Original subtitles

New York.

The Big Apple.

Lots of bustle and lots of people.

They say there are 8 million stories in the Naked City.

Well, this isn't one of them.

This story is about Hollywood, California.

Tinseltown, USA.

Well, let me tell you a story.

I've got three girls I met at a party once.

It's also about what this town can do to a woman.

Tell me.

I'm tougher than I look. And besides, I'm here to be a reporter, not an

actress.

Funny you should say that. Two of the girls came here to be actresses. The

other one... Well, let me start at the beginning.

First one's name was Mary Jo Harmon.

The only word to describe her was sweet.

She was a farm girl.

Came from some hick town in middle America.

Good middle-class family, brought up to believe in all the old-fashioned virtues

like honesty, thrift, loyalty.

Big girl, horn-fed, natural blue eyes, and built like a brick outhouse.

She was a normal, healthy American girl.

And, from what I understand, she didn't mind spending some time in bed with her

normal, everyday boyfriend who she grew up with.

She had a dream about becoming a movie star.

Oh, thank you so much. Oh, I love you.

Oh.

Second one's name was Dominique Alden.

That wasn't the name she was born with. Most of the girls in her business used

more glamorous names.

She was somewhat more sophisticated than Mary Jo.

She came from New York.

Or at least she'd lived there long enough to consider herself a New Yorker.

She didn't share Mary Jo's dreams.

In fact, Dominique wasn't much of a dreamer.

She was very happy just the way she was, thank you.

I also have it on good authority that Dominique was one hell of a piece in bed

and one of the top people in her line of work.

Oh, come on, Mary Jo.

Settle, Billy.

It could take forever for you to become a big star. And I don't want to wait

that long for us to get married. So why don't you just stay here and help me

down on the farm?

That's all you really know how to do anyway.

You don't think that I've got what it takes?

Oh, come on, baby, of course I do. But what about acting?

And what do you know about getting started in Hollywood?

You know that's a big city. It ain't at all like Wetumpka.

Besides, there's a lot of good-looking men out there.

You might meet someone else that you like, and you ain't never gonna come

back to me.

Silly. I won't even look at another man while I'm gone. After all, we're

engaged, aren't we? Yeah, but I hear women have to do some pretty funny

things to get jobs out there. I heard about the casting couch and all that.

Those are just stories. Don't worry about me, Billy.

I'll come back a star.

Thank you for a lovely evening, Dominique.

My pleasure.

I'll have the usual amount transferred to your account, huh?

That'll be fine.

It's a pleasure doing business with you.

Same time next week?

Oh, I'm sorry. I'll be in Los Angeles next week. How about the week after?

Yeah, okay. Bye. Okay. Bye-bye.

Bye, hon. Take care now. You too.

The last girl was named Pat Norman.

Should have been Pat Normal.

She was a local girl, raised right here in L.A., a freshman at UCLA studying

drama. She did share Mary Jo's dream.

She, too, wanted to be a movie star.

That really upsets you, doesn't it?

You waited 30 years to find the right girl to withdraw from.

You know what your problem is?

The only woman you really ever loved was your mother.

That was very good, Pat.

You need to work on your enunciation a little better, but I think you're really

getting the hang of it.

Unlike a lot of girls in Nowheresville, once Mary Jo made up her mind to go to

Hollywood, she kissed her boyfriend goodbye and caught a bus headed west.

So it was goodbye, Oklahoma, and hello, Hollywood and stardom.

There's a broken heart for every light on old Broadway.

There's a busted cherry for every star on that sidewalk outside.

I know what I'm talking about.

I've worked the Hollywood beat for a lot of years.

I've seen them come and I've seen them go.

Mostly come.

Of course, in real life, nobody comes to Hollywood and becomes a star right away.

Hardly anyone even finds work.

And in Hollywood, if you want to meet someone who can introduce you to someone

who knows someone who can help you, you need an agent.

Hi, I'm an actress.

I'm sorry, we're not taking any resumes right now.

Oh, okay, thank you.

Some agents are better than others.

More honest, harder working.

Harder to talk to.

Morty Green is easy to get to see. You just have to remember to wash your hands

when you leave.

What do you want?

Uh, I'm an actress.

Oh, yeah, you and my Aunt Tilly.

Got any credits?

Well, I did the lead in East Lynn back home.

East Lynn?

Jesus.

All right, come on in. I'll take a look at you.

No, no, put the bag down first.

Now turn around.

Try and make you look a little glamorous.

Stick your chest out.

Suck your stomach in.

Show me some leg.

All right, go take a seat over there.

Well, as you can see, I'm a very busy man, but you look like you have

potential. I think I can find something for you.

Oh, really? You really think that I've got potential?

Sure, kid.

Sure. You've got good looks, talent.

I'll find you some work.

Well, how do you know I have talent? You've never seen me act.

Kid, everyone acts. We act all the time.

I've just got to find the right thing to place you in.

Well, how do we do that, Mr. Green?

Call me Morty, doll.

We're going to have to work closely together.

Very closely, right?

And we're going to have to get to know each other much better, right?

I guess so.

So, uh, tell me something about yourself.

Well, there's not much to tell.

I'm from Oklahoma, and I'm engaged to Billy Martin back there.

Really? Well, that's very interesting.

Tell you what, doll.

I want you to go to the party this afternoon at 1100 Coldwater.

Go home, get yourself dolled up. Here, kid.

Wow.

I'll see you a little later. I really appreciate this.

Yeah, sure.

Fiance, huh?

That isn't much of a problem.

Dominique settled right into the California life.

Yeah, when Iaconda hit 75, sell.

Right.

I'm going to be working on this business deal all morning.

Think you can amuse yourself?

Yeah, I think I'm just going to go lay in the sun.

I'll pick you up later for lunch.

Okay. You better dress for it. We're going to a very important party

afterward. Oh.

It might even be fun.

Um, how's this?

Perfect. Okay.

All right, well... We'll catch you later.

Okay.

Pat's life was typical of most starstruck college students.

Going to school, classes in drama and speech.

Hoping for that one big break.

Never believing for even a moment she wouldn't make it.

Well, of course, you know that talent isn't enough to make it in this

business. You need to have the right connections.

Well, isn't that what agents are for?

Sure, but do you think Sue Mengers is really going to sign you right out of

acting school?

You need to know the right people just to talk to a good agent.

Well, how do I make the right connections?

Well, I could help you, for instance.

There's a little party this afternoon, a cocktail party, and there will be

executives, studio heads, agents.

Why don't you come along with me?

I'd love to. What time should I be ready?

Well, the party's at two, but I thought beforehand we could... Okay, I'll be

ready at 1.30. Bye. Bye.

All three girls were excited about going to a real Hollywood party. And strangely

enough, all three chose the same method to help themselves relax.

Thank you.

Oh.

I got some business to talk.

Okay.

There's no such thing as a private party in Hollywood.

Some of these people invite the press on their honeymoons.

So we were all out and forced to this one, where the biggies figured to get

some business done, meaning publicity, of course.

I didn't bother to take notes.

I could make it all up later anyway, as long as I spelled the names right.

It's part of my job, but I'm not the hostess. Oh,

you're an actress?

No.

Did I hear you say that you're an actress?

No. Well, I am. At least I'm studying acting anyway.

Yeah? I've never ever wanted to be anything else.

That's why I'm here from Oklahoma. I'm gonna be a star.

I'll be glad if I can get a job and not have to fuck everybody in Southern

California for it. What do you mean?

Yeah, that's how all the big stars got their start. Everybody knows that.

At least I'm straightforward, darling.

I'm a hooker, darlings. A whore.

Very good. Very expensive.

But that's still the word for it.

The only difference between me and an actress is I admit what I am.

Is that really how it works? I don't know if I could do that.

It's just business, dear.

Yeah, and it's pretty hard to do it on just talent alone.

Do you have an agent or something?

Yes, Morty Green.

Oh! Here he is. Hi, Morty. Come on, sweetie.

Got somebody for you to paint.

Mary Jo, this is Jack Warren. He's the head of Magnum Productions.

Jack is the actress I was telling you about.

Yeah, Morty tells me you've got a lot of talent.

Yeah, well, I did the lead in Eastland back home.

Oh, yeah.

Morty mentioned that.

Well, we might be able to use you in something.

Hey, make the arrangements, Morty.

It was nice meeting you, kid.

Yeah, nice meeting you, too.

What do you think of him?

He's not very good.

He's not supposed to be. He's a producer.

You know, sweetie, you're not really burdened down with credentials or

anything. You're not a Broadway star.

No, I guess not.

Right, and that man can cut through a lot of the bullshit and get you a screen

test real fast, but you may have to do a couple of favors for him. Follow me?

What kind of favors?

Whatever he wants.

Now, do you follow me?

Yeah, but I told Billy Martin that I'd be faithful to him. Yeah, and you told

Billy Martin you'd return home a star, right?

Uh-huh. You do want to be a star, don't you?

In order to be a star, you need a screen test, right?

Look, you've got a terrific bod.

A lot of people in this town are going to get into your pants.

Now, Jack Warren is probably the biggest man in this town at this point. The real

go-getter.

If he wants to make you a star, you're a star.

Now, don't be dumb. Do it.

Oh yeah, you can wait a couple of years and try a lot of bit parts and then

maybe you'll get a test.

But this way you'll do it fast.

You understand what I'm saying?

Right? You got it, baby. Do it.

Rudy used to, he was one of my students before I went into directing.

Yeah, he does pretty well.

Joe, can we leave now, please?

Yeah, sure.

It was good to meet you.

We'll see you again sometime.

Give me a call at the office.

Take care of it. Okay, come on, let's go.

Poor Pat.

She finally discovered love. It hit her like a thunderbolt.

One look from Steve Ransom and their panties were driven.

Too bad he was such a louse.

You coming?

Hey, uh, I thought you wanted to leave.

Well, fuck it, I'm leaving.

My place tomorrow night, 7.30 sharp.

I don't know. I think we could do a little more, maybe.

It's a possibility, but I don't know.

I don't want to overdo that price. Well, the budget has got to be there. Oh,

Dominique.

Dominique Jerry Kaminsky. Jerry.

Dominique. Dominique.

Michael's been telling me a lot about you. He says you're an artist.

He's too kind. I'm just a working girl. He's good at her job.

Well, he says you're the best.

That's possible.

Even likely.

Well, talk's cheap.

I'm not.

But it's taken care of.

I see.

Excuse me.

Have a seat. One thing you have to give Morty Green.

When he made a deal, he stuck to it.

Would you care for a drink?

Yes, please.

He promised to deliver Mary Jo, and he did.

Of course, he hadn't promised Mary Jo anything.

There you go.

Thank you.

Why don't you make yourself comfortable in the bedroom down at the end of the

hall?

Okay.

Mrs. Warren.

You startled me. I wasn't expecting you.

I'm this year.

Oh, of course, of course. But Mr.

Warren told me that... I mean, Mr. Warren and I were supposed to... But

Morty told me... I'm afraid you misunderstood, Mr. Green.

I'm the Warren that checks out all the new girls.

But... Are you shocked?

No, not shocked.

The idea sort of excites me.

I've just never done it with a woman before.

Will you just relax and follow my lead?

Okay.

Thank you.

See, that's really sweet of you, Jerry, but I won't be here.

What do you mean you won't be here?

You've got to be here.

Well, Michael's traveling back to New York after his business is finished, and

I'm going to go with him. I think we're going in the morning.

Well, I can't get everything set up for today.

Can't you stay on?

It just doesn't interest me. Besides, this isn't your business sense talking.

It's your cock.

Look, I know that you're good enough to persuade me, but that's not it.

Any film executive gets laid a lot you learn to keep that separate from your

from your judgment Do you think it's easy or cheap to to set up a full screen

test?

No, but it's ridiculous.

