Hotel Portofino

[theme music playing] [music concludes] [tense music playing] [Vincenzo in Italian] Follow me.

[thunder rumbling] -[dogs barking] -[Gianluca in English] Hurry!

Wait, wait, wait!

Stop!

Stop.

I need to stop.

[Gianluca] Nish.

Nish!

[dogs barking] If they catch you, they'll deport you.

-I...

I can't.

-[Gianluca] You must.

-I can't.

-[Gianluca] Yes, you can.

[police whistle blowing] -[indistinct chatter, grunting] -[police whistle blows] [Gianluca] Go, go, go, go!

Come on, come on.

[in Italian] There they are!

There they are!

-[indistinct chatter] -[police whistle blowing] Nish!

Nish!

-[indistinct chatter] -[police whistle blowing] [Blackshirt in Italian] Hurry!

Hurry!

[pants] [Gianluca in English] Hurry!

[both pant] -[dogs barking] -[indistinct clamor] [Gianluca] Come on.

-[dogs barking] -[indistinct clamor] [in Italian] Hey, come.

[in Italian] Come with me.

[music continues] Let's go.

[indistinct clamor] [Nish pants] [chuckles] [waves crashing] [soft whimsical music playing] [crickets chirping] [in English] Bugger.

[keys jingle] Bugger, bugger, bugger.

[knocking] -[knocking] -[Lucian] Paola.

[Lucian] Nish!

It's Wingfield.

-[clock ticking] -Well, good night, then.

[sighs] Good night.

[tense music playing] [clock ticking] [sighs] Come on, Nish.

Where are you?

-[waves crashing] -[crickets chirping] [Nish sighs] I understand.

No.

You don't.

[melancholic music playing] [seagulls squawking] [waves crashing] [classical piano music playing] It's very kind.

Thank you very much.

[indistinct chatter] [in Italian] Good morning.

[chuckles] Don't slip, my dear.

Oh, Lady Latchmere, I do hope that last night's hijinks didn't disturb you too much.

No, no, no.

They seemed to have a much gayer evening than we did.

I...

I'm only sorry that Melissa didn't stay behind.

Don't look so surprised, my dear.

I've decided to try and follow your lead and become a little more... a little more modern in my outlook.

A little less judgmental, perhaps.

For Ernest's sake.

Come, come, my dear.

No, no, no.

We cannot blame the young for trying to squeeze as much out of life as quickly as possible.

Given the mess that we've made of it all, who knows how long they'll have to enjoy it?

[Lucian] Rose?

Rose?

I was wondering where you'd got to.

[Julia] Rose?

[Lucian shushing] [chuckles] -Rose?

-[knocking] -Uh...

Occupied.

-[Julia] My apologies.

-Have you seen Rose?

-Not since breakfast, no.

Julia, might I have a quick word with you?

-Of course.

Please.

-[Bella] Oh.

-I must apologize.

-Whatever for?

For the unedifying spectacle that greeted us on our return -from supper last night.

-[chuckles] They were in rather high spirits, weren't they?

They were drunk.

I was rather glad to see Rose having a lovely time.

I...

I would worry that she was having a dreadful time until now.

Is that why you wanted to see me?

Oh, no.

I thought perhaps we should talk about her and Lucian.

But I'm speaking with Cecil about all the arrangements.

Yes, but there are... other aspects to consider.

Oh.

-You mean matters of the heart.

-Of course!

[chuckles] Why not?

How very sentimental of you.

Is it sentimental to want your child to be happy and settled?

No.

But it is to put happiness above status and security.

-Yes, I... -Have I offended you?

-No, not at all.

-I fear I have.

-I wondered if Rose was ready.

-She's a year older than I was.

Perhaps, but, um, she seems very, uh, young.

Is there anything to be gained from waiting?

Uh.

Perspective, perhaps.

Time to see if they are well matched.

Is any of us well matched?

You and I, Bella, of all people, we shouldn't pretend that love ever trumps money when it comes to marriage.

Oh.

-[seagulls squawking] -[waves crashing] [water rippling] Are you all right?

You look a bit peaky.

I don't feel well.

Well enough to come on our boat trip, I hope.

What boat trip?

The one that we agreed upon last night.

[sighs] Oh, Lucian, I can't.

[melancholic music playing] -You can't or you won't?

-What does it matter?

You see, I know what it feels like to live in constant fear of a parent's disapproval.

My father finds faults in almost everything that I do.

Ever since I got... damaged.

Sometimes it's like he can't stand the sight of me.

And my mother... tells me that I ought to stop worrying about making him happy and start worrying about making myself happy.

Now, I can't believe that Rose, the girl that I saw last night dancing with such reckless abandon... is too fearful to tell her mother that she wants to go on a boat trip with her friends.

[chuckles softly] I could ask.

[chuckles] [soft cheerful music playing] Go on.

[music turns somber] [door closing] [seagulls squawking] [Pelham] Lizzie, there you are.

At least now I know why you're feeling so beastly.

-Has someone been telling tales?

-Only the bar bill.

[Lizzie sighs] -Listen, Lizzie?

-Mm-hmm.

There's no easy way to say this, so I'll...

I'll just out with it.

We're in trouble.

-Pelham, you always say that.

-But this time I mean it.

So, how bad is it?

Bad enough I can't pay the bill.

-The hotel bill?

-The bar bill!

Any of it.

But your father gave you 500.

Not long ago.

Where's it all gone?

-I lost it.

-Lost it?

I had a wager on myself in Monte Carlo.

Rather a sizable one, I'm afraid.

Well, can you ask him for more?

[sighs] I've already written to him, but it's been ten days and not a peep.

He'll come good.

Not this time, I fear.

So, what are we going to do?

I have a plan.

But you may need to be ready to leave.

On short notice.

When's the last time you put a comb through that?

Thank you.

Smarten yourself up before Mrs. Ainsworth sees you.

-[Betty] What's this?

-Mrs. Turner lent it me.

What?

I hope you know what you're doing.

-And what does that mean?

-It means be careful.

Wearing a skimpy thing like that.

Now, you should know, of all people.

-What are you suggesting?

-I'm not suggesting nowt.

Are you saying it's my fault?

What happened to me.

No.

No, no, that's not what I said.

But it's what you think.

You and the rest of them.

I just don't want you to get hurt again, Conny.

I'm sick of it!

Skulking around, all buttoned up, living in fear.

That what I do, or what I say, or how I look... gets taken the wrong way.

-I just want to let go.

-It's just the way it is.

Not for Mrs. Turner, it's not.

Oh, they'll soon cut her down to size.

You watch.

Oh, don't listen to me, love.

I'm just... a silly old fool who's forgotten what it's like to be young.

[tender music playing] -You're the wisest woman I know.

-Oh.

Get on with you.

Go on.

[Betty chuckling softly] Go and enjoy yourself, Conny.

-Is that everything?

-Yes, ma'am.

[horse nickering] -Darling?

-[Lucian] Hmm?

-[horse nickers] -Might Rose join you?

Uh.

It certainly doesn't appear so.

Ah.

Perhaps Mrs. Drummond-Ward thinks you're a bad influence.

Mm-hmm.

Me and everyone else.

-Take these.

-Oh.

Thank you.

Well, at least you can give some more attention to our guests.

[chuckles] [Lucian] Will your husband be joining us, Mrs. Wingfield?

Uh.

He's lying low, I'm afraid.

He's saving his strength for the big match.

[Lucian] Nice.

What about Mr. Turner?

Jack wouldn't be seen dead on a boat.

[both chuckle] Then it seems Mr. Albani and I will have you all to ourselves.

Have fun.

[Lucian] Everyone ready?

[in Italian] Let's go.

[horse neighing] [in English] Aren't you going to the ball, poppet?

Nobody thought to invite me, Daddy.

-[sighs] -No one ever does.

