Garbo Talks (1984) Movie Script

I'll take you

far away from Paris,

where there are no unhappy

memories for either of us.

Yes.

Where the sun will

help me take care of you

and make you well again.

We'll go back to the country

where we were happy

all in one summer.

Oh... Oh, if only we could.

If only we could.

We can, we will, as soon

as you're well enough.

(GROANS)

(GASPS) Oh.

(WEAKLY) I can't.

(ESTELLE SOBBING)

Nanine. Nanine!

Nanine,

get the doctor quickly.

The doctor...

(MOUTHING)

If you can't make me live,

how can he?

No, no.

Don't say such things,

Marguerite. You'll live.

You must live.

Perhaps it's better

if I live in your heart,

where the world

can't see me.

If I am dead,

there'll be no

staying of our love.

(SHUSHING)

Don't think such

things, Marguerite.

Even if we can't go

to the country today...

God.

...think of

how happy we will be,

how happy we shall be again.

Think of the day you found

the four-leaf clover

and all the good luck

it's going to bring us.

Think of the vows we heard

Nichette and Gustave make

and that we're going

to make to each other.

This is for life,

Marguerite.

(ESTELLE SOBBING)

Marguerite.

Don't leave me.

Marguerite, come back.

Come back.

(HUMMING)

(SNIFFS)

Oh, God.

I had to

go to the credit

department on seventh.

There's this line

of people waiting.

I had other things

I could've been doing.

Finally, I tell

someone the problem.

She says,

"This could've

been handled in belts."

And no one seemed to care.

No one apologized.

No one said,

"Miss, I'm sorry

for the inconvenience."

(SIGHS)

Well,

in California,

somebody would've apologized.

In California,

a salesperson

has feelings.

Gillie, I want to

go home to Los Angeles.

I want us both to go.

I talked to Dad.

He'll give us the money.

There's so much

to do in California.

Anything you

could ever want in life

is an hour's drive away.

Gillie?

(GROANS)

(WHISTLES)

Where's my coat rack?

Elaine, have you

seen my coat rack?

Elaine, have you...

Elaine, have you seen my...

You're not Elaine.

I'm Harriet.

Hi. Where's Elaine?

I don't know.

This isn't my calculator.

This isn't my typewriter.

Who are they?

(HUMMING)

You were moved

down the hall, Gilbert.

Room 2601.

(BELL DINGS)

Elaine, what's going on?

Kellerman got a promotion.

They moved him

into your office.

I'm supposed

to work in here?

It doesn't have a window.

It's got

a Rauschenberg.

No, I can't

work in there.

I just handle

the Xerox, Gilbert.

But it...

Mr. Plotkin?

I came in...

Oh, we moved your office.

We needed the

space for Kellerman.

I knew you'd understand.

Yeah, but...

Things like offices

mean a lot to Kellerman.

He's a little

too image conscious.

Not like you, Gilbert.

You could do

a fine job anywhere.

You can

balance ledgers in

the middle of Sardi's.

I'm working on

a raise for you.

If we get it, you

take me to Sardi's.

(PHONE RINGS)

Gilbert Rolfe.

Wha... Oh, no. No. No.

Right away. Right away.

Oh!

What's the matter?

My mother's in jail.

Again?

Hey, I'm thirsty.

Uh, I said I'm thirsty.

Who do you have to pay off

to get a little water

around here!

I'd understand

if we were in the desert,

I wouldn't push for water.

I'd accept

the given fact.

But we're

in the middle of

New York City here.

We're at

10th Street

and 7th Avenue.

There must be

an empty paper cup

and a leaky hydrant

somewhere in

the neighborhood!

They don't

give you nothing

in detention, honey.

Not true.

I was arrested

last month in Brooklyn.

They gave me a sandwich

and some cigarettes.

It was mozzarella cheese.

Yeah.

I'm here for Estelle Rolfe.

I'm her son.

Oh, yes.

Bail's $500.

Sign both copies.

Estelle.

I told you I didn't want

you to come down any more.

I could take

care of myself.

Mom, what am

I supposed to do?

Your lawyer calls me

at the office.

He leaves a message

with the receptionist.

Do you know how

embarrassed I was?

There's no need to be.

Okay, your court date

will be the fifth of

next month.

There's nothing in life

to ever be embarrassed about.

I always taught you that.

Mom, you live in

a world of your own.

No, I got company,

maybe not you.

Water, water everywhere

and not a drop to drink!

What did you do?

I stole

a box of frozen

zucchini from the market.

They caught me when I left.

Why did you do that?

They were changing

the prices of the lettuce

that was already

on the shelf.

I said to the manager,

"Did you make

a pricing mistake?"

He said, "No. There was

a frost in Arizona and

prices had gone up."

And I said,

"But not for the lettuce

that's already on the shelf."

I was

planning on buying

two heads of lettuce.

The difference was

64 cents.

The zucchini costs

exactly 64 cents.

How much was bail?

$500.

I'll give you a check.

What's it like being

assigned to the ghetto?

Oh, Mother,

for God's sakes.

Do they assign you

to the ghetto?

Sometime.

Sure, when there's

an arrest to be made.

They're using you

because of your race.

It's unfair.

You shouldn't stand for it.

They're making you

into a traitor to

your own people.

Let's go.

Mom, is this

ever going to stop?

Is what ever

going to stop?

Oh, Ma, come on.

Marching to Washington,

getting arrested, lying

down in front of cars...

Gilbert, that's who I am.

You are who you are,

I am who I am.

Since I was six years old,

always crusading,

always making trouble.

You wouldn't let me go on

a field trip to a steel mill?

There was a strike

against it.

Everybody else got to go.

Everybody came home with

a little box of nails

except me.

What did you miss?

That is not the point.

Gilbert, listen,

I like what I'm doing.

I don't mind going to jail

for something I believe in.

It's a privilege.

Privilege?

Did it ever hurt you?

I was always there

when you needed me.

Was a meal

ever not waiting for you?

Were you ever sick alone?

Look, Mom, all I'm saying is,

why don't you just

relax a little?

I'm relaxed.

