The Dinkum Bloke
1
Fade into a big scene of wharf laborers hard at toil
plainly showing the arduous nature of the work by which the
wharfies earn their living wage. Among them is one big-
hearted, honest, illiterate man loved by all.
BILL GARVAN.
A Wharf Laborer, whose head has not been
filled with the learning of schools, but
whose heart has passed with honors in the
University of Life.
2
Close up of Bill Garvan working.
3
Close up of clock striking 5.
The day's toil comes to an end at last,
and all the greatest interests of humanity
begin.
4
The men knocking off work and hurrying away.
Bill's home in Woolloomooloo - not quite
a palace in appearance but containing
jewels more precious than ever shone in
any crown.
5
Exterior of Bill's home and Interior.
MRS. GARVAN.
A wife who is a comrade too! Jim's delight
in prosperity, and his solace when the
world frowns.
6
Interior home. Mrs. Garvin is here shown in a close up,
then long shot where she is seen dressing her little girl.
PEGGY.
A young lady who hasn't been long on this
earth, but whose cleverness already seems
perfectly uncanny to her adoring parents.
7
Close up Peggy a sweet little maid of three. Mrs. Garvin
glances at the clock and says:
Daddy will soon be home. He must see his
little girl nice and clean.
Now Peggy is ready and they both leave the scene.
8
Exterior gate. Mrs. Garvin and Peggy coming out of house to
wait at gate for Daddy.
9
Crest Corner. Presently Bill is seen coming round the
corner - Peggy runs like mad to meet him. He lifts her in
his arms and kisses and fondles her and then walks on to
the gate and lovingly greets his wife. They proceed indoors
where the tea is waiting.
10
They are all at the table. Mrs. Garvin is shown pouring the
tea out of a broken spout, and all of them are laughing.
When happiness sits at the table, what
does a broken tea pot matter?
Peggy is chattering away asking her Daddy about Xmas Eve
which is only a week off. She is a great believer in Daddy
Xmas and she is longing to see him, she says.
If I keep awake all the time, will I
really see Daddy Xmas?
And Bill promises her she will, for her every wish is
gratified.
A week later - Xmas Eve - Bill carries
out his plan so as Peggy really will see
Daddy Xmas.
[10a]
Interior Bill's bedroom. Bill is seen dressing himself as
Father Xmas. His wife is helping him and puts the whiskers
on his face and a bag of toys on his back. He is then ready
and leaves the room.
11
Bill sneaks round to the window of Peggy's room and climbs
in through the window.
12
Interior Peggy's room. Peggy is awake and is waiting for
the magic visitor, she sees him - she looks in amazement,
then, rather afraid, she covers her curly head with the
sheet but soon peeps out again. Close up Mother watching
through door. Father Xmas fills up her pillow slip at the
end of the bed with all the toys she had been wishing for
and makes his exit. Childlike, she just makes sure he has
really gone and then, excitedly gathering up the toys, she
rushes out of the room.
13
Living Room. Peggy rushes into the room to convey the glad
tidings.
Oh Mummy, Oh Daddy, I've really seen
Father Xmas, see what he has left me.
Bill enters from the adjoining bedroom. In his haste to
resume mortal shape, he has forgotten to take the whiskers
off. His wife warns him and he snatches them off and crams
them in his pocket. Among Father Xmas' gifts is a book
entitled "The Prince and the Beggar Maid" - Peggy eagerly
thrusts it into her father's hands and says
"Read it to me now, Daddy."
He takes her on his knee and reads the fairy tale to her.
Once upon a time as a Prince went riding
through a great forest on a big white
horse, he met a woodcutter's daughter
gathering sticks. She was so beautiful
although her clothes were ragged and her
feet were bare, that the Prince fell in
love with her at once.
Leaping from his horse, he took off his
plumed hat and bowing gracefully to her
said "Let me put my bundle of sticks on
the back of my horse - he will be delighted
to carry them for you."
"You are very kind" said the woodchopper's
daughter. So he took the bundle of sticks
and placed it on the back of the big white
horse and together the Prince and the
beautiful maid walked side by side through
the forest till they came to the hut where
her parents lived.
The Woodchopper and his wife were
overwhelmed by the magnificence of their
visitor but the Prince soon put them at
their ease with his gracious manner.
"I love your daughter" he told them "and
you must come with her to the Court of
the King my father and the Queen my mother
and I will ask their blessing upon our
Marriage."
The Prince departed a little while after
and in a few days sent a guard of honor
to escort the maid and her parents to the
palace.
But when the King and Queen heard she was
only a woodcutter's daughter, they forbade
the Prince to marry her. The poor girl
wept bitterly at learning this, and as for
the Prince, he declared he would rather
renounce the throne than give her up.
The woodcutter himself however stood
forward and said:-
"Your Majesties, this dear child is not
our daughter. We found her wandering in
the forest when she was little more than
an infant and took her into our home and
brought her up as our own for we knew not
to whom she belonged. Perhaps the clothes
she wore will tell your Majesties whom she
is. We have them with us."
At her husband's words, the woodcutter's
wife opened a parcel she carried and
spread out before the throne the loveliest
dress and hat and shoes you ever saw.
There was a crest embroidered on the dress
and as soon as they beheld this the King
and Queen knew that the woodcutter's
daughter was really the daughter of a
neighboring King from whose garden she
had strayed away and been lost in the
forest fifteen years before. So all was
well and the Prince and the maid were
married amidst the rejoicings of two
kingdoms and lived happily ever after.
Just as the story reaches its highly satisfactory conclusion,
Peggy falls asleep and is carried off to bed.
Fade out.
Three months go by and then Fate mars the
brightness of the scene.
14
A street in Sydney. Bill Garvin meets with an accident
coming home from work; a crowd collects around. It is found
Bill's leg is broken. An ambulance is summoned and Bill's
one thought is his wife. He says to his mate:
Go and tell the missus will yer? - but
break it to 'er gently, mate.
He promises he will. Bill is then taken to the hospital.
15
Exterior Bill's Home. Mrs. Garvin and Peggy as usual all
clean and tidy waiting at the gate to meet daddy. Bill's
mate comes along and very nervously and gently as he can
breaks the news of the accident. The shock his words have
on Mrs. Garvin is plainly seen - her one thought is to
hasten to him and she rushes inside with Peggy to get ready.
The Casualty Ward at Sydney Hospital.
16
Casualty Ward. Close up Bill in bed in great pain. Mrs.
Garvin and Peggy come into the scene hurriedly. The sight
of her dear Bill lying there is too much for her - she
cries bitterly. Bill takes her hand and with a very worried
look says:
How ever will you manage, dear, till I am
well again?
She answers bravely:
Don't worry, Bill - I am strong and can
easily earn enough for Peggy and me.
A little while later the nurse tells them they must go - it
was a sad goodbye for them all.
A few days later.
17
Kitchen at Garvin's home. Mrs. garvin is bustling about her
work and Peggy is absorbed in "The Prince and the Beggar
Maid" when the Postman brings a letter - It reads:
Mrs. Garvin,
This is to inform you that your
application for the position advertised to
wash and iron at the wage of 10/- per day
is approved of, and to ask you to be good
enough to commence your duties tomorrow
morning at eight.
(Mrs) Edyth Enright Smyth
Mrs. Garvin thoughtfully puts the letter on the mantlepiece
and with a serious face resumes her work -
Fade out.
While her mother washed the dirty linen
of the Enright Smythes, Peggy is placed
in a Kindergarten School.
18
Kindergarten School. Here show close up of Peggy and also
all items of interest in connection with the Kindergarten
System.
19
The mansion "Corona" - Pott's Point where Mrs. Garvin is
washing. Close up of her at work. She looks out of the
window and sees:
20
Lovely lawn and garden scene, where a nurse with two little
girls about the same age as Peggy but dressed very
beautifully are playing.
21
laundry same as Scene 19. Mrs. Garvin watches them with
envious eyes and she mentally compares them with her own
little child and a great longing comes to her heart and she
murmurs:
If I could only bring up my Peggy like
them.
She watches them with a dreamy expression as they play on
the lawn -
Fade out.
In due course, Bill recovers and returns
home.
22
Interior Garvins. Bill returning home with his wife and
child who want to meet him. They are all delighted. The wife
takes off her hat - immediately starts to make the invalid
some tea, etc. Bill says:
Thank heaven you won't have to go out to
work any more.
For a moment she hesitates and says:
Don't ask me to give it up, Bill.
He looks surprised and asks:
Why, what do you mean?
She replies:
I want to save the money I earn to educate
Peggy and make a lady of her.
Bill puts his arm around her and tenderly says:
If she grows up as much a lady as her
mother, some bloke will be a happy man.
She appreciates his words and says:
It is nice to hear you say that, Bill,
but ain't it better to be a lady in a
drawing room than a lady in a kitchen,
with soft white hands instead of hands
like these?
She holds out her hands. Bill takes them in his and kisses
them. Here Peggy speaks up and settles the matter by
declaring:
I don't want to be a washerwoman, daddy.
I want to be a lady woman.
Mrs. Garvin seizes the opportunity this presents and urges
her point.
Say that you'll agree, Bill.
He looks at her with swimming eyes and just nods consent -
Fade out.
