- 2 days ago
Dagwood takes over the office in Dithers's absence and hires former WAC Mary Jane.
Penny Singleton - Blondie
Arthur Lake - Dagwood
Larry Simms - Alexander
Marjorie Ann Mutchie - Cookie (as Marjorie Kent)
Daisy - Daisy
Bob Haymes - Jonathan Butler Jr.(as Robert Stanton)
Angelyn Orr - Sgt. Betty Jane McDermott
Jonathan Hale - J.C. Dithers
Frank Jenks - Mailman
Paul Harvey - Jonathan Butler, Sr.
Charles Arnt - Mayor Richard Denby
Sven Hugo Borg - Jensen
Lillian Bronson - Ms. Phelan
Jimmy Clark - Cpl. Atterbury
Kernan Cripps - 3rd Cop
Ralph Dunn - 1st Cop
Dick Elliott - Mr. Hankins
Sam Finn - Dithers' Employee
Bess Flowers - Nightclub Dancer
John Hamilton - Mr. Emory
Bobby Larson - Tommy Cooper
Margie Liszt - Mary
Alphonse Martell - Enrico
Edwin Mills - Daniel 'Dan' Carter
Pat O'Malley - 2nd Cop
Frank Orth - Shaving Kit Salesman
Jack Rice - Ollie Shaw
Dan Stowell - Dithers' Employee
Eric Wilton - John
Marek Windheim - Continental Club Waiter
Director - Abby Berlin
Penny Singleton - Blondie
Arthur Lake - Dagwood
Larry Simms - Alexander
Marjorie Ann Mutchie - Cookie (as Marjorie Kent)
Daisy - Daisy
Bob Haymes - Jonathan Butler Jr.(as Robert Stanton)
Angelyn Orr - Sgt. Betty Jane McDermott
Jonathan Hale - J.C. Dithers
Frank Jenks - Mailman
Paul Harvey - Jonathan Butler, Sr.
Charles Arnt - Mayor Richard Denby
Sven Hugo Borg - Jensen
Lillian Bronson - Ms. Phelan
Jimmy Clark - Cpl. Atterbury
Kernan Cripps - 3rd Cop
Ralph Dunn - 1st Cop
Dick Elliott - Mr. Hankins
Sam Finn - Dithers' Employee
Bess Flowers - Nightclub Dancer
John Hamilton - Mr. Emory
Bobby Larson - Tommy Cooper
Margie Liszt - Mary
Alphonse Martell - Enrico
Edwin Mills - Daniel 'Dan' Carter
Pat O'Malley - 2nd Cop
Frank Orth - Shaving Kit Salesman
Jack Rice - Ollie Shaw
Dan Stowell - Dithers' Employee
Eric Wilton - John
Marek Windheim - Continental Club Waiter
Director - Abby Berlin
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00:18Pretty face, funny hat, that's what my blondie is.
00:00:23Lovable feet, both flat, that's what my dagwood is.
00:00:27Blondie's not always right, I let her think she is.
00:00:31All of my thoughts are right, long as he thinks they're his.
00:00:36Life with us is fun and crazy, baby doubling, us and daisy, what a family.
00:00:42Incredible, bum-steadable, ha ha ha, hurry you'll miss your bus.
00:00:47Watch out, you'll burn your stew, nothing's too much for us, as long as with me there's you.
00:00:53Dagwood and blondie, blondie and dagwood, always with me there's you.
00:01:25Don't bother about the paper, Daisy.
00:01:26Your father hasn't had it.
00:01:27Time to read it.
00:01:33And please, take your children out into the kitchen.
00:01:35The alarm clock broke this morning and we're all behind schedule.
00:01:46Oh Alexander, you can't wear that dirty blouse to school.
00:01:50And cookie, look at you, your socks don't match.
00:01:54Well, go on out in the kitchen and have your breakfast, I'll straighten you out later.
00:01:57Why couldn't that alarm clock break on Sunday?
00:01:59Oh no, today it has to.
00:02:02Oh, I gotta skip the breakfast, blondie and I'm gonna be late, goodbye.
00:02:05Oh, goodbye, dear.
00:02:07Dagwood!
00:02:09Huh?
00:02:10Haven't you forgotten something?
00:02:16I knew there was something missing.
00:02:18Oh, your trousers are out in the kitchen, I left them there last night when I pressed them.
00:02:22Oh, I was going to have them pressed, you saved me 25 cents, thank you.
00:02:26I found 75 cents in your pocket, so thank you.
00:02:39May I introduce you to the morning glory shaving kit?
00:02:41Three heavenly steps to a perfect shave.
00:02:44First, you apply this cream to soften the beard.
00:02:46Yeah, but I'm not interested.
00:02:53You didn't let me finish.
00:02:55Now that your beard is as soft as the fuzz on a peach,
00:02:57we're ready to apply this sensational cooling shaving cream.
00:03:01If I were to tell you that our chemists labored for over ten years
00:03:05to perfect that wonder cream, what would you say?
00:03:07Yeah, I'd say I was late for work.
00:03:16You still didn't let me finish.
00:03:18Now that your face is as smooth as the petals of a budding rose,
00:03:22you'll want to experience that fresh, tingly, alive sensation
00:03:26that comes with the application of this wonderful after shaving lotion.
00:03:31I will?
00:03:31You can have either lilac or gardenia scent.
00:03:34Which would you prefer?
00:03:35Well, I always kind of like lilac.
00:03:38Now, some people...
00:03:39What am I saying? I haven't time for this.
00:03:42Now, you're missing the thrill of a lifetime.
00:03:44Yeah, well, I'm missing my 840 bus, too.
00:03:53Wait for me, driver.
00:03:58Look, brother.
00:03:59If you've got anything to sell, save your breath.
00:04:00That guy in there won't listen to you.
00:04:02He's late for work.
00:04:03You're telling me?
00:04:04I'm his boss.
00:04:08Where are my trousers anyhow?
00:04:11There they are, Daddy.
00:04:18Here, here, here, here.
00:04:20Come right away.
00:04:23Huh?
00:04:24Oh.
00:04:26That's salesman again.
00:04:34Well, right now, I wish I was!
00:04:49I'm sorry, Mr. Dittis.
00:04:49I thought you were a salesman.
00:04:52Well, right now, I wish I was, for a brass knuckle company.
00:04:57I'm sorry, Mr. Dithers.
00:04:59You ought to shoot people for wearing things like that.
00:05:01Oh, yes.
00:05:05Why, Mr. Dithers.
00:05:06Hello, Blondie.
00:05:07Well, Dagwood.
00:05:09Now, Mr. Dithers, I know Dagwood is late, but I can explain.
00:05:12Let's not go into that, Blondie.
00:05:13I have more important things on my mind.
00:05:16Oh.
00:05:17Something unexpected came up in that Delaney deal,
00:05:19and I'm leaving town for about three weeks.
00:05:21Now, since you're the oldest employee in the firm,
00:05:24I'm putting you in charge of the office.
00:05:25Oh.
00:05:26Against my better...
00:05:28Oh.
00:05:28So there'll be a little bonus for you at the end of the month.
00:05:30Oh, bonus?
00:05:31How much, Mr. Dithers?
00:05:33Well, forget that for the moment.
00:05:35Now, the important thing for you to do is to act like an executive, if possible.
00:05:39Try to be dignified the way the head of a company should be.
00:05:41Oh, I will, Mr. Dithers.
00:05:43Well, the few matters I want you to take care of.
00:05:46Um, you better take some notes, Dagwood.
00:05:48Oh, yeah.
00:05:49There.
00:05:51Contact Jonathan Butler, Butler Theatre Incorporated,
00:05:53and find out if he's really going to build an outdoor theatre.
00:05:57Contact Jonathan Butler about theatre.
00:06:00What else, Mr. Dithers?
00:06:01Well, as for the rest of us, stay out of trouble.
00:06:03Just mind my business and keep it moving.
00:06:05Mind your own business and keep moving.
00:06:07I will.
00:06:08Hmm?
00:06:11Goodbye.
00:06:12Oh, goodbye.
00:06:16Oh, Dagwood, it'll be a wonderful experience for you,
00:06:19being boss three whole weeks.
00:06:21Uh-huh.
00:06:21Do you think you can handle the job?
00:06:23Oh, now, how can you think of a thing like that?
00:06:25Well, you know Ollie and the rest of the boys at the office.
00:06:28They might make it a little difficult for you.
00:06:30Yeah, well, I'll take care of them.
00:06:32Well, goodbye, dear.
00:06:34Goodbye, dear.
00:06:35Dagwood.
00:06:35Huh?
00:06:37Oh, no.
00:06:57Good morning.
00:07:03Oh, Dagwood.
00:07:04Huh?
00:07:07Yes, Ollie.
00:07:08Hmm.
00:07:09Dagwood, we want you to know, in the absence of Mr. Dithers,
00:07:12we're all behind you.
