Behind the Scenes with Blake Edwards' 'The Great Race' Page #2

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can be quite alluring.

Maggie Dubois.

You've never seen

a woman's leg in a silk stocking.

Never, never in your whole life.

Frisbee, leave the room!

What are you thinking?

There isn't anything men and women

can't discuss when civilized and mature.

And emancipated.

- Anything.

- You can't discuss it. That's the problem.

Women have to emancipate themselves

in order to emancipate men.

So they can emancipate each other

where it counts the most.

Fifty dollars for every exclusive story

I send back...

...and a hundred dollars

for every photograph.

You're a fine man.

A timid man, but a worthwhile one.

Have a cigar.

Don't smoke?

The Sentinel will scoop the world!

Man the helm!

Aye, aye, sir.

- Up periscope!

- Up periscope!

- Good afternoon.

- Good afternoon.

I don't know what she's doing here, boss.

She says she's a woman with a mission.

But I think she's a spy for Professor Fate.

You're not suggesting I'm the first woman

to ever seek an audience with Great Leslie.

I'm simply Leslie and I'm at your service.

I'm rather thirsty.

Do you have something cold?

I have champagne.

- Down periscope.

- Aye, aye, sir.

Up, idiot! Up, up!

I got you.

There's something wrong

with the mechanism.

Down, you idiot!

Release your feet. Release your feet!

- You have to be careful...

- You've got a brain the size of a carbuncle.

Get out of here before Leslie spots us!

Dive, crash dive!

Help!

Wait. Professor!

I'm a reporter.

A reporter?

You disapprove?

No. Let's say I'm a bit surprised.

Let's be honest and say you disapprove.

A woman doing a man's job is competitive,

both sexually and economically.

You want to know why I'm here.

I want to report the race and be in it.

It's as simple as that.

Well, it's hardly that simple. But...

...let's discuss it, shall we?

Let's discuss the whole thing completely.

Right from the beginning.

Do you want a wife, a companion?

Or just a woman?

There are certain things

we shouldn't discuss.

Why? Men discuss their relationships

with women.

Gentlemen don't.

But I'm not a gentleman. I'm a woman.

Indeed you are.

Then say it. What's expected of me?

I'm an emancipated woman

and you're an emancipated man.

There are things that should remain

implicit between men and women.

Why?

It's been this way for years

and I see no reason to change.

- I am a creature of habit.

- All the more reason.

Now you're using

your female attractiveness as a weapon.

Equality, real equality

of the sexes bothers you, doesn't it.

I can speak, read and write Russian,

French and Arabic.

Yes, so can I. Plus five other languages.

- I can drive any car there is.

- So can Hezekiah.

I won the

Woman's International Competition.

En garde.

Very well.

Now if you'd won the

Men's International Fencing Competition...

Now, we'll talk this out.

Now if you'll excuse me.

Hezekiah, see Miss Dubois

to her horse please.

You're afraid!

You're afraid of a real woman!

I'll show you! I'll enter the race myself.

I'll enter my own car and I'll beat you!

And another thing...

Professor, dinner is served.

Who is it?

I wish to see Professor Fate.

I'm a reporter. For The Sentinel.

Beat it, little girl,

or I'll sic the dogs on you.

Who was that?

- Kids, just kids, more kids.

- Stupid kids.

You want me to feed you?

Listen to that!

Out back by the garage.

The car! Hurry up!

Help!

Help!

- You sure you locked the door?

- I'm positive. Professor, be careful.

If you open the door one inch,

it sets off the alarm.

Help!

Get away! Get away!

Help! Get me down!

Go away.

You idiot.

Get me down! Help!

Get me down! Please!

Out! And stay out!

You can't treat me that way!

I'll expose you!

Out! And stay out! A pox on you!

I don't care. You beast of a turncoat!

What are you kicking the professor for?

Put up your dukes! Come on!

You're a lunatic! A lunatic!

You can't talk to me that way!

I'm a member of the press.

Get off the car, please.

Will you just get off the car?

Hands off the car. Get away from there.

Keep your hands away from there.

Get off of the car! Get away from the car.

- Get away from there!

- Hold it.

That's it.

Away from the car!

Hold it.

That's it.

- Everything is ready?

- Everything is ready.

Hold it.

Just stay away from the automobile.

I'll sign it for you.

I checked everything over twice.

We're ready to go.

Look, buddy, will you please step

to one side like a good boy?

- What do you think you're doing?

- I'm an official entry.

- Representing The Sentinel.

- What?

Since it is my job as a reporter to be there

when the first car crosses the finish line...

...it will be necessary for me to win.

Imagine that crazy female!

She won't even get as far as Albany

in that Steamer.

Don't bet on it.

That's a very determined young lady.

Good morning, Hester.

Have a cigar?

I want to thank you again

for this opportunity, Mr. Goodbody.

I had little choice

after your conversation with my wife.

Henry, if you can't be more gracious,

shut up!

- It's a great day for the cause, Maggie.

- It is indeed, Hester.

Drivers, to your cars!

- Hezekiah.

- Boss.

All right, Max.

- Good luck, Maggie.

- Thank you.

Max!

- Come on, Max!

- All checked.

Are you sure you took care of everything?

Just keep your eye on car number 2.

Now, at approximately the 50 mile mark,

car number 3, it loses its transmission.

And in about five seconds,

car number 4 bites the dust.

Genius, Max, positive genius.

What's next?

- Car number 5, the engine falls out.

- Car number five?

Max! We're number 5.

That shouldn't happen to number 6.

I fixed it so the wheels would come off.

Smoke! Get the fire extinguisher!

- I got the extinguisher!

- Get the extinguisher!

Coming through. I got it.

I think we got it in time. I think we got it!

I think we got it now, Professor.

Okay, she's out.

Where are you?

- Where are you?

- To your right.

Hold it.

That was a pigeon.

- Get the bird.

- Yes, sir.

- Come here, bird, just come here.

- All right. Hurry up, will you, Frisbee?

Frisbee, just get the bird.

Don't lollygag out there, just get the bird.

I got him. I got him, sir.

- Frisbee.

- Yes, I got the bird.

Just hold it. Frisbee. Just be quiet.

Yes, sir. Oh, help me, sir.

Oh, please try to save me, sir.

Just be steady, Frisbee.

Just be steady. Be quiet now.

And it's organizations like The Sentinel

that we must deal with first.

Why, at this very moment

the editor sits behind his desk...

Frisbee, next time be more careful.

If you're falling, let go of the bird.

"Sentinel car takes lead approximately

Frisbee!

Well, that should put us about here.

Farewell.

Hezekiah, see what's wrong with her car.

- I must have fainted.

- Perfectly natural in this heat.

- Thank you for stopping.

- My pleasure.

May I offer you some water?

No, I'm much better now. Thank you.

- Hezekiah, can she be fixed?

- Not a chance, boss.

Well, I guess that's the end of that.

I know how disappointed you must be.

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