Gracie!

Hee hee, come on, lads and lasses.

The factory's opened again! Hee hee!

# Sing as we go and let the world go by

# Singing a song, we march along the highway

# Say goodbye to sorrow

# There's always tomorrow to think of today

# Sing as we go, although the skies are grey

# Beggar or king, you've got to sing a gay tune

# A song and a smile making life worthwhile

# So sing..

# As we go along. #

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Oh, please, no. Not on a Sunday.

Hello there!

-Hello.

-Excuse me...

Oi!

SHE WHISTLES

Herbert! What can I do for you?

Nothing. Thank you. I am looking for Gracie Fields.

Hey! Here! Me. I'm Gracie Fields.

Yes! You're Gracie Fields!

You really had me fooled there for a moment.

I'm Monty Banks.

Montagu Banks. Motion Picture Director. Hollywood.

The best.

Surely you've been told about me?

I don't like doing motion pictures, I'm afraid, Mr Banks.

I can't stand the sitting around.

But you've never made a picture with Monty Banks.

I know, what a shame.

Goodbye, Mr Banks.

-The Compulsory Husband?

-No.

Almost A Honeymoon?

-Falling In Love?

-No, I've never seen any of them.

I don't have much time to go to the pictures.

-And you don't like the sitting around.

-Exactly.

-Well, there's no sitting around with Monty Banks.

-I can see that.

Miss Fields, I've seen all your movies...

Don't worry. I'm not so keen on them either.

And I can tell you're having no fun, the camera cannot lie.

With Monty Banks, it is always fun, fun, fun!

The films pay for my bills, that's...

Oooph!

Mr Banks!

Are you all ri...

Did you know I was one of the Keystone Cops, Miss Fields?

Why, you...

I've worked with Fatty Arbuckle, Mack Sennett, Harold Lloyd,

and now I want to work with you.

I can make Gracie Fields an even bigger star than she is already.

Well, I suppose you'd better come in for a cup of tea.

'The most popular distinction in the New Year's Honours list is, of course, for our Gracie.

'Here she is on her way to Buckingham Palace to collect her CBE

'for services to entertainment.

'The crowd brace the cold outside to catch a glimpse of her.'

Shall we show the lads, mother?

Ooh, it's beautiful. Yes.

Here y'are, lads.

'Her latest picture, Queen of Hearts,

'show just how deserved the honour is.

'Thousands of eager fans turned up for the opening of what is

'sure to be another box office hit.

'Our gal from Rochdale is unstoppable.

'Working harder than ever to keep the nation smiling.

'Here she is on set with Monty Banks,

'the Hollywood director who shot her fame transatlantic.

'From CBE to highest paid actress in the world,

'is there no end to what our Gracie can do?'

< Gracie.

It's me again. Monty.

The surgeon says you are a fighter, so...

Keep fighting.

I worked you too hard on that bloody film, and all the time you were ill.

Gracie, there's something I've been wanting to tell you.

Gracie, I...

DOOR OPENS

Still nowt?

Come on, Grace.

The whole country's praying for you.

Look!

Are you all right, love?

Shh. She's trying to speak.

Don't try to talk, love.

No love, leave that to your mother!

You're going to be fine, Grace.

You're going to live.

# I love the moon

# I love the sun

# I love the forest

# The flowers, the fun

# I love the wild birds

# The dawn and the dew

# But best of all

# I love you

# I love you. #

And now, I want to thank you all again a thousand times

for the great love and affection you have shown for me.

And thank you, Mr BBC. Good night.

And God bless you all.

PIANO NOTES JAR

Ow! My bloody fingers!

Monty, you daft pie-can, put the lights back on!

I didn't do anything. It's a power cut.

Everyone must have put their kettles on for a nice cup of tea.

Always mayhem, wherever you go.

Have you dropped something?

What are you looking for?

I... nothing.

Was I all right?

You were wonderful.

"Dear Councillor Roberts,

"I was very, very happy to receive your letter of good wishes,

"and do thank you so very much for your kind offer

"to send me some kippers."

Buckingham Palace, look. I recognise the envelope.

It's the same as the CBE.

"Unfortunately, I shall be going to Italy to convalesce later today,

"and I'm not sure that kippers will survive the passage to the Isle Of Capri."

I do hope you know what you're doing, flitting off to a foreign country.

Shush, Mama!

"I hope to return to these shores fit and well in the near future.

"By which time I'm sure I shall be desperate for a kipper,

"since I won't have had one since the last one you sent...

"and by gum, they were extra..."

Well?

What did you think? Is that one for you?

I've told you, Harry, I'm not looking for new songs.

I'm giving this old voice a rest.

That lovely surgeon told me to take two years off.

Two years! What does a surgeon know about show business?

I've never known you to take more than two days off.

How on earth are you going to amuse yourself for two whole years?

This is a new start, Harry.

A new life now.

I've worked these old bones into the ground.

But the good Lord has seen fit to give me another chance, so...

Monty's here.

You're not going to let him see you looking like that, are you?

You look like death warmed up.

That's exactly what I am, in't it?

Oh, you can be very coarse, Grace.

Yeah, well.

Just don't count on me having any songs left for you when you return.

Goodbye, Harry!

Good morning!

Not more post!

No. I met Santa Claus on the stairs.

Hey! No lifting! No carrying.

This goes straight to Mary. She can deal with it while you are away.

Is this you?

That's better. I see it now.

-Where's your wave set?

-I don't know.

You probably packed it.

Oi! Get off my fan mail!

"Dear Miss Fields, blah blah blah,

"if you could send me five pounds, I would be able to pay my milk bill."

Always asking for something! This can wait. Stop now.

The taxi will be here any minute.

Monty. Come with me.

To Capri, with you?

Oh, come on, it'd be a hoot.

-A hoot?

-Yes!

I don't know if I can play the fool 24 hours a day

if you just want to have a hoot.

And you speak the language. We can't speak the language, none of us.

Us?

Yes, Well, I'm taking Mary to deal with all this post,

and Mum and Dad are coming on a later boat and...

Well, I don't know.

'I am speaking to you

'from the Cabinet Room at 10 Downing Street.'

Passport! I will need my passport!

'This morning, the German ambassador in Berlin

'handed the German government a final note,

'stating that unless we heard from them by 11 o'clock

'that they were prepared at once to withdraw their troops from Poland,

'a state of war would exist between us.

'I have to tell you now

'that no such undertaking has been received,

'and that consequently, this country is at war with Germany.'

I telephoned the shipping company.

We can get a later boat.

Basil bloody Dean.

-You can't stand him anyway.

-Shh!

It's true.

It's useful if a comedy director actually knows something about making people laugh.

And if he likes to laugh himself.

The only thing that makes Basil laugh is his pay check, all the way to the bank.

-Hello, Gracie.

-Hello, Basil.

Hello, Basil.

Monty. Come in, Gracie.

Miriam will get you a cup of tea, Monty. Out here.

Can I get you anything, Mr Banks?

Tell me, Miriam,

do you play cards?

I've spoken to Olivier, Richardson, and now Gielgud.

They'll all be bringing Shakespeare to the troops to help boost morale.

Oh. Right.

I think our boys will take great solace

from the words of our island's greatest poet.

"Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more."

Yes, well, Basil, I don't know much about breaches, so why have you brought me here?

Your audience loves you because they think you're one of them.

-I am one of them.

-You can turn any theatre into their front room, they feel at home with you.

You put a smile on their faces.

So instead of a bit of "To be or not to be",

I can give them a bit of "Fiddly diddly dee".

Precisely.

Basil, will you please pay your secretary early this week.

What? Why?

Because she's losing at cards and I want my money.

Will you leave us, please.

I'm sorry, Miriam, it will have to be strip poker.

Look at these films we did together, and they made people laugh too.

I've been considering setting up impromptu picture houses in northern France.

They don't want films, they want the real thing!

Now, I know you've been unwell.

Did you get my flowers by the way?

Telegram.

Telegram? Right...

Well, the plan is to start with a series of concerts in northern France.

Keep our boys' spirits up, get them singing and laughing.

-But it'll be a tough three or four shows a day.

-I can do it, Basil.

Now more than ever. I have to.

Gracie, be serious.

Six weeks ago, you were on your deathbed.

They say work is the best tonic.

Schweppes is the best tonic.

The best tonic, drunk with gin on the terrace of a hotel in Capri.

Capri will have to wait, Monty.

I'm going to sing to our lads in France.

And no-one can stop me.

'A great welcome for Gracie Fields,

'when she entertains our lads in France.'

# Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye

# Cheerio, here I go, on my way... #

Come on, lads, you know the words!

# Not a tear, but a cheer, make it gay

# Give me a smile, I can keep all the while

# In my heart while I'm away

# Till we meet once again you and I

# Wish me luck

# As you wave me goodbye. #

Cheerio everybody. God bless.

I'll do my best for ya.

Reporting for duty!

I can't wear this shirt. Look at me, I look like Chaplin.

We've all got to wear uniform.

What would happen if we got captured, eh?

-They'd have you for a spy.

-A spy?

Not a very good spy, but a spy all the same.

I will write to my tailor, see if he can make me some of these shirts in linen.

Hey, you insisted in coming along. Nobody forced you.

Why did you come in the first place?

Because I am a motion picture director and you are my star.

And we have another picture to make together when this is over,

and I would like to make sure you live long enough to do it.

-Well, then, stop your mithering.

-My what?

You heard.

It's stuck!

Come on! We're going to be late!

-What's so funny?

-You're a daft beggar, Monty.

I bet you were a naughty child, weren't you?

That's all you are really, isn't it?

A big naughty kid with a pencil moustache.

No. That is not all I am.

It's a shame you never had children.

You would make a wonderful mother.

Well, it's not going to happen now, is it?

So best not to think about it.

41-year-old with all your insides out.

41 years old with the rest of your life ahead of you.

HORN SOUNDS

Eh up. Cavalry's arrived.

It's our lads. They'll get us out.

Oh. Must have gone for reinforcements.

I think maybe you have been recognised.

All right, lads!

No. They'll get in.

It's you, isn't it?

-It is.

-It is, love.

-It's her. It's Gracie Fields!

Sing us a song, Gracie!

They said you were coming, this lot didn't believe it. But I believed it.

-Oh, sing us a song, Gracie.

-Don't be ridiculous.

The cold air will ruin your voice.

