Whoa, Nelly! Whoa! Right here.
- Hi, Jim. - Hello, Bill.
- Cold enough for you? - You're darn right.
You got any passengers?
- No. Just a few actors. - Oh!
- Hiya, neighbor. - Hiya.
- You a couple of 'em actors? - That's right.
You don't look like actors.
I got a piece of news for you. This doesn't look like a town.
- Say, that's a nifty! - You like that?
What do you think of this one?
You know what Julius Caesar said
when Brutus stabbed him?
- No. What did he say? - Ouch!
Say that's alright. Where did you get that one?
That's one of my father's jokes.
What are you, one of your mother's?
Say, he looks like an actor.
You called it, friend. Harry Palmer, single O.
- How you doing? - Hi. I'm Jimmy Metcalfe...
How you doing? Glad to see you.
Well, hiya, chicks. Meet Harry Palmer, headliner.
Do we have to answer that?
Bus for the hotel! The hotel bus!
- Is that it over there? - Yes, sir.
Go ahead, kids. Get in the bus. Sid and I will bring the bags.
Hello, springtime.
Aren't you a little out of season?
Who's the want ad with the squirrel around his neck?
Single act, name of Palmer.
His act can't be as funny as that coat.
Hey, how do you like this billing?
"Harry Palmer, America's foremost
comedy juggler and dancer.”
That's the way it's gonna read someday at the Palace too.
Say, how long you been with this stale act?
Are you kidding? Jimmy Metcalfe has a great act.
And it's gonna be better too.
Wait till you hear the terrific arrangement he's buying.
- Arrangement? Where? - Right here.
The orchestra leader. He writes sensational stuff.
Thanks, kid. I'll give you a joke sometime.
Say, Lou, you can't expect my girls
to dress way up there on the third floor.
- They got changes to make. - Sorry, Jimmy.
But I have to hand out dressing rooms according to billing.
Oh, sure, I know about that, but Palmer won't mind.
He looks like a swell guy.
Oh, if it's okay by Palmer, it's okay by me.
- Thanks! - Hey, kids!
Kids, it's okay! We're moving!
Hiya, maestro.
- I'm Harry Palmer. - How do you do?
I hear you got a special arrangement
that's pretty terrific.
How did you hear about it?
Jimmy Metcalfe told me.
- He did? - Sure.
Look, I'm breaking in a new act.
If the arrangement's any good, I'll give you 50 bucks.
I'd like to but I promised it to Jimmy.
Eh, he won't be needing it. That act is gonna fold any day.
- It is? Gee whiz. - Sure.
- Come on, What do you say? - But I promised it to Jimmy.
- 50 bucks. - I sure can use that 50.
Well, when Jimmy gets the act fixed up
we're not gonna have to play in these kinda dumps anymore.
Hey, what's the idea of putting
that girl act in my dressing room?
I'm sorry, Mr. Palmer, the young ladies in Mr. Metcalfe's act
got a lot of changes to make.
Look, I know when to be nice to young ladies.
I'm topping this bill and I rate the number one room!
Okay, Mr. Palmer. Okay.
Sorry, kids. Mr. Palmer insists on having this room.
You'll have to dress upstairs.
Let's not keep the gentleman waiting.
- After all, he's number one. - Yeah.
There's nothing lower than number one.
I bet he takes a bow every time he hears a clap of thunder.
Yeah.
- You see what I mean? - Yeah, I see what you mean.
- Go on, Lily. - Say, you know, I was...
Pardon me.
You know we weren't exactly a three alarm fire.
Don't worry. We'll be a hit in bigger places.
Hope so.
- Danny! Oh! - Jo.
I'm glad to see you. How'd you get out of school?
I told the dean you were playing 30 miles away.
So he let me cut a couple of classes.
Well, that's wonderful! Oh, I'm sorry.
Jimmy, this is my brother, Danny.
- How do you do? - Oh, glad to see you.
And I'm sure glad you're her brother.
Well, I'll see you later.
- Oh, don't go. - Oh, no. You two go on.
Have a good talk to yourselves and I'll see you after a while.
It's awfully nice to know you, Danny.
Hey, he seems like a nice guy.
Oh, he's the nicest fella you'll ever meet.
Come on. Sit down. Now, tell me something.
Oh, same old thing.
You beginning to feel like a doctor?
Well, I can spell stethoscope.
- Well, stand up. - Huh?
Well, stand up. Come on.
Oh, boy! You're gonna be a tall doctor.
Tell me, when do you have to go back to school?
I'm not going back.
- What? - I'm not going back.
Why? What's the matter? Did something happen at school?
- Oh, no, no. Nothing like that. - Well, then what is it?
Well, it just doesn't make sense.
I sit in a nice, warm dormitory, and you wear yourself out
in a lot of Clifton Junctions.
What kind of talk is that?
Jo, I just saw your act.
What's the matter with our act?
Oh, nothing. Nothing's the matter with it.
You're great.
It just seems to me the act isn't getting anywhere.
Maybe if you didn't have me around your neck...
Now you listen to me, you oughta be ashamed of yourself
talking to me like that.
Didn't we make a deal once? Well, didn't we?
You were gonna through medical school
and pay me back with interest.
This is a fine time to quit on your last year.
Just when you're doing great. Well I'm not gonna let you quit.
- How you like that? - But, Jo...
What do you want to be? A no-good tramp or something?
Danny.
You're not working any hardship on me.
Don't you see, honey? I love it.
I'd be doing it anyway.
And you're gonna stay in medical school.
I gotta make sure somebody in this family is a success.
All aboard!
- Well, so long, Jo. - Goodbye, Danny.
Don't forget to send me that picture.
- Yeah. - All aboard!
- I guess I better be going. - Yeah, Goodbye.
Goodbye.
We're gonna be alright, you and I.
- Yeah. - Goodbye. Goodbye, honey.
- See you at the Palace, kid. - Alright, doctor. It's a date.
- Goodbye. - Goodbye.
Hiya, springtime. Going my way?
Say, you know it's not safe for a pretty girl
to be walking around alone at night by herself.
Oh, look, why don't you come off it?
You know you're gonna wind up calling me pet names.
- Well, of all the... - Ah-ah-ah!
Tempo, springtime! Tempo, tempo!
Look, I didn't like you at 7 o'clock this morning
and I don't like you now.
And if you keep playing your cards right,
I'm gonna wind up hating you.
So why don't you just evaporate,
fade away, dissolve!
Hey, I want to talk to you about business.
- Write me a letter. - Oh, it's too important.
Listen, fancy face, I caught you on-stage this afternoon.
You sing like a bird, dance like a deer,
look like a wedding ring
but that act you're with...
That's two pins and a lollipop.
- What do you mean? - It's murder.
That's what I mean.
Oh-ho, why don't you get bright?
You're too fast for that buggy.
And why don't you mind your own business?
Ah-ha. That's just the point. It is my business.
Starting next season, I'm doing a double act,
I'm throwing away the baggy pants.
And don't look now, springtime. You're gonna be my partner.
- Oh, I am, huh? - You said it.
Standing next to me, you'll look like
a million bucks in nickels and dimes.
Oh, I can see those three sheets, now Palmer and Hayden!
We'll tear down theaters...
Listen I wouldn't be your partner
if they booked us into the Palace for 51 weeks a year.
- I don't get it. Why? - Oh, so many reasons.
But you wouldn't understand any of them.
Gee, I feel sorry for you.
Hey, wait a minute.
Look, Ms. Hayden. I'm sorry.
Your act is alright.
Oh, it needs a little punching up here and there, but...
- Look, why don't you take this? - What's that?
It's the arrangement I bought.
The one you and Metcalfe were supposed to get.
- But you were... - No. Go ahead.
All that big talk about me breaking down theaters
that's strictly small-town talk on a cold night.
- Oh, I'm sorry. I spoke so... - No.
Forget it. You had me pegged.
I'm never gonna win any blue ribbons for being a nice guy.
- Well, I... - Say, would you...
- Oh, skip it. - What?
Well, I was gonna ask you to have a cup of coffee,
but after the way I...
Well, I'd love to have a cup of coffee.
- You would? - Sure.
- Two coffees, please. - Two coffees. Yes.
How long you been in show business?
Oh, I wasn't really in it
until Jimmy gave me a chance in his act. You?
- All my life. Do you like it? - I love it.
I'd rather sing and dance than, well... eat.
I can tell that by the way you work.
- You're good. - No. I'm not good yet.
But I will be someday. You know, I've got kind of a...
You'd probably laugh at me if I told you.
No, I wouldn't. What?
Well, I've got kind of a goal in my mind.
It's the same goal every vaudeville actor has.
Only I'm really going to get there.
I used to think I'd play the Palace someday too.
- Well, maybe you will. - Not me.
You had my number, alright. Just a cheap tramp comic.
- Oh, I wouldn't say that. - Why not? It's the truth.
Take that solo stuff, for instance.
I'm not so sure I can even do it.
- Then why'd you buy it? - I liked it.
It sure is a knockout.
- Want to hear it? - Sure. Love to.
Okay.
If you've heard my kind of voice before, stop me.
Alright.
Wait a minute. You better let me do it.
Okay.
Now...
Remember this one?
And this.
You know what I can't eat for breakfast?
Why, no. I haven't the slightest idea.
Tell me, what can't you eat for breakfast?
Luncheon and dinner.
Here comes that Loveland again.
Oh, yes.
Thank you.
Say do we click together or don't we?
That was wonderful! You were perfect!
Boy, what a great finale that would make for a double act!
Yeah, we'd have to get a different type opening number.
- You know, a slower one. - Yeah, we come on together.
Then you go off for a quick change.
And while you're off I do my soft-shoe routine,
and then we...
What's the matter?
I guess I forgot.
- Twenty six, please. - Oh, yes.
Thank you.
Well, it was fun while it lasted.
Yeah. Here.
No. You keep it. You can do it. You proved it.
Nope. It takes two.
- Well, please. I... - It's yours.
Do it with Metcalfe or tear it up.
Anyway, it's yours, nobody else's.
Well, thank you.
- Goodnight. - Goodnight.
Wait a minute.
I played a dirty trick on you.
You better know it now. Then maybe you won't feel so bad.
When I offered to give you that song...
I really didn't mean it. I was playing you for a sap.
