Original subtitles

Hey, come on, guys, let's go. We don't want to be late for music history.

Clarence Walker is the guest speaker.

Clarence Walker, the jazz singer?

That's the one.

Oh, my grandmother used to love to listen to that man sing for hours.

She used to put on one of his 78s and burn up dinner.

I'm telling you, the whole 40 swing music is that. Oh, there she goes. Look,

Tamara, for the last time, I am not taking a swing dance class. Oh, come on.

Well, you know how it works better when you have someone to dip you.

Well, if you're counting on me, you'll be hitting the floor.

Come on, guys, let's go.

Miss Landry, I am dying to know, what is a 78?

About how many seconds you have to get out of my kitchen?

See how different we have come to be.

Even though I'm glad to be with you, I thought it was real for me. Like you got

to do what's right for you.

Swing music started in the black clubs in the 30s, then found its way into the

white ones.

Because of World War II, money was tight.

Nightclub owners couldn't afford big bands to play.

If they were, you know, short on money, why didn't they just roll in a couple

turntables, get an MC, and just go freestyle with some hip -hop up in

To your information, Slappy White, bebop was the hip -hop of the 40s.

Uh, bebop?

What's that?

Well, bebop had its own style, dress, and slang.

Just like your blues, your hippity hop, and your R &B.

Seems like black folks been creating music for white folks to steal for as

as I can remember.

They don't teach you that here.

Bebop, huh?

Yeah. In fact, you remind me of this cat who was really into bop.

His name was... Frankie Smallwood.

But everyone called him Ricky.

Oh.

Hey, Ricky.

I met him at this spot called the Down Beat.

The war was on, and I had a little singing gig there.

I was sharp back then.

But the ladies liked to hear.

Isn't it romantic, merely to be young on

such a night as this? Isn't it romantic,

every note that's sung is like a lover's

kiss? Sweet...

hot tonight.

Hot?

Jimmy, you need to book a band to get this joint a -jumpin'. I'm gonna take a

break so you lubbers can get a glass of milk.

You know, Jimmy, I swear, if you don't get this place to hop, I'm gonna hop

right out that door.

Ah, come on, honey, you can't leave me now. The place is beginning to pick up.

Jimmy, even a lady with all this, this, and this can't

squeeze a trip out of this.

Hey, Vin, you just missed my set. Then we're just in time.

At least I got a gig.

Look, no disrespect intended, Daddy -O.

But I don't feel the blues.

Bebop's with that.

Me on my trumpet, one guy at the drum, one on the sax, and one slapping the

bass. Now that's music.

To each his own, Daddy -O.

That'll be 75 cents.

And I'll take the change. It's not a tip.

It is now.

Hey, Daddy.

How's my little girl?

Oh, fine, Daddy.

Evening, Mr. Slim.

Hiya, Ricky.

Found a job yet?

Why? You know someone who's looking for a bebop band?

No, but I know a fine young lady who's been wasting her time with a broke

trumpet player.

Oh, Daddy.

A bebop doesn't pay the bills.

He'll never understand.

I'm splitting.

Ricky!

That kid will never listen to me. Hey, Dexter.

Getting some dance time in before we ship out?

Ship out?

Do you join the army and you're just now telling me? Ruby, listen. My country

needs me and I can save the money that I make for college. Well, what about me?

Ruby, I'm doing this for the both of us.

Well, the both of us should have talked about this before you enlisted.

Men. What do we need them for?

Oh, I don't know.

I just remembered.

Oh, my.

I can't believe Texas is going to war.

Oh, Ruby, you'll be all right.

Okay, okay, we'll say he's all right.

But what if he forgets about me?

Well, so what if he does?

You're a beautiful girl. There's a fish in the sea.

But with the war, the pickings are slim.

Oh, let's face it, there's nothing left but flat feet and four eyes.

But with a little lipstick and the right perfume, you could get lucky.

I gotta learn to keep my mouth shut.

Hey,

sweetie, can I talk to you alone?

Okay.

What is it? Well, I've decided to take your pop the bike.

You're getting a job. I hope so.

I'm taking a bus to L .A. to jam with Bird and Monk.

Well, I got to go water down with some liquor.

So, you're leaving me.

No way.

I want you to come with me.

Well, are you putting a ring on this finger? Well, of course.

As soon as we get back from L .A.

And when is that?

I don't know.

now, Ricky. I can't plan the rest of my life on I don't knows.

Well, I guess this is goodbye.

Enjoy L .A.

This is why there are no bebop love songs.

It's okay.

It's okay.

Oh, you feel better good. Excuse me.

Hey, of all the rinky -dink jazz joints in this town, you picked the right one.

I love it when they play coy.

What's going on? Well, I'm a... Big Earl.

Look, this isn't the time.

Big Earl say he make his own time.

And right now, it's about that time you pay Big Earl his money.

Maybe what you need is a sweet little gal to wine and dine.

Big Earl said maybe later.

Look here, Big Earl, I've got your money. Charlie, hand me the envelope.

There's only $1 ,200 here.

That's right.

$1 ,000 plus 200 interest.

You owe Big Earl another $1 ,800.

You said the interest was $200.

A day.

Next time, read the fine print.

Hold it right there.

I just thought I'd cover it.

Oh, that's only $3 here.

What can it?

You know, Slim, today is your lucky day.

Because, see, I'm in a good mood.

So I'm going to tell you what I'm going to do.

You have us the money by tomorrow.

Or we're going to take your club, your crooner, or your kneecaps.

Bye, Clarence.

Wait a minute. Clarence isn't going anywhere.

Jimmy, I'm not going to let him take your club.

Clarence, we've been together since you were ten years old. You're like a son to

me. I can't let you sing at Earl's club.

He won't pay you a dime.

You barely pay me a dime.

Yeah, but I'm family.

I can't believe all of this is happening.

Me neither.

First we lose our men.

Now we lose the club.

We haven't lost anything yet, see?

what happens. We're all in this together.

I wonder if Big Earl is hiring.

Daddy, do we have the $1 ,800?

Let's see. If I call in a few markers and hold off tomorrow's paychecks.

That leaves me $200.

Great. All we need is $200.

All I have is $200.

You mean $180.

Money need, huh, money?

Man,

if you don't have my $5 in an hour, I'm going to hurt you.

I'm not going to stand around here while people I care about are being roughed

up.

Oh, but what I don't see won't hurt me. I'll be in the back pressing it up.

So, Slim, big girls say you got that green, don't you?

You know, if I could have a little time, I could... What did he say? What did he

say? He didn't say nothing. Did you hear the man say something?

He's thinking.

Big Earl say this joint is ours.

Including the crooner.

Grab him, Manny.

Hey, Big Earl.

What's doing, Daddy -O?

Big Earl say, hey. I heard him.

Bebop kid.

I haven't seen you around the neighborhood lately.

Got a beef with Mr. Slim?

Yeah, man.

Same old.

Can't pay.

I take the nightclub.

You know that's what I do.

Well, uh, big girl, let's...

Okay,

big girl, uh...

Give us 24 hours. If we don't have the money by then, you can add me and my

trumpet onto your take.

You know, I like you, kid.

Maybe it's your music.

Maybe it's your style.

Or maybe it's the fact you look just like moms did before she started

Okay.

I'll grant you that request.

Thanks.

Oh, Ricky.

Thank goodness you came when you did.

Yeah.

You really saved our bacon.

Yeah, thanks a lot, kid, but there's no way I can come up with that kind of

money that fast.

You will.

Just spread the word around that tomorrow night, the Downbeat is having a

and swing dance contest.

You do that for my dad?

No, I do it for you.

Look, 500 bucks goes to the winner.

And this place will be so packed, you can charge triple the price for the

drinks. Look, I really appreciate this, Ricky, but I can't afford to hire a

band, and I certainly can't afford prize money.

Don't sweat it, Daddy -O.

My bebop band will play for free.

You're gonna play swing.

My band will play swing.

We will dance the night away, win the prize money, and give it to your pop so

can pay back his debt.

I'll take my hug now.

Never thought I'd see my place this packed.

Never thought I'd see my bra this packed.

Hey there, soldier boy.

Hello.

Glad you can make it. Well, I didn't spit shine these shoes for me.

Hey, slick.

That's boogie woogie.

A couple of hip cats have rared to win $500.

Now, you know how this thing goes. You vote for the couple you think should be

the king and queen of swing.

Now, let's get ready to have a solid ball.

Okay, we've narrowed it to three couples hoping to win the 500 clans.

I may have to be out there and dance myself, but this cat's too clean to be

dancing swing.

Okay, boys, let's make this joint swing.

Hey, Washington, looks like we're shipping out early. We've got to split.

Dexter, please, no. Wait, wait, wait.

Look, I've got to go, okay? But I promise I'll be back.

Then get out there and you win that money for your dad.

Come back to me.

Will.

It shouldn't be hard to figure out who our winner should be.

Is it this couple?

I hear crickets.

Or is it this trio?

No, no, no.

It's not our money. It's your pops' money.

Hey, Mr. Slim.

500 bucks?

I think that'll be enough.

I'm afraid it's not. I'm 200 clams short.

What?

You know, short's only good if you're a lawn jockey.

Now, big girl, say, man, I gotta rough you up.

Oh, no, no, no, no.

Not so fast, big girl.

Something I want to get off my chest.

You can thank me by meeting me at the Paradise Club in 15 minutes.

And ditch the goons.

You heard the lady.

No goons.

We did it, guys.

We saved Johnny's club.

No, Ricky.

You're the one who really did it. That's right.

I want to thank you for what you did, kid.

Drinks on the house.

But not the service.

Everybody quiet.

We're making a special announcement on the radio.

The War Department has confirmed... The Japanese government gave their

unconditional surrender to Allied forces.

I repeat, the Japanese have surrendered.

August 14th, 1945, the war is over!

And my baby never had to leave.

You do know what this means, sweetie.

Yes, I get to go to college.

Because you're off to L .A.

That's right.

But I'm not going unless you come with me.

Well, now, it wouldn't be proper for a nice girl like me to run up on a road

trip and clean a mess.

Well, would it be proper if we stopped in Las Vegas on the way and got hitched?

I love you.

Man, those happy cats really knew how to jump with the job.

I mean, uh, this music is dope.