Original subtitles

(determined, upbeat music)

(balls clacking)

(whimsical music)

(coughing)

(shooter sighs)

- Ah, that's too bad.

- You from Carlisle?

- No, no, no, I'm just passin' through.

- Huh, didn't see you drive up.

- Oh, I'm parked out down the road

and I just walked up for the exercise.

- Oh, if you want exercise how about a little game?

That'll stretch ya, won't it, Marv?

- Yeah, that'll stretch you all right.

- I haven't played in quite some time.

- Hey, let's put a little fuzz on the peach,

say a dime a ball?

- [Marv] Or a little more fuzz on it.

Make it a quarter a ball.

- All right, let's round it out.

Dollar a ball.

- [Marv] Yeah, a buck.

- Well I think I oughta warn you fellas,

I'm pretty good at this game.

- Fine, a buck a ball.

- A buck is good.

- Buck a ball.

Oh, would you hold this for me, please.

Thank you.

- Go on, you break.

- Oh, thank you.

Say, maybe uh, it'd make the game a little more even

if I played left-handed?

(balls clacking)

- What'll you have, fellas?

- Cheeseburger and coffee.

- I'll take a BLT, rye toast and a

large glass of buttermilk.

- Got it.

(balls clacking)

- You wouldn't be tryin' to hustle us, would ya?

- Who me?

(tussling)

Now wait a minute.

This was a friendly game.

I thought that we were gonna, now look fellas,

wait a minute, will ya?

(punching)

- Come on, fellas, wait a minute, break it up.

(tussling and punching)

(whimsical music)

(glass shattering)

(engine rumbling)

- I guess I oughta thank you two fellas

but you know, those guys owed me 11 bucks

and you did me out of it.

- Oh, now wait a minute, friend.

- Well I told 'em I was a pretty good player.

- The same thing happens to me every week.

They break the furniture, the chairs, everything else.

They,

wait a minute, you two guys,

you owe me $1.40 for the two sandwiches

and the two drinks.

- What sandwiches?

- Ask him.

- Oh, well you see, I,

I was watching the fight and I got so carried away, and

well, you know.

- Yeah, you're a little short.

- Yeah.

- Shall I put two more on the fire for ya?

- No, forget it.

- What, you lose your appetite?

- No, here, just our teeth.

Keep the tip, huh.

Come on, Tod, let's get outta here.

- Oh, say,

I uh,

I have a...

- Oh, thank you.

Oh, one more thing.

How would you boys like a job,

starting at say, 75 a week?

- 75 what?

- Dollars,

with a week's guarantee,

just to see how things work out.

- See ya.

- Oh, now, (chuckles)

don't let these clothes fool you.

I just use these for traveling.

Actually, I have quite an extensive wardrobe.

You see, I've been engaging junior executives

for each engagement and it's not working out too well.

I would rather have something more permanent,

and who knows?

If everything works out all right

I may cut you boys in for a piece of the action,

as junior partners, now how does that strike you?

Well now look at him, just look at him.

Why that pizazz is just oozing from every pore.

- Excuse me.

- Well, where are you going?

- I gotta rush him to the hospital

so they can close his pores,

'cause if he loses too much pizazz

he goes right into shock.

- What is that all about?

- What, well aren't you interested in girls?

Lots of girls, beautiful girls.

Why, you're missing the chance of a lifetime,

a chance to become vice presidents

of Maximillian Coyne's Hollywood Talent Cavalcade.

(Buz laughs) (engine cranks)

Oh, you don't believe me?

- Actually, no.

- Do you want to make a little bet

that there is a big bus right down the road

with big banners that say Maximillian Coyne's

Hollywood Talent Cavalcade

and our gorgeous MC, Miss New York

and Coco Gerard and his band,

and a speaking part in a major motion picture

about to be produced as grand prize.

And just down the road lies Carlisle, Pennsylvania,

just waiting for us to pick from the local crop of lovelies,

a Miss Venus, a Miss Sarah Bernhardt,

and a Cinderella.

You want to make the bet?

(whimsical music)

Carol, honey, I've got it figured out

so we don't really have to,

oh, I'm sorry, I forgot to introduce our

two new vice-presidents, Mr. uh,

how do you like that, I was so busy workin'

I forgot your names.

- Stiles and Murdock.

- Right.

- Stiles and Murdock,

sounds like an old bench on a Margot unit, huh?

- Oh honey, they're too young.

- No, Stiles and Murdock, jugglers.

Used to be next to closing.

- I'm Max's wife. - How do you do.

- Glad to meet you.

Sit down.

Welcome to the zoo.

I'm a vice-president, too.

- And a former Miss New York,

don't forget that, 19 uh,

- Honey.

- Well, you shoulda won that year.

You shoulda won that year, but you can't win 'em all.

(lively band music)

- Look honey, we didn't know when you'd be back

or how, well, successful you'd be, so

Coco and the boys made a deal with the owner.

Get 10% of all of his business,

over and above normal traffic, you know.

- Well, that's ridiculous, darling,

you don't even know what his daily take is.

All right, boys, knock it off, huh?

- Wrap it up, boys, Max has a couple of live ones.

- There it is, fellas,

Maximillian Coyne's, that's me,

Hollywood Talent Cavalcade,

and our gracious MC, Miss New York,

and of course, Coco Gerard and his group.

So how about the ten bucks?

The bet?

- Look.

- An easy price to pay for being of so little faith.

- I don't know.

- And five.

Oh, uh, honey, why don't you show them the scrapbook.

All right, my friend, get on with the repairs.

- Well, like I told you before, Mr. Coyne,

you're the first customer in three years

ain't got a credit card.

Why, even old Albert Thompson,

ain't worked since the brick factory closed down,

he belongs to all the credit clubs.

I'm sorry, I gotta have some cash.

- This is cash

for the fan belt and repairs to the radiator,

and I would appreciate a little speedy service.

I don't wish to keep the good people of Carlisle waiting.

(whimsical music)

- Here's all the evidence.

They got clippings from papers all over the country,

testimonial letters from the chamber of commerce,

happy local merchants.

Happy winners.

Hey, dig this.

There's a picture with a kid havin' lunch

with Jack Lemmon on the set.

Hey, here's another one with Kim Novak.

Wow, I guess this Max really comes through, you know,

he really gets them into the movies.

- He hasn't got car fare.

- Well, like he said, he drilled for oil

and he hit granite.

- You sound like you want to tag along.

- Why not?

75 bucks a week,

and all the fringe benefits.

- What fringe benefits?

- 36-18-35.

- Well, we'd like to get your name.

- I thought the measurements were the most important thing.

- Yeah.

- 36-18-35.

- And you're gonna do a scene from Romeo and Juliet,

is that right, dear?

- How long do I get?

- Well, we have to limit all contestants to three minutes.

- Gee, I don't know.

Mama told me it was hard to build much emotion

in three minutes.

- Well Hamlet's soliloquy can be done in three minutes,

and Macbeth's tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow

speaks in less than two.

You can do it.

Here, would you mind filling out one of these cards

and bringing back to me, thank you, dear.

Coco.

- Why don't Max flap this category, huh?

Who wants to be Cinderella?

- Coco, keep your voice down.

- The same thing in every town,

we always wind up hustlin' some ugly dame.

- Coco.

Name, address, telephone and talent, please?

♪ When you wore a tulip

♪ A sweet, yellow tulip

♪ And I wore a big, red rose

- (laughs) Don't tell me.

You're a trio.

And you're sisters.

- No, I'm a--

- [Group] She's a cousin.

- Oh.

(whimsical music)

- Now that's not bad.

TV set, $50 charge account in the local bank,

a six-piece living room set,

matched luggage and $200 worth of sportswear.

All right, now suppose you give it a try.

This time I'm gonna stay in the background.

- I don't get it, Max.

- Look, you've heard me make six pitches.

What is there to get?

- No, no, I mean, like I don't know

what you get out of this whole deal,

like take for instance the tickets to the finals, you know?

- [Max] So?

- Two bits a piece,

but that money goes to charity.

- How else do you think I get

the local chamber of commerce to cooperate?

You have to give in order to get, don'tcha?

- But the prizes go to the runner-ups,

and you still have to pop for a ticket

round-trip to Hollywood, plus expenses,

plus a part in a picture.

So what do you get out of it?

- You're askin' me?

- Yeah.

- What else could a guy do and see the country

and be his own boss?

So here I am,

under God's sunshine,

free as a breeze,

I'm not chained to a desk,

and I'm lookin' for beauty.

- Okay, Max.

So don't answer the questions yet.

