Original subtitles

while the white man play

loading up boats with the bales of cotton

getting no rest till the judgment day

get yourself a brand-new gal

on saturday they're cozy along your arm

those black rules are hard down south

they always look discouraged round the cheek and mouth

darkies all work on the mississippi

darkies all work while the white folks play

loading those boats with the bales of cotton

getting no rest till the judgment day

cotton blossom, cotton blossom

love to see you growin' free

when they pack you on the levee

you're a heavy load to me

cotton blossom, cotton blossom

love to see you

there's the show boat!

growing free

on the levee, you're too heavy

for this poor black child

Andy!

Gosh almighty, woman, what's eating you?

Did you tell the band to wear their new uniforms?

Of course i did. What did we get them for?

You'll have them all ruined!

Gosh almighty. Look at them there waiting for us.

That's our public.

Hi, public!

And now, folks, as soon as we tie up,

i'm going to bring the entire troupe ashore,

and we'll give you our monster parade!

Don't frown, steve. Smile for your public.

If i catch pete talking to you again,

i'll break him in two.

Oh, don't do anything foolish, steve.

What could a man like pete mean to me?

Smile, darling.

Ain't he handsome?

That's julia laverne, his leading lady.

Do you suppose he's in love with her?

I suppose so.

Get those pictures out front fast.

That's what i'm doing.

Out of my way, eightball.

Who wants to get in your way?

Hey, you, wait a minute.

What you want?

Where did you get that gold brooch?

You mean this scrumptious piece of jewelry?

Yeah. Where did you get it?

It was give to me.

By who?

Ask me no questions, and i'll tell you no lies.

Ha ha ha!

I know who give it to you,

and she's going to be sorry, too.

All right, miss julia laverne.

If that's how you feel about me...

ladies and gentlemen, i want you to meet

some of the greatest artists playing the river town.

Miss elly may shipley, the toast of cairo, illinois.

Come on, elly.

Now i want you to meet mr. Frank schultz.

To show you what we have

in the way of comic talent,

i want to call your attention to rubber face smith,

the funniest man in the world.

Give them the smile, rubber face.

Ain't that good?

Tell them more, and they won't have to see the show.

Ha ha ha!

And now, folks, right over here. Right over here.

I want you to meet the little sweetheart of the south,

miss julia laverne, our leading lady!

You all know and love her. What more can i say?

And over here, we have another famous ornament of the stage,

mr. Stephen baker,

the handsomest leading man on the river.

Smile, darn you, smile!

So here we are, folks, just one big, happy family.

Get out of here.

All right, boys, let her rip.

look what we got, look what we got

how can we fail? How can we fail?

you never seen a show like this before

we'll try and make your evening bright

and if you come around tonight

tomorrow night you'll come around for more

captain andy, you know how to make a show sound dandy.

Frank and elly, let's show them

just a sample of the dance.

My land, he gives away his show for nothing.

Just a sample of the dance. Diddly-dum.

Looking out to sea.

That was a fine thing to do,

giving my present to a colored cook.

Pete, if steve knew you sent me that brooch,

i declare he'd about beat you to death.

You'd better be nice to me,

or you'll be sorry.

I said, stay away from my wife.

I reckon i won't do any more talking about it!

Steve! Please!

Steve!

Aah!

Steve, get up there. Get up there!

Let go of me.

We had you fooled, didn't we? Ha ha!

That was just a sample, just a sample.

The boys were showing you a scene from one of our plays.

That's the way they are... always skylarking,

always playing pranks.

Just one big, happy family.

I'll be having lunch at mrs. Benson's.

All right, parthy.

Well, miss laverne.

That was nice goings on this morning.

It wasn't julie's fault.

And you protecting her!

One thing i'm thankful for... magnolia wasn't there.

I don't want my daughter mixed up with you

or anybody like you.

Mrs. Hawks, please don't say that.

Nola... nola's just like a little sister to me.

Mr. Hawks, if i've got to stop seeing her,

i just can't stay on the show boat.

I just can't!

Now you done it. Now you done it!

The best leading lady on the river.

Oh, captain andy,

if julie goes, could i try for the lead?

Why, elly... ha ha ha!

There ain't a funnier gal on the river than you are.

Oh, captain andy, don't!

Don't stamp your foot down on real acting ability!

Leave go my husband's knee!

And you! You think more of your show boat crew

than you do of your own daughter's upbringing.

Where i come from, no decent body

would touch this show boat riffraff with a 10-foot pole,

let alone having their daughters mixed up with them.

I'll have more to say to you later.

Ha ha ha!

Just one big, happy family.

who cares if my boat goes upstream

or if the gale bids me go with the river's flow?

i drift along with my fancy

sometimes i thank my lucky stars

my heart is free

what are you looking at?

I bet he's an aristocrat.

Look at the cracks in his shoes.

... wonder, where's the mate for me?

hello.

How do you do?

Do you live here?

Oh, no. I'm just a wayfarer along the river.

So am i. Which way are you going?

Either way. Where are you going?

Anywhere papa gives shows.

Oh, are you a player?

Like on the piano? Yes, i play a little.

Was that you i heard?

Yes, that was me.

What a pity.

What did you say, mister?

When i asked if you were a player,

i meant, are you an actress?

Oh! Oh, no. But i'd give anything if i could be.

Why?

Because you can make believe so many wonderful things

that never happen in real life.

Oh, but wonderful things do happen.

Why, this very day,

i was walking upon the levee, feeling blue,

and suddenly, i looked up, and...

i must go now.

Oh, why?

You're talking to me, and i don't know you.

Does that really matter?

No. Not to me.

If you like to make believe things,

make believe we know each other.

Yes! We haven't seen each other for 75 years,

and you're my long-lost nephew.

There's a scene like that in the village drunkard.

