She's really quite beautiful, Flo, oui?
-Yes, she is, isn't she? -You're very much interested in her, oui?
I'm interested in all my girls, dear.
But maybe a tiny, little bit more in her, oui?
A lot more.
-She's very unusual. -Yes.
I could make a great star out of her, if she'd only let me.
Ladies and gentlemen!
On behalf of the rest of the company, I've been asked to make a little speech.
Well, you see, I have a confession to make.
Little Audrey is a wee bit tight tonight.
No, but seriously, you really shouldn't applaud all of us...
...because everything we've done we owe to Flo.
You see, I was just a little chorus girl when Flo discovered me.
He taught me how to walk and how to dress...
...and how to smile.
So....
Well....
Here's to Flo.
I am afraid you must forgive Miss Lane tonight.
She just passed through many weeks of very tedious rehearsals.
And the nervous strain of an opening night. She's not really herself.
On behalf of my company, I want to thank you.
You've been very kind to my girls and my stars.
And speaking of stars...
...there's a young lady here tonight who, in my opinion...
...is destined to reach the top of her profession.
She doesn't work for me, I'm sorry to say...
...but I'm very proud of her. She's here tonight with her producer, lucky fellow.
And if she will, I'm going to ask Sally Manners to take a bow.
Sally Manners.
Nice of him to pay my star a tribute, isn't it?
Yes, it is. I hope you've got her on a long contract.
-Are you ready, Mr. Ziegfeld? -All ready.
Now, you'll be signing the contract but look in the camera.
The picture wouldn't be right without the Manners smile.
All right? All right, shoot!
Those things horrify me.
-I think we're both to be congratulated. -I feel it's a great opportunity.
-Thank you. -Sage, if you'll take Miss Manners...
...and the boys into your office, I'm sure she'll have things to say.
-I could tell them how happy I am now. -May I congratulate you?
-Thank you. -Right this way, Miss Manners.
-Ms. Manners.... -Come along now, boys.
-Where's that girl you said was my friend? -Here I am.
I didn't want to disturb you.
You told them out there that you were a friend of mine, huh?
Yes, I did.
Well, I see. Just to get into my office, huh?
-Smart girl. -Well, I am a friend of yours.
Have you forgotten me?
No, no, of course not. I....
I remember you very well.
Who am I?
-As if I didn't know. -Do you?
Of course. I always remember the time, the place and the girl.
It was....
-Atlantic City. -Nope.
-No? -No.
Well, that's funny. I seem to remember a chair on a boardwalk...
...you beside me and.... Are you sure it wasn't Atlantic City?
It might have been Atlantic City, but it wasn't me.
Now I remember! Why, it was right here in this office.
You came up to see me about a year ago. Oh, now it all comes back to me.
Well, how are you? Where have you been?
No.
-No? -No. You don't seem to remember...
...the time, the place or the girl.
Well....
Perhaps this will help you.
Mary Lou!
Well, how's my girl?
How's my fella?
Well, my little Mary Lou is a big girl now, isn't she?
Yes!
Yes, indeed, a very big girl.
-Aren't you glad to see me? -Yes, I certainly am!
Even if I wasn't at Atlantic City with you?
Don't be silly. I knew you all the time.
Now, fibber....
-Well, how long you been in New York? -One day.
-One day. You seen my father lately? -Yes, just before I left.
Oh, that reminds me, he told me to give you a big kiss.
Well.
You know, I think that in all fairness...
-...I should tell you I am a married man now. -Yes, I know. I read about it.
It nearly broke my heart.
But being married in New York doesn't mean anything, does it?
Oh, yes, it does, young lady.
Now, why are you here, and what can I do for you?
Well, first of all, I want to give you a big kiss for all the candy you sent me.
You've already done that twice. Now, what else?
-Well, I want to go into the Follies. -You do?
-I've been taking dancing lessons two years. -Yeah?
-How do your father and mother feel? -I haven't a father and mother anymore.
I'm so sorry, my dear.
Of course, Jimmy won't like it.
-Who's Jimmy? -Just another fellow I've been engaged to.
Oh, well....
-All right, I think we can look after you. -Do you think we can have dinner tonight?
Well, no, no, I'm afraid we can't.
-Oh, Alice! -Yes, sir.
Take this lady down to the stage and tell Julian to put her on as an extra dancer.
-For the time being. -Oh, gee, thank you!
Mary Lou is an old friend of mine from Chicago, and she's a stranger here.
-So I'd like you to sort of look after her. -Yes, sir.
-This way, dear. -Oh, may I say one thing before I go?
-Well, yes, of course. What? -I forgive you for not marrying me.
-All right. Goodbye, dear. -Goodbye.
-Hello. Pardon me. Hello, Alice. -Say, Flo!
I know! You got a new song.
I'll say we have. Play him the melody, Danny.
Oh, you'll go crazy over this, Flo.
Mr. Ziegfeld.
I must interrupt you. This is important.
