Sister, Sister (1994–1999): Season 6, Episode 19 - Before There Was Hip Hop... - full transcript

Tia:

We don't want to be late

for music history.

Yeah, Clarence Walker

is the guest speaker.

Clarence Walker,

the jazz singer?

That's the one.

Oh, my grandmother

used to love to listen

to that man sing for hours.



She used to put on

one of his 78s...

And burn up dinner.

Guys, I am telling you

- the whole '40s
- swing music is back.

Oh, there she goes.

- Tamera, for
- the last time

- I am not taking
- a swing dance class.

Oh, come on.

Swing is fun.

Well, you know,

it works better

- when you have
- someone to dip you.

- Well, if you're
- counting on me



You'll be hitting the floor.

Ms. Landry,

I am dying to know

what is a 78?

About how many seconds

you have to get out

of my kitchen.

♪ I do my own style

in my own time ♪

♪ how different

we have come to be ♪

♪ even though I'm glad

to be with you ♪

- ♪ I got to feel
- what's real for me ♪

♪ Like you got to do

what's right for you ♪

- Man: - Don't let the history books
- Fool you.

Swing music started

in the black clubs

in the '30s

then found its way

into the white ones.

Because of

world war ii

money was tight.

Nightclub owners

couldn't afford

big bands to play.

If they were short on money

- why didn't they just
- roll in

- A couple of turntables,
- get an emcee

And just go freestyle

with some hip-hop

up in there?

- For your information,
- slappy white

Bebop was the hip-hop

of the '40s.

Uh, bebop?

What's that?

Well, bebop had

its own style

dress and slang

just like your blues

your hippity-hop,

and your r&B.

- Seems like
- black folks

- Been creating music
- for white folks to steal

For as long as I can remember.

But they don't

- teach you
- that here.

Bebop, huh?

Yeah. In fact,

you remind of this cat

who was really into bop.

His name

was Frankie smallwood

but everyone called him Ricky.

Oh. Hey, Ricky.

I met him at this spot

called the downbeat.

The war was on

- and I had
- a little singing gig there.

I was sharp

back then.

Singing what the ladies

like to hear.

♪ Merely to be young

on such a night as this? ♪

♪ Every note that's sung

is like a lover's kiss ♪

♪ sweet symbols

in the moonlight ♪

♪ do you mean that I should

fall in love perchance? ♪

Man, this place

is hot tonight.

- Hot? Jimmy,
- you need

To book a band

to get this

joint a jumpin'.

I'm going

to take a break.

So you lovebirds

can get a glass of milk!

- If you don't get
- this place a hoppin'

- I'm going to hop
- right out that door.

- Honey, you can't
- leave me now.

- The place is
- beginning to pick up.

Jimmy, even a lady

with all this...

And this...

And this...

Can't squeeze a

tip out of this.

Hey, viv.

You just missed my set.

Then we're just in time.

At least I got a gig.

Look, no disrespect

intended, daddy-o

- but I don't
- feel the blues.

Bebop's where it's at.

Me on my trumpet

one guy at the drums

one on the sax

and one slappin' the bass.

Now, that's music.

To each his own, daddy-o.

That'll be

75 cents.

I'll take the change;

it's not a tip.

Hmm. It is now.

Hey, daddy.

- How's my
- little girl?

Oh, fine, daddy.

Evening, Mr. Slim.

Hiya, Ricky.

Found a job yet?

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

- No, but I know
- a fine young lady

Who's been wasting

her time with a broke

- trumpet player.
- Oh, daddy...

Bebop doesn't pay the bills.

He'll never understand.

I'm splittin'.

Ricky!

That kid will

never listen to me.

- Man 2:
- Hey, Dexter.

Getting some dance time

in before we ship out?

Ship out?

What?

You joined the army

and you're just

now telling me?

Ruby, my country needs me

and can I save the money

that I make for college.

- Well, what
- about me?

Ruby, I'm doing this

for the both of us.

Well, the both of us

should have talked

about this before

you enlisted.

- Men. What do we
- need them for?

Oh, I don't know.

I just remembered.

Oh, my, I can't believe

Dex is going to war.

Oh, Ruby,

he'll be all right.

Okay, okay. Well,

say he's all right.

But... what if he

forgets about me?

- So what
- if he does?

- You're a
- beautiful girl.

There are other fish in the sea.

- But with the war,
- the pickings are slim.

Let's face it, there's

nothing left but flatfeet

and four-eyes.

But with a little lipstick

and the right perfume

- you could
- get lucky.

Ooh, I got to learn

- to keep
- my mouth shut.

Hey, sweetie.

Can I talk to you alone?

Okay.

Well, what is it?

Well, I've decided to

take your papa's advice.

You're getting a job?

Hope so.

I'm taking a bus

to L.A. to jam

with bird and monk.

Well, I, uh...

Got to go water down

some liquor.

So...

You're leaving me.

No way.

- I want you to
- come with me.

- Are you putting
- a ring on this finger?

Well, of course.

- As soon as we
- get back from L.A.

And when is that?

I don't know.

Well, now, Ricky

- I can't plan the rest of life
- on "I don't knows."

Well...

I guess this is good-bye.

Enjoy L.A.!

This is why there are

no bebop love songs.

It's okay.

It's okay.

Oh, you feel better?

Good. Excuse me.

Well, of all the

rinky-dink jazz

joints in this town

you picked the right one.

- Ooh, I love it
- when they play coy.

- Daddy?
- What's going on?

Well, i'm, uh...

Big Earl.

Look, this

isn't the time.

Big Earl say

he make his own times.

- And right now,
- it's about time

You pay big Earl

his money.

Ooh, not so fast.

Seem a little tense, big boy.

Maybe what you need is a sweet

little gal to wine and dine.

Uh, big Earl

say maybe later.

Look here, big Earl,

I've got your money.

Charlie hand me the envelope.

There's only $1,200 here.

- That's right.
- The $1,000 I borrowed

Plus $200 interest.

You owe big Earl

another $1,800.

You said the

interest was $200.

A day.

- Next time,
- read the fine print.

Hold it right there!

This ought to cover it.

- Uh, there's only
- three dollars here.

They weren't

supposed to count it.

- You know, slim,
- today is your lucky day

Because, see,

I'm in a good mood.

- I'll tell you
- what I'm going to do.

You have us the money

by tomorrow

or we are going

to take your club

your crooner

or your kneecaps.

Well, that was easy.

- Nice knowing you,
- Clarence.

- Both:
- Bye, Clarence.

- Wait. Clarence
- isn't going anywhere.

Jimmy, I'm not going

to let them take your club.

Clarence, we've

been together since

you were ten years old.

- You're like
- a son to me.

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

- He won't pay
- you a dime.

- You barely
- pay me a dime.

Yeah, but I'm family.

- I can't believe
- this is happening.

Me, neither.

First we lose our men;

now we lose the club.

- We haven't lost anything yet,
- see?!

No matter what happens,

we're all in this together.

I wonder if big Earl

is hiring?

Daddy...

Do we have the $1,800?

Let's see...

If I call in a few markers

- and hold off
- tomorrow's paychecks

That leaves

me $200.

Great. All we need is $200.

All I have is $200.

You mean, $180.

Honey need her money.

Man, if you don't have

my five dollars in an hour

I'm going to hurt you.

Well, I for one am not going

to stand around here

while people I care about

are being roughed up.

Ooh, but what

I don't see

won't hurt me.

I'll be in the back

freshening up.

So...

Slim...

Big Earl say

- you got that green
- or don't you?

- You know, if I
- could have

- A little time,
- I could...

What'd he say?

He didn't say nothing.

- Did you hear
- him say something?

He's thinking.

Big Earl say

this joint is ours.

Daddy.

Including the crooner.

Grab him, Manny.

Hey, big Earl.

What's doing, daddy-o?

Big Earl say hey.

I heard him.

Bebop kid.

I haven't seen you around

the neighborhood lately.

I'm around.

Got a beef with Mr. Slim?

- Earl:
- Yeah, man.

Same ol'...

Can't pay.

- I take
- the nightclub.

You know that's

what I do.

Well, uh... big Earl,

let's...

Okay, big Earl, uh...

Give us 24 hours.

- If we don't have
- the money by then

- You can add me and my trumpet
- on to your take.

You know, I

like you, kid.

Maybe it's

your music.

Maybe it's your style.

Or maybe it's the fact

- you look just
- like moms did

Before she

started shaving.

Okay, I'll Grant

you that request.

Thanks.

Oh, Ricky, thank goodness

you came when you did.

- Ruby:
- Yeah.

- You saved
- our bacon.

Thanks, but there's no way

I can come up with

that money that fast.

You will.

- Just spread the
- word around

- That tomorrow night
- the downbeat is having

- A jumpin' swing
- dance contest.

- You'd do that
- for my dad?

No, I'd do it for you.

- Look, 500 bucks goes
- to the winner.

- And this place will be
- so packed

- You can charge triple
- the price for the drinks.

- Look, I really
- appreciate this, Ricky

- But I can't afford
- to hire a band

- And I certainly - can't afford
- Prize money.

Don't sweat it, daddy-o.

My bebop band

will play for free.

You're going

to play swing?

My band will play swing.

We will dance

the night away...

Win the prize money...

- And give it to your pops
- so he can pay back his debt.

I'll take my hug now.

Ooh, Jimmy, this joint

is jumpin'.

- I never thought i'd
- see my place this packed.

Never thought I'd see

my bra this packed.

Hey, there, soldier boy.

Hello.

Glad you could make it.

Well, I didn't

spit shine these

shoes for nothing.

Hey, slick, let's boogie-woogie.

- Hey, looks like a couple
- of hepcats

Are raring to win $500.

- Now, you know how
- this thing goes.

- You vote for the couple
- you think should be

The king and queen of swing.

Now, let's get ready

to have a solid ball.

Okay.

- We've narrowed it
- to three couples

Hoping to win the 500 clams.

I may have to get out

there and dance myself

but this cat's too clean

to be dancing swing.

Okay, boys

let's make this joint swing.

- Hey, Washington,
- we're shipping out early.

We've got to split.

No. Dexter, please, no.

- Wait, wait. - Look, I've got
- To go, okay?

- But I promise
- I'll be back.

Now you get out there

- and you win that money
- for your dad.

Okay.

Come back to me.

I will.

Where is he?

He left.

- Well, it shouldn't be hard
- to figure out

Who are winners should be.

Is it this couple?

I hear crickets.

Or is it this trio?

We won, baby!

Go get our money.

- No, no, no,
- it's not our money.

It's your pop's money.

That's right.

Okay.

Hey, Mr. Slim...

500 bucks.

I think that will be enough.

I'm afraid it's not.

I'm 200 clams short.

You know short's only good

if you're a lawn jockey.

Now, big Earl say,

Manny got to rough you up.

No, no, no.

Not so fast,

big Earl.

Something I want

to get off my chest.

- You can thank me
- by meeting me

- At the paradise club
- in 15 minutes.

And ditch the goons.

You heard the lady.

No goons.

We did it, guys.

We saved daddy's club.

No, Ricky, you're the one

who really did it.

That's right.

I want to thank you

for what you did, kid.

Drinks on the house.

But not the service.

- Clarence:
- Everybody, quiet.

They're making

a special announcement

on the radio.

- Man:
- The war department has confirmed

The Japanese government gave

their unconditional surrender

to allied forces.

I repeat, the Japanese

have surrendered.

August 14, 1945,

the war is over!

All our boys are coming home!

- Oh, my baby never
- had to leave.

- You do know what
- this means, sweetie?

Yes, I get to go

to college.

Uh, so, guess

you're off to L.A.

That's right.

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

Well, it wouldn't be proper

for a nice girl like me

- to run off on a road trip
- with a single man.

Well, would it be proper

if we stopped in

Las Vegas on the way...

And got hitched?

I love you.

Man, those hepcats

really knew how

to jump with the jive.

I mean, uh...

This music is dope.

That's tight.

Man, hold my money.

Yeah, yeah, but

we're famry.

What did he say?

"Famry."

He said "famry"!

Shh. Shh.

- They didn't
- hear it.

I'm sorry.

Did you hear it?

You thought I said

"family," didn't you?

No, you didn't.

- All right,
- everybody out.

Security.