A Woman's Man (1934) - full transcript

Ladies and gentlemen,
what a thing this is.

The police have been
holding the crowds back.

Hollywood Boulevard has
been blocked for hours.

Wait.

Just wait.

Wait a minute.

The players are
beginning to arrive.

Let's see who's
in this first car.

Tom Cleary, the director,
played by John Halliday.

Joe Flynn, played
by Wallace Ford.

Molly Evans, played
by Kitty Kelly.



And last, the great
Gloria Jordan,

played by Marguerite
de la Motte.

Pete, Joe's manager,
played by Tom Dugan.

And now, Roger Pentley,
played by Jameson Thomas.

Oh, how was the
premiere, Harry?

Yeah.

A great star in a great picture.

And here goes a load
of unadulterated bull.

"Was thrilled at the outstanding
performance of Gloria Jordan.

Her love scenes left
nothing to the imagination."

Quote, "What charm, what
poise, what warmth."

Unquote.

Warmth?

Why, she's as cold as Kelsey's--



Yeah?

Yes?

She's leaving for the
studio right away.

She just finished
her French lesson,

and now she's
rehearsing the song.

Hey, listen, monkey, you're
only the assistant director.

All right.

We'll be there
when we get there.

OK, I'll tell her.

I'll that in to her.

for.

I used to have time
to.

like a
child of.

fireflies

in beauty
of the skies above me--

You saw me stop for a breath.

Why didn't you
stop your singing?

But you should never in
the midst of a cadenza

stop for breath!

If my voice does not match
with your lip movement

on the screen, it
will ruin my cadenza.

Oh, Gloria, be careful
of madam's cadenza.

But my public will
be looking at me.

Your singing off-screen
is merely secondary.

Bah.

You are such an
ungrateful child.

Fancy her telling
me how to sing.

Oh, everything would
have been all right if you

didn't breathe in her cadenza.

Forget it.

Here, drink your orange juice.

I don't want it.

I hate it!

I hate everything and everybody!

Well, that's settled.

But don't forget
your art, dearie.

The studio called
and they're waiting.

Let them wait.

That's exactly what
they've done for years.

One of these days,
they'll get fed up

and through you out on your--

Molly!

It's a woman's name
by it ain't Molly.

How dare you talk
to me like that!

Because I'm the only
friend you've got.

Preposterous.

Why, I've loads of friends.

Don't kid yourself.

If you didn't have this
gorgeous home and that cellar

full of hooch, not one of these
Hollywood chiseling liquor

guzzlers would
give you a tumble.

Take it from me, baby.

In this particular
racket, you're only

good while the going's good.

How dare you talk
to me like that?

Remember your place.

Good!

You're almost mad.

That's the most animation
I've seen in months.

Go on.

Get good and sore.

You shouldn't talk to
me like that, Molly.

You know when I get
angry, I become moody.

Hm.

I bet your mother was
moody before you were born.

Yeah?

It's the studio again.

What'll I tell them?

Oh, tell 'em

We left a half hour ago.

Do you mind moving
over, Mr. Cleary?

I'm tired too.

Go right ahead.

Don't mind me, baby.

Why aren't you shooting?

Whats the trouble?

Trouble?

No trouble.

Everything's nice and quiet.

Cameras are OK.

Nothing wrong with the lights.

In fact, we haven't
used them today.

Well, where's Gloria?

Gloria?

Oh, yes.

That's our leading lady.

Well, she's left her house
for the studio every half hour

since eight o'clock
this morning.

It's only noon now,
so she certainly

ought to be here by five.

I know, but isn't
there anything

you cans shoot without her?

I'd much rather shoot at her.

She's can't get away with this.

I think I've heard you
use that line before.

Yes, old Ralph, dear.

Am I late, darling?

Now look here, Gloria.

This picture must meet the
release date, and I can't--

But Ralph, dear, I'm so sorry.

I didn't feel well today.

In fact, I shouldn't
even be here at all.

Temperamental spasm
number 9,000,647.

All right.

All right.

But- but try not
to be late again.

You know Tom is as sore as--

Don't you worry about Tom.

I can handle him.

Hello, boys.

I'm sorry I'm late.

OK with us, Ms. Jordan.

We're working by the hour.

Good morning.

Morning?

Is it?

I do so hate to disturb you,
but you're sitting in my place.

I shall use my influence
to see that you extra girls

have chairs in the future.

You stay right where you are.

Ms. Jordan isn't going
to need her chair.

You come on over
here by the table.

We'll try and shoot
that love scene.

Mr. Crane.

Mr. Crane!

Mr. Crane!

They're calling me, darling.

Kiss Junior for me, and don't
have dinner till I get there.

I've only got a couple of
love scenes to knock over.

You love me?

Mr. Crane!

I'm coming.

Goodbye, sweetheart.

Mr. Crane, come here
a minute, will you?

Right.

Now let's take that scene
we shot 14 times yesterday.

What was wrong with it?

It smelled.

You don't mind a-- a
frank criticism, do you?

I thought that Mr.
Crane was, um, well,

a trifle heavy in that scene.

Mr. Crane was
excellent in the scene.

And you were the only person
in the scene with Mr. Crane,

and the scene smelled.

So figure it out for yourself.

