Show People (1928) Movie Script
1
To hopeful hundreds there is a golden spot
on the map called... HOLLYWOOD
Colonel Pepper had motored all the way from
Georgia to prove that his daughter, Peggy,
was a great actress
It must be Hollywood
I like this place, Peggy... if it ain't Georgia
That's John Gilbert!
I'm General Marmaduke Oldfish Pepper,
of Georgia
You ain't gonna blame me for that, are you?
I'd like to see the president of your company
What about, General?
I'm going to let him put my daughter
in the movies
Casting office... Mr. Oldfish
I want to introduce my daughter,
Miss Peggy Pepper
Have you any photographs?
Got one a little more recent?
The idea is, can you act?
She will now present the various moods.
The first will be meditation
Passion
Anger
Sorrow
Joy
Very funny. Fill out this card
There is many a slip between the casting
office card and a menu card...
Especially when one's capital has
dwindled to forty cents
I'm Colonel Pepper of Georgia, Miss
At first I thought you were Gloria Swanson
You big beezark! I gotta notion to
knock yer block off!
What an uncouth saint he is!
Billy Boone... a custard pie artist from
the slapstick "lots"
Note: Slapstick is a style of humor involving
exaggerated physical activity. a custard pie,
or a flat container of foam, used for throwing
in someone's face in slapstick comedy.
As a southern colonel your make-up
is very Indiana
Father, who is this coarse person?
One has to come to Hollywood to
meet such common people
Aw, boloney... and you're slicing it too thick!
Say, are you punks trying to
crash into the movies?
My daughter, suh, is considering a few offers
My acting is the talk of Savannah
Savannah: She is blond or brunet, tall, humor
athletic, smart with some dumb moments
My acting is the scandal of Hollywood
Crashing the movies is no cinch...
but I think I can help you
What'll you have for dessert?
They've got the swellest cocoanut cake today
Isn't he wonderful!
The comet studio, where serious
comedians went through
The daily grind of "getting laughs"
Where's the dame you were going to
bring out?
She'll be here, all right...
you couldn't keep her away
Gee, Dad... won't they be thrilled back home
When they see me as a great dramatic actress?
Stage 4, Lot 5... turn to your right as you
enter the left wing and keep going
Are you Mr. Comet?
If you don't say yes I'll kill myself
I'm Miss Pepper, the new actress
Remember, Baby... you're not painting
a bungalow
You gotta fall harder... and funnier
Can she act?
Go on, Baby... show him what they're
talking about in Savannah
Ah, my brave toreador! In all Spain
none is more skillful with the bull
You have reduced me to beggary,
kidnapped my husband, and murdered
my aged mother... but beware!
Don't go too far!
That's darn good hokum
I shall always give my public the best
that's in me
When I call just come in and show mild
surprise, like this...
Remember, the one law of pictures is,
don't anticipate!
Now we'll rehearse it
Is that all I do?
Until the jolt. Then just take it natural...
don't anticipate!
Don't get camera-shy, Baby,
and you're a cinch
I didn't think they made 'em that green!
Baby, you did that like a real trouper
I came here to do drama. Why didn't
you tell me it was this?
But, Baby, all the stars have had to
take it on the chin...
Swanson, Daniels, Lloyd... all of them
Come on, Baby... you're gone this far...
it'll be easy from now on
She did that so nifty we'll take it again...
in a close up
Success in this game means work.
show 'em that you've got the stuff
Just think of that first big thrill you'll get
When you see yourself in a theatre
I've backed you to win, Baby...
show 'em I'm right
You're great on water stuff...
I'm gonna get you in a lot of it
Go ahead. I'll take it on the chin
The preview... that trying ordeal when a new
picture is tried out before Mr. and Mrs. Audience
Don't anticipate!
What's the matter, Baby?
Don't you know you're a wow?
That girl's got real personability. I'll have
Billy Boone bring her over tomorrow
I can't keep it from you any longer...
I'm the director
Come on. Let's get out front and hear
what they have to say
John Gilbert in King Vidor's Production
Bardelys the Magnificent
What do you want to see a punk drama for?
Come on
That's the kind of acting I'm gonna do
some day. That's real art!
Don't be sil. Make 'em laugh and
you make 'em happy
I tell you, Mr. Chaplin... that girl is a find
Will you please sign my album?
I'm crazy about signatures
Who is that little guy?
