Hilde Page #4

---

not because I cannot speak for myself,

but because you, Mr. Selznick,

never listen.

See what I mean?

I have a problem with the ladies.

Mr. Selznick, I have survived

the bombraids in Berlin,

I have survived the Russian prisoncamps.

I got out of all this, to find myself

your prisoner here in Hollywood.

A prisoner on salary, honey.

I'm an actress that no one sees.

I cannot work. I cannot sleep.

I cannot think.

I went through so much,

to now be nothing at all and you know why?

Because you, Mr. Selzsnick, made me

into nothing at all!

Business is business, Hildee...!

Just let me go home.

I have been offered a film,

and l just want to go home.

What do you think, Mr. Pommer?

You should respect a woman

who knows what she wants.

That's exactly what my wife said to me

and look where that got me!

Hello, Hilde! Show us a leg,

just like in Hollywood.

Can you still speak German?

- I never could!

Tell us about your films.

Why did you come back?

The rain. Sunshine is like chocolate:

Too much makes you sick.

Thank you!

Come in.

Here you are.

- Thank you.

Mother!

I thought you'd come to the airport.

I thought you'd come home.

It must be expensive to live here.

I don't know...

I don't pay the bills.

I see.

The papers are writing

all sorts of things about you.

What can l say, Mother?

If you marry the arts,

you get the critics as a mother-in-law.

Everything's changed at home.

The walls, the doors, the roof...

Every apartment has a water closet!

That's good, right?

Are you managing okay?

Is Heinz taking care of you?

No, not your brother.

He's always on the go.

It's strange since his father died.

I never thought l'd miss him.

When we married, l hardly liked him.

But we grew really close at the end.

Strange how things turn out.

How is Kurt? What's he up to?

He's gone for a walk.

To be honest,

it's not easy for us right now.

He...

He had great hopes for Hollywood.

For both of us.

But we felt lost over there.

Everyone plays games,

and Kurt and I never really

figured out how to play.

But I hope it'll get better

when I start shooting again.

What kind of film is it?

With Willi Forst! What's the title...

"The Story of a Sinner".

Nothing indecent, I hope.

Let's start with the close up.

- Get ready to shoot.

Close up of Hilde.

You're so beautiful, it's a crime.

Are you ready?

- Yes.

Get ready.

Good evening.

- Mr Forst!

How are you this evening?

Fantastic, of course, in this company.

Forgive me, now I see who you are with.

Welcome home, Miss Knef.

Thank you.

Here's to you, your beauty,

and your future.

And to our film.

Are you there, Kurt?

Welcome to the flower shop.

They just arrived.

Guess who sent them.

Your director

has a generous expense account.

I'm sorry.

I think Willi Forst has fallen for me.

I can smell it.

Kurt! What's wrong?

Did you shoot a nude scene yesterday?

I know it.

Your chauffeur told me.

You shot a nude scene yesterday!

She's a nude model.

And since she's a nude model,

we decided she should be naked.

And she's a prostitute.

- She's a cheap whore!

Anatole, you're a persuasive devil!

Yes, I'll finish on time.

Then you can have her.

- Good.

Hilde!

I think you know Anatole Litvak.

Good evening.

- Take a seat, darling.

What can l say except 'yes'? Yes,

yes, yes, to a divine woman!

I'm jealous, of course,

but I'll take it like a gentleman.

When do you start?

I'll take her

as soon as you can let her go.

The way you two talk,

you'd think I was a race horse.

Mr Litvak, I don't recall

you asking me if I want the role.

Oh, what a faux pas.

I should make a formal proposal.

- Go ahead.

I'm waiting.

I'm deciding what location

would be best suited to ask you.

The Kempinski isn't classy enough.

We'll have to book a flight

and climb the Eiffel Tower.

Have you ever been up there?

No.

It's a big world.

I still have a lot to see.

Well, here's to the future.

- To the future.

Are you here, Kurt?

You scared me!

Enjoy your evening

with your new friends?

Or should I say 'lovers'?

- Stop it!

This is about my work.

I see.

It's no longer about us.

You're making things very hard for me.

It's just a game.

Can't you see that?

I have to play along.

Anatole Litvak wants to work with me.

When?

- Straight away.

You don't want to come home?

Where is 'home', Kurt?

Isn't it where the heart is?

The director or me, Hilde.

It's your choice.

You have to decide.

I can't do it.

The Moor has done his duty,

the Moor may go.

Hildegard Knef!

You will burn in Hell!

She is the sinner!

"The Story of a Sinner" is a scandal,

and an affront to every decent German.

Exposed, debauched scenes,

its superficial treatment

of prostitution,

its bad portrayal and glorification

of a couple living in sin,

the sexual devotion

that is offered as sacrifice...

Are you in there, Hilde?

It's me, Bongi.

Open the door, child.

- Bongi?

I don't like standing outside!

Bongi?

- Yes.

My God, you look awful.

You should always make big mistakes.

And avoid

the small boring ones at all cost.

At a certain age, they criticize you

for your decisions,

not your talent.

Pommer called.

You know what he said?

Only Hitler had worse reviews.

Excuse me, Miss Knef.

- Hello.

We don't have a table for you.

They're all reserved today.

That's not true.

We can't afford the scandal.

I must ask you to leave.

- That's absurd!

She's not the director or writer,

she's an actress.

And actresses just do as they're told.

No, Bongi, I could've refused.

I'm sorry, but Miss Knef's presence

is upsetting.

You will give us our table.

I insist. Hilde.

I told you it was her.

A disgrace to the German people!

A disgrace to the German people?

Have you all lost your memory?

Or just your minds?

You see the hatred, Bongi?

I hate it! I hate hatred!

Miss Knef...

Good day, gentlemen.

Before you ask your questions,

I'd like to ask YOU one.

Is it not strange that a country

that kept quiet as six million Jews

were gassed,

starts a revolution

because of two naked breasts?

The first question, please.

SlNNER SEEKS FORTUNE ABROAD

KNEF GETS LEAD ROLE lN LITVAK FlLM

FIRST SUCCESS lN HOLLYWOOD

HlLDEGARD IN GARBO ROLE

HlLDE CONQUERS BROADWAY

HlLDE KNEF HAS MADE IT!

Congratulations.

You made it.

Thank you.

Would you like a drink?

No, thanks.

I met Kurt Hirsch, by the way.

- Oh.

Well?

His father took his life 2 weeks ago.

His mother died yesterday.

Poor old Kurt.

It was insane to marry him.

Because you did it for the

wrong reasons.

We discussed that.

I remember.

Memory is a distorting lens

that exposes very precisely.

You've changed.

we're all worn out. Horrible.

You used to know

how to pick yourself up.

And I will do.

The world is my oyster right now.

Fine, if you know what you want.

I struggled my whole life

to make deep, meaningful films.

Apparently, it was a mistake.

But it wasn't a mistake.

It's what makes you Erich Pommer.

I regret nothing. Even if it's cost me

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes