Dirty Gertie from Harlem U.S.A. (1946) - full transcript

Say, I say,

how's this right there?

How's it look right here?

Down a little, right there.

Right there?

How you doing?

Well, how do you do?

(Ship's horn blowing)

Say, boat's in, boat's in.

The boat's in?

Come on, everybody,

the boat's in!

(Celebratory chattering)

Let's go down and see the boat.

Skipper? Come on, skipper,

the boat's in.

Yes, ma'am.

And don't forget

what diamond Joe told you.

Act like a human

and keep yourself clean.

Diamond Joe said

that if you're quick,

he'll give us real good service.

I'm on my way, on my way.

Get those bags in as soon

as they get off the boat.

Be sure to get everything now.

Come on, pappy, get ready,

we haven't got much time

for the ceremonies.

And don't forget your speech.

All right, all right.

(Cheering)

Ladies and gentlemen,

friends, neighbors,

and fellow citizens

this is a grand reception

for a grand lady.

(Cheering)

I thank you,

I thank you, I thank you.

And now, ladies and gentlemen,

it is a privilege and a pleasure

to introduce to you at this time

the greatest star that has

ever hit this island,

that star of stars coming

to us directly from Harlem,

miss Gertie La Rue.

(Cheering)

Howdy, folks, howdy.

I think you're all swell.

(Cheering)

Welcome to Rinidad.

Welcome to Rinidad!

Welcome to the paradise hotel.

The paradise hotel!

Gertie la Rue.

Gertie la Rue!

(Cheering)

Here they come, here they come.

Come on in, right in.

Right here, right the way.

Right this way, right this way.

Yes, right this way,

right... right here.

Right here, right here.

Miss la Rue, as owner

and manager

of the paradise hotel,

I take this opportunity to...

And on behalf of myself

and my wife

to welcome you

to the paradise hotel.

Consider us

your humble servants.

Servants nothing, just pals.

(Giggling)

Gee, Gertie, you've got

a heart as big as gold.

No wonder I'm crazy about you.

Same old Joe, still jivin'.

Say, how does it feel to be king

of the diamond palace?

Now that you're here, baby,

it feels great.

You're my million-dollar baby

now, honey, I'd like you

to meet the kids.

Kids, meet diamond Joe,

the greatest guy

this side of Harlem.

Diamond Joe,

this is a real pleasure.

I'm Tom MacAaron,

manager of the greatest show

that ever left Harlem.

Glad to know you, Mac.

I'm Stella Van Johnson,

but just call me Stell.

I'm Ruby.

I'm Claire.

And I'm choo-choo.

I'm queenie.

I'm Clara.

- My, my, my...

- Come on, break it up.

- Don't get too personal.

- No need to worry about that.

Well, girls, I guess

we'd better register

and get upstairs, let's go.

Pappy, I just told the folks

they can have anything

they want on this island,

and the best rooms

in the house for them.

In fact, you're looking

at the greatest little actress

that ever left Harlem,

miss Gertie La Rue.

See that she gets the service

a lady like her deserves.

Mr. Joe, I'm powerfully

happy to be of service

to so great a lady

as miss la Rue.

I'm giving her

the bridal bedroom.

- Oh, yeah.

- Thanks.

Miss Van Johnson and I

will bunk together.

That's swell, that's...

Here, pappy,

you take care of this,

Sonny, bring miss la Rue's bag,

I'll take this.

Bring mine too, Sonny.

Now, miss la Rue,

if you'll follow me,

I'll show you to your room.

You better get some rest, honey,

I'll see you later

down at the palace.

Take good care of her, Stella.

Don't worry, Joe,

"watchdog Stella," that's me.

- Fine, fine.

- I'll be good.

I'm sure.

I sure hope you like

this room, miss la Rue.

It's the best room in the hotel.

It's the bridal bedroom,

but we ain't had a bride

in a long time.

Well, maybe

it'll bring me good luck.

You'll need it, honey.

(Laughter)

This is a nice little

upstairs veranda.

The size of a porch balcony.

You could come out here at night

and look at the stars

and the moon.

I used to love to come out here

at night and just look.

Besides, it's so hot

on this island

this time of year,

you need all the air

you can get.

Sure is hot.

Say, there isn't any chance

of anyone climbing that tree

from the ground floor, is there?

Why do you care?

