Original subtitles

No. I'm sorry. He's in conference and can't be disturbed.

Wainright concert bureau.

No. I'm sorry. He's out of his office.

You'll pardon, but Mr. Wainright

is to see the Delhi national dancers at 5:30.

Excuse me. Just a moment, please.

If anyone is going to see him, I am. Ah, no.

I have been here since 10:00 this morning.

But what about him?

My poor little baby,

waiting here all this time.

I told you,

Mr. Wainright is in conference. He can't be disturbed.

Wainright concert bureau.

Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. Pardoli.

I'm sorry. I just can't.

Look, I'll let you talk to miss Benson.

Miss Benson, Mr. Pardoli is calling from Chicago.

Oh, Mr. Pardoli, how are you?

Well, have you seen a doctor?

He's one of the best throat men out there in Chicago.

I see.

Perhaps you'll be all right by tomorrow.

Well, hold on. I'll speak to Mr. Wainright.

Pardoli. Sore throat.

Oh, that was splendid! Splendid!

Get ahold of Daniels. He's playing in south bend.

We'll shoot him in the place of Pardoli. Yes, sir.

You're an excellent voice.

Oh, danke schon, danke schon.

He doesn't speak any english?

He does good. Every day, I am working with him.

Oh, that's just fine.

Moment. we have 3 songs more.

I'm finished with you! I tear up my contract!

I sign this afternoon with another manager!

Denise... do not touch me!

When I signed with you last year,

you promised me I shall sing at the command performance in London,

and now I read you send this... Dalievska girl,

this teensy little thing

that walks around on her toes like a little pick-chicken.

You send her to London to dance for the king and queen,

and where do you send me? To California, Canada, Minnesota,

one-stand night here, one-stand night there.

What is this? Are you trying to get rid of me?

Are you in love with this... with this little pick-chicken?

Denise, Denise...

Have you ever been in London this time of the year?

It's damp, it's cold, it's foggy.

What if you became ill? How would I feel?

What if something happened to your voice?

And I suppose in winnipeg it is not cold?

No, no, no, my friend. You do not fool me.

I know you do not care what happens to me.

Denise... all you want is to make money from me!

I'm through with you! I give you your release.

I will go to some other impresario.

Miss Benson, please cancel my reservations.

Miss Dorcet is leaving my management, so the tour is off.

Will you be kind enough to bring in all the contracts?

Well, that's that.

I was just thinking how wonderful it was going to be

to be with you when you first saw this great country...

Twin Forks, Atchison, Topeka, Santa Fe.

You are telling me that you meant to come along with me?

But of course.

We'll get busy on these contracts right away.

We still have time to cancel some of them,

but this in Philadelphia on Saturday...

it's too late to do anything about that.

She'll just have to forfeit that $2,000.

I... i have to pay $2,000?

That was your guarantee, remember, that you'd appear?

Oh, no.

- Yeah? - Mr. Wainright.

Yes, Cutler? Your receiver, please.

Yeah?

I'm sorry to interrupt, but miss Dalievska is here.

Uh, put him in the audition room, would you?

Tell him I'll be with him presently.

Uh, a man from life. Wants to see me about doing a story on you,

but I'll have to call it off. If you'll forgive me...

Oh, cheri. Now you are mad at me.

No, no, no. It's all right.

Anything's all right, as long as it makes you happy.

Tell me something...

What?

Is it as pretty as it sounds,

this, uh, Topeka?

Look, don't do this.

Are you going, or aren't you going?

But of course I'm going...

With you, mon petit coco.

Well, let's not keep this man from life waiting, shall we?

Uh... come on.

It would be better if I saw him alone. Oh?

Will you have dinner with me tonight?

I would adore it.

Wonderful. I'll call for you at 8:00, all right?

Cutler? Don't ever scare me like that again, will you?

I just can't take it.

Take miss Dorcet to her car, will you?

Delighted.

8:00 then, huh?

Oui, mon cheri.

Au revoir.

Au revoir.

You can't see her at 8:00. Why not?

You've got to go to Brooklyn to judge that audition.

Yes. So right. I'll phone her later.

Send her some roses and a case of champagne.

All right. Come here.

What?

Oh. Ha ha ha! What's up with Dalievska?

Says she won't go to London. Oh, lovely.

We're trying to get Daniels now.

And there are at least 3 dozen people out there waiting to see you.

Cancel all my appointments.

I can't see anyone else the rest of the afternoon.

Right.

Nina, darling!

And pookie! Well.

Now, what's all this about not going to London?

No.

Have you ever been in London this time of the year?

The weather's perfect...

brisk, bracing. The season's in full swing.

I cannot go. They tell me I have to keep pookie in quarantine for 6 months.

I couldn't do that. He would die.

And your mommy would die, too, wouldn't she, my darling?

How about this? Suppose I fly over with you.

I'll drop you in London and take pookie into Paris.

Would you like that, pookie?

Would you like to go to Paris and visit your French cousins

and maybe get a new French haircut? Huh?

Pookie.

A friend of mine will keep him till you come.

Pookie, do you hear that? Wouldn't that be wonderful?

Well, aren't you going to thank Eric? Kiss sweet Eric.

Forgive me, pookie.

Yeah?

I have Mr. Daniels in south bend.

Oh, and, Mr. Wainright, before you go this evening,

will you see miss Potter?

Who's miss Potter?

Cynthia Potter. She's a pianist.

Had an appointment at 10:00 this morning.

Sorry.

That's the sixth appointment he's broken with me.

Yes. Today has been sort of hectic.

It's always hectic, every time I've been here.

And all this stuff about wanting to discover new talent.

I'm new. Why doesn't he come out and discover me?

Look, all I ask is 5 minutes.

If he'll just once hear me play...

Well, maybe I can make another appointment for you next week.

Gloria?

Yes, miss Benson?

Gloria, if any important calls come,

tell them that Mr. Wainright

will be at the auditions all evening.

Yes, miss Benson.

Where are the auditions?

Meltzer hall in Brooklyn. Oh, but it's no use.

It's for a children's orchestra.

Nobody over 14.

Oh.

Wainright concert bureau.

No. I'm sorry. That audition tonight is just for children.

Hi.

Kind of late, aren't you?

Johnny.

Hiya, honey.

I didn't know you were coming tonight.

I thought you had to work.

I do have to work, but you're coming with me.

I'm covering the fights at the gardens. Got 2 passes.

Well, I can't go.

What do you mean, you can't go? It's going to be a swell fight.

I have a chance to audition tonight.

Oh, no. Not again.

This is a different sort of an audition. It's...

what do you mean, different?

Look, Cynthia, you've played before every concert manager in town,

and what happens? Nothing.

Sure, they tell you you're fine, you're great,

but nobody's signing you up, nobody's hiring any halls for you.

Why don't you stop kidding yourself?

This is for Wainright. I've never played for him before.

Wainright, schmainright. Honey, it doesn't make any difference who it is.

You're beating your head against a wall.

You're trying for the top, and there's no room at the top.

Now, wait a minute. Take an orchestra.

How many horns? 10, 12. How many fiddles? 30, 40.

But how many pianos? One, just one.

Well, I'm good enough to be that one.

Why don't you forget this business, and we'll get married?

Why don't you let me take care of you?

I go crazy thinking about people pushing you around.

I know you don't get enough to eat half the time.

You're behind in your...

sorry... your rent.

You won't let me pay it for you.

I can't bear

to see you knocking yourself out this way.

What are you running around about? What's going on anyway?

Well, I just want to see if this fits. Yes.

Sweetie, I was thinking...

shorten it about 3 inches. Mm-hmm.

Honey, look...

and I can wear this. That would be good.

Cynthia!

Yes? Oh, those are perfect.

Cindy, let's get married right away.

Oh, Johnny, I can't.

I've been working for this since I was 6 years old.

I can't give it up now. I'm not asking you

to give up your piano playing. I'm just saying...

I am not a piano player.

I am a pianist, a concert pianist.

Oh!

I'm sorry, Johnny. I guess I'm just sort of jittery.

I was thinking we could go to Tim's first, have a good steak,

then after the fights, maybe the Latin quarter and...

no. It's no use, Johnny. I'm going to the audition.

Holy cat, can't you give in for once, just once?

In the 2 months we've been going together,

I haven't seen one fight, one ball game, one show.

Night after night, I tag along to some concert to listen

to a bunch of characters playing chamber music,

and I don't mind telling you

I'm fed up with it. Then don't tag along.

Now, wait a minute. I mean it, John.

If you're going to act this way,

I'd just as lief not have you around. I'd liefer!

That suits me fine.

Hello, Cynthia.

Going to a party?

Mr. Wainright, I hope you don't mind,

but we've asked some newspaper photographers.

We thought you wouldn't mind having

your picture taken with the winners.

Oh, I'd be delighted.

Are these all going to play?

I think so.

I should have marked some of those names off.

What with the mumps and the measles, we're down to only 63.

Hey, a little girl...

shh! Shh!

A little girl has just come in,

says she's supposed to play,

but I can't find her name on the list.

All right. I'll see her. If we listen to any more, we'll be here all night.

I told him it was all right that you know about it.

Know about what?

My sister couldn't bring me because she has a very bad cold,

and she said all I had to do was come to you and remind you.

Remind me of what?

That you were going to announce me before I go on, remember?

Where? Where? Don't you see? You made a mistake,

and you left my name off the list.

What is your name?

It's Potter. Molly Potter.

Don't you even remember that?

There's no Molly Potter here.

Well, that's what I'm telling you,

and my sister said how terrible it was

that after all these months and months...

I don't remember ever having laid eyes on you before.

You mean, you're not going to let me play?

Exactly!

Aaahhh!

Little girl, little girl,

please, little girl, don't, don't.

All right. All right. You can play.

You can play!

Did you bring your instrument with you?

I play the piano.

I'll put you on last.

You're worse than your father.

Well, I think we found some good material this year, don't you?

Wonderful.

Ladies, uh, Mr. Wainright,

we have one more contestant.

By some oversight, her name was omitted from the list.

We'll now hear from miss Molly Potter

playing the revolutionary etude by chopin.

Molly.

I'm sure we're all very proud

of our contestants this year,

and I know we're going to have the best orchestra yet.

Thank you, and we'll announce the winners tomorrow.

Mr. Wainright wants to see you right away.

He does?

Those braces...

were you wearing them the first time I saw you?

No, I wasn't.

Well, no wonder I didn't recognize you.

Congratulations, my dear.

Mr. Wainright, this is Molly Potter.

You were magnificent, magnificent.

Are you Mr. Wainright?

That's right. I knew you'd like her.

Like her? I don't know

when I've been more excited.

But I'm not going to let you

have her for your orchestra.

I want her for myself.

Uh...

Sit down, Molly.

I'm going to take you under my management.

I'm going to make you known all over the world.

You are?

You have a brilliant future before you, Molly,

a little girl who can play so magnificently.

You're going to be a sensation, a new child prodigy,

just like rubinstein and chopin.

Oh, Mr. Wainright. Yeah?

Mind if we take a couple shots?

Come on in. Come on, Molly.

Don't look so worried. You've got to get used to this sort of thing.

That's fine. Just as you are.

You see? You're already a celebrity.

Tomorrow morning, your picture will be in every newspaper in town.

Oh, no.

Poor kid, she's fainted.

Feel better now?

Yes, thank you.

Good night.

Good night? Aren't you going to invite me in?

I'd like to meet your sister.

Oh, no. No, you can't.

She wouldn't be dressed. She wasn't feeling very well.

Oh. Well, I'll meet her when I come up in the morning

with the contracts.

Contracts? Yeah.

Good night, my dear. Sleep well.

Is October 20 the only...

have you got the contracts? Here.

And the check? Right here.

Good. I want you to cancel all of my appointments

for the next 2 or 3 weeks. Yes, sir.

Tell people I'm out of town, anything.

You can have new symphony hall on October 20...

that's one month from now... or sometime late in January.

October 20. It'll cost you 1,000 extra.

Pay it, pay it. Time is of the essence.

At her age, 4 months is like 4 years.

Make a date with veloti to hear her.

I want him to coach her for her debut.

Yes, sir. You send the contracts over here and...

and get me some books on little girls...

what they eat, what they think, what they talk about.

Ok? Danny, in the next 4 weeks,

I want you to forget everything else and work on this.

I want spreads in the magazines, newspapers, radio.

I want every man and woman in New York

to feel that this is their little girl,

that they have a stake in her future.

Go to it, Danny. This is one of the things we dream of,

a chance that comes once in a lifetime.

Well, h-how are you, miss Potter?

I know you're miss Potter

because you look so exactly like Molly.

You played that wonderfully, Molly,

wonderfully.

Where is she?

That was me playing.

Well, isn't that amazing? 2 pianists in the family.

I was a pupil of Alexander's. I played concerts

throughout the middle west,

and for the last year, I've been staff and standby pianist

to radio station qrx in Indianapolis.

I did everything there... solos, accompaniments...

well, it takes a fine musician to do that.

What I want to say is, I tried and tried to get in to see you,

and at last I got desperate,

so I decided to trick you into hearing me.

Well, I'm glad you did.

That was the most painless audition I've ever had.

Oh, I don't... but if you'll forgive me for the moment,

I'm so excited about Molly, I can't think of anything else.

Where is she, by the way?

Oh, how stupid of me. Of course, she'd be at school.

Well, here are the contracts and a check for $200...

an advance made out to you, of course.

This is standard form, but if you'd care to have your lawyer...

Mr. Wainright, when you heard me playing just now,

you said it was wonderful.

Did you mean that?

Indeed I did.

Am i... am I as good as Molly?

Oh, I should say. Every bit as good.

Well, then... Molly is so young and... what I mean is,

won't you take me instead?

I'm sorry, no.

But why? Why, if I'm just as good as Molly?

What's good at your age is sensational at Molly's.

It would cost me thousands and tens of thousands

to present an unknown like you, and even then, you might not click.

But with Molly, the minute she walks on the stage,

she's box office.

So let's forget it, shall we?

Now, if you'll sign right here.

I can't sign. I just can't.

What is it now?

I... i just can't do it.

Miss Potter, look at this. This guarantees Molly a New York debut.

I've got new symphony hall a month from today.

New symphony hall?

You're not going to keep your little sister from doing that, are you?

Yes. Yes, I am. This is unbelievable.

I've seen professional jealousy before, but never...

it isn't jealousy! What is it, then?

Well, it's just this Molly thing.

It would be too humiliating. I couldn't stand it.

You've just got to sign me instead.

Miss Potter, I might as well tell you,

I could never under any circumstances remotely think of handling you.

There are other things besides talent.

Molly is a sweet, shy little thing. I can work with Molly.

Oh, please, will you stop talking about Molly?

I'm sick of the sound of that name.

I think we'd better call this whole thing off.

Mr. Wainright.

Yeah?

I'll sign.

Well, I'm delighted to hear that.

Both copies, please.

You're going to be sorry you made me do this.

You're going to be sorry for the rest of your life.

I'll take that chance.

We'll have to start work immediately,

so please bring Molly to my office this afternoon.

She'll be there, all right.

I'm sorry. I can't make any appointments

for Mr. Wainright for the next 4 weeks. He's going to be very busy.

Thank you.

Is this Mr. Wainright's office?

I'm sorry. Mr. Wainright...

well, hello there!

Miss Benson, Molly's here!

Mr. Cutler! Molly's here!

Well, where's Cynthia?

Oh, I'm going to bawl her out for not telling me

she had a little sister.

And such a cute little sister

in such a cute little outfit.

Molly, my dear. Do come in, dear.

Well, don't be afraid, darling.

Mr. Wainright is waiting for you.

And this is our Mr. Cutler.

He's the one who's going to write such nice things

about you in the newspapers.

Well, well, well!

Who could say anything but nice things about this little lady?

Good afternoon, Molly.

Ha ha ha! Come right on in.

My, my, my, how pretty we look this afternoon.

I... i was sorry you weren't home this morning.

Say, I've got some wonderful news for you.

From now on, no more school.

I'm going to tutor you myself. How's that, huh?

That's wonderful.

Say, I bought a little present for you.

It's in this room somewhere...

But you've got to find it. You've got to find it.

That's it. You're getting hot.

Hotter, hotter...

Oh, now you're cold.

I'll get it for you.

There. Isn't that pretty?

Come over here and sit down and open it, huh?

I was hoping I was going to see your sister. Didn't she bring you down?

No, she didn't.

I know now why you're so crazy about her.

I think she's a wonderful girl.

I found her very, very charming.

You should hear what she thought about you.

Oh? What?

Well, she says that you're the most stuck-up, pigheaded,

most horrible man she's ever met.

Did she really?

Mm-hmm. And she said if you think you're an impresario,

you're full of figs.

Well, I hope you don't feel that way.

No, no. Don't tell me.

Just give me a chance, will you?

You see, I want you to like me

because I think you're the sweetest, nicest girl I know.

Ugh!

Look at the Dolly!

Look how she walks. Isn't that cute?

It's a lovely day, isn't it?

How would you like to go to the park and feed the seals? How about that?

Or we might take a nice, long ride in the country.

Huh? Or perhaps you'd let me take you shopping

and buy you some new, uh, roller skates.

I would rather work.

Oh, nothing could please me more.

But I don't want to tire you,

so you must tell me when you've had enough.

Now, about this concerto. Do you know it?

Do you always sit on top of people?

Oh, I'm sorry. Ha ha! Is that better?

More.

No, no, no. At the end of that movement,

finish with your fingers resting gently on the keys,

carried away,

emotionally up in the clouds. Huh? Now, try it again.

That's it.

And remember what I told you about keeping that piano bench back.

I want you to look as... oh!

I'm sorry. I want you to look as small as possible.

