Original subtitles

(enthusiastic orchestral music)

(dramatic orchestral music)

(nostalgic orchestral music)

(dramatic orchestral music)

(enthusiastic orchestral music)

(enthusiastic orchestral music continues)

(crew member whistles)

- [Announcer] Now hear this- (voice fades)

- [Group] Bye, bye.

- [Passenger] See you later, Lee.

- [Colleague] Hurry up, Lee,

if you're gonna- (voice unintelligible)

- Lee, Lee Ashley.

Hello, I'm Kate Connors, the club director

and this is Bob Kilpatrick, our field supervisor.

- How do you do? - How do you do?

- Glad to have you with us. - Thank you.

- Where are you bags?

- One of the officers said he'd bring them down for me.

- Are they marked? - Yes they are.

- I'll get them and put them in the Jeep.

- Thank you.

- [Crew Member] (whistles) Hey, look what's coming.

- [Associate] Man can't work, where'd she come from?

- [Crew Member] Don't touch the merchandise, fellas.

(men chattering enthusiastically)

- [Associate] Hey Charlie, put your eyes back in your head.

(men continue to chatter enthusiastically)

- Don't pay any attention to them. How was the trip?

- A little crowded.

- Uh uh, hey excuse me,

I got a little petty larceny to attend to.

The Jeep is right on down there.

- All right.

- Hello boys. - Hiya Kate.

- How are ya, Harry old pal?

- Now look Kate, I got no extra lumber,

no tables, no chairs, no nails-

- What's all those?

- Paint, and all of it has to go to Camp Barnes.

- All of it? - All of it.

- Every single little drop of it?

- Every single little drop of it.

- Oh, you know that new room

we're building on the clubhouse?

- Yeah yeah. - You know what that's for?

So you boys can have hot showers anytime you want.

Only showers in Noumea.

Course, if we don't paint it,

you're all gonna get splinters on your bottom.

- Ah Kate, I'd like to help ya,

but all that stuff is in crates.

If I had a loose can,

I'd be more than happy to let you have them.

- I know you would, Harry, you're a good kid.

(crate clatters)

- And what's the matter with you guys?

- We couldn't help it. - It slipped, Harry.

- Oh it slipped Harry, great.

Well you're gonna slip 'em all back

into the crate again and nail it up.

What do you think they sent this stuff out here...

Hey wait a minute, Kate.

Hey, that stuff was counted in San Francisco,

and in Pearl Harbor, and once more when it got here.

- Yeah, they're all so efficient-

- And now I'm responsible for it.

- It's a wonder to me, you don't get over-

- I gotta see to it that every can in that pile

is delivered to Camp Barnes.

- You see to that, Harry,

you see that every can in that pile

gets delivered to Camp Barnes and tell 'em I said so.

- Besides, what good's a paint without brushes?

Where did you get those?

- Old friend of the family gave them to me,

goin' away present.

Isn't it pretty? - Well, put 'em away, Kate.

- Look out, there's three eggs in there too.

(engines rumbling) (equipment clanking)

(people chattering)

(dog barks) (people chattering)

(horn honks) (dog barking)

(people chattering)

(horn honks) (people chattering)

- Hey mate, get a load of this.

(soldier whistles) (men cat-calling)

(soldier barks like a seal) (soldier claps his hands)

- Hey Steve, that's for me, let's get on the Red Cross boat!

(whistle shrieks) (engines rumbling)

(soldiers whistle)

- They're just trying to act like big shots.

It's the ones that don't whistle at you

you gotta be careful of.

(engines rumbling) (people chattering)

(whistle shrieks)

(engines rumbling) (people chattering)

(goat bleats) (children chattering)

(people chattering) (engines rumbling)

(brushes clink)

(chuckles) You're gonna make the rest of us

look like a lot of sharecroppers in those new uniforms.

- Well they're nothing special.

- Out here, anything that's new

and not painted is something special,

including what's inside the uniforms too.

Oh genuine coat hangers.

This is what we use out here, in case you run short.

Glad you brought some of your own clothes.

When you're off duty or on a Sunday, wear 'em.

Boys get awful sick of seeing nothing but uniforms.

Here's some towels.

I'll see you down at the club when you're finished.

No hurry.

- Kate? - Hm?

- I heard on the ship that this unit

was due to be moved up to Guadalcanal soon.

I was just wondering if you knew when that would be.

- Oh that won't be for quite a while yet.

They've still got an awful lot of mopping up to do.

Your husband was killed on Guadalcanal, wasn't he?

- Yes.

- Whenever a new worker gets sent out here,

I get a pretty complete file on them beforehand.

I know an awful lot about you, Lee.

'Cept for one thing,

why did you join up?

- Well I was alone

and I thought maybe I could help in some way.

- Could have helped in Washington or Pittsburgh or London.

Why did you do everything to be sent out to this area?

I want you to know, Lee,

that I tried very hard not to have you sent out here.

I figured you were coming on some sort of a pilgrimage.

- I'll do my job.

- I hope so.

Just remember, we've got thousands of boys here

and each one has a problem, or will have,

and that's what we're here for, to help them.

Our personal troubles are only secondary.

(paper rustles)

Well, I see by your file, you play a mean piano,

speak French, and paint.

Gonna be a very busy girl.

- I want to be.

- See ya at the club. (paper rustling)

(gentle music)

(Lee sighs) (gentle music)

(people chattering) (boisterous singing)

- [Child] Hey, little match, (voice unintelligible)

(children chattering over each other)

(people chattering) (boisterous singing)

♪ Come on, come on ♪

♪ The long and the short and the long ♪

- [Desk Attendant] Hiya.

(people chattering) (boisterous singing)

♪ The long, the long ♪

♪ The long and the short and the long ♪

- Hey, you seen that bella that teaches the French class?

- Yeah, I saw her around here a minute ago.

Yeah, there she is, she's over there playing chess.

- Thanks.

(people chattering)

Say uh, I was a little late in joining the French class,

so I was wondering, after your closed up tonight,

you and I- - I'm sorry,

we're not allowed to date enlisted men.

It's against military regulations in this area.

They just won't let us.

- Lady, I don't want a date, I want a lesson,

catch up with the rest of the class.

Maybe get a little ahead of them.

What do you say? - Lover boy,

go get yourself a donut.

(people chattering)

- I'm sorry he interrupted.

You were saying that you- - You asked about the canal

and I would say my outfit came in on the third day and-

- You didn't happen to know a Lieutenant

by the name of Ashley, Howard Ashley?

He was with the First Parachute Battalion.

- Ashley.

Ashley.

Ashley. - My husband.

- That's tough. I'm sorry.

No, I didn't know him.

My outfit was right next to the first shoots on the ridge.

- Bloody ridge?

- Is that where he got it?

- 13th of September.

- It was a rough day.

- So what was it like? - Rough.

(people chattering)

- [Lee] Well, if you do meet anybody who knew my husband,

I'd appreciate it very much if you-

- I've got a friend who was with the First Chutes.

He's still in the hospital on Guadal.

He's name is Eustace Press.

Sounds like a publishing firm, doesn't it?

You could write to him and-

- Lee, could I see you for a minute, please?

- Well, writing isn't very satisfactory.

Maybe I could see him when we move up there.

Excuse me. (people chattering)

- That raider outfit that took Mandova

is docking here tonight

because they've got some wounded on board.

- Well I thought they flew the wounded in days ago.

- He's a last-minute casualty,

and the Navy nurses are shorthanded

and they've asked us to help.

So you and Helen and Joanie can handle it.

- Well Kate, if you don't mind,

I'd just as soon stay here.

I won't be any good at it.

I have a revulsion to accidents and people who've been hurt.

It sort of does something to me.

- It sort of does something to all of us.

That's why we take turns.

Jeep is outside my office.

(people chattering)

(engine rumbling) (horn honks)

Foreman, you go over to the hospital with him.

- I'm fine. - Hey yeah, yes.

- Well thanks a million, Kate, for coming down.

Without you and the girls, we'd have been swamped.

- That's all right.

(people chattering)

- How are you doing, fella? - Mister,

I'm sure you're a good man, but couldn't you give me a girl

to walk along beside me or something?

- Now I know you're feeling better.

- How about me, will I do? - You certainly will.

Just cackle for me. I wanna hear some female cackling.

Go ahead. - Where you from?

- [Patient] Massachusetts.

- [Crew Member] A little more slack, a little more.

A little more slack. - Louis,

did they take Peckenpaw ashore yet?

- He's on the hook now, Chaplain.

(people chattering) (engines humming)

- [Kate] Hello Chaplain.

- Kate, hello. - Good to have you back.

Anything we can do for you?

- Well I need a lot of help,

but we can talk about that later.

For the moment,

would you just take care of Sergeant Peckenpaw here?

- [Kate] Sure we will. How you doin' fella?

- Fine, ma'am.

- [Kate] Whose the CO of this outfit?

- Colonel Black.

There he is now, just coming up to the railing.

(people chattering)

No worries, Sergeant, you're in mighty good hands.

I'll see you at the hospital

as soon as we get the men off the ship.

Corporal, I'll see you at the hospital, okay?

- Hello.

- [Sergeant] Early in the boondocks tomorrow, huh?

- Take it easy, Sergeant,

we'll give you a great coming out party,

get some more cigarettes for you.

Lee.

Lee.

Come down, Lee.

Here, stay with this man. - Okay.

- You're not doing much good standing around here.

- Sorry Kate, it just seems horrible and stupid to me.

These men are suffering and we give them small talk,

candy, and chewing gum.

- What you give them doesn't matter.

- It's just ludicrous and shocking.

- You could give them a paperclip or an old golf ball,

or your hand to hold for a while.

- That's well, I'm afraid-

- What's important is that you're here

and you're giving them a little bit of yourself.

Come on, get your feet wet.

(people chattering) (engines humming)

Those are the fatigue cases.

- Come on, Ray, over here.

The ambulance is over here, Ray.

(people chattering) (engines humming)

- Have you seen my family?

I talked to my father yesterday.

He said they'd be here to meet me.

- [Soldier] Come on, Ray, we have to go.

(people chattering)

- [Patient] Oh no! I don't wanna go!

I don't wanna go! (sobbing)

(people chattering) (horns honking)

- Have a cigarette? - No thanks, ma'am.

- What happen? You shave too close this morning?

- Yeah, and I hit a jet bomber.

(people chattering) (engines rumbling)

- [Crew Member] A little more, come on, a little more.

- [Crew] A little more, a little more.

(people chattering) (engines humming)

- Hi.

- Hi.

- I'm sorry, I forgot to give you some cigarettes.

- Nevermind, it's enough to just look up

and know that somebody gives a damn.

- Well, what happened?

- Well you see, I was riding my bicycle

and this drunk driver went through this red light-

- Yes, I'm terribly sorry, that was a stupid thing to say.

It's just that, this is the first time

I've ever done this sort of thing.

- You know something, lady?

This is the first time I've ever done this sort of thing.

(people chattering)

- Would you like me to come out to the hospital and see you?

- Sure would, lady.

Kinda nice to talk to a soprano again.

- Oh Colonel Black, I'm Kate Connors,

Red Cross Club director here.

Anything special we can do for your boys?

- Yes, don't call 'em boys, and leave 'em alone.

(soldier whistles) (engine rumbles)

- If there are no further instructions, goodnight.

- [Colonel Black] Goodnight.

(engine rumbles) (people chattering)

- [Soldier] Too bad.

It happened to me once too, just the same way.

I'm in Saint Louis, see?

- Hi Joanie.

- Hello Kate.

- [Lee] Hi Kate. Mail.

- There's bacon in there.

Take it out in the kitchen and lock it up.

- [Lee] Bacon? Where'd you get it?

- Shh, quiet.

- Only one thing to do,

gotta find myself a first class sucker.

So, I goes into this poolroom, kibitzing a game.

After a while,

this guy asks me if I don't wanna play for a fifth.

I tell him, I don't know nothing about the game,

so he spots me 10 points.

I get to break, run the table,

you should've seen the look on that pigeon's face.

- Eddie!

- Kate! What are you doing here?

I heard you was in New Zealand.

- I was for a while, but oh Eddie!

- Oh Kate, it's soo good to see you.

- [Kate] I didn't know what had become of you.

- Well, I was gonna write to- - I was almost out of my mind.

- Why don't you let a guy know-

- Oh Eddie.

- Ah Kate it's...

(people chattering)

Oh geez Kate, lay off, will ya?

I ain't no kid no more.

- Oh, keep forgetting. Let me look at you.

Listen, who do you think came through here last week?

Lefty Henderson. - No kidding?

Guess who I run into in Pearl?

Scottie. He's a fly-boy.

- Oh, I saw him in New Zealand.

- Kate, I want you to meet a couple of pals of mine.

This is Paul and Louis.

- Good to have you with us, boys.

- Hi Kate. - Happy to meet you.

Come on Eddie, shoot.

- Remember the dame I was telling you about,

around the settlement house down in my neighborhood?

Well this is her, this is Kate.

Boy, the times she kept me outta reform school.

(ball clinks)

- [Kate] Ah, didn't used to miss 'em like that

when you played with me. - I busted my finger.

This is liable to cost me 100 bucks a week in civilian life.

Maybe I'd better put in for a pension or something.

Say, this is a real nice club...

(Lee and associate speaking French)

(dishes clinking) (people chattering)

- Kate, who's the blond job?

- Name's Lee Ashley.

- Who does she remind you of, Kate?

Bergie.

Bergie would've looked just like that

if she'd have grown up.

- You wanna meet her?

- Yeah.

(people chattering)

- Oh Lee, want you to meet an old friend of mine,

Eddie Wodcik. - Oh, hello Eddie.

- Hi.

- Kate, Kate, it's Major Haskins.

He thinks he knows where we can get some coat hangers.

- Okay, I'll take it in my office.

Eddie, have a cup of coffee, I'll be right back.

I got some old snapshots to show you.

You're gonna get such a kick out of 'em.

(people chattering)

(pool ball clinks) (people chattering)

- You like cream in your coffee?

- No thanks.

- I don't think I've seen you in here before, Eddie.

- [Eddie] No, I didn't get a pass 'til today.

- So you're an old friend of Kate's, hm?

- Yeah, she's known me since I was a little punk.

- There's the sugar.

- She always kinda watched out after me.

(glass clanks)

She even wanted to adopt me once.

I was telling Kate that my sister, Bergie,

would've looked just like you if she'd a growed up.

She got burned to death.

- [Lee] Oh I'm sorry, Eddie.

- Just make sandwiches around here?

- Oh no, (chuckles) I play the piano,

dance with the boys, teach a French class,

go out on searching trips. - Hey Eddie,

Duke says he found a place

where we can get some butterfly rum for a buck a bottle.

Come on.

- Look, I...

Well, I'd better blow.

Tell Kate I'll see her later. - All right.

(people chattering)

- Eddie, here's the one of you and me the time...

Where'd he go?

- He said he had to run, said he'd see you later.

- Always has to run.

I only wanted to show him these pictures.

Here he is when he was 11 years old, and here's his sister.

- He told me she was burned to death?

- About a year after that was taken.

Mother and father too, Tenenmen house fire.

- Oh that's horrible.

- Well my spies tell me

that Lili has some extra coat hangers.

You've never been there, have you?

- No I haven't.

I'd love to go, but I've got an awful lot of sandwiches-

- Oh, well one of the other girls will fix it for you.

Get your suit, you can go for a swim.

Beautiful beach.

- All right. Thanks Kate.

(carefree music)

Oh it's magnificent.

- Take away the sea and the sky and what have you got?

- Does she live here all alone?

- In a manner of speaking, no.

She's a widow, in a manner of speaking.

Lili likes company.

Company.

Lili!

Lili! (gentle music)

- [Lili] Oh Kate, I'm so glad you came.

- Well, I see we caught you with your hair down.

- I was just about to become dressed.

- Lili Carere, Mrs. Ashley, Lee.

- Welcome to Noumea, madame.

- Thank you, it's a beautiful place you have here.

(bird squawks) - Jacque, (speaks French)

- [Lee] Hi Jacque.

- Well I came down to talk you out of some coat hangers

and Lee here would like to go for a swim, if you don't mind.

- Certainly not, you will not swim?

- No, I'll just sit here and enjoy your view

and get a little of this breeze.

- I'll get you some (speaks French)

Now madame, I'll show you where to change.

- [Lee] Thank you.

(bird squawks) (carefree music)

(gentle music)

- Afternoon, I'm Colonel Black.

- I'm Kate Connors, we met on the dock the night you landed.

- Oh yes, I remember.

As I recall, our conversation was rather short.

- Very short, but very much to the point.

I don't know how to break this to you, Colonel.

It's going to come as quite a blow,

but the past several days, a lot of your boys...

I beg your pardon, a lot of your men

have been visiting us at the club.

- I'm sorry to hear that.

Talking to you ladies will spoil 'em.

- Is that right?

I suppose by the time you get to be a colonel,

you've built up a certain amount of immunity.

- (chuckles) Lili,

she doesn't exactly remind me of home and mother.

That's the kind of female I'm talking about.

During a war, women should be relegated to two categories,

a skirt a man can make a pass at when on leave,

or back home, a wife, a mother or sweetheart.

One or the other.

But let your sweet little creatures come over here

and try and provide a home away from home,

the men get all mixed up.

My raiders have one purpose in this war, combat.

And all this sentimental slop that you good ladies hand out

can only turn those fighting men into lonely,

complaining boys again.

- I'm curious, Colonel,

were you ever bitten by a Red Cross worker?

- No, but I must confess, it sounds interesting.

- She should be back by now.

You undoubtedly have 20/20 vision.

Can you see a girl swimming down there?

- There's someone in a green bathing suit,

sunning herself. (gentle music)

Hey, she's really something.

- Any peeping Toms in your family?

(gentle music)

- She's twinkling and twitching

like an electric sign in Times Square.

All she lacks down there is a man.

(gentle music)

(bell rings) (gentle music)

- Well, all I can say is,

we're fortunate that Admiral Halsey

doesn't share your opinion of the Red Cross.

- Oh not only the Admiral.

Practically every battalion commander

thinks you're the greatest thing since gun powder.

You should hear my chaplain go on about you.

You two could have a regular love feast.

I'll introduce you someday.

- I know Chaplain Holmes,

he came through here on his way out to you.

I've been meaning to ask you, what's wrong with him?

Ever since he got back, he keeps to himself.

He's terribly low and depressed.

- His faith got quite a jolt on Rendova.

We'd just taken our main objective, and Chaplain was green.

First taste of combat.

Got a little overzealous

and started leading the men in prayer.

They knelt in a nice, little, open spot,

in a nice, tight, little line.

There was a Jap in the bush nearby,

still had enough life in him

to roll over and toss a hand grenade.

Four of the men were killed.

Fifth has a broken back.

- [Kate] Oh no.

- Grenade landed so close

that the men's bodies took the entire blast.

Chaplain was nearly knocked over by concussion.

- The poor souls.

- Wasn't his fault.

I imagine it's going to make praying

a little difficult for him in the future.

(gentle music)

Who is she?

What's her name, who is she?

- Mrs. Ashley. - Married, huh?

- Or widowed. - Army?

- Marine.

- Good taste.

What outfit was her husband with?

- Paratroops, lieutenant, Howard Ashley.

- Guadalcanal?

- Bloody Ridge.

- Ashley.

Ashley. - Did you know him?

- No I didn't, but I'd certainly like to know his wife.

(gentle music)

- Oh Kate, I hope I didn't keep you waiting.

- [Kate] No, how was the water?

- Oh, it was wonderful.

(waves swishing)

- [Colonel Black] Aren't you going to introduce us?

- Lee Ashley, Colonel Black.

- How do you do?

- Excuse me, I have to change my things.

- Oh don't hurry away, Mrs. Ashley.

Let me get you a drink.

I thought perhaps we could discuss

a Red Cross program for my men.

- Well Colonel, right now- - He's kidding you, Lee.

Colonel Black doesn't even approve

of having the Red Cross down here.

- Oh but I'm sure that's because I know

too little of your work.

Now down at this club in town,

what do you girls do, exactly?

- I think I'll leave the pleasure of enlightening you

to some member of the Red Cross you know better than me.

- Oh but Mrs. Ashley,

I feel I already know you very well indeed.

- And I assure you,

that's as well as you're ever likely to know me, Colonel.

(waves swishing)

(engine rumbles) (waves swishing)

(Jacque squawks)

- Jacque, unless I miss my guess,

just about now, she should glance over her shoulder

for that last curious look.

(woman chattering quietly) (engine rattling)

Jacque, I think we've got it made.

(Jacque squawks)

(people chattering)

(Lee speaks French)

(student speaks French) (Lee speaks French)

- Uh huh.

(pair speaks French)

- Okay, give me the buck. I told you he'd bat 1000.

- The guy's a regular oo la la.

- Oh, he's been eating a lot of French toast, that's why.

Wanna go for double or nothing, the next round?

- [Student] Thanks a lot.

- No no no, (speaks French)

- Thanks a lot. - No no, (speaks French)

(students speak French)

(pair speaks French)

- [Eddie] What about a game of checkers before dinner?

- I'm sorry Eddie, I have to go to the hospital.

And Eddie,

see that they put the chairs back for me, would you?

- [Student] Why does it have to be a thing?

(men chattering)

- Okay fellas, let's police up the joint

and put the chairs away, huh?

- What are you doin'? Staying up nights?

You cost me a buck - Ah, it was worth it.

I'll pay it back.

- Who do you think his coach was?

- Some coach.

(chairs clattering) (footsteps plodding)

(people chattering)

- How would you like to have a two week furlough,

a case of whiskey, and that broad?

(hand claps face) (sailor thuds)

Why you no good...

(sailor thuds)

- Don't you never say things like that about her.

Anybody talks dirty about her,

I'll tear his tongue out, you understand?

And that goes for the rest of you too.

- Come on, come on, let's go shoot a game of pool.

- When are you coming back, Lee?

- [Lee] Oh I'll be back later.

I've just gotta run to the hospital.

- Game of chess later? - Fine.

- Mrs. Ashley, I understand you're Howard Ashley's widow.

- Yes, yes I am.

- Well I didn't realize yesterday when we...

I knew Ashley very well.

I was just on my way to the club

to tell you how much I thought of your husband.

- You knew Howard?

- Areal Marine.

Couldn't we talk about it over some dinner?

- Um, well no, I'm afraid not.

I'm just going to pick up a quick bite

and I promised one of the girls at the hospital

that I'd come down-

- Well I'm going to the hospital later

to see some of my men, I'll drive you.

- Well no, I'm afraid- - I was with your husband

the day he was killed.

(people chattering)

- Yes, I'll come with you.

- Shall we walk? Just across the park.

(people chattering) (engines rumbling)

Coffee later.

I'm sorry you didn't have more time.

I know of a charming little French place up the coast.

- [Lee] Uh, you said you were with Howard the day he...

- Um, the day or the day before, I can't quite remember.

- [Lee] Well he was killed on the 13th of September.

- Oh, then it would be two days before,

on the 11th, at a briefing.

- How did he look?

- Well, you're going to have to help me a little,

Mrs. Ashley.

There were two junior officers

that I could never keep straight, Ashley and Barrett.

Now one was dark and- - Well Howard had light hair,

he was tall, rather slender.

- Oh of course, now I've got them straight, yes.

Barrett was the short, dark-

- Here, here's a picture of him.

San Diego, just before he sailed.

- Oh yes, I remember him well.

Handsome fellow, sensitive,

with an almost delicate face.

(people chattering)

- Yes.

There was nothing coarse about him.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way.

- Well, but I think it's true.

Your husband and I were probably as different

as two humans could be.

Cigarette?

- Oh yes, thank you. (people chattering)

- My pleasures are physical, good food, good fight.

Well, I'm sure that his gratification

came from, oh, good painting, good music.

(people chattering)

I was just venturing the opinion

that your husband enjoyed good painting and good music.

- [Lee] Yes, we both did.

- Well now that surprises me.

You don't impress me as the museum and concert hall type.

He did.

The men used to call him, "The Poet."

- Well that was cruel.

- (chuckles) Why? They call me "The Beast."

It was nothing derogatory about it.

