 It's curtain time and here's our first act, starring Irene Donizana and Rex Harrison as the King of Siam. One night in the year 1862, a British vessel passed at the harbor of Bangkok in the strange half-barbaric country called Siam. Three passengers were brought ashore. This is Anna Owens, her young son Louis, and her East Indian servant, Beebe. There's no one to meet you, Mrs. Owens. You're sure they knew you were coming? Now don't you worry, Captain Orton. I know you must get back to your ship. Mrs. Owens, why did you come to Siam? But I've told you, Captain. I've been engaged to English to the King's children. Yes, of course. But this country, it's so totally different, ma'am. There isn't even a British... Who's that? It's Kralahom, the Prime Minister. He's come here. But who's that wretched man, Groff? Undoubtedly his interpreter. Just a moment. Mrs. Owens, may I present his excellency, Kralahom, Prime Minister of Siam. Chau Khun, ma'am, Anna Owens. Excuse, I am interpreter. Lady teacher? Yes. Ah, have you friends here in city? I know no one here. Are you married? I was married. My husband is dead. My master inquires how long husband is dead. About a year. But I answered all these questions when I applied. My master says if he asks, it should be enough for ma'am to answer. Tell your master, it is not necessary to pry into my personal affairs. Master says ma'am need not talk at all. His slaves will take her now to palace. To palace? But I was promised a house of my own. Master says if ma'am not wish to go to palace, she can go wherever she pleases. Well, that's the rudest man I've ever met. Mrs. Owens, you don't understand. He came here to meet you in person, the prime minister, and you're a woman. Well, all I hope is that I'll have nothing more to do with him. You'd better realize you can't do anything here without him. Oh, well, what am I supposed to do now? Come back aboard the ship. I'll have to find some way tomorrow of getting you an audience. Ma'am and Siam women do not exist. They simply do not exist. Master, you interpreter. Ma'am, all morning long I've been delayed. I've been humiliated, endlessly questioned. Now, where is the prime minister going to see me? I do not know. Oh, Chakun. Memo on. Master, I'll see you now. Well, thank you. Crew, man, I brought it back home. Ma'am, his excellency asked why you wish to see him. Tell his excellency. Oh, tell his excellency. I did not understand the honor he paid me last evening. I'm sorry I behaved as I did. That is true. You are really sorry. What? Do you truly regret seeing a bad temper, ma'am? Or do you say so only to ask favor? Your excellency speaks English. Not necessary to know everything in first minute. This boy here, you son? Yes, your excellency. What is name, boy? Louis Owen, sir. Are you afraid of me? I don't think I'm afraid of you. That is good. Ma'am, you object to living in Palas, yes? Well, as I said last night, I was promised my own house. I must have a place of my own. What do you do in house that cannot be done here in Palas? Oh, you don't understand. I came here to teach because I must work to support my son. Why you not marry again? Oh, no, not ever. The only thing I want is to bring up my son. That won't be easy on a strange country. That's why a home of my own is very important to me. Besides, the king promised it. Sometimes his majesty do not remember everything he promised. Well, then you could remind him. Ma'am, if I tell king he break promise, I will make anger in him. Wiser to make anger about more important matter. Well, if you're afraid to tell him, I'm not. I think I can arrange meeting then. Well, thank you, friend. I do not know. Unfortunately, you and New Year arrive at same time. Well, all I ask is a few minutes. After New Year's festival with fireworks, that will take week, maybe. Then it's time for cremation of late cousins. But surely... Following cremation, his majesty receive sacred white elephant. And just what am I supposed to do in the meantime? Wait. Live in Palas and wait. This is ridiculous. I came here to teach. Ma'am, this country has been here thousand years before you came. And must continue. Now, I take you and young son to living establishment. In the palace. Highly favored portion of same. Immediately adjoining Harim. Harim? Oh, no. Oh, Lowy. Lowy. Oh, what a thing for me to do to you, Lowy. You will have to forgive me. Mother, what's the matter? Oh, I said we'd have a home of our own. And here I brought you straight into a Harim. Oh, that's a Harim, Mother. Well, it's... Oh, don't ask me now, darling. I just can't say. I just can't say. Boy, woman, object of much puzzlement. Much puzzlement. Mrs. Owens. Yes, baby, what is it? He is here. Is that that man? Or the prime