The Lady Without Camelias Page #2

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- It's very hot.

- Right, now...

- Assunta, the dressing gown please.

- Yes.

Get ready and we'll try with the lights.

Go on.

Well done.

- And you said nothing's changed?

- What? It works better this way.

Why would you need to talk in a scene

like that? Words are useless.

On the top.

Was I good as the femme fatale?

It's an obsession.

Hello, Renata.

Why didn't you call me?

You risked coming over for nothing.

I'm off today anyway,

they're rewriting some scenes.

I brought you these flowers,

aren't they wonderful?

- That crazy man sent me a big bunch!

- Who?

Gianni.

- He asked me to marry him.

- Really?

He wants an answer now

and he wants to get married now!

I need to go to the office and meet him.

- What will you say?

- I don't know, I haven't thought about it.

I bet you haven't even kissed.

Yes, once. Three days ago

at the theatre.

- Do you like Gianni?

- Yes, I like him.

What do you think I should do?

The idea of getting married

is very strange for me.

There once was a guy

who wanted to marry me

but he was so shy!

- Not this one.

- He wants it now, he always does that.

He came to the shop, I was serving a lady

a black and grey textile print.

I told you about it, I think.

Gianni came in and said:

"Do you want to do cinema?

You have to decide now, we cannot wait."

- It worked out well for you.

- Yes, it did.

It will for you too.

Tell him to wait.

Do you remember what that actress did

with her boyfriend - Jean Simmons?

A trial year. He in America,

she in England, without seeing each other.

Gianni would go crazy.

Signorina, if somebody comes,

shall I have them wait?

No one should be coming,

I'm eating out.

Come with me.

We'll go to Gianni,

and I'll tell him about Jean Simmons!

No, I need to take

some photos to the agent.

Good day, signorina.

They're waiting for you.

- Good day.

- There's a surprise for you!

Really?

- Mother!

- Clara!

- My dear...

- Father! You didn't tell me!

But you've done everything

without telling us either!

Our daughter is getting married

and we know nothing about it.

It's nice you're famous, and

stand on your own, but...

- I told them. You mind?

- But nothing's settled yet.

On the contrary, I came to tell you that...

Isn't she lovely? A little thin though.

But she's well!

He's the one who's not well.

He's been in bed for a month.

- Why didn't you write to me?

- He didn't want to.

He couldn't even get out of bed.

The doctor said he shouldn't go

back to work for at least two months.

Thank goodness your cheque came.

It was really providential.

Oh, let her be, Olga.

Why are you saying these things?

- Are you well now, father?

- Yes, I'm fine.

- She exaggerates, you know how she is.

- No, I don't exaggerate. The doctor said it.

I'm happy you're marrying.

Because cinema may be great, but...

It's like any job, no different.

Maybe! But I'm happier

to know you're settled.

I told your parents also

to have their approval.

Naturally.

- Excuse me.

- Do you remember Clara's parents?

- From Milan...

- Of course! Welcome.

- Thank you.

- Good day.

- What's wrong with her?

- She should be happy.

In a year this little face

will be famous all over the world!

She'll be worth a minimum of 80 million.

- She should be really happy!

- Yes.

Look here. Telegrams, newspapers,

they're all talking about her.

- What's wrong with you today?

- We're getting married.

What?

We live far away, it's nice to know

she's with somebody and not alone.

Mama, please.

Do you want us all to start crying?

I've never had much luck in life.

At least you're very lucky.

- Good evening, signori.

- Good evening, Remo.

Are the ladies home?

Signor Consul, the mother is upstairs

and signorina Simonetta is in the studio.

Look.

Good evening.

Good evening, Simonetta.

- Are they not filming here?

- We didn't want to get in the way.

- No! I want to see.

- It's over there.

As soon as he found out we were shooting

a film with Clara Manni in your house

he made such a fuss to come here!

- I understand, if I was a man...

- La Manni doesn't do it for me.

Nobody has seen her,

there has been a lot of chaos.

The director came with lots of people

and didn't introduce us to anybody.

Mama's nearly regretted

letting them film here.

She's locked herself upstairs!

- Why did you allow it?

- Well, it's 100,000 a day!

Keep quiet, it might be 150,000!

We deserve it,

it's going to be a disaster.

Do you really think

it's going to be such a success? I do.

Yes, it's me.

She's not here, I told you.

We're doing what we can

with the body double.

What do you want me to do about it

if those two have lost their minds?

- Come now.

- Isn't this Manni coming?

Signor Borra is here, he can tell you.

We're working

with a body double for now.

What's a body double?

- It's...

- Signor Borra, excuse me.

One moment.

Hello?

Who?

What?

Production secretary?

- Notariacomo?

- Call Notariacomo.

So, what's a body double?

When the actress isn't available,

you have to work with a lookalike.

But what's la Manni doing?

She didn't come?

You didn't read the paper?

She married Gianni Franchi.

She's on her honeymoon!

But she's coming, she has to!

- Can I pass the cable through here?

- You don't need to ask.

- Are they working in here now?

- Excuse me.

Are they working in here too?

- We can't give more than 5,000.

- The cold air is getting in!

It's a union tariff,

you'll make me lose my job!

Goodbye.

How are you going to get close ups

if the actress is missing?

- We'll shoot from behind.

- Call Borra for me!

They're shouting, let's go upstairs

and calm down mama.

Let's go.

Now with neorealism

they shoot everywhere.

- Good evening!

- Good evening.

I came here for a short visit

but I might have to leave right away.

Hello, Nardo.

I thought you were in Greece.

I don't know how they can work

with all this noise.

And with all that chaos.

It's a disgrace. How can a director

work in these conditions?

Alboretti, what can I do about it?

- And I, how can I work like this?

- Try to be reasonable.

Don't you think

I've been reasonable enough?

I've worked miracles!

I agreed to do this film in 40 days,

I adapted to impossible conditions,

you wanted to do the big scene here,

and you wanted it to be focused

on la Manni, and la Manni isn't here!

- What do you expect?

- Expect?

I asked you to do what you can

with the body double!

Right, the body double.

Look at the body double!

Signorina! Come forward please.

Move please.

See? It's all completely different.

Maybe in exteriors, but not here.

I did what you asked.

Have you worked in cinema?

- I've done photo comics.

- You see?

Don't keep looking at me!

I haven't slept in three days!

I've sent telegrams everywhere.

We need to call the police

or the mentaI hospital!

I begged Gianni on my knees to wait

and marry her at the end of the film!

No, sir! He was dying!

He swore he'd be back in a week.

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