Hello, Cole.
I let myself in.
We're not late, are we? I hate to be late.
No, we're fine.
That sounded lovely.
I hate funeral music.
Though, under the circumstances, I suppose I should say my prayers.
Why start now?
Exactly.
If I believed in God, he would be a song-and- dance man.
He would have to carry a tune. Preferably one of mine.
Do you think he would like this?
In the still of the night
As I gaze from my window
At the moon in its flight
My thoughts all stray to you
You wrote that about Linda, of course.
Did I?
Songs don't have to be about someone, you know.
We should start.
I thought we had.
Cole, you have to play us into it.
It's your life. Your music will be our guide.
Swell.
In the still of the night
As I gaze from my window
Oh, my God, that's me! I'm so young.
You satisfied?
He's very good.
He's not much of a singer.
You never were.
In the still of the night
The words, I can't hear the words.
While the world is in slumber
What's the matter, can't he take direction?
Cole, talk to me, I'll pass your thoughts along.
He can't hear you.
In a musical, everyone works for the composer.
Times have changed. May I borrow this?
Times have changed
Never open with a ballad.
This isn't one of those avant- garde things, is it?
It's got to be entertaining, it's a musical.
And a love story, of course.
A little unconventional, but honest.
You're playing with my life.
It's my show.
Stead of landing on Plymouth Rock
Plymouth Rock
would land on them
In olden days
It's your life, Cole.
Was looked on something shocking
Oh, my God.
It's an opening number, of course.
It's the Berlins.
lrving, Ellin.
lrving gave me my start. This is my whole life.
There's Monty Woolley from Yale. Look at Monty.
That costume is all wrong. He never wore that.
That's all wrong. Change it.
And black's white today And day's night today
L. B. Mayer and the gang from MGM.
The Hollywood years.
When folks who still can ride in jitneys
found out that Vanderbilts and Whitneys lack baby clothes
Anything goes
Boris and Jack.
Bill Wrather.
Gerald, Sara, Honoria, where are the boys?
Boys.
Anything goes
Hi, Mom.
And every night, the set that's smart
is intruding on nudist parties in studios
Anything goes
Fantastic.
So though I'm not a great romancer
I know that you're bound to answer when I propose
Anything goes
If saying your prayers you like, if green pears you like
If old chairs you like, if backstairs you like, If love affairs you like
Stop, this is wrong for Linda.
She should sing a different part, stop.
Is it me?
No, dear.
It's backstairs and love affairs. It's too early for complications.
We're gonna get ready for Paris. If you're not in Paris, I'll see you later.
Come on, move along.
You're doing beautifully. But then, you always do.
Remember, it's your story, too. It's a love story.
- That's why I'm frightened. - Don't be.
Have you ever seen a musical without a happy ending?
All right, then.
We've just heard Anything Goes...
as if it's Cole's declaration of independence.
Independence from whom?
Never mind.
Don't argue with the director, love. Leave that to me.
He's very strict.
She can't hear you.
I know.
You're seeing Cole for the first time.
You start to move towards him...
because there's a spirit in his eye.
Go ahead.
Move slowly.
You'll be fine.
Weren't we fools to lose each other?
Weren't we fools to say goodbye?
God, she was beautiful.
She could stop your heart.
No, start it.
You chose another
So did I
If we'd realized our love was worth defending
Then the story's broken threads we might be mending
They're so good, it's a shame more people aren't paying attention.
Cole can take care of that.
Which one is Cole Porter?
The one who's standing, who's being so serious about being playful...
that's my husband Gerald.
And the one who's playing at not being serious at all, that's Cole Porter.
- Has somebody died? - I think it was us, Cole.
- Linda Lee. - Sara Murphy.
- We met at Lady Mendel's. - Yes, indeed.
Is that Linda Lee Thomas with Sara?
- I really couldn't say. - No, it is, and just as they described her:
The most beautiful divorcée in Paris. My God, she's ravishing.
Is this gonna be another Porter fascination? An obsession without preliminaries?
Obsessions don't have preliminaries.
- Will you join me? - I'm a married man.
No, come on grab a chair.
Let's really light a fire under these deadbeats.
You begin.
I have heard, among this clan
You are called "the forgotten man"
Well, did you ever?
