Original subtitles

[grand music]

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[jazz music]

My name is Willie Willoughby,

but they call me Smoke.

I play piano in a run-of-the-mill dance band.

Kind of monotonous.

But there were times when I got my kicks,

not so long ago, either,

like when I palled around with Rick Martin,

the famous trumpet player.

What a guy.

We were in the thankless business

of piecing little notes and phrases of music together

into a mumbo jumbo that somehow turned out to be jazz.

Strictly off-the-cuff, but a lot of fun.

'Course, Rick is practically a legend now.

People ask me about him and those times.

Ordinarily, I don't talk much about it...

but I think a lot about it.

He had a lot of friends.

In a way, he had no friends at all.

He was a lonely kind of guy, always,

I guess from the time he was a kid.

He never knew his father.

And his mother died when he was nine or 10,

so he went to live with his sister.

[music continues]

He did a lot of traveling for a kid his age.

From Missouri...

on through Texas...

Oklahoma...

and finally, California.

[children shouting indistinctly]

He never did get much out of school,

and he made very few friends along the way.

Why don't you go out and play with the other kids or something?

Hanging around the house day after day.

Ya hungry?

No.

Well, after you eat, don't forget to put the bread back in the bread box

so the ants don't get it.

Yes.

What's wrong with you?

Nothing.

Well, I haven't got time, now, Joe will be here any minute.

But I'll tell you one thing,

either you gotta go back to school or you gotta get a job.

You just can't do nothing.

[knock on door]

Hey, Marge, that man's here.

Hiya, Rick. Come on, let's go, honey. We're late.

I told you I'd be ready, didn't I?

Gee, you look like a million.

[sister] Don't forget. The bread in the box.

So long.

There's this little Chinese place

on the corner of Second and Flower I was thinking of trying.

[continues indistinctly]

[bright music]

[door closes]

[train chugging]

[music continues]

[indistinct singing in distance]

♪ We shall sing on that beautiful shore ♪

♪ The melodious songs of the blessed ♪

♪ And our spirit shall sorrow no more ♪

♪ Not a sigh for the blessing of rest ♪

♪ In the sweet ♪

♪ By and by ♪

♪ We shall meet on that beautiful shore ♪

♪ In the sweet ♪

♪ By and by ♪

♪ We shall meet on that beautiful shore ♪

♪ In the sweet ♪

♪ By and by ♪

♪ We shall meet on that beautiful shore ♪

Now, my friends, the Good Lord has provided.

There will be a hot meal served in the next room.

[indistinct chatter]

[playing "In the Sweet By and By"]

[Smoke] The story goes that by the time it got dark,

he could play the piano.

He could play the whole song.

After that, he had a place to go to

and something he really wanted to do.

And for a while, he wasn't quite so lonely anymore.

Hey! You've been banging that piano every night.

Now, get out of here!

Excuse me.

[solemn music]

Hello, sir.

Which one's the cheapest?

You mean the instruments?

Yes, sir.

Well, let me see. I think the trumpet.

I can let you have this one for about nine dollars.

You play a trumpet?

No, but I can learn.

I started to learn piano.

Well, a piano's a little different.

So you're a musician, eh?

If I had one of those, I could carry it with me

and play it anytime I wanted.

You got the money?

No, but I can get a job.

Well, now, I think maybe you are a musician.

Yes, sir.

[jazz plays]

[pins falling down]

[music continues]

[playing "Chinatown, My Chinatown"]

[Smoke] And that kid out there,

he had a perfect ear for it.

He could hear it, and he could feel it.

It hit that boy right where he lived.

[slow jazz music]

[man 1] Well, look at this.

[man 2] How about that?

[man 3] Hey, fellas, let's take a little breather for a few minutes.

What're you doing there, boy? What do you want?

Excuse me. I was just listening to the music.

Do you like the way we play?

[Rick] Oh, sure.

[laughter]

Kind of late for you to be out, though, isn't it?

[Rick] No school tomorrow.

Oh?

Well, you better come on in

if you want to hear some music.

Thanks.

Will you join us in a small collation?

A ham sandwich, perhaps,

Mister...?

Martin. No, thanks.

Oh, but you gotta.

You can't listen to music on an empty stomach.

[laughter]

- [chuckling] - Thanks.

You're sure your folks won't care?

I don't have any real folks.

My sister wouldn't know if I came in or not.

Oh, I see.

Gentlemen, this is Mr. Martin.

He says he likes our music.

Pleased to meet you.

- Hi. - Hi.

Well, Mr. Martin, what would you like to hear?

Would you want to play...

I don't know what you'd call it, but it goes like this.

[humming tune to "Moanin' Low"]

You know, where you start off,

and then the clarinet comes in, and then the others,

but you finish alone.

[Art] That's "Moanin' Low."

How do you know who comes in where?

[chuckles] I can hardly remember myself most times.

You a musician, Mr. Martin?

Oh, I kind of play the piano a little.

[Art] Oh, a piano player, huh?

Yes, but what I really want to learn is the trumpet,

like you.

You hear that?

Mr. Martin knows talent when he hears it.

[laughter]

Well, what are we waiting for? "Moanin' Low."

Have a chair, Mr. Martin. Sit down.

Thank you, Mr. Hazzard.

[playing "Moanin' Low"]

[low music]

[playing notes]

Good luck, maestro.

Thanks.

Have a cigar, Mr. Hazzard.

It's a two-bit one.

Well, shut me up if it isn't.

Thank you, Mr. Martin.

[playing variations on "Moanin' Low" theme]

[Smoke] If he had to be a trumpet player, he was pretty lucky

because he couldn't have bought

what he learned from Art Hazzard.

[playing "Carolina in the Morning"]

[Smoke] That's the way it started,

and there was no way of stopping it or changing it.

He couldn't see anything but notes

and he couldn't hear anything but his trumpet.

He was cut out to be a jazzman

the way the righteous are chosen for the church.

Boy, you're playing a little sharp on the high notes.

You're getting a roll. Not bad yet, but on the way.

What do I do wrong?

You're dropping your mouthpiece too low on your lower lip.

Once you get that roll, boy, it closes up your lips

and gives you a choked feeling in your throat.

And you get tired after a half hour of steady playing.

Try it again.

[playing slow music]

[playing "Carolina in the Morning"]

[playing slow music]

[Smoke] It was about then that he started playing two ways.

One way for money,

what there was of it,

and one way for himself.

That was his way of talking.

Well, hello, Mr. Hazzard.

How am I doing?

Doing pretty good.

Hey, you don't sound as if you mean it.

What am I doing wrong?

Nothing.

What's the matter, Pops?

Did you know we're going on the road?

No, I didn't. How long will you be gone?

Booker's got a good deal for us in New York.

We been figuring on staying there,

maybe for good.

Hey, swell. I'll go with you.

You can't.

- W... - Even if you could, you shouldn't.

Why not?

You've got to be thinking about what you're going to do.