I'm not an actress. I'm a whore Well, you could say that about half the female

stars in the business But look I'm really serious I don't care if you don't

have experience you've got something better than that

Call it magnetism charisma.

Whatever. It's you have got it. Believe me It's not that common either. You

shouldn't let it go to waste Look Jerry, it just isn't my line of work.

Okay What's your day rate my what your your day rate your

What you get paid by the day or night or whatever? Oh, yeah $500

Well, I think I can scrape that together

Look, suppose I pay you for a week.

Now, are you willing to stay here and do a screen test?

Expenses, too, and hotel.

Well, I did promise Michael I'd be traveling with him.

And if I can square it with him?

You're really determined, aren't you?

Completely.

Okay, if you can get the studio to pay for a whore for a week to take a screen

test and square it with Michael, I'll do it. But I'm warning you, Jer, you're

wasting your time and your money.

Don't worry about that.

And it won't be the studio's money. It'll be mine. With your money?

I thought this was a studio deal.

Now, wait a minute. I don't want to... Look, doll.

This is strictly legit.

I'm laying out my money because I'm a gambler.

You got what it takes to be a star. And if you come across on this screen test

the way I think you will, I'm signing you to a personal management contract.

I'm going to handle you personally.

I don't think I like the sound of that.

Don't worry.

You will.

Okay, okay, I'll do it. If you can square it with Michael.

No sweat.

Talk to you soon.

Okay, bye-bye.

That was drawn to her face.

Like a moth to a flame.

With just about the same consequences.

Take your clothes off.

You can't come in and do whatever you want all day.

Good. I'm reasonably well satisfied.

What about me?

I have no objections if you're also satisfied.

I'll make no effort to arrange it, however. It's a matter of total

indifference to me.

Oh. Your object here is not to be pleased, but to please.

As long as you fulfill your function, you may do as you wish.

You may live in this house.

Anything you wear will be my decision. Anything you do will be up to me.

Correct?

Yes.

At my whim, you'll service me sexually.

Yes. Yes, Master.

Yes, Master.

If I wish to loan you to any of my friends, you'll service them also.

Yes, Master.

You'll do anything that's asked of you.

Anything.

Yes, Master.

Good.

Isn't it time for your coffee break?

I don't drink coffee.

Well, maybe something to eat.

Like what?

Well, how about me?

Right here?

You're paying for it, so why not?

No, no. Too many people come in through the office.

There must be a quiet place around here somewhere.

Okay.

You talked me into it, you silver-tongued fox.

Here's an empty one.

Oh, this is fine.

The couch is even company.

Mary Jo's little session with Mrs. Warren did pay off.

She got her screen tested.

But like everything else connected with Morty Green, even the screen test had

strings attached.

Okay, sweetie, this is it.

You all ready?

I guess so.

But isn't there a script or something?

Don't worry about it. You want to be spontaneous, right?

Looking good is what's important. If you look good, you got it made.

Well, do I look alright?

Yeah, you look terrific. But the camera may see you a little different than I

do. The cameraman's very important.

He can make you look good or bad.

Well, he'll do his best, won't he? I'm sure he will, but I can't guarantee it.

I don't want to take any chances.

Hi.

Mary Jo?

Curtis, the director in this scene.

Hello. Hello.

Oh, here's your script.

Oh.

Gee, I hope I can do well.

Hey, I'm sure you'll do just fine.

You know, there is a lot of stuff I can do to help you out.

Do you think that you could?

Well, I'm really not supposed to. Oh, come on. I know Mary Jo can do something

to convince you. You know, make it worth your while.

Morty, I couldn't afford it.

Oh, no money, sweetheart.

I'm sure you've got something a lot better than that to offer.

Oh, Morty.

That's the way it's done, sweetie.

Come right on over here.

Bruce? Yeah,

Bob.

All right, why don't you lay right down here and I'll get you ready.

You want to help me with this, Bill?

Yeah. Give me a hand there. Thank you.

Great tip.

Tip of the star.

One handed.

Best angle so far.

Oh, no. Oh, no.

Why don't you give me some of that, huh?

No, boss. Go ahead here.

Come here.

You should get it from behind.

Ah!

Oh, baby. Oh,

baby.

Thank you.

Hmmmm.

Do it to me.

Huh?

Thank you.

Dominique got her screen test, too.

Well,

hot damn.

I was right.

A star is born, as we say.

She can't act worth a damn, but she'll learn.

And it won't matter.

She'll be a smash.

If the film picks up half of it, she's got it made.

Yep.

Where'd you find her?

Well, uh, I don't know yet.

PR boys will think of something.

Let's do it again.

I talk too much. I'm quite bright, but nevertheless, I talk too much.

You see, already I'm saying more than I should.

Now, men hate it for women to blurt out, I'm bright.

They, in fact, that's what I'm saying. I'm brighter than even the brightest men

I know. That's why it's a mistake to talk too much.

My lawn furniture has more talent than that.

Yep. Of course, if my lawn furniture had that kind of magnetism, I could open a

scrapyard without moving.

Yep. Can't she learn?

Yep.

Is there anything in that girl's background that's going to be a problem?

Yep. Shit.

What?

She's a hooker. Oh, that's a PR problem.

Yep.

No sweat. When can you sign her?

I already have.

Without the old man's okay?

Not to a studio contract. To a personal management contract.

The old man is going to have a hemorrhage.

Fuck the old man.

This girl is going to be bigger than this whole fucking operation.

Oh, hello.

Hi.

I'm Sven.

I'll be producing this epic.

You look good.

Very good.

Good enough to eat.

So why don't you?

I think I will.

Hey, wait a minute. Where do you think you're going?

Don't mess up the makeup.

Steve Ransom did make some movie connections for Sue.

Of course, they weren't the type of films she'd spent all that time in drama

school studying for.

But it turned out okay, since she discovered she liked sex more than

acting anyway.

um um

you you

Hey, look. They're having a party. Come on.

Hey, let's join.

Okay.

There are people.

Oh, hi.

I'll let you make a way.

Listen, would you please not smear the makeup, huh?

Come on.

Amen.

Thank you

Hey, come on, let's save that for the picture. We got a picture to make. Let's

go. Hey, come on!

Let's go, we got a picture to make! Get out here!

What the hell's wrong with you people?

Get going!

Come on, we got a picture to make. Let's go.

Okay, Mike, roll it.

I talk too much. I'm quite bright, so isn't it interesting?

But nevertheless, I talk too much. You see, I already am saying more than I

should. Men hate me for...

What do you think?

Well, I can't use her.

I know Jeff wouldn't want her.

I could use her. Yeah?

I'm going to Vegas next week to try and sign Mel Carter for a film.

He likes that type.

Well, put in a call to Morty.

So, while they're deciding whether or not to offer you a contract, we do have

that offer from Las Vegas.

And he could help me?

I'm sure he could.

Oh, yeah, and I should screw him, too.

That'd be interesting, but no, he's a faggot.

Just needs an escort.

Got clothes?

Yeah, when do we go?

Monday. Have a good time, sweetie.

All right, bye-bye, Morty.

Well, I put on my pants and got the hell out of there before her husband came

home.

I love it.

Excuse me, I have to go to the little girl's room.

Of course.

Don't be long, sweetheart. No.

Thank you.

Sit down.

Well, what do you think? Should we have a contract drawing?

I'm leaning in that direction.

Of course, you haven't made your final offer yet.

What do you mean?

Really, you don't expect me to believe you brought that young lady along for

your own amusement, do you?

Can't fool you, can I?

Shall I have her delivered to your room?

Yes.

Eleven. And you can call your lawyers in the morning.

You got a deal.

Good night, Mel.

Sorry it took so long.

That's all right, baby.

To your success.

Oh, yeah.

Well, what did you think of the famous Mel Carter?

He's very attractive.

And he's awfully charming.

I think you should know that the attraction was mutual.

In fact, he expects you in his room at 11.

