Original subtitles

[crickets chirping]

[footsteps rapidly approaching]

[Claire shrieking] Mother! Mother! Wake up!

-[gasps] What's wrong? -The house is on fire!

-[gasps] -Fire department? It's an emergency,

-our house is burning. -Come, come, come!

[fire rumbling]

Oh, my God.

[siren wailing]

[glass shattering]

Shit!

Oh, my God.

Whoa!

Are you okay?

[siren wailing]

Jesus Christ.

-[man] We don't want you here! -[horn honking]

We should've let the studio put us up.

-Keep movies white! -I will not live in fear.

[horn honking]

[crowd clamoring]

Son of a bitch!

No miscegenation!

No miscegenation in America!

[Dick] We filed a report with the FBI.

I know you do not want to move into one of the bungalows here on the lot,

I get it, no one wants to feel like a prisoner.

So we're going to have round-the-clock surveillance outside of your house,

Avis's, and Archie's.

This feeling is nothing new.

I grew up getting terrorized.

Had a uncle that was pulled out of his bed in the middle of the night

and hanged from a tree, so... I'm angry,

I'm scared, but what I am not is surprised.

But who is it that's doing this?

American Colonization Society. The same people picketing outside.

They say they're peaceful,

just want to send colored people to Liberia,

but a lot of them are secretly KKK.

If I may, as producer of this film--

A producer, and "producer" should be in quotes.

This is going to continue, that's just a fact of life,

and Avis, you are going to have to pay to protect this production.

There will be protests outside this gate every day we are shooting

-and every day we're on location. -Mr. Silver, you can't go in there.

-Don't get up. -I won't.

In light of recent events,

I've come to inform you that production on Meg must be halted.

Didn't I fire you weeks ago?

You don't have that power. I work for Mr. Amberg.

That is out of line.

Refusing to shut this picture down is out of line.

Mrs. Amberg leaves me no option but to take legal action.

This is my studio.

I recognize that this is emotional for you.

With all that's been happening, you're not thinking clearly.

Oh.

A woman makes a decision, and suddenly she's irrational.

-No, no. That's-- I didn't mean to-- -Yes, you did.

You waltz in here whenever you desire to remind me that you are there,

always watching.

By the time you get your ducks in a row for our little date in court,

my picture will be in the can.

[snickers]

See you in court, Lon.

What are you all grinning about?

We have a movie to make.

[big band music playing]

[bell dings]

[bell dings]

[Ernie] Well, look who it is.

So you guys want to raise $25,000 to pay for your movie's Hollywoodland sign.

Happy to help.

Today's assignment...

[hacking]

[exhales and sniffles]

[hoarsely] Today's assignment...

go home. All of youse.

-What? -[Ernie] I mean it.

I can't have you doing this. It's too risky.

Jack, you've already been busted once.

Here you are.

All of you.

Young.

At the beginning of something.

Me?

I ain't risking much.

I'm near the end.

But I've had a great run.

This isn't the dream I started with...

doing this.

But you kids,

your dreams are really happening.

And I like that you're fighting for 'em.

So, let me handle this.

I will get you your money. I will get you your money.

I got some old-timers who used to work for me.

I thought I'd call 'em out of retirement for a good cause.

Ernie, you hardly know me.

It ain't for you.

It's for the dream.

Now, get outta here, all of youse. I got work to do.

[big band music playing]

[bell dinging]

[Ernie] There's my girls.

Hey, Ern.

[man grunts]

[door bell rings]

Hello, ladies.

[bell dinging]

-[grunting] -Quit struggling, you pervert!

Can it, sicko!

Hold on a sec. You comfortable?

-Mm-hmm. -Keep your mouth shut!

Or I'll throw you off the Shakespeare Bridge!

[client moans]

[bell dinging]

[grunts]

So I tied you pretty loose. You should be able to wiggle out.

-I'll be over there if you need me. -[grunting]

-What? -Stay in character!