A year of happiness follows, then again
the clouds of misfortune gather over the
little home in Woolloomooloo and the
lightnings of fate strike ruthlessly.
NOTE. In this title, a storm is shown with a vivid flash of
lightning.
23
Exterior Garvin's home. Bill returning from work - no one
to meet him this time.
24
Interior. Bill enters room, he finds his wife lying down in
a State of collapse. Peggy is preparing the meal. The wife
says:
Oh, Bill, I'm so sick.
Bill is distracted, he rushes out, and presently returns
with a doctor who, after an examination, turns and says to
Bill:
A bad case of Appendicitis. She must go to
the hospital at once.
The doctor takes his departure. Bill sinks helplessly into
the nearest chair, the wife tells him not to worry, she'll
soon be quite alright and home again. It passes through
Bill's mind how wonderful she was - she always looked on
the bright side in the very depth of trouble and tried to
cheer him.
Peggy is at the stove trying to cook a pan of sausages for
tea. Her mother had directed her what to do but since the
Doctor's arrival she had been forgotten so was just doing
it her own way.
Comedy is in where she tries to turn them over and drop
them and the dog springs up on them and runs out with a
string of sausages dragging after him. Peggy screams and
chases him with the pan. Just at this moment, the Ambulance
arrives and Mrs. Garvin is taken away, leaving behind the
grief stricken father clasping the child.
The following day.
25
Exterior Sydney Hospital - fade to interior where Bill and
Peggy are anxiously awaiting the result of the operation. A
nurse comes to them and says gently:
Your wife is very ill - you may see her.
They follow her.
26
Ward in Hospital. The nurse leads them to the bedside of
Mrs. Garvin - she looks at them and murmurs:
I'm dying, Bill.
He kneels at her bedside and sobs at her words - she strokes
his hair. Her words come slowly.
We have been very happy, Bill - But this
is not the end - I'll wait for you where
I'm goin', Bill.
Bill cannot endure it - he puts his arm around her as if to
hold her back, saying wildly:
Darling, you shall not leave us. We cannot
do without you, Peggy and I -
He is overcome with grief. The little girl clings to him and
starts to cry.
The dying woman shakes her head and says:
You must be both father and mother to her
now.
Then, after a short interval during which she seems to
almost lose consciousness, she recovers momentarily and
says:
Promise me, Bill - you - will have her
brought - up - to be a - lady.
Bill looks her straight in the eyes and says with his whole
heart:
I will give my life to do what you want -
Peggy shall be a lady.
A smile steals over her face and then she lies quite still
and calm. Bill realises that she is dead - the nurse gently
leads the grief stricken man and child away -
Fade out.
However great the sorrows of the poor,
necessity extracts from them a tribute
of daily toil.
27
The wharf Pymont. Bill is seen at work on the wharf. He is
very dejected and does not speak to the other men. Two
labourers nearby are talking, one points to Bill and says:
'E ain't got over the loss of 'is missus
yet.
The other man looks at Bill and shrugs his shoulders and
replies:
Blime - mine don't gimme a chance to get
over the loss of 'er.
His mate laughs and they go on with their work -
Fade out.
Bill decides that the time has come to
carry out the wish of Peggy's mother and
send Peggy to College.
28
Interior Garvin's house. Bill is seen sitting almost in
darkness, plunged in profound thought. Presently, he rises,
lights a candle and goes into:
29
Peggy's bedroom. Bill enters and goes over to the little cot
where Peggy is sleeping. He gazes down fondly yet sadly and
strokes her curly hair then murmurs to himself:
How I'm goin' ter part with yer, little
pal, I don't know.
A lump rises in his throat - he turns away and slowly leaves
the room.
A week later, Peggy is placed at Rose Bay
Convent in charge of the Good Sisters of
Mercy.
30
Exterior of Rose Bay Convent. The nuns are seen walking in
the beautiful grounds and their girl pupils playing about.
31
Close up of Bill concluding his arrangements with the
Mother Superior, she takes the little girl kindly by the
hand and says:
Your little daughter will be taken the
greatest care of, Mr. Garvin.
Bill snatches the child to him passionately for a moment,
then puts her down and leaves. Peggy cries pitifully, the
Mother Superior tries to comfort her.
32
Road outside the Convent. Bill walks along scarcely knowing
where he is going. Once, he stops and looks back. In the
distance rises the spires and gables of the Convent, with a
sigh he turns again and resumes his aimless way. Presently,
he finds himself at the Gap, a spot made famous by many who
had ended their earthly cares by throwing themselves over.
There are scenes in nature that are grand
and beautiful yet over which a tragic
suggestion broods forever and the winds
have the sound of the beating of death.
As the title dissolves, the grim "Gap" is seen, with the
figure of Death dimly suggested hovering in the clouds.
