Original subtitles

Be better right here with me, there's an angel

Your love is like a river, peaceful and deep.

Your soul is like a secret that I never could keep.

When I look into your eyes I know that it's true.

God must have spent a little more time on you.

God must have spent a little more time on you.

Don't give up your day job.

What's the point of being an angel if I can't sing like one? Here we go.

Maybe with a wee bit more practice.

Do you hear me complaining because God didn't make me a ballerina?

No, but that's because he gave you a beautiful voice.

Well, he gave you a beautiful gift, too. And you're going to need it. Come on.

Oh,

listen, Tess.

Do you remember when the Father created the heavens?

When he set the music of the spheres into motion.

The weirdest racket I ever heard.

All that music just exploding in the universe going every which way.

All the voices to come. All the voices that would ever be.

When I heard the voice, special voice breaking through.

One clear and simple voice that touched my soul so deeply. And I just knew that

that voice would be mine.

Excuse me?

Someday, I knew God would give that voice to me.

Oh, really?

I think he won't talk to you about that.

He don't.

They're going to answer my prayer after all that time.

That's it.

That's the voice.

The voice I prayed for.

My voice. Oh, he's going to give it to me, isn't he?

How can I ever thank him?

What are you looking at?

When you walk down the road, heavy

burden, heavy load, I will rise

and I will walk with you.

I'll walk with you till the sun don't even shine.

Walk with you.

Every time I tell you, I'll walk with you.

Believe me, I'll walk with you.

May I help you?

I am Miss Piper. I am the choir mistress with the Kensington Chor.

Got eyes like saucers, hasn't she?

That will do, Alice.

Well, I can't sing proper with her staring like that. And you can't sing

properly with that gum in your mouth.

Are you here for the competition?

Are you a singer?

No. I wish... The truth is that I heard her singing and...

Alice Childers, that is a musical instrument. Like your

voice, it deserves respect.

And you can dispose of that in the dustbin, thank you very much.

Yes, Miss Piper.

Now, what can I do for you?

What's the matter with you?

She has my voice.

She chews bubble gum.

She's very rude.

Her name is Alice. She's your assignment.

Oh, no.

No, no, no, no. Where are you going?

I asked you a question.

Hello?

You get your little angel behind in there.

I don't want to.

You what?

Why did God do that, Tess? You have a problem with the way he runs things,

Wings? He knows what he's doing.

And yes, he did give this little girl a special gift.

I know.

Mine.

I prayed for that voice, Tess. God is not a vending machine where you stick in

your prayer and pull out your prize.

It's not a prize I want. It's a chance to glorify him any way I can.

I know I have the soul of a singer.

I feel the music deeply.

But something happens when it comes out of my mouth. I know how I sound.

It's humiliating.

Even God has to plug his ears.

No, he doesn't.

He's a loving God.

And he gives each of us everything we need.

Everything.

And he gave you the gift of truth.

And when it comes to that, baby, you got perfect pitch.

And that's what you're going to need to help that little girl. Now, she may have

the voice of an angel, but she still needs a singing lesson from you.

Supervising Alice is a full -time job.

She's very spirited.

Well, I've had a lot of experience in the spirit department.

And Monica loves music.

Unfortunately,

Alice doesn't.

If only she cared about singing as much as she cares about this scruffy thing.

What about her parents?

I don't know anything about them.

She's been living in an orphanage for the last seven years.

Alice?

This is Monica.

She's volunteered to give me a hand while I get things ready for our

tomorrow night. Hello.

I'm going to be your chaperone.

Give me my bag.

And lady, where are your manners?

How do you do?

Who are you?

My name is Tess, Alice.

I'm in charge of the solo competition here tonight.

If you'll excuse me, I've got to get a move on.

First prize is $2 ,500, right?

Or a music scholarship.

I'll take the cash.

Alice, we've already discussed this.

And I must say, your attitude leaves a lot to be desired.

Looks like the two of you deserve each other.

Please, Miss Piper, let me enter the competition.

All you have to do is sign my entry form. The subject is closed.

You're here to sing with the choir tomorrow evening, and then it's straight

to England.

Monica, see that she's back for a hurdle of six.

And that she doesn't ruin her teeth.

We have the whole afternoon ahead of us, Alice.

What would you like to do?

Certainly as a lovely bear.

Just trying to make chit -chat.

No, I'm trying to make friends.

I'm sorry.

My daddy gave them to me before he died.

Daddy used to sing this song to me all the time.

That's why I named him Harold Bear.

Maybe Harold would like to see his square.

Come on.

This is Harold Square.

What did you expect?

An elf.

Something.

More. But we're gone.

No, thank you.

Monica, I'm starting a scrapbook.

You know, my big trip to the Big Apple.

Since we're friends and all, I was wondering if you could sign it for me.

My autograph?

I'd be happy to, fellas.

There.

Have very much.

Are you sure you don't want bubblegum?

No, thanks.

But do you mind if I ask you a question?

How does it feel when you open your mouth and that beautiful music comes

Don't know.

Never thought much about it.

I'm not much of a singer myself, but...

Do you think you could give me a couple of pointers?

Well, I really shouldn't strain my voice before the choir performs tomorrow

night.

All right, then.

Let's start with a song.

Something simple.

Well, I've always been partial to Danny Boy.

Go on, then. Give it a go.

Oh, Danny Boy.

The pipes, the pipes are calling.

From Glen to Glen.

Alice, I'll be right back.

Not so fast, old chum.

Andrew, please explain to me what's going on.

What are you doing here?

Can't you tell I'm a mime?

Now I'm a talking mime.

There's something you're not telling me, isn't there?

Andrew. Okay, all right, all right.

Tess wanted me to keep an eye on you, but I'm not supposed to say anything.

She sent you here to spy on me?

She's worried about you. What's the problem?

The problem is that I sing about as well as you mine.

Ouch.

There's something I never told you that happened a long time ago.

In heaven.

After all these centuries, it still hurts to even think about it.

I had just finished an errand of mercy.

And I was full of gratitude.

For everything in God's beautiful world. And that's when I heard the choir

singing my favorite song, Panis Angelicus.

So I stopped in to listen.

And soon I was singing along.

Throwing in a little Alleluia here and a little Hosanna there.

Well,

I must have got carried away because suddenly I was the only one singing.

Very loudly.

And everyone was looking at me.

I'm the only angel who ever got kicked out of the choir, and I wasn't even in

it.

I just wish I could sing that song with a voice that sounds the way I feel.

I know that voice, Andrew, but he didn't give it to me.

He gave it to a little girl who would rather pop bubblegum.

Miss Piper, Alice didn't stop by here, did she?

Do you mean she's not with you?

You were supposed to have her here by six. Where is she? I don't know.

You lost her?

I stopped to say hello to a friend and the next thing I knew... Ladies and

gentlemen, our first contestant in the solo competition is also our youngest.

All the way from Kensington, England, please welcome Alice Childers.

I didn't sign her application.

Well, somebody did.

Is this your signature?

That's my autograph.

I thought we were friends.

Alice has several gifts, one for singing and one for not telling the truth.

That's the song, Tuck.

My song.

My voice.

No, Angel Baby.

He gave you truth.

And that's what he wants you to give to Alice.

She needs your help.

She doesn't need my help.

She doesn't want it.

I tried to be her friend.

Well, you've got to try harder. She still needs that singing lesson.

Not from me.

Yes, from you.

I'm sorry, Ted.

I really tried, but I just can't do this.

It hurts too much.

Okay, one, two, three.

Your soul is like a secret that I never could keep When I look

into your eyes I know that it's true God must have spent a

little more time on you

to Broadway.

Remember me to Herald Square.

They'll all again at 42nd Street that I will soon be there.

Hey, this is not a free concert.

You had any change?

I'm sorry.

So what good are you?

I don't know.

I've been asking myself that.

I'm a bit lost.

Central Park's that way.

Statue of Liberty's that way.

Subway's down there.

Now, if you'll excuse me.

A whisper of how I'm yearning.

So what's the matter with you?

Yearning is such a terrible thing.

To always want what you can't have.

So what do you want?

I want to sing.

Go ahead. Nobody's stopping you.

No.

I want to sing like an angel.

Looks like you found the right place.

Manny's Karaoke Heaven?

Hey, sunshine.

You just gonna sit there dripping all over my bar?

Sorry.

I'm a wee bit wet.

A wee bit wet?

Give me a break.

This ain't Manny's four -leaf clover.

Strictly karaoke and cocktails.

Now, what'll it be?

Do you have any coffee?

Maybe something special that always helps me to feel better.

Coffee I got.

Can anybody just get up there and sing?

Can and they do.

Sharp, flat, tone deaf, we get them all.

I'm not very good.

As a matter of fact, I'm the worst singer you ever heard.

Well, you got a lot of competition.

There you go.

One specialty de la maison.

Thank you.

My goodness.

That's much better than a double mocha latte.

What is it? What do you think?

Irish coffee.

Oh, my.

That's very good coffee.

I'll have another one.

Where have you been? And what is that on your face?

You told me to keep an eye on Monica.

So I'm incognito. Well, you can come out of cognito right now. Ow, ow, ow, ow.

No, no, not with this.

Where is Monica?

I don't know. I thought she was with you.

Well, she was.

But then she left.

I can't be every place, can I?

Yes. Hey, come on.

Don't get so upset. I'm sure Monica's okay.

Well, I'm not.

She quit her assignment. She what?

You heard me.

She gave up, threw in the towel, just like that.

Now my baby's out there all by herself.

Listen to me. You dry those tears and you stay here.

I'll find Monica.

You better.

Because if that little angel doesn't wake up and start smelling the coffee,

God knows what's going to happen.

So, Manny, how long have you been doing this for a living?

Too long.

You should do what I did.

Just walk out.

I'm an angel.

Uh -huh.

What do you go and rate for angels these days?

Well, the pay is... There is no pay.

But the benefits are terrific.

Of course you have to live up to the reputation of things like an angel and

that.

I think God must have broken the mold when he gave me my pathetic voice.

At least I hope he did.

I'll have another one.

I think you've had enough.

You don't believe me.

They never do, you know, until I say, I'm an angel sent by God. And then I

glowing.

Oh, yes, from the power of its love.

I do, really.

I get all lit up.

Trust me, you're plenty lit already.

I don't like the way she's looking at me.

Time for a little kicker cookie.

Honey Oakley.

Cooker Rookie.

Cariolis. We got us an angel, Sarge. Mr. Hotter Halo at the pawn shop.

Monica. Hey.

Oh, you're that mime.

It's Andrew.

Are you drunk?

Impossible. I don't drink.

I had a few cups of really good coffee, Irish coffee.

Don't you know what they put in Irish coffee?

They put whiskey in Irish coffee.

Tess told me what happened. Monica, you're not a quitter. What's going on?

I don't want to talk about this.

Is this about that little girl?

Is this about Alice?

What little Alice Perfect Pitch?

You know, God gave it all to her.

What about me? What about good old Monica, huh?

You're no better than that.

And if Alice is your assignment, then she needs your help.

It's not that I don't want to help her.

I can't.

It hurts too much to hear her saying it reminds me what a failure

I am.

You're not a failure in God's eyes.

It's not his eyes I'm worried about.

It's his ears.

Now leave me alone.

Monica. What's going on here? Whoa, pal.

Don't bother the customers.

Now take a hike.

You don't understand, okay?

I'm her friend. I'm trying to help her. We work together.

I suppose you're an angel, too.

That's right.

You're an angel with a...

star on your cheek?

I'm also a mime.

Real renaissance type, are you? Oh, Danny boy,

the pipes, the pipes are calling

from glen to glen

and down the mountainside.

You know, after everything I have been through, I have the right to sing the

blues.

Bye.

Come on, we're gonna go take a look.

Look this way.

That's good.

Now, let me see that number.

I don't understand.

What are you...

Hello. Do you mind?

I can smell your breath a mile away.

Oh, I'm sorry.

I had a couple of coffees.

And a little flavoring.

What happened to your eye?

My dad hit me.

He likes flavoring, too.

And he skipped the coffee part.

I'm so sorry.

You're not going to hurl, are you?

I hope not.

Nothing like this has happened to me before.

Ivy, look, this is your first offense.

So I'd like to help you if I could, if you'll let me.

You want to help?

Arrest my dad.

He's the one who should be in here, not me. I'm just a kid.

Yeah, well, there are rules about kids who steal.

It was just a lousy CD.

If you'll agree to pay for it, I could probably get those charges dropped and

you could go to a shelter where you'll be safe.

Yeah, right.

I wish I could help

you. I used to be able to do that for people.

I'm going to run away.

That'll feel a lot better.

Running away won't solve your problem, Ivy.

What do you know about it?

I know a lot about running away.

That's how I ended up here myself.

You don't seem like a bad sort.

Why did they steal?

Because after he hit me, he smashed all my CDs, and I need my music, all right?

It's the only thing that makes me feel peaceful.

I love music, too, but you can't just take what doesn't belong to you.

You can't just take what doesn't belong to you.

What are you babbling about?

A lesson my father has been trying to teach me.

Does he smack you around, too?

No.

He just loves me.

No matter what I do.

I wish I had a father like that.

Ah, but you do, Ivy.

We all have the same father.

You're not gonna get weird on me, are you?

You took something that didn't belong to you. I tried.

To do the same.

But tell me this.

Once you had it, did it make you feel any better?

No. It wasn't like it was really mine.

And getting caught made it even worse.

Yes, you got caught. But you've also been given another chance.

The sergeant has offered you a safe place.

A shelter.

In God's world, little miracles happen all the time. You don't have to steal

them. Save your stinking breath.

I don't want to have anything to do with God.

No, you don't want to have anything to do with a bad father. But I'm telling

about a good one.

He might not give you what you want, but he always gives you what you need.

I just found that out myself.

Father, I am so sorry.

Please forgive me.

I know.

Okay, Monica.

You are free to go.

We both have been given a chance at another start.

What do you say, Ivy?

Shall we take it?

I suppose you have something to say.

Something I'm not sure I want to hear.

But what with me being an angel and all.

Go on.

I, uh, brought you some coffee.

Plain. You give me that, she gets nothing until we settle our business

And you go outside and wait, because this isn't going to be pretty.

Do you know what you've done?

You've broken a commandment.

Now, what part of thou shall not covet don't you understand?

When you break a commandment, it's like pulling a thread.

And before you know it, everything's falling apart at the seams.

And you don't only hurt yourself, you hurt all the people who love you.

I know. I'm sorry for what I did, and I'm sorry for what I put you through,

Tess. You think I was worried?

I wasn't worried.

I knew you'd come around.

Do you forgive me?

Yes, I do.

But you need to ask somebody else for the forgiveness you need now.

I did.

And what did he say?

He said that I am forgiven, but that I need to do some work on my attitude.

You gonna let him help you this time?

Yes, ma 'am.

Good. You got to get busy.

Alice still needs that singing lesson.

But what can I teach her about singing when she's already won the contest?

As a matter of fact, she did not win.

If you want to help that little girl, you're going to have to hurry.

Kensington Corral, you're on.

Alice Childers, on stage right now.

Excuse me.

I'm looking for a girl. Oh, let me guess. She's got beautiful eyes. A

accent. Not too tall, not too short. You know what?

I think we just found her. Her name is Alice.

I think she's serious.

She's only 13.

That's her, right there. Have you seen her anywhere?

No, I'm so sorry.

Well, thanks anyway.

Okay.

Alice has taken off again.

I hate to see a little girl all alone in a city like this. No friends, no

parents. She must be so lonely.

I gotta go.

You hang in there. I'll keep an eye out.

You know, her father's still alive.

What?

He hasn't died yet.

To Herald Square Thank you.

All right, but that's my song.

I'm going to have to collect my royalty.

I only have about a dollar, but you can have half.

My dad used to sing that song to me all the time when I was little.

What's your name?

Alice. I used to love a girl named Alice.

Really? Yeah.

It was a long time ago.

I never should have left her.

She was so beautiful.

A child, really.

Dark hair and green eyes.

I have dark hair and green eyes?

Was she British?

She sounded a lot like you.

I know this may seem a bit fanciful, but her daddy gave me this.

Does it look at all familiar?

Others love teddy bears.

What I mean is... What I'm hoping is... Did you give it to me?

Hello, old pal.

I never thought I'd see you again.

Are you my daddy?

Allison.

Daddy.

Daddy, I miss you so much.

He's not your daddy, Alice.

Give her back the money.

And the bear.

You're not my daddy?

Sorry, kid.

He lied to me.

It's a bad habit, don't you think?

Leave me alone.

Why did you lie about being an orphan, Alice?

What do you care?

I care a great deal.

And so do you.

What happened to your father, Alice?

He left me.

A long time ago.

I'm so sorry.

And now the only thing I remember about him was that song.

And I figured, since he always sang about being there on Broadway in Herald

Square, if I came to Broadway... He would be here.

Well, maybe he is somewhere around here, right?

And if he hears me sing, he'll think, he'll see I've got something special and

he'll want me and love me again.

But you are something special, more than you know.

And someone does love you and want you.

What's happening to you?

I am an angel.

A real angel?

From heaven?

Yes.

Do you know where my father is?

No.

But I do know that he doesn't deserve you.

And I'm not here to help you find him.

Then why are you here?

Well, I...

Supposed to give you a sort of a singing lesson.

What?

God sent me an angel who can't sing to give me a stupid singing lesson.

There's nothing you can teach me about singing.

I thought that too.

And I know that I don't sing very well.

But I know a beautiful voice when I hear one. And when I heard your voice, I

wanted it to be mine more than anything else in the world.

Then take it.

If it won't help me find my father, I don't care if I ever sing another note.

But God cares, Alice.

And he gave you that beautiful voice.

You've been using it to sing to the wrong father.

God made your voice, Alice.

He fashioned it just for you.

Out of light and air, stars and sky.

And he wants to hear you sing.

I'm just a kid.

But you're his kid.

And he loves you so much.

Sing for your father.

Right now.

Sing for the father who will never abandon you.

I don't know how.

Ah, well.

That's the singing lesson I'm supposed to give you.

It's the same lesson I had to learn myself.

We both were given special voices, Alice.

Yours sounds like music, and mine sounds like truth.

And the truth is, I will never have your voice, and you will never

have your earthly father.

And until we both accept that, our voices will have a touch of sorrow in

where God wants to fill them with joy.

Sing with me.

Sing Panis Angelicus.

But let's not make it just a song.

Let's make it a prayer.

And that will make all the difference.

He is listening, Alice.

Brokenhearted, lost and alone, I come to thee in prayer.

Call out to him, talk to him.

Oh, how you have loved me.

I that have been so lost.

Father, Father, grant us your peace.

Father, Father, I give you the song of a child.

That's what an angel sounds like.

Yes.

She has a beautiful voice.