Sister Act (1992) Movie Script

Who can name all the apostles?

Yes, Deloris?

John, Paul, George,

and Ringo.

Deloris Wilson, you are the most unruly,

disobedient girl in this school.

Now, I want you to march right up

to that blackboard

and write the names

of all the apostles alphabetically.

This is enough!

You are hopeless

and I wash my hands of you.

Mark my words, Deloris.

If you continue on this disruptive track,

it will lead straight to the devil.

Have you any idea

what girls like you become?

All right, wrap this up, okay?

Wrap it up.

Go!

Goodnight, ladies and gentlemen.

You don't give a shit!

Let's get the hell out of here.

So I guess eating

is out of the question, huh?

Your next show is in 20 minutes.

You still haven't told me what she said.

What who said?

"What who said." The one with

the moustache. The one you're married to.

- You are so damn hot.

- And you are so full of it.

You didn't tell her, did you? I knew it.

I knew you weren't gonna tell her. I knew it.

I want us to be together, babe.

I want us to be an honest

and decent couple.

I do.

I went to confession today.

You went to confession?

Like "confession" confession?

You know, where you kneel in the box,

you tell the priest your deepest secrets.

I did that today for us, babe.

I told Father Antonelli I was in love

and that it was a special love.

A love for all the ages

and that I want to be with her.

And what did he say?

He said that f I got divorced,

I'd burn in hell for all eternity.

- Hand me my loafers, darling.

- No, you can get your own damn shoes.

So, what does this mean?

Is this no? Does this mean no?

- What does it mean?

- No, not no. Just not now!

Just get out, okay? Just go.

You want me to go against a priest?

Get excommunicated?

Okay.

I'll eat the thing you made.

- Is that what this is about?

- No, that's not what it's about.

It's about you leaving.

Good night. Good night.

I'll call.

You're quitting just because

he won't leave his wife?

No, not just because

he won't leave his wife.

I'm quitting for a lot of reasons.

It's something I have to do.

- What's gonna happen to the act?

- What do you mean?

You're gonna get somebody else.

It's not a big loss.

You put everything together.

You pick all the music,

you tell us where to stand and everything.

Yeah, yeah, I'm a real genius.

That's why we're packing them in.

And don't you pack any more

of my makeup in that bag.

Don't think I don't know

what you're doing.

What do you want?

And don't you ever knock?

Hey, girl, you ain't got nothing

that I haven't seen before, all right?

Yeah, well, stop trying to memorise it.

- Hey, Michelle.

- Oh, please.

Hey, Deloris, here, This is from Vince.

Hope it's his dead body.

- With love.

- Oh, really?

- Yeah.

- Then why didn't he bring it to me himself?

Oh, he wanted to,

but he's got a big meeting upstairs.

- Hey, Tina.

- Hi.

Could you say goodnight

to these clowns, please?

I'm getting a headache.

I don't want them in here. Get out.

- Let's go.

- All right, I'm going.

Take it easy.

Well, at least you got something

out of all this.

- Come on, Deloris, open this up.

- Yes.

Why should I open this? I don't give

a damn what's in that box. I don't care.

- See what he bought.

- I wanna see.

- Why? Why?

- I wanna see.

Fine, okay?

Let's look and see what it is, then.

- Oh, look at this. It's mink.

- Oh, check it out.

It's purple mink, Deloris.

Oh, that's beautiful. Look. Feel.

Well, obviously,

Mr. LaRocca feels he can win me back

by sending me this absolutely

fabulous coat.

- Put it on!

- It's beautiful.

See, some girls would fall for that,

but not me.

I think I'm gonna make him wait a little

while before I just let him know that I...

What?

Connie LaRocca.

It's his wife's coat.

The man gave me his wife's coat.

Oh, I don't believe this.

Put it back on.

It's yours now. You deserve it.

No, I don't deserve it.

I haven't earned it.

You don't earn other people's

wives' fur coats, okay?

I think it's time to just go upstairs

and give it back to him

and get the hell out of this dump.

How long you been with me, Ernie?

Three years, Mr. LaRocca.

Two as a croupier,

one as your personal limo driver.

Ernie, you know what's important to me?

What counts?

Loyalty, my man.

Loyalty is what counts to me.

- I've been very loyal, Mr. LaRocca.

- Gee, Ernie, that's not what I hear.

I hear you went down

to the police station last night

and talked with Lieutenant Souther.

I hear you were there

for over three hours.

I went.

I went, but I didn't tell him anything.

Again not what I heard.

Goodbye, Vince.

I'm leaving and don't try to stop me.

I'm going to L.A.

where it's nice and warm.

People don't need fur coats

from their boyfriends' wives' closet.

Goodbye, Vince. I'm going to Miami

where the sun shines.

I know they're trying

to get something on me, Ernie,

but so far

they've come up with bubkas.

They called Willy and Joey in there,

but they were out in 20 minutes.

What were you doing there

for three hours, Ernie?

I know you don't think I have any talent,

Vince, but I do.

And I'm gonna leave you

and I'm going to Chicago.

Tell me what you told Souther.

I won't be able to sleep tonight

if I don't know.

I've always wanted to go to New York.

I know if I went to New York,

I could get some things together, Vince.

I could. I could.

I could.

That's all I told them, I swear it.

Thanks, Ernie. Now I can sleep.

Say goodnight, Ernie.

No, no, no, that's--

Babe.

Deloris. Deloris. Is there a problem?

With the coat?

With the--? No, not with the coat.

The coat's fine.

It's fine. It's fine, thank you.

Is that why you came here tonight?

To thank me?

Yeah. Thank you.

And to say you're sorry.

About tonight and the things you said.

Forgotten. Completely.

You understand me?

Forgotten.

Of course. Of course, it's forgotten.

That's my girl. My girl in mink.

- Will you be home soon?

- Yeah, yeah.

- Go ahead.

