 This is the Royal Palace. You have the wrong number. Well, how do you do, Gratin? And where's His Majesty? He went out, sir, for a walk, I imagine. Her Majesty? Finishing the preparations for her trip. The palace has been in quite an uproar this morning. No, what if the king went out for a walk? And what time does the queen leave? The session leaves the palace at four sharp. The boat sails at six. Well, I must see her before she goes. I have some important news for her. I will tell Her Majesty that you caught. I suppose the king is quite upset over the queen's departure. Yes, sir. He feels very badly about it. Oh, he does, does he? Oh, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. She's out. Her royal highness, Princess Anne. Oh. Daddy. And darling. Give me a cigarette quickly. Oh, what a nuisance mother he is. You know I feel sorry for your mother. She has to settle all the affairs of the nation before she leaves for America. I know, but she doesn't have to make such an infernal force about everything. She's furious now because father has gone out. Mother tries to boss everything. Well, she's not going to boss me. I'm not her husband. I'm going to lead my own life. And may I ask, when do you intend to start? As soon as she's safely away on a trip to America. One of these days mother will pick up a New York paper and discover her daughter has eloped. You are going to elope with me, aren't you, Freddie? Oh, yes, Anne. I wouldn't let you elope alone. Oh, you are sweet, Freddie. You're giving up everything for me, aren't you? I'm giving up everything. Well, I like that. It's you who's giving up everything for me. You will never be forgiven. But I don't want to be forgiven. I only want to get away from this stifling place. I want to be happy and free. You know, there's no one here who will really miss me for a minute when I've gone. Well, there's your father. Yes, there's father. But father won't mind. He'll understand. He'd like to be free, too. If only he'd abdicate. Oh, if he only would. But he won't. He wouldn't dare try anything as strenuous as abdication. Mother wouldn't let him. You know how mother is. Oh. I do. All I think is our duty to keep the throne occupied. Duty. That's all I've been allowed to think about since the day I was born. I'm going to think about myself. My own happiness for a change. I'm going away with you. Oh, but when can we start, Anne? I'm trying hard to be patient, but I can't wait much longer. It's terrible having to wait. Terrible for me, too, Freddie, darling. But we mustn't take any chances until mother safely crossed the Atlantic. Well, I wish her a bon voyage. This is the queen. Has His Majesty taken the trouble to come here yet? No, ma'am, he hasn't. Doesn't he realize that we're to leave here in another hour? Doesn't he know that he's to put on his Uza's uniform for the procession to the harbor? Yes, ma'am, I'm quite certain His Majesty has been advised to that. Then why hasn't he come here? Wouldn't you think that he would know that all this was terribly worrying, terribly upsetting for me? And your father is a very inconsiderate, very thoughtless man. Oh, don't be silly, mother. Father probably thought he'd just be in the way. Well, he would have been in the way. But just the same, he should have spoken to me before he went out. Lord Burton called, ma'am. He asked to see you. Suggested he had good news for you, and said he'd come back later. Then I shall wait right here. You too go and get ready for the procession. Yes, ma'am. Has General Norther been here? No, ma'am. Prime Minister hasn't been to the palace all day. I hope he doesn't come. I hope I never see his scowling face again. Now, mother, you know you'd be perfectly furious if he didn't stop in to wish you good-bye. I don't want any kind wishes from General Norther. Thank you. I don't like it. He's no business to be prime minister of this country. Yes, if it weren't for General Norther in his army, this country would be a republic. And where would you be then? I know where I'd be. I'm happy to say there is no danger of that. Thank heaven. Thank heaven we have the confidence and loving loyalty of our people. The monarchy will never fall. Oh, fair is the king. What are nurses he think he's doing, wandering aimlessly around when he's needed here? Oh, forget it, mother. There's plenty of time. There'll never be plenty of time for your father. Probably you'll need a shave, and that always takes him hours. And? Someday you'll be a queen. And then you'll know what troubles I've had, what sacrifices I've made. Then you'll know what I've had to put up with. Don't worry, mother. You're going away on a nice, long vacation. Vacation? Do you think for one moment that I'm going to America for pleasure? I'm going to work for the good of my dear country. I never do anything that isn't for the good of my country. Yes, ma'am. General Norther, together with the Marcus of Britain, ma'am. There you are, important business to be attended to, and the king is not here. I will see them. I'll speak to the king about this with everything that I have on my mind, and if he's dawdling about in his manner, simply dismiss. Is Supreme Excellency the Prime Minister? Is Excellency the Foreign Minister? Your Majesty. Your Majesty. Your Royal Highness. Your Royal Highness. Gentlemen. I've been given to understand, ma'am, that His Majesty is not here. You've not been misinformed. I have some matters of vital importance to discuss. Then you may discuss them now. We're leaving in a short time, and we cannot wait for the king. I've had another conference with the people's leader, ma'am. Dr. Feldman. You can't ask me to become excited about that, General. You're always having conferences. And if I weren't, we'd find ourselves involved in a revolution. A revolution? What nonsense. Feldman wouldn't dare try anything like that. Ah, but Feldman isn't the only one, ma'am. There are others. Hundreds of thousands of them. Determined to overthrow the monarchy. Are you arresting any of these violent-minded men? We're arresting them by the hundreds. There can be but one punishment for such traitors. And that punishment is death. Then why not execute them? There's a reason for that, ma'am. You may or may not know that our constitution provides... You don't have to tell me anything about our constitution. My great-grandfather wrote it. Go on. Then you are aware that no political prisoner can be put to death until his sentence has been counter-signed by the king. Well... There are over 50 such death sentences in his majesty's desk at this very moment, waiting to be signed. They've been there for over a week. Is this true, Brunton? Why? Why yes, ma'am. I tell you, ma'am, the situation is intolerable. These executions must go through. At once. They shall go through. Here's the majesty of the king. Good afternoon. Have you been? I've been down to the royal zoo, my dear. I've been watching the penguins walk. I love to watch the penguins do they walk just like human beings. We've no time now to discuss penguins. Mm-hmm. What's the matter? I've just heard that you've neglected to sign hundreds of orders for the execution of dangerous characters. Who told you that? I told her that, sir, and I shall be happy to repeat my words to you. You needn't bother. I can't understand how you could be so careless. How you could neglect your duty in such a slip-shardly responsible manner. But don't you realize that these criminals will murder us all if you give them a chance? Can't you see that the monarchy is in dreadful danger? My dear, I... Her Majesty is right. Naturally. Now, just what am I to do about it? You're to sign those orders of execution. They've been accumulating in the desk for weeks. On my desk? On my desk? Quiet. I'm not cutting around here wet with those. You've never heard of anything quite as ridiculous as that in my life, the paper's gotten. I'm afraid it's my fault, sir. I took him down to the Lord Chancellor's office for verification. Well, you go right down to the Lord Chancellor's office and get them right back again. Yes, sir. There you see it wasn't my fault after all. My opinion, that man should be instantly dismissed. I should hope so. He's a pest anyway. I'll attend to him later. And the signed orders will be in my hands today. General, you may rest assured that I shall make every effort in my power. My will. I will see to that. There you see you can put right out of your mind now. I understand that Lord Burton has something to say to us. Well, we're always adding it, Lord Burton. I think you'll be glad to hear what I have to say, sir. I am happy. I am proud to say that I've completed the little arrangement on which we've all set our hearts. So, what was that? I received only an hour ago telegraphic communication from the Foreign Office in Gregg. Yes? What is it? I think that a marriage can be arranged between Prince William of Gregg and our own beloved Princess Anne. What? Is it settled? Practically. And I may add that this could never have been accomplished had it not been for the tireless efforts of your majesty. My darling child, you're against the marriage. Allow me to offer my heartfelt congratulations, your royal highness. And my congratulations. This will give us the prestige we've so long deserved. Congratulations for what? It's a glorious triumph for our diplomacy. Anne, you've made a perfectly marvelous match. I've made a match? What have I had to do with it? Have I been asked? So it is even bothered to consult me about this? Well, I believe I can explain. It was advisable to keep this matter a profound secret for diplomatic reasons. Thus, we deemed it unwise to divert the terms even to your highness. The terms? Oh, so there were terms! Oh, yes. Your majesty, the marriage agreement provides that the Princess Anne will, of course, become Empress of Gregg in due time. Now, the eldest son will become the heir to the throne. The second son will become... Two brothers. My sons. So the contract provides that I shall produce two male children. Well, how do you know I can? Anne, how are you? The shocking, the indelicate. That's just what it is. Indelicate. Horrible revolting. Anne, come with me this instant. Come to your rooms. Do you hear? Father, you love me. You understand me. Can you let this terrible thing happen? Are you going to let them do this to me? We're all right, my darling. You go to your rooms. I'll talk about it later. Come with me. Go to your mother, Anne, and, uh... Don't cry anymore. It's a little task with her. Poor child. Then she'll get over it when she realizes what this means. Just what does it mean? This is beyond question the greatest diplomatic victory in the history of our... No, not at all. That does not go into all that again. I know it is a glorious triumph. You all deserve to be very proud of yourself. But I also know that I do not care to entrust my daughter's happiness to Prince William of Gregg. Now it appears so. You're all lying about this. There is no light in which this would appear other than disagreeable and distasteful. My child, I do not care to hear or speak of it again. Your Majesty, you didn't think you can block our plans for this wedding? Don't worry. It's all settled. Here's the marriage contract signed and sealed. They're as good as married now. Ah, good. Good. But I'm planning to give it a queen for a time. We'll be able to get things done now. Oh, she wouldn't appear in this marriage. She's as anxious for her to go through as we are. Yes, I know, but she's too officious. The king at least knows enough to keep his place. Well, she's very useful sometimes. Yes, as a press agent. She'll make these rich Americans pay heavily for the privilege of shaking hands with the royalties. But here at home, we're not dealing with Americans. Dr. Feldman and his revolutionists are looking for trouble, and I'm going to see that they get it. What have you done with that checkerboard? Making your Majesty's pardon. I placed it here for safekeeping. Well, I wish you'd all get together and come to some definite permanent hiding place for this checkerboard. Yes, sir. Perhaps I should explain, sir, that Herod and Majesty found the old one and had it thrown out. Well, there's one satisfaction, sir. There's always plenty more checkerboards. Yes, sir. Come on now. I'm going to beat the hide out of you. Oh, sir. You know, Phipps, you have an unfair advantage over me. An unfair advantage, sir? But you Majesty, imagine that I should be given the effective cheating in checkers. Don't be a fool, Phipps. What I meant was that you get a chance to practice. Now, I'll wager that when you're off duty, you practice with the finest checker players in the city. I never get any chance to practice. You're the only one around the whole place will ever play checkers with me. You know, I thought at one time that I might interest the queen in the game, but she couldn't seem to appreciate this chance. Remarkable