The Bad and the Beautiful Page #4

We're building Shields Productions.

What we'll ram it down their throats.

- It's big enough for both of us.

- I know.

A five-cent story, a ten-cent budget

and a two-cent leading man...

...and we put it over.

We're getting to know our business.

- Yes, Mother.

- Let's go back and get my car.

When I work on a picture,

it's like romancing a girl.

You see her, you want her,

you go after her. The big moment.

Then, the letdown. Every time.

The after-picture blues.

Don't worry. Someday you'll learn

to love 'em and leave 'em.

- Why are you turning off here?

- This you got to see.

Crow's Nest.

George Lorrison built this.

This is where he died.

I wouldn't have missed it for anything.

Can we go home now?

So this is how actors used to live.

Cheerful little place, isn't it?

Now, if we can just find out

where he keeps the boiling oil...

The rumpus room.

Jonathan, will you please tell me

what we're doing here?

You scouting a location?

Sure, that's it.

For our next Harry Pebbel production.

It could be

The Bat Men Fly Again...

...or Mama Vampire

and the Three Little Bloodsuckers.

- We don't even have to show...

- Hold this.

Lorrison's idea of my old man.

Lorrison's last three pictures

were for my father.

He gave me my first drink

when I was 13.

My first cigar at 14.

And when I was 15...

...he taught me the facts of life.

He was a great actor...

...and a great man.

- He was a rat and a drunk.

- Who are you?

- His daughter.

- I didn't know he had one.

- Neither did he half the time.

- What are you doing up there?

- Get out.

"A rat and a drunk."

What talk about your father!

He was my father.

Now, shut up and leave me alone?

- Go on, blow.

- Somebody ought to tan your rear!

Wanna try it?

I changed my mind.

Now, will you get out of here?

Go on, get out!

The next morning, Jonathan

received our next assignment.

Did you see Harry?

Well, what's our next picture?

Get a good grip on yourself.

You ready?

Our next picture will be

The Son of the Cat Men.

That settles it.

The time has come.

The Faraway Mountain.

It's a great book.

Three studios tried to lick it and couldn't.

Well, I can!

Here's my outline, scene for scene.

- You know what Harry will say.

- Yeah.

"Look, I've told you

a hundred times, Genius Boy...

...I want pictures that end with

a kiss and ink on the books."

Jonathan, this is my baby.

I found it and I licked it.

I've been nursing it till I was sure

we could handle it. Now I'm sure.

Remember what you said last night?

Enough practice.

It's time we made one for real.

It cries for a million dollar budget

and location in Veracruz...

...but you producing and me directing,

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