Original subtitles

Well, we're moving on up, moving on up, to the sun, moving on up, to a deep...

Oh, that's okay, Miss Jefferson. I know that deep down we're all God's children,

and you're the reason somebody invented birth control.

I know I keep repeating myself, but your solo was just beautiful.

Well, I did my best.

Too late to apologize now.

Oh, hello. Is there a Florence Johnston living here? Don't rub it in.

Sorry to interrupt your Sunday afternoon. It's just that I had to come

compliment Florence on that beautiful solo she did in church this morning.

Florence is a guy from the lunatic asylum here to see you.

Hi, I'm Mike Davis.

Oh, this is Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson.

Oh, hello, hello.

Oh, you're Mr.

Jefferson. I saw your business card in the collection plate.

Anyway, Florence, I had to come by. I wanted the pleasure of meeting you in

person. Well, I hope it's not a disappointment.

Oh, not at all.

Give it time.

Mr. Davis, it was very sweet of you to come all the way over here to tell

Florence you liked her singing.

Well, actually, it's my job. You see, I'm a record producer.

You are?

Yes.

He is!

Oh, George, look.

Oh, records, huh?

Congratulations, you just set a new one. You looked at Florence twice in one

day.

Just ignore him, Mr. Davis.

You know, it means a lot to me that somebody as important as you would come

the way over here just to offer me encouragement.

Well, I might be offering you more than just encouragement.

You see, Florence, my responsibility is securing new talent for our company, E

&K Records.

Did you hear that, Miss Jefferson? He may be offering me more than

encouragement. See, his responsibility is securing new talent for his company,

&K Records.

Thanks for clearing that up.

Of course.

I believe that your voice is a gift that you have to share with the whole world.

And I'm going to help make that happen by putting your voice on a record.

A record?

Florence, did you hear that?

Of course I heard that, Miss Jefferson. I'm standing right next to you, trying

to control yourself.

Sorry, Florence.

Now control me.

Oh, don't be. You should have seen Aretha's face the day I signed her.

Aretha? Aretha Franklin?

Did you hear that? He discovered Aretha Franklin.

Wait a minute.

You discovered Aretha Franklin?

Well, that's right.

And you believe him?

Well, why not?

P .T. Barnum was wrong at two born every minute.

George, why do you belittle every good thing that happens to Florence? Take a

look right there. What do you see?

My reflection.

No, no, no. Let me help you out. It's a brain. A brain soaked with business

savvy. Now, my business savvy tells me this guy, Davis, ain't on a level.

George, give the man a chance.

He's a crook, Weez. Mark my words.

George! Mark him, Weez. Mark him.

Is there something wrong

with your husband?

Oh. Well, you see, it's just that my husband is a little suspicious.

He thinks that you're... Well, he thinks that you are sort

of... Well, how does the word croak hit you?

I think I'd better be leaving. I didn't mean to cause any problems here.

Florence, your solo was terrific.

And I hope that you pursue your singing career. If not with our company, well,

with someone you feel more comfortable with.

Breathe. Don't go nowhere.

Now, listen, do you really think my voice is good enough to make a record? I

mean, after all, I'm just a maid who sings in a church choir. What modesty?

you believe this woman's modesty?

Oh, I've gotten used to it.

I believe that your singing speaks to the working women of the world.

Well, it's honest, pure, troubled, yet optimistic.

Believe me.

You have been blessed with a gift.

You hear that?

And you got me ironing your clothes.

Why don't I make us some coffee? You've got lots to discuss.

Oh, make mine tea with lemon for the boy.

Well, Mr. Record Producer, when do we start?

All right, well, first we've got to cut a record.

And then we've got to get all the DJs across the country to play it.

Oh, this is too much. I mean, but how does it all get started? Don't it cost

money? Oh, well, our company picks up most of the expenses. All we'll need

you is $1 ,200.

$1 ,200?

For studio costs.

Well, Mr. Davis, $1 ,200 is my whole life savings.

Well, Florence, that's just what we're talking about. Your life.

Well, that's true.

E &K Records is willing to take a chance with you because I think you're good.

Yeah. You see, the company has faith that I know how to pick out a star.

A star? Yeah.

Oh, Lord, I'm going to be a mess. Oh, yes, you are.

Listen, you've got my number. Give me a call when you decide.

No, I've decided.

If Aretha can do it, so can I. You just tell me what to do. Well, you'll be at

my studio at one tomorrow. All you'll need is a cashier's check and your

lovely voice. I'll be there. All right. I'll see you tomorrow, Florence, huh?

Oh, together we are going to the top of the charts.

Arrivederci. Ciao.

The top of the charts.

Where's Mr.

Davis? Oh, he had to leave.

Oh, Miss Jefferson, guess what?

Tomorrow, I'm going to make a record.

What? Oh, Florence, that's wonderful.

But when you become rich and famous, I hope you won't forget me. Oh, Miss

Jefferson, never.

When I receive my first Grammy, I'm going to thank all the little people.

The only little person I'm going to leave out is Mr. Jefferson.

I can't believe it.

Florence Johnson, a recording star.

