The Majestic (2001) Movie Script
-What about the kid who rings the bell?
-What kid? What bell?
The kid. After the mine caves in,
he rings the bell to alert the town.
-Is that in the script?
-What if we gave the kid a disease?
-A disease?
-Braces on the leg, that sort of thing.
-But he runs.
-He could hobble.
A How Green Was My Valley thing.
Is that McDowall kid available?
-Too old. Plus, hes English.
-So?
-The scripts set in Tennessee.
-Did I get that page?
Forget the disease. Nobody wants it.
Its depressing.
-Boss is right. Who needs disease?
-Its horrible.
-I hate disease.
-Box-office poison.
Hold on. I think I got a "what if."
What if we give the character--
Whats his name?
-Floyd.
-Terrible name. Change it.
-Say we give no-name a dog.
-A dog?
A dog. No-names faithful companion.
Toils at his masters side
in the coal mine.
Cave-in happens,
only the dog gets out.
Cause dogs are smaller, usually.
And its the dog that runs
up the hill and rings the bell.
Holy crap, thats beautiful.
-Im choked up.
-I got goose bumps.
Lassie pictures always gross high.
Instead of a disease,
we give the kid a dog?
-There is no kid. The kids a dog.
-Could be just what the movie needs.
Lets ask the writer.
What do you think, Pete?
Wow. Thats just...
...amazing.
Of course, its not
like the postcards say it is.
Its not glamour everywhere you look.
I should know. I live here.
This is my town.
It seems like everyone heres
from someplace else.
The reason? Movies.
Everybody loves the movies...
... which makes Hollywood
everybodys town.
They come here by the busload.
The next show will be starting
in five minutes.
Please step up
to purchase your tickets....
Candy.
Treats.
-Bonbons.
-There you go.
For most, Graumans Chinese Theater...
...is the most exciting place
on the planet.
For me, its that and more.
Its the theater playing
my first film credit.
No, not that one.
I wish.
No, Im the B movie tonight.
Sand Pirates of the Sahara.
Not a bad picture, if I say so myself.
You gotta start somewhere.
God, I love seeing my name
on a poster.
Four years ago, in film lands
darkest hour...
...the so-called Hollywood 10...
...testified before the House Committee
on Un-American Activities...
...investigating the Communist menace
in Hollywood.
Have you ever been a member
of the Communist Party?
Communism is not related to this.
Refusing to answer questions...
...the 10 writers dared
Congress to come after them.
After years of wrangling,
its time to pay the piper.
Its off to jail.
The charge: contempt of Congress.
A new round of hearings
begins this fall.
The mandate: Get the Reds
out of Hollywood!
-Miss me?
-Every second.
Thats my girlfriend, Sandra Sinclair.
This is her town too.
Shes from Cleveland.
She came out here to be an actress.
And thats what shes doing.
The first picture
she ever appeared in...
... was the first picture I ever wrote.
The lovely Emily. My desert dove.
Did you think you could
just fly away from me?
-Hands off, Khalid!
-Roland!
-You! I thought you were dead.
-You thought wrong.
-Let her go.
-I find your persistence tiresome.
I get that a lot.
Roland, look out!
This time Ill make sure
youre dead.
Taste my steel, you dog.
Taste my steel, you dog.
We were young, we were in love...
...and we were working
in the pictures. Life was good.
Louise, what gives?
They gave everyone the day off.
-What about my pages? Are they typed?
-Pages?
Im on a deadline, I need my pages.
-Those men took them.
-What men? Those pages arent ready.
Pete, Im not even supposed
to be talking to you.
They say you attended those meetings
while in college.
Whos they?
Congress, FBI, Red Channels.
It doesnt matter.
They know who they are,
thats enough. Answer the question.
Meetings, meetings.
How the hell should I know?
It was a long time ago.
I went to college on the G.I. Bill.
The Bread Instead of Bullets Club.
They were Communists?
What do I know?
I couldnt figure out
what they were saying.
-Why did you go, Peter?
-There was this girl.
You consorted with Communists
for a girl?
I went to poetry readings too.
That doesnt make me Carl Sandburg.
Leo, you know me. Im non-political.
Republicans, Democrats, Communists.
They all look alike to me.
As legal counsel for this studio...
...I strongly advise you
to watch what you say.
Leo, put your agent hat on.
-There must be an angle you can work.
-Im out of angles.
Were in the middle of negotiating
my new contract.
The studio suspended
negotiations this morning.
Ive been blacklisted?
Ive been goddamn blacklisted?
-There is no blacklist.
-Right. No blacklist.
Studio just doesnt wanna know you
with this hanging over your head.
I cant leave.
Were shooting in three weeks.
Ashes to Ashes has been pulled.
-You believe it?
-Im sorry, Peter.
So, what does this mean?
I have to testify?
Assuming they let you.
The least they can do
is let me defend myself.
The studio will lobby on your behalf.
Thats all I can promise you.
No guarantees.
-You up for testifying?
-What choice do I have?
They feed on names.
Youll have to give them some.
Im a writer.
Ill make up names if I have to.
Were talking about my career,
my life.
Christ, Ill give them anything
they want.
Come on, toast with me.
To the land of the free
and the home of the brave.
Hey, Pete.
Think maybe youve had enough?
Tell me something, Jerry.
You tight with J. Edgar Hoover?
I wouldnt know Hoover if he walked
in here wearing a dress.
Too bad. He says Im a Communist.
In fact, at this very moment
some grey little FBI guy...
...in a grey little FBI suit...
...is hunched over my screenplay,
checking it, line by line...
...for the poisonous Marxist
propaganda which surely lurks therein.
Hope they check for spelling.
-I can always use help with that.
-Youre babbling.
Ashes to Ashes, my movie!
Couldve been good.
Even with the stupid dog.
My Grapes of Wrath.
My shot at doing something
really good, something....
Something.
-Whats it about?
-Pain, nobility.
The human condition.
Truth.
It was my chance to get out
of B movies and onto the A list.
Go home. Why dont I call
that gal of yours, Sandy?
Cant, she dumped me.
Dont you worry about me.
Hey, Im gonna give you
a little extra something...
...because you took a big chance
talking to me.
Pete, youre not gonna drive
in this condition, are you?
I cant take this constant nagging.
Im leaving you, Jerry.
Im leaving, and Im taking
the monkey with me.
Hey, I got a "what if."
What if you and me
just drive up the coast...
...till the sun comes up
or the gas runs out?
We change our names,
start new lives...
...never come back.
Sound good?
Oh, youre just saying that.
Im talking to the monkey.
Oh, my God! Okay. Okay, come on.
Its okay. Itll be fine.
Its gonna be fine.
Its gonna be fine.
Its gonna be...
...fine. Oh, shit!
Come on. Come on!
We got it. We got it.
Jesus, no! God! Oh, God!
Come on. What the hell?! Let me out!
Help!
Teddy, what you got there? Hey, Teddy.
I Knock it off! Get out of there!
What in Gods name--?
What in the hell happened to you, son?
-Im not exactly sure.
-You think you can sit up?
I could try.
Easy. Easy.
Easy. All right. Oh, my God.
Wait a minute.
Maybe you shouldnt stand.
Do you wanna try it? Great God.
Lordy, lordy, lordy.
What in the hell--?
The town is a fair piece down there.
Do you wanna try walking?
-Okay.
-You sure?
All right, take it easy.
Now, just go slow.
Go slow, damn it.
Oh, easy. Easy. Here, here.
-Use that. I think its clean.
-Thank you.
You know, you seem an odd bit
familiar to me.
Do I know you?
I dont know. Do you?
-Its so quiet.
-Yeah, well, its early yet.
Most folks are just waking up.
Its usually pretty quiet even then.
Thats Ernie Coles place.
Hes our druggist and mayor.
Lost two boys in the war.
Joe at Anzio and Willy at Bastogne.
-They were good boys, both of them.
-Theres so many.
All told, this town gave 62...
...of its young men to the war.
More than our share.
17 of them at Normandy alone.
Even got a letter from Roosevelt.
They commissioned this town
a war memorial.
Been in the basement of the town hall
for years now.
Folks never had the heart
to put it up.
Mabel over at that diner...
...her husband Max was killed
in action on Okinawa.
Say, son?
The woman does wonders with an egg.
-You hungry?
-Yes. Very.
Doc Stanton pops in every morning
on his way to the office.
Lets have breakfast while we wait.
Morning, Mabel.
-My gosh.
-Doc been by yet?
He should be along any moment.
Has there been an accident?
I found him down by the wash. He was
lying there like a landed trout.
Who is he?
Were still working on that.
The boy could use a meal.
Are those eggs spoken for?
-Harry, you mind?
-No, not at all. I can wait.
You trying to set a record?
-Its good.
-Like you could tell.
-Have you ever been in here before?
-Id remember these eggs.
-Its just that you look sort of--
-Familiar? I said the same thing.
Hello, Stan. Mabel.
My bear claw ready to go?
Theres someone you should
say hello to.
Hello, son.
-Howd that happen?
-I have no idea.
Perhaps you better come along with me.
Let me take a closer look at you.
-On my tab?
-Of course.
Food was wonderful. Thank you.
My pleasure.
Come again.
Watch your step, son.
Follow my finger. Just with your eyes.
Thats it.
Muriel, call the sheriff.
Tell him we could use him.
-Yes, doctor.
-So? Doc?
What do you think?
-I think he looks strangely--
-Familiar?
-Im getting that a lot lately.
-Thats what Mabel and I said.
-Vexing, isnt it?
-Aside from vexing, how am I?
You took a pretty good knock
on the head.
Good news is, youll live.
Go ahead and put your shirt--
Better yet-- Excuse me, Stan.
Take one of mine.
Big, but its clean.
Thats very kind. Thank you.
-Shes very pretty.
-Thats my daughter, Adele.
My pride and joy.
Charms the fish right
out of the river, she does.
Sorry, I didnt mean to stare.
Its just that your face
really does seem familiar.
Wish I could say the same thing.
Cecil! Cecil, listen to me.
Harry, you wanna give me a heart attack
right here?
-Theres a young man--
-I know, Im here to investigate.
Anything interesting
will be in the paper--
Listen to me! Its Luke.
You have no recollection
prior to waking up on our beach?
No idea who you are
or how you got here?
I remember a dog licking my face.
Before that...
...blank.
Theres someone who might be able
to shed light on this.
-Is it okay if I bring him in?
-Please.
It is you.
It is.
Oh, Luke. I never gave up hoping.
Youre alive! My boy! God!
My son.
Break it to her gently.
Sir?
-What did you say your name was?
-Harry.
Harry Trimble. And youre Luke.
Everybodys called you Luke
since you were a baby.
Where exactly are we going?
Where do you think, son?
Im taking you home.
You fellas have a good rest
of the day.
-If you need anything, call me.
-Bless you, Cecil, for everything.
What are we doing here?
This is it.
"Hem Jesti."
The Majestic.
A few of the letters are missing.
We live in a movie theater?
No. In the apartment above it.
Harry?
How long have I been gone?
Nine and a half years.
Nine and a half years?
That was high school.
You ran 11 touchdowns that season.
My mother?
You remember?
Just a guess.
-Shes beautiful.
-Yes, she was, rest her soul.
Im sorry. Its so much to take in.
Me blathering away like a fool.
Why dont I make some coffee?
Harry, why did you close The Majestic?
After the war, people here just
didnt feel like going to the movies.
Some moved away. Los Angeles...
...Sacramento, San Francisco.
You still take cream, no sugar?
Luke?
Just us, son.
-How long have I been asleep?
-Since yesterday.
You slept through the night
and most of this morning.
Id like to reintroduce you
to the staff of The Majestic.
-Irene Terwilliger, our candy lady.
-So glad to have you back, Luke.
Hes even more handsome now.
This is Emmett Smith,
our head usher and fix-it man.
Tell him about the watch.
One step at a time.
Lets not get ahead of ourselves.
Luke....
Fact is, weve been talking it over
while you slept, and....
Well, good news, son.
Now that youre back,
weve decided to reopen.
Reopen?
How hard can it be?
We fix the place up, sell tickets.
Harry. Look around.
-Its a dump.
-Told you so.
I am looking around,
and all I see is potential.
The place is ready to fall down. All
youd have to do is give it a shove.
Youre wrong. You are. I know
she doesnt look like much now...
...but once--
Once, this place was like a palace.
-Palace.
