Million Dollar Mermaid

This is lovely city harbor in the year 1900,

when the Australia was still thought of

by the rest of the world

as the home of the bush and boomerang.

But in the growing town of Sydney,

culture had moved in.

And the sounds of those three famous B's

Bach, Brahms and Beethoven,

were already being heard in the land.

Mozart is very quiet in here, Annette.

Oh-hello, Daddy.

Baby, you mustn't be envious of the others.

I know how much you would like to be out there

with them playing and dancing,

but music can be the source of happiness, too.

It's given me great happiness.

Yes, Daddy.

That's my girl.

No. C-sharp, Mr. Kramer. C-sharp.

Mr. Kellerman, Annette is gone. She has disappeared again.

I just left her upstairs.

Excuse me, Mr. Kramer, will you?

I can't understand.

Where the world has that child wandered?

Mr. Kellerman, I can not look out after her every minute

and take care of the house at the same time.

I have my chores... Marie, please,

I'm not blaming you.

Tell Mr. Kramer I'll be back shortly.

I'm going to find out once and for all where that child goes.

Annette.

Annette.

Annette.

Annette, what are you doing?

Hello, Daddy.

Annette, you come right back here.

Come right back here.

Annette, my baby.

In heaven's name, whatever possessed you?

You might have drowned.

I can't drown, Daddy.

And why not? Because I've learned to swim.

Is this where you've been coming everyday?

Yes.

Darling, I've got to be very cross with you.

You know what the doctors said,

that your legs would never be strong enough for...

for what other children do.

But my legs are strong.

The strongest they've been since I was sick.

I can even walk better and without my braces. Watch.

Swimming can't hurt me.

How can anything hurt when it makes you feel so good.

Please let me come back here and swim again.

Darling, we'll come back here and swim everyday.

By your victory today, Miss Kellerman,

you attain permanent possession of this trophy.

Emblematic of the amateur freestyle championship

of New South Wales.

Thank you.

This is getting to be a habit, Annette.

What do you do with all these cups?

They're crowding Dad right out of his study.

It's a blow to us, Mr. Kellerman.

I knew you would understand. Only too well, Mrs. Grays.

This financial crisis has affected all of us.

I hope that John won't have to give up his music permanently.

I hope not. Good bye. Good bye, Miss. Kellerman.

-Bye. -Bye Johnny. Good luck.

Dad? Look.

The amateur championship. Permanent possession.

Wonderful, darling. I'm so proud of you.

Yeah, why does it always have to be a cup?

We could use a new key service.

I was thinking of tea. Would you like some?

No, I don't think so. Thank you.

Annette, I'm closing the conservatory.

The few pupils we have left hardly pay expenses.

Dad.

Now, now... We're not charity cases yet.

I wrote my old friend,

Thomas Crocker of Crocker Conservatory in London.

He has offered me a post as his assistant.

It's a big move for both of us I know but,

there are times when we have to make decisions and

this is the biggest decision of my life.

Dad, if it's money, you don't have to.

I could teach swimming or maybe even turn professional.

There were nearly a thousand people there at the race today...

Darling, swimming is your hobby

and I want it to remain just that.

It's blessed you with good health and for this I'm grateful.

But as a career, no, your music and ballet come first.

London will give you a chance to go on with your studies.

It may be the best thing for both of us.

Well, in that case, what's everyone looking so glum about.

One thing I know, Dad, the Kellermans will always eat.

Oh, yes.

Come on, Dad. Let's walk some more.

Bet you have me around this deck six times since breakfast.

You're acting like an old man.

I am an old man.

Hold it, city. Hold it, city boy.

Wait a minute. Oh, my God.

Wait, come back. Wait, come back.

What? Hold it. Wait. Hold. Hold.

Hold on, folks. Atta boy Doc.

Wait.

Wait a minute, Sydney.

You okay?

I'll let you know. when I get my dentist bill.

What did I tell you?

He's got the greatest left hand in the business.

Dynamite in both fists.

I'm sorry, folks. I hope he didn't scare you too much

but Sydney get the feet in his oats every now and then.

What's going on here?

Did you take that Roo out of the hold again?

Look, Purser. I assure you...

Don't bother to assure me. I've warned you repeatedly.

Sullivan, I've had quite enough out of you.

That beast is a menace.

Only in the prize ring, I assure you.

In the prize ring he's a killer but out of the ring, why,

he's as gentle as a lamb. Look I tell you...

I tell you. You keep that beast below deck

or I'll put him off at the next port.

And you with him.

Don't look at me, this ain't my idea.

Take him below, Doc.

Now look you.

You hit me once more when I ain't looking so help me,

I'll pick you right in the pouch. Now, come on. Behave yourself.

And keep him there.

Man's inhumanity to animals.

I hope I didn't scare you too much.

Oh no. I'm very fond of kangaroo.

You say he boxes.

Boxes? Let me tell you something.

This is the greatest act I've ever uncovered.

Why, if Sydney were a man,

he'd be the next champ. Take my word for it.

We've no reason not to.

Sure, he's frisky and full of energy

but out of the ring, why, he wouldn't hurt a flea.

Your friend doesn't seem to think so.

Doc? Oh Doc takes things too seriously.

He's been training fighters for years,

and he expects the kangaroo to act the same way.

As a matter of fact, we were barn storming

with a fighter when we first met Sydney.

A middleweight named Tiger Driscold.

We'd offer a bonus for anybody who could go two rounds with him.

One day, this fellow comes along leading a kangaroo.

One punch, just one punch mind you,

I hocked everything I had to buy him.

Well, let's hope your investment proves a sound risk.

Thanks. I have a hunch it's the blue chips this time.

Are you bound for London, too?

Yes, if this boat ever gets there.

It's my daughter's first visit.

She's going to study for the ballet.

In honor of that, you must be my guests at Sydney's opening.

Look me up personally, no charges.

That's very kind of you. Thank you.

Just ask for Jimmy Sullivan. James Sullivan,

proprietor of Sullivan's Wonder Show.

I'm Frederick Kellerman and this is my daughter, Annette.

Annette Kellerman. You're the swimmer.

Saw your picture in the paper.

That was an awful picture.

My daughter has just won the

amateur freestyle championship of New South Wales.

Set a new record in the presence of two thousand people.

Dad. But you did.

That's a lot of people.

Swimming is very popular in Australia.

I can understand why.

Well, nice to have met you, Mr. Sullivan.

I hope Sydney's a big success.

Thanks.

Forgive the intrusion,

but would you be interested in a shipboard romance?

Hello.

You know I've been standing over there

watching you for the past ten minutes.

I know. Women always know when men are watching.

Then maybe you noticed the puzzled look on my face.

You know I kept asking myself

how a girl as pretty as you can break swimming records,

and how a girl who breaks swimming records

can insist on ballet dancing as a career.

What's wrong with the ballet? I don't know.

I guess I've always associated it

with long hair and swans...

And I'm more the duck type? No. What I mean is that,

well whatever type you are, it must be my type.

I meet a girl for the first time two days ago

and I can't get her out of my mind.

I keep saying to myself. Sullivan, this is without a doubt