All language subtitles for Frances (1982) BR.1080p.eng

No one ever came to me and said,

"You're a fool. There isn't
such a thing as God."

"Somebody's
just been stuffing you."

It wasn't murder. I think
God just died of old age.

And when I realized
that He wasn't any more,

it didn't shock me.
It seemed natural and right.

Maybe it's because I was never

properly impressed
with the religion.

I went to Sunday school,
and I liked the stories

about Christ
and the Christmas Star.

They were beautiful.

But I didn't believe them.

Religion was too vague.

God was different, though.

He was something real,
something I could feel.

But there were only certain
times that I could feel it.

I used to lie between cool,
clean sheets at night,

after I'd had a bath,
after I'd scrubbed my knuckles

and fingernails and teeth,

and talk to God.

"I'm clean now."

"I've never been this clean,"

"and I'll never be cleaner."

And somehow, it was God.
I wasn't sure that it was.

Just something cool
and dark and clean.

That wasn't religion, though.

There was too much
of the physical about it.

After a time, even at night,

the feeling of God didn't last.

I began to wonder
what the minister meant

when he said, "God the father"

"sees even the smallest
sparrow fall."

"He watches over
all His children."

That jumbled it all up for me.

If God were a father
with children,

then that cleanness
I'd been feeling wasn't God.

So at night, when I went to bed,

I would think,
"I'm clean. I'm sleepy."

And then I went to sleep.

And it didn't keep me

from enjoying
the cleanness any less.

I just knew
that God wasn't there.

"Sometimes, I found Him
useful to remember,

"especially when I lost
things that were important.

"After slamming through
the house,

"breathless and panicky
from searching,

I could stop and... ".

Good night, princess.

Lillian.

See you next weekend, Dad.

"I could stop in the middle
of the room and shut my eyes.

"'Please, God, help me find my red
hat with the blue trimmings'.

It usually worked."

"That satisfied me
until I began to figure out

"that if God loved
all His children equally,

"then why did he bother
about my red hat,

"and let other people lose their
fathers and mothers for always?

"I began to see that He
didn't have much to do

"about people's dying,
or hats, or anything.

"They happened whether
he wanted them to or not.

"And He stayed in Heaven and pretended
not to notice." Outrageous.

"I wondered a little why God
was such a useless thing."

Well!

"It seemed a waste
of time to have him.

"I felt rather proud to think

"that I had found
the truth myself

"without help from anyone.

"It puzzled me that others
hadn't found out, too.

"God was gone.
Why couldn't they see it?

It still puzzles me."

You're going straight
to Hell, Frances Farmer!

Heathen! Blasphemer!

If this is what our schools
are coming to, well...

As bread lines
and unemployment rolls

get longer and longer,

violence is erupting
around the nation,

and left-wing politicians
are gaining strength.

In Seattle, congressional candidate
Martoni Kaminski works the crowd.

No!

Is it radical
for the wealth of this country

to be turned back to the
people who built this country?

No!

Good! Because, brothers,
that's you!

Yay!

Judging from the crowd reaction,

the U.S. Congress
had better prepare

for men like Kaminski.

Want Kaminski!

We want Kaminski!

Seattle is in the news again,

as a high school junior
wins a national competition

and the $100 prize,
with an essay denying God.

This is exactly
the sort of thing

Seattle does not need.

Now, I don't know
who's responsible,

but the notion that God is dead

seems a very sinister one to me,

and far beyond
the sophistication

of a mere high school girl.

No. I would not be
at all surprised to learn

that this essay was written
by some anarchist,

some agitator.

You know, Frances is not
havin' a war with God.

Miss Frances Farmer
was unavailable for comment,

but her mother, Lillian Farmer,

a well-known local dietician,

stepped
to her daughter's defense.

Unlike in the dark
countries to the East,

freedom of speech

is alive and well in America...

and in my home.

Hi, Emma.

- Hey, there's that girl from the news.
- Who cares?

Hey, where ya goin'? Hey, York!

Hey, lover boy! Hey, hey, hey!

Think you can handle her?

Hey!

Come here! I wanna talk to you.

Mama told you not to
talk to strangers?

Hey!

Don't touch me.

I'm not gonna hurt ya.
I just wanna talk.

All right, then.

You're causin' a lot
of trouble, you know?

I'm causing trouble?

You're a pain in the butt.

You newshounds have been
after me and my folks

ever since I won
that dumb contest.

I'm only 16 years old.

Who the hell cares what I think?

Not me, but some people seem to.

Well, if you didn't
put it in the papers...

Wait a second, sweetie. Do I
look like a newshound to you?

No, you look more like a cop.

Well, that's rich.
If I was a cop,

I'd be packin', wouldn't I?

You see a gun?

Go ahead. Search me.

Pat me down.

I'll take your word for it.

Well, so who are you, then?

Harry York.

I work for Martoni Kaminski.

He's running for Congress here.

Yeah, I saw that.
I saw you in that newsreel.

Yeah.

You know, my dad's done
some work for Kaminski.

Yeah, now you're puttin'
it together, see?

You don't wanna get your
daddy in hot water, do ya?

What do you mean?

Well, the newspapers are tryin'
to make us out to be pinkos, see?

Then you come along, the
friendly neighborhood atheist.

Well, I'm not. It's just the
newspapers... Yeah, I know.

You're no more an atheist
than my man's a Red,

but they're tryin'
to put together

their version of your ideas
as their version of ours.

Could look bad for your daddy.

Could look bad for you
and Kaminski, too, I guess.

You're pretty smart for 16.

Well, aren't you the smoothie.

I suppose now you're
gonna ask for my number?

No, I suppose not.

I've gotta ask you this, though.

It'd be better for all our sakes

if you kept your trap shut.

I'll give it a try, Mr. York.

Harry.

Harry.

Well... bye.

Sure don't walk like 16, either.

Frances stayed on my mind

for a long time, after that day.

I kept in touch with her
off and on

over the next few years.

Then I heard
she'd taken up acting.

So I took up seein' plays.

She got real big
on three things:

Russian theatre,
Broadway, and me.

Then out of the blue,

she wins this first prize
trip to Moscow

from some Commie newspaper.

She was thrilled to death,
'cause the return trip

landed her off in New York City.

You sure had to admire
this girl.

She had a whole lot of moxie.

Ooo!

She'd give you
that big ol' smile,

and it seemed like she
could do just about anything.

Anything at all.

Yeah, it's a gift.

You gotta do somethin' with it.

If I win this trip,
Ma would kill me.

She hates Russians.

But I do wanna go, you know.

Especially to New York.

But I just wanted
to do it quietly.

You're not exactly
the quiet type, are ya?

So you think I should go.

Yeah, I would.

Try this acting thing
out, you know?

You could make some
good money at it.

I got you somethin'.

For those cold Russian nights.

Look at this.

Harry!

Silk stockings?

Yep. Pure silk.

Harry York, where the hell
did you find silk?

Had a friend.

Yeah, I bet you do.

Hey! What are ya doin'?

Well, what do you think?
I'm gonna try 'em on.

I haven't had
silk stockings before.

They got a seam in 'em.

I don't know anything
about a seam.

In the back.

No daughter of mine is
going to Communist Russia.

Ma, it's just a trip.

A trip.

And Mother the last to know.

I was gonna... I came home...

I want you to hear me.

Listen good!

Do you know that those Reds at
that newspaper are using you?

Mom! They're not using me!

My God! It's my ticket
out of Seattle.

It's a chance to travel,
to see things.

I mean, The Moscow Art Theater.

Why can't you
try and understand?

Besides, it's a way to New York.

I can get you to New York.

I can! Mom, I don't
want your money!

I've saved enough
of my own money.

My God, I'm working three jobs.

Can't you see I wanna
do this my own way?

See? I learned
your lesson very well.

To do what you think is right,

everybody else be damned?

Little sister,
you had better wise up.

This is gonna be
out of my hands.

It isn't in your hands, Momma.

It's my life now.

Frances.

Prominent people are concerned...

I don't care!

Judge Hillier and his cronies...

I don't care!

Well, you will care!

What am I gonna do?

You really wanna go?

Of course I wanna go.

You think it's worth all this?

If I didn't, I wouldn't
put you through it.

Well...

then I think you should go.

So for the first time
in her life,

Frances bucked up
against her mother.

Not only that,
she hit the headlines again.

Caused quite a big stink
up here in Seattle.

On top of being
branded an atheist,

now she was a pinko
sympathizer to boot.

I guess she had a good time
over there in Russia,

but when she hit New York,

things didn't quite click
the way she thought they would.

Finally, she landed a job as a
contract player for a movie studio.

Well, that meant one thing:

Send her out to Hollywood and
give her the full treatment.

But Frances didn't exactly
fit the mold they had in mind.

Now that you've obtained
your life's ambition...

But I haven't.

I mean, I see Hollywood
as a stepping stone.

My real ambition is Broadway.

And then fill in
your empty spaces.

You ready?

Let's get her ready
for the leg art stuff.

What is leg art?

Leg art?

Bathing suits, miss.

No. I'm not gonna
do any bathing suits.

Yeah.

Really. I don't even look good
in a bathing suit. Honest.

I'm not the glamor girl.

What has all this got
to do with acting?

Good morning, Mr. Bebe.

Who's this?

Frances Farmer.

Contract player. 6-month option.

Good tits.

Wet your lips. Hold it. Hold it.

Fire Chief test.
Robert Metts. Take 5.

How many more
of these do we have?

- Action.
- 14.

Excluding Robert Metts?
I'm afraid so.

Follow those trappers.
They'll take you safely down the mountain.

But, Kurt, I'm afraid...

If there's a way
back, I'll find it.

But those men are
counting on me.

There's a forest.
A burning forest.

And you know what I must do.

- God.
- Kurt...

Angela. My...

My own Angelie.

Cut...

I'm sorry... Can we go back?

Hey, who's the girl?

Fire Chief test...
Frances Farmer.

Take 3.

Contract player.

She's all right. Yeah.

Jimmy. Would you run that again?

Not too wild about her name.

I just think I should
look more rumpled.

I'm supposed to be hiding in
boxcars, sleeping on the floor.

It just seems to me
I look too neat.

This is the suit we fitted
on you, Miss Farmer.

I know that. I know that.

But it just seems to me that...

I don't... I could
look more realistic.

It'll do. No one will notice.

No! I notice!

Mr. Bebe! Good morning!

Come along with me, Fanny.

Frances.

You know, I'm not the cookbook.

You see? We've got
to change that name.

I intend to make a great
deal of money off you.

Since I've got ya
on a seven-year contract,

I'm planning long-range.

I'm gonna loan you out
to Sam Goldwyn.

He's making a picture
called Come and Get It.

It's a great book.
It could make a terrif...

Never mind that.

I'm concerned about you.

- Your attitude.
- Hey, you bums!

Society's falling apart,
Miss Farmer.

People have to buckle down,

do their jobs.

You see, I view myself

as the Henry Ford of
the motion picture industry.

This is my factory.

And I can't have the fellow

who puts the wheels on

arguing with the man who installs
the headlights, now can I?

But I'm concerned with
everything, Mr. Bebe.

No.

I am concerned with everything.

But I'm the one up
there on the screen.

That's right.

You... are an actress,
Miss Farmer.?

And your job is to act.

Tootsie.

We want work! We want work!

So in spite of herself,
Frances became a movie star.

They held the big premiere
right here in her home town.

The local swells welcomed
her back with a big to-do.

Same jerks who drove her off
two years before.

And I figured
it was par for the course.

So did Frances, I guess.

Sure did want to see her again,

just to talk to her
for a little while.

Fat chance of gettin' past
that army of tuxedoes.

I guess it's no, secret

that I'm proud.

I like to think that
she got some of it from me.

I used to have,

theatrical aspirations
myself, you know.

You're kidding.

No. Yes!

And not only did Frances
come home a star,

but she brought this big
handsome lug

of a son-in-law with her.

Mr. Farmer,
what was your reaction

when Frances told you
she had married Dick,

Richardson?

Dwayne. Dwayne Steele.

I, I was, pleased, of course.

Richard... Dwayne...

Is a real gentleman.

And all I can say is I feel like
I've known these two for years.

Just like a fairy tale!

And now here they are, folks!

Frances Farmer's mom and pop,
Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Farmer,

accompanied by Frances
Farmer's handsome husband,

Mr. Dwayne Steele!

And now here she is... How does it
feel to be back in Seattle, Frances?

Miss Frances Farmer!

How's your movie, Frances?

Miss Farmer, I can't tell you

how proud I am to meet you.

Ahem.

On behalf of the Seattle
Ladies' Club,

as a token of our
vast admiration...

Excuse me.

Yes?

Haven't we met before?

No. I don't believe so.

Weren't you the one that
damned me straight to Hell?

No, my dear.

You must be mistaken.

Bullshit.

I beg your pardon?

I'm the same girl
that wrote the essay.

Same girl that went to Russia.

You folks aren't pleased
to meet me at all.

What are you doin' out here?

What are you doing
back in Seattle, York?

Well, I didn't wanna
miss your big opening.

You got people pretty
worked up back there.

Damn hypocrites.

You see my ma?

God.

My God, you'd think
this fuss was for her.

You see Dick?

Yeah.

It's one thing
to sleep with the guy.

Did'ja have to marry him?

And the studio told me not to.

Lemme have one.

That's why you did it?

Who ever thought they'd
be rightfor once, Harry?

You know, the thing is,

it's not a great movie.

I'm not proud of it.

I did what they told me.

That's all they'd let me do.

Yeah.

And I know all my friends
are gonna tell me

how much they loved it, and...

Well, maybe they'll mean it.

Not everybody lies, you know.

Not everybody.

You know, you're
a movie star now.

If you give them what they
want, you can get anything.

Harry, I don't have
what they want.

I don't have what they want.

How can I keep making movies
when people are starving?

What're you gonna do,
join The Salvation Army?

I mean, come on!

You gotta make use
of what you got.

You can do that.

Yeah, if I don't make
too big an ass of myself.

Look.

Let's ditch the limo.

Let me drive you up
to that red carpet

in my old Chevy. Okay?

Come on.

Come on!

Come on!

I don't want to go, York.

Come on.

Woo!

Come on, York.
I've got a better idea.

You can't swim now.

Come here.
Come and get it, Harry.

Yeah...

Hollywood! I just love it!

I can't believe
I met Jack Oakie today.

He's so much
handsomer in person.

And a devil.

Really?

What he said to me...

For God's sakes!

Well. For God's sakes.

You never could take a joke.

Frances.

Now you would you like to
go out and work up a little...

Come on, honeybunch!

No. No.

I'm so...

Come on. Just one.
I am so tired...

Come on. Please? Please.

I'd like to leave.
I've gotta get up real early.

I have an early call
in the morning.

How 'bout you, Lil?
Come on. Let's go.

Hey!

Hot dog!

I warn you! I'm a
killer on the dance floor!

Ahem.

You know, I...

Can't help feeling
we came at a bad time.

It's okay, Dad.

You...

Rich... Dwayne...

Dick.

Dick seems to have

a lot of time to show us around.

How's his career goin'?

It's not what he
expected it to be.

Things'll pick up?

Dad, don't you ever get...

angry?

What do you mean?

Like at Ma. Don't you
ever feel like just...

hauling off and busting
her one, right in the chops?

No?

Yeah. I tried it once.

You did? Yeah.

Tears, hysteria,
recriminations, accusations.

I never thought
I'd hear the end of it.

Pardon me. Your photos.

They're $2.50 apiece.

There you go. Thank you, sir.

I'd like to find a...

A more gentlemanly
way to do things.

We are home.

- Home home...
- Home.

Dick, if it's for me, just tell
'em I'm not here. I don't care.

Tell 'em I'm in Berlin
or Haiti or...

Little sister,
where are you going?

She's tired.

That was your agent
on the phone.

He said the summer stock
deal's all set.

So you're going, back east?

Dick, I think we need
some time apart.

Yeah.

I'm not a complete fool,
you know. I know...

I know you're going sour on me.

But every time I try
to do something about it,

you just turn your back, and...

Dick, I can't even breathe...

Dwayne! My name's Dwayne now!

You call me Dwayne.

Did it ever occur to you

maybe I wanted
to leave here and go east

and do summer stock,
and do theater?

No. It never did, 'cause
you don't want me along,

and the reason has nothing
to do with the summer stock.

No?

It's all about
that night, isn't it?

That night?

Yeah, the premiere.

I never pressed you about it,

but you're gonna tell me right
here and right now where you were.

And what the hell
you were doing.

What do you want, his name?

You bitch!

What do you mean?

What do you mean,
you do something like...

Bastard!

You goddamn bitch!

You god... damn...

You whore!

You whore!

You ruined it!

Bravo!

Bravo!

We set out to entertain,

but we also set out
to enlighten.

To challenge. To change:

Change the way in which
people perceive their lives,

their responsibilities. I know.

And if we are going
to change society,

make the world a better place,

first we have to change people!

She knows.

She knows, Harold.

You don't have to sell me on The
Group Theater, Mr. Clurman.

Forgive my indulgence.

Seems we always lecture those who are
on time for those who are tardy.

But the point is.

Mr. Odets here has written
a wonderful play.

Although most of
the roles are cast,

we still haven't
found our leading lady.

What's the part?

Lorna Moon.

She's a tramp from Newark.

Excuse me.

I think you'd be
perfect for the part.

What do you think, Mr. Odets?

I think you're very
beautiful, Miss Farmer.

And Harold is convinced
that your movie background

would make you a big draw.

I certainly want the show
to be successful.

But you don't think
I'm right for the part?

Miss Farmer,

for me, this is not a play,
it's an assault,

a seduction,

a plea for understanding.

I think we live in a time when new
works of art should shoot bullets.

And you...

make very attractive ammunition.

What's the name
of this seduction,

this assault?

Golden Boy.

Harold. Everyone get a
good night's sleep.

What is it?

I just wanted to,
sooner or later,

get a chance to talk to you
about that speech.

Which speech? In the second act.

Don't worry about it.

Please, please, ma'am? Please.

Anything you can spare?

We'll work on it?
Don't worry about it.

Clifford, don't keep her
up too late?

Anything. Anything.

I have a family
I have to support.

Please, my mother's
gonna have an operation.

What's the matter?

Why'd you walk out
of rehearsal, Clifford?

Please, sir, please? Anything.

Look at that girl.

What do you see?

What do I see?

Look at her. What do you see?

What are you talking about?

What do you see?

Desperation.

Whose sweater is she wearing?

Something she found?

No, it's her older brother's.

It's too big for her.

Her shoes new or old?

They're old.

They're not shoes, they're
bedroom slippers.

You see, you walk by
that person every day,

and you never even see her.

If you want to be an artist,

you want to be a true actress,

you have to see things
that other people don't,

then you can show it to them.

Then they'll see it,
then they'll remember it.

They can experience her
through you, with you.

I don't want to have
to sit in there again

and watch you acting desperate.

I want to see you be desperate,

and there's a very big
difference between those two.

And if you can't do it,
my play is not gonna work.

It's really so simple.

Forget your private life,
forget your problems,

your mother, your lover,
your this, your that.

Forget that you're
making money, making sense,

having children,
forget everything.

Just dedicate yourself.

'Cause that's what really
makes art, Frances,

is total dedication.

You're not just some
pretty bauble up there

for people to admire.

You're not in
Hollywood, thank God.

You want another one?

Yeah.

Sometimes I can feel it,

smell it.

My wife...

great actress...

so they say.

She's never got it.

You see, also,

I don't want to just
entertain people.

I want to change their lives.

I want them...

In the middle of the night

and think that everything
they're doing is wrong.

Do you know that I've never
made a living in the theater?

Hollywood
supplies all my money...

and all my indigestion.

But, this is where I belong.

Sometimes I think
I would have been better off

if there had been
no movies to write.

I would have scrounged
around everywhere.

Gotten out from under
this big... tent

and... pitched smaller tents

in many wild,
undiscovered places.

That's what you've
got to do, Frances.

I'll never do it, but you might.

You have an explorer's heart.

I wish I could tell you
how to be brilliant,

but I can't.

It's got to come from you...

and what you believe in...

what you are.

Let's go to bed.

But we must donate
as much as we can afford.

An artist to be vital
must be a soldier, too.

Hear, hear.

And now to present
our ammunition,

our check to the Spanish consul,

Señor Leon Juarez Alendros,

our very own leading lady,
Miss Frances Farmer.

Frances?

Ahem.

On behalf of The Group Theater,

it gives me great
personal pleasure

to be able to present a check

for $1,000
for the Loyalist cause.

No pasarán.

A pleasure, Señor.

She won't come back
from New York.

And on top of all of her
political activities,

now she's got a lawyer.

She wants out of
her contract, Mr. Bebe.

She says she's through
with motion pictures.

I'm sure it wasn't me.

It wasn't me.

Excuse me, sir?

I don't know who she fucked
to get where she is,

but I don't think it was me.

We can always dump her.

Teach her a lesson.

There are a million
beautiful girls out there

who don't give a damn
about politics.

That isn't the point.

Frances Farmer has the world by
the tit because of this studio,

and now she thinks she can just
waltz off without even a thank-you.

I think it's time
to take the gloves off.

Get me some reporters.

Particularly Louella Parsons.

Good night.

Miss Farmer? Autograph
right here, Miss Farmer?

Autograph right here?

You were wonderful. Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Luther, good night.

Good night, Frances.
See you tomorrow.

Excuse me, Miss Farmer,

I'm sorry. I've never
done this before, but...

I just had to tell you
you're great.

Thanks.

I'm really sad
the play's closing.

What am I gonna do
on Tuesday nights?

Why don't you come
see us in London?

Only if you're in it. Are you?

Of course. I wouldn't
miss it for anything.

Boy, that would be great.

But... I'm going to Hollywood.

Are you an actor?

Hell, yes.

Well, I'm still
in school, but...

When I graduate,
California, here I come.

Are you serious about acting?

Well, yes.

Don't go to Hollywood.

Why?

'Cause it'll crush you.

You sound as if you hate it.

No, I'm just not that
anxious to get back.

You're gonna
break a lot of hearts.

I guess they'll mend.

Well, what about your husband?

What?

Are you gonna get back together?

When you quit Hollywood, I mean.

What is this?

Is it true you're
getting a divorce...

comrade?

You little bastard.

Thanks for the chat,
Miss Farmer.

Be seeing you.

Hey, wait a minute.

You're wasting your time, lady.

Nothing's off the
record with me.

Shit.

I think if I was
standing still in that town,

I'd go mad.

They're gonna force me
to go back there, Clifford,

and they have no idea
what to do with me.

Sure. They know
you've got something.

But they don't know what it is.

Do you?

Hello, Harold.

Hello, Frances.

Where's Clifford?

He's not here.

What's up?

Bourbon?

Okay.

It's getting cold out.

Yep.

Pretty, aren't they?

Lovely, just lovely.

Thank you.

I hear you're meeting
with the studio lawyers

to try to get
out of your contract.

Well, I just don't wan them
breathing down my neck

when we're in London.

Yeah, well, you see,
that's the point.

You won't be going to London.

Don't you think I'm
good enough, Harold?

Well, of course you are.
It's not that.

It's just...

It's money.

We needed backing,
and, we found it.

Who?

An actress.

A rich actress?

Yes.

That's the deal.
She plays Lorna Moon.

I thought we were supposed
to be different, Harold.

Clifford says
this company is different:

A group working together.

I know, I know.

Isn't that
what this play is about,

what money and greed
do to people?

Right now,
we have to be practical.

Well, then, I'll give you
the money, Harold.

I'll back the production.

Unfortunately,
it's too late, Frances.

Besides, you don't have
that kind of money anymore.

What did Clifford
say about this?

He doesn't even know, does he?

Where is he? I'm gonna find him.

Frances...

he knows.

He approved it.

Now, look, I... I'm sorry.

Frances, you have done a great
service for The Group.

Your name has helped
to draw people.

You've helped us grow.
You've grown yourself.

Swell, but, Harold, this
theatre is everything to me.

Don't you understand?

What am I gonna do now?

Well, Hollywood
wants you back, right?

You prick.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Just a minute. Just a minute.

Yeah. What do you want?

The third race
at Hollywood Park?

Sweet Lady? Yeah.

Yeah.

No.

Phone call for you.

Yeah? Who is it?

It... it's, personal.

Personal.

Yo.

Harry?

Two lines he writes me.

Two fucking lines he writes me!

Frances?

"The affair is now ended.

My wife has returned
from Europe."

What?

Those bastards, Harry.

They tricked me.

I hate being in love!

I don't even want
to be in love again.

Frances.

You okay?

I suppose it's funny.

I'm laughing.

Yeah, Whoop.

Cut. Do it again.

First positions, everybody.

31 Apple, take 10.

31 Apple, take 12.

Cut. Let's do it again.

And cut.

Print that scene.

How was that?

Good, good.

One more time.

For God's sake, why?

Because we want
to get it perfect.

The right combination
of fury and confusion.

You can understand that,
can't you, Miss Farmer?

We're serious artists
here, right?

Right.

Everybody back tomorrow.

Try later.

Let's do it again now?

Come on. Let's go.

Come on.

This was a mistake.

This is just what you need.

Let everybody see you.
Talk to 'em.

You know, live it up.

I've been at it
since 5 this morning.

At least I could have gone home

and changed my clothes
or take a shower.

Look at me.

Frances, I didn't want this job.

Think I'm crazy?

You begged me.
Improve your image.

So please, let me try?

Hold it just a second,
would you, chief?

Frances.

All right. Let's go get 'em.

Take one of these.

They make 'em
in the studio basement.

Helps keep the fat off.

Come on. They'll make you
feel nice and peppy.

What, like you, Barnes?

Yeah, like me. Come on.

Swell layout they got here.

Good evening. Hi.

Thank you.

Frances! Hello!

Connie, hello.

Hey, Bob Barnes here.

A pleasure to see you.

Hi. Hi, Bob. Nice to meet you.

Swell party you got going here.

Yeah, come on in.

Who's here?

The usual vermin, I'm afraid.

Whoops. Don't get away.

Can I use the bathroom
for a minute, Connie?

Sure, sure. Go ahead.

Nice party.

Hey, Mike. How are you?
Good to see you.

Hey, how are you?

You wouldn't believe the offers.

They're piling in.

I mean piling.

Really?

Some of the best scripts

I've read in years.

Well, my employer will
be very glad to hear that.

Louella? Is she here?

Of course.
How could you miss her?

L.P.

Make this one last.

Zip me up.

You'll be no good blotto.

Does Connie know
you have her dress?

Frances.

Great to see you again.

My employer would like
to know one thing.

Does your friend Clifford
really sleep in the nude?

You know, you seem like
an intelligent young man.

Can't you find
a more dignified way

to make a living?

What are you, nuts?

He's a zero. Forget him.

She wants to do an interview
live on the radio.

You want something
out of the car?

Where the hell is she going?

What, do you want some air?

Hey, come on. Let me come.

Let me drive.

Frances, what am I
supposed to tell Louella?

Pull over!

Hey! Pull over!

Okay.

Where's the fire, sister?

In my eyes, officer.

Hey, beautiful.

Didn't you see
the sign back there

that says dim out zone?

There's a war on, you know.

You bet your ass there is.

I didn't make the law, lady.

I just... enforce it.

You bore me.

Hey.

Don't touch me!

Hey, lady.

Hey.

You want lights on,

You think the Japs can't find us

without my headlights?

Take it easy, lady.
Take it easy.

Hey.

Get that damn thing
out of my eyes, you jerk!

Lady, give me that flashlight.

Bastard!

Hey.

Thanks.

That cop weighed 200 pounds?

I never noticed.

You just went in swinging?

You got to pick your battles

a little better, you know?

Fight the ones that count.

They all count, Harry.

Not if you lose
in the first round.

Look, you got to set
the record straight here

before it's too late.

They're just gonna railroad you

with this scandal
stuff, you know?

Paint you right into a corner.

It's gonna have to wait.
I got to go to Mexico.

What the hell for?

My agent figured
it was a good idea

if I get out of town

till this arrest thing
blows over.

So he's lined up some cheapo
movie south of the border.

Very diplomatic.

Maybe by the time I get back,

the newspapers
will find somebody else

to tear to shreds.

If you're lucky.

I'm beginning to wonder

if there's something
wrong with me.

I can't figure it out
anymore, you know?

And it hurts.

And I look at these people...

and I wonder if anybody
really loves anybody.

Beats me.

Do you miss me, Harry?

Well, Frances went down
to Mexico, all right.

Just turned out to be
another disappointment.

They kept her down there
for weeks.

Never had a script.

Never even started
shooting the damn movie.

So Frances discovered tequila.

Got into some pretty good
barroom scraps, I guess,

if you believed all the
stories in the papers.

Well, finally,
she got sick of it.

Came back to her house
on the beach.

Coming back to Hollywood

wasn't exactly the same thing
as coming home.

Who are you?

Who are you?

I live here.

You're Farmer?

Well, they came in
to pick up all your stuff,

and, now it's at a hotel.

What?

Yeah. The studio's
moving in a new actress.

She arrives tomorrow.

I'm sorry.

Harry, they've gone
through my papers,

my letters.

The letters you wrote me.

They've taken my diary.

They stole my diary, Harry!

That's my life.

Harry, they've stolen my life.

Come on, Al.
Put yourself in my place.

Four and a half weeks
to make a picture.

She doesn't show up a half day,

the whole day's shot.

Nobody can make a picture.

Come on, Al.
I've heard this before.

You're calling every
10 minutes, aren't you?

I'm gonna kill her
when she gets here.

It'll be all right, Max.

They're gonna blame me for this.

You know that.

I'm gonna talk
to the front office.

Do you know that you are
four and a half hours late?

What are you trying to do to me?

This is insane.
It's unprofessional!

I'd say I was behaving
as professionally

as anybody else in this town.

Where were you?

I overslept.

Gentlemen, I overslept.

I'm terribly, terribly sorry.

Overslept.

What is this fine entertainment

we're all so involved in?

Yes. No Escape.

That's it, doll. No Escape.

That's it. That's right.

No Escape.

Come on.

Sweetheart, you can't do this.

You can't oversleep a half day.

Four and a half hours.

A whole day of shooting
is completely gone.

All right, come on.

I want to make a picture.

Get back to work, everybody!

Take it back to Number 1!
Let's go!

Well, look who's here.

You're not the star
of this show,

you know that?

It's not up to me
to say anything.

I mean, I'm just crew.

Your hair's so thin, you're gonna
lose it if you're not careful.

It's a wonder to me
you all don't,

the things you do to yourselves.

You know, I think you're
losing yours already.

I think you ought to tell him

you're gonna wear
a hat for this scene.

Raah!

I quit!

I'm not taking
this shit anymore!

God damn you! Geez!

You bastards!

Errr!

Bastards!

Fuck you all!

What?

What?

Who is it?

Come on with me, God damn it!

Give us a break.

Come on!

Open the door!

Don't kill me!

Don't kill me!

Open the damn door, lady!

No!

No!

Get your clothes on.

You've got no right!

You've got no fucking right!

You get out!

Come on. You're under arrest.

You bastard!

You've got no fucking...

You've got no fucking right!

Can we get the camera
inside to get the picture?

Hurry up!

Hey, Dan! Hold it up,
fellas, will you?

Hey!

Miss Farmer! Miss Farmer!

This way!

You knocked her out,
is that true?

Turn around, Miss Farmer.

This woman, how did you...

One more, honey.

Weren't you still on probation?

Frances, over here.
Smile for the birdie.

I'm not here for your pleasure.

Hubba-hubba! Hey!

Your name.

You jerks dragged me down here

in the middle of the night,

and you don't know who I am?

Your name, lady.

Frances Elena Farmer.

Want me to spell it?

Your address.

Put me down as a vag:

Vagrant, vagabond.

What is this, a joke?

It's a joke?

Assault and battery?

I barely touched that bitch.
Yeah, yeah.

Tell us about it.
Come on, Frances.

Occupation.

Cocksucker.

Woo!

Show me where I'm gonna be.

I want to get in there,

brush my teeth, start to live.

Hey, you're a... pretty thing.

Hey! I'd like a wake-up call,

say around 10 A.M.

I'll take my bread
and water in bed.

Real class.

Yeah.

Frances, why don't you
comb your hair

for the next one?

Why don't you leave her alone?

Take me the way I am.

Hey, cutie, got a cigarette?

And have you driven a car

since you were
placed on probation?

No, but only because I
couldn't get my hands on one.

Have you visited
your probation officer

as directed?

I never saw him.

I don't know why
he didn't show up.

You expected him to look you up?

I expected him to come by

so I could get
a look at his face.

You're headed for a contempt
citation, young lady.

Is it true you resisted arrest

at the Hotel Knickerbocker
last night?

Yes, it's true.

I was fighting for my country

as well as myself.

You caused trouble
on a movie set in Mexico?

Yes, I was fighting there, too...

The same reason,
but a different scene.

Miss Farmer, in light
of the flagrant disregard

of the conditions
of your probation,

coupled with the unwarranted
assault on the plaintiff here,

you leave me no choice

but to order you
to spend 180 days

in the county jail.

Court adjourned.

I haven't got a lawyer.

Hey!

I haven't got a lawyer!

What I want to know is
if I got any civil rights!

Have I got any civil rights?

I want to make a phone call!

I've got a right to make a...

She's on her way.

Don't I have any
civil rights here?

You got to get down
here right now.

It's gonna be too late.

Just give me my civil rights!

God damn you!

Rat! Rat!

I've got a right to make a phone call!
God, she's loose!

She's attacking
your correspondent

right here
in the court building!

Help me!

Hey!

Help me!

I'm being kidnapped!

Let's go. Let's go.
Get out of here.

With what must surely be
the final act of madness,

the curtain falls on Frances
Farmer's once-promising career.

The crazed blonde who, at 27...

Can you hold it a second?

Now, because of her
present excited state,

her mother is not
able to control her.

We don't want her
institutionalized,

but the Meadow Wood
Convalescent Home

is willing to take her. Yes.

And we feel that would
be more appropriate.

Well, a difficult decision,

but I'm sure the proper one.

Thank you. Good.

The judge has agreed
to Meadow Wood.

You can take her now.

It's all gonna be all right.

It's just gonna be fine,
little sister.

The judge has given you
into my care,

and I'm gonna see you get
the rest you need.

Please take me home, Mom.

See, little sister?

Everything's just lovely here.

The countryside
and the... views.

Thank you.

Good afternoon, Miss Farmer.

I'm Dr. Symington.

Hello, Doctor.

I'm, Lillian Farmer.

I'm very pleased
to meet you, Mrs. Farmer.

I'm sure we'll have more
of a chance to talk later.

Right now I think it's important

that your daughter have
a chance to settle in.

Perhaps it would be best

if you said your goodbyes
right here.

No. No.

I have a lot
of background material

that you're going
to find very important

in... in treating my daughter.

I have no doubt, Mrs. Farmer.

Now, if you'll just speak
to the girl at the desk,

I'm sure she'll arrange
for an appointment.

Well.

I will see you very soon.

You be a good girl.

Momma.

Yes?

I want you to take me home now.

Everything's going
to be fine, Frances.

Doctor knows best?

I find these initial
meetings much easier

without the concerned
relatives in attendance.

Am I supposed to say thank you?

Thanks are hardly necessary.

Shucks, ma'am. T' whatnot.

I'm glad to see you haven't
lost your sense of humor.

Ain't for lack of trying.

So it seems.

May we be serious
for just a moment?

Doctor, we... we just met.

Well, I feel like I've
known you for a long time.

You see,
I've followed your career.

You...

You're a fascinating case.

I'm looking forward
to solving your predicament.

Are you really?

Among persons such as yourself,

creative people
under great stress,

erratic behavior
is not at all uncommon,

and certainly nothing
to be ashamed of.

It's just that
the anxieties which...

Doctor...

do you expect me for one moment

to believe that you have greater
insight into my personality

than I do?

Would you sit back down?

You may discuss
my predicament, Doctor.

You may discuss it
with anybody you like,

but not with me.

I'm not interested.

I can solve my problems

without recourse
to a veterinarian.

I see.

Besides, I don't want to be

what you want to make me.

And what's that?

Dull, average, normal.

All right.

Would you
take your seat, please?

Symington says.

Did you actually say that?

It's just a little joke,
Miss Farmer.

It's a fucking thing as a joke!

Stay calm, please.

No, you stay calm, Doctor.

But you're finding that
difficult, aren't you?

I'm not doing
what's expected of me.

I'm not sitting there in awe

while you carefully
dissect my personality.

Now you listen to me.

All I want is a little rest,

a little peace and quiet,

and I don't have to talk to you

or anybody else about
my goddamn anxieties.

You got that?

I'll have someone
show you to your room.

Well, that's good.
That's very good.

Very professional
and controlled.

But those...

tiny little beads of sweat
on your upper lip

give you away.

You really should
get some rest now.

The nurse will meet you outside.

Good day.

Is there something else?

Well, you didn't say
"Symington says."

Symington says.

Well, what is it?

It's just vitamins:

A, C, B complex,
certain minerals.

Now just relax.

There. Now that wasn't
too bad, was it?

What did they give me?

They gave you insulin.

It throws your body into shock.

My God.

It's all right, dear.
I'll be here.

This one is from
Duluth, Minnesota.

It's from a war widow
with two small children.

She works in a defense plant.

She's very concerned about you.

I wrote her, and I told her

not to worry so much about you,

that, she had to get on
with their war work,

and you would be back
on the silver screen

before she knew it.

That's that one.

This is that sweet Mr. Zeiss.

Why are all these opened?

What?

Why are all these opened?

Well, they're opened, Frances,

because they needed to be
answered immediately.

I mean, that's just good manners

and common sense.

Well, you don't want
to be bothered with this

at this time, do you?

Then why did you bring them?

Well, it's your fan mail.

You kill me, Momma.

Thank you.

Mom.

Go on.

Eat your oatmeal cakes.

So sorry to keep you waiting.

Staff review ran over.

Well...

Did...

did you enjoy your
mother's visit last week?

Yeah, it was real nice
to see her.

Really?

Any problems?

None at all.

She brought me my fan mail.

I was surprised to see
how many people there are

that are concerned about me.

I guess that's the best thing
about working in the movies

is you make so many friends.

I'd really like
to get back to work now

so I can prove to them

that the faith they've
put in me wasn't a mistake.

You...

You're telling me
you feel guilty?

No. Not at all.

It's just that I'm
excited about...

going on with my life.

Do you really think

that your mother's
trying to kill you?

What?

She told me you said, "Momma,
you're trying to kill me."

It's a figure of speech,
you know, Doctor.

I... We were talking,
and she said something funny,

and I...

And you accused her

of tampering with your mail.

Christ.

I'm sorry she misunderstood.

But you tell me that you
had a pleasant visit,

and your mother says that you
were sullen and uncommunicative.

Whom do you think
I should believe?

Well, Doctor, I hate to break
this to you, you know,

but my ma's a little batty.

Frances...

You're still filled
with anxiety.

You have feelings
of hostility and guilt

towards your family and friends,

and consequently...

I couldn't recommend
your release

at the staff review.

You what?

Mental illness, it's
such an illusive thing,

and although I'm... I'm pleased

that you're feeling
more capable,

I think perhaps it's unrealistic

to think you could be cured
in so short a time.

Don't you agree?

I'm sure you'll see it
my way in the end.

Now listen.

You got to go back there

and tell them to let me out...

'cause I'm ready...

I'm ready to get out now,

so you go back in there,

and you tell them that you're
gonna let me out of here!

Frances, I'm warning you.

No, I'm warning you!

Who do you think you are, God?

You bumble around
with your goddamn pencils!

You're nothing!
You have no authority!

You're zero!

Zero!

Hi.

I brought you some... candy.

I look awful.

Well, you've looked
a whole lot better,

that's for sure.

They're doing this to me, Harry.

Did you see it?

They've given me stuff,

and trying to put
thoughts in my head and...

they're trying to...

rearrange what's going on
in my head.

They're trying to...
I don't know...

Drive me crazy.

Look...

let's go take a walk
in the woods, okay?

Come on.

Come on.

Miss Farmer!

Time for your bath, Miss Farmer.

Listen, straight over the
hill, there's a wall...

to the left.

Car's right behind
the gate there, okay?

Time for your bath.

The best thing here, Harry...

The baths.

Sir, this area's off-limits.

Frances, did you
hear what I said?

Of course.

You want crazy?

I'll give you crazy.

Hey!

What are you doing?

I always lead in New York.

Really? I'm dancing backwards.

You should stick around,
sometime, you know,

and take care of me.

Look...

I'm only gonna ask you
this one time, okay?

Then I'm never gonna
ask you again.

Well, what?

Will you marry me?

Boy, you sure pick
your moments. You're...

People will tell you
get back on track first,

tie up some loose ends,
you know?

I can't just run away again.

Sooner or later,
I'll have to go home.

Besides...

nobody can screw things up
the way I can,

you know what I mean?

Well, I'll act like I do
until I do.

There's one more thing.

Yeah?

Will you marry me?

Well...

This is it.

This is the one. No.

This is it.

What are you doing?

I thought you didn't
want to get married.

Where are you going?

To here, dear.

I'll turn it on and...

Put her in reverse.

Still not too late

to keep going up
to Vancouver, you know.

Be the smartest thing.

Yeah. Thanks, Harry.

It's just that I gotta...

I can't explain it.
It's... She's my mother,

and...

I can't give up on her
that easily.

You wouldn't give up on her?

Yep. It's just something
I got to do, I guess.

Frances.

You're crazy.

Don't tell anybody.

If you need anything...

Got your number, Mr. Man.

Welcome home, little sister.

Who have we here?

Frances, you know
my lawyer Alma Styles.

Hello, Frances.

You seem to be having
quite a time of it.

I, called Alma

because I thought we might
need some legal advice.

Frances, the doctors
at Meadow Wood

have petitioned the court
for your return.

Your mother has
asked me to intervene

so you can stay here.

I swear I didn't know

what they were gonna
do to you there.

I would not have... Momma, don't.

You realize, of course,

that your mother's now
your legal guardian

in the eyes of the law.

You no longer have
any rights as an adult.

You're going to have
to hold your tongue,

and be selective
about whom you mix with.

That man who drove you
here, for instance...

Leave... Ahem.

Kindly just leave him
out of this.

Baby.

Frances.

Play, Flow Gently,
Sweet Afton, would you?

I'm so tired
of that song, Mother.

Please.

I want you to.

Make me so happy,

Please?

You know, it's just
a Flow Gently, Sweet Afton day.

Life's been so good to me.

I can't think of anything
I could wish for.

What's wrong?

Nothing.

I thought maybe I'd...
go out for a while.

Where are you going?

Just for a walk, Momma.

How long will you be gone?

Not long.

I'm going to have luncheon
ready at 1:00.

I'll be back.

Promise?

Sure.

Well, say promise. "I promise."

I promise, Momma.

Frances, remember,

the surest way to lose
an appetite is to drink.

Yes, Momma.

I don't want you
drinking, Frances.

Yes, Momma.

So what do you think?

I... I don't know, honey.-

Y-Your mother has...

She still has such
big plans for you.

What... What you have
to understand is that...

she wanted so much
for herself, too.

A-And for me.

But she never got it.

She could have been a...

If times were different,
she could have been a...

A politician,
or a lecturer, or a...

Dad.

I'm talking about me now.

I'm asking you what I should do.

Ahem.

Well...

You know, sometimes you get
your heart set on something,

and... and you really go after it.

But then, when you...

get it in your hands, it...

It doesn't look the same.

I guess...
I guess you already know that.

So anything I... decide

would be all right with you?

Always.

I...

I don't have a...

A... a desk in my room,

and this is not a proper
office for a lawyer...

And I...

It's okay, Dad.

I love you.

I love you, too, princess.

Frances? Is that you?

Yeah. I'm home, Ma.

Oooh!

I have such good news for you.

Wait, Ma.

Wait. There's something
I wanna tell you first.

What?

I decided something. What?

Momma, I decided that I'm not
gonna go back to Hollywood.

You know, I thought
that's what I wanted, Ma,

and I went after it
with all my soul,

and it nearly killed me.

So I'm done with it now.

It's over.
I don't want it anymore.

Ma, I need a different
kind of life.

You know, maybe I could find
somewhere in the country.

I could have... I could have
dogs again out there.

Maybe even plant a garden.

It's just... I feel so...

right for the first time
in years, Ma.

I love you more
than anything in the world.

Frances, honey,
I think you've gone crazy.

You know what happened
while you were out?

Your agent called.

Yes, they want you back!

They're send scripts!

And he wants to come
up here next week

with the publicity people.

Frances, you can't do that.

You can't do that to your fans.

I mean, they stuck through
this whole nightmare with you!

You can't turn
your back on them.

They love you!

Ma!

Haven't you heard what I said?

I told him that he
could come up here,

and that you would prove
that you're all right!

That's you're cured!

I'm not cured!

I was never sick!

They had no business
putting me in there!

Now the only responsibility
I have is to myself now!

You selfish, selfish child.

At least see him.

Hear what he has to say!

No.

I've watched you
throw it all away.

Just throw it away?

You had it all!

Beauty, a brilliant career,
a wonderful husband.

You are a movie star!
Mother, shut up!

You're just gonna throw it away?

Just throw it away
and become a nobody!

Have you any idea what
it's like to be a nobody?

Have you?

My God, Ma!

You'd send me back,
wouldn't you?

You'd send me back.

I'm goin'. I'm leaving.

You're going!
You're not going anywhere.

You get out of my way!

You...

Get out of my way, old woman!

Get out of my way!

No!

I swear to God!

You follow me this time,

Momma, I will fucking kill you!

Now you have really...

done it, little sister.

Doctor, you see...

All my life,

I have been trying to
live up to my parents'...

sense of excellence.

I mean, the sense of

independent thought and spirit

that built our country.

And I...

I taught these things
to Frances.

Yes. Yes, Mrs. Farmer.

Frances has always been
a battleground, Lillian.

The point is...

it's your opinion

Frances is getting
worse every day.

Yes.

And you feel you're unable
to control her any longer.

No!

Dear, remember,
you did sustain bodily harm.

And the only course
left open to you

is to commit your daughter
for a period of time,

to a mental institution.

Alma says it's
the only way she'll...

Well. Well, it seems to coincide

with what Dr. Symington
had to say,

and I think that's
all I need to know

about Miss Frances Farmer.

Good.

Now, perhaps you can tell us

where we can find Frances.

No! No!

Momma!

What's she getting anyway?

Standard series to start.

15?

Now.

Hey, how about a white
girl next time?

Whatever you like, boys.

See you next week?

Woo-ee!

Frances!

It's me, Harry!

Watch out, Harry!

Let me look her over.

I'm gettin' her
out of here right now.

The hearing is set for tomorrow.

She gets out legally,
they can't collect her.

Look at her. She really
gonna pass that test...

I am taking care of that, Harry.
Now just hold her.

Reserpine.

Guarantee you,
this'll clear her head.

She'll wake up feeling calm,

and sail straight
through that hearing.

No...

Shut her up, Harry!

It'll be all right.
It'll be all right.

He's just givin' you
something to make you think

so you can tell 'em what they
wanna hear in the morning, okay?

Take me!

Tell 'em you were crazy,

and they cured you, and
you're grateful, okay?

This drug takes pretty
quick. Now let's go.

Harry... Take me. Take me!

I'll lose my job, Harry!
Let's go!

Take me! Remember what
I was telling you.

What are you gonna tell 'em?

Frances, what're ya
gonna tell 'em?

Take me!

Hey!

Harry! I'm grateful...

Take me!

I'm grateful.

I love you, Frances.

I realize now that I was
a very sick woman,

that I didn't...

relate to other people
in a normal way.

I wasn't normal!
But I'm normal now!

I'm normal!

I knew it! She's already healed!

And... I wasn't...

taking responsibility
for my actions.

I've been thinking a lot
about these treatments.

I feel that they're not
doing me any good.

I feel now that, thanks
to your treatment here,

that I'm ready to
face myself again and...

ready to resume the career

that I so singlehandedly
shattered.

We really like her performance!

One of her great
performances! Yeah!

Great performances, I hope!

I just hope that...

that I can make you all...

Very, very proud of me.

All right!

Thank you!

Thank you.

Thank you all...

very much.

I think this case demonstrates

just how successful
the antisocial behavior

can be modified.

Not long ago,

Miss Farmer seemed

totally unresponsive
to treatment.

And today, we're sending her
home to her family,

completely cured.

I believe this is
a significant victory

for the mental hygiene program

here in the state of Washington.

Thank you.

There she is!

My precious daughter.

You come on up here
to your mother.

Come on!

Frances gave me
this box down in Hollywood.

I filled it with
my own dried fruit.

Herb, would you pass that?

Sure. Thanks.

Are you going to be going
back to Hollywood, Miss Farmer?

We haven't decided exactly
what we're going to do,

yet.

No, I don't know.

It all depends on
what offers I get.

Who did your hair, Frances?

I did.

I like to try different styles.

Sometimes I find that if you're

old-fashioned enough

that you're modern again.

Right, Momma? Yes.

So...

what do you think
about all this, Mrs. Farmer?

I think it's a miracle.

Just a miracle.

Frances, could you get in a
little closer with your mother?

Harry.

Doesn't matter.

I'm sorry, Harry.

I don't care about what's
happened before, you know?

I just want you to stay
with me now, okay?

Will ya?

I can't.

Why?

I mean, you've gambled with
every other part of your life.

Why don't you try me
for a change?

'Cause I'd lose.
You don't know that.

What are you afraid of anyway?

I'm not afraid
of anything, Harry.

Just that that place
nearly killed me.

There were so many
people, all the time.

Every time I turned around,

someone was pressing up
against me,

or touching me.

Sticking things in me... You know,
well, I'm not one of those people.

Well, I know that.

You either stay with me
this time...

What?

- This is it.
- Thank you.

Pretty morning.

Yeah, it's always beautiful
this time of day.

No people.

That's for sure.

Where ya goin'?

Wherever.

Yeah, I know what that's like.

Where ya been?

Been down south of here,
pickin' fruit.

What's the matter?
They lookin' for you?

Yeah.

What did you do?

You know, I've never been
able to figure that out.

Say.

I have a little whiskey
here. It'll warm you up.

That's great.

Makes it better. Yeah.

Run.

Run.

Good morning! How are ya?

Listen. She didn't do anything.
She really didn't.

Sir? Sir, she really
didn't do anything.

She really didn't.

Do I have to go right away,

or do I have time
to take a bath?

No word for your mother,
of course?

You were hoping
for a word, Mother?

What would you like to hear?

Lillian, we have to talk.

Frances?

I am trying to get you
back on your feet.

No, you're not.

You're trying
to break my spirit.

You're trying to turn me
into you, Lillian.

But I'm not you...

and I never will be.

And I thank God for that.

And that goes
for you, too, Ernest.

Frankly, I don't understand how,

with the two of you, I
turned out as sane as I am.

I gotta tell you, Lillian...

that one day, before you die,

you're going to realize
what you've done.

And you'll hang
your head in shame.

When you get well,
you're going to thank me...

No, you are not talking now.

You listen.

Now, you can send me away,

and you can pretend I'm crazy,

and you can pretend
I am still your little girl

who can't take care of herself.

But, Lillian,

There is one thing

that you cannot
pretend anymore...

and that is that I love you.

Because I don't.

I can't. Not after
what you've done to me.

See, because I am still me.

I've been trying real hard
all this time to be me.

And you, little sister...

you haven't been
any help at all.

Is that them?

Hey, boys. I'm ready.

Mr. Farmer.

Easy. Easy. Easy.

Close the door.

This way.

Come on, Ricky,
move it, move it!

Best deal I ever made.

20 bucks to fuck
a fucking movie star?

See the whole sky shining...

She's crazy, ain't she?

You know something, Ernest?

We've got to repaint
Frances' room.

She's coming home any day now.

We've got to repaint.

The operation
is simplicity itself.

One merely inserts the
leucotome beneath the eyelid,

breaking through the bone,

pressing it up into
the prefrontal lobe...

manipulating it

so as to sever
the nervous connections

of the thalamofrontal radiation

to the body of the brain.

To demonstrate not only
the simplicity

but also the speed
of the process,

I will perform
transorbital lobotomy

on 10 patients within an hour.

These patients will be given

mild doses of electroshock
to sedate them,

although I should point out

that the procedure
is completely painless.

I have performed it many times

while the patient
remained awake.

From a clinical standpoint,

it is quite fascinating

to watch the change take place.

Now we know that lobotomy works,

but now we can apply it
on a much larger scale.

The old way,
prefrontal technique,

required a full day's work
by a surgical team

to treat a single patient.

In the same time, working alone,

I can treat 50.

My method is inexpensive,
it's fast, and it's safe:

Only a little more
dangerous than operating

to remove an infected tooth.

In plain language,
my ice pick technique

severs the nerves

that deliver emotional
energy to ideas.

Along with the cure
comes a loss of affect,

a kind of emotional flattening

with diminished creativity
and imagination.

After all, it is their
imaginations and emotions

that are disturbed.

However, this patient here

will soon be leaving
the hospital.

Lobotomy gets 'em home.

Well, hello, everybody.

Tonight, we'd like for you
to meet a beautiful lady

whose life could have
served as a model

for a play by Eugene O'Neill

or a novel by Theodore Dreiser.

The talented star
of Broadway and Hollywood,

Miss Frances Farmer.

Hello, Frances.

Hello there.

Now, we know

that there are certain
periods in your life

which have left unhappy
scars on your memory.

What, then, prompted you

to come and relive your life
with us here tonight, Frances?

Well, Ralph, I...

wanted to be able to,

tell something
of my own experiences

to help, people who have...

I know of in the same
kind of predicament.

I've received so many letters

from people who want...
hope or advice,

even which perhaps
I might be able to suggest

where they can find it.

Other stories accuse you
of being an alcoholic.

Were you, Frances?

No. I was never an alcoholic.

Did you ever take dope?

No. Never.

Can you tell us what
happened next, Frances?

Well, Ralph, I...

didn't think then,
and I still don't,

that I was actually sick.

But there were so many people

who seemed to think
I was mentally ill

that I just had to find out why.

You know, if you're
treated like a patient,

why, you're apt to act like one,

because, after all,
any effective cure

is based on faith in one's self,

which... means faith in God.

Well, your faith has been
rewarded, Frances.

We've wired 125
Hollywood producers,

urging them to look in
on This Is Your Life tonight,

and keep you in mind

for an important
new dramatic role.

You're gonna be a busy gal,
Frances,

dashing from interview
to interview,

so the Ford Motor Company wants
to give you a helping hand

by presenting you
with the beautiful

brand-new 1958
four-door Edsel Pacer.

With its ease of handling

and above all its dependability,

this Edsel will get you
where you want to go.

Thank you so much.

And now, Frances,

as your friends
gather around you,

I know that they join me

in wishing you only the best
in your new career.

We're hosting a party
for you and your friends

right after the show tonight

at Hollywood's own
Roosevelt Hotel.

Your life certainly proves...

Do you need a ride
home, Frances?

No, I'm fine.

Okay.

Bye-bye.

Take care, dear.

Good night.

Good night.

Frances.

Harry York.

It's nice to see you again.

How are you doing, Farmer?

I'm doing just fine, Harry.

Did you see the show?

Yeah, sure. That's
why I came down here.

How did I look?

You always looked
like a million bucks.

Well, you look good, Harry.

I got a new car,
only it's white.

Did you know Momma died?

Yeah, I, heard about that.

Dad, too.

I sold the house.

I'm a faceless sinner, Harry.

Why do you say that?

I'd ask you to take me home,

but, well,
I'm a faceless sinner.

You smell good, Harry.

Familiar, you know?

I'd ask you
to take me home, but...

Frances.

Don't be mad, Harry.

Some things just happen
for the best.

Things are gonna be slow
from now on.

Do you know what I mean?

No, I'm not sure.

Very slow.

But we're not going
to stop, are we, Harry?

No.

No, we're not.

Well, bye.

It's very nice to see you again.

Frances?

Would you mind if I walked
with you a little ways?

That would be all right.

Just a little ways.