[laughing, chattering]
Hey, you guys, wait a minute.
- How far is it to the next town? - Only ten miles.
Well, then it's no use, boys. I'm through.
Just cover me with leaves and tell my mother I died with her name on my lips.
Hang on while we watch Joe die.
Is anyone around here human enough to give me a cigarette?
Here you are.
And you're the guy who said this was going to be a pleasure trip.
- Part of your education. - Oh, yeah?
You can't leave Germany without taking a walking trip.
Why can't I?
Oh, look. What's that?
As I live and breathe, a taxicab in the middle of the Black Forest.
Hey, brother, can you give us a lift into town?
- [speaking German] - We've been hiking all day and we're tired.
[speaking German]
[German]
- What'd he say? - He says he's engaged for the whole afternoon.
- That settles it. - He just wants to barter.
- We'll pay you well. We're Americans. - [German]
- What'd he say? - He says he's a man of honor. [speaking German]
[German]
Theaters. Actresses?
- Are they young? - Jawohl, ja.
Ask him quickly, for heaven's sake, how many of them are there.
- [speaking German] - [German]
Six.
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven.
[laughing]
[women laughing]
[laughing continues]
[whispering] Did you say we're sailing in three weeks?
- I've canceled my reservations. - Three, four, five —
- Get out. - Sit down.
[muffled protests]
[all screaming]
- They seem disturbed about something. - Do you suppose we are not welcome?
Are there six or are there seven?
[speaking German]
I'm sorry, miss, but I don't understand a word.
Will you please go away?
Oh, you speak English. Really quite a surprise.
Have you just come from America? Rather a long swim, isn't it?
Will you go away?
What a charming country this is. I've half a mind to settle here for good.
Would you mind telling me how long this is going to keep up?
You ought to be ashamed of yourself.
Now that you call my attention to it, I guess I am.
Please, we have to be back in the theater by 6:00.
- Otherwise we'll all lose our positions. - We wouldn't dream of being the cause of that.
But if we go, will you and your friends meet us for something to eat after the show tonight?
We'll do nothing of the kind.
All right then, my little water nymph, we'll stay.
Oh, I think you're the most impossible person I've ever met.
Look, Mommy, I'm a crocodile.
Got it!
Missed it.
Got it.
Missed it.
- Look, Mommy, I'm a fish. - Oh, excuse me. I thought you were a boat.
- No, I've changed. Now I'm a fish. - Sit up, Johnny.
You know I have no time today. Your father will be back soon.
[blowing note]
- Sit down. - Thank you, Doctor.
Well, young man, what seems to be your trouble?
Dr. Pierce, I have a rather peculiar request to make.
I want to sell you my body.
Why do you particularly want to sell it to me?
In view of your reputation on this side of the water,
I had an idea that my body, in its present condition, might be very interesting to you,
before, as well as after, death.
- What's the matter with you? - I've been poisoned by radium emanations.
- What is your occupation? - I'm a commercial chemist.
I've been working on a process whereby the various radium products
can be utilized without danger.
- How long have you been working on this thing? - Ten or 12 years.
That's a very valuable idea. Who made your diagnosis?
I know enough about the symptoms to do it myself.
- Have you had any blood tests lately? - Three weeks ago and again last night.
I think I'm good for another eight months, a year at the most.
I wish I could help you, but I'm afraid I can't.
Do you know anybody who might be interested in my condition? I need money very badly.
- Why? Are you married? - I wouldn't have come here if I weren't.
- Any children? - Yes, a little boy.
- Does your wife know about your condition? - She does.
I told her last night.
Come to think of it, I've just heard from a friend of mine in Germany.
There's a specialist there named, um —
What was that name?
Holzapfel. Been pretty successful in cases like yours.
- Holzapfel. At Dresden? - Yes. Do you know him?
Do I know him? He was one of my professors when I was studying over there.
He was, was he?
Doctor, how much do you think it would cost?
The cure is said to take three or four months.
I should say about, um — about $1,500.
$1,500?
- That's a lot of money, isn't it? - It certainly is.
- Aren't you working? - Only at odd jobs, one or two days a week.
Let's see. I could let you have, say, uh, $50.
Oh, no, Doctor. Thank you.
Thank you so much for your patience.
Glad you came to see me.
[sewing machine whirring]
[pop gun popping]
Bedtime, Johnny.
Aw, Daddy, can't I just stay up ten minutes longer?
No.
- Five? - No.
- Two? - No.
Alley-oop.
Wait a minute, Mommy.
- [pop gun pops] - Right in the bull's-eye, Johnny.
- Which one are you gonna tell me? - Which one do you want to hear?
- The one about Germany. - But you've heard that one so often.
- I want to hear it again. - Ned!
Coming.
- All set, Daddy? - You bet.
Go on, Mommy. It was springtime in Germany.
It was springtime in Germany, and it was warm.
I had spring fever, and the air was full of blossoms.
Now it's your turn.
Well, let's see. I was out with some other students on a walking trip.
Pretty soon we came to a dragon sitting in an automobile
who told us there was a magic pool in the forest.
And what did you do?
We went to the pool, of course. What do you suppose we saw?
What?
Imagine, half a dozen princesses taking a bath.
- And what did you do when you saw him? - I told him to go away.
- And did he? - He did not.
And what happened then?
The most beautiful princess of all said that if I'd go away,
she'd grant me my wish.
And what'd you wish?
I wished to see her again. I couldn't think of anything better to wish.
So that night I went to a theater.
The music began to play.
And out upon the stage stepped this princess,
and she looked more beautiful than ever.
Oh, she was beautiful.
And then your heart began to go like this, huh?
And Mommy began to sing?
And my heart stopped beating entirely.
- What happened to you when you saw him? - I could hardly sing.
And I could barely wait until I saw him again.
- But you did see him again, didn't you? - Mm-hmm.
I met him later that night.
- What happened then? - You can never guess.
We went walking.
Go on. Walk.
