Original subtitles

Stop.

Stop.

Whoa!

What's all this?

Hi, daddy.

Hi, Kathy.

We didn't expect you back so soon.

Obviously.

Well, we're-- we're just rehearsing one of the numbers

for the PTA show.

Oh, that's what it is.

Down in the lobby they thought one of the hot water heaters

blew up.

Gee, could you hear us way down there?

Here you?

The elevator cables are still vibrating.

Well--

You ought to know better than that, honey.

I mean, the landlord and the people complaining--

Kids, we're as good as we'll ever be.

Might as well .

Yeah.

Could you please go somewhere else?

Now when you get over at the school

set up right away up on the stage.

And when Terry and I get in we'll check on the--

I don't mean to be rude.

You understand that, don't you?

It's just that the neighbors and all.

Thanks for the use of the hall.

I hope you liked the acoustics here.

Hey, here, here.

Come back.

I need you.

She'll join you later, dear.

Something the matter, daddy?

No, I want to talk to you.

Well, I'll see you over at school then, Patty.

All right, but hurry up.

We've got a lot of work to do.

OK.

What do you want to talk to me about, daddy?

Look, Terry, is that the kind of music you're

planning to use at the PTA show?

Well, yes, what's wrong with it?

I thought the boys sounded very professional.

Yeah.

That sounded professional?

Yeah.

Well, they all started together and they all finished together.

What about the noise in between?

What do you mean noise?

That's music.

Rhythm and Blues.

Don't you like it?

It's not a question whether I like it or not.

The question is it fit?

Is it in good taste?

I mean to do that kind of entertainment for the PTA.

Oh, Danny, don't be an old fossil.

You were brought up on the Charleston

and the Black Bottom, remember?

Well, that was different.

Besides, I don't know, the music nowadays for these kids--

well, it's just not nice.

What's not nice about it?

Honey, while all that so-called music was going on,

did you notice our refined, young daughter wiggling?

Well, I felt a wiggle coming on myself.

Kathy.

I wasn't wiggling, I was just moving my feet.

You were just moving your feet?

Since when is the ankle bone connected to the hip bone?

Danny, don't be such a stuffy, old father.

You make it sound like a dirty word.

I tell you one thing, if we stuffy,

old fathers don't start stuffing some sense into our kids,

they're going to grow up thinking with their hips

instead of their heads.

Since time began parents have always

been complaining that the younger generation

is going to the dogs.

I suppose it isn't.

I'll bet way back in the Stone Age

the cavemen didn't like the new-fangled bows and arrows

their kids were using when slingshots

had be good enough for them.

Really, honey, a few problem kids like rock and roll

so all kids who like rock and roll are problems?

Oh, honey, you can't condemn a whole generation

because of the music they prefer.

Rock and roll is just a harmless expression of youthful energy.

Why can't they use that energy honor

on their studies instead of that crazy dancing

and ridiculous music?

Oh, honey, every generation has had

crazy dancing and wild music.

And in spite of all the worrying the folks did,

the world is still here.

Yeah, it's still here, but what about the shape it's in?

It's still round, isn't it?

Not daddy's.

Daddy's world is--

Honey, you're upset and Terry's friends are waiting for her.

This is no time to discuss it.

You run along dear and join your friends.

We'll talk about it later.

OK.

Thanks a lot, Kathy.

You're a real cool cat.

Did you hear that?

I'm a real cool cat!

Yeah, well let me tell you something

my refrigerated feline, if we don't look out,

our daughter is going to grow up to be a torso tossing Tessy.

Why don't you just sit down for a while and relax.

Would you like me to bring you your shawl and slippers?

Yes, please do.

You'll find them in the closet right

under your leather jacket and motorcycle boots.

Now what?

Now I'll show you a different game.

Here. You deal.

All right, I'll deal.

Now what do we do?

You give me seven cards.

Oh.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

There.

You get six.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

You get five.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

OK.