woman, Her Majesty. A remarkable woman, but she simply will not play checker. It, uh, it would be Your Majesty's first move this time. No, sir. Well, there you are. Pardon, sir, that you've got to jump. Oh, have I? Sir, you do practice, don't you, Phipps? Tell me. Tell me, Phipps, have you any children? Six, sir. All sons, I presume. No, sir, there's one daughter. Married? Yes, sir, she is. To a young man of her own choice? Yes, sir. Unfortunately, she chose a scientific farmer, sir. And I may say that it's been a source of, uh, some regret to me and to her mother. You wanted her to marry someone else? Yes, sir. We didn't consider him quite, uh, eligible, shall I say. We dote the girl, like Mary, in her own class. Is she happy? Yes, sir. I suppose she's happy and in a rather rustic sort of way, sir. Take part in, sir. That's the buzzer. See who it is, will you, Phipps? Yes, sir. I want to talk to you, Father. Yes, my dear. Alone? You, uh, you may go, Phipps. It will be my next move, sir. I want you to tell me something, Father. And I want you to tell me the truth. Then what is it, then? Didn't you know about this ghastly thing they're trying to do? Were you part of the conspiracy? No, I didn't know. Oh, I'm glad, Father. Well, they're not going to make a political bride out of me. Do you know this man you're supposed to marry? Prince William? No, but I see his picture in the newspapers surrounded by a lot of chorus girls. Well, you shouldn't read those tiny newspapers. Everyone knows what a rotter he is. If I marry him, they'll all be laughing at me. But sympathizing with me, it'll be just as bad either way. I tell you, Father, I won't do it. I won't do it. I'll renounce my position. I'll go into exile. But I won't marry that foul man. But my dear child, you have to marry someone. You must do your share toward perpetuating the family. The family can end here and now for all I care. But they must have two male children. They can adopt them. I'm sick of being royalty. I want to be a person. Well, being a member of the royal family has its advantages, Anne. Think of all the orphan asylums you can inspect. Oh, don't joke about it, Father. It's terribly serious to me. But when we drive through the streets and I look at the poor beggars, I think to myself. I know. You think to yourself, cheerfully, gladly, would I change places with even such as you? I know. I've heard that speech to myself a thousand times in the days of my youth. And did it do me any good? Have I ever become a person? Have I ever found that freedom that is enjoyed by the celebrated beggar in the gutter? I'm afraid not, Anne. I turned out to be a king. And you intend to be just the king all the rest of your life? Well, I'm afraid I'll have to stick to the job now, even if there isn't any future. Well, never mind, Father. You're a good king, a noble king. Well, I could be a bad king for all the differences I make in young Grunton, for instance. He's a commoner by birth, but he's a royalist at heart. And I'm quite sure that if we were languishing in exile, you would find young Grunton perched on a soapbox in the park, arguing for the restoration, and he'd go to his death trying to long live the king. Oh, no, he wouldn't. Grunton would go into exile with us and be glad to do it. Well, how do you know that? Well, I talk to him now and then, naturally. Oh, I see. Well, Grunton, we'll be just discussing you, please, sir. Yes. What would you say if I told you I'd decide to abdicate? Would you tremble in every fiber of your being? Would you draw your sword if you had one? And would you cry, no, no, no, a thousand times though, over my dead body you'd leave the throne? Or would you murmur, devoutly to yourself? It's about time the old boy got onto himself and retired. I can only say, sir, that I should follow your majesty, and then eventually you might choose to undertake from there. Thank you, Grunton. Thank you. That's all I wanted to know. Now make some bold, sir, as to ask whether you have any such revolutionary idea in mind. You may make some bold. But my answer is no. I have the faintest idea of abdicating. Oh, you have a paper, sir, for what you asked. Paper? The answer's paper? Yes, the orders for the execution of prisoners. Oh, you've found them. Yes, sir, ready for signature. Well, well, you think I might have to lose them again? Yes, sir. Well, that'll be all. That'll be all. How long has this been going on? What? This little romance? How did you know? King knows everything. You know that if you paid strict attention to your school books. Oh, Father, you've got to help it. You're the only one who can help it. I know, but you haven't told me how long this has been going on. For months. We fell in love. We couldn't help it. That's a natural impulse, I suppose. Have you made any plans for the future? Yes, we're going to a loaf as soon as Mother's land is America. We'll go to France. That's a free country, isn't it? Reasonably so. And after we get there, we'll be married, and Freddie will find work of some kind. He's always wanted to write, or paint, or something. We'll have babies and be happy, and we'll come to visit it. And the third day of my visit, Grant will say, is your father going to stay here forever? Oh, he won't say any such thing. He loves you. And besides, he's much too sweet to be mean to anyone. Well, are you aware of the character of your fiancee family? Freddie's father's one of the richest men in the kingdom. I know, all Mr. Granton is one of the pillars of the state financial. But he is a plumber. A wholesale plumber? Nevertheless, he does mess up with bathroom utensils. I don't care what he is or isn't. I love Freddie, and nothing in heaven or earth is going to stop me from marrying him. I'm afraid your mother will not be very enthusiastic about this. I think I hear the buzzer. Her Majesty the Queen. You happen to realize what crime it is? My mind is, isn't it? It feels you too sick talking, talking, talking of heaven knows what. And in half an hour, I'm going away across 3,000 miles of ocean to America. It was strange, barbarous country. Is it barbarous at all? It is barbarous. I've seen moving pictures about it. Where did that checkerboard come from? General Northrup must have left that here. Are you going to check your clothes for the procession? Yes, I am. It's the Hussar's uniform, and it is Hussar's uniform. Then why not do something about it? And you, too. The procession starts at four sharp, and I want you