Okay, skipper.
And then we came to a park.
Only there was a tremendously large yellow moon up in the sky.
It was altogether too big and too bright.
But it was dark under the trees. Very dark.
This is a tree, Johnny.
- And what happened under the trees? - Then he kissed me.
And what happened after that?
He kissed me again.
And what happened then?
Then we were married.
And then...
And then we started to think about you, Johnny —
Shh! Get out of here.
[singing in German]
Would you need that 1,500 all at once?
No, but if I had 300, I could at least get to Germany.
I haven't yet figured out a way of paying the rent, unless I part with the microscope.
So I'm afraid we'll have to postpone our trip abroad this year.
I could earn that money by going back to the stage.
I won't have you do that.
But the doctor says you must go away.
If I worked a few weeks, I might make enough for your passage,
and then we'll find a way to keep you over there until you got well.
It's out of the question. I won't have you go back to the stage.
- Ned? - What is it?
I was going back to my old work anyway.
- Will it make you happy? - It isn't that. We need money.
It's only a question of weeks. My formula's almost completed.
- And then we'll have all the money we need. - I know, dear.
But in the meantime, I'm going to do something to give you a chance to get well.
[piano playing jazz]
- Have you come to be placed? - Yes.
- What's your name? - Faraday.
- What's that? - Helen Faraday.
- Got an appointment? - No, I haven't.
You'll have to wait. All these people are ahead of ya.
Thank you, honey. I'll see you later.
Going to lunch, Sally. Be back in ten minutes.
Morning, Mr. Smith!
- You remember me? - What about that job you said you had for me?
- [all clamoring] - Just a minute, folks.
- You remember my dramatic sketch, Mr. Smith. - Just a minute, Jim.
You're waiting to see me, aren't you?
Run along, Eddie. I'll see you later. Come on in, baby.
[all chattering, complaining]
[woman] We've been here a long time.
[Smith] You'll be here a long time after she's gone.
[chattering, complaining continue]
[woman] I've been here every day for three weeks.
Sit down. Take a load off your feet.
- When is the last time you worked? - Five or six years ago.
- Where? - In Germany.
- Can you put over a song? - I used to be able to.
- How much will you take? - Anything I can get. It doesn't matter.
Now, don't tell me you're working just for the love of your art. Who's your boyfriend?
I haven't any.
- Will you work for $25 a week? - Oh, yes.
Well, you're in luck, baby. You came to the right man.
I guess maybe I can get you 30 or 40. I might be able to raise it to 50.
That includes commission, of course.
I generally get 20 percent, but seeing it's you I'll make it 15.
- Is that okay? - Oh, yes.
That ain't a high commission considering the personal service I give my clientele.
Why, the minute you put yourself in my hands, baby,
your interests are closer to me than my own.
Get me?
Get up and walk around a bit.
- Let's see what you got. - What I've got?
Let's see your legs.
- Is that enough? - For the time being.
- What'd you say your name was? - Helen Faraday.
Nah. We gotta get something different.
Something unusual. Something that's easy to say and hard to forget.
- Jones. I got it. - [piano continues playing jazz]
- Helen Jones. - But my name isn't Jones.
- What of it? My name ain't Smith either. - [phone rings]
But I get by just the same, don't I?
Hello. Tell her I'm out to lunch.
Hey, wait a minute. Call up O'Connor's and tell him I'm bringin' him a pip.
You certainly got me all hopped up, baby.
Yep, you certainly got me hopped up.
[man] Put those bottles in here.
[man 2] Man's not to call for 'em till this afternoon.
[man] Oh, yeah?
So this is the pip you phoned about. Where'd you pick her up?
I ran across her a long time ago. I've been saving her for a spot like this.
Can she croon? What I need's a crooner.
She can croon in a pinch. Who can't?
I got one good-looker eatin' her head off on me already.
- I don't know if I can use another. - All right, then, all right.
I got three or four spots I can place this dame without half tryin'.
Come on, baby.
Wait a minute. What's your hurry? I didn't say I wouldn't give her a tryout, did I?
All right.
And if she makes good, it's 40 a week and her grub the first week,
50 the next, and 75 she stays on.
And you take out my 15 percent every Saturday night.
- I was figurin' on startin' her at 30. - Thirty?
I don't handle no $30 junk. Scram.
All right, all right. Keep your shirt on.
- What'd you say your name was? - Jones.
Well, we'll change that. Come on. I'll show you your dressing room.
- What time is it? - A little after 6:00.
What's all the rush? You said you weren't on until 10:00.
Yes, I know, but I have to rehearse again.
Johnny, darling, I forgot my hairbrush. It's on my dresser.
- Good heavens, where's my music? - This it?
- Here you are, Mommy. - Thank you, Johnny. Yes, thank you.
Johnny is to have his soup, carrots,
toast, a glass of milk, and the pudding.
And don't let him stay up late.
Here you are, Mommy.
- What's that for? - For luck.
Thank you, Johnny. I'll need it.
- Good-bye, Ned. - Good-bye, Helen.
I hate to see you do this.
Don't, Ned. Don't make it too difficult.
Good night, Ned. Good night, Johnny.
- What time'll you be back? - It might be late. Better not sit up for me.
- Bye, Mommy. - Good-bye, Johnny.
Come on, Johnny. We better have our dinner now.
Gee whiz, are we gonna have dinner alone every night?
I don't know, Johnny.
[orchestra playing jazz]
[orchestra continues playing jazz]
So you're the Blonde Venus.
Don't tell me you thought of that label all by yourself.
No. Mr. O'Connor told me it would help me in my work.
He would.
He didn't have to think up any name for me when I helped put this dump on the map.
My name's Taxi Belle Hooper. Taxi, for short.
Do you charge for the first mile?
Say, are you tryin' to ride me?
Don't get the wrong idea. They call me Taxi because I won't ride in nothin' else.
Safety first. That's my motto.
Good drinking partners always make bad drivers.
Do I charge for the first mile.
