Original subtitles

This is a VCA Pictures presentation.

Come hear the chorus call.

Shout it to all the month, we'll all have a growl.

Chorus call.

The world that they believe makes what isn't real somehow really real.

And the one you love left the stage left and your heart to steal.

Hear the chorus.

Come hear the chorus call.

Are you sure this will get me the job?

Hey, trust me.

Trust me.

You only got your best, your best interest at heart.

Your health, your welfare, your career. Come here. Just, you talk on the phone.

Long distance.

That's nice.

You're gonna make it in this business.

Listen to me, sugar.

your attention please it's nice to see you all here this morning would you

please fill out the cards that you were given at the door with your name address

and telephone number and hand it in along with your picture and resume okay

let's have you all up here on stage uh let me see i'd like the girls on the

right and the boys on the left change into your clothes and let's begin and

and can you tell the others in the lobby to hurry up please we have an audition

to run okay on

Swallow it!

Swallow it, I'll buy you a fuck coat!

Oh yeah!

Oh, never mind. Never mind.

Listen.

Trust me. Come with me. Come here.

Come here. It's okay. It's okay. It's all right. Shh.

Shh. Come here.

Come on, my little bubbler. Bubbler. Come on.

Shh.

Look, Mona Randall's been my client for the past 15 years, since she died in the

line of that bomb of yours.

Now, it's her first time back on Broadway.

Murray, nobody, but nobody knows Mona Randall better than I do.

Dancers, center stage.

This is your director, Sidney Hudson.

Thank you. Good morning.

I know some of you have worked for my choreographer before, and others are

new.

However, I'll have to ask all of you to audition.

Bertha?

This is my assistant, Elena.

She'll be showing you a few intricate combinations, and I want you all to pay

strict attention.

You'll all be performing individually.

Elena? Thank you, Bertha.

Okay, people.

Two lines, watch once, and then we'll go for it. Ready?

It's five, six, seven, eight. Walk one, two, three, four,

five, six, seven, eight. And one, two, change, three, four, contract,

five, six.

Two lines, watch once, and then we'll do it together.

Ready? It's five, six, seven, eight. Good morning, Hank.

Hi, Frank.

You got somebody you can send out for a first cup of coffee?

Heather, I'll tell you what we'll do. We'll go have some breakfast while they

weed out the deadwood. Look, you'll know where I am if I'm needed, okay?

I'll be back later.

You've got some pretty ones, haven't you?

Yeah. I'm going to talk to you.

one second Frank I'll be right with you I just want to get something out of my

office

Okay, look.

We need more lights to hang so we can get better focus on this thing. Oh,

shit. Don't look now, but here comes Miss Supercunt.

Morning, Frank.

Morning,

Ru. What's your star afraid of now?

Not a thing.

Just the critics.

Why didn't you tell us you were holding auditions today?

What do you mean, why weren't you told? Hey, look.

I can cast my own show without any help, thank you.

I understand Cheryl Cooper is up for the featured role.

Well, yeah, you understand correctly.

And we'll be very lucky to get her. You know, she happens to be one of the up

-and-coming young actresses.

Hey, Rue, what are you afraid of, eh? She's too good for your star?

Hey, we're not afraid of anything. And don't avoid the question.

Why weren't we told about the auditions today?

You know perfectly well Mona and I are supposed to be on all major decisions.

Hey, look, your star and you have nothing to say about casting in this

show. That's what you think. Read your contract. It's in the small print.

As the star, Mona has final say on everything and everyone.

Is that true, Minnie?

Yeah, I think so. There's something in the contract that says something like

that. Hey, Frank, it's not up to you to apologize.

All right.

All right. I am sorry, Rue. I am very sorry. It won't happen again.

Okay? Please, join us for a cup of coffee here. Well, I... Oh, look, I'm

paying.

Oh, in that case, I'll have a piece of pie.

Good.

Waitress.

Two, change.

Three, four, cut.

What the fuck would I know? It's an open call.

Do me a favor, Sid.

Don't hire her.

Don't hire her, Sid.

I thought you might enjoy her and killing an old friendship.

Not funny.

Besides, such generosity doesn't suit you. It's way out of your character.

Listen, you take care of your business and let me take care of mine, all right?

Okay, Cheryl, from the top.

Walk. Two, three.

Wrong. Wrong.

Cheryl, what's the matter? Did you forget your training?

Then again, you always had trouble remembering.

Don't be such a cunt. You're purposely trying to make her look bad, and she's

good, and you know it.

Don't hire her, Sid.

Please.

Please.

Please.

You can still be here. I'm just trying to cool off. I just don't work out. You

put us through.

Well, I'm very pleased with you.

You know, when you first came into the class, I had my doubts, but it turns out

you're my best pupil.

Thank you, thank you. Yeah, I really love being here with you.

Why don't you sit down?

Relax.

I need to deal with myself.