-Thats why we called her Majestic.
Any man, woman, child could buy
a ticket, walk in.
Here theyd be, here wed be.
Yes, sir. Yes, maam. Enjoy the show.
In theyd come, entering a palace.
Like a dream. Like in heaven.
Maybe you had worries and problems,
but once you came in...
...they didnt matter anymore.
And you know why?
Chaplin, thats why.
And Keaton, and Lloyd.
Garbo, Gable, and Lombard.
And Jimmy Stewart, Jimmy Cagney.
Fred and Ginger. They were gods!
And they lived up there.
That was Olympus.
We felt so lucky just to be here.
To have the privilege
of watching them.
This TV thing, why stay
home and watch a box?
Convenience? You dont have
to dress up, you can sit there?
You call that entertainment?
Alone in your living room?
Wheres the other people?
Wheres the audience?
Wheres the magic?
Ill tell you. In a place like this,
the magic is all around you.
The trick is to see it.
Luke...
...I think you loved The Majestic
even more than I did.
-Youve got to remember that.
-I dont.
It sounds crazy, but I promise
we can make this place like it was!
I dont know how it was.
Dont you get that?
-None of this means anything to me!
-It used to mean so much.
It doesnt. How can it?
Harry, I dont even know who I am.
No.
No.
Come with me.
Bobby Rilke. Red hair and freckles.
Always charging up and down the street
on his bike, screaming.
Scaring the crap out
of the old ladies.
Brad Hendersen.
Virgil Toynbee. And Patrick Vitger.
He was on the football team with you.
Stevie Wardlow.
His old man was a drinker,
used to beat him.
Youd bring him home,
wed give him a hot meal.
Kid practically lived with us
for a few years.
He died on Saipan.
Silver Star for bravery.
Teddy Parker.
Jimmy Trask.
And this boy over here...
...bright kid. Honour student.
Joined up right after Pearl Harbor.
Parachuted into France on D-Day,
June 6th, 1944.
Three days later, his platoon
got pinned down by German artillery.
They were nearly wiped out. Most boys
dead or wounded, torn up by the shells.
But this fella here...
...carried the injured back
to safety, one by one.
Always going back till
all men were accounted for.
He never wavered. He just kept doing
what he had to do...
...until it got done.
He was reported missing
in action a month later.
His body was never found.
Congress gave him the Medal of Honor
for saving the lives of eight men...
...without thought to himself.
His name...
...was Albert Lucas Trimble.
We called him Luke. He was my son.
Thats who you are.
-Well, Ill be!
-Morning, Ernie.
I heard about it, couldnt believe it.
I had to come see for myself.
There he stands.
I still cant believe it!
-Its really him.
-I can see that!
My God, Luke, it sure is good
to see you again.
-Luke, this is Ernie Cole, our mayor.
-Mayor Cole.
You dont have to go that far, son.
You can just call me Ernie.
-Care to join us at Mabels for lunch?
-Id love it.
Good.
Oh, my God!
Watch your step.
-I missed you.
-Not as much as I missed you.
-Well? How did it go?
-Not so bad. I think I passed.
-Thats my girl! What about the....
-Hiccups? Not a trace, thank goodness.
Who wants an attorney who hiccups
when shes nervous?
Like I always said, honey,
its all up here.
Its so good to be home.
Dad, what is it?
-Oh, my God. Did somebody die?
-Well...
...somewhat the opposite, actually.
Look at you! Look at you!
Great to have you back, son!
Luke! Remember the time, you and me,
we were playing with firecrackers?
One of them went off too soon
and singed all the hair off my head?
No. What happened?
Well, all the hair
got singed off my head.
It was pretty funny.
You really dont remember?
Im sorry.
Heck, thats okay. Its good
to have you back, thats all.
Aint that right, Bob?
Luke, you remember my cousin Bob?
You two joined up the same day.
Bob, nice to meet you.
Welcome back.
Thank you.
-More coffee?
-No, Im fine.
-What are your plans?
-Were gonna reopen The Majestic.
-Is that right?
-We were discussing it.
Thats the spirit, fellas!
We need a little more of that.
Where is Spencer Wyatt?
-Spence?
-Spencer!
-There he is.
-Come here.
-Hey, Luke.
-Hi, Spencer.
-Is your big band ready to play?
-Yes, sir.
What are you thinking?
This town has had a blessing of good
fortune after a long dry spell.
Im thinking that we ought
to celebrate.
So, what do you say?
Saturday night, out at the point...
...a big welcome-home celebration
for Luke.
No, its too much.
Luke?
Adele?
I saw your picture.
Do you remember me?
No, but Ill sure try.
-Adele?
-Yes?
It may just be my imagination...
...but I feel like were not alone.
Go about your business.
Hes not going anywhere.
Its okay, folks. Go ahead home.
And thanks for the welcome.
You two have a lot
to catch up on, I expect.
I think wed better--
Go on.
You handled that well.
Thanks.
So, where to?
Town hall?
Come on.
You first.
Why me?
In case the vicious guard dogs
havent been fed.
So you can be a gentleman
and help me down.
Careful.
There you go.
I got you.
Big, gloomy basement.
Nice.
It was a lot roomier before they put
the monument down here.
The gift from Roosevelt.
Stan Keller told me about it.
Your names on there.
So are the others.
I knew all these guys?
We both did.
We went to school with most of them.
You really dont remember?
Im sorry.
We used to sneak in here
when we were kids.
This was our secret place.
You, me, Stevie Wardlow...
...Tully Wentworth.
-Thats why you brought me here?
-Its a stroll down memory lane.
Dad said if I took you places
we used to go...
...and showed you things only we knew
about, it might help you remember.
So were here for...
...purely medical reasons?
Not entirely.
Im trying to make up my own mind
about you being Luke.
Join the club.
So, what do you think?
The jurys still out.
Fair enough.
Any other secret places
I should know about?
-Really, it fueled my dream.
-That cant be true.
Im serious.
Youll have to start making sense
sometime soon.
You wanted to be a lawyer because
of The Majestic?
We used to go
to the movies all the time.
Once, when I was 11, the movie playing
was The Life of Emile Zola.
About the Dreyfus affair.
Great picture.
You remember movies,
but you dont remember your life?
Yeah.
-Weird, huh?
-Its unbelievable.
In the movie, Zola stood up in court
and accused the French government...
...of forfeiting its honor
for wrongly accusing an innocent man.
Zola wasnt a lawyer, of course,
but the way he spoke....
I decided right then
thats what I wanted to be.
-Just from that?
-Just? Come on, it was great!
"In the presence of this tribunal,
the representative of human justice...
...before you, gentlemen of the jury,
before France, before the world...
...I swear that Dreyfus is innocent!
By all Ive won, all Ive written
to spread the spirit of France...
...I swear, Dreyfus is innocent."
"May all that melt away, may my name
perish if Dreyfus not be innocent."
"He is innocent."
Its pretty good stuff, huh?
Not bad at all.
The suns going. Come on.
Watch your eyes.
-Is this another secret place?
-Our special one.
We used to come up here all the time
to watch the sunset.
And thats what made it special?
This is also where we had
our first kiss.
We were 14.
That is special.
Wish I could remember that.
Me too.
We were in love, werent we?
Yeah.
-What was that?
-Nothing.
-Im fine. Really.
-You dont sound fine.
Just ignore it. Its going away.
So were we gonna be married?
When you got back from overseas.
We were engaged
just before you shipped out.
Anything I can do
to help you with that?
Yeah. But its something
that only we knew about.
-Tell me.
-No. I think Id rather die first.
Your father said any little thing
could jog my memory.
It still works.
-Found me.
-Sorry. I didnt know who was here.
Just me and the dog.
-Whats his name?
-Dog.
-Simple. I like it.
-Come on in.
-Is that you? In the first World War?
-Yeah. 1917, thereabouts.
-Its okay with you that I live here?
-Why wouldnt it be?
Just checking.
Think Ill get me a watch?
Right, the watch. Whats that for?
So I make sure the shows always start
on time. Thats important.
-Ill see what I can do.
-Thank you.
I had me a nice watch once.
The pocket watch kind, with a chain.
Kept good time until it broke.
Never had the money to get it fixed.
By then, the theater closed down,
I didnt think I needed it.
I put it away somewhere
for safekeeping.
But that was years ago...
...and I cant remember where.
Lost me a medal for bravery once too,
back during the Great War.
Lost it in the hospital, I think.
I forget things sometimes...
...since the war.
Yeah...
...me too.
Trash. Vile, despicable trash.
Its about the West Virginia
coal miners strike of 1920.
The plight of the downtrodden worker
and all that.
-Communist propaganda, start to end.
-That bad?
Theres a dog in it I like,
but aside from that....
-Tell me about Appleton.
-His agent reported him missing.
Hes been gone four or five days.
Four or five days? Gentlemen, we may
be onto something here.
What kind of man hides
after being implicated?
Not an innocent one. What if Appleton
is more than he seems?
Not just another schmuck, but an
important Communist operative.
One with lots of secrets to spill.
The Reds would do anything
to keep him out of our hands.
We have one of two scenarios here.
Number one: His Communist friends
killed him to shut him up.
Number two: Theyre trying to get him
out of the country as we speak.
I dont intend
to open a copy of Pravda...
...and see him get a heros welcome
in Red Square.
-What shall we tell Mr. Hoover?
-Tell him this has top priority.
You find him. Living or dead.
Whatever it takes.
His trail will lead us
to a nest of Communists...
...that will make the Rosenbergs look
like Ma and Pa Kettle.
Adele!
Got it!
Hi.
-Do I have a stain? What?
-Nothing.
Seeing you there gave me
a weird feeling.
-You wore that when we last went out.
-I could go change it.
-Dont be silly. It still fits.
-You kids ready?
Shall we?
-Good evening.
-How are you?
-Hi.
-Good evening.
Smells good. I caught it from here.
Lukes here!
Here he comes! Here he comes!
Ill be right back.
Hey, buddy. Well take it from here.
Ill get you for that.
I think Luke and Adele should lead
the first dance, dont you?
Care to dance?
I think wed better.
Youre pretty good.
Thanks.
You too.
When did you learn to dance?
That was nerve-racking.
Id kill that Spencer kid,
except hes really good.
-Looks like your investment paid off.
-Investment?
In high school,
you saved up for a clarinet.
You wanted to be Benny Goodman
in the worst way.
-And?
-You were Benny Goodman...
...in the worst way.
You gave the clarinet to Spencer.
He used to drive you crazy, following
you around like a lost puppy.
I gave him the clarinet. He started
practicing and left me alone.
-Did you remember that, or...?
-Just filling in the blanks.
Arent they a sight?
So they are, Harry.
Something wrong?
Something is troubling me.
What could trouble you
on a night like this?
Just look. Your daughter,
dancing with my son.
Everything the way it should be.
Gods in his heaven, Ben.
Still, I cant help wondering,
where has Luke been all this time?
-I mean, 9 1/2 years!
-Whats it matter? Hes home now.
He went missing during the war, right?
So he must have been injured overseas,
lost his memory then.
So, what happened when he came back,
not knowing who he was?
Did he start a new life for himself?
Career?
What if Luke spent the last decade
actually thinking hes somebody else?
I dont care.
I care about his life here.
But dont you see?
He might have people looking for him.
People who care about him.
Maybe even a wife and family.
You could be a grandfather
and not even know it.
Im not trying to step on your joy.
My joy too.
But what happens
if his memory does come back?
Which life will he remember?
Which would he choose?
-So are you proud of your boy, Avery?
-What?
Oh, yeah!
I couldnt be any more proud, Ernie.
I think Spencers got a big future
ahead of him. What do you say?
You know, folks, here in Lawson...
...we gave a lot to our country.
A lot.
And we never complained.
And we never faltered.
And we never forgot.
We never forgot.
And so, when one of our own...
...came back to us,
it was like a miracle.
Luke...
...seeing you walk down the street,
it was....
It was kind of like seeing one
of my own boys alive again.
I think I speak for all of us here
when I say...
...that not a day goes by...
...that we dont keep
our boys memories alive.
But, Luke, having you back among us...
...that helps us keep
their spirits alive too.
God bless you, son. God bless you.
Now, on a lighter note...
...weve had a special request
from one of Lawsons luminaries...
...Irene Terwilliger.
Irene, come up here.
There you are.
Ive tutored music in this town...
...for more years than I care to say.
In fact, many of you here tonight have
been my students through the years.
And as talented as you all were...
...the most talented pupil
I ever taught...
...was Luke Trimble.
Luke, you played the piano
like an angel.
It would do my heart a world of good
to hear you play again.
Wont you come up?
-Yes, come up!
-Come on!
Come.
-You never told me about the piano.
-Go. Anything could jog your memory.
Thats right.
Im not sure I remember ever playing.
Music is in the soul, Luke.
Just put your fingers on the keys...
...and let it all come back to you.
Franz Liszt. Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2.
Like this. Follow me.
Now you.
Really, Luke! Thats no way
to treat Mr. Liszt. Stop that!
Stop it, I say!
Who taught you to play like that?
I demand to know!
Where did you learn
to play such a thing?
I taught him that!
When you werent looking.
-I think Spencer was loopy.
-No.
He was blowing some bad notes
there at the end.
Good night.
Good night.
Bob?
Bob Leffert.
You work for Mabel at the diner.
Thats who I am.
Question is, who are you?
-Im not sure what you mean.
-I knew Luke Trimble.
I didnt like him much.
Not saying hes bad,
just rubbed me the wrong way.
You know the feeling? Someone rubs you
the wrong way, you cant explain why?
You kind of rub me that way.
Not that that makes you Luke.
What I want to know is, what game
are you running? Who are you?
Just a guy
trying to figure things out.
This towns had enough heartbreak.
Too much.
Me, I think youre setting
everybody up for more.
I hope Im wrong.
I havent had to kill anybody
since the war.
Why didnt you dance with her?
Excuse me?
Mabel. Why didnt you dance with her?
Seems to me, a pretty girl asks you
to dance and you say no...
...you came home more crippled
than you thought.
Hero.
Welcome home, Luke.
This was the first movie
we ever showed here.
Your mother loved it.
I bought the print.
Cost us our first months profits.
That was back in 1925.
Before sound.
You were just a little kid then.
Dad, I...
What?
Thats the first time youve called me
Dad since youve been back.
You know--
Harry.
Dad.
Wake up.
-What time is it?
-6:30.
I thought wed get an early start.
Candy counter.
Display wiring needs help.
Should have stayed in bed.
Made by CVStudio v.1.0.3.1
[][][29,970][][]
The livestock were reportedly
uninjured, but very frightened.
The council acknowledged that
a bake sale should be scheduled.
The motion was carried.
The meeting was adjourned.
Thank you, Vera.
The chair notes the presence
of the Trimbles...
...and the rest of The Majestic staff.
Come on up, folks.
What brings you here?
An interest in Lawson politics?
No, sir. Were here
on business of a sort.
Point of order, this comes under
the heading of "new business."
-We can make an exception, Daley.
-But it has to be moved and seconded.
-Motion to hear the speaker.
-Seconded.
Motion on the floor. Discussion open
and closed. Those in favor say "aye."
Hearing no opposition,
the motion is carried.
Go ahead, son.
The Majestic needs a lot of repairs,
and we cant possibly afford them all.
Wed like permission to scrounge
around for surplus materials.
I could donate things from the
hardware store and Spencer could help.
Thanks, Avery. Thats kind.
Oh, please. That clarinets the best
thing that ever happened to my boy.
-Brought him out of his shell.
-Sure.
Motion to encourage
the citizens of Lawson...
...to help out The Majestic
if they can.
Seconded.
Motion on the floor. Discussion open
and closed. Those in favor say "aye."
Congratulations, Luke, Harry.
Where would you like to start?
Your basement.
Paint, paint and more paint.
I didnt even know all this stuff
was down here. Take what you can use.
Harry, Emmett, grab the other end.
It should be outside
where it can be seen.
Luke, were good on this end.
Ready? Lets go.
Thank you!
For me?
-Ready?
-Yeah. One, two, three.
Shut it off!
-Pull!
-Come on, move!
-Pull!
-Its a heavy one!
-Pull!
-Come on, guys, help me out.
I pulled something!
Come on.
Joey, come look at this!
Joey! Quick, come look!
Theres no way that that car
was driven onto this beach.
-Theres no access.
-So how did it get here?
It fell in the river
and was washed out here.
-River?
-We got two or three of them...
...dumping into this ocean along
the coast. Up north of here.
Thanks.
Thanks. Got something nice
to wear for the big reopening?
You bet.
I dont think Bobs
doing anything that night.
Pretty sure Im busy.
Too bad.
You should see the place,
its coming together.
-Come on, Carl, dont tease us.
-Go ahead.
We did it.
Its beautiful!
Nifty, huh?
Yeah.
Let us all join together now...
...in silent reflection...
...in loving memory...
...of those not with us.
-Where is he? We have to open.
-Hes a little nervous.
-Hes nervous?
-I think hes coming.
-Give this to him.
-No, give it to him, you bought it.
-Damn.
-You think?
Fits you like always.
I put on a few pounds since.
Adele let it out.
She did a fine job.
Emmett...
-...this is really Lukes doing.
-Its from all of us.
Oh, my!
So you can make sure
we always get started on time.
This is....
This is very fine.
Very fine, indeed.
Ready to man your post?
-Lets show some movies.
-All right.
-Ernie, Joanne.
-Good evening. How are you, Harry?
Thanks.
I have the honor of being first.
-Two adults?
-Thats right.
-Enjoy the movie.
-Thank you.
-Two, please.
-You old enough for this one?
Good evening, Dolores. How are you?
Fred, its good to see you. Enjoy.
Thank you for coming, Tom.
-How are you? How are the children?
-Theyre fine.
Good evening, how are you?
Better hurry in there.
The movie is about to begin.
-Youll like this one.
-Okay.
Two, please.
Yes, sir.
Enjoy the show.
-Hi. Two, please.
-How are you tonight?
We have come to visit you in peace,
and with goodwill.
What are you up to?
"Adele Louise Stanton has passed
the State Bar Examination."
Does this mean youre qualified
to tend bar?
Im so proud of you.
Luke, dear, we need
to order some more Raisinets.
And Jujubes.
Raisinets and Jujubes. Check.
And MoonPies.
MoonPies.
-Having a run on candy?
-People have a sweet tooth at movies.
Speaking of which....
-Father, did we lose them?
-I think so.
Lets see about getting
those manacles off.
-Where are we?
-The inner chamber.
We found it at last.
Gosh!
Who is that?
That, my dear, is Horus.
The falcon-headed god of the heavens!
The lovely Emily. My desert dove.
Did you think you could
just fly away from me?
-Hands off, Khalid!
-Roland!
-You! I thought you were dead.
-You thought wrong.
-Let her go.
-I find your persistence tiresome.
I get that a lot.
Roland, look out!
-Come on, Khalid.
-This time Ill make sure youre dead.
-Taste my steel, you dog.
-Taste my steel, you dog.
-Curses on you...
-Curses on you...
-...infidel.
-...infidel.
-Oh, Roland.
-Oh, Emily.
Oh, shit!
-Father, are you all right?
-Just a nasty bump. Ill be fine.
-Khalid?
-He s dead.
Brave work. Does he have the map?
-Here. Right here.
-I was right. Its the inner chamber!
Which means that within that statue
is the secret of the Pharaohs jewel.
Luke, somethings wrong!
-Harry missed the reel change.
-What?
Harry missed the reel change.
Harry?
Harry. Jesus!
Go get Doc!
Doc! Doc! Harrys in trouble!
Come quick!
Excuse me.
-Oh, no. No.
-What, Harry? What?
-I missed the damn reel change.
-Its all right.
You just lay still. Docs on his way.
Im here.
Hes asking for you.
-How is he?
-Well....
Hes had a massive heart attack.
His lungs have filled with fluid.
His whole body is just shutting down.
Can we get him to a hospital?
Even if we could, theres nothing they
can do for him that we cant.
Theres not much time.
Did you?
Did you?
-Did I what?
-Get the last reel up?
Oh, no.
Everybody went home.
How will people know how the movie
ends? Good little picture too.
Damn shame.
Now Ill never see...
...how it turns out.
The good guy wins.
Good. Thats good.
Good guys should always win.
Dont think about the movie.
You just hang on, okay?
-Hang on, Harry.
-Its okay.
If I have to go...
...at least Im going in my own bed...
...and knowing my son is alive.
Thats not too shabby, is it?
Harry....
Im not...
...not ready to say goodbye.
Its all right.
Its all right. Youre here.
And thats all that matters.
Oh, God.
I love you, son.
I love you...
...Dad.
So much...
...lighter.
Surely goodness and mercy will
follow me all the days of my life...
...and I shall dwell in the house
of the Lord forever.
Hey.
Hey, yourself.
I was looking for you.
You okay?
Well, I may be many things...
...but "okay" is far from one of them.
Well, you want to talk about it?
Luke....
Look, I know this--
I know this cant be
an easy day for you--
You have no idea.
Your father said I would
start to remember things.
And?
He was right.
Adele, Harry wasnt my father.
Im not Luke.
Im sorry.
Oh, my God.
I knew.
I knew, I knew it from the start.
I wanted you to be Luke.
I wanted you to be alive.
God, you are so much like him.
You have no idea.
You dont know what you...
...what Luke...
...what Luke meant to this town,
suddenly being alive.
You dont know what this town lost.
God! I feel so stupid.
I knew you werent Luke.
I let myself think that....
And I tried not to fall in love
with you, I did!
I dont even know your name.
-Ill tell you.
-No, dont! Whoever you are....
I cant. I just--
I need to be by myself, okay?
Adele, please.
Adele!
-Just stay back, folks.
-There he is.
Im Sheriff Coleman.
Whats going on here?
Federal agents.
Were here to serve a subpoena on him.
Luke Trimble?
I dont know what hes told
you, but hes not Luke Trimble.
You are commanded to appear before the
Committee on Un-American Activities...
...in special session
in Los Angeles...
...and there testify on matters of
Communist conspiracy and subversion.
Herein fail not.
-Am I under arrest?
-If youre not on that train.
Fellas, Im here to guarantee
his return. That was the deal.
Now, unless theres some law
thats been broken....
Id have to say that doesnt
appear to be the case.
Appearances are tricky.
Well just canvass the town, ask
questions, check backgrounds.
That sort of thing.
Come on, son.
Come on, Mabel. Come on.
Its not worth it.
Well, why dont we call it a night?
Ill close up.
-Come on, Irene, Ill walk you home.
-Thank you, Emmett.
What did you expect? Big turnout?
These arent your people.
This isnt your town. L.A. is.
-Not when the Committee gets through.
-Ive been on with our lawyers all day.
-Theyve been on with their lawyers.
-So?
They hate to admit it, but youre
not the top Commie spy they thought.
-Gee, theres a relief.
-Hey, a breaks a break.
Theyre anxious to save face
after the big stink they made...
...which means they might be
in a mood to compromise.
The studio lawyers had this drawn up.
"I, Peter Appleton, by way of purging
myself of my indiscretions...
...renounce my membership
in the Communist Party...
...and provide the names
of fellow members...
...that those persons may have the
opportunity to do as I have done."
Boilerplate, kid.
They even provided the list of names.
-I dont know any of these people.
-Doesnt matter. Theyre already named.
All you do is show up,
read the statement, salute the flag.
-I wont be a Communist anymore?
-Thats it.
-Does it matter that I never was one?
-Dont split hairs. This is a game.
But its their game.
You play by their rules,
or theyll destroy you.
I thought this was a democracy.
The Declaration of Independence?
The Constitution?
Just pieces of paper
with signatures on them.
And you know what a
signed paper is? A contract.
Something that can be
renegotiated at any time.
Just so happens HUAC is renegotiating
the contract this time around.
Next time itll be somebody else,
but itll always be somebody.
You want your life back?
Read the statement.
Ill see you at the station, kid,
bright and early.
You think theyll come back?
The customers?
Sure they will.
Emmett, we need to talk.
-Im leaving tomorrow morning.
-Why?
Were you on Main Street today,
when those men came into town?
I hate to be the one
to tell you this...
...but Im not Luke.
-Yeah, I knew that.
-You did?
Since the welcome-home dance,
when you played the piano.
-Youre kidding!
-Let me tell you....
Luke played the classics
like nobodys business...
...but when it come to getting jazz,
he was a lost boy.
When I heard that fine roadhouse
boogie, I knew you wasnt Luke.
You didnt say anything?
Nobody else had to know.
This town needed you to be Luke,
so you were Luke.