Yeah, like a dream come true.

I had a dream come true once.

I dreamt I was eating a Hershey bar.

And the very next day, I ate one.

In America, Tom.

Oh, hi,

Florence. Hi.

Hi, Florence. Have you decided what song you're going to record?

Uh -huh. Mr. Davis called and suggested I sing You Light Up My Life.

Oh, hey, I read something about that song.

They played the record at the zoo to get the pandas to mate.

And work, too.

Oh, that's interesting.

By record.

Helen, make that two.

Well, if you'll excuse me, I have to go finish cleaning up in the kitchen before

I go to the bank.

The bank? I thought you were going to the recording studio.

Oh, I am, but first I have to go to the bank and draw out my $1 ,200.

$1 ,200?

What for?

Well, that's what it's going to cost to make this record.

Of course, I figure. I'll get that back with my first commercial.

Is it live or is it Florence?

You.

You light up my life.

$1 ,200?

Does that sound right to you, Tom? No.

Well, the record studio should be paying Florence, not the other way around.

Tom, this is beginning to sound like a vanity press operation to me.

What's that?

Well, let's say some inexperienced, unqualified writer has a book he wants

published. There are certain companies who, for an exorbitant fee, will publish

anything. You wouldn't believe some of the terrible books Tom has rejected.

Remember Cooking with Furniture?

Would someone really publish a book like that? Well, a rip -off company would if

you paid them enough.

They feed off other people's dreams.

It sounds like Florence is being ripped off by her recording company.

Oh, no.

This is going to break her heart.

Well, better her heart than her bank account.

Somebody's got to tell her.

Well... Gee, I've got to run.

I'll tell her.

But maybe it would be better if Florence and I were alone. Oh, you're so right.

Very wise.

Oh, Louise, she's going to be disappointed.

But even if she hates you, stops speaking to you, packs up and moves out

forever, remember, you're doing the right thing.

Just make sure my name doesn't come up.

You light up my room.

Well, I'm off to the bank. Florence, wait a minute.

Yeah?

$1 ,200 is an awful lot of money.

Are you sure you're doing the right thing?

I'm sure.

Miss Jefferson, don't you believe in me?

Yes, I believe in you. But what I'm trying to say... Mr.

Davis might be... I think he's ripping you off.

Well, thank you very much.

You know, I would have expected this from Mr. Jefferson, but I thought at

you had a little trust in me. I do, Florence, if you'll just listen to me.

you listen to me.

Now, this is another chance for me to do something with my life, to make it on

my own, and I sure ain't gonna miss it.

Florence, trust me.

No, I trust me, and it looks like I'm the only one around here who does.

What's the emergency?

It's Florence.

Is that all?

Bye.

George, I think this Mike Davis is taking Florence for a ride.

He's charging her $1 ,200 to make that record.

$1 ,200, huh?

Sounds to me like this guy's a crook.

I'm afraid so.

Well... Seems like just yesterday somebody's saying that this guy was a

Remember who that was, Weave?

That was you, George. I beg your pardon?

That was you, George. Well!

And I also remember saying that you should mark my words. Did you mark them,

Wheeze?

No, George.

I can't hear you.

No, George!

Wheezy, wheezy, wheezy, wheezy!

When will you ever learn?

You're really... going to rub this in, aren't you?

Moi?

Rub it in?

Just because I told you the guy was a crook and you refused to listen to me?

Just because I told you to mark my words and you chose to ignore them?

Wheezy, I'm too big a man to rub something like that in.

Well, thanks.

But moi was right.

Okay, Wheezy, let's just forget about it, okay? Let's take care of business at

hand. Now, straight.

You want me to take care of Florence's problem, right? Well, don't worry your

sweet little head. Daddy will take care of everything.

Now, will you say something?

It brings tears to my eyes when I realize how important I am to you.

Don't try to thank me.

The look on your face is thanks enough.

Well, I better get going.

Keep a light burner in the window. Keep the bed warm. And when I finish taking

care of... Florence's problems, I'll come home and take care of you.

George.

Yes, please?

There's been a bad case of the flu going around lately.

So when you get home, I'm going to take your temperature.

In that case, don't wait up for me.

It was great.

Great. Well done. It's going to be a big hit. Big hit. Oh, absolutely.

I've never heard you light up my life chanted so well.

Very nice. Very nice. Thank you very much.

Have a nice day. Thanks for the outfit.

How many more suckers we got scheduled for today? Just four more. We got

Florence Johnson and the pinging Yamaguchi.

Kenji, Kojima, and Dave.

I'll go get some more cake.

All right.

Would you leave me alone? I told you I don't want no incense.

Hey, Davis.

Mr. Jefferson. So, you came down to give Florence a little moral support, huh?

Don't come up to me with that record producer job. I know the game you're

playing. I beg your pardon?

You disgust me, you know that?

First you tell my maid she's got talent, then you try to take all of her money

from her. They got a name for people like you where I come from. A fleas

Say that again.

You're a sleeve bucket.

Steve, get in here, quick.

No, it isn't.

Why, listen to this guy.

