Original subtitles

[PLAYING WHISTLE]

CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY WARNER BROS.

[CONTINUES PLAYING WHISTLE]

[PLAYING MARYLAND, MY MARYLAND]

[BAND PLAYS LESTER LEAPS IN]

[APPLAUSE]

CATCH HIS GIG, JIM!

YARDBIRD CAN PLAY!

HEY!

GO!

WOO! WOO!

BLOW, BIRD!

BLOW, MAN!

THAT'S RIGHT.

PLAY IT SWEET, BIRD!

[THUNDER]

* IF I SHOULD LOSE YOU *

* THE STARS WOULD FALL FROM THE SKY *

* IF I SHOULD LOSE YOU... **

YOU'RE AWAKE.

I'M GLAD.

HALFWAY THROUGH THE LAST SET,

GUESS WHO DROPPED IN ON ME?

MY ULCERS!

HA HA HA!

I GAVE THEM SOME CODEINE, AND THEY WOULDN'T GO AWAY.

WHAT ELSE HAPPENED?

THE STRINGS,

THEY WENT INTO THE INTRO FOR EASY TO LOVE,

AND I STARTED PLAYIN' IF I SHOULD LOSE YOU.

DIDN'T FIT.

NOT EVEN WHEN I TRIED TO MAKE IT FIT.

IT WOULDN'T FIT.

WOULDN'T NOBODY HAVE NOTICED

EXCEPT FOR MAYBE DIZZY GILLESPIE.

BUT DIZZY GILLESPIE IS ON THE ROAD SOMEWHERE,

AS FAR AS I KNOW.

BUT HE WOULD HAVE CHIDED ME.

IS THAT ALL?

NO.

I'M GRATEFUL THAT YOU DIDN'T BOLT THE DOOR.

I EXPECTED THAT I WAS GOING TO HAVE TO TALK

MY WAY BACK IN HERE.

DID YOU GET MY NOTE?

I LEFT IT ON THE REFRIGERATOR.

WHAT ELSE HAPPENED?

WHAT ELSE? HA HA!

ABOUT WHAT YOU'D EXPECT.

STEINBERG GOT ONE OF THE CAMERA GIRLS

TO TAKE A PICTURE OF ME...

[KISS]

IN THE MIDST OF MY DISORIENTATION...

SOMETHING TO SHOW THE UNION.

I SAID, "YOU DON'T GIVE ME THAT NEGATIVE BACK...

I DON'T WORK HERE NO MORE."

SO...I DON'T WORK THERE NO MORE.

* LIVING WOULD BE IN VAIN *

* IF I LOST YOU **

TO HELL WITH THEM.

I'M HUNGRY.

ARE YOU?

OH!

WE HAVE DECIDED TO HUMOR HIM...

THIS EVENING!

IF HE SAYS HE'S HAVING PAINS

FROM HIS ULCERS,

NEVER MIND THAT WE DON'T BELIEVE IT!

I BELIEVE IT.

WORK THAT PSYCHOLOGY ON HIM!

HE'S JUST AN OVERGROWN,

GODDAMN ADOLESCENT, ANYWAY!

DANGEROUS WHEN CONTRADICTED,

BUT AN ADOLESCENT!

GOD, YOU'RE WEIRD.

GOD, I'M WEIRD?

IS THAT WHAT THEY SAY IN WESTCHESTER?

I HEAR THAT STEINBERG, HE LIVES IN WESTCHESTER!

WHAT DO YOU MEAN, "TO HELL WITH THEM"?

WHY DON'T YOU STICK UP FOR YOUR OWN PEOPLE?

STICK UP FOR SOMEBODY!

THIS IS GETTING UGLY AGAIN.

MAYBE I SHOULD HAVE BOLTED THE DOOR.

HELL, DON'T LET ME MESS UP YOUR PLANS.

I'LL BOLT THE DOOR.

[BABY CRYING]

I GOT HIM. I GOT HIM.

GOT HIM.

NO!

I SAID I GOT HIM!

DON'T TOUCH HIM!

WHAT YOU HIT ME FOR LIKE THAT?

WHAT DID YOU THINK I HAD ON MY MIND?

HUH?

NOTHING. I'M SORRY.

I'M SORRY.

WE JUST PUT ONE CHILD IN THE GRAVE.

[CRYING]

DON'T.

WHAT DID YOU THINK I WAS GOING TO DO?

FORGIVE ME.

I WAS HUMORING YOU.

I'M SORRY.

THAT'S OK. THAT'S OK.

HEY.

GUESS WHAT I DID YESTERDAY.

WHAT?

I WENT TO THE LAWYER'S, AND I MADE A WILL,

AND I LEFT EVERYTHING TO YOU.

THERE'S NO HARM IN GETTING YOUR AFFAIRS IN ORDER.

I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT THAT WILL, MAN.

I CAN'T DO ANYTHING RIGHT ANYMORE.

DO WE...DO WE HAVE ANY GELUSIL?

WE SURE DO.

I GOT A BRAND-NEW 50-GALLON DRUM

IN THE BATHROOM.

[THUNDER]

"COME FILL THE CUP,

"AND IN THE FIRE OF SPRING,

"YOUR WINTER GARMENT OF REPENTANCE FLING.

"THE BIRD OF TIME HAS BUT A LITTLE WAY TO FLUTTER,

AND THE BIRD IS ON THE WING."

AAH!

AAH!

THAT WAS STUPID.

NOW I'LL HAVE TO CALL AN AMBULANCE.

CASE NUMBER 1540--

PATIENT ADMITTED TO PSYCHIATRIC PAVILION

AT REQUEST OF WIFE, FOLLOWING SUICIDE ATTEMPT

BY INGESTING IODINE.

TIME--5 A.M., SEPTEMBER 1, 1954.

PATIENT HAS A PAST HISTORY OF "NERVOUS BREAKDOWN,"

FOR WHICH HE WAS HOSPITALIZED IN CALIFORNIA

FOR A PERIOD OF EIGHT MONTHS.

ACCORDING TO THE WIFE,

THIS ATTEMPT WAS RELATED TO DEPRESSION

TO THE RECENT DEATH OF THEIR DAUGHTER

AND ALSO BY REVERSES IN "HIS CAREER."

APPARENTLY, HE'S A MUSICIAN.

WHERE'S HE BEEN PUT?

PQ-3. SEMIAGITATIVE.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO RECOMMEND?

HIS WIFE IS COMING THIS AFTERNOON.

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT ME TO RECOMMEND?

CHARLIE PARKER.

LET ME GO! LET ME GO!

LET ME GO! LET ME GO!

LET ME OUT OF HERE!

EXCUSE ME.

TOO EARLY, AND YOU KNOW IT.

DID YOU SEE-- DID YOU SEE THAT?

I ASKED THAT...

MISGUIDED, OFFICIOUS YOUNG WOMAN

IF SHE WOULD ADMINISTER MY PARALDEHYDE,

AND SHE DEMURRED.

DEMURRED.

I AM NOT A LABORATORY ANIMAL.

I AM IN PAIN HERE.

CAN'T SHE SEE THAT?

TELL YOUR TROUBLES TO SOMEBODY ELSE.

WHY? YOU'RE PERFECT.

ORDERLY!

ORDERLY!

[ALARM RINGS]

ALL RIGHT, CALM DOWN! CALM DOWN!

COME ON. CALM DOWN.

LET HIM GO! LET HIM GO!

WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE?

EASY. EASY.

WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS,

WHAT HE'LL DO IS PROVOKE A FIGHT.

IF HE CAN'T AFFORD TO GET DRUNK,

THE SUBSTITUTE IS PAIN.

IT TAKES HIS MIND OFF THINGS FOR A WHILE.

THERE WAS A TIME

HE COULD DO THAT WITH CONVERSATION,

BUT NOT SINCE THE ULCERS STARTED BLEEDING.

ARE YOU EMPLOYED, MRS. PARKER?

NO. NO. HE'S A GOOD PROVIDER.

OH, I DANCE...

IN NIGHTCLUBS ONCE IN A GREAT WHILE.

HARDLY AT ALL THESE DAYS.

I HAVE TWO CHILDREN AT HOME.

WHAT I'M GETTING AT IS THE FINANCIAL PROBLEM.

HE NEEDS MEDICAL TREATMENT...

NOT PSYCHOLOGICAL.

WHY DID YOU CALL US, THEN?

YEAH.

CHARLES CHRISTOPHER PARKER, JR.

AUGUST 29, 1920.

YOU WERE AN EASY DELIVERY. TURN THAT LIGHT ON.

NOW MEET SOMEBODY.

THAT'S YOU, MY MAN.

DEAD FROM IT.

BUT OLDER THAN YOU'LL BE BECAUSE YOU STARTED EARLIER.

SO I GIVE YOU 18 YEARS, 20 ON THE OUTSIDE.

I'M WORSE THAN A PROPHET.

I DON'T JUST HAVE FAITH, I'VE SEEN IT.

YOU'VE BEEN HEARING FROM MY MOTHER.

YOU BELIEVE ME OR NOT?

WHY SHOULDN'T I BELIEVE YOU?

ARE YOU GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT?

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT ME TO DO ABOUT IT?

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT ME TO DO ABOUT IT?

NOTHING. JUST SIGN IT.

I HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING REMOTELY RESEMBLING THIS

IN MY LIFE.

"STRINGS."

YEAH, BUT I GOT THEM ALL.

THE HELL YOU DO.

THE HELL I DON'T.

I GOT A STACK OF 78s THIS HIGH.

THIS IS DEATH'S DOOR?

HALF THE CITY THINKS YOU'RE CRIMPED,

AND YOU'RE HERE SIGNING AUTOGRAPHS.

YOU DIDN'T THINK SO, THOUGH, BERNIE.

NAH. EVERY TIME I TURN AROUND,

YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE GONE.

YOU'LL BURY US ALL,

AND TAKE OUR WOMEN WITH YOU.

WHAT HAVE YOU GOT THERE?

WHITMAN'S CHOCOLATES.

ALSO, I THINK, SOME GOOD NEWS.

CAN HE EAT THESE?

BETTER LET ME TRY ONE FIRST.

FIRST OF ALL...

LEIGHTON WILL PAY 100 BUCKS

FOR FIVE TUNES WRITTEN OUT FOR SAXOPHONE.

BEFORE YOU JUMP ON MY ASS...

I TOLD HIM I WOULDN'T BE COLLECTING ANY COMMISSION

ON A SUM THAT SMALL. IT'S ALL YOURS.

OH, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. PARKER.

WHAT'S SECOND OF ALL, BERNIE?

IT'S A LITTLE MORE LONG RANGE.

I RAN INTO CHUMMY MORELLO YESTERDAY.

OH...CHUMMY.

HE'S THINKING ABOUT LEAVING WOODY,

AND THEY WANT TO PACKAGE HIM

AROUND A SINGER AND SEND HIM ON TOUR,

BUT NOT TILL AFTER THE FIRST OF THE YEAR.

MY GOD, BERNIE, THAT'S THREE MONTHS.

I KNOW, I KNOW. BUT STILL...

WELL, NEEDLESS TO SAY,

HE'D BE HONORED TO HAVE YOU WITH HIM.

IF I'M STRAIGHT.

IT'S A LEGITIMATE CONCERN.

YOU GOT THREE MONTHS TO...WELL...

I'M TRYING, MAN.

IT'S A GOOD PROSPECT.

THINK ABOUT IT.

[ALL REHEARSING]

[ENGLISH ACCENT] WOULD YOU LIKE A CHOCOLATE, DOCTOR?

I'VE GOT TO, UH...

REDO THE RESTRAINTS.

YOU TRY AND GET SOME SLEEP.

AREN'T YOU GOING TO SAY "PLEASANT DREAMS," DOC?

I THINK HE WOULD BENEFIT FROM A STATE ASYLUM

AND FROM SHOCK TREATMENT.

PERHAPS THAT SOUNDS COLD-BLOODED TO YOU.

NO. YOU SOUND COLD-BLOODED TO ME.

ALL RIGHT.

BUT I PROMISE YOU, IF HE WERE MY BROTHER,

I'D SHOCK HIM.

WOULD YOU?

WHAT DOES YOUR BROTHER DO FOR A LIVING?

I DON'T HAVE A BROTHER.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT

A VERY SPECIAL, CREATIVE MAN.