But Im not Luke anymore.
-Thats why Im going back to L.A.
-For how long?
-For good.
-But whos gonna run The Majestic?
You are.
-Me?
-You and Irene.
I dont know about that.
Harry would have wanted you to keep
this place going. Youll need those.
I didnt know you were here.
I was just...
...saying goodbye.
Adele, Im sorry the way
things turned out.
I never meant to hurt anyone,
least of all you.
People get hurt sometimes,
we cant always help it.
Its just the way things are.
So are you really a Communist?
No, Im really not.
I didnt think so. Only a capitalist
could get The Majestic up and running.
Great endorsement.
Can I call you as a witness?
-Well, if it helps.
-Thanks.
-So, what will you tell the Committee?
-Tell them what they want to hear:
"Sorry, I wont
do it again, blah, blah."
Youre not serious.
-Whats wrong with it?
-Everything.
Be more specific.
Aside from the fact that this is a free
country, and you can be a Communist...
...if you want to be, leaving that
aside, if youre accused falsely...
...you have a duty as well as a right to
stand up and suggest they drop dead.
mile Zola, you feel strongly
about this.
Damn right!
It doesnt make it any less rigged.
Its called a witch-hunt.
And theres burden of proof,
innocence before guilt.
In law school, but the rest of us
live in the real world.
I mess with these guys, I go to jail.
All the more reason to fight them.
Like Luke would have done?
Go ahead, say it.
-Yes, like Luke would have done.
-God, here it comes.
Tell me again what a great guy Luke
was. I havent heard that enough!
-He would have stood up.
-Well, hes not here...
...to vouch for that.
We have to take your word!
Everybodys memory of Luke
is a little rose-colored.
Besides, Im not Luke.
While he was liberating Europe,
I was running the PX.
He couldnt wait to save the world!
I was happy not to go!
-Why?
-I didnt want to end up like him.
I wanted to survive!
You stand up for a cause...
...you get mowed down.
Look. Look!
Thats the real world.
I want my goddamn life back.
Is that so hard to understand?
Wow.
I really did have you two confused.
Last call for California West
to Los Angeles and all points south.
Where the hell have you been?
-Walking.
-Walking? For two hours?
Dont do this to me, kid.
I got a nerve condition.
Come on. Come on.
How is she?
She came back from the cemetery
a bit upset. But shell be fine.
She wanted you to have this.
-What is it?
-I didnt think to ask.
All aboard!
Dearest Adele: I have a feeling
well be moving out soon...
...so I may not get a chance
to write for some time.
Thank you for all your letters.
I cant tell you how much they
cheer me and make me think of home.
Im not trying to frighten you.
Im going into this having accepted
that I may not be back.
If that should happen, promise
you will not mourn my passing.
Move on, live your life to the fullest
in order to give mine meaning...
...and to honor the cause
were fighting to achieve.
When bullies rise up, we have to
beat them down, whatever the cost.
Thats a simple idea, I suppose,
but one worth giving everything for.
The only thought that saddens me,
aside from failing at our task...
...is the thought of never seeing you.
Not holding you, not seeing our
children grow...
...not spending the passing years
with you.
If I should not come back, know that
I will never truly leave you.
Should you be walking years from now
on a spring day...
...and feel a warm breeze
graze your cheek...
...that warm breeze will be me,
giving you a kiss.
Remember, finally, above all...
...that I love you.
Luke.
Mr. Appleton?
Are you a Communist?
Anything you want to say?
The Committee will come to order.
Well have order in the chamber!
Let me begin by saying
we have a full agenda.
I admonish those here to view
testimony today to keep order...
...or this chamber will be cleared.
The witness will please stand
and raise his right hand.
Do you swear the testimony
youre about to give...
...will be the truth, the whole truth
and nothing but the truth?
-I do.
-Be seated.
State your full name and residence.
Peter Appleton, Hollywood, California.
Im informed you have a prepared
statement youd like to read.
-Yes, sir.
-Mr. Chairman...
...before he reads his statement,
Id like to ask a few questions.
Just to clear the air.
Americans deserve to know the extent
of the Communist conspiracy...
...that threatens our way of life.
We were told the witness would
be allowed to read a statement.
So he will, but hell answer
a few questions first.
Mr. Appleton, you mentioned
your home is Hollywood.
But for the last several months you
made your home in the town of Lawson?
Yes, thats true.
Have you ever met
an Albert Lucas Trimble?
No, sir.
Thats not possible.
Luke Trimble is dead.
That didnt prevent you from
masquerading as Luke while in Lawson.
Order!
I wasnt masquerading.
I was mistaken for Luke.
There was an accident.
Im sure anyone who reads the paper
is familiar with your accident.
An accident which came hard upon
being named by this Committee.
What I find hard to understand is why
you were in such a hurry to leave L.A.
One might view that
as a flight from authority.
I wasnt fleeing, sir.
I simply went for a drive and had
an accident that affected my memory.
Order!
What is the state of your memory now?
-My memory is fine.
-Im glad to hear that.
You might recall the item before you.
Its the attendance roster for
the Bread Instead of Bullets Club...
...dated October 3rd, 1945.
Referring to line 37, does your name
and signature appear there?
-It does.
-Mr. Appleton...
...tell us about
the Bread Instead of Bullets Club.
If the Committee will note line 36
of the document.
-"Lucille Angstrom"?
-I was courting Miss Angstrom.
I attended the meeting
only to be with her.
Are you asking us to believe
you attended a meeting...
...of a Communist organization
because of a girl?
Yes, sir.
Even someone like yourself
must be familiar with the concept.
-Please confine your answers.
-Im sorry.
Im having trouble reconciling
your testimony here.
Youre prepared to purge yourself
of Communist ties.
Yet when questioned, you claim
not to have gone as a member.
-I didnt.
-Then what did you attend as?
Im hesitant to say.
You agreed to be forthcoming.
I insist you do so.
Well, I went as...
...a horny young man.
Order in the chamber!
Order!
He doesnt want to spar
with these boys.
-Theyll eat him alive.
-Yes, they will.
Good.
Believe me, you do not want
to incur our wrath!
What is the purpose of this?
Mr. Appleton came here
to cooperate fully with you.
Yet hes treated as a hostile witness.
Point taken. Lets cut to the chase
and have him read his statement.
If hes not pleading the 5th,
I do have further questions.
Elvin.
Lets not open this any further.
I want this little turd to read
his statement and get out of here.
The Committee sees no cause
for further questions.
Mr. Appleton may proceed
with his statement.
"I, Peter Appleton...
...by way of purging myself...
...of my indiscretions...."
Mr. Appleton?
Im sorry, Mr. Chairman.
I think I need some water.
Go ahead, son.
I cant do this.
Ill make this simple.
You read that statement,
or go straight to jail for contempt.
-Jail?
-Jail.
Just read the damn statement.
"I, Peter Appleton...."
Mr. Appleton, the Committees patience
is wearing thin.
I understand that, Mr. Chairman.
Im sorry.
Im sorry.
It occurs to me theres a bigger issue
than whether or not Im a Communist.
Bigger issue?
There is no bigger issue.
Actually, not to be contrary,
I think there is.
Gosh, I dont quite know what to say.
Fact is, I....
Ive never been a man
of great conviction.
I never saw the percentage in it.
And quite frankly...
...I suppose...
...I lacked the courage.
See, Im not like Luke Trimble.
He had the market cornered
on those things.
I never met the guy, but I feel
like Ive gotten to know him.
The thing is, I cant help wondering
what hed say...
...if he were standing here right now.
I think hed probably tell you...
...the America represented
in this room...
...is not the America
he died defending.
I think hed say your America
is bitter...
...and cruel and small.
Come to order!
I know his America was big.
Bigger than you can imagine!
With a wide-open heart!
Where every person has a voice!
Even if you dont like
what they say--
Enough! You are out of order!
If he were here,
I wonder how youd respond...
...if you could explain to him
what happened to his America.
You are skating
on the edge of contempt!
Thats the first thing
Ive heard today that I agree with!
My client is clearly under
an enormous strain as a result...
...of the questioning of Mr. Clyde.
Hes not responsible for his comments.
-We wish to invoke the 5th Amendment.
-No, we dont.
-We do.
-No, we dont, so knock it off!
Shut up and let me get through this.
The 5th Amendment is off the table.
But there is another Amendment
Id like to invoke.
I wonder if anyone here
is familiar with it.
"Congress shall make no law respecting
an establishment of religion."
Youre out of order!
"Shall make no law...
-...respecting--"
-My chamber will come to order!
"An establishment of religion...
...or prohibiting
free exercise thereof...
...or abridging freedom of speech,
or of the press...
....or of the right to petition
for a redress of grievances."
Do not presume to lecture
this Committee!
The First Amendment. Its what
were about, if wed live up to it.
Let him talk. Hes hanging himself.
Its part of the contract
every citizen has here.
Even though the Constitution
and the Bill of Rights...
...are just pieces of paper
with signatures on them...
...theyre the only contracts we have
that are definitely not subject...
...to renegotiation.
-Not by you, Mr. Chairman.
-Mr. Appleton!
-Not by you, Mr. Clyde.
-Stand down!
Not by anyone, ever.
Too many people have paid in blood.
Enough, sir! You are out of order!
People like Luke Trimble...
...and all the sons
of Lawson, California.
Damn right.
And they deserve better than this.
All you boys do.
I will have order
or I will clear this chamber!
When you get
right down to it, fellas...
...thats all I have to say to you.
You are not excused!
The witness will resume his seat!
You are not excused!
You will resume your seat!
Im going to the studio.
Where can I drop you?
Home.
-Gotta pack.
-Pack?
Im going to prison.
Ill need a toothbrush.
Why do you think youre
going to prison?
You saw it. I just told them
to screw themselves.
Thats one way to see it.
-What other way is there?
-Try this one.
They made a hero out of you.
Think theyll promote you to martyr?
No, I dont think so.
This is about them saving face.
If youre gonna be a hero,
youll be theirs.
While you talked to reporters,
a flack came up talking deal.
-What kind of a deal?
-You know, deal.
They thrive on names. With a witness
like you, any name will do.
I didnt give them any names.
Suddenly Lucille Angstrom
isnt a name?
I didnt give them her name. It was
right in front of them. They had it.
-Thats not how they see it.
-Does it matter?
Shes just a girl I knew in college,
not even in show business.
-Is she?
-Shes Lucille Hirschfield now...
...and she happens to be a producer
for Studio One on CBS.
-Oh, my God!
-Which puts you in the clear.
At this very moment, Chairman Doyle
is in front of the press...
...thanking you for purging yourself.
-For what? Ruining this womans life?
-Youre not ruining anyones life.
The Committee already knew about her.
She was named six months ago.
Hell...
...who do you think named you?
-She named me?
-Thats water under the bridge.
The point is, the studio
is picking up your contract.
Your movie is back in production.
Congratulations, Pete.
You got your life back.
What about the end of the movie?
Its not loaded enough.
It doesnt feel like he
went through enough anguish.
Guy makes a speech, how do we know
how noble he is unless he suffers?
How about an injury? He breaks
his arm, but what if its worse?
-We could break his leg.
-Thats like a bad showbiz joke.
What if hes in an iron lung?
He should go to the rally
in an iron lung? They roll him up?
Hold on. I think I got a "what if."
What if the main character--
Whats his name?
-Heywood.
-Terrible. Change it.
What if, during the cave-in, he gets
hit on the head and goes blind?
That way, during the rally,
his faithful dog who saved him...
-...leads him there to give the speech.
-Oh, my God, Im choked up.
-I got tears. Its great.
-Better than great. It sings.
Not a dry eye in the house.
Lets ask the writer.
What do you think, Pete?
Wow, thats just....
Just about the dumbest thing
Ive ever heard.
Hey.
I got a "what if."
-May I help you, sir?
-Id like to send a telegram, please.
Yes, sir, go ahead.
Dear Adele, stop.
Am coming back to Lawson to return
what I borrowed, stop.
Would very much like
to ask you a question, stop.
If youre not on the platform when
I arrive, I will understand, stop.
I will leave your book and
Lukes medal with the stationmaster...
...get back on the train
and just keep going...
...stop.
Let me get that for you.
Welcome back!
Welcome home. Im so happy to see you.
I knew you couldnt stay away.
I knew it all along.
Look at you!
Welcome home.
You too.
Welcome back again.
So, what was your question?
I forget.
Have a good night. Enjoy the show.
Two adults?
-What kid? What bell?
The kid. After the mine caves in,
he rings the bell to alert the town.
-Is that in the script?
-What if we gave the kid a disease?
-A disease?
-Braces on the leg, that sort of thing.
-But he runs.
-He could hobble.
A How Green Was My Valley thing.
Is that McDowall kid available?
-Too old. Plus, hes English.
-So?
-The scripts set in Tennessee.
-Did I get that page?
Forget the disease. Nobody wants it.
Its depressing.
-Boss is right. Who needs disease?
-Its horrible.
-I hate disease.
-Box-office poison.
Hold on. I think I got a "what if."
What if we give the character--
Whats his name?
-Floyd.
-Terrible name. Change it.
-Say we give no-name a dog.
-A dog?
A dog. No-names faithful companion.
Toils at his masters side
in the coal mine.
Cave-in happens,
only the dog gets out.
Cause dogs are smaller, usually.
And its the dog that runs
up the hill and rings the bell.
Holy crap, thats beautiful.
-Im choked up.
-I got goose bumps.
Lassie pictures always gross high.
Instead of a disease,
we give the kid a dog?
-There is no kid. The kids a dog.
-Could be just what the movie needs.
Lets ask the writer.
What do you think, Pete?
Wow. Thats just...
...amazing.
Of course, its not
like the postcards say it is.
Its not glamour everywhere you look.
I should know. I live here.
This is my town.
It seems like everyone heres
from someplace else.
The reason? Movies.
Everybody loves the movies...
... which makes Hollywood
everybodys town.
They come here by the busload.
The next show will be starting
in five minutes.
Please step up
to purchase your tickets....
Candy.
Treats.
-Bonbons.
-There you go.
For most, Graumans Chinese Theater...
...is the most exciting place
on the planet.
For me, its that and more.
Its the theater playing
my first film credit.
No, not that one.
I wish.
No, Im the B movie tonight.
Sand Pirates of the Sahara.
Not a bad picture, if I say so myself.
You gotta start somewhere.
God, I love seeing my name
on a poster.
Four years ago, in film lands
darkest hour...
...the so-called Hollywood 10...
...testified before the House Committee
on Un-American Activities...
...investigating the Communist menace
in Hollywood.
Have you ever been a member
of the Communist Party?
Communism is not related to this.
Refusing to answer questions...
...the 10 writers dared
Congress to come after them.
After years of wrangling,
its time to pay the piper.
Its off to jail.
The charge: contempt of Congress.
A new round of hearings
begins this fall.
The mandate: Get the Reds
out of Hollywood!
-Miss me?
-Every second.
Thats my girlfriend, Sandra Sinclair.
This is her town too.
Shes from Cleveland.
She came out here to be an actress.
And thats what shes doing.
The first picture
she ever appeared in...
... was the first picture I ever wrote.
The lovely Emily. My desert dove.
Did you think you could
just fly away from me?
-Hands off, Khalid!
-Roland!
-You! I thought you were dead.
-You thought wrong.
-Let her go.
-I find your persistence tiresome.
I get that a lot.
Roland, look out!
This time Ill make sure
youre dead.
Taste my steel, you dog.
Taste my steel, you dog.
We were young, we were in love...
...and we were working
in the pictures. Life was good.
Louise, what gives?
They gave everyone the day off.
-What about my pages? Are they typed?
-Pages?
Im on a deadline, I need my pages.
-Those men took them.
-What men? Those pages arent ready.
Pete, Im not even supposed
to be talking to you.
They say you attended those meetings
while in college.
Whos they?
Congress, FBI, Red Channels.
It doesnt matter.
They know who they are,
thats enough. Answer the question.
Meetings, meetings.
How the hell should I know?
It was a long time ago.
I went to college on the G.I. Bill.
The Bread Instead of Bullets Club.
They were Communists?
What do I know?
I couldnt figure out
what they were saying.
-Why did you go, Peter?
-There was this girl.
You consorted with Communists
for a girl?
I went to poetry readings too.
That doesnt make me Carl Sandburg.
Leo, you know me. Im non-political.
Republicans, Democrats, Communists.
They all look alike to me.
As legal counsel for this studio...
...I strongly advise you
to watch what you say.
Leo, put your agent hat on.
-There must be an angle you can work.
-Im out of angles.
Were in the middle of negotiating
my new contract.
The studio suspended
negotiations this morning.
Ive been blacklisted?
Ive been goddamn blacklisted?
-There is no blacklist.
-Right. No blacklist.
Studio just doesnt wanna know you
with this hanging over your head.
I cant leave.
Were shooting in three weeks.
Ashes to Ashes has been pulled.
-You believe it?
-Im sorry, Peter.
So, what does this mean?
I have to testify?
Assuming they let you.
The least they can do
is let me defend myself.
The studio will lobby on your behalf.
Thats all I can promise you.
No guarantees.
-You up for testifying?
-What choice do I have?
They feed on names.
Youll have to give them some.
Im a writer.
Ill make up names if I have to.
Were talking about my career,
my life.
Christ, Ill give them anything
they want.
Come on, toast with me.
To the land of the free
and the home of the brave.
Hey, Pete.
Think maybe youve had enough?
Tell me something, Jerry.
You tight with J. Edgar Hoover?
I wouldnt know Hoover if he walked
in here wearing a dress.
Too bad. He says Im a Communist.
In fact, at this very moment
some grey little FBI guy...
...in a grey little FBI suit...
...is hunched over my screenplay,
checking it, line by line...
...for the poisonous Marxist
propaganda which surely lurks therein.
Hope they check for spelling.
-I can always use help with that.
-Youre babbling.
Ashes to Ashes, my movie!
Couldve been good.
Even with the stupid dog.
My Grapes of Wrath.
My shot at doing something
really good, something....
Something.
-Whats it about?
-Pain, nobility.
The human condition.
Truth.
It was my chance to get out
of B movies and onto the A list.
Go home. Why dont I call
that gal of yours, Sandy?
Cant, she dumped me.
Dont you worry about me.
Hey, Im gonna give you
a little extra something...
...because you took a big chance
talking to me.
Pete, youre not gonna drive
in this condition, are you?
I cant take this constant nagging.
Im leaving you, Jerry.
Im leaving, and Im taking
the monkey with me.
Hey, I got a "what if."
What if you and me
just drive up the coast...
...till the sun comes up
or the gas runs out?
We change our names,
start new lives...
...never come back.
Sound good?
Oh, youre just saying that.
Im talking to the monkey.
Oh, my God! Okay. Okay, come on.
Its okay. Itll be fine.
Its gonna be fine.
Its gonna be fine.
Its gonna be...
...fine. Oh, shit!
Come on. Come on!
We got it. We got it.
Jesus, no! God! Oh, God!
Come on. What the hell?! Let me out!
Help!
Teddy, what you got there? Hey, Teddy.
I Knock it off! Get out of there!
What in Gods name--?
What in the hell happened to you, son?
-Im not exactly sure.
-You think you can sit up?
I could try.
Easy. Easy.
Easy. All right. Oh, my God.
Wait a minute.
Maybe you shouldnt stand.
Do you wanna try it? Great God.
Lordy, lordy, lordy.
What in the hell--?
The town is a fair piece down there.
Do you wanna try walking?
-Okay.
-You sure?
All right, take it easy.
Now, just go slow.
Go slow, damn it.
Oh, easy. Easy. Here, here.
-Use that. I think its clean.
-Thank you.
You know, you seem an odd bit
familiar to me.
Do I know you?
I dont know. Do you?
-Its so quiet.
-Yeah, well, its early yet.
Most folks are just waking up.
Its usually pretty quiet even then.
Thats Ernie Coles place.
Hes our druggist and mayor.
Lost two boys in the war.
Joe at Anzio and Willy at Bastogne.
-They were good boys, both of them.
-Theres so many.
All told, this town gave 62...
...of its young men to the war.
More than our share.
17 of them at Normandy alone.
Even got a letter from Roosevelt.
They commissioned this town
a war memorial.
Been in the basement of the town hall
for years now.
Folks never had the heart
to put it up.
Mabel over at that diner...
...her husband Max was killed
in action on Okinawa.
Say, son?
The woman does wonders with an egg.
-You hungry?
-Yes. Very.
Doc Stanton pops in every morning
on his way to the office.
Lets have breakfast while we wait.
Morning, Mabel.
-My gosh.
-Doc been by yet?
He should be along any moment.
Has there been an accident?
I found him down by the wash. He was
lying there like a landed trout.
Who is he?
Were still working on that.
The boy could use a meal.
Are those eggs spoken for?
-Harry, you mind?
-No, not at all. I can wait.
You trying to set a record?
-Its good.
-Like you could tell.
-Have you ever been in here before?
-Id remember these eggs.
-Its just that you look sort of--
-Familiar? I said the same thing.
Hello, Stan. Mabel.
My bear claw ready to go?
Theres someone you should
say hello to.
Hello, son.
-Howd that happen?
-I have no idea.
Perhaps you better come along with me.
Let me take a closer look at you.
-On my tab?
-Of course.
Food was wonderful. Thank you.
My pleasure.
Come again.
Watch your step, son.
Follow my finger. Just with your eyes.
Thats it.
Muriel, call the sheriff.
Tell him we could use him.
-Yes, doctor.
-So? Doc?
What do you think?
-I think he looks strangely--
-Familiar?
-Im getting that a lot lately.
-Thats what Mabel and I said.
-Vexing, isnt it?
-Aside from vexing, how am I?
You took a pretty good knock
on the head.
Good news is, youll live.
Go ahead and put your shirt--
Better yet-- Excuse me, Stan.
Take one of mine.
Big, but its clean.
Thats very kind. Thank you.
-Shes very pretty.
-Thats my daughter, Adele.
My pride and joy.
Charms the fish right
out of the river, she does.
Sorry, I didnt mean to stare.
Its just that your face
really does seem familiar.
Wish I could say the same thing.
Cecil! Cecil, listen to me.
Harry, you wanna give me a heart attack
right here?
-Theres a young man--
-I know, Im here to investigate.
Anything interesting
will be in the paper--
Listen to me! Its Luke.
You have no recollection
prior to waking up on our beach?
No idea who you are
or how you got here?
I remember a dog licking my face.
Before that...
...blank.
Theres someone who might be able
to shed light on this.
-Is it okay if I bring him in?
-Please.
It is you.
It is.
Oh, Luke. I never gave up hoping.
Youre alive! My boy! God!
My son.
Break it to her gently.
Sir?
-What did you say your name was?
-Harry.
Harry Trimble. And youre Luke.
Everybodys called you Luke
since you were a baby.
Where exactly are we going?
Where do you think, son?
Im taking you home.
You fellas have a good rest
of the day.
-If you need anything, call me.
-Bless you, Cecil, for everything.
What are we doing here?
This is it.
"Hem Jesti."
The Majestic.
A few of the letters are missing.
We live in a movie theater?
No. In the apartment above it.
Harry?
How long have I been gone?
Nine and a half years.
Nine and a half years?
That was high school.
You ran 11 touchdowns that season.
My mother?
You remember?
Just a guess.
-Shes beautiful.
-Yes, she was, rest her soul.
Im sorry. Its so much to take in.
Me blathering away like a fool.
Why dont I make some coffee?
Harry, why did you close The Majestic?
After the war, people here just
didnt feel like going to the movies.
Some moved away. Los Angeles...
...Sacramento, San Francisco.
You still take cream, no sugar?
Luke?
Just us, son.
-How long have I been asleep?
-Since yesterday.
You slept through the night
and most of this morning.
Id like to reintroduce you
to the staff of The Majestic.
-Irene Terwilliger, our candy lady.
-So glad to have you back, Luke.
Hes even more handsome now.
This is Emmett Smith,
our head usher and fix-it man.
Tell him about the watch.
One step at a time.
Lets not get ahead of ourselves.
Luke....
Fact is, weve been talking it over
while you slept, and....
Well, good news, son.
Now that youre back,
weve decided to reopen.
Reopen?
How hard can it be?
We fix the place up, sell tickets.
Harry. Look around.
-Its a dump.
-Told you so.
I am looking around,
and all I see is potential.
The place is ready to fall down. All
youd have to do is give it a shove.
Youre wrong. You are. I know
she doesnt look like much now...
...but once--
Once, this place was like a palace.
-Palace.
-Thats why we called her Majestic.
