Jolson Sings Again

A million baby kisses I'll deliver

If you will only sing the Swanee River

Rock-a-bye your rock-a-bye baby

With a Dixie melody

- Julie?

- She has left, sir.

- When? Where to? Was she packed?

- Yes, sir.

- How long ago?

- About half an hour ago.

- Do you know where, Henry?

- All I know is the airport.

- New York.

- She wouldn't let me take her...

Thanks. Steve, see what you can get me

on the next plane out of here.

Do it, will you?

Henry, get me some stuff in a bag.

I don't get it.

If something was on her mind,

why not wait and talk?

You don't just get up and go.

It does not make sense.

And my pal Steve lets me stand out there

and sing my brains out for another hour.

Why doesn't he tell me?

Haven't I got a right to know

when she gets a crazy notion like this?

- Do you think it was so sudden?

- What else?

I am thinking of the questions

she asked tonight.

- What questions?

- Were you happy?

Did you think of singing anymore?

I have told her a thousand times.

You told her,

and tonight she heard you sing.

So what?

You saw it coming, Papa.

And Steve, everybody but me.

All right, so I sang.

The crowd was yelling,

she told me to go ahead.

So I got wound up a little.

I told her, it does not mean

a thing to me anymore.

I was happy this way, the way we were.

- Steve, how about it?

- Give me time, will you?

It is going to be all right, Mamma.

I hate to run away like this

on your anniversary party.

If not for my party,

if I did not have to see a night club...

Mamma...

Fine! Now we got tears,

everything is solved.

- Congratulations, Mamma.

- Mamma, don't be silly.

Don't you see,

whether we'd had the party or not...

You're all set. If you're going to make it,

you better get going.

It's ready, sir.

Goodbye, Mamma.

I do not know how long I will be gone.

If I do not get back soon...

anytime you want to go home,

Steve will take care of everything.

And I will see you in Washington, maybe.

Take care of yourself, Mamma.

You, too, Papa.

So long, Tom, Steve.

Wait a second,

I am driving you to the airport.

You may think you mean it, Al...

but you will never be happy

away from show business.

And someday, if I ever feel

you quit just for my sake...

if I am ever sure you want to sing,

more than you want me...

No, I am telling you, Steve,

there is not a trace of her.

She got here all right,

but didn't check in anyplace.

I have turned the town upside down.

She hopped in a car, I guess,

and just disappeared.

Steve, I need you.

How about you coming here?

- I will be there tomorrow.

- Good, I am waiting for you.

- So long, Al.

- So long.

Maybe I don't know my own mind,

but she was what I wanted.

The only thing I ever got for myself

outside of show racket.

But I guess I've just been kidding myself.

Love, a girl, a couple of words

I must have picked up out of a song.

If she says so,

I've been dying to sing all the time.

All I ever wanted was a cheering mob.

I will say this about the cheering mob:

That was love, brother.

For 20 years,

nobody ever walked out on me.

Okay, if she says so, I am back where I was.

Singing for a living.

And it ain't a bad feeling.

The only question now is:

How fast can I get back to work?

Tom, that script of yours

I read the other day back home, it's good.

That's the show I'd like to do, if you'll

take a chance with a character like me.

- I'll consider it.

- I want to start right away.

- First thing tomorrow.

- Why not tonight?

Why don't we kick it around?

Where's the script?

- I don't walk around with it.

- Let us get it.

Why didn't I bring the one

we had in California?

You mean this one?

You dog. Come to papa.

Is it true what they say about Dixie?

Does the sun really shine all the time?

Do the sweet magnolias blossom

at everybody's door?

And do folks keep eating possum

till they can't eat no more?

Is it true what they say about Swanee?

Is a dream by that stream so sublime?

Do they laugh, do they love

like they do in every song?

If it's true, that is where I belong

I said do they laugh

Do they love

like they do in every song?

That's pretty.

If it's true, that is where I belong

Al, you're on.

The bells are ringing for me and my gal

The birds are singing for me and my gal

Everybody's been knowing

to a wedding they are going

And for weeks they've been sewing

every Susie and Sal

They are congregating for me and my gal

The parson is waiting for me and my gal

And sometime, I am going to build

a little home for two

for three or four or more

In Loveland, for me and my gal

The bells are ringing for me and my gal

The birds are singing for me and my gal

And sometime, I am going to build

a little home for two

or three or four or more

In Loveland, for me and my gal

If you do not mind, that's all tonight.

What's the matter, Al?

Go on with the show.

Leave me out of the finale.

I tell you, nothing is the matter.

Just comes a night that...

How long can you go on

knocking yourself out?

For what? Their $4 and their applause?

Holy smoke! Don't know what hit me.

- I never walked off like that in my life.

- What's the matter, Al?

I just can't take it anymore.

I used to live for this.

The kick is gone. It is just hard work now.

So what am I killing myself for?

What am I getting out of it?

You were always telling me,

how about something for myself?

How about it? That's what I want now,

some laughs, fun.

Just for me.

What happened to you?

Sit down, Tom.

I think we got some news for you.

The boy is sick, Papa.

This he tries to hide from us.

- Papa, you agree or not?

- I agree.

So why do you sit?

Because it is a sickness not for doctors.

Please, no riddles.

Mamma, just go on pasting

in Asa's scrapbook.

You will understand.

Where will he get

a good Jewish meal over there, Papa?

Mamma, without Jewish meals,

Gentiles are surviving year after year.

Monte Carlo.

Before they take your money away,

they make you dress up yet.

I saw a dozen bluebirds today

in the back yard. And he is looking.

A girl with Asa. Who is it?

And if you knew, Mamma,

what would you know?

- Again a new girl.

- Mamma, with a man it's only natural.

- This is soup.

- Eat. You'll have another plate.

You don't know, Steve,

how we appreciate your visits.

I just come for the food.

For what it costs to come from New York...

you could buy a better meal than this.

So, this winter,

it's again Florida for Asa.

- He's having a great time.

- Yeah, so he always says.

Wait, do you hear? The radio.

All day long, a Mr. Bing Crosby.

Yes, he's doing all right.

Crooning.

- Very good.

- That's also singing.

And the name "Bing." Go explain people.

- But he's got something.

- Yes.

He's got something.

There was a time they played Asa's records.

That was a joy.

But for years now,

you would think Asa isn't alive anymore.

All right, Mamma.

We're eating, not singing. Give him the fish.

This week it's very good, Steve.

And a little horseradish?

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