to look very neat. There are to be over 20 photographers between the palace and the dust. I hope they don't take any close-ups. I look awful in the film. Today is the coming marriage of Princess Anne to Prince William of Brick. Do you understand? Yes, Your Majesty. In two months, her royal highness will have a birthday. I've arranged a ball for the occasion. You will see that she has an enjoyable evening. Yes, Your Majesty. It's most unfortunate that I have to go away at this time. Just when your engagement, Prince William, is to be announced. But the mission which takes me away is a very important one. I am going to do my duty. I want you both to bear that in mind while I'm away. Don't worry, Mother. You can leave everything to us. We'll do our best in our small way here at home. But, pardon, no, sir. I am very sorry to say, sir, that Your Majesty has lied. Did you? I've just come from the extracession of power. Never mind, Parliament. Yes, Brigadier. Well, no one will obey my commandment. I'll talk about it then. Excuse me, please, sir. It was the quarrel of my confusion. Your Majesty has lied. I didn't lose. Your Majesty, her royal highness, the Princess Anne, wishes me to tell you that the ball awaits your appearance, sir. Northrop dictator with absolute power. Dr. Fongalov spoken up for Northrop in reply. He shouted that the people were ready for war. So was he. He pounded the table with his fists when he said it is a crisis. Now, Northrop dictator, with his guns and his army, he puts them. You run right over to the war office. He was the latest fans on honey back. All right, sir. This is our churn. Who's churn? I'll tell you about it for so long. But this is our last churn time to be married. Next week, if I don't go away now, I never will. There's no time to talk about love. I don't care what's happening. The army and the Navy can shoot their heads off if they want to. I'm going to be married to be free. Do you remind me of your mother? All officers report that command immediately. My men will escort the ladies to safety. Take this place to the city. Come, we've got to go. This head begs you men on the double. You take them right out of here. I don't want to. The head begs you men on the double. Then I have you around, sir. Thank you, sir. You know, I have half a mind to give that fellow another medal. Is the yacht anchored to Stannage? Yes. The road open? Oh, yes. It's about a two-hour drive, isn't it? Father, are we running away? No, but you are, and Granton is going with you. But I can't do that. Are you on to escape? Here's your chance. But how are we going to do it? The yacht is anchored to Stannage. I'll give orders. I'm going to sail tonight for Sherbourg with you on board. Now go upstairs, pack your things, change your clothes, and don't forget to take your toothbrush. Oh, Father, at last, at last, I'm getting away from this prison. I'm through with this. You'll never be sorry you've done this for me. I'll be so happy. And you'll be happy too, won't you? I expect so. I thank you too. But I can't accept this gracious offer, sir, Granton. Oh, why not? I couldn't leave you with all this danger threatening, sir. Oh, don't be silly. I have a whole army and navy to protect me. I don't need you. So what is it you want me to do? You're to marry my daughter. You're to write, to paint, or something, and you're to have babies. I forget what it all is about. General Northrop to see your majesty. There you see. The palace is perfectly safe. Even Northrop's willing to come here. Do you want to see him, sir? I do not. You see him, find out what he wants, and I'll get the orders off to Stanley. All right, sir. Show him in, hips. Very good, sir. We make to the table, the prime minister. Where's the king? He's gone to his room. I have a communication with Dr. Philman. I thought he might care to see you. Well, I can take you to him, sir. Oh, never mind. Doesn't matter anyway. I suppose his majesty doesn't care to be knowing his business managers now. Here, give that to the king. I beg your pardon, General Northrop. Those are his majesty's cigars. I know it. Get me the Admiral of the office. I give you an order, Mr. Granton. You tend to obey it, or must I entrust it to a more dependable servant? I want to talk to our general. This is General Northrop. Yes. Are the rest of the ships ready to go into action? Good. There we are. Lord Betton, to see his majesty. Send him in. I'll see him. Anywhere. Look, you seem to be in poor possession. Yes, the king has gone to his room. He's hiding under the bed, I suppose. Well, it's the best place for him. And how goes the battle? Oh, don't call that far, the battle. Well, I hope you get it over with soon. That noise is simply terrific. I know I shan't be able to sleep a week tonight. Well, we won't quit until we make a clean job of it. Well, you'd better hurry it up. Prince William of Breck arrived for the wedding next week. I am told that he's a very nervous young man. Ah, good evening, gentlemen. Good evening, sir. Ah, Northrop, have a cigar. Oh, you have one. Did you get my note, sir? Yes, I did. I've had the admiral's thing on the wire. The rest of the ships are ready to start shelling. Well, you can't do that. You'll kill thousands of men and women. Well, I've given them fair warning. I wish with no to Betton giving them a half hour in which to lay down their arms and surrender. And what was their answer to that? They said they'd never give in until I was ready to arbitrate. Well, then why not arbitrate? But I arbitrate to that, wabble. Well, I appreciate the delicacy of your feelings, Northrop. But the naval guns will not go into action. I regret to say, sir, that I must be allowed to handle this crisis as I see fit. I am nearly told you have my plans just as a battle of courtesy. I am overwhelmed with gratitude. Sometimes frankness pays. And I'm here to tell you that I am running this show and I intend to run it in my own way. You're quite right. Frankness does pay sometimes. So I'd like to ask you what are your intentions? Are you going to set up a republic? You've already bullied your way into the dictatorship there by making me more of a cipher than ever. Your next step is evidently the presidency. When are you going to take that step? I resent that insinuation. I resent it bitterly. That was not an insinuation. That was a frank statement of fact. Well, whatever it was, you've resented it. The stupid field artillery. They're shooting the wrong way. Something