Original subtitles

Dr. Miss Francis is here to see you.

I was afraid it was going to come to this.

It's getting worse, isn't it?

There's only one course of treatment left.

But you're going to have to be brave, Miss Francis.

I'm afraid medical science still hasn't come up with a cure for love.

Talk about bedside manner.

I thought I did that very well. Too well. You're enticing me. I'm late

Okay. Here's the cookbook you want. Thank you. What gourmet treats do you

in store for tonight? Well, you know how I like to keep you guessing.

Just be there at seven.

What do you think?

Grand enough for you?

Filled with goats.

Kind of gives me the willies.

My mother took me, Harold. It must have been 25 years ago.

She was shooting a picture.

They actually used this lobby.

And I hid under that table while Jeff Chandler kissed her.

Jeff who?

Oh, we were kids when he died.

Terrific actor and a real sweetheart.

Mother could have done worse.

Mother isn't here now, Libby.

Julie.

She doesn't even look like a movie star's daughter.

Did you read her book yet? She said her mother locked her in the attic for over

a week. Do you believe it?

She sure made it sound convincing.

I'm going to be leaving day after tomorrow.

Everything's going to fall on your shoulders.

They seem pretty sturdy.

If they weren't, I wouldn't be putting you in charge.

All told, it's going to be a very busy week. You might consider using my suite

here instead of your apartment.

In case any problems come up. Really?

Bookings look very straightforward.

Our business, that can change overnight.

And don't forget, you've been, uh...

Rather busy lately.

I realize you've been seeing a lot of Dr. Cameron lately.

I didn't know you were keeping track.

Come on, Christine, you know what I mean. You're going to have your hands

With Evan or the St. Gregory?

What can I say?

He's a very lucky guy.

Yes, I'm still here.

Oh, I see.

Would you tell Miss Farrell her daughter called?

Yes, at the St. Gregory in San Francisco.

Guess I should freshen up.

Oh, now, come on, Liv.

You're going to be just fine.

Besides... The more controversy you generate, the better the sales.

Now you really sound like a publisher.

They hate me, Ted.

Hate you?

The public wouldn't be buying your book if they did.

Look, darling, you shattered a myth.

Your mother shouldn't have had kids.

Barbara Farrell was a movie star.

And being a mother wasn't going to win her any Oscars in those days.

Exactly. So why have second thoughts?

Hello? Yeah.

Don't go.

Damn right I'll tell her.

That was New York.

My loving mother has just landed the number one spot on the Times bestseller

list. Top of the list? Can't get any higher.

you descend?

The inquisition begins at seven o 'clock, complete with champagne and hors

'oeuvres. Ion San Francisco has her book for the afternoon.

By the way, rumor has it you're going to be top honcho around here for a couple

of days. Yeah, I finally get my shot at the big time. Congratulations.

Have you read her book?

Not yet. They say it's real juicy.

And destructive.

It's amazing what some people will do for money and attention.

And I'm surprised Barbara Farrell hasn't sued.

No one knows where she is.

I heard on the news she's been a recluse for years.

Well, well, well, you've done a very nice job, Mr. Danny. Hi, Ted. Christine

Francis, our assistant manager, Ted Hoffman. Oh, yes, you're a mytho -keith

editor, right?

Well, they tell me I wield a very mean blue pencil.

Have you, uh... Have you read our book yet?

Uh, no, thanks. I already have a copy.

Bet you couldn't put it down.

They certainly had quite a relationship.

Excuse me.

Mark, I'll see you later.

That's diplomatic jargon, for I hated it.

That's all right.

Miss Francis is one of the lucky ones.

How so?

She wasn't raised by a monster.

I thought you would have looked at the new personnel allocations by now. Sorry,

I've been running around trying to get things ready before I leave.

Completely slipped my mind.

Maybe that's because your mind isn't entirely on your work.

Since when?

Come on, Peter.

You're the one who said a little constructive criticism is good for the

including yours.

Well, you've been real preoccupied and you can't deny it.

