The Glenn Miller Story

(# Moonlight Serenade)

Hello, Mr Kranz.

- I'd like to redeem my...

- I know! The trombone.

I always keep her hanging in the window

so when you walk by

you can see she is still there.

I keep my eyes on her.

Say, Mr Miller,

where'd you got the money this time?

- Working in a gas station.

- And now you've got another band job?

Yep. I'm with Minton at the Sunset Hotel.

Chummy's gonna pick me up.

Your friend Chummy,

why don't he hock something?

- He plays the piano.

- I see!

That's all we need! To schlep a piano

in and out every once in a while.

That string of pearls,

how much did you say that was?

I'd like to give my girl a birthday present.

Isn't it wonderful to be young?

He just got his trombone out of hock

and he wants to buy a $100 necklace.

$100?

I'd like to give her this.

Haven't seen her for a few years.

- You are engaged?

- No, not exactly.

We went around together when we were

in college. University of Colorado.

$100. That's a lot of money, isn't it?

For a regular customer,

I make a special price.

- (Car horn)

- I guess that's Chummy.

A hundred dollars.

Here's for the horn.

- Thanks. Goodbye.

- Goodbye, Mr Miller.

- Where'd you get this one, Chummy?

- Made a deal on my Briscoe.

She's a beaut.

45 horsepower. Only four years old.

- 45 horse...

- Come on, hop in. We gotta get goin'.

- Isn't this a darb, kid?

- Yeah, gee whiz!

- You bring my arrangement?

- You're sittin' on it.

But this is the Sunset Hotel,

potted palms and marble stairs.

- Minton's band plays sweet.

- I know that.

Don't try to slip in

that arrangement of yours tonight.

- We don't wanna lose this job.

- Stop worryin'. This is a classic.

I Dreamt I Dwelt In Marble Halls,

it's a classic!

When Minton hears this arrangement,

he'll give us a job for life. Let's go.

(# Upbeat swing)

(# Romantic swing)

Too bad you can't keep the trombone

and hock the arrangement.

- You know where there's Venice?

- Italy.

No! Venice here.

By the pier, with that big wheel.

- Oh, yeah.

- You boys go out there next Monday.

- This fellow Pollack, he has tryouts.

- Ben Pollack?

Ben Pollack. He gets together a new band.

They go for a long, long trip.

- How do you know?

- A fellow told me this morning.

- You boys go out there.

- Sure. Thanks a lot.

Next Monday?

That gives you a week

to get your trombone out.

- You could work in a gas station.

- Not me.

I'm gonna work on arrangements.

For me, I'm glad for your business,

Mr Miller,

but why don't you give up this arranging

and stick with the trombone?

That's a good question.

I wish I knew the answer.

But I have one idea up here in my head.

To me, music is more

than just one instrument.

It's a whole orchestra playing together. See?

The only way I can express myself

is to work out an arrangement.

See? Thanks for the tip.

Come on.

(# Ragtime piano)

Great!

- Thanks, Ben.

- You're in. You're in.

- Who's next?

- I am.

I've done some arrangements...

I'm full up on arrangements.

I need more musicians.

I've been working on 'em all week.

They're in your style.

I appreciate that. Lay them on the piano,

I'll try 'em some other time.

Uh-huh.

- My name's on the cover.

- Swell.

OK, who's next?

I am. My name's Schwartz.

Wilbur Schwartz.

Clarinet, eh? Sit down at the first chair

and blow a little bit.

- What tune do you want me to play?

- Do you read at sight?

- Try me.

- Chummy, get him something to read.

One, two.

(# Plays upbeat tune)

(Music stops)

Hey, Glenn! Come on back.

Mr Pollack wants to talk to you.

He says your arrangement is a pip!

Your arrangement!

I'm playing in the band

and working on arrangements.

I got a two-week advance.

You are a regular Rockefeller!

- I want to thank you for everything.

- Don't mention about it.

I'm only glad it worked so good out.

About that string of pearls

for my girl's birthday.

You said something

about a special price for those.

For you it's $80.

You pay me 40 down and $5 a week.

- Good enough.

- Shall I mail it for you?

I better take 'em with me.

I'm not sure of her address.

We're booked into Denver.

She lives right near there.

Ten, 20, 30, 40.

There's the 40.

- And here is for the trombone.

- All right.

- Thank you very much.

- Same to you, and good luck.

I hope you stay out

of pawnshops for a while.

- So do I! Goodbye.

- Goodbye, Mr Miller.

- Glenn, come on!

- A Pierce-Arrow?

Yeah! I got it for the old car and 100 bucks.

Much heavier.

It'll hold the road better on a long trip.

If the band folds up,

we can sell it to an undertaker.

Get in the back, I'll give you a ride in style.

Hurry, Glenn. We're due

at the Denver Palace in ten minutes.

- How much, sir?

- Oh, give us five.

Hello. I want Boulder 6-1-7-0.

How many?

(Telephone)

I'll get it, Mother.

Hello?

Hello? Helen? How's my girl?

Your girl? Who is this?

Who is this? Is this Helen Burger?

Yes, but there must be some...

- Well, it's Glenn!

- Glenn? Glenn who?

It's Glenn Miller!

Glenn Miller?

Oh, Glenn Miller.

Well, now, honestly.

After two years and not a word.

Didn't you get my card?

The one you wrote

a year ago last Christmas?

Well, I haven't heard from you either.

I didn't know where you were.

I don't even know where you are now.

I'm down here in Denver.

I want to see you. How about tonight?

Oh, I'm sorry. I have a date.

Couldn't you break it?

I'm with Pollack and we're leavin' tomorrow.

Now, honestly, I...

(Chummy) Glenn, come on, hurry it up.

I'll see you later, then.

Gee, there's a lot I want to tell you.

- Glenn, wait a minute...

- I'll be out right after I finish work. Bye.

Glenn? Hello?

Well, honestly.

- Hi, Dad.

- Going out, Helen?

This is a new wrinkle, isn't it?

Ed keeping you waiting.

It isn't Ed tonight.

It's a man I haven't seen for years.

Not Ed? What's happened?

It must be serious for you

to break a date with Ed.

No, Mother. Glenn isn't my type.

I guess I'm just too practical

or unromantic or something.

I want a man like Ed who's got a factory

or a store or something solid.

I certainly don't want

a wandering nomad like Glenn Miller.

What's he do, this Glenn Miller?

I don't really know except he said

he was in Denver for overnight.

He's gonna pick me up after work.

He must be a hard worker.

It's nearly 9:
00 now.

It is?

Well.

(Clock strikes)

Oh! There's really no excuse for this!

The least he could've done was phone.

- Unless he was in an accident.

- Call him.

How can I? I don't know where he is.

If I'm going hunting in the morning,

I've gotta get to bed.

Sam's picking me up at the crack of dawn.

- Doesn't look as if he's coming tonight.

- It certainly doesn't!

Even if he did come, I wouldn't see him.

Then we can all go to bed?

Well, so much for Mr Glenn Miller.

I'll never see him again.

(Glenn, calling softly) Helen?

Helen?

(Whistles)

Helen?

Helen!

(Whistles)

Helen! (Whistles)

- Oh, there you are.

- Glenn Miller, you go away.

I don't want to go away.

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