Rhapsody in Blue Page #5

---

Will you join us?

A place where you

can get real beer.

Real beer?

Sure.

You invite me

to break the law?

Sure.

Well, perhaps tonight,

we should celebrate.

Come.

We break the law.

Practically broke.

Good night,

Paul.

Let's drink a toast

to Max Dreyfus, our host,

Discoverer and friend of those

who compose our best musical shows.

Here goes.

It rhymes.

Ira, you're a poet. The poet

laureate of Tony's Spaghetti.

Another genius

in the family.

You Gershwins ought

to form a union.

Ira's good. He's going to write

the lyrics for my next show.

Next show? What

next show, George?

I suppose, Professor Franck, you've

decided he's not to write any more shows.

I do not decide

such things.

But that's what you want. You'd

like him to throw away his success

And starve in a

Greenwich Village garret.

The rents are pretty

high down there.

A man has to do what he feels. You see-

George, the old men

have the floor.

George-

Stop buzzing in his ear, will you?

George has started a career

you find only in storybooks.

What have you to offer

in its place?

Poverty? Privation?

Sacrifice?

And I suppose after 20 years,

if he should go to Europe,

He might write a sonata

for harp and flute.

Then this charge

is a fair one.

What do you

want of me?

I want you to talk

sense to him.

You have

an influence.

Yeah, but you have

a contract.

George is an American. He

writes of America for America.

That's the way

it should be.

And do you think America

is one big business deal?

Why shouldn't George

plant seeds for the future?

He shouldn't cut down trees for lumber.

Because this boy

has a gift,

He could be a great

voice in his country.

He's from

the people.

He will write American music, yes.

But great

American music,

Not just little tunes that

jingle like coins in your pocket.

Tell me, what would be wrong if

the boy should be a Victor Herbert?

Nothing. It's wonderful

to be a Victor Herbert.

Well, then...

Ahh. But if you

have the talent

To be a Schubert or a

Brahms or a Beethoven-

Wherever I go, there's always a fight.

I wonder why.

Oh, you mustn't get excited, you two.

This is something George will

have to decide for himself.

Julie, darling, if George listens

to the voice within himself,

I'm not afraid

for what will happen.

Hmm?

You will excuse me,

please.

I am an old man, and

it is past my bedtime.

Good night.

Good night. Good night.

Good night,

George.

Waiter?

Yes, sir?

What's the rap?

Mr. Dreyfus, how do you

spell your name,

With one "s" or two?

Why did I ever get

myself mixed up with this?

There goes Walter Damrosch. Yeah.

That's Rachmaninoff

getting out of the cab.

There's

Jascha Heifetz.

Hello, Jascha.

He's a nice

fellow.

That's Otto Kahn.

Stop, Oscar. I don't

want to hear any more.

What are you

so nervous about?

They're all

friends of mine.

Come on.

Well, I'm next.

Not like The Scandals,

eh, George?

Brr. Boys, what's the

temperature outside?

Exactly zero.

6 to an even that audience

is 10 degrees colder.

I'm not

saying a word.

Well, George,

it's up to you.

What are you

so nervous about?

You'd better be good.

This means a lot to me.

Shall we go?

Come on, Oscar.

Let's go out front.

Why don't you

wish me luck?

14 minutes and 5...

A very important piece.

If only Professor Franck

had been there.

He tried to come, George.

He just wasn't up to it.

What's taking Ira so

long with those reviews?

He's slower than

a freight train.

He is not.

What do you know

about Ira?

Well, I think I know

him as well as you do.

Nonsense.

I'm his brother.

Nonsense.

I'm engaged to him.

What?

You seem to be the slow one, George.

We're getting married

next month. Aren't we, Ira?

Uh-huh. The reviews

are wonderful!

Yes. He never

told me a word.

What's this about you

and lee getting married?

We're very fond

of each other.

Powerful words,

brother.

Listen to this.

It's a big step, Lee,

an enormous step.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not

against it. It's just that-

"The Rhapsody in Blue

is a very stimulating piece"...

There's always been

the 4 of us-

Poppa, Momma,

Ira, and me...

"Daring harmony

and dynamic composition".

What's that?

The Times,

they like it.

"In fact, Mr. Gershwin

may be leading the way

"To a new and significant form of musical

expression that is typically American,

Combining the elements

of jazz with-"

Mr. Gillman says, "shows

daring and ingenuity,

The trail of

an adventurous spirit."

Listen to this!

Damrosch wants you to write

a concerto for full orchestra!

Walter Damrosch? Of

the New York Symphony?

Mm-hmm.

George, don't let him

turn your head.

A concerto?

What do I know

about concertos?

You see, Max,

I'm not equipped.

There's too much

I don't understand.

I'm going to pass up

The Scandals, Max.

Ira, please

see Julie home.

Sure, George.

I've got to see

Professor Franck

And tell him

I'm going abroad.

I think it's wonderful,

you two, just wonderful.

Oh...

Thanks.

Ira?

Yes?

Promise me

something.

Hmm?

Don't you ever

be a genius.

Hello?

Hello, Nielson.

Oh, Mr. Gershwin.

He won't answer.

Is he asleep?

He's dead.

What did you say?

It happened

2 or 3 hours ago.

They sent

for the doctor...

And when he came...

It was too late.

Wait...

one minute, please.

He told me to give you

this manuscript of Brahms'.

He said you would

like to have it.

Thank you.

Oh, Mr. Gershwin, he was so fond of you.

Extraordinaire.

It's a fascinating song.

Who wrote it?

A countryman

of yours.

Just meant for two

From which I'll never roam

Who would? Would you?

And so,

all else above

I'm waiting for

the man

I love

Bravo!

Bravo!

Messieurs et mesdames,

Ce n'est pas moi qui merite

vos applaudissements.

C'est le compositeur

qui est ici ce soir-

Monsieur George Gershwin.

Welcome to Paris,

Mr. Gershwin.

And now,

in your honor...

Clap-a yo' hands

Slap-a yo' thighs

Fascinating rhythm,

you got me on the go

Fascinating rhythm,

I'm all a-quiver

Fascinating rhythm,

the neighbors wanna know

Fascinating rhythm,

why I'm a-shiver

Oh, how I long to be

the gal I used to be

Fascinating rhythm

Who did you say

it was?

You mean to say you've never

heard of George Gershwin?

Why, his music's all

the rage just now.

His songs, his Rhapsody,

What we call the "hot jazz."

You're getting out of touch, Christine.

I really must go back

to America sometime.

Why not ask Gershwin

to join us?

Wherever he goes,

America goes with him.

It'll save you an

expensive trip, darling.

Excuse me,

please.

Let me introduce

Mr. Gershwin.

How do you do?

Mrs. Gilbert.

How do you do?

Good evening.

Oh, I don't mind him

You'll never find him

Hanging around my door

I've got rhythm

I've got music

I've got my man

Who could ask

for anything more?

How is it, Mr. Gerswhin,

that you are so young?

After the dozens of songs

that you have written

And your rhapsody, they

expect you to be at least 40,

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes