I Passed For White (1960)

[Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] it really like the news again just think it's my brother's opening night with his own group and and he's playing a song especially for me sure as could be he must be very proud of will you do something for me sure but just did this note you did it to check on his number finishes from gran and asked him to come sit with us if he can okay [Music] [Laughter] [Music] hey any of these chicks go got me Mack [Music] [Music] what are you doing here who are you I'm the catcher 84 I think we can make mr. I don't know you and I don't want to and I'm with someone now you get away from here dog you're chopping me is this man bothering you burning something else yeah you better leave mister you're doing here you colorblind this girl's white we're on a date what's it to you well she's got a better date now split rosters you're the one who better go one of those huh listen you have no right to Topps girl like that you know we're going to leave Oh nobody's wrong at us I'll take care of all the affection miss Bundy Jack I don't want to cause any more trouble it wasn't your fault now you and Eddie sit back down all right Chuck I'm gonna wash you up out [Music] and how did start at Geiger Commission while Eddie was away from the table and then he thought I was quite I guess I'll have to wear a sign around my neck saying I'm a Negro same thing at school today Chuck I'm quitting I'm going to get a job and help out of town B if the only way to water the boy is not only getting scale now but if we go good here I soon be able to make enough so you won't have to work for Mom either he's gonna come home instead of working for those people let's not talk about that now this is your big night the start of a new name in jazz Charles Beethoven Lee I'm so proud of my big brother thanks P I gotta get back now we'll play something special for [Music] ah stuck doing in that nightclub joint just fine-grain everybody loves their music it's not baby Oh gran I've never had such a terrible day in my life everybody has those what happened just everything today at school and tonight what about school well I made friends with a nice white girl and she found out you were colored she wasn't so nice yes I meant to tell her after classes but but at lunchtime she spread it all over school that I was a smart little Negro girl passing for white now all the girls snubbed me including the Negro girls gran I can't go back to that school ever I'm so ashamed you better talk to your mother about quitting school I'm going to in the morning well what happened tonight Oh tonight a white man started to fight with Eddie over me he thought I was white so he picked on Eddie Eddie get hurt no not much just mad they broke it up too bad it happened it happens every place I go gran because I'm different those are guiding people and there are lots of them white ones in colored ones but there are lots of real good people who don't care what your race or color is people like the cars back in Virginia ah when I worked for mrs. car I was with real ladies and gentlemen I'd like to see you with people like that I'd love to know people like mrs. car people who don't look down on you if you're Negro but how am I going to know people like that grand I'm nothing don't say that you're as good as anybody anywhere and you can be proud of your family just like I am grandma I am my family but I'm different I'm not really any growing and I'm not a white why can't I be what I look to be what people take me for so you're thinking about passing for white how can I help but think about it I am white like my grandfather I know you don't talk much about it gran but you married a white man yes I did but if I had it all to do over again knowing what I know now I wouldn't do it oh my grand children having children of mixed blood like you especially like you there's where the real trouble is I understand grand but I'm not going to get married I thought about it a lot and I don't want to get married that's what you think now well I couldn't I get a job as a white girl just at work how could you be white at work we're colored at home you'd start making white friends and telling lies besides your mother wouldn't stand for it she's strong against passing and worries about you all the time but there are some who pass there living behind lies I wish I could be a real Negro a real white person somebody I don't know what to do well my dear very well on your typing and aptitude tests thank you you may start Monday as a file clerk and typist and later on if you complete your shorthand you'll stand a good chance for I'm terribly sorry miss Lee I didn't know you were a negro the store has a policy it's not personal but don't explain I understand miss Li I could hire you for an elevator girl no thank you too bad if you hadn't put it down you'd have gotten the job I would have liked you to have had it I appreciate that and thank you very much [Music] well here's your Dramamine this this will make you feel a lot better thank you Oh we'll be in Chicago soon so if you'd like to take a little walk you may thank you [Music] [Applause] [Music] excuse me missus is he taken no thank you how would you like a paper no thank you Missy are you feeling ill a little oh sorry can I get you anything a Dramamine Oh No thank you I've had two already oh that bad awful would you like to have a drink we have scratch bourbon and martinis I know thank you yes miss I like martini please all righty you know miss you shouldn't think about it just makes it worse now maybe I can help you what do you like to talk about books music art literature football go I don't mean to be impolite mister but I do not want to talk oh oh sorry here's your drinks here thank you now miss don't say anything please but just listen now what you really need is a drink I know you think it'll be disagreeable but if you'll drink this martini it'll settle your stomach and pick you up I always have a drink when I get on a plane help smooth out the rough bumps really that's right yeah what do you say miss miss sir Oh liner burnout I'm Frederic Leighton Rick for short now look you drink that and you'll forget all about being safe all right mr. Lake now try anything to get rid of this horrible feeling now go ahead that's right now you give that a minute and then drink the