All language subtitles for I Found Stella Parish

What's the time, dearie?

Half past nine.
- Oh.

We've only eleven hours more to wait.

Have a piece of cake.
- Thanks.

Oh, what's the good of
staying here all day?

Let's be off and see the
Changing of the Guard.

I can see that any day of the week.

Shame on you and your
unpatriotic sentiments.

I'm patriotic, I am.

Well, you can't call it patriotism.

To sit here all day waiting
to see an American actress.

Well, she may be American born.

But it's in London she's
made her success.

And in our hearts, she's London's own.

She's the first lady
of the English theatre.

The pig and the cow and the dog and cat.

They had a spat.

They chewed the fat.

Until old farmer Brown
came a running down.

To find out what was wrong.

It seemed that the cow.

Had an awful row.

She called the pig a hog.

And then the cat.

Got mad at that.

And called the dog .. a dog.

Said the sheep: Baa baa.

Said the pig: oink oink.

Said the cow: moo moo.

Said the cat: meow meow.

And the dog went: bow wow wow wow.

The pig and the cow and the dog and cat.

They had a spat. They chewed the fat.

Until old Farmer Brown
came a running down.

To find out what was wrong.

He said to them all:
"Can't you end this war?"

"Why can't you get along?"

They stopped their fight.

And said goodnight.

That is my song.

Come here.

You did like that, Mummy?
- Yes, darling.

I thought it was very nice.

Am I a wonderful actress like you?

"Wonderful" is a pretty big
word for a little girl like you.

But I think you'll do.

When I grow up, will I
be a wonderful actress?

If you work hard .. perhaps.

Do you want to be?

Rather. I'd like that
better than anything.

Don't you, Mommy?

Do you know what I like
better than anything?

Better than the best
parts every written.

Better than all the theatres
and all the people in them.

Better than anything in
this wide, wide world.

Don't you?
- Yes, Mummy. I do.

It's Nana.

No.

Maybe little Elisabeth.

Yes, I guess maybe that's who it is.

No, Mommy. It isn't.

It's me.
- Of course it's you, my sweet.

Oh, you don't know what a load is off my
mind, Stella to see you happy like this.

Who'd ever thought in
the old days that ..?

Mummy, how can days get old?

What's the question
you've got to ask next?

Run along and ask Nana.

You go and ask James.
He knows everything.

That's the ticket, child.

Come out in the garden along with me.

And I will tell you a story
about a day that was so old ..

It had a long, grey beard.

In fact the day was so old it was
almost as ancient as Nana.

We have to be careful, Nana.

She's getting old enough to understand.

It slipped out.
- James knew things mustn't slip out.

But James can be trusted.

No, Nana.
- No?

Not James. Not anyone.
Not a living soul.

You'll have to learn
that as I've had to.

I'm scared.

Scared to death for that baby.

That's why we have to go on living
our own peculiar private lives.

Holding our tongues and keeping our
own counsel and being watchful.

And never, never trusting.

Not even ourselves.

But you mustn't be worrying
like this, my dear.

You've got a show to do tonight.
You should be thinking about that.

Uhuh.

Who is it?

The big bad wolf.

Oh come in, Steven.

I've brought you a little flower.

A pity you didn't bring me a big one.

Lovely.
- Indeed you are.

Stella, will you marry me?
- Steven - Now, don't say it.

Think first.

Count to ten. This is very special.

A fine, helpful director I have.

He comes into my dressing-room
just before curtain time ..

On the most important
opening of my life.

To see me prickly with nervousness.

And then proposes to me.

Sweet, I've proposed to you many times
without interrupting your calm at all.

I was sure it wouldn't make you
any more nervous than you are.

How are you coming with your counting?

I'm way past ten.

And will you marry me?

No, Steven.

Well.

We've gotten that over with again.

Until tomorrow.

If you won't marry me, will you come
to the party after the theatre tonight?

You know I never go out.

I'm doing well tonight.

Stella, don't you think you are
carrying this to ridiculous lengths?

What?

This .. phobia for involvement.

You never go out in public.
You never give interviews.

You are never even photographed
except for lobby stills.

And then only in make-up and costume.

You are making a lady
hermit of yourself. Why?

You know we decided
at the beginning to ..

To build up an air of mystery about me.

Don't tell me you .. you've been
taken in by all the publicity.

I wonder.

You know .. in the past three years.

We've worked as close as two people can.

I've watched you on that stage.
I've studied you so intently.

I've all but had you under a microscope.

I feel after all that, I don't know you.

It seems you have a deep
distrust of every living soul.

Even of me.

For some reason I can't guess.

You lead a secret life in a
private world of your own.

Into which you disappear,
after you leave the theatre.

Steven.

Would it please you very much
if I come to your party tonight?

My dear.

I am so proud of you, Stella.
I want to show you off to my friends.

And besides, it would make
me look such a fool ..

To give an after-theatre reception
without my own star present.

Then of course I'll come.

Will you really?
- This once.

If you do, as a special treat,
I'll propose to you all over again.

Almost curtain time, Miss Parish.
- I shan't be a moment.

Oh, I'll see you in the
wings before you go on.

Yes, dear.

He says that she's become a Goddess.

Does she know it?
- No.

Then someone should tell her
in case she hasn't noticed it.

Yes, you do it.

You look lovely, my dear.

Feel alright?
- Yes.

This is your night, Stella.

Thanks to you.

"Oh, very well."

"But the dear woman has suffered
enough at Caligula's hands."

"I hate to bring her the news that's
bound to make her so much more unhappy."

"I don't even know how to begin."

"You had better decide.
For here she is."

Come on .. clap for Mummy.

Come on.
- Ah ..

Clap for Mummy.

What's going on here?

Do you think Mummy's
on the stage yet, Nana?

Never mind where she is.
You are supposed to be asleep.

I'd much rather be at the theatre.

Why can't I ever go?
- Because you're such a little girl.

Now .. down we go.

Can I go someday to watch Mummy act?
- Someday. If you go to sleep now.

I bet the audience clapped her a
lot when she came out on the stage.

Nana's little lamb.

I bet I'll pat your little bunny
bum if you don't go to sleep.

I'll bet you won't.

Lockridge.

Hello, Lockridge.
- Steven, old boy.

When did you pop back? The last time I
heard you were stuck in Ethiopia.

I've only just arrived, so here I am.

And very lucky, too. I'm playing
wife to my editor tonight.

Mrs Reeves having obligingly
taken to her bed with a bad cold.

Hello Norman. A magnificent play.
- Thank you very much.

I suppose you gentlemen know Mr Andrews?
- How do you do?

How do you do?
- Hello, Lockridge.

I say .. you ought to be
ashamed of yourself.

Being the only correspondent who can
trace the news stories you get hold of.