I wanted to fix it so you'd give me a chance
to try out with you.
And all that sob stuff about me being ashamed of myself...
that was just a bid for sympathy. I wasn't ashamed.
I thought I was being pretty cute.
I'm ashamed now though.
And this time, when I say I'm a heel...
well, I'm not kidding.
Well, I'm glad you told me.
Goodnight.
Hi.
- Well, make yourself at home. - Thanks. I already have.
- Danny get off alright? - Huh-ha.
He sure took his time about it.
I was beginning to think they were holding you for ransom.
Well, I, I stopped in to get some coffee.
Oh. When you didn't come back,
I walked down by the railroad station.
I thought maybe I might run into you.
I saw you through a window.
I heard you too.
Gosh, you two were swell together. Terrific!
Weren't we, Jimmy?
Oh, but you know those after the show acts, they never hold up.
Jo. Did Harry Palmer ask you to team up with him?
- How'd you know? - He'd be crazy if he didn't.
I saw you together. You're a natural for each other.
Look, Jimmy. I'm kind of sleepy.
What, uh...
What did you tell him, Jo?
I told him I already had a job.
Yeah?
Well, you haven't.
- What do you mean? - I'm breaking up the act, Jo.
Oh, no, you're not.
I'm not gonna have you making any
noble sacrifices on my account.
Who said anything about your account?
And who said anything about noble sacrifices?
I'm a comic... I should have known that before.
I don't know what I was messing up my act with lot of girls
and music and stuff like that. I...
Besides, I...
I've got a new idea that I'd like to kinda try out with Sid.
Just the two of us.
Well, what made you decide all, all this tonight?
Well, I suppose I should have thought of it long ago,
but you know me, always putting things off...
Well, you know how it's been going. The act's not doing well.
I had a wire from Eddie, said he can't get us any bookings.
Lily's talking about leaving, and...
Well, it's the only thing to do, that's all.
You know, if I thought you were trying to pave the way for me...
Now, wait a minute. What are you talking about? This is business.
No fooling. I wouldn't joke about a thing like that.
It's good business too.
For everybody.
Oh, Jimmy. You're sweet.
You're just as sweet as they come.
Do you want to know something?
That goes for you too, double.
I'm gonna kind of miss you, kiddo.
You know, working with you for me
hasn't been like working at all.
- It's been more like... - Palmer and Hayden.
- Gee, think of that. - Huh?
Palmer and Hayden. It's the way we're gonna bill ourselves.
- Isn't that wonderful? - Yeah, sounds swell.
Oh, I gotta tell him now, right away.
Don't you think you better go to bed?
Yeah. I guess so.
How I hate those man-traps.
Oh, well, you take the lower tonight.
No, I wouldn't know how to act in one. Hey, George.
- Whenever you're ready. - Yes, sir.
Hey, listen to this.
"The Eddie Melton office has booked Jimmy Metcalfe, comic
with Sid Simms on the Orpheum circuit.”
"Metcalfe opens the 19th in Minneapolis.”
Isn't that wonderful? Look. See? Here.
I'd like a crack at some Orpheum time.
Oh, now, Harry.
Well, I'm sick of playing these two-bit towns.
Chicago isn't a two-bit town.
The part of Chicago we're playing is.
Why must everything happen right here and right now?
You always think that we have...
Yes, sir. I'll make it right up for you.
Yeah, I'll take that.
Well, I guess I'll go back and have a cigarette.
Let me know when he's finished, will you?
Yeah.
This a private car, sir.
Oh, excuse me. I was looking for the club...
Oh, I'm sorry. I was just on my way back for a cigarette.
I must have got off at the wrong floor.
Why don't you have your cigarette here?
- Well, thanks a lot, but... - Please.
I'd like one myself.
Well, thanks. That's mighty nice of you.
- That's all, Celeste. - Yes, ma'am.
Oh, excuse me.
- Drink? - Sure.
Chartreuse, creme de menthe, vieille cure?
Surprise me.
- There you are. - Thanks.
Say, this sure beats a club car, alright.
And better-looking people too.
Say! You're not...
Well, I'll be darned.
Imagine me, sitting here with Eve Minard!
Say, you're not really...
How do you like that?
Guess you never heard of me. Harry Palmer.
- Harry Palmer? - Of Palmer and Hayden.
Oh, yes, certainly. A fellow artist.
Nothing less. Get a load of this.
- Very nice. - You get the rough idea.
- I must come and see you. - I open in Chicago tomorrow.
- A full week too. - Really? I open there tomorrow.
- At the Majestic? - Well, no.
They booked me into a smaller house this time.
It's a good one though, for its size.
Oh, that's fine.
Chicago seems to be much more inviting now.
Well, the pleasure's all mine.
If you want to see the town, I'm your man.
Chicago, Boston, Detroit, they're all the same.
Except New York. That is a city.
I suppose you've played at the Palace.
Palace? Which one?
Which one? Oh, there's only one real Palace.
New York.
Oh, yes. Yes, I've played there.
And I have a return engagement before I sail.
Do you like to play there?
Yes. I like to play there very much.
- More? - Sure. Why not?
Say come to think about it, I never caught your act either.
- No? - I mean...
I know that you sing and all that...
- But what kind of stuff? - Many kinds.
