An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving (2008 TV Movie)

Helene Joy: Mary Bassett

Photos 

Quotes 

• Mary Bassett : [Working on the Thanksgiving table cloth with Prudence and Solomon]  Most people will have their Thanksgiving dinner and then it will be gone. We'll have ours the whole year round.

  Solomon Bassett : I'd like it better if there was pudding involved.

• Mrs. Hopkins : She just fainted dead away.

  Mary Bassett : Corsets generally produce such outcomes.

• Mathilda Bassett : [Mary enters to find Solomon covered in flour]  It was an accident, Mother.

  Mary Bassett : [laughing]  Well at least you kept busy.

• Mary Bassett : We won't have any pudding or pies this year, but we have each other, and that's what Thanksgiving is about.

  Mary Bassett : But we have each other all the time. Pudding is what we look forward to.

• Mary Bassett : [after Tilly froze her hands digging in the snow]  What possessed you?

  Mathilda Bassett : Papa planted potatoes last spring.

  Mary Bassett : We won't starve.

  Mathilda Bassett : Our storage bins are empty.

  Mary Bassett : I'm working, so are you.

  Mathilda Bassett : There must be some other relatives who could assist.

  Mary Bassett : Your father's family's in Ireland.

  Mathilda Bassett : What about your family?

  Mary Bassett : Some bargains are too costly to make.

• Mary Bassett : You seem well.

  Isabella : Well enough.

  Mary Bassett : You have your health.

  Isabella : How long can we expect to indulge in these pleasantries?

  Mary Bassett : If you prefer we can dispense with them immediately.

  Isabella : What is it you require?

  Mary Bassett : Require?

  Isabella : Money.

  Mary Bassett : I require nothing.

  Isabella : Your husband is kidnapped, and you without the means to pay the rent.

  Mary Bassett : My husband is dead.

• Isabella : All that talk of wild animals and gypsies, it seemed you had become unhinged. I could not very well have that on my conscience, could I.

  Mary Bassett : This letter, may I see it?

  [Isabella reaches for the letter and Mary notices the children hiding at the door, her suspicions making sense] 

  Mary Bassett : These are difficult times, I am not always in my right mind.

  [reading letter] 

  Mary Bassett : ... kidnapped by gypsies... live like wild animals...

  [speaking to her mother] 

  Mary Bassett : It seems I have overstated my case.

• Isabella : Speaking of silk, Mrs. Hopkins, what exactly is the substance of your attire? It's so original.

  Mrs. Hopkins : This, uh, it's flaxen.

  Isabella : Flaxen? Isn't that what the poor eat for breakfast?

  [awkward silence and she looks to Mary] 

  Isabella : Is it?

  Mr. Hopkins : Mrs. Hopkins is in mourning.

  Mary Bassett : She lost three sons to scarlet fever five years ago.

  Isabella : I'm sorry.

  Mrs. Hopkins : After that I just can't wear anything too fancy.

  Isabella : Mrs. Hopkins, if I might suggest, why don't you let a little joy back into your life? You have a wonderful son home after five years, you should celebrate, have a party, with flowers and music.

• Mathilda Bassett : [Referring to the Hopkins' upcoming party]  Isabella says I should have a proper gown.

  Mary Bassett : Does she?

  Mathilda Bassett : Yes. She says a first impression is what one always remembers.

  Mary Bassett : I trust it does not owe solely to one's costume.

  Mathilda Bassett : The outward appearance effects the estimation of the rest.

  Mary Bassett : Do you hope to affect a particular person, or just cause a general stir?

• Isabella : You're not like me, Mary. You won't fail her if you let go.

  Mary Bassett : I'm more like you than I thought. Going after you like that.

  Isabella : Well I'm glad to know you have some fight in you.

• Mary Bassett : Ellis always said, life's purpose is greater than our imagination.

  Isabella : I was wrong about him. About everything. Please forgive me.

• Mary Bassett : And what else happened while I was occupied?

  Mathilda Bassett : Gad proposed. And I've accepted.

  Mary Bassett : Is that so?

  Prudence : But you wanted to be a writer.

  Mathilda Bassett : That was ages ago.

  Solomon Bassett : Let's eat!

• Mary Bassett : I heard someone say something about Thanksgiving, was that you Solomon?

  Solomon Bassett : There's lots of food!

• Mathilda Bassett : I can't go.

  Mary Bassett : Your father didn't permit the word "can't." I left my home in anger. You're leaving with all my love and support.

  Mathilda Bassett : I was happy.

  Mary Bassett : You'll find more happiness.

• Isabella : You could have had anything you wanted: best education, tours of Europe, personal acquaintance with well-bred men and women...

  Mary Bassett : Money is the only thing you could imagine wanting, isn't it?

  Isabella : I feared it would come to this.

  Mary Bassett : You have no idea what it has come to!

  Isabella : Ellis Basset was a vagrant! A vagrant!

  Mary Bassett : He was the finest man I ever met in my life! I pity you and all your well-bred friends!

• Isabella : You never did like parties. They'd always find you hiding somewhere. Under the piano, in the coat closet. Tilly's doing beautifully. You should see her.

  Mary Bassett : You shouldn't have given her the dress.

  Isabella : Poverty was your choice, not hers.

  Mary Bassett : I don't want her regretting what isn't within her means.

  Isabella : She can have whatever she wants.

  Mary Bassett : Not from you.

  Isabella : So you continue to punish me for wanting you a better husband.

  Mary Bassett : Oh, tell the truth! When I left with Ellis you were relieved.

  Isabella : Don't be ridiculous.

  Mary Bassett : Why didn't you stop me then?

  Isabella : You made your choice.

  Mary Bassett : There was no choice! You never wanted me. My whole childhood I saw you fewer times than some people see distant friends.

  Isabella : You embellish.

  Mary Bassett : When you did come I was kept out of sight by my governess who was quick to remind me I must keep my distance or run the risk of shortening your stay.

  Isabella : You had everything as a child. Complete freedom.

  Mary Bassett : Freedom is not what a child needs!

  Isabella : You were no comfort. From the moment you were born I felt your judgment.

  Mary Bassett : Judgment? I was a baby! How could I judge you?

  Isabella : Was I to grovel for your approval?

  Mary Bassett : Oh. So, deprived of approval from me, you will take it from Tilly? I have lost much this past year, I do not wish to lose my daughter as well.

• Mary Bassett : [to Isabella]  Do you want all of them, or just Tilly? Because if you want just one there's no point in buying three!

• Mary Bassett : You're a good girl, Tilly.

  Mathilda Bassett : You're a great mother.