Catch the Tiger A Place to Call Home

It's always something, Anna. It's some plot, some scheme, some lie. Your family is sick!

Now you can't even give me a son. What's the point?

-You don't mean that.

-I do.

I wanted my own son and we can't have one.

What's our marriage now?

If you could leave a parcel at reception,

along with additional prescriptions.

I'm afraid I can't do that.

The Board of Surgeons would take a very dim view

of your sodomite activities.

Thank you so very much.

This has to be the last time.

The last time is my call. Not yours.

I'd like to send a telegram, please.

For, unto us, a child is born in a manger in Inverness.

A flying officer, Gordon Walsh, Butterworth Military Base, Malaya.

A friend of mine's having a birthday party in Sydney. Mostly our kind.

Your kind of our kind aren't my kind.

Suppose you wrote a novel.

Death by poison of a young school teacher

and the story surrounding it,

names and places changed, but sufficient to the purpose.

We will hang Regina's good name even if we can't hang Regina.

This is a vicious exercise in character assassination.

What if I told you it's all true?

You're telling me Regina killed the young Davis woman

-in trying to poison Sarah?

-Yes.

-Has George seen it?

If he reads this, if anyone does beyond your malicious inner cabal,

I will reveal every sordid truth I know!

Not even you would hurt a child.

A Jew's brat. With pleasure.

She's played me.

I need to stare that truth in the face

and see her where she belongs.

So, it's done?

It is. In a way that sees us all safe.

Yes, this is much better.

The walls have ears, you know.

I intend to be back by this evening.

What would you like us to do here?

Just go about your day as if nothing's wrong.

Regina's to suspect nothing untoward.

But surely we need to know what you're planning, George.

The less you know about my plans, Mother,

the easier it will be for you to behave as if Regina has won the day.

-But, you do intend to deal with her once and for all?

-Yes.

I've been blind.

I'm the fool who married her, after all.

And I'm the fool who brought her back into this house,

so don't you feel guilty, George.

But having caught the tiger, it must first be defanged.

Precisely.

And as we're being observed,

let's take an inordinate interest in my roses, shall we?

This party that James is planning to attend,

what sort of affair is it exactly?

I'm not sure.

The sort of party that the police would want to raid?

Regina could have a private detective on him, for all we know.

I will try Henry again once we get to town.

The main thing is to get there, locate them

and make sure they behave impeccably.

I will do my best.

Thank you.

Now, only if you don't mind...

"London Times, The Observer..."

"The latest Raymond Chandler."

Excuse my scrawl, or the Michener, if they don't have it.

-Dymocks will have them.

-Or Macleay Street, whatever's easiest.

-Thank you.

-Ready?

See you soon.

Isn't this a day trip?

Olivia's staying over.

I'll be back this evening.

I wonder if I shouldn't come?

I can wait for you, if you like.

Be off before I change my mind.

See you tonight.

What was our English aristocrat up to before she left?

She was looking for Mr Bligh's address book.

The little pink one, no doubt.

-And the old trout?

-Still on her constitutional, ma'am.

Fetch my stationery and address books, we're having a celebration.

I'll be right here when you wake up, all right?

Sleep well.

There you go.

Sh. All right, darling.

Sleep well.

Oh, me and Missy will make short work of that.

Emma made the plait on top, not me.

Honestly, the detail she goes into.

She wants you to teach her wood work, of all things.

Does she now?

This is just temporary, right, her being back here?

Oh, see how it goes, really.

And what about us...

do you think, Roy?

When you say "us," it makes it sound like we're a couple.

Well, that's what we've been.

In front of people, that's what we've been.

I'm not trying to lead you on.

Oh, jeez, Roy!

I'd say you pretty much have.

Look, I reckon you can do much better than me, Dawn.

I'm just too set in my ways.

I've been set in my ways, too.

That's why this has been nice.

Well, too right it is. I mean, it is.

Good morning, Dawn.

Morning, Sarah.

Enjoy the bread.

Do you need to go and smooth things over?

Not with Regina out to get you.

I'll wait till Doris turns up.

No need being skittish.

Until she's actually put away,

I'm sure she's basking in fool's paradise, confident she's won.

What about this one?

Ah, this is more my cup of tea. Thank you.

A courtesy to inform you of a luncheon for 50 people,

possibly 100.

Some of George's political supporters.

I'll be busy, but thank you all the same.

