Show People (1928) - full transcript

SHOW PEOPLE

To hopeful hundreds there is a

golden spot in the map called...

HOLLYWOOD.

Golonel Pepper had motored all the

way from Georgia to prove that his

daughter, Peggy, was a grat actress.

It must be Hollywood.

I like this place, Peggy...

even if it ain't Georgia.

It is John Gilbert!

I am General Marmaduke

Oldfish Pepper, of Georgia.

You ain't gonna blame

me for that, are you?

I'd like to see the president

of your company.

What about, General?

I'm going to let him put my

daughter in the movies.

Casting office...

Mr. Oldfish.

I want to introduce my daughter,

Miss Peggy Pepper.

Got one a little

more recent?

Got one a little

more recent?

The idea is, can

you act?

She will now present the

various moods. The first

will be meditation.

Passion.

Anger.

Sorrow.

Joy.

Very funny. Fill out

this card.

There is many a slip between the casting office

card and a menu card... especially when one's

capital has dwindled to forty cents.

I'm Colonel Pepper of Georgia, Miss.

At first I thought you were

Gloria Swanson.

You big beezark! I gotta

notion to knock yer

block off

What an uncouth

saint he is!

Billy Boone... a custard

pie artist from the

slapstick "lots".

de esos de 'tartas en la cara',

.

As a Southern colonel

your make-up is very

Indiana.

Father, who is this

coarse person?

One has to come to

Hollywood to meet

such common people.

Aw, boloney... and

you're slicing it too

thick.

Say, are you punks

trying to crash into

the movies?

My daughter, suh, is

considering a few

offers.

My acting is talk

of Savannah.

My acting is the scandal

of Hollywood.

Crashing the movies is

no cinch... but I thing

I can help you.

What'll you have

for dessert?

They've got the swellest

cocoanut cake today.

Isn't he wonderful!

The Comet Studio, where serious

comedians went through the daily

grind though of "getting laughs".

Where's the dame you were

going to bring out?

She'll be here, all right...

you couldn't keep

her away.

Gee, Dad... won't they be thrilled

back home when they see me as

a great dramatic actress?

Stage 4, Lot 5... turn to hour

right as you enter the left

wing and keep going.

Are you Mr. Comet?

If you don't say yes

I'll kill myself.

I'm Miss Pepper, the

new actress.

Remember, Baby...

you're not painting

a bungalow.

You gotta fall harder...

and funnier.

Can she act?

Go on, Baby... show him

what they're talking about

in Savannah.

Ah, my brave toreador!

In all Spain none is more

skillful with the bull.

You have reduced to beggary,

kidnapped my husband, and

murdered my aged mother...

but beware!

Don't go too far!

That's darn good hokum.

I shall always give

my public best

that's in me.

When I call just come in

and show mid surprise,

like this...

Remember, the one law

of the pictures is, don't

anticipate!

Now we'll rehearse it.

Is that all I do?

Until the jolt. Then

just take it natural...

don't anticipate!

Don't get camera-shy,

Baby, and you're a

cinch.

I didn't think they

made them that green!

Baby, you did that

like a real trouper.

I came here to do drama.

Why didn't you tell me

it was this?

Bat, Baby, all the stars have had

to take it on the chin... Swanson,

Daniels, Lloyd... all of them.

Come on, Baby...

you've gone this far...

it'll be easy from now on.

She did that so nifty

we'll take it again...

in a close up.

Success in this game means

work. Show them that you've

got the stuff.

Just think of that first big

thrill you'll get when you see

yourself in a theatre.

I've backed you to

win, Baby... show

them I'm right.

You're great on water

stuff... I'm gonna get

you a lot of it.

Go ahead. I'll take it

on the chin.

The preview... that trying ordeal when

a new picture is tired out before

Mr. and Mrs. Audience.

Don't anticipate!

What's the matter, Baby?

Don't you know you're a

wow?

That girl's got real personality.

I'll have Billy Boone

bring her over tomorrow.

I can't keep it from

you any longer...

I'm the director.

Come on. Let's get out

front and hear what they

have to say.

What do you want

to see a punk drama

for? Come on.

That's the kind acting

I'm gonna do some day.

That's real art!

Don't be sil. Make them

laugh and you make

them happy.

I tell you, Mr. Chaplin...

that girl is a find.

Will you please sign

my album?

I'm crazy about

signatures.

Who is that little guy?

