To Sir, with Love/Transcript

==Transcript==
===Thackeray Arrives===
As the Columbia Pictures logo plays, Lulu's "To Sir, with Love" begins. After it ends, we fade in on a shot of cars passing by while our main character, Mark Thackeray (Sidney Poitier), stands and waits for his bus. On the bottom, a blue rectangle wipes itself in. "COLUMBIA PICTURES CORPORATION PRESENTS" fades in, followed by "SIDNEY POITIER" and "IN JAMES CLAVELL'S PRODUCTION OF." A double decker bus stops, and the man gets inside. As we see this, "To Sir, with Love" writes itself in, with a copyright stamp underneath. The rectangle wipes out, and we cut to another shot of the bus passing by. The rectangle wipes down, and the credits continue. During this, a group of people walk out of the exit to Wapping Station. The rectangle wipes out as we cut to another shot of the bus passing by. The rectangle reappears, this time on the left of the screen, with more credits and "All characters and credits in this film are fictitious. Any similarity to actual events or persons living or dead is purely coincidental." fading in and out. The credits continue over different shots of the bus being driven around, until finally, it stops to pick up several passengers. The credits and song end from there. Inside the bus, several passengers sit down.
:Mrs. Joseph (Rita Webb): Ooooohhhh! My bleeding feet!
:Gert (Marianne Stone): (Turns toward Mrs. Joseph) Oh, hello, Mrs. Joseph! Ooooh, I like your hair. What'd you call that, strawberry blonde?
:Mrs. Joseph: Gah, you're only jealous! (Gert laughs) Hey girl, what you got for the old man's supper tonight?
:Gert: Eh, he'll be lucky to get faggots and pease pudd, he will.
:Mrs. Joseph: Well, he can't do much on that, can he, eh? (They both laugh)
:Gert: All I want for him is to keep me feet warm.
:Passenger: Pass, please.
:Mrs. Joseph: Excuse me, dearie. (Moves over towards Thackeray)
:Passenger: Thank you.
:Mrs. Joseph: Here, Gert. I wouldn't mind having this little lot in my stocking for Christmas, eh? (They both laugh)
:Gert: Ah, you wouldn't know what to do with him. You've been a widow too long.
:Mrs. Joseph: You speak for yourself. It's like riding a bicycle, you never forget how. (They laugh again)
:Gert: Here, I'll tell you what I do. I'll send my Alfie along with you. He's not bad once he gets goin'.
:Mrs. Joseph: Well, I hope he's well-sprung! (They laugh once again, and a few more of the bus passengers join in)
Outside the bus stop, Thackeray walks down the street and pulls a card out of his jacket. He continues walking until he sees a sign reading "NORTH QUAY SECONDARY SCHOOL LONDON DOCKS." He turns toward the front of the school, where two women walk out. He continues to walk until we hear sort of a flushing sound. Cut to a pair of feet, which then pan up to reveal a teenage boy (Jackson), fresh out of the stall and with a cigarette in his mouth. Thackeray looks concerned.
:Thackeray: Morning.
:Jackson: (Takes the cigarette out of his mouth) Looking for someone, mate?
:Thackeray: (Shakes his head only mildly) No.
:Jackson: (Puts the cigarette back in his mouth, then puffs) Nice day, innit?
After a beat, Thackeray nods his head slightly, then walks away. As he continues his way inside, the boy takes the cigarette out of his mouth, then smiles mildly. Once he's inside the building, Thackeray approaches the stairs, made of stone with a red-and-brown banister. We start to hear indistinct noises, likely coming from a classroom. A young girl, Pamela Dare (Judy Geeson), runs out of the room, then bumps into Thackeray.
:Pamela: Oh! (Several other students walk out) Sorry.
As she leaves, we can more easily see the other students: three prim-and-proper girls, as well as another boy (Bert Denham [Christian Roberts]) smoking a cigarette, this one donning a greaser haircut and a leather jacket. They walk back into class, and Thackeray does a double take before approaching the door. He opens it to reveal an entire class not taking higher education seriously, throwing paper airplanes, smoking cigarettes, and waving rulers around.
:Pegg (Lulu): Hackman's in the staff room!
:Bert: Where he bleedin' well belongs!
The students laugh at Thackeray, and the boy even points at him, likely pointing out the fact that he's black. He closes the door and then walks toward the staff room, which is denoted by an olive green door with "STAFF ROOM" printed on it. He opens the door and we cut to Theo Weston (Geoffrey Bayldon) in a chair, reading a newspaper. After he hears the door open, he looks towards his new hire.
