Miracle of the Bells

BELLS RING

TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS

Hello, Nick.

Hello.

Looking for someone?

Yeah.

On the 2:30?

Yeah.

Well, there she is.

You Mr Dunnigan?

Yes.

I'm Nick Orloff. How do you do?

Better unload.

Hurry up there. We haven't got all day.

Uh, are you the husband

of the deceased back there?

No, I'm just a friend.

I see.

Quite a surprise when I got your telegram

from Hollywood.

Yes, sir.

Never had a client from Hollywood before.

Hmm.

Thought I knew every family in Coaltown.

Treskovna.

No. Never heard of them.

No.

No family in Coaltown by that name -

Treskovna - willing to bet you.

Olga Treskovna was her professional name.

I see.

She was an actress.

You don't say.

Used to live in Coaltown, huh?

What's her, uh, real name?

Olga Truckee.

What?

You mean Stan Truckee's kid?

He was a coal miner.

Stan Truckee was no miner.

He was a lush.

I gave him a first-class 100 funeral.

His kid, Olga, arranged for it in person.

Deadbeats, both of them.

Never paid me.

BRAKES SQUEAL

Why are you stopping?

It's four years since I buried her drunken pa

for nothing.

I ain't burying any more deadbeats

until they pay up.

You mean right now?

I've waited four years.

It was a 90 funeral, not 100.

She told me.

She paid you 10. That leaves 80.

Give me 20.

Oh, no.

What about the extras -

the flowers for the grave and pallbearers

out of my own pocket?

I'm a respectable businessman.

I never cheated nobody.

When I say 100 bucks, it's 100 bucks.

My mistake, Mr Orloff...

not noticing your fine qualities.

People think dying is cheap,

but it costs more to be buried than to be born.

Yes, sir. When you figure all the incidentals...

Shut up.

I was only saying...

You've said enough.

'You'll be home soon, kid.

'Why anyone would want to come back

'to this flea-bitten end of the world, I don't know,

'but that's what you wanted,

'so you're here.

'That's all I can do for you -

'ride with you

'and tell you I love you.

'That's what's driving me crazy,

'that I waited till now to tell you,

'but I've got to say it now.

'I love you, baby.

'I love you.

'I guess I loved you

'the first time I saw your face.

'Show business is full of beautiful faces,

'and I'd seen them all,

'but I never saw one like yours, baby.

'Never like yours.'

RAGTIME MUSIC PLAYS

1...2...

3...4...

Bend it!

1...2...3...slide!

Travel!

1...2...3...slide!

Travel!

Hold it!

Hold it!

What are you trying to do to me?

You - what's your name?

Olga Treskovna.

OK, Olga.

The first rule of dancing -

a girl has to stay on her feet!

OK, get back in line.

Try it again.

Give them a pick-up, Freddy.

MUSIC PLAYS

Kick!

Kick! Kick!

1...2...3...twist!

Hold it!

Hold it! Wait a minute.

Look, we open in four days.

So it's a burlesque show.

They pay to see you, don't they?

I'm not asking you to act.

I'm not asking you to sing good,

only loud.

There's only one thing I ask you.

Like a brother I ask you.

Give me this! This is all I want!

Look. 1...2...3...

pivot!

OK, have you got it?

Have you got it?

All right, try it again.

Give them a pick-up, Freddy.

MUSIC PLAYS Same place.

Kick, kick!

Kick, kick!

1...2...3... head...

Oh, wait a minute.

You're breaking my heart.

I haven't time for beginners.

Step out of the line.

Come back when you've learned something.

Mr Elmo, please.

No. We'll do it without you.

Let me try again.

I'll learn. I will.

I'll stay after rehearsal.

Please give me another chance.

No can do. I haven't the time.

Please.

Go on, Tommy, give the kid a break.

Who's that?

Bill Dunnigan!

How are you, Tommy?

What are you doing, slumming?

Thought I'd buy you a drink.

You buy me a drink? I owe you a million.

The world's greatest press agent,

meet the world's worst chorus.

Hi, Bill. Hi, girls.

ELMO: OK, ladies, take a half-hour.

Hiya, white spats.

Freddy Evans. Nice to see you, Freddy.

Tommy, do me a favour, will you?

Sure. Just mention it.

Let Freddy work with that new kid.

He'll have her dancing like Pavlova.

Oh, that kid's got two left feet.

Come on. She's a nice girl.

You know her, huh?

No. I just like her face, and she needs the job.

Give her a break.

OK, if that's our pleasure.

Freddy, take her and work with her.

You be able to show me that pivot, or else.

I will. Thanks.

And thank you so much, Mr...

Dunnigan, you sap.

Bill Dunnigan.

Never mind the thanks.

Just get that pivot.

I will, Mr Dunnigan.

Come on, big boy.

It's like old times seeing you out front again.

'That's where it began,

'and this is where it ends.

'You're home, Olga.'

Take that chair there, please.

Hello, Eddie? This is Mr Orloff.

I'm back from Nanticoke.

Anybody been trying to get me?

You don't have to use that tone of voice.

Mr Dunnigan,

I was stung once on the Truckees.

I won't get stung again.

No hard feelings, I hope.

No hard feelings.

Just honest business.

That's right.

OK, the job will cost you 150 bucks.

150?

That includes transportation

from the train to Coaltown.

Of course, that ain't including pallbearers.

You don't have to have them.

I want them.

Then you'll need six.

That's 2.00 apiece.

Could you get some of her father's friends

or some people who knew her?

You mean free?

No chance.

Stan Truckee was a sweet guy.

I'm sure he must've had some friends.

You think I'm trying to shake you down, huh?

All right, I'll introduce you

to some of his friends.

Come on.

You'll see if you can get them free.

Come on. You'll see.

BOISTEROUS CONVERSATION

Hey, pipe down, will you?

I want to ask you a question

in front of this gentleman.

I want to ask you

if any of you remember Stan Truckee.

Stan Truckee?

Yeah. I knew him.

What about Stan Truckee?

His kid died.

We're burying her alongside her old man.

Would any of you

like to act as pallbearers,

on account of you knew Stan?

Don't try to put nothing over on us, Nicky.

We'll be pallbearers for 2 bucks apiece.

Me, too.

Who's that guy?

A friend of the deceased.

OK, gents, I'll use the first six.

Now I want four guys to carry her inside.

Give me the stick, Billy.

You guys better be good now.

There's competition.

Put it down on the floor.

Now put your names down there for pallbearers.

We don't want no arguments afterwards.

I give you the bill before the hearse pulls out,

and I get paid before the funeral.

You said that.

I just want it understood.

Send in two more.

The first thing is to fix it up with Father Spinsky.

His church is the big one on Spring Street.

I'll arrange everything for you.

Now, make yourself comfortable.

I'll be back in a few minutes.

'I'll try to remember

'that you loved these people, baby,

'but it's hard figuring out why.

'What a sap I was,

'walking out of that theatre

'and not seeing you again for a whole year.

'Yes, a whole year before I ran into you again.'

'I'll never forget that town.'

'I wasn't thinking of you that night.

'I wasn't thinking about much of anything

'except what a cold and lonely place

'a small town can be on Christmas Eve...

'and wondering how to kill time

'till I could get the next train out...

'for my next stop.'

Is Miss Treskovna still in the theatre?

Yeah. She's number one, right over there.

Great. Thanks.

Come in.

Merry Christmas.

Oh. Mr Dunnigan.

Well, that's a pretty good memory.

Katie - Miss Hallwin,

this is Mr Dunnigan.

Pleased to meet you.

I saw your picture in the lobby.

Success, huh?

This is the most exciting thing

that could have happened.

I wanted to thank you so.

I've never forgotten how kind you were.

"Give the kid a break."

And disappearing like Santa Claus.

If it hadn't been for you,

I'd never have become Smokey Sue,

the terror of the Ozarks.

She's good, huh?

Oh, she's in there hollerin'.

Show business?

I'm the advance man

for the Up In The Moon company.

I'm glad you've got a date tonight, kid.

See you in the morning.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

Well, if you've got a date, I'll blow along.

I just wanted to say hello.

I haven't any date.

You're not going somewhere?

Just about town -

pretend it's a real Christmas Eve.

I suppose you're with friends.

I won't keep you, Mr Dunnigan.

The name is Bill, and I'm your date tonight.

Go and get your coat on.

You hungry? Yes.

Wonderful.

Must be some place in this town that's open,

besides the county jail.

'There will never be a walk again

'like the one that night.

'Laughing in the snow,

'you telling me to listen to the reindeer bells.

'I felt as though I were drunk,

'but I didn't know I'd feel the same way

'every time I was with you.'

This way, please.

How nice.

Yes.

Here you are close to the snow and to a radiator.

Are you Ming Gow?

Yes.

My name's Bill. This is Olga.

I hope we're not a nuisance coming in.

I'm happy to have you.

Not much trade on Christmas Eve.

No. Everybody is home.

But show people.

And Ming Gow.

No, no. Please.

Will the lady and gentleman

allow me to prepare dinner?

Thank you.

In Iowa, we run into a Chinese Santa Claus.

It's a wonderful night.

First, bird's nest soup

with lotus seed floating in it,

then fing han,

which is lobster fixed in the Cantonese manner.

Oh.

