Original subtitles

You've got to open your heart to the Lord.

You've got to cast out fear.

Amen. Come unto me.

Come unto me and be saved. Amen.

This is your last chance.

Your last chance to save yourself from the everlasting fires

of hell.

Judgment Day!

Come forward before it's too late.

Come forward and give yourselves to the Lord.

I want you to stand up and be counted.

Better yet, I want you to come down here and show me the Lord is with you.

That you want to walk with him. That you want to walk with him. Come forward.

Come.

Come.

Well,

how you feeling now?

Just about the same, I guess.

Look, kid, it seems to me you're doing a lot of useless worrying.

I wouldn't book you into New York unless I thought you were ready.

What's there about New York that's got you so panicky? It's just another hick

town like Charleston or Memphis or Fort Worth, only it's got more people.

That's what's bothering me, Mr. Sharkey.

Like all these people that maybe never heard of me, just like I don't know any

of them.

You know me, kid.

That's all you need to know.

Will you listen to me?

They don't look lousy enough. It doesn't look like kids did them. This is the

lousiest I can do. If you want them done lousier, go find yourself a lousier

sign painter.

Relax, Pat. Just get careless. Is that asking too much?

Hey,

hey. That's a private phone.

So what? I'll keep that.

Hard port, please.

Maybe you can spill the little paint, huh? You know, misspell a couple of

Any word but Virgil.

Uh -huh.

Oh, hello, Art.

Art, this is Arnie.

Arnold Fisher.

Yeah, I just happened to tune you in and figured I'd give you a call.

Huh? Oh, I got to town yesterday.

Yeah.

No, no, no more of that Broadway beat for me.

I'm a public relations man now.

Yeah.

For Virgil Walker.

Hey, you're telling me.

The kid's a real rocket.

Yeah, just did 56 ,000 in a Memphis theater that never saw more than 30

before. Yeah, broke the house record in Louisville, too. Oh, by the way, Art,

the kid's due to check in at the Gotham Tower. It's about 4 o 'clock this

afternoon. Yeah, just thought maybe you might mention him on the air.

Uh -huh. Well, in case any of his fans would like to meet him.

Yeah, this is the kid's first time in New York, and he'd appreciate a chance

say hello.

Yeah, sure, sure. I can rig up a guest spot for you. Yeah, later, as soon as

he's settled at the Roxy.

Uh -huh.

Swell.

Gotham Towers, 4 o 'clock.

Yeah. Thanks, pal. Yeah.

You want to see something romantic, kid?

Something real romantic?

Our percentage take from the theater in Memphis.

Get this. Our biggest one -week take so far.

$14 ,128.

And that's only the beginning. Later on, we'll say nuts to this percentage rack

and we'll rent our own theaters.

Why, if we make it in New York.

Yeah, if we make it in New York.

Yes,

kids, this is Art Ford, and this is the make -believe ballroom with the coolest

music this side of Macy's. And coming up is the number one record in the nation

today. It's Virgil Walker's Who, Baby, Who.

But before we play it, I've got a little message for you, a message I know

you'll dig.

Now, you're all hip that our boy Virgil is opening at the Roxy tomorrow, but did

you know he's checking into the Gotham Towers at four this afternoon?

Yes, kids, Virgil Walker in person, in the flesh, at the Gotham Towers at 4 o

'clock this afternoon.

That's all right, honey. I'll hang on.

This is Bill Randall back again with more music. I want to remind you that

can meet Virgil Walker outside the Gotham Towers this afternoon at 4 o

person. Matter of fact, we have Virgil's brand new record for you now.

This is Biff Colley, boys and girls.

Word is, Virg wants to meet and say hi to every one of you. So be there, Gotham

Towers, 4 o 'clock, okay?

Now let's listen to one of Virg's latest and greatest.

These are real good.

Oh, hello.

Hello, Alex.

Alex, sorry, Fisher.

Hey, listen, Alex, I'd like to talk to you about something.

Pass me a seatbelt, please.

Pass me a seatbelt.

Pass me the seatbelt. All right.

Well, it's like any place else, just plain little old New York.

Come on, kid.

Man,

I keep thinking about how those little gals busted right through the lobby.

Even back home, they never wear that, Henry.

He was worried nobody'd know who he was in New York.

Well, you got your answer. That's the kind of honest, spontaneous

you can't fake.

Let's face it, kid, New York is nuts about you.

Here, no matter what you read in the books, this is the capital of the United

States. And it's yours.

You know, Mr. Shaw, it happened to me about a year ago. I thought Baton Rouge

was the biggest town in the whole world. No kidding.

No place in the world could be any bigger.

Well, how does that sound to you?

Crazy old gals.

They gonna hang around down there all night?

Why don't you let them come in and get warm?

You're a funny man, Fisher.

Pull out your trunks, kid.

Want someone to come up, help you unpack? No, I can take care of that

Right now, I just feel like taking a big walk right down Broadway.

Broadway? You mean that?

You'd be mobbed.

What would you be able to see with 2 ,000 kids clawing at you, huh?

Forgot about that.

Well, I guess we'll just stay around here, huh?

Don't get me wrong, kid. Now, don't make it sound like solitary confinement, but

you've got to be careful, you know what I mean?

Sure, sir.

There are ways, you know.

This is one town that I know like a book.

If there's anything you want, Verge, anything.

No, thanks. I think I'll just go and unpack.

Check on him later.

Don't let him feel sorry for himself.

Yeah, I know what you mean. Yeah, you know. You always know. Why'd you let him

put us on the third floor?

Who lives on the third floor at the Gotham Towers? I asked for it.

You think I'd keep those kids hanging around outside if Virg was on the 17th

floor? He's where they can see him. You heard what happened, didn't you, when he

leaned out?

And how about that big demonstration I rigged up? Pretty big time, huh? Yeah.

What'd you pay for it?

$23 for signs, 90 cents for telephone calls, and six manufacturer sample

No cost. Now, how's that for a budget?

This is the job you're paid to do.

Yeah, but the point is, am I being paid enough?