What a swell party this is
Have you heard that Mimsie Starr just got pinched in the Astor Bar?
Well, did you ever?
What a swell party this is
Take over.
- You're not gonna pinch her in the ass? - I might.
Reggie's rather scatterbrained
He dove in when the pool was drained
Well, did you ever?
What a swell party this is
It's great, it's grand
It's wonderland
It's tops, it's first
It's DuPont, it's Hearst
What clothes, quel chic
What pearls, they're the peak
What glamor, what cheer
This will simply slay you, dear
Have you heard the coast of Maine just got hit by a hurricane?
Well, did you ever?
What a swell party this is
Have you heard that poor dear Blanche
Got run down by an avalanche?
Well, did you ever? What a swell party this is
What daiquiris
What sherry, please
What burgundy
What great Pommery
What brandy, wow
What whiskey, here's how
What gin and what beer
Will you sober up, my dear?
Have you heard, Professor Munch
ate his wife and divorced his lunch?
Well, did you ever? What a swell party this is
Have you heard, it's in the stars
Next July, we collide with Mars?
Well, did you ever? What a swell party
a swell party, a swellegant, elegant party
this is!
God, we're a hit!
Now we have a party.
- Shall we? - Yes, let's.
My God.
Grace personified.
Was that me? Did I sweep you off your feet?
Because I hadn't intended to do that for quite a while.
You really are smooth, aren't you, Mr. Porter?
Never till now, Mrs. Thomas.
Your song was absolutely delirious.
Thank you. I'm never sure if they get the joke.
- Especially when it's on them. - Learn to trust your audience.
I trust it, I just wish I could expand it.
He seems a bit calculating, don't you think?
- Weren't you? - Not entirely.
I said I was ambitious, but I was anything but an opportunist.
After all, I spent 10 years in Paris...
just having fun.
What are we talking here, a love affair?
A business proposition...
or a social arrangement?
There was nothing arranged...
or negotiated about our relationship.
It was...
our own.
What about these gloves? Is it really true...
that you only wear them once and then you discard them?
Yes.
To where do you discard them when you're finished?
I send them to a cousin in Louisville.
Not this one, all right? Let me keep this.
Look at that hand. You should never cover your hands, they're beautiful.
- They're ungainly. - No, they're strong.
No one's ever thought of me as strong before.
I think of you as strong and down to earth...
- and solid. I think of you in many ways. - You're sweet.
Isn't that Diaghilev and his boy from the Ballets Russes?
That's his premier danseur.
- Would you like to meet them? - Don't know, would I?
Perhaps another time. Bonjour.
He is an acquaintance from yesterday.
An unmanned piano. Come on.
I know you hate to hear
That I adore you, dear
Not you, dear.
But grant me, just the same
I'm not entirely to blame
For
you'd be
so easy to love
Christ, that cue is as loud as my whistle.
And it's too early for another song.
If you can say it better than you write it, fine. Otherwise, Cole sings.
All right.
The yearning for
So swell to keep every home fire
Thank you.
Burning for
We'd be so grand at the game
So carefree together
that it does seem a shame
If you can't see
Your future with me
'Cause you'd be
oh, so easy to love
Dear Cole.
You have so much nerve, Mr. Porter. God, I'd be frightened.
I'm just showing off.
There are much worse things to be afraid of.
You have a dazzling gift and a life to go with it.
What could you possibly be afraid of?
Myself.
I'm not afraid of that.
I hope you never will be.
Even when you really get to know me.
We'd be so grand
at the game
So carefree together
that it does seem a shame
If you
can't see
Your future with me
'Cause you'd be
oh, so easy
to love
I thought you would be tired of your apartment.
You're gonna have to help me out here.
I mean, if this is really you.
Why?
This is how it was. This is how I was.
I wanted every kind of love that was available.
I could never find them in the same person.
Or the same sex.
I've never had the urge to be completely honest with anyone until you.
It's quite disturbing.
Especially since I haven't been totally honest.
You knew so much about me when we met, Cole...
don't you think I'd heard a thing or two about you?
Then you know about...
Well, that I can be...
That I have...
other interests.
Interests, the pursuit of which some people might find cruel to you.
You mean men?
Yes, men.
Let's just say you like them more than I do.
Nothing is cruel that fulfills your promise.