Now, Mr. Jefferson, would you mind saying that just once more?

Sleeve bucket.

Why, you little... No, no, no, no, no.

Listen,

you're not listening to the quality of his voice.

Oh, yeah.

That was out of sight. Yeah. Come on, you think I'm going to fall for that

Oh, no, no, really.

What a loss.

Yeah, the great ones never know that they've got it.

Well, you really like my voice?

Mr. Jefferson, you mean to tell me that your friends never told you what a great

voice you've got?

Well, I don't have that many friends.

Yeah. Let me be the one to tell you. Mr. Jefferson, your voice has got such...

Timmer. Such resonance.

Such soul.

You know what I'm saying?

Oh, come on. Don't I look like a country bumpkin to you?

No, not at all. You know, you sound like Nat King Cole.

Nat King Cole, get out of here. Oh, no, no. Steve's right. You have got his

sound. Come off it.

Really? I swear.

Yeah? Oh, yeah.

Really? Oh, really.

Are you warm?

It's beautiful.

I love it. I love it.

Dripping with salt.

I don't know about dripping damp, maybe.

Mr. Jefferson, you have got a gift. A gift that you have got to share with the

world.

Yeah, yeah. I guess it ain't fair to keep it all to myself, huh? Oh, no. Of

course not. And we've got to be the ones to record that golden voice. That's

right. Just 1 ,200 bucks, and we are in business.

1 ,200 bucks? Yeah.

Wait a minute. I don't know about that. Oh, come on, Mr. Jefferson. You're a

businessman. You know that it takes money to make money, huh?

Well, if you're not sure of yourself, we can forget about the whole thing. It's

probably just as well. Yeah. We've got George Benson coming in any minute.

got the Commodores due after that.

I'm afraid the only time we could fit you in is right now. Oh, no, no, I've

the time. Great.

Okay, well, whenever you're ready, if you'll go into the studio and put on

headset, we'll cue up the tape.

That's $1 ,200?

Yes. Okay.

Hey,

wait a minute. Yeah?

What songs did I sing?

Oh, that's right. We've got to come up with something that's tailor -made to

your voice and your style.

You light up my life, huh?

I never did like the way Daniel Boone sang it, anyway.

Okay, Mr. Jefferson, if you'd just take your place over there by the mic.

Put on the headset so you can hear the music.

Good.

Anytime you're ready now, just step right up.

Many nights by my toes,

waiting for someone to sing me her song.

Mr. Jefferson, Mr.

Jefferson, can you pick it up a little?

I'm in the tempo, the tempo.

Oh, well, I like to hold my music in my hand. Oh, yeah.

Anytime you're ready.

Turn

this

off in here before my stomach locks up on me.

I tell you, with the parade of suckers that we've had coming through here, this

guy could be the drum nation.

No, wait in here with me. Talk about gullible.

She fell for that Aretha Franklin bit.

She sounds more like Benjamin Franklin.

What a joke.

It's a joke, all right. And I'm about to deliver the punchline. Of course.

water.

What can I say?

I think we got a hit.

You stunk.

That's better. Now tell him the rest of it.

Well, E &K Records is a rip -off.

We were going to take your maid for $1 ,200, and, well, we were going to do the

same to you. Wait a minute.

I wasn't good?

Mr. Jefferson, ain't you listening?

They were trying to cheat us.

But wasn't I good?

The check's in there on the table.

I swear I thought I was good.

Listen, you get out of here.

And if you try to cheat anybody else, I'm going to be on you like white on

right. Okay.

We're interested in some real estate. Can you believe him, Mr. Jefferson?

I don't know.

Maybe I wasn't good.

Well, maybe I wasn't either.

I mean, I can't...

Think about yourself for this.

Look, don't be so hard on yourself, Florence.

If a city slicker like me could be taken, it's easy for a country bumpkin

you.

Oh, never mind. You're right.

Maybe I am a country bumpkin.

I mean, you tried to warn me. Miss Jefferson tried to warn me. Would I

No. But look, Florence, I got sucked in, too.

See, that's the whole thing with con games.

You can always detect it when you see it being played on somebody else.

But when it's being played on your own dreams, you find someone to believe it.

I didn't know you wanted to be no singer. I didn't until they told me I

sing.

Same here.

Of course, I like to sing and everything. That's why I'm in the church

Yeah. And I know I'm good.

Maybe I'm not good enough to be a professional.

Well, what do you think?

Huh? About what?

What do you think about my singing?

I mean, tell me straight out. What do you think about my voice?

Well, I think your voice is really not horrible.

Well, I guess that's about all I'm going to get out of this.

You know, I actually thought this was a dream that could come true.

When will I ever learn?

Oh, well, let's go home. I got some floors to mop.

Hey, wait a minute, Florence. Look, I know you got plans of being more than a

maid in your lifetime, but if you come up with something that you want to do,

you just let me know, and I'll back you to the hill.

You mean that?

Definitely.

Thanks, Mr. Jefferson.

I'd do anything to get you out of the house.

You know something?

What? You're one of the sweetest, bald men I ever met.