Original subtitles

♪ Turtles ♪

♪ Berries ♪

♪ Gumbo ♪

♪ Turtles ♪

♪ Sweet old turtles ♪

♪ I've got turtles ♪

♪ For you ladies ♪

♪ I've got berries nice and fine ♪

♪ I just took 'em from the vine ♪

♪ Took me about 1,000 trips ♪

♪ But none are sweet ♪

♪ As your lips

♪ I've got gumbo steaming hot ♪

♪ And it comes straight from the pot ♪

♪ I cooked and stirred it all the day ♪

♪ For you pretty girls ♪

♪ To take away ♪

♪ Turtles ♪

♪ Berries ♪

♪ Gumbo ♪

♪ Crawfish ♪

♪ Fresh and ready, too ♪

♪ Crawfish ♪

♪ Well, I went to the bayou ♪

♪ Just last night ♪

♪ There was no moon ♪

♪ But the stars were bright ♪

♪ Put a big, long hook ♪

♪ On a big, long pole ♪

♪ And I pulled Mr. Crawfish out of his hole ♪

♪ Crawfish ♪

♪ See, I got'em ♪

♪ See the size ♪

♪ Stripped and cleaned ♪

♪ Before your eyes ♪

♪ Sweet meat, look ♪

♪ Fresh and ready to cook ♪

♪ Crawfish ♪

♪ Crawfish ♪

♪ Now take Mr. Crawfish in your hand ♪

♪ He's gonna look good in your frying pan ♪

♪ If you fry him crisp ♪

♪ Or you boil him right ♪

♪ He'll be sweeter than sugar with every bite ♪

♪ Crawfish ♪

♪ See, I got'em ♪

♪ See the size ♪

♪ Stripped and cleaned before your eyes ♪

♪ Sweet meat, look ♪

♪ Fresh and ready to cook ♪

♪ Crawfish ♪

♪ See, I got'em ♪

♪ See the size ♪

Next week, baby.

Hey!

Songbird, you come here tonight,

and I "ll dance with you free."

Oh, no, you don't. You gotta pay me.

Danny, come on. Your breakfast.

Come on.

Don't let Pop catch you talking to that.

Why not?

I'm just being neighborly,

and he picked the neighborhood.

Oh, why don't you lay off?

He went broke.

The neighborhood picked him.

Sit down and eat your breakfast.

Boy, it sure don't feel like the last day of school.

Everything's so quiet just like any other day.

What were you expecting, a 21-gun salute?

Why not?

I mean, at 3:00, it's all over.

Don't that make it kind of special?

Tomorrow they call my name and give me a piece of paper.

It's for sure, isn't it, Danny?

I mean, this time, huh?

Sure, kid. I'm a cinch.

You said that last year.

Pop went out and bought all this junk

for a graduation party,

and then there was no graduation.

That old Mrs. Pearson, she's the one that flunked me,

and she'd have done it again this year,

but I showed her. I showed the old man, too.

He's been waiting a whole year to have this party.

Now he can stop bugging me about it.

He doesn't mean to bug you, Danny.

He wants to be proud of you.

Sure.

I've been thinking a lot about the old house, Mimi,

and about mom.

I wish she could be here tomorrow for the graduation.

I really miss her.

I miss her, too.

He misses her the most.

It's a terrible thing to lean on someone so hard,

you don't know you're leaning.

Never finding out

until the day she isn't there anymore.

It's been like stumbling around in the dark

for him ever since.

When he sits there and watches you graduate,

he'll have eyes again

for the first time in 3 years.

Well, then I 'd better hurry.

Got a whole day's work ahead of me

between now and Miss Pearson.

How do you think that's been eating at him, huh?

You working in a joint like the Blue Shade?

One man in the family's gotta have a job.

What's the difference where you sweep up?

It all looks the same on a garbage truck.

Danny, you got Pa all wrong.

Yeah, me and the world.

Now, look, sis, what are we fighting for?

It's the last day of school, ok?

Yeah.

Bye.

Morning, Chico.

Hi, Danny.

Who's that?

Oh, some of Maxie's friends.

They've been here all night.

I couldn't get rid of 'em.

Try to work around "em, will you?"

See you later.

Ok. See you tonight.

Don't be like that.

Come on, Ronnie, Maxie said to be nice.

Now be nice, huh?

I am being nice to you.

I haven't spit in your eye yet.

That's very funny.

You better do what Maxie says.

You know, he's the boss around here.

Hey, kid.

What happened to the music?

Well, the band went home.

How about you? Can you play the piano?

Nah.

Leave him alone. He's just a busboy.

This joint's got a cabaret license, ain't it?

I paid my money, and I want to be entertained.

Come on, let's dance, honey.

That's enough entertainment

till the real thing comes along.

The band went home.

That's all right.

Busboy here will sing us a song.

Hey, come on, kid. Sing us a song,

and I'll buy you a drink, huh??

Aw, look, mister, I got work to do.

I've gotta stack the chairs and sweep up.

I appreciate your offer, but I'll be late for school.

School?

The kid goes to school. Ain't that nice?

I went to school once.

Bartender's school.

Hey, Ronnie, you ever go to school?

Huh? I said, you ever go to school?

Wake up, stupid, I'm talking to you.

No, they never had to give you lessons.

Why, you...

Look out! Let go of me, will you?

Forget it.

Ok, ok, take it easy. I'll sing.

Did you hear that, ralph?

The kid is gonna sing.

Don't ever try that again, huh?

All right, what are you gonna sing?

Sing your school song.

You gotta have a school song.

An alma mater.

You know, the one with the words

about loyal and true.

Well, you heard the lady.

Go ahead.

♪ Farewell ♪

♪ Royal high school ♪

♪ We'll remember you ♪

♪ Dear alma mater ♪

♪ We're steadfast, loyal, and true ♪

Come on, kid. Jazz it up, huh?

♪ Farewell, royal high school ♪

♪ We'll remember you ♪

♪ Dear alma mater ♪

♪ We're steadfast, loyal, and true ♪

That a boy, kid.

That's real nice, kid, real nice.

Here.

What do you do for an encore?

Aw, never mind.

Come on, honey, let's finish the dance.

We don't need no music.

Stop it!

What do you think I am?

I know who you are and what you are.

Come here and be quiet.

You know who and what, huh?

It's a lifetime study

to find out who you are.

To thine own self be true,

and it follows as the day...

to thine own self be true...

if you can afford it.

If you'll excuse me,

my mother is waiting up for me with a hot toddy.

Get out of here.

You never had a mother.

What's with you, Kid?

You looking for trouble, too?

No. I'm like the lady,

just looking to get out of here.

Let me go with you.

Ok, get out of here and mind your own business, huh?

Aah!

Get up!

You're not a baby.

Leave her alone.

Come on. Get out of here.

Oh, boy.

You're a pretty fancy performer, ain't you, kid?

Now you know what I do for an encore.

Go on, get out of here.

Taxi!

Come on, baby, have a drink, huh?

I guess I "ll lose the job for this."

No, you won't.

They won't tell Maxie.

Maxie doesn't like to have his merchandise manhandled.

He'll loan me out for an evening

to be mauled a little bit,

but when it comes to a sock in the eye,

that pleasure is for Maxie fields alone.

Nice fella.

Maxie?

Yeah.

He wouldn't like you.

You know why?

Because I like you.

Maxie hates everything I like.

Maxie's my benefactor.

He's the circus master,

the cheese, the big cheese.

Big and green and moldy.

You've had too much to drink.

You know it's 8:00 in the morning?

I was supposed to be home by midnight...

I forget whose...

Or my convertible turns into a pumpkin.

Maxie turns everything into a pumpkin.

Danny...

why don't you kiss me?

All the wrong people try to.

Look, we're almost to the school.

Will you tell me where you live?

I want to go to school with you.

I used to love to go to school.

I was going to be everything.

A nurse and a bus driver.

You know what I am?

You're in the circus.

That's right.

I'm in the circus.

I'm going in and explain everything.

You're going home, wherever that is.

Danny, Mrs. Pearson marked you absent.

Well, we'll show Mrs. Pearson a thing or two.

Hey, where'd you pick that up?

Aw, go on.

You ever seen anybody with a few too many?

Go on.

Will you tell the man where to take you?

I'll be a good girl.

If you'll give me a good morning kiss,

I'll tell the man where I live.

How about that chick, huh?

Go on.

Hey, Danny, you're blushing.

Just a second, Danny.

Go ahead, Mrs. Pearson.

Arriving late the last day of school,

your mouth all smeared with lipstick.

How do you explain that, Mr. Fisher?

Well, I don't know as I can explain it, Mrs. Pearson.

You see, sir, this morning I... I went in...

I usually go in to sweep up, see?

But, uh, uh...

Well... well, look, honey, I mean...

Mr. Fisher.

I have been instructing here for some 20 years,

and no one ever called me honey.

Oh, I believe you.

Mrs. Pearson, let me talk to the boy.

