I Could Go on Singing (1963) Movie Script
I could go on singing
Till the cows come home
And the rooster
starts to crow
Crow, crow
When I see your eyes
I go all out
I must vocalize
till you shout
Enough already
I could go on singing
Till the moon turns pink
Anything from "Faust" to
Ink-a-dink-a-dink
Love does funny things
When it hits you this way
I must keep on singing
Like a lark,
going strong
With my heart
on the wings of a song
Singing day
Dr. Donne?
Please come in, Miss Bowman.
Mr. Donne's expecting you.
Thank you.
This way, please.
David.
Hello, Jenny.
Is this awfully inconvenient?
I don't think so.
Come on up.
I'll take your coat.
That's for social calls.
Well, you did say this
was business, didn't you?
Yes, Doctor.
Business.
Well, the business department
is in here.
Why do they call you Mister
if you're a doctor?
Surgeons are called Mister.
I see. You mean like a marquis
being called a lord?
That always mixes me up, too.
Secrets of the trade.
Won't you sit down?
- Yes. Thank you.
- Now, then, what is it?
Ear, nose, or throat?
Do you take care of
all three of those things?
Yes.
Which is it?
Were you surprised
to hear from me?
A little.
You sang this afternoon.
Charity concert, wasn't it?
Yes. How do you know?
It was in all the papers.
How did it go?
- It was ghastly.
- That means it was good.
No, it was terrible.
It was awful.
My throat was very raw,
and I couldn't...
I just sort of croaked out
the performance.
Tell me, am I keeping
this secretary person of yours?
No, no. She works here.
I know, but it's terribly late,
and it's Sunday, and I thought...
She's used to it.
Will you go on?
Well, I just...
I just got scared
I was going to lose my voice.
Since when?
Since when what?
Since when were you scared
that you were losing your voice?
Well, since I got to England.
And don't tell me
it's the climate...
because Tepaldi
and Callas sing here...
and they do very well.
Shall we take a look?
Would you come over here,
please?
Sit down.
How are your sinuses?
I don't know.
They're kind of...
- Any colds recently?
- No.
You used to have
a lot of colds.
Yes, but then they invented
paper handkerchiefs...
and that sort of
took the fun out of it.
Would you open
your mouth, please?
Wide.
Thank you.
All right. Say ahh.
Thank you.
Now I'm going to have a look
at your larynx.
I'm going to take
this piece of gauze...
Gauze, and you're going
to hold my tongue with it...
and you want me to relax
and breathe slowly in and out...
- and completely...
- Would you just do it?
- Yes, I will.
- Thank you.
Would you put out your tongue?
Yes, thank you.
You know,
I've been thinking...
Would you just sit there
for a moment?
Would you come back?
Excuse me.
I've been thinking
about Atlantic City.
Do you ever think about
Atlantic City, David?
Yes, I have done.
Does this hurt?
Would you swallow?
Thank you.
Well, am I going to lose
my voice, or what?
What do you think?
You mean there's
nothing wrong with me.
Your throat's a bit rough,
it's red, you've been singing...
and you've been smoking
too much.
When do you open in London?
Five days.
Look, do you mind
if I get out of...
I'm very sorry.
Of course, do.
I'll give you something
to ease the roughness.
Not that you'll take it.
But if you have got five days...
I strongly urge you
to take three of them off.
What would you advise,
a brisk walk through Hyde Park?
Sleep, rest, relaxation.
Where can I buy those?
Have a gargle
night and morning.
All right.
Well, why don't you
get me off on the right foot...
by offering me a drink?
You're going to get me in there
if it kills me, aren't you?
All right.
It's still scotch?
Still scotch.
No ice, I'm afraid.
That's all right.
Thank you.
You know, you've changed.
Well, I'd be scared
to hell if I hadn't.
And you've become so...
careful.
Have I?
Well, it comes, you know.
Care comes.
With gray hair and spectacles.
I heard about
your wife's death.
Janet was her name?
Yes. Janet.
- I read about your marriage.
- Which one?
Well, it doesn't
make any difference...
because neither one
was worth writing home about.
I should have married you,
David. I really should have.
And it would have worked.
Yes, it would.
No, you're wrong, Jenny.
- You're so sure?
- It's better as it is.
Tell me something... do you still
play that awful harmonica thing?
No. No, I gave that up.
I'm glad. You were terrible.
Do you still knit?
Oh, no. Nothing I knitted
ever fitted.
We must have had fun, David.
At least, that's the way
I remember it.
Is that the way
you remember it?
Yes.
Twist my arm and yes.
Salut.
Salut.
Why did you come?
I don't know. To tell you
the truth, I don't know.
Maybe it's just that I didn't
want to be alone...
first night
in a strange town.
You've a mass of friends
in town. You couldn't be alone.
Alone.
It's a most awful word.
And I know what it means.
Because I've been alone
since you, David.
You've been married twice.
Well, I was alone then, too.
Tell me, is this
when you were knighted?
The C.B.E. Or the...
- O.B.E.
- O.B.E.
That's good, isn't it?
Not quite, I'm afraid.
That's something.
Yes, it's something.
Why did you hide him from me?
- I didn't hide him.
- I saw you.
All right, I hid him.
Excuse me, Mr. Donne. Do you
require me for anything else?
No, thank you, Miss Plimpton.
I'll see Miss Bowman out.
- Good night, Miss Bowman.
- Good night.
Is he here?
No, he's at school.
He boards.
- I'd love to see him.
- I know.
David, please. I didn't
come here to ask that, I swear.
I came here to see you.
I admit that.
It's just that
now that I am here...
I must ask you. Please.
I'm sorry, Jenny.
You can't see him.
Well, why not?
What's the matter with me?
Have I some dread disease
or some kind of...
What are you so afraid of?
What is it, David?
- I want to see him!
- It's impossible.
Impossible isn't a word that
very many people use with me.
It must come as rather
a surprise to you now.
- I want to see him.
- You cannot see him, Jenny.
We made an agreement
a long time ago...
an agreement that you wanted...
never to see him ever again.
Do you remember?
Yes, I remember.
That was a long time ago.
It's the only good thing
I ever made in my life.
Now I can't...
Well, forget it.
Tell me, does he like school?
I mean, any more
than anyone does?
Yes, he likes it very much.
Is he clever?
He's average.
Better at Mozart than maths.
Is he musical?
A little odd if not.
Yes.
And the rest?
He's really pretty good.
I think you'd be proud of him.
- Let me see him.
- No.
- Just once.
- And then what?
Nothing. I go.
Look, Jenny, to see him now
would make it much harder...
for you, for me, for all of us.
And that's final?
Final.
Well, I think I've taken up
enough of your time, David...
and I'd like to get out of here.
Where's my coat?
It's outside.
I'll call you a cab.
- No, thank you. I'd rather walk.
- It won't take a moment.
No, thank you.
I'd rather walk.
Don't bother to see me out.
I'll take care of myself.
Jenny.
What?
You forgot your prescription.
What does it say?
Three times a day before meals?
And shake the bottle.
It's good for what ails me?
Good night, David.
You've been very kind,
and thank you.
Jenny.
It really would mean
so much to you, wouldn't it?
To see him again?
Yes.
If I let you...
and mark these words...
if I let you...
you'll promise to look once
and never look again?
I promise.
All right.
Are you sure you want to go on?
Well, I can't stop now
or I'll sink.
Peel it, Joe, peel it!
Tell me, do all
the mothers do this?
Yes. But they usually wear
good woman's shoes.
Where is Matt? Is he...
No, he's with
that lot over there.
The under-14s.
Come on, Roger, don't fall!
Give me the ball!
Come on, Roger!
David, wait a minute.
Here.
- Are you holding?
- I'm holding.
You really should have worn
more sensible shoes.
They're all yours.
I'll take this.
Come on, on to the under-14s.
Where is he, David? Where?
There.
Where?
There. That thing with the ball.
Tackle him!
- They'll kill him!
- Only once.
Break up. Halftime.
Well, what's that?
That's halftime.
You must come 'round,
especially the wing forwards.
Can I go and see
my father, sir?
Yes, all right. Hop it.
Hello, Father.
Nine to six against us.
We're getting ticked off.
Still, it's a good game.
They made you fly half again.
What happened to Gregson?
Broke his leg
playing Eastbourne.
- Silly ass.
- I'm faster, anyway.
- Don't be such a show-off.
- Hello.
Hello. You're Miss Bowman,
aren't you?
Father said you were coming.
Miss Bowman's an American, Matt.
They do things differently.
How do you do?
How do you do?
You're going to be on in London,
aren't you?
- Yes, I'm going to be on.
- At the Palladium.
We have all your records
at the house.
At home?
No, no. The house
here at the school.
Father goes in more
for Beethoven.
For Pete's sake.
Who introduced you to Ella...
to Basie, to Benny Goodman?
Yes, I know. And who introduced
you to Chubby Checker?
I have an extra pair of boots
in my locker.
You could always pretend
you've been playing fly half.
- I think they'd suspect.
- Sorry.
No, Matt, I have these.
I'm saving them for a dry day.
He looks like you.
I shouldn't. I'm adopted.
Well, you could. You could.
Adopted children do grow
like their parents, like dogs.
Like dogs?
Yes. There's an old saying that
dogs grow like their masters.
Or masters grow
like their dogs.
I think you'd better get back
to that game, don't you?
I'll take Miss Bowman
back to the hotel...
and get her cleaned up,
all right?
I'll show you around the school,
Miss Bowman.
Matt, do we have to?
I'd like that, Matt.
I'd love it.
These ruins are Norman.
You know,
1066 and all that stuff.
The school buildings
are all around the cathedral...
and they're just as old.
The dining hall goes back
to King Henry V.
And the food goes back
to William the Conqueror.
Good morning, sir.
Major Dee, Modern Languages.
We call him Major Disaster.
Is the biology wing
finished yet?
It's been finished for ages.
Most parents get down
twice a term...
but I'm lucky if my father
gets down once a year.
Now, that is not true.
And what happens
when I do come down?
We stare at each other
like a couple of deaf-mutes.
- Unless you need some cash.
- But today's different.
You get a jolly good view
from around this corner.
We have all our services
in the cathedral.
That's the school choir
you can hear...
practicing in there now.
Would you like
to go up the tower?
We can see for twenty miles.
No, Matt, not again.
You can do it, Father.
Exercise is good for you.
I wasn't thinking about myself,
but Miss Bowman.
I took Auntie Beth up
last week and she loved it.
Who's Auntie Beth?
She's Father's aunt
and she's sixty.
Well, if Auntie Beth
can do it, so can I.
Come on, Father. Come on.
We go through there.
I'll have to get permission
from the verger.
I won't be a moment.
I like him.
So do I.
I feel so happy.
It's like having
a family of my own.
Lovely feeling.
Good.
Would you have dinner
with me tonight, David?
I don't think so.
I'm going to be in London
ten more days...
and I'd love to see
more of you.
You really are persistent,
aren't you?
A little over-anxious, maybe.
Look, I tell you
what we're going to do.
We're going to come down
from that tower...
if we ever reach the top,
we'll take Matt out to tea...
we'll stuff him full of food...
and then I'll drive you
back to London.
And drop me at my hotel?
That's right.
It'll be better that way,
don't you think?
No, I don't.
We can go up now.
You will be down by 4:30,
won't you?
Yes, thank you. We'll hurry.
I'll lead.
Every twenty steps,
stop and count five.
That way,
you won't get out of breath.
Go on, Matt, go on.
Everyone all right?
Fine. Fine!
There are 237 steps.
I've counted them.
What did he say?
He says he's counted the steps!
What does he want
to count them for?
It's hard enough to climb them.
By the way,
I ordered extra tickets.
What tickets?
For the Gilbert and Sullivan,
tonight.
It's the end of term play.
We're doing the first act
of "H.M.S. Pinafore."
Eighteen, nineteen, twenty.
What was that?
He says he's got tickets
for the play tonight!
Is this the top?
No. But we're almost halfway.
Oh, my.
This is fun, isn't it?
Mind the cobwebs.
Not many people get up here.
Matt, I'm terribly sorry.
We can't stay
for the show tonight.
Miss Bowman
has to get back to town.
But he must stay.
I'm playing Cousin Hebe.
He says you must stay, because
he's playing Cousin Hebe.
Blast.
I think we've lost your father.
Not much further.
I can see daylight.
How old was that aunt
you were talking about?
She's sixty.
But she's very athletic.
I can believe that.
She must be a champion
long distance runner.
Oh, my gosh, look out!
- Be careful!
- It's all right.
You have to get to the edge
to get the view.
Look. You can see Ashford
from here...
where the Vikings fought.
Please say you'll stay
for the show, Miss Bowman...
because if you do, then Father
will have to stay, too.
I'll talk to him.
Somebody didn't stop
to count five.
Be generous, David.
He wants you to stay so much.
You can see the sea
on a clear day.
But we don't get
many clear days.
Good, we are in luck!
- What's wrong?
- Wait for it.
- What's happening?
- You'll see.
That's the loudest bell
in the south of England!
My!
For a British tar
is a soaring soul
For a British tar
is a soaring soul
As free as a mountain bird
His energetic fist
should be ready to resist
A dictatorial word
His eyes should flash
with an inborn fire
His brow with scorn be wrung
He never should bow down
to a domineering frown
Or the tang of a tyrant tongue
His nose should pant
and his lips should curl
His cheeks should flame
and his brow should furl
His bosom should heave
and his heart should glow
And his fist be ever ready
for a knock-down blow
His foot should stamp
and his throat should growl
His hair should twirl
and his face should scowl
His eyes should flash
and his breast protrude
And this should be
his customary attitude
His eyes should flash
His breast protrude
His eyes
His customary attitude
His eyes should flash
His breast protrude
His eyes should flash
His eyes
Yes, his eyes,
his eyes should flash
His foot should stamp
and his throat
His throat should growl
His hair should twirl
and his face
His face should scowl
And this should be
his customary
Attitude
Bravo!
God save our gracious Queen
Long live our noble Queen
God save our Queen
Send her victorious
Happy and glorious
Long to reign over us
God save our Queen
Who's that?
That's the headmaster.
We can go now.
We used to do Gilbert
and Sullivan in our school.
Only the girls played
the boys' parts.
I can't get over Matt...
he's so pretty.
Well, don't tell him that,
for heaven's sake.
- All right.
- I'm never sure with you.
- Did you enjoy it, Mr. Donne?
- Yes, thank you very much.
You directed the play,
didn't you? We loved it.
This is Mr. Reynolds,
Miss Bowman.
How do you do?
I'm afraid we're not
exactly in your class.
I'd say much more professional
and more spirited, too.
That's very kind of you.
The boys do try.
There he is. Could l...
Excuse me.
- Say, you were terrific.
- Was it all right?
- It really was.
- Did you like it?
Yes, really.
What do you think of Buttercup?
He was ace, wasn't he?
I think everybody was ace.
Would you like to meet
some of them?
I'd love to.
This is Miss Bowman.
This is Bobbie Evans.
Hello. Josephine,
you look stunning.
You were marvelous.
And this is Ralph Rackstraw...
the finest topman
in all the fleet.
Hello. Glad to see you.
Lovely performance.
Thank you very much.
The Right Honorable
Sir Joseph Porter, K.C.B.
First Lord of the Admiralty.
The monarch of the sea.
And these are all his sisters
and his cousins and his aunts.
I think you were all
absolutely marvelous.
- We think you're marvelous.
- I think you're better.
- We think you're marvelous!
- No, you're better!
Why don't you sing for us,
Miss Bowman?
Yes, Miss Bowman, sing for us.
Yes! Yes! Yes!
Well, we've got a piano.
Let's all play together. OK?
Shall we have a go?
Yes!
I am the monarch of the sea
The ruler of
the Queen's Navee
Aren't you a bit young?
Whose praise Great Britain
loudly chants
And we are his sisters
and his cousins and his aunts
And you?
And we are his sisters
and his cousins and his aunts
His sisters and his cousins
and his aunts
They are his sisters
and his cousins and his aunts
- Ahnts!
- No! Ants!
When at anchor here I ride
My bosom swells with pride
You do look a bit strange.
And I snap my fingers
at the foreman's taunts
You'll never beat him
that way, kid.
And so do his sisters
and his cousins and his aunts
His sisters and his cousins
and his aunts
They're his sisters
and cousins and aunts
They're his sisters
And his cousins
And his sisters and his...
You and I are the only ones
doing any work around here.
Come on, we must all
pull together! Let's go!
Go!
But when the breezes blow
Where do you go?
I generally go below
Why?
To seek the seclusion
that a cabin grants
You're chicken!
You're chicken!
And so do his sisters
and his cousins and his aunts
And so do his sisters
and his cousins and his aunts
All those people in one cabin?
It must have been very crowded.
So do his sisters
and his cousins and his aunts
And so do his sisters
and his cousins and his aunts
I won!
Hey, Matt!
I've got a marvelous idea.
You had me
to your opening night.
- Now I want you to come to mine.
- The Palladium?!
Yes. Would you like that?
Gosh, yes.
If my father won't mind.
We can bring him, too.
What do you say?
Shall we bring him along?
Yes, if you're sure
it'll be all right.
I do. I think he should
definitely come, too.
- Come on, let's ask.
- I'll ask him, yes.
Please, sir. Father,
can I go to Miss Bowman's show?
You remember? You promised me
three days in London.
Mr. Reynolds.
- Oh, say yes.
- Will you excuse me?
Yes, of course.
What are you talking about?
Miss Bowman's invited us to
the first night of her show...
for both of us.
Well, why not, David?
Best seats in the house
for you and Matt.
You're supposed to spend the
first week of your holiday...
in Canterbury with Aunt Beth,
and you know that.
Well, she won't mind.
I know she won't mind.
Please, Father.
You can buy me that
tape recorder you promised me.
I'd love to come and see you,
Miss Bowman. Make him say yes.
I don't seem to have
any choice, do I?
I don't think so.
I've got a lovely bunch
of coconuts
There they all hanging
in a row
Big ones, small ones
Some as big as your head
Give 'em a twist,
a flick of the wrist
That's what the showman said
I've got a lovely bunch
of coconuts
Every ball you throw
will make you rich
And there stands me wife
The idol of me life
Singing roll a bowl,
a ball a penny a pitch
- She's here.
- Yeah? How is she?
Fine.
So smile.
Hi, darling.
George.
Telegram from David Donne.
Urgent case.
Terribly sorry and all that.
Best of British luck
and everything, but...
In plain American,
he ain't comin'.
So?
So...
Well, what do we do,
deliver it?
You want to blow the show?
Yeah. I'll tell her it came
after she went on.
How do you feel, honey?
Hey, did you see 'em out front?
Cops on horseback.
You can't rate any higher.
- London's my lucky town.
- Any town's your lucky town.
I could live in London, George.
I really could.
I could settle here.
Any old iron, any old iron,
any, any...
George, you sent the tickets,
didn't you?
- They're at the box office.
- And David's picking them up?
That's right, darling.
Good. I feel marvelous!
Come on, Ida!
Any, any, any old iron
- How do I look?
- Fabulous.
- I mean really.
- Really fabulous.
Darling, shall I start
the overture?
Well, what time is it?
Twenty past.
That's funny. They said they
were going to come backstage...
before the show.
They probably thought
you meant after the show.
They didn't want
to disturb you.
George, will you call
the box office for me, please?
Honey, I just called.
There's a lot of confusion.
They're all jammed up.
He may have got caught
in the traffic.
That's the price
of popularity, darling.
- What's going on?
- What do you mean?
Just what I said...
what's going on?
Honey, you know everything
that I know. Don't get upset.
I'm not upset, George, but I'm
liable to get very upset...
if I don't find out
what's going on!
Give it to her.
He said he was going to come.
Jenny, I know this is a big
disappointment to you...
but you expected 2,500 people,
but you got 2,498.
That's an awful lot of people.
What do you say?
Come in.
Mr. Donne to see you,
Miss Bowman.
Show him in, please.
All right, you can go in now.
- Hello, Matt.
- Hello.
How nice you look.
Come in. Come in, please.
Gosh, it's a bit different
from school, isn't it?
How do you do, sir?
Hi.
Good evening.
How do you do?
Matt, did your father
bring you?
Didn't you get the telegram?
He got a call from Italy.
An emergency case.
It's standing room only outside.
George, will you start
the overture, please?
Right.
Would you excuse me?
I'll be right back.
- OK, Ida?
- Yep.
Fine. Turn around.
- The seams all right?
- Splendid.
There you go.
I hope it was all right...
my coming.
It's more than all right.
As a matter of fact...
it's a great big compliment
to me that you came.
I'd have been awfully
disappointed if you hadn't.
Come on, let's go.
Actually, you see,
I came up to town on my own.
They don't know I'm here.
You mean your father
doesn't know?
No. He thinks
I'm in Canterbury.
But I wouldn't miss
your opening night for anything.
Listen, Matt,
you're going to see my show...
and then we're going
to have supper together...
and then I think I'll
bed you down at the Savoy...
and after that, we'll get
your tape recorder tomorrow...
that he promised you...
and a couple
of other things, maybe.
That sounds marvelous. But
I think Aunt Beth would worry...
No, don't worry about that.
You'll take care of Aunt Beth,
won't you, Ida?
Yes, I'll call Aunt Beth.
- Joe.
- Yes, Miss.
Would you show this young man
to his seat, please?
- Yes, certainly.
- Good luck, Miss Bowman.
Thank you. You know, we may have
such a good time tonight...
your father will be sorry
he missed it.
- Good-bye.
- Bye.
Did you check the fuse box?
Well, something
looks like it's out.
Check it, and fix it fast.
Honey, it's a gas!
Gimme! Gimme!
- Go!
- Yeah!
Hey!
Hear that bluebird
up in a tree
Hear him
What a song
Joy he's bringing
Singing to me
Singing all day long
Good-bye to skies of gray
For I'm back home
Today
All day long
I jump and run about
You can always
hear me shoutin' out
Hello
Bluebird
Got no time
For blues or anything
I'm so happy
I just want to sing
Hello
Bluebird
Blue skies, sunshine
Friends that are real
Old folks, sweetheart
Oh, how I feel
I'll not go roamin'
Like I did again
I'll stay home
and be a kid again
Hello, bluebird
Hello
All day long
I keep singing
Hello, I'm glad I found you
Bluebird,
make yourself at home
No more blues
Just because I'm happy
When I'm around you
Bluebird
No more need to roam
Up above the sun is shinin'
The world is ideal
I just can't describe
The marvelous way that I feel
With nothin' but
the bluest skies ahead
What a rosy future lies ahead
Thank you, bluebird
Happy, happy bluebird
Mister bluebird
Hello
This is a good idea,
coming on the river.
There's St. Paul's.
Christopher Wren designed it.
Are you cold?
Not a bit. We take cold baths
every morning at school.
But we can get some shelter
further up there.
Everyone's watching you.
Does it bother you?
Oh, no. It doesn't bother me.
Tell me, do you like
living at school...
the way you do, all the time?
I don't mind. I've been away
from home since I was eight.
Don't you get lonesome
for your family?
I haven't really got a family.
Father's away quite a bit.
- He's rather busy, you know.
- Yes, I know.
It's the same for you, too,
isn't it?
I mean, you don't get home
very often, either.
No.
That puts us
in the same boat, then.
Yes.
I have to get off
at the next landing stage.
If I don't, I'll miss my train.
I don't want to rush you.
It's no rush.
Can I have your autograph,
please, Miss Bowman?
- There you are.
- Thank you.
Thank you. Matt,
why do we have to get off here?
Why don't we have
the whole day together?
- I couldn't.
- Yes, you could.
Stay with me.
Spend the day with me.
Do me a favor. Come on.
There's a 6:56,
but I'd have to let them know.
I fixed it last night,
didn't I?
- You did.
- I'll fix it again tonight.
- Come on!
- All right.
I beg your pardon.
Faster, faster, faster...
- Here.
- Oops. We're locked out.
That was a nice day.
Don't panic, Ida. We're here.
We've been all the way
up the river...
Down.
And all the way down
the strand.
Up.
I haven't had
so much fun in years.
You got messages.
Press conference
tomorrow at noon.
Rehearsal's at 3:00.
Phone calls...
Your agents, New York...
George, several times.
And they left the hats.
Good! You can help me
pick one out.
I made that call
to Canterbury...
but I don't see how
he's going to make the 6:56.
I've got news for you, Ida.
Matt's going to be my guest...
for one more night
and one more morning.
We're going to the ionic
propulsion exhibition...
at the science museum.
So it looks like you're gonna
have to make another call.
Look, why don't you go powder
your nose or something?
OK.
Canterbury wasn't any too happy
when I called this afternoon.
In fact, Canterbury's getting
just a little irritated with us.
I'm sure you took care
of everything, Ida.
Do you think this is my style?
How long is this going on?
What do you mean?
You know what I mean.
I took him out for the day.
What's so wrong with that?
Look, Jenny, this is me, see?
Ida. Eighteen years. Remember?
I just want to get
to know him a little better.
And then what?
Let him go home, Jenny.
Tomorrow.
Why don't you quit
while you're ahead?
You wanted to see him.
Fine, you saw him.
Now say good-bye.
- We blew the recording room.
- George! Hi.
When did you get back?
Look, are you all right?
- We were worried.
- I'm fine!
Look, if you ever
get hung up again, let us know.
We'd work it out for you.
That's what we're here for.
You still here?
Good evening, sir.
Yeah.
I'll set it up again.
Are we on our way?
Are you ready, honey?
Jenny, I don't think
I ought to stay.
I'm keeping you
from important things.
Nothing's that important, Matt.
I haven't missed a thing.
George, I have
a new escort tonight...
and a very attractive one, too.
See you later. Come on.
I've been running
through rains
And the wind
that follows after
For one certain face
And an unforgotten laughter
I've been following signs
I've been searching
through the lands
For a certain pair of arms
And a certain pair of hands
Yes, I tried a kiss here
And I tried a kiss there
For when you're out
in company
The boys and girls will pair
But it never was you
It never was anywhere you
An occasional sunset
reminded me
Or a flower hanging high
on a tulip tree
Or one red star
hung low in the west
Or a heartbreak call
From a meadowlark's nest
Made me think
For a moment
Maybe it's true
I found him in the star
In the call
In the blue
But it never was you
It never was anywhere
You
Anywhere
Anywhere
You
Anyone for ionic propulsion?
She's out.
That's French for not up yet.
I wouldn't want to disturb her.
Go right ahead.
She won't even hear you.
Jenny.
Jenny, it's quarter to 12:00.
Jenny?
What...
Good morning, Jenny.
I'm sorry l...
Good morning, darling.
Is it awfully late?
No, not really.
Weren't we supposed
to be someplace this morning?
The science museum.
But it doesn't matter.
I'm sorry, Matt.
Please come and sit down.
We could queue.
We could what?
Stand in line.
We don't want to do that,
do we?
I've got a much,
much better idea.
She's not back.
Nope. Just a call
to call Canterbury.
Yeah. She's out of
her so-called mind.
More than you know.
Yeah, in the middle
of a six-country tour.
- Seven.
- Seven.
They're gonna murder me.
- Cigar.
- Cigar.
Good afternoon, girls.
Girls, listen, Jenny has
asked me to stand in for her.
Now, wait a minute, now.
Come on, let's be fair.
You know she loves to talk
to the ladies of the press.
She's very disappointed
that she can't be here...
but eat, drink, be merry.
Have any questions, think of me
as though I were Jenny, OK?
When did you start
smoking cigars?
Where is she?
Give me that, will ya?
She had a business date.
Well, it went on
way behind time!
Way, way behind.
What did you say the name
of this place was?
Stoke Poges.
Stoke Poges?
It's where Gray wrote his elegy.
Do you know about that?
No. I know more
about Gray's Anatomy.
- Stoke Poges?
- That's right.
"The path of glory
leads but to the grave."
Oh, dear.
Do you ever look
at gravestones?
- No.
- They're great fun.
Fun?!
Yes. They're not
a bit depressing, really.
Listen to this.
"Here lies my wife.
"Here let her lie.
"Now she's at rest,
and so am I."
That's terrible.
You're a terrible boy.
When I die,
I think I'll be cremated.
- Would you like to be cremated?
- I don't know. I suppose so.
It's very sanitary
and sort of chic, like I said.
My mother was cremated.
Your mother?
Janet. But she's not
my real mother.
She must have
loved you very much.
She liked me.
Come on, let's sit down
for a second, shall we?
Don't you ever wonder about
your mother, your real mother?
Not really.
I mean, who she was and what...
No.
I'll miss you, Jenny.
Will you?
Yes.
Matt, I'm going to go
to Paris in a few days...
and I wish you could
come with me...
just for a little while.
I'll talk
to your father about it...
and I'll make
all the arrangements.
All you have to do is say yes.
Jenny, I don't understand
why you're being so kind to me.
Maybe it's because I've never
had a son of my own...
and I like to pretend...
and you fit the bill.
Will you help me?
Yes, Jenny.
Good, Matt. Good.
- I thought you'd got lost.
- No.
- Miss Bowman's here.
- Is she?
She said she wanted
to talk to you urgently...
as soon as you were back.
Then she decided
to come here and meet you.
- Where is she?
- She's in her car, over there.
I didn't know
what you wanted to do...
so I brought your car
as arranged.
- Is she still at the Savoy?
- Yes.
Look, take my car
back to town, will you?
Take it to the hotel. Leave
the keys with the porter...
- and take that along.
- Yes, of course.
I'll be back as soon as I can.
- How was your trip?
- Fine.
You were in Rome, weren't you?
That's right, yes.
Must have been an opera singer.
They're very delicate creatures,
opera sing...
David, I have
a confession to make.
Really?
Yes. I'm afraid I've done
something that I shouldn't have.
Yes, I know that.
You know?
News travels, Jenny,
even to Rome.
Are you terribly angry?
I'm so sick with anger
that I can hardly speak to you.
I don't know what to say.
I haven't got any excuses
except that it was wonderful...
There's only one thing
I want to know from you.
How far have you
broken your promise?
I haven't said anything,
I swear.
I know you're angry,
but I haven't done any harm.
That remains to be seen,
doesn't it?
If I'm such
a shady character...
why'd you let me see him
in the first place?
Have you forgotten
how you begged...
how you implored,
how you pleaded, how...
I don't beg. I don't beg.
You don't beg.
You just damn well assume.
Everything you want, you get.
- David.
- You haven't changed.
You never will.
You're nothing
but a self-centered...
grasping,
egocentric little bitch.
And you're a cheat.
Before you go in there and start
to act like the heavy father...
it wasn't his fault.
I brought this about myself.
And you remember that.
Ida? Would you get
Matt for me, please?
Hello, Father.
I wanted to come down
to the airport with Jenny...
but she said better not.
She said that she'd explain
about everything...
about Paris and all that.
Matt, we didn't win.
Jenny explained
everything perfectly, Matt.
All I want you to do now
is to pack up and come along.
- Are you ready?
- No, I'm not quite packed.
Nothing much, though.
It won't take long.
Hurry up, then.
The car's outside.
- Yes, sir.
- Right.
So now it's Paris, is it?
And then the rest of the tour,
Rome, Athens...
For God's sake, don't sulk.
You saw his face.
For God's sake, don't sulk.
You saw his face.
You saw how sorry he was.
And you know how sorry I am.
What do you want us both to do,
just die?
I don't want you
to do anything.
I just want to get out of here
as soon as possible.
What was so terrible
about it, anyway?
He came to see the show,
we took a trip up the river...
and we had a good time.
What's so terrible about that?
We had a wonderful time!
And you're standing there...
as if I'm some kind
of criminal or something...
- like I'm Lizzie Borden!
- For God's sake, Jenny...
"For God's sake, Jenny"!
I stayed out of the way
as long as your wife was around!
And she was good for him!
Well, fine! But what now?
You and your grave demeanor
or your Auntie Beth...
in Canterbury
who's forty years too late?!
What kind of life
are you offering him?!
What you fail
to realize, Jenny...
is that we have a very
good relationship, Matt and I.
We were doing very well
before you came along...
and we'll do a damn sight better
after you've gone!
Boy, you know where to hit,
don't you?
I want to tell you something.
He needs me, and I want him!
He's not yours to have.
You gave him back to me
a long time ago.
I need him, I love him, and...
"You need him, and I want him,
and you want him, and I..."
He's not a bone.
My God, he's a child.
He's my son,
and I'm going to keep him!
There's just one thing
we seem to both have forgotten.
He's my son, too.
I made him.
Now, where do we go from there?
I've packed.
There's some other things
in the bedroom, but...
We'll send
for those later, Matt.
Yes.
Can I have the tape recorder?
It was a present.
Is it true?
Yes.
Why didn't you tell me?
I meant to.
I kept putting it off,
I'm afraid.
But why didn't you tell me?
I made a promise
to your father.
Matt, I think we'd better
be moving along now.
No.
No, I don't want
to go just yet, Father.
Not yet.
I'd like to stay here
for a bit with you...
and get it clearer,
if you have no objections.
No, I have no objections.
Please stay.
Matt, I've never
ordered you...
to do anything
in your whole life, have I?
But I'm asking you now
to come home with me.
Will you?
All right.
Jenny, please...
Yes, Matt?
I'm going because
my father has asked me to...
not because I want to.
Do you understand?
Yes.
It's what you must do.
Thank you.
Could I call you, then,
and talk?
Yes, of course.
Call me tomorrow.
All right?
Yes.
You won't drop it, will you?
No.
Don't let him wait alone.
Please go with him.
Anything I can get
for you, Jenny?
I'll go my way
By myself
This is the end of romance
I'll go my way
By myself
Love is only a dance
I'll try
To apply myself
And teach my heart
how to sing
I'll go my way
By myself
Like a bird on the wing
I'll face the unknown
I'll build a world
Of my own
No one knows better
Than I myself
I'm by myself
Alone
I'll go my way
By myself
Here's how the comedy ends
I'll have to deny myself
Love and laughter
And friends
Gray clouds in the sky above
Have put a blot on my fun
I'll try to fly high above
I'll try to fly high above
For my place
In the sun
And I'll face
The unknown
I'll build a world
Of my own
No one knows better
Than I myself
No, no one knows better
Than I myself
How I wanted love and fell
Now I say what the hell
All of those black days
are gone
'Cause it's solo
All alone
By myself
From
Now
On
Did you call New York?
- Called New York.
- And?
- It's a little complicated.
- Well, tell me.
Can't it wait
until after the show?
No, it can't, George.
Tell me.
- All right. You've got a case.
- I knew it. I told you.
Ida, I've got a case.
Jenny, what you've got
is a technicality.
I'm gonna lay it
out for you...
just the way the lawyers
laid it out for me.
The records were searched,
and the adoption was legitimate.
What did you say?
I said the adoption was
legitimate, as far as it went.
But there's such a thing
as second papers.
Now, don't ask me
what they are.
They're second papers,
and you never signed them.
Thank heaven for me.
That means if you want
to fight it, you can.
Now, no guarantees,
a whole long McGill in court.
Frankly, darling,
it's a long shot.
Did you tell them
to go ahead?
No, I didn't tell them
anything just yet.
Well, tell them so.
George, will you please
call the lawyers.
Jenny, right now,
at this moment...
you're on top of a career you've
been building for over 20 years.
For half that time,
I've been with you...
so I know a little bit
about the subject.
I can't stand by and watch you
destroy it and yourself.
If you fight this case,
you might win.
It's possible. I don't know.
But do you realize
what it would mean?
You couldn't be in Rome
one week, Miami the next.
You'd have to stay
here in England...
and fight it out in the courts.
Jenny, the boy's got a home...
he's got a father, a school,
a way of life.
You can't jump
into the middle of that...
and start making
all kinds of waves.
George, please.
All right. Suppose you got him,
what would you do with him?
Trail him around the world
with a tutor from date to date.
Hotel suites, rented cars,
other people's houses.
And they're pretty strict
in England about schools.
You might have to send him
to a school...
and come and visit him
now and then at vacation time.
Jenny, you'd be strangers,
don't you see?
All right, all right.
What would happen to you?
How would you be able to work
with this pull all the time?
Do you know how
to handle a small boy?
It's a full-time job.
Forgive me, dear...
but I don't think you know
how to do it.
This, all this,
this is your job.
You do it better than anybody
else in the whole world...
because you know it.
Don't force this, Jenny.
Let it rest.
George, I know you're trying
to help me...
but, you see, I love him.
And oddly enough,
I think he loves me.
You have three minutes,
Miss Bowman.
I'm ready.
Matt.
I've got to interrupt,
I'm afraid.
It's all right.
Did you mind me taking this?
No, not a bit.
Have you just got back?
I've been finishing
some notes.
No, don't put it off.
It's rather fine.
I've spent most of today...
wondering how
to explain things to you.
You've had some pretty
rough things flung at you...
and now you'd better
have the truth.
It's up to me
to give it to you.
- Shall we sit down?
- Yes.
I don't know how much
you heard today...
but I presume enough to know
that I'm your real father...
and Jenny's your mother.
Were you and Jenny
married once?
No, Matt,
we were never married.
We fell in love while
I was in New York studying.
I did ask her to marry me,
to come home to England.
But I hadn't reckoned
with one thing...
that was her career, which meant
more to her than anything else.
I couldn't make her
change her mind...
and I had to come back here
to work, so I came alone.
That's pretty clear,
isn't it?
Yes.
Then I met Janet again.
We'd known each other
since we were almost your age.
It was always
rather expected...
that we'd get married,
so we did.
Then I heard that
you were about to be born.
Jenny did her best
to look after you...
but touring the world
with a small child...
isn't always convenient.
So Janet and I
talked things over...
and it was decided that you come
and live with us as our son...
our adopted son because
that was kinder to Janet.
I don't understand why you
didn't tell me when Janet died.
I didn't expect you
to understand entirely.
That'll take time,
perhaps a long time.
But the important thing
now is your future.
Will you help me?
All right.
Well, you've promised
to telephone Jenny, haven't you?
I expect you've been
thinking about that.
- Yes.
- And what you'll say to her.
What do you think
I should say to her?
That's a decision
you have to make yourself, Matt.
But I can tell you
what she'll say to you.
She'll ask you
to meet her in Paris...
and when you get there,
it'll be another place...
- How do you know?
- Because she wants you.
But she just said
for a few days.
It doesn't stop there, Matt.
Just because you're angry
with Jenny, why should I be?
Look, I'm not angry with Jenny.
I'm not angry with her.
I know her, and I know
what I'm talking about.
She wants you...
not for a weekend, but you.
She wants you to leave
your friends, your home...
and your school,
start a new way of life.
Matt, I know what fun
she's been to be with...
and how kind she is and good
and wise, too, sometimes.
And it would be exciting.
You'd see places
you'd never seen before...
you'd fly,
you'd catch boats...
and you'd laugh a lot.
I know her, Matt.
I loved her.
I still do love her.
But mark this. Jenny gives
more love than anyone...
but she takes more love
than anyone can possibly give.
Can you understand that?
But what if I do go with her?
Well, if it was something
you really wanted to do...
and it was going to make
you happy, I'd get used to it.
So you don't really care.
Matt, of course I care.
If it was up to me...
I'd say go and telephone Jenny
and say good-bye!
Tell her you've got
a good life here...
and you're not going
to muck it up.
Matt, you're my son.
I love you.
I love you.
And I want you to
go on being my son.
Hello?
Matt. Hello.
How are you?
Are you all right?
Wake me? No.
I've just been sitting here
waiting for your call.
Where are you?
Good.
Matt, would you come over
right away, please?
I've got so much to explain.
Everything was so hideous
yesterday, especially for you.
Please come over
right away, darling.
Well, what about
this afternoon?
My day is free.
Why?
What's happening?
Well, why don't you
bring your friends along...
and you and I can
have a private talk...
for a little while...
and then we can all join forces
and have a lovely day?
Yes, it sounds
a bit complicated.
What about tomorrow, Matt?
My, you are a busy fellow.
Matt, you know that trip
to Paris we were planning...
the one we talked about?
Good. I've been thinking
about it, too...
and I just don't see
how I'm going to be able...
to work things out.
Yes, that's right.
I'll be busy
from morning till night...
and well, we couldn't
be together at all.
You might wind up very lonely.
I'm glad you understand.
Well, of course you're going
to be seeing me.
I'll be back in London
in no time...
and we'll have lots of laughs
and lots of fun.
OK?
All right.
Well, now, you take care
of yourself, you hear?
And thank you for being
such a fine young man.
Bye-bye.
Matt...
God bless.
Ida!
Get me my black dress.
I'm going out!
Wait for me, will you?
I hope you don't mind us
getting onto you, Mr. Donne...
but she was asking for you
and wouldn't see anyone else.
Where is she?
Of course you realize
we are trying...
to keep this matter
completely confidential.
Yes, of course I do.
Unfortunately,
we're full up at the moment...
so we had
to put her in there.
Thank you very much.
- Lf there's anything you need...
- I'll let you know immediately.
Right.
Don't ever go
to an exhibition...
of abstract art
for the minions.
No, I won't.
Thank you, nurse.
And if you do go,
don't drink the martinis.
No.
Because they're half gasoline.
And you've had enough.
I've had enough
to float Fire Island.
Does it show?
Someone told me.
That's pretty sneaky.
There's a young lord
I must warn you about.
A young Lord George...
Hell, whatever his name was.
He asked me if he could take
me home, and I said thank you...
and we got into a cab.
The next thing I knew
it was all fall down...
and I wound up with this.
He knew where he lived,
all right...
but I was out, I was out cold.
I was out.
Nobody asked me where I lived.
How did you get here?
Cab driver named Gerald.
Gerald brought me here,
and they fixed my foot...
and they gave me coffee.
And somebody asked
for an autograph...
for their cousin Marilyn.
I feel awful, David.
Have some of this.
Come on.
No more coffee. No,
I couldn't take any more coffee.
You'd have to feed me
through the vein. I'm full.
I'm full to the brim
with the whole goddamn world!
Yes. Well, now look. Come on.
Be good. Drink this. Come on.
Have you come to take me home?
No, I've come to take you
to the theater.
No, you haven't.
I'm not going back there.
I'm not going back there
ever, ever again.
Listen, they are waiting.
I don't care
if they're fasting.
You just give 'em
their money back...
and tell them
to come back next fall.
- Jenny, it's a sell-out.
- I'm always a sell-out.
You promised. They're waiting.
- There's George and Ida...
- George and Ida...
- and 200,000...
- nd 200,000. I know that.
Just let them wait.
To hell with them.
I can't be spread so thin.
I'm just one person.
I don't want to be rolled out
like a pastry...
so everybody can get
a nice big bite of me.
I'm just me.
I belong to myself.
I can do whatever I damn well
please with myself...
and nobody can ask
any questions.
You know that is not true,
don't you?
Well, I'm not gonna
do it anymore, and that's final.
It's just not worth all
the deaths that I have to die...
It's just not worth all
the deaths that I have to die...
You have a show to do tonight.
You are going to do it...
and I am going to see
that you do.
Do you think
that you can make me sing?
Do you think you can...
do you think George
can make me sing or Ida?
You can get me there, sure,
but can you make me sing?
I sing for myself.
I sing when I want to,
whenever I want to...
just for me.
I sing for my own pleasure.
Whenever I want.
Do you understand that?
I do understand that.
Just hang onto that, will you?
Hang onto it.
I've hung on
to every bit of rubbish...
there is to hang onto in life.
And I've thrown all
the good bits away.
Now, can you tell me
why I do that?
No, I can't tell you
why you do that...
but I can tell you this,
you are going to be late.
I don't care!
Darling...
I don't give a damn
who you let down...
but you're not gonna
let you down.
You haven't called me that...
for years.
I haven't been able
to call you that for years.
Now, come here, look.
Just look at me, please.
Are you listening to me?
There's something
I haven't been able...
to say to you in years, too.
David, don't.
Don't say it.
Because if you said it now...
and if you didn't mean it,
I think I'd die.
I think I'd die.
I'll mean it.
I love you.
Oh, David!
David.
Darling.
Help me. Help me.
Help you?
Help us. Help us.
David.
He didn't want to go with me.
He didn't want to.
He made all kinds of excuses.
He didn't want to stay with me.
Darling, I know. I know.
Help me, please.
I want to help you...
but I don't know how.
Now, look. Come with me now.
Come now, Jenny, please.
David, you wouldn't
cheat me, would you?
Darling,
I wouldn't cheat you.
You wouldn't say you love me
if you didn't.
I wouldn't say I love you
if I didn't.
No, I wouldn't, darling.
Please tell me again.
Please, once more.
I'll tell you as often
as you want me to.
I've always loved you.
That's where it ends,
isn't it?
That's where it ends.
We were the right people
that met at the wrong moment...
with all the right ideals.
We were just too strong...
ever to give up everything
for each other.
We just didn't fit.
We fitted. The rest didn't.
That doesn't make much sense.
The loving does.
Yes.
The loving does.
The loving always does.
Are you all right now?
I'm all right.
I think you're gonna
have to help me...
with my foot, though.
Can you manage?
Oops. You know...
there's an old saying.
When you go onstage...
apparently, you don't feel
any pain at all.
When the light hits you,
you don't feel anything.
It's a stinking lie.
Will you stay with me?
Yes, I'll stay.
How long?
Until you can stand
on your feet again.
David, I don't think...
Where is Jenny?
Hey, come on, let's go!
Oh, no, I've had it.
It's an hour past curtain.
You'll be 45 minutes
getting dressed.
Do you think
they're gonna wait for you?
There are 2,500 people
out there...
who paid money
to see Jenny Bowman...
but you're gonna
let them down.
That may not mean
anything to you anymore...
but I still have a certain
reverence for audiences.
They mean a great deal to me.
And if they still do
mean something to you...
I'm gonna find it very difficult
to forgive you.
And if they don't mean
anything to you anymore...
then I am genuinely
and profoundly...
sorry for you, Jenny.
There she is!
It's about time, too.
Where have you been, Jenny?
What?
Where have you been?
I've been having
a hell of a time.
Thank you very much.
What happened
to the ankle?
I've been skiing
or she-ing or both.
Do you like my furs?
Yeah!
Where'd you get 'em?
I just shot 'em.
I'd like to sing for you...
if we can get
these things pulled.
Can you pull them up?
Pull them up.
I think everyone's
gone to sleep back there.
Thank you.
"I Could Go On Singing."
When a dove is in love
With a doll of a dove
He is out all night
coo-cooing
When an owl's
on the prowl
For a feminine fowl
He goes out all night
woo-wooing
Every bird and bee
Has his lunacy
In the way
he works his dream off
But when I feel high
Here's the way that I
Like to get
my kind of steam off
Owls hoo hoo
Others sigh
Doves coo coo
Ah, but I
I could go on singing
Till the cows come home
And the rooster starts
to crow, crow, crow
When I see your eyes
I go all out
I must vocalize
Till you shout
Enough already
I could go on singing
Till the moon turns pink
Anything from "Faust" to
Ink-a-dink-a-dink
Love does funny things
When it hits you this way
I must keep on singing
Like a lark
Going strong
With my heart
on the wings of a song
Singing day
I
Could go on singing
Till the cows
Come
Home
And the rooster
starts to crow
Crow
Crow
When I see your eyes
I go all out
I must vocalize
Till you shout
Enough already
I
Could go on
I could go on singing
Till the moon
Turns pink
Anything from "Faust" to
Ink-a-dink-a-dink
Love does funny things
When it hits you this way
I must keep on singing
Like a lark
Going strong
With my heart
On the wings of a song
Singing
Day
Till the cows come home
And the rooster
starts to crow
Crow, crow
When I see your eyes
I go all out
I must vocalize
till you shout
Enough already
I could go on singing
Till the moon turns pink
Anything from "Faust" to
Ink-a-dink-a-dink
Love does funny things
When it hits you this way
I must keep on singing
Like a lark,
going strong
With my heart
on the wings of a song
Singing day
Dr. Donne?
