Reckless Decision aka "Protect Your Daughter" (1933)
Passed | 53min | Drama | 1933 (USA)
A mother and father try to find a way to protect their young daughter against the influences of booze, wild parties and (gasp!) dancing during the Jazz Age.
Director: John W. Noble
Writer: John W. Noble (original story and screenplay)
Stars: Adeline Hayden Coffin, Doris Eaton, Margaret Halstan
Passed | 53min | Drama | 1933 (USA)
A mother and father try to find a way to protect their young daughter against the influences of booze, wild parties and (gasp!) dancing during the Jazz Age.
Director: John W. Noble
Writer: John W. Noble (original story and screenplay)
Stars: Adeline Hayden Coffin, Doris Eaton, Margaret Halstan
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00:00♪♪♪
00:00:30♪♪♪
00:01:00Helen, please come down at once. I want to talk to you.
00:01:08Oh, Mother, I'm not dressed. Let me get my clothes on, will you?
00:01:12I'm in a hurry. Bob will be here any minute.
00:01:15Well, that's what I want to talk to you about. Come right down.
00:01:18Oh, shoot. You're always cutting into spoiling things.
00:01:22What do you want, Mother? Look at me. I'm not half-dressed.
00:01:26Here I am. Do hurry.
00:01:29I want to know where you are going tonight and with whom you are going.
00:01:33You've been out three nights this week, and you haven't been home before three any morning.
00:01:38Oh, Mother, why are you always harping on things?
00:01:40What difference does it make where I go or with whom?
00:01:43I'm all right. I can take care of myself.
00:01:45Perhaps, but it's a mother's right to know what her daughter is doing
00:01:49and where she is when she goes out these times.
00:01:52You must remember the D'Urberos have a name to keep up.
00:01:55Understanding. I can't afford to have you mixed up in any unsavory affairs.
00:01:59You must think of your future.
00:02:01You're always talking about my future. It's mine, isn't it?
00:02:05What do you think I do, run about with gamblers and gunmen?
00:02:08You must have a fine opinion of me.
00:02:10I'm not speaking my opinion of you, Helen.
00:02:12I'm merely doing what any decent mother should do to protect the name of her child.
00:02:17Well, bells, I don't need any protection. I can take care of myself.
00:02:20The trouble is, you're always trying to give too much protection where it's not needed.
00:02:25Now, look, Bob will be here any minute, and I haven't even selected my gown yet.
00:02:29Is there anything more?
00:02:31Yes, there is. Quite a lot.
00:02:33Sit down. I want to talk to you seriously.
00:02:36Oh, prunes, Mother, you'll make me late.
00:02:43Uncross your limbs immediately.
00:02:45What a posture. I never heard of such a child.
00:02:48Suppose someone came in here and saw you.
00:02:50If they did, it'd be your fault. Bring me down my undies.
00:02:53You're incorrigible.
00:02:54Now, I want you to promise not to take a drink tonight.
00:02:57I detected the odor of gin on your gown this morning.
00:03:00And Bob Crowder is no gentleman if he takes you places where they drink.
00:03:04Don't be silly, Mother. Everyone drinks everywhere.
00:03:08Why, even you have cocktails and highballs at your teas and bridge fights, don't you?
00:03:12That's different. If you must have a drink, take it at home.
00:03:16Bob is no fit companion for a young girl if he has to urge her to drink.
00:03:20And heaven only knows what happens afterward.
00:03:25What do you think I do, take off my clothes and run about for the amusement of others?
00:03:29Helen, you're impossible, and I won't have you talk to me that way.
00:03:33I intimated no such thing.
00:03:35You're always so suspicious. You don't seem to know what life is today.
00:03:39A girl studied biology in school and a lot of other ologies.
00:03:42We know what the male of the species is and all his phobias and tendencies.
00:03:46But is there any reason why it should affect our morals?
00:03:49Silence. That's enough. I'll hear no more from you.
00:03:52I'm ashamed of you.
00:03:54The trouble is, Mother, you're living in the past,
00:03:57when a girl was supposed to lead a sheltered life like a dummy and not to know anything.
00:04:01I suppose every time I come home late at night from a party,
00:04:04you expect me to be in trouble.
00:04:08Helen Deveraux.
00:04:10You go to your room and stay there.
00:04:13I won't.
00:04:14Yes, you will. Do as I say.
00:04:16Now don't be a champ, Mother. I promise, Bob, and I'm going.
00:04:20You are not.
00:04:24Hello. Hello, everybody.
00:04:27Why, sugar, what are you doing down here in your BVDs?
00:04:32Quarreling again? You two girls have to stop it. What's the row?
00:04:36She's been frightfully disrespectful.
00:04:39I forbade her to go out with Bob Crowder.
00:04:41And she defied me, said she'd go anyhow.
00:04:44Well, I expect she would if she had a mind to.
00:04:47But what's wrong with Bob? He seems okay to me.
00:04:50Thanks, Dad. Bob's a peach, and he thinks you're 100% too.
00:04:54Well, give him my best and thank him for me.
00:04:57What's he done, Mother?
00:04:59Oh, nothing more than any of the other boys,
00:05:01but I just can't reconcile myself to young girls running about late at night
00:05:05and coming home with gin on their breath at four in the morning.
00:05:09I can't stand it.
00:05:22Now, Ellen, don't worry. There isn't a thing to fret about.
00:05:25Our little girl's all right.
00:05:27What's she done that other girls her age don't do nowadays?
00:05:30Oh, it isn't anything that she's done.
00:05:34But it's the terrible life they lead.
00:05:36I just can't help being afraid.
00:05:39There, there. I know it's hard to keep up with these fast-moving youngsters these days,
00:05:43but I'm sure they're okay.