- Rags or ballads? - As you like. I have it!
You danced for me, I will sing for you, if I may.
- Sure, that'd be great. - What will you like to hear?
Well, don't make it too highbrow.
You know you gotta engage your audience.
You better give them something they'll understand.
I think you'll understand this.
Most people do.
- Say, that's wonderful! - You like that?
Do I? It's terrific! Let's have an encore.
- If you wish. - Certainly, I wish.
Oh, hello, Jo. How do you feel?
Here's the other half of my act, Ms. Hayden.
- Oh, won't you come in? - Jo, this is...
Yes. Ms. Minard. I play your records over and over again.
- I love them. - Thank you.
Well, I was just about to come on back and turn in.
Thanks a lot for the song. It was swell.
I hope you won't forget.
- I'll be at the Majestic. - Forget?
- Well, goodnight. - Goodnight.
- Goodnight.
- Quite a dame, isn't she? - Yes, she is.
Four grand a week. Oh, boy.
- Well, goodnight, kid. - Goodnight, Harry.
- Come in. - Ladies and gentlemen...
- I now give you Jimmy Metcalfe! - Jimmy, darling!
How are you, Jo? Let me look at you. My golly, you look swell!
You're supposed to be in Minneapolis.
Well, we closed there last night. Just a mild sensation.
- How's your act? - Oh, fine.
Come on. Sit here, Jimmy. Gee, it's good to see you.
Well, it's good to see you...
Say, who's this? General Pershing?
No. Haven't you heard? That's Danny. He's enlisted.
No! Well, what about the medical career?
Oh, he's going right back after the war.
My golly, doesn't he look swell?
- Yeah. - Where's Harry?
Harry?
He's... he's out with a friend.
You'll never guess who either.
- Eve Minard. - Eve Minard!
Say, he's traveling in pretty fast company, isn't he?
Yeah. Well... you know Harry.
She's a big success and... she's pretty and...
Well...
Jo, you're in love with that guy, aren't you?
Harry? Oh, no.
- I'm not in love. - Hey, hey, Shorty.
Remember me?
Jimmy Metcalfe, the fella that played
Clifton Junction with you?
Oh, Jimmy.
It's way down deep inside of me.
He's wrong, and I love him. He's right, and I love him.
It's no good.
Gee, what do you do when you love somebody so much and...
they don't even know you're around?
I don't know, Jo.
I guess you just keep right on loving 'em.
Wait there.
Oh, I forgot to ask you, Jimmy. When do you open in St. Paul?
- St. Paul? - Say, Jo.
- Well, hello, stranger. - Hi, Harry.
I hear you're doing alright for yourself these days.
- Not so bad. - Like to see a fella get ahead.
- You've got a couple minutes. - Yeah, I know.
Say, you better go on first and give me a chance to change.
Alright. But hurry, please.
Jo. How about having supper with me after the show tonight?
Fine. We have to catch a train at midnight.
We open tomorrow in Milwaukee.
Do you suppose he'd like to come along?
Well, I'll ask him.
Okay then, I'll see you later.
- Alright, Jimmy. - Make it good, Shorty.
I'll be out front watching you.
- Harry? - Yeah.
Jimmy wants to know if we can have supper with him later.
Can you make it?
Gee, I'd like to, but I got a date with Eve.
Oh... oh, well...
you better hurry or you'll miss your cue.
- That will be all, Celeste. - Yes, ma'am.
Ms. Minard.
- Oh, hello. - Hello.
Could I see you a moment, please?
I'm sorry, but I...
I expect a guest.
Yes, I know.
But this will only take a moment. Please.
Well, what is it, my dear?
Well, uh, I wanted to talk to you...
Yes?
I thought...
I'm sorry.
If you'll excuse me.
Wait a moment.
I know you have something to say.
And I would like to hear it.
What is it?
Sit down, please.
I... had my speech all memorized,
and it was... gonna be pretty dramatic, I guess.
But I got stage fright.
It's about Harry.
You see, I love him.
And... and you're such a big person that I thought...
Well, it's... it's hard to say, but...
I love him.
And you're worried about me?
No. It's... it's not that.
- But... - You needn't worry, my dear.
I have no designs on him.
Thank you.
I hope you don't think that I just...
Don't apologize, Ms. Hayden.
I loved someone like you love Harry.
And I didn't realize it until a long time afterwards.
Much too long.
But I should have done what you're doing now.
Thank you.
But I'm sorry you love him so much.
- Why? - Because he isn't worth it.
Oh, no, you're wrong. He's...
- He's... - He's an opportunist.
An egotistical actor who would do anything
to get what he wants.
He'll make you very unhappy one day, my dear.
Oh, no, you're wrong. Harry isn't bad.
I know because I'm closer to him than anyone.
- I know. - You know.
He'd leave you in a minute if I made him an offer.
Oh, I don't believe that.
Would you like to have me try?
Oh, no, I don't believe that.
It might be better to get hurt all at once
and get it over with.
- I'm not afraid. - Shall I ask him?
Well, I...
You can get to the elevator this way.
Oh, I am afraid.
Go on. Quickly!
Hello, Eve. Here's Adam.
Good evening, Harry.
Say, what are we celebrating?
Harry, I have a surprise for you.
