That Girl (1966–1971): Season 2, Episode 3 - Black, White and Read All Over - full transcript
Of the twelve publishers Don has sent the manuscript of his novel, he has received twelve rejection letters. These twelve letters may mean that Ann will never be able to read the novel as Donald won't let her until it's published. Regardless, Ann staunchly defends the novel as great American literature. When Mr. Marie finds out about the situation, he, on Donald's behalf, offers to submit the manuscript to a publisher friend of his, T.L. Harrison, a Brewster resident and frequent customer at his restaurant. Donald and Ann are grateful. Mr. Marie, however, changes his mind after he himself reads the manuscript, as he considers the novel's two main characters - a writer and an actress - reprehensible, the two characters which he believes are Donald and Ann in real life. Mr. Marie's refusal to show the manuscript to Harrison leads to two things: a want by Ann to read the manuscript (or at least what her father considers the offensive parts) to see what her father's objections are, and an attempt by Ann to get the manuscript to Harrison personally with or without her father's knowledge.
Mr. Hollinger?
There's a charming, gorgeous,
and very talented young woman
here to see you.
Who?
Me.
I thought you were serious.
What kind of a
thing is that to say?
Of course I'm serious.
Well, your own mother wouldn't
recognize you from that description.
I don't think I want to
have lunch with you.
Why? Aren't you hungry?
No, I just think
you're in a bad mood.
Not really. Yes, really.
Okay. Really.
What happened?
I and my great American
novel just got another rejection.
Oh, no.
"Thank you for submitting
your novel City of Strangers.
"We regret to inform you
it does not meet our present
requirements for publication."
That's not bad.
What do you mean?
They're hedging.
How?
They say it doesn't meet
their "present requirements,"
which strongly implies
that in the very near future...
Ann, all it strongly implies is,
"We don't want it."
Donald, are you gonna let
one letter from one publisher
discourage you?
Uh.
Here are 11 others.
Donald, are you gonna let
12 letters from 12 publishers
discourage you?
Yes, I think so.
Well, they're all
wrong. City of Strangers
is one of the finest
novels of our time.
Thank you. I consider
that high praise, indeed,
from someone who hasn't read it.
Only because you keep
insisting I wait until it's published.
How about un-insisting?
No.
I'll love it.
Of course you will,
'cause you love me.
Oh, no, Donald.
I'll be very objective.
I might hate it.
Then I'll kill myself.
No, you'll read the first copy
when it rolls off the press.
I'll present you with
an autographed copy
at the Pulitzer Prize ceremony.
Oh, fine. By that time,
everybody'll say the only
person in the whole world
who hasn't read Donald
Hollinger's book is that girl.
♪♪
Hello, sweetheart.
Oh, hi, Daddy.
What a nice surprise.
I had business in
town so I stopped by
to deliver the blouses.
What blouses?
The ones your mother
hand-washed for you,
that I picked up the last
time I had business in town.
Oh, Daddy, can't you convince
Mother I can do my own blouses?
I doubt it.
Besides, I'd have no
excuse to bring you anything
whenever I have
business in town.
You don't have to
bring me anything.
Can't you just come see me
when you have business in town?
Don't be silly. I have no
other business in town.
Expecting company?
Well, Donald.
Would you care to join us?
No, thanks. I'm dining
with your laundress.
Looks very luxurious.
It's a major studio
production to cheer Donald up.
He's sorta depressed.
Why?
Well, because...
Hi, handsome.
Hi.
I don't need flattery.
I need affection.
Daddy's here.
Oh.
Hi, Mr. Marie.
Good to see you, sir.
No kiss? I'm hurt.
He isn't too depressed for
a little hanky-panky, is he?
Daddy, please.
What are you depressed about?
Who said I was depressed?
I did.
Oh. Well, it's
nothing really, sir.
In other words, you
refuse to confide in me.
Oh, no, no, it's
not that. I just...
'Cause I'm a member
of the older generation
and therefore
wouldn't understand.
Fine. Forget it.
Pardon me for
overstepping my boundaries.
Donald, confide in him. Okay?
Okay.
Mr. Marie, I'm...
I'm a little depressed
because the novel I wrote
and submitted to 12 publishers
has been rejected
by all 12 of them.
I see.
I don't suppose you've
submitted it to T.L. Harrison?
Who's T.L. Harrison?
Never heard of T.L. Harrison?
Uh, no, sir. Who is he?
Some writer.
T.L. Harrison happens to be
one of the most prominent
publishers in this country,
and also happens to be
one of my dearest friends.
Daddy, you know a
prominent publisher?
You sound shocked,
as if you thought
your humble father
only knew other humble fathers.
Well, you just never
mentioned you knew anybody
as important as T.L. Harrison.
He lives in Brewster,
where he's been eating
in my restaurant for years.
Donald, how about that?
My humble father knows
a prominent publisher.
Do you really know
him well, Mr. Marie?
Well?
Onion soup, mixed green
salad, oil and vinegar,
New York steak medium rare,
baked potato, sour
cream and chives,
coffee and custard.
That well enough for you?
Oh, Daddy, would you ask
him to read Donald's novel?
Oh, Ann, now that... that would
be too much of an imposition.