00:05:45They may know more at 15 than we will at 40,
00:05:48but you can't blame them for that.
00:05:50Forewarned, forearmed.
00:05:52Oh, Tom, you're nothing but a man.
00:05:54You don't notice the little things a woman sees, the signs.
00:05:57Why, this morning I peeped in her room while she slept.
00:05:59Her things were scattered all about the floor,
00:06:01shoes, stockings, gown.
00:06:03I picked up her other things.
00:06:07And they were torn to shreds.
00:06:17You can't convince me that there's anything wrong with Ellen.
00:06:19She's a Devereux.
00:06:21I can tell the minute I look in her eyes.
00:06:24Oh, you're just nervous and upset.
00:06:27Sugar's like all girls these days, up-to-date and wise.
00:06:31Wise?
00:06:33Do you call a girl wise who drinks
00:06:35and allows men to pour her about and tear her clothes?
00:06:39No, Mother, I can't believe you. I won't.
00:06:46Be right back, Bobby.
00:06:50Too late, folks. I'm off.
00:06:52Wait a minute, Sugar.
00:07:01What's the inspection for, Father?
00:07:03Makeup all right?
00:07:05Everything's all right.
00:07:07Shove off and steer the straight course.
00:07:18Mother, she's as innocent as a child.
00:07:21I'll swear to it.
00:07:23I try to feel the same way, Tom.
00:07:26But I'm a mother,
00:07:28and it's a mother's duty to watch over her daughter.
00:07:30Well, you old-fashioned mothers have ruined many a real love match
00:07:33by too much supervision and suspicion.
00:07:35My motto is, don't suspect your children of wrong.
00:07:38If you do, you'll wish it on them.
00:07:40I read a lecture the other day
00:07:42by a professor of psychology on the subject,
00:07:44and he says, don't suspect your children,
00:07:47for that very suspicion may fasten itself on them
00:07:49and be responsible for their actions.
00:07:51Oh, Tom, you don't think that Helen suspects
00:07:55that I've been suspicious of her?
00:07:57Well, I wouldn't be surprised.
00:08:01Well, this professor says that mothers are to blame
00:08:07if their daughters turn out wrong,
00:08:09and fathers if their sons go bad.
00:08:11His idea is to discuss sex matters frankly with your children
00:08:14from the moment they begin to walk and talk and ask questions.
00:08:18Oh, Tom, I can't imagine discussing sex matters
00:08:22with a girl of 14.
00:08:24It's ridiculous.
00:08:25Well, that's what he said.
00:08:27If your boy wants to know where babies come from,
00:08:29don't tell him a stork brought them.
00:08:31Tell him the truth.
00:08:33You horrify me.
00:08:35But that's modernism, he says,
00:08:37and it'll all work out for the best.
00:08:39Hello, everybody.
00:08:40Am I late?
00:08:42I was held up.
00:08:43The traffic is frightful.
00:08:44Hello, Ellen.
00:08:45Hello, dear.
00:08:46So good of you to come.
00:08:47Dinner will be ready at 8.
00:08:49Hello, Tommy.
00:08:50How are you?
00:08:51Fine, sweet.
00:08:52You look gorgeous.
00:08:57Mother's been worried about Helen again.
00:08:59She's been up late to parties and had a cocktail or two.
00:09:02Well, if that were all, I wouldn't mind.
00:09:04But I saw signs.
00:09:06I know.
00:09:07Oh, I wouldn't worry, Ellen.
00:09:09It doesn't do any good.
00:09:10That's what I told her.
00:09:11Too much interference by mothers has wrecked many a young girl's life.
00:09:26I'm sorry, dear.
00:09:27I didn't mean to bring up the past.
00:09:29I know, Tommy.
00:09:31Ellen, I've never told you of Doris' sad affair, have I?
00:09:34She's always so cheerful.
00:09:36You'd never suspect the tragedy in her life.
00:09:57When there was a famine in the days of David,
00:10:06three years,
00:10:10year after year,
00:10:15wherefore David said unto the Gideonites,
00:10:27What do you find so amusing in my sermon?
00:10:30Nothing, Father.
00:10:31It's splendid.
00:10:32It's so appropriate.
00:10:51There, Beth, is an example of the very thing I am preaching against.
00:10:56Our young people, careless, lawless, godless,
00:10:59traipsing around half-naked.
00:11:01Oh, Father, they're only having fun.
00:11:04Perfectly innocent fun.
00:11:06Innocent fun?
00:11:08Why,
00:11:10oh, but how could you understand?
00:11:13Beth, I tell you, these modern young rowdies are headed for perdition.
00:11:23What now?
00:11:24Mr. McDougal.
00:11:34Larry.
00:11:35It's been three days.
00:11:37But you promised.
00:11:38Oh, but I just had to see you.
00:11:39Yes.
00:11:40It's a great buy, Mr. McDougal.
00:11:42Small cash payment down.
00:11:43Please meet me again tonight, huh?
00:11:44No.
00:11:45If you don't, I'm going right into your father and tell him.
00:11:47Oh, no.
00:11:48All right, then will you meet me?
00:11:50Yes.
00:11:51All right.
00:11:52$10 for the ten piles.
00:11:54How do you do, Mr. Bennett?
00:11:57How do you do, Reverend?
00:11:58What did you want?
00:11:59He's selling books.
00:12:00Not interested.
00:12:01So Ms. McDougal says.
00:12:02We were working.
00:12:04If you don't mind, we will continue.
00:12:08Good day, Mr. Bennett.
00:12:11Oh, I guess this isn't the time to talk to him, huh?
00:12:14No.
00:12:15I'll see you tonight?
00:12:16Yes.
00:12:18Bye.
00:12:27He's a nice boy.
00:12:29Yes, he is.