George will be surrounded by his family,

including the aged and infirm.

You'll be seated at pride of place, next to Sir Richard.

-As I said...

-You reside here. I reign here.

I will be blunting all the knives.

Now, ladies, I'm not quite sure what all this is about,

but I was fervently hoping

you had come in to invite me out for another ride.

Oh, no, I only smoke very occasionally these days.

I'm sure you do.

We did say the best of three.

Only on one condition.

That depends.

No more suggestive remarks about my posterior.

I really can't imagine what you mean!

I'm going to hold you to it.

I'm sure you will.

Oh! Aunt Peg!

Oh, what lovely work!

Oh, look at the eyes!

And that tail!

You know, Peg made me an elephant when I was little.

It was my favourite toy for years. He's going to love these.

I do hope Mrs Carvolth knows what she's taking on.

Men like Mr Briggs when they reach a certain age,

it's either their way or the highway, I've observed.

You know, I read an article once in the National Geographic,

that in Africa,

the older male elephants, when they're no longer of use,

get pushed out of the herd.

Get pushed out on to the savanna by the females.

Interesting.

Not that I'm suggesting that for Mr Briggs.

Of course not. He's still quite useful.

Indeed, albeit somewhat high-handed at times.

Obviously Mrs Carvolth doesn't mind,

or perhaps she does.

You have to get a ticket. It's brilliant, honestly.

The Phillip Street revue.

The two David Jones floorwalkers.

Oh, and it is about the royal tour.

Oh, don't look over there in the socks and jocks department.

Isn't that Prince Philip? I think he might need help with his sizing!

And then Gordon Chater goes,

"Don't you wonder what it's like, ducky, sleeping with a Queen?"

He had him down to a T, unlike me!

Sounds good. Want to go along?

I've had enough of the royal tour to last me a lifetime.

You were falling over your stethoscopes, I'm sure,

when Her Majesty visited you lot.

Stale tales, boring.

Pardon us for living, Dr Fox(!)

-How are we all today?

-Mr Fox, as I live and breathe...

So, these people are...

Henry's set, mostly.

So it's not just...

Some of these people look like straights.

They are. A few of Aunt Carolyn's friends, actually.

-And they're all right with us?

-Yes.

We're not in Inverness now!

-I'm not sure this is for me.

-You're with me. You fit in.

-Now we see why Henry Foxy has had the tom tits.

-Who's he?

MAN MURMURS

I never told anyone bring a friend.

For all I know, he's about to sing on the coppers

and send us all to the clink.

I'll talk to him.

Hello, stranger.

Indeed.

So you two finally get to meet.

Harry Polson, you remember Henry Fox?

Would you excuse us for a moment? James.

Back in a tick.

Honestly, James!

What a stupid thing to do, to bring him.

The host is very upset. Everyone's on edge.

He's a friend, I didn't think anyone would mind.

You know this set-up.

Everyone knows each other, they trust each other.

Perhaps if you returned my phone calls I could have asked.

Stop being such a bore.

I've got enough pressure going on without this, so just sort it out.

I know how much you're needed at the hospital, Doris.

I don't want to take up your whole day.

Mr Briggs ordered me not to leave until he returned.

-He ordered me.

-Why didn't you say? I'm fine.

I've got Lucky and I've got this.

Oh, goodness me!

Oh, Roy thought he saw a brown snake yesterday, that's all.

Have you ever used a firearm, Sister Nordmann?

Oh! I mean, I think I could, if I had to.

CAR APPROACHES

Oh, that's probably him now.

Oh, I do wish that Mr Briggs would install a telephone.

I've been wanting to talk to you all morning.

-I won't stay long.

-No, no.

-You're very welcome.

-Thank you.

Well, our plan worked.

Magnificently.

Your proof absolute.

George told me of the threats.

I'm so sorry you had to endure them.

Well, they were imaginative, to say the least.

-Even Douglas was on the receiving end.

-Yes.

-We're all rather on edge.

-Was George any clearer on how he was going to proceed?

-Thank you.

He would prefer none of us know the details

so that when we cross paths with her, it's just an ordinary day.

It's easier for me, I'm not leaving the house.

But you are making sure the door is locked?

Roy won't be long.

In any case, she's up to her elbows organising a luncheon.

I must make sure the invitations don't go out in the post.

Well, this time tomorrow...

George will have shut the lid on Pandora's box.

I wonder how...different we'll all feel?

Jack described it as a megalomania of sorts.

Condition seeded years ago.

A fierce sibling jealousy of Elaine for winning George's heart.

Or it started in early childhood.

None of which makes it any easier to be on the receiving end.

Oh, I almost forgot!

George!

Is there a slight resemblance there to David?

BABY CRIES

It always feels like feeding time.

Well, I should stay until Mr Briggs comes back.

He'll be back soon, I promise.

How would you feel about having a little hold?

Back in a moment.

What news, Sergeant?

I wonder.

So these protection blokes from the Prime Minister's office

will come in handy.

This Communist cell, Soviet teaching place,

it's only about 15 miles from here.

So close. And?

I've got a woman in the post office monitoring her mail.

Quite a bit from someone going by Aunt Peg.

-Possibly code.

-It would be.

All of her relatives are dead and gone.

Well, these Canberra blokes have pulled out a theory,

-but without solid proof...

-Oh, for the love of God!

Someone should just run her and the brat off the road and be done with it!

I'm still scared for my life.

How fortunate to have you to protect me.

Excuse me.

I seem to have taken a wrong turn.

When you get back to our gate,

you turn left and just follow that road for about, I don't know,

three or four miles.

You lived here long?

A while.

I'm here doing some writing for the Socialist Worker.

The union wants a story.

There's been some trouble with the Blighs.

Poor conditions, below the awards.

Is that the sort of thing you hear?

I work at the hospital.

They seem very well looked after during the season.

Big wool profits this year.

No excuse to shaft the workers, is there?

Anything you say will be off the record.

You really should speak to them. They're a good family.

Still landed gentry though, aren't they?

How do I put this? Um...

Not everyone here votes Country Party,

even the rusted-on Labor voters were behind George Bligh.

-Did you support him?

-Yes, I did, actually.

What's this really about?

-Just doing my job.

-Which is what?

It's OK.

So Papa and I thought...

GINO SPEAKS ITALIAN

You know, a tasting room.

A little hut where they can taste the wine before they buy it.

And the straw wrapping on the wine bottles, I saw all that.

Gino, this health situation with Anna.

Obviously, she and I have talked about it.

At least you're honest enough to tell me.

We'll sort it out.

Not even Anna knows what I'm about to tell you.

I can't father a child.

-What about Anna?

-I won't go into details,

but it's something that happened in the war.

I thought the best thing would be if I just never loved a woman again.

I nearly lost Carolyn for good because of that.

So Carolyn knew this when she married you?

Of course.

Marriage is about family.

There's no point doing it if you can't have children.

Plenty of happy couples can't have children.

-Or they adopt.

-I don't believe in that.

Anyway, you've got Anna. It's not the same.

Just make sure you and Anna don't close down like I did.

I'm not going to leave Anna or anything, if that's what you think.

If you want someone to talk to...

Anyway, I'm Catholic, I can't.

A divorce, you're excommunicated, cut out of everything,

the rest of your life's a shell. It's the way it goes.

Sorry.

Found some people to talk to?

Rodgers and Hammer...

something...

They write musicals. South Pacific, I think.

It's a big barrel of laughs that I've never heard of them.

-What smart aleck was that?

-It doesn't matter.

Was it that chap in the white suit?

That was a sly proposition to meet down in the park after dark.

I've had two of those so far.

You came with me.

I told you back home they think I'm rough trade.

Don't.

-You on your way?

-When we leave, feel free to tell this crowd that

Harry was bashed and left for dead not long ago for being one of us.

One of us.

I'm sorry you didn't bother to get to know him today.

He's a good-hearted decent man.

Use your head, Bligh.

If Lord Montague serves a year in Wormwood Scrubs,

-where does that leave the rest of us?

-That was...

That was on the other side of the world.

This is here, now.

-Today.

-It happens here every night.

Try ringing the truth from time to time.

So let's all fret about being dismissed by society

and form a society that dismisses our own?

-You don't understand.

-No, I don't.

I won't see you later.

No, you won't.

Don't leave yet. We wanted to apologise for everyone.

Just, if I made you feel uncomfortable, I'm sorry.

The trouble with these parties is we're all so insular.

-Go on, Tom, tell him what you told me.

-No, Gracie.

-We should go.

-The reason I didn't talk to you in there...

-Look, it's all right.

..is because you're so devastatingly handsome.

Thank you.

I believe you know a bit about gardens.