- Hello, Taxi. - Hello.
How are you getting along, Miss Jones? Almost ready?
Almost, thank you.
That "Blonde Venus" gag of mine did the trick. The house is packed.
I'll have my hands full tonight.
- Why were you late again? Run out of gas? - Don't crab. I couldn't help it.
- Nick just came in. - Why tell me?
You're not pulling any wool over my eyes.
I'm sick and tired of this joint.
O'Connor'd jump all over me if it wasn't for Nick.
- Look what he gave me the other night. - Who, O'Connor?
No. That tightwad wouldn't give you the sleeves out of his vest.
This bracelet's a present from Nick Townsend.
You've heard of him. The politician.
Loads of jack. Runs this end of town.
I can hock it any day I like for 1,500.
- $1,500? - Yeah. Maybe I can get more.
I did him a little favor once, and this is how he came through.
I wish he'd ask me for some other favors, if you know what I mean.
I told you once before my name wasn't Georgie, and it ain't Oscar either.
All right, Rudolph, have it your own way.
Are you gonna get up, or are you gonna take it sittin' down?
Look here, mister. Go back to your table and behave yourself.
- Come on, guy. - Look, O'Connor, leave him alone.
I'll manage him. Now, look.
Why don't you cool down and run along? We don't want any trouble.
- Yellow, huh? - Yes, maybe I am.
As a matter of fact, I'm scared stiff.
And being reasonably certain that someone's gonna get a punch in the jaw,
I'm going to make sure it isn't me.
[woman screams]
Are you goin' back for more, or will we go home, ya big stiff?
- Come on, Mary. - Who hit me?
Sorry this happened, Mr. Townsend.
That's all right, O'Connor. I rather enjoyed it.
All right, Jimmie, let's go. Trot 'em out.
Say, I wish you'd quit picking on these fellas.
- I filled every hospital in town for you now. - All right, boss, I'll do my best.
But I can't help it if these birds get my goat.
- [woman] Say, look out where you're goin'! - What a fine evening this turned out to be.
All right now, monsieur. Table number 14 for this party.
[orchestra playing jazz]
Say, Charlie, is that gorilla real?
Hey, lady, if that animal was real,
I wouldn't b-b-b-be here.
[orchestra continues playing jazz]
Here you go, Miss Hooper. It's all ready for you.
How's the show goin', Charlie?
I think it's gonna be p-p-pretty... good.
Yeah?
[orchestra continues playing jazz]
[audience applauding]
- Hello, Nick darlin'. - Uh, sit down, Taxi.
- Do you mind? - No. Go right ahead.
[orchestra continues playing jazz]
♪ Did you ever happen to hear of voodoo? ♪
[drums beating]
♪ Hear it and you won't Give a darn what you do ♪
[drums beating]
♪ Tom-toms put me Under a sort of voodoo ♪
♪ And the whole night long I don't know my right from wrong ♪
♪ Hot voodoo, black as mud ♪
♪ Hot voodoo in my blood ♪
♪ That African tempo ♪
♪ Has made me a slave ♪
♪ Hot voodoo, dance of sin ♪
♪ Hot voodoo, worse than gin ♪
♪ I'd follow a caveman ♪
♪ Right into his cave ♪
♪ That beat gives me a wicked sensation ♪
♪ My conscience wants to take a vacation ♪
♪ Got voodoo, head to toes ♪
♪ Hot voodoo, burn my clothes ♪
♪ I want to start dancing ♪
♪ Just wearing a smile ♪
♪ Hot voodoo, I'm a flame ♪
♪ I'm really not to blame ♪
♪ That African tempo ♪
♪ Is meaner than mean ♪
♪ Hot voodoo makes me brave I want to misbehave ♪
♪ I'm beginning to feel like ♪
♪ An African queen ♪
♪ Those drums bring out The devil inside me ♪
♪ I need some great big angel To guide me ♪
♪ Hot voodoo gets me wild ♪
♪ Oh, fireman, save this child ♪
♪ I'm going to blazes ♪
♪ I want to be bad ♪
[applause]
- Not bad, eh, Henry? - I should say not.
[orchestra playing jazz]
Where'd you dig her up, O'Connor?
- How do you like her, boys? - Really good.
- Say, O'Connor, I'd like to meet her. - Oh, you would, eh?
- You can fix it up, can't you? - I don't know whether I can or not.
Why don't you go backstage and find out for yourself?
- If you don't think he will, you're crazy. - You mind if I go along too, Charlie?
- I knew you'd horn in. - You don't mind if I come along?
- What if I did? - Back in a minute, Taxi.
All right, boys, come in.
This is my good friend, Mr. Nick Townsend. Miss Jones.
- How do you do, Miss Jones? - Mr. Townsend.
Mr. Henry Johnson. Miss Jones.
- How do you do, Miss Jones? - Mr. Johnson.
- Say, Charlie, what's your last name? - Blaine.
- Pleased to meet you, Miss Jones. - Thank you, Mr. Blaine.
- Sit down, gentlemen. - How 'bout ordering something to drink?
What'll you have, Miss Jones?
I don't drink.
- Smoke? - No, thank you.
- Well, you won't last very long in this place. - Why won't she?
- She's got too much class for this joint. - Oh, she has, has she?
Beat it, Charlie.
I knew that was coming. Good night, Miss Jones.
See you later, O'Connor. Blaine is the name.
I gotcha.
Good night, Henry.
Oh, I see.
- Good night, Miss Jones. - Good night.
- You can run along too, if you like. - I was just going out anyway.
You've got 20 minutes before your next number, baby.
You're quite at home here, aren't you, Mr. Townsend?
Oh, I don't know. I'm not exactly a stranger here.
[orchestra continues playing jazz]
Flowers for you, Miss Jones.
Wait a minute.
- Here we are. - Thank you, sir.
Are these from you?
Were you expecting them from anyone else?
- [orchestra: jazz number ends] - [audience applauding]
You embarrass me, Mr. Townsend. You better go now. I have to dress.
