Original subtitles

Starring... as Gomer Pyle.

Also starring... as Sergeant Carter.

♪ ♪

What is it, Slater? Sarge, did you see

this notice in tomorrow's plan for the day?

No, I haven't read it yet.

Wait till you hear this.

John Fenton, producer of the upcoming Hollywood film

Leathernecks of the Air, will be on the base next Saturday

to select a Marine chorus that will appear in his picture.

You mean, he's using real Marines in a picture?

That's what it says.

"Mr. Fenton believes that the use of real Marines

will lend authenticity to his film."

Hey, let me see that.

"The group will be selected on the basis of a competition

"to be held in the rec hall next Saturday night,

"and the winners will then spend

"the following three weeks in Hollywood.

Any platoon on the base is eligible and may enter."

Slater, do you realize what this means?

The chorus that wins this competition

is gonna represent the whole Marine Corps!

Think about that.

Yeah, too bad we don't have a platoon chorus.

Well, what's to stop us from getting one?

Singers, Sarge.

You need singers for a chorus. Who we got?

We got Pyle, ain't we?

He sings good.

That's about the only thing he can do.

All we got to do is round up some more guys.

Sarge, how can we put a chorus together?

We don't know anything about music.

What are you talking about?

I know about music!

I used to play the bugle!

Yeah? Sure.

And what about Pyle singing in Washington last year?

I handled that.

And maybe even you can go.

You know, to handle the paperwork.

Yeah, yeah, it's sure worth a try.

You bet it is.

First thing tomorrow morning,

I'm getting our people together and we're holding auditions.

Okay, Pyle, stay close.

I might... I don't think it'll be necessary...

But I might want you to help me sort some of these guys out.

Yes, sir.

All right, you people, listen up!

Come on, gather around.

Now, I'm organizing a platoon chorus

to enter into the competition for that Hollywood movie

you read about in the plan of the day.

And now anyone who can sing

or been in a glee club or choir, raise you hands.

Okay, okay. Not so fast.

We're gonna listen to all of you.

Everyone gets a chance.

You first, Higgins. Let's hear you sing.

♪ Oh, my darlin', oh, my darlin' ♪

♪ Oh, my darli" Clementine ♪

♪ You were lost and gone forever ♪

♪ Dreadful sorry, Clementine. ♪

Not bad, Higgins, not bad at all.

You stand over by the rifle rack.

All right, who's next? Let's see here.

Sergeant Carter, could I see you outside for a minute?

What's the matter, Pyle?

What is it?

Well, it's about Higgins.

He's a real nice feller, Sergeant,

and his voice ain't too bad, but it just ain't polished.

He really can't hit them high notes, Sergeant.

Yeah, well, uh... that's what I thought.

That's why I had him stand by the rifle rack.

That's where the rejects go.

Oh, I thought you wanted him.

Of course not.

Stick with me, you'll learn plenty.

Want me to sing another one, Sergeant?

Higgins, who are you trying to fool?

Anyone can tell you have no polish.

You just ain't a high-note singer.

All right, Martoni, let's hear you.

Keep singing.

All right, Martoni, knock it off!

Raynor, you're next.

I'd like to do something from My Fair Lady, Sergeant.

Okay, sing.

"My Fair Lady" by Lerner and Lowe.

Go ahead. Act one.

Sing!

I'm an ordinary man who desires nothing more

than just an ordinary chance to live exactly as he likes

and do precisely what he wants.

An average man am I, of no eccentric whim,

who'd like to live his life free of strife

doing whatever he thinks is best for him.

What do you think?

Golly, I don't know, Sergeant.

If he had a voice, I guess he'd have sung,

but that's probably the reason he talked it.

Huh?

You're learning.

Raynor, what are you trying to pull?

If you had a voice, you'd sing.

That's why you talked the whole thing.

There must be somebody here who can carry a tune.

Uh, Sergeant?

What is it, Pyle?

Why don't you listen to Wilkie?

I think you might like his voice.

I was just gonna call him next.

Okay, Wilkie, let's hear you.

