|
Million Dollar Mermaid (1952)
This is lovely city harbor
in the year 1900, when the Australia was still thought of by the rest of the world as the home of the bush and boomerang. But with the growing town of Sydney, culture had moved in. And the sounds of those three famous B's Bach, Brahms and Beethoven, were being heard here in the land. Mozart is very quiet and you hear, isn't it? Oh-ho, Daddy. Baby, you mustn't be envious of the others. I know how much you would like to be out there playing and dancing, but music can be a source of happiness, too. It's given me great happiness. Yes, Daddy. That's my girl. No. C-shape, Mr. Kramer. C-sharp. Mr. Kellerman, Annette is gone. she has disappeared again. But I just left her upstairs. Excuse me, Mr. Kramer, will you? I can't understand. Where the world is that child wandered? Mr. Kellerman, I can not look out after her every minute and take care of the house at the same time. I have my chores... Mary, please, I'm not blaming you. Tell Mr. Kramer I'll be back shortly. I'm going to find out once and for all where that child goes. Annette. Annette. Annette. Annette, what are you doing? Hello, Daddy. Annette, you come right back here. Come right back here. Annette, my baby. In heaven's name, whatever possess you? You might have drowned. I can't drown, Daddy. And why not? Because I've learned to swim. Is this where you've been coming everyday? Yes. Darling, I've got to be very cross with you. You know what the doctors said, that your legs would never be strong enough for... for what other children do. But my legs are strong. The strongest ever since I've been sick. I can even walk better and without my braces. Watch. Swimming can't hurt me. How can anything hurt when it makes you feel so good. Please let me come back here and swim again. Darling, we'll come back here and swim everyday. By your victory today, Miss Kellerman, you attain permanent possession of this trophy. Emblematic of the amateur freestyle championship of New South Wales. Thank you. This is getting to be a habit, Annette. What are you going to do with all these cups? They're crowding Dad right out of his study. This is a blow to us, Mr. Kellerman. I knew you'd understand. Only too well, Mrs. Grays. This financial crisis has affected all of us. I hope that John won't have to give up his music permanently. I hope not. Good bye. Good bye, Mr. Kellerman. Good bye. Good bye. Good luck. Dad? Look. The amateur championship. Permanent possession. Wonderful, darling. I'm so proud of you. Yeah, why does it always have to be a cup? We could use a new key service. I'll fix some tea. Would you like some? No, I don't think so. Thank you. Annette, I'm closing the conservatory. The few pupils we have left hardly pay expenses. Dad. No... We're not charity cases yet. I wrote my old friend, Thomas Crocker of Crocker Conservatory in London. He has offered me a post as his assistant. It's a big move for all of us, but I know there are times when we have to make decisions. This is the biggest decision of my life. Dad, if it's money, you don't have to. I could teach swimming or maybe even turn professional. There were nearly a thousand people there at the place... Darling, swimming is your hobby and I want it to remain just that. It has blessed you with good health and this I'm grateful. But as a career, no, your music and ballet come first. London will give you the chance to go on with your studies. It may be the best thing for both of us. Well, in that case, what's everyone looking so gloom about. One thing I know, Dad, the Kellermans will always win. Oh, yes. Come on, Dad. Let's walk some more. Bet you have me around this deck six times since breakfast. You're acting like an old man. I am an old man. Hold it, city. Hold it, city boy. Wait a minute. Oh, my God. Wait, come back. Wait, come back. What? Hold it. Wait. Hold. Hold. Hold on, folks. That's a boy. Wait. Wait a minute, Sydney. Whatcha know. Wait till I get my dentist bill. What did I tell you? He's got the greatest left hand in the business. Dynamite and bullfist. I'm sorry, folks. I hope he didn't scare you too much but Sydney get the old feeling that there's old thing down there. What's going on here? Did you take that Roo out of the hold again? Look, purser. I assure you... Don't bother to assure me. I warned you repeatedly. Sherif and I had quite enough of you. That piece is a menace. Only if the pricing, I assure you The pricing is a killer but out of the ring, why, he's as gentle as a lamb. I tell you... I tell you. You keep that beast below deck or I'll put him off the next port. And you with him. Don't look at me, this thing ain't my idea. Take him below, Doc. Now look here, you. You hit me once more when I ain't looking so help me up, I'll pick you right in the pouch. Now, come on. Behave yourself. And keep him there. Man and humanity. I hope they haven't scare you too much. No. I'm very fond of kangaroo. You say he boxes. Boxes? Let me tell you something. This is the greatest act I ever uncovered. Why, if Sydney's a man, he'd be the next champion. Take my word for it. We have no reason not to. Sure, he's risky and full of energy but out of the ring, why, he wouldn't hurt a flee. Your friend doesn't seem to think so. Doctor? Doc does take things too seriously. He's been training fighters for years, he expects kangaroo to act the same way. As a matter of fact, we were both starting with fighter when we first met Sydney, a middleweight named Tiger Driscold. We offer a bonus for anybody who'd go two rounds with him. One day, this fellow came along leading the kangaroo. One punch, just one punch match, a half of everything I had to buy. Well, let's hope your investment proofs a sound risk. Thanks. I have a hunch for blue chip this time. Are you bound to London, too? Yes, if this boat ever gets there. This is my daughter's first visit. She's going to study for the ballet. In honor of that, you must be my guest in Sydney's opening. Look me up personally, no charges. That's very nice of you. Thank you. Just ask for Jimmy Sullivan. James Sullivan, proprietor of Sullivan's wonder ship. I'm Frederick Kellerman and this is my daughter, Annette. Annette Kellerman. You're the swimmer. Show your picture in the paper. That was an awful picture. My daughter had just won the amateur freestyle championship of the New South Wales. Set a new record in the presence of two thousand people. Dad. You did. That's a lot of people. Swimming is very popular now in Australia. I can understand why. Well, nice to meet you, Mr. Sullivan. I hope Sydney's a big success. Thanks. Let me call you sweetheart. I'm in love with you. Let me hear you whisper that you love me, too. If to all my going in your arms all true, let me call you sweetheart. I'm in love with you. Forgive the intrusion, would you be interested in shipboard romance? Hello. I've been standing over there watching you for the past ten minutes. I know. Women always know when men are watching. Then maybe you noticed the puzzle look on my face. And I keep asking myself how a girl pretty as you can break swimming records, and how a girl who can break swimming records and insists on ballet dancing as a career. What's wrong with a ballet? I don't know. I guess I've always associated it with long hair and swans... And I'm more the desk class? No. What I mean is, Whatever type you are, it must be my type. I meet the girl for the first time two days ago and I can't get her out of my mind. I keep saying to myself. Sullivan, this is without a doubt the prettiest girl you've ever met. And a voice come back, nonesense, it's a tropical night and the stars. You have jungle blood. And then I replied, but you have seen tropical nights before and you don't have hot jungle blood. You're just a crazy Irish man from Boston who runs the carnival. And what reply did you get from that? None. I'm on my own now. Annette, please don't think I'm forward but there's something I must ask you. There's something that I must get off my chest. Yes? Annette, I want to marry you. Marriage? Did you say marriage? Yes. What's the matter? Nothing. I'm sorry. Look, I know a fit when I see one. If two thousand people would come to see you in Sydney, five thousand, ten thousand would pay to see you in London. I'll give the afternoon twist a little zip. Not just swimming. I can see it now. Annette Kellerman, the Australian mermaid. Half woman half fish. I'll build you a little tank and make you up to look like a real mermaid with skilly fin and all. Well, you may be a bigger draw than the kangaroo. I doubt it. Good evening. Mr. Sullivan, for your information, my daughter is not half woman half fish. She is, I assure you, all woman. I couldn't agree with you more. Furthermore, she is not interested in swimming either professionally or as a career, nor diving into a tank nor wearing a mermaid's tail. Her soul interest is the ballet, mine's the music. But, Mr. Keller... I don't' wish to... ...discuss it any further. But, look. This is the greatest idea... Jimmy. What's the matter? It's Sydney. He broke loose again. Where is he now? Up at the Captain's bridge. Holy smoke. It'll be a wreck. Attention. Hold it still, Captain. But I don't understand. Is there no one running the conservatory now? No one, sir. I'm the only one here. Since poor Mr. Crooper died. They just closed the place down. I see. Well, thank you. Thank you very much. Annette, I don't know what to say. Most of our funds were for passage. It's only one gate is closed, Dad. Don't worry, the Kellermans will always eat. Three, four, five. That's one pound five. There you are, Miss. Thank you, Mr. Davis. It's a real big one this time. I was wondering, you don't have any connections in the ballet, did you? Yes, dozens of connections. Thank you again, Mr. Davis. Good luck. Greetings. Jimmy and Doc. Hi ya, Miss. I'm glad to see you. We just drop by to brush up on our piano lessons. Won't you come in? Saw the sign outside. Any customers? No, you're the first. What smells so good? I'm making an Australian stew. And what's that? Same as Irish stew, only the meat's down under. That's too bad. We drop by to invite you and your father out for dinner. Yeah. Out to dinner. Yeah, dinner. We found a nice little place down at piccalilli. French cuisine. You weren't good at anything of that kind. But you're invited to stay and sample my cooking if you like to. No. Now, we wouldn't think of imposing on you. There's plenty and I insist. Well, I guess it's better than looking at the clown dressing and all that. Besides, I'm getting awfully tired of those rich food. We'll stay. Wonderful. Make yourself comfortable and I'll get things ready. Thanks. By the way, how's Sydney? Sensational. He's developed the one-two punch. And I've got the jaw to proof it. Yes, the greatest act ever put under attempt. There's only one thing wrong. No one knows about it. That's where you'll come in. That's where I come in? We figured that if we could get enough people down there, the rest would take care of itself. So we thought maybe if you'd be interested in, Well, making a little money. Money? How? Well, the idea I had in mind was a swim down the Temps. Maybe five or six miles ending up at the carnaval. We'd follow you in a row boat, of course. Yeah. If Sydney could swim, we wouldn't be bothering you. We'll pay you five pounds and fifty percent of the day's proceeds. Well... if you're going to stage a swim, why won't you make it a real one? What do you mean? Well, that six miles won't impress anybody, but twenty-six miles might. Twenty-six miles. Holy smoke. I can't even row that far. I can't understand what happen to the reporters. I've notified the press. Maybe they thought we were crackpots. I wouldn't blame them. Nobody dare think of doing this. I think we better start. How do you feel? Cold. I can't see two feet of me. Which way do we go? Just point the boat down river. Ready, honey? Good luck, honey. Good luck, Annette. Well, Sydney, here we come. Annette, where are you? Here. Why, me. There's a girl in the water. Look out in there. Under the cloud. Hang on, Miss. We'll toss you a line. Never mind there. Which way is the drainage? That way. Thank you. Drainage? Did she say drainage? How do you feel? I could swim fifty miles in this current. Save your strength, honey. You'll be needing it when we hit the tides. Great Scott. What's that girl trying to do? Get off this story. She'll never get pass the Tower bridge. Australian girl in marathon swim. Australian girl in marathon swim. Australian girl... There she is. Listen. There's Westministers Bridge. What are all those buildings? Parliament. And that's Big Ben. Beautiful sight, isn't it? I can think of a prettier sight. What's that? Food. I'm starving. We'll leave in half hour. Keep swimming. Hey, John. Look at all those people. Come on, girl. There she is. Yes. There she is. Take it on. Good girl. Good girl. What about that food? Doc? Where's the hamper? What hamper? The lunch hamper. The hamper with the food that you're supposed to bring. Didn't you bring it? Didn't I bring it. Maybe if we bring it up, she'll forget the whole thing. Maybe she'll forget the whole thing. I can't keep floating much longer. Where are we going to get any grab in the middle of the Temps River. I don't know but we've got to think of something or she'll pass out. There's Tower Point. Park it there and I'll see what I can wrestle up. What's happening? Where is she? She needs to come into the bank. That badly, they gave me this? Has a pretty nurse gave me this? Not a bad home? Yeah, but all that food and nothing to drink. I took care of that, too. Can't you row any faster? What do you think I am, the Cambridge crew? Lunch. Come and get it. Not exactly a seven course dinner but it's the best I can do. They just went for food, they're hungry. They'll never make drainage. There's a strong tide coming. She'll