Oh, no. 75 years is too long.

Besides, you know, i don't think

i'd like the idea of being your nephew.

Let's suppose we've just met.

Well, we really have.

Well... let's suppose we've fallen in love at first sight.

only make believe i love you

only make believe that you love me

others find peace of mind in pretending

wouldn't you? Wouldn't i? Wouldn't we?

make believe our lips are blending

or two or three

might as well make believe i love you

for to tell the truth, i do

the game of just supposing

is the sweetest game i know

our dreams are more romantic

than the world we see

and if the things we dream about

don't happen to be so

that's just an unimportant technicality

though the cold and brutal fact is

you and i have never met

we need not mind conventions, ps and qs

if we put our thoughts in practice

we can banish all regret

imagining most anything we choose

we could make believe i love you

we could make believe that you love me

might as well make believe i love you

for to tell the truth, i do

Ravenal!

You will excuse me, madam.

The judge would like to see you.

What for?

Nothing serious, but you'd better come along

and have a talk with him.

You'll excuse me, ma'am.

I hope to see you again.

Joe!

Joe! Where you been, slowpoke?

Why are you always dragging them big feet

like they was chunks of lead?

Take your time, queenie.

Take my time? I got to have that flour to bake the bread.

It won't run away from you, queenie.

And if it do, there will always be tomorrow.

Give me that flour. Give me it!

Queenie.

You got anything else for me to do?

Cause why?

Cause if you ain't, i got some whittling left over.

I'd like to get it finished.

Joe, i believe you're the laziest man

that ever lived on this river.

On this river, queenie, that's saying a whole lot.

Yeah, that's saying a whole lot.

There will be some taters to peel later,

and when i yell for you,

you come in and make it quick!

Lazy, good-for-nothing...

ha ha ha!

Joe.

Hello, miss nola. I didn't know you was up there.

Did you see that young man in the sheriff's buggy?

Yep, i seen him. I seen lots like him along the river.

Oh, but, joe, he was such a gentlemen.

Have you seen miss julie? I got to tell her.

I got to ask her what she thinks.

Julie. Julie!

Ask miss julie what she thinks.

Better ask the old river what he thinks.

He knows all about them boys.

He knows all about everything.

there's an old man called the mississippi

that's the old man that i'd like to be

what does he care if the world's got troubles?

what does he care if the land ain't free?

old man river, that old man river

he must know something but don't say nothing

he just keeps rolling, he keeps on rolling along

he don't plant taters, he don't plant cotton

and them that plants em is soon forgotten

but old man river, he just keeps rolling along

you and me, we sweat and strain

body all achin' and wracked with pain

tote that barge, lift that bale

you gets a little drunk, and you lands in jail

i gets weary and sick of trying

i'm tired of living and scared of dying

but old man river, he just keeps rolling along

darkies all work on the mississippi

darkies all work while the white folks play

pulling those boats from the dawn till sunset

gettin' no rest till the judgment day

don't look up and don't look down

you don't dast make the white boss frown

bend your knee and bow your head

and pull that rope until you're dead

let me go away from the mississippi

let me go away from the white man boss

show me that stream called the river jordan

dat's the old stream that i longs to cross

old man river, that old river

he must know something but don't say nothing

he just keeps rolling, he keeps on rolling along

old river forever keeps rolling on

he don't plant taters, he don't plant cotton

and them that plants 'em is soon forgotten

but old man river, he just keeps rolling

along, old river, keeps hearing that song

you and me, we sweat and strain

body all aching and wracked with pain

tote that barge, ift that bale

you gets a little drunk, and you lands in jail

i gets weary and sick of trying

i'm tired of living and scared of dying

but old man river, he just keeps rollin along

Don't tell your mother i met you here.

Why?

Never mind. Tell me about this man. Who is he?

Well, i don't know. He was standing on the wharf,

and i was standing on the top deck,

and he looked so different from everybody else

and so beautiful.

Julie, he said he liked me.

You think he meant it?

I don't know as i like you

falling in love with some man no one's heard of.

Suppose he turned out to be a no-account river fellow?

If he was no-account, i'd stop loving him.

Oh, no, you wouldn't.

Once a girl like you starts to love a man, she don't stop so easy.

Well, couldn't you stop loving steve if he treated you mean?

No, honey. No matter what he did.

Why do you love steve?

Oh, i don't know. He's such a bad actor on the stage,

and he thinks he's so good.

Maybe that's why i love him.

You see, nola, love is such a funny thing.

There's no sense to it.

That's why you've got to be careful

when it creeps up on you.

It's like the thing you always sing about on our walks.

fish gotta swim, birds gotta fly

i gotta love one man till i die

can't help lovin' that man of mine

that's it.

tell me he's lazy, tell me he's slow

tell me i'm crazy, maybe i know

can't help lovin' that man of mine

how come you all know that song?

Why? Do you know it, queenie?

Sure, i does, but i only heard

colored folks sing it.

Sounds funny for miss julie to know it.

Julie sings it all the time.

Can you sing the whole thing?

Course i can. What's so funny about that?

oh, listen, sister, i love my mister man

and i can't tell you why

there ain't no reason why i should love that man

it must be somethin'

that the angels done plan

fish gotta swim, birds gotta fly

i gotta love one man till i die

can't help lovin' that man of mine

tell me he's lazy, tell me he's slow

tell me i'm crazy, maybe i know

can't help lovin' that man of mine

when he goes away, that's a rainy day

but when he comes back, the day is fine

the sun will shine

he can come home as late as can be

home without him ain't no home to me

can't help lovin' that man of mine

that's beautiful, miss julie.