- Okay.

Hey, Vince, is she okay?

I don't know, Vince.

She seemed kind of upset.

- She did?

- Yeah.

Bring her back now for a talk.

And if she runs, then what?

Take care of it.

Deloris!

Deloris, Vinny wants to talk!

- Which way?

- That way.

Hey, hey, taxi!

Hey, hey, hey.

Let's go, let's go, let's go. Go, go, go!

And then Vince looks at Ernie

and says, "Say good night."

And then Vince looks at Joey

and Joey shot him.

I mean, he just shot him in the chair.

Just boom! He blew this guy away.

Sorry I'm late. I'm Lieutenant Souther.

Eddie Souther.

How do you do?

I'm Deloris Van Cartier.

Listen, this guy was a simple limo driver.

Right? He was a limo driver.

So maybe he made a couple wrong turns

in his life. That's no reason to kill him.

I've never seen anybody killed before.

Sometimes you pass on the freeway,

you see a couple of people dead--

Ms. Van Cartier,

you're Vince LaRocca's girlfriend, right?

Well, you could sort of--

Maybe. It depends how you look at it.

The guy just tried to kill me, so

I don't think that cements our relationship.

Well, you realise

he's a major underworld figure, don't you?

He's into drug-dealing,

money-laundering.

We've been investigating Mr. LaRocca

for the last 18 months.

We've got video tapes,

we've got surveillance photos.

Am I in any of those videos?

No, no, no. Criminal activity.

The tapes aren't enough to convict him.

Apparently there's a lot

you don't know about Vince.

I mean, the last two people that saw him

in action kind of disappeared.

What do you mean,

"kind of disappeared"?

Well, we found a piece here

and a piece there.

But don't you worry.

Here, have a cup of coffee.

You're safe now and we're gonna see

that you stay that way. That's our job.

If you help us, we can help you.

If you testify against Vince

about what you saw,

we can put him away

for the rest of his life.

Are you crazy? You're telling me this guy's

a mad criminal and you want me to testify?

Do you know what's gonna happen?

- He'll track me down and kill me.

- Can I call you Deloris?

Call me anything

as long as you keep me alive.

We wouldn't put you at risk

if we couldn't protect you.

- Right.

- It'll only take a couple of months

to get a court date.

Just a couple of months?

Only a couple--?

Why not a year?

How about a couple of decades?

Two months. We hide you out,

then you testify.

No, no, no.

It's just for a little while.

Then you can come back.

Really? What are you gonna do?

Are you gonna stick me in a bag

and bury me? Forget it!

If you testify,

I'm gonna put you in the last place on earth

that Vince would ever look for you.

- Nice church, huh?

- Yeah, it's very nice.

Look, what am I gonna be,

Quasimodo in the bat belfry? What is this?

- I want you to stay here for a while.

- Where?

In the convent.

It's the safest place in the world.

You think Vince is gonna look for you

in a convent?

- In the what?

- The convent.

You must be out your-- I'm gonna go back

and work this out with Vince.

You're a lunatic. Put me in a damn

convent with these people.

These people don't even have sex!

Deloris, Vince has a contract

out on you for 1 00 grand.

You've seen what he can do.

That one bullet, that's all it's gonna take.

Look, let me explain something to you.

Vince knows people all over the place.

You realise that?

- He'll be looking for me everywhere.

- Everywhere but this convent!

- Oh, come on.

- Nobody knows you're here but me.

We're trying to get you a quick court date.

One month, two months tops.

I promise I'm gonna spring you

as fast as I can.

What am I gonna do here?

I'm gonna go crazy here.

There's nothing here but a lot

of white women dressed as nuns.

What am I gonna do here?

Pray.

Pray?

Yes, but, monsignor,

we are a small convent.

Surely there are more

appropriate places.

We can save this young woman's life

and imprison a parasite, all in one gesture.

My heart goes out to her, of course.

My concern would be

she might subject the convent to danger.

The Reno Police Department assures me

you'll be protected from any harm.

They've promised

to make a generous financial donation.

And as you know,

your small convent is in danger of closing.

Well, if they can afford

to be so generous, so can we.

Excuse me.

Absolutely not. I couldn't possibly!

Think of it this way, reverend mother.

She's an ideal prospect for rehabilitation.

That is not a person you can hide.

That is a conspicuous person

designed to stick out.

You have taken a vow of hospitality

to all in need.

I lied.

Lieutenant Souther,

everything is in order.

No, no, no, everything is not in order.

This woman does not like me.

Deloris, these are holy people.

They like everybody.

- This woman doesn't like me!

- One month, two months, tops.

No, forget it. I'm not staying here!

- Behave yourself.

- I'm not gonna stay here!

What is your name?

Deloris Van Cartier.

Is that your real name?

Yes. I happen to be a singer.

- Do sit down.

- Thank you.

Look, before we get started,

I just want to say that I really appreciate

what you're doing for me.

I know it must be

a huge inconvenience for you.

Yeah, so I just wanted

to say thank you upfront.

I also have always--

And I've said this to people.

I've always admired you people.

Nuns, I mean. You know.

You're so Catholic. You know?

I mean, look, you're married to the big JC.

I mean, you're his old lady, you know?

It's an amazing thing to me.

I mean, of course you must be saying,

"Well, it's much better than being

hooked up with some kind of two-timing--"

Please, do not smoke in here.

Oh, sorry, sorry. You know,

I get so nervous, I get worked up.

I just have-- I don't know. I'm sorry.

Look, Ms. Van Cartier, we have agreed

to conceal and protect you,

which we will do

to the best of our ability.

However it is essential

that you understand

that you are not in a sorority

or a speakeasy.

This is a convent. A religious order.

And there are certain rules

you must obey.

Saint Katherine's is a place

to commune and to pray.

And I will not tolerate any disruption

whatsoever with that communion.

Do you understand?

- Yes.

