In the Good Old Summertime

When I look at Chicago today,

it's hard for me to realize...

that it's the same city I knew

when I was a boy.

All those skyscrapers...

that steel and concrete...

those busy streets...

and the crowds.

We didn't ha ve them.

In my day, life was more leisurely.

The women didn't wear anything

on their faces then.

The men made up for it.

You weren't a substantial citizen

unless you wore a mustache.

I remember I grew one myself.

But somehow, I guess

I wasn't substantial enough.

I was living in a boarding house then...

along with other young hopefuls.

Sunday was my big day.

It was my one chance for an outing.

Sometimes I'd pick up my friend Hickey.

His uncle, Mr. Oberkugen, was my boss.

We'd ride out to one of the parks

to meet him.

Mr. Oberkugen was

an unpredictable man on weekdays...

but on Sunday he was always happy.

Nellie was his cashier, his accountant,

and his secretary.

Had been for 20 years.

They never married. I used to wonder why.

Like all people in love, they were worried

because I had no lady friend.

They'd try to get me one,

but I had other plans.

You hold her hand, and she holds yours

and that's a very good sign

That she's your tootsie-wootsie

in the good old summertime

In the good old summertime

in the good old summertime

Strolling through the shady lanes

with your baby mine

You hold her hand, and she holds yours

and that's a very good sign

That she's your tootsie-wootsie

in the good old summertime

That Monday morning alarm

meant back to work.

Some people hated that alarm...

but not me. I had something to get up for.

You see, the post office would be open.

And that meant

there might be a letter for me...

one of those very special letters.

- I beg your pardon, madam.

- Well, I never.

- Watch where you're going.

- I'll fiX your hat for you.

- No, that's not quite the right angle.

- Leave my hat alone.

Here's your umbrella.

I don't really know what happened.

Here's your bag.

- I beg your pardon.

- For heaven's sakes.

- Leave me alone.

- I'm terribly sorry.

- Here's your hat.

- Thank you.

- Something's missing.

- Where's my bird?

Here's your bird. Here we are. I'm so sorry.

- What!

- Wrong bird.

- For heaven's sake. Thank you.

- I'll attach this.

I'm terribly sorry about this.

- I was in such a hurry.

- Watch where you're going.

- I was reading a letter.

- Give me that, you're crushing my hat.

I'm terribly sorry about this.

- Here's your umbrella.

- Thank you.

- Wait a minute.

- Where are you? There you are.

Here's your hat, your bird...

Is this yours?

- Here's your bag.

- Wait a minute!

The umbrella.

Parasol, I mean. I'm terribly sorry.

- Please, madam, excuse me.

- "Please, madam"?

Here's your bird, and here's your bag.

Now I've really got to go.

- Go.

- I've got to go to the office.

Look, here's my card.

That's where I work, see?

You go buy yourself whatever I've ruined...

and I'll be glad to pay for it. All right?

- Thank you very much.

- Goodbye.

Wait a minute.

I was head salesman at Mr. Oberkugen's,

getting a good salary:

$15 a week.

- Good morning, Andy.

- Good morning, Nellie.

- Good morning.

- Good morning, Hickey.

- Morning.

- Morning, Rudy.

You're late.

Mr. Oberkugen had to let us in.

I know. See, I... Come here a minute.

Sit down. I got another letter.

- From the girl that advertised?

- Yeah. You wanna hear something nice?

"Dear Friend...

"my heart was trembling

as I walked into the post office...

"but there you were, Iying in BoX 237.

"I took you out of your envelope

and read you...

"read you right there, dear Friend. "

But I thought she wanted to correspond

with you on intellectual subjects.

Isn't that intellectual? Positively poetry.

Wait, there's more.

"Are you short or tall?

"Are your eyes blue or brown?

"Don't tell me.

What does it matter if our minds meet?"

You're right. It is intellectual.

"There are so many wonderful things

to write about in this world of ours.

"It would be wasting precious time

if we told each other...

"the sordid details of our daily lives,

so don't let's do it.

"I agree with you when you say:

"Tis happier to be dead...

"'to die for beauty than to live for bread. "'

Did you say that?

Ralph Waldo Emerson said it first.

Yes?

Mr. Oberkugen wants to see you.

Thanks. How is he this morning?

- Peaches and cream.

- I hope so.

How many times must I tell you?

That violin is priceless!

I'm sorry, Uncle Otto.

Don't call me Uncle Otto.

In the store, I am Mr. Oberkugen.

Yes, sir.

AII I did was pluck his violin.

That Dummkopf...

the Stradivarius,

he picks it like a mandolin.

It's your fault. If you'd been here on time,

it wouldn't have happened.

- Sorry, sir. I had a little accident.

- It's no excuse.

Everybody can have an accident.

Did you hurt yourself?

- No, I didn't.

- Good. I hate the dangerous bicycle.

Come.

I have something to show you.

I am sure you will like it.

It's a surprise for the whole business.

Look.

I have a chance to buy 100 of these

from Kramer.

We can make a nice little profit, no?

- What do you think of it? I think it's great.

- I'm afraid it's not for us.

- You've hardly looked at it.

- I don't have to. It's a harp.

Not enough people play harps.

It's wonderful how quickly you can decide.

I have been in this business 20 years.

It took me an hour to decide I liked it...

but you, Professor...

Hickey!

Yes, Uncle... Mr. Oberkugen?

Miss Burke, please.

No.

Mr. Hansen!

- Yes, sir?

- Look at this, please.

What do you think of it?

Mr. Larkin doesn't happen to like it. I do.

But don't let me influence you.

I just want your honest opinion.

That's all I want, your honest opinion.

I think it's just wonderful.

- Have you changed your mind?

- No, I still say they're not for us.

I agree with Andy.

Thank you. That's all.

Now we're in for it.

This was his way of soothing himself

when things went wrong.

But he was the only one who was soothed.

Hickey knew the way to hold his job.

Good morning, madam.

May I help you? Hello, Miss...

- Fisher.

- Miss Fisher, yeah.

Looks like I ran up quite a bill, doesn't it?

- How much do I owe you?

- I couldn't accept anything from you.

- Really, you must.

- No, I couldn't. Really. That's definite.

- My goodness.

- This is a nice store you have.

- Thank you. We like it.

- It's got lovely things.

Maybe you'd let me buy you something.

Is there anything here you'd like?

- As a matter of fact, there is.

- Fine.

No. A harmonica?

No? How about a little piano?

- Music box?

- No, I want a job.

Sorry, I sold the last one yesterday.

See here, this is no joking matter.

That's why I was so furious

when you bumped into me.

I was all dressed up ready to go out

and look for a job when...

I'm sorry. We couldn't take

anyone else on now. It's the dull season.

You haven't even heard my qualifications.

I worked at Roberts Brothers,

and I worked at Gregory Music Store.

They liked me very much there.

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