01x20 - The Hollywood Story

[bunniefuu]

[waves crashing]

[music]

Letter to Loretta.

Starring Loretta Youngas Loretta Young.

[clapping]

Our letter tonightis signed Thelma.

And it's post marked Hollywood.

She says it all addsup to this. Loretta.

I came out here threeyears ago to get into pictures.

So far.

Nothing.

They all believed inme back home and were

as sure as I was thatI'd be a star by now.

I probably should gohome, but I'm afraid to

because all I have to takeback with me is failure.

I think you'llunderstand what I mean

when I tell youthe story of Madge.

Her home was in asmall town in Iowa.

Her main interest inlife was the amateur

plays put on by theClarence, Iowa players.

Goodbye, my sweet one.

Goodbye, Jim, mydarling, wherever you are.

My darling.

[clapping]

Thanks, Mary. So are you.

Me.

-Can I get hanky?-Okay sure.

I'm glad you cried.

You cried real tearsin that last scene.

Madge, you were swell, just swell.

But well, she was magnificent.

How about you twostars giving us a hand?

Oh, sure.

Got to join me forhamburger and a cup

of coffee beforethe dinner closes.

Oh, Brad, how can you be so square?

Don't you see she's emotionallyall worked up? She needs a

pressure chamber, not a hamburger.She's just given a perform.

Oh. Mary ah.

-Jean Madge, I'm sorry.-That's all right Brad.

And I'd love to huh.

-Meet me at the car you know where.-Yes, I know where it is.

Come on, let's get going.

Oh, that's what Imean about the men

in this town. They'reall such square.

But you oh madge.

You just can't go on wastingyour talent in this whistle stuff.

Well, they'd lose their mindsover you and Hollywood.

Mary, if I could just be sure.

You can be sure believe me.

I started draggingdown a million a week.

-Can't do what you did here at night.-Wait.

Oh, Mary, don'tsay things like that.

Honestly, a girlfriend of minelives in Hollywoodand she

told me that none of thosemoviestars can cry real tears.

-Really?-Yes, that's glycerin.

No.

She lived in Hollywood,so she knows.

Mary.

Mary, I got news for you.

I'm going to do it.

-Huh-No, no, this time I mean it.

All friends don't lie.

And all my friends have toldme that I should be in movies.

-Oh, man.-Of course, I can't expect miracles.

It'll take a while,

I guess. You're an actress.

They will have toteach you all that

stuff the way theydo. With most of them.

I bet itwon't take more than a year.

Oh, Mary, hold that thought,will you? One year huh?

I won't need to. Just onemeasly little year and you'll

be a movie star with diamondbracelets up to your elbows.

Oh.

Oh, Mary.

[music]

But, Madge, you'll beleaving everything

you're used to. Everybodyyou've ever known.

You mean i can't held it?

Or that living roomthat hasn't had a window

open since Uncle Harrydied ten years ago?

You won't always live there.

Or my job at the bank?

But anyone who knowstheir ABCs could do.

And you won'talways have that job.

Remember, you're going tohave a home of your own on kills

Look Brad.

everyone tells me I have talent.

And I've just gotto try my wings.

Yeah, but you can do thatrighthere with the Clarence players.

Oh, you just don't knowwhat I'm talking about.

Nobody does, unless they'rebitten with the same bug.

-What bug?-What do you act?

To sing to accomplishsomething big.

Bigger than Clarence,bigger than myself.

I have about asmuch chance of getting

that chance inClareance as I have of

Well of having twins.

I read in a book someplacewhere the chance

of that is one out ofevery hundred thousand.

But it happens.

Not in my family.

Movie stars don'thappen in clarity.

But I've just gotto go to Hollywood.

I have got to givemyself one year.

Alright.

Ah.

Madge, you know I love you.

And I have the feeling that if yougo away, you'll never come back.

You don't love me do you?

Ben, I...I think I do. But

if I don't give myself thischance to make good, I'll..

I'll never know how I feelabout you or anything.

Yeah, I guess you're right.

