[♪]
You give it back, Felix!
Not until you help me with my essay!
Like you promised.
Wait til I catch you, you little toad!
♪ Na-na-na- na-na-na ♪
I didn't think you'd be so eager to attend the lecture.
What - and miss all the fun?
I wager that Bill McNeil and Angus McCorkadale
will have a few choice words to say
about women wanting the vote.
Alec King.
Why shouldn't women have the vote?
[kids arguing in background]
Don't look at me.
I'm not stopping them.
Give me back that paper, you little worm!
-Make me!
What's going on out there?
Felix King, if you don't come out of there this minute,
I'm going to break it down!
Felicity, please.
Felix, open that door.
Did you hear what mother said?
Open the door!
I give up.
They never listen to me anymore.
Felicity - stop that.
Father, if you don't do something about him now...
Oh, calm down, Felicity.
Felix -- open the door.
Now, whatever you were doing - stop it.
He took my homework.
But she promised...
Give her back her work. Now.
And Felicity, keep your promise to your brother.
And enough of this silliness.
Both of you.
Sara - you're in charge for the evening
or at least until they regain some sense.
The Women's Christian Temperance Union
is proud to present
our Guest Speaker, writer, lecturer,
and suffragette... Ameila Sandhurst!
[applause]
I come to you with a vision of a new tomorrow!
When the voice of women will finally be heard!
Seems to me they never shut up!
[men laughing]
Order, please!
If women raise their voices in frustration,
it's because we're silenced at the polls.
For centuries, men have governed and women have obeyed.
You ain't met my Rose!
[laughter]
Oh, hush up, Bill McNeil.
When women have the vote,
we'll finally be able to take power in the world!
Power is the means to make a difference.
Politicians, male politicians,
tell us what's important and decide our futures.
With the vote, we'll tell them what are the important issues.
We'll decide our own futures, and the futures
of our children.
Who cooks supper while you ladies are doin' all this?
If women can learn to be doctors and lawyers surely men can learn
to boil an egg!
Oh, you're talkin' gibberish!
I'd never let my Bert near the stove!
[laughter]
No lady doctor's lookin' at me.
She wouldn't want to.
[laughter]
Why shouldn't women be doctors?
We're just as smart as men!
A good deal smarter...possibly.
[laughter]
Order! I said order!
We're being rude to our guest!
I have here a national petition
demanding our government grant us the right to vote!
Who'll be the first to sign?
What about you, Mrs. Spencer?
Now, Mrs. Sandhurst,
we don't want to rush things...do we.
[murmuring]
Alec...
Come forward!
Don't be shy!
It's brave women like you who lead the way!
You'll lead the way to perdition and confusion.
Two conditions you should know about Angus McCorkadale.
JANET: I'm not brave.
I'm just a farm wife...
And that's just where you should stay - on the farm.
Instead of sticking your nose where it doesn't belong -
in men's affairs.
You're a gallant soldier in the fight for freedom and equality!
-I am...? -Hah!
Equality - over my dead body.
Warrant he not be that outspoken
if Margaret McCorkadale were here.
She may be reclusive but he can't match her temper.
Isn't that the truth.
Let me leave this copy of our petition with you!
Our cause is a very good one!
Oh, I don't know...
If you can get even fifty signatures, you'll be helping
to change the country!
I wish I were at the meeting tonight.
I'd love to meet a real live suffragette!
What's a suffragette?
A troublemaker.
Felix!
Suffragettes are brave,
heroic women who are struggling for the right of women to vote.
I deeply admire Amelia Sandhurst...
Oh, Sara.
She's just an old maid who's too plain to find a husband.
She happens to be married with three children!
Felix! This water's much too hot!
Let Sara get it!
I can't.
I'm stirring the fudge!
[baby crying]
What's wrong Peter?
My Ma lost her job.
I'm worried about her.
I never thought I'd see my sister-in-law
become a suffragette of all things.
Now, Hetty...
I didn't promise anything.
I just said I'd consider it.
Remember that you're not a Ward anymore but a King
and Kings don't make spectacles of themselves.
C'mon...
What in heaven's name.
You children ought to be asleep...
I told them to go to bed, but they wouldn't listen!
You're still up!
I had to feed the baby!
He's always hungry!
What's all this?
We made chocolate fudge.
Felix ate most of it...
I did not!
Cecily and Daniel had some!
So did Digger, by the looks of it.
Go on, both of you.
It's past your bedtime...
Mother, could you iron my dress for tomorrow?
It's just hanging up there by the stove...
I think I'll turn in too.
I'm beat...
[Janet whispering] Alec...?
You believe women should have the vote, don't you.
Yes. Absolutely.
Alec...
Alec?
Janet - what is it?
What do you see, when you look at me?
This is the woman I love.
My beautiful wife.
And the mother of my children,
who means more to me than anything in the world.
HETTY: Oh, I don't know what Janet was thinking.
Go on Finish your porridge, both of you.
There's work to be done.
Aunt Olivia never left lumps in it.
That's enough Sara.
There's no Olivia so you children will simply have
to fill the breach.
Now listen up.
Sara, you're in charge of laundry, mending, dusting.
There is a bit of a backlog.
Peter, you must see to mending the fences in the potato fields
and feeding the hens.
Yes, ma'am...
Why can't I feed the hens, while Peter does the laundry?
Don't be absurd, child?
Though speaking of laundry...
[knocking]
I'll help you mend the fences if you help me do the laundry.
Laundry ... yech.
I'll feed the chickens, too.
Well ... all right.
HETTY: Peter.
I've a surprise for you.
Ma!
Oh, Peter.
Let me look at you.
You're so tall - a very fine young man.
I hope you don't mind my dropping in, Hetty.
Oh not at all.
Oh my?
Would you look at this place.
I'm afraid you find us in some disarray.
But let me offer you some tea.
Here do sit down.
Sara, clear a place will ya.
Oh my my this is a surprise.
I thought you were working in Markdale...
My employers have moved to Fredricton.
I couldn't go so far away from Peter...
I've missed you so much.
He's turned into to be a real good worker, Maude Craig.
Oh yes!
The best hired hand we've had, next to old Jake, of course.
Are you staying in Avonlea?
I've taken a job at the Cannery.
Oh my!
It's rough work, but at least it's honest.
I'm lucky to get it.
Did you find us a place to live?
I'm sorry, Peter.
My pay barely covers my room and board.
But I'll visit you everyday.
That skinflint, Angus McCorkadale!
Hires women just so he can bully them
and pay them starvation wages, to boot.
Isn't it the truth Maude?
Oh well...like I said I guess I'm just lucky to have the job.
I guess.
Maybe it's time we set the world to rights.
That Sandhurst woman has got me thinking.
Did you see her skirt?
Three inches above the ankles!
Suffragettes are fools all of them.
Without an ounce of regard for tradition or decency.
Hetty you surprise me.
You've got a career.
I attained my position by virtue of my ability, Janet.
Certainly never stooped to politics.
Aunt Hetty if women don't have the vote,
how can we ever change things?
Sara's right!
We have no real power over anything!
One thing's certain.
If women get the vote,
we'd solve the liquor problem!
And the Cannery would have to pay better wages!
That's right!
Poor Maude Craig can't even support her son!
Yakkety-yak-yak!
A man can't hear himself think!
Nobody asked your opinion, Angus McCorkadale!
I would sooner give the vote to a bunch of old hens!
Shame on you!
All your life, women have cooked your food,
cleaned your house for you,
taken care of you when you were sick!
And instead of thanking us, all you do is insult us!
Don't open up another can of worms, Janet King!
We're not here for you to bully and yell at.
We have opinions and we're going to voice them.
I've got news for you, Angus McCorkadale!
You're not giving anyone the vote!
We're taking it!
Good for you, Aunt Janet!
I'm going to get those fifty signatures!
Hetty.
Janet.
