<i>[ Woman Narrating ] You&#39;ve got to climb Mount Everest to reach the Valley of the Dolls.</i>

[ Woman Narrating ] You've got to climb Mount Everest to reach the Valley of the Dolls. It's a brutal climb to reach that peak. You stand there, waiting for the rush of exhilaration, but it doesn't come. You're alone, and the feeling of loneliness is overpowering. I never meant to start that climb. I took the first step the day I left New England and headed for New York. It wasn't easy to leave that wonderful old house. My grandparents lived there and their grandparents before them. It was standing during the revolution. George Washington didn't sleep there, but he did dip a bucket of water from our well. I can still see them standing there waving-- Aunt Amy, Mama and Willy. Poor Willy. He didn't know I was leaving his life forever. I'll never forget the night I told them I was going to New York. They said it was a dreadful place for a vacation. I announced I was going to work there. Willy took it very well. He said he'd give me a month, then I'd run for home, ready to settle down in Lawrenceville. I remember the day Willy pinned me. He said it meant we were engaged to be engaged. I wanted a marriage like Mom and Dad's, but not yet. First, I wanted new experiences, new faces, new surroundings. Lawrenceville would be there forever. ♪ Gotta get up ♪ ♪ Gonna get Have to get ♪ ♪ Off all alone ♪ ♪ Gotta find out ♪ ♪ Gonna find ♪ ♪ Need to find life on my own ♪ ♪ When will I know Where will I ♪ ♪ How will I know what I'll be ♪ ♪ If I don't go ♪ ♪ If I can't ♪ ♪ If I don't go where I'm free ♪ ♪ Somewhere ahead ♪ ♪ Waits a hope waits a heart ♪ ♪ That will know how I yearn ♪ ♪ Know all I yearn ♪ ♪ Yearn for a dream ♪ ♪ For a face with a smile ♪ ♪ And a look of concern ♪ ♪ What will I learn ♪ ♪ Tell me, when will I know ♪ ♪ What will I see ♪ ♪ When will I return ♪♪ [ Woman Narrating ] The cab driver kept complaining about the sleet and slush. I told him he should see one of our New England blizzards. He took me to the Martha Washington Hotel for Women. Aunt Amy had stayed there. She said it was as safe as you could be... in a city like New York. The desk clerk warned me they didn't allow men in the rooms. I confessed I didn't know any. Before my feet were dry, the agency sent me out on my first interview. Oh, I had butterflies in my stomach, but I acted like I'd done it all my life. At least I thought I did. [ Woman ] I knew it. He had that look. I knew she was pregnant. Well, certainly I should have kept an eye on her, Doctor, but she sneaks out. You know how she is. I haven't any idea who the father is. It could have been one of several. [ Sighs ] All right. I'll start her on vitamins tomorrow. Queenie's pregnant again. My Siamese. Cripes, I hope it isn't that beat-up black tom with the one eye. A black Siamese should be very pretty. I'm Anne Welles. Oh. Oh, yes. The agency phoned about you. B.A. at Radcliffe. Mr. Bellamy will like that. He'll think it gives the office tone. A theatrical lawyer. There's a difference. He handles actors, writers and directors-- important ones. He advises them and draws up their contracts with no loopholes. It isn't. Would I work for Mr. Bellamy or Mr. Bellows? There is no Mr. Bellows anymore, only his nephew Lyon Burke. You can tell when he's in the office by the girls around that watercooler. - How's your shorthand? - Weak, but I type 60 words a minute. Okay. I'll take you in to see the boss. Mr. Bellamy, this is Miss Welles. She's here about the job. Mr. Bellamy, that's not fair. I'm already engaged. I'm not gonna marry him. Besides, Not in this office. Some days you'll have to work until midnight, having dinner with me and a client. I'll drink too much and won't remember a damn word the next morning. You'll have but one sherry and will remember everything. Think you can handle it? Could she start right away? We're swamped. Stop running my life. I'm still not convinced. Mr. Bellamy, couldn't you please give me a trial? All right. I'll try you out for one week, starting as of now. Here. Take these contracts over to Helen Lawson... at the rehearsal hall on 44th Street. Take a cab. See that she signs them. - Let's see if she can handle that. - I'll be right back. And don't give her that "I loved you when I was little girl" routine, or she'll stab you in the back. Helen Lawson? Mr. Bellamy, that was wicked. Four bucks an hour for 80 people? Are you kidding? Excuse me. I have some contracts for Miss Lawson. Down the hall at the balcony, turn left. First dressing room on your right. If you're a Capricorn, watch your step. Yeah, Harry. It's a good company. Come on. Why? [ Woman ] Five and six-- [ Man ] One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. Two, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. One, two-- ♪ Give a little more ♪ ♪ Make tomorrow dance for you ♪ ♪ Strike a brand-new pose ♪ ♪ There's always one more chance for you ♪ ♪ Before the curtains close ♪ ♪ Sure, that old inspired heart ♪ ♪ Ain't all it was before ♪♪ [ Man ] Here are the proofs from Friday's sitting. You're sorry? No good. Sh-- Lousy. A beast. Out. What kind of a press agent are you? Why do they have to send me some green kid fresh out of N.Y.U.? - Who in hell are you? - I'm Anne Welles, and I-- Look, I'm tired and I'm busy. What do you want? Mr. Bellamy sent some contracts for you to sign. You, out. Come on. Give me a fountain pen, not one of those lousy ballpoints. Come on. Sit down. You're making me nervous. Yeah. How do you think the kid's song works in the new spot? Great, huh? What? You heard me. The song goes and the kid with it. Oh, Helen, come on. Neely O'Hara can't hurt you. You bet your *** she can't, because she isn't going to get the chance. The only hit that comes out of a Helen Lawson show... is Helen Lawson, and that's me, baby, remember? That girl has a run-of-the-play contract. I know all about run-of-the-play contracts. - Helen, this isn't going to help you in the business. - Right. Nor you either. So get Bellamy to do it. He knows how. He's done it before. You, go back to the office and tell that son of a ***... to get off his butt and earn his oats. But, Miss Lawson, you haven't finished signing the contracts. And I don't intend to. Not until Bellamy ties a can to that little broad's tail. [ Hissing ] I've thought it over, and I don't think I... want this job. Excuse me. You must be Mr. Burke, the one with the watercooler. And you must be Miss Welles. Mr. Bellamy told me all about you. Tell me, why are you dismissing us so soon? Because I think show business is cruel. You're quite right. Oh, have a seat. Yes, they certainly do. Like firing some poor girl because a crude person like Miss Lawson resents her ability. Please, have a seat. Miss Welles, a raw recruit always dives for the nearest foxhole... at the first burst of enemy fire, but don't let that happen to you. Don't you throw in the towel just yet. Um, this is a rather cruel business. It's also a great business and a rewarding business. For every Helen Lawson, there's always a Helen Hayes or a Mary Martin. Now, you