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Dancing Lady (1933)
Thirty beautiful girls,
the pick of New York City. Guaranteed to send a shiver up and down the spine... of each and every boy from 18 to 80. The gallant extravaganza... - I don't like the looks of this place, Tod. - Come on, you'll get a lot of laughs. Step right up, folks. Step right up. Step right up. Thirty beautiful girls, the pick of New York. - Where do they pick them from? - Right off the streets. Come, come. You're talking of the ladies I love. Hey, mister, can you spare a quarter today? - Come on, I'll buy you a ticket. One more. - Thanks. I ain't had no entertainment for weeks. There you are, Mr. Farnsworth, there you are. - Has the striptease begun yet? - No, not yet. - Tod, what is a striptease? - Oh, it's some more of that... What? Hey, young fella Best to close your old umbrella Have a glorious day Throwing rubbers away 'Cause it ain't gonna rain no more Hey, young fella Put your raincoat in the cellar While you're tying your tie Take a peek at that sky 'Cause it ain't gonna rain no more Look at that brave little rainbow Fighting those clouds up above I'm in the ring, Mr. Rainbow With a horseshoe in my glove Hey, young fella Throw away your old umbrella Give your trousers a hitch 'Cause we're gonna be rich 'Cause it ain't gonna rain no more Hey, pipe the carriage trade. Give him love With a kiss Hold him close to you With love's caress Lead him on to happiness With a sigh And the thrill Close your drowsy eyes Drift to paradise Give him love And you'll hold your man Say, Janie... get a load of Park Avenue, will you? Yeah, doing the slums in ermine. I'll pull it for you, baby. Encore, encore! Wait a minute, beautiful. Come on over to the station house, the Lieutenant is throwing a party. - Can't I even get some clothes? - No, he wants you just as you are. Oh, it's that kind of a party. - Yes, it's that kind of a party. Come on. - Well, wait a minute. Don't get to... All of you, sit down. Hey, what's the big idea? All right then! He should come. Oh, goody, we're going on a buggy ride. I won't even have to walk home. All right, let's go. Get in, Mr. Farnsworth. Get in. Thank you so much for the lovely party. - Where do we go from here? - Night court. Night court? Excuse me, I'll walk. Order in the court! You are charged with giving an indecent performance... at the International Burlesque house. - Who's the arresting officer? - I am, sir. What did you see? - Well, they were doing an indecent dance. - What kind of a dance? Well, it was something like this, Your Honor. These girls were doing a striptease. A striptease. I see. What is your name? Rosette Henrietta LaRue. Occupation: Hip swinging. Now, Miss LaRue, just what constitutes a striptease? A good constitution and a couple of zippers. - Don't be ambiguous. - I won't if you won't! Sergeant... to what extent of exposure does the striptease go? Hey, don't ask him, ask me. I'll be delighted to show you. - No, you won't! - What's the matter? Why can't I show... Order! Next defendant. The judge could give you 15 years for what you're thinking. It'd be worth it. - Name? - Janie Barlow. - Occupation? - Social worker. Why were you doing a striptease? If you'd walked the streets looking for a job... and hadn't eaten for a week, you'd do a striptease, too. Do you mean to tell me that in a city like this... burlesque dancing was the only work you could find? It was the only dancing I could find. - Did it have to be dancing? - Yeah, it had to be dancing. - Why? - Because I'm a dancer. Young woman, am I the defendant or are you? I don't know who's the defendant, but I'm the victim... and you don't have to rub it in. I don't see any girls hauled in here... for pushing pencils around on paper or massaging a typewriter. I'm a dancer and I'll keep right on being one when I get out of here. You'll get out of here when you pay a $30 fine. You can't fine me, I haven't got a dime. All right. $30 fine or 30 days in jail. Right this way, please. Recess, 15 minutes. Let's go some place and get a drink. I'm bored. - Yes. Let's do that. - Okay. Take them over to the St. Regis Roof. I'll join you later. All right. Come on. Come on, on your feet. What's the matter now? Raising the ante? No, dearie, somebody's paid your losses. - What? You mean... - You're bailed out. Why'd you pay that $30 fine, Mr... - Newton. - Mr. Newton. That's my business. Investments. Sorry to tell you, but I'm the kind of investment that don't pay. - Why, I could give you everything... - Can it. Say, what're you writing all the time? I'll tell you later. You sure drink a good dinner. Now, why did you want to change the subject? - What subject? - You. Don't you know you'll never get anywhere with those notions of yours? Maybe I will. I'm like that guy throwing quarters in the slot machine. - I keep on trying. - Listen, those machines are fixed. It's 1,000 to 1 shot unless you know the combination. And I'm the little fellow that knows the combination. Little fellows like you have been trying to teach me all sorts of combinations... ever since I was a kid. - But I only know one game. - Dancing? You said it. Just the same, you're not playing that right, with stopovers in jail. I'll get my break. I'm your break, beautiful. I'm a chance of a lifetime, Janie. You better take me up. Oh boy, I won! I'll stick to them 1,000 to 1 shots. Sometimes they win. I must say you're a pal. Leaving me to get home from jail on my own. On your own? With that swell Park Avenue juvenile bailing you out. Why, you poor halfwit. I sneaked off on purpose just to give you a break. You didn't stop to think I might have to wrestle my way home, did you? Oh, that's all right. Let him insult you. Many a girl has cashed in on a good, hearty insult. Oh, I nearly forgot. He gave me a note. Hope he signed his right name. A $50. "Don't say 'them things.' "Don't say 'can it.' Don't say 'guy.' "Don't buy shoes with ribbons on them. "Don't forget, what's a striptease on Second Avenue is art on Broadway. "The $50 is to buy yourself a dress without a zipper." "Don't say 'can it."' "Don't say 'guy."' "Don't say 'them things."' Why, that Park Avenue know-it-all. "Don't buy shoes with ribbons on them." Fresh egg! And don't... And don't get so noble with the groceries. There's enough in this to eat for a month. Oh, all right. Now I owe him $80. Oh, how can you pal around with me and still stay so dumb? Say, what's the matter with them shoes? These shoes. Come on, baby, hit the hay. The joint will be jammed tomorrow and after our pinch tonight... they'll expect us girls to pull that zipper twice as fast. I'm not going back to the joint. I'm through with burlesque. I'm going up. Up town and on my own. Listen, hon, I've been up there and I came down flat on my own. Oh, can it. Drop it. Variety says Patch Gallagher is putting on a new show. What kind of a guy is this Patch Gallagher, Rosie? Compared to him an elephant's hide is tissue paper. But he sure knows his stuff. I'm going to see him in the morning. Yeah? And I'm having breakfast at the White House. I'm going to work for Patch Gallagher. You can dream better if you'll get to sleep. I'm through dreaming. I'm gonna start doing. I'm going up where it's art. Uptown. I was never treated so disgracefully in my life. Don't lose your temper now. And you all can tell that Mr. Gallagher... that cotton will grow black before I come to see him again, sir. Where we all come from gentlemen know how to speak to ladies. - And you can tell him from me... - Break it up. You all go back to the Mason-Dixon line, sugar. What a wise agent you are. Gallagher ain't tough enough. You had to make him tougher. Oh, I told you that Southern accent would sound phony. Now, wait a minute. Listen, wait a minute, won't you? Way up. Way up. Come on. That's it. Now, back. Back, back. All right, all right. Break it up, break it up. Just a minute, Miss Warner. All right, Harry. - I met a Southern girl out there. - Way from the South? Now, don't tell me. Don't tell me you're from the South. And they want to build a statue of my father... but I wouldn't let them. - Oh, stop. Come in. - Yeah. That's true. Don't tell me they want to make a statue of your father. - Look. - Hello. What do you want? I was wondering if y'all could tell me where I could find Mr. Gallagher? What do you want Mr. Gallagher for? Well, I'd kind of like to talk to him about that Southern part. About the Southern part. - Hallelujah! Hallelujah! - Hallelujah! Hallelujah! There he is over there. Take a good look at him. It's funny, but I'm a little nearsighted. I'm afraid I'll have to get a little closer to him. Come on, come on. You're big-eyed enough to see that he's busy. But I wouldn't take up any of his time. The lady is leaving. Look now, I know if you'd let me get in there... that he'd let me do this part. I know he would. Did you read that sign on the door: "No more girls wanted"? Yes, I read it. Will you read it again and get that mush out of your mouth? How'd you like some of it in your eye, you big bruiser? - Steve. - Okay, boss. I've decided to take Miss Warner for the part. - Miss Warner? - Yeah. Oh, I see. Congratulations, Miss Warner. You all don't come from the South, do you? No. - Steve. - Yeah, boss? That's all today. Regular rehearsal a week from Monday. Break it up! Break it up! That's all for today. The regular rehearsals start a week from Monday. - So, you took Warner, eh? - Yeah. I know she's not so hot. But with all the real talent gone to Hollywood... you gotta make the best of what you can get. We'll be down to using midgets pretty soon. Well, work on her. Use the whip if you have to. She's got to be loosened up by the time we open. I'll offer her candy. Maybe she likes candy. - Offer her anything but more money. - Okay, Mr. Gallagher. Hello. Hello. Hello. - Slumming again? - No, I joined the Uplifters Society. - Who's the victim? - You. I looked for you down at the burlesque, I couldn't find you. - You going after art? - Gallagher. You're finding out the machines are fixed against your 1,000 to 1 shot? - Lf you're running low on coins... - No. Don't pull that $50 gag again, please. Aren't you ready to give up? I've been chasing that guy, Gallagher around for days. But I'm young yet. Got a lot of time ahead of me. Got a lot of sleep to catch up on, too. - Goodnight, Mr. Newton. - Hey, wait a minute. Now, suppose I gave you a letter to Jasper Bradley... make it easy for you? - Bradley? - That's Gallagher's boss. How about it? What's there in it for you? Now, this is no place to discuss that. - Come on, let's go upstairs. - Can't you read? I'm no gentleman. Besides, I need pen and ink for that letter. You'll find pen and ink in the parlor. - Okay. - Hey, wait a minute. You haven't told me yet where you cut in. If you want it that way, I won't cut in at all. - At least not for a while. - No. I'll do it for art's sake. Okay. I'll take it. But remember, I stay out of your private collection. - Good morning, good morning. - Good morning, Mr. Bradley. - Good morning, Miss Allen. - Good morning, Mr. Bradley. - Good morning, Miss Allen. - Good morning, Junior. I mean, Mr. Bradley. What do you think I want to see you about? How about un-belting with some more cash for this show? You're not putting on a dog and monkey circus, you know. Look at these costumes. - See anything wrong with them? - No. They're very pretty. Very nice. Yes, they're pretty. They're nice. I suppose you can see they're not of the same period. The styles are only a hundred years apart. What of it? Nobody will know the difference. Besides, they're the best we could rent. So that's the gag. Rented. You can afford to buy some, can't you? Yes, I can, but there are taxes and advertising... and salaries for people like you and Junior. It costs money to send Junior to Harvard to study the drama. Well, you can write that off as a dead loss. Oh, now, now, don't get excited over nothing. If you don't care about your rep, I care about mine. And I'm not going to put on a charity bazaar for anybody! That's flat! - Did I ever deny you anything? - Never mind the salve. - Do I get the costumes? - All right, of course. Of course. You didn't really mean to walk out on me just for a few costumes. Rather than send beautiful girls out in those, I'd let them go on naked. You know, Papa, that's a swell idea. It's the same idea that got you kicked out of school. Come on, girls. On the stage. Junior! Yes, Papa. Come in. - Mr. Bradley... - Go away, I can't see anyone. I'm busy. - But I have a... - I told you to go away. Go away. All right, but there's a letter here from Mr. Tod Newton. Why didn't you say so in the first place? - Newton. Tod Newton. - Tod Newton. - Show the lady in. Show the lady in. - Yes, sir. This Tod Newton has a lot of money. Maybe we'll get some good costumes after all. My boy, you're learning the business. Miss Barlow. Miss Barlow. How do you do? Why, this is wonderful. Why didn't you come in before? Well, your lady traffic cop out there had the signals against me. Oh, that's a shame. I'm sorry. - It won't happen again, I assure you. - Thank you. - Won't you sit down? - Yes, thank you. My son... I beg your pardon, you haven't met my son. - How do you do? - Mr. Bradley, Jr. Miss Barlow. Hello. Now, Miss Barlow, I think it would be best if you'd see Mr. Gallagher at once. - Yes, thank you. - Junior, will you escort Miss Barlow... - down to Mr. Gallagher on the stage? - Thank you. - Mr. Gallagher is our director. - Oh, I know. And we're always looking for fresh talent. - You can sing and dance, I suppose? - Yes, sir. - But, Papa, how about her rhythm? - That's Gallagher's job, not yours. Tell him a dear friend of mine sent Miss Barlow. Thank you so much. Now, Junior, be sure you take good care of our little friend. Let out on your long line a little bit, will you? When do you write your column, Ward? You're always hanging around here or some other dump. - Well, it gets written, doesn't it? - I wouldn't know. I don't get much time to read gossip. Speaking of gossip, what's new? You ought to know. I suppose you got that story about one of our girls and the Ambassador? No, no, what's that? - Got a pencil around here? - No, I haven't. Well, never mind. - When do you start rehearsals? - Next Monday. - Boy, I'd rather start boxing with Carnera. - Here comes love! - Hello, Ward. - The rest of the name is King, my son. That's all right. Call me Junior. A very important friend of Papa's sent a girl around for you. Papa wants you to take care of her. She's outside. I get it. One of those. So Papa wants me to give her a tryout, huh? - Steve. Steve! - Yeah, boss. Yeah. Steve, a very important friend of Papa's... has brought around a very important young lady for a very important tryout. - Have you got any? - Yes. I think we just have one left. Steve will take care of her. - The old brush off? - Yeah, that's the way it goes. These very important friends... who want to put their dames in the front row... so they can show their friends how well they can pick them. Say, who is this very important friend of Papa's, anyhow? You can just say a certain young man in the money... and you won't be very far wrong. Fine, fine. Oh, well, never mind. Got your music? Is that all I get, a piano? The last audition I gave I had a 40 piece orchestra. All right, little lady, we'll dig up Paul Whiteman for you. - That'll be swell. - Wait a minute. If you want a tryout, get your rehearsal clothes. - I didn't bring any with me. - The wardrobe lady will give them to you. - Okay, boss. Okay. - Hurry up. Do you want Junior to help you? No, thanks. Junior has enough to do to dress himself. Hey, you mugs! Come here. Okay, boss. - Listen, fellows. - What's the matter? - We're going to have an audition. - A raw edition? No, an audition! You heard me. - See that girl that went upstairs? - Yeah. We're going to give her the brush off. - The brush off? - Yeah. - Same instruments. - No instruments, we're going to sing. Oh, you'll never know Just what you start You start with me, I'll break... - That was a B flat? - Yeah. - Sing it. - Yeah. What do you know about music? You're talking to one of the best musicians in the country! How are you in the city? Oh, you Boys, listen, I'm wrong. We're not gonna sing it, we're gonna play it. Get the instruments. You heard me, didn't you? - We could sing it. - You know I'm the boss, don't you? - Get organized now, come on. - Okay. - Get the chairs. Get organized. - Okay. - You ready? Right. - Right. - Right. - Right. - Right. - Right. Stop. Stop. Everything's all right, isn't it? - Yeah. - I'm going to count off. - One, two. - Button your shoe. - Three, four. - Close the door. - Five, six. - Brush her off. Hey, here she comes now. All right, fellows. Come on. Get organized. Right. Right. - What can we do for you? - Well, what have you got? - We got plenty. - All right, let me have it. I'll need a little more room, though. You'll get it. All right, fellows, break it up. Spread out! That's it. - Faster, please. - Faster, the lady wants it faster. Slower. Slower. Give it to her slower. Help the lady out. Help the lady out, will you. That's it. - All right, a little step on now, fellows. - Careful. Sit down, fellows, sit down. Say, Curly, help the lady out, will you? Okay, boys, I get it. It's the brush off, huh? Okay. All right, hold it a minute, will you? Okay, bruiser, the first round's yours, but I'm not licked yet. Wait a minute. Wait a minute, will you? Say, listen, Paderewski... do them funny noises come out of you or the piano? Boss, come here, will you? Boss, come here! - What do you want? - Boss, come here. This girl's got plenty of talent. Oh, Steve, don't be like that. I'm busy, I haven't... You got confidence in me, haven't you? Look, come on with me, will you? All right, all right, we've got nothing to lose. Come on. Very, very clever. There she is. Oh, you. - Get her out of here. - Wait a minute, boss. - Steve, I haven't... - Boss, she's got plenty of talent! Listen to me, just watch her once, will you, please? All right, let's see what you can do. Steve, same instruments? Get out of here. Take those chairs and get out of here. Get out of here. This is on the level, now, play it, don't fake it! Go ahead. Say, Junior, you don't happen to know the name... of that important friend of Papa's, do you? Sure, I know. Got a pencil? No. - Well, don't you want to know his name? - No, no, let it ride. All right. Report for rehearsal next Monday. - Oh, Mr. Gallagher... - And don't follow me anymore! Yes, sir. Steve, stick her in the front line with the Closser unit. Yeah, boss. You sure have got rhythm, baby. Yeah, well, keep your hands off it. What is this? Can't you quit shadowing me now that you've got your job? I'm not shadowing you now, Mr. Gallagher... I just wanted to thank you for the break. All right, all right, thank me. You may not think it's such a break when I get through working you. Listen, I've been through the mill already. Why, I've worked in cheap vaudeville, one night stands, honky-tonks, burlesque... Well, what do you want? To be made an Eagle Girl Scout for it? I've been through the mill, too. I've played honky-tonks. But that isn't it. It's just that you can't scare me away... from my first break by threatening to work me. - You like to dance? - Oh, I love it. Well, it's good you do. You may be a natural, you may be a flop. You can't ever tell. - Takes years and years of hard work. - I'm not afraid of work. - Takes guts and brains. - Yeah, I know. After you've given everything maybe something will come of it. - Maybe nothing. - Something's got to come of it. - I suppose if you feel you got it, you got it. - Yeah. - You like to dance? - More than anything in the world. - You want to work with me? - Yes, Mr. Gallagher. - Shake. - Yes, sir. - Now, beat it! - Thank you! How about a little drink to our partnership, Mr. Newton? All right. Now remember, this is just a private deal between you and me. My friends wouldn't understand an investment of this kind. They don't want me contaminated by show people. It's Q.T. With me. I won't tell a soul. By the way, do these girls get paid during rehearsals? Well, not as a rule. But in Miss Barlow's case, I think it could be arranged. Fine, charge it to me. But don't say anything about it to... Or anybody. - Well, here we are. - Thanks. Hey, look, would it be all right if I gave a little party... for the whole company tomorrow night? Why the whole company, Mr. Newton? Well, I've tried working it alone, doesn't seem to get very far. I see. It might work better in a crowd, huh? But don't expect Gallagher. When he's directing a show, he never goes out. That's okay. This is one show I'll direct myself. The more I'm with you, the more I can see My love is yours alone You came and captured a heart that was free Now I've nothing I can call my own Everything I have is yours You're part of me Everything I have is yours My destiny I would gladly give the sun to you If the sun were only mine I would gladly give the earth to you And the stars that shine Everything that I possess, I offer you That my dream of happiness come true I'd be happy just to spend my life Waiting at your beck and call Everything I have is yours My life My all Goody, goody, champagne. You know, this is my first time to one of these doggy parties in years. They're all right. And at that, I wouldn't be here if it weren't for Janie. She made me stop hoofing and start cooking. We got a little joint around the corner from Broadway. Broadway isn't what it used to be in the old days, you know. Churchill's, Reisenweber's, the old Madison Square Garden, all gone. I heard of them. Did you know New York when they was here? No, I was working on the Kansas City Star in those days. - Do you like gardenias? - I love them. I could take you in my yacht to Tahiti where they grow wild, millions of them. - Hoping I'd go wild, too, huh? - Might do you a world of good, Janie. Tod, dance me toward the bedroom, will you? I want to get my coat. I'm going home. Come on, let's dance. You think you're a dancer, huh? You'll never be an artist until you find out what life's about. You ought to open up an art school for chorus girls. Oh, excuse us. There goes your great artist. Is this the only way I can get you in my arms? - Janie? - Yes, Tod? Is it? No. We can always dance. What are you doing with me, a striptease? Tod! Janie. I must go home, Tod. You sure about that? Sure. They were all at the party last night... just because you said they could stay in bed and rest up this morning. - They were in bed all right. - All right, Steve, I know all about it. I can't play nursemaid to a hundred girls. If they're tired for rehearsal this afternoon, that's their hard luck! - I'll be up in the gym. - Listen, boss, I want to ask you something. What's the matter? Sore because you weren't asked to the party? No, not exactly that, but tell me, why am I a social failure? - Ask your best friend. - Even he won't tell me! Wait a minute, what is all this? What are you doing up here? Oh, it's you. I might have known wherever there's anything private I'd find you around. I just sneaked up to get a little workout. What's the matter, the one at the party last night wasn't so good, huh? If you're so interested in our private affairs... why don't you come and see? I don't mix business with pleasure. Well, it'd be a pleasure to me if you'd mind your own business. Yeah? Say, listen. It's my business to see that you gals keep your shapes, Duchess! You mean, to see that we don't give them away. Listen... I don't give a rap about your private life, only as to how it affects me. Then stop handing out sarcastic orders. It doesn't affect you at all. Say listen, did you ever take a look at a dame who's been out too many nights? The customers out front just love it. Will you stop beefing. You're not on the stage now. - Why don't you watch yourself? - Why don't you... Feel better? Well, what do you know about that? He can actually smile. You look nice when you smile. Why don't you try it a little more often? Come on. Come on. Play ball. Okay, you asked for it. - Say, are you doing that on purpose? - Oh, I'm sorry. Pretty ambitious, huh? Getting up so early after a night out. - A lot of sleep'd done you more good. - I left early. Yeah? Well, keep up the good work. Maybe I'll give you a specialty number all for yourself. - Gee, really? - Save it. Save it. You haven't got it yet. - Shoulder feel all right now? - It feels swell when you rub it. Oh, no, you don't. It was nice you could get away. Yeah. Mr. Gallagher traded me the afternoon for working all night. That was kind of him. I nearly forgot. Got something for you. - I only owe you $25 now. - Are you still at it? Until the last dime is paid, Shylock. Tod, I'm scared. Come on, now. Just be yourself. And remember, don't bite or scratch no matter what happens. Go on, now. Don't worry. Gee, this is a swell... place. - Who's that? - That's one of the early Newtons. He fought in the Revolution. Looks like he started it. You talking about those darned old Newtons again? He blew the top of his head off with a duck gun. You never heard of anything like that from my side of the family. This is my grandmother on my mother's side. Mrs. Todhunter. She's quite deaf, but she's the real thing. - Nanny, this is Janie Barlow. - What? I'll have to write it for her. So a Newton's brought a woman into this house finally. This is Janie Barlow. Nice girl, isn't she? When's the wedding? Oh, but you... Now, there's no use answering her. Looks like good, healthy stock. You know, Tod, I didn't think you had it in you. You know, we Todhunters knew how to pick the women. It was the Newtons who were always a bit finicky. - All right, darling, all right. - Well, they were. You know, I know what I'm talking about. - Tod! - Hello, kid. I thought I heard your car. Janie Barlow, this is my sister, Grace. - How do you do? - Hello. - I'm so glad to know you. - Thanks. - And that's all the family there is. - Tod! Yes, Nanny. Well, don't yell like that. I ain't so deaf. You know you might have telephoned. I could have prepared a little. - All we want is a swim. - Him? - What him? Who? - A swim. Why didn't you say so? I'll have Charles fix something down at the lake. - You like it? - Love it. - Afraid? - Of what? The country. - I'm used to it. - How so? I milked a cow once. What kind of a cow was it, a Jersey or Guernsey? I don't know. I didn't see the license plate. Gee, this is a swell place. You got everything in it. All you need's a piano. How'd you like to look for a house and furniture? Let's talk sense. We want to be friends. We can't be unless