Season 4 | Episode 4

I tried to stop them.

Previously on "Mr.

Selfridge."

HARRY: The Herald has printed a column of lies.

You were with the woman that wrote this that might.

I don't want you to see me diminish and die.

(crying) D'ANCONA: You know how I deal with outstanding debts?

First I ask with a smile, then I ask without.

You'd be a fool to ignore him.

HARRY: What type of figure are we talking about for this movie?

In the region of $50,000.

She earned her shot.

"Mr. Selfridge," tonight on Masterpiece.

(piano playing ragtime-style music) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (Dolly Sisters laughing) Cut!

I've always wanted to do that.

(applause) Harry, I can't dance in these shoes.

Can I pick some new ones?

I'll need some too.

Mine pinch just the same.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (customers talking) HARRY: Mr. Wallace.

A quick picture.

GROVE: Meryl, ready?

Stand in between the Chief and Mr. Wallace.

Thank you, gentlemen.

Smile, Meryl!

(shutter clicks) Smile!

BLENKINSOP: Come on, you're a film star now!

MERYL: Hardly!

I'm just in the background.

Don't do yourself down.

You're an example to the staff.

Young and ambitious, everything Selfridge's stands for.

CRABB: She has a very bright future ahead of her.

Thank you, Chief.

Mr. Wallace.

HARRY: No problem at all.

It's our pleasure.

Excuse me.

Mr. D'Ancona, this is unexpected.

Mr. Selfridge.

You should have made an appointment.

It's a little chaotic here.

I'm incredibly proud of you.

To have been chosen out of the whole store.

I just hope I'm putting on a good show.

You certainly are.

Meryl, one cannot simply drop everything just because... Roger!

I've just been up to your office.

What's she doing here?

Meryl, I...

This way.

Harry... Now is not a good time.

Oh, all right.

I'll see you later, though.

We had arranged a meeting, Mr. Selfridge.

I waited, but you didn't arrive.

My sincere apologies.

I had a family emergency.

And then you didn't pay me.

PLUNKETT: Mr. Selfridge?

Oh, I'm sorry, but you're needed downstairs.

(whispering): The Dolly Sisters.

I'm afraid I have to go.

Perhaps I can honor a first installment to tide you over.

I want what I asked for: the amount in full.

What's the problem?

(laughing) Look, I own one of the biggest stores in the world.

There's no need to treat me like a boy who owes for smokes.

Your stature doesn't make you safer.

It makes you more of a liability.

Why don't you make an appointment with my secretary?

There's a good fellow.

Mr. Selfridge.

No more meetings.

I've made myself clear.

I have an appointment with Wynnstay today.

Pulling the advertising from his papers is a big mistake.

He hurt my family.

I beg you to reconsider.

This situation is all my fault.

What happened with Flic and me... What you did was reprehensible.

Then let me fix it.

I can get a retraction, set the record straight for Rosalie.

I want a page one retraction and my family off limits, or I pull the advertising.

Is that clear?

I'll do my best.

You better had.

Oh, Mr. Selfridge, what a relief.

I don't want to be the bad one!

She gets to seduce Bumby Wallace whilst I have to pilfer?

Holy cow, Jenny Dolly, just do what it says in the photoplay.

You work as a double act: one steals while the other distracts.

You're both bad news.

I suppose the bad ones are the fun ones.

Come on, Jenny, let's go and recap our steps.

We are running behind because of them!

Our costs are soaring.

Just do what you can to keep them on track.

I beg that you remain nearby.

The sisters' behavior is excitable.

They respond well to you, and only to you.

Wasted time is wasted money.

Oh, heavens!

No, together, ladies, please!

I'm so sorry about the way Meryl found out.

She's very upset.

And your other children, have you told them?

Yes.

Last night.

Are you still at the hotel?

I am, yes.

How long are you staying in London?

I don't know.

I wondered if you might stay with Mr. Crabb, since he was the one who invited you back.

Arthur was genuinely worried about you.

He didn't know what else to do.

He could have done nothing.

Have either of you considered that?

Oh, Roger, I couldn't have stayed away...

I appreciate your wanting to help, really, I do.

But we made a clean break seven years ago.

It wasn't as simple as that.

Thank you.

Look, I can't revisit all this.

Not now, not here.

Then perhaps we could meet somewhere privately.

Mr. Selfridge demands a page one retraction of the story about his daughter.

I'm sorry to have hurt Mrs. De Bolotoff.

I did try to apologize personally.

We'd appreciate it on the front page.

