This Time for Keeps (1947) Movie Script
[SINGING ""AGNUS DEI""]
Frances, don`t slouch.
-I wish you used your father`s name.
-Why?.
Because then when we`re married,
l`d be known as Mrs. Richard Herald ll.
So being Mrs. Dick Johnson
isn`t gonna be important enough for you?.
Don`t be silly, Frances.
Everyone will know that Richard Herald
is your father-in-law.
Ladies and gentlemen...
...for 25 years now...
...you have been showing great kindness
to me and my work.
So with you I would like to share
the happiness of my heart...
...in welcoming home a young soldier
just returned from serving his country.
Soon I hope you shall hear him
as a new member of our opera company.
And with your kind permission...
...I should like to introduce to you
my son, Dick.
[AUDlENCE APPLAUDlNG]
Dick, what`s the matter with you?.
Why don`t you stand up?.
Dick, wait for your father
and bring him to the party.
Frances, you come with me.
But Mother, l`d rather go with Dick.
Don`t be difficult, Frances.
I want you to come with me.
All right, Mother.
Make your father hurry.
Thanks, Dad.
That was the happiest moment
of my life.
A bottle of beer, Dick?.
No, l`m still not used to having it cold.
I`ll get it, Dad.
You didn`t go with Frances
and her mother?.
No, I waited to bring you
to the party, Dad.
Mrs. Allenbury suggested it.
Quite a suggester, that lady.
I`m glad you waited.
I want to talk to you.
Why are you laughing on your face?.
It`s just that that tone of voice of yours
will always make me feel like a rookie.
-A rookie?.
-A beginner.
Oh, no, in the opera,
you will no longer be a rookie.
I`ll see to that myself.
Dad, l`m not sure I wanna get back
into the opera company.
What do you want?.
Right now, l`d like to spend years
just being out of the Army.
Oh, that.
So you`ll rest yourself for a little while.
Let your voice rest itself.
But your French and your ltalian,
they can`t rest themselves.
But, Dad, I haven`t got a voice like yours.
Who has, except me?.
Your bath is drawn, sir.
Tonight I want a shower.
Yes, sir.
Don`t belittle your voice, Dick.
I guarantee that your audition
is a big success.
Can you hear me, Dick?.
Yes, Dad.
RlCHARD:. You need a job and a wife
and my grandchildren.
You should have married Frances
before the war.
But no, no, you wanted to wait.
-Now I know why I went to war.
-What are you talking about?.
Girl in the pool`s got everything.
-Yeah?.
-Beautiful eyes, shining hair...
...wonderful skin,
a smile that tickles your ribs...
...and a figure,
oh, boy, for a tape measure.
Oh, she can`t be that gorgeous.
-She is. Right out of Esquire.
-She`s probably somebody`s grandmother.
FERDl [SlNGlNG] :
There`s lots of pretty faces in this nation
And lots of very pretty figures too
But there`s a girl
Who `s got the combination
Words fail me
But I`ll picture her for you
She`s got a little bit this
And a little bit that
And a little bit more that`ll knock you flat
Everybody loves that gal
She`s got a little bit, hm
A little bit there
[LAUGHlNG]
Oh, dear me.
When I`m out with her
I count 1-2-3-4-5-6-7
Don `t you think that she follows up
With 7-8-9- 1 0- 1 1
A college graduate.
She`s got a little bit this
And a little bit that
[LAUGHlNG]
Everybody loves that gal
She`s got a little bit this
And a little--
-Hello there.
-Hello.
Tell me whether they`re kidding me
about her.
They say she`s beautiful.
Beautiful! A gross understatement.
Can you picture the Painted Desert
by moonlight?.
Or the fragrance of lilacs
in a New England garden?.
Or a Viennese Waltz played
by Kreisler in D-minor?.
Well, put them all together
and what have you got?.
Nora.
That`s her name.
Why, she`s got pulchritude
A ttitude
She`s got longitude
Latitude
And she`s got fortitude
Mortitude
And not only that, she`s pretty too.
[MEN LAUGHlNG]
Thanks for the description.
Say, are you the boyfriend?.
Them are kind words, soldier.
But I don`t ring her doorbell.
I just answer it.
When are the visiting hours?.
[MEN LAUGHlNG]
My boy, l`m that institution often found
on the front pages of newspapers...
...just a friend of the family.
DlCK [SlNGlNG] :
So easy to idolize
All others above
So worth the yearning for
So swell to keep every home fire
Burning for
We`d be so grand at the game
So carefree together
That it does seem a shame
That you can `t see
Your future with me
Because you`d be
Oh, so easy to love
So can `t you see
Your future, dear, with me
Because you`d be easy
To love
Thank you for the song. It was lovely.
Here I am.
Do you mind?.
No. No, of course not.
You are beautiful.
Thank you.
Oh, no. No, you mustn`t. Your eyes.
Them bandages
is so much spinach, miss.
-What?.
-The doc`s late making his rounds...
...or they`d already be off.
Why, you-- You--
The nerve of that guy.
He must think her kisses
are public domain.
You--
[MEN LAUGHlNG AND WHlSTLlNG]
Dad, I can`t remember.
Was Mrs. Allenbury always so bossy?.
-Who says she is?.
-I do.
Well, maybe she is.
But Frances, she isn`t bossy.
And Frances,
she isn`t a fly-by-night either.
Don`t forget you were three years away.
Lots of girls forgot themselves engaged
sooner than that.
But Frances hasn`t changed a bit.
No, she hasn`t changed a bit.
RlCHARD: She will never be a bossy
like her mother.
I like her and you like her too.
You`ll do as I say.
Thank you, son. I`ll take them now.
NORA:
Come in.
Oh, Gordon.
My goodness. They`re beautiful.
You`ll have to get me
a bigger dressing room.
-But you already have the biggest one.
-I know.
The flowers are lovely, though.
Thank you.
Want me to smell them for you?.
I`ve gotta get back.
The house is filling up.
Thank you
for bringing the flowers yourself.
-That`s all right.
-He needed the exercise.
-Tidy little bunch of posies.
-Oh, now, Ferdi.
Gordon is so nice.
So afraid l`ll marry him someday.
Marry him?. Marry that?.
I can`t picture you scraping toast for him
the rest of your life.
Why, that guy is nothing but 1 80 pounds
of stalwart stupidity.
Now, Ferdi, Gordon is not stupid.
He`s just a little literal.
And that too.
If he ever tells me a funny story and
makes me laugh, l`ll fall right in his arms.
Don`t worry, he won`t. So you`re safe.
Happy landings, Nora.
Thank you, Ferdi.
If l`d known you were gonna do that,
l`d have stood up on my toes.
Why don`t you try it next time?.
I will.
I`ll see if I can extend my longitude.
And now, l`ll go and put a tiara on my hair
with diamonds.
But Miss Cambaretti and I are old friends.
-You don`t say.
-Why, yes, our families are old friends.
When Nora and I were babies, our families
patronized the same didy laundry.
Of course,
we were a little more mature...
...before we really got interested
in each other...
...but now, Leonora Cambaretti would never
forgive you if you kept us apart.
-Really?.
-Oh, hello.
Isn`t that so, Nora?.
[TSKlNG]
Never mind, Riley.
Come along.
Thank you.
How long have you
been out of the Army?.
Oh, not very long.
-I thought so.
-Why?.
Well, you still have a touch
of that yoo-hoo technique.
-ls this your dressing room?.
-Yes.
FERDl:
Come in.
-Ferdi, this is mister....
-Dick Johnson.
-Wouldn`t mean anything to you.
-You said it.
Although I have met you before, sort of,
but you wouldn`t remember.
My memory`s pretty good. Try me.
Oh, now I remember.
Do you mind?.
Why, no, of course not.
-You are beautiful.
-Ow!
-You broke my nose.
-l`ll do more than that.
You don`t get out,
l`ll take that nose and misplace it.
Mr. Farro, Mr. Johnson.
-How do you do?.
-Howdy.
Ferdi, you`ll remember Mr. Johnson.
He sang for us
at that convalescent hospital.
-You`re the friend of the family, remember?.
-l`ve been promoted.
I`m now the family watchdog.
Sounds like it might be fun.
Not only does he growl, but he bites.
So unless you have a reason
for wanting to see me--
-Well--
-A good reason.
Well, l`m just out of the Army
and it`s kind of hard getting settled again.
Some of my old friends are gone.
And some of my friends are so changed,
they`re not even like friends anymore.
And others haven`t changed at all.
So there`s no job anyplace, is that it?.
Well--
[KNOCKlNG]
FERDl:
Come in.
Oh, there you are, Nora.
You were wonderful.
NORA:
Thank you, Gordon.
[WHlSPERS]
Her brother, I hope.
NORA:
I want you to meet Dick Johnson.
-Mr. Coome, Mr. Johnson.
-[lN NORMAL VOlCE] How do you do?.
-Glad to know you.
-Mr. Johnson is just out of the Army.
He`s looking for a job.
-Don`t put yourself--
-Couldn`t you place him in the show?.
-What can you do?.
-Not much of anything, really--
He sings, and beautifully. I heard you.
-You had water in your ears.
-I could hear it. I liked what I heard.
-Ask Ferdi.
-I didn`t hear him. I was playing the piano.
I`ll see what can be done.
I`ll think about it.
-ln about a half-hour, Nora?.
-Yes, l`ll be ready.
No wonder you haven`t landed a job.
-You acted as if you didn`t even want one.
-Well, I didn`t come down--
Why are you so backward
about pushing yourself?.
Maybe l`m the modest type.
You know, l`ve half a notion
to take you in hand.
DlCK: You know,
I think that`d be pretty wonderful.
[SlNGlNG]
When I hear music
I dream of romance
That`s why I love to dance
I must seek romance on crowded floors
For that`s when my cheek
Is close to yours
When we`re alone
I don `t stand half a chance
That`s why I love to dance
Tell me, why can `t this music
Go on forever?
Must we stop
Just because all the others do?
I need the music with all its charms
To get you into my lonely arms
When we`re alone
You`re as distant as France
That`s why I love to dance
That`s why I love
To dance
[WHlSPERS]
Gordon always takes the check.
Whispering, that`s not etiquette.
[lN NORMAL VOlCE] Well, isn`t it nice
that we`re all here together?.
Now we can talk about that job.
Oh, yes, the job.
-Well, mister, uh--
DlCK: Johnson.
Mr. Johnson, l`ve been wondering if--
-Do you think you can sing underwater?.
-Underwater?.
I guess Ferdi means,
could you swim and then sing?.
-Well, I sing when I take a shower.
-Now, this would be entirely different.
Why don`t you and Nora dance?.
That`s an alluring two-step.
A rumba, Ferdi, but alluring.
You order for us, Gordon, and we`ll talk
about the job when we get back.
Hey, what`s the idea, Ferdi?.
Gordon, you bewilder me daily,
Sundays and holidays included.
Huh?.
You`re gonna give that slick-looking guy
a job in the same show with Nora?.
-But Nora asked me to.
-So what?.
Do you have to do everything
Nora asks you to do?.
I guess I do.
Didn`t your father ever tell you
about life and women?.
-What do you mean?.
-Gordon...
...I`m afraid the world ain`t ready
for you yet.
Wait a minute.
Cugi. Cugi.
-Hello, Ferdi.
-I got the man of the year for you. Listen.
-All right to talk in front of her?.
-Sure.
I just discovered a baritone,
and he sings too.
-Are you sure she`s all right?.
-Sure. She works here.
Cugat, when this guy sings,
he gives a canary an inferiority complex.
He`s an ex-soldier, he`s a hero,
he`s handsome, he`s alluring...
...and women swoon at 1 0 paces.
You gotta give him a job.
-All of that and at liberty?.
-He just got out of the Army.
I`ve kept him undercover.
-Are you sure she`s all right?.
-Sure.
She looks like the type
that blabbers over back fences.
Anyway, take a look.
That`s him, dancing with Nora.
He`s good-looking,
but I already have a singer.
A mere woman.
Cugi, how about teaming them up?.
Just visualize the both of them
singing together in unison.
Why, they`d sound like a pair
of twittering lovebirds in season.
No, I need a Latin type.
Why, Cugat,
put a sombrero on his heed...
...a blanket over his shoulder,
a colored sash around his middle...
...and you`d swear he was born
south of Guatemala.
[PEOPLE APPLAUDlNG]
My boy, you`re in luck. Something
totally unexpected has transpired.
-Come with me.
-Where to?.
Don`t ask no questions, but you might have
to change your name from Dick to Jose.
-What`s going on, Gordon?.
-I don`t know.
-You promoted to bouncer too?.
-Gonna bounce you into the limelight.
Stop pushing me. Have you gone crazy?.
Don`t concern yourself
with petty problems.
Come on, l`m right behind you.
I have no idea, Nora.
You know I wouldn`t do anything
to upset you.
I know, Gordon,
but Ferdi is something else again.
[BAND PLAYlNG]
CUGAT:
Ladies and gentlemen...
...you are about to hear a song
by Mr. Richard Johnson...
...ex-soldier, ex-hero, exciting.
He will sing for you
""Why Don`t They Let Me Sing a Love Song.""
[SlNGlNG] To look at me
You`d think that everything was serene
But I`m as disillusioned as can be
He has a fine voice. He should go places.
I hope so.
-l`ll help him pack.
-I guess there`s no toujours l`amour
In me
Why don `t they let me sing a love song?
Why can `t I get myself a girl?
I`ve read Romeo and Juliet
From cover to cover
But still I`m far from a perfect lover
How long must I go on pretending?
My brain is always in a whirl
Laugh, clown, laugh
I know I fit the part
But even a clown
Can `t hide a broken heart
Why don `t they let me sing a love song?
Why can `t I get myself
A girl?
[CLOCK CHlMlNG]
[HUMMlNG]
[SlNGlNG ""GOD DAG,
I LYSERRQNNE TRAER""]
[DlCK SlNGlNG ""GOD DAG,
I LYSERRQNNE TRAER""]
[RlCHARD & DlCK SlNGlNG
""GOD DAG, I LYSERRQNNE TRAER""]
Hello, Dad.
It`s 2:00.
Yeah, I know. Couldn`t you sleep?.
These American Legions meetings,
do they always go on till that late?.
I`m a big boy now, Papa.
We waited and waited for you
for a long time.
Oh, I forgot I promised
l`d be there, Dad. Honestly I did.
Frances was very disappointed.
Yeah, I suppose so.
Dad...
...would you be very disappointed
if I didn`t go through with...?.
-Well, I mean, if l--
-What is it, Dick?.
Do you mind if I look around
for another job?.
Oh, that again.
I would be very disappointed.
No, singing at the opera,
married to Frances, that`s what I want.
Well, we`re both tired.
Maybe we`d better go to bed.
You know, l`ve just about decided
never to have any children.
You say so.
It takes two to decide that. Why?.
Oh, children are such nitty disappointments
to their parents.
Not if they have sense enough
to do as they are told.
-Good night.
DlCK: Good night.
RlCHARD:
Good night, Peter.
And don`t forget
to remember tomorrow...
...wake up in good voice,
ready for your audition.
DlCK:
If you say so, Dad.
RlCHARD:
I just did say so.
[SlNGlNG ""M`APPARl""]
Maestro, I would like you to--
So finally, you woke yourself up.
It was a struggle, but I made it.
I shook you.
I poured ice-cube water on you.
-You did all that?.
-No. I only wanted to.
Come. Come over here.
Almost immediately,
I will return with Norman.
Norman who?.
Norman Randall,
the director of the opera.
You will sing for him
and he will like your voice. Maybe.
Oh, but look, Dad, I don`t--
Sing. Try your voice.
I`ll be back in a minute.
MAN:
Do you wanna warm up, Mr. Johnson?.
Well, all right. Thank you.
MAN:
All right.
[ORCHESTRA PLAYlNG]
[SlNGlNG ""M`APPARl""]
[SlNGlNG] Marta
Ever-loving Marta
Mop, mop
You took away my heart-a
And then you took a part of me with you
I love you, Marta
I`d like to have a cart-a
Kisses
Because this is the missus
Whose kisses send me
Hey, Marta, baby
Won `t you listen?
Pet, leave the Met
Don `t regret
Forget about that opera jive
All these years, you`ve behaved
But you still can be saved
Hey, Marta, slip me five
Now, Marta, baby, welcome to the fold
You were cold, you were old
But now you got a beat that`s alive
Hey, Marta
Hey, Marta
Listen to the trumpets shout
The clarinets are giving out
Marta, sounds like you hail
From New Orleans
Marta, sakes alive
Hey, Marta, slip me five
Stop it. Stop it.
You know that kind of singing
gets on my goat.
Oh, l`m sorry, Dad.
Oh, Norman, this is my bad boy, Dick.
-Mr. Randall, Dick.
-Glad to know you.
How are you, Dick?.
We`re feeling a little gay, eh?.
Oh, I get taken that way sometimes.
-I was trying to tell my dad--
-I tell you. No more audition today.
Run off. Go and rest yourself
for a few months.
-And be back in time for dinner.
-Thanks, Dad.
-Goodbye, Mr. Randall.
-Goodbye, Dick.
Goodbye, Dad.
""Slip me five.""
He`s all mixed up.
He`s way up there or down in the dump.
Oh, give him a little time.
Yes, l`ll give him a little time.
And then l`ll give him something else.
I`ll give him a little of the old country.
Places, everybody. Places.
Hello, Duncan.
Hello. When do I go on?.
Someday soon.
Where`s your mother?.
I lost her again.
Old man,
you`re a victim of mass production.
Places.
-Come on, Duncan.
-Where were you hiding, underwater?.
Nora isn`t here yet.
Nora`s skipping the rehearsal.
Use the understudy.
-She`s not sick?.
-No, she`s fine.
What did you say yes to this time?.
Look, Ferdi, I know you think
l`m a doormat for Nora. Maybe I am.
Maybe I think
that`s the smartest thing to be.
A useful article, a doormat.
Yeah, well, just as many women
have married doormats as roller-skaters.
-Huh?.
-Nora went roller-skating.
Not with that bawling baritone?.
Now he wants to show her
he`s the athletic type.
Rehearsal dismissed.
Now I gotta go to the rescue on skates.
Duncan, don`t you dare go in there.
Don`t you dare go--
DUNCAN:
Come on. Catch me.
Please, don`t. Please don`t.
Ha, ha, ha.
FERDl:
When I get--!
[SlNGlNG] Every time they start off
With a water ballet
There`s the customary swimming pool
To swim in
But we don `t wanna do it
In the customary way
So we start off
Just with bathing suits and women
It`s mutiny, that`s what I calls it.
In swimming suits, you`re due.
A t least, I hope our lovely star
Won `t double-cross me too
What`s the idea?.
You`re going swimming, ain`t you?.
-That`s right.
-Well, where`s your bathing cap?.
Where`d she go?.
Hope Gene Kelly saved his money.
You bruised me. Be careful.
Look at the time
I wasted being a stamp collector.
FERDl [SlNGlNG] :
Just because you got furs on your backs
You let your ambition relax
-[SlNGlNG] But fur means money
-And money means income
And where there is income
There`s tax
And speaking of taxes
Be wise
Just do what the experts advise
Take 1 0 percent off for your agent
Take 1 0 percent off for the press
Then take another 1 0
For your publicity men
What`s another 1 0 more or less?
Then take off a few incidentals
It`s the little things that really count
Anyone with half a brain
Can show a capital gain
If you take off the proper
Listen to your papa
Take off the proper amount
So they took off a few incidentals
And they made each incidental count
It`s a certainty, my friend
That you`ll have more in the end
If you take off the proper
Listen to your papa
Take off the proper amount
Well?.
I just wanted to see how you looked
without Ferdi in the background.
-He is very devoted to my interests.
-And to you.
Of course.
Ferdi`s like one of the family.
He has been ever since
he used to troupe with my father.
Why, I can hardly remember
when Ferdi wasn`t around taking care of us.
Tell me about yourself, Nora.
About your family,
what you like, what you don`t like...
...or anything else I might find useful.
Well, my family.
Cambaretti sounds ltalian, but it isn`t.
It`s French.
And I would have been the fifth generation
of the family in the circus.
Except I took up swimming instead.
Did they understand
or did they want you to stay in the circus?.
Oh, no. No, it was all right...
...after I became a headliner.
The Cambarettis
have always been headliners.
Anyway, there`s a sixth generation now,
so perhaps--
You`re not married?.
Oh, no, no. Of course not.
It`s my niece, Deborah Cambaretti.
[LAUGHlNG]
FERDl [SlNGlNG] :
Let them say it with flowers
Let them say it with sweets
Let them say it with skating
Let them say it with eats
Let them say it with jewelry
Let them say it with mink
But you better be careful
Don `t let them say it with:
Ink a-dink-a-dee, a-dink-a-doo,
A-dink-a-dee
Maybe we` d better just give in
and adopt him.
I adopted him a long time ago
when I was just a little girl.
I guess I can learn to tell you your eyes
are beautiful while Ferdi`s glaring at me.
Your eyes are beautiful.
And I could go on from there, if--
If what?.
If we could sneak off
to a little place I know.
They serve hotcakes and little pig sausages
and they`re completely minus a piano.
Ink a-dink-a-dee, a-dink-a-doo,
A-dink-a-dee
Simply means:
Ink a-dink-a-dee, a-dink-a-doo
-Good night, Dick.
-Good night, Nora.
Thanks for a wonderful evening.
See you tomorrow.
[KNOCKlNG]
Hello, Ferdi.
Hello, Nora.
Come on in.
Ferdi, l`m sorry about tonight.
Sorry you ditched me?.
We didn`t ditch you. It--
Well, it`s just that Dick wanted
to go on to this other place and--
Nora, what do you know about this guy,
anyway?.
He`s just somebody
who walked in off the streets.
I`m a big girl now, Ferdi.
You`re not angry, are you?.
Does it matter much?.
Ferdi...
...once when I was a little girl,
you were angry with me...
...or at least I thought you were.
I couldn`t go to sleep for hours
that night.
I couldn`t go to sleep tonight unless l--
Well, unless I knew for sure
that everything was all right between us.
Nora, there will never be a time when
everything won`t be all right between us.
Thank you, Ferdi.
Well, off to sleep, big girl.
It`s getting kind of late.
Yes, I suppose it is.
Good night, Ferdi.
Good night, Nora.
Now, don`t you oversleep in the morning.
You and I are enemies.
[PlANO PLAYlNG]
Getting him that job with Cugle
didn`t help the situation.
He might as well be working here.
-What`s he doing here?.
-Watching.
Yeah, watching Nora.
He should be home exercising his throat.
Instead, he`s around here
exercising his eyes.
You`re the boss. Why don`t you tell him
no visitors allowed during rehearsals?.
Nora might get angry
and a wise doormat wouldn`t risk that.
She`d get over it.
Well, if you`re so sure,
why don`t you tell him?.
All right, I will.
And diplomacy won`t be the keynote.
Who does he think he is?.
Hanging around and hanging around.
I`ll tell him.
-Good morning, Dick.
-Oh, good morning.
What do you think of the change
in the act?.
Fine, I guess. Of course,
anything Nora does is beautiful.
Hey, Ferdi.
We need a little rhythm. Come on.
[MUMBLlNG]
I don`t know what`s the matter.
I should have told him off
right then and there....
[PlANO PLAYlNG]
-Dick, l`m worried.
-What about?.
Well, I think l`m falling in love with you.
I can see why that might worry a girl.
I`m worried because, in my family,
we always do everything together.
Even falling in love?.
Isn`t that hard to arrange
or have you tried it?.
Well, only once before
and that was a big mistake.
Oh, in the end it was all right.
We all fell out of love together too.
[PlANO PLAYlNG MORE LOUDLY]
You`ll like my family, Dick.
Hope they`re not snowed in.
Sometimes the lake freezes over too.
-Where do they live?.
-Mackinac lsland.
You know,
we could make it in a few days.
-What about the show?.
-Oh, I have an understudy.
I have an in with the producer too...
-...or hadn`t you noticed?.
-I had noticed.
Does Ferdi bang music at him too?.
Oh, l`ll fix it with both of them.
-Permission granted.
-Let me get this straight.
Before we can fall in love,
I have to pass inspection by your family?.
No, no, of course not.
Not the whole family.
Just Grandma.
Well, don`t look so worried.
She`s a dear. You`ll see.
-Richard.
-Oh, Harriet.
Sit yourself down.
What`s the matter, Richard?.
I`m worried about my boy.
We haven`t seen much of Dick lately.
I know. He is mixed up.
It`s the late war.
Harriet,
I ask you to do something for Dick.
Of course, Richard.
Right away today,
you announce his engagement to Frances.
What does Dick think about it?.
Harriet, it`s like this.
For five years now,
who has been thinking for Dick?.
Top sergeants.
Now, we who love him, we think for him.
We want him to be married and happy.
No more war nerves.
So I ring up the Gazette for you.
It`s very unorthodox.
But I suppose
we can have a reception later.
I will finger the number.
Well, there`s the home base
of the Cambarettis.
Isn`t it beautiful?.
Well, come on.
NORA: Hello, Teddy.
-Nice to see you again, Miss Leonora.
Nice to see you.
There are only a few hundred people
here in the wintertime.
Most everything`s all boarded up.
My great-grandfather
bought property here.
In the summertime, I suppose.
Then my grandfather built the house.
Tell me about Grandma.
Well, she was
a very famous equestrienne.
You know,
they`re the aristocrats of the circus.
She turns her nose up at my swimming.
Now, how could just riding a horse
compare with your swimming?.
Just riding a horse?.
Why, Grandma did a double somersault
off one horse to a horse in back...
...and a single somersault
off a running horse...
...to a horse running
in the opposite direction. Ha-ha.
Just riding a horse.
Have I told you there are only two of us
at home now, Grandma and Deborah?.
Oh, really?. Somehow I expected to face
a whole pyramid of Cambarettis.
WOMAN:
Deborah.
It`s Nora and the young man in question.
-l`ll open the door.
-All right. And mind your manners.
Yes, Grandma.
Deborah, there you are.
-Didn`t you expect me?.
-Oh, yes, darling, of course.
Your nose is cold.
-This is Deborah.
-How are you, sixth generation?.
DEBORAH:
How do you do, sir?.
Nora, stop dawdling out there.
Come in.
And close the door.
Hello, Grandma.
-How are you, darling?.
-Nora, darling.
Oh, Grandma,
I want you to meet Dick Johnson.
Dick, this is my grandmother.
Oh, how do you do?.
Nora`s been telling me all about you.
You`re better looking than the other
young men Nora`s brought up here.
Grandma, there was only one other one.
Nonsense, you`re young. You forget.
-Deborah.
-Yes, Grandma.
Show Mr. Johnson where his room is.
Thank you.
DEBORAH:
lt`s upstairs.
NORA:
Hurry down, Dick.
-We`ll be here in the living room.
-Right.
It`s all right, isn`t it, Grandma?.
I mean, you can tell that he`s all right,
can`t you?.
Before I make a decision
about a man`s character...
...I like to see him without his overcoat.
Well, nobody`s gonna rush you,
Grandma.
You take all the time you like to decide.
Why, you know,
I haven`t even kissed him yet.