Now don't flatter him.
He'll probably want a raise.

And get it.

Who's the girl you've got hold of? She's
new since I was in London, isn't she?

Well, I'm giving a party for her
her after the theatre tonight.

Would you like to come and meet her?
- Right.

That'll give us the chance for a talk.
- My word.

What's the matter? I said something?

When a man's asked to meet Miss Parish,
he doesn't go in a corner with his host.

You see Lockridge, she's very
rarely seen in private life.

Oh, I'm sorry, Steven.
I wasn't sufficiently impressed.

It's beginning to intrigue me.
- Don't let it intrigue you too much.

She is my actress, you know.

Hold your impertinent tongue!

Answer the charges.

You charge me with the crime
of loving this captive of yours?

Guilty.

And thanks to the Gods for
cursing me with this evil.

When they might have left
me with your gift for hatred.

And my humble thanks to Eric.

Under the northern woods
that were his home.

He brings me the fragrance of sweetness
that drown out the stench of Rome.

Beauty for ugliness.

Tenderness for cruelty.

The blessed gifted of his love.

Let us have more in this vein, my love.

But be brief.

The wild beasts grow impatient
for the taste of your soft flesh.

Tomorrow you die in
public shame with this man.

In the amphitheatre.

And that you call a punishment?

Then, thanks for this punishment.

You are a kinder man than I thought.

To die in public shame.

When one dies in love,
one dies in glory.

In life, finds me dead.

And in death you give me life!

Well, hello.

How did you get in here?

I told that bit of Old England out
there on the door I was your brother.

I thought he'd split his breeches he
jumped up to open the door so quick.

You sure are the tops around here.

When I picked up a load of gravy
in Chicago a couple of weeks ago.

I saw your picture over a caption
as the toast of London footlights.

I looked up the top of the page to make
sure I wasn't reading the comic section.

You've climbed high
since I saw you last.

Yes, I have.
- Yeah, you've climbed too high.

That's where you made your mistake.

You might have known they'd
put your picture in the papers.

But I got to hand it to you, though.

You sure had those monkeys
out front goggle-eyed tonight.

I'd like to see their faces if I
told them what you and I know.

I'd bet they'd swallow their monocles.

By the way.

How's your kid?
- She's ..

She's dead.

That reminds me of one that I heard.

It seems there were three old liars
gathered together and the first liar ..

Ah kid, you might just as well
look at things the way they are.

You can't scare me.

No.

Of course not.

Steven.

Look, you've got a lot of people hanging
around and drinking flat champagne.

And getting bored with each other
and all under false pretences.

Where is the promised guest of honor?

If I'm not worried,
you shouldn't be, you know.

If you weren't worried, I would be.

Keep ringing! The watchman
must be around somewhere.

The delayed entrance. The breathless
pause before the arrival of the star.

Good stuff. Slightly overdone.

But two hours is too long to hold
your breath. Even for Stella Parish.

Hello? Hello, Perkins?

By any chance, is Miss Parish
still in her dressing-room?

Are you sure?

What time?

Why, that's queer.

No, no. Nothing.

She left the theatre
immediately after I did.

A tall dark stranger with a bottle of
champagne tucked under each arm.

No. No, Keith. Frankly, I am worried.
I hope there hasn't been an accident.

I think you should prefer
it if it were accidental.

But this isn't like her.

Nothing is like anyone
until after they've done it.

It's rather thick of her,
standing you up like this.

She wouldn't. Not after she promised.

[ Buzzer ]

There she is now, my foul friend.

Does Mr Steven Norman live here?
- I am he.

Will you sign here, please.

So, now it comes out.

"My darling Steven."

"Please forgive me, but I am too, too
exhausted to come to your lovely party."

"Please tell all the people
that I am so, so sorry."

"Your loving Stella."

Any answer, sir?

No. No answer.

Thank you, sir.

Robert.
- Yes, sir?

If by any chance I am
not back right away.

Make some excuse to my guests.
- Yes, sir. Can I help you with ..?

Hold on!

Can't I get these for you, sir?
- No, thanks. Don't worry.

I'm coming with you!

What kind of a party is this?

First, the star guest stays
away and then the host leaves.

If you think I'm going to stay and hurl
the bag, you're fuzzy in the crumpet.

Come along, if you like.

What's up?

Heaven only knows.
- Nothing serious I hope?

Very serious, I'm afraid.
- What?

Accident?
- No. She's gone.

Parish gone?
- Cleared out completely.

Cab.
- Yes, sir.

Taxi!

On the night of her greatest
triumph, she's disappeared.

Why man, this is sensational.

Oh, the light breaks.

Forgive me, Steven for maligning
your sense of the dramatic.

I'm afraid I don't follow you.

You mean you're afraid I do follow you.

Oh, what a blaze for the papers.

Almost as great as next week's sensation
when your star mysteriously reappears.

To the merry tinkling
of your cash register.

You've grown up to be quite a little
gentleman of the press, haven't you?

Right.

Which means that I'm an ink-stained
newshound first, and a gent second.

Well, if you could see past your
cynical newspaper nose.

You would realize that I don't have
to resort to a cheap publicity stunt.

To attract attention to a play
that is already a success.

That's right. You don't.
- Well, read this.

"My dearest Steven."

"Tonight I am leaving the
theatre and England for ever."

"I cannot tell you why."

"I would only ask you
to try to forgive me."

"To try to balance our precious years
of friendship against this final wrong."

"Goodbye, Steven. And
thank you for your sweetness."

"I am too miserable to write more."

So that's how it is.

She packed up and left.

She told me to straighten
up the apartment.

And she paid me off.

Now that's all I know.

Thank you.

The end of the trail, I'm afraid.
- Looks like it.

You know painful little about
your own actress, I must say.

Don't I though.

I'd be grateful if you kept
this to yourself, Lockridge.

When you gentlemen leave, will you
be sure that the door is locked, please.

Of course.

What am I going to do?

First of all, go back to your apartment
to say goodnight to your guests.

Beyond that I don't know. For myself,
I'll get some sleep if you don't mind.

Of course not. I am sorry
to have disappointed you.

That's alright. Who knows, I may
get that introduction someday.

Goodnight.

I say, just a minute.
- Yes, sir?

And that's all you know?

You lived in her flat in London part of
the time and the rest in the country?

That's right, dearie.

You sure you don't know where?

No, dearie.

But this Eddie Jenkins
rives her back and forth?

Look here.

Do you mind if we change our
plans and I leave you here?

Well.

I like that.

You'll probably like this, too.

Thanks, dearie.

Thanks, dearie.

Eddie Jenkins?
- Yes, sir.

You know Miss Parish's maid, don't you?

Oh, lummy. Do I ..

