The Eddy Duchin Story Page #5

I've had two more requests

from the Special Services.

They'd like to transfer you

to morale duty.

Sitting out the war at a piano

wouldn't do my morale much good.

You've been aboard two years now.

Frankly, I need you here.

I won't urge you to go ashore.

Thank you.

But you're like a mule

on this subject. Why?

After all, nobody wants to die.

No, of course they don't.

But for me, being able

to stay on active duty is-

Well, it's purely selfish.

You see, you can get lost

in the big reality in-

in which all the little

personal aches disappear.

War, as the man said, is hell.

But for me, it's a kind of a...

personal salvation.

Get 'em all out of there now.

That's it. Move it along.

Like some chewing gum?

Want some?

All right.

Now, do you think you can do this?

Now, you just keep doing it.

Dear Peter, there are so many things

that I would like to say to you.

We've never really known each other.

There just never seemed

to be the time.

But when I come home,

things will be different.

- I'm going to try to make up for-

- This is the captain speaking.

I've just received official word-

firing ceased at 2300.

The war is over.

I repeat, the war is over.

Stand by for further information.

It'll be sooner than we thought.

Sooner than we thought.

- Mr. Duchin.

- Hello, Charles.

I'll tell Mr. and Mrs. Wadsworth

you're here.

Thank you.

Mr. Wadsworth.

Mr. Duchin is here.

Eddy! Welcome home!

Welcome home, Eddy. We didn't

expect you till tomorrow night.

I found an admiral who was in

a hurry too, so I hitched a ride.

Edith! You've no idea

how good it is to see you.

Come on in and tell us everything.

I'm home to stay this time.

Where's Peter?

He and Chiquita went to the park.

I'm going to stay home now

with my son.

- I have so much to make up for.

- We understand.

Sherm, I'm organizing a new band.

Lou's got us booked into

the Waldorf for a long hitch...

so I can stay right here

in New York with Peter.

Maybe I ought to go

to the park and get him.

- Eddy, be patient.

- But I have so many plans.

We're going to set up housekeeping,

a sort of bachelor hall.

Say, tell me about this

little girlfriend of Peter's.

Chiquita. She's a sweet child.

You'll like her.

- Spanish?

- English. "Chiquita's" a nickname.

Her father was a London

business associate of mine.

The entire family

was wiped out during the blitz.

It's been wonderful for Peter

having her here.

- They adore each other.

- Aunt Edith. Uncle Sherm.

You can't imagine

what happened in the park.

I can skate spread-eagle and-

Hello, Peter.

I'm very glad

to be back with you, Peter.

I hope you're happy to see me.

Yes.

You look like your mother.

I'm told I look like you.

Did you get theJapanese sword

and the battle flag I sent?

- Yes.

- Good.

I hope your little playmate Chiquita

enjoyed the doll.

It came from a very fine

Japanese collection.

It's one of the most-

It's one of the most

beautiful dolls I've ever seen.

I'm so very pleased to meet you at last.

Welcome home.

- Thank you.

- Eddy, this is Chiquita Wynn.

I can see I've been measuring you

by the wrong yardstick.

I'm desperately sorry.

I do apologize

if we've embarrassed you.

No, it's just that

I'm afraid that...

salt water has dimmed

my sense of humor.

I think I'll go upstairs now.

But your father

has just arrived, Peter.

What about the surprise?

Some other time, Aunt Edith.

Mr. Duchin, will you sit here?

Ladies and gentlemen,

music by Duchin.

- Where did he learn to play like that?

- Chiquita taught him.

We used to get out

all your records and play them.

We love them so.

Excuse me.

I've got a headache.

- Does he really have a headache?

- You know how boys are.

No, I don't know how boys are.

They're unpredictable.

He may have a headache.

At any rate, the experience

of meeting you again...

is a little more than he can take

all at one time...

and he is determined

not to show it.

It should go,

if you don't mind my saying so...

by easy stages.

What I feel for Peter isn't

a matter of love by installment.

I was not talking about

what you feel, Mr. Duchin.

It's wonderful that you're home.

Excuse me.

That's one. Come on.

Throw it in at the mitt.

Way up.

Make it a double-play ball.

Eddy, you sign these contracts

and we're in business.

What a band.

We got everybody we wanted.

These past five weeks,

getting the boys together...

and getting the arrangements set...

reading the small print

in the contracts...

I'm beat.

Right in the strike zone.

Ball one.

Strike one.

They're great together, aren't they?

High one, Chiquita.

Would you come in here

for a moment, please?

- Where do I sign?

- At the bottom.

All copies.

- You called me?

- Oh, yes. Change your clothes.

We can go as soon as I've finished

signing these contracts.

- Go where?

- School starts in a few weeks.

I'll take you shopping

and buy you some new clothes.

But Chiquita-

I'm sorry.

Peter and I did that this morning.

You what?

Edith and I thought

you'd been so busy that-

Well, return the things.

I want to take him shopping.

But we've already ordered them.

It's easy to cancel an order.

Now run and change your clothes, son.

Why, you act exactly

as if I were trying...

to steal your son from you,

Mr. Duchin.

Believe me, I'm not.

From now on, I'll take him shopping

for what he needs.

Certainly.

But I don't think,

for his sake and yours...

that we should air our differences

in front of him.

Miss Wynn,

I realize that you're here...

as a guest of the Wadsworths,

not a nursemaid.

I can't give you orders.

- You keep telling me to mend my manners.

- I was not aware-

Well, I certainly want it stopped!

Unfortunately, your son judges you,

in part, by how you treat me.

Let's forget it. We're just

not on the same side of the fence.

Every child needs a father, Mr. Duchin.

I'm well aware of that.

- You've turned my son against me.

- You're very rude and tactless.

Whatever exists between you and your son

was ready-made when I arrived here.

- It's all my fault, I suppose.

- I've no interest in fixing blame.

Did you know Peter owned every one

of your gramophone recordings...

and he hid them in the cupboard

the moment you came home?

- Hid them? Why?

- Why?

Why give the gift

of love and admiration...

to a god that may depart

on the morrow?

It's just a lot of talk.

What does it mean?

Whatever you want to make it mean.

Now, that's a real intelligent answer.

You know, it never occurred

to me before.

Maybe you're not-

Maybe you're not the man

I was told you were.

Miss Wynn.

You might not believe this...

but I'm ready to go

down on my knees to that boy.

Believe me, you'll have to.

There are so many things about him

that you know that I don't.

Many.

Would you tell them to me?

Some of the things I have to say

may be painful.

Please tell me.

Please.

Fine. Take five.

- Well, how was it, fellas?

- Great.

Solid, Mr. Duchin.

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