HIS LIVELIHOOD DEPENDS ON HIS ABILITY

TO IMPROVISE AND COMPOSE MUSIC.

SEE, THAT'S NOT JUST DEXTERITY.

THAT COMES-- THAT'S FROM BEING A--

MRS. PARKER...

DO YOU WANT A MUSICIAN OR A HUSBAND?

LOOK, THEY DO NOT SEPARATE!

I HAVE A COUPLE OF CHORES.

TAKE A FEW CAREFUL MINUTES BY YOURSELF.

HI, MORRIS.

HI, DEAR.

PINKY, I HAVE PHOTOS TO SHOW YOU LATER.

I'M NOT LATE, AM I?

HEY, GOOD EVENING, PROFESSOR.

HERE WE ARE AT THE 18 CLUB!

IT'S HARRY "THE HIPSTER" GIBSON!

STOP THAT SHOUTING UP THERE!

[WHISTLES]

HEY, ARTIE, YOU KEEP BRINGIN' IN THEM STIFFS,

AND NOT ONE OF THEM GOT A DIME FOR A TIP.

HERE WE ARE ON THE STREET OF DREAMS!

SWING'S THE THING. JAZZ IS THE KING.

YOU LIKE IT HOT, HERE'S THE RIGHT PLACE.

NO COVER, AND DIXIE TILL 4:00 IN THE MORNING.

HEY, GET OUT OF HERE.

GIVE ME A BREAK. IT'S MY BIRTHDAY.

EXCUSE ME, SIR.

HEY, SAILORS, COME HERE!

IF YOU LEAVE WITHOUT SEEING MISS VIRGINIA KNIGHT,

YOU'LL REGRET IT.

SHE GOES ALL THE WAY FOR SERVICEMEN,

RIGHT DOWN TO THE CURLICUES.

IF YOU DON'T SEE PAY DIRT, GET YOUR MONEY BACK.

YOU STIFFS!

HEY! HERE WE ARE AT POULEZ ROULEZ.

HEY, GOOD EVENING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.

HEY, GET OUT OF HERE!

ALL RIGHT, ART TATUM-- FIRST SHOW JUST STARTED.

FIRST SHOW JUST STARTED. I GOT ONE TABLE LEFT.

IF YOU HURRY, YOU CAN GET IT.

TELL THEM THE MAYOR SENT YOU.

ASK FOR GINO.

TABLE NEAR THE DOOR. YES, SIR!

ALL RIGHT, THE THREE DEUCES!

B.S. PULLEY, THE FUNNIEST MAN IN NEW YORK!

BEBOP! MUSIC OF THE FUTURE!

COME ON, WHAT DO YOU GOT TO LOSE?

OO-BOP-SHA-BAM!

OO-BOP, MY ASS!

HEY, BUSTER!

WHERE YOU WORKING?

I'M BACK WITH BASIE.

YOU GOING INSIDE TO HEAR THIS NEW GUY?

300 PEOPLE ARE IN THERE--

HALF OF THEM ARE SAXOPHONE PLAYERS!

AIN'T NO NEW GUY.

THAT'S DIZZY GILLESPIE DRUMMIN' UP PUBLICITY.

I REMEMBER PARKER FROM EIGHT YEARS AGO

IN KANSAS CITY,

WHEN HE COULDN'T PLAY COME TO JESUS

IN WHOLE NOTES!

[BAND PLAYING RENO JAM SESSION]

COME ON!

WOO! WOO!

WOO! WOO!

[AUDIENCE CHEERS]

GO, BOPPER!

DON'T TRIFLE WITH HIM.

HE'S PLAYED WITH MOTEN,

AND YOU AIN'T DONE SHIT!

JUST PLAY A CHORUS AND GET OFF.

YEAH!

ALL RIGHT!

YO! COME ON IN HERE.

COME ON UP HERE!

WHAT'S YOUR NAME?

CHARLIE.

AND WHO'D YOU PLAY WITH?

JUST AROUND.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

THIS HERE IS CHARLIE FROM "JUST AROUND."

[BAND PLAYING YOUNG BIRD]

NOT BAD. NOW GET OFF.

[PLAYING DISCORDANT NOTES]

GET OFF!

[WOMAN'S VOICE] TIME TO GO HOME.

WHAT YOU--

MAN!

AIN'T NO NEW GUY.

IT'S CHARLIE FROM "JUST AROUND."

[BAND PLAYING LESTER LEAPS IN]

CHARLIE FROM JUST AROUND.

I REMEMBER WHEN DON BYAS

WAS LEAVING DIZZY'S GROUP.

I KNEW THE PRESS AGENT AT THE CLUB AND ASKED HIM

"WHO COULD YOU POSSIBLY GET TO REPLACE DON?"

AND HE SAID,

"OH, SOME CAT IN KANSAS CITY NAMED CHARLIE PARKER."

AND I SAID, "IS HE CUTE?"

AND MY FRIEND SAID, "NO, BUT YOU'LL DIG HIM."

HA HA HA!

YEAH! YEAH!

WOO! WOO!

ALL RIGHT, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT YARDBIRD?

[AUDIENCE CHEERS]

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT YARDBIRD?

[SPLASH]

I WON'T SIGN.

WE HAVE TO RELEASE HIM, THEN.

YES...YOU DO.

DID YOU KNOW THAT WITHIN THREE HOURS,

THERE WAS A COMMITTEE FORMED TO GET YOU OUT?

GET ME OUT?

HOW'D THEY KNOW I WAS IN?

OH.

THIS IS A HELL OF A MOMENT.

I FINALLY MADE THE FRONT PAGE.

I SHOULDN'T HAVE CALLED BELLEVUE.

NO. YOU DID RIGHT.

THE DETOX DID ME GOOD.

I TOLD YOU ABOUT BERNIE?

20 BUCKS A TUNE.

THOSE BASTARDS.

WAIT TILL YOU HEAR THE TUNES.

BUT YOU KNOW, THIS MORELLO THING...

IT SOUNDS GOOD.

IF IT WASN'T SO FAR OFF.

WE'LL GET THERE.

BY THE WAY,

DIZZY SENT YOU A BIRTHDAY CARD.

SO I GUESS HE'S BACK.

DO YOU OWE HIM A PHONE CALL?

I OWE DIZZY EVERYTHING...

EXCEPT A PHONE CALL.

HE KNOWS WHERE TO FIND ME.

[SAXOPHONE PLAYING NOW'S THE TIME]

WHO THE HELL ARE YOU? THE GOOD HUMOR MAN?

YOU WOULDN'T ANSWER YOUR KNOCK.

WILL YOU LISTEN TO THIS?

LISTEN TO THIS.

[WOMAN] WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?

YEAH.

IT'S 4 A.M. IN THE MORNING, YOU FOOLS!

YOU GOT A WOMAN IN THERE?

YEAH, I GOT A WOMAN IN THERE.

I MARRIED HER, SO SHE'D STAY IN THERE.

WHERE'S YOURS?

HELLO, LORRAINE.

HELLO, BIRD,

IF YOU COMIN' IN, I'M LEAVIN'.

WILL YOU WRITE THIS DOWN FOR ME?

WHY DON'T YOU WRITE IT DOWN?

I GOT NO PAPER.

THERE'S PEOPLE WAITIN' FOR ME.

WRITE IT IN THE MORNING.

I WON'T BE HERE.

I'M GOING ON THE ROAD.

WHERE?

THAT'S A NICE APARTMENT.

MAYBE I WENT OUT ON MY OWN TOO SOON.

WHERE? WHERE YOU GOIN'?

I DON'T KNOW.

THEY KNOW.

WILL YOU WRITE THIS DOWN FOR ME?

YARD, IF I GET THIS GIG IN CALIFORNIA,

AM I GOING TO BE ABLE TO FIND YOU?

CALIFORNIA?

NOT SUPPOSED TO BE EASY TO SCORE IN CALIFORNIA.

SHIT.

*

HEY!

GOT A GIG. I GOT TO GO.

YARD! WHENEVER YOU GET WHERE YOU'RE GOING,

CALL ME, ALL RIGHT?

[LORRAINE] I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU TO SHUT HIM UP!

GOOD NIGHT.

GOOD NIGHT.

BIRD, I THOUGHT YOU WERE IN PHILADELPHIA!

I WAS.

HI!

WHAT ARE YOU DOIN' HERE?

I'M REHEARSING.

YEAH? YOU GOT A DANCE JOB?

YOU BET.

THAT'S NICE.

I WAS CHECKIN' ON A RECORD DATE.

YOU'RE LOOKING SPLENDID.

WHEN ARE YOU GOIN' TO MARRY ME?

WHEN YOU STRAIGHTEN UP AND WALK LIKE A JAZZ MUSICIAN.

YEAH? YEAH.

YOU WANT A BITE OF THIS?

UH-UH.

IT'S MY THIRD ONE.

I GOT GUM. MAYBE THAT'S THE SECRET.

IF YOU WANT TO PLAY LIKE BIRD, YOU GOT TO EAT LIKE BIRD.

ALL THOSE TWO AND FOUR BAR BREAKS.

YOU MEAN, I EAT A LOT FOR A JUNKIE.

DON'T TELL ME WHAT I MEAN, MAN.

SORRY.

SO HOW DO YOU COME TO KNOW SO MUCH ABOUT MUSIC?

WILL YOU TALK TO ME?

HERITAGE.

MY FATHER PRODUCED NIGHTCLUB SHOWS.

BROADWAY BEN THEY CALLED HIM.

I HAD MY SWEET 16 PARTY AT THE COTTON CLUB.

IT'S ALWAYS BEEN MUSICIANS.

YOU WEREN'T SEEING ABOUT ANY RECORD DATE.

NO.

YOU DIDN'T THINK I WAS IN PHILLY.

IT'S UP AND DOWN THE STREET I LOST THAT GIG.

RIGHT.

SO?

SO?

SO WHY ARE WE CONNING EACH OTHER?

EVERYBODY ASSUMES WE'RE AN ITEM

BECAUSE I SHOW UP WHEREVER YOU'RE PLAYING.

YOU DO?

WELL, I DON'T ALWAYS SAY HELLO.

AND YOU DON'T USUALLY LEAVE ALONE.

AND WHILE WE'RE ON THE SUBJECT,

HOW MANY WIVES DO YOU HAVE?

I HAVE MET MORE WOMEN IN THE LAST TWO YEARS

WHO CLAIM TO BE MRS. CHARLIE PARKER...

AND ALL OF THEM WEARIN' RINGS!

RINGS ARE CHEAP.

RINGS ARE CHEAP.

IS THAT ALL YOU WANT TO SAY?

NO. WHAT SIZE RING YOU WEAR?

OH, NO. NOT ME.

WHY DON'T YOU TELL ME SOME MORE

ABOUT BROADWAY BEN.

HE HAD A WAY ABOUT HIM.

THE YEAR I WAS BORN,

HE OPENED A PLACE ACROSS FROM THE PLAZA HOTEL.

HE CALLED IT THE CLUB GRANDEUR.

THAT WAY.

IS THAT WHERE YOU LIVED?

NO, BY THEN I WAS IN WESTCHESTER.

IN WHERE?

WESTCHESTER. WHY?

NOTHIN'. I LIKE THE WAY YOU SAY THAT.

"WESTCHESTER. WHY?"

I WASN'T TYPICAL IN THOSE DAYS.

I'M HALF-JEWISH.

MY HERO'S DUKE ELLINGTON. I MEAN, WOW!

NOW WHO IS HE? BILLY McNABB?

NO. BILLY'S SEXY AND DANGEROUS,

BUT I DON'T BUY HIS RECORDS.

THOUGHT I DIDN'T KILL YOU.

IT TOOK ME A WHILE TO GET USED TO THE SOUND,

I WAS BROUGHT UP ON JOHNNY HODGES,

BUT YOU ALWAYS KILLED ME.

YOU BUY MY RECORDS?

YEAH.

SHOW ME.

PRETTY CRUDE. COME.

WHOA, YARDBIRD.

WE WERE JUST TALKIN' ABOUT YOU.

YEAH, WAS IT GOOD?

ALWAYS GOOD, MAN. ALWAYS GOOD.

WHAT'S GOIN' ON?

NOTHIN'.

BUT YOU DON'T TREAT THAT LADY RIGHT,

GREAT AS YOU ARE,

I'M GONNA KICK YOU IN THE HEAD.

EVERY NOW AND THEN,

SOME SUCKER TRIES TO TURN HER OUT.

THAT GETS ME MAD.

FROG, AS GREAT AS YOU ARE,

DO I LOOK LIKE A PIMP?

ASK ME SOMETHING ELSE.

"DO I LOOK LIKE A PIMP?"

DID YOU HEAR THAT BOY?

DOESN'T YOUR MOTHER MIND THESE PEOPLE

USIN' YOUR PLACE TO COOL OUT?

NO. SHE'S USED TO IT.

AND NOW...

MY RECORD COLLECTION.

DAMN, BABY, BE COOL!

OH, I'M SORRY.

OUCH.

MAYBE LATER.

THAT'S ALL RIGHT.

CAN WE FIND US SOMEPLACE TO BE ALONE?

WHY?

'CAUSE I HAVEN'T FINISHED TALKIN' TO YOU.

WELL, THERE'S THE SUICIDE ROOM.

LET'S GO.

APTLY NAMED.

OOO-HO-HO!

SO...

WHY DON'T YOU TELL ME MORE ABOUT WESTCHESTER?

DID YOU LIVE IN A PRETTY HOUSE?

I HAD A ROOM THAT LOOKED OUT OVER A GARDEN.

THE NIGHT OF MY SIXTH BIRTHDAY,

MY FATHER HAD THE ORCHESTRA FROM HIS CLUB

STAND UNDER THAT WINDOW AND SERENADE ME.

THEY PLAYED WHY DO I LOVE YOU?

* WHY DO YOU LOVE ME? *

* WHY SHOULD THERE BE TWO HAPPY AS WE? **

THAT'S NICE.

THAT'S REAL NICE.

YEAH.

HE HAD A WAY.

OK, YOU WALKED ME HOME.

YEAH.

YOU GOT ME ALONE.

YOU MANAGED TO GET ME TALKIN'.

I'VE TOLD YOU SOME OF MY GIRLISH SECRETS.

BUT YOU HAVEN'T TOLD ME A THING.

WHAT'S GOIN' ON?

THERE'S ONE NIGHT IN MY LIFE I NEVER WANT TO FORGET.

I NEVER WANT TO GO THROUGH IT AGAIN.

I WAS 15,

AND I WOKE UP FEELING MORE PAIN

THAN I'VE EVER FELT.

I DIDN'T KNOW WHY TILL SOMEBODY TOLD ME

I WAS STRUNG OUT.

SOMEBODY HAD TO TELL ME THAT.

YOU KNOW...

I ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT...

IF I HADN'T ASKED...

THEN I WOULDN'T BE.

YOU MAKE ME FEEL...

VERY PEACEFUL, YOU KNOW?

YOU'RE NOT MY TYPE, MAN.

I KNOW THAT.

PEACEFUL! PEACEFUL!

IS THAT WHAT YOU MEAN BY "RINGS ARE CHEAP"?

I DON'T WANT TO MAKE ANYBODY FEEL PEACEFUL, MAN.

I WAS BORN TO DRIVE MEN CRAZY!

SOMEBODY TOLD ME

THAT I'M THE ONLY WOMAN IN NEW YORK

THAT YOU HAVEN'T HAD.

I JUST MADE A SIMPLE STATEMENT.

WELL, DON'T MISUNDERSTAND ME.

I APPRECIATE THE HONOR.

IT'S NOT LIKE I DON'T KNOW

WHO I'M TALKING TO.

STOP IT!

YOU'RE EMBARRASSING YOURSELF.

I'M SORRY.

BUT IF YOU AND ME GOT TOGETHER...

UH-UH.

MM-HMM.

WHAT I MEAN BY MY TYPE--

IS THE TYPE YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE FAITHFUL TO.

I KNOW THAT.

EVERYBODY SAYS YOU'RE A MIND READER.

I AM.

I'M GOIN' TO CHICAGO.

* AND YOU'RE SORRY THAT YOU CAN'T TAKE ME **

NO.

NO!

YOU QUIT READING MY MIND!

[PLAYING I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT YOU'RE IN LOVE WITH ME]

THAT CAT'S COOKIN' TONIGHT.

WE THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF THE BAND.

NOW WE'RE GOING TO LEAVE YOU

IN THE VERY CAPABLE HANDS OF THE MARGIE HYAMS QUINTET.

WAIT HERE.

RIGHT.

[PLAYING THREE DEUCES]

YOU SOUNDED GOOD, BIRD.

HOW WOULD YOU KNOW THAT?

YOU WEREN'T OUT FRONT.

YOU ALWAYS SOUND GOOD.

SO WHAT DO YOU KNOW?

I DON'T KNOW YOU, FOR ONE THING.

BUT YOU'RE WAITIN' FOR ME.

THE GUY YOU'RE WAITIN' FOR SENT ME INSTEAD.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?

OH, ABOUT SIX MONTHS.

KENTUCKY'S COLD THIS TIME OF YEAR.

I THINK I'LL PASS ON THAT.

YOU THINK I'M ON THE SQUAD OR SOMETHING?

SQUAD?

WHAT SQUAD?

ESTEVES. ESTEVES.

YOU KNOW, I NEVER FORGET A FACE.

YOU HAVIN' A BIG NIGHT, ESTEVES?

WE PITCHED A FEW HERE AND THERE.

NOT YOURS, BUT HE'S HEARD ABOUT IT.

WHERE ARE YOU GOIN'?

I DON'T KNOW.

TAKE IT PERSONALLY.

HEY, WATCH OUT.

THE NABS ARE OUT TONIGHT.

GOOD NIGHT.

MRS. BERG?

DID YOU LIKE WHAT I PLAYED TONIGHT?

I'M NOT A MUSIC CRITIC.

YOU COULD PLAY STAR EYES, THOUGH.

I'D BE HAPPY TO DO THAT FOR YOU.

YOUR LOVELY DAUGHTER... IS SHE STILL IN CHICAGO?

MY LOVELY DAUGHTER IS STILL IN CHICAGO.

TILL WHEN?

BIRD--

I HAVE MY WAYS OF FINDING OUT.

I JUST WANT TO WELCOME HER BACK,

YOU KNOW?

LIKE BROADWAY BEN WOULD.

[SAXOPHONES PLAYING WHY DO I LOVE YOU?]

HA HA HA!

WHERE ARE WE GOING?

WHAT'S-HER-NAME DIDN'T ASK VALENTINO

NO QUESTIONS LIKE THAT.

VILMA BANKY. SHE WAS IN A SWOO--

OOOH!

SEE? I GOT A WAY ABOUT ME, TOO.

I'LL SAY.

[BAND PLAYING MOONLIGHT BECOMES YOU]

HEY, THAT'S BIRD. CHARLIE PARKER.

CHARLIE PARKER.

OH, MY! WHERE?

GOD, THIS MUSIC IS SO CORNY.

YOU GOT TO STOP

RUNNING AWAY FROM HONEST SENTIMENT.

AM I RUNNING?

YEAH.

OH.

I REMEMBER WHEN I FIRST MET YOU...

YOU LOOKED SO YOUNG, IT SCARED ME.

YOU AWAKE?

YOU AWAKE?

GOD! GOD...

YOU MAKE ME FEEL SO PEACEFUL.

I FEEL LIKE A COWARD, TOO,

BECAUSE I LOVE YOU, YOU SEE,

AND I DON'T THINK I COULD SAY THAT

IF YOU WAS AWAKE.

WHAT?

YOU MAKIN' OUT YOU ASLEEP, LIKE A KID?

GOOD THING IT'S DARK, HUH?

YOU DIDN'T TELL ME

HOW MUCH YOU LIKE GOIN' OUT ON THE ROAD.

I'M GOIN' OUT ON THE ROAD AGAIN,

TO HOLLYWOOD... BACK WITH DIZZY.

BUT I HEAR THINGS ABOUT IT

MAKE ME KIND OF JUMPY.

WHAT?

UH...STUFF'S NOT EASY TO FIND,

FOR ONE THING...

TOUGH COPS.

WE'LL BE THE FIRST GROUP

TO EVER PLAY THE NEW SOUND OUT THERE.

I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY'D LIKE THAT.

WHAT WOULD YOU THINK ABOUT KEEPIN' ME COMPANY?

OH, YEAH.

HUNT FOR DRUGS DURING THE DAY

AND LEAD THE APPLAUSE AT NIGHT.

WHAT ARE YOU SO MAD AT?

WHO'S MAD?

I'M NOT MAD.

I'M PREGNANT.

YOU KNOW HOW TO FLATTER A GUY.

GIVE YOURSELF A COUPLE OF HOURS

BEFORE YOU DECIDE IT'S SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

BILLY McNABB?

NO.

NOBODY YOU KNOW.

NOBODY I KNOW WELL ENOUGH

TO EVER WANT TO SEE HIM AGAIN.

SO...

WHAT NOW?

DO YOU REALIZE I HAVEN'T TOLD MY MOTHER,

AND I'VE TOLD YOU?

WELL, YOU COULD HAVE TOLD ME A LITTLE SOONER.

HEY!

IF MEN COULD GET PREGNANT,

HOW MANY KIDS WOULD YOU HAVE BY NOW?

CHAN, CHAN, CHAN.

THAT'S ME.

WELL...

I GOTTA GO. I GOT A GIG ACROSS THE STREET

BEFORE I GO TO HOLLYWOOD.

WHERE'S YOUR HORN?

I'LL BORROW ONE.

EXCUSE ME.

WHEN YOU GOING TO CALIFORNIA?

COUPLE OF DAYS.

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF, OK?

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.

OH, NO.

HE HOCKED HIS HORN TO RENT THAT DAMN HORSE.

HA HA HA!

APPARENT CONTRIBUTING FACTORS

TO PATIENT'S "NERVOUS BREAKDOWN,"

IN CALIFORNIA, WINTER 1946, WERE AS FOLLOWS--

DISORIENTATION DUE TO UNFAMILIAR SURROUNDINGS,

DISAPPOINTING PUBLIC REACTION BORDERING ON HOSTILITY

TO PATIENT'S PARTICULAR STYLE OF MUSIC,

REDUCED AVAILABILITY OF NARCOTICS

DUE TO POLICE CRACKDOWN.

HEY, HEY.

[BAND PLAYING ORNITHOLOGY]

ALL RIGHT!

ANY WAY I CAN HELP?

NO.

SEE, I'M GETTIN' ON RIGHT NOW.

YEAH, I KNOW.

YOU KNOW?

THE LESS YOU KNOW ABOUT GETTIN' ON,

THE BETTER OFF YOU'LL BE.

ANOTHER THING, JUNIOR--

IF I EVER HEAR ABOUT YOU USING THIS SHIT,

I WILL COME FROM MY GRAVE,

AND I WILL HAUNT YOU.

HAVE WE MET?

NO, SIR.

MY NAME'S RODNEY.

OH, SHIT.

YOU PLAY, RODNEY?

YEAH. I'M WITH KRUPA.

DO YOU PLAY?

TRUMPET.

OH.

THEN YOU CAME HERE TO SEE DIZZY PLAY.

I TOOK THE JOB TOURING WITH KRUPA

BECAUSE THE TOUR CAME TO L.A.

AND I KNEW YOU WERE GOING TO BE HERE.

YEAH... I CAME TO HEAR YOU.

WELL, ALL RIGHT!

WELL, THEN, I'M SORRY I KEPT YOU WAITIN'.

SO...A GOOD CROWD IN THERE?

SO-SO.

SO-SO.

YEAH...

WE DON'T GET TOO MANY GOOD CROWDS OUT HERE.

AH, THEY'LL CATCH ON.

IT TOOK ME A WHILE.

I THOUGHT I WANTED TO BE HARRY JAMES.

YEAH, WELL...

I WANT TO BE HARRY JAMES SOMETIMES.

[FIREBIRD SUITE PLAYS]

LISTEN TO THAT.

YOU KNOW, AUDREY,

IF WE COULD REALLY HEAR EVERY SOUND IN THE WORLD,

WE'D GO CRAZY.

HE MUST BE CRAZY, YOU KNOW?

HE ALWAYS LOOKED FAIRLY NORMAL TO ME.