minister? Yes, Mrs. Owens. Oh, how nice of him to call after all these weeks. How thoughtful that he... Ma'am, the day is here. You mean the new year is over. The festival has been observed. The late cousin has been cremated. At least men is ahead of sacred white elephant. Firstly, let us observe approach to royal presence. On entering throne room, men go to knees and proceed forward. On my knees? I couldn't. I'm very sorry, but I couldn't... King, very sensitive about such matters. But he cannot possibly expect me to crawl on the floor. No, I wouldn't do that for my own queen. What do you do in presence of queen? I make a curtsy. Like... like this. You do as you wish, ma'am. But remember, you not only one with temper. This king has temper, too. I can walk on my knees, mama. Look, it's easy, Louis Owens. You will bow exactly as I've shown you. Don't you dare crawling like a worm. Don't you dare. Maybe they don't like us here or something. Oh, this whole thing is perfectly childish. It's absurd. Let us go, ma'am. I am thinking meeting with king shall be most interesting occurrence. Mama, all these people, they're crawling on the floor. Yes, dear. That king? Men walking up and down by the floor? You won't find out. Remember, you're too vile. And that's... Oh, oh. Your Majesty, I present you teacher, Mrs. Anna Owens Anson Louis. Now, Louis. Now. So, Mrs. Anna Owens. How old shall you be? You do not look like scientific person for teaching of school. How old shall you be? I am 150 years old, Your Majesty. What? In what year were you born? In 1714, Your Majesty. And how many years shall you be married? Several, Your Majesty. How many grandchildren shall you have by now? How many? How many? How many? Well, I... You do not answer that so quick. I make better questions than you make answers, hmm? My die, ma'am, door of my die. You not be afraid tell king something is not his business? Well, he would not be a compliment to his Majesty if I were afraid of him. Ah, absence of fear, good thing in scientific mind. I think maybe you make very good school teaching. You come now with me, now, now, now. Give me your hand, Louis. Yes, ma'am. And I take your hand, ma'am. Save time. Time very precious to king. Come, come, come, come. And may I ask Your Majesty, where are you taking us now? I have show you wives of king, yes? Now I show you children. Wives have small understanding English language. Missionaries come one day, then depart. I have not time for continuance of teaching, being busy with foreign affairs and other situations. So I have fine idea. You teach wives and children. I am beat that in modern country. Everybody speaking English. Oh, I should be happy to teach them, Your Majesty. Ah, here, we pause on balcony. Below in courtyard past children. There, you see, king's children. Yes, ma'am, they're all his children. Hush, they're hush. You see, fine profession. How many are there, Your Majesty? They are not all here, of course. Only those of proper age for school. I have sixty-seven children. Not many. I began marriage little late. I held it. One who leads procession. Prince Chulalongkorn. Oh, he's a fine-looking boy. Fine boy, yes. There are wonderful-looking family, Your Majesty. You make me wish I had sixty-seven. Ah, it's impossible. That is very funny. You shall begin school next Thursday. That is best day for such undertaking according to astrologers. One hundred and fifty years. How many grandchildren? You may go, you may go. Sent for me, Your Majesty? Yes, you are English woman. Here is English newspaper from Singapore. You will see it says June 12th, 1862. Such date being of last week and therefore birthday for me. Why does English newspaper gravely insults king of Siam? Why? Salt? I don't understand. Birthday should be happy occasion and what is occurring. It is writing about me here that I am spare man. King cannot be spare man. How can I be spare from work which is necessary? Who can fill my place? I asked you this. Who can fill my place? Your Majesty, the word spare has two meanings. One of them is extra. The other means thin. The newspaper calls you a spare man, Your Majesty, only to inform the people that you are thin. Thin? Thin? Why should you contradict me? Contradict you? I'm only trying to help you. Is it help to say king is wrong? How can king be wrong and woman be right? I asked you that. How? Well, I'm afraid it has sometimes happened. It is clear you are not scientific. You may go. May I first inquire about my house? I'd like to get settled in it. How? How? Perhaps you promised me. Conditions different suddenly. It is our pleasure that you shall reside here. But if Your Majesty remembers, you promised me a house. I will do remembering what I promised. It is our pleasure