Episode 2 Dancing on the Edge

CLOCK CHIMES

This programme contains some strong language and some scenes of a sexual nature.

I don't think anyone's watching the building.

Not yet, anyway.

Not yet, no!

Better keep away from the window, though, just in case.

Do you think you can sleep?

I don't know.

Usually, I can sleep anywhere, but tonight, I'm not sure.

Ah, so you're not as calm as you look. Thank God for that.

You were beginning to make me nervous!

Where are you going?

I'm going to try and find something to eat.

And I've got to work out a way of getting you out of the country.

'I'm going to make you the new number band in Britain, naturally.'

'Mr Masterson asked if I would clear this up.

What a mess.

'I was so clumsy last night.

Goodness knows what people must think.

Mr Masterson's having a picnic. You really must join us.

Is anybody sitting here?

No, by all means.

I'm very ambitious, Louis. So should you be.

Do you think I'm not?

She's incredible, isn't she? Do you think she'll ever like me?

I need to find something to really impress her.

'Mr Holt is a British Citizen.'

'The deadline cannot be extended.

'Nor is there any other process of appeal.'

That important telephone call is taking place as we speak.

I do hope you will be here to entertain your future King.

APPLAUSE

JAZZ MUSIC PLAYS

When do we get the cake, Mummy?

It must be time for the cake!

Where is the cake?! Where is the cake?!

Listen to the funny music.

It's a very nice cake, Mummy,

but why haven't the band got those black and white faces?

You said they would have black and white faces.

Louis!

-What are you doing here?

-I've got some business with Mr Schlesinger.

Anyway, that's not much of a greeting, Louis.

-You're the last person I want to see.

-Why, what have I done?

That's exactly the point, Stanley, you've done nothing!

Remind me of what I was meant to be doing?

Don't try that, you know perfectly well.

We are without a manager. I'm having to do that myself!

And we're playing children's birthday parties.

You're still the top featured band in this hotel.

And no-one's going to get deported while you're here.

We've not been on the wireless, we haven't made a record yet.

I seem to remember somebody boasting they could make us

-the number one band in Britain.

-And I will.

I haven't changed my mind about that. These things take time.

I thought that's what you believed in, Louis, things taking time!

Mind you, I quite like seeing you a bit impatient.

Oh, you do, do you?

Oh, I'd better not, not after what happened to Wesley.

Yes, and that's the most serious, of course.

-I still don't know what really went on.

-How do you mean?

You know exactly what I mean!

I don't know why he was thrown out of the country.

Mr Donaldson told me he was handling everything, he lied to me.

That's a serious charge, Louis.

Do you want the opportunity to say it to his face?

So you wanted to see me, Mr Lester?

Yes, I did, very much.

The bar is closed but perhaps I can use my influence,

since it is almost the legal hour, and get you a glass of wine?

No, thank you, I don't need anything.

Except to know if I lied to you?

Whether I ever really tried to stop your friend from being deported?

-You'd like to know that, wouldn't you?

-I would, yes.

Sometimes one overstates what one can do,

maybe out of arrogance or a desire to please.

It's a terrible thing to suddenly be thrown out of the country.

It is, yes, and I don't know what happened to him.

I probably never will.

And now you have no manager

and you're stuck playing in this old place.

It's good to have a regular job, of course.

I thought that after the Prince of Wales heard us play,

-and all that excitement...

-You were going to be making records?

You were going to be on the wireless?

Yes, I did think that.

The trouble is, Mr Lester,

the people in charge of these places are quite unbelievably conservative.

Sir John Reith, for instance, at the BBC, detests jazz music.

So it's never going to happen, then.

Mr Lester, I'm a man of leisure who is addicted to the new,

whose chief excitement in life is spotting and encouraging new talent.

I do want to help you. Will you let me do that?

It depends in what way.

I've actually come with a request right now.

Lady Cremone,

an old friend of mine, would like you to play at a funeral.

To play at a funeral? And that's going to help us?

-Yes.

-Whose funeral is it?

Her estate manager.

She is a very interesting woman, Lavinia,

we tend to get excited about the same things.

She's become a bit of a recluse recently.

She lives in an appalling remote spot!

You will be staying in her house, but that's no guarantee that

you will get to meet her.

But if you do, Mr Lester,

she is someone who knows even more important people than I do.

Stanley will be going to the funeral to try to get to meet her.

And so will Sarah.

DRUMS BEAT

CHILDREN LAUGH

SLOW JAZZ MUSIC STARTS

# Lord, lead me on

# Lord, lead me on

# Guide me on my final journey

-# Lead me on.

-Lord, lead me on... #

Oh, Mr Lester, I want to thank you, from the bottom of my heart,

for coming all this way and playing for Charlie.

