(upbeat orchestra music)
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- When you think of Paris, what comes to mind?
The Champs-Elysees, romance.
Cheese.
Well it wasn't always like that.
You know, for four years the city of light went dark.
There was violence, swastikas in the street,
Martial law, and fear in people's eyes.
Then came the liberation, but how can you
feel liberated when your city has been crushed?
When there's no food or electricity?
When friends and neighbors are being
betrayed and guns are still firing in the night?
See, some things about a war, they,
well they just don't change overnight.
But it is from the ashes of war that
friends are made and new loves are found.
And that, well that was what it was like on
the day Jerry Mulligan decided to stay in Paris.
Oh, and it starts like this.
(dramatic piano music) (crowd rabbling)
(gentle orchestra music)
- Jerry, there you are!
- Hey!
- I got our tickets, we're going home!
Well tick tock Mulligan, we're gonna miss the train.
(dramatic jazz music)
(speaks in foreign language)
(train whistle blows)
- Thank you.
- Ah, Paris.
- We are home.
(jazzy piano music)
(speaking in foreign language)
- Oh no sir, please don't!
No, no!
- Hey, what's going on?
(dramatic orchestra music)
(orchestra builds)
- Collaborator!
(crowd yelling)
(woman screams)
(orchestra builds)
(orchestra fades)
(gentle orchestra music)
(train whistle blows)
(applause)
(jazzy piano music)
(speaking in foreign language)
- At last, a fellow slaughterer of the French tongue.
Welcome soldier, Corporal Adam Hochberg,
Second Armored Division, at your service.
- Lieutenant Jerry Mulligan, Fourth Infantry.
But now it's just Jerry.
- Well what can I get you, Just Jerry?
- Anything.
Coffee?
- Whoa, too early in the day for coffee.
Have some champagne.
- This your cafe?
- Might as well be.
The Dutois gave me the run of the place.
(speaking in foreign language)
So when you shipping home?
- That's just it, I missed my train.
- Oooh.
Kinda sorta on purpose huh?
Yeah, yeah me too.
I sure as hell didn't see parading
this in front of the relatives.
- Yeah, no parades for me either, thanks.
- You wanna talk about it?
Yeah, sorry, I'm sorry, it's just
been lonely as hell around here,
and frankly, I'm driving myself
crazy with this damn concerto.
- You a composer?
- Well not if this is any indication.
- It sounded great.
- Something's missing, I can't put my finger on it.
Hey, you an artist?
- Yeah, starving and homeless.
- Well the Dutois got another petit
alcove upstairs, and they like to
think of themselves as "art patrons".
Even though they haven't got a casserole to urinate in.
When they found out I was studying
with Nadia Boulanger, you heard of her?
- Mmm-hmm.
- Yeah, I didn't think so.
Well they stopped asking me for rent,
and if you were a Jew, like me,
they probably wouldn't charge you.
- Shit!
- Yeah, Parisian guilt.
- Jesus.
- Ah, exactly.
Hey, can I take a peek?
- Yeah.
- Hey, these are good.
You really are an artist.
(shouting in foreign language)
Hey Henri.
Henri, English please!
- Pour quoi?
- Well because our French sucks.
Jerry, Henri, Henri, Jerry.
- How do you do?
- A pleasure.
- I like this one best, is this Dunkirk?
- No, that's old.
It's depressing.
- Well I love depressing.
Artists have a responsibility to
show the dark underbelly to life.
- Don't listen to him, paint what
you love, make them pretty.
- Hey, did you pop the question yet?
Henri's trying to work up the
nerve to ask his girl to marry him.
- No no no, I have decided to write her a letter.
- Why not just ask her, Henri?
- Yeah Henri, what's her name again?
- No, no, no, you are trying to prick me.
- Uh, trick.
Prick is something else.
- You Yankee cads are celebrated for stealing
our women, I am not allowing her near you.
Now have you finished my song?
Let's get to work, chip chip!
- Chop chop!
I'm helping him with his nightclub act.
Henri's folks are in textiles
the way Henry Ford is in cars.
They don't know their only child
wants to be a song and dance man.
- Am a song and dance man!
- So he's going over to America
to help run their US operations while
secretly becoming a nightclub performer.
- Won't they find out if you're successful?
(chuckles)
- Oh he won't be.
- Play.
- This is the first stab, now.
- Yes, it is brilliant, we know.
He is a genius, your friend.
You grew up together?
- Yeah, yeah, same synagogue and everything.
(dramatic piano music)
♪ Days can be sunny ♪
♪ With never a sigh ♪
♪ Don't need what money can buy ♪
- Can we light up the accompaniment?
- No we cannot.
♪ Birds in the tree sing their dayful of song ♪
♪ Why shouldn't we sing along ♪
- It's like a funeral.
- Kinda gloomy.
♪ I'm chipper all the day ♪
♪ Happy with my lot ♪
- Happy, it doesn't sound that way.
♪ How did I get that way ♪
- Something something something.
♪ I got rhythm ♪
♪ I got music ♪
- No no no no.
♪ I got my gal ♪
♪ Who could ask for anything more ♪
- It's better in 4/4.
- It is.
♪ I got daisies in green pastures ♪
♪ I got my gal, who could ask for anything more ♪
- That's great.
♪ Old man trouble, I don't mind him ♪
♪ You won't find him, 'round my door ♪
♪ I got starlightmI got sweet dreams ♪
- Stop it!
♪ I got my gal, who could ask for anything more ♪
♪ Who could ask for anything more ♪
- [Henri] Look at their faces.
People need to laugh, Paris needs it.
- Who says music needs to cheer people up?
- I say it.
- It's too easy to go for sentiment.
God forbid we show the real world.
War, starvation, there's unemployment.
♪ Old man trouble, I don't mind him ♪
♪ You won't find him, 'round my door ♪
- Philistines!
♪ I got starlight, I got sweet dreams ♪
- Eh, sellouts.
♪ I got my gal, who could ask for anything more ♪
♪ Who could ask for anything more ♪
♪ I got rhythm, I got music ♪
♪ I got my gal, who could ask for anything more ♪
♪ I got daisies, in green pastures ♪
♪ I got my gal, who could ask for anything more ♪
- And the day turned to night, and somehow, in that
little slip of time, the three of us became--
- The Three Musketeers! - The Three Musketeers!
♪ I got rhythm, I got music ♪
♪ I got my gal, who could ask for anything more ♪
♪ I got daisies, in green pastures ♪
♪ I got my gal, who could ask for anything more ♪
♪ Old many trouble, I don't mind him ♪
♪ You won't find him, 'round my door ♪
(music stops abruptly) (screaming)
- Don't worry, it's only the electricity.
(sighs of relief)
- [Adam] It's okay, it's okay, we'll take care of it.
- [Dutois] Adam.