think about that. Well, uh, may I have the contracts? Yes. Oh, um, well, one is. Ah. Yes, yes, one is. And legibly too. Oh, I almost forgot. Miss Lawson gave me a message for Mr. Bellamy. She said-- Gun? [ Chuckles ] Gun. "Tell him to get off his--" Yes, I think I know that message. I'll see to it that Mr. Bellamy gets it. Thank you very much, Miss Welles. Bye. Oh, Miss Welles, you-you forgot your purse. Oh, thank you. Thank you. That's all right. I'm afraid I haven't made a very good impression. Oh, on the contrary. You've made an indelible one. Bye. [ Chuckles ] "Barely Pink." [ Whistling, Applause ] Hey, look at Jennifer. Hey, Jennifer! [ Man ] Wow. Six hundred bucks for a headdress, and not a soul will see it. I feel a little top-heavy. - Honey, you are a little top-heavy. - [ Laughter ] All right. That's fine, dear. Thank you. [ Chattering ] ♪ Try, my friend to face yourself ♪ ♪ With all you have in store ♪ ♪ But if you can't then brace yourself ♪ ♪ And give-- ♪♪ - Cut the song? - The show is a little long. Wait a minute. That's the best piece of music in the show. Why don't you take out one of Miss Lawson's songs? She's got five. Sweetheart, Miss Lawson is the star. The public pays to see her. If you take that song out, I've got nothing-- nothing but a few lines in the first act. I'm sorry, Neely. We have no alternative. Don't listen to him, hon. He's protecting Old Ironsides. This was her idea. - She can't stand competition. - Let's skip the personalities, hmm? Don't worry. You've got a run-of-the-play contract. You mean they pay me 200 bucks a week just to sit in my dressing room? They've got to, Miss O'Hara, if that's the way you want it. Personally, I'd walk away with dignity. There'll always be another show and a better part, providing you have talent. Talent? You know damn well she has talent. Believe me, Miss O'Hara, by next week, every producer in town will be after you. It gives you stature to walk out on a Helen Lawson show. Honey, don't listen. They want you to quit... so they can save 200 bucks a week. I know her agent. I can tell you exactly what he'll say. "Take whatever crumbs are offered." He's not about to give up his lousy 10 percent. If she were my client, I'd advise her to leave the show with dignity. Well, he's not going to get his lousy 10 percent, 'cause I won't settle for crumbs. I'll leave this stinking show... with dignity. You can call Helen Lawson. Tell her the S.O.B. earned his oats. We could all use a little fresh air. Come on. I had such big plans. I was gonna be a big star. I was gonna take acting lessons and dancing lessons. [ Knocking ] Gee, honey, I'm sorry. That old witch ought to be boiled in oil. Thanks, Jen. Honey, listen. It's a rotten business. I know. But I love it. [ Crying ] I know. As soon as she signs a release, the song will go back in the show with the understudy. Listen, go back to the office. On my desk you'll find a musical arrangement. See to it that Miss O'Hara gets it as soon as possible. Tell her to get up on the song fast, because she's going to be singing it tonight. Then make her. Ladies and gentlemen, one of the nice things about doing this telethon-- I mean, in addition to raising money-- is helping discover new talent. I think you're going to love our next performer. Let's have a nice reception, if you will. Lovely Neely O'Hara. Everybody, let's hear it out there. Thank you very much. ♪♪ [ Intro ] ♪ It's impossible Tell you right now ♪ ♪ If I tried it I'd never know how ♪ ♪ Gee, lucky for me ♪ ♪ Far as I know Far as I see ♪ ♪ I'm no winner, boy I'd make a mess ♪ ♪ Baby, unless you say so ♪ ♪ It's impossible It's not my style ♪ ♪ If I tried it I'd miss by a mile ♪ ♪ I'm not worth a dime Ain't got the stuff ♪ ♪ Ain't got the time I'm a loser ♪ ♪ I ain't for success baby, unless ♪ ♪ You say so ♪ - ♪ If you say ♪ - You're right. It is an exciting business. ♪ Even though this rough world is a tough world ♪ ♪ Well, if you say go to it baby, I'll do it ♪ ♪ Could be possible How would I know ♪ ♪ So I'll try it and give it a go ♪ ♪ Hey, could be the day baby, when I ♪ ♪ Turn out okay like a winner ♪ ♪ But luck won't say yes baby, unless ♪ ♪ You say so too ♪ ♪ If you say I can do things ♪ ♪ Lots of new things even though ♪ ♪ This rough world is a tough world ♪ ♪ Well, if you say go to it baby, I'll do it ♪ ♪ Could be possible How would I know ♪ ♪ So I'll try it and give it a go ♪ ♪ Hey, could be the day baby, when I ♪ ♪ Turn out okay like a winner ♪ ♪ But luck won't say yes baby, unless ♪ ♪ You say so too ♪ ♪ If you say go to it I'll do it ♪ ♪ I'll do it for you ♪♪ How about that? Wait. Wait a minute. Where you going? You just keep singing. You'll raise a lot of money for us. [ Giggles ] Thank you. ♪♪ [ Band ] Fine. The closest I got to champagne was watching a lady break it over a battleship in newsreels. Hello, Frank. Hello. Hello. I caught the telethon. You'll like Tony Polar. So I see. Excuse me. Frank. Hey, look. There's Jennifer with one of her rich boyfriends. [ Anne ] She's lovely. I bet 100 beads pop off every time she moves. Same for me. Make it two. Neely, I have some good news. You're following Tony Polar in the club here. Neely, how wonderful. But you'll have to work fast, build yourself an act. I exaggerated a bit. I told Frank you already had one. [ Applause ] ♪ Come live with me ♪ ♪ And be my love ♪ ♪ If only for a day ♪ ♪ Come live with me ♪ ♪ And see, my love ♪ ♪ How fast it fades away ♪ ♪ Love is a flower that lives for an hour ♪ ♪ Then withers and dies Where is the prize ♪ ♪ Forgive me if I deride love ♪ ♪ But, darling I've tried love ♪ ♪ And so I say ♪ ♪ Come live with me ♪ ♪ For just a while ♪ ♪ Who cares if love is long ♪ ♪ If love is brief ♪ ♪ As a song ♪ Who's Miriam? His sister. Over there. She manages him. She does very well. - He won't make a move without her. - He's making one now. ♪ Come live ♪ ♪ With me ♪ ♪ Come live ♪ ♪ With me ♪♪ I don't know. Never saw her before. Tony, how many times do I have to tell you? You worry too much. Neely, you ought to be ashamed of yourself. I haven't snitched milk since I was a kid in Pittsburgh. There were six of us, and I never got enough. I can't stop thinking about that audience tonight. You don't know what it feels like, Mel, when they're all applauding... and yelling and whistling. Oh, yeah, they sure did. I felt like they were all taking me in their arms and holding me. It's like when you put your hands on me, only it was double-triple. This place is too small. I'm gonna get a bigger place. Maybe two rooms and a kitchenette. Mel, let's get married. [ Chuckles ] I-I thought you'd never ask. I'm not kidding. I'll be making good money. And with your 150 a week, we can really live. We can get a maid to clean up. We can get a mink coat. Well, right now, you better get a good night's sleep. So give me a double-triple, huh? [ Phone Rings ] Hello. Yes, I'll accept the call. Hello, Mother. I just got in. I thought it was too late to call you. But I just sent you $50 last week, Mother. Okay. I'll send you $50 as soon as I get my paycheck. You told me Gran's been sick, Mother. And I know about the oil burner. Okay. I'll take the mink to Uncle Ira's again. He'll give me a couple hundred for it. Mother, I know I don't have any talent, and I know all I have is a body, and I am doing my bust exercises. Good-bye, Mother. I'll wire you the money first thing in the morning. Good-bye. [ Sighs ] Oh, to hell with them. Let 'em droop. Oh, look. The models have goose bumps. Yes, and come July, they'll be sweltering in mink. You must be frozen. Are you sure you want to walk? Positive. Oh, how beautiful. Oh, no. Sorry. Jewelry's not for you. Maybe one single strand of pearls, but not creamy. Pink, to match your skin. And don't expect any flowers, either, because white lilacs are the only ones that suit you, and they're very difficult to come by in New York in February. But make a note. Remind me to send you some in May. If you wish to be wooed. What about that fraternity pin you wear? That's Sigma Chi, isn't it? Oh, Deke. Yes. Yes. It can mean everything or nothing. Then I'll settle for nothing. Do you realize, Miss Welles, that you are the most beautiful girl... that ever left her lipstick in my office? I like career girls. There's a rumor they don't make very good wives. I'm not looking for a wife. No, some men just don't pull well in double harness. You're fortunate. You know yourself. I don't know who I am or what I want. I only know I have to find out. ♪ When did I get ♪ ♪ Where did I ♪ ♪ Why am I lost as a lamb ♪ ♪ When will I know ♪ ♪ Where will I How will I learn who I am ♪♪ ♪ I'll plant my own tree ♪ ♪ And I'll make it grow ♪ ♪ My tree will not be ♪ ♪ Just one in a row ♪ ♪ My tree will offer shade ♪ ♪ When strangers go by ♪ ♪ If you're a stranger, brother well, so am I ♪ ♪ Come tomorrow all that I see is my tree ♪ Offstage, I hate her, but onstage, I'm madly in love with her. ♪ Let someone stop me ♪ ♪ And I will put up a fight ♪ ♪ It's my yard so I will try hard ♪ ♪ To welcome friends I have yet to know ♪ ♪ Oh, I'll plant my own tree ♪ ♪ My own tree and I'll make it grow ♪ ♪ My tree will not be ♪ ♪ Just one in a row ♪ ♪ My tree will offer shade ♪ ♪ When strangers go by ♪ ♪ If you're a stranger, brother well, so am I ♪ ♪ Come tomorrow all that I see is my tree ♪ ♪ Oh, Lord, what a sight ♪ ♪ Let someone stop me ♪ ♪ And I will put up a fight ♪ ♪ It's my yard so I will try hard ♪ ♪ To welcome friends I have yet to know ♪ ♪ Oh, I'll plant ♪ ♪ My own tree ♪ ♪ My own tree ♪ ♪ And I'll make it grow ♪♪ It is with me. We'll have to wait till 4:00 a.m. until the reviews hit the street. 4:00 a.m. Good heavens, what do we do until then? We could go to Helen's hotel and listen to four-letter words and wait. I have a better idea. My father used to come here when he was at Yale. Oh? Well, I'm an Oxford man, myself. You do? I know your mother was English. She was an ingenue at the Drury Lane Theater, and you look exactly like her. [ Chuckles ] Well, not exactly, I hope. [ Chimes ] And when your uncle died, you took over his business. Oh, good old Steinberg. What would you like to have? Good. Two sherries. Did she also tell you that I once had the illusion that I could write? I'm sure you could. You turn a neat phrase when you dictate. Oh? You know, actually, I'm beginning to like the agency business. Every man a potential 'Enry 'Iggins waiting to discover his own Eliza Doolittle. Thank you. Thank you. That's funny. I used to come here weekends, but tonight it's not the same. No noisy students, no drinking songs. It seems the two of us are alone in the world. We are. You know that. I've known it for a long time. [ Ringing ] Beautiful. Mel, you call this acting? ♪♪ [ Vocalizing ] [ Applause ] Actually, this is a celebration. I've been having conversations with the Coast. - They want to test you and Tony out there next week. - Oh. Matter of fact, I have the scenes here, and a song. A really good one. Yes? Excuse me. Telephone for you. It's your Aunt Amy. She says it's very important she speak to you. Something must be wrong. Um, excuse me. Miriam, here's a copy for Tony. Incidentally, where is Tony? Well, I know who he's with, but I don't know where. I can't reach him. - Well, find him. - I know you owe Miriam a lot, Tony, but I wish we didn't have to meet in such out-of-the-way places. I'll bet I'm the only showgirl who's ever been inside the Statue of Liberty. Honey, it's just that Miriam doesn't want me to get serious. Are you serious, Tony? You know I am, baby. But Miriam's got this thing about marriage. She thinks it'll destroy what she calls my image. And there's something else. I've never quite been able to put my finger on it. No, not Miriam. She raised me. Did without. Worked like a dog to give me my singing lessons. Maybe that's why she's so careful with money. We always had so little. Yeah. It was the same with us. When my father died, my mother and grandmother thought I was a drain. All I ever heard was how much I ate... and how much it cost to buy me shoes. It got so I panicked when I thought my shoes were getting too small. Hey, it's-- it's freezing here. Let's go up to your apartment. We'll take the phone off the hook this time so Miriam can't bother us. Oh. My mother said I should have held out and made you marry me. Oh, baby. When did I ever do anything my mother told me to? [ Tony ] ♪ And be my-- ♪ [ Doorbell Buzzes ] Uh, a telegram for a Miss Polar. One second. You have-- You have to sign this. Thank you. Dr. Eberhardt. Uh, this is Miriam Polar. Yes. I called you because I'm worried. Tony just got married. No, I never told him. I know I should have, but I couldn't. I couldn't do that to him. After all, it might not ever happen. Well, the point is that, uh, we'll be leaving for California next week, and, uh, you'd better give me the name of a doctor there. I wanted to come up for your mother's funeral. Why didn't you let me? It was my own private grief. I didn't want to put you through it. Yes, she was. [ Lyon ] Anne, it's a dream town. [ Anne ] He passed us by. There was a scandalous rumor going around we were pro-British. I'm sorry you missed Aunt Amy. She's gone to the cousins in New Hampshire. You know, everything is better here. It really is. I don't know how you ever left. Hot. Hey, I have an idea. Why don't we leave the rat race and move up here? I could write my book, or at least try. Of course I would. Woods to ***, a river to fish, this wonderful old house... and you beside me on that marvelous old four-poster upstairs. But it's a marriage bed, Lyon. You were thinking of marriage? You know how I feel about that. When you fall in love, you belong to someone else. We've gone through this before. How do you think I feel sneaking out of your apartment at 4:00 in the morning? - You don't have to sneak. - Don't tell me I knew what I was doing. But you did. You knew. But I loved you. Does it make any difference how or why it happened? It happened. And for that I'm grateful. Come on. Come on. You think I could sleep with you here in this house? No. I guess you couldn't. [ Scoffs ] I guess I should have known. You're afraid of ghosts. Well, I'm not. None of them ever loved each other more