00:07:13We certainly are.
00:07:14We're with you, Dag.
00:07:15Oh, gee, fellas, thanks.
00:07:16Think nothing of it, Dag.
00:07:20There you are.
00:07:20Now, Dagwood.
00:07:22Imagine, Dagwood, you're going to be here for three weeks.
00:07:25I'm glad for you, boy.
00:07:27Oh, thanks again, Ollie.
00:07:29You know, I thought you and the others, you might be sore about my taking over.
00:07:32Sore?
00:07:33Why, of course not.
00:07:35Oh, well, I guess I got you fellas all wrong.
00:07:38I thought you might kid me and pull a couple of gags.
00:07:41Oh, Dagwood.
00:07:43What do you think we are, children?
00:07:44Oh, you make us feel terrible.
00:07:47Oh, I'm sorry, Ollie.
00:07:49Hey, I'm sorry, fellas.
00:07:51That's all right.
00:07:51Oh, that's all right.
00:07:52Never mind.
00:07:53It's all right, Dagwood.
00:07:59Oh, gee, fellas.
00:08:05Well?
00:08:12Oh, I wouldn't have lived on it, Watson.
00:08:20Did you see the expression on his face when he said that?
00:08:22I would have missed that for the world.
00:08:25Wise guys.
00:08:27You'd better watch out for some more of their shenanigans.
00:08:30Yeah.
00:08:31Thanks for the tip, Mary, but they won't catch me again.
00:08:39Well, miss, I'd like to see Mr. Dithers, please.
00:08:42Well, he's out of town right now, but you can see Dagwood Bumstead.
00:08:46He's taking Mr. Dithers' place.
00:08:47Oh, all right.
00:08:48Who should I say is calling, please?
00:08:50The mayor.
00:08:51The mayor.
00:09:00Oh, yes.
00:09:01Yes, Maddie?
00:09:02Mr. Bumstead, the mayor is here to see you.
00:09:05Send him in.
00:09:08The mayor?
00:09:10Oh, so she's going to be a wise guy, too.
00:09:13Mr. Bumstead, the mayor is here to see you.
00:09:17It's a great honor, your honor, having you visit us.
00:09:20I just happened to be in the building and thought I'd take care of some official business personally.
00:09:24Now, I mustn't keep Mr. Bumstead waiting.
00:09:26Oh, no, no, no.
00:09:33So, you're the mayor, huh?
00:09:35Have a little water, mayor.
00:09:40So, I didn't fall for that gag, did I?
00:09:44Look at it.
00:09:53Oh, no.
00:09:54You aren't.
00:09:55Yes, I'm the mayor.
00:09:57Do you always give visitors this day of reception?
00:09:59Yeah, no.
00:10:02Sir, Dagwood thought the men were playing a joke on him.
00:10:05They did before you arrived.
00:10:07So, you can't blame them for thinking you were another joke.
00:10:11Oh, I mean, well, all the men have been teasing Dagwood since he took Mr. Dither's place.
00:10:18Yeah.
00:10:18I think I understand.
00:10:20I had the same experience some years ago when my boss put me in charge of the office.
00:10:25Now, if you're through giving an imitation of old faithful, I'd like to talk to you.
00:10:29Oh, here.
00:10:30Oh, no.
00:10:31Won't you come in, your honor?
00:10:35As for you, I think you'd better clean up this mess.
00:10:38Oh, no.
00:10:39Yes, sir.
00:10:40Yes.
00:10:40Now, Mr. Bumstead, I...
00:10:42Oh, I'm sorry, your honor.
00:10:44Thank you very much.
00:10:46Now, Mr. Bumstead...
00:10:46Won't you have a chair?
00:10:47Oh, no.
00:10:48I'll only be a minute.
00:10:49Oh, won't you have a cigar?
00:10:50No, I don't smoke, thank you.
00:10:52Yeah, I guess you don't.
00:10:54Now, Mr. Bumstead...
00:10:55Oh, cigarette.
00:10:55I do not smoke.
00:10:57No, I guess you don't want to.
00:10:59Mr. Bumstead, I...
00:11:00How about some water?
00:11:03No, I guess not.
00:11:04What I have to say will only take a minute.
00:11:07Mr. Bumstead, I'm inviting some prominent men in the town to a meeting this afternoon at my office
00:11:12to discuss a problem confronting our community.
00:11:15Oh.
00:11:15I'd like you to attend.
00:11:17Oh, I'd be delighted, your highness.
00:11:18I mean, Mr. Mayor, but I don't think Mr. Dithers would want me to leave the office.
00:11:23Oh, I know Mr. Dithers is a community-minded citizen, and I'm sure if he put you in charge of
00:11:28his office,
00:11:29he'd want you to represent him at this very important meeting.
00:11:31Well, then I'll come.
00:11:34Fine.
00:11:35I'm sure Mr. Dithers is going to be very proud when he hears of your added responsibility.
00:11:42As an up-and-coming young executive, Mr. Bumstead,
00:11:45you ought to gain a great deal meeting some of our older businessmen.
00:11:48Oh, I'm sure I will.
00:11:50Well, see you at three.
00:11:52I'll be there.
00:12:05Oh, Mary, get Mrs. Bumstead on the phone.
00:12:07I want to tell her where I'll be for the afternoon.
00:12:09Gosh, Daggett, what do you think the meeting will be about?
00:12:11I don't know, but when you're an executive, you never know what kind of a problem is going to hit
00:12:17you.
00:12:26So that's why I asked you here today.
00:12:29You nine men represent our fine, progressive little community.
00:12:33Not only are you the backbone, but the very heart of our town.
00:12:36So in the name of our community, I'm asking you to take part in an experiment,
00:12:40which is both social and economic,
00:12:43and which, if successful, might influence other communities to take part in a similar program.
00:12:51Behind that door is a group of discharged servicemen, members of our community.
00:12:56They're young people who never had the opportunity to work,
00:12:59whose plans for the future were interrupted by their country's need of them.
00:13:02They have served their country well, and now it is our turn to serve them.
00:13:06Well, that's right, that's right.
00:13:07Yes, sir.
00:13:08Okay, Mayor, we're with you.
00:13:11Yes, sir, we're with you, Mayor.
00:13:13Excuse me.
00:13:15I knew I could count on you to give these veterans the guidance they need.
00:13:19You see, their various backgrounds and experiences have equipped them to do all kinds of work.
00:13:26But most of them need time to discover exactly what kind of work they want to do.
00:13:30In the meantime, they don't want to sit around until their minds are made up,
00:13:33and we don't want them to sit around either.
00:13:37Gentlemen, our friends behind that door need jobs.
00:13:41And before they leave this room, I want to see that they have them.
00:13:44All right.
00:13:45All right, Dick.
00:13:46All right.
00:13:49We're supposed to give out jobs.
00:13:51Sure.
00:13:52Splendid idea, isn't it?
00:13:53Oh, yeah.
00:13:55Now, what I'm going to do is this.
00:13:57I'll call in each individual and get you acquainted with his background.
00:14:01And if you feel you can help him, just holler.
00:14:04That's fine.
00:14:04What are we waiting for?
00:14:05Okay, Dick.
00:14:06Well, let's go.
00:14:08Let's go.
00:14:09Let's go.
00:14:10Excuse me.
00:14:11John, will you call in Corporal Atterbury?
00:14:17Now, this is the way to do things.
00:14:18Cut out the red tape and the questionnaires and get right down to business.
00:14:21Ah.
00:14:22Right over there, Corporal.
00:14:24I told you about this meeting, Corporal, and who these men are.
00:14:27They're very anxious to help you.
00:14:29I see you were in the anti-aircraft, Corporal.
00:14:31Yes, sir, I was.
00:14:32I don't imagine you'd like a job in a boiler factory.
00:14:35Oh, no, sir.
00:14:36I thought not.
00:14:37Well, I've got a large nursery just outside of town.
00:14:40Grow all kind of flowers.
00:14:41Work's pleasant, or the pay is good.
00:14:43You'd be doing me a favor if you took a job out there.
00:14:46Well, sir, it sounds sort of nice and peaceful.
00:14:49When do I start?
00:14:50Well, as far as I'm concerned, right now.
00:14:53How about coming out to the place with me, looking over the nursery, and having dinner with my family?
00:14:57Suits me.
00:15:00Well, thanks, Mary.
00:15:02So long, boys.
00:15:04Goodbye, George.
00:15:05We're really cooking.
00:15:07Never thought our soldier would get a job and a dinner invitation in one minute flat.
00:15:11Call in Daniel Carter.
00:15:13Let's see if we can't break that minute record.
00:15:16Are you going to offer someone a job, Mr. Emery?
00:15:19Why, sure.
00:15:20Aren't you?
00:15:22Well, I...
00:15:24I...
00:15:26I did.
00:15:30Gentlemen, especially you, Mr. Emery, meet Daniel Carter.