Now what do we do?

Now we bet.

We bet?

I bet a green jelly bean.

Yeah?

OK.

I bet a pink jelly bean.

OK.

OK.

Pink jelly bean.

I bet a--

Now, wait a minute.

That's enough betting.

Now how do we know who wins?

How many cards do you have?

I have five.

I have six.

I have seven.

I win.

What kind of a game is this?

You've won every hand so far. -Yeah.

How come we don't get to win?

You don't like jelly beans.

Is she beating you boys?

Yeah.

And we don't even get a chance to get even.

Every time she wins a pot, she eats it.

I think you've had enough.

You know it's time for your nap?

But I didn't win all the jelly beans yet.

Here, be my guest.

Me, too.

Come on, Nick the Greek.

Well if it isn't motorcycle Liz and leather jacket Mary.

Oh, daddy!

Honey, I was only kidding.

Hey.

What's the matter?

Well, we had a bad time, Mr. Williams.

You see, my father doesn't like our music either.

Well, why should that break her up?

She shouldn't go all to pieces when I said I didn't like it.

I know, but my father happens to be the principal.

When he doesn't like something, that's it.

Now the whole show has been canceled after all the work

that Terry did.

She's so unhappy, she could die.

(SARCASTICALLY) Oh, she's so unhappy she could die.

(NORMAL VOICE) Women, it's always

something they could die over.

All right. All right.

Even when they're happy.

Then they're so happy they could die.

All right.

Don't they ever want to live?

Do you want to live?

OK. OK.

I'm going.

Boy, my father was fit to be tied.

You should have heard him after the rehearsal.

He was so mad at Terry.

He told her it was indecent and she

ought to be ashamed of herself.

He said that?

Yes.

To my Terry?

Who does your father think he is?

The principal.

So what if he's the principal, he can't

talk to my daughter like that.

Indecent-- the idea. Why?

Because you put on a little rock and roll?

Now what's so horrible about a little rock and roll?

Did you get that, Kathy?

Conroy says that Terry put on an indecent show,

that she should be ashamed of herself.

A little rock and roll.

A principal.

An educator.

A man who should know better.

A man who should have the intelligence to appreciate

and understand that rock and roll

is merely an expression of youthful energy.

That's all.

Well, I'll go down and tell him a thing or two.

That's not the point.

The point is I won't have you talking

to my daughter like that.

Just a moment, Mr. Williams.

Unless you can talk in a calm and restrained manner,

I'm going to have to ask you to leave.

I have no intention of leaving until I

say what I came here to say.

Well, isn't it possible to say it in a dignified manner.

What kind of crack is that?

I can be just as dignified as anybody.

Very well.

Then why don't you try it?

All right.

Mr. Conroy, it is my opinion, sir, with all due respect

and deference to your very high office

that you are a narrow minded, stubborn weasel.

There now, you see it is possible to be angry and still

do it in a dignified manner, isn't it?

Yeah, but it hurts me right here.

But you'll get used to it.

Now, is there anything more you'd like to say?

Yeah.

There's a lot I'd like to say.

Dignified, please.

Those kids went through a lot of work-- a lot of work!

And you have no right to deny them the chance

to play for an audience just because you

don't like their music.

I have every right.

As principal, I'm responsible for the moral

as well as the scholastic standards of the students.

Therefore, I will not permit a performance

of what I consider to be the national anthem

of juvenile delinquency.

I sometimes wonder where this younger generation is going.

I'll tell you where it's going.

It's going to become the older generation.

And one day, one of them will sit very smugly in that very

same chair and ask the same ridiculous question,

"I wonder where the next generation is going."

Mr. Williams, let us consider this discussion closed.

You mean you're not going to let those kids do the show?

I am not going to let them do that show.

Now if the children can get together a musical program that

is suitable, something along the lines of the lovely old songs

of yesteryear, I shall be very happy to give

them another audition.

However, if not, I shall have to entertain

the PTA with color slides of my trip to the Adirondacks.

