Crimes and Misdemeanors

We're all very proud

of Judah Rosenthal's philanthropic efforts,

his endless hours of fundraising for the hospital,

the new medical center, and now,

the ophthalmology wing,

which, until this year, had just been a dream.

But it's Judah Rosenthal, our friend,

that we most appreciate.

The husband, the father, the golf companion.

Naturally, if you have...

You're blushing, darling.

Day or night, weekends or holidays.

But you can also call Judah to find out

which is the best restaurant in Paris.

Or Athens

or which hotel to stay at in Moscow

or the best recording of a particular Mozart symphony.

My father is so nervous about having to get up and speak.

I know, I know. I knew he was nervous

when you didn't eat any of those cocktail weenies at hors d'oeuvres.

He was so courageous all week.

Then suddenly tonight, stage fright.

Really, Judah, you were fine till you got home from work today.

Any mail?

The mail's exactly where I left it this morning.

I haven't had a free second all day.

If you gotta take a shower, you better do it because I have to use it, too.

I dread making that speech tonight.

Dear Miriam Rosenthal,

I'm at the lowest point of my life

as I write you this letter.

I wish to cause no suffering,

but because I'm going through pure hell,

I ask if you can meet me one time.

Your husband and I are more than intimate friends

and have been deeply in love for over two years now.

This must be faced

as there are so many ramifications and complications.

Many promises were made, etcetera.

I need an open exchange with you to clear things.

For all three of us to go on,

the situation has got to be confronted in some fashion.

Please contact me at this number.

I want what's best for everyone.

Dolores Paley.

That the new ophthalmology wing

has become a reality is not just a tribute to me,

but to a spirit of community,

generosity,

of mutual caring,

and answered prayers.

Now it's funny I use the term "answered prayers."

You see,

I'm a man of science.

I've always been a skeptic,

but I was raised quite religiously.

And while I challenged it, even as a child,

some of that feeling must have stuck with me.

I remember my father telling me,

"the eyes of God are on us always."

The eyes of God.

What a phrase to a young boy.

I mean, what were God's eyes like?

Unimaginably penetrating, intense eyes, I assumed.

And I wonder if it was just a coincidence

that I made my specialty ophthalmology.

I'm so proud of you, Judah.

Surely we all are.

Why did you write that letter?

You know why. We've been through it.

You want to destroy my life and my family?

I want her to know the kind of man she's married to.

It was lying on the table all day.

By sheer chance, she didn't open it.

By a miracle, I got it first.

You told me over and over again you'd leave Miriam.

- We made plans. - I didn't.

You did! I gave up things for you!

- Business opportunities. - Oh, pipe dreams.

And there were other men who wanted me.

What do you want from me?

You think this was an easy decision?

I want what you told me you wanted.

To be together. Otherwise, I...

I don't know what I'll do, Judah.

I'll jump out the window, I swear.

You've been my whole life for two years.

I can't go back to the way things were.

I was at a low point when I met you. You turned everything around.

I never said I'd leave Miriam.

That's wishful thinking on your part.

Yeah, well, there's no passion left. It's boring.

Those are your words, unless you were lying to me.

Now, that's not true.

Or there's more to this than... That I don't know.

- You met someone else? - What?

Oh, come on, will you?

For God's sake, Dolores.

- Dolores. - What?

Now, look.

I've lived with her 25 years. The roots are very deep.

I mean, I can't go on leading two lives.

Yeah, well, you're not doing her any favor by pretending with her.

I'm not going to be without you.

I'm not going to let this happen to me without a fight!

- Wait a minute, listen. - I wanna speak to Miriam!

- I'm not gonna let this happen again. - Dolores, nothing is happening,

- all right? - No.

Yes. Now, listen to me, please.

Just bear with me. We'll work something out.

Let me get my thoughts together.

Just don't do anything rash. Now...

Dolores.

What?

It's gonna be okay.

On, God.

- You were gonna wait until... - Annie...

And then throw me aside like a squeezed lemon.

Squeezed lemon. Don't dramatize it.

I've given you the best years of my life

and you were willing to go on and on.

- Get out of here. - May I...

I know you for what you are.

I'm lucky I found you out. You're going out of here.

Those are my clothes!

- That was great, wasn't it? - Yeah. I loved it.

With the tuxedos and the evening gowns and everything.

I know. It was great.

God, it was wonderful to live like that. This is awful.

Let me see if I can get a cab. You stay here.

Okay.

So you want to go to the movies again tomorrow?

Oh, sure, Uncle Cliff.

Jesus.

Unless... Unless maybe we should make it a museum day, you know?

I promised your father on his deathbed

that I would give you a well-rounded education.

And, you know, we probably shouldn't go to the movies every day.

Just... Just once in a while. Even though I'd love to.

You know?

So, while we wait for a cab,

I'll give you your lesson for today.

Okay?

Your lesson is this,

don't listen to what your schoolteachers tell you,

you know? Don't pay attention to that.

Just... Just see what they look like.

And that's how you'll know what life is really gonna be like.

Ok? You heard it here first.

I think I see a cab. If we run quickly,

we can kick the crutch from that old lady and get it.

I'm back.

- Where were you? - Oh.

You know, just out and around.

You probably took your niece to the movies again.

Oh, I'm crazy about that kid.

You know, she's just great.

My brother called. He's in town.

He wants us to join him for a little dinner party tonight.

- Jesus. - Oh, please, Clifford.

You gonna make another scene?

- Hey, I didn't make a scene last time. - Yes, you certainly did.

You were not nice and your resentment showed.

I don't resent him. I've told you that.

You know, I happen to think he's a pompous ass. You don't see it

- 'cause you're in love with him. - What are you muttering?

- I'm not muttering anything. - You certainly are.

You're running down Lester under your breath.

Hey, I like your brother Ben.

Sure. Ben is a saint. You're not jealous of Ben.

You think I'm jealous of Lester

because he's a television producer?

No. I think you're jealous because he's a much-honored,

highly-respected man and he's a millionaire 10 times over,

and he's doing what you'd like to be doing.

Hey, listen, I can't watch his stuff, ok.

It's submental.

I think he wants to talk to you about a job.

I don't need a job.

And didn't I get honorable mention at that festival in, in, in...

In Cincinnati? The Cincinnati Documentary Film Festival?

This is what you're clinging to?

Everybody got honorable mention who showed up.

Boy, things have really changed around here.

Wendy, Wendy, Cliff, come here. I want you to meet Lisa.

- Hi, this is my... My sister Wendy. - Hi.

- My brother-in-law Clifford. - Hi.

This is Lisa Crosley. Lisa's gonna star in my new series.

I'm not really starring.

Yeah, well, you're one of the stars.

- It's an ensemble piece. - Mmm-hmm.

- Tell them who you're playing. - Hello, Lester.

Oh, hi. Hello, darling.

- I'm so glad you came. - Thank you so much for inviting me.

- It's a beautiful party. - Thank you.

Why don't you have a drink. I'll be right... I'm gonna see you in a second.

I'll be right there.

She gave a bundle to the Museum of Broadcasting.

She paid a lot.

She plays, uh, she plays, um...