00:15:34How are you, Dan?
00:15:34As you will note by the insignia on his sleeve, he served as radio technician in the U.S. Navy.
00:15:40I suppose you carry on, Dan.
00:15:41Well, as the mayor said, I'm interested in radio, sir.
00:15:43Don't go any further, sailor.
00:15:44You're my boy, and I can use you.
00:15:46And if you haven't any plans for dinner, I have.
00:15:49You mean I've got a job?
00:15:50Yes, sir.
00:15:50You certainly have.
00:15:51And a dinner invitation, too.
00:15:53Thirty seconds for that one, gentlemen.
00:15:54We're really moving.
00:15:55Good luck to you, Dad.
00:15:56Thank you, sir.
00:15:57So long.
00:15:59Mr. Bumstead, you're going to be interested in the next case.
00:16:03Who, me?
00:16:04According to my record here, this person graduated from college and took a number of architectural courses.
00:16:09Call Sergeant McDermott.
00:16:11Yes, indeed, Mr. Bumstead.
00:16:12You ought to be able to use this soldier.
00:16:14So let's see if you can break that 30-second record.
00:16:17Remember, it's job, dinner, exit.
00:16:19Yeah, but, Mr. Mayor, don't you think the sergeant might want to...
00:16:24Huh?
00:16:28Huh?
00:16:29Huh?
00:16:32Won't you sit down?
00:16:44Sergeant McDermott, this is Dagwood Bumstead, an executive in a large construction firm here in town.
00:16:49I gave him a brief idea of your background, and, well, I'll let him take it from this point.
00:16:54She's all yours, Mr. Bumstead, so let's go.
00:16:59Oh, yes.
00:17:00Oh, yes.
00:17:00I, uh...
00:17:05That is...
00:17:13Would you like a job, miss?
00:17:16Oh, yes, Mr. Bumstead.
00:17:18Well, are you sure you wouldn't want to do something else, huh?
00:17:21Oh, no.
00:17:22I've always wanted to work in the construction office.
00:17:25I certainly do, except your offer.
00:17:32Huh?
00:17:36Oh, uh, I'm, uh, I imagine you have a dinner engagement, huh?
00:17:41Uh-huh.
00:17:42Uh-huh.
00:17:43No, I haven't.
00:17:43Aren't you lucky, Mr. Bumstead?
00:17:47Uh, yeah.
00:17:49I guess I ought to phone my wife.
00:17:53Sure.
00:17:53Use the phone on the desk.
00:17:55I'll wait until you make the call.
00:17:56Yeah.
00:18:01Maple 4759.
00:18:09Oh, hello, Blondie.
00:18:11Hello, Dagwood.
00:18:12Where are you?
00:18:14Oh, still at the mayor's office?
00:18:17Well, what was the meeting about, dear?
00:18:19Well, uh, I'll tell you when we get home, Blondie.
00:18:22All right.
00:18:23We?
00:18:24Who's coming with you?
00:18:26Uh, Sergeant McDermott, Blondie.
00:18:28Uh, you see, I...
00:18:29A soldier!
00:18:31Oh, Dagwood, how nice.
00:18:33The children will be thrilled.
00:18:34I...
00:18:34I want to tell you about, Sergeant McDermott, Blondie.
00:18:38Uh...
00:18:38Tell me when you get home, dear.
00:18:40I've got to rush and make dinner.
00:18:41Goodbye!
00:18:42Huh?
00:18:42Oh, yes.
00:18:43Goodbye, Blondie.
00:18:44Oh!
00:18:47Everything set, Mr. Bumstead?
00:18:48Oh, yes, Miss Sergeant.
00:18:50Call me Betty Jane, won't you?
00:18:52All right, Betty Jane.
00:18:54Shall we go?
00:18:56Yeah.
00:19:01Oh, hello, Dagwood.
00:19:03Where's the Sergeant?
00:19:04Playing with Cookie and Daisy out front.
00:19:06Dagwood, I've prepared the most wonderful meal.
00:19:09Just the kind of things a soldier would like.
00:19:11Oh, yeah.
00:19:11Fried chicken, hash brown potatoes, and apple pie.
00:19:14I sent Alexander to the drugstore for two fifty-cent cigars.
00:19:18Oh, cigars.
00:19:19Cigars?
00:19:20Guess what else I did?
00:19:22Oh!
00:19:22I called up that cute Gracie Perkins down the street, and she's coming over after dinner
00:19:26to meet Sergeant McDermott.
00:19:27Oh, no.
00:19:28You shouldn't have done that, Blondie.
00:19:29Why not?
00:19:30Well, you see...
00:19:42How do you do?
00:19:44How do you do?
00:19:50This is Sergeant McDermott.
00:19:54You seem surprised, Mrs. Bumstead.
00:19:57Do I?
00:19:57Oh!
00:19:58Why not?
00:19:59Really, I'm not.
00:20:01Did you think I was a man?
00:20:03Oh, of course not.
00:20:05I knew all the time you were a girl.
00:20:08Yeah.
00:20:09Huh?
00:20:09Huh?
00:20:12Mommy, here's the cigars for the...
00:20:15Sergeant.
00:20:16Uh, meet my son, Alexander.
00:20:24How do you do?
00:20:24How do you do?
00:20:25And this is his friend, Tommy Cooper.
00:20:27How do you do?
00:20:28How do you do?
00:20:30Uh, wouldn't you like to go upstairs and clean up before dinner, um, Sergeant?
00:20:35Yes.
00:20:36Oh, call her Betty Jane, Blondie.
00:20:40Oh.
00:20:41I'll show you the way, Betty Jane.
00:20:45Aw, gee, Mommy, let me.
00:20:46I want to show her my doubts.
00:20:48Well, all right, dear.
00:20:51Forward march, General.
00:20:59Well, let's have it.
00:21:01Oh, well, uh, you see, well, you see, Blondie, it was this way.
00:21:11Ah, I've never had such a delicious meal.
00:21:13You must let me help you with the dishes.
00:21:15Oh, I should say not.
00:21:17The children can do them, and we'll all go in the other room and talk.
00:21:20Oh, yes, that's right, Betty Jane.
00:21:21It's about your working at the office.
00:21:23Blondie and I talked it over before dinner, and we decided...
00:21:26That you'd be ever so happy working for Mr. Dithers.
00:21:29Oh, yes, indeed.
00:21:31You...
00:21:32Huh?
00:21:33We consider it a privilege being able to help you.
00:21:42When I was overseas, I always hoped that when I came back, I'd meet a family like you.
00:21:50You see, I never knew much about family life, traveling with my father from one military post to another.
00:21:58I know he'd have been very grateful to you for taking me in the way you have.
00:22:05You'll never know.
00:22:25Come on.
00:22:31I guess we'd better start doing the dishes, Alexander.
00:22:34Yeah, we'll put them all in hot water.
00:22:36I don't know how we can.
00:22:37Your father's already in it, up to his neck.
00:22:47Hiya, Sonny.
00:22:48Hello.
00:22:49Say!
00:22:50Are you the new postman?
00:22:51That's right.
00:22:52Just got out of the army and my boss assigned me to this route.
00:22:55Mind if I give you a tip about this route?
00:22:56Not at all.
00:22:57Shoot.
00:22:58See that house there?
00:22:59There's a man in it named Bumstead who always leaves for work at this time.
00:23:03If you want to live to a ripe old age, look out for him.
00:23:06Yeah?
00:23:07Why?
00:23:07Well, when he comes out of the house in the morning, he knocks down anyone who happens
00:23:11to be in his path.
00:23:12Well, thanks, kid.
00:23:13But I dodged bullets for 27 months, so I guess I can sidestep one solid citizen.
00:23:19Good morning, Dagwood.
00:23:21Good morning.
00:23:22Where are the children?
00:23:23Oh, Alexander took Cookie the Pups and Daisy over to Mrs. Cooper's.
00:23:26She's going to take care of them for me while I'm gone.
00:23:29Where are you going?
00:23:30With you.
00:23:31That's why I'm dressed up.
00:23:33Well, don't you remember?
00:23:34We're to meet Betty Jane at the office and get her settled.
00:23:37Blondie, I'm awfully worried about having her work for Mr. Dithers.
00:23:41Oh, now, Dagwood, we went over this thoroughly last night.
00:23:44You saw yourself after talking to her that she had a wonderful background.
00:23:47Fresh ideas and ambition.
00:23:49Yeah, but there's no place for her at the office.
00:23:52There will be when Mr. Dithers gets back with the details of that Delaney deal he was talking about.
00:23:58But...
00:23:58Dagwood, you offered that girl an opportunity to work in the office,
00:24:01and we're not going to let her down.
00:24:03Besides, Mr. Dithers won't be back for three weeks,
00:24:06and in that time I know she's going to prove how capable she is.
00:24:10Really, you should deliver the mail after he leaves.