I mean, the kid's turning into big business. He's got what it takes.

That means more for everyone.

More money.

What do you say, Joe?

I'll think about it. What about the mail?

It's in your room. Everything's fixed downstairs.

All the kids' mail goes through you.

Oh, here's one I pulled off the back.

It's for the kid.

This grandfather's handwriting.

Get rid of it.

The kid's been waiting for this.

Maybe there's nothing in it that'll upset him.

Why don't you steam it open and check?

You can use my bathroom.

Here's a hot little flash, folks. I just got a call from some kids who call

themselves the Bronx Bombettes.

They're part of a mob hanging around outside Virgil Walker's hotel, and they

have a portable radio.

Listen to this heartbreaker.

As long as they can't be with him in person, they want me to spin one of

Virgil's waxes while they stand looking up at the light in his window.

Doesn't that tear your heart out? And who am I to stand in the way of true

So all right, girls, here it comes. Look up and hang on.

Like I do Go lost in a dream They always

seem As helpless as they can be Mr. Sharkey?

Hi.

Hackett. I just wondered, um, is there any mail?

Just the usual.

Business and fan mail.

Nothing from home, you know, like, uh, personal stuff? If there was, you'd have

it.

I just wondered...

You want to look over the fan mail? Might be kicks, huh?

No, never mind.

Thanks.

Spurge?

Yeah?

What's on your mind?

Oh, nothing much.

Is it always going to be like this?

Well, let's hope so.

Lonesome? Kind of.

Time on your hands?

Yeah.

I could take care of that.

There's no reason for a red -blooded American boy to sit counting his toes.

Youth is young and the natives are restless. Right, boy?

I'll get somebody for you to talk to. Be back in ten minutes.

Crazy,

crazy.

I got a date with the record people. I'll see you later.

Get boss.

Bye. Bye.

Bye.

See you.

Really something. Really when those crews were going crazy.

Hey, you ought to see the line outside. More than a block long. All the way down

to six hours. Yeah? Yeah.

You know, Mr. Sharkey says never count them till they're in the theater. Yeah,

that's right.

Yeah? Yeah. Did you send that for that sandwich and chocolate moment? Yeah,

it'll be here any minute.

Hey, look, Virg, what I want to ask you is, would it be all right if I set up a

couple interviews for you this afternoon? You know, between shows.

Sure, I guess so, if you'll be here to help me with the answers. I always am,

Virg. They'll get nothing we don't want to give them.

Oh, listen, if you're worried about Sharky's over at Gold Records, you're

up that recording session for you. It looks like tomorrow morning.

Well, I'll see you later. Hey.

Where are you going?

Well, I've got to set up the interviews.

Oh.

I'll be back.

Go ahead.

Howdy. Hi.

I'm from the delicatessen. This here's a chalk malt and a combination turkey,

cheese, ham, and peanut butter sandwich. That's me. Come on in.

Here you go.

All right, Olive.

I gotta go get me some change.

Roll that crown. Oh, that's okay.

Go ahead and keep it.

I sure appreciate that.

I sure do.

Thanks a lot.

Hey, wait a second.

What's your name, fella?

C .K.

C .K.? What's that stand for?

Nothing. Just C .K. C .K. Judd. Hey, where are you from, C .K.? Oklahoma.

I know, C .K. I knew it before.

I could tell by the way you talked you weren't from New York.

Hey, why don't you set yourself a man?

Don't mind if I do. I do too much standing.

How long you been in New York City?

About a year. Maybe not quite.

You like it?

Okay, I guess.

Man, that delicatessen sure stinks.

And money don't go near as far as it does back home.

You want a hand?

No.

I eat that stuff for you all day and it cost you five dollars.

I bet you sure make yourself a pile, huh? A couple of million a year, I bet,

huh? Nah.

Mr. Sharkey figures about 300 ,000 this year and maybe double that next.

Man.

All that money?

Spended money.

But it ain't mine.

I better get back to work.

Hey, wait a second.

Gee, uh, you don't have to rush off, do you?

I sure do, but if that delicate testing man ain't on my tail yet, his wife

isn't.

Hey, well, listen.

Gee, how much money do you make in that stinking old delicatessen?

Well, after they get through taking off old ladies and stuff, it's mostly around

37 bucks.

37 bucks.

Well,

gee,

how'd you like to go to work for me for about 60 bucks?

You mean it?

I'm offering it.

Man, you got yourself a boy.

What'd I do?

I don't know. Just be around. I guess be around when I need you.

Man, I'm around.

Everybody loves him so.

He's got a little ice cream shop.

On the corner of the block.

With the jukebox playing loud.

Making sodas for the crowd.

They call him a soda pop -a -pop.

He's got a shop on the corner where the kids go to bop. They call him soda pop

-a -pop.

Play it cool at the school sale about three o 'clock.

Strawberry, raspberry, lemon and lime.

He

puts

a whipped cream on the top.

You better get yourself on down to where the cats are going to gather around.

One more time?

Thank you.

Thank you.

This ain't a palace. I don't know what it is.

Every place you go, you get a place this big to live?

Mm -hmm.

Just about.

And a child like this to eat all the time? It's even better down south.

Man,

you know what I'm going to be real soon?

I'm going to be a big, fat slob.

Thank you, Mr. Sharkey.

Um, C .K., let's just go finish eating my bedroom, okay?

Yes, Mr.

Sharkey. Come on.

Man.

Feel that rug.

Just like walking on feathers. Come on, C .K.

Get the hell out of here.

Dude, get rid of him before I kill him. Now, take it easy, Sharky. Sure is it,

though. But did you notice how much happier Virgil is with him around?

Gives him somebody to talk to, somebody who speaks his language.

That's a language I can't stand.

After all, Virgil's a big name now. From now on, if he wants a close friend,

he's got to hire one.

Man,

this has got to be a dream.

This mattress is even softer than the rug.

Weren't you ever on a soft bed before, C .K.? Like this?

Never in my life.

Hey, where'd you live in Oklahoma?