Hm, I wish some good-looking man

would climb up here and get me.

Don't worry about that, girls,

people don't bother you much

on this island.

Well, it would be just my luck

for it to happen to me.

Mrs. Bridges, as soon

as our trunks come up,

would you have the boy

bring them in, please?

I sure will.

Is there anything else

you ladies need?

No, that'll be all.

Oh, by the way, Mrs. Bridges,

where did you put

the rest of the company?

The girls are in one large room

at the end of the hall.

The boys are two doors down.

Are you sure I can't do

anything else for you ladies?

- No thanks, Mrs. Bridges.

- Very well, then.

You know, Gertie, I sure hope

you like it down here.

'Cause Joe's a regular guy,

and he's going for you too

in a big way.

Aw, Joe's all right, in his way.

But I just don't like his way.

He's not my type.

What do you think

of this dump, queenie?

Oh, I have seen worse.

(Knocking at door)

Come in.

Excuse me, girls,

I've just settled

miss la Rue

and miss Van Johnson.

I thought, I'd look in to see

if you all were comfortable.

If you need anything,

let me know.

The main thing now

is the rest of our baggage.

The boy said he would hurry up.

I'll have the boy

to bring 'em right up.

The menfolks

are just two doors up.

I thought you all would like

to be near each other.

Don't kid yourself.

The farther we are away,

the better we like it.

That goes for me too.

I know this isle

isn't like Harlem.

It's hot here

and the mosquitoes are bad,

but you girls'll get used to it

in a couple of weeks.

Well, I guess you girls

will be all right.

Don't forget if you

need anything to call me.

Okay, I'm sure

we'll be needin' everything.

A couple of weeks

don't sound so good to me.

(Slap)

Mosquitoes, she said.

I wish I was back in Harlem.

Aww, stop your griping.

This place is different,

it's got romance.

I like it.

What are you mooning about?

I was just thinking about al.

You know, it was terrible

the way Gertie treated him.

He sure was a fine fellow.

You said it.

You know, I just can't seem

to figure Gertie out.

She has everything she wanted.

Sitting on top of the world,

money, car, a big star.

Al get her...

Gave her everything.

Treated her like a lady.

No, she wasn't satisfied,

couldn't take it.

That's right.

One of these days,

she's gonna get

what's coming to her.

And that ain't no lie.

You shouldn't get so excited,

Mr. Christian.

Remember your heart,

Mr. Christian.

Why, I never was so humiliated

in all of my life.

The nerve of that inspector

going through our baggage

piece by piece

and letting that

show troupe go right by.

I certainly will take this up

with the proper authorities.

Yes, Mr. Christian,

you are right, Mr. Christian.

Morning, gentlemen,

I have only one room left.

The show people've taken up

everything I have.

Would you sign here, please?

Boy, you take his baggage

to room 22, please.

Yes, sir.

Right this way, please.

What are you dressing up for?

Where do you think you're going?

Well, what do you think?

Mac just got through telling you

to watch your step.

He told you to take it easy.

He told you

to get plenty of rest

and be ready for rehearsal

at 10 in the morning.

He doesn't want you

parading around,

and he's right, too.

We just got into this town

and we can't take no chances.

Aw, shut up,

what do I care about Mac?

He's only the manager

of the show, I'm the star.

I'm the big shot around here.

Nobody tells me what to do,

I tell them.

Mighty big talk, Gertie,

but it's that kind

of a big "I" and a little "you"

that always gets you

into trouble.

All you ever think of

is yourself.

And the worst part of it is,

the whole company has to pay

for your dirty ways.

We'd all be living in Harlem

right this minute

if it hadn't been...

You hadn't given al the...

Please, Stella, don't ever

mention al's name to me again.

Now, you listen to me, Gertie,

I've been with you a long time.

I saw you go from

the chorus to the top,

and if it hadn't have

been for al,

you wouldn't have gotten there.

Al is one of the greatest guys

that ever lived.

You didn't treat him right.

You run him around like a dog.

You weren't satisfied

to be miss Gertie La Rue,

the toast of Harlem

and treated like a queen.

No, you had to two-time him,

you weren't satisfied

to throw him over,

you had to wreck him.

But listen, Gertie,

don't do anything down here,

because Joe won't take it.

Stell.

I ain't sayin' you're right,

and I ain't sayin' you're wrong.