- Good.

But do you understand

I'm the victim here?

Do you understand I'm the good guy?

I mean, they just kind of threw me

in here with you nuns.

I mean, do you get that?

I'm the good guy.

I mean,

I saw a guy get his face blown off!

So why don't you just give me the key

to my room? I'll lay low.

You stay out of my face,

I'll stay out of your face.

And I will commune my little black ass

in that room.

Can you handle that?

- I think it's a very good idea.

- Thank you.

Well, it's almost lunchtime.

Perhaps you'd like to freshen up.

And you'll certainly want to change.

Hope you don't think

I'll wear what I wore in Catholic school.

No, siree.

No ugly green jumpers for me.

And those stupid clunky shoes.

Oh, this gold thing,

could you have it dry-cleaned for me?

Open the cabinet to your left.

You will find suitable attire.

Oh, cool.

Oh, no. No, no, no.

I can't do this. I'm sorry.

This is fine for covering a little bulge,

but now I've got holster hips.

People wish to kill you.

Anyone who's met you, I imagine.

A disguise is necessary

to protect us all.

While you are here,

you will conduct yourself as a nun.

Only I will know

who and what you truly are.

You will draw no attention

to yourself whatsoever.

But look at me! I'm a nun!

I'm a penguin!

As from now and until you leave,

you are Sister Mary Clarence.

Mary Clarence like Clarence Williams III

from The Mod Squad?

Mary is in deference to our Holy Mother.

The Clarence is in honour

of Saint Clarence of Concordia.

There are three vows

every nun must accept.

The vow of poverty, the vow of obedience,

and the vow of chastity.

I am out of here with that.

Oh, man.

Good afternoon, sisters.

I apologise for my tardiness.

I would like you to welcome a new member

to our house. Sister Mary Clarence.

Mary Clarence comes to us

from a somewhat progressive convent.

However she's eager

to embrace a more disciplined life

and I am sure will make every effort

to conform to our ways.

I'll do my best.

- Would you like to be seated?

- Thank you.

Yes, Mary Patrick?

Reverend mother, on behalf of

all of the sisters here at Saint Katherine's,

I'd like to offer a great, big "hi there

and hello" to Sister Mary Clarence. Hi.

And as part of the welcome,

I thought that maybe our new sister

could offer today's blessing.

That is very thoughtful of you,

Mary Patrick, but I really--

Oh, yeah, yeah, I could do that. Sure.

Bless us, O Lord, for these thy gifts

which we are about to receive.

And, yea, though I walk through the valley

of the shadow of no food,

I will fear no hunger.

We want you to give us this day

our daily bread

and to the republic for which it stands

and by the power invested in me,

I pronounce us ready to eat. Amen.

Amen.

Be seated.

Thank you.

What are you people?

This stuff is terrible! It tastes like sh--

Sisters, we shall spend

the rest of the day in silence.

Why?

Only when our lips are silent

may our prayers truly be answered.

Then you don't have to eat this food.

Silence begins now

and ends at sundown.

How can you eat this stuff? It's terrible.

Mary Clarence,

I think you might enjoy a ritual fast.

A ritual fa--?

No, no, no, I don't think I would.

I'll just put a little salt on it. It'll be fine.

Look. Pass me the salt over there.

A fast. To remind you of those

who must endure without food.

No, I don't want you to take my plate.

And silence.

How can you let them grill me

for six hours?

I can't control

how long they question you.

- Did you go to law school?

- Yes, I went to law school.

- Did you graduate?

- I'm a lawyer. Of course I graduated!

Hey, Vince.

Nice talking to you. See you in court.

You got nothing on me, Souther.

If you don't stop harassing me, I'm gonna--

What? You're gonna what?

Nothing, nothing, lieutenant.

What my client is trying to say--

Is that he's scared.

And you know what?

He should be. Real scared.

See you around, boys.

Something's going on.

He's so damn cocky.

He's bluffing, Vince.

Don't worry about it.

You find Deloris?

She's gone. We don't know where she is.

She hasn't been back to her place all day.

He's got Deloris.

We gotta get her back.

Fax her 8-by-10 to every contact we got.

- I can't hear this.

- Deloris Van Cartier.

Quarter of a mil, dead or alive.

This is your cell, Mary Clarence.

- My what?

- Your cell. Your room.

Oh, man.

No wonder you waited till now

to spring this on me.

It's like a nightmare.

Where's the rest of the furniture?

Our lives are simple. We have little need

for material possessions.

This is out of the Stone Age.

Where's the phone?

Who would you call?

I don't know. Satan?

Your cell is more than adequate.

Fine. What do we do now?

Pray? What?

It's 9:00. Pleasant dreams.

Wait! Are you telling me

we go to bed by 9?

If I were you, I would use this time

to think about my life and its direction.

Or lack thereof.

There's nothing wrong with my life.

Before I came here,

I had a career, I had friends.

I had clothing that fit.

Before I came here, I was okay.

Oh, really?

From what I've heard, your singing career

was almost nonexistent.

And your married lover wants you dead.

If you're fooling anyone,

it is only yourself.

God has brought you here.

Take the hint.

Mary Clarence?

What?

Up and at them.

We don't want to be late.

What time is it?

Well, it's almost 5, Sister Sleepyhead.

Five a.m.?

Get out of here. I just went to bed

20 minutes ago. Scram.

Come on, the sun is shining.

It's a beautiful day.

We are a small congregation

this morning.

Too many mornings.

Something has gone terribly wrong.

Where is faith? Where is celebration?

Where is everyone?

Still, rather than regret

the absence of our neighbours,

let us rejoice in the fellowship

of those present.

Our choir mistress,

Sister Mary Lazarus,

has informed me that our choir,

while always superior,

has been toiling especially hard

on this week's selection.

Sister.

There was a raid on a pawn shop

in L.A. this morning.

Place was fencing stolen property.