If you don't look after the voice, it will leave you. Forever.

You're right.

Maybe just one.

Miss Fields! Will you sing one for me?

Remind me of my sweetheart.

-I don't half miss her, Miss Fields. Please.

-Of course I will, lad.

-What's her name?

-It's Sally.

-I thought it might be.

-Would you sing "Sally" for me?

You're weak. You sing in the cold, your voice will go before the concert.

Laryngitis. Bronchitis.

Pneumonia. Double pneumonia.

How long will you last?

Look at him, Monty. Look at the little lad.

How long's he going to last, eh?

Never mind me. How long is he going to last?

It's why I'm here.

Come on, then, lads!

You'll have to help me out. Get round the bumper.

# The skies were blue when I met you, Sally

# You were my gal, my little pal so true

# You came along, made life a song, Sally

# If I lost you

# I wonder what I'd do

# Sally, Sally, don't ever wander

# Away from the alley and me

# Sally, Sally, marry me, Sally

# And happy forever I'll be

# When skies are blue

# You're beguiling

# And when they're grey

# You're still smiling

# Smiling, Sally, Sally

# Pride of our alley

# You're more than

# The whole world to me. #

You should wait till I've finished.

You shouldn't start mucking about now!

# Walter and me, we've been courtin' for years

# But he's never asked me to wed

# When Leap Year comes round, I give three hearty cheers

# Hip hip hooray, hip hip hooray, hip hip hooray

# Because I do the askin' instead

# I don't want to die an old maid

# So I sing him this serenade

# Walter, Walter

# Lead me to the altar

# I don't cost much to keep in food

# Walter, come on

# Walter, lead me to the altar

# And I'll show you where I'm tattooed. #

Ee, you dirty lot.

It's not where you think.

Goodbye, lads! See you soon.

You don't need to worry about a hardy lass from the north.

Yes, I do.

SHE COUGHS

Hey. Come on. They say this war will be over by Christmas.

We have to do this, Monty.

-We?

-You and me.

We've got to stick at what we can do.

This is what we are.

This is what we're good at.

I'm going to have to go back on.

All right.

There's other people waiting to come on, you know, it's not just me!

All right then, what we going to have? Come on.

CAROL SINGING IN BACKGROUND

Night, lads.

You're incorrigible. Don't encourage them.

I think I'll keep this on for the moment.

-Is it me or is it right cold in here?

-It's you.

Eh, one of the lads gave me this.

Merry Christmas, Monty. Come on.

-You are too weak even to pull a cracker.

-Oh, shuddup!

Sorry to disturb you, Miss Fields.

The lads in the bar sent me, they're wondering if you'd join them.

It being Christmas and all.

She's eating her dinner. Eat your dinner.

Get her some dinner to eat.

After we've eaten, love, then I'll come over.

Thank you, Miss Fields!

I'm not expecting a call, am I?

No. It's for me. Stanley Laurel?

What does he want on Christmas Eve?

Hello, Stan. Hi. How are you?

I don't know what I'm doing in France.

Well, while you're on the telephone.

No, Grace.

No, no, I'm listening.

CHEERING

-Shall we do a funny one first?

-Yeah!

Right, Chopin, never cried so much in all me life.

# Ooooooh...

I like it, yes, it could be very funny.

Yes, I am listening.

Yes.

Let me call you. Yes, and ah, how is your large friend?

# Red sails in the sunset

# Way out on the sea... #

Thank you very much, lads.

I'm going to have to rest this old throat, you know!

# I'm sending a letter to Santa Claus

# A letter I hope he'll receive

# He'll get a lot of letters for playthings

# From other girls and boys

# But I want my soldier daddy

# He's better than all the toys

# And so I'm sending my letter to Santa Claus

# To bring Daddy safely home to me. #

There you are.

What happened to you?

I lost my appetite.

What are you doing?

We're not leaving here till the day after tomorrow.

I'm going back to America.

America. What for?

They've asked me to direct a picture. Laurel and Hardy.

But there's a war on!

Oh, OK. Is that why there are soldiers everywhere? Of course!

And everywhere there's a soldier there's another song

and another picture and another ruined dinner!

Well, I'm telling you, there is no war in Hollywood.

-You can't go Monty.

-Why not?

Because you keep me going.

I can't do this without you, you make me laugh.

It's more than that. You and me, we're...you know.

What? You and me what?

Go on, say it.

Please say it. Because it is killing me to be here, in love with you!

Miss Fields!

All right, lads!

They've shut the bar, Miss Fields!

Ten to twelve on Christmas Eve and they've shut the bar.

Then go to bed!

We wanted to see Christmas Day in with a song.

If they've shut the bar, then you can all come back to my room!

Come on!

All right then, what are we going to have?

# And so I'm sending my letter to Santa Claus

# To bring Daddy safely home to me. #

MUFFLED CHEERING

KNOCK ON DOOR

Merry Christmas.

Did they bring your case down yet?

The convoy leaves at nine if you want to get out of here.

You're right, you know. You're better off in Hollywood.

This isn't your war.

Anyway, it'll all be over soon and I'll be straight on that boat to Capri.

The first time I went to Capri,

as a young man, there was a boy out swimming.

The boy started struggling. He got pulled down by the current.

So his father dived in to save him.