♪ Oh, Genevieve ♪

♪ Sweet Genevieve ♪

♪ The days may come, the days may go ♪

♪ But still the sound of memory... ♪

Okay, Wilkie, you're in.

Stand over next to Pyle.

All right, now, who's next?

Let's see, who've we got here?

And they're out digging up a piano and some songbooks.

The Carter Chorus holds its first rehearsal

in ten minutes in the rec hall.

How's that for organizing?

How many men did you get? Eight.

Nine. No, there's just eight.

There's Peters, Grover, Hinkle, Langdon,

Wilkie, Phillips, Randazzo and me.

That's eight.

Nine. You didn't count me.

You? Yeah, me.

I didn't know you was planning on being part of the group,

Sergeant. Why not?

Well, golly, I just never have thought of you as a singer.

Well, I don't talk about it much, but when I was 12,

people used to mistake me for Bobby Breen.

That was a long time ago.

Yeah, but you never lose real talent.

It's a gift. Right, Pyle?

Yes, sir. Sure.

Once you got a voice, it stays with you all your life.

Of course, I'm gonna sing.

Why do you think I put this whole thing together?

We'd better get over to the rec hall.

Come on, Slater, I want you to hear it, too.

I wouldn't miss it for the world.

You guys, up here.

Now, men, you all know how important this assignment is.

It means a lot of hard work for the next few days,

but when we win, it'll be worth it.

You can count on us, Sergeant.

All right, let's get started.

Song number one.

Everybody ready?

Hit it.

♪ Heart of my heart ♪

♪ I love that melody ♪

♪ Heart of my heart ♪

♪ Brings back a memory ♪

♪ When we were kids ♪

♪ On the corner of the street ♪

♪ We were rough ♪

♪ And ready guys ♪

♪ But, oh, how we could harmonize ♪

♪ Heart of my heart ♪

♪ Meant friends were dearer then ♪

♪ Too bad we had to ♪

♪ Part ♪

♪ I know a tear would glisten ♪ ♪ Ooh ♪

♪ If once more I could listen ♪

♪ To that gang that sang ♪

♪ Heart of my heart ♪

♪ Of my heart. ♪

How 'bout that, Sergeant? Yeah, not bad, huh?

It looks like, Hollywood, here we come.

Well, it wasn't too bad as a starter,

but we still got a lot of work.

Now, we're gonna need a little showmanship

as well as the voice.

I'll show you how that works.

You men on this end of the line,

point your left shoulder at the audience. You, too.

You men point your right shoulder.

Yeah, that's it.

Now, we're gonna want to give the act

a little life, a little movement.

The best way to do that is to move your arms

like you was marching.

Keep them elbows up.

And always keep smiling.

Got that?

Okay, let's see it.

Hit it.

♪ Heart of my heart ♪

♪ I love that melody ♪

♪ Heart of my heart ♪

♪ Brings back a memory ♪

Beautiful!

♪ When we were kids ♪

♪ On the corner of the street ♪

♪ We were rough and ready guys ♪

♪ But, oh, how we could harmonize ♪

♪ Heart of my heart ♪

♪ Old friends were dearer then ♪

♪ Too bad we had to part ♪

♪ I know a tear would glisten ♪

♪ If once more I could listen ♪

♪ To that gang that sang ♪

♪ Heart of my heart ♪

♪ Of my heart. ♪

Well, how did it sound, Slater?

Well, Sarge, uh... okay, I guess.

You know, for the first time.

I mean, after all, you're a, you're a new group.

I mean, not bad, you know, pretty good.

Come on, Slater, was it good or wasn't it?

Well, sure, it was almost good.

Maybe one voice a tiny bit...

One guy off, huh?

Okay, we'll catch it on the next number.

Pyle, take 'em through number 14.

I'm listening out front.

♪ Beautiful dreamer ♪

♪ Wake unto me ♪

I don't hear no clinkers.

♪ Starlight and dewdrops ♪ Me neither, Sarge.

♪ Are waiting for thee ♪

♪ Sounds of the rude world ♪

♪ Heard in the day ♪

♪ Day ♪

♪ Lulled by ♪

♪ The moonlight have all passed away... ♪

Hold it! Hold it!

I heard it that time.

We got a lemon in the outfit.

You guys hear it, too?

Yeah.

Well, who was it?

Come on, speak up.

All right, we'll find him by elimination.

We'll start at the top, and when I touch you,

you're okay, so stop singing.

All right.

♪ Beautiful dreamer ♪

♪ Wake unto me ♪

♪ Starlight and dewdrops ♪

♪ Are waiting for thee ♪

♪ Sounds of the rude world ♪

♪ Heard in the day ♪

♪ Lulled by the moonlight ♪

♪ Have all passed away ♪

♪ Beautiful dreamer... ♪

All right, all right!

Whoever it was, he got away with it that time.

But I'm gonna stay on it.

Because I want to win that competition and get to be

the platoon that represents the Corps

in that Hollywood movie.

And we ain't gonna do it with that sour voice in the outfit!

Now, I'm warning you, the minute I find him, out he goes!

And I don't care who it is!

Well, that's it.

There goes our Hollywood trip down the drain.

You're right, Duke.

With the Sarge singing, we're really wiped out.

I don't know what you guys are

wasting your time practicing for.

It ain't gonna get you anywhere.

He's right.

Wait a minute.

Maybe the answer is practice without the Sergeant.

What are you talking about, Gomer?

Well, suppose we keep practicing

and not let the Sergeant know about it.

Then when we get real good, we'll invite him in.

And what happens when he finds out?

Well, by then the difference between him and us

will be easy to see.

Believe me, fellers, I know the Sergeant.

He's an honorable man.

And when he sees that he's not up to the rest of us,

he'll speak right out and say,

"Gentlemen, I've made a terrible mistake.

"I'm just not up to the rest of you.

From now on, I'll just be the power behind the throne."

Gomer, where have you been for the last four years?

The sarge is tone deaf.

He can't hear that he can't sing.

How's he going to admit it?

Golly, Duke, we'll just have

to cross that bridge when we get to it.

You heard what he said.

He wants us to win,

and I can't think of any other way, can you?

All right, supposing it could work.

Where are you guys going to find a place to rehearse

where the sergeant won't hear you?

♪ Beautiful dreamer ♪

♪ Wake unto me ♪

♪ Starlight and dewdrops are waiting for thee ♪

♪ Sounds of the rude world ♪

Pyle! ♪ Heard in the... ♪

What's going on here?

We was... rehearsing, Sergeant.

Rehearsing? In the back of a truck?

Well, yes, sir.

See, the reason we was back here was...

Oh, I get it.

Very considerate.

You don't want to run into the guys

on their regular duties and show 'em you're the group

that's going to Hollywood.

That's very thoughtful.

Yes, sir, very considerate.

Only next time,

pass the word a little better.

Why, if I hadn't stopped by accidental,

I might've missed the whole rehearsal.

How would you have liked that?

What song was that?

Number 14.

Let's take it again.

And men, whoever's been dropping them clinkers,

I'm listening.

All right, from the top.

♪ Beautiful dreamer ♪

♪ Wake unto me ♪

♪ Starlight and dewdrops are waiting for thee. ♪

PLATOON CHORUS ♪ Drink, drink, drink ♪

♪ To eyes that are bright as stars ♪

♪ When they're shining on me ♪

♪ Drink to them ♪ ♪ Drink, drink, drink ♪

♪ To lips that are red and sweet ♪

♪ As the fruit on the tree ♪ ♪ Drink to them ♪

♪ Here's a hope that those bright eyes will shine ♪

♪ Lovingly ♪ ♪ Longingly ♪

♪ Soon into mine ♪

♪ May those lips that are red and sweet ♪

♪ Tonight with joy my own lips meet ♪

♪ Drink, drink let the toast start ♪

May young hearts never part ♪

♪ Drink, drink, drink ♪

♪ Let every true lover salute his sweetheart ♪

♪ Drink, drink, drink ♪

♪ To eyes that are bright as stars ♪

♪ When they're shining on me ♪ ♪ Drink to them ♪

♪ Drink, drink, drink ♪

♪ To lips that are red and sweet ♪

♪ As the fruit on the tree... ♪

Where's the rehearsal scheduled today? Rehearsal?

