Original subtitles

Good morning, boss. Good morning, Tattoo.

Smiles, everyone.

Smiles.

Boss, that lady looks terrified.

She looks like she got on a plane by mistake.

That's Miss Doreen Murphy.

She's nervous.

Three of her old friends from college will be arriving this afternoon.

Is that a fantasy?

You see them again?

In a way, you see, Tattoo, in college, Miss Murphy was a bit of an ugly

duckling. Her three friends, on the other hand, were beautiful.

They had fine clothes and fast cars.

They had power.

They treated Miss Murphy almost as they would treat a servant.

Why will she abide them here?

Because, Tattoo, her fantasy is to turn the tables on them.

This time, they are going to be in awe of her.

Ah, Mr. Charles Whelan, or Diggs Whelan, as he called himself before he gave up

his singing career.

How come he gave it up?

Well, I'm afraid he believes his style of singing isn't saleable in today's

market, or two.

Maybe what he needs is a break.

Exactly. Mr. Whelan's fantasy is to get that big break. But in a time and place

he thinks would be more receptive to his talent.

The famous Cotton Club in Harlem in the year 1925.

My dear guests, I am Mr. Rock, your host.

Welcome to Fantasy Island.

How do you like it?

Tennis court, a swimming pool, bedrooms as big as Brooklyn and it's mine?

What a weekend that is.

Well, after all, a simple bungalow would hardly befit a member of the haute

couture.

Fools, dress, shoes, everything you need.

You came to Fantasy Island, Miss Murphy, to gain the respect and admiration of

the women who once commanded yours.

And you shall.

Oh, forget it. I can't pull this off.

I look like the same little mouthy nothing I did in college.

Oh, forgive me.

I almost forgot.

I am terribly sorry.

The finishing touch.

May I?

Let's face it. Only a plastic surgeon can give me the finishing touch I need.

How did you do it?

Naturally, you did it.

All I did was give you a necklace that makes whoever wears it look her very

best.

I can't wait to see their faces.

Doesn't she look great?

Oh, thank you.

Considering you could count the number of dates she had in college on one

finger, yes.

One finger, huh?

Well, I bet now she could use an adding machine.

Hello, Dory.

You remember my husband, Al.

Boy, you look fantastic.

Thank you, Al.

Uh, Davis here will show you to your rooms.

There's champagne and caviar waiting on the patio, so hurry up and get changed.

Caviar and champagne.

Davis, darling, lead the way.

Caviar? It's hysterical. She ate her way through college on soda crackers and

cheese.

We'll see who's hysterical before this weekend's over, Queenie, dear.

Your number's the way, Lennon.

Starting a singing career in 1925 may not be any easier than it is today.

Are you kidding?

Hey, listen, the music business today, nobody cares whether you got talent or

not, man. It doesn't matter.

Talent don't mean a thing.

It's who you know.

Unfortunately, I don't know the right people, you know. And you think it was

Devon then?

You just get me back there.

1925 was my time, you see. I know that tattoo.

Very well, Mr. Raven.

Very well.

Will you close your eyes, please?

Now, imagine you are there, the Cotton Club, the year 1925,

where you can almost hear the music.

Yeah, I almost can.

Knock your fingers.

Hey,

yeah, I can almost hear it, man.

Oh, boy, I'm going to knock them dead, Mr. Rock.

I don't want to kill her, baby.

can I go on?

and try it again later, okay, Fingers? Anything you say, Linda.

Hi.

It's a closed rehearsal, pal. Beat it.

Oh, no, sir. I'm supposed to be here. I'm Diggs Whalen.

Whalen? Yes, sir. The new guy.

Well, why didn't you say so?

I'm Big Gus Bailey. I manage the place.

Wow, I've really been looking forward to being here for a long time.

What's this for?

What do you think?

Get out of those clothes and get started on these tables over here.

No, you don't understand.

I'm a singer, not a waiter.

Oh, I know that.

But in this club, you clean tables first, then you wash dishes, and maybe

three years, you might get a spot.

No, no, no, you don't understand. I don't have two years.

Oh, you don't like the club's policy.

Well, maybe you should take it up with the owner.

Who is he?

Oh, he's that guy over there in that dark gray suit.

Here you go, Mr. Schultz.

Exactly 30 minutes old.

Hope you like that.

His name is Dutch Schultz. Dutch Schultz the gangster?

Uh, I better clean a couple of tables first.

Uh -huh.

Sheila, would you please lie down?

You're blocking the sun.

Darling, the sun is one of your worst enemies.

Dory, I wish you'd told us this is what happens to girls who go to college and

actually study.

Think you'll ever get married, Dory.

Girls?

This is Bob, Mike, Jeff, and Tim.

They are professional muscles.

Thank you, Tattoo.

Anybody who wants to use the services, roll over.

Go ahead, guys.

Enjoy yourselves, girls.

Now, what were you saying about my getting married, Liz?

This reminds me of the Beta Toga parties. Remember them?

Oh, I guess you wouldn't, would you, Dory?

Imagine being in college four years and never once going to a frat party.

Oh, wait a minute, Liz.

What about the time we fixed Dory up with the Alpha Six?

Oh, yeah.

What was his name?

First, she spends all day in rollers so that when she finally took her hair

down, it looked like something out of National Geographic.

Then her date shows up, all five foot two of him, and proceeds to spill red

down the front of her dress. Okay, well, that's enough.

That's enough.

Uh, excuse me.

I have to go see Mr. Rourke about a party I'm throwing tomorrow night.

I'll be back.

Way to go, Sheila.

Well, how was I supposed to know she'd still be sensitive about some stupid

blind date?

It's nice to know some things never change, isn't it?

How's it get clear across the country?

Them little tiny wires?

It's Lucky's boys. Everybody down.

What's going on?

Lucky Luciano. It's the rival club up in Jersey.

Watch it. Hey, Dutch.

Dutch, hey, Tim.

We've got to stop meeting like this.

Diggs Whalen.

And thank you.

Linda Bell.

You're welcome.

That mess could have been me. Yeah.

So, um, what do you do?

Do you dance, sing, blow horn?

Or are you just a plain old ordinary waiter?

Nothing.

I thought so.

You don't look plain old or ordinary.

You're ready, you bum. Stay out of here.

I don't want no cheap gimmicks in my place.

We got class here.

Did he say radio?

Yeah, some radio station wants to broadcast from here tomorrow night.

March 1925.

Of course. Listen, are you singing on that show tomorrow night? Yeah, Dutch

me a spot.

Wow, you know, all the people that's going to be on that show are going to

become stars.

That's going to be a big break for you.

It might be for me, too. You're crazy.

Why? Because Dutch hates radio. You heard him. He won't let that guy near

place again.

Hey, somebody's got to change his mind, babe.

You know?

This salad stinks.

Needs more Parmesan.

Boy, that was one smooth move, Mr. Schultz. You really put that radio guy

place and showed him who's boss around here.

Why is this guy talking to me?

I mean, like you said, this is an exclusive club, and you don't want

over the country knowing about it, huh?

Who's he mean?

All over the country.

You know, Lucky Luciano said if you don't let him do the broadcast from

he's going to let him do it from his place.

Oh, yeah?

What else did you hear him say?

That Lucky would be laughing at you.

Hit that radio bum back in here.

You better be right about this, pal.

Because if this blows up in my face, you will too.

Change your fantasy?

Do you mean to say that your old friends are not impressed?

Well, they're treating me just like they did in school.

Especially Liz.

Every time I turn around, they're either putting me down or making me feel

stupid. I'm getting about as much respect as a dog.

Forgive me, but perhaps the fault lies not so much with your fantasy as with

your powers of perception.

What do you mean?

It means that the plan is working.

That Lisa is very jealous.

Well, think about it, Miss Murphy.

If your friend insists upon treating you like a failure, it can only mean that

your fantasy is a success.

She's obviously envious.

Well, I'm sorry. It's just not enough.

Like it?

Oh, hi.

Hi. Yeah, I've never seen one of these up close before.

How would you like to see it from behind the wheel?

This is you? Uh -huh.

Oh, sure.

We can take the long way back to my place.

That way we can get to know each other better.

Your wife won't mind, will she?

Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn.

I've got a right to sing the blues.

I've got a right to feel low down.