You do understand,don't you, Brad? Huh?

Not me. I just know when I'm licked.

Oh.

You've got somethinginside you that's

more important thanme or you or your own

personal life. It'ssomething that means

happiness to you, butdoesn't make you happy.

Look, I don't understand Madge.

But I love you.

Well I do.

Brad.

You're the bestfriend I have Brad, I

couldn't like anyonemore than I do you. And

you've just got to beon my side because well,

success would meananything to me if you weren't.

That I am.

[laugh]

Come on.Let's go.

[music]

Madge, you were swell, just swell.

Well, they'd lose their mindsover you and Hollywood.

Hollywood hollywood.....

[music]

Friends don't lie to you.

Everyone tells me Ishould be in the movies.

You cried real tearsin that last scene.

With diamond braceletsup to your elbow.

I'm going to have diamondbracelets up to my elbow.

[music]

I liked it better without the junkjewelry, but you made a fail match.

Yeah.

When did she sayshe wants it delivered?

Wednesday.

She's going to wearit to the premiere.

Oh.

I wonder what does it feellike to own a dress like this huh?

You'll find outone of these days.

I wonder. It's been over a year now.

Madge, put that junk backin the showcase, will you?

Yes, sure.

A year and three days to be exact.

Two screen tests,

two bit parts that werecut out of the picture,

and million callsto casting directors.

Oh I do not know.

Hollywood keepscreaming for fresh talent.

And then they starve usout what's all about, anyway?

Keep your lid on. You've had twicethe breaks. Most girls get out here.

Haven't had any breaks.That's what's k*lling me.

Madge, a break isa chance to be seen.

You've had two screentests and two calls.

So what? Nothing's come of them.

I know.

Siri, do you believeI have what it takes?

Now, come on. I want tounderstand to, do you? Do you?

No.

But if I were you, Ithink I'd go back home.

Oh, Siri, I couldn't do that.

That'd be like admittingfailure. I couldn't.

The good Lord loaded you withgifts, Madge. You've got plenty.

But have you gotthat extra something

that makes an actress great.

I think I have.

And all my friends back homethought I have. But how do I know?

Honey, you've had chancesand nothing's happened.

Yes, But what kind of chances?

To screen test. They wereterrible.My makeup was awful. My

clothes were terrible. Zip medown Would you please, siri?

Look, Madge, I've beenwrong plenty of times,

-but one thing I do now.-What?

There's more to being a moviestarthan just wanting to be one.

I found that out the hard way.

You?

Well, I certainly didn't startout with the idea of running a

dress shop with one hand and ahusband and two kids with the other.

You mean you wantedto be an actress too?

So much I could taste it.

I won a beauty contest back home.

-Miss Hartman's county of .-Oh.

I won a trip to Hollywood.

My dad stayed me to stay outhere and take a cr*ck at movies.

-So, what happened?-I cracked first.

Oh, Siri.

I don't understandhow you could settle

for less. I justdon't understand it.

I didn't settle for less. Isettled for more Madge.

There are other waysof being successful

in being a picturestar, you know

[door knocking]

Oh, that's probably Sam. I leftword for him to meet me over here.

[door opening] Oh.

-Hi Sams.-Hi Darling.

Well, you men if it isn't the poorman's William Morris, sit down.

Pay the phony cracks.

Now.

I got your message,honey. What's on your mind?

It's job Sams , a job.

You were supposed tobe my agent. I hadn't heard

from you in ten days.Not even a phone call.

What's the call about?I'm working on it every

minute. I'm pitching youinto every producer in town.

They're pitching meright back at you said it.

Honey, Come on, takeit easy. Things are slow.

Well, other people are working, Sam.

You heard her.

It isn't as if I wereasking for a part

now. I'd be satisfiedwith extra work even.

Honey, that union hasbeen closed for a year. This

town is busting intothe seams with extras.

All right, thenwhat is the answer?

How do I get noticed?Howdo I get noticed around here?

I don't know.

Maybe television is the answer.