than I love you. But that's beside the point. I'll get you a cab. You can stay at the hotel. All right. You do that. I'm sorry, Miss Welles. He checked out. Oh. Uh, he left this for you. Johnny was just going to bring it over. [ Lyon's Voice ] Dear Anne, thank you for the moment of reckoning. You once said I knew who I was and what I wanted. I've always wanted to write, so I'm going back to England, find the counterpart of Lawrenceville and see if I can. Somewhere in your wonderful New York, there is the right man... just waiting for you to find him. Thank you for the loveliest winter of my life. Lyon. I wasn't very hungry. Oh, not now, honey. He's got a big, new account in there. Say, I still have one of Queenie's kittens left. Would you like to have it? It's a male, honey. It won't give you any trouble. A male in the Martha Washington Hotel for Women? [ Intercom Buzzes ] Send in Miss Welles with her notebook. Kevin Gillmore. He made a mint with that new hair spray. Miss Welles. Take this down, please. Point number one, the girl who'll introduce our beauty products on our TV show... will be known as the Gillian girl. Two, she must be beautiful, but more important, she must be refined, cultured-- a girl like Miss Welles here. That's not a girl. That's my secretary. We don't want artificial beauty. We want the kind that our audience can identify with. A college girl, a young matron... who will think she can look like Miss Welles if she uses our product. Gillmore. I don't want an actress. I want an unknown-- a girl to be identified with Gillian products exclusively. - I will start her off at $300 a week. - Gillmore, that's sabotage. It's also very tempting. Why don't we have dinner and talk it over? Okay. But bring the contract to me before you sign it. [ Man On TV ] KNBC, Los Angeles. Celebrating the second anniversary of the Gillian girl, Gillian products offers a Gillian girl's birthday special. Gillian high-fashion makeup. Gillian high-fashion lipstick. Helps soothe natural curls as it sets your hair. After your shampoo, just comb, roll up, then brush out. Gillian makeup gives grace and elegance to that high-fashion look. Gillian makeup gives you just enough accent to that flawless complexion. [ Phone Rings ] Hello. [ Sighs ] Yes. I'll accept the charges. Hello, Mother? How are you? Yes, I'm watching too. Remember, the beautiful people use Gillian's. She looks lovely. She's coming to California next week. I'll be seeing her. I know she's making big money. Mother, I can't send you any more money this month. Miriam has me on a strict budget. Of course she's still living with us. You know that. If that's long distance, don't hang on the phone. You know how much it costs. Mom, I've got to go now. I'll write you tomorrow. Okay. Bye. [ Man ] Continuing our presentation of the annual Grammy Awards, coming to you from the grand ballroom of the Hilton Hotel... in the heart of New York City. Presently on the stage about to present a major award, is the toastmaster general of the United States, Mr. George Jessel. And now-- And now a special award for Miss Neely O'Hara. Hey, Miriam, come and look. It's old home week. Neely, just a few short years ago, you were an unknown little girl singing for her supper. And now, because of the warm, plush, lush notes that emerge from your fair throat, you've become the idol of movie fans and record buyers... all over the United States of America. And with the same elation that I felt... [ Laughter ] I happily present to you this Grammy Award... for your warm contribution to the recording industry. [ Applause ] Thank you, Mr. Jessel. I'd like to thank all of you here and all of you out there who made this possible. By the way, don't forget to see my new film, Love and Let Love, opening at the Music Hall this week. I sing some great new songs in it. Good-bye. [ Horn Honks ] [ TV Off ] Annie. Thank you. How long has it been? It's been too long. I'd like you to meet Kevin Gillmore. How do you do. We're coming to the Coast next week. Great. Give me a call. I'd like to see how Gillian's hair spray reacts to smog. Nice to have met you. Hey, you know something? I've never carried you across the threshold before. Thanks. I need it. Oop. A brute. Sit down, will you? I might as well give it to you all at once. The studio dropped my option. So what? There are lots of other studios. Should have never let them put you in Westerns. You're a romantic lead. Look! You're a singer You can always go back to nightclubs. Don't worry about it. Will you do me a favor? Will you just not worry about it? He doesn't want to go back to nightclubs. He wants to make pictures. I'm gonna heat up the lasagna. [ Chattering ] Boy, could I go for a drink. It's charming. Two martinis. Glass for red wine. Thank you. Pardon me, Pat. Hello, Anne. Welcome to California. Lyon. - [ Tony ] Nice to see you again, Lyon. - Lyon Burke. Kevin Gillmore. - Hello. - How do you do. - How long will you be in town? - [ Jennifer ] Not half long enough. [ Gillmore ] Just two days. I'm taking Anne to Hawaii. Wonderful. You'll love it. Incidentally, Anne, how did you like my book? - I haven't read it. - Well, you should. It's dedicated to you. I'll send you a copy. Well, I hope you enjoy your stay. If there's anything I can do while you're here, please let me know. - You're too late, Lyon. We saw them first. - [ Laughs ] Not at all. Good-bye. Good-bye. Well, I think I'll have a butterfly steak. [ Typewriter Clacking ] Jenny, how are you? Oh, it's good to see you. Sit down. Oh, I thought she had a few weeks off. Two weeks, until she starts shooting, and wardrobe fittings, makeup tests, publicity stills, you know. You don't suppose there's a part for Tony in the picture, do you? You can ask her, Jen, but I wouldn't count on it. She'll be home any minute. She's with Ted Casablanca, trying on new clothes. Only in Hollywood do women faint... because some *** deigns to design their clothes. Me? She doesn't listen to me. I'm the last person to ask her. She's changed, Jen. She-- She starts at 5:30 in the morning... still punchy from last night's sleeping pills. So she takes a red pill to pep herself up, and at midnight she's still flying. I try to talk to her, it's like a brick wall. Well, I guess that's one of the drawbacks of being a big star. Hey, you know what these are? One month's checks she has to sign. All the dough she makes, we still had to borrow to pay the income tax. Attorneys, agents, managers, secretaries, doctor, maid, masseuse, voice coach-- She sings like a bird-- psychiatrist. Oh, yeah. Studio wants to find out why she's so exhausted. They say they think it must be emotional conflicts. Conflicts, my foot. There aren't enough hours in the day. The headshrinker says she's insecure. Maybe I'm lucky I don't have any talent. Hi, Jen. Mel get me some skim milk, will you? I'll have a Coke. Jen, I don't know what I'm gonna do about Mel. He's changed so. He just can't seem to get with it. What do you mean, Neely. He's gotten you lots of good publicity. That was the studio. They told him to butt out. They don't even want him on the set. They say he makes me self-conscious. Ted Casablanca says he's the joke of the town. I wouldn't pay any attention to that. You know how *** *** can be. He's not even 30, and he's made over a million bucks. Mel, hand me my bag, will you? Thank you. Well, I've lost five pounds already. These pills are really great, Jen. They kill your appetite. Only trouble is, they pep me up so much, I can't sleep. Well, what nice fattening thing did you tell Arlene to make tonight? Arlene quit this morning. She said you yelled at her. That's three cooks in three months, Neely. She was a louse anyway. You said yourself she was takin' home all the ***. Other people have loyal help, why can't we? You don't know how to talk to 'em. That's your job. You'd better start running this house properly. I'm not the butler, Neely. You're not the breadwinner, either. I'm afraid I'd better be running along. Bye, Jen. That was a rotten thing to say in front of Jenny. Why? She knows the facts of life. You two sit around on your rumps all day, while Tony and I slave. Maybe I'd better get off my rump and go back to New York. - I can always get my old job back. - Suit yourself. I'm too tired to argue. I'm gonna take a shower, and get to Ted Casablanca's. You know, you're spending a lot more time than necessary with that ***. Ted Casablanca is not a ***! And I'm the dame who can prove it. Thanks for making up my mind. I should've left a long time ago. But I kept remembering the old Neely. She was quite a girl. Now you're just like all the rest of 'em-- success is too big for you. If you ask me, my success is too big for you. Yeah, sure. Sure it is. I'll just take this. It's the only thing around here that belongs to me. [ Woman ] ♪ When will I learn ♪ ♪ How will I Where will I ♪ ♪ Find what is real ♪ ♪ Was there one time long ago ♪ ♪ When my heart knew how to ♪ ♪ Feel ♪♪ I wrote about the things I knew, my own experiences. But I guess I only had one book in me. [ Laughs ] Naive and wonderful. I missed you, Anne. Oh, I went back to the agency business, and I like it. Incidentally, Neely is one of my clients. Really. I don't know, England's changed. Or I've changed. The nightingales somehow just sounded off-key. [ Laughs ] I used to picture you with a sink full of dishes and a baby tugging at your skirt. Are you really gonna marry Kevin? I was, but now I realize it's impossible. I'm glad. You know, every girl I met always washed out, just couldn't stand up to your image. ♪♪ [ Orchestra ] Please, darling. Miss O'Hara? Please, would you autograph my program? Of course. Look, there's Neely over there with that Casablanca. Over there. Let's try and catch up to them. Oh, darling, let's get out of here. Here comes Tony Polar. He's gonna put the bite on me for a job. I could've sworn Neely saw us. Well, she's nearsighted, darling, and she can't see 10 feet in front of her. [ Chuckles ] Yeah. Tony! Are you okay? I don't know. My legs just seemed to give way. Happened the other day on the set. We had to retake the scene. Well, I think you ought to see a doctor. No, I'm all right. Come on. Tony! Tony! Tony! [ Whimpers ] Tony! There. He'll sleep for awhile. He didn't know me. He didn't know where he was. Go out, Jen. The doctor will explain it to you. The disease is called Huntington's chorea. It's relatively rare. Unfortunately, there is no cure. The symptoms of physical and mental degeneration... first appear about age 30, sometimes later. There's an increasing loss of muscular control. Chances for inheritance are extremely high, far above average. Tony's father had it. I kept hoping it wouldn't hit Tony. Now you can see why I was against his marrying. Will he be able to walk again? As soon as the sedation I gave him wears off, but... the motor disturbances will occur again, and... there will be periods of blankness and possible hallucination. It may take a year before he reaches the point of complete incapacity. Are there any further questions? Good night, Mrs. Polar. [ Doctor ] If he becomes unmanageable, we'll keep him under sedation. He probably won't remember any of this tomorrow. [ Miriam ] Good night. Jen? Maybe you'll understand now why I've been the way I've been... about money, for instance. I've just been putting aside every cent I could get my hands on. We'll keep him at home... as long as we can. - What about you? - Tony and I had different fathers. I know how you love him. I'm not blind. I thank you. Miriam, I'm pregnant. [ Photographer ] Now look this way, Miss O'Hara! [ Photographer #2 ] This way, Miss O'Hara. This way, please. Miss O'Hara has nothing to say. [ Overlapping Questioning From Reporters ] What about Ted Casablanca? Got any marriage plans? [ Questioning Continues ] [ Jennifer ] Tony didn't realize where we were taking him. The next day, Miriam had arranged a meeting... with a quirky European movie producer. Oh-- [ Speaks French ] Monsieur Chardot, this is my sister-in-law. Monsieur Chardot is here from Paris. He's out here looking for talent. Enchanté, mademoiselle. Mademoiselle Polar has shown me your photografie. I am interested in a young lady with your, uh-- your, uh-- Measurements. The general French girl is inclined to be flat in the ***. I see. Just what kind of pictures do you make, Mr. Chardot? Yes, I've seen a few. They're pretty raw. I mean, French subtitles over bare bottom doesn't necessarily make it art. Beauty is only in the eye of the beholder, mademoiselle. My films are shown right here in your own country. Jennifer. You've posed undraped on the stage. - That was before I married Tony. - It's up to you. Tony wouldn't know the difference. Well, I would! [ Jennifer's Voice ] I realized I had to give in-- take the job. The sanitarium was very expensive. All right, sheriff, you win. You ran my father out of town, now you're trying to run me out of town. Well, the Durney's don't give up that easy. - Oh, it's too hot! - Cut! Well, it's too hot. It's too damned hot! The cameraman's frying me. Shut up! It's not ***. It's pills. Send for her husband. Look, Neely, we've got to finish this take. Get lost. I'm through for the day. Get up off the floor. You're making a spectacle of yourself. - Zip up your dress. - [ Neely ] I can't wear it too tight! [ Casablanca ] It's bloat from all those pills and ***. You're going out there and reshoot that scene. Just how long do you think you can get away with these antics? Come on! Give this to the hairdresser. Miss O'Hara will be ready in a moment. [ Doorbell Buzzing ] He not in, Miss O'Hara. He's not in. He's not in. That's all I've heard at his office for three days. He's ducking me. He's giving me the treatment just like all the others. He is in San Francisco, Neely. Tell me something, Annie. How come the boss of a big agency... spends three days in San Francisco with a lousy nightclub singer? He's working overtime. Why doesn't he look after my interest. I'm the one who pays the rent around on this pad? Oh, I'm sorry. I want Lyon to talk to that director. He's crucifying me. When's he due back? I'm not sure. When a man says he won't do a lousy scene, that's called