♪
They look at me with those eyes and I feel so rotten!
How do you tell your parents that deep down
inside you're nothing but a stupid ox?
You're not stupid Felix.
You're good at a great many things.
Name one.
You're a good cook.
You're a good friend.
And I'm sure if I tried I could think of more!
Tell that to Aunt Hetty.
She doesn't think I'm good at anything.
Last night's assignment please.
Your essay on the Solitude of Alexander Selkirk.
I.. well the thing is...
I got home so late from working at the hotel last night,
I didn't exactly finish it...
Enough of these pallid excuses.
You are continuously late, your marks are deplorable,
your attitude worse!
I will thank you to wipe that silly smirk from your face!
This is no laughing matter.
You realize I hope that you are this close to failing! ?
However, I will give you one last chance to redeem yourself.
That essay on Alexander Selkirk.
I want it here letter perfect first thing
tomorrow morning, understood?
And now class, we'll proceed...
Think of it, gentleman!
A royal wedding!
It's a coup of major proportions!
Pierre, have we laid in a supply of Beluga caviar?
Enough for an army.
It's like old times, nest ce pas?
You remember Paris, the Ritz?
The wedding we did for the Baroness de Ribes..?
Do I remember?
How could I forget!
A thousand white doves released from golden cages...
... waiters dancing the tango with bowls of cherries flambe
over their heads!
And that glorious raven haired flamenco dancer with her hair up
to here and her dress down to...
Ooo-la-la, I remember it well!
You're so lucky!
I mean you two actually lived!
Nothing exciting ever happens to me!
Your turn will come.
Now you just sit there and relax.
You've been on the go since you got home.
I'll slice you up a nice fresh piece of pie.
I can't mother.
I've got homework.
Oh just a piece of pie and a glass of milk.
It'll help you think.
Hetty cracking the whip again there, son?
Oh Alec, I'm sure Felix isn't the only one
with homework to do.
What's the problem?
I don't know.
Everything.
I'm sick of school.
Why can't I ever do anything fun?
...fun?
Like Pierre and Mr. Tremayne!
They've seen the world.
They had adventures!
I know how you feel, Felix, but you've got to finish
your schooling before you can think about adventures.
But I don't understand this stuff, I'm not good at it!
Writing essays about some dead Scotsman!
Where's that gonna get me?
Well, I was never much of a scholar myself,
I'm the first to admit that.
But it's a different world nowadays.
Things are changing so fast a young man needs
an education just to keep up.
Your father's right, dear.
We never had a chance to go to University.
That's why we're so proud of Felicity
going to medical school.
And we have high hopes for you too.
Your father and I would be deeply disappointed
if you didn't make something of yourself.
We know you can if you try.
This is drivel, Felix.
Utter drivel.
I am giving you an F.
That's all it's worth.
That means you'll have to repeat your English course
again next year.
But that means I won't graduate with my friends!
Please Aunt Hetty, don't do this to me!
No arguing.
You should have considered that before.
Your parents will have to be notified, you know.
So either you do it or I will.
...no.... I'll tell them.
And furthermore, I'm relieving you
of your position at the hotel.
For your own good.
But they need me!
The Weddinga dinner...!!
The wedding dinner will simply have to proceed without you.
Pass the chicken to Felix, Alec.
Now you haven't had one bite.
You're not coming down with something, I hope.
No temperature.
Leave him be, Janet, he's just off his food.
So how's you make out with that essay?
...uh...fine.
May I please be excused?
I'll keep a plate warm for you for later...
MacPhee's the name Maggie Katey MacPhee,
and I'd like a word with my son the owner, thank you.
My boy owns this whole place, whole kit and caboodle.
He's done well for himself, he has.
I'd like to speak to the owner, if you don't mind.
It's a grand day if it doesn't rain.
May I help you madam?
Go on with you!
I asked for the owner.
Who do you think you are?
I am Simon Treymayne, esquire,
Madam and I own this establishment.
Oh and maybe you're the King of England as well!
It's boiling hot in this place!
Could you help me off with my cloak.
That's a grand lad.
.. Oooh, just a little faint.
I haven't had a bite of food since this morning...
I'll just get my pills...
Now Mrs. MacPhee, we don't want to make a fuss do we?
Perhaps you've come to the wrong place...
Wrong place?
I'm here for the wedding!
Madam, that's impossible.
Now please...
Really!
How much longer do we have to wait?
Mrs. MacPhee, come along quietly NOW...
Elbert...
Arrange to have this woman taken back to the village.
But I want to see my son, Pierre la Pierre!