Uh, sorry. I mean, I'm going to leave you here to rot, you pervert!

-Mmm! -This was fun.

[grunting]

[bell dinging]

[grunts]

[exhales]

[exhales] Yeah.

Twenty-five big ones.

I can't believe it only took you one week.

What can I tell you? I'm good at what I do.

And I've been saving up for a rainy day. I tossed that in too.

-Ernie, this is unbelievable. -Ah, kid, it's nothing.

It didn't even feel like work.

You know, Ernie, me and Raymond have been talking about how to thank you.

Henry Willson got a producer credit on this picture, and he hardly did anything.

No, I won't hear it.

-Ernie, please-- -I said no.

That money's yours.

I don't want anything in return. I mean it.

Consider it my...

my parting gift

to this town.

Okay?

Go make your movie.

Thank you, Ernie.

[chuckling]

[Archie yelping]

There ain't nobody quite like you, Ernie.

We made up the difference. That's all of it, $25,000.

How'd you do it?

Does it matter?

Fair enough.

All right, get it done.

[woman speaking over intercom]

[babies crying]

Oh, no.

I knew this moment would come.

Mmm. So, do it. [chuckles nervously]

I deserve it. Hit me.

I'm not gonna hit you.

I'm just here to make sure everybody's doing okay.

[Erwin] Henrietta was right about you.

She said you had your share of problems, but...

deep down, you were a good person.

I, uh...

I know you're skipping town in a few days, but...

just wanted to say goodbye.

As far as the divorce goes, you know, I'm not going to make a stink.

[voice shaking] Whatever you need from me, you got it.

[shuddering sigh]

Do you want to...

I'm sorry we screwed this up, Hen.

[chuckles]

[voice breaking] Maybe it was meant to be.

We both got what we wanted.

I get to start a family, and you get to be a movie star.

I'm always going to see your movies...

and I hope...

that maybe I had something to do with it. [chuckles and sniffles]

Of course you did.

Of course you did, baby.

I couldn't have done any of this without you.

[crying]

You're always going to be a part of it.

I just hope that I'll always be a part of you.

I'm so sorry, Hen.

Me too, Jack.

Me too.

[both weeping]

-[Ernie] Hey there, fellas! -Hey!

[tapping shoes]

[all chuckling]

I'm having a big fancy dinner with a genuine screenwriter

and a real-life movie star in the middle of production no less?

I must be some kind of heavy hitter, huh?

Fancy dinner's the least we could do, Ern.

Yeah, we owe you, Ernie.

I mean, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't even be in this town anymore.

So, how's shooting going? Having fun?

Today was Jack's first day. He was great.

I don't know about that,

but I said all my lines and didn't trip over the furniture. So...

See! You're halfway there.

How's the wife?

-Let's talk about something else. -Why, what'd I say?

Nothing, you didn't say anything.

It's all right, I...

[sighs]

Henrietta left me for another fella,

and apparently the, uh... babies are his.

Are you kidding me, Jack?

That's...

great!

Yeah... W-- what?

Think about it.

Here you are...

young buck on the town,

about to be the next big thing with his name up in lights.

You don't want to be tied down.

-You know you got a way with words, Ernie? -[Ernie chuckles]

I somehow think I actually feel a little better.

-Hmm? -But look, what are we here for?

We got something for you.

What?

[Jack] Take a look at page 35.

[Ernie] Oh, man.

This is some crackerjack dialogue.

"Studio chief Daryl B. Selzman enters. No-nonsense. Dashing."

It was supposed to be David O. Selznick,

but he caught wind of it and threatened to sue.

You're not playing the Selznick part, are you?

No, Ernie.

You are.

What are you talking about?

Daryl B. Selzman.

That's you.

That's your role.

The studio okayed it and everything.

What?

[Jack] I know it's a bit of a stretch, but...

Archie's been taking some liberties with the screenplay,

and Ray really wants him to be...

well, dashing.

Hey. What? Wh-- what's the matter, Ern?

It just hit me.

I came out here...

and I had a dream.

Just like you guys.

Took me almost 30 years...

but it's finally coming true.

To Hollywood.

To Hollywood.

[glasses clink]

[protesters shouting]

[Ellen] Pleased to have you on board, Mr. West.

You've had quite the hiatus between acting jobs.

Yeah, you know how it goes.

You pound the pavement for a couple of years,

then you take a side gig to pay the bills, and before you know it,

it ain't a side gig anymore; it's your life.

Yes, well, running a prostitution ring out of a gas station

would always be a more lucrative endeavor than being an actor.

I don't judge you, Ernie.

In fact,

it's one of the reasons why I like you for this role.

Your big scene is all about

freedom of expression in the face of censorship and prejudice.

There's lesbian overtones in one of your films,

and the studio relations committee throws the Hays Code at you,

tells you you have to cut all of Meg's scenes.

Yeah, and I tell them to go screw.

[laughing] I love it.

I get to stick it to those assholes and all their moralizing.

Yes, but he's not a thug.

There's a refinement to him. He's powerful, and he knows it.

This is why I want to do some rehearsal with you on your feet.

I do this with all our players.

I want to see how your character smokes a cigarette,

how he walks into a room.

What? Nah.

I don't need to rehearse that kind of stuff.

I know how to walk.

Acting isn't magic.

It's a job.

It's a craft.

It's something you have to work at,

something you devote your time to.

So let's get to work.

-Action! -[door opens]

So, I gotta cut my best actress from this picture, huh?

Well, guess what? I'm not doing it!

-Too angry. -But he is angry.

Yes, of course, but he's powerful, and he knows it.

He doesn't need to yell.

And you need to leave yourself someplace to go.

Yeah, okay.

How would it feel if you didn't barge in this time?

Just walk in the room like you own the place.

You're calm, you're controlled.

And maybe don't slam the memo down.

Just toss it. Throw him off balance. Okay?

Action!

So I got to cut my best actress from the picture, huh?

Well, guess what?

I'm not doing it.

[chuckling] That's it.

Now, light your cigarette.

Cool as a cucumber.

[Ellen] Mm-hmm.

That's it.

[stammers] Good.

Okay. So let's, uh, move ahead.

Mr. Selzman, the Hays Code isn't optional,

and your picture is rife with homosexual innuendo.

-Listen to you. -We're not the censors, Daryl.

We're what's keeping the censors

from destroying the freedom of expression in this industry.

Here's what I can't stand about you fellas.

Standing on high with your Hays Code

and telling me, Daryl B. Selzman,

what people in this country should be allowed to see?

Why?

Because you don't trust people to make up their own minds.

You don't love our freedom.

You're scared of it!

[dramatic music playing]

People don't like my movies, they can stand up and walk out,

that's their right.

And I have a right to lose my shirt doing it.

But this movie...

is a hit.

And Meg Ennis?

That girl is a star.

And if I cut her from my movie, it'll kill her.

[laughing]

You can scream all you want to, Mr. Selzman,

but you are cutting those scenes,

or we'll shut down your studio.

That's all there is to it.

Go ahead and try.

We'll do it, Mr. Selzman!

I'll run you out of town.

Oh, yeah?

I am this town.

[music crescendos]

Bartender, another one of these.

Coming right up.

Sarah, thank God. Have you seen Meg?

I-- I had to tell her some sorry news, and she went out to get some air

and that was... God, that was hours ago.

Why yes, yes I did. Meg came over to my apartment,

said she wanted to come here.

She said, "I think I know now what my life's going to add up to, Sarah."

That's why I didn't think it would be so bad if she had a drink or--

-[fist pounds] -Damn it, Sarah! Where is she?

She got cut from the film. Selzman told me, so I told her and...

Well, now I gotta tell her something else, before she goes and does something rash.

She had two drinks and left, said there was something she had to go do.

-I assumed she was meeting you. -Sorry to interrupt,

but when your friend left, she asked me how to get to the Hollywoodland sign.

Oh, God.

[Claire] What?

He left.

[tires screeching]

[suspenseful music playing]

[tires screech]

[panting]

[panting]

[music intensifying]

Meg!

Meg!

[wind howling]

[Jack] Meg! Meg!

Oh, God! Oh, God! Don't do it, Meg! Please!

Oh, God. Oh, dear God. Please Meg, don't do it.

Come down, I gotta tell you something.

But I have to do it, Sam.

[Jack] Oh, God!

No, please don't. Oh, God. Meg, please!

[shouting]

No!

Meg!

[gasps softly]

[sobbing] Sam, I'm so scared.

I know you are, I know you are, but you don't have to be.

You can come down. Please!

What are they going to say about me, Sam?

I'll just be that girl who never made it.

What does it matter what they say? Listen to what I'm saying. Sweetheart...

Sweetheart, I love you.

Oh, God, I love you more than anything in the world.

You are a star, Meg. You're a star, no matter what happens.

You're my star.

Please. Oh, God, please come down off of that sign...

and be the only star in my sky.

Oh, Sam.

Oh, God, Meg.

Be careful. Be careful, Meg. I'm coming.

I got you. Watch your step.

Come on. Come on, sweetheart. I got you. I'm here.

I'm here, I got you. Come here.

That's right.

[Jack sighs in relief]

Oh, Meg, you gave me such a fright.

Meg, the way you felt tonight,

I'm never gonna let you feel that way again, you understand me?

[crying]

I'm sorry.

Goddamn it.

I wasn't supposed to do that.

-Do what? -Can we cut?

What's he doing? This is great.

I'm not supposed to be crying. I don't know, I'm sorry.

-Cut! -[stage bell rings]

[man] Cut.

-Jack, that was beautiful. -What the hell'd you stop for?

We were really getting it.

That was incredible.

Really? Oh, gosh. I'm sor-- Should we just go right back into it?

Yes, please. All right, everybody, let's do a pickup!

-Roll sound! -[crewman] Roll sound.

-[Jack] Sorry! -[Raymond] It's all right. Roll camera.

[crewman] Roll camera.

And...

action!

[shuddering breath]

I spoke with Selzman.

He's not cutting you out of the picture.

You're going to be in the movie, Meg.

Why didn't you tell me?

When I was about to jump...

I didn't want that to be the thing that saved you.

I knew you could save yourself.

[uplifting music playing]

Let's get out of here.

We have a whole life to live.

[reel clicking]

[Henry sighs]

I don't know.

Don't know what?

Here I am, right?

I'm sitting here and I'm watching this for, what, the tenth time?

I just...

I think it's missing something.

And, uh...

what exactly do you think it's missing?

Something bold.

You know, something... Something surprising!

Here it is.

This is what it needs.

She takes a swan dive off of that sign

and lands directly into a swimming pool.

Suddenly, it's a big Esther Williams musical number.

I don't know if our girl can swim, but the audience...

The audience is saying, "What the hell just happened?

Well, yeah, but did she do it?

Is she in heaven?"

Smash to black, music plays, the end.

That's exciting. Never seen that before, have you?

-Can I say something? -Sure.

I've been an editor since...

-the silents, okay? -Oh, shit.

-I've been doing this for 40 years. -Goddamn.

I fucked Gloria Swanson in this very room, Henry.

And I just got to say, of all the creatives I've ever worked with,

you... [chuckling]

...have the worst ideas.

Get the fuck out of here and let this kid make his fucking movie, okay?

Fuck you, Harry.

-I'll get you kicked off this picture. -No, you won't. Fuck you.

I'm gonna go talk to Dick right now.

Then I'm going to start writing that musical number.

For once in my life, I'm the boss,

and I'm gonna get final cut on this motherfucker.

[chuckles]

[sighs]

Thanks for that.

It was a pleasure.

[laughing]

That guy has no right to fuck with your picture.

It's good, kid.

And I mean it.

I like...

what it says.

[stuttering] Let's run it down one more time.

One more time, please.

[reel clicking]

[big band music playing]

[beeps]

[respirator hissing]

Hello?

Archie?

What's going on? What is this place?

I saw the first cut of the picture.

Oh, God...

They cut me out, didn't they?

-No, you're in it. -[cork pops]

And you are really,

really good.

I am so,

so proud of you.

I feel like you and me, we are on the verge of something amazing.

[clinks]

Mmm.

And...

this is my way of saying thank you.

A while ago, you asked me to be your boyfriend,

and I said no.

Because I couldn't see a future for us.

But watching my movie get made...

I realized ain't nothing impossible.

It's a key to this apartment.

So...

this place is mine?

It's ours.

I'm in love with you, Rock.

I want to live together, and...

I want to be your boyfriend.

[chuckling]

This is real? [chuckles]

Yes.

Welcome home.

[Jack] Every time I closed my eyes, I was seeing those babies.

I've lost so much.

Sorry, I'm...

I'm just all worked up. I don't know why I can't just settle down.

Don't you apologize.

Jack, it's all right.

I knew you were the right person to call.

You've been a really good friend to me, Claire, you know that?

Maybe you don't know that, but you really have.

You really have.

I love the fellas, but I don't know if...

I don't know if I wanted to cry in front of them.

It's okay to be emotional when you lose something, Jack.

[crying]

I was a mess when my father was in the hospital.

Oh, yeah, I heard about that. Gosh, I'm so sorry.

Don't... Don't be sorry.

You have...

You have-- you have so much to look forward to.

A few months ago, you were a contract player, and now...

you're a part of an incredible ensemble of artists,

who aren't just making a movie, they're making history.

Remember when I told you you were gonna be a star?

[chuckles]

Yeah, I do.

You're gonna be a star.

Have you thought about...

who you're gonna take to the premiere?

-Gosh, I forgot about that. -[clears throat]

Do you know who you're gonna bring?

Well, I was...

I was hoping...

I was hoping it would be you.

Me?

You wanna go with me?

Absolutely.

You mean go together? I would love to.

-Really? -Are you kidding?

Yeah, that... that'd be wonderful.

[both chuckling]

[Claire] Okay.

All right, good.

Good.

[crowd cheering]

Oh, this...

Oh, my...

Wow!

Avis, can you believe it?

Oh, I am so happy to be back.

-Oh, look at the-- -You should be pleased.

There hasn't been a crowd this size since Eleanor Roosevelt.

Wait, what?

[elevator dings]

Avis,

I can't thank you enough

for everything you did while I was away.

You kept this place afloat.

You took some chances.

I can't say I always agreed with those chances, but, uh, I admire it.

-I'm very proud of you. -Thank you, darling.

Green-lighting Meg was a difficult decision, but it was the right one.

I've seen the rushes.

The film is magnificent.

-Good morning. -Miss Stinson.

How many times do I have to fire you?

Hello, Mrs. Amberg. Ace asked me here.

Avis, uh...

I'm just going to talk to the boys for a bit.

Uh, why don't you go home

and, uh, we'll celebrate tonight over dinner?

But, uh, no roast beef or anything like that.

I... I'm on this new diet the doctor's got me on. Just rice.

All I'm allowed to have is white rice

and fruit juice.

All right, gentlemen, let's get to it.

Obviously, I overslept.

-[men laughing] -[muffled chatter]

Have a good day, Mrs. Amberg.

[dramatic music playing]

[elevator dings]

Avis, we're just going over a distribution plan for Meg.

Where are you going?

I've been sent home.

To make dinner.

All right, tell me about this bomb we have, All Hands on Deck.

I like that picture. What happened?

Well, many of our distributors pulled the film.

They were facing boycotts when it was announced that

Meg would be starring a colored girl.

Uh, let's talk about this for a second.

A lot of work went into this picture, and I know it's risky, but I admire that.

So you don't feel that the fag and the two ladies went behind your back?

-[Ace] The fag? -Dick Samuels.

Dick Samuels, a fag?

No, what are you talking about?

He's got women hanging all over him. He's quite the catch.

Well, be that as it may, while you were indisposed, sir,

the lunatics were very much taking over the asylum.

If you release this film, it will destroy the studio

and tarnish the reputation of every picture you have ever made

or intend to make. It's just that simple.

Come on. You're overreacting.

Sir, we've done the research.

Meg will not play in the South.

A hundred and twenty-five theaters have signed a statement

saying they will not run the picture,

nor any subsequent Ace picture, if Meg is released anywhere.

We'll go bankrupt in six months!

-All right, so what do I do? -Burn it.

-Burn it? -Burn every foot of film.

They won't have anything to point to. They'll call off the dogs.

You'll be back on the throne, studio remains solvent,

we move forward like nothing ever happened.

Let's get out of here.

We have a whole life to live.

[waiter] Here you are, Mr. Amberg. Your rice.

[scoffs] I can't eat this shit.

Get me... get me a brisket,

uh, some of those, uh, cheesy potatoes

-and a lemon meringue pie. -[waiter] Right away.

One meal's not gonna kill me.

All right, before you do anything,

I want you to see the picture.

-I know it is not your taste-- -I saw it.

-It's great. -Fantastic. So you're going to release it.

Well, I...

I haven't made up my mind yet.

All right,

let me help you.

If you don't release this picture, I will resign

and I will give an interview

to every journalist who will take my call

and tell them what went down here and how and why.

I will be kind to Avis.

I will not be kind to you.

-After all I've done for you? -Fuck off!

"After all I've done for you."

What have you done for me, except take every ounce of credit for my work?

You never trusted me, you never listened to a thing I said.

I defended you!

I defended you when everybody was calling you a fag.

[Dick scoffing] Really?

How noble.

Well, guess what, Ace?

I am a fag.

I just... I hid it all these years because I was afraid.

I am not afraid anymore.

I've met someone.

I love him,

and I'm happy for the first time.

Dick...

I'm going to be in your office at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow,

letter of resignation in hand.

You release Meg, you might bankrupt the studio.

You pull it, I'm coming after you.

[Avis] I spoke to your doctor.

He said you could have cauliflower too,

so long as I make sure it's steamed.

Oh, Avis, steamed cauliflower? I can't eat this!

-I'll shit the bed! -So shit the bed.

You're gonna eat it, goddamn it. Gertie, put it down.

Yesterday, I ran a movie studio.

I had power.

But today, I'm a housewife again.

So if keeping your fat ass alive is my job now,

I'm gonna do it.

Okay, fine. You want me to eat this?

-I'll eat it. -Good.

Nope, I'm not going to do it!

-What? What? -I'm not going to get a taste

for what it feels like being in charge,

having autonomy for the first time in my life,

and then being pushed back into the kitchen.

I won't do it.

I can't!

My head is exploding.

What do you want?

I want to co-chair Ace Pictures.

You're recovering from a major health scare.

Your doctor says you can only work half days.

Let me carry what you can't.

You won't take anything less?

No, I won't.

Okay.

Okay?

Okay.

I saw Meg today.

And what you did was amazing.

It's a spectacular movie.

It's not the movie I would make, but...

I think that's the point of this, right?

You know, ever since this whole thing happened to me, I...

I've been thinking differently.

I've been thinking, uh...

How do I want to leave this world?

And...

what I want to leave in it.

And, uh...

I'd have been proud

to have released that movie.

Now, what do you say?

You earned it.

Mmm. I am so sorry.

-I am so, so sorry. -[weeping]

I'm sorry, too.

I want to make a go of it. I want to try again.

I think we still have time.

[humming]

[Gertie] Mrs. Amberg...

in 20 years, I've never heard you singing at the table before.

Well...