integrity. When a woman says it, she's temperamental. They say I'm difficult. They say I'm drunk even when I'm not. Sure, I take dolls. I got to get some sleep. I've got to get up at 5:00 in the morning, and "sparkle, Neely, sparkle." They work faster. Here, Anne. With that guy of yours in San Francisco, you could use some a few dolls. No thanks. Suit yourself. You should make him marry you, honey. - Have you heard from Jennifer? - Yeah. She called me about six months ago. You know what she asked me? She wanted to know where she could get an abortion. An abortion, how do you like that? She was the one who wanted all the kiddies and the vine-covered cottage. Then I heard she went to Paris to make art films. [ Chuckles ] Art films. Nudies, that's all they are. Nudies! [ Chuckles ] Well, that's her problem. She doesn't care about me. Why should I care about her? Neely, that's not so. Nobody cares if I live or die, just so long as I write the checks, just so long as they get their cut of the action! Neely, stop feeling sorry for yourself. Now, you're a big star. You have everything. Oh, yeah. Yeah, yeah. I'm a big star. [ Sobs ] I am a big star. I tell myself that, Annie. But I don't feel it. [ Sobs ] I don't feel anything anymore. I haven't slept with Ted in weeks. And that psychiatrist, Dr. Mitchell. Dr. Mitchell says that I am self-destructive. So what! What do I do about it? [ Sobs, Sniffles ] Well, to hell with 'em. To hell with all of 'em. Who needs 'em? Let 'em say what they please. Even the bad publicity helps when you get as big as I am. And, boy, am I getting the bad publicity. Oh! Leave me alone! [ Sobbing ] I can't even remember anymore when somebody wasn't... nagging at me or pressuring me or beating me. Neely, you're upset. Why don't you lie down for awhile, huh? [ Sniffles ] No. Not alone. Not anymore. I need a man to hold me. I need Mel. [ Chuckles ] I mean, Ted. I'm going home, Annie. I'm going home to Ted right now. Thanks for listening. I really got a lot off my chest. Ted? Honey, it's me. [ Woman Laughing ] [ Woman Chattering, Laughing ] [ Ted ] It's not cold, huh? [ Laughing ] Do you think she can hear us? Oh, relax, Katy. By this time, she's so full of pills and ***, [ Laughing ] [ Woman Squealing ] [ Woman Gasps ] Having fun, kiddies? Don't mind me. Go right ahead. I'll watch. [ Neely ] You'd better run, you little ***. How dare you contaminate my pool? Here. Maybe this will disinfect it. All right, ***. Start explaining. You need glasses, Neely. She's hardly built like a boy. I'm sure you could. - You know, you almost made me feel I was ***. - You're crazy! Yes, you are. You want me to fight your battles at the studio, take you to openings. As a man, you're always too tired and too full of those damned dolls. You've got guts! I catch you red-handed with a naked broad in my pool... Not a sermon, Neely, just a few cold facts. Ted, you know how hard I work. When I come home, I'm exhausted. Then why'd you sign the new contract? You don't have to work. I make enough money for both of us. Well, you've got your new deal, and I've got my sanity back. With that little ***? That little *** makes me feel nine feet tall. Honey, please don't. I need you. [ Sobbing ] But not as a man. You can go to hell. [ Shrieks ] Go to hell, you ***! [ Woman ] I tried to wake her, Mr. Burke, but she just wouldn't budge. All right. Thank you. Neely. Neely! Neely, wake up. Come on, wake up! You were due on the set three hours ago. Why didn't you show up? [ Chuckles ] I couldn't, Lyon. I had a rotten night. Stop yelling at me. [ Clucks Tongue ] Well, so happens, they can. Lyon, my last picture grossed a fortune, and it hasn't even played Europe yet. But it cost more than it grossed and the reason was you. And, now, on this one you've been out six days because of sleeping pills. You've been late on the set, and you walked out in the middle of the day. And to top it all, you've been boozing and eating all through the picture! I'm still the biggest box office draw there is. Come on, Neely. Get some sense in your head. Stockholders are only interested in one thing-- profits. Well, they're gonna replace you with a younger girl. That's right. And you look 36. Look at that face. It's all puffy. Your eyes are bloodshot. Thank you very much. I'm sorry, Neely. But I can't just stand by and watch a talent like yours go down the drain. [ Sobbing ] You're my agent. You're supposed to take care of me. I'm trying to. But you've got to cooperate with me. [ Sobs ] What do you want me to do? I want you to go to a sanitarium... and dry out. I'm sorry. It's the only solution. Look, honey, you have to beat this thing. You just have to beat it. [ Sniffles ] All right. All right. If you want me to go, I'll go. Good. Now Anne and I will come by and pick you up around 3:00. [ Sobbing ] [ Door Closes ] [ Sniffles, Sobbing ] United Airlines? [ Sniffles ] What time is your next flight to San Francisco? Yes, one. O'Hara. [ Chattering, Laughter ] [ Chattering Continues ] [ Indistinct Chatter ] Hey, have a drink. [ Neely Sings Along ] ♪ You have in store ♪ ♪ But if you can't then brace yourself and-- ♪ What do you say, baby, huh? What do you say? What do you mean, "baby"? I'm Neely O'Hara, pal. [ Laughing ] What are you, kidding? That sounds great. Now you sound like a frog. [ Laughs ] Like a frog! Take it easy! She's ***! Who's ***? I am merely traveling incognito. Well, get out of here, will ya? Go on. Get out of here. ♪♪ [ Continues ] [ Man #2 ] Oh, what did you say to her? [ Drunken Chatter Continues ] Come on. I'll buy a round-- Come on, bartender. Set 'em up for everybody. [ Laughing ] [ Car Horn Honking, Tires Screeching ] ♪♪ [ Rock ] Jennifer, shame on you. Hey, you still got that mole on your keister? Nope. They covered it up with makeup. [ Taps Marquee ] ♪♪ [ Rock Segues To Jazz ] ***, ***, ***. Nothing but ***. Who needs 'em? I did great without 'em. [ Man Singing, Indistinct ] Who the hell are you? [ Shrieks ] Who are you? [ Cries Out ] [ Door Opens, Slams ] Oh, my-- [ Lyon ] Neely. Neely? Fine. It's a hospital. Lyon, what am I doing in a hospital? - You took an overdose of pills. - Tsk. Oh, God. - Did it get in the papers? - Lyon told them it was accidental. Well, it was! - It was, honest. - I know. But the next time, you might not be so lucky. What am I gonna do? Anne and I want you to go to a sanitarium in Los Angeles. [ Anne ] No. It's the same place that Tony is in. Anne, I'm not nutty. I am just hooked on dolls! They say getting off them is worse than *** or dope! Oh, Lyon, I'm scared. I've forgotten how to sleep without dolls. I can't get through a day without a doll. [ Weeping ] Please, Lyon. Don't send me there. [ Sobs ] I need a doll! Lyon, don't leave me here! Get me a doll. Just one! [ Screams, Sobs ] Lyon! [ Man Speaking In French ] [ Film Dialogue Continues In French ] [ Man Continues In French ] [ Speaking French ] [ Man Continuing In French ] [ Men Speaking French ] Well, this is by far the best we've made. Fox would like to release the film in the United States. They have also offered to buy your contract. Does that mean