I guess I've got it

coming to me.

Al was a great guy...

Only stop preachin' to me!

Do you think I like

being in this hot hole?

Don't you think I want

to get back to Harlem?

I know I had to leave,

but don't worry,

I ain't gonna do nothin'.

We'll stay here until

this thing blows over,

and 7th Avenue and

135th street, here we come.

I'll do just as you say.

I think I'll take a little walk

and look the island over.

Don't worry, honey,

I'm through with all men.

Why, you gave us

the worst rooms in the house.

It's not right, I tell you.

You gave that show troupe

the best rooms,

and we had to take what's left.

Why, I just don't see

how I'm going to stand it,

and we expect to stay here

quite some time.

Why, if we don't teach these

people what sin is,

we've got to be in more

comfortable surroundings.

Oh, but gentlemen, I gave you

the best we have at the present.

Miss la Rue's a lady,

and naturally

we favor her with the best.

A lady? It's a wonder

god doesn't strike you dead.

She's a painted trollop.

Why, you should have

seen her on the boat,

carrying on

with all of those men.

She's a Jezebel, I tell ya.

Yes, Mr. Christian,

you're right, Mr. Christian.

Well, there she is boys,

and don't forget,

she opens tomorrow night

at the diamond palace.

Don't miss the show.

Brother, we'll be there and how.

She sure is class.

Boy, what wouldn't I give

to meet a dame like that?

Well, brother, there she is.

Hi, big boy.

How are you, tight pants?

My, my, my.

Man, my stuff is here.

Thanks, Joe, for showing me

around this diamond palace.

It's a great place,

a wonderful setting

for our show.

I wish I had one

like it in Harlem.

Glad you like it, MacAaron.

You know, I've got

a big investment here,

Othennise I'd be

in Harlem myself,

right in the middle

of all those bright lights.

You know, Gertie's coming here

makes me realize

what I've been missing

all these years.

She's a great performer,

but just between us, Joe,

she's hard to get

and hard to hold.

What do you mean, MacAaron?

If you give her half a chance,

she'll give a guy the runaround.

Oh yeah?

That's why they

call her dirty Gertie.

(Laughing)

Little wildcat, eh?

(Laughing)

Well, I've gotta go now.

Gotta put these cards out.

Oh yes, uh, how about

a few to go up inside?

- Sure thing.

- Thanks.

- See you later.

- See you around, see you around.

Now listen, blues.

Pay attention to me.

Miss la Rue is the greatest star

that ever hit this island.

Now, last rehearsal

at 10 o'clock,

and I want you to play her music

as it has never

been played before.

I tell you,

you don't understand, but...

Here's a picture of her.

Put it up in your room

and dream about it.

What'd you say her name was?

La Rue.

Gertie la Rue.

Did she have another name?

Aw, don't worry about that.

You just play her music,

do that.

Boys, I've heard so much

about this place,

I've just got to stop

and give it a glance.

Don't know where

we'd go around here

if it wasn't

for the diamond palace.

It's the hottest spot

on this island.

Well, what do you say

to having a drink with a lady?

- Sure we will, Gertie.

- I'll say we will, Gertie.

Come on, what are waiting for?

(Cash register ringing)

Well, Gertie, I hadn't

expected you down so soon,

- this is a pleasure.

- Thanks, Joe.

I'd like for you to meet

a couple of friends of mine.

Big boy and tight pants.

Glad to know you, fellas.

Any friends of Gert

is a friend of mine.

This calls for a drink.

Just have a seat over here.

- Thanks.

- Pee wee!

- Yes, sir.

- A little service,

a little service.

(Indistinct chattering)

Where is diamond Joe?

(Indistinct chattering)

Hello, kids,

I'm happy to see you.

I'm glad to welcome you

to the diamond palace.

Now, I'm not gonna

make a speech.

All I'm gonna say is,

"the drinks are on the house."

- Oh, great!

- Oh!

(Laughing)

Uh, pardon me, fellas.

Would you please excuse Gertie?

We have some important business

to talk over while she's here.

Sure thing,

business before pleasure.

Don't stay away too long, ma'am.

Okay, big boy,

I'll be missing you.

Hold everything, tight pants,

I'll be right back.

Miss la Rue,

this is blues in the night,

he's my professor here.

If you have any music

for him to play,

he'll be happy to do it for you.