[♪]
Oh Alec, could you take Daniel for me?
I have to go into town.
Can't this wait for another day?
Felix can mind the baby, then.
As long as I don't have to change his diaper ...
I wish you wouldn't do this, Mother.
It's embarrassing.
What are all my friends gonna say at school?
Well tell them I'm doing it on behalf of children everywhere.
I'm all for women's suffrage, but you do have
responsibilities here at home...
Alec.
This is important.
Now Felicity, you're in charge of the kitchen.
Let the preserves simmer an hour, then leave them to cool.
The roast goes in at three...
I think everything's under control.
I'll be back in a few hours.
Wish me luck!
We wish you'd stay home.
Um, Alec?
Could you harness the horse, for me?
You know I make him skittish...
[♪]
Hello.
Hello...
State your business.
I'd like to speak to Rose.
You can talk t' me.
I don't suppose you'd like to support women's suffrage.....
No?
Well, thank you anyway.
Oh please, give Rose my regards...
Felix.
If you like them so much, then sit down and help me.
Where's Cecily?
I don't know.
Probably out with Digger somewhere.
Well? I'm not doing all this by myself.
It's perfectly fine, Felix.
[baby cries]
[♪]
Now I understand Mother's point of view.
We need the vote to better ourselves.
Won't you sign it, Katie?
I'd be happy to.
You would?
Only thing is, I never learned t' write.
Never had th' need...
[whimpering]
[crying]
Digger!
[♪]
I wouldn't have missed it for the world, Janet.
Why, Bert, she practically threw Angus MacCorkadale
right out the door.
So I heard.
Bert, stand still.
Oh but Clara, you know how important this is.
What it will mean for the future of girls
like your Sally and my Felicity.
Well, Janet, I'm not sure...I mean -
well, who else is going to sign it?
It's just that it seems to get tempers in an uproar
and people like Bill MacNeil - and Angus MacCorkadale
are fit to be tied over this.
Why, I bet if you could get Mrs. MacCorkadale to sign it,
others would soon come on board.
Oh yes. That's a good idea.
Bert! Now look what you've done.
Oh sorry, Janet dear.
Just no time for this.
No I will get Mrs. MacCorkadale.
It'll serve Angus right.
Thank you Clara.
Thank you Bert!
[knocking]
Mrs. McCorkadale?
I'm Janet King...
I don't speak to visitors...
Oh no please Mrs. McCorkadale!
I'm taking round this petition....
I don't read papers.
I make Gussy take care of all that...
Oh would you go away!
you're upsetting my cats!
Oh Mrs. MacCorkadale, please?
Mark my words.
Give women the vote and they'll soon wanna wear th' trousers!
Women have the right to their say in a democracy.
His own wife's come after in a suffragette....
She was round my place, botherin' Myrtle....
Janet's a free woman....
Hah! I pity a man who can't control his own home.
[♪]
That's a good Ceasar.
Alec please put Ceasar away...
I'm home.
Where are the children?
I sent them to bed.
They've wreaked enough havoc for one day.
Oh, well, I left Felicity in charge!
You are their mother!
They need your supervision!
A couple of neighbours stopped by
and they say you're stirring up their wives.
Oh Alec, you have no idea what some wives put up with!
I know what I put up with!
A wife who's too busy interfering in other people's
business to look after her own home!
Alec.
Look, I just want you to stop this nonsense!
-Is that an order? -You heard me!
I forbid you to carry on with this petition!
Forbid me!
I'm not your wife!
I'm your servant!
All you want me for is cooking and cleaning.
What do you think you're doing?
I'm leaving!
Not with my son, you're not!
Where are you going?
Come back here!
You can't order me around, Alec King!
I'm not your servant!
[knocking]
Sara stay there.
Hetty!
I've left Alec!
Oh Janet! What on earth...
He kept ordering and forbidding me...
...and the dog ate the dinner...
and Mrs. McCorkadale's cat nearly attacked me and oh....
Come, come now into the kitchen.
