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Who is it?

And what do you want?

Does a Miss Molly Walden live here?

That's my name.

But who are you and what's your business?

I'm from far away with a message from your son.

A message from my son, did you say?

What is the matter?

Is he sick or in trouble?

No, he's well, doing well,

and has sent a message for you.

Oh, I--I'm all excited.

As soon as I get this door open,

you must come in and tell me all about my son.

John.

It is.

John!

Oh, my boy, my boy.

I didn't think I'd ever see you again.

Oh, Mother,

my own dear mother.

Oh, my boy.

You've taken me back 20 years,

20 long years,

to when you went away.

Went away to become a lawyer.

And now you are a lawyer,

a great lawyer,

a successful lawyer,

and you've come back home at last

to see old Mother.

Oh, my boy, you've made me...

But I'm-- I'm forgetting everything.

Come into the front room, John,

the same front room, but with a little new furniture,

that you used to play in.

Oh, stand where you are a moment, John.

Let me look at you.

Let me try to realize that it is you,

grown into a great man,

a successful, well-dressed man,

and you are still my son.

Oh, how handsome you are,

an answer to your mother's prayer.

Oh, dear Mother.

Oh, but I am forgetting Rena.

-Rena? -Your sister.

The little sister you left behind

when you went away.

Oh, Rena.

Don't run away, my dear.

Come on down and meet your brother.

It's John, dear,

he's come back home to see us.

But--but I'm not dressed, Mother.

Wait till I go put some clothes on.

Well, you don't have to dress to meet your brother.

He'll understand.

Won't you, John?

Why, of course I will, Mother.

It is midnight, time all good people

should be dressed for bed.

Make her come on down just as she is.

You hear him?

Your brother, dear.

He's a great man, and pretty.

Come on down, tell him howdy,

and be sweet.

You're a pretty girl, Rena.

Thank you.

How old are you now?

22.

I was two years old when you went away.

Ah, but isn't she sweet, Mother?

Just as sweet as sugar.

And she's a good girl too, John.

She makes your mother very happy.

That's wonderful.

Not married?

Oh no!

Got a beau?

What's the matter, John?

Is there something wrong?

No, no, there's nothing wrong, Mother.

I just happened to think of something,

something I must speak of with you

alone.

Then--then you'll excuse me.

I'll run upstairs and...

See us in the morning.

That'll be fine, dear.

Now kiss brother nighty-night.

What is it, John?

Why did you change so quickly?

Have you heard something already?

Yes, Mother, I have heard something already,

on the street this afternoon.

-(unintelligible) -That pleases me greatly.

It means that I can put my plans into action at once.

And not waste two or three years

trying to make a lady out of Rena.

From what you say, she's already one.

Now here are my plans to put an end

to this impossible (unintelligible) Rena.

We have got to get her from Fayetteville

or else...

Now, my dear,

what is this terrible something you wrote me,

I can't imagine what it is.

I've been puzzling over it.

I knew you couldn't guess what it was, dear,

so I didn't go into any details in the note

as it was too much and nothing but to see you

and try to tell you all about it would suffice,

-so here I am. -I see.

First, did you and your father

have any discussion regarding me

on the street yesterday?

Well...

Yes, we did, but I assure you that--

You don't have to assure me anything,

Frank, dear, just let me kiss you,

then you'll understand

that I haven't confessed about anything.

I don't see Frank Fowler here tonight.

I wonder what has happened.

Well, Andy, he's with Rena Walden

over at Merle Dennis's house,

and I've got plenty of gossip to spread.

Wait until this dance over and that woman sings,

and I'll entertain my guests with a story,

a story of the Walden family.

Really?

(laughing)

(applause)

You will understand, Mother,

when I explain that for 20 years

I have been known as John Warwick,

that it was necessary to change my name

to escape any capable connections with my youth.

I understand, John.

You are a great man

and you know what is best for yourself, for me...

And for Rena.

Of course.

And that, dear, as I overheard it last night.

I see.

I'm so sorry they take such a view.

It seems we could all be so much happier

if they would be just willing to meet us halfway.

But life is like that.

If people could all see alike and feel alike,

there'd be no politics, no race prejudice.

How even-tempered you are, Frank.

You have every reason to be violently angry and swearing,

and yet you are as calm and considerate

as a trained diplomat.

What you've told me calls for calm deliberation

and consideration, Rena.

I love you, you love me.

You've been kind and obedient to your mother all your life.

You've never contraried her, contraried me.

You've just been good and kind and wonderful to everybody.

Now at the time when you have every reason

to look to those you love for happiness as your reward,

you're suddenly confronted with a problem

you hadn't even dreamed of.

Forced to choose between

your mother and brother on the one hand

and the man you love on the other.

Oh, Frank, you're wonderful,

but rest assured that however and between whom

I'm compelled to choose,

they can never stop me from loving you.

Fine and noble, dear.

Now, with regard to your brother

and his whispered conversation with your mother,

that you could not hear,

I bet you that I can guess

the import of it.

We have a surprise for you, ladies and gentlemen,

Madam Bernadine Mason, dramatic contralto

from Boston, is in the city and is going to sing for you.

She will sing Gossiping By Dawn

with Cordwin Alexander at the piano.

Madam Mason.

(applause)

What is the robin singing

up in the old apple tree

What are the white caps whispering

to the reckless sea

What does the shining sun above

tell to the sky so blue

They're gossiping

They're gossiping

How I'm in love with you

What is the brook now telling

to the mossy bank so green

That tattletale we'll call the moon

tells everything he's seen, so...

He must first had told it

And so the story grew

And the stars set up their gossiping

How I'm in love with you

(applause)

Now, pray tell me, Miss Rena,

what do you plan to do?

I'm going to stay right here in Fayetteville,

marry a man called Frank Fowler,

do anything he wants me to do,

and love him until I die.

Fine and noble statement from Miss Rena.

But what about Mother Walden?

She isn't ready to consent to any such alliance,

and you know it.

Of course I know she isn't going to give her consent,

but I'm 22

and I don't really have to have it after all.

Is that clear to you?

I should be happy and take you right away

to the minister and let you prove it.

I'm ready to go with you now

or whenever you say the word.

No, Rena, not now.

I'm not ready yet.

You know, I wouldn't let you do anything but what is right.

You are too good and too true

to do anything but the finest and most noble things.

Understand what I want to say,

I'm sending you to your brother,

'cause I know that what he plans

is vain and impossible,

and will not make you either successful or happy.

But you've got to go with him

for it to prove that way.

Do you catch my meaning?

Brothers by brothers, with their noses in the air,

didn't speak to the slaves, especially the dark ones.

Didn't have anything for dark people to do.

Said they were evil.

(laughing)

My darling, how could I have misunderstood you?

But I don't want to leave you.

What will I do if I can't see you?

Will you come to see me?

No, no, Rena, I couldn't do that.

But don't take me like you did.

Plenty to go through with before this thing is over.

-But-- -Plenty.

But what will you be doing while--

while all this is going on?

Ah, at last we've come

to what I've been trying to explain.

I shall be very busy, Rena, my dear, very busy.

Oh, dear, this is so bewildering.

Tell me something, please explain.

That I will, my Rena, and how.

Now here's what I've been doing.

--What happened, and that's the story.

Now how is that for scandal in this little old dead town?

I'll say.

--Satisfied that she is capable

of all the responsibilities of a lady

as an (inaudible) into society,

and to the man that would please me

for her to fall in love with and marry.

Now, you see, it's like this...

All the toil has been ours.

Some of the white people to encourage us

have been telling us that we have made

the most wonderful progress

of any race in the world

in the years since we've been free.

The result (inaudible) the years.

Permitted the grass to grow under our feet

and wake up now to find ourselves

almost lost in the shuffle

and holding the bag on all sides.

Times have changed.

And it's up to the negro race now

to individualize its efforts

by which I mean that each and every one of us

must make a concerted drive toward success

along the many individual lines

that offer consequences.

He has given me some money,

the bank has loaned me some money (inaudible).

And by the time your brother's begun

to build you up in society over there,

Frank Fowler hopes to be well on his way to success

as one of the leading builders and contractors of Fayetteville.

My Frank!

So that's my story, Rena.

By the time your brother's conquest for you

of the other side is ended,

I hope to head a firm that'll be laying tile

on the domes in the state of North Carolina,

a monument to honesty and determined effort.

And you,II succeed, dear, I know you will.

But I don't see why I can't stay here to help you.

I don't want to be drug away to a (inaudible).

And another thing, I won't be altogether happy

to leave you to the temptations of a certain person I know.

Now, now, Rena.

Let's forget all about my brother's plan

and find a minister and be married tonight.

Tempting me again?