And I've got a right to hang around.

Down around the river.

That girl in this old town keeps dragging my heart around.

All I see for me is

misery.

I got a right to sing the blues.

I got a right to sit and sigh.

I got a right to moan and cry down around the river.

I know the deep blue sea soon will be calling on

me.

It must be love, say what you choose.

I got a right to sing the blues.

Different style, but I like it a lot.

I used to think it was pretty good.

Good. You're better than good.

Maybe.

I thought sugars would be my time.

It will be.

You can't give up on yourself, Diggs.

That's what success is really all about.

You really care, don't you?

Of course I do.

People got to stick together and help each other out, don't they?

That's what I always thought.

Wow, you really look dynamite in that dress.

You're going to be dynamite on that radio show.

Oh, boy.

That clinician beats the heck out of any car I've ever driven.

Your keys, madam.

And my thanks.

That was the kiss of the greatest quarterback Ohio Wesleyans ever seen.

Well, it's just that I'm not used to doing this sort of thing in a four

Oh, well, how about a bedroom?

Like mine.

In five minutes.

You got yourself a deal.

Hello, Miss Murphy.

May we come in?

Well, I am kind of busy. I felt we should continue the discussion we began

office. Oh, oh, it's okay, Mr. Rourke. I think I was just a little over

-anxious. We came here to talk about the real reason for your fantasy.

Real reason?

Yes. Yes.

You don't want respect from your old friends.

You want revenge.

Those women humiliated you in college.

You brought them here.

To do to them what they did to you.

Am I not correct?

Well, so what if I did?

They hurt me.

In college, Liz took away the one thing I needed most, my self -respect.

Well, I'm going to do the same thing to her by taking away her husband.

Well, your excuse is, Miss Murphy, the truth.

Listen to him.

He's really good.

Do it a favor to me.

A favor to you?

Sure, baby.

Oh, thanks, Gus.

You're not going to regret it.

Long time no see.

Can't you hear the pitter -pat?

And the happy tune is your step.

Life can be so sweet on the sunny side of the street. I

used to walk in the shade with those blues on

parade. But now I'm not afraid.

Cause this rover's done crossed over if I never have

a sense.

Let's talk about it.

So what do you think?

Can you get him on that radio show tomorrow night?

Listen, baby, you asked me to listen. Now listen.

There's only three spots tomorrow night.

Fingers, yours, and the band.

Now I did you a favor.

Where's mine?

Hey, now, come on, Gus. What are you doing?

Time to pay her. Uh -uh, no, forget it. Are you telling me no?

With a capital N.

Okay, well, and you're on tomorrow night. You've got a spot.

Hey!

Congratulations!

Your spot.

He's in in your honor.

Hi, everybody.

I don't believe it.

We've been looking all over for you two. What have you been doing?

I sure hope you're hungry because I had my chef prepare the biggest rack of lamb

you've ever seen.

Shall we?

Good morning, everybody.

Where's Al?

He's still asleep.

Apparently he didn't get much sleep last night.

Let's go make the beds or something.

Good plan.

Well, maybe some nice hot breakfast will get your mind off whatever's bothering

you.

So, little Dory thinks that for once in her life she has the upper hand, rubbing

our noses in all her money, making a play for my husband. Don't think I don't

know what you're up to.

When it comes to doing numbers on people's heads, I'm an expert.

Well, you had enough practice on me in college, didn't you?

I should have known it all along.

You flew us out here so you could try to even the score.

Did you think I was just going to forget about what the three of you did?

You treated me like dirt.

You made me feel ugly and stupid and worthless. Well, I'm not. You can ask

husband about that.

I'm afraid I have some bad news for you, sweetie. My husband is all yours.

What? Number one, all he's after is your money. And number two, in case you

haven't noticed it yet, Al's got an ego the size of Texas.

Having grown rather tired of feeding it, I'd be delighted to let you take over.

In other words, you can have him.

Mr. Schultz.

Mr. Schultz, sir.

Mr. Schultz. Get in.

I want to talk to you about Linda Bell, sir. Shut up.

Okay. You told me Lucky Luciano was going to let him do the radio show from

club.

You lied.

Yeah, well, you see, I... Hey, Blubber.

