All language subtitles for The Long Gray Line 1955

♪ The Corps ♪

♪ The Corps ♪

♪ The Corps♪

♪ We're not much longer
Here to stay ♪

♪ For in a month or two ♪

♪ We'll bid farewell
To cadet gray ♪

♪ And don the Army blue ♪

♪ To the ladies
who come up in June ♪

♪ We'll bid a fond adieu ♪

♪ The long gray line of us
Stretches ♪

♪ Through the years
Of a century told ♪

♪ And the last man
Feels to his marrow ♪

♪ The grip
Of your far-off hold ♪

♪ Grip hands Though
it be from the shadows ♪

♪ While we swear
As you did of yore ♪

♪ Or living or dying
to honor ♪

♪ The Corps ♪

♪ And the Corps ♪

♪ And the Corps ♪♪

Good to see you, Marty.
What's this all about?

Marty says his business
is pretty urgent,

Mr. President.

Urgent, sir.

It couldn't be
more urgent.

They've been counting
their fingers, sir,

and they find
I'm over 70.

They want
to retire me,

after 50 years,
the ungrateful...

so I got Chuck--

I mean,
General Dotson--

to fix it for me
to see you, sir.

50 years in the army
is a long time, Marty.

It is, sir,

and then again,
it isn't, sir.

It took me
30 or 40 years

just to get
the hang of it, you know.

and now that everything
is going smooth,

it would be

throwing away
my training.

A waste of the
taxpayers' money, sir.

Go ahead and smoke
your pipe, Marty.

I'd hardly know you
without it.

Thank you, sir.

You know, sir,

we Mahers take our own time
about getting old.

Oh, over 70 I may be,

and I wear glasses
for fine print these days,

and maybe I have put on
a pound or two here or there..

but I tell you, sir,

I'm in better shape now

than I was that morning
50 years ago

when I rode the milk train
up the Hudson,

not knowing what
I was getting myself into.

I walked up that hill,

a young lad,
fresh off the boat.

Halt! Who's there?

Martin Maher from Ireland,
your honor.

Advance, Martin Maher,
to be recognized.

Recognized?

How would you be
recognizing me?

I only set foot in this
country last night.

Hey, Corporal,
another mick waiter.

All right,
come along, Paddy.

Martin's the name.

Maher. M-A-H-E-R.

Roscrea, Tipperary.

What is this place?

Is it maybe a prison?

Or is it a loony house?

This is the United States
Military Academy.

Oh.

What a fine ruin
it'd make.

All right,

pick up your feet,
Paddy.

Martin's the name.

Do they have to wear
iron braces

to stand like that?

That's the way
cadets stand.

That's part
of the discipline.

You know, you could
shoot off all their noses

with one bullet.

Listen,

these men are
being trained

to be United States
Army officers.

They come here
for discipline,

and that's
what they get.

Where did they all go?

You'll see them all
at breakfast, Paddy.

Pick up your feet.

Martin's the name.

At ease.

How's the cow,
mister?

She walks. She talks.
She's full of chalk.

The lacteal fluid
subtracted

from the female
of the bovine species

is highly prolific
to the eighth degree, sir.

That is the situation
with the cow.

Where's my milk,
mister?

Milk for
Mr. Bullock, sir.

Get the wrinkles
in that chin.

Coffee for Mr.
Van Ennes, sir.

What's the definition
of leather, Mr. Morrey?

The definition
of leather.

The fresh skin
of an animal

cleaned and divested of
all hair, fat and all manner..

immersed in a solution
of tannic acid,

chemical combination
ensues.

The gelatinous tissue
is converted

into a non-putrescible
substance,

impervious to
and insoluble in water.

This, sir, is leather.

Come on, Paddy.
Please.

Come on,
let's get going.

Please, now, go on.

Come on, come on,
Paddy!

Pick 'em up!
Pick 'em up!

Maher, that will
come out of your pay.

Vegetable plates
are 11 cents each,

cups are seven cents,
saucers are four cents,

and pie plates
are nine cents

and soup tureens
are 94 cents.

5:00 for you too.

Be back at 5:00.

5:00.

Back at 5:00.

Maher,

there's nothing
there for you.

Do you know that you've
been here two months,

and you owe
three months' pay

for breakage?

'Tis a slave I am.

'Tis a slave I am.

Working meself
to a shadow

and not
a brass farthing

to drown my sorrows.

Maher!

Come on back.
Come on.

I know I'm a fool
to do this,

but there's $3
of my own money.

It's something

you can jingle
in your pockets,

but not to get you in
much trouble, though.

Thank you,
your honor.

'Tis not every man

has $3 worth
of kindness

in his heart.

Thank you kindly, sir.

You're welcome.

Thank you.
Thank you.

Go on. Go on with you.

Thank you kindly, sir.

Rudy Heinz!

'Tis a fine soldier
you look,

all spit and polish.

When do you go
on furlough?

Not before you pay me
that five bucks.

Five bucks?

Yeah, the five bucks
I lent you to send

to your dear old
father in Ireland.

Curious thing.

I don't remember it
at all, at all.

Now, listen, you were
cold sober

when you handed me that story.

Now, come on, let's have it.

Uh, Rudy, I...

I've got terrible
news for you.

You'll have to wait
a few months

till I can balance
me assets

with me liabilities.

Maher!

You'll work out
every chip of that

if it takes the rest
of your life.

Me?

Yes, and I'm
going to attend

to Corporal Heinz
over there.

He'll do some time
in the guardhouse for this.

Time? Time...

Is that all
you'll do to him,

lock him in the guardhouse
for a bit?

He's in the army.
That's all I can do.

Come on. Get a broom.
Get this up. Hurry up.

Get it up right now.
Hurry up. Go on.

I will obey the orders

of the President
of the United States...

I will obey the orders

of the President
of the United States...

and the orders of the officers
appointed over me...

and the orders

of the officers
appointed over me...

according to the rules
and articles of war.

according to the rules
and articles of war.

Your second
enlistment?

No, sir, my third.

This last year,

I've had a little
tough luck.

I've been
tending bar--

You?

Farm, sir.

You've had previous
military experience?

Yes, sir.

Ja wol.

I welcome you men
into the United States Army.

It's an army with a
proud record

of devotion to peace,
victory in war.

Here at West Point,
you're at its very heart.

You'll be in daily contact
with the cadets of the corps,

and your superiors
will expect you

to conduct yourselves
accordingly.

Questions?

Sir, I'd like
to ask a question

about breakage.

If a man was to drop,
say, a cannon--

Corporal Heinz.

Right face.

Forward. Column, right.

Uh, Captain, darlin',

we're going to be
in grave trouble

if the British should
suddenly--

Corporal Heinz!

All right, prisoner.
Pick up your feet.

Good evening,
Mr. Larson.

Are we back to mister again?

By the end of the last hop,
we were Nell and Whitey.

This is another evening,
but it's still young.

Good evening, Mr. O'Carberry.

Where's Peggy?

Isn't she here yet?

She left hours
before the train.

Her father let her
take the new automobile.

80 miles in one
of those things

and driving at night.

She must be
out of her mind.

You two go on.
I'll wait here.

Go on, go on.

You'll miss
the first dance.

O'Carberry is it?

There was a man by that name
in Tipperary

once sold my father a horse.

My O'Carberrys

have been away from Ireland

a long time.

Good thing, too.

Yeah, the ones
that stayed

are a bad lot.

The horse was
a stolen horse.

Good evening.

Good evening.

Stolen from
the police barracks,

all praise to him.

♪ Goodnight, gentlemen ♪

Goodnight, Whitey.

Goodnight, Nell.

♪ Goodnight, gentlemen ♪

Ahem.

Goodnight, then.

I'll write.

You been here
all this time?

I'm still waiting
for Peggy.

Well, if she's half the girl
you tell me she is,

you've no cause to worry.

This is Marty Maher.
Whitey Larson.

How do you do, sir?

If you have any
trouble with horses,

drop around
and see Marty.

He's in the infantry.