Nora...
...stop lying to me.
Well, I haven`t given myself up to it.
How does Ferdi feel?.
Oh, he likes Dick.
I mean, how`s Ferdi`s health?.
He`s fine.
He goes around with Dick a lot.
I think he likes him.
Sometime before you leave,
l`ll have a little talk with this young man...
...ask him a few questions.
Grandma, don`t ask him about money.
I`m sure he hasn`t any.
Are you going to support him?.
No, no. He has a job coming up.
A very good job.
Singing with Cugat`s band.
What`s his family background?.
Well, I don`t know.
He doesn`t seem to like to talk
about his family.
In fact,
I rather think he`s all alone in the world.
So l`m not to inquire into his finances
or his family.
What shall I ask him?.
Ask him how is his health.
He made a good impression on me, Nora.
Thank you, darling.
I`m here.
Oh, good.
Great Grandma dropped off to sleep
and Nora`s waiting for her to wake up.
When you`re old, you nod off easily,
but you don`t sleep long.
Oh.
You`re nervous, aren`t you?.
-A little bit.
-l`m on your side.
Thank you, Deborah.
DEBORAH:
Here comes Great-Grandma now.
All right, all right.
I can still totter around.
Yes, Grandma.
Now, young man, Nora`s asked me
for an opinion about you.
Yes, I know.
DEBORAH: Shall I stay, Grandma?.
-Certainly.
It`s a family matter.
-I like your looks.
-Thank you.
But I learned many years ago,
to my sorrow, that looks are deceiving.
Oh, yes, I guess so.
Good heavens, children, relax.
I`m only going to ask some questions.
Only three questions, in fact.
Now, Mr. Johnson--
-Would you call me Dick?.
-l`m sorry.
I don`t hold to this modern habit
of flinging Christian names about.
Yes, ma`am.
First, I want to hear about
your war record.
Well, there`s not much to tell about it
except for its length.
-Three years, I believe.
-And four months and two days.
Nora tells me that you were a private.
Oh, first class.
I worked up to a sergeant once.
It was a long hard pull up,
but a regular shoot-the-shoots down.
Well, from your record,
l`d judge that you`re honest, anyway.
Now l`d like to hear about any women
in your life.
Me?. I mean, me?.
Oh, l`m not asking about your past.
I`d hate to think of Nora marrying
any grown man who didn`t have a past.
I want to be certain that no woman
has a right to come between you and Nora.
Well, no one would.
No one would at all.
GRANDMA:
Probably more chance than anything else.
Will you be able to support Nora?.
NORA:
Grandma, you promised not to.
I have an income from a trust fund,
so that part`s all right.
It`s not all right.
Trust funds, stocks, bonds,
bank accounts, annuities.
I have lived long enough to know
that those can vanish in a night.
But talent, young man...
...that`s something one keeps.
NORA: Oh, Dick has talent.
-Be quiet, Nora. I`ll judge for myself.
Well?.
Would you like for me to sing?.
Unless you`d be more
entertaining turning cartwheels.
Well, my throat`s kind of dry.
[SlNGlNG] Grandma`s favorite song is
""Apple Blossom Time.""
Thanks.
May l--?.
Certainly.
[SlNGlNG]
I`ll be with you
In apple blossom time
I`ll be with you
To change your name to mine
Some day in May
I`ll come to say
Happy the bride
The sun shines on today
Oh, what a wonderful wedding it will be
What a wonderful day for you and me
Church bells will chime
You will be mine
In apple
Blossom
Time
Thank you.
Quarter of a century
since I first heard that tune.
Come, Deborah, it`s your bedtime.
But, Grandma,
you haven`t said whether it`s all right.
Use your brains, Nora.
Should I be taking Deborah up to bed
if it weren`t?.
-Say good night.
DEBORAH: Good night.
-Good night.
-Good night.
-Good night, Nora.
NORA: Good night, Grandma.
Good night, Dick.
Good night. Good night.
And thank you.
[CHATTERlNG]
FERDl:
Places.
Nora`s up on the board in this number,
Luci. You dive off in the eighth bar.
That`ll be all today, girls.
What`s the idea of stopping?.
That understudy needs plenty of work.
Ferdi.
Sit down, Ferdi.
I tried to save her from this.
Maybe she knows he`s engaged.
May not be as serious
as you think, Ferdi.
She took him up to see Grandma.
Well, what do we do?.
We`ll have to tell her. But how?.
We can`t just slap her in the face
with this.
Do you think I should phone her?.
I don`t know.
Let me think how to handle it,
will you, Gordon?.
Sure, Ferdi.
Giddyup.
DEBORAH [SlNGlNG] : Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh
[WHlSTLlNG]
[SlNGlNG]
Cuddled cozy in a sleigh
On a snowy, snowy day
S`no wonder they fell in love
Love
[SlNGlNG]
S`no wonder they fell in love
Silently they thanked each flake
For the lovely lucky break
S`no wonder they fell in love
He said, ""Please, just one kiss
Better not refuse to
Don `t you know in the snow
It`s no use to ""
She could not resist his charms
So she froze there in his arms
Snow makes you cuddle
Snow makes you huddle
S`no wonder they fell in love
DEBORAH:
All the world was like a dream
Covered up with whipping cream
S`no wonder they fell in love
Love
S`no wonder they fell in love
Ever since the ride began
He was her good-humor man
S`no wonder they fell in love
He said, ""Dear, please confess
Darling, don `t refuse to
Don `t you know in the snow
It`s no use to ""
DlCK:
Then they rode away from view
And the tracks read ""I love you ""
DlCK & NORA:
They both were heading
For easy sledding
S`no wonder they fall in love
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
-Sorry you can`t stay for the show.
-So am l.
I`m a fan of that beautiful
Nora Cambaretti.
Thank you.
Would you like my autograph?.
Nora....
What is it, Dick?.
Oh, l`ll see you later.
Well, of course,
but is there something wrong?.
No, nothing wrong.
I have some things to do tonight,
that`s all.
Oh, I see.
Goodbye, darling.
Bye, Dick.
[RlCHARD SlNGlNG
lN DlSTANCE]
-Hello, Peter.
-How are you, Mr. Johnson?.
Tough, Peter, tough.
All ready to open fire on my dad.
He won`t mind anything you do.
He`s so pleased.
And may I add my congratulations?.
Congratulations?. How did you know?.
-You couldn`t know.
-But everyone knows.
Don`t tell me you haven`t seen the paper.
Who did this?. How did this happen?.
Why, I don`t know, sir.
Didn`t you?.
It`s no use blaming anyone except me.
I did it, Ferdi.
He didn`t wanna go see Grandma.
I rushed him into it.
From the very first,
I guess I rushed him into everything.
He could have told you.
Yes, he could have told me.
Dick doesn`t like to hurt people.
-You didn`t know that, did you, Ferdi?.
-I didn`t know that.
He never once really said
that he loved me.
Or talked about us together.
But I felt so sure.
Don`t think about it, Nora.
There`s something to be said
for Grandma`s way, isn`t there?.
Waiting until you`re asked.
Your grandma never waited for anyone,
man or woman.
She would have left herself
a place to hide.
She`s pretty, isn`t she?.
Seems so strange.
I`ve gone so many times
to hear him sing.
Dick`s father, I mean.
I even mentioned him to him once.
Must have all seemed very amusing.
[SOBBlNG]
Don`t. Don`t, Nora.
-Oh, Ferdi.
-He isn`t worth it.
[KNOCKlNG]
Come in.
It`s all arranged.
I`ve just phoned Mrs. Fields.
-l`ll drive you there.
-Thank you, Gordon.
I still think Nora should go home
to Grandma.
Oh, no. No, Ferdi.
I couldn`t do that. Not yet.
I`ve had the same couple at the lodge
for 1 0 years, Ferdi.
They`ll take good care of her.
Well, goodbye, Ferdi.
-Come and see me when you can, huh?.
-Sure.
Goodbye, Nora.
Look after things, will you, Ferdi?.
I`ll drive back tonight.
And that goes for doormats too.
Where`s Nora?.
Gone.
Then she saw this?.
Well, congratulations.
Did Nora see this story?.
Story?. Isn`t it true?.
Of course it isn`t true.
You mean you`re not engaged
to marry this luscious young beauty?.
Well, yes, I am, but--
That`s enough.
I don`t wanna hear any more.
Ferdi, did you ever try to break
an engagement to a perfectly nice girl?.
It`s a rotten thing to have to do.
You could have told Nora about her.
I tried to. Tried to a dozen times.
But I just couldn`t.
How could I ask Nora to wait...
...while I crawled out of an engagement
to another girl?.
I had to get things cleared up first.
Everything happened so fast.
I supposed Nora rushed you.
No. No, of course not.
But if l`d only had a few more hours, l--
Ferdi, I got to find Nora. Where is she?.
She`s where you`ll never find her.
Did she go to Mackinac?.
Why don`t you go and see
and take your long underwear?.
Ferdi, tell me where I can find her.
-What right have you to decide for Nora?.
-None, but I am deciding for her.
You can`t do this to me.
I was okayed by Grandma.
She can make a mistake too.
[PlANO PLAYlNG]
FERDl [SlNGlNG] :
I was sitting at my piano
The other day
But my mind was ill at ease
They were coming to take it away
that afternoon.
[WOMEN LAUGHlNG]
I was all by myself
In a mellow mood
Improvising symphonies
My right hand
was playing Mozart`s minuet.
And at the same time, my left hand
was playing the "" Habanera"" from Carmen.
And at the same time, my mouth
was whistling the sextet from Luigini`s.
And while all this was going on...
...what do you think my foot was doing?.
While keeping time,
it was cracking walnuts.
Why?.
You see, I had to eat too.
Then in the midst of my soliloquy,
a strange feeling came over me.
My right hand stopped playing.
My left hand stopped playing.
My mouth stopped whistling
and my foot stopped cracking the walnuts.
Why?. Because, ladies and gentlemen,
I found it.
I found it.
The lost chord.
That`s it, the lost chord.
So let`s celebrate
I`m feeling great
I`m the guy that found the lost chord
It hasn`t changed.
I`ll have my name in the hall of fame
Because I just went and found
That lost chord
Ladies and gentlemen, how I struggled.
I worked my brain to the bone.
First, I put an A-flat with a B-minor.
I put a B-minor with an F-major.
Then I put a F-major with a B-minor.
I tried an A and a B and a B and the G
and the G and the E.
The B and the D and the G
and the D and the G and the B--
What kind of a piano is this?.
No apostrophes.
So let`s celebrate
I`m feeling great
I`m the guy that found the lost chord
You know, it wasn`t easy
finding that lost chord.
Working in my attic,
I didn`t sleep for days and days.
I would have been in terrible shape
if I hadn`t have slept nights.
People said I was mad.
But that didn`t discourage me,
they said Mozart was mad.
They said Puccini was mad.
They said Louis was mad.
Who`s Louis?.
My uncle. He was mad.
Soon my efforts bore fruit and I found it.
The lost chord.
Music lovers.
Do you realize what you`re hearing?.
I`ll play it again.
What happened?. That`s not the chord.
Neither is that.
Neither is that. Neither is that.
I lost a chord. A ""catastro-stroph.""
Lock the doors.
Nobody leaves the place until I find it.
It`s not here.
It`s not here.
He`s crazy.
It`s not here.
It`s not here.
It`s not here.
Ladies and gentlemen, l`m gonna sit
on the keyboard of this piano...
...until the chord is returned.
That`s it.
The lost chord.
Very strange.
I usually play by ear.
So let`s celebrate
I`m feeling great
Because I`m the guy
That found the lost chord
All right, girls, back to work.
Places.
What are you doing here?.
I am seeking a young woman
who calls herself Leonora Cambaretti.
What do you mean calls herself?.
She is Leonora Cambaretti.
Excuse my English, please.
Well, watch it.
Anyway, Miss Cambaretti isn`t here.
Where is she?.
Who are you, a detective?.
No, I am Richard Herald
of the Opera Company.
Oh, so you`re his father.
You know my son, Dick?.
You are maybe the young lady`s father?.
No, just a friend of the family.
Now, can I get back to work?.
Since weeks,
I have not seen my son, Dick.
Isn`t he married yet?.
I made a big mistake.
An honest mistake, you understand.
I thought she was the right girl.
Oh, so the marriage is off, huh?.
Yes, it has made a sound, pfft.
Well, sorry, I can`t help you.
All right, girls, places.
You do not know
where the missing Leonora is?.
I know, all right.
But Miss Cambaretti
doesn`t wanna be found.
I prefer to ask her
if she wants to be found.
Won`t you please go out
the way you came in?.
You`re holding up the rehearsal.
All right,
I shall go out the way I came in.
But I will find her.
I will show you.
You`re a stubborn, stupid man.
You rookie.
[MERLE SlNGlNG]
Ferdi. You`ve changed your mind?.
No.
Quite a surprise having you call on me.
Why don`t you go and see your father?.
How do you know I haven`t?.
He came to see me.
Oh?. What did he want?.
Same thing you did.
Dad`s trying to find Nora.
Don`t you see, Ferdi?. Now you gotta realize
l`ve been honest about this.
I`m spending the summer in Mackinac.
That`s a nice forwarding address
for your Sunday newspaper.
-But a waste of time.
-Oh, it`s strictly business.
Cugi has a summer engagement
at the Grand Hotel.
I suppose you arranged that.
I had nothing to do with it.
It just happened that way.
Even the stars are fighting
against you, Ferdi.
If I wasn`t fighting my finer impulses,
you`d being seeing stars.
Oh, you`re just being stupid.
Even if Nora doesn`t go to see Grandma,
and Deborah will let me know if she does...
...she`ll swim again
and her name will be up in electric lights.