What are we going to do about tonight? Shall I wait for you after the show?
I don't know. I think I'd rather go home alone.
- Honestly, you'd do me a great favor. - A great favor?
Yes, a great favor.
Will I get a bracelet for it?
- Has Taxi been talking about me? - She said some very nice things about you.
Well, now don't get the wrong idea.
Taxi really did me a favor, and only a favor. There's nothing more between us than that.
Although she likes to give people the impression that there is.
How am I to believe that, Mr. Townsend?
I'll give you a bracelet. There's nothing between us, is there?
I don't accept bracelets from a stranger.
There's no reason why we should remain strangers.
This kid certainly looks like you.
I was waiting up for you. I guess I fell asleep. What time is it?
Late enough. You better go to bed and get some sleep.
I need some too. We have a big day ahead of us.
We must buy tickets and pack and get you off quickly.
Tickets? Pack? Well, don't tell me —
You can't have got the money already.
The manager gave me an advance.
Don't ask me more now. I'm too tired.
Of course. I forgot. You must be tired.
Tell me, Ned, do you love me?
Helen, what's wrong?
Do I love you? You silly little thing, what a question.
Promise me to get well and come back to me.
Of course I'll come back.
I wish I didn't have to go away.
I wish I could spend every moment of my life with you.
Do I love you? You poor little thing.
[whistle blows]
[man] All visitors ashore!
[man continues, indistinct]
- All visitors ashore! - [ship horn blowing]
All visitors ashore!
[man continues, indistinct]
- Bye, Ned. - Bye, darling.
- It's only for six months. - Come back strong and well.
- Of course I will. - Say good-bye to Daddy, darling.
- Good-bye, Daddy. - Take good care of Mommy, Johnny.
- I will, Daddy. Bye. - Good-bye.
[band playing upbeat march]
- Bye, Ned. - Good-bye, dear.
- Be a good boy. - Bye, Daddy!
- Good-bye, Ned. - Good-bye, Helen.
- [band continues playing march] - [chattering, shouting]
- [man] Bye! - [woman] Bye!
Good-bye, Helen! Good-bye, Johnny!
You'd better learn to write, Johnny, so you can send me some letters!
- [woman] Bye, Frank! - [man] Bye!
[ship horn blows]
- Mommy. - What is it, Johnny?
- Has Daddy gone away for good? - No, dear. He'll be back soon.
I want him to come back soon.
- Hello, Helen. - I wish you hadn't come here.
Sorry, Helen. I figured you'd need cheering up.
This is Mr. Townsend, Johnny.
- How do you do, Johnny? - Hello, Mr. Townsend.
- Can I take you home? - You shouldn't have come here.
Give me that dog, will you, Tom?
- Isn't he a beauty, Johnny? - For me?
Say, when I was your age, I would've given my right leg for one of those.
- Can I keep him, Mommy? - Yes, Johnny.
Come on. Let me take you home. You'd have to take a taxi anyway.
I'm no magician. I can't pick her out of the air.
- I've done my best to find her. - Did you try her home?
Sure, I tried her home, and I found out plenty.
- She's married. - Married?
- And what's more, she's got a kid. - A kid?
And her husband's gone to Europe for his health.
- For his health. - He sailed three weeks ago.
She ain't been home all day. Neither has the kid. Nobody knows when she'll be back.
Maybe something's happened to them.
And me pickin' a winner for the first time this year.
Blooey goes my 15 percent.
The next one I get, I'll nail down if I have to marry her.
What's the idea of sendin' for me in a rush?
Hello, Taxi! How are you, darlin'?
- What's wrong? - There's nothin' wrong.
I got a swell new number all lined up for ya.
I want you to start rehearsin' it this afternoon.
Yeah? There's a catch in this somewhere.
[phone rings]
Hello.
I meant to call you up yesterday, but I didn't get around to it.
Miss Jones isn't gonna work for you anymore.
What's the idea? She can't quit me like this.
- Who's that? - Nick Townsend.
After me giving her all this publicity and workin' up a swell following for her?
Do you happen to have a contract with Miss Jones?
- Have you got that dame under contract? - Have I got a million dollars?
I don't need no contract with my artists.
My word's as good as my bond, and I stand to lose a lot of dough if she don't show up.
You oughta see the drop in my business the last two days she hasn't been here.
I'll talk to you about that later. Meantime, you just forget about Miss Jones.
O'Connor's isn't a fit place for you to be seen in night after night.
Besides, you've got Johnny to look after.
Who's gonna take care of him if you keep on working?
You can't make enough there to send to your husband unless you meet another sucker like me.
And there's another thing I want you to do.
A friend of mine has left town. His apartment is empty.
I suggest you and Johnny spend the summer there. It'll do both of you a lot of good.
What do you expect for all this?
Nothing.
I like you, that's all. And I think you've got a swell kid.
I'm trying to help you both out of a tight spot.
Aw, it's no use trying to fool myself or you, Helen.
I'm crazy about you. I want you to like me too, if you can.
You're making it difficult for me not to.
Come on, honey. Give me a little kiss, will you? Just a little one?
- How are you, Mrs. Weiss? - I'm fine, Mrs. Collins. How are you?
- I'm all right. It's a fine day. - Yeah, it's a fine day.
- Have you seen Mrs. Faraday? - No, I didn't. Was she here again?
- Yes, she was here again. - She's living now with her sister, you know.
- Her sister? I thought it was her aunt. - Maybe you are right. Maybe it was her aunt.
- Or maybe it was her uncle. - Yeah. Maybe it was her grandmother.
[door closes]
- Anything the matter? - He's coming back.
- When? - In about a month.
- Completely cured? - Yes, he's well now.
- What are you gonna do? - Go back to him.
- Do you want to? - He's my husband.
- I see. You gonna tell him about me? - No.
- Do you still love him? - He needs me.
- So do I, Helen. - Not the way he does.