Well, naturally!
He knows horses.

You don't think they'd put him
in the cavalry, do you?

Well, come on, Jim.
Five minutes to taps.

Goodnight, Marty.

Goodnight, sir.

Goodnight, Marty.

Goodnight.

Jim!

Peggy!

Oh, Peggy, darling,

I was so worried
about you.

I was afraid you
had an accident.

Oh, I had to spend the whole
evening in a blacksmith shop

getting this thing
fixed.

Peggy, I love you!

Jim!

Hey, Maher,

that cadet's
off-limits.

Cadet, sir?

I see no cadet, sir.

I don't think
that you do either.

MARTY: I never thought
I'd live to see the day.

The time we'll have tonight.

You can walk through
that village

in 20 minutes.

There's nothing to do.

MARTY:
Me friend, Jim O'Carberry.

Walking punishment.

Corporal Heinz,
permission to speak.

Take it easy, Marty.
Take it easy.

Shoot.

I'm here to tell you
to your face

you're a dirty informer.

All right, break it up.

Break it up.

Hey, that fellow
with the right cross,

he's good.

He's good for 10 days
in the guardhouse.

And him getting
off scot-free...

I'll beat him to a pulp
when I get out of this,

the dirty informer,

and you trying
to lie out of it,

telling me you
turned yourself in.

I'm sorry, Marty.

I did report myself.

I don't believe it.

At the hop, we're on our honor
not to go off-limits.

I went. I had to report it.

You mean, you do something
wrong and get away with it,

and nobody the wiser,

and then you have
to go and tell them

that you broke the rules?

Well, that's it.

Only it's breaking your word
that's the honor offense.

Even the commandant
could see

how it happened.

Before I knew what I was
doing, Peggy was in my arms,

and I was engaged
to be married.

Engaged to be married.

Ah, the beauty of it.

It fills my heart with joy,

locked in a dungeon
though I may be.

They're letting you
out today, Marty.

What's the good?

They'll only think up
some new persecution

to torment me poor soul.

Oh, you're to report
to the Master of the Sword.

Master of the Sword?

Captain Koehler.

He's a swell officer.

Master of the Sword?

All right,
get in here.

I'm Captain Koehler,
Master of the Sword.

Maher, you're
a rotten soldier.

No soldier at all.

Slovenly,
undisciplined,

insubordinate,
bad tempered,

and full
of cute tricks.

While I'm Master of the Sword,

there will be no guardhouse
rats around my cadets.

You like to use
your fists, huh?

Yes, sir.

All right,

let's see you
use them.

You mean I, uh...

I have permission
to hit the captain?

You have permission
to try.

Go ahead.

I'm interested
in boxing,

not dancing.

I need a man, Marty.

Would you like
to work for me?

That I would,
Captain, darlin'.

All right,
let's get a shower.

Good morning, Marty.

Where's Captain Koehler?

Captain Koehler?

Well, he's in
the boxing room, ma'am.

Thank you.

Hello, dear.

She's a perfect jewel.

Marty, take over
the boxing class.

Marty!

Sir!

The boxing class.

Attention!

At ease.

Attention!

At ease.

Quiet, now.

Now, the purpose

of your instruction
in boxing

is threefold.

A cadet must learn
to take punishment

as well as to give it.

We're training you
to be officers

and preparing you

for positions
of authority.

This being the case,

we don't
pull our punches.

We'll now have
a demonstration

of the value
of footwork.

Mr. Lummox.

Mr. Lomax, sir.

Yes, well, Mr. Lomax,

would you get up
into the ring, please?

Attention!

Well, now...

I will now give you
the benefit of me experience.

You'll watch
the position of the hands

and note the footwork.

Well, now,
Mr. Lomax...

you now have permission
to try to hit me.

Permission
to speak, sir.

Go ahead.

Is that uniform
regulation?

It's me issue, sir.

Of course, the tailor
took a tuck here and there.

I always say, sir,

if a man's a soldier,
he should look like a soldier.

Sure.

Sir, that foreign girl...

The what?

The greenhorn with
Mrs. Koehler,

the one with the petticoats
and the shawleen.

Oh, it's Mary O'Donnell.

She's our cook.

Good, too.

Is she indeed?

Sir, you know the
devil himself

finds work for idle
hands to do.

Now, you know
I'm not a man

to go hanging
around saloons.

What?

No, sir.

I'm sober,
industrious.

Are you all right, Marty?

Yes, sir.

I was just thinking, sir,

if there was something
I could do around the house

to help Mrs. Koehler.
You know--

Well, I'll ask her.
Thank you.

Not at all, sir.

Anything at all,
at any time, sir.

You know, carpentry.
I'm handy with the drains.

Fine, fine.

Thank you, sir.

Ah, you know,

this is very homey,
Mary O'Donnell.

You icing the cake

and me cleaning
the drains.

Well, like I was saying, us
kids never learned our ABCs.

We learned our ZYXs,

because my father
was always insisting

that we children
learn the alphabet backwards,

like Z, Y, X, W, V, U, T,
S, R, Q, P, O...

I'll wager
you can't do that.

My father was a man
of very strong opinions,

as many a bloody-nosed
schoolmaster

has learned
to his sorrow.

A cut of fresh-baked cake,
a cup of black tea,

and a pretty girl to talk to.

A girl with
a pretty voice, too,

supposing for all I know.

You can turn on the water now.

Did anyone ever tell you
you're a pretty thing,

Mary O'Donnell,
with your red hair

and your fine,
big feet?

There's no girls in the world
like an Irish colleen.

Tipperary?

Donegal?

You know,
When first I laid eyes on you,

I found myself thinking,
"There's a girl."

Look.

Look how fine
it runs out,

and you don't have
to worry anymore

about anything slipping
down the drain,

because I'll be
only too happy

to come back
at any time at all

and clean it out again.

Oh, Mary!

Turn off the water!

Mary, turn it off!

You blasted idiot!

Who told you to--

Oh, my, your
nice uniform...

I'm sorry, ma'am.

My remarks were
not meant for you.

They were meant for that
chowderheaded Mary O'Donnell.

Why, Marty Maher,
I thought you two

were having
such a nice visit

talking about Ireland.

Talking, did you say?

Talking?

To now I didn't think
she could talk at all!

She's shy, Marty.

Why, she's just
been telling me

what a fine workman
you are.

Did she, now?

I wasn't sure

she even noticed
I was here.

She told me

there are half a dozen
things need fixing.

I was going to have
a carpenter in,

but she insists

you can do it
much better.

Honest, now?

Cross my heart.

In spite of the fact
that your heart

seems to be
on the right side,

Mrs. Koehler,

I'll stop by
in the morning, ma'am.

Thank you, Marty.

Well, now, this is
a happy accident.

I'd no idea
I'd find you here.

No idea at all.

Do you come
to watch the review

every Saturday?

I said,

do you come
to watch the review

every Saturday?

That's my friend,
Jim O'Carberry.

First captain, he is.

I'm like a father
to him.

Come June week
he'll be graduated.

They'll be married
in the chapel,

him and his Peggy.

Jim and Whitey Larson
have been after me

to stay
for the wedding,

but...

I'll not be here.

I said,
I'll not be here.

Me enlistment's
up next week,

Mary O'Donnell,

and I'll be leaving.

There's some things

I'd like to talk over
with you.

After the parade,
we could get a boat

and go for a row
on the river.

Captain Koehler

would be glad
to give me a pass,

seeing as it's the last one
I'll be asking for.

What do you say?

Would you look
at that?

Sandwiches, apples,
and bananas...

Ah, bisschen of cake.

Rudy Heinz!

Sir,

have I permission
to speak?

Go ahead, Marty.

If you got down

on your hands
and knees,

I wouldn't take
a pass from you.

This is the last
review you'll see.

Aren't you going
to stay for the finish?

You are leaving
next week, aren't you?

Sir, the way certain
matters stand now,

I wouldn't think
of leaving.

I'm on my way right now
to re-enlist.

