Being Julia
1
I've lived in the
theatre since I was a kid.
What I don't know about acting
isn't worth knowing.
Now, you may be 20 years
old and just beginning,
but I think you're a genius.
You've got magnetism,
but no idea how to use it.
You have to grab the audience
by the throat and say:
"Now, you buggers, you
pay attention to me!"
And remember this,
when you're on the stage acting,
the theatre is the only reality.
Everything else, the world outside,
what civilians call the real world,
is nothing but fantasy.
And I bloody well
won't let you forget it.
The trouble is, darling,
I'm an incurable romantic.
I believe in love,
I believe in happiness,
I believe in us.
(Archie) No, you don't.
You're just saying that.
There's someone else, isn't there?
I love you, I do.
I do, I
love you--
And I used to believe
we'd live happily ever after.
Didn't you?
only now...
[Audience applauding]
[Car honking]
[Clock bell tolls]
[Door squeaking]
Good morning, miss Lambert.
Good morning, Margery,
is anyone with my lord and master?
(Margery) No.
Darling, what are you doing here?
I want an answer, Michael.
What's the question?
What did I say to you
before we went to sleep last night, hmm?
Uh, I give up. What did you say to me
before we went to sleep last night?
I said I was tired.
It seems a perfectly natural thing
to say before you go to sleep.
Christ, Michael, you can be
an irritating little sh*t!
Julia, Julia, really,
if your public could
only hear your language.
I want them to hear.
I want every bloody one of them to hear.
I'm tired. I am utterly exhausted.
I need a holiday.
Just admit it, Michael.
you've never understood what it means
to carry a play,
to sweat it out night after night.
I'm the only one who takes it
seriously, Michael, you know that.
All you do is count the money and
think it's a bloody great lark.
Take the play off.
But we'll lose a fortune.
Our partner won't like it.
To hell with dolly!
[Sighing]
I'm sorry, sweetheart.
God, I didn't mean to be so vile.
It's just I'm-- I'm
near to breaking point.
Everything's so tedious.
[Sighing]
I want something to happen.
What?
I wish I knew.
play at the end of the month.
[Exhales]
Yeah. I really do
We can't have the theatre dark.
Hmm?
I'll try and see what
I can do. I promise.
Hmm?
Please.
I promise.
Thank you.
You were very quiet
leaving the house this morning.
Well, I didn't want to wake you.
You were dead to the world.
Hmm. I did my exercises
and went for a run.
Exercises, running...
God, Michael,
you're the vainest man in London.
Me, vain? nonsense.
[Giggles]
I just want to preserve my magnificent
good looks for as long as possible.
[Chuckling]
Oh, yes, speaking of good looks,
did you notice that
young man as you came in?
No.
He's an American.
Son of a friend of a
friend of Eddie Gilbert's.
I can't see what that's
got to do with me.
He admires you tremendously.
Oh, he sounds frightfully intelligent.
What's his name?
Can't remember.
Uh, unfortunately,
he's as poor as a church mouse.
him a spot of lunch.
Well, he's awfully
good-mannered, for an American.
(Julia) Uh!
Rubbish mail, Margery.
Yes, Mr. Gosselyn.
Uh, I would like to
introduce you to my wife,
Julia Lambert.
Julia, this
is-- this is--
this is the young man
I was telling you about.
He wants to learn the business,
so we're starting him
off with our accountant.
It-it's an honor to
meet you, miss Lambert.
I wonder if we could persuade you
to come and eat a chop with us.
Michael will drive you back after lunch.
Gee, that's real kind of you.
You two take the lift,
I'll take the stairs.
Last one down's a sissy.
Miss Lambert,
could I-- could
I ask you a favor?
I can't give you any more
room, if that's what you mean.
No, no, no, it's, uh... I wonder...
would you...
would you let me have a photograph?
Of course.
Gee, that's swell of you.
I've seen you in
"Farewell, my love" 3 times.
You haven't. Have you really?
It's such a silly play.
Oh, it's not the play,
it's you. You're just... just great.
I'm glad you liked me.
Liked you? I loved you.
[Elevator thudding]
[Door squeaking]
- I won.
- (Julia) What?
Well done.
Come on, Mr... uh...
all an actress like Julia needs
is a vehicle.
It's the actors the public go to see,
not the play.
That's true in my case. I'd see
you in anything, miss Lambert.
But you know what I'd
really like to find out?
How did you start?
How did you get to be where you are,
owning a theatre, top of the tree?
Clean living and hard work. Cigarette?
We owe it all to a rude, foul-mouthed
We were in his repertory
company in Middlesbrough.
He knew all there is to know
about theatre and acting.
That's where I met Michael.
That's how we began.
I was a rotten actor.
Yes, but you have presence.
The audience always
gasps when you come on.
It's his dazzling good looks, you see.
Gee, this is fascinating. fascinating.
Dreadfully jealous of him?
You're very sweet, but
I know perfectly well
that all I can play are
diplomats, lawyers and politicians.
I'm more interested in
the business side. that's--
Yes, but you know as well as I do
that we'd be nothing without Jimmie.
I always lay a place
for him at the table.
Just in case he turns up.
He's been dead for 15 years.
Yes, but you never know.
He was a monster.
Uh, how do you spell your first name?
T- O-M.
[Laughing]
[Nib squeaking]
[Gramophone playing]
[People clapping]
[Car honking]
(Dancer) Hoy!
Hoy!
Hoy!
Hoy!
Hoy!
(Archie) For God's sake,
don't torture yourself like this, Laura.
[Julia sobbing]
No one will ever know
how much I loved him.
He was my earth, my moon,
all the stars in the firmament.
Farewell, my love.
[Audience applauding]
Bravo! Bravo!
[People laughing]
No, there's nothing left for me now
but to tour Canada and Australia,
God help me.
Nonsense, miss Lambert.
It's not nonsense.
[Sighing]
I've decided to retire
and let myself go.
I'll have potatoes for lunch
and potatoes for dinner.
Beer. God, I love beer!
cherry tart and cream.
Cream, cream, cream, cream, cream...
[Breathing deeply]
as God is my judge,
I'll never eat a lettuce leaf again.
[Doorbell ringing]
Oh, God, I bet I know who that is.
Good afternoon, Evie.
Oh, Mrs. De Vries, what a surprise.
Uh, I hope this isn't inconvenient
but I have to see miss Lambert
on a business matter.
She isn't having one
of her afternoon naps,
is she?
Wait a minute.
[Door squeaking]
Guess who's here.
Show her in.
Business, she says, but isn't it funny
how she always manages
to time her visits
when you're lying stark bollock naked.
Enough of that, you dirty-minded slut.
Show her in.
Mrs. De Vries.
(Dolly) Julia, darling.
Dolly, dear. hmm.
Oh, I'm so sorry.
I always seem to call when
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