Where's my script?

You want a script after
shooting that scene 50 times

yesterday?

Certainly not.

But I was thinking that
in that scene where I say,

"I love you--"

You couldn't have been
thinking in that scene

where you said, "I love you."

Or you'd have said it as if
you were talking to a man

and not making
passes at the chair.

That's very unkind of
you, Tom, when I made

such an effort to get here.

I haven't been feeling
at all well today.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

All right, now,
let's take it once.

You get ready to make
your entrance, Gloria.

And you get in your
position, Mr. Crane.

Now everybody keep quiet,
please, we're going to shoot.

Quiet!

Now watch carefully, will you?

Will you get out of my sight?

All right.

You come in now, Gloria.

Hello, dear.

Where have you been?

With him, I suppose.

Perhaps it'd be better
if I were out of the way.

I'll give you a divorce.

But I tell you, he
means nothing to me.

Can't you understand,
Charles, dear?

I-- I-- I, uh-- What comes next?

I love you.

Thanks, buddy.

I love you.

Gloria, come here.

You go to your dressing
room, will you?

I'll see you in a minute.

Fix your make-up.

Please, Mr. Crane.

Now everybody get ready.

I'm going to shoot this scene.

Get the camera.

Now, Gloria, didn't
you ever love anyone?

I'm fond of you.

Yeah.

You like dogs and cats, I know.

Now listen to me.

You're supposed
to love this man.

He's your husband.

And he's discovered something
you've been trying to conceal

from him, and he's hurt.

And you don't want him to be
hurt because you love him.

You're trying to convince
him that you love him.

You want him to believe
that more than anything

else in the world.

So every move, every gesture
is one of passionate tenderness

because you don't
want him to be hurt.

Now, won't you try
and get that for me?

I'll try.

And thanks so much for
being so patient with me.

Who is it?

Tarzan.

Who?

It's Roger, your
big game hunter.

He wants you to dine with him.

I told him you'd probably
jump at the chance.

Oh, you didn't.

I did, too.

Hello, Roger?

All right.

Put a 40 on.

I'm going to take it.

Ms. Jordan was
called to the phone.

She'll be right back.

She was what?

She was called to the phone.

My dear, I've been
at it almost all day.

Hey, what's your
telephone number?

Why?

Granite 6457.

Are you doing anything tonight?

No.

That's too bad.

Ah, ah.

Naughty, naughty.

Whoa.

Oh, that was grand.

Look.

What's that?

Well, that's the training
quarters for fighters.

Oh.

Oh, let's go down!

All right.
Come on, boys.

Come on!
Get.

Say, how's Flynn coming along?

Oh, great.

Say, there's the
next middleweight

champion of the world o I don't
know a fighter when I see one.

This kid's got everything.

Class, speed, endurance.

And he's got a hay-maker
say it's a sweetheart.

And a clean living kid, too,
if you know what I mean.

Ah, you're right, Pete.

Women have knocked our more
fighters than blows on the chin

- have.
- Yes.

But that'll never
happen to Flynn.

- No?
- No.

This kid's got brains.

He's got ambition.

You like his look?

He's going places.

You know, the next fight's
going to be title of the world.

Have you seen enough?

-Yes.
-All right.

Let's go.

Gloria going to marry Pentley?

If she can hook him.

I thought she's wouldn't
stop short of a title.

Say, that guy's so important,
he doesn't need a title.

He's a real all-American cat.

Family came over in a
rowboat before the Mayflower.

Funny thing, ain't it, Tom?

How we can love the
ones we sometimes hate?

Yeah.

Well, here's to her.

May her hips never get
as broad as her age.

How was your golf today?

You know
that fourth hole?

Uh huh.

I hit the prettiest
ball right over the green--

But the
wind was against you.

Well,
how did you know?

- I
- was there, surely.

Oh.

Hello, Tom, dear?

Is this business or pleasure?

Habit.

Oh, we had the
most glorious ride.

The park Is perfectly
gorgeous this time of year.

Oh, hello, Tom, dear.

I had the most divine
ride on a donkey.

And tell me, my pet, don't you
remember good old Edith Johnson

you discovered on 10th Avenue?

You remember her?

She worked next to me
at the home of laundry.

Come on, relax.

Get off that horse's neck.

You're on the wrong end.

I think that's beastly of you.

Perfectly beastly!

I'm going to get drunk.

What?

Well, why not?

Nobody understands me.

I work so hard and try so hard.

And when I act like
a lady, you razz me.

When I say I'm going to
get drunk, you're shocked.

And why shouldn't I drink?

No, I mustn't.

I must drink orange
juice to stay thin.

I mustn't play.

I must sleep so I can work.

I mustn't smile because
it leaves wrinkles.

I mustn't cry because
it ruins my eyes.

I mustn't--

That's enough mustn'ts
for one day, darling.

Here, drink this if you want it.

Oh, I'm so unhappy.

Well, why don't you
marry me and make

yourself permanently unhappy?

I don't think that's funny.

Neither do I.

Why don't you
lie down and rest?

That's all I ever do.

Well, then don't lie down.

Well, then I'll be tired.

Well, then lie down.

No, I won't lie down.

I'll have another drink.

That a girl.

Another drink for
the lady, Oscar.

Here you are.

Oh, you're so sweet.

Darling, if you
keep on like that,

I'll find myself
liking you again.

But I thought you loved me.

I do.

But it's a long time
since I've liked you.

Well, that's a
funny thing to say.

How's your friend Pentley?

He's leaving
for New York tomorrow.

Is that why you're crying?

Of course not.

Is he coming back?

Certainly.

Congratulations.

Do you have to be sarcastic?

Sarcastic?

What do you want, condolences?

I want you to take
me in your arms

and promise that
you'll never leave me.

Oh, come here.

When are you going to marry him?

-Oh, he hasn't asked me.
-And if he does?

Of course I will.

And in the meantime, you
want me to hold you in my arms

and promise never to leave you?

Never.

I wouldn't know what
to do without you.

Of all the selfish little-- oh.

Do you like this?

Yes.

Anything else you like?

You.

Oh, that's enough of that.

Tom.

Were you ever in love?

-Ha.
-Don't laugh.

All right.

I won't laugh.

But if Pentley's got
you doing nip-ups,

don't expect me
to get interested.

Pentley?

Who said anything about Pentley?

Who said-- well, we haven't
talked about anybody else

since you came into the room.

Well, I wasn't thinking of him.

All right.

I give up.

Who were you thinking of?

No one in particular.

I was just asking.

Mm hm.

Um, Tom, do you know
any prize fighters?

Prize fighters?

Yes.

A few.

Why?

Oh, no reason in particular.

I-- I just thought it might
be amusing to know one.

Amusing to you or
the prize fighter?

Well, don't be nasty.

I merely thought
that since I've never

met one, that their lives
and their point of view

might be interesting.

All right.

All right.

Who is he?

I saw several today.

There was one named Flynn.

Is he good looking?

I didn't notice.

I only thought--

You just thought it'd
be interesting to meet

a prize fighter?

Well, why pick on Flynn?

Why not Conera?

Do you have to go out of
your way to be disagreeable?

I'm not being disagreeable.

I'm merely being accommodating.

You wanted to meet a
fighter, so I picked

the biggest one in the world.

I hate you!

Good.

I hope I never see you again.

Marvelous.

I'll never do another
picture for you.

Now, that is good news.

What do you mean by that?

Merely that I've
spent the better part

of my life trying
to disguise the fact

that you're a rotten actress.

And if I can get Mallon
to give me Janet Gray,

I'll make a picture
I'll be proud of.

You make a picture with
her and I'll kill you!

Do you hear me?

I'll kill you!

Hey, that's pretty good.

Why don't you do it that
way in front of a camera?

Mary was a maiden
with a sweet and temperate

smile.

She lived, she.

Nothing ever so
sweet beguile.

She's the

Oh, this is terrible.

Why did you bring me here?

I thought you might
find it amusing.

Well, it's too noisy.

Do you want to go?

Yes.

All right.

Hi ya, Joe.

Hi, Harry.

Hello, Joe.

Still want to go?

No.

Is that why you brought me here?

Tom.

Bring him over.

Please, Tom.

If your taste has
turned to fighters,

I'll go into training myself.

I hate you, despise
you, and I always will.

Ms. Jordan, will you
autograph my menu for me?

Oh, yes indeed.

Oh, thank
you, Ms. Jordan.

You're entirely welcome.

You accused me of being selfish
and then when I want to be

myself, you won't help me.

All right.

All right.

Hey, Pete.

Let's go somewhere else.

You're going home in a minute.

You know, you've got root
work to do in the morning.

I forgot about that.

Well, how are you, Pete?

Oh, hello, Tom.

What are you doing, sonny?

Oh, uh, meet Joe Flynn,
the next middleweight

champion of the world.

How do you do, Mr. Flynn?

This is Tom Cleary, a
big shot in the movies.

Oh.
Pleased to meet you, Mr. Cleary.

Won't you sit down?

Sorry, I can't.

I've got Gloria Jordan with me.

Gloria Jordan?

The movie star?

Yes.

Would you like to meet her?

Would I?

Well, come on.

Thanks for asking me, too.

Ms. Jordan, Mr. Flynn.

How do you do?

Pleased to meet you.

Won't you sit down, Joe?

Oh.

Have some beer?

No thanks.

I don't drink.

That is, my manager,
he won't allow me to.

Oh, do fighters
have directors, too?

I saw you training
the other day.

I saw you and the horse.

I mean, I saw you on a horse.

- Did you?
- Yeah.

I seen your last picture, too.

I-- I see all your pictures.

You're my favorite star.

What was that last picture
I seen you in, uh-- remember

something about fallen.

The fallen--

"The Fallen Angel."

Yes, that's it.

Did you see it?
-Oh, yes.

Sure.

You sure
was great in that.

I like that scene
with you and, uh,

the guy with the superficial
on in your bedroom.

He tried to kiss you.

You couldn't get away from him.

You know, I, uh I had an
idea of how to get that--

I think Ms. Jordan played that
love scene very, very well.

Oh, sure you did.

Oh yeah.

But that fella that wanted to
marry you, he sure was slow.

He-- he wanted her all
right, but I guess he

just didn't have the nerve to.

That's the way my
director wanted it played.

Oh, those directors.