But it was no good. They both got pulled down together.

Imagine that, Grace.

To try to save someone only to get dragged down with them.

That's tragic.

It could have been.

But the boy, he suddenly reappeared.

The sea spat him up and he swam safely to shore.

And the father?

The father, he vanished.

Then he appeared, fifty yards down the beach.

And he walks up to his son and

gives him the biggest bloody hiding you ever seen.

Don't let me drown, Monty.

Please don't let me drown.

Convoy to Calais leaving now!

Last chance for Calais, Mr Banks.

-Gracie, Miss Fields.

-Hello, lads.

I've got a Brownie Miss Fields, could we have a picture?

Of course, come on.

They'd never believe us back home.

You're keeping us going, Miss Fields.

EXPLOSION

-You shouldn't be here, Miss Fields.

-Why's that, then?

Because you're a blinking film star.

Film stars don't deserve to be in the cold and mud having bombs dropped on 'em.

I can think of plenty who do.

LOUDER EXPLOSION

Come on lads, let's show 'em.

# Me brother's joined the army and he's gone across to France

# With the biggest aspidistra in the world

# The Colonel says that's topping

# Let's start the big advance

# With the biggest aspidistra in the world

# Then Goebbels saw it from afar

# And said to his old Frau

# Young Joe has got his blood up

# So the war's all over now

# Cos they're going to string old Hitler

# From the very highest bough

# Of the biggest aspidistra in the world! #

This one's from Mama.

Her eyesight's getting even worse.

I should send them to live in California, shouldn't I?

That house of mine is sitting there empty.

Yes. With its swimming pool, and its sunny veranda.

Eh, listen to this. She says,

"Grace, these eyes of mine are going fast, I want to see you wed."

Oh. Really.

Halt. Stop the vehicle.

For God's sake, what now?

Good afternoon, Miss Fields.

I'm sorry to bother you.

I'm afraid there's been a change of plan. You're going to have to turn back.

-What for?

-It's too late for a bloody encore.

Mr Basil Dean is recalling all ENSA artists back to Britain.

-He's what?

-He's what?

Too dangerous!

What does Basil Dean know, sitting in his blinking office back home.

Goebbels is after you, for heaven's sake. It's there in black and white.

In German. I don't understand German, neither do you.

I understand what the officer told you.

Gracie Fields has earned for England enough to buy 100 new Spitfires.

She is a war industry and she'll be treated accordingly.

-Do I look like a war industry to you?

-Yes.

What about the concerts they're cancelling? What about our lads?

We can't let them down.

-Whatever happened to "The Show Must Go On"?

-They'll have to wait.

Well, we can always tour the factories at home, can't we?

-No, we shall be otherwise engaged.

-What are you mumbling about?

Will you, Grace Stansfield, marry me, Mario Bianchi?

Ee, you daft pie-can! What took you so long?

You sure you're doing the right thing?

Monty showed me. Hold the cork still and twist the bottle!

CORK POPS

You know what I'm talking about. All a bit sudden, wasn't it?

Eee, you're a misery Harry.

Another career move, is it? Hollywood director.

I wouldn't give a damn if he was a funeral director.

There's security in that.

Hey, that's enough.

There's a war on. Cheers.

Cheers. Eh, I hear you've joined up.

-Irish Guards.

-Why not the Welsh ones?

Irish Guards have got a better piano.

Mrs Stansfield,

you know she's doing Drury Lane again.

With Maurice Chevalier.

You like him, don't you, Mrs Stansfield?

I wish he'd sing in English.

No offence, Monty.

No offence taken.

Soon you will be able to call me son.

Well. At least I'll see you wed before you ship me off to America.

You know it's for your own benefit.

The doctor said the climate will do your eyes no end of good.

First thing I'm going to do is get myself a new Stetson.

-You are not!

-I bloody am.

Did you know, Monty, that's how we started courting, Jenny and I.

She saw me walking through Rochdale wearing a cowboy hat I bought

when I was on the cargo ships to California, and she thought I must be a film star.

Santa Monica, Jenny, is the playground of the stars.

Sunshine. That big house with its lovely swimming pool...

I'm not going in no swimming pool.

You used to swim in the canal, woman!

Stick a couple of dead cats and an old bike in that pool and she'll be in it like a shot.

You've had enough.

I'd had enough about forty years ago.

They all end up like their mothers, Monty.

Hard luck, mate.

We don't do that in Rochdale.

Come on, Fred, we're going.

Is this what you're looking for, Dad?

Oh, There it is. Don't tell your mother.

Am I doing the right thing, Dad?

You love him, don't you?

Of course.

He's a right gent and that, Grace.

You know he asked my permission and everything?

I said, "You're mistaking me for the man in charge here, Monty,

"you better ask Jenny."

Eh, you're not marrying him just because your ma told you to?

Of course not. I learned my lesson.

Do you remember that game you all used to play when you were a nipper back in Rochdale?

You used to grab the back of the tram and run hell for leather.

It's a wonder we weren't all killed!

Run and run and run, faster and faster, and wait till the last possible moment before you let go.

You know, it seems to me that you never stopped running ever since.

Fred. You and me, we're going now.

I've just opened another bottle of champagne, love.

Now, I said. Leave them to it.

I'll see you tomorrow, love.