What's that to you?
- Oh, she's a mutual friend.

She was just telling me that you drive
Miss Parish down to her country home.

I've got an important
message to get to her.

Now, just where is this place?
- Nah ..

I promised her I'd never tell.

I know that a bribe can't make
a man of honor break his word.

But I was wondering
if this ten pounds ..

Could make you drive me there,
even if you don't tell me.

I'll drive you there,
but I won't tell you where it is.

Right.
- Jump in.

Well .. here we are.

But remember.
I didn't tell you where it is.

You don't have to bounce them to pieces.

Right, my old mate. Cheerio.

I hope so.

Blimey!

Pardon the intrusion, but my
cab went off without me.

I'll never get another out here.

I wonder if you'd give me a lift.
- Oh, I don't mind.

Thanks.

Cigarette?

No thanks, governor. I smokes me pipe.

Have you got any notion of where
you'd like to be dropped?

Because you know I ain't
going out of my way.

Well, what is your way?
- The American Steamship Docks.

Now that's funny.
That's just where I'm going.

Righto.

Here they are .. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

Send them up right away.
- Yes, ma'am.

Steward!

Take these up right away.

[ Tannoy ]
"All ashore who are going ashore."

"All ashore who are going ashore."

"All ashore who are going ashore."

"All ashore who are going ashore."

330?

That and the 331 are occupied by
Miss Evans, Miss Sharp and Miss Clark.

Perhaps I made a mistake. I'm looking
for Miss Parish. What's her state room?

Miss Parish? Not booked
on this voyage, sir.

Thanks.

What a frightfully large boat this is.

Isn't it a large boat, auntie?

Yes, darling.

When a boat is as big as this,
you call it a ship, not a boat.

Why, auntie?
- I don't know.

But a Captain once almost threw me
overboard for calling his ship a boat.

Here we are.

"All ashore who are going ashore."

Aren't I doing well, Mummy?

Did you hear how loud
I called you "auntie"?

Yes, I did.

I thought you overdid that just a little
bit for such a good actress as you are.

I'm a good actress now, aren't I?

Yes, you are.

Do you think you can play the
game all the way to New York?

Oh yes. It's such fun.
- Hmm.

Take your coat and hat off.

Well .. I've attended to everything.

Stella .. do you really think it
is safe to go back to the States?

Where better could an American
hide than in America?

There is bound to be some search. On the
continent the Police track of everyone.

Oh, they'd find me in an hour.

No. In New York I'll .. just be a
needle in a stack of six million straws.

That devil!

If I'd seen him, I'd have choked
the living breath out of him.

And bless the rope
that hanged me for it.

He can't harm me.

It's only that baby.

The first time I ever held her in
my arms I made myself a promise.

That she'd never, never
know the things that ..

If she did know, they
would spoil her whole life.

And nobody is going to stop
me from keeping that promise.

I'm so sorry.

That's quite alright young man.
- Any serious damage?

Only a toe, I think.

At my age, I have the consolation to
know that I shan't need it much longer.

Stupid of me.
- Wasn't it.

Oh.

Hmm .. thank you.

You may be clumsy, but you're
quite polite for a young man.

I shall treasure that.

Good morning.
- Good morning.

I should like see to some
children's toys, please.

We have a very good selection.

Here are some of our most popular ones.

These are quite new.
- Thank you.

I'll look them over while
you wait on .. the gentleman.

Anything in men's apparel?

What would you like?
- Oh, just odds and ends.

Suits, shirts, hats, overcoats.
Anything you happen to have on hand.

Where would you like to begin?

Well, I think it'll be an idea to begin
on the outside and gradually work in.

Don't you think?

Unless of course, you prefer
it the other way round.

I've really no preference.

Oh .. well, shall we
start at the ties first?

Perhaps afterwards we can
have a suit or so to match.

You see last night a bunch of my
friends gave me a bon-voyage party.

Everything went off beautifully except
that they poured me on the wrong boat.

I'm afraid I've got some
rather peculiar friends.

It takes all kind of people to
make a world, I always say.

Yes, doesn't it.

Do you think this becomes
the "complete traveller"?

Oh.

I'm horrified.

The same one?
- No.

At least you're impartial.

We seem destined to run into each other.
- An extremely painful fate.

I'll take this one please.

I want to get out of here before this
Tarzan starts climbing up my shins.

[ Radio: ]
"News items by the London Bulletin."

"The theatrical world
is in a turmoil today .."

"Over the startling disappearance
of Miss Stella Parish."

"Shortly after scoring a success .."

"In the opening performance of
'For This Brief Hour' last evening .."

"She is reported to have sent
a message to Steven Norman."

"Her Producer and Director."

"In which she announced her
intention of quitting the stage."

"She is reported to have given no
reason for this astounding decision."

"And Mr Norman was
at a loss to supply one."

"The Police are beginning
a thorough investigation."

"Read the London Bulletin
for further particulars."

"Rome .. Italy .."

Geniuses .. that's what you are.

The sort of men who've made
the British Empire what it is today.

I send you out after information
about Stella Parish.

And with what do you return?

That she is "a woman of mystery".

And where is Lockridge?

Where is the one man
on whom I could depend?

"I'm en-route to America."

"Looking for Stella Parish. Stop."

"Who knows. She may
be on this ship. Stop."

"Have no passport. Please
contact British Ambassador."

"Arrange my entry into the
U.S. on a special permit. Stop."

"Kindly wire expense money and .. "

"A fresh pair of socks."

What shall I answer?
- Tell that ..

Never mind. The cable company
won't accept that sort of language.

We'll send him some money, of course.

A one!

Beat that if you can, Mr Keith.
- I can and I will.

Who are you travelling with, darling?

You know. Go on, push it.

Alright, I'll push it.

Only a three.

I'm travelling with Nana.

No, no. I mean the other lady. The one
who stays in her room all the time.

Oh, she doesn't at all.

Doesn't she? I've never seen her.

Would you like to?
- I certainly would.

Right after I beat you at this game,
we'll all go together and have tea.

Oh, that will be fine.

Go on.

Puppets!

Let's stay for a while.

Oh, we'll see them tomorrow.
I'm famished for that tea. Aren't you?

Well, alright.

"That's right. That's right."

"First Black Beauty, I want you
to stand on your hind legs."

"And put your front legs up in the air."

"One .. two .. three!"

Good gracious. You must be hungry.

You don't know how long I've
been angling for this invitation.

Auntie, auntie!

Yes, dear. Tea is ready.

I've got a guest. Do you mind?

Who is it?

Oh.

How do you do young man?
- How do you do?

This is Mr Keith.

May I have a cookie?

Delighted, Mr Keith.

I am .. my name is Lockridge.
Keith Lockridge.

Uhuh.

I'm Mrs Evans. Gloria's aunt.