I can go home? Well, I'm not sure I wish to say. Oh, Claude, you make lots of money. [ Chuckles ] True, but, uh, you will get half. I just want to go back to America and see Tony. What use is a man who is no longer a man, huh? - A vegetable. - Claude, please. Stop it! I've hated this. You can find yourself another girl. Yes, I can-- young girl, a real actress. [ Chuckles ] Settle? I want my half! Then, I will not sell. All right. I'll settle for third. Anything. Just let me go home. Anything, huh? [ Chuckles ] Well, perhaps, we can make some arrangement, huh? We'll talk about it later... at, uh, the apartment. [ Door Opens, Closes ] Oh, I cursed you out at first. Then I realized you did the right thing. It wasn't easy. I couldn't sleep that night. [ Laughs ] You should've taken a doll. No. I'm really very grateful. That's not true. There was a flood of letters and telegrams from all over the world. We saved them for you. Thanks. At first, it was awful, like living in a zoo. They stuck me in this cheesy little bedroom... with this big, ugly nurse with orthopedic shoes-- never left my side. I asked for a cigarette. - Give me a cigarette. - Two a day during social hour. - I told her I had no intention of socializing with kooks. - [ No Audible Dialogue ] I couldn't sleep. I needed a pill. I started screaming. I figured they'd give me something to calm me. [ Complaining, Indistinct ] [ Screaming ] Let go of me! Let go of me! Let go! [ Sobbing ] They ordered me to take off my nightgown. I told them to drop dead. No! [ Whimpering ] Then they stuck me in this big tub and hooked a canvas around me. And this young nurse sat there, and wrote down everything I said. I used words that sure aren't in medical books. Ya stupid *** nurse! What are ya looking at? Actually, the water felt great. It kept coming in and going out. I wanted to lie back and relax, but that was what they wanted. I spotted this small hole in the canvas, and I started working on it with my big toe. Pretty soon, I got half my foot through it, then I yanked my knee up to my chest. Ohh! Oh, God! [ Weeping ] The nurse sounded the alarm. In the afternoon, we had recreation hour. You never saw such a bunch of well-bred kooks. They all acted as normal as apple pie. I started playing checkers with this real cute-looking little girl. All of a sudden, she leans over and gets a half-nelson on my hair... and accuses me of telling the rest of the inmates that she's a latent homosexual. [ Shouting, Indistinct ] You won't believe what happened next. "Once a week, we have a dance." [ Chuckles ] It's really camp. I knew Tony was here. He was under an assumed name, but I'd never seen him. Until one night-- Yes, I do. Surely. ♪♪ [ Plays Intro ] ♪ Come live with me ♪ ♪ And be my love ♪ ♪ If only for ♪ ♪ A day ♪ ♪ Come live with me ♪ ♪ And see my love ♪ [ Man ] ♪ How fast it fades ♪ ♪ All the way ♪ [ Neely, Tony Duet ] ♪ Love is a flower that lives for an hour ♪ ♪ Then withers and dies ♪ [ Duet Continues ] ♪ Where is the prize forgive me if a deride love ♪ ♪ But, darling I've tried love ♪ ♪ And so I say ♪ ♪ Come live with me ♪ ♪ For just a while ♪ ♪ Who cares if love ♪ ♪ Is long ♪ ♪ If love is brief ♪ ♪ As a sigh ♪ ♪ Darling, I never would want you forever ♪ ♪ To stay ♪ ♪ But, darling if you could love me ♪ ♪ Come live with me just for ♪ [ Harmonizing ] ♪ Today ♪♪ Tony? Tony! Tony! [ Applause Continues ] When I saw that poor guy being led back to his cell, I knew I was gonna make it. You have made it, Neely, and we're proud of you. Now, for business-- How would you like to do a Broadway musical for David Merrick? - You think I could? - You know you could. Merrick believes in you, and so do I. Lyon's checked with the doctors here, and they say you can do it. What about the bad publicity? It'll create sympathy. People love to forgive. Lyon, I'm really in great shape. I've changed. I've learned a lot of things. I used to work my heart out, kill myself. Not anymore. There are things I want, Lyon. And I'm gonna get 'em. You know something, Annie? One of the first things I'd like to have is this fellow of yours. - You'd better watch out. - [ Laughs ] Jennifer, why don't you remember him as he was? I want to see him, Miriam. All right. I've booked you into a hotel near the studio. And why did you write me for an appointment with the doctor? He's already told you everything he knows. It's not about Tony. It's for me. It must have been a shock when you discovered it. Lots of lumps mean nothing. Some are only cysts, aren't they? Yes. But this one wasn't. The doctor took a biopsy, and it's malignant. Oh, Jen, I'm sorry. It's pretty hard to take. Tomorrow they have to perform a mastectomy. Doctor says it's not the end of the world. He says lots of women live long and happy lives after successful breast surgery. I'm sure they will, Jen. Afterwards, you can come to the beach with us and recuperate. I'd love to. You know? It's funny. All I've ever had was a body, and now I won't even have that. Oh, Jen, now stop talking like that. How am I gonna keep Tony in the sanitarium? When I saw him, he didn't even know me. Lyon will find you a job. I know he will. Anne, honey, let's face it. All I know how to do is take off my clothes. Jen-- Hello? Yes, I placed a call to Milwaukee. Anne, I'm all right, really I am. Run along. I'll stay with you tomorrow. And don't you worry. Bye. Hello. Mother? I had to talk to you. There's something I have to tell you. I'm sorry Mrs. Gottlieb was shocked at my pictures. No, I won't be undressing in public anymore. What did I have to tell you? Nothing. Nothing. [ Jennifer's Voice ] Hello, Mother. Well, I just got in. I thought it was too late to call you. But I just sent you $50 last week, Mother. Okay, I'll send you $50 as soon as I get my paycheck. Tony! Tony! Tony! Tony! ♪♪ [ Tony Singing ] ♪ And if love is brief ♪ ♪ As a sigh ♪ Let's go. [ Tony ] ♪ Come live ♪ ♪ With me ♪ ♪ Come live ♪ ♪ With me ♪♪ [ Chattering ] [ Chattering Continues ] All right, folks. Do you know any reason... Was she depressed? No, she-she was in good spirits. But do you know any reason why she would take her own life? None. She was excited about her new contract. Yes, I'm sure of it. All right. That's enough! All right, break it up Come on. Break it up. [ Invigorated Sigh ] Oh, I made one for you. Here. Huh? Oh, thank you. Neely's. Neely's? Well, get rid of them. [ Swallows, Sighs ] Darling, do you have to go to New York with Neely? Of course. You know I do. Couldn't someone else go? No. She wants me. - She's scared, Anne. She needs someone. - I know. Darling, I'm worried. Neely spells trouble. She thrives on it. Yes, but she deserves a comeback. I just hate to think of you getting involved. [ Chuckles ] Well, don't worry about that. I can handle her. I'm not so sure. [ Water Splashing ] [ Ringing Continues ] Hello? Annie! Hi, how are ya? Lyon? Gee, I'm sorry. He's in the shower. I'll have him call you back. ♪♪ [ Organ ] Hmm! Where are you goin'? To a press party for Helen Lawson. Her show's opening on Thursday. Oh, definitely without you. Merrick wants me to keep you under wraps