Please come in, Miss Bowman.
Mr. Donne's expecting you.
Thank you.
This way, please.
David.
Hello, Jenny.
Is this awfully inconvenient?
I don't think so.
Come on up.
I'll take your coat.
That's for social calls.
Well, you did say this
was business, didn't you?
Yes, Doctor.
Business.
Well, the business department
is in here.
Why do they call you Mister
if you're a doctor?
Surgeons are called Mister.
I see. You mean like a marquis
being called a lord?
That always mixes me up, too.
Secrets of the trade.
Won't you sit down?
- Yes. Thank you.
- Now, then, what is it?
Ear, nose, or throat?
Do you take care of
all three of those things?
Yes.
Which is it?
Were you surprised
to hear from me?
A little.
You sang this afternoon.
Charity concert, wasn't it?
Yes. How do you know?
It was in all the papers.
How did it go?
- It was ghastly.
- That means it was good.
No, it was terrible.
It was awful.
My throat was very raw,
and I couldn't...
I just sort of croaked out
the performance.
Tell me, am I keeping
this secretary person of yours?
No, no. She works here.
I know, but it's terribly late,
and it's Sunday, and I thought...
She's used to it.
Will you go on?
Well, I just...
I just got scared
I was going to lose my voice.
Since when?
Since when what?
Since when were you scared
that you were losing your voice?
Well, since I got to England.
And don't tell me
it's the climate...
because Tepaldi
and Callas sing here...
and they do very well.
Shall we take a look?
Would you come over here,
please?
Sit down.
How are your sinuses?
I don't know.
They're kind of...
- Any colds recently?
- No.
You used to have
a lot of colds.
Yes, but then they invented
paper handkerchiefs...
and that sort of
took the fun out of it.
Would you open
your mouth, please?
Wide.
Thank you.
All right. Say ahh.
Thank you.
Now I'm going to have a look
at your larynx.
I'm going to take
this piece of gauze...
Gauze, and you're going
to hold my tongue with it...
and you want me to relax
and breathe slowly in and out...
- and completely...
- Would you just do it?
- Yes, I will.
- Thank you.
Would you put out your tongue?
Yes, thank you.
You know,
I've been thinking...
Would you just sit there
for a moment?
Would you come back?
Excuse me.
I've been thinking
about Atlantic City.
Do you ever think about
Atlantic City, David?
Yes, I have done.
Does this hurt?
Would you swallow?
Thank you.
Well, am I going to lose
my voice, or what?
What do you think?
You mean there's
nothing wrong with me.
Your throat's a bit rough,
it's red, you've been singing...
and you've been smoking
too much.
When do you open in London?
Five days.
Look, do you mind
if I get out of...
I'm very sorry.
Of course, do.
I'll give you something
to ease the roughness.
Not that you'll take it.
But if you have got five days...
I strongly urge you
to take three of them off.
What would you advise,
a brisk walk through Hyde Park?
Sleep, rest, relaxation.
Where can I buy those?
Have a gargle
night and morning.
All right.
Well, why don't you
get me off on the right foot...
by offering me a drink?
You're going to get me in there
if it kills me, aren't you?
All right.
It's still scotch?
Still scotch.
No ice, I'm afraid.
That's all right.
Thank you.
You know, you've changed.
Well, I'd be scared
to hell if I hadn't.
And you've become so...
careful.
Have I?
Well, it comes, you know.
Care comes.
With gray hair and spectacles.
I heard about
your wife's death.
Janet was her name?
Yes. Janet.
- I read about your marriage.
- Which one?
Well, it doesn't
make any difference...
because neither one
was worth writing home about.
I should have married you,
David. I really should have.
And it would have worked.
Yes, it would.
No, you're wrong, Jenny.
- You're so sure?
- It's better as it is.
Tell me something... do you still
play that awful harmonica thing?
No. No, I gave that up.
I'm glad. You were terrible.
Do you still knit?
Oh, no. Nothing I knitted
ever fitted.
We must have had fun, David.
At least, that's the way
I remember it.
Is that the way
you remember it?
Yes.
Twist my arm and yes.
Salut.
Salut.
Why did you come?
I don't know. To tell you
the truth, I don't know.
Maybe it's just that I didn't
want to be alone...
first night
in a strange town.
You've a mass of friends
in town. You couldn't be alone.
Alone.
It's a most awful word.
And I know what it means.
Because I've been alone
since you, David.
You've been married twice.
Well, I was alone then, too.
Tell me, is this
when you were knighted?
The C.B.E. Or the...
- O.B.E.
- O.B.E.
That's good, isn't it?
Not quite, I'm afraid.
That's something.
Yes, it's something.
Why did you hide him from me?
- I didn't hide him.
- I saw you.
All right, I hid him.
Excuse me, Mr. Donne. Do you
require me for anything else?
No, thank you, Miss Plimpton.
I'll see Miss Bowman out.
- Good night, Miss Bowman.
- Good night.
Is he here?
No, he's at school.
He boards.
- I'd love to see him.
- I know.
David, please. I didn't
come here to ask that, I swear.
I came here to see you.
I admit that.
It's just that
now that I am here...
I must ask you. Please.
I'm sorry, Jenny.
You can't see him.
Well, why not?
What's the matter with me?
Have I some dread disease
or some kind of...
What are you so afraid of?
What is it, David?
- I want to see him!
- It's impossible.
Impossible isn't a word that
very many people use with me.
It must come as rather
a surprise to you now.
- I want to see him.
- You cannot see him, Jenny.
We made an agreement
a long time ago...
an agreement that you wanted...
never to see him ever again.
Do you remember?
Yes, I remember.
That was a long time ago.
It's the only good thing
I ever made in my life.
Now I can't...
Well, forget it.
Tell me, does he like school?
I mean, any more
than anyone does?
Yes, he likes it very much.
Is he clever?
He's average.
Better at Mozart than maths.
Is he musical?
A little odd if not.
Yes.
And the rest?
He's really pretty good.
I think you'd be proud of him.
- Let me see him.
- No.
- Just once.
- And then what?
Nothing. I go.
Look, Jenny, to see him now
would make it much harder...
for you, for me, for all of us.
And that's final?
Final.
Well, I think I've taken up
enough of your time, David...
and I'd like to get out of here.
Where's my coat?
It's outside.
I'll call you a cab.
- No, thank you. I'd rather walk.
- It won't take a moment.
No, thank you.
I'd rather walk.
Don't bother to see me out.
I'll take care of myself.
Jenny.
What?
You forgot your prescription.
What does it say?
Three times a day before meals?
And shake the bottle.
It's good for what ails me?
Good night, David.
You've been very kind,
and thank you.
Jenny.
It really would mean
so much to you, wouldn't it?
To see him again?
Yes.
If I let you...
and mark these words...
if I let you...
you'll promise to look once
and never look again?
I promise.
All right.
Are you sure you want to go on?
Well, I can't stop now
or I'll sink.
Peel it, Joe, peel it!
Tell me, do all
the mothers do this?
Yes. But they usually wear
good woman's shoes.
Where is Matt? Is he...
No, he's with
that lot over there.
The under-14s.
Come on, Roger, don't fall!
Give me the ball!
Come on, Roger!
David, wait a minute.
Here.
- Are you holding?
- I'm holding.
You really should have worn
more sensible shoes.
They're all yours.
I'll take this.
Come on, on to the under-14s.
Where is he, David? Where?
There.
Where?
There. That thing with the ball.
Tackle him!
- They'll kill him!
- Only once.
Break up. Halftime.
Well, what's that?
That's halftime.
You must come 'round,
especially the wing forwards.
Can I go and see
my father, sir?
Yes, all right. Hop it.
Hello, Father.
Nine to six against us.
We're getting ticked off.
Still, it's a good game.
They made you fly half again.
What happened to Gregson?
Broke his leg
playing Eastbourne.
- Silly ass.
- I'm faster, anyway.
- Don't be such a show-off.
- Hello.
Hello. You're Miss Bowman,
aren't you?
Father said you were coming.
Miss Bowman's an American, Matt.
They do things differently.
How do you do?
How do you do?
You're going to be on in London,
aren't you?
- Yes, I'm going to be on.
- At the Palladium.
We have all your records
at the house.
At home?
No, no. The house
here at the school.
Father goes in more
for Beethoven.
For Pete's sake.
Who introduced you to Ella...
to Basie, to Benny Goodman?
Yes, I know. And who introduced
you to Chubby Checker?
I have an extra pair of boots
in my locker.
You could always pretend
you've been playing fly half.
- I think they'd suspect.
- Sorry.
No, Matt, I have these.
I'm saving them for a dry day.
He looks like you.
I shouldn't. I'm adopted.
Well, you could. You could.
Adopted children do grow
like their parents, like dogs.
Like dogs?
Yes. There's an old saying that
dogs grow like their masters.
Or masters grow
like their dogs.
I think you'd better get back
to that game, don't you?
I'll take Miss Bowman
back to the hotel...
and get her cleaned up,
all right?
I'll show you around the school,
Miss Bowman.
Matt, do we have to?
I'd like that, Matt.
I'd love it.
These ruins are Norman.
You know,
1066 and all that stuff.
The school buildings
are all around the cathedral...
and they're just as old.
The dining hall goes back
to King Henry V.
And the food goes back
to William the Conqueror.
Good morning, sir.
Major Dee, Modern Languages.
We call him Major Disaster.
Is the biology wing
finished yet?
It's been finished for ages.
Most parents get down
twice a term...
but I'm lucky if my father
gets down once a year.
Now, that is not true.
And what happens
when I do come down?
We stare at each other
like a couple of deaf-mutes.
- Unless you need some cash.
- But today's different.
You get a jolly good view
from around this corner.
We have all our services
in the cathedral.
That's the school choir
you can hear...
practicing in there now.
Would you like
to go up the tower?
We can see for twenty miles.
No, Matt, not again.
You can do it, Father.
Exercise is good for you.
I wasn't thinking about myself,
but Miss Bowman.
I took Auntie Beth up
last week and she loved it.
Who's Auntie Beth?
She's Father's aunt
and she's sixty.
Well, if Auntie Beth
can do it, so can I.
Come on, Father. Come on.
We go through there.
I'll have to get permission
from the verger.
I won't be a moment.
I like him.
So do I.
I feel so happy.
It's like having
a family of my own.
Lovely feeling.
Good.
Would you have dinner
with me tonight, David?
I don't think so.
I'm going to be in London
ten more days...
and I'd love to see
more of you.
You really are persistent,
aren't you?
A little over-anxious, maybe.
Look, I tell you
what we're going to do.
We're going to come down
from that tower...
if we ever reach the top,
we'll take Matt out to tea...
we'll stuff him full of food...
and then I'll drive you
back to London.
And drop me at my hotel?
That's right.
It'll be better that way,
don't you think?
No, I don't.
We can go up now.
You will be down by 4:30,
won't you?
Yes, thank you. We'll hurry.
I'll lead.
Every twenty steps,
stop and count five.
That way,
you won't get out of breath.
Go on, Matt, go on.
Everyone all right?
Fine. Fine!
There are 237 steps.
I've counted them.
What did he say?
He says he's counted the steps!
What does he want
to count them for?
It's hard enough to climb them.
By the way,
I ordered extra tickets.
What tickets?
For the Gilbert and Sullivan,
tonight.
It's the end of term play.
We're doing the first act
of "H.M.S. Pinafore."
Eighteen, nineteen, twenty.
What was that?
He says he's got tickets
for the play tonight!
Is this the top?
No. But we're almost halfway.
Oh, my.
This is fun, isn't it?
Mind the cobwebs.
Not many people get up here.
