Marvin Miller: Michael Anthony

Quotes 

• Michael Anthony : [Anthony enters the garden to find Tipton, hidden from viewers behind a hedge, pruning some flowers]  You sent for me, sir?

  John Beresford Tipton : Mike, glad you're here.

  [Tipton displays some flowers] 

  John Beresford Tipton : Beautiful, aren't they?

  Michael Anthony : Very. First of the season?

  John Beresford Tipton : First to survive, let us say, Mike. These are the ones who struggled successfully against their enemies, such as the weeds. You know, Mike, men have their weeds, too, only we call them temptations. It's a never-ending contest - man against his weeds.

  Michael Anthony : We might call the score of that contest the measure of a man's character.

  John Beresford Tipton : I would.

  [Tipton hands an envelope to Anthony] 

  John Beresford Tipton : Here, Mike. You may get a chance to see such a contest for yourself when you deliver this to our next millionaire.

• [first lines] 

  Michael Anthony : [to the viewers]  Until the time of John Beresford Tipton's death, I was his executive secretary. Mr. Tipton was a multibillionaire whose prime fascination was the effect that huge sums of money had on those who weren't used to it. This curiosity led him into making grants to persons completely unknown to him. These grants, which I executed and supervised, were in the form of a cashier's check for $1,000,000, all of it tax-free. This is Silverstone, where John Beresford Tipton, when he was alive, enjoyed 60,000 acres of privacy. It was here that he summoned me one spring morning. I found him working in his gardens.

• Michael Anthony : [to the viewers]  As Mr. Tipton had pointed out, a man's life is a never-ending struggle.

  [Reviewing a case history file] 

  Michael Anthony : In the case of Ed Murdock, that struggle was with himself.

• Michael Anthony : [Murdock responds to a knock at his door]  Excuse me. I am looking for a Mr. Edward Murdock.

  Detective Ed Murdock : That's me.

  Michael Anthony : I'm Michael Anthony. Would you mind if I came in for a few moments?

  Detective Ed Murdock : No, sure. Come in. Excuse me.

  [Anthony enters just as Ruth Murdock enters from another room] 

  Detective Ed Murdock : Oh, honey, this is Mr. Anthony.

  [to Anthony] 

  Detective Ed Murdock : My wife.

  Ruth Murdock : How do you do? Won't you sit down?

  Michael Anthony : Thank you, Mrs. Murdock.

  [Anthony sits] 

  Michael Anthony : From your expressions, I feel I should say at once that I bring good news, not bad.

  Detective Ed Murdock : Good news? Are you sure you've got the right Murdock?

  Michael Anthony : Quite sure, sir. Your identity and address have been cross checked.

  [Opens his briefcase to withdrawn two documents, one of which he presents to Murdock] 

  Michael Anthony : I have here a cashier's check made out in your name.

  Detective Ed Murdock : Check? What for?

  [Both Murdocks gaze at the check] 

  Detective Ed Murdock : A million dollars!

  Ruth Murdock : Ed, what in the world?

  Detective Ed Murdock : [Suspiciously]  Hey, what is this?

  Michael Anthony : It means exactly what it says. And It's yours, tax-free.

  Detective Ed Murdock : [Angrily]  Look, mister, I'm a police officer. I spent five years on the bunko squad, so don't give me any baloney!

  Michael Anthony : [Rising from his seat]  A million dollars is not baloney! I represent a man who chooses to remain anonymous. His motives are his own. But I assure you, your bank will honor that check without question. There are but two conditions

  [Displaying a document] 

  Detective Ed Murdock : [to his wife]  Here it comes.

  Michael Anthony : No, they're quite simple. First, you and your wife must tell no one that you have the money, and second, you must not reveal where you gained this new wealth. If you do, whatever is left will be reclaimed on behalf of the donor.

  Detective Ed Murdock : You mean, that's all? I... I do what you said and this money is ours?

  Michael Anthony : Yes, that is absolutely all. Will you sign this pledge, Mr. Murdock?

  Detective Ed Murdock : Edward Murdock?

  Michael Anthony : That's right.

  [Murdock signs the document, and Anthony returns it to his briefcase] 

  Michael Anthony : And now, you are now a millionaire.

  Detective Ed Murdock : How... how do you say "thanks" for something like this?

  Michael Anthony : [Smiling]  You already have.

  Ruth Murdock : I want to thank you, Mr. Anthony - for much more than the money.

  Michael Anthony : I'm glad, Mrs. Murdock. Good night to you both.

  [Starts to leave] 

  Ruth Murdock : Good night.

  Detective Ed Murdock : Good night, Mr. Anthony. Thanks a million!