-I got an idea. -How much will it save?
-This has nothing to do with money. -Feeling all right?
My usual headache, but this is about talent.
-Good and cheap, no doubt? -Exactly. A young lady, the name of Brice.
-Fannie Brice. She's working in burlesque. -I've seen that gal, Flo.
-Pretty? -Well, yes and no.
Shut your eyes and listen, yes. Open them and look, no.
-But a great performer. -We should see her at once, tonight.
-Shall I take your coat? -Why not? You bought it for me.
I gave it to you because you've been behaving yourself this week.
What are you going to give me next week?
-Watch the show. -I don't see how you can find...
...great stars in a place like this.
Some of our greatest stars have come from places like this.
Well, of course, not being a star yet, I wouldn't know.
You can, if you behave yourself.
-What's on now, Fannie? -Jim Boss.
-If that guy's funny, I'll be a-- -That guy's gonna be a big star someday.
-He can make you laugh and make you cry. -Yeah, and he can make me sick.
Comics bore me.
You give me a pain in the neck too, always telling me who's gonna be a great star.
Once in burlesque, always in burlesque.
Unless you got looks or a voice or something.
-Well, that's what I got, kid. -What?
-Something. -On the level...
...you don't hope to get out of burlesque?
You're good here because these people are from 1 0th Avenue.
How good do you think you'd be on Fifth Avenue?
Half as good. Another silk stocking gone.
I'll never buy anything from those stage-door peddlers again.
That's what you said before. What'd you let the fella in for? Here.
He told the stage doorman his name was Belasco.
And you thought it was the Mr. Belasco, the producer.
-Calling personally to see you? -Well, maybe I was a little optimistic.
Miss Brice, Mr. Ziegfeld is here to see you.
Another peddler.
First it's Belasco, now it's Ziegfeld.
Tell Mr. Ziegfeld I'm not in, and if I was in, tell him I wouldn't see him.
And if I did see him, tell him I wouldn't buy a thing.
-Yes, miss. -Thank you.
Miss Brice?
I hope I'm not intruding.
-I'm Florenz Ziegfeld. -Is that so?
Sarah, this is Mr. Ziegfeld. Mr. Ziegfeld, this is Sarah Bernhardt.
Not the Sarah Bernhardt?
Well....
-A pleasure to run into you. -If you run into your friend Belasco...
...tell him about the runs in his stockings.
-Do you know David Belasco? -Better than you know Ziegfeld.
Well, come on, what do you want for it?
I'm not interested.
Miss Brice, I am here to offer you a great opportunity.
That's what they all say.
What kind of fur is this?
This?
-That's mink. -That so?
And what's the price?
Well, the original cost was $2700.
Who cares from originals? Copies is just as good.
Come on, I'll try it on.
Yes, of course.
As a matter of fact, it ought to fit you very well.
Don't give me the talk, just tell me the price.
I don't wanna buy it, but I'll give you $50 for it.
-And not a cent more. -Miss Brice, the coat is yours.
-Stuck again. -Fannie! Are you really gonna buy it?
If I can give Belasco 4 dollars for silk stockings made of cotton...
...I can give Ziegfeld more for a mink coat made of skunk.
Besides, a bargain's a bargain. Here.
Here's your $40.
Get out before I change my mind.
Thank you.
Fannie!
-Fannie! -What?
Fannie, look!
-What? Moths already? -No, feel! It's real mink.
How do you know?
I've been promised one often enough to tell.
It's real mink, all right. It's probably stolen goods.
-You mean it's hot? -Of course it's warm.
-Then I'll be arrested if I keep it? -Of course you will.
Call the stage manager! Call the police! Call my mother!
Come in.
Message for Miss Brice.
You read it. I'm dying.
"Dear Fannie Brice.
I can't accept your $40, but you can please me by accepting the coat.
I shall expect you at my office in the New Amsterdam tomorrow...
...as I want to engage you for the Follies.
Florenz Ziegfeld Jr."
Fannie, it was him! It was Ziegfeld!
How do you like that?
I like it.
Fannie! Fannie! Have you fainted?
Can't you see I have, you chump? Get me some whiskey!
-Oh, Miss Brice? -Yes, sir?
-We're ready for you. -I'm coming right down.
Yes, sir, I'll be right down. I'm coming as fast as I can.
I thought I had more time.
Don't lose your nerve, kid. This is your big chance.
Be a trouper!
Look at you. You're working for Ziegfeld now.
And you look like a million dollars.
For the first time in your life, you're class, you mug.
Wait a minute! Ho!
What in the--? Fannie! What in the world are you made up for?
Veronica? Clarence?
Anything I can do, Mr. Ziegfeld?
Yes. Come here, will you?
Yes, Mr. Ziegfeld?
Will you rip off that train?
-But, Mr. Ziegfeld! -Go ahead.
Take off the hat. Get rid of this boa constrictor.
Now, will you get me a shawl? An old shawl.