Any man, woman, child could buy
a ticket, walk in.
Here theyd be, here wed be.
Yes, sir. Yes, maam. Enjoy the show.
In theyd come, entering a palace.
Like a dream. Like in heaven.
Maybe you had worries and problems,
but once you came in...
...they didnt matter anymore.
And you know why?
Chaplin, thats why.
And Keaton, and Lloyd.
Garbo, Gable, and Lombard.
And Jimmy Stewart, Jimmy Cagney.
Fred and Ginger. They were gods!
And they lived up there.
That was Olympus.
We felt so lucky just to be here.
To have the privilege
of watching them.
This TV thing, why stay
home and watch a box?
Convenience? You dont have
to dress up, you can sit there?
You call that entertainment?
Alone in your living room?
Wheres the other people?
Wheres the audience?
Wheres the magic?
Ill tell you. In a place like this,
the magic is all around you.
The trick is to see it.
Luke...
...I think you loved The Majestic
even more than I did.
-Youve got to remember that.
-I dont.
It sounds crazy, but I promise
we can make this place like it was!
I dont know how it was.
Dont you get that?
-None of this means anything to me!
-It used to mean so much.
It doesnt. How can it?
Harry, I dont even know who I am.
No.
No.
Come with me.
Bobby Rilke. Red hair and freckles.
Always charging up and down the street
on his bike, screaming.
Scaring the crap out
of the old ladies.
Brad Hendersen.
Virgil Toynbee. And Patrick Vitger.
He was on the football team with you.
Stevie Wardlow.
His old man was a drinker,
used to beat him.
Youd bring him home,
wed give him a hot meal.
Kid practically lived with us
for a few years.
He died on Saipan.
Silver Star for bravery.
Teddy Parker.
Jimmy Trask.
And this boy over here...
...bright kid. Honour student.
Joined up right after Pearl Harbor.
Parachuted into France on D-Day,
June 6th, 1944.
Three days later, his platoon
got pinned down by German artillery.
They were nearly wiped out. Most boys
dead or wounded, torn up by the shells.
But this fella here...
...carried the injured back
to safety, one by one.
Always going back till
all men were accounted for.
He never wavered. He just kept doing
what he had to do...
...until it got done.
He was reported missing
in action a month later.
His body was never found.
Congress gave him the Medal of Honor
for saving the lives of eight men...
...without thought to himself.
His name...
...was Albert Lucas Trimble.
We called him Luke. He was my son.
Thats who you are.
-Well, Ill be!
-Morning, Ernie.
I heard about it, couldnt believe it.
I had to come see for myself.
There he stands.
I still cant believe it!
-Its really him.
-I can see that!
My God, Luke, it sure is good
to see you again.
-Luke, this is Ernie Cole, our mayor.
-Mayor Cole.
You dont have to go that far, son.
You can just call me Ernie.
-Care to join us at Mabels for lunch?
-Id love it.
Good.
Oh, my God!
Watch your step.
-I missed you.
-Not as much as I missed you.
-Well? How did it go?
-Not so bad. I think I passed.
-Thats my girl! What about the....
-Hiccups? Not a trace, thank goodness.
Who wants an attorney who hiccups
when shes nervous?
Like I always said, honey,
its all up here.
Its so good to be home.
Dad, what is it?
-Oh, my God. Did somebody die?
-Well...
...somewhat the opposite, actually.
Look at you! Look at you!
Great to have you back, son!
Luke! Remember the time, you and me,
we were playing with firecrackers?
One of them went off too soon
and singed all the hair off my head?
No. What happened?
Well, all the hair
got singed off my head.
It was pretty funny.
You really dont remember?
Im sorry.
Heck, thats okay. Its good
to have you back, thats all.
Aint that right, Bob?
Luke, you remember my cousin Bob?
You two joined up the same day.
Bob, nice to meet you.
Welcome back.
Thank you.
-More coffee?
-No, Im fine.
-What are your plans?
-Were gonna reopen The Majestic.
-Is that right?
-We were discussing it.
Thats the spirit, fellas!
We need a little more of that.
Where is Spencer Wyatt?
-Spence?
-Spencer!
-There he is.
-Come here.
-Hey, Luke.
-Hi, Spencer.
-Is your big band ready to play?
-Yes, sir.
What are you thinking?
This town has had a blessing of good
fortune after a long dry spell.
Im thinking that we ought
to celebrate.
So, what do you say?
Saturday night, out at the point...
...a big welcome-home celebration
for Luke.
No, its too much.
Luke?
Adele?
I saw your picture.
Do you remember me?
No, but Ill sure try.
-Adele?
-Yes?
It may just be my imagination...
...but I feel like were not alone.
Go about your business.
Hes not going anywhere.
Its okay, folks. Go ahead home.
And thanks for the welcome.
You two have a lot
to catch up on, I expect.
I think wed better--
Go on.
You handled that well.
Thanks.
So, where to?
Town hall?
Come on.
You first.
Why me?
In case the vicious guard dogs
havent been fed.
So you can be a gentleman
and help me down.
Careful.
There you go.
I got you.
Big, gloomy basement.
Nice.
It was a lot roomier before they put
the monument down here.
The gift from Roosevelt.
Stan Keller told me about it.
Your names on there.
So are the others.
I knew all these guys?
We both did.
We went to school with most of them.
You really dont remember?
Im sorry.
We used to sneak in here
when we were kids.
This was our secret place.
You, me, Stevie Wardlow...
...Tully Wentworth.
-Thats why you brought me here?
-Its a stroll down memory lane.
Dad said if I took you places
we used to go...
...and showed you things only we knew
about, it might help you remember.
So were here for...
...purely medical reasons?
Not entirely.
Im trying to make up my own mind
about you being Luke.
Join the club.
So, what do you think?
The jurys still out.
Fair enough.
Any other secret places
I should know about?
-Really, it fueled my dream.
-That cant be true.
Im serious.
Youll have to start making sense
sometime soon.
You wanted to be a lawyer because
of The Majestic?
We used to go
to the movies all the time.
Once, when I was 11, the movie playing
was The Life of Emile Zola.
About the Dreyfus affair.
Great picture.
You remember movies,
but you dont remember your life?
Yeah.
-Weird, huh?
-Its unbelievable.
In the movie, Zola stood up in court
and accused the French government...
...of forfeiting its honor
for wrongly accusing an innocent man.
Zola wasnt a lawyer, of course,
but the way he spoke....
I decided right then
thats what I wanted to be.
-Just from that?
-Just? Come on, it was great!
"In the presence of this tribunal,
the representative of human justice...
...before you, gentlemen of the jury,
before France, before the world...
...I swear that Dreyfus is innocent!
By all Ive won, all Ive written
to spread the spirit of France...
...I swear, Dreyfus is innocent."
"May all that melt away, may my name
perish if Dreyfus not be innocent."
"He is innocent."
Its pretty good stuff, huh?
Not bad at all.
The suns going. Come on.
Watch your eyes.
-Is this another secret place?
-Our special one.
We used to come up here all the time
to watch the sunset.
And thats what made it special?
This is also where we had
our first kiss.
We were 14.
That is special.
Wish I could remember that.
Me too.
We were in love, werent we?
Yeah.
-What was that?
-Nothing.
-Im fine. Really.
-You dont sound fine.
Just ignore it. Its going away.
So were we gonna be married?
When you got back from overseas.
We were engaged
just before you shipped out.
Anything I can do
to help you with that?
Yeah. But its something
that only we knew about.
-Tell me.
-No. I think Id rather die first.
Your father said any little thing
could jog my memory.
It still works.
-Found me.
-Sorry. I didnt know who was here.
Just me and the dog.
-Whats his name?
-Dog.
-Simple. I like it.
-Come on in.
-Is that you? In the first World War?
-Yeah. 1917, thereabouts.
-Its okay with you that I live here?
-Why wouldnt it be?
Just checking.
Think Ill get me a watch?
Right, the watch. Whats that for?
So I make sure the shows always start
on time. Thats important.
-Ill see what I can do.
-Thank you.
I had me a nice watch once.
The pocket watch kind, with a chain.
Kept good time until it broke.
Never had the money to get it fixed.
By then, the theater closed down,
I didnt think I needed it.
I put it away somewhere
for safekeeping.
But that was years ago...
...and I cant remember where.
Lost me a medal for bravery once too,
back during the Great War.
Lost it in the hospital, I think.
I forget things sometimes...
...since the war.
Yeah...
...me too.
Trash. Vile, despicable trash.
Its about the West Virginia
coal miners strike of 1920.
The plight of the downtrodden worker
and all that.
-Communist propaganda, start to end.
-That bad?
Theres a dog in it I like,
but aside from that....
-Tell me about Appleton.
-His agent reported him missing.
Hes been gone four or five days.
Four or five days? Gentlemen, we may
be onto something here.
What kind of man hides
after being implicated?
Not an innocent one. What if Appleton
is more than he seems?
Not just another schmuck, but an
important Communist operative.
One with lots of secrets to spill.
The Reds would do anything
to keep him out of our hands.
We have one of two scenarios here.
Number one: His Communist friends
killed him to shut him up.
Number two: Theyre trying to get him
out of the country as we speak.
I dont intend
to open a copy of Pravda...
...and see him get a heros welcome
in Red Square.
-What shall we tell Mr. Hoover?
-Tell him this has top priority.
You find him. Living or dead.
Whatever it takes.
His trail will lead us
to a nest of Communists...
...that will make the Rosenbergs look
like Ma and Pa Kettle.
Adele!
Got it!
Hi.
-Do I have a stain? What?
-Nothing.
Seeing you there gave me
a weird feeling.
-You wore that when we last went out.
-I could go change it.
-Dont be silly. It still fits.
-You kids ready?
Shall we?
-Good evening.
-How are you?
-Hi.
-Good evening.
Smells good. I caught it from here.
Lukes here!
Here he comes! Here he comes!
Ill be right back.
Hey, buddy. Well take it from here.
Ill get you for that.
I think Luke and Adele should lead
the first dance, dont you?
Care to dance?
I think wed better.
Youre pretty good.
Thanks.
You too.
When did you learn to dance?
That was nerve-racking.
Id kill that Spencer kid,
except hes really good.
-Looks like your investment paid off.
-Investment?
In high school,
you saved up for a clarinet.
You wanted to be Benny Goodman
in the worst way.
-And?
-You were Benny Goodman...
...in the worst way.
You gave the clarinet to Spencer.
He used to drive you crazy, following
you around like a lost puppy.
I gave him the clarinet. He started
practicing and left me alone.
-Did you remember that, or...?
-Just filling in the blanks.
Arent they a sight?
So they are, Harry.
Something wrong?
Something is troubling me.
What could trouble you
on a night like this?
Just look. Your daughter,
dancing with my son.
Everything the way it should be.
Gods in his heaven, Ben.
Still, I cant help wondering,
where has Luke been all this time?
-I mean, 9 1/2 years!
-Whats it matter? Hes home now.
He went missing during the war, right?
So he must have been injured overseas,
lost his memory then.
So, what happened when he came back,
not knowing who he was?
Did he start a new life for himself?
Career?
What if Luke spent the last decade
actually thinking hes somebody else?
I dont care.
I care about his life here.
But dont you see?
He might have people looking for him.
People who care about him.
Maybe even a wife and family.
You could be a grandfather
and not even know it.
Im not trying to step on your joy.
My joy too.
But what happens
if his memory does come back?
Which life will he remember?
Which would he choose?
-So are you proud of your boy, Avery?
-What?
Oh, yeah!
I couldnt be any more proud, Ernie.
I think Spencers got a big future
ahead of him. What do you say?
You know, folks, here in Lawson...
...we gave a lot to our country.
A lot.
And we never complained.
And we never faltered.
And we never forgot.
We never forgot.
And so, when one of our own...
...came back to us,
it was like a miracle.
Luke...
...seeing you walk down the street,
it was....
It was kind of like seeing one
of my own boys alive again.
I think I speak for all of us here
when I say...
...that not a day goes by...
...that we dont keep
our boys memories alive.
But, Luke, having you back among us...
...that helps us keep
their spirits alive too.
God bless you, son. God bless you.
Now, on a lighter note...
...weve had a special request
from one of Lawsons luminaries...
...Irene Terwilliger.
Irene, come up here.
There you are.
Ive tutored music in this town...
...for more years than I care to say.
In fact, many of you here tonight have
been my students through the years.
And as talented as you all were...
...the most talented pupil
I ever taught...
...was Luke Trimble.
Luke, you played the piano
like an angel.
It would do my heart a world of good
to hear you play again.
Wont you come up?
-Yes, come up!
-Come on!
Come.
-You never told me about the piano.
-Go. Anything could jog your memory.
Thats right.
Im not sure I remember ever playing.
Music is in the soul, Luke.
Just put your fingers on the keys...
...and let it all come back to you.
Franz Liszt. Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2.
Like this. Follow me.
Now you.
Really, Luke! Thats no way
to treat Mr. Liszt. Stop that!
Stop it, I say!
Who taught you to play like that?
I demand to know!
Where did you learn
to play such a thing?
I taught him that!
When you werent looking.
-I think Spencer was loopy.
-No.
He was blowing some bad notes
there at the end.
Good night.
Good night.
Bob?
Bob Leffert.
You work for Mabel at the diner.
Thats who I am.
Question is, who are you?
-Im not sure what you mean.
-I knew Luke Trimble.
I didnt like him much.
Not saying hes bad,
just rubbed me the wrong way.
You know the feeling? Someone rubs you
the wrong way, you cant explain why?
You kind of rub me that way.
Not that that makes you Luke.
What I want to know is, what game
are you running? Who are you?
Just a guy
trying to figure things out.
This towns had enough heartbreak.
Too much.
Me, I think youre setting
everybody up for more.
I hope Im wrong.
I havent had to kill anybody
since the war.
Why didnt you dance with her?
Excuse me?
Mabel. Why didnt you dance with her?
Seems to me, a pretty girl asks you
to dance and you say no...
...you came home more crippled
than you thought.
Hero.
Welcome home, Luke.
This was the first movie
we ever showed here.
Your mother loved it.
I bought the print.
Cost us our first months profits.
That was back in 1925.
Before sound.
You were just a little kid then.
Dad, I...
What?
Thats the first time youve called me
Dad since youve been back.
You know--
Harry.
Dad.
Wake up.
-What time is it?
-6:30.
I thought wed get an early start.
Candy counter.
Display wiring needs help.
Should have stayed in bed.
Made by CVStudio v.1.0.3.1
[][][29,970][][]
The livestock were reportedly
uninjured, but very frightened.
The council acknowledged that
a bake sale should be scheduled.
The motion was carried.
The meeting was adjourned.
Thank you, Vera.
The chair notes the presence
of the Trimbles...
...and the rest of The Majestic staff.
Come on up, folks.
What brings you here?
An interest in Lawson politics?
No, sir. Were here
on business of a sort.
Point of order, this comes under
the heading of "new business."
-We can make an exception, Daley.
-But it has to be moved and seconded.
-Motion to hear the speaker.
-Seconded.
Motion on the floor. Discussion open
and closed. Those in favor say "aye."
Hearing no opposition,
the motion is carried.
Go ahead, son.
The Majestic needs a lot of repairs,
and we cant possibly afford them all.
Wed like permission to scrounge
around for surplus materials.
I could donate things from the
hardware store and Spencer could help.
Thanks, Avery. Thats kind.
Oh, please. That clarinets the best
thing that ever happened to my boy.
-Brought him out of his shell.
-Sure.
Motion to encourage
the citizens of Lawson...
...to help out The Majestic
if they can.
Seconded.
Motion on the floor. Discussion open
and closed. Those in favor say "aye."
Congratulations, Luke, Harry.
Where would you like to start?
Your basement.
Paint, paint and more paint.
I didnt even know all this stuff
was down here. Take what you can use.
Harry, Emmett, grab the other end.
It should be outside
where it can be seen.
Luke, were good on this end.
Ready? Lets go.
Thank you!
For me?
-Ready?
-Yeah. One, two, three.
Shut it off!
-Pull!
-Come on, move!
-Pull!
-Its a heavy one!
-Pull!
-Come on, guys, help me out.
I pulled something!
Come on.
Joey, come look at this!
Joey! Quick, come look!
Theres no way that that car
was driven onto this beach.
-Theres no access.
-So how did it get here?
It fell in the river
and was washed out here.
-River?
-We got two or three of them...
...dumping into this ocean along
the coast. Up north of here.
Thanks.
Thanks. Got something nice
to wear for the big reopening?
You bet.
I dont think Bobs
doing anything that night.
Pretty sure Im busy.
Too bad.
You should see the place,
its coming together.
-Come on, Carl, dont tease us.
-Go ahead.
We did it.
Its beautiful!
Nifty, huh?
Yeah.
Let us all join together now...
...in silent reflection...
...in loving memory...
...of those not with us.
-Where is he? We have to open.
-Hes a little nervous.
-Hes nervous?
-I think hes coming.
-Give this to him.
-No, give it to him, you bought it.
-Damn.
-You think?
Fits you like always.
I put on a few pounds since.
Adele let it out.
She did a fine job.
Emmett...
-...this is really Lukes doing.
-Its from all of us.
Oh, my!
So you can make sure
we always get started on time.
This is....
This is very fine.
Very fine, indeed.
Ready to man your post?
-Lets show some movies.
-All right.
-Ernie, Joanne.
-Good evening. How are you, Harry?
Thanks.
I have the honor of being first.
-Two adults?
-Thats right.
-Enjoy the movie.
-Thank you.
-Two, please.
-You old enough for this one?
Good evening, Dolores. How are you?
Fred, its good to see you. Enjoy.
Thank you for coming, Tom.
-How are you? How are the children?
-Theyre fine.
Good evening, how are you?
Better hurry in there.
The movie is about to begin.
-Youll like this one.
-Okay.
Two, please.
Yes, sir.
Enjoy the show.
-Hi. Two, please.
-How are you tonight?
We have come to visit you in peace,
and with goodwill.
What are you up to?
"Adele Louise Stanton has passed
the State Bar Examination."
Does this mean youre qualified
to tend bar?
Im so proud of you.
Luke, dear, we need
to order some more Raisinets.
And Jujubes.
Raisinets and Jujubes. Check.
And MoonPies.
MoonPies.
-Having a run on candy?
-People have a sweet tooth at movies.
Speaking of which....
-Father, did we lose them?
-I think so.
Lets see about getting
those manacles off.
-Where are we?
-The inner chamber.
We found it at last.
Gosh!
Who is that?
That, my dear, is Horus.
The falcon-headed god of the heavens!
The lovely Emily. My desert dove.
Did you think you could
just fly away from me?
-Hands off, Khalid!
-Roland!
-You! I thought you were dead.
-You thought wrong.
-Let her go.
-I find your persistence tiresome.
I get that a lot.
Roland, look out!
-Come on, Khalid.
-This time Ill make sure youre dead.
-Taste my steel, you dog.
-Taste my steel, you dog.
-Curses on you...
-Curses on you...
-...infidel.
-...infidel.
-Oh, Roland.
-Oh, Emily.
Oh, shit!
-Father, are you all right?
-Just a nasty bump. Ill be fine.
-Khalid?
-He s dead.
Brave work. Does he have the map?
-Here. Right here.
-I was right. Its the inner chamber!
Which means that within that statue
is the secret of the Pharaohs jewel.
Luke, somethings wrong!
-Harry missed the reel change.
-What?
Harry missed the reel change.
Harry?
Harry. Jesus!
Go get Doc!
Doc! Doc! Harrys in trouble!
Come quick!
Excuse me.
-Oh, no. No.
-What, Harry? What?
-I missed the damn reel change.
-Its all right.
You just lay still. Docs on his way.
Im here.
Hes asking for you.
-How is he?
-Well....
Hes had a massive heart attack.
His lungs have filled with fluid.
His whole body is just shutting down.
Can we get him to a hospital?
Even if we could, theres nothing they
can do for him that we cant.
Theres not much time.
Did you?
Did you?
-Did I what?
-Get the last reel up?
Oh, no.
Everybody went home.
How will people know how the movie
ends? Good little picture too.
Damn shame.
Now Ill never see...
...how it turns out.
The good guy wins.
Good. Thats good.
Good guys should always win.
Dont think about the movie.
You just hang on, okay?
-Hang on, Harry.
-Its okay.
If I have to go...
...at least Im going in my own bed...
...and knowing my son is alive.
Thats not too shabby, is it?
Harry....
Im not...
...not ready to say goodbye.
Its all right.
Its all right. Youre here.
And thats all that matters.
Oh, God.
I love you, son.
I love you...
...Dad.
So much...
...lighter.
Surely goodness and mercy will
follow me all the days of my life...
...and I shall dwell in the house
of the Lord forever.
Hey.
Hey, yourself.
I was looking for you.
You okay?
Well, I may be many things...
...but "okay" is far from one of them.
Well, you want to talk about it?
Luke....
Look, I know this--
I know this cant be
an easy day for you--
You have no idea.
Your father said I would
start to remember things.
And?
He was right.
Adele, Harry wasnt my father.
Im not Luke.
Im sorry.
Oh, my God.
I knew.
I knew, I knew it from the start.
I wanted you to be Luke.
I wanted you to be alive.
God, you are so much like him.
You have no idea.
You dont know what you...
...what Luke...
...what Luke meant to this town,
suddenly being alive.
You dont know what this town lost.
God! I feel so stupid.
I knew you werent Luke.
I let myself think that....
And I tried not to fall in love
with you, I did!
I dont even know your name.
-Ill tell you.
-No, dont! Whoever you are....
I cant. I just--
I need to be by myself, okay?
Adele, please.
Adele!
-Just stay back, folks.
-There he is.
Im Sheriff Coleman.
Whats going on here?
Federal agents.
Were here to serve a subpoena on him.
Luke Trimble?
I dont know what hes told
you, but hes not Luke Trimble.
You are commanded to appear before the
Committee on Un-American Activities...
...in special session
in Los Angeles...
...and there testify on matters of
Communist conspiracy and subversion.
Herein fail not.
-Am I under arrest?
-If youre not on that train.
Fellas, Im here to guarantee
his return. That was the deal.
Now, unless theres some law
thats been broken....
Id have to say that doesnt
appear to be the case.
Appearances are tricky.
Well just canvass the town, ask
questions, check backgrounds.
That sort of thing.
Come on, son.
Come on, Mabel. Come on.
Its not worth it.
Well, why dont we call it a night?
Ill close up.
-Come on, Irene, Ill walk you home.
-Thank you, Emmett.
What did you expect? Big turnout?
These arent your people.
This isnt your town. L.A. is.
-Not when the Committee gets through.
-Ive been on with our lawyers all day.
-Theyve been on with their lawyers.
-So?
They hate to admit it, but youre
not the top Commie spy they thought.
-Gee, theres a relief.
-Hey, a breaks a break.
Theyre anxious to save face
after the big stink they made...
...which means they might be
in a mood to compromise.
The studio lawyers had this drawn up.
"I, Peter Appleton, by way of purging
myself of my indiscretions...
...renounce my membership
in the Communist Party...
...and provide the names
of fellow members...
...that those persons may have the
opportunity to do as I have done."
Boilerplate, kid.
They even provided the list of names.
-I dont know any of these people.
-Doesnt matter. Theyre already named.
All you do is show up,
read the statement, salute the flag.
-I wont be a Communist anymore?
-Thats it.
-Does it matter that I never was one?
-Dont split hairs. This is a game.
But its their game.
You play by their rules,
or theyll destroy you.
I thought this was a democracy.
The Declaration of Independence?
The Constitution?
Just pieces of paper
with signatures on them.
And you know what a
signed paper is? A contract.
Something that can be
renegotiated at any time.
Just so happens HUAC is renegotiating
the contract this time around.
Next time itll be somebody else,
but itll always be somebody.
You want your life back?
Read the statement.
Ill see you at the station, kid,
bright and early.
You think theyll come back?
The customers?
Sure they will.
Emmett, we need to talk.
-Im leaving tomorrow morning.
-Why?
Were you on Main Street today,
when those men came into town?
I hate to be the one
to tell you this...
...but Im not Luke.
-Yeah, I knew that.
-You did?
Since the welcome-home dance,
when you played the piano.
-Youre kidding!
-Let me tell you....
Luke played the classics
like nobodys business...
...but when it come to getting jazz,
he was a lost boy.
When I heard that fine roadhouse
boogie, I knew you wasnt Luke.
You didnt say anything?
Nobody else had to know.
This town needed you to be Luke,
so you were Luke.
But Im not Luke anymore.