But think how much happiness we will have had

before it's all over.

Oh, Frank.

(train whistle)

At times, most times,

you seem strange,

and I find it hard to understand you.

I--I'm sorry.

Why?

I--I don't know.

It's just my way, I suppose.

Why, you're enchanting.

And don't you think the music is beautiful?

Will you dance?

You're the most wonderful girl I've ever met

and I love you.

You--you mustn't talk that way.

Why not?

You don't know what you are saying.

I know fully

and repeat

that you're wonderful,

beautiful.

Why not?

Because I-- I don't want you to.

Oh, you're an angel.

The end of my life's dreams.

I love you.

No, no.

Why, hello, George.

Oh, hello, John.

Uh, pardon me if I have intruded,

but you seem a bit upset.

What's the matter?

I--I really don't know.

Rena and I were dancing,

it was the first time to hold her in my arms,

and I've loved her since the first day I met her,

and I've intended telling her so.

So just now as I held her close and we danced,

I told her.

And asked her to-- to become my wife.

-And? -She screamed out

as though frightened and ran away.

I--I don't quite understand.

Oh, my dear fellow,

after all your experience with the opposite sex,

you stand here and talk like a chump.

Why, what do you mean?

Just what I say.

You not only talk like one but you act like one.

Can't you understand that Rena has never had a beau?

That your passion and words all frighten her?

What did you expect a modest, obedient,

and retiring girl like her to do?

I am a chump and a fool.

Why, the dear old thing--

I'll speak to her myself

and everything will be all right.

I know it, you see?

An angel from Heaven,

if there is such a thing.

And if you're sure, John,

then I'm anxious for Rena to name

the happiest day of my life,

our wedding day.

Now, with regard to that, George.

Have you considered for instance, uh, your mother?

Are you sure that she would approve of

a bride that she knows nothing at all about?

She would never.

Now, let's sit down and talk this thing over.

Girls like her are born, not trained.

Her mother must have been a wonderful woman.

Tell me all about her.

Now with regard to that, George,

I feel that you ought to know

that my sister and I are not of an old family,

a rich family, or a distinguished family,

that she can bring you nothing but herself.

We have no relatives or connections

to whom we would be proud to introduce you.

We are, to be brief, new people.

But if a man is noble

and brave and strong,

and if a woman is beautiful

and good and true,

what else matters?

That makes me happy

to hear you talk like that, George.

Oh, ancestors,

ancestors and people to Rena.

I'll tell you a family secret, John.

To prove how little I care about ancestors,

my maternal great-great-grandfather,

150 years ago,

was hanged, drawn and quartered,

for stealing cattle across the Scottish border.

How is that for pedigree?

Behold in me the linear descent of a felon.

(laughing)

How's that for something, something that was real?

That's good, George.

Many happy returns of the day

And there isn't

much more I can say

I recall with a tear

You've been married I hear

But I still wish you love

with a heart that's sincere

I won't bring any present to you

I gave you up

What more could I do

I'll just send a bouquet

With a card that will say

Many happy returns of the day

Many happy returns of the day

And there isn't much more I can say

I recall with a tear

you've been married I hear

But I still wish you love

with a heart that's sincere

I won't bring any present to you

I gave you up

What else could I do

I'll just send a bouquet

With a card that will say

Many happy returns

of the day

I dreamed of Mother last night.

(unintelligible)

Terrible one about our mother.

But chances are she's well,

happy, and care-free as she can be.

I'd be so much happier

if I could go to the telephone,

call her up, and find out.

Send her a teletype to her, but I--

Oh, Rena, don't break down like this.

I can't help it.

I'm miserable, John.

Oh, Rena, Rena, please hush.

The servants might hear you.

I can't help if they do.

I want to see my mama.

This is the third time I've experienced

this terrible dream.

I'm heartbroken.

Oh, Mama, Mama, please.

Rena, will you please hush?

You don't realize what you're saying.

I'm trying to be strong, John,

it's for the best.

But Mom and I have been amiable companions

all of my life,

and I miss her so bad, I feel--

sometimes I feel that I'll just die.

Honestly.

I don't know what I,II do.

Why, we could call her the nurse or the cook.

Oh, yes, the housekeeper.

Yes, bring her here, call her what you like.

And how long would it be before some relatives

from Fayetteville or Sampson County

met her on the street,

wrote her a letter,

sent something to expose us all,

spread the news throughout the whole county

that John Warwick and his beautiful sister,

engaged to marry George Tryon,

wealthy scion of the old South,

had negro blood in their veins.

