Gordon Selfridge is poised to take the reins from his ailing father.
- I will not be pushed aside. - I never said that. - I'm going back to London.
Introducing a brand-new department... Technology.
- You said you were going to train me. - Go down to the stockroom.
Stay off the shop floor until I've got time for you.
I think we got off on the wrong foot the other night.
'Beautiful Mae, good luck with the launch... Jimmy Dillon.'
And welcome to our broadcast, live from Selfridge's.
- Actually, I don't want children. - You're ambitious, nothing wrong with that.
Ma?
Ma! Ma!
- Where are you going? - I have to go to work.
There's a party tonight in Bloomsbury.
It's an exhibition or a book or a birthday or something.
I actually have no idea, but everyone's gonna be there.
I have a business event.
Of course, don't give it another thought.
You can come with me.
- Really? - Mm.
But I have nothing to wear.
I think you're fine the way you are.
My treat.
Mmm...
Ah, good morning. Is there any coffee?
They've just bought up a fresh pot, let me.
They not have coffee where you spent the night? Wherever that was.
Violette was just saying that we still need to decide
on the epitaph for Grandma, and the funeral director called
to ask if we'd chosen a memorial stone.
- I don't have time for that now. - It's a week since the funeral,
- you can't run away from this. - I'm not running away.
Pa, you're out every night, the gossip columns are full of stories.
- I appreciate your concern, Violette, but I'm fine. - No, Pa, you're not.
I don't need my children telling me how I should behave.
Come on, Meryl, mustn't be late
for the hustle and bustle of the stock room.
Oh, you've heard.
Mm.
It wasn't my fault. All I did was tell the truth.
Oh, you never know, it might all work out for the best.
You did say you were willing to start at the bottom.
You could... speak to Mrs Towler.
If she thinks you belong in the stockroom...
who am I to disagree with her?
- Now, where's my hat? - You left it upstairs.
- Ah! - What is the point in having a father in management
if he isn't willing to... indulge in a bit of favouritism?
You see, that's the problem with the young generation.
Absolutely no respect for your elders.
Argh!
Sorry. Are you hurt?
Just my dignity.
- Look closely. - It's fine.
Fine's not good enough. It's got to be flawless.
- You look lovely. - Oh, why ask a man?
This is Elizabeth Arden. I've got one chance
to make a good impression.
What's so special about her, anyway?
She invented astringent, Frank.
Without her, we'd all still be washing our faces with soap.
I do wash my face with soap.
Well, there you are!
Whatever's the matter, Mr Grove?
A slight disagreement with a flight of stairs.
What's all this?
Nothing you...
Nothing you need concern yourself with, Mr Crabb.
Mr Grove, are you in pain?
Mr Selfridge and Miss Arden will see you now.
Mrs Edwards, good morning, may I introduce you to
my very good friend, Miss Elizabeth Arden?
You've been here since the beginning, haven't you, Mrs Edwards?
Your department took make-up from under the counter and put it on display.
Well, I... I don't think, I can take the credit.
No, you can't, because I did it first.
But Selfridge's was the first to do it this side of the Atlantic
and for that you should be applauded. Shall we get started?
- Oh... Right now? - We have three days to get this concession up and running.
After that I've got to get back to New York.
- I'll leave you in the capable hands of Mrs Edwards. - Hurry up, Mrs Edwards.
You really must cultivate a sense of urgency.
Violette called to ask if you were free for lunch. Your diary is clear.
Tell her I'm unavailable.
Very well, Mr Selfridge.
It's the wrong colour.
Well, it's Baby Pink, the exact shade you specified.
- It doesn't fit. - I couldn't agree more.
I did in fact send a telegram to your New York office
expressing precisely that opinion,
But I was informed that this is the official colour
for all Elizabeth Arden concessions.
Mr Lyons, Freddy, the public can't see this, it's got to change.
- Don't you agree, Mrs Edwards? - Mrs Edwards...?
Well, it... it does stick out, rather.
