Hollywood Canteen Page #8

sitting way over there where I was.

I'd be sitting right here.

Just like this?

Not exactly, I'd...

I'd have my arm around you too,

for instance.

All right, let's just sit that way,

for instance.

Wow.

What's the matter?

I can't believe it's me sitting here

with my arm around you.

[HUMMING]

Hear the mail plane?

That isn't the mail plane,

it's my heart beating.

Oh.

[CAR APPROACHING]

It's my folks.

I wouldn't want them to meet me

with coffee grounds on my pants.

You go out the back way, then, come on.

I'm... I'm sorry, Slim.

So am I.

Gee, I wanted tonight

to be different than this.

Me too.

[FOOTSTEPS]

Aren't you going to kiss me good night?

That makes up for everything.

Good night, Slim.

Good night.

- Good morning, gentlemen.

WOMAN:
May we come in?

Usually a man waiter does this, but they're

in defense factories or fighting someplace.

I always say a woman's place

is in the hotel room.

Are you really married to Joan Leslie?

Holy smoke!

This is awful, it...

It isn't fair to her. She won't like this.

This is terrible.

Oh, I'm sorry, ladies.

You'd better get out of here.

Slim.

- You're gonna ask her to marry you.

- What do you mean? I wouldn't dare.

What have you got to lose?

Go on, ask her.

All right, all right,

so you don't have to ask her to marry you.

Grapefruit?

Why, Mr. Warner sent word down

that the whole studio is yours.

He even sent our prettiest

messenger girl to guide you.

NOLAN:
What? You said you were...

Messenger girl.

Huh.

You all through being tied up

with Humphrey Bogart, sweetie?

I was told to take you to Stage 4 first.

Congratulations, corporal,

and a hearty welcome to the studio.

Thank you.

I guess we're roosters

of another feather today, eh, officer?

I guess so.

Is this the stage where you're testing

with Humphrey Bogart, sweetie?

Joan Leslie and Zachary Scott

are doing a scene.

Follow me.

MAN:

Quiet, everybody.

All right, action.

ZACHARY:

You knew I was strapped.

JOAN:
Obviously, else why would I

wire you the money?

ZACHARY:
Exactly, and now you know why

I sent it back, I'm no paid escort.

- You're just too proud.

- Do you think I'd humiliate you?

I'd rather be humiliated

than disappointed.

ZACHARY:
Then this may be news to you,

I've chucked architecture.

Because after six years

of work and study...

...it still won't pay my train fare

to visit the girl I love.

JOAN:

Then why don't you kiss me?

Why don't you prove it?

MAN:
Cut. Print.

- All right?

MAN:

Fine. Relax, kids.

Hello, Slim, I didn't know you were there.

- You know Zachary?

- Hello.

Hello.

Excuse me.

Slim?

Do you like that guy very much?

You mean Zachary? Of course I do.

Oh, shame on you.

Hello, sergeant, it's nice to see you again.

- Goes double, Miss Leslie.

- Hello.

- Hello, Miss Leslie.

- Come on, Slim.

- Did you see the papers?

- That's why I'm here.

Sit down, Slim.

By the way, my family wants to meet you.

Dinner tonight at 7?

Fine.

JOAN:

Scared?

- Well...

- Oh, you don't have to be.

Now that my pal is in good hands,

you may lead me astray individually...

...if your art hasn't taken too much

out of you.

What would you like to see next?

Beautiful women.

Follow me.

This way to the beautiful women.

"Positively no visitors." In the Army,

you can get shot for going by that.

Maybe you're somebody special.

How nice.

Follow me.

Sergeant?

All my life, I dreamed of such a moment.

And I didn't even know where I was at.

PRINZ:
All right, call everybody on the set.

- Okay, LeRoy.

- Mr. Prinz?

- Yeah?

- This is the millionth man's friend.

- Wanna take a look at what's going on?

- You bet your sweet life.

- Fine, just take this seat right here.

That's very kind of you, Mr. Prinz.

PRINZ:
Everybody all ready?

MAN 1:
All set.

- All set, sarge?

- Yes, sir.

Okay. Let's look, boys.

MAN 2:
Take it away, boys.

MAN 3:
Take it up.

Hey! Hey, whoa!

Wait a minute.

Hey, let me out of this thing.

[WOMEN LAUGHING]

That's why I didn't get in the Air Force.

I get airsick.

[NOLAN SCREAMS]

Whoa. Great Caesar's gho...

Ground, come to me.

Hey, this is okay, it's very interesting.

- You like it, huh?

- Yeah.

How would you like to look

through the finder?

- Finder?

- Sure. Here, go on, take a look.

NOLAN:
Who's that?

- That's Joan McCracken.

Star from Oklahoma!

- You're just in time for a full rehearsal.

NOLAN:
That, Mr. Prinz, I gotta see.

MAN 4:

Music!

[MUSIC PLAYING]

It's very interesting.

Humpf.

Hello, I'm Slim.

Well, I'm Joan's sister, Betty.

Won't you come in?

Slim, this is Mother and Dad.

- How do you do?

- We're glad to see you.

Yes, I've looked forward to meeting you.

I guess you didn't like

what was in the papers, sir.

Joan explained.

Sit down?

You know the old saying,

"Say it with flowers."

What does that mean?

Oh, you know,

if you love somebody, you...

I bet you wish she'd hurry up.

I'll get her.

- I see you have the Purple Heart there.

- Yes, sir.

I was in the wrong place

when a shell exploded.

You know, son, I think I'm beginning

to understand what Joan sees in you.

Oh, how awful,

you had to face the family without me.

It wasn't half as bad

as I thought it was going to be.

Well, I mean... That is...

Oh, you know what I mean.

Yes, dear, we know what you mean.

Come along, Father, and carve the ham.

We'll give Joan a night off.

Look what I brought you.

Oh, they're lovely, thank you.

- Would you like me to put them in water?

- Would you, please?

- Sure.

- Thanks.

Do you like them?

They like you too. I could tell by their eyes

when I came in.

Think they could tell from my eyes

how crazy I am about you?

You say the darndest things, Slim.

It's gonna take a long time

getting used to you.

I wish we had a long time.

Dear heavenly Father,

we thank thee...

...for all thy blessings on this house

and on our loved ones.

Bless, we pray thee, the guest at our table,

watch over him and protect him.

And we pray thee, O heavenly Father...

...bless all those throughout the world...

...who are suffering

in body, heart, mind and spirit.

Grant them thy infinite benediction...

...of hope and strength and faith

and peace.

Amen.

Thank you. I feel very privileged tonight

to be asked to introduce...

...one of the world's greatest violinists.

He's in town for the Philharmonic.

Mr. Joseph Szigeti.

Thank you, boys and girls.

We are going to play "The Bee"

by Franois Schubert.

Thank you, Mr. Szigeti.

- It's been a happy experience.

- Thank you.

This is more or less of a classical evening

here at the Canteen.

As you know, Mr. Szigeti represents the

finest of the European school of violinists.

We also happen to have

a man here tonight...

...who is one of the greatest,

if not the greatest, American violinist.

[AUDIENCE MEMBERS LAUGHING]

Thank you, Miss Davis.

The nerve to play "The Bee."

See, "The Bee" was written exclusively

for me by Franois Schubert.

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