Yeah, the platoon chorus. Where are they practicing?

Gee, I haven't heard about it, Sarge.

I guess there isn't one. Well, maybe it's just as well.

We've got to run over to the other side of camp.

There's some trouble with the targets in the rifle range.

I got the jeep right outside.

What are you doing, Sarge?

We're due at the rifle range.

I want to pick up some sandwiches.

We won't be back until after lunch.

Yeah, we will, Sarge. We got plenty of time.

I'm hungry, Slater!

Do you mind?!

Sergeant!

Good morning, sir.

This is John Fenton from Hollywood.

Mr. Fenton, Sergeant Carter.

He's put together one of the choruses

you'll be hearing tonight.

Please to meet you, Sergeant.

I'm looking forward to hearing your group.

Thank you, sir.

And may I thank you for the many wonderful

hours of entertainment you've given me

and my men over the years.

Thank you, Sergeant.

No, thank you.

Uh, now if you'll excuse us, Sergeant.

Yes, sir. Good luck tonight.

Thank you.

Thank you again, sir.

John Fenton. Come on, Slater.

Sarge, why don't we go off the base for lunch.

I'm buying.

You just told me we didn't have enough time.

What's the matter with you, Slater?

Where's Sergeant Hacker?

Over at Supply, Sergeant. Can I help you?

Yeah, how about making us a couple of sandwiches to go?

All right.

♪ Sweet as the fruit on the tree. ♪

Slater, did you...? Who me? No.

I didn't hear anybody singing, Sarge.

♪ Lovingly ♪ ♪ Longingly ♪

♪ Soon into... ♪

♪ Hearts never part ♪

♪ Drink, drink... ♪

Hey, Sergeant.

I know you want to stay away from the other fellas,

but don't you think you're going a little too far?

Well, Sergeant, the truth is...

That's all right.

As long as you're here, keep singing.

Finish the song.

Okay. Let's start it from Bob's solo.

♪ Here's a hope that those bright eyes will shine ♪

♪ Lovingly ♪ ♪ Longingly ♪

♪ Soon into mine ♪

♪ May those lips that are red and sweet ♪

♪ Tonight with joy my own lips meet ♪

♪ Drink, drink, let the toast start ♪

♪ May young hearts never part ♪

♪ Drink, drink, drink, let every true lover ♪

♪ Salute his sweetheart. ♪

Well, I gotta say it.

You sound great. No clinkers at all.

Best I ever heard.

You really mean that, Sergeant?

And listening to you guys sing so good without me,

I could only think one thing.

What was that?

If you sound that good with only eight of you,

think how great we'll sound

with all nine of us singing.

Slater, go get me a coat and some gloves.

Okay, fellas, let's take that

same number again from the top. Ready?

And a one, and a two...

It was a good idea, Gome, and it probably

would've worked on anyone else but Carter.

What do we do now?

Well, I guess the best thing to do

is just to come out with it and tell him the truth:

that his voice just ain't suited for this kind of singing.

Gomer, you're saying you want one of us

to walk right up to Carter and tell him he's out?

We should've done that in the first place.

Sergeant's a big enough man to understand.

Well, I'm not big enough man to tell him.

Sure I want to go to Hollywood,

but not in an ambulance.

But you're wrong about the sergeant.

He will understand.

Now let's all of us go over there and explain it to him.

Well, ain't y'all coming with me?

All right. Guess I'll just have to go myself.

Sergeant? Come in, come in.

You know, Pyle, I think we're gonna win tonight.

I don't think we can lose.

Us, the number one platoon.

Won't that be something?

Yeah, Sergeant, it sure will.

And you deserve some credit, too, Pyle.

You sing okay, under proper leadership.

You know, Sergeant,

some people are good at some things,

and some people are good at other things,

but hardly anybody's good at everything. Mm-hmm.