NO. I'M TALKING ABOUT STRAVINSKY.

SO AM I.

WE GO TO THE SAME DENTIST.

YEAH?

MM-HMM.

HE LIVES AROUND HERE?

YES.

AND SCHONBERG AND HEIFETZ

AND HUXLEY AND THOMAS MANN.

THE CLIMATE IS ADVANTAGEOUS.

HE LIVES RIGHT THERE.

PULL UP OVER THERE. PULL UP.

WHAT TIME IS IT?

ALMOST 10:00. WON'T YOU BE LATE?

THE LIGHTS ARE ON. HE'S PROBABLY THERE.

BET HE'S IN THERE.

[RINGS DOORBELL]

LET'S GO.

HOW DO I GET ME A HOUSE LIKE THAT?

WHAT'S STOPPING YOU?

BIRKS.

BIRKS, WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?

I'M NOT THAT LATE.

NO AUDIENCE, MAN.

THE BAR'S OPEN.

THE ENGAGEMENT'S OVER.

GUESS THEY WEREN'T READY TO BE INVADED.

SO ANYWAY...

WE GONNA TAKE A PLANE HOME.

I GOT YOUR TICKET RIGHT HERE.

WHAT IS THAT?

I THOUGHT WE HAD A RADIO GIG TOMORROW.

WE DID, YARD. WE DID.

THE STATION JOINED IN THE BAN.

"BEBOP TENDS TO PERVERT YOUNG MINDS."

WHO SAID THAT?

SOMEBODY WITH ENOUGH JUICE

TO GET 12 RADIO STATIONS TO TURN US OFF.

SO WE GOIN' HOME TOMORROW.

HOW ABOUT YOU?

BIRKS, LOOK,

A BAN LIKE THAT CAN'T LAST FOREVER.

WE GOT AN AUDIENCE OUT HERE.

JUST GIVE IT SOME TIME.

YOU GONNA HANG AROUND HERE?

CAN'T GO BACK TO NEW YORK RIGHT NOW.

WHAT ABOUT THE REST OF MY SALARY?

WHAT SALARY?

YARD, THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW ADVANCES DRAWN.

JUST LAST WEEK, YOU BORROWED $20 FROM ME

AND THEN KISSED ME WHEN I GAVE IT TO YOU.

YOU DON'T REMEMBER THESE THINGS.

I DON'T HAVE TO REMEMBER.

YOU WOULDN'T LIE TO ME.

WELL...LISTEN.

JUST MAKE SURE SOMEBODY HAS YOUR NUMBER

AND DON'T STAY AWAY TOO LONG, HMM?

BIRKS!

YEP?

* DA DA DWEE YAH *

* BAH DA DO DA *

* DWEE DWEE DWEE DWEE *

* DWEE DWEE DWEE **

VERY NICE, CHARLIE. VERY NICE.

HE'S CLEAN!

THE DOPE IN L.A. DRIED UP.

HE HAD TO KICK.

THAT NEARLY KILLED HIM,

SO HE STAYED DRUNK MOST OF THE TIME.

THAT'S WHY HE GOT SENT TO CAMARILLO.

HE HASN'T HAD A DAMN THING FOR SIX MONTHS.

ACCORDING TO HIM.

NO, NO.

ACCORDING TO HIS RECORD PRODUCER IN L.A.

WHAT HE NEEDS IS A GIG OUT OF THE STATE.

NO.

FOR GOD'S SAKES, SAMMY!

YOU HIRE CHARLIE PARKER IMITATIONS,

AND THE REAL THING'S AVAILABLE!

THE REAL THING COULD BE A PAIN IN MY ASS.

SAMMY, LISTEN.

LET'S PLAY A GAME.

I'LL COUNT TO 100, SLOWLY,

BEFORE I FINISH, NAME ME ONE OTHER MUSICIAN

WHO CAN PACK THIS CLUB

WHO ISN'T A PAIN IN THE ASS.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT CHARLIE PARKER!

I'LL PAY 700 A WEEK.

WAIT. THAT'S FOR HIM, A SECOND HORN,

AND A RHYTHM SECTION.

IF HE HANDLES IT RIGHT,

HE CAN CLEAR A COUPLE HUNDRED.

THREE-WEEK GUARANTEE.

YOU'RE WONDERFUL.

I THOUGHT THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH WAS IN FLORIDA.

EVERYBODY SAYS THAT TO ME.

YOU KNOW, I LEARNED SOMETHING.

THEY CAN GET IT OUT OF YOUR BLOOD...

SURE.

BUT THEY CAN NEVER GET IT OUT OF YOUR MIND.

I REALLY APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DID FOR ME.

I WILL NEVER, EVER FORGET IT.

DON'T!

DON'T WHAT?

DON'T BE HUMBLE.

ANYBODY ELSE BUT YOU.

HA HA! HEY, CHAN,

WHEN A CONVICT'S ON THE STREET

AFTER A LONG TIME AWAY,

HE'S CAREFUL,

NOT HUMBLE.

WHY DON'T YOU LEARN TO SAY "YOU'RE WELCOME"?

YOU'RE WELCOME.

WILL YOU STOP TRYING TO LOOK

FOR SOMEPLACE TO RUN?

I JUST CAME HERE TO SAY THANKS.

THE REST OF IT WILL WAIT.

I'M GOING TO GO FIND ME A QUINTET

AND GET STARTED.

TAKE A LOOK AT HER AT LEAST.

WELL, WHO COULD BLAME ME NOW?

AND WHAT'S YOUR NAME, LITTLE ONE?

MY NAME IS KIM. WHAT'S YOURS?

WELCOME HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL, DADDY.

HOW DID YOU KNOW I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL?

I READ IT IN THE NEWSPAPER.

DIDN'T YOU KNOW YOU'RE FAMOUS?

GRANDMA COOKING SUPPER?

YEAH, BUT SHE CALLS IT DINNER.

SHE SAYS SUPPER'S AFTER THE SHOW.

SHE'S RIGHT.

I'LL BE RIGHT UP.

WHERE ARE YOU GOING?

WHO'S THAT?

BUSINESS.

HOW YOU FEELIN'?

YOU READ THE HOSPITAL REPORT, I DIDN'T.

GET IN. LET'S GO FOR A RIDE.

I HAVE A CAR.

IT'S GETTING A RING JOB.

SHOULD I TELL WHEN YOUR WIFE BROUGHT IT IN,

OR DO YOU WANT THE ENGINE SERIAL NUMBER?

M-431-232-95.

GET IN THE GODDAMN CAR.

I'VE BEEN ON YOUR CASE 10 YEARS NOW,

AND I'VE NEVER SEEN YOU WORSE.

YOU CAN'T PLAY MORE THAN THREE NIGHTS A MONTH

IN NEW YORK,

AND NEW YORK IS THE ONLY PLACE LEFT

WHERE YOU CAN GET WORK.

YOU BLEW A THREE-NIGHTER

AT 1:00 THIS MORNING.

I TALKED WITH STEINBERG.

HE'S READY TO WASH HIS HANDS OF YOU.

YOU TALKED TO STEINBERG.

YOU'RE SICK, BIRD.

YOU'RE AN ALCOHOLIC, YOU'RE A JUNKIE,

AND YOUR MIND IS HANGING BY A FUCKING THREAD.

UH-HUH, YEAH, RIGHT, RIGHT, RIGHT.

IT'S POSSIBLE I COULD CHANGE SOME ATTITUDES

ABOUT YOUR CABARET CARD.

THAT WOULD MAKE A HELL OF A DIFFERENCE

IN YOUR SITUATION.

IT WOULD MAKE A WORLD OF A DIFFERENCE.

I GIVE YOU THREE, FOUR NAMES, ALL JUNKIES.

ONCE YOU NAILED THEM, WOULDN'T BE NO MORE HEROIN

IN NEW YORK CITY, WOULD THERE?

LET ME OUT OF THIS GODDAMN CAR!

THEY WOULDN'T THINK TWICE ABOUT DOING IT TO YOU.

IT'S TIME TO SAVE YOUR LIFE!

THIS IS THE YEAR I'M SUPPOSED TO DIE.

YOU MISSED DINNER.

HOW ABOUT SUPPER?

I'M SORRY.

I JUST WENT FOR A WALK.

WERE YOU WORRIED?

WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO SAY?

WHO WAS THAT MAN?

SOMEBODY FROM THIS WORLD--

NOBODY I EVER WANT YOU

TO CONCERN YOURSELF ABOUT.

IT'S DIRTY.

IT'S DIRTY?

WHERE DO YOU THINK I'VE LIVED MY LIFE

TILL I MET YOU?

IT'S MY WISH THAT YOU REMAIN MY CHILD WIFE.

WOULD YOU DO THAT FOR ME?

NOW YOU'VE SWITCHED FROM BETTE DAVIS MOVIES

TO JANE EYRE.

COME ON HOME AND EAT, ROCHESTER.

AFTER A WHILE.

REMEMBER, YOU'VE GOT FIVE TUNES TO WRITE.

LISTEN TO ME-- THE VOICE OF DUTY.

OH, AND GUESS WHAT.

STEINBERG SENT US A CHECK.

WE'LL BE OK FOR TWO WEEKS.

CHAN.

THAT'S ME.

DON'T EVER LEAVE OLD POP.

HE'S NOT GOING TO DRINK ANY MORE IODINE...

'CAUSE HE LOVES YOU.

I KNOW.

I READ THE NOTE ON THE REFRIGERATOR.

IT'S A NICE, TIGHT ROOM.

GOOD ACOUSTICS.

BETTER THAN ANYTHING EVER WAS ON 52nd STREET.

BUCK AND A QUARTER ADMISSION,

2.50 MINIMUM AT THE TABLES.

THEY'RE BOOKED UP THE FIRST WEEKEND

AND HAVEN'T EVEN OPENED YET.

THEY NAMED IT AFTER ME.

WHO THE HELL ELSE COULD THEY NAME IT AFTER?

DON'T YOU LIKE THE IDEA?

BERNIE, I LIKE THE IDEA.

I'M FLATTERED BY IT. I'M OVERWHELMED.

I JUST WISH IT WAS TONIGHT

'CAUSE I'M BROKE.

I'M TRYING TO HOLD ONTO MY RHYTHM SECTION.

LEAN ON THE RECORD COMPANY.

MAYBE THEY WANT YOU IN PARIS.

[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]

ENCORE!

ENCORE!

LOOKS LIKE YOU NEED SOMETHING

BETTER THAN A ROSE.

WHAT THE FUCK YOU WANT TO GO

BACK TO NEW YORK FOR?

BECAUSE.

YEAH?

YEAH.

BECAUSE.

YOU KNOW, I BEEN HERE FOUR YEARS.

I WORK 10 MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR,

MORE IF I WANT TO.

I GO TO BELGIUM, HOLLAND, SWEDEN.

YOU COULD DO THE SAME THING.

YOU KNOW, I DON'T GO FOR THAT SHIT YOU PEOPLE PLAY,

BUT OVER HERE, THEY ARE CRAZY ABOUT IT.

NOW, YOU DON'T GET RICH,

BUT YOU LIVE,

AND THEY TREAT YOU LIKE A MAN.

NOW, WHAT YOU GOT TO GO BACK TO?

OH, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH.

THEY NAMED A PLACE AFTER YOU.

WELL, HOW MUCH OF THAT PLACE DO YOU OWN?

WHEN THE GIG IS OVER,

YOU'LL BE SCUFFLING TO FIND THE NEXT ONE,

IF THERE IS A NEXT ONE.

YOU CAN'T EARN NO LIVIN'

PLAYIN' JAZZ IN THE STATES.

DIZ CAN.

DUKE CAN.

YOU AIN'T DIZ. YOU SURE AS HELL AIN'T DUKE.

AND THEY AIN'T ME.

WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH ANYTHING?

I'M NOT TALKIN' ABOUT WHAT YOU DO ON THE BANDSTAND, JUNIOR.

EVERYBODY SAID, YOU THE MAN.

WELL, THAT'S GREAT, UNTIL YOU MESS UP,

AND YOU ALWAYS MESS UP.

YOU MESS UP OVER THERE, YOU BE IN TROUBLE SO DEEP,

THEY WON'T EVEN LET YOU PLAY IN THE GODDAMN PLACE

THEY NAMED AFTER YOU IN THE FIRST PLACE.

