The Millionaire (TV Series)

The Betty Perkins Story (1956)

Marvin Miller: Michael Anthony

Quotes 

• Michael Anthony : [Anthony enters a laboratory to discover Tipton, uniformed and with heavy gloves, working with a glass tube and a gas burner. Tipton is blowing a bubble into the middle of the tube. Only Tipton's hands are visible to viewers]  You sent for me, sir?

  John Beresford Tipton : [Tipton turns off the burner]  Mike,

  [chuckles] 

  John Beresford Tipton : did you ever try this glass-blowing?

  Michael Anthony : No, sir, I haven't.

  John Beresford Tipton : Oh, it's interesting. You start with just a plain glass tube. And if you have the right tools to work with, like a gas burner, carbon pencil, why you can change the tube into anything you want it to be.

  Michael Anthony : Yes, sir.

  John Beresford Tipton : [Tipton hands an envelope to Anthony]  Here's our next millionaire, Mike.

  [Anthony accepts the envelope] 

  John Beresford Tipton : Let's give her the tools she needs to change herself and see what she decides to be.

  [Anthony bows and turns to leave] 

• [first lines] 

  Michael Anthony : [to the viewers]  My name is Michael Anthony. For many years, I was executive secretary to a remarkable man - John Beresford Tipton. He liked to give away $1,000,000, tax-free - one million dollars - to people who did not know him, in fact, would never know him. At Silverstone, his 60,000-acre estate, John Beresford Tipton, while he was alive, directed his worldwide and multibillion dollar enterprises. His main interest? He liked to see things grow: people and projects and glass bubbles.

• Michael Anthony : [Holding a file folder, to the viewers]  Betty Perkins came from a small town just outside St. Louis. But she left there right after high school and went to Miami to find romance and excitement. Instead, she found a switchboard.

• Michael Anthony : [Anthony enters the outer office of Rigney and Alston with Betty Perkins at the switchboard]  Uh, Miss Betty Perkins, please.

  Betty Perkins : Yes, I'm Betty Perkins.

  Michael Anthony : My name is Michael Anthony, Miss Perkins.

  [Looks around apprehensively] 

  Michael Anthony : Ah, Is there someplace we could talk?

  Betty Perkins : I can't leave the switchboard right now. Why?

  Michael Anthony : [Opening his briefcase and withdrawing a check]  Well, I have something for you of a rather unusual nature.

  [Anthony hands the check to Betty] 

  Betty Perkins : [Looking at the check]  A check for a million dollars?

  Michael Anthony : A cashier's check with the taxes already paid. I represent the anonymous donor.

  Betty Perkins : You must be selling something. Is that it?

  Michael Anthony : No, Miss Perkins. I'm not a salesman.

  [Removing a document from his briefcase] 

  Michael Anthony : However, there are a few conditions to which you must agree. They...

  [Switchboard buzzes and Betty responds to connect the call] 

  Michael Anthony : They are listed here.

  Betty Perkins : Why would anyone want to give me a million dollars?

  Michael Anthony : If I wanted to answer that question, Miss Perkins, I'm afraid I couldn't.

  [Referring to the paper] 

  Michael Anthony : As you see, if you ever reveal the source or the exact amount of this gift, you must forfeit any unspent balance. And if you...

  [Switchboard buzzes again] 

  Betty Perkins : [Into the phone]  Yes, Mr. Rigney? Well, no, I'm sorry, sir. Helen stepped out for a moment. Yes, sir. Yes, sir.

  [Betty disconnects the call. To Anthony] 

  Betty Perkins : Look, you'll have to leave, because Mr. Rigney is coming right out an... well, he gets very upset if there are salesmen around.

  Michael Anthony : But I've already told you, I'm not a salesman, Miss Perkins. Please, if... if you'll just sign this.

  Betty Perkins : [Nervously]  Well, whatever the joke is,

  [Signs the pledge] 

  Betty Perkins : I haven't got time to argue.

  Michael Anthony : Thank you.

  [Returning the agreement to his briefcase] 

  Michael Anthony : Believe me, it is...

  Betty Perkins : Will you please go?

  Michael Anthony : [Anthony opens the door and turns to Betty]  If you'll ju...

  [Betty motions excitedly for him to leave, and he exits]