 Hollywood. The radio theater brings you Betty Davis and Paul Henry in Mr. Castingson. Ladies and gentlemen, your guest producer, Mr. William Keely. Greetings from Hollywood, ladies and gentlemen. Some years ago, I went to a graduation play at a dramatic school in New York City. The leading lady was a small, but fable-ness named Betty Davis. A few days later, when we were casting for a new play, I suggested that Ms. Davis be given what proved to be her first professional reading. The rest is history, for little Betty has since become the first lady of the film. One of others moving and distinguishing drama, Mr. Skeppington. And close to odd in the title role tonight is Paul Henry, who has contributed so many star interpretations to the screen. The action of our play occurs between two world wars, a period during which women, like the lovely Mr. Skeppington, discovered new freedom and leisure, largely through the medium of labor-saving methods and convenience. Now on to our play, as the curtain rises on act one of Mr. Skeppington, starring Betty Davis as Fanny and Paul Henry as Skeppington, with Marjorie Reardon as their daughter and Joseph Kearn as George. I called this afternoon on my cousin, Mrs. Job Skeppington. It was late when I left, almost dark, and the little paths across from the house, I saw it. I don't know how I came to recognize Job, so broken he was and shattered. His hands rested on his cane, he stared to the quiet dust like a man in a dream. Who is it? George Trevis. Fanny's cousin. George. I need you to get back to New York. I? I see George. At the age of 62, I escaped from a Nazi prison camp. Show? We didn't know what had happened. So you're going to see Fanny. Come on, I just left her. I have no plan to see her. The house? Oh, just as it's always been, Joe. Nothing's changed. Fanny's well? Oh, yes, yes, she's well. In my little girl. Little Fanny. She's fine, Joe. Oh, what a pity. She left me lost at noon. On her way to Seattle to be married. A fine boy, or they're very much in love. Married. Joe, Joe, come. We'll see Fanny. I don't know. Well, then come home with me, there's so much to talk about. You said you had nothing to change. I know, right? I'd just like to sit here alone. Yes, of course, Joe. Please, say nothing to Fanny about me. Not yet. If you wish, Joe. Good night. I went directly home, and all night long, I sat here unable to get the picture of Joe Skeppington out of my mind. Seems incredible that nearly 25 years have passed since Joe first met Fanny. Hello. How well I remember that night. Who is it? Don't you dare come in my room. Since when am I Edward? Then who is it? George. How many Georges are there in your life? All three of them. George, Fanny. Oh, what a wonderful surprise. Well, don't I get a kiss? Oh. Let me see. You are the night. You are the night. That's all you ever say. I'm sorry, but I just can't think of you as beautiful even if you are. Oh, hello, Mamby. Mr. George, how do you do? Tell me, I saw four strange faces down the stairs. Who are they? Uses? An entire new batch. She still has every man in New York at her feet, Mr. George. And you're going out with the batch? Out, although it's a busy party, and you may stay. Well, I thought I heard that voice. Fine. How have you been? Couldn't be better. Don't fall down in the face, Georgey, but my brother has a job. He's working. No. I'm a customer's man. Gethington and company. Gethington and company? The Jewish firm? Yes. You like working for him? He's all right. Well, he must pay awfully well. Here you are giving dinner party, and I thought you were practically broke. Well, the fact is, George, I made a little killing. And I thought if I gave a dinner party, I'd hope it's all true. Why do you say that? Because you still don't look anyone's straight in the eye, could you? Still picking on me, Georgey. You run along a city's business. You know you're always late. What is it, Sal? I'm very sorry, but that's what you seem to be doing. But it's just getting. We didn't invite him to dinner. And most certainly did not. Tell him I'll see you in the morning. Yes, sir. So, ask Mr. Gettington to wait. Yes, sir. Why, I think it'd be a nice guess. If you saw your employer, you'd get more work out of him in the long run. He's got no right parking in here. Darling, obviously you did come for a free dinner. It must be something important. Well, get rid of him. I won't see him. Well, what will you tell him? I'll strip him. Well, I'll think of some way, I'd rather strip he keeps me in practice. Let's get it over with, Georgey. Thank you, Mr. Gettington. Unfortunately, he's in bed with a severe cold. A headache? Both? Well, it's quite possible the cold brought on the headache. He'll be at his desk in the morning, Mr. Gettington. I hardly think so. Your cousin is no longer in my employ. No longer? But if he's no longer in your employ, why hasn't he told me? Well, a man with a cold is certainly very communicative. Well, it's really cute. There's nothing you care to discuss with us. Well, since your cousin avoided me tonight, it's undoubtedly he will again in the morning. Perhaps I'd better. It's a rather delicate matter, Miss Trelley. I'm staying right here, Mr. Gettington. I'm on my way to see the district attorney. I don't think I'm going to be able to face this family. Maybe we'd all better sit down. Thank you. I've tripled on something awful. Your brother has good many qualities, Miss Trelley. This is going to be worse than I thought. As a bond salesman, he made a brilliant start. His orders piled up until he discovered that these people he's been selling stock to don't even exist. You see, he's doing enough consolations to make the whole thing seem quite authentic. And then, well, there. They were here and there. They were some legitimate sales. But he had to look for them. It wasn't very clever of him, was it? He has a definite talent for picking odd names and addresses. But it's hardly worse. $20,000 was paid to him. I'm not sure. It was $20,000 which paid him in commission. He's stolen $20,000. Yes, I'm afraid so. Does City know you know? Yes. You should have gone to the district attorney long ago. Well, I was quite touched to discover he lost most of the money at the race track. At touch, too? Yes, sir. Considering they were my horses, he bet on and I've given the tip. Oh, City. No, no. Sorry, Miss Trelley. What's so great won't be any hardship for you to return the money? It's no hardship. Uh, Mr. Skeppington, you may as well know that Miss Sellison, her brother, a stone bulk. I don't understand. That's maybe as well as for the lease. Oh, well, it's a miss. It's been a miss for some time. Mrs. Skeppington, could he could get another job and pay you back a little each week? You couldn't ride him a restaurant, could you? Well, I could. But my heart wouldn't be in it. Well, all we can do then is to throw ourselves on your machine. Uh, Miss Trelley, it's not my money. It's the corporations. But the horses were yours, and not the corporations, weren't they? Yes, they're two. But I'm not quite sure of the logic. If you could just give us a little time, maybe there's something I could salvage. Well, perhaps I can let it ride for a little while. Oh, Mr. Skeppington, how can I thank you? How can I... Please, please. All right. I'm keeping you from your guests. You're the host. It's your money. I'm dining with the district attorney, uh, just a social call. Uh, good night, Miss Trelley. Good night, Mr. Skeppington. Mr. Trelley, good night, sir. I'd like to ring for business. There's nothing to worry about, George. No. No. There'll be three dozen roses in the morning. Three dozen roses? From Mr. Skeppington. Oh, good morning, ma'am. Good morning, Maggie. Just look, Miss. All these flowers. What a beautiful basket. Oh, Maggie, which one's it from, Mr. Skeppington? No flowers. It's from Mr. Skeppington. It's from Mr. Skeppington. It's from Mr. Conderland. Was it already called, Maggie? I mean, other than Mr. Skeppington and Mr. Conderland? The Rev. and Dr. Parsley. He wanted no free soul to desire it. No, not a one. You're sure there were no other calls? No, Miss. Maggie, would you mind looking up the address of Skeppington? No, no, never mind. Maggie, I'm going downtown. If my brother or cousin should ask, I'd say, oh, well, please come in. I have no idea who's calling. I knew you were busy, Mr. Skeppington. I didn't mind waiting. Oh, I do want to know. I'm not here to talk about tickets. Good. It's a painful subject. Cigar? Oh, I'm terribly sorry. It's automatic. All my visitors are men. I see. Mrs. Skeppington, I came to ask if you buy some tickets for a gaza. It's for the children's hospital or the home for the aged. I don't quite remember which. Anyway, it's printed on the ticket. They're $25 a piece. Well, well, they're both very worthy causes. I'll take a dozen. Oh, no. True. We've had enough. You don't get a fee for your money. Or are you used to that? Excuse me. Hello? Yes. Yes? What is it now? All right. Buy 10,000 at 23 in the house. I'm sorry. Mrs. Skeppington, please forgive me for being so curious, but it sounds very important. 10,000 what? 10,000 shares of steel. Oh, at 23 and a half dollars a share? Oh, yes. Well, if you're that casual about money, I'll let you buy the dozen tickets after all. You know, Mrs. Skeppington, I've never once seen a sausage gaza. I'd be glad to show you around sometime. Well, that's very nice of you, but isn't it a little vague? Can you make it right now? Well, I have a luncheon engagement with Janie Clarkson, but we don't like each other very much, so she probably won't be there either. Well, in that case, would you have lunch with me? Oh, my goodness. Then could I see the sausage change after all? You should like. Shall we go then to the... Have you seen the ticket? No, why? Germany just declared war on my... Oh, excuse me, sir. Get all our branch offices on