-Yeah, a bit.

-You're an expert.

They're not a bad crew. Come back and have a drink.

We'll look after him.

Go on.

What about you?

I'm fine.

I'd hate for you to feel we're driving you away.

No.

I've got things to do.

Enjoy yourselves.

Henry's just got a case of the bitters. He'll come good.

CAR HORN BLARES

Why don't you tell me straight what's going on?

Mate, I don't even know what you're doing.

"And unto us a child is born, in a manger in Inverness."

-You got me there!

-"Us," it says, "us."

Whatever you're doing, you know it's got nothing to do with me.

You'd have had your day in court if it wasn't for the prosecutors.

If I were you, I'd just forget about this and be on my way.

When I went back to Malaya,

I thought a lot more about the two of you.

-Geeing me up to kill an unborn child...

-Hey, you listen, sunshine.

-And the more I thought about it...

-Nordmann killed your fiancee,

with the intention of framing Regina Bligh

to destroy George Bligh's campaign.

Nearly died a painful death at her hands.

No-one was geeing you up.

The problem with all of that...

is the last couple of days I've been watching Nordmann very closely.

She isn't a subversive's bootstrap.

The wealthiest family in the district are in

and out of her place, visiting like they're old friends.

They're all Commies, are they?

You should just head off now, mate.

That telegram...

..was like a victory announcement or something, like it was all a joke.

All jolly japes.

Like someone can't wait for Nordmann to be dead.

All right.

You drive out to Brunston.

Stay in the pub overnight and I'll phone you.

-To tell me what?

-To give you some answers.

No more bullshit.

First thing tomorrow.

You know what I reckon? If I'm being played here, then you are too.

Probably a hell of a lot more.

You can't keep reporters out of the courtroom if she goes to trial.

By that stage she would have been committed for some time.

Her views on the family will be seen through that prism.

Hopefully her vitriol diminished.

Look, I have to say, I don't go much on your family.

You and I both know that my family are

the basis of my political career.

If Regina carries out these threats, if she rails in public,

everything you and I've worked for collapses in one bloody heap.

Ah.

In this first stage, as much discretion as we can muster.

Call in favours, if need be.

No-one needs to know she's gone gaga.

I'll make some calls.

-Thank you.

-All right.

You owe me one!

So there's your bloke.

This has got bloody Taylor written all over it.

Right, you! Yeah, you.

Remember me? You didn't have a light.

I've got two words for you - bugger off!

Whatever you've got, we don't want any.

-Go inside.

-My name's Gordon Walsh.

-Stay right there.

-Milly Davis' fiance?

I just want to know who killed her.

I think you might have a pretty good idea.

Do you have anything to prove who you are?

Get away from that car. What are you doing with that?

I was almost fooled into killing someone.

-Who?

-You.

Who is it?

Who is it that wants me dead?

Regina Bligh.

It's all so...

It's all so...

It's all so terribly sad.

She was a marvellous nursing sister.

The baby?

Put up for adoption, it's all underway.

No.

No sign of the gunman.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Telephone for you, Mrs Bligh.

A gentleman, but he didn't give his name.

Mrs Bligh speaking.

Whoa!

Summoned twice in one day, Sergeant Taylor.

I'm flattered. What can I say?

Gordon Walsh is back in town.

I wonder how he knew the baby was born.

I don't know.

How do you think he found out that she'd had the kid?

Goodness, Brian, your guess is as good as mine.

He wanted to be informed.

You had no right to do this.

A child is born in Inverness? Jesus wept!

-Detective Plod could trace this in his lunch hour!

-He wanted justice!

Except he doesn't think Nordmann's a subversive at all.

He's seen the Blighs and her, all very chummy.

They're a bunch of sentimental old fools!

Coo-cooing over the brand-new Jew like the Three Wise Men,

-without the myrrh.

-You know, this got me thinking.

Who is the father of the Nordmann child?

The milkman or the dustman, for all we know.

Or George Bligh.

It's her dead husband's, for goodness' sake!

And who did poison Milly Davis?

She did. Have you gone mad?!

See, if Walsh goes to the bosses, I will be up the creek.

He'd hardly incriminate himself. Brian, listen, listen...

No. I have a wife and child to support.

I can't afford to go down for this.

I can't see you for a while.

You make this sound like we're not a team. Are we a team?

I just need to work stuff out.

Brian, what are you doing?

Wait. Wait!

Wait! Wait!