Why, that's my favorite song.

my man is shiftless

and good-for-nothin' too

he's my man just the same

he's never near me when there's work to do

he's never round you when there's workin' to do

the chimney's smokin', the roof is leakin' in

but he don't seem to care

he can be happy with just a sip of gin

why are you all talking about gin?

i even loves him when his kisses got gin

fish gotta swim, birds gotta fly

i gotta love one man till i die

can't help lovin' that man of mine

or else she ain't my gal

tell me he's lazy, tell me he's slow

tell me i'm crazy, maybe i know

can't help lovin that man of mine

she's just as crazy about me

when he goes away

that's a rainy day

and when he comes back, that day is fine

look at that gal, sugar.

he can come home as late as can be

home without him ain't no home to me

can't help lovin' that man of mine

magnolia!

Say, dealer, what was the turn?

Ace won, and king lost.

Raise you 30 more.

50 more on the king.

Who's that sporting gambler over there?

Name's gaylord ravenal.

Sounds familiar.

Yeah. Got in a little fuss here about a year ago.

Proved self-defense and got out.

The judge just told him he'd better clear out of here by nightfall.

Waiter!

We'll be late for rehearsal.

One more.

Can i talk to you, sir?

Yeah, if you got anything to say.

See that?

Why, that's miss julie laverne, ain't it?

Yeah. That's what she calls herself

since she got married to a white man.

What?

Frank, i want you to hear this.

You, too, elly.

Sit down and explain yourself.

And you'll make sure you know what you're talking about.

Let's go on with rehearsal.

Good evening, miss lucy.

I was absorbed in meditation

and did not realize night had fallen.

The days are growing shorter, hamilton,

but they're long when one is waiting.

As i came across the field, i saw the cattle

being driven home by your faithful dog.

You got that, rubber face?

Yep. I got a cowbell.

It ain't a cowbell.

It says here, cows moo offstage.

Have you got a moo affect?

Oh, i can do that myself.

Moo!

Try that again a little deeper.

Moo!

No, i guess you better ring the bell.

May i make a suggestion, captain?

Huh?

I thought it would be good if,

while i was talking over there,

for frank to pass the window and peek through,

like this.

You can't. Room's on the second floor.

Frank couldn't look through the window

if it was on the second floor.

It wouldn't be any good anyway.

Julie let me study her part.

I know every line and all the business.

If you forget anything, ask me.

You stick to the piano, young lady.

No playacting for you.

All right, now try it.

Oh, there you are! You're late.

I'll explain later. Steve, i got something to tell you.

Where's frank?

He's coming.

Is thall you're going to say to them?

She said she'd explain later, didn't she?

Humph! Fine disciplining this troupe's got.

Humph!

He'll be here any second.

As we're waiting for frank,

we'll cut right down to his entrance.

All right, steve.

Oh. All right.

Miss lucy, although i wear the clothes...

garb.

Garb of a parson, beneath these somber vestments,

there is the heart of a man that ats for you alone.

Hamilton.

They'll be here any second.

Embrace over. Then what?

Then... then i say, uh...

prompt her, noli.

Hamilton, my own, my...

papa, look at julie!

What's the matter?

Julie's sick.

What's the matter, julie?

Land's sakes!

Sure you won't be feeling better by tonight?

No, no. Let me alone. Can't you leave me alone?

Hello, windy. What are you doing here?

Just come over to warn you.

Seen pete coming along the levee with the sheriff.

Be along any minute.

Well, let him come on board. Our license is paid.

Seems that skunk pete's up to something.

Seen him yank a picture of julie

out of a frame on the levee.

I seen him.

What are we going to do?

Stay right here. You know what i told you.

Steve! What are you doing with that knife?

I'm not going to hurt her, you fool.

Leave me be. I know what i'm doing.

It won't hurt much, darling.

Aah!

Steve!

Hello, windy.

Captain hawks,

do you acknowledge

to be owner of the show boat?

Why, of course i do.

What do you want?

I have an unpleasant duty.

I understand that you have a miscegenation case on board.

What's that?

How's that?

A case of a negro woman married to a white man...

a criminal offense in this state.

No. No such thing on board this boat.

The name of the white man is steve baker.

The name of the negress...

the name of the negress is julie dosher.

Which one's them?

I am steve baker. This is my wife.

Julie dosher, my information says

you were born in mississippi.

Your pop was white, your mammy black.

Is that right?

Yes, that's right.

You two better get your things

and come along with me.

You wouldn't call a man a white man

that had negro blood in him, would you?

No, i wouldn't, not in mississippi.

One drop of negro blood

makes you a negro in these parts.

Well, i got more than a drop of negro blood in me,

and that's a fact.

Are you ready to swear that

in a court of law?

I'll swear to it anyplace.

I'll do more than that.

Look at all these folks here.

Every one of them can swear

that i got negro blood in me this minute.

That's how white i am.

Well, i've seen fairer men than you

that were negroes.

Still, you better tell that to the judge.

Ahem! Ike vallon, you've known me

the better part of 25 years.

I was keelboating when you was running barefoot

around the landing.

Now, i'm telling you... me, windy mcclain...

that white man's got negro blood in him.

But this fellow told me...

i don't care what anybody told you.

I'm taking my oath on what i just said.

Steve's got negro blood in him.

Do you all stand by what windy just said?

Of course we do.

You look like a respectable woman.

I am.

Windy wouldn't tell a lie to save his own life.

You know that, sheriff.

Yes, i know.

I reckon i'll have to take windy's word for it,

but from now on, it's your business and not mine.

I warn you...

if these folks around here ever got wind

that you've got negroes acting with whites,

they'll ride you out of town

on something that won't set so easy as a boat.

Get away from that window!

Go on about your business. Break it up!

Now you go! Both of you!

You needn't look at us like that.

We're not going to hurt you.

We're going right away. Come on, honey.

Julie! Julie!

Nola, where are you going?

I'm going to julie!

Come back here this instant.

No daughter of mine will talk to that...

let me go, mother!

