Original subtitles

[barking]

[Jacqueline] We have a Christmas tradition at convent San Tanco.

We draw names and make gifts for each other.

This year Sister Bertrille was in charge of the drawing.

Oh, hi.

The yank bag?

Grab bag.

You first, sister. Don't peek.

[giggles]

I grabbed myself.

Oh, here try again.

Hey, maybe I'd better keep myself.

How come?

I know what I want.

Oh.

[Jacqueline] Sister Olaf had come to us only recently.

She had served in Puerto Rico for many years,

and had hoped to return to her native Norway for Christmas.

But the doctors felt that Sister Olaf

no longer had the strength for the trip.

Reverend mother, should I trouble her?

[Olaf] Yes, child.

These hands can still make something for a sister.

What would you like for Christmas, Sister Olaf?

The impossible.

A white Christmas.

Snow, Sister Olaf?

Puerto Rico is beautiful.

But sunshine and palm trees

do not make Christmas.

I know.

Maybe next year.

[Jacqueline] Sister Bertrille came to me last.

Sister.

I got Sister Olaf's name.

Ooh, you were meant to keep it a secret.

Well, I couldn't anyway. I need your help. Both of you.

I want to make it snow for Sister Olaf.

Snow in San Juan?

Sister, it never snows in San Juan.

Have you ever had a flying nun here before?

Now, Sister Bertrille, the fact that you can defy one of nature's laws

should not be taken as a challenge to try them all.

Oh, I won't do anything conspicuous.

I'll just make it snow in the convent.

Sort of a mini-storm.

Yes, kind of. Will you help me?

It would mean so much to Sister Olaf.

If reverend mother should hear of this.

I know. Will you help me with that too?

Oh, what can we lose? Snow in San Juan?

She's whistling Trixie.

Dixie, sister.

But if I were you, I'd get out my winter habit.

I can feel a nip in the air already.

[Jacqueline] Sister Bertrille went to the experts.

She consulted the weather bureau at our local airport.

Snow in San Juan?

Sister, I have been stationed here 10 years,

and those needles have never moved.

It's always sunny.

It's always 80 degrees.

It's always clear skies followed by tourists.

My job is so predictable my pep pills need pep pills.

Oh, uh, I was wondering how to make it snow,

artificially.

What for? A Christmas pageant?

You know, when I was a kid,

we wrapped ourselves in bed sheets and called ourselves angels.

Cute, huh?

Marvelous.

Actually, I was just curious,

kind of a research project.

Has anyone ever made it snow artificially?

Oh, there have been experiments

but they're very elaborate.

How elaborate?

It involves seeding the clouds with pellets of dry ice.

Dry ice. Of course, carbon dioxide.

They just pepper the clouds?

That's right, sister.

[phone ringing]

Excuse me.

Weather bureau.

Uh, thanks a lot. I'll just be running along now.

Now, what do you think it's going to be, madame?

80 degrees, clear and sunny.

After all, it's almost Christmas.

Don't mention it.

[Jacqueline] To get the dry ice,

we went to Sister Bertrille's friend, Señor Ramirez,

the owner of the biggest discotheque on the island.

And get this, first thing.

Carlos?

[clearing throat] And this, too.

Carlos?

Sister, I'm a very busy man.

This is the height of the Christmas season,

and I have 500 tourists to feed this evening.

Well, I just wanted to ask a favor.

That's exactly what I was afraid of.

What is it this time?

A foul mouthed parrot I have to give a home to?

Or you fix me up again with a gangster's girlfriend?

No, I wanted to borrow something.

What?

Some dry ice.

Why didn't you say so?

Well, I need quite a bit.

You take as much as you like.

Now, you go right to the kitchen.

You know where the kitchen is, right? Yes.

Ok. You go there and get as much as you like.

Thank you, Carlos. Thank you. Bye, bye.

Dry ice.

Now...

[Jacqueline] We managed to smuggle the ice into the convent

without any trouble.

Making it into pellets was another matter.

Here.

Good.

We're almost over the hump.

[knocking at door]

Who is it?

[Reverend Mother] What is going on, sister? Is something burning?

It's the reverend mother. The jig is down.

I think it's up, sister.

Uh, just a moment, uh, reverend mother.

[shushing]

Hurry.

[Reverend Mother] Why is this door locked?

Uh, was it?

What's the meaning of all the smoke?

Smoke?

Uh, sisters,

I, uh, I do not think that I need to remind you

that the church frowns on alchemy.

Yes. Well, uh, we were just making my gift for the yank bag?

Grab bag!

Grab bag.

[Reverend Mother] Well, I hope you were not making anything too elaborate.

Uh, the, um, gifts are better if they're simple.

Yes. Well, uh, this gift is practically elemental.

Oh, we don't want to keep you

from your evening walk, reverend mother.

I've already been. And I must say I feel exhausted.

Well, you don't look exhausted.

But I feel exhausted.

Well, you look radiant.

Uh, don't you think so, sister sixto?

Oh, I can't see too good. Come over in the daylight. I can see better.

Sister sixto, what daylight?

Well, I sense that I am intruding, sisters.

But if I could just sit for a moment.

I got here first.

Good night, sisters.

Good night, reverend mother.

[exclaims]

[Jacqueline] The day before Christmas

the flying weather was excellent.

The trade winds quickly took Sister Bertrille into the clouds.

[children cheering]

I can't believe my eyes.

Uh, it's sort of like a belt from the blue, huh?

Bolt, sister sixto.

Uh, of course, this comes as a complete surprise to you?

I beg your pardon, reverend mother?

Uh, you had no, uh, premonition that it just might snow?

Uh, why do you ask, reverend mother?

[clearing throat]

It's a miracle.

Well, not exactly.

It's a...

Well, the snow is Sister Bertrille's gift to you.

Gift?

There's something I'd better tell you about Sister Bertrille.

[Jacqueline] Unfortunately, the trade winds grew stronger,

carrying Sister Bertrille and her mini-storm

away from the convent and over the city of San Juan.

[people clamoring]

[yells]

[beeping]

I left Maine to get away from this.

I'm gonna have to pay for this snowball for the next 18 months.

If they'd have warned me in New York, I'd have brought my mink.

Harry, at least take a picture.

Why bother?

They'll never believe it back home.

Oh, sister.

I landed on the other side of the island.

I had to hitchhike back.

You know something, for the day before Christmas,

it sure is quiet in the city.

[Reverend Mother] Sister Bertrille.

We've got big problems.

What?

The tourists are leaving San Juan.

Leaving? Why?

Because the tourists do not come to San Juan to throw snowballs.

I'm sorry, reverend mother. I guess things got a bit out of hand.

They still are.

The hotels are emptying and there are mobs at the airport.

Without the tourists, half the city will end up flat chested.

My guess would be that you mean flat busted.

And I'm afraid you're absolutely right.

Sister Bertrille, I know you meant well,

but it is not going to be a very Merry Christmas in San Juan.

[knocking at door]

Come in.

You asked for me, Sister Olaf.

It was so beautiful.

I wanted to thank you.

They told you.

Yes.

And now I hear that you are in trouble.

Oh, I'll survive.

I'm not sure San Juan will.

[Olaf] That is sad.

You were only trying to make my wish come true.

[Bertrille] And I'm glad if I did.

I just wish I could think of a way to get the tourists back.

Of course, if I did, I'd probably foul up something else.

I seem to be a one-woman plague of locusts.

That is not true.

Yes, it is.

The reverend mother is right, it's time I grounded myself.

Sister, you have a great gift.

Not to use it would be a sin.

Flying?

No.

Making people happy.

[Jacqueline] The snow melted quickly, but the crisis lingered on.

Señor Ramirez summoned the other restaurant and hotel owners to his office

for an emergency meeting to calm things down.

Just a moment. Just a moment.

Now we are not pleading, we are not begging,

we are demanding an explanation.

It happened, that's all.

The economy of our country is having convulsions,

and the only explanation we get is, "it happened."

Señor Ramirez, may I remind you

I don't do anything about the weather.

I just talk about it.

There must have been a--a hint. A warning.

Of course, what's the projection for the rest of the holidays?

The projection, Señor Ramirez,

is clear and warmer just as it was for today.

[all groaning] Out! Out! Out!

Well, at least that little nun must be happy.

What nun?

[stammering] No one, Señor.

What nun?

A nun nun.

She came to the tower the other day.

What did she look like? Young?

Yeah.

Moon face? Kind of.

Freckles?

Señor Ramirez, she came to talk about snow, not her complexion.

Carry on, gentlemen.

[all clamoring]

It was you, wasn't it?

Wasn't it?

You know what's happened to you?

You've gone power mad.

Oh, Carlos, I'm sorry. I just wanted to help.

You want to help.

Why don't you go and make a blizzard in Jamaica?

Carlos, listen.

All those tourists are still trapped at the airport.

Well, they know you.

You could go and talk to them

and tell them all I wanted to do was to make a white Christmas.

Brilliant. Superb.

Why didn't I think of it myself?

Ladies and gentlemen,

the little, uh, disturbance you felt this morning was only temporary.

You see, this is Sister Bertrille,

and though it is a very well-kept secret, she can fly.

But, naturally, it being the Christmas season-- all right, Carlos.

It was just an idea. Honestly.

I know my good intentions backfired,

but you don't have to act like it's the end of the world for you.

Me?

Well, it's not myself I'm thinking about,

or the other hotel owners.

We can handle a setback like this.

It is the little people.

The tourist guides, the street vendors,

the taxi drivers, the flower lady.

It's going to be a big blow to them.

Oh, Carlos, you're right.

I never thought of that.

We who have known poverty and--

Carlos, you know something?

You're really very sweet.

I try.

That's why I want you to--

Carlos, you're right.

We've got to do something for those people.

Me? We? No, sister.

The only thing I want from you is to stay on the ground.

But Carlos, that won't help those little people now.

Look, Carlos, what if--

what if you and your friends,

the other big hotel owners,

what if you gave me some money to distribute?

