after the play Saturday?

- Yes.
- Well, there.

You.

- Me?
- Well, yes.

You're going to be a hostess,
aren't you?

Why, yes, of course.

Well, as a member of
the committee, I'm taking you.

Uh, all the committee drew lots.

Oh, and you lost.

I won.

Oh. Well, my husband
could have taken me.

Well, he's not gonna be in town.

The, uh, mountain-climbing club

has its, uh, final outing
that weekend.

Oh, yes, that's right.
I'd forgotten that.

Well, I'm supposed
to find out tactfully

and without your knowing it

what color dress
you'll be wearing to the dance.

Oh! Well, why?

Oh, the committee
will send you a corsage.

Oh, yes. How nice!

Well, don't have much
to choose from.

Oh, I guess my yellow. Heh.

The boy who's in charge
of getting the flowers thinks

a corsage should be something
like a funeral decoration.

So I'm taking personal charge
of getting yours.

Well, thank you.

You-you must have gotten
lots of flowers

when you were acting
in the theater.

Oh, now and then.
Nothing spectacular.

Anyway, I was never
any great shakes at it.

Oh, I can't believe that.

Oh, then you take my word
for it.

Come on, stand up. Let's see
if this thing fits, shall we?

I've got a couple of minutes
before I have to leave.

Gee, my dad's gonna hit the roof

when he hears
I'm playing a girl.

I think you're a good sport
not to mind.

He's always after me
to join up clubs and things.

And the dramatic club would only
take me if I'd play this part.

Well, it's a good part!

Lady Teazle
in "The School For Scandal."

He's coming up here Saturday
for the game and alumni day.

If he comes over here
and-and you see him

please don't tell him
about this.

No, I won't.

Now.. Oh, yes, well..

We're going to have
to let this out around here.

Now, what size
do you want to be?

Well, I-I don't know.
Whatever you think.

I should have thought
you'd have asked some girl up

to see you act, and then taken
her to the dance afterwards.

Well, there's no one I can ask.

- Uh, what do you mean?
- Well..

I don't know any girls, really.

Oh, no, certainly
back home you--

In the last ten years
I-I haven't been home.

I mean, really home.

Summers my father
packs me off to camps

and the rest of the time
I've been at boarding schools.

So I mean it when I say
I don't know any girls.

Well, your roommate Al
knows lots of girls.

Why don't you ask him
to fix you up with a blind date?

I don't know.

I can't even dance.

Oh, I-I'm telling you this
so you won't expect

anything of me Saturday night.

Well, we'll just sit out
and talk.

Okay.

Or I could teach you
how to dance. It's quite simple.

- You?
- Yes. Why not?

Look, I'll show you
how simple it is.

Now you put your left hand
out like this

and your right..

Oh, now you're kidding me.

A boy your age,
and you don't know how to dance?

I'm not kidding you.

Alright, come on, then.
I had to teach my husband.

Come on,
put your arms around me.

Um, we'd better put it off.

W-we look kind of silly,
both of us in skirts.

Alright, then, you take it off.

Oh, I've got to get up
to the golf course anyway.

Take the skirt up to your room
and see if you can move around

in it. You know, get used to it.

And then get yourself out
into this lovely day.

Thanks for the tea.

Oh, you're welcome.

Laura!

- Lilly, I'm sorry I'm late.
- You're not.

I've got to go to clubhouse
and call the house.

- I'll be right with you.
- Well, there's no hurry.

It doesn't seem
to be very crowded.

Oh, we'll be through
by 4:00 easily.

Mary suggested we all go down
for a swim after.

- 'Alright, fine.'
- See you on the first tee.

- Oh, hello.
- Hello.

It's a lovely day.
I'm glad you kicked me out.

Well, I didn't expect you
to be up here.

I meant the beach
or the tennis court.

Oh, I like it up here.

I've got a spot down the road
there, near the sixth fairway.

I go there sometimes.

If you slice your drives real
bad, that's about where it is.

Well, I'm inclined to hook.
What are you reading?

Candida.

Uh-huh.

- Have a nice game.
- Well, thanks.

Oh, you want someone
to carry your clubs?

No. You go on
reading your book.

You know, these boys come here

ignorant as all get-out
about women

and they spend the next four
years exchanging misinformation.

Oh, Lilly, honestly.

This is the age Romeo
should be played. So intense.

Why, these kids would die for
love, or almost anything else.

My husband says all of their
English themes end in death.

Speaking of intense young men..

- Hello.
- Hello.

- Hello, Mrs. Williams.
- Hello, Tom.

Did you, uh, have a good game?

No. She won.

You finally joined up
with the Varsity Club picnic.

No, they're, uh, over
by the boathouse.

I was just around the bend here.

It's a real nice spot.

Well, you know.
You swim there all the time.

It was a little bit windy,
we thought

it would be more sheltered here.

Uh, that would be stronger
if you wound the thread around

before you finish it.

- What?
- Oh, I'm sorry.

Well, I had a maid taught me.

- She practically brought me up.
- I don't believe it.

Well, will you look at that?

I used to have to sew on
all my buttons when I was a kid.

- Can you cook?
- Sure.

You'll make some girl
a good wife.

I think Bill learned
how to sew on buttons

when he was in the army.

First time I tried cooking,
it was the maid's night out

and I was gonna cook
scrambled eggs and bacon

for my dad and me.

I'd always seen her put a piece
of butter in the frying pan.

So that night we had bacon
fried in butter.

No, go ahead and do another one
while I finish this.

Hey, come on, throw the ball!
Hey, hey. Come on, come on.

Hey, why don't we go back up
and get a game together?

Shut up.

Hi!

Come and join the sewing club!

Tom, why don't you go
and join them?

No, go on. Go ahead.

- Here you go. Come on.
- Throw the ball right now.

Let's see it, boy.
That's it.

Steve, hey, toss it here.
Come on.

- Come on, now let's go!
- Throw it back to me.

- Yo! Let's go!
- 'Alright, come on!'

- I didn't hurt you, did I?
- Just my pride.

I'll give you a few pointers
when you come to the lodge this

summer. You wanna watch that
sudden shift of weight there.

That's what does it.
Hey, Al, come here.

- Show him that one-two--
- Hey, that lets you out.

Hey, Mr. Reynolds!
Mr. Reynolds!

Mr. Reynolds, look,
without thinking

I'll say a word,
and then three words

and you pick the word of the
three that fits the first one.

What grade are you getting
in English?

Okay, first, beautiful.

Then flowers, girls, music.

- Well--
- Oh, oh, no thinking.

- Well, girls.
- Naturally.

Next, fun.
Reading, hunting, gardening.

Well, hunting.
What is this anyway?

It's a quiz.
"Are you masculine?"

Ooh-hoo! Well, how am I doing?

- Ha-ha..
- So far so good.

What do you mean
"Are you masculine?"

Well, you answer
all these questions, see

and then you add up your score,
those of you who can add

and you know
how much of a man you are.

How you rate
with women and things like that.

Hey, one at a time!
One at a time!

The witness before
the special subcommittee

on masculinity is Mr. Reynolds.

Well, I think that
I shall decline to answer

on the grounds that it may tend
to degrade or incriminate me.

However, if anybody wants
to have a more practical test

of manly strength, I'm on.

Where's Ralph? Hey, Ralph!

Yes, sir. Come on.

Where have you been?
You're my only competition here.

Well, they found Tom Lee.

- Where?
- Up the beach.

Why isn't he down here
with the rest of us

like he's supposed to be?

Because he's busy
with his sewing.

Oh! Ho-ho-ho!

- No, it's the truth.
- What?

We found him sitting up the
beach with three faculty wives.

- The guy was actually sewing.
- Yeah?

- Sewing?
- Knock it off, Steve.

Oh, look. Just because
you're his roommate.

- Knock it off!
- Well, I'm telling you, Al.

It's the truth, he's sitting
up there with Mrs. Sears

Mrs. Williams and Mrs. Reynolds.

- Well, let's go get him!
- Yeah!

- Yeah, yeah!
- Wait a minute, fellas.

This school doesn't make anybody
do anything he doesn't want to.

But if he prefers the company
of women, that's his business.

Hey, let's try him out
on this test.

- Yeah!
- That would be superfluous.

Unnecessary and a waste of time.

Yeah, he's still gonna beat you

in the tennis finals
on Saturday.

I'm not denying the possibility
of that catastrophe.

But how is he gonna beat me?
Chop-chop, chop-chop?

Sister Boy can put
more twist on that ball.

- Sister Boy! That's good!
- Ooh!

- Sister--
- Ah, shut up!

Why doesn't he hit the ball
like a man?

Because he can beat you
better by cutting and chopping.

Okay, fellas, come on,
let's break it up.

Well, what's the matter?
Are women verboten?

More or less.

What? Oh.

Well, I'm-I'm sorry, I..

Do I embarrass you by coming by?

- Well, it is just that when--
- Well, I was down at the beach.

Swimming, and I, I thought
maybe I'd drop by

and see if you were ready
to go home.

Yeah, I, uh, I didn't know

you were going swimming
this afternoon.

Well, I-I wasn't.

Well, what's the matter?

I, uh, I hear you had
quite a foursome down there.

- No, just Lilly and Mary.
- And Tom.

Well, yes, he joined us
for a few minutes.

Of quiet sewing.

Yes, but then he joined
the other boys.

No, they came back without him.

Oh. I suppose the boys made
a big thing out of the sewing.

- Can't say I blame them.
- Oh, now, Bill.

He got himself a new nickname,
Sister Boy.

Well, I hope
you set them straight.

Well, what was there
to set them straight about?

But, Bill,
supposing it had been Al

or any of the others
down there with us?

- They wouldn't have been.
- Bill!

I'm sorry
that you were involved.

Well, what do you mean involved?

What are those?

Oh, well,
they're nothing, dear.

That, I was just playing
with the idea

that we might go up
to Canada alone--

- Canada?
- You know, get away.

- Just the two of us.
- Well, gee, that'd be great.

But I've already invited some
of the boys up to the lodge

with us this summer.
I can't disappoint them.

- No, no, of course not, dear.
- I wish you'd said--

- Yes, it's my fault, dear. I--
- No, it's nobody's fault.

It's just.. Hey, Ralph!
Don't break his arm yet!

We need him on the team
next year. I'll see you at home.

Hey.

Come on, it's time!
Get the glasses!

What's the matter with you?

Mrs. Morrison, get the glasses!

- Yeah.
- Come on, let's hurry it up!

- I've got 'em!
- Hurry, hurry, hurry!

- Come on!
- Hey, hey, hey!

- Let's go, you guys!
- Oh, lookit!

I keep telling you guys,
I don't want

a bunch of Peeping Toms
mussing up my room all the time.

Hey, Al, do we have to have
these Peeping Toms

hanging out of my window
every afternoon?

Hey, Ralph, come on,
she's almost--

- Whoa!
- You guys want her to hear ya?

Why don't you guys stick
to your arts models magazines?

Look, just because you're not
interested, Sister Boy

don't spoil it
for the rest of us.

- Whoa!
- What is it? What is it?

Hey, get off the dress, will ya?

Dress?

Yeah, don't tear
Sister Boy's dress.

Well, you can sew the thing up

or you can make yourself
another one

out of all your chintz
you got here.

Come on, get out of here!
Come on.

I thought you were coming to
the Varsity outing, Sister Boy.

- What happened?
- Alright, you guys. Alright.

That's enough. Lay off, come on.

I don't know.

I just don't like this drip
calling me a Peeping Tom

and telling me what I can
and can't look at.

Hey, Sister Boy,
is this your old man?

Okay, okay.

- You alright?
- Yeah.

- 'Point to Tom Lee.'
- Oh, gee.

He leads 40-15.

Yeah.

- Yeah!
- 'Point to Ollie Delwyn.'

Score, 40-30.

Game, Tom Lee.

He leads four games to one.

Herb! Ha-ha!
I thought it was you.

Hello, Alex. How are you, kid?

I was on my way
to the baseball game.

- Come on along.
- Yeah, well, no, Alex--

Oh, I've caught a couple
of points of this.

It's no fun watching
this pat-baller play.

Come on now.

Yeah, well, for sure, Alex.

Hey, Bob! You heard what they're
calling the tennis match?

- What?
- The mixed singles finals!

- I don't get it!
- Well, Sister Boy Lee!

- Ha-ha..
- Hey, you know, I'll bet you.

He doesn't show up
at the pajama fight tonight.

Oh, he'll be there
because we're gonna make sure

that he gets a personal escort.

- What's new, Ollie?
- Hey, Billy!

- 'Mixed singles finals.'
- Well, son.

- Hello there.
- Hi.

- Well, I hear you won.
- Yeah.

Mm. And you seemed to have
the situation well in hand.

I-I hope you didn't mind
my leaving you like that

but I kind of sensed
that I was making you nervous.

Oh, no, you..
Well, how have you been?

Oh, fine. Fine.

The fellows trying to get your
goat out there this afternoon?

- Yeah, I guess so.
- But why?

They seem like the kind
of fellows who would be

your friends. Regular guys.

I-I, I don't know.

I noticed the characters
who did applaud for you.

Remember, I told you
to be careful

how you made your friends.

You are known
by the company you keep.

Yeah, dad.

I wanna be your friend, Tom.

I know there's something
between fathers and sons

that makes it hard for them
to be friends

but I'd like to try.

Sure, dad.

- Are-are you ready?
- Uh, yeah.

Yeah, I-I wanna congratulate
the ball team.

Hey, they beat Hanover, huh?

Bonfire tonight.
Big pajama fight.

- Sorry I can't stay for it.
- Yeah, that's too bad.

You know, the, the year
I was a new boy

the new fellows
outclassed the older fellows

and not very many of us
lost our pajamas..

You know, you ought
to get a crew cut.

- Like the other fellows, Tom.
- Why?

Well, well, you just should,
that's all. Heh-heh.

- Well, let's go out this way.
- Oh, the team's down here.

Oh, okay. Well, say..

We'll try and get you to a
barbershop before it closes, hm?

I used to eat two of these
a day. We all ate 'em.

Hickey in heaven we called 'em.

- Uh, uh, it looks good.
- Mm-hmm.

Two black and whites, huh? Okay.

- Here we go.
- Hey, Ellie.

Uh, don't they ever clean
those uniforms of yours?

- Okay, what's the matter?
- You got a big spot right here.

Do I? Well, that's real funny.
Ha-ha-ha!

You got some chocolate
up here, too.

Come on! That's private
property. Ha-ha-ha!

Any of these guys your friends?

No.

This place sure is different

than the way when I was here.

Yeah, I guess it is.

- Thanks a lot.
- Anytime, Ellie. Anytime.

You know, you're real sweet.
You're gonna go far.

- That's different, too.
- Oh, that's Ellie.

I forget what her name was
in my day.

Ellie, baby, come on,
you adorable creature.

You're driving me mad.
I love you! I love you!

Alright.

Alright, go on,
you dance with her.

- Oh, no, dad.
- Oh, now go on, Tom.

Look, dad, let's go, huh?

Hey! Hey, buster!
It's 50 cents.

Uh-oh, here, I've got it.
Thank you.

- Hey, Lee!
- She got a tip.

- Lee!
- Tom, Tom!

Hey, we'll see you tonight.

Seven o'clock sharp.

I'll tell him, hm?

- Hey, that fellow spoke to you.
- Oh, yeah.

Oh, he seemed
like a regular fellow.

Yeah, I guess he is.

Oh, Tom, look,
now he's still open.

You go in there
and get rid of all that hair.

I'll go over
and see Billy Reynolds.

- Look, dad, I don't--
- Now.

See you back at the house.

Come in!

I'm in the garden!

Oh. Come on out.

Well, excuse me, but I'm--

- Hello, Mr. Lee.
- Well, how do you know that?

Oh, Bill has
many pictures of you

when you were together on teams.

Oh. Heh-heh.
You mean, I haven't changed?

- Well..
- Ha-ha..

- I'm Laura. How are you?
- Yes.

Well, he is very lucky,
isn't he?

Thank you. I was, um, just
planting some forget-me-nots.

- Oh, please don't let me--
- No, no, no, no.

- I've-I've finished.
- Uh-huh.

Oh, you're to be congratulated.

Oh? On what?

