FRANKLIN: The Neutrality Act forbids the sale of weapons to nations at war.
(in Norwegian): MRTHA: Europe is on fire, Franklin.
(in Norwegian): By arming the British now, we are promoting the defense of the United States.
I will call it the Lend-Lease Act.
(glass shattering, crowd chanting) CROWD: Keep America out of the war!
Keep America out of the war!
Keep America out of the war!
Keep America out of the war!
(chanting continues in the distance) FRANKLIN: Arthur?
Would you give that to Missy, please?
ARTHUR: Right away, sir.
Thank you.
Well... (paper rustling) Have you seen the size of the crowds outside?
A lot of people are very disappointed.
Well, if lend-lease is voted in, a lot of unemployed people will be very happy to have work again.
(distant chanting continues) I am telling you this for your own good.
Don't open this door, Franklin.
You don't know what's waiting on the other side.
(exhales) FRANKLIN: Well, I don't give a damn what Charles Lindbergh and that damned isolationist America First Committee says!
I don't think you can afford to underestimate them, Mr. President.
They drew a sizable crowd at that rally in Des Moines last night.
FRANKLIN: Well, Mr. Lindbergh and his cronies are just stoking... OLAV: The Norwegian government are willing to place significant orders on munitions from the United States.
OLAV: This is a win-win situation.
(Mrtha and Ragni speaking Swedish) (indistinct chatter) (clinking loudly) (conversation stops) So, gentlemen.
Now, dinner will be served in the dining room.
Please be seated.
Wonderful.
(indistinct chatter, music continues playing) MRTHA (in Swedish): OLAV (in Norwegian): (music continues playing) As you may have noticed, there is an empty chair at the end of the table.
It's reserved for tonight's guest of honor, who is, I'm afraid, is not you, Mr. President.
Oh!
Not this time.
(everyone chuckling) I'm curious.
Let me introduce to you Mr. Alfred Isaksen.
A Norwegian sailor who participated in several convoys to and from England.
His last convoy was attacked by German submarines.
And as you can see-- ISAKSEN: As you... (clears throat) can see, I'm...
I'm alive.
(everyone chuckling) Yes.
But as for my friends and comrades, they are now resting at the bottom of the ocean.
God bless them.
God bless them.
ALL (muttering): God bless them.
After... the incident, I was in a dark place.
Very dark.
You cannot imagine the cruelty the Germans have laid upon us... (dialogue fading, background score growing louder) (distant): ...my family back in Norway.
I will not ask of you (pounds table lightly) to send your sons to fight a foreign war.
But please... lend me your gun, so I can go back home and fight the bloody Nazis!
(pounding loudly, glass shattering) (person clearing throat) (applauding) (quietly): Where did you find this guy?
(indistinct quiet chatter) MRTHA: The one I showed you before.
Do you remember?
Mm-hm, yes, ma'am.
Good.
Thank you, Your Highness.
(slow music playing) (Mrtha speaking Swedish, Olav speaking Norwegian) (laughter in the other room) (music continues, movement in the kitchen) NEWSBOY: A clear victory for lend-lease!
Read all about it!
Sir, want a paper?
(cork popping) (laughter, indistinct chatter) (gentle clinking) (conversation stops, Morgenstierne clears throat) MORGENSTIERNE (in Norwegian): (Olav and Morgenstierne speaking Norwegian) (cheers and applause) (light chuckling) (Morgenstierne clears throat) (glasses clinking) PHOTOGRAPHER (in Norwegian): OLAV: ALL: Skl!
When can I see you again?
I've been waiting out here For so long And I don't seem To find a reason To keep building these castles Out of snow They only melt away When spring is arriving And you won't be here Waiting to drag me down Into your pond ANNOUNCER (on radio): The America First committee is becoming increasingly vocal in their protest of the Lend-Lease Act.
Although the votes in Congress was largely along party lines with 260 to 165 votes, the bill remains highly unpopular, even among Democrats.
(Astrid and Ragnhild speaking Norwegian) MRTHA (in Norwegian, shushing) and SIGNE (in Norwegian): (Astrid and Ragnhild continue fighting in Norwegian) ANNOUNCER (on radio): ...out of fear that it will bring the country into the war abroad.