I had a good night.

That's all I'll say.

We could hear you. [groans]

Kept me awake until 4:00 a.m.

It was... nauseating.

[laughing]

Gertie, we have a big week of planning ahead.

Get all the linens out of storage and call the tent company

because on Saturday we're having a party.

Ace is going to announce he's making me co-president of the studio.

-What? -I never thought I'd see the day.

-Neither did I. I keep pinching myself. -[Claire gasping]

-Mother, that's unbelievable! -For once, Daddy got something right.

[Claire humming]

Gertie, I want pancakes.

Ace, I have your breakfast.

Ace...

I have something sweet for you.

[sad music playing]

[kisses, inhales sharply]

[reporters overlapping]

[reporter 1] Simply stunning, Miss Lee!

[reporter 2] Hollywood Reporter, a picture, please?

[cameras bulbs popping]

[reporter 1] Miss Lee, over here!

Let me tell you something, Meg.

All this...

the photos, the red carpet, the parties, the stardom...

it's all smoke and mirrors.

None of it is worth a fig, do you hear me?

I'm telling you now,

this will all be yours very soon.

-But if you're not-- -Boring. Cut this scene.

[reel sputtering]

I said turn it off.

-Sorry, Mr. Willson, just a sec. -Jesus Christ.

This is what you get when you hire an editor on looks alone.

I'm new, I don't know this equipment.

Thank you. You know what? Skip to the last reel.

There is something about that ending that I just don't buy.

[lounge music playing]

Bartender, can you tell me how to get up to the Hollywoodland sign?

You head up Beachwood Drive and you'll see the trailhead right there.

[Henry] Freeze it. Freeze it right there.

You're not saying anything.

It's called "thinking," Randy.

See, this is why the picture doesn't work.

This is the part where she decides to jump off the sign, right?

Well, I still don't feel like I understand why she wants to kill herself.

Well, she got cut out of the movie.

[sighs] Yes, I know, dumbshit. That's the problem.

You think America's gonna like this girl for ending it all

'cause she got cut out of a film?

John and Jane Q. Public, they've never been in a film,

they're not killing themselves.

I guess it's because she staked her whole life on this thing.

A thing that most people don't care about.

She does.

She built her whole world around it.

That's her flaw.

Well, well, well,

listen to what just shot out of that tiny pea brain of yours.

That's what this movie needs!

Right after this scene, it's just... it's a moment...

It can be her alone where she realizes...

where she says to herself,

"I fucked up my whole life needing this thing."

That's why she kills herself.

But we don't have that scene.

We'll do a reshoot.

It's half a day's work, it's one scene. I'll talk to Dick.

What the fuck?

Who the fuck is he?

Well, hello, you old piece of shit.

He's the new editor, 'cause I fired your ass.

What's going on in here?

Willson, what are you doing?

This stupid fuck is recutting your picture.

No, I am saving your picture.

I am cutting that God-awful Anna May Wong red carpet scene.

The hell you are!

There's an entire scene missing in the final reel.

It's why the ending doesn't work.

We need a quiet scene with Meg, alone,

where we understand why she wants to kill herself.

Right now, it's because she got cut out of a movie.

The audience needs to know it's deeper than that.

She staked her whole life on this dream, and it's over now.

It's one scene. We can pick it up in one night.

That's actually a good idea.

Why don't you take it up with Dick?

Fuck Dick and his fancy five-dollar words.

Dick thinks he's smarter than me. He's not.

-I'll get the new scene shot. -You!

Step away from that machine.

Come on.

Hey-- hey!

What's the big idea?

What the hell are you doing?

No need to worry. We're just taking all the footage for safekeeping.

-You can't do that. -Yes we can, son.

Get your hands off. Wait just a minute. That's my film, you can't touch that.

Get your hands off-- Hey! You can't do this! What are you--

Somebody get Ace Amberg on the phone. You can't do this!

Go ahead and call him. Ace Amberg is dead.

[big band music playing]