Sheesh.

That ought to be a gasser.

Well?

Did you punch my father in the nose?

Am I expelled forever?

No, no.

Nothing happened.

Well, do we get to do the show?

I'm afraid not, kids.

Oh.

Well, that's that.

You say it like it's the end of the world, huh?

Well it might as well for me.

I'll never be able to face the kids at school.

We promised them a big show and now everything's ruined.

How do you resign from a high school?

How do you resigned from your family?

Everybody will come there expecting a show.

Oh, they're going to get a show all right.

Oh, he has a doozy prepared color slides of his trip

to the Adirondacks.

Oh, icky!

What are they like?

Oh, really like.

See first there's a picture of daddy in front of a tree,

then there's a picture of mother in front of a tree,

and then there's a picture of me in front of a tree.

Oh, and then there's just the tree.

Sort of builds, doesn't it?

Oh, brother.

What a thrill packed night that's going to be.

Golly, did you have all these problems way back when

you were young, Mr. Williams?

Way back when I was young?

Well, way back in those days we didn't have much entertainment,

unless you want to count the victory

dance the night day we beat the British at Valley Forge.

Oh, daddy, you know what Peg means.

Yeah, I know what Peg means.

And the answer is yes.

Kids had trouble in those days, too.

All kids have trouble, except your father.

He probably never was a kid.

If he was, he must have been the sensation

of the maternity ward.

Lying there in his horn rimmed spectacles

reading the Book of Knowledge.

Look, Peg, I don't like to insult

your father or anything--

Oh, that's all right, Mr. Williams.

I used to think that way, too.

But I found out that when he was younger,

he did have his moments.

Hm?

I don't believe it.

Yes, he did.

See I was up in the attic and I found this raccoon coat

and ukulele and you'll never guess

what was written on the uke.

What?

Jazzbo Conroy.

Jazzbo?

Jazzbo?

That's right.

Jazzbo.

Imagine my father.

See I saw this old trunk up in the attic and I was looking--

Jazzbo, huh?

--for this tennis racket.

And it had his old racket and coat and the ukulele.

When I saw it I just about flipped.

I got it.

Peggy, when you go home tonight, you

tell your father that we want to audition

a different kind of a show.

OK, but who is going to audition?

You kids are.

Terry, get on the phone this minute.

Call every boy and girl that's involved in the show.

Have them come here right now.

Oh, brother.

Oh, this is great.

What is holding us up, Mr. Williams?

Oh, oh, well, just a few last minute touches.

Believe me, this audition will be worth waiting for.

I hope so.

But I warn you, Mr. Williams, if there's even a hint of rock

and roll in this performance I will, as you show people say,

"give it the hook."

Yeah, well, we show people haven't said

that for quite some time now.

I know what you mean.

Now just what sort of an entertainment

have you conjured up?

Well this is an old fashioned review.

Oh?

Yes, as a matter of fact, you're really

the inspiration for all this.

You know, after talking to you in your office,

I got to thinking that you're absolutely right.

The music nowadays is not fit for the ears of our young ones.

So we've decided to play some of the wonderful songs

of yesteryear.

BAND (SINGING BEHIND CURTAIN): Memories--

I guess I must have given them a cue.

BAND (SINGING): memories, dreams of long ago.

TERRY: Ladies and gentlemen, tonight

the students of Hamilton High School

invite you to take a musical stroll

down memory lane with us.

The year is 1925 and all of America

is swaying gently in the graceful, dignified movements

of that new dance sensation-- The Charleston!

BAND (SINGING): Memories, memories.

And while America was dancing The Charleston,

every young man of the nation was singing the praises

of a certain young lady.

(SINGING) No gal made has got a shade on Sweet Georgia Brown.

Two left feet, but oh so neat, has Sweet Georgia Brown.

They all sigh and want to die for Sweet Georgia Brown.

I'll tell you just why.