There's a show I know about.

Look, if you got a newspaper here.

Yes, there's one in thedressing room, I'll get it.

Why don't you tell her togo home where she belongs?

I thought she couldn'tmake it. I would.

Just breaks myheart to see anyone

try to win in thisHollywood rat race.

Could be your little prejudice.Couldbe your little better.

Could be but I just hateto see nice people mess

up their lives withadolescent pipe dreams.

Look, siri, I'll makea deal with you.

You don't tell mehow to pick talent.

And I wouldn't tell youhow to make dresses.

-Is it this?-Yes, thanks honey.

I want to look at the TV live.

Oh.

There it is. Sandy Ware Show

ambition, please.

Hey, you can win money on that show.

Money? What's money?Ambition Please is a showcase.

Ted Maskin andwatches it all the time.

The producer?

Oh, Sam, can you get me on?

This I guarantee.

What's more, when the date set.I'll let him know about it.

Oh, that'd be wonderful.

Because I have a feeling

I have a feeling thatthis TV show may

change my whole life.$ for each of you.

[music]

$ for each ofyou.And for the lovely

lady, a full year's supplyof gorgeous nylons.

Eugene hall andMarion Lane. Ladies and

gentlemen, let's givethem a big send off.

And now let's meet ournext lovely guest, miss Madge

Mason. Madge, come onout here and meet the people.

[clapping]

Pardon my expression, Madgewow, you really look lovely.

Oh.

Thank you, Mr. Ware.

And what is your ambition, please?

To be a movie star.

Well, you can miss, believeme. How about that, folks?

[clapping]

Have you done anypicture work Madge?

Yes, I have. I'vedone two bit parts.

Oh, you work for a quarter?

Two parts of a pitcure you know?

Of course, Back home.

Back home? Now, wait aminute. Now, where's back home?

-Claren, Iowa.-Claren, Iowa.

I was the star in all thelittle theater plays back there.

Well, let's see if we canfind an Iowan to help Madge

out in the sketch he'sgoing to do tonight.

All right, Hawkeyes,raise your hand.

, , , . Say, you'recertainly out in force tonight.

Now, do we have anybodyhere from Claren, Iowa?

One hand. A gentlemandown there in the

third row. You'refrom Claren, Iowa?

Yes, sir.

Well, come on right up. And that'sall meet you.Let him out, folks.

Come right up, sir. Let's have a bigwelcome for the man from Clarence.

[claping]

Not yet.Oh, yes.

Welcome to ambitionplease. And your name, sir?

-Bradley Delmar.-Bradley delmar. Your business?

Home furnishings. I run a homefurnishing store back in Clarence.

I'm here on a business trip.

Well, I'm going to turn thatinto a pleasure trip right now by

having you meet a beautiful girl

from your hometown,miss Madge Mason.

Hi, Madge.

Oh, Brad.

That's me. Your AuntHelen. She sends her love.

Oh.

This young fellowdoesn't waste much time

getting acquainted,does he, folks?

[Laugh]

Brad and I have known eachother since we were kids.

-You're kidding.-No, I'm not kidding.

Why, we played on thesame baseball team together.

Brad is a catcher, and Iwas a shortstop. Right.

And if you'd stayed withit,you'd been in the majors town

Well, how about that, folks?

Not only has Ambition,Please brought two people

together from the sametown, but two old friends.

Everybody in town knows Madge.She's our most famous citizen.

Well, that's just becauseClarence is a small town.

But it's a very pleasantplace to live in, isn't it?

Does that mean you're coming back?

This little lady belongs toHollywood now, Mr.Dalmar.

And she's going to shareher great talent with our studio

audience here tonight. Wehave a sketch, and we will,

I hope. It's a sad one.

She can cry real tears.

You watch that, Mr. Dalmar. You'regoing to wind up being press agent.

Yes, I'd like to haveyou play the girl, Madge

-Yes.-And your partner will play the boy.

-Simple enough.-Well, I ought to warn you.

-I'm not an actor.-Who knows.