gone wrong with your plans, General? Hiresome, put a stop to this nonsense. Break a few kernels for this, sir. Here, don't forget the Sunday hack. Oh! Oh! I think I'd better go over to the foreign office. You take my advice and try the cellar. You mustn't stay here, sir. It's very dangerous. You assured me of your loyalty. I think I can depend on you. Always, sir. I want to get the Princess Anne out of this. The office is static. Granted, we'll take her there. You escort them both. As far as the harbor, the season they get away safely. Now, get a car, a good one. Have it at the Quinn Street entrance right away at Hudding. Yes, sir. Car will be ready in a few minutes. Let's go at once. What were those explosions? Shells, my dear. The fact of the matter is, the revolution is stalled. General Norfolk's artillery when he was looking. And they're trying to shell the palace? It seems that way. What are you doing? Do you think I'd go now? Well, my dear child, you must go. There's your one chance you can't lose it. Too late now, Father. I'm going to stay here because I love you. And because we must be together when they come. Good for you, Anne. Well, there's nothing left for me to do except burst into tears. That's all right. One seems to have landed in the queen's room. I wish Phipps were here. What do you want, a Phipps? Anything you want, I'll do it. Go down to the cellar right away and get about a dozen bottles of champagne. It seems to me the time has come to all get gloriously drunk. So, Father, that's a marvelous idea. I think your Majesty, Dr. Feldman is here. Feldman? He wants to see you. He insists that he must. Oh, Father, don't see him. Nonsense. Show him in. You go get that champagne. Look, sir, I'd better stay here. You're what I tell you. Get the champagne, get lots of it. You never can tell this fellow Feldman might want to drink, too. Go on. Come in, Dr. Feldman. Thank you, sir, for having the courage to see me. I hope you'll part the appearance of this room. It's a bit upset at the moment. Is the bodyguard absolutely necessary? I am on arms. You may go, Glenn. Well, tell me, doctor, to what am I and get it for this visit, et cetera, et cetera? A great many lives are being lost tonight, sir. Unnecessarily lost. Otherwise, I should not have risked my own to come here. I commend your courage, doctor. But tell me, why are your people trying to batter down the palace? You know, they might want to use it for a museum or something. You, sir, have never come into contact with reality. You have lived your quiet, detached life here. No one has ever told you the truth. No one ever takes the trouble to tell me anything. I understand. But you are the ruler of this nation. That's why you make a great mistake, doctor. I am not the ruler. I am merely the king. And are you satisfied, sir, that you have been a good king? Well, I've always been on time at all official functions. My public speeches have been brief and a good taste. I've always appeared presentable on dress parade. My home life is above reproach. I don't know what else I could have done to fulfill my obligations to my people. You could have prevented them from being driven to despair. I could have done that. You have an exaggerated idea of my importance, doctor. Well, the people have the vote. Why don't they use it? Why don't they throw an offer about and put you in? The issue is up to you, sir. It is not up to me. I have no right to meddle in the state's business. I merely a figurehead and an undue ornamental one of that. Then, sir, on behalf of the people, I must demand your abdication. All the murder will stop soon. Hello? No, put it through the analysis. Now you will see what your rage has come to. But an honestest will do no good. This country must have a permanent peace. I warn you, sir. If you wish to save your country, you must abdicate. And you must do it at once. There's nothing to be done now, except that your people must surrender. And trust ourselves to the mercy of Northrop. He'll overrule you, sir. Oh, no, he won't. I give you my word that you must take my word for it. I accept your word, sir. You do. Thank you, doctor. You're a very unusual fellow. Your Majesty, General Northrop is on his way up. He is, eh? Well, Dr. Feldman, I don't know how you got here. But you must go where he is soon as possible. Here, Blank. Take Dr. Feldman to my apartment and escort him as far as necessary. The Naval Guns disease firing? I did. Well, I have come here to tell you that the last order you would give out. You don't have to remind me of that. Hardly enough, I commented on that very fact of the time. I want you to understand that I am in charge here. And I will have any interference from you or anyone else. You realize that you're talking to your king. Ah, we're talking now as man to man. I will stand to you, madam, my affairs. Give me the hand with the office. The battleship will resume firing. The battleship will not resume firing. I was wrong to not interfere with me. I gave those orders to the Navy and they ought to stand. I am the one to give orders to the Navy. I am the dictator by act of parliament. I am the king by the grace of God. Ah, don't use that cat-trace on me. You'll be king only as long as I and my army. I'm in hand to keep you on the throne. Now, look here, Norfolk. I'm getting awfully fed up with you and your army. I'm fed up with your bomb-vast and your flag-waving patriotism. In fact, I'm getting awfully fed up on your personal appearance. Oh, who are you, Your Majesty? Don't majesty me. As you said before, we were talking man to man. Now, I'm going to take this opportunity to remind you of something. I hope the revolution wins. No, no, you're a contemptible traitor. Possibly I am. Possibly I've been a traitor all along. But if my throne depends on you and your army, I don't want to sit on the rotten thing any longer. It's a war office for you. No, no, thank you. Good, I'll be right over. Well, I've surrendered. Who, eh? Gentlemen and lakers. I'm conditioned to re-arbitrate. Well, of course you'll arbitrate. Oh, yes, you'll arbitrate right and up with machine guns. This matter will be centered without machine guns. And by whom? By me. By you. I don't need you and your army. I don't need your hand-thick power. But I have another power on my side. And what power may I ask the people? You're the people. You're the people for all they will. But first be sure, they are on your side. Putting me in my place. Oh, don't