Hello, Harry.
Mae?
Could I find a job working at Selfridges?
Here comes trouble. The Dolly Sisters.
Who are they with?
Jimmy Dillon.
- Looking good. - Come on.
Ladies and gentlemen. Princes and paupers and...
the Earl of Oxford Street himself.
- I'm sure we'll see a lot more of each other. - Will we?
I'd say it's almost inevitable.
So where are we going now?
- Well, I'm going home. - Mae, wait!
- We're expecting a baby. - A baby?
Have you got a story?
Sergei has had an affair with a countess.
Rosalie is married to Sergei.
The Queen of Time.
'Hey!
Hey, wait!
I'm alive!
Can you hear me?
I'm alive!
I'm alive!'
I'm alive!
I'll raise you.
Your turn.
I'm out.
Grandpa!
Would you ask mother for some tea, Tatiana?
Thank you, darling.
Of course, Grandma.
It's so quiet here.
I've never noticed before.
You never sat still long enough to listen.
You will get better...
but it'll take some time.
You've got another chance, Harry...
.. make the most of it.
Mr Selfridge? London Herald.
How is your father?
On the mend, thank you.
It was a terrible fall. When will he be back?
Well...
the Selfridge business is in safe hands.
I've been a managing director for a few years now.
Of course, you're the son and heir.
So you're looking after the store now?
It's all being taken care of.
Madame Rennard, you have a budget.
You want six machinists,
quality materials, two new sales staff and a designer!
Who's very expensive!
He's French.
- I wish Harry was here. - The chief would say, "This is a business."
We have to make a profit.
Right, well, I shall just design it myself, then.
My line, my ideas.
Well, it would save money.
But I'll need the right team behind me.
I want carte blanche to hire whoever I need...
.. within the budget.
Oh, very well.
Gentlemen.
You're looking tired.
- I'm exhausted. - You're doing two jobs.
Chief of Staff and Deputy Manager.
Who knows when the chief will be back?
Still, at least Meryl's started working.
One less thing to worry about.
There's a customer wants a dress fitting.
You need training first.
You've been saying that all week.
Connie Hawkins!
Sarah Ellis! Oh!
Oh!
Miss Connie Turner now.
You and George?
What you doing here?
I've got an interview. Head of the sewing machine room.
Oh, well, good luck!
Morning.
As you are, ladies. Do carry on.
(What's she doing?)
(No idea.)
Gordon.
Pa.
- Grace. - You're looking better.
Thank you for coming.
We haven't sat down as a family for a long time.
Ah, Violette.
She flew in from Paris...
in her own plane.
- Well? - Ha.
Gordon, congratulations.
'Young Gordon Selfridge
is poised to take the reins from his ailing father.
Harry Selfridge was lucky to survive the fall,
but his health is understood to be fragile.'
Someone could've told me.
It-it's nonsense.
'Fresh blood may be what's needed to invigorate the Selfridge empire.
Harry Selfridge is the phenomenon,
but are his best days behind him?
I never said that.
What did you say?
Just... just that... that it was all being taken care of.
What's all this about, then?
It's guesswork.
It's just what people might... be thinking.
- That I'm past it? - No. No.
Some people, when they get older, take a step back.
It's a family business, I'm your son...
I'm not taking a step back.
The store needs me at the helm and I will not be pushed aside.
- Harry, please? - Gordon thinks the world of you.
He'd never do anything you didn't want him to.
I am going to talk to Wynnstay about his press coverage.
I should call the store.
- I'll do it. - No, I'll do it.
- You're supposed to be resting. - Don't tell me what to do.
I can manage.
I was just trying to help.
Grace, come on, we're leaving.
Gordon, don't.
It's good to keep family tradition going!
I've been here long enough.
Tomorrow I'm going back to London to sort all this out.
Mr Selfridge, how are you?
- Good. - What about your plans to retire?
You've been running Selfridges for 20 years.
Are you gonna stay head of the store?
I plan to go on and on and on.
Thank you.
Hello.
Harry! Oh.
Oh, sorry. Sorry.
- How are you? - Never better. Now I've got loads of plans.
- Your fashion launch? - Yes.
The Dolly Sisters. They could model for you.
No, Harry, they're much too wild.
But they're beautiful. The press love them.
- I'll call them today. - No. No, we need an English rose.
- Trust me. - She would be perfect.
This would be...
Agreed.
Selfridges! Next stop, Bond Street.
Hold tight, please.
Can I help you?
I've got an interview. For the position of machinist.
Then you should have gone to the staff entrance.
Back onto Oxford Street and round the corner.
Thank you.
- May I help you? - Oh, please.
Yellow suits a more youthful complexion.
And the shape is very modern.
You'll want something with a lot more... support.
I beg your pardon?
I just meant... you want to be... comfortable, at your age.
You're so rude.
Lord Wynnstay.
Ah. He lives.
Exactly. I'm not retiring. Not nearly.
I don't wanna see that story again.
We'll try not to fall off anything else.
If you must, let me know in advance, I'll hold the front page.
Did you just come here to tell me off?
You didn't say what you're going to be doing about that Sergei story?
No... I didn't.
I'd say it's not worth it.
I want five full page ads in all your papers.
We're advertising a major new launch.
I'd say that's worth more than a bit of gossip.
What are you up to?
Wait and see.
You won't be able to write me off again.
Next.
Take a seat.
Matilda Brockless.
Currently employed at Furleys in Commercial Road.
They're a ladies tailors.
I take in work too.
Machine and hand sewing.
What did you do before that?
You've only been there two years.
I worked at Corleys. Also as a machinist.
References?
I thought that I only needed current employer.
Character references, can you get them?
All right. Thank you.
Did you make that dress yourself?
Yes.
Where did you find the pattern?
I didn't. I saw the dress in a magazine.
Ah... was it Chanel?
Yes.
I had to make the skirt longer.
Change the neckline and longer sleeves.
Yes, it's very good.
I think Miss Brockless has got it.
You can start next week. Yes?
Our sincere apologies. It won't happen again.
- I hope not. - Thank you.
Come on...
The dress wouldn't have suited her.
She said you called her old... and fat!
You said you were going to train me.
Not in common sense!
Go down to the stock room.
You're just gonna have to stay off the shop floor
until I've got time for you.
Mr Lyons, I know design is not my area of expertise.
But whereas customers used to enjoy
a free passage from Beauty to Stationary...
Oh!
Hmm.
I'm pretty sure they'll just walk round it.
I don't see the point. It's... it's in the way.
If they have to stop, they have to look.
If they have to look, they might see something they like.
That's a great idea.
I'm gonna use that.
- We'll speak later, Mr Lyons. - But...
Mrs Edwards has a routine meeting scheduled.
I'm sorry. Can we do this another time?
Miss Plunkett, I need to set up a meeting tonight,
for a new department. Something I've been working on.
- New department? - On the ground floor. Next to Cosmetics.
Mrs Edwards?
Mrs Edwards...
.. what wonderful news!
Your sister's baby.
I wonder what it'll be.
And your parents... their first grandchild, Connie says.
They've had quite a wait.
My dear, it's always a little painful
when we have none of our own.
Actually, I don't want children.
Never have.
Oh, but you've been married a while. I assumed you...
We're very happy as we are.
Mr Edwards has his work
and I run the most successful department in Selfridges.
Yes, but to have children is to be fulfilled...
.. as a woman.
- You haven't got any? - I'm not married.
Well, then, don't talk about things that you don't understand.
The Technology Department will start here.
Centre stage...
on the ground floor.
We can pull them in with a big display.
Mixing the familiar with the new.
What will it sell?
Radios, telephones...
They sell very well where they are?
So they could help to sell other things.
Like experimental products.
Things we'll use in everyday life in the future.
Like the televisor.
If they aren't being made in the next few years, I will eat my hat.
- Ha! - So they're not being made now?
We will take orders.
May I say,
there are some very exciting domestic products.