- Got any change?

- Here we go again.

- Come on, you can make it.

I gotta make a call.

- Max, I don't know how good I am at this conning jazz.

- What?

Well, you've been watchin' me?

Go in there and see if you can con this guy

out of an electric range.

Use the same gimmick I used at the other place,

where if the guy backs a contestant

you give him a big, silk banner

with his picture on it, it never misses.

- Well Max, I don't know if this is gonna work.

I don't know if we can get all that on a silk banner.

It's Kochlan and Allen Appliances,

Hardwares and Paints Incorporated.

- We will pick a tall contestant.

(laughs) Funny huh?

Yeah, come on, come on, you'll make it.

Go on.

- Okay, somebody'll contact you, thank you.

- Hi.

- Hi.

- Remember me?

- 36-18-35.

- Winnie White.

I cut class to come back.

I mean, Mr. Stiles, you're a stranger and all,

could be lonesome for you.

How would you like a nice home cooked meal?

I know a place where we can make a fire,

do some barbecuing.

- Well, Winnie, there's just nothing I like better

than a well-turned rib, but

I'm afraid you're a little late.

Let me check.

What night did you have in mind?

- Tonight.

- Tonight (chuckles), I'm afraid tonight's taken.

Uh, how do you like that.

I'm busy from now through Saturday.

However, I have this colleague,

now he may still have some time open.

I'll check his bookings.

Yes, he's still got Friday open.

- I'll take it.

- All right.

Winnie White, barbecue.

His name's Murdock, Buz Murdock.

- Tell him seven.

Oh, you have my address.

I'll be ready and waiting.

- (chuckles nervously) It's after one

and you haven't had any lunch.

- Thanks.

- I didn't know whether you would take cream or sugar

so I just took a chance on black.

- Oh, black's fine.

- Well, I have to get back.

If you want a sandwich or anything

I'll try to bring it out to you.

- Oh, Coco's gonna spell me pretty soon, thank you.

- Oh, what does Lex know.

Just 'cause you grew up on the same block with him

when you were 10 years old,

what does that do, make him a genius?

- Well maybe he isn't a genius,

but he is head of the studio accounting department.

Look, I just talked to him long distance, honey,

just before you called me.

- I told you to talk to Jerry, not Lex.

- Jerry is out, O-U-T, will you listen to me, Max?

I smelled something wrong last week

when he wired you for more money,

so I had Lex check on your precious Hollywood contact.

He called the casting department.

They fired Jerry.

You hear me, Max, they fired Jerry two weeks ago,

and he had the gall not only to hide it from you,

but to wire you for more money.

- Who are you gonna believe, Lex?

- You know I hate this kind of life.

I'm allergic to any town under five million people.

- Oh, well forgive me.

- Oh, honey, do I complain?

- It's a little late for you to decide now.

- Honey, if you're happy in this kind of life,

I'll string along with you, you know that.

I always have.

- Well, I'll fly out tonight.

- Oh, honey, you haven't got taxi fare to a hotel.

- Well, I'll phone somebody

and I'll keep calling, I'll call somebody and

they'll pull us through.

- We're through, Max, all through.

No more beauty contests.

- This beauty contest!

- We're broke.

- Carolyn, this one'll pull us out.

- And the winner?

With Jerry out?

How can you deliver a part in a picture, Max?

Are you gonna deceive these people, lie to them?

- You ever know me to lie to anyone, darlin'?

- If you have any fault, Max,

any fault at all,

it's that nobody ever taught you how to lie.

(gentle music)

(upbeat music)

- Place is really jumpin' since the

circus got in town, huh?

- Well, we want a few mad people now,

see where the sane ones have landed us.

- George Bernard Shaw, quote, unquote.

- Well, we read, you know.

The natives do read.

- (chuckles) I wasn't being disparaging,

I was just impressed.

- A fact which in itself is disparaging.

- You can cease firing.

The first burst got me.

So why fire into a dead body?

- I have a talent for it.

- Uh, hey.

You know, we have a talent category.

Why don't you register for it?

- What you're really thinking is that I oughta register

for the Miss Cinderella category.

- Now if I said A, that wasn't what I was really thinking

and B, you're a fine-looking girl,

you'd probably call that disparaging

and start firing from the hip again, huh?

- Would you like another cup os coffee?

- (chuckles) No, I've gotta get back.

- I'll bring it out to you.

- That's okay.

What's your name?

- Jahala.

Jahala West.

- Well that's different.

Now that's a compliment.

Look Jahala, I'm gonna be in Carlisle the rest of the week

and I'll probably be eating most of my meals in here,

except at night.

So do you suppose that we could be friends?

I mean, I hate to eat in a tense atmosphere.

It's very bad for the digestion.

- (chuckles nervously) I guess it was just

seeing all those other girls and their,

their measurements,

being able to do things and I can't.

I guess I was just feeling like Cinderella.

Yes, we can be friends, Tod.

- How'd you know my name?

- Oh, all the girls, whenever they come in here

it's all they could talk about, Tod, Tod, Tod.

You're quite the most popular young man in Carlisle.

- Well, I think they think I can help them.

- Can you?

- Confidentially, no.

The winner is picked by Mr. Coyne's applause-o-meter

but don't tell them that I can't help them because

on the strength that I might be able to,

I've been invited to four dances, two country clubs,

three drive-in theaters, six home-cooked meals,

eight rides in the country and 16

miscellaneous.

(Jahala laughs)

(dynamic music)

(gentle music)

Quieted down, huh?

- It'll pick up around four, it always does.

- Hey, Where's Mrs. Coyne?

- Got a call from Max and she cut out.

- How's the Cinderella action?

- Only got two kids signed up so far.

Max always screams if I don't get

at least a half a dozen.

He's really got a thing about this whole Cinderella jazz.

He's flipped on it, don't ask me why.

I just think if he kept the category in

just to mix some some Ohs with the Ahs,

you know, showmanship.

But he knocks himself out over these Cinderellas.

Gets them a new hairstyle at some local salon,

promotes a new wardrobe at some store,

goes the whole route.

Like I always tell him, "Max you can't make

"something outta nothin'."

- Listen, Coco, I've got a girl.

- Ah, yeah, I seen you in action.

A whole women's auxiliary.

- No, no, this could be a Miss Cinderella.

Her name's Jahala West.

She works right here in the coffee shop.

You know, if somebody gave her a hairdo and--

- So go sign her up.

- Well I don't think I can talk her into it.

Why don't you go in there and try.

- 20 years developing a lip,

Masters Degree at Juliard Institute

and I wind up with some ugly dame in Carlisle.

I could have been at Carnegie Hall.

- Well you know, Harry, it's the usual routine.

You give the girl a couple of lines in the picture,

you cut 'em out, nobody knows the difference,

everybody's happy, yeah, but,

Harry, will you listen to,

Harry.

(phone clicks) Harry!

(slams down phone)

- (smirks) How do you like that guy?

I put him in the business.

We used to send him out for sandwiches

and he's telling me--

- Max, what are you tryin' to do to yourself?

Do you realize that you're starting to beg?

- Nate.

- Nate?

- Nate.

- Nate Grayson, the producer?

- Nate Grayson, the producer.

And how many Nate Graysons are there?

Yeah, long distance please.

- Honey, he won't even pick up the phone.

- So, I'll make the call pre-paid.

Yeah, yeah dear, long distance.

- Just because you've run out of friends

do you have to start in on your enemies?

- It's not a bad idea to have a warm person

lend to me once in a while.

Look honey, I know it's late,

but I want to call Hollywood.

That's right.

Listen, who knows?

Nate may be so surprised with my call,

he may forget we're enemies and he'll say,

"Why sure Max, send the girl on out.

"We'll use her in a picture.

"It'll be great publicity."

What do you think?

- I think we're through.

(knocking on door)

- You want to make a bet?

That's a telegram from Jerry.

He's made a connection.

You'll see!

- [Woman In Hat] Well, Mr. Coyne.

I see from your expression you do remember us.

- Oh, but of course I--

- But you didn't think we'd catch up with you so fast.

Good evening, Mrs. Coyne.

- [Carol] It's morning, Mrs. Pearson.

One o'clock in the morning.

- I'm quite aware of the time, Mrs. Coyne,

and I can promise you this is one morning

the dawn will come up like thunder.

Close the door, Mr. Coyne,

unless you want the whole town to hear

what they will shortly read,

as soon as I give it to the newspapers.

You're a fraud, Mr. Coyne,

but you're caught, your little game is over.

Here, I take my daughter out of school.

The Pottstown Band turns out to see us off.

