Blue Skies (1946) Movie Script
1
And now, the Burtain
Phonograph Company brings you...
Jed Potter and his
Off-The-Record program.
Good evening.
This is Jed Potter...
'once more in his anecdotage,
so pull up a chair.
As I promised, we're going to
turn back some of the pages...
of Irving Berlin's
Album of Songs...
songs, that like footnotes to history,
reflect an epoch in American life.
To most of us they bring back
a multitude of memories.
To me they bring back a story
which I'm going to relate tonight.
And for a very special reason.
It's an unfinished story
because the people in it are real...
and real people have a way of leaving
their stories unfinished.
However, somewhere tonight...
there is one person who may be able
to give this story its proper ending.
I hope she's listening.
It all began early in that period
of peace between two world wars.
In one of the big shows on Broadway,
there was an Irving Berlin song...
called, A Pretty Girl
Is Like A Melody.
Incidentally,
this is the story of a pretty girl...
a very pretty girl.
Don't worry! Don't worry!
Sorry, Joe.
Last night, girls!
Anything goes.
Last night or no last night,
those people paid for their tickets.
Oh, c'mon, Mack.
Mary! Mary!
That's a gorgeous thing, Mack.
- No monkey business.
- No monkey business. That's what I said.
Anybody that would-
Gosh, you're clumsy. Oh, I'm on!
Hello. Don't forget.
We're going out tonight.
- Say, you're good.
- You're crazy!
Hear that? C'mon.
- Now you've arrived.
- Oh, I'm scared to death.
- Mary, you play your cards right-
- C'mon, take a bow.
- Mary?
- Yes, Mack.
Why didn't you tell me you're leaving
the show, not going on the road?
Did Jed Potter tell you that?
He says you're going with him
into the new Dillingham show.
- I'm sticking with this show.
- Comin' up.
- Mr. Potter!
- Ah, please call me Jed.
Who gave you the right to say
I'm leaving the show?
- Well, aren't you?
- Jed.
- Don't you ever give up?
- Not where you're concerned.
I want to get you out of the chorus.
You could be a lead in a Broadway show.
- You have talent.
- Talent, hmm?
You've got great possibilities.
With a little coaching-
- In your apartment?
- What? Well, Mary, what do you mean?
I've heard all about it.
Girls do talk, you know.
- Are you gonna believe them or me?
- Them.
Thanks for the offer,
but I'm going on the road.
Now, wait a minute!
Mary, you're crazy!
I'd give my right arm...
- to get an offer like that from Jed.
- An arm wouldn't interest him.
- Bubbles?
- Junior, what a surprise!
- It's all arranged.
- What?
My man'll do your packing.
You and I are going to Dillingham's party.
No, Jed. Goodnight.
I'll just have to
drive you home then.
Thanks. I can walk there faster.
- If you're in a hurry, we'll walk.
- Jed.
On my word of honor,
I swear I'll take you straight home...
after one little drink.
All right, one drink. Where?
Oh, just any old place.
Then you won't
want me, Mr. Potter?
That's a difficult choice, Jeffrey.
Goodnight.
- Good evening, Mr. Potter.
- Hello, Jim.
Hello. How are you?
- Hi, Jed.
- Hello, Johnny.
I got your message
and I held you a nice table for two.
- Oh, just any old place, hmm?
- Well-
Have I dropped somebody's hot
potato in somebody else's lap?
You have.
My first wrong move this evening.
I hasten to rectify it.
Jed, dear boy, what a delightful surprise
having you drop in!
So unexpected! Oh, what luck!
Here's a table for two.
Come along, will you please?
- How you making out?
- Oh, great!
- Happy hangover, kiddies.
- Thank you.
Here we are.
Johnny, this is... Waiter!
- Where's the waiter?
- It's novelty night.
We're putting liquor in
the drinks. I'll be back.
Is he an old friend?
We did a hitch
in the army together.
Charming, isn't he?
Let's have a little service.
I want a drink.
- Don't you think you've had enough?
- If I think I had enough...
- would I ask for more?
- You've got a good point. Hey, Tony!
This gentleman
would like a drink.
- Number 12.
- Number 12.
The Frankenstein Special!
- Well, come on, make it snappy!
- Shh. Quiet.
- You want to wake up the waiters?
- Johnny?
Now, what was it you wanted?
Oh! I wanted-
I wanna get out of here!
Here, stay on your feet.
You'll get a draw.
Amazing, isn't it? That boy must be
a relative of the bartender.
- Johnny, take a look at this girl.
- Thank you.
I like looking at her.
Wouldn't you say there's
a brain in that head?
I'll check. May I?
I'd say in the back of those pretty
blue eyes is an attractive brain.
- Thank you, sir.
- I had the same impression.
- But we're wrong. She-
- Do you mind if I speak for myself?
Not just now, dear. I've offered to get
her a spot in Dillingham's new show.
- She turned it down.
- Ask him why he wants me in the show.
I shall do that just for you. Why do you
want this young lady in the show?
It's a chance to get her
out of the chorus-
Oh, I see...
an interest in her career.
That's nice. Why are you
rejecting Potter's offer?
My mother told me never to take
presents from strange men.
Ah, her mother.
Mary, Johnny's
known me for years.
Ask him if there's anything about me
a girl could possibly distrust.
Can I speak freely?
I forgot to tell you.
He has a fine, infantile sense of humor.
Seriously, am I right?
Of course you are.
The customer always is.
If you had one ounce
of ambition-
There's more than one kind
of ambition.
A woman can be ambitious to be famous
or ambitious just to be a woman.
Listen to who's talking
about ambition!
I, uh, don't ordinarily
admit it...
but this hillbilly and I were
once in Vaudeville together.
Shh. Not so loud.
When we got a chance
to play the Palace...
he went to Louisville and
played a honky-tonk instead.
Do you know why he went?
Because he wanted to see a horse.
I'll thank you to speak
more respectfully of Rosebud.
Did he not win the Kentucky Derby
and buy me my first nightclub?
And at Belmont Park
did he not take it away?
That he did.
I appear to be on.
Couldn't sell you flapjacks,
southern-fried chicken?
No, thanks, friend.
- We dropped in for a drink.
- I'd like some.
You shall have some after I annoy
the customers with a song.
Will you stand by?
- I, uh, thought you were in a hurry.
- Hmm?
Oh, I wasn't hungry then.
It's great!
- Hit it!
- Sir!
One, two, three, four.
Hep, two, three, four.
"Tention!
At ease.
Squad right!
Forward... march!
Halt.
Attack!
"Tention!
I've always said you have a great future.
If you'd just let me-
Anybody hurt?
- I like hearing you sing.
- I like hearing you say that.
We've seen what passes
for the floor show. Let's go, Mary.
You can't make chumps out of my flapjacks.
I wouldn't do that at your house!
Johnny, you and I are dear friends.
Will you go away?
- Jed!
- I thought we were having such fun.
We'll let Jed have his way.
We'll all go to the party.
I accept.
- What party?
- At the Woodside Inn.
Mr. Dillingham is
looking at his singers.
I could ask you to come,
but I know you can't get away.
I have a place like this so I
can get away. You joining us?
- Naturally.
- Strike up the band!
- Would you mind turning off the gas?
- Right-o!
Thank you.
- Wonderful party.
- Yes...
if there weren't
quite so many people.
- Oh, Jed?
- Yes, Mr. Dillingham.
Couple of things I want
to talk to you about.
First, what'll you
have to drink?
Oh, just a small arsenic.
You dance very well, Johnny.
You've heard of Maurice, the
international dancing star?
Yes.
- Sold him his first pair of pumps.
- No!
Yes!
Nita, I happen to be
in show business myself.
- Waiter!
- Yes, sir.
He looked a little familiar.
A little familiar I don't mind.
These high-class places!
Don't you think we're gettin' off
our course? We'd better head back.
- Why?
- Why?
I had a reason,
but it slipped my mind.
- What do you think we'll find in here?
- Us, you suppose?
- Let's go in and see.
- All right.
- Very private in here, hmm?
- Isn't it nice?
Do you think Jed's
gonna like this?
- How could he? He isn't here?
- I noticed that.
Fellas can get punched in the nose
for things like this.
- I don't believe you're worried.
- Oh, these dancers...
they're quick on
their feet, shifty.
He might cut me to pieces
before I could tag you.
How long you going to
keep this thing going?
What thing?
This burn on Jed.
That's what I'm here for, isn't it?
- Oh, no!
- No?
No! I like you, Johnny.
Well, that's
a strange coincidence.
I like you, too, Mary.
When I first saw you, it was
like meeting someone from home.
Yeah?
This is only my second year
away from Duluth...
and the people I've met here, around
the theater mostly, seem irresponsible...
- and not like you.
- Irresponsible, huh?
- You know, you remind me a lot of George.
- George?
My brother-in-law:
His charm, sincerity...
and the word Dad
always uses... stability.
Stability, huh?
- You know what I like about George?
- What?
His sister-in-law.
I'm sorry she's going on the road.
Johnny, I'll miss your place,
the Flapjack.
- I'll miss it too.
- You?
Yeah, I sold it today.
I have other plans.
- A bigger place?
- A smaller place, more intimate.
Gonna call it the
Hole In The Wall.
- Won't a smaller place make less money?
- If I'm on my toes, it will.