That guy is casting

director for High

Arts Studio.

Bring me a nice big piece

of custard pie.

Why, I'd be afraid I'd

throw it at someone.

The thrill that seldom

comes... a call to the

High Arts Studio!

Lew Cody and

Elinor Glyn.

She writes a lot of

those IT stories.

I like Mr. Cody... he

has such an open face.

Maybe Mr. Morton will

only see you... and

not me.

I Won't sign up unless

he takes you, too.

You want Miss Pepper

also, don't you?

I want Miss Pepper

only.

I won't sign up unless

he takes you, too,

Billy.

Oh, that's all right.

I can take it on the

chin

Nothing for you now,

Billy. Maybe next year.

A contract from the "big

studio" and the thought

of leaving her old friends...

brought to Peggy mingled

emotions of gladness and

sadness.

Goodbye, Jim... I'll always

think kindly of you

for giving me a chance.

I hate to see you go, Peggy...

but I knew I'd make

something of you.

I'm all through, Billy.

You mean you're just

beginning.

It's going to be hard...

working without you, Billy.

But we'll see a lot of

each other, won't we?

Yes, but it Won't be

the same.

It's all in game, Baby. I guess

it's the crossroads... your path

leads one way and mine another.

Then I won't go!

"You're going to be a big success, Baby...

and I'm going to watch every step

of your career.

At the High Arts Studio

preliminary test were being made

for Peggy's first drama.

That's Marion Davies.

Mr. Telfair, I want you

to meet Miss Pepper,

your new leading lady.

I understand you're

quite popular also.

You're at the Countess De Fray's

reception. Yoy look over there and see

the man you hate...

Then you look over

there and see the

man you love.

The man you love!

The man you hate!

It is six months later. You

have just received a letter

that your lover is dying.

I know there's nothing

written on it, but read

it anyway.

Your lover is dying...

suffer.

Give me tears!

Tears... please!

Would you please ask

them to play "Heats

and Flowers"?

Louder... and sadder!

Tears... tears... please, Miss Pepper,

if you have any respect for

me, give me tears!

That's no way to let

a lover die!

Imagine your poor old

father starving to

death.

You don't know my

father!

Can't you do something

to bring tears?

Imagine forty thousand

starving Armenians...

Now that we've got her

going... no film in

the camera!

Imagine you're very much in

love with someone...

you're at the crossroads of your lives...

Just once more...

a big yelp!

That's what I call good

commercial crying.

Stop crying!

Stop it, I say... we've got

a big laughing scene to

do!

Everybody go to

lunch.

Now that you have graduated

from cheap comedy,

you must forget it...

You must acquire new

personality... a superior

manner... new friends...

I will be glad to introduce

you to the elite of

Hollywood.

Confidentially, I am

Andre d'Bergerac, le

Comte d'Avignon...

And so plain Peggy Pepper acquired

the manner of the "elite"...

and became known as Patricia Pepoire...

My paper is SO anxious

to have a true story of

your past...

When I first came on

a movie lot I thought

a pie was...

Miss Pepoire is fatigued.

With her permission I

will speak for her.

First, allow me to inform you that

Miss Pepoire is a direct descendant

of General Robert E. Lee.

This is going to make

a splendid story.

Being a lady of quality,

she chose the cinema as a

medium of self-expression.

She has the temperament

of Nazimova, the appeal

of Garbo,

the sweetness of Pickford,

and the lure of Pola Negri!

Hold it! Hold it!

Don't move!

My being in the picture

will help get it in the

big magazines.

While Billy struggled

on the same old

way.

Let's have Peggy come

over and have chow

with us...

Peggy's too busy these

days... I seldom get a

chance to see her.

I'll bet if ask her

she'll come.

Miss Pepoire won't be able to

see you tonight. She has

important business to them to.

We haven't seen each

other for so long...

I was wondering if you'd

come over and have dinner...

like we used to?

I'm sorry, but I have

another engagement.

You're not going out

with your leading man,

are you?

It's all part of work...

won't you please try to

understand?

Sure I understand. I'll

see you some other

time, eh?

No one realized Patricia

Pepoire's importance more

than Peggy Pepper.

I'm terribly, terribly

sorry if I kept you

waiting.

Waiting is such sweet

sorrow where you are

concerned, dear lady.

Today we're going to

do the kidnapping and

rescue stuff.