Charlie Chaplin
That guy is casting director for
High Arts Studio
Bring me a nice big piece of custard pie
Why, I'd be afraid I'd throw it at someone
The thrill that seldom comes...
a call to the High Arts Studio
Lew Cody and Elinor Glyn
She writes a lot of those IT stories
Note: "It" refers to the concept that was popularized
by Eleanor Glynn and a movie with the same name
was made from it. It (1927)
I like Mr. Cody... he has such an open face
Maybe Mr. Morton will only see you...
and not me
I won't sign up unless he takes you, too
You want Miss Pepper also, don't you?
I want Miss Pepper only
I won't sign up unless he takes you, too, Billy
Oh, that's all right. I can take it on the chin
Nothing for you now, Billy. Maybe next year
A contract from the "big studio" and
the thought of leaving her old friends
brought to Peggy mingled emotions of
gladness and sadness
Goodbye, Jim...
I'll always think kindly of you for
giving me a chance
I hate to see you go, Peggy...
but I knew I'd make something of you
I'm all through, Billy
You mean you're just beginning
It's going to be hard...
working without you, Billy
But we'll see a lot of each other, won't we?
Yes, but it won't be the same
It's all in the game, Baby
I guess it's the crossroads...
your path leads one way and mine another
Then I won't go!
You're going to be a big success, Baby...
And I'm going to watch every step
of your career
At the High Arts Studio preliminary tests
Were being made for Peggy's first drama
That's Marion Davies
Mr. Telfair, I want you to meet Miss Pepper,
your new leading lady
I understand you're quite popular also
You're at the Countess DeFray's reception
You look over there and see
the man you hate...
Then you look over there and see
the man you love
The man you love
The man you hate
It is six months later you have just
received a letter that your lover is dying
I know there's nothing written on it,
but read it anyway
Your lover is dying... suffer
Give me tears
Tears... please!
Would you please ask them to play
"Hearts and Flowers"?
Louder... and sadder!
Tears... tears... please, Miss Pepper, If you
have any respect for me, give me tears!
That's no way to let a lover die!
Imagine your poor old father
starving to death
You don't know my father
Can't you do something to bring tears?
Imagine forty thousand starving Armenians...
Now that we've got her going...
no film in the camera
Imagine you're very much in love
with someone...
you're at the crossroads of your lives...
Just once more... a big yelp!
That's what I call good commercial crying
Stop crying!
Stop it, I say...
we've got a big laughing scene to do!
Everybody go to lunch
Now that you have graduated from
cheap comedy, you must forget it...
You must acquire a new personality...
a superior manner... new friends...
I will be glad to introduce you to
the elite of Hollywood...
Confidentially, I am Andre d'Bergerac,
le Comte d'Avignon...
And so plain Peggy Pepper acquired the
manner of the "elite"...
And became known as Patricia Pepoire...
My paper is SO anxious to have a true
story of your past...
When I first came on a movie lot I
thought a pie was...
Miss Pepoire is fatigued. With her
permission I will speak for her
First, allow me to inform you that Miss Pepoire
is a direct descendant of General Robert E. Lee
This is going to make a splendid story
Being a lady of quality, she chose the
cinema as a medium of self-expression
She has the temperament of Nazimova,
the appeal of Garbo,
The sweetness of Pickford,
and the lure of Pola Negri!
Hold it! Hold it! Don't move!
My being in the picture will help get it
in the big magazines
While Billy struggled on in the same old way
INTIMATE VISITS with Patricia Pepoire
Patricia With Her New Rolls and with
her famous Wolf Hounds
Let's have Peggy come over and
have chow with us...
Peggy's too busy these days...
I seldom get a chance to see her
I'll bet if I ask her she'll come
Miss Pepoire won't be able to see you tonight
She has important business to 'tend to
We haven't seen each other for so long...
I was wondering if you'd come over and
have dinner... like we used to?
I'm sorry, but I have another engagement
You're not going out with your leading man,
are you?
It's all part of my work...
won't you please try to understand?
Sure I understand.
I'll see you some other time, eh?
No one realized Patricia Pepoire's
importance more than Peggy Pepper
I'm terribly, terribly sorry if I kept you waiting
Waiting is such sweet sorrow where you
are concerned, dear lady
Today we're going to do the kidnapping
and rescue stuff
Is it necessary that it be done so roughly?
...one thrust of his sword,
and he takes you in his arms
Ten thousand dollars or your life!
Another troupe on "location"
Now we'll take it once more
Better beat it... Miss Pepoire's nerves
ain't right today
Miss Pepoire, will you please freshen
your make-up?
...we're still making 'em, but the old troupe
sure misses you
Baby... it's a kick to see you doing so good
Why, Peggy... surely success hasn't gone
to the old bean!