I'm going to be away at the convention for a week. Sure, I got things on my

mind. I don't know. Christine's going to do a hell of a job. What's the problem?

You're right.

She'll do fine. She'll probably do a lot better if the hotel had her undivided

attention. Is that what you're really saying? Stop putting words in my mouth.

Especially when they don't fit.

You want to roll me out of here, don't you?

I've been slaving over a hot walk.

A little pity on me.

Surgeon, chef, world traveler.

How'd you learn to do all this?

Oh, I spent a year in Thailand, picked it up there in the Peace Corps.

It's just a lot of chopping and grinding, not very difficult.

He says modestly. He put me to shame. I can't even cook barbecue like we had

back home.

Oklahoma specialty?

When I was a little girl, my dad and his brothers had a barbecue every year. The

entire town showed up.

Sounds like you miss it.

Some of it.

Why was I getting nostalgic?

You have to watch me.

That's never been a problem.

There was such a sense of family, of community.

Now my family is the people I work with.

How about a family of your own?

Don't you want one?

Sure I do.

When the time is right.

Obviously it still isn't.

Evan, aren't you getting way ahead of yourself?

Let's deal with us before I start talking about a family.

I am dealing with us.

Isn't it about time you did too?

Readers all around the country are asking the same question, Mr. O 'Keefe.

much of your memoir is true and how much is fiction?

I think my book speaks for itself.

I wrote about the reality of my childhood, as I perceived it, of course.

Miss O 'Keefe, what's your mother's reaction to all this notoriety?

I haven't heard from her.

Sorry, I didn't hear that.

We haven't spoken.

Since your book was published or before that?

My mother and I haven't had much contact lately.

Was that her decision or yours?

As you're probably aware, my mother has been in Europe these last few years.

What Miss O 'Keeffe is trying to say is her mother has been in seclusion.

Not anymore, young man.

I'm here to tell you my side of the story, and in my case...

I didn't make any of it up.

I should be heading home.

Afraid you're going to turn into a pumpkin?

Probably a cute one, too.

Tomorrow is a work day.

With Peter leaving for that convention... Christine, we're not a

school kids going steady. How long are you going to keep me at arm's length?

We've been over this. I'm just not ready.

Will you ever be?

We don't have to report back to our parents or the people we work with.

Don't tell me it was my cooking.

Was it?

Christine, take a chance.

I love you too much to hurt you.

Can you tell us how old you are? Please, please, quiet down.

Now, you mustn't make me shout.

A lady never raises her voice, though in this case I might make an exception.

When one has the truth on one's side, running away is the last thing one does.

Are you saying that your daughter is guilty of libel?

You don't hear me disagreeing with you, do you?

It saddens me to say it in public, but...

Olivia always had a rather distorted view of reality.

Ladies and gentlemen, Miss Farrell has just flown in from Stammeritz this

evening. Tomorrow, she'll be pleased, in fact, delighted to meet with all of

you. Any plans to make another movie?

Well, if her public demands it, Miss Farrell is going to disappoint.

Miss Farrell, who will your co -star be?

She hasn't changed, not one iota.

She did this on purpose, just to humiliate me.

Then why did you run out?

You honestly expect me to compete with her?

She's like this hotel.

A grand dame.

You don't spit in the face of tradition.

Tradition deserves it, you do.

Miss Beryl, if you don't mind my saying, I read that awful book.

I didn't believe a word of it.

That's very kind. Thank you. I don't understand why any... Thank you.

Enjoy your breakfast. Thanks very much.

See?

What did I tell you?

Public opinion's on your side.

You're the underdog, Barbara. Now's the time to take advantage of it.

Is that why you think I left Switzerland?

Since when have you become so mercenary, Sidney?

Since you stopped working.

If I haven't lately, it's simply because there aren't any decent parts.

Hey, this is Sidney you're talking to, not Barbara Walters. You haven't worked

because you're afraid to. Like you're afraid to confront Livvy. I wasn't

last night.

She ran out, not me.

You're still going to have to see her.

