Rhythm on the River Page #9

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I'm going to sue him for

every cent of my investment!

You can't sue

Courtney.

Oh, can't I?

He's lived up to his end.

He's written one of the best

scores since Show Boat.

Then why haven't

I heard it?

I know

I shouldn't do this.

I'll get fred sure.

Come on.

I'll play you

some of his tunes.

Here's a great idea

of Courtney's.

A lullaby

to a monster.

Monster?

Yeah, a dragon.

A dragon coos to

its little dragonette.

Dragonette?

Watch.

d d [ A Funeral March ]

d Coo, coo, coo d

Wait a minute.

Oh, you know

that one.

He's got a great idea

for a ballet though.

Ballet?

Yeah, a prison break.

d d [ Classical ]

And here's where

the prison guard comes into

the warden's offce and says,

''Have you got that reprise

from the governor?''

Reprise?

So he reprises it.

d d [ Classical ]

What's the matter?

You can't whistle it.

Here's something

even a baby can whistle.

Why don't you whistle it?

How can you whistle that?

Can't Courtney write better?

Frankly, no.

But he's got a love song

so sweet, so tender.

He really poured his heart

into this one.

Listen to this one.

You can't fool me.

That's ''Old Blackjoe.''

Oh, no it isn't.

It's ''Carry Me Back

To Old Virginia.''

It's ''Old Blackjoe.''

Whatever it is,

Courtney wrote it frst.

Hmph!

Just as I thought.

He hasn't got anything

down on paper.

As a matter of fact, he has.

Here's something of his

I discovered this morning.

''Only Forever.''

''Only Forever.''

You wanna hear me

play it?

No, thanks.

The way you play things,

they all sound alike!

Where are you going

with that?

I'm gonna let Trotter

try this out at the Club Monaco.

And by the way, tell Courtney

I think I've found

a new girl for the show.

[ Coughs, Hums ]

Nervous?

Goose pimples.

You've got nothing to worry

about after last night.

Goodrich was absolutely

crazy about you.

Did he really like me?

He thought it was wonderful.

To prove it, he brought this

new tune for you to try.

It's by Courtney.

Courtney?

Yes. And if Goodrich likes

the way you do it, he's

gonna use you in the show.

I ran it over

with the boys and...

I think it's right down

your alley.

Yes, it is.

Right down my alley.

Good evening,

ladies and gentlemen

of the radio audience.

We bring you now to

exclusive Club Monaco...

where you'll be entertained

with a half hour of dance music...

played byjohn Scott Trotter

and his orchestra.

Trotter's music is famous

for its smoothness...

Just as Kelso's Cucumber Cream

is famous the world over...

for the smoothness it imparts

to milady's neck and hands.

Scientists agree that

Kelso's Cucumber Cream,

if used regularly--

Oh,jean.

Seen Mr. Goodrich?

Why, he's uh--

Oh, yes.

Thank you.

Charlie, can I speak

to you for a minute?

Hello, Oliver.

Come along please

Just a minute.

Charlie, I want that song

that you took this afternoon.

You do, do you?

That song belongs

to me.

I've paid you good money

to write music which so far

I haven't received.

Yes, but you've no right

to take stuff behind my back.

That song happens to belong--

That song happens to be

one of the best things

you've ever done.

I had Trotter make

an arrangement of it.

And if the others

turn out half as well,

our troubles are over.

Oh, uh--

You, uh--

You really

like it?

Superb.

Now, Oliver,

I want you to come meet

our new leading lady.

And now I have

the pleasure of introducing

Mr.john Scott Trotter.

[ Trotter ]

Good evening.

Tonight we have a special treat.

We're going to play for

the frst time Mr. Courtney's

new number, ''Only Forever.''

Good title,

don't you think?

Excellent.

Thank you,john.

And now just one more word

about Kelso's Cucumber Cream.

[ Knocking ]

Come in.

Miss Lane, I want you

to meet Mr. Oliver Courtney.

How do you do,

Mr. Courtney?

H-How do you do,

Miss Lane?

This is a very lovely song

you've written.

Oh... thank you.

It sounds as if...

as if it had come

from the heart.

Well, uh--

Oh, but it did.!

I know it did.

Very pretty

compliment.

If you two will excuse me,

I'm expecting more guests.

Come along when

you're ready, Oliver.

Right.

I hear you're going to be

our new leading lady.

May I-- May I say

that I'm delighted?

I don't think I'm going to be

your new leading lady,

Mr. Courtney.

Oh? Why not?

Oh, because I just

don't like the company

I've been keeping lately.

It may have been a little slow

back home in Tulsa,

but at least the people there

are on the level.

How much did you pay Bob

for this song?

Bob Summers

came to me--

Uh, the amount

was $200.

''Only Forever.''

Forever isn't very long

in New York...

is it?

Now, Cherry, please!

I'm a little nervous.

Do you mind?

Of course.

Hey, Courtney!

What's this Starbuck tells me

about you using my song?

Oh!

Look here, Bob, there's

been an awful mistake.

Goodrich came to my

apartment and took that

song while I was out.

It can't be helped.

It not only can be helped,

it's gonna be helped.

Here's your $200.

I can't think of a tune.

Now, where's my song?

Bob, you don't understand.

It's already been announced.

Then un-announce it.

I want that song!

I'm tired playin'

second fddle while

you play the czar.

Miss Lane, you're on.

Hurry. Don't be nervous.

Bob!

Cherry,

what goes on here?

Bob, why

did you do it?

Do what?

Sell our song.

I didn't sell it.

That crook stole it.

That's not true.

And don't call me a crook.

I'll double it!

Miss Lane, hurry!

They're waiting!

Tell them to wait.

I'm not leaving until

this thing is settled.

Uh-oh.

Have you ever realized

what a bad impression...

rough, red hands make

on your male escort?

Kelso's Cucumber Cream

does away with that.

And now, I believe we're

ready for that special treat

Mr. Trotter promised us.

Kelso's Cucumber Cream

also has many other uses.

It is so pure, so good,

so double rich...

you can even use it

on salad.

That's all very fancy,

but you're not fooling me.

I don't mind you taking bows,

but this is different.

I'm going out there

and sound off loud!

What are you going to do?

Take the music off the stands

and if they ask why,

I'll tell them.

Good for you.

You can't. It's taken me

20 years to get where I am.

You can't destroy that

Just over one song.

That song is sacred

to me and Cherry.

I'm sick of being

your musical guinea pig.

Bob, there are

people outside.

Come down here.

Bob, you love Cherry.

What's that

got to do with it?

Well, I was in love once.

Her name was Carlotta.

She was the most beautiful

thing you've ever seen.

I... I wrote all

my best music then.

Melodies seemed

to come from nowhere

like gifts from heaven.

Success came with them.

Life itself was a song.

Then... then suddenly

the singing stopped.

[ Bob ]

What happened?

She died.

Oh.

That's too bad,

Mr. Courtney.

What did you do then?

I couldn't write anymore.

I found myself depending

on ghostwriters.

I hated it!

But what else

was I to do?

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