:Thackeray: Good morning. My name is Thackeray. I'm a new teacher.
:Weston: (As he puts the paper down and starts approaching Thackeray) Yes. We were expecting you. So you're the new lamb for the slaughter. Or should I say, black sheep.
:Thackeray: No. Just a teacher, Mr. Hackman.
:Weston: I'm not Hackman; perish the thought. He's departed, God rest his soul. (He walks by Thackeray and opens the door) He's probably pouring out his woes to the divisional officer by now. (Grace Evans [Faith Brook] then walks in)
:Grace: Oh. Weston. (He walks out of the way, and she approaches Thackeray) I'm Mrs. Evans, Grace. Deputy head.
:Thackeray: Mrs. Evans.
:Grace: Have you...seen any of the children yet?
:Thackeray: (While tilting his head to the side and back) I looked in on Mr. Hackman's class for a moment.
:Grace: Hmmm. I take them for domestic science. (She laughs) Like a cup of tea? (She walks off, and Thackeray turns towards her)
:Thackeray: No, no thank you, not just...now.
:Grace: (Walks towards the window) You been teaching long?
:Thackeray: This is my first appointment.
:Grace: (Laughs mildly as she grabs her tea) We call them jobs. (Starts approaching Thackeray) American, are you?
:Thackeray: British, from British Guiana. But I spent some years in the States.
:Grace: Oh, where?
:Thackeray: In California.
:Grace: Weather as good as they say?
:Thackeray: It's better. (Grace puts her cup and plate in the sink)
:Grace: Uh, what was your...subject? (Wipes her hands on the towel) Uh. What did you...major in?
:Thackeray: Engineering.
:Grace: Oh. Uh, well, (Looks at her watch hand) I must be off. Make yourself at home. Wander around if you like, or stay here. I'll introduce you to the others at lunch.
:Thackeray: (Nods his head toward Grace) Thank you.
Grace looks at Thackeray one last time as she leaves. Thackeray wanders around, toward the window. He looks out and sees an empty school lot, then an alarm rings out. He turns his head and it cuts to the bell ringing. Students start leaving the classrooms, talking indistinctly. Just then, Grace returns, accompanied by Gillian Blanchard (Suzy Kendall), who wears a striped shirt, glasses, and her hair in a ponytail.
:Grace: This is Gillian, Mr. Thackeray. (She walks toward him) Gillian Blanchard. (They shake hands)
:Gillian: Hello.
:Thackeray: How do you do?
:Grace: (As she picks up a pot and approaches the two) She's new here too. Came the day before yesterday. (She starts pouring a cup) Tea, Gillian?
:Gillian: Thank you. (Just then, Josie Dawes [Mona Bruce], Euphemia Phillips [Fiona Duncan], and Weston walk in)
:Grace: This is Mr. Mark Thackeray, the new replacement. Josie Dawes, Euphemia Phillips. (A third woman, Clinty Clintridge [Patricia Routledge], walks in) Uh, they teach the little ones. (Weston reaches for a mug) Theo Weston, you know.
:Weston: Yes, I've had the pleasure. He mistook me for Hackman. (Josie, Euphemia, and Clinty start reaching for mugs)
:Clinty: I've heard he's fled.
:Josie: Can't say I blame him. That shot of humanity is enough to destroy anybody.
:Clinty: He got what he deserved. (She approaches Thackeray and holds out her hand) I'm Clinty Clintridge.
:Grace: (Turns her head toward Thackeray and back) Clinty's a marvelous artist. Got one at the Royal Academy a couple of years ago. Teaching provides the bread and butter. (She grabs a mug) Well, that's all the staff except for...Mr. Bell, our P.T. instructor. Well, I... do hope you're going to stay with us.
:Weston: (While he's seated in his chair, munching on something) I shouldn't if I were you, old man! I should row home while you have the chance.
:Clinty: Don't discourage him, Weston. (Walks toward him as Grace checks her watch hand again)
:Grace: Well, I must go. I have to fix a bath for one of the girls in Clinty's class.
:Gillian: Why?
:Grace: Mmm. Kids are complaining again. Won't sit near her.
:Thackeray: What's the matter?
