Finally, Franklin had to instruct The Band to stop playing.
He wished to spend time with The King, on his own.
PRESIDENT FRANKLIN DELANOR ROOSEVELT :
Let's go to my study. Will be quiet out there.
Unless you need to —
KING GEORGE VI :
No. No.
PRESIDENT FRANKLIN DELANOR ROOSEVELT :
Would you mind pushing...?
[ A willingly, but little awkwardly, He Does. ]
PRESIDENT FRANKLIN DELANOR ROOSEVELT :
Her Majesty has gone to bed?
KING GEORGE VI :
She has.
And -- Your Wife?
PRESIDENT FRANKLIN DELANOR ROOSEVELT :
(smiling) Who knows?
Would you mind, closing The Door.
PRESIDENT FRANKLIN DELANOR ROOSEVELT :
Cheers.
KING GEORGE VI :
Cheers.
PRESIDENT FRANKLIN DELANOR ROOSEVELT :
Do you collect stamps?
KING GEORGE VI :
I did. I have.
I understand you are a serious stamp collector....
PRESIDENT FRANKLIN DELANOR ROOSEVELT :
No, No..!!
KING GEORGE VI :
....perhaps, you would show me some of your stamps.
PRESIDENT FRANKLIN DELANOR ROOSEVELT :
You can’t POSSIBLY be interested.
KING GEORGE VI :
But I am --.
PRESIDENT FRANKLIN DELANOR ROOSEVELT :
Do not -- protest.
When I was a Young Man --
-- before My Marriage of course --
-- I found, that showing ones stamps
was a very helpful way to get
a Young Woman’s attention.
KING GEORGE VI :
Was it. (?)
PRESIDENT FRANKLIN DELANOR ROOSEVELT :
But I suppose -- if Your Father’s The King...
Who needs stamps?
(The President chuckles clubbily at his own witty non-joke, observing and noting The Young King's physical reactions to it -- the mention of His Father [King George V] very clearly makes him instantly uncomfortable....)
The Queen, is certainly a lovely woman.
KING GEORGE VI :
Ah...as is The First Lady.
PRESIDENT FRANKLIN DELANOR ROOSEVELT :
She's a -- Strong -- Person —
Some days, you don't feel like getting out of bed --
But then, These Women.... They wont let you do that, will they?
KING GEORGE VI :
(thoughtfully)
No.
PRESIDENT FRANKLIN DELANOR ROOSEVELT :
What do you do -- to be alone?
You need to give them
A Reason NOT to Bother You.
You can figure things out in The Quiet of Your Own Mind.
I open up my stamp books, and everyone knows not to bother me.
You were wonderful tonight, Young Man.
KING GEORGE VI :
Wh-What do you mean?
PRESIDENT FRANKLIN DELANOR ROOSEVELT :
Just what I said.
You were graceful.
You were confident.
You're going to be a Very Fine King.
KING GEORGE VI :
...I don't know what to say.
PRESIDENT FRANKLIN DELANOR ROOSEVELT :
Your Father would be very proud.
KING GEORGE VI :
I'm not so certain about that.
PRESIDENT FRANKLIN DELANOR ROOSEVELT :
If I were, Your Father —
I’d be proud.
KING GEORGE VI :
The Queen -- she's...
She worries so much.
Its been HARD for her.
PRESIDENT FRANKLIN DELANOR ROOSEVELT :
Women WORRY.
KING GEORGE VI :
I just stop listening to her sometimes.
Forget I said that.
PRESIDENT FRANKLIN DELANOR ROOSEVELT :
(chuckles softly)
Forgotten.
KING GEORGE VI :
(takes out a folded paper)
I-I’ve been asked, to Say some things...
‘Such a war as we now co- co-contemplate --.
The carnage —
Think at S-S-S-Spain.
Ch-children -- b-bbombed.
Tha-tha-thats what we can expect.
It will b-b-be horrific.
And yet, we know some of your countrymen wi-wi-wi-sh my country ii- i-i-ill...
And w-w-want us to fail.
And want me to fail wi-th-thth you...
This GODDAMN st-st-stutter... !!
(a pregnant pause)
PRESIDENT FRANKLIN DELANOR ROOSEVELT :
What Stutter?
This Goddamn Polio.