Well, come on. Let's have it.
How would you like to join my act?
What?
How would you like to join my act?
Oh, come on, Eve. You're giving it to me.
No, no. I'm very serious.
- You are? - Mm-hm.
You mean you're asking me if I want to go on tour with you?
- And play at the Palace? - Yes.
Holy...
Hallelujah! Wait till I tell Jo!
Jo.
Sure you want her to go too, don't you?
Well, she's probably very talented,
but, after all, I'm a singer myself.
Oh, well, that's a different proposition.
Gee, I...
Well, then let's forget about it.
Hey, wait a minute. Who said anything about forgetting?
You don't know Jo.
She's the top of the deck.
She wouldn't stand in my way. She's a trouper.
When do we start?
- Tomorrow. - Tomorrow?
Well, what's holding us up?
Come on. Let's have a drink on it.
Here's to Harry Palmer, heading for the Palace.
- Harry. - Yeah?
When you see Ms. Hayden, tell her something for me, will you?
Sure.
Tell her...
I'm sorry.
Come in.
- Hello. - Hello.
- You packed? - Uh, no.
Train leaves at 12:30, you know.
Yeah, I know.
Look at this. Looks like the rats have been at it.
Honestly, you'd think that in a big city like Chicago,
they'd know how to launder a blouse properly, wouldn't you?
Yeah.
Say, Jo.
I want to ask you sort of a question.
Supposing somebody had been offered a chance
to do something they'd been wanting to do for a long time.
Yeah?
Well, supposing their accepting this offer
meant hurting somebody else maybe.
Well, what would you do?
Oh, I don't know.
I guess it would depend on how important the thing was to me.
And if it was really important...
I guess I'd go ahead and do it.
- You would? - Sure.
You only live once, you know.
Yeah, I know but...
you know, it's kind of hard making up your mind.
It's funny, you bringing up a question like that.
I've got kind of the same problem.
And it is hard, too.
What do you mean?
- Harry... - Yeah?
Jimmy wants me to come back in his act.
- Yeah? - Mm-hm.
Do you want to go back to him?
Well, I don't know. I...
He made me a pretty good offer.
Well, after all, we...
We all want to get ahead, you know?
I mean, that's only human.
Well, uh, look, Jo.
I don't want to stand in your way
if you want to go, go ahead and go.
- Honest? - Sure. Go right ahead.
You're not just... trying to be nice, are you?
No, of course not!
Look, there's no use kidding ourselves.
We both know things haven't panned out
as well as we thought.
So if you can get a break, go ahead, take it.
Oh, come on, springtime.
No hearts and flowers.
Not from you.
Look, we're both gonna be on top.
Sure.
Good luck, Jo...
and lots of it.
Hey, what's the big idea?
Say, you're not crying because you feel sorry for me, are you?
Well, look there's no need to do that because just tonight
I was over at Eve's, and she asked...
Oh, Jo, please don't cry.
Please. I'm not worth it, I tell you.
I can't help it.
Oh, honey, I wish you'd stop.
Oh, please, darling, please.
- Harry, Harry. - Oh, honey.
Say, what hit us?
Oh, it hit me a long time ago.
Well, I'll be darned.
- Harry. - Yeah?
What was it Eve asked you to do tonight?
Oh, forget it.
Hey, we gotta get going! We gotta make that train.
- And you gotta help me pack! - Yeah.
The nerve of that Metcalfe, trying to break up my act...
and trying to steal my girl too.
- I'll push his face in. - He-he.
Gee, when I think of the time I've wasted.
Why didn't you tell me I was in love with you?
Darling, I didn't know, and I can hardly believe it now.
I'll make you believe it, alright.
Hey, what's this?
Look! Great opportunity!
"Palmer and Hayden booked into Palace New York,
first week in September. Congratulations, Eddie Melton.”
Harry!
Is this our lucky day, or isn't it?
First we fall in love, and now this!
We're on the big time, baby.
We're on the big time.
We're gonna play the Palace! Do you hear? The Palace!
Oh, it would have been wonderful anyway,
but now it's even more wonderful!
Oh, Harry, look out!
And you know what we're gonna do after the first matinee?
- Have dinner, maybe? - We're gonna get married.
Married. Harry!
Oh, darling!
Well, here you are at last.
Take a look at it, Jo.
Amateur night is over.
There you are. Take the elevator to your dressing room.
- Thank you very much. - Jimmy!
- Hey, Jo! - Hello!
Well, I'll be two ifs and a but.
- Hello! - Hiya, Harry!
- Glad to see you! - You're opening here today too?
- What do you mean, too? - What do you know about that?
After all this time, we're all playing the Palace together.
And I hope you have to follow us on!
Listen to him.
Well, I guess we'd better get our dressing room key.
- Yeah. - Palmer and Hayden, please.
And after the matinee, we'll just be using one dressing room.
Say, you...
You don't mean to tell me you're gonna marry this lug?
Well, only for 150 years or so.
What do you know?
Open at the Palace, and close
at the little church around the corner.
My gosh, Harry, that's swell.
And I hope you're a hit in both places.
Thanks, Jimmy.
Isn't anybody gonna give a party?
What... sure. Sure somebody's gonna give a part...
I'm gonna give a party tonight right after the show.
