The Careless Years (1957)

Natalie Trundy: Emily Meredith

Photos 

Quotes 

• Jerry Vernon : [at Emily's house with Emily and her parents]  Um... I got a job at the machine shop where my father works.

  Helen Meredith : That's fine.

  Jerry Vernon : It's a summer replacement, but I'll see later about something better. This pays $1.38 an hour, and since we're planning to get married, I thought I should tell you about it. It's a 40-hour week but there's time and a half for overtime...

  Charles Meredith : All right... all right, Jerry. But I just want you to understand one thing - if you get into any trouble, I'm simply not in a position to help support you.

  Jerry Vernon : Well, I'm not asking you for any help.

  Charles Meredith : Well, that's what it'll come to.

  Jerry Vernon : You make it all a question of money!

  Helen Meredith : If you care about Emily as much as you say you do, you ought to think about her. Do you want to tie her down to that kind of a life? Do you think she's ready for it?

  Emily Meredith : I've said I am!

  Helen Meredith : Has it ever occurred to you that you could have a baby by the time you're 18? Are you ready for that too?

  [Emily looks down] 

  Helen Meredith : You're letting your feelings run away with you - that's why you get so upset every time we try to bring in anything practical!

  Charles Meredith : To be blunt with you, I think that's the whole reason you're getting married... both of you.

  [pours himself a drink] 

  Jerry Vernon : Supposing we'd stayed here in your house the weekend you were away... you never would've known the difference. And we could've gone on like that, sneaking around. I mean, really being together anytime we wanted. But now, when, when we want it on the level, you treat us like a couple of delinquents.

  Charles Meredith : [pauses]  You've just shown how right we are.

  [Jerry rolls his eyes and head back in frustration] 

  Helen Meredith : Look, I know how you two feel about each other, but you can't build a marriage on that alone.

  Jerry Vernon : So what are we supposed to do? Tell us!

  Charles Meredith : Wait! That's simple.

  Jerry Vernon : That's no answer at all!

  Charles Meredith : Well, that's the only answer you're gonna get.

  Jerry Vernon : Then we'll go ahead and get married.

  Charles Meredith : You'll do nothing of the sort.

  Jerry Vernon : You can't stop us.

  Charles Meredith : She's not 18 yet!

  Jerry Vernon : She knows what she's doing.

  Charles Meredith : I didn't bring her up for this...

  Jerry Vernon : She's got a say in this...

  Charles Meredith : You get out and stay out!

  Jerry Vernon : All right, I'm goin'!

  [stalks out] 

  Emily Meredith : Jerry!

  [gets up and runs after Jerry, Charles follows] 

  Helen Meredith : Charles.

  [Charles stops] 

  Helen Meredith : Charles, let her go. You've done enough.