To date, no war matriel has been provided to the Allies, who are pleading America to follow up on their promise as the situation is worsening by the day.
In a comment regarding the gravity of the situation, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill stated: CHURCHILL (on radio): If we fail, then the whole world-- including the United States-- will sink into the abyss of a new dark age.
Made more sinister-- (button clicks) MRTHA: The situation is unbearable.
My country is bleeding.
(birds chirping) In the meantime, the Allies go from defeat to defeat.
And the help from America hasn't come.
Lend-Lease was a joke-- just empty promises.
(sighs) Well, in my defense, there's not a lot of fleets just lying around.
It takes time to build them.
(sighing): Time is one thing we don't have!
People are suffering and dying every day!
There is a difference between sitting in opposition and taking the lead in a situation.
Why don't you do something yourself?
Well, I'm no leader, and certainly not a politician.
Yes, well, you're beginning to sound like one!
(birds twittering) (sighs) Look... Why don't you give a talk at the American Friends of Norway?
Mobilize your public.
People would stand in line to listen to a real princess.
And you have a real message.
You have a lot more going for you, than I think you realize, Mrtha.
Please take me home.
(engine starts) MORGENSTIERNE: MRTHA: MRTHA: MORGENSTIERNE: MRTHA: (people speaking Norwegian) (man speaking Norwegian) MRTHA: MORGENSTIERNE: (engine starting) Send them to Pooks Hill.
HAAKON (in Danish): (in Norwegian): (in Norwegian): (distant horse whinnying, birds twittering) (hits croquet ball) OLAV: (scoffs) (Haakon speaking Danish, chuckles) (quietly): RAGNI (in Swedish): SAILOR (in Norwegian): (Signe speaking Norwegian) MRTHA (in Norwegian): ANNOUNCER (on radio): Crown Princess Mrtha of Norway opens her home to provide shelter for injured and homeless Norwegian sailors.
Her Highness is thus giving a leading example of how each and everyone of-- (button clicks) FRANKLIN: I have to admit, she's something else.
(chuckles) MISSY: You're wasting your time on this one.
(sighs) (scoffs) She's manipulating you.
Why can't you see that?
(stammering): Yeah, I'm out of here.
Good night, Harry.
Good night, Harry.
Good night, Missy.
(Harry coughs) You're making a spectacle of yourself.
She doesn't look at you the way you want her to.
All she sees is an old man who happens to be president.
(clears throat) (sighing) I am... tired of your jealousy, Missy.
Oh... (chuckling): Why should I be jealous?
She isn't the least bit interested in you, apart from what she can get out of you.
(man screaming) (gasps) (distant screaming continues) (clicks lamp switch) (distant screaming continues) (distant screaming continues) (screaming growing louder) MRTHA (in Norwegian): (in Norwegian): (screaming continues) RAGNHILD (in Norwegian): (screaming continues) SIGNE (in Norwegian): (man sobbing) (man sobbing, panting) OTTO: MRTHA: OTTO: MAN: (sobbing, panting) (Otto sobbing) (sobbing continues, Mrtha speaking Norwegian) MRTHA: (sobbing quietly) (door opens) (door opens) (turns faucet on, water running) MRTHA (in Norwegian): (turns faucet off) OTTO (in Norwegian): MRTHA (laughing): (distant dog barking) Um... (teapot rattling, pouring tea) (Morgenstierne and Mrtha in Norwegian) (car door closes, engine starts) PROTESTORS (chanting): Don't send our boys to war!
We are neutral!
Don't send our boys to war!
(distantly): We are neutral!
Don't send our boys to war!
(sighs) (distant chanting continues) (knock at door) (door opens) Yes?
Come in.
The Norwegian Crown Princess wishes to speak with you.
Very well.
Find an available time in my schedule.
She's here now.
Well then... show her in.
(distant telephone ringing) (chuckling): I'm sorry.
Franklin is out.
Oh, I actually came to speak to you.
Please, sit down.
Quite some protest outside.
Yes.
People obviously don't want to be dragged into war.
Neither do I. I'll get straight to the matter.
Please do.
Public speaking is not my strength.
I find women are like teabags.
We don't know our strength-- until we're in hot water.
But... You've got such talent when it comes to getting people to listen to you.