00:24:12Then you'll be sure to avoid that human torpedo.
00:24:15Oh, thanks for the tip, kid.
00:24:17But I'm not afraid.
00:24:18You see, I've been in five major battle campaigns.
00:24:22Oh, Alexander, is Cookie all right?
00:24:24Yes, Mommy.
00:24:25Hello, Daddy. I thought you'd gone to work.
00:24:27No, it's early. I've got plenty of...
00:24:30I...
00:24:30Ah, wait!
00:24:31Oh, no!
00:24:32Alexander, get our hats and open the door!
00:24:35Oh!
00:24:38Oh!
00:24:44Oh!
00:24:45Oh!
00:24:46Oh!
00:24:46Oh!
00:24:46Oh!
00:24:47Oh!
00:24:47Oh!
00:25:02You didn't tell me there were two torpedoes.
00:25:04No, but now you can tell people you were in six major battle campaigns.
00:25:08Come on, Alexander.
00:25:13Now, fellas, I saw her first, so I think I ought to take her to lunch.
00:25:16No, no, no, no.
00:25:17Bloody Blondie, Dagwood.
00:25:19I'm having such a nice time.
00:25:21Say, Dagwood, Miss McDermott told us you'd given her a job here.
00:25:24Well, yes, but...
00:25:25But...
00:25:25Good for you, Dagwood!
00:25:28What?
00:25:28We need some new faces around here,
00:25:30and I can't think of a nicer face to look at than Miss McDermott's.
00:25:34Aren't you sweet to give Betty Jane this welcome.
00:25:37I'll take you to Dagwood's office.
00:25:39That's where you're going to work.
00:25:40When Mr. Dithers gets back, he can make other arrangements.
00:25:43I'll dust the desk off for you.
00:25:44I'll open the window.
00:25:45Would you like the furniture moved?
00:25:46I'll help you.
00:25:46You're beaver.
00:25:46Okay, you move the desk.
00:25:48Say, Dag, what do you think the old man will say when he finds out you hired a woman?
00:25:55Well, she isn't getting much salary, and she is smart, and she has a college degree.
00:26:00Well, that sounds very nice, but what if the big boy isn't impressed?
00:26:04Well, let me worry about that, will you, Ollie?
00:26:07After all, I was put in charge of the office here,
00:26:09so I have a right to do some hiring if I want to.
00:26:13Every time I make a move, I gotta think of Dithers, Dithers, Dithers!
00:26:17Thank heavens he'll be gone for three weeks.
00:26:19Then I can do what I think is right around here.
00:26:21What does he think I am, a man or a mouse?
00:26:23A mouse.
00:26:24That's exactly what I think.
00:26:27Mr. Dithers, are you back?
00:26:29I bet you won't sleep a wink all day.
00:26:32Well, the Delaney deal fell through.
00:26:34It's a burned up a canned sea stick.
00:26:36Where is everybody?
00:26:37In my office.
00:26:38In your office?
00:26:39Get them out here.
00:26:40No, never mind, I'll talk to them in there.
00:26:42Since we lost the Delaney deal, I'll have to cut down on the overhead.
00:26:45Maybe let a few of the boys go.
00:26:46Oh, you mean you're gonna fire people?
00:26:48Yes, Jackson was hired only temporarily.
00:26:50What difference does that make to you?
00:26:51You're still going to work here.
00:26:53Mr. Dithers!
00:26:57Well, why don't you wait a minute or an hour?
00:27:00Why?
00:27:00Well, I think we ought to put a mirror over here.
00:27:03Isn't that Blondie?
00:27:03What's she doing in your office with the entire staff?
00:27:06Oh, just visiting.
00:27:09Mr. Dithers,
00:27:11Oh, you remember you told me to find out if Jonathan Butler was going to build that outdoor theater?
00:27:16Yes.
00:27:17Well, I called him and he says he is.
00:27:19You were fine to get the job.
00:27:21I don't know.
00:27:22You told me just to find out if he was going to build a theater.
00:27:26Income poop.
00:27:27Maybe I better keep Jackson and fire you.
00:27:31I'll be back in a minute.
00:27:33Oh, hello there.
00:27:38Mr. Dithers, what are you doing in town?
00:27:40Hello, Blondie.
00:27:41Who's that girl in Dagwood's office?
00:27:43Oh, you answer my question and I'll answer yours.
00:27:47Oh, Blondie, Mr. Dithers came back kind of unexpectedly because the Delaney deal fell through and he's going to fire
00:27:54somebody.
00:27:55Oh, I see.
00:27:56Fire?
00:27:57Not Betty Jane.
00:27:59Well, naturally, not Betty Jane.
00:28:01Who's Betty Jane?
00:28:02Oh, that girl in there.
00:28:04She's working for you as an architect.
00:28:07Working for me as an architect?
00:28:09Mm-hmm.
00:28:12Blondie, my nerves are raw.
00:28:14I could have a nervous breakdown without the slightest bit of encouragement.
00:28:18Now, I'm trying to remain calm.
00:28:21But I can't keep it up.
00:28:22Who hired that girl?
00:28:23Please, Mr. Dithers, not so loud.
00:28:26I don't want Betty Jane to hear.
00:28:28It would make a bad impression.
00:28:30Come on, let's go into your office.
00:28:33I know the way into my own office.
00:28:36I can walk by myself.
00:28:38Now, I'm going to tell you all about Betty Jane.
00:28:41I only want to know who hired her.
00:28:44Oh, Dagwood did.
00:28:45Indirectly, but...
00:28:46You don't have to finish, Blondie.
00:28:47Now, if Dagwood hired her, he can tell her to go.
00:28:49Oh, Mr. Dithers, you mustn't fire her.
00:28:52Please, let me finish telling you about her.
00:28:54Blondie, don't upset me!
00:28:56What with the Delaney deal falling through
00:28:58and Dagwood losing a chance to pick up that Butler Theatre deal?
00:29:00You can understand my emotions at this point.
00:29:03Dagwood, tell that woman we can't use her.
00:29:05Yes, sir.
00:29:06Dagwood, don't you do it.
00:29:09Huh?
00:29:10Blondie, I've always had a great deal of respect for you,
00:29:13but you're forcing me to change my mind.
00:29:15I don't like the way you're acting either, Mr. Dithers.
00:29:19You certainly could be courteous enough to listen to me until I'm through.
00:29:22I'm in no mood to be courteous.
00:29:24Dagwood, do as I say.
00:29:26Yes, sir.
00:29:28Dagwood, stay where you are.
00:29:31Blondie, I'm getting very, very angry.
00:29:35So am I, Mr. Dithers.
00:29:37While you've sat there grumbling, I could have told you all about Betty Jane,
00:29:41how clever she is, how she's willing to work for practically nothing,
00:29:44and how she served in the armed...
00:29:46I don't want to hear about Betty Jane. I don't want her working here.
00:29:49Is that plain or shall I draw you a blueprint?
00:29:51You don't have to, Mr. Dithers.
00:29:53I don't think I want Betty Jane to work for you.
00:29:57In fact, I don't know why anyone works for you.
00:30:02Blondie, do you realize what you're saying?
00:30:04Perfectly.
00:30:05You're practically inviting me to fire Dagwood?
00:30:08Oh, no.
00:30:09Go ahead and fire him.
00:30:11I never realized what he had to put up with all this time.
00:30:15Blondie!
00:30:15You keep out of this.
00:30:17Do you really want me to fire Dagwood?
00:30:19Yes.
00:30:20All right.
00:30:21I'll do it.
00:30:22Oh, no, Mr. Dithers.
00:30:24Not now.
00:30:25Dagwood, Bumstead, you are fired!
00:30:30Come on, Dagwood.
00:30:31But, Mr. Dithers, she's...
00:30:36Oh, Blondie, why did you do it?
00:30:42Oh, take it easy, Dagwood.
00:30:44I'll get Betty Jane and we'll leave this place.
00:30:47What we all need now is a good, strong drink.
00:31:01Blondie, somehow I can't help but feel that Dagwood's being fired was due to me.
00:31:06Oh, of course it wasn't, Betty Jane.
00:31:08As I told you before, Mr. Dithers and I differed about office policy.
00:31:12And Dagwood resigned.
00:31:14What will Dagwood do now?
00:31:16Oh, goodness.
00:31:17Any construction firm in the city would be thrilled to have him.
00:31:20And you, too.
00:31:21He might even open his own office.
00:31:27Well, why didn't we ever think of that before?
00:31:30What are you getting at?
00:31:32Dagwood in business for himself.
00:31:36Dagwood, opportunity just knocked at our door.
00:31:38Come in.
00:31:39Oh, no.
00:31:40Oh, Dagwood, you don't understand.
00:31:43We're going to open up our own office.
00:31:45You won't have to cater to Mr. Dithers or anybody.
00:31:48You're going to be your own boss.
00:31:50Blondie, do you really mean that?