Let things take

care of themselves.

Things don't take

care of themselves.

Mom, take it easy.

If your generation would

be a little more active,

I could take it

a little more easy.

You hungry?

One beef and

broccoli, please.

(SIGHS)

(GROANS)

How's Lisa?

She's fine.

Her father, the Beverly

Hills contractor?

Mother.

He cheats on

his income tax.

You don't know that.

He wears tinted glasses.

She still want to

go back to Los Angeles?

Uh-huh.

You know,

the sun brings

out the best in her.

Mom, how come

you never liked Lisa?

Tennis is one way

to get through life.

How's your father?

He's fine.

Claire?

We're going there

for dinner Sunday.

Claire still make cakes?

(JACKHAMMER WHIRRING)

(MAN WHISTLES)

MAN: Look at the little

brown fox, huh?

(WHISTLING CONTINUES)

Hey, happy tits,

come up and sit

on my face!

Hey, I got

an electric tongue

and it never gets tired!

Mother, come on.

(BEEPING)

God!

Who wanted a girl

to sit on their face?

Come on, one of you wanted

someone to sit on your face

so badly you screamed

it all the way down

to the pavement.

Who was it?

I got all day,

and I can come

back tomorrow.

You mean the guy

who whistled at that girl?

Yeah, that's what I mean.

Yeah, that was me.

Well, that girl

couldn't come.

She was late

for an appointment.

So I came instead.

I hope it's okay?

Which one of you has

got the electric tongue?

Uh... Guess that was me.

You plug it in or

does it run on batteries?

Now, listen, I...

You know, we were just...

What?

Just...

Just a joke.

You think

you got some special

right to act like animals

just because you

work up high, huh?

You think because

you build buildings,

you're exempt from

showing a little class?

You want someone

to sit on your face?

Roll up your car

windows and scream

it out on the highway

and stop demeaning

yourself in public.

If your head's in the toilet,

don't blow bubbles.

Come, we'll ride down.

(JANE EXHALING LOUDLY)

(KNOCK ON DOOR)

Excuse me.

Elaine said I could

find the Irving readout...

It's right over

there by the window.

(EXHALING LOUDLY)

Hi.

I'm Jane Mortimer.

Uh, Gilbert Rolfe.

Are you new?

Uh-uh. I was up on 27,

but they're moving us around.

Are you okay?

Uh-huh.

You're not

having a seizure or

anything, are you? I...

My breathing exercises.

Huh! One.

Huh! Two.

Huh! Three.

I'm really an actress.

Huh! Four. Huh! Five.

Hey!

I... O... U.

(EXHALING) Could you

hand me my cork, please?

It's right there

in the drawer.

Your cork?

Yes, please.

(CONTINUES

BREATHING EXERCISES)

Thank you.

(GARBLED)

Now is the time

for all good men

to come to the aid

of their country.

This deepens the voice.

An actress has to

do many, many voices.

And now is the time

for all good men

to come to the aid

of their country.

This is from my

first bottle of champagne.

Could you help me up, please?

Thank you.

Um, would you

like to try this?

No, thank you.

Uh, was there

anything else?

That was all.

Could I see that picture

of Garbo in your window?

(CHUCKLES)

It's from Grand Hotel.

It's from Mata Hari.

Grand Hotel.

I own the shop.

No, it's from Mata Hari.

It's the scene

in the prison cell

where she has a reunion

with Rosanoff

just before

they take her to the

firing squad to be executed.

Look at the costume,

it's Mata Hari.

It's $35.

This isn't rare.

I've seen it before.

Then buy it before.

The frame makes it higher.

I'll take it

without the frame.

I don't

sell it without

the frame. It's $35.

It's Mata Hari.

Go to the movies.

It looks beautiful

and it smells good.

Shrimp Wilshire.

I got it

in an article on

California cooking.

It's delicious.

Best I've ever tasted.

Your father likes shrimp

and I try to make him happy.

Mmm, I spoke

to my parents.

They send their regards.

Oh, thank you.

My father's

dying for us to

move to Los Angeles.

He's offered Gilbert

a fantastic job.

Lisa.

He doesn't

want to take it.

I have a job.

You know,

so often in life,

we have to do what

makes someone else happy.

It's called give and take.

You know my philosophy?

It doesn't cost anything

to give someone else

a little joy.

Ah.

Bravo.

How's your mother?

She's been having

migraine headaches.

She got arrested again.

How'd you find out?

We still know

the same people.

Shoplifting.

Wasn't exactly

shoplifting.

What would you call it?

She got caught with

beans in her pocketbook?

Zucchini.

What'd she have to do

that for?

She's got money.

She still has the

building in Flushing.

She cited

an injustice.

Uh-huh.

You know

Claire and I are having

an anniversary next month?

Ten years.

It's a long time, huh?

Dad.

Yeah.

What made you

fall in love with her?

Claire?

Mother.

Mmm.

It was the way she danced.

How'd she dance?

I met her at a party once.

We were teenagers.

How did she dance?

She danced with everything.

Her whole body,

her whole being, everything.

When she danced,

she didn't think

of anything else.

She still watching

her weight?

Yeah.

She's always

watching her weight.

God, we had fun.

The day we got married,

went down

to the courthouse

to get the license.

They sent us to a clerk.

His name was

William Albert.

She wouldn't let him

write the license.

She doesn't trust men,

she says, with two

first names.

God, we had fun.

Two first names.

I don't know,

we started drifting apart.

Always got outraged

by one thing or another.

She couldn't take life

as it comes.

And I got tired, that's all.

I worked plenty hard,

I wanted peace and quiet.

And she wouldn't give me that,

the damn fool.

If she would've

changed just a little,

meet me halfway.

Claire.

She's a good person,

she's a good wife.

Worships the ground

I walk on.

What more can

a man ask for?

She still wear

orthopedic shoes?

Yeah.

She always

had lousy feet.

Hi. I'm going

for a sandwich.

You want to come?

I probably should

tell you, Jane.

I'm married.

I just

invited you to

eat a sandwich.

Oh... Uh, okay.

I think elevators

are very sexual,

don't you?