Matt, I'm terribly sorry.
We can't stay
for the show tonight.
Miss Bowman
has to get back to town.
But he must stay.
I'm playing Cousin Hebe.
He says you must stay, because
he's playing Cousin Hebe.
Blast.
I think we've lost your father.
Not much further.
I can see daylight.
How old was that aunt
you were talking about?
She's sixty.
But she's very athletic.
I can believe that.
She must be a champion
long distance runner.
Oh, my gosh, look out!
- Be careful!
- It's all right.
You have to get to the edge
to get the view.
Look. You can see Ashford
from here...
where the Vikings fought.
Please say you'll stay
for the show, Miss Bowman...
because if you do, then Father
will have to stay, too.
I'll talk to him.
Somebody didn't stop
to count five.
Be generous, David.
He wants you to stay so much.
You can see the sea
on a clear day.
But we don't get
many clear days.
Good, we are in luck!
- What's wrong?
- Wait for it.
- What's happening?
- You'll see.
That's the loudest bell
in the south of England!
My!
For a British tar
is a soaring soul
For a British tar
is a soaring soul
As free as a mountain bird
His energetic fist
should be ready to resist
A dictatorial word
His eyes should flash
with an inborn fire
His brow with scorn be wrung
He never should bow down
to a domineering frown
Or the tang of a tyrant tongue
His nose should pant
and his lips should curl
His cheeks should flame
and his brow should furl
His bosom should heave
and his heart should glow
And his fist be ever ready
for a knock-down blow
His foot should stamp
and his throat should growl
His hair should twirl
and his face should scowl
His eyes should flash
and his breast protrude
And this should be
his customary attitude
His eyes should flash
His breast protrude
His eyes
His customary attitude
His eyes should flash
His breast protrude
His eyes should flash
His eyes
Yes, his eyes,
his eyes should flash
His foot should stamp
and his throat
His throat should growl
His hair should twirl
and his face
His face should scowl
And this should be
his customary
Attitude
Bravo!
God save our gracious Queen
Long live our noble Queen
God save our Queen
Send her victorious
Happy and glorious
Long to reign over us
God save our Queen
Who's that?
That's the headmaster.
We can go now.
We used to do Gilbert
and Sullivan in our school.
Only the girls played
the boys' parts.
I can't get over Matt...
he's so pretty.
Well, don't tell him that,
for heaven's sake.
- All right.
- I'm never sure with you.
- Did you enjoy it, Mr. Donne?
- Yes, thank you very much.
You directed the play,
didn't you? We loved it.
This is Mr. Reynolds,
Miss Bowman.
How do you do?
I'm afraid we're not
exactly in your class.
I'd say much more professional
and more spirited, too.
That's very kind of you.
The boys do try.
There he is. Could l...
Excuse me.
- Say, you were terrific.
- Was it all right?
- It really was.
- Did you like it?
Yes, really.
What do you think of Buttercup?
He was ace, wasn't he?
I think everybody was ace.
Would you like to meet
some of them?
I'd love to.
This is Miss Bowman.
This is Bobbie Evans.
Hello. Josephine,
you look stunning.
You were marvelous.
And this is Ralph Rackstraw...
the finest topman
in all the fleet.
Hello. Glad to see you.
Lovely performance.
Thank you very much.
The Right Honorable
Sir Joseph Porter, K.C.B.
First Lord of the Admiralty.
The monarch of the sea.
And these are all his sisters
and his cousins and his aunts.
I think you were all
absolutely marvelous.
- We think you're marvelous.
- I think you're better.
- We think you're marvelous!
- No, you're better!
Why don't you sing for us,
Miss Bowman?
Yes, Miss Bowman, sing for us.
Yes! Yes! Yes!
Well, we've got a piano.
Let's all play together. OK?
Shall we have a go?
Yes!
I am the monarch of the sea
The ruler of
the Queen's Navee
Aren't you a bit young?
Whose praise Great Britain
loudly chants
And we are his sisters
and his cousins and his aunts
And you?
And we are his sisters
and his cousins and his aunts
His sisters and his cousins
and his aunts
They are his sisters
and his cousins and his aunts
- Ahnts!
- No! Ants!
When at anchor here I ride
My bosom swells with pride
You do look a bit strange.
And I snap my fingers
at the foreman's taunts
You'll never beat him
that way, kid.
And so do his sisters
and his cousins and his aunts
His sisters and his cousins
and his aunts
They're his sisters
and cousins and aunts
They're his sisters
And his cousins
And his sisters and his...
You and I are the only ones
doing any work around here.
Come on, we must all
pull together! Let's go!
Go!
But when the breezes blow
Where do you go?
I generally go below
Why?
To seek the seclusion
that a cabin grants
You're chicken!
You're chicken!
And so do his sisters
and his cousins and his aunts
And so do his sisters
and his cousins and his aunts
All those people in one cabin?
It must have been very crowded.
So do his sisters
and his cousins and his aunts
And so do his sisters
and his cousins and his aunts
I won!
Hey, Matt!
I've got a marvelous idea.
You had me
to your opening night.
- Now I want you to come to mine.
- The Palladium?!
Yes. Would you like that?
Gosh, yes.
If my father won't mind.
We can bring him, too.
What do you say?
Shall we bring him along?
Yes, if you're sure
it'll be all right.
I do. I think he should
definitely come, too.
- Come on, let's ask.
- I'll ask him, yes.
Please, sir. Father,
can I go to Miss Bowman's show?
You remember? You promised me
three days in London.
Mr. Reynolds.
- Oh, say yes.
- Will you excuse me?
Yes, of course.
What are you talking about?
Miss Bowman's invited us to
the first night of her show...
for both of us.
Well, why not, David?
Best seats in the house
for you and Matt.
You're supposed to spend the
first week of your holiday...
in Canterbury with Aunt Beth,
and you know that.
Well, she won't mind.
I know she won't mind.
Please, Father.
You can buy me that
tape recorder you promised me.
I'd love to come and see you,
Miss Bowman. Make him say yes.
I don't seem to have
any choice, do I?
I don't think so.
I've got a lovely bunch
of coconuts
There they all hanging
in a row
Big ones, small ones
Some as big as your head
Give 'em a twist,
a flick of the wrist
That's what the showman said
I've got a lovely bunch
of coconuts
Every ball you throw
will make you rich
And there stands me wife
The idol of me life
Singing roll a bowl,
a ball a penny a pitch
- She's here.
- Yeah? How is she?
Fine.
So smile.
Hi, darling.
George.
Telegram from David Donne.
Urgent case.
Terribly sorry and all that.
Best of British luck
and everything, but...
In plain American,
he ain't comin'.
So?
So...
Well, what do we do,
deliver it?
You want to blow the show?
Yeah. I'll tell her it came
after she went on.
How do you feel, honey?
Hey, did you see 'em out front?
Cops on horseback.
You can't rate any higher.
- London's my lucky town.
- Any town's your lucky town.
I could live in London, George.
I really could.
I could settle here.
Any old iron, any old iron,
any, any...
George, you sent the tickets,
didn't you?
- They're at the box office.
- And David's picking them up?
That's right, darling.
Good. I feel marvelous!
Come on, Ida!
Any, any, any old iron
- How do I look?
- Fabulous.
- I mean really.
- Really fabulous.
Darling, shall I start
the overture?
Well, what time is it?
Twenty past.
That's funny. They said they
were going to come backstage...
before the show.
They probably thought
you meant after the show.
They didn't want
to disturb you.
George, will you call
the box office for me, please?
Honey, I just called.
There's a lot of confusion.
They're all jammed up.
He may have got caught
in the traffic.
That's the price
of popularity, darling.
- What's going on?
- What do you mean?
Just what I said...
what's going on?
Honey, you know everything
that I know. Don't get upset.
I'm not upset, George, but I'm
liable to get very upset...
if I don't find out
what's going on!
Give it to her.
He said he was going to come.
Jenny, I know this is a big
disappointment to you...
but you expected 2,500 people,
but you got 2,498.
That's an awful lot of people.
What do you say?
Come in.
Mr. Donne to see you,
Miss Bowman.
Show him in, please.
All right, you can go in now.
- Hello, Matt.
- Hello.
How nice you look.
Come in. Come in, please.
Gosh, it's a bit different
from school, isn't it?
How do you do, sir?
Hi.
Good evening.
How do you do?
Matt, did your father
bring you?
Didn't you get the telegram?
He got a call from Italy.
An emergency case.
It's standing room only outside.
George, will you start
the overture, please?
Right.
Would you excuse me?
I'll be right back.
- OK, Ida?
- Yep.
Fine. Turn around.
- The seams all right?
- Splendid.
There you go.
I hope it was all right...
my coming.
It's more than all right.
As a matter of fact...
it's a great big compliment
to me that you came.
I'd have been awfully
disappointed if you hadn't.
Come on, let's go.
Actually, you see,
I came up to town on my own.
They don't know I'm here.
You mean your father
doesn't know?
No. He thinks
I'm in Canterbury.
But I wouldn't miss
your opening night for anything.
Listen, Matt,
you're going to see my show...
and then we're going
to have supper together...
and then I think I'll
bed you down at the Savoy...
and after that, we'll get
your tape recorder tomorrow...
that he promised you...
and a couple
of other things, maybe.
That sounds marvelous. But
I think Aunt Beth would worry...
No, don't worry about that.
You'll take care of Aunt Beth,
won't you, Ida?
Yes, I'll call Aunt Beth.
- Joe.
- Yes, Miss.
Would you show this young man
to his seat, please?
- Yes, certainly.
- Good luck, Miss Bowman.
Thank you. You know, we may have
such a good time tonight...
your father will be sorry
he missed it.
- Good-bye.
- Bye.
Did you check the fuse box?
Well, something
looks like it's out.
Check it, and fix it fast.
Honey, it's a gas!
Gimme! Gimme!
- Go!
- Yeah!
Hey!
Hear that bluebird
up in a tree
Hear him
What a song
Joy he's bringing
Singing to me
Singing all day long
Good-bye to skies of gray
For I'm back home
Today
All day long
I jump and run about
You can always
hear me shoutin' out
Hello
Bluebird
Got no time
For blues or anything
I'm so happy
I just want to sing
Hello
Bluebird
Blue skies, sunshine
Friends that are real
Old folks, sweetheart
Oh, how I feel
I'll not go roamin'
Like I did again
I'll stay home
and be a kid again
Hello, bluebird
Hello
All day long
I keep singing
Hello, I'm glad I found you
Bluebird,
make yourself at home
No more blues
Just because I'm happy
When I'm around you
Bluebird
No more need to roam
Up above the sun is shinin'
The world is ideal
I just can't describe
The marvelous way that I feel
With nothin' but
the bluest skies ahead
What a rosy future lies ahead
Thank you, bluebird
Happy, happy bluebird
Mister bluebird
Hello
This is a good idea,
coming on the river.
There's St. Paul's.
Christopher Wren designed it.
Are you cold?
Not a bit. We take cold baths
every morning at school.
But we can get some shelter
further up there.
Everyone's watching you.
Does it bother you?
Oh, no. It doesn't bother me.
Tell me, do you like
living at school...
the way you do, all the time?
I don't mind. I've been away
from home since I was eight.
Don't you get lonesome
for your family?
I haven't really got a family.
Father's away quite a bit.
- He's rather busy, you know.
- Yes, I know.
It's the same for you, too,
isn't it?
I mean, you don't get home
very often, either.
No.
That puts us
in the same boat, then.
Yes.
I have to get off
at the next landing stage.
If I don't, I'll miss my train.
I don't want to rush you.
It's no rush.
Can I have your autograph,
please, Miss Bowman?
- There you are.
- Thank you.
Thank you. Matt,
why do we have to get off here?
Why don't we have
the whole day together?
- I couldn't.
- Yes, you could.
Stay with me.
Spend the day with me.
Do me a favor. Come on.
There's a 6:56,
but I'd have to let them know.
I fixed it last night,
didn't I?
- You did.
- I'll fix it again tonight.
- Come on!
- All right.
I beg your pardon.
Faster, faster, faster...