You came to see Pierre?
Well of course I did.
For the love of Mike, I've been telling you that
since I set foot in the place!
Pierre...!
You just missed him!
Said to tell you he's real sorry to miss the wedding
but he's looked after all the arrangements.
Dear mother and father.
I am leaving home.
Aunt Hetty failed me at school.
I'm sorry.
Your loving son . . .
... The point is he's gone and we've got the wedding
of the year coming up!
We have to find him!
You must help me Felix, I'm depending on you!
I can't!
Aunt Hetty fired me!
I'll string Hetty King up by her toes.
I own half the hotel, I'm un-firing you!
Pierre!
Stop!
I can explain everything!
A sudden telegram, urgent business in Paris.
Don't give me that malarkey!
There is a woman waiting back at the hotel
who says she's your mother.
Of course that's impossible...
You mean...
she is...?
Why would you run away from your own mother? ?
...maybe it's for a darn good reason...
What reason?
Look here, Pierre, are you aware she thinks you own the hotel...?
If you've done something wrong, we'll try and help you,
but please don't desert us in our hour of need!
Al1 right.
I will go back if you provide my mother a room in the hotel.
That's the spirit.
It reminds one of the old estate...
Remember, Menushkin, when I was a child..
how I loved to walk for hours in the snow,
then stop at hunting lodge for tea...
Grand papa would light a little fire and read to me...
There it is!
Your Excellency!
Simon Tremayne at your service!
Albert, the luggage.
We have reserved the Lieutenant Governor's suite,
the finest apartment in the hotel.
We'll have your belongings taken up directly.
The finest?
You are are very kind.
Menushkin...?
And exactly how much is your finest...
we are the guests of the hotel owner, Mr. MacPhee, you know.
It is an honour and a priviledge.
Right this way your Excellency.
What delightful surroundings.
Our standard rate I assure you sir.
That's the Countess from Poland.
Her son is getting married here.
That must be her, the Countess Polenska.
It's bound to be a really posh affair.
I hear her family's related to the Czar of Russia.
You don't know it by looking at her.
Probably got a fortune squirreled away
in a vault somewhere.
Madam must be famished.
May I suggest room service.
Tea, caviar, truffles..?
Oh, truffles?
It has been a long time between truffles, madam..
But if we keep spending like this...!
Give me the box, I want to take an accounting.
No madam, it is my responsibility.
There is nothing to worry about!
Your Lempskaya emerald fetched a handsome sum
and that was barely two months ago.
I assure you, the situation is well in hand.
But sooner or later I will run out of broaches...
No fear.
There is enough jewelery in this box to keep Madam
in the lap of luxury to a ripe old age.
Well if you say so...
it gives me a headache to think about these things.
Order, then.
But no big tips, Menushkin, ...
"a penny saved is a penny earned."
Alright, I learn.
Put this in the box for me, will you please, my dear?
It's open.
Maman?
...Je suis.. navre...
Pouvez-vous m'excusez...
Pierre!
Quit that parley-vooing and speak the kings English
like a respectable human being.
...oh maman...
I am so embarrassed and ashamed, will you ever forgive me.
Saints preserve us.
I prayed to St. Anthony every night for your safety
since your damn father took you away from us.
Come on.
Sit down here beside me.
That's a good lad.
My grand, beautiful boy.
Your the image of your father...
Maman...
it was never a marriage made in heaven.
The Irish.
The French.
The two of you like oil and water.
The only thing I ever regretted was letting him
take you away from us.
I should have stopped him!
Maman.
Please...
How is Adele.
Ahhh, you wouldn't recognize her!
Your baby sister has grown into a gorgeous beauty!
And won't she be thrilled to see this hotel of yours!
Maman...
about the hotel...
When you wrote and told us you bought it,
we were proud as peacocks on a Sunday afternoon...
but now that I see it with my own eyes..!
Pierre, you didn't do it justice, it's a thousand times
grander than you said in the first place!
Maman...There's something I must tell you.
You look a little green around the gills...
What's the matter?
Nothing!
I want you to have lunch with me in the dining room...
Twelve o'clock.
What do you mean you couldn't tell her?
Are you stark raving mad?
I didn't want to disappoint her.
Not again.
What are you talking about?
We all disappoint our mothers, that's what children do!
No, not the way I did.
You see, Papa left her and took me with him.
I've been guilty all my life for deserting her.
Then, when he died...
I couldn't face her.
I tried to make it up to her.
To be rich and famous, make her proud.
So I ran off to make my fortune.
