Sister Act Page #20

Now that the coast is clear, the singing begins again,

quietly, to the rhythm of the machine.

NUNS:

GOING TO THE CHAPEL...

INT. CHAPEL

Bishop O'Hara is leading the Sunday Mass.

BISHOP O'HARA

Welcome this Sunday morning, 0 ye few

and faithful.

Page 68.

As usual, the chapel is almost empty, except for the nuns.

The choir is in place behind the pulpit.

BISHOP O'HARA

The choir, I am told, has elected a new

director -- Sister Mary Clarence, who

will lead them in Hymn 127.

Christy nods to the Bishop, and signals to Sister Alma,

who begins the accompaniment.

CHOIR:

LET THY THOUGHTS BE GUIDED

LET THY SOUL BE HEALED

They sound fantastic. Their voices blend with a heavenly

harmony as they sing the slow, melodic hymn. Mother

Superior is startled by this new sound.

EXT. STREET

Lawanda and her friends glance at the convent with

curiosity as the beautiful MUSIC drifts out to the street.

A few other heads turn, but with only mild reactions.

INT. CHAPEL

At the end of the first verse, Christy signals the choir

to stop. There's a hush in the chapel as Christy glances

at the vacant pews. Then she turns to Sister Alma and

nods. Sister Alma strikes a bold, stirring chord.

Several of the nuns blink. Bishop O'Hara glances at the

organ with surprise. Mother Superior sits up with a

stiffened back and a severe expression.

As the chord grows in force, Christy gives the choir a

beat.

CHRISTY:

One, two, three...

The choir begins a radically new version of the same hymn.

Christy strides up and down in front of the choir,

transforming the song into a rousing gospel anthem, with a

passionate call-and-response format.

CHOIR:

LET THY THOUGHTS BE GUIDED

CHRISTY:

What you say?

CHOIR:

LET THY SOUL BE HEALED

Page 69.

CHRISTY:

But how?

CHOIR:

BY A VOICE YOU HEAR FROM ON HIGH

CHRISTY:

I think I hear it!

CHOIR:

LET THY THOUGHTS BE GUIDED

CHRISTY:

You know, I just might!

CHOIR:

LET THY SOUL BE HEALED

CHRISTY AND CHOIR

LET THY SPIRIT TAKE WING AND FLY!

Spontaneous reactions from everyone in the church.

EXT. STREET

The gorgeous, exciting MUSIC pours into the street.

Everyone turns to look. Windows open and people glance

out. The street takes on a new movement.

INT. CHAPEL

The choir really lets loose flow.

CHRISTY AND CHOIR

LET THY THOUGHTS BE STRENGTHENED

LET THY PRAYERS BE HEARD

LET OUR LORD REJOICE IN YOUR PRAISE

LET HIS GOODNESS LIFT YOU TO A HIGHER

PLACE:

AND LET LOVE AND PEACE FILL YOUR DAYS

Lawanda and her friends peer in at the back door of the

chapel. Bishop O'Hara sees them, and beckons them to come

in.

CHRISTY:

Sister Alma!

Sister Alma, inspired by Christy and the choir, burns up

the organ with a solo. More people from the street begin

to enter; tentative, curious, drawn by the music.

At the end of the solo, Christy makes a gesture to the

choir, and each member produces a tambourine. The chapel

is full of energy, music and life.

CHRISTY:

Mary Robert!

Page 70.

Mary Robert sings, really letting the power of her voice

ring out. She is astonishingly good.

MARY ROBERT:

LET THY THOUGHTS BE GUIDED

LET THY SOUL BE HEALED

BY A VOICE YOU HEAR FROM ON HIGH

LET THY THOUGHTS BE GUIDED

LET THY SOUL BE HEALED

LET THY SOUL TAKE WING AND FLY!

The new visitors to the church begin to clap in rhythm to

the music, and after a few beats, the nuns join in. Mother

Superior is aghast.

The choir builds to a huge gospel finish, all keeping

their eyes on Christy.

CHOIR:

LET THY SPIRIT:

CHRISTY:

You know what we're saying!

CHOIR:

LET THY SPIRIT:

CHRISTY:

I think they hear you!

MARY LAZARUS:

LET THY SPIRIT:

CHRISTY AND CHOIR

LET THY SPIRIT TAKE WING AND FLYI

After the final note, everyone in the chapel is

exhilarated -- everyone except Mother Superior. Christy

looks out at the congregation that has increased by a dozen

or more, including Lawanda and her friends. Christy looks

happier than she has in years.

INT. CORRIDOR - DAY

The members of the choir are all gathered outside Mother

Superior's office, leaning close to the door and listening

to her harangue Christy. They are surprised to find

themselves joined suddenly by Bishop O'Hara, and part to

let him through. He leans down to the keyhole and listens.

INT. OFFICE

Mother Superior is livid.

MOTHER SUPERIOR:

Gospel. A jazz solo on the organ. What

next? Jesus goes to Rio? Good Friday-a-

go-go? What were you thinking?

Page 71.

CHRISTY:

I was thinking Las Vegas. Get some

butts in those seats.

MOTHER SUPERIOR:

And what next? Popcorn? Curtain calls?

This is not a theater. or a casino.

CHRISTY:

(sincerely)

Exactly. People like going to theaters

and casinos. But they think church is

for Grandma -- we could change that. Pack

the joint.

MOTHER SUPERIOR:

Through blasphemy? You have corrupted

the entire choir!

CHRISTY:

Hold on. That's not fair. I worked

hard with them. They gave up their free

time, and they loved it. Those women are

happy. And we can get even better. We

can wake this place up.

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