Tom's victory this afternoon.

Oh, yes.
Uh, yes. Were you there?

Yes, for a while.

I left, too. Yeah.

Mr. Lee, this is spring

the usual time
for college and school riots

and general horseplay,
ganging up

excessive spirit.
You must remember.

Yes, I just don't remember
anything quite like this.

- Well, Mr. Lee, I'm quite--
- 'Laura!'

- Herb!
- Bill, baby!

- How are ya? Boy! Oh!
- Oh, boy!

- They told me you were around.
- Yeah.

- You've met Laura.
- And I like her very much.

Oh, everybody likes Laura.

Uh, you look wonderful, Bill!

Well, I-I-I try
to keep in shape.

- Oh, ho-ho-ho!
- Oh, ho-ho-ho!

Well, if you excuse me,
I'll go and fix you a drink.

Oh! Well,
I can't stay very long.

- I have to catch the 6:54 back.
- Oh, I won't be long.

That's a fine girl, Bill.

Um, Herb, you, uh, you saw Tom?

Yes, I left him
at the barbershop

to get his hair cut.

What's this all about, Bill?

I went to the tennis match this
afternoon, and I was humiliated.

Come back to a 25th reunion
just to be humiliated.

Yes, Herb, I heard about it.

And in the locker room,
Sister Boy they called him.

Uh, what is it, Bill?

Well, Herb, he's a strange kid.
He keeps to himself.

He's different
from the rest of them

and naturally,
they just resent it.

Well, this whole thing came
to a head because last Wednesday

he was supposed to go swimming
with the Varsity Club.

Instead, he went down to the
beach with some faculty wives.

Some of the boys came on him

and there he was,
sitting with them..

...sewing.

Yes, well, I guess
I am not surprised, Bill.

Uh, you see, when he was a kid,
we had a maid.

She taught him
to do things like that.

I fired her when I found out.

Well, why would faculty wives..

I, I mean you'd think
they'd have better sense.

Yes. Yes, Herb, you would.

Why isn't he
a regular fellow, Bill?

He's had every chance
to be since

he was knee-high
to a grasshopper.

Boys camps, boarding schools,
I've always seen to it

that he was associated
with regular guys.

Why doesn't some of it rub off?

Mr. Lee, Mr. Lee, perhaps
I'm not the one to say this

but I think he is a regular
fellow, whatever that is.

Yeah? You're being very generous
to say that, Laura.

But, well, it just
doesn't jive with the facts.

Well, he,
he is an off-horse, Herb.

He's going to have to learn
to run with the other horses.

I want to be proud of him.

That's why I had him
in the first place.

But he makes it
so difficult for me.

My associates ask me
what he wants to be

and I have to tell them that,
uh, he hasn't made up his mind

because I just won't tell them
that he wants to be

a, a folk singer.

Oh, he certainly isn't a chip
off the old block, Herb.

Well, I guess they'll give him
a real going-over

at that pajama bonfire tonight.

I'm very grateful
I will not be there to see it.

However,
may be a good lesson for him.

Oh, mightn't it be
more than a lesson, Mr. Lee?

Nobody ever gets hurt
at these things.

It's sort of
a good-natured roughhouse.

Yes, well, I'll, um, I'll bring

you something
to go with your drink.

Well, please don't bother,
I have

to go up and see Tom
in a moment.

You'll be there,
won't you, Bill?

Sure.

Well, I guess
I better get up and see Tom.

Okay, Herb.

I hate having serious talks
with him.

Only other time I had
a heart-to-heart talk with him

he got sick to his stomach.

That's a terrible effect
to have on a boy.

Well, uh, don't bother
to get anything.

He took his drink
up to Tom's room.

- Alright, dear.
- Oh, and, Laura.

I wish that you wouldn't try

to tell him about his own son.

After all,
if he doesn't know the boy..

- Who does?
- I'm-I'm-I'm sorry.

I'm going to dean's for supper.
There's something I wanna--

Oh, I got things in
for supper here.

- Oh, oh, oh, well, I'm sorry.
- But they'll keep.

But, uh, the dean couldn't
make it any other time, okay?

Yeah, sure.

But you'll be back
for the bonfire pajama fight.

I wouldn't miss it.

- Exactly what is it, Bill?
- Well..

The first victory that we have
over Hanover each year

all the new boys
put on their pajamas

and the older boys
try to tear them off.

Will they give Tom a going-over
as Mr. Lee said?

Yes.

- Look, Laura, he asked for it.
- Oh, Bill.

Maybe it will make a man of him.

But, Bill, I've never seen you

like this before about--

Laura, this is my house.

I lived here as a student,
and my father before me.

The name of this house
means something to me.

It may mean nothing to you.

You don't know
how it can get blown up.

You don't know what
one off-horse can do to a house.

Has it ever occurred to you
that it might get blown up

into something big for Tom, too?

That it might affect him
for the rest of his life

and make him unsure
and doubting--

Tom's father put him in this

house hoping I could do
something for him.

- You feel you've failed.
- Yes!

And with your help.

Oh, the beach thing.

That and everything else.

Why, this boy would rather
sit around here with you

and listen to music
and read poetry

and strum his guitar
than go out with the fellows.

But, Bill,
he's never had a home.

This is the closest thing
he's ever had to a home.

And he sees
in this house and in me--

What?

Oh. Look, Laura.

Stay out of these things.

Well, I told you when
I brought you here a year ago

that this was going to be
an awfully tough place

for a woman
with a heart like yours.

I told you that you'd run
into boys, big and little.

They'd all have problems,
problems, which for the moment

would seem gigantic
and heartbreaking.

Uh, you-you promised me then

that you wouldn't get
all taken up with them.

- Remember that?
- Yes, I-I remember.

It, it's just that this--

You know, when, when I was kid
here in this school

I had my problems, too.

I used to sit in my room

and listen to phonograph records
hour after hour.

I had a place where I used to go
and cry my eyes out.

- Oh, Bill.
- But I got over it, Laura.

I learned how to take it!

Now, when the headmaster's wife
gave you that silver teapot

she told you just what she tells
all of the other master's wives

that you have got to be
an interested bystander.

- Yes, yes, I know.
- And just as she says, Laura.

All you're supposed to do

is once in a while
give the boys a little--

A little tea and sympathy.

- You remember.
- Yes, I remember.

- It's just that--
- What?

Oh, this age, 17 or 18.

- I know.
- That's so..

And John was just this age--

- Look, Laura.
- Yes, yes, I know.

I know you don't like me
to talk about him

but he was just this age,
18 or so, when I married him.

We both were. And I know
how this age can suffer.

Oh, it's a heartbreaking time.

They're no longer a boy
and not yet a man

wondering what's going to be
expected of them as men

how they'll measure up.

Bill?

Bill?

Well, I guess
I better get changed

if I'm going
to get to the dean's on time.

Hey, you didn't
get your haircut.

Oh, no, I, uh, well, I waited,
but he closed up

before he could take me.

Ah. Well, first thing
Monday morning then.

- Huh?
- Sure.

This room certainly looks

different
from when I lived here.

I had a, a bathing beauty

or something like that
right over there.

Curtains? You..

You spend your allowance
on this kind of thing?

I, well, I try
to make it look

more like a home, yeah.

My clothes used to be
all over the place.

I'm afraid that neatness was
a virtue that I never, uh..

What's this?

Uh, well, it's a costume

Mrs. Reynolds was fixing for me.

I-I'm in the play before
the dance on Saturday night.

Playing what?

L-Lady Teazle
in "The School For Scandal."

Tom..

- I want to talk to you.
- What's the matter?

You're not gonna play that part.

Why not?

Well, I should think
you would have

sense enough to know why not.

♪ We'll be down to get you
in a taxi sister ♪

♪ You better be ready
by quarter to 8:00 ♪♪

- 'Ha-ha!'
- Isn't it obvious why not?

- A boy of mine..
- Well, wait a minute, dad.

- You're not going to do it.
- But, dad--

I don't like my son
being called Sister Boy.

You're going
to have to show them.

And you?

- No, not me.
- And..

And Mrs. Reynolds?

Mm. Yes, I guess so.

Come on now,
you're going down to Bill's

and phone
whoever is putting on this play

and tell 'em that you're
not going to do that part.

Dad, I'll-I'll do it later.

Now.

Dad, let me call
about the play from here.

Why not use Bill's phone?
He won't mind.

- Please, dad.
- Come on.

And listen,
at that bonfire tonight

you put up a fight.

If I hear that you didn't
lick the tar out of them..

Well, you just fight.

You understand? Come on.

- Well, is Bill ready?
- Yes. He'll be right down.

I'd like Tom to use your phone,
if he may

to call
whoever is putting on the play.

- He's giving up the part.
- Giving up the part?

Yes. I want him to.
He's doing it for me.

- Oh, but, Mr. Lee--
- Well, Bill will understand.

- Oh, Bill?
- 'Oh, up here, Herb.'

Oh. Heh-heh.

Say, Bill, what's the number
of that man

who is putting on the play?
Tom wants to call him.

Fred Mayberry. 326.
You about ready, Herb?

Yeah. You don't mind
if Tom uses your phone.

- 'Do you?'
- 'Of course not.'

Well, when are you going

on your mountain-climbing
weekend, Bill?

Well, yeah, next weekend's
the outing, Herb.

Huh, maybe Tom can go with you.

Well, well, he's
on the dance committee, I think.

Of course,
he's welcome if he wants to.

He always has been.

Tom?

Tom.

326.

Tom is going to give up
his part in the play.

Laura, will you, uh, walk along
with us to the dining hall?

I don't think I feel like
any supper.

- Thanks.
- 'What?'

Here. I have to get along
if I'm gonna catch my train.

Why, Laura! We'll be back
right after supper.

We can go to the bonfire.
You sure you won't walk-

- Yes, yes, I'm quite sure.
- It's busy.

Now keep trying, then.

Now, then, before I go

is there anything you want?

Well, always remember

you want anything,
just let me know.

Well, I'll see you
in a week or so, Laura.

This will all be
blown over by then.

- Uh, Laura, I-I wish that yo--
- No. No.

Laura.

Hello, Mr. Mayberry,
this is Tom Lee.

Well, yes, I know it's time
to go to supper, Mr. Mayberry

but I wanted you..

..I wanted you to know
I'm not gonna be able

to play the part in the play.

No.

W-well, uh..

I just can't.

Here, just give it to me.
Give it to me.

Hello, Fred, Fred.
This is Laura.

Uh, yes, uh, yes, well..

Um, Tom's father, uh, well,
he thinks Tom is tired

and should concentrate
on his final exams.

Yes, well, you had someone
covering the part, didn't you?

Yeah, why, yes, of course, it's
a great disappointment to Tom.

Look, Fred,
I'll see you tomorrow, hm?

Yeah, yeah. Alright.
Thanks. Goodbye.

Hey, Bob, somebody's gonna
have to hold

his sewing basket for him
during the fight.

Oh, yeah. We don't want anything
to happen of that.

Hey, don't forget now, we're
gonna pick your roomie up

at a quarter to 8:00.

Tom?

Tom?

Tom?

Tom, I thought I'd call
little Joan Harrison

and ask her over
to tea tomorrow.

I want you to come, too,
and I want you to ask her

to go to the dance with you
Saturday.

You, you-you were to go with me.

- Yes, yes, I know I was.
- Do you think so, too?

Like the others?

- Like my father?
- Tom!

Is that why you're
shoving me off on Joan?

Tom, I'm asking her over
so that we can lick this thing.

Tom!

- Run!
- Let's go, troops!

Hey, Cinderella,
it's time for the ball!

- Come on, let's go!
- Come on, sis!

Sister's hiding!
Come on, sister!

Hey, come on! Put on
your nightie, and let's go!

- It's locked.
- We'll huff and we'll puff.

And we'll blow the door in.

- Come on!
- Come on!

Alright, let's go.

- Let's go! Come on!
- Hurry up!

Hup, hup, two, three.
Hup, hup, two, three.

Hup, hup, two, three..
Hup, hup..

Hup, hup, two, three. Hup, hup,
two, three. Hup, hup..

- Hello, Al.
- Oh, hello, Mrs. Reynolds.

You're staying
out of it tonight?

Ah, kid stuff.

Hup, three, two..
Hup, hup, two, three.

Hup, hup, two, three.
Hup, hup, two, three.

Hup, hup, two..
Alright, break. Let's go.

- Al, you're not in it?
- Well, what's the use?

Well, Sister Boy.

Wouldn't want you to catch cold.

- Bill, I don't think I'll stay.
- Oh, look now.

Nobody ever gets hurt
in this thing.

It'd be a pity
to spoil the record.

Oh, come on, it's all in fun.

Alright! Let's form a circle!

You watch out for Sister Boy
there! She's very delicate!

- Yeah.
- See, what's going on there?

Hey, you don't wanna tear
the pajamas off of Sister Boy!

- Now do you?
- You leave Sister Boy alone!

We're her bodyguards!

Whichever of you guys
touches a hair off her head

dies like a dog!

Now, sis, you stay where the
nasty, rough men won't hurt you.

Sister Boy, he's in..

See, no one's gonna get hurt.

Hey, don't mess up
Sister Boy's hair.

What, do you wanna make her cry?

Aw, Al! I'm sorry you did that
to Sister Boy, Al.

But seeing as you did..

Ralph!

Aah-aah!

Okay, fellows, break it up now!

Come on, let's go!

Tom!

I'm-I'm sorry
I called out over there.

I didn't think.

It's alright.

Do you have something
to put on those cuts?

Tom

I, I didn't have a chance

to thank you for the seeds.

Remember, tea on Monday
with Joan Harrison.

Yes, dad. Yes, dad. Y..

Well, well, I don't know, dad,
it just seemed so lousy

that no one was tearing
Tom's pajamas off.

I don't know why I did it.

What do you mean
what do the guys on the team

think about it? What..

Well, how did you find out
about it, anyway?

Yeah.

Yeah. Sure, I know Mike.

Yeah. Sure, sure,
he's a nice guy.

He p-plays first base.

Y-yeah. Well, look, dad.

Now, that's not going to be
so easy.

You see, it's-it's kind of late.

And even if I did
wanna do it, I--

Okay, dad,
I'll, I'll think about it.

Well, I can't be
more definite, dad.

I-I said I'd think about it!

Well, I don't mean
to be disrespectful, sir.

Only, only it's not easy.

Yeah. Look, I gotta run, dad.

Yeah. Yeah, okay.
Yeah, dad. Bye.

- Oh, Mrs. Reynolds.
- Oh, hello, Al.

- Is, uh, Mr. Reynolds in?
- Why, no.

He isn't.
But can I do something?

Well, I guess I better
drop down when he's in.

Well, alright,
but I don't really

expect him back till suppertime.

Well, in that case,
you might tell him

just so as he'll know
and can make other plans

that I won't be rooming
in this house next year.

This is the last day
for changing.

I just wanted him
to know about it.

Oh, I see. Well..

I know he'll be very sorry
to hear that, Al.

I'm, uh, going across the
street to, uh, Harmon's house.

Uh-huh. Both you and Tom
going over?

No.

Just me.

Does Tom know about this?

Al, won't you come in
and sit down for a moment?

Please.

Would you like a cigarette?

Oh, no. I'm in training.

Oh! Oh, yes, that's right.

You're not looking forward
to telling Tom, are you, Al?

I'm sorry to hear you're not
rooming with him next year.

Mrs. Reynolds,
my father's called me.

He wants me to room
with Mike Farrell next year.

He-he says
Mike's a regular guy.

He's always wanted me
to room with Mike.

It-it seems he and Mike's father
roomed together

and, and..

Al, I can't tell you
how much I admired

what you did at the bonfire
Saturday night.

It took great courage.

Not physical courage,
but moral courage.

Al, you've lived with Tom.

You know him better
than anyone else knows him.

If you do this,
it's as good as finishing him

as far as this school
is concerned

and maybe even farther.

It-it's my father
and the fellows and..

And what?

Mrs. Reynolds,
he does act kind of..

Well, well, why does he
have to walk so, so..

Oh, Al.

Why doesn't he talk
about the same things

the other guys talk about?
Long-hair music, all the time!

Alright, he wants to be
a singer, so he talks about it.