But the best I could do was become a chef.
What's wrong with being a chef?
Nothing.
Except one fib led to another Pierre!
You have to set her straight.
I can't.
Not yet.
I need to carry off the charade a little longer.
He's insane.
Call a doctor.
Have mercy!
I asked her to lunch.
One measly little lunch in the dining room, pretending I'm the
owner of the hotel, and then I swear I will ship her home
and she will never know the difference.
Good Lord.
If you're the owner, what does that make me?
Madam is not eating her potatoes, are they overdone?
No, no, just trifle cold...
Boy?
A word with the chef at once!
The chef? Good God...
Get Felix, quick.
Maman...
you look exquisite!
Oh go on with you!
Look at you!
You just stepped out of a band box.
Wait til your sister gets a look at you!
Does Adele remember me very well?
Remember you?
You're her hero!
She's secretary now to three main professors
at Dalhousie University.
I'm glad she's done well.
Well heavens!
It's your money paid for her schooling down in Toronto.
I can't believe it.
I never thought I'd live to see the day when my son
and my daughter were mixing with the gentry...
and me still scrubbing floors!
Maman!
You are not still working!
Now don't you say anythings I need to keep a bit of my own.
I can't go looking for handouts from a son
I haven't seen in 20 years!
Maman...
I cannot let this go on... there is something I...
Now look, Adele knows nothing about this.
So you bite your tongue and don't say anything.
My business is my concern!
What is this outfit, Felix King!
You were dismissed remember?
I fired you!
You, Tremayne!
A busboy? !
What is going on here? ?
It's very complicated.
I'll explain later...
Madam, the Countess is having her dinner.
Would you kindly move off.
Clearly you don't understand that I own this establishment.
Please!
I'll explain later.
Play along for Pierre's sake.
Pierre?
It is the mother of Adele?
Pierre La Pierre - excuse me -
Are you telling people you own this hotel? ?
I should take you to court for misappropriation!
What's that old harpy saying...
It's true, Maman...
I have a horrible confession to make.
Will you ever forgive me.
I am only the chef.. in this establishment.
... that can't be!
Your sister's getting married here.
What...
married? . . .
She is getting married here?
When?
You mean when?
In two days!
I wanted to do the right thing...
Didn't you get my letter?
I offered her your hotel for the wedding.
no the Polenska wedding...
Yes that's the one!
His family thinks you own this hotel!
Holy Mary Mother of God pray for us sinners now
and at the hour of our death, amen...
... when they get wind of this
they'll call the whole thing off!
Me?
What did I do?
I come here to find that French fool putting on airs,
my own partner behaving like a lunatic!
You're the one forever sticking your nose
into other people's business..
Would you calm down...
Isn't everybody forgetting about the wedding?
That is enough out of you Felix King!
You lied to me.
And I'll not forget it.
You lying to your own mother!
Shame on you!
Miss King is right.
I am wrong.
...I better be running along.
Yes, well liars never prosper, that's a fact you know.
Let's hope you've learned your lesson, Pierre.
As for you, your lesson's yet to be learned.
Come with me.
Oww!
Not only has Felix failed his English miserably and will not
be graduating with his peers, but he has also out and out
defied me after I forbid him to work any longer at the hotel.
Oh Felix!
Is this true...
What difference does it make anyway.
Nobody listens to me.
But don't worry, I'm leaving Avonlea for good!
Felix...no!
There's no point looking at me like that Alec:
I have done my duty and a good thing too!
You and your precious duty have done enough damage
under this roof!
There aren't many boys who work as hard as our Felix!
He's always tried to be conscientious and do his best
to please everyone.
So he wasn't a genius at writing essays, but with a little time
and patience on your part you might have helped him...
I can't believe you're defending him
Well you better believe I'm defending him!
Why do you think I gave up on school as a youngster?
..because you weren't that smart...?
No, no, no.
I was as smart as any one else!
It was you!
Carping, criticizing, making fun of me
so I lost any shred of confidence!
You know I can't tell you how many times I wanted to run away,
growing up in the same house with such a smug little
know-it-all as you!
And now, now you're going the same thing to my son.
Driving him away just as sure as there's a tomorrow!
Hetty, you stay right here!
I don't want you leaving until I sort this mess out!
Well are you coming or going?
I've set your Aunt Hetty right straight about all this.
So?
I'm staying.
Now to dial with the mess Pierre's gotten himself into.
It's been pointed out to me, none too subtler I may add,
that I may have been guilty of causing ...unnecesary problems.
Fe1ix, I have decided to give you some special tutoring
in English so that you will be able to graduate on time.
