02x22 - Home Sweet Home

[bunniefuu]

♪ Jim Bowie Jim Bowie

♪ He was a bold adventurin' man! ♪

♪ Jim Bowie! Jim Bowie!

♪ Battled for right with a powerful hand! ♪

♪ His blade was tempered and so was he! ♪

♪ Indestructible steel was he!

Jim Bowie! Jim Bowie!

♪ He was a fighter, a fearless

♪ and mighty adventurin' man!

- [Narrator] Paris, France in the 1820s was the hub of the

literary and musical world from both hemispheres

poets, playwrights and musicians congregated here

to perfect their craft.

Among them was a young playwright from New York City.

He didn't know it then but one the songs he was writing,

for his opera, Clari, would give him everlasting fame.

A fame that was to reach eventually even to New Orleans.

[groaning]

- Sir?

- I've been robbed there were two of them.

Thank you gentlemen.

My name is John Howard Payne.

- Did you say John Howard Payne?

- Yes.

- There you are Mr. Payne that'll do until

the doctor gets here.

- I'm indebted to you Mr. Tebbs and to you sir.

- No sir it's we who are in your debt.

Jim do you realize that this is one of the foremost

actors in America the first American to play Hamlet?

- Mr. Payne what made you turn to composing songs?

- Well surely the composer of Home Sweet Home should ...

- Should be a rich man?

No my friend the song brought me little money.

That's why I'm here.

A new project, an international weekly magazine

to be published in England but circulated in both countries.

I've bene trying to do it by getting subscriptions

in advance and doing very well until tonight it was

subscription money I was carrying when those ruffians

attacked me.

- They got it all?

- Every cent.

I am afraid I haven't even the fare back to New York.

- We'll discuss it when you've had a little rest.

- Yes already I'm in debt to both of you.

Perhaps soon should be able to repay you.

- Think of it Jim, John Howard Payne sleeping in my bed.

- I never knew he was an actor.

- Oh he was one of the greatest.

Well he made his New York debut at the age of 16.

He's played every big theater in England

by the time he was in his early 20s.

Covent Garden and Drury Lane all of them.

Jim we've got to do something for him.

- Yeah I know get him some money.

- That's right.

Now of course everybody knows newspaper reporters

are grievously underpaid, but a man like you could easily --

- Replace the money that Was stolen from him?

John Howard Payne, a man who's given happiness to thousands

friendless and penniless in a strange city.

- He'd have a lot of friends if they could just see him act.

- Hey wait a minute the American Theater on Camp Street.

- What about it?

- You think we could rent it for a night?

- A benefit. - Do you think we could do it?

- Of course, the theater manager is a friend of mine.

- He is, huh?

How about playbills, tickets

all that sort of thing?

- A mere bagatelle, Jim let me the first to say it,

your brains have begun to overshadow of your brawn.

I bow to a superior intelligence.

- A benefit the biggest benefit New Orleans has ever seen.

- Shh.

- What would I do, what vehicle, what play?

- You wouldn't need to do a play Mr. Payne

you could just sing your song Home Sweet Home.

- Sing?

Mr. Bowie, it's been years since I've sung.

- That wouldn't matter John Howard Payne

singing his own song.

And you could do some reading

maybe from Hamlet something like that.

- Do you have The Works of The Bard?

- Of course sir.

The complete plays of Shakespeare.

- The Soliloquy perhaps, the Oration from Caesar.

You really think they want me?

- Let me put it to you this Mr. Payne, Justy here has seen

you perform, and it's one of his most treasured memories.

I too am a devotee of the theater, but I've never had

that privilege myself.

I ask it as a personal favor for me and for New Orleans.

- Since you put it that way Bowie

how can I refuse you, my friends?

[humming]

- [Bowie] We all got together the next day while our star

learned his lines Justy and I tended to details.

- Hey Grady they're giving a big show over at the

American Theater Wednesday night.

Why don't we go?

Do you good to get out of here for a change.

Nothing but the cream of New Orleans is gonna be there.

Real high society.

Mr. And Mrs. Janus Mollet, the Mayor, James Bowie.

- Bowie?

- Yeah.

- Here let me see that.

- Who is that John Howard Payne they're making

so much fuss about?

- I don't know but if Bowie is mixed up with him,

he must be somebody important.

- Got something in mind Grady?

- Yes I got something in mind.

This hand this dead useless hand.

Bowie did that to me in Natchez under the hill

with that knife of his.

- Where was your knife?

- I had to drop it when he cut me.

- What did he do catch you dealing from the bottom?

- Never mind what he caught me doing.

Is it any of your business?

- No Grady, no I just wondered.

Your hand is getting better. Just keep practicing.

- Practicing, my fingers won't move.

- Cut a tendon, eh?

- Don't you worry Joe. I always pay my debts.

- You better watch out.

He still carries that knife.

- I've got a better way.

- Where you going?

- To the theater.

Get some tickets to see a show.

- How's it going Jim?

- Very good.

As you can see we're half sold out four days to go.

- Two tickets please. - Another customer.

- Well now look at this.

Grady Sturdevan. - Hello Bowie.

- What are you doing here?

Did you run out of steamboats?

- Good old Jim.

I'm glad to see you still have your sense of humor.

- Pardon me ma'am, gentlemen.

- What do you want Sturdevan?

- I consider this a fittin' occasion to bring about shall

I say the friendly relation between us.

- You still haven't told me Sturdevan

what you're doing here.

- Well I'd like to help.

I can sell a hundred tickets for you.

- You think I'd trust you with $500 worth of tickets?

- At least you could allow him to attend the show.

- How many tickets?

- Two please.

- All right two tickets.

- [Man] There you are sir.

- Thank you.

And there you are, keep the change.

A little token of my appreciation for John Howard Payne.

- [Man] Thank you sir.

- Good day gentlemen.

- Good day sir.

- How much did he give you?

- $100 sir.

- $100?

Well now there goes a real gentleman.

And very generous too.

Grady Sturdevan never gave anybody anything

without getting it back double.

You take over for me will you?

I'm going for a little walk.

[slow music]

- In justice to a good cause I think it would be fittin'

for you to display this on your desk so everyone can see it.

- No, no it's against the rules Mr. Sturdevan.

It is indeed a worthy cause sir.

- Oh Grady.

- Oh yes Jim.

- Just a minute, about those theater tickets.

You really think you could sell a hundred?

- I think I can.

I'd like to try.

- 25.



- So you've decided to trust me, Jim?

- Well as my father used to say even a sheep k*lling

hound dog deserves a second chance.

That's 75.



Good luck Grady.

- This little world this precious stone set in the silver

sea what serves it in the office of a w*r or as a moat

defensive to our house against the envy

of less happier lands.

This blessed plot of this Earth, this realm, this England.

[applauding]

- Well we sold out.

We have more than $6,000.

- We might have had $6,500.

I might have known he'd never show up.

Well you go on in and see the show.

I'll get the money back stage.

- Don't forget the reception at my room.

You're coming there afterward?

- I'll be there.

How did we do?

$6,020 Mr. Bowie.

- Thank you Henri.

- You're welcome sir.

- [Grady] Bowie.

- Well dog my cats.

- I sold your tickets for you Jim.

I got delayed or I would have had the money here sooner.

There you are $500 even.

A lot of work but it was worth it.

- Thanks, to tell you the truth I had kind of

given you up for lost.

- To tell you the truth Jim, I don't blame you.

- I'm glad I was wrong.

Shall we shake on it?

- There's nothing I'd like to do better.

- $500 more Henri.

- That's fine Mr. Bowie.

- Why don't you go and see the show?

- Thank you sir thank you.

[humming]

- Come on let's go.

- Alas, poor Yorick!

I knew him, Horatio: a fellow

of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy: he hath

borne me on his back a thousand times;

and now, how abhorred in my imagination it is!

My gorge rises at it.

Here hung those lips that I have kissed.

- Jim!

Jim what happened?

- I don't know.

I was just coming around somebody hit me.

How long have I been here?

Is the show over?

- No just about half.

What's the matter? - Payne's money!

The money's gone.

- Jim what are we gonna do?

What are we gonna tell Mr. Payne?

I couldn't stand to look him in the eye.

- Don't tell him anything.

Don't tell anybody.

- But what good is that gonna do?

- Give me a little more time.

You go on back in there act like nothing has happened,

you see?

If I'm not back by the time the show is over

I'll meet you at your place later.

- But Jim.

- $6,000, not counting my $500.

- Yeah nice catch, a real pleasure.

- It's a pleasure all right.

By the time we get through spreadin' the word that Bowie

ran out of town with the benefit money

he'll be lucky if they don't lynch him.

[footsteps falling]

[knocking]

- Hello Grady.

So you left before the performance was over too.

- Yeah it got a little stuffy there.

- I'd like to have a little talk with you.

- It's always nice to see you Jim.

Come on in and sit down.

- Well thanks.

You know you've made quite an impression on me.

I could use a man like you.

- Use me?

How?

- Well you see this benefit tonight.

It's just the beginning after New Orleans, Baton Rouge.

After Baton Rouge over into Mississippi.

Why there'll be benefits all over the country

for John Howard Payne, but mainly they'll be

for the benefit of Jim Bowie, and his partner

if he can find the right one.

- You make it sound good.

- Oh it is good, there's only one drawback.

I got robbed tonight, the whole take.

I need the money for the expenses you know

the playbills, the theater tickets and so on.

- $6,000 you don't need that much.

- $6,520 to be exact.

Let's have it come on.

Hand it over and I'll be on my way.

I don't want any trouble.

Of course if you want to be stubborn.

- Joe!

Something you didn't expect huh Jim?

Just drop the knife please.

Joe I've decided to do away with Mr. Bowie permanently.

No Joe not here.

Some place less populated.

[hooves trotting]

- There'S one thing I ought to tell you.

My friend Justinian Tebbs is waiting for me at the theater.

I told him I was coming to see you.

If you k*ll me, you'll have every constable in New Orleans

at your door first thing in the morning.

- By tomorrow morning, I'll be up river to spend this.

Joe stop here.

- [Joe] Whoa.

- All right Joe take him.

[horse whip cracking]

[hooves galloping]

[yelling]

- [Jim] Whoa.

[humming]

[bell ringing]

- Jim am I glad to see you.

- [John] Bowie, What happened to you?

- Nothing that hasn't been straightened out sir.

Well Mr. Payne from the citizens of New Orleans

the subscription for your magazine sir.

- Thank you very much.

You do too much for me.

- Well maybe you could do a little something for me.

- Command me sir.

- I didn't see the show tonight.

So I have yet to hear you sing Home Sweet Home.

I'd be more than repaid if I could hear it now.

- Me sing?

[chattering]

Well I'll try, I'll do my best.

Mr. Tebbs would you favor me at the piano?

- I'd be honored sir.

- Thank you.

[piano music]

- Is that key all right sir? - Oh yes.

♪ Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam, ♪

♪ Be it ever so humble there's no place like home! ♪

♪ A charm from the skies seems to hallow us there, ♪

♪ Which, seek through the world, ♪

♪ is ne'er met with elsewhere:

♪ Home! Home!

♪ sweet, sweet Home

♪ There's no place like Home

♪ There's no place like Home

[applauding]

Thank you very much.

- Jim where are you going?

- Home.

I haven't seen my mother in a long time.

Good night folks.

♪ Jim Bowie! Jim Bowie!

♪ He was a fighter, a fearless and mighty adventurin' man! ♪