I have this fantasy

that I'm in an elevator

all alone with this man

that I've never met

before in my entire life

and he just keeps

staring at me.

All of a sudden,

he reaches out and

he touches my breast.

Well, I think it's

very inappropriate,

but I don't stop him.

The elevator's

moving really slowly,

we're at the

World Trade Center,

and he just

keeps on touching me.

We're at the 30th floor

and he's feeling my waist,

the elevator

keeps going up, his

hands keep going down.

By the time we're

at the 70th floor, we're

actually having relations

and he just

leaves without even

telling me his name.

(MAN COUGHS)

(ELEVATOR DOORS OPENING)

Gilbert, we're here.

Do you like working

in that dark little room?

It's not that bad.

Boy, I'd get

claustrophobia.

I'm studying at the

neighborhood playhouse.

I'm really

only accounting

until something breaks.

I need the work.

People like you

shouldn't have to work.

You are prehistoric.

Thank you.

Actually, I'd like

to be kept, but...

I'm not the type.

I'd like to keep you,

but I don't have

the money.

Well, one day,

when I'm very,

very rich,

I'm going to stay

home all the time,

just learning Moliere

and ordering

oyster-white veal

from Fraser-Morris.

Hmm, Moliere

makes me laugh,

and, well, Fraser-Morris

is where the very, very rich

buy all their tomatoes.

Lisa, that was very good.

It's the first time

I've ever cooked Chinese.

It took me

three hours.

Chop, chop, chop,

chop, chop, chop,

chop, chop, chop...

Why don't you go

into the living room

and I'll serve coffee.

Three hours.

She could've

read War and Peace.

Where's my purse, Gilbert?

Look on the hall table,

will you?

Bring me a glass of

water, too, will you?

GILBERT: Mom,

are you all right?

Yeah, yeah. I just have

a little headache,

that's all.

(PHONE RINGS)

Gilbert Rolfe.

Oh, Dr. Cohen.

Yes, how are you?

What is it?

You can't operate?

There's no way.

You can get other opinions,

but there's nothing

to be done.

That's an attitude

she won't understand.

Why didn't Dr. Cohen

tell me himself?

What does he think

I'm made of, butter?

(SIGHS)

Estelle Rolfe.

Not Estelle Rolfe.

You know, I know

everybody's got to die,

but I really thought

I was going to be

the first exception.

Dr. Cohen wants you

to go in the hospital.

Mom, Lisa's father knows this

neurosurgeon in Beverly Hills.

I have Dr. Cohen.

Mom, this man is

a leader in his field.

He works miracles.

I don't believe

in miracles.

Come on, Mom.

You've got to have hope.

Honey, I got hope.

I don't believe

in miracles.

You work

with what you got.

You don't always win.

I've always accepted

the given fact.

(PHONE RINGS)

Hello?

Oh, hello, Doctor.

Yes? Okay.

Just a minute, please.

He's gotten you a room at

Murray Hill Hospital.

He wants to know...

I'm not going to Murray Hill.

The dieticians are non-union.

Mom!

No.

Could you get her

into someplace else?

She doesn't like

Murray Hill Hospital.

Why? I don't know why.

Yes, okay.

No, we'll be here.

Mom, Dr. Cohen wants

to start cobalt treatments.

I know all about cobalt.

Ma, you don't...

You don't feel a thing.

No, that's not what I mean.

My hair.

There is a chance

it'll come out.

I just had it dyed.

Watch this.

How long have I got?

It's hard to tell.

You could go on

for quite a while.

Don't give me that.

How long have I got?

Four to six months.

I'll be back tonight.

Well, I called

Mr. and Mrs. Kozinski

and they want to know

if you felt like visitors,

so I told them

I thought it might be better

if they waited

a couple of days,

give you a chance to

settle in, get comfortable.

They were terrific.

They said they would

look after the building,

keep an eye on

things for you.

Gilbert, I want

to meet Greta Garbo.

Yeah, I want

to meet Garbo.

Mom, are you kidding?

No.

Mom, that's impossible.

It's not impossible.

She lives right here

in New York City.

Mother, why don't you just

concentrate on getting better?

Oh, I want to meet Garbo.

Why?

Why shouldn't I?

I'm dying.

She wants to meet Garbo.

It's like

a last wish.

It's not

my last wish.

I have a lot more.

Just short on time.

How about lunch?

Oh. Uh, I'm sorry, I can't.

Oh, okay.

Gilbert.

Mr. Plotkin.

You were an hour late

coming in this morning.

I let it pass. But now

you're 20 minutes late

coming in from lunch.

I'm very sorry,

Mr. Plotkin.

This is not

a library, Gilbert.

AUTOMATED VOICE:

The number you have

called is out of service.

Please check your

telephone directory

and make sure

you're dialing correctly.

(DOG BARKING)

Mr. Dokakis?

(DOOR LOCK OPENING)

Who wants him?

I do.

I don't

need an accountant.

I use the short form.

No, um, Mr. Dokakis,

excuse me.

Are you the same man that

took photographs of

Greta Garbo?

She can't sue.

I stood 50 feet away.

I know the law.

You can't

deprive a man

of his livelihood.

No, Mr. Dokakis.

Mr. Dokakis, please?

(LOCK CLICKS)

Mr. Dokakis,

I've got to talk to you.

(SIGHS)

Mr. Dokakis,

my mother is dying.

She is in

New York Hospital,

Room 808 right now.

She has a brain tumor

and she wants to meet Garbo.

(DOOR LOCK OPENING)

You think I'm going to

say something wise-ass,

don't you?

I'm not going to say

anything wise-ass.

You want something,

call my agent.

(DOORBELL BUZZES)

Miss Sonya Apollinar?

(WHISPERING) Yes.

Miss Apollinar, I need

to hire a client of yours.

You wish to hire

a client of mine?

Yes.

(BUZZING)

Don't do this to me.

Go on. Come on.

Just for a little while,

then I'll come back.

We'll go out to dinner.

Go on, let's get in there.

(POUNDING ON DOOR)

Coming!

I just... Coming.