The only lie I told was about the telegram.

I had too much to drink and I'm in love with you.

Hopelessly. Please, let's talk.

Get out of the car, please.

All that matters is the Jew killed that girl.

-You know that.

-This isn't funny.

-Hop out of the car, please.

-It isn't what?

It isn't funny? Not funny?

Really?!

Well, how about this?!

You do not want to go back to your stupid, stupid wife!

Do you?

Oh, thank goodness!

What are you doing here?

Is James not with you?

I have been telephoning all around trying to find you.

It's deja vu. Please don't run crying down the street.

He was supposed to be meeting you at a party?

He came. He saw. He scarpered.

So who's he with?

There was a period when you were quite nice.

Henry. Regina's on the warpath.

She is threatening to expose him.

He left on his own.

Hours ago, his hotel as usual, I don't know.

I've been there too, and I keep telephoning them,

but they are rather wary of wives tracking down their husbands.

If James comes here, be careful.

She may already have telephoned photographers,

a private detective... Who would know?

I'll come to the hotel.

Just me. Discretion is the first order.

Discretion used to be my middle name.

There's something he needs to know.

SHE CRIES

KNOCK ON DOOR

Come in.

I'd kill for a sherry.

Or five.

But you go first.

I, um...

I'm very ashamed to have to tell you...

Well, some months ago I succumbed to blackmail.

The very thing we all fear, and I caved.

Out of sheer terror. Still, I...crumbled.

And it's been...

devouring me to the point where I can barely breathe.

Who?

Regina Bligh.

Sorry I'm late.

How are you two?

I was just saying that, um,

as I understand it, in the Catholic church,

annulment is possible under certain conditions.

-I beg your pardon?

-Mama asked Father Joe for me.

-Why?

-You went to my priest?

In confidence, Gino.

The couple doesn't have to get divorced.

We can appear before a tribunal

and the case would rest on my inability to have children...

You told her this?

You're saying all this to shock me?

These are the facts, that's all, for you both.

I don't want to see either of you give up on this marriage.

Oh, that's a blessed relief!

But I don't want to see you trapped, caught in a marriage,

-because you think you can't get out.

-Let's just slow down.

After all you two went through to get together.

You want to break up over this?

This is a rough patch,

but you'll look back on this time one day and you will...

What were you thinking?

If they know their options, at least they can decide.

How dare you bring it up in front of them!

Gino, please, this annulment...

There's... There's more...

There's more to it.

I love you, Anna.

Is this seriously what you want?

Anna, tell me!

Anna!

If we went to a tribunal,

it wouldn't just be because I can't have children.

It would...

It would be because I...

I knew before we were married and I kept it from you.

Is that true?

Yes.

The doctor told me after my miscarriage

that it would be very unlikely.

But you see, I did it because

I thought that I would lose you, Gino,

and I love you so much and I just...

I didn't think you'd marry me if you knew.

You lied to me.

You tell them they need to go home.

Tell them to leave.

I've briefed everyone at home.

Jack's been most helpful with these referrals.

Riverview Hall's one of the best.

I should get going before they arrive.

Please...be on alert

in case anything goes wrong.

SHE SPEAKS HEBREW

This too is for the good.

I love you.

Good evening, I'm George Bligh.

-Dr Griffin.

-I'll take you up to my wife.

-I'll stay downstairs, but if you need help with Regina...

-Thank you.

Mrs Bligh! Oh, my gosh! There are people coming to get you!

-Who?

-Doctors, I think.

If you'd like to follow me, gentlemen.

The room is on the next floor, gentlemen, follow me.

Rose, is Mrs Bligh upstairs?

I'm not sure, sir.

I should inform you my mother received a phone call

from my son in Sydney.

Apparently, Mrs Bligh is addicted to morphine.

KNOCK ON DOOR Regina?

KNOCK ON DOOR Regina?

KNOCK ON DOOR Regina?

Regina? I need to speak with you.

Please?

Not to worry you,

but we should make sure she hasn't done something foolish.

Well, where is she?

I'm not sure.

Loony bin's too good for her.

The tragedy of it all is Milly Davis.

Hm.

You reckon Gordon Walsh will be back tomorrow?

He said yes. I think he will.

You are used to starting over.

Won't it be lovely to sleep out here, watch the moon rise?

There's many a slip 'twixt the cup and lip.

'Twixt?

'Twixt.

'Twixt.