THERE'S NO LAW THAT SAYS I HAVE TO MESS UP,

AND I'M NOT RUNNING AWAY FROM MY OWN COUNTRY.

YOUR COUNTRY?

YEAH, MINE.

WHETHER THEY LIKE IT OR NOT, IT'S MINE.

THERE'S GONNA BE A BIRDLAND

IN EVERY CITY ONE DAY.

THERE'S GONNA BE A BIRDLAND IN CHICAGO,

BIRDLAND IN DETROIT--

A BIRDLAND RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM CAMARILLO.

HA HA HA HA!

I'M THE LIBERATOR OF PARIS!

YOU ARE A MOTHERFUCKING AFTERTHOUGHT!

OH!

HA HA HA HA!

HA HA HA HA!

OH, SHIT!

SO...YOU'RE SAYING, UM...

DIZ AND DUKE ON ONE SIDE...

AND JUNKIES ON THE OTHER.

[POP]

SO I KICK.

HA HA HA HA!

I CAN KICK!

HA HA HA HA!

OH, JUNIOR! JUNIOR!

HA HA HA!

OTHER THAN THAT, WE GOT NOTHIN'

TILL A WEEK FROM FRIDAY--

SOME SORT OF BENEFIT,

SOME COMMUNIST IN JAIL, OR SOMETHING.

HEY, WE GET PAID.

HOW MUCH DO WE GET PAID?

JUST HOLD OUT WITH ME.

IN A MONTH, WE OPEN UP BIRDLAND.

WHAT DO I EAT IN THE MEANTIME?

HEY! HARRY JAMES!

MEET BILLY.

JOHN WILSON. RODNEY.

RED RODNEY.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN NEW YORK, RED RODNEY?

I'VE BEEN HERE A YEAR NOW.

WHY DIDN'T YOU CALL ME? I WANT TO HEAR YOU PLAY.

I WASN'T READY FOR YOU TO HEAR ME PLAY.

HE WASN'T READY TO HEAR HIM PLAY.

AND NOW YOU'RE READY?

HOW YOU BEEN DOIN', THEN?

I'VE BEEN DOING MOSTLY SOCIETY STUFF.

PLENTY OF GODDAMN SOCIETY FOR SOME PEOPLE.

HOW COME NOBODY NEVER CALLS ME

FOR NO GODDAMN SOCIETY GIGS?

IT'S A SPECIAL TYPE OF SOCIETY.

FOR DANCING, RIGHT?

FOR DANCING, BUT NOT THE FOX TROT.

YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A GIG? EVERYBODY?

I MEAN, NOT YOU.

WHY NOT ME?

WELL, I CAME IN HERE LOOKING FOR PEOPLE,

BUT I NEVER--

SHIT. WHY NOT?

2:00 THIS AFTERNOON

IN BROOKLYN, A WEDDING.

FANTASTIC!

WONDERFUL!

CHUDNICK!

THESE ARE NOT JEWISH BOYS, BUT GOOD.

A VERY NICE AFFAIR.

DON'T ASK. DON'T ASK.

WHAT'S THIS CHOODNICK?

YEAH, THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING.

THAT'S MY REAL NAME.

SO, WHERE ARE YOU CATS HEADED?

DON'T ASK. DON'T ASK.

[RING]

HELLO.

I WANT TO KNOW ONE THING.

YOU STILL THE MOST GORGEOUS WOMAN ALIVE?

NO.

I'M RETIRED.

BUT I LIKE IT THAT YOU NEVER GIVE UP.

I TAKE IT HE'S THERE.

IS HE ALL RIGHT?

HE'S HOLDING HIS STOMACH.

IS THAT FROM...

NO, NO, THAT'S ULCERS.

HE'LL PROBABLY SPEND THE NIGHT.

THANKS, RED.

DON'T TELL HIM I CALLED YOU.

I MEAN, DON'T TELL HIM YOU CALLED ME.

DON'T WORRY.

GET SOME SLEEP.

MM-HMM.

GOOD NIGHT.

CHOOD...

THE LAST MAN TO EVER GET ME

A SOCIETY GIG.

THAT'S ME.

WOO! WOO!

WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?

LET'S GET A DRINK.

YOU REALLY ATE A ROSE?

ATE WHATEVER I COULD GET MY HANDS ON.

I HEARD YOU SAID IT WAS DESSERT.

IT WAS.

DON'T KNOW WHY I CAME BACK HERE FOR.

BIRDLAND STILL AIN'T OPEN.

BUT I GOT THIS BEAUTIFUL GIG.

I NEED A TRUMPET PLAYER.

SCOTCH ON THE ROCKS.

CLUB SODA. HOW LONG YOU BEEN LISTENING?

I KNOW A TRUMPET PLAYER WHEN I HEAR ONE.

THERE ARE SO MANY BETTER ONES--

NAVARRO, KENNY DORHAM--

I'M OFFERING THE JOB TO YOU.

WE START OFF WITH A TOUR--

10 NIGHTS, $150 PER MAN...

PER NIGHT.

REALLY? THAT'S GREAT! WHERE?

SOUTH. WE DRIVE.

FRESH AIR, SCENERY,

UNSOPHISTICATED PUSSY.

YOU DON'T GET THAT WITH WOODY HERMAN, MAN.

GEORGIA, ALABAMA,

MISSISSIPPI, TENNESSEE.

DEEP SOUTH? WITH A MIXED BAND?

WE'D GET LYNCHED!

I GOT IT COVERED.

HERE WE ARE.

THERE'S UNCLE REMUS OVER THERE.

BIRD, WHAT ARE YOU DOIN'?

WE ARE IN THE SOUTH NOW.

AH, YOUR MAMA'S UP THERE.

WE SUPPOSED TO BE IN THE SOUTH.

YOUR MOTHER'S OVER THERE, MAN.

HEY, WILSON, Y'ALL DON'T PLAY THAT.

AIN'T IT GREAT TO BE HOME, FELLAS?

THANK YOU, BIRD.

LOOK AT THIS.

I'M OPENIN' UP A NEW WORLD TO YOU.

PULL UP OVER HERE.

I WANT TO TALK TO THE MANAGER.

WATCH OUT FOR THAT CAR.

OK.

WHERE DO YOU THINK THEY'LL PUT US UP?

MAN, YOU KNOW WHERE THEY'LL PUT US UP--

SOME GODDAMN FUNKY RAT HOLE.

EXCEPT YOU, RED.

YOU'LL PROBABLY FIND YOURSELF A GOOD HOTEL

IN EVERY TOWN WE PLAY IN.

HA! I DON'T THINK SO.

RED, YOU GONNA BE RIGHT DOWN

IN THE FUNK WITH US.

BIRD DONE COVERED IT, ALL RIGHT.

YEAH.

BIRD, ARE YOU CRAZY?

NOBODY'S GOING TO BELIEVE THAT I'M AN ALBINO.

WHO EVER HEARD OF A JEWISH CAT

PLAYIN' TRUMPET THE WAY YOU DO?

THE MAIN THING IS I CAN'T SING!

ANYBODY CAN SING THE BLUES.

ALL YOU GOT TO DO

IS SING ONE BLUES EVERY SET.

GO TO SLEEP NOW. THAT'S YOUR ROOM.

WHAT IF THEY FIND OUT?

WHO, YOUR PEOPLE OR MY PEOPLE?

HA HA. THAT'S PRETTY FUNNY.

NOW GO INSIDE. WAKE ME UP IN TWO HOURS.

DON'T YOU WANDER OFF NOWHERE, BOY!

WHAT?

I GOT TO KEEP UP THE CORRECT IMPRESSION,

DON'T I? HEH HEH.

OH, JESUS.

YEAH. I'D ALMOST FORGOTTEN.

GET SOME REST, NIGGER.

THESE PEOPLE WANT TO DANCE.

[BAND PLAYING NOW'S THE TIME]

YEAH!

ALL RIGHT!

YOU FOLKS WILL HAVE TO GO UPSTAIRS.

THANKS.

SURE. YOU CAN GET A DRINK UP THERE.

HA HA HA.

[BAND PLAYS ALBINO RED BLUES]

WHOO! ALL RIGHT!

AT THIS TIME, IT IS MY PRIVILEGE

TO BRING TO THE MICROPHONE

A YOUNG MAN,

WHO, IN A SHORT SPACE OF TIME,

HAS BECOME A LEGEND.

BORN AT THE GEOGRAPHICAL CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE--

125th STREET AND LENOX AVENUE.

I SAW HIM AT THE APOLLO.

I KNEW I HAD TO HAVE HIM WITH US!

YEAH! WHOO!

NOT JUST BECAUSE HE BRINGS US LUCK.

NO, BUT BECAUSE WHILE THE GOOD LORD

DIDN'T SEE FIT TO GIVE HIM NO PIGMENT,

HE MADE UP FOR IT BY ENDOWING HIM

WITH THE SPIRITUAL INHERITANCE

OF JEFFERSON AND BROONZY.

AND NOW, WITHOUT FURTHER ADO,

I BRING TO YOU...

ALBINO RED!

[CHEERING]

I PLAYED YOUR WEDDING.

YOU PLAY MINE.

* HEY, EVERYBODY *

ALL RIGHT, NOW.

* IT'S ALL OVER TOWN *

YEAH!

YEAH! WHOO!

* HEY, EVERYBODY *

* A-A-A-AAAH *

* IT'S A-A-ALL OVER TOWN *

* DON'T GO MESSIN' WITH THAT SUCKER, BABY *

* 'CAUSE I'LL HAVE TO *

* HAVE TO SHOOT YOU DOWN *

GREAT. ONE MORE CHORUS, HUH?

YEAH!

* GIVE YOU ALL MY MONEY *

* DON'T HOLD NOTHIN' BACK FOR ME-E-E-E *

* TOOK MY $50 *

* WENT TO BUY SOME GROCERY *

* HEE HEE *

WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THAT?

* THE NEXT THING I KNEW *

* YOU WERE SHACKED UP WITH HENRY LEE *

NO!

NOT HENRY. NO!

* HEY, EVERYBODY *

* A-A-A-AAAH *

* OHHHH, IT'S A-A-ALL OVER, OVER TOWN *

* DON'T GO MESSIN' WITH THAT SUCKER, BABY *

* HEY, 'CAUSE I'M BOUND TO *

* BOUND TO *

* SHOOT YOU, SHOOT YOU DOWN *

* DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN **

MR. RODNEY?

FOLLOW ME.

WHEN DID IT START?

LAST NIGHT.

UH, BUT I'VE HAD IT PREVIOUSLY.

I BEGAN TO FEEL A LITTLE TWINGE

THE OTHER DAY.

GIVE US A SAMPLE IF YOU CAN.

SO YOU'VE HAD HEMATURIA PREVIOUSLY?

WHAT'S THAT?

THAT BLOOD IN YOUR URINE.

OH, YEAH. MY DOCTOR KEEPS TALKING

ABOUT REMOVING THE STONES.

SUPPOSE I SHOULD LET HIM.

WHEN YOU GOING HOME?

DAY AFTER TOMORROW.

STUPID OF ME TO LEAVE MY PAIN PILLS IN NEW YORK,

BUT IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE IT'S FLARED UP.

EMPIRIN WITH CODEINE OUGHTA DO IT.

MY DOCTOR WROTE FOR DILAUDID.

DILAUDID?

FOR KIDNEY STONES?

I'M AN ETHICAL MAN.

AND FORTUNATELY FOR YOU,

I'M A COMPASSIONATE ONE.

[KNOCKING]

MR. PARKER, IT'S RED.

CHOOD,

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

CHOOD!

Oh, damn...

AH, CHOOD.

NOT YOU, MAN.

WHY NOT ME?

IF YOU WANT TO PLAY LIKE BIRD,

YOU GOT TO SHOOT SHIT LIKE BIRD?

IS THAT WHAT YOU THOUGHT?

IS THAT WHAT THEY TOLD YOU?

I DON'T REMEMBER.

NO!

NO!!

IT DON'T HELP, MAN.

DON'T HELP.

DON'T YOU KNOW THAT?

I KNOW NOW.

IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT.

I--I KNOW A THOUSAND GUYS WHO FIX.

YEAH.