Yes, sir.
How do you expect Miss Brice to sing a sad song about her man...
...dressed up like a nightingale?
I find personalities, you try to destroy them.
I didn't engage Miss Brice as a showgirl.
-Is that all right, Mr. Ziegfeld? -Well, that's all right for now.
Tomorrow, buy her another outfit.
Go to a secondhand store and get her an old dress.
She's supposed to be an apache, a poor French girl, an urchin.
So to work for Ziegfeld, I gotta be an urchin.
Even in burlesque, I was middle class.
Now...
...let me see this, Fannie.
Fannie?
Sing the song. Now!
Vic? All right. Let's go.
If she can turn those tears on in front of an audience, she'll be a sensation.
Look.
Look at the girls.
Mr. Ziegfeld, shall we get back to that conference?
The boys are still waiting, you know.
Yeah, yeah. Tell them I'll be right up.
She's all right. She's gonna be great.
-Who's that? -Brice. Fannie Brice.
-I've got a great spot for her in this show. -And I discovered her!
That's right, Sam, and you deserve a raise.
And I'd give it to him, but I'm afraid he wouldn't approve of the expense.
-How's it look, Gene? -It's the best we've ever done.
You're the best author. Herbert's the best composer.
Julian's the best director. Joe's the best artist. Sam's the best bookkeeper.
I'm dying to hear it. Every line he writes is a laugh.
We open on a street in Cairo.
Didn't I tell you every line was a laugh?
We open on a street in Cairo. Along comes a man leading an elephant.
Wait just a minute, Gene.
-Can you boys stand a shock? -Well, what do you mean, Flo?
I hate to tell you this because I know how hard you've worked....
-But I've decided not to do another Follies. -What?
I'm going on with this new edition with Brice...
...but after that I wanna do a story. Something with a plot.
Something with all the glamour of the Follies, around a sweet, simple story.
Something that will fit this little girl Sally Manners.
We might call it Sally.
Oh, Jerry.
Hello, Flo. How are you?
-I was just thinking of you. -It's nice to be thought of.
-Hello, boys. -Hello.
Remember that melody you played at my house a few weeks ago?
-I played several. -And they were all beautiful.
But this one was.... You remember? You were going to send it to me.
Oh, I know. "Look for the Silver Lining."
That's the one. Come on, play it. Do you mind?
Sure, I will. I've got the lyrics right here.
Fine. Get this.
"Look for the Silver Lining."
See what I mean? That's what I want.
A story just as simple and sweet as that tune.
Sing it, Jerry, will you?
Ziegfeld...
...these gentlemen are pestering me about money for scenery, costumes and whatnot.
And I wanna tell you in their presence, I have no interest in this show...
...and in no way am I concerned with it.
Our agreement is for Ziegfeld Follies and nothing else.
You understand that, gentlemen? Nothing else.
Mr. Ziegfeld, this is very unpleasant at a rehearsal...
...but we insist on at least 50 percent of our money before opening.
-We are selling a lot of tickets. -Sampston, that's our best proposition.
-Mr. Ziegfeld, we're ready for the finale. -All right, Benny.
Boys, what are you worried about?
Have I started anything I couldn't finish? Don't my curtains always go up?
Why, if I owed you 1 00 times the amount I do, you'd get it.
-Come to me tomorrow, I'll pay you. -50 percent, Mr. Ziegfeld.
A hundred percent if you want it.
Maybe I can give you an advance on the Eddie Cantor show.
I'm doing a story with him too.
Eddie Cantor?
How are you gonna do it?
-I don't know. -Finale.
Mr. Ziegfeld, Audrey Dane is visiting backstage...
...and she brought a lot of champagne with her.
-Well.... -Yes, sir?
Never mind.
-It looks very good, the show, huh? -Yes, it's wonderful, really.
-I'll be back in a moment, darling. -All right.
Hello.
I wanna see every one of you in my office in the morning.
Get out.
Audrey, you know I've forbidden drinking in the dressing rooms.
Oh, Flo, don't be mad at me.
I just asked the girls up to have a drink.
It isn't their fault. You see, it's my f--
Now, Audrey, please. Please stand up now.
I can't. I wanna get down, but I can't get down.
Lift me, Flo.
Audrey.
Oh, don't put me down. Don't put me down.
Audrey, you've broken your last promise to me.
Flo!
You should have at least closed the door.
Wait!
Anna!
Anna, please don't misjudge me. I couldn't help it.
She's drunk.
Do you always do that when she's drunk?
The members of your company must enjoy that very much.
Oh, Anna, don't say that.
Don't you understand, dear? When one of my girls--
Poor Flo. You have so much trouble with your girls, oui?
Anna!
Aren't you going to eat your grapefruit, sir?
No, nothing, Sidney.
Well, we know now why she didn't come home last night.
I'm sorry, sir.
-Did you send the flowers? -The minute I learned the address.
-A dozen orchids as usual. -Good.
