Hollywood Cavalcade

---

Fate has given us something

to fight for, to live for.

I'm going back, every foot of the way

from this rotten dive...

and I'm paying my debts as I go.

[Woman]

And me- What of me?

You? I'm taking you back with me.

Ladies and gentlemen,

as many of you have noticed...

our star, Miss Trixie Farrell...

has been acting her part

under great difficulties...

owing to an attack of laryngitis.

With your indulgence,

ladies and gentlemen...

the role of Marcelle will be played

by her understudy, Miss Molly Adair.

I thank you.

- Maybe if we squawked,

they'd give us our dough back.

- Yeah.

Hey, wait a minute.

We're in on passes.

Yeah, but if we squawked

loud enough-

Henry, be sensible.

Come home where you belong.

Marcelle!

I've been eavesdropping.

Not very ladylike.

- Ooh, you're not going!

- Henry.

I don't think I need say any more.

Good-bye!

You've been taking that stuff again.

Sure I have. So you're free.

Understand? Free!

Now you can go back

where you belong- to your family.

But you promised.

You swore you'd never touch it again.

You're my wife, and my wife

you're going to remain and act.

Well, you come along with me

and watch how your wife acts.

Come here! Come here!

- [Whispering] Say, that gal is all right.

- [Molly Laughing]

Stop that laughing! Stop it!

- Stop that laughing, or I'll-

- [Audience Gasps]

Oh!

We're saved.

Saved!

Then it-Then it was all a trick?

Yes, a trick.

Just a trick to test you out.

Oh, but it's all right now, Henry.

Go back to your family for six months...

and-and then I'll come to you...

and you can take me or not,

as you choose.

- But, Marcelle-

- Oh, I'm not afraid now, Henry.

She's 10 times as good as the star.

Did you ever see such fire?

And looks too.

She's got everything.

The last half of the ninth, huh?

Say, bud, where's that understudy's

dressing room- Molly Adair?

- Right down those stairs.

- Thanks.

Is that so-

Hey, wait a minute. Who are you?

- Dramatic Mirror.

- Oh. No foolin'!

- Miss Adair in there?

- Yes.

- Miss Adair?

- Yes?

I hope you'll forgive this intrusion,

but I saw your performance tonight...

and l- I just couldn't leave the theater

without telling you about it.

That's very nice of you.

I don't mean this as just flattery,

but l-I think you're better than the star.

Thank you.

I suppose you've waited

a long time for this opportunity.

- Yes, I have.

- You know, my coming here

is not entirely personal.

I have a business proposition

I'd like to discuss with you.

I'm Michael Linnett Connors.

I'm, um- I'm a director with the Globe

Picture Company at Edendale, California.

And I'd like to offer you a contract,

Miss Adair.

- A contract to go in moving pictures?

- That's right.

You mean-You mean go to California

and leave Broadway?

Oh, well, naturally.

This is really a great opportunity.

Well, I'm very grateful, Mr. Connors...

but, uh, a career in motion pictures

wouldn't interest me in the least.

Yeah? I know just how you feel.

I know how all Broadway actors feel

about the "flickers," as they call 'em...

but we might as well face the music-

pictures are here to stay.

Well, if I ever change my mind...

I'd be only too glad to look you up,

Mr. - Mr. -

- Connors.

- Mr. Connors.

- Good night.

- Good night.

Good night.

[Telegraph Clicking]

[Mike]

Read it back, will you, please?

"Lyle P. Stout, Globe Film Company,

Edendale, California.

"You have always wanted a real star

from the stage. Now is your chance.

"I have opportunity sign girl

who played the leading role tonight...

"in Man Who Came Back.

"Wire expense money

if you are interested.

"Otherwise, I will get in touch

with Path and Vitagraph.

- Michael Linnett Connors."

- That's right. Fine.

- Four dollars and 60 cents.

- Uh, just charge that to Globe Pictures.

- We have an account.

- Yes, sir.

- Oh, uh, who are you?

- You're welcome. Good night.

[Man]

Hansom!

[Bell Dinging]

Already an hour and a half late.

What'll I tell the boss?

- Tell him anything.

- Sure.

Remember, you're my attorney. Don't say

anything unless you get the nod from me.

All right, all right. So I'm an attorney,

and I don't say a word.

Well, well, well.

Good morning, Miss Adair.

This is quite a coincidence,

our meeting again like this.

Are you sure it's a coincidence?

I've been watching you from the window

for the last half hour.

You have? Well, that's one on me.

Miss Adair,

this is my attorney, Mr. Spingold.

- How do you do?

- How do you do?

I've been giving thought

to our conversation last night...

and I think you're making a great mistake

in turning down my offer.

I also have given it thought,

and I'm sure that I've made no mistake.

Oh, oh, but you have, Miss Adair.

You're the ideal photographic type.

You have the exact poise and personality

that pictures are crying for.

- You can't say no.

- I'm sorry, Mr. Connors.

New York is my life,

and I wouldn't think of leaving.

Nothing can make you change your mind?

- Nothing, Mr. Connors. I'm sorry.

- [Bell Dinging]

- Good morning, Gus.

- Good morning.

- Orange juice.

- Nothing for me.

All right, Miss Adair. I quit.

- I'm all through arguing with you.

- Thank you.

They give orange juice away

out in California.

Cool ocean breezes.

Soft, warm sunshine.

Paradise.

And you're satisfied here.

One thing you forget, Mr. Connors.

Every Saturday Mr. Brady pays me $50.

Fifty dollars?

Why, lady, h-how do you keep

from starving to death?

I'll start you at a hundred.

A hundred-

A hundred dollars a week?

Why, sure!

Well, why didn't you say so

in the first place?

Well, l-

That's what I've been trying to do.

You sure there's no mistake,

no hitch to it?

Oh- Uh, Mr. Spingold,

have you got that contract?

- What?

- The contract! The contract!

- Oh.

- I had a contract drawn up, Miss Adair.

I knew you'd see reason eventually.

Go ahead and read it, will you?

- Uh- Uh-

- Here, I'll read it.

Uh, " For the sum of $100 per week,

plus transportation to California...

"Molly Adair herewith agrees

to give her services as an actress...

to Michael Linnett Connors

for one year from this date."

Sign right here on the dotted line.

Right there.

- Is it all right?

- Oh, of course it's all right.

Do you think I'd go

to all this trouble for nothing?

Right here. Write, please.

That's it. That's wonderful.

That is wonderful, wonderful!

Lady, this is the most important day of your life.

Mr. Connors, are you sure

you're not crazy?

I've got a strange feeling that any minute a

black wagon's gonna back up and take you away.

You got me on your side there, lady.

- [Buzzing]

- Come in.

Phew.

Gorgeous climate.

Cool ocean breezes.

[Sneezes]

Oh, I've got sand in my toothpaste,

in my food, in my throat.

What are you doing?

Writing a series of scenes for your

first picture, after you make your test.

- [Train Horn Blows]

- Test? What test?

Uh, just a photographic test, so the chief

of the studio can see what you look like.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes