All language subtitles for Sweet.Bird.Of.Youth.1962.1080p.BluRay.H264.AAC-RARBG

Hey.

Hey, you, whoever you are.

Are you awake now, Princess?

I want a drink.

Uh, soon, Princess.

I want it now!

Now, please,
please get me a drink.

For god's sake, baby,
don't hold out on me.

It's coming up, Princess.

Jj

Princess?

Those two flags just ought
to about do it, boys.

Well, don't tell me that man
with the middle-age spread

is Dan hatcher.

Chance. Chance Wayne.

Never expected to see you again,

not in these hereabouts, anyway.

Well, just because a man
is successful

is no reason for him
to forget his old hometown.

Anything I can
do for you, Mr. Wayne?

Yeah. I want a suite,
facing outside to the Gulf.

Bedroom, living room, the best.

And uh, also service
that car out there...

The Cadillac convertible
out front.

"Princess kosmos..."

Princess kosmos... what?

Kosmonopolis.
The Princess kosmonopolis.

Hollywood, California?

She is traveling incognito.

Can I let you in
on a little secret?

She is also Alexandra del lago,

the movie star.

She's not feeling
very well. Carsickness.

I'll take her up by the veranda.

Honey, get me Dr. scudder
at the Finley hospital.

Hey.

Oh, it's chance Wayne,
all right, sir. Big as life.

No, doc. He's not exactly alone.

Princess kosmo...
Something-or-another.

Says she's
a moving-picture star.

Jj

Oh, you'll be
right over? How soon?

Honey, uh, try to get me
boss Finley

on the phone, will you, please?

Did you ever hear
of Princess kosto... whatzit?

Hey!

What are you doing?

Don't you want
these unpacked, sir?

Oh.

Well, the Princess is
kind of finicky about her things.

I'll take care of that later.

Yes, sir.

And, uh, about that bottle...

I didn't see any bottle,
Mr. Wayne.

How'd you know my name?

I used to wait tables
at the country club

when you'd come dancing
with the same young lady...

That pretty young lady,
Mr. boss Finley's daughter.

Yeah.

What are you called?

Fly. Just like the fly, sir.

Fly...

When you haul up
the rest of the things,

would you bring up a bottle
of vodka and some ice?

Yes, sir.

And, um, write yourself
a $5.00 tip on the check.

Yes, sir.

Now shoo, fly.

It's okay, Princess. It's okay.

Evening, doctor.

Who's that?

George scudder.

Well, hello, doc.
How'd you know I was back?

Bad news travels fast.

That's very nice of you

to make my homecoming
so warm and so friendly.

Your lady friend sounds like
she's coming out of ether.

The Princess had
a rough night, traveling.

You hooked a Princess. Gee.

She's not using her
real name because she's...

Golly, I should think not,

checking into hotels with you.

Oh, George, George, you are
the only grown man I know

that still says "gee"
and "golly" and "gosh."

I'm not as sophisticated as you.

Get me the Thomas j. Finley
hospital, please.

How's heavenly?

Don't tell me she's
why you came back.

Hello. This is Dr. scudder.
Any calls?

Uh-huh.

Well,
you tell her the cesarean scar

won't be visible to anyone
except her husband.

At least, I hope not.

All right.
I'll take care of that.

I'll be there in
20 minutes. All right.

You sure got
the bedside manner, George.

Well, I don't get much practice

since I was made chief of staff.

Oh, man. You got it made.

Why did you come back here?

Well, I still got a mother
and a girl here, that's why.

Ah.

My mother's been waiting a long
time for the surprise that I got for her.

But you asked, "how's heavenly?"

Not "how's my mother?"

I'll take that.

Put the luggage
in the bedroom, please.

Yes, sir.

Does a chief of staff
take a snort, George?

Your, uh, your mother died
a few weeks ago.

This is the death certificate.

Why wasn't I notified?

Well, you were.

A few days before she died,

I sent you a telegram

to the last address
she had for you.

General delivery, Hollywood.

I got no telegram.

After she died,
I sent you a letter,

but we never heard from you.

Church took up
a nice collection,

and she was nicely buried
in the family plot.

Don't you even care
that your mother died?

What is that you just took?

A pill.

What kind of pill?

Oh, Benny. Benzedrine.

On prescription?

Yeah. Sort of.

A goofball makes the world
keep its balance.

I don't understand you.
I just don't und...

I don't expect you to, George.

I mean, your coming back here
after what I wrote.

You'll be late, chief.

I wrote you not
to come back ever.

I wrote you how boss Finley
and Tom Jr. feel about

your recent behavior
toward a certain young lady.

I also wrote you how...

Look, I told you. I got no letter.
I got no telegram.

You got something
to tell me, tell me.

I got no letter about
any certain young...

Did something happen
to heavenly, George?

Is that it?
Something about heavenly?

What else did you write
in that letter?!

I see we can't
possibly discuss this

in a civilized manner.

All right.

George, if something happened
to heavenly, you got to tell me, please.

Give me that bag.

- First tell me.
- First the bag.

Now chance, I'm going to give you
the best advice you ever had.

Take that advice.
Get out of town.

You know what the name
boss Finley means in this state,

so don't try to see heavenly
or talk to her or anything.

Now, I'll tell the clerk
you're checking out.

You go wake sleeping beauty
out of her drunken jag

and get moving

and keep moving till you're
across the state line.

I ain't moving nowhere
till I see my girl.

You don't have
a girl in St. cloud.

That's what else
I wrote in that letter.

Heavenly and I are
getting married next month.

Excuse me.

You drive carefully now.

Operator, um, give me
St. cloud 5...

5...

What... what is the number
of the Finley residence?

Oh, no!

Thank you. I'h call back later.

Easy, Princess.

Who are you?

Help!

Hush, now.

I had a terrible dream.

Well, it's all right, honey.
Chance is with you.

Who? Me.

I don't know who you are.

Well, it'll come back to you,
honey, as soon as...

What are you looking for?

Oxygen... mask.

You don't want
to overdo that oxygen.

I need air. I can't breathe.

Will you hurry? I'm dying.

Hurry right now!

Are you coming?

You leave me, please.
Just leave me.

Operator, get me St. cloud 525.

Cool drinks and some cookies.

Thank you, ma'am.

Finley residence.

Miss heavenly?
Who's calling her, please?

Mr. chance?

I... I'm sorry, Mr. chance,

but uh, miss heavenly ain't...

I don't know
where she went, Mr. chance.

All I know is
she ain't available.

I'll take it, Charles.

Chance?

Oh, honey...

This is aunt nonnie.

Wait. Wait, where are you?

That phone call for me, Charles?

Uh, no, Mr. Tom.

Hang up.
I'll try to call you back.

No, chance. No. Don't.

Aunt nonnie,
I got to see heavenly.

Now, George scudder was just here.
Has something happened to her?

I'm terribly sorry,
Mr. Bancroft.

It is Mr. Bancroft, isn't it?

Can't you talk now?

Aunt nonnie, have heavenly
call me, please.

She can't. I'll call you back.

Downstairs in the cocktail
lounge. I'll wait.

You shouldn't have
done that, Tom Jr.

Aunt nonnie,
you're a silly old maid.

Now, if he calls back,
you just hang up.

I mean it, aunt nonnie.
Just hang up.

Finley residence.

No, Mr. chance.

She still ain't available.

We present
this controversial newsreel

as a public service.

In 1930, Tom Finley ran
for his first state office.

You all know me.

I'm just a plain
old dirt farmer,

like you folks.

And Tom Finley was elected.

Tom Finley ran for governor.

I'm against loose government,

loose money, and loose women!

And Tom Finley was elected.

Tom Finley built
a political machine

and became boss Finley.

He also built a plain old
dirt farmer's shack

worth $300,000.

He sails from his private beach
in his private speedboat.

Boss Finley gave away
the offshore oil of his state.

The oil man made Finley
a partner,

and boss Finley made
his oil partner the governor

and kept him in office
all these years.

4 months ago,
professor burtus haven Smith

ran against
Finley's hand-picked man.

The only thing you have to fear

is Finley himself.

The next day,
professor Smith... fired.

His home was invaded
by hoodlums,

books and paintings
burned on the lawn.

Did you recognize
any of them, sir?

No. They wore masks like this.

But I found this... this button.

Uh, yes, sir.

I'm uh, I'm president
of the Finley youth club,

and I'm proud of it,
but I don't know nothing

about no book burnings
or this thing.

It could be dropped
accidentally on purpose,

you know what I mean?

But, to date,
there has been no probe,

no police action,

no arrests. Why?

Shut that contraption off.

These are the fruits

of boss Finley's rise to pow...

How can a Christian TV network

tolerate those filthy
black lies?

Right here in
the very heart of America.

Why, they ought to be...

Thank you, honey...
Horsewhipped and shot.

And if I wasn't mayor
and against violence,

I'd do it myself.

If that TV report lied,
why not sue them for libel?

If they lied?

You surprise me, Ben.

For a man that's smart enough
to run a big daily newspaper,

you sure surprise me.

Can't you recognize
New York red propaganda

when you see it?

Do you call
that TV newsreel fair?

Now, maribelle, we're
all on the same side.

Are we, Ben?

Fair, you mean?

Well, your father's going
on the same network.

Same time, same
freedom of expression.

I'd say that was pretty fair.

A lot fairer than
burning books and...

You accusing me, Ben?

Why, Tom Jr. hasn't got
a mean bone in his body.

He might be a hot-blooded
buck like his daddy,

- now, miss Norris.
- But he'd never, never resort to violence.

Never, and you have
my personal guarantee

that whoever did do it,

justice will prevail.
Right, sheriff?

Certainly.

What in tarnation
are you laughing at?

Nothing, pa. Nothing at all.

Then shut up!

Yes, sir.

Only idiots laugh at nothing.

Yes, sir.

I was called down from the red Clay hills

where I was born,
barefoot and hungry,

called by the voice of god,
which I was...

Will somebody pick up
that damn phone?!

I ain't never forgot
what I was called for.

I didn't build the land
of milk and honey

only to see some egghead...
Where you going?

To get something
for that cough, honey.

Sit down! I've hawked
and spit all my life,

I'll go on Hawking and spitting
till the end of my days.

You can bet on that. When I
answer those scurrilous charges

on the TV tomorrow night,
I expect you to be there.

Why, you know me, Tom.

And I expect you and
your daughters of Dixie to be there.

God bless you, honey.

And I expect you
to be there, too.

I'll be there, Mr. Finley,
at the press table.

You'll be on the platform
at my side in my support.

No, sir. Not so long
as you support

a gang of juvenile delinquents
called youth clubs

- hold it.
- With a free hand to commit mayhem.

Hold it!

Now, maybe you're right,

and maybe... just maybe...

The Finley youth club was
mixed up in that shindig.

And that's why I'm going
to publicly disavow,

disown, and remove my hame
from the Finley youth club.

And if my own flesh and blood
was one of them hoodlums,

he's going to pay for it,

even though it brings
shame on the memory

of his dead mother.

God rest her soul.

They say I stole the oil rights.

Well, if I did, I stole it
for my state and my people.

I also fought
the fertilizer trust.

I lowered taxes.
I saved our hog-raisers

from the Chicago meat packer.

Lot of folks say they like what I did,
but don't like the way I did it.

But if a bunch of hogs won't come
out when you holler, "suey!"

Then you've got to use
language and methods

that hogs and pigs understand!

Do you understand, Ben?

Hi. Martini on the rocks.

Say uh, did you get any phone calls
here for chance Wayne?

No, sir.

Operator, I'd like to place
a long-distance phone call

to miss louella Parsons.

That's right. Person-to-person
from me, chance Wayne.

Yes. Miss louella Parsons,
the famous movie columnist.

In Hollywood.
The number is crestview 14222.

Fine. Thank you.

Oh, man. Don't you know

only squares drink
gin Martinis with olives?

May we have a couple
of gin Martinis, please?

Didn't you hear the man?
Only squares drink gin.

Oh, wait a minute, Leroy. Wait a
minute. Could you make that

a couple of gin Martinis
with square olives?

Scotty!

How are you? Bud!

Is that the hand that made love
to jayne Mansfield?

Gee, I hope you
didn't wash that hand.

Oh, gee, I was just about
ready to phone you guys.

Leroy, do you know
this is chance Wayne,

the famous Hollywood
and Broadway celebrity?

Really?

Sure. All bartenders
become movie stars.

Right, chance?

Oh, well, uh,
what he's trying to say

is that I had your job
for too long.

See, I designed that uniform you've
got on. I copied it from

an outfit that Cary Grant wore
in this foreign legion picture.

Looks great on you, kid.

Really?

But kidding aside, fellas,

it is great to be back.

Louella Parsons don't answer.

Does she know it's
chance Wayne calling?

Uh, operator? Yeah.
Well, then try, uh...

Try Mr. Walter winchell.

Uh, little black book.

Hmm? Oh!

Uh, in New York at pl...

Oh, no. He's, um,
he's in Hollywood.

Oh, uh, try romanov's.

Yeah. Or, uh, au petit Jean...

Thank you, ma'am.

Another round
for everybody on me.

Hey, man, I'll bet you got

some shappy numbers

in that little black book.

Oh, the best,

but they're not always in
when you call.

Say listen, I'm throwing
a little party tomorrow night,

just the old crowd
for Princess kosmonopolis.

Royalty?

In every way.

Yeah?

No. It's mostly a surprise
party for heavenly, too.

Well, I bet her old man
will be plenty surprised.

- What time?
- Oh, we can't.

Hmm? Oh, the TV rally...

For boss Finley.

Hey, Jackie!

How about a fanfare
for a very important...

Jackie! Hey!

Thanks...

Uh, for remembering our song.

Anytime.

Was it written just
for you, Mr. Wayne?

Don't be square, man.

Don't you know

that all lovers
got a theme song?

Excuse me.

Sing it, chance.

Here's to the star of our crowd.

Here's to the man who made good.

Mmt's ald

j big, wide j

I wonderful world j

js you live in j

when you're in love j

js you're a master j

j of all you survey j

j you're a gay Santa claus j

j there's a brave, new j

j star-spangled sky j

j above you j

j when you're in love j

j you're a hero j

j a nero, Apollo,
a wizard of oz... j

chance Wayne

will do a front-dive
layout swan dive.

Jj

Thank you, laddie. Sit down.

Not a drinking man yourself?

- Oh, no, sir.
- Well, happy days.

Ahh!

Takes talent
to whip up something

soothing like that.

Yep. You sure got
all kinds of talent, laddie.

You like heavenly, don't you?

I love her.

Sure you do, we both love her.

- Oh, yes, sir.
- Want to marry her?

Yes, sir!

That's the way. You're
my kind of man, laddie.

You got ambition, ideas, youth,

and the good looks
to go with them, too. But

working in a cocktail bar.

Course, I don't blame you.

It's not your fault.

Town like this got no
elbow room for a go-getter,

no opportunity for a man
who's going places.

Yeah, but Mr. barnaby...
You know, sporting goods...

He's promised me this job
as a salesman and promotional...

Small potatoes.

Let me tell you
something, laddie.

This here is America.

Today you're nobody.

Tomorrow you're somebody.

But you got to
think big, act big,

and you'll be big.

Now, I could set
you up myself, but...

Oh, no, sir.
I wouldn't want that.

That's the way.

You're my kind of man, laddie.

In this world, there's
only one payoff window...

Number one,

the winner,

success.

That can be you, but
a man who's going places,

he needs a place where
he can go climb, bust out,

a place like New York.

Now, there she is...
The ticket that'll get you there.

Train leaves at 9:40
tonight, this night.

I'm betting this $100
on you, laddie,

that you come back
to St. cloud number one,

riding high on the hog.

Well, laddie?

Oh, but hea... heavenly...
Does she... does she know?

She told me to wish you
luck and godspeed.

Well, I know, but I want to talk to her.
We made a lot of plans.

Sure. I plumb forgot.

Heavenly and aunt nonnie left

for New Orleans this morning,

taking a boat for Europe.

Don't you go
forgetting her, now.

You keep in touch,
laddie, you hear?

Mr. Wayne?

Mr. Wayne?

Mr. Wayne!

Long distance, Mr. Wayne.

They can't find
Mr. Walter winchell.

It's some secretary
named Friday.

Hello.

Yeah. Well, this is...

Oh, well um, when will
Mr. winchell be in?

Boy.

Uh, no. Well, I'm calling
for Alexandra del lago, who...

Disappeared? Oh, no, ma'am.

She, uh... she has been
searching America for new faces,

and she has found them, and she has
signed them to a personal contract.

Yeah, well, see, she's, uh...

She's producing this film
called youth.

Yeah.

Starring chance Wayne...

And heavenly Finley.

Yeah. They're leaving
for Hollywood tomorrow.

Boy, pencil... please.

Well, um, the Princess is unable
to come to the phone right now.

She's out.

Uh-huh.

No. Out for a walk.

Oh, sure. Call anytime tomorrow.

Thank you.

Operator, say, would you try
the Finley residence again?

Good night, mayor,
good night miss Norris!

Bye, Ben.

I'll get it, Charles!

Hello.

Who's calling?

Listen to me, you lousy
son of a bitch...

Boy, you just got a natural talent
for being plain mean and ornery.

Too much strain. I'd be grateful
if you'd think once in a while.

What's there to think about? George
scudder told me lover boy came back...

You already told me
what George said.

But suppose Mr. Wayne

didn't just happen to come back?

Supposing he was sent for...

To smear his stink over heavenly
and, through her, over me.

Well, isn't that all
the more reason...

But supposing he is
just passing through.

Well, which is it?

That's what you're
going to go find out.

- Charles.
- Yes, sir?

Where's heavenly?

She's down at the beach, sir.

Lay out a suit and shirt.
I'm going into town tonight.

- Yes, sir.
- Pg=-

get the lead out, boy.

Pa, you didn't mean it,
what you said

about disowning the Finley
youth clubs, did you?

After what you did to
the professor, I've got to.

Burning books, Halloween masks.

You're just plain stupid, boy.

The least you could have done

is wear white hoods and
burn a cross on his lawn.

The klu klux klan
would be blamed for it.

- Oh, my...
- You better stop laughing at nothing.

You'll end up in the nuthouse,
committed there by me.

Sir, without me and my organization,
you wouldn't have won

the last election, you're not
going to win this one either.

- Bull.
- I got you more headlines in the last...

You sure did!

Once for drunk driving,
once for a stag party.

Cost me $5,000 to hush it up.

Nonnie!

Hey, you!

Yeah, you.

What's heavenly doing
out on the beach alone?

Just trying to be
alone, I guess.

Sure you ain't
arranged a meeting

between her and Mr. Wayne?

No, Tom.

But you did tell her
he was back.

Yes, Tom.

Sister-in-law, you got
a powerful lot to answer for.

You favored chance Wayne,

encouraged, aided, and abetted
in his corruption of my baby.

That boy never could...

Could never knowingly harm her.

You're like your dead sister...

Gullible!

Hello, honey.

I don't like you
out here all alone.

Why, papa? Afraid
he might come along?

Who might come along?

Oh, papa.

I'm concerned,
that's all, for you.

That is very touching, papa.

I'm only trying to save my baby
from being hurt again.

How? By insisting I marry
Dr. George scudder?

And before him,
a 50-year-old moneybags

you needed for your business?

Me sell my own flesh and blood?

More than once.

Remember the Texas oil tycoon

and the Washington wheel?

All of them rich,
all of them important.

Every one of them had
a powerful feeling for you.

There was a time when you
could have saved me, papa,

by letting me marry chance

when we were both
young and clean.

If he loved you so, why'd he run
off and leave you in the first place?

You told him
he wasn't good enough.

You drove him away to compete
with all those big shots.

The point is, he went.

Yes, and he tried!

Oh, how he tried.

When the right doors
wouldn't open, he...

He went in the wrong ones.

Don't let's fight, sugar.

Not you and me,
not when I need you.

For what, papa?

What are you planning
to use me for now?

Why honey, ever since your angel
mama was took away from me,

you and your brother are
all I got in the world

to give my love to.

That doesn't speak well
for miss Lucy.

Who is miss Lucy?

That certainly doesn't
speak well for miss Lucy.

I never heard of no miss Lucy.

You never heard
of the woman you keep

in a $50-a-day suite of rooms
at the regal palms hotel

that charges her clothes
and beauty treatments

to your account?

And you say, "who is miss Lucy?"

Well, keep your love, papa.

Just give me 10% of the fortune

you spent on this woman
you never heard of!

Keep your mouth shut.

You better tell that
to miss Lucy.

You keep your mouth shut!

She doesn't speak
very well of you, papa.

She says you're not
much of a lover.

Who says miss Lucy says that?

She wrote it with lipstick
on the mirror of the ladies room

at the hotel bar.

Wrote what?

She wrote, "boss Finley
can't cut the mustard.”

That is a ridiculous lie.

Oh, papa...

I know and everyone knows

that miss Lucy was your mistress

long before mama died.

I never harmed your mother,
as god is my judge.

Careful, papa. Judgment day
might be any day.

You listen to me,

you ungrateful,
hypocritical slut.

Last week in the state capital,

when I was speaking
on the menace

to the chastity of womanhood,
a heckler almost caused a riot.

You know what he hollered?

"Hey, boss Finley, how about
your daughter?

How about her chastity?"

An honest question, papa.

What was your honest answer?

That was my answer!

You have got an illusion
of power, boss.

I have power,
and that is no illusion.

You just won't realize that
I am fighting for my life.

I won't embarrass you
anymore, papa.

I'll go away, tonight,
if you like.

You're going nowhere.

You're marrying
George scudder, as arranged.

No, papa, I'm not.

All right, we'll discuss it
tomorrow.

- No.
- All right.

Not tomorrow, not ever.

All right!

Tomorrow night you're coming
to the TV rally with me, missy.

You're going to wear
the stainless white of a virgin,

you're gonna wear
a happy smile on your face,

you're gonna face
that crowd and the TV audience

with pride and defiance. That's going
to stop all those ugly rumors.

I won't do it.

Then you won't.

Then I'm going to have
to remove chance Wayne

from your life finally
and for the last time.

Now, sugar,

how do you want him
to leave St. cloud?

In that fishtail
Cadillac he come in

or in a garbage scow that dumps
its filth in the Gulf?

The choice is yours.

Sergeant, get my car out!

You have another
attack, Princess?

What's that strange noise?

Oh, you mean the radio?

Yes. It frightened me.

Uh, some more oxygen?

No, no. I must look
hideous in it.

No, honey. You just, uh...
You just look exotic.

- Oh?
- Yeah, like a Princess from Mars

or a big magnified insect.

Oh, thank you very much.

Maybe I ought to call a doctor.

No. No, no doctors.
Get me my robe.

When something disturbs me,

I just get a little
short-winded, that's all.

Oh.

What is this place...
A private hospital?

And you... what are you?

Are you one of
those male nurses?

I take care of you,
but I'm not your nurse.

But you are employed
by me. Is that it?

For some purpose or other?

Yep. You're footing the bills.

I see.

Do you, Princess?

Yes, I see.

I am used to footing the bill.

Hey.

Is your money all there
and the jewels accounted for?

I'm looking for a pill.

May I have something
to wash it down with?

You're not going
to give me water.

Hello.

Oh, yes, Mr. hatcher.

I'm afraid I made
a mistake, Mr. Wayne.

Those rooms you're in...

They're reserved
for the TV rally.

Well, I am sorry,
Mr. hatcher, but, uh,

you see, miss Alexandra
del lago...

Don't use my name.

Well...
But miss del lago is in no...

Don't use my name.

Ask him how long
he intends to stay.

Well, that depends.

Hang up.

Yeah, well, but I am sure,
Mr. hatcher,

that you wouldn't want
to bear the responsibility

for what might happen to
miss del lago if she...

I said, hang up.

I want to forget who I am.

I only used your name to
stop them from evicting us.

Will you please shut up?
I'm trying to forget.

Forgetting...

Oh, forgetting.

What are you trying
to forget, Princess?

What are you trying to hide?

You're all out of focus.

Don't I have any glasses?

Where are my glasses?

You had a little accident
with your glasses.

Oh, what was that?

You fell flat on your face
with them on.

Where'd you put 'em?

If I was in that condition,

I wouldn't know where anything
I had with me was...

Or anything I did.

By the way, did we do anything?

Mostly you've been
knocking yourself out...

With one thing or another.

Did we spend the night together?

Oh, yes, ma'am.

But I did not molest you.

Well, should I thank you for
that or accuse you of cheating?

I like you.

You are a nice monster.

Well, I was born a monster.

And you?

One lens, cracked.

I don't mind waking up

in an intimate situation
with someone,

but I do like
to see who it is...

So I can make whatever
adjustment seems called for.

Well...

I may have done better...

But god knows I have done worse.

Do you remember where we met?

This much I do remember...

That I like bodies to be
silky smooth hard gold.

Do you remember where we met...

No. And the circumstances?

No. All I remember is us...

Driving to a town
called Tallahassee.

And before that?

That water... is that
the pacific ocean?

No, ma'am. That's the Gulf.

What Gulf?

The Gulf of misunderstanding
between you and me.

It's not that funny.

Oh, yes, it is.

That's exactly what
Benny taubman said to me.

"Sweetie, sweetie,” he says...

Sweetie, no more gulfs
between you and I, huh?

Benny.

This comeback of yours
will be the greatest success

in the history of pictures.

- Ready, miss del lago.
- I'm worried, Benny.

Sweet baby, you leave
the worrying to me. Excuse me.

You've been a top star
for 15 years.

You've got millions
of fans... loyal, devoted.

Devoted to the way I used
to be, the way I used to look.

Benny, I am scared.

You? Never.

Miss del lago!

You're a professional,
an artist,

a personality.

Alexandra del lago

is the sex symbol of America.

Hey, Charlie, how about it?

- She's coming.
- Thank you.

Playback!

Get me a little
something, will you?

Oh...

God.

No.

What's the matter?

I remembered the thing
I wanted to forget...

The stupid, senseless end
of my life, that's all.

No wonder I didn't
want to remember.

I was an old fool.

You want some oxygen?

No!

Where is it?

Where is the stuff?
Did you leave it in the car?

I want it now... those pills!

It's right here.

Oh, that is a brilliant
place to put it.

Hotel maids sometimes do...

Clean under mattresses,
you know.

Ah, wouldn't that be pretty?

A year in one of
those model prisons

for distinguished addicts.

This is pretty high-class pot.
Where'd you get it?

You beautiful, stupid
young man, that is not pot.

It's hashish, Moroccan,
and the finest.

Pop star! It's insanity!

The legend of Alexandra del lago

was... was youth.

Ah, I was right.

I told him I was right.

Why... why didn't I trust
my instincts?

They've stood me in good stead

for many, many a year.

Where does one retire to?

There is no place to retire to

when you retire from the movies.

No place, except oblivion.

Well, one thing that'll
help you forget oblivion is...

Yes. It's this.

Ohh...

If I had just been old,
but, you see, I wasn't old.

I just wasn't young.

Not young. I just
wasn't young anymore.

Nobody's young anymore.

Stars in retirement
sometimes give acting lessons.

They give beauty hints.
They write gossip columns.

Oh, shh, Princess. Just smoke.

Oh, yes.

Smoke.

And after this...

The mercenary young lovers.

Like me?

Yes, like you.

Your comeback...
I mean, what happened?

You just didn't have it anymore?

Oh, I had it.

I had the will, and I had
the talent to go with it, but...

But the camera.

The camera doesn't know
how to lie.

The screen
is a very clear mirror.

There is a thing, god help us,

called a closeup.

All right.
Camera number one in position.

Finish your candles there, boys.

Playback!

The camera dollies in...

And you... your head...

Your face...

Are caught in the frame
with the lights blazing,

and all your terrible history
screams while you smile.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no.

Hold it. Hold it.
I told you I want a shadow

right here on her neck.
You understand?

Not your fault, sweetie.
You're terrific.

Ok, Charlie.
We go again right now.

All right, camera number one
in position.

- Playback.
- Quiet!

All right. Places, everybody.

And then, before you know it,

comes the night of the preview.

The first part of the film, I...

Oh, I felt so safe.

What'd you say her name was?

Alexandra del lago, stupe.

I thought she was
dead and buried.

Sweetie, wait. Believe me...

Please!

Miss del lago,
one more picture, please.

She fell! Oh, poor thing.

She's drunk.

After that... flight.

Running away from
that frightful comeback.

And I've never stopped
running... until now.

Ahh...

You know what you need
right now, Princess?

Yes. To forget again.

First we, uh, we let
the hash take effect.

And then...

We apply the magic formula.

What?

Come on. Like we did
in palm beach, remember?

That soothing, magical formula
called papaya cream.

Ahh, yes.

Yes.

Papaya cream rubs.

Were you one of those

faceless young bodies
in palm beach?

That's where we met.
Don't you remember?

In your private cabana
on the beach?

And you were breathless.

I mean, just like you are right now.

It was painful, painful to see.

And you were the anesthetic

that eased my pain, hmm?

Yeah, and you were smoking...

Just like you are right now.

Ahh...

Ohh!

Ohh, that feels so...

I don't remember your face,

but your hands are familiar.

Say, uh, that hash...
How'd you get hooked?

On my way to Europe,

running away from my comeback.

The ship's doctor
gave me injections.

Well, did he know he was
giving narcotics

to the famous
Alexandra del lago?

He just knew
he was helping a woman

suffering from neuritis.

The hashish came later,
in tangier.

Well, how'd you get it
into the states?

You smuggle it in?

Know another way?

You mean, you smuggled it right
past customs. Is that right, Princess?

What are you trying to prove?

Oh, nothing. No. I just, uh...

Well, don't forget that
you're the one

that introduced me to
this fine old Moroccan hash.

Boy, I doubt very much

if I have any vice, old or new,

that I could introduce to you.

Don't call me boy.

You knew all about
this stuff, Carl.

My name is not Carl.
It's chance.

You called yourself
Carl in palm beach.

I always carry
an extra name in my pocket.

Why? Are you a criminal?

No, ma'am. Not me.

I mean, you're the one that's
committed a federal crime.

What'd you do that for?

I thought you might have
planted someone

outside the door.

Don't you trust me?

Who taught you to rub
desperate ladies the right way?

And you say all you did was
manipulate the papaya cream?

Well, more or less.

How much more?

Ma'am, if we'd made love,
you'd have remembered it.

Well, what stopped you?
Certainly not I,

and certainly not your ethics.

What's the angle?

Why did you hold out?

I held out till you
signed me to a contract.

Evidently, I sighed.

Why did you still hold out?

I wanted to hold your interest.

Well, you miscalculated.

My interest always increases
with satisfaction.

You mean, you don't intend
to live up to that contract?

I can get out of that contract
anytime I want to.

Do you have any talent?

For what?

Acting, baby. Acting.

A contract for acting implies
that you are an actor. Are you?

I've been an extra in movies
long enough to know

that I can be as big a star

as some of them she-men
that have made it. Princess...

Princess?

All I need is just
one big break.

Oh, Carl, it takes more than one break.
Chance!

- Carl...
- Chance! Chance Wayne! You're stoned.

Baby, there is
no easy way to the top.

Now, you forget
about magic formulas

and trick contracts.

Forget about this false dream.

Okay. Come on. Say it, Princess.
What is it you want?

Oh, come here. Let's comfort
each other a little.

That's right.

- Princess?
- Mm-hmm?

You know something, honey?

That all that talk
about narcotics...

Has been recorded on tape?

Where did you get that thing?

You bought it for me
in palm beach...

To improve my diction!

Comeback.

The ship's doctor
gave me injections.

To the famous
Alexandra del lago?

He just knew he was helping a woman
=0lé.

Suffering from neuritis.

The hashish came later,
in tangier.

Blackmail!

That's very ugly language.

Language of the gutter
is understood

by anyone who ever fell
in it. What's your price?

I just want you to live up
to this contract,

and that's not all.

Money?

And if I refuse?

Well, you won't.

Now, uh, you wouldn't want
the FBI to get ahold

of these tape recordings,
would you? Huh?

Or the newspapers

and those big-shot,
uh, columnists?

And, uh, the dirt magazines?

Princess, you got a big name to protect.

You still got a reputation.

I had, baby. I had.

I have been blackmailed
by experts.

Oh, I hate to think
what kind of desperation

has made you think that
you can intimidate me.

Me... Alexandra del lago...
With this ridiculous-=

oh, chance, it's silly.

It's so silly, it's touching.

It's downright endearing.

Makes me feel close to you.

I got to see somebody. I want
some cash, and I want your car.

Here.

Here. You better start signing

these traveler's checks, or I...

Or what? Oh, put that away

and that leaky fountain pen.

When monster meets monster,

one monster has to give way,
and it will never be me.

Now then, signed checks
are payment.

Delivery comes first.

I have only one way
to forget the things

that I don't want to remember,

and that way is
through making love.

It's the only dependable
distraction,

and I need that
distraction right now.

In the morning, we'll talk about
what you want and what you need.

Aren't you ashamed a little?

Yes. Aren't you?

More than a little.

Close the curtains, please.

Then come here to me...

And make me almost believe

that we are a pair
of young lovers

without any shame.

Two things, pa.

First, he's bedding in
with a broken-down old movie star...

Alexandra del lago.

But she's still famous

and still capable of
causing us trouble.

Second, Mr. Wayne don't show
any inclination to move on.

I told him she's not
well enough to travel.

Bull!

If you roughhouse this woman,

every newspaper in this
country's gonna be down here.

But if we separate Mr. Wayne from this
lady, we could proceed more directly.

- Exactly.
- Help me, will you?

Right, sir.

You're the doctor.
Call an ambulance.

Haul drunken queenie
to the hospital.

Without her permission?

Say she's contagious...
Bubonic plague, typhoid.

I'm not gonna let you
involve me in this.

Lower your voice.

He's not gonna involve me
in this crazy...

Doctor, laddie, you are
already involved

right up to your
scrofulous chicken neck.

I've done anything
you ever asked me...

Anything...

But one public mistake...
One slip, and...

Laddie, you got all the symptoms

of a nervous breakdown.

Now, my prescription for you

is a weekend vacation...

A change of scenery
to build up your backbone.

I'd say you're sickly...
Critical.

Might be even terminal,

so you better leave
quick... tonight.

See the doctor
don't miss his train.

Yes, sir.

Happy easter, fly.

Thank you, sir.

Happy easter, Mr. hatcher.

Thanks governor. Shall I ring
and say you're coming up, sir?

No.

Lucy?

Lucy?

Hiya, honey.

I'll be with you in a second.

How can you watch two tvs, chop
your toenails, stuff yourself

with chocolates, and read a
magazine all at the same time?

I already seen the movie.

Shut that damn thing off!

I said shut it...

My, my, my.

Ain't we in a mood?

Guess what I got...

For you...

For an easter present.

I went all the way
to New Orleans for it.

Close your eyes, lover.

This is a mighty
exciting surprise.

Don't look!

Ta-da!

Like?

Is that for me?

I surely don't intend to
give it to anybody else.

Oh, feast your tired
old eyes, daddy doll.

Oh, I sure do hope

that this brings out
the beast in you.

Happy easter, sugar.

For me?

You'll spoil me yet, honey.

Why, it's lovely.

It's a lovely easter egg.

Am I supposed to eat it?

Open the top.

Sure takes a powerful
kind of rooster

to lay this kind of egg.

Oh! Darling, you shouldn't have.

Why not? You deserve
everything you get.

Oh, I'm so nervous.

Like it, sugar baby?

Absolutely divine.

It's heavenly.

Urgh!

That's better.

Now, you go downstairs

to the ladies room
of the cocktail lounge,

and you write
on the toilet mirror

with this same lipstick,

"miss Lucy's available
to any punk's got $5.00

and can cut the mustard."

You know, I don't very much
like my easter surprise.

Aah!

Hello. Operator, did you get
the Finley residence yet?

Oh.

Aunt nonnie?

Oh, well, can you talk now?

Well, can I see you then?

Oh, I'd...

Where?

Well, how soon?

All right. I'll meet you there.

Aunt nonnie, look,

whatever it is that happened,
I can explain,

and listen.

I got it made.

No, I really got it made.

All right.

Princess?

Princess?

Hmm?

Mmm...

Pure hard gold, all right.

Yeah, well, I'm glad
you're appreciative,

but you know,
I'm going out pretty soon,

and my credit is kind of shaky.

I would like to smoke, please.

No, no, just one
of the ordinary cigarettes

that only give you cancer.

What are those lovely bells?

Why, madam, it is easter Sunday.

How fitting. I feel
absolutely reborn.

Yes, the world and I

are on very good terms
this morning.

Yeah, well, um,

we made a little bargain
last night, remember?

Oh, yes.

Well, I will live up
to my end of the bargain

after I have put on my face...

The face I face
the world with, baby.

Will you open
the curtains, please?

There something out there
you're afraid of?

Oh, no, ma'am.

The thing I want most
in the world is out there.

This town belonged to me once...

And it will again.

Were you born here?

On the wrong side
of the tracks, but...

Most of us were, baby.

Oh, the set that I ran with
was a snob set...

You know, they had family,

big names, big money.

All 1 had was, uh...

Beauty. Say it!

What you had was beauty.

I had it, and I say it
with pride.

Yeah.

Well, the others
were born satisfied,

but I had to get
something better, and I did.

I got it.

While my friends were doing
the conventional things like

flunking out
of state university,

I appeared in the biggest
stage hit on Broadway.

I had my picture on
the cover of life magazine.

Woo-ha!

And at the same time,

I was employing
my other talent...

Lovemaking.

That may be the only talent

you were ever truly meant for.

Oh, I wallowed
in the social register of New York.

Discreet wives in the millionaire set,

and uh... debutante daughters
in the horsy set.

Did they foot the bills, too?

Yeah...

But I always gave them
much more than I took.

To older women,

I gave back a feeling
of excitement and youth.

To sad, lost women...

A merciful display of affection

and temporary hope.

Eccentrics...

Understanding and tolerance.

You must have been quite
a successful enterprise.

Oh, I was going places.

Where?

Successville.

My name was appearing
in columns.

I was promised this part
in this big Broadway play.

Hollywood was nibbling.

I was getting to be somebody.

So then it was time to come
home for my girl,

take her away with me
like I promised.

But when I came home...
Oh, man...

Well, this town just buzzed
with excitement.

Chance.

She never asked about the others.

Well, she didn't have to...

Because she knew
that nothing I did

or was done to me could
ever cancel out our love

or the pleasure
we gave each other.

You know, the big difference
between people...

It's not between
the rich and the poor

or the good and evil,
because the biggest

of all differences
between people

is between those that
have had pleasure and love

and those that haven't.

We interrupt this program

to bring you a bulletin
from Washington.

It was officially announced

that United States ground forces

entered the Korean war today.

President Truman
termed the intervention

"a police action.”

And I am positive
there's no finer, no braver,

no more patriotic man
to lead our Dixie regiment...

Than our own hometown boy

chance Wayne!

Congratulations.

All I could think was...

This stops everything.

Just when things
were going great,

the end... period.

Even if I was lucky,

I'd have to start
all over again.

You and a few million others.

Their jobs would be
waiting for them.

My trade was youth,

and war either makes you
age fast or die fast.

Imagine...

A whole lifetime

full of hopes and dreams
and ambitions...

Being wiped out

by a 2-ounce accident
like a bullet...

A bullet shot off
into space by anybody...

My head and that bullet,
in the same place and same time.

Only it wasn't a bullet
that got me. It was my nerves.

A month in the hospital,
a medical discharge...

And when I came home that time,

there was no parties,
no banners,

no picture in the newspaper.

So you ran away again.

Yeah, and I finally
made it to Hollywood.

And failed again.

That time.

But not this time.

Princess, I got a few things
to iron out right now,

but, uh, tonight,

you give this big
press conference, see?

You know, to tell
the whole world

about this new discovery
you signed up.

Ha! The last thing
I want is publicity.

I know, but see, this will prove

that uh, that young talent is
your real interest in life.

Which it certainly is not.

My real... my only interest
in life is me...

Alexandra del lago.

Besides...

A movie starring
your special talent

would be banned
in all 50 states...

Censored worldwide.

Princess, I am taking your car.

Well, when will I see you?

Wait here.

I don't like waiting
for anybody.

Baby.

Morning, miss Finley.

What is it, sergeant?

Nothing, miss.

Just sort of spying?

No, ma'am. Just sort of
watching over you.

Easter must be
a very dangerous time.

Guess so, miss.

Ladies ready for church?

Miss nonnie's already gone,
sir. She took a taxi.

I see.

She get any calls this morning?

Well, her phone rang.
She talked to somebody.

No, sir, Mr. Finley,
I don't know who to.

Get my Bible.

Good morning.

Nice morning, Mr. Finley.

Thank you, laddie.

You look mighty sweet, sugar.

I would like you to call off
your bloodhound, papa.

I would like you to behave
like a daughter should.

Well, did you meditate
on Mr. Wayne's future?

At the present,
he is enjoying life

in the loving arms of a famous
Hollywood... ahem... siren.

Hey, pa, if chance is living
with a real Princess,

does that make him royalty, too?

It makes him
what he always was...

A criminal degenerate
and parasite.

Oh, I see.

Chance.

She never blamed you
for anything.

She always had...

Nothing.

I gave her nothing, aunt nonnie.

She... she lived lonely,
and she died lonely.

Gee, I'm glad to see you.

I came here
to tell you one thing.

Well, I was sort of hoping
that you'd bring heavenly.

Go away before it's too late...
Before her father...

Why won't they let me
see her, aunt nonnie?

Because she and George...

- I can't talk of that.
- Why?

Why? Now, why, aunt nonnie?

I just can't talk about it.

Please.

Please, help me, aunt nonnie.

You were always able to...

See, you were like
a mother to me.

You always called me son.

Why? Why did you stop
calling me son?

Oh, chance,

go away before it's too late.

Aunt nonnie,
I am not leaving here

till I talk to heavenly
or see her. You tell her that.

Aunt nonnie, I got a right.

Bye, son.

Aunt nonnie...

Aunt nonnie,
I'm taking you to church.

No, chance.

I'm afraid...

Afraid for you.

Take your sister on in.

Y appy easter!

Happy easter, mayor!

Well, lookee here.

- Glad to see you, laddie.
- Hold it, Mr. Finley.

Thank you, sir.

It's no use, Mr. Finley. I...

Laddie, I hear you're consorting
with a genuine Princess.

Guess that sort of makes you

a prince, don't it?
Happy easter, miss Cavanaugh!

Oh, god bless you, Mr. Finley.

I once had a dog called prince.

I had to butcher him

to keep all the bitches
in town from being violated.

Deacon, I'm counting on your
support at the rally tonight!

Up with the rebels!

Let's see now.
When did you last visit?

Why won't you let me
see her, sir?

I remember.

You hit town last time
in a freight car.

You saw my daughter then,

and you left her carrying
your bastard then, too.

Let you see her?

Sure, prince,

when I've had you
taken care of like my dog.

I abide with me j

j fast falls the eventide j

j the darkness deepens j

j lord, with me abide j

j when other helpers j

I fail and comforts flee j

j help of the helpless, j

j oh, abide with me j

I remember.

You hit town last time
in a freight car.

Oh, I'll get you dirty.

Hold me. Just hold me.

Hold me.

What are you thinking?

Oh...

I just...

I just feel kind of
peaceful and easy

listening to those freewheeling
birds coming home.

If we could just be like
one of them out there...

Just free as a bird!

No one in love is free

or even wants to be.

And I was thinking...

About those five days and nights

on those freight cars.

Thinking that heavenly
will make me feel clean again.

She'll wash away all of the...

What's it like...

In movieland?

Oh, it is like no place
in this world, baby.

Oh, in fact, it's
not even a place.

It's a state of mind

with a stone wall
around it a mile high.

Strange birds, keep out.

No. It's the strange ones
that get in. I know.

I been clawing away at that...

That wall for over a year now
trying to get on the inside.

This last year's been... oh...

Wasted?

No, no, just a run
of bad breaks back to back.

I mean, nothing's wasted

that teaches you how to operate,
how to beat the game.

Last year's the best
investment I ever made.

Oh, next time
I'm going to get lucky,

and then...

Then I'm going
to take you with me

right through that stone wall
first-class straight to the top.

Again, chance?

Ah, I got the key now, baby.

I got the know-how.

That Hollywood merry-go-round
is a pushover.

Today they're stepping
on your feet.

Tomorrow they're kissing
your feet. I know, I have seen it.

Well, that merry-go-round

is going to carry me.

It's going to carry me

all the way...

And then before you know it...

Before you know it,

I'm going to have
that brass ring...

That lucky brass
ring... right here.

Which gets you what?

It gets you the prize, honey...

Money, success, happiness!

No. All the brass ring
gets you is a free ride

on a wooden horse
that's going nowhere

except up and down
and round and round.

My papa sold you
that phony dream,

and you're still buying it.
How does he say it?

"All you need
is one lucky break.

"Something for nothing.

Beat the game. Hit the jackpot."

Anyone can be a millionaire,

so everybody's got to try it!

That's right, and why not?

Look, there are a lot of ways
that you can make it, baby,

and for me, there is one quick way.
Now just stick with me, baby,

and when I come back next time...

Another next time.

No. This time I got a job.

I got a big job in palm beach

mixing with all kinds
of important people.

Take me with you.

Please?

No, I can't, baby. Not yet.
You know, in this job, I uh,

I got to travel fast,
and I got to travel alone.

This is the job, baby.
This is the job

that's going to get me
inside that magic door.

All my life I've been
on the outside,

and time is running out.

Look around you.
Boy, they got places

for the old and the sick
and the homeless,

but there is no place
at all for the failures,

and failure is a highly
contagious disease.

What kind of job is it, chance?

Oh, baby, it is golden...
Just golden.

Chance.

Beach boy.

A boy to a bunch
of fat-bottomed broads

at this swank hotel,
but it's a beginning.

Stay here. We'll
find something here.

Baby, I can't, I can't. Have you
forgotten what's expected of me?

I want you as you are.

Then look at me as I am!
I'm a nothing!

Nobody.

I couldn't write a check for $2.00
without getting arrested.

I'm busted... flat broke.

I'm ashamed to go home
and let my mother look at me.

I always dreamed of coming
back here like a...

Oh, like...

Don't ask me
to give up my dream.

Excuse me.

Suppose he comes over, pa.

Well, sugar, it's up to you.

Let him alone.

I'll be there with you tonight.

Just let him alone.

I want him gone before
the rally starts tonight.

Yes, sir.

Not here, stupid.

See him alone.
He's to go quietly...

No fuss, no violence. You hear?

Yes, sir. You're the boss, pa.

And don't you ever forget it.

No, sir.

Does this lovely hotel
have a hairdresser?

Oh, yes, ma'am.

And a drugstore, cocktail bar,
tennis courts...

Everything to make folks happy.

Thank you.

Chance?

Long who?

Long distance.

There is no Alexandra del lago
here, operator.

Who is it?

Am not...

Operator, I ought
to know who I am.

Just a minute! Just a minute!

Cha...

Excuse me, Princess.

Whatever you are selling, no.

Excuse me, please.

I'm sorry, ma'am, but we can't hold
these rooms any longer.

What did you say?

Ahem. Uh...

Will you repeat what you said?

Ma'am, he says
your checkout time is long past.

My checkout time

at any hotel in the world

is when I...

Is when I want to check out.

Who told you you could
come into my bedroom?

Now, where is chance... Mr. Wayne?

I beg your pardon?

Your companion...
Now, where is he?

Who wants to know?

This is the assistant manager,
and I am Tom Finley, Jr.

Well, I hardly imagined
that you were a senior.

Out... both of you.

Hatcher, better wait
for me downstairs, please.

Now, miss del lago...

I am the Princess kosmonopolis.

Shut up.

Miss del lago, you ought
to be more careful

of the company you keep.

Operator.

Op...

Just a moment, please.

Do you want me
to call the police?

All right, you go ahead.
Do that, miss del lago.

You tell them
you spent the night

in an orgy with
a criminal degenerate.

No, huh? Never mind.

Now, knowing him, I'd figure
you were victimized.

You're a rich, famous,
respected person, Princess.

You don't want any trouble.

Thank you,

and now if you are through
trying to frighten me

or shake me down or whatever,

I would like to finish
my breakfast.

Yes, ma'am. Go ahead. May I ask
you what Mr. Wayne is to you?

You may not!

He's, uh...

He drives my car.
He's in my employ.

He's my driver.

Uh-huh. What are you
doing here in St. cloud?

Okay, he brought you here. Why?

We're just passing through.
That's all.

Well, fine. Just pass
right on through,

but you tell that scum

to drive you out of here quick.

On whose authority?

Mine.

Even in this impossible place,

you couldn't represent the law.
Shh!

There isn't any law that covers
that chance Wayne...

Not after what he did
to me and my family.

- What?
- Well, you just never mind.

- What did he do?
- Just never you mind.

You just tell him that I said
that if he don't pass through,

his life ain't worth
spit in the wind.

Listen, sometime you come on
back and see us, hear?

We'll lay out
the red carpet for you.

Okay?

So long, miss del lago.

Nightfall.

Now, you and him be gone
by nightfall, you hear me?

Oh, where?

Where did he put it?

Where?

Oh, chance.

Chance!

Operator.

Operator, I want
a bottle of vodka

sent up here at once.

Yes. Well... then send me
a bottle of anything,

and, operator...

Operator, I want you to find

Mr. chance Wayne for me.

Well, page him...

And try that happy
cocktail bar of yours.

Change for the quarter.

Thank you.

Did you arrange to have
that prescription filled yet?

I'll check, Mr. Wayne.

Hello?

Professor Smith?

You can't beat boss Finley
by making speeches about god

or by heckling him
about chastity,

because the boss
has a patent on that jazz.