All that, that suffragette nonsense, I'll warrant.
Sit down.
No wonder...
The children!
Oh, Hetty I miss them already!
How can I ever live without them?!
Calm down.
Pull yourself together.
Hetty could I stay here?
I don't have any place else to go!
I suppose you could sleep in Olivia's old room
for tonight, at least.
By tomorrow this will all blow over, you'll see.
[sobbing] He thinks I'm a terrible mother!
I'm sure he doesn't think that.
Maybe now you'll drop that silly petition.
Oh, no.
I couldn't do that.
After what I've seen today, I think we need
the vote more than ever!
You what?
[baby crying]
♪ [Alec singing lullabye] ♪
Oh is it that bad?
Come on, you should hear me in the bath...
Father...?
Why you girls should be asleep.
Is Mother coming back?
Of course she is.
We just had a little tiff.
Sounded serious to me.
I'll take over!
It will give me practice for when I'm married.
You two will have to obey me.
We'll be her slaves.
That smells so good Aunt Janet.
A real breakfast...
Well, I'm off to Summerside to pick up some new textbooks.
Anything you need while I'm there Janet?
Oh no thank you Hetty, I'll be just fine...
Oh Good.
Oh here, I've made up a list of chores for you.
Chores!
Well, we're a bit behind you know with Olivia gone
and Sara just can't keep with it.
Not cut out for it really.
So with your being here may sell come as a blessing in disguise.
'Turn the beds, buy groceries, scrub the kitchen floor...'
Best remedy for a miserable heart is good hard work.
You know that I'll be back in time for dinner.
So whatever you choose to cook will be just fine...
I didn't leave home to do all this!
Idle hands are the devil's tools, remember.
I'm not idle, Hetty!
I'm working to emancipate women!
Well, this isn't a hotel you know!
Really Janet I'm beginning to see what Alec's up against.
Felix hurry up with that dough!
We're behind schedule...
Don't punch it!
Knead it!
Don't punch it! Knead It!
Look I'm taking the baby.
Shh, if you need us, we'll be in the back field.
[baby crying]
Here you take over the laundry.
I'll start dusting...
What do I do with it?
Oh, Peter, could you harness the horse for me dear?
Yes, ma'am.
I thought you'd know all about horses.
It's just something I never learned to do for myself.
Could you show me?
Of course. It's easy.
Could we come too?
I'd love to see a suffragette in action!
I wish you were old enough to sign my petition.
I'd sign it, too if it means better wages for my Ma...
[♪]
There she goes!
Large as life, and twice as bold!
I heard she threw a terrible tantrum!
Poured strawberry perserives all over the baby.
No wonder Alec threw her out!
I hear she left him!
Abandoned her poor poor children!
I'll pin the petition right here.
There must be someone who'll sign.
That's public property you're defacin' Janet King.
I'm posting a public notice Abner Jefferies!
People do it every day.
This here's seditious literature.
Might even be treasonous...
Treason!
It's it's a lawful petition!
Abner Jefferies you give me that, you...
you man!
That man oughta be impeached!
Good morning, Janet dear.
And how are you today?
You know very well I've quarreled with Alec.
No doubt you've been gossiping about it all morning.
Of all the shameless...!
I don't hold with mothers leaving their children.
You should go home, Janet King!
I intend to Eulalie Bugle!
Just as soon as I get my signatures!
Don't look at me for sympathy!
I don't want the vote.
Well I do...!
I may have signed that petition but I still say
mothers should be with their children.
I can't be with my ma.
Angus McCorkadale don't pay her enough money.
Well that's right, the cannery treats workers terribly!
Now if women had the vote, we'd change all that!
Sara, we will.
Ladies?
Fe-lix!
You let the fire go out...!
Why is the water red?
My favourite dress!
It's ruined.
Everything's red!
You did this on purpose...
Now, now Felicity.
Let's take this easy...
can't we just discuss this calmly--
You nincompoop...
[baby crying]
Whoahh....
Look like you've sprung a leak young fella!