00:31:52Oh, I certainly do.
00:31:53With Dagwood's experience and your ideas, we're bound to be a success.
00:31:57Blondie, it sounds wonderful.
00:31:59You and I will look for an office while Dagwood arranges the business details
00:32:02and attends to the contacts.
00:32:04And, Betty Jane, you must come and live with us so we can work every minute.
00:32:08Well, let's drink a toast to the future.
00:32:14Dagwood.
00:32:14Huh?
00:32:15We're drinking a toast.
00:32:16A toast?
00:32:17Toast to what?
00:32:18The Bumstead Construction Company.
00:32:20The Bumstead Construction Company.
00:32:23The Bumstead Construction Company.
00:32:30The Bumstead Construction Company?
00:32:35Ah, yes.
00:32:42I'll get in touch with you again, Mr. Hawkins.
00:32:46Oh, dear.
00:32:47The same story.
00:32:48Yeah.
00:32:49They all got the announcement about the opening of the office, and they all wish me success,
00:32:53but they won't give us a chance to do any work for them until they see what we can do
00:32:57for someone else.
00:32:58But, Blondie, how can they see what we can do for someone else when someone else is waiting to see
00:33:03you?
00:33:06Oh, dear.
00:33:08We've just got to get ourselves a deal.
00:33:09Yeah.
00:33:10Well, I've just about got all the prospects on the list covered.
00:33:14Wait a minute.
00:33:15Hmm?
00:33:15What about that Mr. Butler who wants to build an outdoor theater?
00:33:18Let's call him.
00:33:19Oh, no.
00:33:20Oh, no.
00:33:21He belongs to Mr. Dithers.
00:33:22Well, all's there in love and business.
00:33:24You call him.
00:33:25Oh, yeah, but if Mr. Dithers found out...
00:33:27Dagwood, we've got a lot at stake.
00:33:29We're not only trying to help out Betty Jane now, but ourselves.
00:33:32Yeah.
00:33:33Well, we're going to see what we can do for someone else.
00:33:33That's why practically all our savings went into furnishing the office.
00:33:36Oh, see.
00:33:36Am I going to get a chance to see it today?
00:33:38Yes, dear.
00:33:39This afternoon.
00:33:39As soon as you pick up your things at the old office.
00:33:42Now, you call Mr. Butler.
00:33:44Uh, Dagwood, let's try the social angle.
00:33:47Let's take him out to dinner.
00:33:48Hey, that's a swell idea.
00:33:49All right.
00:33:50Goodbye, dear.
00:33:51I'll see you later.
00:33:52Yeah.
00:33:52At your own office.
00:33:54Goodbye.
00:33:57My own office.
00:34:07Bromwell, Bruner, Bumstead.
00:34:10Ha!
00:34:11Ha!
00:34:11That's a funny name.
00:34:18Butler.
00:34:19Butler.
00:34:21Butler.
00:34:21Butler.
00:34:33Theaters Incorporated.
00:34:34You want to talk to Mr. Butler?
00:34:36Who's calling?
00:34:38Bum who?
00:34:41That son of mine come in yet?
00:34:43Looking for me, Dad?
00:34:45You bet I am.
00:34:47Come in here.
00:34:48I want to have a talk with you.
00:35:02Mr. Butler's just gone into a conference, Mr. Bumstead.
00:35:06No, I don't know how long it'll last.
00:35:08This time.
00:35:10You'll wait?
00:35:19What's the matter with you anyhow?
00:35:21I warned you months ago that I wouldn't pay any more of your extravagant nightclub bills.
00:35:25This is the result of my warning.
00:35:26More bills.
00:35:27All right, Johnny.
00:35:28I paid them.
00:35:29But after today, you and I are through.
00:35:31I'm having your name taken off the door.
00:35:35I didn't mind giving you a generous salary.
00:35:38But not for a two-hour working week.
00:35:41You're...
00:35:42Well, you're...
00:35:43You're just good for nothing.
00:35:45I've lost all faith in you.
00:35:46No faith.
00:35:48No hope.
00:35:50Looks like charity.
00:35:52And you won't get any of that at the Continental Club.
00:35:54Your credit has been stopped there.
00:35:57Hmm.
00:35:57That makes me feel bad.
00:35:59The food at the Continental Club was so good.
00:36:01Yes, and expensive.
00:36:03So you're not really serious about this, are you?
00:36:05You don't think so?
00:36:07You just try and charge anything around this town and see how far you get.
00:36:11And don't come around here with any routines about reforming.
00:36:15I'm on to you, Johnny.
00:36:16And I'm not giving you any more chances.
00:36:18From now on, you're on your own.
00:36:20Maybe that'll make a man of you.
00:36:23Ready for your workout, Mr. Butler?
00:36:25He just had one.
00:36:30I'll be right with you, Johnson.
00:36:35I hope you're gone when I come out.
00:36:38And will you stop sitting on the top of your spine?
00:36:42Oh?
00:36:43Have I got one?
00:36:46Go home.
00:36:55Yes?
00:36:55Someone called Bumstead.
00:36:57He wants to speak to your father.
00:36:58Says it's important.
00:36:59Oh, well, the old boy's in the gym now.
00:37:01However, as one of my last official acts as vice president, Junior will take the call.
00:37:09Hello?
00:37:10Yes, this is Mr. Butler.
00:37:12Oh, Mr. Butler, this is Ed Wood Bumstead.
00:37:14I called you some time ago about that outdoor theater you're going to build.
00:37:18And I was wondering if we couldn't talk about it some more.
00:37:21Maybe over the dinner table?
00:37:23No, I'm afraid not, Mr. Bumstead.
00:37:25But you see, I don't work...
00:37:27Dinner?
00:37:27You said dinner.
00:37:29That sounds like a splendid idea.
00:37:31Do you have a favorite place you like to dine?
00:37:35Why, yes.
00:37:36I was just telling someone how much I enjoy the food at the Continental Club.
00:37:39They specialize in foreign dishes, and they're really terrific.
00:37:43Well, it sounds all right to me.
00:37:45Eight o'clock will be fine.
00:37:48How will you know me?
00:37:50I'll be wearing a girl on each arm.
00:37:52Ha, ha, ha, ha.
00:37:53Yeah.
00:37:54Goodbye.
00:37:57Continental Club.
00:38:12Yeah, but look, Ollie, I need some extra money, and this is a steal for $10.
00:38:16Look, where else could you find a letter opener made of a fish's backbone?
00:38:21Only in your office.
00:38:23I really don't need it, Dag.
00:38:27I...
00:38:28Hello, Dagwood.
00:38:29Hello, Mr. Dithers.
00:38:29I just came up to get some of my things.
00:38:32Oh.
00:38:32Well, before you go, there's something I want to give you.
00:38:35Mr. Dithers, if it's what I think it is...
00:38:37Oh, I'm sorry you feel that way, Dagwood.
00:38:39I, uh...
00:38:40Well, I don't want any animosity between us.
00:38:42Huh?
00:38:43Well, here's what I wanted to give you.
00:38:45It's your two-week salary.
00:38:46Huh?
00:38:47You had a vacation with pay coming to you.
00:38:48Oh, thanks.
00:38:49Hey, thanks.
00:38:51I'll send someone over for my things.
00:38:53Goodbye.
00:38:57Oh, I almost forgot.
00:38:58I'm leaving for good.
00:39:03Goodbye, Mr. Dithers.
00:39:04Goodbye, Dagwood.
00:39:06Thanks for everything.
00:39:08That's all right.
00:39:11How much...
00:39:11Yeah, I was swell of you.
00:39:14Uh...
00:39:14Nice association, Dagwood.
00:39:17Oh, it certainly was.
00:39:19Well, good luck to you, fellow.
00:39:29Goodbye, Mr. Dithers.
00:39:32All right.
00:39:34So long, Dag.
00:39:43You know, I'm going to miss that guy, Mr. Tither.
00:39:47Well, I think I will, too.
00:39:49You know, he wasn't such a bad fellow when you come to think of it.
00:39:53Of course, he had his fault, but then who hasn't?
00:39:55Yeah.
00:39:56I'll admit he used to annoy me when he came in late and slept all morning in the office.
00:40:02Took two hours off for lunch.
00:40:05Brought the children and the dogs here when Blondie was away for the day.
00:40:11Sneaked out afternoons when the ball season started.
00:40:14Disorganized the office staff.
00:40:16You know, fellas, I think Mr. Tither's felt pretty bad about my leaving.
00:40:22I think I even saw a tear in his eye.
00:40:26Well, fellas, oh, my head, I guess I left it in my office.
00:40:31Excuse me.
00:40:31Took advances on his salary.
00:40:34Messed up important business deals.
00:40:36Nearly drove me into bankruptcy.
00:40:39Get out of here, you stupid ninny.
00:40:41Don't you ever come back.