They found this.

Database hoods.

What a wonderful world, huh?

"Beloved daughter missing.

Reward of $250,000.

Please, find our adored angel.

We miss her so. Dead or alive."

Vince is getting desperate.

So where'd you stash her, Eddie?

Where did I stash who?

You're not even gonna tell us?

I wouldn't even tell the pope.

I'm not gonna get this.

This is a little too complicated for me.

Don't you worry, you'll get the hang of it.

I'll help you.

Thank you.

Are you always this cheerful?

Am I?

All right, I am. I know it.

I can't help it. I've always been upbeat.

Optimistic, perky.

Even as a child, my mother used to say,

"That girl is pure sunshine.

She'll either grow up to be a nun

or a stewardess."

Coffee?

- Enough about me. What about you?

- Yes, what convent did you come from?

I came from the convent

of the Sisters of the Moonlite in Reno.

Oh, I love Reno.

- You do?

- Yes.

Well, you would have loved us.

We were a kind of pioneering order.

You know, we'd never wear any kind of

habit this tight, though. This is really tight.

Oh, I must say, our habits

do cut you at the neck just a bit.

Hear, hear!

That's enough jabber.

Vanity. A progressive convent?

Sounds awful.

I liked my convent in Vancouver.

Out in the woods. Wasn't all modern

like some of these newfangled convents.

We didn't have electricity.

Cold water, bare feet. Those were nuns.

Sounds wonderful.

It was hell on earth. I loved it.

This place is a Hilton.

Sister Mary Clarence,

when did you get your call?

What call?

Oh, the call, the call!

I didn't know which call you meant.

I was working in Reno

when I got the call.

And you don't know how hard it is

to get a call until you've worked in Reno.

We ministered to

a lot of different kinds of people.

Newlyweds, hookers, gamblers.

What a joy. How fulfilling to be able

to get right in there with your hands

and work with the people.

- And Reno. It's probably bursting with sin.

- It was. That's why I had to leave.

I mean, we had a hooker living next door

called Buckwheat Bertha who would--

Sister Mary Clarence,

could I have a word with you?

- Who, me?

- Yes, you.

Yeah. Excuse me.

Get on with your work.

- Quickly, please.

- I was just talking to them.

Precisely. Enough chatter. Chores.

Yeah, I need to talk to Eddie Souther.

Yeah, it's an emergency.

- Souther.

- Eddie, Eddie, Eddie.

You gotta get me out of here.

Deloris, you can't call me here.

Somebody's gonna catch on

to where you are.

But I'm going insane here.

All these people do is work and pray.

Work and pray. That's all they do.

Calm down. Look, I didn't want to

tell you this, we got some problems here.

What kind of problems?

What do you mean, problems?

Keeping our witnesses alive.

There's a leak in the department

and some of them end up dead.

- What?!

- Just sit tight.

You don't seem to understand

what I'm saying.

I am in a nightmare. This is my nightmare.

It's a nightmare, man. Get me out of here.

I mean it. Don't call me.

It's not safe. I'll be in touch.

Hello? Hello?

Yeah?

I brought you something.

My brother gave it to me

when I was a little girl.

I could never seem to get up on time.

I set it for 5.

Out of bed, you daisy head.

It always made me laugh.

Out of bed, you daisy head.

I thought being away

from your convent

that even someone like you

could get lonely.

Have a seat.

- So which one are you?

- Mary Robert.

You have a little trouble getting up

at 5:00 too, Mary Robert?

Oh, not now. I get up a half an hour early

just to make sure.

It's not just the mornings.

It's that, all my life,

everybody seems to be doing

or catching on to things

a second faster or better than me.

Yeah, well, everybody's

playing catch-up nowadays.

So, Mary Robert.

Did you always want to be a nun?

I always knew that was my calling,

to lead a life of service, but, you see,

I've always felt that there's something

inside me that I want to give.

Something that's only me

and nobody else.

Does that sound like a terrible thing?

Like pride?

No, doesn't sound

like a terrible thing at all.

I'm so happy that you've come

to join us, Mary Clarence.

You know how sometimes it's as if

you have to be yourself or you'll just burst?

Yep, I do.

- Goodnight.

- Goodnight, Mary Robert.

Out of bed, you daisy head.

- Hey, wait up.

- Hey.

Nice tattoo.

Hey, sister.

This jukebox got anything on it

from The Sound Of Music?

- Wanna dance, sister?

- Why? You don't have any rhythm.

Young man,

take your foot down off that stool.

Now have a seat. Have a seat.

May I have a Coke, please?

What are you doing in here?

What are you guys doing here?

Look, you have to go. You have to go.

Oh, never mind. Go, go.

Just go that way. Just go that way.

Sister, expecting any more

of your friends?

Now, you guys wanna tell me

what you're doing here?

I thought that you might be

ministering to the winos,

the way that you did in your convent

in Reno, and I thought I could help.

And I saw her leave and it was very late,

so I followed.

What are you doing here?

I'm here to see a man

about a car for the convent.

- Really?

- Did you get it?

No, I didn't. And I'm gonna get you

out of here. Come on, come on, come on.

Oh, a jukebox! Oh, one song.

- Do you have a quarter?

- No, no, no.

Come on, he does, all right.

It'll come back to you tenfold. Thanks.

Hurry up. Hurry up.

I love this song.

One dance. I'll be right back.

Come on, come on, come on.

- No!

- Yes, yes, yes. Good night.

- Come on. Let's go, go.

- I love this song.

We had a lovely time. We'll be back.

- Yes, we will. Good night.

- Thank you. Bless you.

This turns into a nuns' bar,

I'm out of here.

- I can't breathe.

- Just come on, come on.

Stop the giggling. Let's go.

The sisters have made clear to me

that they followed you of their own volition.

But they would never have ventured out

at all at night

had it not been for your example.

Listen, they just don't want to be stuck

behind these walls all the time.

These walls are the only

protection they have.

The streets are no longer safe for them.

And they are certainly not safe for you.

These robes no longer protect our sisters.

The walls do.

I'm sorry.

You really do care about them,

don't you?

Yes, I do.

And I care about you and your life.

I shall ask Monsignor O'Hara

and Lieutenant Souther

to find a safer and more suitable

situation for you.

Oh, no, come on.

Don't send me away. Really.

I'm just starting to get the hang of this.

I mean, look, I'm not gonna endanger

anyone or anything else, I swear.

What about forgiveness?

lsn't that what you preach?

There's gotta be something around here

that I can do

that's not gonna chip my nails

or annoy anybody.

You're right, Mary Clarence.

To err is human, to forgive divine.

You may stay.

But I shall restrict your activities

to a single task.

What's that?

Singing. You will join the choir.

Choir? No.

You will sleep and you will sing.

That will be your task until you leave.

No. The choir?

I mean, have you heard them?

The choir, Mary Clarence.

Is this the choir rehearsal?

Sure is. Come in and sing a spell.

- Soprano or alto?

- Whatever.

Thanks.

- Hi there.

- Hello, sister.

Crown him with many crowns

The lamb upon his throne

All kingdoms of the--

Mary Clarence, are you with us?

I don't know this one.

I'd better sit this one out. Excuse me.

Reverend Mother says Mary Clarence

has a background in music.

Really, Mary Clarence?

Were you a choir mistress?

- Sort of freelance.

- Freelance? Really?

You don't think I see? You think I took

vows yesterday? I know what you're up to.

- You and Reverend Mother.

- What?

You're a ringer. She brought you here

to replace me. Out with the old.

Oh, could you help us, Mary Clarence?

Mary Lazarus, you're terrific,

but we could really use some help.

- Please, you've heard us.

- We're terrible.

Please, would you do something for us,

please?

Well, there's a word for this. Mutiny.

So, Mary Clarence,

you think you can do better?

I believe I'd like to see that.

Go ahead, sister. Make them sing.

Okay.

Where are the basses?

Oh, you should be over here.

And the altos? Where are you?

Sister, why don't you join them?

And, sopranos, where are you?

Oh, you've got to come down this way.

All right.

Basses, I want you to give me a D.

Altos, I want you to do a third above that.

Give me an F sharp.

And sopranos, give me an A.

Let me have Sister Alma

play it one time

so we all know what we're going to do

and we'll go from there.

Sister, will you give me

those notes, please?

Okay? On three. One, two, three.

Okay, okay, okay.

Very, very nice.

Sister, would you come

over here, please?

Just slide right in here for me, please.

Right here.

- That's a powerful instrument you have.

- Thank you.

But I think it's probably a good idea

if we bring you down out of the rafters.

I mean, everybody wants

to be close to God.

I'm just not sure you can do it vocally.

Okay? So I need you to sing an octave

below where you've been singing.

Okey-dokey.

And Sister Mary Robert,

could you come stand over here, please?

Yeah, come on over.

I noticed that you're moving your mouth,

but nothing's coming out.

So I'd like to just hear you by yourself,

if you don't mind.

Sister Alma,

could you give me an A, please?

Alma.

Check your battery.

Give me an A, please.

Okay. Wait.

Try this. Close your eyes.

Visualise yourself

in a room full of people.

Lots of silverware, people dropping stuff,

talking loud, drunks.

Women with trays going,

"What are you gonna have?"

Your voice has to carry over the din.

You have to get up over all of that

to be heard in the back of the room

where I'm sitting, listening,

straining to hear you. Okay?

Keep that in your mind when we do this.

Sister.

We call that an A with an attitude.

That's what you need.

You have to put attitude in what you sing.

Have to think

about what you're singing.

It's not just quacking. This is rejoicing.

You are singing to the Lord.

Let's review those notes again

and see if we can put it together. Sister.

Basses. Altos, sopranos.

On three. One, two, three.

Oh, we did it.

We actually sang a chord.

That was exciting.

Yeah, you sang a chord

for two seconds.

The next thing you have to learn how to do

is listen to each other.

That's a big key. Big key.

You must listen to each other

if you're going to be a group.

I knew that.

Mary Lazarus, as soon as I walked

in the door, I knew that you knew this.

Now, you're somebody who's

into hard work and discipline, aren't you?

- Of course, I'm a nun. Four popes now.

- Four?

- How often do they rehearse?

- Twice a week, couple hours.

Not enough. I mean, listen to them.

They really need a lot of work.

They gotta rehearse every day.

She's good.

Well, do you think

they really could get better?

- I don't know. They're pretty raw.

- Wet behind the ears.

Oh, please, let us try.

- This is gonna be hell.

- Tell me about it.

Welcome this Sunday morning,

oh, ye few but faithful.

The choir, I'm told, has elected

a new director, Sister Mary Clarence,

who will lead them

in "Hail, Holy Queen."

- What do you think's going on up there?

- I don't know, man.

Hallelujah!

Girl groups? Boogie-woogie on the piano?

What were you thinking?

I was thinking more like Vegas.

You know, get some butts in the seats.

And what next? Popcorn, curtain calls?

This is not a theatre or a casino.

Yeah, but that's the problem.

See, people like going to theatres

and they like going to casinos.

But they don't like coming to church, why?

Because it's a drag.

But we can change all that.

See, we could pack this joint.

Through blasphemy?

You have corrupted the entire choir.

Excuse me. Excuse me. Excuse me.

How can you say that?

I worked my butt off with these women!

They've given up their free time to do this

and they're good.

I mean, sister, we could rock this place!

Out of the question.

As of tomorrow, Mary Lazarus

resumes her leadership of the choir.

Come in!

Reverend Mother,

I just wanted to congratulate you.

I haven't enjoyed Mass this much in years.

