The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle

HE RINGS BELL 41st Street!

FROM INSIDE THEATRE: # Oh, you beautiful doll You great big beautiful doll... #

Here you are, son.

-9.50.

-Right.

-Cash.

-Oh, cash?

Mr Fields, can I trouble you for 10 advance on next week's salary?

You always spend next week's salary last week!

If my next week's salary can make a beautiful lady happy THIS week, I'll spend it!

-Keep the change.

-Thanks.

If those flowers are for Miss Ford you're aiming too high.

-I'm having supper with her later.

-You haven't got the right ammunition.

-What?

-Spondulicks.

-Something you second comics never have.

-Some day I'll be first comic. After you, of course!

-I'm sure you're wrong about her.

-She trifles with men's hearts.

-I'm doing nothing important with mine.

Annie, be ready to dress me immediately after the finale.

I'm having supper with Mr Vanderbilt.

-Miss Ford?

-You're next, Mr Castle.

-Right.

-Will you wear these tonight?

-Tonight?

-Remember our supper date.

-Of course, but my head's splitting!

-Forgive me.

-How about tomorrow?

-I'm going to New Rochelle with Mother.

-Suppose I meet you in front of the club house?

-If it's all right with Mother.

Well, what did I tell you?

Mr Fields, could you back me for a round-trip ticket to New Rochelle?

# By the sea, by the sea By the beautiful sea

# Oh how happy we'll be

# When each wave comes rolling in

# We will dance or swim And we'll fool around in the water

# Over and under and then up for air It's so grand, so what do we care

# I love to be beside, beside, beside the sea, beside the seaside

-# By the beautiful sea. #

-Hello. Who are you?

Mr Castle. Mr Castle!

Yes! Over here.

-Are you waiting for Miss Ford?

-Miss Claire Ford.

-She phoned to say her head was still splitting.

I see. Too bad.

-Lots of other ladies sitting round here, Mr Castle.

-I dare say. Thanks.

# And he'd row, row, row Way up the river, he would row, row, row. #

-Have you seen a dog around here?

-Yes. Where is he?

-Who is that fellow?

Come on, then, get up, you...!

Oh, you poor little thing.

-Walter!

-I'm coming, Sailor.

-Is he your dog?

-Isn't he yours?

-I never saw him till a moment ago.

-He must belong to somebody.

-Walter, take the dog!

-I don't like the look of this, Miss Irene.

-Drowning a dog to get acquainted!

-Pardon?

-Don't mind Walter.

-Are you all right?

-Yes.

-Climb in.

-Are you all right?

-Yes.

-Goodbye.

-Walter, let the gentleman into the boat.

-Just what you want!

No, I'm quite comfortable...

Oh! Oh, please get in.

Thank you very much.

You were wonderful to jump in to rescue a stray dog.

-I keep wandering dogs in my dressing room.

-Dressing room?

-Yes, in the theatre.

-Theatre?

-Are you an actor?

-Well, yes.

-You're not the only actor here.

-Do you act?

-Me? No.

-You?

-I...

-She's a genius.

Oh, Walter practically raised me and he's so prejudiced.

-What show are you with?

-She played a fairy queen in Miss Dodd's annual entertainment.

-Amateur shows.

Dances like a sunbeam.

-What's your name?

-Castle.

-Mine's Foote.

Mine will be mud when I try to explain this to your mother!

-Why don't you start the motor?

-It's broke.

-Looks all right.

OUTBOARD STARTS UP

-Irene was just three then. Don't you love the flowers? This is when she was seven.

-Very fetching.

The next one is Pinafore. She was in the school production. Remember?

Oh, yes.

-Well, he's our dog.

-Our dog?

-No-one in the neighbourhood wanted him, so Sailor said she wanted him.

-What train do you figure on making?

-The 5.30.

I figured the 4.30.

Oh, look!

How nice! Irene will do a rendition for you.

-For me?

-Yes. She's never done it for a professional audience before.

I think I'll work in the garden. You'll stay RIGHT here.

I think my clothes must be dry by now.

You sit here...sir.

An imitation of Miss Bessie McCoy doing her famous number, "The Yamma, Yamma man."

-Mr Castle, she MAY be nervous.

-I'm a little nervous myself.

PIANO INTRODUCTION

Boo!