He's never had a girl up
for any of the dances.

- Which proves what?
- All the time alone.

Wandering off up to the golf
course, taking off on his bike

listening to phonograph records
alone over in the choir room.

Al, there are certain times
in your life

when you would rather be alone
than with crowds of people.

And one of them is when
you're very deeply in love.

- Tom?
- Yes. Perhaps he's in love.

Now, Mrs. Reynolds,
I am his roommate.

He doesn't get any letters
from girls. He never writes any.

He doesn't even talk
about a girl.

Well, I mean, he just can't be.

I, I better wait
and talk to Mr. Reynolds.

Al, what if I were to start
talking about you tomorrow?

What do you mean talk?

Oh, any kind.

Perhaps the same sort of talk
they're making about Tom.

You mean Sister Boy?

Why, no one would believe it.

Why not?

Because you're big
and brawny and an athlete

and what they call a top guy
and a hard-hitter?

Well, yeah, it..

Mrs. Reynolds, you wouldn't do
a thing like that.

No, Al, I probably wouldn't.

But I could.

And I almost would to show you
how easy it is

to smear a person.

And once I've got them
believing it, you'd be surprised

how quickly your manly virtues

would be changed
into suspicious characteristics.

Mrs. Reynolds, I got a chance

to be captain
of the ball team next--

Yes, I know, and I have no right

to ask you
to give up that chance.

Excuse me for saying so,
Mrs. Reynolds, but it's easy

for you to talk the way
you have. You're not involved!

You're just a bystander!
You're not going to get hurt.

Nothing's going to happen to you
one way or the other.

I'm sorry.

No. That's
a fair criticism, Al.

I'm sorry I asked you.

Yes, as you say,
I'm not involved.

I'm sorry.

I think you're swell,
Mrs. Reynolds.

I think you're
the nicest housemaster's wife

I've ever run into. I mean, I..

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, too, Al.

- Oh, hi.
- Hi. Oh, I don't wanna--

No, that's okay. I wasn't
really listening, anyway.

That's a, that's a nice tie
you got there.

Oh, yeah, it's yours.
You want it?

No, no. I, I can only wear
one tie at a time.

You come up here
to listen to records?

N-no, uh, I..

It's been rough, hasn't it?

Yeah.

My, my brother says
down at college

they have riots in the spring.
No reason at all, just riots.

Up here they don't have riots.
They just pick out some guy--

I went to a meeting
of the dance committee.

I'm no longer on the dance
committee, they said that

since I backed out of playing
the part in the play

I didn't show the proper spirit.
That's what they said was--

Well, why don't you do something
about it?

- Well, what can I do?
- Well, gee, you could..

You..

I don't know.

I try to pass it off.

But you can't pass it off.

The terrible thing is
I, I find myself self-conscious

about things I've been doing
for years.

Look, Tom, do you mind
if I try to help you?

Gee, no. How?

Now, I know this is going
to burn your tail

and I know it sounds stupid,
but it isn't stupid.

It's the way
people look at things.

Uh, now you could do a lot
for yourself

just the way you look and talk.

- You mean, get my hair cut?
- For one thing.

Well, why should a guy with
a crew cut look more manly..

Well, I don't know the reasons
for these things. It's just--

Well, I tried a crew cut
a couple of times!

I haven't got that kind of hair
or that kind of head!

I'm sorry, Al.
I, I didn't mean to yell at you.

Thanks for trying to help.

Look, Tom, the way you walk..

I'm just trying to help--

Nobody gave a damn about
how I walk till last Wedn--

Okay, okay! Forget it!

- Al.
- Yeah?

I'm sorry.

Tell me how I walk.

Well..

Okay. Go ahead, walk.

Now I'm not gonna be able
to walk anymore!

Go on, go on.

Okay, I'm walking. Now tell me.

- Well?
- Well, I don't know.

Well, you walk sort of,
I mean..

- I don't get it.
- Well, sort of..

- Well, show me.
- Oh, I can't do it.

Well, then you walk.
Let me watch you.

I-I-I never noticed
how you walk.

Okay.

Do it again.

If you tell any of the guys
about this--

Do you think I would?

That's a good walk.
I-I'll-I'll try to copy it.

You really think
it will make any difference?

- I don't know.
- Not now, it won't.

Thanks anyway.

Look, Tom, you've been in
on a lot of bull sessions.

You've heard the guys talking
about stopping over in Boston

on the way home,
getting girls, you know?

- Sure. What about it?
- Well..

You're not going to the dance
Saturday night.

- Not now.
- You know Ellie Martin?

The gal that waits on tables
over at the soda joint?

- Sure. What about her?
- You've heard the guys talking.

- About her.
- Well, come on, come on.

Why don't you drop in on Ellie
Saturday night?

W-what do you mean?

Hey, you want me
to draw you a picture?

Gee, Ellie Martin.

- Okay. I know she's a dog.
- Well, what good will that do?

If I get caught there,
I'll get thrown out of school.

No one ever gets caught. Sunday
morning people hear about it.

Not the dean.
I mean the fellows.

Ellie tells
and tells and tells.

Boy, you'd be made!

- Are you kidding?
- No!

Of course, if, um

if that sort of thing
doesn't appeal to you..

Tom..

You've never been
with a girl alone, have you?

I don't, I don't mean dances.
I mean alone.

- You wanna know something?
- What?

Neither have I.

You mean,
all those stories you told

about stopping over in Boston
and getting girls--

I'll be sorry I told you.

Then why don't you go see
Ellie Martin Saturday night?

Why should I?

You mean you don't
have to prove anything.

Oh.. Oh, forget it.

Probably a foul idea anyway.

Yeah.

Look, Tom, about next..

Next year, yes?

Well, Mike Farrell's asked me
to room with him

over at Harmon's house.

A lot of guys from the team
are over there.

Sure, sure. I understand.

I'm sorry I didn't tell you
until now

after we made our plans, but..

- I didn't know.. I mean--
- I understand!

I'll see ya.

Al?

Yeah?

Here.

I said wear it. Keep it.

It's yours.

See ya.

Hi!

- Laura?
- 'I'm up here.'

I beat young Harvey at handball!

Good.

At last! It took
some doing, though.

He was after my scalp
because I gave him

that D-minus on his last exam.

Yeah.

Uh, you, uh, you wanted this.

Book of poems.

Why, yes! How did you know?

Oh, the notice
from the bookstore.

Oh, that's very sweet
of you, dear.

- You've already got it.
- Well, yes.

Someone gave it to me.

Oh, heh, Tom knew I wanted it.

Bill!

Oh, Bill,
what difference does it make

that he gave me the book?
He knew I wanted it, too.

I don't know.

It just seems that every time
that I try to do--

Oh, Bill, don't say that.
It isn't so!

- It is.
- But..

But this thing of the book
is funny.

I don't think it's very funny.

Bill, Bill.

I'm, I'm very touched
that you should have remembered.

And thank you.

Oh, Bill,
don't turn away from me.

I wanted to thank you.

Oh, is it such a chore
to let yourself be thanked?

Oh, Bill.

We so rarely touch anymore.

I keep feeling
I'm losing contact with you.

- Don't you feel that? Yes.
- Look, Laura, I-I've got to--

Yes, I know, I know you've got
to go, but it's just that

I don't know, we

we don't touch anymore.

You seem to hold yourself
aloof from me

and a tension
seems to grow between us and..

Oh, you don't feel that?

You don't feel yourself
holding away from me

until it becomes overpowering,
and then..

Oh, Bill, there's
no growing together anymore

no quiet times

just holding hands
and a feeling of closeness

like it was in Italy.

And now it's..

Oh, oh, Bill,
do you, do you see?

You do see.

I don't know what
you're talking about, Laura.

It can't always be a honeymoon.

Well, do you think
that's what I was talking about?

I don't know why you chose
a time like this to talk about.

Yes, I don't know why either.

I just wanted to thank you
for the book

and I'm sorry
I said anything. I..

Can I get you some tea?

No. No, thank you.

Well, little Joan Harrison's
coming over for tea.

No, she isn't.
I saw her father at the gym.

I don't think
that was a very smart thing

for you to do, Laura.

Well, I thought Tom could ask
her to the dance on Saturday.

He's on the committee,
and he has no girl to take.

I understand
he's no longer on the committee.

You're a hostess, aren't you?

Yes, yes, I am a hostess.

I, uh, have that
mountain-climbing business

this weekend.
The weatherman predicts rain.

Oh, well, that's too bad.

You know we're losing Al
next year because of Tom?

- Oh, you've heard.
- 'Yup.'

He'll probably be
captain of the baseball team.

Last time we had a major sports
captain was eight years ago.

Yes. I'm sorry about that.

However,
we'll also be losing Tom.

Yeah, yeah.

We, uh, have no singles
in this house

and, uh,
Tom will be rooming alone.

Well, I'm sorry to hear that.

- I knew that you would be.
- Oh, Bill.

Why should my interest
in this boy make you angry?

- I'm not angry.
- You're not only angry.

it's almost as though
you were, well, jealous.

What?

Oh, come now, Laura.

Well, how else could you explain

your vindictive attitude
towards him?

I'll, uh, go directly from class
to the dining hall, alright?

Yes, dear.
Of course it's alright.

- 'And, Laura.'
- Yes, dear?

Seeing Tom so much

having him down to tea alone
all the time..

I think
you ought to have him down

only when you have
the other boys

for his own good. I mean that.

Now, I'll see you
in the dining hall.

Try to be on time.

Hello. I'd like to speak
to Ellie Martin, please.

Oh, hello. Ellie?
Uh, this is Tom Lee.

Tom Lee.

Well, I'm down at
the soda fountain all the time

with my roommate Al Thompson.

Yeah. Well, uh, I'll tell you
what I, uh, wanted, Ellie.

I, uh, I-I'm not going
to the dance on Saturday night

and I-I wondered
if-if you're doing anything.

Well, I mean, uh,
I wondered if maybe

I could drop over
and, and pick you up

after you get through work
on Saturday night.

Well, I don't know
what's in it for you, Ellie.

Yeah, something, I guess.

I just thought
I'd like to see you.

O-okay. Well, what time
do you get through work?

Nine o'clock? Alright.
I'll see you then.

Oh! Thanks.

Oh, e-excuse me, Mrs. Reynolds.

- How are you, Ellie?
- Keep your big, fat--

I'm in a hurry, Ellie,
I'm-I'm-I'm late

picking up my girl
for the dance.

Say, aren't we
the little gentleman tonight?

- Hey. Alrighty.
- Live it up, buster.

Uh, I'd like
a package of these.

- Matches?
- No, thanks.

Thanks.

- Want something else?
- No, thanks.

But you're Mrs. Reynolds,
aren't you?

- Yes.
- Uh-huh.

Nice flowers. Having a party?

Yes. Of sorts.

Real pretty.

Take one.

Thanks.

- Well, goodnight.
- Goodnight.

Oh! Have a nice party.

Thanks.

I'll never make it.

Tom?

Well..

- I've been expecting you.
- Uh, I--

Are you going to the dance,
after all?

No.

You can report me if you like,
out after hours.

Or you can give me permission.

Can I have permission to go out?

I think I better get you
some coffee.

You can tell them that, too,
that I've been drinking.

There'll be lots to tell
before..

I didn't drink much.

But I didn't eat much, either.

Well, let me get you
something to eat.

No. I, I can't stay.

Well, alright.

Ooh, it's a nasty night out,
isn't it?

I-I wasn't planning to come in.

Then why the flowers?

And the card.
"For a pleasant evening."

Well, that was for the dance.
I forgot to cancel.

- Well, I'm glad you didn't.
- Why?

Well, for one thing,
I like to get flowers

and for another thing, it's my..

Oh, look. Let me get you
some coffee. It's all made.

No. I'm just about right.

Hm. Look..

Drink this.

I've only had a sip.

Come on.

Well, y-you can drink
from this side.

- And for another thing?
- What do you mean?

- Well, for one thing, you--
- Oh, yes.

I like to get flowers,
and for another thing

it's nice to have flowers
on my anniversary.

- Anniversary?
- Yes.

And Mr. Reynolds
on a mountaintop with 20 st..

- Didn't he remember?
- Well, well..

It's not that anniversary.

Come along.
Let me take your coat.

No, I..

Well, how nice you look.

Put me in a blue suit

and I look like a kid.

How did you know
I liked these flowers?

You mentioned it.

You're very quick
to notice these things.

So was he.

Who?

My first husband.

That's the anniversary.

Well, I, I-I didn't know.

He was, I'd say, about your age.

How old are you, Tom?

Eighteen.

- Tomorrow.
- Tomorrow?

Oh, we'll celebrate.

You'd better not make any plans.

He was just your age then.

Hm, maybe a few months older.

Such a lonely boy

away from home
for the first time

and going off to war.

War?

Yes. He was killed.

I'm sorry.

But I'm glad to hear about him.

- Glad?
- Yes.

I don't know.

He sounds like someone
you should have been married to

and not..

I'm sorry.

He was killed
being conspicuously brave.

He had to be
conspicuously brave, you see

because, well, something
had happened in training camp.

Oh, I don't know what,
but he was afraid

the others thought him a coward.

He showed them he wasn't.

He had that satisfaction.

Well, what was it worth
if it killed him?

I don't know,
but I can understand.

Yes, of course you can.

You're very like him.

Me?

Here, before I finish it all.

He was kind and gentle

and lonely.

We knew it wouldn't last.
We sensed it.

But he always said

"Why must the test of everything
be its durability?"

I'm sorry he was killed.

I'm sorry he was killed
the way he was killed.

In trying to prove he was a man

he died a boy.

Still, he must have died happy.

Why? Because he proved
his courage?

That.

And because
he was married to you.

- Sorry, I've got to go.
- Oh, please.

- Tom. Well..
- I-I've-I've got to!

It must be a very
important engagement.

Well, if you go now, I'll think

I've bored you,
talking all about myself.

Oh, I probably shouldn't have
gone on like that

but I just got
into a reminiscent mood.

Don't you ever
get in reminiscing moods?

- On nights like this?
- About what?

Come now, there must be
something nice to remember.

Or someone. Isn't there?

Can-can I have
some more coffee?

Yes, of course.

It was my seventh-grade teacher.

- What?
- Well, that's who I remember.

Ms. Middleton.

Ah, how sweet.

It wasn't sweet.
It was terrible.

Tell me about her.

Well, she was
just out of college.

Tall, blond, honey-colored hair

and she wore a polo coat
and drove a convertible.

Mm. Sounds very fetching.

Ever since then
I've been a sucker

for girls in polo coats.

- I think I have one--
- Yes, I know.

Well, what happened?

Well, what could happen?

As usual,
I made a fool of myself.

I guess everyone knew
I was in love with her.

People I like,
I can't help showing it.

But that's a good trait.

Whenever she wanted someone
to go downtown

and help her with errands,
there I was.

She liked you, too, then.

This is a stupid thing
to talk about.

Oh, I can see why she liked you.

I..

I thought she loved me.

I was 12 years old.

Puppy love can be heartbreaking.

I'm always falling in love
with the wrong people.

Who isn't?

You, too?

Well, it wouldn't be any fun
if we didn't.

Of course

nothing ever comes of it.

But there are
bittersweet memories

and they can be pleasant.

Well, now,
who else have you been

desperately in love with, hm?

I-it's nine o'clock. I'm late.

Oh, can't I persuade you
to stay?

- No. Thanks.
- We were getting on so well.

In another moment
I'd have told you

all the deep, dark secrets
of my life.

Well, won't you even stay
for a dance?

- I don't dance.
- I know. I was gonna teach you.

- Well, some other time.
- Oh, please. For me?

- Tell me something.
- Yes?

- Why are you so nice to me?
- Why, I--

You're not this way
with the rest of the fellows.

No.

No, I know I'm not.

I, I just wondered why.

I guess, Tom..

I guess it's because I like you.

No one else seems to.

- Why do you?
- Well, I-I-I don't know. I..

Is it because no one else
likes me? Is it just pity?

Oh, no, Tom. No, of course not.

It's just that..

Well, you've been
very nice to me.

Very considerate.

It wasn't easy for me
coming into a school

my first year.
And you seemed to sense that.

I don't know,
we just seemed to hit it off.