If you'll forgive me, sir,

I have talked to the boy many times,

and to what avail?

On his last day of school,

in an unprovoked display of violence,

he attacked 2 of his classmates.

The boy has no conception

of respect and discipline.

Under the circumstances,

regretfully, perhaps,

I have no choice.

Mr. Fisher will not be graduating tomorrow.

Danny, wait a minute.

I'd like to talk to you.

You know I "ll have to go along with her, don't you?"

I just want you to know that I'm sorry.

Well, thanks.

Well, I'll be seeing you next year.

No, you won't see me next year.

Now, wait a minute.

Sit down, Danny.

Sit down, I said.

Now, you've just been told

that you're not graduating tomorrow.

Doesn't that mean anything to you?

You said I'm not graduating. Ok, that's it.

Now what do you want?

I once had a son, Danny.

He lived 13 years.

Some hoodlums jumped him one night, and he died.

I'm sorry, but what's that got to do with me?

Because you have all the earmarks of being a hoodlum.

A hoodlum or a hustler.

Whatever you want to call it.

This isn't principal talk.

Well, the more difficult the student,

the more I try to lean over backwards.

Listen, Mr. Evans,

we moved into this neighborhood 3 years ago.

In the 3 years that I've been going to school here,

I've shined shoes and dusted people off in a barbershop.

I've done towel duty in 4 different men's rooms.

I've stacked chairs and bottles and swept the floor up

of every joint on Bourbon Street.

It's gotten so I look longer

at a dame with clothes on than one without.

I'm not a hoodlum,

but I am a hustler.

I've had to be for a very simple reason...

My old man.

You see, sir, my mother was killed in an accident

about 3 years ago.

Well, after that,

it might as well have gotten the old man, too,

because he took himself right out of the lineup.

He quit cold.

He lost the drugstore he owned,

he lost the house,

and then finally what few little jobs he's had since.

You know, maybe I could have liked school, Mr. Evans,

but every time I wanted to play ball,

I had to go to work.

Somebody had to.

Anyway, now I'm through. I'm through.

I wasn't aware that you worked after school, Danny.

It's not the working after school, Mr. Evans.

It's the working before.

It's been nice talking to you.

I'm sorry I said what I did, Danny.

That's all right.

My life's a long way from over yet,

and you never know. You may be right.

That's him.

Excuse me.

You Danny Fisher?

What about it?

Let's take a walk.

Ok, what's the beef?

They call me shark.

This is Sal, and that's dummy.

I—...

All right.

Now, you beat up my brother in school today,

and I believe in an eye for an eye.

Ok, ok!

You go for the knife, I'll bash his brains in.

Well, you go real fast.

All right.

You... you're right about my brother.

He should learn a little manners.

So would you like to hang out with us, huh?

No.

Why not? Wait a minute.

Wait. We get money.

Sometimes we get a lot.

Listen, we got something cooking for us tomorrow.

If you change your mind, we'll be right here.

I said no.

Thanks.

Good boy.

Fights real dirty.

Hi.

Well?

What's the matter?

Old lady Pearson flunked me, Mimi.

I'm not graduating tomorrow.

Oh, Danny, no.

Oh, Danny, yes.

For the second year in a row, yes.

If this keeps up much longer, I'll be a freshman again.

But you could go back another year.

Yeah? You don't make money in school, Mimi.

Pop's been fired 4 times in the last year,

and he hasn't got a job now.

You're working, I'm working,

and from now on, full-time, kid.

Well, guess where I've been.

Got a quart of ice cream here

and this to go with it.

A little special dessert for the celebration.

Papa, I want to talk to you.

Good, good, son. I want to talk to you, too.

Mimi, you're gonna have to do your listening from the kitchen.

Go on now.

Well, let's see now, son. Where do I begin?

There's something I have to tell you, Pop,

but you gotta understand...

Now, now, I don't gotta nothing, huh?

You gotta, 'cause I'm older than you.

I go first.

Now, Danny, I made some notes last year

when you were supposed to graduate,

and I think I still have them here.

Yeah, here they are.

That's kind of silly, isn't it?

A father making notes on things

that he wants to say to his own son.

Aw, Pop...

Oh, I can... I can really say it all in one breath.

I'm proud of you, son.

I'm proud of you because you went back to school.

Pa, there's something you don't understand.

Don't say it. Don't even say it.

I know all about it.

Now, Mr. Evans called me this morning.

I spent all afternoon with him.

We had a nice long chat together.

I'm sorry, Pop.

Well, I'm sorry, too, son,

but things are gonna be different, definitely.

That's why we're celebrating.

We also had a talk with that Mrs. Pearson woman.

Now, she said that you could graduate before next year

if you'd go to night school and make up your marks

and learned a little discipline.

No...

So from now on, Danny, that's the way it's gonna be.

No more working for you.

You'll do the going to school.

I'll do the going to work.

How many times have we been through this?

Danny, you've got to graduate.

You've got to graduate

if you ever want to take up a profession.

Pa, we've been all through this.

And I want you to have a profession.

I don't want you working on Bourbon Street

with hoodlums and bums the rest of your life.

No. A profession sets a man apart

from the rest of the world.

Like you?

A registered pharmacist, and you can't get a job.

You're wrong about that, Danny.

There was an opening came up at the Regal Pharmacy,

and the employment office is sending me over

to see the manager.

Well, that doesn't mean you've got the job.

Oh, they'll hire me.

Sure, they will.

They'll hire me, and I'll keep the job.

Things are gonna be different.

I'm not going back to school.

Look, son,

you didn't fail because your marks were bad.

Mr. Evans said you failed because of your attitude.

He said anybody that disagreed with you

got a punch in the mouth.

Is that what I brought you up to do, to fight?

No, Pa, that's not what you brought me up to do,

but I stopped listening to you.

I ran out of other cheeks.

You know, I remember once, Pop,

when I was no more than 3 feet high,

you took me to the circus.

You accidentally bumped into some guy,

and he turned around and punched you.

He punched you right in the mouth,

and you know what you did?

Nothing.

When they swing at you, Pop,

it's not enough to duck.

You gotta swing back.

Maybe you can't anymore,

but I'm not taking after you.

You go to school.

I'm going out and make a buck.

Yeah, but we can't count on him.

What good is he, huh?

Collecting money or something.

That's about all he can do.

Hi.

Well, well, now we're somewhere.

I was hoping you'd show.

You said something about money.

Funny you should bring that up.

That's just what we were talking about.

Do you know that five-and-dime on Charles street?

Well, we were gonna pull a phony fight there,

but my brother, he gave me a better idea.

He told me that you sing like a bird.

In fact, he says that's what you're famous for

in that school of yours... Singing and flunking.

What's singing got to do with it?

What a cube.

Look, I'm gonna tell you something.

I ain't never stole nothing before.

That's all right.

You're not gonna steal anything now.

All you're gonna do is sing.

Now here's the plan.

It's that five-and-dime on Charles Street. Now...

♪ Lover doll ♪

♪ Oh, lover doll ♪

♪ Lover doll ♪

♪ Lover doll ♪

♪ You're the cutest lover doll ♪

♪ That I ever did ever see ♪

♪ Let me tell you, lover doll ♪

♪ You were meant, just meant for me ♪

♪ From the first time that I saw you ♪

♪ How I fell for your cuddly charms ♪

♪ Lover doll, I'm crazy for you ♪

♪ Let me rock you in my arms ♪

♪ I'm so glad I found you ♪

♪ Never thought dollies came full-grown ♪

♪ I want to tie a ribbon around you ♪

♪ Wrap you up and take you home ♪

♪ I would never treat you badly ♪

♪ Like a castaway broken toy ♪

♪ Lover doll, I love you madly ♪

♪ Let me be your lover boy ♪

♪ 1'm so glad I found you ♪

♪ Never thought dollies came full-grown ♪

♪ I'm gonna tie a ribbon around you ♪

♪ Wrap you up and take you home ♪

He sings beautiful, don't he?

He sure does.

♪ Like a castaway broken toy ♪

♪ Lover doll, I love you madly ♪

♪ Let me be your lover boy ♪

♪ Lover doll, lover doll ♪

♪ Let me be your lover boy ♪

♪ Lover doll, lover doll ♪

♪ Let me be your lover boy ♪

You sing nice.

Thanks.

You were in on it, weren't you?

In on what?

Could I trouble you for a glass of water?

Certainly. Thank you.

What'll you have?

Oh, I'"ll... I'll... I'll...

Root beer? Yeah.

My, it's hot in here, isn't it?

Isn't it?

Don't you think so?

Yeah.

It's always hot this time of the year.

Oh, my, that does taste good.

Thank you again.

What's your name?

Nellie.

What time you get through work?

Why?

Well, I thought I might meet you.

What do you think I am?

I'd like to find out.

Mr. McIntyre, Mr. McIntyre, hurry!

Look at the counter.

Oh, Mr. McIntyre.

You gonna meet me after work?

