30min | Comedy, TV Series | Episode aired 9 June 1952
Father Vern and his grown daughter Margie can't resist meddling in each other's affairs. In the pilot episode, Vern and Margie both try to use reverse psychology to bring the other around to approving of their respective paramours.
Director: Hal Yates
Writer: Frank Fox
Stars: Gale Storm, Charles Farrell, Hillary Brooke
Father Vern and his grown daughter Margie can't resist meddling in each other's affairs. In the pilot episode, Vern and Margie both try to use reverse psychology to bring the other around to approving of their respective paramours.
Director: Hal Yates
Writer: Frank Fox
Stars: Gale Storm, Charles Farrell, Hillary Brooke
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00♪
00:30Now that's my little Margie.
00:32I've been both mother and father to her since she was born.
00:35She's grown up now, and you think my job's all done, eh?
00:38Well, that's what you think.
00:39When she was little, I could spank her and make her mind me.
00:42I had control over her.
00:44I made her eat her spinach, no candy before meals.
00:47And when she disobeyed, I took her roller skates away for a week.
00:50But what can you do when a girl reaches this age?
00:53She's completely out of hand.
00:55I've got a problem, believe me.
00:57I've got a problem.
00:59♪
01:04That's my father.
01:06I've raised him from childhood.
01:08That is, my childhood.
01:10He's nearly 50 now,
01:12and you'd think he'd settle down, wouldn't you?
01:15Well, that's what you think.
01:17Today, he looks better in shorts on a tennis court
01:20than fellas 25.
01:22Girls wink at him,
01:23and what's worse, he winks back at them.
01:27I want a nice, old, comfortable father.
01:30I try to look after him, but he just won't settle down.
01:35I've got a problem, believe me.
01:37I've got a problem.
01:38♪
01:47♪
01:56Good night, Charlie. Good luck with your psychology.
01:59Oh, I'm not studying psychology.
02:01This book's rated something.
02:03The biggest seller of the month.
02:05I sure wish you'd read it, Mr. Albright.
02:07You want me to read it? Why? What's it about?
02:09That's why I want you to read it,
02:10so you can explain it to me.
02:12Did you have a good time tonight?
02:13Uh-huh. Did you?
02:15Well, to coin a hip phrase, it was real George.
02:18What a band.
02:19How'd you like my getting to play our song?
02:21Our song?
02:23Every time you hear our song, we have to dance.
02:25And of all the songs in the world,
02:26why does ours have to be tiger rag?
02:28Because it's like us. It's alive.
02:30It would be a miracle if we stay that way,
02:32dancing to tiger rag.
02:35Oh, don't worry about Margie.
02:36It's after 3 o'clock in the morning,
02:38and she's certainly in bed by now.
02:43♪♪
02:55Good night. Good night.
02:57♪♪
03:03Good night. Good night, darling.
03:05♪♪
03:28Oh, please, darling, no arguing tonight.
03:30I'm just too tired.
03:31Out until all hours in the morning.
03:33What kind of a father are you?
03:34I refuse to argue tonight.
03:37And you kissed her.
03:38No, you don't miss a thing.
03:40How many times have you kissed her before?
03:42You caught the first show.
03:43Oh, Dad, I'm only thinking of your health.
03:47If kissing were bad for my health,
03:48I would have kicked the bucket
03:50before I ever got out of grammar school.
03:51Oh, Dad, it isn't just the kissing.
03:53It's the late hours.
03:55That poor old heart is nearly 50 years old.
03:59In view of the fact that it's been pumping all that time,
04:01the least I can do is prove to it that I'm not dead.
04:04You... you want to make an orphan out of me.
04:07I'm just not going to argue tonight.
04:10Nighty-night.
04:12I hope you fall out of bed.
04:14Good night, dear.
04:19♪♪
04:29Betty, Betty.
04:30Here I am.
04:32I was right.
04:33I knew I heard the elevator door.
04:34I got to get out of here.
04:36♪♪
04:44You know, Margie,
04:45in spite of the fact that your father dislikes me so much,
04:48I don't dislike him.
04:50I kind of feel sorry for the old fella.
04:53Who knows?
04:54Maybe I'll be the same way
04:56when I'm looking back on my faded youth.
04:58Well, you can stop fading right now
04:59and don't bother looking back.