Una momento.

Come in, please.

(STAMMERING)

Please, just come in.

Mi casa es su casa.

Please. (CHUCKLES)

You'll have to forgive me.

Uh, I'm...

I'm redecorating.

Just all goes so slow,

doesn't it?

See... (CLEARS THROAT)

Won't you sit down?

Please?

Hmm?

Sit.

(CHUCKLES)

I want to hire

Angelo Dokakis.

But of course. Angelo.

A brilliant photographer.

And what is the nature

of this assignment?

I want to talk to him.

Uh-huh. Do you mind

if I ask about what?

I need to find someone.

Ah. Whom do you wish to find?

Greta Garbo.

But of course.

(CATS SNARLING)

Oh, excuse me, just...

Just a minute.

(SNARLING STOPS)

I've got to get a dog.

I'll do anything.

I don't care about the cost.

Oh? Well, I mean,

is that all you want?

To find Garbo, hmm?

Well, that shouldn't

be so difficult. I mean,

naturally, I can help you.

One must simply know

where to look.

Mr. Dokakis charges

$250 a day,

one week minimum,

plus expenses.

Okay. That's okay.

It's okay.

It's okay. (CHUCKLES)

It's okay.

Believe me, it's...

It's no problem.

I wish

all my assignments

were such a breeze.

(MEOWS) Oops.

I'll need a retainer.

$500 to start.

I'll write you a check.

Could you

make my commission

check out separately

to cash?

I... $50.

Sit down.

Here. You can use...

You know, Angelo

is very, very particular

about the work

that he chooses to do.

Could he start right away?

Oh, well, I just don't

see any reason why not.

The check.

(LAUGHS)

Oh.

Hello, Mr. Plotkin.

Hi, this is Gilbert.

Mr. Plotkin, I am so sick.

Yeah, I can't come in today.

I knew you'd understand.

(COUGHS)

Thank you, sir.

That's where she lives.

The 10th floor.

I've never been inside.

You took pictures

of her there?

I took them with

a telescopic lens

from over there.

I rented a room.

She's got several rooms.

They're empty, mostly.

Is this it?

You just

wait around all day

hoping she'll come out?

If you're lucky, all day.

Sometimes it takes weeks.

I followed Princess

Margaret for a month.

All around

the Caribbean.

I caught her sunbathing

without a top.

If she'd rolled over,

I'd be a millionaire today.

(LAUGHS)

I mean it.

What's she like,

your mother?

I don't know. I...

The quiet type, huh?

Yeah.

Mine, too.

How long she been sick?

A few weeks.

She started

getting headaches.

Sometimes she'd

lose a step and...

Little things.

Yeah.

What time is it?

Uh, 6:15.

6:15?

Listen, Rolfe,

for all I know,

she isn't even here.

She spends a lot

of time in Spain.

Spain?

Fire Island, France,

Antigua...

(GROANS)

It's 5:30.

I could meet

you again tomorrow,

but I won't take

any more of your money.

Besides, you know

where she lives.

But you're

making a mistake.

Even if you see her,

she'll disappear

the moment she notices you.

She's totally inaccessible.

Angelo.

Stay just

a little longer.

I'm tired of

chasing people,

renting hotel rooms,

helicopters.

I'm tired of

spying on them.

The way

they look at me,

so condescending.

It just doesn't

make sense anymore.

I'm sorry

about your mother.

Sounds like a nice lady.

It was raining

cats and dogs.

I saw the Goodyear blimp

pass by right outside

my window there.

(SIGHS)

The Knicks beat

the Celtics, 97-96.

(GROANS VERY LOUDLY)

I want an eclair.

Please, honey, bring

me an eclair, would you?

My turn?

Yeah.

I'm having trouble

holding things lately.

I got a terrific word.

There are two checks

to Angelo Dokakis.

One for $450

and another for $675!

What's this check

for cash, $50?

A check for $75, cash?

Our balance is $600.

We have no money left.

Gillie, you know what we are?

Oh, my...

Do you know what we are?

No.

Oh, Gilbert.

What?

I can't say it.

Oh, God in heaven,

I can't say the word.

What are we?

We are

poor.

Lisa, can you take care

of the maintenance

this month?

Are you serious?

To cut into

the principal?

My father says it's

like spitting on God.

What are you doing?

I'm sewing.

I know you're sewing.

What are you sewing?

Tell me what you're sewing.

Tell me this minute!

Can I help you, sir?

Acme delivery.

This is for Miss Garbo.

There's no one

here by that name.

I know for a fact that...

There is no one here

by that name, sir.

Okay, then this is for

the lady in apartment 10A?

There is no lady in 10A.

You're aware this job

pays minimum wage?

Yes. I've made my peace

with that.

You supply

your own uniforms.

No problem.

No problem at all.

You can

buy Guthrie's clothes.

You're about the same size.

I'll speak with Guthrie.

Guthrie's dead.

Oh.

This is a part-time job.

Yes.

You must be here at 2:45

for the afternoon deliveries.

Yes, sir.

2:45, not 3:00.

I understand, sir.

You don't harbor

any resentment toward the

upper class, do you, Rolfe?

No.

Good. We don't

tolerate rudeness.

There's still a place

for the rich in New York City.

Excuse me, Mr. Plotkin.

What can I do

for you, Gilbert?

I would like to

start work earlier,

earlier than 8:30.

I have a job in the afternoon.

I'd like to leave here

by 2:00.

Well, we have

an open start policy.

You can start

anytime you want to,

as long as you

put in eight hours.

What time did you

have in mind?

Well, I would like

to come in at 7:00.

7:00 to 2:00?

Yes, sir.

That's seven hours.

I'll make up the difference.

I'll work on Saturday.

The office is

closed on Saturday.

I won't take a vacation.

One can't use

vacation time.

It's the rule.

You could come in

at 6:00.

6:00? Nothing's

working at 6:00.

The computers

are down at 6:00.

Well, come in, anyway.

Gilbert,

are you crazy?

I don't believe it.

What's happening to me?

What's happening

to my life?

I won't come out until

you take that thing off.

Honey, try and understand.