make it. She'll make it. She's my daughter, you know. She's my daughter. Currents turning against her. I hope the old tides moving in like a wall. I know when we're licked. Swing along side of it, Doc. We'll pull her in. You mean quick? That's what I said. Anne's gonna kill herself by five pounds. Maybe if we went... Doc, I said pull her in. That's enough, honey. Come on aboard. I'll make it. Don't be silly. There's always another time. No. No. You'll kill yourself fighting this tide. I can't go up now. I just can't. Hey, Jimmy. What's a... Honey. It's finished. We're just a mile away. Do you think you can hold up, honey. I'll make it. I know I could. What do you think of a girl like that. Daily Express, can you answer a few questions? Can you hold it for a picture, Miss Kellerman. Just for a moment, just like that. Please. Miss Kellerman is exhausted. Give her a chance to catch her breath. She'll answer all your questions, she'll be over at my office at the corner. Alright, come on. Let's follow them. When do you first begin to get taught, Miss Kellerman? Did you swim as far as this in Australia? How long did it take you to train? Give us a good story, Miss Kellerman. Please, one at a time. Which question first. Tell us about your training, Miss Kellerman. Do you swim every day, don't you? Well, that all depends. Oh, gee, gentlemen. I'm so tired. Kangaroo winning human frame. He win, he boxed, he strikes when the fought are files. Where's the girl who made the swim? Over there. How's the house? Fine, but the people aren't in it. If you ask me, we're selling tickets for the wrong attraction. Start the show. I'll see if I can get the press over here. And bring me back some black coffee, will you? I'm dead on my feet. Sullivan, you have to get her out of there. The child's so exhausted she can barely hold her head up. I'll see what I can do. Yes, I was born in Sydney and my first... Alright, gentlemen. That's it for now. We'll be available for further interviews tomorrow. Thank you very much. Good night, Miss Kellerman. Good night. Let me call your attention to another visit from Australia. Not as pretty as Miss Kellerman but in his own way, just as nice... Look. Aren't you going to see the kangaroo? Poor Sydney. Looks like you're ready to put out of business. Sherry? Okay. Okay. Take it easy. Take it easy. Now you're full of ginger. Last night you couldn't draw a fly. And we're prepared to offer Miss Kellerman eight pounds a week for such series of swims. Well, she's still asleep and I doubt every much if she'd be interested. Alright, though If there's any change, you can reach me at Daily Mirror. Doubt that she'll be interested? What are you, nut? Good morning. Good morning, Dad. Good morning. Good morning, Sydney. You could tell your boss he'd got the most comfortable bed I ever slept in. You might as well face it, Professor. Your daughter here is a celebrated woman. She'd already receive a dozen offer of employment. Employment? What kind? Every kind. Personal appearances, swimming events, diving exhibits, the H&R club wants you to go on the duck shooting season, the Crystal Palace would like to know if you could sing, and then there's the chap here a minute ago, who's from the Daily Mirror. His paper wants to sponsor a series of swim at beach resorts offering eight pounds a week. Well, you didn't let him away, did you? You accept it? No. Well, which offer did you accept? None. You don't think for a minute. I'll let you fall for any of these chicken feat. Eight pounds to swim around the ocean. What kind of a future is there to that? Future? Who's thinking about the future? I am. Maybe you don't realize it, but you've struck gold, pay dirt. Those crowd who came last night, they didn't come to see me, they come to see you, and I for one, intend to see that you capitalize on it. What do you propose to do? I propose to stage a show. Our own show, a water carnival. A water carnival? Why not. It's something brand new. We get a tank and we charge admission. Our own private ocean. I can see it now. People flocking to see the gorgeous mermaid from Down Under. I see something beautiful, something graceful, a ballet. That's it. A water ballet except the music. Just a moment. All these sounds highly imaginative, but where would you stage such an event and where can you find a tank big enough for what you describe. The tank is already built and waiting for us. Ever hear of the New York Hippodrome? The Hippodrome? New York? My dear boy, really. Three thousand miles away. Well, whatever. It's the biggest tank in the world, the largest theater in the world. And the longest swim in the world. Surely, you must have been joking. How could we get to New York City? Jimmy, it's a wonderful idea, but... really, Dad and I couldn't pay a trip to Liverpool, that alone. Who said anything about you paying for this. Anybody who travels with Sullivan travels first class all expenses paid. Look, I happen to know the owners of the Hippodrome personally. Have a concession when they run a little park. That Sherman would go for this little idea in a second. But how could you afford the fares? I thought you were, I mean... Broke? Perhaps. But, Mr. Kellerman, I have such confidence in this idea that I'm willing to sacrifice my entire asset. What asset? Jimmy, no. Come here, Doc. Look, I want you to put Sydney in the wagon. There's a circus coming to town and I'm sure we could get a good price for him. Sydney? Go ahead. Now, Mr. Kellerman, look. There's a lot of things I like to discuss with you... Now, don't take this too hard, old timer. That's show business. One minute you're up, the next minute you're... Mr. Kellerman. No... We said we'll wait for them. I'll be alright. Take it easy, Pop. Do you want to sit down? No, no. I'll be alright. You know, this is a big proposition, real big. Don't you worry about Sullivan. He could sell water wings to a duck. I'm becoming aware of that. Here I am, ten thousand miles from home in a strange city and... completely dependent upon your persuasive friend. They're liable to be in there for sometime, Mr. Kellerman. Come on, we better go home. Perhaps you're right. Everybody wants to be in impresario. Everybody has the world's greatest idea for the Hippodrome. Mine's not the greatest, Mr. Harper, but it's a colorful and exploitable package. It's good. It's one of the best that I've ever heard. My compliment on your showmanship, but I can't use it. You can't use it? But... I simply can't risk it on an unknown. Unknown? Take a look at this clippings. They're impressive. They're very impressive but they happened in London. In New York, the story was just a swift. I can't build the whole show around the swimmer. Annette isn't just a swimmer, Mr. Harper. She's got something very unusual. I'm sure she has. Mr. Harper, I know that this water carnival idea is tailor-made for a place like hippodrome. Let me put it this way. Right now, the policy of the Hippodrome costs applaud and spectacles with story. These are tanks for the big climax. For me to stage a water ballet without even a book, well, I mean, I like it, but... Hello. What's it? No. No. We have all the confederate uniforms we want. I might be needing some show girls. Can you do anything besides swim? Well, I can dance. Well, if you're interested, come back Monday. It's the best I can do. I'm sorry. But, Mr. Harper... By the way, can you find me a Lincoln that looks like Lincoln? Well, all those characters you have dug out look more like the Smith brothers. Yes, I know. Now look. I've told you what I wanted. This man must be... If you can't do it, I'll get somebody else. You know what I want... Well, that's that. It isn't your fault, Jimmy. It's a good idea and I run into it with my eyes open. Well, anyway, you can go work with Harper if you want to. Might not be a bad idea. I don't know what I'm going to do. Probably run up to Boston. Find my own concession at the Beetbeach. He wants me to help in ballethood. Jimmy, I have to make some money. It's Dad I'm thinking about. You see, music is his whole life, loving it, teaching it, having his own conservatory. If only I could give it to him that much. You can. How? Forget it. I'm not going to sell you something else that haven't fizzle out. Take the Harper job. It's safe on expenses. No. I need more than just expenses. Jimmy, how much can you make out of a concession? If it clicks, plenty. All we have to do is pool enough money together to buy a little tank and then we... Look, I told you to forget it. It's too much of a long shot. I've only got six dollars in my pocket. Well, I still have three silver cups left and then that would be enough to get us to Boston, isn't it? Maybe. Well, I was just thinking. In London, we swam down the Temps to get publicity and that work pretty well, didn't it? Keep talking. Suppose we did the same thing here. I'll marathon swim from somewhere, anywhere. Not anywhere, from Revere Beach. Oh, baby, I knew we were a team from the first time I saw you. We'll stand that town on its ear. I'll get enough backing for ten tanks not just one. Jimmy. Do you think so? Think so? Who's going to stop us? Just be patient. He'll be along in a couple of minutes. Where is she going to swim to, mister? To that lighthouse, way up there, in fact. Gee, that must be fifty miles. Twenty miles. What did you get there in the basket, mister? Take your hands off that hamper. Come on, get out of here. Go on. Beat it, you little monster. I don't believe it. Did you see that? Her legs are bare. She ought to be arrested. Who is she? Look at her... What is it? Who? I don't believe it. That's her. Let's not bother her. They'll be cheering when she finish her swim. Shocking. On a public beach. Wait up. Wait up. The row boat is all ready. Colder out here than it is in the water. Well, honey. This is it. Good luck, Annette. Thanks, Doc. I'll need it. Don't worry about anything. Just start to swim. It's disgraceful. Arrest that woman. Hold. Just a minute. Just a minute. Just a minute, miss. What do you think you're doing? Officer, this is Annette Kellerman, the famous Australian swimmer. She's about the embark on a twenty miles swim. Not in that outfit. What? You don't expect me to go 20 miles on those things, do you? All I expect you to do, miss, is cover yourself up. Come on, Jimmy. Let's get out of here. Not on your life. You've done nothing wrong and I won't let anyone intimidate you. Just a minute. Just a moment. Indecent exposure. Held for trial. All those hypocrites, sanctimonious who knows, hypocrites. How dare they. Dad. where are we going? Now, now. The lobby's full of reporters and cameramen, and they like to know if they can come up. Well, you just tell them to go away. Tell them I've left town. I never want to see Boston again. I'll just go some place else. Wrong. You'll swim here. As far as I'm concern, this is the greatest thing that has ever happened. The greatest... I'm booked and fingerprinted and arrested just like a con... What others. Don't you realize you're the standard bearer of all American womanhood? In your hands lies the power the wreck the shutter of puritanry. Free the feminine sex and the aura of convention. Go ahead, run away if you want. But I tell you, this is more than a trial, more than a newspaper headline. This is a crusade. Bravo. I said bravo. This tempest over a bathing suit, it's... it's really evil. It should be exposed to the world. Well, I for one, intends to see that my daughter stays and fights this thing through. Here. Here. That a boy, Pop. It's high time the American women show what they have in skin. It's up to you, darling. You can pay the fine and leave Boston tonight or you can stay and accept the challenge. Indecent. Tell those reporters to come up. I'll give them a story, bathing suit and all. And as prosecutor for this county, I demand the severest possible penalty for this brazen young woman who has wantonly flaunted every statute of decency. She and the others like her must learn that laws are made to be observed. Her guilt is uncontestable. She admits that she wore the indecent garment in question. I admit no such thing. What's that? You deny that you appear at Revere Beach in a flimsy material that barely covered... I admit I wore a one-piece bathing suit. I do not admit that it was indecent. Whatever definition you apply, your arms, neck and shoulder were exposed, not to mention your limps and thighs. My ankle were also exposed, not to mention my toes, knees and fingers. I also notice your teeth are exposed. Does that make you indecent? Your honor. Your honor, if you please. This woman has deliberately trying to make a mockery of this court. I wouldn't be surprise if those pickets are outside at her instigation. This frequent disrespect... I object, your honor. Are you the attorney for the defendant? No. Then keep your seat or I shall have to eject you. Miss Kellerman, it's not the intention of this court to take side in what is essentially feminine thing. You're charged with indecent exposure to which you pleaded... Not guilty, sir. Your honor, her appearance at the beach was witnessed by hundreds of people, including a police officer. I am aware of that. Have you anything further to add, Miss Kellerman? Yes, your honor, I have. You see, I have been in swimming competition all my life, and the only way I've been able to compete successfully is by wearing a man's one-piece racing suit. After all, sir, you can't deny me my right to swim, can you? Certainly not. Well then, how is it possible to swim a race tied up in a corset and ten yards away of drapery? Mr. Kelleman, let me remind you that it is not I who was on trial. I'm sorry, your honor. May I please ask the court one more question? Proceed. Well, do the authority object to the one piece bathing suit or that the fact the limps are not entirely covered? I see no reason to base any decision on the number of piece on article of clothings. Well, perhaps I could suggest a compromise. Proceed. Thank you. This is the original racing suit, except that I have sewn some stockings at the bottom and jersey on the top. As you can see, this will cover the entire body except the forearms and the head. I consider that shocking, your honor. I consider it very ingenious. Is it my understanding that any further swimming appearances will be made in a bathing suit of that nature? Yes, your honor. Case dismiss. Hurry... Step right up. The show is next five minutes. Alright, folks, step right up. See Annette Kellerman in a one-piece swimming suit. Annette show in five minutes. Step right up, friend. How many? Thank you, sir. Annette show in five minutes. Hurry. Hurry. Hurry. See Annette Kellerman in a one-piece swimming suit. Hurry. Hurry... Ladies and gentlemen, introducing Australia's mermaid Annette Kellerman, voted by Harvard University as the World's most perfect woman. World's champion swimmer, holder of records from one hundredyards to twenty-six miles. Miss Annette Kellerman. Miss Kellerman will now demonstrate the various swimming strokes. The breast stroke. The over arm stroke. For the first time in America, the Trojan stroke. This stroke was made by Miss Kellerman when she attempt the sensational swim at Tempe River in London, England. And now for the first time in America, Miss Kellerman introduces her famous Australian crawl. And now, ladies and gentlemen, for the first time in the U.S.A., a woman will give her public exhibition of fancy high diving. Miss Kellerman will now demonstrate the front high dive. Step right up, folks. The show is now going on. The Annette Kellerman and her one-piece bathing suit. Step right up. Atta boy, talk it up. Six weeks, Doc. Make it seven. Every show a different color. Jimmy. Jimmy, I'm soaking wet. Good. Maybe that'll put the fire on. Go. Go. Think it over, Sullivan. I'm leaving for Florida tonight. I could use a guy like you. If it's the other way, boy, I might be interested. Which way? Maybe I could use a guy like you. You know, sometimes I wish we had Sydney back. We didn't have that much money, but I don't have this... this bookkeeping. And what's this item here, personal, two hundred dollars. It's this personal matter. No kidding. Did you ask her yet? Today's the day. Season's closing real soon... And you want somebody to keep your feet warm every night. Great, but what about me? Doc, I've got an idea for something brand new. A great idea. A swimmer and a flyer. A flyer. That's what we'll do. The acts will be dynamite. You know, he can actually take that contraption four hundred feet off the ground? I don't like it. It's against nature. You and your grousing. Can't you see that new poster, Sullivan's combined shows. King of the air, Queen of the sea. Don't get me wrong now. That will still be our number one attraction. We can dream, can't we? There she is, dreamer. Hi, there. Hello, Jimmy. I'm not late, am I? Performance starts at two thirty. Jimmy. This is Mr. Aldrich, of the Aldrich Selection Bureau. He was kind enough to drive me back from lunch. My pleasure. How do you do? I have a special interest in Miss Kellerman. I'm trying to persuade her to go on a tour. What kind of tour? He offered me a great deal of money and ten weeks guarantee, just to do a series of lectures. Yes, indeed. I see Miss Kellerman in a very dignified presentation giving a lecture on the body beautiful. Perhaps a little ballet on the subject. Ballet? Lecture? No. What's so funny? Darling. I'm sorry that one of us must be nutty. You competing with William Jennings Brown. I can see you now up on the platform with a picture of water and ballet dancing around some grass drapes. Holy smoke. I'm happy to be contributing so much to your amusement, Mr. Sullivan. But I assure you my end is a very dignified and lucrative business. Miss Kellerman will not be swimming around tank like a seal, performing in a carnival like a fat lady on one side and a fire-eater on the other. You don't like carnivals? They have their place. And you don't like swimming around tanks either. For a fish, yes. For a beautiful woman like Miss kellerman... Mr. Aldrich, I think it's about time that you learn to enjoy water. Jimmy, stop that. Jimmy, Let go of him. Let go. Alright. Run along, sonny, and take your grass sticks with you. Jimmy, how dare you. Mr. Aldrich, I'm terribly sorry. Go over there and sit down. Annette, put over your suit. The show starts in twenty minutes. Yes? Jimmy. Annette, I'm sorry. This big temper of mine. I guess I'll never be able to control it. Darling. We shouldn't quarrel, not about this. It's just not important enough. I don't get you. We came up here purely and simply for money. Anything that offers us more money is more important. Still got old Aldrich on your mind, have you? Darling, it's five hundred dollars a week. Puts me just that much closer to Kallerman conversatory. It isn't as though we're splitting up. I'll talk to Aldrich. I'm sure there'll be important job for you. Like filling the water pitchers. Jimmy. Or picking up the drapes. Or maybe I can come ahead of you and give short talk on high class we are. Maybe somewhere along the line, we get our signals crossed. You got into your head that you want to work. Well, get it out fast. You're a swimmer doing a tank act in Sullivan's water carnival, and not a bad show either. And how long can it last? After all, what we're doing is capitalizing on a lot of cheap bathing suit publicity. What do you think this Aldrich thing is anyway? All he's trying to do is cash in on the same dodge and ballyhoo that I've been arranged. That you arranged? Sure. What did you think I let that cop to arrest you? No, Jimmy, you didn't. Didn't I? Can you stand there... what about all that talk about a crusade and... Bunk. Who cares what a lot of females wear on a beach, as long as I can keep you in a one-piece bathing suit. Baby, you're a swimmer. You belong in the water. Wet, you're terrific. Dry, you're just a nice girl who ought to settle down and get married. Thank you very much for the advice. One thing I know for sure, if and when I do get married, it will never be the work of a cheap, stubborn, flea circus proprietor. This flea circus does alright for the fleas in it, except when they jumped out of their cages. Ballet. Comics wanting to play hamlet. Toe dancing. She has that bug in her head ever since we first met. Well, Miss Kellerman may be able to swim, but she'll never fly. What are you talking about? Jimmy, no. Look at these receipts, look at these books. Here, look, nothing but money, money, money. Plenty where all those came from. I'd be a sucker to go ahead and think big plans depends on the whim of a girl with bloody notions about herself. Hey, look, pal. You ain't serious, right. You're kidding, Jimmy. Tell me you're kidding. I'll be back in a few minutes. Flea circus. Flea