Original subtitles

[music playing]

Jonathan, this old tub isn't going anywhere today.

Oh, ye of little faith.

Try one more time.

Frank Worton, 1955.

Pretty good book.

Thanks.

Why couldn't you have done that a half hour ago?

I could have, but it wouldn't meant as much to you.

Ha ha ha.

Frank Worton.

I'll do my best.

A month?

You packed for a year.

I only packed what I needed.

There's no room for my typewriter.

Zoe?

Just give it to me, Todd.

There's plenty of room in the back seat.

Oh, you and your ideas.

You know I can't write in strange environments.

Oh, Todd.

Be out in a minute, Frank.

Just want to lock up.

This is a lousy idea.

Oh, Todd, it's going to be wonderful, and you know it.

And it's hardly a strange environment.

You practically grew up in the house.

I haven't seen it in years.

How did you ever find Gil Petty anyway?

I called information.

He was so excited to hear you wanted

to rent your family's old house, and when he found

out that Frank was coming.

How you came up with that brilliance.

Look, the old man is comfortable in that home.

It's not like we stuck him in some dump or something.

All his needs are taken care of.

He sits in his room and he stares, Todd.

Look, if he wanted to go back to the island,

you'd think he'd gone back once in 50 years.

He's your grandfather, for Lord's sake.

Look, Zoe, I resent being made to be the ogre.

I've got 3,000 words a day to write.

You want to be kind and thoughtful, fine.

Just keep him out of my hair.

You look pale, my boy.

Writer's color.

Oh, yes, yes.

How's the book coming?

Just fine.

Is it like the others?

Yes.

Can't quarrel with success.

I wonder how much the island will have changed for you.

Oh, quite a lot I expect.

You don't approve of what I write.

You never have.

You construct very nice little stories.

Little stories?

Well, you may not approve of my writing,

but at least I'm writing.

Todd.

3,000 words every day.

And you have someone who will publish them all too.

When I was a little boy, you once

said to me a writer writes.

Something compels him to write.

You haven't written anything in 15 years.

Well, I can't be much of a writer.

They stopped reading it.

You were a great writer.

If I only had what you had.

You just threw it away.

Believe it or not, that's the last of it.

I'm afraid I over packed.

Well, we got plenty of room.

We're ready to go when you are.

Frank?

I'm waiting for him to decide not to come.

Frank, let's go, darling.

No, Zoe, you go on without me.

What did I tell you?

You sure you won't change your mind, Mr. Worton?

No, no, go ahead.

The island will look just the way you described it.

When love returns, the face of Eve, married look.

It hasn't changed.

You--

Yeah, I read them all.

You're a little young.

Not for books like yours.

The island's missed you, Mr. Worton.

Every place needs someone who loves it.

Come on, what do you say?

We're off and running.

It's a nice day for a trip to the island, huh?

There used to be a house right on the sand

about 100 yards from our old place.

I wonder if it's still there.

The O'Neil place.

It's still there.

How'd you know about the O'Neil's?

That's 58 years ago.

From Mr. Petty.

Gil Petty?

Yeah, we get a lot of our repairs done at his boatyard.

What do you know.

Gil Patty's still alive.

I guess some things never change.

I tell you, he sure is a big fan of yours.

He and I did a lot of sailing together once upon a time.

He was a good pal.

He's real proud of you.

Oh, he goes around telling everybody

about the famous Frank Worton who used to live on the island

when he was just a boy.

Yes, I was going to be the great writer.

Well, what do you know?

Gil Petty.

He'd know the O'Neil's all right.

Well, we should be in in about five minutes.

Welcome home.

[knocking]

Oh, hi.

Brought you some groceries.

Oh, thank you.

Just put them anywhere.

Gee, that was sweet of you.

My pleasure.

Hey, it's a nice place.

Yeah.

The Worton place.

Tea's on, how about it?

Great.

I'll see if Frank would like some.

Frank, we're going to have some tea.

Todd, where's Frank?

How do I know?

He's out.

Look, I told you not to bother me about him.

He'll be all right.

I got cups.

Oh, you didn't have to.

Ordinary tea, it's all I've got.

I like ordinary tea.

I'm worried about Frank.

He feels forgotten.

Unread, unlistened to, unloved.

It's a sad commentary on the way of the world.

Once upon a time, Frank Worton had

a fiercely loyal readership.

I never had the pleasure of reading any of his stuff.

Long out of print.

He wrote a very particular kind of tale,

wistful, very personal, a little mystical, fanciful, lovely.

I like mystical.

I've had a little experience with fanciful.

Have you?

I have read everything of his I could get my hands on.

Interesting, the heroine always seemed

to be another aspect of the same woman

though her name changed from story to story.

Frank's readers felt subliminally

he was writing about himself and followed

the romance of his latest love from novel to novel.

It was the way that he did it.

I wonder where he went.

Look, after you finish your tea, why don't we take a walk

and look for him.

You look like you could use a little fresh air.

You're very kind.

Genna?

How you doing, Frank?

Jonathan, did you see anyone?

No.

What's wrong?

Nothing.

Nothing's wrong.

I want to go back.

I'm-- afraid.

Afraid of what?

I don't know, just afraid.

You wouldn't understand.

Hey, come on, try me.

I thought I saw her just now.

The little woman hat, the little pea jacket.

It was 58 years ago, and that was her.

I told you nothing's changed.

But it has.

I'm changed.

I'm old and I'm afraid.

Afraid of my mind.

Please take me back, Jonathan.

I should never have left.

I'll be safe there.

They can take care of me.

All right.

All right, I'll take you back.

Hey, look, we're so close to the O'Neil place.

It's right up on the bluff.

We've come this far, why don't we just see it before we go?

Her house.

Everything is the same.

Jonathan, nothing has changed.

WOMAN'S VOICE: Frank.

[windchimes tinkling]

Windchimes.

Yeah, windchimes.

It seems a shame, a nice place like this not being used.

It'd be a great spot to get away from it all.

Yes, yes, it would.

You know, I don't like that other place.

I feel uncomfortable in the house with them there,

the fourth leg on a three legged stool.

Todd's got his work and Zoe.

I'm just in the way.

I could move right in here, don't you think?

Wouldn't have to do anything to it.

It's exactly as it was when I was a boy.

We could ask Mr. Petty.

Yes, we could.

Come on, what are we waiting for?

Same.

Same.

There's Mr. Petty.

He looks just like his dad.

Hey, there.

Yes, sir, what can I do you for?

How are you, Gil?

Frank Worton.

Frank.

Ah, having Worton's in your old place again,

I can't tell you how good it makes me feel.

Here's to you, Frank.

Happy days.

Happy days.

Lot of water.

A lot of water.

So Todd's fourth book, huh?

Must make you feel awful proud.

Give him a lot of pointers, do you?

Maybe a little.

Apple hasn't fallen too far from the trees, they say.

Talk about full circle.

So are you alone now, Frank?

Yes, both my wives are dead.

Todd's mother and father died in an auto accident.

I read about that with great sorrow, Frank.

I wanted to send you a letter, but in the first place,

I didn't know where you were, and then I

supposed you wouldn't remember.

Not remember?

My mother was your wet nurse.

Listen, I was wondering about renting the O'Neil place.

Well, get out of the kid's hair, old fellow like me.

Well, sure.

Only I won't take any money for it.

I mean, I couldn't in its condition.

I mean, it does need a lot of fixing up.

Fixing up?

No.

No.

I can't imagine it any more perfect than it is.

It's exactly as I remember it.

When Genna was there.

I've read your books, Frank.

Saw a lot of her in all of them.

Yeah.

Well, I best be going.

Let's go sailing some time like the old days.

Let's do that.

Thanks, Gil.

Sure.

Good to see you, Gil.

Same here.

Frank Worton.

[knocking]

It's open.

Come on in.

Oh, Zoe and Todd.

Thanks for bringing my things.

Would you like some tea?

What's the matter?

What's the matter?

Todd.

I'll come over in an hour and tidy up this place

a little bit, and then--

No, no, no, it's fine.

Besides, you have plenty to do.

I'll be fine here.

Cozy as a bug.

I'm going to take care of myself and it.

I give up.

I just give up.

Todd?

Todd, wait.

Now why would he want to stay in a place like that

when he's got a perfectly good room at the house

and we can keep an eye on him?

Because he wants to.

Let him have his independence.

He's not a child.

Oh, he isn't, huh?

I've got work to do.

What's the matter, Todd?

Are you stuck?

What do you really care?

All you care about is the old man.

Why don't you put Agent 462 away for a while

and let me rub your neck.

No, thanks.

You know, at one time, it would have mattered to you

that I hadn't put down an interesting page of literature

in three days.

You haven't put down an interesting page of literature

in three books.

Well, you're nothing if not frank.

I brought this.

I want you to read it.

What is it?

It's mine.

It sure is.

It isn't a rip off of 007.

This is yours.

This is writing.

The man who wrote this is the man I fell in love with,

sensitive, intelligent, feeling.

Zoe, Zoe, we've been all over this.

Now your boss rejected it.

Morton Doss, who always listens to you, rejected it.

So Morton didn't buy it, so what?

You could have taken it to another publisher.

So I can get turned down again?

No, thanks?

It hurt enough the first time.

At least let somebody else read it.

Let your grandfather read it.

No!

Why the hell you brought it out, I'll never know.

Look, Zoe, let's just forget about it.

I know what I'm cut out to do.

Jonathan, how much longer are we going

to have to sleep on this tub?

I get so cold at night, it takes me half the morning to warm up.

I don't know.

What do you mean, you don't know.

How come you know it's going to rain?

Because it is.

If you want to stay dry, you better make

sure she's sealed up tight.

Looks sunny.

That's what Noah's son said.

Noah?

Noah.

I'm sealing.

I'm feeling.

Jonathan.

I just stopped by to see Grandfather.

He's not there and the sailboat's gone.

Small boat warnings all over the radio.

I'm worried.

Don't worry.

I think I know where he is.

- I'll go with you. - No, that's all right.

I can move a lot faster alone. - Are you sure?

Oh, yeah, I'm sure. Don't worry about it.

He's going to be fine.

All right.

Thank you.

You bet.

Mark, I'll be right back.

Hey, Noah, this ark was your idea.

How about giving me a hand?

Hey?

How did you know where to find me?

Just a feeling.

It's lovely here.

This was our meeting place, our secret spot.

Sweet Genna, probably the only girl I ever really--

I mean, we loved each other every minute of five summers

when I was a boy.

First thing every morning until last kiss

and final touch every night.

Certainly was never the same for me again.

That sounds like a very special kind of love.

That's what we called it.

It's strange.

I've had a full life, been married to two wonderful women,

and all I can think of is that 16-year-old girl

I adored when I was young.

Must be senility, Jonathan.

Genna was in all my novels but one.

I tried to purge myself of her that year.

Nobody bought the book.

I never did without her again.

I knew it was uninspired.

Whatever happened to her?

She died that last summer.

She was out alone in their little boat,

storm came up out of nowhere, the skies were blue and clear.

We searched for days and days.

Then one day the boat turned up, beached itself.

It was fine.

She had taken down the sails.

There wasn't a mark on it to show what she'd been through.

It was as if she sent it home.

As if to say, stop looking, sweetheart.

My Genna.

I'm surprised you stopped writing.

Why did you say that?

Because very few of us ever experience that kind of love.

The kind that inspired you to write the way you used to.

Frank, that love is still there.

The world ought to hear about it.

Well, I was trying to forget, forget the pain.

You can't forget the pain anymore

than you can forget the love.

Hey, why don't we get home?

Zoe's worried.

[thunder]

Genna?

Genna?

Genna?

I feel sorry for that old man in that dusty wreck

of a place he moved into.

Frank Worton doesn't see the dust.

He doesn't see it as a wreck either.

What are you talking about?

The place is a mess.

To your eyes, not to his.

No, Frank sees it the way he wants it to be.

The way it was one summer long ago when he was in love.

Jonathan?

Jonathan?

Frank?

Jonathan, it's a miracle.

Look at this.

I gave that to Genna years ago, but it shows no sign of age.

It's as though she just polished it.

I was 17 years of age.

That's Genna.

Where'd you get it?

She left it in front of my place.

I know she's here, Jonathan.

I know it sounds crazy, but somehow she's here.

I've seen her.

I'm going to find her.

That poor old man is really gone.

Did you see that locket?

Can barely make out the picture.

He thinks looks like it's new.

Maybe it's like the cottage, he doesn't see the age.

Like I said, he's gone.

Come on, Mark, all of us act crazy sometimes.

Yeah, that's true.

Even you.

What's that supposed to mean?

It means you've had me busting my butt

sealing up this tub because of some impending storm.

There's not a cloud in the sky.

Hey, pal, you don't want to believe what an angel

tells you, don't believe it.

I've got to get going.

I'll be back.

Yeah, sure, take off when you're wrong.

That just goes to show you that even angels can make mistakes.

I really hate it when you do this.

No, I can't say as I have, Frank.

No teenagers on the island that I know of at all.

Not this time of year.

Hm.

Well, if you should come across--

I'll sure let you know.

I sure will, Frank.

Thank you.

Hey, Frank, can I give you a lift anywhere?

No, no, I'm going to walk back along the beach.

Hey, Frank.

Jonathan.

Any luck?

No, not yet.

But I saw her last night.

I know, I don't expect you to believe me.

Hey, how about you and your partner coming

to my place for dinner tonight?

It's in the nature of a celebration.

Oh, yeah, what kind of celebration?

I'll tell you about it at dinner.

All right, we finish the last run

for the mainland about 6:30.

We'll wash up and be over.

Come hungry.

No problem.

See you then.

See you then.

Boy, you missed your calling, sir.

I mean, this is good cooking.

Oh, thanks, Mark.

More Wine?

Jonathan?

No, I'm fine, thanks.

You didn't eat anything.

I'm too excited to eat.

A toast to the success of a new endeavor.

I'm writing again.

Oh, that's great, Frank.

I've written a 30 page outline for a novel in 24 hours.

Oh.

And I'm calling it Genna.

To Genna.

Working like a demon.

I've got everything but the end.

That'll come.

Congratulations.

Oh I just remembered the dessert.

Oh, you get older.

Oh.

Mrs. Mowbray, a neighbor lady, asked if I'd like some freshly

picked beach berries.

I said I'd drop over, but I forgot.

[muted speaking]

Party line.

They're talking.

GENNA'S VOICE: We're going to the movies.

We're catching the early show.

GENNA'S FATHER: OK.

GENNA'S VOICE: Are you sure?

GENNA'S FATHER: I said it's OK.

What's the movie?

GENNA'S VOICE: Greta Garbo's new film.

I can't remember the title.

GENNA'S FATHER: Well, you enjoy it.

GENNA'S VOICE: I will.

And say hi to the Warnicky's for me.

Genna?

Genna?

Genna?

GENNA'S VOICE: Bye, Dad.

Frank, what's wrong?

That was Genna.

What, you mean your Genna?

I know you think I'm crazy, but it was her.

Come on, Frank, we've had some wine.

Hardly can recognize a voice on those old phones.

Mark, the girl on that phone was going to see a new film

starring Greta Garbo.

[knocking]

Come in.

How you doing?

Just one second.

Finished.

Hey, what are you talking about finished?

You mean the whole manuscript?

That's right.

I've never written anything this fast in my life.

It's almost as though the whole thing was

inside me waiting to come out.

I want to show it to my grandson,

but I am so tired now.

Would you take it to him?

I'd be happy to, if you promise to read this.

Oh, Jonathan, I can't plod through one of Toddy's spy

novels now, really.

You're not going to find a spy in that story anywhere.

It's something Todd wrote years ago.

I think it's beautiful.

Why didn't he ever show it to me?

I think he was afraid.

Afraid you might laugh at him.

Yes, I know the feeling.

I'll read it.

Good.

I'll see to it that he gets this.

Thank you.

You take care.

It's magic.

Yes.

This was the kind of man I wanted to be when I was a kid.

God, if I could only write like that.

Come on, let's go tell him how much we loved it.

OK.

Well, Frank, what do you think of it?

It's wonderful.

Jonathan, it's absolutely wonderful.

And he should have a kick in the pants

for wasting his time on junk.

I'm going to go over there and tell him.

Why don't you just leave him a note, huh?

A note?

Why?

Because you have an appointment with someone.

What are you talking about?

Genna.

She's waiting for you down by the boat.

You've seen her?

Yeah.

Jonathan, I knew.

I knew it was her.

But how can this be?

In His kingdom all things are possible.

And that's it?

I'm-- I'm going?

With your Genna.

Jonathan, let's go.

Wait, wait, don't forget the note.

Oh, sure, sure.

Genna.

Look at her, Jonathan, just the way she was.

And so are you, Frank.

Just the way you were.

I'm a kid again.

It's like magic.

That's why they call it heaven, Frank.

Hey, go on.

She's waiting.

Sail away, my friend.

Bye.

Goodbye.

Genna?

Frank?

Frank?

Frank?

I wonder where he is.

Todd, come here.

Look.

My manuscript.

How did it get here?

I threw into the fire.

You saw me throw into the fire.

How could it get here?

I don't know.

He read it, Todd.

Look.

Here's a note.

My dearest grandson, you have a great gift.

Use it.

It's in the genes, and it makes me so proud.

Granddad.

He liked it, Zoe.

JONATHAN: Frank Worton's book made

the best seller list that summer,

so did his grandson Todd's.

From time to time, fishermen still

report seeing Frank's sailboat moving through the soft fog,

but, of course, that couldn't be possible.

[theme music]