I don't understand.
Did you ever have a good,
new hat that you grew tired of?
Of course, but aren't nightclubs
more expensive?
More fun too.
I guess Jed wasn't joking
about your betting on that horse.
No, I don't think Dad
would say you have stability.
No.
I still like the way you sing.
I still like to hear you say it.
But I think you sing
the wrong kind of songs.
You do?
Not that comic songs aren't all right,
but take the one they're playing now.
Do you know it?
- No, the words... sing it.
- All right.
So it won't be a total loss,
let's dance.
Hello.
- Oh, hello.
- Why, Jed, how are you?
Mary, may I remind you that
since the beginning of time...
women have been attracted to shiftless,
unreliable, no-good vagabonds.
The wise woman runs from this sort
as she would from the plague.
- Nothing personal, dear fellow.
- Of course not, dear friend.
What he told you is very true.
I've changed my mind, if you still
want me in the Dillingham show.
That's great!
She's brighter than I thought.
And, Johnny, I won't
be going on the road.
Remember, we were now in
the Roaring Twenties...
the era of flaming youth, prohibition,
ballyhoo and bathing beauties.
The dancing was
cheek-to-cheek and people
were worried about the
younger generation...
which, in turn, is now worried
about the younger generation.
Mary saw a lot of Johnny,
but more of Jed...
who, as promised, got her
into the Dillingham show.
On the night of
the Broadway opening-...
Nice work! I'm proud of you.
- They didn't throw anything at me.
- Throw anything?
- Stick with me and they'll throw diamonds.
- Jed, you're on!
- I am? How am I doing?
- Jed, please!
Okay, I'm ready!
- For you, Mary.
- Me?
Johnny?
Nice goin', Jed!
Come in.
- Sorry.
- All right, Jed.
Mary, wait for me
after the show.
- We have serious celebrating to do.
- I can't, Jed.
- I'm going to be busy.
- Busy?
- Tonight?
- Uh-huh.
- Johnny?
- Yeah.
Be careful. That sort of thing
can lead to marriage.
- If I'm lucky.
- Oh.
If it's a husband
you're after, I might-
No, that's against all my principles.
I might reconsider.
Jed, will you change.
You're on right after the sketch.
Right!
I'm not gonna say
anything against Johnny...
not because I'm a gentleman,
but because I know it won't do any good.
Seriously, do you believe
he's the right man for you?
No... but he's the only one.
You think he's the sort who's
likely to propose marriage?
Yes, Jed, I think he will...
tonight.
And if he doesn't, I will.
There's only one thing
left for me to do.
What's that?
Go and get changed
for my next number.
A beautiful place!
A beautiful place you have!
- I tell you, I have a few ideas.
- What do you propose?
Say, doesn't she look like the new
Dillingham star, the beautiful Miss-
- What is her name again?
- Johnny!
I heard what a big hit
you were tonight.
Made me feel good,
but I wasn't surprised.
- Big thrill, huh?
- Bigger thrill if you'd been there.
I intended to be.
Had my ticket, third row center.
- Good seat.
- But I got tangled up with this fellow.
- Say, this wall's plaster, no?
- That's right.
- We push him out.
- Remodeling?
- Mr. Rakopolis is. He's the new owner.
- New owner?
I sold him the Hole In The Wall
just before show time.
- That explains this here.
- Oh, I see.
That Johnny! Such a man
to do business with!
I buy the place unfurnished,
he throws in the furniture!
Why? He's sick of it.
Wait'll you see the new place.
I'm gonna have-
- Johnny, let's go some place quiet where we an talk.
- Sure, if you want to.
But I can't right now.
I gotta do a song here.
Como est?
Muy bien!
- Mary's waiting for you upstairs.
- Upstairs?
- Thanks.
- Tony!
Tony! This man insulted me!
He did?
- He did?
- Yeah! Throw him out.
That might not be necessary,
if you behave yourself.
- If he behaves himself!
- And If I don't?
- He'll break every bone in your body.
- You're so right.
Maybe you don't know it,
but I happen to be the bouncer here.
Okay, start bouncing.
Nita, I'd rather you
didn't watch this.
Messy, you know. Please.
- We'd better step outside.
- A pleasure! Come on!
Coward!
You wanna buy a nightclub?
How 'bout some champagne?
No champagne?
Tsk! It's absolutely incredible.
No one gal could be that pretty.
How's Jed?
Fine.
You know, I really intended
to go to that opening.
This the next place?
No, that's a little
spot I had in Cleveland.
The next place is gonna be something!
I'm gonna call it the Song Book.
- And when do you sell the Song Book?
- Not selling, keeping.
That's the place I've always dreamed about,
but never could quite figure it out.
Near the park, outdoors with fresh air
and music, lights and scenery!
No drunks.
C'mon, this has been a big evening
for you and me, hasn't it?
I sell the place and you
walk off with a big hit.
- It didn't mean a lot to me, Johnny.
- No?
Other things mean
ever so much more.
Like what?
- Want me to answer that?
- Yes, if you'd like.
You're more important
to me, Johnny.
See here, lady.
You're a Broadway star.
You better keep
your sense of values.
I'm in love with you, Johnny.
- You in love with me?
- Yeah.
I guess I am... plenty.
Well, haven't I done more than my share?
Do I have to propose too?
Oh, Mary!
Oh, Johnny! I'd have died
if you'd said no.
Mary, this is a very
difficult thing to say.
There's a lot of fellas
cut out to be husbands...
but I'm just not one of them.
You like stability, and stability
and I just don't get along.
I might marry you and I'd be hurting you.
That would hurt me too.
I guess I'm just selfish.
That's the way I am though.
I didn't want this
to happen, Mary.
I just happened to be
in the neighbourhood.
- Something up?
- Something's over.
I guess a girl should know better
than to propose.
Mary, you know...
sometimes a place horse
pays more than the winner.
Now, if you'd like to try that proposal
a second time-
During the months that followed
Mary tried to forget Johnny.
'And Jed was usually there
to make forgetting easier.
They danced together, dined together
and went to the movies together.
Those were the days when the nation
was keeping cool with Coolidge...
and discovering fabulous gold
in Wall Street's ticker tape.
The younger people were
keeping a little less
cool with the screen's
great love legend...
Rudolph Valentino.
Another year brought another
Broadway show for Jed and Mary.
The day after the opening,
as the company was rehearsing-...
Keep it up, girls.
Oh, no! The right foot,
not the left.
- How are you?
- Oh, hello.
I'd like to see
Mary O'Dare, please.
Angie, show her which
is her right foot, please.
Well, look who's here!
Johnny, come on in!
- Twinkle-toes, how are you?
- Sure glad to see you.
- Tony.
- How are you, Jed?
- Been almost a year, hasn't it?
- A wonderful year.
- Angie, give them all ten minutes.
- Okay, kids, take ten.
See you later.
- I caught your opening last night.
- Good opening.
I thought you were on
a little bit too long.
Thanks very much.
- You haven't changed.
- Not a bit.
There must be an audience for your kind
of dancing, but I never could go for it.
You needn't apologize
for your lack of taste.
Anybody can have a blind spot.
There was a girl in the show.
She was grand.
- Mary?
- Yes.
Isn't that funny. We were talking
about you just a year ago...
you and your quaint
little nightclubs.
- Charming, but you won't take offence?
- Not at all.
I know the atmosphere
your customers like.
But would it be too daring if you
occasionally had the joint swept out?
You still have the heart
of a janitor. Where is Mary?
Um, uh... Say, Johnny!
Don't you remember?
Passaic, New Jersey?
Cliff was at the piano
when we played the Bijou.
Old Cliff, huh?
- How are you?
- You guys had a sweet little act.
I remember it very well.
That's more than he ever did.
- Is that so?
- Johnny, do you remember this?
- Song and Dance Man.
- Song and Dance Man. That's right.
He didn't remember it
then, how can he know it now?
Get out!
I bet I could do it now.
You wanna try it?
What?
- Can you play it? Play it.
- Sure.
Go ahead.
Ladies and gentlemen, my partner
will now give you his impression...
of a young man on the way to visit
his best girl on a Sunday afternoon.
My partner.
A young lady crossing the street
on a rainy afternoon.
- Skip the gutter!
- Whoo!
A young man on his way
to the saloon to get a scuttle of suds...
otherwise known as
rushing the growler.
My, he's been in
that saloon a long time!
A porter helping you rush
to catch the 5.15 train.
We will now do two lumberjacks
meeting on the street.
Hiya!
Timber!
Our next impression will be two local
politicians meeting on the street.
- My friend!
- Hello!
Here, here, here!
I've been layin' off, friend.
Our next impression will be two farmers,
Hy and Sy, meeting on the street.
- Hi, Sy!
- Morning, Hy!
- Well, what're we waiting fer?
- Let's get at it.
How 'bout a little cream?
Hey!
Johnny, you sure surprise me.
With a couple more
rehearsals, I can use you.
All right, girls, places. Say,
Jed, I didn't come here to reminisce.
- Where's Mary?
- Mary?
Oh, I'm glad you mentioned her.
Got something to show you.
Is it for Mary?
Yeah.
You're a lucky guy.
Hello, Johnny.
Hello, Mary.
- Congratulations.
- Thank you. Saw the show?
Oh, yeah the show! Yeah.