For Mrs. De Bolotoff's sake, I'll make sure it's done.

Mr. Selfridge also requests that all stories about his family be off-limits from now on.

You're a newspaper man, Frank.

You know that's impossible.

If you refuse, Selfridge's will withdraw all advertising from all your newspapers.

You'd never do that.

May I remind you our advertising budget is quite large.

My dailies have the highest readership in the country.

Mr. Selfridge is very protective of his family.

Now, if he wants to take me on, he can do it himself and not send his flunky.

Now get out.

Mr. Selfridge, this has just come in.

A recent gambling bill charged to you by J. and R. Dolly.

I will deal with this.

Bad day?

Tiring.

Is everything all right, Frank?

Of course, why wouldn't it be?

You just seem a bit out of sorts lately, that's all.

Since you got back from France.

What's France got to do with anything?

I've been thinking about what you said when you got back.

About family and us having children.

Did you really mean it?

Yes.

It's just... Well, it has rather come out of the blue and I thought we were happy as we were?

We are, but...

But what?

I just wonder if we're being selfish.

If there's more to life.

Well, it's different for you.

You're a man, and I'd have to leave my job.

We never properly discussed the Elizabeth Arden offer.

It was just dismissed out of hand.

Yes, of course, Elizabeth Arden, how could we forget?

She'll need an answer, Frank.

Have you ever thought that we're too wrapped up in ourselves to notice that we're drifting apart?

You don't mean us.

You mean me.

That was unfair, Kitty, I'm sorry.

(door closes) (knock at door) Almost ready.

Rosie, I need to...

I need to talk to you about this bill.

You did say you'd cover our credit.

Well, I didn't expect you to be so outrageous.

It's a lot of money.

If you want us to pay you back...?

No, Rosie, you're missing the point.

You gals need to take this film more seriously.

All the hullaballoo from earlier today...

I know.

Jenny can be such a nightmare.

I'll talk to her.

The delays are because of you, which is costing me money.

You do know we don't take it for granted, what you're doing for us.

I don't take it for granted.

HARRY: This will mean a lot to Rosalie.

And he agreed to back off my family?

No more lies or gossip about them?

On that, he was less amenable.

What did he say?

I just wouldn't push him on this one, Chief.

What do you mean?

ROSALIE: Good morning.

Hello, Mr. Edwards!

Mrs. De Bolotoff.

We'll discuss this later, Frank.

Well, that is nice to see.

I'm going to make sure that this never happens again to any of my children.

How on earth will you do that?

Don't you worry about that.

I can make Wynnstay play ball.

Room for a little one?

Mind if I join you?

Something wrong?

Oh George, I'm in ever such a pickle.

♪ ♪ Admiring my handiwork?

Yes, from a safe distance.

Next stop, Selfridge's Picture Company.

I don't think so.

Though I hear Jimmy's investing in property for cinemas?

Gadding about up north as we speak.

Yes, searching for his next investment.

Does that work for you?

Oh, yes.

You know me, Harry.

I love a good time, but I'm concentrating on me right now.

I love my work here.

Forgive the intrusion, Harry, but when I came into your office yesterday, that man...

So who's he?

My gaming agent.

Things seemed a little tense.

He's making a small nuisance of himself, but everything will be fine.

Where are the Dolly Sisters?

We should be filming.

Oh, I think I saw them in Fashion.

Shopping?

Well, it was all rather anarchic.

I'll leave that with you.

Unbelievable.

A job offer from the Elizabeth Arden?

In America?

I'm to reply by the end of tomorrow, or the job goes.

How does Frank feel about all this?

He has no interest in New York.

He's talking about starting a family.

Out of nowhere!

Why would he suddenly want a baby?

How do I know?

Well, you're a man, you must have some idea.

Well, when Connie told me she was pregnant, it was the happiest day of my life.

What about your wedding day?

Didn't come close.

I wouldn't tell Connie that.

I can't answer for Frank, but I've always got along with kids.

Comes natural to me.

But I don't think him wanting a baby is a bad thing.

I think it means he loves you.

Yeah.

Maybe I've been selfish, always putting work first.

Do you still love him?

More than anything in the world.

Then you need to be talking to him, not me.

I'm sorry I'm late.

I had to manage an issue in the fashion department.

I was just discussing the cinema window display.

Just keep in mind that our displays make us into the landmark that we are today.

People come from all around just to see our windows.

Frank, can you provide the right publicity?

Our usual spots with The Mail, The Mirror...

The London Herald?

Yes, all of Lord Wynnstay's papers.

Really?

As usual.