Your toes should just barely reach the pedal. That's it.

Shall I try it again?

No, no, no. It's getting late. It's time for your supper.

That's one of the things I insist on...

early supper and early to bed.

Is your sister calling for you?

Uh, no, sir.

I'll take you home, then.

Oh.

Miss Benson, I'm leaving now.

I'm taking little Molly home.

And, Mr. Wainright, miss Dorcet just called

to ask what time you were coming for her.

Tell her 7:30.

Please, I can go home by myself.

I'd really much rather.

I wouldn't dream of such a thing.

You're much too precious to me.

I'm going to deliver you right into your sister's hands.

You really ought to go.

It's after 8:00, and I'm all right. I'm used to being alone.

Doesn't your sister get supper for you?

Not always.

Come on. We're going to a restaurant.

No. No. I can get something here.

I wouldn't dream of it. I'm not going to have you eating out of cans.

But Cynthia wouldn't like for me to go out.

Don't worry about Cynthia. I'll take care of Cynthia.

Oh, I beg your pardon.

That's quite all right.

Taxi! Taxi!

Good evening, Mr. Wainright. Good evening.

Hello.

Uh, a baked potato, 2 strips of bacon,

apple sauce, and milk... lots of milk.

Yeah. And bring it right away, please.

For 2, sir?

No. I'll have a broiled lobster and asparagus vinaigrette,

black coffee, and a double Martini. Thank you.

And if you're a very good little girl...

I'll let you have the olive.

What's the matter?

What in the name of... hello. This is uncle Johnny.

He isn't really my uncle, but I call him uncle

because he's engaged to Cynthia. Isn't it exciting?

I played in a children's contest last night,

and Mr. Wainright signed me up,

and he's going to make a star out of me.

Isn't that wonderful? Oh, no.

Now, don't act like that.

He doesn't think I should have a career.

We had a big fight last night.

But I tell you, uncle John,

if you say anything to Mr. Wainright,

I'll never talk to you again,

and I'll hate you for the rest of my life. So there!

Would the gentlemen...

a long scotch and soda.

Well, why don't you take my key

and go up to the apartment?

Cynthia will be home soon.

First of all, I'd like to ask you,

just why do you disapprove of Molly's having a career?

Because I don't think... Molly?

Yes. I'm talking about Molly.

I know how Cynthia feels.

I had a long talk with her this morning, but what's your objection?

Would you mind leaving us alone?

No. I'd like to get this thing settled once and for all.

Let's all get together... you and your fiancee and Molly.

Oh, that's a wonderful idea.

Why don't you go and telephone her?

She may be home by now.

I'd be delighted.

Oh, don't look at me like that, Johnny.

You don't think I like it, do you?

Going around in kids' clothes,

talking baby talk with this bit in my mouth.

Did you know last night it was a children's contest?

Did you go into it knowing what it was?

Yes.

I never thought you'd sink that low...

taking jobs away from little kids.

I didn't take anything away from anyone.

Oh, please, Johnny, don't make it worse than it is.

All I wanted was him to hear me, and I got a contract out of it,

a 5-year contract.

You can't do it. You keep this up,

they'll be coming after you with a net.

He's going to put me on at new symphony hall.

That's what I've dreamed of all of my life.

You can't ask me to give that up.

I swear, I think you're off your rocker.

# Doo Dee doo doo doo doo #

Oh. Here you are, sir.

I'm dead. I've been working all afternoon.

Really, Mr. Wainright, we'll lose our license.

The gentleman at your table gave that child a drink.

Give me a puff, will you?

And please don't be cross, Johnny.

It isn't going to last for very long.

And Mr. Wainright is going to be very surprised

at how fast I grow.

You're crazy, I tell you.

You can't get away with it.

Did you give that child a drink? Huh?

Open your mouth, Molly. Let me smell your breath.

Come on. Open your mouth. Open!

Why, you...

come on. Let's get out of here.

You bully! Johnny!

You horrible... no!

You had no right to hit him.

He didn't give me that drink. I took it.

And the cigarette... i took that, too.

Does your sister know you drink and smoke?

Oh, of course she does.

Where are we going?

To my place in the country.

You can't do this!

You can't just pick me up and carry me off.

You can't take me away from Johnny and... and Cynthia. Would you...

my dear child, if I wanted to,

I could take you away from them for good.

I could prove that they're improper guardians for you.

Oh, no. You're wrong. They're wonderful to me.

They take wonderful care of me.

Really, they do.

Hiya, boys. Hiya.

Ha ha ha! Down, boy. Down.

Here we are, Molly.

I won't need you anymore tonight, Marty.

Good evening, Mrs. Boykin. Good evening.

This is our little Molly Potter.

How do you do?

When you phoned you were bringing a girl,

I didn't know you meant a girl.

Molly's a new client of mine

and a very fine pianist.

She's going to stay with us for a little while.

At least, I hope she is.

Molly's a little tired.

She's been working hard all day.

By the way, miss Dorcet's been phoning you.

Wouldn't you like some supper?

We had a bite on the way up,

but maybe a glass of hot milk?

I hate hot milk.

Cold milk, then, Mrs. Boykin.

Very well.

Come on, Molly. I want to show you something.

This is the living room.

Uh, this is where you'll work, practice.

2 pianos.

That's right.

Well, it's time for beddy-bye.

I'll show you the rest in the morning.

Oh, I think I'll try again to get your sister.

Oh, no, no. Don't. She's, um...

she's probably out walking. When she gets mad, she walks.

Well, it seems to me she should have walked it off by now.

Well, it depends on how mad she is.

One night, she walked clear to Trenton.

Come on. I'll show you where your room is.

Well, here we are.

You'll find a fresh toothbrush

and a comb and everything in the bathroom

and anything else you might need.

I'll, uh, get you some things to wear tonight...

some pajamas, huh?

Operator, I want a New York number, please.

Spring 3-7-300.

Christmas gift. Never been worn.

Hello? Hello?

Hello, Denise?

Denise?

Denise? Denise? We were cut off.

I'll take this out of here so you won't be disturbed.