rest of it and you'll feel much better no as a matter of fact it seems to me that seasickness and their sickness is all mental anyway what about you I drank your drink oh well I'll ring for another one excuse me there what how does that feel now we're not very good getting all hot inside now wait a minute you just relax and forget about it as I was saying it seems to me that it's all mental anyway if you let your mind dwell on the plain and the motion of the plane where you are the plane going back and forth up and down with a wind currents if you let your mind do that then you're bound oh what's the matter miss oh are you going to oh this is not mental Oh would you like another martini sir no no thanks one was enough it's nice of you to give me a lift mr. Dayton well it was nice of you to let me after what I did here with that martini don't even mention it besides I wasn't feeling too well the whole trip are you from California no I'm from Virginia Richmond I was just visiting California and and you gonna be staying here long before going back home for a while I may decide to stay I've never been here before well you'll find it a lot different from Richmond well yes I should have known from your accent is my accent that noticeable oh no no it isn't broad it's just that well I do seem to detect a certain inflection in y'all speech the family must feel bad about you leaving home yes you from a large family brothers sisters am i asking enough questions you just said something mr. Nathan I'm sorry but I did manage to squeeze little information out of you didn't I they haven't told me where to drop you off and that's a statement tomorrow is that it's a hotel for girls all right the bar is on please thanks ever so much installation all this matter was my flight would likely to see I know I'd like to get a small room and arrange to have my meals here I'm sorry miss we haven't had a vacancy for two weeks but I can put you on our waiting list dear could you suggest another hotel for girls you might try the lexicon a couple of blocks down Lexington Avenue alright thanks very well [Music] [Music] if your Taipings all right and your appearance it's certainly something Caucasian mr. Gordon's I found for detail who I'm sorry have we heard from column this morning no you haven't mr. Gladney would you like to see the application is now mr. Gordon this young lady is one of the applicants the one on top yes yes I see very interesting she was a very efficient the type of young lady we need around here miss bra now mr. Gordon how do you do it here Miss Roberts we won't need these on this when can you start oh why any time now tomorrow tomorrow we'll be fine mr. Roberts here will explain everything very happy to have you with us mr. Bandhu Thank You mr. Roberts you did you really know Lila you did it but what you might call an inactive one hears all years but nothing Oh actually he's very nice now how would you like a two details about your work fine this is your desk the filing cabinet and back [Music] [Music] well good morning mr. Gordon morning was Brunell you seem very cheerful this morning getting familiar with our system oh yes sir I'm having a little trouble with the trade lingo language but out gave it Ronelle do you have any trouble with anything you just come into my office and I'll be very happy to see you good morning miss Robin I want to remind you girls to come to our advertising agencies cocktail party tonight at the rodent Thank You mr. Gordon we'll be there salmon I'm really invited to a party with more than invited we're ordered to go it's the annual shindig for the ad company's clients but it's great out 200 men to 2,000 girls you'll love it oh boy my first New York party that's something what'll I wear just what you got on we go from here [Music] [Music] [Music] no I don't want to drink Sally hang on to it anyway people won't bother you just sip it there any place for people to sit down no nobody ever sits of these things the whole idea is to crowd people together get acquainted easier nothing like personal contact all that reminds me the boss wants to see you probably wants to see how you feel that's good this Brownell no no Rick remember gee I've been looking all over town for you well now listen if that's a martini you remember I didn't give it to no no not this time Sally gave it to me but I'm not going to drink it honest salut oh I'm sorry Sally this is mr. Layton Rick meet Sally Rockey well hello Miss Roberts nice to know you excuse me just a minute J hey J come on over here okay I found her Miss Brown now she Morgan redden are you Miss Brown oh oh no I know why Rick was looking for you and Miss Roberts mr. Morgan Sally Jane imagine that you're the stranger in town and you're introducing me to men should we get you a drink oh yes thanks yes the drink I owe you both thank you [ __ ] funny yes for two days but how do you happen to be at this party are you with the agency no no I just came in here looking for you and that all these people pushed me in but how did you know I was here let me tell you it wasn't easy first I called all the girls hotels in New York until I found the lexicon and I threatened to beat up the woman at the desk until she told me where you worked and your receptionist at the office told me about this party and Here I am okay with you I'm glad you came I don't know any of these people except Sally and our boss mr. Gordon I look like I why don't we get out of this basement a little later we could but I better go find the boss so you know I was evil okay you want me to wait here no you better come with me I'll never get away from him he's crazy for girls what's the matter with that come on let's go see you later bye bye brick yes we're going dancing tonight well I must say you're moving fast with Rick Leighton you know when you started going with him I decided to do a little snooping the Layton's are an old New England family money and social standing you're doing alright is he made a pass at you yet no of course not he's real nice but he did try to kiss me you mean you didn't let him know it was in a restaurant but I liked him a lot what about you and Jane you're dating him aren't you I'll say I am he's the smallest boy I ever met and to think that you introduced me to him well has he made a pass at you sure from the beginning you don't know wait a minute you're getting ahead of me say why don't we get together I've got a date with J Friday how could be nur in my flat alright we'd love it I'll ask Rick well here it is what do you think of it well I think it's fine already evening hi mr. Layton everyone's gone the place is all yours the record players over there alright swell Atene thanks a lot how long can we stay whole night if you wish so long as you latch the door on the way out you sure you don't want me to play piano no no no thanks Eddie I think we'll get along just fine thank you like us you know good night night Eddie where on earth did you get such a crazy idea well I got it from you you said you liked dancing and like cost of room so well Eddie he plays music out at the club we set this up Lila if you don't like it we can oh no I think it's wonderful we have this whole dance floor to ourselves in a zillion records [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] well there really isn't much to tell about myself I I got my BA and my Business Administration at Cornell then I went to work my father mainly in metal products including golf dogs I think he's gonna turn that division over to me later on and I get a chance to travel around the country quite a bit gives me an excuse to play some more golf that's all I happened to be on that Chicago plane let's not talk about that okay okay sorry kids I gotta make a drink and I'm going down to the station with him oh well now isn't that too bad you have to leave us here all by ourselves yeah it's tough to knit I'll be back later Sherlock it's a long ride bye it was such a fun I'm sorry they had to leave right you know no I'm not I'm glad hi stop that you're twisting that for Cassie is all Missa distant oh my I'm not I wouldn't hurt that cat I love animals well not eight have you loved me pull my ears like that well I wouldn't be pulling areas I I'd be kissing them I've never had anyone kiss my tears before mr. Layton I didn't ask for a massage massage or I'm sorry I I guess I'm kind of new at it I need them to practice well I'll get you the cat no Lila wait wait Bella no hands no hands how's that sweet you must stop we can't keep on doing that sorry I just can't be near you without wanting to kiss you or touch you I never known anyone like you before what do you mean like me I mean you're so full of life exciting beautiful are you calling me all that well you're everything you make me feel oh stop saying so much drink you don't know much about me you shouldn't be kissing me and kissing me hello y-yes Rick is something wrong it's three o'clock in the morning you what you love me or he want me to marry you Oh Rick do you know what you're saying are you awake big listen to me it's too soon I don't think we know each other well enough there's so much you don't know about me why don't you wait and find out how you feel later but you can wait honey well no I can't meet you right now I have to go to work in the morning I have to sleep I don't know Rick I have to think call me in two or three days think it over yeah you say your Negro but your grandfather was white and your father was almost white I say here as much a white person as Negro more so because of your coloring you're as white as I am and the cross between the two is certainly turned out a very beautiful person thanks honey but that doesn't solve my problem if there's a problem then you are in love with him oh yes I am so much so but I can't marry him Gannon that's an awful big question Lila are you absolutely sure you want to marry him oh yes absolutely sure I've never known anything like it from the very beginning I tried to pretend that it was only the novelty of going out with a nice white boy but I forgot that right away but I was Negro and he was it all seems so natural like it was meant to be I just didn't think of it anymore but you're in a tough spot I wish I could tell you what to do but there are things you've got to think about his family for instance they're the kind that will insist on knowing your background and believe me you can't let them if you tell Rick and he tells them you're gone I tell Rick I'm sure you'll tell him he's like that he's already told me they talk about everything important you need figures so you can't tell him about being Negro and then there's your own family you'd have to invent one yes I know that and babies what if you got married to him and had a baby there's a risk advice I know my grandmother was married to a white man we talked about it she told me I shouldn't pass for white but I did anyway but I did never expect to meet Rick and feel like I do now I didn't know what was going so far what Sally how can I give him up when I love him so I know I can make him happy I just know don't take it so hard Lila it isn't over yet maybe it could work out what if I didn't have any babies lots of married people don't have them but Rick is the important thing and I think he loves me Sally like I love him alright guess if you really love each other enough it could work but I think you should give yourself a little time yes I will why I've got to talk to you know you've been avoiding me ever since I asked you to marry me the only thing that matters now is if you love me and then I've got to know one way or the other think about what takes you a little while until we know each other better there are things you don't know about me my family I know everything about you I have to know no you can spend the next 40 years telling me about yourself and your family the only important thing now is if you love me that's the only important thing yes Lana the important thing more important than anything other people what I am your family everything yes Lila everything know about I tell me you love me Mitchell marry me I do love you reek you Oh Lila that's honor look I've got a great idea this Saturday we'll drive up to the country and you'll meet mother and dad and oh I know they'll love you and we'll arrange to get married right away Rafe right away what shouldn't he be engaged first why no no no we've we've been engaged already didn't even know it their dad they're probably upstairs I'll go in the living room just wait and relax take your time honey [Music] [Music] well there this is Lila what so you're Atlanta you've said such glowing things about you I must say you're even prettier than Rick said it's so lovely meeting you mrs. Layton and I've heard a lot about you too Oh Rick and I get along hi ray oh hello dadless well he'll introduce me to the beautiful girl there that's the way to meet a girl my you are lovely and Rick is a very lucky boy Thank You mr. Dayton it's sweet of you to say that mrs. Layton lunch is ready cook would like to serve it down very well better we'll be right in we'll go in now can't keep cook waiting while Anna do you hardly eat the thing are you on a diet oh no mrs. Lake I had a big breakfast you've been asking us so many questions the poor child has not a chance to eat well I'm sorry dear I suppose I have it that but this is all happened so suddenly we've had so little chance to get to know you you know I can't even remember your mother's name maiden name I need a car oh yes the cars of Richmond I must remember to ask flight Sutter about them she has a sister who lives in Richmond she comes to New York every bulk yeah I can't remember her name now be interesting if they knew each other yes it would when do you expect to go to Richmond to Richmond for the wedding arrangements the invitations and announcement oh do you think your family will come here to arrange things I am so anxious to meet them terribly sorry it's quite all right yet well now look let's get back to my favorite subject all right the wedding announcement mom and gran will be able to come to the wedding mrs. lady and they're not in Richmond just now they had to go to California last week my mother's sister aunt Lila is very ill she lives near Los Angeles oh well you didn't tell me that you didn't give me much chance what a pity you'll have to postpone the wedding until they get back well I'm afraid it will be quite a while until they return you see after aunt Lila gets well if she does they're going to take a boat trip to South America with my uncle the company he's with sells all machinery to Venezuela and he's going to move there later on they even want mom and grant to move there how interesting how long will they be gone well I'm not exactly sure look it really doesn't matter we're not going to postpone the wedding Lila and I agree on that now couldn't you send out the announcements for them oh yes right of course I could Lally when will you get your lip from your mother I was wondering me why couldn't we have a small private wedding and that caused all this trouble nonsense utter nonsense I'm sure your mother would shudder to hear you say that marriage is the most important event in Rick's life and yours too it must have done right now that that's a while all we need from you is your list for mother I'll get started on it right away but I'm afraid not very many will be able to come Oh Lana let's have our coffee up in my sitting room I want to write down the full names of all your family and relatives I'd love it oh boy we shan't be seeing anything of them for several hours let's go over to the club we can have our coffee there okay fine that a lie like just a minute revered Jasper black that's a good one 176 Pleasant Street all right but that's the second one don't give me any more preachers okay here's a dr. Frank R Barnum MD no doubt he was your psychiatrist when you're a baby I need one now what are some of these people answer the lady's address will be on the cards what if they do we have people here who wouldn't know whether they know you were not judges councilmen lawyers preachers they all get letters from people they don't know well I hope you're right why didn't you say your family lived in Alaska Richmond so it's close so easy to check on I told Rick that on the plane when I first met him I didn't ever expect to see him again but at least it's some truth in it Gran's from here well you better eat up all you can on Richmond so you have some answers I've been doing that ever since we started dating now what about the presents that I'm not going to get from my best friends and Richmond we all will have to buy a few and we'll get one of the company salesmen to mail them from Richmond if you need little money I can loan you about a hundred and you can get credit thanks honey and I've got a girlfriend in Hollywood who can mail a couple of presents from your folks see we've almost got it licked yes I guess so but I can't help worrying about it there are so many things and it's growing all the time will you go shopping with me Saturday I can't figure out what to buy myself for my wedding present it's a date I'd rather sharp than eat now you select the ones of invitations while I make us some coffee all right you know you'll be the only one from my side to come to the wedding that's going to look bad telegrams I thought of that we'll pick out some of those names mostly public officials and then Western Union send your wires a regret I don't know what I'd do without you Sally oh I almost forgot something I bought this in an antique shop this is mother to show to the Layton's I haven't got anything else to show them what do you think lovely so nice and old-fashioned now how about some coffee let's finish all this up alright you sure have pretty hair Miss Lila's so dark and straight why thank you birthday well it's time to go dear you must get your dress on why yes I will right away mrs. Layton well everybody be on time well yes everyone else Rick's gone already nervous is a cat but so handsome so like his father I'd better go and see if his father's ready I'll be there just a few minutes oh and Lara there were a lot of wires from your friends who couldn't come in some more presents from Richmond so far only two of your friends have come two friends from Richmond yes a mr. and mrs. Jenkins they were on a trip to New York and fell down he seems to be a politician of some sort yes he thought I was the bride at first said he hadn't seen you since you were a child Oh funny strange only two people who could come up well they were all so busy Oh another the present from your mother and grandmother were very nice now when you see them be sure and tell them how disappointed we were they couldn't come it's too bad your aunt had a relapse did you say when I see them oh I meant when you write to them hurry up now dear I shall be downstairs did you hear that Sally she said seal impossible she meant write them here drink some of this I spiked it with rum it'll calm you down now let's get you in your dress and go over and get you a new name now join hands if there be any person who has reason why these two should not be joined in holy matrimony let him speak now or forever hold his peace then by the power vested in me I do pronounce you man and wife you may kiss the bride [Music] why are we stopping here get our luggage what's our luggage doing here this is our new home mrs. Layton yep it's ours dad bought it for us and mother did the decorations anything you don't like we can change well that surprise number one no surprise number two welcome home mr. and mrs. Layton congratulations and my wishes for your happiness so thank you birthday but how do you happen to be here Oh mrs. Layton said I know mr. Rick's oh well I should work for you all at least when you find somebody if you want to all your traveling bags are in the hall and I took all the other things upstairs I brought them over while you were getting married Thank You Bertha I hope you'll always be with us Thank You mr. Rick I'll be helping your parents with a new girl until you get back from your honeymoon the champagnes on the little bar here and I'll be in the kitchen if you want something Thank You Bertha you're an angel now mr. Layton where are we going and win and what's the rest of the secret business well first of all we're going to look around the house then we're going to drink some champagne to us and we're going over to mother and dad's we're going to have dinner and they're gonna take us on out to the airport Airport tell me where are we going we're going to Los Angeles and while we're out there we can visit with your family oh darling thank you happy oh yes Rick what a sweet thing you planning that but what a terrible disappointment disappointment what do you mean well darling they left last night on a boat for South America what what do you mean how could they you're Anna I thought she was sick why didn't you tell me Lila I did tell you about three weeks ago Lila no you didn't tell me they were leaving now mom called me yesterday morning just before I checked out of the hotel to go to Sally's the doctor examined aunt Lila and said that she was better and if the long boat trip would be good for her heart mom felt bad about leaving and not seeing us but I told her to please go otherwise they would have had to wait three weeks for the next boat Lila I wish it told me I could have made plans tell you mr. Layton I was busy getting ready for a wedding I haven't even seen you besides why didn't you tell me yeah I guess I shouldn't well so my big surprise has turned out to be a big fat bust look I tell you what we can go on out there anyway I've got some friends in LA we can stay there a few days and then maybe go on down to Palm Springs oh but reek this house it's beautiful and it's ours and we've never seen it before never lived in it it's so exciting let's stay here now and live in our beautiful house let's have our honeymoon here and go away some other time I'd rather be here than anywhere darling please Lila Lila we have reservations in hotels airplanes people are expecting us out there everyone here expects us to go send some wise I only take you ten minutes come on let's drink some champagne ready to think about don't talk just wish you're a very beautiful man mr. Layton come on boss let's be happy why aren't you happy I could be happier oh by starting our honeymoon now well it's a very good argument tell me well I don't know how I could make all those phone calls and send those telegrams when I'm trapped oh darling I love you come on now wait a minute wait a minute wait a minute now this would be more efficient ruq bag the ice champagne take that on upstairs while I phone in our cancellations and tell Bertha to take the rest of the afternoon off your strategy is good sir by the way mrs. Lee what do you wear when you go to bed when I wear pajama tops tops tops tops that's that's very intelligent for a beautiful girl but I was going to wear it countin ha ha no no that don't you change you go on upstairs and after you get all that stuff arranged up there you are you hopping in those pajama tops and by that time I will finish with my phone calls ok ok orders are orders all right now get going I think we've got some hot coffee here and then lots of newspaper on Good Morning LAN idea good morning mr. Slaton well Lila dear it is good to see you too relaxing in your own home just like an old married couple did I hear something about coffee oh yeah dad go ahead and sit down we'll get yourself I'll get me cups would you like some coffee mrs. Slater no thanks but Lana I think it's time you stopped calling me mrs. Layton it's too formal for a daughter-in-law should I call you mother Nathan mother Layton no no I think that sounds too too old I think you should call me n all right mrs. and I'll get the cops a rig here I talked to Freddy Petri yesterday you remember him he's one of the editors of American fashion magazines he's doing a layout of society weddings and he'll use one of your wedding pictures if you get them to him by Tuesday just everyone will see them I brought some over it's one of the top national magazines Lila did you hear that why this reek I did I think that's very nice mrs. Slayton it's very nice indeed Lana are you familiar with the magazine oh yes we get it at home sometimes Rick Leah you receive it III get those tomorrow have one of the office boys run them over into the park and 30 for mother I have an appointment the morning before I go to the office I think you'd better play it safe and mailing oh no no I I'm dropping by Sally's to mind I can I can drop them off on the way good all right very good mrs. Layton and if you see old Petrie they're giving my best we're not idea speaking of pictures may I see some of your family pictures oh yes but I only have one right now of mother when she was young I'll go upstairs and get it oh that's sweet of you wait a minute Lana don't bother I've got to get my golf jacket where's the picture thank you dear it's on my dresser you saw yeah I'll get it Lila did you see this item from your hometown senator madam says that all the fashionable girls colleges as well as the public schools are now freely admitting Negroes that would include your school how would you like think nothing of it idea it's the effect as I have on beautiful girls oh do hope it doesn't finish on this lovely table well mother here it is now you just take a look at that and you'll see where Lila gets a good looks from she's a real beauty who have her dark eyes and hair a real southern belle yes ma'am I'm glad you like it her I need the plan Adia those clothes where ever did she get them women haven't worn things like that in ages how old is your mother well you see she had on grants clothes grandmother cars I've even had them on myself well well what a charming idea very charming your grandmother had lovely clothes old I love I was saying about this article thy son of the man oh if you'll excuse me I think I'll put these pictures where I won't forget them Rick darling would you mind heating up the coffee for everybody I'll be right back sure I'll do it I'll just be a minute [Music] I simply can't make her up there's something not right about them don't you feel a little but I think it's just because she still feels strange with us she'll get over it no she's not natural she's like a cat in a strange attic [Music] hello Sally yes I'm coming in town to see you yes tonight yeah I think that'd be great Lila I'm leaving now oh wait just a minute Sally Sally says since I'm going to be in town with her why don't you drop by after work and we can all have dinner at her place she has a date with Jay and they have a new night spot village they want us to see good it sounds like fun it's a date Sally in the morning you want any talk well I guess I better be going I'll see it's now he's in about seven all right Sally Oh Lila don't forget those pictures and I will bye Dee I'm bringing you some pictures which I want you messenger boy to lose yes lose I'll tell you all about it and remember that old picture I bought supposed to be mother well mrs. Satan took one look at the clothes in just a minute well I'll tell you about it when I see you yes that's it see you later honey [Music] Berthe yes mrs. Layton knock when you come into the room will you please yes ma'am I'll knock but I come in like I always come in everyday when I know you're up when I get used to your ways I won't bother you mrs. Layton oh I didn't mean anything Bertha please forget it yes ma'am [Music] all right that's how I come on it's your turn to say in this era my ramen bowls are abdominal here I got another one is little easier the skunk's head on the stump the skunk stunk and the stump stump all right you try that it's got stuff to stumps guns that man over there he did well martinis are taboo with me oh really how come I think it's something in her deep dark ass go ahead and drink that Lila to save the scene order in these places anyway my boss anything you say well I see you're training are good why don't you train me to drink more champagne J arranged for me to take it off my income thank you just get a statement from your doctor saying that due to your mental instability chef hated a necessity good hi to Sally I'm awful bad your brightest is right place [Music] what's the matter matter you will I don't feel very good must be the martini I'll be all right in a minute I think you've got a metal block against martinis [Music] I'm getting sick I better go to the ladies room ah I'll be right back I'll go with you oh no Sally you stay with the boys pee baby Chuck please I can't come now I see you need will be what's wrong please Chuck not know next time I'm in town I'll explain not Chloe don't be here after tomorrow oh excuse me baby he's saying to me I don't wanna fight now who is that mean anything he's a musician I knew back home what was he doing putting his hands on you what's he to you nothing I knew him at school he played for our school dance school finally he left Richmond and school before integration I didn't mean he went to school he played for our dances right did he happen to leave that Bandstand and come down here and stop you and put his hands on you the way dad must have been showing off I'm sure he didn't mean anything maybe so why'd he call you be what do you mean by saying he'd be seeing you where is he gonna be seen you know you're asking so many questions he probably forgotten and be seeing you is only an expression you're making such a big thing out of this big thing and you expect me to feel when I see him putting his hands all over you stop it I'm not responsible for his manners and he didn't mean anything now if you don't stop all this I'm going to leave besides I'm feeling sick and I want to get out of this place okay lied okay we will go back to the table of I'll pay the check and we'll leave we won't say anything more about J just paid the chick let's go on to dinner we're starved all right dinner's on me [Music] I'm sorry about all that all right look let's forget it [Music] [Music] uh-huh what is it it's happening again what's happening it must have been the shrimp last night I think I'm going to be sick again well you can sick for the last two mornings our food can't be that bad maybe I'm getting an ulcer excuse me well what is it Howard well it looks as if I was right business of picking up boys she's an excellent health the odds on that you're going to be a father her father yeah well it isn't that something Howard huh you're a wonderful doctor I gave her something to take since the Colonel's name hey Lyla Oh Lyla that's wonderful god I don't think it'd make me happier darling I'm so glad it makes you happy it is wonderful it is it is hello oh hi Sally yeah y'all just bet Lyla Sally yes he's gone no I haven't been feeling well lately oh yes I am worried about the baby what it'll be like maybe it'll be brown or black Sally I'd like to read some books on heredity yes that's right now I should like to propose a toast so coming third-generation of the laser that's a good idea you know every time I think about it I realized it's going to make me a grandmother that's right grandma and it's going to bake for me that I will not be called grandma Oh grandmother Oh gran now the child can call me Nana Oh again huh Oh possibly muddy how about Big Mama Lala what about your mother I meant to ask you about her and your grandmother they must be terribly excited about you having a baby I'm sure they are why haven't you heard through your mother since writing to her about the baby no they're still in Caracas I wrote her a meal but I haven't received an answer yet My heavens child you should talk to your mother about something so important