the phone. Yes, sir. Keep a wire open to Wasek. Hello, KC. Meet me both of them a week. Mrs. Skeppington... Where's Mrs. Skeppington after all? After a while, immediately after. Well, they won't get it. It's ready. It's ready to go. It's ready! Janie's retreat from the Skeppington's office was one of her very rare defeats, and it took the outbreak of the First World War to do it. Well, two days later, a strange thing happened. Paul Vanny, the famous painter, called. He said he had a commission to paint Janie's portrait, if she'd agree. She refused to divulge his patron's name. Janie thought it quite a lot. Weeks later, when the portrait was completed, we went to Vanny's studio to look at it. You know what happened yesterday, Georgie? Jim Connery offered Mr. Vanny to double his fee for the portrait. That is quite true, Mr. Sellers. Well, why didn't you accept? Because my client is paying four times as much. The extra money keeps it quiet. Vanny, I simply don't understand. It's not like you to have to spend all these times an hour sitting for a portrait you won't own for a man you don't even know. I think it's very romantic. What if we walk into a saloon someday and see you hanging over a bar? Georgie, I doubt very much if I'll ever get that drunk. Anyway, whoever ordered the portrait is sending $1,000 to my favorite charity. Georgie, would it be charity if we use that money for business? $1,000 won't help Vanny. So it may as well be honest. Uh, by the way, you've heard nothing from Jefferson? Not a word. Well, I must say he's been very decent. He'll be later, though, we'll have to face him. Well, Mr. Vanny, what happened to the portrait now? It's lost for a man awaiting with a truck. It'll be delivered. Oh, it will. Well, I think I'll be running along, Georgie. I'll have a date with Jerry Clark. You do? If I tell you, thank you very much, Mr. Vanny. You may tell your client. I hope you do. On the street, I saw Fanny getting into a taxi cab. A taxi cab parked directly behind a transfer truck. I shouldn't have known from the start. She'd find out who commissioned that portrait if it took her the rest of her life. Actually, it took about 30 minutes. The painting was delivered to the home of Job Skeffington. Two days later, Fanny and Job Skeffington went off to New Jersey and were married. Coming back to New York, they took the ferry boat across the North River. Job? Yes, Fanny. Where were you born? Right there, New York. New Jersey? Where's that? Slum. Skeffington. That's a strange name for slum. It's not my real name, you know. The immigration official wasn't a good speller. Skeffington was the closest he could get from to with Kevin Skazaya. Joe, you realize I know next to nothing about you. Are you poor? There's no idea how poor. Well, then, how did you become so successful? It's routine. Brags to riches. Of course, there was a messenger on Wall Street and went to school at night. You can fill in the rate. There's one distance. You didn't marry the boss's daughter. No, but I married the woman everybody else wanted. That makes up for it. Joe, what's going on over there? The music and all those people? Find out. Attendance? Yes, sir. What's going on over there? Oh, that's the leaf and gas. They're playing for those kids. Those kids just got married. They find somebody that just got married. That's what they look for. Good tip. But how can they tell? I don't know what they do. They ain't messed up on newlyweds for 10 years. Can you beat that? Joe, could you tell they were just married? I think I could. The way that girl's looking at that fella, you couldn't miss. I feel it to me. The way I'm looking at you. No. You look it's cordial, it's cordial. So far, I've merely taken you away from all the others. Do you think that night when I broke into your dinner party was the first time I've seen you? Yes, Joe. I see you many times. Dining at Sherry, dancing at the wardrobes. And so many young men. But you were never more beautiful than at night I came to see about sleeping. You're never so unattainable. That's why I commissioned Vanny to paint your portrait. At least I'd have that. Well, now you have both, the portrait and me. I own the boat. It isn't quite the same thing. Joe, look, the musicians are coming this way. Oh, they went rock on costume. That's the point I was trying to make before. Vanny, why did you marry me? Because you're good and kind. And your eyes are special in a fake burnout sort of way. And although I've never seen you really smile, I always have the feeling you're laughing at me. And I find that very attractive besides you're very rich. Joe, would you like to kiss me? That was a long time ago, their marriage, 1914. And I wonder when I saw him a few hours ago alone in the empty parks. I wonder if Joe, too, was thinking of what I'm thinking now. About after his marriage to Vanny, he had taken her across that park to her home. She wanted to see Crippy, her brother. Yes, she saw