The Jolson Story Page #11

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As a matter of fact,

we wouldn't think of letting you go.

Henry, set Mr. Baron up here.

Move over, Steve.

Come here, Tom, sit down.

Look, pal. Look, everybody.

There was a crazy fella here a minute ago,

but I think he's gone now.

You can relax.

- How long are you staying?

- I'm flying back late tomorrow night.

Mama and Papa have the guest room.

There's a studio bed in the library

for Tom tonight. With bath.

- What do you say, Mr. Baron?

- No, I really...

That's settled.

And tomorrow night you will attend

the wedding anniversary dinner...

- of Cantor and Mrs. Yoelson.

- I wouldn't miss that for anything.

- But about tonight, I've got a hotel room.

- Sorry, you're staying here, my boy.

And look, son, I'm gonna read

that little show of yours tomorrow.

Yes, sir, I'm gonna give it Mr. Jolson's

personal attention and advice.

And tomorrow night...

What do you say to our

having the dinner party here?

- What do you think of that idea, Papa?

- This I could also get used to.

It's gonna be beautiful out there tonight.

It's about time those two

stopped talking in there.

- Luck to it, Tom.

- You've been a big help to me, Al.

I got a kick out of working on it.

Like old times. It happens to be good.

If I ever had any idea

of going back to the old grind...

it's the kind of a show I'd want.

Not that I have any such idea.

Matter of fact, I couldn't stand it.

- What do you mean?

- A show's a big job. You gotta be up to it.

Look at me.

Laying off for a long time like this.

Pipes not what they used to be.

I'll tell you something you never knew.

Every opening night of my life,

I used to have knots right in here.

No, that's all behind me, Tom.

Luck again, pal.

Al hasn't been as excited about anything

in a long time, has he, Steve?

I don't know.

- Must be a good show.

- Not bad.

He gave Tom some good ideas

this afternoon.

Julie, make him sing tonight.

I'm afraid we won't have any more luck

than we had last night.

He'll play records again, but that's all.

Well, I can understand.

He has sung enough.

- Let the records sing for a change.

- Nice idea, Cantor.

Speaking of change, Papa,

do you think it's been good for Al?

- Good? How do you mean?

- Does he seem happy to you?

Of course.

- Exactly like he used to be?

- A little more settled, maybe.

After all, it's time. He's no boy anymore.

- Dinner is ready, Mrs. Jolson.

- Good, I'll break this up.

All right, that's all, boys.

Join the party. Dinner's served.

That's that. Washes everything up.

From here in, Mama, we belong to you.

I'm hungry. Let's go.

My dear Cantor, if you'll give your arm

to the bride and lead the way.

The Cantor and Mrs. Yoelson

are the youngest couple I've ever known.

It doesn't matter how many years

they've been married.

All that counts is the spirit.

And I wish them

100 more young years of happiness.

L'Chaim.

- Thank you.

- Speech, Cantor.

Yeah, speech, come on.

- No...

- Come on, Papa.

Thank you, Mr. Martin.

That was very beautiful.

In fact...

That wine was very good, Mama.

I mean, what you said before

about the spirit, Mr. Martin.

By a strange coincidence...

we actually said something just like that...

the night of our wedding,

while Mama and I were dancing.

I said, "Let's always dance."

And how we danced that wedding night.

Asa, you should have seen us.

I remember, you couldn't be there.

Anyhow, I thank you all.

That was very good, Papa.

Remember that, Asa?

I've heard you sing it

a thousand times, Papa.

That was the waltz at our wedding.

Come on, Asa, sing with me.

No, you go ahead, Papa.

Listen to this.

As a little boy, he used to sing

with me at the synagogue.

What's the matter? Too big a man now?

Mama, tell the truth.

Who was always a better singer, me or Asa?

You, of course, Papa.

Do you hear that? Come on.

Please?

How we danced

on the night we were wed

We vowed our true love

though a word wasn't said

The world was in bloom

there were stars in the skies

Except for the few

that were there in your eyes

Dear, as I held you close in my arms

Angels were singing a hymn to your charms

Two hearts gently beating, murmuring low

"Darling, I love you so!"

The night seemed to fade

into blossoming dawn

The sun shone anew

but the dance lingered on

Could we but recall

that sweet moment sublime

We'd find that our love

is unaltered

by time

- That's that.

- Thank you, Asa. That was very nice.

Cantor, you two

have a fine dancing act there.

Do you think we could pick up a little time?

I can book you solid for the season.

It was a beautiful party, Julie.

I'd like to take over from here on.

Suppose we drive into town

and you all be my guests at a nightclub.

- What do you say?

- Nightclub now?

Yes. We could see an early floor show,

and I can catch my plane.

- No, let's not.

- Why?

Well, I haven't been

in one of those spots in years.

We're just country folks, Tom.

We don't go for that fast life.

Anyway, Mama and Papa

wouldn't be interested in a nightclub.

Yes, we would.

There you are.

And it's not your anniversary, son,

it's theirs. Come on, let's go.

In all your years in show business, Papa,

you didn't see anything like this yet.

Ladies and gentlemen, I'm interrupting

the show to make an announcement.

We have a celebrity with us...

a man you've enjoyed and admired

for many years.

He's been away for a long time,

and we've missed him a lot.

But he still is the greatest entertainer

of them all.

Wonder who he means?

It's an honor to introduce...

That's right, it's Mammy

and the man who made it famous...

the one and only Al Jolson!

The idiot.

There's a slight chance,

if we ask him hard enough...

just for old times' sake,

Mr. Jolson might give us a song.

- This guy's crazy.

- Come on, Al!

Sorry, no.

They're not going to stop.

Better do it and get it over with.

Baby, it looks like

I'm not going to get out of this. I'm sorry.

Thanks, Eddie. Thank you, boys.

That was a big introduction.

Just talk into this?

Thank you, folks.

It's nice to be remembered.

I can't tell you how nice.

But about singing for you,

you see, I'm a little rusty...

but you asked for it,

so we'll just make it a quick one.

- What do the boys handle that I can sing?

- Anything.

Robert E. Lee.

I don't think I'll need this.

Watch them shuffling along

See them shuffling along

Go take your best gal, your real pal

Go down to the levee, I said the levee

join that shuffling throng

Hear that music and song!

It's simply great, mate, waiting on the levee

Waiting for the Robert E. Lee

Watch them shuffling along

See them shuffling along

Go take your best gal, your real pal

Go down to the levee, I said the levee

Join that shuffling throng

Hear that music and song

It's simply great, mate, waiting on the levee

Waiting for the Robert E. Lee

Great.

More!

They'll mob him.

All right.

Come on out, gang. Everybody.

Everybody in the show,

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