The store opens in 20 minutes, it's not possible to change it now.
If you had two minutes and it was Christmas Eve,
I'd still make you do it.
- I simply can't -- - 19 minutes.
You're wasting time, Mr Lyons.
- Mr Jones! - Yes, sir?
Never settle for anything less than perfection.
Let's get breakfast.
I've already had my breakfast.
Not like this, you haven't.
- This is intolerable! I'm perfectly well. - You can barely stand!
I'm quiet comfortable. If I require assistance I shall ask for it.
- What exactly is the problem? - It's his leg. He had a fall.
- I can speak for myself. - I'm trying to be helpful.
Best that you leave the patient to me.
Now, let's have a look at the injury.
- There. - Hm, hm.
You've given yourself a nasty bruise.
- You'll need an x-ray. - I haven't time for such things.
And in the meantime, you need to get off that leg.
I'll call the Middlesex and tell him you're on your way.
I can't leave, I'm far too busy.
You can take a car to the hospital
or I can push you there in a wheelchair myself.
It's entirely your choice.
Elizabeth Arden isn't just about promoting make-up.
It's about helping women to become the wives
their husbands need them to be.
An Elizabeth Arden negligee isn't just a pretty piece of chiffon.
It's something a woman can put on at 6pm,
to greet her husband home after a hard day's work.
It's past six now, one might ask why you aren't at home,
in chiffon, awaiting your husband?
Whenever I can, I do.
But I'm prepared to make sacrifices for women everywhere.
You talk a great deal about how a woman's life should be,
doting on her husband, children.
But you've left your husband on the other side of the Atlantic
and you've chosen not to have children yourself.
May I ask which beauty magazine you represent?
I'm from the Christian Herald.
That well-known cosmetics title.
You're right.
I am married and I continue to work.
I feel no shame about it.
I work because...
children were a gift the Lord chose not to bestow upon my husband and me.
But Thomas has his hands full running our concessions nationwide
and I... well, I just try to bring some beauty into women's lives.
Thank you. Thank you for your questions.
Thank you.
Who the hell let the Bible-basher in?
We don't make a habit of excluding the press.
You can't control them, you can't control the story, and that's everything.
Well, if you'll excuse me, I have a few more things to do
before my day is quite over.
Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, some stimulating questions...
She had no right to ask those questions.
Oh, I made all that up.
I never wanted children.
But tell that to a room full of women
and they'll burn you at the stake.
I know that feeling very well.
Good for you.
Cambridge will be out of debt next year,
and at Sheffield we've managed a 1½% rise in profits.
1½? Send a hamper(!)
Everyone's been working very hard for you,
and no-one more than Gordon.
I'm grateful, Grace, truly.
After expansion all businesses go through periods of consolidation, Pa.
Consolidation sounds like something you need castor oil for.
Our investments are growing. You just need patience.
Come on, I want to hear what Jimmy Dillon's got to say to his investors.
He's picked a great venue.
- Jimmy! - Ah. You came. I'm honoured.
Wouldn't miss it. Mae. Good to see you.
It's been a while.
I see things have progressed in my absence. Another reason to celebrate?
Listen, how've you been since the funeral?
Tonight is not the night to talk of maudlin things.
- Shall we go in? - Mm.
You look beautiful tonight.
Ladies and gentlemen, or as you should be more accurately described, shareholders.
I bring you news from the London Stock Exchange.
The newly-floated Queensway Theatre Trust shares closed at up 57.
Not only have you saved your theatre, you have tripled the value of your investments!
- Impressive, isn't he? - Yes.
Excuse me gentlemen, I smell a free bar.
I want to thank every one of you for believing in this theatre.
The money men are the future. The day of the salesman is over.
Now John Lewis is dead, there's only you.
How does it feel to be a dinosaur, Harry?
You should know, you're the biggest dinosaur of them all.
As long as there is news, there'll be papers. Print is forever.
So, tonight it is your bold enthusiasm
for this new and exciting opportunity
that allows us not only to celebrate the prosperity of the Trust,
but the Queensway Theatre. Congratulations.
Guess what. Harry... The star of the night.
Mr Dillon, my husband was trying to explain your trust to me.
- He wasn't very successful. - It's perfectly straightforward, Mrs Selfridge.
The theatre sells the shares to a trust that it already owns.
The trust then splits the shares in two
and sells each new share for the price of the old one.
Essentially, the theatre sells the shares,
keeps half at the same time.
- Is that entirely ethical? - It's entirely legal.
- It's entirely brilliant, that's what it is. - Thank you.
- We should set up one of your trusts. - To sell what?
- The provincial stores. - Well... H-Hold on a minute.
It would give us a huge influx of cash.
I've... I've spent ten years building up those stores.
And it's time that you reaped the rewards. What do you say?
- It's never been attempted on that scale before. - Are you interested?
Of course I'm interested.
The Trust would have a capital of two million shares
divided into one million 6% cumulative preference shares
of £1 each and one million ordinary shares, same value.
How many would Selfridge's retain?
900,000 divided between Gordon and Harry.
Well?
It's certainly an unorthodox proposal,
and it's certainly not what these trusts were intended for.
We'd be... exploiting a loop hole in the law.
Excellent. That's settled then.
Hold on! If there's low uptake our shares would devalue
or we could lose control of the stores.
That's 15 stores, 5,000 staff,
many of whom have worked for us for a decade.
It's their livelihoods we'd be gambling with.
You saw how successful the theatre flotation was.
Others will get the same idea.
Pa, we should wait until you can make a considered decision.
- This is my considered opinion. - We've only just buried Grandma.
- I am growing weary of this conversation. - Pa, please!
This is great for the stores and great for us. Get on board.
Mr Dillon, my father's just suffered a major bereavement.
- His mother was everything to him. - Yes, I understand.
Given my fathers... situation, I would consider it a favour
if you would withdraw your proposal at this time.
I can't do that.
You know, Mr Dillon, it would be unfair
to take advantage of someone who is grieving.
- I find that offensive. - My father could lose a fortune.
If you disapprove of the trust... you should speak to your father, not me.
You have a visitor.
Hello!
Arthur. Ah, I wasn't expecting anyone.
I can't stay long. Here...
- It's for you. - Ah. Thank you.
- How's the leg? - Sore.
It's the enforced idleness that's killing me.
We're working men, we always have been.
I had x-rays and endless tests at the hospital.
Well, I shall see my doctor in a couple of days' time
and if I can persuade him to give me the all-clear, I shall be...
back at my desk.
Open it up.
Hm.
'Build your own radio receiver.'
I already have a wireless.
I bought it for Ernest.
Oh, right yes. Of course. Of course.
You could always do it with him.
Splendid idea!
May I?
Of course.
I didn't know you were a member of this church.
No. I was just passing, I wanted to light a candle... for my grandmother.
So sorry to hear.
It was very sudden. We're all still reeling.
Lord Wynnstay, Sally would like to say something to you on behalf of all the children.
Thank you.
- What are they thanking you for? - Lord Wynnstay is our patron.
- Of the choir? - Of the orphanage.
Without him these children would not have a roof over their heads.
I really must be going. Excuse me.
- Thank you for coming... - Lord Wynnstay, wait!
We hope to see you soon.
- Thank you. - Bye-bye.
I lost my son in the war, so I give these war orphans a home.
And I get to put balm on my sorrow.
It's nothing to be embarrassed about. Quite the opposite.
Mrs De Bolotoff, I would hate my tragedy
to become the subject of gossip.
Of course, I'll keep your confidence.
- On one condition. - Oh, yes?
You'll let me do something for the children.
Perhaps a charity event at the store?
I don't understand, we followed the instructions to the letter.
It's a toy, it's meant for little children.
It was still fun to make.
Yes.
Hold on.
Yeah.
There's the offender. A loose wire.