They don't know really how
things happen, do they?

Am I right?

Oh, yes.

Yes.

Now, if that had been me,
I'd have had the mug walk over

to you and say hey, listen.

We been running around
together for six years.

I've waited long enough.

You and me is going to
get hitched up or else.

Now, that'd be a very
charming love scene with

such sophisticated dialogue.

And I love it.

Sure.

Everybody goes for that.

You know, people, they-- they
like the down to earth stuff.

Now, you take me.

Oh, gee.

I seen your pictures
in a million magazines,

but the one I cut out was the
one with you in poor clothes.

You were standing
alongside a mug

with a megaphone in his
hand, beside the camera.

Have you still
got that picture?

Oh, sure.

I got the picture of you, but
the mug with the megaphone,

I cut him out.

Oh, you cut the mug
with the megaphone out?

Yeah.

didn't like him.

Hi, Joe.

Hello, Joe.

Well, Ms. Jordan, I think
we ought to be going.

Oh, I have a very important
story conference at the studio.

Will you take Ms. Jordan home?

Sure.

Su-- why, of course.

I-- my car don't
amount to very much.

Oh, I don't mind,
if you'll take me.

Would I?

Oh, sure I would.

Thank you.

I'll just tell my manager.

Will you excuse me a minute?

-Certainly.
-Waiter.

Yes, sir?

How much?

$1.50.

Keep the chance.

Thank you, sir.

I love you, I love
you, I love you.

I'm going
to take her home.

Yeah!

I'll see you later.

It's all right.

I can go.

Gee.

What a layout.

What, another room?

Do-- do you mind
if I look around?

No, make yourself at home.

Thanks.

Oh, gee.

This is nice.

Gee.

You're way on top, ain't you?

Aren't those
rolling clouds beautiful?

Yeah.

And they're going places.

Going places?

Sure.

That's what I'm going to do.

Feel.

That's OK for now.

But after I get to be
the champ, I'm going

to start the old head working.

I'm not going to be a
mug all my life, no sir.

I'm going places.

Yeah, I know.

I'm just a fighter.

Now, you take Gene Tunny.

He had the right idea.

He got the dough and quite.

Read a lot of books,
traveled, improved his mind,

and really made
something of himself.

You know, just being a champ,
it doesn't amount to very much.

You knock a guy out, everybody
gives you the glad hand.

You sign a couple
of toothpaste ads.

And then some guy comes
along and knocks you out.

Then what are you?

An ex.

Have you ever been knocked out?

Well, uh, once.

Or that was when I was a punk.

Did it hurt?

Nah.

Oh, the birds did sing
for a few minutes.

Tell me about it.

Well, you see, it was
in the second bout.

The other fighter's
name was one Ron Logan.

I was doing great
until the fourth round.

All of a sudden, my chin
connected with his fist.

The skies opened up.

The angels was
falling-- of course,

I couldn't hear 'em, and--

Silly.

I've married every leading
man in motion pictures.

Yeah, but look it.

You don't really care
for all those guys

you kiss in the movies, do you?

Well, why do you ask?

Oh, I don't know.

Must be kind of tough on
you, kissing a lot of guys

you don't even like.

Of course, it would
be different if--

Oh.

I'm sorry.

I didn't mean it.

I guess I must have
forgotten myself.

You're a diamond in the rough.

What are you sore about?

Oh, I got a right to be sore.

Ever since you've picked
up with this actor-ine,

you're training like a sissy.

Gee.

Pete, what's the
matter with you?

Oh, nothing.
Nothing.

Only I have to stand by and
watch your dame ruin you.

That's all.

Listen, Joe.

Unless we leave for Arrowhead
tonight, I'm through with you.

Tonight?

Yes, tonight.

And while we're at it, I'd like
to ask you a few questions.

Shoot.

You've known this
girl three weeks.

How do you spend your time?

Ah, what do you mean?

Just what do you do
when you're together?

Have you met any of
her swell friends?

Does she take you to
any of these swank clubs

where the movie crowd hang out?

Pete, that's just what
I'm trying to tell you.

She doesn't go in for
that kind of stuff.

-She don't, eh?
-No.

She'd rather be alone with me.

You know, at some quiet
spot like near the beach.

Near the beach?

That's because she don't
want to be seen with you.

Hey, Pete.

You think I got a chance
to win a championship?

Think?

I'm sure of it.

Yeah, why?

Because you got a
punch in that right hand

that's like a ton of brick.

Yeah?

Well, if you don't
want to feel yourself

on the other end of it,
no wise cracks about her.

That's plain enough, ain't it?

Hey, Pete.

You want to leave tonight?

Yeah.

Hey.

OK.

What's the matter
with you, Gloria?

I don't know.

I just went all to pieces.

Ms. Jordan is on the
verge of a break down.

I can't rest.

I told him.

We must finish the picture.

We just have to.

I'd advise a trip.

In fact, if she
doesn't go away, she

may have a complete break down.

I want to talk to
Gloria alone, please.

It was a rotten act, kid.

I don't know what you mean.

The gag.

What's it all about?

What?

You want to go away.

Why?

Joe's going.

Help me get away.

I won't be able to
stand it if he does.

Say, are you on the
level with this kid?

I love him.

All right.