Well don't worry your father should be able
to think of something now.
Yes, yes here, this should do.
I gotta bone t'pick with you!
What?
Your wife's been givin' my Rosie ideas!
Welcome to the club.
You tell 'er t' keep 'er nose outta things...
You tell her.
Beleive me Bill,
I've got my own problems to deal with.
In here we go.
Now let's see how does this go?
You ain't doin' that right.
It's gotta be three-sided....
[♪]
JANET: Excuse me...
Excuse me, everybody!
Excuse me...
Excuse me, everybody!
I'm here to talk about women's suffrage...
Here, stand on this...
I know the Cannery
doesn't treat you as fairly as it should.
Most of you can barely live on your wages!
When everyone has the vote,
we'll see that everyone gets a decent wage.
But that day won't come until we demand it!
This petition asks the government to let us vote.
Won't you sign it...?
What are you doing here?
Sign it, Ma...
I'll sign it.
Maude Craig.
I'll sign it too.
I will too.
What's going on here?
Back to work! The lot of you.
Go on, get...
Don't let him bully you!
You harpie!
Away off my Land.
Don't you try and frighten me away!
What's this?
Women's suffrage...!
Give that back!
Not till I see who's signed it.
Maude Craig!
That's me.
I knew you were trouble when I first laid eyes on you.
Consider yourself fired.
Miserable old fool tyrant!
I've told you get off my property!
And you I told you get back to work!
And you have 2 minutes before I have you charged
for trespassing.
Come on, Aunt Janet.
Let's go...
Maude, I'm so sorry.
What will you do?
Well, you can stay here with us.
No, until you get back on your feet.
Oh no, Janet, but I couldn't do that.
Hetty won't mind...
[door opens]
Hello.
I'm home!
You're home already!
Is dinner ready?
Dinner?
Oh, Hetty look we...
We have a guest!
She'll be staying with us. Isn't that nice...?
Lovely.
Afternoon Maude.
You're supposed to wring the water out, first!
The mangle wouldn't work!
The line's too loose.
I'll fix it.
Digger!
I'll not have my home turned into a refuge
for wayward women!
Hetty! Maude Craig is very respectable!
[knocking]
I'm not talking about Maude.
I'm talking about you!
Alec!
And the baby!
I missed you so much!
Mama's little sweetie-pie!
I'll never leave you again!
I want you to come home...
Oh? Is that another order?
Can't somebody else take the petition round?
Like who?
The children need you. I need you...
You just need me to cook your dinner.
You think that's all I'm good for!
You don't care about me at all!
Well, right now I don't plan to cook anyone's dinner!
Ever again!
[knocking]
Alec, answer the door, will ya?
Now look here I don't wish to interfere
but I think you and Alec
should try to discuss this calmly and sensibly.
'Scuse us, ma'am. We'd like a word...
Of course.
We all got talkin' after you left.
What you said was true.
Ain't nothin' gonna change for us until we make it.
The boss had no call firin' Maude!
She's a good worker!
Ain't none of us can live on our wages.
How can I help?
We're goin' on strike!
We come t' see if you and Maude'll join us.
Please come home, Janet.
I'm sorry, Alec.
I have to see this through.
Oh, I'll take the baby with me,
so he won't be any trouble.
Well I warned you when you married her, Alec.
She's willful and high-strung,
just like everyone in that family.
No Hetty!
She's my wife,
and she's doing what she thinks is right!
Well, if that's how you feel,
what's all the argument?
Because I needed her help, and she wasn't there...
And maybe...maybe it frightened me...
I see!
I pity poor Angus McCorkadale!
Oh blast an' tarnation!
I'll show these females...!
Here gimme that!
That's what'll happen to you unless you go back to work.
Let's see you try!
I know your name, Sheila Simms!
I'm goin to see to it you never work again,
for anybody!
And the rest of you
have one last chance back to work!
Or you're all fired!
Don't listen!
You must stick together!
You're only strong if you're all united!
My fish are rotting!