I've been promising all my life.
I've got a notebook full of promise. Trunks full.
I want to be more than promising to you.
We could fulfill your promise together.
We could be singular as a couple.
Would you stay for dinner?
It will be just us.
I'd like that.
So, did you love her then?
Then? I don't know.
I thought I might discover what love was.
The physical side was always...
We could take it or leave it.
It was pleasant enough.
But the intimacy was stunning.
Good morning.
What's that?
It's an idea for a song.
This part, right here, I think would go nicely with...
"I love you."
What do you think?
I think that would be beautiful.
I do, you know.
You don't have to love me the way that I love you, Cole.
Just love me.
It's so easy.
This verse you've started seems to me
The Tin Pan-tithesis of melody
So to spare you all the pain
Monty.
I almost didn't recognize you under all that hair.
We've all matured since school, Coley.
At Yale, the only grooms that interested you were in the stables.
Monty, behave yourself. This is the happiest day of my life.
The night is young, the skies are clear
So if you wanna go walking, dear
Along with the bluebird, dogwood is the great harbinger of the Kentucky spring.
- They're beautiful. - Thank you.
I'm ready.
Ma'am.
Where is he?
You might prefer privacy.
I would not.
To holy matrimony, then.
And whatever further perforations you may put in it.
- Excuse me. - What?
Sorry, Monty.
It's good to see you again, Mrs. Thomas.
- It's Mrs. Porter. - Not yet.
Don't blame poor Cody...
he was only doing what I told him.
My name never suited? Thomas not proper enough?
It's another name for "shame."
So now you're all snug and proper, are you?
Marrying this fawn?
Why are you here, Edward?
There's a certain section of the bar here.
The left side, I think, significantly enough...
where your groom and his gentleman friends like to call on each other.
I assumed, for symbolic purposes at least...
that the wedding would be held there. I had to assume, you see...
since my invitation never arrived.
- I would invite you to hell. - No need.
Already there. Too bad you never cared for it.
In spite of caring for you once--
My fault, then. You offered care, I needed passion.
What does the fawn need?
Can you supply him? Surely not with everything.
And what can he give you?
Pride.
Don't turn your back on me, Mrs. Thomas.
That's so funny.
From what I remember, it was the position you most favored.
- Are you all right? - I'm fine.
Wait.
Mr. Thomas, you have the most peculiar sense of timing.
You think you can make her happy because you won't violate her delicacy?
Because you don't need her as a woman?
I think maybe we define "woman" differently.
I don't define it as "punching bag," for instance.
Cole's not like you. He creates, you destroy.
And as you can see, you're a failure even at that.
Let's get married.
See the crowd in that church
See the proud parson plopped on his perch
Get the sweet beat of that organ
sealing our doom
Here goes the groom, boom!
How they cheer and how they smile
As we go galloping down the aisle
It's divine, dear, it's diveen, dear
It's de-wunderbar, it's de-victory
It's de-vallop, it's de-vinner It's de-voiks
- Mrs. Murphy? - Absolutely.
The knot is tied and so we take
A few hours off to eat wedding cake
It's delightful, it's delicious
It's de-lovely
It feels so fine
- Thank you, dearest. - For what?
For all of this, for our future.
For being with me just now with Edward.
That was nothing. That was pest control, that's all.
To the pop of champagne
Off we hop in our plush little plane
Till a bright light through the darkness
They seem so happy.
Let's hope he doesn't misbehave.
Our day's complete And what a beautiful bridal suite
It's dreamy, it's drowsy
It's de-reverie, it's de-rhapsody
It's de-regal, it's de-royal
It's de-Ritz, it's de-lovely
We settle down
as man and wife
To solve the riddle called married life
It's delightful
It's delicious
Now you love her, yes?
I said the words.
I meant them.
I wanted to mean them.
God knows I wrote them often enough.
And even more after we were married.
Maybe that says something.
They did always sound better with music under them.
God, she was beautiful.
Venice.
We had such parties.
We had a floating dance floor on the Grand Canal.
You know that Robert Browning once lived in that palazzo?
He got a lot more written than I did, but he didn't have half the fun.
There they are. Hello, Berlins.
Welcome to Palazzo Rezzonico.
I got so out of hand that finally Linda had to bring in reinforcements.
And being Linda, she brought the best.
She single-handedly orchestrated my reformation.
I have to say, the music is not bad, either.
- Is that Cole? - Yes, it is.
This funny thing
called love
Just who can solve its mystery?
Cole?
You're Irving Berlin.
- Am I interrupting? - No, I mean, yes.
But it's an honor to be interrupted by America's greatest songwriter.
- What a pleasure. - The most publicized, that's for sure.
And rightfully so.
Linda has told us so much about you, she's left out the most important stuff.
- What would that be? - Your songs.
I heard about them, but I've never actually heard one played before.
You were listening to that? That's a bit daunting.
I need a drink. Can I offer you something?
No, it's okay. I'm gonna let you get back to your work.
I'd love to hear the tune when it's done.
It's a real pleasure. A real pleasure.
- Pleasure's mine, welcome to Venice. - Thank you very much.
- We'll have some fun later. - I look forward to that, Cole.
I was a humdrum person
Leading a life apart
When love flew in through my window wide
And quickened my humdrum heart
Love flew in through my window
I was so happy then
But after love
had stayed a little while
Love flew out again
What is this thing called love?
This funny thing
called love?
Just who can solve its mystery?
Why should it make
a fool of me?
I saw you there
one wonderful day
You took my heart
and threw it away
That's why I ask the Lord
in heaven above
What is this thing
called love?
What is this thing called love?
This funny thing
called love?
Just who can solve its mystery?
Why should it make
a fool of me?
I saw you there
one wonderful day
You took my heart and threw it away
That's why I ask the Lord
in heaven above
What is this thing
called love?
Bravo, Cole.
You know, Cole, you're spoiling us.
And, excuse me, you're pampering yourself.
You have far too much talent to waste as an amateur.
And we must do something about that.
I think it may be the most beautiful love song you've written yet.
Why, thank you. There's quite a bit of you in it.
What do you think you'll call it?
I don't know, something about confusion.
Dinner is served.
Yes, let's eat.
Thank you for your indulgence.
That was the truth, for the most part.
There was a lot of Linda in that song.
I wish there could have been more.
We are leaving soon, you know. The tour begins.
I heard.
I don't like it one bit.
I don't know what I'm going to do without you.
Of course, you know...
it is only a European tour...
and I can travel.
I could mysteriously appear in certain European cities from time to time.
But you are a married man. What about Mrs. Porter?
Boris, I've told you...
Mrs. Porter...
tries very hard to want what I want.
Surely not everything.
Whatever I need.
As long as she knows the rest belongs to her.
And what is the rest?
Everything that happens in the daylight.
Which is why I have to go.
- I'll see you there? - Of course.
You could have a great career
And you should, yes, you should
Only one thing stops you, dear
You're too good, way too good
If you want a future, darling, why don't you get a past?
'Cause that fatal moment's coming at last
We're all alone, no chaperone
Can get our number
The world's in slumber
Let's misbehave
There's something wild about you, child It's so contagious
Let's be outrageous
Let's misbehave
When Adam won Eve's hand
He wouldn't stand for teasing
He didn't care about those apples out of season
They say that spring means just one thing
To little lovebirds
We're not above birds, let's misbehave
I'm being hailed.
It's from Irving.
lrving?
- You knew. - I had hoped.
No, you knew.
Okay, I didn't know what the show was to be called.
It's to be called Paris.
And Irving has assured the producer...
that I'm the only one with the suitable sophistication...
to do the show.
So it seems that we would be leaving Venice...
to go to New York to do a show called Paris.
We'll go, won't we?
Darling, what do you think?
I know you would like to.
You orchestrated the whole thing, you willed it into being.
I'm just not sure I'm ready.
Cole, I promise you, you are ready.
lrving Berlin believes in your talent.
He wouldn't recommend you simply out of friendship.
No, I suppose not.
Cole, it will be a wonderful chance for you, and a good change for us.
Yes.
Yes, we'll go?
Yes, it will be a big change.
I think we need a change.
I never intended this to cause a breach between us.
It hasn't, it just...
Cole, we never had a formal agreement, we don't need one now.
It's done.
I can't promise you that.
Just so it doesn't put us in jeopardy.
Or your music.
You really love me that much?
You are the rhythm of my heart.
They're playing your song. Would you care to dance?
Why not?
They say that bears have love affairs
And even camels
We're merely mammals, let's misbehave
See, true love.
I'm not so sure about true.
Linda played that beautifully.
I think that's when I began to really love her.
All right, Linda, Cole, smile if you're in love, please.
Didn't that make things even more complicated?
- What things? - Your other relationships.
No, why should it?
Isn't that why birds do it, bees do it?
Even educated fleas do it
Let's do it
Let's fall in love
In Spain, the best upper sets do it
Lithuanians and Letts do it
Let's do it
Let's fall in love
The Dutch in old Amsterdam do it
Not to mention the Finns
Welcome, sir.
Folks in Siam do it
Think of Siamese twins
Say hello to Mrs. Porter.
Richard, would you please take my hat?
People say in Boston, even beans do it
Let's do it, let's fall in love
Cold Cape Cod clams
against their wish, do it
Even lazy jellyfish do it
Let's do it, let's fall in love
Electric eels, I might add, do it
Though it shocks them, I know
Why ask if shad do it?
Waiter, bring me shad roe
In shallow shoals, English soles do it
Goldfish in the privacy of bowls do it
Let's do it
Let's fall in love
The dragonflies in the reeds do it
Sentimental centipedes do it
Let's do it
Let's fall in love
Mosquitoes, heaven forbid, do it
So does every katydid do it
Let's do it
Let's fall in love
The most refined
ladybugs do it
When a gentlemen calls
Moths in your rugs do it
What's the use of mothballs?
Locusts in trees do it
Bees do it
Even overeducated fleas do it
Let's do it, let's fall in love
Very cheeky. Excellent.
- That's so far. - Listen to them.
One act down, one to go.
Darling, for you.
God, Linda.
Exquisite.
Just a little memory.
There are no little memories with you.
Patrick, you all right?
Is he all right doing that? His doctors approve?
Probably not, but he's got to have a childhood.
His sickness seems to come and go.
Patrick, let me give you the key to the cartwheel.
It's all mental.
Keep your arms straight.
Here comes trouble.
You plant it, watch this, ready?
And plant it like that. See?
Good catch.
I always thought so.
Sun-tanned, wind-blown
Honeymooners at last alone
- You know, this was written as a duet. - Thanks.
Oh, how lucky we are
While I give to you and you give to me
True love, true love
So on and on it will always be
True love, true love
Cole, I know this is your song, but it just doesn't sound like you.
Linda thinks it does.
With nothing to do
Are you going to put it in the new show you're working on?
- Why not? - Because it doesn't sound like me.
Love forever true
Bravo!
Oh, my goodness, could you be any more wonderful?
Come in.
- Hello. - Hi.
I was lying in my bed just now, thinking...
I don't want to stay in that room. I want to stay here tonight, is that all right?
Of course it is, darling. Is everything all right?
Are you lonely?
No, I'm fine.
It's just that...
It's funny, this afternoon...
I was watching you...
and watching you watching the Murphys' kids...
and I thought about how happy we are and how much we have...
and then I thought about the Murphys and how happy they are...
and I think we could be...
We are as happy as the Murphys, but we could be happy in the way that...
the Murphys are happy if we had what the Murphys have.
They bring them so much happiness.
I'm so glad I'm not trying to write this as a song.
It would be a beautiful serenade.
Champagne, or how do you wanna play this?
Comedy, tragedy? Musical comedy, farce?
Why don't we just play?
Good idea.
Night and day
You are the one
Only you beneath the moon
And under the sun
Whether near to me or far
It's no matter, darling, where you are
I think--
Stop!
- It's impossible, I just can't do it. - Cole.
He is only an actor, but he's still maybe right.
He's tried it seven times. The song is a problem.
I told you, we should have given it to Astaire.
Beard, the song is not a problem, it's a challenge.
Just give me a moment.
Jack, dear boy...
what can I do to help? Anything, just name it.
Write another song.
God, that cuts me right to the quick.
I know it's God-awful, but it's the best I can do.
And we open in three days.
Look, Mr. Porter, the song goes so high and so low, it is impossible.
It's not impossible. Jack, I wrote it with you in mind.
I know you've got it. I can sing it, and I have a range of three notes.
Where did you come up with it?
I get all my ideas from a little Chinese man in Poughkeepsie.
Listen, you can sing this. The problem is, you're not having any fun.
Just don't think about the melody.
Just think about the words. It's about obsession.
It's about being in love.
You've been in love?
All right, obsess about it. Just sing it with me.
Think about the lyrics and just look at me. One more time. Jimmy?
Like the beat beat beat of the tom tom
When the jungle shadows fall
Like the tick tick tock of the stately clock
- As it stands against the wall - It's relentless, it's obsessive.
Like the drip drip drip of the raindrops
When the summer shower is through
So a voice within me keeps repeating
You you you
Night and day
You are the one
Only you beneath the moon
And under the sun
That's beautiful.
Whether near to me or far
It's no matter, darling, where you are
I think of you
Night and day
Jimmy, try E flat.
Day and night
Why is it so
That this longing for you
Follows wherever I go?
In the roaring traffic's boom
In the silence of my lonely room
I think of you
Night and day
Under the hide of me
There's an, oh, such a hungry yearning
Burning inside of me
And this torment won't be through
Till you let me spend my life
Making love to you
Day and night
Night and day
Bravo.
I never believed in anything, least of all myself, until Linda.
She restored me to myself.
And I gave her back...
me.
Hardly payment in kind.
lrving swears that The Times critic was dancing up the aisle.
Our producer was still standing in the front row, applauding.
No triumph complete without this. Thank you.
You're welcome. Let's not be late.
I'm gonna ride with Monty if it's all right with you.
He says the London producers are dying to talk to me...
about the West End transfer. Is it all right if I join you later?
Can't you speak with him at the party?
No business at the party, only fun.
- It's all right, I'll be there soon. - All right.
Bye-bye.
Beard, you know, you're very dear to me, always have been...
but these opening night gifts of yours are becoming more and more intricate.
It's not as elegant as one of Linda's cigarette cases, I know...
but I believe it may be better suited to the daring side of your nature.
Monty, you've always been so solicitous vis-à-vis my nature. You pamper me.
I have to, my boy. Nature is a nasty bitch.
If nature were fair, I'd be Marlene Dietrich.
If you wake up and dream
Life will suddenly seem as gay as it used to be
Never mind what they say Let your dreams dream away
And you'll still be alive when they're dead
Your words.
Yes, Monty, but it's a song, not a call to arms.
Arms weren't what I had in mind.
I wanted to tell you privately how much all your attention did for me.
And Night and Day, how much it means to me.
From here on, you two will have to improvise.
I'm gonna find some trouble of my own in the Ramble.
Shall we have a cigarette?
Good morning.
This is something new.
To be inconsiderate, to ignore your obligations.
I know.
I'm so sorry, I really am. That was unforgivable.
Cole, you disappointed a lot of people last night.
The London producers were there.
Some Hollywood people were most anxious to speak with you.
I don't want to go to Hollywood, and I don't want to fight.
I don't want to fight.
- And I don't want to blame. - Thank you for that, dear.
But if things are gonna be different...
I'd like to know.
I'll tell you as soon as I know.
You must have known already.
I got the ending.
I didn't know how much my happiness would hurt us.
We couldn't hear the songs the same way anymore.
Suddenly the lyrics all sounded like code.
In olden days, a glimpse of stocking
was looked on as something shocking
Now heaven knows
Anything goes
Good authors, too, who once knew better words
Now only use four-letter words
Writing prose
Anything goes
If saying your prayers you like
They love your song.
- If green pears you like - If green pears you like
- If old chairs you like - If old chairs you like
Don't you?
If backstairs you like
- If love affairs you like - If love affairs you like
If love affairs you like
With young bears you like
Why, nobody will oppose
So though I'm not a great romancer
I know that I'm bound to answer
When you propose
Anything goes
Ellin says Irving is having a great run in Hollywood.
The Gershwins are there--
You want me to leave at the top of my game?
- If old hymns you like - If old hymns you like
- If bare limbs you like - If bare limbs you like
- If Mae West you like - If Mae West you like
Or me undressed you like
I'll give this to you now in case...
Monty has more producers for you to visit.
The set that's smart is intruding on nudist parties in studios
Anything goes
- By the way, do you want one? - No, thank you.
- That's beautiful. From Linda? - Yeah, of course, opening night.
Linda must be keeping Cartier in business all by herself.
- She does spoil me. I don't deserve it. - No, you probably don't.
Which reminds me, how's Linda?
She's all right.
A bit more fragile than usual, but all right. How's Patrick?
There's a doctor in Zurich who may give us more time.
They don't give you much hope with tuberculosis.
So sorry.
Does Linda know? She hasn't said anything.
Yeah.
She said, "We live in castles built on sand."
I just think that life has been one great carnival...
and now we're teetering on the high wire.
Yes, but you've got Sara to catch you, and I have Linda.
Ever wonder who's there to catch them?
When they begin
The beguine
It brings back the sound
Of music so tender
It brings back a night
Of tropical splendor
It brings back a memory
evergreen
I'm with you once more
under the stars
And down by the shore
an orchestra's playing
And even the palms
seem to be swaying
When they begin
the beguine
To live it again
is past all endeavor
Except when that tune
clutches my heart
And there we are
Swearing to love forever
Promising never
Never to part
What moments divine
What rapture serene
Till clouds came along to disperse
the joys we had tasted
And now when I hear people curse
the chance that was wasted
I know but too well
what they mean
So don't let them begin
the beguine
Let the love that was once a fire
remain an ember
Let it sleep like the dead desire
I only remember
When they begin
the beguine
When they begin
the beguine
I am so terribly sorry, darling. I know how late I must be.
Late?
- Linda, you missed the whole thing. - I misplaced the cigarette case.
I'd rather have had you.
It would have been bad luck.
To hell with luck.
This feels very wrong. I don't like bringing up this whole thing.
It happened and it was over, and that was that.
We never brought it up again.
Finished, done.
Done, maybe. Finished?
- I won't have it. - It's not your choice.
Anyway, I hope you like it.
Linda, what were you thinking?
You wouldn't have lost it.
I had hoped not.
- What are you talking about? - Nothing!
Absolutely nothing. Definitively nothing.
Shall we go now?
I would hate to compound the felony by making us late for the party.
That would be terrible, dreadful. A tragedy too great to bear.
God, Linda, what's happened?
Nothing, just a small thing. It's just not like being late or missing an opening.
A very small thing...
that stopped growing.
My sweet girl, I'm so sorry.
I didn't want to tell you like this.
I just went to the doctor, he said I should rest, and it got so late.
I'm sorry.
I wanted it so, Cole.
I wanted it for us.
I know.
- I want to take you home now. All right? - I don't want to go home.
I don't even feel like we have a home.
Then we'll find a new one.
We'll get out of town, we'll travel. We'll find a new place.
Some place good for you and good for me.
If everyone's moved to Hollywood, then we'll go there, too. We'll try it.
We'll make a fresh start.
Let's just get the doctor in tonight, just to make sure you're all right.
No more doctors.
I already know I'm not all right.
Linda, then it wasn't meant to be, that's all.
So, fine, we'll be all right.
We'll be just fine with what was meant to be.
That's you and that's me.
That's what was meant to be.
I love you, Linda Porter.
I love you so much.
- Okay, darling, don't cheat. - It's not in my nature to cheat.
All right, okay.
- All right. Ready? - I'm ready.
My goodness.
Is it all right?
No, I'd like something a little bigger, please.
It's Hollywood, darling, we do things big out here.
This is beautiful. Look at the bow.
Richard!
Let me show you the inside.
All of Metro is proud to have you as part of our family, Cole.
You said that, L.B. Thank you, I appreciate it.
I wanted to tell you again, just to be sure you know.
- We know you'll be happy here. - I'm already happy.
Swell. That makes me happy, you're happy.
You know who else makes me happy? lrving Berlin.
Every song Irving Berlin writes, I love. You know why?
Because his songs sound like what people who aren't clever...
say to each other when they're in love. Real love songs.
Not clever love songs.
Could you write real love songs?
When you write funny songs, I want funny-funny, not clever-funny.
Could you do that for me?
You're stronger if you're not angry.
Tickle their ribs as you slide in the knife.
Try it.
I'll remember forever when I was but three
Mama, who was clever, remarking to me
If, son, when you're grown up you want everything nice
I've got your future sewn up if you take this advice
Be a clown
All the world loves a clown