# E-very little tot at night Is afraid of the dark, you know

# Some big yamma men they see As off to bed they go!

# Ya-hama, ya-hama Ya-hama men

# Terrible eyes and a face of ten

# If you don't watch out He will steal you without a doubt

# If - he - can

# Maybe he's hiding behind a chair

# Ready to spring on what you want to wear

# So, run to your Mamma For here comes the Yamma, Yamma Yamma man! #

Boo!

Bravo!

-You did very nicely, dear.

-Thank you.

-Well, sir?

That was fine. It certainly was. Thanks very much.

Do you really mean it, or are you just...saying it?

-You gave it quite a professional touch...here and there.

-Here and there?

I mean everywhere. Very nice. Now, my train...

Oh.

-Oh, I see.

-I wish I could stay and see it again, but I'm afraid...

-You're afraid to see it again?

-No...

-You don't want to see it?

-What he means... Hubert.

-I WOULD like to see it again...

-You'd LIKE to see it?

-He didn't say that...

-He said...

-I would like to,

-but my train...

-No trouble at all.

-Not unless he WANTS to.

-I DO.

All right.

There's a possibility you MAY catch the 8.15.

PIANO INTRODUCTION

I understand ALL your criticisms except the one you mumbled.

-THAT one?

-What does "ham" mean?

-It's just an expression.

-What does it mean?

-We speak of certain actors as hams.

Am I a REAL ham?

-Yes, you're a little ham.

-Oh, wonderful!

And after the way we ran!

SINGING COMING NEARER

# Going UP all the time! # LAUGHTER

# All aboard on the flying machine Going UP she goes, UP she goes

# Balance yourself like a bird on a beam

# In the air she goes THERE she goes

# Oh, ho, a little bit higher Oh, my, the boom is on fire

# Going up among the clouds. #

Come on!

MUSIC: "By The Light Of The Silvery Moon"

Go on, Vernon!

TRAIN BELL RINGS

Why didn't you tell me you could dance like that?

-You're marvellous.

-Thanks.

-Goodbye.

-Goodbye.

All aboard!

Kiss her. Sunday's a long way off.

Sunday? ..Oh, yeah.

ALL aboard. Hurry up, bashful.

# Oh, you beautiful doll You great big beautiful doll

# Let me put my arms around you I could never live without you

# Oh, you beautiful doll You great big beautiful doll

# If you ever leave me how my heart will ache

# I want to hug you but I fear you'd break Oh, oh, oh, oh you beautiful doll! #

ALL COMMENT AT ONCE

Irene, I can hardly wait. Does he dance soon?

-Here he is. He's in the next scene. He plays with the star!

-Ooh.

-My aunt once knew an opera singer.

-Wait till you see Vernon dance!

-Knowing an actor!

-Ssh, sshh.

APPLAUSE

He's coming down the stairs now.

Leave him to me. I'll show him for insulting my daughter.

SQUEAK

POP! SQUEAK WHISTLES

SQUEAK

DRUM ROLL CYMBALS CLASH

PERCUSSION CONTINUES

R-IP!

RATCHET NOISE

LAUGHTER

-Say something.

-I wa...

Aaaah!

That's REAL ham comedy!

-What did you say?

-Ham.

-Where?

-You're looking at two of the best down there.

Whoa! Hey!

FIREBELL CLANGS

FINAL CHORDS OF MUSIC

-You were great today, Vernon.

-Thanks.

Oh, hello.

Have you been out front?

How did you like it?

You were...terrible.

So, Miss Irene Foote, actress of New Rochelle, thinks I'm terrible.

-Thanks for taking the trouble to come back and tell me so.

-You COULD be a wonderful dancer.

-Instead you waste your talent like that.

-It takes talent to make people laugh.

-I won't let you.

You won't? What makes you so excited about me?

You have something no comedian will ever have and you're wasting it.

What other reason could there be?

Girls, specially young girls, sometimes get crushes on actors...

Oh!

-I-I...

-You called ME a ham!

You're a ham with mustard! If you think I had personal interest in coming back here, you're mistaken!

-Wait, please.

-I

-won't annoy you!

Go on getting soap on your face, and get to be a first comedian.

I thought you could be a first dancer, because you are a beautiful dancer, but you're so smug,

that you can't see further than your funny nose!

Are you expecting someone, Sailor?

Can't a person sit in their own yard without expecting someone?

I knew he was a fly-by-night.

-Who?

-The fellow you're not expecting.

CAR HORN BLOWS

Oh!