We're delighted to be here, ma'am.

He would be so thrilled - he is so thrilled.

He had all the latest gramophone records sent over from America.

Yes, he did.

There's one in his coffin now, there is!

You will come and play for everybody later?

Please, I...I know they would so like that.

Oh, do say yes!

JAZZ MUSIC PLAYS

Do I dare?

Dare what?

Do I dare run over there?

I don't know what's stopping you, Stanley.

You're right.

Your Ladyship, forgive me, I just wanted to introduce myself.

I'm Stanley Mitchell. I'm friends with the musicians.

Are you a journalist?

Blimey, is it that obvious, is it? Yes. Yes, I am.

I have nothing against journalists, I just never talk to them,

-and certainly not at funerals.

-Of course.

I understand that, but, actually, we might bump into each other

later on today because you're kindly allowing the band to

stay on your estate, and well, um, I've always wanted to meet you.

And just in case we run into each other later on,

I just thought I'd say hello.

And now you've done it, and at considerable length.

Oh, er, I don't expect it will mean anything to you,

but I'm deputy editor and chief writer for Music Express.

Are you, Mr Mitchell? How very interesting.

Why don't you come for tea at 4pm?

You and the band leader, Mr Lester.

Did she invite me too, do you think? To tea?

Of course! You know her, anyway.

I don't know her.

I photographed her once in London, and she didn't like that very much.

Here goes!

This was the perfect funeral for Charlie.

I know there is the view that your kind of music can only appeal

to a very small audience, but we saw just now in the village

how all sorts of people can respond.

You're absolutely right, your Ladyship.

I'm sure you're wondering if I know anything about music,

your music, someone of my age.

I wasn't wondering that.

Mr Mitchell, if you would be so kind.

Over there, on the second shelf, can you see the red binders?

Blimey! I don't believe it!

Bound copies of Music Express!

I've never seen that in somebody else's house before!

Of course not. I don't suppose anyone else would be mad enough.

I know what I'm about to say is very stupid.

Well, what is it, Mr Mitchell?

You wouldn't...you wouldn't, would you, let me interview you? Now?

I've always wanted to interview you.

Well, that would depend on the quality of the questions.

Sarah, Louis, you want to go

and have a look at the garden, don't you?

THEY GIGGLE

Stanley! He's incorrigible. He's such a rogue!

-Don't change your mind.

-I think I've already changed my mind.

No, no, you can't.

I hate talking about myself, I always have.

I am going to say, "Is it true?"

And you're going to agree, or rather

if you'd be so kind as to agree, or not.

And I'm going to see how many I get away with before you stop me.

Now, is it true Noel Coward sends you all of his plays

to read before he puts them on?

Yes.

Is it true that you told MGM to sign Greta Garbo

after you saw her in a Swedish film?

Well, when I was living in America, I spent time both in New York

and Los Angeles, and so I met all sorts of people.

Some of them were in the film business,

and sometimes they asked for my opinion.

I'm going to say that's true, then.

This must be the memorial garden for her sons.

All three of her sons were killed in the war.

All three? That's terrible.

Yes, how do you get over something like that?

Are your parents still alive, Louis?

No, they're not.

My father did fight in the war, but he didn't die in it.

Yes, there were coloured soldiers, Sarah!

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to look so surprised, I've just never

heard of that before, but of course there must've been.

Yes. He survived the war, my dad,

but both my parents died in the flu epidemic.

It happened very quickly.

What did you do?

That's when I started travelling, went to all sorts of places.

I spent time in Paris playing in bars, time in New York,

and a lot of time on the ocean liners, as you know.

So you've seen more of the world than I have?

Yes.

Is it true that you've been trying very hard to get different

things played on the wireless, a more exciting repertoire?

Especially jazz music?

But I've been extremely unsuccessful so far.

Now, Mr Mitchell, this has got to stop,

it's been oddly enjoyable, but that's quite enough.

Just one more, please!

Is it true that famous artists have trekked across the world

to see you, just turned up on your doorstep?

-That is not true.

-Are you sure?

That is not true, Mr Mitchell. Now shall we...?

But is it possible somebody could come here, almost by accident,

who was extraordinary? And then you want to see them properly?

-You mean The Louis Lester Band?

-And of course the singer Jessie.

Ah, that young girl?

Yes, I saw her sing at the funeral.

Yes, but you were an awfully long way away!

Can she sing again for you in the morning?

SHE SHIVERS

You too? Oh, my God, it's freezing, isn't it?

So cold! We just had to have some tea.

Yes, I don't think I've been this cold in my life.

Perfect.

Right, I'm going to go back with this,

see if I can make it through the night! Cheerio.