GROVE: How are plans for the after-party going, Mr. Lyons?

Oh, swimmingly.

We've got Victor Colleano bringing his club night to Selfridge's.

"A Night with the Stars."

A private party with lots of prominent people.

All the costs to go on my Chairman's Account.

Thank you all very much.

Frank, a quick word?

How are things at home after Flic and the article?

I'm ashamed, Harry, no mistake.

I know your shame.

I don't have a wife to make it up to.

You do.

I want you to ask Kitty to the party tomorrow.

I'm not sure.

You need to find a way to make your marriage strong again.

You concentrate on that and I'll deal with Lord Wynnstay.

Chief... We need to thrash it out face to face.

Men like us, we know how to get along.

(sighs) Hello!

What are you doing down here?

Trying to get a look at Bumby Wallace!

Oh, look!

Connie!

You're starting to show.

Can I...?

There's a baby in there.

I know.

It's starting to feel more real now.

You'll be leaving soon.

Are you going to miss this?

The store?

No, because deep down, it's what I've always wanted: to be a mother.

You're in a funny old mood.

I'm fine.

You should get back upstairs.

Yeah.

Go on!

All right, bossy britches.

How did we let it slip through our fingers?

We loved each other, didn't we?

Yes, of course we did.

That was the simple part.

It was the rest that was complicated.

I've had years to think about it.

At the time, I was angry with you.

I thought you gave up too easily.

I ran away.

There you go, I've said it.

I'd always been a lone woman.

A big family was overwhelming.

The children had lost their mother, and their little faces all turned to me.

Meryl was so angry, so resentful at this new woman in her father's life.

I didn't help, trying to rush a new marriage on you, on them.

You just thought marriage would fix it.

You didn't want to see your children in pain.

It was all so raw.

I left you all, and if I could do things differently, I...

Please forgive me, Roger.

Is that why you're here?

To ask forgiveness?

No, that's not why I'm here.

I was going to retire.

Be with my children.

Enjoy my last years.

I'm so afraid.

(sobbing) I know, I know.

(door opens) Slowly now, Roger, do step carefully.

Thank you, Josie, for listening.

For everything.

I'm sorry, I'm exhausted.

I know.

Good night.

Good night.

Is he all right?

He's just going up to sleep.

Did something happen?

We talked.

It was difficult.

We both got a bit upset.

Would you like some tea?

Good old British tea.

Meryl, I can't tell you how sorry I am that you found out the way you did.

It's been quite a shock, but it's better we all know.

I think we both know your father has a way of avoiding anything unpleasant.

Like how he avoided how beastly I was being to you before you went away.

Oh, you were a child.

And I didn't leave because of you.

Please know that.

It was everything.

Your father isn't the only one to avoid difficult situations, Meryl.

I discovered an unhealthy streak of cowardice in myself at the time.

Are you going back to New York?

Oh, I shall stay as long as your father needs me.

No.

Even if he says he doesn't want you to stay.

Oh, my dear Meryl.

I'm not going anywhere.

Look, you see?

Cartoons being sent by wire.

(laughing) Ridiculous!

I don't know why I take this paper.

There's no actual news in it.

You seem bright.

I don't remember the last time I slept so well.

Maybe your talk with Miss Mardle did you some good?

She stayed for a cup of tea last night.

I invited her for dinner tonight.

Did you?

I'm sure the children would love to see her.

Apparently, she's not leaving London.

She isn't?

Well, that's what she said to me.

Would you like a boiled egg?

Can you boil an egg?

Well...

I can try.

(door opens) Ah!

I thought I'd see you soon.

I want stories about my family off-limits.

Me, fine.

I chose this life, they didn't.

You have to understand, Wynnstay.

No, you have to understand, Selfridge.

I am not your puppet.

We both know that you can't afford to lose my advertising contract.

Is that so?

Mm.

Look, I'm hosting a party tonight.

Why don't you come?

Now that we both understand each other.

We understand each other perfectly.

It's reassuring to know that money still talks.

(door closes) Find Flic.

Send her to me.

♪ ♪ And cut!

That's a wrap!

Thanks, Bumby.

(applause) Mr. Crabb.

I'm glad I've seen you.

I'm afraid I'm about to leave for a meeting.

Well, I just...

I wanted to clear the air, say I'm sorry.

I know perfectly well why you called Miss Mardle.

You said it was unforgiveable.

Arthur, there isn't a bad bone in your body.

In fact, I need to thank you.

Josie and I had a rather good talk last night.

I'm glad.

She might even stay in London.