that you shall reside within this palace. And you shall obey. I am prepared to obey all your commands as far as they concern my duties as a teacher. You shall live in palace. You shall live in home. Good day, Your Majesty. Come back. I command you. That's exactly what I mean, Louis. Bibi, Bibi, drop whatever you're doing and start packing. Just where we're going, I don't know, but we're most certainly leaving this palace. How can a king be wrong and a woman be right? Indeed. Well, not even a king's going to talk to me like that. Come in. Well, you remember me, ma'am, in Tapata? What do you want? I have been ordered to personally conduct ma'am to a new house. House? Yes. His Majesty graciously said he desired fully to observe terms of promise. Well... Is that you, Mother? Yes, dear. What's the house like, Mother? Is it near the river? Oh, my boy, my poor, poor Louis. That house is not only near the river, it's in the river. A shack, a shack on stilts. Oh, Louis, it was horrible. And the king, he did it to me deliberately, deliberately. We are packed, ma'am. The trunks are ready for moving. Then unpack them. That man's going to give me a decent house if I have to stay here the rest of my life. I'll not just go away and let him sit there laughing at me. I'll not. In a moment, we'll return with act two of Anna and the King of Siam, starting Irene Dunn and Rex Hatterson. When United States military personnel arrive at an overseas station, one of the first problems they encounter in human relations is the language barrier. The people there make a strong effort to learn our language. They know it will benefit their economy. But you don't have to learn their language. In fact, you might complete your tour of duty satisfactorily without any appreciable knowledge of it. But you'll miss a lot. And you don't have to miss anything. For as a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, you have the opportunity to enroll in a USAFI-spoken language course. The language series includes courses in 24 foreign tongues. They are practical, conversational studies with primary emphasis on spoken usage. Inquire about a language course from your education officer. Join a group class. And when you've mastered the vocabulary, watch the faces light up as you greet people in their native tongue. It's one more version of Power Through Knowledge with USAFI. Here's Mr. Keely at the microphone. Act two of Anna and the King of Siam, starring Irene Dunn and Rex Harrison. At long last, Anna Cowan has taken a prejudice as teacher of the King's wives and children. But she's still without a house of her own. Patient but determined, Anna knows there are ways of reminding even so great a personage as his Royal Highness. As our first lesson today, we shall learn some Proverbs. Now the class will repeat after me. A man's house is only less dear to him than his honor. A man's house is only less dear to him than his honor. Good. We'll get back to the Proverbs later. His Royal Highness was kind enough to finish us with a piano. There's a beautiful song I should like you all to learn. Listen closely now, and I shall play it for you. Sweet Home. The words which I shall teach you remind us how dear to the heart is a home of one's own. Did we not send to Singapore for piano 40 because Memoans requested same for teaching of song? Yes, sir. Then where are songs? Only one song I hear for whole hour now. One song. What is title of composition? I believe it called Home Sweet Home. That woman and that infuriating song, stop it. Lesson from her, my friend, and you will never give up on anything. Give Memoans house. But give her house now before she drives me out of my mind. Very lovely, Your Excellency, thank you. You are satisfied? Completely. And now you can tell the King he can have it back. Mem. Not only shall I remain in a country like this and never where promises mean nothing. I've waited this long only to make a stubborn man for Philly's obligation. Mem, I warn you. What on me of what? You enjoy triumph about house. You shall enjoy greater triumph now as proud man humbles himself before woman. I ask, sir, that you shall stay inside. I am leaving, Your Excellency. Where do you go? Have you other place to put your life, sir? Will you please stop calling me, sir? I call you, sir, so you will not be lowly like woman. But you have a life-thingly talk like woman. Mem, there is need here for you. You know what is truth, and you have courage to speak it. The King has no one near him like you. He doesn't need help. Oh, Mem, why you not see? Why? The greedy men of Europe are at our door. They say Siam is barbaric land. So must be ruled by them. So King must learn all modern things now. He tries work too big for any man with no one to