The Glenn Miller Story

Hello, Mr Kranz.

- I'd like to redeem my... - I know! The trombone.

I always keep her hanging in the window

so when you walk by you can see she is still there.

I keep my eyes on her.

Say, Mr Miller, where'd you got the money this time?

- Working in a gas station. - And now you've got another band job?

Yep. I'm with Minton at the Sunset Hotel. Chummy's gonna pick me up.

Your friend Chummy, why don't he hock something?

- He plays the piano. - I see!

That's all we need! To schlep a piano in and out every once in a while.

That string of pearls, how much did you say that was?

I'd like to give my girl a birthday present.

Isn't it wonderful to be young?

He just got his trombone out of hock and he wants to buy a $100 necklace.

$100?

I'd like to give her this. Haven't seen her for a few years.

- You are engaged? - No, not exactly.

We went around together when we were in college. University of Colorado.

$100. That's a lot of money, isn't it?

For a regular customer, I make a special price.

I guess that's Chummy.

A hundred dollars.

Here's for the horn.

- Thanks. Goodbye. - Goodbye, Mr Miller.

- Where'd you get this one, Chummy? - Made a deal on my Briscoe.

She's a beaut. 45 horsepower. Only four years old.

- 45 horse... - Come on, hop in. We gotta get goin'.

- Isn't this a darb, kid? - Yeah, gee whiz!

- You bring my arrangement? - You're sittin' on it.

But this is the Sunset Hotel, potted palms and marble stairs.

- Minton's band plays sweet. - I know that.

Don't try to slip in that arrangement of yours tonight.

- We don't wanna lose this job. - Stop worryin'. This is a classic.

I Dreamt I Dwelt In Marble Halls, it's a classic!

When Minton hears this arrangement, he'll give us a job for life. Let's go.

Too bad you can't keep the trombone and hock the arrangement.

- You know where there's Venice? - Italy.

No! Venice here. By the pier, with that big wheel.

- Oh, yeah. - You boys go out there next Monday.

- This fellow Pollack, he has tryouts. - Ben Pollack?

Ben Pollack. He gets together a new band.

They go for a long, long trip.

- How do you know? - A fellow told me this morning.

- You boys go out there. - Sure. Thanks a lot.

Next Monday?

That gives you a week to get your trombone out.

- You could work in a gas station. - Not me.

I'm gonna work on arrangements.

For me, I'm glad for your business, Mr Miller,

but why don't you give up this arranging and stick with the trombone?

That's a good question. I wish I knew the answer.

But I have one idea up here in my head.

To me, music is more than just one instrument.

It's a whole orchestra playing together. See?

The only way I can express myself is to work out an arrangement.

See? Thanks for the tip.

Come on.

Great!

- Thanks, Ben. - You're in. You're in.

- Who's next? - I am.

I've done some arrangements...

I'm full up on arrangements. I need more musicians.

I've been working on 'em all week. They're in your style.

I appreciate that. Lay them on the piano, I'll try 'em some other time.

Uh-huh.

- My name's on the cover. - Swell.

OK, who's next?

I am. My name's Schwartz. Wilbur Schwartz.

Clarinet, eh? Sit down at the first chair and blow a little bit.

- What tune do you want me to play? - Do you read at sight?

- Try me. - Chummy, get him something to read.

One, two.

Hey, Glenn! Come on back. Mr Pollack wants to talk to you.

He says your arrangement is a pip! Your arrangement!

I'm playing in the band and working on arrangements.

I got a two-week advance.

You are a regular Rockefeller!

- I want to thank you for everything. - Don't mention about it.

I'm only glad it worked so good out.

About that string of pearls for my girl's birthday.

You said something about a special price for those.

For you it's $80. You pay me 40 down and $5 a week.

- Good enough. - Shall I mail it for you?

I better take 'em with me. I'm not sure of her address.

We're booked into Denver. She lives right near there.

Ten, 20, 30, 40. There's the 40.

- And here is for the trombone. - All right.

- Thank you very much. - Same to you, and good luck.

I hope you stay out of pawnshops for a while.

- So do I! Goodbye. - Goodbye, Mr Miller.

- Glenn, come on! - A Pierce-Arrow?

Yeah! I got it for the old car and 100 bucks.

Much heavier. It'll hold the road better on a long trip.

If the band folds up, we can sell it to an undertaker.