00:12:30He's...
00:12:31You don't suppose he kisses all of his customers, do you?
00:12:40You...
00:12:41You love him?
00:12:43Yes, I do.
00:12:45He was going to speak to father, but I wouldn't let him.
00:12:51Do you suppose if I spoke to father, he'd release me from my promise?
00:12:58I don't know.
00:13:02Let me see what I can do.
00:13:07And the Israelites were surrounded upon all sides by the Philistines.
00:13:12What is it, Mary?
00:13:14You're always dusting something when you're upset.
00:13:20It's Beth.
00:13:21I'm worried about her.
00:13:23Why?
00:13:24What's the matter with her?
00:13:25Do you realize, John, she has almost no friends of her own age?
00:13:29Nonsense.
00:13:30You are imagining things.
00:13:32Why, she sees plenty of young people at the church.
00:13:34She's got a lot of friends.
00:13:36She's got a lot of friends.
00:13:38That's not what I mean.
00:13:39Beth's no child.
00:13:41She's 18.
00:13:43And, John, if you remember, I was married to you when I was 18.
00:13:51That is true.
00:13:53But times were different then.
00:13:55This wild, harem-scarer era was not upon us.
00:13:59You and I did not have to be protected from our environment.
00:14:02And you feel that Beth does?
00:14:04Yes, I feel just that.
00:14:06Otherwise, why do you suppose I asked Beth to give me her solemn promise on this very Bible?
00:14:11Not to marry until she was 22.
00:14:13Four more years.
00:14:15Yes.
00:14:16Four years in which she will have the protection and guidance of a Christian home.
00:14:20But is it normal?
00:14:22Is it fair?
00:14:23I know she'll keep the promise that she made you.
00:14:26But was it right to exact such a promise from her?
00:14:29Sometimes I feel that...
00:14:30Now, now, now, Mary.
00:14:32I understand these things much better than you do.
00:14:35Why, she has her work.
00:14:37She has my teachings.
00:14:39Oh, I know she will never break her word to me.
00:14:42My daughter wouldn't.
00:14:44But my daughter might.
00:14:47My daughter wouldn't.
00:14:49But my daughter might.
00:16:47But you do love me, don't you?
00:17:14You know that I do.
00:17:16I know.
00:17:19Is our out?
00:17:21Larry, you know that I can't.
00:17:23Oh, but darling, I'm going away.
00:17:26You know that advertising job?
00:17:27Yes.
00:17:28Well, they want me to come immediately.
00:17:30And if I want to take it, I've got to leave Monday night.
00:17:33Oh, darling.
00:17:34Why don't you come with me?
00:17:36Hmm?
00:17:38Oh.
00:17:39I know I could make you happy.
00:17:41And I...
00:17:43I want you so much.
00:17:46What can I do?
00:17:48I'm all they have.
00:17:50If I hadn't made that promise to father...
00:17:52Oh, but he had no right to ask such a thing of you.
00:18:04Hello, kid.
00:18:07How's that for a perfect landing?
00:18:09Need any help?
00:18:10He doesn't.
00:18:11But I could use a driver.
00:18:12Hello, Beth.
00:18:13Hello, Horty.
00:18:14Horty tried her best to park this car right in your lap.
00:18:17And I need something for my nerves.
00:18:19We're going out to Woodbine for a snort and a snack.
00:18:21How's for coming along?
00:18:23Want to go along, Beth?
00:18:25I don't think so.
00:18:26Oh.
00:18:27Come on, kid.
00:18:28Thoroughly.
00:18:29Sure.
00:18:30Well...
00:18:31Oh, come on, Beth.
00:18:32It'll do you a lot of good.
00:18:33Sure.
00:18:34Come on.
00:18:35I'll get it.
00:18:42Okie?
00:18:45Where's the...
00:18:48I might have known you'd be sitting on it.
00:18:50Just a hem at heart.
00:18:52Here you are, kids.
00:18:54Always a classy dresser and a good provider.
00:19:05Well, what time is it now?
00:19:07Stop worrying and I'll get you home.
00:19:09I know, but it's getting late, isn't it?
00:19:12Oh, don't be small-tongued, Beth.
00:19:14It's only half an hour since we ran into you.
00:19:17Oh.
00:19:18Well?
00:19:19Well, where is this, uh...
00:19:21What do you call it?
00:19:23Wood...
00:19:24Vine.
00:19:25Woodbine.
00:19:26It's only about four miles.
00:19:28Now, look.
00:19:29We'll go in, we'll have a drink, a sandwich, a dance,
00:19:33and we'll go home.
00:19:35Now, is that fair enough?
00:19:36What do you say, Beth, huh?
00:19:38Why not?
00:19:39That a girl.
00:19:43You sure you're all right, darling?
00:19:45What?
00:19:46What?
00:19:47You don't want us to take you home, huh?
00:19:48Oh, no.
00:19:49It's early.
00:19:50Well, he just said so.
00:19:52We'll go where the woodbine's twining.
00:19:56And we'll have a little sandwich and a little drink.
00:20:03You know, Larry, I've never had a dance with you.
00:20:06Yeah, yeah, that's true, darling.
00:20:08But I will tonight.
00:20:10Sure, darling.
00:20:13Now, where is it?
00:20:15What?
00:20:16The flask, of course.
00:20:17Oh, I haven't even seen it.
00:20:19Oh, maybe this is it.
00:20:21Right, dearie.
00:20:23Right the first time.
00:20:24Hold the wheel, will you?
00:20:29Oh, we'll all go down to Murfreesboro and have a little drink.
00:20:33And we'll play a half hour till the sun comes up.
00:20:37And we'll go down to the ocean there and have a little drink.
00:20:41And there we'll all go down to Murfreesboro and have a little drink.
