Yankee Doodle Dandy Page #3

I'll throw you the line. You too, Mother.

- It's to jail you're going, me boy.

- Oh, there.

Henry's not really a bad boy.

He's just mischievous, that's all.

Mr. Schults, that should take care

of the damage, don't you think?

Henry, I want you to promise

the cop and Mr. Schults...

...that from now on,

you will always be a good boy.

I'll promise, but I can still lick

any kid in town!

- Fine work, Georgie.

- Thanks.

- Great, Georgie. Great!

- Nice going, kid.

- Real piece of acting there.

- Son, you're going places.

- Boy, you sure rolled them in the aisles.

- Thanks, but why are you surprised?

You could've told during rehearsals

that I'd be a sensation.

Listen, there's nothing

to this acting business.

I wonder what took me so long

to become a star.

Excuse me. Hey! Call rehearsal

for 10:
00 tomorrow morning.

Jerry, the time has come

for George's first spanking.

That's right.

I'll hold him, you hit him.

Not me. I don't hit hard enough

to make an impression.

I can't do it. He'd think I'm jealous

because he got more laughs.

Don't think I'm not, either.

Several gentlemen to see you outside,

Mr. Cohan.

Gentlemen of the press, I presume.

It's started already.

Will you excuse me?

Let's see how tough he is!

Ought to be arrested,

every one of those hoodlums.

It seems to me you're taking this

very calmly, Jerry.

Your own son almost murdered

in cold blood.

The way I figure, it's a fine tribute

to Georgie's acting.

The way he plays the part,

every tough kid...

...will want to take a punch

at Peck's Bad Boy.

What? Have I gotta go

through that every night?

Yes. And matinees Wednesdays

and Saturdays.

Georgie, those boys did you

a great favor...

...and they saved me a lot of trouble.

Most actors give their whole lives

to their profession without scoring a hit.

You're lucky.

You're a hit at the age of 13.

I've been in this business a long time.

I've never met a performer...

...who in the long run wouldn't rather

be a great guy than a great actor.

That is, until I made your acquaintance.

Can't I be both?

Chances are, the way you're going,

you won't be either.

If the hoodlums don't get you,

a committee of actors will.

Actors are considered a very bad risk

by insurance companies.

Any actor with a conceit like yours,

we just couldn't afford the premium.

What your father really means

is you're too sensitive.

You're too anxious to make good.

You love the theater too much.

Oh, I know you can improve

if you want to.

Sure I can. Just watch me.

From now on, I'm Peck's Bad Boy

only from 8:
30 till 11 in the evening.

- That's a boy, Georgie.

- I promise, Mother.

And don't forget, Wednesdays

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