Hello, there.

Is Miss Foote at home?

She's not?

Did she go out?

Oh.

Come on, now.

-My, it's getting warm, isn't it, Walter?

-Hello.

-Hello, Mr Castle.

-I just happened to be out this way so I thought I'd stop by and see if the dog is all right.

-He's fine.

-Thank you.

-I thought he might have been sick.

No, he's just fine.

-That's good. You see, I thought he might be sick and I thought I'd...

-Come out.

My, what a beautiful automobile.

-Is it yours?

-Just a little runabout.

-There's nothing like a good spin.

-Makes you dizzy.

No, it doesn't, Walter. I'm not one way or the other about it.

Well, I guess I'd better be running along.

Bye.

Well, I'm glad the dog is all right.

HE WHISTLES: "Blue Danube Waltz"

(Go on.)

HE CONTINUES WHISTLING TUNE

(Go on.)

(Go on.)

HE WHISTLES PIERCINGLY

HE TURNS OVER STARTER

Oh, dear. Here, Zowie. Here, Zowie.

Oh, I'm so sorry. Oh, Zowie, you bad little dog.

Get down out of that contraption.

It ain't safe!

Smile. ..Off.

Bow to the front, the audience, each other.

-Bows to the front...

-The audience.

-Each other.

-Bow to the front..

-That's enough! If we get two bows we'll be doing well.

If we keep on like that, we'll soon ask Mr Fields for a try-out.

Fieldberg, pressed by Spain, appeals to Uncle Sam for aid.

Hmm, Niagara Falls.

That's quite a place for...

-That's quite a place for people to go.

-You mean, on honeymoon?

Yes.

Devil's Island. That's interesting, too.

-Irene...

-Yes?

-Irene, we've only known each other about three months...

-Irene!

Have you seen my copy of Vogue?

Here it is, Mother.

-Anything yet?

-Not yet.

-Well, I don't want to interrupt.

-You were saying we've known each other for nearly three months?

-Yes.

My one aim in life has been to keep from getting involved.

"Vernon, don't get involved." I used to say.

Well, what are you saying...now?

Well, you know, I think when people dance well together, it's because they're sympathetic to each other.

That's part of what I was getting at. Dancing brings people closer together.

-Not only closer together...

-DOOR OPENS

Oh, good evening, darling.

Good evening, Vernon.

-Dad.

-Anything happen while I was out?

-Everybody finished with the paper?

-I'll get it for you, Dad.

Thanks.

Some new records I brought.

Somebody flying an airship across the English Channel. Must have been in a hurry.

-Mrs Foote wants to see you right away.

-Oh.

Can't you leave them alone?

I HAVE been all winter. When can we use that parlour?

GENTLE MUSIC PLAYS

Do you like this tune?

Uh-huh.

-#

-Only when you're in my arms

-#

-I can reach up to heaven And pluck out a star from the blue

-#

-It's true But only when you're in my arms

-#

-I can live without riches And still have a million or two

-#

-It's true But only when you're in my arms

-#

-Though I'm ambitious My wishes have always been simple and few

-#

-Give me the moonlight, the music And, darling, an armful of you

-#

-I can see myself doing The things that I never could do

-#

-It's true But only when you're in my arms.

-#

Irene, I'm terribly in love with you. I never thought I'd fall in love. Will you please marry me?

Yes. I'm in love with you, too.

You're...?

Well...thanks!

Walter! Walter, we're going to be married!

-Are you surprised?

-Gee whizz!

Well, when do we go on the honeymoon?

Dr Foote!

You can start using the parlour again.

Vernon, I'm scared.

No, sweetheart, that's no way to talk. I don't feel rosy myself.

Maybe we're not quite ready yet.

Maybe we should rehearse some more.

Then come back next week, huh?

-Yes, that's it.

-Come on, Walter.

What are you doing? Running away?

-We're going home...

-To rehearse some more.

-And come back next week.

-You've been practising for months.

You done it for me last night and it was beautiful. Sit down.

And when you dance put your best foot forward.

Hello, how are the newly-weds?

What do you want to show me?

-A bride and groom skit?

-Mr Fields, em...

-It's a sort of a dance.

-It is a dance.

-Since when have you had dancing ambitions?

-Since he met me.

Oh. All right, let's look at it.

-Charlie, put on the front border.

-You sit here.

-I hope I don't disappoint you.