How do you know?
Well, I just assume...
Since I have a
sneaking suspicion
that you may wind
up as my son-in-law,
I'd like to do something
about your career...
Oh, Daddy, thank you.
Which up to now, seems
to be wallowing in failure.
Thank you.
You're welcome. By the
way, is the book any good?
Good? It's brilliant!
It's vibrant! It... It's fresh!
It's powerful! It's
gripping! It's perceptive!
What's it about?
I don't know. Donald
hasn't let me read it yet.
What's the matter? Don't
you confide in her, either?
Well, I'm waiting for the
first autographed copy.
You'll forgive me if I
don't. I'm late already.
Donald, why don't you give
Daddy the novel for Mr. Harrison?
I'm supposed to remind
you two that you're expected
for the weekend.
We'll be there
Saturday afternoon.
Don't forget to bring
some dirty laundry.
Be gentle with it.
It's my only child.
The same to you.
Oh, Donald, isn't this exciting?
I mean, first a Pulitzer
Prize-winning novel,
then an Academy
Award-winning movie,
in which I'll play the lead.
Well, I was hoping
for Charlton Heston.
Well, you have to
admit you're a lot shorter.
Hi, Mom! Ann, darling!
Aw! Hello, Don.
Hello, Mrs. Marie.
Thank you for inviting me.
Oh, it's our pleasure.
How's everything? Fine, fine.
Did Daddy show
Mr. Harrison Donald's novel?
Uh, no, he didn't.
Why?
Oh, because, well...
Why don't you ask
him yourselves?
Okay.
Hi, Daddy.
Hello, Mr. Marie.
Well, Lou, you have
to speak to them.
You should both be arrested.
You, for writing this trash,
and you for letting your
delinquency contributed to.
You didn't like it.
He felt it missed.
So I gather.
I'm sorry you don't care
for the book, Mr. Marie.
Your apology is not accepted.
And do not call this a book.
I call it trash.
I can see why you're too
ashamed to show it to my daughter.
It has nothing to do with shame.
He wasn't ashamed, Daddy.
I was waiting for it
to be published first.
Don't hold your breath.
With all due respect, Mr. Marie,
I can't believe you
understood the book.
I understood it perfectly.
I marked the trashy
parts with paper clips.
And before I was
halfway through,
I had to go out and
buy another box of clips.
Well, exactly which
parts did you object to?
The beginning, the
middle and the end.
Other than that, I
was crazy about it.
How about a nice cup of coffee?
If Michael and Rosemary
in The City of Strangers
are anything like Donald and
Anne in the city of New York,
I'll strangle you.
Why?
Their relationship is indecent.
Indecent? Mr. Marie, I...
Oh, Daddy, that's
just ridiculous!
Have you read the book?
No, but I have faith.
So have I, Lou.
Oh, you have?
Well, come all ye
faithful and listen to this.
Michael is a writer in
love with an actress.
He is also one of modern
literature's greatest swingers.
Page one.
"Michael and Rosemary
meet at a party."
A party that, in my opinion,
would be too wild for a Cossack.
Let's see.
Over my dead body!
"After the party,
he takes her home."
Is this the way a
gentleman talks
to a lady he's only
known for three hours?
Let's see.
Page 67.
I'd like you to explain
the behavior on page 67.
Wait a minute. That
is not "behavior."
That's Michael's
neurotic fantasy.
Let's see.
If he were my son, I'd wash his
neurotic fantasies out with soap.
Mr. Marie, what I
want to convey is...
What I want to convey is
that I wouldn't show this book
to a man like T.L.
Harrison with a 10-foot pole.
Oh, Daddy, you promised!
I didn't promise, I offered.
The offer is hereby rescinded.
How about a nice cup of coffee?
No, thank you, Mother.
Under the prevailing
circumstances,
Donald and I are leaving.
Honey, look, I don't want to
create a family quarrel. Let's...
No, that's all right, Donald.
Daddy, would you be so kind
as to return Donald's manuscript?
Good-bye, Daddy.
Good-bye, Mother.
I'll be sending all of my
dirty blouses parcel post.
Person to person.
I don't know.
I don't think we should
have left that way.
I mean, a man does have
a right not to like a book.
Mm-hm. I'll admit he
was a little violent about it,
but he's entitled
to his opinion.
Mm-hm.
Ann. Hmm?
You're home.
Oh, thank you, Donald.
Gee, you must've
been driving awfully fast.
Never went over the speed limit
once in two and a half hours,
and you haven't said one
word since we left Brewster.
It's this book.
I can't turn my eyes away.
What page you on?
453.
453 already?
I'm only reading the pages
that are paper clipped.
Donald... What?
Right here,
when Michael tells Rosemary
he's got the stomach flu
and then he goes
out with Jennifer,
was that the time you cancelled our
bowling date at the very last minute?
Of course not.
What about on page 21
where Michael picks up
that girl on Coney Island?
Was that when I was in Connecticut
doing that summer stock audition?
Honey, it had
nothing to do with it.
Well, what about on page 51,
when Michael and
Rosemary have that big fight?
Was that the time
you and I... No.
I didn't even ask you yet.
I don't care what you were gonna
ask, it had nothing to do with it.
You mean to say that none
of Michael's experiences
are based on any
of your experiences?
Right. Practically none.
Practically?
Honey...
what I'm trying to
explain is that every writer
subconsciously includes
bits and pieces of himself
in every character he writes.
Page 37?
No.
45?
No.
Oh, Donald, not 61 through 68.
Will you cut it out?
The characters of Michael
and Rosemary are absolutely
and unequivocally not
modeled after you and me.
Donald, I can certainly see
that Rosemary and
I are nothing alike.
I just wasn't too sure
about you and Michael.
Honey, listen to me.
City of Strangers is an
exercise in imagination.
It's a pure fiction.
I dreamed up the
story and the characters
and put them down
on a piece of paper
because I thought the
idea was important enough.
That's all there is to it.
Understand?
I think it's a very
good book, Donald.
I really do.
Thank you.
You know, if the parts
without paper clips
are as good as the
parts with paper clips,
I think it could
be a bestseller.
Before you can sell,
you have to publish.
Donald, we're going
back to Brewster.
Drive up to Brewster now?
Just as soon as I
make a phone call.
Honey, it's a long way
back up to Brewster.
No longer than it is
from Brewster to here.
True.
Hello, Operator? I'd like to
place a person-to-person call
to Mr. T.L. Harrison
in Brewster, New York.
No, I don't have the number.
Thank you.
If my father won't give
the book to Mr. Harrison,
then I will.
Come to think of it, I'm
gonna give it to my father too.
He's already read it.
Not the book. A
piece of my mind.
Imagine, Daddy, of all people,
thinking I was
anything like Rosemary.
Hello? Hello? Is
Mr. Harrison in, please?
Oh. Oh, he is?
I see. Did he leave a number
where he can be reached?
Oh. Oh!
Oh, really?
Oh, thank you so much.
Yes, thank you very much.
Donald, that was the
maid. She said he's gone out
for the evening, but in
case of an emergency,
he could be reached at 9:00
at La Parisienne restaurant.
Your father's restaurant?
That's right! That's right!
My father's restaurant.
Now, come on, let's go!
Only 40 clips to go.
Good evening, Mr. Marie.
Good evening. You
have a reservation?
No, I'm afraid we don't.
I'm sorry. Without
a reservation,
it'll be a 9-hour wait.
It isn't necessary
for us to dine.
If you would merely
show us the table
of Mr. T.L. Harrison,
we would have
a few words with
him. He isn't here.
Oh, Daddy, I just
talked to his maid.
She told me he's
having dinner here.
If you'd just point him out...
I will not point him out.
You want to give him that.
Ann, maybe we better leave.
Absolutely not.
Very well. We'll
find him eventually.
A table for two, please.
We'll discuss this
at another time.
If you don't give me a table,
I'm gonna make a scene.
I'll hold my breath 'til I die.
That didn't work when you
were eight, and it won't work now.
All right, I'm gonna
stand on the table
and do what Rosemary
did on page 46.
What's that?
Give her a table.
This way, please. A table
for two has just been vacated.
Thank you.
Order wisely. It's
not on the house.
Good evening. Madam desires?
The table of Mr. T.L.
Harrison, please.
I'm sorry, madam. I
don't know the gentleman.
Would you care for
a cocktail instead?
No, thank you. No, thank you.
What are you doing?
I'm trying to see
who looks like a
prominent publisher.
Oh, I've got a clue!
Daddy said he starts
off with onion soup.
Excuse me.
Oh, honey, this is
ridiculous. Can't we just...
Good evening, Mr. Harrison!
Sorry, my name is Winfield.
Oh. I thought that
was onion soup.
Navy bean.
Oh. Yes.
Madam.
Hey, is that onion soup?
Uh, yes, madam.
Is there something
wrong with it?
Oh, no, no. I, uh...
was just curious.
If madam would care for some,
madam's waiter would
be happy to take her order.
Oh, no. No, thank you.
I was just interested in that
particular bowl of onion soup.
Who gets it?
That gentleman
at the next table.
But I can assure madam,
there's enough onion soup
in the kitchen to
float a minesweeper.
Oh. Thank you.
By the way, it's
mademoiselle, not madam.
Excuse me. I'm very sorry
to intrude, Mr. Harrison.
I couldn't help notice
that your waiter's busy
and you've been
waiting for your soup.
I thought, I'm coming
to speak to you anyway,
I might as well bring
it at the same time.
There's this book I
want to discuss with you.
It was written by a
dear friend of mine.
I thought you'd like it
and I could tell that you...
aren't Mr. Harrison
at all, are you?
I'm sorry. I really
am. I'm so sorry.
I thought you were,
but you weren't.
I'm sorry. I'll take
the soup back too.
Are you lost, young
lady? Oh, no, no.
Young lady's not lost.
The young lady was looking
for the young lady's room.
Well,
he's either not here
or he's into his entree
or he's finished and left.
I know I could've gotten
him interested in your novel.
Honey, he probably
would've hated it.
And this way, I don't have
to face the pain and disgrace
of 13 rejection slips all
in the the same month.
See? Look at the bright side.
Nice try.
Not so nice.
Good night, Lou. Very good.
Thank you very much. Glad
you enjoyed it. See you next time.
Excuse me, is this Ann?
Aren't you Lou's daughter?
Yes. Yes, I am.
I thought I recognized
you. My name...
This is my daughter Ann,
and this is her
boyfriend, Don Hollinger.
This is one of my oldest and
dearest customers and friends.
Mr... T.L... Harrison.
Oh, Mr. Harrison, what
a pleasure to meet you!
Thank you.
And this is Donald Hollinger.
How do you do?
Pleased to meet you, sir.
Okay, T.L., no
blocking the aisles.
You have a lovely daughter, Lou.
Yes, but you've seen one
daughter, you've seen them all.
Donald is a novelist.
Really!
I'm a publisher, myself.
Y-Yes, we know.
Donald's written a novel,
and it's called
City of Strangers.
Well, I'd love to
read it sometime.
Well, you know what they say:
there's no time like the present.
Why don't you take it with you?
No, don't take it! Why not?
Well, uh, because it needs a lot
of work. You know how novels are.
Well, of course I do. I'll
give it special attention.
Well, I appreciate it, sir.
Thank you very much.
Not at all. Good
night, young man.
I'll be in touch.
Good night, Ann.
Good night. Thank you.
Good night, Lou. Good night.
I knew it! I knew
he'd publish it!
Well, honey, not so fast.
He hasn't even read it yet.
Oh, isn't this
exciting? Let's go.
Wait a minute.
Where are you going?
Well, we're going
back home to New York.
Oh, just a minute.
You can't drive back
at this time of night.
Sit down.
Stay over and
drive back tomorrow.
Mario.
No check.
Onion soup?
Oh, no, thanks. I
already found him.
You may tell me why you
didn't write a book about boots
or about a young couple
who climb Mt. Rushmore
and discover the true
meaning of America.
Or what's the matter
with a cookbook?
Mr. Marie, I tried to
write a sensitive novel
about a young couple
who are doomed
because they didn't have
the benefit of parents like you
and Mrs. Marie.
Show me where it says that.
Daddy, it was
stated allegorically.
Sure, some kind of trick.
I think Don's right.
How do you know?
You haven't read it.
Oh, I read some of it.
I got interested when you
were out buying paper clips.
And you liked it?
I laughed a little, and I cried a
little. What more can you ask?
A more wholesome portrait
of our daughter, for one thing.
Lou...
Lou, our daughter's a good girl,
with good sense and good taste.
She can take care
of herself anywhere.
Now, I believe that.
Don't you?
'Course I believe it.
It's just that...
it was a long book,
and I... I read it fast.
I think I will have some coffee.
I'll get it.
Good morning, young
novelist. How goes the battle?
Coming right along, thank you.
Good. Hello, Lou.
Good morning, T.L.
Come on in. Mr. Harrison.
Mrs. Marie. How are you?
I'm just fine, and you?
Thank you, fine.
Hello there, Ann.
Hello, Mr. Harrison.
Would you like some coffee?
Oh, no, thanks. I'm
on my way to the club.
I just stopped in for a
minute to see this young man.
Mr. Hollinger.
When I got home last night,
I read your novel.
Yes, sir?
I like it.
Well, thank you. Thank you.
It's the kind of material
we keep our eyes open for
around Tornado Publishing.
Well, sir, that's... that's
very exciting, very exciting.
That's the word: "exciting."
The kind of book
that catches your eye
the minute you step into that
drugstore or hit that newsstand.
Zap!
City of Sin.
Excuse me, Mr. Harrison.
The title of the book
is City of Strangers.
Yes, well, you'll let
us worry about the title.
A title, like time, is money.
I did mark certain... pages...
with paper clips.
I knew it.
Didn't you like
them, Mr. Harrison?
They need work.
I see.
I've been talking to the boy
about watering down
certain of the passages.
Exactly!
Every time you reach a scene
that really has a
chance to sizzle,
you water it down.
Don't do it, fella!
Let it sizzle!
At Tornado, we like
to call a spade a spade.
Spell it out. Don't fool around.
Sir, sir, that... that wasn't
my first consideration.
You see, I was trying
to say something.
Well, you try to sell
something first, young novelist.
You can say anything
you want later.
Stop by my office
Monday afternoon.
We'll discuss the
rewrite and a cover.
Something really,
really exciting.
Michael and Rosemary...
Know what I mean?
Yes, I think so.
You know what we say at Tornado?
The public always
judges a book by its cover.
Mr. Harrison, I'm afraid what
you're asking isn't my style.
You think it over, young
novelist, and let me know.
So long, Lou. Good-bye.
Charming to see you
again, Mrs. Mar... Oh...
Delightful to see you,
Ann. Really lovely.
'Scuse me.
Amazing.
A man eats your
onion soup for years,
and you don't know
the first thing about him.
Well, how about a few
complimentary words
on Donald's integrity?
I'm very proud of you, Donald.
My compliments
on your integrity.
She's very proud of you.
And so are we, Donald.
Thank you, Mother.
And, Lou, it takes a big man
to admit when he's wrong.
Yes, it does.
It certainly does.
And no one ever
denied I was a big man.
Here I am for lunch!
Right on time.
Only 15 minutes late.