No. I won't be part

of this circus anymore.

Am I being unfair?

If I'm being unfair,

just tell me so.

You're not being unfair.

This is too much.

You're making me

a nervous wreck.

Oh, I'm starting

to ovulate.

I can feel it.

Now, Mrs. Jacobs

at 51st and Madison,

Mrs. Harrison,

the same building,

one floor down.

52nd and Park, Mr. Blaustein.

Double down to 49th,

the Waldorf.

Miss Moore

has an apartment there.

We send her biscuits and

Perrier water every Tuesday.

Jacobs, Harrison,

Blaustein, Moore.

Always get a signature.

Don't forget that.

Yes, sir.

Hi.

Oh, hi.

You know,

I never see you anymore.

You eat lunch at 10:00.

I come in early.

I need my afternoons free.

Oh.

I'm up for a role.

Oh?

Yeah.

As You Like It.

Joe Papp.

Oh.

Good luck.

Thank you.

Well, I'll be

seeing you, huh?

Krebs on 56th,

Detweiler on Second and 55th,

Bluttman, next door, on 55th,

Kronhauser on 53rd,

Cavaleri on 53rd

and Brown on 50th.

Rolfe, this order

for Brown on 50th...

When you arrive,

you tell the doorman,

"I'm from Fraser-Morris

and I have the order

for Brown."

Then you look at him

and ask,

"Are you from Oslo?"

Do you understand?

Yes, sir.

I say I'm from

Fraser-Morris and...

No, no.

You must do it

exactly as I say it.

I'm sorry.

"Good afternoon.

I'm from Fraser-Morris..."

There's no good afternoon.

You say,

"I am from Fraser-Morris

and I have the order

for Brown.

"Are you from Oslo?"

You won't get in otherwise.

I'll have to

send somebody else.

I don't wanna make two trips!

Yes, sir.

Don't ask me to explain.

One day, maybe,

when I know you better.

I'm from Fraser-Morris

and I have the order

for Brown.

Are you from Oslo?

10B. Service elevator's

downstairs.

10B.

Miss Garbo,

Miss Garbo.

Miss Brown, Miss Brown,

please, please.

(MUTTERING)

Fraser-Morris?

This order's for Miss Brown.

Thank you.

I'll take it.

You're not Miss Brown.

I work for Miss Brown.

Mr. Morganelli

told me distinctly

these were to go to

a Miss Brown and

no one else.

It's quite all right,

believe me.

Miss Brown is away.

You'll have

to give them to me.

I'd like to leave

a note for Miss Brown!

Please!

Rita around the corner

came to see me today.

She gave me

a manicure. Look.

Mom, I've been

trying to find her.

Do you think you will?

I'm doing what I can.

I can't promise anything.

Give me a kiss.

Oh, I'm gonna miss you.

I'm gonna miss you so much.

Mom, don't be afraid.

You know, I'm not afraid.

I'm mad.

I'm not gonna

get to know

who the next president

of the United States is.

Me, of all people, hmm?

I got a right to know.

Angelo, this is Gilbert.

I'm fine, thank you.

Angelo, listen,

you have got to help me.

I am desperate.

Yeah, you said

she goes to an island.

Fire Island.

Oh, God, I am so stupid.

I couldn't remember.

All I could think

of was Elba.

You still got

a pulse, Estelle.

What do they pay you?

$7.10 an hour.

How do you live on that?

Oh, got three boyfriends.

Why don't you ask for more?

It's all in the contract.

When's the contract up?

One year, two years.

You wanna keep making

$7.10 an hour?

Are you kidding?

Nobody's gonna

change it but you.

Me? I'm Esperanza Gonzales

from San Juan.

I've got two kids.

I live in Queens in

an apartment with

my sister.

Who's gonna

listen to me?

Hey, Sanchez?

Mmm-hmm.

When is our contract up?

What contract?

We've got a contract, stupid.

When is our contract up?

What contract?

Jesus.

The dog is peeing

on your leg.

(EXCLAIMS)

You want a pair of pants?

Thank you.

I'm Bernie Whitlock.

Gilbert Rolfe.

I'm not gay.

I am.

Guess the whole boat is.

With rare exceptions.

So, what do you do?

I'm an accountant.

I'm working my way up

from the mailroom at

Bloomingdale's.

You know,

that was a joke.

Actually,

I work in the men's

department at Alexander's.

Sometimes I lie,

I say Bloomingdale's.

Depends on what crowd I'm in.

This is

my third year

on the island.

The people are friendly.

The older I get,

the less I care

about sex.

I'm looking for someone

I can talk to.

That's hard to find.

What about you?

What about me?

What are you looking for?

We're all looking

for something.

You're not gonna

believe me.

I'm looking

for Greta Garbo.

You're looking for

the Garbo?

Mmm-hmm.

Is this a joke?

No.

Mind if I ask why?

It's a long story.

It's gotta be.

I saw her once last summer

walking along the beach.

She was wearing

a big hat and sunglasses

and a long, flowing cape.

Yeah, she was...

She was walking along

in a light rain

without an umbrella.

I don't think anybody

even knew who she was.

But then, all of a sudden,

she just disappeared into

a house

and I never

saw her again.

Excuse me. Would you

remember the house?

It was along here

somewhere.

I didn't take

that good a look.

Please, it is

very important.

Would you have dinner

with me tonight?

I'm sorry, I can't.

I just hate to eat alone.

So does my mother.

She goes to a restaurant,

she looks to see

if someone else

is alone.

If they look interesting,

she asks them if she can

join them.

And what if they say no?

She'll ask someone else.

One rejection,

I lose my appetite.

It might've been

that one there.

You mind if I ask you

a question?

Why are you

looking for Garbo?

My mother wants to meet her.

Your mother's a trip.

Yeah.

I thought you were doing it

for an autograph.

Good.

What about the pants?

A present.

Look, if your mother

ever wants to meet me,

I'm at the Queens

Boulevard branch.

In Queens.

(SIGHS)

Miss Garbo, please.

There is nobody here

of that name.

This is the

Von Klammer residence.

I have got to talk to her.

There is no Garbo here.

Look, she is here.

I know she's here.

(BOAT MOTOR RUNNING)

Wait.

Wait, please.

Wait!

Wait.

What time

is the next ferry?

7:00 in the morning.

You been up all night?

What do you think?

I slept

on the beach

at Fire Island.

What were you doing

at Fire Island?

Looking for Garbo.

Mr. Plotkin called.

You didn't go

to work on Friday.

You didn't

call to say you

weren't coming?

I know.

Gilbert, is there

another woman in

your life?

No.

Are you sure?

What?

I said,

are you sure there's not

another woman in your life?

I'm sure.

Those things happen.

People change,

lose interest.

Listen,

I'm from California.

I went to visit

your mother last night.

Her hearing is worse.

She didn't recognize me.

I couldn't tell if it

was intentional or not.

Gillie, I spoke

to my mother and Dad.

They're concerned about me.

They want me to come home.

Dad offered to come here

and get me and take me back.

Naturally, that

isn't necessary.

I'm a big girl now.

What did you say?

I told them

I wouldn't come until...

After Estelle...

I try and do the right thing.

I don't always succeed,

but I do try.

You know something,

Lisa.

You don't have

to try anymore.

If you wanna leave,

why don't you just leave?

You don't have to

wait around for

Mom to die.

I'll tell you something.

When Mom first met you,

she said

you were affected,

you were pretentious.

She didn't like you. She...

What did she say?

What?

I told her

you spoke two languages.

She said, "Yes.

English and Gucci."

The feeling's mutual.

My parents have never been

so embarrassed in their

whole lives.

Your mother wouldn't cross

a picket line for her own

son's wedding.

You gonna go through

this again?

The bartender's union

was striking the Beverly...

We offered to get her

into the laundry room,

but she wouldn't budge.

She does not

cross picket lines.

Her own son's wedding.

That is the way she is.

I'll come back,

if you want me to.

I think

it's better this way.

I feel really sad.

We had a perfect marriage.

All I wanted was a home,

children and security,

but...

Lately with you, it's been

one surprise after another.

I don't want

surprises, Gillie.

Next agent over, please.

I paid the difference.

I didn't want your father

to think I was a schmuck.

He will, anyway.

How's this, Estelle?

A little more brightness.

Okay?

Fine.

Can I get you

anything else?

Mmm-mmm.

Estelle, our contract is

up the first of the year.

They want to raise us

from $7.10 an hour

to $7.90.

None of us knows

what to do.

We don't wanna make waves.

Make waves.

We don't wanna

start something.

Start something.

Okay.

Excuse me.

I'm looking for

Estelle Rolfe.

Oh. Mrs. Rolfe is resting.

She's not supposed to

have any visitors.

I won't stay long.

I'm her husband.

Ex-husband.

Jenny. You will

have to make it short.

Yes, thank you.

(SOBS)

You damn fool.

MAN 1 ON TV: Williams

got away from Woodson,

got it to Bill Cartwright

for the jam and he's fouled.

What a terrific pass

by Ray Williams

and, also,

it was very alert

of Bill Cartwright

to anticipate that pass.

MAN 2 ON TV:

Yes, it was.

Here you see Ray Williams

moving without the ball,

Woodson going

for the steal.

Now, this

breaks the defense down

as Ray starts to the hoop.

Here comes

Meriwether with a nice

little pass to Cartwright.

He's fouled right there

as he hits...

LEON: Oh, Ninotchka,

don't take things

so seriously.

Nothing's worth it, really.

Please. Relax.

I beg you, Sergeant.

Smile.

What?

Will you smile?

Why?

Well, just smile.

At what?

At anything.

At the whole ridiculous

spectacle of life,

at people being so serious,

taking themselves

pompously,

exaggerating

their own importance.

If you can't think

of anything else

to laugh at,

you can laugh at you and me.

Why?

Because we're an odd couple.

Then you should

go back to your table.

No, I can't leave you.

I won't, not yet.

Not until I've made you

laugh at least once.

Ha, ha.

Now go back

to your table.

Oh, that's not a laugh.

I mean a laugh

from the heart.

I know. I'm going to

tell you a funny story.

Wait a minute.

Let me think of one.

I've got it.

It seems that there were two

Frenchmen who went to America.

On which boat?

Let's drop it.

I don't think you'd care

very much for that one,

anyway.

(MUSIC PLAYS)

(ALL APPLAUDING)

(PEOPLE CHATTERING)

Believe me,

Elizabeth Rennick

is the forgotten

genius of film.

Come on, Adolph.

You've gotta be kidding.

No, no, I mean it.

Elizabeth Rennick was

every bit as good

as Garbo.

MAN:

He never stops.

She appeared in a lot

of the Garbo pictures.

Little parts.

You know,

some actresses

start out playing bits

and work their way

to the top?

Well, she did

just the opposite.

(ALL LAUGHING)

Poor soul.

She comes here often

to watch her old flicks.

(DOORBELL BUZZES)

GILBERT: Jane?

Gilbert?

Yeah.

How do you

find an actress?

I'm an actress.

I mean,

a particular actress.

You call Actor's Equity.

Yeah.

All actors

are listed with them.

But today is Saturday.

It is?

They're closed.

They are?

You can call them

on Monday.

You just ask

for membership.

Membership?

Then you tell them

who you're looking for.

Who I'm looking for.

Then you look it up.

I can look it up.

Are you free?

I pictured you

with someone rich.

Rich men are so peculiar.

They always order

California wine

and then defend it.

Aren't you married?

We're separated.

She's in L.A.

She's been there

a few weeks now.

She's probably

very tan by now.

Gilbert, I don't...

I don't want you to

take this too seriously.

Being with

someone permanently

just isn't in my plans.

(PHONE RINGS)

Hello. Actor's Equity.

It's for you, Mr. Goldhammer.

Membership. Goldhammer.

Hi. I'd like an address

for Elizabeth Rennick,

please.

Who's calling?

Gilbert Rolfe.

Gilbert Rolfe? I'm not

familiar with that name.

It's a personal matter.