help him. And to whom can he turn? Whom can he trust? He is very lonely men and very strange men. And for him would I die. Well, how can one teach when she herself has failed to understand? As I have failed to understand. Mem, I cannot promise ever be easy for you here. But it will be place to put you alive. You will remain. A place to put my life. I will remain. Your Majesty, I was asleep, but I got dressed at once. And what's happened? What's wrong? Mem, I lie here on floor all night reading Bible. I think your Moses shall have been a fool. Moses? Moses. Here in Bible he says, the six days are too many centuries to create world. I think Moses shall have been a fool to have written so. What is opinion? You sent for me at this hour of night. Just ask me that. Yes. It couldn't have waited till morning. Mem, you kindly consent to remain Siam to help with study, et cetera, et cetera. Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. Do you wish help or do not? Oh, well, I'm sorry, Your Majesty. Then state opinion. Mem, look about room, thousands books. Beneath this mountain is buried scientific knowledge. I ask you to consider this is very much reading for one lifetime. And how shall I do this understanding when different English books say different things? Your Majesty, the Bible was not written by men of science. It was written by men of faith. It was their explanation of the miracle of creation which is just as great a miracle whether it took six days or many centuries. Hmm. Well, I still think your Moses shall have been a fool. You may go. See, I dare Moses. Three o'clock in the morning somebody ought to tell him what's wrong with you. That's all the studying for today, ladies. The class is dismissed. Lady Tupton. Yes? Lady Tupton. Last night I returned very late to my quarters on the way I saw a girl in chains. The guards told me she's your slave woman. They were taking her to prison. She tried to run away. Only to go to her husband? He wants to buy her freedom. Isn't there a law that says a slave must be freed if the money is offered? What right has she to be happy with someone she loves while I am shut up here? You can have your law. I have the king. Go and find this out for yourself. Thank you. I most certainly shall. Mim. Oh, and sir. Yes, Lady Tiang? Mim. Do not make quarrel with Lady Tupton. She is no favorite of the king. But I thought you... Oh. No. No more. All right. Now I'm sorry. All right. Sir. Not for me. Be sorry. I am Mother Royal Prince. Prince Chulalonghor? Yes, sir. Yes. You like little boy? Yes, of course. It is hard for royal prince to learn from woman. But please, you help him gather all wisdom. Yes, of course. I'll help him, Lady Tiang. And I'm sure he'll do beautifully. Thank you for talking to me. I repeat, Mim. Why must you stir up tempest over Lady Tupton's slave? I have much unpleasantness already because of this. Because I think it's very wrong when the king of Siam upholds a wife who disobeys the law. I am king here as people can discover it, not discreet. You want Siam to take its place among the nations of the world. How can other countries trust a government in which one man sets himself above the law? Why must you make entire household in opera over one slave? But this is important. Mim, consider gracious Majesty Victoria, queen of United Kingdom and powerful sovereign of British colonies and our most affectionate sister. Is she not above the law? No, she is not. And in the United States, their president, Mr. Lincoln, is fighting a war for the exact same principles. Ah, this sounds like progress in America, pretty bloody. Who shall this Mr. Lincoln be? What is president? He was elected by the people to be their leader. And I believe he studied very hard. He educated himself. Ah, very difficult thing as I know of sad experience. In this respect, Mr. Lincoln and I much alike. He said something about progress once. He said through progress must bear some relation to man's character. It must have its roots in his heart. Shall he be winning this war? No one knows yet, Your Majesty. Has he not got sufficient war elephant? There are no elephants in America. No elephant? Oh, no wonder he does not win war. We will write letter to him, take pen, ma'am. But I came to talk about the slave woman. Take letter to Mr. Lincoln. Yes, Your Majesty. Sondert pra paramen ma'amankut by the blessing of the highest super agency of the whole universe, King of Siam. And tributary countries adjacent and around in every direction, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. To his most respected, excellent presidency. President of the United States of America. Curred to us in effort to be of slight service in present warfare to send small gift of several pairs of young elephants. Which, upon being turned loose in forests of America, will include... Come in, ma'am. Come in. Ma'am, you remember writing letter to Sir President Lincoln? Oh, yes, Your Majesty. Mr. Lincoln now replied. Oh, here you will read. I appreciate most highly Your Majesty's offer to forward elephants which might be raised on our own soil. Unfortunately, the present jurisdiction of this government... Jurisdiction? It means authority, Your Majesty. Jurisdiction? The present jurisdiction of this government no longer retires those latitudes sovereignly enough to favor the multiplication of the elephant. But I am warmly grateful for Your Majesty's friendship and commend both Your Majesty and the generous people of Siam to the blessings of Almighty God. Your good friend, Abraham Lincoln. Yes, ma'am. I think I like this, Mr. Lincoln. True progress shall lie in man's heart. Jurisdiction. But no elephant. We have summoned you, ma'am, for assistance in a fair of state. I shall tell her myself. Ma'am, can it be proper for English Dignitry to see some of our women? Women? But why not? Siamese women very unlike English women. Dignitry will return and advise Queen Victoria. I am barbarian. What signatory? Sir Edward Ranze is visiting here shortly. Therefore, ma'am, you shall choose most beautiful women of Heron and dress and educate same in European custom for presentation five o'clock post meridian this Saturday. For that four days, that's impossible. Ma'am, shall it be possible you are becoming lazy? Well, I'm not lazy at all, but I simply can't. Ma'am, situation for Siam. Very critical and murky. Our agents obtained letters written to British government from persons wishing to acquire interests in Siam. Letters describing me as barbarian and not suitable as ruler of Siam. Therefore, they suggest establishing protectorate maybe. What a outrageous. I have met situation by requesting official visit of Dignitry. So now you see necessity of scientific dressing of ladies of court. Well, I'll try your majesty, of course, but... But, but, but, can I never ask simplicity and have done with it? Well, I merely think that if Sir Edward is coming, why not have others, the Dutch and the French? All at the same time? Yes, yes. You shall write invitations now. We hold elaborate feast. You shall arranged in the table yourself for everything be accomplished in highest scientific custom. You may go. But I can't go. What about, what, what about a thousand things? How am I going to dress a hundred of your ladies in the latest style in four days' time? You shall have all slaves necessary. Well, what about, what about knives and forks? Knives, forks? Yes, to eat with your guests couldn't possibly use chopsticks. You have knives, forks, in a personal establishment? Well, yes, naturally. Kralaho, get knives, forks, and memo it. And spoons, spoons, spoons. Toons, have them copied in gold. A craftsman shall work without sleeping until this is done. And if it is not done, each man shall be beaten fifty strokes. Ma'am, shall it be necessary for me to use knife and fork also? It would be desirable. Would, would you like me to show you how? That shall not be necessary. I have ability to proper use without lesson. You may go. Ma'am, it is exactly five o'clock lacking eleven minutes. Guests have arrived. Everyone, your majesty. Ma'am, wherefore are you decorated better than court ladies? Shall it be for my observation? Your majesty. You are fine. Very fine indeed. Herewith shall be list of subjects for you to bring up at dinner table for talk. Make observation. Siamese history, foreign trade. On such subjects I am very brilliant and will make fine imprint. Building of palace, Abraham Lincoln. Also Moses, very much Moses. You are pleased to join visiting Excellencies and remain close to Kralaho. We three together we have much responsibility this night. Everything to enjoy, do not yet. All to the King, Your Excellency. Look, he hasn't touched his food. Nice enforcement. He fears he will invest. You have not touched the food either? No. Ladies and gentlemen, if we can prevail upon his majesty to repeat it, he made a most interesting point the other day about Moses. I guess... Moses, a very remarkable man. If you remember, Moses wrote in the Bible that the world was created in time. A friend Mr. Lincoln recently replied, unfortunately present jurisdiction of Mr. Lincoln's nation did not favor multiplication of elephant and we considered idea not practical. Your majesty. Sir Edward Ramsey? I was not aware that your majesty was so familiar with the war in America. Ah, this is exactly impression I hope you will correct. Court of Siam, through much study thereof, is familiar with happening of entire globe of modern world. And now, honor guests, please to remain in chair. Come soon, dessert and cups of coffee. Take off my shoes, baby, oh please, I can't move. Dinner party was success, ma'am? Oh, yes, I think so. But I have to, I shall say it from exhaustion. In four days I slept exactly. Oh, no, no. King secretary, ma'am, I know he's knocked by now. What does he think I am any hour of the day or night? I won't, I simply won't, I won't. Well, ma'am, wherefore do you not sit down when I am in same position? Yes, your majesty. Ah, I have experienced very fatiguing day. So have I, and it's very late. Are you aware of why I am consuming food at this hour? I am so hungry, I was sick, very sick. However, I shall tell you that after conversation with Sir Edward, we are in accord with British government regarding consulates and other matters relating to security of this nation, and very happy thereof. I am very happy to your majesty, very. Shall you be hungry, ma'am? Terribly, I haven't touched a morsel since breakfast. Here, accept new gold spools. One bowl only to partake from, but plenty for two. Ha ha ha. Plenty for two. In a moment we'll return with the third act of Anna and the King of Siam, starring Irene Dunn and Rex Harrison. It's not likely, but it is possible that some of you listening were once Senate or House page boys in the United States Congress. We say not likely because it's for guys between 14 and 19 who are appointed to these jobs by their home state senators or congressmen. Every day Congress is in session, page boys have to be in page boy school by 6.30 a.m. and attend classes until 9.30. Then it's into the solid blue suit and on the job. All day it's catering to every need and desire of the men who make the laws. A page may hop the electric subway cars and run to the House or Senate office building. Pick up something in the committee rooms or deliver an arm load of books to the Library of Congress. That's after already making sure that the senators or representatives' desks are properly equipped. We're not urging you to try for a page boy job because you're too old now. Besides, a page gets only $3,400 a year. But it is part of the operation of your Congress and we thought you'd like to know. Maybe you could even write your kid brother about it. We return you now to William Keely. Act 3 of Anna and the King of Zion starring Irene Dung and Rex Harrison. As the month passed, Anna labors at her school with a zeal matched only but out of the king himself. But one morning she discovers she is a teacher without pupils. Her only Lady Tiang is on hand. Where is everybody? I think no school today named, sir. Why not Lady Tiang? You do not say I told you, sir. Lady Toptim has been found. Lady Toptim? You did not know she had run away from palace? I know, I understood. She'd been ill. She escaped in robes of priests, sir. Very grave offence to God and kings. What will happen to her? What has always happened in such cases, sir. Why did she run away? There is whispering she loves someone other than Keely. A lover? Who? I do not see any more, ma'am. Goodbye, sir. Why you say you must see me now? Why? Why? Because it's about Lady Toptim, your Majesty. Better you understand at once, ma'am. This matter is no concern to you. It concerns me dreadfully. Because of her and even more because of you. Before I came here, I went to the prison. You dare? They're being tortured. Lady Toptim and that man. They're trying to make her confess to something that isn't true. She wasn't found with this man. She only went to her home. I do not wish to talk more about it. But there must be some law. I am the law. Yes, you. This girl has hurt your vanity, not your heart. You don't have a heart. You're a barbarian and you will never, never change. All that you've worked for, it's nothing but a lie to cover your caprice and passion and self-indulgence. Ma'am? Surely the Lady Toptim and Lava must die for sin. It is our custom in such cases to employ fire and stake. How shall you like if I make you watch what I shall do? And so I have come before you, my pupils, for the last time. As you may have heard, I'm leaving Siam. I shall miss you all deeply. Memcha, we are wishing to say something to you. Yes. So difficult to speak what is in heart. We prepare written scroll, Memcha. May we read, Siam? Of course. Dear friend and teacher, my goodness gracious, do not go away. We are like one blind. Do not let us fall down in darkness. Continue good and sincere concern for us. And lead us in light road. Your loving pupil. Thank you. You can't imagine. You can't imagine. Excuse me, please. Excuse me. Come my house, sir. What you wish of me? To say goodbye, Lady Tiang. I've seen very little of you lately. Somehow I have a feeling you've been