I read it again,
straight through,
and my objective opinion is...
the author's adorable.
Thank you. Let's eat.
You promise to keep
trying to get it published?
I promise. Let's go.
Oh, guess what happened
when T.L. Harrison came in
to my father's restaurant
a couple nights ago.
Your father, having had
his sensibilities offended,
gave him a good tongue-lashing
and ordered him
from his restaurant.
No, but he sure didn't
give him a good table.
Closed-Captioned By J.R.
Media Services, Inc. Burbank, CA
♪♪
There's a charming, gorgeous,
and very talented young woman
here to see you.
Who?
Me.
I thought you were serious.
What kind of a
thing is that to say?
Of course I'm serious.
Well, your own mother wouldn't
recognize you from that description.
I don't think I want to
have lunch with you.
Why? Aren't you hungry?
No, I just think
you're in a bad mood.
Not really. Yes, really.
Okay. Really.
What happened?
I and my great American
novel just got another rejection.
Oh, no.
"Thank you for submitting
your novel City of Strangers.
"We regret to inform you
it does not meet our present
requirements for publication."
That's not bad.
What do you mean?
They're hedging.
How?
They say it doesn't meet
their "present requirements,"
which strongly implies
that in the very near future...
Ann, all it strongly implies is,
"We don't want it."
Donald, are you gonna let
one letter from one publisher
discourage you?
Uh.
Here are 11 others.
Donald, are you gonna let
12 letters from 12 publishers
discourage you?
Yes, I think so.
Well, they're all
wrong. City of Strangers
is one of the finest
novels of our time.
Thank you. I consider
that high praise, indeed,
from someone who hasn't read it.
Only because you keep
insisting I wait until it's published.
How about un-insisting?
No.
I'll love it.
Of course you will,
'cause you love me.
Oh, no, Donald.
I'll be very objective.
I might hate it.
Then I'll kill myself.
No, you'll read the first copy
when it rolls off the press.
I'll present you with
an autographed copy
at the Pulitzer Prize ceremony.
Oh, fine. By that time,
everybody'll say the only
person in the whole world
who hasn't read Donald
Hollinger's book is that girl.
♪♪
Hello, sweetheart.
Oh, hi, Daddy.
What a nice surprise.
I had business in
town so I stopped by
to deliver the blouses.
What blouses?
The ones your mother
hand-washed for you,
that I picked up the last
time I had business in town.
Oh, Daddy, can't you convince
Mother I can do my own blouses?
I doubt it.
Besides, I'd have no
excuse to bring you anything
whenever I have
business in town.
You don't have to
bring me anything.
Can't you just come see me
when you have business in town?
Don't be silly. I have no
other business in town.
Expecting company?
Well, Donald.
Would you care to join us?
No, thanks. I'm dining
with your laundress.
Looks very luxurious.
It's a major studio
production to cheer Donald up.
He's sorta depressed.
Why?
Well, because...
Hi, handsome.
Hi.
I don't need flattery.
I need affection.
Daddy's here.
Oh.
Hi, Mr. Marie.
Good to see you, sir.
No kiss? I'm hurt.
He isn't too depressed for
a little hanky-panky, is he?
Daddy, please.
What are you depressed about?
Who said I was depressed?
I did.
Oh. Well, it's
nothing really, sir.
In other words, you
refuse to confide in me.
Oh, no, no, it's
not that. I just...
'Cause I'm a member
of the older generation
and therefore
wouldn't understand.
Fine. Forget it.
Pardon me for
overstepping my boundaries.
Donald, confide in him. Okay?
Okay.
Mr. Marie, I'm...
I'm a little depressed
because the novel I wrote
and submitted to 12 publishers
has been rejected
by all 12 of them.
I see.
I don't suppose you've
submitted it to T.L. Harrison?
Who's T.L. Harrison?
Never heard of T.L. Harrison?
Uh, no, sir. Who is he?
Some writer.
T.L. Harrison happens to be
one of the most prominent
publishers in this country,
and also happens to be
one of my dearest friends.
Daddy, you know a
prominent publisher?
You sound shocked,
as if you thought
your humble father
only knew other humble fathers.
Well, you just never
mentioned you knew anybody
as important as T.L. Harrison.
He lives in Brewster,
where he's been eating
in my restaurant for years.
Donald, how about that?
My humble father knows
a prominent publisher.
Do you really know
him well, Mr. Marie?
Well?
Onion soup, mixed green
salad, oil and vinegar,
New York steak medium rare,
baked potato, sour
cream and chives,
coffee and custard.
That well enough for you?
Oh, Daddy, would you ask
him to read Donald's novel?
Oh, Ann, now that... that would
be too much of an imposition.
How do you know?
Well, I just assume...
Since I have a
sneaking suspicion
that you may wind
up as my son-in-law,
I'd like to do something
about your career...
Oh, Daddy, thank you.
Which up to now, seems
to be wallowing in failure.
Thank you.
You're welcome. By the
way, is the book any good?
Good? It's brilliant!
It's vibrant! It... It's fresh!
It's powerful! It's
gripping! It's perceptive!
What's it about?
I don't know. Donald
hasn't let me read it yet.
What's the matter? Don't
you confide in her, either?