you keep it on a sensible basis. I'm suggesting a dandy basis. Here, drink some of this. Maybe it'll make you see things the way I do. No, thanks. Everything's beautiful just as it is. - Come on in. - I don't like to mix my drinks. The water's nice. All right, you take the exercise for both of us. Come on in. For a guy that's had as much practice as you, you're a pretty poor shot. Is that so? Mr. Newton. This is so sudden. I learned that in the Navy. I'll have to get myself a diver's suit. You'll never get one to fit you like the one you got on. You know, you're too versatile to be working just on land. Why don't you find yourself a nice mermaid? I've tried mermaids. They can't dance well enough. And I dance and that's all. It can't be very much fun for you... going around with a girl whose dancing is her career. There are other careers besides dancing. - Not for me. - Marriage is a career. - Marriage? - Sure. I'll buy a ring and a license if it'll make everything cozier. I didn't know you meant that, Tod. Neither did I. It just occurred to me down there in the water. Sold? No. - I don't want to marry. - You mean, you don't want to marry me. I don't want to promise to marry anyone yet, Tod. I've got a job to go through with first. - Not very much of a job is it? - I don't know. Might be. Mr. Gallagher's promised me a chance at a specialty number. And if I make good at that and the show's a big hit... it would mean everything to me. And what if the show isn't a hit or if you don't make good? Well, then I guess... It's got to be a hit. I'll never get such a chance again. - My whole career depends on it. - Your whole dancing career, you mean. Well. Janie, suppose this big job of yours turns out to be not so big as you think... would you marry me then? We love each other enough, don't we? I think so, Tod, but... The only "but" is whether or not the show gets over. If it does, you stick to show business. If it doesn't, you stick to me. For life. Please say yes. Please. Hey, look what Ward King says in his column. "It is rumored that one of the new girls in the forthcoming Bradley production... "soon will go to the altar with a gay blade... "from the social register section of our town." What does she do, hypnotize them? - What has that Barlow dame got? - Eyes, that's all. Can't do it with eyes, my dear. Maybe she's got a book that tells about it. I've tried everything but a blackjack. I'm going to talk to Papa about you tonight. Anything I say goes. Break it up. Get out of the nursery. You, get in your overalls. Say, do you realize to whom you're speaking? I'm democratic, I speak to everybody. - I'll speak to Papa about you. - Go on, you big tom-boy. All right, girls, on your feet. Come on, everybody. - The Duchess! - Yeah, that's right. - You know we got a rehearsal today? - Have we? Steve, this is my roommate, Rosie LaRue. - Take good care of her, will you? - She needs it. - I'll be down in a minute, Rosie. - Okay. Say, I remember you. The third girl from the left in the Florodora Sextette. You want a wheelchair? No, thanks. I'll just take one of your crutches. - Morning, Cyclone. - The Duchess. - All right, Steve. - All right, boss. Let's get going. Get the girls down for the Bavarian number, will you? - Okay. Excuse me. - Goodbye, handsome. What, are you getting sentimental? All right, girls, the Bavarian number! Quiet! Girls, quiet! Come on, girls, Mr. Gallagher's waiting. - Why don't you knock? - What for? You ain't got nothing to hide. Come on, girls, everybody. Come on, now. Come on, stop that kidding. Stop that playing cards. Come on. Come on, girls, everybody down. Come on, the beer number. Come on, girls. What's the matter with you? Stop that, will you? Take this, will you? Everything will be ready in a minute, Mr. Gallagher. - All right, Steve. - All right, girls, come on. Come on. On your feet, everybody now. Come on. Jessie, take care of these girls, will you? All right, come on, girls, the beer number. Hello, Duchess. Hello, Mr. G. How many nip-ups today? I feel pretty light on my feet. Yeah, how did you get that way? The session in the speakeasies last night? No. A nice, quiet evening in the open. Trees and a lake and all that sort of thing. - Out with the rich folks? - Just one rich folk! One's usually enough. Do you think you could bring yourself down to do a little work now? Let's go. - Oh, democratic, too? - Yeah! If you'd told us where you were... we'd have brought the company out there to rehearse. - Come on, Steve, let's have it. - All right, Miss Warner, this is for you. - Hey, give me a pickup. - All right, come on, girls. Hey, listen, boys... - you're the authors of this show? - Yeah. - Do you like it? - I think it's splendid. - Certainly. - It looks great. Well, that's too bad. Because it's going to be changed. - You can't do that without our say-so. - We've got our rights. It's in our contract. It's in my contract, that I don't have to put on a turkey! What I say goes. Mr. Gallagher, I might say I've been expecting something like this. Now, don't irritate Pinky. You know how he is. Sure, sure. I know how he is. I had a cousin like him once. We had to shoot him. What's wrong, Mr. Gallagher? What's wrong? Tell us that. You tell me what's right. The whole thing's terrible. It all has to be re-written. You're crucifying me! Now, don't get excited, Pinky. He isn't worth it. Don't go to pieces, Pinky. Don't go to pieces! Oh, come on, come on. Get back on your nest. Then just what is your idea, Mr. Patch? My idea would be to write a whole new show. - Oh! You're crucifying me. - Now, listen! This show as it stands is Spanish-American War stuff. Country girl, city slicker, oatmeal, butterflies! You can't get by with that sort of thing today! You gotta give them something out of modern everyday life. - Something out of the city streets. - I'll kill myself. Give them the slums, burlesque shows, riveting machines. A girl who has to beat time to the city's rhythm. A girl who craves to dance. Do you get it? - How can Vivian Warner do that? - Vivian Warner isn't going to do it! - All right, break it up, break it up! - Break it up, break it up! - Barlow? - Yes, sir. In my office. I've got a few things to say to you. Yes, sir. Steve. Finish this and tell them all except Warner to be back here at 8.00 tonight. - You don't want Warner? - No, without Warner. Listen, everybody, we'll run through this number once more... and that'll be all for this afternoon. Mr. Bradley wants to see Mr. Bradley, Jr. Right away. It's very important. Babe. If you see Junior, tell him Papa wants him. Yes, sir. Papa wants you, Junior. - I've been thinking things over. - Yes, sir. You're through with