Thanks, I'll take it up

with you in the morning.

Okay.

That guy sure looks

like somebody I know.

Hm, you might know him,

he's from the states.

I saw her before.

Looks like her... I know her.

Gertie, won't you sit down?

- Smoke?

- Thank you.

Don't mention it, please.

Always a pleasure

to do something for you, Gertie.

Thank you.

Gertie, you know,

I've been looking forward

to this moment for a long time.

Ever since I saw you

do your striptease

in Harlem two years ago.

God, what an eyeful.

Joe, you are certainly

my type of a gentleman.

Oh, Gertie, I like that,

and just for that, I have

a little surprise for you.

Oh, it's...

Ooh, it's simply gorgeous!

Joe, you sure know

how to treat a lady.

Aw, that's nothin', Gertie,

that's just the beginning.

That's just a sample

of what I'm gonna

do for you later on, kid.

You know, I'm fallin'

for you in a big way...

And I've just been thinkin'...

Gertie, you're not

listening to me.

Who's that playing that piano?

Playing the piano?

Why, it's blues in the night.

Tell me more about him.

There's nothing to tell, Gertie.

He drifted down here

from Harlem a long time ago.

I can't just remember

how long ago.

He's nothing but a barfly,

but he sure can play that piano.

You're not sick are you, Gertie?

No, it... it's that song.

It takes me back

to a long time ago.

Oh, snap out of it, Gertie.

What you need is this,

a drink from my private stock.

You'll like this, kid.

Thank you, Joe,

this is just what I need.

I figured that

that's what it was.

Bottoms up.

- Down the hatch.

- Attaboy.

(Hurried footsteps)

Oh, Mr. Christian,

it's awful, it's just awful.

I saw them with

with my own eyes.

I peeked into the diamond palace

and sure enough, there she was.

Drinkin' and cussin'

and carrying on

with that soldier

and sailor man.

And all others were there too

doing just like she was,

only maybe worse.

Stop it, Ezra,

I can't bear to hear any more.

I must think

of some course of action.

But I must tell you the rest,

Mr. Christian, it's my duty.

There's pictures all over town

of this nasty woman,

and all she's got on

is a little...

You know,

a little teensy something.

Everybody's looking at her

and just pointing and laughing.

Stop it.

I know my plan

of battle clearly.

I'll go to this la Rue woman,

talk to her, reason with her.

Then if she does not listen,

I'll go to the governor

and have him put her

and her lowdown cohorts

off this island.

Send them bag

and baggage back to Harlem.

That's what I'll do.

(Clock ticking)

Mr. Christian,

you better come to bed.

It's awful late, it's three

o'clock in the morning.

Nope, I've made up my mind.

The lord's work must be done.

I must talk to this woman alone.

Go back to bed,

never mind about me.

(Clock ticking)

(Drunken chattering)

This girl's worn out.

You oughta be after

working over... ooh la la.

May be all right after all.

(Indistinct chattering)

Yes, I'll take dark chocolate

every new year's.

Aw, shut up your big mouth,

what do you want,

to wake up everybody

in the hotel?

(Laughter)

(Indistinct chatter)

(Laughter)

I'm telling you, it's terrible.

Well, boys, much as I hate to,

I must call it a day.

I have a rehearsal

at 10 in the morning,

and besides, you two

had better get back

to the barracks or else

you'll be put in the brig.

I'll take that chance

any day, honey,

as long as I can be with you.

That goes for me too, Gertie.

Now, ain't that pretty?

Talk like that

calls for a good-night drink.

Tight pants, you sure

bring out my better nature.

Big boy, you sure

know how to kiss.

I ain't been kissed

like that since al...

Ai? Who is al?

Never mind, big boy, he’s just

somebody I want to forget.

We'd better be going, Gertie,

you need to get some sleep.

Goodnight, honey.

Goodnight, boys, sleep tight.

What's the matter

with me anyway,

always thinking of al?

Why don't you get out

of my life and stay out?

Get out! Stay out!

(Bottle clanking)

Miss la Rue,

I want to talk to you.

Here, miss la Rue, drink this.

(Train whistling)

What's the matter

with you, anyway?

Miss la Rue, the lord

would be shocked

if he heard you talk like that.

Likewise,

had he heard you talking

to that sailor and marine.

He would have

turned away in shame.

He has sent me here to help you.

He is asking you, through me,

to give up your life of sin.

Your life with men

will only lead to destruction.

The wages of sin is death.

Give it up before

it is too late, sister Gertie.

Take your hands off of me,

you dirty, psalm-singin'

polecat!

If the truth were only known,

you want me

just like all the rest!

Have it your way, miss la Rue,

but you haven't heard

the last from me.

The lord moves

in mysterious ways,

his wonders to perform.

(Door thudding)

Gertie, what on earth

is the matter?

They must have heard you

all over the hotel.

I couldn't help it, Stell,

it's that reformer man.

When he stepped out

of the shadows on the porch,

well, he darn near

scared me to death.

So when he put his hands on me,

something went all through me.

I saw red.

I hate him, I tell you,

I hate him!

He's up to no good.

I know that, honey,

that's why I'm telling you

to be careful.

He could cause you

lots of trouble.

He could even run you

off of this island.

Then where would you go?

You can't return to Harlem,

al's there,

and he'll be sure to kill you.

You know what, Stell?

I could've sworn

I saw ai tonight,

standing looking at me

in the moonlight.

I had just taken a drink,

and I could have sworn

he was there.

I could feel his hot breath

burning my face.

I could feel his long fingers

clutching at my throat.

I threw my last bottle

of red eye at him, and...

And then he disappeared.

There was still

another good drink

I sure could use it now.

If you'll take my advice, honey,

you'll see that voodoo woman

that the girls

were all talking about.

They say she sure can tell you

just what's gonna happen.

But right now you need rest.

Rehearsal in the morning,

a show at night.

Get some sleep, honey.

She's here, al.

I saw her.

I know it's her.

She calls herself Gertie La Rue.

I know it's her.

Hey, man, wake up!

You talkin' outta your head!

Wake up!

Al, you my friend.

I told you she was no good,

but you wouldn't listen to me.

You should have killed her.

Come on, man.

Wake up.

You ain't got no business

talking 'bout killing anybody.

Where am I?

Right here

in the diamond palace,

where you was last night.

(Chuckles)

Uh-oh, here come Mr. Joe.

Now, don't tell me

you ain't been to bed yet.

You got a rehearsal at 10

and a show tonight.

Now, get some sleep, man,

you won't be able to stand up.

I'll be all right, Joe.

Leave it to me,

I'll be all right.

Well, that's fine.

Another thing...

What is this song

you played last night?

That sob song I hear

around here so much?

Ms. La Rue doesn't like it.

It upset her to no end.

In fact, it made her sick.

It ain't much of a song, Joe.

A pal of mine wrote it

a long time ago

about a woman

he's was nuts about.

Who was this woman?

Oh, you wouldn't know anyway.

She's a no-good rat.

Well, don't play it anymore.

Ms. La Rue doesn't like it.

Now, get some sleep, man,

and be sure at

the theater rehearsal

at 10 o'clock, Larry.

All right, Joe.

Leave it to me.

Okay.

I'll be all right.

Mr. Christian, I hate to say it,

but I'm worried about you.

You didn't sleep

at all last night.

You rolled and tossed

and said a lot of things

I don't like to repeat.

And besides, you ain't even

touch your breakfast.

I'm not hungry, Ezra.

This morning I can see the path

I must follow quite clearly.

God will direct my steps.

I'm going to the governor

to have him send

this la Rue woman

and all of her cheap rubbish

off this island.

They must not give

their exhibition

of filth tonight.

Well, maybe you're right,

Mr. Christian,

but I can't help

feeling awful nervous

about what's going to happen.

Don't worry, Ezra.

The lord will take care.

(Hammering)

I feel certain you know me

and know my mission.

In all fairness to you,

I feel it is my duty

to give you a chance

to close this show

and send this la Rue woman

and all of her devil mongers

back to where they came from.

Just suppose I don't.

Then I'll go to

the governor of the island.

Listen, brother...

I wouldn't do that

if I were you.

Come on, let's go inside

and talk this thing over.

Nothing could induce me

to cross this threshold.

No amount of money

could make me enter

that den of vice.

God's wrath

would strike me dead.

Just what are you gonna

do about it?

That you will soon see.

(Chuckles)

(Tap dancing)

Hold it, hold it!

Quiet, everybody.

Diamond Joe has

something to say.

(Applause)

Girls and boys...

I think it only fair

to call your attention

to the threats

that are being made

to close this show.

Well, now whatever you heard,

just forget about it.

Because nothing and nobody

will close this show.

I want all of you to know

that the show will go on,

and all that I have to say is,

"let 'em have it!"

(Applause)

Furthermore, in honor of this

great star, Ms. Gertie la Rue,

coming to play

in my diamond palace,

I take great pride and joy

in presenting to her

this little token

in memory of this

most auspicious occasion.

(Applause)

Oh, a diamond ring!

(Excited chatter)

(Glass breaks)

You drunken ugly bum!

Didn't I tell you

never to play that tune

around me?

If you do it again,

I'll kill you!

That's all right, Joe,

let it go.

Okay, Stella.

Let's go, Gertie.

Okay, gang, let's get it now.

Now, let's go.

Stella, come a little

closer, will you?

Move over there, get together.

All right,

now just stay in your places.

And now, Larry, music.

(Indistinct chatter)

Ought to have more of 'em.

Why, hello, boys.

Uh, is it about time

for the show people

to be coming here?

Yes, it is.

They've got to get some rest

before going

to the show tonight.

- Excuse me, please.

- Sure, sure, sure.

Mr. Christian, Mr. Christian.

Yes, Ezra, what is it?

Mr. Christian, I just found out

that those show people

have been trying out

their show all the morning,

and that they're going ahead

and giving that show

no matter what you say.

I'm not surprised

at your report, Ezra.

I've been to the governor,

I regret to say

that he'll do nothing

to stop the performance

until he's seen the show

with his own eyes.

That wicked man.

But surely he wouldn't

be seen setting a foot

in such a vulgar dive.

At every turn,

I've been blocked.

Now I must ask

for divine guidance.

He will show me

how to rid this island

of those willful sinners.

Is there anything

I can do, Mr. Christian?

Yes, you can, Ezra.

You stay here.

I must closet myself and pray.

I must commune

with the lord in secret.

Oh, god!

I beseech thee

to show me the way.

This woman.

This sinner.

This temptress of men

whose flesh is weak.

Please, lord,

tell me...

Must I stop

this dreadful performance?

This horrible exhibition

of flesh?

You know, lord,

I'd loathe to witness

such a spectacle of filth,

but if it is thy will,

I will slip into

the diamond palace tonight

unseen and watch unnoticed

this show of lewdness,

that I may be better

able to judge

in thy sight.

Tell me, o lord.

Must I go?

Yes, lord.

I'm listening.

You want me to go?

Then if it is thy will,

I shall not disobey.

Thank you, o lord,

thank you.

Amen.

I'm sure tired.

Oh, baby, a bad rehearsal

makes a good show.

So they say.

Gertie sure was nervous.

Yes, she must've been

drinking rotten liquor.

Hello, boys, what's cooking?

Come on, Gertie,

don't fool around now.

That's right, Gertie,

big show tonight.

- Get your rest.

- Okay, okay.

I brought you

some flowers, Gertie.

I'll be pulling for you

at the show tonight.

Thanks, tight pants.

I'll deliver every little

movement to the Navy.

This ain't much, Gertie,

but I just wanted you to know

I'm thinking about you.

You're bringing me

luck, big boy.

Thanks a million.

Only the lord would

give me strength

to conquer that woman.

I was just thinking,

Mr. Christian,

that I ought to see

that show tonight.

If I don't see that show,

I can't tell you what

an awful sinful thing it is.

Don't you think

I ought to see that show,

Mr. Christian?

Heaven forbid.

Don't even think

of such a dreadful thought.

You stay here tonight,

understand?

Yes, Mr. Christian.

While you were waiting

down here tonight, Ezra,

I had a talk with the lord.

I can't reveal to you

what he said to me,

but if I am late coming in,

don't you worry.

You'll know I have

his work to perform.

Yes, Mr. Christian.

(Clock gongs)

I am going for

a walk on the beach.

The way of the transgressor

is hard.

Yes, Mr. Christian.

Just between you and I, Stella,

I'm not doing so bad.

I got a diamond ring,

a diamond bracelet,

a swell scarf.

Not to mention the flowers!

Not bad, huh?

I got a sugar daddy,

a sailor, marine,

and a preacher man

if I want to take

the time to work on him.

How am I doing, kid?

Better go easy.

Some things don't

look so good to me.

I don't like the way

that piano player

looks at you.

And there's that preacher man,

he's got a bad look in his eye.

And another thing,

I didn't like it

when that black cat

ran across in front of us

when we passed that alley.

You know, Gertie,

I'm not trying to scare you,

but if I was you,

I'd go see that voodoo woman

and I'd see her quick.

Yeah, Stella,

I guess you're right.

I must admit that black cat

kinda scared me, too.

I didn't say much,

but I thought a lot.

I've been trying

to pep myself up all day.

Ever since that guy

played that tune,

I've been feeling mighty funny.

I believe you've got

something there, Stella.

I will see that voodoo woman!

Mrs. Bridges, could you tell me

where I can find

that voodoo woman

I hear the girls

talking so much about?

Sure thing, miss la Rue.

Sonny!

I'll get Sonny to carry,

else you'd never find it.

You call me, miss Bridges?

Carry Ms. La Rue

down the back way

to old Hager's shack.

Yes, Mrs. Bridges.

This way, miss la Rue.

Old Hager sure will

tell you the truth, honey.

And don't forget

she's got some special

hoodoo powder down there,

keeps the ants away.

Get some of that, too.

Thanks, I will.

(Door creaks)

(Dog barks)

(Horn blowing)

What's that whistle?

That must be the boat over yonder

at the mainland.

Sometimes it brings supplies,

and sometimes

the boat brings, uh,

people, passengers.

Well, how much further

do we have to go?

Just right there, right there.

Okay, come on, let's get going.

No, no, no, no.

I don't like to go over there.

Ain't able, no.

You want me to wait for you?

No, I guess I'll find my way.

Thank you, ma'am,

thank you, ma'am.

(Dog continues barking)

(Knocking on door)

Come in.

(Door creaks)

What do you want?

I want to know the truth

about my future.

Why don't you say something?

You better go home.

It's better you go home.

You should not know the truth.

I don't wanna go home.

Tell me the truth.

I hate to tell you...

But you've done something bad.

I see a man...

He's mad at you.

Looks like

he's coming after you.

I see blood!

Everything goes dark.

(Coin clinks)

Say, girls, I wonder what's

keeping Gertie?

It sure is getting late.

(Indistinct chatter)

Gertie, you certainly

had me worried.

I was fixin' to send

somebody out to find you.

I went to see

that old voodoo woman.

Certainly didn't tell me

anything good.

Oh, I got a feeling

that old woman's a fake.

Gertie, that's bad luck.

(Applause)

Thank you, folks.

Thank you one and all.

In just a few moments,

the show goes on,

and you will see

that star of stars,

miss Gertie La Rue

direct from Harlem, u.S.A.

(Applause)

And now, on with the show!

(Applause)

Here she comes

with that flashy smile

walkin' with her flashy style.

But at heart she seems so weak

for her spirit shouts

"hallelujah."

Buther flesh is too darned weak.

♪ step right up and meet her ♪

♪ all you guys will

want to greet her ♪

♪ she's flirty dirty Gertie ♪

♪ from Harlem, USA. ♪

(drum roll)

Stop it!

I command you to stop!

What do you mean

by stopping this show?

Jesus threw the thieves

out of the temple,

and I shall do likewise.

(Gertie shrieks)

Wait a minute, wait a minute.

(Sounds of struggle)

(Indistinct shouting)

Take it easy, man, take it easy!

Take it easy, take it easy!

Go to your room, Gertie.

Lay low until this blows over.

I gotta get back

to the diamond palace

to see about the damage.

Okay, Joe, thanks a lot.

Okay.

(Door closes)

God, what a wreck.

♪ my mama done told me ♪

♪ when I was in pigtails ♪

♪ my mama done told me ♪

♪ a man's gonna sweet-talk ♪

♪ and give you the glad eyes I

♪ but when that

sweet-talk is done ♪

♪ a man is a two-faced... ♪

All

I've come to get you, Gertie.

(Clatter)

Help! Help!

I love you, al,

I've always loved you.

Let's go away some place,

any place.

Start all over again.

Kiss me, al, kiss me!

Don't shoot, al, for god sakes,

don't shoot!

All

don't shoot, al!

All

(gunshots)

I love you, Gertie.

I'll always love you.

Gertie! Gertie!

Ai, why did you do it?

I killed her because I love her.