Stage Door (1937) Movie Script

- Do you have to do that?

- Pipe down.

- Get that customer, Hattie.

- If that's for me, I'm in.

- Hello?

- Is it for me?

- I don't know.

- Miss Judy? Miss Judy.

It's yours, Judy.

- Hello, Hags.

- Hello.

- Look what mother sent me from Louisiana.

- What are they?

Pecans.

Pecans? Let's open one,

maybe there's a check in it.

Well, I had a date

but I guess I can get out of it.

- Sure, I'll get a girl.

- Where is she?

- Ok, who?

- Not you.

- Come on, take them off.

- Are you speaking to me?

You heard what I said, take off

those stockings or I will and take at...

- What do you mean? This are my stockings.

- They are not.

If you think I'm going to give

up my lunch to buy you stockings...

- Well, you owe me a pair anyway.

- Mrs. Orcutt, Linda is doing a striptease.

You get a bigger crowd on the streets.

Why don't you split them? A stocking a piece.

From now on you wear your

own stockings or go barelegged.

The places you go doesn't

make any difference anyway.

What's the trouble?

Are you running a theatrical

boarding house or a gymnasium?

What's going on here?

This is a warden who accused me

of stealing my own stockings.

She's swiped her

last pair of stockings from me.

How do you expect me

to run a respectable house...

You're doing the best you can.

I won't be insulted

by this little guttersnipe and all...

- I'll guttersnipe you.

- I don't that while I'm running my house...

I wish you girls would find some

way to settle all your differences.

I'll slap her ears flat

against the back of her head.

- I'd like to see you try.

- Oh, come on down here.

- I won't room with her if you paid me to.

- Good, best news I've had in the past year.

- I'm moving in with Madeline right away.

- Shouldn't take you very long.

Everything you own is on your back.

If this barroom brawl is over...

When I get back to my room, you're

the only thing I want to find missing.

Heavens, no, at the Footlights Club?

Nothing exciting ever happens here.

8 o'clock? You bet, goodbye.

I knew it.

Do you want a date? I said, you want a date?

With some other lumbermen?

Am I supposed to

apologize for being born in Seattle?

Well, the last couple we went

stepping with were made of lumber.

- Especially their feet.

- Alright.

You can stay here and gorge yourself on

lamb stew again, my pet, want a date...

- Wait, wait a minute, is it for dinner?

- Yes.

Oh, why didn't you say so before you spoke?

That lamb stew is

got me counting sheep at night.

You know, you're not so particular

about my friends when it's for dinner.

Well, they can't step on you

when you're sitting down.

And you might try being

just a little less insulting this time.

Me? Insulting to a lumberman?

Why, the very idea is preposterous.

- Do we dress?

- I suppose so, we usually do.

Well, I'll be there my pet, you

know me, the lumberman's delight.

Mr. Powell's car is waiting for Miss Shaw.

- I'll tell her.

- Thank you.

- Is that for Linda?

- Mr. Powell's car.

Oh, wait a minute,

I'll be the carrier pigeon.

Oh, Linda Mr.Powell's car is here.

Mr. Powell isn't here, just his car.

Peaceful little haven we have here.

Anybody use a couple of

tired Tyrolean peasants?

- I'll take a couple on toast.

- I'll take mine dry.

- How was the matinee?

- Very intimate.

We'd 100 people on the

stage and 50 in the audience.

- But you had them outnumbered.

- Oh, the whole thing makes me sick.

What's Gerta sick about?

- Five weeks' rehearsal and 2 weeks' pay.

- What's the matter? Is the show closing?

- Like a tired clam.

- That's a shame.

Oh, that's too bad. Well, let's

all go on relief and get it over with.

- What would that be?

- Mice.

- How do you get in here?

- You might blast.

- What?

- We don't want any fish.

Go around to the other door, can't you read?

Did you hear that? Another show folding.

Yes and if they keep

on closing, we can move...

right into the storehouse with the scenery.

You said it.

- Hattie, the mice are back.

- Don't go away taxi.

How many doors are there to this place?

Well, there's the trap door, the humidor and

the cuspidor, how many doors do you like?

I only asked a simple question.

Did you wish to see Mrs. Orcutt...

I want to see whoever I

have to about accommodations.

Which keeper is on duty today Hattie?

Evidently, you're a very amusing person.

Well, if you'll sit over there

I'll get Mrs. Orcutt, she's in the kitchen.

Thank you. Thanks.

If you young ladies will pardon

me, I shall take the wolfhounds...

for a stroll through the park.

Oh, need I remind you

that Mr. Powell's car awaits without?

Maybe if you spoke a little louder next

time, everyone in the house could hear you.

Oh, I'm sorry, I forget

that you're old and deaf.

If you were more

considerate of your elders...

maybe Mr. Powell would

send his car for you someday.

I can hardly wait.

Because he would probably take one

look at you and send you right back again.

- But then you have to expect that.

- Is that so?

You know, I think I could fix

you up with Mr. Powell's chauffeur.

The chauffeur has a very nice car too.

Yes but I understand

Mr. Powell's chauffeur doesn't goes...

- as far in his car as Mr. Powell does.

- Even a chauffeur has have an incentive.

Well, you should know.

I hope you enjoy your

lamb stew again tonight. I'll be...

thinking of you

while dining on Pheasant Bordelaise.

Bordelaise, no less. Oh, girls, listen..

Or maybe it's

casserole, I'm not quite certain.

Be sure not to eat the

bones and give yourself away.

Did you wish to see me?

This is a theatrical

boarding house, isn't it?

- It's considered one of the finest

- boarding houses,

- I was somehow in doubt for a moment.

Are you the person I'd see

about accommodations?

Accommodations? Oh yes, indeed.

I hope you pardon my appearance.

We've had a little trouble in the kitchen.

I'll just try and see what's available.

- Now let's see, Ann and Mary, they room...

- I'd like a room with a private bath.

Is there anything strange in that request?

Oh, you mustn't mind

the girls, they just full of fun.

We're like one great big family.

I may not be able to

give you just what you want...

but I can put you in a room with

a very charming girl, temporarily.

- That is, until we get a vacancy.

- How expensive are your rooms?

They're $13 if you share

a room with a girl, it depends.

That seems rather high, isn't

there some reduction by the week?

It is $13 a week.

- Oh, my mistake.

- That doesn't include luncheons.

The meals go with the $13?

Oh yes indeed and I must say

we have a very lovely kitchen.

Oh, I'm sorry, I haven't any change.

Oh, that's all right, I expect

to be here quite a while anyway.

What shall I do about

my baggage? It's in the taxi.

Annie, will you tell Frank to get Miss...

- Randall, Terry Randall.

- Randall's baggage out of the taxi?

Pardon me. Mrs. Orcutt...

- is Mr. Hargrave of the Guild called me yet?

- Why, not.

When he does call tell him

I've read his play and I can't...

consider playing, it is far

too trivial, I couldn't consider...

How you do?-

Miss Luther, this is Miss Randall,

she's going to be with us for a while.

- Oh, how nice, are you in the theater?

- Not yet but I hope to be.

Oh, with proper coaching,

there's no reason to despair...

- If you just come with me.

- I beg your pardon.

Here are your trunks, just take

them up to Miss Maitland's room.

What's that?

Oh, that's one of the

features of the Footlights Club.

It's the chair Bernhardt sat in when she was

rehearsing Queen Elizabeth over here.

I was in the company.

- Oh, you were an actress?

- Mrs. Orcutt is played with all the stars.

She supported me in lots

of my shows, haven't you dear?

That's Bernhardt's picture, isn't it?

They say she was wonderful.

Oh, she was very good,

very good in some things.

As a matter of fact, although isn't generally

known, Bernhardt and I had the same coach.

Oh, I think coaching is a waste of time.

After all, acting is only common sense.

But that's all a good

coach applies, his common sense.

If I don't get the right play soon,

I may do a little coaching myself.

- What is this? Another boat docking?

- Mrs. Orcutt told me to put this here.

- But this is not the storeroom.

- You'll like this room, really will.

Jean, this is your new roommate.

Miss Randall Miss Maitland.

- We've met before, after a fashion.

- Jean is a very lively girl.

I'm quite sure

you'll get on very well together.

Oh, I'm sure of that.

- Now, if there's anything you want...

- No, no, I'll be all right, I hope.

When does your baggage get here?

I'm expecting the bulk of it in the morning.

We could leave the trunks here and sleep in

the hall, there's no use crowding the trunks.

I don't know what we going

to do when the wolfhounds arrive.

I hope you don't mind animals.

Oh, not at all, I've roomed

with a great many of them before.

Yes, I can see that.

- Fresh kill?

- Yes, I trap them myself.

- You mind if I ask a personal question?

- Another one?

These trunks full of bodies?

Just those but I don't intend to unpack them.

I was just thinking if the room got

too crowded we could live in the trunks.

Yes, that's a good idea.

You don't mind helping me unpack?

Oh, I beg your pardon,

you're not the maid, are you?

Oh, that's quite all right.

What a lovely dress.

- Whipped up at home by loving hands?

- Every stitch.

- You cook too?

- Nothing fancy, just plain home cooking.

I'll bet you could

boil a terrific pan of water.

I imagine that half that bureau is mine,

you don't mind if I put this here, do you?

Why not? Help scare the

moths away. Oh, a friend of the family?

- Happens to be my grandfather.

- Grandpa?

Oh, there is quite a family

resemblance, especially around the whiskers.

That's a fairly

intelligent observation for you.

I must say, he's a fairly

generous old guy, as grandfathers go.

He always treated me very well.

I suppose if you'd had your choice

you'd picked a much younger grandfather.

I see that in addition to your charms...

you have that insolence

generated by an inferior upbringing.

Fancy clothes, fancy language and everything.

Unfortunately, I learned

to speak English correctly.

It won't be of much use to

you here, we all talk pig Latin.

And I use the right knife

and fork, I hope you don't mind.

All you need is the knife.

You mind if I hang these

things here? Temporarily, of course.

- I must take my bath.

- That might help.

And remember, half the

wardrobe is yours and if anything of...

mine should get in the way,

well, just toss it out the window.

Did you get a load of that hat?

I expected a rabbit to jump out any minute.

I thought old Orcutt would fall over in a

faint when she handed her that 50 dollars.

If she'd a 50 dollar

bill, what's she doing here?

Ah, it must've been counterfeit.

There's no such thing as a 50 dollar bill.

No, I think she's as phony as that bill.

- Oh, I must've missed fun.

- I'd say you did.

When she asked if the meals went with

the 13 dollars I thought I'd bust a ligament.

Maybe she's a social

worker doing a little slumming.

- Oh, she picked the right place.

- Speaking of slum, when do we eat?

Wash your necks children,

the lamb is about to be sacrificed.

I should worry Tonight is lumber night.

- I washed my neck yesterday.

- So did I.

Well, I refuse to wash my neck for lamb stew.

Here's Kay.

- Hello.

- Any luck today?

No but I got great news,

I actually saw one manager.

The whole town is

underwater, Kay saw a manager.

Was it much of an interview?

It wasn't an interview, I just saw

him as he rushed out of his office.

Now at least you know there is such

an animal, what he look like?

Like any other animal, he

had on the pants, tie and collar...

- Did he have hoofs?

- Smoke come out of his nose?

- That's what gets in your eyes.

- Did say mama when you squeezed him?

I didn't get that close to him.

You didn't see a manager

dearie, what you saw was a mirage.

- ♪ Come and get it. ♪

- Let's go.

Well, come on Henry, mother get

you some of that lovely lamb stew.

Maybe there's a mouse in it.

- Coming Kay?

- I'll be along a little later.

- Aren't you having dinner?

- Oh, I'm not very hungry.

You've been awfully blue lately, haven't you?

Well, after playing

a whole season in Powell's...

outer office he might

at least have said hello.

It gets pretty discouraging once

in a while but I guess it's all in the game.

- Oh Miss Hamilton...

- Hello Mrs. Orcutt.

- I'm afraid I must...

- I know, I know what you going to say.

If you could let it go just a bit longer...

You know the rules of the

house and it's three weeks now.

I know, I've practically been promised a

part and I'm not eating any meals here...

You're putting me in a very embarrassing

position, I don't want to be inconsiderate.

Maybe I could give you

a little money on account.

- Say 10 dollars?

- That's something.

Thanks awfully.

Hey there, Ella...

- That's still a community tub, you know.

- I'll be out in a minute.

You've been in there a half hour.

Well, you think you're a trained seal?

What you say?

Say, if you want to drown

yourself, why don't you use the ocean?

Hey Kay.

- Why didn't you say hello to me?

- Hello Jean.

- I didn't see you.

- You certainly couldn't help but hear me.

Oh, don't pay any attention to me,

my mind is been wandering lately.

- What's the matter?

- Oh, it's one of those days.

- Let's sit down and have a good cry.

- Alright.

You cry on my shoulder,

I'm going to go bathe anyhow.

No casting today.

Leave your name and telephone number

and we'll get in touch with you later.

Mr. Powell isn't seeing anyone

until the end of the week.

Last week and the week

before and the week before that.

Where did I ever get the

idea that I was a good actress?

Say, who got all those

rave notices a year ago?

Yeah but that was a year ago.

- Oh boy, you do sound gloomy.

- I don't know why I'm hanging on.

Except it's nothing else I can

do and no one I can go back to.

Except someone I'll never go back to.

Listen, you don't have to go back to anybody,

you're the best actress in this whole club.

Something good is

bound to be coming your way.

I hope so.

But it'd better be soon.

I don't mean to be butting into

your private affairs but I'd...

if it's a matter of

a few bucks, I'd be very...

Oh Jean, I've got to get that part

in Enchanted April, it's been my whole life.

It's me, no one else can

play that part, it belongs to me.

Oh Jean, I've got to get that part.

- I've got to.

- Oh honey, you don't cry.

It's alright, thanks to all,

that's what I call a dinner fit for a king.

- If you don't care what you say.

- I've got most of it caught in my teeth.

Well, now I know why

sheepherders go crazy, it's the lamb stew.

If your cat ever turns up missing around

dinner time I'm eating out that night.

Say, I bet Orcutt's husband

died of wool poisoning.

The coffee taste like iodine,

they ought to serve bandages with it.

Yeah, it would make a good liniment.

I can't tell you

how interested I was in your...

discussion of

Twelfth Night, it was so intelligent.

Oh, thank you very much.

I'm afraid that the rest of the

inmates didn't share your enthusiasm.

Barbarians, they've had no

training my dear, no training.

- Why, when I played in Twelfth Night even...

- Did you play in Twelfth Night?

Yes, I...

I, I've a few of my

notices if you'd care to see them.

- I'd love to.

- Oh, how lucky, they're right on top.

Now, don't read them all,

just the bits that are underlined.

And this one's from Atlantic City.

Well, I don't like to gossip but...

that new gal seems to have

an awful crush on Shakespeare.

I wouldn't be surprised if they got married.

- Oh, you're fooling, Shakespeare is dead.

- No?

Well, if he's the same

one who wrote Hamlet he is.

- Never heard of it.

- Well certainly you must've heard of Hamlet.

Well, I meet so many people.

Hang on to your chairs girls, we're

going to get another load of Shakespeare.

Is it against the rules of

the house to discuss the classics?

No, go right ahead, I

won't take my sleeping pill tonight.

It might interest you girls to know that

all great actresses knew their Shakespeare.

How about their onions?

I fail to see what onions

have to do with Shakespeare.

If you'd listen to Miss Randall,

you might learn something.

I like Amos and Andy.

In my day, we were not only

actresses, we were technicians.

We learned our trade from the ground up.

- That's what we should've, a trade.

- I want to be a Swiss bell ringer.

- I want to do something with my hands.

- Sit on them.

You'd get further

with your feet, they're bigger.

The trouble with you is,

you're all trying to be comics.

Don't you ever take anything seriously?

After you've sat around

for a year trying to get a...

job you won't take anything seriously either.

Well, do you have to just sit

around and do nothing about it?

Maybe it's in the blood, my

grandfather sat around till he was 80.

Oh, my grandfather didn't..

And if he and a lot of others

hadn't crossed the country in a...

covered wagon there

still be Indians living in Wichita.

Who do you think is living there now?

You think you're facing difficulties.

What do you think of the

men who crossed the Rockies?

Did any of them ever try

to crash a manager's office?

No but if they wanted to, I'm sure

they could have and I bet I can too.

Maybe she can get through

the door with vanishing cream.

- Come on, we'll be late again.

- Well, the Edelweiss girls must be off.

If we're not on the stage

by 8:30, the orchestra gets lonesome.

Oh, stop it.

- Can't we ever have any peace around here?

- Quiet, Olga wants peace.

- Peace at any price.

- Well, you can't have peace without a war.

You sound very superior, what

have you ever done in the theater?

Everything but burst out

of a pie at a Rotarian banquet.

You all talk as though

the world owed you a living.

Maybe if you try

to do something for the theater...

the theater would do something for you.

- What theater?

- Is there a theater?

I don't know, is anybody

looked up the side streets lately?

Doesn't seem to me that any of you

take your work very seriously or is there?

Well, now that you're

here, we're all giving up.

At least I'm going to

have a try and if I can act...

I want the world to know

it, if I can't, I want to know it.

Even your best friends won't tell you.

Be a terrific innovation

if you can get your mind...

stretch a little further

than the next wisecrack.

You know, I tried that once,

but it didn't snap back into place.

Miss Randall is right,

all you girls want training, in my day...

- When knighthood was in flower.

- I beg your pardon?

I'm sorry, I was just reading aloud.

- Miss Canfield.

- Well, who will we pick on now?

- Don't pick on me.

- Miss Judy.

- Do I hear males?

- My lumber gentlemen, no cracks.

Sorry I'm late. I got stuck in traffic.

How do you do Mr. Dukenfield?

So nice to see you again.

Yeah, I manage to get down

once a year, meet Mr. Milbanks.

- How you do?

- How do you do?

You know, I've known this little gal

since she was that high, in pigtails.

- Well, let's skip that.

- Yeah.

In those days nobody ever thought that

Pete Jones' daughter would be an actress.

- Well, the odds are still the same.

- Yeah.

- Say, have you got a friend?

- Oh, the charming girl for you.

Here she is now.

Oh Jean, I'd like you to meet

a couple of friends of mine.

Don't you said they were dressing.

Don't start anything

here, I'll rinse your bag.

- What you said with their overalls.

- Oh, did she say that? Cut it out.

Oh Jean, I'd like you to meet Mr.

Mr. Dukenfield and Mr. Mr. Milstream.

- Milbank.

- What I said?

Milstream.

What do you do? Tear down

the trees with your bare hands?

- I told you she was a kick.

- Yeah.

- I love her sense of humor.

- Yes, I can tell by the size of your shoes.

- What?

- Ain't she a card?

- Oh, yeah.

- Yeah.

- You come from Seattle too, don't you?

- Yeah, how did you know?

We know all our college man.

- Well, I got a taxi waiting outside.

- Let's get going.

Imagine that Judy, a taxi. I'll bet you drink

champagne out of slippers and everything.

Well, I never have.

Let's go to

Central Park, a lot of trees there...

- we go and hang by our tails, eat coconuts.

- You're killing me.

Pleasant little foursome, I predict a

hatchet murder before the night is over.

- Hello.

- And how are all your folks?

What happened to you?

- Nearly everything.

- You're limping.

Am I? Oh, so I am.

Won't you ever dance

with one of those Seattle Romeos?

Maybe, I don't remember.

- Oh, if you did, you'd remember alright.

- Why you go out with them?

I'll bite, why do I?

They not only jump on you,

but they bore you to death.

I know how many cords of wood

there are in a pint...

and a pine tree is not deciduous,

but has acidosis or something...

the Oregon timberline is receding

so fast that in another 1,000 years...

or so, the whole

state will be practically bald.

Why am I telling you all this for? For what?

Oh, why not? We going to share the

same room, why not share our troubles?

Started off on the

wrong foot, let's stay that way.

- Don't you ever get tired of quarreling?

- What's the matter? Can't you take it?

Oh yes, I can take it

if you want it that way.

Would you mind if I asked

you a very humble question?

- If you ask it in English.

- What you do about air in this room?

In the summertime we do without it entirely.

This time of year

we usually open the windows.