So she can insult me?

Do you know how demeaning it is when your own child tries to make a couple of

bucks off your reputation?

Put you back in the public eye, didn't it?

Yes.

As the cruelest mother of the year.

All right, I'll try to find those figures.

I thought you had rounds this morning. Like patient love.

Listen about last night. It was very adolescent of me running out like that.

don't worry. I'm a patient guy.

I'm going to grow on you. I got it all figured out.

I'm glad somebody does.

Christine, what are you looking for?

Dr. Cameron, I presume.

Mr. McDermott. Are you thinking of opening a clinic on the mezzanine? The

of time I've been spending here, that's not a bad idea.

Well, just don't try stealing my right -hand lady.

I couldn't get along without her.

You're lucky to be working for someone like that.

He's a prince.

The minute they found out she was in town, the flowers started rolling in.

Of course, I got a couple of things going.

Wait a minute. I'll be right with you.

Reporters are here. Look, I got... What are you talking about?

I never retired. I just took a nice long vacation.

See you later.

Coming!

Libby. Hello, Sidney.

Um, uh, Libby.

You should have called first.

Then she wouldn't have seen me for sure.

Sidney, why don't you offer everyone a drink? Hello, Mother.

I came here to explain about the book. I've read it.

If you expect me to just forgive and forget, well, that was the name of a

picture I made, not my philosophy of life.

I haven't forgotten. I can't expect you to.

But just let me explain.

Why bother when my loving mother says it all?

Ladies, could we be just a little more civilized about this?

After she's behaved so barbarously, you're not welcome here, Olivia.

Unless, of course, you've come to apologize.

For my wonderful childhood?

All the love and support you lavished on me over the years?

It may not have been the most ideal upbringing, but there were mistakes made

both sides.

You were a very difficult little girl, Olivia.

And sad to say you've grown into a rather plain and vindictive young woman.

I took lessons in vindictiveness from you, mother dear.

And who are you to criticize?

You're over the hill.

Or have you given up looking in mirrors the same way you've given up booze?

Growing old is a very human failing.

Painting me as a sadist takes the imagination of a psychopath.

Which describes you to a T.

I was a working mother.

I was your little girl, and I loved you.

You loved hurting me.

You've proven that to the world.

All we have to do is get these down to bookkeeping, and we're in business. I'll

take it. I was going down there anyway.

Any plans for tonight?

You looking for company?

I just thought we might catch up on some odds and ends before I left.

I'm seeing Evan.

But if you need me here, I can always cancel.

It's not as if... You haven't seen him in a while.

I don't see why that's any of your business, Peter.

What are you so excited about? God, you're getting sensitive.

Sensitive? About what?

The little digs you keep making?

What do you mean by that?

Look, I don't need to come to you for permission to have a relationship.

Who said you did? I told you what you do on your time is your business. Then

stop making it yours.

This is a real bad time. That's all right.

The hell it is. Are you going to calm down? No, I'm tired of calming down. Do

you hear that, Mark? You're a witness. Where are you going?

I just gave myself the day off.

I want. That's the problem.

I think it was all so simple. My career was here. My personal life was there.

Having trouble separating them?

You love him?

You mean Evan?

I don't know.

I love being with him.

He's very generous and giving.

He knows how to make me laugh.

But is that love?

Yeah, for some people, love's got a different face for each of us.

You have to learn to trust your instincts.

Go with the flow.

If only I knew what my instincts were.

Well, don't let yourself be pressured.

I hope that doesn't sound like a cop -out.

Just take your time, Christine.

That's all I've been doing.

I don't know how much longer I'm going to wait.

$50 ,000.

Very generous, Teddy.

We got a big hit on our hands, Sid.

And that's just the first installment.

Well, I use it to pay some of the bills.

The rest goes right to a PR firm.

Barbara hasn't wanted to use their services lately, but something tells me

that's about to change.

You get Barbara Farrell to come out of hiding, and I get a bestseller.

Profitable arrangement.

Let me buy an ice cream cone now that I can afford it.