she'll be here when the baby comes will gee I don't know I have an idea why don't you telephone to her no that's a good idea mother why don't you call her Lila we'll get all talk to her oh but she's in South America Venezuela well that's not so far away you go right ahead and don't worry about the telephone bill she'll be thrilled go ahead Lila oh but I don't want to call her now not here we have so much to talk about in private I mean well now don't you worry about that you can go up in my room and talk and then when you finished with your private talk perhaps we could just say hello but I just don't when it's so late anyway why it's the same time as here let me put the call and for you what's the hotel no no I just don't want to call him now besides I'm not even sure she's still there it's late and I'm tired Rick I think we ought to go home all right all right laughs there's no reason to be rude about it mother was just trying to terribly sorry I didn't mean to be rude I'm not feeling well tonight now you've got her all upset come on come on I'll take you home I'm sorry lad idiot I didn't intend to upset you well how do you want this standing up or lying down I think I'll lie down now I haven't touched you yet I'm sorry dr. needle scare me go ahead it's already done why I didn't feel now what all did you give me Oh mostly vitamins something get rid of those nerves and something build you up a bit doctor when the baby comes I want to stay awake what well if I'm put to sleep I might say that say what cuss words know what I really mean is I want to know and be conscious of everything that happens we'll see about that when the time comes I come in sure well how she this time doc tell me larger splattering did you ask you about going out dancing things like that yeah should be very good for you exercise is fine dancing walking cough everything even take a drink if you want - don't try to knock yourself out but enjoy it should help to relieve your attentions and anxieties tell me doc why does she have tensions and anxieties anyway try having a baby yourself and see goodbye oh my heart thank you doctor did you hear what he said about dancing we can still go to the dances at the club for a little while yet [Music] [Applause] thank you my dear I enjoyed that have another very good how about some champagne champagne excellent idea [Music] [Music] your wife is quite a dancer yes she loves dancing naturally dancing runs in our family I'm beginning to hope it doesn't run too strongly [Music] [Laughter] [Music] I know that I likes to dance dear but I don't think she should make a spectacle of myself Rick perhaps you should go out I should have stopped her [Music] [Music] you want every woman in this room that dislike you keep smiling smiling don't act as if I'm telling you anything you think I don't understand what I like you're a married woman you've been acting like like some cheap dancehall Dame cutting in on I thought you wanted your friends to dance with me how can I help it if they funding them Riley you can help it up no sorry Darius the yellow wants out for a while we're just stopping there had to keep dancing as long as your career no no Lyle I know that's a Deb parties I thought you knew something well I didn't know I thought I was being nice to your friends they're like a pack of dogs after you what does that make me now look Lila other girls don't like seeing their men make like wolves over a new girl and the men wouldn't have acted that way if you hadn't made them do it without that she'd show you put on out there like some common common what go on say it I'll say this lightly you've got to learn how to handle yourself how to get along in a crowd and you can't do it like that and that that band up there one would think you were in that friends with those those black cats what's wrong with them they're perfectly nice and they were trying to be nice to me they're just as you one else in this room while I guess I remember how you feel about Negro jazz players Vic I'm sorry I'm strange here I didn't know and I love you all right all right let's go I've been walking and thinking trying to make up my mind to us what do you mean Sally will you do something for me something really important yes of course in heaven's name what is it here lie back I would like to go away to have my baby I want you to go with me my love whatever made you think of that I've been thinking a lot lately but it's the best thing for me to do but what about Rick he wouldn't have that you won't know where I am I'll leave a note that I've gone to California to be with my mother he has no address no names he doesn't even know the name of the end I told him about that isn't fair to Rick you know he'll be frantic you're right in a way it isn't but in another way it is you see Sally I'm not thinking about myself so much I'm thinking about Rick his family and the baby don't you see how terrible it would be if the baby is darker looks negro in other ways they just died they'd never get over it it would be disastrous for all of us if I go away and that happens I won't come back and Rick me never see me or the baby again if that's what he wants I want my baby Sally I want it more than anything in the world next to Rick that's something to think about and if the baby is alright I'll bring it right back you'll get over the whole thing and later everything will be good again tell me Sally let me think about it when is the time supposed to be about five weeks that gives us a little time to figure it out if we can last night I was going to tell Rick everything I was sure that was the thing to do but as I kept on thinking about it I knew that would be worse than anything else if I only had someone to go to someone would know what to do like a judge is something did good thought Lila maybe we can find someone else to give advice about it heaven knows I don't know what to say can you stay here tonight don't know I feel better I'll go I better get home as fast as I can well call me tomorrow you'll get together whenever you say Lila I'm with you whatever you do thank you honey thank you so much [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] oh wow wake up you're having another dream the brain it's getting bad and I feel sick you're not dreaming oh no it's not a dream all right [Music] hello Howard yeah miss Rick look could you come over