Isn't it funny, a lady with such modern taste

and her house is this cold.

HE LAUGHS

And it creaks, too!

That's a bit warmer, isn't it?

HE CLEARS THROAT

I think she might be awake!

So best not to take any chances! Night-night.

We're not late, are we, your Ladyship?

No, no, any time during my breakfast will do.

So, my child, would you like to sing something for me?

I'll try, yes.

# Wind blows round the steeple

# Empty world and sleepy people

# I lie awake and listen

# For the midnight train a-whistlin'... #

What's the matter, child?

I don't think Jessie has ever seen an artichoke before.

Have you not, my dear?

Well, then you must have one, of course, at once!

CAMERA CLICKS

That's very good, your Ladyship, hold it like that.

Did she say anything about Jessie?

No. Not a thing.

Are there going to be many more of these?

I'm beginning to wonder why I agreed to it.

Just one or two more.

Have we done ourselves any good, do you think?

It's quite hard to tell.

I really don't know what she is doing on the cover. Lady Cremone!

Of course I've heard of her, I know who she is,

but she's not a bandleader, she's not a musician of any sort.

What on earth is she doing on the cover?!

You agreed to it, Mr Wax.

I don't believe I did, Stanley, you must have misheard me.

And yet again, there is an article on The Louis Lester band!

I've lost count of the number of articles you've done on them.

They are going to be the biggest band in Britain

and we will have helped create them.

There he goes again! He's always exaggerating.

Stanley, you make me laugh, with all your claims, you really do!

Do you think I'm exaggerating?

Maybe. Mr Wax is right, you often do.

You're still angry with me, Rosie, aren't you?

No, I know what to expect from you, Stanley.

After all, I've seen enough of it over the last two years,

quite enough.

-You're not quitting, are you?

-Of course not.

I know this magazine is going to really grow,

and soon you won't be able to write it all yourself,

you'll be looking round for another writer.

And there'll be one right here in this office. Won't there?

And so there will, Rosie.

There you are!

I just dropped by to give you this. These are for you, Jessie.

Oh, thank you, Mr Luscombe, they're beautiful.

And these are for you.

-For me?

-Yes, I meant to get them the same size.

No, don't worry about that, they're lovely.

Look at this room!

No, I won't come in, thank you, but this room isn't nearly good enough.

-We love this room!

-Oh, it's the best room I've ever slept in.

No, no I'd like to arrange something better for you both,

I can do it easily!

No, no, please don't. We're really happy here.

Please don't, Mr Luscombe!

Oh, well, if you don't want me to, then I won't.

Soon of course, you'll be staying in the biggest suites

in the most fashionable hotels all across the world!

That's not going to happen, Mr Luscombe!

Oh yes, and people are going to be crossing the Atlantic just to

attend one of your concerts. And they'll wait for nights

in the street, just to get a glance of you as you drive away in a car.

You mustn't do this, Mr Luscombe.

And when you go abroad, even to the most faraway places,

people will come running out of their houses into the street

calling your name and blowing kisses!

Julian! >

I can't believe it, he's found me, even up here.

Julian!

It's my employer.

Julian!

Excuse me.

You have to go?

"The audience are crying out for a more exciting choice

"of music on the wireless, and this has to be delivered now!

"At the moment, they are being fed a tired

"and familiar diet, the same bands every night of the week!"

-What do you think so far, Mick?

-Quite strong stuff, Mr Mitchell.

Damn right. "Listeners will soon be switching off in droves

"or hunting to find more exciting sounds,

"readily available from rival stations abroad."

Oh, it's you!

Oh, it's me, yes.

Give this to Rosie.

Tell her to take a look at it and see if she approves.

Sorry, you took me by surprise.

Don't worry, most people don't say, "Oh, it's you" when they see me,

so I suppose you can.

-I'm just a little behind, is all.

-I'm interrupting, forgive me.

No, you're not. I'm always behind. and er, well, I always catch up.

I'm very glad to see you.

I'm glad to see you too, Stanley.

Please.

I think about you, every week, when I read your magazine.

You think about me just once a week? Is that all?

-Yes, but that's quite good, isn't it?

-Hmm.

I know you think I'm not really interested in your magazine.

Did I ever say that?

No, but you think it.

I have noticed a few things. It's changing, isn't it?

It's getting more political.

I wouldn't go that far, I still have to get everything past Wax!

But you're sneaking more and more things in.

Like...Farquhar and Tonk running a soup kitchen!

That's right. We managed to get that past Mr Wax.

You'll laugh, but as it happens, I know what it's like to be hungry.

You do?

You don't have to look quite so serious, Stanley!