-Come on, chin up, chest out, best foot forward. Right, Walter?

MUSIC: "Waiting For The Robert E Lee"

-Very nice.

-..No?

-Why not?

-Who's going to pay money to see a man dance with his wife?

I tell you what I'll do, I'll give Mrs Castle a line in the show.

-And as for you, Vernon, next season I'll hand you a whole new scene.

-That'll be...

-What kind of scene?

-I'm a bricklayer.

-I'm your helper.

-You carry a hod full of bricks.

-You trip me up?

-No. I shove you in the cement.

-I'm covered in it.

-"Pick up those bricks."

-I see!

He is the one, Papa. He is so droll in the barber's shop.

Right back into the cement!

What's the matter?

I'm sorry, sir, I can't do it.

Why not?

We're going to dance together.

-Whose idea is this?

-Ours.

-Ours.

As a comedian you're valuable to me,

but as a dancer, even two dancers, you wouldn't bring in two nickels.

We think you're wrong.

Maybe I'm wrong, maybe you're wrong.

Don't take it too badly, Mrs Castle, we all make mistakes. See you later, Vernon.

Huh! Greenhorn.

Do you think it's true, what he says?

We can try some other managers. We want to dance and we're going to.

-I wish I knew where.

-M. Castle.

Monsieur Castle.

-Yes?

-I am Monsieur Aubel and this is Emile, my son.

My father and I have purchased the French rights to the Hen Pecks.

We have the play in Paris. We want YOU in it.

-You want...?

-Oh, Vernon, darling!

Our honeymoon in Paris, with pay!

-You come?

-Sure, we come!

-Walter, I don't know about you.

-He comes if it takes our last cent.

-You think I'd let you go alone?

Gee whizz!

MUSIC: "Waiting For The Robert E Lee"

-Wait a minute, there's the theatre!

-Hey!

-There it is.

-Turn around. Tell him to turn!

-Woah!

Au secours!

Have him wait, Walter.

-No, Vernon, that's too expensive.

-Our salary starts any minute.

Attendez!

Hello, Mr Aubel.

How do you do?

-Bonjour.

-Here we are.

Bonjour.

I believe you telephoned our secretary.

Oui, oui, I'm very sorry, but it is so.

What?

But you told him we were late.

< Emile? No, no, WE are late. Nous, not vous. The play is late.

Au revoir, we see you in six weeks.

What are we going to do? We haven't any money.

-Wait a minute. Monsieur...

-Let me. I'm used to this. It's very simple.

-M. Aubel, could we trouble you for the usual advance on our salary?

-Au revoir.

-We're a little short of cash!

-Tut, tut, tut.

Ah!

A la bonheur.

Monsieur Aubel,

please...?

For you, Madame. Emile!

You will please sign? A formality.

Wait, this says for eight days' salary, not seven.

Interest. Like a bank.

-Oh.

-Is this customary?

-I guess so.

Our country seems so strange to you. You must not bother about business. You are young, and it is Paris!

Papa!

Au revoir, Madame.

Aaaaaah!

-Le chien m'a mordu.

-Oh, you BAD dog. We're so sorry(!)

-I wait.

-From now on, we walk.

-Pay him, Walter.

-And take Zowie back to that fancy hotel and pack.

We're going to look for a flat.

-Bye.

-Attendez? Huh!

-What?

-Ppphrrt.

Ppphrt to you! Au revoir.

-We've got our health, we're young, in Paris, and on our honeymoon. What more do we want?

-Nothing.

Oh, look, isn't that a darling Dutch cap?

-We can afford that.

-Oh, no!

-But you want it.

-I told you, I don't want anything but you.

TALKS TO HERSELF IN FRENCH

SHE CONTINUES TALKING

DOG BARKS

SHE MUTTERS TO HERSELF

-CLANG!

-Let's hurry up.

-Come on, Zowie, darling.

-M. Castle!

-Zowie, hurry up. Come on.

-MADAME CONTINUES EXCLAIMING

Monsieur Castle, where is my money? You 'ave not paid!

< Quiet, if you please! Quiet, quiet!

Must we be subjected to this brawling?

Pardon, Madame, m'excuse.

But I am hoarse from screaming for my rent!

You'll have to scream for his rent too, if you don't mind your manners.

I have brought him a client who can't STAND noise. Quiet.

Such a quaint place, isn't it? Veritable bit of Bohemia.

