Come on, a little service, please? You're slipping.
I'm terribly sorry. I have the lighter in my pocket, but I can't...
Well, all you have to do is take this pillow off...
- Now, Josh, now... - Hold it. Don't move. That's perfect!
What did I tell you? Is this going to be a picture story or isn't it?
- Hello, Larry. - This is Mr. Perkins...
Mr. Clarke, Mr. Leggett, and Mr. Taylor of Look magazine.
Nice to see you. Darling, he just wanted my opinion.
Perkins, it's your show. Take over.
We'd like to get the whole day. You know, maybe...
Starting with breakfast. We have it all set up on the terrace.
Just come along. Follow me. Darling, come on.
I've got orange juice.
Good light, too, I think, don't you?
"Your dying scene in the country equaled Bernhardt's in Camille.
"Read Act Three. I'll be waiting."
- Darling, will you please come... - "Dying scene in the country"?
Oh, I see.
Well, we have everything picked for the pictures.
Well, my poor sick little bride. Let me help you.
Looks like one of the best setups we've had.
Well, that was a performance.
It had me fooled completely.
Josh, not now. Sit down, darling.
What's going on between you two?
Please hold on before we say something we'll be sorry for later.
- All ready for the picture? - Yes.
Lovely couple cooing over the breakfast table.
Shut up! He's been after you, hasn't he?
I wouldn't be surprised if he asked you to play Sarah Bernhardt.
- Could we get the picture, please? - By all means.
Pick up the coffee cup. You know, like you're having breakfast?
Yes. I'm terribly...
Now, smile, kiddies, smile. That's it.
He's a pretty smooth article. Knew just how to work on you.
What're you talking about?
You don't think he'd let you play Sarah Bernhardt, do you?
- Even you couldn't be that dumb. - Well, now...
Would you feed him a strawberry?
A strawberry. Certainly.
He says he won't even do the show unless I play the part.
Hold it.
- He thinks I'm a great actress. - Don't make me laugh.
That's fine. Now can we go in the living room?
Yes. Please go ahead and help yourself, and we'll be right in...
in just a moment.
He believes in me.
He gives me confidence in myself.
All you've ever done is tear me down, make me feel like a nobody.
Your little sidekick.
Can't even walk across the stage without you.
- Can't even make a gesture. - Correct.
- Big fat Svengali. - You're darn tooting.
Well, I've had enough!
That goes double.
I'm sick and tired of your lies, your deceits, your tricks.
You're nothing but an inconsiderate, selfish...
What are you doing here?
We were waiting to rehearse, so I brought Shirlene along.
Shirlene, there's a girl with talent.
She knows your part better than you do right now.
I could put her on tonight and she'd be a sensation.
- Gee, thanks. - Shut up!
Simmer down, take it easy.
That's all right. Happens all the time.
All calmed down, Dinah? Now, why don't we get...
Why don't you take a picture of me walking out of the house for good?
Dinah! Josh, do something. Stop her.
- This time I think she means it. - So do I.
As for Shirlene, you have my permission to put her on tonight...
because I won't be there.
What am I going to do?
We've got this picture spread set up for Look magazine.
What am I going to tell them?
Tell them you can fill in with eight pages of an appendix operation in color.
When I've got shoes with wings on
The winter's gone, the spring's on
When I've got shoes with wings on
The town's full of rhythm and the world's in rhyme
The neon city glows up
My pretty, pretty shows up
We'll dance until they close up
I've got my guardian angel working overtime
I give Aladdin the lamp, Midas the gold
Who needs a wizard or magician
In the old tradition?
That's not competition
I've got 'em beat a thousand fold
Why?
'Cause I've got shoes with wings on
And living has no strings on
I put those magic things on
And I go flying with 'em
And the town is full of rhythm
And the world in rhyme
We'll do the entire scene again. Better take it from your entrance, Dinah.
From my entrance.
- Dinah, darling. - Yes?
I should think that after two weeks, you would try to do this without the script.
