Sorority Girl (1957) - full transcript

If
everything could only start

at the beginning again,

then I can stop what
I've already done.

It's terrible to be hated
the way people hate me.

My life seems like
that nightmare

which always haunted me.

Sabra?

Are you all right?

That scream you let
out sounded like

you were being murdered.

It's all right, it's
all over now.



It's all over.

Here.

This will help.

Huh?

Every time, every
time I take a nap,

that same dream.

Nobody's trying to hurt you.

Stop that.

Keep your hands off me.

Don't you have something to do?

Anything?

I only wanted to make
you feel better.

Why, Ellie?

What do you want?



Don't tell me you care about me,

and you don't want anything.

I haven't seen it yet.

Look at you.

Look at yourself.

Look at your hair.

What's the matter with it?

It's dirty.

Oh, stop feeling sorry
for yourself.

I'll admit I'm not as
pretty as you are,

but I do try to take
care of myself.

That is not the point.

I just wished you'd do
something more

and stop crawling all over me.

Here, pledge.

Want to do something,
wash these.

And don't come back
until your hair is clean.

Ellie
irritated me, she was stupid.

She did anything I told her to.

I despised her for it.

Hi.

Oh, hello.

I thought you were going
into town this afternoon.

I am.

You're about the most secretive
person I've ever known.

What do you mean?

That little case of yours,

you never leave it open
for more than 10 seconds.

Always locking it up tight,

like an old miser would a safe.

Does that bother you?

Yes, it does.

What's so important that you
have to hide so carefully.

Makes me feel as if I'm
rooming with an enemy agent.

It's just some personal
things, that's all.

It's really none of
your business.

Okay.

Rita, oh Andy's going to
give me another tennis lesson.

Do you want to join us?

I'd love to, Terry, but I can't.

Mort wants to discuss
my campaign.

Politics.

Okay then, but next week for
sure, after you're elected.

If, you mean.

But you know the student
body can't do without you.

It
was always the same,

everyone else kept
together, leaving me alone,

even though I had a
shiny new car to drive.

I would've traded places
with any one of them.

Goodbye, girls.

Have a nice time.

Hi, Rita.

Can I give you a lift into town?

No thanks, I feel like walking.

Okay, suit yourself.

Which is all right
up to a point.

I knock on the door and
this big blonde comes.

Rita.

Ladies and gentlemen,
your attention please.

Unaccustomed though I am
to be of all introductions,

sentimental testimonials,
commercial sponsoring

of local beauties,
indiscriminate support

of women's equality and
what have you.

I should like to take
this opportunity

to present to you
distinguished members

of Yonder Institute of
Higher Eradication.

Here here!

- Not yet.
- Oh.

The next president of
your student body,

the new dispenser of political
spoils, Miss Rita Joyce.

Hooray.

Thank you,
discriminating voters.

Hi, Tina.

Missed you at the
meeting this morning.

I'm sorry, but I had
to study for an exam.

What happened with
the blonde in the door,

finish the story.

Later, later you guys,
got a VIP here.

Gotta treat her right.

What's wrong with Tina?

Oh, miseries, comes from
being a pledge.

Stop, you know Chi Sigma
pledges are treated right.

Yeah, you got the speech?

Right here.

Let me take that
outside and read it.

You don't look like you're
feeling very well, Tina.

I'm not.

What's wrong?

I've got a headache.

Gee, that's a shame.

You take an aspirin?

Yes.

If you'd like, I'll
take over for you

the rest of the afternoon.

No, thanks anyhow.

Rita?

I hope you feel better.

Rita?

What is it, Tina?

Never mind.

What did you think?

Too serious.

Too serious?

Much.

You know what college
kids are interested in?

As a group?

Two things, beer and laughs.

Why do you think this
place is such a success?

Certainly ain't my paintings.

People are interested
in a lot of things.

Books, events, ideas.

See what I mean,
beer and laughs.

That stuff you got in
there about eliminating

discrimination at the
university level,

democratizing the
fraternity system,

that's all very fine
but who cares?

I care.

You do, don't you?

Rita, the secret of life
is not to become involved.

Beer and laughs.

