Belle of the Nineties

Here we are the beauties of the town

The suckers buy us wine In cabarets we dine

We sit and chat, and what comes after that?

Pum diddly-a-um

Oh, you chick Oh, you kid

Pum diddly-a-um

I've gone loony in my lid

You make me feel like such a brute

Goodness gracious, how I love

Here we are, the beauties of the town

- Can I go home with you? - Oh, what a thing to do

I mean no harm I love your girlish charm with its...

Pum diddly-a-um

Look, girls, the Tiger Kid's back in town.

- Ain't he the handsome thing? - He's certainly crazy about Ruby Carter.

- I wish he was crazy about me. - Then he would be crazy!

- Is that so? - Hey, cut it out.

You know, honey, when I did my act...

and had a figure like yours, every man in town was at my feet.

At your feet? I'd rather have them around my neck.

Got me hooked up? I feel a draught.

I've never known a woman who had so many gentleman friends.

You certainly know the way to a man's heart.

Funny, too, because I don't know how to cook.

Ladies and gentlemen...

I am about to introduce the attraction of the evening...

a lady who is the greatest sensation...

of our 19th century.

And tonight, ladies and gentlemen, you are about to see her...

in the most beautiful act...

it has ever been my privilege to offer.

Miss Ruby Carter in My American Beauty.

Now listen, you guys, no rowdy talk when she's on.

I'll respect her like me own sister.

The one in the reformatory?

Sometimes you are like a gorgeous butterfly

Sturdy hearts are shattered as you flutter by

They say you're a vampire playing at love's game

You may have too many beaus

But to me you're a beautiful rose

My American Beauty

Please don't be a thorn in my heart

I shall love you, dear

Until my life's breath shall ebb

You're the spider

I'm the fly that's caught in your web

My American Beauty

Let us grow a honeymoon for two

I'm attracted to you

Like a moth seeks a flame

North and South and East and West

The country proclaims you

My American Beauty

Sweetheart of

the red, white, and blue

I've been waiting for you, Tiger. Up to your old tricks again?

You two think you're pretty smart. Am I your manager or not?

I wish you'd manage to leave us alone.

- You ain't making a monkey of him. - Who wants to? I like him the way he is.

She's a swell gal, but all she thinks about is having a good time.

I don't only think about it.

- I ain't gonna argue with you. - No, he won't argue.

The parties, late hours, this has got to stop.

Listen here, you, I don't like your attitude. And remember, I'm a lady, you worm.

- You better go, Kirby. - I will not, I'm gonna wait here for you.

Persistent, I'd call him. Or just plain ignorant. Escort me, Tiger.

Remember, you're fighting Friday night.

Friday night? He'll be there.

Kirby's always butting in, I'm sorry it happened, Ruby.

Makes me feel like I ain't doing you right.

Don't say that. You know how I feel about it.

Don't worry about Kirby, he ain't so hard to forget.

- And I can always manage you, honey. - Yeah.

What are you doing? Looking me over?

Yeah, these are swell, Ruby.

- That was when I was with The Bonton Girls. - Yeah?

Hey, who's this guy?

That was before I knew you, dear. My banker friend.

Yeah? What was his intentions?

He wanted to put me on the Board of Directors.

Who's this guy?

Don't wear yourself out there. Sit down.

Here's to you, Ruby.

Here's to both of us.

You don't know how I hated to leave town for the fight the other night.

- I'm glad you won, honey. - That was nothing.

I knocked him out in a hurry so I could get back to you.

I always did like a man with masculine supremacy.

I could do anything for you, Ruby.

You're the most wonderful thing that ever happened to me.

- You make me want to do great things. - You mean I'm inspiring.

Yeah, that's it.

Look, honey, after this next fight, you and me are gonna have a grand time.

Why wait?

Maybe you won't have to work no more, then.

You mean you want me to give up my art?

You will if you love me enough.

If I love you enough, I'll have to.

Holy smoke, it's raining.

- It's got to do that once in a while. - But Kirby, he'll get wet.

