Tonight and Every Night

Near the end of the war, a Life magazine photographer arrives in London to write a story about the Music Box Theatre's stubborn run during the Blitz. He interviews staff and documents the performers' routines amid air raids. The visit frames the narrative as a tribute to a venue that keeps putting on shows despite the danger outside.

Stage manager Sam Royce remembers the halcyon days at the start of the conflict, when morale was high and the troupe pressed on with performances. May 'Tolly' Tolliver is seen rehearsing as wartime anxieties rise. The memory sets the tone for the troupe's unwavering commitment to showmanship.

Tommy Lawson, though naturally gifted, improvises his steps and is refused by Tolliver. Rosalind Bruce and Judy Kane, American members of the troupe, take him under their wing and teach him their routines. With their guidance, he earns a place in the show and gains confidence.

An RAF pilot, Paul Lundy, visits the theatre and becomes infatuated with Ros. His presence adds a personal drama to the troupe's wartime life and complicates the dynamic among the performers. Romance and duty begin to intertwine in the show’s orbit.

When German bombs strike, the audience and performers flee to the basement for safety. In the shelter, Paul confesses his affection and invites Ros to dinner afterward. The moment deepens their connection amid the chaos of war.

Ros starts dating Paul, drawn to his charm and protection. He tricks her into visiting his apartment by promising to introduce her to a non-existent soldier from St. Louis. She feels betrayed, and the romance sours as trust erodes.

Paul begs Ros to forgive him during a RAF theatrical show and admits his love for her. He is called away on a mission after the confession, leaving Ros torn but hopeful about their future. The moment marks a fragile refocusing of their relationship.

After a brief reconciliation, Paul explains he must leave again the next morning on a secret assignment. The couple plans to spend an intimate evening at his apartment before he departs. The looming separation underscores the cost of wartime romance.

When they go to Paul's apartment, they discover the building has been flattened by a bombing raid. The destruction punctuates the ever-present danger of the war and the fragility of plans made in peacetime moments. The moment leaves both characters facing an uncertain future together.

Paul is ordered to leave immediately on a secret assignment, and two weeks pass without word. Ros grows increasingly anxious, worrying that the romance has faded or been forgotten. Flyers announcing squadron leave intensify her unease.

Paul's father, Reverend Gerald Lundy, asks to meet Ros after the show and explains the Bible Paul sent. He opens it to a page highlighted by Ros's photo, proposing marriage and welcoming Ros to the family. The moment formally ties Ros to Paul, despite his absence.

Tommy frets that Ros will desert the theatre for a life abroad and suggests a Canada honeymoon. Ros refuses to leave the troupe and urges him to be happy for her choice. Tommy concedes, offering what passes for wartime support and goodwill.

Judy, secretly in love with Tommy, goes to console him at the pub and they share a toast to Ros. They kiss, briefly brightening a gloomier moment, before the night’s true stakes return to the foreground. The kiss foreshadows the tragedy to come.

A German bombing raid strikes the pub, killing Judy and Tommy in a sudden, devastating moment. The loss hits the troupe hard, yet the night’s performance resumes as a testament to their resilience. Ros bears the weight of personal tragedy while continuing to perform Judy's song.

Despite the tragedy, the night’s performance continues and Ros sings Judy's song in a poignant tribute. Her decision to remain with the Music Box Theatre reinforces the show's commitment to its audience and its people. The moment closes the story with a vow to persevere through loss.