Or maybe the braunschweiger
sandwich too now and then,

you know they are very good.

The specialty of the
house, they leave a lump

right here all night.

I thought you were
going to help me.

I will.

But the speeches you have,
baby, now if you want

to keep it serious, okay.

I'll merely verse you in
the practical politics

of stuffing the ballot box.

Remind me to tell you some
time how I won the election.

That was in my youth,
of course, good old days

of Scott University.

Gentlemen, a toast.

Beer and laughs.

Beer and laughs.

Terry, that's just beautiful.

Where'd you get that pattern?

Oh, at McCall?

Well, it was
three dollars a yard,

that's pretty expensive.

Yeah, but just think
if you bought it ready-made,

how much it would've cost.

I said the
material was expensive.

It's all right.

You look at this,
cost 85 dollars.

Now, if I could handle
a needle, I'd tear it.

The only difference
is the styling.

Yours is much more
sophisticated.

Well, that's only a
matter of taste.

All right, girls, dinner.

Oh, Sabra.

Your mother's here to visit you.

She is?

Yes, and she wants to
have dinner with you.

I promised I'd have you phone
her as soon as you returned.

She's at the hotel.

Thank you, Mrs. Fessenden.

Sabra?

How does it look on me?

Oh it looks fine, but you.

How
could Ellie ever look good

in a dress like that?

Someone had to tell
her the truth.

It's time we drop the charade.

What do you mean?

You didn't come down
here to see me.

Well certainly I did.

Sabra, what do I have
to do to convince you

that I care about you?

A lot more than you have.

I know I haven't been
perfect, but I am your mother.

I know how to spell it,
but what does it mean?

It means that there's a
very close bond between us.

Since your father died,
I've felt the responsibility

more than ever.

Now there's just you and me,

we've got to hang on
tightly to each other.

And to the estate?

That too, of course.

Most of which will be mine.

Why don't you say what
you mean, Sabra?

More pepper?

Yes.

You flew down here
just to see me?

There's something
wrong with that?

Should I apologize?

I rather hoped you'd be glad.

Mother, you wouldn't
walk two blocks to see me.

Maybe you mean that you
wouldn't walk two blocks

to see me.

Now we're both
speaking the truth.

You're a brat the day you
were born, it was in your eyes.

Heredity, your genes I guess.

Don't kid yourself.

The only thing you've
inherited is money.

Dad's contribution.

Except it's not yours yet.

For a while, at least, I still
control the purse strings.

Why did you fly down, mother?

I brought your allowance check.

I saw no purpose whatever
in mailing it.

I hope you have enough clothes,
dear,

because that's what
lifestyle tend to right.

For now on, you can do without.

I hate you.

What a pity when I
love you so much.

Oh well.

Someday, mother, someday.

Are you leaving, dear?

Do you want me to stay?

What a
fool mother was

to think she can punish me.

I didn't get money from her,
I'd still get it somewhere.

Who is it?

It's me, Ellie.

Come on in.

Well?

I've got your clothes.

Okay.

They're all pressed.

Thanks.

Would you hang them
in the closet?

The skirt was easy, but
the dress took a while.

I had to be very careful.

Ellie, leave me alone.

Hey?

Come on, stay a while.

Thanks, I will.

I've been going
crazy in my room.

Yeah?

It's Tina.

She's been crying and
moping around all day.

What's her problem?

I don't know, maybe
she's in love with Mort.

How's your love life, Ellie?

Well, yesterday in
the cafeteria...

Ellie, you know there's really.

Did you do your
exercises this morning?

I was going to but.

Oh Ellie, you're impossible,
impossible!

I thought you wanted to do
something with yourself.

Look at you.

Well? Well don't you?

You know, if you don't
help yourself,

I'll just have to do
it for you, that's all.

Here, you can wash these.

Besides, it's good
for your figure.

I've got an exam tomorrow.

You're not refusing, are you?

No, but...

You want to go active?

One vote from me and you're out.

Fine.

I'll wash them.

That's better.

Hi, Ellie.

Hello, Terry.

Hey,
expensive-looking stockings.

They're not mine,
they're Sabra's.