Little pig farm near Chickasha.

Man, you know what my mattress was stuffed with?

Corn husks.

One time an old sow got into my room and ate half of it.

Hey, that old mattress was stuffed with straw.

Straw.

Man, look at you now.

Ain't the money of the world. Fancy suits staying in fine hotels.

Gals.

Hey, how about the gals, man?

What about them?

You know all you want?

I'm with you.

I'm right with you to take second.

Your second is ten times better than my first, man. I can't... You got to be

careful, you hear?

You got to be real careful you don't get stuck with no steady gal, man. That'll

ruin us.

Ruin us.

You ever have a steady gal?

Yep. I did once back in Pageant where I lived.

Okay, you know.

Your folks still live in Pageant?

My mom and pa split up when I was about five years old.

Neither one of them wanted me, so my grandfather took me in.

My grandfather raised me.

He and my aunt Carolyn are the only folks I got.

Man, how... I bet you got that old grandpa driving himself a big white

huh?

Funniest thing.

C .K., you know he won't hardly let me do nothing for him.

My Aunt Carolyn talked to me to let me fix the old house up a little bit and

paint it.

That's all.

Is he out of his head?

You don't understand about my grandfather.

He sees a preacher.

Well, he don't want any more than just what he needs.

Not one of those fancy preachers that's got his own church. He's a real honest

-to -God preacher that taught himself.

Finest man in the whole world.

He almost turned me into being a preacher, too.

Man, that's a hard one.

Old Virgil, a preacher.

What kind of preacher you be?

Where are you leading us, preacher Virgil?

Only place you can lead us straight to hell. Shut up.

What'd they say wrong, Virgil?

Nothing, C .K.

Let's just not talk about it.

You'll have to paint the house anyway.

Do you think I should try the rich virgin?

Yes, you better.

Excuse me.

Reverend Easton?

Yes, Caroline?

Is Leora there?

Yes, she is.

Could she come over, please?

Of course.

Leora?

Leora?

Miss Caroline wants you.

Let me know if there's any change.

I'm sorry, Miss Walker, but with a man his age... Yes, Miss Walker?

Anything wrong, Caroline?

My father, he's had a heart attack. Oh, no.

Shouldn't he be in a hospital, Doctor? I don't dare move him now, Reverend.

May I help?

Thanks. No, I... I just want Leora to make a call for me.

When did it happen?

I don't know. The first I knew was about two hours ago.

I want you to call Virgil.

Oh, I get all mixed up trying to call long distance.

I thought you'd like to see the papers. Great coverage.

Reviews? Not in yet. Who cares?

Smart Alex.

No, just a minute.

It's the kid's aunt. Long distance.

You think the phone rang in his room?

I took care. Everything goes through you.

Hello?

Now, this is Mr. Sharkey.

Yes, I'll talk to her.

Mr. Sharkey?

Isn't Virgil there?

I don't know. Mr. Sharkey says he'll talk to you.

Hello?

Mr. Sharkey?

This is Virgil's Aunt Caroline.

I've got very bad news for Virgil.

His grandfather had a heart attack.

Yes, very bad.

Is Virgil there?

No, Virgil isn't here. He's out of town.

I'm sorry to hear about his grandfather.

Tell him to have Virgil call you.

When Virgil does get in touch with you, will you please have him call me?

Tell him his grandpa's asking for him.

Yes, I'll tell him.

Bye.

Meddling old man, he can't let the kid alone.

Sick? He's faked a heart attack.

Faked? That's what I said, isn't it?

You told me not to talk, and I ain't been, but... But we're still friends,

we?

Sure, see, kid.

That was nothing to do with you.

Hey.

You want to see something?

What?

Man, that's a whole store.

You want one?

Don't fool me. Go ahead, take your pick.

Take one.

Bet I know which one.

Yeah.

Ding,

dong, darn.

Man, I gotta see all of it.

Now I'm beginning to look like you already.

Maybe if I comb my hair like you, not exactly the same, but kind of like. Is

that okay with you, Virgin? Sure, C .K.

Man, look at me, all dressed up and ready to tear.

Hey, C .K., the sleeves okay?

Oh, yeah, nice and long, man.

Hey, that's you.

I know this one.

Bow.

Yeah.

I didn't know you could sing.

Yeah.

Hey, see, see, see, see. The guitar.

Virg, I mean, after we get done playing with the Roxy.

Well, Mr.

Sharkey's talking about a deal to make a picture at Hollywood.

Hollywood? Yeah.

How can you tell?

I counted the windows outside.

But these are doors.

Mr. Sharkey, give a man a break.

Lunch! Breakfast!

I get your point. All right, I'm looking at the shirt. So what?

You see, it's all high -quality material.

But I've got to set a reasonable price or they won't sell.

Have your percentage just a little bit.

It's on the check. Thank you, sir. Thank you.

You're a young man.

Tender. You do better. Besides, she'd gum up your recording day. Look, we can

get a lot of people to manufacture Virgil Walker shirts. You want to, don't

I figured my cost. I wouldn't make a penny. You're getting the same deal as

everyone else.

Man, this is the kind of food I don't mind if I get sick eating.

Golly. Get rid of that.

All right, girls. Now you've seen Virgil. Let's go.

What's your name, honey?

Pat. Pat Barry.

I was on your official welcoming committee.

You know, you're real pretty, Pat.

Hey.

Let's make it a real one, honey.

Wow.

Why don't you, um... Why don't you come around after my last show, hmm?

Tonight? Sure.

I'll tell them to let you in, okay? Get them out of here!

All right, girls, let's go. Come on. Hey, wait a second, honey. Hang on.

Mind if I borrow a couple of these, huh?

Oh, go ahead. I'm already losing money.

Look what I got.

A present for you.

The first of the Virgil Walker shirts.

I'll put it on right now.

Yeah. Not now, dollface. Later.

I'll wear it tonight.

I'll wear it till the day I die.

Fine. Come on.

Hey,

man, I reckon.

Hey, can't you just see that gal a couple of years from now, you know,

out through a raggedy old shirt?