Then start inviting yourself.

Put your best foot forward.

You don't want to be the last chicken on the shelf.

Is that it?

We all have to let our hair down from time to time.

[chuckles] I'm too old to go out gallivanting.

"Gallivanting"?

You're 26, for heaven's sake.

And you know what they say.

All work and no play.

Or all play and no work, in your case.

Ah.

I get quite enough of that from your mother, -if you don't mind.

-Oh, poor old Daddy.

-Yes.

-Why poor old Daddy?

What's...

He's feeling put upon.

I'm merely trying to suggest to our daughter that she might occasionally allow herself to have some fun.

And I'm merely trying to suggest that I'm too busy.

Oh, darling.

Well, what brought all that on?

She claims she's being overlooked.

Well, perhaps it should be Alice that you're trying to matchmake, rather than Lucian.

What do you think?

[falters] [cheerful music playing] [seagulls squawking] [seagulls squawking] -[indistinct chatter] -[bells tolling] [secretary] Signora... [Bella in Italian] Good morning.

You can't go in.

No, please.

-Signora Ainsworth!

-Signor Danioni.

[in English] What an honor.

Coffee, perhaps?

No, thank you.

I won't stay long enough to drink it.

A gift, from one... friend to another.

Thank you so much.

That will be the last.

[tense music playing] I'm sorry to hear that.

You imagine that I am a woman of means.

But every penny I own has been sunk into our hotel.

I simply cannot afford to keep paying you.

Please don't try to be clever with me.

Now, listen carefully.

You are a resourceful woman, Signora.

And I'm sure you will find another way.

You are a resourceful man.

So will you.

Good day.

[indistinct chatter] [indistinct chatter continues] [gentle music playing] [music rises] [both breathe heavily] [waves crashing] [seagulls squawking] [music fades] [Lizzie giggles] Come and have a look at this, Mrs. Wingfield.

Oh, you're stepping in all the right places.

If you look down there, you can see winkle shells.

And also, if you're very careful, -sea urchins.

-[Lizzie chuckling] [Lucian] I'm gonna go in.

-[Lizzie] Oh!

-[Lucian] Oh!

-[Lizzie giggling] -[Lucian] Oh, you little devil!

-[Lizzie chuckling] -[Constance sighs] -[Lizzie giggling] -[Lucian] Ah!

Stop, stop.

Now, Mrs. Wingfield!

[Lizzie chuckling] [gentle music playing] Leave me be, can't you?

[in Italian] [Claudine in English] Don't you understand?

That was a one-time thing.

One time.

[sighs] -[waves crashing] -[seagulls squawking] [birds chirping] [soft melancholic music playing] What is this place?

-It belongs to my father.

-Is he a farmer?

He's a lawyer.

And a landowner.

-He grows all this?

-He rents it out.

His tenants send him half of what they harvest.

-A bit bourgeois, isn't it?

-[Gianluca chuckling] My grandfather bought it off the church, in the last century.

I've pleaded with him to give it away.

-And what does he say?

-He calls me an anarchist.

[breathes deeply] That's why I'm leaving.

Leaving?

We're not simpatici.

-He wants you to settle down.

-[laughs] -Where will you go?

-Torino.

I'm needed there.

You're needed here.

We must take the fight to Mussolini in the cities.

Perhaps you'll come too.

What would I do in Turin?

We'll learn to resist.

[indistinct chatter] [Cecil] Don't you think you're being a touch hard on her?

-She behaved shamefully.

-Yes, but...

I thought the general idea was to bring the two of them together.

[Julia] Not at the cost of her good name.

Besides, nothing's been agreed yet.

Hasn't it?

Well, there's the question of money for one thing.

What did you have in mind?

Well, there's Ivor's mother's house in Bayswater.

I rather thought they could have the top two floors of that.

And then the whole thing, over time.

Oh.

Well, that's jolly decent of you.

But then there's the question of the wedding.

And what they're going to live on, of course.

Yes, well, I'm...