-Thats why Im going back to L.A.
-For how long?
-For good.
-But whos gonna run The Majestic?
You are.
-Me?
-You and Irene.
I dont know about that.
Harry would have wanted you to keep
this place going. Youll need those.
I didnt know you were here.
I was just...
...saying goodbye.
Adele, Im sorry the way
things turned out.
I never meant to hurt anyone,
least of all you.
People get hurt sometimes,
we cant always help it.
Its just the way things are.
So are you really a Communist?
No, Im really not.
I didnt think so. Only a capitalist
could get The Majestic up and running.
Great endorsement.
Can I call you as a witness?
-Well, if it helps.
-Thanks.
-So, what will you tell the Committee?
-Tell them what they want to hear:
"Sorry, I wont
do it again, blah, blah."
Youre not serious.
-Whats wrong with it?
-Everything.
Be more specific.
Aside from the fact that this is a free
country, and you can be a Communist...
...if you want to be, leaving that
aside, if youre accused falsely...
...you have a duty as well as a right to
stand up and suggest they drop dead.
mile Zola, you feel strongly
about this.
Damn right!
It doesnt make it any less rigged.
Its called a witch-hunt.
And theres burden of proof,
innocence before guilt.
In law school, but the rest of us
live in the real world.
I mess with these guys, I go to jail.
All the more reason to fight them.
Like Luke would have done?
Go ahead, say it.
-Yes, like Luke would have done.
-God, here it comes.
Tell me again what a great guy Luke
was. I havent heard that enough!
-He would have stood up.
-Well, hes not here...
...to vouch for that.
We have to take your word!
Everybodys memory of Luke
is a little rose-colored.
Besides, Im not Luke.
While he was liberating Europe,
I was running the PX.
He couldnt wait to save the world!
I was happy not to go!
-Why?
-I didnt want to end up like him.
I wanted to survive!
You stand up for a cause...
...you get mowed down.
Look. Look!
Thats the real world.
I want my goddamn life back.
Is that so hard to understand?
Wow.
I really did have you two confused.
Last call for California West
to Los Angeles and all points south.
Where the hell have you been?
-Walking.
-Walking? For two hours?
Dont do this to me, kid.
I got a nerve condition.
Come on. Come on.
How is she?
She came back from the cemetery
a bit upset. But shell be fine.
She wanted you to have this.
-What is it?
-I didnt think to ask.
All aboard!
Dearest Adele: I have a feeling
well be moving out soon...
...so I may not get a chance
to write for some time.
Thank you for all your letters.
I cant tell you how much they
cheer me and make me think of home.
Im not trying to frighten you.
Im going into this having accepted
that I may not be back.
If that should happen, promise
you will not mourn my passing.
Move on, live your life to the fullest
in order to give mine meaning...
...and to honor the cause
were fighting to achieve.
When bullies rise up, we have to
beat them down, whatever the cost.
Thats a simple idea, I suppose,
but one worth giving everything for.
The only thought that saddens me,
aside from failing at our task...
...is the thought of never seeing you.
Not holding you, not seeing our
children grow...
...not spending the passing years
with you.
If I should not come back, know that
I will never truly leave you.
Should you be walking years from now
on a spring day...
...and feel a warm breeze
graze your cheek...
...that warm breeze will be me,
giving you a kiss.
Remember, finally, above all...
...that I love you.
Luke.
Mr. Appleton?
Are you a Communist?
Anything you want to say?
The Committee will come to order.
Well have order in the chamber!
Let me begin by saying
we have a full agenda.
I admonish those here to view
testimony today to keep order...
...or this chamber will be cleared.
The witness will please stand
and raise his right hand.
Do you swear the testimony
youre about to give...
...will be the truth, the whole truth
and nothing but the truth?
-I do.
-Be seated.
State your full name and residence.
Peter Appleton, Hollywood, California.
Im informed you have a prepared
statement youd like to read.
-Yes, sir.
-Mr. Chairman...
...before he reads his statement,
Id like to ask a few questions.
Just to clear the air.
Americans deserve to know the extent
of the Communist conspiracy...
...that threatens our way of life.
We were told the witness would
be allowed to read a statement.
So he will, but hell answer
a few questions first.
Mr. Appleton, you mentioned
your home is Hollywood.
But for the last several months you
made your home in the town of Lawson?
Yes, thats true.
Have you ever met
an Albert Lucas Trimble?
No, sir.
Thats not possible.
Luke Trimble is dead.
That didnt prevent you from
masquerading as Luke while in Lawson.
Order!
I wasnt masquerading.
I was mistaken for Luke.
There was an accident.
Im sure anyone who reads the paper
is familiar with your accident.
An accident which came hard upon
being named by this Committee.
What I find hard to understand is why
you were in such a hurry to leave L.A.
One might view that
as a flight from authority.
I wasnt fleeing, sir.
I simply went for a drive and had
an accident that affected my memory.
Order!
What is the state of your memory now?
-My memory is fine.
-Im glad to hear that.
You might recall the item before you.
Its the attendance roster for
the Bread Instead of Bullets Club...
...dated October 3rd, 1945.
Referring to line 37, does your name
and signature appear there?
-It does.
-Mr. Appleton...
...tell us about
the Bread Instead of Bullets Club.
If the Committee will note line 36
of the document.
-"Lucille Angstrom"?
-I was courting Miss Angstrom.
I attended the meeting
only to be with her.
Are you asking us to believe
you attended a meeting...
...of a Communist organization
because of a girl?
Yes, sir.
Even someone like yourself
must be familiar with the concept.
-Please confine your answers.
-Im sorry.
Im having trouble reconciling
your testimony here.
Youre prepared to purge yourself
of Communist ties.
Yet when questioned, you claim
not to have gone as a member.
-I didnt.
-Then what did you attend as?
Im hesitant to say.
You agreed to be forthcoming.
I insist you do so.
Well, I went as...
...a horny young man.
Order in the chamber!
Order!
He doesnt want to spar
with these boys.
-Theyll eat him alive.
-Yes, they will.
Good.
Believe me, you do not want
to incur our wrath!
What is the purpose of this?
Mr. Appleton came here
to cooperate fully with you.
Yet hes treated as a hostile witness.
Point taken. Lets cut to the chase
and have him read his statement.
If hes not pleading the 5th,
I do have further questions.
Elvin.
Lets not open this any further.
I want this little turd to read
his statement and get out of here.
The Committee sees no cause
for further questions.
Mr. Appleton may proceed
with his statement.
"I, Peter Appleton...
...by way of purging myself...
...of my indiscretions...."
Mr. Appleton?
Im sorry, Mr. Chairman.
I think I need some water.
Go ahead, son.
I cant do this.
Ill make this simple.
You read that statement,
or go straight to jail for contempt.
-Jail?
-Jail.
Just read the damn statement.
"I, Peter Appleton...."
Mr. Appleton, the Committees patience
is wearing thin.
I understand that, Mr. Chairman.
Im sorry.
Im sorry.
It occurs to me theres a bigger issue
than whether or not Im a Communist.
Bigger issue?
There is no bigger issue.
Actually, not to be contrary,
I think there is.
Gosh, I dont quite know what to say.
Fact is, I....
Ive never been a man
of great conviction.
I never saw the percentage in it.
And quite frankly...
...I suppose...
...I lacked the courage.
See, Im not like Luke Trimble.
He had the market cornered
on those things.
I never met the guy, but I feel
like Ive gotten to know him.
The thing is, I cant help wondering
what hed say...
...if he were standing here right now.
I think hed probably tell you...
...the America represented
in this room...
...is not the America
he died defending.
I think hed say your America
is bitter...
...and cruel and small.
Come to order!
I know his America was big.
Bigger than you can imagine!
With a wide-open heart!
Where every person has a voice!
Even if you dont like
what they say--
Enough! You are out of order!
If he were here,
I wonder how youd respond...
...if you could explain to him
what happened to his America.
You are skating
on the edge of contempt!
Thats the first thing
Ive heard today that I agree with!
My client is clearly under
an enormous strain as a result...
...of the questioning of Mr. Clyde.
Hes not responsible for his comments.
-We wish to invoke the 5th Amendment.
-No, we dont.
-We do.
-No, we dont, so knock it off!
Shut up and let me get through this.
The 5th Amendment is off the table.
But there is another Amendment
Id like to invoke.
I wonder if anyone here
is familiar with it.
"Congress shall make no law respecting
an establishment of religion."
Youre out of order!
"Shall make no law...
-...respecting--"
-My chamber will come to order!
"An establishment of religion...
...or prohibiting
free exercise thereof...
...or abridging freedom of speech,
or of the press...
....or of the right to petition
for a redress of grievances."
Do not presume to lecture
this Committee!
The First Amendment. Its what
were about, if wed live up to it.
Let him talk. Hes hanging himself.
Its part of the contract
every citizen has here.
Even though the Constitution
and the Bill of Rights...
...are just pieces of paper
with signatures on them...
...theyre the only contracts we have
that are definitely not subject...
...to renegotiation.
-Not by you, Mr. Chairman.
-Mr. Appleton!
-Not by you, Mr. Clyde.
-Stand down!
Not by anyone, ever.
Too many people have paid in blood.
Enough, sir! You are out of order!
People like Luke Trimble...
...and all the sons
of Lawson, California.
Damn right.
And they deserve better than this.
All you boys do.
I will have order
or I will clear this chamber!
When you get
right down to it, fellas...
...thats all I have to say to you.
You are not excused!
The witness will resume his seat!
You are not excused!
You will resume your seat!
Im going to the studio.
Where can I drop you?
Home.
-Gotta pack.
-Pack?
Im going to prison.
Ill need a toothbrush.
Why do you think youre
going to prison?
You saw it. I just told them
to screw themselves.
Thats one way to see it.
-What other way is there?
-Try this one.
They made a hero out of you.
Think theyll promote you to martyr?
No, I dont think so.
This is about them saving face.
If youre gonna be a hero,
youll be theirs.
While you talked to reporters,
a flack came up talking deal.
-What kind of a deal?
-You know, deal.
They thrive on names. With a witness
like you, any name will do.
I didnt give them any names.
Suddenly Lucille Angstrom
isnt a name?
I didnt give them her name. It was
right in front of them. They had it.
-Thats not how they see it.
-Does it matter?
Shes just a girl I knew in college,
not even in show business.
-Is she?
-Shes Lucille Hirschfield now...
...and she happens to be a producer
for Studio One on CBS.
-Oh, my God!
-Which puts you in the clear.
At this very moment, Chairman Doyle
is in front of the press...
...thanking you for purging yourself.
-For what? Ruining this womans life?
-Youre not ruining anyones life.
The Committee already knew about her.
She was named six months ago.
Hell...
...who do you think named you?
-She named me?
-Thats water under the bridge.
The point is, the studio
is picking up your contract.
Your movie is back in production.
Congratulations, Pete.
You got your life back.
What about the end of the movie?
Its not loaded enough.
It doesnt feel like he
went through enough anguish.
Guy makes a speech, how do we know
how noble he is unless he suffers?
How about an injury? He breaks
his arm, but what if its worse?
-We could break his leg.
-Thats like a bad showbiz joke.
What if hes in an iron lung?
He should go to the rally
in an iron lung? They roll him up?
Hold on. I think I got a "what if."
What if the main character--
Whats his name?
-Heywood.
-Terrible. Change it.
What if, during the cave-in, he gets
hit on the head and goes blind?
That way, during the rally,
his faithful dog who saved him...
-...leads him there to give the speech.
-Oh, my God, Im choked up.
-I got tears. Its great.
-Better than great. It sings.
Not a dry eye in the house.
Lets ask the writer.
What do you think, Pete?
Wow, thats just....
Just about the dumbest thing
Ive ever heard.
Hey.
I got a "what if."
-May I help you, sir?
-Id like to send a telegram, please.
Yes, sir, go ahead.
Dear Adele, stop.
Am coming back to Lawson to return
what I borrowed, stop.
Would very much like
to ask you a question, stop.
If youre not on the platform when
I arrive, I will understand, stop.
I will leave your book and
Lukes medal with the stationmaster...
...get back on the train
and just keep going...
...stop.
Let me get that for you.
Welcome back!
Welcome home. Im so happy to see you.
I knew you couldnt stay away.
I knew it all along.
Look at you!
Welcome home.
You too.
Welcome back again.
So, what was your question?
I forget.
Have a good night. Enjoy the show.
Two adults?