And still work here at the hotel if you so wish.
As for you, Pierre, not that I am one to condone fibbing,
we, Alec and 1, have come up with a plan for the wedding...
Ah good...
the wedding...
Pardon the intrusion but with the bride and groom due
here in the morning.
The Countess Polenska is anxious to know
when the bride's family will arrive.
May the Countess speak
to the bride's brother Mr. MacPhee, then?
Oh, you mean Pierre la Pierre MacPhee.
Oh yes, of course, yes...
he is the owner, aren't you?
Everyone knows that!
I had no idea ... you were with the Polenskas.
May I have the honour?
On behalf of my mother and my sister, who arrive tomorrow,
I welcome you to.. my... hotel.
Igor Menushkin, personal secretary to her excellency.
Monsieur.
Welcome to you, Mr. Menushkin.
Do forgive my earlier foolishness.
You see we are Pierre's family.
I'm Hetty MacPhee,
and here is Alec MacPhee,
and we're so looking forward to the wedding!
Enchanted...
...forty ...sixty.
You and that Countess lady leaving?
You just got off the train the other day.
I wish to purchase in advance two first class tickets,
private roomettes and special meals for Chicago..
Only first class from the main line
once you get to Nova Scotia.
Pack a lunch and go coach, save a bundle...
I'm afraid not.
Say!
Awful nice timepiece you got there, mister.
Lotta character.
You have a discerning eye.
The entire piece is 18 karats gold.
Never held anything like real gold before.
Sir... since you are clearly a man of taste,
perhaps I might interest you in a small... barter..?
Got a nice, tight mechanism...
...hmph.
Good day Madam,
did you enjoy your outing?
I enjoyed mine.
Did you enjoy yours?
Yes, yes indeed.
I picked up our tickets to Chicago.
Our visit to the Van Stuyvesents.
Oh, I noticed that the clasp on your pin was loose, so just to
be sure I took everything to be checked and cleaned.
Would madam prefer to wear this one now..?
Yes... thank you.
Menushkin.
The outstanding bills.
Have you enough to pay them?
Yes madam.
More than enough.
I was concerned the jeweller would charge a fortune,
but no, it was a mere pittance...
...I was so foolish.
I saw the empty box...
No need to fret Madam.
You are being overanxious.
Marek will be here in no time with his lovely bride.
Yes, of course...yes, right...Such an occasion!
Try it again.
Pinkie, pinkie up, up, up.
That's better, pinkie....
Now no matter what the Countess says,
you stick to the weather, then you can't go wrong.
There we are, that dress of Rachel's suits her to a T!
Have a look.
How do you feel Mrs. MacPhee?
You've made me look like...
like I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth.
That was always there to begin with.
You just didn't notice it.
The bride and groom are arriving!
All staff at attention please!
I am enchanted...
Milk, Mrs. MacPhee?
Don't mind if I do.
Do you think it will snow today?
I wouldn't be surprised.
Yes.
Well.
Perhaps it will snow tomorrow.
And the day after that.
It could snow two days from now as well.
It might snow all winter.
We didn't have much snow last winter.
You never can tell about snow can you now,
but it's grand when It does.
I suppose...
when one tires of snow...
one goes to the Riviera?
Mrs. MacPhee.
Whatever are you doing?
Dunkin'.
Dunkin'?
Don't tell me you don't dunk over in Poland?
Well for heavens sakes.
Look I'll show you.
You see this cookie?
Hard as cement.
Now you dunk it, melts like butter.
Trouble is, you see, the cup is a little too small for it,
so you have to use the Saucer...
You don't say!
Dunking you call it!
You North Americans always have the latest inventions!
How clever.
Delicious.
Pardon my asking, but what in God's nightgown
are you doing with the sugar?
This is how we do it in Poland.
Go ahead.
Try it, it's very much an art...
Lord forgive us for we know not what we eat
but we'll take a chance.
Well you're never safe from evil 'til you're dead.
Now that I finally have that teaching position in Cambridge,
close to London.
We leave right after the wedding.
I do hope you won't be offended.
No...
The old life belongs to the past now...
But I had such hopes...
We made mistakes
but young men like you could make a difference.
You could lead Poland into the new century.
I'm not going back there mother.
All that is finished.
Can't you see I can do more good teaching.
we'll bring you to England as soon as we're settled;
you can live with us.
No, no, I'm quite comfortable in America: You mustn't worry.
Menushkin and I have many friends and acquaintances
still to visit on this vast continent.
...but I want you to live with us...