I starved myself for ten days a couple of years ago.

I could say it was to try and understand what it's like to

be really hungry, but actually, I was just trying to

shock my parents, who are quite the dullest people in England.

Don't say anything to that, Stanley!

Probably best I don't say anything, no.

So you can put me in this cartoon,

looking like a skeleton, mad eyes popping out,

dressed in a ball gown with a coronet on my head!

You think I'd do that?

Yes, Stanley, I really think you would.

There's a telephone call for you, Mr Mitchell.

Yes, I'm coming.

Hello?

I'm on the cover of your magazine, Mr Mitchell.

You never said you were going to do that!

It was too good an opportunity to miss. I hope you don't mind.

Well, it's an extraordinary thing to do.

'I'm not a performer, who wants to see what I look like?'

-More people than you think.

-I should be furious with you.

'In fact, I am furious with you, but that's not why I'm ringing you.

'I have another reason, something a little more interesting.'

I've had a notion, Mr Mitchell.

HE HUMS

Hello, Louis.

You're not going to like what I am about to say to you at all.

Same as most days, then.

You've got to go back to that basement club where we first met.

Says who?

Says me. You're going to play the most important session of your life.

Deirdre, you look magnificent!

Thank you, Stanley, I don't often get a chance to dress up like this.

I hate to say this, Deirdre, but you need to clean this place.

It's been cleaned! What do you think I've been doing?

We're not leaving anything to chance.

Mr Lester! Mr Masterson needs to see you.

I can't see him tonight, Harry, it's our night off,

we have a booking elsewhere.

Mr Masterson indicated it was rather urgent.

Come in, Mr Lester. Come in.

You've been here before, of course.

I have, yes.

I like this suite. There are even bigger suites in the hotel

but I'm fond of this one.

When you've seen as many hotel rooms as I have,

you get a feeling for one that fits.

Yes, you may have heard about my interest in gold, Mr Lester,

keeping it close.

You can think you've covered every possible eventuality,

how things can go wrong, but you never have.

There will always be something that comes up from behind

and tries to destroy everything one's created,

no matter how powerful one's position appears to be.

So one has to be prepared.

I like to know I can fight back.

Mr Masterson, I have an urgent engagement tonight,

-so if we could....

-Julian will be at the club tonight, won't he?

I don't know who's going to be there,

we've not been given the guest list.

Would you just tell Julian not to worry,

I've completely taken care of it.

And would you give him this?

You will remember, won't you?

I will, yes. I really must go.

If you were wondering...

I wasn't wondering.

It's a little debt I've taken care of.

You will tell him that and give him the envelope?

TRAINS RATTLE

-Where the hell have you been?

-Something came up.

Give me your coat.

Are you mad?! This is the one time you couldn't be late!

-Why, is it that full?

-Louis, Louis, let me look at you.

Your Royal Highness, I'm so sorry I'm so late.

Something happened and I...

Please, Mr Lester, you're here now and that's what matters.

You nearly disrupted the whole plan, Louis.

It's the most delightful plan.

PIANO MUSIC STARTS

No, no, no, what are you doing?

Has no-one told him? We're not starting yet.

We need to be brisk. You took so long eating your pudding.

I've never been to a club like this,

we usually send junior staff to these sort of places.

We don't even do that now.

-There you are! The last ones! Please hurry.

-Hurry?

She's not going to stop us getting a drink, is she?

Bar's closed.

Maybe you've met His Royal Highness Prince George before?

This is Mr Boxley from His Master's Voice recording company,

and Mr Hardiman from the BBC.

Your Royal Highness, please accept our apologies.

I am most dreadfully sorry for being so late, we'd no idea...

No idea at all! No!

Lady Cremone didn't warn us. Please accept my abject apologies.

I, I didn't have an inkling.

Not an inkling, no!

It's very rude to be late! I'm never late!

HEAVY RAIN FALLS

-And now it's raining!

-Let me apologise again, sir.

No, no, please, why don't we stop all these apologies

and listen to the music?

That's why we're here, isn't it?

Don't let the rain put you off!

# My man's gone away

# Left me feeling blue

# No good trying to chase him

# Cos he's run straight back to you

# Says he doesn't love you

# Though he sticks through thick and thin

# It's bad luck for the likes of me

# Because I don't wear his ring

MUSIC CONTINUES, MUFFLED

# I don't know why I love him

# I should quit and start again

# But there's an arrow through my heart

# Says he ain't like other men

# I got those lovelorn blues

# I got those lovelorn blues. #

MUSIC STARTS AGAIN

# Drinking alone and I'm happy to see you

# Ain't right or wrong if I do or I don't

# I'm holdin' on for a dance at the Voodoo

# Crazy in the mood for love

# Never say you won't be leaving

# You can buy me time and teasing

# You can show me ways of pleasing

# Crazy in the mood for love

# Crazy in love and I'm not going to make it

# This is a chance and I'm going to take it

SHE EXHALES

So far so good. I think my hands are shaking.

I've never seen you nervous before, Stanley.

Well, it is a fairly unusual audience, Deirdre.

# I can show you ways of pleasing

# Crazy in the mood for love

-# Crazy in love!

-Crazy in love!

# Crazy in the mood for love. #

Marvellous, absolutely marvellous!

Wouldn't you agree, Mr Boxley and Mr Hardiman?

Yes, Your Royal Highness.

And you, Mr Hardiman, just right for the wireless, is it not?

CROWD CHATTER

Lavinia, I think that could be counted as a triumph!

Let's hope so. Poor little chickens, they look so mortified still.

It's just like one of your cartoons come to life, isn't it, Stanley?

Except it's a little sexier.

You sang wonderfully, my dear.

All those important people and they were so close!

Well, I'm not used to crowds either, so I am holding on tight!

THEY LAUGH

Ah, Mr Lester. It's been nice to talk to you.

Your Royal Highness?

Mr Lester, we must get to know each other a little better.

That would be an honour, Your Royal Highness.

Do you mean that?

Of course I do, sir.

Well, I wonder when we can do this?

I'm going to be here a little while longer yet,

but then maybe we can move on to some other place of entertainment?

Or whatever takes one's fancy?

HE SNORTS Look at those poor fellows!

Shall we put them out of their misery?

They cannot leave until I do, that's protocol,

but I think we've tortured them long enough. Mr Boxley! Mr Hardiman!

You really don't need to be here a moment longer than you want to be.

Oh no, Your Royal Highness, we're enjoying ourselves greatly.

We've no wish to leave.

Yes, but I know you want to make telephone calls in private

to your superiors about tonight.

Shan't be a moment.

You go too, go now. I'll grab another taxi.

It's best to slip away before the Prince gets, uh...too interested.

That's unless, of course, you want that, Louis.

Let's go to the hotel.

Oh, God, no, he'll probably follow you there.

Hang on, here's the keys to Music Express.

There's nobody there.

It's the one place in London he won't think to follow you.

Look at them! They won't be able to sleep for a week because of tonight,

the embarrassment of it all, they're going to wake up screaming!

I hope so!

You know, Mr Hardiman has to introduce the bands sometimes

on the wireless himself. It'd be so funny if he had to do that for you!

I forgot Julian! I forgot to give him the message!

-What about Julian?

-I have to do this. I said I would.

I won't be a moment!

Julian, I have a message for you from Mr Masterson.

Do you? When did he give it to you?

Tonight. He says everything is taken care of.

-I think that's what he said.

-He did, did he?

HE EXHALES AND LAUGHS

You got...you got soaked for me!

My heartfelt thanks, Louis, my dear friend!

All is right with the world.

I knew it would be, but sometimes you never know!

HE LAUGHS

HEAVY RAIN FALLS

Everything all right?

Yes, let's go, let's go now!

Yes, before they come after us! The Prince and his courtiers.

CROWD CHATTERS

This is exciting. I've never been allowed in Stanley's domain before.

There's some terrific photographs in here.

Everything that's ever interested Stanley is right here.

This room is like being inside his brain.

A toothbrush!

And a vest!

Yes, I think this is the nearest Stanley gets to a home.

I don't think he has a proper house or flat at all.

He sleeps here or at his mother's, or he doesn't sleep at all.

And he's got my photos up!

He asked me for some big copies, but I thought

he was just being polite. I didn't realise they'd be on display!

You know, they slept together on the train, Pamela and Stanley!

They didn't? I didn't know that. Are you sure?

Yes, but I don't know what's happened since.

You couldn't get two more different people, could you?

And here are all the others, about to play havoc with the band.

Don't say that. I told you, it's all real, their enthusiasm.

They absolutely love your music.

And so do I.

HEAVY RAIN FALLS

What on earth is that?

-It could be another earthquake!

-HE LAUGHS

Don't laugh, there was an earthquake in London last year.

It was quite bad, actually!

What an incredible storm.

We have to go out in that!

THEY LAUGH

We can't let the chance go, we'd never forgive ourselves! Come on!

Whoa. It feels amazing! Come on, everybody!

THEY SQUEAL AND LAUGH

My dear brother, always so quiet and well behaved!

Come on, Your Royal Highness! You must come too!

Yes, come on! Please, come, come!

Why not? He's right!

It's not the sort of thing one gets the chance to do every day!

There you are. Royalty in a hailstorm!