You know, she was dying over there in St. Moritz.

Holding up in that hotel room. So was I.

I had nobody to take care of.

Nobody to help anymore.

Two strawberries.

You ought to hear it now.

Energy in a boy's passion.

Told you that book was a great idea. I'm glad I took you seriously.

Yeah, and convinced Libby to use a little imagination.

Artistic license has a much nicer ring to it.

Here's to Barbara and Libby.

Now all we gotta do is get them back together.

Who is it?

Evan.

You're early.

Like an hour.

Oh.

Will you forgive me?

No.

Don't answer the door.

Right this way, gentlemen.

Evening, ma 'am.

I know you have a plane to catch, so I'll...

Did you ship the vittles?

Vittles? Yes, ma 'am.

Baby back ribs, mesquite grilled chicken, corn on the cob, five -alarm

cornbread and coleslaw like my mama used to make.

You said you missed Oklahoma barbecue.

I sure hope you meant it.

Did that bring back fond memories of childhood?

Oh, childhood never takes what happens good.

You went to all this trouble, all this expense.

You are spoiling me.

That's the idea.

Oh, I almost forgot.

What?

Uh -uh. Nope. This is where Francis draws the line. Listen to your doctor.

Cut the cake.

Big piece.

Yes, please huge Something

in there

What

is this

I want to marry you.

But there's something I have to tell you about myself that I haven't mentioned

before.

I won't take no for an answer.

The phone started ringing. It didn't stop.

The elevator got stuck.

My car is still in the shop. Thank you. When Mark came to pick me up, you won't

believe it. His car broke down, too.

He didn't call you, did he?

So how long are you going to keep me waiting for an answer?

Evan, please. You promised you weren't going to pressure me.

You believe that?

Oh, I've heard of a girl hearing bells.

I'll be right back.

You know who I ran into last night?

Your mother's manager.

Yeah, he's a nice man.

Yeah, when I was growing up, I could always count on Sidney. Especially when

things got rough with Mother.

He was the only one who stuck by her over the years.

You had this idea that you might want to go on the Johnny Carson show together.

One minute we're bitter enemies, and the next it's kiss and make up in front of

20 million viewers?

You can't market hate forever, Liv.

Marketing's your department. I had to live with a lunatic.

Honey, I know what you went through, but I don't... Yeah, well, here's something

you don't know.

Back in college,

I was dating this wonderful boy.

Now, one day, he and Mother had words.

Next thing I knew, she went to see his parents.

Did you complain about it?

No, about me.

She told them that I was a bad influence, that I slept around, just to

up. And it worked.

It's all right, Libby. It's all right.

No, it's not.

I want her to realize what she did to me.

So don't talk about public reconciliation.

We haven't even had a private one.

Johnny Carson?

After the damage Olivia's done to my career, you expect me to appear on

television with her?

Damage?

All these flowers, telegrams of support, you call this damage?

Think of the publicity, the work that's going to come out of this.

You're enjoying this, aren't you, Sidney?

She sticks a knife in my back and you're there selling my blood for a three

-picture deal.

What are you, in cahoots with her?

Uh -huh.

Sure.

When all else fails, turn on Sidney.

Bear me your self -pity. You're drowning in it. Oh, and you're not?

Hiding away in Samaritz? Did you honestly think the whole world was going

up and take notice and beg you to come out of retirement?

Well, they didn't do that, did they?

And they are now?

Well, they might.

You know what, Sidney?

You're living in a dream world.

I woke up already.

Isn't it time you did, too?

Wait a minute. I'm not done fighting with you yet. Who are you calling?

The only person I know who seems to be making an effort to be honest.

Yes. Miss O 'Keefe, sweet, please.

Is this private enough for you?

I don't think our relationship is anyone's business but our own, despite

already been written.

I thought we weren't going to discuss that.

You're right.

We weren't.

Olivia, if you make a public apology, I'll admit that on occasion I may have

been a little harsh with you.

Mother, you weren't harsh. You were hurtful. You promised we wouldn't start

tearing at each other.