Wonderful! And Danny will be in from camp too.
Well, I'm sorry. But there's no Palmer and Hayden here.
- What? - I don't see the name.
Well, it's gotta be, we open here this afternoon.
Well, it is not on my list.
Oh, Mr. Waring?
This fellow won't give us our keys.
We're Palmer and Hayden.
Palmer and Hayden? You're not booked in here.
We're not booked?
There... there must be some mistake.
- Well, so here we are. - Eddie.
Hello, Harry. Hello, Jo.
Say, you must have got in early.
Well, what do you think of our big boy?
Eddie, you wired us we were to play here this week
and they never even heard of us.
I wired you what?
Go on, show it to him.
Here.
Harry, this says, "Palmer and Hayden
booked into the Palace New York.”
I know it does.
Why would I say the Palace New York?
Would anybody say that except some poor stenographer
who wasn't paying any attention?
- What do you mean? - Well, there's only one Palace.
Harry, you know that.
Nobody has to tell you where that is.
You meant...
- You meant some other Palace? - Certainly. And I said it.
But, the girl got it wrong.
It's the Palace over in Newark.
You open there Wednesday for a split week.
A split week.
In Newark.
It's alright.
Well, why did you have to say "congratulations,”
and "great opportunity,” and give it the big build up?
Because it is a great opportunity.
Harry, Newark's so close, now all these circuits
send scouts over there. One of them might catch your act...
- He might like it. - Yeah, yeah, yeah.
It's a great chance.
Oh, don't give me that.
Gee, I'm... sorry, kiddo.
Gee.
Gee, Jo.
Maybe you should have stayed with him.
You could be going up in that elevator too.
I'd rather stay on the ground floor.
Well, they still got us booked
at the little church around the corner.
Still want to?
We gotta open somewhere.
Harry...
I'll marry you now.
I mean I... I'll marry you anytime you say, but...
we always agreed that we're gonna get married
after our first matinee at the Palace.
Let's keep it that way, huh?
And then this girl said to me, "So, where'd do your horseback
riding this summer?" And I said, "The same place
I did my ice skating last winter.”
Well, fellas, here's to...
Well, here's to, uh...
Here's to.
Say, I wonder where Danny is.
I don't know. He was supposed to've been here a long time ago.
Here he is now! Hiya, Danny.
- Hello. - You know everybody, don't you?
What kept you so long?
Why, we got our sailing orders.
- When do you have to go? - Right away.
- Right away? - Yeah.
Yeah. I... I just got time to say goodbye.
Well, I guess I'm holding up the army.
So long, Danny.
- Good luck to you, kid. - Thanks.
- Goodbye, corporal. - Bye, Sid. Goodbye.
Take care of yourself, soldier.
Yeah.
I... sure wish I could postpone the war long enough
to... hear you sing again.
Well...
- So long, everybody. - So long, Danny.
See you at the Palace, kid.
It's a date...
doctor.
- Boy, is he hokey. - But they like it.
Well, they're yours, brother. What's left of them.
- Come on, let's show them. - You bet we'll show them.
- Guys, I'm tired... - Hey, hey, you were great!
Yeah, in Newark, but where are all the scouts
you said were coming over to catch us here?
- Well, here's one. - Hey, were you out front?
You wanted the Palace booking.
Now you've got it. The Palace, New York.
And you see if you can keep it straight this time.
Hey, you mean it?
Your audience out there meant it.
Oh, boy!
If you can make 'em cheer in Newark,
you can phone it in The Palace.
How about the second week in October?
- Sure. - Over a month away!
Gee, I won't be able to sleep!
- Alright? - You bet it's alright!
Oh, say, Bert, about the kids' salary...
I never discuss details in front of the artists.
- Goodbye. - Goodbye.
Goodbye and thanks.
It's here, honey. And this time it's the McCoy.
Yes, darling!
Say...
Wasn't there some kind of talk about a wedding?
Stupid, why do you think I've been anxious to make the Palace?
Hurry up, get dressed. We gotta out and celebrate.
Alright.
I suppose you can celebrate in Newark, can't you?
Listen, I feel like I could lead a parade
in a telephone booth.
A month will give us a chance to polish up the act.
- That's right. - We can dig up a new song.
Yeah. What kind of a song, Harry?
Harry, what kind of a song?
Honey, what kind of...
What's the matter?
You've been drafted.
Not yet, I'm not.
Well, Harry, it says...
I don't care what it says there!
You think anything's gonna stand in the way
of our playing the Palace this time?
Oh, no. Not even a war!
I know how you feel.
After all the plans we'd had.
- What can you do? - Plenty.
I can do plenty!
I'll beat this.
There must be somebody else you can try. There's gotta be.
Now, look, do you want us both to land in jail?
I got two postponements for you.
But I can't do anything about the one tomorrow.
You'll just have to take your physical examination, Harry.
But we open Monday.
Now, look, I've done all I can do.
I got you into the Palace. But, I ain't booking the war!
Goodbye!
- Well? - Nothing.
He says he can't do anything about it.
I guess I'll write a letter to Danny.
Oh, yeah. Go ahead. I'll... I'll see you later.
Alright.
Harry, could I use your pen?
- What's the matter? - Nothing.