They're Sabra's?

Yes.

And you're washing them?

Yes, but.

You know the regulations, Ellie.

Pledges aren't supposed to do
personal tasks for actives.

I offered to, it wasn't
Sabra's fault.

I wish I could believe
you, but I know Sabra.

She's done this before.

Hand me these.

Are these your stockings?

You're supposed to knock.

I caught Ellie washing them.

So?

You know very well
you're not supposed

to make the pledges wash
your personal things.

I didn't make her.

You're a liar.

That's not very nice.

Terry, don't you have
something better to do

than to make a federal case
out of every little thing?

Don't slam the door too hard.

Sabra?

From now on, don't talk so much.

I just can't get the baby.

I can't have a baby.

I can't have a baby.

I can't.

Sabra?

What's up?

I've got something to
tell you, but it's a secret.

What is it?

Promise not to tell anybody?

Well.

You remember last night
when I told you

about how Tina was
crying and moping around?

So?

She's in real trouble.

She's pregnant.

How do you know?

I heard her say so.

When?

Last night in her sleep,
she was crying

and mumbling and I heard her.

- Are you sure of this?
- Positive.

She say anything else?

No, I listened very hard,

and she didn't mention
any names or anything.

You know, if the other
girls find out about this,

it'll be a real scandal.

Listen, let's get one
thing straight.

This is a secret, huh?

And it's going to
remain a secret.

Nobody else is going
to find out.

But...

At least not from you or me.

Sure, only if she's
going to have a baby.

It seems I heard
something once about

sorority sisters and loyalty.

You and I are going to help Tina

by keeping this a secret,
understand?

Yes, Sabra.

You didn't even tell
me about this.

All right.

Okay.

Did you do your
exercises this morning?

My stomach still hurts
from the last time.

We'll have a little
session in my room tonight,

when the others are
at the rally.

Be there at eight.

You hear me, pledge?

Yes, Sabra.

Eight o'clock, okay?

I'd better be getting back,
don't wanna be gone too long.

How about tomorrow night?

Huh, I know, the election rally

and you're the first speaker.

There'll still be time to
catch a show or something.

I've got to study some time,
Mort.

I haven't cracked a
book all week

with all this election business.

Honest, after this week,
no excuses, I promise.

Promises, promises, promises.

You idiot.

I'll see you after psych.

Hiya, Mort, sorry I'm late.

That's okay.

What about those signs you
said you'd have by tonight?

All right, all right,
Professor LaGrie,

I've been working as
fast as I can.

Hey look, I've only got two
arms, and a half a tooth.

Well, if you don't have Rita's
campaign signs by tonight,

you'll only have half a head.

You know it might be
an improvement?

Never mind.

Hey Mort, what's with
you and Rita?

You're gonna get married maybe?

You know me, love 'em
and leave 'em.

Sure, and then you wrote.

Seriously, what's up?

How would I look
married to a politician?

Huh?

Hi, Sabra.

Hi, Sabra.

You know, I'd like to
take her out some time.

What for?

- I don't know.
- Come on, jughead.

You know, Rita and Mort
have been going together

for about a year now.

They're so cute together.

I wonder if they'll get married.

Ellie
had given me an idea,

it'd be fun to take Mort
away from Rita.

I really wanted to.

I wish her lots of luck.

Come on, we'll be
late for class.

Hey now, remember to
all spread out,

so that when we cheer for her,
we won't sound like a clan.

Who is it?

It's me, Ellie.

Come on in.

Hello.

Hi, feeling limber tonight?

My stomach hurts.

Well, don't worry about it.

How many do I have to do?

Let's see, 25.

25?

25.

Come on.

One,

two,

three.

Ah, ah, ah, let's not stop now.

It's only three, got
22 more to go.

I can't.

Sure you can, come on now,
no resting.

Ellie, I'll be back in
a few minutes.

But don't stop.

Hi.
- Hi.

Don't tell me I have
a fellow compatriot.

Just what is all that
fancy dialogue mean?

Who are we kidding?

Well, I thought the rally
was the big thing tonight.

How come you're not there?