avoiding me. Mem, it is time to speak truth. You pen it same, sir. Of course. Has Mem ever observed paintings there on wall of room? Paintings of trees? Yes, they're very beautiful. They tell a story. Here, this straight young tree, like unto me when I became first wife to my lord, who is great tree here. Flowers all around. But here, other trees grow up between my lord and me. That is custom. King takes many wives. And here, my lord, great tree grows very high trying to touch stars. But branches now are bare, not green with leaves to make kind shadow from sun. Flowers gone. Small tree which is me is droops and whizzers. But here beside me is growing very small tree. This is my son who shall be king one day. Observe, I try to shelter him. But cannot. I am very small because I am woman. But this, this last painting, it isn't finished. No, I have no wish to paint it. Mem, you should have helped him, my little son. Well, I thought I had, Lady Jones. Lessons in books. Yes. But he wished for such love as your son has. This you could have given him that I could not. He is one you fail. And I shall remember you for this failure. Every time I look at my son as long as I shall live. I, Lady Pyong, I... Mrs. Owens, Mrs. Owens, ma'am. Yes, baby, what is it? Oh, Mrs. Owens, ma'am. Louis, it is Louis. Well, what are you trying to tell me? He and the prince. They were, they were writing their poems. There was an accident. No, ma'am. He's got low hair, baby. No. Ma'am Owens. Coming. British doctors arrived from Singapore. There was him now. He's dying. My boy is dying. Three days now. He's still not speak. He's still lose conscience. I'm sorry for that. At least he's not suffering. Oh, why did I bring him to this terrible country? Ma'am. It's my fault. It's all my fault. I've killed my boy. Ma'am, I have something to read to you. It is from King who, who write this. Calamity's accident befalling affectionate boy Louis causes great sorrow to his majesty and royal family since boy is beloved by all as if member of said family. As sign of regret, that event of such sorrowful nature must be arriving to those deserving of better happiness. The 10th of September is appointed day of prayer with ceremony of fireworks. Justice for member of royal family as mark of sad respect of said nation. Mahamangut king of Zaya it took him long time to write it, men. He wrote it many time. It's very kind of him. Men. He tries to say in letter that he is sorry not only about son, but about execution of Lady Tufti that he was wrong. This is first time we ever say he's sorry to any person. Please thank him for me. I, I thank you, men. Come in. Memcha. To the long run. Memcha, I came, I wanted to ask, do you remember this? Yes. Yes, this pocket knife. The day we write ponies Louis give this to me. I did not give him anything. And there is something I would give to him now, I think. It is white, not all white, but whiter than most and it is mine. So if you would not mind accepting it. Well, what is this? My elephant. It is almost white. Oh, you like Larry, don't you? Like brother Memcha. And if Louis perish, it would please him if you had something that could take care of you. He is very strong elephant, ma'am. But if you gave him to me, who's going to look after you? Look at you. You're growing so fast. Your wrists are sticking out of your jacket. Somebody really ought to look after you. Ma'am, ma'am, he must not die. He must not die. Mrs. Irons. Yes, Doctor. He's asking for you. He's talking, Mrs. Irons. No. He won't. September 12, 1863. I thank Almighty and merciful God for He has spared me, my son. He has spared me, my son. Ma'am, this morning I observed British doctors departing for Singapore. Son, now fully improved. Completely, Your Majesty. How can I thank you? Such things I do, not important. Ma'am, you still determined to take self and boy back to England? I don't know. I've hardly thought about it. My mind, it's been so... I, too, have minding capable of grasping burden of situation. I become every day more and more behind with work. Oh, much confusion, weariness, et cetera, et cetera. For instance, I am much worried whether I shall send delicate, suitable display, et cetera to a great exhibition of Paris. What is opinion? Well, it sounds like an admirable idea, Your Majesty. Ma'am, I think you shall not give opinion so quickly without thinking. Maybe Frenchmen in Paris have murky reason for suggesting such exhibit. Why do you not think of this? It would be vast help if you would examine correspondence for such murky proposition. This I am too overburdened to do myself, and there is no one else for scientific knowledge to be trusted. This shall be much important, Ma'am. What shall answer be? I can't, Your Majesty. I'd