Marvin Miller: Michael Anthony

Quotes 

• Michael Anthony : [Viewers see Anthony enter the library to find Tipton seated in a high backed chair at his desk with only his left arm visible. He is reviewing several catalogs]  You sent for me, sir?

  John Beresford Tipton : Mike,

  [Tipton hands over the catalogs to Anthony] 

  John Beresford Tipton : I want your opinion of these books.

  Michael Anthony : [Paging through the items]  Why, they're catalogs, sir, all showing the advanced styling for next year. Cars, milk cartons, window sashes - everything under the sun.

  John Beresford Tipton : [Chuckles]  Precisely. Now how do you suppose the people who plan for next year can tell in advance what the public taste will be?

  Michael Anthony : [Returning the catalogs to Tipton's desk]  I'm sure I don't know, sir.

  John Beresford Tipton : I want to find out how a planner's mind works.

  [Tipton hands an envelope to Anthony] 

  John Beresford Tipton : Here's the name of a successful young industrial designer. Give him one million dollars.

• Michael Anthony : [Reviewing a case file, to the viewers]  Harvey Borden was an orphan, brought up in a boys' home, without any family ties. More than anything in life, he wanted a family. When I met Harvey Borden, he was a rising industrial engineer, who was married but childless.

• Michael Anthony : [Borden responds to a doorbell at his home]  Mr. Harvey Borden?

  Harvey Borden : Yes.

  Michael Anthony : My name is Michael Anthony. I have a business matter of some importance to transact with you. Where can we talk privately? This will take only a moment.

  Harvey Borden : Well, if you want to talk private, we'll have to do it here. I have a friend in the living room.

  [Borden closes the front door] 

  Michael Anthony : [Opening his briefcase and withdrawing a check]  Here is a cashier's check in your favor for $1,000,000, tax-free and clear.

  Harvey Borden : What? Would you, uh, would you say that again?

  Michael Anthony : This cashier's check for a million dollars is yours

  [Anthony hands the check to Borden] 

  Harvey Borden : A million dollars?

  Michael Anthony : A donor you don't know has singled you out for this gift.

  [Anthony withdraws a document from his briefcase] 

  Michael Anthony : But first you must sign this agreement.

  Harvey Borden : Ahh ha, now comes the gimmick.

  Michael Anthony : There's no gimmick, Mr. Borden, except that you must never tell anyone but your wife about this.

  Harvey Borden : She's the last one I'd ever tell.

  Michael Anthony : [Mildly alarmed]  And also, if you reveal the exact amount, whatever is left will be forfeited.

  Harvey Borden : I just can't believe it. Is this for real?

  Michael Anthony : Well, you can see it's a cashier's check.

  Harvey Borden : Now wait a minute. I want to check on something first.

  [Borden leaves the hallway entry and walks into the living room, where Wilbur is still sitting. Borden goes to the phone and begins dialing] 

  Michael Anthony : Remember, if you tell anyone, the entire amount is forfeited.

  Harvey Borden : [Into the phone, with Anthony listening]  Hello, Judge? Well, the worst has happened - she's left me. But that isn't what I'm calling about. Look, I know there are a lot of boys like Wilbur. Now, if I were to finance a place, something like, uh, Boys' Town, to your citizen's committee and let them run it any way they like... Yuh. No, I haven't... I haven't gone nuts. I do have the money. Let me come in and we'll work it out.

  [Borden hangs up and signs the pledge with Anthony beaming] 

• [first lines] 

  Michael Anthony : [to the viewers]  My name is Michael Anthony. Until his death, I was executive secretary to the late John Beresford Tipton. Part of my duty was the compiling of case histories of the various people to whom my enormously wealthy employer gave $1,000,000, free and clear, with all taxes paid. His will directed me to make these reports public. This is Silverstone, a great estate of 60,000 acres, where John Beresford Tipton lived in perfect seclusion. One day, he summoned me to his library.