Bill is seen at the top looking down, overpowered by the
loneliness that has come into his life - he mutters:
If ever a bloke felt like chuckin'
himself over, I do.
A vision of his dying wife rises up before him with himself
and Peggy by her bedside, she is saying "you must be both
father and mother to her now" - He stretches out his arms
to the vision and, pulling himself together, he retraces
his steps and so life goes on and the scene fades out.
Bill had sold off his little home and was
now living in a cheap room in the vicinity.
33
Exterior common boarding house in Woolloomooloo with notice
in window. This is where Bill now lives - fade into Interior
of his room. He is looking worried and puzzled, has a bill
from the Convent in his hand. He says:
The makings of a lady costs money. How am
I going to pay for it?
He walks restlessly about and says:
Looks as if a wharf labourer can't afford
a lady in the family.
Coming near the window he pauses for a instant and gazes out
and his attention is drawn to:
34
Street Corner. A strolling musician with a violin is playing
at the street corner. People are throwing coins into his hat.
35
Same as 33. Bill from his window sees this. An idea flashes
into his brain:
Well, that's not a bad lurk: they tell me
I can sing, why not go in partners with
this bloke?
He gets his hat and leaves the room.
36
Same as Scene 34. Bill comes up to the violin player and
starts talking to him. He seems to like the idea of a
singing partner. Bill invites him along to his room.
37
Interior Room. Both enter - Bill is quite excited. Soon they
are seen trying out a song. Screen words and music.
She thought her father was a cove with
thousands in the bank,
A leader on the Stock Exchange
or else a man of rank.
She pictured 'im a 'owling toff!
'E never let 'er know
'E was an organ grinder
In the streets of O-hi-o
The fiddler is delighted. He shakes Bill warmly by the hand
and exclaims enthusiastically:
It sounds like a bloomin' Opera Company.
They then and there form a partnership -
Fade out.
So the next night after his hard day's
work, Bill makes his first appearance on
the Street Corner.
38
Street Corner. Night effect - Bill and his partner singing
on the Street Corner, quite a big crowd round and, at the
end, a liberal collection results -
Fade out.
Ten years pass.
PEGGY
Aged seventeen and rapidly growing up to
be a lady on the proceeds of the Opera
Company.
39
Close up of Peggy, a very pretty girl playing Tennis with
the other girls, all at once sees her father in the
distance for it is visiting day at the Convent. She waves
and rushes over to meet him - greets him lovingly and then
arm in arm they walk away.
40
A shady seat underneath an old gum tree. Peggy and her
father walk into the scene and sit down and talk. She tells
him all her little bits of news and then says:
I am so happy here, daddy. But how
expensive it must be for you!
He answers:
Yes, it costs me a good few - er - notes.
She continues:
You have never told me yet what your
position is.
Bill is silent for a little while. Vision of himself
singing:
She thought her father was a cove with
thousands in the bank,
A leader on the Stock Exchange
or else a man of rank.
He smiles and says:
I operate on the Stock Exchange.
Peggy is delighted and asks:
And are you very successful, daddy?
Oh, yes, I make quite a hat full of
money at times.
She puts her arm around his neck and says thankfully:
How glad I am we are rich. It must be
dreadful to be poor.
Peggy's friend Diana Gilchrist approaches them and says:
Oh, Mr. Garvin, I want you to let Peggy
spend her Holidays with us on our Station
in Queensland. You will, won't you?
Peggy pleads that he will let her go as she is longing to do
so. Bill answers that he is only too pleased for her to go.
Both girls thank him and soon after he bids Peggy a fond
goodbye and takes his departure.
Three weeks later.
41
Interior Bill's room. He is seen reading a letter from Peggy.
This letter is screened and visioned in.
Dear Daddy,
We arrived here last Tuesday at four
o'clock (vision in). A car met us at the
Station and drove us home (vision in). Oh,
such a glorious place (vision in).
Diana's mother and father gave us a
splendid welcome (vision in). And then I
was introduced to her brother Geoffrey and
such a lovely boy with the most glorious
dreamy eyes and black curly hair (vision
in).
The next morning I was shown over the
Station - hundreds of horses and sheep.
Oh, it is wonderful to see (vision in) -
together they have about twenty dogs
(vision in). He says he thinks I'm the
prettiest girl he has ever seen. Every
night I sing and play for them (vision
in). I'm having a wonderful time, daddy,
and would not have missed it for anything.
Tuesday
We have just returned home from the Show.
Geoffrey won the jumping contest - his
horse jumped seven feet (vision in). I
can ride wonderfully well now and Geoffrey
is teaching me to drive his car - (vision
in). Geoffrey is very clever - he can do
almost anything.
