The Great Ziegfeld Page #3

- Well, I should say you will.

But in the meantime, I think that

we ought to break our engagement.

- Why?

- Well, because...

...there are going to be lots of boys...

...who want to take you out

and buy you sodas.

If you're engaged to me,

you can't go with them.

- Why can't I?

- Because if you're married to me...

...I won't have you running around

with other boys. I couldn't stand for that.

- You couldn't?

- Well, of course I couldn't.

- Well, what are you laughing at?

- At you, you're jealous.

Well, you can just bet I'm jealous.

Well, now I've got to run along.

Florenz.

- Will you be home to dinner tonight?

- Yes, Dad.

Well, I'll see you then.

And in the meantime, son, remember:

Anything you do, I wish you luck.

I knew you would.

Hold it, Mr. Ziegfeld.

Thank you. Thank you.

Greetings. Greetings to San Francisco...

...from my troupe, including the

strongest man in the world, Sandow.

Humane Society?

Say, what's this I read in the papers

about a lion and a bear?

Is your society going

to tolerate such an atrocity?

Are you going to spill the blood of animals

over the good name of San Francisco?

Well, I didn't think

you'd permit such cruelty.

Why, it would be a crime

to send a poor grizzly bear...

...into a cage with

a man-eating lion. Crime.

- What's so funny?

- Oh, you wouldn't understand...

...because you don't know Ziegfeld.

Police are after him...

...and this paper's two weeks old,

so he's probably in jail by now.

- But do you know him, Jack?

- Oh, yeah, he's a pal of mine.

Hello.

- Well, Jack, this is a surprise.

- Yes.

- Certainly glad to see you aboard.

- Yes, well, I'm glad I...

Pardon me, I'll be back

in a few minutes, darling.

I thought perhaps you were...

- Hey, who is she?

- You'll never know.

What happened in Frisco? Did you

really send Sandow in against a lion?

Sure, but the lion wouldn't fight.

Wouldn't or couldn't?

To tell you the truth, Jack,

I didn't stay for the finish.

- I sort of thought that...

- Yes, I know.

Well, where is Sandow now?

He's in New York.

He's going into the legitimate.

- He's with Lillian Russell in As You Like It.

- Yeah, well, I don't think I'd like it.

What are you going to Europe for,

another strongman?

Oh, no, no. Just a little vacation.

- London?

- Well, Monte Carlo first.

You're gonna lose all the money

you made on Sandow, huh?

- No, I'm going to double it.

- Oh, yes.

What are you going for,

another Little Egypt?

Oh, no, just a rest. Of course, if I see

any exceptional talent, I'll pick it up.

Well, naturally. So will I.

Oh, you got anybody in mind?

No, no. Why, have you?

No, no.

Only the greatest artist

in Europe, that's all.

Say, who's that?

If I told you, you'd cross me

before we crossed the ocean.

Beg pardon, sir.

Miss Carlisle wishes to know whether

there will be three for tea or just two.

Just two. Yes, just two.

- Miss Carlisle, huh?

- Yes, sir.

Oh, thank you.

You're...

- You're Mr. Billings' man, are you?

- Yes, sir.

Well, you're very efficient.

- What is your name?

- Sidney, sir.

Sidney. How much does

Mr. Billings pay you, Sidney?

One hundred a month, sir.

Only... Well, that's not very much, is it?

I hadn't thought of it, sir.

Well, think of it, Sidney.

London Evening News.

London Evening News.

Oh, take care of the luggage, will you?

And tip the doorman, Sidney.

Yes, sir.

You have a reservation

for Florenz Ziegfeld Jr?

- Yes, sir. Will you register, please?

- Surely.

Is Mr. Billings still here?

- Yes, sir, on your floor.

- Oh, yes.

Boy. Rooms 325 and 26.

Thank you.

Sidney. Well, you ingrate, you deserter...

Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.

Well, why didn't you tell me

you were dissatisfied? L...

- You pirate.

- Now wait a minute, Jack.

Gentlemen don't quarrel

over gentlemen's gentlemen.

- Oh, you...

- Let me tell you the whole story.

If you're still angry,

Sidney can go back with you.

- Oh, I...

- Look, Jack, it was this way.

I've always envied you.

Your dress, your style, the way you look.

So that when I saw your valet,

and I realized...

...that it was he who took

such magnificent care of you...

...well, I just couldn't resist

the temptation of hiring him for myself.

You mean, you wanted to look like me?

Well, that's right, Jack.

I wanted to look just like you.

You faker.

What are you doing here? I thought you

weren't going to be in London for weeks.

Well, that's a long story.

You know, I was going to break

the bank at Monte Carlo.

Yes, I know.

But the bank broke you, huh?

- What did you lose?

- Fifty-thousand dollars.

- What have you got left?

- Fifty cents.

Fifty cents. Well, I'll see you later.

But, Jack, wait a minute.

Lend me 5000, will you?

Well, would you...?

Would you make it 2500?

If I gave you $2500, by the time you

tipped six bellboys, you'd be broke again.

Look, Jack, I really need it.

I'll tell you what.

I'll give you $500 if you'll catch

the next boat back to New York.

There's one leaving in the morning.

Fair enough?

It's fair, but not enough.

Will you sail with me?

Oh, no, Mr. Ziegfeld,

I have business in London.

Oh, haven't you got

the world's greatest artist yet?

No, not yet, but I will have.

Who is it, Jack?

Go on, you can tell me now. I'm broke.

I won't tell you till I have

her name on the dotted line.

It's a her, is it?

Yes, and a beautiful her too,

and she's signing the contract tonight.

- Goodbye, Mr. Ziegfeld.

- Goodbye, Mr. Billings.

I say, doorman,

did Mr. Billings come out?

Just this moment drove away.

I've got a very important

message for him.

- Do you know where he went?

- Palace music hall.

- Is it a good show?

- Not so much, sir.

Except for the French actress.

She's truly wonderful.

She has eyes this big, sir.

Every time she blinks them at you,

you jolly well blink yourself, sir.

- Have you seen Anna Held, sir?

- No, no, I haven't, but I will tonight.

Thank you, sir.

I say, sir, do you realize

you gave me 5?

Yes, I'm trying to lose weight.

Isn't it magnificent?

For me, Marie?

From whom?

Whoever gathered all the orchids

in the world just for me?

I do not know, but they must've

cost thousands of francs.

Was no card with it? Oh, yes.

- Marie, this is very strange.

- What, madame?

I learned the English words, I sing the

English songs, yet I cannot read English.

What shall that mean?

Please read it to me.

"My dear Miss Held,

it is very important to your future...

...that you see me

before signing any contracts.

I shall be waiting at the stage entrance

immediately after your performance.

Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. "

- Who's this Florenz Ziegfeld Jr?

- I do not know, madame.

- And why is it junior? Is he a little boy?

- I do not know, madame.

I will not see this Mr. Ziegfeld Jr.

You will see Monsieur Billings, oui?

Oh, Marie, these flowers are very nice.

I think I am polite and see this

Monsieur Junior Ziegfeld.

But Billings is coming to talk to you

about the great American tour.

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