Yesterday is done
See the pretty countryside
Merrily we roll along Roll along
Bursting with dreams
Traveling's the fun
Flashing by the countryside
Everybody merrily
Merrily
Catching at dreams
Rolling along
Dreams don't die
So keep an eye on your dream
And before you know where you are, there you are
Time goes by and hopes go dry
But you still can try for your dream
Tend your dream
How does it happen?
Dreams take time
Once it was all so clear
Time goes by
How can you get So far off the track?
Why don't you turn around and go back?
Bend your dream
How does it happen?
- Where is the moment? - With the road
How can you miss it? Isn't it clear?
How can you let it slip out of gear?
How did you ever get there from here?
You roll How does it happen?
- How does it happen? - You just roll
Once it was all so clear
Everybody roll
How does it start to go?
Does it slip away slow
So you never even notice It's happening?
How did you get to be here?
What was the moment?
How did you get to be here?
Pick yourself a road
Get to know the countryside
Soon enough, you're merrily
Merrily practicing dreams
Dreams that will explode
Waking up the countryside
Making you feel merrily, merrily
What can go wrong?
- Rolling along - Some roads are soft
And some are bumpy
Some roads you really fly
Some rides are rough And leave you jumpy
Why make it tough by getting grumpy?
Plenty of roads to try
- Some roads are soft - One trip
And some are bumpy All you get
- Some roads you really fly - Is one quick ride
Look around a bit
Some rides are rough One quick ride
And leave you jumpy
- Why make it tough - Through the countryside
By getting grumpy? Stay on the track
Plenty of roads to try
- Never look back - Some roads you really fly
Never look back Never look back
Never look back, never look
How did you get to be here?
What was the moment?
How did you get to be here?
Bending with the road
Gliding through the countryside
Merrily we roll along, roll along
Catching at dreams
Dreams that will explode
Waking up the countryside
Everybody merrily, merrily
Sing 'em your song
Rolling along
- Rolling along - Rolling a...
Hey.
I said, "Frank, this picture Is a watershed"
Hey, let me tell you about my new...
I said, "Frank, one day You'll run my studio"
I said, "Frank, will you Listen to that response?"
I said, "Frank really knows What the public wants"
I said, "Frank, this picture Is a watershed"
- Know what I'm having? - What?
Not much fun.
- Party! - Oh, my God, look at him.
That Frank
That guy is too much
Hey, the party's outside.
That Frank
Do you like the picture?
The platinum touch
How about more champagne?
- He has taste, he has talent - Is he the best?
Plus, a fine head for business
- The man is blessed - That Frank
I wrote the screenplay for Frank's movie.
Your secret's safe with me.
Frank.
Oh! Tyler, I want you to meet Meg,
the star of my movie.
My old friend Tyler here is the man who invented
the telephone answering machine.
And people are living in fear I'll invent something else.
That Frank
So, what do you do?
He's full of advice
I drink.
That Frank
No, what do you really do?
And, God, is he nice
I really drink.
- What a friend, what a host - And his work is great
- Has a wife who is gorgeous - A son who's straight
He's a type You can easily learn to hate
That Frank
Who says, "Lonely at the top"?
I say, "Let it never stop"
It's our time coming through
All our dreams coming true
Working hard, getting rich
Being happy
- There's a switch - That smile
Don't you miss writing music?
He's hot, but he's cool
That was the old Frank Shepard.
What style
This guy's the American dream.
And what a great pool
If you had no idea What "charisma" meant
And you just can't be jealous He's such a gent
He's the kind of a man
- That you can't resist - That Frank
- Franklin. - Meg, this is Mary Flynn.
Mary is my deepest, closest, best friend in all the world.
Congratulations on the movie.
Your performance will stay with me for a long time.
We go way back.
But seldom forward.
Actually, Franklin gave me the novel you wrote,
and I read it over and over.
Well, didn't you get it the first time?
Hey, gang, we've got dancing outside!
Come on!
I said, "Frank, you're coming down to Mexico"
Honestly...
I think Frank is moving Back to Paramount
What?
These are the movers These are the shapers
These are the people
- Who fill the papers - Mexico
These are the friends of Frank
- Moving back to Paramount - Each one a perfect blank
When you see a movie that's successful
What can you say?
- Congratulations! - Thank you.
These are the movers These are the shapers
These are the people Who give you vapors
20 years ago, who'd have guessed?
Who'd have guessed We'd be standing here?
God, we would have been so impressed
- Now we're here with the most - Mexico
Brilliant minds on the coast
- Moving back to Paramount - And notice who is their host
- Mexico - Beautiful, Frank
Acapulco, Mexico
Beautiful, Frank
When you've made a movie That's successful
Where do you go?
Paramount!
No!
Here's to us.
Who's like us?
- Damn few. - Damn few.
Thanks, pal, for flying out.
Thanks, pal, for the ticket.
I got a letter from Frankie.
Well, at least my son writes to you.
Yeah, to thank me for coming to his graduation.
- He didn't invite me. - He didn't invite me either.
How is he anyway?
I mean, he asked the same thing about you.
- Frank, look, why don't the two of you... - Frank!
- ...finally get on... - I am beginning my broadcast.
Where Franklin Shepard goes, I go,
because that is where the A-list goes.
I just figured out what the "A" stands for.
Now, I heard a reliable rumor that you're selling the Malibu house.
You don't want it. The place doesn't even have a pool.
No pool?
In my rat's hole in New York, the john is terminally busted,
and the kitchen should be condemned.
But no pool?
Trash it!
Let's have some coffee, Mary.
Poor Frank
I never drink coffee.
He handled that well
Caffeine isn't good for you.
That Frank
Look, I'm aware this was just a formula movie.
He's loyal as hell
But my next picture, you wait.
I gave up waiting.
He's polite and considerate Rain or shine
It began when I tasted Communion wine
That Frank
Who says, "Mustn't go too far"?
I say, "Look at where we are"
It's our time coming through
I say, "Good, me and you"
I say, "Roll," I say, "Ride"
I say, "Hey, there's food outside"
That Frank
Frank's movie was fun.
You'd think he'd relax
Frank knows what the public wants.
Not Frank
And Frank made a star!
He's laying new tracks
I love a movie movie!
If you had no idea What "charisma" meant
And you just can't be jealous He's such a gent
He's the kind of a man Who could be president
That Frank
Frank.
Tonight I saw a falling star.
I was running across the lawn,
and then right there in front of me, I see...
And what do we see in front of us?
- A rising star. - Oh.
Because no matter what the critics say
about this picture, they are certain to love you.
They're certain to, no matter what they say about the picture.
The plot thins.
Meg, you know my wife Gussie.
Everybody who's been to a Broadway show knows Gussie Carnegie.
The hem of your garment.
I say, by tomorrow,
all of that will be at your feet.
Oh.
Scotty, that's the Valley.
Have you been outside all this time?
It's customary when you give a party to attend it.
Did you sing?
No one asked.
Franklin. Later.
You're ignoring me.
Yes, I am.
- I've got feelings. - And I've got a wife.
I love you so much.
And I love you, too.
Anyway, I'm off. Tomorrow I fly to New York.
While you're there,
do not miss the new Charles Kringas play.
That is the only show in years
that actually deserves its Pulitzer Prize.
I say, in every generation, there's one playwright.
Oh, my God, what did I say?
Don't you know that in this joint,
you must never, ever mention the name Charles Kringas?
- Mary, for God's sake. - Yeah, see,
Charley, Frank and I were once
these devoted, inseparable friends.
Would anyone care to come outside?
Up until that famous television interview
where Charley, in front of the whole nation...
- Mary, enough! - Mary, I've warned you.
Hey, the house numbers are in from the East Coast.
And it went through the roof.
"The surprise of Darkness Before Dawn
"is Meg Kincaid, a starry-eyed find."
To Franklin Shepard,
who I've known ever since we started out together
back in a crummy little Greenwich Village saloon.
To Frank Shepard,
congratulations to the client every lawyer dreams of:
Forty years old, a hit in New York,
now a hit in Hollywood...
- ...married to this Broadway legend... - Oh, stop.
...surrounded by the people who work for him, by his money...
Are we making speeches?
To Franklin Shepard...
...the producer,
the man who has everything.
And...
fat, drunk and finished...
I would rather be me any day.
Well, look at the time. I've got to go to bed.
He'll wait. Hoo-hoo-hoo, call him.
- Get out of here, drunk. - Gussie.
Get that fat sot out of here.
Mary, may I take your glass?
No, you may not take my glass.
- Frank. - Oh, my God.
Frank!
Well...
now I won't be invited back.
Well, please don't all feel you have to leave just because I'm leaving.
First, attention.
I said "attention"!
Are you all listening? Because I have something I must say.
You are all junk.
And you...
You deserve them.
Damn sad.
Isn't she somebody? No, she's a critic.
She wrote a bestseller once.
I would never have believed it. She's finally out of Frank's life.
Yeah, and the loss is unbearable.
Ow. What happened?
Ooh, she cut her hand on a piece of glass.
Oh, no, no. It's nothing. Please, no.
No, Meg's cut her hand rather badly.
- No, honestly, it's nothing. - Ru, go get something.
- Get some iodine. - Oh, see.
When you're young and the star,
how the slightest thing and you're everybody's focus.
Bitch.
It's stopping. I'm just going to let it air out.
You two sure know how to bring down a curtain.
I've got the iodine. Where's the patient?
Down at the foot of the lawn.
- Doing her fawn imitation. - Mr. Shepard.
Frank.
Before I go, I just want to know:
How do I get to be you?
The worst vice in the world is advice,
so I don't give any.
Hey.
Don't just write what you know.
Write what you know.
Now get out of here.
"The worst vice is advice"?
Did you get that off a T-shirt, Frank?
I'm sorry. What's wrong?
You and that little punchboard are what's wrong.
Please, please don't do this.
We've got a party going on out there.
You may have betrayed me, but you are not going to humiliate me.
Gussie, when are you gonna let it go?
I never said you were too old for the part.
The studio said you were too old for the part.
To think I divorced a husband who worshipped the ground I walked on
to marry a pitiful excuse for a man like you.
I've made only one mistake in my life,
but I've made it over and over and over.
That was saying yes when I meant no.
- Forgive me. - Don't you dare...
All right, you want to know if it's true? It's true.
But what you would never understand is she's sensitive.
She cares. She's an inspiration.
She's the raft that keeps me from drowning.
Pathetic.
After all these years,
I finally have to hand it to Charley Kringas.
That driven little runt was always the one smart enough to read your label.
And I envy Charley Kringas every day of my life.
Hilarious.