Friday
Daddy, something wonderful has happened.
Last night Geoffrey and I were sitting
out on the verandah watching the beautiful
sunset - and then - and then - Oh, Daddy,
I don't know what to tell you - but
Geoffrey told me I was the dearest and
sweetest girl in all the world and that he
loved me. He asked me if I loved him well
enough to become engaged to him - and I
said "yes" - that is, if you consent,
Daddy, which I feel sure you will for it
means making your little Peggy the
happiest girl in the world. Geoffrey's
mother came out and found us - and he
told her all about it - she kissed me and
said she was very pleased. I was all she
could desire. They are all so anxious to
meet you now, Daddy.
Saturday
Mr. & Mrs. Gilchrist and Geoffrey have
decided to spend the rest of our holidays
at their City home at Pott's Point. I am
to stay with them and we are going to all
the theatres, etc. We are arriving home
on Wednesday 11th and Mrs. Gilchrist is
inviting you to dinner at their home on
Thursday the 12th. They are all so anxious
to meet you, especially Geoffrey who is
waiting for your consent to our engagement.
Now, Daddy, be sure to look your very best
- we dress for dinner, you know. I've
never seen you in a dinner suit but I'm
sure you must look nice.
My fondest love,
Peggy
P.S. Be sure and write at once and let
me know if Thursday night will suit you.
Bill finishes reading the letter - he says to himself:
Well, blime, here's a nice fix to be in.
This is what I got for having a lady in
the family.
Then he continues:
Well, what am I goin' to do about it?
He looks again at the letter and the postscript answers his
question.
P.S. Be sure and write at once and let
me know if Thursday night will suit you.
He then and there gets pen and paper and an old dictionary
he has and puts them before him. He seizes the pen in his
unaccustomed fingers and page after page he writes and
rewrites and, after repeated failures, he gives it up with
a sigh of despair. - Then a sudden inspiration seizes him -
he says:
"Old Tom is the chap for this job if I can
only find him sober."
He puts on his hat and leaves the room.
42
Cheap lodging house near Bill's place - Bill enters.
Tom - educated dead beat.
43
Poverty room. Tom is seen at table reading. Bill enters and
explains the fix he is in, the result is that a letter is
written to Peggy in great style and, after liberally
rewarding the writer, Bill leaves with the precious
document.
44
Exterior. Bill coming out of house and walking over to
pillar box and drops the letter in and heaves a sigh of
relief and pleasure.
The dinner suit was a nightmare to Bill -
however he thought of a way out of it.
45
Exterior - Woolf's Second Hand Shop - Bathurst Street. Bill
enters.
46
Interior shop. Bill asks for dinner suit. After trying on
several, he finds one that he thinks will suit him - it is
several sizes too large for him but the Jew dealer throws
up his hands in an ecstasy of admiration and says:
A lovely fit! - it couldn't have been
made as well to order.
Bill purchases the suit - also boots and hat and leaves the
shop.
47
Further up Street. Bill stops at Book Shop - sees book
"Table Manners" - he enters and buys it - then returns home.
It was four days before the dinner party
and Bill spent every spare moment he had
in rehearsing what he was going to do and
say.
48
Interior Bill's room - He is seen sitting at an imaginary
dinner table, studying table etiquette and behaving politely
to imaginary guests according to its directions.
Allow me to have the honor of passing
the pepper, Miss de Vere.
Can I have the pleasure of helping you to
a handful of peas?
Then he studies how to use his knife and fork, etc. -
Fade out.
Wednesday the 11th.
The Gilchrists arrive at the City home
Pott's Point.
49
Scene of beautiful home at Pott's Point. The Gilchrists
arrive in their car. As they get out they are introduced.
Mrs. Gilchrist.
A lady who does not consider poverty a
crime, but considers it an unforgivable
offense in her friends and bad manners
wherever met.
Close up Mrs. Gilchrist getting out of car.
Mr. John Gilchrist.
A financier who reduces everything to
percentages and reckons that love is
only possible on a solid cash basis.
Close up Mr. Gilchrist getting out of car.
Geoffrey.
A bright youth rather subject to his
parents at present but with a budding
sense of independence that will one day
astonish them.
Close up Geoffrey getting out of car.
Diana.
Peggy's bosom friend whom you have seen
before but until now have not been
introduced to.
Close up of Diana getting out of car.
And now since a young girl in love is one
of the most charming sights in the world,
you had better have a real good look at -
Peggy.
Close up of Peggy as she is being helped out of the car by
Geoffrey. They all go indoors happily.
Only a stone's throw from the slums, yet
what a gulf between.
Fade out on long shot of the house.
The night of the dinner party.