Mr. Sampston called again, sir.
He says the bank positively refuses to increase your loans.
-Thank you, Sidney. -Yes, sir.
-Miss Dane, sir. -Here?
Undoubtedly she's read the paper, sir.
Show her in, Sidney.
Well, Flo, congratulations.
-On what? -I just saw the headline.
I don't think I'm to be congratulated, Audrey.
Little Audrey is speaking out of turn again.
-And I was a bad girl last night too. -I don't think you should have come here.
So that's how you feel.
-Going to Atlantic City tonight? -No.
-Isn't the show opening there tomorrow? -No.
Broke again?
Yes, broke again.
-Please don't turn the elephant, Audrey. -Afraid I'll spoil your luck?
So...
...nobody thinks enough of your new star to loan you money.
I don't blame them.
Why didn't you star me in the show? You, with all your promises.
"Audrey, if you'll just behave yourself, I'll put your name on Broadway."
"Audrey, if you'll only stop drinking, I'll have great shows written for you."
Why didn't you make me a great star?
-I couldn't depend on you, as I could on-- -Yes!
Well, all right. Depend on her now.
Go on, star her. Do anything you like with her.
I hate you! I'm never gonna see you again.
I'm quitting you and your show. I hope you don't get the money to open it.
And if you do, I hope it's a flop! That's how I feel about you!
And this is how I feel about your elephant!
-Sidney? -Yes, sir?
Take a wire to Mr. Billings.
Will that be all, Mr. Billings?
Yes, that'll be all, thank you.
-Miss Jones, take care of that right away. -Yes, sir.
I got another telegram from Ziegfeld. He can't open his show unless we help him.
We won't help him. I told him so yesterday.
I'm not interested, and I won't loan him 5 cents.
-Send him a wire-- -I just did.
-Did what? -Wired him the money.
Isn't that Mr. Ziegfeld?
Say, Flo, why don't you go put on the costume...
-...and get into the spirit of the dance. -I'm tired, Gene.
Come on, Flo. Don't lose interest in everything.
No, I'm going home. Good night.
-Let me have that megaphone, honey. -Yes, sir.
-Willie. -Flo, you're not leaving.
-Yes, I am. -We're starting a Paul Jones inside...
...and I promise whenever you get a pretty girl, I'll blow the whistle.
Not tonight, Willie.
Say, who is that girl with the gorgeous red hair?
Why, that's Billie Burke.
Thanks, Willie.
-Good evening, Jack. -How do you do? Come on.
Willie.
-Yes, Flo? -I'm staying for the Paul Jones.
Whenever you see me with Miss Burke, blow the whistle.
Okay.
Take your places for the Paul Jones, everybody.
The Paul Jones!
-Well, do you think we ought to? I-- -Oh, yes. I love the Paul Jones.
-Perhaps we could both go the same way. -No, we can't do that!
Oh, Well, I....
Miss Burke.
Mister...?
It doesn't matter.
Oh, no, I'm supposed to-- I've got to-- We're not--
-Oh, no, this is our dance. -Oh, is it?
-Miss Burke. -We meet again, Mister...?
It still doesn't matter.
Won't you tell me?
-Tell you what? -Your name.
-Why don't you ask Mr. Billings. -I will, if I can find him.
But you seem to stand in with the whistle.
Oh, yes, when I was a little boy, I used to love to whistle...
...and a whistle never forgets.
-Aren't you getting bored? -No. Are you?
-I'm afraid not. -Tired?
-Are you? -No, but I'd much rather just talk.
-Would you mind? -No.
Don't you love the lights of New York?
For me, they're more beautiful than any landscape.
-More beautiful than the mountains? -Yes, I think so.
-Are you too cold out here? -No, indeed. I'm enjoying it.
That is, I....
I mean, the electric signs fascinate me.
"Wrigley's Chewing Gum, Fleischmann's Yeast, Ziegfeld's Follies."
-Do you know Ziegfeld? -No, I don't want to.
-I understand he's a horrible person. -Horrible?
Yes, they say he's a terrible lady's man. Well, I suppose that's forgivable.
He's surrounded by so many beautiful women.
Yes, yes. Strange you've never met him.
I don't want to. I love his shows.
They're so beautiful and in such good taste. It would disappoint me to meet him...
...and find him to be a fat, pudgy man with a big stomach.
He's not fat and not really so pudgy.
-No? You know him? -Oh, yes.
Yes. He would like you.
-How do you know? -Didn't you just say he had good taste?
Well, you're sort of a lady's man yourself, aren't you?
I think with you as the lady, I could make Ziegfeld look like an amateur.
-You haven't told me your name yet. -If you don't mind, Mr. Ziegfeld...
...Miss Burke, with the permission of her producer...
...came here with me tonight.
And if you've no objection, I'd like to have one dance.
Mr. Ziegfeld? Well, you were right. He isn't pudgy.
-Shall we go in? -Yes!
-Don't I get one more dance? -I'm afraid not.
I imagine it's Mr. Frohman you're really afraid of, isn't it?
-Oh, I'm.... -Perhaps.
He doesn't want you to appear too much socially.
Frankly, no, he doesn't.
And you don't like me very well anyway, do you?
-Frankly, no, I don't. -No. She doesn't!
You put him in his place, all right.
What would Gen. Grant think if he knew we were using...
...the very shadow of his tomb as our meeting place?
Well, I never knew the general personally, but I have an idea he'd approve.
I don't know. Nobody else seems to. At least, Mr. Frohman doesn't.
And why not?
Why can't we meet where we like? Go where we want?
Just because he has you under contract...
...is no reason he should dictate your personal life.
-I'm here. -Yes, and so am I.
But it must seem like kindergarten to you.
Why?
The great Mr. Ziegfeld, producer of the Follies...
...surrounded by hundreds of beautiful women...
...sitting on a bench, holding hands...
...watching the riverboats go back and forth.
-Doesn't sound a bit like you, does it? -No, it doesn't.
But here I am, sitting on a bench...
...holding hands and watching the riverboats go back and forth.
And regretting all the years I haven't known you.
Didn't Anna Held take up a few of those years?
Yes, Billie, she did.
She was truly a wonderful woman.
I love you for saying that.
Look, there's another ferryboat going across to the Palisades.
Will you keep your eyes on it while I tell you something?
Must I look at a ferryboat to listen to you?
Yes, or I won't be able to tell you.
You mean the great lady's man is bashful?
Strange as it may seem, in your presence, he is.
All right, I'm looking.
I love you, Billie.
The ferryboat.
I haven't anything to offer you, because there's nothing you really seem to need.
You've made the most of yourself unassisted, and that's grand.
Ferryboat.
You're a great star already, so there's little I can offer you.
Nothing I can give you, except my love.
That isn't enough.
I'd expect part of your ambition, half of your trouble...
...two-thirds of your worries and all of your respect.
Here's your medicine, madame.
No, thank you, Marie. I'm tired of it.
-But, madame.... -No, no, no, no.
Perhaps you would like to go to Paris?
No, I'm too tired to go anywhere and to do anything.
Marie....
Look at the paper...
...and tell me where did they go on their honeymoon?
But they couldn't go anywhere, madame.
Miss Burke is appearing in a play here.
We saw her only two weeks ago.
You insisted, madame. You remember.
Oui, I know. And we enjoyed it very much too.
She's a lovely actress, Marie, oui?
She has such twinkling eyes...
...and such a funny little twitter when she speaks.
Yes, I can well imagine Flo being in love with her.
Marie?
Call his office. I will congratulate him.
Hello? Brian 3093, please.
I should wish him luck, oui?
-Oui, I should. -Mr. Ziegfeld, please.
-Miss Anna Held speaking. -No, Marie, hang up!
-I cannot speak with him today! -Mr. Ziegfeld?
He's on the telephone, madame.
He is?
Hello, Flo.
Yes, here's Anna.
I'm so happy for you today.
I could not help but call on you and congratulate you.
Wonderful, Flo. Never better in my whole life.
I'm so excited about my new plans. I'm going to Paris.
Yes, for a few weeks, and then I can get back...
...and then I'm doing a new show, and I--
Oui, it's all so wonderful. I'm so happy.
Yes, and I hope you are happy too.
Yes?
I'm so glad for you, Flo.
It sounds funny for ex-husband and ex-wife to tell each other how happy they are, oui?
Yes, Flo.
Goodbye, Flo.
Goodbye.
If you love him so much, why did you divorce him?
Because I thought it would bring him back to me.
I was sure that it would bring him back to me.
Goody, goody, goody! Is that all for me?
That certainly is, every bit for you. And that isn't all. Sidney?
Yes, sir?
Now, if you don't like the view from this side...
-...then-- -I don't.
-That's the chimney Santa came down. -Yes!
-That's where the reindeer stopped. -I wonder how they kept from sliding off.
Probably the bricks stopped them.
See, Mommy, it's almost big enough for me to get in.
-It is! -It's almost big enough for us all to get in.
-Oh, yes! Sidney.... -Yes, sir?
Hasn't Santa Claus brought the elephant yet?
Not yet, sir, but he, she-- It may be here at any moment, sir.
-You didn't buy an elephant? -I did.
-A live elephant, Daddy? -A great big, live elephant.
I beg your pardon, sir, madam.
In behalf of the help, and as their spokesman...
...I wish to express our thanks for your thoughtfulness and generosity...
...and to wish you a very merry Christmas.
-Thank you. -That's very nice, Sidney.
And may we wish a very merry Christmas to all of you.
Thank you, sir. Thank you, madam. Merry Christmas.
And to you, Miss Patricia.
Same to you, Sidney.
Now, how about opening your presents?
With all this extravagance, I'm a little afraid to.