Well, I'm going over just
as soon I pick up Rita.

Is she ready yet?

She left a little while ago.

Oh.

Was she mad?

I told her I'd be here
a half hour ago.

I got hung up at the bar.

Do you usually get
hung up at bars?

Or do you just like a
game of cat and mouse,

or hide and seek?

Or, tag?

A little of each, I
never miss an angle.

Well, I guess I'll be
getting over to the rally.

Well, you're already late.

I mean, would it hurt if
you were a little later?

I guess not.

Most of the damage has
been done already.

Why, what's up?

Oh, I, just wanted to talk.

I wanted to talk to you.

Sure.

Okay, what can I do for you?

Your hand feels so
warm on my back.

More like.

Mort?

Don't go.

No one could
ignore me the way Mort did.

I swore I'd get even with
him from that moment on.

What are you doing?

How come you've stopped?

Because I couldn't do any more.

If it's going to do
any good at all,

you've got to keep it up.

I can't.

I'm not going to.

If you give up so
easily all the time,

and keep feeling sorry
for yourself,

you know where you'll end up?

Nowhere.

It's for your own good, Ellie.

All right.

All right.

No.

Come on.

Please, Sabra.

You don't really want to
do anything with yourself.

You wanted me to help you,

but you're not trying
hard enough.

Okay, discipline.

My stomach.

I do them and they
don't hurt my stomach.

I know but they're
harder for me.

They used to be hard for me too.

Teach you not to be so
soft with yourself.

Maybe now, you won't say can't.

What a horrible thing to do.

Are you all right?

You'd better go to
your room now.

You don't belong on this campus.

I knew you'd hang yourself
with something sooner or later

but I didn't think it would
be with anything like that.

I haven't done
anything so terrible.

The Dean will take care of you.

She'll have you out on
your rear so fast,

you won't know what you hit you.

All I did was spank
her a little.

That was some spanking.

She's a pledge, she
had to be disciplined.

We'll let the Dean decide that.

Maybe she'll agree with you.

Maybe she won't.

I never meant to
really hurt her.

I suppose that's why you
used this, huh?

Rita, I didn't mean to do it.

I don't believe you.

Please, don't go to the Dean.

I'll try, I'll do anything.

No, you said that before.

So, your father's been
in prison, huh?

Seems as though he killed
quite a few people.

He didn't kill anybody.

Some buildings he
owned collapsed.

Buildings?

You mean tenements, don't you?

Whatever the reasons are,
people died.

Died, because of your
father's negligence, hmm?

Look at you, preaching the
right and wrong of everything.

Suppose you never make
a mistake, huh?

Aren't you wearing your
halo a little too tight?

I'm doing.

Never mind, you
wouldn't understand.

Nah-uh, but I'll tell
you what I do understand.

I understand you're not
going to the Dean tonight.

Not the Dean or anybody else.

Do you understand?

All right, Rita.

Because if you go to the Dean,

I'll spread this all
over the place,

and your election campaign
will go right down the drain,

the sorority and maybe even you.

I can't lose everything
because of you.

I can't lose everything
because you, either.

I hope we understand
each other now.

Oh, all right.

Yes, but it smells.

I want those.

Ah, ah, ah, ah, I'll
hang onto them

for a while.

Something kept driving me

to go on hurting others.

I knew I was sick, I
needed someone to help me.

Even if it was mother.

Thanks a lot, I'll see you, bye.

Sabra, what on Earth are
you doing home?

I drove up from school.

Yes, I can guess that, but why?

Spur of the moment.

Have you been expelled?

No.

So what are you doing here?

I had to
I've wanted.

Oh for heaven's sake say
it, don't just sit there

sputtering, you sound
like your father.

Mother,

I need you.

You drove a hundred
miles to tell me that?

I need you.

All right, you need me.

Such a child.

Those things at the restaurant,
I didn't mean the things.

Oh?

I don't know what got into
me, I wanted to hurt you.

Obviously.

Why do I do things like that?

There must be something
wrong with me.

Nonsense.

I want to hurt everybody.

What's wrong with me?

Nothing is wrong with you.

There shouldn't be,
after all you've always

had the best money could buy.