Really, Maggie, these obscure geniuses of yours. I don't know whether they're worth it or not.

I am sure this one is. Yes, because you get 10% of what I pay him.

Can't you work faster? Faster! FASTER? Je travaille comme ca!

I can't stand it! Please, Lady Bolton. You take your time.

MUSIC STARTS

TAP DANCING UPSTAIRS Oh, look!

Madame, the POSE!

You expect me to pose when we may be killed at any instant?

Genius or not, this stops or I leave! Stop it!

THUMPING FROM DOWNSTAIRS

Stop it!

-THUMP

-All right. We heard you.

Well, at least we can eat.

-I think we'll move out of this place. Eat what?

-Oh, what have we here?

Ah-hah! Will you carve?

I'm not hungry.

-Vernon.

-Why don't we get a call? Why don't they start? Maybe we're not in the show.

-You know we are!

-You're the optimist. You always see the bright side.

-Bright side?

-Darling, that's all that's left.

-< CRASH!

SHE SHOUTS ANGRILY

Quiet! QUIET.

They've started rehearsals for the show today. Look.

-"Repetition commences."

-Why didn't M. Aubel let us know?

-Never mind, the show starts, our salary starts.

-Where are my dancing shoes?

-The trunk.

-They're on your feet.

I can't go until I've pressed my suit. I'll meet you there.

Yipee!

PIANO ACCOMPANIMENT

-C'est impossible...

-Hello, M. Aubel.

-M. Castle, comment ca va?

-Why didn't you tell us rehearsals had started?

-You KNOW what you have to do.

There she is.

But you hired us to dance.

Dance? No, no, we have the dancers. You will be a knock-out.

All Paris will laugh! You are very funny!

-#

-..And the people will stay Till the break of the day While we are dancing...

-#

QUIET KNOCK ON DOOR

Well?

What happened?

False alarm.

Hello, Zowie.

I got myself all pressed up.

You look nice, too. Don't she?

Yeah.

What happened?

Well...

Here's a present for you.

Oh, my little Dutch cap.

We didn't have money to buy this.

We haven't now.

They didn't hire us to dance. They want me for the barber shop scene. I said I wouldn't do it.

Then, they brought up the money we owe them.

Vernon, would they let you dance alone, cos if they would...

Do you think I'd want to dance without you?

I should have let you keep on doing what you were doing. It's all my fault.

No, it isn't.

Look, darling, we're all right now. After all, you have got a job.

It may not be the job we wanted, but still it's a job. And maybe later on, we'll get a chance to...

sometime.

Maybe sometime.

Hey.

Dance with me.

All the people downstairs...

Look, we'll do it quietly, like this, just as if we're walking on air.

Funny, and we're down to earth for the first time.

HE WHISTLES: "Waiting For The Robert E Lee."

What do you suppose they're doing? And you call ME nervous?

I'm not nervous, simply curious.

-That's nice.

-Take a good look. This is our farewell appearance.

DOOR BANGS SHUT

-Get me a chair.

-Hmmm?

I said, get me a chair!

What do you call that?

What you were doing.

Oh, I don't know. I guess you might call it the Castle Walk.

-Castle Walk?

-Castle - our name.

-I'm Vernon Castle and this is my wife.

-I'm Walter.

I'm Maggie Sutton.

Oh. Maggie Sutton?

Of course.

-Would you like to try out for a dancing job?

-What?

-Where?

-The Cafe de Paris.

The Cafe de Paris! Irene!

-YOU know the manager...?

-My dear, the manager knows me.

-We've got a JOB!

-A try-out. All I could guarantee was your dinner.

-Could you arrange the dinner for tonight?

-And we dance tomorrow?

-Very well.

-Dinner at the Cafe de Paris.

-Dinner any place.

-..Dinner.

Eh...does this person dance too?

-No, but I eat.

-He's our sort of manager.

-He WAS your manager.

-So, you're an agent?

I am an entrepreneuse but I expect my 10%. THUMPS STICK

-THUMPING FROM BELOW

-That's some old crank downstairs.

I beg your pardon?

# Je passerai chez toi la soiree

# Je vais de l'en bas dans un taxi auto

# Je pars en ville longtemps de faire le poireau

# Prepare-toi la premiere danse Surtout le two-step que t'aimes tant

# C'est ca que tu adores Tu peux dire qu'on a de la chance

# D'aller demain soir au bal avec t-oi! #

Everyone is staring at you.

-Oh dear, I hope not?

-You look beautiful, just like a bride.

I should, in my wedding dress. I hope it brings luck.

I am honoured by your presence, Your Highness. You should thank Miss Sutton.

She is my guide to Paris. None better.

They look very respectable for dancers.

Dancers? You must come back tomorrow. Louis has a treat for you.

Tomorrow I am leaving. Why do they not dance tonight? I doubt if they're prepared.

One simply dances! Have them dance.

I think it could be quite amusing.

-A little more caviar, please.

-And plenty of the truffles.

-Such a rush all day I didn't have time for tea.

-The food is so dull at the club.

Can you dance now?

-Now? Tonight?

-I have a Grand Duke over there. If he likes you, you're made.

-But...

-We haven't rehearsed with the orchestra.

-They'll play what you want.

-Our dinner...

-No, no!

-Dance first.

-If he doesn't like us do we still get our dinner?

-If you feel like it.

-We've nothing to lose.

Tell them to play Too Much Mustard.

MUSIC STOPS

GRAND FANFARE

-Oh, Vernon, I've forgotten everything.

-Come on, dance with me.

OPENING CHORDS OF MUSIC

MUSIC: "Too Much Mustard."

I raised them.

Mr and Mrs Castle will dance again in one half hour.

-I'm not a bit hungry now.

-Neither am I!

Magnifique! From now on, you dance here every night, and I pay you.

-A tip from the Grand Duke.

-A tip?

-We can't possibly accept it...

-This is no time for pride! We need it.

Irene, look what they're doing.

I think you've started something tonight, Mr and Mrs Vernon Castle.

Isn't there anything in this country except the Castles?

MUSIC: "Little Brown Jug"

This is getting to be the most...

# Chicago, Chicago, that toddlin' town. #

# Hello, 'Frisco, hello #

# Way down yonder in New Orleans. #

# Take me back to New York Town. #

-When are you going to break the news to Maggie?

-The moment she mentions another tour.

-You'll have trouble with her.

-Is it Maggie's life or ours?

-Ours.

-It's time she found that out.

Very nice! Well, I have some vulgar financial matters to take up with you. Ideas for your next tour.

-There won't be another tour for a while.

-I know you're tired, so I've arranged a week's rest,

before you start out. ..What's this?

-We're going out on the platform. She needs air.

-Another mouth to feed. That makes seven.

-Where did you buy that?

-Baltimore. Here's the bill.

-Hello, Maggie.

-Maggie? Very touching.

-We'll be in New York in an hour.

-Maggie, we want to buy a house in the country.

-Buy it!

-Yes, but we want to live in it.

-Live in it!

-She wants water.

Listen, you'd better make hay while the sun shines.

-Maggie, we're in love. We've made enough money. Now we want to live like married people.

-In a house.

-We're not going to sign any contracts.

-We're going to visit England.

-Vernon's going to show me everything he knew before we met.

-I didn't know anything then!

Do I smell honeysuckle and roses?

And you can't raise children on a dancing tour!

-At your age, with your opportunities...

-Don't try and talk us out of it.

-Don't interrupt me. I was saying...

-It won't make any difference.

I'd want to do exactly what you're going to do.

Where are we?

Extra! Extra! >

Here, boy. Boy!

Germany declares war. England mobilises.

"Thousands volunteer for British Army."

I guess it won't amount to anything. It says here Europe can't afford a war.

-Will you be staying the night here?

-No! I find the quiet very disturbing.

I see they bombed Paris again. Here comes Sailor.

-Hello, Maggie!

-Hello, there.

-Have you told Vernon who's here?

-I will. How are you, Maggie?

-Are you coming back to the outside world?

-There's nothing going on.

There's a war going on.

-Don't let Vernon hear you say that.

-Then it's on his mind?

-Not at all.

-Women are pathetic when they try to fight something bigger than them.

-I'm not trying to fight anything.

-Vernon's my life, and I'm his. Isn't that enough?

-One girl against an army?

-Let's find Vernon.

-Vernon, Maggie's here!

-Hello, Maggie.

-Vernon!

-What's the matter?

Oh, Vernon!

Oh, the uniform. It's for the British benefit. They've asked me to dance.

-If this is your idea of a joke!

-No! Oh, I'm sorry, darling.

I haven't enlisted. Some crazy fellow in the Publicity department sent this down.

So, you went and done it, huh?