You can`t keep me
from finding her, Ferdi.
You can only make it difficult
and delay things.
Delay things long enough, maybe.
Don`t think I don`t know why you`re taking
this dog-in-the-manger attitude.
You`re in love with Nora yourself.
-Me?.
-Yeah.
I`d do anything in the world for her.
Yes, anything in the world,
except see her happy with another man.
Bartender.
What will it cost me to break that mirror
into a million little smithereens?.
Uh-uh-uh!
[HORN BLOWlNG]
-Gordon, I hope you`ll understand.
-Understand what?.
That you won`t have any standing
whatsoever in this here community.
Why do you say that, Ferdi?.
A summer tourist, that`s what you are.
And we old-timers snoot them.
And I can manage
an especially fine job of snooting.
I`ll like anything
this old-timer does to me.
As soon as Grandma likes you,
you are an old-timer.
Grandma will like Gordon.
-Take my bicycle, please.
-Yes, ma`am.
DlCK [SlNGlNG] :
Un poquito de amor
Means a little bit of love
But a little from someone like you
Could make all my dreams come true
Heaven opens its door
A t the thought of your embrace
Quiet!
So imagine the wonderful thrill
If it ever will take place
[MOUTHS]
Me?
Should the wine be divine
We`ll waste it if we never taste it
Pardon me a moment.
Oh, no, no, not for a woman that age.
-Stop the music.
-Deborah, she`s here?.
Yes, but she brought a rival with her.
A rival?. Who?.
I don`t know, but he`s very handsome.
And he`s making sheep`s eyes at Nora.
Sheep`s eyes would just disgust Nora.
I don`t know about that.
Grandma says women are frail.
And Nora is a woman.
-Yeah.
-Ferdi came with them.
Come on, let`s get over.
[CUGAT SPEAKlNG lN SPANlSH]
A grand opening we`ll have.
Thank you.
Grandma.
What`s the matter?.
Well, nothing, only, you know you
promised you`d ask Gordon some questions.
I did, did l?.
DlCK: Are you sure they`re home?.
DEBORAH: They were when I left.
Now, Mr. Coome, you won`t mind
if my questions are little personal?.
Not at all.
GRANDMA:
You understand, it`s because...
...my granddaughter`s happiness
is so dear to me.
I think I understand.
Now, l`d like to know about
any women in your life.
Don`t answer that.
You have no right to ask him questions.
You asked me questions and I passed.
Hello, Nora.
Hello, Dick.
Unless my memory fails me,
Mr. Johnson...
...your answer to that question was a lie.
Only a temporary one.
Nora, you`ve got to let me explain.
I realize I should have been honest
with you...
...and I made a mistake.
A mistake?.
Aren`t you being a trifle severe
with yourself?.
I`ve done everything I could
to make it up.
There`s no way to make it up.
Don`t say that, Nora.
You can`t mean that.
Why weren`t you honest with me?.
I wanted to get everything
straightened out first.
All my life, l`d be wondering
whether you`re telling me the truth...
...or getting something
straightened out first.
You aren`t being fair.
This whole thing has been so involved.
My father wanted me
to go through with it.
I`ve even quarreled with him about it.
It wasn`t easy walking out on a girl
who had always been honest with me.
Listen to me, Nora.
I`ve upset three lives already just--
I don`t wanna hear about it.
I don`t care what you`ve done
or what you haven`t done...
...what you intend doing.
Will you please understand?.
I`m just not interested.
All right, Nora.
If you`re not interested...
...then neither am l.
-Goodbye, Deborah.
-Goodbye.
[CRYlNG]
Deborah, stop sniffling.
Mr. Coome,
I apologize for my granddaughter.
And for my great-granddaughter.
And for my part in this scene.
I`ve never had an apology
from three generations before.
Well, there are times
when life gets too ridiculous.
Shall we go on with our game?.
Thank you. I`d like to.
[CRYlNG]
DEBORAH:
Come in.
Why all the weeping?. What`s the matter?.
I brought Dick to see Nora
and she was mean to him.
And now he`s awfully mad at her.
Deborah, you`ve got it all wrong.
Dick was mean to me
and l`m mad at him.
They`re mad at each other.
[WHlSPERS] You`re a friend of the family.
Can`t you do something?.
[WHlSPERS]
Hello?. Hello.
Long distance, please.
I apologize. You are not a rookie.
I wonder. I`ve had one
or two dubious doubts about that.
Take these up to Grandma`s.
This was all that was left at the house.
Unless you wanna ride in that.
In Denmark,
I used to ride the handlebars.
Recently?.
Wait--
You better get back here.
Get on. Don`t make a problem out of it.
Oh, you`re in here.
Did you think l`d receive your guest
in the kitchen?.
It wouldn`t have surprised me.
Anyway, this is Mr. Richard Herald.
Mrs. Cambaretti, Mr. Herald.
How do you do?.
I am delighted to be here,
Mrs. Cambaretti.
Well, I guess l`ll run along.
Won`t you sit down, Mr. Herald?.
You are kind to listen to me,
Mrs. Cambaretti.
I can explain the mix-up with clarity.
Your son did that without much success.
Oh, Dick told you.
I overreached myself,
putting that announcement in the paper.
But Dick didn`t tell us that.
Oh, he wouldn`t.
When one comes of good stock,
it shows up in the behavior.
May I tell you, Mr. Herald, what I thought
when I learned that Dick is your son?.
Please do, Mrs. Cambaretti.
I thought, "" Like father, like son.""
As a young man, Mr. Herald,
you were much in the headlines.
Now I recognize you.
You are the famous Cambaretti.
Such joy to watch.
Pure poetry of motion.
But this is a perfect marriage.
We will arrange it. All the details.
And then we will tell those silly children.
That old-country method
didn`t work so well, did it?.
The other time you tried it.
I don`t know about Dick,
but Nora can`t be shoved around.
Maybe we could give her a little push.
-Hello, Gordon.
-Hello, Ferdi.
Why aren`t you swimming?.
I thought l`d just watch today.
Come on, Deborah.
It`s time you did a little work.
Make it good, now, Deborah.
That`s fine, Deborah.
You weren`t watching me.
I knew it wasn`t any good.
Oh, that`s all right. We`ll try it again.
Come on, let`s swim now, huh?.
All right.
One, two...
...three, four, five, turn.
One, two, three, four, five...
...six, seven, under.
MERLE [SlNGlNG]: She`s Chiquita Banana
And she come to say
I got a little island down equator way
I sail on big banana boat from Caribbee
To see if I can keep good-neighbor policy
I bring a song about bananas
I sing it low, I sing it high
I make big hit with `Mericanos
Singing song about bananas
I can sing about the moonlight
On the very, very tropical equator
But, no, I sing about bananas
And the refrigerator
[SlNGlNG] She`s Chiquita Banana
And she come to say
Banana have to ripen in a certain way
When they are flecked with brown
-And have a golden hue
-[SlNGlNG] You`d be
-Bananas taste the best and are--
-So easy to love
So easy to idolize
All others above
So worth the yearning for
So swell
-To keep every home fire burning for
-He`s supposed to sing, he doesn`t.
He isn ` t supposed to, he does.
We`d be so grand at the game
So carefree together
That it does seem a shame
That you can `t see
Your future with me
Because you`d be, oh, so easy
To love
Dick sang with that pretty girl.
Deborah, if you start to cry,
l`m gonna take you right home.
-Now, come on. We`re gonna swim again.
-I don`t want to swim.
I wanna be a bareback rider
like Grandma.
Well, today, you`re gonna swim.
And you`re gonna act as if you--
Well, as if you didn`t even hear him.
Come on, let`s go.
Gordon, I hate to say this.
Well, then don`t.
Okay.
Why is it people who are slow
are always considered stupid?.
-Why, Gordon, no one ever said--
-Never mind.
I don`t need a blueprint.
Believe me,
l`m really sorry about everything.
But not surprised, huh?.
Gordon, if that pool started running
1 0-foot waves, l`d be interested...
...but not surprised.
Come in, Mr. Herald.
Good evening. Good evening.
My premonitions are slipping.
Are they showing?.
I thought you`d bring your offspring along,
by the ear.
No, I haven`t seen my son.
I proceed cautiously.
I am waiting for reinforcements.
Good evening, Mr. Herald.
Good evening, Mrs. Cambaretti.
We should have met many years ago.
More headlines.
My cane, please, Ferdi.
Leonora?.
She is going with us to see Dick?.
My granddaughter has a sick headache.
A very stubborn sick headache.
But that is not going according
to our schedule.
Nora often has her own schedule.
And her own timetable.
I will advise her.
I will tell her how silly she is
to have a stubborn headache tonight.
I wouldn`t dish out that kind of advice
in any openhanded manner.
We might send Dick back
with a headache remedy.
-Coming, Ferdi?.
FERDl: Later.
I wanna go up and check
on Nora`s headache.
GRANDMA:
Very well. See you later.
Nora.
NORA:
Come in.
Headache better?.
You know perfectly well
I never had a headache in my life...
...and I don`t intend having one.
Going someplace?.
Yes, l`m going to follow Gordon.
And don`t you try to talk me out of it.
I know what I want.
Gordon`s honest and straightforward.
He`d never duck an issue
or compromise with the truth.
You`d know right
where you stood with Gordon.
Yeah, sounds kind of flat, doesn`t it?.
Will you please stop interfering?.
You`re the one that talked Gordon
into leaving.
-Even Gordon saw that--
-There you go again.
Why do you say ""even Gordon""?.
Another thing.
I know that you sent for Dick`s father.
Grandma told me.
Yes, I did.
Why wouldn`t you go out with him
and Grandma tonight?.
Isn`t it enough to have you and Grandma
and Dick`s father all chasing after him?.
Don`t you think I have any pride at all?.
Pride?.
It don`t fill the same bill
as happiness, Nora.
Ferdi, I know that you mean well,
but even as a friend of the family...
...well, l`d appreciate it
if you`d just keep your hands off.
All right, Nora.
If that`s the way you want it,
that`s the way it`s gonna be.
I`ll resign as a friend of the family,
but before I do, I wanna tell you something.
You`re being selfish and unforgiving
and stubborn.
Your pride is hurt,
so you`re running to Gordon.
Well, he deserves something better.
Maybe Dick deserves something better.
If you wanna convince him
that you`re eating your heart out...
...just stay here and sulk
and pretend to have headaches.
Good night, Nora.
I`ll drive you to the boat in the morning.
-Deborah?.
DEBORAH: l`m awake.
I tried and tried and tried,
but I couldn`t go to sleep.
Anything troubling you?.
Yes. Is Nora going to be an old maid?.
No.
I don`t think so.
But Dick is awfully mad at her.
And that nice Mr. Gordon left
on the afternoon boat.
He gave me a memento.
Maybe you better put it
with Grandma`s mementos.
That`s what Mr. Gordon said.
I will, tomorrow.
Now, how about going to sleep?.
Promise me something first?.
Cross my heart.
What is it?.
You love Nora, don`t you?.
Yes.
Ever since her pigtails
were no longer than yours.
Then if it becomes absolutely necessary,
will you marry her?.
Will I marry Nora?.
I promise you,
Nora will never be an old maid.
CHORUS [SlNGlNG] : Un poquito de amor
Means a little bit of love
DlCK [SlNGlNG] :
But a little from someone like you
Could make all my dreams come true
Heaven opens its doors
A t the thought of your embrace
So imagine the wonderful thrill
If it ever will take place
-Should the wine be divine
-[SlNGlNG] Ah
We`ll waste it if we never taste it
And tonight, who can say
Paradise may be just a kiss away
Un poquito de amor
DlCK:
La, la-da-da
MERLE:
Just a little love to start
MERLE & DlCK: Give me something
No matter how small
And I`ll give you all my heart
I`ll give you all
My heart
[AUDlENCE APPLAUDlNG]
Applaud it, I cannot.
DlCK:
Hi, Pop.
That was a beautiful song.
-I enjoyed hearing it.
-Thank you, Dad.
For the other things of my hurrying you
in the wrong direction...
...for that, I am sorry.
Oh, that`s all right, Dad.
There are some things
that it`s just as well to find out.
GRANDMA:
Sit down, Dick.
-Evening, Mrs. Cambaretti.
-Take that stubborn look off your face.
He gets it from me.
I don`t know where Nora gets it.
Leonora--
Leonora has a stubborn headache.
You are to hurry to her at once
with Seidlitz powders.
Well, what are you waiting for?.
As far as l`m concerned,
Nora can mix her own medicine.
You?. You say so?.
You stand up there and sing
about pequito amor...
...with a girl whose names
I don`t even know...
...while Leonora suffers
with a stubborn headache.
Old-country methods.
Thank you.
Dick, I ask you as a favor to me.
CUGAT: Ladies and gentlemen,
I have a surprise for you.
Among the merrymakers here tonight
is the greatest singer of our time...
...Senor Richard Herald.
Maybe he will be kind enough
to sing a song for us.
Maybe?.
Don`t go away,
unless you go with Seidlitz powders.
You know, Dick,
l`m afraid it`s all for the best.
-What is?.
-This quarrel.
Your children, yours and Nora`s,
will be too stubborn to take nourishment.
Gracias, Senor Herald. Maybe?.
Maestro, I will sing on one condition.
[SPEAKS lN SPANlSH]
That you fire my son.
With pleasure.
Well, then I shall sing
"" La donna e mobile.""
"" La donna e mobile""?.
We`ll follow.
E
[SlNGlNG "" LA DONNA E MOBlLE""]
[SlNGlNG]
So worth the yearning for
So swell to keep
Every home fire burning for
We`d be so grand at the game
So carefree together
That it does seem a shame
That you can `t see your future with me
Because you`d be, oh, so easy to love
You`d be so easy to
Love
Frances, don`t slouch.
