Harvey

After you.

Is this 348?

Yes, it is.

I've got a special delivery here.

Oh, that sounds interesting.

It's for Dowd.

Dowd's my name. Elwood P.

Here, sir.

Let me give you one of my cards.

That won't be necessary, sir. Just sign right here.

Uh-huh.

Beautiful day.

Oh, every day's a beautiful day.

There. Thank you.

He was a nice man.

Come on.

Thank heavens he's gone!

Oh, Myrtle, it's a wonderful feeling

to have your relative out of the house before the company comes.

Mother, you're sure Uncle Elwood won't come back

and spoil everything after the guests arrive?

Of course not, dear.

Your uncle always spends the afternoon downtown

at those filthy bars and taverns. You know that.

I'll go tell the cateress to get started.

Why, Miss Johnson, what are you doing?

Leaving.

Miss Johnson, you were hired to serve as well as cater.

Our guests will be here any minute.

Now, Miss Johnson...

Myrtle, let me handle this, dear.

Miss Johnson, what's wrong?

There was a man here a minute ago

and he stopped and he spoke to me.

You didn't tell him anything about our party, did you?

I didn't tell him nothing.

He gave me his card. Here.

And then he introduced me to somebody.

To whom?

Do you think I'd stay in this house after that?

Oh...

Oh. Oh!

Mother, people get run over by trucks every day.

Why can't something like that happen to Uncle Elwood?

Myrtle Mae Simmons, I'm ashamed of you.

Even if people do call your uncle peculiar,

he is still my baby brother.

And this thing is not his fault.

Whose fault is it then?

Now, we'll get the cook to do the serving.

Come along and lend me a hand, dear.

We haven't got much time. Elvira!

If it isn't his fault, whose fault is it?

I know whose fault it is, dear, but I'm not telling.

You're not telling?

Elvira?

Elvira, you can bring those things in now.

Oh, Mother, why can't we live like other people?

Myrtle Mae, do I have to keep reminding you

your Uncle Elwood is not living with us, we're living with him.

Living with him and his pal!

You promised.

With his pal Harvey!

You said that name.

You promised you wouldn't say that name and you said it.

Mother, why did grandmother leave

all of her property to Uncle Elwood?

I suppose it was because she died in his arms.

People are sentimental about things like that.

You always say that and it doesn't make sense.

She couldn't make out a will after she died, could she?

Oh, Myrtle, don't be didactic.

It's not becoming in a young girl. Besides, men loathe it.

Men! A fine chance I've got.

Now, Myrtle, dear, you know the whole idea

of this party this afternoon is to...

Is to get you started socially,

so that you can meet some nice young men.

Oh, what's the use?

Myrtle Mae Simmons, her uncle, Elwood P. Dowd, is the biggest...

...screwball in town! Who'd want me?

Oh, Myrtle, dear, you're sweet and you have so much to offer.

I don't care what anyone says,

there's something sweet about every young girl.

And a man takes that sweetness and look what he does with it.

Show some poise, dear.

I want you to charm Mrs. Chauvenet.

She has a grandson just about your age.

A lot of good that'll do if Uncle Elwood comes home.

Well, Uncle Elwood won't be home this afternoon.

Or will he?

I'm going to telephone Judge Gaffney. We can't take any chances.

Mother, you better hurry.

Mrs. Halsey and Miss Tewksbury are here already.

Oh, dear. Yes, dear, I am hurrying.

Well, hurry, Mother. They're getting out of the car!

Oh.

Judge Gaffney, please. Mrs. Veta Simmons calling.

Yes?

Oh. Put her on.

Veta, my girl, this is a pleasure.

Judge, we haven't got a moment to lose.

I'm having the Wednesday Forum over

for a program tea and reception

for Ethel Chauvenet.

Elwood has just gone out, but I'm so afraid he may come back.

You can understand why.

Oh, hello, Miss Tewksbury, Mrs. Halsey.

Go right into the drawing room.

Myrtle, dear, take their things.

Yes, you've got to help me, Judge.

You've got to help me. I can't...

Speak up, speak up, Veta.

What? I can't make out what you're talking about.

Is that so?

Oh! Yoo-hoo, Mrs. Strickleberger.

Oh, hello, Mrs. Simmons.

Oh, no, no, no. Yes, that'll be all right.

You can depend on me.

All right.

Minninger, in a few minutes,

a man will be crossing the square.

He'll be wearing a hat and coat

and carrying another one over his arms.

I want you to follow him.

If necessary, even confront him. Quietly, of course.

Yes, sir.

But at all events, I want you to prevent him from returning to his house.

His sister is giving a party. He wouldn't fit in.

His name is Elwood P. Dowd.

Elwood Dowd, sir! Couldn't you get someone else, Judge?

Kratke, maybe, or Beck? They're bigger than I am.

You'll be able to hide better.

Hurry now and stick with him all afternoon.

Quickly, boy. Quickly.

Okay, sir.

Oh, elevator!

Come in.

Yes? Who is it?

Oh!

The doctor will see you in a minute.

Good afternoon, Mr. Dowd.

How do you do?

We must be more careful.

After you.

How do, Mr. Dowd?

Afternoon, Mr. Cracker.

Excuse me.

How is he?

Oh, he's just fine, fine. How are you?

Oh, can't complain.

That's good.

Is this all right? You sure? Hmm?

All right. Give you a hand there.

Whoop! Don't slip! There.

Now, you sure this is all right?

You wouldn't rather sit in a booth?

All right. Would he prefer a booth, Mr. Dowd?

Thank you, Mr. Cracker. He seems to prefer the bar today.

Good afternoon to you, sir.

Mr. Meegles is back.

Oh.

Well!

You... Excuse me a minute.

Mr. Meegles, well, this is a pleasure. We've missed you.

How are you, Mr. Dowd? Fine.

And how is he?

Oh, he's splendid, thank you. Splendid.

He decided he wanted to come over here

this afternoon, so here we are.

Sit down.

Oh, thank you. You've been away.

For 90 days. Oh.

Been doing a job for the state. Making license plates.

Oh, is that so? Interesting work?

I can take it or leave it alone.

I see.

I did a job for them last year, too, helping them build a road.

Oh. Mr. Meegles, we'll just have to do something about your return.

Would you like to come to my house for dinner tonight?

Thanks, Mr. Dowd, but I couldn't make it tonight.

Tomorrow night? Would that suit you?

Yes, yes.

But, you know, the last time I was there,

I kind of got the impression your sister held it against me

'cause I did a little time.

Oh, no, Mr. Meegles. My sister loves to entertain.

She's very social, you know.

Yes, I see by the papers.

You know, I never miss the society column.

You don't?

No. She's giving a clambake this afternoon.

This afternoon? Yeah.

"Reception, program and tea," it says here,

"for the members of the Wednesday Afternoon Forum,"

for that rich Mrs. Shuvanut.

Yeah, that's Aunt Ethel. Yes.

Is it today's paper? Yeah.

Veta didn't tell me anything about this.

It must have slipped her mind.