This thing is stuck.

Hey, don't pull it down from the top,

we'll have the whole upper floor in our laps.

- What do we do about the sign?

- Just leave it there.

Don't those blinking lights keep you awake?

They will if you lie there and try to

out blink them, we usually use these.

What do I do with this? Put it over my eyes?

- No, you swallow it with a glass of water.

- That's a very ingenious idea, thanks.

- Oh, don't get sentimental.

- You go to sleep right away?

- Sure, what do you go to bed for?

- Well, I thought we might talk.

I've had enough talk for one evening.

I suppose you're

wondering why I'm living here.

Oh, maybe I am, why don't you sell some of

those clothes and live in a decent place?

- Isn't this a decent place?

- No.

Besides, I've always longed

to live in an atmosphere like this.

My pet, you haven't seen atmosphere.

Wait till about 5 o'clock in the morning

when those garbage trucks start around.

- Say, am I getting good or you getting weak?

- No, that just struck me as funny.

It isn't very funny to me.

If I had your clothes,

I'd scram out of here plenty fast...

and leave you here with your atmosphere.

Oh no, you wouldn't.

You bark a lot but you don't bite,

you wouldn't sell out for a wardrobe.

It's all right for

you to talk, you've got yours.

- Linda isn't doing so bad either.

- Linda? Oh, the other girl you fight with.

One of them, I don't know.

Maybe you two girls have got the right idea.

- What idea is that?

- Stop kidding.

- Oh, you mean having a grandfather.

- Call him whatever you like.

Well, if I had to do it all over

again, I wouldn't have a grandfather.

Says you.

Well, who's in a

better position to give advice...

than a woman who allows

her grandfather to buy her clothes?

- What you say?

- I've said, who's in a better position...

Never mind, write it on a piece of

paper and I'll read it in the morning.

Down. Up, two, three. Tilt.

- Snap the heads over there.

- Alright alright alright.

That's enough for today, go to home. Out.

Oh, thought he'd never call a

time out, we ought to get him a whip.

Get me a wheelchair.

Say, let's run through our

routine before Olga gets away.

I'm going to dance any more, you better

dash home and get my extra pair of legs..

Why don't you quit running around with

those lumberjacks and get some sleep?

Say Olga, will you vent Troubles

for me a couple of times?

When am I going to get any

time for my concert practice?

Oh, be a good girl, a good

lumber famous will buy you a lollipop.

Alright alright,

and for this I studied with Kolijinsky.

Well, well, well Tony Powell, how are you?

- Hello Alex, how's the new school?

- Oh, just fine, glad you came up.

- Nothing to put on musical, are you?

- Oh, no.

I very likely won't produce

anything unless I could find an angel.

- You haven't seen any flying around here?

- No, not lately.

Hit it Olga.

Who's the little blonde?

Oh, just one the kids, you like to meet her?

Never mind, I'll introduce myself.

Look who's giving us the once-over.

- Where?

- Over there.

- Who is it?

- Nobody but Anthony Powell.

So that's Linda's

soul mate, who's he staring at?

- I don't know but I hope it's me.

- You can have him.

- You girls rehearsing for a musical?

- No, we're just getting over the DTs.

Nice routine you've got there.

- I hear yours isn't so bad either.

- We haven't come to the best part of it yet.

What's the matter with your girlfriend?

Oh, what? She's kind of nervous,

you know, meeting a great man like you.

- Do I make you nervous too?

Well, a little, of course I

wouldn't admit that to you.

And you two kids expect to go on the stage?

Well, we're just sort of hoofing it around.

You know, waiting for someone to discover us.

Well, you're discovered.

Well, I didn't mean it that way really, just

we're waiting for a high sort of engagement.

- Something like the, the Grotto, you know.

- The Grotto?

Well, I think you'd better excuse me, I guess

you're kind of making me a little nervous.

Excuse me.

You know, there's nothing

like a cheerful letter from home.

Pa got laid off, my

sister's husband is left her...

one of my brothers

slugged a railroad detective.

I guess that's all. Lots of love

and can you spare 50 bucks?

How you like that vegetable soup tonight?

It's been a little thicker,

would made nice hot water.

If she trey to serve it

again, I'm going to bring a bar...

of soap to the table

and wash out a few stockings.

She must've gotten that meatloaf

from the Smithsonian Institute.

- I wonder what was in it.

- I don't want to know.

By way of variety,

let's complain about the food.

If you weren't so snooty you could

had a dinner date with me tonight.

You can have my share of those timber wolves.

They may be timber wolves to you,

but to me they're meat and potatoes.

Don't you know any younger men?

I'm tired of buying dinners for younger men.

She needs a good bawling out.

- Don't you start that again.

- Start what?

Well, we were rehearsing our routine today

and who should walk up to us but Tony Powell.

- So what?

- Not the great Anthony Powell?

He was very pleasant to us,

even wanted to know all about us.

And she runs out on him

like he was a bed of poison ivy.

- I didn't like the way he looked at me.

- Should be glad he looked at you at all.

He makes you feel like you ought

to run home and put on a tin overcoat.

Listen and don't forge

I'm part of this team...

and you think I'm practicing just to

run away from managers, you're crazy.

Oh, you're interfering with my art.

He wasn't looking for

an act, he was putting one on.

You ought to stop at a

filling station and get pumped up.

No, she ain't exactly a

flat dearie, just a slow leak.

If not food, it's men,

can't you talk about anything else?

And what else is it?

- Hiya Kay, what you got? A script?

- Yes.

Say, don't you eat

here anymore, you lucky girl?

Well, some friends of mine are in town and

I've been seeing quite a bit of them lately.

Not some of those

tree chopper downers I hope.

No, just people.

Pardon me but there's

a dust storm blowing up there.

- How do you do?

- Have we met socially?

I hope not.

Hey, that's a kind of good looking

piece of jackrabbit you got there.

Oh, it's just a little trinket

my Aunt Susan sent over.

Say, I think it's very

unselfish of those little animals...

to give up their lives so

to keep other animals warm.

You know, they're very smart of an animal...

they never give up

their lives for the wrong people.

Oh, you understand the rodent

family much better than I do.

Incidentally, I saw your Aunt Susan...

today and I think you

show much better taste than he does.

- It don't make much difference.

- Lucy...

You can think of a bright remark

while I answer the telephone.

Don't forget Aunt Susan's

car is waiting for you outside.

Hello? This is Miss Maitland speaking. Yes?

Mr. Burger? At the Club Grotto? Where? When?

Ok, I'll go right over, thanks ever so much.

Call out the Marines

kids, the Depression is over.

What's the matter with you? You going screwy?

Come on, string bean. Hey, come on.

- Wake up, let's get going.

- It's a fire?

You know, that was

Gordon from the dancing school.

What did he do, propose?

No, he said rush go over to the club, Club

Grotto and see a man by the name of Burger.

Yeah, what about?

What about is he's got an

opening in his floor show.

The good thing is it's no opening in

the floor, you'd fall through on that.

I don't know, I'm a stranger here myself.

She hasn't worked in so long, if she does...

get the job it'll practically

amount to a comeback.

They never seem to be

at a loss for action around here.

- It's a little like a three-ring circus.

- A little bit.

- They're a great bunch of girls.

- I think so.

They don't seem feel the

same way about me though.

You mustn't mind them.

I'm beginning to feel that there's

something definitely wrong with me.

- You're different, that's all.

- Want know why.

I eat the same food, I sleep in the

same kind of bed, I've even got a...

crease across my back from that

lumpy mattress, now I'm doing my...

best to pick up their

slang, though I'm not so hot.

How's that? Not so hot.

They'll get to understand you after a while.

- Maybe you'll get to understand them with...

- I suppose so.

They do make a lot of noise but it's just to

keep up their courage and hide their fears.

Oh now, what they got to be afraid of?

Certainly they young enough to have courage.

Young enough to have fears too.

You saw how excited

Jean and Ann got just now...

and that wasn't a job

even, just the prospect of one.

You don't know what it means, waiting and

hoping that some manager will interview you.

Well, at least you don't have that

worry, I saw you in that play last year.

You know you're a good actress.

I'm not so sure anymore, how do

you know who's an actress and who isn't?

You're an actress if you're acting but you

can't just walk up and down a room and act.

Without that job and those lines to say...

an actress is just like any ordinary girl

trying not to look as scared as she feels.

It's something I dashed off

in the kitchen I want you to try.

- But Hattie I've had my dinner.

- But this is something extra special.

I'm practicing cooking in my spare time.

Well, I'm glad that someone

in that kitchen is practicing.

I'll just leave it there,

you may get hungry after a while.

If I don't hear any screams,

I'll know I'm a success.

- Hattie...

- Coming.

I told you to wash those dishes.

Why do you do things like that?

- So that's final?

- Yes Dad, that's final.

I'm sorry.

I thought by now

you might have satisfied this...

silly whim of yours and

been ready to come back home.

If I thought that I couldn't achieve

anything by myself without the aid of the...

family millions I'd feel

like a pretty sorry specimen.

Why must it be the stage?

- There are other things to achieve in life.

- It's not life.

This happen to appeal to me.

Why did Grandfather Randall

leave a comfortable home and...

- go off pioneering into an unknown country?

- He made sacrifices for a reason.

So that his family

could have economic security.

Security from what?

So that I can learn to

play a mean game of bridge...

or ride the hounds or marry a polo player?

Is that why Grandfather Randall

endured all those hardships?

- But you got the family name to consider.

- Don't worry about the family name.

As far as New York

is concerned Terry Randall is...

just another stage struck

girl from the Middle West.

They don't know me from Eve.

But they're going to,

if I have anything to say about it.

I'm sorry but I can't support

you in this idea any longer.

Financially or morally?

If you're going on with this

notion, you got to do it alone.

- Alright then, I'll have to do it alone.

- What if you're a failure? What then?

If I'm a failure,

I'll be the first to admit it.

But it may take years to find out.

Dad, it may take years to know anything

about anything but I'm going to stick to it.

Well, are you too proud to come

back home if you, if you are a failure?

I haven't got that kind of pride.

- But you would come home if you failed?

- Would you have me?

Well, you're, you're pretty stubborn,

but you're still my favorite daughter.

We'll leave it there, check please.