This coming from a man whose work isn't remembered
by the time audiences reach the parking lot!
I swear, if I could go back to the beginning,
if I could somehow be starting over with Charley,
writing shows, trying to change the world,
I would give all this up like that.
Oh, you've lied to yourself so long, you probably believe that.
Do you really not see that I'm ashamed of all this?
That I'm as sick of myself as you are?
I'm just acting like it all matters
so people can't see how much I hate my life
and how much I wish the whole goddamn thing was over.
I found her running along the lawn, singing.
- Ah, sorry. Here. - Now, stand still
- and let me put some iodine on that hand. - Okay.
My significant other and I want to say good night.
Meg!
My husband was just telling me
that you're the starry-eyed slut
- that keeps him from drowning. - Gussie, stop it!
Oh, absolutely, Frank. I will stop it.
But maybe she won't be so starry-eyed now.
He was sleeping with her, Dory!
You said we were finished, Frank!
Well, now we're finished!
You and her and me and every goddamn thing
is finished!
How did you get to be here?
What was the moment?
How did you get to be here?
Dreams don't die So keep an eye on your dream
Or before you know Where you are, there you are
Roads may wind
And you may find What you've left behind
- Is your dream - Dream
- Tend your dream - How does it happen?
- Dreams take time - Once it was all so clear
Time goes by
How can you get so far off the track?
Why don't you turn around and go back?
- Bend your dream - How does it happen?
- Where is the moment? - With the road
When did the road behind disappear?
Where did you let things Slip out of gear?
How did you ever get to be here?
- 1975 - 1974
1973
And that is Frank Sinatra singing Good Thing Going
from the Broadway and film hit Musical Husbands.
The composers of that show,
Franklin Shepard and Charles Kringas,
are in our studio tonight,
and we will be meeting and talking with them.
But first, the news.
Hal?
The lead-in story from tonight's edition
of "News from New York."
Today our nation is at long last
celebrating a ceasefire in Vietnam,
the tragic death toll there now having cost
nearly 46,000 American lives.
Judy?
On the local front, Mayor Abe Beame...
Well, Mr. Kringas, what do you think?
I think my worst nightmare has come true.
- I look like Richard Nixon. - Charley.
- Oh, Charley! - No, Mary.
- No, do not speak to me. - Oh!
This whole goddamn thing is your fault.
I don't know why, in Christ's name, I let you talk me into this humiliation.
Here is the drink you ordered, Miss Flynn.
- Ooh. - Oh, Mary, how thoughtful.
Oh, come on, Charley. I need a drink.
Yeah, one drink. What would you like?
A bottle of vodka and a straw.
- Where's Frank? - Frank?
Probably off signing to score another movie
or closing a record deal.
I can only tell you where Frank never is,
and that is with me, working on our show.
All right, well, when I called KT to set up this interview,
I made it very clear
that the only thing you two were here to talk about...
was your next show and how long you both been working on it.
Oh, Mary, since Frank married Gussie,
the only working he knows is working the room.
And just where did he learn that, Charley?
Off on that goddamn yacht is where.
And, wait, who was it who sent him off on that goddamn yacht?
- I say to hell with Frank. - Ugh.
Look, I have started a play all on my own.
And if Frank doesn't show up in the next 30 seconds,
me, I am walking right out that door.
Look, Charley, I know Frank.
If you connect with him again,
if you commit the guy today, publicly,
I swear, by tomorrow, you two are gonna be
back together working again.
You got to help save him, Charley.
Hey, old friend
What do you say, old friend?
Make it okay, old friend
Give the old friendship a break
Why so grim?
We're going on forever
You, me, him
Too many lives are at stake
Friends this long
Has to mean something strong
So, if our old friend's wrong
Shouldn't an old friend come through?
It's us, old friend
What's to discuss
Old... ...friend?
Here's to us
Who's like us?
Damn few
Charley
Why can't it be like it was?
I liked it the way that it was
Charley, you and me
We were nicer then
We were nice
Kids and cities and trees were nice
Everything
I don't know who we are any more
And I'm starting not to care
Look at us, Charley
Nothing's the way that it was
I want it the way that it was
Help me stop remembering then
Don't you remember?
It was good
It was really good
Help me out, Charley
Make it like it was
Come on. Ugh.
Look, we both know it was better, Charley, the three of us.
And you, come on. Mary, we are not the three of us anymore.
Now we are one and one and one.
Charley
Nothing's the way that it was
I want it the way that it was
God knows, things were easier then
Trouble is, Charley
That's what everyone does
Blames the way it is
On the way it was
On the way it never
Ever
Was
Jesus, Mary.
After all these years, you're still in love with the guy?
You got to help save me, then, Charley.
Charley, Frank, we are on the commercial break,
and then it's us. Follow me.
- Frank isn't here. - He isn't here?
Where the hell is Frank?
Frank is here, and Frank is sorry.
But ever since Gussie and I got married,
life is this series of meetings, meetings, meetings.
- Hey, pal! - Hey, pal. Long time no see.
- Oh, and I missed you, buddy. - Mm.
And, Mary...
Oh, God, Mary, you look wonderful.
Lost a little weight?
A hundred and eighty pounds.
He still calls, though.
Please, Frank.
Frank, in the chair. Charley, you come with me.
KT, I think...
I think I saw my ex-husband hovering around outside.
Could you see to it that nobody's allowed in?
He's become the eternal sponge.
- Got it. Charley, move, please. - Thank you.
- We got to go! - Excuse me.
Mrs. Shepard, I know this is inappropriate,
but I wrote a film script, Darkness Before Dawn,
that is so perfect for you.
It is inappropriate.
Give it to me.
I have accepted that if I don't want people
handing me scripts, then I can never go out.
Frank, did you tell Mary about closing the three-picture deal?
Uh, no.
But please let me be the one to tell Charley.
I am waiting to choose the exact moment.
Oh, God.
I've explained to Frank:
You compose a Broadway show, you're something in New York,
but you produce a movie,
you're something all over the world.
Frank, we're up! We got to move.
Oh.
Gussie.
Hiya, Gus.
- Oh, Joe. - You look great.
You've caught me in the middle, Joe.
Yeah, I was hoping, I was, I was...
I was hoping...
I was hoping maybe you could spare me 100 or so.
Joe. Joe, I...
God.
You can't keep doing this to me, Joe.
Now, this...
this is the last time.
I'm lining up backers for my next play.
Oh.
Excuse me, Joe.
- They're waiting for me. - Yep.
I'm sorry.
And now our evening's top news story.
Today the Supreme Court made its final ruling
legalizing abortion.
The court stated abortion should be a decision
between a woman and her physician.
A longtime controversy now ended.
Judy?
For those who have tuned in late,
we are hearing Frank Sinatra singing the hit song
by Franklin Shepard and Charles Kringas,
our next guests live from New York.
Oh, and, Frank, I cannot thank you enough for this favor.
"Favor"? After what you did for me during my divorce?
That's why we're here.
- Oh, and how's your son? - Want to see a picture?
No, but do that on air, and I'll coo, and I'll tear,
and I'll carry on like a mad thing.
People love cheap sentiment.
And I understand congratulations are in order.
I hear you just signed a three-picture deal
to produce movies.
- Where'd you hear that? - Now, don't worry.
I understand I'm not supposed to bring it up on the air.
I think you weren't supposed to bring it up in front of me.
Oh? Oh.
Charley, I was waiting for the exact moment to tell you.
But, see, it doesn't change our plan.
It's only two or three months at a time.
Frank, it is always two or three months at a time.
I haven't even signed the contract yet.
Do you know how long I have sat and waited for you to finish this project?
Hold it for one second, guys, will you? We're just about on.
Charley, I have a son to support.
I have an ex-wife draining me.
What happens if we finish this show, we get it on,
and they say it's no good?
Frank, I have four kids to support.
I don't give a rat's ass what they say.
If I say it's good, if you say it's good...
Okay, fellas, we're just about to start.
He only knows it's good if it makes a fucking fortune.
Hi! We're back.
And welcome to "Today in New York's Celebrity Spot."
Here next to me, we have two brilliantly talented people.
The gentleman on my right is...
Oh, uh, Franklin Shepard.
- I almost forgot. - And?
And he is. Why would he lie?
And I have no idea who I am.
This is my great friend and even greater collaborator,
Charley Kringas.
They are the songwriters for Musical Husbands,
both the show and the movie.
They also wrote Sweet Sorrow.
And their newest collaboration will be called Take a Left.
But more about that later.
Apparently much later.
And you recently married the star of those shows,
Gussie Carnegie.
- Did you not? - Yes, that's correct.
And I'm married to Evelyn.
Now, all of Broadway says
that you two are the next Rodgers and Hammerstein,
Lerner and Loewe.
Irving and Berlin.
Let's start at the beginning.
You're both from Chicago.
You both went to the same school and the same college?
Uh, nope. Me, Columbia. Him, Juilliard.
So, your entire lives you've been very, very close friends.
Until today.
Like all partners,
we have had fights and other commitments,
but the magic is only there when it's me and Charley.
Charley and me.
I love it.
Now, how do you two work together?
Oh. May I answer that?
Please.
How do we work together?
Sure.
Well, he goes...
And I go...
And soon we're
Humming along
Hmm-mm-hmm
And that's called writing a song
Hmm-mm-hmm
Then he goes
And I go
And the phone goes, "Drrrrring!"
And he goes, Mutter, mutter, mutter, mutter
"Yes, Jerome," mutter, "No, Jerome"
Mutter, mutter, mutter, mutter
That's his lawyer, Jerome
Mutter, mutter, mutter, mutter, mutter "Do it, Jerome"
Click, "Sorry, Charley"
So I go
And he goes
And I go
And soon we're tapping away
Hmm-mm-hmm
"Bzz!" "Sorry, Charley" "Bzz!"
It's the secretary, "Bzz!" On the intercom, "Yes, Ms. Bzz"
"It's a messenger"
"Thanks, Ms. Bzz Will you tell him to wait?
"Will you order the car? Will you call up the bank?
"Will you wire the coast? Will you..."'Drrrrring!'"
"Sorry, Charley" Mutter, mutter, mutter, mutter
"Sell the stock," mutter "Buy the rights"
Mutter, mutter, mutter, mutter, mutter
"Bzz!" "Let me put you on hold"
"Bzz!" "Yes, Ms. Bzz"
"It's the interview"
"Thanks, Ms. Bzz Will you tell him to wait?
"Will you wire the car? Will you order the coast?
"Will you send up the bank?"