Everybody in Clarence.

[laugh]

We may have a surprise to thosefolks back in Clarence tonight.

I was in a show with Madgeonce. I was the rainstorm until

the host got away from meand sh*t through the window.

I remember that. Itwas absolutely

wonderful. It wasthe high spot of the

whole show. Everybody in the firstfour rows got soaked in the skin.

The paper said. The nextday, between Madge death

scene and me, there wasn'ta dry patron in the house.

Oh.

[laugh]

Well, it's certainly been privilegeto share this wonderful experience,

folks. Yes, indeed. This has beenan experience I'll never forget.

$ for each oneof you. And for the

lady, a genuinecamic wrist watch.

Yes, indeed MadgeMason and Bradley Dalmar.

Let's give him agreat big hand, folks.

Thanks Brad.

[music]

Hello.

This is Sam Brown. Letme talk to Mr.Maskin, please.

Mr.Maskin,

This is just a routine call so Ican tell Madge I talked to you.

Got any ideas how I can breakthe bad news to her Easy like.

Give me that again. Mr. Maskin.

Charlie natural.

Yeah, that's what she is, alright.

No, not with me. But we'llbe there the first thing in the

morning with my contractpen all filled and ready for use.

Thank you.

That's your fourth cup.

What's the difference? Iwon't sleep tonight anyway.

Oh, come on now, Madge.It's not the end of the world.

It is to me.

I just get sick when I think ofMask and watching that show.

Here I had my chanceto act, and what did I do?

I had an old home week up there.

Tell him it was my fault.

Tell him I won't even see him.

I don't know whathappened to me.

I forgot everything I was there for.

Maybe that provesthis acting business

isn't as important asyou thought it was.

Why, It's my whole life.

You're too real aperson to mean that.

Oh, Brad.

You're not going to belike Siri and Aunt Helen.

You don't want me to go back home?

To that dreary jobin the bank and that

tomb of a house thatAunt Helen lives in.

No, but I've got a better idea.

Do you remember theclass party, up in the grove?

Yeah

And you told mesomeday you'd like to live

in a house way upon the top of Oak Hill.

Yeah.

And I promise to build it for you.

Yes.

Oh, Madge, I kept my promise.

The house was almostfinished before I started this trip.

-really?-Yes.

So you won't haveto go back then

heavens and knowdreary job at the bank.

Well, now, that meansthat you feel sorry for me.

That means I love you.

Of course I go alongwith the house so

you'll have ahusband to look after.

Madge.

I've been tracking you downfor hours. You sure got going

tonight, honey. I had you,paged in every spot in town.

Oh.

What are you thinking that stufffor? Where's the champagne?

Don't stop clowning,Sam. I know I know I know

what she tells her agent.

You're the guy to workwith her. Put her there,

pal. You were sensational.How'd you do it?

Do what?

Look at him talk himselfdown. and you and honey.

honey, you reallyoutdid yourself.

You never deliveredlike that before.

And how's about the way Ware pulledit off? This man's a real showman.

Hey, where are you from, anyway?

- From Clara.- Huh?

That's right, Sam.He's from Clarence.

-You kid.-Oh, I'm not kidding.

We were kids together.

But do me a favor.

-What?-Don't tell him.

He caught theshow. He thought it

was one of wearsoff b*at setups. All

he could talkabout is how natural

you were like itwasn't acting at all.

-It wasn't?-Now Forget it.

What he doesn't knowwon't give him mouses.

Honey, it's tomorrowmorning in his office.

Sam? Oh, Sam is now wonderful.

-This might be a match.-Oh.

-I sure hope so. For you.-Gee, so do I.

Now look, don'tsay how late tonight

and look like amillion in the morning.

I certainly will or die trying.

-I'll pick you up at .-That'd be fine. .

Hey, you'd be prettygood in pictures yourself.

You ride, swim, dance, tuxedo. Stick around. I might sign you.

[Laugh] tonight.

That's right good night.

Oh, Bred isn't that wonderful?

It's like a dream come true.