00:20:45Bop, bop, bop, bop, bop, bop, bop.
00:20:59You got that right idea, Larry.
00:21:18Marriage.
00:21:19A little home, a little garden, and a little something running around it.
00:21:24A little fence.
00:21:27Proper little idiot baby.
00:21:29You know, I've been trying to sell that idea of marriage to stupid here for years.
00:21:34You never mentioned it to me before.
00:21:36I didn't?
00:21:38Well, then I do now.
00:21:40Ma'am, I offer you a toast.
00:21:44To life.
00:21:45To love.
00:21:46To marriage.
00:21:47To two hearts.
00:21:50Two little hands that beat as one.
00:21:53To...
00:21:54Skip it.
00:21:57Just a pal.
00:21:59Yeah, just a...
00:22:01Well, let's skip that too.
00:22:03Sure, sure.
00:22:04You know, that's what I've been telling her right along.
00:22:07Sure.
00:22:08Well, it's just as easy as...
00:22:10Well, look, look, look.
00:22:12What's that?
00:22:13Here it is.
00:22:14Look.
00:22:15You know, all we need now is someone to say, will you take this man?
00:22:20I do.
00:22:21You mean you would?
00:22:23Why not?
00:22:24Two people as much in love as you are should be married.
00:22:28Why not?
00:22:33All right, then let's settle.
00:22:35And I know just how to do it.
00:22:37I'm just a matchmaker at heart.
00:22:40I'm the old happiness vendor.
00:22:43I'm Cupid.
00:22:44I'm Mr. Fix-It.
00:22:46Hey, hey, how fun.
00:22:48The check.
00:22:49The bill.
00:22:50Good news.
00:23:07Harris, you and a couple of the other boys go around by the kitchen door.
00:23:10Come on, son.
00:23:20It's a raid.
00:23:21It's a raid.
00:23:22It's a raid.
00:23:23Keep your places.
00:23:24It's all right.
00:23:25Nothing to worry about.
00:23:30The window.
00:23:31Come on.
00:23:32Come on.
00:23:50Come on.
00:24:06Baby, was that a close one?
00:24:08You're telling me.
00:24:10Well, your girlfriend, she snagged something out of it.
00:24:14Oh, boy, do I need one after that.
00:24:20Larry, do you think we can kill him, Tommy?
00:24:24That would be terrible.
00:24:26Oh, no, I don't think so.
00:24:28Anyway, after the night, there's nothing much you can do about it, is there?
00:24:33That's right, Larry.
00:24:35You'll take care of me, won't you?
00:24:37Oh, yes, darling.
00:24:40Hey, leopard.
00:24:42This is on me.
00:24:51Well, did your old Uncle Daniel Boone lead you through the impenetrable forest, right
00:24:57to the very doorstep of law and order and marriage and stuff?
00:25:02You see, before you, none other than the palatial resident of Justice of the Peace, Michael P.
00:25:09Connors, my long-lost friend, and, might I add, pal.
00:25:16Come on.
00:25:25Oh, Horty, you better get the bride ready for a trip to the O.R. or something, huh?
00:25:29Okay.
00:25:34On behalf of the assembled guests, may I extend to you our...
00:25:38On behalf of the assembled guests, may I extend to you our...
00:25:46Pardon me.
00:25:53As I was saying...
00:25:56Have a little drink, please, darling.
00:26:07Hey, breathe!
00:26:15Hi, Hal.
00:26:20All right, Mr. Connors, we'll bring him right in.
00:26:29Do you want to wake up all the dogs in the neighborhood?
00:26:32It's hard for the dogs to bark because they're coming to town.
00:26:36Some in rags and some in tags and some in velvet gowns.
00:26:42Hey, you know, Larry, the best should have had a velvet gown.
00:26:46Yeah, when you pull yourself together, you got an appearance to support a bride.
00:26:50You're useless for it, all right.
00:26:52Come on, Horty, come on, come on.
00:26:59Here comes the bride, here comes the bride.
00:27:02Will you sign off? Papa kicked a hole right in your face, precious.
00:27:06Why, it's just plain enough to be sad.
00:27:09Will you come on?
00:27:12Billy, I don't feel just right about this.
00:27:16This is no way for young folks to get married.
00:27:19And you're not any too sober yourself.
00:27:22We've been celebrating for the occasion.
00:27:25We've had a few drinks, Mr. Connors, but they're all right.
00:27:29But don't you think you'd better postpone this?
00:27:32Oh, no, no, no.
00:27:34You see, we have to go to the city on Monday.
00:27:37Because they've been engaged for a long, long time.
00:27:40And Larry's got a marriage license and everything.
00:27:43Show him, Larry.
00:27:45It's your choice.
00:27:48Is this girl of legal age?
00:27:51She's more than that.
00:27:56Young lady, do you understand the seriousness of the step you are taking?
00:28:02I know all about it.
00:28:07Well, I'm afraid I'm going to have to go.
00:28:12I know all about it.
00:28:15Well...
00:28:22Uh, join hands, please.
00:28:30Whom God has joined together, let no man put asunder.
00:28:35I now pronounce you man and wife.
00:28:43Hurray!
00:28:44Congratulations!
00:28:54Larry, here we are.
00:29:05How do we get away from him?
00:29:08Who?
00:29:09He can kill Hale.
00:29:12You remember that, do you?
00:29:14Yes, he saw me.
00:29:16He darted towards us, but I don't remember whether he said anything or not.
00:29:20No. No, he didn't.
00:29:23You remember getting out the window, don't you?
00:29:26Yes.
00:29:27Someone followed us. Who was that?
00:29:29No one we know.
00:29:31You remember our climbing that cottonwood tree, don't you?
00:29:34No.