like to, but I can't. You still not forget unhappy infant, Lady Taptim. I not forget either. But what shall you be doing if you do not go away? I don't know. Perhaps my boy's recovery is a sign I should remain here. If it is, I'd like to keep on with my school, I think. I'd like to keep on with my school. That's ma'am only... Of course, it is the children. Don't you see I owe so much. And to whom can I make repayment if not to them? Yes, it's the children I want. The children? Very well. I think if you do other work such as letters, such arrangement could contemplate raise and salary. Very, very well, ma'am. Children come before king. This is 1870. Louis and I have been in Siam now for eight years. I fear it quite hopeless for me ever to try to confine my efforts to teaching school. The king is obsessed as never before with the progress of the country. He works like ten men. He's ill now, or I should not have the time for noting even this. I'm to see him tomorrow morning about plans for me. Yes, who is it? You must come, ma'am, at once. Quick, ma'am, the king! Late into the night, they thought he had fallen too sweet as he had so often lately, and they let him rest. A day? Who? The doctors, ma'am. I sent for them. He's here very soon. Ma'am. Yes, your majesty. Wherefore have you not arrived more quickly? I'm sorry. Sorry, sorry, sorry. You mustn't talk now, the doctors said. But I shall talk. There is not much time. I, I die, ma'am. No! Ma'am, I know if I die or do not die. I think of many things while I am lying here. I, I write these things down. I think maybe it would better Alec should read them. Hello. You shall be listening to, old friend. There shall be words for you too. Yes, I just do. The king has written, I think there shall not be much importance to the man shall die. For it is time that does all true things, not man. Then I think it shall be important to consider those who have been of most health. Oh, words, words. Destroy paper. Destroy. Do you, ma'am? I wish to say you have spoken truth to me always. Even when I do not wish to hear it, you have always courage to say when I am wrong, you have set feet of children on excellent path of learning, so that if some shall grow better than parents, it shall be your doing. And as reward, what shall I have done? I have often mislaid temper upon you. I have never spoken gratitude of feeling. I haven't even given promised ways in salary. I do not wish to die without having said that gratitude and large respect. That shall have become greater every day. But, ma'am, if I have not graciously said this gratitude before, I must remember you have been a very difficult woman and much more difficult than generality. Generality, good word. It means, it means never mind. True progress shall... Priest men, too late now for doctor. No one will ever know how hard. It's so difficult to let anyone help him. He wanted to, but he couldn't. Ma'am, Ramoni's crowing of new king about to commence. I'm coming. He was like a little boy sometimes. You remember about the knives and forks. And he was sick that night. He cared so much. They didn't know he cared like that. Nobody understood. Not really. It seems long time ago I tried to make you understand this man. I do not think I said it half so well. What will happen now? All his work, his hopes. Young king to the longhorn will have much need of you, too. It was meant that you shall stay and help, ma'am. Let this, our first message as king, be proclaimed to our people not as if we were doing a great and lordly thing, only what is proper and fitting. That from this hour the ancient custom of obeisance to the king on hands and knees is abolished. You will rise, my people. Let all men stand before the king and before one another as men should do. Many other changes that my father, the late king, yearned and struggled for. And for these same men shall I devote my own life, praying that we shall work and live together in respect and high health for the good of ourselves and for the good of our country. Mim Owen, Lady Chiang. The painting on my wall is finished, Mim. The little tree is now full-grown and richly green and flourishing greatly. To reserve the applause, invite the curtain call. And here are tonight's stars, Irene Dunn and Rex Harrison. Two reasons, I'm sure, why Anna and the King of Siam was such a favorite among moviegoers. Thank you, Bill. It was fun playing Anna again after Rex Harrison. And I'm glad, Rex, that Hollywood was able to coax you over here to play the role. Well, Bill, it was the kind of part I couldn't resist. I completely different than anything else I've done before. Good night. Good night and come back again soon. I'm William Keyless, saying good night to you from Hollywood.