♪ October winds
lament around ♪

♪ The castle of Dromore ♪

♪ But peace
Is in her lofty halls ♪

♪ My loving treasure store ♪

♪ Though autumn leaves
May droop and die ♪

♪ A bud of spring... ♪

Is that you
with the terrible bronchitis,

Mary O'Donnell?

Now, you'll
sit still, my girl,

and listen to what
I have to say.

You're too empty-headed
to see it,

but I've had
the afternoon

to think it out.

You're the victim
of a devilish plot.

Captain Koehler,

that beady-eyed
horse thief,

him and his friends
from Milwaukee

have got it
all cooked up,

and the end will be
yourself in the arms

of that knuckleheaded
Corporal Heinz,

but I'll not have it.

I'm giving you
your last chance.

I'll have just two words
out of you, my girl,

and it'll be yes or no.

Now, what do you
say to that?

I say yes--

And none of your
beating around...

What's that you say?

I said yes.

You said yes?

The first word ever
I hear out of you,

and it's yes.

Why would you never
talk to me all the time

I was working my
hands to the bone

just to be near you,

and why would you never even
give me a hint before I went

and got in for
another enlistment?

Captain Koehler
told me not to.

Oh, he did, did he?

He said you were
that full of arguments,

that we'd only fight
if I talked to you,

and that'd be
the end of that.

Full of arguments?

A sweeter man than me
you'll never find,

and when did you
ever hear me

utter a cross word,

you addlepated
flibbertigibbet?

There you go,
Martin Maher,

and before you've even
as much as kissed me.

Before I've...

Mary...

there's something
you've got to know.

What with one thing
and another,

I've not been able
to lay by much money.

We'll make out fine,
Martin.

That we will.

We'll save our money

till we can go
back to Tipperary

and buy
McGinnerty's pub.

Back to the old country?

Where else?

With me old father

and me young
brother, Dinny.

They'll be that proud
of me fine, healthy wife.

Oh, but things
are cruel hard

in Ireland now,
Martin.

Things are cruel hard

for the poor
everywhere, Mary,

but not for them
who owns a pub

in a hard-drinking
locality.

Martin,
I'm happy here.

This is a fine,
proud place.

Just being here,

just being the littlest
part of it,

my heart's lifted up.

I'll tell you what.

I'll help you
save the money,

and you can bring

your father
and your brother

out here.

Here? Himself?
The old man?

Him that's lived free
all his life?

Bring him here
to West Point

among the regulations--

It hasn't done you
any harm, Martin Maher.

Captain Koehler says

that you're a better
man for it.

Bragging about it,
is he?

Oh, you know the new
married quarters

over by
the parade ground?

Well, he's
arranged for us

to have one
of the houses.

The truth?

You mean, with
the electric lights

and the hot and cold
and the...

How is it that he's
fixing quarters for us

before I even...

Why, that Koehler.

Of all the
underhanded,

conniving--

He and his wife
put you up to this,

and there's the proof.

Is it sorry
you are already,

Martin Maher?

It's sorry
I'll never be,

Mary O'Donnell.

Ah, good evening to you,
Mary O'Donnell,

woman of the house.

I've been going
over the account

with that thieving bank,

and there's
$300 missing.

Oh, Martin...

Wait a minute.

I've matters
of importance

to talk over
with you, madam.

$43.26 is all
they say we've got,

and butter wouldn't
melt in their mouths.

It was all your idea

putting the money
in the bank.

If we'd left it

behind that
loose brick--

Martin, I drew out
the $300 myself.

Did you, now?

I did.

The money
I was putting by

for our passage
to Ireland?

I did.

Did you buy some
diamonds, maybe,

or a grand piano?

That money...

Daddy-o...

Daddy-o.

Sure 'tis a thing
out of my dreams

to look upon the face

of my beloved
father again.

Since the day
I turned my back

on the green hills
of Ireland

and crossed
the wild, wide sea,

I've prayed
for this thing,

and now to see you here
in me own house.

Blessed is the day
that brings you here,

and blessed
is the good woman

that I married,

with her scrimping
and her scrubbing

and putting away
the money...

Will you have
the decency

to stop eating

while I'm offering you
the welcome?

Go ahead, boy. Go ahead.

Dinny!

'Tis a grown man
you are.

And 'tis proud I am
to have you for a brother

with yourself
that grand-looking.

Corporal stripes
they are, Dinny.

He's just after
being promoted.

Corporal, huh?

I was just thinking meself,

maybe I ought
to join up too, huh?

That with your
permission, sir.

That you will not.

Do you know what
this here means?

Four years of my life
in the ashcan

for each one of these.

It's off to New York
in the morning

for you, bucko,
to learn a trade.

A good bricklayer,
a bad bricklayer,

Any bricklayer at all

makes more than they
pay my boss,

and him a great
leader of men,

a grand officer like
Major Koehler, USA.

I had a talk
with him today.

You did, did you?

And what did you
have to talk about

with that beady-eyed
horse thief?

Well, you
might as well

face up to it,
Martin Maher.

There's not a cadet
in the Corps

that can't kick the
stuffing out of you.

That blackhearted major
tipped them off

to a few
of my weak points.

He's taking you
off the boxing.

What?

He wants you
to have more time

for the football
and baseball...

That's my pipe, Dinny.

And a fine pipe it is too.

and he thinks you'd make
a grand instructor

for the swimming.

Instructor
for the swimming?

Me that can't
swim a kick.

Swim?

Why, that
blackhearted--

Be quiet.

Martin, shut up.

Shh.

Do you have the Irish,
woman of the house?

I have.

Then 'tis for you
to say the words.

Martin!

And may God bless

this house
that shelters us,

and may He bless
this grand country

that offers us hope.

Amen.

Amen.Amen.

Swimming...

You be careful, Major.

Be careful,
Major, darlin'.

Now, repeat your
instructions.

In swimming,

there are four things
to master...

confidence, timing,

relaxation,
and breathing.

The breaststroke
is the best--

Repeat
your instructions!

In swimming,

there are four things
to master...

confidence, timing, relax--

Maher, repeat your
instructions!

How can I swim
in all this water,

Major, darlin'?

Repeat
your instructions!

In swimming,

there are four
things to master--

Now, then,

in swimming,

there are four things
to master...

confidence, timing,
relaxation...

and breathing.

The breaststroke
is best for swimming

with a pack and rifle
on your back.

We execute
the breaststroke

by the numbers.

You tired, mister?

No, sir.

All right, then.
You're first.

Hey, come back here!

Come up
out of there!

Just a minute,
mister.

What kind of swimming
was that?

The Australian crawl.

Oh, was it now?

And are you maybe
an Australian?

Well, it's the fastest stroke
there is.

So I've been told.

Shall I get you
a pack and a rifle

and see how fast you'll swim
with them on your back?

You'll swim
the breaststroke here, boyo.

I was showing you
I don't need swimming lessons,

so I can be excused.

Excused, is it?

You'll not be excused.

We'll need you for
the swimming team.

With your permission,
I'll talk to Major Koehler.

Well, you've not
my permission.

You'll not be wasting
the major's time.

I'm telling you.

Sorry, sir.

Go easy, Marty.

Sundstrom's had
enough trouble.

And asking for more,

flaunting the authority
I hold over him.

Marty, he's way behind
in his studies.

Take it easy, Marty.

He plays football.

How many of you are left?

Five.

Well, half of you
get in the water.

Hey, Marty--

Keep rubbing it,
my boyo.

Keep rubbing it.

Corporal, I told you
I'd talk to Major Koehler.

I'll save you time

and tell you
what he'll say.

Sports here are a part
of your training.

If you can make a team,
you'll make it.

You'll swim,
Mr. Sundstrom.

With those shoulders
you've got on you,

you'll be out for
football in the fall.

If I'm here
next fall.

So you've decided

you don't like
West Point, huh?

Look, I've wanted
to come here

ever since
I was that big.

Joined the regular army
to get in.

Beat my brains out
cramming for exams.

I didn't figure
on the classwork.