I think my show boat's made a darn fine gal out of my daughter.

But where do we go from here? Hanged if i know.

We can't give no more shows without a leading man.

Or a leading lady.

I can play the lead, can't i?

No. You're a comedienne.

I was thinking maybe we'd let noli jump in.

She knows all the parts.

Over my dead body.

There never was an actress in my family,

and there ain't going to be.

Now if only there was anybody to play steve's part.

What about frank?

Hmm!

Fine leading man he'd make

with that face and those flat feet.

I never asked to play leads, did i?

I never set up to be a beauty.

Just a minute, captain!

Mercy! Something must be on fire,

the way queenie's running.

Now what's the trouble, queenie?

There's a powerful fine-looking fellow out here.

Wants to know if you-all could accommodate him

by taking him down the river far as the next town.

We don't carry no passengers...

fine-looking, did you say?

Is he an actor?

Might be, but he seems more like the kind of a gentleman

it's a pleasure to wait on.

There he is.

I thought, sir, if i could have

a bed on your boat tonight,

i could pay my way as far as fort adams.

You ain't an actor, are you?

An actor, sir? No, captain.

I'm a ravenal. Gaylord ravenal is my name,

of the tennessee ravenals.

I knew it. He looked like an aristocrat to me.

Aristocrat? Huh! Looks more like a river gambler.

Well, i'm going to take a chance.

Look here, sir.

I'm looking for a juvenile leading man.

Am i to understand you're offering me the position, sir?

Andy hawks will wind up in a lunatic asylum yet.

If you can play the parts to my satisfaction,

i'll give you $15 a week

and a chance to see the world.

I've seen it.

We don't usually pick up actors off the wharves,

but we can't be choosy just now.

Madam, your courtesy is only exceeded by your charm.

Ha ha ha!

Mother! Father!

Don't let them go, please, papa!

Don't send julie and steve away like this.

Nobody will know about them in the next town.

Julie's my friend.

That's a nice thing to say.

Well, she is! She is!

She's been my friend ever since she's been on this boat,

and if you're going to send her away

for something she can't help, i'll go, too!

Nola!

Nola, don't talk nonsense.

You've got to stay here with your mother,

no matter what.

And another thing... i'm depending on you

to play the leads till we can get somebody.

See, nola? What a chance for you.

I just know you can act.

And if this young man wants to play the leads

and play opposite you,

i can get you both ready by tomorrow night.

Are you a quick study?

Lightning.

Ready, julie?

I didn't have time to get everything together, captain.

If you'll bundle up our trash

and leave it at the post office in new orleans,

we'll pick it up.

Do you need any money, steve?

No. I guess we'll make out all right.

Thanks. Good-bye.

Good-bye, steve.

Forget it.

Good-bye, nola.

I'll write to you, and you write to me,

julie! Julie!

Don't look back, darling.

Bye, master steve.

Good-bye, miss julie.

Bye, joe.

Good-bye, joe.

Good-bye.

We ain't got much time.

Mr. Ravenal, i want to see how you handle dialogue.

Will you read that speech right there?

Now, the idea of this character is

you're in love with her.

Now, come on. Just a sample.

What do i do, papa?

Oh, you just smile. That'll get them.

Miss lucy, will you be mine?

Hmm!

Ha ha ha! Gosh, no. Nothing like it.

More feeling. More like you meant it.

You love her. Gosh almighty, man, you love her!

Go on and tell her.

Oh, i understand.

Miss lucy, will you be mine?

Ha ha ha!

Did you like it, mrs. Ewing?

I've seen it four times.

I liked it better than ever.

Don't you think the leading man is gorgeous?

Yes. He took his part off quite good.

I liked the leading lady the best, though.

Did you understand the moral of the play, my dear?

Oh, sure, mom. Did you see how he kissed her?

Yes. I hardly thought that was in the best of taste.

Well, that's show business.

What's show business?

I've been trouping up and down this river for 12 years.

Nobody ever heard of me.

This ravenal has been acting exactly three weeks.

They make a star out of him.

I feel the same way, frank.

Look at magnolia.

Her picture with ravenal is on all the posters.

We're not in town an hour

before captain andy has their faces on every ashcan.

You want to know the secret of their quick success?

They're falling in love with each other.

What's that got to do with it?

Well, they make love on the stage, and it rings true.

That's why they're a hit.

Well, i've been playing opposite you for five years,

and i love you.

Yeah, but maybe i don't love you.

So you're responsible for our failure!

We'll never be stars on this show boat.

You talk as if you expected to live on this barge

the rest of your life.

Ain't you got no ambition?

Sure, i got ambition. I want to marry you.

You know our rules, mr. Schultz.

No gentleman allowed in no lady's dressing room.

He was only waiting while l...

you know the rules, too, miss shipley.

Out, mr. Schultz!

Hello, frank.

Hello, ravenal.

Huh!

Uh...

the show, uh...

uh...

the show seemed to go well tonight.

Yes. Didn't it?

Yes, it did.

Hasn't the weather been fine?

Yes, hasn't the weather been fine?

Well, good night.

Good night.

It seems to me i've seen that stocking someplace.

Where could it have been?

Don't you belong to a miss magnolia hawks?

I thought so.

Next time you see he

will you give her a message for me?

I can talk to you better than i can to her.

I always get flustered when i try to say anything to her.

Tell her...

tell her you saw the young man who lives upstairs,

and... well, that's just the point.