What you're going to be.

Well, that's easy.

I'm gonna be a trumpet man like you and get me a job with a good band...

You think that's all there is to it?

Well, you...

you taught me to play a pretty good trumpet, didn't you?

You play a fine trumpet.

Well, then...

But what's it worth?

Look at me.

What have I got after 20 years of it?

A wife, kids...

money in the bank?

- No. - You got the best band in the country.

I guess I'm playing with a heavy mute.

Look, boy...

you've got music in you.

You've got it here,

and you've got it here,

but the way things are, there's very few people who'll ever know

what you're trying to say, or what you're trying to do.

Who cares? I don't play for people. I play for myself.

Look, boy...

a man's got a lot of living to do in this world.

But you, you're kind of locked up inside yourself.

You're like a... like a bird

trying to fly on one wing.

You'll stay up for a while...

then you're going to fall.

Oh, it's...

Have a drink of milk.

I'm going to miss you, Pops.

Oh, I almost forgot.

Thank you, Mr. Martin.

Take care of yourself.

I will.

[slow music]

[Smoke] Finally, he got his first good job.

[piano playing]

And that was when I met him.

I've never seen such an intense, searching expression on anybody else.

Even then, he looked like a guy

very few people would understand.

Hello.

Better get your skates sharpened.

[laughing] Yeah.

- Here. Let me help you with that thing. - Okay.

Thanks.

Ooh, thanks a lot.

What kind of hotel towels you got in here?

Oh, that's my record collection.

Mostly Art Hazzard.

I got just about every one he made, I guess.

Really?

Yeah.

Taught me how to play.

That so?

Yeah.

Oh, my name is Martin. Rick Martin.

I'm Willie Willoughby.

They call me Smoke.

Never could figure out why.

Me neither.

You know Art Hazzard?

Boy, he's the greatest trumpet player in the world.

[playing jazz]

- Glad to know you. - [chuckles]

[indistinct chatter]

- Hi! - Oh, hi.

- Hello, boys. - Hello.

Honey, will you hand out the arrangements, please?

Yeah. Sure.

How are you, Mr. Chandler?

Fine, fine. Glad to have you aboard, Martin.

Oh, you're over there.

All right, let's get down to business.

Danny, hand those out, please.

Johnny.

For you. Brad.

- Hello. - Rick Martin. Fine, thanks.

Jack Flannigan. This is Todd.

- How are you? - [Jo] Jack?

- [Jack] Thanks, Jo. - Hello. Hello.

- Tony. - [Tony] Thank you.

Oh, hello. My name's Jo Jordan. I sing in the band.

How do you do?

[Chandler] All right, boys. Let's get with it.

Well, as you all know, we open here Saturday night.

First of all, I want you to remember one thing,

we're a dance orchestra, and our main job

is to play a tempo they can dance to.

No blues and no low-down jive.

The public likes novelty stuff, and that's what we're gonna give 'em.

Well, I guess that's all. Now, let's get started.

Number three in the new books, everybody.

We'll take yours first, Josie, so you can get back to the hotel.

All right.

[Chandler] One...

two...

♪ The very thought of you ♪

[Rick improvising]

♪ And I forget to do ♪

[improvising]

♪ The little ordinary things ♪

♪ Everyone ought to do ♪

Wait a minute, wait a minute.

Hold it.

Hold it!

What's a matter, Martin, can't you read music?

Sure.

Then why don't you?

Well, you want every number played the way it's written?

That's exactly what I want.

What do you think I bought these arrangements for?

I don't know.

[laughter]

Well, I mean...

well, do we have to play every number the same way every time?

[Chandler] That's right.

This is no jam session, it's a dance orchestra.

Just asking.

[Chandler] Well, now you know.

All right, let's take it again from where it got torn.

One...

two...

[orchestra starts playing]

♪ The very thought of you ♪

♪ And I forget to do ♪

♪ The little ordinary things ♪

♪ Everyone ought to do ♪

♪ I'm living in a kind of daydream ♪

♪ I'm happy as a king ♪

♪ And foolish though it may seem ♪

♪ To me, that's everything ♪

♪ The mere idea of you ♪

♪ The longing here for you ♪

♪ You'll never know how slow the moments go ♪

♪ Till I'm near to you ♪

♪ I see your face in every flower ♪

♪ Your eyes in stars above ♪

♪ It's just the thought of you ♪

♪ The very thought of you ♪

♪ My love ♪

[applause]

[orchestra starts playing]

[trumpet playing "The Very Thought of You"]

That was very good.

Oh, thanks.

You must like it here to stay so late.

Eh, it's a good place to play.

No leaders or customers.

Nobody in the next room to tell me to shut up.

Oh, I'm sorry about the mix up at that rehearsal.

Ah.

If I hadn't stopped singing,

maybe Jack wouldn't have been so hard on you.

Oh, it was your number.

I didn't have any business butting in anyway.

It seemed kind of right.

Oh, incidentally...

you're about the best I've heard.

Well, thanks.

You know something? There's a guy on records

who has a style very much like yours. Name is Hazzard.

Art Hazzard.

Do you know him?

Since I was a kid.

He taught me to play.

- Ah. - [chuckles]

He had a lot of trouble with me once.

- I was starting to get a roll. - A what?

Oh, it's when you drop your mouthpiece

too low on your lower lip.

Keep on playing that way,

you get so you can't bring it up where it belongs.

That's the worst thing in the world can happen to happen to a trumpet man.

It gets you tired awful easy.

But he straightened me out.

He... he gave me an exercise and made me work on it.

[blowing air]

Boy, it did the trick.

Yeah, he knows. He really knows.

I guess it's his fault I switched to a trumpet.

I always liked the piano before, but...

the trumpet...

I don't know.

Maybe because it's so close to you, huh?

It's like it's a part of you.

The music doesn't have so far to go.

[both laugh]

How about it?

This a dance hall, not a hotel. I gotta lock up.

Sorry, Bill.

I was wrong.

There's always somebody in the next room

to tell me to shut up.

Well, goodnight.

[Jo] Oh, Rick.

Aren't you going to the party?

What party?

Well, Jack's buying drinks and sandwiches for all the boys.

No, thanks, I'm not much for parties.

Oh, excuse me.

Sorry.

Thanks.

You know, it's lucky you switched from the piano.

The way you baby that thing, you'd think it was alive.

Well, it's awful good company.

Whatever you tell it to do, it does,

only better than you told it.

Never lets you down.

You're kind of sold on it, aren't you?

Well, you've gotta be sold,

or you got no business playing the kind of music I want to play.

You got to love it.

You can't just like it and understand it

the way the long-haired boys understand their music.

You can't write it down and keep it. There aren't any notes for it.

You can only hear it right while you're playing it

and... you feel it.

Someday when I'm really good,

I'm gonna do things with this trumpet nobody's ever thought of doing.

I'm going to hit a note that...

nobody ever heard before.

You've got to have some other interest,

or you'll go off your rocker.

I know.

You need a hobby, like collecting stamps, or...

or a dog or...

How about a girl?

Don't pick on me, Rick. You're a married man.

Married?

You're married to that trumpet.

I certainly wouldn't want to come between you.

Sorry.

Well, I guess you want to get to Chandler's party.

I think I'd rather breathe some fresh air.

Chandler wouldn't like this, would he?

No. Guess he wouldn't.

[bright music playing]

[applause]

Hey, Smoke, take over the rest of the set, will you?

If you say so, boss.

What do you say we grab a quick drink?

- No, thanks, Jack, I... - Are you trying to give me the brush-off?

No.

I never see you except when we're working.

Well, it's just that I've been so busy late...

Yeah, I know. With that trumpet player.

Now, why do you have to say things like that?

Hey, Smoke,

how about playing something our way?

- Oh, you're kidding. - Oh, come on,

let's have a little change of pace.

You, me, and a couple of the boys, huh?

Well, I've been fired before.

Good.

Everybody take five, except Frank, Jack, Rob,

and you, Jim. Down front.

- Yeah, what's up? - Oh, a little fun, maybe.

Play a little jazz?

Could be.

Chandler won't like this.

- We can do it before he gets back. - Well, okay.

- What are we gonna play? - [Smoke] I don't know.

How about "Get Happy"?

Okay, but I ain't.

You start it, Smoke and let's see what happens.

Well, your answer won't be far off.

[playing "Get Happy"]

[applause]

Here comes your answer.

I'm used to it.

Well, it's been nice, fellas.

Thanks very much.

See you around, Smoke.

I know, it's a dance band.

- You're through, Martin. - I had a hunch I was.

Oh, you better watch your second trumpet.

He's starting to get a roll.

[blows air]

[Chandler] The rest of you wanna keep your jobs,

don't let that happen again.

[knock on door]

Door's open.

Hi, Rick.

I just talked with Chandler, and everything's all right.

I know he'll take you back, if you just ask him.

If I'm a good boy, you mean?

Yeah.

All right, he doesn't like you,

but he knows that you're the best lead man in the band.

Not in this band. I just couldn't take it.

What made you do it, Rick?

I had to.

Was it that much fun?

Guess so.

Rick, what's the matter with you?

Why do you live in left field all the time?

I don't know.

If you keep on this, you're gonna live in joints

and work in dives all your life.

Look, Jo, I...

You like what you're doing.

You got a good job here and you're gonna go places, but...

I don't know where I'm going.

You know, like you said, some dive, I guess, but if...

All right, Rick, you've made your point.

- Thanks a lot, anyway. - Forget it.

All the baggage you really need is right here.

Hmm?

- Your trumpet. - Oh. Thanks.

Can I lend you some money?

Wouldn't know what to do with it.

You're probably broke.

Probably.

Young man with a horn.

Crazy young man with a horn.

I'm sorry, Jo.

It's all right.

We'll keep in touch, huh?

Sure.

So long, Jo.

So long, Rick.

[slow jazz music]

You know, that piano of mine's been out of tune

ever since the first day I got here.

How much can an artist take?

Smoke, you'll never amount to anything.

You know that, don't you?

You coming?

[playing "Sweet Georgia Brown"]

♪ People call him Lovin' Sam ♪

♪ He's the sheik of Alabam' ♪

♪ He's a mean, love-makin' ♪

♪ A heart-breakin' man ♪

♪ And when the gals go strollin' by

♪ Boy, he rolls a wicked eye ♪

♪ A-does he step, a-does he strut ♪

♪ A-that's what he does-a do and nothin' else but ♪

♪ Who could love like Lovin' Sam? ♪

♪ You could have your eggs and ham ♪

♪ In the finest kitchen down in Alabam' ♪

♪ Ba ha ha ha ha ha ha ♪

♪ Who'll make those highbrow babies cry for ya ♪

♪ Like the babies cry for Castoria ♪

♪ They call him Lovin' Sam ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ He's the sheik of Alabam' ♪

Boy!

[both chuckle]

[trumpet playing "Silent Night"]

[wind whistling]

- Maxie. - Hmm?

Tell him to play something with some pep.

Sure. Deal me out.

Hey, Professor.

How about something louder and funnier?

Mike wants you to play something with more pep.

We're all through for the night. We'll be leaving pretty soon.

Hey, you hard-of-hearing or something?

He told you, mister, we're through for the night.

- [slams piano keys] - Ow!

[woman screams]

Maxie!

Max.

[Mike] Hey, you, trumpet player.

Come here.

You're a handy guy.

Handy with the trumpet, and handy with the fist.

He didn't have to do that.

Sit down.

Play me something snappy.

You know "Ain't She Sweet"?

- Yeah. - Well, play it.

Don't stop. Keep playing.

What's the matter? Don't you like my beer?

No.

Try some more. You might develop a taste for it.

Mike!

[laughter]

[Mike] Come on, let's have a drink.

[man] I'll have another beer.

[indistinct chatter]

[Mike] Deal me in. I feel lucky tonight.

[man] All right, what'll it be?

[Mike] Ah, stud.

Maybe I'm getting too old for this music racket.

It's not much fun anymore,

and you can't sell it for a bag of peanuts.

- Sure you won't come with me? - Mm-mm.

Indiana's awful nice this time of year.

You mean out to old Aunt Mary's?

Oh, stop kidding. You'd like my folks.

We got plenty of room.

No, thanks. I'd only be in the way.

I ought to go see my own folks.

I think I will. Honest.

Where do they live?

Texas.

Thought you said you were from Missouri.

[chuckles]

I haven't any folks.

You just got one love, that little tin baby of yours.

How are you fixed for dough?

Oh, loaded.

Oh, this is it.

[train approaching]

[Smoke] Here.

Oh, no, Smoke, I...

Take it.

Well, remember, it's only a loan.

Will you write?

Sure.

- So long, kid. - [conductor] All aboard!

So long, Smoke.

[conductor shouts]

See you soon, Smoke.

[jazz music]

[music continues]

[Jo singing] ♪ You're just too marvelous ♪

♪ Too marvelous for words ♪

♪ Like glorious ♪

♪ Glamorous ♪

♪ And that old standby, amorous ♪

♪ It's all too wonderful ♪

♪ I'll never find the words ♪

♪ That say enough ♪

♪ Tell enough ♪

♪ I mean, they just aren't swell enough ♪

♪ You're much too much ♪

♪ And just too very, very ♪

♪ To ever be ♪

♪ In Webster's dictionary ♪

♪ And so I'm borrowing ♪

♪ A love song from the birds ♪

♪ To tell you that you're marvelous ♪

♪ Too marvelous for words ♪

♪ Too marvelous ♪

♪ For words ♪

[applause]

Thanks for waiting.

Hey, I wouldn't have missed it.

I'm impressed, Jo. You're better than I thought you were

and I always thought you were good.

Say, you look fine.

- You, too. - Oh, sure.

You gonna take me out and buy me a sandwich?

Oh, I'd like to, Jo, but I'm anxious to find Art Hazzard.

Do you know where he's playing?

Yeah.

He's at a place called Galba's in the Village.

Oh.

You haven't heard from him in a long time, have you?

Uh-uh. Why?

He doesn't play the way he used to, Rick.

- Oh. - He's been sick, you know.

Oh, but he's better now. Mind if I go with you?

- No. - Just take me a minute to change.

- Sure. - Excuse me.

Sure.

[jazz music playing]

Hello, Louie. I'd like you to meet my friend Rick Martin.

- Rick, this is Louie Galba. - Trumpet player, eh?

You never heard such a trumpet.

I hear lots of trumpets. Glad to see you, anyway.

Thank you.

Eddie, table for Miss Jordan.

[music continues]

- Hello, Jo. - Hello, Cleo. [indistinct]

- Hello, Jo. - Good to see you.

Hello.

I see what you mean.

He was the greatest.

[applause]

Hi, Pops.

Is this really you?

Nobody else.

Well, here.

Don't smoke it all at once.

Brought it all the way from Wheeling, West Virginia.

It's a two-bit one.

[both laugh]

Shut me up if it isn't.

[Jo] Hello, Art.

Hello, Miss Jo.

I've been hearing some things about you, here and there.

I hear you're pretty good now.

Well, I've haven't got a roll, that's for sure.

[both laugh]

- I'd like to hear you. - Sure. Sometime, I... I...

- Come on. - Oh, not now, Art.

Come on. Now's as good a time as any.

I don't want to... come on.

[Art] Back this gentleman up, please, will you, boys?

- Sure. - Hiya, fellas.

- Hi. - [Art] It's all yours.

- What's it gonna be? - Well, I'll think of something,

but you guys will have to carry me.

Go right ahead. We're fine.

[playing "With a Song in My Heart"]

[inaudible]

[inaudible]

[applause]

[Jo] What do you think of him, Phil?

- Who is he? - [Jo] Rick Martin.

Who's he with?

Oh, he just came in from Chicago.

He's been telling me about a lot of offers,

but I don't know if he's made up his mind definitely or not.

The boy's good. I could use him.

[Jo] If you like, I'll bring him over later to meet you.

It's a deal.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is Rick Martin.

I've known him from the time he was a little boy.

I...

I taught him how to hold that trumpet

he just played for you,

but I didn't teach him how to play it,

not the way he does.

That's something that you can't learn.

You've got to have it.

[applause, cheering]

[orchestra playing "1 Only Have Eyes For You"]

[indistinct chatter]

[playing "Tea For Two"]

[playing "The Man I Love"]

Oh, Rick.

I just wanted to tell you you were great tonight.

Oh, thanks. Thanks a lot.

Say, look, uh, how you live is your own business,

but I've been around a long time, you know what I mean?

No. What's the matter, Mr. Morrison?

Why do you go to Galba's all the time?

Don't you get enough trumpet playing here from eight to one?

Well, not my kind of trumpet playing.

Listen, I pay you good money. At Galba's you play for free.

You're a big draw there, just so old man Hazzard keeps his job.

- Now, that may be very nice... - Mr. Hazzard's a friend of mine.

Okay, okay.

It's just that you're not doing yourself any good, Rick,

staying up all night, playing your head off.

I thought you were satisfied with my work.

I am. I am. I'm just telling you for your own good.

Why bother with a bunch of...

Wait a minute, Rick. Now, where are you going?

Galba's.

[jazz music playing]

[woman] Violets, mister?

Good evening.

Hello, Louie.

Well, there's no need to ask about business.

[Louie] It's packed like this every night.

- Well. - [Louie] But I got a table for you.

- [Jo] Good. - [Louie] Follow me, please.

This is that crazy musician I talk about all the time.

[Amy] Oh.

Come on. Let's sit down.

[applause]

Hi, Jo.

- Hello, Rick. - Great.

Thanks, Louie.

I want you to meet an old friend of mine. Amy North, this is Rick Martin.

- Hello. - [Amy] It isn't there anymore.

Well, what?

The expression on your face, your whole mood.

When you were playing that trumpet,

you were exalted, sure of yourself.

Now you've undergone a rather startling transition, Richard.

I'd rather call you Richard than Rick. You don't mind?

- Oh, well, I... - People try to find security

in a lot of strange ways.

You seem to have solved your problems,

at least while you're playing that trumpet.

I don't understand a word you're saying,

but I love the sound of your voice, got a wonderful rough spot in it.

I should've warned you about Amy.

She always talks like a medical book

and likes to analyze everything.

She's studying to be a doctor, a psychiatrist.

Oh. Well, how do I stack up?

My interest isn't purely professional.

When I meet someone who has a great talent,

I want to know him right away. You don't mind, do you?

No, no, no. Go on.

Tell me about jazz.

Do you think it's purely African?

I don't know. I don't do much thinking about it.

I just like to play it. If you listen to it enough...

I didn't come here to listen to it.

I came to study the people, watch their faces.

They're interesting.

There's something about jazz that releases inhibitions.

It's a sort of cheap, mass-produced narcotic.

I gather you don't like jazz.

[Amy] Not particularly.

Oh, I know it's supposed to be our native art,

cotton fields, the levees,

old New Orleans, and blues in the night...

Excuse me, please.

Would you do a number, please, Jo?

- I don't like to ask, but... - All right, Louie.

If you're a singer, they never let you just talk. Excuse me.

Sure. Knock 'em dead.

Can I buy you a drink?

No, thanks.

You don't like me, do you?

I think you're very charming, Miss North.

You can call me Amy.

I bet I could.

Only if I wanted you to, Mr. Martin,

for just that long.

I know what you're really thinking and I don't blame you.

I talk too much.

[band plays intro]

♪ I may be wrong, but ♪

♪ I think you're wonderful ♪

♪ I may be wrong ♪

Jo's interesting, isn't she?

So simple and uncomplicated.

Must be wonderful to wake up in the morning

and know just which door you're going to walk through.

She's so terribly normal.

♪ I may be wrong ♪

She's a good singer, too.

♪ I think you're swell ♪

♪ I like your style, say ♪

♪ I think it's marvelous ♪

♪ I'm always wrong, so ♪

♪ How can I tell? ♪

♪ All of my hats are unsightly ♪

♪ All of my shoes are a crime ♪

♪ If, dear, in you I've picked rightly ♪

♪ It's the very first time ♪

♪ You came along, say ♪

♪ I really think you're wonderful ♪

♪ I think you're grand, but ♪

♪ I may be wrong ♪

♪ I said that Edison would never make that light ♪

♪ I laughed at Mr. Franklin with his key and kite ♪

♪ The point of the song is I'm always wrong ♪

♪ But with you, baby ♪

♪ I'm oh, so, right ♪

[Jo] Don't get out.

[Amy] Jo, you're deliberately breaking up the party.

If you go through with this mad plan,

I'll never speak to you again.

I'm sorry, but I've got an early show tomorrow.

Oh, come on, Jo. You can sleep till noon.

I will anyway. Goodnight, you night owls.

I love your car.

Oh, it's not mine. I just rent it.

Wouldn't it be simpler to buy one?

Don't tell me you can't afford it.

I don't wanna own a car or anything else.

Gives you too many things to worry about.

We should get along beautifully. We're completely different.

I envy you, Richard, but I don't quite understand you.

As far as you're concerned, Doc, that goes double for me.

Come in.

Hey, this is quite a deal you have here.

Hey, who's this?

Her name's Louise. She's my best friend.

You ought to teach her to cough or stomp her feet or something.

Kind of takes you by surprise.

That's why I love her.

We'll, uh, put your alter ego away.

My what?

Latin, a dead language that ideally suits me.

Oh.

It simply means "your other self."

Uh, scotch or bourbon?

Oh, anything.

This is strong enough, I hope.

Oh, fine. Thanks.

[coughs]

Uh, do you play?

Well, that's a silly question, I guess.

No. I play, but the piano doesn't like me.

Stiffens up every time I come near it.

Oh.

I know how to play one piece, only one,

Chopin Nocturne.

I used to love it, so I hired a piano teacher once

just to teach it to me.

I paid her double rates, and kept her here for three weeks.

I learned it.

How long have you been playing the trumpet?

Since I was a kid.

Ever want to do anything else?

No.

Even when you were a kid?

No.

Because even then, you knew you'd play better than anyone else?

That's it, isn't it?

Me, I've been an intellectual mountain goat

leaping from crag to crag, trying everything.

You don't know how lucky you are.

First I wanted to be a writer.

Then I took a course in interior decorating.

Then I had an idea I'd fly a plane.

I even tried singing in one of those smart bars.

I was bad in all of them.

So now you'll get into people's heads

and find out what makes them tick?

Yes.

Please don't be angry,

but I've suddenly realized how late it really is,

and I've got early classes tomorrow.

Oh, sure. I'm... I'm sorry. I...

Don't run away. Finish your drink.

Stay as long as you like,

only please don't forget to turn the lights out when you go.

You do forgive me, don't you, and you'll call me?

Sure, uh...

[door closes]

[whistles]

What are you looking at?

[wolf whistle]

[door closes]

[indistinct chatter]

[Jo] Hey! Smoke!

Jo!

Oh, it's so good to see you.

Yeah. Where's Rick?

Oh, he couldn't come. He's awfully sorry, Smoke.

- He asked me to meet you. - Well, anyway, it's wonderful seeing you.

You know I've been hearing your records all over the country.

- I'm real proud of you. - Thanks, Smoke.

Rick has done all right, too, you know.

Oh, well, we always knew he'd hit it.

It's gonna be like old times, the three of us together.

Let's go to Galba's. Rick said he would try to meet us there.

- Good. Can we get a drink? - Yeah.

[light piano playing]

You know what? This New York's a big town.

Oh, come on, Jo. Stop worrying.

Rick's a grown-up boy. If he gets lost, he knows enough

to go to a police station.

That mother instinct comes out in me at unlikely times.

You know, I think we've been stood up.

He hasn't changed a bit.

I'm awfully glad about your new job, Smoke.

Goes to show you, if you work hard

and have friends in high places...

Yes, it was swell of Rick to get me in Morrison's band.

We better get home before they throw a tablecloth over us.

Yeah.

It's no use kidding ourselves any longer. Rick won't be here.

He hasn't been here in a long time.

You see, Smoke, he has changed.

Who is she?

A friend of mine, and I introduced them.

Boy, this is the closest I've ever been to a college.

Is that why you insisted we stop by here tonight?

Maybe. Maybe it's because I want to know

where you spend your time when you're not with me.

[Rick] Gee, it's pretty impressive.

[Amy] Maybe I could smuggle you into class with me in the morning.

[Rick] I bet they'd toss a mug like me right down those steps.

[chuckles] There's certainly plenty of them.

[Amy] I think we'd better rest up before descending the Alps.

Mustn't keep you out too late.

You got a 9:15 class in the morning, Doctor.

Please don't call me Doctor anymore.

I've got my reasons for hating it.

Hmm. Well, I won't, then, but...

well, psych... psychiatrists are doctors, aren't they?

Why do you want to be one?

Maybe because my father's a doctor.

Well, that makes sense, I guess.

No, it doesn't.

You see, I have no use for my father,

but he's very well thought of in the profession,

as thoughts go in the profession.

My mother was something else again,

something pretty wonderful.

I used to go completely to pieces when she told me

my handwriting was improving.

I thought so highly of that lady.

I can hardly remember my mother.

She died when I was a kid.

Yes. See, you've got something to take her place.

Now, my mother, when I was 12, started having headaches

that nearly drove her mad.

My father, who was a doctor,

gave her aspirins for them.

When it was too late, he stumbled on the idea

it might have been a brain tumor,

but he never did anything about it.

One night, that lovely lady didn't want any more of it.

She fell out of a window.

Only four stories, but it did the trick.

Gee, I'm... I'm sorry.

Thanks. You're very kind.

Anyway, all I know is, I've been in one school

or another ever since, memorizing all the wrong answers.

He pays the bills, but I don't see him

any oftener than I have to.

He's married again. What he got serves him right.

[sighs]

I don't know how you feel, but...

I'd like a drink.

Okay.

[low music playing]

Good idea, putting a tip on a cigarette.

Tells you where you are.

Do you know where you are, Richard?

I'm starting to wonder.

Nonsense.

You'll always know where you are.

Hmm.

So steady...

You and that trumpet of yours.

Your devotion to it gives you faith in yourself.

Yes, you know where you are.

Do I?

Where do you live?

Oh, in some high-class creep joint,

a musicians' hangout. You wouldn't like it.

I'd like to see it.

Look, Amy, I think I'm in love with you.

Finish your drink.

Told you you wouldn't like it.

I think it's lovely.

It doesn't pretend to be anything but what it is.

You mean it's crummy.

Knowing you, I'd say these are collectors' items.

Huh? Oh, the records.

Yeah, some of them are scarce.

I've had them a long time.

They've been shipped across the country lots of times.

I thought you didn't want to own anything.

Sure, but that's music.

That's different.

I suppose it is.

How about a drink?

No.

What is it? Have I...

It's not you.

Are you talking in riddles again, Amy?

I don't get you.

I didn't expect you to.

Is this some of that stuff you learn at school?

What am I, some kind of an experiment?

Instead of being angry, you ought to be grateful.

For what?

You caught me off-guard for a moment.

I may never be as honest again with you.

Stop this crazy kind of talk.

You keep away, Richard, you and your fine frenzy.

This is my first and last warning.

You think you're falling in love with me.

Well, don't.

Don't take any chances with me.

Only people who respect themselves

can ever love fully, freely.

I don't happen to respect myself.

You sound like something out of a book.

I only know what I feel.

You're lucky.

I feel half a dozen things at the same time.

Will you take me home?

What's the matter, isn't this fancy enough for you?

Please don't make me say something dull about a woman's mind.

I wouldn't try to make you do anything.

- Then take me home. - Let's get this straight.

The people I know either like you or they don't.

They... they don't act one way, then change completely the next minute.

They're rather dull, aren't they?

Well, at least you know where you stand with them.

You know, I thought you were something wonderful, Amy,

something fine and...

Well, you're acting like a cheap...

Oh, don't stop now, Richard.

You're just beginning to be interesting.

You'd better go home, Amy.

It's getting late.

Aren't you taking me?

Well, you like riding in cars so much, take a taxi.

Thanks.

Call me sometime.

Call you what?

[trumpet plays]

[call button buzzes]

[whistling]

[trumpet continues in distance]

[grand music]

[knock on door]

Come in. I'm just about finished.

I hope you don't mind my barging in like this.

Hi, Jo.

You moving?

Well, yeah. I...

I can't say that I blame you, but I'm quite surprised.

I thought you were married to this place.

Uh, sit down, won't you?

Thanks.

It's been a long time, hasn't it?

Well, I've been busy, I... I went out of town for a couple of days.

You must be busy.

They've been worried about you down at Galba's, Rick.

Gee, maybe I can get there tonight.

I sure missed it.

- Oh, cigarette? - No, thanks.

Look, I've been meaning...

Look, I know it's none of my business,

but you've been seeing a lot of Amy, haven't you?

I guess so. You see, Jo, I...

If I can only make you believe that I didn't come here

because I'm hurt or... or jealous.

- Don't say that, because... - Amy isn't a stage-door pickup.

I know her so much better than you do, Rick.

She's a strange girl and... and you've never known anyone like her before.

I can understand all that,

but inside, way inside, she's all mixed up.

She's wrong for you, Rick. She'll hurt you.

[cup clinks]

[Amy] Precisely what I told him myself,

but he wouldn't take no for an answer.

Jo, you didn't give me a chance to tell you, but...

well, Amy and I were married yesterday.

Thanks for your good wishes.

I don't suppose you'll ever forgive what I've said.

But please try.

[orchestra playing]

[Smoke] Amy stopped going to her classes in medical school,

and they played all night and slept all day,

but they never really got to know each other.

Maybe they were afraid of that.

I don't know.

[yearning music]

[trumpet plays "With a Song in My Heart"]

[Rick] Oh, here's one that Art cut about 10 years ago.

Did I have trouble finding it.

But I hit Seattle once,

and there was this little secondhand store.

Not only had this one, but two more. Boy, I grabbed them quick.

Wait till you hear Art does with this.

He's got a break that'll knock you out of this world.

You never heard such playing.

[trumpet plays jazz]

Oh, get a load...

Amy!

[shower running]

What's the idea, walking out on me?

[Amy] Nothing. It's late.

Ah, not for you.

[Amy] I'm afraid it will be from now on.

Hand me my robe, will you, Richard?

Hey, have I done anything to upset you?

Whenever I make a decision you can't understand,

you always blame yourself.

This has nothing to do with you. It's me.

I was off the track for a while. I'm back on again.

Hey, I don't get it.

I'm going back to school, if they'll have me.

I want to finish something I started a long time ago.

So I'm afraid from now on, it's going to be early to bed

- and early to rise. - Aren't you happy?

Of course I'm happy.

The world, as it's presently constituted, needs doctors.

Who cares about the world? What about us?

If you go back to school all day and I work all night,

we'll never get to see each other.

It'll only be for a few months.

Sure. What do you want to be a doctor for anyway?

You really don't like it, and besides, we're married now.

I want exactly what you want. The only difference is you have it.

You're not being at all understanding or generous, Richard,

not even friendly.

Maybe it's because I'm not your friend.

I'm your husband.

So you are.

I guess that does rather complicate it.

Rick, don't you see? You've got music, but I...

I've simply got to amount to something.

I've got to stay with it this time.

I guess you do.

[record finishes and skips]

You better take that record off, Richard.

[trumpet plays jazz]

[soft music]

[playing "'S Wonderful”]

[somber music]

[whispering] Amy.

Amy.

[playing "Someone To Watch Over Me"]

[alarm rings]

[Amy] Going somewhere?

I wanted to talk to you before you got out.

Been a long time.

Can't, Richard. I'm 12 minutes late now.

Besides, talk is vastly overrated.

It's action that counts.

I know it is.

Don't think I haven't wanted to crack you on the jaw before this.

I don't know why I haven't done it.

Probably because I'm still in love with you.

That's very sweet...

but that sort of conflict can lead straight to an ulcer.

My prescription for you is a double bromo-seltzer.

I am late.

I've got to talk to you, Amy.

We've got to get things straight.

Don't be silly. This is no time to...

I can't stand it any longer, Amy.

All right, look,

I'll come home tonight as soon as I can.

Let's have supper together, talk this thing out,

find out where we stand.

Very well, Richard.

[Smoke] You got changed pretty quick.

I'm in a hurry.

A bunch of the guys are going to Galba's tonight, Rick,

- how about it? - Not tonight, I can't make it.

You haven't been there for months.

- I know, but... - Art keeps asking about you.

- How is he? - Not so good.

He's liable to lose the spot.

Well, I can't make it tonight, Smoke. I told you.

[glass breaking]

[dramatic music]

[somber music]

[glasses clang]

[vacuum cleaner running]

[squawks]

Good morning, Mr. Martin.

[somber music]

Hiya, Mr. Martin.

Kind of early... even for you, ain't it?

- Who asked you? - Yes, sir.

The, uh, usual?

Yeah.

Hello, Rick.

Hi.

[bartender] What'll it be, Mac?

A glass of milk, please.

It's been a long time.

Yeah.

- I've been busy. - Sure.

Listen, I didn't sign the contract with Galba's.

Of course not.

Man's got to live his own life.

He's got to live it his way.

You gotta take the breaks the way they come.

That's right.

Yeah. I know what you think.

All right, we've been friends.

You did a lot for me. I tried to pay you back, but...

but if you're through, you're through. There's nothing I can do about it.

I can't hold you up forever.

I know.

A trumpet man, he plays his little tune,

then he's done.

I didn't come here to ask for anything.

But people talk.

I heard you had the misery,

and I thought maybe I could help you some way.

I don't need any help.

What am I, a kid that can't wipe his nose for himself?

Why does everybody have to stick his two cents" worth into my life?

Telling me what to do, how to do it, and how to live.

I'm sick and tired of it.

You're right.

People get old. They see things wrong mostly.

A man's got to live his own life,

just like you said.

I'd have felt the same way about it when I was your age.

[coin rattles on countertop]

Everything's going to turn out all right.

Don't let anybody worry you.

Just...

take care of yourself.

[somber music]

[car horn honks]

[honking]

[dramatic music]

What do you know. Somebody got hit.

Somebody got hit.

Let's have some service.

Tough about Art Hazzard, huh?

Yeah. I saw him this morning.

[Smoke] Think he's got much of a chance?

What are you talking about?

You mean you don't know? He got hit by a car.

He's in Bellevue in a pretty bad way they tell me.

[orchestra starts playing]

Yes?

A man named Hazzard. He got run over.

Where is he?

Hazzard, huh?

Hazzard.

Sorry. No visitors.

I've got to see him. Just for a minute.

You heard me. No visitors.

I want to see him. Where is he?

Three-forty-four. But you can't go up there.

Don't you understand? You're not allowed up there.

How is he?

I'm sorry.

Listen, I know it's against the rules, but I gotta see him.

I got to tell him something.

It's important to him, too. Just for a minute. Please.

It's too late. I'm sorry.

[melancholic music]

[Chopin Nocturne plays]

[slams keys]

Sorry about our date.

I got tied up and couldn't get home.

It's all right.

How's school?

Fine.

To tell the truth, I don't know.

I haven't been there lately.

I had a hunch you hadn't.

Oh, didn't I tell you?

I flunked my finals.

No, you didn't tell me,

but I'm sorry.

Don't be.

Maybe I'll try again.

Maybe I won't.

[sighs] Maybe I'll go to Europe and try becoming a painter.

I met a girl the other day. An artist.

Maybe we'll go to Paris together.

I used to paint when I was a child.

Very well, too.

I can do a lot of things very well, but not well enough.

Nothing that really matters.

You're tired, Amy.

Why don't you go to bed?

I think I will.

Oh.

I almost forgot.

I'm having some people over for cocktails tomorrow.

I have to celebrate my glorious defeat.

You'll be here, won't you?

I want to show off my wonderful husband.

Your husband.

[chuckles] That's a laugh.

Amy, why did you ever marry me?

I think it was wonderful experience for both of us.

Besides, how do you know about anything

until you try it?

I don't mean to hurt you, Richard, it's...

it's only that I'm jealous of you.

Jealous?

You know, I'd give anything to have what you've got,

to be able to do one thing really well

and know that it's worth something.

It's the only real security in the world.

Maybe that's really why I married you.

I thought some of it would rub off on me.

It hasn't.

Amy...

I'm sorry, Amy.

Don't you dare pity me!

[choir] ♪ Swing low ♪

♪ Sweet chariot ♪

♪ Comin' for to carry me home ♪

♪ Swing low ♪

♪ Sweet chariot ♪

♪ Comin' for to carry me home ♪

We are gathered here

not only to pay homage to a great musician,

but to remind ourselves

of the goodness in the soul of this man,

Art Hazzard,

and to meditate

upon the unselfish spirit of generosity

which was his,

for he was truly a man's friend.

And now a hymn will be given by his friends.

♪ Nobody knows ♪

♪ The trouble I've seen ♪

♪ Nobody knows ♪

♪ My sorrow ♪

♪ Nobody knows ♪

♪ The trouble I've seen ♪

♪ Glory ♪

♪ Hallelujah ♪

[choir vocalizing]

I've never seen so many characters together at one time.

Amy collects characters the way some people collect antiques.

I wonder what ever happened to that trumpet player she married?

[woman] Why, you're Amy's husband, aren't you? Rick Martin.

- You're unforgivably late. - You certainly are.

Amy promised us a couple of tunes. Now the party's over.

Yes, it is.

[Amy] I'm dying to see the rest of your sketches.

We'll have dinner out and then go back to my place.

How nice of you to come to the party, Richard.

This is my husband. Miss Carson.

I told you about her, the girl who paints so well.

- How do you do? - How do you do?

See you at nine, then, Amy.

Fine.

It's been a wonderful party.

You certainly made a fool of me.

Didn't you get my note?

It's in the fire.

I'm sorry.

I told everyone you were going to be here.

You make it a point not to show up.

You know why I couldn't.

What could you do for him? He's dead, isn't he?

So there's one less trumpet player. So what?

You're drunk, Amy,

and you're sick.

Maybe a trumpet player isn't much to be,

but it's what Art Hazzard was,

and that's what I am.

You and your alter ego. That cheap brass!

You can do a lot of things, Amy, so you don't do any of them.

I can only do one. That trumpet's part of me.

It's the best part.

You almost made me forget that.

You're so confused yourself,

you got me confused.

I'm not confused any longer. I'm fed up with you.

I'm sick of your trying to touch me.

I'm sick of the sound of brass.

I never want to hear a trumpet again.

Get these records out of here.

I don't want to listen to them again!

Never!

Never!

[crashing]

You dirty...

[glass breaks]

What a dope I was.

I thought you were class,

like a real high note you hit once in a lifetime.

That's because I couldn't understand

what you were saying half the time.

Well, you're like those carnival joints I used to work in,

big flash on the outside,

but on the inside, nothing but filth.

I hate you.

You've always hated me.

What a swell combination we were.

You said you wanted experiences, Amy.

Well, here's one for you.

I'm leaving you.

I'd like to kill you.

You almost did.

You're a sick girl, Amy.

You'd better see a doctor.

[door slams]

["Someone To Watch Over Me" plays]

[plays loudly and off-tempo]

- [applause] - Wrap it up, boys.

That was a fine exhibition you put on out there, Rick.

Look, what you do on your own time is your business,

but the boys in my band don't drink while they're working.

Ah, I can't sit there sober and listen to your kind of music.

I go nuts.

It seems to me you've done all right with my kind of music.

Who ever heard of you until I gave you a break?

Look. Lay off me tonight, will you, please, Mr. Morrison?

Listen, the one thing I won't stand for is a lush.

What do you think this is anyway, a spasm band like Art Hazzard's?

Why, you stupid...

Talking that way about him.

If tin ear of yours could really hear the kind of music Art Hazzard played,

you'd go out and shoot yourself.

- [Smoke] Watch it, Rick. - I know what I'm doing.

You're looking for a new trumpet man. I'm through.

You sure are.

Little offbeat, aren't you?

Go talk to him, I don't think he wants to split up any more than you do.

I do. I don't wanna work with any band.

Not gonna be tied down to anybody or anything.

From now on, I'm playing it my way.

Want company?

You got a good job, Smoke. Keep it. Die rich.

I don't care if I never get another cent out of it.

Music's not a business to me.

Hey, Smoke,

how about getting together tonight with some of the guys,

you know, go over to one of the Jersey joints?

Sure. You get the car, and I'll get the potato salad.

[playing jazz]

[playing the blues]

Ah.

What time is it, anyway?

What's the difference?

Hey, what's everybody quitting for?

Oh, come on, Johnny. We got lots of time.

Yeah, we got a recording date at 10 o'clock and I'm dead before I'll begin.

I'm so tired I can't hold on to my horn. It keeps slipping out of my hands.

You know, that's funny. I got just the other trouble.

This keeps sticking to my hand. I can't shake it off.

Let's cut out. I'm beat.

- See you at the studio, Smoke. - Yeah.

Oh, come on. Let's kick it around.

Hey, just once more, huh, fellas, what do you say?

Don't you ever sleep?

Hey, Smoke. You stick by me, huh?

Just a few more licks wi...

just a few...

Huh?

Hey, Rick, what's the matter?

- What's the matter? - Oh.

- I'm okay. I... - Get up.

- Where's my trumpet? - Right here. Sit down.

And don't do that again. You really scared me.

It sort of felt like I...

Like I fell a long, long way.

- Here. - No, I...

Hey, Smoke...

Hey, you know what we ought to do?

We oughta make our own records, make them the way we want.

Boy, we could make records

that would really split them wide open.

Make them sit up.

Do some of the old ones Art used to do, like...

"Dinah" and "12th Street Rag" and...

"Louisiana Blues.”

They won't buy 'em.

Who won't?

People.

You know who buys records? High-school girls.

You know why? To learn the words.

They only buy the new songs to learn the words.

I never thought of it that way.

Nobody knows what we're doing except us.

The guys that do it.

They don't hear us.

They just hear the words.

You and I could drop dead tomorrow,

nobody would know the difference.

Are you really okay?

- Sure. - Sure, you are.

You're gonna stay okay. You come along with me.

I got a little fixer-upper for you.

All right.

[Smoke continues indistinctly]

After this, you better get some sleep.

We got no time. We got a recording session, remember?

Down again.

[shivers]

Hey. Like giving a dog a bath,

trying to fix you up.

Only you could've told me you were going to shake.

You're my pal, Smoke.

You're the only guy left who cares what happens to me.

[playing "With a Song in My Heart"]

[Jo] ♪ With a song in my heart ♪

♪ I behold your adorable face ♪

♪ Just a song at the start ♪

♪ But it soon is a hymn to your grace ♪

♪ When the music swells ♪

♪ I'm touching your hand ♪

♪ It tells that you're standing near ♪

♪ And ♪

♪ At the sound of your voice ♪

♪ Heaven opens its portals to me ♪

♪ Can I help but rejoice ♪

♪ That a song such as ours came to be ♪

♪ But I always knew ♪

♪ I would live life through ♪

♪ With a song in my heart ♪

♪ For you ♪

[hits sour note]

[hits sour note]

[playing off-key]

Rick!

That's all, boys.

Man, he's really washed-up.

[Smoke] All you need is some sleep.

Get out of here, won't you?

Leave me alone.

All right, Rick.

Rick, it was wonderful up to the finish.

We'll get it right.

Come on. We'll try it again.

We'll work till we get it. Here.

I don't want it.

I don't wanna ever see it again.

Give it away.

Give it to some kid who wants to play an instrument.

Only tell him not to fall in love with it.

That's what you told me once, wasn't it, Jo?

But the record's fine, Rick.

They only buy records to learn the words.

Nobody cares about the music.

All we have to do is cut off the last part.

Why don't you leave me alone?

-I won't let you do this to... - Leave me alone.

What are you trying to do, Rick,

kill yourself,

because you try for something that didn't exist?

That's what you've done all your life.

What do you think a trumpet will do?

That note you were going for,

that... that thing you were trying for,

there is no such thing, Rick.

Not on the trumpet.

[sobbing]

[melancholic music]

[Smoke] He dropped out of sight after that.

Word got around he was washed-up.

The truth is, the only thing in the whole world

he felt safe with was his trumpet.

And when that let him down, too,

he just couldn't take it. He went to pieces.

But not in any small way.

[music continues]

[jazz playing]

[Rick grunting]

[melancholic music]

♪ In the sweet by and by ♪

♪ We shall meet on that beautiful shore ♪

♪ In the sweet by and by ♪

[melancholic music]

[Smoke] Habit is a remarkable thing.

It escapes no one,

not even Rick, as sick as he was,

because at this point,

he did a very strange thing.

I'd like to see a trumpet you got in the window.

Mm-hmm.

No, not... not that one.

That one. On the end there. See?

Oh, on the end.

This one?

- Yeah. - It's no good.

The valves are busted. It can't play.

That's the one I want.

I'll be honest with you. It's a piece of junk.

I've been meaning to throw it out.

You don't want this one, mister.

How much?

Seventy-five cents.

- It hasn't got a case. - That's all right.

I'll put it in a paper bag for you.

[slow jazz music]

Remember, I told you it was no good.

Now, don't come back and complain.

Thank you.

[melancholic music]

Hey. You're drunk.

[music continues]

[jazz music playing]

Hello?

Yeah.

Oh.

I'll be right down.

[dramatic music]

Taxi driver brought him in.

I assumed it was voluntary.

It's no fault of ours, obviously.

This is an alcoholic cure.

We're not expected to handle medical cases.

I'm afraid it's pneumonia. You ought to get him to a hospital.

Why didn't you send him to a hospital?

We didn't have any authorization.

You got it now.

Get an ambulance. I'm taking him out of here.

And call these numbers.

Tell them to get down here right away.

Mrs. Martin. Is that his wife?

- Yes. - And the other one?

She's not his wife.

Hi, Smoke.

Hi, Rick. It's good to see you.

I don't feel so good.

A funny thing happened to me yesterday.

I got lost.

I'm getting you out of here, kid.

You're gonna be all right, too.

[somber music]

He's fine. He's doing fine.

The ambulance will be here in just a minute.

Jo's here.

It's Jo.

Used to work for him.

Couldn't get along.

Never could get along with a band.

You're gonna be all right, Rick.

We have a lot of dates to play.

Sure. We... we can play some of the old ones,

the good ones we used to play.

Y-you and Smoke,

me and Art.

They want words, then...

they don't have to listen to us.

We can play for ourselves.

We got no words. We...

We can't say what we mean. We...

just got to feel it.

[siren wailing]

Hear it?

Jo, you hear it?

You said that I tried for something didn't exist.

There's no such note.

Hear that note, Jo?

[siren continues]

It's so clean and sweet.

Gee, that's a good note.

[siren fades]

You see, Rick was a pretty hard guy to understand,

and for a long time, he didn't understand himself.

But the desire to live is a great teacher,

and I think it taught Rick a lot of things.

He learned that you can't say everything

through the end of a trumpet,

and a man doesn't destroy himself

just because he can't hit some high note

that he dreamed up.

Maybe that's why

Rick went on to be a success as a human being first

and an artist second.

And what an artist.

[playing "With a Song in My Heart"]

♪ At the sound of your voice ♪

♪ Heaven opens its portals to me ♪

♪ Can I help but rejoice ♪

♪ That a song such as ours came to be ♪

♪ But I always knew ♪

♪ I would live life through ♪

♪ With a song in my heart ♪

♪ For you ♪