Step Lively Page #3

Synopsis: Gordon Miller is rehearsing a musical comedy in the penthouse suite of Gribble's hotel...on credit. The mounting bill is driving Gribble frantic. Chaos increases when playwright Glen Russell, whose dramatic play he thinks Miller is producing, arrives. But it turns out Russell can sing like Sinatra, and Miller has leading lady Christine turn on the charm. Can Miller's crazed machinations save the show?
Genre: Musical
Director(s): Tim Whelan
Production: Warner Home Video
 
IMDB:
6.2
APPROVED
Year:
1944
88 min
63 Views


Yes, do you know the verse?

No, I don't,

but I'll have Bob play it for you.

- Take it from the verse.

- Glenn, do you sing as well as you write?

- About the same.

- Oh, that's fine, wonderful, nice.

Columbus had more chance than me

When he set sail to cross the sea

At least, he thought he knew

What he was doing

And I'm in search of something too

Exactly what, I wish I knew

Yes, I pursue

But who am I pursuing?

Chances are that I won't find a bride

But it won't be

Because I haven't tried

Come out

Come out wherever you are

I know

I know you're not very far

How I wish you'd hurry

'Cause I'm inclined to worry

These arms of mine are open

Hopin' you'll appear

Where are you, dear?

Come out, come out wherever you are

Come out

Come out from under that star

Yes, and incident'lly, ment'lly

I'm not up to par

So, come out, come out, come out

Wherever you are

You were wonderful.

Wow, did you hear that?

- I don't know.

- Think he's got something?

Got something? That guy's

the greatest discovery of my career.

Did you see those women?

The expressions on their faces?

If that guy was the Pied Piper of Hamelin,

there wouldn't be a dame left in town.

It was very sweet of you

to help me out, Mr. Russell.

I didn't know I was going that far,

but I enjoyed doing it for you.

Thank you.

Where did you learn to sing like that?

I didn't learn. I just sang, I guess.

Maybe I shouldn't have taken lessons.

How can you put him in a musical

when he thinks you're doing his drama?

He said he'd put anybody in jail

if they stole $5 from him.

- He did?

- Yeah, even if it takes him his life.

- He said that?

- Uh-huh.

Can you imagine being put in a jail

by a guy from Oswego?

It's just a matter of psychology.

Every man has his weakness, you know.

And I think I know his.

Chris, when you put that microphone in

that Russell kid's hand, you struck gold.

You opened the gates

to a million dollars.

- He's a nice kid.

- A nice kid?

Charm, personality, that voice.

Ho-ho. Should've seen the women

when he started singing.

- You should've seen yourself.

- I know.

One thing worries me,

he's rotten with ethics.

- He's a serious-minded boy.

- Yeah.

All wrapped up in his play.

I'm wrapped up in it too.

Maybe I'm gonna produce it.

Maybe he's got a great play,

I'm gonna read it.

Do you mean you haven't read his play?

I gave it to Binion to read.

He didn't understand it.

- I can understand that.

- I'll tell you something else, Chris.

- That kid could get us into a lot of trouble.

- Really? How?

Well, it's sort of a little technical

stuff that you wouldn't understand.

- Important thing is to worry about our play.

- Yes.

If we could get him to sing

a couple of songs in it...

...we'll stampede them at the box office.

- All right, what do you want me to do?

- Just a little selling job.

I want you to explain to him

that the best way...

...to become a successful dramatic

playwright is through musical comedy.

- Oh, you can get him interested.

- Mm-hm.

And supposing

he becomes interested in me?

- Well, I expect him to.

- What?

I don't mean to that extent,

the guy doesn't have to go overboard.

- I see.

- Just tell him a few little simple things.

Like, "In show business,

everyone helps everyone else. "

- "It's all for one, and one for all. "

- And all for Miller.

Well, I'm the producer,

the show has to go on.

- Oh, come on, Chris, do it.

- All right, I'll try.

For you.

You know, I wish I had more time

to concentrate on you.

So do I.

Well, we'll get around to that later.

While you're at it, see if you can

talk him out of those rotten ethics.

That's an awful handicap in show business,

awful handicap.

You mustn't mind Gordon.

Sometimes he acts a bit curious...