Well, I'm waiting for the
first autographed copy.
You'll forgive me if I
don't. I'm late already.
Donald, why don't you give
Daddy the novel for Mr. Harrison?
I'm supposed to remind
you two that you're expected
for the weekend.
We'll be there
Saturday afternoon.
Don't forget to bring
some dirty laundry.
Be gentle with it.
It's my only child.
The same to you.
Oh, Donald, isn't this exciting?
I mean, first a Pulitzer
Prize-winning novel,
then an Academy
Award-winning movie,
in which I'll play the lead.
Well, I was hoping
for Charlton Heston.
Well, you have to
admit you're a lot shorter.
Hi, Mom! Ann, darling!
Aw! Hello, Don.
Hello, Mrs. Marie.
Thank you for inviting me.
Oh, it's our pleasure.
How's everything? Fine, fine.
Did Daddy show
Mr. Harrison Donald's novel?
Uh, no, he didn't.
Why?
Oh, because, well...
Why don't you ask
him yourselves?
Okay.
Hi, Daddy.
Hello, Mr. Marie.
Well, Lou, you have
to speak to them.
You should both be arrested.
You, for writing this trash,
and you for letting your
delinquency contributed to.
You didn't like it.
He felt it missed.
So I gather.
I'm sorry you don't care
for the book, Mr. Marie.
Your apology is not accepted.
And do not call this a book.
I call it trash.
I can see why you're too
ashamed to show it to my daughter.
It has nothing to do with shame.
He wasn't ashamed, Daddy.
I was waiting for it
to be published first.
Don't hold your breath.
With all due respect, Mr. Marie,
I can't believe you
understood the book.
I understood it perfectly.
I marked the trashy
parts with paper clips.
And before I was
halfway through,
I had to go out and
buy another box of clips.
Well, exactly which
parts did you object to?
The beginning, the
middle and the end.
Other than that, I
was crazy about it.
How about a nice cup of coffee?
If Michael and Rosemary
in The City of Strangers
are anything like Donald and
Anne in the city of New York,
I'll strangle you.
Why?
Their relationship is indecent.
Indecent? Mr. Marie, I...
Oh, Daddy, that's
just ridiculous!
Have you read the book?
No, but I have faith.
So have I, Lou.
Oh, you have?
Well, come all ye
faithful and listen to this.
Michael is a writer in
love with an actress.
He is also one of modern
literature's greatest swingers.
Page one.
"Michael and Rosemary
meet at a party."
A party that, in my opinion,
would be too wild for a Cossack.
Let's see.
Over my dead body!
"After the party,
he takes her home."
Is this the way a
gentleman talks
to a lady he's only
known for three hours?
Let's see.
Page 67.
I'd like you to explain
the behavior on page 67.
Wait a minute. That
is not "behavior."
That's Michael's
neurotic fantasy.
Let's see.
If he were my son, I'd wash his
neurotic fantasies out with soap.
Mr. Marie, what I
want to convey is...
What I want to convey is
that I wouldn't show this book
to a man like T.L.
Harrison with a 10-foot pole.
Oh, Daddy, you promised!
I didn't promise, I offered.
The offer is hereby rescinded.
How about a nice cup of coffee?
No, thank you, Mother.
Under the prevailing
circumstances,
Donald and I are leaving.
Honey, look, I don't want to
create a family quarrel. Let's...
No, that's all right, Donald.
Daddy, would you be so kind
as to return Donald's manuscript?
Good-bye, Daddy.
Good-bye, Mother.
I'll be sending all of my
dirty blouses parcel post.
Person to person.
I don't know.
I don't think we should
have left that way.
I mean, a man does have
a right not to like a book.
Mm-hm. I'll admit he
was a little violent about it,
but he's entitled
to his opinion.
Mm-hm.
Ann. Hmm?
You're home.
Oh, thank you, Donald.
Gee, you must've
been driving awfully fast.
Never went over the speed limit
once in two and a half hours,
and you haven't said one
word since we left Brewster.
It's this book.
I can't turn my eyes away.
What page you on?
453.
453 already?
I'm only reading the pages
that are paper clipped.
Donald... What?
Right here,
when Michael tells Rosemary
he's got the stomach flu
and then he goes
out with Jennifer,
was that the time you cancelled our
bowling date at the very last minute?
Of course not.
What about on page 21
where Michael picks up
that girl on Coney Island?
Was that when I was in Connecticut
doing that summer stock audition?
Honey, it had
nothing to do with it.
Well, what about on page 51,
when Michael and
Rosemary have that big fight?
Was that the time
you and I... No.
I didn't even ask you yet.
I don't care what you were gonna
ask, it had nothing to do with it.
You mean to say that none
of Michael's experiences
are based on any
of your experiences?
Right. Practically none.
Practically?
Honey...
what I'm trying to
explain is that every writer
subconsciously includes
bits and pieces of himself
in every character he writes.
Page 37?
No.
45?
No.
Oh, Donald, not 61 through 68.
Will you cut it out?
The characters of Michael
and Rosemary are absolutely
and unequivocally not
modeled after you and me.
Donald, I can certainly see
that Rosemary and
I are nothing alike.