And the telephones blink And the stocks get sold
And the rest of us he keeps on hold
And he's into making movies
And he's now a corporation, right
So I play at home With my wife and kids
And I wait to hear the movie bids
And I've got a little sailboat
And I'm into meditation, right
He flies off to California
I discuss him with my shrink
That's the story of the way we work
Me and Franklin Shepard, Inc.
I am beginning to enjoy this.
I promise to be honest if you promise to handle the lawsuit.
Now, Frank, when you do work together,
I have always been curious,
which generally comes first, the words or the music?
- Generally, the contract. - Oh.
That sounds like you think making money is a bad thing for an artist.
Sorry, money?
Did I say "money"?
No, I like
Money a lot, hmm-mm-hmm
I mean, it's better than not
Hmm-mm-hmm
But when it's
Money. Money.
When you're into...
Money...
And you should be...
Listen.
Frank does the money thing very well.
But you know what? Other people do it better.
Yeah, and Frank does the music thing very well.
And you know what?
No one does it better.
Still, the telephones blink And the buzzers buzz
And I really don't know what he does
But he makes a ton of money And a lot of it for me
Right, so I think, "Okay" And I start a play
But he somehow knows, 'Cause right away
It's, "Drrrrring!" "Hiya, buddy
"Want to write a show? I got a great idea
"We'll own all the rights With a two-week out
"And a turnaround on the guarantee
"Plus a gross percent of the billing clause"
And there I am in California
Talking deals and turning pink
Back in business, and I mean just that
Back with Franklin Shepard, Inc.
Very sneaky how it happens
Much more sneaky than you think
You start with nothing but a song to sing
And next, you're Franklin Shepard...
Wait a second, wait one second. I am getting in too deep here.
Franklin, let me ask you...
You see, Frank and I are not that kind of close.
- Not like we used to be. - Now, Frank...
And friendship is like a garden.
You have to water it and tend it and care about it.
And you know what? I miss it.
And I want it back.
Look.
Nothing permanent has happened
It's just a temporary kink
Friendship's something You don't really lose
Ladies and gentlemen, don't let me lose
the greatest composer any lyricist has ever had.
Phone him. Write him.
Stop him on the street. You will recognize him.
He's the one going through his checkbook.
And tell that man to get back to his piano.
Very sneaky how it happens
Every day, you're on the brink
First the prizes, then the interviews
Oh, my God
I think it's happened
Stop me quick before I sink
One more triumph that I can't refuse
In case you didn't notice,
this is my first time on TV and my last! No!
Here's the point, whatever happens
Then we'll all go have a drink
That's the guy I love
The fella who's inside
Mutter, mutter, mutter, mutter
"Quick, Jerome, get the president
"There's a crazy man on my TV screen"
Inside
"Bzz, bzz!" "Drrrrring!"
Inside Franklin Shepard
Just write him, care of Any Bank, USA.
Inc.
Now let's take a commercial break.
Oh, thanks, guys.
Jesus Christ!
That was a real slaughter, Charley. Congratulations.
- Frank, I... - I think you said enough.
I know for years you've been attacking me
and constantly putting me in the position
of having to defend myself, but that...
See, I don't know why anyone would want to so humiliate
and betray the guy who is his oldest friend in the world like that,
but I do know you're never gonna have the opportunity to do it again.
You're goddamn out of my life, Charley.
No, Frank, I'm sorry. I...
You're sorry after you publicly mock
and ridicule and belittle me,
when, man, I swear I would lay down my life for you.
- I know. If you let me... - Shut up!
Charley, all these years, I've loved you
no matter what you did, but I guess because
I don't live my life like you or the way you'd like me to,
you had to shoot me down and watch me bleed.
Well, I like my life, Charley.
So you can just get the hell out of it!
Hey, guys, now, what do you say the three of us, we just...
we go for a humongous drink and we talk, okay?
- I mean, we need to talk. - Oh, Frank.
- Frank, are you all right? - Frank, can we go talk?
You know, in some cultures, when someone does something cruel
or evil or betrays them, they never see him again.
They simply never see him.
They never talk to him or look at him
or acknowledge him in any way. For them, he is dead,
absolutely and irrevocably dead.
- Can I just explain... - Frank!
...what all that came out of?
Some roads are soft and some are bumpy
Some roads you really fly
Some rides are rough And leave you jumpy
Why make it tough by getting grumpy?
Plenty of roads to try
- 1972 - 1971
- Some roads are soft - One trip
- And some are bumpy - All you get
- Some roads you really fly - Is one quick ride
Look around a bit
- Some rides are rough - One quick ride
And leave you jumpy
- Through the countryside - Why make it tough
- By getting grumpy? - Stay on the track
Plenty of roads to try
1970
Some roads you really fly
1969
How does it start to go?
Does it slip away slow
So you never even notice It's happening?
1968
What? You say she's not there?
Well, do you know when she's expected back?
It's open!
Sorry. You don't expect her back until when?
Until after the theater?
No, no message.
Wait, yes, actually. Will you tell her that Franklin...
Ta-da!
Frankie!
Oh, my God, Frankie! I don't believe my eyes!
Oh, did your daddy miss you!
And look how big you got, huh!
Daddy, we saw your boat, but we didn't see you.
- No? - Ta-da!
Wha...?
You know, what is really amazing is we're not all still waiting
at that dock to surprise you.
God, was our face red.
Well, first class doesn't get off at the dock!
We have this big ramp at the prow
and a captain who leads you right into your limousine.
Oh, right, of course. Silly us.
Mary, you should have known that.
He got Beth to send Frankie from Houston.
Daddy, I have 32 postcards all over my wall.
My favorite are the alligator and the Panama Canal.
Wow, look at that.
He brought Frankie an alligator back with him.
What a nice little...
Oh, God, Frankie! Frankie, you have to help me!
Oh, God!
Thanks, Uncle Charley.
That's bound to give someone here real nice dreams.
All right, start with the trip, and then I want a Sherpa guide
to show me this gargantuan apartment.
Well, I owe it all to you guys for making me go.
I didn't do anything that wasn't rich.
Rich living, rich food, rich people.
Well, poor Evelyn, my poor wife, who never comes in
from our poor house in the poor country, poor thing,
is dropping off our four poor children with her poor mother.
Got it, Charley.
Where they are expecting Frankie.
And then Evelyn is meeting the three of us at...
Wait. Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.
Where? Where?
- You're never gonna guess where. - Downtown Club.
- The Downtown Club. - Charley.
Now, let me think.
A smoky, dingy Greenwich Village dive
or the homecoming party at the Colony Club?
Hmm, what a choice.
Oh, Frank, I'm so sorry.
You must give us a list of what's in and what's out.
You know how important all of that is to me.
Ah! Wait.
Wait, wait, wait.
Presents.
I forgot... presents.
This is for Aunt Mary.
Ooh, thank you.
And this is for Uncle Charley.
Well...
Son, about 40 of yours are right now up in the air
between Gibraltar and Texas,
but trust me, they are absolutely worth the wait.
It's my book in Spanish.
I bought it in Valparaiso, Chile,
where there it was in all these store windows.
Oh, Mary, tell Frank the story of how success has affected you.
Okay, I'll start.
Mary has joined the enemy.
- Charley. - Frankie, tell Aunt Mary,
how many kids in your class say,
"When I grow up, I want to be a drama critic"?
Oh, Charley, just shut your mouth and open your present.
I did.
What is it?
- What is it? - It's an option agreement.
We have been offered a small fortune
to do a movie version of Musical Husbands!
Oh, my God!
- That is unbelievable! - Frankie. Frankie, come here.
So, take this over to Daddy and say very clearly,
"There isn't enough money in the universe."
You're welcome, Charley. I appreciate the gratitude.
Thanks very much.
There isn't enough money in the universe.
Oh, boy.
Frankie, um, what do you say the two of us go,
and we'll explore this monster apartment?
I'm tired.
Well, of course you are, tiger. It's been a long day.
Yeah, you know, we can have a lie-down upstairs.
- Good night, Daddy. - Good night.
Aw. All right, come on.
Let's see what we can find you up there.
What do you think they have?
Charley, I'm 31 years old.
Beth wiped me out with the divorce.
I have a son to consider.
So forgive me, Charley, if I happen to need money.
So let's us do the work, and the money will come.
Frank, we cannot keep making our stuff
- the other thing we do. - Shh. Guys, not now.
Why do I have to be poor to write music?
Because once you're rich, you never will.
Charley, I am telling you,
we can make a statement with this movie.
Nurse, doctor, guard, attendant, matron,
- anybody else. - Trust me.
- You trust me. - Charley, listen!
Frank, you listen. You listening?
No. No, no, never, ever. No.
Hey!
Here's to us
Who's like us?
Damn few
Hey, old friend
Are you okay, old friend?
What do you say, old friend?
Are we or are we unique?
Time goes by
Everything else keeps changing
You and I
We get continued next week
Most friends fade
Or they don't make the grade
New ones are quickly made
And in a pinch, sure, they'll do
But us, old friend
What's to discuss, old friend?
Here's to us
Who's like us?
Damn few
So, old friend
Fill me in slow, old friend
Start from hello, old friend
I want the when, where and how
Old friends
Do tend to become old habit
Never knew
How much I missed you till now
Most friends fade Or they don't make the grade
New ones are quickly made
Some of them worth something, too
But us, old friends
What's to discuss, old friends?
- Tell you something - Huh.
Good friends point out your lies
Whereas old friends live and let live
Good friends like and advise
Whereas old friends love and forgive
And old friends
Let you go your own way
Help you find your own way
Let you off when you're wrong
- If you're wrong - When you're wrong
Right or wrong, The point is, old friends
Shouldn't care if you're wrong
Should but not for too long
- What's too long? - If you're wrong
- When you're wrong - The thing is, old friends
Do leave their brands on you
But old friends shouldn't compete
Old friends don't make demands on you
Should make demands on you
Well, don't make demands You can't meet
Well, what's the point Of demands you can meet?
Well, there's a time For demands whether you...
- No, you are never wrong! - If you were right,
I would be the first one to admit it!
There is only your way and the wrong way!
Hey, old friends
How do we stay old friends?
Who is to say, old friends
How an old friendship survives?
One day chums having a laugh a minute
One day comes And they're a part of your lives
New friends pour Through the revolving door
Maybe there's one that's more
Stop.
If you find one that'll do
But us, old friends
What's to discuss, old friends?
Here's to us
Who's like us?
Two old friends
Fewer won't do, old friends
Got to have two old friends
Helping you balance along
One upbraids you For your faults and fancies
One persuades you
That the other one's wrong
Most friends fade
Or they don't make
Shit.