I'm through at 10:00,

so if you're here, I can't help but see you.

Thanks a lot, kid.

I don't know how it happened.

It wasn't my fault. Look. The watches are gone.

Mr. Furst, I'm always very careful about the accounts,

very particular about them.

The books show it clearly.

I'm sure there can't be any mistake.

Excuse me. There's a customer.

Anything I can do for you, sir?

Yes, sir, yes, sir. I came about the job.

My name is Fisher.

I'm sorry. That job has been filled.

But the employment office told me that...

I hired a man yesterday.

But I've got to have the job.

The agency sent me.

I... I have my diploma.

See, I'm a registered pharmacist

with 25 years behind me.

What's the trouble?

Oh, no trouble at all, Mr. Furst.

Just a mistake about a job.

What's the mistake?

I want a younger man.

He looks younger than me.

We've had 4 younger men in the last 3 months.

Have you read this man's credentials?

Is he a good man or an incompetent man?

How do you tell that, by looking at his suit?

I'll wait over here.

Give the man an application.

I don't have any applications.

Then give him the job.

You start work tomorrow morning.

Oh, thank you.

Chico, you better start looking for somebody else.

I don't think I'm gonna make it at night anymore.

Up to you, Danny-O.

No complaints from this end. You do your work good.

Yeah, well, the old man came home with a job today,

and we made kind of a deal.

He goes to work, and I go to school.

You know how it is.

Not really. I got an old man,

just give him a jug of wine, he's happy.

Hey, Danny.

What's the matter... trouble?

No. We're gonna divvy up in the alley later.

That fence give us over 90 bucks.

What'd I tell you, huh?

Well, hello, Mr. Fields.

Hiya, kid.

Hello there.

Could I get by, please?

Don't you, uh...

hey, you.

That's Maxie fields.

That's your boss. Are you crazy?

Hey, Mr. Fields. How about that, huh?

Who's this guy, Ronnie?

The king of Yugoslavia. How should I know?

Take your hand off my arm, Mr. Fields.

How come you're so friendly with the lady, boy?

We met in Paris last year.

The king of France introduced us.

You're a pretty fresh boy, aren't you?

Uh, Mr. Fields, how about that job?

When you gonna put me on that payroll?

I'll let you know, shark.

Thanks a lot, Mr. Fields. Thank you.

Hiya, Maxie. Hiya, Kid.

How you feelin'?

Same as usual?

What's the matter with you,

you lookin' for an early grave?

He's your boss. Him you don't fool with.

Why not? I'm the king of Yugoslavia.

No. He is. He's the king of everything.

And he even owns the air you're breathin'.

Only in here.

Out there, too, Danny.

He can shut it off real quick.

Why does a busboy look at you like that?

A busboy!

Where did you meet him?

Maxie, you're hurting me.

I don't know what you're talking about.

You know the kid. Don't lie to me.

I'll break every finger you got.

Maxie, stop it, please.

I heard him sing a song, that's all.

Oh. You do know him?

He sang here once for your big-shot friends.

I told him he had a nice voice.

That was all, huh?

That's all.

Hey, you, kid.

Come here.

Yeah, you, busboy. Come on over here.

Maxie...

The lady tells me that you sing. That right?

Well, I...

It better be right, "cause if it ain't,"

then the lady is lying.

Ok, I sing. So what?

Nothing. Just wanted to make sure

she was telling the truth, that's all.

Hey, Jimmie.

Just a minute.

Sure, boss.

I want to make sure you're telling the truth, too.

I'd like to hear you.

Go on up there and sing a song for me.

Now?

Yeah, now.

Right now.

And you better be a singer.

Ladies and gentlemen,

we have a little surprise for you.

There's a great new singer here tonight... the busboy.

Nah, nah, nah. On the level,

a very good friend of Mr. Fields

says this guy can really go.

So let's all get together

and give a real good listen to... what's your name, kid?

Caruso!

Caruso the busboy! Come on, let's make it right.

♪ If you're lookin' for trouble ♪

♪ You came to the right place ♪

♪ If you're lookin' for trouble ♪

♪ Just look right in my face ♪

♪ I was born standing up ♪

♪ And talking back ♪

♪ My daddy was a green-eyed mountain jack ♪

♪ Because I'm evil ♪

♪ My middle name is misery ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah ♪

♪ Well, I'm evil ♪

♪ So don't you mess around with me ♪

♪ I never look for trouble ♪

♪ But I never ran ♪

♪ I don't take no orders ♪

♪ From no kind of man ♪

♪ I'm only made out ♪

♪ Of flesh, blood, and bone ♪

♪ But if you're gonna start a rumble ♪

♪ Don't you try it all alone ♪

♪ Because I'm evil ♪

♪ My middle name is misery ♪

♪ Well, I'm evil ♪

♪ So don't you mess around with me ♪

♪ Well, I'm evil, evil, evil as can be ♪

♪ I'm evil, evil, evil as can be ♪

♪ So don't mess around, don't mess around ♪

♪ Don't mess around with me ♪

♪ I'm evil ♪

♪ Evil ♪

♪ So don't mess around, don't mess around with me ♪

♪ I'm evil ♪

♪ I tell you, how I'm evil ♪

♪ So don't mess around with me ♪

Yeah.

Sing it again. Let's hear it again.

Come on.

More, more.

You're a singer, kid.

I just got a dirty mind, that's all.

Sorry, kid.

Yeah.

Crazy, Danny! Crazy!

Thanks, Chico.

Congratulations.

That was a great song.

Thank you.

Give me my coat, Kid.

I sure will.

That was swell.

My name's LeGrand.

You wanna stop being a busboy?

I just stopped.

I'd like to talk to you.

I own the King Creole down the street.

Well, good for you.

Yeah, it's a dying swan,

but I figure maybe we can put you over

and bring the swan back to life. You interested?

Hello, Charlie.

Well, hello, Rat.

What's the matter, kid?

Can't you stand the whiskey down at your joint?

I always like to see

what the competition is doing.

I was gonna offer the kid here a little job myself.

Well, I beat you to it.

Yeah, you always do, Charlie,

but I wind up with 'em sooner or later.

He handled Ronnie when she was a singer.

Now I do.

What do you say, Kid?

I got a date.

How about one on me, Charlie boy?

Aw, I never touch it.

Hi, Danny.

You're late. We started without you.

How much did you get?

We got $95, and that's only the beginning.

Pretty good.

Here.

Uhh!

Oh, now, come on, dummy, come on.

Cheer up now.

You ought to be glad you got that.

How much did you give him?

You got 30. What are you worried about?

I asked you a question. How much did you give him?

I gave him 5 bucks. He's a dummy.

What does he need money for?

5 bucks.

Here you go, kid.

Come on, give me.

If he lays a hand on you or tries to take it back,

you tell me, ok? You understand?

Now go on, beat it, kid.

Look, Danny, I don't think I want you

hanging around with us anymore.

You're trouble.

I got news for you, buddy.

I'm not gonna be around anymore.

I wanna pay you.

Uhh...

that's all right, pal.

Good night, girls.

Good night.

Hi.

Oh. Hello.

Aw, don't give me that. I saw you looking.

You're pretty sure of yourself, aren't you?

Well, not always. To tell you the truth,

I was scared to death this afternoon.

I thought you were gonna blow the whistle on me.

It was nice of you not to.

I like you, that's why.

W-w-well, where would you like to go?

Why, I don't care.

I mean, I really don't know why I'm here.

I have to be home early.

My mother's old-fashioned.

Well, what about you?

What do you mean?

Say, I know what.

Some friends of mine are having a party.

How would you like to go?

I'm not exactly dressed.

Aw, what's the difference?

We'll just stop by for a half hour or so

and have some drinks and some laughs,

and I'll take you home, ok?

Just for a half hour?

Then you'll take me home?

OKk. OK.

What can I do for you, sir?

Oh, what room's the party in?

I beg your pardon... what party?

You know, the party the fellas are having.

Oh. Oh! It's up in 205.

Well, it looks like my friends are late.

Or maybe we're early, huh?

What kind of a game are you playing?

It's no game.

Honest.

I like you.

What's your name?

Nellie. I told you in the store.

Oh, yeah. Nellie.

I... I like you, Nellie.

I like you a lot.

What's your name?

George.

How much did this room cost you?

My name's Danny.

Danny Fisher.

You comin' in?

I don't know.

I've never been to a place like this before.

But I want to see you again.

Is this the way?

I've been looking at the door

of that lousy five-and-ten for a year.

And today when you walked in, I thought...

oh!

Well, what are you bawling about?

Stop bawling.

I like you.

That's the reason I'm crying.

I... I like you more than I like anybody I know.

And I don't even know you.

That's why... That's why I'm crying.

The party's over. Let's go.

Well, I guess this is it.

Good night, Danny.

I guess I 'd better go upstairs now.

Good night.

I didn't mean nothing by it, honest.

But you played up to me this afternoon.

I... I thought you knew the score.

I'm sorry.