You'd prefer sweet talk?

Should I apologize for the times you were drunk, your career on the skids,

there was Livvy to take it out on?

Is that what you want me to say in public?

Darling, you've already said that. No need to repeat yourself.

Right here, lady.

Private enough for you, Olivia.

Why can't you leave us alone?

Considering how desperate you are for publicity, you're probably paying for

film. What I'm really paying for is having a daughter like you.

How was your day off?

Not as much fun as I hoped.

But then I was in a very fun mood, was I?

It was my fault.

No, no, it was my fault.

And I'm sorry.

It's just... I don't know, what is it with us lately?

We've never had trouble talking before.

You've had a lot on your mind.

I guess I have, too.

You know how I am about expressing myself, my feelings. It's difficult for

Always has been.

But if I've been short with you...

I'm really very sorry.

No more sniping at each other?

Cross my heart.

I guess you should know.

Last night, Evan asked me to marry him.

Kind of sudden.

Yeah, it took me by surprise.

What did you tell him?

I needed more time.

That's something I learned from you, Peter.

Honey, that's not tomato juice.

What happened?

What do you think? Mother and daughter walked arm in arm into the sunset?

She wouldn't budge.

Then some moron shows up, starts taking pictures like we were in a freak show.

Well, you can't spend the rest of your life hating her.

You have to try again.

What, on Johnny Carson or 60 Minutes?

Isn't that what this is all about, free publicity?

How many more books must you sell before you're going to be satisfied?

Why am I suddenly the villain of the piece? I'm only trying to help. Then how

come I feel like I'm being manipulated?

Look, first there was the book, the way you made me change everything, and now

this grandstand play for tolerance and understanding.

Whose side are you on anyway?

If you have to ask.

You're damn right I do. And when you're ready to tell me, I'll be back at the

hotel, packing.

Let me...

You're not too excited for Christine, are you?

I don't want to lose a good assistant.

Do you want her to marry Dr. Cameron or don't you?

Well, it's not for me to say.

Great.

And there isn't a problem.

I guess the hotel will plan a big reception for her.

I'm sure you'll be available, right?

Meaning what?

Hey, somebody's got to be there to give her away.

If I caught you at a bad time... You did, but that's never stopped you

I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything by that.

Do you want something to drink?

Coffee? No, thanks.

Are things all right with your friend?

You always were perceptive.

Men don't seem to be our strongest suit.

Maybe if you're...

Father hadn't died so young.

You were already separated.

We might have gotten back together.

Like us.

You've expended so much energy hating me when you can put it to such bitter use.

You've done a dreadful thing with this book, Livvy.

I've done.

There wouldn't have been a book if you'd ever bothered to hold me.

Kiss me. You know I did.

Maybe not often enough.

But I did love you. No.

You resented me.

I don't know why.

I tried so hard.

And I was so proud of you, too.

I'd go to the movies, and I'd see you up on the screen, and I'd think, she's too

beautiful to be my mother.

Too talented.

Too... perfect.

myself because I knew I could never be like you.

But that was all in your imagination.

You were always my precious. The cameras aren't rolling, Mother, so you can stop

acting. You don't know how to love anyone but yourself.

Look at you, a faded movie star.

You're pathetic.

Why don't you have her write a book for you?

Or maybe the deal's already in the works.

Next thing you know, she'll want to sleep with you.

Olivia! Have I shocked you, Mother? I don't know why.

You've spoiled things with my boyfriends before.

Why should Ted be any different?

Besides, if it'll sell books, he won't mind in the least.

Well, you sounded so determined on the phone.

Did you finally make up your mind?

I hope so.

Evan.

Doesn't fit.

Not the way you want it to.

Evan, you're everything a woman could ask for. Believe me, I don't say that

lightly.

Put it back on your finger where it belongs. I can't.

Christine.

I love you so much. If there's a problem... There is.

It's time I face up to my feelings. I can't keep hiding them forever.

I'm in love with someone else.

I know his name, don't I?

