[TRAIN WHISTLE TOOTING]
NARRATOR: The 1920s...
... a wild, restless decade that spawned the speakeasy and the bootlegger.
There was flaming youth with hip flasks...
... flappers with bobbed hair, spit curls and rolled stockings.
Young America was drawn by the lure of the big city, bright lights and jazz.
In the heart of it, the toddling town, Chicago...
... and its get-rich-quick rackets.
LARRY: Get rich, get healthy, get set for a happy old age...
...in sunny Florida, where the palm trees sway...
...and the girls all wiggle and dance.
Sunny Acre City, folks. All right, all right.
Step... I beg your pardon. Young fellow, this is the only piece of land...
...I ever saw with sex appeal. Now, what?
[HAWAIIAN MUSIC PLAYING ON PHONOGRAPH]
[THUNDER CRACKING]
Looks like this property is gonna be underwater in about eight seconds.
Just like those lots he's selling.
- Let's get out of here. - Don't go away, folks.
Don't go away. Like I said, I've only got a few lots left.
Buy now in time for the season of fiesta...
...where love, good fellowship and merrymaking prevail.
You'd better get out of here, Helen.
[MUSIC STOPS]
HELEN: Oh, boy, that's cold.
You're messing things up for the rest of us, Morgan.
Punching every minute.
Where do you think you're playing, the palace?
I'm just excited, I guess.
I'm still not used to being in show business.
Show business? You know, all I wanted to do...
...was get away from them fields of cotton, but they don't look so bad now.
To Alabama, here I come.
I thought five-a-dime burlecue was bad.
But at least we didn't have to work out in the rain.
I don't think it's gonna let up. You wanna go?
- Got everything? Umbrella? SUE: Mm-hm.
- Okay. Bye, Morgan. - Bye.
[THUNDER CRACKING]
Wait a minute.
Well, girls, I just kissed off the real-estate business.
I'm branching out into a new racket.
What a blow to show business.
Here you are, less 2 bucks for the grass skirt.
Gee, thanks, sport. Do you see what I mean, Morgan?
The smaller they are, the tighter they squeeze.
- Bye. - Bye-bye.
Bye, honey.
Be careful.
Would you hand me my dress, please?
Over there.
Thanks.
You look pretty worn-out. I guess I was rough on you, huh?
I didn't mind.
I'm grateful to you for giving me my first real chance.
Grateful for what? This phony pitch?
Quit kidding yourself. This isn't show business.
It's been better than the other jobs I've had.
Guess there's no sense telling you to go back...
...to Paducah or Walla Walla or wherever your folks are.
It's Danville, Illinois. And there are no folks.
It's funny. People there used to look down their noses at me...
...like I was something the cat dragged in.
You don't know how mean the gossips in a small town can be.
Double that in spades for the big city.
Oh, but you know, I'm not scared anymore.
I've taken the first step.
And I know I'll get there. I'll make it somehow.
Sure you will.
I sure do wanna thank you for all your help.
Goodbye, Larry.
I hope it isn't forever.
No, we'll run into each other.
Thanks. Oh, I owe you $2 for the grass skirt.
Forget it.
Only cost me a buck anyway.
Remember, if there's anything I can do for you...
I'll remember.
Well, goodbye, Larry.
Wait a minute. It's raining cats and dogs out there.
Oh, the bus stop isn't far.
Why don't you stay here?
- No, Larry. - Where are you gonna go?
- I'll find a place. - Stay.
- Larry, I can't. - Come on. Why not? Don't be scared.
- Please, Larry. - Don't you see? I'm stuck on you.
Larry...
[SOBBING]
KLINGMAN: That's right. I wanna play Snowshoes in the fourth.
[HELEN SINGING "SILENT NIGHT"]
Yeah. Two to win it. That's right.
That's enough. Last time, he didn't even figure.
Mr. Klingman, I know I can do it better. Give me another chance.
- I'm going to lunch, boss. - Okay, okay.
Tell you what, leave your name with Miss Jensen, just in case.
Now, in the seventh, I wanna go across the border on Firefly.
Yeah, two, four and four.
That's right.
He doesn't really want me to leave my name, does he?
No use lying to you, honey. It'll just be filed and forgotten.
Where did you get that song you did for Klingman?
I used to sing it at church socials.
Look, honey, you've got a sweet voice.
I hate to tell you how many girls have been through that door.
If they don't get a job, they ask for a handout.
So first piece of advice, get yourself some different songs.
Second piece of advice, forget the first and go home.
I'm not going to quit and I'm not going home.
Why should you? I didn't either.
Here, take this to Jim Finney's.
- Maybe he can use you. - Thanks a lot.
[GIRL LAUGHING]
KLINGMAN: You're a real cutie.
See what I mean, honey? Go home.
HELEN [SINGING]: If I were the only girl
In the world
And you were the only boy
[DOORBELL BUZZING]
Nothing else would matter
Keep on going. That ain't the law.
In the world today
We could go on loving
LARRY: Come on, open up. It's your favorite bootlegger.
HELEN [SINGING]: In the same old...
Hey, Larry. Ben.
- Finney, we got the good stuff. - Oh, imported?
And how. I've been up all night printing the labels.
Just made for two
Larry, come here.
With...
Hey, take it easy, now, will you, fellas? Ben, you know where it is.
- Show them, huh? MAN: I've been here before.
What's the matter now, kid?
Nothing.
Would you start again, please?
If I were the only girl in the world
- You got six cases of rye coming, right? - Right.
Kid's got talent.
Not enough brass in her voice.
Finney, you got a tin ear.
Okay, next week, what kind of gin you want?
Since you've been hustling for Whitey Krause, the gin's getting weaker.
When I start hustling for myself, you start getting the good stuff from Canada.
- What kind of gin you want? - Imported.
- Three cases. - Two.
Two cases of regular gin.
Regular, imported, it's all from the same bathtub.
That kid's good. She's really got it.
How about Scotch?
You got it in real Scotch bottles this time?
Two cases of regular Scotch.
Do yourself a favor. Hire the kid.
I hope your hooch is better than your suggestions.
Besides, I don't go for that sad stuff.
What do you mean? The customers drink more when they cry.
Six hundred and forty dollars.
HELEN: Wonderful things to you
There would be
Such wonderful things to do
If I were the only...
Tell you what.
I'll get Whitey to knock a fin off every case of booze, you give her the job.
What's the canary to you?
Nothing. I'm just a music lover.
HELEN: And you were the only boy
Well, you get the job, girly.
I do? I didn't even think you were listening.
You'll be here at 8:00 tonight. I'll supply the hostess dress.
You get $ 15 a week and 10 percent of all the liquor you sell.
But I don't drink. I'm a singer.
Sing people into buying drinks.
Did Mr. Maddux have anything to do with this?
Maddux? Who's Maddux?
You want this job or don't you want it?
Yes, yes. Thank you very much, Mr. Finney.
- I'll be here at 8. - On time.
Glad you made it, honey.
Thanks.
GIRLS [SINGING]: I found my love in Avalon
- Beside the bay - Beside the bay
I left my love in Avalon
- And sailed away - And sailed away
I dream of him and Avalon
From dusk till dawn
And so I think I'll travel on
To Avalon
There she is, the one in the middle.
Don't they have tomatoes in Canada?
You need her along on this junket like you need two heads.
You handle your end of the deal. She's a good front for me.
The deal's cinched. I got it all set with the stage manager up there.
I'll travel on to Avalon
FINNEY: Hey, girly. Come here.
Come on, pick yourself out a chump and get busy ordering drinks.
Yes, sir.
Hey, honey, honey.
When you order, you want booze or cold tea?
Cold tea.
MAN 1: Come here, baby. Let's make whoopee.
- Let go of me. - Wow, you are the cat's pajamas.
You know, they ought to have a picture of you in front of this joint. You're a re...
MAN 1: Hey, what is this he...?
Get out of...
MAN 2: Knock it off.
- Take out the garbage. MAN 2: Get out of here, you bum.
Happy to.
Relax, kid.
- What's with hitting my customers? - He was insulting her.
If she can't be insulted, I don't want her.
- So fire her. - Oh, no, please...
Broads with baby faces spell nothing but trouble. Give me my dress back.
It ain't gonna look so good on you, Finney.
WHITEY: Larry?
BEN: Whitey, why don't we see the show and have two laps?