I have the room above her.

she doesn't know i love her

how could she know i love her?

sitting in her room below

sitting in her room below

how could she dream how far a dream could go?

sometimes we meet

she smiles, and, oh, her smile's divine

it's such a treat to hear her say

hasn't the weather been fine?

i blush and stammer badly

my heart is beating madly

then she goes into her room

and i go sadly up to mine

a lover more impetuous than i

would say his say or know the reason why

but when i get my chance

i let my chance go by

i have the room above her

she doesn't know i love her

how could she know i love her?

sitting in her room below

sitting in her room below

how could she dream how far a dream could go?

sometimes we meet

he smiles, and, oh, his smile's divine

it's such a treat to hear him say

hasn't the weather been fine?

i blush and stammer badly

my heart is beating madly

then he goes up to his room

and i go sadly into mine

hmm hmm hmm

hmm hmm hmm

hmm hmm hmm

hmm hmm hmm

hmm hmm hmm

Ha ha ha!

Isn't it a beautiful night?

Yes. It's so light. Where's the moon?

We could see it better if we went up on top deck.

Oh, no, i couldn't.

I'll wait up there for you.

Oh, you came. I was afraid you wouldn't.

I can't stay.

Oh, but you can a little while.

Not a minute. Mother saw me.

I said i was coming up to the water barrel.

Good.

Then she said she was thirsty, too,

so i'll have to hurry and take it down to her,

or she'll get suspicious.

Will you...

will you come up again tomorrow night?

And every night?

Nola!

Shut up and come to bed, you old...

oh.

Oh, i'm sorry. I'll fill it for you.

Will you forgive me, magnolia?

Yes... gay.

then she goes down to her room

and i go sadly back to mine

come outside.

I can't leave the box office.

Frank will take it for you.

There are some things more important

than selling tickets.

I'd like to know what they are.

I'll tell you. Come out!

Oh, come on, frank.

Oh, all right.

What do you want? What is it now?

Listen to this.

Dear mrs. Hawks, i know captain andy don't like me.

Who is it?

Pete.

I don't like him.

But i got something of interest to tell him

about gaylord ravenal.

That's the man your daughter's gallivanting with.

Bah!

I hear tcotton palace

comes back to natchez next thursday.

I can be reached at the above address in fayette.

Faithfully, pete gavin.

Well, what have you got to say now?

I say forget it.

Forget it?

Yes, forget it!

And when i say forget it, forget it!

Soon as we arrive in natchez tomorrow,

i'm going over to fayette.

It's two hours away, but i'll make the trip.

Are you coming along with me?

I ain't.

All right. It's good someone has a sense of duty.

I like ravenal. He's a right smart young man.

He's the best leading man we ever had.

Shifty, that's what he is.

Mark my words...

if you asked around about him,

you'd find something queer,

for all he says he's a ravenal of tennessee.

He is a ravenal!

He says he is.

Didn't he show me the tombstone of his folks?

Hawks, you're a zany.

I could tell you my name is bonaparte

and show you napoleon's tomb.

That wouldn't make him my grandfather, would it?

Oh!

This the boat where they have the playacting?

Yes, sir. Two seats?

Seeing's how this is the first show we ever seed,

you better give me and my friend zebe here

the best two seats in the theater.

I got two left in the stage box.

35 cents apiece.

There you are.

There, zebe.

Hey, come back here.

What's the matter?

Excuse me, sir, but this is confederate money.

That's the kind we use in the hills.

It's as good as yours, ain't it?

Better. But... but...

but what?

Look at this quarter. It don't ring.

It don't... it don't ring! Ha ha ha!

What do you want for two bits?

Sleigh bells?

Eh, come on, zebe.

I want my mamma!

I want my mamma!

Remember, lucy, i'm telling you this because i'm your sister.

This is a man's world, as i know to my sorrow, heaven help us.

Young girls like us are like flowers.

We bloom in the sunshine till plucked by a passing mule.

Male.

What?

Male.

Male. What are we? Ornaments.

Bright nosegays to be worn in boutonnieres,

then cast aside to float along

on the tide of eternity

like floatsam and joatsam on the sea.

Shh! That's pretty talk, gal.

And remember, i'm your sister.

Huh?

And remember, i'm your sister.

Yes, i know. Don't tell me.

And remember, i'm your sister,

and if any harm should come to you,

i'd never forgive myself.

I wonder what can be keeping parson brown.

He promised to be here before dark,

and the twilight is fast fading into night.

Fading into night.

Yes, the twilight is fast fading into night!

Hamilton brown, noble soul.

Dare i hope that that look in your eye

bespeaks the love

which in my heart of hearts i long for

with every fiber of my being?

Oh, love.

Noli.

Oh, love.

Wait a minute, noli.

Excuse me, folks. Is seth purdy in the house?

Yes, sir.

Your missis just sent a message over.

Her sister is took sick with the fever,

and you got to drive her over to centerville.

All right, noli.

Oh, love, love.

5:00. can it be he will not keep his tryst with me?

Moo!

Ah, there is the bell.

It must be parson brown at last.

Good evening, miss lucy.

I was absorbed in meditation

and did not realize night had fallen.

The days are growing shorter, hamilton,

but they are long when one is waiting.

As i came across the field,

i saw the cattle being driven home by your faithful dog.

Ha ha ha!

Moo!

Moo! Moo!

Shut up!

Miss lucy, although i wear the garb of a parson,

beneath these somber vestments

is the heart of a man that beats for you alone.

Oh, hamilton, my own, my own.

Will you be my cherished bride?

Oh, hamilton.

Will you?

Yes.

Eh...

Oh, magnolia.

Oh, miss lucy, l you have made me

the happiest man in the world.

Little did i think i could ever be so happy again.

10 minutes past 5:00.

I must go now to the ladies aid society meeting.

Will you come with me and let me announce our betrothal?

We must not forget our work in our newfound happiness.

I will stay here

and correct the examination papers of my little pupils.

Very well, then.

Good-bye until tomorrow, beloved.

Good-bye, my own dear hamilton.

Meet me up near the water barrel.

I have something important to tell you.