I liked you right away, that's all.

I better go now.

Will... will I see you again, Danny?

Well, I... I don't know.

You see...

I'm pretty busy.

I don't know.

If you ever had the time, I'd... I'd like to see you again.

Good night.

Good night.

Hey, schoolboy.

I thought this was gonna be turned into a pumpkin.

You really showed Maxie.

You can sing.

So do you, I hear.

I used to.

Yeah, I met a guy named, uh... LeGrand.

Charlie?

Yeah.

He's a nice fellow.

Smart, too.

He sounded broke to me.

He is.

Now, how smart do you call that?

He owns the King Creole.

It's the only place on Bourbon Street

without Maxie fields' fingerprints

on the cash register.

I'd say that's smart.

Uh, that's, uh... that's a pretty piece of material.

You ought to have a dress made out of it.

Don't you like it?

I love it.

Hey, what do you say we get together sometime

and sing all the old songs

or... or anything else you want to do?

I'd like to. I... I can't.

I'd really like to, but I can't.

I get it.

Maybe we'll meet some place by accident.

Well, you tell me where you think

the accident will take place,

and I'll make sure I'm there.

It'll take place.

Just don't rush it.

I'll be waiting.

You'd better go now.

What's the big rush?

Maxie'll be here any minute. You'd better go.

You remember in the cab when you wouldn't leave

until I kissed you?

Well, I'm standing right here until you kiss me.

I'll see you sometime.

Boy, that's gonna be some accident.

♪ Crawfish ♪

♪ Crawfish ♪

♪ See, I got 'em ♪

♪ See the size ♪

♪ Stripped and cleaned ♪

Hey, Mimi, is Pop awake yet?

He left long ago.

♪ Sweet meat, look ♪

♪ Fresh and ready to cook ♪

Mr. Primont, off and on for over 25 years,

I've been doing the same kind of work,

and I've filled a lot of prescriptions

just like this one.

Now... now, in my opinion...

I don't care how long

you've been filling out prescriptions.

What I'm telling you is that I'm running the store.

Why, of course, sir.

But see, all I'm saying is that in my opinion,

the mixture that you're using...

Finnell, will you shut your old mouth up?

Just shut your old mouth up

and do things the way I say or get out.

Why, yes, of course.

Now take that jar and put it back

on the counter where it belongs.

Yes, Mr. Primont. Yes, sir. Yes, sir.

Danny.

Hey, Pop.

Danny, what... what a pleasant surprise.

You been here long?

No. I-I just walked in.

I wanted to wish you luck on your first day.

Well, thank you.

Would you like to sit down for a few minutes?

No. There was something

I wanted to talk to you about, Pop,

but, you know, you were up and gone

before I even turned over this morning.

Uh-huh. This job I keep.

Well, we'll talk about it tonight, Pop.

Anything wrong here?

Uh...

Uh, yes. There's plenty wrong here.

I had a prescription filled here last week,

and I got the wrong medicine.

It almost poisoned me.

Oh, that pharmacist is no longer with us.

So I was just told. Lucky for you

this gentleman knows what he's talking about.

Thanks to you, sir, I'll be coming back in.

Good day, sir.

Uh, good day, sir. Call again.

I will.

Well, hello.

Hi.

I figured you'd decided to stay with Maxie.

No, but...

well, I don't know what to do, Mr. LeGrand.

You see, my old man's against all of this.

He wants me to go back to school.

Oh? Sit down.

What does he want you to be?

Well, he used to talk about me becoming president,

but, uh, I think he gave up on that idea.

How much does a singing job pay?

Here you start at scale... 85 a week.

If they like you, you get more.

How does it sound?

Well, it sounds good, but, uh...

Well, I... 1 never sang professionally before.

I don't even know if I can do it.

Well, you did it last night.

Yeah, but last night, I was mad.

Oh, so stay mad.

You've sold me.

Now if I could just sell my old man.

Well, if you do as he says and go to school,

what about after school?

No deal.

He says I do the studying, he does the work.

Only, I saw him do the work.

You hate to see someone crawl, Mr. LeGrand,

especially if it's your own father.

Now, I pushed him into that job,

but $85 a week could get him out.

Let me talk to him.

It won't do you no good.

I've known him since I was born.

Invite me to dinner.

You're wasting your time.

Why? It's a free meal.

You afraid of him?

No.

Then invite me.

Ok, you're invited.

29 Royal Street, all the way up.

29 Royal.

Ronnie says you're smart.

Does she?

She ought to know.

She could have had a career.

Not that she hasn't got one.

Maxie Fields... There's a name for you.

Everything he touches turns to drink.

You know him all right.

Know him?

Maxie and I go a long way back.

We were kids together.

I remember the first words that came out of his mouth...

"Stick 'em up."

See you at dinner.

OK.

No, you don't understand how I feel, Mr. LeGrand,

and you won't watch out for him like he's your own son,

because he's not your son. He's my son.

Just a minute, Mr. Fisher.

You keep speaking of Danny having a profession.

Singing is a profession.

All right, so he's starting in a sewer.

Sewers can't be ignored.

They run under the best cities,

and some of them lead to the fanciest plumbing at the Ritz.

But Danny isn't a plumber.

What I meant...

I know what you meant.

The answer is no. I'm sorry, Mr. LeGrand.

No, you're not sorry.

Why don't you ask him what he wants to do?

The boy was born with an unusual talent.

He has the right to think for himself.

You don't have a right to ask me these questions.

Mimi, will you please get Mr. LeGrand's hat?

All right, Pop.

Thanks for dinner, Mimi.

You're some cook.

Thanks.

I may be leaving empty-handed,

but everywhere else I'm full.

I'm going out for a while, Pa.

I'll be back.

I'd like to speak to you again about this.

Maybe we can have a drink and talk it over quietly.

I don't drink.

No, I didn't think you did.

Good-bye, Danny.

Why'd you bring a man like that here?

Pa, you didn't have to talk to him like that.

He thinks I can do a job for him.

But you don't care what he thinks or what I think

or what I want, for that matter.

What do you want, son?

A pink convertible.

Then register at school.

Look, pa, I got a very average brain.

I'm not a brilliant student.

I'm average. Do you understand?

I don't want to crawl.

Oh, I crawl, is that it? Is that what I do?

Yeah, you crawl. You have no choice.

They got you on the run early.

That's not so! That's not the truth!

I've fought...

You fought! Sure, you fought!

You back-pedaled all the way.

I saw what happened today between you and your boss, Pa,

and it's not going to happen to me.

Charlie LeGrand 's got 85 bucks a week

that says I can be a performer.

If he's willing to take a chance, then so am I.

What about school?

I went to school.

And you failed.

I'm through failing.

You know, if you weren't so young,

I'd ask you to have that drink with me.

I think I'm old enough to have a drink, Mr. LeGrand.

Swell. Let's go.

No, not tonight.

I think it would look kind of funny.

Tomorrow night?

I'll pick you up at 9:00.

All right, it's a date.

You know, I was wondering.

Is there anything in particular

a man of 40 says to a girl of 207?

Mm-hmm.

Say you're 38.

Yeah.

Danny.

I'm sorry, Mr. LeGrand.

I knew it was gonna happen.

That's all right. You don't mind

if I have a drink with your sister, do you?

Well, you know I don't care,

but you'd better check with the old man.

Mr. LeGrand isn't going to make a singer out of me, so why...

No, but he's going to make one out of me.

Do we sign papers or shake hands or what?

We shake hands.

After you open and you're a smash,

then we sign papers.

I'll be at the club tomorrow morning.

Good.

Rock and roll at the King Creole.

It's the hottest show in town, folks.

See fabulous Forty Nina

doing the dance that started the gold rush!

And opening tonight,

the new sensation of Bourbon Street...

Danny "Boom Boom" Fisher!

♪ Banana ♪

♪ Anybody want banana? ♪

♪ Ripe and ready, this banana ♪

♪ Come and pick it off the tree ♪

♪ Oui ♪

♪ Hey, honey

♪ If your heart does not go reeling ♪

♪ When you see banana peeling ♪

♪ Then, Monsieur, you arefinis ♪

♪ Mais oui ♪

♪ Banana ♪

♪ How she loves the sun to warm her ♪

♪ Any mother's son can warm her ♪

♪ Hey, baby, maybe it's you ♪

♪ Voulez-vous? ♪

Yeah!

The old man wouldn't come, huh?

Mm-mmm.

Some father.

Oh, he's a good father.

Oh, he's a good father, but a lousy audience.

♪ No bones, all meat ♪

♪ Toujoursso sweet ♪

♪ Don't wait ♪

♪ What for? ♪

♪ Mon cheri, I'll guarantee ♪

♪ You'll find it easy to adore ♪

♪ Banana ♪

♪ How she loves the sun to warm her ♪

♪ Any mother's son can warm her ♪

♪ Hey, baby, maybe it's you ♪

Here we go. You'll be great tonight.

I heard you rehearsing before.