-No, Walter...

-You told me if you enlisted, I could join up too.

-This isn't real. It's for the benefit.

-He's not going to wear it.

-No. We'll find something else to wear.

-Looks like a regular soldier!

Here's the afternoon paper.

-I don't dare read the newspapers any more.

-Neither do I.

-Maggie, what am I going to do?

-Nothing. War is man's business.

# It's a long way to Tipperary

# It's a long way to go

# It's a long way to Tipperary

# To the sweetest girl I know... #

There's 2,000 people waiting to see you, Mr Castle.

No, they came to see them not me.

# It's a long, long way to Tipperary

# But my heart lies there. #

Ready, Mr Castle.

Mr Castle?

Go on, darling.

APPLAUSE

-#

-Jeremiah Jones, a ladies' man was he

-#

-Any pretty girl could turn his head

-#

-He had an awful fright While strolling out one night When someone winked, and said...

-#

There you are. Off you go.

# Hello, hello, who's your ladyfriend?

# Who's the little girlie by your side?

# I've seen you with a girl or two

# Oh, oh, oh! I AM surprised at you!

# Hello, stop your little game Don't you think your ways you ought to mend?

# This isn't the girl I saw you with at Brighton

# Who, who, who's your lady Who, who, who's your lady Who, who, who's your ladyfriend? #

# Who, who, who's your ladyfriend? #

-Take another bow?

-No, Frank, let them take the bows.

Fine bunch of men.

Ladies and gentlemen,

< we want to thank all of the performers...

Where's the recruiting officer? A man wants to join up. He's talking to Mr Castle.

MUSIC: "Keep The Home Fires Burning"

-Frank, have you seen Mr Castle?

-He just went downstairs.

Vernon!

Darling, I've enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps.

I had to. Maybe if America was in the war, you'd understand how I feel,

-why I had to.

-I know.

It won't last long. They say one more push and it'll all be over. That's not so bad, is it?

Then I'll come back, we'll settle down, and have the house again and everything. Just as we were.

Yes, darling.

They may kick me out sooner than that. I'll probably make a bad soldier.

You'll make a very good soldier.

GUNFIRE CONTINUES

-You hooked your aileron.

-I know.

-Blimey, how did you get back?

-I had to get back. My furlough starts today.

-You've earned it!

-Telegram!

-Sailor's in Paris.

-What?

Walter, we'll be seeing her tonight. We'll see her tonight!

-Castle.

-Yes, sir.

-You'd better see these plate-holders.

-What's wrong?

Busted the whole lot.

Yes. That bullet had your name on it. You can get them tomorrow.

-I start my leave this afternoon.

-It'll have to be postponed. GHQ want the sector covered.

-Can I go up now?

-Without a convoy?

-I can use Morgan's plane.

-Well...

-Go ahead. Good luck.

-Thanks.

Flight, stand by that plane!

-Why don't you get going?

-Where?

-Paris. Tell Irene I'll meet her tonight at 8 o'clock.

Tell her to save the first dance for me.

Well, don't just sit there. Talk!

There ain't much news where I come from.

-Then, make some up.

-Well... we lost a couple of planes...

..but they lost more.

Guess that ain't very interesting.

-Did you tell Walter about your offer to go to California to make moving pictures?

-Is that so?

-Maggie, why doesn't he come?

-He's all right.

Back home, I used to think, "Oh, if I could only be over there with him." And now I'm here and...

he's not.

GRAND FANFARE

Ladies and gentlemen,

a few years ago I introduced someone who is now MOST famous.

She has come back to dance for us again, Mrs Vernon Castle.

Ladies and gentlemen, I...

I...

Oh, Vernon.

WALTZ MUSIC

TEMPO CHANGES

TEMPO SLOWS

Quarter to five.

It's almost daylight.

Oh, Vernon, how long do you think it will go on?

I don't know. Nobody seems to know.

Is it terribly dangerous in those planes? I mean... worse than in the trenches?

-We said we wouldn't talk about it.

-But it's almost morning, you'll be going back,

and I won't see you for a long time.

I know it's foolish. I'm not the only soldier's wife...

You WILL be careful, won't you?

I'll be careful.

-What's more, I think I'm going to be lucky.

-Lucky?

-Yes.

They say there's one bullet with your name on it. If it misses, you come out all right.

-I think my bullet missed me yesterday.

-Darling...