until your opening. Bend down. I hear the Lawson show laid a big egg in Philadelphia. I wanna go to the party too. You're the cutest and the cruelest. Can you think of anybody else who has a better right to gloat? Baby, you may have a great talent, but not for ties. Okay. Curl up with your favorite news analyst. I'll be back early. ♪♪ [ Jazz ] A little closer together, please. [ Man ] Miss Lawson, have you made many changes since Philadelphia? Oh, yes, quite a few. [ Applause ] [ Camera Shutter Clicking ] Hello, Miss O'Hara. How lovely you look tonight. Thank you. [ Applause Continues ] [ Man ] Nobody. It's great to have you back in New York again, Neely. You look marvelous. Lyon, I thought you and Merrick were keeping her out of sight. I'm very sorry, Helen. I think I'll sit this one out. [ Man ] What are your plans for films, Neely? Oh, that depends on Lyon Burke. I said, "That depends on Lyon Burke." He's the man who takes care of all my affairs. Any truth to the rumor about you two? Well, we're both available. Good evening, Miss Lawson. No, thank you. Who you hiding from, Helen? The notices couldn't have been that bad. - The show just needs a little doctoring. - Don't worry, sweetheart. If it flops, I can always get you a job as understudy for my grandmother. Thanks. I've already turned down the part you're playing. Bull! Merrick's not that crazy. You should know, honey. You just came out of the nuthouse. It was not a nuthouse! Look, they drummed you right out of Hollywood, so you come crawling back to Broadway. Well, Broadway doesn't go for *** and dope. Now you get out of my way, 'cause I've got a man waiting for me. At least I never married one. Get your hands off me! - [ Gasps ] - Oh, my God. Give me back my hair! Give me that. Give me that, damn you! What the hell are you doing in there? Giving it a shampoo. Good-bye, pussycat. [ Toilet Flushes ] God, she's throwing it in the can. I'll kill her! How do you like that? It won't even go down the john. Give me that wig! [ Kicking Stall ] Okay. You want it back? Here it comes, special delivery. So long, granny. I'll tell your boyfriend not to wait. [ Door Closes ] Well, you can go through the kitchen. It's right next door. I'm sorry, Miss Lawson. What an awful thing to do to a great star like you. I'll go out the way I came in. I don't want to hear another word about quitting. When the going gets rough, they all talk about retirement. Not me. I've had it rough before. I'm a barracuda. I don't need pills like Neely. Sure, I know you dried her out, but it won't last. Neely hasn't got that hard core like me. She never learned to roll with the punches. And believe me, in this business, they come left, right, and below the belt. Neely has no class, no real down-to-the-gut class. But she's talented, Henry. She's really got it. I knew that when I kicked her out of my show. She'd never believe it, but I'm sorry for her. Nothing can destroy her talent. But she'll destroy herself. And you, Lyon, you'd better watch it. Oh, sure. Everything's rosy now. You skip from one thing to another, one dame to another. But watch it, my friend. Find yourself a good girl, have kids... or one day you'll wind up alone like me... and wonder what the hell happened. ♪ Gotta get off ♪ ♪ Gonna get Have to get ♪ ♪ Off from this ride ♪ ♪ Gotta get hold ♪ ♪ Gonna get Need to get ♪ ♪ Hold of my pride ♪ ♪ When did I get ♪ ♪ Where did I How was I ♪ ♪ Caught in this game ♪ ♪ When will I know ♪ ♪ Where will I How will I ♪ ♪ Think of my name ♪ ♪ When did I stop ♪ ♪ Feeling sure feeling safe ♪ ♪ And start wondering why ♪ ♪ Wondering why ♪ ♪ Is this a dream ♪ ♪ Am I here ♪ ♪ Where are you ♪ ♪ What's in back of the sky ♪ ♪ Why didn't we cry ♪ ♪ Gotta get off ♪ ♪ Gonna get out of this merry-go-round ♪ ♪ Gotta get on ♪ ♪ Gonna get Need to get ♪ ♪ On where I'm bound ♪ ♪ Tell me ♪ ♪ When will I know ♪ ♪ How will I know ♪ ♪ When will I know ♪ ♪ Why ♪♪ Allison's gotta go. I will not let that girl steal the show. She almost walked off with it at dress rehearsal. It's just too late. It can't be done. She hasn't got a run-of-the-play contract. She can be fired right now. I want her out. Oh, boy, the old star sickness begins to appear. No more gratitude. Just power. Well, I'm not gonna do it, Neely. You don't fool me. You're scared! You just wanna stay in good with Merrick. I should've known this was gonna happen. Anne tried to warn me. What the hell does Anne know? I didn't have dough handed to me because of my good cheekbones. I had to work for it. She's gone through life on a pass because of her damn classy looks. I wanna tell you something. Everyone gets paid back. Do you hear? Everyone! I'm not everyone. I don't have to live by stinking rules set down for ordinary people! I licked pills, *** and the funny farm. I don't need anybody or anything. Well, that's good, because I'm leaving. Who needs you? I'm sick of you. You're just an agent. And you're just a Helen Lawson. And not even that, because she's a professional. They love Helen Lawson, and they love Neely O'Hara! ♪♪ Come on, guys! Move it, move it! Let's go. Come on, girls. Where's Miss O'Hara? She's in her dressing room. I'll get her. Come on. Move it down. Move it down. Curtain time, Miss O'Hara. Well, where is she? She won't open up the door. Neely? Neely, open the door. You're on. Neely! Hi! My God, you've got on your costume for the second act. So? I'll do the second act first. Quick, call Mr. Merrick. Get the understudy. I'm ready, Mr. Hamilton. You get lost, sister. I'm fine. I am just dandy! You let go of me, you big jerk! It's getting late. I think we ought to go. The understudy was great. Especially in the dream sequence. I wonder what happened to Neely O'Hara. [ Woman ] They said she had laryngitis. Who had laryngitis? [ Man #2 ] She sure was. [ Woman ] It was a lovely evening, nevertheless. My beautiful little dolls. Just one... and one more. We're closing now, Miss O'Hara. All right, Edward. All right. Here. Keep the change, huh? Shall I call you a cab? I don't need it. I don't need anybody, 'cause I got talent, Edward. Big talent. They love me. Hey! Where is everybody? Hey, everybody, where are you? Where are you? Gone. Gone. Everybody's gone. To hell with them. Who needs 'em? The whole world loves me! Where are you? Lyon? Anne? Jennifer. Ted! Mel. Oh, God. God. God? Oh, Neely. Neely O'Hara! [ Sobbing ] Oh, Neely. Neely! Neely. [ Sobbing Continues ] [ Bell Tolling ] So many years, I-- I prayed for this moment. Now that it's come, I don't feel a thing. Does that mean you won't marry me? It wouldn't work, Lyon. Isn't there anything I can do to change your mind? No, Lyon. Not now. Anne-- Perhaps someday, Lyon. I don't know. Good-bye. ♪ Gotta be here ♪ ♪ Gonna be Have to be ♪ ♪ Where I belong ♪ ♪ Now that I know ♪ ♪ Had to know Came to know ♪ ♪ Where I went wrong ♪ ♪ It was all here ♪ ♪ Here it was Why was I ♪ ♪ Blind to it then ♪ ♪ This is my world ♪ ♪ Here it is This is where ♪ ♪ I'll start again ♪ ♪ Was it a dream ♪ ♪ Was it real ♪ ♪ Was I there ♪ ♪ Tell me ♪ ♪ When will I know ♪ ♪ How will I know ♪ ♪ When will I know ♪ ♪ Why ♪♪