:Grace: Personal hygiene problems. (Approaches Thackeray with a mug) Fourteen and helpless. (Thackeray takes the mug, and he starts pouring himself some sugar) You men are lucky. The things we women have to do for these kids. Gillian, dear? (Thrusts her head toward Thackery) Encourage him to stay. (She walks away, and Gillian approaches Thackeray. They both head for the window.)
:Thackeray: Why is it everyone thinks I need encouraging?
:Gillian: (After flashing a bright, wide smile) They said the same to me. There's something...frightening, but at the same time challenging about this school. You know there's no form of corporal punishment, or any punishment for that matter. (Thackeray looks toward her)
:Thackeray: None?
:Gillian: No. I have no real teaching experience. I'm a little lost.
:Thackeray: Well, I don't have any experience either. (He looks towards his tea)
:Gillian: Oh. ...well, of course, it'll be much easier for you. I'm a little afraid of them. (Thackeray stops sipping his tea and looks at Gillian again, all while a beat combo tune plays)
:Clinty: (Approaching Thackeray) Midday dance session. During lunch break, the older kids use the hall. I sometimes join them. Even the old man shakes their leg on occasions. (Sips tea)
:Weston: Dancing is merely their way of keeping fit for the more exciting pastime of... teacher-baiting.
:Josie: Couldn't you manage to be a bit less discouraging?
:Weston: It's the last thing I want to do. (They take notice of the music playing) The music's louder than usual. They're probably celebrating their victory over Hackman.
:Thackeray: (As he sets his tea down) I better go up and see Mr. Florian.
:Gillian: I'll show you the way.
We then cut to inside the hallway, with a lot of the students dancing. One just sits cross-legged atop a piano, bopping along to the music. Another sits by the record player, miming a piano with his hands. Thackeray and Gillian walk toward the double doors. He puts his hands over his face, zeroing in on the dancing teenagers. Then he opens the door and continues to watch them. He turns his head toward Gillian, and they both walk inside and survey their dance moves.
:Thackeray: They're good, aren't they?
:Gillian: I suppose so. (Two of the students notice, stop dancing, then turn toward Thackeray and Gillian) The head study's this way. (Pamela nods her head, and the boy looks at the man by the record player, who turns the music off. Then the girl walks toward them.)
:Pamela: Do you two... (She shakes around in a suggestive manner, and the other students laugh at it.) Do you two shake?
:Gillian: Um... well, I'll, uh...see you later, Mr. Thackeray. (She opens the door and walks out, then Thackeray turns toward the girl)
:Pamela: Well? (After a beat, Thackeray smiles)
:Thackeray: I, uh... thank you. But I have to go and see the principal.
They giggle as he himself walks out. She turns to the greaser, he nods toward the record man, and the music resumes, as does the dancing. We then cut to Thackeray inside Principal Florian (Edward Burnham)'s office.
:Florian: You have excellent qualifications, Mr. Thackeray. Astonishing ones, in fact, as a communications engineer. Field experience in South America. (Looks through his pages some, and then...) Why do you want to be a teacher?
:Thackeray: (After turning his head both directions) Reasons.
:Florian: You've already tried to get an engineering post?
:Thackeray: I tried for eighteen months, sir.
:Florian: (Sighs, then sits in his chair) We have no blueprint in North Quay. Most of our children are rejects from other schools. We have to help them as best we can, we have to teach them all we can and as much as we can. The local authorities are not totally on our side. And from the moment you accept this position, you'll be entirely on your own. Of course, I and the staff will do everything we can to help you. But success or failure will depend entirely upon you. Now what's it to be?
:Thackeray: I want the job, sir.
:Florian: (Nods his head toward Thackeray) Good. (He gets up and reaches out for a handshake) Then it's settled. (Thackeray shakes his hand) Now tomorrow, you'll take over (Cut to...) Hackman's class.
===First Day on the Job===
The next day, none of the students look or sound the least bit interested. Thackeray begins taking attendance.
:Thackeray: Sapiano.
:Sapiano: (Gets up from off the desk) Yeah.
:Thackeray: Wong.
:Wong: Yes.
:Thackeray: Osgood.
:Osgood: Yeah.
:Thackeray: Tuffen.
:Tuffen: Yep.
:Thackeray: Pegg. (Pegg is busy combing her hair) Pegg?
:Pegg: (Looks up...) Yeah. (...then resumes with her hair)
:Thackeray: Joseph.
:Moira Joseph (Adrienne Posta): Yeah.