Get in the back, I'll give you a ride in style.

Hurry, Glenn. We're due at the Denver Palace in ten minutes.

- How much, sir? - Oh, give us five.

Hello. I want Boulder 6-1-7-0.

How many?

I'll get it, Mother.

Hello?

Hello? Helen? How's my girl?

Your girl? Who is this?

Who is this? Is this Helen Burger?

Yes, but there must be some...

- Well, it's Glenn! - Glenn? Glenn who?

It's Glenn Miller!

Glenn Miller?

Oh, Glenn Miller.

Well, now, honestly. After two years and not a word.

Didn't you get my card?

The one you wrote a year ago last Christmas?

Well, I haven't heard from you either.

I didn't know where you were. I don't even know where you are now.

I'm down here in Denver. I want to see you. How about tonight?

Oh, I'm sorry. I have a date.

Couldn't you break it? I'm with Pollack and we're leavin' tomorrow.

Now, honestly, I...

Glenn, come on, hurry it up.

I'll see you later, then. Gee, there's a lot I want to tell you.

- Glenn, wait a minute... - I'll be out right after I finish work. Bye.

Glenn? Hello?

Well, honestly.

- Hi, Dad. - Going out, Helen?

This is a new wrinkle, isn't it? Ed keeping you waiting.

It isn't Ed tonight. It's a man I haven't seen for years.

Not Ed? What's happened?

It must be serious for you to break a date with Ed.

No, Mother. Glenn isn't my type.

I guess I'm just too practical or unromantic or something.

I want a man like Ed who's got a factory or a store or something solid.

I certainly don't want a wandering nomad like Glenn Miller.

What's he do, this Glenn Miller?

I don't really know except he said he was in Denver for overnight.

He's gonna pick me up after work.

He must be a hard worker. It's nearly 9:00 now.

It is?

Well.

Oh! There's really no excuse for this!

The least he could've done was phone.

- Unless he was in an accident. - Call him.

How can I? I don't know where he is.

If I'm going hunting in the morning, I've gotta get to bed.

Sam's picking me up at the crack of dawn.

- Doesn't look as if he's coming tonight. - It certainly doesn't!

Even if he did come, I wouldn't see him.

Then we can all go to bed?

Well, so much for Mr Glenn Miller.

I'll never see him again.

Helen?

Helen?

Helen?

Helen!

Helen!

- Oh, there you are. - Glenn Miller, you go away.

I don't want to go away. I came to see you. We have a date.

- Shh! You'll wake up the neighbourhood. - How can I talk to you?

You keep quiet. I'll be right down.

Hello, Helen.

What's the matter with you, coming at this hour?

I told you I'd come out after work. I got here as quick as I could.

- Shh. Be quiet. - You haven't changed a bit, have you?

Just as feisty as ever, and just as pretty too.

I must be pretty! Wearing this kimono and my hair up in curlers.

Is that what they are? Come on, sit down.

- It's cold out here. - Come on. It's a beautiful night.

Gee.

There. I bought you a present for your birthday.

My birthday? That isn't until next November.

This is for your last birthday.

Why, they're beautiful! But I can't accept a present like this.

Why not? They're not real. I wish they were.

I got 'em out in Los Angeles in a pa... In a, uh... A, uh...

I'll get you some real ones someday.

Honestly.

Two years and not a word and then a present like this.

You know, with some people you don't have to write. You just know.

- I knew you'd be here. - Oh, you did?

Sure. I knew you'd be just the same.

Just sitting around waiting for you to show up, I suppose?

"How is my girl?" you said. Well, you happen to be wrong!

I've been engaged to Ed Healey for nearly a year.

Did it occur to you that I might not care if I ever saw you again?

No, it never did.

Never.

- Never. - Why can't I ever stay mad at you?

You had me worried there for a minute.

Honestly!

If you were anybody else, I would never speak to you again.

Look at me. Sitting here in this kimono and my hair all...

- Those curlers. - Terrible, isn't it?

Helen, now look, I've got an idea.

Come with me to Fort Morgan. I'm gonna introduce you to my folks.

- Now? - Right now.

People do sleep between 3am and 6am.

They'll be crazy about you.

- And they'll give us breakfast. - How do we get there?

- I'll get a taxi. - A taxi to Fort Morgan?

- Sure. - That's so extravagant.