Strike Up the Band Page #9

Jimmy, I'm so glad for you, son,

and I'm so proud.

Oh, gosh, Mom, just think of it.

New York.

Oh, that's right.

You said you'd be going

to New York right away.

Yeah.

Have you told Mary and Phillip?

Well, I thought I'd wait

until I got the whole thing set.

- I've got to see Mr. Whiteman tomorrow.

- I wonder what they'll say.

Why, they'll...

- Why?

- And the band.

Everybody's looking forward so

to going to Chicago.

Everybody's been working so hard.

Working for the whole group.

- I know what you're thinking but...

- Do you?

I remember when you started the band.

When you told me that they believed in you,

had faith in you to stick by you.

And what suddenly happens

to them now?

They're the same people.

But this is my one big chance.

I can't give it up. Don't ask me to.

You'd be climbing

the first rung of the ladder.

By walking out on your friends.

Yeah, I...

I know it now.

I guess I just didn't stop to think.

I thought it'd be wonderful

for both of us.

And so it can be, Jimmy.

But not quite so fast.

Where are you going, son?

You know where I'm going.

So I'm afraid I won't be able

to accept the job, Mr. Whiteman.

I thought I could, but I just got

through talking to my mother and...

Well, she straightened me out

on a few things.

Mothers have a knack at that sort of thing,

don't they, Jimmy?

Yes, sir. You know, ever since

you made that announcement...

...about a guest appearance

on your broadcast...

Why, that's been our ambition.

We played dates.

We even gave a show to try to raise

enough money to get to Chicago...

...to give an audition.

But that's before we knew

you were coming here.

Jimmy, did you form that band?

Yes, sir.

I kind of cooked it up.

But I can't very well

pull out on them now.

That's good enough for me.

Jimmy, let me tell you something.

When I started out, a band was

a bunch of boys with instruments...

...who got together and beat out rhythm

for the rest of the folks to dance to.

But now it's a profession,

and a mighty important one.

Take the big bandleader of today.

He's almost a household word.

He's as well known as your

biggest picture actor or baseball player.

Fred Waring, Kay Kyser, Glenn Miller.

All very popular.

But once they were a little guy

called Jimmy Connors who...

...just sort of cooked things up.

But with this popularity

comes a great responsibility.

Rhythm can either excite the worst in us

or bring out the best.

Take that little fellow on the street.

Teach him to blow a horn

and he'll never blow a safe.

You know, rhythm is really

a wonderful thing.

Sometimes I think

rhythm almost runs the world.

In a little baby, the first thing that starts

is his rhythm. His little heart starts to beat.

And every different city

has a different kind of rhythm.

In your car,

if the engine's missing and jerking...

...or you feel the bump of a flat tire,

rhythm tells something's wrong.

And if you call a doctor,

the first thing he does is check your rhythm.

He feels your pulse to find if your rhythm

is solid and your beat's strong.

So, Jimmy, when we get

to the last eight bars of the big tune...

...and the old ticker

kind of slows down...

...no matter what's wrong with us,

the last thing to stop is our rhythm.

After listening to a lot of bands

all over the country...

...I don't think it would be fair to select one

and give them the guest spot on that show.

No, there's too many good ones.

I've put up a $500 prize...

...and I'm gonna devote my whole

program for a high school band contest.

I'm going to play it safe.

I'm gonna let the public

worry about who's best.

Gosh, that sounds terrific, Mr. Whiteman.

I've already selected three bands,

but I think I'll make it four.

Do you want to try?

- Do we?

- Chicago, Saturday night.

- Will you be there?

- Why, you couldn't keep us away.

- Well, what's the matter, Jimmy?

- Oh, I...

I forgot, Mr. Whiteman.

It's gonna cost us $200

to get the band to Chicago.

I've figured it out.

We've only got 150.

Mr. Whiteman, do you think you could see

your way clear to give me a loan of $50?

I'll give you my personal note.

Well, what have you got

for collateral, Jimmy?

Well, I could put up my drums.

They mean more to me

than anything in the world.

You'd really do that, Jimmy?

Yes, I would, Mr. Whiteman.

- It's a deal. There you are.

- Oh, gosh.

Thanks. You won't have to wait long,

not if there's a $500 prize.

I wouldn't be too confident.

You might get a little competition.

We're not afraid

of a bunch of kids from high school.

- Hurry up, you're late.

- Is everybody here?

- Music hasn't been passed out.

- Where's Willie?

- He isn't here.

- I'll scalp that midget.

- Run over the old ones.

- Jimmy!

Mrs. Brewster phoned, Willie's terribly sick.

The doctor's there. She wants us.

What? Let's get going.

I'm so glad you've come.

I'll call the doctor.

Oh, I'm afraid it's awfully serious.

- I hope not. What's the matter, doctor?

- From what I gather, he injured his arm...

...when he was swung up

on that wire during your show.

- His arm.

- It's perfectly possible for him...

...to have gone around all this time

without knowing the arm was broken.

That often happens.

Unfortunately,

what was a simple fracture then...

...has developed

into a serious complication now.

And it is serious.

He's had that injury for over a week.

- What are you doing for him, doctor?

- There's not much that I can do.

It calls for an operation

by someone who is an expert.

- Or else...

- or else what?

Unless that boy is operated on

within the next few hours, I...

Well, I can't be responsible for him.

Oh, no.

Well, we've got to do something.

You're right, son. I've phoned

the best orthopedic man I know.

Dr. Ganglin

at the General Hospital in Chicago.

But he's operating today,

and can't possibly get away.

That leaves us only one alternative.

We've got to get Willie to Chicago.

Well, all right, let's get him there.

Yes, get him there.

But we've got to get him there immediately.

- Well, couldn't we charter a plane?

- That would cost a lot of money.

I'm afraid Mrs. Brewster

could hardly afford that.

How much would it cost, doctor?

About $200.

Call the airport. We have the money.

- Two hundred dollars?

- Well, what are you waiting for?

- All right, I'll take care of it.

- Doctor, could we see Willie now, please?

Yes, I think you should.

Oh, Mrs. Brewster,

could I see you a moment?

Hello, shortstop.

I heard you. I'm not going.

Going where?

In that airplane.

Oh, but you've gotta go.

I know where you're getting the money.

And you're not gonna spend it on me.

What's money?

It's like corny saxophone players,

you can shake it out of trees.

Look, Willie, I'm your friend, aren't I?

- Yeah.

- And Jimmy's your friend too, isn't he?

Yeah.

Well, have we ever asked you to do

anything that wasn't good for you?

Look, Willie. Jimmy's a boss.

The only reason we've gotten

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