worry about him. Would you need us some champagne? I know, my dear, but the revolution is over. Then we have nothing to celebrate. You know, so that fellow Norfolk is becoming absolutely insufferable. He came in here this morning and acted as if he owned the place. I know, but I talked back to him. But the bullet only grazed his cheeks, sir. But it was sent to nature. Don't worry, and if they couldn't hit Norfolk... That ought to take the slightest interest in her own wedding. She will not. Oh, no, all the work, all the responsibilities left to me. If I weren't hit a toil and slave, there wouldn't be any way. Here! I've just been given all the rest of the wedding. Come here and let me look at you. Dordogs and Christopher. Well, sir, the truth, I didn't have room for it. Well, fine room. I'd have trouble enough getting this palace patched up without having to worry about your personal appearance. Where are you going? I was just going for that order. I want you to go up and talk to Anne. But I haven't anything particular to say. I don't know what's happened to Anne while I was away. This absurd revolution seems to have gone to our head if there were to be an outburst of temperament during the ceremony. Well, you know what Prince William is like. He'd pack up and go home without another word. Well, you wouldn't call that a tragedy. It would be a disaster. I want you to explain this to Anne. She pays more attention to you. Heaven knows why. You must talk to her. And they burn. Yes, my dear, I will. And if you find me being otherwise infirm, you must remind me. Well, what is it that Mother has told you to tell me now? Anne, I'm to give you this bit of advice. When the Archbishop says to you, do you take this man for your lawful husband, you are to respond, I do. You are not to tell him where you think he should go. But suppose I feel like saying just that. You are to have absolutely no feelings at all today. If any apropos remark secure to you, you are to direct them to your husband. I'll kill myself first. That's another thing that you possibly must not do today. Father, can you stand by and joke about it? I gave you your chance during the revolution. You wouldn't take it. I couldn't take it. I couldn't. Can't you understand that? You did the right thing, then, Anne. And I was glad and I was sorry that you did it. But you bear the curse of royalty yet. You will always do the right thing, even when you know it's the wrong thing. I wish they'd stood us up for four firing squads that night. Prince William of Gregg to see her royal highness. Shall we see him? Yes, perhaps he changes minds. Send him in. William of Gregg. That is, I should say, Willie, your majesty. Your royal highness, we're surprised to see you. Pleasantly surprised, am I day? I came here expressly to see the bride. Tell the truth, sir. I had hoped I might see her. Alone? You have something of an intimately personal nature to discuss I take in. Exactly. Well, that being the case, I shall take this opportunity to take a ride on my bicycle. Shall we both sit down? No. You apparently have something on your mind. I have. It's killing me. I would like to have it there. You're worried about our marriage? I am. I thought so. I may as well begin by telling you. I don't like you. I don't like you a bit. And you'd like to be released? I most certainly would. Then I release you. I wouldn't think of holding you against your will. I merely said I should like to be released. Doesn't mean that I'm asking to be released. Then what do you want? I merely want to talk to you. And I should say a few things while our relationship is still on a fairly friendly basis. After all, I shall have to live with you for fully two weeks. The thought is revoking to you. It's none too palatable to me. The fact remains, we are about to be married. Why not make the most of it? Go ahead and make the most of it, if you like. But don't expect any hardly cooperation from me. Look here, Anne. I'm perfectly willing to swallow my prejudices against you and pretend to be highly romantic. Why not respond? Oh, so that's it. You want me to make love to you. Oh, I beg your pardon. Why, Anne, what's the matter? If you don't mind. This is the man I love, the man I'll always love. Why, Anne, I have misjudged you grossly. Granton, my apologies. I've been making indecent proposals to your fiance. She's not my fiance, she's yours, and I love her. And I love you. I can't pretend to love anyone else. It does make it a bit awkward, doesn't it? I know it doesn't. I'm terribly sorry, not for you, but for her. Well, is everything settled? Yes, everything's settled. Then the wedding is not to be canceled? Oh, no, Your Majesty. We're more desperately in love than ever. How perfectly, Charlie. I really must be moving on. However, we will meet again at the altar. With the wedding bells ringing merrily and the organ booming forth, it's impressive message of... Oh, shut up. Goodbye. Good day, young man. My congratulations. Good day, sir. Good afternoon, wille. What a curious young man. He's lonesome. It's my duty to tell you, sir, that I must resign from your majesty's service. Well, you're going away to forget, I suppose. Yes, sir. Oh, Father, I can't let Freddie go. I'd much rather kill myself. Well, you may have that done for you. What do you mean, sir? Well, I have an appointment here with Dr. Feldman and Mr. Laker, his friend, very shortly. And if we don't pacify Laker before the wedding, there will be bomb, bullet, and so forth. Well, then, sir, we better notify General Norton from the police. No, no, this is my private secret. I'm not sharing it, even with General Norton. But it's a new member of the royal family all to venture out in the vet mob. Let him have a ceremony here. No, this ceremony will be at the cathedral as planned. We mustn't disappoint the archbishop by he has an elaborate candle display all ready for the occasion. Father has pity on me. I'm desperate. I have nothing but unsteakable horror to look forward to. Let them throw their bombs. Don't try to talk them out of this. I'm not going to. I'm going to introduce them both to your mother. Imagine. Oh, get away. Here, Branton, I want you to give this to the archbishop. It's the prayer he's to deliver to conclude the ceremony. Yes, ma'am. Some of you can pose yourself, my dear. Yes, I wouldn't leave it at that old numbskull. He'd say just the wrong thing and get into the newspapers. I have to think of everything. And don't