And it's time you started
demonstrating that fact,

it's just a question
of making up your mind.

Mother.

Now, don't do that.

It's just your love,
it's all I want.

You have my love, now
stop acting like an infant.

If you don't help, I don't know.

What kind of help is
it you're after?

Is it money, you want your
allowance back?

Is that what you want?

No.

I am not ready to restore it.

Please listen to me!

Now really, Sabra, you
are much too old

for this kind of scene-making.

In plain everyday language,
Sabra, what is it you're after?

What is it you want?

That doesn't matter.

If you start now, you
can get back before dark

unless you want to
stay for dinner.

No, I have some work
to do, I'll go back.

Well, I've got to run,
I promised Anne Tyson

I'd have cocktails with her.

How
foolish I've been

to think that mother
could understand.

She never cared enough
to understand.

Tina?

- Hi.
- Hi.

Can I give you a lift?

- Oh, that'd be swell.
- Good.

Looked like you need one.

What are you stopping here for?

I wanted to talk to you.

What about?

I know you're upset
about something.

I wish you'd tell me
what's wrong.

I don't know what you mean.

There's nothing wrong.

Let me put it another way.

I know you're desperate
about something.

What makes you think I am.

Tina, I know.

Know what?

You're gonna have the baby,
aren't you?

You're crazy.

Tina, Tina?

Tina?

Tina, stop.

Tina, please.

Tina? Tina?

I know you are.

It's not true.

You know it's true.

Maybe I can help you, maybe
we can help each other.

How did you find out about this?

It doesn't matter.

Don't worry, no one knows.

Where is he?

He left town, I don't
know where he is.

I just don't know what to do.

Well, whatever you're
going to do, you need money.

I mean, just going off private
somewhere to have a baby,

well you need money, am I right?

Yes, I know.

All right, you need money.

I'm in a bit of a jam myself.

I need money too.

- You?
- Yes.

Tina, what about Mort?

What about him?

If you can say, well if
you can say he's the one.

I know it's crazy, but Mort
has a name and reputation

he can't afford to lose.

What's more, I hear he
has plenty in the bank.

I couldn't do a thing
like that to Mort.

If you can just write
him a letter.

That's blackmail.

I won't do it, it's not right.

I know it's not right,
but meanwhile that'll help

pay enough for both of us.

We can straighten it out later.

I can't think of anything else.

If you can think of a
better answer,

I'd be glad to listen.

This whole thing's ridiculous.

I'm gonna report you
to the Dean.

Okay.

If that's the way you want it.

I don't wanna hurt you,
but if I have to, I will.

Either a letter goes to Mort,

or I'll be happy to go
to the Dean with you,

and everyone will know.

You wouldn't.

Just think about it.

Time's getting shorter
for both of us.

Hey, this is Mort's place.

Where the beer is cold
and the crew and is cool,

and I'm testing, one, two,
three, four.

And on the customer's side,
one, two, three, four.

Hey, this
is Mort's place,

where the beer is cold
and the crew is cool.

Oh hi.

He just called.

He wants to see me right away.

Listen, just remember,
choose your words carefully,

that's all, in case he has
a witness listening in.

What are standing there for?

Be right with you.

Come on in.

Take a seat.

I didn't open any of
my mail until tonight.

This one took the wind
right out of me.

That's yours, right?

Yes, it's mine.

And this isn't somebody's
crazy idea of a gag?

No, I meant every word of it.

When did you find out
you were pregnant?

A few days ago, that's
when I found out for sure.

You went to a doctor?

Of course I did.

And what do you intend to do?

Go wait somewhere until
your time is up?

I don't know yet.

But you do know you need money.

Yes.

Why me, Tina?

I mean, haven't I always
treated you right?

Of course you have.

I pay you enough?

Yes.

I don't work you too hard?

No.

And you know I'm not the father.

You are the father.

Come on now, Tina, I
never touched you.

You're the one that
made me pregnant.

Look Tina, let's not
play games, huh?

If you'll level with me,
I'll try and help you.

Oh, I get it.

You think maybe I got
somebody stashed here.

A witness, huh, is that it?