KING GEORGE VI :
Sometimes, I think — They deserve better than me.
My -- subjects.
I’m sorry. I don't know why-why I’m saying this to you.
I’m s-s-supposed to be trying to convince you to help us.
PRESIDENT FRANKLIN DELANOR ROOSEVELT :
Let me confess something to you, now.
As you have been so — honest -- with me.
(thinks)
No-one -- ever mentions the fact that I cant use my legs.
Its never referred to. Not by ANYONE.
And I used to •think• it was because they were embarrassed about it.
But •now• I think its because
It's not What They Want to See.
Of course, you and I — We think they see
Everything That We Are.
All our flaws.
Or transgressions. Or failures.
But that is NOT
What They are Looking to Find,
when They look to us.
And God help us if that ever changes.
Do you imagine the disappointment... when they find out
What We Really Are.
KING GEORGE VI :
Thank You.
They didn't want me as Their King.
PRESIDENT FRANKLIN DELANOR ROOSEVELT :
......I didn’t know they voted
for that in England.
(pause)
I’m thinking --
another drink?
KING GEORGE VI :
Right!
Suddenly only one can sleep that night
Was it The Moon?
How a longed fan
I beg your pardon... Sir.
I mean, Your Highness. Your Majesty...
KING GEORGE VI :
Good night.
******
KING GEORGE VI :
You're still awake?
QUEEN ELIZABETH,
The Queen Mother :
Mmmmmmm.
KING GEORGE VI :
I think I'll go to sleep. It's late.
QUEEN ELIZABETH,
The Queen Mother :Why are you smiling? Are you drunk?
KING GEORGE VI :
No.
He's a very funny man.
Has some wonderful jokes.
QUEEN ELIZABETH,
The Queen Mother :Like what?
KING GEORGE VI :
I couldn't tell you.
They're not meant for women.
QUEEN ELIZABETH,
The Queen Mother :They sound very 'funny.'
KING GEORGE VI :
He liked my stories too.
QUEEN ELIZABETH,
The Queen Mother :What stories?
KING GEORGE VI :
I-I-I told him about The Coronation.
About how they p-p-put the crown wrong way around.
And then stepping on my robe so I couldn't move.
QUEEN ELIZABETH,
The Queen Mother :You shouldn't have told him that.
We don't make fun of ourselves.
KING GEORGE VI :
That's not True.
Not here.
QUEEN ELIZABETH,
The Queen Mother :Of course he liked those stories, they make us look like fools.
KING GEORGE VI :
They make us look like people!
QUEEN ELIZABETH,
The Queen Mother :Don't be naive, Bertie.
KING GEORGE VI :
He made fun of himself too.
He said at the picnic tomorrow--
QUEEN ELIZABETH,
The Queen Mother :Oh god that picnic.
KING GEORGE VI :
He said that the Indians --they were Eleanor's ideas.
"One of my-my-my wife's crazy ideas."
His Mother is furious about it.
Franklin's just trying to keep it short.
QUEEN ELIZABETH,
The Queen Mother : He talks about his wife like that to you?
I hope you didn't talk about me to him.
KING GEORGE VI :
I-I-I didn't.
I w-wouldn't do that.
We didn't talk about you.
I asked him -- without mentioning you -- about these 'hot dogs'?
What's that about?
You want to know what he said?
He said he doesn't get the fuss...!!
They're just a good thing to eat at a picnic.
There's no 'meaning.' Nothing more..!!
QUEEN ELIZABETH,
The Queen Mother : You didn't say I was concerned?
KING GEORGE VI :
No.
QUEEN ELIZABETH,
The Queen Mother :I'm not sure I believe you --.
KING GEORGE VI :
That's not fair.
QUEEN ELIZABETH,
The Queen Mother :Three different women tonight asked me if I thought there could ever be an American Queen -- if we'd ever 'allow' it.
KING GEORGE VI :
That was rude.
QUEEN ELIZABETH,
The Queen Mother :Give me a cigarette?
I have smoked all of mine.
KING GEORGE VI :
That won't help you sleep.
QUEEN ELIZABETH,
The Queen Mother :I know.
Thank you.
Give me lighter?
KING GEORGE VI :
Light, of course!
QUEEN ELIZABETH,
The Queen Mother :I never wanted this life.
