“Now you got to have friends. You know the feeling’s oh so strong. You got to have friends. To make that day last long!” (Buzzy Linhart, Mark Kingman, 1973)

Welcome to the April 2020 Edition  ~ Friends at a Social Distance.

As the world adjusts to living in the shadow of a pandemic, it seems appropriate that the Guidebook opens to Easter Parade.

Each of the main characters (Don Hewes, Hannah Brown, Johnny Harrow, and Nadine Hale) find themselves at a distance from the love and happiness they seek.

As the story begins, Don finds himself distanced from his partner and lady love Nadine, by her career ambitions. (“I signed that contract Don. They say they’ll star me!”)  When his partnership with Nadine dissolves, Don seeks a replacement in nightclub singer and dancer Hannah Brown.  

Initially, the social convention of employer-employee distances the new partnership. (“Yes, Mr. Hewes.”) However, as the story progresses, it is Don’s lingering feelings for Nadine demonstrated in his desire to change Hannah’s name to Juanita, (“a girl dancer has to be exotic”), and dress her in ballgowns and feathers, that distance him from the romantic relationship Hannah seeks (“when they were passing out the wishes, I wished for him.”)

Unrequited love weighs heavily on each character until Don meets Nadine for luncheon. With the intent of getting her back, he flatters her (“remember our opening night? Eight bows, nine current calls.”) However, rather than join the reminiscing, Nadine chooses to insult Hannah. (“All my friends are laughing; tell that seamstress you have working for you to stop imitating me”).  It is here that Don realizes Hannah’s value not only as a business partner (“You’re wonderful”) but as a life partner (“Why didn’t you tell me I was in love with you?”)  Don and Hannah’s social distance seems to be closed. Their relationship is headed for success.

While Hannah and Don pursue a professional and personal relationship, how does that affect Nadine and Johnny?

In distancing herself from a professional relationship with Don, Nadine believes she has opened the door to a relationship with Johnny. (Johnny to Nadine: “I always thought that you and Don were…” Nadine: “Did you?” “Oh, Johnny, I’m going to meet your father!") Johnny explains his relationship with his father to Nadine. (“He is very eccentric. I won’t inherit any  money until I’m at least 55) he hopes to distance himself from Nadine to pursue Hannah.

The Fella with the Umbrella, professes his love for Hannah: “Do you know that scientists say that people fall in love quickest during a rainstorm? I can prove that because that’s when I fell in love with you.” When he carries his feelings further and asks if she loves him, Hannah sweetly replies, “I’d be such a fool if I didn’t, but I’m in love with Don.” Undeterred, Johnny continues to support Hannah as a friend.

After a fight with Don, a bleary-eyed Hannah opens the door to Johnny, who encourages her to go after what she wants. (”Put on his favorite dress and wash your face you look horrible!”)

As the film ends, Johnny takes his love life into his own hands and closes the distance between himself and Nadine by proposing that she “get out all the hounds” and go for a walk with him.  A walk up the Avenue!

Social distances may have resolved for these characters, But, for now, our Walk Up the Avenue is at Six Feet  Apart!

Happy Easter! From your friend at a Distance,

~~Lori