Mr. Reynolds knows you like me.

Yes, I suppose so.
I haven't made a secret of it.

Is that why he hates me so?

Oh, I don't think he hates you.

Yes, he hates me. Why lie?

I think everyone here hates me,
except you.

- But they won't--
- Oh, no, of course they won't.

He hates me
because he made a flop with me.

I know all about it.

My father put me in this house
when I first came here.

And when he left me,
he said to your husband

"Make a man out of him."

He's failed, and he's mad.

And then you came along and were
nice to me, out of pity!

Oh, no, Tom, not pity.

I'm too selfish a woman
to like you just out of pity.

There, there's so much
I-I don't understand.

Tom, don't go out tonight.

I've got to. That's one thing
that's clear. I've got to.

Well, won't you even let me
teach you how to dance?

Oh, God..

Oh, God.

Oh, Tom.

Tom.

No, Tom. No.

T-Tom! Tom!

- Tom!
- 'Come on, let's get inside!'

Yeah, let's get out
of this rain!

- What's the matter with you?
- What are you doing back?

The whole bunch is back.

Who wants to go
mountain-climbing in the rain?

- 'Hey! Hey! Come on!'
- 'Come on!'

Oh, say, any of you fellas
wanna go across the street

for something to eat
when you get changed, go ahead.

- Well, hi!
- Oh. Hello, dear.

Ah! Ooh!

Ah, the one weekend a year
we get to go mountain-climbing.

- And it rains.
- Yes, that's too bad.

Ah, yeah, I think the fellows
wanted me to invite them down

for a feed,
but I didn't want to.

I, uh, I thought
we'd be alone. Okay?

- Yeah. Sure.
- Ah, yeah.

Ah! Boy, it really rained!

We didn't even make it
above the timberline

when it started to come down.

Another hour or so,
we could have made it

to the hut
and stayed the night.

But the, uh, the fellows

they wanted to turn back.

What was that?

Nothing, dear.

Nothing at all.

You know, all day long

I'm up to my elbows in coffee.

And what do I want
when I get here?

- A cuppa coffee.
- Well, I don't want any coffee.

Well, I do.

You oughta take that coat off.
It's damp.

Oh, it's alright.

You gonna leave it on?

Now, you sure
you don't want some coffee?

No. Thanks, I'm..

Since I was entertaining, I
thought I'd decorate the place.

Nice, huh?

- What's the matter?
- Nothing. I..

Well, I think it's pretty.

Yeah, it's pretty.

Mm. Yup.

A cuppa coffee and the radio.

First thing I get here.

It's crazy, isn't it? Heh.

Oh, it's a lousy radio.

Oh, I saw a beauty
down at Meyers the other day.

Well, it was 20 bucks, though.

Well, I-I'll,
I'll get it for you.

Would you?

Aw, thanks.

Oh, it's
the green and black job.

- Right-hand window. Hm?
- Sure.

- 'Thanks.'
- It's alright.

- Wanna dance?
- 'Well, I don't dance.'

Well, I'm gonna teach you.

It will sort of get us
in the same county, huh?

I-I think I will have
a cup of coffee.

- You want, you want some more?
- No, I don't want it.

I shouldn't drink so much.

I tell you, it gives me a..

It's an acid condition.

It's good.

Say, what is it the fellows
call you at the soda joint?

I hear 'em call you something.

Nothing.

Well, I hear 'em
call you something.

Let's dance, huh?

Boy, are you jumpy.

I-I'm sorry. Please?

Oh, look, look!

Now relax, huh?

Relax.

Now look, just sort of walk
to the music, on time.

And if you don't wanna walk,
you just stand still.

Just relax, huh? Relax.
Now come on. Come on.

♪ Rum-pum pum-pum
ba-ba bum-bum ♪♪

You know, I tell you,
I used to work

at a dime-a-dance place
in New York where..

Say, what are you laughing at?
You've never been there.

Uh, I don't know.

You ever been
out with a girl before?

- Sure.
- Yeah, sure.

Listen, are you here
on a bet or something?

No. Come on.

Aren't we the original
hot-and-cold boy!

- I'm sorry.
- Huh? Now listen.

Quit being so sorry,
or I'm gonna be sorry, too.

Come on.

You know, it's a funny thing.

I can't remember
what they called..

Well, my, my!

Now don't tell me
I'm the first girl

you ever kissed, huh?

Well..

...I get 'em all.

Now come on, puppy.

Give me your paw.

You see?
You're getting the idea?

Or do you wanna call mama
and ask her what to do, huh?

You've got soft hands,
almost like a girl's.

Aha! Ha-ha..

Oh, is that what they call you?
Sister Boy!

Well, no wonder!

Sister Boy!
Oh, I should have known! My--

Oh, no!

What are you doing?
What are you doing?

What's the matter with you?

What's the matter with you?
What are you do.. What are y..

- Just let me alone!
- What's the matter with you?

- What's the matter with you?
- Nothing's the matter with me!

Nothing!

Stop him! Stop him!
He's got a knife!

He's crazy! Get him! Get him!

- Let me alone!
- Stop him! Oh!

Now get that guy out of here!

Let the school's cops
take care of him!

Well, listen to me
for a second.

I'm telling you,
the guy went and saw Ellie.

Oh, look.
Who are you trying to bull?

Oh, for crying out loud,
the school police caught him

coming out of her place.

You're probably the last guys

to hear about this thing.

Well, how about that?

What would he wanna go
and do a thing like that for?

- Hello, Laura.
- Hello, Mr. Lee.

Well, Bill isn't in right now.

My train was 20 minutes late.

Heh. I was afraid
I'd missed him.

We have an appointment with
the dean in just a few minutes.

Oh, I see. Well, Bill's over..

He's over talking to the girl.

He decided
someone should get the details

before you go to the dean's.

The details? Well..

I mean, really. After all..

Excuse me, Mr. Lee,
but you seem rather

well, rather pleased.

Well..

You know Tom will be expelled

for, for being with this girl.

Oh, now, a boy can't keep in
bounds all of his life, Laura.

It was just very foolish of him
to be found

leaving the place
by the school police.

I think you're proud of him.

Perhaps for the first time
in his life you're proud of him

because he was found
out of bounds with a--

I suppose it is hard for a woman
to understand

but believe me, Laura,
in years to come

it will be just another
amusing smoking-car story.

- 'Off to the tea dance, Ted?'
- 'Oh, yeah, Mr. Reynolds.'

- 'Have a good time.'
- 'Oh, why..'

- Bill!
- Oh. Hello, Herb.

I was afraid I might be late for
our appointment with the dean.

Now don't go
for a minute, Laura.

Well, is Tom sitting around,
telling the boys all about it?

No, Herb.
No, he's alone in his room.

He has been
ever since the school police

brought him in last night.

I was just telling your wife,
trying to make her understand

the male point of view
on this matter.

I mean, how being kicked out
for this kind of thing

while not exactly desirable,
is still not so serious.

Sort of one of the calculated
risks of being a man.

- Herb.
- Yes, Bill? I mean..

You do agree with me on
that, don't you?

Herb, the situation
is not exactly

as it was reported to you
on the telephone.

- Uh, what do you mean?
- Well, Herb.

It's true that Tom went
to this girl Ellie's place.

It's true that he went there
for the usual reason.

However,
it didn't work out that way.

She tried to help it along
by getting him to dance.

She, well, said something about
his hands being like a girl's.

Anyway, the upshot of
the whole thing was he panicked.

He ran to the kitchen,
he got a knife

and he tried to kill himself.

Now the story is true.
Tom admits it.

You still think this will make
a good smoking-car story?

- What do you mean?
- Why did you want me to stay?

- To hear all this?
- I thought..

You should know the truth.

Bill, I just don't understand.

I'm sure Bill will be
more explicit with you

if I leave the room.

Laura, Herb and I
are going to the dean's now.

I'm playing squash
with the headmaster at 5:00.

I'll see you in the dining hall
at 6:30.

I wish you'd stay
for a moment now.

What?

I'd like to talk to you.

Laura, I can't.

Bill, I wish you would.

Herb, do you, uh, mind
walking along?

I'll be with you
in a few moments.

Alright, Bill.

Well, goodbye, Laura.

You're not going to see Tom?