Electric washing machines, vacuum cleaners.
Tomorrow's house.
You're a genius, Miss Plunkett.
What about the tea emporium? People like tea.
We must look to the future.
If we don't, someone else will.
- All right, love. - Mind your toes, sweetheart.
Mr Lyons, it's like a building site in here.
Can't they work nights?
Chief wants it done pronto. It's exciting, isn't it?
These dresses are designed to be simple and elegant.
And most importantly, they must fit.
It's all in the cutting.
Each of these sections must be copied exactly.
And in three different sizes.
Three. You see, there's my problem.
Three just seems so few.
Women come in so many different shapes.
Any thoughts on that?
Miss Brockless?
If we cut these panels on the bias,
here...
and here...
.. well, the fabric will fall much more softly.
More flattering.
A more forgiving shape.
We could get more sizes.
It would take longer.
Would it work?
Then that's what we'll do.
Well done, Miss Brockless.
Right, my ladies, back to work. And this time, with gusto.
Right, girls, let's get these panels made.
Well done.
Do you think the Chief's all right?
We'll be selling things that don't exist.
Excuse me, sir?
I could have done with a quiet few weeks.
You're entitled to time off.
Even with the store like an ant's nest.
Thank you.
Come in.
Full page adverts, in four papers.
That's how you get people's attention!
The new department will blaze a trail, Mr Grove.
Yes.
Look, I know there's never a good time to ask such a thing. Could I..?
Chief?
Are you all right?
Yeah, just a little lightheaded.
You've only just recovered.
I'm pacing myself, I'm sorry. What... what where you asking?
It can wait.
Excellent advertisements.
Ma?
You shouldn't be up this late.
Neither should you.
I've been at the store.
I thought your fall would be a warning
to take things a little easier
and spend more time with your family.
Have you seen Gordon yet?
I still can't believe he talked to the papers.
Gordon never said those things.
How come we can all see it but you can't?
I think that article hit a nerve in you.
But whatever it is you're scared of, it has nothing to do with Gordon.
He's loyal and respectful and you owe him an apology.
I'll talk to him when things are a little calmer.
Make sure you do, son.
One day, it will come a time for you to leave.
And when that happens, you're really gonna need him.
Welcome, welcome.
We have a very special array of events for you today.
Where we bring you the very latest in fashion,
with the help of the world famous Dolly Sisters.
And introducing a brand new department... Technology.
Everything you could want for the house of the future.
And if you turn on your wireless sets at 3pm,
we have a real Selfridges treat for you.
In classic Selfridge's style we bring you a live broadcast
from the Palm Court, with a very special guest.
Ah, you look wonderful.
Oh, well, that's the whole idea.
- Hello. - Hello. - Everyone is very excited about the Dolly Sisters.
Actually, where are they?
That is a very good question.
They should have been here, oh... half an hour ago.
Madam Rennard.
- Thank you.. - Who are they from?
Harry?
Don't look at me.
'The beautiful Mae. Good luck with the launch.
Hope to see you at my own launch at the Queensway Theatre.
Jimmy Dillon.'
Yes, well. Never mind Jimmy.
If those Dollies aren't here soon, we are in trouble, Harry.
They'll be here. Come, meet the press.
It's a bit early in the day for you two.
Don't worry, we've been up all night!
Jenny, Rosie, how long will you be staying in London?
As you'll have us!
- What are you going to be up to? - Now that would be telling!
Are you page three modelling for Madam Rennard's new line?
- We would do anything for Harry Selfridge. - Anything at all.
Thank you.
- Oh! - Harry. - Jenny.
Rosie.
Hi, Harry.
Miss Plunkett, these are the famous Dolly Sisters.
Ladies, my personal secretary.
Hey. We brought champagne.
It's a bit early for me, Ladies!
Ah, Mr Crabb. Please escort these ladies to the fashion show.
I have to take a phone call with your friend Jimmy Dillon.
- I'll be five minutes. - Of course.
- Fashion? - Do you want a drink?
No, thank you. I must say, ladies.
