The Big Store

See? That's the way to play it.

Someday, you all gonna be big musicians

just like me, but you gotta practice.

Not on this piano.

Hey, you can't take this piano. She belongs

to the professor. He's upstairs, sick.

Go on, play something soft.

You're breaking my heart.

Come on, Joe.

- Hey, wait. Please, please.

My friend Tommy Rogers, he's gonna

be here right away. He'll fix everything.

Who's Tommy Rogers?

- You don't know Rogers, the singer?

Never heard of him.

- You never heard of him?

Let me show you who's Tommy Rogers.

That's his picture. Look at what he say.

"The late Hiram Phelps wills half

interest in his department store...

to his protg, Tommy Rogers. "

You mean a guy like that

would come to a joint like this?

What do you mean, "joint"?

Tommy get his start right here.

Hi, Ravelli.

- Hey, Tommy.

Where's the professor?

I brought that money for him.

You see? - Hey, what's

going on around here?

I had orders to take this piano.

We thought the place was closing up.

Closing up? Why, I'm gonna tear this

place down and build a real conservatory.

Now, what did I tell you? Conservatory.

- Excuse me, Mr. Rogers. Come on, Joe.

You hear that, kids?

A new conservatory.

A new conservatory!

Hooray for Tommy!

I'll build a conservatory we'll be proud of,

stained-glass windows, a real auditorium...

and we'll have soundproof

practice rooms.

That's fine. When do we start?

As soon as I sell my share

of the Phelps store.

You gonna sell the store?

- Sure.

What do I know about department stores?

I'm a musician. That's my business.

I want kids like these to have

the same opportunity that I've had.

Hey, let's go upstairs and

tell the professor. - Sure.

Come on.

See you later.

- So long.

Now, you kids practice

till I come back.

But remember,

no woogie-boogie.

Get working on those books,

Sutton, or we'll be in trouble.

You think Rogers will

sell, Mr. Grover?

He'll try. And if any real businessman

gets a look at our figures, we're sunk.

Get going on those books.

We haven't much time.

Yes, sir. I'll do my best.

Can you trust that guy? His sister works

in the music department and runs with Rogers.

She won't run with him long.

- Why?

If Tommy Rogers disappears,

his share of the store reverts to

Martha Phelps, the old man's sister.

So what?

Well, there'll be a society wedding.

Martha will make a stunning bride and

I rather fancy myself as a bridegroom.

And complete owner of

the Phelps store? - Naturally.

Now, can you arrange

the necessary disappearance?

I didn't bring Butch along for company.

- Yeah, I know what to do.

And make it look

like one of those accidents.

Sure, boss. You know me.

- Now, don't bungle it. Get going.

Will you keep a secret?

- Sure, even from me.

I think I found buyers for the store.

- Who and for how much?

The price hasn't been settled but it's

the Hastings brothers, the big store owners.

The deal looks pretty set. Tell

the professor to start looking at plans.

I better not leave you. From now on,

you and me is gonna be insufferable.

Hey, turn on the lights.

Turn on the lights.

Second floor.

Oh, help.

- What happened?

Tommy, what happened?

I don't know. Something happened.

I didn't see nothing wrong. The lights

went off and went right on again.

Tommy!

Tommy!

Are you all right, Tommy?

I mean, Mr. Rogers.

Excuse me, just a minute, please.

Why, Mr. Rogers, what's the trouble?

Just a little bump.

Somebody's elbow, I guess.

First the lights go out, then Tommy.

- Let me help.

No, I'm all right. - You'd better

see your aunt right away.

I want to see you a little later, Joan.

- Yes, sir.

Now come along with me.

Going down.

Nobody tell me that was an accident.

- It's the work of a disgruntled employee.

I'm calling the police.

Call the police department.

Wait a minute. Aren't you

taking this a little too seriously?

No, if anything should happen to you,

I'd be the first one blamed.

Aunt Martha, you read

too many detective stories.

Tommy's right. You're

making too much of this.

What's the matter, Ravelli?

- I see a very suspicious-looking man.

Tommy, who is this person?

- I'm Ravelli. I'm Tommy's best friend.

Your best friends are the police.

I'll call them.

Don't you think that calling the police

might result in a lot of...

well, undesirable publicity?

Remember the name of Phelps.

You're so right again.

You're always so right.

Mr. Grover.

- I'll take it in my office.

May I have the phone book?

- Yes.

Thank you.

Exercise number four.

Come on, now. One, two.

Now stretch.

One, two. Now stretch.

And now, friends, stand on your head

with your back against the wall.

Wacky.

Take this paper out and sell it.

Never mind.

What about my egg?

Wacky, quick, a customer.

Winthrop, get me

the district attorney.

Hello, DA? That's ridiculous, I've been

in constant touch with Scotland Yard.

Winthrop, get me Trinidad.

Hello, Dad, I won't be

home for dinner.

I came here to...

- Just a minute.

Winthrop, get me Gangbusters.

Hello, Gangbusters, who caught

the crook last night?

Sheriff Hawkins?

Thank you.

Winthrop, get me Sheriff Hawkins.

Sheriff Hawkins?

Congratulations.

Well, madam...

Take this down.

Go on, please.

I saw your name

in the classified...

And I'm awfully worried about...

...need your protection.

That's why I'm here.

This case is more baffling

than I thought. Tell it to me again.

I saw your name in the classified...

I know you're a very busy man,

but you must do something.

We need your protection.

That's why I'm here.

Fascinating.

Now tell it to me in detail.

I saw your name...

Oh, dear!

Oh, my!

Be careful. - It's the new type-flying machine.

They're really not perfected yet.

Yes? As you were...?

As you were saying?

You've heard of Tommy Rogers,

who recently inherited,

half the Phelps department store.

- Why, of course.

You must take this case.

Well, I'd like to help you,

but I'm just dripping with offers.

I don't even answer the phone.

You'll pardon me?

- Of course.

Ten thousand dollars, ridiculous.

One would think I was starving.

It's warm in here.

- It's funny, I don't feel it. - Well, I do.

Winthrop, have the janitor come up

and break a window.

Things are certainly getting hot.

- Oh, they certainly are.

Miss Phelps, I'm turning down all offers

to take your case. After all, you're a woman.

You are a woman, aren't you?

Tell me, what would you want

to handle this case for me? - $ 20.000.

Don't you think that's too much? - Of course.

Only a cheap chiseler would ask that much.

I was prepared to pay $ 500.

- Oddly enough, I'm prepared to take it.

Shall we bind the deal

with a kiss or $ 5 in cash?

You lose either way.

- There you are.

That's fine.

Now, let's get to the bottom of...

Let's get to the bottom of this, eh?

Now, tell me everything.

As you were saying?

- Look, what's this?

Camouflage. A precaution

I must take for my life.

Every gangster in town

would like to do away with me,

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