It's amazing being here tonight, isn't it?!

Come on, Arthur, you're next!

Last chance to be young.

TRUMPET PLAYS

What's the matter?

It's just a little strange being watched by all of them.

Well, I could take them all down.

No, you don't, they're my photographs, remember!

On second thoughts, I can easily cope with them.

For God's sake, stop fussing. I will survive, don't worry!

Why don't you sing for us, Jessie?

Yes, that would warm us up!

Sing like this?

Yes, please. That would be nice.

Especially as Mr Lester has deserted us.

Well, of course, Your Royal Highness.

# There was a time

# I felt so low

# Each day was tough

# It scared me

# Dared not believe

# That I could live

# Life my way

# When I came to, my mind was clear

# Said my goodbyes and shed a tear

# Things will never be the same again

# My head up high

# I came to town

# And learned to love a little

# A little

# You showed me how to play the game

# That I succeed a little

# Now I can dream about us

# High as I can go

# I'm just on top of the world... #

Jessie!

It's in the shops now! Have you seen it?

And you bought so many of them, Mr Luscombe!

I just thought I'd help it along a little!

Not that it'll need it, of course. Now, will you come for a spin?

# I'm on top of the world

# I'm on top of the world

# I'm just on top of the world. #

ENGINE STOPS

# There was a time I felt so low

# Each day was tough... #

Don't laugh,

but I've being imagining for a long time playing your record

for the first time in this spot, with you sitting opposite me.

Why would I laugh? I'd never laugh at that.

Good. Then don't laugh at this either. You have to say yes!

That car is a present, I bought it for you.

Mr Luscombe! You didn't...?

But I can't drive!

I'll teach you. And Louis can use it too.

Say you'll keep it. Please, say yes.

Yes!

I like this edition. I had a feeling about this Louis Lester Band.

I always said put them on the cover, didn't I?

I knew they'd become a big news story.

HE CHUCKLES

And now coming directly from the Imperial Hotel London

for the first time ever on the wireless,

we are delighted to present the Louis Lester Band!

One, two, one, two, three, four.

BAND PLAYS

# All my life I've been somebody

# All fired up and not nobody

# Shout it loud, beat the crowd

# This girl's going far

# Blow, just blow

# Don't you know

# I'm gonna be a star

What do you think, Mum? You think she can sing?

Very nice, dear. They always manage to find such good new

singers on the wireless, don't they?

When they listen to me, they do!

I've tried everything to get this band on the wireless.

Of course, dear. But they do know best in the end, don't they?

# Now I realise you were just bluffing

# Strut my stuff, I don't say maybe

# Looks that kill

# He's not my baby

William, stay for this, she's such a good young singer.

Take a seat please, and listen.

MUSIC CONTINUES

# Shout it loud

# Head up, proud

# This girl's going far

# Blow, just blow

# Let it flow

# I'm gonna be a star! #

APPLAUSE

Bravo!

Bravo!

Ladies. Are you about to leave the hotel for the day?

Yes, Mr Schlesinger.

Well, if you wish to, and only if you wish it,

you may use the front entrance from now on.

-Miss Taylor!

-Miss Taylor!

CROWD CLAMOUR

Can I have your autograph too, please, Miss Taylor?

Make it out to Julian.

I was jealous of all these people wanting your signature.

Didn't I tell you this would happen?

Now will you come to lunch with me?

And let's talk about movies and the possibilities for you there,

because I've been hearing some interesting things.

Mr Schlesinger?

Nathan. It's time you started calling me Nathan, Mr Lester.

Of course, and er, do call me Louis, Nathan.

I've just been reading another article about you, Louis.

This time in The Melody Maker.

-I'm going to lose count of how many there've been.

-I'm not.

I have some good news for you.

You've received another Royal summons, from the Prince of Wales.

And it is a rather surprising invitation, Louis.

It is to play at an RAF dinner,

which he's attending in his role as Air Marshal.

He's a bit of a pilot, you know, bit of a flyer.

I just wish I could come.

Jessie! Excuse me! Jessie!

Jessie!

Interesting news. The Prince of Wales wants us to play again!

That's nice.

That's nice? That's all?

Yes, well, he liked us before, so he'll like us again, won't he?

Jessie!

Jessie, look! Something awful's happened.

I had this cleaned for the Prince of Wales tonight

but they've made a mark on it, and it won't come out!

I don't know what to do. I haven't got anything else good enough.

What's the matter with you?

I'm not feeling well.

I'm not going to be able to sing tonight.

What? You've got to! It's the Prince of Wales. You have to!

I can't. I'm not well.

You can do it instead.

You know you're able to, Carla.

Stanley, you are marvellously on time.