I'm hoping the boy will settle down to some suitable employment.

You can't run a household on hope.

Of course not.

Which is why I shall be happy to give them an income.

At least until they get on their feet.

[Julia] Splendid.

Have you decided how much?

Not yet.

I'm waiting.

For a few things to, uh, you know, fall into place.

To pluck up the courage to ask your father-in-law, you mean?

I wouldn't lower myself.

I don't see why not.

There has to be some advantage to opening up your bloodline to the highest bidder.

I do have other means of raising money.

Well, don't leave it too long.

You don't want things to get too far.

Not until we know the price we're both going to have to pay.

You look busy, darling.

We made a profit on our tea party.

-No!

-Mm.

Next time it'll be bigger.

[Bella] Well, you are clever.

Oh, darling, this arrived for you.

-What happened to it?

-I'm so sorry, I opened it.

I didn't see who it was addressed to.

Darling, I do hope you don't mind me saying, just while money is very tight, um, if you do have anything left over from your widow's pension, or from the annuity that George left you and Lottie, perhaps it should go back into the running of the hotel.

Rather than, um, spending it on jewelry.

But I haven't.

[gentle music playing] I really haven't.

Oh, Carlo.

Of course.

-Count Albani?

-Yes.

-Oh, no.

-Gosh.

-No.

-Really?

No.

-[seagulls squawking] -[waves crashing] [in Italian] You look pretty.

[in English] My, oh, my!

-Whoo!

[laughs] -Whoo!

[laughs] Look out, world!

-Will you swim with me?

-Mm-hmm.

I thought you might show me the cave.

Of course.

[cheerful music playing] [Lucian] Shall we go in?

Where did you learn how to swim?

Scarborough.

In the summers.

But it's nothing like this.

[Lucian chuckles] -What about you?

-Uh.

I learned in school.

We had this terrible lake thing that we called "the spinney."

[chuckles] Is that where you learned to draw?

-At school?

-Well... Um... No, I've always just known how to do that.

[Constance chuckles] [Lucian] It's beautiful, isn't it?

-What would you call it?

-Uh.

Luminescent, I think.

We should... we should go back.

-[spits, laughs] I'll race you!

-Come back!

I'm only resting my eyes.

-[Alice] Count Albani.

-Oh, my dear Mrs. Mays-Smith.

It is always a pleasure.

-May I assist you?

-I cannot accept this.

It's a lovely thing.

Exquisite, even.

[chuckles] But... inappropriate.

I'm sorry to hear you think so.

I would be taking it under false pretenses.

I understand your... sensibilities.

Mm-hmm.

I will convey them to Roberto.

-Roberto?

-Yes.

It is he who commissioned this gift for you.

As a token of our-- His admiration.

For you and... your family.

I would be most obliged.

[seagulls squawking] [Lizzie] I've been on at him for ages.

To give it up.

Losing is so bad for his self-esteem.

-Men and their egos.

-[chuckles] They're such children.

Pelham can sulk for days.

Weeks, even.

-Over a stupid tennis match.

-They're all the same.

Yes, well, I'm beyond caring, to be honest.

You know, I'd be happy to leave him to stew in his own juices, if he'd only pull himself together long enough to give me what I want.

-And what would that be?

-[laughs] A damned baby!

[tender music playing] -Been trying long, honey?

-[laughs] We're barely trying at all.

He shows no bloody interest.

[sobs, chuckles] You're right, men are babies.

But, with a bit of pampering and cajoling, we can teach them to behave the way that we want.

-Mm?

-Yeah.

[sniffles, laughs] [sighs] [Constance gasping] I'm sorry.

[seagulls squawking] [upbeat music playing] -[Cecil] Uh.

Bellakins.

-Yes?

Do we have any champagne in the cellar?

Um...

I kept behind a crate or two.

But why?

Be a good girl and crack open a bottle or three?

Oh, no.

Darling, we can't afford to drink it ourselves.

Ah!

Not even if we're celebrating?