...but that's only because

he's so wrapped up in his work.

He sure makes a lot of noise.

He was serious about your voice tonight.

So was I.

Well, thanks.

Don't you think you ought to consider

doing something in a musical revue?

Oh, no, I'm only interested

in getting my play on.

Here's home.

I suppose you think

it's rather ambitious of me...

...writing a play with a message,

as they say.

No.

See, I put a lot of work in my play

and I believe in it.

I hope you won't be disappointed.

Well, if it's a flop,

it will be good experience.

Maybe the next one will be better.

The idea is to stick to it,

not get sidetracked.

I see.

I don't mean to make a speech,

but you're so easy to talk to.

And I'm so glad

you're gonna be in my play.

That's very nice of you to say.

I mean it.

I hope it will be lucky for both of us.

- Well...

- Will I see you at the rehearsal?

No, I'm not in the part they're doing.

But I will see you tomorrow?

Sure. Good night, Glenn.

Pleasant dreams.

Mr. Russell, Mr. Miller,

we're ready with rehearsal.

Let it go any time you're ready.

Clear the stage, everyone,

except for those in the script.

Quiet, quiet! Let's try one now.

To those who have helped us

carve a home out of the wilderness...

...to them we say, Godspeed.

Yes, Naomi, let this, then,

be the symbol of our love.

The warmth of our heart,

the three children you have born me.

Oh, yes, how strange the world,

how strange.

Here come the children now.

Good evening, Father.

- Good evening, my dears.

Good evening, Mother.

- Good evening, my darlings.

They're gorgeous, aren't they?

- They're supposed to be children.

- Oh, well, they were only stand-ins.

We couldn't get the real children today.

We have to have a permit for that.

- Where did you get them?

- All right, go on quickly.

- What are we having for dinner, Mother?

- Boiled buffalo.

- Oh, goodie.

- Goodie.

- Goodie.

- Goodie.

Oh, goodie, goodie

So full, my cup of happiness.

- Hello, son.

- Hello, Father.

- Robert, home from college.

- Yes, Mother.

- Son, I have news for you.

- No.

You're about to become a brother.

No. Oh, Mother.

Oh, brother.

I couldn't possibly have written it

that badly.

Wait a minute...

Oh, Gordon, I hate to interrupt

but I don't think Mr. Jenkins likes it.

What about Jenkins?

The desk sent him up.

That's him with the girl.

Oh. Oh. Enough rehearsing for today.

- That will be all.

Dismiss the company.

Chris, you remember Glenn.

Glenn, you remember Chris.

Why don't you take him for a nice walk

down that way? I'll see you later.

- Mr. Jenkins, Mr. Jenkins, I'm Mr. Miller.

- Yes?

- How do you do?

- Glad to see you.

- Mrs. Jenkins?

- Miss Abbott.

I beg your pardon.

It's a pleasure to see you.

That's more that I can say

about your rehearsal. It was positively...

- Awful.

- Exactly.

You didn't get the significance of it.

Would you excuse Mr. Jenkins

and myself for a minute?

We got business we wanna talk...

Chris, take Glenn over to the piano.

Run over that song, "As Long as

There's Music, There's Always a Chance. "

Come on, Glenn.

That's my juvenile man,

temperamental but all right.

Wonderful voice.

Wait till you hear him sing.

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Allen Boretz

Allen Boretz (1900–1985), was an American songwriter, playwright and screenwriter. The great success of his and John Murray's Broadway hit Room Service (1937) led to offers from Hollywood, and he wrote and co-wrote screenplays from the late 1930s through the 1940s. His film credits include It Ain't Hay (1943), Step Lively (1944), Up in Arms (1944), The Princess and the Pirate (1944), Ziegfeld Follies (1946), Copacabana (1947), My Girl Tisa (1948), and Two Guys from Texas (1949). . Boretz' screenwriting ended abruptly when he was blacklisted in the early 1950s. However, Room Service has never stopped being produced by professional and amateur theatrical companies throughout the world, and has been revived on Broadway several times. more…

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Submitted on August 05, 2018

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    "Step Lively" Scripts.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 4 Jan. 2025. <https://www.scripts.com/script/step_lively_18859>.

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