Original subtitles

The magic of television.

Two days before the telecast and the hotel's already sold out.

Well, we're not dealing with some rinky -dink amateur hour here.

Gotcha Rising Star is one of the hottest syndicated shows on TV.

Isn't it great to think that some new young singer will get their start right

here at the St. Gregory?

I used to do some singing myself, actually.

I sounded more like Michael Jackson than Michael Jackson. Oh, yeah?

What happened?

The problem is the judges haven't finished selecting the semi -finalists.

all those tapes to listen to, I can see why.

Yeah, but Christina means postponing the press conference for at least an hour.

Oh, that's no problem. I booked the press room for you all afternoon.

Oh, you're a doll. Thanks.

Looks like the TV business has its unexpected perks, huh?

Oh, it's impossible to kiss a woman unexpectedly.

Only sooner than she thought you were.

Bye.

I bet it's in Big Mac himself.

I don't believe it.

Christine, you remember me telling you about my college roommate, Mike Ames?

How much did you tell her?

Only the good parts. My executive assistant, Christine Francis.

Meet Casanova Ames. Hello, Mike.

Why didn't you tell me you were coming?

Thought we'd surprise you.

Oh, that's terrific. Why don't you and your wife join us for lunch this

afternoon? You got a deal.

Any woman special enough to grab you, I gotta meet.

Bye.

Hi. Can I help you? I can think of a lot of ways a pretty lady like you could

help me.

Well, let's start with something simple.

Drinks this afternoon?

I know a charming little bistro. I'm sure you do. What if you'll just... Make

dinner? Fine. How about tomorrow night?

You're going to hate yourself if you don't come.

I'll just have to learn to live with it.

You know, Miss...

Gillette, I'm a man not used to getting no for an answer.

Well, then I suggest you quit asking.

Can I help, Julie? Is there a problem?

Not anymore.

I'd appreciate you seeing to my room.

My name is Powell, Curtis Powell.

Yes, Mr. Powell, your suite is ready.

The McHale suite?

Right this way, sir.

Don't you know who that is?

I don't have to. I know the type.

Curtis Powell is not only president of Capshaw Records, he's one of the judges

on Catch a Rising Star.

Couldn't you humor him? Humor him? He's being obnoxious.

Besides, why should I care what some arrogant record producer thinks of me,

right?

Oh.

You mean you still haven't told Julie?

After what happened with Mr. Powell?

What was I supposed to say?

Oh, Julie, remember that tape of you singing? We sent it in to catch a rising

star. If Julie had wanted to enter the competition, she would have done it

herself. We were way out of line going behind her back.

Maybe so.

But you know Julie. She doesn't even realize she has such a great voice.

And how many times is she going to get a shot at prize money like that? So tell

her. You tell her. You're the one who sent in the tape.

That constitutes collusion. You've been reading my law books again.

We'll flip.

Loser tells Julie. Deal?

Deal. Call it. Ped.

You suffer two out of three?

Three extra security men. It's just the weekend.

Grove Corporation's think tank is meeting all over town.

Oh, I read about it. They supply data for most of NASA's space program, right?

The FBI is understandably a little jittery. I mean, the place is crawling

most of the country's top scientists.

Okay, well, do what you have to do.

I don't want the St. Gregory taking any chance.

Don't worry. Anyone thinks they can tap into some secret information at the St.

Gregory's.

Got another thing coming.

All right, Julie.

There's something I need to tell you. You see, we...

Congratulations, Julie.

They just announced the names to the press. You made it. Made what?

The semifinals for Catch a Rising Star.

Why didn't you tell me you submitted a tape? Come on.

Mark, what are you talking about? I never submitted a tape.

Surprise. You didn't.

You sent that tape?

Everybody said how wonderful you sounded.

Yeah, but that was just for fun.

Well, so is this.

Think about all that prize money.

I can't believe you'd risk humiliating me like that.

Julie, I'm sorry.

But you've got a beautiful voice. You could win.

Then you'd be able to help your grandfather's clinic.

I intend to.

By making a success of myself in the hotel business.

I'm going to be a first -rate executive, not a second -rate singer.

Hi, folks.

Hello. Hi.

Claire?

Hello, Peter.

I told you you wouldn't be disappointed.

Disappointed? I'm delighted.

I'd have to kiss the bride.

Christine Francis, I'd like you to meet another college crony. Claire Talbot.

Rather, Claire Talbot, eh?

It's a pleasure. Yes, I recognize you from your picture when you won the

Award. My wife, the brain?

Mike, please. I'm just one member of a research team.

Will, we can stop that. Danny, come on.

It's all right, guys.

I know what you're thinking.

Claire isn't exactly the type of girl I used to date in school.

Good thing, huh?

I guess I sowed a few oats in those days.

But today I'm just a happily married broker who knows a good investment when

he's got one.

Claire?

Why, you and Mike are in town. You're with Think Tank.

A couple of colleagues and I are presenting a paper on a nuclear

system. It took us over a year to prepare.

You seem very excited.

You must love your work.

I do.

It could accelerate the space program by years, if our conclusions are correct.

No wonder Mike's so proud of you.

Yes, he is, isn't he?

I'd say that's obvious.

Just that...

Lately, he's been so... I don't know, dictant.

Well, maybe he's just giving you some room.

He must know how important your project is.

He does.

Julie, I understand congratulations are in order.

Oh, thanks, Miss. Now, look, I want you to take all the time you need to

prepare, okay?

That's very kind of you, but it won't be necessary.

I'm withdrawing from the competition.

Withdrawing? I never injured myself in the first place.

Just a well -intentioned mistake.

It was?

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. The last thing I need is a recording contract.

I'm not a professional singer, Mrs. Gavin.

Besides, I've already got a career here at the St. Gregory.

Well, I mean, that's the most important thing, of course, but don't tell me you

couldn't use some of that prize money.

More important.

My grandfather could.

I hear he's doing wonderful work in Africa.

I've always looked up to him.

He's never stopped trying to make the world a better place.

God, wouldn't it be something if I could win this money for him?

$10 ,000.

Buy a lot of medical supplies.

But what if I'm not good enough?

I just don't know if I can do it.

Julie, I learned a long time ago.

The greatest pleasure in life is doing exactly what you think you can't do.

I've compiled a list of the show's staff and crew. They've all been issued

special IDs.

The FBI wasn't exactly thrilled to hear that we were hosting a TV show this

morning. I wasn't exactly thrilled to hear they had to know who we're hosting.

They want a printout of our guest list.

A printout? Why?

They want to run security checks on our guests with all these PhDs running

around with top secrets in their heads. They're a little on edge.

Can they do that, look at our guest list?

They'd be crazy not to.

Finally finished?

No, it finally finished me.

At least for tonight.

Oh, poor baby.

Well, look at it this way.

In a couple of days, it'll all be over.

What, for me or the Nebula project?

Oh, for you, if it's not finished.

I'm in the mood to play.

Before dinner.

You know a better order?

Besides, you used to like to work up an appetite.

We had no business entering your tape.

And I had no business jumping all over you, trying to help.

No friends?

The best.

So confused.

Part of me says, go ahead with the contest.

The other part of me is scared to death.

We never should have put you in that situation.

Funny.

Now I'm thinking you did exactly the right thing.

For years, I've wanted to make enough money to help my grandfather.

Now I finally got a chance.

Julie, that would be wonderful.

Not if I freeze up in front of those TV cameras.

I'm not exactly used to performing in public, you know.

I feel like a cowardly lion.

Well, we all know you've got a lion's heart, Julie. Maybe now it's time you

out a roar.

Oh, I'm sorry. Are you okay?

I'm sorry. It was my fault. I should have looked where I was going.

Um, are you one of the chosen few?

Yes. I mean, no. I mean, yeah.