[both chuckle] -What do we have to celebrate?

-Well, let me show you.

-Cecil.

-[Cecil chuckling] [indistinct chatter] [in Italian] More glasses.

Thank you.

[in English] What's happening here?

Your father's about to make an announcement.

-He's...?

-Not that one, darling.

-What, then?

-He wants to tell you himself.

[clinking on glass] -[Cecil] Alice, hold it.

-Oh.

Uh.

Thank you, everybody, for joining us at this slightly earlier hour.

I promise I shan't keep you from your dinner.

Now... [clears throat] ...I have to confess, when it comes to art, I'm a bit of a philistine.

I mean, I enjoy a good cartoon in Punch as much as the next man, but that's the end of it.

I'd prefer to leave the enjoyment of the finer things in life to my wife and son here.

And, uh, the rest of the Ainsworth clan are equally lacking in aesthetic sensibility, so it should not surprise you to learn that we've had a quite extraordinary artifact hanging in our midst for nearly half a century, without having the foggiest idea about it.

Now, as luck would have it, I've recently made a new acquaintance.

A new friend, I should say.

A man who does know his art from his elbow.

-Take a bow, Jack!

-[scattered applause] Now, Jack Turner here is not just a connoisseur, he's a man of action.

You see, it's taken my brother and I a lifetime to realize we own a masterpiece, but it's taken Jack a jiffy to bring his man up here to authenticate it.

So, with a letter in my hand to prove it, it gives me very great pleasure to present a previously unidentified work by the old master, Peter Paul Rubens.

Oh, my word.

[cheerful music playing] [indistinct chatter] Quite something, isn't she?

This is what's going to stop you going cap in hand to Old Man Livesey.

Jack says we shouldn't settle for a penny less than 100,000.

One hundred thousand?

Are you still on for tonight, honey?

Very much so.

-Ten-thirty?

-First floor bathroom.

Mm-hmm.

Bring every weapon in the armory.

[chuckles] The composition is so... dramatic.

Yet with such delicacy at the same time.

Just look at the skin tone.

It's almost... Luminescent.

-She's rather... -Exposed.

-That's one way of putting it.

-Not to your taste, Aunt?

I feel nudity is something that I'll never grow accustomed to.

[giggles] Are you going to let him hang it?

Good heavens, no.

It would clash with the decor.

[in Italian] [in English] What a stroke of luck, Danioni.

That you were here for the grand unveiling.

[chuckles] Most fortunate.

[door closes] And, uh, what brings you this way?

-I just want to return you this.

-Oh.

Where did you find it?

It was recovered from a bicycle.

Left at an illegal gathering held by enemies of the Italian state.

Do you have any idea how it got there?

Of course, yeah.

One of the undesirables we arrested.

He has confessed to stealing the bicycle, uh, at request of, uh... -William Scanlon.

-Billy, you say?

-Why, the little blighter.

-Yeah.

He's fallen in with criminal elements now.

Oh, God!

And... [sighs] ...what exactly are you proposing to do about it?

Well, I will leave that to you.

[sighs] Thank you, Signore.

That's, uh, jolly decent of you.

Absolutely.

Oh.

Uh.

How stupid of me.

Uh...

I forgot.

There is also this.

[tense music playing] -Where did you get this?

-It was found in the street.

But... it's been opened.

This is a private correspondence from my wife.

I fear so, yeah.

No, no, no.

To her father's accountant.

I've no head for sums, I'm afraid.

I leave all that to her.

Yeah.

Well, I think a man should always be across his wife's affairs, Signor Ainsworth.

Ah, Ainsworth!

There you are.

So I-- -[Vincenzo clears throat] -Hi.

-Shall we?

-Yes.

Of course.

Do excuse me.

Yeah.

[upbeat music playing] -Mr. Sengupta.

-Thank you, Billy.

What is it?

Who gave you this?

A friend.

I were asked to pass it on.

Was that all?

There's something else.

[tense music playing] Now, I were told to tell you to bring these when you come.

I don't suppose you read Italian.

Not a word.

But I can tell they don't say owt nice about Old Musso.

You're not gonna leave them there, are you?

That's jail time if you're caught.

What am I supposed to do with them?

I could hide them for you.

For a price.

I'm sorry, Mr. Sengupta.

What are you skulking about down here for?

-What have you got there?

-Nowt for nosey.

I don't know what this has got to do with Mr. Sengupta, but I do know you're asking for trouble.

Not if you don't tell on me.

Well, you can't leave them here.

Mrs. Ainsworth and Mr. Ainsworth, they're up and down here all day.

I'm gonna hide them under Lady Latchmere's bed.

Whilst they're all busy with dinner.

Keep your hair on.

No one will look for them there.

-[seagulls squawking] -[waves crashing] So you liked it, then?

The painting?

Yes.

To think he painted her more than 300 years ago, and yet it seems so... fresh.

Well, you have a good eye.

[chuckles] Well, I've never really seen a painting like that before.

At leastways, not so close up as I could touch it.

That's not the only thing that you saw close up today.

I'm sorry that you had to be exposed to that.

[soft tender music playing] You have nothing to apologize for.

It must have repulsed you.

It took my breath away.

It made me yearn to know what... you must have been through to get it.

And what it must be like to carry it still.

To be scarred for life, you mean.

We all have scars.

I saw none on you today.

I looked and looked.

And there were no imperfections.

[chuckles] Ah.

Excellent.

Are we okay to talk?

Oh.

He doesn't understand a word.

Well, will this do?

I'd say 50,000 dollars would do very nicely.

-Uh-huh.

-Let's just hope she sells.

Oh, I wouldn't worry about that.

The only real question is for how much.

-[Cecil chuckles] -[hammer thudding] -[Jack] Yeah.

-[hammer thudding] Should I keep her locked up in here until your man gets back?

Ah.

No, no.

I'd prefer to keep the lady with me.

If you don't mind.

You're quite sure she'll be safe with you?

Oh, yeah.

She'll be well protected.

I see.

Then take her away.

Francesco?

Oh, but, uh, do come back down for a glass of brandy and a cigar.

-I hate to drink alone.

-[Jack] Of course.

[tense music playing] Okay.

Let's go.

[knocking] [Jack] Now just set it down over here.

-That's it.

-[thud] Terrific.

Thanks, Francesco.

Thank you.

[door opens] [Jack] Don't let anyone in, baby.

[gun thudding] And I want you to stay put yourself, all right?

I won't be long.

["Last Dance in Paris" playing] -If I have two pairs... -Mm-hmm.

...of the same number, is that okay?

-Can I put them down?

-[Alice] Yes, just in twos.

Mr. Albani?

[in Italian] Good evening.

[in English] Are you looking for your father?

[in Italian] Excuse me.

Uh.

Your father?

Yes.

[in English] Uh.

I think he's upstairs.

Sleeping.

[in Italian] If you'll excuse me.

Roberto.

[in English] I just wanted to say thank you.

To say grazie.

For the bracelet.

It was very beautiful and a very thoughtful and generous gift.

I hope you can understand why I had to refuse.

But that doesn't mean I'm not... grateful for the interest.

[chuckles] [giggles] [Roberto whistling] You sent back a gift!

-Well, I couldn't accept it.

-Because he's Italian?

Because I thought it was from the Count.

-From the Count?

-Yes.

-But it was from Roberto.

-Yes.

Oh, poor man.

He doesn't speak a word of English.

Perhaps he needs his father to speak on his behalf.

-Perhaps.

-[chuckles] Oh, you won!

[chuckles] -You sent back a gift!

-[laughs] That's so scandalous!

[chuckles] [tense music playing] [door locks] [door unlocks, opens] To order Hotel Portofino on DVD, or companion book, visit ShopPBS or call 1-800-PLAY-PBS.

This program is also available on Amazon Prime Video.

[theme music playing] [theme music concludes]