the unit. Sorry I didn't make the grade, Mr. Gallagher. - I worked awfully hard... - That's right. That's why I'm taking you out of the unit. - Why? Because I worked hard? - No. Because I want to put you on the top spot. - The what? - The top spot. - Top spot? - Yes, yes, yes, the top spot. Where if you drop, you've got twice as far to fall. Well, maybe I'm a sap for trying it... and maybe I can make something out of you... if you can stand up when I get through with you. I've got good legs, Mr. Gallagher. Yes, so I've noticed. But don't let them run away with you. I won't. I'm sticking right here. Well, don't. Go on home. Clear all this stuff out of your mind and be back here at 8:00 tonight. Gee, I don't know what to say, Mr. Gallagher. - You don't know how much... - Save it, save it. Yes, sir. Shake? - And now, will you... - Beat it. Yeah, I know. I'll beat it. My dancing lady, there's nobody like you You find such pleasure in doing what you do A change in music and suddenly you start That little syncopated beat in your heart You look inspired That's one of your great charms And when you're tired start dancing in my arms After a while, dear These two happy feet will beat down the aisle, dear My dancing lady to you When I look at you in admiration Wondering where I got the luck Landing someone quite so grand When so many folks get stuck You're supply of everything that's needed Just meets my demand Pardon if I seem to gush But I say without a blush After a while, dear These two happy feet will beat down the aisle, dear My dancing lady, to you All right, girls and boys, come on, now break it up. That's all. All right, break it up, everybody. Take a rest now. - What's the matter, cramp? - A little. It's all right, though. - Routine on that number's not bad. - Thanks. - Needs a little cleaning up, though. - You're telling me. - Sure you're all right? - Yes, sir. - Don't want to quit? - No, sir. Do you feel like going through that opening number with Mr. Astaire? All right. - Freddy. - Yes, Patch. Show Miss Barlow the routine on that opening number, will you? - I'd love to. - Good evening, Mr. Astaire. Miss Barlow. Do you know the routine? - I've seen it often enough, I'll try. - That's fine. Harry, give us the pickup on that gang number, would you, please. - Yeah, yeah. - Thanks. How does that Barlow get to take Warner's place? Didn't you ever hear of personality? - All right, girls, stand back, stand back! - Help me take her in my office. Boss, I'll carry her. - I always wanted to be a hero. - Steve, take her in my office. Come on, girls, get back. Get back! All right, Paley, go ahead with that number. Come on, girls, now, snap into it. Take her right in here. - All right, get me the liniment, Jess. - Yes, sir. - It's over there, Jess. - Come on, let's get the shoe off. - Oh, take it easy. - Yeah, all right. There you are. Come on now, let's straighten it out. - Come on, let go. - I can't. Yes, you can. Come on, let go. That's it. Oh, that's better. That's fine. - Give me the liniment, Jess. - Yes, sir. - You know, I had a charley horse once. - It hurt, didn't it? - Certainly it hurt. - There, is that better? - All right, boys... - Yeah. ...get them back to rehearsal. - Shall I take them, Steve? - No, I'll take them. - They got more confidence in me. - Oh. Sorry. Better keep it straight now. That's it. Come on, keep it straight. This is going to hurt a little. Let it go easy now, right back. That's it. Wriggle your toe. What kind of a gang are you running with? What do you mean? I see a lot of cracks in Ward King's column about you. It's no fun sitting at home all the time. No, I suppose not. What are you going to do, marry into dough? - I don't know. - Well, don't do it. Those guys are a lot of silk hats and silk socks with nothing between. That's what all these dames fall for. Don't let it fool you. It never works out. But... Dancing is your racket, Duchess. I know it. I'm not going to run out on you. I'm not getting married. Is that on the level? Sure. You mean that, Duchess? Sure, I mean it. I'm not going to quit on you after all you've done for me. What do you take me for, anyway? - You think you can make it now? - Yes, sir. Well, all right, on your feet, on your feet. Sure you're all right? Well, let's see you walk. All right? Well, what are you waiting for? Come on. All right, Steve, come on. Get them in their places for the Dancing Lady number. All right, boss. Come on, girls. You heel-beaters. Come on now. Come on, get up. - Come on, now. - Everybody, now, everybody. - Come on, girls, please. - Come on, move fast. All right, Harry, drop that puzzle. Give me a pickup here. All right, break it up, break it up! Just a minute. Come here, everybody. This concerns you so you may as well hear it now. "Have decided to give up production for this season owing to ill health. "Stop. "Am on way to South of France. Stop. "Dismiss company immediately. Stop. - "Junior sends best." - Stop. Signed, Jasper Bradley. So, Junior sends best, a charming fellow. He can't mean that. He can't do that to us. No? You don't know Jasper Bradley. - Isn't there anything we can do? - Sure, we can go home and forget about it. I'm awful sorry, Mr. Gallagher. Save it, Duchess, save it. What seems to be the matter? We just got word, they're closing the show. Oh, that's too bad. I guess I'd better get out of these. I look kind of silly in them now. I'll be down in a minute. Well, that takes care of the 40-hour-week, all right. My folks begged me not to become an actress. Your folks needn't worry, you didn't. You ready, Janie? Yeah, I'm ready. And for what? Well, it might be something pretty nice if you just relax a little. I don't want to rush you into anything. We'll talk about getting married when we get back from the cruise. Cruise? Where are we cruising, up and down Sixth Avenue? No, Cuba. I thought a little sea air might do you good. And Grandma thought so, too. She's coming along to chaperone... or maybe you'll chaperone Grandma. And you can bring anyone along you'd like to. Rosette, if you want, in case I bore you. Rosette would love Cuba or vice versa. - Come on. - Wait a minute. - I want to see Patch. - All right. Come in. Come in. Oh, it's you. I thought you'd gone. I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciated everything... even though it didn't work out. Oh, that's all right. I've been in this racket for years. If you don't get a good break, you get a bad one. That's show business. What are you going to do? - Keep a promise. - Marriage? Maybe. I get it. Well, goodbye. - Goodbye. Lots of luck. - Thanks, I'll be seeing you. Sure, sure. We'll sit around the fire, whittle sticks... and