05:01Good... good night, Margie.
05:02Goodbye. I mean, good night, Mr. Albright.
05:05What's the idea of having that drooling droop around here
05:07until 3 o'clock in the morning?
05:09Please, dear, no arguing tonight.
05:11I'm too tired.
05:14Margie.
05:16Now, you...
05:17I'm 21, and I can do as I please.
05:22Margie.
05:25Listen, darling, don't you understand?
05:28I just want to take care of you.
05:31Please, it's just that I don't think
05:32Freddie's good enough for you.
05:34I'm old enough to choose my own companions.
05:36Oh, but listen, darling,
05:38when the right boy comes along, I'll know.
05:40Swell.
05:41And I hope the two of you will be very happy together.
05:45Oh, darling, don't fight me.
05:46Remember, this poor old heart is almost 50.
05:50Good night, darling.
05:51I'm just not going to argue tonight.
05:54Nighty-night.
06:02Oh, Margie.
06:04Yes?
06:05Whose turn is it?
06:08My turn.
06:09Well, go ahead.
06:10Okay, I apologize.
06:12Let's make up.
06:13I accept and agree.
06:15You know, honey, sometimes I wish
06:16you were six years old again.
06:17You do?
06:18Yes, things were a lot different
06:19when you were that age.
06:20Yes, I had a lot more control over you then.
06:23I'm serious.
06:24You used to listen to me.
06:26You used to listen to me.
06:28I'm serious.
06:29You used to listen to me.
06:31Take my advice.
06:32Well, I was reasonably sure you were smarter than I
06:35when I was six.
06:37Ah, you've always been the most wonderful father
06:40in the whole world.
06:42That's why I worry about you the way I do.
06:44Well, that's why I worry about you.
06:46Now, take Freddy.
06:47Well, let's take Roberta.
06:48Well, listen, Margie,
06:49Roberta is really very nice.
06:50Well, I say Freddy is the nicest fellow I've...
06:55Go to bed.
06:57Good night.
07:02I come in here to clean, it's the same story.
07:05Why don't you try some of that psychology stuff
07:07on your father?
07:08What do you know about psychology?
07:10I used to clean for Professor Winslow.
07:12Who's Professor Winslow?
07:14Who is he?
07:15I thought just about everybody had heard about
07:16his new book on reverse psychology.
07:18Oh, that one.
07:20Yes, I've seen it advertised quite a lot lately.
07:22The best little fixer-upper in the world.
07:25Somebody don't like green.
07:27You argue with them and they'll die not liking green.
07:30But you agree with them that green's no good
07:32and keep on agreeing with them.
07:34First thing you know, you've got a fight on your hands.
07:36They now love green.
07:38Would it work for purple?
07:39It'd work with your Freddy.
07:41You mean agree with my father about Freddy?
07:45Exactly.
07:46But that's just what he wants me to do.
07:49Of course, of course,
07:50but only because you've never done it before.
07:53What happens after you agree with him?
07:54All of a sudden, the kick's gone.
07:55There's nothing for him to fight.
07:57So what does he do?
07:58Joins the other team, battles on again.
08:01Oh, he's on your team, but he don't know it.
08:04Kind of cute, huh?
08:08But maybe you're right.
08:10Maybe it's not such a good idea.
08:12It's a perfectly wonderful idea.
08:14I'll get a copy today.
08:16Well, I never heard it work that fast for me before.
08:21Personally, I say in your case,
08:23it would stand a good chance of working if properly applied.
08:26Well, you've given me a big sales talk, Mr. Honeywell.
08:29And your boss never makes a mistake.
08:31You'll agree with that.
08:32Oh, I'll agree with that,
08:33even though I won't agree with it, if you know what I mean.
08:35Quite so.
08:36Shows good understanding between us.
08:38You know, a good relationship.
08:40Imagine my saying that I like Freddy.
08:43Well, the only trouble with that book is,
08:45it's so popular right now,
08:46I'm not sure it'd work on someone who's read it.
08:49You'd better act quickly before your daughter gets a hold of it.
08:52Oh, don't worry about that.
08:53Unless there's a picture of two people kissing on the cover,
08:56Margie won't even open it.
08:58Well, it's not going to be easy, my saying that I like Freddy.
09:02But if it's the only way that I can get Margie to say she dislikes him...
