A Star Is Born Page #8

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that you can't tell me?

The New York boys have been out here

for the past week.

- They want me to take a salary cut?

- No, Norman.

I guess the only way to say it is to say it.

They've instructed me to buy up

the rest of your contract.

Pay you off.

Pay me off?

Why? My last two pictures haven't

grossed as big as they used to...

...but neither has anybody else's.

They know that.

What is it then?

Can you take it?

Go ahead.

They can't afford you anymore, Norman.

You're too big a risk.

Those big, fat lush days when a star

could get drunk and disappear...

...and hold up production for two weeks

are over.

Even if you hadn't slipped a little,

they still wouldn't take the chance.

Your record's too bad.

No one can afford it anymore.

Things are too tough.

I tried, Norman.

I tried very hard.

I see.

Don't look so miserable, Oliver.

There are other studios, you know.

Only bad thing is I shan't be working

for you anymore.

We had a long roll of the dice,

didn't we, Oliver?

Can't complain now.

By the way...

...can you keep this under wraps

for a while?

- I'd like to tell Esther in my own way.

- Of course.

Have you seen this, Oliver?

I've certainly picked a fine time

to build myself a big new house, didn't I?

I sometimes think I was born

with a genius...

...an absolute genius...

...for doing the wrong thing.

Since Mr. Maine feels that his career

will be benefited by a change...

...we do not wish to stand in his way.

Unquote.

When contacted...

...the star said that he would announce

his future plans at a later date...

The wheel goes round and round...

...and if you just wait long enough...

...it's finally your turn.

Don't take that down, Miss Willer,

I was just talking to myself.

That's okay. I'm in the mood

where you can make...

...more than your usual quota of mistakes.

Read that whole thing back to me,

will you?

"The Oliver Niles Studio announced

this morning that it has granted...

"...Norman Maine's request

for a cancellation of his contract.

"'This step was taken with deep regret,'

said Mr. Niles...

"'... and marks the end of a long

and happy relationship...

"'... but since Mr. Maine feels his career

will be benefited by a change..."'

Yes. This is Malibu 29010.

- Is Miss Lester there, please?

- No, she isn't.

- Who's this? The butler?

- No, this isn't the butler.

Is that you, Norman?

This is Artie Carver. How are you?

Say, as long as I've got you on the phone,

anything new with you?

Have you made a deal

at any other studio yet?

No, nothing new with me at all, Artie.

Is it true that you're trying to get Vicki

to leave the studio...

...because you're sore at Niles

for settling your contract?

No, it isn't true.

And don't you start that rumor going.

Okay, Norman, don't get sore.

I was just trying to help.

Just trying to get your name in the papers.

Anyway, what I called you for was

I've been trying to get an interview...

... with Vicki for two weeks

and she's always busy.

How about you giving an old pal a break

and speaking to her for me?

Sure, I'll ask her, Artie.

Fine.

I'll put a squib in the column that you're

cooking up an independent deal someplace.

It won't fool anybody, but let them know

you're alive. 'Bye now.

'Bye.

Hi.

I'm sorry to be so late.

It's all right.

You're here now.

Did you go fishing

with Captain Blythe today?

I haven't left the house.

- No? Then let's go out some place tonight.

- But you're tired.

- Let's stay in. You must be tired.

- I'm not a bit tired. Really I'm not.

And anyway...

What?

...I see so little of you

that I'd rather have you to myself.

I didn't even get out

of my practice costume.

It's the servants' night out.

I don't think we've got...

Yes, we have. I fixed a little snack

with my own lily-white hands.

What?

I'm learning to cook in my spare time.

Then I think I'll marry you.

I get it. You want to make

an honest cook of me.

My goodness.

How does it look?

- It looks wonderful.

- That's what I thought.

- Sit down, sit down.

- All right.

Don't be formal, just pitch in.

I don't think my mouth is big enough.

I'll measure it. Make the sandwiches

to size next time.

I think I'll take the measurements

right now.

That's what I wait for all day.

That's why I rush home every night

without even changing my costume.

We're forgetting we're hungry.

Milk?

Yes, thank you.

Cheers.

Well, what went on at the studio today,

the old alma mater?

We started doing

the big production number today.

This is the production number

to end all production numbers.

"An American In Paris"?

"An American In Paris", and in Spain and...

- Brazil?

- Brazil, yes.

- Pakistan?

- Pakistan and Burma Road.

- It's got sex and schmaltz...

- And patriotism!

Patriotism without end!

You should see what comes...

...out of the ground and down

from the ceiling.

You've never seen anything like it

in your life.

Wait a minute. Wait, here, I'll put

the practice record on and show you.

Lights!

Camera!

Action!

I'm discovered sitting

on a rather simple divan.

"Somewhere there's a someone

"Who's a someone for me

"Someday there will come one

"And my lover he will be

"Somehow I shall know him

"From the moment he's in view

"And he'll know affection

"He's never known hitherto"

Now we have a stunning shot

with the clock.

"I pay no mind to the waiting

"Let the clock tick-tock away

"The dream I'm contemplating

"Will be here to stay

"Somewhere in the sometime

"When the humdrum..."

You know I get pretty girlish

in this number.

"With that someone

I'll be someone at last"

Now, here comes a big, fat close-up.

"With my someone

I'll be someone at last"

Not a harp!

There's always a harp in a dream sequence,

don't be silly.

The heavenly choir?

Yeah, 20 girls just came up out of the floor.

And there's smoke all over the room.

"Somewhere there's a someone

"Somewhere there's a someone

"Somewhere, someone

"Somewhere there's a someone"

I'm discovered on top of the Eiffel Tower.

Of course.

"This is the story of a little girl

"Searching, searching, searching

"For she knows somewhere

"Is a someone who is a someone for her

"This is a story

"Somewhere is a sometime

"Where the heart from days of past

"With my someone I'll be someone at last

"With my someone I'll be someone at last"

They discover me in China, too.

"Somewhere she will find him somewhere

"Somewhere she will find him

"Nowhere!"

Africa!

"Someone

"Somewhere

"There's a someone somewhere

"Someone

"Somewhere!"

- Brazil, I told you!

- Right! Brazil it is.

Shoot!

Boom. You're dead.

"Somewhere there's a someone

"Somewhere there's a someone

"There's a someone waiting for me!"

That's the doorbell.

Maybe they'll go away.

They never do at a time like this.

Don't answer it.

It's so good to hear you laugh again.

I know.

I'd better. Might be a cable.

I sent one to Alex Korda

about a picture in England.

I've been expecting an answer.

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