Ohh... to think that after my first marriage

with that drunken beast,

i could ever be loved by such a man as hamilton brown.

My husband!

I reckon you thought i was dead, gal.

I'm about the liveliest corpse you ever saw.

Too bad you won't be able to marry hamilton brown.

Ha ha ha!

Hamilton brown!

Why don't he let her alone?

Don't spoil my one chance for happiness.

Is there no mercy in your evil soul?

Please, please, go away. Don't wreck my life again.

I'll give you a chance, gal.

$1,000 and quick,

or you don't walk down no aisle

But i haven't got it!

Where's the money you've been saving all these years?

Let that gal alone!

I haven't got $1,000. I swear it!

Oh, you haven't, ain't you?

For years, i've waited for this chance.

At last, i have you in my power.

Heh heh heh!

I warned you!

Ha ha ha!

Schultz!

That's right. Git!

Schultz! Schultz!

Let go of her, you swine.

Where is he?

Let her down, rubber face! Curtain!

Quiet, folks. Quiet.

I'm sorry i had to ring down the curtain

before the act was over, but the fact is,

our heavy man, mr. Schultz, was suddenly took sick.

He gets a spell like that every once in a while.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Take it up, rubber face. Take it up. Take it up.

Go on. Take it up!

Now, folks, just before mr. Schultz

was tooken with that attack,

he and the parson were on the verge

of going into one of the most sensational

hand-to-hand struggles to the death

ever seen on any stage.

Now, when egbert sees the parson coming in through this door,

he should have said...

ha ha ha!

I'm glad you come when you did.

And with that,

he hauls off and hits the parson.

But the parson knows a thing or two,

and he gives egbert something he ain't looking for.

Take that, you cur!

And down goes egbert.

Egbert, realizing that he ain't going to win the fight

by fair means, resorts to foul.

He grabs the parson round the waist

and backheels him.

Let go of me, i say. Let go of me!

Ow. In the meantime, lucy is over here

praying for her beloved.

Now comes the big dramatic moment.

Egbert, the dirty skunk, reaches in his pocket,

pulls out a monkey wrench with which he hits the parson.

Uh! the parson groans...

wooo!... reels and falls.

Egbert is about to beat the parson's brains out

when lucy says,

do with me what you will but spare my hamilton!

Now, as though providence had heard her prayer,

the door swings open,

and through that door there in walks emmy,

the errant foster sister of lucy,

ready to right the wrong she'd done poor lucy.

Oh!

Quick as lightning,

emmy, looking at the prostrate form of the parson

and the weeping figure of her heartbroken sister

begging egbert to spare the parson,

grabs the water pitcher...

where's the water pitcher?...

the water pitcher, sneaks up on egbert and says,

the wages of sin is death!

And she kills the dirty rascal deader than a doornail.

Now that's what you would have seen

if it hadn't been for mr. Schultz

being tooken sick when he was.

Hurry up, miss nola.

Captain andy said he'll keep talking

till you're ready.

All right.

Let her down, rubber face. Let her down.

And now, folks, folks, i want you to know...

i want you to know i always put on strong moral plays.

I've been 20 years on this here river,

and i ain't never put on a show yet

where virtue ain't won out.

Of course, i had some tight squeezes sometimes.

Now we'll go right on with the olio.

The first number on the program

will be a little southern song

solo with banjo by miss magnolia hawks.

Take it away, rubber. Take it away.

Give them a smile, noli.

Give them a smile.

liza matilda hill

visited friends in louisville

then came back home

her man was waiting at her front door

jealous and sore

asking questions

liza matilda hill

what did you do in louisville

so far from home?

hon, i had fun

here's that i done done

been gallivanting around

just gallivanting around

my feet been off of the ground

been gallivanting around

been dancing all night long

getting home to bed i don't know when

there's no tellin' all the times i fell in

love and out again

been gallivanting around

but now i reckon i'm through

cause now i reckon i've found

it's more fun loving you

rubber face.

How are you, captain andy?

Almost time for the moon effect.

Is everything set? Are you ready?

I'm ready's brother.

Looks kind of complicated.

I'd better do this myself.

been gallivantin' around

just gallivantin' around

my feet been off of the ground

been gallivantin' around

been dancing all night long

getting home to bed i don't know when

That always gets them.

been gallivantin' around

but now i reckon i'm through

cause now i reckon i've found...

Oh, i can't stand these stolen seconds any longer,

these secret meetings.

I want you all to myself, forever.

Nola, dearest, i want to take you away with me.

I want to show you

a world you've never dreamed of...

cities, theaters, restaurants, people,

and you and i, together,

enjoying all those things.

Gay, don't be angry, but can you afford...

magnolia, it's not the place of a gentlewoman

to share in business worries.

Now, i will provide for you.

You must trust me, dear.

Oh, i do. I do.

Nola, i want you to marry me

here in natchez tomorrow.

My mother.

We won't tell her till after we've done it.

But father.

I spoke to him tonight.

He gave me the idea himself.

Father gave you the idea of marrying me?

No, goose. Doing it after the parade

at that lovely little church

at the other end of town

without your mother knowing.

You say father thought of that?

Did you hear anything?

Sounded like someone on the stairs.

Suppose it's mother.

What will we say we're doing up here?

Rehearsing.

Rehearsing here?

To get the right atmosphere... moonlight and all.

Come. Put your arm around me.

Gay.

Remember how your father directed us?

He said, look up in his eyes like you loved him.

That's it.

you are love

here in my arms where you belong

and here you will stay

i'll not let you away

i want day after day with you

you are love

bud of romance unfurled

you taught me to see

one truth forever true

you are love

wonder of all the world

where you go with me

heaven will always be

Andy! Andy!

Gosh almighty, it's parthy.

He's a murderer.

Mamma!

You're letting my daughter marry a murderer.

Who?

That ravenal. He killed a man!