Great heavens, woman,

do you want to lead us to an arsenal,

set a match to it,

and then expect to go on living?

Oh, no, no, no, John.

I would rather suffer and die a thousand deaths

we were to build up during all these years.

I understand now.

I must forget about Mama, myself,

and think of you, your career.

Oh, I'm so sorry, brother.

But from now, I'll suffer alone.

I'll not jeopardize you.

Believe that, John.

I'll go on.

You know, I got a suspicion.

Yeah?

Yes.

Now listen.

It is a source of constant worry for me.

I've taken an awful risk.

But thus far I feel that I have succeeded,

that is as far as my efforts are concerned.

I've placed you into society.

Every girl in the town envies you.

Why, you've landed the greatest catch in the whole--

you have everything that the richest girls

in South Carolina want and pray for.

Still, as I have said,

way deep down in your heart,

you're still passionately in love

with a coal-black negro in North Carolina.

Honey, you (unintelligible) this minute.

I can't understand it.

Then I,II try to explain, John.

When Judge Straight sent you away to school as a white boy,

you were young and unburdened,

and no environment had settled upon you

and shaped you for another life as it has me.

You grew up and went through school as a white boy,

so that by the time you were old enough to go with girls

you had forgotten your childhood days

sufficiently to feel at home.

It wasn't a case of being suddenly picked up

and placed in a new and strenuous environment,

as you have placed me.

All this frightens me.

I'm afraid to talk, to smile, to do anything,

for fear that I'll make a mistake

and embarrass you.

(unintelligible) this Mr. Tryon

that you are so interested in,

I imagine he is wonderful.

But, oh, John,

I--I've never known men like him.

I'm afraid to-- I don't know what to do

or what to say or how to turn.

All this upsets me.

I am not vain, but--but I find it

so--so hard to talk to him.

And then another thing.

Always while in the presence of these people,

Mr. Tryon and all the rest,

I am constantly thinking of who I am

and who they are

and how they would hate and despise me

if they knew the truth,

how they would scorn and look at me

and point their fingers at me

and call me that unspeakable name.

John!

Oh, Rena, Rena.

There, I knew she didn't want to leave her people.

It's that brother who's making her do this.

The poor little--

Sister, where on Earth are you drifting to?

God knows where, John.

I only know that I am not a white girl,

but a negress,

and happy and sorry as only I know what to be.

I know I could go on sharing their joys, their sorrows,

their poverty, their--their everything.

You're coming back to Frank again.

Yes.

Wherever my mind wanders,

it always goes back to him,

to Frank,

to me he is manly,

so frank, so honest, so truthful.

You are thinking of him only as one of us.

Us?

Yes, us.

For I,II repeat,

I am one of them and I believe in Frank.

Oh, Rena, Rena.

Oh, I just like him, for he's truthful

and frank and honest.

And that is what I mean about him.

He sent me here, that is how kind he is.

For I was ready and offered the first time in my life

to disobey Mama and marry him in spite of her or you,

but he wouldn't let me.

He wouldn't have me.

He made me come on.

He forced me to come on and see it through.

But why, Rena?

Because he is a man, John.

Willing to sacrifice what is more dear to him

than his own life, his own soul.

And that is why I love him so.

I--I hope you understand, dear.

Oh, Rena.

You're nervous and upset.

Go and lie down for a while.

I've got to go out.

Will ya?

(phone ringing)

Is it my Frank? I knew it.

I've been expecting it for days.

Now listen, dear,

my brother and I have just gone through

a long exchange of words

and thoughts about Mother.

I dreamed for three consecutive nights

that she was ill and told him

that I feared she was not over an hour ago.

In the meantime, how's your (unintelligible)?

(unintelligible)

I see.

Would you like to come to the house?

You'd rather not?

Very well then.

I,II come to where you are.

Now, Frank, if you still love Rena

as much as poor Rena loves you

and want to see her half as bad she does you,

please don't argue about my coming to where you are.

And here's what-- and when I get there,

I'm going on back to Fayetteville with you

and seeing my poor sick mama.

Now here's what you do.

Send a car here to the house to get me

and I'll meet you in (unintelligible)

As quickly as I can get there.

Goodbye, dear,

and hold your breath

as I'm going to try to hold mine

until I see you.