I can't keep up,

not even if I work
24 hours a day,

but I won't wait
to be busted out.

I'll resign,

go back
to the ranks.

Well, now,

from the ranks,
are you?

Look, now,

there's such a thing
as over-training, you know.

What you need, my boy,
is a change from the books.

My wife serves a stew
and hot biscuits

fit for the saints in heaven.

A few ladles
of Mary O'Donnell's stew

will do your classwork
a power of good.

You'll be welcome for supper
come Saturday night...

and no beans.

All right.

Marty, look.

I think it's working.

New fuzz.

Like peaches.

That's it.
Keep rubbing it, boyo.

Keep rubbing it,
morning, noon, and night.

In no time at all,

you'll have hair
like an elephant.

Help!

Hey, he can't swim!

Well, now...

in swimming,
there are three things...

I just don't
understand it,

Mr. Sundstrom.

It isn't like Martin
to be late.

Where the devil is Martin?

I don't know, Daddy-o.

Well, perhaps I could
run down to the saloon and--

You will not.

Keep away from me stew.

Well, now,
if you ask me...

I am not asking you.

you left out
half the onions,

and the gravy's
so thick

you could trot
a mouse on it.

Oh, me buns.

They'll be
destroyed.

Well, take them out, then.

I'll not be kept waiting
in me own house.

Come to the table, Mr., uh...

Sundstrom.

God bless you.

What's your name?

Sundstrom, sir.

Oh, well, come on.

Do you smell

Mary O'Donnell's
Donegal stew?

Look who I
brought you.

Mary...

Kitty, me love.

Just happened
to meet her

on my way home.

She kept me waiting

with her primping
and her powdering.

Oh.

Miss Katherine Carter.

We call her Kitty.

May I have the honor to
present Mr. Sundstrom.

What's your
front name, Red?

James on the roster,

but it's been Red
ever since I can remember.

Well, good evening,
Red.

Well, come on,
the two of you.

Sit down there.

Come on, dear.

All right, sir.

There you are.
All right.

Sit right down.

Thank you.

Well, now,
come on, come on.

Do we eat,
or don't we eat?

You're coming out to help me.

Now, come on into the kitchen.

I made the mistake
of telling her once

I was a waiter.

Never dropped a dish.

Me idiot son.

Oh, dear.

It's working.

Go on.
Down with you.

You wouldn't
believe it,

but Kitty's
a college graduate.

She's teaching
the youngsters

at the post school.

She's that bright.

Is that so?

When I was a lad,

a girl that cluttered up
her head with education

was sure to turn out

flat-chested
and with a squint.

Well!

What was that thing

you were going to stay in
your room and study tonight?

Orthographic
projection.

Ortho...

Whatever it is,

what will you bet

Kitty's got it all
at her fingertips?

Well, the worst thing
about higher math

is getting over the panic.

It's not so hard once you
get confidence and relax.

How about cylindrical
coordinates

or conic sections

or parametric
equations?

Well, they're not
too difficult.

Well, sure,

it's like swimming,
for instance.

It's a matter
of confidence, timing...

...relaxation and breathing.

Indeed now.

Well, if I can help you, Red--

Thanks, but I don't
see how you could.

Now, now, now.

You and Kitty

can both work
here in the house.

Did you know I can
spell Massachusetts?

No...

You can start
tomorrow.

It's Sunday,

and you've the day
to yourself.

Well, I'm free tomorrow,
if you are, Red.

Well--

Of course he's free.

Get your books

and meet her
in the morning.

I'm not a case you're going
to cure in one treatment.

I'm down in all
of my subjects.

Once we start--

And once we start,
we'll have to keep right on.

I'm not afraid.

You're sure
you don't mind?

Oh, now, of course
she doesn't mind.

She's only too
happy to do it.

Isn't that right?

Right.

Well, that's settled.

It'll be a grave
disappointment to me,

me girl, if this young fellow
isn't up in his marks

and on with the football squad
next fall.

Save me a piece
of the cake.

Me young friend's
about due.

Where do you go off to
every evening?

I go walking with
this young friend of mine.

A nice, young fellow he is.

Happy for a word of advice
from me long experience.

Who is it?

I don't know.

Would you excuse us,
please, a minute?

Certainly.

Sure.

It's a woman.

Great Gogarty.

It's the superintendent.

Thanks be to Gogarty.
It's not a woman.

MARTY: I'll never forget
that rainy day in 1913,

when, for the first time,

we played the little school
from the far, far west.

Well, now,

good day to you,
General.

Good day, Mr. Maher.
Sit right here.

Thank you, sir.

Looks like a bad day
for the Irish.

Are you a betting man,
General?

I might make a little
wager with you.

A dollar.

A dollar.

Ah, Notre Dame.

It's the name
of a French church,

not a football team.

Did you get a bet
down, Marty?

I finally managed.

$25. Even money.

Even money?

What did you do,
find a lunatic?

My father.

Oh, sorry.

Army, time out.

Play ball.

Touchdown.

Man hurt.

It's Chuck.

Get in there, mister.

You all right, Chuck?

Put him right
down there.

Doctor...

Get in there, Buck.

That left hand's weak.

There goes my chance
for all-American this year.

In the second half,
the sun come out,

and with it went my fortune.

71, 69, 32.

Time.

Dorais for O'Rourke,
Rockne for Glennon.

All right, play ball.

Something happened
never before seen in football.

Did you see that, sir?

It's illegal.
It's a foul.

It's baseball.

It's legal, all right.

Is there
something wrong?

A forward pass?

Red, get in there
and break it up.

Touchdown!

Hey, Swede!

Rockne.

Overton.

Rockne, Dorais,
Gushurst, Pliska...

The Fighting Irish?

Robbers! Thieves!
Football? Football?

You dirty scoundrelly
bunch of...

Good evening, Father.

Good evening, my son.

Let this be a lesson
to you, my boy.

Betting against
Holy Mother,

the church.

Attention.

At ease, men.

Well, gentlemen,

we came up against

a new kind
of football today.

I'll say only this...

that I'd rather
have you learn a lesson

than win a ball game.

When you
become officers

and you're in combat,

the only thing
that you can expect

is the unexpected.

Learn to deal with it.

If this game today
taught you that lesson,

then I don't care
what the final score was.

That's all, boys.
Get your showers.

Half the sportswriters
in New York

were in those stands
today.

I don't want to read
tomorrow's papers.

How is it with
your studies?

Oh, don't worry, Marty.

I can squeak through
the rest of the season.

And after this season?

After Mr. Walter Camp
has maybe picked you

for an all-American?

Then what?

Major Koehler said
to me the other day,

"Marty," he says,

"that Chuck Dotson's
more than a good athlete.

"He's a good man.

He'll make
a fine officer."

Did I hurt you?

What you did,
or what you said?

Either.

That Colonel
What's-his-name,

the one that teaches
military engineering,

he tells me you'll not
get by your midyears,

and I hear you're as far
down in your other work.

You seem to talk
a lot about me.

What a man's
got on his mind,

he can't keep
out of his mouth.

Did you come
to West Point

to be a football
player, Chuck,

or an officer?

It'd be fine if you
could manage both,

but it's plain
you can't.

You've worked me over
enough, Marty.

I've made
a bit of money

betting on Army

with you out there
running touchdowns.

It'll not be the same
without you.

Without me?

Major Koehler will think
none the worse of you.

All you'll have to do
is say to him,

"Major, I've been
thinking it over.

"If I keep on
with the football,

"I'll be busted out,

"so I've decided
to quit the team

and get on with what's
more important."

You'd better
get dressed.

It's getting late.

Chuck, how's that ankle?

It'll hold up
fine, sir.

Considering he won't
be straining it

from now on.

Oh?

Major,

why do they have to be
so hard with the studies?

Marty, this is West Point.

Yes, sir.

That's what Chuck
was saying.

That's why he's
quitting the team.

Sir, I--

I know, Chuck.

Go on. Get your shower.

We'll have a cup
of coffee.

Mary, come have a look!

Dinny!