- Nothing's the matter. - There is something the matter.
Well, what if there is? Nagging me won't help!
Oh, look, kid, I wanna be alone.
Why don't you go back to your room?
I gotta think by myself.
- Alright. - Jo.
Look, baby, I... I didn't mean it. I...
I've got the jitters, that's all. I'm sorry.
It's alright. I understand.
- Just take a chair, please. - Yes, ma'am.
Temporary physical disability.
Candidate's to return in six weeks for final classification.
Very well, doctor.
Next.
Well, come on, Jo! Come on.
Say something. Tell me, how do I look?
Very brave, Mr. Metcalfe. Very brave.
- Here, you finish this for me. - Who's ahead?
If I don't start cheating pretty soon, I'll never get even.
Telegram, Ms. Hayden.
Thank you.
Well, you don't have to cheat if you see the moves.
Look you missed one right here.
Hey, Jo, what is it?
What's wrong?
It's...
It's Danny.
Danny?
Oh, Jo.
My brother.
Relax, baby, the Palace is okay! We're gonna Kill them.
- Harry. - What's the matter, Jimmy?
Danny.
- Oh, not Danny. - He's gone.
Well, there, there, now.
Oh, darling, if I could only make it easier for you.
You don't rate a rotten break like this.
He could have been such a great doctor.
Great doctor.
But Danny wouldn't want you to cry.
Why if he could speak to you now, he'd tell you he was happy.
Remember, Jo, Danny did what he wanted to do.
Harry.
What happened to your hand?
Oh, it's nothing. Just a little accident.
I caught it in my trunk. Don't worry, baby.
It won't keep us from playing the Palace.
It was an accident.
Jo, don't you believe me?
Alright then, I did do it! But I only did it for us.
Well, you believe that, don't you?
Oh, I feel sorry for you.
Terribly, desperately sorry.
Jo, if you'd only listen to me.
You're always acting.
But you'll never make the big time.
Because you're small-time in your heart.
There's only one thing you can do for me.
Leave me alone.
I never want to see you again, as long as I live.
Never.
But it's just stiff, that's all.
No.
It's crippled, permanently.
You mean they won't take me?
Couldn't I enlist?
No, the army won't take you. The tendons are severed.
- It won't bother you much... - They've gotta take me, doc.
- You can do something. - I'm afraid not.
Well, then send me to someone, some specialist.
Doc, I gotta get it fixed. I gotta get in the army! I got to.
I'm sorry. There's nothing anybody can do to help you.
Next.
Sit down.
- Hello, Harry. How are you? - Eddie, where's Jo?
You have to tell me. Where is she? I have to see her.
Look, Eddie. I'm going out of my mind.
People cross the street like I'm a house on fire.
You gotta do something. Call someone.
Tell 'em I didn't know what I was doing.
Tell them I don't care about the Palace.
Tell them I hope it burns to the ground.
Eddie, listen, you're my friend. You can't shut me out.
Alright, I made a mistake. I did the wrong thing.
Alright, I did the worst thing in the world.
But I know I did it.
Eddie, somebody's gotta believe me.
I wasn't trying to duck the draft.
I just wanted to get a postponement
for a couple of weeks so Jo and I could
play the Palace and get married after that
first matinee, like we planned.
That's all I wanted.
Eddie, look at my hand!
You don't think I wanted that, do you?
They can't shut me out. I owe those guys that are fighting.
Eddie.
What am I gonna do?
I don't know, kid. It's your package.
You bought it and wrapped it up.
Guess you'll just have to untie it yourself.
Alright, folks, now who will be the first to buy a bond?
- I will! - So will we!
That's the spirit. Step right over there to the table.
Who's gonna buy a share of the future of America?
- I will. - Oh, come on, folks. Come on.
Everybody got a chance to help the fellas over there.
That's the nicest part about being an American.
Alright, folks, put your hands in your pockets
and get to be a hero.
Can I have somebody...
Hey, Harry. How are you?
Hello, Sid.
- What are you doing? - YMCA.
We're going over to France in a couple of weeks.
I thought you were drafted in the army.
I was, but... once I got my physical examination,
they said they'd take me after women and children.
Say, Harry...
Why don't you join up and come on over with us?
You don't think I'm going over there to sing a lot of
silly songs while those guys are getting their heads shot off.
Funny, that's not the way I look at it.
Well, I do.
After all, I thought you're a pretty good performer.
A lot of those fellas could use a song and dance, and you...
Well, I just thought maybe you want to go over there.
Well, see you around the stage door.
Come on, fellas. Everybody out.
Pile out. Pile out there.
Quiet, quiet, quiet.
We don't wanna spend our last day on leave at a YMCA.
- I wanna go to one of them... - Not today.
- I got a lot of drinking to do. - I'll take charge of details.
Fall in, everybody.
Attention!
Right face!
Forward...
What?
Oh, c"est la guerre, c'est la guerre old boy.
Oh, I see.
- Money. - Oh, money. Money.
Oh, that's what you want. Wait a minute.
Johnny, got any of that special money left?
Yes, sir. I'm loaded.
There you are, my friend.
Ah, that's fine, fine. There you go.
Wait a minute. Wait a minute. What about my change?
That goes for you too.
Alright, everybody. Fall in.