I expected, that is ..

Well come on in. You said
you could hardly wait.

Yes. Thanks.

You had better have some tea.

You look positively ill.
Because of the sea?

Yes. I suppose so.

Strange.

We've had a very quiet crossing so far.

Yes. So far, hasn't it been.

Thanks.

Cookie?
- No, thanks.

Good morning, sir.
- Mr Keith Lockridge.

Here is your special
entry permit, Mr Lockridge.

Thanks very much. Goodbye.
- Goodbye, now.

I've got my fingers crossed for you.

A false passport and disguise
got me out of the country.

I see no reason why
it can't get me back in.

You've been most kind.
- It's been my pleasure.

You know. People talk a lot of
nonsense at the end of a sea voyage.

Perfect strangers of
a few days previous ..

Are now pals who vow to see each other
every day for the rest of their lives.

Of course, they never do.

That's why I always say, when
a journey is over it's over.

I never say "look us up".
I always say "goodbye".

At least you are frank.

Well, an amount of lying is necessary.
I try to do as little as possible.

This is goodbye
for all of us, I take it?

Yes. Goodbye. Thank you
for letting us know you.

At least I look forward to the chance of
meeting you someday on another crossing.

Perhaps.

Thank you, boys. Thank you.

Just a second. We must find out where
you got the cubs, Major. - In Africa.

Bring anything else back, Major?
- From Africa?

How long you been over there, Major?
- In Africa?

Come on. They are
lowering the gangplank.

Goodbye, Nana.
- Goodbye.

Goodbye, darling.
- Goodbye, Mr Keith.

Goodbye Mr Lockridge, and thank you.
- Thank you.

Goodbye, sweetheart.
- Goodbye, Mr Keith.

Good luck.

Lockridge!

Well, if it isn't the robber boys
of Park Row. Hiya, Dennis.

Don't say you boys are
still meeting ships.

I meet them in my sleep.
- Don't you always?

Same old Locky, huh.
- Let us in on it, pal.

What's that?

The big yarn. The story.
You know, the reason you're here.

There isn't any story.
- Come on Locky, give us a break.

I haven't had a break since I
fell out of the old apple tree.

No, I'm on a vacation.

You believe him?
- No. Do you? - No.

You can always follow this bird by
the trail of headlines he leaves.

Word of honor, boys. The boss
didn't even know I was leaving.

Hey, wait a minute! We'd better go along
to make sure you get through customs.

Follow that cab.
- Yes, sir.

Shall I stop?
- No. Go around.

Well, goodbye boys.
- It's okay. We're riding with you, pal.

Cabling a story, maybe?
- No, no. Nothing like that.

Send this cable.
- Yes, sir.

Four dollars and seventy-two cents.

Seventy-five and five.
- Thank you. Ready, boys?

Right with you.

Mummy, may I go to the zoo?

I don't know why not.

I'm going to buy some peanuts
and feed them to the Giraffe.

Why don't Giraffes like peanuts?
- It's because they like leaves better.

Leaves? They must be funny animals.

Elephants like peanuts.
- There is Mr Lockridge.

Mister Keith!

Think he'll know me? Shall I run?
- Too late now.

Well, look who's here!

Hello, darling.

There is Nana.
- Hello, Nana.

This is a surprise.
- How do you do?

This is Gloria's mother, Mr Lockridge.

How do you do?
- Oh. How do you do?

You know, there must be something in
the power of mental telepathy after all.

How's that?

Well, by chance I'm in this particular
spot at this particular moment.

And I'm thinking of Gloria. And who
should I run in to? Just by accident.

That is amazing.
- I was wishing I would meet you.

Really, why?
- Oh ..

Well, I'm on my way to lunch
and I've no-one to lunch with.

I've had my lunch.
- Mummy hasn't.

Will you be in New York
long, do you think?

It's rather indefinite.
Business for my firm. I'm in Tea.

How startling, for an Englishman.
- Isn't it.

You are a native daughter, I suppose?

No. No, I haven't been here long.

In business, or just a home girl?

One of the most flourishing
of American industries.

I'm living on my alimony.
- Oh ..

Disgusting, isn't it.

But I've been thinking of
reforming. Perhaps in a hat shop.

After I've learned the business,
maybe I'll have one of my own someday.

Sorry to be so clumsy.
I didn't mean to .. step on your toes.

I thought that was one
of the best things you do.

Auntie told me.

She would.

Auntie talked a lot about you.
You made quite a hit with her.

A very clever woman, your aunt.
- What makes you thinks so?

The general impression one gets
of people .. she is fascinating.

To begin with, she's that rare
combination of real beauty with brains.

Waiter.

Definitely a woman who knows
how to take care of herself.

She's had to.

Yes, Monsieur?
- Do you want a dessert?

No, never.
- Coffee?

No thanks.

Tea?
- No thanks.

The check.
- Right away, Monsieur.

She must have been very
lovely when she was a girl.

It is too bad you can't say all
these nice things to her yourself.

I only wish I could.

A pity you and auntie weren't
born of the same generation.

You could fall in love with each other.
- A great tragedy.

There's a silver lining
to the cloud, however.

She did have the amazing
foresight to have a niece.

You know, it was too bad your aunt
had to return to England so soon.

She'd rather have liked you to take care
of me in her absence, don't you think?

How do you mean?

You should take pity on a lone foreigner
and do things with me when I'm here.

What do you want to do?
- Everything.

That will take a lot of doing.

That's what I'm looking forward to.

Oh.

And that is the way a first-class
newspaper man works.

Or am I expecting too much, to assume
you problem-children understand that?

You know, there is one
thing I can't understand.

If he's such a good reporter.

Why hasn't he sent over a story?
It's been six weeks.

My dear, sweet case of
arrested development.

I'll answer you with
a parable from nature.

Oh, is he going to begin on
the birds and the butterflies?

There were two setters
went out hunting a bird.

When the first one saw her,
he set up an awful clatter.

And went dashing in,
barking at the top of his lungs.

When the second setter spotted the bird.

He first, stood stock still.

Then he crept forward an inch
at a time. Carefully. Noiselessly.

Which one got the bird?
- Oh I know, teacher.

We did.

That's it, lads. You get the bird.

And Lockridge gets the story.

I can see him working on Parish now.

Dining her .. taking her dancing.

Gaining her confidence.

That's the way to gain
a story from a woman.

There is just one catch.

Suppose he falls in love with the woman?

Falls in ..?

A reporter never falls in love.
Except with his typewriter.

That may be alright with Lockridge.

Personally, they left all the sex
appeal out of my typewriter.

I wonder if that dirty dog would
double-cross me like that?

Thank you.

Come in.

Hello!

Hello.

Well, well, well.

Mummy is sorry, but she'll be late.

Nana's gone too.

You are supposed to take
care of me until they get back.

Well, you look as though you
can do with a little taking care of.

You are pretty small to
be left alone, aren't you?

Oh no, I like being alone.

I'm playing "Stage".
Do you like to play a "Stage"?

I don't know much about it.

We can play the story
about Red Riding Hood.

And you can be the wolf.

Now, is that the way to treat a friend?

I'm awfully glad you came.

It's really difficult to
play two parts at once.

Listen, darling.

How do you know so much about the stage?

I'm an actress.

I'm the only actress in the family
now that Mummy has stopped.

Was mother an actress?

Come on, uncle Keith.

The audience is waiting.
You can't keep an audience waiting.

Oh, I'd rather just sit and talk.

I'd like you to tell me about mother.

Please, uncle Keith.
- Oh, alright.

Do you know the story
of Red Riding Hood?

Well, vaguely.

I guess I'll just have to rehearse you.

I'm entering the woods.

The first thing you are
supposed to do .. is growl.

Grrr ..

You can't growl standing up.

Get down on your knees and growl.

I see. A realist, huh?

Well, how's this? Grrr ..

Louder!
- Grrr ..

Why did your mother leave the stage?
- I don't know.

I guess she was tired of
staying up so late at night.

Then you say:

"Where are you going this fine
day, little Red Riding Hood?"

Is that the only reason
your mother left the stage?

Uncle Keith, if we're ever
going to give a show.

You've got to pay more attention.

Then I say: "I am going
to my grandmother's".

Then you say: "can I go with you?"

Can you remember that much?
- How far back can you remember?

Oh, way back. Let's try it.

Ready?
- Right.

Grrr ..

Hello little Red Riding Hood.

Hello, Mr Wolf.

Little Red Riding Hood.
Did you always live in England?

That isn't part of the play.
- No. But did you, Gloria?

I'd like to know.
- I think I did.

Did mother?

I don't know.

I know why you don't want to play.

It's because you don't
look anything like a wolf.

Let me find a costume
for you in the bedroom.

I found this one there.

Come on, uncle Keith.

Did your father every
play "Stage" with you?

No, he didn't.

Sure your mother won't
be angry with us for this?

She didn't tell me I couldn't open them.

I hope there is something
for a wolf in here.

Where is your father now, darling?

I don't know. He doesn't live with us.

Here it is, uncle Keith.

A wolf!
- So it is.

Come on.
- I'll be right there.

Hurry up.

Here I come.

He certainly sounds like
a good politician to me.

It's a fine hat-shop.

And if you buy it, you should have
an income for the rest of your life.

Just the same, I won't go ahead with
it until I've talked it over with Keith.

Grrr ..

Grrr ..

We're playing "Stage", Mummy.

You're in time to save the wolf from
being eaten by little Red Riding Hood.

Gloria .. where did you get that dress?

Out of one of the trunks.

Take it off immediately.

Mummy didn't say I couldn't open them.

We seem to be two naughty children
messing about in your theatrical trunk.

You never told me you were an actress.
- Oh, I never was much of an actress.

But every girl at one time or
another thinks she's a Bernhardt.

I gave it up long ago
when I got married.

Gloria seems to think you're Bernhardt,
D�uzet and Maude Adams rolled into one.

You know how little girls
are about their mothers.

I'll just go and help her straighten
out that mess we made.

Hello, Nana.

I told you we ought to burn
those things immediately.

I want to look them over first.
No harm has been done.

He has eyes!

What do a few old costumes mean to him?

He doesn't know who I am.

If he did, he'd have recognized me the
first time he saw me here in New York.

If he had recognized me, he
certainly would have told me about it.

No reason for him not to tell me.

You used to tell me not to trust anyone.

Oh, don't be an old scaredy-cat.
- That's the trouble.

A woman trusts just once too often.

Some people you don't like to lie to.

Oh ..

So, that's the way the
wind is blowing, is it?

Oh here it is. Number 80397.

That dress was made for
Elsa Jeffords in The Lady Misbehaves.

Number 3 Roadshow Company, in 1930.

Elsa Jeffords.

Do you know what became of her?
- Well, I wouldn't know that, but ..

Joe Burns had the show.
- Joe Burns? Thanks.

Yeah, Joe is pushing up the daisies
now, and it was before my time.

He had a dozen of them
turkey shows out that year.

This was The Lady Misbehaves,
Company number 3.

Well, we can take a gander at the files.

1930, eh?

The Lady Misbehaves.

Oh here it is, number 3. Poughkeepsie.

Looks like that company laid an egg.

They never finished
the tour past Pulaski.

Pulaski?
- It's the last entry here.

Yes, this used to be a legit house.

But who wants to see Suzy Doltz
at a buck and a half a throw ..

When they can have Garbo and
a set of dishes for 2 bits?

Do you happen to remember if a company
played The Lady Misbehaves here in 1930?

Well, I might remember if they did.

But I remember it a darn sight
better because they didn't.

Good evening, Mrs Brown.

Is this a good picture
or like last week's?

This is a fine picture.

Real down to earth stuff.
None of that high-class junk.

I hope so.

What happened that it didn't play?

Well, nothing except the darnedest
rumpus that you ever heard tell of.

The company is wound
up with no leading lady.

No leading man. No villain.

In other words, no show.

The leading lady was a girl
called Elsa Jeffords, wasn't she?

Darned if I ..

Yeah, now that I think of it,
I believe that was her name.

Was she in this rumpus?
- Was she in it?

She was it.
- Why? What happened?

Well now .. son. I might
get mixed up on this.

But if you trot down to the jailhouse.

Ed Briggs there can
tell you all about it.

Thanks very much. Goodbye.

Do you want to go in and see the show?
- No thanks. Some other time.

Hi, Mr Smith.

[ Telephone ]

Hello?

Oh .. send her up.

Hello there.

Where have you been?
- Out of town. Unexpected business.

Without a word!
- I should have wired.

I'm sorry.
- Keith.

I want to talk to you. May I?
- Of course. Let me get you something.

A Highball?
- Nothing, thanks.

Something about the hat shop?
- No.

Keith .. I can't lie any longer.

Lie?

Yes .. yes, you see.

My dear, we've all got secrets.
We've a right to keep them.

I can't any longer.

You don't know what you've done to me.

What I've done?
- With your ..

Your friendship.

My friendship.
- Your blessed friendship.

Oh, I was so alone before.

Shut up within myself
and distrusting everyone.

You don't know what it means to ..

To find someone ..
- Someone like me?

That you can trust.

More than can trust.

Someone you are compelled to trust.

While you've been away
these last few days I ..

I've found how much I've
come to depend on you.

It was then I .. I realized I had
to tell you all about myself.

Don't.

What I have to tell you
isn't very easy, Keith.

Surely, if I can stand to tell it.

You can stand to listen.

You see ..

I love you.

I didn't know that.

That was unfair, wasn't it?
To begin like that.

It asks for your pity.

It was weak of me to ask you to
be on my side like that, but ..

About six weeks ago in London.

A certain well-known
actress disappeared.

I don't know if you remember.
- Her name was Stella Parish.

I'm that woman.

What difference ..?
- Oh, please.

Don't stop me now.

I shan't bother you about my
early life other than to say I ..

I was pretty much alone,
and I shouldn't have been.

I think you can understand that.
- Yes. I can.

I'll begin with the time
after I was married.

His name was Clifton Jeffords.

We'd been in Vaudeville together. And
then I got us a chance in a road show.

I was on my way up and
he was just a hanger-on.

He began to drink a lot.

Though I don't say that to condemn him.

Only to explain all the
trouble that followed.

He grew insanely jealous of me.

The liquor built up a mania in his mind.
He hated anyone who was even nice to me.

Especially, Alan.
The leading man in our company.

One afternoon, he ..

He found us together in Alan's room.

I'd gone there because I thought
I was going to have a baby.

I was frantic.

I couldn't bear to think of a baby being
born into the hell that I was living in.

Yet, I ..

I was afraid to leave.
Clifford made such threats.

Anyway.

He was crazy with drink, but
I didn't know he had a gun.

He .. shot your friend.

Killed him.

I was struggling with him for the gun,
when the hotel people found us.

He was sent to prison.

So, that's how ..

But you were innocent?

It was easy enough for
him to implicate me.

He didn't seem to mind going
to prison as long as I went, too.

That's terrible.

Not the worst.

My baby was born in prison.

Born in prison!
Do you know what that means?

The place of birth: Auburn
Penitentiary, New York.

Daughter of a convicted murderess.

A swell start to give a kid.

The first eye of the
world - prison bars.

The nursery's stone wall.

Destined to grow up with that mark
of shame on her life forever.

Oh, my dear.

I swore she would never know.

That no-one would.

Well.

That's the secret I've
been guarding, Keith.

Tell me the rest quickly.

No, I didn't stay in prison very long.

After all, the Parole Board
is made up of men.

And by this time I knew all
there was to know about men.

After I got my pardon, I changed
my name and went to England.

I was working on a cheap roadshow
there when Steven Norman found me.

He was fine .. generous.

He made me into the
success that I became.

Maybe into too great a success.
- Until that someone found you.

Yes.

The night we opened.

He made threats and ..
- Blackmail.

Of course .. I knew he'd bleed me
white and then turn on Gloria.

There was only one thing
I could do .. I ran away.

Oh.

I feel so much better already.

As though the weight of the
world was off my shoulders.

You've had a pretty rough time.

I'm alright now.

Now that I've told you.

Now that you know.

Do .. do you wish I hadn't told you?

I only wish to heaven
you had told me sooner.

Oh, Keith.

The world is so beautiful again.

I want to dance and I want to sing.

I want ..
- Stella.

It's so nice to hear you
call me that name.

You must go home now.
- Go home?

I know that sounds strange but ..
- But I don't want to go home.

I want you to take me to dinner.
- I'll pick you up in an hour.

We'll dress and make a night of it.
Now I've got something important to do.

It must be important.
- It is.

I can't tell you now.
- Well ..

I've kept secrets
from you all this time.

I shouldn't object to you
keeping one for an hour.

Come along.

You seem awfully
anxious to get rid of me.

Got to be something
I should be jealous of.

No. Glad of.

I'll have so much to tell you.
- Quickly, then.

I'll listen so attentively.

This is Lockridge. Get me London.

"Reeves" at the London Bulletin.

Yes, Reeves: "R E E V E S".

London Bulletin. Hurry, will you.

Hello?

Hello?

Lockridge, old boy.

I should say I did get it.

We've got to kill it, sir.

The facts I sent were true,
but I didn't get all the facts.

The story is terribly unfair to her.

Kill it?

Sorry, lad. I've had that story
on the street for hours.

It's been on the wires, too.

They ought to have it over there by now.

The greatest work you've ever done.

Wait until you see your bonus check.

Hello.

Hello, old boy.

Lockridge?

Operator, I've been cut off.

How did you keep this
under cover so long?

Did you knock off the guy, and why?

What shows you do play in London?

Would you give a word of warning
to young girls who aspire to the stage?

Let's have a full-face now, Miss Parish.
Looking pensive, please.

How old is your daughter
and where was she born?

Slow down, boys and girls.

One at a time and I'll
answer all your questions.

Stella.

Take it easy, Nana.
The story is out.

And I'll make the best of it.

What was it you wanted to know?
- Did you really knock off the guy?

Do I look like a girl who would
need someone to do it for her?

Be careful what you are saying.

Hey there. You with the Brownie.

Watch that door, Nana.

Take all the pictures of me that you
want to, but my baby stays out of this.

Is that clear to all of you?

If you want another word out of
me, you've got to promise that.

Alright, Miss.

Would you give a warning to young
girls who want a career on the stage?

Don't say a word to these
monkeys, Miss Parish.

My people will pay you
$5,000 for an exclusive story.

Well, now .. that's very interesting.

If you can hold out until I get
to my editor, we'll double that.

That's twice as interesting.

Looks like I won't have to make
the best of the situation boys.

Seems I can make the most of it.

How did you keep this
story in the shade so long?

That's a long, shady story.

Well, boys.

We have with us another
inquiring reporter.

And you said you were
here on a vacation.

I want to talk to you.

Pull up a chair and
join the inquisition.

Alone.

There is nothing I have to say to
one reporter the others can't hear.

Give me a chance.
- A chance?

I've given you enough, I should think.

I gave you the story, didn't I?

You had an exclusive before
the others. You ought to be satisfied.

I've got to explain.

Go ahead .. explain to the
boys how you got the story.

How you came into my home and
became a friend of the family.

After weeks, you got my confidence until
I told you all that you wanted to know.

Oh, that's alright.
I was fair game, I guess.

But to my poor, little trusting
kid he became "uncle Keith".

You see before you boys a
true "gentleman of the press".

I'm sure you will excuse me for tonight.

Come back tomorrow morning and
bring your best offers with you.

You've got to listen to me.

Before you came to see me tonight I'd
already cabled the story to my paper.

After you left, I did everything
in my power to stop it.

I was too late. You've
got to believe that.

Don't take me for a bigger
fool that I've been.

Has there been a moment since I've known
you that you haven't been lying to me?

It's different now. A while
ago you told me you loved me.

And now you want me to go
on to a big love scene .. why?

Is there something else
you want to know?

Or is there some little messy
detail I forgot to tell you?

Well, there is my side, too.
I didn't know how you felt.

Until tonight, you were
only a headline to me.

You were playing a clever game
and I was trying to outwit you.

I was after a story. I'm a reporter.

I think that about sums it up.

And you'd better run along
with the other reporters.

Boys, you've left something behind.

Come on, Lockridge. You've chiselled
enough breaks on this story.

How about a little quote
from you on how you got ..?

Well, thanks. I'll make a note of it.

[ Telephone ]

I'll take it.

[ Telephone ]

Hello?

No, she isn't in.

Who is it?

Some man from a booking agency.

Of course you don't want to talk to him.
- Of course I do.

Stella.

This is Miss Parish speaking.

This is Jed Duffy.

And in case you've never heard
of me, why I handle people like ..

Well, I want you to know I didn't handle
anything that isn't strictly high class.

No, don't hang up on me before I finish.

Miss Parish, you're
going to be a sensation.

I just read the extras.

I tell you that before people get
through their morning coffee and papers.

There is going to be millions
in a lather of curiosity over you.

Now you can be smart and let me line
up a string of personal appearances.

Don't hang up on me.

I'm not hanging up.

I'm listening with a
great deal of interest.

Of course I'm reasonable.
What have you got in mind?

Well, how about a sketch showing
the highlights of my career?

Real sob stuff.

My early innocent life.

The big scene of the shooting.
Prison. You get the idea.

My dear Mr Duffy.

I don't give a hoot what
I do or where I do it.

As long as I get paid in the spot where
the greenbacks grow the thickest.

Better come and see me in the morning.
- Stella, you must be mad.

Think of your position to the theatre.

I know what I'm doing.
- So do I.

You're letting this drive
you completely crazy.

Some of the things you've
said to the reporters ..

If I hadn't been there,
I wouldn't believe it was you.

You can believe from now on.
- Oh, I know the shock this has been.

But get hold of yourself, child.
There is nothing you can do.

Oh yes there is.

There is something I'm going to do
and something you're going to do.

You won't like it, Nana.

But if you love me, you'll do it.

What is it, Stella? You ..

Why, you frighten me.

Tomorrow morning, my dirty linen will be
showing on every front page in America.

There is still one person who is
never going to know that story.

Gloria?

You're going to take her away, Nana.

You're going to take her away
and bring her up as your own.

It will be hard on her at first.

She'll probably cry a lot.

But she's very little.

Children forget things easily.

It's inhuman. I can't do it.

You've got to do it, Nana.

After I've failed her so much, you can't
deny me this last thing I can do her.

You will ..

You'll set up a bank account.

In her name and let me
know what bank it is.

I'll send money.

All I have and all I can earn.

It should be a lot.

We Americans area a fun-loving people.

They'd pay almost anything,
just to look at a freak.

That's what I am now: a freak!

The headline.

I'm hot stuff. The public will eat me
up and I'll make them pay for it.

Don't make me do it, Stella.
Don't make me do it.

But there is one thing you've
got to promise me, Nana.

Promise me on everything
you hold sacred.

Never let me know where my
baby is or what she's doing.

I'll imagine that in my own thoughts.

I'll think of her at
school in Switzerland.

Happy with the other children.

And I'll be happy too because ..

I'll know that I made it possible.

I'll think of her travelling
in interesting countries.

But I'll be with her.

But I must never, never
know where she is.

You see.

They'll come times in the future that ..

That I'll be so lonely
and heartsick for her.

Just for the sight of her.

That nothing could stop me coming
to her, and spoiling everything.

I've tried to build a wall
of love around her.

To protect her.

Well, they pushed that over.

Now, I'll build a wall
of gold and silver.

It's you I want out.

I've got a yen for some
sunshine and fresh air.

The stench of so much repentance
in here is too much for my nostrils.

The court convicted you.
- So what?

You're on the Parole Board. You run it.

You can get me out of here just
by making up your mind to do it.

I'm still young.

I'm not hard to look at.

What's that?

I said: I'm not hard to look at.

Excuse me.

Well .. where next?

You tell me.

We've played them down the line
from the tops to the 2-bit grinds.

I've got to have more money.

Ain't you ever satisfied?

You got yours and in big bundles.
But the gold-rush is over.

You're yesterday's news, baby.

And the suckers ain't going to ladle
out their dough to read old headlines.

I got to have more money.

I've got my reasons.

Come back when you've shot
yourself under the man.

There must be something.

Sister, I like you and
I'd like to help you.

If I didn't think you'd haul off
with a right cross, I'd suggest that ..

I'm not hitting back these days.

Well then .. there's always ..

Burlesque.

[ Door knocks ]

Come in.

Steven.

Hello, darling.

Stella .. don't cry.

I've come to take you home.

I knew you'd come.

Are you glad?

Well .. I'm glad and I'm not
glad at the same time.

I did see you thinking to
yourself: poor old Stella.

She's in a bad way.

Someone's got to put their shoulder to
the wheel. It looks like it's my duty.

Nothing of the sort.

I don't mind.

It was a lovely gesture.

And no-one but you would have made it.

My dear, when you think it
was pity, you are mistaken.

You are a first-rate actress who is
hiding her talent in cheap burlesque.

I came to fetch you before someone
smarter than me beats me to it.

Your play is waiting for you.

My play?
- I closed it after the first night.

No-one else could play it.

And no-one else will.

Until you do it.

It's a beautiful dream.

But it's impossible.
- Now, Stella.

I didn't come all this way to hear
you tell me "no" once more.

You came, Steven. Let it go at that.

All my life I'll be grateful.

But Stella, you can't go on like this.

Oh yes I can.

And your future.
You know what that will be.

Of course I know. I chose
it of my own free will.

You can't mean that you like it?

I like the money my friend.
I'm quite an attraction you know.

Stella, your pride?
- I haven't any.

And your place in the theatre?
- Gone. All gone.

And all that's left is desire for money?
- That's all.

Then we'll keep this strictly business.

I am a producer, and you are a
star who is out for all she can get.

Whatever you are
making here, I'll double it.

Well?

Steven.

Why are you doing this?
- I told you. Cold business.

You mustn't be making much here and
this won't last long for you, either.

You would be a fool to refuse my offer.

I mustn't go back to England.
- You mustn't refuse.

Not for my sake and not for yours.

But for somebody else.

The same somebody for whom
you've been doing all this.

What does he mean?

You had better be right.
- I sent him to America.

He thinks it's hopeless to try and
put her on the stage again.

It was hard persuading him to go.

He had to go. It was something
I couldn't do myself.

She would never even let me see her.
- What should she do?

Welcome you with aching arms?

I wish you wouldn't hate me so, Nana.

I'm trying hard to put things
back the way they were.