KING GEORGE VI :
I know.
QUEEN ELIZABETH,
The Queen Mother :Its hard....
I'll be fine.
KING GEORGE VI :
If there's a war -- and we know there will be -- he believes America could be persuaded to help.
QUEEN ELIZABETH,
The Queen Mother :Did you see some of the people here tonight?
Hear their names?
They're from Italy. Germany.
They're Irish.
KING GEORGE VI :
Their ancestors--
QUEEN ELIZABETH,
The Queen Mother :They're Jews.
They hate Us, Bertie!!
They want to see Us fall on our face!!
They want to LAUGH at Us!!
KING GEORGE VI :
I Think You’re Wrong.
I th-th- think we just need to be a little more Confident.
I'm not sure I can even sleep.
Finally, he patted me on the knee and said,
“Young ma-ma-Man, it's time for you to go to bed.”
Like a sort of Father, I suppose —
He said,
He’s very happy that I am King.
Good Night.
Transcript of King George VI's
Handwritten Notes for a Memorandum on
His Conversations with President Roosevelt
on June10 and 11, 1939
I had two good conversations with the President, besides many opportunities of informal talks on current matters in the car driving with him. He was very frank and friendly, & seemed genuinely glad that I had been able to pay him this visit. He gave me all the information in these notes either in answer to my questions, or he volunteered it.
Mr. Mackenzie King was present at the first conversation at Hyde Park. We talked of the firm & trusted friendship between Canada & the USA. FDR mentioned that he thought it was a waste of money to build a Canadian fleet as he had already laid his plans for the defense of the Pacific Coast of Canada, especially Vancouver Island (Assembling plants for aeroplanes in Canada). On mentioning the Neutrality Act the President gave us hopes that something could be done to make it less difficult for the USA to help us. Cordell lead public opinion on to the right tack. He gave us the following story to illustrate how he was tackling the subject in the Middle West & putting it in a way which they as farmers would understand.
"In the event of a war & say Germany & Italy were to win it, which means that the British Fleet & the French Army had been defeated, which at the moment are our first line of defense, how would you like to lose one of your best customers the United Kingdom? Then again Hitler could say to our great neighbors to the south of Argentine & Brazil 'You cannot sell your beef or your coffee in Europe except through me & Germany. I am the Master of Europe & in return I will send you the article I think you will require in return at my price.'"
I was alone with him for the 2nd conversation. We discussed Europe in a general way. He hoped France & Italy would try & get together.
He was doing his best to get New York to loan money to Roumania. I told him how difficult it was for us to help the Balkans as there was the Mediterranean to convoy things through, & they would want all they had got in a war. I explained to him Roumania's position as to frontiers having 4 to cope with. Because of the air we were only just becoming frontier-conscious ourselves. In the whole of N. America he has none. He was definitely anti Russian. I told him so were we but if we could not have an understanding with her, Germany probably would make one.
He showed me his naval patrols in greater detail about which he is terribly keen. If he saw a U-boat he would sink her at once & wait for the consequences.
If London was bombed USA would come in. Offensive air warfare was better than defensive & he hoped we should do the same on Berlin.
FDR's ideas in case of War
Trinidad Patrol. Base for his fleet at Trinidad to fuel & replenish stores. From this base he can patrol the Atlantic with ships & aeroplanes on a radius of approximately 1000 miles on a sector of latitude of Haiti to latitude of Brazil. This patrol should locate any enemy fleet, which tried to get to S. Am. or the West Indies.
Bermuda Patrol. Base as above. To patrol N. Atlantic from Cape Cod to Florida, with ships & aeroplanes to prevent submarines from attacking convoys.
Brazil. Germans have an air base at Natal Cape St. Roques also a landing ground on the island of Fernando Noronha 200 miles from the coast. Brazil is pretty sure to kick out the Germans. He would then use it himself.
Haiti, Cuba, & West Indies are potential friendly bases.
The idea is that USA should relieve us to these responsibilities, but can it be done without a declaration of war.
Debts. Better not reopen the question. Congress wants repayment in full, which is impossible, & a small bit is of no use, as they will want more later.
Credits. USA will want Nickel from Canada. They will buy our surplus rubber. In return they can send steel sheets which can be cut for aeroplanes wings. Rough castings with bored cylinders to be machined at home. Can be used for aeroplanes or motor boats.