Only I'd have liked
you better if you

hadn't pulled that stunt.

I'll finish your part in the
picture in the next two days.

You're not angry?

What about?

Because I love Joe?

I hope it works out swell.

Come on, Joe.

The right hand now.

That's it.

Keep circling around, Joe.

The left hand now.

That's it.

I'm telling you boys, Joe
Flynn is the next middleweight

champ of the world.

He ain't just a slugger.

He's got a noodle.

And he uses it, too.

And by the way,
he's got ambition.

Is Joe a hard kid to handle?

Hard?

No.

He's just like a baby.

He does everything I tell him.

He's up at five o'clock
and on the road.

And at eight o'clock,
he's in his bed.

I'm telling you boys,
it's in the bag.

And you can go tell
your bosses to get

the headline newspapers ready.

And here's how
it's going to read.

"Joe Flynn, New
Middleweight Champion."

Look at him.

Don't he look sweet?

Punch a little harder, Joe.

Take a left there.

That's it.

Tom!

You old so and so.

What brought you here?

Just a craving
to see you, dear.

Oh.

It's good to see you.

Come on in.

Well, where's my guiding star?

Out training.

Training?

Training for what?

Oh, let's skip it.

-Hm?
-How did you do?

Take long to get up here?

Joe.

Joe?

Excuse me.

Is this Jordan woman in?

No, she's not.

Well, uh, I'd like to talk to
the dame that lives with her.

I'm the dame.

What's bothering you?

Joe Flynn.

He's not bothering me.

He's just driving me nuts.

He and this dame that
you're living with.

Did you say dame?

Yes, I said dame.

I don't care if she's Gloria
Jordan or Sarah Bernhardt.

She's nothing but a dame to me.

And she's ruining my boy.

Hello, Pete.

Oh, hello.

I'm glad you're here.

What's wrong, Pete?

Everything.

Say, listen.

You know when a
fighter's training,

he's supposed to be training.

He's-- well, he's not
supposed to see dames.

You know what I mean, don't you?

I know what you're
talking about.

And believe me, brother,
I feel sorry for you

because you and 10 men
couldn't talk that dame out

of what she wants.

You mean not even if
you explained it to her?

She knows the fact of life.

Yeah, I know, but I
think if she liked him,

she'd leave him
alone, don't you?

If the average woman
cared, she would.

Gloria Jordan does
exactly as she pleases,

and she doesn't
care who gets hurt.

Oh, I see.

Well, what am I supposed to do?

Stick around and suffer.

You've got company.

Tom!

Oh, what a surprise!

How are you, darling?

Oh, fine.

You know Joe.

Well, of course.

- How are you, Joe?
- Fine.

How are you?

This is Pete Miller, my manager.

I'm glad to know you.

Joe talks about
you all the time.

Thanks.

Well, I'll be going.

-Won't you stay for a drink?
-No.

And he can't drink.

Of course not.

Only milk.

I'm very careful of Joe's diet.

It's much better now since
she stopped cooking for him.

Don't listen to her.

Joe tells me that if he wins his
fight, it'll be because of you.

I'm doing my best.

You know, miss, there
are certain things

a fighter ought not be doing.

Like staying up late.

It's getting late now.
Come on.

Let's shove off.

Goodnight, Mr. Miller.

Take good care of him.

And come over often.

I'd love to have you.

Goodnight, Tom.

Goodnight.

Tomorrow night.

Goodnight.

The hypocrite.

He hates me.

Hypocrite?

He tried to keep
Joe from seeing me.

Hm.

Sweet chance he has.

Gloria, my dear,
did it ever occur to you

that that hypocrite might
have excellent reasons

for keeping Flynn away?

Certainly.

He's jealous.

Oh.

Come here.

Oh, it's good to see you.

I feel as though I've
been gone a long time.

You have, and
that's why I'm here.

By the way, did you
read that manuscript

you brought up here with you?

Oh, of course.

What did you think of it?

It can be improved.

Great war scenes
though, don't you think?

Oh, yes.

They're marvelous.

Yeah.

Aren't there any
war scenes in it?

No, my dear.

I'll read it tonight.

Honestly.

I'm so in love.

Why waste time reading
scripts when life is so grand?

Nevertheless, you must read it.

I'll start now.

I wonder where it is?

It's under the kitchen stove.

The dog was playing with it.

"Examiner,"
"Times," cigarettes.

Anything else?

Did you see Joe?

He'll be over later.

Say, could old Uncle Tom
speak seriously for a moment?

If you don't ride
out your blood hounds.

What is it, a lecture?

I talked to some reporters
over at the hotel.

Oh, about me?

Do they know I'm here?

They don't even
know you're alive.

Fancy that.

Shut up.

This is serious.

They told me that
Joe's slipping.

What do the mean by that?

Well, he started training
like a house of fire.

Now he's slowed down to a walk.

The betting odds against
him are going up.

Against him?

Uh huh.

Why, the idea!

Then I'll bet for him.

How much are they betting?

Gracie Allen's little missing
sister, or I lose my bet.

Tell me, darling, do you
have a little blue hat?

If she has, I want her to
pack it and get back to town.

Why?

So Flynn will have a chance
to do some serious training.

Then he may have a chance at
winning that championship.

Well, I won't do it.

I'm not hurting him.

I'm encouraging him.

I tell him he's going to win.

It builds up his morale.

And besides, I'm getting
tired of people criticizing

everything that I do.

I work so hard and
I tried so hard.

And nobody understands you.

And we just hope you're
not going to cry.

I'm not.

I'm going to read the paper.

She can read.

No, she can't.

She's looking at the pictures.

Funny, isn't it?

After living a life
of luxury for years,

I still automatically pick
up the want ads section.

I've been thinking things over.

And perhaps you're right.

I'll go back.

That's fine.

What's come over you?

Why, I wouldn't hurt Joe
for anything in the world.

And if I thought my staying
here hurt him, why, I'll leave.

I'll leave today.

Tom, would you please go over
and say goodbye to him for me?

I wouldn't know how.

All right.

She can be regular
when she wants to be.

That's the only
reason I hang around.

Just when I'm ready to wring her
neck, she does something decent

and I'm all ga-ga again.

What's the matter?

You don't know?

Why, of course not.

I just--

That's what I think of your
cheap lying little mouth.

What are you doing?

Packing.

I'm clearing out.

I wouldn't spend another
day in your house

for all the tea in China.

But why?

Cause you're a
liar and a cheat.

I didn't see that picture
the paper until just now.

You think that's the reason
I decided to go back?

Don't make me slap you again.

Here's a box I
wanted you to have.

It's all perfumed inside.

I don't want it.

Smells like you.

Oh,
please take it.

I don't want it.

What are you going to do?

I'll do all right.

Don't forget you have a
benefit's play on the 29th.

All right.

Anything else?

Got a couple of fur coats at
Bess Schlank being remodeled.

Well, you can have them.

I don't want them.

What are you doing?

Just moving and
smoothing things.

You-- you always
were bad at packing.

Remember the time that we were
kicked out of that apartment

because we couldn't
pay our rent?

Which apartment.

The one on Sunset Boulevard.

You were so mad
when you packed, you

left a trail of my underwear
clear from Highland to Vine.

That was funny, wasn't it?

I don't think so.

We only had $8 between us.

And I bought a hand.

You didn't buy a hat.

You made a down
payment on a $30 one.

Well, it got me
a job, remember?

I felt so swell
in it that I just

wouldn't take no for an answer.

We've had lots of fun
together, haven't we?

I don't think so.

Oh, why can't you
be a regular guy?

You used to be.

I will if-- if
you won't leave me.

I love you better than
anyone in the world.

I-- I know I don't tell
the truth all the time.

But this is one time
that you're wrong.

I didn't see those pictures.

Don't you believe me?

No.

But what the heck can I do?

Great work, Joe.

Keep it up and you'll
be our next champ.

Thanks.

How's Gloria?

Fine.

Joe, Gloria has convinced
us that fighters

and dames don't mix.

Ah, she's swell.

She's only thinking of me.

Sure.

You know how much this
championship means to her.

Ah, we don't talk
about nothing else.

There ain't nothing
going to stop me.

She-- she just couldn't
bring herself to say goodbye.

Huh?

Goodbye?

Yeah.

What do you mean?

Well, you-- you've got
a lot of training to do

and the big fight's
only two weeks away.

Yeah.

She's right.

I'm going to put everything
I've got into it, too.

Gee, it's great to
fight for somebody.

You know, this fight ain't
just for the championship.

Thanks.

And I'll never forget
you for introducing us.

Say, you're coming to
the ringside, ain't you?

I got seats for you.

Thanks, Joe.

And you've got to
win this fight, kid.

I'll be pulling for you.

Oh, gee, thanks.

Now remember.

You throw her out when you
get your cue and not before.

Be careful of that, will you?
-Yes.

And when I give the
cue for lightning,

I want lightning and not rain.

I'm getting sick this, I
don't mind telling you.

-Better take another shot.
-Ah.

Say, chief.

What?

Ms. Jordan's voice is shot.

She's very tired.

Yeah.

Says she's soaked to the skin.

Well, that's just
too bad about her.

I'm soaked.

We're all soaked.

What does she expect on an
exterior set, steam heat?

Well, a Simon Legree
you turned out to be.

I'm all in, I tell you.

Now, Gloria.

Be a good girl, will you?

Do you suppose this is any
picnic for me or the boys?

Now let me tell you something.

When the public
sees this picture,

they're not interested in
how tough it was to make.

All they're interested
in is entertainment.

Why don't you pull
that big punchline?

The show must go on.

That's always sure fire.

Oh, come on now, Gloria.

Be a good girl and snap
into this now, will you?

Come on now.

And then you can all go home.

And remember, now,
this is a musical

and you're singing
your song.

So snap into it, will you?

Come on, now.

Do this for me,
like a good girl.

Now get in there.

Come on.

All right now.

You all set?

Now be ready with
your lightning now.

Give a whistle.

All right.

Get your numbers.

The camera's all set.

Scene 92, take 15.

OK.
Come on out.

Give me the rain.

Get out and stay out.

Why does
this heart of mine

keep fooling me each time.

I find a man.

I dream of plans to make
him my lover divine.

Now what's the matter now?

I can't.

I can't, I tell you.

I can't go on with it.