09:06Mr. Honeywell.
09:07Yes?
09:08Mr. Honeywell, I like Freddy.
09:11Yes, sir. Fine boy, that Freddy.
09:13Very convincing, Albright.
09:15Very convincing.
09:19Margie!
09:30Is that you, Dad?
09:31Oh, yes, darling.
09:43You're home early.
09:44I've got your martini waiting.
09:46Dad, what's with the arm?
09:48And your shoulder, it's all hunched up.
09:50Well, this is hard to believe,
09:52but I ran into a new client today, Lady Ressler,
09:55and I had to stray down my way out.
09:58Knowing you, I almost do believe it.
10:00Seriously, Dad, at your age,
10:02you could have arthritis or bursitis or...
10:04A little cocktailitis is what I'm interested in.
10:06Okay?
10:07Okay. Coming right up.
10:19Here you are.
10:20See? Limer is a two-year-old, not a kink in it.
10:24One whip of this magic liniment did the trick.
10:26Crazy. I'll put dinner on the table.
10:28Wait.
10:29Hmm?
10:30Sit down. I... I want to talk to you.
10:32Oh? What about?
10:35Well, it's, uh...
10:37It's about Freddy.
10:39Freddy? But that's...
10:41I mean, what about him?
10:43Well, I've been...
10:45I mean, what about him?
10:47Well, I've been doing a lot of serious reading.
10:49Oh, I mean, uh...
10:50I mean, thinking about him today.
10:52Me too, and I've decided that...
10:54Just a minute.
10:55What I want to say is that I think that, uh...
10:57Maybe I've been a...
10:59A little unkind to Freddy.
11:01Oh, Dad.
11:02You're just sorry because you think you've hurt me.
11:05Oh, it's... It's not that at all.
11:08I really think I've been very unfair.
11:11Oh, please, stop feeling sorry for me.
11:14The truth of the matter is I've defended him too much.
11:17It's beginning to work already.
11:19She's starting to agree with me.
11:21Well, why shouldn't you defend him
11:22when you know what a fine fellow he really is?
11:24He actually said Freddy's a nice fellow
11:26when I barely started working on him.
11:28It's the way you've defended him that's made me see the light.
11:31Dad, stick to your own convictions.
11:34I know you wouldn't have said the things you said
11:36if they weren't true.
11:38I think you summed him up best
11:40when you said he's a cross between a drip and a droop.
11:43Oh, I was wrong, Margie.
11:45He's not a drip or a droop.
11:47He's the drippiest droop I ever saw.
11:50What a jelly-livered excuse for a human male.
11:53Why, if he'd had any backbone,
11:55he'd have punched you in the nose long ago
11:57for some of the things you've said to him.
11:59Ah, but dear, don't bother to make that particular point to Freddy.
12:02You know, I think I'll call him up right now
12:05and tell him not to come around anymore.
12:07Oh, don't do that.
12:09Call him up and tell him to come over tonight.
12:11Well, if you say so, I will.
12:13I'd like to tell him I'm through in person.
12:16Oh, but won't you, uh, won't you reconsider?
12:18Dad, my mind's made up.
12:20Well, I guess I've done all I can.
12:22I seldom ever win an argument with you.
12:25Freddy, poor kid.
12:28It was so simple, it's almost unbelievable.
12:31I never would have believed she'd fall for it so completely,
12:34hook, line, and sinker.
12:42Wow.
12:44Come in, Freddy.
12:46Come right in.
12:48Come right in.
12:50I'm awfully sorry about last night.
12:52You are?
12:53I behaved like a perfect idiot.
12:55Yes, sir.
12:56I mean, no, sir.
12:57Uh, Roberta's coming over, and we're going to have a party.
12:59Now sit right down, Freddy, and I'll fix you a drink.
13:02Oh, hi, Margie.
13:06Take your hands off me.
13:32Take your hands off me.
14:02Margie, what's going on around here tonight?
14:05For the first time in my life, your father decides to like me,
14:08and now you hate me.
14:09Freddy, let me tell you the amazing story of reverse psychology.
14:13Huh?
14:17Now that we're alone, why don't you...
14:18Shh.
14:22What's going on here tonight?
14:24Darling, it's all because of the most amazing book that was ever published,
14:27reverse psychology.