:Thackeray: Dare.
:Pamela: (Looks up) Yeah.
:Thackeray: Potter. (Potter and Bert are currently invested in a magazine) Potter!
:Potter: (Disinterestedly looks towards Thackeray) Yeah.
:Thackeray: Denham.
:Bert: (Puts the magazine down) Mmmm.
:Thackeray: Buckley.
:Buckley: Yeah.
:Thackeray: Purcell.
:Purcell: (While playing with a ruler) Yeah.
:Thackeray: Fernman.
:Fernman: Yeah.
:Thackeray: Jackson.
:Jackson: Yeah?
:Thackeray: Strong.
:Strong: Yeah.
:Thackeray: Seals. Seals!
:Seals: Yeah.
:Thackeray: Palmer.
:Palmer: Yes, guv'nor.
:Thackeray: Campbell.
:Campbell: (Looks up from her work) Present.
:Thackeray: (Tilts the book down once he's finished taking attendance) I don't know how much you know, so we'll start from scratch. First... as I call your name, will you please read anything you like from one of your school books? (He tilts the book back up) Fernman.
:Fernman: Right. (He looks down on his paper) "Only those who... arrived on... horseback... or in a... public coach."
:Thackeray: Thank you. Denham.
:Bert: (Reaches for a book on the table and opens it up) "If 14 hens lay an egg a day for 30 days, how much are the eggs a dozen, and how many have you to sell?" (The other students laugh it off)
:Thackeray: Moira Joseph.
:Moira: "Pete Gilroy's weight and the ever-tightening noose about her neck... about her neck begin slightly to impede the wild mare's speed. But Pete was only too fully aware of what his fate would be, for he could not hope to escape death from being battered and crushed." (As she reads this, Thackeray approaches Potter and Bert's desk and lifts the latter's top up. He is revealed to be holding some kind of figure.)
:Thackeray: Put that away, please. (Bert uncovers the figure, and it turns out to be a gag doll. He pops it, revealing her breasts, then stuffs it in his jacket.) Thank you. (He walks back to his desk, only for Bert to slam his top shut. They look at each other with disdain, and everyone else just watches on. Then Thackeray resumes his normal duties.) Is there anyone else who would like to read? (Pamela gets up and opens a book) Your name, please.
:Pamela: Pamela Dare. (She begins to read) "And he had learned to love. I know not why, for this in such as him seemed strange of mood. But this it was. And though in solitude's small part, the nipped affections have to grow. In him this glowed, when all beside had ceased to glow." (As she reads this, Thackeray and the other students look on; then she puts the book down and gets back into her seat before they all enthusiastically clap)
:Thackeray: Thank you, Miss Dare. Next, weights and measures. What's avoirdupois?
:Bert: Avoir de what?
:Thackeray: Avoirdupois. Weights.
:Bert: Oh, yeah. Uh... heavyweight, light-heavy, cruiserweight, middle, light, bantam, fly, featherweight. (The students laugh at his comments) Thank you very much. (They all cheer him on)
:Thackeray: It's encouraging that you... have a sense of humor. It seems you... know so little and are so easily amused. I can look forward to a very happy time. (They just look at him, indifferently) Now, copy down the following tables. (He starts erasing division problems)
:Pegg: Who does he think he is, there? The cheeky devil. (She begins to write; meanwhile, Bert takes a light blue piece of paper out of his desk.)
The scene crossfades to the classroom at day's end. Notebooks, paper, and pencils are strewn all about the desks. The class is empty except for Thackeray, no longer wearing his jacket from earlier. Clinty walks in.
:Clinty: Hello, ducks!
:Thackeray: Hello there.
:Clinty: (Chuckles) Thought you might need this. (She brings him a cup of tea, which he gets up for) How'd it go?
:Thackeray: Well... let's just say, battle was joined. (Clinty laughs, and Thackeray walks away, sighing before turning to her) I don't know what we'd do without a cuppa.
:Clinty: (Starts to approach Thackeray) What's your name?
:Thackeray: (As he turns toward her) Thackeray.
:Clinty: (While she sits on the desk) I know that. I mean, your other name.
:Thackeray: (As he himself sits down on a desk) Mark.