How are you, Mary?

It's not all yours?

Indeed, it is.

I was out seeing
what it would do on the road

and before I knew,
I landed up here.

Oh, but it's gorgeous.

Here, Mary. Come, have a
run around with us.

Himself's waiting for his tea.

Is there enough
for me?

We always have plenty.

There's no telling

when Martin will bring home
a platoon of cadets.

Daddy-o!

Dad, look who's here,

and wait till you see
his new motorcar.

I'll get the tea.

I was out for a spin in me new
car, so I thought I'd come by-

I saw it!

It's a fine car.
The power of 35 horses.

Oh, that's true, Jack.

It cost me
a great deal of money.

Your head cold, Dennis?

No, sir... Oh.

Tuck it under the bed.

Is it your habit
to go around

looking like
a rum seller?

But Dad,
I'm a businessman now.

My firm is doing
general contracting--

Contracting what?

Get out of me way.

The tea's ready, Dad.

And about time.

He's doing wonderful,
Dinny is.

That's true, Dad.

My firm is expanding--

Who gave you

permission
to sit down?

I'm sorry, sir,
sorry,

but it is true, Dad.

There's a place there
for Marty, too.

I tell you,

it's the chance
of a lifetime, Dad.

Sit down.

Yes, sir.

I've been too long
in the army,

and what have I got
to show for the years?

There's things a man
wants his wife to have.

There's things I want
my wife to have.

Even this furniture
is government-issue.

Did you ever hear me complain,
Martin?

Oh, we know that,
but, look, Mary,

Marty here can make
three to four times

his sergeant's pay
the first year,

and after that--

If we stay here,

there's nothing
to look forward to.

Year after year--

I tell you, Dad,
there's no end

to the money
a man can make.

Will you step
into the other room, girl?

So you've nothing to
look forward to, huh?

Well, I'll tell you what
you've got to look forward to.

Sometime next spring, Martin,

your wife is going
to bear your child.

A child?

A child.

And why is it
for you to tell me?

Has she no tongue
in her head?

God bless you, Marty.

A child!

Are you sure?

In the spring,
do you say?

Will it be
a boy or girl?

How the devil
would I know?

Get on with you.

Come on.

Yes, sir.

Ever since I first set
eyes on West Point,

ever since I first saw
the young men of the Corps...

Sure, you told me
I was a silly woman

for talking about it, but...

if our son should be
born here,

where you've worked so hard...

After the time
we've waited,

after what the
doctor told you,

it's enough for me

that we're having
a child at all.

I'm praying it will be a boy,
Martin,

and who's to say
one of these days

his name might be
in the yearbook, too?

I'll pray with you.

You're a wonderful woman,
Mary O'Donnell.

Oh, go on with you.

Oh, stop it, Red.

You're not the
expectant father.

Will you sit down?

Mr. Sundstrom,

will you take charge
of Marty, please?

Sit on his head
if you have to.

Me, the father
of it all.

Come on, Marty.

Confidence, timing,
relaxation, and breathing.

Nothing to it.

This is no time
for being funny.

Thank you.

You all right?

Fine.

I'm the grandfather
of a boy

born about
two minutes ago,

6 pounds, 11 ounces--

Oh, Martin...

Trust you to be the
first to find out.

They make me stay here
while you...

A boy!

Well, I'll just be--

I gave her
a sedative.

She had a hard
time of it,

but she's all right
and the baby's fine.

You'll see them
in the morning.

A boy.

Well, Marty,

you're the father
of a son.

It's a great day.

Sure I'm on me way

to becoming
an ancestor.

It's been a great
strain on me.

Oh, listen, Red and I
have to meet some people.

Bye-bye, Papa.

Goodnight, Marty.

Well, then,

we'll be needing
our rest

after the great thing
we've done this day.

Have you thought
of a name for the boy?

You've all the saints
to choose from.

Well, I had it in mind
we'd name him after you,

with your
permission, sir.

You have my
permission, son.

Martin Maher III.

You'd better
get yourself

a little rest.

I think I'll sit up
a while, Dad.

Well, I think
I'll go upstairs

and say me beads.

God bless you,
my boy.

Good night, Dad.

♪ Come fill your glasses
Fellows ♪

♪ And stand up in a row ♪

♪ To singing sentimentally ♪

♪ We're going for to go ♪

♪ In the army
there's sobriety ♪

♪ Promotion's very slow ♪

♪ So we'll sing
Our reminiscences ♪

♪ Of Marty Maher, oh ♪

♪ Oh, Marty Maher, oh
Oh, Marty Maher, oh ♪

♪ The father of a
proud cadet ♪

♪ Is Marty Maher, oh ♪♪

Marty, we all got together

and picked out a present
for Martin Maher, Jr.

The Third.

Correction, Martin Maher III,
the class of...

'36.

The class of 1936.

Since he's detained elsewhere
this evening,

we...

we hope you'll accept
this cadet saber for him.

May he wear it
with pride

and with credit
to his parents

and to the Corps.

Well...

Well, now...

Congratulations, Marty.

Congratulations.

That's great.

Congratulations,

Martin Maher,
the First.

Wouldn't you all
have felt silly

if it had been a girl?

I gave them me solemn promise
it'd be a boy.

You'll find boodle
in the kitchen,

and there's ice cream
in the box there.

♪ Of men we can offer
A charming variety ♪

♪ Far renowned
For learning and piety ♪

♪ Still I'll advance you
Without impropriety ♪

♪ Father O'Flynn
Is the flower of them all ♪

♪ Here's a health to you
Father O'Flynn ♪

♪ Slainte and slainte
And slainte again ♪

♪ Proudest of creatures
and tenderest teacher ♪

♪ And kindliest creature
In old Donegal ♪

Now a jig.

Come on!

The police.

It's the doctor.

I was just
saying to myself

a minute ago,

what would the
celebration be

without the doctor?

You'll come in
and join us, sir?

No, not right now, Marty?

Can I see you a minute?

Let's go, fellows.

♪ Come, I venture
To give you me word ♪

♪ Never the likes
Of his logic was heard ♪

♪ Down from theology
into mythology ♪

Mother of God.

The poor little tiny thing.

But you said he was all right.

How...

How could he die so quick?

A baby, just
a few hours old...

I've got to get over
to the hospital.

No, Marty.

We're not going
to tell her tonight.

She'll sleep through
till morning.

I'm sorry, Marty.

Hey, you're off-limits!

Come on, Marty.

Let's get
out of this.

Let's go, Marty.

Leave me be.

Let me alone.

You're off-limits, all of you.

And we're going
to stay off-limits

until you come
back with us.

Come on.

I'll take the flowers
and put them in water for you.

10 minutes, Marty.

Thank you, sir.

Forgive me, Martin.

Forgive you?

Forgive you for what?

The doctor says...

that I can never
have another.

Try to find it
in your heart, Martin,

to accept
the will of God.

Would you be
moving my bed

up to the window,
Martin,

so that I can
look out?

It was a cruel,
hard thing, Martin,

but we're so much
better off than most.

We have so many
fine boys here,

and it's almost
as if...

or would they only be
putting in mind

of the son we had
for such little while?

Is that the way it
is with you,

Martin Maher?

So that you wish

you could go away
from here

and never have to
look at them again?

This is no time
to talk about it,

me just starting
a new enlistment.

What I wish or what
I don't wish...

That was the spring
the Lusitania was sunk,

and all of a sudden,
a lot of people wanted to know

how good the training was
at West Point,

what kind of officers
we were turning out.

They came and took a sharp
look at the class of 1915.

Charles Edward Dotson.

Chuck Dotson.

Never did make all-American,

but he was well up in his
class for graduation.

Timothy Aloysius Shannon.

Mike Shannon.

A fine river
he was named after.

Vicente P. Lim.

Vicente P. Lim.

First cadet
from the Philippine Islands.

Omar Nelson Bradley.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

George Edward Stratemeyer.

Congratulations.

James Alward Van Fleet.

Congratulations.

Joseph Taggart McNearny.