(rhythmic thumping)
(glasses clinking)
♪ I got rhythm ♪
(xylophone melody)
(French national anthem)
(chanting in foreign language)
♪ I got rhythm ♪
♪ I got music ♪
♪ I got rhythm, I got music ♪
♪ I got my gal, who could ask for anything more ♪
♪ Old many trouble, I don't mind him ♪
♪ You won't find him, 'round my door ♪
♪ I got starlight, I got sweet dreams ♪
♪ I got my gal, who could ask for anything more ♪
♪ Who could ask ♪
♪ For ♪
♪ Anything ♪
♪ More, more, more, more ♪
♪ More ♪
(applause and cheers)
- And the night evaporated into memory.
Light flooded in Paris.
Paris began to breathe freely again.
I kept working on my music day
and night, but something wasn't right.
One morning I took Jerry with me to
sketch the dancers at the ballet
where I was accompanying classes.
That's when, well, you'll see.
(speaking in foreign language)
- Sorry, I've got no idea what you're saying.
- American.
- Afraid so.
- Milo Davenport.
- Jerry Mulligan.
- May I?
- Yeah.
- Oh, these really are rather good.
Where do you see the work going next?
- The Louvre?
- Confident, I see.
- Or deluded.
- Do you have representation?
- New to town.
- Me too.
I'm having a little gathering this evening at The Ritz.
Might be worth your while, eightish?
- Thanks.
Nice meeting you.
- Mademoiselle Davenport.
- Ah, Madam Baurel.
- Don't you look, er, American.
- Thank you, but I'd rather look French.
- Yes, well.
I must get to my board meeting,
but Maestro Zlutoslovsky is expecting you.
- But he knows I'm new to ballet?
- He knows that your father has
done business with my husband and
that you might wish to make a donation.
- Surely he'll need more than a donation if
everything was being funded by the Nazis.
- We must always look to the future.
- I see, of course.
- Come.
Maestro, my friend, Milo Davenport.
- Ah.
- I will see you after the audition.
(gentle orchestra music)
(speaking in foreign language)
- Dancers, we do audition variation now for Mr. Z.
(dramatic piano music)
- You.
You vanished.
- My grave apologies, madame.
- Spare your breath.
- There were so many blockades.
I left work with more than enough time.
- But you did not.
I do not wish to see you, out of my sight.
- Don't leave.
Just stand there in the back.
It's okay.
Stay.
- You are just too tall.
Go be skyscraper somewhere.
- Go on in.
(dramatic piano music)
(applause)
- Brava, my goodness!
- Thank you.
Dancers, we will be in contact.
- Thank you.
- Adam.
- Lise.
- Wait!
What is your name, child?
- Lise Dassin.
- Dassin.
Where did you study?
- In Monte Carlo.
Before the war.
- Your mother is Arielle Dassin?
- Yes.
- Wonderful dancer.
She must be so proud.
- Please forgive me.
I must hurry back to work at the Galeries Lafayette.
I'm so sorry.
- We have your details?
- Yes.
- Hang on!
- You hang on.
Maestro, forgive me for presuming,
but I would consider funding your
entire season if you would perhaps
indulge me in one tiny whim, and that
is to commission a short piece for that
lovely young girl, what was her name?
- [Group] Lise Dassin.
- So mysterious.
And who wrote that exquisite music, is it famous?
- From your mouth, I'm the culprit.
- With a score by this talented young fellow, Monsieur...
- Hochberg.
- Monsieur Hochberg.
- Well now--
- And designs by this noted American painter, Jerry...
- Mulligan.
- I'm afraid I have my own stable of designers.
- You mustn't keep artists in a stable,
they'll never get up out of the hay.
Never mind.
I specialize in the visual arts, and I
must say this young man's work is--
- I am sorry.
- A short ballet is all I suggest.
Celebrating French and American youth,
side by side, moving into the future together.
Brilliant.
Alive.
- I can certainly invite Mademoiselle Dassin
and this gentleman, but I must draw
the line at designs, I'm very sorry.
- I gotta run.
It was great meeting you all.
- Don't forget tonight, 8.
- I won't.
Bye.
- Don't say no, that's all I ask.
I'm not telling you what to do,
but you should at least see his work.
- Did you see that?
The flower, the kiss?
The way she looked at me?
No one in my whole life had ever...
God, I had a ballet to write.
(fanciful piano music)
(orchestra builds)
- Oh, sorry!
- Madame, we are expecting a new shipment any day now.
- May I help you?
- Congratulations, you got the job!
- What?
- They're creating a ballet for you.
- Monsieur, I'll find you another sales lady.
- Oh there are no other ladies for me.
- Amandine?
- Yes, Amandine, please speak to this customer.
Lise is giving her notice.
She's gonna be a star.
- Sir, I'm afraid I cannot help you.
- But you can because I need a small bottle
of perfume for a very beautiful ballerina.
- Do you chase all the girls across town?
- No.
You're the first girl I've ever chased anywhere.
Come on, what are the odds?
I see you my first day in Paris, then again today?
Both of us in the same place at the same time?
You've got to admit.
- Admit?
♪ I've got beginner's luck ♪
♪ The first time that I'm in love, I'm in love with you ♪
♪ Gosh I'm lucky ♪
♪ I've got beginner's luck ♪
♪ There never was such a smile or such eyes of blue ♪
♪ Gosh, I'm fortunate ♪
♪ This thing we've begun ♪
♪ Is much more than a pastime ♪
♪ For this time is the one ♪
♪ Where the first time is the last time ♪
♪ I've got beginner's luck ♪
♪ Lucky through and through ♪
♪ For the first time that I'm in love, I'm in love with you ♪
- Oh stop it, sir.
(upbeat orchestra music)
- Ooh!
- Sir!
I'm so sorry.
Get off.
No, sir, please don't.
- Thank you.
- Oh stop it, sir!
(crowd rabbling)
Oh no sir, please no!
(applause)
- You are going to get me fired!
- You're quitting.
Hi, I'm Jerry.
Meet me, Pont des Arts.
- Absolutely not.
- I'll be there all afternoon.
I'll see you there.
- How can you be so sure?
♪ 'Cause I've got beginner's luck ♪
♪ Lucky through and through ♪
♪ 'Cause the first time that I'm in love ♪
♪ The very first time that I'm in love ♪
♪ The first time that I'm in love ♪
♪ I'm in love with you ♪
(applause and cheers)
- Congratulations, dear.
You are to become the newest prima
ballerina at the Ballet du Chatelet.
- I am?
- Don't draw attention.
I heard it from maestro himself, a new work for you.
But I did not let anyone know we were acquainted.
It would be incorrect to influence the outcome.
Let me take us to lunch.
- I must give my notice.
- Of course.
Yes.
Well I know how much you have wanted this.
How your mother would be pleased.
You will no longer be a shop
girl in this unfortunate place.
And needless to say, I am beside myself with joy.
I will see you at home.
No no.
Good to see you, as always, Mademoiselle Dassin.
(light orchestra music)
- Dearest...
- You will be pleased to know Lise
has been hired by the ballet.
- She has?
- Yes.
Now have you asked her?
- Mother.
- You are too old to be unmarried.
You are beginning to draw attention to us.
We can't afford such prying.
- The war is over, the Nazis are gone.
- Shhh!
My god!