right away please yeah [Music] wait what happened everything's alright mrs. Layton what the baby did I have yes mrs. Layton it's all over and everything's all right you just lie back and relax you have a fever what do you mean what about the baby tell me about the baby well everything went well mrs. Layton the doctor will be in to tell you but the baby is it black Rick I want to see my baby I want to see my baby I miss the most nurse will you tell the doctor what is it garlic tell me is it Lila I felt I should be the one to tell you the baby did not live [Music] all right [Music] mrs. Layton do you want us to the baby now oh yes please all right miserable [Music] why it's white [Music] but I thought you'd be black from children [Music] [Music] I have something to give her I think she's delirious she has a high fever good morning Berthe yes man do you know how this picture got broken yes ma'am broke while he was still in the hospital did you break the no man then who did you're the only one who touches the things in my room no I'm not well I guess I'm going to have to tell you mr. Layton was looking through your room just before you came home you took that picture apart I saw him did he meet this date on the back yes of course he did yes ma'am he knows that's not your mother mrs. Layton he said so and what else Bertha he found that book about intermarrying between colored people and whites he was in your dresser I was cleaning the room what did he think Bertha what did he say we didn't say much but he was real upset I don't know what he thinks mrs. Layton but he don't know anything and what about you Bertha what do you know mrs. Layton I don't know nothing you want that book I'll go to my room and get it the book what's he doing in your room but when I told mr. Layton it was mine he didn't believe me I wanted to read it anyway that was sweet of you Bertha really sweet how long have you known about me miss Lila you don't ever have to worry about me I know you love your husband I just hope you can get along together again anything don't tell him anything wouldn't do any good I'm leaving now Bertha please leave she was just telling you take your hands off my wife and get out of the room all right all right mr. Rick I'm going what is it Greek what's wrong have I done anything now you tell me just what she was doing with her arms around you now what is this Lila this is this fascination you've seemed to have for Negroes what is it I don't know what you mean darling I know you're still terribly shocked about the baby I know how miserable you are I am too can't we try to help each other can I do it now you tell me why you asked if that baby was black I told you I was afraid it was joking oh that's nonsense it isn't nonsense the poor little thing did show didn't you ask if it were dead why did you say black I was dreaming one of muffled dreams but it was true it was a horrible nightmare it came true were you dreaming when you asked to see that baby yes even when I was coming out of it I was half dreaming the dream seemed so real you weren't dreaming when you saw the child and said it's white no no you were surprised I told you that I thought it would be red Oh red red how are you saying thought it would be red first you said you thought it would be black you didn't ask if that child were alive you didn't ask if it were a boy or a girl no you're only interested in the color what Rick I was dreaming then you won't admit why you asked if it was black admit I told you won't tell me you don't have to Lila no you don't have to because I know you were afraid that child would be black just like that black band player that let me know he was a dream too I even heard me make the date with you I asked you about it but you wouldn't admit it now you wouldn't admit it but you went back and saw him didn't you later you went back in Syme and then you went to bed with him right after that you got pregnant and then you started reading about miscegenation oh yes I found the book Lila I found it you were afraid you're scared that child would be black oh you don't know what you're saying right that's the craziest thing I ever heard oh yes it's crazy crazy crazy because it's true it is not true and I cannot let you believe that that baby was your baby yours and mine ours do you hear I hear lies nothing but lies lies lies like this just like this that was not your mother no look thank T no one photographed in New York why didn't you tell me that was your grandmother but oh no you couldn't tell me the truth about anything could you could you be well isn't that what he calls you that band player B is that your name how would I know it all these these lies about you your family what about your family do you have a family did they ever live in Richmond we telling you the truth about them being in California or Venezuela why you look tell me something did you ever tell me the truth once about anything Lila did you just once no no yes I did and I don't do some lies what I told you about the baby is the truth not just how can I believe that you don't want to believe it you don't want the truth you want to believe that I slept with another man well I could see that you're going to believe it regardless so I think you got enough of this leave me alone believe what you want I don't know what to do I only know I can't believe anything you say maybe we shouldn't talk about this for a long time maybe it's better that this is a closed thing between us I don't know I don't know I've gotta be going into town now I'll be staying overnight I I have to think Lila I just have to think I'll be back tomorrow night goodbye Rick [Music] [Applause] [Music] do you think Rick will try to find you maybe for a while but I doubt we'll be able to anyway they don't know my name where I think from his Rick says they don't know anything about me part of the lies I tried to live it's just as well they don't know I better go never Sally thanks honey you've been a wonderful friend I'm going to miss you and tell that family of yours I'll see a medication time to hope they'll want to see me you know they will goodbye honey goodbye birdie [Music] [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] you

Channel: Reelblack One

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Id: tiXJwoimOf0

Length: 91min 32sec (5492 seconds)

Published: Sat Sep 28 2019