He's a low-down hillbilly,

and it takes a hillbilly
to cut down a hillbilly,

and that's me.

Ha. Uh-uh.
Don't bother about my name.

You just appear
at that rally tonight

and ask him one question.

Why did boss Finley

make Dr. scudder chief of staff
at the hospital?

Operator, are there any calls
for chance Wayne?

Uh, no. I mean outside calls.

Oh, well, page me if there are,
will you? Thank you.

Chance?

Chance high-stepping Wayne!

Hey, hey, miss Lucy!

Oh, honey, you used
to be so attractive

I couldn't stand it.

Now I can... almost stand it.

Well, uh, boy,

you still look like a million
dollars there, miss Lucy.

Uh-huh. Confederate money.

Hey. A year ago, you would
have laughed at that.

Well, I must be
faint with thirst.

Thirsty? Here? Don't you know
this is the land of bourbon?

Sodom and gomorrah Finley.

Can I help you, miss Lucy?

Yeah. Drop dead.

What happened to your finger?

It got caught in
your big, fat blabbermouth.

Hey, honey, you want a laugh?

Listen. Last night,

Finley gave me this
for an easter gift.

Well, he has always
been generous.

Well, that's not all he gave me.

He gave me the treatment...
The full Finley treatment,

ending up canceling my rooms,
my credit, and my welcome,

and this morning, I was handed
a ticket to New Orleans...

One way.

Well, that man has
an irresistible passion

to see other people traveling.

Does he know
you're back in town?

I would say he's aware
of my presence.

What's in the pill, honey?

Well, when you are having fun,

this makes you have even more.

Are you... having fun?

Baby, I am having a ball.

Honey, I'm an expert
at pretending to have fun.

You are having a wake,

not a ball.

Mr. Wayne.

Phone, Mr. Wayne.

Isn't that Alexandra del lago?

Who?

Oh, aunt nonnie.
Yeah, it's me, chance.

Miss del lago, will you
autograph this for me, please?

I'm sorry.

Not for me, for my little girl.

Uh...

Just write
"to my dearest Josephine.”

My glasses.

Miss del lago, please.
Some other time.

Tell heavenly that
I will be there.

You shouldn't be seen
here in this condition.

Chance!

Chance?

Get this drunken bum
out of here!

Hey, hey, relax!

Relax, buster.

Chance!

- You all right, Princess?
- Oh, chance...

I'm so sorry.

If you'd stayed upstairs,
that wouldn't have happened.

Oh, I did. I stayed.

- I told you to wait.
- I waited, I waited forever,

but then a young man...

Princess, please, not now.
I've got to do something.

Will you just wait upstairs?

Chance!

Chance, listen to me, we've got
to go away from here at once!

Princess, please.
I haven't got time.

We'll just pretend that
we're going for a drive.

We'll forget about
the trunk and the bags.

I had a visitor looking for you.

He was a horrible, vicious young
man with evil in his heart,

and he said that if we weren't
out of town by nightfall, he'd...

Oh, chance, I didn't know
where to find you,

and at first, I felt panicky,

I got a little
high again. I'm sorry.

Well, I know, Princess,
but I've got to go now.

Chance!

Oh, chance, chance, let me tell you

let me tell you the strange
and wonderful thing

that happened to me.

I realized that
your coming back here

and those things
that you hoped for...

Poor baby.

I knew... I knew
that your comeback

had been a failure like my own,

and at that moment,

I felt something
in my heart for you.

It was a miracle!

It's a wonderful thing
that has happened to me.

I felt something for
somebody besides myself.

You know what that means?

It means that my heart
is still alive.

It's still alive, chance.

Well, you've got
a wise heart, Princess.

Oh, I need you,
and we need each other.

We'll help each other.

You won't find me ungrateful.

Chance, I am truly
ashamed of last night.

I will never... degrade you...

Nor myself.

I understand.
Now, please, Princess.

Do you want a screen test?

You'll have your test.

I'll honor that contract.

I'll make it good.
I'll make it even better!

Princess, you are a...

A glorious, beautiful, lovely...

Monster!

Drive, baby, drive.

Break every speed law
from here...

No... no, baby.

Princess, I've got
unfinished business.

Don't leave me again... not now.

I've got to!

Chance!

Chance.

Chance, chance, you'll
never come back.

They'll cut the life out of you.

Princess, go up
to the room and wait.

No. Please, please, baby.

I can't be alone now.

Don't ask me to stay.

Please, just give me
this one last break.

Oh, chance. Chance!

Chance!

Don't send me back
to that room alone.

We could both do with
some comfort, honey...

Southern comfort, 100 proof?

Thank you, miss.

Give the Hicks a show, miss.

You show them you're
a real Princess.

It's good public relations.

Public?

Why, the public and I

have always enjoyed
the very best relations.

Honey!

Would you like to have
a nice cool dip

before lunch?

Don't you go away now.

Oh, no, ma'am!

No!

Oh, dear. She shouldn't
have gone anywhere

without you, should she?

No, ma'am, she shouldn't have!

Go away, chance!

Go away! Leave here!
Leave St. cloud!

Yeah. We'll leave here together.

It's too late for that.

Baby, it's just
the beginning for us!

So no more next time.

This time it's for keeps.

We got it made, baby!

It's my passport out of here!

Right to the top, non-stop.

Let go, chance.
Let go of my life.

But, baby, the door is open!

This is a contract!

Now, it's withessed
and notarized

and signed by
Alexandra del lago.

She's my patroness!

She's my agent, my producer.

This contract is on the level,
honey. You've got to believe me!

I believe you!

All right, then.
We'll leave here together...

You and me
and Princess del lago...

Tonight... whenever you say.

Take your Princess and go away!

Now! Before tonight!

You mean you want me
to leave here without you?

Don't come back.
Don't call anymore.

Run!

But, baby, what about you?

What about you and me?

Forget about me!

You want me to forget that
you're carrying my baby?!

Yes! The way I had to forget!

Go back to your dream!

Jj

You got the loudspeaker tested?

Yeah.

How about the TV setup... okay?

Yeah, okay.

I want you to stand by
for a surprise.

What kind of surprise?

Don't know. I got
an anonymous phone call,

so just stand by.

Yes, ma'am, Princess!

Honey, get the bill
ready for suite 212.

That's what you think.

Jj

Hold on.

Tom Jr., they're checking out.

The Princess lady
just asked for the bill.

Come here.

Just had to see him, didn't you?

Just naturally had to lay in chance
Wayne's arms like a trollop, didn't you?

Who says purity and politics
don't go together?

Well...

I had thought
from the happy celebration

that you were being
served on a platter

with an apple
stuck in your mouth!

What do you think you're doing?

I'm getting out of here, Princess,
fast as your car will take us.

Oh! Well, I have
another driver...

A certain miss uh, miss Lucy,

a kindly soul who will drive me

out of this hellish nightmare

as far as New Orleans.

I'm your driver,
I'm still your driver, Princess.

We're leaving here together!

Oh, what happened to your
unfinished business? Flopola?

Well, I'm back.
Isn't that enough?

In a word... no!

Oh, Princess, baby.

No!

Don't answer that.

Chance!

- Hello?
- I told you not to!

Who's calling the Princess?

Oh, will you please,
please hang up?

It's Walter winchell
in Hollywood.

Oh, no.

Oh, no.

Yeah, put him on.

No! No!

Yeah. She's... she"s right here.

How did he find me? How?

It was you.

Hello? Hello, Mr. winchell?

Oh, yes, well, this is
chance Wayne speaking.

Well, I called for
the Princess kosmonopolis.

Alexandra...

I mean Alexandra del lago...

Last night?

Oh, yeah, yeah,
she's fine, fine.

She... she just wanted to
tell you about this new star

that she's discovered. Oh, sure.
She can talk for herself.

I can't.

Princess, come on. He's waiting.

Well, you tell him
that I am dying!

And I just might!

You got to meet it halfway.

Princess?

Walter?

Walter!

Walter!

Well, is that really you, Waldo?

Yes, yes, it's me... Alexandra!

That's what's left of me.

Walter.

Oh, yes, yes, yes,

I did go to the preview,
but I only stayed a few minutes.

As soon as I saw that first
big closeup of myself

on that monstrous cinemascope,

I tell you,
I ran right out of there!

I screamed for a taxi, and
I haven't stopped running since.

What?

Oh, no, no. No, no.
I heard nothing, read nothing.

I just wanted oblivion.

What?

Oh... Walter...

Princess, tell him
about my screen test.

One moment, Walter.
I'm breathless.

Come on. Tell him to
break it in his column-=-

oh, go in the bathroom and stick
your head under cold water.

Walter, now, tell me.
Do you really think so?

You're not just being kind,
are you, because of old times?

Grown, did she say?

My talent?

Well, in what way, Walter?

More depth?

- What about me?
- Well, what? What did you say?

More power?

Well, god bless you.
God bless you!

Come on now, cut the chatter.

Tell... tell him you found a new leading
man with a bright new future!

Walter, that is
very, very sweet of you.

I don't even care

if you're not altogether
Sincere in that statement

Walter, because I think you know

what the past 15 years
have been like.

What?

What's that, Walter?

They want me?

They really want me?

Well, for what part?

Who? Who wants me?

Oh...

Oh, dear lord.

Walter! Walter, please excuse me.

No, no! Excuse me.

I'm crying, dear,
and I haven't any kleenex.

Come on, talk to him about me.

Oh, Walter!

Me! Me! Me!

Oh!

Walter. What?

No, no, I didn't read
the reviews.

Newspapers... who cares
what the newspapers say?

What did they say?

Tell me. Tell me word for word.

Before the festivities,

let us all bow our heads
in silent prayer.

Mrs. maribelle Norris will sing
while we pray.

J rock of ages, cleft for me j

j let me hide... j

good night, professor.

Can't we do this without
hurting the Finley girl?

Do you wanna get rid
of boss Finley or not?

Yes.

Oh, no!

Oh, Walter!

The new yorker magazine
praised it!

Walter, I'll have
to call you back later.

I can't believe it.

Hello? =I can't believe it.

- My picture...
- Hello, Mr. winchell?

Has broken box-office records

in New York and la!

Get him back on this phone.

Variety says

I am the biggest boff
in release today!

Princess, now, look,
I took care of you.

Oh, I've gotta go to a clinic
for a week...

- I delivered my end of the bargain.
- Ten days...

- Pull myself together.
- Will you shut up and listen?

Oh, Benny, Benny...
I'll have to get him to cover up my tracks

these past few weeks in hell.

Oh, now, get winchell
back on this phone!

Do what? Tell him about me!

What? Tell him about a beach boy

that I picked up for pleasure...

A distraction from panic?

Now? Now, when
the nightmare is over?

And involve my name
with the name of a...

A blackmailer?

Ugh. You've just been
using me... using me!

When you ran out
on me downstairs,

you ran out
on this contract, too.

Just a short while ago,
I needed you.

Oh, how I needed you.

Well... now I need nobody!

I climbed up alone,

and I will climb back alone!

Back to where I belong.

I will live alone,
and I will work alone!

I know exactly the kind
of gold-plated hell

I'm going to,

but you...

You have gone past something

you couldn't afford to go past.

Your time, your youth...
You passed it.

It's all you've had,
and you've had it!

Look who's talking!

Just look at yourself!

Well...

What do you see in there?

I see me...
Alexandra del lago...

Artist and star!

Now you look at yourself!

What do you see?

What?

A nameless face,
that's what you see.

Oh, I remember faces like yours.

I remember young men
with dreams like yours.

I remember their eyes,
I remember their voices,

I remember their smiles,
I remember their bodies,

but their names...
Their names are gone.

They're just nameless bodies.

Well, you remind me
of one in particular.

What was his name?

Franz something... Franz, Franz...

Albertzart!

Yes, Franz albertzart.

Are you through?
Have you finished?

I saw Franz a few years
later in monte Carlo.

He was with a woman of 70,

and his eyes
were older than hers.

But she held him.

She led him by
an invisible chain

through a string of hotels

and casinos and bars...

Like a blind, obedient lap dog!

Chance Wayne
is Franz albertzart.

Oh, no. Look,
I'm not Franz anybody.

Princess, I'm
your next leading man.

Princess, look, you've got
to open the right doors for me.

I know you're going
to do this for me, Princess,

because I have been knocking
on those doors of success

till my insides are bloody.

'Cause that's the way I've been
knocking on those doors, see?

With my bare insides!

You will open only one door...

The door to my car
as my chauffeur!

You will wake me in the morning

as my Butler or my lover,

depending on what I want!

In a few years, you will be
through with your good looks,

and I will be through with you,

and that is the truth.

Can you face the truth?

Are you ready
to be my chauffeur,

my next Franz albertzart?

Oh, don't you know
I would die first?

=I would.

I would rather die first.

And here he is.
May the good lord protect him.

Our Tom!

I am here to answer charges

against my good name
and character!

30 years ago,
the voice of god told me

to save this sweet land
from pollution.

Well, I am here on the same
sacred mission tonight!

To save us from outsiders

who want to corrupt
our way of life.

Boss Finley!

Hey, boss Finley!

What way of life
you talking about?

You mean the way your daughter...

The way your virtuous
miss heavenly

had a secret operation
at the bloody hands

- of Dr. George scudder?!
- What are you waiting for?

An illegal operation
performed in your hospital,

aided and abetted by you!

That is a dirty flat lie!

Listen to me, folks!

Folks, listen to me!

- Listen to me!
- Come on, get him out of here!

Get him out of here!

Listen to me, folks!
Folks, listen to me!

Chance, we're leaving
right now, together!

Murderer! Baby killer!

I'm going to send a boy
up for my luggage.

You had better come down
with my luggage.

I am not part of your luggage!

Chance... whatever I am,

I am not part of your luggage.

All right.

You know what's going
to happen to you if you stay.

Good-bye.

Oh...

Chance.

Chance, dear, I, uh...

Well, this, uh...

You forget something, Princess?

Well, yes, yes, I did.

These, maybe?

Oh, yes.

Uh... of course,

last night, they were worthless,

but now after my...
My comeback, you know,

they're worth
a small jackpot in cash.

On the house.

Oh, chance.

Please, let me help you.

Good-bye, lover.

At least let me take you away...

And good luck.

I'll wait for you in the car.

Princess, each of us has his
own private hell to go to.

Find your sister.

Take it easy, pa.

She'll run off with that punk.

Nah, he's gone. Checked out.

That won't stop her.

Will you let me handle this?

Mr. Finley!

Mr. Finley, how would you answer
the charges made out there?

I am shocked... shocked
to find our state overrun

by back-stabbing bolsheviki
and red rabble-rousers!

Mayor, get the governor
on the phone.

Are you aware, Mr. Finley,

it was the Finley youth club
hoodlums that started that riot?

What riot?

I'm only aware that
decent, loyal Americans

were defending
freedom of speech...

Which I have yet
to receive the benefit of.

Oh, miss Finley,

would you care
to make a statement?

Miss Finley?

Hasn't enough been said already?

Sure aunt nonnie.

Folks will think
we got something to hide.

Sugar... have we, baby?

Precious, your papa's
talking to you.

You came here tonight
of your own free will,

and I hereby give you
just as much freedom

to speak your piece right now.

Take me home, papa.

Good night, folks.
Good night, y'all.

Good night!

Heavenly!

Heavenly!

Mr. chance, it's me... Charles.

Don't stay here,
Mr. chance. Don't!

Don't stay here!

Please, Mr. chance,
don't stay here now.

Heavenly!

Well, lookee here.

Thought you'd be halfway
to California by now

with that tramp actress
of yours.

Heavenly!

Don't you ever speak the name
of my sister again.

Heavenly!

Heavenly!

Come on, Tom. Tom.

Don't you know...

Kill him!

No... just going to take away

lover boy's meal ticket.

Put him down there.

Chance.

Chance.

Bring him over here.

Look at yourself.

No woman will ever
again pay to love that.

Chance?

Go in the house!

Hello?
Yes, ma'am. Just a moment.

Pa, phone. Governor calling.

Chance?

Hello, governor.
How's the family?

My, my!

Night, aunt nonnie.

Oh, baby...

What did we do to you?

Don't cry.

Don't cry, baby. It's all right.

It's all right.

What you heard
was a lie... just a lie.

Press will be here
in the morning.

I want you here with me
to answer questions.

They sure busted up
that dream of mine.

We're leaving.

We're leaving right now.

My daughter will be here to
answer any and all questions.

Heavenly, get in the house!

Go.

Papa...

I'm never coming
into that house again.

Wait. Hold it, governor.

I'll call you back!

Come back here!

Come back!

Nonnie, she can't
leave here... not now!

Why?

Me! What about me?!

You... you can go
straight to hell!