-I wish you used your father`s name.
-Why?.
Because then when we`re married,
l`d be known as Mrs. Richard Herald ll.
So being Mrs. Dick Johnson
isn`t gonna be important enough for you?.
Don`t be silly, Frances.
Everyone will know that Richard Herald
is your father-in-law.
Ladies and gentlemen...
...for 25 years now...
...you have been showing great kindness
to me and my work.
So with you I would like to share
the happiness of my heart...
...in welcoming home a young soldier
just returned from serving his country.
Soon I hope you shall hear him
as a new member of our opera company.
And with your kind permission...
...I should like to introduce to you
my son, Dick.
[AUDlENCE APPLAUDlNG]
Dick, what`s the matter with you?.
Why don`t you stand up?.
Dick, wait for your father
and bring him to the party.
Frances, you come with me.
But Mother, l`d rather go with Dick.
Don`t be difficult, Frances.
I want you to come with me.
All right, Mother.
Make your father hurry.
Thanks, Dad.
That was the happiest moment
of my life.
A bottle of beer, Dick?.
No, l`m still not used to having it cold.
I`ll get it, Dad.
You didn`t go with Frances
and her mother?.
No, I waited to bring you
to the party, Dad.
Mrs. Allenbury suggested it.
Quite a suggester, that lady.
I`m glad you waited.
I want to talk to you.
Why are you laughing on your face?.
It`s just that that tone of voice of yours
will always make me feel like a rookie.
-A rookie?.
-A beginner.
Oh, no, in the opera,
you will no longer be a rookie.
I`ll see to that myself.
Dad, l`m not sure I wanna get back
into the opera company.
What do you want?.
Right now, l`d like to spend years
just being out of the Army.
Oh, that.
So you`ll rest yourself for a little while.
Let your voice rest itself.
But your French and your ltalian,
they can`t rest themselves.
But, Dad, I haven`t got a voice like yours.
Who has, except me?.
Your bath is drawn, sir.
Tonight I want a shower.
Yes, sir.
Don`t belittle your voice, Dick.
I guarantee that your audition
is a big success.
Can you hear me, Dick?.
Yes, Dad.
RlCHARD:. You need a job and a wife
and my grandchildren.
You should have married Frances
before the war.
But no, no, you wanted to wait.
-Now I know why I went to war.
-What are you talking about?.
Girl in the pool`s got everything.
-Yeah?.
-Beautiful eyes, shining hair...
...wonderful skin,
a smile that tickles your ribs...
...and a figure,
oh, boy, for a tape measure.
Oh, she can`t be that gorgeous.
-She is. Right out of Esquire.
-She`s probably somebody`s grandmother.
FERDl [SlNGlNG] :
There`s lots of pretty faces in this nation
And lots of very pretty figures too
But there`s a girl
Who `s got the combination
Words fail me
But I`ll picture her for you
She`s got a little bit this
And a little bit that
And a little bit more that`ll knock you flat
Everybody loves that gal
She`s got a little bit, hm
A little bit there
[LAUGHlNG]
Oh, dear me.
When I`m out with her
I count 1-2-3-4-5-6-7
Don `t you think that she follows up
With 7-8-9- 1 0- 1 1
A college graduate.
She`s got a little bit this
And a little bit that
[LAUGHlNG]
Everybody loves that gal
She`s got a little bit this
And a little--
-Hello there.
-Hello.
Tell me whether they`re kidding me
about her.
They say she`s beautiful.
Beautiful! A gross understatement.
Can you picture the Painted Desert
by moonlight?.
Or the fragrance of lilacs
in a New England garden?.
Or a Viennese Waltz played
by Kreisler in D-minor?.
Well, put them all together
and what have you got?.
Nora.
That`s her name.
Why, she`s got pulchritude
A ttitude
She`s got longitude
Latitude
And she`s got fortitude
Mortitude
And not only that, she`s pretty too.
[MEN LAUGHlNG]
Thanks for the description.
Say, are you the boyfriend?.
Them are kind words, soldier.
But I don`t ring her doorbell.
I just answer it.
When are the visiting hours?.
[MEN LAUGHlNG]
My boy, l`m that institution often found
on the front pages of newspapers...
...just a friend of the family.
DlCK [SlNGlNG] :
So easy to idolize
All others above
So worth the yearning for
So swell to keep every home fire
Burning for
We`d be so grand at the game
So carefree together
That it does seem a shame
That you can `t see
Your future with me
Because you`d be
Oh, so easy to love
So can `t you see
Your future, dear, with me
Because you`d be easy
To love
Thank you for the song. It was lovely.
Here I am.
Do you mind?.
No. No, of course not.
You are beautiful.
Thank you.
Oh, no. No, you mustn`t. Your eyes.
Them bandages
is so much spinach, miss.
-What?.
-The doc`s late making his rounds...
...or they`d already be off.
Why, you-- You--
The nerve of that guy.
He must think her kisses
are public domain.
You--
[MEN LAUGHlNG AND WHlSTLlNG]
Dad, I can`t remember.
Was Mrs. Allenbury always so bossy?.
-Who says she is?.
-I do.
Well, maybe she is.
But Frances, she isn`t bossy.
And Frances,
she isn`t a fly-by-night either.
Don`t forget you were three years away.
Lots of girls forgot themselves engaged
sooner than that.
But Frances hasn`t changed a bit.
No, she hasn`t changed a bit.
RlCHARD: She will never be a bossy
like her mother.
I like her and you like her too.
You`ll do as I say.
Thank you, son. I`ll take them now.
NORA:
Come in.
Oh, Gordon.
My goodness. They`re beautiful.
You`ll have to get me
a bigger dressing room.
-But you already have the biggest one.
-I know.
The flowers are lovely, though.
Thank you.
Want me to smell them for you?.
I`ve gotta get back.
The house is filling up.
Thank you
for bringing the flowers yourself.
-That`s all right.
-He needed the exercise.
-Tidy little bunch of posies.
-Oh, now, Ferdi.
Gordon is so nice.
So afraid l`ll marry him someday.
Marry him?. Marry that?.
I can`t picture you scraping toast for him
the rest of your life.
Why, that guy is nothing but 1 80 pounds
of stalwart stupidity.
Now, Ferdi, Gordon is not stupid.
He`s just a little literal.
And that too.
If he ever tells me a funny story and
makes me laugh, l`ll fall right in his arms.
Don`t worry, he won`t. So you`re safe.
Happy landings, Nora.
Thank you, Ferdi.
If l`d known you were gonna do that,
l`d have stood up on my toes.
Why don`t you try it next time?.
I will.
I`ll see if I can extend my longitude.
And now, l`ll go and put a tiara on my hair
with diamonds.
But Miss Cambaretti and I are old friends.
-You don`t say.
-Why, yes, our families are old friends.
When Nora and I were babies, our families
patronized the same didy laundry.
Of course,
we were a little more mature...
...before we really got interested
in each other...
...but now, Leonora Cambaretti would never
forgive you if you kept us apart.
-Really?.
-Oh, hello.
Isn`t that so, Nora?.
[TSKlNG]
Never mind, Riley.
Come along.
Thank you.
How long have you
been out of the Army?.
Oh, not very long.
-I thought so.
-Why?.
Well, you still have a touch
of that yoo-hoo technique.
-ls this your dressing room?.
-Yes.
FERDl:
Come in.
-Ferdi, this is mister....
-Dick Johnson.
-Wouldn`t mean anything to you.
-You said it.
Although I have met you before, sort of,
but you wouldn`t remember.
My memory`s pretty good. Try me.
Oh, now I remember.
Do you mind?.
Why, no, of course not.
-You are beautiful.
-Ow!
-You broke my nose.
-l`ll do more than that.
You don`t get out,
l`ll take that nose and misplace it.
Mr. Farro, Mr. Johnson.
-How do you do?.
-Howdy.
Ferdi, you`ll remember Mr. Johnson.
He sang for us
at that convalescent hospital.
-You`re the friend of the family, remember?.
-l`ve been promoted.
I`m now the family watchdog.
Sounds like it might be fun.
Not only does he growl, but he bites.
So unless you have a reason
for wanting to see me--
-Well--
-A good reason.
Well, l`m just out of the Army
and it`s kind of hard getting settled again.
Some of my old friends are gone.
And some of my friends are so changed,
they`re not even like friends anymore.
And others haven`t changed at all.
So there`s no job anyplace, is that it?.
Well--
[KNOCKlNG]
FERDl:
Come in.
Oh, there you are, Nora.
You were wonderful.
NORA:
Thank you, Gordon.
[WHlSPERS]
Her brother, I hope.
NORA:
I want you to meet Dick Johnson.
-Mr. Coome, Mr. Johnson.
-[lN NORMAL VOlCE] How do you do?.
-Glad to know you.
-Mr. Johnson is just out of the Army.
He`s looking for a job.
-Don`t put yourself--
-Couldn`t you place him in the show?.
-What can you do?.
-Not much of anything, really--
He sings, and beautifully. I heard you.
-You had water in your ears.
-I could hear it. I liked what I heard.
-Ask Ferdi.
-I didn`t hear him. I was playing the piano.
I`ll see what can be done.
I`ll think about it.
-ln about a half-hour, Nora?.
-Yes, l`ll be ready.
No wonder you haven`t landed a job.
-You acted as if you didn`t even want one.
-Well, I didn`t come down--
Why are you so backward
about pushing yourself?.
Maybe l`m the modest type.
You know, l`ve half a notion
to take you in hand.
DlCK: You know,
I think that`d be pretty wonderful.
[SlNGlNG]
When I hear music
I dream of romance
That`s why I love to dance
I must seek romance on crowded floors
For that`s when my cheek
Is close to yours
When we`re alone
I don `t stand half a chance
That`s why I love to dance
Tell me, why can `t this music
Go on forever?
Must we stop
Just because all the others do?
I need the music with all its charms
To get you into my lonely arms
When we`re alone
You`re as distant as France
That`s why I love to dance
That`s why I love
To dance
[WHlSPERS]
Gordon always takes the check.
Whispering, that`s not etiquette.
[lN NORMAL VOlCE] Well, isn`t it nice
that we`re all here together?.
Now we can talk about that job.
Oh, yes, the job.
-Well, mister, uh--
DlCK: Johnson.
Mr. Johnson, l`ve been wondering if--
-Do you think you can sing underwater?.
-Underwater?.
I guess Ferdi means,
could you swim and then sing?.
-Well, I sing when I take a shower.
-Now, this would be entirely different.
Why don`t you and Nora dance?.
That`s an alluring two-step.
A rumba, Ferdi, but alluring.
You order for us, Gordon, and we`ll talk
about the job when we get back.
Hey, what`s the idea, Ferdi?.
Gordon, you bewilder me daily,
Sundays and holidays included.
Huh?.
You`re gonna give that slick-looking guy
a job in the same show with Nora?.
-But Nora asked me to.
-So what?.
Do you have to do everything
Nora asks you to do?.
I guess I do.
Didn`t your father ever tell you
about life and women?.
-What do you mean?.
-Gordon...
...I`m afraid the world ain`t ready
for you yet.
Wait a minute.
Cugi. Cugi.
-Hello, Ferdi.
-I got the man of the year for you. Listen.
-All right to talk in front of her?.
-Sure.
I just discovered a baritone,
and he sings too.
-Are you sure she`s all right?.
-Sure. She works here.
Cugat, when this guy sings,
he gives a canary an inferiority complex.
He`s an ex-soldier, he`s a hero,
he`s handsome, he`s alluring...
...and women swoon at 1 0 paces.
You gotta give him a job.
-All of that and at liberty?.
-He just got out of the Army.
I`ve kept him undercover.
-Are you sure she`s all right?.
-Sure.
She looks like the type
that blabbers over back fences.
Anyway, take a look.
That`s him, dancing with Nora.
He`s good-looking,
but I already have a singer.
A mere woman.
Cugi, how about teaming them up?.
Just visualize the both of them
singing together in unison.
Why, they`d sound like a pair
of twittering lovebirds in season.
No, I need a Latin type.
Why, Cugat,
put a sombrero on his heed...
...a blanket over his shoulder,
a colored sash around his middle...
...and you`d swear he was born
south of Guatemala.
[PEOPLE APPLAUDlNG]
My boy, you`re in luck. Something
totally unexpected has transpired.
-Come with me.
-Where to?.
Don`t ask no questions, but you might have
to change your name from Dick to Jose.
-What`s going on, Gordon?.
-I don`t know.
-You promoted to bouncer too?.
-Gonna bounce you into the limelight.
Stop pushing me. Have you gone crazy?.
Don`t concern yourself
with petty problems.
Come on, l`m right behind you.
I have no idea, Nora.
You know I wouldn`t do anything
to upset you.
I know, Gordon,
but Ferdi is something else again.
[BAND PLAYlNG]
CUGAT:
Ladies and gentlemen...
...you are about to hear a song
by Mr. Richard Johnson...
...ex-soldier, ex-hero, exciting.
He will sing for you
""Why Don`t They Let Me Sing a Love Song.""
[SlNGlNG] To look at me
You`d think that everything was serene
But I`m as disillusioned as can be
He has a fine voice. He should go places.
I hope so.
-l`ll help him pack.
-I guess there`s no toujours l`amour
In me
Why don `t they let me sing a love song?
Why can `t I get myself a girl?
I`ve read Romeo and Juliet
From cover to cover
But still I`m far from a perfect lover
How long must I go on pretending?
My brain is always in a whirl
Laugh, clown, laugh
I know I fit the part
But even a clown
Can `t hide a broken heart
Why don `t they let me sing a love song?
Why can `t I get myself
A girl?