Of course I am, I'm so excited.

Excited by what, Stanley?

Well, at having tea with you, of course.

And seeing you here in London again.

I'm here to see the opening of a play I've put money into.

Mr Masterson's accompanying me.

He's an interesting fellow, isn't he?

He is indeed.

And I thought I'd wish the band good luck for tonight,

for their evening with the Prince of Wales and the Royal Air Force!

What an extraordinary occasion that's going to be.

Talking of which, I've brought you

the Christmas edition of Music Express. Hot off the press.

Thank you very much for that. A perfect present.

It's tremendous what you've made happen, you know.

What I've made happen?

Yes. For the band, the success they're having.

Well, it really helped that everybody was

trapped in the club by the storm.

Yes, but you laid that on too, didn't you?

You can do anything!

You flatterer!

Of course, I think I had something to do with it too.

You most certainly have.

But I couldn't have done it without you. So, thank you.

I feel that my sons would have loved their music very much.

You know, Stanley, all my energy for seeking out new things,

for discovering the next new exciting voice...

..is still all about me dealing with grief, really.

Even after 15 years, it doesn't seem to be getting any less.

And obviously at Christmas...

One feels...

I'm sorry...

Thank you, my dear.

Lavinia. Here we all are to wish you a Happy Christmas.

And of course to wave the band off on their big day!

-What do you mean you can't sing?

-I'm not well.

Carla can easily do all the songs instead of me.

They won't notice the difference.

Don't be ridiculous, of course they will.

This is for the Prince of Wales.

Well, I can't sing tonight. I have a fever.

I have to go to bed now.

Where do you think you're going? Jessie!

I haven't finished with you yet. Have you seen a doctor?

They've called a doctor for me. I have a temperature.

-If I find out...

-Find out what?

-If I find out you're going out.

-I'm not going out tonight!

Of course I'm not!

If you're going out with Mr Luscombe or anybody else...

I wouldn't do that! Why would I do that?

I'm ill, that's all it is!

Is it? You start getting a little attention

and then this happens! I'm really disappointed in you, Jessie.

You're disappointed in me? Because I'm ill?!

She is ill, Louis. I promise!

You better be, because if I discover that you left

the hotel for a single moment tonight, if I find that out,

you may not have a job with the band in the morning.

< Mr Lester!

Mr Donaldson and his party are downstairs.

And it's not that long now till the time of departure.

You won't find that I've left the hotel, or even left my room.

I promise you I won't, Louis!

Why don't you take our car to the air base?

Have a good spin in that, and all your anger will go away!

Good luck, Louis. I would give anything to be there too,

to take pictures of you playing to all those military types.

Yes, well, let's hope we get away with it without Jessie.

You will.

Hey, make sure you send our love to His Royal Highness.

I do hope they manage without Jessie.

Yes, it's a pity she can't go, isn't it?

I wondered where everybody was. Nobody seemed able to tell me.

I'm waiting for Lady Cremone.

And here she is.

I'm so sorry, Walter, to keep you waiting.

We have rather a lot of people to meet before the show tonight.

Off you go, Walter. You mustn't be late for all your meetings!

Are you still going to Paris, Julian?

I am, yes. I'm catching this evening's night train.

You will telephone me when you get there?

I don't know. I hope I'll have the time.

I'll only be gone for three days.

You won't even notice that I'm not here.

Did you give me the telephone number for the apartment in Paris?

I don't think that you did.

Go, Walter, go!

If it was a hotel, of course, I wouldn't need the number.

But it isn't and I don't have the address.

I'd like to take the number, if I may.

Don't be silly, Walter, you're being absurd.

Come on, you have to go! Off you go!

I must have that number! Give me the number!

I have to have it.

I'm sure Julian will telephone you.

I will get hold of the number myself and give it to you, Walter.

Julian's always so vague about these things,

and he's hopeless with numbers.

What a good plan.

See you in three days.

Long face!

He's always got such a long face. Sometimes it drives me mad.

When you're that rich,

why do you need to have such a long face all the time?

ENGINE ROARS

Musicians this way! Through here!

Better hurry, top brass will be arriving any moment.

I'm a little afraid, Louis.

You will be fine, Carla.

Well, the wireless has spread so fast, faster than anyone

could have imagined. I mean, millions more each year!

So what will the next thing be?

The next trend that will spread like wildfire?

Cinemas on trains!

Every train will have a cinema carriage, a movie while you move.

No, no, I think with cinema, it will be in the sky.

In the sky?

Yes, I went to a demonstration the other day, a little man,

I think he was called Grindle, he's going to project images onto

clouds, cinema in the sky at night hanging over the city.

Oh, that'd be fantastic!