I'm all in.
-All right.

Locking them up.

We'll all go home.

Eight o'clock tomorrow morning.

Everybody on the
set 8:30 tomorrow.

Ms. Jordan, Ms. Evans is on the
phone in Mr. Mallon's office.

She said it's very important.

I'll be right back.

Hello, Molly?

What?

What about Roger?

Better think up
a good one, dear.

Roger is here giving a
gentlemanly impersonation

of a sore owl.

He's heard all
about your vacation.

Wait a minute.

You don't know the half of it.

Joe got into town
and he's coming over.

What?

Joe?

Oh, he and Roger mustn't meet.

What'll I do?

Phone Joe.

Tell him I'm working tonight and
I'll call him after I finish.

I'll see you later.

How are you?

I'm unhappy.

Liars generally are.

I often wonder why they bother.

Are you going to marry Pentley?

I don't know.

Yes.

Well, that's a
typical Jordan remark.

I don't know, yes.

What are you going
to do about Joe,

set him up in housekeeping?

Of course not.

I'm going to tell him the truth.

I was wrong to love him.

I never could be happy with him.

Naturally not.

Your cheap little soul
craves other things.

There's a name for what
you're doing, you know.

Oh, I'm not going to insult you.

I've known girls of
that kind I liked,

only what I liked in them
I find lacking in you.

What do you mean?

Honesty.

I don't know what
you're talking about.

No?

All right, then I'll tell you.

You don't need to.

Why don't you leave me alone?

I'm going to.

I don't know why I've hung
around here this long,

unless it was to
catch a glimpse now

and then of someone
I used to know.

You're jealous.

You preach to me and
pretend to be so good.

But all it is is jealousy.

That's the most
intelligent remark I've

heard from you in a long time.

Only it's not entirely correct.

You know, Gloria, 10
years ago I used to know

a girl named Edith Johnson.

If anybody had hurt her,
I'd have killed them.

And that would've been
the end of everything.

But life plays some
very peculiar pranks.

It had me stand by and
watch her die by inches.

Some of her honesty gone here.

Some of her freshness there.

Until you aren't even
beautiful to me anymore.

Do you hear that?

You're drunk.

That's right.

I'm drunk with relief.

I'm seeing you as you really
are, as cheap and tawdry

as the things you worship.

Edith Johnson is dead.

And I've been going around
worshiping a doggone corpse.

Let's write Edith's epitaph.

"Here lies Edith Johnson, a
nice kid while she lasted,

but she didn't last long.

Dead of Hollywooditis, press
agent cirrhosis, a victim

to the altar of the
great god Four Flush,

may she lie in peace as
consistently as her counterpart

lies and lies and lies."

And that's a darn good epitaph.

You're drunk.

You're crazy drunk.

Tom.

What's the matter with
my marrying a man who can

give me wealth and security?

A man who I'd be proud of?

Well, if he's such a swell
guy, why not give him a break?

What do you mean?

Let him marry someone
that he'll be proud of.

By the way, you're going
to tell him about Joe?

Well, of course not.

And only in your
last picture, you

spent three reels trying
to prove to the audience

that a woman should tell.

Oh, you'll never learn.

I'm going to tell Joe.

I'm going to tell him tonight.

I'm going to be honest with him.

Of course, it's not
going to be easy.

Well, now what's the matter?

You say you're going
to tell him tonight?

Yes.

What's the matter with that?

Nothing.

Not a thing.

You're amazing, that's all.

Say, don't you ever think
of anyone but yourself?

You went out of your
way to meet that boy.

You told him that
you loved him and you

got him to believing it.

And now that you've
had your fun,

you've decided to grab
off the big prize.

But not content
with that, you're

going to be honest
with him and tell him

the night before
his big fight so

that you can break his heart.

You-- oh, what's the use.

Uh, then you think I
shouldn't tell him tonight?

If you do, I'll
invite the press

and give myself the
long delayed pleasure

of wringing that beautiful
white neck of yours.

Now get out of my office.

Get out!

Did you get Joe?

No.

What'll I tell him?

Oh, anything.

Tell him it was a
publicity stunt.

Hello, Roger, dear.

Hello, darling.

I'm dreadfully tired.

Mind pouring me a drink?

Certainly.

Thanks, old dear.

Aren't you drinking?

No thanks.

I've had quite a few today.

Who with?

Not a woman.

No.

With an old classmate
of mine who has

just returned from Arrowhead.

Arrowhead?

I spent my vacation there.

Yes.

But you didn't tell me you
spent it with a prize fighter.

But Roger, dear.

Darling.

You don't understand.

Evening.

Ms. Jordan home?
-Yes.

She's in the study, sir.

Thanks.

It was a-- a publicity stunt.

That's what it was.

You don't really think
this common little prize

fighter means anything to me?

True, I went out of my way to
meet him and encourage him.

Just a publicity stunt.

If he wins the championship,
I'll jump into the ring,

throw my arms around him.

The cameras will clock.

And the next day, my picture
will be front page news.

Don't you see, darling?

Hey, feel all right, champ?

Do you see, kid?

I'm beginning to call
you the champ already.

Ha.

We'll win.

Aw, come on.

Relax.

Remember, we're going places.

Oh, forget her.