We must always appear blameless and correct in all things.
- This is also why we have walls, dear.
- The walls have ears.
The world is filled with treachery.
- I am writing my letter of proposal at this moment.
- Letter dear?
- Mother, I am simply concerned that
Lise might not feel the same way about me.
- Oh Lise clearly loves you.
And if you don't ask her soon, someone else will.
You will have missed your chance.
(gentle orchestra melody)
Dearest beloved.
Dearly beloved, no.
Dear Lise.
- Cher Maman.
- Cheri.
- You and papa would both be so happy.
- I would be so happy.
- I have been hired to dance with the ballet.
- To dance with you through this adventure we call life.
Oh my Christ.
- I miss you.
With every fiber of my being.
I'm afraid you might never receive this.
- [Henri] I wish for you.
- I wish you were here to help me make a difficult decision.
- With all my heart.
- For I must choose between doing what
is expected of me and following my heart.
- To choose me as your loving husband.
- I know Henri loves me, and I love him too.
- I you want, that is.
- But is this romantic love?
The kind you and papa built your happiness upon?
- Oh will you marry me, Lise?
Oh please, Lise, please.
No, no, no.
- If he should propose, what do I do?
The Baurels have taken such good
care of me throughout the war.
And I suppose love grows.
- Dear Lise, true love comes but once in a person's life.
I believe that together...
- But maybe.
♪ Someday he'll come along ♪
♪ The man I love ♪
♪ And he'll be big and strong ♪
♪ The man I love ♪
♪ And when he comes my way ♪
♪ I'll do my best to make him stay ♪
♪ He'll look at me and smile ♪
♪ I'll understand ♪
♪ And in a little while he'll take my hand ♪
♪ And though it seems absurd ♪
♪ I know we both won't say a word ♪
♪ Maybe I shall meet him Sunday ♪
♪ Maybe Monday ♪
♪ Maybe not ♪
♪ Still I'm sure to meet him one day ♪
♪ Maybe Tuesday will be my good news day ♪
♪ For me he'll do and dare ♪
♪ As ne'er before ♪
♪ Our hopes and fears we'll share forevermore ♪
♪ And so all else above ♪
♪ I'm waiting for the man I love ♪
- You had to love her.
She made you wanna protect her.
And I thought, I'll dedicate this score to her.
She'll inspire me to discover whatever's
been missing, the ballet will inspire
everyone to fall in love with her,
and she'll have me to thank.
She'll have to love me.
(orchestra builds)
- Told ya.
- I cannot accept this.
- Why not?
I bought it from the prettiest girl in the shop.
Come on, don't go.
- Oh like all American men, you are too presumptuous.
- Oh, like all French girls you...
Nothing.
There couldn't be another girl like, say your name for me?
- Lise.
- Beautiful.
But sad.
- No it is not.
- How about Lizzie?
Or Eliza?
Liza.
- I like my name.
- Liza's happier.
- No it is not.
- Are you sure about that?
I drew this my first day here.
You like it?
- I do not wish to be drawed.
- Drawn.
And it's just a sketch.
I couldn't finish her 'cause I'd need to know you better.
Tell you what, meet me here every day.
- No.
- I'll help you with your English
and draw you until I get it right.
- No!
I do not know you.
Who are you, you're a what, a soldier?
- No.
I was.
But now I'm an artist.
You are too.
And your mom too, is she famous?
Hey, what's wrong?
- I can't meet you.
I have responsibilities.
- Come on, it'll be fun.
Everyone has responsibilities.
- Well what are yours?
- My work.
I stayed here in Paris for this.
Art is really important.
- You think I don't know that?
I am French.
- Listen, you don't have to tell me anything you don't want.
Plenty of people have things
they like to keep to themselves.
Me?
I'll tell you something.
I'd like to forget every single
thing about that whole filthy war.
- Oh.
Me too.
- See?
Put it behind us.
With me you don't have to be that sad girl.
You can be Liza.
That brash, happy, crazy girl no-one
but us knows about, what do you say?
- You are a madman aren't you?
- Meet me here every day for one hour.
- No.
- 30 minutes?
- No.
- Two minutes?
- No, Jerry.
- You remembered my name.
Now come on, we'll be those two crazy,
happy fools down by the river
and the hell with everyone else!
You'll have your life, I'll have mine.
Honor your responsibilities.
Then there'll be this.
Our little secret.
Pretend.
Come on.
Look.
♪ Moon shining on the river ♪
♪ Come along, my Liza ♪
- Lise.
♪ Breeze singing through the treetops ♪
♪ Come along, my Liza ♪
- Lise!
- Not here.
Not with me.
♪ Something mighty sweet I want to whisper sweet and low ♪
♪ That you ought to know, my Liza ♪
- Try it.
♪ I get lonesome, honey, when I'm all alone so long ♪
♪ Don't make me wait, don't hesitate ♪
♪ Come and hear my song ♪
♪ Liza, Liza, skies are gray ♪
♪ But if you smile on me, all the clouds will roll away ♪
♪ Liza, Liza, don't delay ♪
♪ Come, keep me company ♪
♪ And the cloud will roll away ♪
♪ See the honey-moon ashining down ♪
♪ We should make a date with Parson Brown ♪
♪ So Liza, Liza, name the day ♪
♪ When you belong to me ♪
♪ And the clouds will roll away ♪
- Say yes.
- No.
- Then dance with me.
(orchestra builds)
♪ See the honey-moon ashining down ♪
♪ We should make a date with Parson Brown ♪
- Say yes.
Say you'll meet me right here.
Can't a man and a woman just be friends?
In America, they do it all the time.
- I can be your friend.
But no more than that.
- You'll meet me?
- Yes, but you have to swear to never tell anyone.
- I swear.
Oh Lise!
- No.
Liza!
- Whoa!
- Are you all right?
- Yes.
- Just friends, you said!
- The French kiss their friends, twice in fact.
Tomorrow, same time, same place, don't forget.
- You swore.
Don't you forget!
(orchestra builds)
(applause)
(gentle orchestra melody)
- Dear Lise.
- Show me the letter.
- Mother!
- You clearly don't know how to
conduct yourself in matters of the heart.
Give it to me.
- Oh and you and father are so warm and fun-worshipping.
- Well we have the occasional, er, we have...
This is not about your father and me, Henri.
Now dear, tell me, do your romantic
interests lie beyond the fairer sex?
- Mother, please!
- Good evening!
- Hello!
And congratulations.
- Ah yes, did she tell you her news?
- Yes, it will certainly be a change.
- Yes, well...
Lise, Henri has something he wishes to ask you.
Walk me through the garden.
We are both beside ourselves for you both.
- What is it, Henri?
- What is what?
- You wanted to ask me?
- Yes.
About the ballet, I want to hear everything.
- Oh cheri, you seem nervous.
- No, no, no, no, happy!
And beside myself as well.
Look, I am all the way over here, I am so beside myself.
(chuckles)
- You seem--
- No, I don't seem.
It's just, well I--
- What?
- Oh I sound so selfish.
- This doesn't mean I have to spend my life in Paris.