A THOUSAND EASY.

[WILSON] RED, WHAT HAPPENED WITH THAT WOMAN

THAT CAME OUT OF THAT ROOM THAT NIGHT?

I'VE SEEN BETTER LOOKING HEADS

ON A BOIL, MAN.

I'M NOT GOING TO TEASE YOU, RED.

YOU GOT SOME OF THAT, DIDN'T YOU?

HEY, RED.

* HEY, EVERYBODY *

* IT'S ALL OVER TOWN **

HA HA HA!

I SOUNDED BETTER THAN THAT.

THEY LOVED ME. I'M GOING BACK.

RIGHT.

I NEVER HAD THIS MUCH MONEY

COMING BACK FROM A TOUR.

WE MUST HAVE $7,500 BETWEEN US.

$8,500.

WE HAD A CUT ON ADMISSIONS OVER 500.

WE WENT OVER FOUR TIMES.

HEY, THAT'S YOUR MONEY, BIRD.

NAW. I'M SPLITTIN' IT FIVE WAYS.

SHIT!

THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKIN' ABOUT!

YAY!

DON'T GO SIGNIFYING THAT WAY.

IT'S ABOUT TIME THIS BAND GOT ORGANIZED.

THANK YOU.

NOW, THAT'S NOT SO HARD, IS IT, JOHN?

MAN, IT'S GOOD TO BE HOME.

YEAH.

GOOD EVENING.

[BAND PLAYING COOL BLUES]

HERE YOU GO, LADIES.

YEAH.

YEAH! WHOO!

OH, YEAH!

DON'T BOTHER ME NOW, MAN.

I'M FLIPPED.

[APPLAUSE]

GOOD, ISN'T HE?

YEAH. MY MAN!

WHOA!

LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE BAND OF THE CENTURY!

[APPLAUSE]

LOOK. NICA MADE IT.

SHE'S A BARONESS OR SOMETHING.

SHE GOT A THING FOR JAZZ MUSICIANS,

BUT IT ISN'T SEXUAL.

I SHOULD HOPE NOT.

BILLY'S A MUSICIAN. WOULD YOU FUCK HIM?

HA HA HA!

YOU WERE AN ABSOLUTE GAS,

AS USUAL.

MY NAME'S NICA.

DELIGHTED.

HELLO, NICA.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT BIRD?

I LIVE AT THE CORNER OF 40th AND 3rd,

BUT, I'M ORIGINALLY FROM PHILLY.

YOU BEEN THERE?

PAYDAY.

* BUH-DUDDLE DEE ZEE BOP **

PAYDAY.

SCOTCH AND MILK!

I'LL CATCH YOU LATER, OK, BABE?

SURE. I'LL SEE YOU LATER.

YEAH. BEST THREE WEEKS WE EVER HAD.

YEAH.

YOU NOTICE ANYTHING DIFFERENT

THESE LAST THREE WEEKS?

YEAH.

YOU'RE DRINKING MORE THAN EVER.

YEAH, BUT DO YOU KNOW WHY?

I CAN GUESS.

YOU'RE TRYING TO KICK.

I'M NOT TRYING.

I'VE BEEN ON FOR 15 YEARS.

NOW, IF I CAN KICK, THEN YOU CAN KICK.

I HEAR YOU,

AND I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'RE GETTING AT.

RED RODNEY.

THE NEXT CHARLIE PARKER.

IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT.

NOBODY BLAMES YOU.

YOU EXPECT TO SEE 40?

BIRD,

I'M IN THE WRONG FRAME OF MIND

FOR QUESTIONS LIKE THAT.

HEY, YOU EXPECT TO SEE 40?

I'M DIFFERENT.

HI, RED.

SHIT.

HOW'S THE BOSS?

BETTER THAN EVER.

THAT AIN'T MY KIND OF MUSIC.

ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES.

OW! YOU'LL FIND MARKS THERE.

THAT'S INTERNAL POSSESSION.

NO SUCH THING IN THIS STATE.

THAT YOU CAN ARGUE WITH THE MAGISTRATE.

MEANWHILE, I GOT TO DO MY JOB.

LET'S TAKE HIM IN.

WHY DO YOU GO THROUGH THIS EVERY TIME?

WHAT DO YOU MEAN? WHAT ARE YOU SUGGESTING?

YOU GOT SOMETHING TO SUGGEST?

IT WAS 50 BUCKS LAST TIME.

LAST TIME YOU WERE OUT OF WORK.

BUT NOW YOU'RE WITH THE KING OF BEBOP,

AND YOU JUST GOT PAID.

HOW DID YOU KNOW THAT?

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE IN ON THIS,

YOU SON OF A BITCH?

I DIDNT EXPECT THAT OF A NICE JEWISH BOY.

THAT'S MORE YOUR STYLE.

WHAT'S HE LOOKIN' AT, BERNIE?

IT'S FEDERAL.

THAT'S AT LEAST A YEAR.

NOW, THERE ARE SEVERAL POSSIBILITIES.

YOU MIGHT WANT TO THINK ABOUT

A DIFFERENT HORN, MAYBE A TROMBONE.

THERE'S ANOTHER POSSIBILITY.

LIKE, MAYBE A QUINTET ISN'T THE WAY TO GO

RIGHT NOW.

[PLAYING LAURA]

OH!

THAT WAS LOVELY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

SMOOTH AS BUTTER

AND SWEET AS HER LITTLE SISTER'S ASS.

YOU'RE STILL THE GREATEST, MAN.

BEEN AWAY TOO LONG.

WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO THAT CHICK

YOU USED TO RUN WITH?

CHAN?

HA HA HA.

SHE'S THE MOTHER OF THREE LOVELY CHILDREN.

[LIP-SYNCING MARIO LANZA RECORDING]

* BE MY LOVE *

* FOR NO ONE ELSE CAN END THIS YEARNING *

* THIS NEED THAT YOU AND YOU ALONE CREATE *

* JUST FILL MY ARMS *

* THE WAY YOU FILL MY DREAMS *

DADDY!

HA HA HA!

*...THE DREAMS THAT YOU INSPIRE *

HA HA HA!

HEY, DADDY!

* WITH EVERY SWEET DESIRE **

WE'RE A SANDWICH, DADDY.

YOU GOING TO EAT US UP?

BIRD DOESN'T EAT SWEETS, MY LOVE.

HA HA HA.

YOU KNOW...

I DO ANOTHER STRINGS ALBUM,

I'M GOIN' TO SEE IF I CAN GET

MARIO TO DO THE VOCAL.

BIRD?

WHAT?

LET'S GO SAY HELLO TO PREE.

IS SHE DOIN' ANY BETTER TODAY?

SHE WENT TO THE RADIO AND TURNED IT ON

ALL BY HERSELF.

HOW DO YOU MEAN, SHE WALKED TO THE RADIO?

KIM AND BAIRD HAVE HEARD THEIR TUNES ON THE AIR.

WHEN ARE YOU GONNA WRITE ONE FOR PREE?

DID SHE WALK TO THE RADIO?

IF SHE WALKED, I WOULD HAVE RUN TO THE STUDIO

AND SHOUTED IT OUT, DON'T YOU THINK?

IS SHE KEEPIN' HER FOOD DOWN?

I DIDN'T BRING YOU IN HERE TO GIVE A MEDICAL REPORT,

JUST TO REMIND YOU, YOU HAVE A DAUGHTER.

MISSY PARKER,

YOU'RE BEING SALTY THIS EVENING!

SHOULD I KISS HER?

SHOULD YOU KISS HER?

I JUST MEANT, IF I KISS HER

AND SHE WAKES UP BEFORE SHE NEEDS TO,

THAT'S MORE TROUBLE FOR YOU.

I KNOW.

NO, DON'T WAKE HER UP.

YOU SHOULD KISS ME.

I'M PACKING IN THE MAGIC VIOLINS FOR A WHILE.

GOIN' TO PLAY A COUPLE WEEKS IN ME-LAND.

MAYBE I'LL HIRE YOUR OLD BOYFRIEND

BILLY McNABB.

OH, TESTING ME, HUH?

I GOTTA GO SIGN SOME CONTRACTS.

HEY, THAT'S GREAT.

* BE MY LOVE *

NOBODY SIGNS CONTRACTS AT 7:00 AT NIGHT.

I KNOW!

I SHOULDN'T HAVE ASKED HIM TO GO IN THERE, THAT'S ALL.

HEY, LOOK WHO'S UPTOWN.

YOU KNOW WHERE I CAN GET ME SOME STUFF?

MR. PARKER,

IF YOU EVER HAVE THE URGE

TO STICK A NEEDLE IN YOUR ARM AGAIN,

TAKE YOUR HORN OUT INTO THE WOODS AND BLOW.

THREE MONTHS SUSPENDED SENTENCE.

YOUR HONOR.

A CONVICTION WOULD MEAN THE LOSS OF MY CABARET CARD.

THE WOODS WOULD BE THE ONLY PLACE I CAN PLAY.

AT LEAST IN THIS CITY, SIR.

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO APPEAL.

SIR, I HAVE A 2-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER

WHO'S IN NEED OF MEDICAL ATTENTION

SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK.

WOULD IT...

IS IT POSSIBLE

THAT YOU COULD PUT ME IN JAIL

AND LET ME PAY MY DEBT TO SOCIETY

AND THEN REINSTATE MY CABARET CARD, SIR?

THAT'S NOT THE WAY IT WORKS, MR. PARKER.

BUT ALL I'M ASKING, I--

THANK YOU, YOUR HONOR.

THANKS, BERNIE.

YEAH. COOL.

IT'S COOL.

THEY WON'T PAY FOR A GROUP.

JUST ME.

THAT'S ALL RIGHT.

THERE'S SOME DECENT CATS

IN L.A. THESE DAYS.

DON'T GO.

GIVE ME A BETTER IDEA.

DAMN IT!

ALL THE RECORDS YOU'VE SOLD!

I MADE THEM!

SOMEBODY ELSE DONE SOLD THEM.

HELL.

YOU COULD USE A VACATION FROM ME.

HOLD THIS HOME TOGETHER.

WE BOTH WANT TO DO THAT, RIGHT?

OH, BIRD.

YOU AND YOUR GEORGE BRENT DIALOGUE.

[CAR RADIO PLAYING PARKER'S MOOD]

GEORGE BRENT, HUH?

UH-HUH.

MAYBE HE'LL COME INTO THE CLUB ONE NIGHT.

I GOT A GABBY HAYES AUTOGRAPH LAST TRIP.

OH, DID HE GET YOURS?

YEAH. SURE.

HE SAYS,

[IMITATING GABBY HAYES] "YARDBIRD,

"I SURE AS HELL AM PARTIAL

"TO THEM FLATTED FIFTHS OF YOURS.

"PLAY ME THAT THERE KLACTOVEEDSEDSTENE

"ONE MORE TIME, WILL YOU, PARTNER?

"I TELL YOU.

"NOBODY CAN IMPROVISE A DIMINISHED NINTH

"UP FROM THE TONIC

LIKE A FULL-BLOODED NEGRO."

HA HA HA!

[RADIO] * I'M FEELING LOW DOWN AND BLUE *

HEY, THAT'S MY SOLO.

* AND FULL OF SORROW *

HE WROTE WORDS TO THAT?

HAVEN'T YOU HEARD THAT?

* WHERE WILL I BE TOMORROW? *

IT'S CRAPPY.

I WANT TO HEAR IT.

* GOING TO KANSAS CITY *

* WANT TO GO, TOO? *

* NO, YOU CAN'T MAKE IT WITH ME *

* GOING TO KANSAS CITY *

* SORRY THAT I CAN'T TAKE YOU *

YEAH, HA.

* WHEN YOU SEE ME COMIN', RAISE YOUR WINDOW HIGH *

* WHEN YOU SEE ME LEAVIN', HANG YOUR HEAD AND CRY *

CHOODNICK COULD HAVE USED THAT ONE.

IT WAS A GREAT SOLO. I HATE THE IDEA--

SHH!

COME ON. LET ME HEAR THIS.