I just wasn't too sure
about you and Michael.
Honey, listen to me.
City of Strangers is an
exercise in imagination.
It's a pure fiction.
I dreamed up the
story and the characters
and put them down
on a piece of paper
because I thought the
idea was important enough.
That's all there is to it.
Understand?
I think it's a very
good book, Donald.
I really do.
Thank you.
You know, if the parts
without paper clips
are as good as the
parts with paper clips,
I think it could
be a bestseller.
Before you can sell,
you have to publish.
Donald, we're going
back to Brewster.
Drive up to Brewster now?
Just as soon as I
make a phone call.
Honey, it's a long way
back up to Brewster.
No longer than it is
from Brewster to here.
True.
Hello, Operator? I'd like to
place a person-to-person call
to Mr. T.L. Harrison
in Brewster, New York.
No, I don't have the number.
Thank you.
If my father won't give
the book to Mr. Harrison,
then I will.
Come to think of it, I'm
gonna give it to my father too.
He's already read it.
Not the book. A
piece of my mind.
Imagine, Daddy, of all people,
thinking I was
anything like Rosemary.
Hello? Hello? Is
Mr. Harrison in, please?
Oh. Oh, he is?
I see. Did he leave a number
where he can be reached?
Oh. Oh!
Oh, really?
Oh, thank you so much.
Yes, thank you very much.
Donald, that was the
maid. She said he's gone out
for the evening, but in
case of an emergency,
he could be reached at 9:00
at La Parisienne restaurant.
Your father's restaurant?
That's right! That's right!
My father's restaurant.
Now, come on, let's go!
Only 40 clips to go.
Good evening, Mr. Marie.
Good evening. You
have a reservation?
No, I'm afraid we don't.
I'm sorry. Without
a reservation,
it'll be a 9-hour wait.
It isn't necessary
for us to dine.
If you would merely
show us the table
of Mr. T.L. Harrison,
we would have
a few words with
him. He isn't here.
Oh, Daddy, I just
talked to his maid.
She told me he's
having dinner here.
If you'd just point him out...
I will not point him out.
You want to give him that.
Ann, maybe we better leave.
Absolutely not.
Very well. We'll
find him eventually.
A table for two, please.
We'll discuss this
at another time.
If you don't give me a table,
I'm gonna make a scene.
I'll hold my breath 'til I die.
That didn't work when you
were eight, and it won't work now.
All right, I'm gonna
stand on the table
and do what Rosemary
did on page 46.
What's that?
Give her a table.
This way, please. A table
for two has just been vacated.
Thank you.
Order wisely. It's
not on the house.
Good evening. Madam desires?
The table of Mr. T.L.
Harrison, please.
I'm sorry, madam. I
don't know the gentleman.
Would you care for
a cocktail instead?
No, thank you. No, thank you.
What are you doing?
I'm trying to see
who looks like a
prominent publisher.
Oh, I've got a clue!
Daddy said he starts
off with onion soup.
Excuse me.
Oh, honey, this is
ridiculous. Can't we just...
Good evening, Mr. Harrison!
Sorry, my name is Winfield.
Oh. I thought that
was onion soup.
Navy bean.
Oh. Yes.
Madam.
Hey, is that onion soup?
Uh, yes, madam.
Is there something
wrong with it?
Oh, no, no. I, uh...
was just curious.
If madam would care for some,
madam's waiter would
be happy to take her order.
Oh, no. No, thank you.
I was just interested in that
particular bowl of onion soup.
Who gets it?
That gentleman
at the next table.
But I can assure madam,
there's enough onion soup
in the kitchen to
float a minesweeper.
Oh. Thank you.
By the way, it's
mademoiselle, not madam.
Excuse me. I'm very sorry
to intrude, Mr. Harrison.
I couldn't help notice
that your waiter's busy
and you've been
waiting for your soup.
I thought, I'm coming
to speak to you anyway,
I might as well bring
it at the same time.
There's this book I
want to discuss with you.
It was written by a
dear friend of mine.
I thought you'd like it
and I could tell that you...
aren't Mr. Harrison
at all, are you?
I'm sorry. I really
am. I'm so sorry.
I thought you were,
but you weren't.
I'm sorry. I'll take
the soup back too.
Are you lost, young
lady? Oh, no, no.
Young lady's not lost.
The young lady was looking
for the young lady's room.
Well,
he's either not here
or he's into his entree
or he's finished and left.
I know I could've gotten
him interested in your novel.
Honey, he probably
would've hated it.
And this way, I don't have
to face the pain and disgrace
of 13 rejection slips all
in the the same month.
See? Look at the bright side.
Nice try.
Not so nice.
Good night, Lou. Very good.
Thank you very much. Glad
you enjoyed it. See you next time.
Excuse me, is this Ann?
Aren't you Lou's daughter?
Yes. Yes, I am.
I thought I recognized
you. My name...
This is my daughter Ann,
and this is her
boyfriend, Don Hollinger.
This is one of my oldest and
dearest customers and friends.
Mr... T.L... Harrison.
Oh, Mr. Harrison, what
a pleasure to meet you!
Thank you.
And this is Donald Hollinger.
How do you do?
Pleased to meet you, sir.