Gay!

Then why ain't he in jail or hanged?

The jury figured the gentleman he killed

ought to have went anyhow.

Andy hawks, are you going to stand there

and let your only child marry a murderer?

Oh, don't be so narrow-minded, mrs. Hawks.

I killed a man meself once.

You killed?

Yes, me. Now, are you coming with us, or ain't you?

They're going to be married.

Married to a murderer. Oh!

She's fainted!

Are you sure?

She's out.

Good! Now we'll go on with the wedding.

I now pronounce you man and wife.

he just keeps rollin'

he keeps on rollin' along

Ooh! Woo!

Woo.

There you go again.

Look at them peas all over the floor.

The river done it.

The river done it?

That ol' river can do most anything, queenie.

Look out there what it's doing now.

Won't let us give no show tonight.

Show? That don't worry me none.

There's something else on this old boat worries me more.

Miss nola?

That's what.

She'll be all right.

That's what you say about everything.

You don't get excited. Why? 'cause you don't do nothing.

You don't cook like me, you don't act like the show folks,

you don't work on the towboat. What do you do?

Well, i just shelled them peas.

You ain't picking them up.

No. I could have if you didn't do it.

I could do a lot of things

if it was necessary.

Why don't you?

Cause it ain't necessary.

keep on naggin

and bullyraggin and criticizin

and call me poison, i ain't apologizin

no, sirree

ah still suits me

the rag you're chewin must be a ruin

keep right on knockin

keep right on mocking

my rocking chair ain't rockin

no, sirree

no matter what you say

ah still suits me

does you ever wash the dishes?

does you do the things i wishes?

does you do 'em? No, you don't

will you do 'em? No, you won't

when there's any workin' to it

i'm the one that's got to do it

when it's raining who's the fella

uses up the whole umbrella?

selfish as a man can be

no matter what you say

ah still suits me

you don't make money

i know that, honey

i never seen none

ain't going to be none

but that don't worry me none

no, sirree

shiftless, lifeless, no good!

no matter what you say

ah still suits me

i may be no good, no good for your good

i may be lifeless, but with one wife less

my life would be more strifeless

yes, sirree

no matter what you say

ah still suits me

does you ever wash the dishes?

does you do the things i wishes?

does you do them? No, you don't

will you do them? No, you won't

always imitating me

and always aggravating me

then, in spite of everything

in spite of all the grief you bring

expecting me to love you, too

no matter what you say, i thinks you do

queenie? Queenie!

Mrs. Hawks wants you to bring some hot water

up to miss nola's room.

My goodness!

You and me and mrs. Hawks

will have to do all we can.

There's no way to get a doctor tonight.

I'll get a doctor.

You'll get a doctor?

Well, i've never seen joe

move that fast before.

Where's gay? Where's my gay?

Suppose he's drowned?

He ain't drowned.

Gay and frank probably

couldn't get back to the boat.

Most likely, they're staying at a hotel

till the morning.

And his baby being born.

Gay didn't know it.

We didn't think that...

it's much sooner.

How could gay know it?

Of course he couldn't. Now, now, don't get excited, deary.

Oh, lie back. That's a girl.

Three jacks.

He wins again.

Beats 10s and 2s.

By george, it's 2:30.

Aw, come on.

You've got nothing else to do.

No. I'm clean out.

Cut.

Captain andy! Any news?

Not yet.

keep on going

don't let that river

get the better of you

come on, you, joe

come on, you good old joe

fine time to sing.

Dragging me out of bed in the middle of the night,

telling me the river had calmed down.

Lying son of satan.

no matter what you say

ah still suits me

cootchy cootchy cootchy.

Hee hee hee!

Cootchy cootchy cootchy!

Go away, hawks.

You're making a nuisance of yourself.

I got an idea what to call her.

I don't care to hear it.

Kim.

Kim? That ain't no name.

I made it up.

K- for kentucky, l- for illinois, and m- for missouri,

since she was born on the river inside three states.

Humph. Kim!

Cootchy cootchy cootchy cootchy!

Hello. You're up early, mrs. Hawks.

Good morning, madam.

I knew this was coming.

I knew from the first minute i set eyes on you

that you was the kind to bring trouble

to them that loved you.

I knew you'd go carousing the first chance you got

and break my girl's heart,

and i wish the lord had kept you

from ever setting foot on this boat.

Indeed? Then you'll be glad to know

that i'm leaving it forever,

and i'm taking my wife with me.

Humph. When?

The minute the river goes down enough

for us to take our things ashore.

You will not go today, gaylord ravenal.

Why not? What have you to say about it, anyway?

She'll not leave her home

till you've money to care for her proper,

and you know how long before that will be.

And suppose i was to tell you

that i had money, and plenty of it?

I still say you can't take a girl

that's been laying close to death all night

and a 5-hour baby off this boat today.

A baby?

A baby!

Nola.

Nola.

Shh!

Gay! We surprised you.

Who? Who surprised me? You?

No. She did.

She is sleeping.

That's what her mother should be doing.

Try to sleep, darling.

Humph.

Cootchy cootchy...

now, i want you to get well quickly

so i can take you to chicago with me,

just we three together.

You'd like that, wouldn't you?

Good morning.

Darling, is my hat on straight?

You look enchanting.

Ha ha ha!

Gay, you're wonderful.

Gay just can't lose.

What's good in the next race?

Ha ha ha!

There isn't anything i haven't got...

nothing left to wish for.

We've been through some pretty hard times.

Might just as well enjoy the good times.

Something must be wrong, darling.

Ha ha ha!

We may move to a large apartment.

We need more room, and so and so and so.

What was all that?

Nothing. Just that they don't like it

at the palmer house anymore.

Ain't you going to read it to me?

Oh, yes. We're placing kim in a convent school.