me. Congratulations, Vanny. And Joe, well, congratulations. Thank you, George. I, for one, am delighted. Why do you say I, for one? Because all your bows are here. Thatcher, Morrison, Connerly, even that idiot Chester. They're quite crushed. They're in the kitchen eating turkey sandwiches. Vanny, I don't mind feeding your tutors, but you're going to have to console. Well, Joe, should we get it over with? Well, I don't know if I'm quite up to it. They are full of turkey, and I am not. But come on, I'm gay. Well, gentlemen, good evening. I rather expect you to all be here to welcome me. I don't believe you've ever met Mrs. Steffing and have you. Joe, Mr. Connerly, Mrs. Steffing. Mr. Morrison and Mr. Hale. You didn't get married. Mr. Steffan, you look cranberry on your skin. Could I get you all some to hear? I'm afraid the best I can offer is canned pieces. George, you were just saying... Well, Mr. and Mrs. Steffing. Mrs. Steffing, darling, then you heard. Everybody says, from the paces. Where are Mrs. Steffing? Not quite. You're listed under business, then. Mrs. Steffing, if you'd better go upstairs. Same on you boys, letting yourself be outstretched. That's about enough for a big family. Would you mind going inside? Oh, so I'm going to be talloned. He's going to heave his textbook in my face. Sippy, you don't know what they're saying. You're drunk. I'm the one who swindles your Steffington. Why did that to put her in jail? You little swine, get out of here. You make me sick to my stomach. You, I didn't even know you were staying in. But you're so wrong. You're the best character and he's very nice. Oh, don't try to tell me you're in love with him. I'm not drunk enough to bear that. I'll tell you this, ma'am. You're safe now. You don't have to worry about anything anymore. That's why you marry him. Because I owe him $20,000. Sippy, I'm very fond of you. But I love you. Not Sippy, darling. Go down to me and apologize. Apologize. I'll fit in his eyes. Sippy, when you get to know Joe... I'm taking very good care that I don't get to know him better. I'm going to Europe. Europe? There's no war. That's that's why I'm going. I don't know who's going to get me. They're friends. They're British. I'll toss a coin. Sippy, you're out of your mind. I hate him. I hate myself. Sippy, if you love me at all, you won't leave me. I love you very much. But I didn't buy it. That was the last we saw of Sippy. I was with Job and Fanny on their first wedding anniversary. Before dinner, Job and I were alone in the study. We treat the dinner job? No, at Morrison, probably. Morrison? He bars in. He's not there for them now. Doesn't he know what your anniversary is? He said he chose this night especially to ask her for my wife's hand in marriage. Your marrying Fanny hasn't discouraged any of them, has it? On the contrary. There seems to feel they have to rescue her. The trouble with Fanny is she's too kind to them. So gentle and considerate. How has she been with you, Job? Kind, gentle and considerate. I'm a very patient man, too. All right, Fanny. I'll leave. But remember, I haven't given up yet. Well... Well, apparently, Morrison is not staying. He'll be back again in about two weeks. Hello, George. Hello, Fanny. Good evening, Job, dear. Your flowers are beautiful. You like my gown, Job. You look beautiful, Fanny. Beautiful. Fanny, I... I talk to my wife. She said, well... Yeah, you open it. At times, Fanny. So sketching it, oh, it's lovely. You know, George, I keep forgetting to soak in a fork to give me things like this. How very sweet of you, Job. You know, I'm simply famished. It's dinner ready. Already. One thing about these proposals from Fanny's suitors, George. Yes? They certainly give her a whale of an appetite. We went to the theater after dinner. Fanny was her usual sparkling self until we returned. And then suddenly she was ill. Before we knew it, she'd fall under the floor. I don't worry, Mrs. Scattington. She's perfectly all right. Then why did you think, Doctor? I usually make a ceremony out of these things, but, well... you're going to be a father. Why? Why, thanks. That's perfectly all right. May I, uh... may I go in and see her? I've given her a sedative, but, uh... you'll have about five minutes for the usual nonsense. Good night. Good night, Doctor. No. Would you like to be alone? I'm very happy about it, Fanny. At the moment, I'm more surprised than ever. Don't you like children? They always seem to be so wise. Well, I... I think any child of ours is a far chance of being stupid. You're laughing me again, too. Oh, I suppose I'm just as fond of children as anybody else is. Well, it's just that babies grow up and everybody expects you to grow up with them. You're not afraid of growing old. Are you, Fanny? Yes, I am. Do I look puffy yet? No, you look beautiful. I don't know why. My face is all chipped in. I wanted to keep on crying, but I didn't. Soon I'll be all puffy and ugly. I don't want everybody to