You're strong, Nick. He's not.
- Did Peter Pan have wings? - No.
- Did he have an airplane? - No.
Well, then how'd he fly?
We're going for a walk, Mrs. Faraday.
- Bye, Mommy. - Good-bye, sweetheart. Have a nice walk.
- Hello, Johnny. - Hello, Mr. Townsend.
- Don't stay out too late with him. - No, ma'am, I won't.
- [piano: picking out notes] - When do I say good-bye to you and the kid?
Kinda wish now I'd never met you.
No. I take that back. A little of you is worth a lifetime with any other woman.
Let's end this thing right, Helen.
Can we end it right?
Let's go away for a couple of weeks together, just you and I.
[band playing upbeat tune]
[chattering excitedly]
Ja, it's Franz! Hello, Franz!
I don't understand. Haven't you seen her? Doesn't she come here at all?
Why, sure I have. She comes around two or three times a week for her letters.
- This time, haven't seen her for ten days. - Two weeks, Mr. Faraday.
- Ten days. - Two weeks.
If you don't shut up, I'll give ya a bust in the mouth.
Two weeks, Mr. Faraday. Go on and sweep the cellar.
- We have to go back today, don't we? - Yes.
There's a boat leaving for Europe tomorrow morning.
I can't stay in the same city with you without seeing you.
- How long will you be gone? - Oh, I don't know.
A year, a couple of years, till I forget you.
I wish I was someone else. Then I could stay here with you forever.
So do I, Helen, not only for my sake but for your own.
- There's trouble ahead of you. - I know it.
She worked here for three weeks, and then she quit.
I ain't seen or heard of her since. In this business they come and they go.
But she wrote me you'd put her under contract, raised her salary to 150 a week.
- She did, eh? - Now I know where I've seen you.
You're the guy whose picture Venus had on her dressing table.
- Do you know where she is? - No, I don't know.
But you ask a guy named Nick Townsend. Maybe he'll —
Shut up if you know what's good for ya. Don't mind her. She's cracked.
Wish I could help you locate your dame, brother, but I don't know a thing.
In this business, they come and they go.
- Helen. - Ned!
Where's Johnny? Where have you been? What's happened?
It's been awful coming here, finding you gone, not knowing where to look for you.
Your letter said you were staying another month.
I cabled you a week ago. Where have you been? Where's Johnny? I'm crazy to see him.
I'll bring him as fast as I can. We didn't know you were here.
Where is Johnny? You haven't lived here for months. What's happened?
If someone were to say I'd been untrue to you, would you believe it?
What do you mean, untrue?
I had planned to lie about it.
The money you needed — I didn't get it the way I told you.
A man gave it to me.
- Is his name Townsend? - It doesn't matter.
So when you told me the manager had given you an advance and raised your salary —
It was a lie.
- Why did you do it? - How else could have I obtained money so quickly?
I ought to be grateful to you, I suppose. How much do I owe you and him for my life?
- Ned — - How much beside the 1,500 I've gotten from you?
- How much? - That's all.
I'll see that you'll get it back. That's simple enough, isn't it?
- Yes. - Well, what next?
I'm here if you'll have me.
Go on as before, eh?
You saved my life, and I'm very happy.
Let us go and thank this gentleman for his kindness to us,
or would you rather I shoot him dead?
Oh, it doesn't matter. He's not to blame.
The minute I was out of sight, you took up with the first man
who could give you the things I couldn't.
What puzzles me now is why you should want to come back to me.
- I love you, Ned. - Ah, send Johnny back here and clear out.
Go on! What are you waiting for?
Are you going to take Johnny away from me?
You've been a rotten mother to him. You're through with him.
The law will give him to me if you don't.
If you and your friend try to put up a fight for him, I'll take the case to court.
And you'll find out soon enough who's entitled to the custody of the child.
- I've been a good mother to Johnny. - Let's not dispute that point, Helen.
Johnny's all I've got left. Bring him here, or tell me where he is and I'll get him myself!
No. I'll bring him here.
- Baltimore car, please? - Baltimore car, next car, 118.
[train whistle blowing]
- What can I do for you? - I want the police to help find my wife and child.
They've been missing two days.
See Captain Riley, Room 68, down the hall. Third door on your right.
[orchestra: up-tempo dance jazz]
Isn't this your picture, Mommy?
- Why'd you do that? - Oh, it was such a bad picture.
I thought it was pretty good.
Where's my hat, Johnny?
Now, don't forget to lock the door.
I'll only be a few minutes, and then we'll go home and get some sleep.
I'll lock the door, Mommy.
Finish your orange juice.
- [music stops] - [audience applauding]
How about a kiss?
[orchestra: mid-tempo]
♪ It isn't often that I want a man ♪
♪ But when I do, it's just too bad ♪
♪ I know you're acting hard-to-get and yet ♪
♪ I've got a feeling you can be had ♪
♪ You so-and-so ♪
♪ You little so-and-so ♪
♪ Look what you've done to me ♪
♪ You're almost twice as bad as Who's this again? ♪
♪ I ought to take you out And how have you been? ♪
♪ You this-and-that ♪
♪ You've got me you-know-what ♪
♪ Is that the way to be? ♪
♪ The Greeks have words For almost everything I know ♪
♪ But you little so-and-so ♪
♪ You so-and-so ♪
♪ You little so-and-so ♪
♪ How did you get this way? ♪
♪ Although you know That I have lost my control ♪
♪ We sit and talk about my beautiful soul ♪
♪ You this-and-that ♪
♪ You've got me you-know-what ♪
♪ Is that the way it will be? ♪
♪ The Greeks have words For almost everything I know ♪
♪ But you little so-and-so ♪
[audience applauding]
Mr. Faraday? This is police headquarters. We've got a report on your wife.
She's singing at the Star Café in Baltimore. She and the child are staying at the Brittany Hotel.
- Do you want us to have her arrested? - No, I'm going after her myself.
She checked out about 8:00 this morning, didn't leave a forwarding address.