It's very urgent

that I reach her.

Personal.

I'm sorry.

I can't give out

that information

unless I'm familiar with

your company.

(PHONE RINGS)

Membership. Goldhammer.

Yes, this is

David Barrick's office.

How may I help you?

I need an address

on Elizabeth Rennick.

Didn't you just call?

No.

Are you

a casting director?

Uh, yes, I am.

Then look it up in

your player's guide.

Yes?

Mr. Goldhammer?

Yes.

How do you do?

I'm Marian Lane.

Who?

We met at the Tony Awards.

Oh, I haven't been to

the Tonys, not in years.

It was some time ago,

but, oh, I remember you.

Why, you're the backbone

of this organization,

as I recall.

Most people don't know

I exist.

Oh, I certainly do.

You're one

of those people

that you can never

quite get out of

your mind.

Thank you.

Our phones are out.

I'm working for

Jimmy Nederlander now,

and he needs

some information

on Elizabeth Rennick.

Nobody's called for

Elizabeth Rennick

in 15 years.

It's going

to be the chance

of a lifetime for her.

She's very old.

Mr. Goldhammer, what

a sense of humor

you have.

Her number.

(PHONE RINGS)

ELIZABETH ON

ANSWERING MACHINE: Hello.

This is Elizabeth Rennick.

555-8318.

I am not at home.

I'm rehearsing a new

production of Romeo

and Juliet

in which I've been

cast as the nurse.

I turned

the part down

several times

'cause I...

Well, I don't do

supporting roles,

but Joe Papp, the brilliant

producer of A Chorus Line,

kept calling back

and finally, I said,

"Okay, I'll give it a try."

We're at

the Delacorte Theater in

Central Park for rehearsals,

which I expect won't

take more than two weeks,

if everyone

behaves professionally.

Sometimes these

off-Broadway companies

are a bunch of animals,

smoking dope,

and everyone trying to

get into everyone's pants.

No one cares

about Shakespeare,

but if all goes well...

Excuse me. I'm looking

for Elizabeth Rennick.

(SHUSHING)

MAN: Miss Rennick, we're

ready for your scene again.

Miss Rennick!

Stand over here.

That's it.

Right here.

Fine. Good. Good.

Okay,

and please

try not to wobble!

Nurse, where's my daughter?

Call her forth to me.

Now, by my

maidenhair...

Maidenhead,

Miss Rennick,

not maidenhair!

I want to

cut that line.

We can't cut it.

She's been making

that same mistake

all week.

You can't

remember your lines!

I forget my lines once!

You remembered them once!

It's not working!

All right, everybody,

lunch, one hour!

Miss Rennick, please,

I need your help.

Are you and

she still friends?

Do you ever see her...

I never should've

lent my name to

this fiasco.

Yes. Miss Rennick,

would you call her for me?

Call who?

What are you

talking about?

Garbo.

Miss Garbo.

Yes. She gave me this ring.

It's real gold.

Oh, it was

very generous of her.

Well, considering that

she still has the

first nickel

which she ever made.

You know

the flea market

on Sixth Avenue?

Well, you might

look for her there.

She always

loved a bargain.

(GASPS) You're...

I'm sorry.

That's solid sterling.

$175.

MAN: Hey,

did you see her?

Did you see her?

WOMAN: Isn't that...

MAN: I don't know.

I think it is.

(CHATTERING)

Can I have a minute

of your time, please?

I'm not a reporter

or anything.

It's about my mother.

You've gotta

listen to me, please.

My mother is very sick.

She is

at New York Hospital,

room 808. She has a tumor.

She doesn't

have much time.

She has no time.

The doctor

does not think

she will last the week.

She has this crazy wish.

She wants to meet you.

I have been

looking for you

for three months.

She just wants to see you

before she dies, that's all.

She just

wants to look at you.

I don't know, just see you.

Please.

Please come with me.

Just a few minutes,

that's all.

Five minutes. One minute.

Please. There's not

even time to think

about it.

She loves you so.

She loves you,

maybe even more than me.

That's her.

I can't believe it.

It's really you.

It's you.

If I'd have

known, I would've...

I would've

had my hair done,

had somebody

give me a manicure.

You met my son?

He's a good boy.

He works very hard.

I don't know what to say.

I mean, you're here,

I don't have words.

Must be 30, 40 years.

Oh, I bet people

have told you this till

you're blue in the face.

I've loved you ever since

the first time I ever

saw you.

We were living

on Eastern Parkway,

that's in Brooklyn.

My father

gave me 10 cents

to go to the movies

with Wanda Sternhagen,

my girlfriend.

My father

didn't have much.

Ten cents was

a lot of money to him.

He had six mouths to feed.

We saw

Flesh and the Devil.

Your name was Felicitas

von Kletzingk, remember?

What a name.

I never forgot it.

It stuck in my head.

You know, movie names

don't usually stick

in your head.

There I was

in the balcony of

the Loew's Pitkin,

with Wanda Sternhagen

in Brooklyn and I was

Estelle Garbo,

eating a corned-beef

sandwich

out of a brown paper bag

and Wanda kept saying,

"Shh,"

because the brown paper bag

kept rattling.

It's easy

being Estelle Garbo

when you're in the balcony

of the Loew's Pitkin

in the dark.

Nobody could see my

double chin and my

huge bust.

Not like yours. Nice.

I shouldn't have been

eating a corned-beef

sandwich, anyway.

I was a fat kid.

I needed to

lose some weight,

but show me anything

from a delicatessen,

especially corned-beef.

You had me in

the palm of your hands.

Every time you moved,

I sighed.

You walked from one end

of the room to the other,

it was as if your feet

never touched the ground.

Wanda and I saw

every movie you ever made.

She thought I loved you

because I had big feet, too.

It's true.

I wore size 10.

I was only going on

12 years old.

Wanda moved away.

Her father got a job

in Trenton.

Before she left, I took

her to lunch and a movie.

We went to

see a revival

of Wild Orchids.

We sat through it

four times

because we didn't know

how to say goodbye

to each other.

I wrote you

a letter once.

I never wrote to

any other movie star.

I didn't get an answer.

That's all right.

I didn't take it

personally.

You know, you're not gonna

believe this, but it's true.

I married my husband

in 1953.

It was a small wedding.

It was in the house.

My mother

cooked for a week.

My aunt cooked for a week.

Everybody came.

Then, afterwards,

Walter and I took the

train to Atlantic City.

That was

our honeymoon.

Some honeymoon.

Two nights. I didn't

plan things right,

you know?

Female times.

So there

we were in Atlantic City

and I couldn't do anything.

I was a virgin.

Walter was a virgin.

We had to

stay that way

a little while longer.

We didn't have

anything to do.

So, I bought a newspaper.

Anna Christie was playing.

It was the only movie

of yours I hadn't seen.

Garbo talks.

"Give me a whiskey.

Ginger ale on the side.

"And don't be stingy, baby."

Walter and I had Gilbert.

I named him

for John Gilbert.

When I came out

of the delivery,

I was so exhausted,

I could hardly move.

I could

hardly even open

my eyes. The TV was on.

They were playing Camille,

and all I kept looking at

were those

heavy skirts of yours

going back and forth

and back and forth

and back and forth.

Walter and I

got a divorce.

World's a crazy place

to live in, isn't it?

He thought

I was eccentric.

Day I came home from the

lawyer's, I cried all day.

I walked around the house

all day. I couldn't find

a place to sit.

I took three baths.

I don't know.

You love somebody,

you have a child,

and then it's over.

Why? I don't know.

It's crazy.

I turned on the TV.

They were playing

Queen Christina.

That close-up

of you at the end,

I thought it would never end.

I mean, it just

went on and on and on.

Oh, God, how I hated you.

I really hated myself.

I thought

if I looked like you,

if I had that face,

if I had those eyes,

I wouldn't be so alone.

And those arms of yours,

those long, thin arms

that go on and on

and on forever

like as if they're never

gonna end.

I would've been jealous

of anybody pretty that day.

Just your luck they were

playing Queen Christina.

You care anything

about basketball?

The Knicks are

out of the playoffs.

I'm not entirely

happy about that.

World is full of

little injustices.

They either bother you,

or they don't.

Me, they bother.

You know, a couple years ago,

I saw a picture of you in

a magazine.

You were in Paris.

You were walking in a park

in a black hat.

I bet you got

a million hats.

I went to Paris. Twice.

You got nothing on me there.

Of course,

you were with

Aristotle Onassis.

And I was with

the B'nai B'rith tour.

Oh, Gilbert.

Gilbert, Gilbert, Gilbert.

Oh, God, Gilbert!

You know what she told me?

She told me that

her father was very

poor, just like mine.

He worked in

a factory in Sweden.

He made auto parts.

And she loves delicatessen,

only she likes cold chicken

better than corned-beef.

And what else?

Oh, she hated biology.

She hated biology.

And, God,

how I hated biology.

And I can't remember

everything else she told me.

We had such a good talk,

Gilbert.

She told me that

she was born in September.

I was born in September,

you know that, don't you?

And she told me that

her living room is red.

Her living room

is red, Gilbert.

And what else? What else?

What else?

Her living room is red

and she hates war.

She hates anything

about war and violence.

Damn it.

But anyway, she said

that we were very much alike.

Except for the feet. You know

she hasn't got big feet

at all.

She wears size 7AA.

She showed them to me.

Well, she sure got it

all over me there.

I'm very busy now, Gilbert.

I have to talk to you,

Mr. Plotkin.

Later, Gilbert.

I have to

talk with you now.

Shepard, I'm leaving.

I am not saying this

because I am upset.

But yes, I am upset.

Of course I'm upset.

I am very upset.

You took my office away

and you gave me

a depressing little room.

It's not your fault.

I allowed it to happen.

The light fixture buzzes.

There's a dull hum

all day long. You know.

You wouldn't fix it for me,

no matter how many times

I asked. It's okay.

You reduced the staff,

and you

gave me enough work

for three people to do.

And if I didn't finish,

I got that speech about

consolidating my time.

Don't worry about it.

It is not your problem.

I sat there

and I listened.

Didn't I?

You deducted a half-day's

salary because I was late.

No problem.

I allowed it to happen.

You made me

come to work at

6:00 in the morning.

There was nothing to do

at 6:00 in the morning

and I said to myself,

I said, "Plotkin is

enjoying doing this

to me."

But then I said,

"No. Rules are rules.

"The man is

only doing his job.

"That's okay.

A man has to

do his job."

You've been great.

You really have.

I wish you

the best of luck.

I'm not angry.

I have no resentment.

You've been great.

But we are who we are.

I am who I am.

You are who you are.

So, go fuck yourself,

Shepard.

(DOOR CLOSES)

JANE: I got the part.

GILBERT: Yeah? Great.

Yeah.

They kept

calling me back

and calling me back.

I thought they'd never

make up their mind.

Great. Great,

great, great.

I quit.

You quit? You, too?

Yes. I can do better.

I think I can do

a lot better.

What are you

gonna look for now?

I don't know.

The sky's the limit,

though.

I'd like you to

come to opening night.

Sure.

They're going

to talk about my

Rosalind for years.

I'm going

to be the best Rosalind

that anyone has ever seen.

You already are.

Gilbert, you're

not part of my world.

My career consumes me.

I mean, there's just

no time for a relationship.

You understand that,

don't you?

Oh, sure.

Good.

I mean, maybe

I'm denying myself,

but, boy, acting is

so full of sacrifice.

Every day, I give up

something for my art.

You're simpatico.

I really like that.

Oh, I'm famous

for my simpatico.

(LAUGHS)

I don't know

what it is about you,

but you make me laugh.

You're so off-center.

I love it.

Oh, my God. Gilbert,

do you know who that is?

Oh, it's Greta Garbo.

Oh, my God,

she's coming this way.

Oh, Gilbert,

I can't look, I can't.

How do you do,

Gilbert?

I'm fine,

thank you.

I don't believe it.

Gilbert, you are

something else.

Garbo Talks (1984) - full transcript