Fleckenstein's 50 short door. Explain to him I meant what I said.

His left kneecap ought to understand.

Ever since Luciana heard I'm letting him do the radio show for my club, he's

been laughing up his sleeve at me.

I don't like that.

I don't blame you, sir, but you see, it's about Linda. She got fired for no

apparent reason. Get out!

Okay.

That radio show ain't a big hit tonight.

If Luciano's still laughing at me tomorrow, your breathing days is over,

Drive, plumber. You don't understand.

Nothing's got to sing tonight.

Nothing's got to sing tonight, man.

Can I talk to you, please?

I was thinking maybe I'd paint the place, you know, now that I've got so

time on my hands.

I just came by to tell you how sorry I am that I took your spot and all.

It doesn't matter, really.

what I've done to you.

No, it, uh, it isn't your fault.

I'll get a break someday. My dream will come true just like yours did.

Yeah, thanks to you.

Oh, well, maybe I helped some, but that's what the Cotton Club is all

helping each other, seeing that the cream gets a chance to rise to the top.

Your cream.

I could tell that from the very first.

Miss Murphy.

Oh, Mr. Rourke. Hi, Tattoo.

You specifically asked that an extravagant party like this be part of

fantasy. Well, you are the hostess. You should be out there impressing your old

friends, enjoying the limelight.

What are you doing in here hiding?

Exactly that, hiding.

From Liz's husband, Al.

Oh. Oh, Mr. Rourke, I blew it.

I just wanted to take Al away from Liz for the weekend. He wants to make it

permanent.

Why don't you tell him the truth about yourself?

I can't do that.

If I do that, Liz and Sheila and Brooke will know this has all been a put -on

and I'll look like a bigger loser than ever.

I don't believe I've met your friend Liz.

What is she?

Well, she's up in her room, probably laughing at me. Turns out she could care

less about Al.

You're certain of that, Miss Murphy?

Yeah, of course I'm certain. She told me herself.

You're not projecting she's lying.

Well, in light of your current problem, it would seem worth checking into, would

it not?

Hey, Dory, there you are.

Hi, I'm Al Adam.

Oh, excuse me, this is Mr. Rourke and his assistant, Tapu. How do you do? Ah,

nice to meet you. Nice to meet you, too. Hey, Dory, these friends of yours are

outstanding. I mean, you talk about class.

You know what?

That guy over there, he runs a modeling agency. Who knows, if I play my cards

right, I might wind up on the cover of GQ.

Well,

you just keep on mingling, Al.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have something to check out.

Sure.

Want a carrot?

Who is it?

Lori.

Come in.

If it isn't the hostess with the mostess.

Shouldn't you be outside with your future husband?

You've been crying.

I've been drinking.

May you and Al and all his football trophies live happily ever after.

You really do care about Al after all.

Shows how much you know.

Liz, all you ever do is belittle me.

You did it in college and you're doing it now.

How have I hurt you?

Why is it so important to you to make me feel unimportant?

You're the one with all the brains. You figure it out.

You were jealous.

Not just now, but back then, too.

Jealous of you?

You were the little nothing, weren't you?

All you ever had was your good looks and your parents' money.

No brains, no talent.

And you left school with a degree that I earned for you and a husband.

Well, looks like you're not going to have him very much longer, doesn't it,

Happily Married?

It's the truth.

Come on.

You've got a new leaf to turn over.

Where are we going? To the party.

No offense, Liz, but Al's really not my type. And now that I know you really

love him, you're getting back together again. Come on. But, Dory, I'm a mess.

There's no way Al's even going to look at me.

Do I have a surprise for you?

Oh, hi, Mr. Schultz.

Hey, big night for you and the Cotton Club, huh? Those microphones really look

impressive, don't they?

Yeah, just two minutes till this big deal broadcast starts.

And there's nobody out there but our regular customers.

Well, Mr. Schultz, see, you're looking at it the wrong way.

You got to think about the people that's at home listening to the radio. There's

hundreds, thousands of them.

I want it.

Hey, you want what to hurt?

When Ralphie here kills you.

From the Cotton Club. From Harlem.

From New York City.

Live on Broadcasting First.

An hour of magical music.