50
Exterior Gilchrist home - Fade in - Bill nervously ringing
the bell. He is most fearfully and wonderfully arrayed in
his second hand clothes. He hastily takes a peep at "Table
Etiquette" book which he has in his pocket to refresh his
memory. The man opens the door, he hastily hides the book
in his pocket but the title of it is just peeping out
unknown to Bill. He enters the house.
51
Interior Gilchrist mansion - Bill enters - Peggy hears him
and comes rushing down and greets him lovingly - she holds
him at arms' length and looks him up and down with the
slightest suspicion of dismay clouding her happy face.
Close up of check socks and handkerchief and tie - Peggy
says:
Daddy, wherever did you get the suit?
He turns round proudly yet blushingly very much impressed
with his appearance.
Remembering the dealer's raptures, he unconsciously repeats
his words:
Fits better than if it was made to order,
don't it?
Peggy is saved the necessity of replying to his
embarrassing question by the entrance of their hosts. They
gaze at Bill with slightly uplifted eyebrows but Geoffrey
is warm in his welcome to his sweetheart's father and so is
Diana. Soon dinner is served and they enter the dining room.
52
Dining room. They all take their seats at the table. There
are about six guests present besides the family. Bill begins
in a bashful way to show off the knowledge he has acquired
from that great book "Table Etiquette" - and gets dreadfully
mixed up over it - Soup is served.
Allow me to have the honor of passing you
the salt, Mrs. Gilchrist.
He rises from his seat to stretch across the table for the
salt and knocks something over as he is doing so - all try
to conceal their surprise but the effort is rather a
painful one - Fish is being served. As the maid hands a
plate to Bill he looks at it and at the sight of Fish he
forgets everything and says, pushing it away:
Not for me, thanks. I had fish and chips
for tea the other night and it poisoned
me. I was as sick as a dawg for days
after.
Everyone again looks surprised, the maid tries to hide a
smile. The third course is served. Bill eats it ravenously
and enjoys it thoroughly - he never remembered tasting
anything like it before. He has finished before some of the
others have started. He says to Mrs. Gilchrist as he is
finishing the last mouthful:
My word, this is a bosker duck, Mrs.
Gilchrist. It's as tender as a chicken.
I'd like a little more, please.
and pushes his plate towards her - before the astonished
woman has time to reply, the maid comes and takes the plate
away and comes back with a return. Bill thanks her. He
commences to eat again then turns to Mr. Gilchrist and says:
Well, I must say yer missus is a bosker
cook, Mr. Gilchrist.
Mr. Gilchrist fidgets in his chair - he is slightly annoyed.
Bill seems to feel he is not a success. Peggy is beginning
to look rather worried.
Asparagus is served. Bill looks at it - he has never seen it
before - He looks shyly at them, mentally saying:
Well, blime, I've never seen them in me
life - There's nothing about them in
"Table Etiquette"
However, he looks around the table and sees how the others
are eating them - then he starts to pick one up and catches
it by the soft end and it breaks and drops - after several
attempts, he gets it to his mouth and swallows the whole lot
with the result that the stringy part gets down his throat
and nearly chokes him - he coughs and splutters and turns
red - all the others watch him - at last, he takes a drink
of water and recovers. This comedy of errors goes on until
the fateful meal is over and an adjournment is made to the
music room.
53
Music room at Gilchrists' home - Several other guests arrive
- Peggy is sitting near two haughty dames - hears one of them
ask the other:
Who is that dreadful looking person over
there? Look at his clothes.
The other, surveying Bill through a lorgnette as if he were
some curious animal at the Zoo, replies:
What you might call a SACK suit.
Peggy moves away, ashamed of her father and angry with his
critics. Presently, Peggy is persuaded to sing and play and
she does so in a charming manner and wins the admiration of
every one present. Bill is very proud of her. At last, the
guests depart. Bill is absolutely disgusted and, oppressed
by a sense of failure, makes an awkward exit and drops his
book "Table Etiquette" out of his pocket. Geoffrey picks it
up and returns it to him. The young man is plainly staggered
by the title of the book. Bill is very much ashamed and he
says goodbye and leaves.
54
Exterior Gilchrists' home. Bill comes out - Special title.
55
Interior Gilchrists' music room. The situation is somewhat
strained. Peggy is feeling humiliated. Mr. & Mrs. Gilchrist
are distinctly frigid, conscious that they have been imposed
upon by someone of no class. Geoffrey tries to suppress the
fact that he is worried and disturbed - Diana alone shows no
change in her manner. Peggy relieves the situation by saying
it is time for bed and beating a hurried retreat. Geoffrey
opens the door for her and sees her to the foot of the
stairs.