It will cost them a fortune. Why did they do that?

Gay thinks kim will have a chance

to form better social connections.

Public school is the best, but not for gay and nola.

Nothing's any good for them unless it costs a lot.

Did he buy her any new diamond bracelets or automobiles?

She don't say.

Well, what does she say?

I hope you and mother are well,

and so and so and so.

Give my regards to joe and queenie,

and don't forget... so and so and so.

Hasn't the weather been fine?

So and so and so and so.

Your loving daughter, noli.

Very inter

you know what i'd like to do, parthy?

No.

After we put up the show boat for the winter,

how about you and me making a trip up there?

Chicago? You must be crazy.

Well, i've got a kind of a feeling

i'd like to see noli and gay.

I don't care to see gay again as long as i live.

He's a wastrel, an adventurer,

a cheap river gambler with a high and mighty air,

and mark my words...

shh shh shh!

We ain't seen kim in a long while.

She must be getting kind of big.

Smart as a whip, too, i guess.

Did i show you those crayon pictures she sent me last week?

Teddy roosevelt and the one of the battleship?

Hee hee hee! I seen them.

Oh, she's smart, all right.

Yes.

Come on. Let's you and me make the trip.

You can bake a cake and bring it to her up to the school.

Huh?

Well... maybe.

You won't find another room like this at the price.

Well, anyway, it's chicago, kiddo.

Looks like somebody's living in it.

Well, they won't be after this morning.

12 solid weeks gone by

and not a penny paid.

No, ma'am, i have me own bills.

Is that you, nola?

Elly.

That's right.

Elly! Oh!

Hello, nola.

And frank!

Oh, noli.

How did you find me?

Well...

they came to look for rooms,

and i told them you were leaving.

Oh, yes. Yes, of course.

You see, these were only temporary quarters

until we move into our new home on the lake shore.

Meanwhile, we stopped here.

It's near gay's business, and then...

we like to help out mrs. O'brien.

Huh! Great help.

I'll be going downstairs.

You can let me know about the room.

Huh! Helping out mrs. O'brien!

Oh, she's a dear old thing.

Why, nola, is this your little girl's picture?

Yes, that's kim. Isn't she a darling?

She's at the convent... saint agatha's.

Gay insisted on giving her

every possible advantage.

Gay doing well, noli?

Oh, yes, yes.

He's a big success.

Well, sit down. Tell me something about yourselves.

Oh, we're doing pretty good.

Ooh!

We're kind of breaking in a new act.

We open new year's eve at the trocadero.

I was thinking, if you needed money,

i could fix you up a job. Maybe a little act...

singing, playing the banjo, like you used to.

Oh, that would be fine, nola.

Gay would never hear of it.

Of course, i'd like to... just as a lark, i mean.

I don't need the money.

No, of course not.

Come in.

A boy left this for you, mrs. Ravenal.

Thank you, ethel.

Oh, yes. G must have stopped at the bank.

I've got to see what gay says.

He may want me to meet him somewhere.

Tell me, dear, what's the matter?

Is gay hurt?

No.

Elly, you read it.

I may believe it

if i hear somebody else say it.

Dearest,

by the time this letter reaches you,

i shall be on a train

bound heaven knows where.

There's nothing left to pawn

and no more friends to borrow from.

I am enclosing $200.

This will let kim finish her term at the convent.

Then you can both go to your parents.

I am doing this because i love you.

Please believe i will always love you,

my dear little wife.

Good-bye.

Your own, gay.

Oh, nola. Is there anything we can do, nola?

I don't think so, elly.

I don't know. I never thought of living without gay,

no matter what happened.

I can't imagine it now.

He seems to think you and kim will be better off.

Better off? I never complained.

I've lived like this half the time.

One room, one bed, washing clothes in a basin,

cooking food over a gas jet,

but i loved him,

and if all that went with him, i was willing to take it.

I thought he knew that.

Look, deary, you and kim

can have a good home on the show boat.

Good home?

Living on charity and having my mother tell me

she always knew it would be like this,

the whole show boat troupe

whispering about me in their dressing rooms...

no. I'll do anything but that.

Won't it cost you something

to keep the kid at the convent?

This money will help me for a month or so.

Meanwhile, i'll look for work.

Well, don't forget what i said

about the trocadero.

The troca...

oh, yes. I might try that, frank.

I'll think it over.

You'd like us to go, wouldn't you, dear?

Sure. Sure, noli.

Elly and i 23. We skiddoo.

You can get us over at forbes hotel if you want us.

All right, dear.

Oh!

Your daughter's class

will be coming through next.

Kim.

Daddy!

Where's mom?

Mother couldn't come today, dear.

Now listen, kim, dear.

Daddy's in a great hurry.

He must catch a train.

Where are you going?

Away for a little while on business.

I just had a few minutes to rush in and see you.

Can i go with you?

No, darling...

not this trip.

And when i'm gone,

i want you to think of me once in a while.

Will you?

Yes. I think of you all the time,

and when i miss you,

i always do what you told me.

What was that?

Don't you remember? Make believe.

Oh, yes. That's right.

I gave you a system

for having everything you want.

only make believe i'm near you

only make believe that you're with me

girls and boys

find it fun just pretending

couldn't you? Couldn't i?

couldn't we?

and if i'm a little late in coming back,

you just remember

and pretend that i've never been away.

Will you, sweetheart?

best of all, make believe i love you

for to tell the truth

l...

ahem. Her class has gone in.

Good-bye, darling.

Good-bye, daddy.

Kim.

Be sure to tell your mother

that i came to see you.

Will you, sweetheart?

All right, daddy. I'll tell her.

Say, where are you going?

I want to see mr. Green.

Can't see him now. Rehearsal.

He told me not to let anybody in.

Can we wait out here?

Sure, but don't walk on the wet floor.