(unintelligible)

Well, she's gonna need her sugar daddy now,

and I'm bettin, two to one that she don't come back.

Honey, when they once loved a spade,

ain't nobody can take 'em away from 'em.

Mm-hm, and I bet he's a dark one too.

(laughing)

Well, supposedly goin' to her freedom,

'but having grand good time.

Hooray!

Hey, piano tuner,

come over, let's have some fun.

Miss Walden's gone.

Hey hey.

(greetings)

What are you gonna sing for us tonight?

River, Stay Away from My Door.

That's good.

You keep going your way

I'll keep going my way

River, stay away from my door

I just got a cabin

You don't need my cabin

River, stay away from my door

Don't come up any higher

I'm so all alone

Leave my bed and my fire

That's all I own

I ain't breaking your heart

Don't start breaking my heart

River, stay away from my door

Now you keep going your way

I'll keep going my way

River, stay away from my door

Oh, I just got a cabin

You don't need my cabin

River, stay away from my door

Don't come up any higher

I'm so all alone

Leave my bed and my fire

That's all I own

I ain't breaking your heart

Don't start breaking my heart

River, stay away from my door

I want my jig time

I got to have jig time

Please give me that jig time

all the rest of my days

At first you get low down

Jump up and then go 'round

Keep moving and you slow down

As that jig time plays

And music makes you sad

Drives you wild

Makes you cry just like a child

Right, makes you say,

"Look what you've done to me now"

I want my jig time

Got to have my jig time

Please give me my jig time

all the rest of my days

(rhythmic tapping)

(female vocalizing)

Uh-huh!

Now, get off, man, get off.

Let go!

(cheering)

And how!

I'm all alone

Heartsick and weary

Trying my best to be bright and cheery

You're having your fun

dragging my heart around

Keep doin' things, try not to notice

Everyone sees, they know who the goat is

No other one

dragging my heart around

Most of the time you treat me

like any old stranger

I won't give you up,

I'll be like a dog in a manger

I know I'm a fool but how can you blame me

So deep in love nothing can save me

So keep up your fun

dragging my heart around

(vocalizing)

Keep up your fun

dragging my heart around

(vocalizing)

So keep up your fun

dragging my heart around

Most of time you treat me

like any old stranger

I won't give you up,

I'll be like a dog in a manger

I know I'm a fool but how can you blame me

(vocalizing)

Keep up your fun

dragging my heart around

(vocalizing)

Keep up your fun

dragging my heart around

Most of the time you treat me

like any old stranger

I won't give you up,

I'll be like a dog in a manger

I know I'm a fool but how can you blame me

I'm deep in love and nothing can save me

So keep up your fun

dragging my heart around

(rhythmic tapping)

Yeah!

Yeah!

Yeah!

Goin' to town!

Yeah, baby.

Yeah.

Yes, sir!

-Thank you. -Okay.

Frank!

Wow.

Well, that's that.

Let's get to work, folks.

Come on, let's go.

Well, so long.

-So long. -See you.

See you, old boy.

Oh, Frank, you don't know how I've missed you,

every day, every hour in the day

I've thought of you, longed for you,

cried for you.

Honestly, Frank,

I would rather suffer death a hundred times

than to even attempt to go on with this thing.

I'm supposed to go back,

but I'm--I've had enough.

I'm afraid I'm through.

I--I feel that I--I'm leaving

my brother's house for good

Now listen, Rena,

I didn't want to prolong our conversation

over the phone, but I want you to understand

that I didn't come to influence you.

You're not influencing me in the least, Frank.

I'm simply tired of being a liar and a cheat,

and I want to get away from it for a while,

if not for all time.

I want to call my mama and rest.

Oh, Frank, you can't imagine

what an ordeal I've been through.

--liar and a cheat, that's all.

But your brother, surely he knows best.

Yes, my brother.

He thinks he knows what is best,

that's why I'm here,

that's why I tried to stick it out.

But I can't-- I can't stand it much longer.

I'll break under the strain.

Something has got to happen.

Oh, merciful Father,

forgive me, forgive me.

Be calm, my dear, be calm.

I'm sure it's not as bad as all that.

No, but come, Frank,

I must think of my mother.

She needs me.

Yes, Rena, mother needs you.

(door slamming shut)

Drive me into Fayetteville, dear.

When we get there, we'll cheer Mama up,

then go straight to a minister.

Kiss me, Frank.

Don't awaken me till we reach Fayetteville, dear.