I can't deny it anymore.

Either to you or to myself.

I'm in love with Peter.

I finally realize I'm going to have to do something about it.

I don't want to argue about it.

I'm going back to Switzerland, and that's that.

Giving it up without even making an effort, huh?

All my work is going right down the drain.

What are you talking about?

Nothing. Everything. You know what I mean.

I think I'm beginning to.

You didn't orchestrate all this, did you?

Look, you want to go back? You want to be a recluse the rest of your life? Go

ahead. I can't stop you anymore.

You'll explain everything that transpired, Sidney, and you will explain

Sidney, now.

The book was my idea.

But I did it for you.

I did it to give you a push, a reason for getting up in the morning.

Look at yourself.

I'm afraid, Sidney.

Remember how I used to look?

They'd laugh me off the screen.

Laugh?

They'd applaud you, you idiot.

Look, you're an actress.

It's what you do, and you do it better than anyone else.

Are you saying I had no right to retire and grow old gracefully?

You're making me feel guilty.

What, I'm not getting old too?

And what's wrong with you playing character parts?

We both need to test ourselves again.

Work is the only way.

You didn't make her write all those hateful things, did you, Sidney?

If she'd have written a love letter, would you have believed her?

Let's face it. Your kid did not have the easiest time growing up.

You were not exactly a model parent.

Only you could be so diplomatic.

So, uh, should I book us a flight back to St. Moritz?

I don't get it.

Yesterday, she was on top of the world.

Maybe she didn't like the view.

You don't think you're going to walk out of my life just like that, do you?

I'm going to dig in for a long fight if I have to.

I don't want to fight.

Please, I've hurt you enough already.

Forget I proposed.

It was premature. Let's go back to square one. We'll keep seeing each

Evan, please, I feel bad enough as it is. Don't compound it.

Please, he doesn't know.

You okay?

I hope I didn't, uh...

Look,

you just can't walk out in the middle of a book, too. We've got commitments all

across the country. You have commitments, Ted. I don't want to be

anymore. Libby, this is ridiculous. Your book is at the top of the list.

And you're at the bottom of mine.

Mother may have been unfeeling, even cruel.

But that still doesn't excuse the way I've treated her.

Well, then blame Sidney. Look, I told you it was his idea.

Maybe he came to you with a proposal, but you're the one who made me rewrite

Look, what's the difference?

It's finished now, and I'm the only one to blame.

Why?

Writing this book was therapy. You said so yourself.

So was having an affair with my editor.

But ending it is the best medicine of all.

Sorry, Ted.

Your kisses aren't as sweet as they used to be.

We can get a lot more in here than I realize.

How long are you going to be gone? About a week.

If you run into any problems, Christine will be in charge.

Okay. I'll be down in a few minutes.

Oh,

that's not the look of a man bearing good tidings. I'm sorry I tried all the

airlines, but they're all full up. If you don't mind taking the red -eye, you

can leave. Alicia.

I'll have to get back to you, Mr. Danik.

Thanks for trying.

Next stop on the book tour?

No, I'm going back to New York.

Well, you'll have company on the plane, won't you?

That chapter's closed.

Pardon the pun.

Maybe we can write a new chapter together.

Is that an olive branch you're holding out?

Olivia, we both made mistakes.

But you're right.

My career meant more to me than anything, including you.

It's too late to change that now, but maybe it's not too late to... To learn

love each other?

Oh.

Worse that can happen, you'll have to sit down at the typewriter again.

Write a sequel.

You were just going to walk out without saying goodbye?

I didn't know if you were coming back.

You're leaving without a hug?

I got a plane to catch.

I know you'll do just fine.

Anything comes up.

I'll call you in New York if I have to.

I'm not shy.

I hope not.

Not after the years we've been together.

Well, I'll be back before you know it.

Take care.

Have a safe flight.

I know you need time to sort things out.

I returned his ring. Is that what you're trying to find out?

Yeah.

Yeah, I'm glad.

We'll talk when I get back, okay?

About my performance on the job?