You have the same dedication and love for Dad.

Thank you, Cheryl.

Ed, am I next? It's going to be all right, Maisie. Don't worry about it. But

what if it doesn't like me? It doesn't like you? Are you kidding me? You're

perfect for the part. It doesn't like me.

Please, please, trust me. Just trust me. Ed, you promised. Trust me. You

promised.

She's here.

What? Don't worry about a thing. You're going to love her.

Trust me. Just trust me.

Famous last words, right?

Hey, let's take five, kids, okay?

This chick is dynamite, man. I'm trying to tell you this.

Oh,

I'm scared.

Don't worry about a thing, Liz. I got you covered.

I got you covered. But I'm scared.

Trust me. I'm telling you, it's going to be all right.

I'll see you in my office after the audition.

Hit it, Pop!

Irene, Benny, Marianne, Fred, Nancy, Jamie, Tricia,

and Eunice.

Thanks for coming. Better luck next time. The remaining dancers are the

chosen few.

The call is at 9 o'clock sharp. Be on time.

Marsh, make sure you get their names, addresses, phone numbers, the usual

shit. Sit. Sit, darling.

Yes?

Yes, yes, yes.

There. That wasn't so difficult, was it, darling?

Mona, she's the best of them all.

There's not a girl up there that can touch her in talent and training.

Sidney, put her ahead of the class by all means.

But in some other school.

Mona, I need... Sidney, I want her replaced.

God, why do all producers, writers, and directors think they're Spengalis?

Too late.

This shit has already hit the fan.

I knew I should have been a dick.

Mona.

Mona, sweetheart.

Darling. Oh, you look lovely.

Love you. I'm glad. Glad everything's going okay.

Mona, this is Frank.

Hello. How are you, Mona?

Looking forward to seeing you at the party tonight.

Oh, I'll be there, darling. With bells on.

Oh, you're coming with me, darling? I'll be with you in a minute.

Manny, I've got to talk to you about the costumes. Mona's not at all happy with

the sketches.

Well, we'll talk about it. When?

Well, tonight at the party.

You're going to be my date, aren't you? I forgot about that.

Thanks,

Mona. I owe you one.

Hold on. Wait here, please.

Why, Cindy, those husbands are only concerned with their own success. Cindy,

you're right. Relax.

Calm down. Hear me. Listen, Cindy, give me one good reason.

Because I want you to.

I want you here with me. I want you in this show. Cindy, it ain't worth a shit.

Listen, you let me decide, all right?

Cindy.

I'm sorry. The room is such a mess.

I was late for the audition this morning. Take it easy. The place is

fine. It's clean.

Do you realize it took a crisis to get you here?

All you had to do was ask.

I never forget the moment I tripped down the stairs in my last film. It was the

most funny.

Oh, Mona, comme ça me fait plaisir de vous voir.

Et bonne chance.

Et vraiment, ça me fait plaisir de vous voir.

Merci, merci, madame.

Au revoir.

All the talent has gone to TV today. But you have to have more than talent to

become a star. But that's my point exactly.

There's plenty of talent in this world, but they don't make it to the top.

You have to have something more, something special, certain qualities.

Look, Mona has these qualities. She never would have lasted all these years

if she didn't.

Charisma.

Dedication.

Almost an insane desire to make it good.

She's got to be, um... Angel, devil, woman, friend,

and whore.

There you go. That's my star.

Wow.

After we open, our star over here will probably fly back to a smog-bound

tinsel town and bake out a chapul filled with dry martinis. Turkey,

turkey.

Now, you all will excuse me. I really should mingle.

Says so in my contract.

Oh, darling, how perfectly wonderful to see you. I'm so glad you could make it

looking lovely as always.

Do have a good time.

Can you imagine Wanda coming back to Broadway after all these years?

How did she do it? The only way she made it was sleeping around at the top.

Hello.

That's not right.

Thank you. Thank you. It was a great party. Really, I ate so much.

He drinks pretty good, too, Luke. Listen, I'm going to tear my phone out

of the wall. I don't want to hear anything tomorrow.

Sunday. Ooh.

I can't believe an agent says that.

Luke, good night.

Thanks, Frank. It was fun.

Manny, drive safely.

Don't worry.

Don't worry. I'm not driving. She is. I'll take care of him. It's all right.

Hey, baby.

We got a hit.

We got a hit. Oh, yeah. Take care.

Come on. Get him home safely.

Bye-bye. Good night.

You were wonderful as my hostess tonight, Mom.

Man could easily get used to such a lovely luxury.

Thank you.

Darling, it was my pleasure.

Quite welcome.

You know, Frank, I do hope you don't misunderstand that silly little incident

this afternoon in the theater.

You know, those things happen all the time in this business.

What'll happen to Cheryl?

Oh, darling, the best possible thing that could happen to her.

She'll be replaced, of course.