see me like that. I couldn't bear it. Fanny. So, George is going to California soon. I want to go with him and have my baby back. Well, I thought you love this house. Oh, of course I do, but it's too close to all my friends. I won't have them see me ugly. You'll never be ugly, Fanny. A woman is beautiful when she's loved, and only then. Nonsense. A woman is beautiful if she has eight hours sleep and goes to the beauty parlor every day. And phone structure has a lot to do with it, too. Fanny. Aren't you really happy about having a baby? Joe, I just can't stand it this much. I don't want to know. Fanny's baby was born in California. A month later, she was back in New York. A devoted gentleman flocking about her, fervently as ever. But Joe was too enchanted for this little daughter to bother about them. Week before the child's second birthday, word came that Pripyat had been killed in action. Fanny went completely to pieces in a frightening burst of hysteria. Fanny, please, get hold of yourself. I told him not to go to war. If you say something, please. I'll get some brandy. Oh, Joe, Joe, you haven't done something, dog eyes, have you? Joe loves you very much, you know that. Whatever Fanny did from then on, she could justify because Pripyat was dead. Very little changed over the years, least of all, Fanny's youth and radiance. She simply refused to grow any older. During the sleepies he grew, she became fashionably involved with a rum runner. And Joe, quite openly, started to be seen with girls from his office. What was in his mind, I'll never know. Only one thing is certain, that he was trying to give Fanny grounds for divorce. He was highly successful. Oh, hello, George, you over by yourself? Uh-huh, Joe's in the garden. With Fanny? Yes. Howard doesn't call. How is this water? Fanny, tell me. Does she know about the divorce, young Fanny? It's quite impossible to keep anything from her. Yeah, she's eleven years old now. You don't have to remind me. Fanny, can't you find it possible to forgive Joe? Far, that's because I'm in a role. I'm not that forgiving. Well, the second secretary must have forgiven him for the first, all the way down the line. Can't you be as forgiving as the secretary? Well, as a matter of fact, George, I'm very pleased for the Joe. If it wasn't that I was quite angry at first, then suddenly I realized that the five secretary, the five, gave you freedom. Now you're going to live with your conscience? Yes. I hope the two of you are very happy. George, this custody of the child always gives you the mother. Why, don't you want her? Oh, of course. Of course. Well, poor little thing, I can't help but feel so much sorrow through the snow. Well, how about Fanny? Well, how did she go? Very quiet, and Joe, but I'm not now, hence, so to speak, George. George, why don't you run out in the garden in the new Spanish? Of course. I'm in a highly amusing mood. Well, Joe, were you comfortable with the car? I have a choice for you of 47th Street. Oh, I do want to thank you for your very generous presence. Oh, 12 years with the wrong husband to be rewarded. Well, of course it was ridiculous, obviously, to settle a fortune on me, but then it would have been ridiculous for me to refuse the trip. It would have been so reasonable about it. Still laughing at me, without moving a muscle. No laughing at me. Ah, I can't bear to look at you, Joe. Your eyes are such a burden. And I refuse my eyes. I have no right to feel hurt. I'm sorry, Joe, but I'm really sorry. I can't look at you. You can't really love anyone. Well... Let's not mention this, Joe. It's just one of the facts of your life. You know, Joe, I'm certainly fond of you, and I might never have taken this step before if I had to discover it. It's just a matter of time, Joe. Five hours. It's just a matter of time, Joe. You were very nice and understanding when I came home to the office, when I came to the office after a hard day at home. Joe, Rick, don't say something. Thank you, honey. I never beg for my life. Oh, I'm sorry, but I have a headache. This isn't what I want to do. Just with a little talk. I'm sorry, but I have a headache, too. And I think mine precedes yours by quite a few years. All right. What is it you want to discuss? Our daughter. She's not going to be very happy staying with me. She loves you so much more. I'm no hypocrite. I'm glad she does. Here's what you think. The court says a child should stay with its mother. Never mind what the court says. What do you say? Well, I think that a child's super is just a... Are you sure that she wants the, uh, a hindrance to you? After all, you're young and beautiful. Don't get me started with this, Joe. You look perfectly well. If Danny is Miss Rubble, I should be Miss Rubble, too. Well, what do you want me to do? Just if you could... could talk to her, Joe, and see how she feels. All right. I'll be glad to. Oh, thank you, Joe. That's very sweet of you. May I take her out to dinner? That