Come on, love, let's go.

Come on.

Mrs Bianchi!

Just five minutes for the egg, please!

-Who are you?

-I'm Mrs Bianchi.

I like it. Mrs Bianchi.

-Grace Bianchi.

-But where is old Mrs Bianchi?

Oh, her.

-Hold on.

-I miss her.

That's better.

-Prima Colazione.

-Ah!

Where is my newspaper, Old Mrs Bianchi?

SHE MUMBLES AND WHINES

La la la la la la la!

That's what I call service.

Good God. Did you see this?

This is the hotel we stayed in at Arras. Bombed. Seven people dead.

What are the Germans doing, bombing hotels? Innocent people.

Obviously they thought you were still there.

Maybe someone really is looking after you.

For the moment, you are safe here.

They can't stop us, Monty.

Goebbels, Hitler,

none of them.

TELEPHONE RINGS

Hello?

It is.

Well, thank you very much.

Oh, I see.

Right.

Right.

Well, thank you for warning us.

I will, yes.

Goodbye.

What's wrong? Who was that?

That was Lord Castlerosse on the phone, Monty.

Ah...

He's had a tip-off.

Italy look set to enter the war.

Any day now.

Mussolini with Hitler.

Well...

I will be the enemy then.

Don't worry.

I'm Italian. I surrender.

This is no time for jokes, Monty.

If you stay in England, you'll be interned.

What did I do?

You're Italian.

That's a crime now?

It will be, yes.

You'll have to leave.

I'm not leaving you.

If I leave you to look after yourself you'll work yourself to death.

What use would you be stuck in prison, eh?

We could both go. Come with me to America.

I can't.

How would it look if I abandoned my country now?

Why didn't you become an American citizen all those years ago?

I didn't get round to it!

None of us did!

What a mess.

I think there's someone I can talk to.

Someone who can sort this out.

Who? Who can you talk to?

So how is the new boss?

He's very kind, to see my wife at such short notice.

Well... she is a Commander Of The British Empire,

which obviously counts for something in matters like this.

GRACIE WHISTLES

Eh up...

-we're going to Canada.

-Canada?

I'll do a nationwide tour, and you'll be safe.

So we'll stay together? You on stage, me playing poker in the wings.

Churchill's sending me there to raise money for the war effort, not lose it on cards!

I never lose. When the Doctor gave you a 50/50 chance to live, I went to Ladbrokes...

they give me 2/1. You made me very rich.

-You're a fool.

-You're wonderful.

NEWSREADER: Gracie Fields crosses the Atlantic to Canada.

A brave undertaking in these dark and troubled times.

Oh, the welcoming committee's arrived.

Welcome to Canada, Miss Fields.

I'm honoured to be here.

-You are...Mario Bianchi?

-I am.

I must ask you to accompany me please, sir.

Accompany you? OK. Where's the piano?

-I'm arresting you, Mr Bianchi, on behalf of...

-Hold on.

This is my husband! Arrest him?

Why, what's he done?

Mussolini has formally declared war on Britain.

And Mr Bianchi is therefore an enemy alien.

Not here in Canada he's not!

We are an allied nation at war, Miss Fields.

Italian nationals are to be interned.

So I'm afraid you will have to come with me, Mr Bianchi.

-I'm coming too.

-No, Gracie.

-That won't be necessary, Miss Fields.

Oh yes, it will! I've come here to do concerts at the behest of Winston Churchill,

Prime Minister of England, and he made no mention of performing in prison.

-Miss Fields.

-If you arrest my husband, you arrest me.

Or you go and get your superior to sort this out.

I'm very sorry about all of this, Miss Fields.

There was never any question of Mr Bianchi being arrested.

A misunderstanding.

Thank you. So can we get on now?

As per instructions, we are to guarantee your husband safe passage to California.

But he's to accompany me on my tour!

Once he has his American passport you will be free to travel together once more.

-That is unacceptable! My wife has been very sick, she can't do it alone.

-That's right.

-So the tour is cancelled! My wife is coming with me!

-No. Hold on Monty. I'm...

You should consider yourself fortunate, Mr Bianchi,

that special arrangements have been made for you.

I'll let you say your farewells.

He's assuming you're staying.

I can't cancel all these shows, can I?

You have to! You are coming with me to America...

where everyone is welcome!

I can't pull out of the tour. They need that money back at home.

It's why I'm here!

I thought we came to Canada so we could be together.

-We did but...

-But all you can think of is them, them, them!

You're not married to them, you're married to me!

Come with me.

Mrs Bianchi.

I can't let my country down.

I can't forget all the love they've shown me.

That isn't love!

If that isn't love, then I don't know what is!

No. Maybe you don't.

Goodbye, Gracie.

Thanks, Guy.

# Now is the hour

# For me to say goodbye

# Soon

# I'll be sailing

# Far across the sea

# While I'm away

# Oh, please remember me

# When I return

# I'll find you waiting here. #

Stupid bloody man!

Harry! Where did you come from?

That musical director, bloody rude, he is!

He ridiculed my accent the whole time!

Our musical director? Harry, he's Welsh.

He's as Welsh as you are.

What part of Wales is he from?

Welsh Wales, just like you!

Well, there are some parts of Wales that you might consider to be Welsh

that I, as a Welshman, wouldn't.

Not necessarily.

Come here, you daft ha'porth.

Oh, I'm sorry, Grace.

I'm a little bit uptight, you know. It's the piles again, see.

Never mind your piles, whatever happened to the Irish Guards?

Well I've been transferred, ain't I, thanks to you.

Word got through that your new accompanist wasn't up to much, so here I am.

And that piano they had in the Guards was probably the best I've ever played

so I hope you're happy with yourself.

No Monty?

No.

No Monty.

I'll be doing 34 concerts here in Canada,

and if they go well, I'll be straight back for some more.

-All the proceeds will go to the Navy League?

-Every single penny.

I'll be stony broke by the end, I can tell you.

I can tell you we are most pleased to have you here.

And by gum, I'm pleased to be here, love.

Do you think Canadians will have a problem understanding your Cockney accent?

-Hee hee!

-Left the bloody hotel without me, didn't you!

-We couldn't wake you.

-If I could...

-Harry, my accompanist.

-Harry.

-Miss Fields says you have been her accompanist ten years.

-That's a lie.

I've been working for her for nine years and eleven months.

-LAUGHTER

-What are you laughing about? It's true!

Your husband won't be joining you?

No, I'll be meeting him in California when I'm finished here.

What do you think of Vera Lynn?

She's a bonny lass.

They've started calling her The Forces' Sweetheart back in England.

Well, yes. She's a lovely young thing. One last question.

Mr Churchill recently announced the Battle of Britain has just begun in the skies over England.

Do you have a message for everyone so many miles away back at home?

Yes, tell them I'm working as hard as I can to raise the money that will help keep them safe

and I'll be back as soon as humanly possible.

Miss Fields, some of the English papers have suggested...

-Bye!

-..patriotic for you to be here doing concerts when people are dying back in England.

-Bye!

Miss Fields...

-Will that be all for today, ma'am?

-Yes, thank you, Guy.

He reminds me of that fellow that used to work for you.

Years ago. Big fellow.

I don't remember.

Well, no, because you couldn't move for young men in those days.

Aye, and all of them after one thing.

-Really?

-Yes.

"Miss Fields. I've got a song for you..."

"Miss Fields, please, sing my song!"

I had to hire that big fella to guard the stage door...

Like an ape, he was.

Like a gorilla. Massive.

He only let you in because he thought you were a messenger boy.

No, no, no. Because, even he could see my genius.

17 years old, scrawny and with your thick spectacles.

And a song that you bought on the spot.

Ay, that's true. I sang it that very night.

# I hate you for the agony and pain that I've been through

# For the sorrow and the rain

# That's just what I mean when I say

# I hate you

# I despise every little thing that you do

# You'll find out what I say is only too true

# Nobody knows how much I...

# Hate you. #

How could you write that? When you were only 17?

Well, I told you. Genius.

But how did you know about life?

From listening to songs, I suppose.

Same as me then.

Just listening to songs and singing them back.

Over and over.

You never had your heart broken?

No. Of course not.

I was only 17, wasn't I?

We've sung about the lot of it, haven't we, Harry?

Things that have never happened.

Places we've never even been.

I must have sung "I love you" 100,000 times, or more.

It's what people want to hear.

Yes, it is. You're right.

It's what people want to hear.

So it's what we do.

Singing and making noises.

Have you ever been in love, Harry?

I think it's, um, I think it's time you went to bed.

Yes. I suppose it is.

-They're not so clever in Esher, Surrey are they, Guy?

-No ma'am?

"How sad and disappointed I am that you, Gracie Fields,

"should run off with your wog husband in our hour of need.

"He is a well-known fascist and I believe he was once a member of Al Capone's gang."

He's not a wog, you silly fool.

He's a wop.

Some people.

They seem to know that in Cheam, and Bognor and Stroud and Penzance...

Why don't they know it in Esher?

They're going to throw rotten eggs at me in Reading,

and in Hitchin they're going to hang me from the highest...

Is that how you spell bough?

No.

And no Y in Diego either.

Three days now.

Three days since I've had a satisfactory movement.

Good morning, Harry.

I got half way through the stock and shares before I finally gave up.

Oh, no, I wouldn't look at that if I were you.

What you talking about? Give it here!

Stuff and nonsense. All of it.

What the heck...

There. I told you not to read it.

"Miss Gracie Fields has fled England with her Italian husband

"and an estimated £100,000 in cash and a further fortune in jewellery?"

How ridiculous can you get? How can they print such rubbish?

There's a war on, for heaven's sake!

What you looking at me like that for?

Well? Did you?

Of course I bloody didn't! It's a damned lie!

-Is it?

-Of course it is!

-Well, I thought it was.

It's a load of rubbish, and you know it!

Why have you run away from England?

-I've not. I'm here to perform.

-Is that your husband?

-No, he's not!

-Has he gone back to Italy?

-Where's your jewellery?

I'm wearing it, it's all here! On this finger! That's all I've got.

How much have you really smuggled out?

I haven't smuggled anything out!

Questions were asked in Parliament. They say you smuggled £10,000!

Why isn't your husband imprisoned?

He's done nothing wrong! And neither have I.

If I've done anything wrong I'll put it right when I'm finished.