I'm going to sue every one o' you, for all you're worth!
We ain't got ten cents between us!
We starve on the money we earn!
I demand you raise these women's wages!
And you give Maude Craig back her job!
You've no...
You've no right
to treat us the way you do!
If they go on strike,
they'll close down the Cannery!
What's all the ruckus...?
'Raise Our Wages!
ALL: Raise Our wages!'
You're under arrest!
You can't arrest her!
That Angus McCorkadale is such a bully.
I wish I were older,
then I could do something.
I wonder if Mrs. McCorkadale knows how he treats the workers.
Aunt Janet says she never goes outside...
He probably treats her awful.
You want to go meet her?
Oh go ahead, lock me up!
I won't be the first suffragette to wind up in jail.
You can't let Angus McCorkadale do this -
not to Janet King and not to us.
What do you mean - all of us take part?
Don't you understand.
This is more than a fight for women -
it's a fight for better wages - for all of us.
If you're talkin' about makin' more money
I'm with you.
Why didin't she say that in the first place.
I'm with you. Sign me up. Maude.
Let's go!
Children!
Good heavens!
Go away now! Scat!
But Mrs. McCorkadale?
What do you want?
I don't bother with children.
My cats don't seem to like them.
Well we came about your husband.
Gussy?
He's off taking care of the Cannery.
But that's just the problem.
The cannery.
I know you'll understand, Mrs. McCorkadale.
Mr. McCorkadale treats his workers unfairly.
He don't pay them enough to live on.
What's all that racket?
[loud commotion]
Well it's the workers.
They're on strike.
Won't you please help them?
It's the only way we'll get Aunt Janet out of jail.
Strike?
You mean, I'm losing money!
Janet, are you all right?
Alec ... Did you bring any nappies?
Janet King!
Making a proper spectacle of yourself now!
Hetty, That's enough.
I was just standing up for my beliefs!
Hetty, it's a quality I've always admired in you.
Well, I suppose you mean well... but...
If you knew how those cannery workers were treated...!
That petition will never get signed now!
Give it to me...
Hetty...
...you can go first.
Me?
All right, I'll sign.
....We must stand together if we hope to be heard.
We must grasp the moment and rise to the challenge at hand.
We must support brave women like Janet King
who are sacrificing their freedom
so that we may all see a better future.
Don't turn away.
Stand with us.
Sign the petition...
Free Janet King!
ALL: FREE JANET KING!
[chanting] Free Janet King!
[booing]
Oh such a commotion!
Why are these people not at work?
We're on strike, ma'am.
This here's my Ma...
Explain it to me, deary.
We can't live on what your husband pays us.
How long do you intend to stay on strike?
Until we win.
Angus - we have got fish rotting in the sun.
Do you know what this means for our last quarter?
Well could...
Settle with them.
All right, Janet King.
What will it take?
What?
Your terms?
Let's get this settled so people can get back to work.
Well, uh -
A decent wage, to start.
-10 cents more a week. -A day.
And ...
You'll give Maude Craig back her job.
All right.
Drop the charges.
[laughter]
You win! Janet King.
And here are forty-nine signatures!
This.... Makes fifty!
I'm just glad to have you back.
[applause]
[♪]
Here you drive...
[laughter]
[♪]
I'm not hungry.
That's a first.
How long do you think they'll keep mother in jail for?
I don't know.
I wish I' hadn't said those rude things to her.
Me too.
Children, I'm home.
Mother! They let you go!
I missed you.
And I missed you all so much.
We tried to do everything just like you, Mother,
but we couldn't.
I couldn't.
I think I understand what you were trying to do.
Thank you Felicity.
Thank you all.
Well...
I could really use a cup of tea.
I'll get it.
Thank you dear.
Oh we sort of had a small accident.
That's putting it mildly.
So, tell us about jail.
Was it exciting?
Did you get to wear handcuffs?
Did they give you bread and water?
[chuckles]
Alec, when you look at me, what do you see?
Come here!
Let me show you.