Then a dish of gaiset gai

and some gai-lan soon,

which is only broccoli with a Chinese accent.

Then hop tan yei - chicken and walnuts.

Hold it, Ming. That'll be enough.

Please. There will be more.

Bill, let him.

You're so nice, Ming Gow.

We're so lucky to meet you tonight.

We were walking through the snow...

and the weary travellers

came upon a castle in the snow,

presided over by a magician named Ming Gow,

who set before them

pomegranates and guinea hen from Zanzibar.

Give us the works.

Let's have a feast to remember.

You shall have a feast

that you shall always remember.

Ahh.

Ming, tremendous.

Calls for a cigar.

I'll bring it. No, I'll get it.

SHE COUGHS

Thank you.

How about some music, Olga?

Oh, I'd love it.

MUSIC: Silent Night

I always liked those tunes on Christmas Eve.

Used to hear them when I was a kid.

How are you, baby?

Fine, Bill.

Good.

A toast from that eminent philosopher Ming Gow

is in order.

The floor is yours, Ming.

A long time ago,

three wise men followed a star,

found a child in a cradle.

We also are all from far away.

Tonight, we were brought together

by someone who makes the snow fall.

I drink to what we shall find.

How nice.

You don't think it was an accident,

my running into Olga again?

No. These things are all written.

We follow the script, huh?

Yes. We follow.

Maybe you tell me something.

What would you like to know, Ming Gow?

Your name.

Olga Truckee, alias Olga Treskovna.

Truckee, huh?

Do you mind telling me a little?

No.

When did you first decide to be an actress?

When I was a little girl, I think.

Where was that?

I was born in Poland.

When I was quite young,

we came to America to a place in Pennsylvania

called...

Coaltown.

Little Poland.

Near Wilkes-Barre?

Yes.

Coaltown killed my mother.

And then four years ago,

my father died.

Coaltown killed him, too.

But my father was very sweet and kind.

He played the accordion and sang,

and he used to say to me

when he had a hangover...

which was... very often...

"Go away someplace, Olga, and sing.

"Dance, act, and sing.

"Try to be happy.

"That will make other people happy, too."

He taught me all the songs he knew.

Polish songs.

Sad ones, happy ones,

all kinds.

Sing one for us - a happy one.

Oh, no.

Yes. Please do.

SHE SINGS IN POLISH

That's good.

Just a little song.

Everybody in Coaltown knows it.

It's about coming home

when you've been away for a long time.

Now you're going to be a star.

Yes. I keep studying between shows and on the trains.

I'll be ready when my chance comes.

You know our show's headed west?

That's where Hollywood is.

According to last reports.

I'm going to make good there.

I must.

Not so fast. You've just started.

You need a couple years in stock

playing the old plays.

You've got a lot to learn.

I haven't time for that, Bill.

I want to get there quickly.

When I am a big star in my own dressing room

and all the interviewers ask me,

"How did this success come to you, Olga?"

I'll tell them it came from...

..Bill Dunnigan,

who once said, "Give the kid a break."

And I'll be right there taking a bow, too.

But a year in stock is what you need.

You're only 20.

There are two kinds of people

who don't have enough time -

the very old... and the very young.

I think we'd better go.

It's late, and we have to catch early trains.

Look. It stopped snowing.

I'll bet you the whole town's asleep except us.

Well, let's have the check, Ming.

No check.

Oh, come on. We ate the whole restaurant.

No check, please.

On Christmas, people exchange gifts.

Let this humble meal be my gift

to the other two wise guests from far away.

OK.

Admit Ming Gow and party.

There you are, Ming,

for Up In The Moon any night you want to go.

Just ask for Fred Cooper.

Oh, here it is.

It's nothing very much,

just a little medal.

It's dedicated to St Michael, the archangel.

He's my favourite saint.

Will you take it, please?

Thank you.

St Michael? What's his specialty?

Fighting...for God.

He is a very gallant saint, Bill.

I will carry this

and hope for that great success.

Goodnight, Ming Gow.

And Merry Christmas, Ming Gow.

Yes. Merry Christmas, Ming.

Merry Christmas to you.

Huh?

Which way?

The Iowa Hotel.

Oh, around the corner.

I'm at the Dexter.

What time are you pulling out?

6:30.

Are you going the other way?

Yeah. I go east - at 5:30.

It's a mill train, but it's the only connection.

What is it?

Look.

The stars.

Yes.

There are a lot of them.

One of them's mine.

Oh? Which one?

Do you see over there,

where the V-shaped cluster is?

Yeah.

Just to the right of it. The bright one.

Oh, yeah. I see it.

It's yours.

Yes.

My father told me it appeared in the sky

for the first time the night I was born.

Could be.