How can I forget
her when you keep

talking about her all the time?

OK, Pete.

Main event.

We're ready.

Good luck, boy.

Ladies and gentlemen!

For the middleweight
championship of the world,

here tonight, 10
rounds to a decision!

In this corner, the
155 pound Joe Flynn!

And in this corner, at
158 pounds, Mike Ferrera,

champion middleweight
of the world!

Referee Bob Perry.

Come on.

Now, listen.

I want a nice, clean fight.

No pulling, no butting.

When I say break, step back and
protect the cup at all times.

If one man is knocked
down, the one standing

goes to paw him at the corner.

Now shake hands and
go to your corners.

When you hear that
bell, come out fighting.

Now remember, Joe.

Box him.

Make him come to you.

Come on now, Joe.

Poise is falling.

They're exchanging right blows.

Oh, that Flynn boy
sure looks good.

He's a great
specimen of manhood.

Now they're circling the
ring now, taking it easy.

Sort of feeling each other out.

Ferrera leads with a hard
right, but Flynn blocks it.

Flynn comes back
with a body punch,

and Ferrera blocks and
answers with a left.

Oh, boy!

Flynn shot a hard
one to Ferrera's jaw,

and pow, it connected.

He follows with a left.

And another one.

The champ just set a hard
one into Flynn's ribs.

That's swell, kid.

You're doing great.

I told you, he was only a flash.

Listen.

Look out for his right hand
and make him come to you.

She might at least
have been here.

Come, Joe!
Give him one!

Come on, Joe!

One.

Two.

Three.

And now he's up
on his feet again.

Ferrera took in another
right cross to Flynn's jaw,

and how he connected!

He follows with a
left to Flynn's heart.

Then a right.

And Flynn's up
against the ropes!

And the crowd is
going wild as the bell

rings for the end of the round.

Oh, boy.

What a fight.

Oh, you radio listeners,
it's too bad you're not here.

You're missing the
fight of the year.

Come on, Roger.

Let's go.

Well, we've loads of time.

You don't have to get
to that stuffy place

until the last round.

Here, have a drink.

No, thank you.

Shorten up on your
punches, you hear?

Try and fight him into
a right hand, Joe.

Take it easy, champ.

You've got him.

He's a cinch.

That guy's plenty tough.

Tie one on him.

Plenty of time.

It would
have been curtains for Flynn.

Boy, what a fight.

He comes back with another.

It lands and it knocks Flynn
and his ears are caving in.

Oh, Flynn's taking a lot
of punishment in there.

It looked like he
was coming along,

but the champ's experience
is telling its story.

And they go into a clinch
as the bell ends the round.

Come on, Roger.

We must go.

It's too exciting to miss.

Oh, all right.

Bell just saved him that time.

He's a good kid, but I'm afraid
the champ's too much for him.

You're doing great, Joe.

Keep using your right hand.

Give him all you got.

It only takes one
to put him away.

Remember, Joe.

We're going places.

Say, I'll lay the odds
five to one the champ wins.

Flynn's only chance
is by a knockout.

Oh yeah?

Well, we'll see.

Come on, Joe!

Give me a light.

Joe, go easy now.

Watch him.

Come on, boy.

You're all right.

Take it easy, Joe.

Give me my cigar.

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

That was great, Joe.

That was great.

You got him going.

Listen, Joe.

Keep on using your
right hand now.

What a comeback Flynn
made in that last round.

He floored the champ
for a count of six

with a terrific right
cross to the chin.

Oh.

Isn't that wonderful?

Yeah.

That's a marvelous fight.

Common fighter.

Just a publicity stunt.

Don't you see, Roger dear?

I'll just into the ring.

Cameras will click.

Front page news.

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

Five.

Six.

Seven.

Eight.

Nine.

10.

What a finish.

Flynn had the fight cinched.

Then something happened.

He dropped his guard.

The champ showered him with
rights and lefts to the heart.

At no time did Flynn make any
attempt to protect himself.

Then the champ landed a
hay-maker and Flynn went down.

Aw, come on, kid.

Don't worry.

As long as you're not hurt.

That's all I care about.

Why, we'll get a return
match with Ferrera

and you'll put him
away in no time.

Look at me.

Look at me, kid.

Now, am I sore?

Am I?

I didn't come
through for you, Pete.

And all on account of a dame.

Everything's going to be OK.
Don't worry.

How are you, dear?

Are you all right.

I'm OK.

Too bad things didn't
turn out we planned.

We was going places.

That's all right, dear.

I'm so happy that
you're not hurt.

How about your publicity?

My publicity?

Sure.

Your pictures in the paper
hugging the new champ.

You was going to be
so proud because I

won the championship for you.

There's a laugh.

A common prize fighter in love
with the famous Gloria Jordan,

a cheat who would sell
herself for a newspaper story.

Well, I stopped you.

I cheated you out of it.

I had that guy whipped,
but I let him take me.

Now where are your headlines?

Everything you say is true.

I was greedy,
selfish, worshipping

the great god Four Flush.

But you're wrong.

You didn't cheat me
out of my publicity

because tomorrow every paper
will carry the headline "Gloria

Jordan marries Joe Flynn."

That kid took an
awful licking for her.

He's not the only one.