The Jolson Story

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Over here.

Steve Martin's the name.

It grew.

Thank you. Tell you what I'll do.

You call out a tune, and I'll play it.

Stay in Your Own Backyard.

Too dirty back there.

- Any other tune?

- Banks of the Wabash.

Banks of the Wabash. All right.

Now I'll tell you what I'll do.

I'll play it if you folks will sing it. Right?

The key of C, Professor.

So you won't sing?

Am I asking you to do me a favor?

I'm doing you a favor.

When you sing, what happens?

Your lungs get full of oxygen.

It puts roses on your cheeks.

As a matter of fact, you either sing out,

or you get out.

Now that we understand each other,

let's go, Professor.

The breath of new-mown hay

Through the sycamores

the candle lights are gleaming

on the banks of the Wabash, far away

Fine. Stand up and let the folks see you.

Don't be bashful. Come on, stand right up.

Come on, folks, let's make him stand up.

Attaboy! Let's have it again.

Give that boy a spotlight!

Professor, let's have the chorus again.

Oh, the moonlight's fair tonight

along the Wabash

From the fields there comes the breath

of new-mown hay

Through the sycamores

the candle lights are gleaming

on the banks of the Wabash

far away

- What's your name?

- Asa Yoelson.

Are you in show business?

No, sir, I'm not.

Where'd you learn to sing like that?

I sing with my father at the synagogue.

- Where?

- At the...

The synagogue!

Wait a minute!

Sonny, wait a minute!

Answer me, Asa.

Where were you all that time?

You came like someone

who is running a race.

It's not good to run a race with God, Asa.

Where were you, Asa?

I was... singing.

You mean you stayed home?

- Practicing, is that what you mean?

- No.

Then where were you singing?

Stop cracking your knuckles.

In the street, maybe?

That's not exactly where I was singing.

Singing prayers in the street.

- No, not exactly.

- Exactly?

You must have been exactly somewhere...

singing exactly something...

- and for some exact reason.

- Yes, Papa.

My name is Martin.

I'd like to talk to you for a minute.

Hello, Asa.

You're Cantor Yoelson. I'm Steve Martin.

- How do you do?

- I'm glad to know you.

Your son has a real voice.

You were at the synagogue today

for the service?

Me? No. I just went by there to find out

where you lived.

Then where did you hear my son sing?

- At Kernan's.

- Kernan's?

Yeah. The burlesque house

a few blocks from here.

The burlesque theater?

- Don't you ever go there?

- No, I do not.

That boy's got a future in show business.

I've looked for something like him

for a long time.

I'd like to make him a regular part of the act.

You've nothing to worry about.

I'm booked solid for the season.

I move on to Baltimore tonight.

- Baltimore.

- I know he's pretty young...

but when a boy's got a voice like that,

he ought to let people hear it.

You're right, Mr. Martin. Asa will sing.

But where his people have always sung.

I know how you feel.

It's a beautiful thing to sing in church,

but there's a lot to say for the theater, too.

If you're worried

about my taking care of him...

Excuse me, Mr. Martin.

I think I know what's best for my son.

I was afraid that's how you'd feel about it.

Sorry, Asa.

- Good night.

- Good night.

I want your promise

that you'll never go to that place again.

I can't.

- I can't promise.

- Go to your room.

Ann, go downstairs and get a ladder.

Put it here.

- Why?

- Hurry up. Get the ladder.

What'd you bring me here for?

Why don't you let me find Steve Martin?

What kind of a car was that

you jumped out of?

A cattle car.

What difference does that make?

All the difference in the world, my boy.

- Here's another one, Father.

- Let me go.

Yes, let him go, Riley. Don't mind him.

He just thinks he has to behave

like a policeman.

I don't think he understands boys.

No? I've only got seven of them myself.

That's just what I mean.

Now, suppose you tell me about yourself.

Where are you from?

- Where was he picked up?

- In the freight yard.

He came in on a cattle car. Can't you tell?

If you knew about freight trains,

you'd never pick a cattle car.

- I had to get here.

- To Baltimore? Why?

- He's got a job here.

- What kind of job?

- Singing.

- Singing? Where?

In a show with Steve Martin.

He's in Baltimore right now.

What about your family?

Do they know about this?

I see.

Before we do anything else,

I think you'd better have a hot bath.

- And something to eat, John.

- Come on, my boy.

Why don't you find Steve Martin

and ask him?

That's just what I'll do.

Since it's singing he's interested in,

why not let him sing?

Sing?

Tell me a little more about your work

in the theater, Mr. Martin.

I've told you about all there is.

Pardon me, Father. I don't get it.

Why would you be bringing me here,

asking me all these questions?

- Is there something you want me to do?

- I'll come to the point in a little while.

- Cantor Yoelson? I'm Father McGee.

- How do you do?

Mrs. Yoelson.

Hello, glad to see you again.

- You know Mr. Martin?

- We know him.

- Is our boy here?

- The description is like Asa.

I have a very strong feeling that...

So have I.

Singing without his cap on.

It's not so much what's on the head

as what's in the heart...

is it, Cantor?

Hello, Mama. Hello, Papa.

Beautiful song, wasn't it?

Get ready, Asa. We're going home.

I'll do it again, Papa. I'll run away.

- I'll find Mr. Martin someplace.

- Now wait, Asa.

I wouldn't have you in the act

if I didn't have your father's consent.

Then I'll get in another act.

I'll keep running away.

- What are we going to do with him?

- We'll decide that at home.

Maybe we should decide now, Papa.

You said you would take

very good care of our boy?

- You would consider this foolishness?

- I'm only asking, Papa.

If Asa is going to keep running away,

I have a right to ask.

I made inquiries about Mr. Martin.

He's a man who can be trusted.

I'm sorry I started all this trouble

and I wouldn't have more to do with it...

but considering his feelings

about show business...

Show business!

Tell me, Mr. Martin,

exactly what would Asa do?

The same as I did at Kernan's, Mama.

- Isn't that what you mean, Mr. Martin?

- Yes.

Mr. Martin's onstage asking everybody

to sing, but nobody does...

'cause they're waiting

for someone else to begin.

I'm up in the balcony, and Mr. Martin says:

"Come on, folks! Join in the chorus!"

"Don't be bashful. All together now."

All of a sudden,

I stand up in the balcony and start singing.

I'm dumbfounded at the kid's voice,

and I say:

"Give that boy a spotlight!"

"Give that boy a spotlight!"

I love you

as I've never loved before

Since first I met you

on the village green

Come to me

or my dream of love

is over

I love you as I loved you

when you were sweet

when you were sweet

sixteen

"Next week, Philadelphia, then Pittsburgh.

"Feeling fine.

Your loving son, Asa Yoelson."

He's feeling fine.

Philadelphia, Pittsburgh.

Washington was too small for Asa.

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