00:29:35Did we?
00:29:36No.
00:29:38That's only because Billy didn't see one.
00:29:41Have we been driving ever since?
00:29:45I'll say we have.
00:29:49What time is it?
00:29:52It's a quarter of five.
00:29:54Quarter of five?
00:29:56I still have a chance to get in before mother and father are up.
00:30:04We'll make it all right. You two wait here for me, will you?
00:30:07And, Horty, keep your hands off the horn. She will.
00:30:10Don't worry. I don't feel any too funny this morning.
00:30:18It's all right. The shades are still down.
00:30:20Yes. Mother's not up.
00:30:22As long as she doesn't know.
00:30:25Imagine, that poor kid married and she doesn't even know it.
00:30:29Yes. That was a swell idea you had.
00:30:33Sorry, I don't understand how I could have done such a thing.
00:30:37It was all my fault for taking you to that place.
00:30:40I hope that's all I did. You tell me.
00:30:43You were perfectly all right.
00:30:45That's because you were there to take care of me.
00:30:50Good night.
00:30:52Good night.
00:31:02Good night.
00:31:09Can you imagine what the Reverend McDougal would have to say to this night's work?
00:31:13You do think of the cutest things.
00:31:18How is it?
00:31:20Everything's okay so far. And it's up to us to keep it that way.
00:31:23Right? Right.
00:31:25Kid.
00:31:26She'll be all right as long as we don't talk. That's what I'm counting on.
00:31:29That's what I was concerned. Everything is a closed book from the time we left the roadhouse last night.
00:31:32Right? Right.
00:31:34I can't remember a thing.
00:31:36Thanks.
00:32:00Good morning, Beth.
00:32:01Good morning, Father.
00:32:11Oh, Beth.
00:32:13Listen to this.
00:32:17Last night at the Woodbine Inn, raucous laughter accompanied by the tinkling of glasses and the scraping of dancing feet
00:32:25was suddenly hushed as the forces of law and order, represented by Deacon Kilhale, descended upon this den of sin.
00:32:35You see, my warnings have not been in vain.
00:32:40It is within the power of the editor of this paper to reveal a list of names of the guilty ones that would cause a sensation.
00:32:48This list is only withheld out of consideration for the parents of some of our better-known young people.
00:32:56Beth, my child, you see how important our work is since conditions of this kind obtain.
00:33:08And this shall be the text for my sermon on Sunday.
00:33:12Where are all our hopes, our visions?
00:33:19What has become of our sons and daughters who leave the paths of uprightness, who rejoice to do evil and delight in the forwardness of the wicked?
00:33:31What does God say to these rebellious children of this modern age?
00:33:41These young people whom the editor has shielded, withholding their names out of respect for their parents, I tell you have disgraced them.
00:33:52Oh, Lord, I invoke your mercy and forgiveness upon these poor wayward creatures before their footsteps lead them to the very doors of perdition.
00:34:06Oh, Lord, I invoke your mercy and forgiveness upon these poor wayward creatures before their footsteps lead them to the very doors of perdition.
00:34:37Good morning.
00:34:38Good morning.
00:34:53I have an unpleasant duty to perform, John.
00:34:58Concerning the church?
00:34:59No.
00:35:01Your family?
00:35:03Your daughter?
00:35:04Daughter.
00:35:06She was at the roadhouse the night we raided it.
00:35:22And I am one of those protected by our editor.
00:35:29Yes.
00:35:31He and I thought it best.
00:35:34I appreciate your thoughtfulness, Duncan.
00:35:37We're all friends, John.
00:35:43I can't understand it.
00:35:49My girl.
00:35:52Why?
00:35:54She's always been so honest about everything.
00:36:01How can you account for it?
00:36:03I find that she has not been honest with you for some time.
00:36:07She's been seeing this young Larry Bennett without your knowledge for weeks.
00:36:12I've only seen Bennett at the house once.
00:36:14That was in the daytime, wasn't it?
00:36:16Yes.
00:36:17Let it have been at night.
00:36:20You know that?
00:36:21Yes.
00:36:27I shall know how to deal with this.
00:36:33And we'll have that half-truth, the evasion.
00:36:37But Father, I've told you nothing but the truth.
00:36:40How can I know that you have?
00:36:42Because I say so.
00:36:44That comes strangely from one who for weeks has been living in deceit.
00:36:48I have told you that...
00:36:49Only what you wanted to.
00:36:52Therefore I believe only what I want.
00:36:54You've always done that, Father.
00:36:56You've always been so, so unreasonable, so...
00:36:58Just consider it of your happiness.
00:37:00I have tried to guard you by my teachings.
00:37:02Your commands, you mean.
00:37:06A girl who could do what you have done is one who could dare to say that.
00:37:11Amongst your teachings, is there not one that speaks of kindness or understanding?
00:37:16I want no suggestions of yours.
00:37:18And I want no more teachings of yours.
00:37:20No.
00:37:21You prefer those of this boy.
00:37:23This lover of yours.
00:37:26Father.
00:37:27What else could he be?
00:37:29He who did not dare to come openly into my home, but must leave...
00:37:33What boy, what friend has ever been allowed to?
00:37:36As long as I can remember, you've denied me the right to think for myself.
00:37:39To choose for myself.
00:37:41You told me that I could not marry.
00:37:43Not only told me, but made me swear on that Bible that I would not.
00:37:47I've kept my word.
00:37:48According to you in this, I have chosen for myself, not a husband, but a lover.
00:37:54You admit it?
00:37:55And if I do, what?
00:37:57I could...
00:37:58Why not?
00:37:59Would be as kind as the things you've said.
00:38:04You think that a daughter of mine...
00:38:07I'm tired of your phrases.
00:38:09And I'll listen to them no more.