Nonsense, darling, that's what Christmas is for.
Come on, now.
-Oh, Flo. -Now.
-This isn't all for me? -Well, who else?
-I don't know which one to open first. -Well, suppose you try this one.
Oh, Flo!
A crown of diamonds.
How beautiful.
This proves that America is not a republic.
Because you are the queen, and queens always wear crowns.
A bracelet for the regal wrist.
A pendant for the royal throat.
-And.... -Flo!
A cloak for Her Majesty's shoulders.
-Darling! -And....
-Oh, no, Flo. Nothing else! -Yes.
A kiss from her most humble subject.
Darling!
Oh, everything's so lovely.
-But you shouldn't have done so much. -Oh, well, I....
I hadn't anything to do with it.
It was Santa Claus. He brought everything.
Yes, I know, but Santa Claus was far too extravagant.
You should take some of it back.
Oh, Mama, I don't want Santa Claus to take back any of my presents.
Don't worry, he won't.
No, and he won't take back any of your mama's either.
I'd cry if he took my circus back.
-You would? -Why, darling?
-You like it better than your other presents? -But I wish it was a real, live circus.
Well, I guess you'll have to do a circus, Flo.
Could you, Daddy?
Well, I don't know. Let's see.
I've never had any experience with circuses.
But I can try.
I'll tell you what. Let's make a chorus in front of these two wagons.
Who's this fellow? That's the ringmaster in the center, where a ringmaster should be.
Now, we'll put these two acrobats up next to him...
...then we'll put this Tyrollean fellow there. Put the clown next to him.
He's a funny fellow, and there's the lion-tamer.
Gosh, I bet he's a brave fellow too. And there's the drum major.
And here is the strongman. We'll call him Sandow.
-And who is this? -Well, that's....
Oh! Of course. That's little Harriet Hoctor.
I've always wanted to give her a chance.
I'll tell you what. Now, you hold her for a minute, and we'll bring her on later. Now...
...let's put it all back of a curtain, just as I do in the theater.
Now, this is the curtain.
-What's the laugh, Jack? -This article on Ziegfeld.
Says he's broke and can't borrow a nickel from any bank.
He wouldn't have to borrow if he'd commercialized.
He'd never send out a number two company.
He wanted the public to see his best production.
Why doesn't he stick to his Follies? That other show is terrible.
-Guess the old boy's washed-up. -He's been slipping for years.
-White and Carroll have got it all over him. -Bob....
Let me have a cold towel, will you?
Well, the guy's getting old.
Yeah, and broke. He won't have another hit on Broadway.
-Isn't someone making a theater for him? -Yeah. It's to be his monument.
It's about time. He could use a monument.
-I don't know you fellows. -You got nothing on me. I don't know you.
You ought to. You've been burying me for five minutes. I'm Ziegfeld. You're right.
I'm not gonna have another hit on Broadway. I'm gonna have four.
Four at one time. You get that? Four!
And all hits.
Oh, Mr. Ziegfeld!
You forgot your tie.
He's gonna have four hits, and he hasn't got a tie left.
Flo.
Darling.
Why did you come upstairs without saying hello? Are you trying to elude me?
Well, I'm not feeling very well, dear.
Poor darling. You're just tired.
Where's your tie?
What do you think of that? I....
I must have left it in the barbershop this afternoon.
And you've been around without it ever since?
Darling, that isn't like you.
What's wrong, Flo?
Billie, I'm all through.
-Through with what? -Everything. I'm slipping. I'm...
...getting old.
And who told you that?
-Three men in the barbershop. -That's why you forgot your tie.
Yes, I've never done anything like that in my whole life.
Isn't that tragic? For the first time in your long career, you forgot a tie.
It's a calamity.
-Who were those men, Flo? -I don't know. I never saw them before.
They said I'd never produce another hit.
And what did you say?
I told them I'd have four on Broadway at the same time.
-Sounds more like you. -Yeah, but it was only a bluff.
I'm sorry, dear. I don't mean to worry you.
Where's Patricia?
She's having her dinner.
-You came home very late, dear. -Yes, dear. I'm sorry. I....
I've been so worried.
The play is such a terrible failure.
But you're not, darling.
Afraid I am.
-Well, shall we have some dinner? -Flo.
I'm disappointed in you.
I didn't think you'd ever lose confidence in yourself.
But I must be the failure, not you.
-Oh, Billie. -No, I mean it, darling.
Before we were married...
...you never thought of failure even when you were broke.
It was your sublime superiority more than anything else...
...that made me admire you so much. Please don't change, Flo.
Don't let Patricia and me become a worry to you.
We don't expect you to reduce your life to just us.
I want you to go right on being just as you always were.
I would never be jealous...
...because with your love of beauty, you could never be cheap or common.
So in whatever you do...
...you need never fear me.
And what is more important...
...don't be afraid of yourself.
I'm not gonna be afraid, Billie.
All right, young man. I'll give you a chance to prove it.
In my vault, I have all the jewelry you've ever given me...
...even the queen's crown...
...and some very good bonds.
They're all yours...
...on one condition.
That you keep your promise to those three men and have four hits on Broadway.
-Is that a bargain? -Oh, Billie.
Mr. Ziegfeld.
Just a minute.
Mr. Ziegfeld, it's Police Inspector Doyle. He says it's important.
-Why didn't you say so? Send him in. -All right.
All right, Mr. Doyle.
Mr. Ziegfeld.
Hello, inspector.
-We got them, all right. -You did? That's wonderful.
It is wonderful, with the descriptions you gave us.
-Where are they? -Right outside.
-Bring them in. -All right, sir.
Bring those birds in here.
-Here they are. -What's going on?
-Pipe down, pipe down. -What's the charge against these men?
-Murder. -Murder?
Yes, murder.
About a year ago, these three gentlemen killed me and buried me.
-Killed? Buried? -Yes. In a Times Square barbershop.
-Remember? -Oh, yes, I remember. Don't you?
Now, I'm going to give each of you a box to all four of my shows.
Four hits, all in one season.
And then I want you to tell me whether or not you still think I'm washed-up.
I'm sorry, but this is the only way I could locate you.
I knew that if you were to be found at all, Inspector Doyle was the one to do it.
Sam, have Goldie take their reservations for whatever nights they wish.
-Good day, gentlemen. -This way.
-Thank you. -That's getting even with a vengeance.
That's not a bad ending for a practical joke, is it?
Goldie, take these gentlemen's names and addresses.
Don't you realize what you may have let yourself in for?
-What? -They can sue you for false arrest.
-And the police department. -Don't you realize we have nothing...
-...to worry about anymore? -I hope so.
No need to hope. You know what I've been doing?
-What? -Buying stocks. I've bought over a million.
-Outright? -No, on margin.
But all solid securities.
When I've paid for them, I'm gonna buy another million and another.
-Sam, I'm going to be really rich. -I hope you're right, sir.
But the market's been behaving very queerly these last few days.
-Yes? -Croydon & Company on the phone.
-Put them on. -Been trying to get you.
They're my broker. Hello? Speaking.
Oh. Well, what happened?
Down 20 to 40 points?
How much?
-Three hundred thousand?! -What is it?
Oh, no, no, no! Don't do that!
I'll cover. I'll get the money to you in just a little while.
-Will you put Holloway on the phone? -Flo, what is it?
The market, Sam, it's crashed.
I've got to get $300,000 in cash, immediately.
-How are we gonna do it? -I don't know.
-Maybe I could borrow it from a bank. -On what?
On your shows.
It's too late. I've already mortgaged the shows for the first payments on the stock.
What's that?
But you've got to locate him!
Yes, I'll cover. I'll get the money to you in a while. Just hold the wire.
-Sam, get Billings. -Yes, sir.
Try his house, his office, anywhere, but get Billings!
Mr. Nagus, we haven't received your check, and your margin's wiped out.
Hello, Mr. Billings. I'll be right with you. No, we can't, Mr. Nagus.
I'm sorry, but we can't hold your stocks any longer.
Mr. Billings, we've had to sell you out too.
Well, that takes me back to my second childhood consistently.
I was a poor kid when I started.
-Mr. Ziegfeld's on number six for you. -Excuse me, Mr. Billings.
Hello? Oh, yes, Mr. Ziegfeld.
Yes, we had to sell you out about half an hour ago.
Yes.
I know it is, and I'm terribly sorry.
-I didn't know Ziegfeld was in the market. -Yes, very heavy.
-He'll lose everything. -Everything?
Everything.
Well, this is one time he can't get it from me.
Yes, madam. Yes, madam, it is.
The doctor left about 10 minutes ago, madam.
He seemed very happy about Mr. Ziegfeld.
Said he might stay up for a while longer.
Oh, he did so enjoy sitting up to dinner with you and Miss Patricia.
-No, madam. -But don't let him stay up too long.
Yes, I know, but the more he rests, the sooner he'll be well again.
And tell him I'll be home immediately after the performance.
-It's time for your entrance, Miss Burke. -Yes, yes.
Sidney, be sure to call me right after the second act.
Yes, about 1 0:05.
Yes, madam.
Madam was very happy about you, sir.
Oh, my poor Billie.
I wish she weren't working.
But it does help some, Sidney.
-Get those wires off as quickly as you can. -Yes, sir.
Were you able to reach Eddie Cantor by phone?
The Los Angeles operator's been trying for some time, sir.
Tell her to keep on trying.
-Sidney? -Yes, sir?
When you get him...
...tell him that I want him for a new show.
Tell him I'll start rehearsals the instant he can get away from those pictures.
Tell him I need him.
-I haven't had a real show in two years. -Yes, sir.
-Wasn't that the bell, Sidney? -Yes, sir.
Well, why don't you answer it.
Yes, sir.
