Rhythm on the River Page #7

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like what?

You can't sell those songs with

that mail-order accompaniment

you've been playing.

No?

No. What you need

is a good band behind you.

Yeah? Meaning

you fellows, huh?

Well, it might give my band

a break.

Our band.

Our band a break

havin' a vocal.

Mm-hmm. You weren't

thinking of this right

at the beginning?

Oh, no.

Reciprocity.

Reci... who?

Where'd you get that?

Reciprocity.

Just dug it.

What else can you play

outside of''Tiger Rag''

and pinochle?

Anything.

Yeah, anything if we

can get our instruments out of--

Out of what?

Hock.

Oh! So that's why I've

been able to get some sleep.

Fine thing.

Getting us all worked up

and then telling us

your instruments are in hock.

What'd you expect to use

for instruments anyhow?

You gonna hum?

We thought maybe

you could lend us $1 0.

Here it comes.

I carry sort of a sinking fund

for the boys to stop them

from scabbing on each other...

and if one goes in,

why they all go in.

If you give us the $1 0,

they'll all get out.

A musical chain gang?

You know, one for all

and all for one.

And every man for himself.

You boys must have

X-ray eyes.

I just got $1 0

and a quarter.

Well, what have

we got to lose?

Ten dollars

and a quarter.

You can keep

the quarter!

Uh-uh, not so fast.

I wouldn't be sucker enough

to give you ten bucks till

I fnd out what you can do.

I'm gonna run down

there and see I get

my money's worth.

You keep the home fres burning.

You're gonna have your own band.

I've had it.

[ Bob ]

Well, boys,you're

almost to Frst base.

How come?

Three balls,

no strikes.

Here we go again.

I've been in here so many times,

I smell of camphor.

Okay, dig out

the hardware.

All right, boys, but don't

forget we are closed

for half a day tomorrow.

You're short.

There's only $40 here.

I'm gonna be the angel

for the other ten.

Yeah, give out.

Wait. Let's see if you can

play on those joints frst.

Give us those instruments

and we'll rock it and sock it.

And hock it again.

Come on, boys.

Let's get 'em.

Certainly glad to get

that instrument.

Do you mind if we use the shop

for a little jive session?

Sure, make yourself

at home.

Okay.

They might as well.

They're practically

living here anyway.

Every week the same thing.

I guess you've had those

instruments here so often...

you can play 'em better

than they can.

Wait, I wanna

hear this.

d[ Instruments Tuning Up ]

See if they can

bounce a little.

Sounds kinda longhaired.

Hey, wait.

d[ Dixieland ]

Ah, yes, there's

that good fat tone.

That man's all right.

What's these?

Compliments of the house?

Sure!

d When you hear

a real hep cat d

d Take a chorus

in A-flat d

d That's the rhythm

on the river d

d You know what

that means d

d He comes from

New Orleans d

d When a drummer

starts to ride d

d And a rim shot

breaks the hide d

d That's the rhythm

on the river d

d Can't mistake

that beat d

d He comes

from Basin Street d

d Now how do you like

a ''Bugle Call Rag'' d

d Do you like it

played as a waltz

or a Dixieland shag d

d I'll take the words

right out of your mouth d

d You've got to play it

the same as the South d

d In New York

or any town d

d When a band swings out

low down d

d That's the rhythm

on the river d

d Not the Hudson, bud d

djust Mississippi mud d

Ah, make me realize it,

Wingston!

d How do you like

a ''Bugle Call Rag'' d

d Do you like it

played as a waltz

or a Dixieland shag d

d I'll take the words

right out of your mouth d

d You've got to play it

the same as the South d

d In New York

or any town d

d Where a band swings out

low down d

d That's the rhythm

on the river

dNot the Hudson, bud

djust Mississippi mud d d

[ Whistles ]

Come on, boys,

here we go.

Yes! join me,

but do not crowd me.

Yeah!

There wasn't a bandleader left

a message for us, was there?

No, no one's called.

What do you suppose

happened to Wingy and the boys?

Hope they didn't get run over.

Hope they're not

running over a few beers.

Thank goodness Mr. Westlake

hasn't sent for us yet.

Mr. Westlake

will see you two.

Up until now.

Well, here we go.

Don't you think

we oughta stall?

Can't. The man's waiting.

If the band shows up,

will you run 'em into

Mr. Westlake's offce?

A band?

A little band.

It's a hot combo.

Run 'em right in.

I can't use that number.

Put it in the books anyhow.

You might change your mind.

Good morning, Miss Lane

and Mr. Summers.

Hiya.

This is Mr.john Scott Trotter

and his manager, Mr. Keene.

How do you do?

Mr. Trotter is a famous

orchestra leader.

Glad to know you.

You're from the South.

North Carolina.

North Carolina!

[ Auctioneer Call ]

Very funny, young man.

That's what the man

says on the radio.

Yes, we know that.

This is an audition,

not an auction.

We better get at it.

Mr. Westlake, would you mind

waiting a few minutes?

I have a luncheon appointment.

I think I'll be running.

We'd like to have you

hear our song.

I'd like to.

I'm afraid you don't realize

what an opportunity this is.

Mr. Trotter is a pretty big man

in the music feld.

He's a pretty big man

in the bay district too.

You are sharp today.

I was only kidding.

We're all spreading out

a little, you know.

He don't mind.

Course he doesn't.

One thing I like about

Mr. Trotter's music is he gives

us plenty of sweet violins.

Y-You like that.

I like them

very much indeed.

I hate what is known

as hot swing bands.

They tear a good tune

to pieces.

If I had my way, I'd take

all the hot swing bands...

and march 'em off a cliff

into the ocean.

Then we'd have a better world

to live in.

You don't like 'em.

I hate 'em.

I think he does too.

Well, we'll get started.

You ready?

It won't bother you

if I play a few oompahs

on the piano, will it?

If it's only a few.

I'll keep 'em very

feathery for you.

Thank you.

Mr. Westlake, the band,

it's here.

Sorry, we're late.

Just a minute, boys.

I want to--

What's going on here?

Does this roof leak?

It's a little surprise

I had for you.

I don't like surprises.

They're gonna accompany

Miss Lane.

Here's a place of my uncle's

up on the river.

You'll like this place.

It's got hot and cold

running water.

Run up there someday.

I'll get the boys organized.

Johnny, I'm not

responsible for this.

Phil, this may be good.

Can you play sweet?

I'll think sweet; but when it

gets down here, it regurgitates.

Does which?

Regurgitates.

Where'd

you get that?

Ah,just dug it.

See that it don't.

Keep it sweet.

You ready to hear this?

I'm ready,

but not willing.

Okay, honey.

Not too rugged, men.

Okay.

d Can you see

that I'm unhappy d

d Can you tell

that things are bad d

d Of course you know

what happened d

d To the best friend

I ever had d

d Ain't it a shame

about Mame d

d She has only herself

to blame d

d She can't go

to the picnics d

d In Hooligan's Grove d

d No corned beef

and cabbage d

d Is cooked

on her stove d

d She married Sir Reginald

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