Mr. Deeds Goes to Town Page #26

BABE:

Why? Why do we have to do it?

MABEL:

You started out to be a successful

newspaper woman, didn't you?

BABE:

Yeah, then what?

MABEL:

(shrugging)

Search me. Ask the Gypsies.

BABE:

Here's a guy that's wholesome and

fresh. To us he looks like a freak.

You know what he told me tonight?

He said when he gets married he

wants to carry his bride over the

threshold in his arms.

MABEL:

The guy's balmy.

BABE:

Is he? Yeah, I thought so, too. I

tried to laugh, but I couldn't. It

stuck in my throat.

MABEL:

Aw, cut it out, will you? You'll

get me thinking about Charlie again.

BABE:

He's got goodness, Mabel. Do you

know what that is?

MABEL:

Huh?

BABE:

No - of course you don't. We've

forgotten. We're too busy being

smart-alecks.

(sits at her

typewriter)

Too busy in a crazy competition

for nothing.

FADE OUT:

FADE IN:

SERIES OF INSERTS:

"CINDERELLA MAN FIRE-EATING DEMON—

Punches Photographer."

DISSOLVE TO:

"CINDERELLA MAN TO REFORM OPERA—

Must be put on paying basis - or else - says post-card

poet."

DISSOLVE TO:

"Madame Pomponi, Famous Opera Singer, To Launch Deeds on

Social Career"

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. LONGFELLOW'S BEDROOM

164. MEDIUM SHOT

Longfellow is in bed in his pajamas, playing the tuba.

Walter enters.

WALTER:

I beg pardon, sir. I beg pardon,

sir.

Longfellow stops, looking daggers at him.

WALTER:

Madame Pomponi is on the telephone,

sir.

LONGFELLOW:

Who?

WALTER:

Madame Pomponi. She says everything

is all set for the reception.

LONGFELLOW:

What do you mean by coming in here

when I'm playing?

WALTER:

But she's on the telephone—

LONGFELLOW:

Get out.

(pointing)

The evil finger's on you. Get out!

Walter hurries out. Longfellow jumps up and chases him

down the grand staircase. Longfellow stops at the top of

the stairs, struck by an idea.

INT. GRAND STAIRCASE

165. WIDE ANGLE

Showing Walter at the bottom of the stairs and Longfellow

at the top.

LONGFELLOW:

Stop!

Walter halts. Longfellow gives a shout from the top of the

stairs. There is a discernible echo.

LONGFELLOW:

Hey, did you hear that?

WALTER:

What, sir?

Longfellow gives another shout. There is another echo. He

tries it again - louder. Another echo. It is all very

satisfactory.

WALTER:

(pleased)

Why, that's an echo, sir!

LONGFELLOW:

You try it.

WALTER:

(timidly)

Me, sir?

LONGFELLOW:

(an order)

Yeah.

Walter gives a bird-like hoot. There is an echo.

LONGFELLOW:

(firmly)

Louder.

Walter gives a louder hoot. And louder. Each time, an echo.

A butler in a bathrobe emerges to see what all the

hullabaloo is about. Longfellow spots him.

LONGFELLOW:

(to butler)

You try it.

BUTLER:

Me, sir?

But the butler clearly relishes the opportunity. He gives

a little high-pitched squeak.

LONGFELLOW:

Louder!

The butler tries it again - much better. Another man-servant

has emerged. Longfellow points to him.

LONGFELLOW:

You try it!

The man-servant tries it - very raspy, another tone

altogether.

LONGFELLOW:

(waving like a

conductor)

All together!

A symphony of hoots, shrieks, barks and echoes.

LONGFELLOW:

Again!

The household staff do it again.

LONGFELLOW:

(surveying the scene - then,

dramatically)

Let that be a lesson to you.

With that, Longfellow spins on his heel and returns to his

bedroom.

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