As a matter of fact, we all found his shyness and reticence

a charming and pleasant relief.

- He was gentle and kind.

- You're so right.

You know, I often wondered why he picked the Marine Corps.

I mean, deliberately he was seeking

the roughest possible duty.

You must have wondered about that too.

- Yes, yes I did.

- I mean, with his special capabilities, his education-

- After all, he was an architect.

My father and I tried to convince him

to go into the engineers-

- Naturally, they needed architects desperately.

- Well that's what we told him. So did his family.

My father even spoke to somebody in the Pentagon,

but before he could...

Well, Howard just came home one day

and said it was the Marines.

- I suppose, like many reserves,

he was trying to prove something.

Tell me, Mrs. Ashley, why are you so anxious

to learn the details of that last day?

- Well Howard and I grew up together.

Except for a few school years,

we never knew what it was to be apart.

When you've spent so much of your life together,

you've got to share that moment of death too.

How did he die?

Was it merciful and quick?

Did he suffer?

That's why I'm out here.

And that's why I'm sitting across the table from you now,

Colonel.

And for no other reason.

- What you really wanna find out, Mrs. Ashley is

did he fight or did he run.

- Colonel Black, don't you think that that's-

- Now don't be defensive about it.

After all, most soldiers wonder about that very same thing

when they face the first crucial test.

It's only natural that a wife whose husband

was meek and gentle have that in the back of her mind.

That horrible sickening panic

that comes while waiting for combat

is not so much from the fear of death,

as it is the fear of proving inadequate as a man

in front of men.

(people chattering)

Well if they don't treat you right, let me know.

You deserve the best.

- Oh, they're treating me fine, sir.

- I'll keep in touch.

(people chattering)

How are you doing, Peckenpaw?

- Just swell, sir. - Good evening, Colonel.

- Evening, Chaplain.

Doctors tell me you'll be up and around in no time.

- I hope so, sir.

Colonel,

sorry I fouled it up.

- Be seeing you. - Goodbye, sir.

(people chattering)

(door clatters)

- Colonel Black.

I uh,

I heard this afternoon that you busted

Sergeant Peckenpaw to Corporal.

- That's right.

- It wasn't his fault, it was mine.

- You're a praying man, Chaplain.

Peckenpaw's a fighting Marine.

It was his responsibility and he should've known better

than to let the men pray with you,

lined up like canned goods on a shelf.

I wanna make sure this never happens again.

- Don't you think a fractured spine is reminder enough?

- For him, yes.

Pain is an excellent reminder,

but only for the person suffering from it.

This mistake was costly and inexcusable,

and I want to impress every other sergeant with that fact.

I found the dishonor of losing a stripe

most effective for that purpose.

Is that all? - No it's not.

Colonel, you give no consideration whatsoever

to the spiritual life of a man.

You're sole concern seems to be to make this battalion

the most vicious, brutal fighting force in the Pacific.

- Because they're facing a fanatical, ruthless enemy,

just as well-equipped and just as well trained as we are.

- But their ruthlessness is not confined to the enemy.

They're becoming cruel and treacherous with each other.

They need more than flame throwers

and pride in their own superiority.

Now I am here to help them meet that other need,

if you'd only let me.

- Wait a minute, wait a minute,

you seem to believe that it's your job to change these men.

You're not running a mission in the Bowery, Chaplain,

where it's a good days work to pour a couple of jiggers

worth of religion down the throat

of some whiskey-soaked bum!

Whatever you tell these men

has to make them stronger, not weaker.

- Real strength is not brutality, sir,

it's an inner spiritual belief that-

- Ah, don't fill them with platitudes,

and religious superstitions.

I want my men to be superstitious about only one thing,

when they com face to face with a Jap in the bush,

I want them to consider it very bad luck

not to kill him first.

And I don't want any of this, "Love thine enemy."

If you must quote from the Bible, go to Samuel.

"I have pursued mine enemies and destroyed them

and did not turn back until I had consumed them."

You are in the middle of a war

and these men are fighting it.

- But they're men, not animals.

They've got souls.

- Those we left in San Diego. - Don't be so sure.

You might discover that even you brought yours along.

One day, Colonel, you will destroy once too often.

And you'll find your own private Hell.

- In the meantime, I think that you'll discover

that prayer is much more likely to be answered

if the men are spread out and under cover.

(lighter clicks)

(footsteps shuffle)

(door clatters)

Oh Mrs. Ashley.

You didn't let me finish at the dinner table.

I was about to say that your husband didn't run.

On Bloody Ridge, nobody ran.

So you and the children can rest assured

that he died a hero.

- We had no

no children.

- Oh I didn't realize.

I could probably lay my hands on an action report

of Bloody Ridge and- - That won't be necessary.

- Well I thought we might talk about it

a little more calmly.

Perhaps on Sunday, that's your day off isn't it?

- Yes. - Good,

I'll pick you up a little before noon.

We can take a drive in the country,

have lunch at that French place I spoke of.

- I have other plans.

- Well I'll drop by just in case you change your mind.

(gentle music)

(inspirational music) (bell ringing)

(gentle music)

You haven't asked, I did see that action report I spoke of.

I think you should know that your husband

acquitted himself admirably.

He died like a regular Marine.

That's the greatest praise I can give him.

- Well there are some characteristics

of certain regular Marines

I'd like to think my husband failed to acquire.

- Namely?

- An arrogance, disregard for the feelings of others,

contempt for weakness, and almost revolting pride.

- But not in himself.

A pride in the Corps, yes,

a pride that gives him an inner well of strength,

something that he can dip into when the pinch comes.

I'm sure it was that pride that sustained your husband.

- You may be right.

His last few letters,

they were so different from the others.

Fury and rage in every stroke of the pen.

What is it that the Marine Corps does to men

that takes them from us and makes them a breed apart?

- What took men off to the Crusades?

What impels men to conquer mountain peaks?

Physical challenge of danger,

most fascinating motive in life.

- And I suppose once you've found it,

you can't be quite the same, ever again.

- And to a lesser degree,

I think that danger motivates some women

in their relationship with some men,

like leaning over a precipice.

They wanna see just how far they can lean without falling.

Sometimes a sentimental loyalty to the past

pulls 'em back just in time and spoils all the fun.

- Yes, but that's the point!

I'm shutting out the past and Howard and decency

and everything I've ever stood for.

- You're not in love with him, are you?

- Well not the way I loved Howard.

This is animal, it's nothing more.

It's just violent and cheap.

- Well at least you recognize it for what it is.

- Yes, and I despise myself for it,

but there's nothing I can do, Kate,

I'm rolling down a hill and I can't stop myself.

- He's just the kind to be waiting at the bottom.

- Oh he's hard and cruel.

There's nothing tender or gentle about him.

He never asks me to do anything, he tells me.

Why do I stand for it?

I've never been treated this way before in my life.

- That's why it's so fascinating.

- Oh it isn't, it's degrading.

- It's part of the fascination.

- His runner brought this a little while ago.

It says he's taking me to dinner tonight

aboard some ship in the harbor.

Not, "Do you care to go," just "lI am taking you."

- Would you like to be transferred to the club at Tontulu?

Maybe if you were to get away for a while-

- No Kate, no.

Well I can't just run away from him.

I've got to be strong enough...

(door clatters) (gentle music)

(child speaks foreign language)

(horn honks)

(gentle music)

(pen rattles) (gentle music)

(dramatic music)

(inspirational music)

(motor rattling) (gentle music)

(bell rings) (motor rattles)

(people chattering)

- [Attendant] I'm sorry to keep you standing out there,

lady, it'll just be a minute.

- Lee. - Why Hutch.

- What in the world are you doing out here?

- Well I'm with the Red Cross.

I thought you were on duty in the Atlantic.

- Oh I transferred last month.

Well for Pete's sake, the last time I...

Oh Lee, I was terribly sorry to hear about Howard.

- Colonel Black, Lieutenant Hutchins.

- How do you do, sir.

Well this is wonderful. Wait'll May hears about this.

- Oh how is May? - Oh she's fine.

She's taking the kids down to her parents

in Akan for the winter.

You remember we had the hunt down there.

Let's see, we were down there a week.

- Oh, how will I ever forget that weekend?

And Gene and Charlie were there too.

You remember that? - Yeah, and Peggy.

- No two ways about it, and I told George that

last time I saw him.

- It's good to see you, Colin. - Thanks Gene.

When you're on the beach, look me up.

- 1 will.

Oh Hutch, I'll be with the skipper.

Will you see that the Colonel gets the gig when he wants it?

- Right.

- And you'll never guess who she married.

Chiply Hors.

- No. - Mmhmm.

- The one who owns Romney Bay?

- That's right, well they were both down in Charleston

for the Saint Cecilia and it just suddenly happened.

- Say, whatever happened

to that little bay gelding you were training?

- Oh, I sold him to the Finleys.

- Oh he was a beaut. - Wasn't he sweet?

- [Hutch] Mm.

You know, if this thing ever ends,

I might take Bright Folly to England.

- [Lee] Grand National, oh Hutch.

- [Hutch] I think he might make it.

- [Lee] Mm.

- [Hutch] (laughs) You know,

I miss the horses more than anything.

- [Lee] Oh well I'm sure May would like that.

- [Hutch] Oh she understands.

- You should see the horses we have out here.

- Say, do they have four legs?

- Just about. - Look, I'm off on Sunday.

Why don't we ride a little in the afternoon-

- Mrs. Ashley is going to be with me on Sunday.

(gentle dramatic music)

- Gee, I've gotta get ready for the 8:00 report.

It's been grand seeing you, Lee.

Goodnight, Colonel, nice to have met you.

Just let me know when you want the gig to take you ashore.

- Right now.

- Yes sir.

(gentle dramatic music)

(engine rumbling)

(brakes squeak) (gentle dramatic music)

(waves swishing)

- What do you know about me?

- [Lee] Well what do you mean?

- I mean, after listening to that idiotic friend of yours,

got a pretty good idea of what your life has been.

Now just exactly what do you know about me?

- Well I,

I know that your men are convinced

you're some sort of god in uniform.

Some of the nurses down at the hospital

think you're the most glamorous thing that ever walked.

And some people say you're part Indian.

- Hm, that always interests them.

I'll never know why.

But it's true.

My mother was a halfbreed, Blackfoot.

My old man worked in a mine in a little town in Montana.

I was born there.

We lived in a tar paper shack

that looked like a pigpen most of the time.

- Why are you telling me these things?

- Because I want you to know.

You've seen these little native kids that beg on the street.

Hey fella Mac, give me a nickel.

I was like that.

Trains used to make a 10 minute stop

in the town where we lived.

My mother used to send me down to the station

to beg from the passengers.

She knew they couldn't resist

the hungry looking little Redskin.

Hated every nickel I got.

I hated the people that tossed them at me.

(waves swishing)

Occasionally there'd be a little blond girl,

all pink and starched,

the way you once looked, I'm sure.

Parents used to say, "Just drop the money, dear.

Don't get too close to him, he's dirty."

When I was old enough,

I ran away from home and joined the Marine Corps.

They fed me, clothed me, and trained me.

Nobody ever worked or studied harder than I did.

I was an enlisted Marine for 12 years.

When they commissioned me,

I found out that I still had that odor of tarpaper shack.

I had a lot more to learn,

what fork to use at dinner parties,

how to make polite talk to somebody's fat slob of a wife,

to take the finger bowl and the doily off the dessert plate.

Maybe I didn't learn those things too well.

Maybe in a drawing room, your friend, Hutch,

feels superior to me, even contemptuous.

But out here, or anywhere during time of war,

where it really counts,

I'll make him look like a puny schoolboy.

- So you joined the Marines too, to prove something.

(waves swishing)

- I thought I'd gotten over it.

You see this?

The average man is scared stiff

of being different from the next fellow.

I was different to start with.

Only thing to do was to accentuate that difference.

I started carrying this stick

as a trademark of my arrogance.

- [Lee] Come and sit down.

(gentle music)

- Well,

got a pretty good line on me now.

I guess I'm not like the gentle people you've known.

Does it make any difference?

- Of course it doesn't. You know that.

- That's what I told myself, but you had me a little snowed.

There's a remoteness about you,

a kind of untouchable quality.

I've never known anyone like you.

- And I have never known anyone like you.

(gentle music)

- Maybe that's why we're both here.

We'll be pulling out shortly.

- Oh no. - Not combat.

Tactical maneuvers with the taskforce.

Be back in a couple of months.

Leaving you is gonna be an awful beating.

- Two months?

- Seen a lot of each other lately.

I've kept my distance like I've never kept it before.

(gentle music)

But I don't intend to continue.

(gentle music)

You wanna make sure that it's you and only you.

Is that it? (gentle music)

Make any difference if I ask you to marry me?

(joyful music)

(people chattering)

(engine rattling) (people chattering)

- Morley, Luigi F., Sergeant.

(engine rattles) (people chattering)

Peckenpaw, Chester H., Corporal.

(people chattering)

Hexon, John B., Private First Class.

(inspirational music)

(explosion blasts) (inspirational music)

(pair laughs) (inspirational music)

(rain pattering) (gentle dramatic music)

(people chattering) (gentle music)

(maid speaks French)

- We came for dinner, but (chuckles) we've got to change.

Is there any chance of getting some dry clothes?

(speaks French)

- Uh, (speaks French)

(maid speaks French)

(footsteps plod) (gentle music)

(Colin knocks at the door)

- [Colonel Black] It's me.

- Come in.

(door clatters)

(Lee laughs)

Oh no. (chuckles)

Oh I don't believe it.

- I thought I looked rather handsome.

- (laughs) Tell me, when does the boat arrive at Le Havre?

- And may I ask, who designed that?

- Oh, it's just a little something mama ran up to the door

when she was in an ugly mood.

- I went out to the Jeep and got the flask.

Keep you from catching cold.

- You know, I've always heard

that before a woman considers marrying a man in uniform,

she should see him first in civilian clothes.

Usually a big disappointment.

Not to me.

Now I'm doubly sure, darling.

- The acid test of a man's love is to see the woman

the way she's going to look in the mornings.

I must say, you're beyond belief.

Even in that wrapper.

- Oh darling, not wrapper, that's a horrible word.

Housecoat, lounging robe, or peignoir, but never wrapper.

- [Colonel Black] Trying to change me already, huh?

(gentle music)

- Why you vain, ostentatious, C-B, C-B.

Don't you think once would have been sufficient?

- It was given to me by an admirer

who found me twice as intoxicating as others.

- I hate her.

What was she like?

Tell me about her.

- You really want me to?

- Yes.

No.

Yes.

- If I do you will become female petty and angry and

this moment will be lost.

- Yes, then don't.

I finally feel alive.

And sort of recklessly happy.

I want to stay that way.

- Good.

I think an excellent rule would be

that neither of us bring up the past.

Let's say, this is the first time for both of us.

(gentle music)

- Woo. (exhales)

(gentle music)

- I feel the same way,

although it's not from the drink.

(gentle music)

Something breathless about you.

Every time I look at you, it's like hearing music,

or seeing the ocean for the first time.

- Why, I keep thinking about tomorrow.

(gentle music)

- Don't.

When we say goodbye on that pier,

we're going to have to be circumspect,

normal and distant.

When we nod politely, remember,

I'm aching to hold you

just like this. (gentle music)

- Oh Colin. (inspirational music)

(dramatic music)

(playful music)

- You want something?

- No, just browsing.

(engines rumbling)

Course, it's none of my business,

but when's the last time you had a night's sleep?

- I'm all right, Kate.

- Oh yeah, you're in great shape,

working night and day at the hospital,

helping us at the club, doing the work of a hack.

What are you trying to prove?

Why don't you turn yourself in? You belong in sickbay.

- It's just where he'd like me to be.

No Kate, I'm gonna get on that ship if I have to crawl.

- Okay, okay, but you'll find

it's not a very pleasant way to travel.

- [Crew Member] Hey Kate.

Junior forgot a letter again.

(engines rumbling)

- Kate, would you mail this for me?

I didn't get a chance to.

- Sure kid.

- What have you got in that scrounge bag, Kate?

- Ah, you're a wiseguy, huh?

- Hey Kate, you got any boon dockers in there?

- I wouldn't be a bit surprised.

- I hear the Navy lost an aircraft carrier, Kate.

Come on, take it outta there, will ya?

- Ah, your mother wears zombie shoes.

Okay, I tended to the last one out here.

- Here, I'll take those. (cups clink)

- Hey Kate, you got a but?

- You're talkin' about cigarette? I guess so.

- Always cigarettes. I smoke cigars.

Havanas, Kate, where'd you get 'em?

- A general had twins.

Hey Eddie, be careful, you promise?

- Oh stop worrying, will you, Kate?

It's only maneuvers.

- I know it's only maneuvers, but be careful.

If anything was to happen to you-

- Kate, if you start crying,

so help me, I'm gonna kick you right in the shins.

- Oh, you try it and I'll tell the kids about the time

you played little buttercup in the school play.

- Now wait a minute-

- Oh, they'd love to hear about that one.

- But you wouldn't do that, would you?

- I'd yell it from the boat deck

if you get fresh with me, little buttercup.

- All right, why don't you guys move on?

- You and your big maneuvers, ya...

Bye Eddie.

- So long, Louis. (cups clink)

- [Eddie] Take 'em home. Well so long, blond job.

- So long, Eddie.

- Oh say, uh, while I'm gone,

if any guy gets fresh with you,

you just remember who he is and when I get back,

I'll take care of it, okay?

- Thanks, Eddie.

Good luck.

- [Officer] Come on, move it up, Wodcik,

here comes the old man.

(footsteps plodding) (people chattering)

- Goodbye Colonel.

- So long, Red Cross.

(footsteps plod)

- [Soldier] So long, Chaplain, see you when you get back.

- [Soldier] Goodbye, Chaplain.

- Coming, Chaplain?

(engine rumbles) (tools clanking)

- Hey, somebody get a corpsman.

- See if there's a corpsman in the aid station.

- I think he's had it. Put him in the hospital.

- Aye aye, sir.

(footsteps patter) (people chattering)

- [Kate] Get a stretcher from the aid station.

I told him- - Give him some air.

- [Crew Member] Gang way, gang way.

(people chattering)

(foghorn honks)

(playful jazzy music) (hands clapping)

(people chattering)

- [Joan] Hey Pat, look what I've got.

- [Pat] Where'd you get that?

- I scrounged it. (Pat laughs)

(choir singing carols)

Evie, prepare for (unintelligible)

- Wonderful Joan, thanks.

♪ Noel, noel ♪

♪ Noel, noel ♪ - Helen, can you use this?

- Oh Joanie, I sure can, put it right over there.

- Oh the starfish of Bethlehem.

- It looks good, doesn't it? - Great.

♪ Of Israel ♪ - Lee, Lee!

- I'll be right with you, Kate.

- Kate, how do you spell Caledonia?

- You can't say where you are, that's a military secret.

- How do you spell secret?

- S-E-C-R-E-T.

♪ Forever in Israel ♪

Oh my feet are killing me.

- Oh sorry.

- Jeanette phoned and the hospital girls are swamped.

They need help with the Christmas letters.

So when you get through with the trees,

will you and Helen go out and help?

- Yes, of course.

- Oh here's something that might interest you.

This came.

♪ That was so new ♪

♪ Noel, noel ♪

APO 709 is Guadalcanal.

♪ Born is the king- ♪

- Kate, I don't think you'd better figure on my going along.

- But you've been chomping at the bit for months.

- Yes I know, but the scuttlebutt is

that the fifths will get back

either tomorrow or the next day.

- Tomorrow I think.

- Colonel Black and I are going to be married.

- 1 didn't know it had gone that far.

- Oh I'm terribly in love with him, Kate.

- But if you get married now,

I'm gonna have to ship you right home.

- Yes, I know.

- You know it's against regulations

for husband and wife to be in the same theater of war.

If I were you, I'd wait.

- No you wouldn't, Kate.

We can't wait. (people chattering)

- You know I'd give anything to be with

you and the kids on Christmas Eve.

The reason I am not writing this myself

is because I sprained my wrist, playing baseball,

and I never was much of a left hander.

Uh.

I can't tell you where I've been,

but as usual,

our outfit made monkeys out of the rest of them.

Um,

I know I've talked a lot about Colonel Black-

- Are you with the Fifth Raiders?

- That's right.

- I didn't know they were going into combat.

- We didn't. I got this on maneuvers.

They flew me back.

Don't tell anybody, they're treating me like a hero,

but you know what hit me? - No.

- A crate full of Spam. Fell out of a cargo net.

Where was I?

- I know I've talked a lot about Colonel Black, but...

- But this time, the crazy Indian outdid even himself.

- Hm. (chuckles)

- You know Black?

- I've met him.

- Incidentally, the Colonel's been swell to me,

so I'd like you to do me a favor.

The next time you drive over to Washington

to see your mother,

I wish you'd drop in on Black's wife

and pay your respects.

Her name is Clara.

Although Black doesn't talk much about her...

(clipboard clatters) (dramatic music)

(door clatters) (somber music)

(Lee begins to cry) (somber music)

(birds chirping)

- [Colleague] When ] came out of the hospital,

I looked around for Lee, but she'd gone.

With the Jeep. I had to bum a ride back.

- [Colleague] You had dinner with her, didn't you, Kate?

- [Kate] Right afterwards, I saw her on the street.

She walked right by me like she was walking in her sleep.

- [Colleague] Shh, quiet.

Here she comes.

(clock ticking)

- [Colleague] Well what was he?

Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine?

- Come clean girl, where have you been?

- Put out that light.

Anybody who doesn't come in on time

can get undressed in the dark.

(clock ticking)

- Thanks Kate.

(clock ticking)

- Come on, Sam. (cheerful Christmas music)

(dog barks) (cheerful Christmas music)

(people chattering) (cheerful music)

- There you are, honey.

- Oh ho ho ho ho ho ho,

a rockin' out Christmas to you, son.

Kate, y'all got something for this little fella?

- Bet we have.

- I guess he's no more than fellow high to a possum.

There you are son, oh ho ho ho ho ho ho ho.

(people chattering)

- Watch your step. (phone rings)

- [Santa] We're gonna find something

for this nice little girl- - I'll get it, Kate.

- [Santa] Oh ho ho ho ho ho ho ho.

(phone ringing) (cheerful Christmas music)

- (sighs) Red Cross Service Club.

(people chattering)

- Merry Christmas.

We got in late last night. How have you been?

Yes?

I won't be able to get off for a while.

I've got to check in to Regimental Headquarters.

And I've got some paperwork to clean up first.

Suppose I pick you up around 4:00?

- Yes, I'll be ready, about 4:00.

(engine rumbling)

(brakes squeak)

(waves swishing)

- I forgot the flask.

(waves swishing)

(can clinks) (can rattling)

(waves swishing)

Look at this place. (can clinks)

Certainly seemed different that night.

- Daylight has a habit of revealing things

as they actually are.

- What'd you wanna come back here for?

- I thought it would be appropriate.

- Well, let's have a quick drink and get out of here.

I heard of a new French restaurant,

about 30 miles up the coast.

(glass crashes)

- You shouldn't be so violent about it.

They say that people who make a fetish of cleanliness

are very often inwardly dirty.

So a sort of compensation. (waves swishing)

- What's the matter with you?

Ever since I picked you up, you've been snapping at me.

(waves swishing)

Here, drink this, you'll feel better.

(waves swishing)

- How's Clara? (waves swishing)

(Colin sighs)

- I'm glad you found out.

I knew exactly what I was doing, but I couldn't stop it.

- When did you intend to tell me?

- Many times, when I was alone.

But every time I faced you,

I couldn't force myself to say it.

I knew if I had, I would've lost you.

I couldn't let that happen, no matter what the price.

- Even if I had to pay it.

- That's right.

I think it's the only cowardly thing

I've ever done in my life.

- How long have you been married?

- Two months.

The wedding took place 10 years ago,

but I'd say we've been married about two months.

- [Lee] You're not in love with her?

- No, that died a pretty quick death.

She wanted me to leave the Marine Corps.

That was like asking me to cut off my arms.

So when I did a hitch in Central America,

she stayed behind in San Diego.

Lot of bars in San Diego.

She got to know every one of them.

She's been in a hospital in Washington for over a year now.

Nobody seems to know what keeps her alive.

- Well why didn't you tell me this before?

- You'd have felt sorry for me.

I didn't want sympathy, I wanted you.

- Yes, but only for an hour or so, now and then.

- Maybe in the beginning, but not afterwards.

I wanted to get a divorce,

but I couldn't do that to Clara.

Perhaps if I had quit the Corps as she wanted,

she wouldn't be where she is now.

- I must say, your sense of loyalty

is a little deeper than your sense of decency.

- During a war, it's amazing what a man will resort to

to satisfy a desire of the moment.

I suppose it's 'cause he's not quite certain

of how many moments he has left.

- I'm sure there were many men

who took decency with them, even to the grave.

- I suppose. - Oh.

- Now look, it's not- - Oh don't touch me.

(waves swishing)

- Yes, I'm glad you found out.

This thing had gone on any longer,

we might really have been put through the ringer.

You'll get over it.

I know at the moment it seems shocking and tragic but,

believe me, in a few years,

you'll look back and laugh at it.

Take my advice- - And what advice to you have

for your son or daughter?

I'm sorry I can't tell you which it'll be at the moment.

What shall I say to him or her?

You'll get over it, dear.

You were only the desire of a moment,

don't take it seriously, your father says to laugh about it.

- [Colonel Black] Why didn't you tell me?

- Because I have some pride left, not much, but some.

I didn't want your sympathy any more than you wanted mine.

And I wanted to be a wife to you

and not a drunken joke around the officer's club

when you're all sitting around boasting of your conquests.

And I'm not going to be that funny story

about the little blond in Noumea.

You're not gonna have that chance, you dirty...

(hand claps face)

Oh, let me go! I want to die!

Let me go! Get away from me!

(screams) (dramatic music)

- Lee.

Lee.

Lee, Lee. (somber music)

- Come on, just one hand, Dottie.

- Oh get lost, will ya? I'm busy.

- Come on, just one hand.

Is it gonna hurt you to play one hand?

- The doctor says she'll be all right.

She lost the child.

(somber music)

(door rattles) (somber music)

Well Bob, what do I tell her?

- Have to send her home.

- You do, she'll never get over it.

Staying here with us and working things out gradually,

that's the only chance she's got.

- But there's nothing we can do about it, Kate.

It's regulations, and you know that.

- I joined the Red Cross because

they were in the business of helping people in trouble.

This girl has loved two men in her life,

one of them's dead and the other one almost destroyed her.

That's trouble, Bob, real trouble.

(somber music)

- All right Kate, we'll find someone.

(somber music)

- And three threes.

(claps hands) Come on, one more game will get you even.

- I told you just one hand, play solitaire.

- [Patient] It'll only take a second.

- Look, I've gotta take these reports over to x-ray.

- Hey, I've been all over the joint. Is this 72C?

- Eddie, how are ya?

- Hi, how you doing? Is this 72C?

- Yeah, who do you wanna see?

- Mrs. Lee Ashley. - No visitors now.

- I was down at the Red Cross.

They said she an accident. Is she hurt bad?

- Eddie,

wasn't no accident. - No? What's wrong with her?

- I was sitting over here...

(chair creaks)

(phone rings)

- [Miss Mathews] Hello, 72C, Miss Mathews speaking.

No he's not here, sir.

I have no idea, sir.

Well I could look it up for you.

No trouble, the chart's right here.

(dramatic music)

(gentle dramatic music)

(gentle dramatic music continues)

(Eddie grunts)

- Tell me what you did to her!

- Sentry, sentry!

(insects singing)

Lock him up. - Aye aye sir.

Come on, let's go.

(insects singing)

(gentle dramatic music)

(door clatters) (gentle dramatic music)

- Colonel, she won't see you.

(gentle dramatic music)

- Eddie Wodcik's a friend of yours, isn't he?

Just now, when I was leaving Canopy,

tried to kill me.

- What are you gonna do to him?

- It's hard to punish a man for being right.

(gentle somber music) (insects singing)

(mirror crashes)

(insects singing)

- Hello, may I come in, sir?

- Yes.

- We've got Wodcik locked up, but uh,

what are you charging him with, sir?

(insects singing)

- Failure to salute an officer,

I'll give him two days restriction.

- Yes sir. Goodnight, sir.

(people chattering)

- It's kind of you Eddie, but-

- No, just like the Chaplain told me,

I was lookin' at you like you was a statue or something.

Anything that walks and talks and eats

is bound to make a mistake, he said.

- And when I make a mistake, it's a whopper. (chuckles)

I'm sorry I wasn't worthy of your trust in me, Eddie.

Goodbye.

Good luck.

- In case you were wondering,

nobody but the Chaplain and the Colonel

know why I jumped him that night.

I didn't tell nobody else and I never will.

- Thanks Eddie.

Bye.

(people chattering)

(engine rumbling)

- Well what's the matter with you?

- I'll tell you what's the matter with me,

I've been waiting in line for five minutes

to say goodbye to you.

- Too bad, too bad.

All right, if you wanna kiss me,

go ahead and get it over with.

- Big deal. Well no thank you.

I can get along without it.

- It's what you've been hanging around for, ain't it?

Goodbye, Kate.

(people chattering)

(engines rumbling) (people chattering)

- Yeah, let's go! (men whistle)

(men bantering)

- Yeah, let's go fellas!

- All right men. Woo hoo!

(people chattering)

- Now wait a minute, I wanted to get your (unintelligible)

- Oh no! - Oh no!

- Nevermind. - Oh!

- This is for you, lady,

compliments of Fifth Raider Battalion.

Good luck. (people chattering)

Kate, this is for you, compliments Fifth Raider Battalion.

- (laughs) Just what I needed. Oh thank you.

You're a doll. - All hands, let's go!

(men shout)

(engine rattles)

(brakes squeak)

- [Officer] Company, 10 hut!

Hand salute!

(enthusiastic band music)

- If that sergeant turns up

with the generator for the donut machine,

remember it's mine. - I'll get it on a ATC plane.

Don't worry. - Goodbye.

- Goodbye ladies. - Goodbye.

- I know we've said our goodbyes,

but the Colonel just received word,

we're going back into combat in a few days.

- Good luck to you, Chaplain.

- It won't be an easy campaign.

The Colonel will need all the physical strength

and mental peace he can find.

He doesn't know I've come out here, Lee.

I thought perhaps, through me,

you could give him something that might bring him comfort

and maybe help us to get through.

- What have you in mind? A flask with my initials on it?

- Your forgiveness.

- Oh no.

He wants me to be his conscience and give him absolution,

wipe the slate clean for him.

Oh no, Chaplain. (chuckles)

- [Chaplain] You hate him, don't you?

- No, I don't hate him.

He was trained to destroy and he does it magnificently,

and oh so completely.

He's left me with nothing,

not even the desire to hate or forgive.

- Lee, I've been with him quite a bit these last six weeks.

He's a different person.

The arrogance, the cruelty is gone

because of what he did to you.

Then when his wife died, naturally-

- Yes, I'm terribly sorry. I only heard about it yesterday.

- He's been expecting it, of course,

but still, it was a deep hurt.

He felt responsible in a way.

Now he feels that everything he touches dies.

He needs your help, Lee.

- He'll have to find his forgiveness somewhere else.

It'll never come from me.

- It must be wonderful to feel

that one has lived such a perfect life

that forgiveness has never been necessary.

(rain hissing) (thunder crashes)

(gentle music)

- You just put the wire through here.

I've already made two.

- Hey Kate, this is the only bow we could find.

Is it too big? - No.

We'll only need a very large cupid, that's all.

Maybe you'd like to play the part.

Where's Lee? - She's in the kitchen.

(gentle piano music) (rain hissing)

- I've been looking for you.

After your birthday party, I wrote to your folks.

I get a letter back today. They're worried sick.

They haven't heard from you in three months.

- I know Kate, but what's there to say?

- Well since it's to your mother and father,

I suggest you start, "Dear Folks."

Now come over to this desk and sit down

and start writing and you're not going to leave here

until it's finished.

Oh Lee, these came in the mail, forwarded from Headquarters.

Requests asking us to put flowers on some graves.

Names are in the letters, so when it stops raining-

- Kate, I hate to keep asking to beg off on so many things,

but I just can't.

- Do you mean you haven't been to the cemetery

since we got here?

- No.

I'v e,

look, can't you just see me, standing beside his grave now?

- What's wrong with you?

- Nothing, I...

Oh, I don't know. I just don't feel very well.

Maybe I'm getting a fever or something. I don't know.

- You've been drinking.

(distant piano music) (rain pattering)

I'm shipping you home. - No!

Don't, please Kate, no I couldn't go back now.

I couldn't face his parents, or mine like this.

Please, please Kate. (crying)

(distant piano music) (rain pattering)

- All right.

If this ever happens again, you're on your way.

(footsteps patter)

Now drink this, get some sleep,

and go on down to the cemetery.

- Don't ask me to do it, Kate!

Can't you see what it means to me? (crying)

- I'm getting nearsighted, seeing what things mean to you.

If you only knew that you're lucky,

you can have other children.

A lot of woman can't and some women never could.

So stop this self-centered, self-pity and go,

go and change your clothes, or pack them, one or the other.

And I don't care which.

(footsteps patter) (Lee sobs)

(birds chirping)

(engine rumbles) (birds chirping)

- Just the two of 'em huh? - Yeah.

(birds chirping)

No, that's right, there is another.

Lieutenant Howard Ashley.

- [Guard] Ashley. (paper rustles)

- First Parachute Battalion.

- Oh they're all on the side over there.

Look, rather than give you a number,

you go talk to useless. (laughs)

That's what we call him, his name is Eustace.

Eh, there he is out there, see him?

He was with the First Chutes.

Patient at the hospital still.

Nice guy though. Comes here every day, pulls the weeds.

He'll show you. - Thanks.

May 1? - Why not?

You people supply 'em. Help yourself.

(birds chirping)

- Thank you.

(birds chirping)

- Hello.

Funny day, isn't it? Sun popping in and out.

- [Lee] The guard said

you were with the First Parachute Battalion,

that you could point out a grave for me.

Lieutenant Howard Ashley.

- The Skipper? Sure, he's down here a ways.

I was his runner.

Great guy.

You know, this is all my outfit in through here.

Say, I hear you fixed up a nice club down there.

I haven't been in yet, but I'd like to.

- Oh please do, we'd love to have you.

- I'm glad you girls got here.

It's awful good just to yak with a female.

(laughs) I'll probably talk your arm off.

And it's nice to have someone

decorating the graves now and then.

Well what do people do, just write in and ask you to do it?

- Yes, that's right.

- You answer the letters, don't you?

- Oh yes. - That's good.

This is Fuller. He was my buddy.

And that's Mancini.

This is Goldberg. They didn't like each other much.

They're getting along fine now.

You know, I got more friends here than anyplace else.

They're all wondering why they're there,

I keep wondering why I'm here.

Only a handful of us got out.

- How was it? - Rough.

- Well that's all any of you say.

Rough, what does that mean?

- Well lady, when things are too rugged for words,

that's rough.

- How did Lieutenant Ashley die?

- Like an amateur. Squirming and squealing.

You know, they teach you how to throw a grenade

and fire a mortar, but nobody ever teaches you how to die.

I guess 'cause that's the one thing in this world

there are no professionals at.

You know, nobody comes back to tell you how to do it.

You're on your own.

When it's time for those last few gasps,

everybody's an amateur.

Here's the Skipper.

(birds chirping)

Who are the flowers from?

- His wife.

- Oh, the blood sucker.

When you answer her letter, tell her she's just great,

a wonderful and courageous woman.

She'll like that, but just between you and me,

she's a real blood sucker.

He deserved a lot better.

- What makes you say that?

- [Eustace] Well you know the kind,

she threw her arms around him at the alter and never let go.

Just squeezed and squeezed

until there wasn't much left of him.

- He told you that?

- (laughs) No, the Skipper?

He never had a bad word for anybody.

But that last day or two,

we were huddled so close together

that if one of us started shaking with malaria,

(laughs) we all shook.

But when you're that close,

you get to gabbing about the things you shouldn't have done

and the things you wish you had done.

You know what kept eatin' him?

That he didn't take a job once.

He was an architect and he had this chance

with some company in New York,

but she didn't wanna live in New York,

so she talked him out of it.

She was the horsey kind.

After all, how many foxes can you chase on Park Avenue?

Well so for a consolation prize,

you know what she let him do?

She let him build their honeymoon house.

He built.

I want the stables here, honey,

the bedroom should be this way, honey.

Of course, I would've clobbered a dame like that,

but he was kinda quiet and shy.

You think she'd a helped him, build him up,

give him confidence, but no,

she just kept squeezing it out of him.

What makes a dame like that?

- I don't know.

- You know something, I bet all the time she called it love.

He didn't die here, she killed him years ago.

- Do you think he ever forgave her?

- Well sure, he was that kind.

I remember once, I really fouled it up.

He could've taken my stripes away for it, but he didn't.

He told me there was no excuse for what I did,

but "What you can't excuse, you forgive," he said.

He believed in giving people a second chance.

I never let him down.

You know something, when you get a second chance,

you're awful lucky.

Don't I know it.

(birds chirping)

Say, I hear you're having a Valentine's party tonight.

If I drop by, would you give me a dance?

Who will I ask for?

- Mrs. Howard Ashley.

(birds chirping)

Thank you.

(gentle music)

(door clatters) (gentle music)

- [Colleague] Lee? Is that you Lee?

- [Lee] Well where is everybody?

- They called from the hospital,

they need all the help they can get.

They're setting up emergency tents by the river.

It's that new push,

the casualties are pouring in by the hundreds.

Kate wants you to stay here and watch the place

and I'll go on out. - Well can't I go too?

- No, you'd better not, Lee.

This one's gonna be awfully rough.

(gentle dramatic music)

(dramatic music)

(somber music)

(dramatic music)

(engine rumbling) (dramatic music)

- Chaplain, will you have that attended to?

- Oh I'm all right, Kate.

- Take care of yourself.

- Don't worry. (people chattering)

- Thanks Red Cross. (gentle music)

(dramatic music)

(people chattering)

- Colin.

Can you hear me?

(people chattering)

- Forgive me.

- Can I get something for you?

- [Colonel Black] Forgive me.

- [Chaplain] Hello Lee.

Got much pain?

- Forgive me.

- Why does he keep saying that?

- 'Cause he can't say anything else.

Brain injury.

- But why just-

- Forgive me?

‘Cause it's been on his mind almost constantly

the last two months.

And it was the last thing he said

just before we got hit last night.

Oh thank you.

We were sitting in the command post

when out of the blue, he turned to me and said,

"lI hope someday she can find it possible to forgive me."

Just then a mortar crunched along side of us.

When he came to, all he could say was, "Forgive me."

- Will he recover? - Yes.

Just a temporary thing the doctor says.

He'll be all right in a couple of months.

Or if you want to know what it is technically,

I had the doctor write it down for me.

He's a victim of motor expressive aphasia.

That's a blood clot brain.

Now that's the medical explanation, but mine's much simpler.

I think God is making him write it on the blackboard

500 times.

- [Nurse] Colonel Black he's right there.

- Excuse me, Chaplain. - Mmhmm.

See you later.

(people chattering)

- How's the Indian?

- They just gave him his shot. He'll be goin' to sleep.

How you feeling?

- Kate, I never felt better in my life.

You know, even with all the noise and the shooting,

I've been sleeping nights lately.

I made a discovery.

In a way, the Colonel was right.

I came out here full of psalms and hymns,

all set to change everybody. - I know.

- And then I realized that my job was not to change men,

but to find them, and then to help them believe

in something more than just themselves.

- It's a big discovery.

How's Eddie, is he all right?

- I uh,

went through his belongings, I found this.

It's a picture of you, Kate.

And his medals.

- Thank you.

- Can I do anything for you?

- Forgive me.

(gentle music)

- Why don't you get some rest?

You've been on your feet ever since yesterday.

He won't come to for five or six hours.

- I can wait.

(gentle music)

I can wait.

(gentle music)

(dramatic music)