Jolson Sings Again Page #5

- Fine time to tell me.

- I just didn't want any ghosts around.

I wanted you to wrestle with them here...

so you'd know

where you stood about the past...

and so I would know, too.

That's what I thought.

- That's right, baby.

- No, it isn't.

Look, if there are any ghosts around...

this is the place to make them

come out and fight.

That's what I'm getting to like about you.

- You're just saying that.

- And I'm meaning that.

Promise me, if this house gets you down...

when you can't take it anymore,

I want you to tell me straight out.

Like I could keep something from you

if I wanted to.

I also move pianos.

And my heavy cleaning

is in demand all over town.

Come on, you two.

You've got years to do that.

Here, I'll take a couple of those.

No arguments.

All right, you win.

Look when she lets me win.

Say, anybody thought about getting help?

How would you like to have

Henry and Alice back?

- Where would you find Henry and Alice?

- Already found them.

They'll be here tonight.

Quit their jobs and are flying back here

on broomsticks.

He could go on listening to the radio

like that forever.

- Likes music I guess.

- I wouldn't be surprised.

He looks to me like a man about ready

to go back to work.

You mean, sing?

- Don't you think he can, Steve?

- Sure.

- But he doesn't think so, does he?

- It's only natural.

- That lung's all healed.

- I suppose it is.

I can see why he'd be afraid.

Or is he afraid

that nobody wants to hear him?

In that case, he'd tell himself

it was his lung, wouldn't he?

Why worry about it, Ellen?

He's happy enough, isn't he?

Not if what he wants is to be back at work.

- Do you think he does?

- This is a laugh.

There was one woman once

who wanted him like this...

living a little and not singing his head off.

And here you are now...

- Not exactly a tactful guy, am I?

- Yes, you are, Steve.

I really want him to do both.

All I know...

it can't be good when the natural part

of a man is just moulding away.

You didn't answer me.

I asked you if you thought...

- he'd like to be back singing again.

- Of course he would.

He'd like to be right back

in the middle of show business again.

- He said so?

- Yes.

Just before he started that hospital tour.

Told me to go to work on it.

There is something I haven't told anybody,

and wouldn't tell him in a million years.

I did go to work, and the answer is:

Nobody wants him.

Broadway, radio,

nobody would risk a nickel on him.

A new crop of singers

has pushed Jolson right off the map.

If he tries for a comeback,

he'll take the beating of his life.

It would kill him

to have to face the truth about it.

So do you see what I mean, Ellen?

If he thinks he's through due to his lung,

even if he's lying to himself a little...

it's the kindest thing

that could have happened.

Do you understand what I'm saying?

See, as good as my word.

I tell you right now, you'll stay a long time.

If I like it here, I won't argue.

- Henry! I don't believe it.

- It's nice to see you again, Cantor.

- My goodness, it's a long time.

- Many years.

- You don't look a day older.

- Neither do you.

What a comfort we are to each other.

I don't have to ask if you are happy.

- I do not know.

- Miserable?

Husband out of work,

lazing around the house all day.

Not good.

Steve says he isn't wanted anymore...

and he'd take a beating

if he tried to sing again.

I am wondering, Papa,

which would be the worse beating:

Trying or just never singing again at all.

It's hard to say, Ellen.

You mean, if I were smart,

I'd mind my own business.

Women in love never do.

Is that bad?

Bad. Good.

It's history.

You know, it's nice you're here, Papa.

I've been sort of waiting for you.

Dinner must be ready.

We have to get some

special entertainment for Papa.

Me? Entertainment?

Don't you like to go dancing

in swanky restaurants?

That was in my younger days.

There's a benefit show

for the Community Chest next week.

A lot of big stars will be on the program.

Would you like to go?

- Nice. Very nice.

- I'll see that we're there.

- AI?

- Sure. Fine.

To give Papa a real thrill,

you ought to be on that stage that night.

- What doing, telling jokes?

- What you always did.

- Yeah?

- Just a song or two.

- Bet you one would be enough.

- I don't know.

If you sound as good as you do

when you sing in the bathroom.

Bathroom? You just hum a little.

With all that resonance in there,

you sound like Caruso.

Don't you know

that's why people sing in there?

- And you especially like it, don't you?

- Love it.

Why don't you try coming out

of the bathroom for a change?

The public might love it, too.

You're trying to get me back to work

or something?

I don't want a man lazing around the house

all the rest of his life.

You sound like you're only half kidding.

- About half.

- Only half?

In that case, tell you what to do, Steve.

You hop to New York

and get a show together for me.

Tell them not to worry

about my recent operation.

Of course, I haven't got the breath

for those high notes anymore...

Or radio. That'd be better.

They ought to be wild to have me.

A name like Jolson...

a name that bobbysoxers never heard of,

that's true...

and a style of singing

that went out with button shoes.

Or did you find that out already, Steve?

- Find out what?

- You know what.

I was gonna make a big comeback.

What did you find out?

Bet they were dying to have me back.

I really didn't get started,

but there was a lot of interest.

I see.

Of course, without your name in lights

on Broadway...

and making oodles of money,

I guess it wouldn't be singing.

What do you mean?

During the war,

you sang just to do something...

- for the fun of it.

- Sure. But that was then.

Even now, I can't see why you have

to be worried about a little old benefit.

There's gonna be 5,000 people

at that little old benefit...

in a big theatre. Not a thing to worry about.

Except if I can put two notes together...

and whether they can hear me

past the second row.

You can prove that to yourself.

Come on. What's the use talking about it?

Okay. If you're sure you can't.

What if I wasn't sure?

I don't see anybody breaking down doors

to get me on that benefit.

- Maybe if they knew you wanted to...

- Let's drop it, baby.

Sure.

How about a game

of checkers tonight, Papa?

No thank you, Ellen.

I couldn't eat another thing.

- Pretty tune.

- That's the big one right now.

Made to order for these crooners.

They sure sing this stuff today

nice and easy, don't they?

Who says you need

all the voice in the world to put a song over.

'Cause I only have eyes

for you, dear

The moon may be high

But I can't see a thing in the sky

'Cause I only have eyes

for you

I don't know if we're in a garden

Or on a crowded avenue

You are here, so am I

Maybe millions of people pass by

But they all disappear

from view

And I

only have eyes

for you

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