would be lovely. Maybe she could wear her blue organs. It reminds me of you. Charming. She wouldn't be able to hardly anything. I'm not very hungry. You haven't even moved, have you? Oh, I had a big lunch. It's a very nice book, isn't it? Very nice. It's lovely. It is. Danny, aren't you coming home to live anymore? I'm afraid not, Danny. Besides, I'm... I'm going to Europe in a few weeks. I'll be gone a long time. Good day, Danny. Don't wait. It's coming back. Oh, I'm sorry, Dad. Everything's all right first. Yes, thank you. But, well, we are not hungry. Would the young lady have some dessert? No, she would. We have some very delicious cream gratin. Danny, I'm cream gratin. Vanilla, peppermint, celery? No, please. You can bring the young lady a small glass of milk. Yes, sir. Danny, please. Do be very happy with your mother. Your mother loves you. You love me too, don't you? Yes. Why wouldn't I be happy with you too? Well, I don't know if I can explain this to you, Danny. You see, your mother and I are of different faith. You believe in God, don't you? Certainly, I do. Oh, so does Mommy. They told me so. Well, Fanny, you see, I'm Jewish. Your mother isn't. Now, if you stay with her, you will never know what it is to be a... Well, I mean it. If you come to Europe with me, it's different there, and people may look upon you as very difficult to explain to a child. If you don't want me, Daddy, I suppose I can always justify myself. Thank you. Oh, Danny, Fanny, please take me with you. Even if you hurt, I won't get in trouble. I promise. You do? Well, let me see. You know, darling, there are wonderful schools in Switzerland. And you speak to Mother? Oh, ladies, you say that. Oh, she will, darling. She will. Oh, Danny. All right, here comes your milk. I have some ice cream left for her. Yes, and, uh, waiter, you can bring me a plate, too. He went to Europe, to Germany, and his daughter went with him. And there jokes stayed. But as little Fanny grew up, she'd come to New York every summer. It was too bad she picked that time of year. Her mother never seemed to be any kinder. My darling daughter, where does Fanny go? I thought, surely I could see you this summer. I plan to be in New York in August. But that's it for you, Mr. Bondi. Go down off to Fanny's house, and we still haven't seen each other. But Mother misses you very, very much. I am glad you like your birthday gift. I don't remember the year. And so it went for ten years. But this year, young Fanny failed to arrive in the summer. She came instead on an embarrassing off-slaver afternoon. Her mother was home having a cocktail with a young man. The older Fanny grew, the younger, seeing what her admired. Fanny, remember that year at the country club when I interviewed myself? Yes, Johnny. Well, I'm finally going to say what I wanted to say to you, Fanny. I'm in love with you, Fanny. You're really very sweet, Johnny. Oh, that's how long it's gone. Johnny, if we're going sailing, we'd better get started. Do we have to go sailing? Oh, but I'm not sailing. What is it for you? Excuse me, Fanny, I'm a young lady. A young lady? Hello, Manny. Good. What's your name? Fanny. Fanny Stockley. My darling, this is such a surprise. Yes, ma'am. I suppose it is, ma'am. You know you're the... The last person I expected to see is your father with you? Oh, no, he's still in Berlin. He says the Nazis don't frighten him, but he thought I'd better come back here to you. And here you are. Here I am. Oh, Johnny. Oh, forgive me. Fanny, this is Johnny. Fanny and I have... Fanny and I have seen each other for years, haven't we, darling? You know you're very tall. You're very... Oh, but not that I'm nearly... You're going to be a sunny woman. Don't you think, Johnny? Oh, yes. Yes, it's going to be. Fanny, Johnny and I are going to be sailing. When I get back, we can talk for days and days. Fanny, do you think we are? Do we get pretty silly? Silly? You talk as if you were 30, 50 years old or something. There's no way we're going sailing. Well, I'll see you later, then. Oh, yes. Hey, wait. I can't call you both, Fanny. I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll call you young Fanny and you... I'll think of something. Where's your now? Brown? Yes. That night, Fanny was in the hospital with a raging fever. This period. Doctors warned that she might not live. At her age, they said. At her age. Who'd ever thought of Fanny as old? The beautiful, dazzling Mrs. Keppingham. Well, Fanny didn't die. And in 10 days after she passed the crisis. Yes. The doctor knows what you say when I'm in a meeting. Yes, there is morning, but only one of you please. I'll still need you to telephone my home. Under no circumstances do I want any of you. No one, please. No one. Hello, cousin George. Hello here. Well, did your mother get home? 10 minutes ago. We were just having PC. I would have to be out of town when all this happened. Well, did you two finally get acquainted? I'm afraid