If you're talking about Mrs. Blake, I heard her phoning about trains to Norfolk.
Norfolk.
- Can I have a timetable, please? - [bell rings]
Bud.
- Get this gentleman a local timetable. - Yes, sir.
Key for 515, please.
- Thank you. - You're welcome, sir.
- Please send a maid to 151. - 162.
- No, 151. - 175.
Johnny! No, it's definitely 151.
- 198. - Yes.
- Hope they never find us. - You bad boy.
- "F." - "F."
- "A." - "A."
- "T." - "T."
- "H." - "H."
- "E." - "E."
- "R." - "R."
- "Father." - "Father."
Now fill the whole page with it.
[knocking]
- You call me, ma'am? - Come in.
- What's your name? - Viola.
- Viola? - Yes, ma'am.
Johnny, this is Viola. Viola, this is Johnny.
- How you do, Johnny? - Hello, Viola.
Viola's going to stay with you until I come back.
[piano playing ballad]
There you are. You'd better not try to get a job in this town, young lady,
if you want to keep out of sight.
I've had that circular for two days,
and there was a man here an hour ago that I think was your husband.
My husband?
Whoever he is, I've got the feeling he doesn't like you very much.
And if I were you, I'd keep away from cabarets altogether.
- Please don't tell anyone I was here. - Don't worry.
I've got a kid of my own. Good luck.
[piano continues]
[whistle blows]
[honky-tonk piano playing]
[piano continues]
- Eighty-five cents. - Is that a lot of money?
No, I'm going to pay it right now.
I'm afraid I can't pay this.
- Why not? - I haven't any money.
What'd you do, forget your purse?
My little boy was hungry. We had to eat somewhere.
What do you think this is, a free soup kitchen?
This is the third time today I've been gypped out of a meal,
and by golly, I won't stand for any more of it.
- I'm gonna call up the police. - Don't call the police.
I'll wash dishes, clean up, anything.
You're gonna wash my dishes?
Go back and see the cook.
Come on, Johnny. I'm going to show you a nice, big kitchen.
- Won't that be fun? - Can I take my supper along?
Of course you can.
[singing in German]
Vagrancy, Your Honor.
Charged with vagrancy, huh? Guilty or not guilty?
Not guilty.
Not guilty, huh? Is this your first offense?
- Yes, sir. - Thirty dollars or 30 days.
I can't pay the fine.
Please don't send me to jail. I have a boy five years old.
- Where is he? - At the Plantation Hotel.
Who's with him?
He's alone. I left him asleep.
A woman who leads the sort of life you do has no right to the custody of a minor child.
I do the best I can. I haven't been able to find work in days.
I suspend sentence on condition that you leave the city within 24 hours.
- Take her out. - [bailiff] Come on, beat it.
That dame looked like the Venus woman. Take a look.
I don't see any resemblance.
She's got a kid too. I've got a hunch. I'm gonna follow her.
Wake up, Johnny.
[knocking]
[knocking continues]
- Where we going, Mommy? - Shh!
Help me, Johnny.
[knocking]
[chickens clucking]
- There's that man out there again. - What man?
Oh, just a white man that's been snooping up and down the street for the last couple of days.
- Where is he? - That's him.
[people chattering in Spanish]
I meant to tell you about him last night, but I guess it slipped my mind.
- Try and find out what he wants, Cora. - Yes, ma'am. I'll find out right away.
- Are they after us again? - I don't know, Johnny.
- Howdy, boss. - Hello, Annie.
- Lookin' for somebody? - No, nobody in particular. Why?
I knows everybody in the street and thought maybe I might be able to help you out.
No. I wasn't looking for anybody. Just browsin' around.
Thanks just the same. Just browsin' around.
Yes, sir, boss, I can see that. Just browsin' around.
- What did he say, Cora? - He says he ain't lookin' for nobody.
He's just browsin' around. But he can't fool me. No, sir.
That white man's up to somethin'.
I know when a white man's browsin' and when he ain't.
I'm going out a bit. Don't let anybody near Johnny.
- I've locked him in. - No, ma'am. There ain't nobody gon' get by me.
[people chattering]
[man, woman singing in Spanish]
[singing in Spanish continues]
Terribly warm today, isn't it?
Warm? It's hot.
You look as cool as a cucumber.
What'll you have, folks?
I'll have some beer. Cold beer.
Make it two.
What are you doing down here, big boy?
Nothing much. Why?
You don't look like the kind of a man who comes down this way.
Cigarette?
- I might ask you the same question. - Why?
You don't look anything like these other women.
Give me time.
Couple of schooners.
There you are.
Why don't you tell me what you're doing here?
I'm not doing much of anything. On the level, I'm not.
Oh, quit your kidding. You've never had an idle day in your life.
I can tell.
You're a man who's been up and around.
A go-getter. That's what you are.
Say, you're a pretty smart girl, aren't you?
Am I?
What kind of business do you think I'm in?
Rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief.
You're gettin' hot.
Doctor, lawyer —
I give up.
But I know it's something very active and exciting.
And a little dangerous too.
I got to hand it to you, baby. You almost hit the nail right on the head.
I thought so. Who are you after, a bank robber?
No, not this time. Just a woman and a kid.
But she's given us one of the longest and toughest chases we've ever had.
How do you know she's in this neck of the woods?
Oh, I know, all right. I got the whole border covered.
She hasn't got a chance in the world.
You say she got away from you before?
Yeah, I'll have to hand it to her.
I had her all sewed up in Baton Rouge, or at least I thought so.
But she leaves a hot trail behind her.
The faster she has to travel, the faster she has to work.
[chuckles] You ought to hear some of the suckers squawk.
She takes 'em like Grant took Richmond.
I was only one day behind her in Savannah.
But she played a one-night stand on me and beat it down here
while I was following a chump steer all the way up to Memphis and back
for the last month.
Well, she had a bit of a rest anyway.
You sympathize with her, don't you?
