Original subtitles

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

and your paper, and I'll take your coat.

Boy, oh, boy.

That dry cleaning sure is a tough business, Weezy. You know, I should have

picked another occupation.

Pediatrician or something.

Oh, what happened?

Tell Mommy all about it.

What is this?

Florence, will you let me do something for my husband?

Oh, sure. Hang up his coat.

Now, you just come right over here to the sofa and let me put these slippers

those cute little feet.

Look, what's going on here?

She's after something.

What is it? I know, a raise, right?

A raise?

Why, whatever for?

You're already generous to a fault.

Well, if it's not a raise, what is it then?

Oh, oh, I got it. A day off, right?

A day off. And spend one less day around the most generous, the most wonderful,

the sweetest man who ever walked the face of the earth.

Okay, Florence, we both know you're right.

But you never admitted it before.

Now, what is it?

Mr. Jefferson, can't you just let me be sweet and efficient and leave it at

that?

Uh -huh, there it is.

Oh, no, that could be anybody.

It doesn't have to be the four girls from my choir that are starting their

nightclub act that I want you to manage.

But it is.

Talk about your coincidences.

Now, don't worry. You just come right over here. These girls are so sweet and

they love each other so much that you won't be able to help but love them

yourself.

I've never seen a family so close. Girl, I don't want to be your sister anymore

anyway. Don't look like you won't look good on stage in a green dress. I look

good in anything, honey.

Hold it. What about me? Don't I have an opinion?

No. None of this is going to matter unless we get ourselves together.

Mr. Jefferson.

What color dresses should we wear?

I don't know you.

I'm sorry. Um, meet Kathy, Joni, Debbie, and Kim. Hi.

Now, what color dress should they wear?

Is this not a joke? So, you're a singing group?

Yes. Well, what do you girls call yourselves?

Well, actually,

that was going to be our second question. Yeah, Mr. Jefferson, what

call ourselves?

History.

History.

Can I speak to you for a minute? Come here.

What have you gotten me into now?

Well, it just seemed like a natural, Mr. Jefferson.

The girls need somebody in their corner who can help them.

Somebody who knows other big shots, you know. Why me? Don't you know any

important people?

You're about as close as I could come.

Well, forget it, Florence.

Oh, Mr. Jefferson, have a heart.

This is their one big chance to make something of themselves.

Now, what would you rather do? Put labels on baked beans at a factory or

a nightclub and make people happy?

Baked beans make people happy, too, you know.

Look, girls.

Oh, good. Mr. Jefferson, we wanted to apologize to you. Yeah, we're sorry we

bothered you by asking you to give us a name. Right, I mean, how could we expect

you to do that, right, when we haven't even told you our image yet?

So tell us, what's our image?

If you don't want me to say something cruel, you better get me out of this.

But what should I say?

Why don't you just tell them you can't do it? Oh, come on, Weezy. They've seen

me now.

They know there's nothing I can't do.

Look, just tell them I'm busy. I don't have time. That's all. I don't have

Look, girl, tell me a little bit about yourself.

Oh, well, we were born... Great!

Oh, Weezy. Do you want to tell the girls something?

Oh, well, you see...

You have to understand, George is a very busy man.

Yeah.

And after a long day at work... Miss Jefferson.

Now, that's pretty low.

After Mr. Jefferson was willing to help the girls, the least you could do is

listen to him sing. Oh, yeah. That would be a good way to get to know us. Yeah,

but what if he doesn't like us? Oh, come on. He'll like us. He hasn't heard us

sing yet.

And to make sure you like us, Mr.

Jefferson... We prepared some special lyrics all about you. Oh, well, that's

very sweet.

But when you're as busy as Joyce... Lyrics about me? Yes.

Lizzie, why don't you give people a chance?

I mean, really.

Mr. Jefferson, why don't you just sit right here, okay? And we'll take care of

the rest. Hit it, girls.

Mr. Jefferson, that's what we told Florence, but she said there's nothing

can't do. Yeah, that's right. She said if you can make a success out of

yourself, then you can do it for anybody.

Did you say that, Florence?

Thank you, but still.

Mr. Jefferson, listen, we're not asking for any guarantees or anything. Yeah,

just a shot. Look, Mr. Jefferson, we've all got jobs now, and believe me, we're

grateful to have them because a lot of people don't. But we have a dream. Yeah,

and it ain't a work in no bean factory.

We want a thing.

And look, if we fail, then it's okay.

Because all we want is a chance.

Look, we just don't want to be 50 and look back on a bunch of could'ves and

should'ves. You got that right. We want to at least be able to say that we

tried, you know? I guess what we're asking you is, please?

Wheezy.

George. Put yourself in their shoes.

Remember when I first met you and the way you used to look at grass stains and

dreams?

Yeah, I know.

Okay, I'll tell you what.

I can't promise you much, but I can promise one thing. I will get you a gig

club.

So, I guess that just says that I'm your manager.

Jefferson!

Now, that was a pretty big promise.

Now, are you sure you can arrange it? Well, you heard what the song said.

Ain't a man today who can clean lingerie like that guy.

But what's that got to do with anything?

Nothing. I just like that verse.

Okay, now, ladies, okay, we got everything straight now.

I'll call you either tonight or the first thing in the morning. Now, I want

to go home.

Keep your tassels warm, because tomorrow we're going to do it. All right, all

right. Oh, thanks, Mr. Jefferson. Oh, damn.

Oh, George, give yourself a chance.

This is all new to you.

But that doesn't mean that you're not going to come through.

Now, remember when you started the cleaners, you didn't know anything

But look at you now.

You're the master of your craft.

You're right about that, Weasley. When it comes to dry cleaning, there ain't a

man today that's better than George Jefferson.