00:38:11Now or ever.
00:38:13You are threatening?
00:38:14No.
00:38:15I'm telling you.
00:38:16I'm leaving.
00:38:17Leaving this haven of happiness.
00:38:20And I'm glad.
00:38:21Glad to go to the one place where I know I'll find happiness.
00:38:25To my lover.
00:38:29But darling, we can't.
00:38:31Can't what?
00:38:32Why, why...
00:38:33Go away together?
00:38:34Well, yes, it's...
00:38:35Do you love me?
00:38:36Oh, you know I do.
00:38:38Then that's all that counts.
00:38:40But we can't like this.
00:38:43All right.
00:38:44We'll get married.
00:38:45Oh, no.
00:38:46That's just the one thing we won't do.
00:38:48Oh, please listen to reason.
00:38:50I made a promise and I'm going to keep it.
00:38:52There'll be some satisfaction.
00:38:54I do love you, Larry.
00:38:57Well, that's all that matters.
00:39:09Why, why, it's raining dreadfully.
00:39:25Oh, you poor dear.
00:39:27It must have been terrible.
00:39:30In this dreadful storm, Tom, I know Holland has been caught.
00:39:34I feel sure something as dreadful has happened in such an awful night.
00:39:38Oh, don't worry, dear.
00:39:39Bob's an automobile man.
00:39:41He's a good driver.
00:39:42Don't be so nervous and upset.
00:39:44People have been out in rainstorms before.
00:39:46Forget it.
00:39:47Oh, you're so callous, Tom.
00:39:49You have no feeling at all.
00:39:51I'm worried.
00:39:52I know something has happened.
00:39:55Dear, I told you.
00:39:56Sit down, dear.
00:39:57Let me answer.
00:40:02Hello?
00:40:04Yes?
00:40:05Is that you, Ellen?
00:40:09What?
00:40:12Oh, that's too bad.
00:40:15Hello?
00:40:17Hello?
00:40:18Hello?
00:40:20Hello?
00:40:23Dang it, she's hung up.
00:40:26Well, that's that.
00:40:32What happened?
00:40:36She says Bob's skidded off the road.
00:40:38Snapped the steering knuckle.
00:40:40Nobody hurt, but they had to walk through the rain to a farmhouse.
00:40:43The people gave them dry clothes, and they're going to stay there all night.
00:40:46What did I tell you?
00:40:47Just an excuse to stay out.
00:40:49I know these modern children.
00:40:51You order them right home.
00:40:53Let them rent another car.
00:40:58She did it deliberately.
00:41:00I know it.
00:41:02You get Henry and drive right out and find them.
00:41:05I want her home at once.
00:41:07Well, this is Henry's night off.
00:41:09I can take the roadster, and I'm not going to drive that town car all over creation
00:41:13looking for a needle in a haystack and maybe skid off the road myself.
00:41:16Well, I wish I were a man, and I wouldn't stand there doing nothing
00:41:19when my own daughter might be in danger.
00:41:21Danger?
00:41:22Helen, you're distraight.
00:41:23There's no danger.
00:41:25The two kids are out of a storm in some peaceful farmhouse.
00:41:28I wouldn't know where to look for them if I did go.
00:41:31They might have taken any one of a dozen roads across to the Davises.
00:41:34What's the danger?
00:41:35They're not hurt.
00:41:36Helen said so.
00:41:38You fool, Tom.
00:41:39You awful, awful idiot.
00:41:41Don't you think there's any danger with a young girl and a man together all night in a farmhouse?
00:41:46Most likely, they said they were married.
00:41:49And small farmhouses have but one spare home.
00:41:53Now, I won't have that from you or anybody else.
00:41:55I know my daughter.
00:41:57Oh, well, let's not argue.
00:42:00I know everything's going to be all right.
00:42:02Let Doris finish her story.
00:42:05Go on, dear.
00:42:06I know it's no pleasure to you, but I want Helen to know.
00:42:09Well, go on.
00:42:10You might as well listen to everything else.
00:42:13But I'm going to stay up until Helen gets home.
00:42:18Then I'll tell her something.
00:43:10Oh, Mrs. Walker, come in.
00:43:12Did you think I had forgotten about this linen?
00:43:15Oh, no.
00:43:17I'm that busy all day.
00:43:19My dear, never run an apartment house.
00:43:22I mean, never let your husband be the manager of one.
00:43:25All he does is sit around all day and listen to the radio.
00:43:28Not that I'm saying anything against Oscar.
00:43:30Oscar?
00:43:31Mr. Walker.
00:43:33Now, let me see.
00:43:35Towels for number six.
00:43:37Sheets for number 12.
00:43:40Then I can get my shoes on.
00:43:43What are you having for supper?
00:43:44Oh, I don't know yet.
00:43:46You don't know?
00:43:47Well, you see, Mr. Bennett said he was bringing something special.
00:43:51Oscar would never think of that.
00:43:53But then you two are young.
00:43:55How long did you say you'd been married?
00:43:57Oh, uh, some time.
00:43:59You know, some people lie about it.
00:44:01Oh, uh, some time.
00:44:03You know, some people lie about it.
00:44:05Like Mr. and Miss Ewing down the hall.
00:44:08Did you hear the rumpus last night?
00:44:10Yes.
00:44:11They're out.
00:44:14Oh, Mrs. Ewing seemed so nice and...
00:44:17She drank.
00:44:18No.
00:44:19Yes.
00:44:20What could you expect?
00:44:21They weren't married.
00:44:24No.
00:44:25Really?
00:44:26Living in sin.
00:44:28Believe me, I gave them a piece of my mind
00:44:30and I told them to get out.
00:44:31We are running a respectable place.
00:44:34Yes.
00:44:35Is there anything else you want?