Right. Let's see what we can find.
♪ .. Must always wear his hat
♪ Oh, where did you get that hat
Oh, now your mother used to love this song.
She would make me dance with her to it.
She used to drag me to the dance-floor.
She was a wonderful dancer, your mother. Wonderful.
Show me.
♪ If I go to the op'ra house
- ♪ In the op'ra season... - Other way.
♪ There's someone sure to shout at me
♪ Without the slightest reason
♪ If I go to a concert hall...
- Round you go. - ♪ To have a jolly spree...
- And the other way. - ♪ Where ere I go
♪ They shout 'Hello, where did you get that hat?' ♪
And you thought wireless sets were just for little children.
Argh. I'll sit this one out.
Ah, very good.
Grandma looks so beautiful here.
'Wisconsin. 1870.'
- That must be Pa. - I can't imagine him young.
What are you doing?
We're sorting Grandma's things. We're almost through.
- Please leave her things alone. - We're just trying to help.
You won't talk about it or do what needs to be done.
Meanwhile, Grandma's grave is unadorned. It's not right.
I will attend to it in my own good time.
- Let's sort it out now. - I have to go.
- Oh, that will really help! - Pa, please!
Stay. We can do it together.
I'll see you all in the morning.
250.
Raise the pot.
500.
To rich for my blood.
500 to you, sir.
You've got to tell, Miss Dolly. I've figured you out.
Put your money where your mouth is, Mr Selfridge.
The lady wins.
- Right, time for bed. I'm out. - No-one's leaving, no excuses.
No, I've got to be up in the morning.
I have a very demanding employer.
I'd stay but I'm all out.
The Dollies win, you lose. The Dollies lose, you lose.
They are an expensive hobby, Harry.
You've had a bad run of luck.
- I'm up tonight. - It's the other nights that concern me.
- I'm good for it. - I'll know you're good for it
when you've paid me, Mr Selfridge. Not before.
Maida Vale 221.
Well, you can't, she's asleep.
No. Oh... It's for you.
At this hour?
Hello.
What is it? What's wrong?
I'm fine. Really.
That's my husband. With the girl he's screwing.
- Who took these pictures? - A private detective. I had him followed.
She's 22, one of my staff.
I trained her!
Probably desperate to give him a whole brood of little brats.
Well, if he thinks I'll settle for the sake of the Arden name,
he's got another think coming.
He won't see a dime.
I thought we were a team, you know?
I need my pills, I can't find them.
These won't do you any good.
Give me them. Give me!
I need two or I won't sleep.
Stay with me till I sleep.
Please.
What was the crisis? Had she run out of rouge?
She's all alone.
All that money and success and...
.. it's just her...
.. in a huge empty room.
Where's her husband?
Gone.
You'll always have me.
Good morning, Mrs Edwards.
Good morning.
What a beautiful day!
Apparently, it has a top speed of 45 miles per hour.
Gosh!
Wouldn't that be something, driving along at 45 miles per hour?
It really would.
Well, I've got some news for you.
- Whose car is that parked outside? - It's ours.
- We've got a car?! - Ha-ha-hah!
How fast are we going?
27 miles per hour.
Wow!
You know, I think I'd be rather good at this driving lark.
Absolutely not.
Father!
One more thing, Frank. Don't let the press at the champagne
until after they've filed their report.
I want to be on the front of every paper tomorrow. Not the next day.
I'll get you a list of who needs a quote.
Gordon, you're late. We're on stage in 30 minutes.
Frank wrote you a speech for the launch party.
I need to talk to you about Jimmy Dillon.
I'll leave you to it.
He er... He has a reputation in the City.
I would expect no less.
Not all of his enterprises have been successful.
- I know. - You do?
- Of course. - This isn't just your reputation. Those stores look to me.
Gordon, I need you on that stage to support me.
I hope I can rely on you to do the right thing.
Miss Ellis, it's five o'clock.
I do have eyes in my head, thank you very much.
Very well, off you go.
You are not to talk to anybody unless addressed directly.
This is a very exclusive party.
No-one wants to hear from the likes of you.
Oh, Miss Brockless.
I need this lot sent out tonight.
Can you take it down to Miss Grove in the stock room?
- Despatch has already gone. - It'll give us a head start tomorrow.
- Too late, you've missed the despatch collection. - I know.
- So, why are you here? You're missing the party. - Miss Ellis sent me.
Come with me.
I'll sneak you in.
I'd better get on. I can't afford to get into trouble.
Enjoy the canapes!
Tonight we announce the flotation of our department stores
in every major British city.
And to do that we have the chief executive of those stores,
although I know him better as my son.
Ladies and gentlemen, Mr Gordon Selfridge.
15 department stores, 5,000 employees.
The Gordon Selfridge's Trust offers the public the chance
to be a part of the biggest chain of stores in the country.
And who wouldn't want a piece of Selfridge's in their pocket?
Great, so far.
- But it's a good investment. - Don't start on this again, George.
I've told you. Stocks and shares are just gambling for rich people.
- It's immoral. - You were happy enough to come.
Well, of course I'm gonna come, there's canapes.
It's French.
I was wondering when you might
put me back on the shop floor, Mrs Towler.
- When you're good and ready. - When's that gonna be?
When I'm good and ready!
Excuse me.
I missed lunch.
Thank you.
We haven't actually met, but I feel like I know you. I'm Jenny Dolly.
- I know who you are. - I know your father.
- I know that, too. - I feel like we could be great friends, you and I.
Whatever gave you that impression?
You're not so special.
Who are you to judge me?
- Oh, my word! - Sorry! Oh, sorry, here let me get it, let me get it.
Please. Argh!
Jesus, you guys are all so uptight, huh!
- Come on! Time to get you home. - No!
I'm having a good time with my new friends.
- Enough. - Get off!
What's going on? She all right?
Are these the people you're choosing to associate with?
I'm standing right here.
- Jenny is just a little emotional right now. - We both know what she is.
- She's a friend. - What would Grandma think of your friends?
Thank you. I'm used to society people seeing my face
and jumping to conclusions,
but I expected more from Harry Selfridge's son.
You can dig all you like, Gordon, but you won't find any dirt on me.
What does Pa see in those women?
It's an infatuation. You know Pa, it won't last.
Jimmy Dillon's just another kind of infatuation.
- That'll pass, too. - I don't know what you mean.
Of course you don't.
I'm going back to Paris.
- Vi, you can't, not with him like this. - I should never have come back.
He's all yours.
Try one. They're delicious.
Those ones have cream fillings.
Here's some more for you.
What's that?
They're just canapes.
Does your father know what you're doing down here?
- I work here. - You know what I mean.
It's none of your business what I do or who I speak to.
If you want back on the shop floor, you're not helping yourself.
- That showed her. - She didn't like me, anyway, now she's got good reason.
- Sorry. - Jobs in fashion don't come around often.
Not for people like me. I can't lose it.
Jenny?
I can't find any damn cream.
Rosie's right, anything we build up, I have to tear it down.
There's something very wrong with me, Harry.
I don't believe that for a moment.
You're with Rosie, not me. That says something.
- That doesn't mean that I don't think you're great. - Really?
Really.
What would have happened if you'd met me first?
I hope you're going to make her pay for that.
I don't want Miss Arden accusing us of stealing.
There you are. I've missed you.
Mm!
Come on, let's get back to the party.
I already run the biggest department
of the best department store in the world.
You've been doing that for a decade.
What's the next step for you at Selfridge's? Is there one?
- Well... - I want you to run my department store concessions.
All of them. My husband isn't at my company any more.
I'll double your salary
and provide you an apartment on the West Side.
- West side of what? - New York, silly.
I want you to work for me in New York.
Why me? You barely know me.
I know you better than you think, because you're just like me.
You're a modern woman.
In New York, women can choose to be in business without being a pariah.