And now, ladies and gentlemen, the great Fingers Lewis and the Cotton Club Band.

What happened? You look... Well, you look different.

This is the real me, Al.

And so is this.

Savings account passbook?

The balance represents the sum total of my net worth.

$803?

Come on. I don't understand.

If you ask real nicely, maybe Liz will fill you in.

That Liz?

Hello, everyone.

Wow. Wow, Liz, you look great.

Hey, listen, you wait right here. I'll get you some champagne, huh?

Wow, look, this is Liz.

Don't go away now. I'm going to be right back.

Whoa.

He's panting like a puppy dog like when you first met him.

Remember, the necklace is only good for tonight.

Don't worry.

Now that I've got his attention, I intend to keep it.

Maybe I can even get him to put those damn football trophies up in the attic

where they belong. Well, that's pretty radical, don't you think?

My future's going to be ten times better than my past ever was.

Thank you, Dory.

Dory, this is absolutely the best party I've been to since the one that got the

betas kicked off campus.

What, did you do something different to your hair?

Uh, well, it's a long story.

Reminds me of the way you used to wear it in school. I like it. Oh, hey,

remember how you used to set my hair in school and how you used to do Brooke's

laundry for her because she was so lazy and how you used to go to class for Liz

and take all her tests for her?

Yeah, yeah, I remember.

You deserve to be rich and important, my darling, because nobody used to depend

on someone the way we depended on you.

I'll say you were really terrific.

Correction. She is terrific.

You know what the best thing about this party is?

Us.

Hello

again,

Mr. Whaler.

Are you ready to start your singing career?

Am I ever. Look at me. I'm a nervous wreck.

Yeah, she came.

What's going to happen to her, Mr. Rock? Is she going to ever make it as a

singer? Oh, I think that's something you would know much better than I, Mr.

Whalen.

And now for the final number on our live broadcast tonight, coming to you direct

from the Cotton Club, ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Diggs Whalen!

Grab your coat and get

your hat.

Leave your worries on the doorstep.

Just direct your feet.

To the sunny side of the street.

Hear that bit of fat?

What is this?

First he talks me into doing a lousy show, then he ruins it.

Suddenly I don't care if people think I'm tacky.

Ladies and gentlemen, there's been a change in the program this evening.

We'd like to bring up a very beautiful young lady, Miss Linda Bell, who's going

to sing for you, Birth of the Blues.

Come on up, Linda.

Linda Bell, ladies and gentlemen.

What?

What?

Linda Bell.

What the hell are you doing?

For the first time in my life, I'm doing the right thing. You belong here,

Linda, and I don't.

This is your time, baby.

Give me something beautiful to remember you by. Really sing me a good song.

Hit it, Fingers.

They heard the breeze in the trees singing with

melody.

And they made that the start of the blues.

And from a day in the way.

Maybe.

The place is overflowing.

People that usually go to Lucky Luciano's are coming here because of

heard on the radio. How about that?

And like I always said, this radio gimmick is here to stay.

Am I a genius or what?

It's time to go.

I wanted to go for one last spin in that. I hope it's okay.

Oh, that's quite all right, Murphy.

Where are your guests?

Oh, I put them on an earlier plane.

But not before making the promise to keep in touch.

Oh, before I forget.

Here.

I never needed that. Or the car, or any of that stuff.

My three friends were impressed with just plain old me.

Thank you, Mr. Roark. You're welcome, Murphy.

Bye, Tattoo. Goodbye.

Well, I guess it's goodbye, huh?

I hope you're not too mad at me, Mr. Whelan.

Mad? Why should I be mad?

Well, you didn't get your fantasy.

You know, your singing career.

Well, I did start a singing career. It just wasn't mine, Tattoo.

I wouldn't be too sure, Mr. Whelan.

You see, the man you thought was Dutch Schultz was actually a guest, just like

you.

It was his fantasy to be a part -time gangster.

So?

Well, in real life, Mr.

Schultz runs a nightclub in San Francisco.

He's been looking for someone to sing there on a regular basis, and it seems

he's found him.

All right. Thank you, Mr. Roy. You're very welcome. All right, too.

Hey, good girl, man. Oh, man.

Look, it's such a nice word.

What word is that?

Friend.