You were great.
I, uh, sort of thought
you might drop over to my place...
the two of you.
We might do that sometime.
What place you got now?
Still the Song Book.
I'm keeping that.
Well, I just wanted you to know
how much I liked you in the show.
That's very nice of you, Johnny.
- You, too, Jed.
- Thanks, Johnny.
So long.
Still over it?
Completely.
Call me at the bank,
uh, Federal Reserve...
any time between 10.00 and 3.00.
I've always wanted to
go out with a banker.
How sweet.
Tony.
Don't forget, just ask
for the vice president.
Good day.
- Good thing he showed up.
- Why?
I kind of had a feeling
he was still on your mind...
- without realizing it, I mean.
- Oh, Jed!
I've got something to show you.
I've seen it. It's beautiful.
- I thought maybe the second look-
- It's the fifth look, Jed.
That's even better.
You know what you're getting.
No more nonsense. We're driving to Jersey
to get married right now.
Darling, you're sweet
and considerate.
I'm sure there's no other man
in the world quite like you.
- But-
- But!
What an unpleasant word!
Please let me think about it
a little longer.
Pretty sure it isn't Johnny?
- Quite sure.
- Certain?
Why do you keep saying
it's Johnny? It isn't Johnny.
That's over. I told you that.
Mary, one way or another...
you're getting engaged tonight.
That's Johnny's place.
Let's not go in.
I don't want to see him.
But I want you to, Mary.
Go and talk to him.
Get things straightened
out in your mind.
No, Jed.
I made that mistake once before.
Darling, I don't think Johnny
will ever care very deeply for anybody.
I am a little worried
about your feeling for him.
Anyway, it's time we found out.
Come on.
I'll wait here.
Hey, buddy?
Wanna buy a hot ring?
- That's lovely. Let's stop here.
- Whoa. Giddy-up.
- Attendez!
- Oh, a French horse.
No, he's French Canadian, I think.
- Lunch.
- Yeah. Packin' the kitchen.
The master is famished.
- Happy, Johnny?
- Mm-hmm.
There was something
I wanted to tell you.
About lunch?
No, about me. What was it?
Oh! It was about me
being in love with my wife.
You better be.
That's quite a face you have.
I'm glad you think so.
I think I'll keep it.
Oh, Johnny!
Three weeks is such
a short honeymoon.
I was countin' on
about 60 years.
That's all right with me.
Johnny, when we get back...
would you mind if I helped out
at the Song Book? I want to be with you.
- Sure. You're always with me.
- It'll be such fun.
If anyone comes in, I'll say,
See that fascinating fellow over there?
That's my husband.
He owns the Song Book.
That might not be
entirely accurate, honey.
That fascinating fellow's not
your husband. It's Mr. Rakopolis.
Rakopolis?
Amazing little guy.
Loves to buy nightclubs.
- You sold him the Song Book?
- A very small loss!
It was doing so well.
Wait'll you see the
new place I have in mind.
- Johnny, didn't you say we were partners?
- I was wrong.
You are the boss!
No. Junior partner, that's me.
Uh-uh. That position's filled.
Honey, from now on
I'm gonna be Mr. Stability.
I don't make a move
without checking with the boss.
- Okay?
- Okay.
- You like kids, don't you?
- Sure... even better than horses.
I think we oughta have
about five kids.
First four oughta be girls, and the rest
can be anything else you want.
We're gonna think about
the future, aren't we?
Right.
Right.
Johnny, look at that sky!
It's gonna storm.
No, not for us, honey.
And for quite a while the skies
remained blue for Johnny and Mary.
He opened another nightclub,
this time in Cleveland...
a charming spot which
he said he'd never sell.
The Little Spot did all right,
but Johnny had a better idea.
That meant moving to St Louis.
After a time, Mary got to feeling
at home in St Louis and wanted to stay.
'Johnny said they'd stay,
and they did...
until he got
a much better idea.
Oh, much better!
A little Russian place in New York.
Rather appropriate,
that lullaby...
because new responsibilities
were in store for Johnny.
For Mary, new anxieties
about the future.
It was on a Sunday afternoon-...
Oh, Tony, look!
Doesn't that make you sort
of yearn for something?
Yeah. Dinner. I'm starving.
Will you stop that pacing?
You're making me nervous.
Sit down.
I'll take over.
- Is Mary all right?
- Yes, she's fine.
Not too close.
Tiny, isn't he?
- Shel.
- Yes, she.
The little lady weighs
six pounds, three ounces.
Is that good?
Perfect.
Not too close! What's
the matter with you?
Well, they always look like that.
When my cousin-
- She's beautiful!
- You think so?
- Yes.
- Doctor, can I go in and see Mary now?
She's still half asleep,
but you may see her.
Thank you.
I'm sorry. Only the father.
Hello, paleface.
Johnny, where were you?
I needed you.
Believe me, I was so nervous
I needed you too.
Oh, you should've told me.
- See her?
- Yeah, she's beautiful.
- Like me?
- Like you.
My child.
What else would you expect?
You're pretty pleased
with yourself today, aren't you?
You pleased with me?
Pleased with the baby too.
She's lucky, isn't she, Johnny,
being our child?
We're lucky too, honey.
- She's going to college, isn't she?
- Not right away.
She'll have all the
things we didn't have.
You betcha.
You feeling all right?
I had a baby today,
a beautiful baby girl.
I know. I had one too.
Oh, don't be silly.
Men don't have babies.
You wanna bet?
- Name one.
- Me!
That's right.
Honey, I wanna
tell you something.
From now on my feet
are gonna be on the ground, solid.
No more shifting around
from place to place...
- travelling around.
- Thank you, Johnny.
I got something
I wanna show you.
Don't go away.
I made arrangements at the bank.
We are gonna have the swankiest, most
elaborate and best nightclub in all New York.
Junior can wear ermine
diapers trimmed in platina.
There it is, honey,
our gold mine.
Bonsoir! Welcome to zee Top Hat.
Mesdames, Monsieur,
if you please.
Are we too late for the show?
No, it will start
in about 15 minutes.
I'm so glad.
I know you'll enjoy it.
I am sure you will...
until zee gets the check.
Ah, Mademoiselle Nita.
Vous etes tres charmante.
Danke schoen.
Auf Wiedersehen.
Ah, the reservations!
We have enough to fill
this place for a month!
Hear that, Jed?
The Top Hat was a great success.
It meant security,
roots in the ground.
The things Mary wanted,
but not what Johnny wanted. So...
Yes?
No, but he is back in town.
He just phoned from the station.
Mr. Cuyler?
Did he say he wanted to sell?
Could you call
in about 15 minutes?
- Mr. Cuyler?
- Mary?
The fisherman's home.
- How are you, Johnny?
- I'm a little tired.
Working all day
over a hot brook.
It's good to be back.
They were really bitin' up there this
year, Mary. Everybody caught their limit.
Tony caught cold.
- Baby awake?
- No.
- She's all right, isn't she?
- Fine.
Johnny, a Mr. Cuyler phoned.
Oh, Cuyler, hmm?
That's a little business matter.
I'm gonna see him in the morning about it.
He said he was
going to buy the Top Hat.
Did he say that?
You're not going to sell,
are you, Johnny?
Well, I was kinda...
thinking about it.
- Sure you haven't made up your mind?
- Yeah, I guess I have.
Without consulting me?
I didn't consult you
because I knew what you'd say.
In other words, you want my opinion
when it agrees with yours.
Oh, Mary, that's not being fair.
Wait'll you hear the
things I got planned.
- A little nightclub in Albuquerque?
- No, Louisville.
You know how I feel about the Top Hat,
why I take these trips.
The joint's too big.
There's no fun there.
It's the most successful
place you've ever had, Johnny.
- And we have a child.
- A wonderful child.
- I don't want you to sell.
- I promised Cuyler.
You promised me too!
Johnny, in the three years we've been
married, I've done the things you wanted...
whether it was go to St Louis,
Cleveland or the movies.
- I've been selfish.
- Maybe... without realizing it.
But this time, I want my way.
- I insist you don't sell.
- You insist? That's a strong word.
- It's the way I feel. If our marriage-
- Our marriage?
- You mean this can make a difference?
- Yes, it can.
- Well, it can't be much of a marriage.
- Well, is it?
- What kind of a question is that?
- I'm not blaming you.
I haven't forgotten about
not wanting to be tied down.
I'm not tied down.
If you're not,
it isn't a marriage!
I'm tied down and you've got to decide
whether you want to be.
I don't get it. If I sell the Top Hat,
you and I are washed up?
That's exactly what I mean.
I don't like threats, Mary.
- Probably Cuyler.
- Probably.
Hello.
Hiya, Cuyler.
Mm-hmm. Certainly.
Draw up the papers. I'll have my
lawyer see you in the morning.
Right.
That's the way it happened.
Johnny and Mary parted, each convinced
that the other was no longer in love.
The separation was painful,
but being proud, neither would back down.
A year went by, then another.
Mary never heard from Johnny.
And when Johnny heard from her,
it was through her lawyer.
A divorce had been granted.
The following spring, Mary was
in another show... with Jed.
Johnny, who had been wandering aimlessly
opening and selling nightclubs...
had a new place in Chicago:
The Cracker Barrel.