Well, I know it. It's just that I like to hold on to it.
You mustn't get to rely on it. You won't have it with you opening night.
All right. Here we go.
Excuse me a minute, Jacques.
What do you mean by snooping around here?
Hiya, Dinah.
If you're here for news of the enemy camp, I'd like to say that I'm happy.
I love the play, and I think that... You may tell Josh in particular...
I think Jacques is the best director I have ever worked with.
That's a beautiful suit...
If you're here to play Cupid, you can put away your arrows.
It won't do you any good.
Listen, you and I never had a fight, remember?
I'm sorry. You can't barge in, in the middle of a rehearsal.
I'm trying to concentrate and... All right. What is it?
I came to ask you about doing that big benefit at Symphony Hall.
You know, the one we do every year for the hospital.
No, not this year.
If you think you can get Josh and me on the stage together, you're crazy.
- Dinah! - I'll be right there in a second.
I'd like to see one of the Barkleys represented. Josh won't be there.
He turned it down. He said he's too busy. He has a big party that night.
Isn't that just like him? Too busy to do a benefit.
Has to go to a party.
- You can count on me, Ezra, I'll be there. - Dinah!
Bye. Yes, Jacques, I'm terribly sorry.
You're not superstitious about one on a match, are you?
If you think you can get Dinah and me to perform at that benefit together...
you're just crazy.
I'd like one of the Barkleys there. Dinah can't make it.
Why not?
She's got a rehearsal that night.
Now, isn't that just like her?
All wrapped up in that big dramatic career.
Can't take a half hour off to do one number for a worthy cause.
You can count on me, Ez, I'll be there.
Good. I'll see you at dinner.
- Wait a minute. - Yeah, what's the matter?
You saw her today?
Yep, I saw her.
- Where? - At her rehearsal.
How is the great tragic actress getting along?
Okay. She appeared a little nervous.
Seemed to flounder around, unsure of herself.
You know something?
She's going to take a header right on her face.
And you know something else? I'm going to let her lie there.
That's the spirit. Who says the age of chivalry is dead?
Joshie, I'm all ready, honey.
Shirlene, you better run along.
I've got some business before the show tonight.
I'm sorry.
- Well, I'll see you back here then? - Yeah.
I'll be awful lonely.
You'll get over it.
You know, I find that girl completely resistible.
All right, we'll take it again from the same spot. Places, please.
All right, go.
Mother, l...
No, Dinah. I'm afraid you're forgetting all the action we've set for this.
You come in, pause for three counts in the doorway...
look at your mother, look at the Duke de Morny...
look at your aunt, walk to the window...
say the first half of your line, turn and finish it.
You've got it written down. You must remember.
I do remember it. It's the scene I worked on last night.
Mother, I've made up my...
No, darling, you just look at your mother.
That's right. I'm sorry.
- Mother, I've made up my mind... - No. Well, all right.
Just say your first line, and we'll work on it in more detail tomorrow.
- From here? - From there.
Mother, I've made up my mind. I'm not going to the conservatory...
But, darling, your mother is right here.
She's not in the second balcony. Speak to her in a more natural tone.
This is not a musical comedy. It's a legitimate play.
Mother, I've made up my mind. I'm not going to go to...
I can't hear you at all now, Dinah, so speak louder, please.
Mother, I've made up my mind. I'm not...
That's too loud, isn't it?
I'm sorry.
I don't know what's the matter with me.
I'm behaving as if I've never been in a theater before.
You mustn't be panicky, dear. It's a new field. You'll get over it.
Well, of course I'll get it.
Well, that's all for today, anyway. Thank you.
Wait for your calls, everyone.
10:00 tomorrow for Miss Elston, Miss Gage, Miss Wilder, Mr. Henderson.
Hiya.
Hey, you're late. This is Genevieve.
- How do you do? - Hello.
Well, I just looked in on the noble experiment.
How's it coming?
Not so good. Looks as if she's going to make a complete fool of herself.