Finney, a table for the boys.
Sit down.
You don't wanna work in a joint like this. You need someone to look after you.
You'll look after me? That's funny.
Larry, where'd you go? How could you just leave a note?
My back was up against the wall. I wrote you I was sorry.
Not half as sorry as I am.
You wanna sing for a pack of muzzlers like this?
I told you, I'm sorry.
I wanna help you. I already got an idea.
You ever been to Canada?
What are you talking about? What about us?
This is for you, just for you, a hundred percent for you.
It can lead to New York City, the big time.
This is my pal Ben. Ben, Helen Morgan.
How are you?
You tell her.
This idea is a lollapalooza.
There's this beauty contest in Montreal to pick Miss Canada.
Larry and I are sort of the publicity agents for the thing.
The winner gets a thousand bucks...
...and a two-week contract in Broadway with a big musical.
And it's all arranged. You're gonna win it.
I'm not a Canadian.
They don't stamp "made in Canada" on the behinds of little girls.
What do you say?
I don't know.
[APPLAUSE]
ANNOUNCER: Miss Claudine Latour of Montreal...
...from the great province of Quebec.
[APPLAUSE]
Miss Helen Morgan from Whitewood, Saskatchewan.
[APPLAUSE]
Miss Dolly Delaney from Kenora, Ontario.
One of our local girls.
REPORTER: Boy.
ANNOUNCER: Last but not least, Miss Denise Rubiano...
Get this on the wire and ask for an answer.
Yes, sir.
Well, there they are, folks.
A corsage of Canadian cuties.
One of them is going to walk out of here Miss Canada.
In a few moments, the judges will give us their decision.
But in order to maintain complete impartiality in selecting Miss Canada...
...we have asked an American to be the chairman of our judges' committee.
You all know him.
He's a well-known New York attorney and a frequent visitor to our fair land.
Mr. Russell Wade.
Bring it over here.
Aren't you through yet? What's taking so long?
What are you worried about? You're in the clear.
All you know is we bought scenery from an American show that flopped.
- We're shipping it back to the States. - Okay, but hurry up.
I think it would be better to truck the stuff through.
I know what I'm doing. It looks more legit on the train.
Ladies and gentlemen, the judges have reached a decision.
I present Her Royal Highness, Miss Canada...
...Helen Morgan of Whitewood, Saskatchewan.
[APPLAUSE]
Ladies and gentlemen, there's great, great excitement in Montreal tonight...
...where an unknown young lady from Whitewood, Saskatchewan...
...has been crowned Miss Canada.
Here you are, honey. It's a little bit nicer than that hula skirt I gave you once.
It's all so exciting. I can't believe what's happening to me.
- You're wanted in the judges' room. - Thank you.
Probably wanna give you a check for $ 1000 and sign your contract.
Do you think so?
- Good luck. - Thanks.
Miss Morgan, this is rather embarrassing for me.
One of the reporters checked by Teletype...
...and he claims they never heard of you in Whitewood.
Is that true, Miss Morgan?
I'm not even a Canadian.
I'm from Illinois.
Well, as one American to another, now we're both in a spot.
What's going to happen?
Well, you'll be automatically disqualified. You'll have to return all the prizes.
Yes. Yes, of course I...
I'm very sorry.
Well, not about the prizes, but about all the trouble I've caused.
What baffles me is why you ever attempted a hoax like this.
I wanted a chance at that New York musical.
Oh.
In my business, it's always refreshing to hear someone who tells the truth.
Are they going to prosecute or anything?
Well, I think I can quash this for you.
No, I think we can safely consider the matter closed.
Thank you very much, Mr. Wade.
I'm more ashamed than ever now.
Well, don't be.
There's one thing you'll never have to be ashamed about.
Your looks. You're a very pretty girl.
Thank you.
- Is this Car 90? - This is it, right here.
- Ben. - Dolly.
Funny, I don't care what I kiss anymore. How are you?
Sue, Ben Weaver, the guy I was telling you about.
- My pleasure. - How are you?
We just died in every vaudeville house in Canada.
We're crawling our way back to New York. What are you doing?
When you wrote, I made a deal to buy up scenery in a show.
What kind of shenanigans are you up to?
- A little enterprise we're interested in. SUE: Helen.
- Helen Morgan, how are you? - Sue.
- Fellow troupers, Helen Morgan. HELEN: How do you do?
Helen, meet the late Songbird Trio.
Snappy patter, golden notes and flat on our...
How have you been? I read about you being Miss Canada, almost.
- What happened? - She was rooked out of the title.
CONDUCTOR: Board. All aboard.
DOLLY: You getting on? CONDUCTOR: Watch your step.
DOLLY: We'll talk all the way. SUE: I'm so glad to see you.
Let's go. Everything's jade, boy, a lead-pipe cinch.
- Great. - Here.
I got it, I got it.
[TRAIN BELL RINGING]
We'll be stopping at the border soon, near Niagara Falls.
That give you any ideas?
Yeah. If you got a barrel.
You're a riot.
Dolly, I'm asking you to be my ball and chain.
You keep hanging around with a crook like Larry, you'll wind up with a real one.
Ben, I told you, you show me a ring and a good, honest job and I'll get serious.
Maybe.
I must have written a hundred times.
I just wrote and wrote and he never even answered me.
Why is it men never appreciate pretty young girls weeping over them...
...until they are too old?
It is a young man, isn't it?
Yes.
The way he treats me...
There's an old proverb that says:
"These are the worst things: To be in bed and sleep not...
...to wait for someone who comes not...
...to try to please and please not."
Okay, so you're not Miss Canada. So it won't mean anything in your life.
You really did win. That ought to make you feel good.
- They took it away from me. - Who needs it?
Look, I'll make it up to you some other way, I promise you.
You made those other babes look like they were hanging out to dry.
- Is something wrong? - No, no, nothing.
BEN: Is this the border? LARRY: Yeah.
- Everything okay? - I don't know.
- What's going on? - Will you be a nice girl and keep quiet?
- Wait a minute. What's going on? - Everything's great. Just stay in there.
- Oh, you're up to something. - Will you shut up?
You're a hoodlum just like him.
I'm nuts about you, but I'm gonna slug you.
Come on, please. Slug me, I dare you, just once.
Get inside. Everything's fine, Helen.
She's just a little nervous.
Why do we need dames on a job like this?
There they are.
AGENT: See you gentlemen a minute? U.S. Customs.
- One of you Larry Maddux? - Yes, me.
You're on the manifest as manager of this show, right?
- That's right. - Come with me.
Well, now, what's the matter?
Yeah, what's wrong, officer?
Smell it. And don't tell me it's a new kind of bonded makeup.
Let's go.
Come on, don't be bashful.
SUE: Of course he knows... - Hi.
- Hi, Dolly. ...who I am.
What kind of party is this?
You bring your own booze and they ask you for dough besides.
It's a rent party, silly.
The girls are broke, so we're all chipping in to keep them from being evicted.
Which reminds me, I ought to give a mink-coat party sometime.
HELEN: Eat up, everybody.
Compass Delicatessen has another special on herring.
Have a piece, Joe. It's good.
How about you, Stanislaus?
I can't live on herrings forever.
The Eskimos do.
WOMAN 1: What's this? Scotch or rye?
MAN: What's it taste like? - Cleaning fluid.
Must be rye.
Scotch tastes like camphor.
Fourteen, 10, 20...
- Fourteen-forty? - Would you like some?
- Hey, what's going on here? I had $25. - Shh.
I just gave that boy over there $ 10.
He's trying out for a part in The Green Hat tomorrow.
His suit's in hock. He needs it for the audition.
This party is to raise our rent, not his wardrobe.
Don't worry about it.
- Hello, everybody. WOMAN 2: How old is the baby?
Take it easy.
Two years.
Bottled in bond.
[ALL LAUGHING]
- Hello. - Hello.
Hi.
Let's go.
SUE: Eddie. Then you did get my letter.
- Well, l... - Tell this one you're with me, sugar.
ED: Forget it. It's not important.
[MAN & WOMAN LAUGHING]
It's a wonderful party, darling. Just wonderful.
MAN: Wonderful.
I'd prefer she didn't sit on our good couch.
She's liable to dirty up the cushion.
- Why, you... - Just a minute.
- She can't get away with that. - Take it easy.
Give me that. That stuff is potent.
We're not both gonna be little stuffed shirties, are we?
We're gonna have a party.
Come on, Sue, you've had enough. Let me have it.
[SUE SOBBING]
Sue.
- Keep an eye on her tonight, will you? - Why? What's the matter?
Good old Ed showed up complete with new girl.
Poor kid.
What we gotta go through for a few bucks.
- Benny's back in town. - Hey, Benny.
Just happened to be passing by with an armful of groceries.
Which you probably stole.
Say, you're not still sore about that Canadian caper, are you?
Larry took the rap, didn't he? They roughed him up pretty good.
They crowded me out so fast I didn't know what hit me.
- I couldn't do a thing for poor Larry. - How is he?
They worked him over something awful. Face, ribs...
- And when the ambulance finally came... - Ambulance?
- Where is he? - Where I belong, in your heart, gorgeous.
- Oh, Larry, are you all right? - Never been better.
Here, take care of this, Ben.
But there's nothing the matter with your face.
What kind of tricks are you pulling now?
What'd you come for? To stick up the place?
Hold your horses. You're blackening my character.
You and your lies.
Last time I listened to you it was about the beauty contest in Canada.
All you wanted was to use me to smuggle liquor.
Now, wait a minute, wait a minute. Who needed you?
Whitey didn't want me to take you along.
I was trying to help you.
This town is ready. I'm gonna open it for you like an oyster.
I don't like oysters. I don't want you.
I don't want anything to do with you. Just leave me alone.
That girl's crazy about you.
Ben, Ben, listen.
This is my subway symphony. It's very modern, no tune.
For weeks, I'm riding the subway, I listen to the rails.
I study the faces, listen to the clink and clank.
I write the music, I ride again, I write the music.
This is the ride of the subway. Listen.
[HUMMING]
Next time, take a bus.
I got a bus symphony too.
[HUMMING]
Sue.
Sue?
Ah!
Helen.
[CRYING]
BEN: What happened?
- Oh, dear God, no, no. - Come on, Helen.
Let's get out of here.
WOMAN: I wouldn't have come if... - Hello, operator.
- Get me the police. HANK: Come on, everybody get out.
- Come on, downstairs. Let's go. - Hello, police.
Hello, police.
There's been an accident. Hurry.
[AMBULACE SIREN WAILING]
Me and Ben straightened everything out. There won't be any trouble.
Drink it.
Come on, it will make you feel better.
You're still crying? When are you gonna grow up?
- What kind of a person are you? - I'm a live one.
That's the only kind that counts.
She's dead, so I'm sorry, but she wasn't going anyplace anyway.
She's probably glad the struggle's over.
But me, I'm not dead.
All my life, I've been one jump ahead of a police whistle.
You see that down there?
Nothing but a sewer filled with a bunch of rats.
They live by the double-cross.
I'm gonna shove my fist down their throats and tear them.
Is that what you want out of life?
Now, wait a minute.
I crawled through a lot of mud in France. I got myself a lot of medals.
I can't cash them in.
From now on, I'm looking out for myself, Larry Maddux.
Look, Helen, you got talent.
You got a good voice, you know how to deliver a song. And me?
I got a new business. It's bought me a raft of new friends.
Some of them own clubs. I case them pretty good.
The best place to start is the Blue Dragon. You ever heard of it?
Pack up your things, get out of here. Come on with me.
- Where? - Wherever I go.
You asking me to marry you, Larry?
That's what I thought.
- Larry, don't you believe in anything? - Me and you.
- But I come second. - That's right.
I know what's eating you. You wanna see your name in lights.
Well, I got a hunch you're gonna be a big star.
But I'm gonna be along.
What kind of life is mine?
Sometimes I feel like I'm in a hole that only gets deeper.
In Danville. Now with you.
Everything's built on sand.
Oh, Larry, hold me.
Tell me you love me, that you want me, please. Please.
I feel haunted.
Not just because of what Sue did tonight.
It's been like that ever since I was a kid.
MEN [SINGING]: Isn 't she cute? Isn 't she sweet?
She's gentle And mentally nearly complete
She's knockout, she's regal Her beauty is illegal
MEN & WOMEN [SINGING]: She's the girl friend
Take her to dance, take her to tea
It's stunning how cunning This lady can be
A look at this vision Will cause a collision
She's the girl friend
She is smart, she's refined
How can she be real?
She has heart, she has mind
Gosh, the girl's ideal
Isn 't she cute? Isn 't she sweet?
An eyeful you'd die full Of pleasure to meet
In my funny fashion I'm cursed with a passion
For the girl friend
- We're warming them up. - lf I don't stop shaking...
...you won't see anything but a bad imitation of Gilda Gray doing a shimmy.
- Are you nervous? - Yeah.
Wait a minute. Here, use this.
Give you something to do with your hands.
And be good, Helen, will you? This is the first decent job we've had.
Come on, kids, let's line up.
Remember, Tony, one hand washes the other, don't forget.
- I'm the guy who brought you the dame. - Look, Larry, I told you once before.
Hit or not, I cannot buy any whiskey from you.
I gotta buy from Whitey. This is his territory.
I'm setting up an independent organization.
I sell it cheaper, deliver faster. This is the real stuff.
I run it in from a three-mile limit off the Jersey coast.
It's the real McCoy.
Whitey don't like his boys going independent.
Why don't you tell him your proposition?
You missed an appointment with me uptown.
I had a more important one downtown. I'm quitting you.
- I gotta be top man. - So you're setting up a deal with Tony?
Oh, no, no, I told him no deal.
I'm not sure I'll be able to stand having you walk out on me, Larry.
You're what's called an indispensable man. At least, for the moment.
- Tony wouldn't buy whiskey from you. - Oh, no, no, not at all.
Tony wouldn't do anything to offend me.
And that would offend me a lot.
You know, I've seen a lot of guys get big ideas because of some broad.
The smart ones wake up sooner or later...
...and go back to their trade of making a fast buck.
Now, you be smart. I don't want you in competition with me.
Just to show you I'm a big man, I'm gonna forget you even tried to quit.
Far as I'm concerned, you're still with me.
[APPLAUSE]
Maybe I didn't make myself clear, Whitey.
I'm not working for you anymore.
WHITEY: Go on now, beat it, both of you.
[SINGING] The one I love
Belongs to somebody else
He sings his tender songs
To somebody else
I'm sorry. Whitey and I...
HELEN: And even when I have
My arms around him
I know his thoughts are strong
For somebody else
The hands I hold
Belong to somebody else
I'll bet they're not so cold
To somebody else
Oh, it's tough to be alone
On a shelf
It's worse to fall in love
By yourself
The one I love
Belongs to somebody else
The one I love
Belongs to somebody else
[APPLAUSE]
Did Larry come back for the second show, Dolly?
- No, why? - I'm worried about him.
Helen, will you quit worrying about him and think about yourself?
They loved you. Come on, there's your music.
[BAND PLAYING SOFT MELOD Y]
No, on the piano. That was great.
[APPLAUSE]
[SINGING] Just a love nest
Cozy and warm
Like a dove breast
Down on a farm
[WHISTLES]
We're federal agents. You're all under arrest for violation of the Volstead Act.
MAN 1: Hold on, no. MAN 2: Get out of here. Listen, my...
- Hey, you can't do this. - That's what they keep telling us.
Come on, go ahead.
Don't worry about a thing. I'll take care of you.
- You'll be okay when I get you outside. - Thanks.
All right, just a minute.
She's got nothing to do with selling booze.
- She's just a singer. - Okay, singer, back with the others.
Come on, girls, let's go.
Come on, in here.
Wanna know who put the finger on us? Your boyfriend, Maddux.
- That's a lie. - You sure can pick them.
He will shoot his own grandmother in the back...
...and lay bets on which way she's falling.
Hey, kiddo. First time in, huh?
Listen, honey, you can get bail.
- All the others did. - Bail? How do I get that?
Why don't you phone your lawyer?
He should be able to spring you out easy.
- Hey, Jimmy. JIMMY: Oh, what's the matter now?
- This kid wants her legal rights. - Oh, pipe down, flossy.
She's allowed one phone call. That's the law.
I don't even know a lawyer. I've never had use for one.
You sure got use for one now.
Judge Fowler is pretty hard on those speakeasy cases.
Speakeasy cases. Yeah.
- Wait a minute. WOMAN: Wait a minute.
I do know a lawyer.
- Wade, Mr. Russell Wade. - Mr. Russell Wade.
- You know Mr. Wade? - Yes.
- Do you really know him?
- Yes. - Yes.
Well, the phone is all yours, princess.
Oh, she's gone. Goodbye. Whoo!
[HUMMING]
Well, there it is, gentlemen.
The new project of the Metropolitan Coordinating Commission.
I don't think that any project that's been put before you...
...will do more toward beautifying our city.
Or provide so many jobs for the faithful members of our party.
- Beg your pardon, sir. - Yes, Johnson.
There's a Miss Morgan on the phone. She says it's an urgent legal business.
I don't know any Miss Morgan.
Tell her to contact my office downtown.
- Very well, sir. - Now...
Morgan.
- Oh, Johnson. - Yes, sir?
Excuse me, gentlemen. I'll take that call in here.
Yes, indeed. This will be a great achievement.
- Hello, Miss Morgan. HELEN: Remember me?
- Of course I remember you. - I'm in jail.
- Jail? - That's right.
- What beauty contest was it this time? - It was a raid.
Now, now, don't you worry about it.
- Which jail are you in? - Center Street.
I'll be down to take care of it immediately.
Thank you.
HELEN [SINGING]: Oh, do, do, do What you've done, done, done
Before, baby
Do, do, do What I do, do, do adore, baby
Let's try again, sigh again
Fly again to heaven
Baby, see, it's ABC
I love you and you love me
I'm just breezing along With the breeze
Trailing the rails
Roaming the seas
Like the birdies that sing in the trees
Pleasing to live
Living to please
The sky is the only roof I have
Over my head
And when I'm weary
Mother Nature makes me a bed
I'm just going along as I please
Breezing along
With the breeze
I'm known here if you'd like a drink. No, that will be all.
You always take me to such unusual places.
Oh, Russell, in all my life, I've never had anyone like you.
Someone I can look up to, lean on.
You changed my whole life for me.
You've changed mine too.
Helen, for this afternoon, I've got a wonderful idea.
I have a recording day till 3.
Helen, you've been working too hard. What are you trying to prove?
Work doesn't bother me. It's being without it that does.
Yeah, I know the feeling.
[BAND PLAYING "BREEZIN' ALONG WITH THE BREEZE"]
While it lasts, it's nice being somebody besides your real self.
The shiny name on the marquee, the picture on the song sheet.
You are that person, Helen.
That's why you're a success.
Even if you're right, it hasn't given me the security I get from knowing you.
That's the most important thing I've ever known.
- Russell, you aren't listening. - What?
- Oh, yes, I am, I... - Is something wrong?
Helen, excuse me just a minute.
I'll be right back.
[WADE SPEAKING INAUDIBLY]
She's lovely. Who is she?
She's my wife.
She's beautiful.
I won't give you any of the usual alibis...
...as to why I haven't told you about her before.
The real reason is the obvious one. I was afraid of losing you.
Now, it's better that you know.
- Does she know? - Oh, yes.
For some years, we've been good friends to each other, that's all.
We'll find a way to work it out, Helen.
After you've had a chance to order things in your own mind.
Don't feel badly, Russell.
I always get involved with men who are wrong for me.
[SINGING] My time is your time
Your time is my time
We just seem to synchronize
And sympathize
We're harmonizing old songs
And the new songs
Gay songs and blue songs
There's no time like our time
And no one like you
He's pretty good. I think I'll hire him to sing for the wedding.
Well, now, if you two don't look like a couple of honeybees in a pastry shop.
- What's on? - This.
- An engagement ring. - Only 30 payments to go.
Oh, that's wonderful for you, Dolly.
Ben finally gave up the racket, so I decided to give in and said yes.
You know, I wish you both every happiness.
- Alfredo, bring us some champagne. - Yes, ma'am.
- I have some coming up, their very best. - Good.
Keep it coming. We'll make it a real celebration.
Take a look at who just crawled in.
Wait a minute.
- Well, well, hello, Dolly, hello, Ben. - Hi, Larry.
- Hello, Helen. - Hello, Larry.
You two are really living it up, aren't you?
There's a difference between this joint and downtown speaks.
One thing's the same, the phone's in the lobby in case you wanna tip off the cops.
Congratulations, you two. No, I just got the news.
You're gonna be living in a cottage with a picket fence...
...just like the title page on a song sheet.
Yeah, Dolly wants us to save up for a chicken farm.
Sit down, Larry, have a drink.
No, thanks. Come on over to the bar, I wanna talk to you.
- Sure, Larry. - Sit down.
You're not interested in anything he has to say.
You put a ring on their finger, they put a ring through your nose.
- Sure. - I'd like to go.
But, you know, I'm in the used-truck business now.
- Strictly legit. - Okay.
But anytime you need any extra capital, why, just look me up.
Oh, nice to have seen you again, Helen.
Well, here's to you both.
Lots of happiness.
It's your turn next, Helen.
I've been watching the way Wade looks at you. You could pour it on a waffle.
Now, Helen, huh?
It's still that angle promoter, isn't it, that Larry?
Ouch.
- You've got big feet. - You've got a big mouth.
HELEN: Alfredo. ALFREDO: Yes, ma'am.
- More champagne. - Of course, ma'am.
- What are you drinking, babe? - Anything expensive.
- What? - Champagne.
Champagne.
RUD Y: Most of you are aware we are honored tonight...
...by the presence of one of Broadway's greatest singing stars.
Ordinarily, I wouldn't impose upon her, but tonight...
...I'm going to ask Helen Morgan to favor us with a song.
You keep the champagne nice and cool because I'll be right back.
Thank you very much, Rudy.
I'd like to sing this song for a very happy couple...
...my closest friends who became engaged tonight.
Someday he'll come along
The man I love
And he'll be big and strong
The man I love
And when he comes my way
I'll do my best
To make him stay
He'll look at me and smile
I'll understand
And in a little while
He'll take my hand
And though it seems absurd
I know we both won 't say a word
Maybe I shall meet him Sunday
Maybe Monday
Maybe not
Still I'm sure to meet him one day
Maybe Tuesday
Will be my good news day
He'll build a little home
Just meant for two
From which I'll never roam
Who would? Would you?
And so all else above
I'm waiting for
The man I love
[KEY JIGGLING IN DOOR LOCK]
[CLINGING]
How did you get in?
I got friends.
Always stacking the deck, aren't you?
If I could stack the deck, I wouldn't be here now.
What's the matter, Larry? Did the redhead tell you to get lost?
- Or is your conscience bothering you? - No, neither one.
Look, I can't let you alone.
I put your face on every dame. Doesn't that mean something?
After I saw you, I couldn't sleep. I was out there walking the pavement.
All you have to do is show your face. You think it's easy, don't you?
I don't know, you tell me.
Don't touch me, I don't wanna feel your hands. You're hurting me.
But I was the first, good, bad or iindifferent, and I'm still stuck on you.
No, Larry, it's no good. I wanna forget.
Do you?
I watched you tonight. You couldn't take your eyes off me.
You wanted me the same way I wanted to be close to you. That's why I'm here.
If I'm wrong, just say the word, and I'll go.
Go ahead, say it. Tell me to get out of here.
Why does it always have to be you?
- Because I want you. - Let go of me.
- Any way I can get you. - Even asking me to marry you?
Did Wade ask you to marry him?
Come on, now get off it.
We're hooked. You're inside me.
You claw your way out like an alley cat, but nothing's changed.
You're still the same Ionely kid I picked up in Chicago...
...and I'm the same guy from the tent.
I hate you.
I hate you, Larry.
So when I was investigating this building on 52nd Street...
...I discovered that you owned it.
What interests you about that property?
Between you and me, it's a perfect location for a nightclub, not a speak.
It is small, the best.
Intimate, that's the word. Everything in good taste.
Carpet's so thick that you need snowshoes to get across.
And you intend to sell your liquor there?
Of course not. You're a lawyer, you know that's breaking the law.
We'd hike up the prices, though.
Slap on a steep cover charge to keep out the riffraff.
And what benefit would you get from this, Mr. Maddux?
I'll be the front. I manage the place.
I got the know-how, you got the dough-how.
Naturally, I'd want a piece of the club for my favorite charity, Larry Maddux.
Oh, I surmised as much.
I beg your pardon?
Mr. Maddux, in my law practice, I've had occasion to help men like you.
Men who are engaged in questionable enterprises.
I'd be pretty stupid to go into business with one, wouldn't I?
You'd be stupid not to listen to a good deal...
...because a guy don't belong to the same clubs.
I've been listening.
- No offense if I keep my eyes open too? - Why don't you let me finish?
I mean, this place would pay big dividends.
I'll get you a star to work there permanently.
The biggest name in the business.
You know who?
Personal friend of ours, Helen Morgan.
Helen know about this?
There's nothing to know yet.
Is there, Mr. Wade?
See, I think we both agree that Helen deserves a break.
To tell the truth, she's not much for these smash and grab rackets.
This place would give her security.
Be the first thing she ever owned a percentage of.
Seems to me, she's doing pretty well. Working all the best clubs.
Don't kid yourself, Mr. Wade.
I mean, a fancy velvet rope don't mean nothing when you're still hired help.
Mr. Maddux, how good are you at keeping your mouth shut?
Because anything I do for Miss Morgan has got to be done very quietly.
That's what I was saying.
You talk about silent partners...
...in this setup, you'd be invisible.
Are we in business?
All right, you bring me a contract with Helen Morgan's name, we're in business.
On one condition.
That my name is never associated with the enterprise in any way.
I like the way you talk.
[WHISTLE BLOWING]
Excuse me. Cigarette girl.
I just happen to be out of butts.
Oh, wait a minute. When did you start smoking cigarettes, huh?
[CIGARETTE GIRL LAUGHS]
[DOLLY FAKES LAUGH]
WAITER: Nice evening, mademoiselle.
Hi, Larry.
Place has gone over real big.
It's a high-class bunch.
- How are you, Dolly? - Fine.
What a lot of blood money there must be in the room, huh?
- Very funny. - Oh, you and your friends, come on.
- Fred. - I'll see you later, Larry.
Don't get carried away by any big tips.
Mr. Wade has table number one. He's supposed to bring Ziegfeld.
The number one table will be reserved, Mr. Maddux.
- Sir? - It's Mark Hellinger.
- Oh, really? - See that he has plenty of cigarettes.
I read his column every day.
Honey, in that outfit, you don't have to be able to read. Come on.
Hello, Mr. Hellinger.
Compliments of the house.
- I'm pleased you could come, Mr. Wade. - Well.
- Miss Herbert, Mr. Maddux. - How do you do?
- Mr. Ziegfeld. - Pleased to meet you.
And Mr. Kirk, he's associated with Mr. Ziegfeld.
Ted?
Thank you.
Well, what do you think of my club?
You're a remarkable young man, Mr. Maddux.
A child of the times, Mr. Wade.
- Sammy, table number one for Mr. Wade. - Yes, sir.
- Hello, Mr. Ziegfeld, how are you? - Hello, Jimmy.
Jimmy McHugh, Miss Morgan's accompanist.
- Hello. - How do you do?
I hear you wrote some new songs.
You'll hear them tonight, Mr. Ziegfeld. I hope you enjoy yourself.
- Thank you. - This way, Mr. Ziegfeld.
Thank you.
Hello, Whitey.
Come over to mingle with a better class of people?
You're doing all right in my racket...
...with my customers, but not for long, Larry.
There's a new federal agent in town who's a real tough customer.
So?
He's anxious to make a big impression on Washington.
Don't worry. Every time a new fed comes to town, he's met with an envelope.
Larry, this revenuer is different.
He don't take.
And he can do more than just padlock a joint.
It'd be bad if he started with your place.
- Why would he do a thing like that? - Who knows?
All he needs is a warrant and a little birdie...
...to whisper encouragement in his ear.
- Sammy. - Yes, sir.
Get Mr. Krause a very nice table and give him all the birdseed he can eat.
[WOMAN LAUGHS]
Right this way, Mr. Krause.
- Thanks. - Play it right.
Larry, I'll do my best.
Boy, it's going great, just great.
There's not room for another false eyelash.
Oh, the way I feel now I'm gonna break into dollar signs.
I got a big surprise for you, baby. My old pal Ziegfeld is out front.
You never told me you knew Ziegfeld.
No, Ziggy and I were brought up in the same elevator.
- Come on, are you ready? - I think so.
Wish me luck.
Baby, with what you got, you don't need luck.
Oh, Larry, the people are waiting.
So let them wait.
It builds up character.
Here's a... Larry.
They're ready for you, Miss Morgan.
I'll take this up with you later.
With your kind permission...
...the Helen Morgan Club proudly presents Miss Helen Morgan.
[SINGING] Grab your coat
And get your hat
Leave your worry on the doorstep
Just direct your feet
To the sunny side of the street
Can 't you hear a pitter-pat?
And that happy tune is your step
Life can be so sweet
On the sunny side of the street
I used to walk in the shade
With those blues on parade
But I'm not afraid
This rover crossed over
If I never have a cent
I'll be rich as Rockefeller
Gold dust at my feet
On the sunny side of the street
I used to walk in the shade
With those blues on parade
But I'm not afraid
This rover crossed over
If I never have a cent
I'll be rich as Rockefeller
Gold dust at my feet
I'm out of the shade
No more blues on parade
On the sunny side
Of the street
- Oh, honey, I told you, you'd be great. - Thanks, Dolly.
- You were just wonderful, wonderful. - Thank you, Ben.
- Miss Morgan, Mr. Ziegfeld. - How do you do?
You were splendid.
And I wish you every success in your beautiful new place.
- Thank you. - Helen, you really outshone yourself.
I built the place to show her off.
You ought to be congratulated, Mr. Maddux.
Must be a thrill having your own nightclub.
Oh, it is, but I don't fool myself.
It's not like being in a Broadway show.
That's the real thing.
That reminds me.
There's something I'd like to discuss with you.
Mr. Maddux, why don't you show me around the rest of your club.
May I?
Miss Morgan, have you read Edna Ferber's new book, Show Boat?
Yes, I have.
Well, as you might have heard...
...Oscar Hammerstein has adapted it into a musical play.
And Jerry Kern has written a brilliant score for it.
All his music is wonderful.
I've been looking at hundreds of girls to play the part of Julie in Show Boat.
We've even had to put off production until I find her.
But after hearing you tonight, I'm convinced I found Julie.
What?
We go into rehearsals in a week and open in February.
What do you say, Miss Morgan?
- Mr. Ziegfeld, hold me very tight. - What?
I think I'm going to faint.
[ZIGFIELD CHUCKLES]
[APPLAUSE]
- You murdered them. - You were marvelous, Helen.
- I hope the critics think so. - You better hurry up and change.
Ziggy's giving a party at his penthouse. We'll wait for the reviews up there.
Oh, tonight has made her a star.
A big Broadway star.
Yeah, but I feel sorry for poor old Ziggy.
He's only got her for a run of the play.
Me? I got her signed to my club permanently.
Listen to what Burns Mantle says. "I consider myself still a young man...
...but Helen Morgan has made me run out of superlatives before my time."
Hello, Mr. Wade.
The Graphic doesn't have much to say about the show.
They sum it all up in two words.
- Well, what are they, love? - Superb.
The way you made me feel tonight...
...I wish every one of those lights were spelling out your name.
Mademoiselle, you sang comme flamboyer.
Like a heart in flames, like the burning of a torch.
Merci beaucoup.
I know that's right.
I tell her. In Europe, she would be idolized.
For them, she would be the heartbroken waif...
...singing of a lost love.
I beg you. Let me arrange a tour.
I need only send a cable.
Dubois, are you trying to hijack my star?
Hijack? I'm sorry, I do not know this word.
- I'm sorry. - Excuse me.
GROUP [SINGING]: I wanna be happy
But I won 't be happy
Till I make you happy too
Say, mister, life's really worth living
When we are mirth-giving
WOMAN: Will you cut it out, Dawn? Don't make trouble.
DAWN: Oh, why not?
Just because Helen got her breaks by playing cozy-cozy with some big shot.
What's that make her, sacred or something?
Oh, everybody knows Russell Wade's behind her. And what's more...
...Whitey Krause says Wade's the guy who really built that nightclub for her.
- Dawn, shh. - No, don't stop her.
Go on. What were you saying about Russell Wade?
I was only saying what everybody else in town knows.
That Russell Wade's your landlord.
You must be drunk.
Oh, don't give me those big baby eyes.
Who do you think put up the loot for the ritzy Helen Morgan Club?
- Larry Maddux. - Larry?
[DAWN LAUGHS]
That's a hot one.
This is the Larry that couldn't get two nickels to rub together.
Oh, give her a break, Dawn.
Oh, it's about time somebody put her straight.
Russell Wade owns your joint, honey.
And Larry is just along for the ride.
Helen, wait.
Oh, Dawn, you shouldn't have said that.
Believe me, Mark. There's no gossip item in Helen's and my friendship.
Helen, you were great.
- They loved you, they really did. - Thank you, Mark.
Would you mind? I'd like to talk with Russell alone.
Of course. Excuse me.
See you later.
Well, is there something wrong?
Is it true?
About your putting up the money for the club?
Yeah, it's true. I won't lie to you.
It's you who put up the money.
Please believe me, if I'd known, I never for one...
No one was supposed to know ever.
I should've realized...
...when you deal with people like that, somebody is gonna get hurt.
What he's done to me, that's my own fault.
But this, to be able to use you because of me...
...to drag you into one of his dirty selfish schemes...
...I'll never forgive myself.
Please don't feel like that.
I'm sorry it turned out this way, but at least I got what I wanted out of Larry.
A chance to help you.
The great thing about these Show Boat reviews...
...is what they're gonna do for our nightclub, baby.
I'll put in smaller tables.
Let customers knock their knees, makes them feel chummy.
- Good night, Helen. - Wait a minute, Russell.
Mr. Maddux has business to discuss with you.
What do you see in him?
Okay, come on. Give it to me straight.
All that sweet talk, it was just to get me to sign a contract.
Is that what he said?
There'd always be an angle to everything you do.
The club you with Russell's money...
...which you couldn't have gotten if you didn't have me.
So what?
We got a club, you're a star, Wade's got a good investment.
- All we gotta do is lick the platter clean. - No, you're not licking any platter.
You're out of the deal. You made your last buck out of me.
Well, you picked a good time to walk out.
Right at the top where I put you.
Come on, level with me. You're in love with him?
- That's got nothing to do with it. - Yes or no?
Look, I want an answer to my question. Yes or no?
What if I am?
You can't knock him off like a rival bootlegger.
- Yes or no? - Yes.
You dirty little tramp, you. You're no better than me.
You know he's married. What are you trying to get your hooks into him for?
Now, look, answer me.
I love him.
Remember one thing about me.
I never begged a dame for anything in my life.
You've had enough, Miss Morgan.
You're 5-foot tall, you can't hide in a 1 -foot bottle.
How about skipping this round, huh?
For Sammy?
A quarter in time saves nine.
Okay.
Okay, Miss Morgan, but make this your last.
Oh, Miss Morgan, you know, there's a lot of sour notes in that stuff.
They're waiting for you out there, Miss Morgan.
[SINGING] Why was I born?
Why am I living?
What do I get?
What am I giving?
Why do I want a thing
I daren 't hope for?
What can I hope for?
I wish I knew
Why do I try
To draw you near me?
Why do I cry?
You never hear me
I'm a poor fool
But what can I do?
Why was I born
To love you?
Why do I try
To draw you near me?
Why, why do I cry?
You never hear me
I'm a poor fool
But what can I do?
Why was I born
To love you?
Now, come on, you don't need this.
It's funny.
I hated this stuff when I took my first drink.
You ought to lay off it for a while, Helen. You're getting thin.
I don't wanna preach, but I hate to see you drinking yourself into the grave.
I took the last of the sleeping pills. Did you get any more?
Yeah, I got them.
You ought to get some sleep. You look tired.
I think I'll give a champagne party...
...after the hundredth performance tomorrow night.
Helen, you gotta start saving your money.
You're spending it faster than you make it.
You can't go around giving hundred-dollar tips, blank checks.
I know, I've got to stop.
You realize how many people owe you money?
You have about $ 10,000 to collect.
You wanna know something?
I don't think it's gonna be paid.
You spend a lot on my account.
Oh, you're welcome to all I have. I only wish I had more.
I know, I know.
You wanna get a laugh?
What?
I was reading something here in the book.
It reminded me of myself.
My candle burns at both its ends
It will not last the night
But, ah, my foes, and, oh, my friends
It gives a lovely light
The thing is, it doesn't give a lovely light. It's not lovely at all.
But I'm going to pull myself together, Dolly. I will, you'll see, I've got to.
I know you will.
I can't go on this way any longer.
Always feeling so scared, so alone.
Helen, why don't you get some rest, come on.
Lie down now.
And promise me you won't worry, will you?
[APPLAUSE]
Someone's waiting for you, Miss Morgan.
Yes, I know. I won't need you for a while, June.
I'm sorry you had to wait, Mrs. Wade. The curtain went up late tonight.
I thought it best we talk to each other here...
...because I know how busy you must be between the show and your nightclub.
I'll come directly to the point, Miss Morgan.
Russell and I have had an understanding for some time.
And I've overlooked many things.
But I want you to know that I've been Mrs. Russell Wade for a number of years.
And I intend to remain Mrs. Russell Wade for a good many more.
I think you're jumping to conclusions...
I think it best we have this out now.
My husband has a brilliant career ahead of him.
And your relationship with him is becoming public gossip.
If there should be any scandal, it would reflect upon me.
But it would ruin Russell.
Both socially and politically.
I hope I make myself clear.
I have no intention of hurting Russell or you.
Then I suggest you stop seeing him because I'll never give him a divorce.
I guess it would sound funny if I told you...
...that Russell is one of the only friends I've ever had.
Married men don't have women like you merely as a friend, Miss Morgan.
Good night.
MAN: Get your hands off my wife.
[CLAMORING]
COP 1: Get in.
COP 2: Come on, hurry it up a little, all right?
Stop it.
Stop it!
Ah!
Stop it!
Simmer down, sister.
It's the only way Uncle Sam has of keeping these places permanently closed.
COP 3: All right, men, let's go.
LARRY: Whitey.
It's a tough break.
Hey, hey, hey.
Come on, it's not the end of the world, is it?
Look, this morning, honest...
...I was thinking of a name of a new club for you.
Helen Morgan's Summer House.
That sounds pretty good, huh?
We'll open up this summer, make this place look like kids' play.
Come on, what do you say? Give me the green light.
It's no good.
Everything I touch turns bad.
It's no good.
I have to get away. I have to get away.
REPORTER 1: Hold it, please. REPORTER 2: When will you come back?
- When I'm ready to settle down. - Who is the lucky man?
No statement.
REPORTER 1: Hold it, Miss Morgan.
REPORTER 2: Have a good trip. REPORTER 3: Bon voyage.
REPORTER 2: Bon voyage. MAN: All ashore that's going ashore.
[SINGING] There's a somebody I'm longing to see
I hope that he turns out to be
Someone to watch
Over me
Deep night
Stars in the sky above
Moonlight
Lighting our place of love
April in Paris
Whom can I run to?
What have you done
To my heart?
[APPLAUSE]
- Helen. - Helen.
- Dolly. - Hello, honey.
How are you, Ben?
- She looks great. - You look great.
Let me look at you. Marriage seems to agree with you.
If we can only agree, everything would be jake.
May I see your declaration, Miss Morgan?
The only thing I'll need right now is this one bag.
The rest can go later to my hotel.
Hotel? What do you mean, hotel? Aren't you staying with us?
Why do you wanna stay in that dingy, miserable hotel...
...when you can stay in our dingy apartment?
- Oh, stop it. - I'm clowning.
Dolly fixed up a nice place. She stuffed your mattress with petals.
It's sweet of you to want me, but I better stay at the hotel.
- I have so much to do. - lf that's the way you wanna do it.
But be sure to come around and see our club.
You better hurry, we may fold any minute.
- Isn't it doing well? - No.
There's a depression on.
And the Gold Spoon is one of the depressed areas.
Okay, Miss Morgan. Just sign here.
- Was it a nice trip, everything great? - Wonderful.
- Wait a minute, what's she signing? - An autograph.
Mr. Inspector, huh? You gotta ask questions.
Oh, it's so good to have you home.
Excuse me, Miss Morgan. A gentleman's been waiting in the breakfast room.
Thank you.
Hello, Larry.
You look great, just great. You haven't changed.
Neither have you. A year and a half and not a word from you.
- Well, you were on the go a lot. - Yeah.
At first I didn't believe it when I heard you were checking into a dump like this.
I must say you don't seem at all affected by hard times.
I wasn't like those other suckers.
Jumping out of windows with ticker tape around their neck. Not me.
You know Larry. Sink or swim. Do or die.
Don't and live is what I'm trying to learn.
Meaning me?
Meaning a lot of things.
Come on, let's sit down. We gotta make up for lost time.
I can only stay a minute. I'm supposed to sign my contract this afternoon.
Just like old times.
I followed you across Europe in the papers.
It's a long way from Miss Saskatchewan to the toast of the Continent.
Burned toast.
The tour was successful but the market broke me.
Everything's gonna be hunky-dory, you're opening a show.
And like I always said, you're gonna be great.
- Do you want to order now? - Nothing to eat, thanks.
Would it be possible for me to get a double brandy?
I'm sorry, but this hotel observes the law.
Oh, now, hasn't that law been repealed yet?
Well, bring us a couple of cups of coffee, then, please.
Without coffee.
[SINGING] Fellows she can 't get Are fellows she just ain 't met
Georgia claimed her, Georgia named her
You guessed it, Georgia Brown
I gotta have more time to think it over, Larry.
Benny, it's like taking candy from a baby.
Well, there's $25,000 worth of booze in Whitey's warehouse...
...waiting to be grabbed. Right, Red?
I'm already in, you don't have to convince me.
You make it sound so easy, like knocking off a candy store.
Candy stores are dangerous. This is a lead-pipe cinch.
- You know Willie Abb, the bookmaker? - Yeah.
Willie's in to the night watchman for 1100 clams...
...and Willie's got part of our action.
So he tells the watchman to take a powder...
...or go out and get a cup of coffee and leave the door open.
Suppose he goes to Whitey for $ 1200?
How are you gonna trust a stumblebum like that?
Well, are you gonna trust me? Have I ever given you a bum steer?
- It's not that, Larry, but... - But what?
You're a married man now. You got responsibilities, right?
You know what your cut on a job like this would be? About 5 grand.
You have to work for a year in a sewer like this for that kind of dough.
Come on now, what do you say?
All right, but if Dolly finds out about it...
If Dolly finds out. Someday those apron strings are gonna choke him.
DOLLY [SINGING]: You guessed it, Georgia Brown
Oh, boys, tip your hats
Oh, joy, she's the cat
Who 's that, mister? Well, it ain 't her sister
It's Georgia, her name's Georgia
Sweet Georgia Brown
[CLACK]
[TRAIN HORN BLOWING]
WHITEY: Right on time.
BEN: Get out of here. LARRY: Come on, Red.
Red!
- Run for it, Larry. - Red.
[PIANO MUSIC PLAYING]
[SINGING] Somebody loves me
I wonder who
I wonder who he can be
Somebody loves me I wonder who
What's the matter with Morgan? She's only running on four cylinders.
It's the gasoline she's using.
HELEN: For every boy that passes by I shout
Hey, maybe you were meant to be
My loving baby
Somebody loves me
I wonder who
Maybe it's you
MAN 1: Okay, everyone, take a 10-minute break.
MAN 2: Okay, take 10. That's it.
- You're wanted on the phone. - Thanks.
- Hello, Miss Morgan. - Hello, Johnny.
- Looks like a hit. - I hope so.
After 20 years on this beat I can smell them like a beagle.
I'm looking for Larry Maddux. Have you seen him tonight?
Why? What's happened?
It's business.
Look, if he's in trouble, I wanna know.
You're a good guy, Johnny. Tell me.
Sometimes it's hard to be a good guy and a cop at the same time.
This guy is waiting for you on the phone, Miss Morgan.
Wait a minute.
Hello?
Helen? Ben.
Listen, Larry's been shot to pieces.
I just managed to get him back to the club.
You better get over here fast. I don't think he'll make it.
I'd forgotten all about it.
Tell him I'm very sorry and I'll be there right away.
Is somebody there? A cop?
Yes, that's right.
I'll sing a couple of numbers from the show.
Shake the law fast. Please get over here.
I'll do my best.
I'd forgotten that I promised to go over to the Gold Spoon...
...and sing a couple of songs tonight.
Swell, I'll go with you. I'm a fan of yours.
Well, I'll probably only sing one song, if that.
Suits me, my car's right outside.
All right, it will only take me a second to change.
Yes, sir? Oh, hello, Mr. Haggerty.
Just a minute, I'll get the boss.
It's the law.
Never mind. And don't bother to hide the booze.
This is strictly pleasure tonight.
Sure, pleasure.
How do you do, ma'am?
Strictly pleasure. I'll take care of that coat.
- Thank you. NICK: No check.
- Hello, Dolly. - Hi, hello, Johnny.
This is a surprise.
Well, I better get ready for my number.
Just make yourself at home. Take good care of him, Nick.
NICK: Yes, ma'am. This is the best table in the house.
Sit right down, I'll take good care of you.
- Coffee, please. - Straight?
I mean black or with sugar and cream?
- Black is fine. - Sure, black coffee, what else?
- How bad is he? - Bad.
He won't let us call a doctor.
They gotta report all bullet wounds to the police.
- He's in there. - I'll stall Haggerty but don't be long.
[LARRY GRUNTING]
Larry.
Helen's here.
- How did you find out? - Ben told me.
Ben, get her out of here. I don't wannna get her mixed up in this.
- Let me call a doctor. - I don't want a doctor.
Just get me out of here, Ben.
Let me help you, Larry.
I don't want any help. Look, just get out of here.
Please, get me out of here.
I don't need anybody, I don't want anybody.
Dolly says to come up right now before Haggerty catches wise.
- She's gonna introduce you. - Please, get me...
[LARRY GRUNTING]
Come on, Helen. We better go.
I'm sorry. Even like this, he never lets up.
Ben, get me out of here.
- Give me a nickel, Ben. - Wait a minute, Helen.
You know what you're doing?
You call a doctor now, they'll lock Larry up for a long time.
- You can't do it. - I'm not gonna let him die, Ben.
WOMAN [ON PHONE]: Operator. - Operator.
It's an emergency. A man's been shot.
Send an ambulance to the Gold Spoon on East 51 st Street.
And hurry.
Tonight we have a real treat.
That great star Miss Helen Morgan...
...has come over from the rehearsals of her new show.
And she's gonna sing for us. And it's for love, folks, pure love.
Miss Helen Morgan.
I used to dream
That I would discover
The perfect lover someday
I knew I'd recognize him
If ever he came around my way
I always used to fancy then
He'd be one
Of the godlike kind of man
With a giant brain And a noble head
Like the heroes bold
In the books
I read
But along came Bill
Who 's not the type at all
You'd meet him on the street
And never notice him
His form and face
His manly grace
Are not the kind that you would find
In a statue
And I can 't explain
Oh, it's surely not his brain
That makes me thrill
I love him
Because he's...
I don 't know
Because he's just
My Bill
[AMBULANCE SIREN WAILING]
MAID: You'd better drink some of this, honey.
You'll be going on any minute now.
Going on where?
The show, Miss Morgan. You're the star.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star.
[KNOCKING ON DOOR]
MAN: On-stage, Miss Morgan.
Honey, you just can't go on like this.
What's all the fuss? I can sing sitting or standing...
...dry or wet, dead or alive.
Where's my butterfly net?
Now, everything is jake.
Please, Miss Morgan.
[APPLAUSE]
[SINGING] You do
Something to me
Something that simply mystifies me
Tell me
Why should it be
You have the power
To hypnotize me
Let me
Live beneath your spell
You do...
[CLAMORING]
My paper will pay plenty for the real inside story...
...of Helen Morgan, you and Russell Wade.
I don't know whether I can fit it into my social calendar.
Don't be a sucker. She put you in here, didn't she?
How about it, Maddux?
The money will come in handy when you get out.
One thousand bucks. Why, it's as easy as finding it in the gutter.
I must be getting old. I don't think I can bend over that far to pick it up.
Okay, Charlie, let's go.
[PLAYING A JAZZY TUNE]
Helen?
Hello, Russell. How was Washington?
I've been looking for you since I got back.
Please let me take you home.
Why don't you just go away so we can stop torturing each other?
Because I can't just go away.
What do you want from me?
I can't explain. I just can't help myself.
Listen to me, darling.
I don't care what you've done, I don't care what happened with Larry.
I can't leave you.
It isn't you or Larry, it's me.
Only me. Something terrible happening inside me.
It's like the night my father was killed.
I was 11 and I had scarlet fever.
It left me blind for over a year and my father used to say:
"I'll be my little girl's eyes until she gets better."
When they told me he was dead I began to scream:
"Help me. Somebody help me."
And last night, I was all alone again.
There was this voice inside me...
...screaming, "Help me, somebody help me."
I do love you.
Yes, I know.
You know, I read a story once about a woman who was married to a drunk.
He was a great guy, and she was nuts about him.
He couldn't help being a drunk. She couldn't help loving him.
It's kind of that way with Larry and me.
We're stuck with what we've got.
Is there anything I can do?
Pour me another drink.
Mr. and Mrs. North and South America and all the ships at sea, let's go to press.
Your reporter regrets he hasn't better news about Helen Morgan...
...the sensational star who went down before the curtain did...
...in her show last spring.
Worried friends now fear she has disappeared.
A flash from Paris...
MAN [ON RADIO]: Patter Boy, 2.40 to show.
Now, for the music. And some great, great hits of yesterday.
[HELEN SINGING "WHY WAS I BORN" ON RADIO]
- Listen, that's me singing. - What?
That's me. I made that song famous.
It stopped the show for 10 minutes.
Sold half a million records.
[PATRONS LAUGHING]
[SINGING] Why do I want a thing
I daren 't hope for
Hey, how about doing a little shimmy for us?
[PATRON LAUGHING]
I'm Helen Morgan, I tell you.
- Helen Morgan, the star. WOMAN: Yeah, sure.
And I'm the Queen of Romania.
[PATRONS LAUGHING]
You remember me in Show Boat don't you?
And my nightclub, the biggest thing in town.
And when I went to Europe...
...princes fell all over themselves trying to open my car door.
I was the toast of the Continent.
Listen.
[SINGING ALONG TO RADIO, BADLY] You never hear me
I'm a poor fool
But what can I do?
- Hey, it's not a bad imitation. - She stinks.
Shut up, you old runny. You bother me.
They don't believe me.
They don't recognize a great star when they see one.
What would a lot of stumblebums know about applause?
"Bravo, bravo," that's what they used to say.
Here, take out for what I spilled from the bottle.
That's okay, Miss Morgan. It's on the house.
I caught you at the Palace once.
WOMAN: Who does she think she is? Helen Morgan?
[WHISTLING]
[SCREAMING]
A drink. Where's the bottle?
I want a drink!
Please.
[SCREAMING]
Please, a drink.
Let me have a drink, please.
Larry. Larry!
In a while. Larry!
Larry's shot. Help me!
Somebody help me!
No, no, no!
- Here, madam. - Thank you.
The gentleman who sent this is waiting outside.
Will you see him, Helen?
How are you?
I never thought I'd see you again, Larry.
Well, you ought to know by now you can't get rid of a joker like me.
You're gonna lick this thing in no time. I'll make book on it.
It's a funny thing, you know?
All those songs I sang about Ioneliness, they were the truth.
What are you talking about?
Look at me. I end up flat on my back without a friend in the world.
Okay, okay, so you lost a round. Now, who hasn't?
But the big thing is get up and fight back.
What for?
Well, now, I don't know.
I'd say for a million people that came running...
...every time your name went up in lights.
Don't kid me, Larry.
Ah, no. I always say what I think. I got the lumps to prove it.
Even the crummiest joints, you...
Well, they were beautiful when you sang there.
You made a lot of guys forget this cockeyed world.
And I don't know what it was that you had, baby...
...but I just wouldn't let it go down the drain.
- I don't know. - I do.
But make up your own mind. You gotta live with yourself.
Yes. One way or another.
What about you, Larry? Still in trouble?
- Well, no, no, I'm doing fine. - I hope so.
I just stopped by for, well, a second because there's something...
...I've been wanting to tell you for a long time but I don't...
I just couldn't figure out the words.
And, it's like this, I guess...
Well, there are guys that walk a crooked line, like me for instance.
But in my own way, Helen, I love you.
I thought maybe, you know, you'd be able to figure it out...
...even if I never said it.
Do you believe that?
- Will I see you tomorrow? - Well, I don't know.
I may be tied up for a while.
Thanks, Haggerty.
GUARD: So long, Maddux.
- Be seeing you. LARRY: Don't hold your breath.
- Hey, Benny. BEN: Hi, Larry.
It's good to see you.
- You look great, just great. - A little bit older.
Yeah, me too.
- What is this, your car? - Yeah, things have been pretty good.
Let's go someplace and burn these rags.
You're the only guy I saw who added class to those Sing Sing drapes.
How's Helen?
Not too bad, Larry. They're letting her out of the hospital next week.
I think you ought to know it's not the same Helen.
She's blue all the time, mopes around.
Well, I guess I just made it under the wire.
Come on, let's go into town in style.
LARRY: Well, this is very... What is this?
"Florenz Ziegfeld." Well, well, well.
Who is this? Rudy Vallee, what do you know?
The Duncan sisters.
Miss Morgan's been getting them right along.
Two months ago, Mayor Walker sent a beautiful bouquet.
- And Walter Winchell sent tulips. LARRY: Hm.
What have we got here?
Al Jolson. You know, they never forget a star like you.
Larry, why didn't you save your money?
- I beg your pardon? - You didn't fool me.
All from the same florist. The card is in the same handwriting.
Still a promoter.
I don't know, they smell good.
I bet those people meant to sent you flowers.
- But, you know, they get busy. - Yeah, I know.
It's funny.
The one guy I should have crossed off the list years ago.
You show up.
Look, you better not cross me off now, because it took me a long time...
...and I finally found out you come first.
- Nice try, Larry. - No, really, I...
Look, I got a taxi waiting downstairs.
You just say the word, we'll dig up a justice of the peace.
Now, what do you say?
If you'd only said that 10 years ago.
It's too late now.
Say, you know what you need?
You need a nice long ride and a breath of fresh air.
- All set? - Sure.
I practiced my coming-out smile this morning.
Wait here and keep the meter running, will you?
- Why did you bring me here? - They're gonna tear down the place.
- I thought you might like to see it again. - What for?
As far as I'm concerned, it never existed.
Stop running, will you, Helen? It did exist, it was yours.
Come on.
Come on, I've still got a key.
What ever made you think I'd want to come here again?
I don't know, old times' sake maybe.
It scares me.
Maybe it's because I've never seen it quite so empty before.
[APPLAUSE & CHEERING]
I told you they'd tear down the place.
From now on, you come first.
A friend is one who knows all about you but loves you just the same.
They told me that Helen thinks she doesn't have any friends.
And that the heart of Broadway has stopped beating for her.
That's why we are here tonight.
For a gal whose love songs made so many of us forget the bad booze...
...the bamboozlers and the tinsel-tarnished years...
...of the Roaring Twenties.
It was an era of mistakes.
And Helen Morgan made some of the biggest of them all.
But her heart and her pocketbook were always open...
...for an awful lot of people who needed a friend.
I don't know how many lights it takes to spell out the name Helen Morgan.
But the number must be very great.
Because even now that they have stopped shining for her...
...they still leave a bright glow over The Great White Way.
For me, and for all of us who love the songs she sang...
...the thunder of the '20s will rumble down Broadway history.
And somewhere above it all will be heard the sad, sweet notes...
...of a grand gal on a grand piano.
Helen Morgan.
[SOBS]
There are no words to tell you how I feel.
Helen, you always did your best talking seated on top of a piano, come on.
[SINGING] Fish gotta swim
Birds gotta fly
I gotta love one man
Till I die
Can 't help loving
That man of mine
Tell me he's lazy
Tell me he's slow
Tell me I'm crazy
Well, maybe I know
Can 't help loving
That man of mine
When he goes away
That's a rainy day
But when he comes back
That day is fine
The sun will shine
He can come home
Late as can be
Home without him
Is no home to me
Can 't help
Loving that man
Of mine
[ENGLISH SDH]