It's there to remind me every night

of where I'm going.

Oh, I am being very silly.

I won't see you again

for a long time, maybe.

Will you accept a Christmas present

from a strange young lady?

My star up there.

I'll give you half of it.

'Why didn't I say something?

'But no, not a word.

'Not even, where can I write you?

'What's your route sheet?

'I want to see you again.

'Just old clam-mouth

'walking along with his heart jumping

'and never a word.

'I got to start thinking, kid.

'It can't end like this.

'It can't end with Dunnigan the dummy staring at a box.'

Didn't keep you waiting too long, I hope.

You got everything fixed?

Yessiree, I had a big talk with Father Spinsky.

We worked everything out fine.

He's going to give you a solemn Requiem Mass.

I got hold of a singer from Wilkes-Barre.

She happened to be in town.

Let's see, that'll be 30 bucks extra.

I figured a blanket of roses for the coffin,

then I figured a wreath as a personal tribute from yourself.

Altogether, the floral tributes will amount to 80 bucks.

We mustn't forget the charge

for the sexton of the church.

Almost forgot that.

You wouldn't want to forget any charges.

I'll have to figure out a donation

for Father Spinsky's church.

Personally, I think 75 bucks will do it.

Not too much and not too little,

which brings the total up to 350.

350? That's a lot more than...

That ain't much for a service at St Leo's.

St Leo's? Is that where you made the arrangements?

Yes, sir. The biggest church in town.

But that's the wrong church.

I wanted them made at St Michael's.

Oh, no, no. You don't want St Michael's.

You don't want your friend buried from there.

It a broken-down old church.

Nobody worthwhile goes there.

Father Spinsky's church is the only place.

Mr Orloff, where is St Michael's?

All right. I ain't worried.

You ain't going to do business with Father Paul.

He ain't got nothing to offer you.

You'll be back.

It's down at the end of the street,

right across from the hotel.

Thanks.

Remember, Father Paul can't do nothing for you.

He's got no connections in town, just miners.

DOORBELL RINGS

Come in.

Are you Father Paul?

Yes.

My name's Bill Dunnigan.

How do you do?

I brought a friend of mine back to Coaltown - a girl.

She wanted to be buried from your church.

From St Michael's?

Yes. She has a plot in your cemetery.

It's already been paid for in full.

What I want to do now

is arrange for a church funeral.

How much do you charge?

Please sit down, Mr Dunnigan.

Her Father was buried from your place

five years ago.

His name was Stan Truckee.

That bill's unpaid.

I'll take care of that

up to any reasonable amount.

I wasn't here five years ago.

Did you bring this girl from somewhere out of town?

From Hollywood.

Hollywood?

That's where they make the movies.

Yes, I know.

Hollywood to St Michael's.

That's rather strange.

I understand there are certain charges,

fees and so forth.

If you'd give an estimate...

Maybe I'd better tell you first.

She wanted a few...extras.

She wanted organ music,

and she also wanted...

six angels with wings

to stand beside the coffin.

The angels will be little girls.

That's an old Polish custom.

How much for the girls with wings and the organist?

The children will be happy to serve without any fee.

Sometimes our organist receives 3.00,

but this is a poor parish.

She's used to not being paid.

Oh.

How much for you?

For me?

I, too, am used to not being paid,

and I'd rather not break the precedent.

I am very proud

that this girl wanted to be buried

from my church.

To a humble priest, that's a great satisfaction,

and it is fee enough.

Please, put that away, Mr Dunnigan.

I'm sorry, Father.

I came in here like a sorehead.

It was just that...

Well, it's a pleasure to run into a human being

in Coaltown or anywhere.

I was beginning to think the world had run out of them.

Look, Father, I might as well lay it on the line.

Ever hear of poverty?

Yes, an old friend of St Michael's.

I'm down to 300

and with no visible means of support at the moment.

I've made millions for people I've worked for.

A press agent can do that.

I never got around to making myself rich.

I never wanted to be a millionaire.

I just wanted to live like one.

That'll keep you poor, you know.

Father, I hate the thought of her being in Orloff's place.

That's a little rough even on a brave kid like Olga.

Could we have her brought here to your church?

Certainly. She belongs here.

She'll like that.

I mean, she would've liked that.

That's the whole trouble with this trip,

all these arrangements about the funeral.

To me she isn't dead.

It's as if she were here

and we were doing all this together.

Oh, I don't mean that I see her

or anything like that.

I mean...

I know what you mean.

Hello?

Hello, this is Father Paul.

Hello, Hattie.

Would you get me Nick Orloff?

Yes. Thank you.

Telephoning in Coaltown is sort of different.

Mr Orloff, this is Father Paul speaking.

Yes. Yes, I know. He's - he's here now.