Operator, Plaza 3-3-7-6-8.

That's right.

Oh, thanks, Mrs. Boykin. I'll take that up.

Just put it here, please.

Oh, Mrs. Boykin, about Molly...

hello, Denise? Denise, you've got to listen to me!

I'm having a bad enough time as it is

without your doing this to me.

I tell you, it was a child I heard in Brooklyn,

the infant prodigy.

I swear to you! I... Denise!

Did you want something, Mrs. Boykin?

No. You did.

Oh, yes! Uh...

Mrs. Boykin, I'm afraid we're in for a pretty rough 4 weeks,

but she's got a brilliant talent.

That's what we've got to try to remember every second.

It means thousands of dollars to me.

So no matter what her idiosyncrasies are

and no matter how badly she behaves,

we must try to take it in our stride.

I'll get a lock for that door tomorrow.

Who is it?

Uncle Eric. I have your milk for you.

Just leave it outside.

I'd like to say good night. May I come in?

Ok.

Well, you look nice and comfortable.

Did you find everything you wanted?

Yes, thank you. Good night.

I wanted to tell you, Molly, not to worry about your sister.

If I can't get her on the telephone, I'll send her a wire.

Thank you.

Why, Molly...

You've taken off your braces.

Whoever made you wear those?

Your teeth are perfect.

Good night.

Molly, you know that anything I ask you, anything I say or do,

I... I'm doing for your own good. You know that, don't you?

What is it now?

Well, when you have a gift such as yours,

it's sort of a sacred trust.

Take a football player, for instance.

When he goes into training,

he gives up things that he knows aren't good for him.

In a way, you're like a football player.

I mean, there are certain things you have to give up. See?

Like what?

Well, your drinking and smoking.

Oh.

You haven't been drinking long, have you?

Only a couple of years.

How did you happen to start?

Well, it was a boy. He dared me.

And then I got to like it.

Molly, you don't know what this can do to you.

It... it isn't only the physical,

but the mental and moral effect that it has upon you.

Give it up now, Molly, before it gets a real hold on you.

You mean, you want me to take the pledge?

Yes.

Oh.

I'll help you, Molly. I'll do anything I can to help you.

You will? Yes, yes.

Will you give it up, too? What?

Well, if it hurts me, it must hurt you, too.

Well, after all,

it's different with me. I've got my growth by now.

I thought so.

Now, wait a minute, Molly...

no.

No. Never mind. All right, Molly.

I'll do it. I won't drink or smoke if you won't.

You mean it?

Of course I do. Tomorrow morning first thing,

I'll get rid of all the cigarettes.

Oh, no, no. Right now. Give me your cigarettes, quick.

Come on.

Molly, it's getting late. Why don't we wait...

is that all?

Uncle Eric! How many do you smoke a day? Tsk, tsk, tsk.

What are you going to do with those? Moll... oh!

There now. How about your room?

You stay out of my room, Molly.

Ow! That's unbelievable.

I found some!

Look. Right beside your bed.

Molly, come on. Enough's en...

there now. That temptation's gone.

Oh.

Now, where are you... where are you going?

Molly! Come back here!

What are you going to do?

The liquor.

Come on, Molly. There are only a couple of bottles.

Oh, I wouldn't dare leave them. I couldn't trust myself.

What are you going to do with them?

I'm going to get rid of them.

Molly, it isn't that I want them, but you can't...

oh, no. That's Napoleon Brandy.

Well, I'll take care of that one myself.

Come on, uncle Eric. Come on and help me.

Aw, be reasonable!

Oh.

Well, here goes Napoleon.

No, no! Not...

there now. Don't you feel good?

Just dandy.

That was fine, Molly, just fine.

Oh, I'm just going get a drink of water.

What are you hunting for?

I'm looking for cigarettes.

I had some for the table, but Molly threw them away.

She says it would be cruel to you to leave them around.

Where'd she throw them?

In the garbage disposal.

But I saved out my cooking Sherry.

You know, ever since I've been in this business,

I thought if I could just latch onto a child prodigy,

I'd be in clover.

I pictured her as sweet, docile,

and me like a father, loving her, guiding her,

but this... Monster...

she certainly plays good, no matter what she is.

Mrs. Boykin, you know little girls.

Isn't this an extraordinarily obnoxious child?

I don't see that it matters. Now, I'm making bread.

I don't say, "does the dough love me? Do I love the dough?"

All I care is to make a good loaf of bread.

All right, all right.

All right!

Never mind, operator.

I'm going down to the village

for a couple of minutes, Molly, get some shaving soap.

Bye.

Why don't you come with me,

get a breath of fresh air before lunch?

I've got to practice.

Now, now, I insist. A break will be good for you.

Pretty please?

Oh.

I'll be right back. Wait here.

2 packs of cigarettes, please.

What kind?

Any kind. Just hurry.

Oh, all right, all right.

Just getting some change. Have to phone my office.

Here you are.

No, no, no. I said chewing gum.

2 packs of chewing gum and some shaving soap.

Uh...

Wonderful thing, chewing gum.

It helps to have something in your mouth.

You can wait outside. I'll only be a few minutes.

I would like to telephone Cynthia.

Oh.

Hello?

Oh, good morning, Mr. Wainright.

Miss Cynthia Potter? No, Mr. Wainright. She hasn't called.

Give me miss Benson.

Hello. May I please speak with Mr. John Tirsen?

Oh. Well, would you give him a message for me?

Uh, tell him miss Cynthia Potter called,

and she's gone to the country for a few days,

but not to worry. She'll phone him soon.

Yes. Thank you.

Get her everything she needs...

dresses, socks, you know, the best.

Tell Dalievska I've got pneumonia.

I'll fly with pookie next week.

Oh, and about Mr. Veloti, miss Benson.

Would you explain to him,

ask him to come out here, please?

Will do.

Just a moment, Mr. Wainright. Yes, Gloria?

You can tell Mr. Wainright miss Cynthia Potter

is on the line now.

Very well.

Mr. Wainright, miss Cynthia Potter on the line.