Oh, but I just, you know, I don't know if I could. I just met the man and all.

Yeah, but you see, if you're not at his room at 11 tonight, he

won't sign the contract.

Oh. And the studio doesn't forget people who help it.

But what Mel Carter really wanted wasn't exactly what Mary Jo was expecting.

Mary Jo, this is my wife Susan.

Susan, Mary Jo. How do you do, Mary Jo? How do you do? I suppose Mel's explained

our little quirk to you. Yes, ma'am.

Why don't you have a seat, Mary Jo?

See, we discovered many years ago that sex was so much better for us whenever

we had someone watching.

Yes, Mel gets so much harder.

And it fucks me so much longer when we have an audience.

And I come so much better.

Sike.

We don't need no stinking script.

No, no.

If they miss a cue, then I'll give them one.

It's in and out, in and out.

Come on, get off of it.

Okay.

Watch. Watch.

Peter. Yeah, I want to talk to you about that drink.

No, no, no, no, no. There's no problems, man. No problems at all.

No, no, no. You won't have to discipline her.

Believe you me, you won't have to discipline her.

No, no, she's just great. She is just absolutely great.

Really, Jerry, we've played this farce long enough.

Now, you've had your fun, and it's time for me to go back to New York.

Look, how can I convince you? The contract is sitting right out here in

front of you. All it needs is your signature.

And you still think this is a game?

Do you think the studio would go this far as a joke?

Well, I don't know about that, but I do know that I'm no actress.

I can't memorize my lines. I can't move out of bed anyway.

I haven't got a trained voice. I just don't know the first thing about acting.

You don't have to.

That's what we're here for. To make you look like you know what you're doing.

But I don't understand.

Now, why would the studio want to go to all the trouble for someone with no

talent?

Look, I've told you before. You've got something more than talent.

When the public sees you up there on the screen, they're going to love you no

matter what you do.

Because you've got magnetism.

And that's worth a lot more than talent.

You won't have to rely on a...

on a good script or a good performance your fans are gonna love you just seeing

you in the movies look at raquel welch i mean she can't act as well as you can

and she's a top star so the studio is willing to pay me to stand in front of a

camera and make a fool of myself more than you make now that's an awful lot

you know yes we know so suppose my first film is terrible it probably will

be but It'll make money.

And don't forget, it's a three-film contract, so you can always go back to

New York when it's over.

You're not leaving me any way out of this, are you?

Nope.

That's the idea.

Will you sign?

Can I think about it?

Sure.

I'll give you 15 seconds.

So have you heard from the studio yet?

Yeah, sweetie.

And sorry to tell you, although I pulled every string I could, they won't sign

you. But in Las Vegas, they said. Not everybody in this business is as honest

as I am.

Quite frankly, I don't know what I'm going to be able to do with you.

The other studios aren't signing people at this time.

But there must be something.

Well, there is one possibility.

Yeah?

I can't guarantee it.

And I'd have to call in a lot of papers for you to get a shot at it, but...

Yeah?

And you're going to have to make it worth my while.

Well, you'll get your 30%. No, I want more than that.

Mr. Greed, what kind of girl do you think I am?

Whore. What else?

Mary Jo may have been slow to learn, but she finally figured out that she just

wasn't going to make it in Hollywood, and that she was better off back in

Oklahoma. So she headed back to the arms and the bed of her boyfriend.

Lucky for him, he was smart enough to overlook her little escapade in the big

city.

Sue's slide downhill continued, with some help from Steve Ransom. She became

overwhelmed in sex.

Porn movies and prostitution became her whole life.

Miss Dominique Alwyn.

So that's it.

The two girls who came to town to become stars struck out.

Instead, a high-priced hooker from New York took the town by storm.

But I don't get the point. What's the point of the story?

There is no point.

Look, it's just like the rest of this town.

Everything is glitter and tinsel and tits and ass. And everybody's a whore.

Male and female alike.

There is no point.

That's the point.

Wait a minute. I don't understand.

Don't worry, kid. You will.

Welcome to Tinseltown, USA.