But I'm here on a tour, and I'm getting on with it.

People need a smile putting back on their faces.

I don't know if any of your lot have noticed but there's a war on.

-Miss Fields?

-One more question...

-Miss Fields?

I'll speak to them. I've nothing to hide.

Did you know your husband was a fascist?

-He's no more of a fascist than me!

-Are you a fascist?

No! I mean more of a fascist than me or the King of...

-The King Of England?

-Old King Cole, I don't know!

-Al Capone.

No, I said "Old King Cole".

He was a member of Al Capone's gang, were you aware of that?

Al Capone! My husband was a Keystone Kop!

SHOUTS CONTINUE

I don't suppose you've ever been booed off before, have you?

No I haven't, and I don't intend to start now.

Think of the number of times you've stopped the applause with that "errand boy" whistle of yours.

Every blinking time.

We've all told you. Archie, Bert, everyone.

Let the applause ride.

Because one day,

you know...

the applause might dry up of its own accord.

Thanks, Harry. I knew I could rely on you.

Ladies and Gentlemen, next up on tonight's bill,

all the way from England...

Britain, damn you.

Gracie Fields!

APPLAUSE

Hello, everybody!

Ee, what's the matter? Has someone died?

Not yet!

I was going to sing He's Dead But He Won't Lie Down,

but I'd hate to cause offence.

Can you sing Far Far Away?

I'm sorry, love. I'm a bit deaf. What was that?

There'll always be an England!

There will always be an England.

Let's hope so, love. That's why I'm here.

Sing it! Sing There'll Always Be An England!

# There'll always be an England

# While there's a country lane

# Wherever there's a cottage small... #

-Get off!

-# Beside a field of grain

# There'll always be an England

# While there's a busy street

# Wherever there's a turning wheel

# A million marching feet

# Red, white and blue

-# What does it mean to you? #

-Fascist!

# Surely you're proud Shout it aloud

# Britons, awake!

# The empire too

# We can depend on you

# Freedom remains, these are the chains, nothing can break

# There'll always be an England

# And England shall be free

# If England means as much to you

-# As England means to... #

-Traitor! Traitor! Traitor! Traitor!

-# Me. #

-Traitor! Traitor! Traitor! Traitor!

Thank you. God bless.

CHANTING CONTINUES

OK! So you put this in your newspaper, are you listening?

I am not a British Citizen, and it is my own money.

My wife and I followed the usual procedure,

by making regular application for permission to take our money with us.

"It is just because I am Italian that they are trying to make things disagreeable for Miss Fields.

"I wish they would cease.

"She has been giving generously of her time and talents.

"If they bother us any more I am going to telephone to her

"to come home and live like a normal person."

PHONE RINGS

-Hello?

-Why the hell have you stuck your oar in?

-Gracie?

-You've made it a hundred times worse!

-Gracie. Calm down.

-'All you've done is stir it up!'

They would've let it go!

Believe it or not I won't stand by and see you humiliated by these idiots.

It's my business! Don't interfere!

I am your husband! I cannot ignore my wife being called a traitor!

That is what they are calling you!

Only because I married you!

If that's how you feel maybe you should have thought twice about marrying a wop in the first place!

-Why did you marry me?

-My mother told me to!

-Maybe you should do what I tell you!

-Maybe I don't want anyone telling me what to do!

No! You're right. Maybe you don't. You don't need me! You don't need anyone! You're on your own!

And now, ladies and gentlemen,

I have with me Miss Gracie Fields, all the way from England.

Gracie, welcome to Iowa.

Gracious, is that where we are?

It most certainly is.

You've been on tour for quite some time, how has it been?

It's been fantastic, Joe, the people have been wonderful, and the audiences are terrific.

I'm very pleased to hear that...

You're probably better off here in Iowa,

because I believe the newspapers in Britain are calling you a traitor.

Actions speak louder than words I was always taught, Joe, which is why I'm here.

To raise awareness in the good old U S of A, because we need your help. We're counting on it.

What reception do you expect when you return?

Well, I'm not going home yet, I've got plenty more work to do here.

We've got concerts all over the place, here there and everywhere.

You must be a little scared to go back to Britain?

I don't think so.

I miss all those wonderful people back at home,

I miss their love and devotion, and I'll get back to them as soon as I can.

Scared, why would I be scared?

I was thinking of the bombing of your country, Miss Fields. I'd be scared. I'd be happier to be here.

You're going to sing for us, am I right?

That's right, Joe. I'm going to sing Looking On The Bright Side.

Ladies and Gentleman, Miss Gracie Fields with Looking On The Bright Side.

And we're off the air.

Gracie, thank you very much.

May I say, that is quite an accent you have.

Thank you. And may I say, so do you.

-I was expecting something a little more mid-Atlantic.

-Mid-Atlantic.

In the middle of the ocean.

Drowning.

# I'm looking on the bright side

# Though I'm walking in the shade

# Sticking out my chest

# Hoping for the best

# Looking on the bright side of life

# I'm waiting for the right tide

# And if luck comes to my aid

# Giving me a break

# I shall be awake

# Looking on the bright side of life

# Today I'm in the shadow

# Tomorrow maybe... # Stop a minute will you, Guy?

# The clouds will lift And let the sun shift over to me. #

-Are you Gracie Fields?

-Yes, love. I am.

# I'm looking on the bright side Though today's all care and strife

#I can wear a grin Sticking out my chin

# Looking on the bright side of life. #

PHONE RINGS

Sir, telephone call for you.

I don't want to speak to anyone. No-one at all.

He's not?

Thank you, bye-bye.

Ma'am.

Oh, I think I...

Goodnight.

Is that tea or coffee?

I don't know.

I think it's today's tea that smells of yesterday's coffee.

Or maybe vice versa.

I can't live like this much longer.

No. Neither can I.

A proper cup of coffee.

My own bed.

Or maybe even someone else's.

Is there something you're trying to tell me, Harry?

You're not courting at last, are you?

No. I'm not.

I'm still only writing songs about it.

The thought of that made me unhappy this morning.

I just...don't want to let life pass me by.

What was that film called that you did?

Which one?

I don't know. That's what I'm asking you.

What happened in it?

I can't remember.

I think you saved the day.

I always saved the day.

Maybe there was a dog in it.

Keep Smiling.

What happened in that one?

I milked a cow. I got chased by dogs. I nearly drowned.

I did a tour with tramps.

Then I saved the day.

No, no, no, no. It wasn't that one.

HE STOPS PLAYING

You did the Apache Dance.

Queen Of Hearts.

Queen Of Hearts.

RESUMES PLAYING

# Da da da da da, da da da da Da da da da, da da da da, da da... #

That's the first film Monty directed me in.

Silly beggar, he put a pile of newspapers under my seat on the first morning.

Then he set fire to them. I should have known.

Yes. Queen Of Hearts.

I liked that one.

You got the fella at the end for once, didn't you?

You'll have me,

I'll always cling to you,

You'll have me,

I'll always sing to you.

Life gave us our awful blow.

But my, dear we'll live to show the world what love can do.

Gracie!

Monty.

She's going to be in my new picture.

It's called Honeymoon Merry-Go-Round.

It's about a pair of newlyweds

who try to have a nice, romantic honeymoon but end up having a big fight instead.

Oh, dear.

Don't worry. It's a comedy.

It doesn't sound so funny.

Oh, it's funny.

I wrote it myself.

What happens in the end?

I don't know yet.

Did you get my card?

I sent you a card.

Our Gracie.

I should have known you would never be my Gracie.

I am your Gracie,

really, I am.

Think how many of these you have given away over the years. Thousands.

That's the last one.

I'm going to pack it all in.

Why?

For you.

Impossible.

I can do it now, I know I can.

I could never have thrown it all in before,

I was too frightened.

Running for my life,

couldn't stop.

But I'm not frightened any more.

Gracie...

Because I've got you.

I don't have to be Gracie Fields with you.

I can just be me.

Gracie. You said it yourself, this is what we do, this is who we are.

You stop performing and you would die.

There you go, Monty.

Your Gracie.

I love you, Monty.

I want to be Mrs Bianchi.

Please. Just once.

It's Bianchi.

Bianchi.

Hello.

Well, I can't tell you how wonderful it is to be back,

now I've finished my little war job.

It started so long ago in France, then Canada,

then I toured America for British War relief.

Then it was Honolulu and the Fiji Islands through to Australia and New Zealand.

Through Borneo and New Guinea, before we joined the Americans

and we did all through the Philippines right up to Okinawa.

I say I want to retire but nobody takes any notice of me.

But I suppose as long as my...

# ha ha ha #

keeps working, I'll keep following it.

Cheerio, everybody, and God bless all of you.

Now the war is over how does it feel to be back here at the London Palladium?

Grand, lad. It feels grand.

But you live on the Isle of Capri now.

That's right. With my husband.

Husband, writer, faithful retainer.

10 minutes.

OK.

I'll leave you to it now.

-Thank you, Miss Fields.

-Thank you.

-Miss Fields.

-Yes, love.

Do you, by any chance, remember getting stuck in the mud

in Northern France in November 1939,

and a bunch of British soldiers helped push you out?

Yes, I do. And a little lad asked me to sing Sally for him.

That's right.

I wonder what happened to him.

Oh, don't you worry.

He's fine.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

Will it be all right?

You will be wonderful.

You'll no doubt be pleased to know...

the train has successfully left the station.

Oh, that's a weight off my mind.

Harry, what are you talking about?

He means he has just succeeded in moving his bowels.

Ladies and Gentlemen...

Miss Gracie Fields.

Come on Harry, lad. Do your stuff.

APPLAUSE

# Take me to your heart again

# Let's make a start again

# Forgiving and forgetting

# Take me to your heart again

# And leave behind from then

# Our life of long regretting

# Dearest, let's turn back the years

# Let smiles come after tears

# Like sunshine after rain

# I'm yearning for you

# By night and by day

# Praying I'll soon hear you saying

# "I love you"

# Then, we'll never part again

# If you will take me

# To your heart again. #

APPLAUSE

# Sing as we go And let the world go by

# Singing a song We march along the highway

# Say goodbye to sorrow

# There's always tomorrow to think of today

# Sing as we go Although the skies are grey

# Beggar or king You've got to sing a gay tune

# A song and a smile make it right worthwhile

# So sing, a-a-a-a-a-a As we go along. #

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

WHISTLES