Okay, T.L., no
blocking the aisles.
You have a lovely daughter, Lou.
Yes, but you've seen one
daughter, you've seen them all.
Donald is a novelist.
Really!
I'm a publisher, myself.
Y-Yes, we know.
Donald's written a novel,
and it's called
City of Strangers.
Well, I'd love to
read it sometime.
Well, you know what they say:
there's no time like the present.
Why don't you take it with you?
No, don't take it! Why not?
Well, uh, because it needs a lot
of work. You know how novels are.
Well, of course I do. I'll
give it special attention.
Well, I appreciate it, sir.
Thank you very much.
Not at all. Good
night, young man.
I'll be in touch.
Good night, Ann.
Good night. Thank you.
Good night, Lou. Good night.
I knew it! I knew
he'd publish it!
Well, honey, not so fast.
He hasn't even read it yet.
Oh, isn't this
exciting? Let's go.
Wait a minute.
Where are you going?
Well, we're going
back home to New York.
Oh, just a minute.
You can't drive back
at this time of night.
Sit down.
Stay over and
drive back tomorrow.
Mario.
No check.
Onion soup?
Oh, no, thanks. I
already found him.
You may tell me why you
didn't write a book about boots
or about a young couple
who climb Mt. Rushmore
and discover the true
meaning of America.
Or what's the matter
with a cookbook?
Mr. Marie, I tried to
write a sensitive novel
about a young couple
who are doomed
because they didn't have
the benefit of parents like you
and Mrs. Marie.
Show me where it says that.
Daddy, it was
stated allegorically.
Sure, some kind of trick.
I think Don's right.
How do you know?
You haven't read it.
Oh, I read some of it.
I got interested when you
were out buying paper clips.
And you liked it?
I laughed a little, and I cried a
little. What more can you ask?
A more wholesome portrait
of our daughter, for one thing.
Lou...
Lou, our daughter's a good girl,
with good sense and good taste.
She can take care
of herself anywhere.
Now, I believe that.
Don't you?
'Course I believe it.
It's just that...
it was a long book,
and I... I read it fast.
I think I will have some coffee.
I'll get it.
Good morning, young
novelist. How goes the battle?
Coming right along, thank you.
Good. Hello, Lou.
Good morning, T.L.
Come on in. Mr. Harrison.
Mrs. Marie. How are you?
I'm just fine, and you?
Thank you, fine.
Hello there, Ann.
Hello, Mr. Harrison.
Would you like some coffee?
Oh, no, thanks. I'm
on my way to the club.
I just stopped in for a
minute to see this young man.
Mr. Hollinger.
When I got home last night,
I read your novel.
Yes, sir?
I like it.
Well, thank you. Thank you.
It's the kind of material
we keep our eyes open for
around Tornado Publishing.
Well, sir, that's... that's
very exciting, very exciting.
That's the word: "exciting."
The kind of book
that catches your eye
the minute you step into that
drugstore or hit that newsstand.
Zap!
City of Sin.
Excuse me, Mr. Harrison.
The title of the book
is City of Strangers.
Yes, well, you'll let
us worry about the title.
A title, like time, is money.
I did mark certain... pages...
with paper clips.
I knew it.
Didn't you like
them, Mr. Harrison?
They need work.
I see.
I've been talking to the boy
about watering down
certain of the passages.
Exactly!
Every time you reach a scene
that really has a
chance to sizzle,
you water it down.
Don't do it, fella!
Let it sizzle!
At Tornado, we like
to call a spade a spade.
Spell it out. Don't fool around.
Sir, sir, that... that wasn't
my first consideration.
You see, I was trying
to say something.
Well, you try to sell
something first, young novelist.
You can say anything
you want later.
Stop by my office
Monday afternoon.
We'll discuss the
rewrite and a cover.
Something really,
really exciting.
Michael and Rosemary...
Know what I mean?
Yes, I think so.
You know what we say at Tornado?
The public always
judges a book by its cover.
Mr. Harrison, I'm afraid what
you're asking isn't my style.
You think it over, young
novelist, and let me know.
So long, Lou. Good-bye.
Charming to see you
again, Mrs. Mar... Oh...
Delightful to see you,
Ann. Really lovely.
'Scuse me.
Amazing.
A man eats your
onion soup for years,
and you don't know
the first thing about him.
Well, how about a few
complimentary words
on Donald's integrity?
I'm very proud of you, Donald.
My compliments
on your integrity.
She's very proud of you.
And so are we, Donald.
Thank you, Mother.
And, Lou, it takes a big man
to admit when he's wrong.
Yes, it does.
It certainly does.
And no one ever
denied I was a big man.
Here I am for lunch!
Right on time.
Only 15 minutes late.
I read it again,
straight through,
and my objective opinion is...
the author's adorable.
Thank you. Let's eat.
You promise to keep
trying to get it published?
I promise. Let's go.
Oh, guess what happened
when T.L. Harrison came in
to my father's restaurant
a couple nights ago.
Your father, having had
his sensibilities offended,
gave him a good tongue-lashing
and ordered him
from his restaurant.
No, but he sure didn't
give him a good table.
Closed-Captioned By J.R.
Media Services, Inc. Burbank, CA
♪♪