56
Foot of stairs. Peggy and Geoffrey come into scene. Geoffrey
kisses her and, making a valiant effort, says:
Good night, darling. I like your father
immensely.
Peggy hurries upstairs and Geoffrey returns to the Music
Room.
57
Music Room. Geoffrey enters just in time to hear his mother
say with aristocratic scorn:
He is quite a common person. His manners
and his clothes are dreadful.
Geoffrey replies warmly -
He has not been educated, that's all. But
what does it matter so long as Peggy is a
lady?
The mother answers:
Good birth is essential. Do not forget
you are a Gilchrist, Geoffrey. Peggy is a
sweet girl - but her father is impossible.
We could not dream of you marrying into
such a family.
Geoffrey angrily continues:
I love Peggy and that is enough for me.
and Geoffrey flings out of the room.
58
Pretty verandah scene. Geoffrey comes out and starts pacing
up and down, thinking deeply, and his face is overcast with
gloom - As his thoughts turn to Peggy, the clouds are driven
away by the sunshine of love - Fade out.
The next night, a Theatre party had been
arranged.
59
Exterior Gilchrists' home. The family and Peggy are seen
leaving in a car. Peggy is quiet and grave - the old
atmosphere of cordiality is gone - Geoffrey had quite
recovered - he came to the same conclusion that Peggy and he
loved each other and nothing else mattered, and his parents'
or the world's opinion were naught to him. As they drive
along, Geoffrey is seen holding Peggy's hand.
60
Kings Cross WIlliam Street. Night scene.
The Gilchrists' car is seen coming along the street when it
suddenly develops engine trouble and stops, and on the
street corner only a few feet away there is a small crowd of
people and Bill is singing at the top of his voice to the
strains of the violin.
He is singing the words:
She thought her father was a cove
With thousands in the bank,
A leader on the Stock Exchange
Or else a man of rank.
She pictured 'im a 'owling toff!
'E never let 'er know
'E was an organ grinder
In the streets of O-hi-o
As the last syllable leaves his lips, Bill catches sight of
the Gilchrists and his dear Peggy and he knows that he is
seen by them all. But not a sign of the recognition is
betrayed on either side. The minor car breakdown is quickly
adjusted and the car drives on in silence. Close up of Bill
overwhelmed and agitated by the discovery.
When the Theatre party returned home ...
61
Interior music room. All arrive - Peggy pleads a headache
and begs to be excused and retires to her room.
62
Peggy's bedroom at Gilchrists'. Peggy enters and collapses in
a state of grief and moans:
My daddy a street singer - oh, what will
they think of me?
Suddenly, she springs to her feet and dries her eyes - she
impulsively decides to see Mrs. Gilchrist at once. She will
not remain under their roof any longer. She hurriedly leaves
the room.
63
Exterior Library door. Peggy enters and pauses with her hand
on the door, hearing voices inside.
64
Interior Library - Mr. & Mrs. Gilchrist and Geoffrey in the
library having high words between them. His mother is saying
sternly:
I tell you, Geoffrey, it cannot be. The
man has imposed upon us all. The
engagement must end. You cannot marry the
daughter of a street beggar.
65
Exterior Library door - Peggy overhears the words and quickly
opens the door.
66
Same as Scene 64. Peggy bursts impetuously into the room -
she faces Mrs. Gilchrist and exclaims with quivering lips:
My father is no beggar - what he had done
was for my sake. But you need not fear for
your son, Mrs. Gilchrist. I am going out
of his life forever.
Geoffrey is hurt by her words - hastening to her side, he
takes her hand and passionately declares:
I love you more than ever, Peggy. No one on
earth shall part us.
She pushes him gently from her and says:
Your mother is quite right, Geoffrey. Our
marriage is impossible.
With tears in her eyes but with head erect, she hastens from
the room.
Early the next morning, before the
Gilchrist family are awake.
67
Sunrise scene. Exterior Gilchrists mansion. Peggy is seen
leaving the house.
68
Exterior Convent. The bell is ringing for morning prayers.
Peggy is seen entering the gates. She thinks, only six weeks
ago, she left there a happy girl - now she returns a broken-
hearted one. She walks up the path towards the entrance -
the dear kind Mother Superior meets her there and she can
see at once that there is something wrong. She puts her arms
around her and takes her indoors.
69
Room in the Convent. Peggy and the Mother Superior enters -
she looks at her and says:
Why, Peggy dear, what ever is the matter?
Seated at the feet of the Mother Superior - the poor girl
tells her pitiful story. With every mark of gracious
sympathy, the nun listens and, at the conclusion, says:
Your father is a good and brave man. Do
not grieve, my child - with Heaven's help,
it will all come right in the end.