No, no...
Menushkin and I would only be in the way of a pair
of happy newly weds.
Very well then I'll send you something each month.
It isn't that.
It's that I am feeling older.
I don't walk as far as I used to.
I should walk more often.
But I can still throw a snowball farther than you,
so watch out!
Yes I think so...
I've been waiting twenty minutes already.
Just how long does it take to check out of this hotel?
Uh, it will be ready very soon, Mister, uh...
Excuse me, Mr. Radcliffe.
You didn't leave your gloves in the dining room, did you?
No.
I don't believe so.
Ah, Mr. Radcliffe.
Yes.
Here it is.
Thank you, Mr. Radcliffe.
I hope you enjoyed your stay.
Au revoir, mister...
Just another 24 hours and you can go back to your kitchen
and I can go back to my office.
Another day and I could ruin not only Adele's wedding,
but your hotel.
Keep a stiff upper lip, Pierre.
I could never own and manage such an establishment.
That's all right.
I could never cook more than a nice hot cup of tea.
Adele...ma chere.
Pierre, what...what do you mean,
can't manage such an establishment...
I am not the owner of this magnificent hotel.
I am really only the chef.
Why did you tell us you were?
I hoped that you would always look up to me,
that you could count on me, think...
think well of me.
But, I do.
You and mama have worked all your lives for me.
And you've arranged this entire wedding.
I've let you both down.
It will break your mother's heart if the Polenskas call off
the wedding because of me.
Oh, Pierre, don't be ridiculous.
Marek isn't marrying me for a dowry.
He loves me.
And I love you for what you've tried to do.
He's the chef...and my mother has been working her fingers
to the bone all these years and never said a word!
My father ran away and took him when he was a young boy.
We've corresponded but it's been years.
Oh Marek...
what you must think of my family.
Your family, heavens!
My family lost everything in Europe.
All their property and their honour.
They were mortgaged to the hilt.
If it wasn't for old Menushkin scraping pennies together,
I don't know what would have happened to my mother.
She's too proud to admit she has nothing left but her title!
Then they must never find out we know the truth!
We must look after them, Marek.
Together dear Adele.
Will you marry an impoverished count who will love you
for the rest of his days on this earth!
Only if the impoverished count will lower himself to marry
a scrubwoman's daughter...
I want to give him something and I can't.
There is nothing left.
I have nothing left, no nothing, no property.
My only son and I have failed him...
He is marrying well, madam.
And if he chooses to fall in love with a commoner,
at least she has money.
Menushkin.
What is important is that Marek loves the girl.
But you have given him the greatest gift of al1...
your love...
and your title.
These he will have forever.
...dear friend.
You always find a way to make my heart lighter.
Would Madam like some tea.
I could fetch it at once.
No...
no just read to me a little, will you Menushkin.
Yes, madam.
Take me back...
A thing of beauty is a joy forever...
Voila, voila, voila,
Adele...
Maman - this is for you...
Pierre... all these new doo-dads and finery, ...
somebody's got to pay the piper.
You won't have to worry anymore.
From now on, I will take care of everything.
Chabatka!
Naughty dog!
You knew all the time...
One solid gold 18 karat pocket watch...
in exchange for one hundred dollars...
two first class...
to Chicago...?
I'm sorry...
Madam!
Everybody is seated...
the music...
What time is it?
...I must have forgotten it..
No.
I don't think you did.
Madam...
I persuaded the station master
to take my faberge broach instead.
This was my great grandfather's.
What made you do it, Igor?
You are the ninth Countess Polenska and I have nothing
to give you in these troubled times...
Menushkin,
my foolish,
proper,
wonderful Menushkin!
Master King, I understand from Mr. Macphee
that you have created this magnificent feast!
I shall certainly recommend the White Sands
to all of my friends in America.
Goodbye!
Have a safe trip!
Goodbye!
Thank you!
My dear, I am afraid I have something dreadful
to confess to you.
The Polenskas are flat broke.
What a crying shame.
So are the Macphees...
Well now!
Aren't we the brazen pair!
Brazen is it?
If brass were gold we'd both be millionmares!
We are millionaires, Maggie MacPhee.
We've got them...
Well that's that.
Now... the bill.
Who's going to pay for all of this?
Me of course.
I'll work it off even if it takes the rest of my life.
Nonsense, we won't hear of it, will we?
A society wedding like that - it's an invaluable advertisement
for the hotel.
No, no, it's on the house.
...Hetty King, have you lost your -
Allons-y, Pierre...
come on...
Of course, it's on the house.