What a marvellous program.

Innovative, inspiring.

You're to be commended.

I can't wait till next Sunday

when the choir performs again.

Did you see the people

walk in off the street?

That music, that heavenly music.

Reverend Mother, it called to them.

It did?

I must tell the archbishop.

I'll send him a personal letter

describing your efforts,

your bold new fight

to keep your little convent alive.

And you must also include this. This is

something she would never tell you herself,

because this is the kind

of woman she is.

Sisters, she wants us to go out into

the neighbourhood and meet the people.

- Oh, this woman.

- Oh, bless her.

There are so many problems out there

that we could maybe help with.

I mean,

that's why many of us became nuns.

Oh, it's really marvellous,

Reverend Mother.

There's a lot we could do for them

besides pray, sister.

You're a pioneer.

Monsignor, surely you realise

how dangerous this neighbourhood is.

And you will face that danger head-on.

- As if I could stop you.

- You couldn't.

You have my complete support

in this matter.

Anything you can do to revitalise

this neighbourhood would be a blessing.

Don't you just love her?

Yes.

Yes, the failing convent at

Saint Katherine's has truly come alive

thanks to the efforts of its popular choir.

What an amazing turnaround story.

This convent was once alienated

from its surrounding neighbours.

- Now, as you can see, its doors are open...

- Vinny, get over here.

--establishing facilities like a daycare

centre and a food kitchen for the homeless.

- As a matter of fact...

- Vin, you gotta see these cute nuns.

I'm shooting pool!

Babe, we should send them money.

They're do-gooders.

--attribute this reach-out philosophy

to a new addition to the convent

Sister Mary Clarence,

who, unfortunately, is a little camera shy.

I'm gonna kill her.

I'm gonna kill her myself.

In related news, the pope visits the U.S.

And we'll have more on that in a moment.

- Good morning.

- Thank you so much.

- Good morning, monsignor.

- Good morning.

- Good to see you.

- Good morning.

Hey, hey, you looking for me?

What you doing here?

- How come I saw you on TV?

- That was not my fault.

These people just showed up.

But it's been really good for the convent.

You're supposed to be hiding out.

Remember?

Bullets flying through the air at you?

- Ring a bell?

- Yes.

But I can't talk about it now.

I have a show in five minutes.

Listen to yourself.

This is not a career opportunity.

You don't have to tell me that.

This would not be the place

to begin a career.

Hey, just promise me I won't see you

on the Letterman show, okay?

Okay.

Hey, I'm worried about you.

I don't want to see anything happen to you.

Okay. You gonna come to the show?

Yeah. I'd love to.

This Sunday's hymn is inspired

by the lesson of Mary Magdalene.

Now, Mary Magdalene

was a young lady with a past.

Oh, yes.

And she was no stranger to sin.

She was no stranger

to practically anybody.

Many condemned her.

The whole neighbourhood, in fact.

But one man refused to do so.

One man said,

"Hey, now. Hold on. Wait a minute.

Listen to the girl's story."

- Hail, girls.

- Hail, Mary. What's up?

Well, Jerusalem's become a real drag.

Everybody hates me.

Not that guy over there.

Who, him? They all say he's different.

They say he's really weird.

We don't care what people say.

To us, he's always there.

Really?

Let's take it home, ladies.

Give them some of

that deep shoulder action.

- Ladies, ladies, you were fantastic.

- Sisters, you did good.

Oh, I'm so excited.

I can't wait till Sunday when we sing.

- I'd rather sing than do anything.

- It's better than ice cream.

- It's better than springtime.

- It's better than sex.

No, I've heard, you know.

Sisters, you're truly an inspiration.

And I've asked you here because

I bear remarkable news.

Now, try to remain calm.

What I'm about to say

is nothing short of a miracle.

Well, I didn't believe it myself at first.

Monsignor, for goodness' sake,

what is it?

Oh, I'm sorry, sister. It's just that it's so

momentous, I'm still adjusting to the shock.

The pope, the pope himself, has heard

of our choir here at Saint Katherine's.

And when he visits San Francisco

next weekend,

despite his inordinately busy schedule,

he's requested a special concert here

on Sunday night.

No, no!

Oh, I'm dying, I'm dying.

Oh, sisters.

Oh, sisters, this is indeed glorious news.

Oh, monsignor,

we're both humbled and honoured.

And on such a supremely

solemn occasion,

I do feel a traditional program

would be best.

You mean, traditional like the old way?

We're speaking of His Holiness,

Mary Clarence,

not a neighbourhood block party.

The pontiff commands

the utmost respect and humility.

Your more secular entertainments

would be totally out of place.

But, Reverend Mother,

everyone loves our new style.

It's brought people back to the church.

And that's why he's coming, because

we're doing something new and different.

Well, I feel this can be settled

by a simple vote.

- A vote?

- Of course, Mary Clarence.

A convent is not a police state.

I'm sure the sisters

are more than capable

of reaching a mature

and dignified consensus.

Right. Now all those in favour

of performing a program

of time-honoured, sacred music,

a truly spiritual repertoire,

raise your hands.

All those in favour of allowing

Mary Clarence

to select a more worldly program,

however inappropriate, raise your hands.

The majority has spoken.

Reverend Mother, as always, you're a true

leader. Gracious and understanding.

It's gonna be wonderful, Reverend Mother.

You'll see.

I'm sure the presentation

will be a great success.

Congratulations, Mary Clarence.

And congratulations to you all.

His Holiness.

Now, we've got to get busy.

Come in.

You sent for me?

- You have a phone call.

- From who?

Lieutenant Souther.

Hello.

Hey, Deloris, great news.

I pulled some strings.

The judge agreed to move up the trial.

We'll be in court in a couple days.

Really? That soon?

In 48 hours, you're a free woman.

Oh, that's great.

Yeah, that's great.

Hey, well, don't thank me or anything.