Well go ahead, look around.

Take a look in the back too.

Well, satisfied?

Yes.

All right, then, I'm
not the father, am I?

No, but I'll say you are.

And they'll believe me.

Who's they?

The Dean and the trustees.

Oh, so that's it.

They'll close this
place up so fast.

Yeah, yeah I guess they
would at that.

Look, I want the
money by tomorrow night,

otherwise I go to the Dean.

That's blackmail, Tina.

You just admitted I'm
not the father.

I know you're not, but
you've got a thousand to spare.

And I want it by tomorrow night,
clear?

Yes Tina, that's clear.

Wonderfully clear.

In fact, everything you've said

in the last five
minutes is clear.

And it's all here on this tape.

It goes in a safe right now.

So you don't need the
money now, what you need

is a good safe cracker.

Now, I'm not gonna say
anything about this,

but you see to it that you
stay out of my way, understand?

Now get out of here and get
out fast, because you stink.

You and your whole lousy scheme.

A
little help please, huh?

Ellie dear,

could I speak with you a moment?

Yes, ma'am.

Thanks,
nice throw.

Come dear, sit down.

What's bothering Tina?

I don't know.

I've tried talking with
her, but she won't open up.

I'm worried about her,
she's been brooding

like this for days.

That's not good.

If you know what the trouble is,
Ellie,

and you're keeping
quiet about it,

you're doing Tina a disservice.

I don't know.

That child has a problem.

Keeping it locked up
inside her isn't helping.

All right, Ellie, you
can join the others now.

Thank you, Mrs. Fessenden.

What did she want?

She wanted to know about Tina.

Know what about Tina?

What was bothering her.

What'd you tell her?

That I didn't have any idea.

You know, I do those
pretty well now.

Won't be long, I'm
getting thinner.

You're doing fine.

I'm trying, anyway I'm
getting tougher.

Sabra?

What?

Do you think we're
doing Tina a disservice

by keeping quiet about her?

Nobody asked you to think.

Never mind, just keep
on with the good work.

I am.

Don't let it go to your head.

Hi.

Hi.

Still in the dumps?

Look, don't you think
maybe it would be better

if you told somebody
what was bothering you?

Can't be as bad as all that.

Maybe Mrs. Fessenden can help.

Or your parents, that's
what they're there for.

Ellie, will you please
leave me alone?

Okay, okay I was just
trying to help.

Catch it!

Oh, you're terrible!

Hey Tina, aren't you
going to put your suit on?

You'll never get a
suntan that way.

Let's get a Coke.

You're gonna have to give
some kind of explanation soon.

It's hopeless.

My whole life's messed up.

That makes both of us.

Time sure is running out.

Tina!

Tina!

She's gonna jump!

Easy, Tina.

Easy there, it's gonna
be all right.

She made me do it, I
didn't really want to.

She made me.

It's gonna be all right.

Everything is gonna be all
right, just take it easy.

It's gonna all right,
it's gonna be all right.

She made me do it.

What does she mean, Mort?

She's pregnant.

I called her mom and
dad this morning,

they're coming up to
take care of her.

She was trying to blackmail me.

Somebody else must've
put her up to it though.

Sabra, it was her idea,
it was Sabra.

It's gonna be all right, Tina.

It's gonna be all right, honey.

You're not human, you're
something the sea cast out.

Just stay away, all of you.

You're like the
sharks out there.

You don't have any rules,
just self-preservation.

I suppose everything
you do is right!

You blackmailed Tina
and almost killed her.

I didn't see any of
you tried to help her!

You even tried to blackmail me.

Don't think I don't know
what you were trying to do.

I know you were trying to
get rid of me.

And you beat Ellie.

How you can twist everything.

Ever since the first day I came,

you and your little clique,
no outsiders allowed.

So what happens?

Everyone ends up hating
everyone else.

So I had all the breaks,
money, a good family.

You never bothered to find
out what my story was.

It doesn't matter anymore.

I don't need you.

I don't need anybody.

Leave her.

If everything

could only begin for me

once more, it's too late
for me, I've lived my life.

Always afraid, every
moment of it.