Well hello Mr. Powell,

how are you? So nice to see you again.

Miss Shaw, may I present Mr. Powell?

- How you do?

- Won't you join us?

- I hope I'm not intruding.

Intruding? Well, I should say not.

There we are.

How many times have we been

introduced? You have any idea?

Thirty seven, including this evening.

Thank you, I wonder if we're

fooling anybody but ourselves.

- You're in a very ugly humor this evening.

- Don't you like it?

If I have to have a stooge, you might

at least get me someone interesting.

I hate that word stooge,

I'm retained her as an escort.

Stooge is good enough, let's

get out of here, I'm bored to death.

Oh, why not relax? There are a

couple of new numbers I'd like to see.

Oh, are you getting

interested in new numbers?

Shall I join in the conversation

just so people think we're all together?

I think I can get you

a job with a ventriloquist.

Well, life is full of surprises.

- A cute kids, aren't they?

- You think so?

Wonder who they are.

Just a lot of riffraff

they pick up around town.

Pardon me Mr.Powell,

you're wanted on the phone.

Thank you. I'll be right back.

Why don't you two dance?

Remember, if you get any wrong numbers,

you can always get your nickel back.

- Shall we dance?

- No.

- Did you hear what she called us?

- What do you mean us?

I'll riffraff her, I could hit

her with the head of this stick.

Well, you did everything

but poke her eye out with it.

The way that Powell sat

grinning at us, I could hit him too.

That's all we need.

What do you mean, that's all we need?

Well, I heard tonight that

he owns half interest in this club.

Or did you know that?

I thought it was kind of funny that we should

happen to get this job all of a sudden.

And then came the dawn.

You think he has anything

to do with us being here?

Attagirl Sherlock...

I bet that you could put two and

two together and get something out of it.

- So that's it.

- Oh, don't be a dope.

If he smiled at me tonight the nice way he

smiled at you, I'd do a three point collapse.

May I come in?

- Oh, how do you do Mr. Powell?

- How you do?

- Yes, come on in.

- I thought you girls were good tonight.

- Thank you, we thought so too.

- Mind if I sit down?

- Why not? Your club.

- Not exactly, I have a small interest in it.

Oh, don't pay any attention to

her Mr. Powell, she's slightly barmy.

You don't like me, do you?

Oh, how could I help but like a man

who takes his mother out to a nightclub?

- That was your mother you were sitting with?

- No, no, that was my friend's mother.

- Oh, then I can speak freely?

- Go right ahead.

I think your friend shows

very bad taste in picking mothers.

I'm beginning to think so myself.

Now, my ideal mother is young,

blond, slim and generally intriguing.

I'll see if I can get

you one for Mother's Day.

- How do you like them? Tall, fat, round?

- Well, about your size.

That wouldn't be so easy.

You see, I'm not the stock size.

Couldn't we talk the whole

thing over at dinner tonight?

Oh, I'm very fond of dinner, do you suppose

you could send your car around for me?

Where would I send it?

I'm living at the Footlights Club but

the traffic around there is rather heavy.

I see.

So I think you'd

better send it around here first.

Perhaps that would be better.

Shall we say tomorrow night, after the show?

- Mom will have a lamp in the window.

- Good night.

No Mr.Powell isn't in today.

Did you have an appointment? Hello?

Of course, I could wait around

if thought there's any chance...

Well, you could wait but I'm sure

there's little chance to see him.

Thanks, I'll wait.

Hello. I'm sure I don't

know, you might call later.

No Mr.Powell is out of town for the weekend.

How you like that? Out of town.

I guess that must've been his double

peeking through the door a little while ago.

Imagine opening a great big office

like this just not to see people.

You can go in.

Mammy singer?

Maybe when Powell left town

he forgot to take his shoes with him.

- Hello Kay.

- Hello.

Surely you better sit down Mr.Powell

is out of town, got in a world tour.

Be careful what you say,

he'd be hiding under the linoleum.

Oh, we're kidding, he isn't seeing

anybody except by appointment.

I've got an appointment,

I'm going to read that part today.

- May I touch you?

- You'll knock him off his chair.

I hope so, I've been studying all night.

- You have appointments too?

- We're waiting for Randall.

If she doesn't crash Powell's office

by 2 o'clock, she's buying us the lunch.

We starting off with caviar, not that small

sturgeon kind but nice big whale caviar.

Oh Miss Hamilton.

- Good luck kid.

- The best.

Oh, I'm sorry Miss

Hamilton, you can't go in now.

I tried to get you on the phone.

Some unexpected business came up that Mr.

Powell will have to cancel that appointment.

- Oh, I can wait.

- It's impossible to see him today.

You'll have to make it next week

sometime, he'll get in touch with you.

If I can only see him

for five minutes, I know that...

I'm sorry, you'll have to make it next week.

Please make it today because...

because...

Here, you mustn't, Oh, somebody catch her.

- Get some water for her.

- You get out of here we'll take care of her.

- Oh, I hope it's nothing I said.

- Put her on the couch.

What's happened?

Powell broke an appointment

with her and when the...

secretary told her

about, she went out like a light.

- Be alright.

- Let me help.

- Give me the water.

- She'll be Ok.

- Oh, try rubbing her hands.

- Come on darling, you fainted dear.

He's a great guy, breaks an appointment

with an actress to get his shoes shine.

- Well, you must remember that Mr. Powell...

- Who that Powell think he is?

- Here, you can't go in there.

- Just watch me.

- Are you the great Anthony Powell?

- Well, who might you be?

- That's not important.

- By what right you complain...

By what right you barricade yourself behind

closed doors and refuse to see people?

- That happens to be none of your business.

- You know a girl just fainted in your...

own office because

you broke an appointment with her?

I'm sorry, I didn't know.

You know, if you keep that door

closed, you'll never know anything...

you're a producer, you ought to see people.

Why, the greatest actress in

the world might be living out there...

15 feet away from you and

you'd never even give her a chance.

- Are you the greatest actress in the world?

- Never mind about me.

I don't need you but those other girls do,

they sweat and slave and go without...

food and decent clothing in the hope that...

someday someone like you will

come out of his office and notice her.

I'm sorry Mr. Powell, that young

woman rushed in before I could stop her.

It's alright Miss Hart, what

happened with the girl who fainted?

She's fine, her friends are taking her home.

- I'll ring when I want you.

- Thank you.

- Sit down young lady, I want to talk to you.

- Go ahead.

- Alright sonny.

- Yes sir.

- Sit down.

- Alright, I'm sitting.

Now listen my militant friend...

I judge from your attitude that

you hold me personal responsible...

for any possible tragedy in the lives of

the girls that come up here, that correct?

No, it isn't. But I think you ought to see

those people, maybe they got something.

You know, maybe they have. Do you

realize that if I saw all of the girls...

that came up here that I

wouldn't have time for anything else?

Every year, about 50,000 girls,

will you please sit down...

- You making me nervous.

- I am sitting, say something.

Every year about 50,000 girls decided...

they want to go on the

stage for one reason or another.

Well, 49,500 of them are wrong, they'd

be much better at home washing dishes.

How about the other 500? You see them?

Well, I couldn't see them if I wanted to,

there's at least 50 girls for every job.

How you know you get the right ones?

You haven't even the common courtesy

to go out there and say no to them.

At least, that would give

them some contact with the theater.

Well, you're one that can't complain and

I've seen you and you're not the type.

You're very smug Mr. Powell, very.

Well, whether or not

you're satisfied that I'm not entirely...

responsible for all of the

ills of the theatrical profession...

may I suggest that you run along

and leave alone with my conscience.

I doubt if you have a conscience.

Miss Arden, I won't see

anybody else today, I don't care who.

Oh, he's here?

Oh hello Mr. Carmichael, come in.

Hello Mr. Powell.

- How are you?

- Fine, thank you.

I hope this has nothing to do with that.

That other matter,

I thought that was all settled.

- Oh no, it isn't anything like that.

- That's fine, sit down.

- Thank you.

- Have a cigar? Cigarette?

- No, thank you.

- Cigarette?

No.

We just had a little excitement around here.

Yes, I couldn't help

but hear, who's the girl?

Oh, I haven't the faintest idea. Some stage

struck damsel suffering from over excitment.

Is she an actress?

If she is, she's a pretty

bad one, I can tell a mile off.

- You're sure of that?

- Oh, I seldom miss.

Something ought to

be done about these girl...

that come to New York

and try to go on the stage.

They'd be so much better

off at home raising families.

- That's what my client thinks.

- Client?

- Oh, you're producing a new play shortly.

- Enchanted April, why?

Well, the client I just spoke of

is somewhat interested in the theater.

I can't mention any names, of course.

You know how those people are but...

somewhere he got the idea that

he'd like to dabble in show business.

Well, fresh money is always welcome.

Under the circumstances, I'm not so

sure that you would be interested.

Under what circumstances?

However, here's the

proposition, we may as well go over it.

Afterward, if you're still

interested, well, we can go on from there.

Hello hello? No, this is

the Footlights Club, Footlights.

No, foot.

How can it be the Beacon Laundry

when it's the Footlights Club?

Certainly, I'm sure,

I'm right in it. Is that so?

Well, go wash your own

neck and see how you like it.

- How's Kay feeling?

- Oh, she's alright.

- What did the doctor say was wrong?

- Malnutrition, he called it.

- That's Latin for not eating.

- All she needs is some good meals.

Try and get them and a nice long rest.

Well, she hasn't worked in almost

a year, that's just the same as a rest.

Come here, shake your head.

- Why?

- Never mind, shake your head.

Like this?

That's what I thought, I

can hear it rattle just as plain.

- What that's?

- Nothing.

Well, I hope dear old Mr.

Anthony Powell sleeps well tonight.

What's this I hear about the Randall

girl telling him off this afternoon?

No, I didn't hear what she said,

but she sure made a lot of noise.

It cost us lunch and I hate to say it,

but I am revising my opinion of her.

- Is Mr. Powell's car come yet?

- Oh, I ain't seen, I ain't heard the horn.

Maybe that's him now.

I ain't see how I keep

going paying my board here.

It's all done with mirrors.

- Is Miss Jean Maitland live here?

- Yes.

- Will you give her these?

- I'll see that she gets them.

- Thank you Hattie.