Attention! Right face!
Forward march!
Detail, halt.
Left face. Fall out.
Jimmy! Oh-ho!
Come here and let me put my arms around the Palace Theatre!
- How are you, baby? - Oh!
Gee, there are a lot of strangers in the world.
My golly, let me look at you.
- Gosh, you look sensational! - Thank you.
Say, I'll tell you what, how about if you and I step out
tonight on the town and show these Frenchmen
what you can really do in a town like Paris?
It's a deal. But I got one more number to do.
- You'll wait while I get ready? - Sure, I'll wait.
- Hey, you wanna know something? - What?
We're a cinch to win this war now that you're here.
I'll only be a minute.
You sure you don't mind waiting?
You know me, Jo.
I'm a good waiter.
Hey!
Harry!
- Jimmy! - How are you, kid?
Gee, I didn't expect to see you.
Well, how long you been over here?
I just landed a few hours ago.
What do you know about that?
It's good to see you, Harry. How's it going?
Not good.
Oh, I... I thought it'd be better over here, but...
it's not.
It's not better.
Well, what's the trouble, kid?
Well, I'm in the right army, but I got the wrong suit on.
What're you givin' me? You got the right suit.
And the right fella's wearing it.
- Look, Jimmy if you're gonna... - I wanna tell you something.
You know what's been the matter with you?
You've been walkin' around with a picture-book villain
in your pocket, and every once in a while you take a look
at it like it was a mirror.
- Look, Jimmy... - Cigarette?
Here's something else you can put in your book, Harry.
Over here, there aren't any heroes
and there aren't any cowards. Believe me.
I've been to the place and... I've seen them.
- Jimmy I... - Light?
They're all just... just regular guys.
And they all love someone.
That's what makes them do the good things or the bad things.
You did something because you thought it was the right thing
to do at the time. And you had two good reasons for doing it.
Because you wanted to get some place that meant more to you
than anything else in the world and...
because you loved someone an awful lot.
And those are two pretty good reasons, Harry.
Especially the last one.
Thanks, actor.
- Can I buy you a drink? - Can you buy me a drink?
You can buy me the biggest drink...
Say, I just happened to think.
I got a date to meet a fella around the corner.
Tell you what you do, sit right here in that chair
and wait for me, huh? Now, wait right here.
I won't be gone over ten minutes. I'll see you.
Okay.
Well, here I come, Jimmy. All signed, sealed and deliv...
Harry.
- What are you... - Jo.
Gosh.
I never expected...
Jo.
I certainly am surprised to see you.
For a minute, I thought...
Jo, don't talk. Just stand there.
Okay. I've got it.
How have you been, Harry? How's everything in New York?
You know, it's a funny thing. Just the other day, I was...
Jo.
You don't have to skip rope for me.
I know the boat has sailed as far as we're concerned.
And I'm not gonna tell you the bells
are ringing for me and my gal.
Oh, I know I'm not a great guy in a lot of people's books,
but... I don't care about a lot of people.
Jo...
you're looking the other way.
Coming over in the boat, I took an inventory.
And you know something?
Right up to this minute, my only claim to fame...
You were once my girl.
Jo.
You have to tell me...
not a million other people, but you, have to tell me...
that I'm not a coward...
and that you don't hate me.
That's the medal I want to win in this war.
You're not a coward, Harry.
And you know that...
that I'd never hate you.
Thanks, Jo.
Thanks an awful lot.
And I'll take good care of that medal.
It's still raining.
Let me know when it stops!
Cheerful little bin.
Yeah, and when the war's over, I'd like to settle down here.
Well, nurse, nurse, here are the men for the stretchers.
- Yes, sir. - Didn't think we looked so bad.
Come on, get after those stretchers, there are eight men
in there seriously wounded, got to be moved immediately.
Come on, snap into it. Get them into your ambulance!
- Get them out of here. - Ambulance?
Oh, I'm sorry, sir. We came here to do a show.
- You in command here, sir? - Yes, what is it?
- How many wounded? Eight? - Eight.
- What happened to the rest? - Oh, I sent 50 off.
In transport truck just before this barrage started.
- You did? Where's the phone? - Yeah. Over there.
They thought disposition was being held.
There are eight more ambulances on the way down here.
What? You better go back to Belle Terre.
- And tell them to stop. - Oh, I can't do that, sir.
They're starting a barrage between here and there.
Start getting these wounded out.
- I can't do it... - Do as I tell you!
- You, give him a hand. - Yes, sir.
You, get on that phone. Call Belle Terre.
Tell them to stop those ambulances!
- They can't get through. - Yes, sir.
Calling Belle Terre. Calling Belle Terre.
Belle Terre? Emergency field hospital calling Belle Terre.
Belle Terre! Calling Belle Terre!
- Did you get through? - Sir?
- Did you get through? - Oh, yes, sir. Yes, sir.
I got through. Everything's fine.
Good.
- Did you get through? - Yeah, yeah. I got through.
- Oh, great. - Nice going, Harry.
Hey, that's our jalopy! Where's Harry?
I guess Harry's just a telephone hero.
Why, I can't believe he'd run out.
I wish I was with him.
Turn back! Turn back. You'll never get through the barrage!
Look out.
Harry.