Of course not! Don't be absurd
I knew you were only clowning. Same old
Peggy... anything for a laugh
I wish you would please refrain
from using slang
Oh, for crying out loud!
Patricia, they are ready for the next scene
Andre, this is Billy Boone...
I used to know him in the old days
Why, Andy used to serve me spaghetti
down at Tony's
Tony Award: The most important theater
award given to the winner for excellence
and competition in Broadway theater
How can you be so insulting!
Gee, Baby, I'll bet you miss the laughs
we used to have!
I never miss lowness, cheapness and vulgarity
...but I suppose you'll always be the same...
a cheap clown
Would that I had the right to
protect you... always
Come on, Billy... forget the sob squad and
jump off that rock
Studio lunch... at the stars' table
The boss wants you to come up to his
office right away
I'm having my luncheon
She's eatin'
He says you'll have lots of time for lunch
after he gets through talkin' to you
Pardon me, Doug... just another one of
those boring conferences
Read these... Miss "Patricia Pepoire"
New Orleans: Cancel Patricia Pepoire
features audience tried of her
Detroit: Cancel booking Patricia Pepoire
in "The Love Hour"
Our audiences do not like her work lately
Philadelphia: Cancel Patricia Pepoire
pictures not what she used to be
What's it to me if a few theatres
don't know art
Sit down... Bernhardt!
Bernhardt: French actress, regarded as one
of the greatest tragic actresses of all time
Peggy Pepper, when I first signed you, you
were human... regular... full of ambition...
You're not on the level with the public
that made you...
And from now on I want to see the real
Peggy Pepper on the screen
I'll give you one last chance to change...
and I want your answer now
If you'll pardon me, Mr. Morton,
I shall finish my luncheon
These producers are so disturbing...
to one's equilibrium
They don't appreciate what a great artist
you are
You are so understanding!
Screen Romance: Wedding of Patricia Pepoire
and Andre d'Bergerac, le Comte d'Avignon,
to be solemnized today
The wedding promises to be one of the
most outstanding social events of the season
And will be attended by many
screen notables
Just think, Patricia, you'll be a real countess
It must be wonderful to be in love!
Sorry, but I can't admit you unless you
have an invitation
I must see her right away
You tell her I've got to see her...
and I don't mean maybe
Pardon my depravity... but that terrible
comedian person is downstairs
You don't realize what you're doing
I do know what I'm doing, and I won't
have you interfering in my affairs
You've ruined your career...
just when you were becoming so successful
...and now you're going to marry a man
you don't care a rap for...
just for a phoney title
I'm not pleading for myself...
it's for your own happiness
Think a minute... remember the old days
I don't want to remember the old days
I'm going to bring you to your senses... now!
Don't worry... everything's quite all right
You were right! I'm all you said I was...
just a clumsy fool!
Look at yourself! Look at me! We're only
fakes... just clowns!
He was the only real person...
and now I've lost him!
But, Patricia... our wedding?
There will be no wedding!
Don't talk to me!... Don't touch me!...
You... you... pie-face!!!
Peggy's trip "down to earth" had brought
a clearer view of things worth while
Peggy, I hope you were right in
recommending this new leading man...
But can he really act?
He's marvelous, Mr. Vidor...
and we work together so well
Don't tell him I'm in the picture. Just start
the scene... I want to surprise him
Mr. Vidor, I want to thank you for
giving me this chance
It's up to you, Billy...
and don't let it enlarge your hatband
You boys have been separated from
your outfit... And make for this village...
The camera's going... you can't quit now
Take them on the chin... it's all in the game
THANKS GOD
Show People (1928)
Hamidreza Mirforughy
from Persia
v1.3 - 2022
To hopeful hundreds there is a golden spot
on the map called... HOLLYWOOD
Colonel Pepper had motored all the way from
Georgia to prove that his daughter, Peggy,
was a great actress
It must be Hollywood
I like this place, Peggy... if it ain't Georgia
That's John Gilbert!
I'm General Marmaduke Oldfish Pepper,
of Georgia
You ain't gonna blame me for that, are you?
I'd like to see the president of your company
What about, General?
I'm going to let him put my daughter
in the movies
Casting office... Mr. Oldfish
I want to introduce my daughter,
Miss Peggy Pepper
Have you any photographs?
Got one a little more recent?
The idea is, can you act?
She will now present the various moods.
The first will be meditation
Passion
Anger
Sorrow
Joy
Very funny. Fill out this card
There is many a slip between the casting
office card and a menu card...