FDR wishes to do .
Trinidad Patrol. Base for his fleet to fuel etc. From there he can patrol with planes 900 to 1000 miles every day on different sector to prevent an enemy fleet from attacking the West Indies.
Bermuda Patrol. Same as above. Aeroplane Patrol up & down coast to spot submarines. Cape Cod to Gulf of Mexico.
If Germany & Italy win a war, they can say to the Argentine, "How can you sell you beef or wheat? The USA does not want it. We will sell it to Europe for you & we will give you what we think you want in return on commission."
Brazil. How can you sell your coffee or wheat? Answer ditto.
Mr. Mackenzie King was present at the first conversation at Hyde Park. We talked of the firm & trusted friendship between Canada & the USA. FDR mentioned that he thought it was a waste of money to build a Canadian fleet as he had already laid his plans for the defense of the Pacific Coast of Canada, especially Vancouver Island (Assembling plants for aeroplanes in Canada). On mentioning the Neutrality Act the President gave us hopes that something could be done to make it less difficult for the USA to help us. Cordell lead public opinion on to the right tack. He gave us the following story to illustrate how he was tackling the subject in the Middle West & putting it in a way which they as farmers would understand.
"In the event of a war & say Germany & Italy were to win it, which means that the British Fleet & the French Army had been defeated, which at the moment are our first line of defense, how would you like to lose one of your best customers the United Kingdom? Then again Hitler could say to our great neighbors to the south of Argentine & Brazil 'You cannot sell your beef or your coffee in Europe except through me & Germany. I am the Master of Europe & in return I will send you the article I think you will require in return at my price.'"
I was alone with him for the 2nd conversation. We discussed Europe in a general way. He hoped France & Italy would try & get together.
He was doing his best to get New York to loan money to Roumania. I told him how difficult it was for us to help the Balkans as there was the Mediterranean to convoy things through, & they would want all they had got in a war. I explained to him Roumania's position as to frontiers having 4 to cope with. Because of the air we were only just becoming frontier-conscious ourselves. In the whole of N. America he has none. He was definitely anti Russian. I told him so were we but if we could not have an understanding with her, Germany probably would make one.
He showed me his naval patrols in greater detail about which he is terribly keen. If he saw a U-boat he would sink her at once & wait for the consequences.
If London was bombed USA would come in. Offensive air warfare was better than defensive & he hoped we should do the same on Berlin.
FDR's ideas in case of War
Trinidad Patrol. Base for his fleet at Trinidad to fuel & replenish stores. From this base he can patrol the Atlantic with ships & aeroplanes on a radius of approximately 1000 miles on a sector of latitude of Haiti to latitude of Brazil. This patrol should locate any enemy fleet, which tried to get to S. Am. or the West Indies.
Bermuda Patrol. Base as above. To patrol N. Atlantic from Cape Cod to Florida, with ships & aeroplanes to prevent submarines from attacking convoys.
Brazil. Germans have an air base at Natal Cape St. Roques also a landing ground on the island of Fernando Noronha 200 miles from the coast. Brazil is pretty sure to kick out the Germans. He would then use it himself.
Haiti, Cuba, & West Indies are potential friendly bases.
The idea is that USA should relieve us to these responsibilities, but can it be done without a declaration of war.
Debts. Better not reopen the question. Congress wants repayment in full, which is impossible, & a small bit is of no use, as they will want more later.
Credits. USA will want Nickel from Canada. They will buy our surplus rubber. In return they can send steel sheets which can be cut for aeroplanes wings. Rough castings with bored cylinders to be machined at home. Can be used for aeroplanes or motor boats.
FDR wishes to do .
Trinidad Patrol. Base for his fleet to fuel etc. From there he can patrol with planes 900 to 1000 miles every day on different sector to prevent an enemy fleet from attacking the West Indies.
Bermuda Patrol. Same as above. Aeroplane Patrol up & down coast to spot submarines. Cape Cod to Gulf of Mexico.
If Germany & Italy win a war, they can say to the Argentine, "How can you sell you beef or wheat? The USA does not want it. We will sell it to Europe for you & we will give you what we think you want in return on commission."
Brazil. How can you sell your coffee or wheat? Answer ditto.