Well, I was picked, but now I'm not so sure.

Too bad.

You look like a lady who should know what she wants.

And a lady worth watching.

You should have invited them in.

Oh, right.

And listen to Dr. Evans go on all night about the varying

variable.

Got a better plan?

Follow me and I shall disclose them.

Just a minute. Let me make this note before I forget it.

Anything wrong?

No.

Just being clumsy.

Okay, what the hell is going on?

I could have sworn I packed the sweatband.

Sweetie, something wrong?

Mike, how would you feel if I quit my job?

Gave up my research.

I'd say that doesn't sound very much like you, but if that's what you want,

be behind you.

You really wouldn't care if I left science?

Oh, no, to the contrary. After you finish the Nebula project, I think we'd

both good if we got away.

Back in time for lunch.

Christians versus the lions, huh?

You feel it, too?

Oh, I feel it all right.

Okay, people, let's settle in. We'd like to get these semifinals started.

We're scheduled to hear first from Mr.

Nelson Hayes.

Good luck.

It's like a diamond ring, it's a precious thing.

And we never want to lose it.

It's like a favorite song that we love to sing.

Every time we hear the music, we're in this

love together.

It's like the kind that...

I'm not hungry anyway.

Don't forget I have a meeting this afternoon. Dinner might be late.

What kind of meeting, Mike?

What kind of business calls for these things?

Honey.

I'm sorry. I should have told you a long time ago.

I just didn't want you to worry.

Worry?

Worry about what?

Honey, I know how you feel about guns.

But when I have to carry large amounts of money in negotiable bonds, I need to

have some protection.

Negotiable bonds?

What about this camera?

And these papers?

I always use 16mm film to record my transactions. I thought you knew that.

Like these formulas on synthetic rubber.

On paper, these take up a hundred times more space than they do on film.

These are formulas for synthetic rubber.

You wouldn't know it, would you? The manufacturer uses some code for the

all his own.

Oh, Mike.

Oh, darling.

I'm sorry.

I should have been honest.

After this, let's always tell each other everything, okay?

Okay, you got it. After this, always.

Excuse me, Miss Gillette. The contest rules state each contestant in the

semifinals must provide his or her own accompanist.

Where's yours?

I was just planning to accompany myself.

Oh.

Well, we're interested in your voice, not your keyboard technique.

How are we going to hear it if you sing into a piano?

I'll... I'll play for her.

Mr. Hayes?

It'll take my cues from you, okay?

I'm scared.

And man, then use it.

Show that son of a B -flat what you can do.

You ask if my heart has ever been broken, I say yes,

many times.

You ask where I love you, have you ever spoken, I say yes,

too many times.

When you didn't call last night, I got worried.

You're not having second thoughts, are you, Mike? Of course not.

Claire just made it difficult for me to get away, that's all.

Well, you think she knows?

She's too wrapped up in that project of hers to notice anything.

Lucky for us, Claire loves her work.

Luckier still when I've stashed that money away to make me a free man.

Then I'll see you tomorrow?

Mm -hmm.

Thanks for your help. You bet.

Take this with you.

When I finished, I was so nervous I practically was shaking.

But I did it, and I'm glad.

Well, lucky that Nelson guy helped out.

Well, I wanted to thank him, but he disappeared.

When do you find out if you make the finals?

Right now. I'm just too chicken to go find out.

I mean, it's one thing to sing to three people in a room. What's going to happen

when the...

The cameras go on and the lights go off and there's a sea of faces out there.

You'll be even better.

Congratulations. You mean I made it? We both did.

There you go, Julie.

That's wonderful. Thanks, guys, but I'd like you to meet the man who made it all

possible. Nelson Hayes. These are my friends Mark Danning and Dave and Megan

Kendall. Hi.

I didn't get a chance to thank you.

Come celebrate with me.

Champagne lunch.

Now? Right now?

Anything wrong with that?

right now is absolutely perfect.

And so, what's the story with you and Curtis Powell?

Short. He came on, I turned off.

End of story.

You really are new to the music scene, aren't you? See, the first lesson most

ladies learn is be nice to the judge. Oh, really? In fact, if you were smart,

mean, if you were smart, you'd be going up to have lunch with a judge instead of

me. I told you, I'm only in this thing to make a few bucks for my grandfather's

clinic. Then it's back to the front desk.

Wow.

You know, I've always wanted to make records.

I'll be happy with a chain of luxury hotels in New York, Paris, London,

Tokyo.

When I was ten years old, I used to take the A train up to the Apollo and sneak

in the back.

Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway. They were my idols, you know.

And after the show, I'd go down to Central Park and...

Print my name on kites so I could see Nelson Hayes.

Marqueed against that sky.

No wonder that contract's so important to you.

It's everything I ever wanted.

Everything?

Where On you here

I've noticed it for weeks now.

The odd working hours.

The sudden disappearances for long periods.

Shouldn't you be talking to Mike about this? I've tried.

He seems to have an answer for everything.

Except this.

There's over $200 ,000 in that account.

Money I know nothing about.

Clara. I'm his wife.

Why should he hide that from me if there wasn't something going on?

Well, you won't know until you ask him.

He couldn't have put away that kind of money working as a broker.

What are you talking about?

Add it up.

The money, the camera, the gun.

Isn't it obvious, Peter?

He's a spy.

My husband's a spy.

Good morning.

I was beginning to think you had one margarita too many last night. No way.

much alcohol deadens the vocal cords.

Something wrong?

Should there be?

You tell me.

Yesterday we shared a whole day together.

Today we can't even seem to share a smile.

It's not you.

It's me, okay?

No, it's not okay.

Julie, you seem to forget that in less than 12 hours, we are competing against

each other.

What's that got to do with you and me?

Julie, there is no you and me.

There can't be.

How can I go all out to win if I'm falling in love with the competition?

I'm not your competition.

All I want is a check I can send my grandfather.

Which means you have to win and I have to lose.

And I don't intend to lose.

Come on, Nelson. Don't let this come between us.

You're going through with the contest?

Of course I am.

then all I can say is good luck.

Claire came to you about a few hours overtime, so I squirreled away a couple

bucks. Big deal. There's more to it than that.

Like a certain blonde I saw you with yesterday?

Oh, so you put one and one together and came up with three, is that right?

Considering your history with the ladies, it's hard not to.

Look.

It's impossible to explain everything. Why don't you try?

Claire needs to know the truth.

Leave it alone, Peter.

You're asking for trouble if you keep interfering.

Understand?

Stay out of this.

Miss Gillette?

Look, uh... I'm not a man who makes a lot of mistakes, but...

I owe you an apology.

You're a beautiful woman.

I'm going to have to learn to take rejection a little more gracefully.

Thanks. I appreciate that.

Are you going to Julie's finals tonight?

Julie's finals?

Yeah.

Tonight's Julie's big night, remember?

She made the finals as Catch a Rising Star. She's swabbing St. Gregory for a

recording studio.

She's just living out another kind of dream for a few days.

We all have those secret little dreams, Peter.

You sound just like a woman.

I am a woman.

I've noticed.

By the way, we're going to be working late Friday.

What with engineering and housekeeping back to back.

Well, afterwards, how about joining me for a rest? A late supper?

I'd love to.

Wait a minute. Let me do the asking.

What, a woman can't ask a man?

Well, this particular man would like to ask this particular woman.

Oh.

And they say chivalry is dead.

Okay. Ask away.

Right. Well, if we can get out of here by 8 .30, we can grab a cab straight to

Ernie's.

What do you say?

I don't know.

We'll see.

There's nothing like a spontaneous late supper.

Except maybe a spontaneous late breakfast.

Hi.

I know you're rehearsing. I wanted to wish you luck.

Too bad I can't make my own luck.

Like you.

What?

You and Powell, arm in arm.

A little hug for the judge?