It has nothing to do with talent.
It has to do with preparation... and determination.
But I do prepare.
But as soon as I get on stage it's as though... (sighs) Would you... help me?
Teach me to speak the way you do, please.
I know you don't approve of everything I've asked of Franklin, but-- No.
(distant siren blaring) I am sorry, Mrtha, but I...
I just don't have time in my schedule.
Besides, I am sure there are plenty of others out there who are better coaches than I. I see.
Thank you for your time.
Have a good day, Mrtha.
You, too, Eleanor.
(birds twittering) (indistinct chatter) OTTO (in Norwegian): (in Norwegian): (Otto breathing heavily) (Mrtha exhales deeply) (indistinct chatter) Excuse me, gentlemen.
You have visitors, Mr. Ostgaard.
This way, please.
ULLA (over phone): (hangs up) (laughs) My daughter, Ulla, she's getting married.
That's wonderful.
They're in love, everything is okay.
(laughing) I told you they were all right!
Oh!
And she's getting married?
Yes.
(laughs) (plane rumbles overhead) OLAV (in Norwegian): FLEISCHER (in Norwegian): HAAKON (in Norwegian): (phone ringing) Oh, he's out.
Out?
But what about his 3: 00?
It's canceled.
And what urgency made him cancel?
Take a wild guess.
Of course.
I guess she needed some advice and comforting.
I'm sure Franklin is able to provide her with a lot of both.
Oh, take a look at what she's up to now.
She's opened her home to Norwegian sailors.
Guess she isn't lonely anymore.
(car engines idling, door opens) Watch your step...
Thank you.
Is this the Home For Shipwrecked Sailors?
(chuckles) Eleanor.
Hello, Mrtha.
So what made you free up time in your busy schedule to come to visit me today?
May I be frank with you?
Of course.
Well... To be perfectly honest, when you first arrived, I saw a shy and complacent princess, with a narrow and subjective perspective on the events that now shake our world.
But I realize I've been wrong about you, Mrtha.
Do you still want my help?
Well... yes.
Yes, I really do!
Good.
Then let's stop wasting time.
ELEANOR: Go on, my dear.
(clears throat) Excuse me... oops.
(chuckles) ELEANOR: Courage.
(sighs) It... it was a perfect day for the children to play outside.
A day for fun, laughter-- joy.
(whispers) Missy!
(sighs) A day for daily... no wait.
For daily routines, normalcy... peace.
But that day never came.
(applause) What is it you want, Mrtha?
I want peace and freedom for my country.
Peace and freedom...
Very well, so do I.
But those are abstract concepts.
So, what do you want?
I want my life back.
But you're still alive, aren't you?
Life takes place wherever we live.
So, what is it... that you concretely want-- in your life?
I want to go home.
Why-- what do you expect to find there?
The house that Olav and I built.
The garden with the roses I planted.
The children's climbing tree.
Our horses, our beds.
Our routines, just... everyday life.
That is what I want.
Good!
Now we have something to work with.
Come along, Mrtha.
Get up.
Eleanor... What are we doing?
You are learning how to be embarrassed.
Whoa... Take your shoes off if you have to.
Hah!
Hah!
Hah!
Oh, you're such a nice girl, Mrtha.
Such a nice girl.
Make a face, Mrtha.
What do you mean?
Make a big, big ugly face.
Oh no, Mrtha, still so pretty.
Blah... Blah!
Blah!
Blah!
(laughs) Hand on the bannister.
Deep breath in, shoulders back.
(blubbering) (blubbering) ELEANOR: I'm your new best friend, and you have a story to tell me.
Now, do it again.
(wailing) (wailing) My name is Mrtha.
ELEANOR: My name is Mrtha.
My name is Mrtha.
ELEANOR: I want to go-- hoooooome!
TV ANNOUNCER: America launches a nationwide campaign to raise funds for the Red Cross.
The huge throng is treated to patriotic entertainment by the world famous Music Hall Rockettes.
The Red Cross stages an impressive pageant.
Mrs. Roosevelt and Crown Princess Mrtha of Norway are among the notables appearing at The New York Madison Square Garden to aid the cause.
(music playing from stage) (song ends) (muffled applause) (mouthing words) (knock on door) Yes?
(clears throat) Your Highness.
It's time.
ANNOUNCER: Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for the Rockettes!
(cheers and applause) Now it is our great pleasure to introduce to you, Princess Mrtha of Norway and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt!
(cheers and applause) ELEANOR (on radio): Thank you, thank you.
But first, a few words from the Crown Princess of Norway.
(cheers and applause) (flashbulbs popping) (applause ends) (microphone squeaks) Come on, Mrtha, you can do it!
Another drink, anyone?
Shh, Missy!
I'm trying to hear!
Hear what?
(flashbulbs popping) It was a beautiful day in April.
Our garden was still covered in snow.
It was a perfect day for the children to play outside.
(children laughing) A day for... fun, laughter-- joy.
A day for daily routines, normalcy, peace.
Another precious day in what we all knew as our everyday life.
But that day never came.
Instead came planes... death... (explosions rumble) War.
(explosions, splashing) (gunfire) Everything changed that day.
For me... for my family, and for my entire country, a small nation that is still today occupied by a dark and brutal force, which ever since has spread its all-consuming wildfire across the world.
But another force is also in play... all those women and men, who join in great effort to put out the fire and do the right thing.
Who act out of mercy and compassion for all those women, children, and men who are now in such dire need for help to survive.
On behalf of the Red Cross, I thank you all for your kind support, and for giving us all hope that after this age of evil, the good side of humanity will prevail.
(cheers and applause) (cheers over radio) (chuckles) Thank you all, God bless.
(cheers and applause) (applause continues) WOMAN: Bless you!
ELEANOR: I'm sure we were all grateful that we could be here tonight for the heartfelt and important words of the Crown Princess of Norway.
RAGNI: ELEANOR: Have a good night!
MORGENSTIERNE: MRTHA: It was okay, we need to work on your articulation.
Yes... (laughing) Eleanor!
Happy days are here again The skies above are clear again Let us sing a song Of cheer again, happy days are here again All together, shout it now... Hold on to your britches.
(engine revs) So I tell the world all about it now Happy days are here again MORGENSTIERNE (over phone): (hangs up) MRTHA: ASTRID: (Mrtha shushes) (phone rings) (phone rings) MORGENSTIERNE: (sighs) (sighs) (background laughter, music playing) (music playing) Harry?
It's cocktail hour, aren't you going to join us?
Oh...
I thought you knew, um... Franklin decided to go out tonight.
Oh, he never mentioned that.
Yeah.
Who's-- so, who's he meeting?
(sighs) I see.
Missy... Missy, don't-- (sighs) (car door shuts) FRANKLIN: Thank you, Jones.
Why didn't you tell me you were going out tonight?
Because I didn't want to upset you.
Did you think I'd be less upset by you sneaking out like this?
Please... stay, let's have cocktails.
And we can watch a movie afterward.
You, me and Harry-- Harry, how about it?
You know, we could-- we could watch that Bogart movie.
You know, the one about the train that you like so much?
You wanted to see it, too.
I could-- we could set it up by 9: 00.
Missy, you're making a scene.
Please...
This is beyond silly, Missy.
If you leave, FD... Then what?
(engine starts) I'm warning you.
I mean it, I really, I really mean it!
Missy... (engine revs) Shh... (chuckles) Oh... (cricket chirping, owls hooting) I have something for you that I think is going to cheer you up.
You recognize this map?
Yes.
This is the route that Olav and I took when we were on our tour, in '39...?
Mm, it most certainly is.
I figured, why reinvent the wheel?
Now we'll concentrate on these cities here, heavily populated by Scandinavian people.
You know, "luddefisk" country, "takfomaden," and all that sort of thing.
(chuckles) Yes?
Well, the security detail we used last time will need to be reinforced, but the groundwork is already laid.
You're going on your tour, Mrtha.
Franklin!
(chuckles) Thank you, thank you.
Yes.
Thank you so much.
Thank you.
Yeah.
(car approaching) (sighs) SOLDIER: We have multiple aircraft approaching.
HARRY: It looks as if the Japanese have bombed Pearl Harbor, sir.
FRANKLIN: You were right all along.
The war did catch up with us.
The fight is not over yet.
You go and motivate your people.
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