Sidney already assured me of that just as soon as they find somebody with her

talent and training.

Show business isn't that different than the building industry.

I don't quite understand.

It's called kill your competition.

How about another drink?

Oh, Donny, I couldn't possibly.

I really should be going. It's vodka, isn't it?

I spoke to Manny tonight.

He says you're not needed for rehearsals until Wednesday.

I'm flying down to the Bahamas tomorrow.

You're coming with me.

Frank, darling, I couldn't possibly.

I mean, I don't even like the sun.

Mona, Mona.

I put a lot of money into this show.

And I expect to get a great deal back for my investment.

But, darling, what about my plans? I mean, I just can't simply... Mona.

You use that same crummy line in every film you've ever made.

Now, I like pretty things.

And you can have whatever you want.

What a party, huh?

Can I have a drink?

Help yourself.

Thank you. You want one?

I heard a few rumors at the party tonight that, ah,

Miss Bernhardt here, oh, yes, she fucked and sucked away right through the entire

party, starting with the stage manager and ending up with the guy who sells

popcorn. There's no business like show business.

Yeah, I'll drink to that.

You know, seriously, Rue, we have got a problem.

What? What problem?

Listen, Sidney is... Pissed. I mean, he is really pissed off.

You see, it seems that Mona, Mona in a delicate way, cut his balls off in front

of the entire cast. I mean, right in front of everyone.

Laugh, huh?

Well, he is threatened to walk. I mean, he is threatened to walk if Cheryl is

released.

Listen, Manny, don't you know by now there is no one in this business who

can't be replaced?

Manny. Manny, let's talk about this intelligence.

Okay.

I'm always up for an intelligent conversation.

Feels so good, it's gotta be right.

Sun's not out, but never saw such light.

Never knew I could feel this way.

For love found me today.

The air feels cool in the heat of the night.

No matter what's wrong.

It turns out right.

Now who can say that there's another way?

What was once a wish is now...

What was once a wish is now.

Hey, I know.

Welcome to the gypsy circuit.

I dreamed how it would feel to be adored by an audience.

The applause.

The stars. The stars.

It must be one of the most marvelous lives in the world.

Gigi, it can also be filled with a lot of insecurities.

Listen, there's pounding the pavement.

Those fucking cattle carts.

Honey, to be a star, you need the dedication of a fucking nun.

And that's N-U-N, honey, not N-O-N-E. How long have you been a nun?

I'd show you my battle scars, but I'm sure you'd find them offensive.

Do you remember your first job?

Well, I'd like to refer to it as my first

showbiz encounter.

That memorable, huh?

Yeah.

Unlike yours, mine happened in a small, dingy East 54th Street office.

Honey, it was on me in ten minutes.

And I was on Broadway in ten days.

And Macy for the six tips in a row number, all right?

I'm an A-cup.

I'm a B-cup. You're walking.

This prosecution is called a nature rap.

I want you to go get Mona.

No, listen, go get Mona and tell her we'll do her big number right after

lunch, all right?

Okay, everybody, let's break for lunch.

Mona?

I'll be right there, both of us.

Oh,

well, fine, darling, just fine.

Oh, Bertha, could you come in here a moment, please?

This Cheryl girl, who is she? What is she?

She's very good.

Will that be all?

No, not quite, darling. Sit down.

are involved, aren't they?

I mean, the girl practically has her own fan club at this show.

Bertha, you said you owed me one.

Well, darling, I'll tell you what you can do for me.

Find a way to cut Cheryl's solo.

I don't care how and I don't care why.

Just find a way.

And then, darling...

You can have anything you want.

Oh, Popsie. Hi, Jody. Oh, Jody.

Got a message for you. Your stepmother called. She'll be here opening night.

Oh, that's just great.

Hey, Jody.

Remember, there's no love like love from a mother. Yeah.

Especially when she thinks she's your love.

Forgive me when you didn't answer. I just assumed you had fallen asleep with

the radio on Jody may I sit down?

I'd like to tell you a secret When I was a young girl, I always dreamed I would

grow up to be a great dancer Your mother was wise to let you continue the

training She would be so proud to know that tomorrow her boy goes off to New

York for his first audition.

She would be so proud.

And I'm so proud of you, Jody.

Jody, would you do me a favor?

Would you dance with me?

Just this once.

One last dance, please.

That's not necessary.

Trust.

I'm looking out. You don't have to worry about a thing.

You know, I would have bet every point in this show that Mona never changed her

mind about Cheryl.

Yeah, well, Sid convinced Frank that show was important for the show.

I guess Frank had a hell of a time convincing Mona.

I bet he did. I bet he did.

Danny, Danny, we got to smash.

How do you know? Trust me.

Trust me. I trust you. Zip up your fly.

Come on.

Let's go look at this truck.

Come on.

Well, is it real somehow, really real?

And the one you love in the state And then you're out to steal