14:28Oh, you mean the book the boy in the elevator was reading?
14:30That's the one.
14:31And thanks to Professor D.J. Winsel, Margie is through with Freddy.
14:34Oh, you're kidding.
14:35I'm happy to say I'm very serious.
14:38That's the reason I was so nice to Freddy tonight.
14:40I can't help feeling sorry for somebody that's about to get a kick in the teeth.
14:53Mighty fine dogs, Mr. Honeywell.
14:55Thanks, Albright.
14:57I think I'll grab off a few more blue ribbons this year.
15:01Say, why don't you come on up to New Haven with me?
15:03You just might enjoy that show.
15:05Couldn't possibly.
15:06I'm taking Miss Townsend to the theater tonight.
15:08Not many bosses that take no for an answer.
15:11Good understanding between us, Albright.
15:13Good relationship.
15:19Ah, Miss Townsend.
15:20I was just leaving.
15:21Come in, come in.
15:22Thank you, Mr. Honeywell.
15:23Nice of you to drop in, dear.
15:25All set for tonight?
15:26That's what I came over to talk to you about.
15:28I can't make it.
15:29Huh?
15:30I have to go out of town.
15:31Out of town?
15:32After I've gone and...
15:33Well, Mr. Mattercheck's daughter is getting married, and I...
15:34I don't care if Mr. Mattercheck is getting married.
15:36Oh, please let me finish.
15:37I have to take her wedding gown up to her because it won't be ready until tonight.
15:40You're supposed to be the buyer for the store, not the delivery boy.
15:43Well, Mr. Mattercheck wants me to sort of see that things go all right.
15:46And darling, you know that when one's boss asks one to do him a special favor, one does it.
15:50All right, if that's all I mean to you, go ahead.
15:54Stop acting like a child.
15:56Stop acting like a child.
15:58Every time I get sore, you say I'm acting like a child.
16:01Well, this time I'll show you that I'm not acting at all.
16:03I'm darn serious.
16:04If you go out of town tonight, that's the last you'll see of me.
16:07Goodbye, Vern.
16:14Goodbye.
16:15Goodbye.
16:20You don't have to pretend.
16:21I know you haven't left the room.
16:25Well, you sound awfully happy tonight.
16:32Why shouldn't I be?
16:33My father had an argument with Roberta.
16:35He says he doesn't think he'll ever see her again.
16:37Mm-hmm.
16:38What's so interesting?
16:40This reverse psychology stuff.
16:43Well, how'd you happen to find it?
16:44I thought I had it hidden better than that.
16:46Well, it was a bit painful, but it paid off.
16:49It got me in the hip here, but I came up with two dimes, a nickel, and an old lifesaver.
16:54You found it there, in that chair?
16:57Yeah.
16:58But I had it hidden over here.
17:01Oh, what a stoop I've been.
17:06Now I understand about last night, and tonight, too.
17:10What do you mean, and tonight, too?
17:12That business he gave me about breaking up with Roberta.
17:15How do you like that?
17:16Pulling reverse psychology on me.
17:19Just wait till he gets back.
17:21Gets back?
17:22Where is he?
17:23I'm not sure now.
17:24He said he was going up to New Haven to a dog show with Mr. Honeywell.
17:27But he's probably out with Roberta.
17:30Come on, let's go.
17:33Is he going to hear from me?
17:45Looks like she's going somewhere.
17:47Maybe they did have a fight.
17:51No, I'll carry this, Charlie.
17:53No wrinkles for this broad.
17:57I have to catch the 810 to Greenwich.
17:59Your cab's waiting downstairs, Miss Townsend.
18:03Greenwich?
18:04Did you hear that, Freddy?
18:06That's where people go to get married.
18:08Sure, they get married and die and everything up there.
18:12Oh, look, Margie, I know what you're thinking.
18:15But if they'd had a fight, I hardly think they'd be getting married.
18:18But they didn't have a fight, don't you understand?
18:21It's just some more of that horrible reverse psychology.
18:28Oh, no.
18:29I know that look.
18:31Whatever it is, you can count me out.
18:33I refuse to go along with any of your wild schemes.
18:39Freddy, honey.
18:40No.
18:42Freddy.
18:45No.
19:00I'm going up in the baggage car to see how my dogs are getting along.
19:03I'll meet you in the compartment later.
19:05Fine.
19:10Oh, sorry, my fault.
19:14Darling, you came down to apologize.
19:16Well, actually, I came down to, uh, well, like you said, to apologize.
19:27I'm so glad to see you.
19:32Margie, be reasonable, will you?
19:34Your father's with Mr. Honeywell, probably on some other train miles away.
19:39This is silly, running up and down like this, looking in window.
19:43Uh-oh.
19:44Let's get out of here.
19:45No.
19:50All aboard!
20:05I don't know what, but I'm going to do something.
20:11Uh-oh.
20:13That look again.
20:14Well, the train couldn't be doing over 80.
20:16I think I'll play safe and jump off.
20:20But Freddy, honey.
20:22Every time you want something, you say, Freddy, honey.
20:26Oh, Freddy.
20:28And you say, Freddy.
20:33And you do that, and I always do this.
20:43Oh, Porter, bring a couple of martinis to compartment 18.
20:46Yes, sir.
20:50Let me guess.
20:51You're going to Greenwich.
20:53That's right.
20:54But it all happened so fast, we didn't have time to get tickets.
20:57I sell more tickets to Greenwich this way.
21:12Roberta, Roberta.
21:13What's the matter?
21:14You've got to help me.
21:15Stop who?
21:16Hurry, they're eloping.
21:17Who's eloping?
21:18Both of them in the next car.
21:19I don't know what to do.
21:20I'm all mixed up.
21:21You're mixed up.
21:22You should be on this end of the conversation.
21:23Now, now, sit down and tell me all about it.
21:25Who's eloping in the next car?
21:27Margie and Freddy.
21:28Margie and Freddy?
21:29Well, three cheers for a reverse psychologist.
21:31What?
21:32Good for them.
21:33So that's the kind of help I came all the way back here to get.
21:36Well, thank you very much.
21:37I'll handle it myself.
21:56Conductor!
21:57Conductor!
21:58What's the matter?
21:59That's it.
22:00Conductor!
22:01Margie, reconsider.
22:03What is it, miss?
22:04What's wrong?
22:05I've been robbed.
22:06Robbed?
22:07My necklace.
22:08That man must have stolen it.
22:10What man?
22:11What did he look like?
22:12He went that way.
22:13He had on a...
22:14There he is.
22:15All right, mister.
22:16Hand over the jewel.
22:17What are you talking about?
22:18You sure this is a thief?
22:19I never forget a face.
22:20What kind of a joke is this?
22:22She's my daughter.
22:23Margie, have you lost your mind?
22:25My name is Mary.
22:26Mary Jones.
22:27Take him away.
22:28Now, wait a minute.
22:30Would you mind searching me, please?
22:31Okay.
22:32You see?
22:33I don't have any jewels.
22:34Well, there's somebody that knows me.
22:35Tell him who I am.
22:36Who, me?
22:37Yes, go ahead and tell him.
22:38Oh, I never saw you before in my life.
22:39So you're in on it, too, eh?
22:40Well, there's somebody on this train who'll identify me.
22:41Hey, come back here.
22:42Catch him!
22:43Hey, don't let him get away!
22:44Oh!
22:45Oh!
22:46Oh!
22:47Oh!
22:48Oh!
22:49Oh!
22:50Oh!
22:51Oh!
22:52Oh!
22:53Oh!
22:54Oh!
22:55Oh!
22:56Oh!
22:57Oh!
22:58Oh!
22:59Oh!
23:00Oh!
23:01Oh!
23:02Oh!
23:03Oh!
23:04Oh!
23:08Oh!
23:09YouÃll never catch me!
23:10Mr. Honeywell!
23:11Mr. Honeywell!
23:12Mr. Honeywell!
23:14There he is.
23:20DonÃt get excited, fellas!
23:24DonÃt let them upset you!
23:26TheyÃre only human!
23:28All right! Don't you hurt my dogs! Don't you hurt my dogs!
23:35All those in favor of no more reverse psychology say you know what?
23:40Aye, you know what.
23:42Well, everybody's happy again. Roberta and you, Mr. Honeywell and his dogs, and Freddy and me.
23:50Freddy! Where's Freddy?
23:54Will you please believe me, officer? I don't know how they got in my pocket.
24:24I don't know how they got in my pocket.
24:54© BF-WATCH TV 2021