Is it necessary that it

be done so roughly?

...one thrust of his

sword, and he takes

you in his arms.

Ten thousand dollars

or your life!

Another troupe on

location.

Now we'll take it

once more.

Better beat it... Miss

Pepoire's nerves ain't

right today.

Miss Pepoire, will you

please freshen your

make-up?

...we're still making

them, but the old troupe

sure misses you.

Baby... it's a kick to

see you doing so good.

Why, Peggy... surely

success hasn't gone

to the bean!

Of course not! Don't

be absurd.

I knew you were only clowning.

Same old Peggy...

anything for a laugh.

I wish you would

please refrain from

using slag.

Oh, for crying out

loud!

Patricia, they are ready

for the next scene.

Andre, this is Billy Boone...

I used to know him in

the old days.

Why, Andy used to

serve me spaghetti

down at Tony's.

How can you be so

insulting!

Gee, Baby, I'll bet you

miss the laughs we

used to have!

I never miss lowness,

cheapness and vulgarity.

...but I suppose you'll

always be the same...

a cheap clown.

Would that I had the

right to protect you...

always.

Come on, Billy... forget

the sob squad and jump

off that rock.

Studio lunch... at the

stars' table.

The boss wants you

to come up to his

office right away.

I'm having my

luncheon.

He says you'll have lots of

time for lunch after he gets

though talking to you.

Pardon me, Doug... just

another one of those

boring conferences.

Read these... Miss

"Patricia Pepoire".

NEW ORLEANS SEPT 2 1928

CANCEL PATEICIA PEPOIRE FEATURES

AUDIENCE TIRED OF HER

DETROIT 2PM SEPT 1928

CANCEL BOOKING PATRICIA PEPOIRE

IN "THE LOVE HOUR"...

OUR AUDIENCRSDO NOT

LIKE HER WORK LATELY

FILADELFIA IOAM SEPT 4 1928

CANCEL PATRICIA PEPOIRE PICTURES

NOT WHAT SHE USED TO BE

What's it to me if a few

theatres don't know art!

Sit down... Sarah Bernhardt!

"Pati Pepper, when I first signed

you, you were human... regular...

full of ambition...

You're not on the level

with the public that

made you...

and from now on I want

to see the real Peggy

Pepper in the screen.

I'll give you one last

chance to change... and

I want your answer now.

If you'll pardon me,

Mr. Morton, I shall

finish my luncheon.

These producers are

so disturbing... to

one's equilibrium.

They don't appreciate

what a great artist

you are.

You are so understanding!

SCREEN ROMANCE

Wedding oh Patricia Pepoire and Andre d'Bergerac,

le Comte d'Avignon, to be solemnized today.

The wedding promises to be one of the most

outstanding social events of the season and

will be attended by many screen notables.

Just think, Patricia,

you'll be a real

countess.

It must be wonderful

to be in love!

Sorry, but I can't admit

you unless you have

an invitation.

I must see her right

away!

You tell her I've got to

see her... and I don't

mean maybe.

Pardon my depravity...

but that terrible comedian

person is downstairs.

You don't realize what

you're doing!

I do not know what I'm doing,

and I won't have you

interfering in my affairs.

"You've ruined your career...

just when you were becoming

so successful.

...and now you're going to marry

a man you don't care a rap for...

just for a phoney title.

I'm not pleading for myself...

it's for your

own happiness.

Think a minute...

remember the old

days.

I don't want to remember

the old days.

I'm going to bring you

to your senses... now!

Don't worry... everything is

quite all right.

You were right! I'm all

you said I was... just

a clumsy fool!

Look at yourself! Look at

me! We're only fakes...

just clowns!

He was the only real

person... and now

I've lost him!

But, Patricia...

our wedding!

There will be no

wedding!

Don't talk to me...

Don't touch med!...

You... you... pie-face!!!

Peggy's trip "down to

earth" had brought a clearer

view of things worth while.

Peggy, I hope you were right

in recommending this new leading

man... but can he really act?

He's marvelous, Mr.

Vidor... and we work

together so well.

Don't tell him I'm in the

picture. Just start the scene...

I want to surprise him.

Mr. Vidor, I want to

thank you for giving

me this chance.

It's up to you, Billy...

and don't let enlarge

your hatband.

You boys have been

separated from your outfit...

and make for this village...

The camera's going...

you can't quit now.

Take them on the chin...

it's all in the game.