circus, she calls us. And then, my dear, you will come out in a tasteful evening gown against the background of perhaps a small salon of orchestra. Your talk will be prepared, of course, subject to your approval. And as for the dances... Mr. Aldrich, I'm terribly sorry but I, well... I just can't see myself doing all those sort of thing. My dear child, it's natural to be nervous, and I understand. But you'll only... Please. I have a headache. Perhaps we can talk about it some other time. But I have to make preparations. Well, I'm sorry, but I'm afraid you better hold up for a while. Good night, Miss Kellerman. Good night, Mr. Aldrich. Good evening. Annette, read this. It's from the New York Hippodrome. New Hippodrome policy will feature great specialty. Can you come to New York to discuss deal. Alfred Harper. Dad, the New York Hippodrome. Yes. But this is just Jimmy... What is it, my dear? Dad. So that's it. You better let him read it, too. There's nothing like good news to patch up a lover's quarrel. Come on, off you go. Miss Kelleman. Hello, Andy. What are you doing here? I thought you're on your way to florida with Mr. Sullivan. Florida? That's what he said. You mean you didn't know? Yes, of course, Andy. How stupid of me. Thank you, Andy. Bravo... Madam Pavlova. Yes. I'm Annette Kellerman. Indeed, I know, my dear. I have watched you perform. Well, I want to tell you is that, well, all my life, I've been wanting to be able to dance like you. You studied for the ballet? Yes. My dear, don't thought that your studies have been in vain. Your act is wonderful. You have applied your ballet training to something new and different. They tell me there is only one Pavlova, but from what I've seen, someday, they'll say the same thing about you. There is only one Annette Kellerman. I wish she hasn't told you that. Alfred. Here I am with next season's contract still unsigned and people like Pavlova may start puffing you up. No. I'll always work for the Hippodrome for nothing. There's no need for that, Annette. You really have been great and this is the best way I know of saying. Alfred. Don't thank me. Thank all the people who came here to see you. Annette, I'm giving a little supper for Pavlova Saturday night after the performance. Can you come? May I let you know? I don't get it. Are you in mourning or are you just a hermit. Mr. Kellerman, I'm trying to persuade your daughter to come to a party and seems I can't... Of course, she'll go. It'll do you good, darling. You'd been seeing too little of New York and too much of my musicians. And besides, orders are orders. Mr. Harper is my new boss. Boss? I'd been asked to work in the Hippodrome Orchestra for the next season. Dad. Let's hope it's only the beginning, sir. The Hippodrome needs your kind of talent. Thank you. Thank you very much. Got to make the Kellermans happy. The man at my box office told me so. I'll see you later. Bye, Alfred. Dad, I think it's just so exciting and wonderful. The two of us here working together. I couldn't be happier. Couldn't you? I've got the report. He went to Florida with that flying act and William sliced up the second day. And where is he now? Well, this report said he was in New Orleans for a while with a wrestling bear, then up in Chicago with some kind of concession that closed. Dad, I've just got to find him. That argument with him was so stupid and silly. This whole thing, the Hippodrome, it was Jimmy's idea. Darling, you mustn't confuse love and loyalty. You owe nothing to anybody in the world. Not to me or anybody. Jimmy knows that, too. Does he? Deep in his heart he does. I'm sure that's the reason for his absence. He wants to make good without Annette Kellerman, if you should don't need him. Dad, I do need him. I'm... I know but that's the way Sullivan is. And he's no different from most of us. Darling, that's the price a woman pays for achievement. It'll come to you something you've offered but not before. It's a long gamble, I'll admit. A thousand and one shot that may never come off. The only thing you could be sure of is that he'll be trying. Hello, Martley. Annette. Harper, what is it? What's the matter? Dad. Poor old guy. He was okay. He never did get his conservatory. Wish he had. Aren't you gonna see her? Nope. Hey, Jimmy. Look pal. You and me, we've been around together for a long time. Sometime I croused, I admit it. You know, I'd give my right arm for you. What are you getting at? Well, you ain't really serious about going ahead with this scheme, are you? You bet your life I am. I'm going to get this plane off the ground and we're going to hit pay dirt. I hope that's all we hit. The arial sensational. Read about it. Read about it. Cross country air race. Thirty thousand dollars in prizes. Read about it. Good evening, Mr. Harper. Good evening, Miss Kellerman. Good evening. Did you hear about the cross country air race? The thirty thousand dollars in cash prize? Well, that's alright. No, no. Take it. Thank you. Crazy fools, they'll all be killed. That's mad, but what is done. Good evening, Rachel. Hello, Mac. Well, Doc. Hello, Annette. Can I talk to you a second? Excuse me, Alfred. This is an old friend of mine, Doc Cronnol. Mr. Harper. How are you? Glad to meet you. I'll see you later, dear. Fine. Fine. Come on. Come on in and tell me all about yourself. I... How have you been? Fine. Fine. How's Jimmy? That's why I'm here. I hate to bother you, Annette, but somebody got to talk him out of that thing. What thing? That Buckaus air race. He's got his eyes on that fifty thousand dollars pot, you know. Doc. Jimmy? You mean he's gonna fly to California? He's gonna try. You should see and watch. You can't even steer that thing. You can swing around with ropes over your shoulders. Doc. He'll smash himself to pieces. Well, I've been trying to tell him but you know that Sullivan. I just thought maybe there was something you could figure out. When did he plan to take off? Any time now, maybe even tomorrow if the weather's right. We've been sleeping next to the machine, out of Montac point. Doc. I've got a performance tonight. Don't you worry, I'll be there. I'll figure out something. Gee, thanks, Annette. Bye-bye, Doc. Don't tell him I came here. I 'm enough trouble now. Sure. Sure, Doc. Bye. Bye. Well, it looks like it's lifting. Okay, Mac. Clear the field. We're gonna take off. Jim, don't you think we ought to wait a little while. It might rain. The weather is perfect. Please, I'm sorry. Excuse me, please. Nobody gets through, miss. He's gonna take off. But officer, I... I'm sorry. Nobody gets through. Stand back. Thank you. Keep going, Sullivan. Bring me an orange from California, Jimmy. Good luck, Jim. I'll need it. Best of luck, Jim. Thank you. Jimmy. Hello, sweetest. How's everything? I heard you're at the Hippodrome. She has no pass, Mr. Sullivan. Shall I let her stay? Sure, why not. She's a famous personality in that Coleman. Why won't let you? Jimmy