Butterflies Are Free Page #3

Synopsis: All Don Baker wants is a place of his own away from his over-protective mother. Don's been blind since birth, but that doesn't stop him from setting up in a San Francisco apartment and making the acquaintance of his off-the-wall, liberated, actress neighbor Jill. Don learns the kind of things from Jill that his mother would never have taught him! And Jill learns from Don what growing up and being free is really all about.
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Music
Director(s): Milton Katselas
Production: Sony Pictures Entertainment
  Won 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 7 nominations.
 
IMDB:
7.2
Rotten Tomatoes:
67%
PG
Year:
1972
109 min
1,370 Views


Oh, God! I hope I didn't say anything.

Wait a minute.

Don't get self-conscious about it. I'm not.

- Why didn't you tell me?

- I just did.

- But I mean, when I came in.

- You didn't ask me.

Why would I ask you?

I don't walk into somebody's house,

saying:

"Hi, I'm Jill Tanner. Are you blind?"

I don't meet someone and say,

"Don Baker. Blind as a bat."

I still think you should've told me.

I would've told you.

I wanted to see how long it'd take you

to catch on.

Oh, God!

When I saw you standing at the window

all that time.

It's the coolest spot in the room.

I thought you were a peeping Tom.

That's what I call positive thinking.

You know, I nearly called the police.

Suppose I had?

Well, they would've locked you up.

You're so cool. So adjusted.

No, I'm not. I never had to adjust.

I was born blind.

It'd be different if I'd been able to see

then went blind.

For me, blindness is normal.

I was 6 before I found out

everybody else wasn't blind.

By then it didn't make any difference.

So, let's relax, okay?

You know, if we can have a few laughs,

so much the better.

A few laughs?

About blindness?

No, not about blindness.

Can't you forget that?

Well, you're the first blind person

I ever met.

Too bad they don't give out prizes for that.

I've seen blind men on the street,

and everything, with dogs...

but why don't you have a dog?

They attract too much attention.

I'd rather do it myself.

Don't you have trouble

getting around San Francisco?

- I mean, it's tough for me.

- No, I manage very well with my cane.

I know exactly how many steps

to the laundry, drugstore, and delicatessen.

Where's the laundry? I need one.

Near the delicatessen.

Outside, turn right,

and it's 44 steps from the front door.

- I didn't see it.

- I'll show you.

You'll show...

Wow!

What about your apartment?

Don't you bang into things?

- You could hurt yourself.

- No, I memorized the room.

Bed. Guitar.

Bathroom.

Jacket. My cane. Front door.

Bookcase.

Wine, glasses, chest of drawers.

- Linens.

- What are these books?

Braille. Dining table.

Bathtub.

Kitchen.

Ketchup. Oil. Salt. Pepper.

Sugar. Coffee.

- Gee!

- Now, if you'll just put the ashtray back.

Voila!

As long as you don't move anything

I'm as good as anybody else.

Better. I can't find anything in my place.

If you really want to see chaos,

come look at...

Oh, I'm sorry.

- I meant...

- I know what you mean.

I'm no different from anybody else,

except I don't see.

The blindness doesn't bother me

as much as other people's reaction.

If they'd only behave naturally.

Some people assume guilt,

which they can't...

because my mother

has that market cornered.

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Leonard Gershe

Leonard Gershe (June 10, 1922 - March 9, 2002) was an American playwright, screenwriter, and lyricist. Born in New York City, Gershe made his Broadway debut as a lyricist for the 1950 revue Alive and Kicking. He wrote the book for Harold Rome's musical stage adaptation of Destry Rides Again in 1959, and in 1969 a play, Butterflies are Free. Later Gershe wrote another play, Snacks, intended for Tony Danza. He wrote the lyrics for the "Born in a Trunk" sequence from the Judy Garland/James Mason musical A Star Is Born. In the 1950s, Gershe wrote ten scripts for the Ann Sothern sitcom Private Secretary. He also wrote a number of episodes of The Lucy Show. His screen credits include Funny Face, 40 Carats, and Butterflies Are Free. According to World of Wonder Gershe had a long-term relationship with composer Roger Edens.Gershe died in Beverly Hills, California from complications from a stroke. more…

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Submitted on August 05, 2018

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