No, it is. No, thank you.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Thank you.

Yeah. All right. Bye.

Well, seems like your prayers

have been answered.

Gonna be out of here in a week.

I'm leaving.

- You're leaving?

- Yeah.

- That makes two of us.

- What do you mean?

I have submitted my resignation

to Monsignor O'Hara. Privately.

I've asked to be relocated

as soon as possible.

But why?

I must go where I can be of use.

But there's still

so much to be done here.

Look, if it's about me,

I'm gonna be gone.

Indeed. And after how long?

A few weeks?

I have been here for years.

Well, too long, I suppose.

I've become somewhat obsolete.

But you don't have to continue

being obsolete.

Look, everything that's happening here

is a good thing.

- Sister, you can still be part of it.

- Part of what?

Mary Clarence, it is one thing

to rabble-rouse,

to sweep into town

and declare a holiday.

You've raised the sisters' expectations.

You've excited and confused them.

They imagine this neighbourhood to be

some sort of delightful ongoing bake sale.

Now, you and I know things

are not so simple.

There'll be disappointments

and rude shocks.

And you will have vanished.

How fortunate.

Look, I just got things going.

You are a formidable woman.

You could keep this going.

Could I?

Even if I wanted to, no.

I fear I am a relic.

And I have misplaced my tambourine.

- Good day, Mary Clarence.

- But, sister--

Good day.

Don't peek.

Don't peek. Ready?

Crazy women. What have you done?

What is this?

- It's ice cream.

- I know that, but--

Well, it's a great big cuddly bear hug

of a thank-you from us to you.

Not thank you to me. Thank you to you.

I mean, when did you do this?

This is a sin. It's a wicked indulgence.

Didn't they have any butter pecan?

- Hope Reverend Mother doesn't catch us.

- Yeah, let's keep it down.

Is there any syrup?

Mary Clarence, this morning in prayers,

I thanked God for bringing you to us.

Since you've come,

everything has just happened.

Our choir is famous, for one.

We could cut a demo.

I could learn guitar.

Yeah, anything is possible.

- God works in mysterious ways.

- That's true.

You know, anything could happen.

I mean, any one of us could be transferred

out of here at any given time.

Are you leaving us?

No. Come on, no.

What are you talking about?

No, we're always gonna be together.

That's what Diana Ross said.

- Listen, that was a trio. We're a quartet.

- It's true.

Just missed him.

Souther just stepped out.

I need his signature on some things.

This stuff can't be processed

without him.

Well, just leave it here, Henry.

I'll make sure he signs it when he comes in.

We found her.

Beautiful work. What's the address?

It's Church Street at 29th

in San Francisco.

- Thought you were gone.

- Got all the way to the car, no keys.

Tate said to leave

the money vouchers with him.

He said you'd sign them later.

Here's our leak, boys. Plug him up!

Get him out of here. Let's go, Tate.

The pope. Tomorrow.

Oh, my gosh, I'll be so nervous.

What if I forget the words?

You're gonna go straight to hell.

I'm kidding, I'm kidding. I'm sorry.

Come on, sisters.

Rehearsal in five minutes.

- Go to rehearsal. I'll be there in a minute.

- Right.

One, two, three and slide.

Sister, take over now.

One, two, three, together.

- Oh, come in.

- Where's Deloris?

- Is something wrong?

- They know she's here.

Oh, my goodness.

She's upstairs with the choir.

- Deloris.

- Hi.

Look, Vince knows you're here.

We gotta get out now.

I can't.

We sing for the pope tomorrow.

You're gonna be singing for Saint Peter

if you don't get your ass out of here now.

But I...

I can't do this. I can't leave.

It's like I'm deserting them.

Hey, I think they'll understand.

No, you don't understand.

They need me.

They need you? A bunch of nuns?

What for? Moral guidance?

- What, makeup tips?

- Let me tell you something.

We are talking about the pope.

This means a great deal to them.

And they have worked very hard for this

and they deserve it.

Where are you going?

- Where are you going?

- I am going to the little nuns' room, nosy!

There you are!

We've been looking for you.

- Rehearsal's about to start.

- Okay. Let's go.

- Surprise.

- Guess who.

- Rehearsal's this way, sister.

- Hey, Deloris.

- Hi. Yeah.

- All right, all right.

- What? Who are they?

- Reno scum.

Come on, man!

Come on, come on, let's go.

All right, all right.

Where are we going?

Your sister here's

got a special command performance.

Yeah, back at the Moonlite Lounge.

Look, why don't you just let her go?

She doesn't have anything to do with this.

Oh, yeah, sure.

So she can run right to the cops, huh?

Look, you just go with the flow, okay?

Relax. You do what I tell you.

Go!

- She's getting away.

- You don't have to worry about her.

- You got the one you came for.

- She's right. Let's go.

- Are you all right? It's okay, I'm a cop.

- They've got Mary Clarence and guns.

- Where are they taking her?

- The Moonlite Lounge.

- Come on, get out of the street.

- Okay.

- You mean they kidnapped her?

- Yes, two men. And they had guns.

Why would anyone kidnap a nun?

Were they Catholics?

She isn't a nun. She's a lounge singer.

Her real name is Deloris Van Cartier.

She witnessed a vicious crime

and has been hiding in our convent.

- She isn't a nun?

- She lied to us?

- But she was such a wonderful nun.

- Look what she did with the choir.

- She made us sing beautifully.

- That should have tipped us.

Well, I don't care who she is.

We can't sing without her!

She's our inspiration.

Reverend Mother. Please, I know that you

and Mary Clarence didn't always agree,

- but we've gotta help her, please.

- We must save her.

We can't leave it up to the feds.

Calm down, calm down. Mary Robert.

Think clearly. Have you any idea

who these two men were?

Yes, they were from Reno and

they're taking her to the Moonlite Lounge.

Reno, Nevada.