They haven't done that since the war,

and Mayor Rodman came down to the station

and made a beautiful speech, and what happens?

Nobody was expecting us at the studio.

There is no Jerry Ralston working there,

and nobody heard of you.

And they treated Cynthia just shamefully,

just shamefully, as though it were her fault.

Well I can promise you one thing, Mr. Coyne,

I am going to sue you for every dollar you have.

- And while I quite agree with you, Mrs. Pearson,

the outlook must be quite dim but

if you would just listen to me,

I'm sure I can explain it all.

- Well, can you explain away the $500 that trip cost?

- We paid her expenses.

- Hers, not mine.

You don't think I'd let her go to Hollywood alone.

I read the columns.

Why look at her, she won't eat, won't sleep.

Her heart was set on a career.

She just cries and cries and cries.

- Oh.

- That's what you've done to my little girl, Mr. Coyne.

And that's why I'm going to see that you are exposed

for what you are, that no other decent girl

is gonna be exposed to the heartbreaks

that my little Cynthia is suffering now.

- Oh, now you see, that's talent.

Mrs. Pearson, that is true talent,

the way that girl cries right on cue like that.

No wonder she's bereft,

to have the vision of Hollywood right in front of her

and then suddenly have it snatched away.

You mustn't chill this talent, Mrs. Pearson.

You must not crush this talent at this critical moment.

The fact of the matter is, I

severed relations with Mr. Jerry Ralston two weeks ago

and actually, you were supposed to be there

three weeks ago.

- Well, I wired him and

we had a lot of shopping to do to get ready.

- Oh, I see, just an unfortunate mix-up in timing.

Of course, the important thing is to have

Cynthia in the movies, isn't it?

- Well uh, yes.

Yes, that is the main thing.

- Well that's correct, and you see,

I just at this very moment was arranging a new

liaison man with a studio,

so I'm sure that we'll be able to get her in the picture.

- What about the money I advanced?

- Money? - Yes.

- Oh, money, money, yes, well

you'll get all of it, you'll get all of it.

You'll get it right after Saturday,

as soon as our local contest has been held.

- Well, I don't know.

How do I know I can trust you?

- (stammers) Why don't you

ask Cynthia, let her decide.

(gentle, whimsical music)

- Well, Cynthia?

Oh, all right, then, till Saturday.

- Oh, that's just fine, there we are.

And we'll take care of everything, Mrs. Pearson.

Have a nice sleep now.

G'night.

- [Mrs. Pearson] Good night.

(brooding music)

- Well, which was it tonight?

Country club, home-cooked dinner or

miscellaneous?

- Haven't you ever heard of the 13th Amendment

or the eight-hour day?

- Oh, I changed shifts with Elsie

so I could get off tomorrow.

I mean today.

Want some coffee?

- No thanks.

Doesn't this place ever close?

- Somebody has to worry about the insomniacs.

- [Tod] I heard you entered the contest.

- I didn't want to,

but your friend kept insisting.

He said it was important to you,

that you'd get 10 extra points if I did.

- Coco said that?

- I've never won anything in my life.

If I did I guess I'd (chuckles),

just drop dead, that's all.

- You know, you need a course in positive thinking.

- Mmm, where do I get a teacher?

- You're lookin' at the dean.

- [Jahala] But your classes are all filled.

- Just night classes, afternoon session is still open.

- Tod, would you come with me tomorrow

instead of Coco?

And help me to pick out my dress

and decide on a hairstyle and everything?

- Sure, if you want me to.

- Oh, I do, I do, I really do, Tod.

- 10 o'clock, okay?

- Fine.

- Goodnight.

- Goodnight.

(gentle, pleasant music)

(upbeat band music)

- Hey Coco, Coco, take five, will you?

We gotta set this deal here.

Give me a hand here, Tod.

- Hi.

- So our applause-o-meter,

go up in the middle of the house.

Go to the back, there.

I designed it myself.

One-half seismic graph.

- Seismograph.

- All right, seismograph from MIT,

one-half EKG from John Hopkins, pretty classy, huh?

You ready?

Start applauding, start.

(clapping)

Move down.

Come on.

Hold it.

Good, fine, I'm gonna set this mike up on the other side.

- [Tod] So that's the judge and jury.

- Oh, man, I'd hate to throw myself

on the mercy of this court.