What kind of songs are you singing, folk songs?

Yeah, I guess so.

That's what I thought. What planet?

Just laughing it up, Kid.

No offense. Ha ha!

Ha ha.

Nervous?

A little.

I just wanted you to know the place isn't full.

But half a house can hate you as hard as a full house.

Right.

When you walk out there tonight,

as far as you're concerned, the place is jammed.

They're expecting the best,

and that's what you've got to give them.

You know something? I'm glad you told me this.

I'm not nervous anymore.

Good. I'm scared to death.

What for? All you have to do

is sing like you're mad, and you'll be a smash.

Here we go.

The 2 biggest words in show business...

"You're on."

Now, ladies and gentlemen...

the moment you've all been waiting for.

The King Creole takes great pride in presenting

a young man with a big future.

The new sensation of Bourbon Street...

the boy with the beat... Danny Fisher!

♪ Went down to new Orleans at the golden goose ♪

♪ I grabbed a green-eyed dolly that was on the loose ♪

♪ Well, I dig that music ♪

♪ She said, me, too ♪

♪ I said, pretty baby, come on, let's do ♪

♪ The Dixieland rock ♪

♪ Dixieland rock ♪

♪ Well, the Dixieland rock ♪

♪ Dixieland rock ♪

♪ Let your hair down, sugar ♪

♪ Shake it free ♪

♪ And do the Dixieland rock with me ♪

♪ With the blue light shining on her swinging hips ♪

♪ She got the drummer so nervous ♪

♪ That he lost his sticks ♪

♪ The cornet player hit a note that's flat ♪

♪ The tromboner hit him where the poor cat sat ♪

♪ Do the Dixieland rock ♪

♪ Dixieland rock ♪

4 Well, the Dixieland rock ♪

♪ Dixieland rock ♪

♪ Let your hair down, sugar ♪

♪ Shake it free ♪

♪ And do the Dixieland rock with me ♪

♪ Hah hah hah ♪

♪ I was all pooped out ♪

♪ When the clock struck 4:00 ♪

♪ But she said, no, daddy, can't leave the floor ♪

♪ She wore a clinging dress ♪

♪ That fit so tight ♪

♪ She couldn't sit down ♪

♪ So we danced all night ♪

♪ To the Dixieland rock ♪

♪ Dixieland rock ♪

♪ Well, the Dixieland rock ♪

♪ Dixieland rock ♪

♪ Let your hair down, sugar ♪

♪ Shake it free ♪

♪ And do the Dixieland rock with me ♪

♪ Let your hair down, sugar ♪

♪ Shake it free ♪

♪ And do the Dixieland rock with me ♪

♪ Dixieland, Dixieland ♪

♪ Dixieland rock with me ♪

Eddie!

Put his name up in lights.

Right.

Hey, Danny.

Hi.

You busy? No.

Ok. We got a date?

Where are we going?

I'll show you.

We're almost there. It's just around this bend.

Wait till you see it.

You don't know how I was hoping you'd come by.

I don't even understand it.

I mean, lots of fellas have come into the store

asking for a date.

Just like you.

Making cracks.

You were even worse. You came in to rob the store.

But I was looking for you when I came out.

Then you took me to that hotel...

and I went with you.

I don't understand it.

I thought I was a nice girl.

You are a nice girl, Nellie.

I've been thinking about that night, and I'm sorry.

Yeah, me, too.

I told you before...

No, Danny, that's not what I'm sorry about.

It's like everything just started with you.

I guess both of us did something that day

we'd never done before, Nellie.

I never robbed a store.

I guess there's a last time for everything, too.

Danny, I... I didn't mean it.

Wait. We're coming to it now.

You see that house over there?

Way over there? See it?

That used to be our house.

Pa bought it when I was about 8 years old.

It was kind of my birthday present.

We sure had a lot of happy times there.

I'm gonna buy that house back someday

or one just like it.

And I guarantee you,

nobody's gonna take it away from me.

Nobody.

I told my mother about you.

I told her I met a million-dollar boyfriend

in a five-and-ten-cent store.

Danny...

aren't you ever going to kiss me tonight?

Nellie, don't fall in love with me.

Love means getting married, having kids.

I don't even know who I am yet.

Who do you have to be?

I don't want to be like my old man.

Love, marriage, having kids.

I want to be somebody first.

Do you know a better way?

You could still kiss me.

Just... just leave it at that, Nellie.

For now, anyway.

I mean, just so it was you

that I wanted to be with tonight

to show my house to.

♪ Young dreams of love, young dreams of love ♪

♪ Young dreams ♪

♪ Young dreams, young dreams ♪

♪ My heart is filled with young dreams ♪

♪ Dreams ♪

♪ And I'm longing to-oo-oo ♪

♪ Share them all with you ♪

♪ In my eyes ♪

♪ Eyes

♪ Oh, can't you see in my eyes ♪

♪ His eyes ♪

♪ That you're the only one who ♪

♪ Who ♪

♪ Can make my young dreams come true? ♪

♪ I have young arms ♪

♪ Arms ♪

♪ That want to hold you ♪

♪ Hold you ♪

♪ Hold you, oh, so tight ♪

♪ I have young lips ♪

♪ Lips ♪

♪ That want to kiss you ♪

♪ Kiss you ♪

♪ Kiss you morning, noon, and night ♪

♪ Take my hand ♪

♪ My hand, my hand ♪

♪ Oh, darling, ta-ake my hand ♪

♪ Ta-a-ake hand ♪

♪ And let me make you a pa-a-art ♪

♪ Of all of my young dreams of love ♪

♪ I have young arms ♪

♪ Dreams ♪

♪ That want to hold you ♪

♪ Hold you good and tight

♪ I have young lips ♪

♪ That want to kiss you ♪

♪ Kiss you morning, noon, and night ♪

♪ Take my hand ♪

♪ My hand, my hand ♪

♪ Oh, darling, ta-ake my hand ♪

♪ Oh-oh-oh-oh ♪

♪ Let me make you a part ♪

♪ Let me make you a part ♪

♪ Of all my young dreams of lo-oo-ove ♪

♪ A part ♪

♪ Of all of my young dreams of love ♪

♪ Young dreams of love, young dreams of love ♪

♪ Yeah! ♪

Hurry up! Your breakfast is getting cold.

Ok, I'm coming.

Well, big shot. Sing a couple of songs

and right away sleep all morning, huh?

Ahh, you're a little behind schedule yourself, Kid.

Lookit there.

Mr. LeGrand kept me up half the night

talking about you.

What happened the other half?

Why, you!

Charlie's a very fine man.

I could like him a lot.

You seen Pop this morning?

For a minute.

Did he ask how it went last night?

I told him they all applauded. Everyone loved you.

What did he say?

Oh, you know Pop.

What did he say?

He said wash your hands before you bring him his lunch.

Sounds like Pop.

Here, Danny.

I don't care how long

you've been filling out prescriptions.

Maybe been filling them out too long for all I know.

Will you ever understand that I'm running the store?

I understand, Mr. Primont.

You understand, Mr. Primont. You understand, Mr. Primont.

That's what you're getting paid for.

You can't teach an old dog new tricks.

That's what I told Furst when he made me hire you.

I'm not an old dog.

And don't answer me back when I talk to you!

Here, maybe at least you can mop up this floor.

Well, go ahead and take it.

Now mop over there.

Hey, Danny.

Wowie. You know you got this whole street buzzin'?

Yeah? Yeah.

Already they're saying you're the next somebody.

And I knew you when you were just singing for watches.

Well, it's a little early to reminisce.

I'll see you around, Shark.

Maxie Fields wants to see you, Danny.

Well, I don't want to see Maxie Fields.

He told me to bring you.

Well, you tell him...

Maxie is no guy to give the brush to.

He can get rough if he wants to.

You know what I mean.

If he wants to see me, let him make a reservation.

There's 3 shows a night at the creole.

That drugstore you just come out...

that's where your old man works now, ain't it?

So?

Nothin'. I just go in there

and get a pack of cigarettes once in a while.

I been thinkin'.

If my old man was getting knocked around like that,

I'd sure try to help him if I could.

I been working on it.

I'll make you a deal.

You come see Maxie Fields,

I'll try to work up an angle.

You never can tell. You do me a favor,

and I'll try to do you and your old man a favor.

Where's Fields?

I'll take you to him.

You know I'm on his payroll now?

I am. I'm one of his boys.

And that drugstore situation...

is liable to clear up just like that.

Well, this is it. Come on. Walk right in.

Hiya, pal. Shark treating you ok?

Go right up them stairs. Maxie's expecting you.

Aren't you coming up with me?

I'll wait here.

Oh. This is where you live, huh?

This is where I visit.

What's all the chatter? Send the kid in.

Hi, Danny.

I hear you're a smash over at that joint.

Good news travels fast. Sit down. Sit down.

Care for a drink?

No, thanks.

Was there anything special, Mr. Fields?

No, no, nothing special.

Just a friendly little get-together, that's all.