Now, ladies and gentlemen,
I want you to meet dear Mrs. Murgatroyd.
It's her 18th wedding anniversary,
an occasion of some significance.
She thought she'd like to see what the
inside of a cocktail lounge looks like.
Dear Mrs. Murgatroyd.
She's a grand girl, grand girl!
My feet are killing me!
Young man? Young man!
Would you mind just
watching this bag please?
Thank you very much.
Young man... that bag. Hmph!
Oh! Oh, well, waiter,
I don't know exactly what to order.
I, uh...
I am not a drinking woman.
I'm celebrating my wedding anniversary
and I thought that you might-
Thank you. Eighteenth anniversary.
Thank you. You're very kind.
I thought that you might have
some drink that is sort of...
oh, I don't know,
sort of anniversary-sh like.
Hmm? No, I've never had a-
Waiter, I've never had
a drink in my life!
Well, once in a while a little slug
of gin, just a very little bit.
Hmm? You would suggest what?
Oh, no, no. Something very mild.
Something like a, um...
like a zombie.
Why do you stare?
Oh, never mind.
Just bring me a scotch and soda.
Thank you.
Oh, waiter, no, just leave it. I'll mix
it mysel-Waiter, just leave it, please.
I'll mix it.
I'd rather mix it myself. Thank you.
Lucy! Lucy Jamison!
Imagine finding you in here!
The president of our lodge.
Oh, no. Oh, no you haven't.
Lucy, I have never been in here
before in my life!
Tell me, are you still living
on the top of Highland Avenue?
Oh, that steep hill?
Oh, Lucy, what a hill for you to climb!
And in your condition, too,
you know.
Oh, you just come in here nightly
for one shot to send you up the hill!
Oh, I see. Mm-hmm.
Oh, I must be getting home
and get those potatoes on.
I want to have a wonderful meal for Chesley
when he comes home from the office.
I have celery for him.
I have fresh vegetables for him.
I have a big goose for him.
I- Lucy, what did you do,
order another one?
But you know I never touch-
Lucy, I never-
Oh, I guess it being a special
occasion it wouldn't hurt.
Well, down the hatch.
You know, that wasn't
as strong as the first one.
Eighteen years.
Eighteen wonderful years
with Chesley.
So you can see just-
So you can see just-
Excuse me, Lucy.
So you can see just-
That makes me so mad.
I just paid $17.50!
They shouldn't whistle
back at me like that.
Whee!
Lucy, do you find it
kind of warm in here?
I don't think this place
is air-conditioned.
Lucy, I think I-
I think I'm gonna be all right.
No, it's nothing you've said.
Lucy, it's nothing you've said, dear.
I'll be all right in just a minute.
I was just thinking. Eighteen years!
Eighteen years with Chesley.
Now I can speak the truth.
It's been 18 horrible years!
I work and slave over
that hot stove all day long...
while he works down
in that nice, cool sewer.
The only thing he's bought me
in the last year...
in the last year...
is this stinking hat!
Oh, dear, I must get home
and get those potatoes on.
Lucy, let's you and I go somewhere
where it's peaceful and quiet.
No noise, no music,
just peace and quiet.
I'd like to tell you
the story of my life.
Let's go to the Three Deuces.
What, dear? The what?
The potatoes? Oh, to heck with
the potatoes! I'm getting out of here.
Come on, dear.
- Nita!
- Oh, Tony.
Am I glad to see you.
- What's the matter with you?
- With me?
Oh, darling.
- Where's Johnny?
- In the office.
- How's Mary?
- Oh, she-
Tony, I have so much
to tell you. Order me a drink.
Yeah.
Nita!
- What are you doin' in Chicago?
- What am I doin' in Chicago?
- Don't you read the papers?
- Just the racing form. You running at Arlington?
Oh, Johnny. I'm in the show, Heat Wave,
with Mary and Jed.
Didn't you know we open here Monday?
I read about it somewhere.
You're sure lookin' swell.
Things been goin' all right?
- Fine, Johnny. And you?
- All right.
Are you coming to the opening?
I'd like to catch it, but, uh-
New cafe and new help, I really
oughta stand by here and help out.
- Johnny?
- Hmm?
- The baby's here.
- Yeah?
- Gee, she must be gettin' to be a big girl now.
- Oh, you wouldn't know her.
I suppose I wouldn't.
Mary all right?
You're still in love with her,
aren't you?
We're divorced.
She's in love with you, Johnny.
Did she say so?
She doesn't have to.
Go and see her.
Oh, Nita, I-
You'll have to excuse me.
We're really busy here.
- Why don't you come in and see us again sometime?
- & How much do I love you.
Soon, huh?
She's staying at
the Sir Francis.
[ Doorbell Buzzes I.
Hello, Martha.
When I heard your voice
over the phone, I couldn't believe it.
- It's so nice to see you.
- Thank you, Martha.
Did Mary say what time
she's likely to be back?
No, she didn't.
- I suppose the baby's asleep.
- Not that one. She's a night owl.
- Could I see her?
- Of course.
- I think I'd better leave you two alone.
- All right.
- Hello, Mary Elizabeth.
- Hello.
- Who are you?
- I'm an old friend of your mother's.
- Good friend?
- I hope so.
- Now I know who you are.
- You do?
Uh-huh. Mommy showed me
your picture.
You're my old daddy, aren't you?
- That's right.
- I'm pleased to meet you.
The feeling is mutual.
- Do I rate a kiss?
- Oh, no!
- Why not?
- Mommy says I mustn't kiss strangers.
I'm not exactly a stranger.
I knew you when you were that big.
- I must've been very young.
- Yes, you were very young.
Okay, you can kiss me.
How 'bout going to bed now?
- Will you tell me a story first?
- What kind of a story?
Do you know the story about
Running Around in Circles?
It's a very good story.
I'm sorry,
I don't know that one.
It's on my piano.
Mommy sings it for me. Will you sing it?
Then will you go to bed?
You got yourself a song.
- It's my piano. Uncle Jed gave it to me.
- Uncle Jed, huh?
Your Uncle Jed's
a pretty nice man.
This the song here?
It's quite a thing.
You're right, honey. That's a very
pretty story. It has a message too.
- You sing nice.
- Thank you.
- Can you kick your heels up in the air?
- Oh, no, not lately.
- Uncle Jed can.
- I should say he can!
Do you like your Uncle Jed?
- Oh, yes! I was going to marry him.
- You were?
But Mommy is.
- She is?
- Uh-huh. Next week.
I'm invited to the wedding.
Want to see my invitation?
Isn't that an invitation?
- That's what it is.
- Did you get one?
You better go to sleep.
- Goodbye, Daddy.
- Bye, Mary Elizabeth.
You mean, right away?
But... Johnny,
we're doing so well!
Okay. I just mentioned it.
Well...
good luck.
- Tony!
- Mary!
- Darling. Hello, Jed.
- Hello, Tony.
Is Johnny here?
- No, he, um-
- He isn't?
He just phoned.
Said he was leaving town.
As usual, I don't suppose
he said where he was going.
No, he just said he'd get in touch with me
in a couple of months.
Too bad. We wanted to
ask him to our wedding.
Jed, please.
I'd invite you, Tony,
but it's gonna be a small affair.
I'm not even sure
the bride will be there.
- Uh... could I get you a drink?
- No, thanks.
Well, uh... I need one.
Come on, sugar.
- Darling-
- I know. I know.
That two dollars I spent
for the marriage license, shot to pieces.
Oh, I wish I didn't love him.
But I guess I always will.
I know how it is.
Oh, Jed!
Mary.
Yes, Dan?
Maybe you can talk to Jed.
He's hittin' the bottle.
If he ain't steady, that Heat Wave dance
can be pretty dangerous.
I have talked to him
and it doesn't help.
- Can't you cut out the number?
- I suggested that.
He just laughed.-
Come in!
Oh, if it isn't Miss Melody herself!
I was thinking about you.
Jed.
Remember that night back in New York?
The show was closing?
- Darling, I'm worried about you.
- Me? Why?
- That.
- That?
Oh, that! That's very good.
It's 20 years old.
Don't you think you oughta cut out
the Heat Wave number tonight?
- At least the part on top of the bridge.
- Silliest thing I ever heard.
You see that straight line?
You watch.
Steady as the well-known rock.
- Here's to the most beautiful girl-
- Please, Jed.
- I hear you're leaving the show.
- Saturday.
Saturday.
Well, what do you think of that?
- That calls for a final drink.
- No, Jed.
Oh, yes, Jed. And oh, yes, Mary.
Gotta have a final drink.
In fact, it's the final,
final, final drink.
Please be careful.
01:20 Of course I'll be careful.
I'll be very careful.
Five minutes,
Mr. Potter.
Right.
That cured Jed Potter
of drinking.
It was the last time
he ever danced...
and the last time
he ever saw Mary.
Believing she had destroyed
the lives of the two men she loved...
Mary disappeared...
went to Europe, we heard.
When the Second World War started, there
were reports Mary had returned to America.
But we never found her.
Johnny was doing
a job at the time. Remember?
Well, that's our story
as far as it goes.
And now, ladies and gentlemen,
I have a little surprise.
It just so happens that that certain
Johnny Adams is in the studio with me.
I wonder, um-Johnny?
- Yes, Jed?
- How'd you like to put a nice finish to this story?