I-I don't think he'd want
to see me just now. Do you?

It's his birthday.

Oh, yes. So it is.

Well, I'll be going along, Bill.

Now, Laura, what is it?

I've got to get to the dean's

to discuss this matter.

Yes, of course, but first

I'd like to discuss the boys
who made him do this.

The men and boys
who made him do this.

No one made him do anything.

Is there to be no blame,
no punishment

for the men and boys
who taunted him into doing this?

What if he had succeeded
in killing himself? What then?

You're being
entirely too emotional.

If he had
succeeded in killing himself

in Ellie's rooms, wouldn't
you have felt some guilt?

- I?
- Yes, you.

I wish you'd look at the facts
and not be so emot--

The facts? What facts?
There are no facts.

Except that
this boy is different

doesn't conform to your ideas
of what a man is.

This whole thing is judgment
by prejudice, and I resent it.

He's not like me,
therefore, he is capable

of all possible crimes.

He's not one of us,
a member of the tribe

so the tribe has to find
a scapegoat

to reaffirm your shaky position.

You keep insisting that I had
everything to do with this--

You stood by
and watched it happen.

You wanted to humiliate the boy
in the eyes of the school

because if he was right,
then you had to be wrong.

If he could be manly,
then you had to question

your own definition
of manliness.

Well, Bill, he's right.

Sure. Ask Ellie.

Oh, because it was
distasteful for him.

Because for him
there has to be love.

Well, manliness is not
all swagger and swearing

and mountain-climbing.

Manliness is also tenderness

and gentleness

and consideration.

Aw, look, Laura, I know
this has been a shock to you.

I know you were fond of the boy,
you did all you could

for him,
more than anyone would expect.

But after all,
your responsibility doesn't go--

Doesn't go beyond giving him

tea and sympathy
on Sunday afternoons.

Well, I'm going to tell you
something. It's gonna shock you.

- But I'm going to tell you.
- Laura, it's late.

Last night I knew
what Tom had in mind

to do. I heard him
making the date with Ellie.

- On the phone.
- And you didn't stop him?

Then you're the one
that's responsible.

Yes, I am responsible

but not in the way you think.

I did try to stop him

but not by locking him
in his room

or calling the school police.

I tried to stop him
by being nice to him

by being affectionate

and showing him he was liked.

I knew what he was going to do

and why he was going to do it.

He had to prove to you bullies
that he was a man

and he was going to prove it
with Ellie Martin.

Well

last night..

I know this is a terrible thing
to say, but..

...last night
I wish he had proved it with me.

You don't know
what you're saying.

...heart cried out to this boy

in his misery, a misery imposed
by my husband.

And I wanted to help him

as one human being to another,
and I failed.

At the last moment
I sent him away, and I sent--

You mean,
you managed to overcome

your exaggerated sense of pity?

Oh, no. It was not just pity.

I've been lonely here, Bill.
Miserably lonely.

We'll discuss this later
if we must.

Oh, Bill,
you're always running off!

We never talk things out,
our differences.

Can't we face them?
I'm not saying it's your fault.

It's probably mine,
but let's, let's look at it.

- E-examine it-- Oh.
- Examine it, criticize it.

Bill, if this thing of Tom
brings it out into the open

let it come out!

You've been talking
about manliness.

What do you know about a man?

You were married first
to that boy.

Again, a poor, pitiable boy.

You wanna mother a boy,
not love a man.

And that's why you've never
really loved me.

Oh, oh, I did love you, Bill.

But not just for
your outward show of manliness

but because you needed me.

And for one unguarded moment
you let me know you needed me.

And I have tried
to find that moment again

the year we've been married,
to find out why you married me.

This is what you want,
this kind of talk?

...arrive at something honest.

It may not be us, you and I

but it will be true and honest.

I married you
because you were kind

and gentle and womanly
and understanding.

And toward me you've only been
critical and undermining.

...have tried, Bill,
in every way.

I have tried,
but you haven't let me.

You were more interested
in mothering that boy

up there than becoming my wife.

I only gave him the affection

you didn't want, wouldn't have.

Oh, Bill, you do want it.

Why won't you let me love you?

Bill.

Bill, I have tried.
I have tried.

Tom?

Tom?

Tom.

I took your coat
back to your room.

You weren't there.

Hello?

So?

I didn't think
you'd ever want to see me again.

Why not?

After last night.

I'm sorry
about what happened downstairs.

I'm not.

You've heard everything,
I suppose.

Yes.

Everything?

Everything.

I knew your husband would be
anxious to give you the details.

Yes, he did.

So now you know, too.

But, Tom, dear,
you mustn't think--

Well, what else am I to think?

But you're not in love
with Ellie.

- That's not supposed to matter.
- Oh, but it does.

I wish they'd let me
kill myself.

Tom, look at me.

Tom?

Last night you kissed me.

Why did you kiss me?

And it made you sick, didn't it?

Didn't it?

How can you think such a thing?

Well, you sent me away. You..

Anyway, when you heard
this morning

it must have made you sick.

Tom, I'm going
to tell you something.

Tom.

That was the nicest kiss
I ever had..

...from anyone.

Tom, one day

you'll meet a girl

and it'll be right.

Tom..

...believe me.

I wish I could.

But a person knows,
knows inside.

Do you think that
after last night, I could ever..

But thanks.

Thanks a lot.

Years from now..

...when you talk about this..

...and you will..

...be kind.

I'm sorry. I, uh, used to live
in this room when I was here.

Crummy room, isn't it?

Yes, I guess it is.

- My name's Tom Lee.
- Hello.

- Say, did you write a book?
- Well, yes.

I've seen it in the library.

Well, I'm, uh, sorry
I barged in.

Oh, that's okay. Bye.

Bye.

Yes?

Mr. Reynolds?

Yes. Come in.

It's Tom Lee.

Oh. Yes.

I just wanted to say hello.

Yes?

Everything looks
very much the same.

Does it?

May I?

May I ask about Mrs. Reynolds?

I wrote her a letter here
a few years ago.

Was it.. I mean..

I don't know where she is.

A few months ago
she must have been living

somewhere near Chicago.

When she moved from there

left a box of things
which were forwarded here.

This letter addressed to you
was in it.

Obviously, she never sent it
or even stamped it.

Hello?

Well, what's the matter?

Have you got it there
in front of you?

Alright.
Oh, the week of the 9th, yeah.

Yeah. Read the names
alphabetically.

Yeah. It's a C-plus.

That's a B.

Who? Hap Hudson?
Well, that's a B.

Dear Tom.

I shall probably
never send this letter.

I probably
shouldn't even write it.

But I am impulsive,
that you know.

And my impulse is to write it.

Perhaps in the cold light
of morning I will tear it up.

I don't know.

Tom dear,
I have just read your book

your novel
about your days in school

about us.

It is a lovely book

tender and romantic
and touching.

And in it I come out
rather like a saint.

But, Tom,
that isn't the whole picture

or even the true picture.

You have romanticized
the wrong we did

and not looked at it clearly.

At the end of the story you say

that the husband was
far better off without his wife

and the wife went on
to her own happy life.

You're quite wrong, Tom.

As you know,
I couldn't go back to Bill

after that afternoon with you

and pretend
that nothing had happened.

And my not going back
ruined his life.

From the week of the 16th?

I find that I sacrificed Bill
and our marriage.

He thought
he knew what he wanted

to be left alone

just as you thought
you knew what you wanted

to kill yourself.

Both of you, in a sense,
were crying out to be saved

from what
you thought you wanted.

I answered your cry.

It was the easier one
to answer.

These are terrible things
to write to you, Tom

about guilt
and right and wrong.

But you are old enough now
to know

that when you drop a pebble
in the water

there are ever-widening circles
of ripples.

There are always consequences.

Anyway, Tom,
I've often wondered

if I didn't show
a lack of faith in you

in your ability
to meet a crisis by yourself

and come through it alone.

They say about
dreadful experiences

if they don't kill us,
they make us strong.

I was just afraid that
that one would kill you.

Dear Tom,
I was so pleased to read

that you are married.

Have a good life, a full life

an understanding life.

Write good stories,
true stories.

About one thing
you were correct.

The wife did always keep
her affection for the boy

somewhere in her heart.