Lullaby of Broadway Page #2

- Painting? Madam, this is not a museum.

People don't come in off the streets.

Don't do that. Lt's liable to leave a ring.

Do you realize how much

a table like this costs?

You are in the furniture business now?

You shouldn't take advantage

that my mother's out of town...

- and abuse her furnishings.

- L abuse what l want!

Please don't spill any more beer. How

would you like it if this were your house?

Right now l wouldn't like it.

What is this?

- Better l get the police.

- Something wrong, sir?

Yes. This girl, she comes in my house,

she dances around in circles.

She won't let me drip beer

on my own rug.

L sneak down to get away

from Mrs. Hubbell, and what do l get?

- Another Mrs. Hubbell.

- Leave everything to me.

Come, l have good news about your mother.

Wait for me downstairs.

- I'll explain everything.

- What's going on in my own house?

Who is she?

Do you remember many years ago you

backed a Broadway show, Pretty Lady?

- Of course.

- Remember the star?

Yeah, Jessica Howard.

How could l forget?

A wonderful woman.

Too bad what happened to her.

This girl is Jessica Howard's daughter.

What?

She doesn't know about her mother.

We want to keep it from her.

- Will you help us?

- Anything. Anything l can do.

Thank you, sir.

Sorry, l keep thinking it's my house.

The dancing will be interrupted for a

few minutes while two great artists...

who are taking a vacation

from the theater entertain you.

I'm really enjoying myself,

Mr. Hubbell.

Pretty soon your mother gets here,

and even better you will enjoy it.

Lefty. Lefty, you were wonderful.

So why am l passing this tray?

Oh, it's nice that you asked

so many show people.

You invite actors,

free entertainment you get.

Confidentially, Ferndel, the producer,

brings them so l put money in his show.

This way l throw two stones

at one bird.

There's Ferndel now.

Ladies and gentlemen,

your attention, please.

Here he is, my boy, Tom Farnham.

With the number that will be

the hit of my new show.

- Come on out here, Tom.

- George.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Unaccustomed as l am

to public auditions...

l'm always glad to raise a buck

for my producer. Let's go, Page.

- What's he gonna do?

- Like a dream he dances.

Come up here.

You wouldn't believe this,

but l gave him his first lesson.

Lefty, why her mother don't get here?

L don't know. Keep her occupied

till l find out what's happened.

- All right, l introduce her to Mrs. Hubbell.

- No, no, you stay away from her.

What will your wife think? You, taking a

blond and giving her a room in your home?

You mean, you-?

You think she would think that l...?

Thank you. That's the nicest thing

anyone has said to me in 15 years.

Thank you.

Oh, Miss Howard.

L have some money for you.

Here's a nickel.

You owe me four insults.

You picked up dancing pretty quickly

for a beginner.

Oh, l'm ready for more lessons anytime.

What are you doing here anyway?

L never thought l'd see you again.

It's a small, uncomfortable world,

isn't it?

L see l've got a lot of explaining to do.

That was my shipboard treatment

you got that day.

On land, l'm really not a bad guy.

Tell me, how are you underwater?

Would you give me a little time

to redeem myself?

Oh, Tom.

I've got to butter up Mrs. Hubbell.

Back in two seconds.

Oh, you can take longer than that.

- Here, Tom, l think you earned this.

- Thank you, Mrs. Hubbell.

- Did you like my little number?

- L think it'll be wonderful.

In a show my husband

doesn't have to back.

- He hasn't done too badly in show business.

- He's lost everything but his accent.

- Well, now, if you'll excuse me, l-

- Better wait.

L may call on you

to rescue my husband from Ferndel.

No, no, not even a nickel does my wife

let me put in another Broadway show.

But, Adolph, l counted on you for 50,000.

I'm already in rehearsal.

Rehearsal already.

And who picked the chorus girls? You.

Who stages the numbers? You.

Who picks the music? You.

And who pays the bills? Me.

But this is a modern Broadway show.

I'd like to have you help, but your taste in

music and girls is a little old-fashioned.

So my money's old-fashioned too.

Lt won't go out of the house.

Remember us, Mr. Ferndel?

Davis and Mack?

- Oh, sure, sure.

- We're just working here for laughs.

Not to mention food,

lodging and clothing.

Oh, but the theater's our first love.

Give us a spot in your show,

l'll turn in my dickey.

There isn't gonna be any new show.

My angel just flew the coop.

Freeloader.

- Fine, Tom. Very, very good.

- Thank you.

How much did you go for this time?

Not a cent.

L kept my promise to you. Sure.

Anna, l wonder, do you mind

if l ask something?

- What?

- The music, the excitement...

l'm getting too old for it.

Every bone in my head aches.

Always too old. Always something aches.

L just thought if l could go upstairs,

slip away without anyone noticing.

- That's just to get out of dancing with me.

- Anna-

All right, go upstairs

to your hot-water bottle, but l stay.

How can you sneak away? There's people

here who want something from you.

L manage it, don't worry.

Sure you won't mind staying a little longer

and carrying on for me?

Not a bit. I'll dance with Tom.

Won't l, Tom?

- Well, l... l'd be glad to, Mrs. Hubbell, but-

- Thanks, it helps me out. L won't forget it.

Good night, Anna. Lf anybody asks for me,

tell them l'm enjoying poor health.

Well, shall we give it a tussle?

Mr. Hubbell. Excuse me,

has my mother arrived yet?

Don't worry, she will come.

Everything l have taken care of.

- What are you doing here all alone?

- Oh, l'm trying to avoid a dancing lesson.

What's the matter,

you don't like the teacher?

Well, l haven't made up my mind yet.

A pity l am too old,

or l would dance with you.

You would?

Oh, well, you know the old saying:

- "The young in heart never grow old."

- So?

- L think you're one of the young in heart.

- Thank you.

May l have this dance, please?

- Me?

- Oh, this is a nice waltz.

All right, but too much

you shouldn't expect.

My heart is young,

but my feet are ready to retire.

Shall we then?

- Right now?

- Would you rather wait for the next one?

Oh, no, no, by that time,

even older l will be.

Come on, you can do it. Lt's easy.

- See? You dance beautifully.

- Thank you.

I'm afraid l'm not as lightheaded

as l used to be.

Look, there's Adolph.

And he told me that he had a headache.

- Getting a little tired?

- No, it's a little crowded.

Let's get closer

to where the crowd ain't.

Who is that girl?

Look, l'm gonna stop dancing.

One Hubbell creating a spectacle is enough.

L should cut in.

Before he knocks himself out.

- Yes, go on.

- Excuse me.

Why, Tom, what a surprise.

For years l haven't seen you.

- You know Miss...?

- Howard, Melinda Howard.

- How do you do?

- How do you do?

Excuse me, l see somebody makes motions

to me. Pardon me.

- May l?

- I'm charmed.

Who is that girl, and why did you

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