Take yourself for example.

There are so many things that you're good at.

Like Manual of Arms, Close Order Drill,

weapons, communication...

Anything and everything about being a marine,

you do better than anybody.

Oh, I don't know. And since you do

so many things so well, it don't mean anything

if there's one or two things

that just don't happen to be your long suit.

I suppose not.

What are you trying to say?

Well, only that it's possible

that maybe there are a few things

that just ain't exactly your specialty.

Like what?

Well, uh, like... maybe singing.

Wait a minute.

Are you trying to tell me that I can't sing?

That maybe I don't qualify to be in the group

representing my own platoon?!

Now that you mentioned it, Sergeant,

it might be for the best.

I told the other fellas you was

big enough man to understand, bow out gracefully,

knowing that a chain's only as strong as its weakest link.

Weakest link?

I'm the "weakest link"?! Sergeant...

Boy, I've heard of ingratitude in my day,

but this takes the cake!

I go to all the trouble of organizing a singing group,

picking and choosing them carefully,

rehearsing them day and night to make sure they're the best!

Sergeant... Wait a minute! And what happens?

Now they're telling me that I ain't good enough for them!

Pyle, you got a lot of nerve coming in here

insulting me like this!

Now get out of here before I throw you out!

Get out of here, you miserable, ungrate...

Ungrateful...

One minute he was standing there yelling like he always does,

and the next minute he was clutching his throat

with he eyes popping out.

Our problem's solved. Now he can't sing.

I didn't mean for it to be like that.

It hardly seems fair.

Sullivan's group is just finishing.

You guys are next. How'd they sound?

Well, pretty good, but I think you've got a good chance.

Hey! Hey. All right.

Hey, Sergeant!

Are you feeling all right?

I just stopped by to say... To say...

Thanks, Sarge.

You guys are next.

Let's go. Come on.

Wait a minute.

I just don't feel right about this.

The sergeant should be out there with us.

He started this whole thing.

It was all his idea.

Well, he should have a part of it.

You're right, Gome, but what can we do?

Sergeant, if we win, you're gonna win, too,

'cause you're going to go out there with us.

You don't have to sing.

Just move your lips, Sergeant.

That's all you have to do, just move your lips.

We'll do the singing for you.

You just wait and see if we don't.

Come on, fellas.

♪ Drink, drink, drink ♪

♪ To eyes that are bright as stars ♪

♪ When they're shining on me ♪ ♪ Drink to them ♪

♪ Drink, drink, drink ♪

♪ To lips that are red and sweet ♪

♪ As the fruit on the tree ♪ ♪ Drink to them ♪

♪ Here's a hope that those bright eyes will shine ♪

♪ Lovingly ♪ ♪ Longingly ♪

♪ Soon into mine ♪

♪ May those lips that are red and sweet ♪

♪ Tonight with joy my own lips meet ♪

♪ Drink, drink, drink ♪

♪ Let every true lover salute his sweetheart ♪

♪ May she give me a priceless boon ♪

♪ Her love beneath the sweet May moon ♪

♪ Drink, drink ♪

♪ Let the toast start ♪

♪ May young hearts never part ♪

♪ Drink, drink, drink ♪

♪ Let every true lover salute ♪

♪ His sweetheart. ♪

Right this way, Mr. Fenton.

Corporal Slater and Private Pyle

will take you to our helicopter.

That's fine.

Sergeant, I'll expect you in Hollywood in three days.

We'll be there, sir.

You did a fine job, Sergeant.

And I'm proud to have your platoon represent the Corps.

I can't tell you how impressed I was with each

and every voice in that chorus.

Thank you, sir.

Have a good trip, sir.

Thank you, Colonel. It's been a pleasure.

Well, gentlemen, are we ready?

Yes, sir.

Sergeant, congratulations again.

See you at the studio. Yes, sir.

♪ Beautiful dreamer... ♪

Start the engine, Pyle. We're ready to go.

Yes, sir, Corporal.

Sure looking forward to our trip to Hollywood, sir.

♪ Sounds of the... ♪