You go to America to sing.
- Shhh.
- If you decide, for whatever reason, I mean...
Well I could dance there.
I mean I will.
- You will?
I mean, you do?
- Do?
- Want to?
- I do.
- Yes?
- Yes, Henri, if you do?
- I do, of course, yes I do, I do.
- Yes, I do too.
(chuckles)
- Oh my darling, you have made me so happy.
- I have?
- I love you very much.
- I love you too.
(chuckles)
- You know something?
You were positively glowing from
the moment you came in, you seem...
Transformed.
- I did?
- [Henri] Yes.
- I do?
- Something marvelous has happened.
- No.
- [Henri] Yes, it's written all over your face.
- What?
- The ballet.
- Oh yes!
- Did something else happen?
- No!
My god!
- Please don't curse!
I am teasing, like mother and father.
- No cursing.
We must stop this foolishness,
I'll be late to my rehearsal.
- Yes.
(gentle orchestra music)
♪ Life has just begun ♪
♪ Jack has found his Jill ♪
♪ Don't know what you've done ♪
♪ But I'm all a-thrill ♪
♪ How can words express ♪
♪ Your divine appeal ♪
♪ You can never guess ♪
♪ All the love I feel ♪
♪ From now on, lady I insist ♪
♪ For me no other girls exist ♪
♪ 'S wonderful ♪
♪ 'S marvelous ♪
♪ She should care for me ♪
♪ 'S awful nice ♪
♪ 'S paradise ♪
♪ 'S what I love to see ♪
♪ She makes, she makes my life so glamorous ♪
♪ You can't blame me for feeling amorous ♪
♪ Oh 's wonderful ♪
♪ 'S marvelous ♪
♪ That she should care for me ♪
♪ 'S wonderful ♪
♪ 'S marvelous ♪
♪ She should care for me ♪
♪ 'S awful nice ♪
♪ 'S paradise ♪
♪ 'S what I love to see ♪
♪ She makes my life so ting-a-lish ♪
♪ I'll even overlook her Eng-a-lish ♪
♪ Oh 's wonderful ♪
♪ 'S marvelous ♪
♪ That she should care for me ♪
- What the hell are you guys doing in my song?
- It's my song.
- We all must be in love.
- Yeah, Jerry's got himself an heiress.
- An heiress, no less.
- And mine's accepted my proposal.
- Hey, that's great! - Hey, congratulations!
- I didn't even have to make it.
- What?
- Really?
- What about you?
- I met someone wonderful, but I
ain't telling you bums who it is.
No, no, no.
♪ She's made my life so glamorous ♪
♪ You can't blame me for feeling amorous ♪
♪ Oh 's wonderful ♪
♪ 'S marvelous ♪
♪ That she should care for me ♪
(applause and cheers)
- If you can't be honest in life,
how are you gonna be any kind of artist?
- Who says I can't be honest?
- I do.
She accepted your proposal only you didn't have to make it?
Does she know she said yes?
- Well I think so.
- See, this is the problem with people like you.
- Give him a break, he's happy.
- Life and art are connected.
Yours are both bullshit.
- Enough already.
- What is wrong with wanting to be hopeful and in love?
- Exactly.
Another round?
- No, see, you don't get it.
If life is a work of art, and art is a life's work.
- Hey, what's her name?
Now you can tell us can't you?
- Well you are a bad artist indeed.
I mean look at you, the hair, the clothes.
You look like a refugee.
- I am a refugee, running from you.
- You do look a little scroungy, pal.
- I do?
- Only an artist manque thinks art must be tragic.
- Is that right?
Well you've seen so much of the world,
Fauntleroy, why don't you tell
us what you did during the war.
- Wouldn't you like to know?
- Ceasefire!
- [Adam] I would.
- It might surprise you what I have done!
- Oh why don't you just admit that you
took a pass on the whole nasty business--
- Girls, girls, please!
- Why did you say that?
- What?
- "Girls".
- Well now he knows we're not really girls,
Henri, let's agree on the basics.
- It's just my mother thinks that my
romantic interests "lie beyond the fairer sex".
(laughs)
Well you don't think that, do you?
- Oh I wouldn't let it sway my feelings about you one bit.
No, I would tell anyone who asked that you
are one of the most asinine, superficial people--
- Okay, I gotta run.
- Look, here is the proposal, I was about to
hand it to her when she beat me to the pinch.
- Punch. - Punch.
- Chere maman.
- Maman?
No, no, no.
- I must choose between doing what is
expected of me and following my heart.
- I took her notebook.
But is this romantic love?
The kind you and papa built your happiness upon?
- Hey, everybody wonders those
kinds of things before they get married.
Maybe she's not the right girl for you, Henri.
- She's the only girl for me, you don't know her.
- Okay, okay, go.
Go to your fancy party, sell some
paintings, I'll take it from here.
Listen.
Forget about her, okay?
- She is not the kind of woman you forget.
She is...
An enigma.
- Yeah?
Sounds like a skin condition.
Now come on, let's rehearse your act, it'll distract you.
Oh and by the way, I got us a little club in
Montmarte two weeks from tonight, so cheer up.
Another five rounds with fries please?
And more good news, I got a commission.
- Wait.
"I suppose love grows."
It does.
It will.
I'm sorry, you were saying?
Montmarte, wonderful!
Mayonnaise please, not ketchup.
- Oh yes, ketchup!
Mayonnaise on fries?
God, how do you say...
(mock vomiting)
In French?
Are you kidding me with that?
(upbeat orchestral melody)
- Hello!
Swell digs you got here.
- Thanks.
- I brought you a little something.
- Ooh, let me see.
Oh, nice composition, point of view.
It's a shame someone already painted it.
- What do you mean?
- Cezanne got there first.
Find the voice of Jerry McMillan.
- It's Mulligan.
- Cocteau said "Originality is trying
"to be like everyone else and failing".
Only you're too deft.
You're gonna have a harder time
finding something you fail at.
- Cocteau said all that, huh?
- But you might have this new ballet to experiment with.
- I might?
- If you play your cards right.
I persuaded Zlutoslovsky to give you
a shot at designing the ballet.
- Thank you!
- Bring your ideas to rehearsal.
- Jeez.
- And don't play it so safe.
- Okay.
- Take this hint of exuberance and explode it.
- Okay.
- And don't act so humble.
People might start falling for the act.
- Speaking of people, where is everyone?
- Am I not enough for you?
- You said something about gallery representation?
- Yes, I'm opening my own gallery and looking for
undiscovered geniuses to feature in my gala.
I for one intend to take this city by force.
- They just came through a bit of that.
- No matter how much cash you offer,
they still have such set ideas
about "the correct way to do things".
- Well it's their country.
- They didn't seem to mind letting
the Nazis run it for a while.
- I'm not sure they had much choice.
- Well neither do I.
I'm compelled from within, an instinctive
hunger to make a contribution,
a difference, a niche for myself.
- A name.
- No, no, a home here in the city of love.
- That's Rome.
- Love, light, same thing, wouldn't you say?
- I wouldn't know a thing about it.
But you're quite a pistol, Miss Davenport.
- Oh call me Milo.
You like music?
- Nothing against it.
(classical music)
- May I have this dance?
- Yeah, listen--
- Oh are you gonna break my heart, Jerry Milligan?
- Mulligan.
- You say potato.
- I've got a girlfriend.
- You want another?
♪ Shall we dance, or keep on moping ♪
♪ Shall we dance, and walk on air ♪
♪ Shall we give in to despair ♪
♪ Or shall we dance with never a care ♪
- You want to meet Picasso?
♪ Life is short ♪
- Camus
♪ We're growing older ♪
- Sartre
♪ Don't you be ♪
- You know those people?
♪ An also-ran ♪
♪ You'd better dance with the lady ♪
♪ Dance, little man ♪
♪ Dance whenever you can ♪
- Let's go to an opening.
- What's my part of the deal?
- Be nice to me and enjoy yourself.
- Are you sure that's all?
- I know you can't buy love, well,
I think you can, but I'm not looking
to fall in love, Mr. Mulligan.
- Hey, you got my name right.
- Oh I said it wrong to see if you had any spine.
- I'm afraid I might.
♪ Drop that long face, come on, have your fling ♪
- Seriously.
♪ Why keep nursing the blues ♪
♪ If you want this old world on a string ♪
♪ Put on your dancing shoes, stop wasting time ♪
♪ Put on your dancing shoes, watch your spirits climb ♪
(orchestra builds)
- What are you doing a week from tonight?
- That's the night I play poker with Picasso.
- Ha ha.
(laughter)
Have you been to the Bal des Beaux Artes?
- What's that?
- It's an annual costume ball.
Everyone behaves very badly and regrets it in the morning.
Some people regret it all year.
It's fabulous!
♪ Life is short ♪
♪ We're growing older ♪
♪ Let's not be an also-ran ♪
♪ You better dance with the lady, dance little man ♪
♪ Dance whenever we can ♪
- Come on!
(orchestra builds)
(laughter)
(gentle piano music)
- Maestro.
- It's upside down.
(cheering)
- Oh yes!
- [Ensemble] Yes!
(orchestra builds)
- Lift!
- Okay.
No, it's too high.
It's too high, I...
I'm so sorry.
- Again, lift!
Get out!
This is correct.
(ominous rhythmic drumming)
(gentle piano music)
(orchestra builds)
(music swells)
(cheering)
- The game!
(cheering)
(applause)
(gentle orchestra music)
- You are with the ballet?
- Don't shoot.
I'm the piano player.
- If this is humor, I must ask you to resist.
And no jazz, please.
Monsieur Baurel is unkindly disposed towards it.
Lise, you are acquainted with this personage?
- Hey you.
- So handsome Adam, look at you.
- Yes, well...
- I didn't think I'd see you 'till later.
I was hoping we could, you know...
I don't know.
- What?
- Go for a walk, I don't know, I'm blathering.
Listen, I'm writing so many new
themes for you, I hope you can keep up.
I don't mean you aren't capable, you are.
- Is there something wrong?
- No, no.
It's just, Lise, I really...
I love the way you dance.
- Lise, no appearance for you until
after the dancers have finished.
- Yes madame.
- Are they trotting you out some prized pig?
Oh my god, er, that's an American,
not as in pig, as in like it is here.
- Sorry?
- You see, in America, a prized pig is, oh my god!
- I have to go.
- Go, good riddance.
I mean good luck!
Good luck, would you go already, why don't you?
Would you?
(muffled blabbering)
Hey you bum, what the hell are you doing here?
- You two are acquainted?
- No, he's mistaken, we've never met.
- Sure, and I'm George Gershwin.
- Well please remove yourself to the piano, Mr. Gershwin.
- Let me take your coat.
I live here, that is my mother.
- Oh, condolences.
- Why are you here?
- I told you, I got a commission.
- You didn't say whom with.
- Well no, I would never say
"whom with", it's lousy grammar.
- Will you stop smiling?
They mustn't suspect anything about my musical pursuits.
- Hey, you've hired my friends to perform!
- What friends?
- No friends, hello!
- You singing?
- Singing?
I should certainly hope not.
- Oh you've heard him.
- Henri?
This is our guest of honor, Mademoiselle Davenport.
- Enchante.
- And her consort, Monsieur Mulligan.
- We know each other.
- Ah?
Are you not well?
- People are always confusing me with
someone, it makes my neck ache terribly.
- Confusing you with, er--
- No, you are the one who is confused, please follow me,
I'll show you to the coat room and bar.
- Oh, you keep the liquor in the closet?
(chuckles)
- Who the hell are these phonies?
- They are my parents, thank you very much.
And they must not know my secret.
- Which one? - Which one?
- My nightclub act.
- Nightclub?
- Father!
This is, I'm sorry, your names?
- Oh, I'm Frick, he's Frack.
- You'll excuse me while I show the Frick-Fracks to the bar.
- Hey, that's my design!
- Oh that was my surprise.
And why I'd didn't tell you the party was for the ballet.
You've been hired.
- I have?
- Yes!
These people are on the ballet
board and they're welcoming me.
I want you to be celebrated as well.
- Yeah?
Thank you.
Jeez.
I appreciate it.
- You're welcome.
- And what about the dancers?
- They're performing a little excerpt
of something, what about them?
- I don't know.
I just gotta get a drink, excuse me.
- Oh, could I have one too?
- The dancers are here?
- Yeah, what's wrong?
- Didn't realize this thing was for the ballet.
Christ, I gotta get outta here.
Sorry.
- Your attention please.
A tender hand of appreciation upon our guest of honor,
Mademoiselle Milo Davenport, who has brightened
our future so at the Ballet du Chatelet
in her role as international dilettante.
(applause)
- Well I'm speechless.
I'm truly honored to have even the smallest
hand in a work by the inimitable Zlutoslovsky.
Where's Jerry?
Oh, my talented friend Jerry Mulligan has created
these daring, new designs for the ballet.
We're simply honored to have any
part in your storied institution.
Well it is all beyond my most feverish dreams, I thank you.
Thank you.
(applause)
- [Madame Baurel] Please take your seats!
- I don't feel well.
You don't want to get it.
- Maestro Zlutoslovsky has kindly
agreed to allow a performance of a
work no longer in the repertoire.
One I loved in my youth.
How many of you recall the celestial
ballets of Ivor and Irina Popover?
No-one?
- Why are you so fidgety?
- Am I?
- Shhh!
- Yeah, you're all over the...
- I give you now, The Eclipse of Uranus.
(applause)
(gentle piano music)
- The hell are you doing?
I can't just, would you stop?
- Are you kidding me right now?
Thanks a lot.
Is that all the dancers?
- Yeah.
- Thank god.
(chuckles)
- Please!
- Sorry.
(snickers)
- Shh!
- I'm so sorry.
- What's the matter with you?
♪ I've got fidgety feet, fidgety feet, fidgety feet ♪
- Respect, sir!
♪ Oh what fidgety feet, fidgety feet, fidgety feet ♪
♪ Say mate, come and be my sway mate ♪
♪ How can anyone resist that rhythmical beat ♪
♪ You will never go wrong, never go wrong, never go wrong ♪
♪ If you toddle along, toddle along, toddle along ♪
♪ All I need's a partner to make my life complete ♪
♪ Two more fidgety, fidgety ♪
- [Adam] What the hell are you on?
(giggling)
(applause)
(upbeat, feisty orchestra music)
(jazzy piano music)
♪ I've got fidgety feet, fidgety feet, fidgety feet ♪
♪ Oh what fidgety feet, fidgety feet, fidgety feet ♪
♪ Say mate, come and be my sway mate ♪
♪ How can anyone resist that rhythmical beat ♪
♪ You will never go wrong, never go wrong, never go wrong ♪
♪ If you toddle along, toddle along, toddle along ♪
♪ All I need's a partner to make my life complete ♪
♪ Two more fidgety, fidgety, fidgety ♪
♪ Fidgety, fidgety, fidgety ♪
♪ Feet ♪
(applause and cheers)
- Didier?
You despise this sort of music.
- No, dear.
We agreed to say we dislike jazz while under occupation.
But you seem to believe every word you speak.
- Oh, I, er...
But I...
No, it...
Oh.
We have covered over so much, I can't even find me.
Hello everyone!
I am most especially honored to be able
to present to you now the newest star in
our firmament, the unforgettable Lise Dassin.
(applause)
Monsieur Baurel and I cannot
contain our joy one minute longer.
We seize this moment to share with you our blessed news.
Our dear son, Henri, and Lise are promised to be we'd.
- Oh my goodness! (piano slam)
That's wonderful news!
(dramatic orchestra music)
(dramatic piano music)
- I wonder if you might play
something a little more festive?
- My themes are decay and the inevitability of death.
- Now that jazz is no longer banned, I would not
have the faintest idea where to go to listen.
- Well then you must allow me and Jerry
to take you both to hear some.
Oh darling, if I wanted to hear some
good American jazz here in Paris,
would you know where to send me?
- Oh yeah, I know a guy playing tomorrow night in fact.
He puts on a really good act.
- Oh good then.
Thank you.
- Is something the matter?
- No!
No.
If you'll excuse me a moment.
- Hey.
Penny for your thoughts?
- You'd be overpaying.
And not everything's for sale in this world, excuse me.
- Those are such lovely shoes.
- Oh, you like?
Are you one of those rare gents who likes to shop?
Jerry won't ever go with me.
- I would be delighted.
- You would?
Well you seem like you might be a lot more
fun than the Americans I slum around with.
You and I are cut from the same expensive bit of cloth.
Sometimes it's hard to know if people like
you for you or what you can do for them.
- It helps if they have stood in your shoes.
- These might pinch.
(giggles)
(orchestra builds)
- Look me in the eye and tell me you love him.
- Would you know the first thing about love, Jerry?
- Every day I've waited for you by the Seine.
I'm sorry for whatever I've done.
- I don't want you to apologize for who you are.
You are one of a kind and I will always...
Care for you.
- Care for?
Is that what Victor Hugo and Zola and Flaubert wrote about?
- My love, if you knew the first thing about
them you'd know they only wrote tragedies.
You gave me a lovely gift.
Those afternoons where I had no history and no past.
- But apparently you do.
- And so do you.
- I don't love her.
- Well she seems to think you do.
And perhaps you should.
- No, no, it's all for show, I mean I couldn't--
- I don't want to know!
- You deserve so much more than afternoons.
You deserve someone to love you for all time.
- Henri loves me very much.
- Yeah, the way I loved my first puppy.
- And I have obligations.
- What obligations?
- I must honor them.
- Tell me what they are.
- Not here, not now.
- Meet me then.
- No, Jerry.
- I need to understand.
- I am not a visitor in my own life.
I don't have this luxury.
- Our love is not a luxury.
- Go inside and be kind to that woman
who's clearly going out of her way
to give you what she thinks you want!
- I don't care about any of that!
I don't want money or fame.
I want you.
- That's foolish.
You will go far with her.
(gentle orchestra music)
- You are all I've ever wanted.
And ever will.
I love you.
- Go inside, they're watching.
- And you love me.
- We have pretended too many things.
- Yes.
- Yes of course I love you, but I am not free to love!
- Now you're killing me here, why?
- Let go!
We are both killed then!
- But why aren't you free?
- Because life is not like your American movies.
- Why not?
You love me.
You said you love me, you said it!
(orchestra builds)
(orchestra fades)
- Well it's been quite a night.
- Are you pleased?
- Are you?
- Yes.
- Is there anything you wish to tell me?
- Do you worry what people will say?
- About?
- The two of us.
- [Henri] What about us?
- Our differences.
- Do you, is the question.
- You're quite the success.
- Thank you.
Heady stuff.
- I'll say.
- Anything you'd like to discuss with me?
- Nope.
You?
You worried what people think?
- Me?
♪ Who cares what the public chatters ♪
♪ Love's the only thing that matters ♪
♪ Who cares if the sky cares to fall in the sea ♪
♪ Who cares what headlines are shrieking ♪
♪ Long as we two are cheek-to-cheeking ♪
♪ Why should I care ♪
♪ Life is one long jubilee ♪
♪ As long as I care for you ♪
♪ And you care for me ♪
- You want a drink?
- Can you see any chance for us, Jerry?
- My dear, I never want you to feel obliged
simply because my family made sacrifices.
- I know this wasn't part of the deal, but...
- Am I enough for you?
- What about you?
My suave good looks and untamed talent
gonna be enough for you in the end?
- Ha ha.
- Am I enough for you?
- No-one on Earth could love you as much as I.
I know that, Lise, if I know nothing else in life.
♪ For you, for me, forevermore ♪
♪ It's bound to be forevermore ♪
♪ It's plain to see, we've found by finding each other ♪
♪ The love we waited for ♪
- Darling.
♪ I'm yours, you're mine ♪
♪ And in our hearts ♪
♪ The happy ending starts ♪
♪ What a lovely world this world will be ♪
♪ With a world of love in store ♪
♪ For you ♪
♪ For me ♪
♪ Forevermore ♪
- What's the matter?
- I'm happy.
Go to bed, my sweet.
- Who are we fooling?
You deserve someone who worships you.
- I do.
Don't you worry I'll pull my funding
from the ballet if you walk out?
- True.
You like to use your dough to keep everyone in line.
- [Milo] Ow!
- Is that who you really wanna be?
- I don't believe that's who I really am, oddly enough.
- Well sorry.
Think I'm gonna make an early night of it.
- Life without money is not romantic
as in opera, it's stressful I hear.
- I'll manage.
- I didn't plan on...
I didn't plan on falling in love with you.
- You did a lot to help me.
And I wish there was some way I could thank you.
- Yeah, we'll think of something.
- You're a peach, Miss Davenport.
- Yes.
(dramatic orchestra music)
♪ They're writing songs of love, but not for me ♪
♪ A lucky star's above, but not for me ♪
♪ Shall we dance to romance ♪
♪ With love to lead the way ♪
♪ I've found more skies of gray ♪
♪ Than any Russian play could guarantee ♪
♪ You'd better dance with the lady, dance little man ♪
♪ Dance whenever you can ♪
♪ I was a fool to fall and get that way ♪
♪ Who cares ♪
♪ Heigh ho, alas, and also lack-a-days ♪
♪ If you want this world on a string ♪
♪ Although I can't dismiss, the memory of a kiss ♪
♪ You'd better dance with the lady ♪
♪ Dance whenever you can ♪
♪ I guess she's not for me ♪
♪ It all began so well, but what an end ♪
♪ This is the time a fella needs a friend ♪
♪ When every happy plot ends in a marriage knot ♪
♪ But there's no knot ♪
♪ For me ♪
(applause)
(jazzy piano music)
♪ Come on, you children ♪
♪ Gather around ♪
♪ Gather around, you children ♪
♪ And we will lose that spirit ♪
♪ That spirit called the voodoo ♪
♪ Voodoo ♪
(scat singing)
- When we play Radio City Music Hall we
are going to have separate dressing rooms.
Two dressers each, many beautiful costumes,
and I will have 20 beautiful women to back me up.
- Why?
Can't you defend yourself?
(chuckles)
- Stop making jokes.
- Why do you want to take that beautiful
girl to America just when she's
about to be a star here in Paris?
- I don't believe I've ever heard you take
an interest in another human being's happiness.
Why start now?
- I watch her every day in rehearsal, she's the
real thing, what the hell are you doing?
- She has a mind of her own, she's not a slave.
- Oh yeah?
From what I see she bows and
scrapes around you and your family.
Why's she so beholden to you?
- What are you talking about?
- I got a ballet to finish, and don't know how,
so why I'm wasting my time here
with you, I really don't know.
- All right.
Lise's father was in the employ of my family,
our butler, when we would summer in Monte Carlo.
Her mother was with the ballet.
- Go on.
- When she retired, the Dassins returned to Alsace.
When the Maginot Line was crossed Lise was
sent here, her parents intending to follow.
Certainly no-one believed the
Nazis would dare to take Paris.
- No.
I bet a lot of that Vichyssoise crowd at
your parents party knew perfectly well
what was coming and didn't mind so much.
- Yes yes, you and your friend Jerry
snickered at the formality of my family.
Perhaps you imagine that their morality
consists of nothing but posing.
Through the occupation, my family hid Lise in our home.
They funneled a fortune into the Resistance
where I also worked, day and night,
to see that Lise was not the only one spared.
- You?
- My mother is obsessed with appearances because
she knows what can happen when you are discovered
doing what is right by the wrong people.
Or even by the right people if it is not the right time.
No-one can know any of this, please.
- Lise's parents?
- They were arrested, beyond that we have no idea.
- I got an idea.
You and parents took a lot of
risks, made a lot of sacrifices.
- Correct.
- All to protect a perfectly innocent person.
- Yes.
- And now she has to sacrifice her happiness for you?
- No, Lise loves me and I her!
- Not the way people mean when they say that word!
She deserves real passion, Henri, real happiness.
- I don't know what you are implying!
- You got charm and talent, my friend.
And what you did during the war, that decency and bravery?
Well you're gonna have to stick to that road in peacetime
unless you wanna lose all that shine you've earned.
I'm giving it to you straight.
You take it or leave it.
- [Stage Manager] Places please.
(jazzy orchestra music)
♪ Send him to the devil ♪
♪ Clap your hands, slap your thigh ♪
♪ Hallelujah, hallelujah ♪
♪ Everybody come along ♪
♪ And join the jubilee ♪
(applause)
- I prayed you'd be here.
Milo and I are through.
- Please don't start this again.
- Lise, do you love Henri the way you love me?
- [Cabaret Singer] And now!
- I need to understand.
- [Cabaret Singer] Henri Baurel!
- It's starting.
Go.
♪ I'll build a stairway to paradise ♪
♪ With a new step every day ♪
♪ I'm going to get there at any price ♪
♪ Stand aside, I'm on my way ♪
♪ I've got the blues and up above it's so fair ♪
♪ Shoes, go on and carry me there ♪
♪ I'll build a stairway to paradise ♪
♪ With a new step every day ♪
- Eyes on the prize, buddy.
Think Radio City.
(orchestra builds)
♪ All you preachers ♪
♪ Who delight in panning the ♪
♪ Dancing teachers ♪
♪ Let me tell you there are ♪
♪ A lot of features ♪
♪ Of the dance that carry you ♪
♪ Through the gates of Heaven ♪
♪ It's madness to be always sitting ♪
♪ Around in sadness ♪
♪ When you could be learning ♪
♪ The steps of gladness ♪
♪ You'll be happy when you can ♪
♪ Do just six or seven ♪
♪ Begin today, you'll find it nice ♪
♪ The quickest way to paradise ♪
♪ When you practice, here's the thing you do ♪
♪ Simply say as you go ♪
- What are you doing in my song?
- I wrote it.
♪ On Monday, happy as a lark ♪
♪ You'll be getting started ♪
♪ When you learn to Toe-the-Mark ♪
♪ That's Toe-the-Mark ♪
♪ Toe-the-Mark ♪
♪ On Tuesday, then you ought to show ♪
♪ Both your little regales ♪
♪ How to do the Heel-and-Toe ♪
♪ That's the Heel-and-Toe ♪
♪ Heel-And-Toe ♪
♪ On Wednesday, walk around the block ♪
♪ And at every corner, stop and do the Eagle Rock ♪
♪ That's the Eagle Rock ♪
♪ Eagle Rock ♪
♪ On Thursday, whistle as you go ♪
♪ On a journey off to Buffalo ♪
♪ On Friday, take a little stroll ♪
♪ And do the Oceana Roll ♪
♪ Saturday, then you let her go ♪
♪ When you do the Toadolo ♪
♪ On Sunday, I will guarantee ♪
♪ That you can do the Shivaree ♪
♪ Shivaree, Shivaree, Shivaree ♪
♪ All together now ♪
♪ Toe-the-Mark ♪
♪ Heel-and-Toe ♪
♪ Eagle Rock, Off to Buffalo ♪
♪ Oceana Roll, Toadolo ♪
♪ Shivaree, there you go ♪
(orchestra builds)
♪ I'll build a stairway to paradise ♪
♪ With a new step every day ♪
♪ I'm going to get there at any price ♪
♪ Stand aside, I'm on my way ♪
♪ I've got the blues, and up above it's so fair ♪
♪ Shoes, go on and carry me there ♪
♪ I'll build a stairway to paradise ♪
♪ With a new step every day ♪
♪ With a new step every ♪
♪ Day ♪
♪ I'll build a stairway to paradise ♪
♪ With a new step every day ♪
(applause and cheers)
(gentle piano melody)
♪ I'll build a stairway to paradise ♪
♪ With a new step every day ♪
♪ I'm going to get there at any price ♪
♪ Stand aside, I'm on my way ♪
♪ I've got the blues, and up above it's so fair ♪
♪ Shoes, go on and carry me there ♪
♪ I'll build a stairway to paradise ♪
♪ With a new step every day ♪
(applause)
- Henri!
You are making a fool of yourself.
Are you so contemptuous about
dignity and privacy as a family?
- Mother and father, I have kept
from you the truth of my desires.
- Not in front of all these strangers.
- Is this why you suggested I
bring the Baurels here tonight?
- No, hold on.
- [Milo] I didn't know.
- Did you suggest this?
- Yes, but I didn't know she was asking for Henri's family.
- Let me take us somewhere else.
- No.
I wish to go home now.
- I'll escort you to your car.
- Mother, father, I'll be home.
- Who could have my thought my own
son was capable of such things?
That was absolutely remarkable, you know!
- Oh.
- It would be a terrible waste for you
to spend your time in the fabric
industry when you have such talent.
- Oh, er, well yes, yes of course.
If only we'd known, but...
- Now we do.
- Yes, but I just want everything
to stop changing so often and so swiftly.
- Of course.
- You understand?
- Of course, mother.
I always understand.
- You do.
Yes.
Wonderful.
So marvelous.
Truly.
And off we go, dear.
Very quickly now please.
- You see, it all worked out.
- So you did arrange this?
- No, Lise, let me explain.
- Jerry, just leave her alone.
- Get out of my way.
Sorry, okay?
But Lise and I are in love.
- You seem to forget that we are engaged!
- She doesn't need to be bought and
sold and treated like a little doll
by a mama's boy who couldn't even
bother to defend his own country!
- You know so much about other people!
You are so wrong, my friend!
Lise is the one I devote my life to.
Artists are supposed to see more, understand more.
What do you even know about this woman you say you love?
- Henri's no coward, kiddo.
He fought in the Resistance and
his family hid Lise during the war.
She's a Jew.
Her parents were arrested by the Nazis,
Henri and his parents saved her life.
- Adam.
- Oh yeah, don't tell anyone.
- Why didn't I see it?
Of course she didn't want to talk about it.
All those years in hiding.
I hated fighting.
Why I had to catch my buddy's
brains in my lap, I'll never know.
But if I don't fight now for the one person,
the first and only person I've ever loved.
Sorry Henri, coward or no, you're still a shit to
let Lise marry you out of duty instead of love.
It's not good enough buddy boy, she's--
- Come, darling.
I have a long day tomorrow and
the score still isn't finished.
- Yes.
- Liza, I'm begging you.
- Don't.
- Well I always wanted to know who
closed the bars, and now I know.
It's me.
(chuckles)
- So much we've had to endure.
Everyone just being alive.
It ain't what they tell you when you're a kid.
So much you can't ever change.
Wait.
You can.
You, oh that's what I've been missing!
- What?
- That bloody frog was right all along.
- About what?
- About my music, about art.
Life is already so dark, if you've got
the talent to make it brighter, give people
joy and hope, why would you withhold that?
Oh my god.
It's gotta be a celebration.
This whole ballet, it...
Goddammit, I hate it when French people are right.
(upbeat orchestra music)
- I was gonna leave these outside her door, but...
- I'll deliver them.
- Thanks.
- Oh, uh, excuse me, I gotta go
stand in a hole in the ground.
- What?
- With the...
- Oh.
Special delivery!
- Thank you.
- I offered to bring them.
(gentle orchestra music)
You know, Jerry was never serious about me.
And he taught me something I didn't know,
he gave me the truth, which is not something
people in my position hear all too often.
Money can't buy love.
Love is given.
Well as only the French would say
at such a happy moment, merde.
- It's going to be a fiasco.
- Oh it's good to be nervous.
- It's not nerves.
I don't feel any freedom on stage, no passion.
I have only felt that once in
my life and I can't find it now.
- Well think of when you felt it.
And then you'll dance like the star you truly are.
(orchestra warming up)
(uplifting orchestra music)
- Okay, you good?
Have a wonderful show.
(orchestra builds)
(orchestra slows)
(orchestra builds)
(orchestra slows)
(orchestra builds)
(orchestra fades)
(applause)
(upbeat orchestra music)
(applause and cheers)
(applause)
- You were incredible.
- Thank you, Jerry.
- But you were, you were on fire.
I'm so sorry.
- No.
I couldn't have danced the way I did tonight...
Without imaging you up there with me.
- Really?
(clinks glass)
- A toast to our generous benefactress, Milo Davenport.
(applause)
- Thank you.
Most people do what they're told.
But some obey higher laws and choose to do what's right.
To Madame, Monsieur, and Henri Baurel for
keeping the flame of art and freedom
alive through France's darkest hours.
Bravo!
- Bravo.
(applause)
- I never want this night to end.
You seem a little...
- No.
- Are you sure?
Having a change of heart?
- Maybe finding one.
- Ah.
- I really do love her, you know.
- I know.
- I just don't know what to do.
- I think you do.
Call me in the morning.
- Darling, let's take a drive.
- Is everything all right?
- Yes.
Yes.
- One moment, then I'll change.
Adam.
You know, you made all this happen.
You did.
You are my American in Paris.
- Well I thank you.
Lise?
You're making a mistake.
Love, true love, it's all that matters.
You know, duty, honor, forget it, but love?
Love is even more important than art.
- Henri's waiting.
- Go, go.
- Goodnight, Adam.
- Goodnight.
- Congratulations.
You are the toast of Paris, you know.
- Absolument.
- What?
- You're the toast of Paris.
- I am?
- Says so in all the papers.
- Every last one.
- So that's how it happened, I guess.
And you know what?
I even got the girl.
Nah, fooled you didn't I?
It's true, I just...
I put her in the music, where she belongs.
For me at least.
♪ Our romance won't end on a sorrowful note ♪
♪ Though by tomorrow you're gone ♪
♪ The song is ended, but as the songwriter wrote ♪
♪ The melody lingers on ♪
♪ They may take you from me ♪
♪ I'll miss your fond caress ♪
♪ But though they take you from me, I'll still possess ♪
♪ The way you wear your hat ♪
♪ The way you sip your tea ♪
♪ The memory of all that ♪
♪ No, no, they can't take that away from me ♪
♪ The way your smile just beams ♪
♪ The way you sing off-key ♪
♪ The way you haunt my dreams ♪
♪ No, no, they can't take that away from me ♪
♪ We may never, never meet again ♪
♪ On the bumpy road to love ♪
♪ Still I'll always, always keep the memory of ♪
♪ The way she holds her knife ♪
♪ The way she danced 'till 3 ♪
♪ The way she changed my life ♪
♪ No, no, they can't take that away from me ♪
♪ No, they can't take that away ♪
♪ They can't take that away ♪
♪ They can't take that away from ♪
(somber orchestra music)
- Jerry!
- Lise!
(uplifting orchestra music)
(applause and cheers)
♪ Who could ask for anything ♪
♪ More ♪
(applause and cheers)
(upbeat orchestra music)
(gentle piano music)
(orchestra builds)