[CLOCK CHlMlNG]
[HUMMlNG]
[SlNGlNG ""GOD DAG,
I LYSERRQNNE TRAER""]
[DlCK SlNGlNG ""GOD DAG,
I LYSERRQNNE TRAER""]
[RlCHARD & DlCK SlNGlNG
""GOD DAG, I LYSERRQNNE TRAER""]
Hello, Dad.
It`s 2:00.
Yeah, I know. Couldn`t you sleep?.
These American Legions meetings,
do they always go on till that late?.
I`m a big boy now, Papa.
We waited and waited for you
for a long time.
Oh, I forgot I promised
l`d be there, Dad. Honestly I did.
Frances was very disappointed.
Yeah, I suppose so.
Dad...
...would you be very disappointed
if I didn`t go through with...?.
-Well, I mean, if l--
-What is it, Dick?.
Do you mind if I look around
for another job?.
Oh, that again.
I would be very disappointed.
No, singing at the opera,
married to Frances, that`s what I want.
Well, we`re both tired.
Maybe we`d better go to bed.
You know, l`ve just about decided
never to have any children.
You say so.
It takes two to decide that. Why?.
Oh, children are such nitty disappointments
to their parents.
Not if they have sense enough
to do as they are told.
-Good night.
DlCK: Good night.
RlCHARD:
Good night, Peter.
And don`t forget
to remember tomorrow...
...wake up in good voice,
ready for your audition.
DlCK:
If you say so, Dad.
RlCHARD:
I just did say so.
[SlNGlNG ""M`APPARl""]
Maestro, I would like you to--
So finally, you woke yourself up.
It was a struggle, but I made it.
I shook you.
I poured ice-cube water on you.
-You did all that?.
-No. I only wanted to.
Come. Come over here.
Almost immediately,
I will return with Norman.
Norman who?.
Norman Randall,
the director of the opera.
You will sing for him
and he will like your voice. Maybe.
Oh, but look, Dad, I don`t--
Sing. Try your voice.
I`ll be back in a minute.
MAN:
Do you wanna warm up, Mr. Johnson?.
Well, all right. Thank you.
MAN:
All right.
[ORCHESTRA PLAYlNG]
[SlNGlNG ""M`APPARl""]
[SlNGlNG] Marta
Ever-loving Marta
Mop, mop
You took away my heart-a
And then you took a part of me with you
I love you, Marta
I`d like to have a cart-a
Kisses
Because this is the missus
Whose kisses send me
Hey, Marta, baby
Won `t you listen?
Pet, leave the Met
Don `t regret
Forget about that opera jive
All these years, you`ve behaved
But you still can be saved
Hey, Marta, slip me five
Now, Marta, baby, welcome to the fold
You were cold, you were old
But now you got a beat that`s alive
Hey, Marta
Hey, Marta
Listen to the trumpets shout
The clarinets are giving out
Marta, sounds like you hail
From New Orleans
Marta, sakes alive
Hey, Marta, slip me five
Stop it. Stop it.
You know that kind of singing
gets on my goat.
Oh, l`m sorry, Dad.
Oh, Norman, this is my bad boy, Dick.
-Mr. Randall, Dick.
-Glad to know you.
How are you, Dick?.
We`re feeling a little gay, eh?.
Oh, I get taken that way sometimes.
-I was trying to tell my dad--
-I tell you. No more audition today.
Run off. Go and rest yourself
for a few months.
-And be back in time for dinner.
-Thanks, Dad.
-Goodbye, Mr. Randall.
-Goodbye, Dick.
Goodbye, Dad.
""Slip me five.""
He`s all mixed up.
He`s way up there or down in the dump.
Oh, give him a little time.
Yes, l`ll give him a little time.
And then l`ll give him something else.
I`ll give him a little of the old country.
Places, everybody. Places.
Hello, Duncan.
Hello. When do I go on?.
Someday soon.
Where`s your mother?.
I lost her again.
Old man,
you`re a victim of mass production.
Places.
-Come on, Duncan.
-Where were you hiding, underwater?.
Nora isn`t here yet.
Nora`s skipping the rehearsal.
Use the understudy.
-She`s not sick?.
-No, she`s fine.
What did you say yes to this time?.
Look, Ferdi, I know you think
l`m a doormat for Nora. Maybe I am.
Maybe I think
that`s the smartest thing to be.
A useful article, a doormat.
Yeah, well, just as many women
have married doormats as roller-skaters.
-Huh?.
-Nora went roller-skating.
Not with that bawling baritone?.
Now he wants to show her
he`s the athletic type.
Rehearsal dismissed.
Now I gotta go to the rescue on skates.
Duncan, don`t you dare go in there.
Don`t you dare go--
DUNCAN:
Come on. Catch me.
Please, don`t. Please don`t.
Ha, ha, ha.
FERDl:
When I get--!
[SlNGlNG] Every time they start off
With a water ballet
There`s the customary swimming pool
To swim in
But we don `t wanna do it
In the customary way
So we start off
Just with bathing suits and women
It`s mutiny, that`s what I calls it.
In swimming suits, you`re due.
A t least, I hope our lovely star
Won `t double-cross me too
What`s the idea?.
You`re going swimming, ain`t you?.
-That`s right.
-Well, where`s your bathing cap?.
Where`d she go?.
Hope Gene Kelly saved his money.
You bruised me. Be careful.
Look at the time
I wasted being a stamp collector.
FERDl [SlNGlNG] :
Just because you got furs on your backs
You let your ambition relax
-[SlNGlNG] But fur means money
-And money means income
And where there is income
There`s tax
And speaking of taxes
Be wise
Just do what the experts advise
Take 1 0 percent off for your agent
Take 1 0 percent off for the press
Then take another 1 0
For your publicity men
What`s another 1 0 more or less?
Then take off a few incidentals
It`s the little things that really count
Anyone with half a brain
Can show a capital gain
If you take off the proper
Listen to your papa
Take off the proper amount
So they took off a few incidentals
And they made each incidental count
It`s a certainty, my friend
That you`ll have more in the end
If you take off the proper
Listen to your papa
Take off the proper amount
Well?.
I just wanted to see how you looked
without Ferdi in the background.
-He is very devoted to my interests.
-And to you.
Of course.
Ferdi`s like one of the family.
He has been ever since
he used to troupe with my father.
Why, I can hardly remember
when Ferdi wasn`t around taking care of us.
Tell me about yourself, Nora.
About your family,
what you like, what you don`t like...
...or anything else I might find useful.
Well, my family.
Cambaretti sounds ltalian, but it isn`t.
It`s French.
And I would have been the fifth generation
of the family in the circus.
Except I took up swimming instead.
Did they understand
or did they want you to stay in the circus?.
Oh, no. No, it was all right...
...after I became a headliner.
The Cambarettis
have always been headliners.
Anyway, there`s a sixth generation now,
so perhaps--
You`re not married?.
Oh, no, no. Of course not.
It`s my niece, Deborah Cambaretti.
[LAUGHlNG]
FERDl [SlNGlNG] :
Let them say it with flowers
Let them say it with sweets
Let them say it with skating
Let them say it with eats
Let them say it with jewelry
Let them say it with mink
But you better be careful
Don `t let them say it with:
Ink a-dink-a-dee, a-dink-a-doo,
A-dink-a-dee
Maybe we` d better just give in
and adopt him.
I adopted him a long time ago
when I was just a little girl.
I guess I can learn to tell you your eyes
are beautiful while Ferdi`s glaring at me.
Your eyes are beautiful.
And I could go on from there, if--
If what?.
If we could sneak off
to a little place I know.
They serve hotcakes and little pig sausages
and they`re completely minus a piano.
Ink a-dink-a-dee, a-dink-a-doo,
A-dink-a-dee
Simply means:
Ink a-dink-a-dee, a-dink-a-doo
-Good night, Dick.
-Good night, Nora.
Thanks for a wonderful evening.
See you tomorrow.
[KNOCKlNG]
Hello, Ferdi.
Hello, Nora.
Come on in.
Ferdi, l`m sorry about tonight.
Sorry you ditched me?.
We didn`t ditch you. It--
Well, it`s just that Dick wanted
to go on to this other place and--
Nora, what do you know about this guy,
anyway?.
He`s just somebody
who walked in off the streets.
I`m a big girl now, Ferdi.
You`re not angry, are you?.
Does it matter much?.
Ferdi...
...once when I was a little girl,
you were angry with me...
...or at least I thought you were.
I couldn`t go to sleep for hours
that night.
I couldn`t go to sleep tonight unless l--
Well, unless I knew for sure
that everything was all right between us.
Nora, there will never be a time when
everything won`t be all right between us.
Thank you, Ferdi.
Well, off to sleep, big girl.
It`s getting kind of late.
Yes, I suppose it is.
Good night, Ferdi.
Good night, Nora.
Now, don`t you oversleep in the morning.
You and I are enemies.
[PlANO PLAYlNG]
Getting him that job with Cugle
didn`t help the situation.
He might as well be working here.
-What`s he doing here?.
-Watching.
Yeah, watching Nora.
He should be home exercising his throat.
Instead, he`s around here
exercising his eyes.
You`re the boss. Why don`t you tell him
no visitors allowed during rehearsals?.
Nora might get angry
and a wise doormat wouldn`t risk that.
She`d get over it.
Well, if you`re so sure,
why don`t you tell him?.
All right, I will.
And diplomacy won`t be the keynote.
Who does he think he is?.
Hanging around and hanging around.
I`ll tell him.
-Good morning, Dick.
-Oh, good morning.
What do you think of the change
in the act?.
Fine, I guess. Of course,
anything Nora does is beautiful.
Hey, Ferdi.
We need a little rhythm. Come on.
[MUMBLlNG]
I don`t know what`s the matter.
I should have told him off
right then and there....
[PlANO PLAYlNG]
-Dick, l`m worried.
-What about?.
Well, I think l`m falling in love with you.
I can see why that might worry a girl.
I`m worried because, in my family,
we always do everything together.
Even falling in love?.
Isn`t that hard to arrange
or have you tried it?.
Well, only once before
and that was a big mistake.
Oh, in the end it was all right.
We all fell out of love together too.
[PlANO PLAYlNG MORE LOUDLY]
You`ll like my family, Dick.
Hope they`re not snowed in.
Sometimes the lake freezes over too.
-Where do they live?.
-Mackinac lsland.
You know,
we could make it in a few days.
-What about the show?.
-Oh, I have an understudy.
I have an in with the producer too...
-...or hadn`t you noticed?.
-I had noticed.
Does Ferdi bang music at him too?.
Oh, l`ll fix it with both of them.
-Permission granted.
-Let me get this straight.
Before we can fall in love,
I have to pass inspection by your family?.
No, no, of course not.
Not the whole family.
Just Grandma.
Well, don`t look so worried.
She`s a dear. You`ll see.
-Richard.
-Oh, Harriet.
Sit yourself down.
What`s the matter, Richard?.
I`m worried about my boy.
We haven`t seen much of Dick lately.
I know. He is mixed up.
It`s the late war.
Harriet,
I ask you to do something for Dick.
Of course, Richard.
Right away today,
you announce his engagement to Frances.
What does Dick think about it?.
Harriet, it`s like this.
For five years now,
who has been thinking for Dick?.
Top sergeants.
Now, we who love him, we think for him.
We want him to be married and happy.
No more war nerves.
So I ring up the Gazette for you.
It`s very unorthodox.
But I suppose
we can have a reception later.
I will finger the number.
Well, there`s the home base
of the Cambarettis.
Isn`t it beautiful?.
Well, come on.
NORA: Hello, Teddy.
-Nice to see you again, Miss Leonora.
Nice to see you.
There are only a few hundred people
here in the wintertime.
Most everything`s all boarded up.
My great-grandfather
bought property here.
In the summertime, I suppose.
Then my grandfather built the house.
Tell me about Grandma.
Well, she was
a very famous equestrienne.
You know,
they`re the aristocrats of the circus.
She turns her nose up at my swimming.
Now, how could just riding a horse
compare with your swimming?.
Just riding a horse?.
Why, Grandma did a double somersault
off one horse to a horse in back...
...and a single somersault
off a running horse...
...to a horse running
in the opposite direction. Ha-ha.
Just riding a horse.
Have I told you there are only two of us
at home now, Grandma and Deborah?.
Oh, really?. Somehow I expected to face
a whole pyramid of Cambarettis.
WOMAN:
Deborah.
It`s Nora and the young man in question.
-l`ll open the door.
-All right. And mind your manners.
Yes, Grandma.
Deborah, there you are.
-Didn`t you expect me?.
-Oh, yes, darling, of course.
Your nose is cold.
-This is Deborah.
-How are you, sixth generation?.
DEBORAH:
How do you do, sir?.
Nora, stop dawdling out there.
Come in.
And close the door.
Hello, Grandma.
-How are you, darling?.
-Nora, darling.
Oh, Grandma,
I want you to meet Dick Johnson.
Dick, this is my grandmother.
Oh, how do you do?.
Nora`s been telling me all about you.
You`re better looking than the other
young men Nora`s brought up here.
Grandma, there was only one other one.
Nonsense, you`re young. You forget.
-Deborah.
-Yes, Grandma.
Show Mr. Johnson where his room is.
Thank you.
DEBORAH:
lt`s upstairs.
NORA:
Hurry down, Dick.
-We`ll be here in the living room.
-Right.
It`s all right, isn`t it, Grandma?.
I mean, you can tell that he`s all right,
can`t you?.
Before I make a decision
about a man`s character...
...I like to see him without his overcoat.
Well, nobody`s gonna rush you,
Grandma.
You take all the time you like to decide.
Why, you know,
I haven`t even kissed him yet.
Nora...
...stop lying to me.
Well, I haven`t given myself up to it.
How does Ferdi feel?.
Oh, he likes Dick.
I mean, how`s Ferdi`s health?.
He`s fine.
He goes around with Dick a lot.
I think he likes him.
Sometime before you leave,
l`ll have a little talk with this young man...
...ask him a few questions.
Grandma, don`t ask him about money.
I`m sure he hasn`t any.
Are you going to support him?.
No, no. He has a job coming up.
A very good job.
Singing with Cugat`s band.
What`s his family background?.
Well, I don`t know.
He doesn`t seem to like to talk
about his family.
In fact,
I rather think he`s all alone in the world.
So l`m not to inquire into his finances
or his family.
What shall I ask him?.
Ask him how is his health.
He made a good impression on me, Nora.
Thank you, darling.
I`m here.
Oh, good.
Great Grandma dropped off to sleep
and Nora`s waiting for her to wake up.
When you`re old, you nod off easily,
but you don`t sleep long.
Oh.
You`re nervous, aren`t you?.
-A little bit.
-l`m on your side.
Thank you, Deborah.
DEBORAH:
Here comes Great-Grandma now.
All right, all right.
I can still totter around.
Yes, Grandma.
Now, young man, Nora`s asked me
for an opinion about you.
Yes, I know.
DEBORAH: Shall I stay, Grandma?.
-Certainly.
It`s a family matter.
-I like your looks.
-Thank you.
But I learned many years ago,
to my sorrow, that looks are deceiving.
Oh, yes, I guess so.
Good heavens, children, relax.
I`m only going to ask some questions.
Only three questions, in fact.
Now, Mr. Johnson--
-Would you call me Dick?.
-l`m sorry.
I don`t hold to this modern habit
of flinging Christian names about.
Yes, ma`am.
First, I want to hear about
your war record.
Well, there`s not much to tell about it
except for its length.
-Three years, I believe.
-And four months and two days.
Nora tells me that you were a private.
Oh, first class.
I worked up to a sergeant once.
It was a long hard pull up,
but a regular shoot-the-shoots down.
Well, from your record,
l`d judge that you`re honest, anyway.
Now l`d like to hear about any women
in your life.
Me?. I mean, me?.
Oh, l`m not asking about your past.
I`d hate to think of Nora marrying
any grown man who didn`t have a past.
I want to be certain that no woman
has a right to come between you and Nora.
Well, no one would.
No one would at all.
GRANDMA:
Probably more chance than anything else.
Will you be able to support Nora?.
NORA:
Grandma, you promised not to.
I have an income from a trust fund,
so that part`s all right.
It`s not all right.
Trust funds, stocks, bonds,
bank accounts, annuities.
I have lived long enough to know
that those can vanish in a night.
But talent, young man...
...that`s something one keeps.
NORA: Oh, Dick has talent.
-Be quiet, Nora. I`ll judge for myself.
Well?.
Would you like for me to sing?.
Unless you`d be more
entertaining turning cartwheels.
Well, my throat`s kind of dry.
[SlNGlNG] Grandma`s favorite song is
""Apple Blossom Time.""
Thanks.
May l--?.
Certainly.
[SlNGlNG]
I`ll be with you
In apple blossom time
I`ll be with you
To change your name to mine
Some day in May
I`ll come to say
Happy the bride
The sun shines on today
Oh, what a wonderful wedding it will be
What a wonderful day for you and me
Church bells will chime
You will be mine
In apple
Blossom
Time
Thank you.
Quarter of a century
since I first heard that tune.
Come, Deborah, it`s your bedtime.
But, Grandma,
you haven`t said whether it`s all right.
Use your brains, Nora.
Should I be taking Deborah up to bed
if it weren`t?.
-Say good night.
DEBORAH: Good night.
-Good night.
-Good night.
-Good night, Nora.
NORA: Good night, Grandma.
Good night, Dick.
Good night. Good night.
And thank you.
[CHATTERlNG]
FERDl:
Places.
Nora`s up on the board in this number,
Luci. You dive off in the eighth bar.
That`ll be all today, girls.
What`s the idea of stopping?.
That understudy needs plenty of work.
Ferdi.
Sit down, Ferdi.
I tried to save her from this.
Maybe she knows he`s engaged.
May not be as serious
as you think, Ferdi.
She took him up to see Grandma.
Well, what do we do?.
We`ll have to tell her. But how?.
We can`t just slap her in the face
with this.
Do you think I should phone her?.
I don`t know.
Let me think how to handle it,
will you, Gordon?.
Sure, Ferdi.
Giddyup.
DEBORAH [SlNGlNG] : Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh
[WHlSTLlNG]
[SlNGlNG]
Cuddled cozy in a sleigh
On a snowy, snowy day
S`no wonder they fell in love
Love
[SlNGlNG]
S`no wonder they fell in love
Silently they thanked each flake
For the lovely lucky break
S`no wonder they fell in love
He said, ""Please, just one kiss
Better not refuse to
Don `t you know in the snow
It`s no use to ""
She could not resist his charms
So she froze there in his arms
Snow makes you cuddle
Snow makes you huddle
S`no wonder they fell in love
DEBORAH:
All the world was like a dream
Covered up with whipping cream
S`no wonder they fell in love
Love
S`no wonder they fell in love
Ever since the ride began
He was her good-humor man
S`no wonder they fell in love
He said, ""Dear, please confess
Darling, don `t refuse to
Don `t you know in the snow
It`s no use to ""
DlCK:
Then they rode away from view
And the tracks read ""I love you ""
DlCK & NORA:
They both were heading
For easy sledding
S`no wonder they fall in love
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
-Sorry you can`t stay for the show.
-So am l.
I`m a fan of that beautiful
Nora Cambaretti.
Thank you.
Would you like my autograph?.
Nora....
What is it, Dick?.
Oh, l`ll see you later.
Well, of course,
but is there something wrong?.
No, nothing wrong.
I have some things to do tonight,
that`s all.
Oh, I see.
Goodbye, darling.
Bye, Dick.
[RlCHARD SlNGlNG
lN DlSTANCE]
-Hello, Peter.
-How are you, Mr. Johnson?.
Tough, Peter, tough.
All ready to open fire on my dad.
He won`t mind anything you do.
He`s so pleased.
And may I add my congratulations?.
Congratulations?. How did you know?.
-You couldn`t know.
-But everyone knows.
Don`t tell me you haven`t seen the paper.
Who did this?. How did this happen?.
Why, I don`t know, sir.
Didn`t you?.
It`s no use blaming anyone except me.
I did it, Ferdi.
He didn`t wanna go see Grandma.
I rushed him into it.
From the very first,
I guess I rushed him into everything.
He could have told you.
Yes, he could have told me.
Dick doesn`t like to hurt people.
-You didn`t know that, did you, Ferdi?.
-I didn`t know that.
He never once really said
that he loved me.
Or talked about us together.
But I felt so sure.
Don`t think about it, Nora.
There`s something to be said
for Grandma`s way, isn`t there?.
Waiting until you`re asked.
Your grandma never waited for anyone,
man or woman.
She would have left herself
a place to hide.
She`s pretty, isn`t she?.
Seems so strange.
I`ve gone so many times
to hear him sing.
Dick`s father, I mean.
I even mentioned him to him once.
Must have all seemed very amusing.
[SOBBlNG]
Don`t. Don`t, Nora.
-Oh, Ferdi.
-He isn`t worth it.
[KNOCKlNG]
Come in.
It`s all arranged.
I`ve just phoned Mrs. Fields.
-l`ll drive you there.
-Thank you, Gordon.
I still think Nora should go home
to Grandma.
Oh, no. No, Ferdi.
I couldn`t do that. Not yet.
I`ve had the same couple at the lodge
for 1 0 years, Ferdi.
They`ll take good care of her.
Well, goodbye, Ferdi.
-Come and see me when you can, huh?.
-Sure.
Goodbye, Nora.
Look after things, will you, Ferdi?.
I`ll drive back tonight.
And that goes for doormats too.
Where`s Nora?.
Gone.
Then she saw this?.
Well, congratulations.
Did Nora see this story?.
Story?. Isn`t it true?.
Of course it isn`t true.
You mean you`re not engaged
to marry this luscious young beauty?.
Well, yes, I am, but--
That`s enough.
I don`t wanna hear any more.
Ferdi, did you ever try to break
an engagement to a perfectly nice girl?.
It`s a rotten thing to have to do.
You could have told Nora about her.
I tried to. Tried to a dozen times.
But I just couldn`t.
How could I ask Nora to wait...
...while I crawled out of an engagement
to another girl?.
I had to get things cleared up first.
Everything happened so fast.
I supposed Nora rushed you.
No. No, of course not.
But if l`d only had a few more hours, l--
Ferdi, I got to find Nora. Where is she?.
She`s where you`ll never find her.
Did she go to Mackinac?.
Why don`t you go and see
and take your long underwear?.
Ferdi, tell me where I can find her.
-What right have you to decide for Nora?.
-None, but I am deciding for her.
You can`t do this to me.
I was okayed by Grandma.
She can make a mistake too.
[PlANO PLAYlNG]
FERDl [SlNGlNG] :
I was sitting at my piano
The other day
But my mind was ill at ease
They were coming to take it away
that afternoon.
[WOMEN LAUGHlNG]
I was all by myself
In a mellow mood
Improvising symphonies
My right hand
was playing Mozart`s minuet.
And at the same time, my left hand
was playing the "" Habanera"" from Carmen.
And at the same time, my mouth
was whistling the sextet from Luigini`s.
And while all this was going on...
...what do you think my foot was doing?.
While keeping time,
it was cracking walnuts.
Why?.
You see, I had to eat too.
Then in the midst of my soliloquy,
a strange feeling came over me.
My right hand stopped playing.
My left hand stopped playing.
My mouth stopped whistling
and my foot stopped cracking the walnuts.
Why?. Because, ladies and gentlemen,
I found it.
I found it.
The lost chord.
That`s it, the lost chord.
So let`s celebrate
I`m feeling great
I`m the guy that found the lost chord
It hasn`t changed.
I`ll have my name in the hall of fame
Because I just went and found
That lost chord
Ladies and gentlemen, how I struggled.
I worked my brain to the bone.
First, I put an A-flat with a B-minor.
I put a B-minor with an F-major.
Then I put a F-major with a B-minor.
I tried an A and a B and a B and the G
and the G and the E.
The B and the D and the G
and the D and the G and the B--
What kind of a piano is this?.
No apostrophes.
So let`s celebrate
I`m feeling great
I`m the guy that found the lost chord
You know, it wasn`t easy
finding that lost chord.
Working in my attic,
I didn`t sleep for days and days.
I would have been in terrible shape
if I hadn`t have slept nights.
People said I was mad.
But that didn`t discourage me,
they said Mozart was mad.
They said Puccini was mad.
They said Louis was mad.
Who`s Louis?.
My uncle. He was mad.
Soon my efforts bore fruit and I found it.
The lost chord.
Music lovers.
Do you realize what you`re hearing?.
I`ll play it again.
What happened?. That`s not the chord.
Neither is that.
Neither is that. Neither is that.
I lost a chord. A ""catastro-stroph.""
Lock the doors.
Nobody leaves the place until I find it.
It`s not here.
It`s not here.
He`s crazy.
It`s not here.
It`s not here.
It`s not here.
Ladies and gentlemen, l`m gonna sit
on the keyboard of this piano...
...until the chord is returned.
That`s it.
The lost chord.
Very strange.
I usually play by ear.
So let`s celebrate
I`m feeling great
Because I`m the guy
That found the lost chord
All right, girls, back to work.
Places.
What are you doing here?.
I am seeking a young woman
who calls herself Leonora Cambaretti.
What do you mean calls herself?.
She is Leonora Cambaretti.
Excuse my English, please.
Well, watch it.
Anyway, Miss Cambaretti isn`t here.
Where is she?.
Who are you, a detective?.
No, I am Richard Herald
of the Opera Company.
Oh, so you`re his father.
You know my son, Dick?.
You are maybe the young lady`s father?.
No, just a friend of the family.
Now, can I get back to work?.
Since weeks,
I have not seen my son, Dick.
Isn`t he married yet?.
I made a big mistake.
An honest mistake, you understand.
I thought she was the right girl.
Oh, so the marriage is off, huh?.
Yes, it has made a sound, pfft.
Well, sorry, I can`t help you.
All right, girls, places.
You do not know
where the missing Leonora is?.
I know, all right.
But Miss Cambaretti
doesn`t wanna be found.
I prefer to ask her
if she wants to be found.
Won`t you please go out
the way you came in?.
You`re holding up the rehearsal.
All right,
I shall go out the way I came in.
But I will find her.
I will show you.
You`re a stubborn, stupid man.
You rookie.
[MERLE SlNGlNG]
Ferdi. You`ve changed your mind?.
No.
Quite a surprise having you call on me.
Why don`t you go and see your father?.
How do you know I haven`t?.
He came to see me.
Oh?. What did he want?.
Same thing you did.
Dad`s trying to find Nora.
Don`t you see, Ferdi?. Now you gotta realize
l`ve been honest about this.
I`m spending the summer in Mackinac.
That`s a nice forwarding address
for your Sunday newspaper.
-But a waste of time.
-Oh, it`s strictly business.
Cugi has a summer engagement
at the Grand Hotel.
I suppose you arranged that.
I had nothing to do with it.
It just happened that way.
Even the stars are fighting
against you, Ferdi.
If I wasn`t fighting my finer impulses,
you`d being seeing stars.
Oh, you`re just being stupid.
Even if Nora doesn`t go to see Grandma,
and Deborah will let me know if she does...
...she`ll swim again
and her name will be up in electric lights.
You can`t keep me
from finding her, Ferdi.
You can only make it difficult
and delay things.
Delay things long enough, maybe.
Don`t think I don`t know why you`re taking
this dog-in-the-manger attitude.
You`re in love with Nora yourself.
-Me?.
-Yeah.
I`d do anything in the world for her.
Yes, anything in the world,
except see her happy with another man.
Bartender.
What will it cost me to break that mirror
into a million little smithereens?.
Uh-uh-uh!
[HORN BLOWlNG]
-Gordon, I hope you`ll understand.
-Understand what?.
That you won`t have any standing
whatsoever in this here community.
Why do you say that, Ferdi?.
A summer tourist, that`s what you are.
And we old-timers snoot them.
And I can manage
an especially fine job of snooting.
I`ll like anything
this old-timer does to me.
As soon as Grandma likes you,
you are an old-timer.
Grandma will like Gordon.
-Take my bicycle, please.
-Yes, ma`am.
DlCK [SlNGlNG] :
Un poquito de amor
Means a little bit of love
But a little from someone like you
Could make all my dreams come true
Heaven opens its door
A t the thought of your embrace
Quiet!
So imagine the wonderful thrill
If it ever will take place
[MOUTHS]
Me?
Should the wine be divine
We`ll waste it if we never taste it
Pardon me a moment.
Oh, no, no, not for a woman that age.
-Stop the music.
-Deborah, she`s here?.
Yes, but she brought a rival with her.
A rival?. Who?.
I don`t know, but he`s very handsome.
And he`s making sheep`s eyes at Nora.
Sheep`s eyes would just disgust Nora.
I don`t know about that.
Grandma says women are frail.
And Nora is a woman.
-Yeah.
-Ferdi came with them.
Come on, let`s get over.
[CUGAT SPEAKlNG lN SPANlSH]
A grand opening we`ll have.
Thank you.
Grandma.
What`s the matter?.
Well, nothing, only, you know you
promised you`d ask Gordon some questions.
I did, did l?.
DlCK: Are you sure they`re home?.
DEBORAH: They were when I left.
Now, Mr. Coome, you won`t mind
if my questions are little personal?.
Not at all.
GRANDMA:
You understand, it`s because...
...my granddaughter`s happiness
is so dear to me.
I think I understand.
Now, l`d like to know about
any women in your life.
Don`t answer that.
You have no right to ask him questions.
You asked me questions and I passed.
Hello, Nora.
Hello, Dick.
Unless my memory fails me,
Mr. Johnson...
...your answer to that question was a lie.
Only a temporary one.
Nora, you`ve got to let me explain.
I realize I should have been honest
with you...
...and I made a mistake.
A mistake?.
Aren`t you being a trifle severe
with yourself?.
I`ve done everything I could
to make it up.
There`s no way to make it up.
Don`t say that, Nora.
You can`t mean that.
Why weren`t you honest with me?.
I wanted to get everything
straightened out first.
All my life, l`d be wondering
whether you`re telling me the truth...
...or getting something
straightened out first.
You aren`t being fair.
This whole thing has been so involved.
My father wanted me
to go through with it.
I`ve even quarreled with him about it.
It wasn`t easy walking out on a girl
who had always been honest with me.
Listen to me, Nora.
I`ve upset three lives already just--
I don`t wanna hear about it.
I don`t care what you`ve done
or what you haven`t done...
...what you intend doing.
Will you please understand?.
I`m just not interested.
All right, Nora.
If you`re not interested...
...then neither am l.
-Goodbye, Deborah.
-Goodbye.
[CRYlNG]
Deborah, stop sniffling.
Mr. Coome,
I apologize for my granddaughter.
And for my great-granddaughter.
And for my part in this scene.
I`ve never had an apology
from three generations before.
Well, there are times
when life gets too ridiculous.
Shall we go on with our game?.
Thank you. I`d like to.
[CRYlNG]
DEBORAH:
Come in.
Why all the weeping?. What`s the matter?.
I brought Dick to see Nora
and she was mean to him.
And now he`s awfully mad at her.
Deborah, you`ve got it all wrong.
Dick was mean to me
and l`m mad at him.
They`re mad at each other.
[WHlSPERS] You`re a friend of the family.
Can`t you do something?.
[WHlSPERS]
Hello?. Hello.
Long distance, please.
I apologize. You are not a rookie.
I wonder. I`ve had one
or two dubious doubts about that.
Take these up to Grandma`s.
This was all that was left at the house.
Unless you wanna ride in that.
In Denmark,
I used to ride the handlebars.
Recently?.
Wait--
You better get back here.
Get on. Don`t make a problem out of it.
Oh, you`re in here.
Did you think l`d receive your guest
in the kitchen?.
It wouldn`t have surprised me.
Anyway, this is Mr. Richard Herald.
Mrs. Cambaretti, Mr. Herald.
How do you do?.
I am delighted to be here,
Mrs. Cambaretti.
Well, I guess l`ll run along.
Won`t you sit down, Mr. Herald?.
You are kind to listen to me,
Mrs. Cambaretti.
I can explain the mix-up with clarity.
Your son did that without much success.
Oh, Dick told you.
I overreached myself,
putting that announcement in the paper.
But Dick didn`t tell us that.
Oh, he wouldn`t.
When one comes of good stock,
it shows up in the behavior.
May I tell you, Mr. Herald, what I thought
when I learned that Dick is your son?.
Please do, Mrs. Cambaretti.
I thought, "" Like father, like son.""
As a young man, Mr. Herald,
you were much in the headlines.
Now I recognize you.
You are the famous Cambaretti.
Such joy to watch.
Pure poetry of motion.
But this is a perfect marriage.
We will arrange it. All the details.
And then we will tell those silly children.
That old-country method
didn`t work so well, did it?.
The other time you tried it.
I don`t know about Dick,
but Nora can`t be shoved around.
Maybe we could give her a little push.
-Hello, Gordon.
-Hello, Ferdi.
Why aren`t you swimming?.
I thought l`d just watch today.
Come on, Deborah.
It`s time you did a little work.
Make it good, now, Deborah.
That`s fine, Deborah.
You weren`t watching me.
I knew it wasn`t any good.
Oh, that`s all right. We`ll try it again.
Come on, let`s swim now, huh?.
All right.
One, two...
...three, four, five, turn.
One, two, three, four, five...
...six, seven, under.
MERLE [SlNGlNG]: She`s Chiquita Banana
And she come to say
I got a little island down equator way
I sail on big banana boat from Caribbee
To see if I can keep good-neighbor policy
I bring a song about bananas
I sing it low, I sing it high
I make big hit with `Mericanos
Singing song about bananas
I can sing about the moonlight
On the very, very tropical equator
But, no, I sing about bananas
And the refrigerator
[SlNGlNG] She`s Chiquita Banana
And she come to say
Banana have to ripen in a certain way
When they are flecked with brown
-And have a golden hue
-[SlNGlNG] You`d be
-Bananas taste the best and are--
-So easy to love
So easy to idolize
All others above
So worth the yearning for
So swell
-To keep every home fire burning for
-He`s supposed to sing, he doesn`t.
He isn ` t supposed to, he does.
We`d be so grand at the game
So carefree together
That it does seem a shame
That you can `t see
Your future with me
Because you`d be, oh, so easy
To love
Dick sang with that pretty girl.
Deborah, if you start to cry,
l`m gonna take you right home.
-Now, come on. We`re gonna swim again.
-I don`t want to swim.
I wanna be a bareback rider
like Grandma.
Well, today, you`re gonna swim.
And you`re gonna act as if you--
Well, as if you didn`t even hear him.
Come on, let`s go.
Gordon, I hate to say this.
Well, then don`t.
Okay.
Why is it people who are slow
are always considered stupid?.
-Why, Gordon, no one ever said--
-Never mind.
I don`t need a blueprint.
Believe me,
l`m really sorry about everything.
But not surprised, huh?.
Gordon, if that pool started running
1 0-foot waves, l`d be interested...
...but not surprised.
Come in, Mr. Herald.
Good evening. Good evening.
My premonitions are slipping.
Are they showing?.
I thought you`d bring your offspring along,
by the ear.
No, I haven`t seen my son.
I proceed cautiously.
I am waiting for reinforcements.
Good evening, Mr. Herald.
Good evening, Mrs. Cambaretti.
We should have met many years ago.
More headlines.
My cane, please, Ferdi.
Leonora?.
She is going with us to see Dick?.
My granddaughter has a sick headache.
A very stubborn sick headache.
But that is not going according
to our schedule.
Nora often has her own schedule.
And her own timetable.
I will advise her.
I will tell her how silly she is
to have a stubborn headache tonight.
I wouldn`t dish out that kind of advice
in any openhanded manner.
We might send Dick back
with a headache remedy.
-Coming, Ferdi?.
FERDl: Later.
I wanna go up and check
on Nora`s headache.
GRANDMA:
Very well. See you later.
Nora.
NORA:
Come in.
Headache better?.
You know perfectly well
I never had a headache in my life...
...and I don`t intend having one.
Going someplace?.
Yes, l`m going to follow Gordon.
And don`t you try to talk me out of it.
I know what I want.
Gordon`s honest and straightforward.
He`d never duck an issue
or compromise with the truth.
You`d know right
where you stood with Gordon.
Yeah, sounds kind of flat, doesn`t it?.
Will you please stop interfering?.
You`re the one that talked Gordon
into leaving.
-Even Gordon saw that--
-There you go again.
Why do you say ""even Gordon""?.
Another thing.
I know that you sent for Dick`s father.
Grandma told me.
Yes, I did.
Why wouldn`t you go out with him
and Grandma tonight?.
Isn`t it enough to have you and Grandma
and Dick`s father all chasing after him?.
Don`t you think I have any pride at all?.
Pride?.
It don`t fill the same bill
as happiness, Nora.
Ferdi, I know that you mean well,
but even as a friend of the family...
...well, l`d appreciate it
if you`d just keep your hands off.
All right, Nora.
If that`s the way you want it,
that`s the way it`s gonna be.
I`ll resign as a friend of the family,
but before I do, I wanna tell you something.
You`re being selfish and unforgiving
and stubborn.
Your pride is hurt,
so you`re running to Gordon.
Well, he deserves something better.
Maybe Dick deserves something better.
If you wanna convince him
that you`re eating your heart out...
...just stay here and sulk
and pretend to have headaches.
Good night, Nora.
I`ll drive you to the boat in the morning.
-Deborah?.
DEBORAH: l`m awake.
I tried and tried and tried,
but I couldn`t go to sleep.
Anything troubling you?.
Yes. Is Nora going to be an old maid?.
No.
I don`t think so.
But Dick is awfully mad at her.
And that nice Mr. Gordon left
on the afternoon boat.
He gave me a memento.
Maybe you better put it
with Grandma`s mementos.
That`s what Mr. Gordon said.
I will, tomorrow.
Now, how about going to sleep?.
Promise me something first?.
Cross my heart.
What is it?.
You love Nora, don`t you?.
Yes.
Ever since her pigtails
were no longer than yours.
Then if it becomes absolutely necessary,
will you marry her?.
Will I marry Nora?.
I promise you,
Nora will never be an old maid.
CHORUS [SlNGlNG] : Un poquito de amor
Means a little bit of love
DlCK [SlNGlNG] :
But a little from someone like you
Could make all my dreams come true
Heaven opens its doors
A t the thought of your embrace
So imagine the wonderful thrill
If it ever will take place
-Should the wine be divine
-[SlNGlNG] Ah
We`ll waste it if we never taste it
And tonight, who can say
Paradise may be just a kiss away
Un poquito de amor
DlCK:
La, la-da-da
MERLE:
Just a little love to start
MERLE & DlCK: Give me something
No matter how small
And I`ll give you all my heart
I`ll give you all
My heart
[AUDlENCE APPLAUDlNG]
Applaud it, I cannot.
DlCK:
Hi, Pop.
That was a beautiful song.
-I enjoyed hearing it.
-Thank you, Dad.
For the other things of my hurrying you
in the wrong direction...
...for that, I am sorry.
Oh, that`s all right, Dad.
There are some things
that it`s just as well to find out.
GRANDMA:
Sit down, Dick.
-Evening, Mrs. Cambaretti.
-Take that stubborn look off your face.
He gets it from me.
I don`t know where Nora gets it.
Leonora--
Leonora has a stubborn headache.
You are to hurry to her at once
with Seidlitz powders.
Well, what are you waiting for?.
As far as l`m concerned,
Nora can mix her own medicine.
You?. You say so?.
You stand up there and sing
about pequito amor...
...with a girl whose names
I don`t even know...
...while Leonora suffers
with a stubborn headache.
Old-country methods.
Thank you.
Dick, I ask you as a favor to me.
CUGAT: Ladies and gentlemen,
I have a surprise for you.
Among the merrymakers here tonight
is the greatest singer of our time...
...Senor Richard Herald.
Maybe he will be kind enough
to sing a song for us.
Maybe?.
Don`t go away,
unless you go with Seidlitz powders.
You know, Dick,
l`m afraid it`s all for the best.
-What is?.
-This quarrel.
Your children, yours and Nora`s,
will be too stubborn to take nourishment.
Gracias, Senor Herald. Maybe?.
Maestro, I will sing on one condition.
[SPEAKS lN SPANlSH]
That you fire my son.
With pleasure.
Well, then I shall sing
"" La donna e mobile.""
"" La donna e mobile""?.
We`ll follow.
E
[SlNGlNG "" LA DONNA E MOBlLE""]
[SlNGlNG]
So worth the yearning for
So swell to keep
Every home fire burning for
We`d be so grand at the game
So carefree together
That it does seem a shame
That you can `t see your future with me
Because you`d be, oh, so easy to love
You`d be so easy to
Love