Connect me with her.

Well, I'm delighted that you called at last.

I hear you took my little sister away last night.

Under the circumstances, I thought it was the only thing to do.

We're at my place in the country.

Do you want to speak to her? She's just outside.

Well, first I'd like to ask,

don't you think she'll be terribly lonely, the poor little thing?

I'm perfectly willing for you to see her anytime you like.

Uh-huh. Well, that's so charming of you,

but I'm going out of town.

However, I would like to have my fiancee John see her.

That I will not permit.

Permit? What do you mean, permit?

What have you got to say about it?

I have a great deal to say about it,

and I'll say it in court if necessary.

A young man who gives her liquor.

If I say it's all right...

and I'll take you to court, too.

I'll tell them how you've neglected her.

You are just about the most contemptible man I have ever met!

I'll call Molly.

Don't bother! Just give her a message for me.

Tell her that I said she's to punch you right in the nose!

Never mind, operator.

Something wrong?

I couldn't get Cynthia.

Well, I just got through talking to her.

She happened to telephone the office while I was calling.

Oh?

She said she missed you very much,

but she thought it was best that you stay here with me.

Did she send you any message for me?

What?

Did she send you any message for me?

Oh, yes. She said to give you a great big kiss for her.

Hello, Paul. Miss Dorcet here?

Yes, sir. She's inside.

Denise!

Denise, how wonderful to see you.

Oh, you'll never know how wonderful it is.

What is this I hear, that you're not going on the tour with me?

No, I can't, Denise. I have to stay here with this child.

Well, let Cutler stay with her.

I wouldn't trust her with anybody else.

It seems we have a problem. She drinks.

Not anymore, uncle Eric.

I'm on the wagon.

Uh, Molly, dear, this is Denise Dorcet, the famous singer.

I'm sure you've heard of her.

Oh, yes. My mother used to speak of you.

Molly, dear, would you do something for me?

Sure. Ask Mrs. Boykin when lunch will be ready, would you?

Mm-hmm. Mrs. Boykin!

No, no, no. No, dear. That isn't courteous. You must go and ask her.

That's a sweet child.

Just 24 hours,

and already I'm ready to kill her.

You're going to stay, aren't you?

But I can't. I have my concert in Philadelphia.

But that's not until Saturday.

You can stay till Saturday, can't you? Please...

Mrs. Boykin says lunch will be ready in 5 minutes.

There now. I wasn't very long, was I?

No, dear. You were just fine.

I think we'd better go up and wash our hands before lunch, hadn't we?

I don't know about yours, but mine are clean.

See? Look. Nice and clean.

Run along, dear. I want to talk to your aunt Denise.

Oh, that's all right. You go ahead and talk.

You will not send me to bed at 8:00!

I don't go till 10:00.

Good-bye!

You're not going?

I certainly am!

Denise!

Denise!

Denise! Denise!

It's bad enough as it is... no drinks, no cigarettes,

but now you walking out on me.

If you want to see me, you know where you can find me.

You don't think I'm doing what I want to, do you,

playing nursemaid to that brat?

Denise, I'll be living for the day when I can join you

4 weeks from now.

Better be sure before you come.

I may have found someone else

to show me the sights.

Lunch, uncle Eric.

Be quiet.

Go on, boys. Go back, boys. Go on.

Uncle Eric, how could you?

Put that down!

Put that down!

Let me go, you...

oh! No!

Let me go!

Now, go to bed.

Do you hear me?

Get to bed. Go on.

This has been going on too long.

Where did you get this?

You might as well tell me

because I'm going to stay here until I find them.

Now, let's get this straight.

I am going to drink,

and you are not going to drink.

I am going to smoke,

and you are not going to smoke.

Is that clearly understood?

Is it?

Yes, sir.

Go to sleep.

Oh!

Ooh.

Wait.

Oh, Johnny, you shouldn't have come. I tried to phone you.

Get in that cab and wait for me.

I'm going in there and give him what's coming to him.

Now, wait a minute. Come here.

What are you doing, anyway?

What good will that do?

He'll only hurt me, and I'll lose my concert.

I've got a much better idea,

and this way we can both get even.

I'll play the concert,

and then I'll tell everyone the truth...

that I'm not really a child and that this

is what I had to do to get a hearing.

Oh, now, you're a newspaperman.

You know that's a wonderful story,

and you'll be the only one who'll have it.

You'll have a scoop...

Or a shovel, or whatever you call it.

We'll blast that personality boy

from here to kingdom come.

Oh, Johnny, please say you'll do it.

Please say you'll help.

I don't know if I can stand it...

you here in the same house with him.

Oh, now, that doesn't mean a thing.

To him I'm just a kid,

a little kid.

I'm getting as crazy as you are.

Morning, cy.

Good morning.

Hey, you!

Oh, this is getting to be a habit with you.

Oh, uncle Johnny!

Driver, come get your fare.

You killed him!

I'm afraid not.

Driver, take him back where you found him.

Oh, let me go!

You big goon!

He's 10 times the man you are.

Driver?

Yes, sir.

Don't go yet.

Now let's get this thing settled once and for all.

Do you want to stay here or go with him?

I'll stay here.

All right, driver. You can take him away now.

Yes, sir.

But I'm not staying because I like it.

I'm only staying because I want that concert.

That's ok with me.

Well, ok, then.

Ok.

How about that, Veloti?

More legato, more legato.

Aah!

Fine, fine.

That's very nice, my dear.

Now, gentlemen, let us go to the finale.

We'll start right at bar 9.

Isn't she lovely?

You know, she's an amazing child.

She can talk about books, plays, pictures.

Got a sense of humor. Wonderful companion.

I tell you, I really hated to come back to town.

What's so funny?

4 weeks ago, you were ready to cut her throat.

Shows you what a fool I was.

Oh, Eric?

There's a reporter out here from the globe.

He wants to do a special story.

John Tirsen. Says you know him.

Excuse me.

Now, before you start swinging...

how are you?

I've got a human interest angle I think my paper will go for.

Here it is. 2 Potter girls...