I'm glad I was with youwhen you got the good news.

Oh.

You don't mean that. You'renot happy for me and, oh,

you would beif you're knowhow much it meant to me.

Sweetheart, I love you.

Whatever you want most

I want too.

Here's. The happiness.

Yes.

To success.

Happiness is success madge.

[laugh]

[music]

Good morning,Mr. Maskin good morning

-Good morning, Sam.-Well, as she is, Ms.Mason,

-Good morning Miss. Mason.-Good Morning.

I'm sorry to keep you waiting.

But after watchingyou last night, I

wanted to takeanother look at your test.

-Oh.-It's not bad at all.

Oh, thank you.

You certainly did a fine job onthat show last night, young lady.

-Oh, thank you.-Excellent job, you were relaxed

natural,

just great.

That's exactly what I said to herlast night. Almost word for word.

-Ms. Mason?-Yes, sir.

How much rehearsal did youhave on the television show?

Oh, she did it cold,mr. Maskin. Absolutely cold.

Well, what you sawwasn't rehearsed at all.

Oh?

No, you see, we did have arehearsed skit that I was supposed

to do with somebody that theypicked out from the audience.

But when Brad came upon the stage, I was just so

happy to see him that Iforgot all about the skit

for a minute. And well,then when I remembered it,

they were just sort ofshoving us off the stage.

You mean you weren'tacting last night, is that it?

Yes, sir, that'sit. I wasn't acting.

I'm sorry, Sam.

I wouldn't have done anygood to lie about it anyway.

It's okay, baby. After all,honesty is one of the first

things every good actressshould have. Right, Mr.Maskin?

Yes, it is, Ms. Mason.

Come over here a moment.Sit down. I'd like to talk to you.

Yes.

-Cigarette?-No thank you.

Do you think you're a good actress?

Yes, I do, Mr. Maskin.

I know I have talent.Yousee, I love acting.

Well, this may sound silly to you,but when I act, I cry real tears.

-No, that's not silly. That's good.-Oh.

I think you have talent

but it has to be developed.

Before we investmoney in an actor, we've

gotto be sure ofmuch more than talent.

Oh, but isn't it talentthat makes us talent?

Talent and wantingto be a success

more than anythingelse in the world.

Of course.

Your work has to be yourone and only consideration.

Your personal lifegoes out of existence.

When you're climbing to the top.

when you're climbing to the top. Youhave nothing but rough going madge.

You've got to be tireless,absolutely dedicated,

and tough enough to fightanything standing in your way.

Including your ownpersonal emotions.

-When you get to be a star.-Then you start the main bout.

The big fight to stay a star.

You see, it's what youdo with that success

much you pay forit. That really counts.

And if you can't takeon the whole world

single handed, orbelieve that you can,

Then your counted out.

Take it easy,Mr. Maskin. You want to

scare her to deathand sign her up.

You can't tell factswith fairy tales. Sam.

I put it. Youstraight, Ms. Mason.

I've been as honestas I know how to be.

Now it's up to you.

[music]

If ever we should meet again.

I could look at him and laughand say, of course I remember you

Two or three loves the ago.

Or I could pretend thatI didn't remember him.

But I won't.

No, I won't. If ever we meet again

I'll put my hand in his and we'llwalk into the future together.

If we ever meet with you.

[claping]

I still think they werecrazy in Hollywood.

Honestly, Madge, youget better all the time.

-Thanks, Mary.Have you got a hanky?-Oh, sure.

-I better get changed.-Yeah, okay.

-Sweetheart, you were wonderful.-Oh, thanks, Brad.

and my two boys.Why did you think your

mom is performing?Oh, I got a good review.

Well, come along, darling. Comeon we do all perform now huh.

Ready? Let's go.

[music]

You know, Thelma,it often happens in

life that what seemslike failure to us.

It's the beginningof our real success.

I believe that Madgeis a successful woman.

Because she decidedon all this in heaven too.

Well, Good night.

I'll see you next week.

[claping]

[music]