Mary Emmanuel,

tell the monsignor the situation.

- Yes, mother.

- The rest of you, follow me.

It's 1 ,500 for the run to Reno.

That's 500 less than I normally charge.

But we don't have $1 ,500.

Well, then I can't fly you there.

I'm sorry.

Look, I'm sorry. I've got some things

I have to check out here.

Father, do not blame this young pilot

for abandoning us in our hour of need.

When he stands before you on the day of

judgement, do not send straight him to hell.

Please, do not treat him with

the same disregard that he's treated us.

Just because he can't show

charity to nuns,

try not to leave him without rewards

when he asks for them.

We know it is easier

to answer the prayers

of a man who has answered

the prayers of others,

but if he should come to you

for relief of pain--

Such as rheumatoid arthritis,

loss of hair, neck polyps.

Don't leave him bald

and yowling in despair.

Watch over him

as he refuses to watch over us.

If you cannot, we know that you

will have done your best.

- What goes around comes around.

- Sisters, sisters.

Hold on a second.

What did you think you were doing

running to the cops, Deloris? Hiding out?

Big no-no, babe.

Bet you're sorry now.

I'm sorry for all my sins, Vince.

And I'm sorry for yours.

I loved you, Deloris.

I gave you everything.

My affection, my time, a big-time career.

And how do you repay me?

What's the thanks I get?

Where's the loyalty?

You shouldn't have done that to me, babe.

You'll be judged. We all will.

I don't get judged.

Vince, she's been acting weird

since we picked her up.

It's like she's scared of nothing.

She's scared.

Tell the boys how scared you are.

I forgive you, Vince.

Waste her.

It's beautiful!

And what a lovely name. Reno.

And Gomorrah!

She was this doll.

She used to wear fruit on her head and go:

- Excuse me, Vince.

- Yeah.

It's done?

Not totally.

- What's the problem?

- Vince, we can't waste a nun.

What are you nuts talking about?

It's Deloris in a costume.

Well, Vince, how do you know

she didn't join up

and become a real nun

when she was there?

Things like this happen.

Because I know this woman in the biblical

sense and she ain't no nun.

Now, I don't want to hear any more of this

Go in there and do it.

Just don't come back till it's over.

- Okay.

- It's done.

- Okay, we go one, two, three, shoot.

- Wait.

We don't go one, two,

and shoot on three?

Get over there.

One, two, three.

- You didn't shoot.

- Neither did you.

- I figured if you did, I wouldn't have to.

- That's what I figured.

Sisters, come on!

Deloris, we got it all worked out.

- Strip.

- What?

Come on, come on.

Take off the nun thing.

Yeah, yeah, the nun thing.

- What is she doing?

- Oh, my God. She's praying.

Lord, I want you to forgive

Willy and Joey.

Because they know not what they do.

They're only doing

what Vince told them to do.

Because Vince is too chicken

to do it himself.

So he's called upon these two men

to take care of his business.

So I want you to forgive them, Lord.

- Amen.

You all right? You all right?

- Go find Vince.

- Right.

Wait, wait, wait! Oh, my goodness.

There it is. The Moonlite Lounge.

Brace yourself, sisters.

Spread out and look for Mary Clarence.

Try to blend in.

Hi. Excuse me. Sorry.

Has anyone seen a nun?

A Carmelite nun? No? Sure?

No, she's not really a nun.

She's just posing as a nun.

It was a great shock to us--

Excuse me. Excuse me.

I'm sorry. Excuse me.

Place your bets.

Red 23.

Are you sure? How do you know?

- Red 23.

- Me too.

- Works for me.

- I'm on it.

Red 14.

I was just trying

to teach you all a lesson.

Oh, excuse me!

Sister Mary Ignatius!

Follow me.

Block off the street.

- But don't move in until I tell you.

- Okay.

- What are you doing here?

- We're saving you.

Mary Clarence, you're safe.

Come on, move, move.

Break! Now!

- Joey.

- Vinny. There's a thousand nuns here.

- What do we do?

- You go to the left. You go to the right.

- I'll go down the middle.

- All right.

Place your bets. Place your bets.

Hey, babe.

Yes, sweetheart?

Seal off the exits

and get ready to move in.

There's another way out.

Let's go. Come. Excuse us.

Move in now.

- I can't see a thing.

- Willy, hit the lights!

Freeze!

Everybody!

Joey.

Where is she?

I'm right here. I'm here.

Leave them alone.

They don't have anything to do with it.

I'm here.

Calm down.

Joey, do it.

I can't, Vince. She's still a nun.

She's a broad, you got it? Just a broad.

I guarantee you she is no broad.

She is Sister Mary Clarence

of Saint Katherine's Convent.

She's a model of generosity,

virtue and love.

You have my word for it, gentlemen.

She is a nun.

You hear that?

Now, aren't you glad we didn't shoot her?

- Don't shoot!

- Drop it.

- Let's go.

Guns down. Drop it, okay?

You all right? You okay?

Oh, God.

I'm shot! Watch the arm!

Are you okay? I'm sorry.

Things got kind of out of hand.

Oh, just kind of out of hand?

Boy, am I glad you're a much better shot

than you are a protector.

But...

Thank you.

- All right, come on.

- I was good to you.

We had a great thing!

You sang in a hotel! Badly!

How could you betray me like this?!

- You are nothing!

- Get him out of here.

- I got two words for you, Vince.

- Mary Clarence.

Bless you.

Let's go.

- Come on.

- Hey!

I hold you responsible for all of this.

For introducing a lounge act

into my convent.

For utterly disrupting our lives

and exposing us to mortal danger.

Thank you.

No, no, thank you. Thank you all.

I'm really gonna miss you guys.

We thought you were a nun, Deloris.

Van Cartier.

Sisters, we have a concert to do.

- I thought you were leaving.

- We can't both of us leave.

Sister Act (1992) - full transcript