The Jolson Story Page #2

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- "Indianapolis."

- Indians! He'll come home scalped yet.

"Kickabock."

- Is this in the United States, Papa?

- Don't be foolish!

- No. That's pronounced Di-bi-kah.

- Dubuque!

Anyway, in Dubuque, he sang two encores.

Now spell "tedious."

T-E-D-O...

Wait a minute. That's wrong.

Try again. "Tedious."

You wouldn't know to spell it

if you didn't have that book.

I'm not learning. I'm teaching.

By the light

of the silvery moon, moon

I want to spoon

to my honey I'll croon love's tune

Honey moon

keep a-shinin' in June

Your silv'ry beams will bring love dreams

We'll be cuddling soon

by the silvery moon

Just a minute.

How come suddenly

in the middle of the song...

you put in a "moo-moo"?

I thought it would be a little better that way.

You thought it would be a little better?

If the guy who wrote the song

wanted to say "moo-moo"...

he'd write it that way.

I just get tired of singing it

the same way every time.

- So you thought up "moo-moo"?

- I didn't think it. It just came out.

It just came out?

Don't let it come out!

Sing that song just like it's written...

and I don't want to hear

no more "moo-moos."

- Yes, sir.

- How do you like that?

He gets tired singing it the same way...

so he puts in "moo-moo."

As if that makes any difference.

And another thing...

you're singing it a little faster every night.

Is that because you're tired, too?

No. That's because you're playing it

too slow.

I'm playing it slow?

Excuse me.

I've only been in this business for 30 years,

making a very nice living.

But maybe an old trouper like you

ought to come on stage...

I thought of that.

I could sing much better on the stage.

You don't tell me.

Then I can sing right to them

instead of the backs of their heads...

- and I could see how their faces look.

- The faces?

Unless you can see the people's faces,

it's no good at all.

You don't say. And tell me, Mr. Yoelson...

with that spotlight

shining right in your eyes...

- how are you gonna see faces?

- That's easy.

If you turn up all the lights in the theater,

then they can see me, and I can see them.

Asa in long pants.

Goodbye, my bluebell

farewell to you

One last fond look

into your eyes so blue

'Mid campfires gleaming

'mid shot and shell

Goodbye

- You don't wanna be in the act anymore?

- No, Steve.

I'm going home.

Don't be silly.

Your voice is changing, that's all.

In a couple of years,

you'll get it back, better than ever.

And listen, the way

you pulled that whistle out of the hat...

that's showmanship.

Didn't you hear them applaud?

- But it isn't the same.

- What isn't the same?

The act's just as good as it was before.

When you whistle,

their faces don't look the same.

Faces again. This kid'll drive me crazy.

Listen, I didn't say you're gonna whistle

the rest of your life.

Just for a while.

Look, know what we're gonna do?

We're gonna work up

some whistling routines...

and you're gonna

work on the stage with me.

What do you think of that?

And do you know something else?

Then you're gonna get billing.

Yes, sir!

"Meet that scintillating team of artists:

Steve Martin and Asa Yoelson."

Asa Yoelson.

"Now I whistle in the act.

Everyone seems to like it.

"Your loving son..."

- Papa, Asa isn't Asa anymore!

- What?

In Reno, Papa, he's picking up time.

Is time something you can pick up?

This is crazy.

This town they liked so much,

they named it twice.

He says he can't come home this summer.

Maybe next spring.

Since first I met you

on the village green

- Listen.

- What's the matter?

Come to me

for my dream of love

is all

I love you as I loved you

When you were sweet

When you were sweet

sixteen

What do you think?

Are we going into this again

in the middle of the night?

- It's getting better every time.

- All right, it's getting better.

I told you, let it alone. Give yourself time.

- Go away. Go sing in the bathroom.

- Why not let me try?

You mean all of a sudden,

tomorrow maybe...

- in the middle of the act, you wanna sing?

- Why not?

- You're daffy.

- Why?

We're changing no act

in the middle of the season...

and fall flat on our face.

We're gonna do like I said.

We're gonna knock off a month next spring.

Won't take no. Never stops.

This guy'll drive me crazy.

He's getting close to home.

We'll see him soon, Papa.

- Hello, Pop. How's tricks?

- Letter for you.

Mama. Always on time.

- Overture!

- Come on, Al.

Mama's excited.

Three more weeks, and we go home.

- I could use a nice month's rest.

- Not a month.

I don't want to stay home that long.

Just a few days.

We have to work on the new act

and the stuff I'll sing.

I know. There'll be time.

Take it easy. Just relax.

- Stop arguing.

- Just humming a little.

When you sing,

it means you're getting ideas.

I was thinking of something.

In Nashville and Charleston,

the last two dates...

why can't I sing just one chorus

of Sweet Sixteen?

- No.

- Just to see how it sounds.

Won't matter if I flop.

Just in Charleston, then.

Let me sing it once the last night.

That little Connolly kid

is awful sweet on you.

Give her a tumble

and get your mind on something else.

- Don't you think of girls?

- I haven't got time.

All I'm asking is just one chance. That's all...

Stop arguing!

I bet the Kentucky Derby winner.

I win a snootful!

A snootful is right. You better get ready.

I got ready, boy, and I win!

Get yourself together.

You're on in a little while.

- I'll be there with flying colors.

- He can't go on like that.

We better tell Jonesy to skip the act,

and get ready ourselves.

You get made up.

- I gotta try and pull this guy together.

- All right, but hurry up.

There's a big derby crowd out there tonight.

The house is packed. You gotta go on.

I'm raring to go.

Oscar Hammerstein and Lew Dockstader!

What are they doing here?

Down for the races.

Why did you drag me here

when we could've been playing poker?

Anything on a stage, Oscar, and I love it.

I see them all.

- You're on, Mr. Baron.

- Ready.

Anytime you're ready to go, Lew.

Tom, you're all right? Where's Al?

He was with you, wasn't he?

Where did he go?

All right, Tom.

Tom, come on, get out there. Hurry up!

There's a little bunch of sweetness

that I long to call my bride

And believe me, I'm not happy

But, baby

Funny thing,

I've sung this song a thousand times...

Why I forgot it tonight, I don't know.

You'll hear me call her name

I got it now.

Rosie, you are my posie

You are my heart's bouquet

Come out here in the moonlight

There's something sweet love, I want to say

Your honey boy, I'm waiting

Those ruby lips to greet

Don't be so aggravating

Baron's developed a very nice style.

Very nice.

Rosie

you are my posie

You are my heart's bouquet

Come out here in the moonlight

there's something sweet love

I'm gonna sing about my baby, your honey

Your boy, I'm waiting

Those ruby, those lips to greet

Don't be so aggravating

My blushin' Rosie

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