madam, it is.
The doctor left
about 10 minutes ago, madam.
He seemed very happy
about Mr. Ziegfeld.
Said he might stay up for a while longer.
Oh, he did so enjoy sitting up to dinner
with you and Miss Patricia.
-No, madam.
-But don't let him stay up too long.
Yes, I know, but the more he rests,
the sooner he'll be well again.
And tell him I'll be home
immediately after the performance.
-It's time for your entrance, Miss Burke.
-Yes, yes.
Sidney, be sure to call me
right after the second act.
Yes, about 1 0:05.
Yes, madam.
Madam was very happy about you, sir.
Oh, my poor Billie.
I wish she weren't working.
But it does help some, Sidney.
-Get those wires off as quickly as you can.
-Yes, sir.
Were you able to reach
Eddie Cantor by phone?
The Los Angeles operator's
been trying for some time, sir.
Tell her to keep on trying.
-Sidney?
-Yes, sir?
When you get him...
...tell him that I want him
for a new show.
Tell him I'll start rehearsals the instant
he can get away from those pictures.
Tell him I need him.
-I haven't had a real show in two years.
-Yes, sir.
-Wasn't that the bell, Sidney?
-Yes, sir.
Well, why don't you answer it.
Yes, sir.
-Mr. Billings.
-Hello, Sidney.
How's Mr. Ziegfeld?
Well, he's much improved, sir,
but he's very nervous.
He will be glad to see you, sir.
If we could get him
started on a new show, sir.
-Yeah.
-I mean to say, if he had the money, sir.
Yes, well, we'll see that he gets it.
My valet isn't as efficient
as you used to be, Sidney.
He lets me neglect things.
All right for me to see him?
-Yes, sir. I wouldn't stay too long.
-No, no, no.
Well, hello, Ziggy.
How are you feeling?
Hello, Jack.
I'm feeling much better.
-Thank you. Sit down, won't you?
-Yes.
Let me look at you.
I don't think you've been sick. Just playing
possum so your creditors can't find you.
No.
No creditors.
No. No creditors.
-When are you gonna be up and around?
-Well...
-...pretty soon now, I hope.
-Hurry up.
I'm expecting you
to go to Europe with me.
Oh. Well, when are you sailing?
In a couple of weeks.
We'll stop off at Monte Carlo.
You can break the bank again.
And then we'll go to London. Maybe
we can find some new talent together.
Does it interest you?
Yes. Yes, I'd like to go to London.
Yeah? Why?
-You got someone in mind?
-No.
-Why, have you?
-No.
But I wouldn't tell you if I had,
not if you were 1 0 times as sick as you are.
Oh, those were great old days, Jack.
Yeah.
Remember the fair?
Do I. Little Egypt.
-Sandow.
-Yeah, and then Anna Held.
Yes.
Oh, I'm sorry, Ziggy.
Why is it, Jack, that in a world so old...
...life must be so short?
Short? I feel as if
I'd been here 1 000 years.
And I'm gonna stay 1 000 more.
And you'd feel the same way if you'd
snap out of it and get a new show started.
Yes.
Yes, I'd like to do another Follies.
Why don't you do it.
Don't you think it's about time
that you and I split 50-50 in something?
I'd love to, Jack.
But it'll take a lot of money.
I've never refused you before, have I?
No, but...
...that was all in the dark ages.
Before the Depression, I mean.
-I heard that the market got you.
-Me? Why, I.... Don't be silly.
I'm too smart for any stock market.
Oh, I lost a couple of thousand or so,
but I got out in time.
-Really?
-Yeah.
How about you? Did it get you?
Oh, no. No, I....
I never played the market.
Oh, I may have dropped
a few hundred, maybe...
...but nothing to speak of.
Well, how much money
do you suppose it'll take, Ziggy?
-A couple of hundred thousand.
-A couple of hundred thousand?
Well, okay, it's a deal.
Pull yourself together, get well,
and I'll give you money.
Isn't that wonderful, Mr. Ziegfeld?
Doesn't that make you feel better, sir?
Yes, that makes me feel much better.
Jack...
...you're a real person.
Yeah, well, you're....
You're not a bad sort yourself, Ziggy.
Well, I'll drop in tomorrow.
Yes. Do that.
And, Ziggy, if you just put