talk about a girl who traded Broadway for Park Avenue. You shouldn't have said that, Patch. No, no, I shouldn't have said that. I shouldn't have said anything to you but "beat it," the day you came in here. Why did you say that to me, Patch? I won't go this way. I couldn't leave knowing the way you feel. Oh, get out of here, I told you to beat it, didn't I? I can't go. I don't want you to think I'm letting you down. Please. Okay, Duchess. Better luck with his show than you had with mine. Thanks. You ready? Not a bad jill at that, boss. - What? - The girl. Well, boss, looks like we're heading for the warehouse. Yeah? - Well, we're not. - What do you mean? Listen, Steve, Bradley can't do this to me. I'm going to carry this show myself. I'm gonna produce it. I got some dough, and what I haven't got, I'll get. I'll hock my car, my clothes, my house, everything. That's great. And I got some money I've been hoarding... against the next depression and you can have every dime of it! - All right, drag it out. Get ahold of Warner. - Okay, boss. - Warner? How about that Barlow dame? - Oh, let her go! She's gone Park Avenue. Say, listen, Steve, from now on... this is one theater those guys get into only on a ticket. Get those people back for rehearsal tomorrow morning as usual. That's great, boss. Girls, girls, don't go way. Girls! Hey, Grandma, here's mud in your eye. Pie? Who wants pie in a place like this? Grandma, you're getting to be a cut-up. Having fun? That's a swell dance. - It's a little bit uncivilized, though. - Maybe that's why it's so beautiful. It isn't loaded down by a lot of... - Drop it. - Okay. - Where do we go from here? - Tod, let's go home. - New York? - Yeah. That's the rhythm of the day - All right, break it up, break it up! - Break it up, break it up! - Warner. - Yes, Mr. Gallagher. I just wanted to make sure that you understood this is a dancing number. - I was under the impression I was dancing. - Yeah? Well, that just shows how we can all get the wrong impression sometimes. My mistake! That's not your first mistake, Mr. Gallagher. - No. My first mistake was... - Was what? Oh, let it go, let it go. Start at it again, Steve. - Listen, boss. - Steve, I'm not gonna stand for that! - I'll quit, so help me, I'll quit! - Miss Warner, he's a little tired. You know the show can't get on without you. You're an absolute sensation. - Well, I'll give him just one more chance. - Thanks. You're a brick. Come on. Say, I got a letter here from Junior Bradley. And I guess it's down at the office. Anyway, he said that before his old man blew out on the show... you were going to put the Barlow girl into Miss Warner's place. Anything in that? - Oh, what difference does it make now? - Well, it don't make sense. What don't make sense? Well, he said... Gosh, I wish I had that letter. Well, anyway, he said that the reason his old man blew out on the show... was that Tod Newton paid him a lot of money to close it. What? - Say that again, I don't follow. - Well, neither do I. Now, look, the Barlow girl is Newton's sweetie. So, why should he buy out a show and close it... and take her away to Cuba just as she's about to get a good break? Doesn't make sense. Yeah. It makes sense all right. Well, I guess there's something about it I don't understand. You figure it out. - Steve. - Yeah, boss. Yeah. Take over this rehearsal. I'm going out and get a drink. Oh, boss, I can't handle this. You got a hippodrome here. Do whatever you want to do with it. I don't care. Boss, listen, please. We got a dress rehearsal coming up. - We open in a week. - A week? - Lucky if we open at all. - But, boss. I see they're opening Dancing Lady cold tomorrow night. - Maybe it's something hot. - Maybe it's shortage of dough. Champagne cocktails, six. None for me, Tod. I'm not thirsty. I get it. When a lady says she isn't thirsty... she means all she can drink is champagne cocktails. You ought to write a book about what women want. Come on, it'll help your sea-legs. I can still feel the motion of that boat. That's what you call it. Patch. What? What? Well, if it isn't the Duchess herself? - Is that all you have to say to me? - Oh, leave me alone. Scotch, straight. Patch, what's the matter with you? - Me? Nothing's the matter with me. - Hello, Gallagher. Well, well, if it isn't the other half of the firm. Back from Havana so soon? Somebody close your show, too? Are you trying to be funny, Patch? Tod's not in the show business. Another. - He's not in the show-business, huh? - Come on away, Janie. He's just a little... I'm a little drunk. Is that what you're trying to say? Well, drunk or sober, my hat's still off to you. There are more ways than one to close a show and you've taught me a new one. - That's enough, Gallagher. - Hey, wait a minute. What's the matter? Afraid your boyfriend will get a poke in the jaw... for throwing a hundred people out of work... just so he could take you on a joyride to Cuba? - I don't know what you're talking about. - No? Not much. You got paid for rehearsing. Nobody else did. - You didn't think Bradley gave you that? - Shut up, Gallagher. - Say, what is this? - Oh, you don't savvy? - No. - Well, maybe I ought to speak Cuban. But it's the same in any language. I suppose you don't know that your boyfriend here... paid Bradley to close the show. You can settle that with me, Gallagher. Janie had nothing to do with it. - Tod, did you? - Oh, yes, Tod did. And I'd like to take Tod over to the theater right now... and feed him to the boys and girls for breakfast. - They need something to eat. - Mr. Gallagher. Well, the show opens tomorrow night and on my dough. Mr. Gallagher, quiet, please! All right, Joe. All right. I'm not gonna tear up your joint. But you better be careful who you let in here. The place will be getting a bad name. - Oh, Janie. - Tod, did you do that? Sure. It was the only way I could get you. - You don't know what you've done. - I loved a girl. I wanted to marry her. All I did was make sure I could marry her. Yes, and incidentally threw a hundred other people out of work. I didn't see it that way. I'm sorry. It's a little late for that now, I'm afraid. - Janie, l... - I'll see you later, Tod. Wait a minute. The boss is all steamed up, and this ain't no Turkish bath. - Get out of my way. - No, wait a second. No auditions today. You're in a new show now. Listen, bruiser, I'm mad and I'm not fighting according to rules. The boss is in enough trouble without you. You see? What is all this? - Patch, I want to talk to you. - What? - You've got the wrong address, sister. - You gotta listen to me. I didn't know anything about that, honest I didn't. Don't give me that. Do you think I'd do that to you and the rest of them? Would I do it to myself? Patch, listen! If you don't believe me about the others, you've got to believe me about myself. I wouldn't sell out my one chance. Oh, it's not only you, it's everything. Even the creditors are wise. Hanging around like a pack of hungry wolves. But don't you see, if you could show them a hit... You can't kid them. I'll be lucky if they let the curtain go up. They know a hit from a bust. Oh, Patch, if it's going to be a bust, let me be there when it happens. It's too late. We open tomorrow night. But I know the routines. Please let me go back in. Forget about it, Duchess. It can't be done. Life's too short. So the great Patch Gallagher's laying down. So, life's too short? So the first opus he's got his own dough in is a flop! Well, the wisies on Broadway will say it wasn't Gallagher, it was Bradley! - What? - Without Bradley, Gallagher's a washout! - What was that Bradley crack? - That's what they'll say. They'll put you on the pan and keep you there till Bradley takes you off! I've got a notion to... If that's what it takes to get you on your feet, go ahead! - What are you looking for, boss? - I'm looking for that opening number. - Here it is. - Well, all right, put it on! - How about that Warner dame? - Put her back where she belongs. Say, that place has been closed for years. - Say you know those routines? - Sure I do. All right, get out of that back drop and let's see them. - Right. - Right. - Let's go! - Right away. Heigh ho, the gang's all here So let's have pretzels and let's have beer Heigh ho, it's time to start And put some spirit in the party Oh, boy, the world's all right We won't be singing the blues tonight Let's give the grand old cheer It's all so merry when the gang's all here! Hail, all hail, put your worries up for sale Hail, all hail, let the good old days prevail Heigh ho, the gang's all here We all have pretzels, we all have beer Sing loud, the coast is clear So let's make merry while the gang's all here Heigh ho The gang's all here So let's have pretzels Let's have beer Heigh ho It's time to start And put some spirit In the party! Oh, boy The world's all right We won't be singing The blues tonight Let's give The grand old cheer It's all so merry When the gang's all here! Stand up and sing We've got the gang together We always sang together Stand up and sing Get in the swing We've got no time for waiting It's time for celebrating Get in the swing Heigh ho, the gang's all here So let's have pretzels and let's have beer Heigh ho, it's time to start And put some spirit in the party! Oh, boy, the world's all right We won't be singing the blues tonight Let's give the grand old cheer It's all so merry when the gang's all here! Hail, all hail, put your worries up for sale Hail, all hail, let the good old days prevail Heigh ho, the gang's all here We all have pretzels, we all have beer Sing loud, the coast is clear So let's make merry while the gang's all here! So in Bavaria get yourself a sweet frulein She can help you drink a stein of good old beer So in Bavaria clink your glasses all around Make that tinkle, tinkle sound Spread good cheer! In Bavaria, we take good care of you In all this area skies are clear So in Bavaria Isn't this a happy scene Ach, du lieber Augustin, drink your beer! Let's go Bavarian Get yourself a sweet frulein She can help you drink a stein of good old beer Let's go Bavarian Clink your glasses all around Make that tinkle, tinkle sound Spread good cheer Here in Bavaria they take good care of you In all this area skies are clear, so Let's go Bavarian Isn't this a happy scene? Ach, du lieber Augustin, drink your beer! This is just an idle burg More famous far than Heidelberg And what's it famous for? Beer! Beer! Beer! No one cares for Piper-Heidsieck Everybody laughs their sides sick While they yell for more Beer! Beer! Beer! Here's a place where skies are never gray Here's a place to drink your cares away Let's go Bavarian Get yourself a sweet frulein She can help you drink a stein of good old beer! - How am I doing? - So far, so good. - Say, boss... - Go change for your next number. - Yes, sir. - The customers seem to like it. - Yeah? Well, we're not through yet. - Come on, girls, everybody. Come on! You're old-fashioned, you're pass Rhythm 's in the air today Come with me, leave the past Life today is wild and fast On your toes, everybody rise On your toes, open up your eyes This is the time for plenty of action Action! On your toes Shout it to the skies! Go, go, go, let her go faster Faster, faster, follow master Go, go, go, that's the rhythm of the day Run, run, run, rhythm is master Motors turning, wires burning Run, run, run, that's the rhythm of the day Even love is electric Even love has a beat Here's the only correct trick Keep at fever heat Up, up, up Hitting the skyline Pulses beating, keep repeating Go, go, go, that's the rhythm of the day That's the rhythm of the day Nice work, Gallagher, old boy. Great show. - Certainly enjoyed it, Patch. - It's all right with me though. Think you've got a hit. Well, you double-crossed me, Janie. You're a success. You were marvelous. Believe now that dancing is my racket, Tod? Well, I'll give in if you will, Janie. Marry me. You can still go on with this. You can have your cake and eat it, too. Tod, I love to say "can it" and I... I love shoes with ribbons on them and I got a perfect passion for zippers. Well, you can put zippers on your sables, if you like. No. I'm afraid "them things" won't mix with "those things." - Steve. Steve! - Yes, boss. - I was just talking to one of the girls. - Yeah. Steve... tell Joe to dim down on that Dancing Lady number. Dim down on Dancing Lady. Yeah, but to follow Miss Barlow with an amber spot. - An amber spot. - Yeah. Yeah, an amber spot. And tomorrow night I'll try a rose spot. I get it. Miss Barlow. Top spot, amber spot, rose spot. Come in, come in. - Oh, you're busy. Excuse me. - No, that's all right. Come in. Oh, and Steve... during that dramatic bit tell them to follow Miss Barlow with a blue spot. - A blue spot? - Yeah. - Blue. - Good night. - Good night, boss. - Good night, Duchess. Night, Steve. White spot, amber spot, blue spot. Looks like you're in a spot. - Sure glad that first night's over. - Yeah. I saw your face once in the wings. Made me feel as if everything I was doing was wrong. I guess I got that kind of a face. You better go home and get some rest. And don't stay out too late with your boyfriend. He's gone. Yeah. Until tomorrow night. He's gone for good, Patch. Say, what is this you're dishing out? Can't you take it? English |
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