- Really? - You can have one!
Fashion, please.
You shouldn't have said we'd been up all night.
Why not?
- We were. - It looks unprofessional.
It could have been worse.
I could have told them I'd gone to bed...
and who with?
Oh!
Here.
Maybe it is better if you do it.
What a darling. Thank you.
- Up the stairs. - Goodbye, handsome.
Mr Crabb?
Thank you, ladies.
Thank you very much.
And now, please welcome onto stage...
the wondrous Dolly Sisters.
Wearing Debori cocktail dresses in apple green and Aztec gold.
These are two of my favourite pieces from the collection.
Beautifully cut garments arranged and designed
in a variety of colours.
The fastening is very cleverly concealed in the seam,
so very easy to put on and take off.
Well, thank you very much for being with us.
How easy is it to take off these clothes?
Shall we see?
Come on.
We are so lucky to have the Dolly Sisters here with us today.
Such... lively girls.
Today's busy modern woman doesn't have time for bespoke tailoring.
She wants beautiful clothes that can be admired,
tried on and purchased
in her lunch hour.
Ready?
Please don't go away,
we have another stage star performing here shortly
in a special radio broadcast.
- Ooh! - Stay with us!
Bravo.
Let's hope they can keep their clothes on.
She only got the job because it's Mr Grove's daughter.
Well, she's down in the stock room now.
There's girls that would kill for that job.
It should go to someone who deserves it.
Mind you, there's a lot of that around here.
Looks like it's going well.
If you get this lot done,
I'll take you all out for tea at the Lyons' Corner House.
- Brilliant! - Joyce? Race you... go!
Come on, then, you've gonna have to go faster than that.
Broadcasting, we are ready.
This is London LW calling.
London LW.
It is my pleasure this afternoon to introduce Mr Harry Selfridge.
Good afternoon and welcome to our broadcast,
live from Selfridges in London's Oxford Street.
- 'To celebrate the crossing of new frontiers...' - Grandpa!
'.. with the launch of our technology department.'
I am delighted to bring you a performance
by a star of the future.
All the way from America... Miss Alberta Hunter.
♪ Mmm
♪ Up on Lennox Avenue
♪ It is calm the whole day through
♪ But Harlem's really jumping after dusk
♪ Yeah
♪ Midtown's for the working day
♪ He won't blow your blues away
♪ But Harlem's really jumping after dusk
♪ Duke is at the Cotton Club ♪
Tilly. We're out of beads.
♪ Lindy Hoppers hit the track and dance until dawn, oh, boy!
♪ Hungry now at 4am
♪ Breakfast at The Radium
♪ Harlem's really jumping after dusk
♪ Play it for me now, boys ♪
Excuse me.
Beads?
I see you got the job, then?
I am normally in fashion but I'm just helping down here for a bit.
Are you Mr Grove's daughter?
He was at my interview.
He must have liked you.
I think Madame Rennard liked me.
Lucky you.
I love her dresses.
I'd better get back.
Miss Alice will be waiting for these.
Thank you, Miss Grove.
You have been very kind.
Meryl.
Tilly.
♪ Hungry now at 4am
♪ Breakfast at The Radium
♪ But Harlem's really jumping after dusk
♪ Now you can come and find me if you are ever in New York ♪
I will be.
And that concludes our special broadcast
live from Selfridges.
And that is why every woman needs a hoover.
Miss Plunkett.
Mrs Edwards, may I have a moment... please?
I wanted to apologise.
It's none of my business if you have children or not.
Miss Blenkinsop and I had not right to pry.
I was engaged when I was young.
My fiance died in South Africa.
The Boer War?
There was never anyone after him.
Then there comes a time
when you realise you'll never have those little clothes
drying in front of the fire.
I'm sorry.
People make all kinds of assumptions.
I should've known better.
Thank you.
I'm sorry I blamed you for that article.
I was wrong.
Yes. You were.
I'd taken a fall and I wasn't thinking straight.
You didn't believe me because... you don't trust me.
That's not true.