* SHE'D ONLY BRING HERSELF DOWN *

* SO LONG, EVERYBODY *

* THE TIME HAS COME *

* AND I MUST LEAVE YOU *

* SO IF I DON'T SEE YOUR SMILIN' FACE AGAIN *

* MAKE A PROMISE YOU'LL REMEMBER *

* LIKE A CHRISTMAS DAY IN DECEMBER *

* THAT I TOLD YOU ALL THROUGH THICK AND THIN *

* ON UP UNTIL THE END *

* PARKER'S BEEN YOUR FRIEND *

* DON'T HANG YOUR HEAD WHEN YOU SEE *

* WHEN YOU SEE THOSE SIX PRETTY HORSES PULLIN' ME *

* PUT A $20 SILVER PIECE *

* ON MY WATCH CHAIN *

* LOOK AT THE SMILE ON MY FACE *

* AND SING A LITTLE SONG TO LET THE WORLD KNOW *

* I'M REALLY FREE *

* DON'T CRY FOR ME *

* 'CAUSE I'M GOIN' TO KANSAS CITY **

GOT ANY IDEA HOW MUCH

A $20 SILVER PIECE

WOULD WEIGH?

I DIDN'T HEAR THAT.

I WAS THINKING ABOUT WHAT A GREAT SOLO IT WAS

AND WHAT THIS MAN HAS DONE TO IT.

I THINK IT'S TERRIBLE.

CHAN?

DON'T EVER LET THEM SEND ME BACK

TO KANSAS CITY.

BIRD, LOOK.

YOU GOT A GIG?

I'M GONNA GET THERE... EVENTUALLY.

EVENTUALLY.

THEY FOUND ME THIS TRIO TO PLAY WITH.

BUT THEY'RE MORE SCARED OF ME

THAN THEY'RE SCARED OF THE OWNER,

AND THEY'RE SHIT-SCARED OF HIM.

I'M GONNA GET TO THE JOB, BIRKS.

I ALWAYS GET TO THE JOB.

SO I'M A LITTLE LATE, SO WHAT?

SO I'LL PLAY A COUPLE EXTRA HOURS.

YOU HAVE YOUR TASTE. I'LL HAVE ME A TASTE.

THEN I'LL FIND ME A LADY AND GET TO THE JOB.

CHEERS.

OH! HA HA!

WHAT'S THE MATTER, BIRD?

[COUGHS AND CLEARS THROAT]

AIN'T IT A BITCH?

I GO TO A LIVER DOCTOR, AND I PAY HIM $50,

AND IT DON'T HELP ME.

I GO TO AN ULCER DOCTOR...

SAME THING, EXCEPT I PAY HIM 75.

BUT I GO TO SOME CAT AND PAY HIM $10

FOR A BAG OF SHIT AND A LITTLE PEACE...

AND MY ULCERS DON'T HURT, MY LIVER DON'T HURT.

MY HEART TROUBLE IS GONE.

YOU TELLIN' ME THIS IS THE MAN I'M SUPPOSED TO STAY AWAY FROM?

HA HA! UH-UH.

MR. GILLESPIE...

MY COMRADE-IN-ARMS...

THAT IS WHAT I CALL A PARADOX.

[CHILD CRYING]

GIVE HER TO ME.

[GASP]

I HAVE AN IMPORTANT QUESTION THAT CAN'T WAIT.

IS SHE BAPTIZED?

No.

BIRKS, IT'S JUST YOU AND ME AND THE WATER.

YOU TELL ME THE SECRET.

I'M NOT HAVIN' AN EASY TIME TALKIN' TO YOU TONIGHT.

DON'T TALK. JUST TELL ME THE SECRET.

WHAT SECRET?

I KNOW MY OWN SECRETS, JUST LIKE YOU KNOW YOURS.

NO, NO.

WHAT YOU REALLY ASKIN' ME IS

HOW COME, WHEN I'M SUPPOSED TO HIT AT 9:30,

I HIT AT 9:30, HUH?

HOW COME I CAN LAND ON A CAT I LOVE

ALMOST AS MUCH AS I LOVE YOU,

AND THEN FIRE HIS ASS FOR SHOWIN' UP LATE OR STONED?

WHY I CAN HOLD A GROUP TOGETHER?

WHY I'M A LEADER?

YEAH, THAT'S WHAT I'M ASKIN'.

BECAUSE THEY DON'T EXPECT ME TO BE.

BECAUSE, DEEP DOWN,

THEY LIKE IT IF THE NIGGER TURNS OUT UNRELIABLE.

THAT'S THEY WAY THEY THINK IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE.

I WON'T GIVE THEM THE SATISFACTION OF BEING RIGHT.

HERE WE ARE...

YEAH.

BROTHERS.

I'M A REFORMER. YOU TRYIN' TO BE A MARTYR.

THEY ALWAYS REMEMBER THE MARTYRS LONGER.

THEY GONNA TALK ABOUT YOU WHEN YOU DEAD, BIRD...

MORE THAN THEY DO NOW.

THEY GONNA SHOVEL YOU UNDER LIKE THEY LOVE TO DO,

AND THEY GONNA TALK ABOUT YOU.

MY SECRET...

MY SECRET IS THAT IF THEY KILL ME...

IT WON'T BE BECAUSE I HELPED THEM.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR PATIENCE.

ONCE AGAIN, PLEASE ACCEPT MY HEARTFELT APOLOGIES

FOR BEING UNAVOIDABLY DETAINED.

RIGHT NOW WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A SHORT BREAK.

WE WILL BE BACK SHORTLY.

REAL GOOD.

BIRD, YOU GOT A MESSAGE.

CALL HOME.

TELEGRAM TO MRS. CHAN PARKER...

151 AVENUE B...

NEW YORK CITY.

"MY DARLING...

"THE NEWS OF OUR DAUGHTER'S DEATH

"SURPRISED ME MORE THAN IT DID YOU.

"DO NOT FULFILL FUNERAL PROCEEDINGS

"UNTIL I GET THERE.

"I SHALL BE THE FIRST ONE TO WALK WITH YOU

"INTO THE CHAPEL.

[VOICE BREAKING] "FORGIVE ME FOR NOT BEING...

"IN THE HOSPITAL WITH YOU.

"YOURS MOST SINCERELY,

"YOUR HUSBAND...

CHARLIE PARKER."

WESTERN UNION?

A TELEGRAM TO MRS. CHAN PARKER,

151 AVENUE B, NEW YORK CITY.

"CHAN...

"FOR GOD'S SAKE, HOLD ON TO YOURSELF.

CHARLIE PARKER."

[HANGS UP TELEPHONE]

[CRYING]

WESTERN UNION?

TELEGRAM TO MRS. CHAN PARKER...

151 AVENUE B, NEW YORK CITY.

"CHAN..."

[SOBBING]

"COMMA

"HELP

"PERIOD.

CHARLIE PARKER."

TH-THIS IS A TELEGRAM...

TO MRS. CHAN PARKER...

151 AVENUE B...

NEW YORK.

[CRYING]

"MY DAUGHTER IS DEAD.

"I KNOW IT.

I'LL BE THERE RIGHT AWAY."

MY NAME IS BIRD.

"IT'S VERY NICE OUT HERE.

"PEOPLE HAVE BEEN VERY...

"NICE TO ME OUT HERE.

I'LL BE THERE RIGHT AWAY."

"TAKE IT EASY.

"LET ME BE THE FIRST ONE... TO APPROACH YOU.

"I'M YOUR HUSBAND.

"SINCERELY...

"CHARLIE...

PARKER."

[BOTTLE SHATTERS]

[COUGH COUGH]

CASE NUMBER 1540--

PATIENT ADMITTED TO PSYCHIATRIC PAVILION

AT REQUEST OF WIFE

FOLLOWING SUICIDE ATTEMPT BY INGESTION OF IODINE.

TIME--5 A.M., SEPTEMBER 1, 1954.

PATIENT HAS A PAST HISTORY OF NERVOUS BREAKDOWN,

FOR WHICH HE WAS HOSPITALIZED IN CALIFORNIA FOR EIGHT MONTHS.

THE WIFE SAID THIS ATTEMPT WAS RELATED TO DEPRESSION

OVER THE RECENT DEATH OF THEIR DAUGHTER

AND ALSO BY REVERSES IN "HIS CAREER."

YOU CAN'T SLEEP EITHER, HUH?

YEAH. I'M GIVING UP ALL MY BAD HABITS.

YEAH.

TELL ME, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS CHUMMY MORELLO?

HE WANTS ME TO TOUR WITH HIM AND SOME SINGER.

YEAH?

CHUMMY MORELLO.

VIOLET WELLES.

WHO?

SEE, YOU DON'T KNOW HER.

YOU'RE TOO YOUNG.

SHE'S PROBABLY DEAD BY NOW.

BUT, UH, VIOLET...

"THE VIBRANT VIOLET OF SONG,"

THEY BILLED HER AT THE APOLLO.

THIS IS THE CHICK I WAS PLAYIN' BEHIND

WHEN I FOUND MY STYLE.

I WAS JUST BACKING HER UP.

I DIDN'T EVEN HAVE A REGULAR GIG.

I WAS JUST WASHIN' DISHES AND JAMMIN' AFTER HOURS.

HA HA HA!

COURSE, THAT'S BEFORE I BECAME THE...

TITANIC COMMERCIAL SUCCESS THAT YOU SEE SITTING BEFORE YOU.

THAT'S BEFORE I... CAPTURED THE FANCY OF...

THE ADORING PUBLIC.

YEAH.

BUT, UH...

I STARTED PLAYIN' THESE LITTLE...

YOU KNOW...

THESE FIGURES BEHIND HER, SEE?

AND THEY FIT WITH THE SONG...

BUT IT WAS, LIKE, GOIN' INSIDE THE MELODY.

YOU KNOW?

AND SHE SAYS, RIGHT ON THE STAGE...

SHE SAYS, "NIGGER...

DON'T BE PLAYIN' THAT SHIT BEHIND ME WHILE I'M SINGIN'

I DON'T KNOW.

AFTER THAT, A LITTLE LATER ON,

ME AND THE PIANO PLAYER, WE GOT TOGETHER.

WE WERE WORKIN' ON CHEROKEE.

THIS IS THE SONG I HAD PLAYED 10,000 TIMES,

AND I WAS SICK TO DEATH OF THIS SONG.

BUT I FOUND THIS NEW WAY

OF EXTENDING THE CHORD CHANGES.

SO IT WAS LIKE...

A WHOLE NEW SONG.

AND IT STILL FIT.

THIS IS WHAT I BEEN TRYIN' TO DO

EVER SINCE THEY GONGED ME OFF THE RENO CLUB.

THE BRIDGE OF CHEROKEE, THAT'S THE BRIDGE I CROSSED

TWO DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS...

1939.

WHAT A CHRISTMAS PRESENT.

ANYWAY...

THAT'S WHY YOU'RE SITTIN' THERE...

LISTENIN' TO ME...

INSTEAD OF BEIN' RED-HOT RODNEY

FROM GENE KRUPA'S BAND.

YEAH.

SO WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT... CHUMMY MORELLO?

I FIGURE A GOOD 16-WEEK TOUR...

I COULD PAY A LOT OF BILLS.

JESUS CHRIST, BIRD, WHAT ARE WE TALKIN' ABOUT?

YOU--

I'M TALKIN' ABOUT A MUSICIAN MAKIN' A LIVING.

THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKIN' ABOUT.

LOOK, DON'T CRY FOR ME.

YOU CAN KICK ME IN THE ASS.

COME ON.

KICK ME IN THE ASS!

KICK ME IN THE ASS!

KICK ME IN HE ASS!

YOU'RE SO FUCKING DRAMATIC ALL THE TIME.

YOU OUGHT TO GO INTO SHOW BUSINESS.

VIOLET WELLES.

[POLICE RADIO]

OH, MAN!

CHAN.

WHAT'S WRONG?

WHAT ARE THE POLICE DOIN' HERE?

YOU OK?

DURING THE NIGHT, SOMEBODY CAME IN,

TOOK SOME CLOTHES AND A COUPLE OF SUITCASES.

THE KIDS?

THE KIDS ARE GOOD. GOOD.

I WAS THINKING,

WHAT IF WE GOT OUT OF NEW YORK FOR A WHILE?

MY MOM'S GOT A HOUSE SHE CAN'T RENT.

IT'LL COST US CLOSE TO NOTHING,

AND IT'S NOT FAR FROM WESTCHESTER.

JUNKIES DREAM THEIR LIVES AWAY,

JUST THINKIN' ABOUT LIVIN' IN PLACES LIKE THIS.

WHAT WAS I THINKIN' ABOUT, PUDDIN'?

[PLAYING PIANO]

WHAT? MUSIC?

WHAT IS THIS?

[PLAYING BACH'S SHEEP MAY SAFELY GRAZE]

BACH?

[PLAYING PIANO]

SHEEP MAY SAFELY GRAZE.

YEAH.

YOU GET MY PRESCRIPTION FILLED?

YES.

AHA!

MORELLO SAYS HE'S GOING OUT OF TOWN FOR A MONTH.

AND HE WONDERS...

IF I MIGHT GET TOGETHER WITH HIM,

BRING MY AX...

MAYBE GO OVER A FEW TUNES...

A FEW IDEAS.

BRING MY AX.

SEE THAT? HE WANTS TO AUDITION ME.

I DON'T BELIEVE THAT.

HE WANTS TO SEE IF I CAN HOLD IT

AND STAND UP AT THE SAME TIME.

I COULDN'T YESTERDAY.

I MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO TODAY.

I WANT TO GO WITH DAD.

GO PLAY WITH KIMMY.

IF YOU TOOK THE TRAIN, YOU COULD SLEEP LONGER.

BERNIE SAID SOMETHING ABOUT A GIG IN BOSTON.

THEY DON'T PAY MY AIRFARE THESE DAYS.

I'M RESTED.

GOT TO GO.

THE LONE-STAR REVUE! $1.00 MINIMUM.

SEE PAMELA AND HER PASSIONATE PYTHON

IN THE JUNGLE DANCE OF DESIRE.

GIRLS! GIRLS! GIRLS!

HEY!

ONE SHOW!

HEY!

WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED HERE?

ALL THESE CLUBS TURNED TO STRIP JOINTS.

YEAH. THINK THIS IS BAD?

YOU SHOULD SEE WHAT'S GOING ON AT THE PARAMOUNT.

PARAMOUNT?

THAT'S A MOVIE AND STAGE SHOW, LIKE ALWAYS.

NOT LIKE ALWAYS. NEVER AGAIN.

GIRLS! GIRLS! GIRLS!

COME ON AND SEE THE LOVELY SUZETTE

AND HER TERRE HAUTE!

[PLAYING ROCK 'N' ROLL]

HEY, BIRD, WHAT'S GOIN' ON?

WHEN DID BUSTER START PLAYIN' RHYTHM AND BLUES?

WHOA. AIN'T NO SUCH THING, MAN.

DJs DON'T LIKE TO CALL IT THAT.

THIS IS ROCK 'N' ROLL, THE MUSIC OF TODAY!

YEAH, GO!

DON'T FIT.

ALL THIS OFF OF PLAYIN' IN B-FLAT.

B-FLAT TONIGHT. F-SHARP TOMORROW.

12 NOTES IN A SCALE.

BUSTER'S GOT 12 SHOWS, WITHOUT REPEATING HIMSELF ONCE.

DON'T FIT.

LET'S HEAR IT FOR BUSTER FRANKLIN!

EVERYBODY, CLEAR THE ROOM!

HOLD ON, NOW!

WHAT'S YOUR NAME?

ALL RIGHT. HERE YOU GO.

GIVE ME THAT.

CHAN SAID HE WAS DRIVING DOWN.

COULD BE HE GOT STUCK IN--

TRAFFIC.

SURE.

*** * *** ***

I DON'T WANT TO HURT YOU!

BUT I WILL! LET GO! LET GO!

EVERYBODY SAYS YOU FLIPPED OUT!

WHAT, ARE YOU A GODDAMN THIEF?

I JUST WANTED TO SEE IF IT COULD PLAY

MORE THAN ONE NOTE AT A TIME.

WHAT? YOU WANT MONEY?

NEVER MIND.

NEVER YOU MIND.

A DRAG, MAN.

LET HIM GO.

COME ON! COME ON!

YOU ALL RIGHT?

COME ON.

DAMNEDEST THING.

THE DAMNEDEST THING!

I COULDN'T REMEMBER WHERE I PARKED MY CAR.

AND MY HORN IS IN THE BACK OF THE CAR.

I WOULD HAVE CALLED YOU,

BUT I COULDN'T REMEMBER THE NUMBER.

STORYVILLE IN BOSTON.

THREE NIGHTS, STARTING TOMORROW.

HOUSE BAND.

400 BUCKS.

WHAT DID HE SAY?

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT?

"GIVE ME SOMEBODY HALF AS GOOD WHO SHOWS UP!"

I SHOWED UP.

YEAH.

YOU ALWAYS DO...

EVENTUALLY.

BERNIE.

THIS IS THE STUDIO

WHERE WE RECORDED THE METRONOME ALL-STAR DATE.

YOU REMEMBER?

YEAH.

THE TRUMPET SECTION WAS...

DIZZY...

MILES...

FATS.

POOR FATS.

YOU KNOW, HE WASN'T IN GOOD HEALTH, BERNIE.

HE DIED RIGHT AFTER THAT.

WHEN YOU DIDN'T SHOW UP, I CALLED CHAN.

SHE WAS WORRIED.

MAYBE YOU OUGHT TO GIVE HER A RING.

STORYVILLE, BERN?

STORYVILLE.

COPLEY SQUARE.

BOSTON.

MASSACHUSETTS.

EARTH!

Operator.

Operator.

OPERATOR.

THIS IS A COLLECT CALL.

[TELEPHONE RINGS]

HELLO.

COLLECT CALL FROM CHARLIE PARKER.

WILL YOU ACCEPT THE CHARGES?

YES, I WILL.

HELLO.

HELLO, PUDDIN'?

Oh!

PUDDIN', ARE YOU THERE?

ARE YOU THERE?

OH, MY GOD!

I WAS, UM...

I--I JUST HAD AN AWFUL DREAM.

I TOLD YOU, TIME AND AGAIN...

TO STOP INDULGING SO FREQUENTLY

IN OVERLY SPICED FOOD.

THEM SPICES WILL KILL YOU.

WILL YOU GET THE HELL OUT OF THERE AND COME HOME?

I CAN'T LET MY BOSTON AUDIENCE DOWN.

I CAN'T COME HOME RIGHT NOW.

I STILL DO HAVE AN AUDIENCE HERE.

YOU DIDN'T ASK ME ABOUT MORELLO.

THAT'S SHOP.

HOW LONG IS THIS BOSTON GIG?

I SHOULD BE HOME AROUND...

MONDAY.

YOU MIGHT AS WELL TAKE CARE OF THAT LAWN

IN THE MEANTIME.

IT'S LIKE A JUNGLE OUT THERE.

THE LAWN?

OH, YEAH! SURE!

AND, UM...

YOU REMIND ME,

WHEN I GET HOME...

I WANT TO PAINT THAT GARAGE.

YOU KNOW, ISN'T--

IF YOU HAVE A HOME,

THE LEAST YOU CAN DO FOR THAT HOME

IS MAINTAIN IT.

HAVE, UM...HAVE YOU GOT ANY MEDICATION?

I GOT EVERYTHING.

I--I HATE TO HANG UP.

WELL...

YOU DIDN'T ALWAYS, YOU KNOW.

WHAT?

YOU NEED ME TO GET EVIL WITH YOU?

Ha ha ha ha!

YEAH!

GET EVIL.

GOOD-BYE.

[DIAL TONE]

[THUNDER]

I DON'T THINK SITTING UP IS THE THING JUST YET.

YOU FAINTED.

V-V-VERY UNDIGNIFIED OF ME.

HA HA HA!

NONSENSE.

YOU'RE ALWAYS WELCOME HERE.

NO MATTER WHAT CONDITION.

GIVE ME CHAN'S PHONE NUMBER, AND I'LL RING HER UP...

LATER.

NO.

PLEASE.

AND NO DOCTOR.

I'VE ALREADY PHONED THE DOCTOR.

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU FAINTED, MR. PARKER?

DON'T KNOW.

BEEN A WHILE, THOUGH.

YOU SHOULD BE IN THE HOSPITAL.

I DON'T EVER WANT TO GO BACK TO THE HOSPITAL AGAIN.

YOU DRINK A GOOD DEAL?

OH...

SOMETIMES I HAVE A LITTLE SHERRY BEFORE DINNER.

HE SHOULD BE IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM, NOT IN YOUR APARTMENT.

TELL ME IT WOULD HELP HIM, AND I'LL GET HIM THERE.

HE'S GOT A HISTORY OF ADVANCED CIRRHOSIS,

PERFORATED ULCERS.

I'M FAIRLY SURE HE'S BLEEDING INTERNALLY.

IT'S YOU I'M TRYING TO HELP, NICA.

I'LL PHONE YOU IF THERE'S A CHANGE.

THERE WON'T BE.

GOOD NIGHT.

[TELEVISION] THANK YOU VERY MUCH...

YOU'VE DRUNK IT ALL.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN...

THAT'S WHAT I CALL A PRODIGIOUS THIRST.

PRODIGIOUS.

THAT'S NICE.

[LAUGHTER]

WANT TO KNOW SOMETHING?

WHAT'S THAT?

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT YARDBIRD?

I'M NOT MAD.

* GONNA *

* SHOOT YOU DOWN *

THAT'S YOU, MAN.

HI. I'M CHAN RICHARDSON.

[MUSIC PLAYING ON TV]

[LAUGHTER]

[THUNDER]

HAS MILDRED COME IN YET?

I CAN'T REACH HER AT HOME.

WHEN SHE DOES, TELL HER TO PHONE ME IMMEDIATELY.

AND TELL HER I NEED TO REACH CHAN RIGHT AWAY.

I'LL FILL YOU IN LATER.

BARBARA.

I GOT ANOTHER ONE AFTER THIS.

GET DOWN TO PRELIMINARY.

I'LL GIVE YOU THE FULL REPORT TOMORROW.

"CHARLES CHRISTOPHER PARKER, JR.

"PRELIMINARY DIAGNOSIS, HEART ATTACK.

"STOCKY MALE NEGRO,

APPROXIMATELY 65 YEARS OF AGE."

HE WAS 34.

* COME WITH ME *

* IF YOU WANT TO GO TO KANSAS CITY *

* I'M FEELING LOW-DOWN AND BLUE *

* MY HEART'S FULL OF SORROW *

* DON'T HARDLY KNOW WHAT TO DO *

* WHERE WILL I BE TOMORROW? *

* GOIN' TO KANSAS CITY *

* WANT TO GO, TOO? *

* NO, YOU CAN'T MAKE IT WITH ME *

* GOIN' TO KANSAS CITY *

* SORRY THAT I CAN'T TAKE YOU *

* WHEN YOU SEE ME COMIN', RAISE YOUR WINDOW HIGH *

* WHEN YOU SEE ME LEAVIN', BABY, HANG YOUR HEAD AND CRY *

* I'M AFRAID THERE'S NOTHIN' IN THIS CREAMY, DREAMY TOWN *

* A HONKY-TONKIN' MONKEY WOMAN CAN DO *

* SHE'D ONLY BRING HERSELF DOWN *

* SO LONG, EVERYBODY *

* THE TIME HAS COME, AND I MUST LEAVE YOU *

* SO IF I DON'T EVER SEE YOUR SMILING FACE AGAIN *

* MAKE A PROMISE YOU'LL REMEMBER *

* LIKE A CHRISTMAS DAY IN DECEMBER *

* THAT I TOLD YOU ALL THROUGH THICK AND THIN *

* ON UP UNTIL THE END *

* PARKER'S BEEN YOUR FRIEND *

* DON'T HANG YOUR HEAD WHEN YOU SEE *

* WHEN YOU SEE THOSE SIX PRETTY HORSES *

* PULLIN' ME *

* PUT A $20 SILVER PIECE ON MY WATCH CHAIN *

* LOOK AT THE SMILE ON MY FACE *

* AND SING A LITTLE SONG *

* TO LET THE WORLD KNOW I'M REALLY FREE *

* DON'T CRY FOR ME *

* 'CAUSE I'M GOIN' TO KANSAS CITY *

* COME WITH ME *

* IF YOU WANT TO GO TO KANSAS CITY **

CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY WARNER BROS.

CAPTIONED BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE --www.ncicap.org--