Sullivan, I don't care what happen to you, but Doc is a friend of mine and I forbid you to take him on this flight. See what I mean? Greatest lecture of the day. You heard me. I'm not going to let them find Doc's broken body crushed and mangled in some where in the Rocky Mountain. That's very sweet of you, baby, but you don't have to worry about Doc. He's not leaving the ground. He's driving hat emergency repair car. That's me, still looking as I am a robot. All clear, Mr. Sullivan. Right. Jimmy, please don't force me to take drastic actions. What's that? I said don't force me to take drastic action. I've never forced you to do anything, baby, remember? Okay, Doc. Let's go. Here's a summons, Mr. Sullivan. Your flying machine and all equipment has been attached. What? Go away. Sorry. It's a court order. Court order for what? Nonpayment of money due for Annette Kellerman. I had an accounting of all the books while you ran the concession. Among other items, there's one marked two hundred dollars personal. You'll have to explain that. Yes. I'm sorry. Here's the item. You can sell it somewhere. Okay, Doc. Let's go. Leave the field, lady. Thanks for trying, honey. Switch on. Turn it on. Who say, Frank, would have the best chance of winning? I'm betting Rodneys. Well, what about Sullivan? In the cracker box, I don't see how he has gone as far as he had. I'll say one thing to this air race. It certainly captured the attention of this country. I'm sorry, Alfred. You want him very much to win, don't you? I? Well, of course. I mean... You figure if he'll have fifty thousand dollars. He can come to you and carry you off in a white chariot. All very simple. The American success story. Darling, I know how importantly this man has moved you. But allow me the privilege of knocking my competition. Maybe he will win that pot. I hope he does. But it still won't work. You're big league. Sullivan, he's a little of the whisk, a cranny man. He'll always be up the clouds forever looking for that fast dollar. The big bullehu that would make him seven day to one. It probably isn't news that I love you very much. What's most important, I think I can make you happy. Will you marry me, Annette? Alfred, believe it or not. This is the first marriage proposal I've ever had. It's a little overpowering. Well, just say yes. Ladies and gentlemen. We interrupt for a moment to bring you the latest bulletin on the great cross country flying race. Now, five contestants are still in the running. We have news of three of them. Bob Gibb traveling Eastwood has logged five hundred miles from Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. Carl Rogers and his Memphis has just reached Elmira, New York, and James Darling and his Chesterby plane has nearing Buffalo. Now, three other flyers had been forced out including Jimmy Sullivan, who has been reportedly injured in a smash up. However, our report said he managed to right the machine and balance it down to a landing in a town called Grovers Junction, where he has been hospitalized. Alfred, I've got to get to a telephone. Hello. Yes, this is the Grover Memorial Hospital. I'd like to inquire about James sullivan. Yes. The Flyer. No, he wasn't badly injured. He patched up his arm and he left. Where did he go? Can you tell me? I'm sorry. Neptune's daughter. That's what I'd call the picture. It's a natural for Kellerman. And for our underwater shots in hollywood, I'll build a giant glass tank. We could shoot right through the glass into Neptune's cage. Sounds very interesting, Orson. Great challenge, and a wonderful medium. Movies are growing bigger every day. Really. If you could persuade... Have you talked to Miss Kellerman? I thought you were handling her affairs. Well, don't let that fool you. I advice her but she's a lady who makes up her own mind. Still, it might be a good change for her. Might even be a good change for me. And for you? A trip to California, to others. Just thinking. There's a party going on backstage. Special performance for the kids at the orthopedic hospital. It's Annette's idea. Could you join us? I wish I could but I'm picking my wife. Christmas shopping. That's too bad. Looks like fun for the children. Annette's a wonderful woman. I'm sorry you can't join us, Mr. Jovi, but I'll be in touch with you later. I'll be counting on you. Fine. Good bye. Do you know how to work it? That's good. Now, you can find the circus way. Here's a fine jolly blue dress for you here. There it is. Another circus present. It's a green one. Here is a mufferjug, silly elephant. This is for you, darling. Isn't she lovely? It's a wonderful party, Annette. Hello, Alfred. Only I'm a little jealous. Everybody have a Christmas present but me. Poor Alfred. What would you like? An answer to that question I've asked you last June. You know, you can have these genuine Indian blankets for a ridiculous price of three dollars and fifty cents. I can assure you, sir, you are getting one of the greatest bargain since Manhattan Island that went for twenty-four dollars. But I have no use for a blanket. No use for ordinary blanket perhaps, but this special item is hand-woven from the reservations for gifts to Navajos, one of whom you see here besides me. May I present Chief Thunderbird. How. Chief, what is your opinion to this cloth? Product good. Please, please, leave me alone. I'm not cold. I don't want a blanket. Perhaps you'd be interested in one of these beautiful signet rings. Hand carved by Indian natives. I don't want anything. I just want to be left alone. Now, please, please, get out of here. Very well. Good day, sir. Good afternoon, sir. Good afternoon, madam. Annette. Hello, Doc. Your feather's crocked. Jimmy. Hi, Sullivan. Come on in. Sit down. How. How. They're very nice. Are they handwoven? These? I'm just helping a friend of mine, a fellow named Fred Hardy. He got himself overloaded with some big sack of stuff and well, he just sort of asked me if I could help him get rid of them. I... I read about you getting married. Yes. Good idea. It's about time you start raising a family of little swimmers. Congratulations. Thank you. All the luck in the world. We're not taking a big jump until Annette finishes her picture here. Why, you're making picture? Yes. Neptune's Daughter. Great. Glad to hear it. Great future, as a matter of fact, I got some picture plans myself. Garder signs us, he's on the train. Jimmy, if I could be of any help, I... No. I'm in good shape. I've got some important contacts on the coast. Well, nice seeing you. Nice bumping into you. Best of luck, Annette. Thank you, Doc. There you are. Didn't I warn you about taking this dog out of the baggage cart? Just a moment, conductor. This isn't just an ordinary dog, this is a highly trained animal who's going to be a movie star in six months. I don't care if he's plan is exbus, but he doesn't belong in the lower deck frightening the passenger. And as for you, you look like the man I