:Clinty: Mark. Couple of things, Mark. We all know the old man's views. And basically, we agree with them. But he's safe in an office. (Sighs) Now these kids come from homes where an order's usually accompanied by a blow. One rude word to their parents, the roof will hit 'em. There's nothing like that going on here, right? (Beat) So they've got us at a great disadvantage. (Sighs before turning herself) Hackman tried to be popular. He hung himself. Weston couldn't care less about them, and that's no good. (Gets up and walks around a bit) I can't guide you, but... (She turns toward Thackeray) don't take any nonsense from these little tykes. They're good kids, Mark. Most of them. But if you don't solve 'em, they'll break you, and damn quickly.
:Thackeray: That's been tried, by experts.
:Clinty: (After flashing a slight smile at him) They're very expert.
===Day Two===
The next day in class, Bert raises his hand.
:Bert: Please, can I leave the room, guy?
:Thackeray: (He turns toward Bert, while now wearing a blue jacket) Yes. And it's THACKERAY.
:Bert: Yes, guy. (As they laugh at his comment, Bert gets up and leaves the room.)
:Thackeray: Now, most of you girls help your mothers with the shopping. (Bert slams the door, and Thackeray looks around)
:Bert: (Opens the door) So sorry, Mr. "Fackeray." Proper drafty in these parts, innit? (The students laugh before Bert closes the door, more quietly this time)
:Thackeray: About multiplying... there are a few valuable tricks to know. (As Potter shakes his desk) Say that you're, uh, offered roast beef at seven shillings per pound. Potter! (He turns toward Thackeray, and the smile on his face vanishes) Must you do that?
:Potter: (Gets up) Well, I can't help it, Sir. It's me desk.
:Pegg: (Gets up and turns toward Potter) Aw, poor old Potts! (The other students get up, approaching and jeering him, all while Thackeray just stands there watching the carnage; that is, until he claps several times, calling order back to the classroom. The room soon falls silent as the students look at him.)
:Thackeray: Sit down. (They do just that) I'll speak with the caretaker about it after school.
:Pegg: Aw, isn't he nice? (More indistinct dialogue is heard. Just then, Bert comes back in.)
:Bert: I hope I didn't miss nothing. (As he closes the door, the other students speak.) Where was we, heading off? Oh yeah, about shopping or something--
:Thackeray: That's enough, Denham. (Bert turns toward Thackeray)
:Bert: I was only asking, Mr. Fackeray. Don't want to miss nothing now, do I?
:Pamela: 'ey, Bert, he was just about to show us a new and valuable trick.
:Tuffen: Oh yeah. (Turns toward Bert) When you're shopping, you see--
:Thackeray: I said, that's enough. (They all turn toward him) Sit down. (Bert goes back to his seat, and Thackeray wipes his hands) Do exercise four, five, and six. (More indistinct chatter is heard as he sits down and they all reach for their books. Bert lifts open his desk top.) Very quietly! (Potter leans his own desk top open)
Cut to the staff room
:Weston: Don't worry. The worst is yet to come. (Thackeray is seen reading the paper) You're still getting what's known as the... "silent treatment."
:Thackeray: (As he flips to the classifieds) What's the next phase?
:Weston: Well, unless you can work up a little black magic, (Chuckles) these little bastards have a multitude of tricks. (Thackeray then takes a red colored pencil and draws a box around a listing for "DEPUTY CHIEF ENGINEER." This gets the attention of Gillian.)
:Gillian: Why did you take up teaching?
:Thackeray: (As he looks up from the ads) Oh, it's good to have some kind of a job. (Chuckles) But I'm teaching them nothin'. (Goes back to the ads) I'm not even getting to first base.
:Gillian: Don't worry. Your lot will be leaving this term. The next will be better.
:Weston: They'll be just as bad. Probably worse.
:Thackeray: (Puts his pencil down and looks toward Weston) Then what's your answer?
:Weston: What they need... is a bloody good hiding! (Returns to his paper as Thackeray looks on for a while)
:Thackeray: I feel rather sorry for them, you know? I mean... most of them can hardly read.
:Weston: (Puts his paper down and gets up) You're so naive, my dear old colleague. They'll be earning twice as much as us before you can...shake a stick. They'll happily be part of the great London unwashed: illiterate, smelly, and quite content. An education's a disadvantage in this day and age.
:Thackeray: That is ridiculous.
:Weston: But still true! So you had better start brushing up on your... voodoo if you wish to remain sane. (He picks up his paper, sits back down in his chair, and resumes reading)
To be continued
Category:Transcripts
Category:Columbia Pictures Transcripts