Keeper of the Flame Page #2

Synopsis: American military leader and war hero Robert Forrester, universally beloved and respected within the country and thus touted as Presidential material, has just died in a freak car accident on his sprawling estate, where, during an unexpected rainstorm, the car he was driving plunged over a ravine as he didn't notice the washed-out bridge. While the nation mourns, the national reporters descend on his small hometown to write the story of the incident. One reporter who won't is renowned Steven O'Malley, who wants instead to write an in-depth piece on the man to preserve his status within the public consciousness. Although happy to use official documents and records, O'Malley wants most specifically to speak to his wife, Christine Forrester, which may be a difficult task as she has refused to grant any interviews as a very private person. O'Malley is able to meet with Christine in person, and although she is reluctant to oblige his request at first, she is convinced by Robert's aide, Cliv
Genre: Drama, Mystery
Director(s): George Cukor
Production: MGM
 
IMDB:
6.8
NOT RATED
Year:
1943
100 min
627 Views


Looks like a lead.

- You're the fabulous Steven O'Malley.

- My name is O'Malley.

I'm Clive Kerndon, Mr. Forrest's

private secretary for the past years.

Mr. Forrest was a great admirer

of your writing.

- He used to quote you a lot.

- Really?

Well, that's very nice.

Uh, I wonder if I could talk to Mrs. Forrest

after a day or two.

You're not going back?

I'd like to see her first.

How do you do?

Press conference will be in the parlor.

Well, it's been a very great pleasure,

Mr. O'Malley. If you'll just come this way.

All you do is blow your trumpet, Joshua,

and the walls of Jericho fall right down.

May I have a glass of water please?

Heh. These reporters are annoying,

aren't they?

Mr. Midford is Mrs. Forrest's cousin.

Oh. Oh, indeed.

Poor Mrs. Forrest.

I've wanted just to hold her hand...

...but, of course, I wouldn't have

the lack of taste to bother her.

Or you.

- Drunk?

- Not at all.

He was drinking ginger ale.

Oh, poor fellow.

He seems so overcome

by the family tragedy...

...that he didn't even go to the funeral.

I wonder why not.

Gentlemen, if it had been my say-so, I'd

have thrown open the gates of the estate...

...the moment the accident happened,

but...

But I was acting

under Mrs. Forrest's orders.

I've prepared a few brief biographical notes

that may help you.

Possibly in a week or so,

Mrs. Forrest might relent a bit.

Robert Brindley of the Tribune.

- A bully job you did on those labor hearings.

- Thank you.

No, Mr. Brindley, I'm afraid even you

will have to bow to Mrs. Forrest's...

...shall we say, unfortunate prejudices.

- Of course, the poor woman is not herself.

- I tried to get in a year ago.

Oh, yes, you're Martin Snow

of the Globe Syndicate.

I remember, your obituary of Mr. Forrest

was a masterpiece.

Your description of him

in the Argonne Offensive.

"That tattered scarecrow youth

standing in a sort of ecstasy of faith...

...against all the blazing powers of hell. "

Do I quote correctly?

Your description

of his men's superstitious belief...

...that as long as Robert Forrest remained

on his feet...

...no harm could come to them.

Your handling of the Forrest legend...

...his simple, homely,

Lincoln-like quality...

Well, gentlemen...

...I think I've known him

perhaps more intimately than most of you.

And I can say ecce homo.

That was Robert Forrest.

Now, gentlemen, if you'll excuse me.

You've been very patient.

We must be charitable and try to realize...

...people don't appreciate

the importance of newspaper men...

...as public servants in a democracy.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Mr. Kerndon.

Oh, Mr. Kerndon.

Mr. O'Malley.

Well, you will telephone, won't you?

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Donald Ogden Stewart

Donald Ogden Stewart (November 30, 1894 - August 2, 1980) was an American author and screenwriter, best known for his sophisticated golden era comedies and melodramas, such as The Philadelphia Story (based on the play by Philip Barry), Tarnished Lady and Love Affair. Stewart worked with a number of the great directors of his time, including George Cukor (a frequent collaborator), Michael Curtiz and Ernst Lubitsch. Stewart was also a member of the Algonquin Round Table, and the model for Bill Gorton in The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway. His 1922 parody on etiquette, Perfect Behavior, published by George H Doran and Co, was a favourite book of P. G. Wodehouse. more…

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Submitted on August 05, 2018

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