Mr. J, my pants and I would like to talk to you about your concept of medium

starch.

Go on in, Bentley. I got a problem here.

Oh, you mean you sent something to your dry cleaners, too?

Oh, they never mess up my stuff.

Hi, Mr. J.

Oh, Mr. Bentley. Look, Bentley, I got a real problem here. I need your help. I

promised the singing group that I'd get them a gig in a club, but the problem is

I don't know any clubs.

Uh, Mr. Bentley, you're single.

You must go to bars.

Ah, indeed I do, Mrs. J, night after lonely night.

Yes, I visit those dens of depravity and depression, desperate people trying too

hard, meaningless conversations going nowhere, ending nowhere, night after

lonely, empty, miserable night.

Unless, of course, I get lucky.

Look, Bentley, you can discuss your personal problems with yourself.

Now, do any of these clubs have live music? Well, as a matter of fact, some

them do have live music. Of course, I don't know that many clubs.

Well, I don't care. Just make me up a list. I'll tell you what.

You do the best you can, and I just might redo Pantsy Yours Again for half

price.

I won't make any promises, Mr. J., but I'll rack my brain and see if I can come

up with one or two.

So you say you have an opening in two weeks?

Great. Yeah, we'd be glad to drive to New Jersey.

What?

$500? Look, don't you think that figure's an insult?

I mean, these chicks are beautiful and talented.

What?

Take it or leave it?

Okay. I'll pay you the $500 if you let me see it. Okay.

Okay, bye. Hey, Weez, I got the girls to gig.

Well, this is it. Here we are.

Oh, isn't it exciting? I can't believe it. Are you nervous, girls?

You know, I thought I would be, but actually, I'm feeling pretty good.

Well, I just want to say good luck.

Oh, thank you. I know this is going to be the start of something really big.

Oh, this is just great.

Tonight, Ruby's. Next week, Las Vegas. Las Vegas?

You really think we're big enough for Las Vegas?

Oh, well, maybe someday, but I meant me.

I'm going to a publishing convention there next Thursday.

All right, girls, now, you know this is your big chance, right?

Now, okay, your style is rhythm and blues and soul, okay? That's right.

what these people came to see, and that's what you're going to give them,

Let's go in there and turn it out.

I think you should start with, I'm proud to be an Okie from Muskogee.

Whoa, whoa, hold it right there, all you little partners.

Now, what are you all doing in my club?

Your club?

Oh, you must be Ruby.

That's right, and you must be crazy.

That's right, crazy about this act.

Uh, we talked on the phone. I'm George Jefferson.

You're you?

Yep, I'm me.

Come here, George.

You never told me you was one of them, uh, black.

Well, you never told me you weren't.

So now we know. Anyway, this is the satin stitcher.

Hi. Hi.

This ain't gonna work, George.

What are you talking about?

Music is music. There ain't no black and white in entertainment.

Music is universal.

Now, look, your customers will like the girls. They can sing.

You'll see.

Yeah, I did promise them a show.

All right, we'll give it a try.

Great. Yeah, because, see, these old boys ain't had a good brawl in two or

months, George.

Pete, put away them breakables there, will you?

Okay, hey, you know what the owner just said? He said your act is sure to tear

the house apart.

I don't know.

Don't worry, everybody.

Sure, they're a top audience, but they're just people like you and me.

Uh, Helen, look.

What the?

Look, don't worry about it.

They're just having a costume party. Great up on stage.

Mr.

Jefferson, I don't know.

Come on, Kim, I told you there's nothing to worry about.

Oh, no, no, I'm not worried. I'm not worried.

Good.

You know, I was thinking, it's really not all that bad working in a bean

factory.

You're going to knock them dead.

Or vice versa.

Mr. Jefferson, look, I appreciate you getting a job for the girls and

everything, but I'm worried.

Do you think this is safe? Look, Florence, you've got nothing to worry

there's any trouble, I'll handle everything, okay? Trust me.

You know something, partner?

No? Well, then look at her.

And she's wearing makeup.

Come on, y 'all, let's sit down. Right over here.

Excuse me.

How are you? Excuse me.

Yes.

Are you sure we want to sit with our backs to these people?

Now, Helen, this isn't so bad.

There's nobody really menacing near us.

Tom, he pushed my chair.

He did?

Hey, just a minute here.

Great table, isn't it?

Lucky for you, I'm not wearing my floor shot.

Ladies and gentlemen, and it ain't my fault.

This here is the satin system.

Go for it.

Just go for it.

that we're very happy to be here at Ruby's tonight.

Yeah, well, why don't you make us happy by getting off?

Listen, we promise to do our very best for you this evening.

Forget your best.

Hey, cowboy, can I speak to you for a minute in private?

I'd be glad to oblige. That way there won't be so many witnesses.

Now, what is it you got to tell me?

Well, I just want to see how tough you really are.

Fine, let's step outside.

No, no, no, that's too easy for you. I said tough.

I want you to call those girls back up on stage and let them sing.

Now, why would I do something like that?

Because if you don't, then I will step outside with you.

Well, I ain't asking him back.

Let's go.

Wait.

You're willing to risk your face for them girls?

I sure am.

You're really serious about this, ain't you? Look, I promised these girls I'd

get them a job in a club, right? This is their first time on stage, man.

If they fall now, they never have the courage to go up again. You know how it

is. It's like riding a horse and falling off.

You know how that is.

Well... I've never been on a horse.

Shh. But I guess that's what it's like.

Uh, folks!

Instead of me beating this little guy here to a pulp, why don't we let the

ladies get up and, uh, sing again?

were telling me about.

This is your big chance. Go ahead and sing.

Let your music speak for you.

None of that militant stuff.

Just as hate knows love's the cure, you can rest your mind

ashore.

But I'll be loving you always.