you realize that you ought to be ready to leave the palace in 20 minutes? Yes, mother. I've memorized the whole list of instructions. I'll start. What on earth's the matter with her? Well, she just had an interview with Prince Willie and she's not feeling quite herself. Poor Anne. Poor Anne, indeed. That rebellious young lady doesn't know when she's in love. You remember the day of our wedding? I do. What were your emotions then? How did you feel? What were you thinking of? I know what I was thinking of. I was grimly determined to do my duty. And you did. But didn't you feel a spark of rebelliousness, mother? Wasn't there a small but insistent voice within you that kept saying, run away now. Run away before it's too late. Save your one chance of love. Save your happiness. Didn't you have to fight hard to suppress it? I did suppress it. My strength was greater than my weakness. I didn't run away. I went to the cathedral. I faced you at the altar. And when we stepped out in the balcony to be cheered by the crowds, I smiled on them to let them know that I was happy. Have you forgotten that I smiled? No, I haven't. I haven't forgotten that smile, Martha. It was a gruesome smile. And when I saw it, I wanted to say to you, go away now. Go to the man you love. Go before it's too late. Don't ruin your life for me. I didn't ruin my life. I've made a success of it. I've served my country well. And I want my daughter to be worthy of the honorable tradition which she inherits. Poor Anne, she'll be a rotten queen. General Norfolk and Lord Betten to see your majesties. Well, great Scott, I don't want to see him right now. Why not? Well, to tell you the truth, Norfolk and I are not exactly on speaking to her. What nonsense. You need pay no attention to that blowhard Norfolk. Ips, show Betten and Norfolk to the council chamber. I'll settle him. Your majesties. Your majesties are just been informed by the Greggian ambassador of a conspiracy to prevent the wedding. And the princess Anne is planning an elopement. An elopement with who? With Frederick Grant Harris, with that snippy young secretary of yours. Who told you that? By Prince William himself, your majesties. And the princess told him that she was in love with Granton. And her actions confirmed it. Yes, I've had Granton arrested. He's in the palace guard house now. Well, what do you propose to do with Granton? Oh, your majesties, I have a suggestion to offer. There's a tramp steamer sailing with him in the hour for the eastern coast of South America. Why not place Granton aboard that boat? No, it's safer to shoot him. General Northrop is right. Oh, the stumble. I could kill him myself. No, no. I think an execution would be messy. It would cause torque. I favor Berton's plan. It's much more sensible. But no one need know that he'd been put to death. Oh, but your majesties, his father might become inquisitive. Who cares what his father thinks? He's a plumber. Father, he's a wholesale plumber. And don't forget, Northrop, Mr. Granton's senior contributes to your campaign fund. Oh, well, we'll put him aboard the ship then. This is the pounding our craze to think that this has been going on in this very palace and that I shouldn't have known anything about it. It does seem incomprehensible, doesn't it, Sebs? Send me Blent, right away, please. Yes, your majesties. You started this miserable, sordid affair. It wasn't an affair. It is a romance. Northrop, will you counter-sign that to make it entirely legal, please? Oh, Blent, I've just written an order of exile, Mr. Granton. You ought to execute that order. You ought to thank him in a closed car for harbor and put him on board, uh, what's the name of that boat? Oh, the steamship Kaleo, sir. Captain Wicklid, commande. He's in front of you. Oh, yes, sir. Do you give this order to the captain? Signed by me, counter-signed by General Northrop. Thanks. Full instruction. I've seen that the prison isn't put aboard until the last moment for sailing. And I suggest, major, that you remain with him until the ship is well out of the harbor. He might be a good swimmer. What did we got that in time? Oh, the blow would have finished me. Dr. Hellman is here, accompanied by... Hellman! ...Mr. Bellman. What does he want? He says he has an appointment with His Majesty. He is accompanied by... But this can't be true! What does this mean? It means that Dr. Bellman has an appointment with me. Is Dr. Bellman alone? No, sir. He is not alone. As I've been attempting to explain, sir, for some time, he is accompanied by Mr. Laker. Laker, why, that... Sir, he won't have him in the palace. But he's already in. Then have him put out at once. Don't do that. We must speak to him very kindly. If not, he's liable to upset all our plans for the wedding. What could they do to prevent the wedding? Well, they could assassinate Prince Willis, thereby removing the bridegroom. Very well. I consent to see them under protest. Yes, but you better let me do the talking. Thank you, General Norfolk. I think you can leave the situation in my hands. Bring them in, Fitz. Your Majesty. Hellman and Mr. Laker. May I present Her Majesty the Queen? Your Majesty. Your Majesty. General Norfolk. Mark's business, of course, you know. Now that's all settled. I'll hear what you have to say because none of us must be late for the wedding. Your Majesty knows the situation so far as we are concerned. You have been warned. Your Majesty, a week ago, after an extremely violent battle, the revolutionists announced that they were willing to lay down their arms. Our surrender constituted an acceptance of our time. What were those terms? It's the chief cause of all the trouble, the unemployment situation being relieved. You have refused even to consider a council for arbitration. Quite right, too. I can do nothing about unemployment till we have the money available. May I ask, sir, what is being done with a loan of 100 millions of dollars recently negotiated in America? Ah, I knew it. You're trying to rob our country of the money I earn. And the people must pay the interest. Someday they must pay the principle that they have a right to their share. Is that on reasonableness? Is that on reasonableness, Your Majesty? I beg your pardon. I wasn't listening. I told you so, Bellman. We wait for our time coming here to talk to these tyrants. Your Majesty, I have tried to bring this business to a sensible conclusion. I am afraid it cannot be done. I don't care to be dictated to by you people. I shall arbitrate when I'm entirely ready to do so. Now, my own terms. That's yours. Very well. We'll show you our strength today. But, every royal candle in Europe is represented here today. The emperor and empress of Greece are here. They'll have to take their chances along with the rest of you. Oh! And if any of you reach the cathedral alive, it will be due to an oversight that hour far. All right. We'll settle this matter once and for all today. It should be a fight to the death. To the death. And the blood guilt will be yours. I accept it. With time. Come on, Bellman. We've talked enough. Now, just one minute. Now, Norbert, I'm quite sure that you'd be willing to take the blame for my death, but I couldn't allow you to assume that responsibility. I have here a very interesting volume, a very rare volume. The constitution of our country. I took it out of the library last night and read it from cover to cover. And really, it is surprisingly interesting reading. I must ask your majesty to excuse me. I have much to attend to. Now, Laker, you tend to me just a minute. I won't take much of your time. As I said, I read the constitution last night and I was deeply impressed with the passages that describe the duties, functions, and powers of the king. General Norbert, it is my command that Parliament be dissolved. What? Parliament is dissolved. Have you gone completely mad? What? You can't do that. Look at it in the constitution. Put your majesty. In Parliament, the state sees it to exist. No, it doesn't. I am the state. I shan't be a part of the minister's idiocy. You mean you resign? I do. Splendid. I've had your resignation type written for quite some time, just in case. Fine, right, then. Oh! Dr. Feldman, I've heard you Prime Minister. You're a former cabinet. Have a general election for new Parliament once. The state of our country is interested in these men that don't mean death and dishonour for us all. We're living with cherished... Well, Norbert, it's high time you were taken down. You've been insufferably arrogant. You seem to forget this as in every well-ordered monarchy, the throne is supreme. There, Norbert, that's that. Your Majesty, I am a soldier. I shall continue to devote my life to my country. Very well said, Norbert. As a soldier, you can help us enforce the laws, the new laws. Good day, General. Good day, Lord Burton. You're out of a job, too. Your Majesty, my services are always at your command. We can always do with a good diplomat. Good afternoon. Good day, sir. It worked wonders. He both handled it splendidly. Your Majesty, your people will bless you for this. They will never cease to honor your name. You are a king, sir. A real holy... We are proud of you, sir. Goodbye, Your Majesty. Goodbye, Your Majesty. Sest you to do this. I want to save the wedding, my dear. I want to prevent a revolution. It seemed the only way to... Nobody had any intention of throwing bombs, but you made the whole thing up. The revolution was nothing but a bluff. How'd you guess that? I'm not a fool. I had to get rid of Norbert. That seemed the only way. I had to do something desperate. So quietly, without anyone knowing, not even you, my dear, I made friends with Dr. Feldman and his friend Mr. Laker. If you'd left it to me, I'd have got rid of Norbert and with no assistance from Dr. Feldman, either. I shall not complain of that. The fact remains, Norbert is gone. The wedding is safe. The stupidity of the throne is established. And I shall now be able to conduct this state without interference of any kind. Yes, my dear, I knew you'd be pleased. Well, we're late already. We must start once. So do please, Hare, and I'll wait for it. Now, never. Halt! When you and Anne are driving through the crowded streets especially when you're walking up the aisle, I want you to appear radiantly happy. We'll all be smiling brightly, my dear. Oh, Phipps. Yes, sir. That son-in-law of yours. Oh, him. Does he play checkers? I-I believe he does, sir. Good. We'll have a tour of him. Oh, no, no, no. So you mustn't do that. I want to teach you not to be such a snob. And Phipps. Yes, sir. Tell that to Major Bledded once it's important. Yes, sir. Very well said. I'm ready, Father. My darling child, wherever you go, whatever you do, I want you to know that I love you. Never mind all that. We have to go. We mustn't keep them waiting. It wouldn't look right. We must never do anything. As long as we live, it doesn't look right. You do blame me for this, don't you? Of course I blame you. But I'm going through with it. Every bit of it. And I never want to see you again, or mother, or anyone else in this hateful, cruel place. Oh, darling. Oh, darling. Don't let them take me. Kill them, do anything, but don't let them take me. Will you step this way, please? You take this woman for your lawful wife? You do. And you take this man for your lawful husband? You do. Do you promise to love, honor, or obey? You do. You wed her with this ring. You endow her with all your worldly goods. Let no man put a thunder as king, with the grace of God. As Lord Vicar of the Holy Church in this our country, I pronounce you man and wife. Blent, give me that order of exile. Father, what are you doing? I'm adding the word, and wife, to Frederick Granton's name. I should hope so. Yes, sir. You and Blent are the witnesses. Thank you, sir. You're sailing in a few moments on a steamship Kaleo. I thought it best for you to be married, respectively, before you left. I don't think your mother would like it if you went under less conventional circumstances. But, sir, does the Queen know about this? Not yet. Oh, Father, I can't forget the things I said. And neither can I. But the memory of her will give me many laughs during the long winter evenings. Now, Blent will take you to the boat. But, sir, I'd like to say something really. I know, but don't say it. You'd only stem her. Goodbye, my darling. I'll send you the marriage license to Panama. But what are you going to say to Mother and Prince William and all the rest? I'll be very firm. I'll let them know that I am the king. Now, Granton, take her away. Take her. She's messing up all my meddles. Goodbye, darling. Goodbye. Goodbye. Take off that bridal veil. Put on a heavy overcoat. So will it, Blent. Take this hat. Oh, it gives me a headache. Would you want to be kind to the cathedral now, sir? Will you? Yes, I'll be going to the cathedral now. But I will be back shortly. And you have that checkerboard ready.