we hardly had the chance. The doctor wouldn't allow any visitors at the hospital in there. He went to much of the rest homes. He told me not to come. Darling, you don't know your mother very well. She wouldn't want anyone to see her, unless you were looking her appetite loose best. And they tell me this theory is no beauty. No, really, mother. George, what an unexpected sweater. How are you, darling? Very well, thank you. Even if I do look so dreadful. You could never look anything but a sword. You're lying, George. I know specifically well how I look. That's true, George. Wasn't it just like when you confessed to child? But it's the most dreadful you can think of. My hair came out already since it saved my life. Who's always? My hairdresser, of course. I don't know what I would have done without him. But here I am scattering on about myself. Penny, what have you been doing? Oh, nothing very much, mother. Have you seen Janice? Yes, I've seen him. He's fine. George, do you know who I think he is? I don't know. Don't? Don't. Yes, he just sits around all day staring at me with those social eyes of his. You mean you've been having a hallucination? That's what it is. One day in the hospital I shut my eyes and he suddenly appeared. Now I don't even have to shut my eyes. He appears just the same. Penny, I do wish you'd write to our father and ask him to stop it. Have you heard from him lately? No, not for weeks and weeks, and I'm terribly worried. Well, he hasn't had time to write. He's been too busy staring at me. I'd attest women who go to psychoanalysts, George. But what else can I do? I'm seeing one next week, Dr. Kyler. Wonderful. Well, now I think I'll go to my room and rest. George, would you help a secret old lady up to bed? Oh, Penny, what nonsense. Keep talking, Mrs. Covington. I told you about the hallucinations, Dr. Kyler. What else did you talk about? How old are you? Forty-five. Sixty. Well, I didn't sleep very well last night. Sleep is most important to a woman of your age. If you don't want to be an eyesore. Eyesore? Are you suggesting I am an eyesore? No, nor are you a Lillian rossore. Dr. Kyler. Step down. My dear lady, you're seeing your husband comes out of a subconscious desire to see him. A need for him. That's a secret. Nevertheless, that's where your husband comes in when your romantic days are over. My romantic days are over. Oh, my poor. Oh, my poor Dr. Kyler. Listen to me. The only person who will stick to such a woman as you is your husband. Admire her, sweetheart, whatever you choose to call him. Never mean what they say. And always end up by turning sour on the stomach. Your reasons. But my advice is down. If you don't believe me, find out for yourself. See them. These gentlemen of your past. Ask a whole lot of them in for dinner. You can size them up and they can size you up. Well, I'll make you obey me. If I wanted to, not that I do. But if I wanted to, all I would have to do is smile at one of them. All right, why don't you try it? Oh, you want me to prove it to you. No, to yourself. I'm sorry to have to be so blunt, Mrs. Skeffington. But you're one of the vast army of silly women. Capital S, capital W. You're overdressed, overmade, up, and you're most certainly over-perfumed. You are the rudest man I ever met. Did you come here to consult a gentleman or a doctor? I strongly suspect you are neither. And I'm not at all obsessed with your manner. You will be when you get my bail. Go back to your husband. And you know where you can go. Fanny must have known what the party would be like. But along with her false hair, she wore a false gaily just as difficult to detect. They crooked in the south-hearted gentlemen of her past who now were merely stout. They brought their wives along. It was all very dismal and somewhat heart-breaking. Fortunately, they left early. All but Edward Morris. He jumped Fanny out on the terrace. Oh, my God. The same Edward romantic as ever. And just look at her. You're bald and I'm delusivated. Well, that's ridiculous. We're both in the prime of life. We still want to marry you, Fanny. Edward, you can't be serious. Fanny, I love you. I love you, Fanny. You're sweet. Oh, Fanny, we'll have a glorious life together, will we? Yes, I will. I'm afraid I've disturbed your hair, dear, these curls. What's the mystery? They're always falling off. Yes, they're, uh, very pretty. May I spin them on for you? No, of course not. Thank you. I think I'd better do it myself. They're very sensitive here. Oh, well, thank heaven you don't have to worry about things like that. Oh, but I do. I only can see faculty first. They're broke? Well, practically. You, uh, you can't mean that, Fanny. If only I'd had a man with faculty who could have returned a few years earlier. Yes, yes, I could have. With very little? Yes, but don't bother seeing me to the door, Fanny. I'll think over your proposal. Oh, well, don't be too hasty. Marriage is a very serious step, isn't it? Yes, it