Well, that's what you wanted, isn't it?
Sure. She deserves it.
She certainly does. She's no dramatic actress.
No? Listen, she can do anything, that girl.
- Yeah? - She could be great in that part.
Really?
Barredout doesn't know how to direct her.
- He's sitting in the bar. - What do I care?
Listen, Ezra, he doesn't understand her at all.
He keeps tearing her down, confusing her.
When she thinks she's not getting something right, she's no good.
You've got to approach her in a different way and...
Well, I know how to help her.
- But you want her to flop. - Sure.
Besides, she wouldn't take any suggestions from me.
- Good evening, Mr. Barkley. - Hello, Helen.
Funny, I thought Barredout was supposed to be good.
Good? Did you ever see him work?
"Dinah...
"this is much different from musical comedy.
"It is a play, mais oui. A legitimate play."
Say, that's a great imitation you do of him.
- It is? - Pretty good.
It is?
- Is that yours or mine? - Mine.
Want to split it?
Excuse me a minute, will you?
Hello.
Hello, Dinah? This is Jacques.
Hello, Jacques. I'm so glad it's you.
I was very anxious to know how you feel after today's rehearsals.
Well, it's not going along much better, is it?
I don't know, I get out there and I feel absolutely lost.
That is all my fault.
Don't be silly.
Yes, it is. My direction is completely to blame.
Jacques, your voice sounds so odd.
Have you been drinking?
No, it must be a bad connection.
Now listen, Dinah, I want you to know that...
I was wrong in telling you how different this is from musical comedy.
It is not different.
It's wonderful to hear you say that.
You're still a great performer and a wonderful actress.
In that scene with your family...
where you make your entrance, you must walk in slowly.
You see, you must remember that the keynote to your attitude is...
defiance toward your mother.
Walking slowly. Defiant.
I resent her.
Why, of course, Jacques. That feels right.
And when the Duke comes toward you...
and offers you his hand...
you must pull away quickly.
You're very frightened.
Yes, Jacques, I see. I'm afraid of him.
Yes, I understand. It's a matter of relationships.
It's not just a mechanical movement.
Jacques, let's start from the beginning and go through the whole scene.
Now, when your mother says, "Sarah..."
The Duke de Morny has secured an audition for you.
I don't want to be an actress.
You're to read for them next week.
- Well, Sarah... - Why don't you leave the poor girl alone?
I'll wager Sarah has never even seen an actress.
Oh, yes, I have.
It was at the convent last year.
A sick lady came there and the sisters said she used to be beautiful...
but that she was going to die alone and unloved because she'd led a bad life.
She was pale and coughing, and her eyes were big dark holes in her face.
And you know who she was?
She was the star of the Comédie Française.
I won't be like that and you can't make me!
Dinah, that's wonderful! Wonderful!
It was? Darling, I'm so glad.
- Thank you. - Yes.
Your timing, your inflections were just what I wanted.
- I believed every word. - Perfect.
Joan has come to life for the first time.
- You seen any of the rehearsals lately? - Dinah's? No.
- I wonder how it's coming along. - I don't know.
It couldn't be much worse than it was when I saw it.
I forgot. I've got to make a telephone call.
- Want another drink? - No, thanks.
I'll have one. Would you like a drink?
Hello.
Hello, Dinah, I just called you to tell you again how wonderful you were today.
I can't believe it. It's a miracle.
Yes? In Scene Two?
But I can't sit there through the whole speech.
Yes, Jacques. Well, you're a genius.
Thank you, my dear. Well, that is about all for now.
Incidentally...
while we are in rehearsal, I wish you wouldn't be so demonstrative.
So what?
- Demonstrative. - What do you mean?
Well, throwing your arms about my neck and kissing me in front of the company...
is most embarrassing.
- We'll have none of that. - Why, Jacques...
Discipline, you know.
Well, I'm sorry.
I hope it won't be too compromising if you take me to the benefit on Sunday night.
Benefit? What benefit?
The hospital... I told you.
Yes, I'll take you.
Goodbye.
Hey, what's the idea of telling me Dinah's not coming to the benefit?
- Is she? - You know darned well she is. But I'm not.
You cooked up this little plot, now eat it.
Well, what happened, Ezra? Are they both going to be here?
Dinah's here. I saw her. But that pigheaded mule, I don't know if he'll come.
Now presenting Ezra Millar playing...
Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto Number One in B Flat Minor.
Goodbye.
What are you doing here?
What are you doing here? Ezra.
Why, the double-crosser.
Don't you think the gallant thing would be for you to leave?
I'm not going to leave.
This is a benefit.
They're expecting a number from me out there.
Why don't you leave? This is beneath you now, anyway.
I have never walked out on a benefit in my life.
And I'll not walk out on all these hospital people.
It's for them. It makes no difference to me whether you're here or not.
I'll perform anyway.
Thank you. I'm touched.
The piano's touched and Tchaikovsky's touched.
And now I have a surprise which I'm sure will touch you.
In this corner, one of the great stars of show business.
And in the same corner, another great star of show business.
Who will brilliantly oppose each other in one of their greatest numbers.
Josh and Dinah Barkley.
The way you wear your hat
The way you sip your tea
The memory of all that
No, no, they can't take that away from me
The way your smile just beams
The way you sing off-key
The way you haunt my dreams
No, no They can't take that away from me
We may never, never meet again
On the bumpy road to love
Still I'll always, always keep
The memory of
The way you hold your knife
The way we danced till three
The way you changed my life
No, no They can't take that away from me
No, they can't take that away
From me
Bravo!
- Thank you very much, Josh and Dinah. - Thank you.
- It was so nice seeing you together again. - Thank you very much.
Thank you.
- Dinah, that was wonderful. - It was fun, wasn't it?
Look...
can't we be civilized about this...
and maybe go someplace and talk things over?
There's nothing to talk over, Josh.
You're doing very well without me...
and I'm doing what I guess I've always wanted to do.
In the long run, we'll be much happier apart.
Don't you think so?
Do you?
Of course I do.
I can't believe you really mean that.
Look, Josh.
That wasn't just another squabble we had.
Our break-up wasn't just a whim of the moment.
It's been coming for a long time. It had to happen.
You've been taking me for granted too long.
I have to stand on my own two feet, as a person...
and as an actress.
Until I do, I can't take time to think about...
us or anything connected with the future.
That's how it's got to be.
You really do mean it, don't you?
Yes, I do.
Thanks for the dance.
I knew this would do it. I know how to handle those kids.
I'll bet they're in each other's arms right now.
Good, Ezra.
Josh, where's Dinah?
She's right over there.
Well, if at first you don't succeed, give up.
- Hello, Ez. - Hello, Josh.
- Hello, Genevieve. - This is Henrietta.
Sorry. Helen, Scotch and plain water, please?
- Yes, sir. - Tonight's the night.
- For what? - Dinah's show's opening.
Oh, that. Give me a cigarette.
Not interested?
- Barredout come in yet? - What do you care?
Where have you been these past 10 days?
- I can't even get you on the phone. - I'm taking a day course at City College.
Stop kidding, Josh. You look a wreck.
Well, I'm not. I feel fine.
- Here's to Dinah. - To Dinah, right.
The honorable judges of the Conservatoire Française.
Mademoiselles, you have each been coached...
in gesture and diction for this audition...
and you will all have an equal chance.
But only one will be chosen...
to join the ranks of the Conservatoire Française.
You may each perform one selection.
When you finish, take your place over there.
Let us begin, please.
Mademoiselle Clementine Villard.
Don't be nervous, mademoiselle. What will you recite?
Portia's speech from The Merchant of Venice.
"The quality of mercy is not strained
"It droppeth, as the gentle rain from Heaven
"Upon the place beneath"
Hello, Joe. How's it going?
Terrific, so far. Looks like a hit.
"And then is heard no more
"It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury
"Signifying nothing"
Mademoiselle Sarah Bernhardt.
What will you recite, Mademoiselle?
The potion scene from Romeo and Juliet.
There's no need for you to be nervous.
I am not nervous, Monsieur le Judge.
Very well, in that case you may begin.
"Farewell!
"God knows when we shall meet again
"I have a faint cold fear thrills through my veins
"That almost freezes up the heat of life
"I'll call them back"
Forgive me, Monsieur.
These are words and gestures taught me by my coach. I learned them like a parrot.
They have nothing to do with acting.
With your permission, I'd like to recite something else.
Very well. Be quick about it.
I'll recite the Marseillaise.
Any child can recite that. That's not acceptable. Let us go on.
Monsieur, you cannot deny a loyal French citizen...
the right to stand in public...
and speak the words of our national anthem.
Wait.
By unanimous consent, this committee has chosen you...
for the Conservatoire Français.
Bravo!
Ladies and gentlemen, I'm much too excited to say anything.
I can only hope that this evening marks the beginning...
of a long association between myself...
and my beautiful, enchanting star, whom I worship...
on and off the stage.
- Josh, did you see any of it? - Last scene.
- She was pretty good, wasn't she? - Pretty good? Great.
She sure was terrific.
What I can't get over is that Barredout fellow.
- He should be in the movies. - Wish he were.
He's dreamy. They make such a handsome couple.
Marie, this is Mr. Barkley, her husband.
I thought you two were divorced.
- You were wonderful. - See you later, Dinah.
- You were terrific, darling. - Thank you very much.
Thanks for coming back. See you at Millie's later.
- Dinah, I'm so proud of you. - Thank you, Jacques.
I feel like a tongue-tied schoolboy.
I really meant what I said before. I do worship you.
I was hoping that tonight you would give me some word, some sign.
Well, later, Jacques.
All right. This is your night.
- I'll wait for you at Floriano's, darling. - All right.
- Don't be too long. - All right.
- Mrs. Barkley, you were wonderful. - Thank you, Mary.
- Mary? - Yes, ma'am?
- Are these all the telegrams? - That's all there are.
- Did you ask the doorman? - Yes, I did.
You did?
There he is.
He is handsome, isn't he? Gee, she's a lucky girl.
Marie, why don't you go powder your nose?
I just did. Everyone in the powder room was talking about him and her.
She thinks she's proved she doesn't need me.
Thinks? She has proved it. Drink up.
- And I helped her do it. - You what?
When he got up on stage to make his speech, I held my breath.
I thought for sure he was going to announce their engagement.
Why don't you get your broomstick and fly home?
I threw Dinah right into his arms. What a sap.
If ever a fellow dug his own grave...
What are you talking about? You were both to blame.
So you think it's over, too?
I don't know, not necessarily.
You think she doesn't love me anymore.
- You think I've lost her. - I didn't say that.
- You think she loves Barredout. - Well, what do you think?
I don't know, but I'm gonna find out.
I love her, Ez. I've got to know where I stand.
This night might be the end.
She's still at the theater. Why don't you call her up?
I couldn't do that.
You've got to face it and talk to her. Otherwise it might be too late.
- No, I can't. - Mr. Barredout.
Sure, I'll call her.
Good luck. Ten-to-one it's still you.
Yes, I agree with you. I think she's going to be...
one of the greatest legitimate actresses of our time.
There's no doubt.
Mary, you did double-check all the cards from the flowers?
Yes, I did, Mrs. Barkley.
- And there wasn't anything? - No, not a thing.
Hello. Just a minute, please.
Hello. Yes, Jacques. What on earth do you want?
I'll be right over.
I just wanted to ask you something frightfully important.
I hope you realize what you mean to me.
I don't mean anything to you, do I?
Why do you ask me these questions now?
We'll talk later.
But I must know this minute.
Do you still love your husband, or is it me?
But I can't possibly answer you over the telephone.
Why not? What better way is there to find out things, than on the phone?
- This is absurd. - I'm sorry, dear.
I'll be with you in just a second. I don't see how...
Jacques.
Just a minute. Will you hold on just a second?
Jacques, come here.
They've gone to Millie's, so I thought I would...
I've got to ask you something very important.
Jacques, you did telephone me at the hotel during rehearsals, didn't you?
No. Why?
You didn't telephone me during rehearsals?
No. I knew you were resting. I didn't want to bother you.
Will you wait outside for... I'll get dressed now.
I'll get a cab.
- What's the matter with you? - Nothing.
- Good. I'll be waiting. - Yes.
Hello, Jacques.
Yeah? Yes?
I just took a minute to think things over...
darling.
And I'll answer you now.
I love you.
Only you.
I did think for a while that...
I might have some feeling left for Josh...
when I was faltering in rehearsals.
But when you started calling me and showing me the way...
I realized that, compared to you...
he's a cheap, incompetent hack.
I love you, darling.
You've made me very happy.
Mary! Come on, help me find the key.
I've got to find the key. You know, the one I put away.
Now, Mrs. Barkley, if you'll...
Taxi!
390 River Terrace, please.
All that I know is
You'd be hard to replace
Where else in all the world
Such loveliness and such grace?
The poet often chanted
The love he found divine
But never was he granted
A lady-love like mine
Deep down, deep down inside
My secret heart knows
The more that I'm with you
The more and more my rapture grows
Without you at my side
I fear
No future could I face
For you'd be oh, so hard to
Hard to, hard to, hard to
Dinah, what are you doing here?
Hello. I came to see you.
Well, this is a rare honor.
I would have thought that you'd be out celebrating.
Well, don't worry. I'm going to make you very happy.
I won't contest it. You can have your divorce.
Thank you.
Divorce happens to suit my plans perfectly.
As a matter of fact, I'm expecting a young lady here any minute.
So, if you don't mind...
- Shirley? - Shirlene.
- Then you and she are really... - We're mad about each other.
- Congratulations. - Congratulations to you, too.
I hope you'll find your new director easier to get along with than I was.
I doubt that.
Goodbye.
Don't you even want to shake hands?
Perhaps you should not be quite so demonstrative...
throwing your arms around me and kissing me in front of all of those people.
Discipline, you know. Discipline.
- Darling, your accent was amazingly good. - Wait a minute.
Had me completely fooled until tonight...
when Jacques walked in while you were on the phone.
Dinah, you know.
And you tortured me like this?
Just a little torture.
Why, you know that I almost walked into the East River?
- I almost shot myself? - No.
- I almost jumped off that roof? - My poor darling!
- You might have almost killed yourself. - I know.
I love you so.
- It mustn't happen again, darling. - No.
We mean much too much to each other.
You're such a wonderful girl. And such a talented actress.
Your performance was magnificent.
You are great.
I have an idea for a play.
- I don't want to do another play. - No more dramas?
- No biography. - No messages?
No worrying about the plot.
Then we'll have nothing but fun set to music.
We'll have tempo.
You know, that good old tempo.
Just give me that Manhattan downbeat
That beats a tempo of its own
You've got to shout, "This is it!"
The day you visit
The jumpenest town was ever known
Keep your Paree and London town beat
Pop Knickerbocker stands alone
Drive up any avenue, swing down any street
There's no beat has Manhattan downbeat beat
Manhattan has a beat that's all its own
Manhattan has a beat to call its own
So, Mr. Leader, when you give the band the downbeat
A one, two, three
And give them that Manhattan downbeat
That beats a tempo of its own
You've got to shout, "This is it!"
The day you visit
The jumpenest town was ever
Was ever known
Keep your Paree and London town beat
Pop Knickerbocker stands alone
- Drive up any avenue - Swing down any street
No beat has Manhattan downbeat
No beat has Manhattan downbeat beat