00:40:44Oh, I'm sorry you said that, Mr. Tither.
00:40:47There's Dagwood will be all upset.
00:40:49He told me he had a very important engagement tonight at the Continental Club with Jonathan Butler.
00:40:58You say Mr. Bumstead is going to pay the bill, Mr. Butler?
00:41:01That's right, Enrico.
00:41:02Tonight you'll get cash on the line for this dinner.
00:41:04You see, Mr. Bumstead happens to be president of the Bumstead Construction Company.
00:41:08Oh.
00:41:11Blondie?
00:41:14There aren't any prices on this menu.
00:41:16I wonder how much this meal is going to cost.
00:41:19I don't know, Dagwood, but whatever it is, we'll have to pay it.
00:41:22This is a big deal.
00:41:23We'll have to spend big money.
00:41:25Daddy Jane, you didn't have to fix your makeup.
00:41:27I think Mr. Butler is already impressed.
00:41:31Sorry to keep you waiting.
00:41:33You know, I never realized when I made this appointment that I've been meeting such charming people.
00:41:38Folks, this is one restaurant that can really live up to its name.
00:41:41They can serve you practically any foreign dishes you like.
00:41:44Mrs. Bumstead, what would you like?
00:41:46A Russian, Swedish, Spanish, or French dinner?
00:41:50Um, I think I'll try the French dinner.
00:41:53Garçon.
00:41:54Monsieur.
00:41:55Madame would have a French repast.
00:41:56Oh, thank you.
00:41:58First of all, la soupe au marron, then a salade de la tue à la crème,
00:42:01côte de boeuf parisienne, petite poise à la française, et la compote de cerise.
00:42:05Côte de cerise.
00:42:08How does that sound, Mrs. Bumstead?
00:42:11Oh, it sounds like French.
00:42:15May I order for you, Miss McDammon?
00:42:17If you'd like.
00:42:19I think you'll enjoy the Spanish dinner.
00:42:21Señor.
00:42:23Si, señor.
00:42:25The señorita will have sopa del bondiguias a la barcelonesa, pescado frito a la andaluza,
00:42:31encelada valenciana, filetes de cerdo con habas estofadas,
00:42:34pimentos rojos, rellenos con espinacas, enroscas y natilas.
00:42:42And I'll have my usual Russian dinner.
00:42:45Dada.
00:42:47What's yours, Mr. Bumstead?
00:42:49Oh, I'll have a Swiss cheese sandwich on whole wheat.
00:42:55Toasted.
00:43:02What a dinner.
00:43:03Aren't you glad I suggested this place, Dagwood?
00:43:06Oh, yes.
00:43:08Yes.
00:43:10How about a dance, Betty Jane?
00:43:12You don't mind my calling you Betty Jane, do you?
00:43:15Betty Jane.
00:43:15Not if you don't mind my calling you Johnny.
00:43:18Johnny.
00:43:29Dag, I think Johnny likes Betty Jane.
00:43:31And don't think that won't help our business deal.
00:43:36Well, see, your dinner should have cost about a dollar and a half, two dollars, three dollars, and a salad.
00:43:42Oh, stop figuring out the bill, dear.
00:43:44You'll find out what it is soon enough.
00:43:47Look.
00:43:48Look at Johnny and Betty Jane.
00:43:53Don't they remind you of us when we first met?
00:43:57Lonnie, how can you think of love at a time like this?
00:44:07Dagwood, your sandwich couldn't have cost much.
00:44:10Yeah, but all those other things and all the wine that Johnny ordered.
00:44:12Well, dear, you have to spend money to make money.
00:44:15Yeah, but you don't have...
00:44:17Hey, that's right.
00:44:19If we cleanse this deal, we won't have any trouble getting other contracts.
00:44:22Well, of course, dear.
00:44:23So, no matter what the bill is tonight, we'll pay it.
00:44:26With a smile.
00:44:27Okay.
00:44:30Okay.
00:44:33Oh, hey, Bonnie, this isn't bad at all.
00:44:37With 26 dollars.
00:44:39If you look closely, sir, you will see that that is the bill for Madame's French dinner.
00:44:43It is.
00:44:48And here is the bill for the young lady's Spanish dinner.
00:44:51Huh?
00:44:55Mr. Butler's Russian dinner.
00:44:57Huh.
00:45:03And here is your bill, sir.
00:45:05My bill.
00:45:06Yes.
00:45:11The final bill, which includes the wines Mr. Butler ordered.
00:45:14Mind me $4.50, Bonnie.
00:45:20Remember what we said, dear.
00:45:21Smile.
00:45:24Smile?
00:45:25Bye-bye, Bill.
00:45:25Bye-bye.
00:45:38Bye-bye.
00:45:41Bye-bye.
00:45:46Bye-bye.
00:45:49Bye-bye.
00:45:50Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah!
00:45:59Ah! Ah! Ah!
00:46:20Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah!
00:46:41Mommy, tell us some more about those places you and Daddy have been going to.
00:46:44Some other time, dear. Mr. Butler will be here any moment. We're taking him out again.
00:46:48He's really taking you, isn't he? And for plenty?
00:46:54Alexander, what have you been telling Tommy?
00:46:56Daddy has had to pay all the checks, hasn't he?
00:46:58Yes, but after tonight, he won't.
00:47:00We'll be all through with this running around.
00:47:02Your father's rehearsing right now what he's going to tell Mr. Butler.
00:47:06Johnny, I hate to bring up business right now,
00:47:09but I've completed the plan for the outdoor theater you're going to build.
00:47:13And I'd like you to have a look at it.
00:47:17Won't you have another glass of wine?
00:47:22There you are, old fellow.
00:47:27Now, when you're through drinking, I'll tell you all about it.
00:47:30You take your time. I'll go ahead with my cheese sandwich.
00:47:50Cigarette?
00:47:51Johnny, now is the time to start.
00:47:53Oh, Blondie, I was just telling Johnny that our plan is finished.
00:47:58I hope he likes it, Dad, but we can't go on like this night after night,
00:48:03spending what little we have on nightclubs.
00:48:05Yeah, I know it, Blondie.
00:48:07Do all people who are in business for themselves have to do what we're doing?
00:48:12Sometimes I wish that I was back with Mr. Dith...
00:48:15Oh, no, Blondie, I don't know.
00:48:18Do you really wish you were back with Mr. Dithers?
00:48:21Oh, no, of course not.
00:48:23No, I like being on my own.
00:48:25I like living by my wits.
00:48:28It's expensive, though.
00:48:30All that money we had to put out on office rentals, furniture, lawyers' fees,
00:48:35advertisements, and so many other things we didn't figure on.
00:48:38Yeah.
00:48:39Dagwood, we're almost broke.
00:48:43Oh, Blondie.
00:48:45If we get that butler contract, our troubles are over.
00:48:48We'll get it, too.
00:48:50Joe, don't you worry anymore, and you just smile.
00:48:56Oh, Dagwood.
00:48:57I don't care what the neighbors say.
00:48:59You are a darling.
00:49:01Yeah.
00:49:02Yeah.
00:49:03Huh?
00:49:08Evening, everybody.
00:49:09Oh, Betty Jane, you look lovely.
00:49:12Turn around.
00:49:13Oh.
00:49:16Thanks to you, Blondie.
00:49:17Oh, it was so sweet of you to let me wear your clothes
00:49:20and stay here and have such a wonderful time with you, Dagwood, the children, and Johnny.
00:49:27I wish there was something I could do in return.
00:49:30I told you I had some money saved up.
00:49:33Well.
00:49:34Uh, no thanks, Betty Jane.
00:49:36We don't need it.
00:49:36Uh, no.
00:49:37But if you would like to do us a favor,
00:49:39would you mind sitting out a few dances
00:49:41so that Dagwood can talk to Johnny tonight about the theater?
00:49:44Why wait till we get to the club?
00:49:46When he comes to pick us up, let's talk business right here.
00:49:48When he gets here, well.
00:49:50Oh, don't be nervous, Dagwood.
00:49:52Johnny's easy to talk to.
00:49:55Oh.
00:49:56Oh.
00:49:57Betty Jane, you let him in.
00:49:58Come on, Dagwood.
00:50:00We'll spread the blueprints on the table.
00:50:01Yeah.
00:50:05Hello, Johnny.
00:50:06Hello, Betty Jane.
00:50:07Hiya, little people.
00:50:08Hello, Johnny.
00:50:09Oh.
00:50:10Oh.
00:50:11Flowers for two lovely ladies.
00:50:13Oh, thank you.
00:50:14Oh.
00:50:15Come on in.
00:50:16Greetings, Dagwood.
00:50:21Oh, uh, Tommy, tell your mother
00:50:23she won't have to come over to take care of the children right away.
00:50:26We're going to be here for a while.
00:50:27All right, Mrs. Bumstead.
00:50:31Come on, Johnny, this is so sweet of you.