70
Interior of the Gilchrists' - Geoffrey reads the letter that
Peggy had put under his door.
Dear Geoffrey,
I am going back to the Convent. Do not
attempt to see me again. It would only be
painful for us both. I have quite made up
my mind. I could not be the cause of
separating you from your family and I will
always think with love and gratitude of
the father who has sacrificed so much for
me - goodbye.
Peggy.
Despite this letter, Geoffrey decides at once he will see
her again, and make a passionate appeal to her and try and
make her realise what this separation means to him. He
hastily puts on his motor coat and hat and leaves the house.
71
Exterior Convent - Geoffrey's car drives up and he alights -
he says to the nun who meets him:
I must see Miss Garvan at once on urgent
and important business.
She tells him to enter.
72
Hall in Convent. Nun tells him to be seated and she leaves
and presently comes back and takes him along to the room
where Peggy is.
73
Private room in the Convent. Geoffrey enters - Peggy is
there. His voice trembles with emotion when he addresses
her:
Peggy, this is terrible, dear. I cannot
live without you.
She stands at a distance from him, struggling to be calm.
It is harder for me than you, Geoffrey,
but I must go through with it.
He answers:
Say you will marry me, dear. I can live
without my people and their money. You are
more to me than all else in the world. Oh,
Peggy, do not cast me off.
She slowly shakes her head and says:
My love is yours forever, Geoffrey, but I
will not accept the sacrifice you offer.
Nor will I marry into a family that
despises my father.
He continues to plead with her but she remains firm, though
the trial is one that shakes her to the soul. Suddenly, she
comes to his side and says:
Good-bye, Geoffrey.
He clasps her in his arms and strains her to him. Breaking
away from him with a resolution that tears her to the heart,
she hastens from the room. Geoffrey stands there alone like
one bereft of all hope of happiness. He slowly leaves the
Convent, realising that his pleadings had failed and his
heart is broken.
The next day.
74
Bill's room at Woolloomooloo. Bill is reading a letter from
Peggy:
Dear Father,
It is all over with Geoffrey - our
engagement is broken. I am back at the
Convent. The Reverend Mother has very
kindly given me a position on the teaching
staff, so it will not be necessary for you
to sing in the streets any longer in order
to pay for my education. I am touched to
the heart when I think of the sacrifices
you have made for me these years past.
Come to see me soon, Daddy.
Yours loving,
Peggy.
Bill puts down the letter and strides up and down his little
apartment agitatedly, wondering what he can do now to save
Peggy whom out of sheer love he had deceived so long. Now he
has become an obstacle to her happiness. All night he sits
and thinks. At last, his eye rests on the corner of the
mantlepiece where lay several little mementos of her
childhood - among them is the fairy book "The Prince and the
Beggar Maid" - instantly, as by inspiration,a bold idea
flashes into his mind.
He says:
When the Woodcutter bloke confessed that
his daughter was not really his child and
she turned out to be the lost princess,
the King and his Missus let the Prince,
their son, marry her and everything in
the garden was lovely.
He sits and muses for a while - then he says:
Well, I'm the woodcutter, ain't I? and
Geoffrey is the Prince, and his pa and ma
are the King and Queen, and Peggy - why,
Peggy's got to be the lost princess and not
my daughter at all.
As these fairy characters are mentioned, each is thrown on
the screen and then fades out, revealing the characters in
the story.
The next day, filled with heroic spirit,
Bill goes to see the Gilchrists to put his
scheme into operation.
75
Exterior Gilchrist Mansion. Bill is seen ringing at the
bell. The servant shows him in.
76
Library Gilchrist Mansion. Servant shows Bill into the
Library and then takes his message to Mrs. Gilchrist. A
little later, both Mr. & Mrs. Gilchrist enter the room.
Nervously twisting his hat in his rough hands, he stumbles
with broken sentences into his strange story:
I have come to tell you that Peggy is not
my daughter.
These words cause a momentary sensation. He continues:
When I was courting my missus, she was a
nurse at a rich house. There were only
three in the family - husband, wife and
little Peggy. They were swell English
people. The wife died and the husband was
broken-hearted. He handed little Peggy
over to my missus because they loved each
other dearly - He paid us well and
promised to return and take little Peggy
back to England. Then he went travelling
into wild countries and we never seen or
heard of him again.
The Gilchrists look at each other in amazement and there is
a flicker of gladness on their faces, too - for here was the
prospect of getting rid of the only impediment to the
marriage of their son with the girl he loved. Bill concludes:
We loved Peggy as if she had been our own
child, and I've always tried to be a
father to her but I ain't goin' to stand in
[script is incomplete]
Screenplay by Ray Longford and Lottie Lyell
Draft submitted as "The Bloke from Woolloomooloo"