And where do you suggest we get this money?

Well, you must have something in reserve.

Before the busy season?

Just enough to escape the Sheriff.

Carlos, there are thousands of children

that are expecting toys on Christmas.

And mothers who are planning big Christmas feasts.

You can't disappoint them, Carlos.

And don't tell me that among the group--

sister, may I ask you a question?

What?

Why is it every time I try to pin your ears back,

you end up cracking my spine?

[phone ringing]

Convent San Tanco.

You did?

Over $5000.

Oh, Carlos, that's fantastic.

I'll bring it over to the convent in about 10 minutes.

Uh, let's make it 15 minutes.

Ok, bye.

[sighing]

My friends,

I want to thank you for the friendly way

in which you have responded.

Reverend mother,

I think we can start the jingle bells jingling.

Really, Sister Bertrille?

Yes. Carlos Ramirez has raised an emergency fund for us to distribute.

A handup?

Handout. But it wouldn't be. Not really.

And what else would it be, Sister Bertrille?

People have pride.

They're used to working for their money.

A touch of charity isn't going to make their Christmas any merrier.

Reverend Mother's right, Sister Bertrille.

Oh, wow.

I guess I'm really batting a thousand today.

Think I should tell Señor Ramirez to give the money back?

I'll leave the decision up to you.

Come along, sister.

Reverend mother, what if the people didn't know

where the money came from?

What if it just fell from the sky?

A happening instead of a handout.

As I understand it--

I mean, flying is what got me into this trouble.

Why not cure it the same way?

[sighing] Oh, me.

Sister Bertrille, when are you going to accept the fact

that a nun is meant to do our lord's work on earth?

Heaven is his territory.

[Bertrille] ♪ I know my feet should stay firm on the ground ♪

♪ but sometimes I can't seem to keep them down ♪

♪ when the wind starts blowing that's the time I know ♪

♪ I just got to pick right up ♪

♪ and go ♪

♪ all of a sudden I look way up high ♪

♪ next thing I know I'm just up in the sky ♪

♪ and I'm flying ♪

♪ flying so high ♪

♪ touching the sky ♪

♪ the places I'm going to cannot be planned ♪

♪ the fun is not knowing just where I will land ♪

♪ when I'm flying ♪

♪ flying so high ♪

♪ the birds that I meet on the way ♪

♪ keep me company all of the day ♪

♪ as I fly over places I love ♪

♪ there's always one thing ♪

♪ I'm certain of ♪

♪ it's a beautiful world and I'm glad to be in it ♪

♪ when I'm up there I just love every minute of flying ♪

♪ flying so high ♪

♪ I'm so glad I can fly ♪

[people shouting]

♪ Flying, flying so high ♪

♪ We're flying, flying so high ♪

♪ I'm so glad I can fly ♪

Harry, go wire my mother.

Maybe she can still get a plane.

Oh, and wire my sister and her family.

Why should they be left out?

Wire everybody.

It's Christmas.

The planes are coming back in relays.

The hotels are filling up.

The shops are opening again.

This might not be our biggest Christmas,

but it's going to be the wildest new year San Juan has ever had.

Everyone thinks there's going to be another money storm.

Yes. Say, you wouldn't like to make,

let's say, one little flight a week?

Just to maintain the image?

Afraid not, Carlos.

[knocking at door]

Just a moment.

Oh, my friends, come in. Come in.

You've come to celebrate our good fortune.

That's right. And to get our money back.

Money? What money?

The $5000 that we gave you to distribute.

It--it is gone.

G-Gone?

Yeah, given away.

We didn't see any nuns distribute money.

Of course you did not.

It was done...

It was not done in the usual way.

Oh? Then how?

You will not believe it.

Carlos, you wouldn't try to cheat your friends.

On Christmas Eve.

In front of a nun.

[gasping]

Carlos, remember, it's going to be

the wildest new year San Juan ever had.

Merry Christmas, sister.

Merry Christmas, Carlos.

♪[organ playing]

[all] ♪ deck the halls with boughs of holly ♪

♪ fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la ♪

♪ 'Tis the season to be jolly ♪

♪ fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la ♪

♪ Don we now our gay apparel ♪

Why aren't you singing?

Do I have anything to sing about?

I am the biggest philanthropist in San Juan

and you are the only one who knows.

Carlos, isn't it more gratifying

to know in your heart what you've done,

than to be the biggest hero of the whole city?

No.

Carlos, look.

♪ See the blazing yule before us ♪

She hasn't been downstairs in months.

Wasn't it all worth it?

Oh, boy, was it.

♪ Join the chorus ♪

♪ fa, la, la, la, la ♪

Merry Christmas, Sister Olaf.

Merry Christmas, sister.

And thank you.

Why do you thank me?

Because you've just given me

the nicest Christmas present I've ever had.

Merry Christmas.

♪ Follow me in merry measure ♪

♪ fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la ♪

♪ while I tell of yule tide treasure ♪

♪ fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la ♪

[end credits]

Repair and Synchronization by Easy Subtitles Synchronizer 1.0.0.0