Isn't that what you want?
New York?
I've never even dreamt of it.
I'd have to talk to Frank.
Mr Grove, please sit down.
The diagnosis is based on the test we did to your blood and sputum
for suspicious cells
.. and the results from the pathology lab
have come through and confirmed our suspicions...
Sir, are you all right?
I'm quite all right. Really, there's no need to make fuss.
Is there someone I can call?
'Harry Selfridge doesn't so much push boundaries of good taste
as dance across them with a cocktail in one hand
and a chorus girl in the other.'
This is not good.
I've some news. Elizabeth Arden offered me a job.
How is the old witch?
She's difficult, I know, but...
She wants me to come and work for her... in New York.
What did you say?
I said I'd discuss it with you.
What's to discuss?
Well, it's good money.
It could support us both.
You wouldn't have to run around doing your publicity, you could write... full-time.
'Run around?'
You want me to give up my position, cross the Atlantic,
just so you can go touting your facial powders?
This is my chance.
- Take the next step in my career. - At the expense of mine.
I didn't realise you thought so little of what I do.
Roger, how are you? They said you needed help returning home.
It's neuropathy.
Damage to the nerves in my foot.
That sounds painful.
Comes and goes.
Why I fell in the first place, so... I didn't... slip.
- I knew I hadn't. - Right.
Shall we get you home?
I've never driven before, but I'm sure with some guidance
I can get us to our destination.
Neuropathy is caused by a tumour on my brain.
There are more in my lungs and my liver.
What can they do?
Nothing.
How much t...
Not long.
You don't have to face this on your own.
Do you understand? You're not alone.
Sit down so you can all listen to the radio and just enjoy it.
Daddy, can you tell her that she can't always have her own way?
Dad, he's been fiddling with the radio all evening!
- Who fancies a drive? - Yes!
Supper is almost ready, Mr Grove,
and I was about to give Ernest his bath. He has school tomorrow.
Well, we can worry about tomorrow, tomorrow.
Who wants to ride up front with me?
♪ Where did you get that hat
♪ Where did you get that tile?
♪ Isn't it a lovely one and just the proper style
♪ I would like to have one just the same as that
♪ Where ere I go
♪ They shout 'Hello! Where did you get that hat?' ♪
- When does trading start? - Any minute now.
Ah, where's the champagne? I organised a crate to be sent up.
I'll check. They were putting it on ice.
You love it, don't you? The roll of the dice.
The highs are great, but the lows...
Sometimes I think it's only the pain of the lows
that lets me actually feel something.
I don't understand. I don't think I ever have.
- I know. - Harry!
Jimmy does.
We're off.
Here we go, gentlemen.
That's where you should be looking.
A share price of 71, that's a good start.
You, five?
Yes!
It's going through the roof!
Whoa!
- Harry! - Oh, my apologies. Wrong Dolly!
Easy mistake.
- I'm so sorry. - I'm fine. Really.
- No, it's fine. - Ladies, allow me.
Congratulations, Harry, we've pulled off quite a coup.
- Feels great, doesn't it? - It does.
He had to back out, no idea why.
Well done.
Aah!
Ah, good to see you, son.
I wanted to talk to you about what we do
with our first dividends from the Trust.
You're right, we reward all the hard work by reinvesting --
Whatever you want, just call me when you need me to sign on the dotted line.
That's a little ungrateful. I've made you a millionaire many times over.
You gambled with everything I've built.
- And I won. We won. - That's all that matters to you, isn't it?
You've lost Violette.
Did you even notice she'd gone?
You're in danger of losing everyone who truly cares about you.
Ready when you are.
I prefer to leave my mark through hard work
rather than manipulation of public opinion.
You know how I deal with outstanding debts?
First I ask with a smile.
Then I ask without.
Don't ever apologise again.
We've been running around the whole time,
looking for something and maybe we've already got it.
A hotel filled with journalists and you didn't hear about this?
The Herald has printed a column of despicable lies.