kicked off in Albaclerk. Me? But that's perfectly ridiculous. How. Don't give me that how business. You didn't pay your fare... Conductor, look. Couldn't we discuss somewhere else? You know, you're probably not aware, but there's a new Act just passed by the Congress, an Indian on his way to his reservation is entitled to free transportation. I know of no such Act. I resent your tone, sir. As a matter of fact, I've got plenty of cash here in my... This is ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous, sir. Would you like me to see what I can do for them? No. No, I'll do it. Forgive me, Alfred. Yale, did you say? Yale, Harvard, Princeton, take your pick. You want yourself to have a college education, don't you? Of course. Can you imagine on your salary? You know damn well I can't. Alright, then. Be smart. The movie picture business is growing fast and this dog will take the country by storm. Watch. Burglar. Pretty girl. He certainly is clever. Clever. You haven't seen one-tenth of his bag of tricks. And remember this, no overhead, no salary, no expenses other than his food, and it's not going to cost you one dime. I'm gonna cut you in simply for being a good sport. Well... I can't very well put you off in the middle of the dessert. How. Let's have a good scene now, boys. Make the audience believe it. Make them believe it. Now, take in the money. Play that piano a little bit louder. That's it. Alright, come on. Light them up. Go. Give him your position. Let's run through it again. Sam, come over here. Move it along, will ya? Joe, get over there and help him. We haven't got all day. Come on. The Hippodrome was never like this was it? Frankly, no. You people don't stay in one spot long enough to get acquainted. Well, with luck, we'll do it today. But I tell you, I haven't been so high on a picture, you can believe me. Annette is simply wonderful. Now, if I can persuade you both to postpone your honeymoon. We leave tonight. Well. I was only thinking out loud. Let's get more scene around that cave. Keep that water coming. Holding fifty galleons now. Can we raise the level? That's glass, you know. We built it pretty solid but why take the chances. Alright, you're the doctor. So Bill, you think we can go for a take? Any time. Robbie. Yes, sir. Miss Kellerman in five minutes. Yes, sir. I'll get her. Well, thanks, Mr. Harper. Yes. You're wanted on the set, darling. Alright, I'm ready. Put it out. Neptune's Daughter. Alfred, be careful. My make-up. Well, this is it, sweetheart. Garvey said you're all through after the scene. You've been very patient with all these, Alfred. It's just a pause. I've never been so impatient in my life. Is this what you're looking for? Yes. Yes. It's sort of a good luck charm, I wear it whenever I'm performing. Silly, isn't it? Well. Yeah, sure. Ready, Annette? Ready. Okay. Let's get it the first time. Places, everybody. Good luck, honey. When you get up from the top, wave if you can hear me. Right. Alright, come on. Come on. Move it along, boys, will ya? Alright, get that stuff out of here. Come on. Come on. Hurry it up. Fill in the tank. Go on. Get ready. Now places for everybody. As soon as she came out of the cave, dive down and tide. Now, stand by. Let's get at first tape. Annette, can you hear me? Come forward a little bit. More. That's it. Okay, we got it now. Okay, Bill. Okay. Ready, sir. Alright. Music. Camera. Action. Alright, girls. Get ready. The glass is breaking. Get her out of there. Look out. Come on. Get her out of there. Get her out of there. Watch out. Watch out. Are you okay? Please, nurse. I must see her. I've been waiting here every day for the past two weeks. I'm sorry, sir. Strict orders have been issued. No visitors. Let me talk to the doctor. If you'll wait, I'll try to get a report for you. Hello, Sullivan. Mr. Harper, I... I know. Come along with me. It's alright, Grace. How is she? We'll know this morning. Good morning, Mr. Harper. Good morning. The doctor is in Miss Kellerman's room. Thank you. Good morning, Doctor. Good morning. This is Mr. Sullivan. Mr. Sullivan How do you do? Is there any news? She's resting comfortably. I think we were wise to offer it. Well, when will she be able to leave the hospital? I don't know. I don't know. Mr. Harper, I think I can speak plainly. Miss Kellerman's spine has suffered a severe blow, what we called a spinal cord hematoma, and we believe the pressure, unfortunately, was no severance to the nerve tracks. She will have to face the possibility that she may not have the use of her legs for sometime. Did you tell this to her? She insists on knowing. I saw no reason of withholding from her. I'd rather she didn't have any visitors right now. I understand. Thank you. I know how much of a blow this is, Mr. Harper. But whatever sooner possible to do, we'll do for her. The rest is up to Miss Kellerman. Her own recuperative power, her health, her will. Thank you, Doctor. I know we're in capable hands. Will check with you later in the day. Very well. Well I... Perhaps you would like to sleep for a while. Hello, baby. I was just passing the hospital and thought I'd look in. Jimmy. I've been here everyday for the past two weeks. That nurse downstairs is a clam. She wouldn't tell me anything. You're looking swell. I feel fine. A little rocky, maybe. I'm going to be up and around in no time at all. That's great. It's just a sprain, it's stuff like this. How's Doc? Fine. And your picture? Wrapped them. It's all finished. We're taking the print to New York tonight. I've heard nothing but good things about it. Imagine, starring a dog. What's his name? Rintintin. What funny name. Chinese? French. Annette, darling. Jimmy. Baby, don't let it get you, please. That doctor, he may know medicine but there's lot of things about people he doesn't know. He doesn't know about a little girl that lived back in Australia. They told her the same thing, too. He doesn't know how she hopped every day to the water. Learning to swim before she could walk. How she became the greatest aquatic star in the world. There's lot of things that doctors don't know, including what I once told you. Wet, you're terrific. Dry, you'll marry some guy and settle down. Jimmy. I have more to tell you. It ain't going to be the same, baby, you and Harper. He's a terrific guy. Unlucky is the better word. Alfred. What Sullivan says is right, darling. You'll beat this thing the same way you have beaten everything else. As for you, I don't know why you should get this kind of a break. You don't rate it. You've struck gold and never have the sense to make a claim. You're a crazy, vagabond Irish man with both feet planted in mid-air. I'm not sure what the doctor ordered. Just see that you make her happy. Alfred. Good bye, darling. She'll be up and around soon rehearsing a new act. And when you do, remember, I'm holding your contract at the Hippodrome. Yes. This doesn't belong to me. It doesn't belong to you either. |
|