-Mr. Billings. -Hello, Sidney.
How's Mr. Ziegfeld?
Well, he's much improved, sir, but he's very nervous.
He will be glad to see you, sir.
If we could get him started on a new show, sir.
-Yeah. -I mean to say, if he had the money, sir.
Yes, well, we'll see that he gets it.
My valet isn't as efficient as you used to be, Sidney.
He lets me neglect things. All right for me to see him?
-Yes, sir. I wouldn't stay too long. -No, no, no.
Well, hello, Ziggy. How are you feeling?
Hello, Jack.
I'm feeling much better.
-Thank you. Sit down, won't you? -Yes.
Let me look at you.
I don't think you've been sick. Just playing possum so your creditors can't find you.
No.
No creditors.
No. No creditors.
-When are you gonna be up and around? -Well...
-...pretty soon now, I hope. -Hurry up.
I'm expecting you to go to Europe with me.
Oh. Well, when are you sailing?
In a couple of weeks. We'll stop off at Monte Carlo.
You can break the bank again.
And then we'll go to London. Maybe we can find some new talent together.
Does it interest you?
Yes. Yes, I'd like to go to London.
Yeah? Why?
-You got someone in mind? -No.
-Why, have you? -No.
But I wouldn't tell you if I had, not if you were 1 0 times as sick as you are.
Oh, those were great old days, Jack.
Yeah.
Remember the fair?
Do I. Little Egypt.
-Sandow. -Yeah, and then Anna Held.
Yes.
Oh, I'm sorry, Ziggy.
Why is it, Jack, that in a world so old...
...life must be so short?
Short? I feel as if I'd been here 1 000 years.
And I'm gonna stay 1 000 more.
And you'd feel the same way if you'd snap out of it and get a new show started.
Yes.
Yes, I'd like to do another Follies.
Why don't you do it.
Don't you think it's about time that you and I split 50-50 in something?
I'd love to, Jack.
But it'll take a lot of money.
I've never refused you before, have I?
No, but...
...that was all in the dark ages.
Before the Depression, I mean.
-I heard that the market got you. -Me? Why, I.... Don't be silly.
I'm too smart for any stock market.
Oh, I lost a couple of thousand or so, but I got out in time.
-Really? -Yeah.
How about you? Did it get you?
Oh, no. No, I....
I never played the market.
Oh, I may have dropped a few hundred, maybe...
...but nothing to speak of.
Well, how much money do you suppose it'll take, Ziggy?
-A couple of hundred thousand. -A couple of hundred thousand?
Well, okay, it's a deal.
Pull yourself together, get well, and I'll give you money.
Isn't that wonderful, Mr. Ziegfeld? Doesn't that make you feel better, sir?
Yes, that makes me feel much better.
Jack...
...you're a real person.
Yeah, well, you're....
You're not a bad sort yourself, Ziggy.
Well, I'll drop in tomorrow.
Yes. Do that.
And, Ziggy, if you just put your mind to it, I think you'll be up and around in a week.
Don't let me rush you, because while you're here convalescing...
...I'll be picking out the gals for the new show.
-Well, he looks all right to me, Sidney. -Undoubtedly he will be, sir.
Thanks to you.
I hope so.
Take good care of him, Sidney.
Because if anything happened to Ziggy, I....
Well, take good care of him.
Mr. Ziegfeld.
I wouldn't tax my strength if I were you, sir.
Sidney...
...I've got things to do.
I must get Cantor, Bill Rogers, Bill Fields.
They must come back to me!
I'll have all my old stars together in one great show.
I must do the biggest Follies of my whole life!
I....
Oh, Sidney, I'm so terribly broke.
But Mr. Billings, sir, isn't he going to help you?
Sidney, he hasn't a nickel.
He was lying to me just to make me feel better.
We're both broke.
I wouldn't worry about that, sir.
You've been broke before, sir.
Yes, I know. I've always laughed about it.
But I can't laugh anymore, Sidney...
...because I've been wrong.
I've got nothing.
Nothing to leave anyone.
Nothing, sir? You leave them the memories...
...of the finest things ever done on the stage, sir.
You'll leave them a name that they can be proud of all their lives.
You'll soon feel better...
...and then you can do more beautiful things than ever before, sir.
It's nice of you, Sidney, to say that.
I must call madam again now, sir. It's after 1 0.
The memories...
...of the finest things ever done on the stage.
Chicory 51 61 .
Hello? Get me Miss Burke's dressing room, please.
Yes.
Oh, Miss Burke. He seems to be resting comfortably.
Yes, I thought you'd like to know.
Yes, Miss Burke. Yes, I'll deliver your message.
Mr. Ziegfeld.
Mr. Z--
Hello. Is Dr. Hassel still in the building, please?
Would you ask him to come up to Mr. Ziegfeld's apartment at once?
Yes. Hurry, please.
I've got to have more steps.
I need more steps.
I've got to get higher.
Higher.