I'll try.
And now, the Burtain
Phonograph Company brings you...
Jed Potter and his
Off-The-Record program.
Good evening.
This is Jed Potter...
'once more in his anecdotage,
so pull up a chair.
As I promised, we're going to
turn back some of the pages...
of Irving Berlin's
Album of Songs...
songs, that like footnotes to history,
reflect an epoch in American life.
To most of us they bring back
a multitude of memories.
To me they bring back a story
which I'm going to relate tonight.
And for a very special reason.
It's an unfinished story
because the people in it are real...
and real people have a way of leaving
their stories unfinished.
However, somewhere tonight...
there is one person who may be able
to give this story its proper ending.
I hope she's listening.
It all began early in that period
of peace between two world wars.
In one of the big shows on Broadway,
there was an Irving Berlin song...
called, A Pretty Girl
Is Like A Melody.
Incidentally,
this is the story of a pretty girl...
a very pretty girl.
Don't worry! Don't worry!
Sorry, Joe.
Last night, girls!
Anything goes.
Last night or no last night,
those people paid for their tickets.
Oh, c'mon, Mack.
Mary! Mary!
That's a gorgeous thing, Mack.
- No monkey business.
- No monkey business. That's what I said.
Anybody that would-
Gosh, you're clumsy. Oh, I'm on!
Hello. Don't forget.
We're going out tonight.
- Say, you're good.
- You're crazy!
Hear that? C'mon.
- Now you've arrived.
- Oh, I'm scared to death.
- Mary, you play your cards right-
- C'mon, take a bow.
- Mary?
- Yes, Mack.
Why didn't you tell me you're leaving
the show, not going on the road?
Did Jed Potter tell you that?
He says you're going with him
into the new Dillingham show.
- I'm sticking with this show.
- Comin' up.
- Mr. Potter!
- Ah, please call me Jed.
Who gave you the right to say
I'm leaving the show?
- Well, aren't you?
- Jed.
- Don't you ever give up?
- Not where you're concerned.
I want to get you out of the chorus.
You could be a lead in a Broadway show.
- You have talent.
- Talent, hmm?
You've got great possibilities.
With a little coaching-
- In your apartment?
- What? Well, Mary, what do you mean?
I've heard all about it.
Girls do talk, you know.
- Are you gonna believe them or me?
- Them.
Thanks for the offer,
but I'm going on the road.
Now, wait a minute!
Mary, you're crazy!
I'd give my right arm...
- to get an offer like that from Jed.
- An arm wouldn't interest him.
- Bubbles?
- Junior, what a surprise!
- It's all arranged.
- What?
My man'll do your packing.
You and I are going to Dillingham's party.
No, Jed. Goodnight.
I'll just have to
drive you home then.
Thanks. I can walk there faster.
- If you're in a hurry, we'll walk.
- Jed.
On my word of honor,
I swear I'll take you straight home...
after one little drink.
All right, one drink. Where?
Oh, just any old place.
Then you won't
want me, Mr. Potter?
That's a difficult choice, Jeffrey.
Goodnight.
- Good evening, Mr. Potter.
- Hello, Jim.
Hello. How are you?
- Hi, Jed.
- Hello, Johnny.
I got your message
and I held you a nice table for two.
- Oh, just any old place, hmm?
- Well-
Have I dropped somebody's hot
potato in somebody else's lap?
You have.
My first wrong move this evening.
I hasten to rectify it.
Jed, dear boy, what a delightful surprise
having you drop in!
So unexpected! Oh, what luck!
Here's a table for two.
Come along, will you please?
- How you making out?
- Oh, great!
- Happy hangover, kiddies.
- Thank you.
Here we are.
Johnny, this is... Waiter!
- Where's the waiter?
- It's novelty night.
We're putting liquor in
the drinks. I'll be back.
Is he an old friend?
We did a hitch
in the army together.
Charming, isn't he?
Let's have a little service.
I want a drink.
- Don't you think you've had enough?
- If I think I had enough...
- would I ask for more?
- You've got a good point. Hey, Tony!
This gentleman
would like a drink.
- Number 12.
- Number 12.
The Frankenstein Special!
- Well, come on, make it snappy!
- Shh. Quiet.
- You want to wake up the waiters?
- Johnny?
Now, what was it you wanted?
Oh! I wanted-
I wanna get out of here!
Here, stay on your feet.
You'll get a draw.
Amazing, isn't it? That boy must be
a relative of the bartender.
- Johnny, take a look at this girl.
- Thank you.
I like looking at her.
Wouldn't you say there's
a brain in that head?
I'll check. May I?
I'd say in the back of those pretty
blue eyes is an attractive brain.
- Thank you, sir.
- I had the same impression.
- But we're wrong. She-
- Do you mind if I speak for myself?
Not just now, dear. I've offered to get
her a spot in Dillingham's new show.
- She turned it down.
- Ask him why he wants me in the show.
I shall do that just for you. Why do you
want this young lady in the show?
It's a chance to get her
out of the chorus-
Oh, I see...
an interest in her career.
That's nice. Why are you
rejecting Potter's offer?
My mother told me never to take
presents from strange men.
Ah, her mother.
Mary, Johnny's
known me for years.
Ask him if there's anything about me
a girl could possibly distrust.
Can I speak freely?
I forgot to tell you.
He has a fine, infantile sense of humor.
Seriously, am I right?
Of course you are.
The customer always is.
If you had one ounce
of ambition-
There's more than one kind
of ambition.
A woman can be ambitious to be famous
or ambitious just to be a woman.
Listen to who's talking
about ambition!
I, uh, don't ordinarily
admit it...
but this hillbilly and I were
once in Vaudeville together.
Shh. Not so loud.
When we got a chance
to play the Palace...
he went to Louisville and
played a honky-tonk instead.
Do you know why he went?
Because he wanted to see a horse.
I'll thank you to speak
more respectfully of Rosebud.
Did he not win the Kentucky Derby
and buy me my first nightclub?
And at Belmont Park
did he not take it away?
That he did.
I appear to be on.
Couldn't sell you flapjacks,
southern-fried chicken?
No, thanks, friend.
- We dropped in for a drink.
- I'd like some.
You shall have some after I annoy
the customers with a song.
Will you stand by?
- I, uh, thought you were in a hurry.
- Hmm?
Oh, I wasn't hungry then.
It's great!
- Hit it!
- Sir!
One, two, three, four.
Hep, two, three, four.
"Tention!
At ease.
Squad right!
Forward... march!
Halt.
Attack!
"Tention!
I've always said you have a great future.
If you'd just let me-
Anybody hurt?
- I like hearing you sing.
- I like hearing you say that.
We've seen what passes
for the floor show. Let's go, Mary.
You can't make chumps out of my flapjacks.
I wouldn't do that at your house!
Johnny, you and I are dear friends.
Will you go away?
- Jed!
- I thought we were having such fun.
We'll let Jed have his way.
We'll all go to the party.
I accept.
- What party?
- At the Woodside Inn.
Mr. Dillingham is
looking at his singers.
I could ask you to come,
but I know you can't get away.
I have a place like this so I
can get away. You joining us?
- Naturally.
- Strike up the band!
- Would you mind turning off the gas?
- Right-o!
Thank you.
- Wonderful party.
- Yes...
if there weren't
quite so many people.
- Oh, Jed?
- Yes, Mr. Dillingham.
Couple of things I want
to talk to you about.
First, what'll you
have to drink?
Oh, just a small arsenic.
You dance very well, Johnny.
You've heard of Maurice, the
international dancing star?
Yes.
- Sold him his first pair of pumps.
- No!
Yes!
Nita, I happen to be
in show business myself.
- Waiter!
- Yes, sir.
He looked a little familiar.
A little familiar I don't mind.
These high-class places!
Don't you think we're gettin' off
our course? We'd better head back.
- Why?
- Why?
I had a reason,
but it slipped my mind.
- What do you think we'll find in here?
- Us, you suppose?
- Let's go in and see.
- All right.
- Very private in here, hmm?
- Isn't it nice?
Do you think Jed's
gonna like this?
- How could he? He isn't here?
- I noticed that.
Fellas can get punched in the nose
for things like this.
- I don't believe you're worried.
- Oh, these dancers...
they're quick on
their feet, shifty.
He might cut me to pieces
before I could tag you.
How long you going to
keep this thing going?
What thing?
This burn on Jed.
That's what I'm here for, isn't it?
- Oh, no!
- No?
No! I like you, Johnny.
Well, that's
a strange coincidence.
I like you, too, Mary.
When I first saw you, it was
like meeting someone from home.
Yeah?
This is only my second year
away from Duluth...
and the people I've met here, around
the theater mostly, seem irresponsible...
- and not like you.
- Irresponsible, huh?
- You know, you remind me a lot of George.
- George?
My brother-in-law:
His charm, sincerity...
and the word Dad
always uses... stability.
Stability, huh?
- You know what I like about George?
- What?
His sister-in-law.
I'm sorry she's going on the road.
Johnny, I'll miss your place,
the Flapjack.
- I'll miss it too.
- You?
Yeah, I sold it today.
I have other plans.
- A bigger place?
- A smaller place, more intimate.
Gonna call it the
Hole In The Wall.
- Won't a smaller place make less money?
- If I'm on my toes, it will.