00:50:33You're a sweet girl, Betty Jane.
00:50:36Say, uh, we'd better hurry.
00:50:38I made a reservation at the Rio Club.
00:50:42Did I say something I shouldn't?
00:50:44Why, no, Johnny.
00:50:45It's just that Dagwood wants to tell you something before we leave.
00:50:49Oh?
00:50:49Well, shoot, pal.
00:50:50What do you want to tell me?
00:50:52Oh, uh, have another glass of wine, John.
00:50:55Oh, no.
00:50:55Oh, uh, we want to show you the plan for the outdoor theater.
00:50:59We want to get your reaction.
00:51:01We do hope you'll like it.
00:51:02Oh, uh, the plan.
00:51:05Ah.
00:51:06It's a little warm in here.
00:51:07Oh, no, here's the blueprint right here.
00:51:10It's a little rough, but I think we did a pretty good job.
00:51:14Dagwood and Betty Jane worked so hard on it, Johnny.
00:51:16Yeah.
00:51:17Even after we came home nights from the clubs.
00:51:21You did a good job.
00:51:23Some of these ideas are excellent.
00:51:24Then you'll give Dagwood the contract?
00:51:26The contract?
00:51:28Ah.
00:51:29Oh, uh, the contract.
00:51:32Uh, well, I, uh, you see, uh, I'd like to, but, uh, I can't.
00:51:44Huh?
00:51:44What do you mean, you can't?
00:51:47We don't understand.
00:51:49It seems to be getting hotter in here all the time.
00:51:56What's the matter with you, Johnny?
00:51:58Aren't you feeling well?
00:51:59Well, I have felt better.
00:52:02And what's bothering you?
00:52:03Why are you acting so strangely?
00:52:05Well, you see, I...
00:52:07I'm not what you think I am.
00:52:09You're Jonathan Butler, aren't you?
00:52:12Yes, I'm Jonathan Butler, junior.
00:52:15Oh.
00:52:17You mean there's a Jonathan Butler senior?
00:52:20There is.
00:52:21He's not only my father, but my ex-employer.
00:52:25Oh.
00:52:26You see, a few days ago, he threw me out,
00:52:27and I was placed in a rather embarrassing financial situation.
00:52:31As a matter of fact, I didn't know where my next cocktail was coming from.
00:52:36Well, the outdoor theater, then you had nothing to do with it.
00:52:42No, Blondie.
00:52:44Nothing at all.
00:52:47I think I need some air.
00:52:51Oh, my.
00:52:52Me, too.
00:52:54You.
00:53:05You.
00:54:05I didn't.
00:54:06Deb was inviting me out.
00:54:09I really thought he was a big shot.
00:54:10I didn't know they had so little or that they were counting so much on this deal.
00:54:14Forget the alibis.
00:54:16You should have told the Bumstead you were no longer connected with your father's firm.
00:54:22Johnny, you're a heel.
00:54:27You're right.
00:54:28I am.
00:54:30It's funny.
00:54:30When my father calls me names, I don't care.
00:54:32But somehow when you do, I...
00:54:39Say, wait a minute.
00:54:40My father won't speak to me, but I could give Dagwood his home number.
00:54:44Maybe it isn't too late to help the Bumsteads.
00:54:46Of course it isn't too late.
00:54:50Maybe it isn't too late for you to help me.
00:54:58Oh, I want to talk to Mr. Butler, senior.
00:55:03This is Mr. Butler, senior.
00:55:05Who is this?
00:55:07Dagwood Bumstead?
00:55:08What is it you want?
00:55:11I'm president of the Bumstead Construction Company,
00:55:14and I want to submit a plan to you for that outdoor theory you're going to build.
00:55:19I see.
00:55:19Just a moment, please.
00:55:21Ever hear of the Bumstead Construction Company?
00:55:24Sure, so did you.
00:55:25You had dinner with Bumstead last week.
00:55:27I did?
00:55:27The Continental Club.
00:55:29Oh, Continental Club?
00:55:31Yeah.
00:55:32That means he must be some friend of my son's.
00:55:34And this whole thing is probably a gag to pick up some money.
00:55:39Before you go any further, Mr. Bumstead, I want to make something clear to you.
00:55:42Oh, go right ahead, Mr. Butler.
00:55:45He wants to make something clear to me.
00:55:50You might as well realize that I'm on to your scheme,
00:55:52and you're not going to get away with it.
00:55:54And you can tell my son that I don't believe he has any plans,
00:55:57and tell him to continue staying away from the office,
00:55:59and that goes for you, too.
00:56:06Dithers, I...
00:56:08I'm too upset to continue this.
00:56:10I...
00:56:11I haven't slept well in the last few nights,
00:56:13and this incident will probably keep me awake tonight.
00:56:16Uh, that son of yours has you on a merry-go-round, eh?
00:56:18Oh, he certainly has.
00:56:20The boy has ability, but what does he do with it?
00:56:23Picks up with fly-by-night schemers like this,
00:56:25this Bumstead fellow.
00:56:27Oh, well, I don't want to bother you with my personal problems.
00:56:30Suppose you come up to the office tomorrow morning,
00:56:32and we'll definitely close the deal.
00:56:34Fine.
00:56:34I'll bring the contracts up for your signature.
00:56:37Well, meanwhile, don't let that Bumstead fellow upset you.
00:56:42You never did me.
00:57:00Do you suppose we could...
00:57:01It wouldn't work.
00:57:02Well, how about...
00:57:02Not a chance.
00:57:03Yeah, but if we could...
00:57:04The old man at Kachon, he's really steamed up about me.
00:57:07But I'm gonna get you in to see him if it's the...
00:57:10Dagwood?
00:57:11Huh?
00:57:11You're gonna see my father tomorrow morning in his office and show him your plan.
00:57:14But, Johnny, he'll leave word not to let Dagwood in.
00:57:17Oh, anybody showing up with a blueprint will be thrown out.
00:57:19Yes, I know, I know.
00:57:20But Dagwood isn't gonna show up as a contractor with blueprints.
00:57:23He's gonna show up as a masseur.
00:57:25As a who?
00:57:26Look, my father's got a guy, Jensen.
00:57:28Comes in every morning to give him a massage and a rubdown.
00:57:30Now, Jensen owes me a favor, see?
00:57:32And I'm positive I can persuade him to let Dagwood take his place.
00:57:35Oh, no.
00:57:36Might work.
00:57:37Sure, it'll work.
00:57:37It's gotta work.
00:57:38Oh, no.
00:57:39Oh, no.
00:57:40Oh, no.
00:57:41Oh, here's the chair.
00:57:41Sir.
00:57:52Hi.
00:57:53Hi.
00:57:54What can I do for you?
00:57:56Well, Jensen ain't feeling so good today, so he sent me over to work on Mr. Butler.
00:58:02Miss Phelan, have you the...
00:58:10Yes?
00:58:11He's pinch-hitting for Jensen, Mr. Butler.
00:58:13Oh.
00:58:15You're a pretty muscular fellow.
00:58:18No, it's the cotton.
00:58:20I mean, it's nothing.
00:58:22Well, we, uh, we'd better get going, hmm?
00:58:25All right.
00:58:26Uh, my gym is just off my office.
00:58:28You go in and I'll join you.
00:58:36I don't want to be disturbed, Miss Phelan.
00:58:38What if Mr. Dithers wants to see you?
00:58:40Oh, send him right into the gym.
00:58:42All right, Mr. Butler.
00:58:43Didn't that mask say it left sort of strange to you?
00:58:46Well, frankly, I wouldn't know.
00:58:47I'm so tired and sleepy at this point, I can't even see straight.
00:58:51But offhand, he looks to me as though he knew his stuff.
00:58:53He looks to me as though he were his stuffed.
00:59:10It is popular knowledge that proper massaging causes a person to relax and become drowsy.
00:59:16Some person, when massaged, fall into a peculiar hypnotic sleep.
00:59:23Well, let's get going.
00:59:28I don't believe I caught your name.
00:59:30Uh, Dagger Mike.
00:59:32Oh, well, just work on my neck and shoulders, will you?
00:59:36Dagger Mike.
00:59:37There.
00:59:46Well, come on.
00:59:47I'm a busy man.
00:59:48Oh, yeah.
00:59:51Well, are you going to work on me or not?
00:59:53Well, yes, sir.
00:59:59Say, you're all right.
01:00:01Yeah?
01:00:01Yeah, you're even better than Jensen.
01:00:04I am?
01:00:06Uh, say, Mr. Butler, Jensen told me you was, uh, contemplating on building an outdoor theater.
01:00:13And, uh, I got a certain pal, uh, who's an architect, and, uh, he, uh, asked me to, uh, show
01:00:21you his plan he's got for one of them.
01:00:23Uh, would you, uh, like to see them?
01:00:27Sure, Dagger Mike.
01:00:28You bring them around someday.
01:00:30Someday?