- Here.
- Oops. We're locked out.
That was a nice day.
Don't panic, Ida. We're here.
We've been all the way
up the river...
Down.
And all the way down
the strand.
Up.
I haven't had
so much fun in years.
You got messages.
Press conference
tomorrow at noon.
Rehearsal's at 3:00.
Phone calls...
Your agents, New York...
George, several times.
And they left the hats.
Good! You can help me
pick one out.
I made that call
to Canterbury...
but I don't see how
he's going to make the 6:56.
I've got news for you, Ida.
Matt's going to be my guest...
for one more night
and one more morning.
We're going to the ionic
propulsion exhibition...
at the science museum.
So it looks like you're gonna
have to make another call.
Look, why don't you go powder
your nose or something?
OK.
Canterbury wasn't any too happy
when I called this afternoon.
In fact, Canterbury's getting
just a little irritated with us.
I'm sure you took care
of everything, Ida.
Do you think this is my style?
How long is this going on?
What do you mean?
You know what I mean.
I took him out for the day.
What's so wrong with that?
Look, Jenny, this is me, see?
Ida. Eighteen years. Remember?
I just want to get
to know him a little better.
And then what?
Let him go home, Jenny.
Tomorrow.
Why don't you quit
while you're ahead?
You wanted to see him.
Fine, you saw him.
Now say good-bye.
- We blew the recording room.
- George! Hi.
When did you get back?
Look, are you all right?
- We were worried.
- I'm fine!
Look, if you ever
get hung up again, let us know.
We'd work it out for you.
That's what we're here for.
You still here?
Good evening, sir.
Yeah.
I'll set it up again.
Are we on our way?
Are you ready, honey?
Jenny, I don't think
I ought to stay.
I'm keeping you
from important things.
Nothing's that important, Matt.
I haven't missed a thing.
George, I have
a new escort tonight...
and a very attractive one, too.
See you later. Come on.
I've been running
through rains
And the wind
that follows after
For one certain face
And an unforgotten laughter
I've been following signs
I've been searching
through the lands
For a certain pair of arms
And a certain pair of hands
Yes, I tried a kiss here
And I tried a kiss there
For when you're out
in company
The boys and girls will pair
But it never was you
It never was anywhere you
An occasional sunset
reminded me
Or a flower hanging high
on a tulip tree
Or one red star
hung low in the west
Or a heartbreak call
From a meadowlark's nest
Made me think
For a moment
Maybe it's true
I found him in the star
In the call
In the blue
But it never was you
It never was anywhere
You
Anywhere
Anywhere
You
Anyone for ionic propulsion?
She's out.
That's French for not up yet.
I wouldn't want to disturb her.
Go right ahead.
She won't even hear you.
Jenny.
Jenny, it's quarter to 12:00.
Jenny?
What...
Good morning, Jenny.
I'm sorry l...
Good morning, darling.
Is it awfully late?
No, not really.
Weren't we supposed
to be someplace this morning?
The science museum.
But it doesn't matter.
I'm sorry, Matt.
Please come and sit down.
We could queue.
We could what?
Stand in line.
We don't want to do that,
do we?
I've got a much,
much better idea.
She's not back.
Nope. Just a call
to call Canterbury.
Yeah. She's out of
her so-called mind.
More than you know.
Yeah, in the middle
of a six-country tour.
- Seven.
- Seven.
They're gonna murder me.
- Cigar.
- Cigar.
Good afternoon, girls.
Girls, listen, Jenny has
asked me to stand in for her.
Now, wait a minute, now.
Come on, let's be fair.
You know she loves to talk
to the ladies of the press.
She's very disappointed
that she can't be here...
but eat, drink, be merry.
Have any questions, think of me
as though I were Jenny, OK?
When did you start
smoking cigars?
Where is she?
Give me that, will ya?
She had a business date.
Well, it went on
way behind time!
Way, way behind.
What did you say the name
of this place was?
Stoke Poges.
Stoke Poges?
It's where Gray wrote his elegy.
Do you know about that?
No. I know more
about Gray's Anatomy.
- Stoke Poges?
- That's right.
"The path of glory
leads but to the grave."
Oh, dear.
Do you ever look
at gravestones?
- No.
- They're great fun.
Fun?!
Yes. They're not
a bit depressing, really.
Listen to this.
"Here lies my wife.
"Here let her lie.
"Now she's at rest,
and so am I."
That's terrible.
You're a terrible boy.
When I die,
I think I'll be cremated.
- Would you like to be cremated?
- I don't know. I suppose so.
It's very sanitary
and sort of chic, like I said.
My mother was cremated.
Your mother?
Janet. But she's not
my real mother.
She must have
loved you very much.
She liked me.
Come on, let's sit down
for a second, shall we?
Don't you ever wonder about
your mother, your real mother?
Not really.
I mean, who she was and what...
No.
I'll miss you, Jenny.
Will you?
Yes.
Matt, I'm going to go
to Paris in a few days...
and I wish you could
come with me...
just for a little while.
I'll talk
to your father about it...
and I'll make
all the arrangements.
All you have to do is say yes.
Jenny, I don't understand
why you're being so kind to me.
Maybe it's because I've never
had a son of my own...
and I like to pretend...
and you fit the bill.
Will you help me?
Yes, Jenny.
Good, Matt. Good.
- I thought you'd got lost.
- No.
- Miss Bowman's here.
- Is she?
She said she wanted
to talk to you urgently...
as soon as you were back.
Then she decided
to come here and meet you.
- Where is she?
- She's in her car, over there.
I didn't know
what you wanted to do...
so I brought your car
as arranged.
- Is she still at the Savoy?
- Yes.
Look, take my car
back to town, will you?
Take it to the hotel. Leave
the keys with the porter...
- and take that along.
- Yes, of course.
I'll be back as soon as I can.
- How was your trip?
- Fine.
You were in Rome, weren't you?
That's right, yes.
Must have been an opera singer.
They're very delicate creatures,
opera sing...
David, I have
a confession to make.
Really?
Yes. I'm afraid I've done
something that I shouldn't have.
Yes, I know that.
You know?
News travels, Jenny,
even to Rome.
Are you terribly angry?
I'm so sick with anger
that I can hardly speak to you.
I don't know what to say.
I haven't got any excuses
except that it was wonderful...
There's only one thing
I want to know from you.
How far have you
broken your promise?
I haven't said anything,
I swear.
I know you're angry,
but I haven't done any harm.
That remains to be seen,
doesn't it?
If I'm such
a shady character...
why'd you let me see him
in the first place?
Have you forgotten
how you begged...
how you implored,
how you pleaded, how...
I don't beg. I don't beg.
You don't beg.
You just damn well assume.
Everything you want, you get.
- David.
- You haven't changed.
You never will.
You're nothing
but a self-centered...
grasping,
egocentric little bitch.
And you're a cheat.
Before you go in there and start
to act like the heavy father...
it wasn't his fault.
I brought this about myself.
And you remember that.
Ida? Would you get
Matt for me, please?
Hello, Father.
I wanted to come down
to the airport with Jenny...
but she said better not.
She said that she'd explain
about everything...
about Paris and all that.
Matt, we didn't win.
Jenny explained
everything perfectly, Matt.
All I want you to do now
is to pack up and come along.
- Are you ready?
- No, I'm not quite packed.
Nothing much, though.
It won't take long.
Hurry up, then.
The car's outside.
- Yes, sir.
- Right.
So now it's Paris, is it?
And then the rest of the tour,
Rome, Athens...
For God's sake, don't sulk.
You saw his face.
For God's sake, don't sulk.
You saw his face.
You saw how sorry he was.
And you know how sorry I am.
What do you want us both to do,
just die?
I don't want you
to do anything.
I just want to get out of here
as soon as possible.
What was so terrible
about it, anyway?
He came to see the show,
we took a trip up the river...
and we had a good time.
What's so terrible about that?
We had a wonderful time!
And you're standing there...
as if I'm some kind
of criminal or something...
- like I'm Lizzie Borden!
- For God's sake, Jenny...
"For God's sake, Jenny"!
I stayed out of the way
as long as your wife was around!
And she was good for him!
Well, fine! But what now?
You and your grave demeanor
or your Auntie Beth...
in Canterbury
who's forty years too late?!
What kind of life
are you offering him?!
What you fail
to realize, Jenny...
is that we have a very
good relationship, Matt and I.
We were doing very well
before you came along...
and we'll do a damn sight better
after you've gone!
Boy, you know where to hit,
don't you?
I want to tell you something.
He needs me, and I want him!
He's not yours to have.
You gave him back to me
a long time ago.
I need him, I love him, and...
"You need him, and I want him,
and you want him, and I..."
He's not a bone.
My God, he's a child.
He's my son,
and I'm going to keep him!
There's just one thing
we seem to both have forgotten.
He's my son, too.
I made him.
Now, where do we go from there?
I've packed.
There's some other things
in the bedroom, but...
We'll send
for those later, Matt.
Yes.
Can I have the tape recorder?
It was a present.
Is it true?
Yes.
Why didn't you tell me?
I meant to.
I kept putting it off,
I'm afraid.
But why didn't you tell me?
I made a promise
to your father.
Matt, I think we'd better
be moving along now.
No.
No, I don't want
to go just yet, Father.
Not yet.
I'd like to stay here
for a bit with you...
and get it clearer,
if you have no objections.
No, I have no objections.
Please stay.
Matt, I've never
ordered you...
to do anything
in your whole life, have I?
But I'm asking you now
to come home with me.
Will you?
All right.
Jenny, please...
Yes, Matt?
I'm going because
my father has asked me to...
not because I want to.
Do you understand?
Yes.
It's what you must do.
Thank you.
Could I call you, then,
and talk?
Yes, of course.
Call me tomorrow.
All right?
Yes.
You won't drop it, will you?
No.
Don't let him wait alone.
Please go with him.
Anything I can get
for you, Jenny?
I'll go my way
By myself
This is the end of romance
I'll go my way
By myself
Love is only a dance
I'll try
To apply myself
And teach my heart
how to sing
I'll go my way
By myself
Like a bird on the wing
I'll face the unknown
I'll build a world
Of my own
No one knows better
Than I myself
I'm by myself
Alone
I'll go my way
By myself
Here's how the comedy ends
I'll have to deny myself
Love and laughter
And friends
Gray clouds in the sky above
Have put a blot on my fun
I'll try to fly high above
I'll try to fly high above
For my place
In the sun
And I'll face
The unknown
I'll build a world
Of my own
No one knows better
Than I myself
No, no one knows better
Than I myself
How I wanted love and fell
Now I say what the hell
All of those black days
are gone
'Cause it's solo
All alone
By myself
From
Now
On
Did you call New York?
- Called New York.
- And?
- It's a little complicated.
- Well, tell me.
Can't it wait
until after the show?
No, it can't, George.
Tell me.
- All right. You've got a case.
- I knew it. I told you.
Ida, I've got a case.
Jenny, what you've got
is a technicality.
I'm gonna lay it
out for you...
just the way the lawyers
laid it out for me.
The records were searched,
and the adoption was legitimate.
What did you say?
I said the adoption was
legitimate, as far as it went.
But there's such a thing
as second papers.
Now, don't ask me
what they are.
They're second papers,
and you never signed them.
Thank heaven for me.
That means if you want
to fight it, you can.
Now, no guarantees,
a whole long McGill in court.
Frankly, darling,
it's a long shot.
Did you tell them
to go ahead?
No, I didn't tell them
anything just yet.
Well, tell them so.
George, will you please
call the lawyers.
Jenny, right now,
at this moment...
you're on top of a career you've
been building for over 20 years.
For half that time,
I've been with you...
so I know a little bit
about the subject.
I can't stand by and watch you
destroy it and yourself.
If you fight this case,
you might win.
It's possible. I don't know.
But do you realize
what it would mean?
You couldn't be in Rome
one week, Miami the next.
You'd have to stay
here in England...
and fight it out in the courts.
Jenny, the boy's got a home...
he's got a father, a school,
a way of life.
You can't jump
into the middle of that...
and start making
all kinds of waves.
George, please.
All right. Suppose you got him,
what would you do with him?
Trail him around the world
with a tutor from date to date.
Hotel suites, rented cars,
other people's houses.
And they're pretty strict
in England about schools.
You might have to send him
to a school...
and come and visit him
now and then at vacation time.
Jenny, you'd be strangers,
don't you see?
All right, all right.
What would happen to you?
How would you be able to work
with this pull all the time?
Do you know how
to handle a small boy?
It's a full-time job.
Forgive me, dear...
but I don't think you know
how to do it.
This, all this,
this is your job.
You do it better than anybody
else in the whole world...
because you know it.
Don't force this, Jenny.
Let it rest.
George, I know you're trying
to help me...
but, you see, I love him.
And oddly enough,
I think he loves me.
You have three minutes,
Miss Bowman.
I'm ready.
Matt.
I've got to interrupt,
I'm afraid.
It's all right.
Did you mind me taking this?
No, not a bit.
Have you just got back?
I've been finishing
some notes.
No, don't put it off.
It's rather fine.
I've spent most of today...
wondering how
to explain things to you.
You've had some pretty
rough things flung at you...
and now you'd better
have the truth.
It's up to me
to give it to you.
- Shall we sit down?
- Yes.
I don't know how much
you heard today...
but I presume enough to know
that I'm your real father...
and Jenny's your mother.
Were you and Jenny
married once?
No, Matt,
we were never married.
We fell in love while
I was in New York studying.
I did ask her to marry me,
to come home to England.
But I hadn't reckoned
with one thing...
that was her career, which meant
more to her than anything else.
I couldn't make her
change her mind...
and I had to come back here
to work, so I came alone.
That's pretty clear,
isn't it?
Yes.
Then I met Janet again.
We'd known each other
since we were almost your age.
It was always
rather expected...
that we'd get married,
so we did.
Then I heard that
you were about to be born.
Jenny did her best
to look after you...
but touring the world
with a small child...
isn't always convenient.
So Janet and I
talked things over...
and it was decided that you come
and live with us as our son...
our adopted son because
that was kinder to Janet.
I don't understand why you
didn't tell me when Janet died.
I didn't expect you
to understand entirely.
That'll take time,
perhaps a long time.
But the important thing
now is your future.
Will you help me?
All right.
Well, you've promised
to telephone Jenny, haven't you?
I expect you've been
thinking about that.
- Yes.
- And what you'll say to her.
What do you think
I should say to her?
That's a decision
you have to make yourself, Matt.
But I can tell you
what she'll say to you.
She'll ask you
to meet her in Paris...
and when you get there,
it'll be another place...
- How do you know?
- Because she wants you.
But she just said
for a few days.
It doesn't stop there, Matt.
Just because you're angry
with Jenny, why should I be?
Look, I'm not angry with Jenny.
I'm not angry with her.
I know her, and I know
what I'm talking about.
She wants you...
not for a weekend, but you.
She wants you to leave
your friends, your home...
and your school,
start a new way of life.
Matt, I know what fun
she's been to be with...
and how kind she is and good
and wise, too, sometimes.
And it would be exciting.
You'd see places
you'd never seen before...
you'd fly,
you'd catch boats...
and you'd laugh a lot.
I know her, Matt.
I loved her.
I still do love her.
But mark this. Jenny gives
more love than anyone...
but she takes more love
than anyone can possibly give.
Can you understand that?
But what if I do go with her?
Well, if it was something
you really wanted to do...
and it was going to make
you happy, I'd get used to it.
So you don't really care.
Matt, of course I care.
If it was up to me...
I'd say go and telephone Jenny
and say good-bye!
Tell her you've got
a good life here...
and you're not going
to muck it up.
Matt, you're my son.
I love you.
I love you.
And I want you to
go on being my son.
Hello?
Matt. Hello.
How are you?
Are you all right?
Wake me? No.
I've just been sitting here
waiting for your call.
Where are you?
Good.
Matt, would you come over
right away, please?
I've got so much to explain.
Everything was so hideous
yesterday, especially for you.
Please come over
right away, darling.
Well, what about
this afternoon?
My day is free.
Why?
What's happening?
Well, why don't you
bring your friends along...
and you and I can
have a private talk...
for a little while...
and then we can all join forces
and have a lovely day?
Yes, it sounds
a bit complicated.
What about tomorrow, Matt?
My, you are a busy fellow.
Matt, you know that trip
to Paris we were planning...
the one we talked about?
Good. I've been thinking
about it, too...
and I just don't see
how I'm going to be able...
to work things out.
Yes, that's right.
I'll be busy
from morning till night...
and well, we couldn't
be together at all.
You might wind up very lonely.
I'm glad you understand.
Well, of course you're going
to be seeing me.
I'll be back in London
in no time...
and we'll have lots of laughs
and lots of fun.
OK?
All right.
Well, now, you take care
of yourself, you hear?
And thank you for being
such a fine young man.
Bye-bye.
Matt...
God bless.
Ida!
Get me my black dress.
I'm going out!
Wait for me, will you?
I hope you don't mind us
getting onto you, Mr. Donne...
but she was asking for you
and wouldn't see anyone else.
Where is she?
Of course you realize
we are trying...
to keep this matter
completely confidential.
Yes, of course I do.
Unfortunately,
we're full up at the moment...
so we had
to put her in there.
Thank you very much.
- Lf there's anything you need...
- I'll let you know immediately.
Right.
Don't ever go
to an exhibition...
of abstract art
for the minions.
No, I won't.
Thank you, nurse.
And if you do go,
don't drink the martinis.
No.
Because they're half gasoline.
And you've had enough.
I've had enough
to float Fire Island.
Does it show?
Someone told me.
That's pretty sneaky.
There's a young lord
I must warn you about.
A young Lord George...
Hell, whatever his name was.
He asked me if he could take
me home, and I said thank you...
and we got into a cab.
The next thing I knew
it was all fall down...
and I wound up with this.
He knew where he lived,
all right...
but I was out, I was out cold.
I was out.
Nobody asked me where I lived.
How did you get here?
Cab driver named Gerald.
Gerald brought me here,
and they fixed my foot...
and they gave me coffee.
And somebody asked
for an autograph...
for their cousin Marilyn.
I feel awful, David.
Have some of this.
Come on.
No more coffee. No,
I couldn't take any more coffee.
You'd have to feed me
through the vein. I'm full.
I'm full to the brim
with the whole goddamn world!
Yes. Well, now look. Come on.
Be good. Drink this. Come on.
Have you come to take me home?
No, I've come to take you
to the theater.
No, you haven't.
I'm not going back there.
I'm not going back there
ever, ever again.
Listen, they are waiting.
I don't care
if they're fasting.
You just give 'em
their money back...
and tell them
to come back next fall.
- Jenny, it's a sell-out.
- I'm always a sell-out.
You promised. They're waiting.
- There's George and Ida...
- George and Ida...
- and 200,000...
- nd 200,000. I know that.
Just let them wait.
To hell with them.
I can't be spread so thin.
I'm just one person.
I don't want to be rolled out
like a pastry...
so everybody can get
a nice big bite of me.
I'm just me.
I belong to myself.
I can do whatever I damn well
please with myself...
and nobody can ask
any questions.
You know that is not true,
don't you?
Well, I'm not gonna
do it anymore, and that's final.
It's just not worth all
the deaths that I have to die...
It's just not worth all
the deaths that I have to die...
You have a show to do tonight.
You are going to do it...
and I am going to see
that you do.
Do you think
that you can make me sing?
Do you think you can...
do you think George
can make me sing or Ida?
You can get me there, sure,
but can you make me sing?
I sing for myself.
I sing when I want to,
whenever I want to...
just for me.
I sing for my own pleasure.
Whenever I want.
Do you understand that?
I do understand that.
Just hang onto that, will you?
Hang onto it.
I've hung on
to every bit of rubbish...
there is to hang onto in life.
And I've thrown all
the good bits away.
Now, can you tell me
why I do that?
No, I can't tell you
why you do that...
but I can tell you this,
you are going to be late.
I don't care!
Darling...
I don't give a damn
who you let down...
but you're not gonna
let you down.
You haven't called me that...
for years.
I haven't been able
to call you that for years.
Now, come here, look.
Just look at me, please.
Are you listening to me?
There's something
I haven't been able...
to say to you in years, too.
David, don't.
Don't say it.
Because if you said it now...
and if you didn't mean it,
I think I'd die.
I think I'd die.
I'll mean it.
I love you.
Oh, David!
David.
Darling.
Help me. Help me.
Help you?
Help us. Help us.
David.
He didn't want to go with me.
He didn't want to.
He made all kinds of excuses.
He didn't want to stay with me.
Darling, I know. I know.
Help me, please.
I want to help you...
but I don't know how.
Now, look. Come with me now.
Come now, Jenny, please.
David, you wouldn't
cheat me, would you?
Darling,
I wouldn't cheat you.
You wouldn't say you love me
if you didn't.
I wouldn't say I love you
if I didn't.
No, I wouldn't, darling.
Please tell me again.
Please, once more.
I'll tell you as often
as you want me to.
I've always loved you.
That's where it ends,
isn't it?
That's where it ends.
We were the right people
that met at the wrong moment...
with all the right ideals.
We were just too strong...
ever to give up everything
for each other.
We just didn't fit.
We fitted. The rest didn't.
That doesn't make much sense.
The loving does.
Yes.
The loving does.
The loving always does.
Are you all right now?
I'm all right.
I think you're gonna
have to help me...
with my foot, though.
Can you manage?
Oops. You know...
there's an old saying.
When you go onstage...
apparently, you don't feel
any pain at all.
When the light hits you,
you don't feel anything.
It's a stinking lie.
Will you stay with me?
Yes, I'll stay.
How long?
Until you can stand
on your feet again.
David, I don't think...
Where is Jenny?
Hey, come on, let's go!
Oh, no, I've had it.
It's an hour past curtain.
You'll be 45 minutes
getting dressed.
Do you think
they're gonna wait for you?
There are 2,500 people
out there...
who paid money
to see Jenny Bowman...
but you're gonna
let them down.
That may not mean
anything to you anymore...
but I still have a certain
reverence for audiences.
They mean a great deal to me.
And if they still do
mean something to you...
I'm gonna find it very difficult
to forgive you.
And if they don't mean
anything to you anymore...
then I am genuinely
and profoundly...
sorry for you, Jenny.
There she is!
It's about time, too.
Where have you been, Jenny?
What?
Where have you been?
I've been having
a hell of a time.
Thank you very much.
What happened
to the ankle?
I've been skiing
or she-ing or both.
Do you like my furs?
Yeah!
Where'd you get 'em?
I just shot 'em.
I'd like to sing for you...
if we can get
these things pulled.
Can you pull them up?
Pull them up.
I think everyone's
gone to sleep back there.
Thank you.
"I Could Go On Singing."
When a dove is in love
With a doll of a dove
He is out all night
coo-cooing
When an owl's
on the prowl
For a feminine fowl
He goes out all night
woo-wooing
Every bird and bee
Has his lunacy
In the way
he works his dream off
But when I feel high
Here's the way that I
Like to get
my kind of steam off
Owls hoo hoo
Others sigh
Doves coo coo
Ah, but I
I could go on singing
Till the cows come home
And the rooster starts
to crow, crow, crow
When I see your eyes
I go all out
I must vocalize
Till you shout
Enough already
I could go on singing
Till the moon turns pink
Anything from "Faust" to
Ink-a-dink-a-dink
Love does funny things
When it hits you this way
I must keep on singing
Like a lark
Going strong
With my heart
on the wings of a song
Singing day
I
Could go on singing
Till the cows
Come
Home
And the rooster
starts to crow
Crow
Crow
When I see your eyes
I go all out
I must vocalize
Till you shout
Enough already
I
Could go on
I could go on singing
Till the moon
Turns pink
Anything from "Faust" to
Ink-a-dink-a-dink
Love does funny things
When it hits you this way
I must keep on singing
Like a lark
Going strong
With my heart
On the wings of a song
Singing
Day