I don't understand.
Did you ever have a good,
new hat that you grew tired of?
Of course, but aren't nightclubs
more expensive?
More fun too.
I guess Jed wasn't joking
about your betting on that horse.
No, I don't think Dad
would say you have stability.
No.
I still like the way you sing.
I still like to hear you say it.
But I think you sing
the wrong kind of songs.
You do?
Not that comic songs aren't all right,
but take the one they're playing now.
Do you know it?
- No, the words... sing it.
- All right.
So it won't be a total loss,
let's dance.
Hello.
- Oh, hello.
- Why, Jed, how are you?
Mary, may I remind you that
since the beginning of time...
women have been attracted to shiftless,
unreliable, no-good vagabonds.
The wise woman runs from this sort
as she would from the plague.
- Nothing personal, dear fellow.
- Of course not, dear friend.
What he told you is very true.
I've changed my mind, if you still
want me in the Dillingham show.
That's great!
She's brighter than I thought.
And, Johnny, I won't
be going on the road.
Remember, we were now in
the Roaring Twenties...
the era of flaming youth, prohibition,
ballyhoo and bathing beauties.
The dancing was
cheek-to-cheek and people
were worried about the
younger generation...
which, in turn, is now worried
about the younger generation.
Mary saw a lot of Johnny,
but more of Jed...
who, as promised, got her
into the Dillingham show.
On the night of
the Broadway opening-...
Nice work! I'm proud of you.
- They didn't throw anything at me.
- Throw anything?
- Stick with me and they'll throw diamonds.
- Jed, you're on!
- I am? How am I doing?
- Jed, please!
Okay, I'm ready!
- For you, Mary.
- Me?
Johnny?
Nice goin', Jed!
Come in.
- Sorry.
- All right, Jed.
Mary, wait for me
after the show.
- We have serious celebrating to do.
- I can't, Jed.
- I'm going to be busy.
- Busy?
- Tonight?
- Uh-huh.
- Johnny?
- Yeah.
Be careful. That sort of thing
can lead to marriage.
- If I'm lucky.
- Oh.
If it's a husband
you're after, I might-
No, that's against all my principles.
I might reconsider.
Jed, will you change.
You're on right after the sketch.
Right!
I'm not gonna say
anything against Johnny...
not because I'm a gentleman,
but because I know it won't do any good.
Seriously, do you believe
he's the right man for you?
No... but he's the only one.
You think he's the sort who's
likely to propose marriage?
Yes, Jed, I think he will...
tonight.
And if he doesn't, I will.
There's only one thing
left for me to do.
What's that?
Go and get changed
for my next number.
A beautiful place!
A beautiful place you have!
- I tell you, I have a few ideas.
- What do you propose?
Say, doesn't she look like the new
Dillingham star, the beautiful Miss-
- What is her name again?
- Johnny!
I heard what a big hit
you were tonight.
Made me feel good,
but I wasn't surprised.
- Big thrill, huh?
- Bigger thrill if you'd been there.
I intended to be.
Had my ticket, third row center.
- Good seat.
- But I got tangled up with this fellow.
- Say, this wall's plaster, no?
- That's right.
- We push him out.
- Remodeling?
- Mr. Rakopolis is. He's the new owner.
- New owner?
I sold him the Hole In The Wall
just before show time.
- That explains this here.
- Oh, I see.
That Johnny! Such a man
to do business with!
I buy the place unfurnished,
he throws in the furniture!
Why? He's sick of it.
Wait'll you see the new place.
I'm gonna have-
- Johnny, let's go some place quiet where we an talk.
- Sure, if you want to.
But I can't right now.
I gotta do a song here.
Como est?
Muy bien!
- Mary's waiting for you upstairs.
- Upstairs?
- Thanks.
- Tony!
Tony! This man insulted me!
He did?
- He did?
- Yeah! Throw him out.
That might not be necessary,
if you behave yourself.
- If he behaves himself!
- And If I don't?
- He'll break every bone in your body.
- You're so right.
Maybe you don't know it,
but I happen to be the bouncer here.
Okay, start bouncing.
Nita, I'd rather you
didn't watch this.
Messy, you know. Please.
- We'd better step outside.
- A pleasure! Come on!
Coward!
You wanna buy a nightclub?
How 'bout some champagne?
No champagne?
Tsk! It's absolutely incredible.
No one gal could be that pretty.
How's Jed?
Fine.
You know, I really intended
to go to that opening.
This the next place?
No, that's a little
spot I had in Cleveland.
The next place is gonna be something!
I'm gonna call it the Song Book.
- And when do you sell the Song Book?
- Not selling, keeping.
That's the place I've always dreamed about,
but never could quite figure it out.
Near the park, outdoors with fresh air
and music, lights and scenery!
No drunks.
C'mon, this has been a big evening
for you and me, hasn't it?
I sell the place and you
walk off with a big hit.
- It didn't mean a lot to me, Johnny.
- No?
Other things mean
ever so much more.
Like what?
- Want me to answer that?
- Yes, if you'd like.
You're more important
to me, Johnny.
See here, lady.
You're a Broadway star.
You better keep
your sense of values.
I'm in love with you, Johnny.
- You in love with me?
- Yeah.
I guess I am... plenty.
Well, haven't I done more than my share?
Do I have to propose too?
Oh, Mary!
Oh, Johnny! I'd have died
if you'd said no.
Mary, this is a very
difficult thing to say.
There's a lot of fellas
cut out to be husbands...
but I'm just not one of them.
You like stability, and stability
and I just don't get along.
I might marry you and I'd be hurting you.
That would hurt me too.
I guess I'm just selfish.
That's the way I am though.
I didn't want this
to happen, Mary.
I just happened to be
in the neighbourhood.
- Something up?
- Something's over.
I guess a girl should know better
than to propose.
Mary, you know...
sometimes a place horse
pays more than the winner.
Now, if you'd like to try that proposal
a second time-
During the months that followed
Mary tried to forget Johnny.
'And Jed was usually there
to make forgetting easier.
They danced together, dined together
and went to the movies together.
Those were the days when the nation
was keeping cool with Coolidge...
and discovering fabulous gold
in Wall Street's ticker tape.
The younger people were
keeping a little less
cool with the screen's
great love legend...
Rudolph Valentino.
Another year brought another
Broadway show for Jed and Mary.
The day after the opening,
as the company was rehearsing-...
Keep it up, girls.
Oh, no! The right foot,
not the left.
- How are you?
- Oh, hello.
I'd like to see
Mary O'Dare, please.
Angie, show her which
is her right foot, please.
Well, look who's here!
Johnny, come on in!
- Twinkle-toes, how are you?
- Sure glad to see you.
- Tony.
- How are you, Jed?
- Been almost a year, hasn't it?
- A wonderful year.
- Angie, give them all ten minutes.
- Okay, kids, take ten.
See you later.
- I caught your opening last night.
- Good opening.
I thought you were on
a little bit too long.
Thanks very much.
- You haven't changed.
- Not a bit.
There must be an audience for your kind
of dancing, but I never could go for it.
You needn't apologize
for your lack of taste.
Anybody can have a blind spot.
There was a girl in the show.
She was grand.
- Mary?
- Yes.
Isn't that funny. We were talking
about you just a year ago...
you and your quaint
little nightclubs.
- Charming, but you won't take offence?
- Not at all.
I know the atmosphere
your customers like.
But would it be too daring if you
occasionally had the joint swept out?
You still have the heart
of a janitor. Where is Mary?
Um, uh... Say, Johnny!
Don't you remember?
Passaic, New Jersey?
Cliff was at the piano
when we played the Bijou.
Old Cliff, huh?
- How are you?
- You guys had a sweet little act.
I remember it very well.
That's more than he ever did.
- Is that so?
- Johnny, do you remember this?
- Song and Dance Man.
- Song and Dance Man. That's right.
He didn't remember it
then, how can he know it now?
Get out!
I bet I could do it now.
You wanna try it?
What?
- Can you play it? Play it.
- Sure.
Go ahead.
Ladies and gentlemen, my partner
will now give you his impression...
of a young man on the way to visit
his best girl on a Sunday afternoon.
My partner.
A young lady crossing the street
on a rainy afternoon.
- Skip the gutter!
- Whoo!
A young man on his way
to the saloon to get a scuttle of suds...
otherwise known as
rushing the growler.
My, he's been in
that saloon a long time!
A porter helping you rush
to catch the 5.15 train.
We will now do two lumberjacks
meeting on the street.
Hiya!
Timber!
Our next impression will be two local
politicians meeting on the street.
- My friend!
- Hello!
Here, here, here!
I've been layin' off, friend.
Our next impression will be two farmers,
Hy and Sy, meeting on the street.
- Hi, Sy!
- Morning, Hy!
- Well, what're we waiting fer?
- Let's get at it.
How 'bout a little cream?
Hey!
Johnny, you sure surprise me.
With a couple more
rehearsals, I can use you.
All right, girls, places. Say,
Jed, I didn't come here to reminisce.
- Where's Mary?
- Mary?
Oh, I'm glad you mentioned her.
Got something to show you.
Is it for Mary?
Yeah.
You're a lucky guy.
Hello, Johnny.
Hello, Mary.
- Congratulations.
- Thank you. Saw the show?
Oh, yeah the show! Yeah.
You were great.
I, uh, sort of thought
you might drop over to my place...
the two of you.
We might do that sometime.
What place you got now?
Still the Song Book.
I'm keeping that.
Well, I just wanted you to know
how much I liked you in the show.
That's very nice of you, Johnny.
- You, too, Jed.
- Thanks, Johnny.
So long.
Still over it?
Completely.
Call me at the bank,
uh, Federal Reserve...
any time between 10.00 and 3.00.
I've always wanted to
go out with a banker.
How sweet.
Tony.
Don't forget, just ask
for the vice president.
Good day.
- Good thing he showed up.
- Why?
I kind of had a feeling
he was still on your mind...
- without realizing it, I mean.
- Oh, Jed!
I've got something to show you.
I've seen it. It's beautiful.
- I thought maybe the second look-
- It's the fifth look, Jed.
That's even better.
You know what you're getting.
No more nonsense. We're driving to Jersey
to get married right now.
Darling, you're sweet
and considerate.
I'm sure there's no other man
in the world quite like you.
- But-
- But!
What an unpleasant word!
Please let me think about it
a little longer.
Pretty sure it isn't Johnny?
- Quite sure.
- Certain?
Why do you keep saying
it's Johnny? It isn't Johnny.
That's over. I told you that.
Mary, one way or another...
you're getting engaged tonight.
That's Johnny's place.
Let's not go in.
I don't want to see him.
But I want you to, Mary.
Go and talk to him.
Get things straightened
out in your mind.
No, Jed.
I made that mistake once before.
Darling, I don't think Johnny
will ever care very deeply for anybody.
I am a little worried
about your feeling for him.
Anyway, it's time we found out.
Come on.
I'll wait here.
Hey, buddy?
Wanna buy a hot ring?
- That's lovely. Let's stop here.
- Whoa. Giddy-up.
- Attendez!
- Oh, a French horse.
No, he's French Canadian, I think.
- Lunch.
- Yeah. Packin' the kitchen.
The master is famished.
- Happy, Johnny?
- Mm-hmm.
There was something
I wanted to tell you.
About lunch?
No, about me. What was it?
Oh! It was about me
being in love with my wife.
You better be.
That's quite a face you have.
I'm glad you think so.
I think I'll keep it.
Oh, Johnny!
Three weeks is such
a short honeymoon.
I was countin' on
about 60 years.
That's all right with me.
Johnny, when we get back...
would you mind if I helped out
at the Song Book? I want to be with you.
- Sure. You're always with me.
- It'll be such fun.
If anyone comes in, I'll say,
See that fascinating fellow over there?
That's my husband.
He owns the Song Book.
That might not be
entirely accurate, honey.
That fascinating fellow's not
your husband. It's Mr. Rakopolis.
Rakopolis?
Amazing little guy.
Loves to buy nightclubs.
- You sold him the Song Book?
- A very small loss!
It was doing so well.
Wait'll you see the
new place I have in mind.
- Johnny, didn't you say we were partners?
- I was wrong.
You are the boss!
No. Junior partner, that's me.
Uh-uh. That position's filled.
Honey, from now on
I'm gonna be Mr. Stability.
I don't make a move
without checking with the boss.
- Okay?
- Okay.
- You like kids, don't you?
- Sure... even better than horses.
I think we oughta have
about five kids.
First four oughta be girls, and the rest
can be anything else you want.
We're gonna think about
the future, aren't we?
Right.
Right.
Johnny, look at that sky!
It's gonna storm.
No, not for us, honey.
And for quite a while the skies
remained blue for Johnny and Mary.
He opened another nightclub,
this time in Cleveland...
a charming spot which
he said he'd never sell.
The Little Spot did all right,
but Johnny had a better idea.
That meant moving to St Louis.
After a time, Mary got to feeling
at home in St Louis and wanted to stay.
'Johnny said they'd stay,
and they did...
until he got
a much better idea.
Oh, much better!
A little Russian place in New York.
Rather appropriate,
that lullaby...
because new responsibilities
were in store for Johnny.
For Mary, new anxieties
about the future.
It was on a Sunday afternoon-...
Oh, Tony, look!
Doesn't that make you sort
of yearn for something?
Yeah. Dinner. I'm starving.
Will you stop that pacing?
You're making me nervous.
Sit down.
I'll take over.
- Is Mary all right?
- Yes, she's fine.
Not too close.
Tiny, isn't he?
- Shel.
- Yes, she.
The little lady weighs
six pounds, three ounces.
Is that good?
Perfect.
Not too close! What's
the matter with you?
Well, they always look like that.
When my cousin-
- She's beautiful!
- You think so?
- Yes.
- Doctor, can I go in and see Mary now?
She's still half asleep,
but you may see her.
Thank you.
I'm sorry. Only the father.
Hello, paleface.
Johnny, where were you?
I needed you.
Believe me, I was so nervous
I needed you too.
Oh, you should've told me.
- See her?
- Yeah, she's beautiful.
- Like me?
- Like you.
My child.
What else would you expect?
You're pretty pleased
with yourself today, aren't you?
You pleased with me?
Pleased with the baby too.
She's lucky, isn't she, Johnny,
being our child?
We're lucky too, honey.
- She's going to college, isn't she?
- Not right away.
She'll have all the
things we didn't have.
You betcha.
You feeling all right?
I had a baby today,
a beautiful baby girl.
I know. I had one too.
Oh, don't be silly.
Men don't have babies.
You wanna bet?
- Name one.
- Me!
That's right.
Honey, I wanna
tell you something.
From now on my feet
are gonna be on the ground, solid.
No more shifting around
from place to place...
- travelling around.
- Thank you, Johnny.
I got something
I wanna show you.
Don't go away.
I made arrangements at the bank.
We are gonna have the swankiest, most
elaborate and best nightclub in all New York.
Junior can wear ermine
diapers trimmed in platina.
There it is, honey,
our gold mine.
Bonsoir! Welcome to zee Top Hat.
Mesdames, Monsieur,
if you please.
Are we too late for the show?
No, it will start
in about 15 minutes.
I'm so glad.
I know you'll enjoy it.
I am sure you will...
until zee gets the check.
Ah, Mademoiselle Nita.
Vous etes tres charmante.
Danke schoen.
Auf Wiedersehen.
Ah, the reservations!
We have enough to fill
this place for a month!
Hear that, Jed?
The Top Hat was a great success.
It meant security,
roots in the ground.
The things Mary wanted,
but not what Johnny wanted. So...
Yes?
No, but he is back in town.
He just phoned from the station.
Mr. Cuyler?
Did he say he wanted to sell?
Could you call
in about 15 minutes?
- Mr. Cuyler?
- Mary?
The fisherman's home.
- How are you, Johnny?
- I'm a little tired.
Working all day
over a hot brook.
It's good to be back.
They were really bitin' up there this
year, Mary. Everybody caught their limit.
Tony caught cold.
- Baby awake?
- No.
- She's all right, isn't she?
- Fine.
Johnny, a Mr. Cuyler phoned.
Oh, Cuyler, hmm?
That's a little business matter.
I'm gonna see him in the morning about it.
He said he was
going to buy the Top Hat.
Did he say that?
You're not going to sell,
are you, Johnny?
Well, I was kinda...
thinking about it.
- Sure you haven't made up your mind?
- Yeah, I guess I have.
Without consulting me?
I didn't consult you
because I knew what you'd say.
In other words, you want my opinion
when it agrees with yours.
Oh, Mary, that's not being fair.
Wait'll you hear the
things I got planned.
- A little nightclub in Albuquerque?
- No, Louisville.
You know how I feel about the Top Hat,
why I take these trips.
The joint's too big.
There's no fun there.
It's the most successful
place you've ever had, Johnny.
- And we have a child.
- A wonderful child.
- I don't want you to sell.
- I promised Cuyler.
You promised me too!
Johnny, in the three years we've been
married, I've done the things you wanted...
whether it was go to St Louis,
Cleveland or the movies.
- I've been selfish.
- Maybe... without realizing it.
But this time, I want my way.
- I insist you don't sell.
- You insist? That's a strong word.
- It's the way I feel. If our marriage-
- Our marriage?
- You mean this can make a difference?
- Yes, it can.
- Well, it can't be much of a marriage.
- Well, is it?
- What kind of a question is that?
- I'm not blaming you.
I haven't forgotten about
not wanting to be tied down.
I'm not tied down.
If you're not,
it isn't a marriage!
I'm tied down and you've got to decide
whether you want to be.
I don't get it. If I sell the Top Hat,
you and I are washed up?
That's exactly what I mean.
I don't like threats, Mary.
- Probably Cuyler.
- Probably.
Hello.
Hiya, Cuyler.
Mm-hmm. Certainly.
Draw up the papers. I'll have my
lawyer see you in the morning.
Right.
That's the way it happened.
Johnny and Mary parted, each convinced
that the other was no longer in love.
The separation was painful,
but being proud, neither would back down.
A year went by, then another.
Mary never heard from Johnny.
And when Johnny heard from her,
it was through her lawyer.
A divorce had been granted.
The following spring, Mary was
in another show... with Jed.
Johnny, who had been wandering aimlessly
opening and selling nightclubs...
had a new place in Chicago:
The Cracker Barrel.
Now, ladies and gentlemen,
I want you to meet dear Mrs. Murgatroyd.