All the King's horses
and all the King's men ..

Couldn't put Humpty
Dumpty together again.

That's an old one .. but a true one.

I pulled her down with words.
Just words printed on pieces of paper.

There's lots of words and lots of paper
and they can do good as well as harm.

You can do no more harm.
That's true enough.

You've done all the
harm there is. All of it.

Don't think I haven't suffered for it.
- You suffered? Ha!

There is a hot one.

You ought to write a
piece about it in the paper.

A reporter dying of remorse.

Go ahead, Nana.

Not long ago, I'd have found this
spectacle of myself amusing too.

Those were fine, freewheeling days,
when there was only me and my paper.

And to the devil with people's hearts
and lives as long as I got a story.

I'm glad you suffered.

How is she?

Do you ever hear from her?

No.

She doesn't even know we're in France.

She doesn't know where we are.

I only hear through the checks she sends
to Gloria's bank account in London.

They tell enough.

They used to be big ones.
And they came often.

Now they are fewer and smaller.

Oh, I can see her.

Scrimping, saving the pennies, denying
herself. Going hungry for all I know.

Oh, I could kill you.
I don't know why I don't.

I loved her, Nana.
- Oh, love her ..

I found it out too late.
- Yes.

Uncle Keith.

Uncle Keith.

Oh, my darling.

Where is my Mummy, uncle Keith?

Do you know where she is?

I'm not exactly sure.

Nana says she isn't ever coming back.

She is coming, back isn't she?

I'm sure she will if she can.

Where is she? Is she lost?

In a way.

Can't you find her for me?

I'll try.

Why did she send me away?

I ..

I ..

Doesn't she love me anymore?

I'm sure no-one could love anyone
any more than she loves you.

More Parish stuff.

Yes. Statements from prominent
people on her behalf.

You get the copy I sent this morning?
- That story of her life? - Yes.

A magnificent flight of
imaginative writing, Lockridge.

It paints her as pitiful victim tracked
down by a scheming, blaggard reporter.

And crucified by the press.

You'll find it in my scrap basket.

We don't publish this paper
for the benefit of Stella Parish.

But that story is only the truth.
- One side of the truth, I suppose.

The other side has been
at bat long enough.

And after the show has been banned?

And we've made complete
fools of ourselves.

What then?

I don't think that censors are like bugs
that you see when you overturn rocks.

White-bellied creatures
that grow in the dark ..

And are afraid of the
light of truth as it is.

Thank you.

I came here because I think
you're a broad-minded man.

I'm not broad-minded enough
to stomach bad taste.

Or the deliberate exploitation
of sensationalism.

This isn't that.

This is my attempt to right a frightful
wrong I did to a decent woman.

May I tell you what I know
about Stella Parish?

Yes. I wish you would.

Oh, Steven.

I'm doing so badly in these rehearsals.

No, I wouldn't say that.
- You would if you said what you think.

If only you'd forget
yourself in the part.

How do I forget myself if I'm the centre
of a storm that's agitating all London?

Have you read the newspapers?
- Yes, I've seen them.

It's strange that one woman's life would
be the concern of so many people.

But darling, you are an actress.
Your life belongs to your public.

Then I should do as they wish
and quit before they ban me.

For your sake, I should.

You have made this gamble. What
would you have if you quit now?

Nothing. I know all that.

The fight is on our side, too.

For every article you show me against
you, I can show you one in your favour.

All in one paper.
- A very powerful paper.

You must have an awfully
good friend on that paper.

Yes I have. And so have you.

Oh, Keith.
- Hello.

I'm glad you are here old boy.

It's "no go". It's ghastly.

You've done a magnificent job in the
papers. Too bad it's all wasted now.

Stella is ready to call
it quits and so am I.

Quits? But we're winning.

The authorities agreed not to
interfere with the performance.

I'm sorry to hear that. It would
have given us a good excuse.

She is unbelievably bad.

No confidence. She is defeating herself.

Well, you're a director.
Give her confidence.

I can't give her what
I haven't got myself.

We've got to get her on the stage.

She's an actress. She'll do the rest.
- She'll be pitiful.

Only the audience won't pity her.

We've got to get her on that stage.

Curtain, Miss Parish.

Well, Jonathan.

We have a nervous cast, and a
leading lady who is falling to pieces.

And an audience which I am
afraid, is hoping for the worst.

But aside from that, we have a show.

So, get ready with the curtain
and keep your fingers crossed.

My toes, too, Mr Norman.

"What is it, Claudius?"
- "Now, he's a God."

"Who?"
- "The Emperor, Caligula."

"You mean he's dead?"
- "No such luck."

You look lovely, my dear.

You are going to be a great
success. You know that don't you.

Yes .. Steven, what is my first line?

Oh, come on now.

I've been trying so hard. I can't think.

You can expect to be nervous
on an opening night.

This isn't the same.
It is cold dread.

Come darling. You'll be alright
once you're on the stage.

Steven, don't send me out.
- Stella.

Bring down the curtain please.
- Impossible.

It's better than what occurs if I go on.
- But it is only an audience out there.

The same people you've
faced a hundred times.

No. No, it isn't the same.

They used to be my friends.
- They are.

No. No friends.

Come.

You say you have no friends out there.

Look in the first upper box.

"I would have fallen into a faint."

"Then you would have never awakened."

"It was bad enough for me, merely
because I looked astonished."

Gloria.

There is my baby.

You say you have no friends here.

She mustn't be here.
How did she get here?

I brought her, Stella.

You?
- Yes, I brought her.

How could you?

Haven't you done enough to me?
Did you have to do this?

You're wicked. Vicious.
- I love you, Stella.

Love me?
- He does love you.

His love is stronger than mine.

He sent me to America
after you. This is all his.

The newspapers that fight, I have quit.

He wouldn't let me. And now he
has done this, so that you can't quit.

You had no right to do this. Now
Gloria faces me as I go off the stage.

You dare not do that.
Your daughter's here.

How dare you bring her here.
- I did because I knew I was right.

She needs her mother, Stella.

Whatever she suffers in the
future on your account.

Is nothing compared with her
misery at being apart from you.

I know. I've seen her.
I've heard her cry for you.

I promised I'd bring
her here to find you.

She worships you.

You can't give her the spectacle of her
mother running away in cowardly defeat.

I think your head should
be held high and proud.

I've fought to tell the world that.

l can't do any more.
Now it's your fight.

You claim you are an actress.

Go out there and prove it.
To that audience.

To me. To Steven.

To Gloria.

There is Mummy.
- Shush.

Wait for your cue, Stella.

Thank you.

I'm not afraid anymore.

I'm not afraid anymore.

Mummy.

Mummy. Mummy.

Mummy.

Mummy.

-(t-g)-