Whatever has passed between you, I do know this: She is devoted to you, Roger.

Always has been, always will be.

About this film party tonight, I came to ask if you'd do me the honor of accompanying me?

I thought things have become distant between us?

"The glamorous Edwards' went out onto the town last night, "all eyes on them, she in a million dollar dress, he in a luxury tuxedo."

If you insist.

(knocking) Come.

Ah, here she is.

London's most feared reporter.

What can I do for you, sir?

Do you want to go to a party tonight?

I need you to do some digging.

Thank you, gentlemen.

Sorry I'm a little late, Mr.

Keen.

Mr. Crabb.

We could've met at the store.

Better here.

As you know, the Civic Building Society have recently acquired more shares in the Selfridge Group.

Indeed.

It's my job to encourage a more transparent relationship between us.

There's some concern about Mr. Selfridge's lavish spending.

There's been concern about that for 20 years.

Quite.

I've noted that the chairman's account is very much in the red.

There have been a lot of expenses lately.

Trip to France, the film, tonight's party...

Recent gambling bill, too.

Rather big.

He does seem to blend his personal and professional expenses.

Actually, Mr. Selfridge is very much aware of the situation.

He asked me to put a hold on the chairman's account today.

You're very loyal, aren't you?

To Mr. Selfridge.

I'm an old dog on a long road.

Rest assured, I know exactly where you're coming from.

Good evening, madam.

Welcome!

Why thank you, young sir.

ALICE: Good evening, Miss Mardle, nice to see you again.

Oh, there you are.

MERYL: Thank you.

Ernest!

You'd better take the lady's hat and coat.

Oh, right.

The Grove Restaurant is open especially for you, Miss Mardle.

Thank you.

Oh, my goodness.

This was their idea.

Thank you.

Allow me.

They come in, names taken at the door, walk along here.

This area is roped off for hacks and whatnot.

Then they go up.

Smooth operation here, George.

It's funny working together again.

It feels like old times.

How long before the chief gets here?

Any minute now.

Harry, what are you doing here?

I wanted to pick you up, escort you to the party myself.

I'm not ready.

Is there someone in there?

Of course not.

Excuse me.

Mr. Wallace.

Harry, wait.

Come to the party, but for God sakes, behave.

Keep professional and stay away from me.

I feel like an old fool, Mae.

They've been bleeding me dry.

And what did you expect?

Bumby Wallace is a bona fide film star.

And those sisters, they are as ambitious as hell.

I've been blinded.

Not by love, that's for sure.

(laughs) Kick a guy when he's down, why don't you?

(sighs) I don't think I can face this party.

Oh, stop it, of course you can.

We're going to go downstairs, and you're just going to keep those sisters on a short leash.

I'm not gonna let them pull the wool over my eyes again.

That's the spirit.

So come on, let's get up.

Your illustrious guests await, and even Jimmy's coming, so we can all let our hair down.

(laughs) These are marvelous.

GROVE: Aren't they?

I shall be taking photographs of all of you.

We should make some family albums.

That's a good idea.

Miss Mardle, would you like to take a turn around the garden?

Yes, I'd love to.

Here, let me.

Oh, thank you.

Thank you for coming.

And for bringing me home last night.

I'm very glad you're feeling better.

You know, I am.

I can see more clearly how things were complicated.

It has been a magical evening tonight, Roger.

Thank you.

No, thank them.

They are a credit to you, they really are.

I think now I can look ahead.

I intend to make the most of what time I have left.

I'm very relieved to hear that.

I'm thankful that things are no longer left unsaid between us.

Oh, hush, hush, hush.

It's all been settled.

Well, one matter hasn't.

I feel if I don't ask this question, I will always regret it.

Will you be with me, Josie?

Will you be my wife?

Don't agree because I'm dying, or out of pity for me or the children.

I'm aware that if you take me on, you take them on too.

I take them on with all my heart.

I put this in my pocket just in case.

(gasps) You haven't said yes.

Yes.

(kids clapping and cheering) It's nice to be on your arm, like when we first stepped out.

I know I threw you with all that baby talk.

I just wanted us to think about it one last time.

If I gave up work to be a mother, would you still love me?

I'd love you just the same!

I love you more than anything in the world, Kitty Edwards.

Then let's do it.

Let's try.

What about the Elizabeth Arden offer?

I think I've got a better one.

(laughing) ♪ ♪ FLIC: Lord Wynnstay!

Have some bubbles.

Thank you.

(music stops) Ladies and gents!

As I look out, I see the finest actors, artists, journalists, poets, and I think, "Thank God I'm not paying for all this!"

(laughter) Here's to the man who is.

(applause) Thank you.

(music starts) Forgive our interruption, but we had to do something for our sweet Harry.

We know he can't resist us!

We hope he'll forgive us for being so naughty.

Dear God.

I have a feeling tonight will yield a story.

The man's his own cannon fodder.

Frank...

This wasn't really what I meant by a short leash.

(crowd gasping) Get them off that stage and out of the store.

Yes, sir.

Come on, ladies, off the stage.

VICTOR: Apologies for that unscheduled diversion.

I hope you've got your dancing shoes on!

Ladies and gentleman, Colleano's house band!

(applause) Harry?

(music playing) Come on.

The night is young.

Mm-hmm.

Mrs. Edwards?

Felicity Jenner-- Flic.

I work a lot with your husband.

Pleased to meet you.

Which paper do you work for?

I didn't expect you to be so beautiful.

Champion party!

We've only just got over the last one Selfridge laid on.

In France.

Oh, you went to France?

A whirlwind of glamour.

We all had a lot of fun.

Ask Frank.

Would you excuse me, gentlemen?

Has something happened?

Did that woman say something to you?

Who?

Flic?

She said she didn't expect me to be beautiful.

That's nice, to get a compliment.

Why would she suspect otherwise?

Why would she have any expectation at all?

I... She's just a hack.

Typically nosey.

Sounds like you all had quite a time of it in France.

Tell me, when you got back, suddenly you wanted to start a family.

Why did you say that?

We both want a family.

No, you suggested it.

We didn't want children before that.

Why did you suggest it?

I realized I might want a family.

Really?

Just like that?

Out of nowhere?

I was confused.

I thought it might... ...repair things.

Repair things?

How?

How?

Kitty, I'm so sorry.

Kitty, I'm so sorry!

You slept with that woman, didn't you?

(gasping) So, all that talk about a baby had nothing to do with love and everything to do with guilt!

I beg you, come... Come home and let's talk about this.

I'm just a foolish man.

Until I decide what I want, the spare room is yours.

For now, we continue the charade.

Our boss is out there.

Everything we've built over the last 12... 12 years.

The position that I've reached.

I'm not having you destroy it on account of you being a foolish man.

So get back down there and pretend to be the good husband that you're not.

(sobbing) HARRY: Look who I found.

Ah!

I hope you've kept out of trouble whilst I was away?

Actually, it was Harry who got himself into a couple of a scrapes.

I survived.

Just.

Excuse me.

See you later.

Of course.

I missed you.

Would've been nice to have you with me.

Jimmy, I've been a wife and a lady of leisure.

I make my own way now, like you.

VICTOR: Mae!

I nearly mistook you for a movie star there.

Flatterer!

Join me round the piano?

We're having a bit of a sing-song.

Ah!

No, I think we're quite comfortable here.

No, I haven't sung in ages!

Oh, please say you'll come and join us, Jimmy?

Singing's not my thing.

Maybe after, or something?

No, no, I'm coming now.

Play "The Mischief."

Yes!

I'll start.

(music starts) ♪ If Adam hadn't grappled with those Eden garden apples ♪ ♪ If Adam hadn't had them ♪ ♪ Just think how dull our life could be ♪ ♪ If Tony thought, "Baloney, this Cleo broad's a phony" ♪ ♪ And passion fell from fashion, how dull life would be ♪ (laughing) ♪ There'd be no point in Noah's ark ♪ ♪ Without the thrill of nature's spark ♪ MAE: ♪ That dating leads to mating is almost beyond remark ♪ ♪ Like Napoleon and Josephine, we're dynamite and kerosene ♪ ♪ So let's explode ♪ ♪ You light the flame of mischief in me.

♪ (glass shattering) (alarm ringing) (music stops) We need to get this secure.

Yes, sir.

Police are on their way, chief.

(crowd murmuring) Next time Next time on Masterpiece...

I'm flat broke.

JIMMY: We sign these and I'm telling you, all your problems disappear by close of day tomorrow.

The Civic Building Society has asked me to speak with you about your father.

Maybe it should've been us.

Maybe it still could be.

JIMMY: We're a couple now.

You don't own a woman like Mae, Jimmy.

"Mr. Selfridge," next time on Masterpiece.

Go to our website, listen to our new podcast, watch video, and more.

"Mr. Selfridge" season four is available on Blu-ray and DVD.

The companion book is also available.

To order, visit shopPBS.org or call us at 1-800-PLAY-PBS.

Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org