Lullaby of Broadway

More! More!

Mr. Farnham, can l have your autograph?

Sure, honey.

L never refuse the few requests l get.

My mom and dad took me to see

your show on Broadway last year.

L think you're the greatest dancer

in the world.

It's you and me against Fred Astaire.

- May l cut in?

- Certainly.

- Aren't we supposed to dance?

- I'd love to.

But, unfortunately, l don't know how.

- You don't know how?

- No.

- Then why did you cut in?

- Well, l thought we might sit this one out.

That l know how.

- I'll teach you to dance.

- I'm a very poor pupil.

Follow me. Right foot back.

One, two, three, four.

- One, two...

- One, two...

Four.

Shall we try it again?

Only this year they're doing it

without the "ouch."

Oh, my poor feet.

I'm afraid you'll never learn.

It's just as well. L wanted

to get better-acquainted anyway.

- It's such a short boat ride.

- What, five days?

L wasted four and a half

before l met you.

How do you do?

My name is Tom Farnham.

How do you do? I'm Melinda Howard.

Well, that's over.

Now, what do you say

we throw caution to the winds.

Please. Let's not make up

four and a half days in four seconds.

Okay. I'll wait.

What's another minute or two?

The ship's paper says you're visiting

New York after several years' absence.

Oh, really? Did it also give my age and say

that l don't like men who operate so fast?

All right, all right. You win.

After that number l saw you do,

l'd say you were in show business.

L am. Ln a way.

I've been touring the provinces

with a small theatrical company.

Saved a little money and decided to come

to America and surprise my mother.

- They always have a mother.

- Gosh, l haven't seen her in years.

You've probably heard of her. Jessica

Howard. She's very famous on Broadway.

- On Broadway? Now?

- She's starring in a musical.

Excuse me.

L don't know much about show business.

What do you do, Mr. Farnham?

Oh, l spend most of my time

trying to get girls to call me Tom.

If you'll excuse me, l just remembered

that l have some packing to do.

- I'll help you.

- Oh, no, thank you, l'll manage.

What's the matter, don't you trust me?

What's this for?

There's a message on it for you

from the women of the world.

Good night, Mr. Farnham.

"In God we trust."

Well, it wasn't a total loss.

Sorry to disturb you, Diamond Jim,

but that's the front door.

Front door, living room,

master bedroom, library.

This is like living

in a pinball machine.

Can't even eat around here.

- Why did l ever leave show business?

- I'll bite. Why did you?

- Yes, miss?

- Oh, how do you do? I'm Miss Howard.

Would you bring in my luggage?

I'll take this one.

L beg your pardon.

Have Mother come down,

but don't say who's here.

This is the residence of Adolph Hubbell.

He has no children.

- That anyone's been able to trace.

- What's he doing in my mother's house?

- Are you sure you have the right address?

- This is 485 Beekman Place, isn't it?

Hasn't been changed.

That's the address on every letter

that Mother sends me.

- Oh, no. You're not Melinda Howard?

- Yes.

You're in England.

You're gonna stay there, aren't you?

I'm here.

Follow me.

- Where are we going?

- You should've written you were coming.

- L just wanted to surprise her.

- You'll surprise her.

She's rented the house to Adolph Hubbell.

You know, Hubbell Breweries.

Just while she's on tour.

On tour?

Don't tell me she's out of town.

She's due in a day or so

for a conference with her producers.

- I'll see if l can find her.

- Lf she isn't here...

where am l going to stay?

L haven't any money.

No money? Welcome to the club.

Am l intruding?

Oh, Gloria. This is Miss Howard.

You know, Jessica's daughter.

Miss Davis, the lucky girl

marrying me.

- How do you do?

- Hello.

Be with you in a minute, Gloria.

This way, please.

A charming room if you don't mind

staying in the servants' wing.

Oh, l don't mind at all.

It's nice of you to go to all this trouble.

This ought to fix you up temporarily.

And don't worry about your mother.

I'll see that she gets here.

- Why shouldn't she?

- Oh, that's right. Why shouldn't she?

I've been one of your mother's

admirers for years.

You see, l-l used to be

in show business myself.

Oh, really?

But then why are you doing this?

Oh, l don't know, it was just a mad,

impulsive desire to keep from starving.

- Good night, Bob.

- Thank you.

Joe, hit me.

Jessie, you have another show.

You won't be able to see the customers.

That's all l've got to look forward

to at the end of a hard day.

Not seeing the customers.

- Jessica.

- Hello, Lefty.

- Baby, you're singing better than ever.

- You don't have to lie to me.

We're not on the same bill anymore.

- This isn't exactly the Palace either.

- What will you have?

- Give me a Bromo. With a chaser.

- One olive or two?

- Did you mail that check to the kid?

- Yeah, but l could've saved you a stamp.

She's here.

Here? Ln New York?

- You didn't bring her down?

- No, she's at the house.

The house she thinks you own.

You've got to send her back.

How do we do it, with mirrors?

She's come to see you.

It's been a long time.

L draw a blank.

L don't know where to go from here.

There's only one way.

L told her you're on the road.

Tomorrow you come into town for one day,

have a big reunion and go back on the road.

And where do we hold this big reunion?

Ln a telephone booth?

I've arranged that too.

Tomorrow the Hubbells throw a party.

Half of Broadway is the entertainment.

- You come back and steal the show.

- Lf l can get in.

Here's your invitation.

L made out the guest list.

No, Lefty.

L couldn't face her. L-

She'd know. She'd-

How? Who's gonna tell her?

Look at me.

Greenwich Village Gertie.

It'll be like the old days.

Everybody in town will be there.

Lights, music...

and Jessica Howard. You'll be a smash.

Do you really think

l could get away with it?

If Jessica Howard

can't play Jessica Howard, who can?

All right, Lefty, l'll try.

- Nine o'clock?

- Sure, sure.

- But promise me one thing.

- Not a drop.

Everything's gonna be all right.

Incidentally, the kid's a knockout.

Like her mother.

Hit me again, Joe.

It's homecoming day.

Hi.

Hello.

Is it all right if l go upstairs

and look around?

- L don't know.

- My mother wrote...

and told me so much about this place.

I'd like to see it.

Oh, l guess it'll be all right.

Mr. and Mrs. Hubbell are asleep by now.

- Right up those stairs.

- Thanks.

Oh, listen, while you're staying here...

keep away from Mrs. Hubbell

if you can.

Thanks for the tip.

Oh, this house is so wonderful.

- Mother must be doing all right, huh?

- Oh, yes, she's really flying.

Oh, l'm so sorry.

- L thought you were asleep.

- Who are you? What are you doing here...

- twisting around in my living room?

- I'm Miss Howard.

- This means something?

- L hope l didn't disturb you...

but l just wanted to sort of

have a look around the house.

- Isn't that a beautiful painting?

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