You know I don't lie.

Not much!

(SINGING) Well, it's been said she knocks 'em dead

when she lands in town.

Since she came why it's a shame how she cools them down.

Now fellas that she can't are the fellas that she ain't met.

Georgia claimed her, Georgia named her Sweet Georgia Brown.

BAND (SINGING): Memories, memories.

And while every boy was wishing he

had a girl like Sweet Georgia Brown,

every girl was wishing this.

(SINGING) I wish that I could shimmy like my sister Kate.

She shimmies like a jelly on a plate.

My mama wanted to know last night why all

the boys think Kate is so nice.

Every boy in the neighborhood knows that she can shimmy

and it's understood.

I know I'm late, but I'll be up to date, when

I shimmy like my sister Kate.

I mean, shimmy like my sister Kate.

Well, well, What's the matter?

Don't you like it?

Like it?

It's the most outrageous thing I've ever seen or heard.

Oh, no, Mr. Conroy, rock and roll

is the most outrageous thing you've ever seen or heard.

These are the wonderful songs of yesteryear.

BAND (SINGING): Memories, memories.

Oh, shut up!

Mr. Williams, I will not tolerate

this ridiculous burlesque.

Why that outfit is absolutely scandalous.

May I remind you, sir, that your daughter

is wearing that outfit.

Well, I can't imagine where any daughter of mine

got that hoochy-cooch outfit.

But, daddy, I found it up in the attic

in mother's old trunk.

Oh.

Oh!

Yes, the also found your raccoon coat

and ukulele up there, Jazzbo.

Uh, that will be all, children.

Close the curtains.

Mr. Williams, you and I have a few things to talk over.

Yes, I'm sure we have.

Suppose we start with you telling me about the time

you won that Charleston contest at the Glen Island Casino.

Oh, that was a long, long time ago.

BAND (SINGING): Memories.

Now cut that out!

Well, Jazzbo?

The situation remains unchanged, Mr. Williams.

Hm.

You mean we're back to the color slides again?

Precisely.

Hey, speaking of pictures, you don't happen to have a snapshot

taken about the time you won that there Charleston contest,

do you?

I don't see why that should be of any interest to you.

Well maybe not to me, but I thought the kids would get

a kick out of seeing your picture printed

alongside the article I'm writing

for the school newspaper entitled

"Know Your Principal Better."

An article?

Oh, yes.

I'll see you around.

(STUTTERING) Just a minute, Mr. Williams.

You are writing an article for the school newspaper about me?

Oh, and it's going to be a pip.

Mr. Williams, are you trying to pressure me?

Mr. Conroy, I don't like the word pressure.

Let's just call it blackmail.

Blackmail, huh?

Mr. Williams, I will not be swerved by threats.

You're a fine man.

I better go home and write that article.

Uh, Mr. Williams, I said I would not be swerved

by threats, but, well, surely you can think of something

that would swerve me.

Yes.

I might be able to come up with a swerve or two.

Couldn't you be swerved by the argument

that the children are entitled to more freedom of expression

than you've permitted them?

Yes, yes.

That would serve me.

Consider yourself swerved.

Oh, thank goodness.

Look, Conroy, you don't have to worry about your students.

They're all good kids.

Every generation has come up with something

frantic that's caused the elders to throw

their arms up in despair.

But on the whole, they've all turned out pretty good.

Yes, I suppose they have.

I'm sure that your mom and dad were just as worried about you

as my folks were worried about me.

But look at us.

We certainly turned out to be two pretty good

examples to follow-- a high school

principal and a blackmailer.

I'm beginning to have a great deal of respect

for you, Mr. Williams.

Just call me Danny, Mr. Conroy.

All right, Danny.

And you just call me Jazzbo.

And in conclusion, the boys in the band

would like to play a sample of the kind of music

that was popular when our parents were young.

It's still popular today and I'm sure it'll

be popular in the distant future when we're picking on our kids.

Dixieland!