Sarah gets scared when she sees the crowd, but Dean notices this, reaches out to her, holds her hand. I’m here, don’t worry. Sarah lifts her head and looks at Dean and her fear goes away. Orchestra getting ready. That’s a mo music starting. Dean starts singing. Voice soft, beautiful. When the moon hits your eye, looking at Sarah, his eyes saying, “It’s your turn.
” Sarah takes breath. Sings like a big pizza pie. Voice small, shaky, but beautiful. Dean smiles. They continue together. That’s a mo audience listening, smiling, some crying because Sarah is so sweet. Song ends. Applause explodes. Standing ovation. Sarah smiles. Biggest smile. Happiest moment of her life.
Dean bends down. Hugs. You were wonderful. Thank you. Sarah whispers. Commercial break. Lights go down. Dean takes Sarah backstage. Her mother comes running and hugs her daughter. You were wonderful. Sweetheart Sarah crying tears of happiness. Mom, I sang with Dean Martin. Dean watching, smiling because he’s very happy to have lived this beautiful moment. Then Charlie comes.
Dean, got a minute. Yes. Charlie pulls him away to corridor. They’re talking quietly. Dean, I need to tell you something about Sarah. What? Charlie hesitates. Swallows. She She’s sick. very sick. Dean’s smile disappears. What do you mean? Leukemia final stage. Doctors said two months, maybe less. Dean freezes, not moving, not breathing.
What? Her family wrote to us. Sarah’s dream was to sing with you. We We brought her, but they asked me not to tell you. Because Because what? Dean’s voice, harsh, angry. Because Sarah doesn’t know. They didn’t tell the family. She just wants to be happy. Dean leans against wall, hands on face. Jesus Christ.
Dean, I’m sorry, but where where’s Sarah? Backstage with her mother. Dean turns, walks, walking fast toward backstage, finds Sarah backstage. Her mother beside her, and they’re laughing together, her mother talking with an assistant. Dean hesitates, looking at them, looking at that little girl, 9 years old, dying, and she doesn’t know.
His heartbreaking, feeling something break inside, her mother sees Dean and understands that Charlie told Dean everything. She approaches, speaking quietly. Mr. Martin, why didn’t you tell me? Because Sarah doesn’t know. And tonight, tonight, she just wanted to be happy, wanted to be normal. Dean looks, looking at Sarah, still laughing, glowing.
I understand, Dean says, voice. Thank you, mother says. This This means so much to her. Dean nods, can’t speak. Stage manager yelling. 2 minutes going back live. Dean turns, goes to Sarah, bends down. Sarah, I want to do something else with you. What? I want to sing another song with you. Live now.
Sarah’s eyes widen. Really? Really? Charlie comes running. Dean, you can’t change the rundown. Bob Hope is going on. Dean turns, looks, Charlie goes quiet. Bob will wait. I’m singing with Sarah now. He goes on stage holding Sarah’s hand. They go out together. Camera turns on. Live broadcast. Ladies and gentlemen, Dean says, “Sarah is very special, and I I want to sing another song with her.
” He looks at orchestra. You’re nobody till somebody loves you. Orchestra conductor surprised, but getting ready. Music starting, slow and emotional. Dean sings, looking at Sarah. You’re nobody till somebody loves you. Voice broken but beautiful. You’re nobody till somebody cares. Sarah listening, smiling.
Dean bends down to Sarah’s level, extends microphone. Sarah sings quietly, but everyone hears. You may be king, you may possess the world, and it’s gold. Voice like angel, pure and very innocent. But gold won’t bring you happiness when you’re growing old. Camera closeup on Sarah’s face, that beautiful face. Audience crying in studio and in the 20 million homes watching the program because they feel something’s different.
Something special is happening here. Song ends. Silence. Nobody applauding because applause isn’t enough. Dean picks up Sarah, lifts her, hugs tight. I love you, Sarah. He whispers. I love you so much. Sarah hugs. I love you too, Dean Martin. Commercial break. Lights go down. Dean not letting Sarah go. Holding. One minute.
2 minutes then slowly letting go. Wiping his eyes. Go to your family. They’re waiting. Sarah runs to her mother. Mother hugs. Both crying. Dean standing at edge of stage alone looking at them. Bob Hope approaches. Dean, is everything okay? Dean shakes head. No, Bob, nothing is okay. Show ends. People leaving, but Dean stays.
He finds Sarah backstage. Mother getting ready to leave. Mrs. Mitchell. Mother turns. Yes. Can I get your phone number? I want to call Sarah sometimes. Mother crying. Of course. Here. Gives paper. Dean puts in pocket. He bends down to Sarah. See you soon. Okay. See you. Dean hugs last time then lets go.
Watches them watches them leave. They go outdoor and they’re gone. Dean standing there in corridor alone. Charlie comes. Dean, why didn’t you tell me Charlie from the start? Because because the family didn’t want and I thought you thought I’d act different. You thought I’d pity her. No, I you’re right. I would have pied.
But that’s why that’s why you should have told. Dean turns back and walks toward dressing room and closes door. Sits and cries. First time not in front of cameras off stage. Just cries. 3 days later. November 18th. Monday. Dean making phone call. Calling Sarah. Mother answers. Hello Mrs. Mitchell. This is Dean Martin. Can I speak to Sarah? Mr.
Martin? Of course. Wait. Sarah comes. Hello. Hello, Sarah. It’s Dean. Dean Martin. She screams. You called me. I promised. How are you? I’m good. I showed everyone at school. You on TV with me with together. Dean laughs, but painful laugh. Wonderful. So wonderful. They talk. 10 minutes. Sarah tells about school, friends, her dreams.
When I grow up, I’m going to be a singer like you. Dean’s heartbreaking because Sarah won’t grow up. You will, he says. You’ll be wonderful. He calls every week. They talk every week. December. Sarah getting weaker. Voice getting weaker. January 1969. Sarah enters hospital. Dean calls every day. Sometimes Sarah can’t talk.
Too tired, but she listens. Dean sings. Sings on phone. January 27th, 1969. Monday morning. Dean gets phone call. Mother calling. Mr. Martin. Voice crying. Sarah. This morning she’s gone. Dean sits. Sits slowly. When? 6:00. In her sleep. She didn’t suffer. Dean closes eyes. What were her last words? She said, “Dean Martin loves me.