I'm interested in any new attraction on the street.

It's good for all of us. One tie, all tie.

And then again, you never know.

What's friendly one day is business the next.

You've got good taste, Danny.

But you know, you got to be able to afford it.

Ronnie wants money even to serve a drink.

Maxie, please.

Serve the kid a drink for nothin'.

Nah, I don't want a drink.

You know, Ronnie won a contest once.

Best legs in the state of...

where's that you're from, honey?

Maine.

That's it. Maine.

Show the kid your legs.

Maxie, please.

Well, you won a contest with them legs.

Must have been 2,000 people watching them in the finals.

Don't be embarrassed. Show the kid what won.

All right, Maxie.

Pretty good, huh?

And there's nothing wrong with the rest of it.

I gotta get going.

All right, kid.

I just wanted to have this little chat with you,

get to know you a little better.

I like to see people get ahead.

And like I said, who knows?

Maybe someday we'll be doing business together.

You may be working for me again.

I don't think so, Mr. Fields.

You never can tell. Wheel comes around.

After all, I saw you first.

I gotta admit, I was a little put out when you quit.

Especially to go with a crumb like LeGrand.

Charlie's no crumb.

He's a pretty decent fella.

Oh, yeah, I forgot.

I forgot about him and your sister.

Eh, this has been quite a week for Charlie.

First, he finds himself a singer,

then he finds himself a girl.

You're some talented family.

What are you trying to say?

I got only one thing to say, kid...

I don't like losing things.

I don't mind taking, but I don't like to lose.

Not even a busboy.

When I lose something, I want it back,

and sooner or later, I get it.

That's all.

You got a long way to go, boy.

Lots and lots of good luck.

Show him to the door, will you, honey?

Don't come back here anymore, Danny.

Stay far, far away.

Thanks. I could give you the same advice.

As Maine goes, so goes Maxie Fields.

Maxie buzzed me.

I was downstairs, and he buzzed me.

Yeah.

Shark!

Yes, Mr. Fields?

Excuse me.

Come over here, Shark. I want to talk to you.

Get some ice, will you, Ronnie?

Yes, sir. Mr. Fields. What can I do for you?

Come on. Move it.

What have you got on this Fisher kid?

Well, nothing much.

He helped us do a little job

on the five-and-ten once. That's all.

Not big enough.

I want to be able to twist real hard.

You work on it, huh?

That's a funny thing, Mr. Fields.

I... I just got an idea.

It's about his old man.

You see, he works in a drugstore...

Hello, ladies.

Just in time for the show, ladies.

Hope you made your reservations.

♪ You'll never know ♪

♪ What heaven means ♪

♪ Until you've been down to new Orleans ♪

♪ New Orleans ♪

♪ You ain't been livin' ♪

♪ Till you cuddle and coo ♪

♪ With a black-eyed baby ♪

♪ By the old bayou ♪

♪ You've never seen ♪

♪ You've never seen ♪

♪ Kewpie doll queens ♪

♪ You've never seen those kewpie doll queens ♪

♪ Like they got 'em ♪

♪ Where? ♪ ♪ Where? ♪

♪ In new Orleans ♪

♪ New Orleans ♪

♪ And, ooh, they love you like-a ♪

♪ No one can ♪

♪ Ow ♪

♪ It makes you awful glad that you were born a man ♪

♪ If you ain't been there ♪

♪ Been there ♪

♪ Man, you ain't been nowhere ♪

♪ Nowhere ♪

♪ The livin's lazy, and the lovin's fine ♪

♪ It's so fine ♪

♪ If you feel lowdown ♪

♪ Lowdown ♪

♪ So help me, Hannah ♪

♪ Hannah ♪

♪ You're sure to lose the blues ♪

♪ In Lou-si-oo- si-oo-si-ana ♪

♪ So get the lead ♪

♪ Get the lead ♪

♪ Out of your jeans ♪

♪ Get the lead out of your jeans ♪

♪ And hotfoot I, hotfoot it down 10 where? ♪

♪ Where? ♪ ♪ Where? ♪

♪ New Orleans ♪

♪ Lou-si-ana, baby ♪

♪ Tells you stay a while ♪

♪ Yeah ♪ ♪ Yeah ♪

♪ Live it up ♪

♪ Love it up ♪

♪ Southern style ♪

♪ Way down in new ♪

♪ Down in new ♪

♪ New Orleans ♪

Wasn't Danny wonderful tonight?

Yes, wonderful.

That man gets better all the time.

Hi, Danny

Hey, Nina? Yes?

You know my girl Nellie?

If she comes by tonight, tell her I can't see her.

I got something to take care of, ok?

You're the boy who can do it.

Mmm, boy, what a mob!

That kid is sure bringing in the business.

He's ruining my performance.

Ever since he started,

there's nothing but women out there.

They don't want to see me,

and tonight I heard one of them yell, "leave it on!"

Maybe I should do the strip.

Why don't you?

Hey, Eddie? Yeah?

I'll probably be a little late for the next show.

Will you stall 'em off as long as you can, huh?

There's old man Primont

getting ready to take the dough to the bank.

I hope he doesn't leave before Danny gets here.

It's almost 11:00.

Just don't leave, mister, till Danny gets here.

You sure he's gonna be here?

He'll be here. He really bought the idea.

I gotta hand it to you, Shark.

You sure are a good salesman.

Here comes the pigeon.

I tried to get you on the phone.

What for?

Call it off, Shark. You don't owe me nothin'.

You were pretty hot for this before.

I've been thinking...

You're crazy. It works out both ways.

We get the money,

you get that drugstore situation cleared up.

You get even for your old man.

It's no good, Shark. The old man wouldn't...

He would if he could.

Hey, look. Primont's getting ready to leave.

Well, you go on home.

On your way... you know where the bank is...

Just drop this off in the night deposit box.

I'll finish up the inventory.

I hope it stops raining.

Ok, ok, take my hat and coat.

I didn't mean it that way.

No, no, go ahead and take it.

Well, thank you, sir.

All right, Danny boy, you have it your way,

but don't you say you never had the chance.

All right, there he is. There's Primont.

Now, are you with us or not?

It's for your old man, you know.

Ok! Come on.

That's not Primont. That's Danny's father.

We take him anyway. This may turn out even better.

But, Sharky, it's his old man!

Shut up. I mean, how do we know?

We just play dumb.

Uh, mister, do you know where front street is?

No.

No, young man, I... I don't.

I don't know where Front Street is.

Come on.

Can't figure this kid.

He's been shut up in there for half an hour.

He looked sick when he came back.

I've got to see Danny.

So does that audience out there.

He's in there, Nellie.

Danny?

What's wrong?

It's your father, Danny.

Mimi phoned from the hospital.

Some thugs beat him up.

She didn't want me to tell you on the phone.

She wants me to bring you there.

Oh, no...

He was taking some money to the bank,

and they jumped him.

He's in bad shape, Danny.

Mimi and Charlie are at the hospital now.

Is he all right, doc?

He's alive. Just.

There's been damage to the brain.

We've relieved the pressure temporarily,

but he's going to need another operation immediately.

A delicate one.

Cabot.

Dr. Martin Cabot has performed this kind of operation.

Is he good?

He's the best, but expensive.

How expensive?

Oh, a couple of thousand, maybe more.

I'm still deep in hock,

but maybe I can scrape up 500.

We'll get it someway.

Dr. Patrick. Where's this man?

Where's this Fisher?

Dr. Cabot!

You know, it took me a whole year

to wangle this dinner invitation. Lucy pitman.

Well, anything for Maxie Fields.

Thank you.

You the boy?

Yes, sir.

Mr. Fields must be very fond of you.

Said you used to work for him.

When he heard about this, he wanted to help out.

Well, let's go.

When you work for Maxie Fields,

it's better than Blue Cross.

What's the case?

They've been in there for hours.

Must be some kind of world's record.

He made it.

Oh, thank god.

Well, I think I'm going to go home.

No sense in going to that dinner party.

Lucy gives me a pain anyway.

Thank you, doctor.

He's going to be all right.

May take a little while, though.

But he's a strong man. A real fighter.

But, doc, about Maxie Fields. How...

Strange man, isn't he?

Very coarse, vulgar, very powerful.

Send him my best. I'll send him my bill.

Thank you, doctor. Thank you.

I'll pay him back, sis.

I'll pay every cent.

I got a lot of pa yin' back to do.

A lot of pa yin' back.

Soon as the show breaks, folks,

there'll be plenty of tables for everyone.

Just stand in line and don't go away.

It's a fabulous show.

This kid is absolutely sensational!

Just be patient, folks. It won't be very long now.

Good evening, folks.

Hi.

Good evening, Miss Fisher. How's your father?

Oh, much better, thanks.

Let her through, folks. Let her through.

Her brother pays the bills.

♪ A hardheaded woman been a thorn in the side of man ♪

♪ Uh huh huh ♪

Sorry I'm late.

They wanted to run the final check on Pop.

Everything ok? Mm-hmm.

He'll be coming home first thing tomorrow morning.

It's been a long 4 weeks.

♪ King ♪

♪ Creole, go! ♪

♪ There's a man in New Orleans who plays-a rock and roll

♪ He's a guitar man with a great big soul ♪

♪ He lays down a beat like a ton of coal ♪

♪ He goes by the name of King Creole ♪

♪ You know he's gone, gone, gone ♪

♪ Jumping like a catfish on a pole, yeah ♪

♪ You know he's gone, gone, gone ♪

♪ And a hip-shakin' King Creole ♪

♪ King Creole, King Creole ♪

♪ When the king starts to do it, it's as good as done ♪

♪ He holds his guitar like a tommy gun ♪

♪ He starts to growl way down in his throat ♪

♪ He bends a string, and that's all she wrote ♪

♪ You know he's gone, gone, gone ♪

♪ A-jumpin' like a catfish on a pole, whoa ♪

♪ You know he's gone, gone, gone ♪

♪ And a hip-shakin' King Creole ♪

♪ King Creole, King Creole ♪

♪ He sings a song about a crawdad hole ♪

♪ He sings a song about a jelly roll ♪

♪ He sings a song about pork and greens ♪

♪ He sings some blues about new Orleans ♪

♪ You know he's gone, gone, gone ♪

♪ A-jumpin' like a catfish on a pole, yeah ♪

♪ You know he's gone, gone, gone ♪

♪ And a hip-shakin' King Creole ♪

♪ King Creole ♪

♪ Go! ♪

♪ He plays something evil, then he plays something sweet ♪

♪ No matter how he plays, you gotta get up on your feet ♪

♪ And when he gets the rockin' fever, baby, heaven sakes ♪

♪ He don't stop playin' till his guitar breaks ♪

♪ You know he's gone, gone, gone ♪

♪ A-jumpin' like a catfish on a pole, yeah ♪

♪ You know he's gone, gone, gone ♪

♪ And a hip-shakin' King Creole ♪

♪ King Creole, yeah, go! ♪

♪ You know he's gone, gone, gone ♪

♪ Hip-shakin' King Creole ♪

Hiya.

What do you want?

Mr. Fields would like to see you.

What about?

Just wants to see you.

Well, I don't want to see him.

Wait a minute.

You don't understand the job I got.

You see, when Maxie tells me to bring somebody,

I got to bring them.

So I'll make it short and sweet.

He wants to see you.

This here's the key to his apartment.

You just take this,

go up the stairs, and turn the lock.

You understand?

You know, for a little guy,

you make an awful lot of noise.

Now, for a little guy, I'm remembering a rainy night

and a man carrying a bag of money.

Now, your old man, he's been in that hospital

about a month now, ain't that right?

And I hear he gets out tomorrow,

and I'm real glad about that.

Why don't you just take this here key?

You know where it is.

I should have finished you off a long time ago.

Come on.

Uhh.

You're working for Maxie Fields, too, huh?

That's right. We're all working for Maxie now.

That figures.

Go right on up.

Thanks, pal.

Hi.

Come on in.

I've been waiting for you.

It's a nice night for an accident.

Yeah.

Where's fields?

I'm supposed to see him.

You wanna see him?

Come with me.

There he is.

Out and gone.

Isn't he sweet?

Every time I see him lying down,

I keep looking at his chest

and hoping.

But the pig keeps right on breathing.

I guess he can't see me tonight.

Danny, wait.

He didn't want to see you tonight.

He wanted me to see you.

What about?

He wants you to quit Charlie LeGrand

and go to work for him.

And what are you supposed to do about it?

Whatever I can do about it.

Your heart wouldn't be in it.

You wouldn't miss it.

Would you like a drink?

Would you like a cigarette?

Shall we talk?

Can I do anything for you?

Anything at all?

The general idea is...

I'm supposed to befriend you.

You know, for a... a...

For a bum? A tramp? For what?

Oh, I was just gonna say

you got a pretty good way of talking.

Hmm. You'd be surprised

how many tramps graduate school with honors.

As a matter of fact, me.

Well, I flunked without honors.

I'm sorry, but I don't think

I'm going to be able to handle this setup.

This is a setup, isn't it?

It was all fixed in advance.

Mmm.

You tell Maxie Fields that I wasn't in the mood.

I'll be square with him in a few months.

I won't owe him anything,

and that's the way I wanna keep it.

Danny...

I wish you wouldn't go.

This isn't the accident, honey.

The accident happened that first morning

in the Blue Shade.

From then on, everything's been fixed

just like a crooked fight.

And you're wrong about the heart.

I do miss it.

I miss it so much there's a girl I may marry

just because she has one to give me.

I'm not asking you to marry me.

Well, you're asking me something.

You're a little tight, aren't you?

I'm not tight. I'm drunk.

But I'll tell you what you are.

You're being rude.

You're condemning me

and ignoring my God-given charms.

God didn't give you the charms

for what you're using them for, honey.

That's funny.

And I read the instructions so carefully.

Danny...

please don't go.

Come here.

I want to show you something.

Look.

What's he doing down there?

He has orders from the pig

to clock your entrance and exit.

You see, you're supposed to spend a few hours here,

and in those few hours,

acquire the habit of coming back.

In due time,

Mr. Fields will approach you

with a bill for my graciousness.

Double-cross Charlie LeGrand.

Exactly.

What if I leave now?

Then the pig will punish me for having failed.

If you were kind,

you'd stay for a few hours

and just pretend like you like me.

We could... we could smoke some cigarettes.

We could play some music.

Just make it seem as though I have charm.

I... I could sing some songs for you.

I used to be a singer, you know?

Yes, I did.

♪ Let the stars ♪

♪ Fade and fall ♪

♪ And I won't ♪

♪ Care at all ♪

♪ As long ♪

♪ As I ♪

♪ Have you ♪

You remember that one?

Yeah.

That's a real oldie.

Used to be my theme song.

I ask you to stay

because I hate to be punished by Mr. Fields.

He's not a very sensitive man.

All right.

I-I'll stay.

And...

I think you arecharming.

I don't use that word, but you are.

Thank you.

Oh.

Ohh.

Ah, Ronnie.

I'm sorry.

Don't... don't cry.

You'll wake up the circus master.

Oh, Danny, hold me. Hold me, please.

Ronnie, what are you doing here with this man?

How'd you get into this?

How do you get out?

Go home, Danny. Go home.

Ronnie, please.

No, no. Not here. Not in this house.

I wouldn't know if it was because I wanted you

or because Maxie wanted you.

Maxie's got nothing to do with it.

I wouldn't be too sure.

Sorry to intrude. Uh...

I don't mind you two

wrestling around a little bit together,

but as everyone knows, wrestling is all a fake.

Let's not forget who's supposed to win...

Me.

I told you once before. I'm not gonna work for you.

Well, it's too bad.

I was hoping it could be arranged

on some kind of a friendly basis.

But...

it can be done the other way, too.

Now, you listen to me, punk.

You're gonna work at my club.

I can do a lot for you,

and I can do a lot against you.

Your old man's coming out of the hospital tomorrow.

Might not be so good for his health

if he found out it was you who help put him there.

It was an accident.

Was it?

Somebody was gonna get hit.

Too bad it was him.

But you were in on it.

It was all done because of you.

You don't think he'd mind?

Ok, you tell him.

Or shall I?

You do it, and I'll kill you.

I got an easier way.

All you gotta do

is sign this little piece of paper.

There's nothing on it,

but don't worry. I'll fill it in later.

No, Danny. No!

Shut up.

Or maybe you'd like me to fill Charlie's place

with stink bombs every night.

Or if that's an unpleasant thought,

how about real bombs?

You think I wouldn't?

Everything goes boom. Easiest thing in the world.

Make it all look like an accident.

Anything can be made to look like an accident.

What do you say, kid?

Well, that's more like it.

Now, don't let me interrupt you any longer.

You were just saying to her, um...

"Maxie has nothing to do with it."

So now you know.

That's how you get into it.

Now Maxie's got you like he's got me.

It's too late.

You do something wrong...

and that makes you do something worse.

And the first thing you know,

you don't know the difference anymore.

Oh, Danny, I'm so sorry.

♪ I'll go on ♪

♪ Loving you ♪

♪ Don't ask me why ♪

♪ Don't know ♪

♪ What else ♪

♪ Todo ♪

♪ Ooh ooh ♪

♪ Don't ask me why ♪

♪ Doo do do doot ♪

♪ How sad ♪

♪ My heart ♪

♪ Would be ♪

♪ Heart would be ♪

♪ If you should go 7

♪ Though you're ♪

♪ Not good ♪

♪ For me ♪

♪ Ooh ooh ♪

♪ I want you so ♪

♪ It's not ♪

♪ The kind ♪

♪ Of love ♪

♪ I dreamed ♪

♪ About ♪

♪ But it's the kind ♪

♪ Ooh? ♪

♪ That I can't live ♪

♪ Without ♪

♪ Doo do do doot ♪

♪ You're all ♪

♪ I'm longing for ♪

♪ Longing for ♪

♪ Don't ♪

♪ Say good-bye ♪

♪ Don't say good-bye ♪

♪ I need you ♪

♪ More ♪

♪ And more ♪

♪ Don't ask me why ♪

♪ Doo do do doot ♪

♪ I need you ♪

♪ More ♪

♪ And more ♪

♪ Doo do do doot ♪

♪ Don't ♪

♪ Ask me ♪

♪ Why ♪

♪ Don't ♪

♪ Ask ♪

♪ Me ♪

♪ Why ♪

Ladies and gentlemen,

I would just like to say thanks for everything.

You people have been wonderful to me here,

and I'll never forget you.

I just want you to know

that I'll always be grateful.

Thank you very much.

Excuse me.

What's the matter?

Hey, kid, that was a great show.

Thanks, Charlie.

What was the curtain speech all about?

Charlie, we never got around

to signing those papers you talked about.

So what's the hurry?

There's no hurry.

I just don't know how to tear up a handshake.

What do you mean?

I'm quitting you, Charlie.

I got a better offer from Maxie Fields.

You're no good, Danny.

You belong on the street

with all the bums and the hoodlums.

I thought you changed,

but you belong with them.

You threw it all away...

You, me, everything.

Yep.

Danny...

is anything wrong? Are you all right?

Sure.

You sounded so funny when you called.

I got here as soon as I could.

I told Mr. McIntyre it was an emergency,

I'd be right back.

Nellie, there's something I...

What's the matter, Danny?

Nothing.

Did you speak to Father Franklin yet?

I stopped by this morning.

He's a wonderful man.

He's known me ever since I was a little girl.

He was so happy I finally found someone

I was serious about.

He can't wait to meet you.

He's there now if you...

I can't, Nellie.

I wouldn't know what to say to him.

That's why I had to see you.

I think maybe too much

has happened too fast.

I mean, you're a swell girl,

and I... I don't want to hurt you,

but something's happened.

A lot's happened.

I walked out on Charlie LeGrand last night...

And now you're making it a parlay.

I guess so...

for now, anyway.

That girl Ronnie,

does she have anything to do with it?

I don't know.

Maybe.

It's... it's...

it's all kinda mixed up.

See, the other night...

I can't walk in that church till I'm sure.

I have to be getting back to the store.

I can't afford to be fired

from 2 places in the same day.

You sure?

I'm sorry, but there's no use

talking about it any longer.

A deal is a deal.

Mr. Fields, I beg you.

I'm not here to speak for my son.

It's my daughter.

You see, Mr. LeGrand has asked her to marry him.

I just found this out myself.

He's counting on Danny remaining at his club.

This could ruin their future,

their... their plans,

her chance for happiness.

Your boy's gotta think about himself, too.

I can do a lot more for him than Charlie LeGrand.

No, you... you don't understand. This...

I'm afraid it's you who don't understand.

Mr. Fields, the collector made the delivery.

Good.

It's all taken care of, chief.

Good deal.

Is there anything else I can do for you?

That... that's the face of...

that's the one who almost killed me.

You're mistaken, Mr. Fisher.

This man works for me.

Mistaken? I'm not. I'm... I'm not mistaken.

I could never forget that face.

What's he talking about?

Ok, go ahead, beat it. Go on.

How about that?

I never saw him before in my life.

Wait. You can't let him go.

I don't care what you do to me. I'll go to the police.

Oh, no, I don't think you'll do that.

I don't think you'll go to the police.

All right. All right, you say a deal is a deal.

I'll make you a deal.

You let Danny out of his agreement,

and I'll forget that I ever saw this man.

Otherwise, I go to the police.

You're ok, Mr. Fisher. I gotta hand it to you.

But you better listen to me first.

There's something you don't know

maybe make you change your mind.

Pa, what are you doing here?

It was an accident, Pa.

I'm sorry. Honest.

I tried to stop 'em.

I did it for you.

You double-crossed me, didn't you, Maxie?

Who sent for you?

You told him.

Sure, I told him.

He was running to the police.

I told you I'd kill you if you ever told him.

Knock it off, kid.

I don't like guys coming at me like that.

I'm warning you!

Oh!

No!

No, leave him alone!

Leave him alone!

Why, you tramp! I own youl!

No, you don't own me!

You bought me! You don't own me!

I meant to tell you that!

You disgust me!

I hate you!

Every time you put your hands on me,

you make my flesh crawl!

Go ahead, hit me!

That's the only thing you're man enough to do!

Get out of here, Ronnie! Don't come back!

He's in the alley.

Go around the block. Come in the other way.

OK.

Danny...

we know you're in here.

You come on out now, and you got a chance.

You can't get away.

Maxie's got the whole town covered.

This is it, buddy.

This is the big get-even day.

We got a lot to settle up, you and me.

Danny, I knew it was your old man that night.

I knew it, and I slugged him anyway,

SO you come on out and get me.

You come on out and get me, or we're coming in.

I'm gonna let you in on a little secret, kid.

We've been laughing at you.

Me and Maxie, ever since it happened,

we've been splitting a gut.

You told me once we'd tangle again.

Well, now's your chance.

Come on, Danny boy.

You got him?

Yeah.

Hold him. I wanna put my mark on him.

Where is he?

Aah.

Aah.

Who's there?

It's me, Pa. Danny.

Let me in, will you?

Go away.

I can't.

Please, let me in, Pa.

Please?

Please let me...

Danny. Danny!

I found out from Dummy what happened.

You've got to get out of here.

They're all after you.

You've got to hide.

Hurry, Danny. Hurry.

Oh.

Hello, Danny.

Hello.

How ya feel?

I don't know yet.

You know, it's Sunday.

You've been out of your head for 2 days.

Maybe even longer.

Where are we?

Oh, just some place to run to.

I've had this for years.

What about Maxie? Does he...

No. No, here there's no Maxie.

Here I don't have to think about Maxie

or yesterday or today

or the day after.

It was nice having someone to take care of.

Thanks.

Thanks for everything, Ronnie.

Sure.

What are you staring at?

You look like a kid.

I am.

104-year-old kid.

I guess it all started

that first morning when you rescued me.

You had courage, and I admired that.

I have so little myself.

You'd be surprised at all the happy endings

I had figured out.

You see, Danny, girls like me,

if we stick around for the finish,

generally finish up pretty much the same way.

Sooner or later, the party's over,

and we go to our hometowns

and play it very straight

and marry the first respectable guy who asks us.

You'd be amazed how many do.

Only I never wanted it that way.

That's why I Kidded myself

into thinking maybe you were the one.

I used to dream

that maybe someday Maxie and I would be through,

and I'd meet you some place,

and we'd run away together.

We did.

It's never the way you imagine it, is it?

Danny, I'm not proud.

I haven't got much pride left.

I know what can be and what can't be.

But do you think that...

maybe for a little while

we could make it the way I dreamed it?

That you could love me,

and my dream could come true?

It wouldn't be hard to love you.

Then love me, Danny.

Take a day out of your life

and love me.

Wait here.

Ronnie.

It was a lovely day...

for a little while.

Ronnie.

Ronnie.

Ro...

Oh, no.

I'm sorry.

Danny.

Danny, I'm so glad you're back.

I hope now we...

Not yet, Nellie.

In a little while, maybe, when the time is right,

but not now.

I'll wait.

I have lots of time.

Oh, it'll be all right.

Good luck, Danny.

Thank you.

♪ Let the stars ♪

♪ Fade and fall ♪

♪ And I won't care at all ♪

♪ Ooh? ♪

♪ As long as I ♪

♪ Have you ♪

♪ Ooh? ♪

♪ Every Kiss ♪

♪ Brings a thrill ♪

♪ Ooh? ♪

♪ And I know that it will ♪

♪ Ooh ♪

♪ As long as I ♪

♪ Have you ♪

♪ Ooh ooh ooh ♪

♪ Let's think ♪

♪ Of the future ♪

♪ Ahh ♪

♪ Forget the past ♪

♪ Ooh? ♪

♪ You're not my first love ♪

♪ Ooh? ♪

♪ But you're my last ♪

♪ Take the love that I bring ♪

♪ Ooh ♪

♪ And I "ll have everything ♪"

♪ Ooh ♪

♪ As long as I ♪

♪ Have you ♪

♪ Ooh ooh ooh ♪

♪ Let's think of the future ♪

♪ Forget the past ♪

♪ Ooh? ♪

♪ You're not my first love ♪

♪ But you're my last ♪

♪ Ah ahh ♪

♪ Take the love that I bring ♪

♪ Ooh ♪

♪ Then I"ll have everything ♪

♪ As long as I ♪

♪ Have you ♪

♪ As long ♪

♪ As long as I ♪

♪ Have ♪

♪ You ♪

♪ As long as I ♪

♪ Have you ♪