He wanted to apologize, Nelson.

He was just being nice.

And how nice were you being, Julie?

Nice enough to win?

The FBI called.

It seems that a security check of our register turned up a name.

Whose?

Her name's Sheila Carlson.

All right, now would you please give us a nice round of enthusiastic applause

when the lights come up and the music starts, all right?

Thank you.

You know, you've got to hand it to Julie. I'd hate to get up and sing in

of all these people. And I'd hate to have to listen. I heard you sing at Mr.

McDermott's birthday party last year.

Five seconds.

Four, three.

Live from the St. Gregory Hotel in San Francisco, it's television's hottest new

show, Catch a Rising Star.

So now, four talented young amateur singers from the San Francisco area will

compete for the grand prize, a recording contract, and $10 ,000 debt.

I don't know which truth I fear more.

That my husband's spying on me.

Or that he's having an affair with another woman.

Maybe we should find out.

My God, Peter.

I'm a scientist working on the space program. I've got to report it.

Got to.

Okay.

Mike knows Sheila Carlson, right?

But that doesn't mean he's working with her. It could just be a coincidence.

It's more than that, Peter.

What'll it take to convince you?

If you're willing to listen.

I got an idea.

But she smiled at me and never made a sound.

And I guess she understood in her way.

Cause her silence told.

Julie, wait.

I just want to say I'm sorry.

I said some stupid, hurtful things to you, and I'm sorry.

I don't understand you, Nelson.

Seems all you want to do is win.

You don't care who you hurt.

Look, it's ridiculous to be upset about that money.

I told you, I'm not upset. I'm just tired.

We finished the project today.

You did?

Then it's almost over.

Finally. Excuse me.

Dr. Ames? Yes.

Method for you.

Thank you.

What is it?

Dr. Evans wants to see me.

Do you mind?

I won't be long. No,

take your time. Okay.

Don't waste your film.

Peter, it's not what you think.

It's over, Mike.

He's with the FBI.

How do you argue with that?

And now, Catch a Rising Star is proud to present a young lady who works here at

the St. Gregory, Miss Julie Gillette.

I ran into some trouble. Just take the film and get out of here.

Come with us, Claire.

Come on, let's get him in the van.

Where are you taking him?

Way up.

I don't understand.

Why did you have to pretend to shoot him?

So Mike could retire from the agency in peace.

The agency?

Once the Soviets discover Mike's been feeding them pony research all along,

they'd kill him.

If they thought he was still alive.

The whole thing?

With the fat?

Sheila Carlson will report Mike's death.

Case closed.

Isn't that funny?

Did it come from the FBI?

Actually, it was from the Russians.

I could hardly refuse it since I was supposed to be selling out to them.

It's a little bonus you get to keep for risking your life.

Darling, believe me, I wanted to tell you the truth.

But it would have been endangering you and the whole operation.

You were right, Claire.

Mike was a spy.

We're our side.

Uh, come on, guys.

We'll meet you at the hideaway later. How about it?

See you.

Congratulations.

Thanks, you too.

For what?

I lost.

No, no, I wouldn't say that. I mean, how many future hotshot hotel executives

can say they place second in a major talent competition?

Send me an autographed copy of your first album.

I was hoping you'd be there to help me record it.

What?

Julie, you made me take a long, hard look at myself in the mirror, and I

like everything I saw.

And I could use some help.

You'll do just fine.

But I'll do better if you come to L .A. with me.

That's your dream, Nelson.

And I'm glad it's happening for you. I really am.

I surprised myself tonight.

I actually had fun up on that stage.

But I don't belong up there the way you do.

This St. Gregory is where I belong.

You think your grandfather would accept a little contribution for his clinic?

Sure, Nelson.

Thanks.

Your prize money?

All I needed was the record contract.

Nelson, are you sure?

No.

Yeah, I'm sure.

You know, I had you pegged from the moment I saw you. Oh, yeah?

Yeah. You definitely are a lady worth watching.