Congratulations.

Dwight David Eisenhower.

Congratulations.

1915...

Ah, that was the class
the stars fell on.

The long gray line marched on.

The class of 1917
didn't wait for June week.

The country was at war,

and they were needed
in a hurry.

Two days?

Two days!

Why, that's no
honeymoon at all.

We'll have
our honeymoon

when the war
is over.

Marty? Marty!

Excuse me, Mrs. Sundstrom.
Excuse me, ma'am.

May I have my first salute
from you?

Second Lieutenant
Overton, sir.

Bye, Marty.

Bye, Cherub.

Let's get rolling, Red.

Cherub wants to be

the first
second lieutenant

into Berlin.

I'll be back
by Wednesday, dear.

May I have
a salute too, Marty?

So long, Marty.

Good luck.

Come on, Red. Bye-bye, Marty.

Will you stop
your blabbering

at all the boys?

Martin Maher,
you shut your mouth.

All aboard! Next stop, Berlin.

Bye, Mary!

Bye, Marty!

Bye-bye, Marty!

Bye, Mary!

Bye!

Bye!

There you are.
I found you at last.

I've been all
over the post.

Whatever happened

to my application
for transfer,

Colonel, sir?

I've been meaning

to talk to you
about this, Marty.

Instead of my
disapproving it,

why don't you
just tear it up?

Does the colonel think

I'm not soldier enough
for the fighting?

You're needed
here, Marty.

One of us
has got to stay.

Lieutenant,
my orders, please.

Yes, sir.

That does it, sir.

Thank you.

Orders--

I am to set up
the training program

in all the new camps.

I can't even wait
for my replacement.

You--You mean

there's to be a new
Master of the Sword?

That's right,

and he'll need you

to keep things
running for him...

while you
break him in.

Your place
is here, Marty.

I know I can trust you
with our cadets.

Well, it was on
my conscience, sir...

watching the...
the young ones go off,

and me,
a soldier trained.

Marty, nobody'll ever
question the courage

of the Mahers.

Come here.

Age-- 42.

And a bit more.

Height-- six feet
four and a half.

Right.
That's correct.

Weight-- 200 pounds.

That's true.
That's true.

Da...

Hmm?

Come along, Da.

Colonel Koehler
wants you to stay here

and help me.

Oh.

Well, Tommy,

you know where to find me
when you want me.

Sorry,
Mr. Maher.

God bless you,
young gentlemen.

God bless you,
every one.

Hi, Marty.

It's a shooting war.

Babies.

I saw it, Martin.

Such a nice
little fellow.

Too small
to make the football squad,

so he carried the
water bucket.

Rudy Heinz, too,
Sergeant Major Heinz.

Kitty, darling!

Mary, dear.

Martin. Martin,
will you look who's here!

Martin, dear.

Oh, you look fine!

Do you have any
news from Red?

It's good to be home.

Take Kitty's bag and put it
upstairs in the spare room.

Oh, Martin, would you put
a cushion behind Kitty's back?

I don't need a cushion.
I'm just fine.

Now, what do you hear
from Red?
Go on, now, Martin.

Tell me, now, about New York.

Did you have
a nice place to stay?

Martin, would you set the
table for the tea, please?

An apartment. I want you
to come in and see it

one of these days.

Oh, there's a terrible
draft on Kitty's back--

No, no, keep the door
open. I like fresh air.

And the shawleen
over here.

Put it around
her knees

and make her real
comfortable.

Oh, Mary, now, really,
I'm very fine.

Kitty, I'd like to
ask just one question.

What do you hear
from Red?

Will you put the water
on for the tea?

I only have
two hands, woman.

What would you
like me to do first?

Get rid of that
stinking pipe.

You ought to
know better.

I love the smell
of his pipe.

Now, about Red.
Tell me, Kitty.

Tell me, what do
you hear from him?

I had a letter from him
a week ago,

and he and Cherub Overton
spent a weekend in Paris.

Can you imagine
Cherub Overton in Paris?

Oh, that baby.

Tell me, love, did you walk
all the way from the station?

Should you be
doing that now?

Well, of course!

Walking's good for me,
quoth the doctors.

Doctors, hmph!

New York.
Oh, Mary.

Is that a place
to be raising a baby?

I'm not looking
that far ahead.

Why, who knows where
Red'll be ordered

when the war is over?

You know, he was
stationed in Honolulu

while he was
an enlisted man,

and he's hoping that
we'll be sent out there.

Just think of it,
Mary.

The sun and all those
palm trees.

Now, tell me,

where's himself,
Old Martin?

Oh, he's working
overtime, he is!

Working?

Yes. A new batch
of horses came in.

With Major Gillis away,

it's up to him to see that
nobody cheats the academy.

Don't forget
to get the cookies

out of the icebox,
Martin.

Oh, I'll bet Old Martin
was never happier.

You know, himself does
the work of two young men.

You'd think that if
he stopped for a minute

the kaiser would
have us surrounded.

Well, I'm glad
I'm not the kaiser about now.

I've had that Blackjack
Pershing after me,

and it's a very
uncomfortable feeling.

Martin, now,
don't forget the cakes

and the cookies,
and put on the tea.

Tea, cakes, cookies...

and me boys over there,
fighting.

What are you doing
with me convenience?

But, Mary, the armistice
has been signed!

The war's over, Mary,
The war's over!

Thanks be to God.

Take it away.

You can burn
the whole house.

Get it on with you.

Oh! Oh,
just a minute.

Mary, what the devil
you doing down there?

Oh...

Take it away!

Martin!

Martin...

Oh, Mart...

Oh, mother of God.

The finest young men
in the world.

We bring them here...

train them, teach them...

duty, honor, country.

Then send them
out to be killed.

I'll have no more
to do with it!

Kitty and the baby.
We must go to them.

Can you get
a pass, Martin?

I've got furlough time
coming up.

After that,
my enlistment will be over.

We'll go see Kitty,
and we won't come back.

That's enough of your
wild talk, Martin.

I never talked saner
in my life, sir.

Dinny'll have a job for me.

I'll call him to come up
and get us in the morning.

We'll find a little
place in the city

for the three of us.

I'll not go with you.

I slept me first night
in America on this post,

and I'll sleep
me last night here,

and if they've got a bit
of ground in the cemetery,

I'll rest happy sleeping
at West Point forever.

I ask for your
blessing, Daddy-o.

You'll always have that,
my boy.

Subsist. Subsist.

Ah, sure,
he's grown so big.

God bless you.

Look!

He's got a grip
on him too.

Why, he's
the spitting im--

Payment in full for
Red's life, Marty.

This came
special delivery

from Senator Hale.

Everyone's
been so kind.

It was in
all the papers.

I got letters

from people
I don't even know.

Flowers, even.

Do you know
what this is, Kitty?

It's an appointment
to the academy

for the son of
Captain James N. Sundstrom

effective at such time
as he may be ready

to follow in his father's
glorious footsteps.

Oh, he must be a kind
and understanding man that--

What right has he

to decide my son's
life for him?

They took his father.
That's enough.

They didn't take
his father, Kitty.

Red worked hard
to get to the Point,

and harder
to stay there.

He became what he always
wanted to be,

a professional soldier--

And professional
soldiers are...

are trained to die,
is that it?

No, they're trained
to do a job, Kitty.

Now, some die young,
and some don't,

but they all
give their lives

for their country.

They're ready
when they're needed.

They set the example...

and their wives,
Kitty.

Yes, their wives must
set the example too.

I wanted little Martin
to go to the Point.

There was no time, Mary.

Not even
in letters.

If I only would
have known what--

what Red would want--

Ah, sure,
you don't have to

make up your mind
now, love.

Not today or tomorrow
or even next year.

No. Look,
I'll tell you what.

Mary and me'll stay
over the night

in New York,

and tomorrow morning,

you come back
to the Point with us.

You pay us a nice,
long visit.

You and the little
fella, huh?

You'll have
to call Dinny, Marty.

Of course.
He'll drive us up,

and I'll have to ring up
that blackhearted...

Major Whitney,

filling in
as Master of the Sword,

and see what inducement
he'll offer me

to re-enlist.

With the oath
I will now administer,

you will become members

of the United States
Corps of Cadets.

Raise your right hand.

Repeat after me.

I...

I...

Say your name.

James N. Sundstrom, Junior.

Do solemnly swear

that I will support
the Constitution

of the United States...

Do solemnly swear

that I will support
the Constitution

of the United States...

And bear true allegiance
to the national government.

And bear true
allegiance

to the national
government...

That I will maintain
and defend the sovereignty

of the United States...

That I will
maintain and defend

the sovereignty
of the United States...

And that I will
at all times...

And that I will
at all times...

Obey the legal orders
of my superior officers...

Obey the legal orders
of my superior officers...

and the rules
and articles

governing the armies
of the United States....

And the rules
and articles

governing the armies
of the United States...

Say "I do."

I do.

Marty?

Ah, Red, me boyo.

Mr. Dumbjohn.
Halt.

Hmm, sloppy posture.

How's the cow,
Mr. Dumbjohn?

Sir, she walks, she talks,
she's full of chalk.

The lacteal fluid extracted
from the female--

All right, let's have
the definition

of leather, Mister.

If the fresh skin
of an animal,

cleaned and divested
of all hair, fat,

and other extraneous
material be immersed--

Mr. Dumbjohn,
forward, march.

Hi, Marty.

Ah, Gentlemen,
gentlemen.

You're wasting
your time

with that plebe,
gentlemen.

I taught him all
the tricks meself.

Just like I taught you,
Mr. O'Carberry,

and your father
before you,

and his father
before him.

and you too,
Mr. Shannon,

and your father
and his grandpappy,

God rest his soul.

So long.

See you, Marty.

Bye bye. Bye bye.
See you later, now.

MARTY: Four proud
and happy years, those were...

watching young Red grow
from a plebe

into a first classman
to make your heart beat high.

Why did you have to go
and sit down again?

Take your pants off, love,

and I'll press them
for you again.

Trousers,
and I haven't got time.

I'm in charge
of the hop committee.

Will you please
hold still, Red?

Good night, Mom.
Good night, Mary.

Good night, Marty.

Yea, though I walk

through the valley
of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,
for thou art with me.

Thy rod and thy staff,
they comfort me.

I've been asked
to make an announcement.

At dawn today,

Japanese aircraft
attacked Pearl Harbor.

While there's been
no official word,

it is assumed
the United States

is now at war
with Japan.

♪ Our fathers' God to thee ♪

♪ Author of liberty ♪

♪ To thee we sing ♪

♪ Long may our
land be bright ♪

♪ With freedom's
holy light ♪

♪ Protect us by thy might ♪

♪ Great God our king ♪

♪ Amen ♪

Marty...

Marty, I've got
to talk to you.

Get on with it, boyo.

It can't be as bad
as all that.

On my Thanksgiving
leave, Marty...

Carol and I
were married.

I must have
been crazy.

The whole thing
was crazy.

Listen, Marty, we were
only married four days.

Then her parents
had it annulled.

I'm not married now.

You broke your oath.

But an annulment.

The law says the marriage
never existed.

It makes
no difference.

You've the honor code
to face up to.

How could you take
your fine career

and throw it
in the gutter?

You of all the cadets
that ever lived.

Maybe because it was
all handed to me, Marty.

I didn't come
to West Point

like the rest of them.

They dream about it
when they're kids,

and they work
and plan

and sweat out
the appointment--

Like your own
father did.

If they haven't got
what it takes,

they're washed out.

The ones that
get through

know what
the Point means.

I guess I didn't.

Until now, huh?

Marty, this is
my last year,

and now,
with the war,

they're sure to
speed up graduation.

Once we're in combat---

It's between you and
your conscience, Red.

You'll have to decide
what's the best to do.

You'd better
be getting back.

You'll be late
for your formation.

Yes, love.

You're coming right over?

Martin and I'll be
waiting for you.

Fine. Bye.

What is it?
What's the matter?

It's Kitty, Martin.

She's coming
right over.

She sounds like
she's worried, maybe.

You've not been
telling her about Red?

I have not.
I have not, indeed,

but you've had me
half distracted

this whole week

with the worry that
you'd go

blathering it out
yourself.

It's over and done
with, Martin Maher.

The marriage
has been annulled,

and there's no need

for anybody to be knowing
anything about it!

Do you hear me?
It's over and done with.

I know about it, Mary,

and my heart's
like a lump of lead.

I...can't even look the
other cadets in the eye.

I'll not stay here

and see him walk up
and take his commission.

Him that's
dishonored himself.

I'll not do it,
do you hear?

I'll not have it
on my conscience.

I'll put in
for retirement,

and I'll tell Red why.

Martin Maher,

that boy has been like
me own son,

everything that I wanted
my son to be,

and if you do him
any harm,

if you harm one hair
on his head, I'll...

I'll never forgive you.

Hello, Mary.

Mother of God.

Red...

It took me quite a while
to decide.

Then I had a long talk
with Mother,

and a short talk
with the commandant,

and a few words
with the recruiting sergeant.

I'm very proud
of him, Marty.

You're proud of him.

I'm a prize recruit.

A letter goes with me

that says I don't need
basic training.

I'm ready to ship out.

Yes, well, this calls
for a celebration,

a cup of tea or--

If I miss my train,
I'll be AWOL.

Wait just minute.
I'll put on me clothes.

I'll go to
the station--

There's no time,
Marty.

But subsist, man,
subsist!

Goodbye, Mary.

Wait a minute.

The recruiting sergeant
gave me a tip.

He said the main thing
in the army

is not to start off
in trouble.

Yes. It-- It was on
the tip of me tongue

to-- to give him
the same advice myself--

I remem--

Goodbye, Marty.

Hi, Marty.

Good afternoon.

VIPs.

Oh, VIPs, is it?

Sir, the brigade
is formed.

Thank you, gentlemen.

The review is about to begin,

but first I'd like to have you
see this plaque

to Colonel Koehler.

The first Master of the Sword.
A what?

Master of the Sword.

Established a fine
tradition here.

Oh, and there is
Sergeant Marty Maher,

who has done a great
deal to carry it on.

Hello, Marty.

Good afternoon, sir.

Now, gentlemen,
if you will step this way,

I think the review
is about to begin.

You work here, Pops?

Aye, I do, sir.

Did it ever
occur to you,

as an American
citizen with a vote,

that a place can be so
overgrown with tradition

that it loses touch
with reality?

How was that
again, sir?

I'm talking
about tradition.

Why, those same silly uniforms
have been worn

for over a hundred years.

Now, it's time
for more realism here

and less tradition.

Why, man,
we're at war!

Our boys are
dying in battle.

Pardon me, sir,
but how old are you?

Why, 42.

I'm the youngest governor
in the United States.

Oh, you don't say so, sir.

I do.

Youngest...

Who do you think is leading
our men in battle,

and I mean leading them?

Standing out there under fire,
saying, "follow me."

Where else would
the West Pointers be,

when there's dying
to be done?

And who's making the plans,
directing the war?

Eisenhower, let us say.

Douglas MacArthur,
Joe Stilwell,

Omar Bradley and
Georgie Patton.

Do you think generals
like that just happen?

They do not. They're made.

They're made, Mr. Alderman,

or Tax Collector!

They're made right here
at West Point!

What's your name?

Martin Maher, sir...

and you'll find
the name in the book.

There's no use

glaring at me like that,
Colonel, darling.

You'd have said
the same thing yourself.

Mary...

Mary O'Donnell...

Well, what are you doing
out of bed?

What are you doing
all dressed?

I'm going
to the parade.

Are you out of your head
altogether?

That walk and the climb
back up the hill after.

The doctors--

Doctors?
I want to go, Martin.

But it'd be half over
before we got there.

Ah, you'd not
enjoy it.

The place is crawling
with governors

and aldermen
and dogcatchers and...

All right, Martin.

Tell me now,

what is it that
you've been up to?

Well...

Nothing that
I'm ashamed of.

That youngest governor,
what's-his-name.

Sneering at
the academy, he was,

and nobody but me
to tell him

what he's too blind
in his eyes to see,

so I told him.

I'll remind you
what himself used to say,

Old Martin.

There's a time and a place
for assault and battery.

Well, I'll not
take back a word.

Let him go and report me
to the superintendent,

and he will too,

as fast as his hands
and knees'll carry him.

There. That's right.

Take off the hat, now.

What is it,
Mary, darling?

Help me out
to the porch.

But shouldn't you
go back to bed?

Help me, Martin Maher.

Come along now.

Let me put this here.

Now, sit down.

There you are.

Lean back,
comfortable like.

I'll-- I'll go get
your medicine

and the shawleen,

and I'll be right back.

Mary...

Mary O'Donnell.

Hey, Merry
Christmas, Marty!

Merry Christmas, Marty!

Well, come in.
Pirelli, Kennedy.

Hope you don't mind
our barging in on you.

Oh, that's
quite all right.

I wasn't expecting
visitors.

Well, it's
a business call, Marty.

We're the press.

A special football number
of The Pointer.

A review of last season,
prospects for next year.

Oh, fine, fine.

Well, you'll have to
pardon the poor house.

It isn't as
spick-and-span as--

Hey, Marty,
what's burning?

Och, the eggs!
Oh, my gosh.

Oh, now, wait
a minute, boys.

I can do that
very well.

Sit down, Marty.
We'll handle the K.P.

Oh, but I don't
need any help.

Marty, you're going
to pick us

an all-time
army football team.

An all-time army
football team?

Right.

You mean from
the beginning

down till now?

Mm-hmm.

I'm sure that'll
start a Donnybrook.

We'll run it in
the front-page box,

Marty Maher's
All-time Team.

Well, it's a fine way
to make 11 friends

and 10,000 enemies.

Keep out of that,
Mr. Pirelli.

I can do that
very well.

I don't need
any help.

I grew up doing this
in my old man's delicatessen.

Where's
the bread?

Right over here.

Now, if--
Ah, thank you.

If he were only here
to argue with,

Colonel Koehler
would--

Colonel Koehler?
Who's he?

Colonel Koehler?

Hey, Marty!

Merry Christmas,
Marty!

We're in the kitchen,
and wipe your feet.

For quarterback, now,
Charley Daly's my man.

D-A-L-Y.

Merry Christmas,
Marty!

Oh, Merry Christmas,
Mr. Dotson.

Merry Christmas,
Mr. Stern.

What is all this?

Present for you
from Dad in Belgium.

For me?

It's a Dotson
family custom

to give presents
Christmas Eve.

Well, now.

This wouldn't be
one of those booby traps,

would it, Mr. Dotson?

Well, let's see.

Och...

Look at that.

Boy, it's a beauty.

Sure is.

Think of him taking time

to send me
a present from Belgium,

and him with a division
to command.

Well, now, where was I
with me selections?

Charley Daly.

Charley Daly!

Charley Daly's me
all-time quarterback.

40 years, and never a man
touched him since.

Hey, how about
my old man?

That's just what I mean,
I'm treed like a toad.

Your father, Chuck Dotson,

would have made all-American
but for me,

but then, who'd be commanding
that division?

Halfbacks, now.

Paul Bunker,
and I'll have no arguments,

and Elmer Olliphant.

Take it down, lad, O-L-
L again, I-P-H-A-N-T.

Come in, whoever you are.

And wipe your--
Hey, Pete...

Yo.

And Red Cagle.
We can't leave him out.

You got visitors,
Marty.

Big brass, Marty.

Big brass...

Big brass, you say?

Who could that be?
The superintendent?

Who could it be?
Georgie Patton?

Casey Widemyer,
perhaps.

Merry Christmas, Marty.

We've come
home, Marty.

What can I say,
and the tears in my throat?

You look fine, buckalo.
Just fine.

Take your coat,
Sergeant?

Mrs. Sundstrom?

Thank you.

Thank you.
There's my bag.

Thank you, son.

Thank you.

Tell me...Are you home
for long, boy?

It's just
a convalescent leave.

As soon as my leg's fixed up,
I ship out again.

The Pacific, maybe.

Professional
soldier, Marty.

I've, uh...been saving these.

I wanted you to
pin them on me, Marty.

Captain's bars?

Attention!

Battlefield
commission, Marty.

Well, I--

Would you look at that?

Come on, Marty,

sit down here in
your favorite chair.

No, I don't--

Oh, now, you're
going to sit down.

Red'll sit down, too. Sure.
Come on, now, lean back, there

You comfy now?
I'm fine, thank you.

Pillow.

Pillow!
Pillow!

Come on.
Hurry. Oops!

I don't want
the pillow.

Put your head
back now.

Martin Maher, when was
the last time you ate?

Well, I had
a little--

You--
Pirelli, ma'am.

Mr. Pirelli,
hit that chow line.

You, K.P.

Holy Moses.

On the double,
quick. Everyone.

Oops. Come on.

No, no, Kitty, I don't
want the shawl.

Yes, you will do it.

Come on in
with the tree now.

Merry Christmas!

Put it right here
on the floor.

Wait a minute.
I don't want a tr--

I wanted it.

I haven't had one
in a long time.

The ornaments
are down here

underneath
the cellar stairs,

and you'll find them
in a box

called "Bushmill's
Irish Whiskey."

Bring it up,
will you?

Coming through.

Come on, now,
get that food, now,

because he needs it
real badly.

Oops, be careful
with the coffee here.

Come on!

Chuck, will you bring those
ornaments, please?

Hurry up!

Marty, now, come on,
put the bars down.

Here are the ornaments.
Come on, let's go.

Here we are.

♪ Jingle bells,
jingle bells ♪

♪ Jingle all the way ♪

♪ Oh, what fun
it is to ride ♪

♪ In a one-horse
open sleigh ♪

♪ Jingle bells,
jingle bells-- ♪

Oh, wait a minute!
Wait a minute.

♪ Come, fill your glasses
Fellows ♪

♪ And stand up in a row ♪

♪ To singing sentimentally ♪

♪ We're going for to go ♪

♪ In the army
there's sobriety ♪

♪ Promotions very slow ♪

♪ We'll sing a
Merry Christmas ♪

♪ To Marty Maher, oh ♪

♪ Oh, Marty Maher, oh ♪

♪ Oh, Marty Maher, oh ♪

♪ We'll sing a
Merry Christmas ♪

♪ To Marty Maher, oh ♪

So, you see, sir,
it's been my whole life.

Everything that I treasure
in my heart,

living or dead,

is at West Point.

I-- I wouldn't know
where else to go.

I have West Point
on the phone for you, sir.

You talk to them, Chuck.

Find out what
the snafu is up there.

Yes, sir.

I-- I've taken up a great
deal of your time, sir.

I hope I'll
always have time

for old friends, Marty.

Thank you, sir.

Come and see
me again.

Okay, Buck.
Fast as we can.

See you.

Oh, Here.
I almost forgot.

Tell him to rub this in well,
morning, noon and night--

Did you have
permission

to leave
the Point?

No, sir.
I didn't even--

Even sign out?

Well, I was that excited,
you know--

What are you,
a recruit?

You're AWOL.

Chuck, Chuck...

I'll have to fly you back
to save that fool neck.

Let's go.

It's that blackhearted
Master of the Sword.

Director of
Physical Education.

Airfield.

Now, wait a minute--

You should know
enough by this time

not to absent yourself
without leave.

Sir, I don't
understand--

Come with me.

Present...arms!

Listen, sir.

The tune they're playing.

It's the tune--

This is for
you, Marty.

The cadets
asked for it.

You're at
attention, Marty.

Yes, sir.

It's been
a great day for Marty.

It's been a great
life for Marty.

If only Old Martin
and Mary were here.

They are here...

and the others.