Cynthia trying every way to make the grade

then all of a sudden, little Molly coming home with a 5-year contract.

All I need is a picture of you and Molly together.

How about it?

Sounds fair enough.

Rehearsal will be over soon. Come on.

Splendid, splendid.

We're all very proud of you.

That's all for today.

Molly!

Molly, that was wonderful.

Just wonderful.

That was a beaut.

Hiya, Molly.

How goes it? All set for the big show tomorrow?

Mr. Tirsen's writing a story about you and your sister for his paper.

We might make the front page.

That's too much to hope for. We'll be satisfied with the music section.

Say, I'd like one more picture,

something intimate, when you're having a good time together.

I might get one of you on the floor

and Molly playing piggyback.

No, uncle John no.

I'm afraid that's a little too young, even for Molly.

Go get your things, dear. We'll go on home, huh?

Good luck tomorrow night.

I'll see you right after.

Thanks a lot.

Well, that ought to be...

oh, Mr. Tirsen.

Yeah?

About her sister Cynthia.

She's here in town. Just got back.

I'll leave 2 tickets for her at the box office.

If she wants to call Molly,

we'll be at my apartment here in town.

Fine.

Good evening, Charles.

Good evening, sir.

Charles, this is Molly. Molly Potter.

How do you do, miss?

Well, how did everything go?

Couldn't be better, Mrs. Boykin, couldn't be better.

Fine. I guess you're hungry after all that exercise.

I'll tell the cook you're here.

Give us a few minutes. We want to get some fresh air in our lungs.

I want to show you the view.

Lovely.

That's central park down there

and the zoo.

Sometimes if the wind is right,

you can hear the lions roaring.

The skating pond is nearby, too.

I hope you like to ice skate.

Well, tomorrow night you'll be a famous young lady...

people begging for your autograph,

newspapers calling up for interviews.

Molly, there's something I want to ask you about,

something you said the time your uncle John came up to the country.

You said you were just staying on for the concert.

Remember?

Yes.

You didn't really mean that, did you?

Why, darling, you and I

are going to be working together for years and years.

You may change your mind after the concert.

Oh, now get this in your little head.

Even if everything went wrong, which it won't,

it wouldn't matter to me.

So will you relax?

I'm sorry.

I used to laugh at the men

who drooled on about their kids.

Well, maybe I'm the father type after all.

You're a lovely child, Molly.

You got a cute little nose, and that mouth.

Don't you think it's time for supper?

Oh, yes.

Wait a minute. Last one in is a rotten egg.

Ready, set, go.

Well, come on.

Pardon me.

Miss Dorcet's on her way up.

Miss Dorcet?

Excuse me.

Don't look so scared.

She can't eat you.

Denise.

Eric!

Oh, Eric, darling.

Well, what are you doing in town?

I had 2 nights between dates.

You hadn't telephoned. You hadn't even written to me in a week,

so I flew in from Kansas City.

I just knew that something must have happened,

that perhaps you'd fallen in love with someone.

Have you?

Oh, sure. Mrs. Boykin.

Molly.

Come here, dear.

You remember miss Dorcet, don't you?

What do you think of my little girl now? Isn't she lovely?

Look at that dress. I picked it out myself.

How about that?

What's the matter? Where are you going?

To my room.

It's early yet. Stay and visit with us for a while.

Please.

Let her go, Eric.

I tell you what you can do. You can get us some coffee.

Charles will give it to you.

But be sure and bring it back yourself, huh?

Isn't that an amazing change?

Hasn't she blossomed out?

I don't think you're being kind to this child, Eric,

bringing her here, buying her expensive clothes.

How can she ever go back to her own kind of life?

Well, I don't intend for her to go back.

I'm going to keep her here with me.

Eric!

Well, I'm the only family she has.

Her sister walked out on her,

dumped her in my lap and went off.

Oh, Eric. You cannot keep her.

Why not?

This is no foundling, this is a grown girl.

What will people say? And what about us?

Are we always going to have her tagging along?

I hadn't thought that far.

Well, you'd better think that far.

I just remembered. You probably haven't had dinner yet.

I'll tell Charles.

I was thinking maybe we could go out somewhere,

someplace where we could dance.

After these 3 weeks on tour, I feel like being very gay.

Well, Denise, it's Molly's big night tomorrow.

Would you mind terribly just staying here quietly?

Oh, Eric, how perfectly absurd.

Why, surely you don't expect me to spend my one night in town

sitting here holding her hand, do you?

And anyway, she does go to sleep sometime, doesn't she?

She wouldn't miss you when she was asleep, would she?

I suppose I might go.

Oh, Molly.

Thank you, Molly.

Oh, Molly,

would you mind terribly if after you've gone to bed

miss Dorcet and I went out dancing for a while?

No.

You're sure, now? Because if you do, I wouldn't think of leaving you.

No, I don't mind.

I'll be up before we leave to tuck you in.

Come in.

There you are.

You're going to need this quilt. It's going to be chilly.

Molly, when I was talking to aunt Denise,

she said something about...

well, you know, as you get older it may be that you...

I was wondering how you'd feel about me adopting you.

Adopting me?

Yes.

You've been happy with me, haven't you?

At least these past few weeks.

Yes.

What is it, then?

Nothing.

Well, we don't have to decide tonight, do we?

You sleep on it, huh?

Good night, my darling.

Cynthia.

What happened? How did you get away?

Oh, Johnny, I can't go through with this.

I can't make a fool of myself playing that concert.

What?

I'm sorry. You just can't use the story.

Why? What happened? Did he find out?

No. And he's never going to.

Molly will just disappear.

Don't you know Molly can't disappear?

Molly's a real person by now.

She's in every magazine, every newspaper.

Her face is plastered up all over town.

You have her disappear, and the police will be up here asking you

what you did with the body.

But, Johnny, what can I do?

I'm going to print the story.

It's even better if you don't play.

Lovely girl, desperate for a hearing,

but when it came to fooling the public, she just couldn't do it.

Puts you in the clear and makes him out a heel.

No.

No, I'm sorry.

I don't want any story.

Sorry? Sorry? What kind of talk is that?

What's happened? Are you...

are you stuck on him?

Of course not.

Then why can't I blast him with this broadside?

Because it wasn't his fault.

He didn't do anything.

It would be a dirty trick,

and I don't want any part of it.

You are in love with him.

No, I'm not.

We don't tell it, he will. And it won't sound pretty.

I don't care.

It'll be the end of you ever playing in this town. You know that.

I don't care.

I don't care if I never see another piano.

I'm going home. I want to forget the whole thing.

Then there's nothing to stop our getting married.

No.

You mean it?

Yes.

I'll fix it so we can leave tomorrow.

We'll go to Indianapolis. We'll be married there.

Wait a minute. You'd better call him right now

before he finds out you're gone.

Oh, and, Cindy, will you, for the love of Mike,

tell him the truth this time?

We don't want the police at our wedding.

Is that the right time?

What time did Molly say she'd be here?

She didn't. She telephoned

last night and said she'd be early.

Oh, this is all my fault.

I should never have gone out and left her last night,

even for that hour.

She was feeling sort of nervous anyway.

You're crazy you don't go over to the apartment right now and get her.

And tangle with her sister? No, thank you.

Yeah?

Mr. Wainright, miss Potter's here. Miss Cynthia Potter.

Send her right in.

Good morning.

Where's Molly?

Molly said she was coming.

Mr. Wainright, you can't have Molly play that concert.

What is this, miss Potter? Another one of your tricks?

Why do you act this way with me?

You're so sweet to Molly,

but the minute you see me, you're horrible.

Am I so different from her?

Yes.

Can't you imagine that I might be all right

if you just took the trouble to find out?

No, I cannot.

Every time I see you, it means trouble.

You'd do anything to cut Molly's throat.

I'm not trying to cut Molly's throat.

All I'm trying to tell you

is that Molly is not a little girl.

Miss Potter, I know Molly and I know you.

I wouldn't believe you under oath.

All right.

If that's the way you want it.

Just a minute.

About the concert.

If Molly doesn't play tonight,

it'll cost me thousands of dollars,

not to mention the loss of prestige.

So you ought to bring her backstage at 8:00, miss Potter.

8:00.

And if she's not there on the dot,

I'll be up with the police to get her.

You see, I don't trust you one inch, miss Potter.

Hello.

Hello, Cindy?

Did you talk to...

yes. I just came from his office.

That's my girl.

Look, about train reservations,

there's a 3:30 this afternoon

and the 11:50 tonight.

Couldn't we take the late one?

I've got so many things to do.

I have to pack and close up the apartment

and pay some bills.

Ok. I'll be up this afternoon to help you pack.

Oh, no.

It would be better if I met you right at the station.

You're sure, now? Ok.

Meet you at 11:30, upper level, information desk.

11:30, upper level, information desk.

All right.

Oh, don't be so jittery. She'll be here.

Remember, not a word about anything.

Just treat her as if she's never been away.

All right, all right.

Molly!

I missed you terribly.

Mrs. Boykin has your things all ready for you.

I'll be back when you're dressed.

Thank you.

I'll tell the conductor you're here.

Look.

Notice anything? It's your piano.

He had it brought in from the country.

And your chair. Everything you're used to.

You wanted to see me?

I'm from the New York mail. Have you any statement to make?

Statement?

About the story.

What story?

No comment.

When did you find out?

Is she still going to play?

How is she going to play,

as a kid or as herself?

No comment.

Good luck, Molly. All right.

Wait.

I have an announcement to make.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I have always tried to bring you the very best in music.

Miss Potter, whom you will hear play tonight,

came to me through a children's competition.

She won that competition overwhelmingly.

But there was a good reason for that,

which I have just this minute learned.

Miss Potter is not a child. She is a grown young lady.

To those of you who know me and my reputation,

I need not say that I regret profoundly

having brought you here with false promises.

I shall, of course, gladly refund your money

if you do not wish to stay.

But let me say this in my own defense:

I may not have recognized miss Potter's age,

but I did recognize her ability.

12 or 22, miss Potter is a brilliant pianist.

Ladies and gentlemen, miss Cynthia Potter.

Well, you made it after all, didn't you, miss Potter?

You're not going to walk out

and leave that poor girl to face this alone.

Don't worry about her. She can take care of herself.

Now let's just forget that she's crazy in love with you

and you're in love with her.

What?

Just think of this as business.

Listen to her.

She's got them on their beams and hinges.

I don't care what she has.

What's the matter with you?

You're supposed to be a big noise in this business.

Don't you know a good thing when you see it?

Good night, Mrs. Boykin.

Now where are you going?

I'm going home to Indianapolis.

Oh, come, now. It's not as bad as all that.

Let's sit down and talk it over.

I don't want to.

But Mr. Wainright...

I can't face him. I'm leaving on the train tonight.

Oh, my dear, but you...

oh, and thank you very much for being so nice.

I would have killed the story like I promised,

but when I found out you were going to play after all...

I know.

Big boss called me in, congratulated me.

Keeping me on pay for the honeymoon,

holding my job open.

That's fine.

Ha ha ha. You should have heard the other papers squawk.

You know something?

You'd be crazy not to cash in on this publicity.

Wainright can't hurt you now,

and there must be a dozen other guys

who'd give their eye teeth to handle you.

If you don't mind, Johnny, I'm tired.

Oh, all right.

Some engineer.

What is it?

Got a kid on here named Potter?

Apartment "c."

You Cynthia Potter?

Uh, yes, I am.

Here she is.

Is this the girl?

Yeah, that's her, all right.

All right, miss.

You stay out of this, bub, or I'll run you in

for contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Did he tell you that? He's a liar. She's no minor.

Of course I'm not a minor. I'm 22 years old.

Oh, you are, are you? We'll see about that.

Try this on for size.

Oh, you big bully! You brute!

What are you talking...

come on, we've got to get this train moving.

Molly.

Mm-mm. Cynthia.

Cynthia.