- Oh, don't think they're for you.

- Oh yes, I recognize the florist.

- The boy said they're for Jean.

Oh, so they are.

- Let me take them to her.

- Anything to save me from a trip upstairs.

Looks like there's a new

queen bee buzzing around the hive.

It seems to be the same king.

- How's Kay?

- She's fine.

It's so silly about her

to have gone without food.

Oh, yes, I think it's

terribly silly to go without food.

I didn't mean it that way.

- What did the doctor say?

- She's going to be alright.

I think it was very stupid

about not to let people know.

- Was very sweet of you to send the doctor.

- Don't say nothing to anybody.

- Nobody knows.

- I know but please don't mention it again.

It's not that I'm sentimental, it's just that

the whole thing seems unnecessary to me.

May I come in?

Oh, sure, I guess you'll be safe. The

exterminators won't be here till tomorrow.

How did they miss you all the last with you?

I was out in society

with an old boyfriend of yours.

Oh, you speaking of funerals,

these flowers just arrived for you.

And you brought them up?

Forty little flower girl.

If I could find my purse,

I'd give you a big 5 cent tip.

I really came along to give you a tip.

And don't bother to read the

note, I'll tell you what it says:

Eleven roses and the 12th is you.

You're doing very

well up to now, tell me more.

His routine is pretty

much the same with all the girls.

It all ends up with a quiet

little supper in his penthouse...

with champagne and all the

trimmings and the view and all that.

And then there's Harcourt,

Harcourt is really a gem.

That isn't Harcourt you're wearing, is it?

No, my sweet, that's a little thing called

a star sapphire. Harcourt is the butler.

He's very discreet though. You know,

one of those butlers that tiptoes backwards.

Yes. I know the type very well.

But you'll get to know him

much better and he's very deaf.

You really won't have

to bother to scream for help.

Now, I mustn't forget to

tell you about the lighting effect.

It's very good, it goes

with that tired little boy routine.

But I won't spoil it for you,

I'll let all that come as a surprise.

Must be galling to you older women to

lose your meal ticket to a younger riffraff.

Just a leave of absence dearie

and in the meantime I have...

my lovely sable coat and my

star sapphire to keep me company.

It's lovely but I'm

afraid you paid too much for it.

That's your mistake, I'm not

as generous as my Aunt Susan.

Oh, goodbye, thanks for

calling, if you ever need a good...

pallbearer, remember I'm at your service.

Didn't mean to eavesdrop,

but I couldn't help overhearing.

You're not really running around

with that man Powell, are you?

Why not?

Well, why play with fire just to spite Linda?

- I can take care of myself.

- I think you need a governess.

Why shouldn't I go out with him?

I think he's very charming.

So snakes.

Besides, if I don't go out

with him I'd probably lose my job...

and so do Ann and I'll be

right back where I started from.

Oh, that's a rather lame excuse.

You got along somehow before, didn't you?

Oh, I'm sick of getting along somehow.

Why don't you stick to your ideals?

They're rather crude but they're alright.

You should talk?

For heaven's sake, don't bring up that

grandfather thing again, anything but that.

- Besides, it's none of your business.

- I'm sorry ma'am.

That's a very beautiful ermine jacket you

have on, remarkably similar to one of mine.

Oh, I didn't expect you back so soon.

Don't think I intended to borrow or anything,

I just wanted to see how

I'd feel in one of these things.

- Do you feel very different?

- I'll say.

- Well, why don't you wear it?

- Do you mean it?

Oh, why not? You may as well go to perdition

in ermine, you're sure to come back in rags.

You know, you're funny, in some

ways, you're not such a bad egg.

- As eggs go, I probably have my points.

- Gee, thanks.

Not at all,

not at all, anything for old Seattle.

Well, I'm not sure

about dinner, just a minute.

Hattie, what's on the menu tonight?

- What do you think?

- Well, don't tell me.

I believe I could manage it.

Yes, I'll try to get another girl.

8 o'clock, time.

Oh, what the well dressed roommate will wear.

Pardonnez moi.

Take a look Henry, that's where you'll

wind up if you don't behave yourself.

If your line isn't too busy

tonight, I have a couple of lumber...

Oh no, no, don't mention the word lumber.

I am dining tonight on Pheasant Bordelaise...

with the peach fuzz dressing...

- Where is Bordelaise?

- She doesn't even know what pheasant is.

Naturally, there's a difference

between Pheasant and peasant.

Oh, my friend wouldn't

think of serving peasants.

No but he's willing to

take them out once or twice.

But when he's through, he's through,

that's what I love about my friend.

It's one thing to borrow a friend's

friend, it's another thing to hold him.

If you know what I mean.

Would you mind telling the lady that

I don't want to buy anything today?

Goodbye all and when I return,

I should tell you how the other half lives.

Nice meeting you.

If it's not asking too

much, let's not be late again.

Lead the way Higgins.

You don't suppose she was

burned up by any chance, do you?

Why don't you two

have it out with sharp knives?

- Hello Bill.

- Hi palsie, hello Ann.

Hello, make it snappy, we're in a hurry.

- What's the matter with her?

- Oh, just a grouch, when did you get back?

This morning, show was

one of the quickest flop of the year...

in spite of one of the best press

campaigns of this or any other season..

- No thanks, gave it up when I was seven.

- Bright girl, busy tonight?

Yeah.

Well, I couldn't give you

very much time tonight anyway but...

how about dinner tomorrow night?

- I don't think I can very well.

- Why not?

Well, since we've gotten this job,

I haven't had much time for anything.

You haven't given up eating, have you?

It isn't that, it's just that I don't think

we better see each other for a while.

- Why?

- I just think it's better, that's all.

Oh?

- Why do you say oh like that?

- Oh, how would you say it?

You make it sound like

it meant something else.

Well, does it?

Whatever I do is my own business.

- Are you coming or aren't you?

- Oh, shut up.

Did you eat something sour for lunch today?

I'm sorry Bill but I got

to live my own life from now on.

Sure...

but it wouldn't interfere with your life I

walk down to the corner with you, with it?

No, I guess not.

Well, that's 50,000 you

owe me, what you going to do?

- One shake, double or nothing.

- Alright, go ahead.

We're even.

Did you enjoy your supper?

- I didn't dare to.

- Why not?

Make it too tough

to go back to that lamb stew.

You don't have to go back

if you don't want to.

- You have suppers like this all the time?

- Well, practically all the time, why?

Just wonder, I wish I'd been born

lucky instead of beautiful and hungry.

You can't have

everything but you are beautiful.

I'm the lucky one.

Will you have a little champagne?

No thanks, I won't

be able to stand up as it is.

- I knew she was lying to me.

- Who?

- He isn't deaf at all.

- Hasn't been.

No, just shows you

can't trust people nowadays.

That's right, you can't. Don't you

think you better have a little coffee?

- Oh, that's a wonderful view.

- Oh yes, it is, it's a wonderful view.

It's a beautiful city, just like a fairyland.

It's full of color, romance,

illusion, glamor.

Maybe it depends on

which window you see it from.

You should see it only from here.

- Do those lights keep you awake?

- So far they haven't.

I love New York from up here.

So rouged and manicured

and ready to go out for the evening.

You're quite a

little philosopher, aren't you?

- It's probably the champagne talking.

- Mighty good talk.

- That's mighty good champagne.

- Let's have a little more of both.

Alright.

Who are the 3 little men?

Oh, they're 3 little

figures I picked up in the Orient.

- Anyone I should know?

- I don't know.

This one takes care of all good little

girls who work very hard for a living.

And this one sees to it

that they meet the right people.

- And this one...

- This one went to market.

Yes and he also sees to it that

little girls don't have to eat lamb stew.

- Did you pick her up in the Orient too?

- No, that's Mrs. Powell.

We're not divorced or anything

like that and that's, that's Junior.

Fine looking boy, isn't he?

I never believe in making pretenses.

Lots of men who are

separated from their wives...

see to let it be understood

that they're not married.

I believe, in this day and age...

that a man can have his home on

one hand and still live his own life.

- That is, any man of character.

- That's big of you.

- Well, it happens to be the way I believe.

- That is very big of you.

Why don't you relax?

A few things I want to talk over with you.

After all, you must be

very tired dancing all evening.

Here, st down right here, that's right.

Oh, there you are again.

I'm glad you're not deaf because if you were

deaf you wouldn't be able to hear anything.

And that would be terrible.

- Yes ma'am, that would be terrible.

- Sure would be terrible.

Be awful.

I never know whether

he's coming out or going in.

- What happened?

- Isn't that more restful?

- I thought something blew out.

- It does improve the view, doesn't it?

It's beautiful.

It's beautiful now but think

of how much more beautiful...

it'll be when your name

is flashing across the horizon.

Jean Maitland in letters that big.

- That big.

- Alright, that big.

- Got to be big enough to keep people awake.

- It'll be big enough.

I'll be the sculptor and you'll be the clay.

I'll mold you into the greatest

dancer that Broadway has ever known.

I'll be Pygmalion, you'll be Galatea.

- Sounds like a fairy story.

Isn't life a fairy story and aren't grown

up people just little children at heart?

Oh, I know at the office, I'm gruff Anthony

Powell, theatrical producer, that's a pose.

Here with you I'm just

a tired little boy with a dream.

Who were you supposed to be?

You were supposed to be somebody and I was...

- supposed to be somebody.

- Pygmalion and Galatea.

- And who am I?

- You're Galatea.

- Am I Galatea?

- Oh, yes.

Pygmalion was a sculptor who

carved a statue of a woman out of marble.

The statue was so beautiful

that he fell in love with it.

And his love was

so deep and tender and true...

that it warmed the statue to life

and they lived happily ever after.

Did they get married?

Oh no, I don't think people

got married in those days.

Oh, I think that's terrible.

- What's terrible?

- They didn't get married.

- But she was just a statue.

- That's what's so terrible about it.

- You can't cry over a statue.

But the whole thing's a merry story.

- No but look at all the trouble he went to.

- He didn't go to any trouble.

You're just getting hysterical

and besides, he had a wife and son and

couldn't get married anyway, Harcourt.

Should've thought of that in first place, she

was probably minding her own business.

Now you're getting

yourself all excited over nothing.

I'm not excited and it may be nothing

to you but it was something to her.

- He can't do that to her.

- No, you bet he can, you bet.

Well, why don't you do something about?

And I'm going to do something about

it the very first thing in the morning.

Now, you run along and get some

sleep and don't worry about a thing.

I had my lawyer

straighten the whole thing out.

What thing?

Whatever there is to be straightened

out, I'll see to straightened out.

Don't you worry your

pretty head about a thing.

- Oh, you're wonderful.

- Harcourt is right here.

Harcourt will see you to

your car, that's a good girl.

- You're wonderful.

- That's right, you're wonderful...

and I'm wonderful and Harcourt is

wonderful, the whole thing is wonderful.

You seem to be rather high yourself.

You must had a pretty good time tonight.

- I'll say it was wonderful.

- Oh, yes.

The view was wonderful,

the supper was wonderful.

I won 50,000 dollars

and Harcourt is wonderful.

- And who's Harcourt?

- What's his name?

- You know your own name?

- It's going to be in letters that big.

- No, that big.

- Whose, yours or Harcourt is?

You said it.

And he's going to divorce

his wife and marry Galatea.

- And who's Galatea?

- I, she's a statue.

She should never

got married in the first place.

But it's been to be wonderful.

Yes, I'm sure that everything

is going to be very wonderful.

The view is wonderful.

And Harcourt is wonderful and you are.

And Harcourt is

wonderful and you are wonderful.

- And you're wonderful.

- And I'm wonderful too.

Now come on, let me

help you take off your things.

Now, we all going to go to the wedding.

- Say, you going to be there too.

- I'll be there.

Harcourt is going to marry Galatea

and we're all going to live together...

- in a great big sign and I feel terrible.

- But isn't it wonderful?

And tomorrow you going to have a wonderful

hangover and that won't be so wonderful.

It's wonderful, it's wonderful.

Well, that's my story,

how did you get in the theater?

How did any of us get in the theater?

I've never even been in

a theater except as a spectator.

Where you first get the bug Judy?

I guess started with

me when I was a little girl.

I went to see a circus and there

was a beautiful lady in pink tights.

- Wasn't you, was it?

- No. I don't like pink.

- She was riding a large white horse.

- Sure it wasn't a purple cow?

Oh, whatever it was, here I am, no

horse, no job, not even the pink tights.

Is Mr. Powell's car calling

for you at the Grotto tonight?

Mr. Powell's car calls for me every night.

I was just wondering, I saw Mr. Powell at...

the Colonie Bar this

afternoon with another young lady.

However, you've done much better than I...

expected, I didn't

think you'd last this long.

Is madame certain

she hasn't been seeing things?

Madame is quite certain.

Oh, you probably get a note later

saying he's been detained on business.

When Mr. Powell

doesn't send his car he always...

sends a note, he's quite courteous that way.

This is where I came in, let's get going.

I expect this to be the

best play I've ever produced.

Every actress on Broadway has

begged to play the part of Jeanette.

As a matter of fact,

it's one of the best parts ever written.

Isn't that more restful?

On the contrary.

It makes me rather uncomfortable.

Why don't you relax?

Let me tell you the story of the play.

- Go ahead.

- The scene opens on Long Island.

It's a beautiful, beautiful day in spring...

and Jeanette, that's the character I

want you to play, is brokenhearted.

Her husband is about to leave her.

Are you sure that you brought

me here to discuss the play?

Why you ask?

- Well, I'm a rather suspicious person.

- But you want to be a star, don't you?

Under the proper circumstances.

Why don't you sit back on

the couch? It's more comfortable.

Would you like to see your

name blazing across the horizon...

In big letters but it must be a good sized

sign, I'm used to that so is Jean Maitland.

- What she got to do with it?

- Are you love with her?

- No.

- I thought so.

She's just girl I took an interest in.

As a matter of fact, she's

becoming more or less of a pest.

- Say, what are you? A district attorney?

- Not exactly.

So what is Jean Maitland

to do with this discussion?

Do you want to play this part or don't?

I'm really tremendously flattered,

but how do you know that I can act?

Because I know.

How do you know? You've

never seen me on the stage.

- And how do you know that?

- Because I've never been on the stage.

- But I did see you perform in my office.

- I wasn't performing that day.

But whether you were performing or

not, I do know an actress when I see one.

- I don't see how can you tell...

- You ever stop asking questions.

I'd just like to know why...

You don't have to

know anything, I'll do the talking.

Now, whether you were

acting in my office or no...

you did show fire and emotion

and that's what I need in this part.

But I'm not an emotional person.

You will be when I get

through with you on moldering you.

Oh, I don't want to be molded.

I believe in acting with my brain.

When I'll mold you one of those also,

Hartcourt, will you have champagne?

- No, thanks.

- Well, would you mind if I do?

Go ahead.

- Were you expecting someone sir?

- No, get the champagne.

I'll answer the door.

You mind if I answer the door?

- Well, how did you get up here?

- Have you got a woman in this apartment?

- Who wants to know?

- Who has a better right?

Now see here, I'm in a very bad humor,

you get downstairs the way you got up.

How can you shout at me

after all you promised last night?

I'm not shouting I didn't promised anything.

Where is she?

Say, by what right

do you come crashing into this...

So it's you.

Hello.

- Say, what is this?

- That's what I'm asking.

Mr. Powell was just

telling me the plot of a play.

So that's how you happens to be on the floor.

Come on, get up. That isn't where

I left you. What is this? A frame-up?

- Tony darling, control yourself.

- Don't Tony darling me, now you come on.

Get up out of there.

And you go home immediately.

I'll go home when you hear what I got to say.

Just say it and get over with, she came

up here to sign a contract to do a play.

What's she going to sign it with? Champagne?

- Harcourt, call the manager.

- Oh, you needn't get any manager.

I thought I was in love with

you but I see my mistake now.

I only went out with you

in the first place to spite Linda.

Yes, you better hide your face,

you double dealing, double crossing..

Darling, I didn't know what I was doing.

My own roommate and you preach

ideals, you and your grandfather.

Look, I had enough of this nonsense.

Preaches ideals so she can

chisel when my back is turned.

Well, you can take your old red fox cape.

I'll never borrow another thing

again from you as long as I live.

- Don't try to borrow anything from me.

- Please, don't start that again.

I hope you two snakes will be very

happy together, you too, you reptile.

Never mind.

- What's so funny?

- Everything.

Well, it isn't funny at all.

What it's suppose she thinks?

Exactly what I want her to think.

Why? Why?

Well, for several reasons.

In the first place, I like her.

- She won't like you very much after this.

- Oh, she'll see the light in time.

You mean you jeopardize your own reputation?

- Aren't you a kind of a Girl Scout?

- Just a girl who uses her brain.

- Anyhow, I wanted show you that I can act.

- You are a faker.

Oh, we're both fakers.

Isn't faking the essence of acting?

Well, it may apply to actors,

but it does not apply to me.

- You, you're a bigger faker than I am.

- Such libel.

Not if I can prove it.

Now, this young man is your son, isn't he?

- Please keep my family out of this.

- And if he's your son, he must...

be a lot older than you are,

because that photo is been used...

to advertise a certain military

academy for a great number of years.

- How do you know?

- Because my brother went to that academy.

And this lady,

whom you pretend is your wife...

she's done a lot of

posing for the face powder ads.

My friend, you have just broken up

a very, very convenient marriage.

I think that we understand each other.

- Now, what about the play?

- Oh yes, yes, where were we?

- We were in Long Island.

- Yes, the scene opens on Long Island.

Beautiful, beautiful day in spring...

- and Jeanette, that's the character...

- Yes, that's me.

That's right, is brokenhearted,

she's about to lose her husband.

Not exactly the way I

just lost my wife but...

- She's coming.

- Oh, my.

- Where is everybody Hattie?

- I don't know, where you want them to be?

Oh Madeline told me someone

down here wanted to see me.

Well, if somebody is here to see you, I'd

better turn on the lights and give a chance.

It's for you Ann, it's for you Ann.

- I feel like crying.

- No.

- Oh, no speeches at this banquet, don't.

- You're the guest of honor.

I see you remembered

the right number of years.

We won't tell on you if you don't tell on us.

Take a big blow and make a wish.

No wait a minute,

I have to turn the lights off.

Make a wish.

- Quiet, everybody.

- And don't tell us what it is, that's fatal.

I guess everyone knows

what it is without my telling you.

It's coming true, I can feel it in my bones.

She made it.

It's so beautiful, I hate to cut it.

That's one of Hattie's

cake, maybe you can't cut it.

I resent that.

Be careful you don't drop it on your foot.

- Girls, I've the most wonderful news.

- Oh, maybe the house is on fire.

I've just been talking to Terry Randall.

- Oh, what's wonderful about that news?

- Maybe she's had an accident.

She's going to play the leading part

in Anthony Powell's new play.

- Randall?

- Isn't that exciting?

And I've only been

coaching her such a short time.

Maybe that's why she got the part.

- Which, which play is she going to do?

- His new play.

- Enchanted April?

- Yeah.

- The part of Jeanette?

- Isn't it hard to believe?

Perhaps you girls will change

your opinion of Miss Randall after this.

Perhaps you'll change your opinion of me too.

And perhaps you'll pay more

attention to your theatrical training.

Poor kid, we can't even have a birthday...

party without Randall

or something else crabbing it.

Why don't you leave Randall alone?

She hasn't harmed anyone.

No but she always

looks like she's ready to start.

Olga is right, she hasn't harmed anyone.

All she did was steal

the part you wanted to do.

It wasn't my part because I wanted.

Last year I took a part

away from a girl who wanted.

- No, this is different.

- It isn't different.

Isn't there enough heartache in the

theater without our hating each other?

- Honey, you're crying.

- I'm crying because I'm happy.

I've had my moments in the theater

and I think Terry deserves her chance.

If you say anything to her,

that won't get the part for me, will it?

There's going to be

other parts and other plays.

This is my birthday and I'm going to

be happy, the devil with the theaters.

Alright folks, let's begin, we'll take

the scene over again from the beginning.

Go right ahead, go ahead.

Here she is now, coming up the garden path.

- Oh, what we going to say to her?

- I don't know.

The poor child, she's probably brokenhearted.

You better let me talk to her first.