01:00:31I got them right here.
01:00:37Uh, excuse me.
01:00:39Uh, uh, boy, boy.
01:00:48Hmm, not bad.
01:00:50Not bad, though.
01:00:51Excuse me.
01:00:53You just keep on massaging me.
01:00:54I'll study that.
01:01:07Good morning, Miss Phelan.
01:01:08Good morning, Mr. Dithis.
01:01:09Mr. Butler's waiting to see you in the gymnasium.
01:01:16I'm glad you showed this to me.
01:01:19I'm glad you're glad, Mr. Butler.
01:01:21Mr. Butler.
01:01:27Do you really like to plan?
01:01:29I can tell you the truth about me.
01:01:31You see?
01:01:33I'm...
01:01:39Oh, hello, Mr. Dithis.
01:01:41So you're here.
01:01:46Mr. Butler, do you know who this man is?
01:01:48Well, I was just going to tell him.
01:01:50I'm Dagwood Bumstead.
01:01:52Look at you.
01:01:52All panted out like a mattress.
01:01:54Well, you ought to be ashamed of yourself trying to ruin my deal with Mr. Butler.
01:01:57You want me to throw him out?
01:01:59What?
01:01:59Mr. Butler, do you want me to throw Mr. Bumstead out?
01:02:07Mr. Butler.
01:02:16He's asleep.
01:02:17And how are you?
01:02:18What did you do to him?
01:02:20Well, I...
01:02:20I just, uh...
01:02:22Well, I massaged his neck.
01:02:24Just trying to double-cross me and sell him on your plan, huh?
01:02:27Well, he liked it.
01:02:29He did, eh?
01:02:33Excuse me.
01:02:35Well, let's see what it was he liked so much.
01:02:41Hmm, that's not bad.
01:02:44Not bad at all.
01:02:45Oh, that's what Mr. Butler said before he dropped off.
01:02:50Exactly how did he drop off?
01:02:53Oh, I tell you, I was just massaging his neck like this.
01:02:56And then all of a sudden, I did this.
01:02:59And then he went to sleep.
01:03:00And you believe me, don't you, Mr. Dithicks?
01:03:02And I wouldn't do anything funny.
01:03:05Oh, oh, oh.
01:03:07Mr. Dithicks?
01:03:09J.C.
01:03:10J.C.?
01:03:14Butler Theatres Incorporated.
01:03:17Who did you want to speak to?
01:03:19To Mike, the masseur.
01:03:20It's important.
01:03:21This is his wife.
01:03:23Well, he's working on Mr. Butler.
01:03:24But if it's important, I'll call the gym.
01:03:29Mr. Butler.
01:03:30Hold on.
01:03:31Look.
01:03:34Ding, ling, ling, ling.
01:03:35Get up, everybody.
01:03:36Well, there's no answer from the gym.
01:03:38I don't understand it.
01:03:39You think something has happened?
01:03:42I'll be right up.
01:03:44What is it, Blondie?
01:03:45Well, I don't know, but we'd better find out.
01:03:47It's lucky we call from within the building.
01:03:48Let's go.
01:03:56Are you all right, Mr. Dithicks?
01:03:58Wake up.
01:03:59Could you, could you, could you, could you, could you?
01:04:01Mr. Dithicks, please.
01:04:03Mr. Butler.
01:04:04Oh, Mr. Dithicks.
01:04:05Listen.
01:04:07Huh?
01:04:09Well, I, I, I don't know what happened.
01:04:12Ah!
01:04:25Oh, please, Mr. Butler.
01:04:27Please.
01:04:29Dagwood, what happened?
01:04:30Oh, Blondie, am I glad to see you.
01:04:34Dith.
01:04:37Well, they're both sound asleep.
01:04:39What did you do to them?
01:04:40Nothing except them besides a pack of their necks.
01:04:43Honest, Johnny.
01:04:44All I did was this.
01:04:47I had a feeling he was a madman when he came in.
01:04:55Johnny, Johnny, speak to me.
01:04:59What, what have I done?
01:05:05Oh, no.
01:05:08Well, you look at that.
01:05:09He must have strangled the three of them.
01:05:11We've got to take it easy, boys.
01:05:12The guy's got muscles.
01:05:14He's liable to fight like a tiger.
01:05:16Huh?
01:05:18We're not going to hurt you, fella.
01:05:20In his arms back, and I'll count him over here.
01:05:23Get out of the way, lady.
01:05:24He hasn't done anything.
01:05:25Are you kidding?
01:05:26Those three guys stretched out there aren't sleeping.
01:05:28Well, they are, too.
01:05:29What?
01:05:30Out of your way.
01:05:31I'll take care of him.
01:05:33Now, listen.
01:05:33Now, wait a minute.
01:05:34Bondi!
01:05:37Bondi!
01:05:43Stop that!
01:05:44Hold it!
01:05:45No!
01:05:46Wait.
01:05:46Bondi!
01:05:47Wait.
01:05:48Oh.
01:05:49Bondi!
01:05:50Look.
01:05:51Look.
01:05:52They're waking up.
01:05:54Don, are you all right?
01:05:56Hmm?
01:05:56Are you all right?
01:05:57Ah!
01:05:58What a sleep.
01:05:59I feel like a new man.
01:06:01Say, I'll bet I could...
01:06:02What's going on?
01:06:04What are you doing here?
01:06:05I thought I told you...
01:06:06Wait a minute, Dad.
01:06:07I know how you feel about me, but let me explain everything, and then you can throw me out.
01:06:12Now, Dad, I know you don't give a hang about my opinion, but I'm telling you, Dagwood's plan for the
01:06:15theater is really sensational.
01:06:18Well, look at the way this entrance is laid out, and this lighting set up here.
01:06:21I can't believe it.
01:06:22Huh?
01:06:23Johnny, you're like a new person, so help me.
01:06:25So help the Bumsteads, Dad.
01:06:27They really need this deal, and they deserve it.
01:06:29I'd like to, Johnny.
01:06:30Johnny, I'm grateful to them for you and for Mr. Bumsteads giving me the first good hour's sleep I've had
01:06:36in days.
01:06:37But I made a verbal promise to Mr. Dithers that I let him build the theater, and I can't go
01:06:41back on my word.
01:06:45Congratulations, Mr. Dithers.
01:06:47Yeah, I guess the best plan won, J.C.
01:06:49Oh, I wouldn't say that, Mr. Bumstead.
01:06:51Your plan is better than Mr. Dithers.
01:06:52But my hands are tied, and there's only one man who can untie them.
01:06:58Well, I don't want to be a heel, but business is business, and...
01:07:02And Dagwood needs it so much, Mr. Dithers.
01:07:05You're a real sport to let Dagwood have the deal.
01:07:12All right.
01:07:13All right, Dagwood.
01:07:14You go ahead and build the theater.
01:07:15After all, you and Blondie and Miss McDermott deserve a break.
01:07:19Huh?
01:07:20Oh.
01:07:23Thanks, Mr. Dithers.
01:07:24Well, good luck again, fella.
01:07:26Aw, thanks again, Mr. Dithers.
01:07:28You're a swell guy.
01:07:31If you need any help raising the $100,000, let me know.
01:07:38Thanks.
01:07:40$100,000?
01:07:42For what?
01:07:43Don't you know you have to put up a $100,000 bond before you start work on the theater?
01:07:47No, I didn't know that.
01:07:51Mr. Dithers.
01:07:54Yes?
01:07:56You heard what the man said.
01:07:58Yes, I did, Blondie.
01:08:00Look, why can't Dagwood and I do business together?
01:08:02With his plans and my financial setup, I can go to town.
01:08:05We can go to town.
01:08:07Oh, can we?
01:08:08I mean, shall we join forces, Blondie?
01:08:10Well, I'd kind of like to go back with Mr. Dithers.
01:08:13Well, Dagwood, you know I never interfere in your business affairs.
01:08:17Of course, Dagwood gets a bonus.
01:08:19Oh, yes.
01:08:20And a raise.
01:08:21Oh, yes.
01:08:22And you'll make him vice president of the firm.
01:08:24No.
01:08:25Oh.
01:08:25Why not?
01:08:27Because he's not ready for it.
01:08:28Oh, he certainly is.
01:08:30Well, I think I know more about it than you do, Blondie.
01:08:32Oh, I don't think you do.
01:08:33Why, then he hasn't any executive ability.
01:08:35He has, too.
01:08:36He has not.
01:08:37No, no.
01:08:37What do you know about it?
01:08:38You're just his wife.
01:08:39You're just pig-headed.
01:08:40Well, all he's going to get is the bonus.
01:08:41Just the bonus.
01:08:42Well, all right, the raise.
01:08:43Just the roof.
01:08:44Oh, yes.
01:08:46Oh, yes.
01:08:46Oh, yes.
01:08:47Oh, yes.
01:08:50Oh, yes.
01:08:50Oh, yes.