I've called to tell you to bring the body

of Stan Truckee's daughter

to St Michael's immediately.

Not tomorrow, Mr Orloff.

Immediately. Now. Right away.

You're a greedy and stupid man, Mr Orloff.

No, I'm not afraid of you and all your friends.

Bring the girl here immediately

without any further discussion.

Goodbye.

You can be tough when you have to.

You didn't look it.

My adviser, Michael the archangel.

Oh, yes. I've heard of him.

He had to be, as you say, tough.

Mr Orloff will be here in half an hour.

Thank you, Father.

I'm probably taking up your time.

I'll wait in the church.

No, please. Wait here.

Talk to me about Olga.

I can see you loved her very much.

You can, huh?

Are you sure I won't bore you?

No. Come, Mr Dunnigan.

I'd like to hear what's in your heart.

I only met Olga twice

before I took a job on the coast.

I'd become tired of hopping around

peddling a road company

to a lot of antitheatrical towns,

so I figured on settling down

in the lotus land of Hollywood.

And I get me a job as personal drumbeater

for the great Marcus Harris.

Marcus Harris?

You've never heard of him?

Well, Marcus Harris is one of the greatest

motion picture producers in America,

who at the moment was giving birth

to his greatest production,

a 3 million epic called Joan Of Arc.

Now, gentlemen,

I want this trouble with Anna Klovna settled.

I don't want to have a fight going on.

Hard enough to make pictures without fights.

It's Miss Klovna who's doing all the fighting.

Where's Dunnigan?

Why isn't he here, Miss Mulhauser?

He's on his way, Mr Harris.

Thank you very much.

I sent for you an hour ago.

Well, here I am, chief.

Whenever he's late, I get promoted to chief.

Bill, we're in trouble.

Yeah, I heard rumours.

Uh, Miss Klovna is playing nasty again.

Let's not call anybody any names.

I've got a million dollars invested in Miss Klovna,

so I would like to think she isn't nasty,

just a little nervous.

I'm assigning you the job of handling Miss Klovna.

Thanks very much,

but I don't think that'll solve any problems.

I'm asking this as a favour.

Two days after she landed in this country,

you got her the keys to the city of New York,

arranged a parade in her honour,

kept her picture in the papers for 55 days.

Have another.

She'll listen to you and nobody else.

I don't know, Marcus.

Fame is very bad for some people.

It goes to their heads.

Come on, gentlemen, we'll go with Mr Dunnigan

and give him all the help we can.

With all the respect in the world, Miss Klovna...

Respect? That is what you do not give me.

I have played Joan in Europe.

Shaw's Joan. Schiller's Joan.

What have I to learn from you?

That was the stage. This is the movies.

Hello. What's all the fireworks?

Oh, Mr Dunnigan!

This imbecile is trying to tell me how to act Joan.

Me! He wants me to get here before I'm awake - to rehearse.

He needs rehearsal, not me.

Relax. Be yourself. You're a great artist.

Don't act like a two-year-old.

Then I want to be treated like a great artist.

I don't want to be screamed at like a servant girl.

A little late?

Two hours late every morning this week!

A full crew and 300 extras,

standing around waiting for her nibs.

They are waiting, eh? Who cares?

Let's talk it over in your dressing room.

He tells me it costs Mr Marcus Harris 10,000 because I'm late.

What do I care how much money it costs that stupid upstart?

The only education he has is vending from a pushcart.

No ignorant peasant can give orders to Anna Klovna.

We don't talk like that in America.

No. All you talk in America is money, money, money!

What do you know about art in America,

you and your Marcus Harris?

Oh, I spit on you both.

I'm finished!

I quit!

I go back to the theatre!

No more here! No more!

You ought to have some sense knocked into you.

Enough, Mr Dunnigan. I'll talk to Miss Klovna.

You can't make me do anything,

you and all your money.

I don't want you to do anything.

You can quit.

I'm sorry you don't like me, Miss Klovna,

but that's all right.

I'm sorry you don't like America.

That isn't all right.

So many people from your country have learned to love America.

It's too bad you couldn't see something nice

in such a wonderful place.

We'll pay Miss Klovna off in full and shelve the picture.

Send out a notice that Anna Klovna's had a...nervous breakdown

and won't be able to finish the picture.

Oh! Oh!

Well, you surely called her bluff, Marcus.

She'll be back in half an hour ready to play marbles.

I don't want her back.

I like this country.

I won't work with anyone who doesn't like it.

We'll get somebody else.

Klovna isn't the only actress in the world.

There's nobody else available who can play Joan of Arc,

at least nobody who's available for some time.

Not a very nice woman, Miss Klovna,

but she's a great talent.

She was made for the part of Joan.

Well, that's too bad.

I'm shelving the picture.

I'll see you in my office, Mr Dolan.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I'm sorry this has happened.

Maybe next time we'll have better luck.

Thank you.

Wrap it up, boys!

Mr Dunnigan!

Mr Dunnigan!

Bill!

Holy ike! Am I dreaming?

Hello, Bill.

Olga, look at you.

Don't tell me you're in pictures.

I was. I lost my job.

I was a stand-in for Anna Klovna.

No more Anna Klovna, no more job,

at least for the moment.

I didn't know you were working for Mr Harris.

I nearly fell over when I saw you.

Let's get out of here.

Pardon me.

So you're a stand-in, huh?

Not much of a job

for a foolish young lady who dreamed of being a star.

You quit dreaming, huh?

No, I haven't,

only it's taking longer than I thought.

You know, it makes me happy just to look at you.

I've got to go hold Marcus' hand for a while.

Where would you like to go for dinner?

Bill, let me cook dinner for you.

I've got a sort of apartment with a stove,

and I've been dying to have a guest.

No guests?

No.

I'm glad.

What's the address?

1461 Curson Avenue.

It's over a garage.

1461. I'll be there.

I have to go home and change.

Will it be all right if I get there about 7:00?

More coffee?

Oh, no, thanks.

Won't you finish the pie?

I couldn't handle it.

I've had three big pieces

and two pounds of goulash.

Have a heart, will you?

You know, it's a very cute layout.

Restful.

I was lucky to get it.

Come furnished?

Oh, yes.

I painted the floor myself.

Oh?

Oh.

I think it's just as good as a carpet.

Oh, sure.

Better.

Thanks.

HE SIGHS

Well, baby,

now tell me the rest of it.

There isn't any rest of it.

I kept going round and round the studios,

and sometimes they said, "Come back,"

and sometimes they said, "Don't come back."

But whatever they said,

it always ended the same way -

no job for a new young movie star.

So I tried to get an agent

because the girls I met all told me,

"Olga, you cannot become a star without an agent."

So I started going round and round the agencies.

I sang for them,

I acted for them,

I even danced for them...

and ended up without an agent.

Imagine. Olga Treskovna without an agent.

Bill, you are not listening.

I'm listening, baby.

I'm listening to a lot of things.

What's the matter, Bill, did the pie upset you?

No, no, no, I'm just thinking.

Can you act?

Who, me?

Who else would I mean?

You know I can act.

How do I know?

I told you.

Oh, yeah. So you did.

I'm much better now.

I spend all my spare time reading plays, learning parts.

Juliet and Meg Wiley. Elizabeth Barrett.

You're better-looking than she is.

Who?

Anna Klovna. You're younger, prettier.

You got more heart.

What are you talking about?

Take it easy, baby. I'm incubating.

Bill, you don't mean Joan Of Arc?

Never mind what I mean.

Let me see you act.

Mr Harris would never hire a stand-in for a star.

Never mind.

Do you know any scenes from the script?

Bill, I know the whole script.

I just want one scene, one big scene.

When?

Right now.

We've got to move quick.

It's one of those things.

All right. You ready?

Yes.

OK, now, come on.

The camera's rolling. You're on.

Action!

It's the scene when she comes into the courtroom

in the castle of Rouen

for the first time.

They've brought her up from the dungeon...

and she walks down the hallway

with her chains hanging from her.

Then the doors of the courtroom open.

She sees all the great English aristocrats

and all the great philosophers

and doctors of theology.

They sit in a circle above her,

all those stone faces.

They're here in the courtroom

to make her confess she is a liar

and a blasphemer

and that the voices she has listened to

come from the devil and not from God,

because if they can make her say that,

then her name would be fouled and ruined.

The French have only one weapon left -

the name of Joan of Arc

and the belief that God is helping them through her.

Cauchon, the bishop in charge of the trial, speaks.

Do you consider yourself in a state of grace?

If I am not,

I hope God will put me there.

And if I am,

I hope he'll keep me there.

We want you to speak the truth.

Truth is a sacred gift from God.

Do you believe that?

Yes...

but people have been hanged

for speaking it.

Why did Satan first command you

to slay the English?

The voices of my saints

commanded me to fight for France.

You went into battle.

I led the battle!

You were present when English blood was shed!

Yes! And what were the English doing on the soil of France?

Why didn't they keep their blood at home

where French swords couldn't spill it?

No...

whatever you do to me...

I will not say what isn't true.

And the truth is...

I am a peasant girl,

and I love my mother and father and my brothers.

And I would have stayed in Domremy

and cooked and sewed and tended the sheep...

but God spoke to me,

through his angel Michael,

and he told me to go out into the world

and help my people.

I went...

and I fought...

and if I escape from here,

I will continue to fight for them.

And if I do not escape

and you burn me for what I've done...

..I will kneel in the fire

and give God my thanks

for his kindness to me

and my people.

OK.

OK, baby, sit down.

Where's the phone? Oh.

Was it all right?

Yeah, yeah.

Hello. Mr Harris, please.

Bill Dunnigan calling.

Yes, will you, please?

Bill.

Shh.

Hello, Marcus. Bill Dunnigan.

I've got some very important news.

Hang on to your hat.

All right. Hang on to your pyjamas, then.

You don't have to shelve the picture.

Just keep listening, will you?

I found another Anna Klovna, plus.

Would I call you up if I were kidding?

She's young, beautiful, completely unknown.

Can she act?

Can Heifetz fiddle? Can Joe Louis fight?

I'm telling you, this is it.

I want her tested first thing in the morning.

Give me your OK and I'll set everything up.

Sure, sure. I've got her all tied up.

Nobody'll get to her before you see the test.

I give you my solemn word of honour.

I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight.

Bill.

Relax, baby.

I'm going to explode.

You're going to bed.

It's like the time I heard you in the dark

saying, "Give the kid a break."

I don't know why I deserve anybody like you.

I've got to talk Dolan into making the test.

We don't want it made by some stooge.

And you're going to bed right now and sleep.

You didn't tell him who I really am.

We'll come to that jump tomorrow.

How can I ever repay you?

By knocking 'em dead, baby.

Tomorrow's the big day.

Not as big as now.

Oh, Bill.

Thanks.

No, they don't have to worry which side to photograph.

They're both perfect.

And those eyes.

All right, baby, I want you fresh

when you play that big scene for the camera tomorrow.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Now, don't worry about anything.

I'll take care of wardrobe and notify make-up.

See you on the barricades at dawn, baby.

Somebody's crazy.

It isn't I, it's you.

You're the craziest man I've had here.

Will you listen to me?

I'm listening and hearing a lunatic.

How can you ask me to spend 3 million

on somebody called Olga Trestoogy...

Treskovna.

A girl who's never acted,

a burlesque girl.

Joan of Arc.

You're a nice guy.

I don't want to get sore.

He doesn't want to get sore.

You don't have to test Olga Treskovna.

You don't have to hire her,

but you're going to know this.

She's better than any star you ever wanted.

Not only her acting,

it's what's inside her.

It's something you don't see in the world often.

Don't test it, don't buy it,

but take your hat off to it.

INTERCOM BUZZES

What is it?

Miss Olga Treskovna is here.

Tell her to come in.

Olga Treskovna,

Mr Marcus Harris.

How do you do, Mr Harris?

I always wanted to come through that door

and stand here in a lovely costume

and say, "How do you do, Mr Harris?"

Mr Dolan,

you will please make a test of Miss Treskovna

for the leading part in our picture.

And good luck.

Thank you.

Well, the test was great.

We started shooting three days later,

and she was even better.

We were all set and away.

She had a special dressing room,

special studio car,

and everybody raving about her.

No gags. Real raves.

I'll tell you, Father,

you've never seen a dream come true like this one.

Sounds wonderful.

DOORBELL RINGS

I think that's Mr Orloff.

Come in, please.

Where do you want the box?

Would you carry it into the church?

I got it uncrated for you.

Yes, you may keep the lumber, Mr Orloff.

That don't pay me.

There's an extra charge -

5 bucks.

There you are.

Now beat it.

You're going to hear from Father Spinsky.

Yes, sir.

I hope this isn't causing you any trouble, Father.

Oh, no.

Father Spinsky is a man of God

with a rather expensive church to keep up,

and I'm sure he'll understand the situation

when I explain it.

It's time for the evening services.

Would you care to come with me?

In church? Oh, I don't know, Father.

Please, come and see her there.

I wouldn't worry about Mr Orloff's revenge, Mr Dunnigan.

There isn't anything that anyone can do to St Michael's

that the wind, rain, and coal dust haven't already done.

Not much of a house.

We're fixing the leaks in the roof.

Oh, I didn't mean that.

I mean nobody out front.

You know, attending.

Is this an off night?

No. We hardly ever have more than a dozen or so.

The men are tired when they come out of the mines.

The women also work very hard here in Coaltown.

It seems they're almost too tired

to come to God.

Those statues look rather lonely, don't they?

Say, isn't that our boy up there?

Yes, St Michael the archangel.

I thought so.

It's a shame, a house like this.

I think your church needs a press agent, Father.

God doesn't need a press agent.

I'm not so sure.

Once upon a time,

he had 12 very good press agents.

Top men.

My, I never thought of the apostles as press agents.

What else were they?

They sold the biggest story that ever happened

to a whole world -

and without the benefit of newspapers and radio.

Terrific job.

Oh, yes, terrific job.

You'll stay for the services?

Oh, I don't think so, Father.

I guess I haven't been inside a church

since my mother stopped taking me.

She died when I was seven.

She was a Protestant.

You won't change your mind and stay,

as a Protestant?

No. I'll drop in some other time.

I'll see you tomorrow.

Yeah.

Goodnight, kid.

Olga used to talk to me about these hills.

"Mountains covered with flowers", she called them.

Coaltown doesn't look so bad from here.

The coal dust doesn't blow up here.

The flowers are always clean.

If I had to live down there,

I think I'd welcome coming up here

for a good long sleep.

Perhaps most of them do.

SINGING IN POLISH

Good morning.

Good morning, Father.

HE HUMS THE POLISH SONG

You know that song?

Yes. Olga sang it for me once.

She said it was about coming home

after you've been away for a long time.

Yes. It's a sort of a Polish "Home, Sweet Home".

It has an English translation, too.

# Ever homeward

# Ever homeward

# Yearns the weary rover

# Ever homeward

# Ever homeward

# Till the journey's over

# Warm embraces, friendly faces

# Sing welcome home

# Let me lie there

# 'Neath the sky there

# Nevermore to roam

# Ever homeward

# Ever homeward

# Yearns the weary rover

# Ever homeward

# Ever homeward

# Now the journey's over. #

Thank you, Father.

That song makes Coaltown seem different somehow.

When you're up here,

you can understand Coaltown.

You realise that the sins of the poor

are mostly in their poverty,

not in themselves.

My own small troubles seem very unimportant,

my failures insignificant.

Your failures, Father?

Oh, yes.

When I was ordained,

I came here filled with the zeal and confidence of a crusader.

St Michael and I would form a partnership

and make over Coaltown,

but I had forgotten that the first lesson

a young student learns in a seminary is humility.

Tell me more about Olga.

I asked a friend if she had heard of Olga Treskovna,

the movie actress.

She said she hadn't.

I told her she was very famous.

They wouldn't let her become famous.

But you said she was very successful.

No, not that way.

She was great, but no-one will ever know it.

A new star, but no-one will ever see her.

Well, what happened, Mr Dunnigan?

You don't know Hollywood, do you, Father?

Only from what I've seen in pictures.

I'll tell you.

Maybe I'll get an idea if I talk.

You got time?

Oh, yes.

Well, Marcus tripled her take

after two weeks of shooting.

That's how good she was.

Tore up her contract.

But she never changed.

It's quite a thing to jump from nowhere into stardom.

One day nobody's talking to you,

the next day there's a world at your feet.

'She was hounded by reporters,

'interviewers, columnists.

'Helped along by me, of course.

'She was a natural for publicity.

'A real Cinderella story.

'And all the time she was getting thinner

'and more tired,

'but she'd been working very hard,

'and I thought it was just that.

'I was too blind

'to even suspect anything more serious

'until one day in her dressing room...'

See you soon. Bye-bye.

Help me out of this.

It weighs a tonne.

Oh, what a day.

What a lovely, lovely day.

I've never worked so hard in all my life.

Dolan's a regular slave-driver,

but I love him for it.

Oh, I feel as light as air.

Does she have a temperature?

She's awfully hot.

You would be, too, under those lights

with all this armour on.

Let's have a wonderful party, Bill,

when the picture's over.

Yeah, we'll do that.

Poor serious Bill.

He is so terribly serious.

He doesn't know how gay life can be,

how wonderful it...

SHE COUGHS

Get me that bottle, Mr Dunnigan.

Here, dear. Take this.

It's just some cough medicine

Dr Jennings has given me.

Dr Jennings?

I've been using my voice so much lately -

all those long speeches -

10, 11 takes.

By the way, Miss Olga,

the doctor's office phoned.

He wants you to come in after work.

He'll wait for you.

Yes, I'll go.

I told him you would.

Just think, Bill -

three more days, and the picture will be finished.

As soon as it's finished,

you're going down to Palm Springs for a rest.

I'll arrange for a bungalow.

That would be wonderful, Bill.

You look so tired, you frighten me.

I don't see patients without appointments,

but my nurse tells me this is an emergency.

Maybe it is.

Doctor, I want to know what's wrong with Olga Treskovna.

I don't discuss my patients with strangers.

I'm not a stranger.

Is your name Dunnigan?

Yeah. How did you know?

I asked her as a matter of routine

her next of kin.

She filled in the name of William Dunnigan.

How sick is she, Doctor?

She's a very sick girl, Mr Dunnigan.