Imagine Greta Garbo over the whole city. Her gigantic face!

Or Farquhar and Tonk in a cartoon

jumping about over the Houses of Parliament.

But if you could do that, somebody could also have fascists

goose-stepping across the sky. That'd be pretty terrifying!

Clearly one would have to have a limit. You couldn't allow that!

-Who could stop them though?

-People would find a way.

But my point is, we have no idea what's coming next.

What time's your train, darling? You don't want to miss it.

Er, no, I won't miss it, don't worry.

In you go!

Give 'em hell.

CROWD CHATTER LOUDLY

MUSIC STARTS

# Fog on a river

# Mist in my heart

# You're not near

# We're far apart

# I loved you then

# And I lost you

# Down river

# Four o'clock... #

Here she is. Doesn't she look beautiful?

I just thought I'd say hello.

That tree is so lovely.

Jessie, should you be out of bed?

I thought one drink might make me feel better.

Of course it will. Of course she's right.

You must be feeling very unwell to miss singing to the Prince of Wales?

I am. I don't feel well at all.

Your voice has gone, has it?

It's quite gone, when I sing.

Louis loves performing in front of royalty,

he can't have been very pleased.

He understood.

Well, let's hope Carla manages to bring it off.

# A memory

# A distant memory

# Floats away. #

Thank you.

We're very pleased and honoured to be here playing

to Your Royal Highness again, and to the Royal Air Force.

I've never been in an aeroplane myself,

but maybe that'll change after tonight.

AUDIENCE LAUGH

MUSIC STARTS

Would you like to dance?

# Stars burnin' brighter

# I'm on an all-nighter

# Serenading to a tune

# A pop at the bull's-eye

# In the celestial night sky

# I'm dancing on the moon

# I'm dreaming of the big time

# A chance to dig a gold mine... #

-Have another one.

-Maybe that's enough, Julian.

Too much drink doesn't mix well with a fever.

Yes. I ought to go. That's best, isn't it?

I need a beautiful sleep and then everything will be all right.

I'll be back on my feet.

Let me see you to your room.

They didn't arrange this between them, did they?

She didn't miss the concert...

To be with my brother? I certainly hope not!

Isn't this magical?

It is. Magical!

So this Hollywood producer, where are we seeing him tonight?

He's upstairs.

Oh, he's in the hotel?

That's all right, then.

I don't need to break any rules.

SLOW MUSIC PLAYS

SONG ENDS

Another slow number, please.

I do find the slow ones the best, don't you?

MUSIC STARTS

She'll be in his bed tonight.

Of course she will.

It's what's expected. If you catch his eye, that's what has to happen.

Doesn't matter who you're married to!

Looks like your music's really helping.

I may have something to eat.

You'll miss your train, Julian!

Maybe that's for the best. It's meant to happen.

Disappoint my friends in Paris, make Walter even more angry.

Maybe I'm good for absolutely nothing.

Don't be ridiculous, go and get your train right now.

I'm gone.

Pamela, what's the matter, darling?

My little brother...

when he's like this....

I'm sorry.

Excuse me.

I worry about him so much! He's so young, so young for his age.

I can't be there for him all the time, I just can't.

And when I'm not, I can't stop thinking...

He could be so brilliant if he wanted, do so much...

..but something always stops him.

He can look after himself, I'm sure.

I'm certain he can.

Do you think?

I do hope you're right, Stanley.

Please be right!

I know I'm right. He'll be fine.

Of course he will.

You want to take a bit home?

It's pretty disgusting cake.

Funny, our esteemed guests and their friends can't tell the difference.

I think it's lovely.

You can have a plane. Want a little aeroplane?

No, thanks.

The real ones aren't much bigger.

But it's all we've got to take on Germany or the French,

or whoever we fight next.

And everybody thinks they're absolutely marvellous.

-They're all we need!

-They don't look like much.

They're fucking useless.

I think I need to go, if you don't mind?

I don't mind, Louis! You go. I'm so happy!

CHOIR SINGS "O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL"

If I wasn't so drunk, I'd go and join in,

the Imperial Christmas concert! Not to be missed, apparently,

all of the dowagers staying up really late for a singsong.

Oh yes, the Duchess of Northampton singing

Once in Royal David's City is an absolute highlight.

Does it every year!

Some things never change.

ENGINE ROARS

SINGING IN THE DISTANCE

Louis! I'm just off, my dear friend. Got to run.

Must have missed the train, but I'm still going to Paris!

We'll see each other soon.

Jessie?

Jessie...

Jessie?

WEAK MOANING

Jessie!

Help!

ALARM SOUNDS

Help!

Help!

An ambulance is coming.

Louis!

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd