Gold Diggers of 1937 Page #9

Don't forget, J.J., life begins at 59.

Remember, Mr. Hobart,

the mongrel's hole may slip...

...but only crowbars

loose the bulldog's grip.

You and your crowbars.

Oh, let me alone, let me die in peace.

J.J., don't say that.

That's not the right spirit.

No, sir. You've just gotta get better.

Especially before your next premium

comes due.

What's the use?

What have I got to live for?

Why, everything, everything, J.J.

You're just in the prime of life.

You're right at the peak.

Why, you'll soon be the old hard-fisted,

fire-eating producer again.

Think of your responsibilities.

Think of the audiences of America.

The millions of them. Think of posterity.

Well, you can't let them down.

You may be broke but you've got us...

...and we'll get together and put you

back on your feet where you belong.

We'll put you on your feet

with the greatest show you ever saw.

With the greatest show

anybody ever saw.

We'll have millions standing on their feet,

cheering the name of J.J. Hobart.

- There he goes again.

- J.J., J.J.

- Oh, J.J., darling.

- J.J.

Please, you have to leave.

J.J.

Is he all right?

Well, he's terrible, in terrible shape.

- Rosmer, how we gonna do?

- Yes, how are we gonna do it?

I don't know now.

Attention, girls.

I suppose that you're all aware

of the distressing position...

...that Mr. Hobart has placed us in.

So there's scarcely any need

of going into it any further.

I can only say

on behalf of Mr. Hugo and myself...

...that we're extremely sorry.

You know how close J.J. Was to us.

And the fact that he could place us

in this unfortunate situation...

...wounds us deeply.

Nevertheless, I'm forced to announce

that rehearsals will be discontinued.

Wait.

Take care of them, Boop.

- Oh, what's the meaning of this?

- Shut your face.

- This is an outrage.

- Keep quiet.

Yes, keep quiet.

Boys and girls,

I don't know what you've been told.

But it's no fault of J.J.'s

that this show is on the rocks.

His only mistake was in trusting

the financial matters of this company...

...to these two crooks here.

I just came from the hospital

where J.J. Is flat on his back...

...holding on to one thread

with the hope that this show will open...

...and get him out of the hole

that these two put him in.

Now, I promised him

that we'd put the show on.

I don't know exactly

how it's gonna be done...

...but it's got to be done,

because it means his life.

So it's up to us.

Now, the cast has walked out

but if you'll stick...

...I know we can put it on.

And now, if you feel a sense of loyalty

to a grand old man of the theater...

...here's your chance to give him help.

- Are you with us?

Sure.

Swell.

Then there's one thing to be done first.

Come on.

Ten thousand dollars?

Do you think I'm crazy?

Andy, I think you were a bit cracked.

Now I think you're completely gone.

Which would you rather do?

Put 10,000 in the show,

or pay out 1 million in insurance?

- Maybe he won't die.

- But he will.

If this show doesn't go on,

he's the guy that will glory in his grave.

There will be no peace

for the loved ones.

Only the wailing

of an insurance company...

...to the tune of one million smackers.

How did I ever get in this?

Well, never mind how you got in it.

Get out of it.

You wouldn't take 5000, would you?

Ten thousand or 1 million.

This used to be a great business

in the old days.

Optimism, that's what you need.

Do or die.

Sink or swim.

Shut up.

Wouldn't Reginald

make a marvelous impresario?

It would be just too thrilling

to have him actually in show business.

Maybe Reginald

will let us exhibit him in the lobby.

Now, you just write out a check, honey,

and we'll take care of everything.

And what's more,

I might tell Aunt Matilda...

...what happened that time

you got drunk in Cleveland.

Certainly, Boop. Glad to help out.

I had forgotten about Cleveland.

Hello, darling.

I have a marvelous surprise for you.

You're going in show business.

No, not me. You.

I'm gonna let you be an angel.

And, honey,

the scenery will only cost $ 10,000.

It isn't exactly a charity, darling.

Just make it out to the Hobart Theatre.

Oh, honey, I forgot to tell you.

I sold your automobile this morning.

And we're all gonna chip in

everything we have.

Hello? Yes.

You better give me a check, or there will be

three at your house for dinner tonight.

You, your wife and me.

Come on, hurry up, will you?

- Boop.

- Hello, babe.

When are we gonna get married?

My mother wants to know.

Now, don't you worry.

If this show's a hit, we'll get married.

We'll get married or nothing.

Hey, Milt, don't forget that floodlight.

- I'll take care of it.

- Thanks.

- Hello.

- Is everything all right?

I think so.

Angel's wings didn't come.

Mule refuses to be painted like a zebra.

Second act scenery got rained on.

Character woman's got hiccups.

Dancer can't find his tights or partner.

- Outside of that, everything's all right.

- Don't worry, the show's gonna be swell.

Well, it better be.

You know what it will mean

if it flops to J. J?

Well, it can't flop. Don't even think of it.

Think of the audiences of America.

Think of the millions

that will be there standing and cheering.

Think of posterity.

Oh, Ross, I'm so scared.

Don't you be scared.

It's a good show, you're swell in it.

You can't miss. You're like Joan of Arc.

Yeah. But, honey, they burned her.

I'm surprised at you breaking up so.

I just couldn't help it.

It was so moving,

so touching and beautiful.

I've never seen

a ceremony like that before.

Answer the phone.

Hello?

Hello. Is Mr. Hobart there?

No. They've all gone.

They've all gone? Who?

The reporters and everybody.

The reporters?

What's the matter?

Something wrong with Mr. Hobart?

Yes. He...

He...

Oh, Mr. Hobart has gone on?

Yes.

Oh.

Ross, what's the matter?

Old J.J. Has gone.

You mean he's...

Fifteen minutes.

- Well, we can't put the show on now.

- Of course not.

Fifteen minutes.

Hey, wait a minute. Kids.

Kids, come here, will you?

Come here.

Whole thing's called off.

There will be no show.

What?

- Tell them to give the money back.

- What's the matter? Are you crazy?

No, I'm not crazy.

We can't put the show on now.

You see, old J.J. Hobart is gone.

Gone?

Well, he...

- J.J.

- Mr. Hobart.

- Mr. Hobart.

J.J.

Are we glad to see you.

Hello, folks.

Well, you did it, didn't you? Good work.

And now,

I have some broadcasting to do.

This is J.J. Hobart speaking.

We had the ceremony performed

in the hospital...

...and I felt so good about it,

I had to come over and tell you.

I want you to meet Mrs. J.J. Hobart.

Congratulations, congratulations.

Well, say, what about the show?

It's late, isn't it?

That's right.

You get into your costume.

- The curtain goes up on time.

- Come on, everybody.

Here we go.

Boy, are we glad to see you.

I'm afraid this excitement

will be too much for you.

- Maybe we better go back to the hospital.

- Hospital, nothing.

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