Man, I'll be there.

All right, Mr. Sharky, it's a deal.

Yeah, regular phones. I'll send them to you.

It's a little margin you leave me.

I'll get it.

Hello.

Oh, yeah. Yo, just a minute. Hang on.

Burns, Hollywood.

Sending the script.

I'll talk to him.

What are you sending me a script for? I told you we're not doing it. Not without

top billing.

Well, cut it out, will you? The picture will make a mint. Don't be cute.

There's nothing to iron out. We got lots of other offers.

Now you think it over.

Well, goodbye, Mr. Chucky.

Yeah, so long.

Well, goodbye, boys. So long.

I don't want to rush you, kid, but you do have the recording studio in 25

minutes. You know, thanks a lot, Mr. Chucky.

Man, I sure hope that girl brings a girlfriend along tonight, huh? Why

you ask us, CK?

I'm not used to having them shoved at me yet, man.

I gotta learn.

Hey, we're gonna be late. Come on, we'll pick something up downtown.

What did Bernie have to say?

He'll call back.

Don't worry, we'll get everything we want.

Who's this?

This is a friend. I'm speaking from Virgil's aunt.

She still hasn't heard from Virgil, and I... And I haven't heard from me,

either. I already told her he's out of town.

I don't care what you read in the papers. He's not here.

How's his grandfather now?

Uh -huh.

Yes, I'll tell him the minute I locate him.

Goodbye.

Is his grandfather worse?

Yeah.

I don't like this, Sharky. The kid's bound to find out.

What are you worrying about? What if the old man dies?

Oh, everybody dies.

Operator, this is Mr. Sharky.

I'm expecting a call from Hollywood.

I'll be at Gold Records in a few minutes.

That's right, Gold Records.

Thank you.

Now, let's go.

Wait a minute, Sharky.

Look, why don't you get smart? You know the only thing the kid cares about is

his grandfather.

And you, of course.

I should get smart, huh?

Like you're smart.

Have you forgotten the trouble the old buzzard caused when he showed up in

Louisville? Remember how he tried to break the kid down? Break down

built up in him?

I'm not exposing him to any more of that hellfire and damnation junk. I found

that kid! I'm not saying you didn't find that kid, even if you don't want to

admit that I helped. Look, Sharky, he respects you. Don't change that. We've

to protect our position.

Protect our position?

I got the position. You got a job. You're working for me. Don't you ever

that.

What, is something wrong with Sharky? No, I'm just straightening Arnie out.

Man, I'm really getting around.

Has he come along, too?

Yeah, I've come out to have him around.

Come on, Seeking. I'm with you.

Whenever I get lonely, sing,

boy, sing.

When I...

Well, I start to open my mouth and sing a little song. They'd say, but they were

right. It wouldn't seem wrong.

Even the cuckoo in the clock on the wall is just having himself a natural bar.

Sing, boy, sing. Things are better. Sing, boy, sing. Yeah, better.

Sing, boy, sing.

Just made me lonely.

Sing, boys, sing.

Well, Mr.

T.

Open my mouth and sing a little song. It's so easy to forget what she done

wrong. Am I having a line?

Man, when I hear that, I gotta move. Move someplace else. I'm trying to

Will you both shut up?

It's the right now. Sing, boys, sing. It's the right now. Sing, boys. Sing.

Sing. Sing.

Sing. Sing.

Sing.

How'd that come over? Pretty clear.

All right, Virgil, that wraps it up.

You've got enough to put one together.

Yeah. Man, that was real up and down.

Yeah? It shook my cork loose. Hey, that was okay, kid.

It really was?

Yeah, sure.

Why, is something bothering you? I don't know.

Maybe I need an audience.

I'm your audience.

I guess I miss his screaming.

Why don't you scream a little, Mr. Sharkey? Yeah, sure.

Next time I'm 16.

Sounds all right to me. Why don't you tell them about it?

See what happens.

Listen, you look tired, kid.

After we listen to the tape, you've got time for a nap before your first show.

Yeah, you know, I didn't sleep too well last night, but I'm really not tired.

That's all right, son.

Something on your mind? When you can't sleep, everything's on your mind.

Sometimes that happens, at least.

Listen, do you want me to get rid of the goon? No, it's not him, it's me.

Virgil, you want to hear a terrific idea for an album? Yeah, you can tell me

about it later. Well, how do you like this?

Rock of Ages.

That's a church song. Oh, that's the idea.

One side of the album will have straight hymns like you used to sing for your

grandfather. And the other side will have rhythm arrangements like you just

sang. Yeah, it stinks.

Don't you get it?

Rock of ages. All ages.

Oh, who needs it?

I guess it wouldn't go, Mr. Schock. Sure, sure.

I'm really sorry, but you know, Mr. Schock... Yeah, Papa knows best.

You came over great, kid.

Thanks. By the way, Baron has a wonderful idea for an album.

Think so? Yeah.

Ready? Yeah, ready.

Did you hear any more about that picture deal, Mr. Sharkey? Yeah, you're getting

star billing.

They said so?

They will.

Wow, that ought to be fun out there. You should see my dreams last night, man.

Sing, boy, sing.

Well, I start to open my mouth and sing a little song. They take a thing or

laugh at once and we're gone.

Even the cuckoo and the clock on the wall are just a -having him. Augustus,

from where?

Sing, boy, sing. Can you talk up, please? That's probably for me. Yes,

he's here.

Who's calling?

Who?

Virgil, have you got an Aunt Caroline?

What? You have an Aunt Caroline in some place called Pageant? You'll call her

back. What's my aunt? I haven't talked to her. You'll call her back. Right now,

I want you to listen to this.

I'll call back.

Hello? You'll call back.

I'm terribly sorry.

You see, we're very busy recording.

If you call back here.

I just said hello.

Can you cut that off?

Hello?

Oh, the aura.

Hello, Virgil.

Just a moment.

Finally.

Hello?

Virgil?

This is Aunt Caroline.

Can you hear me, Virgil?

Yes, ma 'am, I can hear you, Aunt Caroline.

What?

When?

Well, yeah, I've been here.

No, I never heard.

Gee, there must have been some... How bad is it, Aunt Carolyn?

It is?

Who's taking care of him, Aunt Carolyn?

Look, you get a specialist from New Orleans, the best one, it don't matter

it costs.

Yeah, I know.

Look, Aunt Carolyn, you get one anyway.

I'll call you back just as soon as I find out what I can do.

I do, too.

I'll miss you.

Goodbye, Colonel.

They, uh... They've been trying to get me since yesterday.

Who?

My aunt, my... My grandfather's took sick.

He might be dying.

Oh, that's too bad.

Yeah.

My aunt says that you told her I was out of town.

She's crazy. I never talked to her. Did you talk to her? Who, me? No.

Well, get him the best doctor.

I'm getting one.

My grandfather wants to see me.

Well, we might get a break in the schedule. We're booked solid.

No, but he only wants us... People want. They don't always get.

What Mr. Sharkey means is that we have a schedule.

No, but you don't... Hey, where's another phone I can use around here? In

office. I'll tell you. Yeah, I know where it is.

What are you going to do? You can't stop him now. What a mess this will be if

the old man kicks off. The old man who raised the kid when his own folks didn't

want him. And Virgil couldn't be bothered to go down there and watch him

We've got contracts.

We can't walk out on them now. And the minute the picture dealer says... This

could kill the picture. Why don't you cancel for a couple of nights? We can't

cancel tonight. It's too late now. All right, then after the show tonight. Let

the kid go down and hold the old man's hands for a day. Two days at the most. I

don't want that old hypocrite getting to the boy again. So what? He came up to

Louisville. He preached at Virgil. You were able to snap the kid out of it.

Look, who knows? He might even die before we get there. The important thing

to make the gesture.

The boy with enough heart to drop everything and rush to the bedside of

grandpappy.

Okay.

Find out what plane we can get out of here tonight and make reservations back

the next day. Wait a minute. Watch your hurry.

After you make the reservation, start spreading the word.

And tell Barron when we get back, maybe we'll make that album.

I like that album idea.

Can't you shut up? Get going.

Are you going to where Virgil is, Mr. Sharpton? Can I go with you? Whining

little stooge, get away from me!

A little love That slowly grows and grows

Not one that comes and goes That's all I want

from you

A sunny day with hopes up to the sky.

A kiss, not one goodbye.

That's all I want from you.

Don't let me down. Oh, show me that you care.

Remember when you give, you also get your share.

That's all I

want from you.

Don't let me down.

Oh, show me that you care.

Remember when you give, you also get your share.

That's all I want from

you. That's all. That's all.

Help me. I'll get the dressing room.

Hey, Arnie. Just a second. I left mine to go in the dressing room. Put on the

picture. Thanks.

Thanks, E .K.

Well, look, kid, I'll just go check on the car. Only be a minute. Okay.

Here I am, Virgil. Like you said.

Don't you remember?

See, I'm wearing the shirt you gave me.

Oh, yeah, sure, I am.

Look, you want to do yourself a favor, huh?

You go home and take that shirt off. It looks lousy on you.

Now go home.

Go on.

Both these coats went there, Virgil. Oh, thanks, CK.

Here, here's a present. You keep that one.

You sure have been good to me, Virgil.

Virgil, please, can I come along?

I mean, you just loaned me the money for the plane. That's all you got to do

now. And I'll pay my own way. And I'll pay you back every little penny. I'm

sorry, CK, but this is a personal trip. Please, when are you coming back,

Virgil? I don't know. It's just to go down how things go down.

Well, are you sure I can have my job back when you come back, Crutch? Are you

sure? I told you that, C .K. When I come back, you just pick up and start

working for me like I've never been gone.

You know what's going to happen, don't you?

When you get down there, you're going to find somebody else you'd rather have

working for you.

I bet somebody else is going to get my job. I bet it.

But I never get to see you again, and I'm never going to get to go to

or nothing. That plane's going to take off whether he likes it or not.

See ya.

That his?

It's mine now. He gave it to me.

Crazy old gal.

Dirty old gal.

Man, I was so happy I could bust out crying.

Me figuring I was left all alone and never going to see you again.

There's this money old Virgil gave me looking right up at me.

I won't bother you none of the trip, Virgil, promise. I'll just be around in

case you want me for something.

You ain't mad, are you, Virgil?

No, that's all right, C .K.

How long are we going to be down there, Virgil? I mean...

Is your grandpa real sick? Do we have to sit around? Is it all right if we're

having some fun, huh?

I've got a lot of things on my mind right now, so why don't you go find

another seat, huh?

Go get some sleep or something.

Yeah, that's what I'll do. I'll go get me some sleep.

You just call me when you want me now.

The student just moved out. Go sit with the kid.

Maybe he wants to be alone.

Open him up. I don't want him brooding.

You mean thinking, don't you?

Look, kid, you shouldn't be soaring anybody.

What I mean is the switchboard operators, they didn't know.

It wasn't the operators. Well, who then?

Hey, do you think Sharky would try to keep you from getting a call?

Oh, come on, Bert. Sharky has nothing but your interest at heart. Why, he cut

off his arm for you. You ought to know that.

Oh, let's forget it.

Yeah.

Yeah, let's both forget it.

He never studied to be a preacher, did he?

Did he? Your grandfather, I mean.

No. Just got up there and preached. How come?

Because he had the feeling.

He sure preached enough at us.

You know, you had me half believing I was going straight to hell.

Maybe we are.

Oh, come on.

Come on.

I bet the old man was really something working in front of an audience.

Congregation?

Yeah. Yeah.

I bet he really had them shaking and rolling.

Sometimes some of the people did carry on a little bit when they got worked up.

Well, sure, just like you work him up. I mean, he makes him shake, and you get

him to rock.

The mounts are the same thing.

Do you mean that? Sure.

Do you believe in anything?

Sure, I do.

What? I mean, like what?

What do you mean, like what?

Like God.

What's so funny?

Oh, come on. You're always saying that, aren't you? What's so funny?

Well, I'm not saying it's funny.

Look, kid, look out the window, will you?

Go ahead, look out the window. What do you see out there?

Stars, the moon.

What else?

Space, huh?

Nothing but empty space.

What else? Nothing. It's just nothing.

So admit it, there's nothing out there. Do you ever see anything else out there?

Yes. What? Well, what, for instance?

You wouldn't understand.

No, no, go ahead. I'm listening. You just wouldn't understand, Arnie. Now,

me alone. Well, look, look. Look, leave me be now, Arnie. You just leave me be.

Oh, come on, Virg. Just leave me be. What did I say?

Listen. Well?

What do you see out there, Joe?

What?

The kid sees plenty.

The sky's full of fairy tales.

Oh, talk sense, will you?

He's on the religion kick again, but good.

You sold me on this trip. What's that got to do with anything?

This is no show. Word must have gotten out somehow, kid. Well, get them away.

They got no business here. Yeah, I'll try.

Get the streets cleared. Get more police if you have to. You better come with

me. We'll get rooms in town. Come on. Sure, Mr. Fisher.

Take it easy, will you, kid?

Hello, Leon.

Hello, Virgil.

You, uh, you been coming over to help?

Up, Gallop.

How is he? He's still alive.

Thanks be.

Oh, Virgil, I'm so glad you are here. We tried and tried to telephone you. I've

been moving around.

Is he awake?

Sometimes. He's failing, Virgil.

Failing fast.

Just now.

I'd have been here sooner, Grandpa. I'm tired, Matthew.

Where's the doctor?

I'm tired.

Sit beside.

I want to sleep for a few minutes.

I'm still here.

I will, Grandpa.

What date?

Oh, that's too far in advance.

We can't make a commitment that far in advance.

The first place has got a movie to do.

We'll announce it when ready.

Yeah.

What price?

Who said so?

Put another zero on the end.

Another zero.

All right.

Take it easy now, will you, fellas? Take it easy.

Take it easy.

He's got a room he's promised to stay in town until we send for him.

When's the boy coming down, Mr. Sharkey?

I don't know.

How long has he been up there?

This morning.

He just won't leave the old man.

What are the old man's chances? We don't know that.

How is he, sir?

We've been praying for him, Virgie.

Miss Keyes?

Virgil.

Hi, Mr. Sterling. How is he, Virgie?

He's still sleeping. The doctor's right up there by him.

Reverend Easton?

We're having an offering at my church tomorrow.

Will you come, Virgil?

Yes, sir.

You look tired, Leora.

I'm all right.

I couldn't have got along without her.

I'll go up now and stay with him.

Yes, ma 'am.

Well, there's an all -night diner on the road to Baton Rouge.

Excuse me? Sure, of course.

How do you feel, Kenny?

Hey, uh, any chance of getting up there? Yeah, how about that? No, you can't go

up there. What kind of talk is that?

He's all upset, brother. Yeah, he's all upset.

He don't even know I'm here.

They have his house!

Listen to him.

Can't they let him die in peace?

I don't think he hears them.

Besides, we're getting kind of used to it now.

People coming by.

Do they?

They even stop outside my house to see the girl Virgil used to go with.

Yeah, I've been wanting to come back, you know.

We know you've been busy, Virgil.

A lot of things have been happily ordered me. You know that.

Can't they be quiet?

Can't ever get shut up, all these people.

They're always around.

The more they're around, the more alone I get.

Nobody to talk to.

Nobody to really talk to like... like you and me are talking right now.

Why, when I was in New York, I had to hire a guy just... just so he'd be

you know.

It's a sort of friend.

Oh, I don't mean I don't know anybody, Leora.

I know lots of people, and they're all nice to me.

But I don't trust a one of them.

Sometimes I just want to come back here.

You really think about coming home to stay, Virgil?

Sometimes.

What would you do here?

What would you do if you came back to live?

I don't know.

Maybe I really don't want to quit.

At least what I'm doing now, there's always something happening.

It's happening so fast I get scared sometimes.

Can't hardly fall asleep at night.

Lay there and I start to feel cold.

Like something's all wrong.

Like I'm gonna be punished.

I guess maybe I'm crazy.

Me making all that money and... And getting an awful feeling sometimes.

Like I'm lost.

I want to tell you something, Leora.

When I was sitting up there with Grandpa, this thought came to me.

Not a thought so much, but something you feel instead of think.

I got that feeling that if I could just pray for him, he'd be all right.

You know?

But I couldn't pray.

Something stopped me. I just didn't have the right to pray anymore.

Virgil.

I don't know anymore, Leora. I don't know anything anymore.

We've got a stick and meth on our hands. What? That stupid kid C .K. Of all

places, your hometown.

C .K.? What'd he do? Young girl, a town kid. They caught him with her in his

hotel room.

Now look, I just talked to Sharky. Here's how we're gonna handle it. You

know C .K. You never heard of him, you never saw him, huh?

He's just one of those crackpots that hang around and pretend to be the friend

of all the celebrities. Do you understand?

Do you understand, Virg? Now, why did he have to do this now? Now, why? I don't

know. Because he's an idiot, that's why. But you do understand, don't you, Virg?

Where is he? He's locked up. Sharky's down there right now. Look, Virg, this

important. You don't even know him. Hey, where were you going? I'm going to see

him. I just told you you don't know him. I'm going to see him. Wait a minute.

Now, wait a minute. Let me see.

Has anyone filed charges yet?

No, not yet.

There's her father.

We're still looking for her mother.

She's a laundress, house to house.

Uh -huh.

I want to see him. I thought I could. I did the best I could. Where's C .K.? All

right, let him see the great level, will you?

Joe?

Right this way.

Can I look at that report again, please? Sure.

This man is the poor girl's father.

There he is.

I knew you'd come, Virgil. I told him you were my friend.

You crazy old... You dirty, no -good... Don't be mad at me, Virgil. It wasn't my

fault. She did it. I'm trying to blame her. Now, that's right. Put the blame on

the girl. No, I'm telling the truth.

It could cross my heart and hope to die.

Listen, Virgil, please, let me tell you. I was sitting in the drugstore drinking

malt, minding my own business, and...

There were some gals sitting alongside all talking about you and paying no mind

to me.

And then I just happened to say, I was your friend.

You should have seen the man the way they carried on over me, just because I

your friend.

I signed autographs.

They made me promise to let them meet again.

And when I left, this one little gal, she followed me.

I'm telling the truth, she followed me.

It was the craziest thing that ever happened to me. She followed me right up

my room.

I didn't do a thing. I just stood there.

And she grabbed me and she started kissing me and saying your name over and

over.

It was like I was you.

Hold her tight.

Then she started hollering, hollering for help, and suddenly somebody busted

through the door.

And that's all that happened. I threw her in a stack of pipes.

That's all that happened.

Here I am in jail.

It's because a gal was nuts about you.

Virgil, they've been calling all over town for you.

Virgil, it's about your grandpa. The doctor says you'd better hurry.

Virgil, don't leave me, Virgil. You're going to get me out, Virgil.

Virgil?

All right, now, take it easy, will you, kid?

Hey, where you been?

Oh, Bertie, I didn't mean to come.

I've been here since morning, Grandpa.

You were here?

We spoke.

Why did you come?

This morning.

What time is it?

About nine o 'clock.

Look, Grandpa, I... Oh, Bertie, Bertie.

Listen to what I say before it's too late. Do you hear me?

Yes, sir.

I've seen them working, yelling and hoofing for you.

And I was ashamed.

That's not what God made you for, to lead them to the gates of hell.

You've got to come back to it.

Come back to God.

Get my Bible.

Get my Bible.

habit, Grandpa.

Hosea, fourth chapter.

Remember it? Open it and read it.

There is no fake one.

Read it.

I'm trying to find it, Grandpa.

Read it.

First verse.

Read it to me.

Quick, Reggie. There's no time. You found it.

Yes, sir.

Read.

There is no faithfulness or kindness and no knowledge of God and the Lamb.

Murder and they steal.

Read it.

Killing, stealing, and committing adultery.

They break all bounds.

Murder follows murder.

Reggie, have you sinned?

Are you a sinner?

God's here, Virgie. He's asking you through me.

He is asking you, Virgie.

Have you sinned?

Yes. Virgie, tell him you'll put away evil.

I will, Lord.

He will, Lord. You heard him. He'll put away evil.

He'll wash himself clean.

Amen.

Virgie, God's standing right behind you. His hands are stretching out.

Pray for mercy.

Pray now, Virgie, now.

Cast out the black pain of your sin.

Pray, Virgie.

Pray.

Look up, Virgie.

It's better now. Listen.

Don't fail him, Virgie.

Promise him you'll carry on for me. His work, the work of the law.

Promise him. Promise.

I promise, Lord.

I promise.

I didn't come all the way from New York to stand outside and guess what's

happening. We won't interfere with anything.

Gentlemen, this is a sacred occasion, not a circus.

You will not be permitted inside the church.

Wait, Reverend.

Will you let us do one thing?

Can we set up a public address system so the service can be picked up outside?

Yes, Reverend. This is a big deal.

How about all these people that can't get inside the church?

They've got a right to hear the service.

And we've got an obligation to the public.

All right.

You may place one microphone inside the church.

Hello, hello.

I've been trying to reach you.

Yeah, the funeral's today, this morning.

There's a plane out of here at 4 .30, makes a connection at Louisville.

Be in New York at 7.

Yeah, you can take some radio spots announcing the kid will be back tonight.

Well, I said we'll be back and we'll be there.

Huh?

Yeah.

He has prayed for many.

Now we pray for him.

Not in sadness.

The psalmist said that precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his

saints.

And when Job asked the question, If a man die, shall he live again?

John answered for our Lord, Because I live, ye shall live also.

I am the resurrection and the life.

He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.

And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.

Let not your hearts be troubled.

He has kept the Lord's saying, and he shall not see death.

He is with the immortals.

He goes to prepare a place for you in God's city.

And now Virgil will sing a hymn his grandfather taught him.

Rock of Ages, cleft

for me.

Let me hide myself

in...

I must say.

Wait. Give me that.

Are you crazy? What's the matter? Are you crazy? Come on. Come on, Bert.

Get off.

Hey, what's he trying to do? I'll shoot.

Hey, look at that. Look at it. Yeah. All through the teeth out of your head. The

boy's upset.

Oh, he's nuts. That's what he is. I said cut it. Get him out of here. You can't

order me around. I'll play with him.

I'll file.

I'll file. Come here, will you? I'll make it up to you right now. How much,

What do you think these things cost? I wouldn't take... 300, all right? I lost

my point.

300, who cares, huh? I had a picture with... Look, stop bargaining with it.

get out of the camera?

Yeah. Where?

In the car. All right, all right. Come on, here. Here. Go get it.

Yeah, sure they are.

I'm getting out of here. Where? Where do you think you'll go? I don't care. I

care. You care.

About what do you care, Mr. Sharpton? At that church I did a terrible thing.

What did you do?

What did I do?

He asked you to sing a song. Your grandfather, he asked you. He never

lousy circus. He wanted you to sing it your way, didn't he? I was there when he

asked you. Sing it your way, Virgil, he said. Yeah, that's right, kid. I'll take

a note in front of the reporters. You'll take a note. Can you help it if the

kids got a little out of hand? You'll tell them off. They'll take it in a

The whole thing's forgotten.

A week? Tomorrow.

And you're back in New York.

Everything's rosy again. No, I can't do that. No? You can?

You can, kid?

Well, you just take a look around, you kid. Go ahead.

Look at this junk.

Look at this house. Look at this furniture. Go on.

Go on, take a look at this town. Come on, look at it.

Is this where you want to live, huh?

You want to be buried here?

What would you do, kid? Pick cotton?

You're worried about a promise you made to a crazy old dying man, aren't you? Is

that what you've been thinking, kid?

Well, I've been thinking about that, too. And now I'm going to set you

How are you going to keep that promise?

Take all your fancy shirts and jackets and start singing for churches?

Well, that'll be the day. Well, I wouldn't be the first sinner. Stop it.

You wouldn't be the first sinner.

When they start drumming that into your head. Sin, sin, sin.

I had it when I was a kid. I had it with a buckle on my old man's belt.

I used to lay in bed dreaming of hell. Isn't that what you did, kid?

Isn't that what they got you doing now, huh?

Hell and sin. What a lot of lying junk. We were all dirt.

We're muck.

Only some of us don't have to wallow in it.

You wouldn't be the first sinner, no.

Not the last either. Not the last hypocrite pitching God in a canvas tent.

You ought to go back to dirt, kid.

Go back to it. Go back to sweating and grubbing. Go back to dirt. That's where

found you. Go back to it. You found me. You keep saying that. You found me. What

were you?

And you too. What were you? I was a man looking for something. That's what I

was. And I found it and I made it.

Are you sure, cropper?

I'm getting you $10 ,000 a night right now.

Yes, I just asked it and I got it.

$10 ,000. And I got you the picture contract too. Star billing.

You're going to be the star.

And guest shots are lined up.

$15 ,000 for singing a couple of songs.

You want to throw all that away, kid?

What for?

Come on.

Use your head, kid.

Makes sense, kid.

Hey, what happened?

Please,

don't badger the boy. Please, he's had an emotional experience. He'll talk to

you, but give him a chance. Don't all jump him at once.

Now, Virgil's grandfather wanted him to sing the song that way. It was a

deathbed request. We all heard it here.

As a matter of fact, the old man toured with us a couple of months ago, and he

was proud of the boy, the way he succeeded.

Sure, the kids at the church got a little out of hand, but they're sorry

it now. Now, wait a minute. Now, another thing you ought to know.

Virgil's going to sing on a benefit here next month to build a church right here

in town in memory of his grandpa. Who asked for it? Why, he volunteered it.

My Virgil's grandfather was more than a father to him.

He worshipped that old man.

I want that shot of him praying.

Praying? Yeah, he was on his knees right by that chair, praying.

Oh, yeah, sure.

Sure, Virgil's always been willing to oblige you boys. Uh, Virgil, I, uh...

I know how you feel about this, son, but can the boys have a shot of you

praying? Hey, this was supposed to be exclusive.

Go to those kids outside. Let them see what a decent, God -fearing boy you are.

Maybe some of it will rub off on them, huh? Hey, Virg, can you cry real

No.

This is my grandfather's house.

This house is all that's left of him, and I'm not going to dirty it.

Now, you get out of here, all of you. Get out of here.

Get out of here!

You too, Mr. Fisher. You too, Mr. Sharkey. Now, get out!

Did he fire you guys or what?

He didn't fire me.

I got the contract. Either he thinks for me or he doesn't open his yet.

Look, let's... Let's be sensible about this.

The kid's up to that easy.

He's had a rough couple of days. He doesn't know what he's saying.

Nobody's fired.

Nobody's gonna have any hard feelings.

Everything's gonna be all right.

Well, at least Mr. Sharkey gave me one good idea.

I'm going to sing it, that big benefit he talked about.

I'll have it right here in town.

And raise enough money to build a church in honor of Grandpa.

What will you sing about, Virgil?

Hymns.

Yeah, that'll be the whole idea, you know?

Religious songs that Grandpa taught me.

Who's going to come to hear you sing hymns, Virgil?

They won't have to know about it.

They can find out after they pay.

And then when the church is built,

I'm going to start preaching in that church.

I'm going to give my whole life to preaching.

What will you preach about?

Well, regular things, you know.

Regular things?

Yeah.

Like my grandpa preached about.

Aunt Carolyn, I'm going to do it.

I sent Mr. Sharkey away and I'm giving up everything.

I'm going to take over for grandpa.

I know.

I heard.

You loved your grandpa, Virgil.

I loved him, too.

But now I've got to speak out against my own father.

Aunt Carolyn, are you all right?

Yes.

Sit down, Virgil.

Don't you see what he was trying to do, forcing you to make that promise?

He was fixing to live your life after he was dead.

It wasn't enough that I gave my life to him.

Everything I did was what your grandpa wanted.

Shouldn't that have satisfied him?

Oh, I... I wanted pretty clothes.

Pretty clothes were sinful, so... I had no pretty clothes.

Men were wicked, so... I could never know what it was like to be loved by a

All my life, I lived for him.

In fear of him.

Isn't that enough?

What does he want from you?

He's a good man, Aunt Carolyn.

He's a good man.

You wanted to give us a beautiful house because you loved it.

Why wouldn't he let you?

It's a beautiful house of sin.

It wasn't the house, Aunt Carolyn.

It was the money.

The money, where it came from. It came from a gift God gave you.

A wonderful voice.

What's sinful about a wonderful voice?

Listen, Virgie. You are not a sinner like he said. You are a fine young man

your own life to live the way you want.

Of course you've made mistakes.

But every mistake isn't a sin.

Don't commit my sin.

Don't live in misery trying to be something you are not.

Please, Virgie. For God's sake.

Gwen.

And may God forgive me.

Thanks a lot, Aunt Carolyn.

Don't forget to keep in touch.

I won't.

I'm coming back.

Yes, Virgil.

Let's get going.

Hey, Virgil!

Virgil!

Virgil!

Hey, let him through.

Where are you heading, man?

New York.

And Carolyn,

bye.

around you kid this is his life you want to be part of it i'll be

around longer than you mr sharky

Well, I start to open my mouth and sing a little song. Hop on the choo -choo,

let it chug on along.

It makes no difference if I get the bad news that you sing this song. I say, so

long, blues.

Sing, you boys, sing.

Sing, you boys, sing.

Sing, you boys, sing.

Sing for your blues.