And from now on, I'm going to be all right. It's a good idea to hang on to.

I'll hang on to it.

You think of everything, don't you?

You even thought of coming here instead of the Ritz, or some place that might not feel like home.

-CHEERING

-What's that?

Oh, Vernon, maybe the war is over!

CHEERS AND CLAMOUR

-What's happened? Qu-est ce que c'est?

-Je ne sais pas, monsieur.

Les Americains! Les Americains!

The Americans have come into the war.

-America!

-Hurray!

-You know what that means.

-The war's practically over.

-Vive America!

Vive la France!

# Allons, enfants de la patrie

# Le jour de gloire est arrive. #

We're ready, Mrs Castle.

All right, Mrs Castle. Now, let's make this bigger than the war.

Camera! Action!

< That's it, Mrs Castle, closer! Closer, Mrs Castle!

Irene, telephone!

Can't you see we're shooting? Irene!

-Vernon's on the telephone. He's in Canada.

-Oh, Vernon!

Cut!

Cut! Cut!

CUT!

Hello? ..HELLO!

Darling, I just landed in Canada.

-But I'm being transferred to Fort Worth, Texas.

-That's practically here.

-I'm to be a flying instructor for the American Army.

-Hello, 'ow are ya?

-Tell her.

-That was Walter. Can you meet me next weekend?

-Oh! I can't wait.

-Me, TOO!

Yes, darling.

-I want a room where we can have dinner in absolute privacy.

-Just leave it to me, Captain.

-This ain't so much.

-Nice set-up? Cosy?

I know the ladies. They like things nice.

-Who do you think is going to be...

-Walter. My friend is a bit straight-laced.

-I know the type.

Well, he's in the army now, eh?

-Can you close off that garden?

-You'll be as snug as a bug in a rug.

-I want to reserve the garden, and the orchestra.

-Oh, atmosphere?

-No, music, you dumb...

-Walter.

Try to be a little more sophisticated like the gentleman.

-You've to report back to the field immediately.

-I've got weekend leave.

Sorry, Captain, but a Brigadier General blew in for inspection.

-They want all pilots in the air this afternoon.

-Thank you. I'll have to leave it all to you.

I know what you want. A hot bird, a cold bottle and a warm shoulder.

-Here's a list of the music I want. Explain to the lady I'll be late.

-What's her name?

-It's his wife.

-Wife?!

-Yes. Do you mind?

-No, but I don't understand it.

All right, Castle.

Only one more hour.

-Hey, young fellow, sit in the back.

-But student pilots...

-I know. I like to ride in front.

-Yes, sir.

-Why won't he ride in the back?

-It's since that crash in Canada when the boy in front got killed.

-Contact.

-Contact.

Here it is. Best suite in the house. You're right across the hall.

-Did Captain Castle say how long he would be?

-No, ma'am, but dinner is at 7.30 in a private room.

Sounds almost wicked. We cater only to a family trade. My card.

If I can be of service to you, call on me.

A wife-beater if ever I saw one.

-Maggie, won't you have dinner with us? We'd love to have you.

-Liar. You get dressed.

Here comes Castle's squadron now. Colonel, look!

Don't let that fool take off!

Flag him down! >

ENGINE CUTS OUT

ORCHESTRA PLAYS

-Walter! Oh, it's wonderful to see you.

-Hello, Sailor.

-Where's Vernon? Oh, so that's it.

Vernon.

We wait months to see each other and now you play games.

Vernon!

Where is he?

-What's happened?

-Sailor...

-Vernon's...

-He's hurt!

Where is he?

I've got to...

NO.

He had his choice of hitting another plane

or crashing his own.

The student with him wasn't hurt much, but Vernon was in the front seat.

He was a hero, Sailor.

Oh, Vernon.

They remember what he did this afternoon. They remember a lot of things he did.

The way he laughed and danced, and how he made other people want to dance.

-Walter, he was just beginning to live.

-He'll go on living for you and me.

Maybe even for a lot of people that never knew him.

There's got to be something of him in everyone who gets up to dance.

-MUSIC: "By The Sea"

-They were singing that the day I met him.

-I'd better tell them to stop.

-No.

He wanted them tonight.

MUSIC: "By The Light Of The Silvery Moon"

That was at the train the first time he kissed me.

Don't, Sailor.

Don't you want to go to your room now?

Go tell Maggie.

MUSIC: "Only When You're In My Arms"