Well, I don't. She ought to get wise to herself.
The way she's living now isn't doing that kid any good.
Some people might call it mother love, but I don't.
What does a man know about mother love?
Come on. Let's go.
That's just what I was thinking.
I'm getting sick and tired of talking about that dame.
- Got anything to drink at home? - You better take something along.
Hello, Annie. Just browsin' around.
Yes, sir, boss. I can see that.
- Make us a couple of highballs, Annie. - Yes, sir.
Mind if I take off my coat?
No. Make yourself at home.
What's the matter, baby? Did I hurt your feelings?
I haven't got any anymore.
Aw, you mustn't talk like that.
You seem to be in an awful hurry.
Well, I ain't exactly got a lot of time on my hands.
I have.
- That your bedroom? - Yes. Want to see it? I'll show it to you.
[chickens clucking]
Come on. Nobody's going to bite you.
Say, who have you got in there? What are you tryin' to do, frame me?
- Hello, Mommy. - Hello, Johnny. I'll be right with you.
All right, Mommy. I'll wait.
Say, is that your kid?
I'll give you three guesses, Sherlock Holmes.
Oh, you're Helen Faraday.
What a brain.
Gee, what a chump I was.
You pegged me right off the bat, didn't you?
Yes, I pegged you right off the bat.
You've got your badge on your face, not under your coat.
You and your whole crowd.
You could never have caught me, not in a thousand years.
And now get out, and don't forget to tell that husband of mine
that I'm giving the kid up,
not because he hounded me into it, but because I'm no good.
You understand? No good at all. You get me?
No good for anything...
except to give up the kid before it's too late.
[whistle blowing]
- Daddy. - Johnny.
My name's Wilson, Mr. Faraday. I had charge of the case down here.
- Is there anything else I can do? - No, thank you, Mr. Wilson.
When's the next train north?
There'll be a train to Washington in a few minutes.
Ticket and a half, please. I'll be back in a minute. Johnny, wait here.
I want to talk to Mother.
[train chugging]
In this envelope are $1,500. I've been wanting to pay this for a long time.
It's what I owe you for my life.
It would have been better, Helen, if you'd let me die.
You might as well know what that money means to me.
It represents my life work.
Had I been able to exploit it properly, I could have made a fortune,
but I sold my rights and now we're quits.
Stay away from Johnny, for good.
Give him a chance to forget you.
That's the only way you can be a good mother to him now.
Johnny, will you go over and say good-bye to Mother?
Say good-bye to Mother?
Yes, Johnny.
Will you sign your name here, please?
Daddy said I should say good-bye to you. Aren't you coming with us?
No, dear, I've got to pack. I'll come later.
But there's nothing to pack. Why aren't you coming with us?
I'll come later.
Be a good boy and go with Daddy.
When will you come? Tomorrow?
Yes, tomorrow.
Gee whiz. I wish you were comin' now.
[bell clanging]
[whistle blows]
- How about a pillow, sister? - I don't need a pillow.
- Go on, beat it. - Get.
Get outta my way.
Snap out of it, kid. Tomorrow is another day.
Maybe for you, but not for me.
Why? What's the matter with tomorrow?
I'm gonna kill myself tomorrow. That's what's the matter with it.
Me too. Make a hole in the water.
Why are you gonna kick off?
Well, that's the way I feel. Isn't that reason enough?
That's no reason for anything.
I've got a good reason.
Haven't got a dime.
Never had any money and I never will have.
Is that all? I can fix that.
In this envelope are $1,500.
It represents my life work.
Had I had time to exploit it properly, I could have made a fortune.
Queen of hearts. That's me.
- Queen of hearts. - Get out of my way.
- If you don't get out of here, I'll crown ya. - Oh, shut up.
I'm not going to stay in this dump anymore.
I'm going to find myself a better bed.
Don't you think I can?
Just watch.
[man] Hello, Townsend. How was the market?
Oh, don't know, Williams. Just got back from Venice.
- Going back to the States? - Yes, day after tomorrow.
- How's the show? - Oh, it's just one of those revues.
I, for one, don't think I'll sit through it.
Say, what do you happen to know about this Helen Jones?
Oh, you don't mean to tell me you're interested in her.
Well, I didn't say I was, did I?
They say she came over from South America about five months ago.
When she got here, she used man after man as a stepping-stone.
Then all of a sudden, Paris went wild over her.
That's all I know, except they say she's as cold as the proverbial icicle.
- That's pretty cold, isn't it? - It's cold enough for me.
[audience applauding]
[orchestra playing]
[singing in French]
Hello, Helen.
Well, if it isn't old Nick himself.
I expected you to pop up someday.
If this is a dream, Helen, I hope I never wake up.
Let me come backstage, will ya?
I seem to remember you came backstage once before.
♪ If the moon began to waltz ♪
♪ Or the sun did somersaults ♪
♪ Do you think I'd care Or stop and stare ♪
♪ I couldn't be annoyed ♪
♪ If the hens refuse to lay ♪
♪ Or if bulls gave milk some way ♪
♪ Do you think I'd care? That's their affair ♪
♪ I couldn't be annoyed ♪
♪ If everyone stood on his head ♪
♪ And on his hands he wore shoes ♪
♪ I'd still eat crackers in my bed ♪
♪ What have I got to lose? ♪
♪ If we ate soup with a fork ♪
♪ Or if babies brought the stork ♪
♪ Do you think I'd care? I'd still declare ♪
♪ I couldn't be annoyed ♪
- [audience applauding, cheering] - Bravo!
Well, Nick, did you succeed in forgetting me?
Forget you? I should say not.
I haven't stopped thinking about you a single day since I last saw you.
How long has that been? Must be more than a year now.
[speaking French]
Merci, ma vieille.
Certainly is great to see you again, Helen. How've you been?
How'd you happen to come to Paris? How long have you been here?
- Monsieur? - Thank you.
- I've got a million questions to ask you. - Better not ask them, Nick.
I'd rather not talk about the past.
Well, let's talk about the present.
Are you happy? Are you in love with anybody?
I'm not in love with anybody, and I'm completely happy.
Funny, isn't it?
No, it's tragic to me.
Wish I were necessary to your happiness. I guess I never did mean much to you.
Maybe you did. Anyway, nothing means much to me now.
It's better this way. No chains at all. I haven't a care in the world.
Aw, you're lying. Where's Johnny?
Home, I suppose, with his father.
Say, I know you better than that. All this is fake.
You care more about Johnny than anything else on earth.
What if I did?
I'm going back to the States day after tomorrow.
Come with me and look up Johnny and break that crust of ice around your heart.
What's the use of talking about the impossible?
I'm not allowed to go near him.
Are you divorced?
No.
Well, chuck all this and come back to America with me.
Come on, Helen. Give me a break too.
My life isn't complete without you.
Soon as we land, I'll manage it so you can see Johnny.
Let's forget all that. I don't want to see Johnny again.
What for? I'd go to pieces.
- [audience applauding] - Encore toutes mes félicitations, madame.
- Merci, mon ami. - La salle est transportée d'enthousiasme.
Excuse me, please, but they are calling for madame.
It's marvelous.
The house is sold out for two months in advance.
- C'est un triomphe. - Ça va, ça va. Allez, allez.
Bon, bon.
You see, Nick? I couldn't leave even if I wanted to.
Drop in again before you go.
I don't think I will. Good-bye, Helen.
As you like. Give my regards to New York.
I'm going to reserve a cabin for you, Helen, in case you change your mind.
The boat train leaves tomorrow at midnight.
Without me.
- [orchestra playing song intro] - [audience applauding]
Sorry about the pudding. You see, I never tried making one before.
It's pretty good, Daddy, if you only eat the middle.
Johnny, do you know who that is?
No. Who is it?
- Do you remember Mother, Johnny? - Sure, I do.
Is that her picture?
- I don't think I can do it, Nick. - Nonsense. You've gotta see him.
Come in.
- What is it you want? - My name's Townsend.
- Who? - Nick Townsend.
I suppose you have a very good reason for coming here.
As a matter of fact, I have, Mr. Faraday.
Your wife wants to see Johnny.
- Where is she? - Right outside the door.
[Johnny] Who's that, Daddy?
It's bedtime. Start undressing, will you, Johnny? I'll be with you in a few minutes.
Do you mind going now, Mr. Townsend? I'm very tired.
So you have no intention of allowing Helen to see the boy.
No.
Look here, Faraday. I'm going to marry Helen.
I've just read the papers. Congratulations.
Between you and me, I wish she hadn't wanted to come here, but she's out there waiting.
I've been teaching Johnny to forget his mother.
It's been a pretty tough job, and I don't intend to have my work spoiled.
I see.
You're not so very well off financially, are you?
That's nobody's business but my own.
Would it be worth, let us say...
a thousand dollars to let her see him for ten minutes?
$100 a minute. Surely, Mr. Townsend, you can afford to be more liberal.
I'll raise it to a thousand dollars a minute. $10,000. How about it, Faraday?
I suppose you feel pretty good the way you can throw money around.
$10,000 for ten minutes doesn't mean very much to you, does it?
Well, it doesn't mean anything to me. I can throw money around the same as you can.
Let her come in... for nothing.
Come in, Helen.
Johnny's in the bedroom.
Gee. Mommy.
- Oh, Johnny. - Gee, I'm glad to see you, Mommy.
Where you been, Mommy? Dad told me you were never coming back.
Forgive me for not coming sooner. Oh, it's so good to see you, Johnny.
Oh, Johnny, you are so small and thin.
But I'm awfully strong.
And so dirty.
Daddy said I didn't have to wash tonight.
- Do you wash yourself now? - Uh-huh.
Would you like me to get you nice and clean for bed?
Oh, boy, that would be swell.
Tell Mrs. Faraday, if you will, that I'm going back to the hotel.
I'm leaving my car for her.
Good night.
There you are, Johnny, nice and clean.
- Are you going away again, Mommy? - Of course not.
If you do, will you be back tomorrow night?
Yes, Johnny.
- Please tell me a story before you go, Mommy. - Which one do you want to hear?
About Germany. You know, springtime in Germany.
I haven't heard that for a long time.
- Father knows it better than I do. - But he says he's forgotten it.
Ask him again.
[singsongy] Oh, Dad!
What is it, Johnny?
Mommy says you do too know the story about Germany.
- I told you I've forgotten it. - But try to remember it.
It was springtime in Germany, and you were out on a walking trip.
Now, let's see.
I was out on a walking trip with some other students.
As I remember it, I was very happy.
- And then what happened? - I've forgotten.
Don't you remember? You came to a dragon sitting in an automobile.
Yes, I remember that.
And you went and saw a lot of princesses taking a bath, didn't you?
Yes, I suppose I did.
What did you do then?
I told him to go away, but he wouldn't until I granted him a wish.
- What was the wish? - He wanted to see me again.
You didn't want any other wish, did you?
No, I was very sentimental in those days and very foolish.
Why were you foolish?
That night you went to a theater, didn't ya?
Yes, I went to a theater.
And then you saw Mommy on the stage.
She was very beautiful.
And then your heart went like this —
I didn't know much about women in those days.
Oh, you're tryin' to do it different. You tell it, Mommy.
- What happened when you saw him? - I don't know, Johnny dear.
Don't you remember, Mommy?
I could hardly sing.
What happened then?
You could never guess.
We went walking.
Please walk, Mommy.
And then you came to a park, and there was a dark tree and a yellow moon.
Aw, you're not doin' it right at all. You're supposed to kiss each other.
Better be a good boy and go to sleep, Johnny.
- You mother's got to go away now. - All right, Daddy.
- [singing in German] - [music box playing]
Let me stay with you both, Ned.
That's where you belong, Helen.
[music box continues playing]