is. I'm so glad you're seeing me. Goodbye, Fanny. Oh, uh, you don't happen to know of anyone interested in buying a coffee plantation, do you? No, but if I hear of anyone, I would be very happy to let you know. Thank you, Fanny. It's no good, but all I've got left. Mother, may I speak to you? Of course, Fanny. Mother, I'll just let Fanny. Sonia is with you. We're going to be married. Don't I have no idea, Fanny? You haven't known anything very long. I've known him for several months. As long as I've known you, don't you think you should have talked it over with your mother? Have I, Mother? That's not very kind, Fanny. I've always loved you very much. Sort of a long-distance mother. I never wanted you to leave me. It was just that you loved your father so much more. Oh, I know you had a difficult choice. You couldn't be both a beauty and a mother. Oh, Mother, I used to worry about my looks, too, when I was 13 and all arms and legs. But father would always comfort me. A woman is beautiful only when she's loved, he says. Yes. He said that to me at once, too. Fanny, do you suppose it's too late for me to let Mother know? I'd love to try. Oh, it wouldn't work out, Mother. We're leaving for Seattle tonight. Johnny's opening a branch off the stairs. Well, I suppose you're listening, Doc. Of course, Fanny. Thank you. Goodbye, Mother. Goodbye, Doc. Fanny. Fanny. Fanny. Fanny. Of course, Fanny. You're the only one I have left. I'll never leave you. Never. I'm alone. I'm all... A few moments ago, Mandy telephoned me. She wanted to know if I'd come over and see Fanny tomorrow. She thought I might cheer her up. And just now, the phone rang again. It was Joe Skeppington. She said he wanted to take it by. He's going to leave New York. But I made him promise to see me first. Okay. What are you doing here at 7 o'clock in the morning? Oh, I thought I'd just stop by and see how you were. Well, it was nice being all your old friends as part of the other night, wasn't it? It was pure benefit, George. What makes you so nervous? Fanny. Fanny, I'm worried. I've just seen Joe. Joe, but you couldn't have Joe to see Fanny. No, no, he's right here in New York. If he's here, why didn't he let his own daughter know? When you see him, you'll understand. In the concentration camp, you'll hardly recognize him. They took everything he had, Fanny. Joe hasn't got Fanny. Joe, poor. What do you think I ought to do? There's a question of what you ought to do. Of course, you have no obligation. I think you should remember that this house, everything in it, every stitch you own is yours because of his generosity. And it's unfair that I'm so well off and he's so poor. Yes, exactly. Very well. I'll send for the lawyer to see what we can sue for. No, no, no, Fanny. No lawyer. You mean I mustn't show myself? Yes. He's downstairs. Downstairs? In this house now? Go down and see him, Fanny. Never. Look at me, Georgie. Just look at what's left of you. But you always seem the same, that Joe, he still loves you. No, Georgie, he loves only what I look like. That isn't true, and you know it. Georgie, do you think I am mentally deficient? I've beaten the others. They all love me too. You party the other night. One party, and they all require me. And I'm not going to add dope to them. You didn't know what a really vain creature you've been fond of all these years. You've never loved anyone but yourself, have you, Fanny? Sent your life in front of a mirror completely unaware of the people around. I'll look here to chance for you to do something for someone else. A lot worse things in this world than losing one's beauty. Oh, go down. Fanny, you won't regret it. Go down and face it. Fanny, well, I... I'll go down. So, you don't know me, do you, Joe? Yes, I do. Useful as ever. Still fasting at me, Joe? Oh, no, Fanny, so, you see... Ah, yes! Don't! I thought I remembered where. Fine, I've been thinking only of myself. Show your face now, Joe. You're home with me, your face now. Perfect. Here. Here's my arm. Come along. Maddie's in a tough hole. Oh, welcome home, Mr. Steppen. Thank you, Maddie. Joe's his dog. Fanny, I've never seen you look more beautiful. A woman is beautiful only when she's lost. Isn't that right, Joe? Maddie, would you call Dainie Taksim? Simply see her for lunch today? I can assure you it's been a real pleasure to work with two such stars as Betty Davis and Paul Henry. And the result has been a play we'll long remember. Good to be back with you again, Bill. Again? Have you two worked together before? I was dialogue director on the first picture in which Betty changed from innocent angineux rose to... Go ahead and say it. Well, Betty, you know you have brought more misery to humanity than any other star in Hollywood. But only on the screen. Thank you. Well, as long as we're patting people on the back, Bill, save a pat for Paul. I was just coming to that. Good night, good night. Good night, and come back again soon, both of you.