You haven't trusted me since I married Grace.
It was the first thing I've ever done for myself...
and you took it as a personal insult.
Who I marry...
.. is up to me.
As far as the business goes,
all I've ever tried to do is follow in your footsteps.
You can't.
You're your own man.
Mr Dillon is waiting for you in the Palm Court.
You don't want to be tied to my side at the store.
I understand.
I do trust you.
Thank you.
I am so sorry to have kept you waiting.
Mr Selfridge.
- Harry. - Jimmy.
Thank you for coming.
I think we err... got off on the wrong foot
the other night At Victor's. I am curious about your business.
I hear you're making quite a name for yourself.
Something about a big theatre deal?
Why didn't you ask me to your club?
- I like to meet people here. - Would they let me in?
Or would they say, "Mr. Selfridge, sir. Not here. Not one of them."
They would let you in if you were with me.
When I first came here to London, I was an outsider.
An American upstart and they called me a shopkeeper.
It wasn't a compliment.
I know what it's like to have doors not open for you.
You have to fight.
But sometimes you can pick the wrong fight.
When I first came to London...
.. I came here.
To Selfridges.
I was six years old.
My mother came here to buy me a toy To cheer me up.
We'd err... moved here from the country.
I'd never been to London before.
This building was like a palace.
I asked her who lived here.
I'd heard so many stories about my father's palace in India.
She laughed... and said, "No-one lives here. It's a store."
I said, "Then, who is Selfridge?"
She said, "It's his store."
And I thought... I thought,
"But he must be a prince to own something so magnificent.
What did she buy you?
A clockwork train.
One of our best sellers. Still very popular.
You're doing market research?
Never stops.
How did you do it? How did you do it?
I was going to ask you the same question.
You first.
Can't that wait?
Papers need them first thing.
I know we said...
.. when we got married
that neither of us wanted children.
Ah. This is Connie's baby, isn't it?
Well, it seems to be what most people want.
Most women.
Do you want a baby?
No. Do you?
No! I never thought we were that sort of couple.
Me neither.
Is that all right?
I suppose it's all right if we want it to be.
I love my work.
I love being out in the world.
Earning money.
If we had children, I'd have to give all that up.
You're ambitious.
There's nothing wrong with that.
So I told you this job had to be on my terms.
Have you seen what the papers are saying
after you dropped the Dolly Sisters on me?
You've had some great publicity.
No, no, they have and you have.
But this is my line.
Harry. I'm so grateful for everything you've done.
You... you know I think the world of you,
but if you compromise me, or my work again... it's over.
He's all yours.
Where's my wonderful Harry?
Rosie. Where's Jenny?
Out.
I thought we might join her.
There's a floating party later at this hotel.
Baccarat.
Don't you ever sleep?
Plenty of time for that when we're dead.
I almost died a few weeks back.
It makes you think.
Terrible habit.
You don't worry about tomorrow?
Ask me in the morning.
The night is young.
Is Mr Dillon in?
Certainly, Madame. Please, do come in.
Madame Rennard.
I got your flowers...
and your message.
Can I get you a drink?
I started out as a show girl.
I've had two husbands, I have no interest in a third.
I'm not Harry Selfridge's 'plus one'.
And I don't need looking after.
So what do you want?
Ma, let's get you up to bed.
Ma? Ma?
Ma?
Let's...
Ma? Ma? Ma?
It's never been attempted on that scale before.
Are you interested?
We could lose control of the stores. That's 5,000 staff.
It's their livelihoods we'd be gambling with.
This is great for us and great for the store. Get on board.
You won't talk about it, you won't do what needs to be done?
Meanwhile, Grandma's grave is unadorned.
I don't need my children telling me how I should behave.
The Dollies win, you lose. The Dollies lose, you also lose.
Whatever's the matter, Mister Grove?
Mr Grove, are you in pain?
Nothing you... nothing you need concern yourself with, Mister Crabb.
It doesn't fit.
The store opens in 20 minutes, it's not possible to change it now.
Never settle for anything less than perfection.