00:44:37Oh, no.
00:44:38Well, if there is, just yell.
00:44:41Thanks.
00:44:54Happy?
00:44:55Very.
00:44:56Think you can stand a shot?
00:44:57If you hold me tight.
00:44:59Come here.
00:45:02Woman, I'm leaving you.
00:45:04No.
00:45:05Yes.
00:45:06For good?
00:45:07Well, for about three hours.
00:45:09Fooling?
00:45:10No, really.
00:45:11Oh.
00:45:12Okay by you?
00:45:14Of course.
00:45:15You see, the gang at the office is throwing a party tonight.
00:45:18They wanted me to come to dinner.
00:45:20I sidestepped that, but I've got to show up sometime tonight.
00:45:23Well, I think that's good business.
00:45:25Yeah, that's the way I figured.
00:45:27Maybe that's the way to play this advertising game.
00:45:29I'm sure it is.
00:45:30Of course, everybody of importance from the organization will be there.
00:45:33Sautelle, the boss, and probably his wife.
00:45:36Reynolds from the art department.
00:45:38Dorothy Tate.
00:45:39Bill Ingram.
00:45:40That's the venison man.
00:45:43And Mr. Larry Bennett of the contract department.
00:45:46Sure.
00:45:49That's probably Mrs. Walker.
00:45:51I'll answer it.
00:45:53Hello?
00:45:56For you.
00:46:01Hello?
00:46:03Oh, hello, Dotty.
00:46:05Okay, I'll be right down.
00:46:07Dotty Tate and the.
00:46:09Yeah, well, I think I'd better be going, huh?
00:46:11Yes, don't keep the Sautelles waiting.
00:46:14You sure you really don't mind?
00:46:16You have a good time.
00:46:20Bye, Dotty.
00:46:21Bye.
00:46:44I thought you said Mr. and Mrs. Sautelle were with you.
00:46:47I think I did.
00:46:49Disappointed?
00:46:50No.
00:46:51Well, get in.
00:46:58Oh, she won't mind.
00:46:59Who?
00:47:00The lady who answered the phone.
00:47:02Oh, she's only my.
00:47:04Yes, I know.
00:47:05She's your cousin from Peoria.
00:47:14Oh.
00:47:27I'm sorry we have to have other people tonight.
00:47:30Oh, but I thought that was the idea.
00:47:35Well, I guess it is.
00:47:43Good night, Dotty.
00:48:13Good night.
00:48:43Have a shot, Big Shot.
00:48:58And see what some of your girls in the next town will have.
00:49:07You're doing all right, aren't you?
00:49:09You didn't do too badly yourself, did you?
00:49:12I came home sooner than I expected.
00:49:13I got that contract.
00:49:14Is that all you got?
00:49:17I'm Mr. Bennet.
00:49:19Go on, tell me all about it, rising young advertising man.
00:49:24Go on, tell me.
00:49:25I need a laugh.
00:49:27No, don't tell me.
00:49:29I know all about it, and I'm tired of listening.
00:49:32If you know how you got in here,
00:49:34seek out the way you came in.
00:49:36You're good at sneaking.
00:49:39He's probably waiting for you now,
00:49:40down in the car.
00:49:41Who?
00:49:43The woman who kisses rising young advertising men.
00:49:46Beth, what are you?
00:49:48I can't believe it.
00:49:50I didn't believe it either until I saw it.
00:49:54My dear, it's Mr. and Mrs. Sautel they're calling for.
00:49:57Where have you been?
00:49:59Places.
00:50:00With whom?
00:50:01Ask me no questions, and I'll tell you no lies.
00:50:04Beth, you better tell me, because...
00:50:06I'll tell you a lot of things.
00:50:08In the first place, I'm sorry I wasn't
00:50:11sitting up waiting for you.
00:50:12I was fooling up to you once.
00:50:15Let me look.
00:50:18He's wiped it off.
00:50:19He's getting smart.
00:50:21What are you talking about?
00:50:22Rouge.
00:50:23Rouge on your lips.
00:50:25Dottie's rouge.
00:50:27I wiped it off the night you came home drunk.
00:50:30Would you have done that for me?
00:50:32Wiped off another man's rouge from my lips.
00:50:35I mean, lips.
00:50:37I mean, lips, ma'am.
00:50:43Go away from me.
00:50:45Go on, go away from me.
00:50:46Who were you with?
00:50:48A mutual friend.
00:50:50Oh, I have my moments with my friends.
00:50:54Who do you suppose is what?
00:50:56Guess who.
00:50:59You'll strike me.
00:51:01Go on.
00:51:02Father was going to do that once.
00:51:05I wish he had.
00:51:07But I told him I was in love with you.
00:51:10Who was it?
00:51:12Billy McGee.
00:51:13Billy McGee?
00:51:14That's right.
00:51:15You and Dottie and Billy and me.
00:51:18Where is he now?
00:51:19He's with Dottie.
00:51:20I mean.
00:51:21Listen, will you talk sense?
00:51:23I talked with Dottie from your room.
00:51:27She wasn't satisfied with being there with you.
00:51:30She had to tell me about it.
00:51:32You're crazy.
00:51:33Not anymore.
00:51:35I was once, but I'm not anymore.
00:51:38I tried to phone you long distance,
00:51:39but I couldn't get you.
00:51:41Dottie was more successful.
00:51:44So what's good for the short is good for the goose.
00:51:49I mean, you wanted Dottie, and I wanted Billy.
00:51:52And now everything's different.
00:51:55And I'm tired, Larry.
00:51:57I'm tired, and everything's wrong.
00:52:01Wrong.
00:52:05You know, Larry, you should have married me anyway,
00:52:10no matter what I said.
00:52:14I'm going to get married.
