Marvin Miller: Michael Anthony

Quotes 

• Michael Anthony : [Anthony enters the Tipton natural history museum. He is momentarily startled by a large, upright stuffed bear just inside the entrance door. Tipton is seated in a high-backed chair, with only his left arm visible to the viewers as he strokes a live pigeon on his desk]  You sent for me, sir?

  John Beresford Tipton : Mike, science, which has revealed to us so many of the secrets of nature, has failed in two things. Know what they are?

  Michael Anthony : No, sir.

  John Beresford Tipton : [Tipton continues petting the pigeon, which coos]  This pigeon was released hundreds of miles from here and found it's way home. How?

  Michael Anthony : We don't know, do we, sir?

  John Beresford Tipton : [Tipton places the pigeon into a basket on his desk and closes the lid. He picks up a tag from his desk and hands it to Anthony]  And this tag is from a salmon. It conquered winds and tides to return to its spawning grounds, only to die.

  [Anthony returns the tag to Tipton's desk] 

  John Beresford Tipton : There are people who are driven by the same instinct.

  [Tipton hands over an envelope to Anthony] 

  John Beresford Tipton : Here is the name of our next millionaire. Let's see what his instincts are.

  [Anthony bows and starts to depart. Before leaving, he takes another up-and-down look at the bear, as if expecting it to come alive] 

• [first lines] 

  Michael Anthony : [to the viewers]  My name is Michael Anthony, and until he passed on, I was executive secretary to John Beresford Tipton, a multibillionaire, who frequently gave away $1,000,000 tax-free, to someone who had never met him and was completely unaware of his existence This is Silverstone, the fantastic 60,000-acre estate where I served John Beresford Tipton. One night, I was told that Mr. Tipton wanted to see me in one of his natural history museums.

• Michael Anthony : [Reviewing a file folder, to the viewers]  Josef Marton was a mild-mannered man of learning. In the electric days of his country's ill-fated revolt for freedom, he had unexpectantly found himself the man of the hour as the leader of the Freedom Brigade.

  [scenes of the revolt are shown] 

  Michael Anthony : [voiceover]  The fighters for freedom were finally overwhelmed, and many were forced to flee from their homeland. Josef Marton hoped he would find sanctuary in America, escape from the haunting eyes of a child.

• Michael Anthony : [Anthony rings the doorbell of the Marton home. Mrs. Marton responds]  Good evening.

  Eva Marton : Good evening.

  Michael Anthony : Is Mr. Josef Marton at home?

  Eva Marton : He is. But he is very tired. May I help you? I'm Mrs. Marton.

  Michael Anthony : My name is Michael Anthony. I'm here on an errand of some importance.

  Eva Marton : Can't it wait? He's had a very difficult day.

  Michael Anthony : It's just possible that I what have to tell him might change that.

  Prof. Josef Marton : [Entering from the next room]  I am Josef Marton. Please come in.

  Michael Anthony : [Anthony enters, proceeds to the living room, and opens his briefcase]  Mr. Marton, I have been authorized to present you with this check

  [Hands check to Marton] 

  Michael Anthony : . As you see, it's a cashier's check made out to you for a million dollars. One million dollars, tax-free.

  [the Martons examine the check. Anthony withdraws another document from briefcase] 

  Michael Anthony : Will you, uh, sign here, please?

  Prof. Josef Marton : Mr. Anthony, do I understand you correctly? This check for $1,000,000 is for me?

  Michael Anthony : Yes, sir. It's a gift.

  Prof. Josef Marton : From whom?

  Michael Anthony : I'm not at liberty to disclose that.

  Prof. Josef Marton : Well, why me?

  Michael Anthony : I can't disclose that either. But it is quite definitely yours to do with as you see fit.

  Prof. Josef Marton : Mr. Anthony, I assume you know who I am and what I fought for. Is this some sort of a bribe to tie my hands, to try to make me alter my principles?

  Michael Anthony : Certainly not. It's an act of philanthropy without any restriction whatever, except that neither of you must ever reveal how much money you received or how you received it. If you do, it will be reclaimed.

  Prof. Josef Marton : This is all you can tell me?

  Michael Anthony : That is all, except to express the hope that you will find the money useful.

  Prof. Josef Marton : Useful? Yes, yes.

  [Marton signs the agreement]