The Bad and the Beautiful Page #6

- Yeah.

Why does he go to all this

lovely trouble? I'm a very simple man.

I read. What I like, I act.

What I do not like...

...I do not act. Very simple.

A conference was held

in Pebbel's office...

... to discuss production plans

for The Faraway Mountain.

The suspense was killing me.

- Yes, Mr. Pebbel?

- You can go to lunch now.

- Why don't you take a look in there?

- I think I'll stay here and be nervous.

- Good luck.

- Thanks.

Jonathan...

- Didn't he go for Gaucho?

- Go for him? He had a hemorrhage!

First time a star said he'd be

in a Pebbel picture.

Harry went to bat for us. He slugged

it out with the front office!

The Faraway Mountain will be made

with a million-dollar budget.

Location in Veracruz.

Von Ellstein to direct.

Gaucho. Wendy for the girl.

Chapman my cameraman...

- Von Ellstein to direct...

- You're taken care of.

No separate panel, but your name on

the screen:
Assistant to the producer.

- Thanks.

- You know the story. It's your baby.

I want you on the set. You have

any ideas, I'll tell Von Ellstein.

Thanks, again.

Von Ellstein to direct...

- You said he was the best.

- Sure he is.

Fred, I'd rather hurt you now

than kill you off forever.

You're not ready

to direct a million dollar picture.

But you're ready to produce one.

With Von Ellstein, I am.

You're stealing my picture!

It was my idea!

Without me it was only an idea.

All right, Jonathan.

Let's put it this way.

You gave me your word.

So I did.

I got the starting date.

In two weeks you leave for Veracruz.

Mr. Von Ellstein,

you'll go one week earlier.

Mr. Shields, I don't like producers...

...but for a man with such a script...

...it'll be a pleasure to break my rule.

Today, I shall buy a producer lunch.

- Am I included?

- By all means, no.

Today I've seen a script prepared by

a producer who thinks like a director.

- 13 years I've been making pictures...

- Goodbye, Jonathan.

Fred...

So long, Fred.

This is the first time I've found a

script I can direct exactly as it is...

I always said the boy was a genius.

Are you looking at the Oscar he got

for The Faraway Mountain?

I know what you have

against Jonathan, and no wonder.

Look what he did to you, Fred.

He brushed you off his coattail,

so you had to stand alone.

And all you've got in the world is

a wife, six kids, two Academy Awards...

...and every studio in town after you.

Why, Jonathan ruined you!

Look what he did to me.

I gave him his chance to do

The Faraway Mountain.

Four months later, his contract's up,

and he walks out of the studio.

And I go right with him.

I know how you feel about him, Georgia.

After all, you're a woman

Rate this script:5.0 / 3 votes