Well? Come on Miss Randall, this is your cue.

I'm sorry, I didn't know that

you were rehearsing again.

In the theater Miss Randall,

we're supposed to come in on cue.

Yes but there are some men out there

fooling around with ropes and things...

could you ask them to stop?

We find it

necessary in the theater to have...

men fooling around

with ropes and things Miss Randall.

If you'd just pay

more attention to your cues...

and not contradict so many

times you might get better results.

- Well, you needn't be sarcastic about it.

- I apologize deeply.

- Now get out and come in on cue.

- Alright, don't get excited.

I just can't hear anything with these people.

Alright, go ahead.

The poor child, she's probably brokenhearted.

- You better let me talk to her first.

- Hello Mother hello Dad hello Kate.

The calla lilies are in bloom again, such

a strange flower, suitable to any occasion.

I carried them on my wedding day and now I...

place them here in

memory of something that is died.

- He needs a good thrashing.

- You poor child.

Are you gathered here to mourn or

have you come to bring me comfort?

You know, there's still something

not quite right about that line.

You might want to

read it correctly, that would help.

I don't see why you should

object to an intelligent suggestion.

I've written several

important plays Miss Randall...

one of them received the Pulitzer Prize.

Have you written any plays?

It's an old saying that you don't

have to be a hen to know a bad egg.

Now Miss Randall,

it's nothing wrong with the play.

I'll explain the scene to you once again.

This woman's husband has decided

to leave her and she's brokenhearted.

Now, can you understand that?

Yes, I can understand that but you

told me to be light and sophisticated.

On the surface.

But inside, here, your heart is broken.

The smile on your face,

and you're crying in your heart.

Well, I don't see how you can

do two things at the same time...

I refuse to sit quietly by

and see my play butchered.

Mr. Powell, as long

as everyone around here...

putting in their two

cents worth somewhat promiscuously...

I should like to remind you that I have

a Broadway reputation to consider.

I don't see what

your Broadway reputation has...

to do with what we're talking

about, give me a light, will you?

Miss Randall.

I'll have to ask you

to pay attention to the director.

Oh, what am I supposed to do? Walk

around like a puppet or use my intelligence?

- You to do as you told.

- Don't yell at me.

I am yelling at you.

If you think I'm so terrible,

why you hire me for the part?

That's what I'd like to know.

Temporary insanity, probably.

Now go ahead and do as you told.

- Well, I...

- Go ahead and do it.

- I am doing it but...

the only thing that I'd just like to make...

- How long have you been coaching this girl?

- I've only had her a month in.

Better one, no one could possibly

get that bad in a month's time.

- Would you mind a suggestion?

- Anything please.

I was wondering, could you possibly

see an older woman in the part?

I don't know what I'm going to do.

Where's this fellow Carmichael?

I got to get out of this contract somehow.

- He ought to be here any minute.

- There he is now.

Hello Mother hello Dad hello Kate.

Calla lilies are in bloom again...

- Hello Mr. Powell, how's everything going?

- I got to get out of this contract.

- I'm afraid that's impossible.

- Who is this mysterious client of yours?

- Head of some combine trying to ruin me?

- Don't understand?

When you listen to

this rehearsal, you'll understand.

Isn't she turning out

as well as you expected?

Oh, she may has possibilities,

but right now she's a rank amateur.

And as emotional as a fish,

and she's a nuisance in the bargain.

She questions everyone,

the director, the writer, the actors.

I don't see how this play is

going to be anything but a flop.

Is that so?

- Well, you seem to be pleased about it.

- Well, after all it's my client's money.

But I told you I'd give you the money back...

and son to win if you

let me out of the contract.

I'm sorry.

Is your client by any chance

in love with this girl?

Well, to tell you the truth, I believe he is.

Well, it takes all kinds

of people to make a world.

- Mr. Powell...

- Coming, coming.

I still don't understand anything he said...

tells me to laugh and cry at

the same time, I don't know what.

- Well, that's plain to be seen.

- Come on, let's get this organized.

Go ahead and get it

organized you know a puppet...

Do you think my dress is

fancy enough to wear opening night?

For Randall's opening,

you ought to wear black.

Oh, she was nice

enough to give us free tickets.

She wanted to be sure

someone was in the audience.

Oh, the night was growing old.

As she trudged through snow and sleet;

And her nose was long and

cold and her shoes were full of feet.

Look, don't you like my dress?

Don't you think it's pretty?

Well, where you get that?

Your mother send it from Louisiana?

Oh yes, she makes all my clothes.

- What are those things there, pecans?

- No, just doodads.

- Got to have 35 cents.

- For what?

- For Terry's flowers.

- Don't make me laugh.

Come on, cough up.

We've only got 3 dollars and 85

cents, need as much as we can get.

Alright, I'll give a

dollar if it's for her funeral.

She tries harder to hate

people than anyone I know.

- Here, keep the change.

- Hey, wait a minute.

You're so fond of feuds, you ought

to live in the Kentucky mountains.

Come on, we haven't got much time to eat.

You got to stop at the florist in the way.

This will be my

35th performance as spectator.

Cheer up Mary Lou, someday

the people on the stage will...

sit and watch the

audience and you'll be a sensation.

So long string bean,

I shall see you at the theater.

Say, you're not going to

catch the opening tonight, eh?

No, I'm going tomorrow and catch the closing.

You girl all talk as

though you want her to be a flop.

No exactly but as long as she's going to

be a flop, I'm going to be there and see it.

She's sore because Terry

took my boyfriend away from her.

- What do you mean boyfriend?

- Tired little boyfriend.

You know, someday I'm

going to be lucky and run into you...

when I'm carrying a bowl of goldfishes.

Get me. Ain't I'm one?

Look at her.

Will you sew me into this?

I'll get out about myself.

- Gee, you look all dressed up.

- I am dressed up.

- Are you going alone?

- Not Mackintosh, I got a beau.

- Who?

- The butcher's helper.

He was little hard to break

down but after I told him I had..,

passes he nearly cut

his thumb off in excitement.

- Why can't I get a butcher?

- Oh be still my heart, maybe that's him now.

Hattie, this is your night,

you got to make an entrance.

- I'll get the door, you get out of here.

- Hattie, have a heart.

- Hello.

- Hello, it's raining.

- Oh, is that what it's doing?

- Kind of wet.

Yeah, rain usually is this

time of year, Hattie will be right out.

Hey Butch, I want you to meet Miss Farnsbarn,

Miss Fannisbess Miss France and the stuff.

- How do you know my name was Butch?

- Oh Same way you knew is raining.

Say Butch, it's something

I want to talk to you about.

You know, one of these days when

Hattie comes down to market to get...

some of that nice lamb, if

your hand should put a little chicken...

got in there of that lamb,

girls isn't handsome?

You know, you know,

some people do things like...

that for other people and

other people do things like that...

for some people, I think

you should do it, don't you?

Oh, why won't you come in

and get the meat sometime?

Oh, I will.

You know, you know, I was downtown the other

day, I was telling the girls that I saw...

you standing by the window with

your white coat on you were wonderful.

I'd like to turn me back on you

sometimes, you had a handful of knives.

Butch is wonderful, he promised

the next time you go shopping...

get some chicken all mixed

up in the lamb, right?

- No, I didn't exactly.

- No, no, no.

- Come on,

- Hattie don't do anything Butch wouldn't do.

I'll do something for

you sometime, I'll poison your soup.

- Hey Butch, you got a friend?

- I don't know.

He said don't know.

The calla lilies are in bloom again.

Such a strange flower,

suitable for every occasion.

I carried them on my wedding day and now I...

place them here in

memory of something that is died.

Cue from him, are you

gathered here to mourn or you come...

I thought I told you to rest.

- Oh, I can't remember a line.

- Of course you can't.

Nobody can an hour before

curtain time on opening night.

When you put your foot on that stage,

it'll all come back as if by magic.

- Suppose they don't come back?

- Oh, they'll come, somehow they all will.

No, no Ann, I couldn't

eat anything, thank you. You're sweet.

Well, I'll leave the tea here.

The calla lilies are in,

I can't remember that.

Calla lilies are in

bloom, bloom, bloom, bloom.

Such a strange flower...

They seem to be useful on...

I don't know what in the dickens

they're useful on occasion.

I'll never be able to remember, Kay?

The doctor told you to stay in bed.

I'm not going to stay in bed

with all this excitement.

But you mustn't disobey orders.

I was to come and see you before I left.

Keep her cheerful Kay, she's got first

night nerves, you know, you've had them.

I'm hurry along and get...

- Your coat and galoshes are there.

- Yes, thank you.

- Kay, don't let her do any more rehearsing.

- I'll sit on her.

It would be raining in the bargain.

It's, it's that first speech, if I could only

get through that, I'd be all right.

Would you mind watching, Kay?

The calla lilies are in bloom again, such

a strange flower, suitable to any...

- May I make a suggestion?

- I wish you would.

The way you hold the flowers.

I've always thought that Jeanette

would hold them as she were a child.

- They never had a child, you see and...

- Oh, I see.

You suppose that's what the author intended?

I'm sure he did.

And when she says, in memory

of something that is died, she...

Kay, you know this play.

It's not a play, it really

happened to someone I know.

Darling, you mustn't do that.

This isn't just your

night, it's my night too.

You got to be a success tonight.

You got to give a great performance.

- No matter what happens.

- Is something the matter?

No, I'm just excited, that's all.

Here, you sit down and I'll get you some tea.

That condemned woman drank a hearty supper.

I felt the same way.

Felt like running and hiding from everyone.

But after that opening speech,

there's a thrill you'll never forget.

It's a thrill that only comes once.

Thrill? I can't make out

whether it's a thrill or agony.

It's both.

Aren't you ready yet?

Come, we'll have to hurry.

- Well, here I go.

- The opening night, you know.

Be quick dear.

- Wish her luck, Kay.

- Yes, I wish me luck.

Goodbye.

I want to give you this.

A girl gave it to me last year on my

opening night and it brought me luck.

Darling, you're sweet.

I wish you were going to

be there to hold my hand.

- I'll be there, in spirit.

- Are you coming or are you not?

Here she comes.

- Good luck.

- Goodbye Terry.

Five minutes Miss Hamilton, five minutes,

Everything is been fine.

Places now, places please.

Ready everybody, are you Miss Hamilton?

It's a bought out house, everybody is out

there, you haven't a thing to worry about.

You ready now?

- Stand by then please.

- Ready Miss Hamilton?

Did you hear that? That's all for you.

This is your night.

Who's that?

Kay...

she jumped before I could stop her.

She lying out there, in the rain.

Calling Car 19, calling car 19.

Go to 87 West, 58th Street. Ambulance call.

Girl leaped out window,

possible suicide. Morris talking.

- Good evening Mr. Powell.

- Good evening.

Well, looks like a packed house.

It's because they don't

know what's in store for them.

Looks like the boyfriend.

- Hey, this is a very bad place to stand.

- Why?

We're likely to be trampled to

death when they start running out.

Poor darling, you shouldn't have told

her, she isn't responsible for Kay's act.

She is responsible,

was Kay's part, it was Kay's life.

But now it's too late, Kay is dead.

- Please?

- Kay is dead.

Kay, who never harmed anyone and...

it's all because she hasn't a heart,

because she's made out of ice.

I can't listen to you

anymore, you must leave.

Oh, I'm leaving. I'm going to sit out

front because Kay asked me to be there.

And then every line she reads I'm

going to say that should've been Kay's line.

And every move you make, I'm

going to say that should've been Kay.

Kay, who's lying in

a morgue all broken and alone.

I dare you to go on tonight.

I've got to get out of here,

- I'm not going on.

- You've got to go on.

Why didn't someone tell me?

I'd given up a thousand parts

rather than have this happen.

I'm going to go up and tell them I'm not

going to go one, I'm going to tell them why.

- I'll tell them.

- You can't think only of yourself.

Kay is dead, you had nothing to do with that.

But there are 50 living

people dependent on you.

This show may mean as

much to them as it meant to Kay.

The ushers, the property men,

the old women who clean out the theater.

Each one of them has the right to demand that

you give the best performance that you can.

That's the tradition of the theater.

No, hang the tradition

of the theater, I'm thinking of Kay.

Very well then, think of Kay.

Do you going to let her down?

You got to give the

performance she wanted you to give.

Then perhaps, wherever

she is, you may bring her peace.

Three minutes to curtain.

- Miss Randall, three minutes to curtain.

- Alright, we're coming, we're ready.

Pick your exit, it won't be long now.

Here she is now, coming up the garden path.

- What are we going to say to her?

- I don't know, no.

The poor child, she's probably brokenhearted.

You better let me talk to her first.

Hello Mother hello Dad.

The calla lilies are in bloom again.

Such a strange flower.

Suitable to any occasion.

I carried them on my wedding day and now...

place them here, in

memory of something that is died.

- He needs a good thrashing.

- You poor child.

Have you gathered here to mourn

or are you here to bring me comfort?

How could a girl like you

fall in love with a man like that?

I've learned something about

love that I never knew before.

I never knew before.

You speak of love when it's too late.

Help should come to people when they need it.

Why are we always so helpful

to each other when it's no longer any use?

Oh, my darling.

- Those are not the lines.

- No but it's the mood.

This my home, this is where I belong.

Love was in this house once...

And for me it will

always be here, nowhere else.

- Surely you're not going to see him.

- Of course, I'm going to see him.

He's coming to me today to say goodbye.

And one should always listen

closely when people say goodbye.

Because sometimes

they're really saying farewell.

Listen, I'm up at the theater

in Powell's private office.

Get a couple of photographers over

here right away and don't argue with me.

This Randall girl is going

over big, hear the applause?

You hear it? And wait till I tell you

who she is boy, this is plenty hot.

- Love comes back to its ancient dwelling.

- The old, old love that we knew of yore.

Terry Randall, what I say?

Come on, come on.

- Hold it, hold it.

- Take a bow.

- They're calling for you.

- Who's calling for me?

- You are a success darling.

- They want a curtain speech.

Yes, yes, go on. Say something.

I suppose that I should thank

you on behalf of the company.

And I know that I'm grateful

to you for your applause.

But I must tell you that I don't deserve it.

I'm not responsible for

what happened on this stage tonight.

The person you should be

applauding died a few hours ago.

A young and brilliant actress who

could no longer find a spot in the theater.

And it was for her, more than for

anyone else, that I was able to go on.

And I hope that wherever she is she knows...

and understands and forgives.

That's the oddest

curtain speech I ever heard.

- Hello, Powell.

- Well hello, how you like the show?

A little heavy but the girl is good.

What in the name of time

was that curtain speech all about?

I don't know what it was about but she's a

sensation and I just found something else.

- So?

- That guy with Carmichael is her father.

And the laugh is on us.

He's nobody but Henry Sims, the wheat king.

- Wheat king? What a publicity hookup.

- Don't worry, I spread it around.

There's the old man now.

Well Carmichael, why are you looking

so blue? We've got a hit on our hands.

- It's all I'm afraid of.

- Well, I never doubted it.

You permit it, you may Introduce me.

- Oh yes Mr.Powell...

- Glad to know you Mr.Sims.

You didn't fool me, I knew who

your daughter was all the time.

To be honest Mr. Powell, this

hasn't worked out the way I expected.

Well, cheer up. Your investment

will net you a quarter a million dollars.

What good will that

do me if I lose my daughter?

Well, that's the price of success.

Brent I forgot, get a big

basket of flowers and send it...

to Randall's dressing room

right away, put this on top, hurry it up.

- Shall I put a few sprigs of wheat in it?

- Oh, mind the sarcasm, go on, hurry.

Oh Elsworth,

you're just the man I'm looking for.

Well, I kind of put it

over on the boys, didn't I?

- You mean the wheat king's daughter?

- Yes.

She doesn't need that kind of publicity.

- I know it, that's why I kept it quiet.

- She has rather a strange quality.

Reminds me very much of

that girl you brought out last year.

- Yes?

- What was her name?

- Oh, Hamilton, Hamilton.

- Kay Hamilton, What ever happened to her?

- She still around.

- Strange quality?

Don't forget to mention in your review that

Randall is another Anthony Powell discovery.

My dear, you'll never know

how good you were tonight.

You were simply wonderful.

That wasn't me out there

tonight, it was someone else.

It's only after we have suffered, we

can make the audience feel with us.

Is someone have to die to create an actress?

Is that what the theater demands?

It takes more than greasepaint

and footlights to make an actress.

It takes heartbreak as well.

Don't try to say anything, we'll go to her.

- Where do you going?

- We're going to see Kay.

But you can't leave

now, there are people here.

The press, photographers.

You're an actress now,

you belong to those people.

- May I come in?

- You see them for me.

But, Terry, I...

- Hello, anyone there?

- Coming coming, coming.

Well, I thought you'd

never let me in, where's the...

- Where's Miss Randall?

- She's gone.

Gone?

But I got an office full of people,

reporters, society editors, photographers.

Why didn't you keep her here?

You know the theater better than that.

Well, she had an important

engagement she couldn't break.

An engagement? What's

more important than her career?

Well, it isn't my fault.

Of all the colossal nerve, I build a star

overnight and she runs out on me...

can you imagine that?

I got an office full of people

and she runs off somewhere...

some kind of a date or something.

Well, what I do with...

I don't care what you do with

them, get out of here.

Wait a minute.

Oh, imagine? Of all the colossal nerve.

Take a woman out of a wheat

field and make a star out of her.

Well, I don't deserve any better.

Opening night too, that's gratitude for you.

Spent time and effort to build

a production and they run out on you.

I haven't any sense to begin with.

Don't take it so hard

Eve, it all may be a mistake.

- I'll never put my trust in males again.

- What's happened to Eve?

She's brokenhearted,

Henry is in the cat hospital.

- An accident?

- He just had a litter of kittens.

Well, that's easy to solve,

change his name to Henrietta.

- I'm completely discouraged.

- The miracle is happened.

- Mary Lou is got a part.

- No, where?

Bergen's new show,

the southern accent did it.

I'm so thrilled I want to scream.

- You feel better?

- Read your part Mary Lou.

Oh, I'm supposed to be a girl from the

South and I'm with a lot of other girls...

and I say, let's go up to Westchester.

Go on.

- That's it.

- That's it?

Well, you don't read it right, you

should say, let's go up to Westchester.

Oh no Jean, that's all wrong, you got

to say, let's go up to Westchester.

Let's go up to Westchester.

Hey everybody,

here comes that blushing bride.

Oh, goodbye everybody,

I got to catch a 6 o'clock train.

Thanks for everything and the shower and all.

If any of you hams happen to come to Seattle

the house of Milbanks is always open to you.

I thought the people there lived in trees.

Only in the summer time, in

the winter time, we live in burrows.

Ok, she'll be right there.

Your bridegroom won't

hold that cab-taxi if you don't hurry.

Well, goodbye everybody.

Now that I'm going

I feel like having a good cry.

Say, you should weep, it's

the first job you've had in a year.

Sure, we all going to come

to your wooden anniversary.

Come on, heave.

♪ Here goes the bride, here goes the bride. ♪

Go back to Seattle, send us

an old wooden shoe maybe.

Poor kid, why she hated to

leave a dump like this is a mystery.

Oh, I know how she feels, to me it would

be like leaving the house where I was born.

Well, at least she'll have a couple of

kids to keep her company in her old age.

And what do we have?

Some broken own memories and an

old scrapbook which nobody will look at.

- Not very different race of people.

- Maybe.

Tonight I feel like sitting out in the

moonlight having somebody hold my hand.

Good evening, who do

I see about accommodation?

Miss Orcutt...

- She'll take care of you, come in.

- Thank you.

Hello? Hello Bill.

Don't be sentimental,

remember you're a ham at heart.

No, it wasn't me, a friend of mine.

How's the new job coming on?

Would you like me to carry a message

to your late lamented Aunt Susan?

Hold on, gangrene just set in.

No message, I

don't use that kind of language.

- Oh, I just thought I'd ask.

- I just wanted to know if maybe...

I think you'll be interested in this.

It's one of the

features of the Footlights Club.

It's the chair Bernhardt sat in when

she read Queen Elizabeth over here.

I was in the company. I think you'll

like it here, one great big family.

I'll show you your room,

I hope you don't mind sharing...

Stage Door (1937) - full transcript