It's her 18th wedding anniversary,
an occasion of some significance.
She thought she'd like to see what the
inside of a cocktail lounge looks like.
Dear Mrs. Murgatroyd.
She's a grand girl, grand girl!
My feet are killing me!
Young man? Young man!
Would you mind just
watching this bag please?
Thank you very much.
Young man... that bag. Hmph!
Oh! Oh, well, waiter,
I don't know exactly what to order.
I, uh...
I am not a drinking woman.
I'm celebrating my wedding anniversary
and I thought that you might-
Thank you. Eighteenth anniversary.
Thank you. You're very kind.
I thought that you might have
some drink that is sort of...
oh, I don't know,
sort of anniversary-sh like.
Hmm? No, I've never had a-
Waiter, I've never had
a drink in my life!
Well, once in a while a little slug
of gin, just a very little bit.
Hmm? You would suggest what?
Oh, no, no. Something very mild.
Something like a, um...
like a zombie.
Why do you stare?
Oh, never mind.
Just bring me a scotch and soda.
Thank you.
Oh, waiter, no, just leave it. I'll mix
it mysel-Waiter, just leave it, please.
I'll mix it.
I'd rather mix it myself. Thank you.
Lucy! Lucy Jamison!
Imagine finding you in here!
The president of our lodge.
Oh, no. Oh, no you haven't.
Lucy, I have never been in here
before in my life!
Tell me, are you still living
on the top of Highland Avenue?
Oh, that steep hill?
Oh, Lucy, what a hill for you to climb!
And in your condition, too,
you know.
Oh, you just come in here nightly
for one shot to send you up the hill!
Oh, I see. Mm-hmm.
Oh, I must be getting home
and get those potatoes on.
I want to have a wonderful meal for Chesley
when he comes home from the office.
I have celery for him.
I have fresh vegetables for him.
I have a big goose for him.
I- Lucy, what did you do,
order another one?
But you know I never touch-
Lucy, I never-
Oh, I guess it being a special
occasion it wouldn't hurt.
Well, down the hatch.
You know, that wasn't
as strong as the first one.
Eighteen years.
Eighteen wonderful years
with Chesley.
So you can see just-
So you can see just-
Excuse me, Lucy.
So you can see just-
That makes me so mad.
I just paid $17.50!
They shouldn't whistle
back at me like that.
Whee!
Lucy, do you find it
kind of warm in here?
I don't think this place
is air-conditioned.
Lucy, I think I-
I think I'm gonna be all right.
No, it's nothing you've said.
Lucy, it's nothing you've said, dear.
I'll be all right in just a minute.
I was just thinking. Eighteen years!
Eighteen years with Chesley.
Now I can speak the truth.
It's been 18 horrible years!
I work and slave over
that hot stove all day long...
while he works down
in that nice, cool sewer.
The only thing he's bought me
in the last year...
in the last year...
is this stinking hat!
Oh, dear, I must get home
and get those potatoes on.
Lucy, let's you and I go somewhere
where it's peaceful and quiet.
No noise, no music,
just peace and quiet.
I'd like to tell you
the story of my life.
Let's go to the Three Deuces.
What, dear? The what?
The potatoes? Oh, to heck with
the potatoes! I'm getting out of here.
Come on, dear.
- Nita!
- Oh, Tony.
Am I glad to see you.
- What's the matter with you?
- With me?
Oh, darling.
- Where's Johnny?
- In the office.
- How's Mary?
- Oh, she-
Tony, I have so much
to tell you. Order me a drink.
Yeah.
Nita!
- What are you doin' in Chicago?
- What am I doin' in Chicago?
- Don't you read the papers?
- Just the racing form. You running at Arlington?
Oh, Johnny. I'm in the show, Heat Wave,
with Mary and Jed.
Didn't you know we open here Monday?
I read about it somewhere.
You're sure lookin' swell.
Things been goin' all right?
- Fine, Johnny. And you?
- All right.
Are you coming to the opening?
I'd like to catch it, but, uh-
New cafe and new help, I really
oughta stand by here and help out.
- Johnny?
- Hmm?
- The baby's here.
- Yeah?
- Gee, she must be gettin' to be a big girl now.
- Oh, you wouldn't know her.
I suppose I wouldn't.
Mary all right?
You're still in love with her,
aren't you?
We're divorced.
She's in love with you, Johnny.
Did she say so?
She doesn't have to.
Go and see her.
Oh, Nita, I-
You'll have to excuse me.
We're really busy here.
- Why don't you come in and see us again sometime?
- & How much do I love you.
Soon, huh?
She's staying at
the Sir Francis.
[ Doorbell Buzzes I.
Hello, Martha.
When I heard your voice
over the phone, I couldn't believe it.
- It's so nice to see you.
- Thank you, Martha.
Did Mary say what time
she's likely to be back?
No, she didn't.
- I suppose the baby's asleep.
- Not that one. She's a night owl.
- Could I see her?
- Of course.
- I think I'd better leave you two alone.
- All right.
- Hello, Mary Elizabeth.
- Hello.
- Who are you?
- I'm an old friend of your mother's.
- Good friend?
- I hope so.
- Now I know who you are.
- You do?
Uh-huh. Mommy showed me
your picture.
You're my old daddy, aren't you?
- That's right.
- I'm pleased to meet you.
The feeling is mutual.
- Do I rate a kiss?
- Oh, no!
- Why not?
- Mommy says I mustn't kiss strangers.
I'm not exactly a stranger.
I knew you when you were that big.
- I must've been very young.
- Yes, you were very young.
Okay, you can kiss me.
How 'bout going to bed now?
- Will you tell me a story first?
- What kind of a story?
Do you know the story about
Running Around in Circles?
It's a very good story.
I'm sorry,
I don't know that one.
It's on my piano.
Mommy sings it for me. Will you sing it?
Then will you go to bed?
You got yourself a song.
- It's my piano. Uncle Jed gave it to me.
- Uncle Jed, huh?
Your Uncle Jed's
a pretty nice man.
This the song here?
It's quite a thing.
You're right, honey. That's a very
pretty story. It has a message too.
- You sing nice.
- Thank you.
- Can you kick your heels up in the air?
- Oh, no, not lately.
- Uncle Jed can.
- I should say he can!
Do you like your Uncle Jed?
- Oh, yes! I was going to marry him.
- You were?
But Mommy is.
- She is?
- Uh-huh. Next week.
I'm invited to the wedding.
Want to see my invitation?
Isn't that an invitation?
- That's what it is.
- Did you get one?
You better go to sleep.
- Goodbye, Daddy.
- Bye, Mary Elizabeth.
You mean, right away?
But... Johnny,
we're doing so well!
Okay. I just mentioned it.
Well...
good luck.
- Tony!
- Mary!
- Darling. Hello, Jed.
- Hello, Tony.
Is Johnny here?
- No, he, um-
- He isn't?
He just phoned.
Said he was leaving town.
As usual, I don't suppose
he said where he was going.
No, he just said he'd get in touch with me
in a couple of months.
Too bad. We wanted to
ask him to our wedding.
Jed, please.
I'd invite you, Tony,
but it's gonna be a small affair.
I'm not even sure
the bride will be there.
- Uh... could I get you a drink?
- No, thanks.
Well, uh... I need one.
Come on, sugar.
- Darling-
- I know. I know.
That two dollars I spent
for the marriage license, shot to pieces.
Oh, I wish I didn't love him.
But I guess I always will.
I know how it is.
Oh, Jed!
Mary.
Yes, Dan?
Maybe you can talk to Jed.
He's hittin' the bottle.
If he ain't steady, that Heat Wave dance
can be pretty dangerous.
I have talked to him
and it doesn't help.
- Can't you cut out the number?
- I suggested that.
He just laughed.-
Come in!
Oh, if it isn't Miss Melody herself!
I was thinking about you.
Jed.
Remember that night back in New York?
The show was closing?
- Darling, I'm worried about you.
- Me? Why?
- That.
- That?
Oh, that! That's very good.
It's 20 years old.
Don't you think you oughta cut out
the Heat Wave number tonight?
- At least the part on top of the bridge.
- Silliest thing I ever heard.
You see that straight line?
You watch.
Steady as the well-known rock.
- Here's to the most beautiful girl-
- Please, Jed.
- I hear you're leaving the show.
- Saturday.
Saturday.
Well, what do you think of that?
- That calls for a final drink.
- No, Jed.
Oh, yes, Jed. And oh, yes, Mary.
Gotta have a final drink.
In fact, it's the final,
final, final drink.
Please be careful.
01:20 Of course I'll be careful.
I'll be very careful.
Five minutes,
Mr. Potter.
Right.
That cured Jed Potter
of drinking.
It was the last time
he ever danced...
and the last time
he ever saw Mary.
Believing she had destroyed
the lives of the two men she loved...
Mary disappeared...
went to Europe, we heard.
When the Second World War started, there
were reports Mary had returned to America.
But we never found her.
Johnny was doing
a job at the time. Remember?
Well, that's our story
as far as it goes.
And now, ladies and gentlemen,
I have a little surprise.
It just so happens that that certain
Johnny Adams is in the studio with me.
I wonder, um-Johnny?
- Yes, Jed?
- How'd you like to put a nice finish to this story?
I'll try.