Oh, throw him an umbrella.

Hello, operator?

Give me the police department.

Yes, the police department.

I'll fix this guy.

Hello, police department?

There's a suspicious looking character down in front of 441 Olive Street.

You better come and get him before he does something desperate. Thanks.

Fix him.

Kirby'll kill me for this.

- What do you care? - I don't.

Absence does make the heart grow fonder, doesn't it?

You don't stay away too long.

You don't mean you were with some other guy while I was gone?

Oh, honey, you ain't jealous.

Ruby, if I catch some guy trying to fool around with you, I'll bust him in half.

I couldn't blame you, but you got nothing to worry about.

Promise me you'll never think of another man.

- That depends on you. - Ruby, I'll love you always.

Who could ask for more?

- What are you doing here? - I'm only...

Oh, yeah?

Now, wait.

Good night, dear.

I've got to get the kid straightened out, and that's the only way I can do it.

Did what I tell you penetrate your thick head?

- Yeah, sure. - All right.

Now don't forget the name and the number, and lay it on thick.

There's a five-spot in it for each of you.

I'll show that dame there's more than one way to skin a cat.

Now, I ain't the kind of guy...

Real nice of you to drop around.

Supposing you get into your gym clothes and get busy.

What's the rush? I just sat down.

When do you plan on training? After the fight?

I don't need training for that.

Don't kid yourself. Kramer's a fast boy, and he's strong.

Don't worry, I'll stop him quick. I got a date after the fight.

You may keep you date earlier if you don't watch yourself.

I'm doing all right. If you don't like...

Don't say it, kid. I don't want to have any hard feelings between us.

I'm sorry, I'm a little jumpy this morning.

You're right, I'd better do some training at that.

Davenport 7000.

Hello?

Yes, this is Davenport 7000.

Hello, Ruby. How are you, honey?

This is your bunny boy.

Bunny boy? I don't know any rabbits.

Who is this?

I ain't seen you lately. What's the matter? Somebody been filling my shoes?

Nobody could? That's what I wanted to hear.

I'm just crazy about you, baby.

You're crazy about me? All right, I'll take your word for it.

What? Why don't you break your date with the chump, whoever he is...

and I'll see you tonight.

You will? I'll be there, honey, and what I mean, I'm feeling fancy.

Hey, how about a little kiss?

Boy, what a kiss that was.

What's wrong, Tiger?

Miss Carter, New Orleans is the town for you.

Why, they'll go wild about you down there, you'll be a sensation.

Excuse me, Stogie, what were you saying?

I said you'd be sorry if you didn't take Ace La Mont's offer.

How do I know I won't?

Because he can make you one of the richest women in New Orleans.

I've heard things like that before.

With your talent he can do it. You'll have New Orleans at your feet.

- When they like you, money means nothing. - Well, it...

- Pardon me, what were you going to say? - It sounds all right.

It's perfect. I got the contracts all made out. All you have to do is sign them.

Come in.

Hello, Ruby.

What do you want?

There's something important I gotta talk to you about.

Private.

If it's so important.

- Help yourself to a drink. - Thanks.

Come in here.

What's it all about?

I heard that you and Tiger had a little scrap.

- You heard? You're sure you didn't frame it? - Wait a minute, Ruby.

Miss Carter.

I got the Tiger's best interests at heart.

I don't ask you to do anything for me.

But if you really think anything of him...

you'll let him alone until I can make him champ.

I ain't got a heart of stone, I can listen to reason.

Maybe it would be the best thing to let him go on thinking the way he does.

That's nice of you. If you only knew what this meant to me.

I've worked on him for months trying to make him champ...

building him up, then you came along.

If he were to lose this championship on your account...

Get out of here before I stick a hatpin in you.

- Give me those contracts. - Here you are.

When do we leave?

There ain't anybody in town that don't know she's coming, by now.

I've seen to that, just like you wanted, Ace.

Only hope Stogie didn't slip up on his end.

He knows better than to slip up.