The grade New ones are quickly made
Perfect as long as they're new
But us, old friends
What's to discuss, old friends?
Here's to us
Who's like us?
Ah, okay.
Whoo!
Damn few
Ah!
Oh, anguish!
I hate it when I've missed everything.
The wife here, she misses nothing.
Well, I had no idea the gang would be dropping in.
My understudy's been going on for the last few weeks,
and Joe insisted, as a courtesy, I must see her.
But first, I insisted Joe must see Frank's new apartment.
Have you ever seen that disaster he was living in?
I decorated it.
I am calling the surgeon general tomorrow to have him cut out my tongue!
Oh, ho, promises, promises.
Look, Joe, it's Charles.
Now we can call the night a success.
Hey, Gussie.
Um, I didn't hear a doorbell.
Oh, I bet that's because I didn't ring one.
I never do
when I have keys.
I'm decorating this pad.
The price was right.
Free.
Here, I picture all of the furniture in here,
the hues of anemones,
a chair...
a chair, a footstool...
and a sofa.
Oh, I should have a brain transplant.
I forgot we bought this teeny, tiny housewarming nothing,
some awesomely expensive champagne.
I'll open it.
"Do." All right, I will.
Ugh, I'm gonna go check outside.
Always good to see you, Joe.
And your wife.
Joe, precious, there are glasses in the kitchen,
and it's Frank's house, so he can do the honors.
- Oh. Mushi-mushi, darling. - I... I... I...
- We have a curtain to make. - Oh.
Home one day, and already she's ordering me around.
St--
How nice to see the old gang.
Can they see us?
Yes.
I didn't even unpack.
I've made up my mind. I'm leaving Joe.
- He'll be destroyed. - Or I will be.
I'll call you when I arrive at the theater.
- I'm supposed to go out. - Please.
Please, you've got to wait for my call.
- Gussie. - I'm desperate.
I'll wait for your call.
Consider yourself kissed.
You got this guy everything
anybody could ever want in a kitchen except for glasses.
Here, I'll get them. They're still packed.
Ugh, eek, look at me. Oh, that means don't.
I'm going to the little boys' room to repair.
That's real first-class champagne.
Oh, I don't drink.
What? Never?
Mmm, hardly ever.
No, I'm a very excessive personality.
You know, it's too much caffeine,
too much cigarettes, too much food.
Too much Frank.
Is Frank the only person in the world who doesn't know you're in love with him?
And how many people know about those two? Oh.
Uh, I mean, I'm sure there must be one or two...
...who don't.
I have decided not to know.
She is now Broadway's hottest star.
And the guy, he's hot, too, obviously,
in more than one sense.
I say, let them get it out of their systems.
As long as, please, God, she don't leave me.
Well, uh...
I think Frank's being on a boat
for the last eight months has put an end to it.
Gussie flew over and joined the cruise, you know.
- What? - Yeah.
We had no idea Gussie was on the cruise.
Mm-hmm.
It will never cease to amaze me how everyone in this town
knows everything I do.
It was only for the last two weeks.
Okay.
Pretend these are champagne glasses.
You've got yours.
Now, Charles...
- Oh, just one, Joe. - Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Mary.
No.
- Thank you. - Oh.
Oh, that's right. You never do.
Well, more for us.
To our genius.
Thank you. Thank you.
- It's always nice to be appreciated. - Yes.
Okay, Gus, curtain, curtain! We got a curtain.
Oh, pooh.
But one minute late, God, every column.
And Frank, we will see you after.
Oh, uh, Frank's coming with us.
- Oh? - Actually, what I should do
is stay here and look after Frankie.
- Frankie's here. - You're kidding, aren't you?
Oh, now, Mary,
let's all let Franklin get himself settled in.
Good night, Mr. All-Work-And-No-Play.
And everybody's favorite, Charley.
Hmm.
Don't you guys stay strangers now.
Good night, Joe. Bye.
Yep.
- So you're really not coming? - I can't leave.
Not right now, Mary.
- Frank... - Just accept that, will you?
Please.
- Here's to us. - Mary.
[VOICE BREAKING] Come on, Charley.
Let's go have ourselves one hell of a time.
I'll be down in a minute.
Get rid of Gussie, Frank.
- Gussie's none of your business, Charley. - But you are.
Get rid of this whole pathetic life.
Charley, I love success, okay?
I love having two out of two shows hit,
moving up in the world.
Sorry, I need some time to think.
Okay, well, begin by thinking about
joining Mary and me tonight.
Frank, there is something going on with Mary right now, okay?
She hasn't written a word since her book took off.
She needs us. Frank, she needs both of us.
I made a promise I would wait for a phone call.
I have to. I promised.
Wait for her call and get out of it, once and for all.
Drop Frankie at ours and meet us at the Downtown Club.
I'll be there. Come here.
You know I love you.
I love you.
I missed you.
And I just want us to get back working together.
Look, get out of here before the both of us start wailing.
Bum, bum, bum, bum
Thanks, old friends
Keep reminding me
Frank's old friends
Always seem to come through
Frank will, too
So, old friends
Now it's time to start growing up
Taking charge
Seeing things as they are
Facing facts
Not escaping them
Still with dreams, just reshaping them
Growing up
Charley is a hothead
Charley won't budge
Charley is a friend
Charley is a screamer
Charley won't bend
Charley's in your corner
Mary is a dreamer, Mary's a friend
Mary is a nudge
Mary is a purist
Charley's a judge
Charley is a dropout
Everything's a cop-out
Why is it old friends Don't want old friends
To change?
Every road has a turning
That's the way you keep learning
So, old friends
Don't you see we can have it all?
Moving on
Getting out of the past
Solving dreams
Not just trusting them
Taking dreams, readjusting them
Growing up
Trying things
Being flexible
Bending with the road
Adding dreams
When the others don't last
Growing up
Understanding that growing never ends
Like old dreams
Some old dreams
Like old friends
Don't stop.
I thought you were going to call.
I said I had a headache and had the car bring me back here.
I have plans, Gussie.
I'm going to meet Mary and Charley.
And there's something I have to say to you.
- I think that it's... - Frank!
I did it.
I had the driver take my things to a hotel.
Gussie, don't. No, you can't do that.
We've already destroyed one marriage.
I could never live with you leaving Joe for me.
- I'm leaving him for me. - But why?
Why suddenly? Why tonight?
I saw tonight I could lose you.
My friends are waiting.
Your friends will be there for you tomorrow.
I need you tonight.
Life is knowing
What you want
Darling
That's the only thing
To know
As I told you moons ago
Darling
Nothing wrong with wanting
Nothing wrong with wanting me
Darling
Also, nothing wrong with
Not
Though it's only fair
That you should be aware
That I want you a lot
Growing up
Means admitting The things you want the most
Can't pursue
Every possible line
Letting go
Making choices
Ignoring all other voices
Including mine
You're divine
You decide on what you want
Darling
Not on what you think
You should
Not on what you want to want
Darling
Not from force of habit
Once it's clearly understood
Darling
Better go and grab it
Things can slip away for good
Darling
What is it you really
Hmm?
- Yesterday is done - Yesterday is done
- See the pretty countryside - See the pretty countryside
Merrily we roll along, roll along
Gathering dreams
Traveling's the fun Traveling's the fun
Flashing by the countryside
Everybody merrily, merrily
Following dreams
Rolling along
Rolling a...
In the case of Shepard v. Shepard,
after serious consideration,
I have made a decision to close this courtroom
to both the press and the public.
After a one-hour recess, we will reconvene behind closed doors
with the next subpoenaed witness.
This court is now adjourned.
Hey!
You missed the star going in.
Stay close. We'll try to grab her coming out.
I left as soon as the peace march broke.
- What do you got? - Composer's wife,
who wants every last cent, plus the kid.
This cat's gonna be lucky if they let him keep his clothes.
I thought you got something hot.
After the judge reads the deposition from the star witness
and suddenly closes the courtroom to the public,
trust me, I got something hot.
You're a big star. You got to know better.
It's an innocent little friendship
that's been blown totally out of proportion.
Hold it. Miss Carnegie, why were you subpoenaed?
Financial records, percentage chazerei.
Miss Carnegie, how are you two involved in this scandal?
- We are not involved. - And it is not a scandal.
We have no comment.
Can you tell us why you were subpoenaed to testify today?
The wife and me?
We are Mr. Shepard's best friends, I guess, is why.
Do you not understand that we have no comment?
Excuse me. I'm sorry.
I'm very sorry.
And the public knows "no comment" means guilty as hell.
Do you have any statement for the press, Counselor?
I have no statement. Stay with me.
I understand that Gussie Carnegie is scheduled to testify this afternoon
- in a closed courtroom. - That's what we understand.
- Why? - We have no idea.
Maybe Mr. Shepard can explain. Isn't Mr. Shepard coming out?
Mr. Shepard just left by a side exit.
I know that exit! Come on!
Go get him, Charley.
Frank, Frank, this has gone on long enough.
Yeah, we all think you should just get out of this any way you can.
- Give Beth whatever she wants. - Charley, she wants everything.
I warned you in the beginning, Frank.
Settle for whatever, but settle.
A woman charging abandonment of a wife and child, come on!
Beth wants to move back to Houston with my son,
and I will never allow that, never.
You know what they're planning to do today, Frank.
With Beth sitting there, with your kid on her lap.
Just stop it now, Frank. Walk away.
- Take a trip. - Save yourself all this pain.
- I cannot just lose my family. - Frank, I've taken that yacht.
Come on the cruise. Get away. Get some rest.
Yeah, and when you come back, you can stay with me.
Just go, Frank. We all want you out of this.
- Just get away. - I can't live without my son.
Beth.
- Beth! - Daddy!
I am not gonna give up, Jerome.
- Daddy, wait for me. - Don't be a fool, Elizabeth.
I said wait.
Honey, Mommy will be right back, okay?
You go with Grandpa.
- Your mother would turn over in her grave. - Daddy! Daddy!
Daddy! I want to see my daddy!
- I want you to give up, Frank. - Never.
You're not gonna like what you hear this afternoon.
It's not life without my son.
I am not out to hurt you, Frank,
but I will hurt you if I have to.
How is Frankie?
How do you think he is, Frank?
I keep thinking, "I could have stopped it."
I was warned about Gussie.
I could have stopped it.
Do you still love me?
Did you sleep with her, Frank?
Do you still love me?
Not a day goes by
Not a single day
But you're somewhere a part of my life
And it looks like you'll stay
As the days go by
I keep thinking
When does it end?
Where's the day I'll have started forgetting?
But I just go on thinking and sweating
And cursing and crying
And turning and reaching
And waking and dying
And, no
Not a day goes by
Not a blessed day
But you're still somehow Part of my life
And you won't go away
So there's hell to pay
And until I die
I'll die day after day After day after day
After day after day after day
Till the days go by
Did you sleep with Gussie?
I love you, Beth.
Did you want that life so much that you went with her?
I will always love you.
But did you?
Yes.
- Frank, I want us to... - Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!
Frankie, you're to stay with Grandpa.
He's my child, too. Get out of here!
Franklin, I can't! I can't live like this, Frank!
- I can't! - For God's sakes, wait!
Are you satisfied?
It's my job, man.
- Then go find a decent one, man! - Careful!
- Whoa, whoa! - Come on, Frank!
Break it up, Frank! Stop it!
Stop this. Stop.
I'll kill these photos, genius, but you owe me one.
Right?
Frank, we want you to just get away.
Hold me, Mary.
All I want to do is get back to work! I have to work!
No, you're in no shape to write, pal.
- Look, just go off with Tyler for a while. - I don't want to go away!
I am your agent, and I'm telling you,
- now is not the time to work. - I love you, Frank.
And Charley loves you, all right?
You just listen to us.
Living well is the best revenge.
So you made a mistake So you're singing the blues
So you'll take some time Go visit some places
You gotta be somewhere
Where there's nothing to remind you
Right?
What you need is a break I'll arrange a nice cruise
You'll relax a bit And see some new faces
You gotta do something Only never look behind you
Right?
Best thing that ever Could have happened
Right.
So you'll sit in the sun You'll come back with a tan
Then we'll do that show You've always been talking
The side is retired So we start another inning
Right?
- On a boat is such fun - You'll come back a changed man
I've had lots of guests And no one's squawking
Feels like an ending But it's really a beginning
Right?
Best thing That ever could have happened
Best thing that ever Could have happened
I say, best thing...
It was all getting much too complicated
Right!
All right.
Now you know life is crummy
Well, now you know
I mean, big surprise
People love you and tell you lies
Bricks can tumble From clear blue skies
Put your dimple down, now you know
Okay, there you go That's the sum of it
Now you know
It's called flowers wilt It's called apples rot
It's called thieves get rich And saints get shot
It's called God don't Answer prayers a lot
Okay, now you know
Now forget it Don't fall apart at the seams
It's called letting go your illusions
And don't confuse them with dreams
If the going's slow
Don't regret it And don't let's go to extremes
It's called what's your choice
It's called count to ten
It's called burn your bridges Start again
You should burn them Every now and then
Or you'll never grow
Because now you grow That's the killer
Is now you grow
You're right, nothing's fair
And it's all a plot
And tomorrow doesn't look too hot
Right?
You better look at what you got
Over here
Hello?
Okay, now you know
Right?
So you find a new gal So you write a new play
In a month or two You're going to thank us
You may have missed one road
But there's plenty more to follow
Right?
We'll go through the canal
Up the coast to L.A.
You'll come see the place I'm building at Trancas
Hang around here, pal And you're only gonna wallow
Right?
Best thing that ever could have
I mean, you'll come back I mean, what's the fuss?
I mean, sea and sun and comfort plus
Happened
I mean, after all, you still got us
Best thing That ever could have happened
It was all getting Much too complicated
Best thing that ever Could have happened
Right, you gotta let go Gotta do it from scratch
Take a long, deep breath Go back to your sources
A little vacation Which is all about forgetting
- Right? Right! - Right.
Then we'll do a new show No, we'll do a whole batch
Maybe one that's all about divorces
I mean, a divorce court
What a fascinating setting, right?
Right. Right.
Best thing that ever Could have happened
Yesterday is done
Best thing that Ever could have happened
See the pretty countryside
So you'll sit in the sun You'll come back with a tan
Soon enough you're merrily, merrily
- Rolling along - It's your time, your time
Rolling along It's your time
What's your choice? It's called count to ten
It's called burn your bridges Start again
You should burn them Every now and then
Or you'll never grow
Because now you grow, life's a killer
So now you grow
You're right Nothing's fair and it's all a plot
And tomorrow doesn't look too hot
Right.
You better look at what you got
Over here, hello?
Hello? Hello?
Over here, hello Now you know it
It's here, hello, hello Now you know it
- Right! - Right!
- Write! - Right!
- Right! Right! Right! Right! - Right! Right! Right! Right!
I love you, Frank!
Now you know!
He's only a boy
Why do I think he loves me?
Maybe he loves what I can do for him
Maybe he thinks that I'll come through for him
Maybe the moon is cheese
And yet maybe
Maybe
Something real is happening here
But, baby
You're a baby
And the man I'm married to
Needs me near
Ha!
Okay
The moon is cheese
And I love the guy I shouldn't
And I don't the one I should
Ah, but love is blind
And I go for the kind That I finally find
Is no good
- Ah - Is no good
And as we're going along
You take for granted Some love will wear away
We took for granted a lot
But still I say
We could have kept on growing
Growing, bop
Instead of just kept on
Kept on growing
On
- We had a good thing going - Ba, ba-da, ba-da
Going
- Going - Gone
Gone
Going
Gone
Just in time, but we got to go fast.
We're gonna make it just in time for the ending!
- Shh! - Shush!
You got an opening night inside, or did you forget?
We're sorry, we're very sorry, but something amazing happened.
Ah, I'll say amazing.
When, suddenly, right before the 11:00 number,
the whole pack of you jumps right out of your seats,
turns and runs straight up the center aisle, like a bunch of...
- like a bunch of meshuggeners. - Yes.
It... It was Evelyn.
Suddenly, just like that, she went into labor.
And being Evelyn, she didn't tell us
until her pains were only five minutes apart.
We just a second ago got her into a cab.
What in the hell are you doing here?
No, my wife would not let me into the cab.
Evelyn refused to let Charley miss our first opening night.
She even brought a tape recorder to record the applause.
From your mouth to God's ear.
At the very second the applause is over, Charley, I have that cab waiting.
We are gonna fly to the hospital in record time.
- I promise. - Shh.
They're quiet.
Very quiet.
When an audience is quiet like that,
it means that they are really concentrating.
"Shut up, Mary."
We should go back in for the closing.
I didn't mean "the closing."
Okay, Mama, now, the cab there with the meter running is for Charley,
so you and Daddy take the one right behind it.
And I will see you very soon, little bit, and I'll tell you
every single thing that happened.
Oh, I wanted him to be here opening night.
Oh, Frank, he's been here opening night.
Mwah! We love you very much.
And we thank you very much.
I don't understand
why in hell any human being in his right mind would...
- Ever, ever live in New York City. - Ever, ever live in New York City.
Charley, let's do another show.
Yes. Yes, and then another,
and then another, and then another.
Yeah, and, and...
I'll produce it.
Wait a minute, Joe.
You'll produce "Take a Left"?
First I say, get yourselves a couple of hits.
Show 'em you can make money.
Then, then you can do that political flop
and show 'em you got... ...integrity.
Me, I got such an idea for you guys, so commercial.
First you'll hate it, then you'll love it.
Frank, you know I never say anything, but I'm gonna say this.
For me, for me, just do one more for Joe, and then you can go and do "Take a Left."
I know the kind of music I want to write.
I also know that it's very hard on you right now,
but Beth, I am asking you to trust me.
And I am asking you to trust me.
Beth, guys, right now is the time. You got to do your own stuff.
Mary, you don't have a child
and you just had yourself a bestseller,
so that's very easy for you to say.
Yeah, Beth, trust me, success ain't all it's cracked up to be.
I think Charley and I will handle success very well.
Look how well we've handled failure.
Listen to that
Will you listen to that
Do you know what that means?
Let me tell you what that means
Wait, no, anyone who even thinks it
Don't say it, you'll jinx it
Listen to that
Did you listen to that?
Does that make you feel proud?
Well, feel more than just proud
Okay, wait, I'll tempt fate
And I'll state it out loud
That's the sound
Of a
Hit
It's a hit
Gang, I think this is it
No more writing clever little shows
For those basement saloons
No more proclamations from the pros
That you can't hum the tune
No more sneaking in at intermission
To the plays you wish you could afford
Or producers having you audition
Whenever they're bored
And who say right away As you play the first chord
"Boys, boys, it's very...
"What is the word? Interesting.
"And if I had the slightest belief
"any audiences would come, I would do it in a minute.
"Next!"
We're a hit, we're a hit
Standing up, the whole bit
No more coaching those sopranos
With voices like bees
No more secondhand pianos With six broken keys
No more agents giving you opinions
As they turn you over to their minions
As for these guarantees
We should please thank the Lord
It's a hit, it's a hit
Will my folks have a fit
After all of that baloney They made me go through
All that, "Honey, not that he's a phony
"But what does he do?"
Will their faces be stony When they see on their Sony
Someone handing the phony a Tony Award
I would like to begin by thanking
all the hundreds of people who have turned down
every show I have ever written
so that I could win tonight for this one.
Thank you.
Listen to that Will you listen to that
Tell me, is that a noise Or is that a noise?
That is a noise we've been waiting
The whole of our lives to hear
Listen to that Listen to that
- Will you listen to that - To that
- Honey, is that a noise - I can't stand it
Or is that a noise? That is the loveliest noise
For a breadwinning wife to hear
Listen to that, that's obscene
- Listen to that - Listen to that
That is a noise, that is really a
That's the noise I've been waiting
My life to hear
Listen to that, listen to that
Will you listen to that Will you listen to that
That's the sound of An audience losing its mind
It's the Pope on his balcony Blessing mankind
Folks, it's Funny Girl, Fiddler
And Dolly combine...
...d
It's a hit, it's a palpable hit
If it only even runs a minute
At least it's a wedge
It's the theater And we're really in it
Not just on the edge
If your spirits ever need improving
You can drop in any night for free
But the thing that's positively moving
You could have fooled me
Is we're still old friends
Nothing can kill old friends
FRANK, CHARLEY AND MARY: Where there's a will, old friends
Don't need success to survive
And us, old friends
What's to discuss, old friends?
We've got a surefire Genuine, walkaway
Blockbuster, lines down to Broadway
Boffola, sensational
Box office, lollapalooza
Gargantuan
Hit
It's a hit, it's a hit, it's a hit
It's a hit!
This is what everybody lives for!
Now we go back in and fake being modest.
No, no, no, I'm having a baby!
- We're coming! - God! Wait, wait, wait!
What about the opening party?
You two, go to the party.
Frank, I will do one more for Joe Josephson,
- but just one more. - One more.
- And then it's our time. - One more. Okay, come on.
Frank, I was there for Evelyn's last baby,
and I don't want to miss this one, but you,
you go to the party without me.
No, honey. Absolutely not. No, no, no.
Yes, yes, yes. I am so proud of you.
Okay, if I don't see you at the hospital,
I'll see you at home later.
I love you so much!
Wait, Beth. Wait, wait, wait, wait.
Now, look, with, with Gussie there, I urge you,
you go with Frank.
Sometimes you just have to trust, Mary.
Well, and sometimes you don't.
I would never want a man I couldn't trust.
Hey! Hey, hey.
Big man.
You got a ride to this fancy-schmancy party?
I can only stay one or two minutes.
Oh!
Was that not why we do all this?
Was that not just heaven?
I got to go make nice with the backers.
You two, take our car.
I won't be able to afford this big man now.
You watch.
What a blessing it has been to find another pure artist.
So often I have just wanted to thank you.
But Franklin Shepard, I think that there's been a conspiracy
to keep you from me.
Miss Carnegie, I owe you so much.
Didn't I tell you a few years ago...
it's fate that brought us together?
Now you, all you've done these past months
is work, work, work!
Tonight, let me show you how divine it is to be number one.
Everyone is waiting to meet the man of the hour.
Dreams don't die
So keep an eye on your dream
'Cause before you know where you are
There you are
Time goes by and dreams go dry
But you can't give up on your dream
Tend your dream
Some roads are easy
Dreams take time
Some roads are all uphill
All uphill Time goes by
Some roads you plod along with a will
Some roads you travel Just for the thrill
- Bend your dreams - Some roads are breezy
- With the road
Some roads are full Of jiggles and bumps
Can't let it get you down in the dumps
Don't let it get you down in the dumps
1964
1963
1962
- Have you seen? - How was it?
- You're not serious - Do you mean?
- That does it - You're not serious
- Have you seen? - Darling
How was it?
- You're not serious - We bought the most
- Darling - That does it
- You're not serious - We had the best
How was it?
- Darling - Did you ever
- You're not serious - It's the best
It's the first, it's the finest
It's the latest, it's the least
It's the worst, It's the absolutely lowest
It's the greatest, it's the single
It's the only, it's the perfect
It's the... Hi! Dreadful
Fabulous
Oh, Frank, Frank.
- That's the mayor. - I know. I know.
She's my favorite actress.
I see, I see. Oh, do you see who she's with?
Beth, I'm not looking for celebrities.
- I'm looking for Charley. - Oh, Frank, you can do both.
I've never seen so many famous people.
What? Who? Where?
Oh.
So, what did he say?
I haven't talked to him yet, but it's obvious
he didn't invite us here because we fit in so well.
I am more sure than ever that he wants to option our show.
I'm sure, too, but let's not be too sure.
I just have the pastry concession.
You are the one who's supposed to be handling the business.
I am handling it. Charley, you watch.
All this time we put into our writing, it is gonna pay off.
Well, I don't care what he asks.
You just say yes.
All I want is for us to be rich as long as we've been poor.
There are a lot of sophisticated people here.
Oh, God.
If I had known that, I would have worn earrings.
- Oh, gosh. - Oh, what's going on?
- Those people over there. - Uh-huh?
They're smoking marijuana.
I've smelled it before.
In the Village.
I thought it was autumn.
What?
Darling, we saw the new
Darling, we had the most Bad, it was good
- It's the biggest - He's a genius
Well, he can't, but he used to
It's the dumbest, she's a genius It's the...
Hi, hi, hi.
I don't know if you remember me.
I'm Franklin Shepard, and this is Charley Kringas,
- who writes my lyrics. - Remember you?
You're the reason we're giving this bash,
according to our accountant, anyway.
Oh, God.
Sorry.
And this is Beth, my wife Beth.
- Do you write songs, too? - Oh, no.
Right now, I'm the family breadwinner.
You don't mind if I kidnap him, do you?
I have invited the richest and the most influential people
in this town tonight.
Not one of whom is as rich or influential
as you're going to be.
I call them "the Blob."
They absorb everything.
Meet the Blob
The bodies you read about
The ones who know everyone
That everyone knows
Hi! Dreadful!
- Fabulous! - Meet the Blob
- Not many and yet - Oh, right
- You never see one - What? No
- They come as a set - Who, him?
And we're in their debt But what do you think?
'Cause, honeybunch, They write the books
And put on the shows And run the saloons
And design the clothes
They keep us natives on our toes
Albee, Warhol, Kurosawa
They read the books And go to the shows
And swamp the saloons Wearing all the clothes
What you might call a glut
But they're the most important people
In the most important city In the most important country
In the you-know-what
Heavy! Miltown!
Gestalt
Beth, darling.
You don't have any hooch.
Oh, oh! Oh!
Oh, I'm going to open my veins.
Oh, no, no, no, no. That's okay.
It better be, 'cause now I own it.
Joe, Joe, come quick.
We have a gigantic catastrophe. Oh, this is scandalous.
Joe? Joe?
Come and take this gorgeous person up to my closet,
and she is gonna choose some rag of mine.
Move! Joe, please.
I am paralyzed with shame.
Oh, did you talk to my wife?
We have something in mind maybe for Broadway.
Joe, if you don't hurry,
I'm going to throw myself down the garbage disposal.
Now move!
Your new songs are just beautiful.
I've got some newer ones.
You're wonderful.
I just admire people like you so much.
You seem to know everyone and do everything.
Yes, I do.
One day, I just made myself up.
And now I never change.
Instead, I change the people around me.
Scotty,
precious,
this is your new client, Franklin Shepard.
Well, I'll holler on you tomorrow.
Or you can yell on me. I'm in the book.
So am I.
See how much you two have in common?
I just found you an agent.
Joe gave me this greenhouse as a wedding present.
He has a tendency to worship me.
It's great.
If you like it, take it home.
I married Joe because he liked me
and I liked this life.
I married the one before him because, well,
I believed him when he said he could write.
And the first one...
I don't really think first ones count.
Do you?
This greenhouse seems as out of place in New York as I do.
Only at first, darling.
Now I find it to be the best thing about this dump.
- How old are you? - Twenty-five.
Which doesn't bother me,
and then I think I'm a quarter of a century, and I panic.
There's so much I want to do, and I can't get started.
I can't even... What?
Here's something I like to do
when I want to get to know someone very well, very fast.
It's a game.
I tell you something honest about me,
and you answer me right away with something honest about you.
I call it "Trading Hostages."
I'm not very happy.
Go on.
- I'm not very happy. - I'm very happy.
Huh.
I am inches away from the top.
I am miles away from the top.
Make that hundreds of thousands of miles away.
- Performing is my life. - Composing is my life.
Success is not happening fast enough.
Success is not happening at all.
I have been in five Broadway shows.
I have seen the second act of every one.
Someone's cheating.
I've done five Broadway shows.
Me, I can't get started. I can't even...
- My first love is singing. - My first love is music.
- My second love is acting. - My second love is music.
I think it's fate that brought us together!
I...
Anyhoo.
I did all those Broadway shows.
Most of which didn't last as long as this conversation.
And Joe...
Joe has just optioned a vehicle that could change my life.
And yours.
We both want you and your partner to do the score!
Do I see disappointment on that sweet face?
We were hoping that he wanted to do Take a Left,
the show that Charley and I auditioned for him.
Oh, no, darling, not at all.
It's just we've been working on it for three years.
Well, you can do this one much faster.
But he wants me to make sure you understand,
we want it fast, loud and funny.
I need a hit. What do you say?
Life is knowing what you want
Darling
That's the thing you have to
Know
You'll get everything you want
Darling
Have a little patience
Climbing mountains can be slow
Darling
Take it easy as you
Climb
I'd say you're a winner
Also a beginner
One step at a time
Growing up
It's what they call growing up
It's when we're all starting out
And starting to sway
Growing up
You hate the delay
But after today
You'll be on your way
So what do you say?
Hmm?
Okay.
Now... Now, this is not a show about subtle.
It's not big on depth.
It's flash, bam, curtain. It's fun!
It's opulent!
It's Broadway.
God.
Okay.
Oh, what was that?
- A second thought. - Oh, no, no.
That's something I do when I want to hold on to a moment.
I close my eyes very tight and I swallow, like I take a picture that I can treasure.
You're a treasure.
Now, I want everyone who hasn't drunk, smoke or gorged themselves too much
to hurry over here. Chop-chop!
Ah, Frank, look at this!
Oh, honey, it's beautiful!
Mary, where have you been?
I had to borrow a dress from the guy upstairs.
Oh, darling!
It looks wonderful on you. Keep it.
I'm too fat for it anyway.
Oh, uh, Gussie, this is our friend, Mary Flynn.
Mary's a copy editor, but she's gonna have her own book published very soon.
Sorry I'm late.
So glad you didn't wait.
Mary, Charley and Frank are these totally inseparable friends.
Well, I have to separate for a minute.
- I got to go find Charley. - Oh, no.
I've got plans for you.
Mary Flynn,
would you be as sweet as you look and go get Charley?
Oh, thank you this much.
Come, come, come.
Your husband is the most talented composer I've ever heard.
Oh.
I hope it's all right that I am just crazy about him.
I hope it's all right, too.
All right.
All right! Quiet now!
Listen now, please, because...
one day,
you are all going to be able to say,
"I was there when."
Oh, my God.
I have next to me
the most exciting composer ever, ever, ever.
And he is going to play a song he's written.
And when he finishes,
you are all going to want to swallow poison,
because there will be nothing more to live for.
So, so, find a place to park it.
Fermez all those bouches.
And I am now honored to present
Franklin Shepard and Charles...
Some funny little name.
Anyway, this song is from a little show that they want to do
that we hope will be in a big show that we want to do!
Wait. What, Frank? A big show?
- What is she talking about? - Later.
Sing.
It started out like a song
We started quiet and slow
With no surprise
And then one morning I woke
To realize
We had a good thing going
Psst!
- Take off the... - It's not that
Nothing went wrong
Some angry moments, of course
But just a few
And only moments, no more
Because we knew
We had this good thing going
And if I wanted too much
Was that such a mistake
At the time?
You never wanted enough
All right, tough
I don't make that a crime
And while it's going along
You take for granted Some love will wear away
We took for granted a lot
And still I say
It could have kept on growing
Instead of just kept on
We had a good thing going
Going
Gone
Just wait. Wait, wait, wait. One time?
We want to hear it again.
Tell them, wouldn't you all just like to live your entire lives to that music?
- Yes. - Down.
Everybody, down, down, down.
They're going to do it again.
One more time!
No. Frank, say no.
- Yeah, Charley's right. - They loved it.
They thought we were great.
And do you know what true greatness is? It's knowing when to get off.
I'll sing with you. Come on.
It started out like a song
Song
We started quiet and slow
With no surprise
And then one morning
I woke to realize
I said, "Joe, this show
- "Will be a watershed" - We had a good thing going
Can you pass me the wine?
It's not that nothing went wrong
- Some angry moments... - Did you hear
- No kidding - You're not serious
And only moments no more...
It's a clear case of Tammany politics
We were stuck in the tunnel till half past six
It's a show that'll murder 'em in the sticks
Did you read?
It'll never, they just don't mix
What we need Did you ever
Till half past six
It's a clear case of Tammany politics
Did you read, it'll never They just don't mix
What we need, did you ever, till half...
Wanted enough
All right, tough
I don't make that a crime
Darling We saw the new
Darling We had the most
Did you read, it'll never
They just don't mix What we need, did you ever
Till half past six
It's a show that'll murder 'em
In the sticks
It's a clear case of Tammany politics
It's the greatest, it's the single
It's the only, it's the perfect It's the one
It's the real, it's the true It's the final, it's the...
Traveling's the fun
Flashing by the countryside
Merrily we roll along, roll along
Catching at dreams
Yesterday is done
See the pretty countryside
Everybody merrily, merrily
1961
Some roads are easy
Some roads are breezy
Some roads, the ride gets out of control
Grinds to a halt and ends in a hole
Some roads you stall Before you can roll
1960
It's 1960
And, gosh, what a swell year it's been
CHARLEY, FRANK AND BETH: So many blessings
Such wonders it has brought
You hardly know where to begin
There's Xerox and lasers
The twist and the pill
A city in Brazil
That no one wants to fill
Khrushchev stopped screaming
And Librium came in
And Nixon didn't win
Goodbye, then, to Ike and the brass
To years that were cozy but crass
It's true, Ike was icky
But better him than Dicky
Now meet the first First Family with class
En masse
- Ow! - Sorry.
- There's Bobby - And Jackie
And Jack
And myriads more in the back
There's Ethel and Teddy and Pat alone
Plus Eunice And Peter
- And Jean - And Joan
- And what's-his-name - Stephen
And hold the phone The one in the Army
- One in the Army? - Captain? Major?
- Sargent - That's it
So many cards in the pack
You want to know how to keep track
Well, one is good-looking and young and rich
While one is good-looking and young and rich
The rest are good-looking
And young and rich
There isn't a lot that they lack
Not Bobby and Jackie and Jack
And Ethel and Ted and Eunice and Pat
And Joan and Steve and Peter and Jean and Sarge
There's probably dozens of others At large
God knows
And Joe and Rose
29, 32, 54! Hut, hut, hut!
Bobby, go long!
Hey. Hi. Nice to have you there.
We're bringing back style to the White House
I'm painting it beige for a start
We're making it into A cultural lighthouse
- For glamour - And beauty
And art
Evenings of the Budapest Playing Vivaldi
And Munch doing bits of Ravel
I'll get Leontyne Price to sing her
Medley from "Meistersinger"
And Margot Fonteyn to dance "Giselle"
Together?
Won't it be perfectly swell?
We'll have Bernstein play next on The Bechstein piano
And Auden read poems and stuff
This is for you.
And Galina Vishnevskaya
Gesundheit.
The Russian soprano
Just pronouncing her name
Is refreshing enough
We're bringing back style To the White House
With casual culture the rule
Let's have Tebaldi
She makes a guy feel good
And Oleg Cassini
Well, I think he's real good
And how about Heifetz
- And Callas - And Gielgud
And later, when everything's cool
We'll push them all into the pool
Last one. So sorry, sir. Thank you.
Oh!
Okay, Bobby, I'll make you attorney general.
Just get off my back.
- With Bobby - And Jackie
And Jack
The White House is under attack
Eight years is the limit But eight will do
- By then, there'll be Bobby - And Teddy, too
Or Peter or Stephen
Or even you
Oh.
And then there's the Colonel
- Colonel? - Major?
- You know
- Sargent - Yes
Dozens to pick up the slack
If anything goes out of whack
And someday elections will be unknown
'Cause each of our kids Will ascend the throne
And their kids have more kids with kids of their own
It's sort of a family knack
Till most of the nation's made up of relations
Of Bobby and Jackie and Jack
And Ethel and Ted and Eunice and Pat and Joan
And Steve and Peter and Jean
And Sarge and Joe and Rose and rows and rows
And rows and rows and rows and rows
The decade is starting anew
And maybe the country is, too
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you.
The entire cast of our revue, Frankly Frank,
now in its fifth successful, not quite record-breaking month,
would like to thank you all for coming to the Downtown Club,
where we do two shows here every night
with the exception of tonight.
Cut that out.
Anyway, please come back and bring a friend,
or come back and make a friend,
or just come back and be a friend. Thank you.
Excuse me. Um, hey.
Excuse me, but I got really excited
when I saw your name on the reservation list, Mr. Josephson.
Uh, me, I'm just a waiter here.
Well, actually, I'm holding down three different jobs at the moment,
but only until I can get my invention launched.
Uh, you see, I have invented a brand-new machine
that can answer your telephone when you're not at home.
Or even if you are.
But I just somehow cannot
- get all the investors... - Yeah. Hey, kid, kid!
They have answering services with operators already
that, guess what, do exactly for people
what you want this verkakte machine here to do.
Mr. Josephson, for only $4,000, I will right now sign a contract
giving you 50% of the return.
Whoa, whoa.
I live in a penthouse, kid, not in an asylum.
Now, I will, however, I will invest
my last red cent if you can come up with a sound idea,
something like this new Smell-O-Vision movie process.
I... I...
When the hell am I gonna meet a waiter who's just a waiter?
Mr. and Mrs. Spencer, hi. I... I'm Mary Flynn.
Frank and Beth will be out in less than a minute.
So, uh, I bet you two are excited about the wedding.
"Excited" is not the word.
You cannot imagine how important Frank is gonna be someday.
No, we can't.
Are you in the show business, too?
Oh, no. I'm just a fan.
But I have never heard music like Frank's.
Us neither.
I work for Look magazine...
See, now there is a steady, secure job.
I hate it.
Well, maybe that's why they call it "work."
Excuse me, Mr. Josephson.
Frank Shepard. Do you remember me?
Our entire cast is overwhelmed, is what they are,
that an important man like you
would actually come down to see our little revue.
Aw. And you recall Shirley Akinola here?
Now Gussie Carnegie.
She fixed the nose. She fixed the clothes.
She fixed the name.
And take a look at what was underneath all that.
Oh, you.
I used to work part-time as his secretary to pay for class.
We've all seen and admired you onstage so much.
- Oh, thank you. - A big talent wasted in little shows,
up until me.
But you boys, you boys must be doing something right,
because the, uh... fiancée here is going through one hell of a divorce,
and you boys made her laugh.
Joe, Joe, Joe.
I thought it was just peaches.
Oh, see, us, we're usually light-years better,
but everybody was just, God, so nervous that the two of you were here.
And it's a pretty nervous night for me anyway.
I'm getting married.
- Is it the girl in the show? - Beth.
Ah... you're awfully young.
Marry in haste, repent in Reno.
I'm 23. The guy who does the lyrics, he's my age, he's got a baby already.
Oh, excuse me, Mr. Josephson.
You remember Charley Kringas from the time we auditioned for you, my collaborator.
Uh, yes, I collabor him and he collabors me.
Sorry.
Mazel tov.
Your stuff is getting more commercial, which is good, because, trust me,
if you're gonna get married, you're gonna need bucks.
But I say,
unless the girl is pregnant, get out of it.
Oh.
Have a good wedding.
Um, Frank, look, you know...
unless you really want to, you don't have to.
- I want to, Charley. - Okay, great.
Frank, if there's any truth at all in "we turn out like our parents,"
you are in big trouble.
Mary, do you think I'm making a wrong decision?
Well...
I mean, if you really want to know what I think, Frank...
Frank, don't faint, but my parents want to speak to us before the ceremony.
Frank...
- I'm not pregnant. - What?
Do you still want us to get married?
Do you?
Before, my reason was the baby.
But now my reason is you.
And my reason is you.
- I am pregnant. - Beth!
I just wanted to be sure.
Elizabeth!
Oh, God. Mama.
- How do I look? - Elizabeth, your father and I
have one thing we want to say.
Mama, you've said it all for two days.
Elizabeth, the man doesn't even have a job.
My daughter is going back to being a legal secretary just to support you.
Mama, I told you that in private.
Mrs. Spencer, what I want to do with my life isn't to play in this club.
I want to write music.
And to be able to do that, I play here. I accompany singers at auditions.
I play for dance classes. I do arrangements.
I do anything that I can just so I can keep on writing music.
Boy...
we are prepared to give you $2,000 right here, right now.
- Daddy. - Just call
this sorry excuse for a wedding off!
Mr. Spencer, Beth and I are getting married.
We hope that it's with your blessing, but we are getting married.
Um, the minister just got here.
- Where's Evelyn? - Who's Evelyn?
Oh, the minister, I suppose!
Uh, no, Evelyn is my wife,
and she is way at the back of the room.
See, they often have to stop weddings right in the middle
because of her sobbing.
Which I try not to take personally.
Let's get started.
Elizabeth.
Here's Grandma's ring.
Thank you, Mama.
Daddy?
Elizabeth.
Come here, baby.
Oh, honey, it could be worse.
At least she's not pregnant.
My dear friends, good evening.
Before the marriage vows, Frank and Beth have each asked to speak.
Frank?
Beth...
I'm so happy to be marrying you in the very place
where I met you and grew to love you.
Actually, I'm just happy to be marrying you, period.
And I very much would like to thank our dear close friends
for being with us on this,
the most important moment in both of our lives.
Beth?
Not a day goes by
Not a single day
But you're somewhere a part of my life
And it looks like you'll stay
As the days go by
I keep thinking
"When does it end?"
That it can't get much better Much longer
But it only gets better and stronger
And deeper and nearer
And simpler and freer
And richer and clearer
And no
Not a day goes by
Not a blessed day
But you somewhere come into my life
And you don't go away
And I have to say
If you do, I'll die
I want day after day After day after day after
I'll die
Day after day after day After day after day
Till the days go by
How does it happen?
Once it was all so clear
How did you get so far off the track?
Why don't you turn around and go back?
How does it happen?
Where is the moment?
When did the road behind disappear?
Where did you let things Slip out of gear?
How did you ever get to be here?