When you were up there,

it registered practically nothing,

but when you got down here in the first row,

five points.

Boy, if a kid could get her friends right there,

right in that area, oh, boy, she'd be a shoo-in.

- Hey, can you get along without me for about an hour?

- Why?

- I got an idea.

- Max, honey,

I called all those numbers you asked me to

and it's no use.

They won't even discuss this smog.

- Well don't worry, honey, somethin'll work out.

- Boy,

you don't even recognize rock bottom

when it hits you, do you?

(tense music)

(slapping and punching)

- Oh!

You know about the beauty contest?

- Yeah, I hear.

- Well, how'd you like to back the winner?

You know, Miss Olaf Swedish Massage and Rock Steam Baths?

- (laughs) My wife in

too thin.

- No, no,

I've got the girl, won't cost you a thing.

All you have to contribute is a little moral support

and some applause.

You know, she'll wear a banner with your name on it.

You'll get all the publicity and

good for business.

- [Olaf] Olaf needs publicity?

- Sure.

Everybody needs publicity.

Bring your father and oh, you know,

is there a massage union in town or something?

- No, but I got three brothers,

and they give good massage too.

- Have they got big hands like yours?

- (laughs) I tell you,

when my brother slap you it feels like

(slapping) this!

- Oh, that's great.

(stammers) I'll have reserved seats for you

right down in front tomorrow night, okay.

- We like pretty girls.

We come.

You like massage?

- Oh, yeah, yeah, it's great.

Look, Olaf, I really gotta get back.

- But we just start.

- Oh, oh.

(applauding)

- Oh, thank you, thank you, ladies and gentlemen.

You have chosen your Miss Venus,

(drum roll) (applauding)

and you have chosen your Miss Sarah Bernhardt.

(drum roll) (applauding)

And now, and now for the final event of the evening,

our contestants for Miss Cinderella.

Will you come on, girls, please?

That's right, come right along here.

(pleasant music)

- Your husband's stealin' your thunder.

I thought you were the MC.

- Oh well, Max is doing it tonight.

- Yeah.

- Look, I'm going back to the hotel.

Would you tell him if he asks you?

- Yeah, sure.

- Thank you. - Right.

- Our Miss Cinderella.

And now, Miss Cinderella number one,

Miss Bowman and Company Department Store, thank you.

(applauding)

- All right, you may step down

on the other side, dear, thank you, that's right,

and now, our second Miss Cinderella,

uh, Miss Olaf and Sons.

(loud applauding)

- Yes, ma'am?

- Has Mr. Coyne left for the auditorium yet?

- I haven't seen him come down as yet,

shall I call his room?

- Never mind, we're old friends.

Come along, Cynthia.

See, those other girls all dressed up,

taking the spotlight, that's what's bothering you.

But don't forget, you've won.

You're gonna be in the pictures.

I'll have Mr. Coyne reassure you just once more.

(whimsical, apprehensive music)

(knocking on door)

He must have left some time ago.

All these messages.

You know what these messages are?

They're long distance calls to Hollywood.

"Out, no answer, in conference,

"gone to Europe,

"does not wish to accept Mr. Coyne's call,

"drop dead, hustler."

Well.

Come along, Cynthia, we'll fix his wagon.

(dramatic chord)

(applauding)

- Now, ladies and gentlemen,

that we have our three finalists,

you and the applause-o-meter will decide

which one of these charming young ladies

will represent and carry the hopes

of the fine community of Carlisle

west to Hollywood, and then via the miracle

of the giant silver screen, to the rest of the world.

First, Miss Sarah Bernhardt.

(applauding)

Oh, that's very nice, very nice, thank you.

And next, we have Miss Venus.

(applauding)

Well, very good indeed.

And then we have Miss Cinderella.

(loud applauding)

Ladies and gentlemen,

why that's amazing.

That's the highest rating we've ever had, 98.

You have chosen your queen,

Miss Carlisle.

(lively band music) (applauding)

- Maximillian Coyne, liar, fraud!

He can't get your daughter to the movies.

My daughter won a contest, she's still here.

You liar, I'm going to sue you.

Arrest that man, officer, arrest that man!

(chattering and yelling)

(gentle band music)

(women yelling) (Max arguing)

(gentle band music)

- Real class, Max, just like you said.

I mean, you know, most of these jailhouse scenes

you got some cat playing a 32 cent harmonica.

We come in, a three-piece-band, real classy.

- Aren't you even gonna try and explain?

Jahala, the sheriff told me you aren't even from this town.

You're a fraud, a ringer.

- Tod, leave her alone.

- You shoulda heard that sad-eyed tale

and seen the hang-dog act.

Oh, I'd just die if I ever won.

Well I fell for it, and I went out and hustled her a clap,

Olaf and his mighty brothers.

Jahala, that makes me a cheat as well as a sucker.

- The gold rubs off, doesn't it?

- Well not until the morning after, honey.

- Well who cares?

When they've had the night before.

And I'm not gonna let you spoil it for me.

I don't care how I won.

What matters is that I won.

I stood up there on that stage

and people thought I was beautiful.

All sorts of strangers.

Try and take it away from me.

- Jahala, don't you understand, I cheated, I rigged it.

- I don't care!

I'd have won anyway.

I'll always tell myself that.

I'd have won anyway.

You know,

people look at you, Tod,

and they remember you.

But me?

Do you know, one night in my own hometown,

I waited on six different tables,

and not one of the six families that I served

could even remember what I look like.

I waited back in the kitchen just to test it,

and they all said the same thing,

"We can't remember which waitress was ours, but

"go find her, we want the check."

I'd walk down the street,

I might just as well have been invisible.

So last month when Mr. Coyne's Talent Cavalcade

came to Pottstown, my hometown,

I noticed that hardly anybody

entered the Miss Cinderella event.

So I quit my job and I came here,

and then I saw you,

and I thought,

it just might be possible.

I don't mind not being able to go to Hollywood, Mr. Coyne,

I know I don't belong there.

But I can go home now, to my own hometown,

and people will notice me.

They'll notice me now,

because,

because I feel different.

- Tod?

Does your conscience still pinch you?

- I just outgrew it, Max.

Just now.

- All right, boys, you may go.

- Well.

- Max, honey,

I, I called Lex,

and he's hired you.

Third assistant casting director.

And the sheriff talked to him and so did Mrs. Pearson,

so they all know it's on the level.

And Lex stuck his neck out.

He's going to give the girl a part in his picture.

- You called Lex to give me a job?

- [Carol] Oh, what difference does it make whom I called?

It's a start.

- A start, what are you talkin' about, a start?

Think honey, look what we've got!

- We've got nothing.

For 15 years you've given other people their dreams.

Now let us have ours.

- Lex is going to give us our dreams, huh,

third assistant casting director.

- Honey, what difference does it make?

Soon you'll be first casting director.

- Oh.

- Max?

(melancholy music)

- You really want this, don't ya, baby?

- Oh, Max.

For 15 years we've done it your way.

Please try it mine, now.

- Oh, just leave the whole bottle right here.

Here we are, well Tod,

that's $75 for you,

75 for you, Buz.

- Thank you.

- And the ten bucks that I beat you guys out of.

- Well. (chuckles)

- Well, I see you're quite impressed by my generosity.

Well let me let you in on something.

You know, we don't give all those prizes away

and the ones that are left over, well,

the merchants don't want to take back,

they just wanted the publicity for giving 'em,

and I've got a guy who follows us with a truck

and a bankroll and he buys up all the ones

that are left over, 50 cents on the dollar

and everybody's happy.

- Max, is that honest?

- What's honest, Tod?

Do you think you can split it right down the middle,

what is and what isn't?

Look at me.

I came into Carlisle, I wind up in the can.

What did I do?

I brought some excitement to a town for one week.

I certainly stimulated business on Main Street,

and I brought some dreams to a few people

about the big world outside.

Who can tell?

Well, to the future.

- Good luck, Max.

(wistful music)

- Why, you know something?

In six months I'm gonna have that whole studio

right in the palm of my hand, in six months,

and if you guys ever want another job,

you know all you have to do?

Pick up a phone.

Call Max Coyne.

- [Max and Buz] Collect.

(laughing)

- No kiddin', I never forget a friend.

Should we go along, honey?

Well, I'll be seein' you fellas.

So long. - Okay, bye.

- Say, your friend took the whole bottle.

That's 28 ounces, 50 cents an ounce.

$14.00.

(laughing)

(dynamic music)

(jazzy music)

- [Announcer] This has been a Screen Gems film presentation

from Columbia Pictures,

Herbert B. Leonard, Executive Producer.