00:52:20I'm going to be married now.
00:52:25Then I can meet nice people.
00:52:29And my husband will take me with him.
00:52:34And he'll say, meet my wife, Mrs.
00:52:47Mrs.
00:54:17Another picture of ice water.
00:54:27Come on.
00:54:28Get your clothes on.
00:54:29Who says so?
00:54:31You get your clothes on, or you go with me that way.
00:54:33Wait a minute.
00:54:34Wait a minute.
00:54:34Who's that?
00:54:36Oh, it would be you.
00:54:38Come on.
00:54:40Hey, you can't toss me around.
00:54:42I'll beat your ears off if you don't stand up straight.
00:54:44You can't toss me around.
00:54:45I'll beat your ears off if you don't snap out of it.
00:54:48Boy, if I only had my strength back.
00:54:50Yeah, you'd probably reach for another drink.
00:54:52You'd probably pour Beth one, too.
00:54:55A great friend, Billy.
00:54:57Yeah, a great friend.
00:54:59Hey, where do you get off to ball me up?
00:55:04Seems to me you were pouring her drinks
00:55:06the last time I saw you.
00:55:08Yeah.
00:55:09Yeah, and look where it got us.
00:55:12Yeah, sure.
00:55:14You didn't have nerve enough to tell her you'd married her.
00:55:18I'm sorry to have to do this.
00:55:20But after all, we are running a respectable apartment house.
00:55:42You know, I've probably been the biggest idiot in the world.
00:55:48You can figure that out for yourself.
00:55:52You can figure this out, too.
00:55:55All I did last night was sit and listen
00:55:57to a girl named Beth raving about you.
00:56:02Now, come on.
00:56:03Let's go get this thing straightened out.
00:56:05Come on.
00:56:06Let's go get this thing straightened out.
00:56:21Beth.
00:56:23Beth.
00:56:29Beth.
00:56:35Beth.
00:56:45She's gone.
00:56:47I tell you, Billy, she's gone.
00:56:50Gone where?
00:56:53I don't know.
00:56:56Well, where would she go?
00:56:58I don't know.
00:56:59I do.
00:57:01Why, we're saps not to think of it as before.
00:57:04That girl's gone home.
00:57:09I hope so.
00:57:11Why, of course she has.
00:57:13Come on.
00:57:13Let's grab my car and get going.
00:57:21No matter why you came home, dear, you're here.
00:57:26Surprised?
00:57:30If you were unhappy, your letters didn't say so.
00:57:33I wasn't until just a few days ago, and, oh, mother.
00:57:48I don't suppose I can be of any help.
00:57:49You suppose right.
00:57:50Well, you must admit, I'm an old friend of the family.
00:57:53Oh, Billy, you're a fool, but you're all right.
00:58:00Mr. McDougal.
00:58:02You're not welcome here.
00:58:04Well, whether I am or not, you're going
00:58:05to listen to me just the same.
00:58:06This is important, Mr. McDougal, not only to me, but to you.
00:58:11Where is Beth?
00:58:13Why, I don't know.
00:58:15I'd hoped that she were here.
00:58:20Come in.
00:58:23So you see, mother.
00:58:30I suppose I should have told her that I'd married her,
00:58:32but I knew that she promised you not to marry anyone.
00:58:35It's Larry.
00:58:37If you had told her, you would have saved a lot
00:58:39of unhappiness for all of us.
00:58:41A fine chance either of us had to explain anything,
00:58:43and I doubt if we can explain anything now.
00:58:48Yes, you can.
00:58:50You married her.
00:58:52That's important.
00:58:54Maybe I'm wrong, but to me, that is important.
00:59:04My boy, we will find her.
00:59:10I will tell her that I'm sorry.
00:59:18I can understand that.
00:59:21I can understand that that won't be easy, sir.
00:59:29I am not so sure.
00:59:38Maybe I'd be glad to.
00:59:51My friends, you cannot put old wine into new jugs.
01:00:00Today, our boys and girls are finer, more frank
01:00:07than they were in my day.
01:00:10They face life with a clearer vision.
01:00:13Youth cannot be stamped upon the heart.
01:00:16It is we, their mothers and fathers, who are at fault.
01:00:24And I tell you, marriage is based upon love.
01:00:30No human being can break down the power of love.
01:00:34On the other hand, no boy and girl in that father's
01:00:38family can break down the power of love.
01:00:42On the other hand, no boy and girl in their folly
01:00:47can break the power of marriage.
01:00:53They can only break their hearts in trying to find
01:00:59the true road to happiness.
01:01:03Let us pray.
01:01:13It's very tragic, dear.
01:01:15I feel so sorry for you.
01:01:17Of course.
01:01:19Boys and girls are different these days.
01:01:22They dare so much.
01:01:24Not much different, Ellen.
01:01:26Oh, my dear, something else has happened.
01:01:28Tom, answer it once.
01:01:29It means trouble.
01:01:30I feel sure of it.
01:01:37Hello.
01:01:38Yes?
01:01:42What?
01:01:45Well, look here.
01:01:46Your mother.
01:01:50All right.
01:01:51But you better make it early before I go down to business.
01:01:56All right.
01:02:04Tom, tell me.
01:02:05Is anything wrong?
01:02:06I want to know.
01:02:07Now, my dear, keep your pants, your shoes on.
01:02:09Nothing's wrong except the two kids are married.
01:02:11They're coming home in the morning.
01:02:13Married?
01:02:14Married?
01:02:15Yes.
01:02:16The farmhouse was a minister's, so they decided
01:02:18to take advantage of his hospitality and his services.
01:02:21Oh, I always did like Bob Crowder.
01:02:24I always thought he was such a fine, lovely boy.
01:02:28Yes, you did not.