1959
1958
- How's it going? - Good. You?
- Fair. - Yeah, tell me.
Russian Tea Room.
- Hi. - Mary.
Say hello.
I think I got a job.
- Where? - True Romances.
- Posing? - Thank you. Writing captions.
- What about the book? - What about the book?
- Nothing. Are you working on the book? - Yes.
- Good. - No.
- Mary. - Right. I know. Yes, me and Balzac.
Ugh.
I finished the one-act
- I got an audition - I started the story
- Rehearsal pianist - So where are we eating?
- I'm moving to Playboy - The publisher called me
- I'm doing a rewrite - My parents are coming
- I saw My Fair Lady - I rewrote the rewrite
- I sort of enjoyed it - I threw out the story
I'm meeting an agent
We'll all get together on Sunday
We're opening doors
Singing, "Here we are"
We're filling up days
On a dime
That faraway shore's Looking not too far
We're following every star
There's not enough time
- I called a producer - I sent off the one-act
- I started the story - He said to come see him
- I dropped out of college - I met this musician
- I'm playing a nightclub - They're doing my one-act
- I'm working for Redbook - I rewrote the ballad
- I finished the story - We started rehearsal
I threw out the story And then the musician
I'm moving to Popular Science
We're opening doors
Singing, "Look who's here"
Beginning to sail on a dime
That faraway shore's getting very near
We haven't a thing to fear
We haven't got time
Bum-bum-bu-bum-bum bum-bum
La-da-da-da-da da-dum
- How's it coming? - Good. You?
Done!
One minute.
Hamburg Heaven.
- Hi. - Mary.
- Say hello. - I got another job.
- Where? - Chic.
- What's that? - A brand-new concept,
pop-up pictures.
- What about the book? - What about the book?
Did you give the publisher the book?
- Yes. No. - Good. Mary.
- Look, I never... - Finished!
- Let me call you back. - Right.
- This is just a draft. Probably it stinks. - Right. Right.
Haven't had the time to do a polish.
- Will you sing? - Right.
Who wants to live in New York?
Who wants the worry, the noise The dirt, the heat?
Who wants the garbage cans Clanging in the street?
Suddenly I do
They're always popping their cork
I'll fix that line
The cops, the cabbies The salesgirls up at Saks
You gotta have a real taste For maniacs
Suddenly I do
That's great, that's swell
The other stuff as well
It isn't every day You hear a score this strong
But, fellas, if I may There's only one thing wrong
It's not a tune you can hum
It's not a tune you go Bum-bum-bum-di-dum
You need a tune you go Bum-bum-bum-di-dum
Give me a melody
Why can't you throw 'em a crumb?
What's wrong with letting 'em Tap their toes a bit?
I'll let you know When Stravinsky has a hit
Give me a melody
Oh, sure, I know
It's not that kind of show
But can't you have a score That's sort of in-between?
Look, play a little more I'll show you what I mean
Who wants to live in New York?
I always hated the dirt The heat, the noise
But ever since I met you, I...
Listen, boys, maybe it's me
But that's just not a
Hum-mm-mm-mm-mm-mm-mm-mable melody!
Write more, work hard Leave your name with the girl
Less avant-garde
Leave your name with the girl
Just write a plain old Melodee-dee-dee-dee-dee-dee
A-dee-dee-dee-dee-dee-dee
They're stopping rehearsal They ran out of money
We lasted one issue My book was rejected
The nightclub was raided I had to start coaching
- My parents are coming - I screwed up the laundry
- My wallet was stolen - I saw the musician
- We're being evicted - I'm having a breakdown
We'll all get together on Sunday They're slamming the doors
Singing, "Go away"
It's less of a sail than a climb
That faraway shore's farther every day
We're learning to ricochet
We still have a lot to say
You know what we'll do?
What?
We'll do a revue
- What? - What?
We'll do a revue of our own
- What? - Where?
- Why? - When?
Not just songs but stories, scenes,
- piano pieces, mime! - Yeah.
"Frankly Frank!"
A showcase of our own
- Where? - The club's reopening.
- We'll write a lot of new stuff. - Rewrite old stuff.
- What about the girl? - What about the girl?
Only that we're gonna need a girl.
- Well, Mary. - Thanks.
I don't perform except at dinner.
Who wants to live in New York?
Who wants the worry, the noise The dirt, the heat?
Who wants the garbage cans clanging?
- Next! - I can sing higher!
Who wants to live in New York?
Who wants to live...
Thank you for coming!
They're always popping their cork
Up a tone.
The cops, the cabbies The salesgirls up at Saks
Up a tone.
You gotta have a real taste For maniacs
Thank you! You're hired!
- I'm Beth - I'm Frank
I really thought I stank
- I'm Mary - Charley
By the way, I'm told we open Saturday
- What? You're not serious - Nobody's ready
Apparently, somebody canceled A booking
- The songs aren't finished - And what about costumes?
And how do I learn all these numbers?
I'll bring you the copies of everything
- Later this evening - Not to mention I still haven't finished
Okay, but I'll have to Have all of the music
We'll worry about it on Sunday
We're opening doors
Singing, "Here we are"
We're filling up days on a dime
That faraway shore's looking not too far
We're following every star
There's not enough time
We're banging on doors
Shouting, "Here again"
We're risking it all on a dime
That faraway shore's looking near again
The only thing left is when
We know we should count to ten
We haven't got time
Bending with the road
Gliding through the countryside
Merrily we roll along, roll along
Catching at dreams
Dreams that will explode
Waking up the countryside
Everybody merrily, merrily
Sing 'em your song
Rolling along
Oh, hey. Hey, what are you doing up on the roof?
I don't know. I just came up here.
Well, you could have told a person.
- You were asleep. - Yeah, the alarm just went off.
- You see anything? - Mmm-mmm.
- Is something wrong? - No.
- What are you doing up here so early? - I couldn't sleep.
Charley... I read your two plays last night.
They were so wonderful, I couldn't sleep.
I thought you were mad.
I have to tell everyone who stays over
to always wake me whenever you think I'm wonderful.
I tossed and turned.
I kept thinking about wasting these last two years in the Army,
then to come back and read your plays...
"Wasting"?
What about that music you played for me?
- Talk about wonderful. - What?
Really?
Yes.
Yeah, Frank, you... you don't just write what you know.
You write what you know.
Okay.
This play, Pretty Politics, about the Senate pages.
What do you think about making it into a musical?
- Go on. - I've got a better title.
Take a Left.
That's a better title?
I think it's important.
Musicals are popular.
They're a great way to state important ideas,
ideas that could really make a difference.
Charley, we can change the world.
Something is stirring, shifting ground
It's just begun
Edges are blurring all around
And yesterday is done
Feel the flow
Hear what's happening
We're what's happening
Don't you know?
We're the movers and we're the shapers
We're the names in tomorrow's papers
Up to us, man, to show 'em
It's our time
Breathe it in
Worlds to change and worlds to win
Our turn coming through
Me and you, man
Me and you
- Uh, uh. - Hi.
Uh, we just wanted to see, my roommate and... I.
Excuse me.
She's probably from Barnard.
Barnard girls are dippy.
- Do you have the time? - Uh, yep.
Uh, quarter to 6:00.
Do you ever think about getting married?
No.
Me neither.
But when I'm a lot older, maybe.
Feel how it quivers on the brink
What?
Everything
Gives you the shivers
Makes you think
There's so much stuff to sing
And you and me
We'll be singing it like the birds
Me with music
And you the words
Tell 'em things they don't know
Up to us, pal, to show 'em
Our time, breathe it in
Worlds to change and worlds to win
Our turn, we're what's new
Me and you, pal, me and you
- Feel the flow - Feel the flow
Hear what's happening
We're what's happening
Long ago
All we had was that funny feeling
Saying someday we'd send 'em reeling
Now it looks like we can
Someday just began
It's our heads on the block
Give us room and start the clock
Our time coming through
Me and you, pal, me and you
Me and you
I didn't mean to be so overdressed before.
- Am I too late? - No, I think it's just about now.
Oh, my roommate's coming up, too.
Oh, I'm Charley Kringas. This is Frank Shepard.
- Mary Flynn. Hi. - Hi.
- Um, we just took the apartment on five.
Oh, I'm not officially moved in
until I'm discharged from the Army next week.
Frank just got a weekend pass to help us move in.
Um, a lot to move in.
A typewriter, two mattresses and a piano.
Are you the one playing the piano the last two days?
- We're evicted. - Oh, no.
You are wonderful.
I mean, sincerely wonderful.
I'm sincerely grateful.
Yeah, I even came up on the roof so I could hear you better.
I tell everything,
then go home and suffer.
So, are you sincerely wonderful, too?
- I write. - He is.
Aw.
Me, Columbia. Him, Juilliard.
Well, that's what I want to do, write.
But how does anyone compose music, though?
I mean, to me, that is the gift of gifts.
I just met the girl I ought to marry.
Did anybody ever tell you you say all the right things?
Never.
Well, but I... I really want to know.
Well, writing music is not about words.
It's about sounds and feelings.
And, to me, music is about everything.
Well, anyway, it's so creative.
If I didn't have music, I'd die.
Someday, Frank is gonna be a very important composer.
He is?
I think you already are.
Mary? Are you up here?
Oh.
You're with guys.
Oh, no!
Evelyn.
That was Evelyn.
Oh!
We should probably look now. It's supposed to be right now.
- See anything? - God, I hope we didn't miss it.
It should come right over.
- Oh, yeah, there. There it is. - Yeah, I see it.
- Where? - There it is. There.
It's just phenomenal.
It's phenomenal.
Do you call it Sputnik or "Spootnik"?
Mmm. Call it a miracle.
God.
We got to be the luckiest people who ever lived.
After this moment,
this moment that the three of us are sharing here together,
nothing is ever gonna be the way that it was, not ever again!
Do you guys realize that now we're gonna be able to do anything?
I mean, anything we ever dreamed of.
What a time to be starting out.
What a time to be alive.
Something is stirring, shifting ground
It's just begun
Edges are blurring all around
And yesterday is done
Feel the flow, hear what's happening
We're what's happening
Don't you know?
We're the movers and we're the shapers
We're the names in tomorrow's papers
Up to us now to show 'em
It's our time, breathe it in
Worlds to change and worlds to win
Our turn coming through
Me and you, pal, me and you
Years from now, we'll remember
And we'll come back
Buy the rooftop and hang a plaque
"This is where we began
"Being what we can"
It's our heads on the block
Give us room and start the clock
Our dreams coming true
Me and you, pal, me and you
Me and you, me and you
Me and you
Me and you, me and you
Me and
You