Especially when one's capital has
dwindled to forty cents
I'm Colonel Pepper of Georgia, Miss
At first I thought you were Gloria Swanson
You big beezark! I gotta notion to
knock yer block off!
What an uncouth saint he is!
Billy Boone... a custard pie artist from
the slapstick "lots"
Note: Slapstick is a style of humor involving
exaggerated physical activity. a custard pie,
or a flat container of foam, used for throwing
in someone's face in slapstick comedy.
As a southern colonel your make-up
is very Indiana
Father, who is this coarse person?
One has to come to Hollywood to
meet such common people
Aw, boloney... and you're slicing it too thick!
Say, are you punks trying to
crash into the movies?
My daughter, suh, is considering a few offers
My acting is the talk of Savannah
Savannah: She is blond or brunet, tall, humor
athletic, smart with some dumb moments
My acting is the scandal of Hollywood
Crashing the movies is no cinch...
but I think I can help you
What'll you have for dessert?
They've got the swellest cocoanut cake today
Isn't he wonderful!
The comet studio, where serious
comedians went through
The daily grind of "getting laughs"
Where's the dame you were going to
bring out?
She'll be here, all right...
you couldn't keep her away
Gee, Dad... won't they be thrilled back home
When they see me as a great dramatic actress?
Stage 4, Lot 5... turn to your right as you
enter the left wing and keep going
Are you Mr. Comet?
If you don't say yes I'll kill myself
I'm Miss Pepper, the new actress
Remember, Baby... you're not painting
a bungalow
You gotta fall harder... and funnier
Can she act?
Go on, Baby... show him what they're
talking about in Savannah
Ah, my brave toreador! In all Spain
none is more skillful with the bull
You have reduced me to beggary,
kidnapped my husband, and murdered
my aged mother... but beware!
Don't go too far!
That's darn good hokum
I shall always give my public the best
that's in me
When I call just come in and show mild
surprise, like this...
Remember, the one law of pictures is,
don't anticipate!
Now we'll rehearse it
Is that all I do?
Until the jolt. Then just take it natural...
don't anticipate!
Don't get camera-shy, Baby,
and you're a cinch
I didn't think they made 'em that green!
Baby, you did that like a real trouper
I came here to do drama. Why didn't
you tell me it was this?
But, Baby, all the stars have had to
take it on the chin...
Swanson, Daniels, Lloyd... all of them
Come on, Baby... you're gone this far...
it'll be easy from now on
She did that so nifty we'll take it again...
in a close up
Success in this game means work.
show 'em that you've got the stuff
Just think of that first big thrill you'll get
When you see yourself in a theatre
I've backed you to win, Baby...
show 'em I'm right
You're great on water stuff...
I'm gonna get you in a lot of it
Go ahead. I'll take it on the chin
The preview... that trying ordeal when a new
picture is tried out before Mr. and Mrs. Audience
Don't anticipate!
What's the matter, Baby?
Don't you know you're a wow?
That girl's got real personability. I'll have
Billy Boone bring her over tomorrow
I can't keep it from you any longer...
I'm the director
Come on. Let's get out front and hear
what they have to say
John Gilbert in King Vidor's Production
Bardelys the Magnificent
What do you want to see a punk drama for?
Come on
That's the kind of acting I'm gonna do
some day. That's real art!
Don't be sil. Make 'em laugh and
you make 'em happy
I tell you, Mr. Chaplin... that girl is a find
Will you please sign my album?
I'm crazy about signatures
Who is that little guy?
Charlie Chaplin
That guy is casting director for
High Arts Studio
Bring me a nice big piece of custard pie
Why, I'd be afraid I'd throw it at someone
The thrill that seldom comes...
a call to the High Arts Studio
Lew Cody and Elinor Glyn
She writes a lot of those IT stories
Note: "It" refers to the concept that was popularized
by Eleanor Glynn and a movie with the same name
was made from it. It (1927)
I like Mr. Cody... he has such an open face
Maybe Mr. Morton will only see you...
and not me
I won't sign up unless he takes you, too
You want Miss Pepper also, don't you?
I want Miss Pepper only
I won't sign up unless he takes you, too, Billy
Oh, that's all right. I can take it on the chin
Nothing for you now, Billy. Maybe next year
A contract from the "big studio" and
the thought of leaving her old friends
brought to Peggy mingled emotions of
gladness and sadness
Goodbye, Jim...
I'll always think kindly of you for
giving me a chance
I hate to see you go, Peggy...
but I knew I'd make something of you
I'm all through, Billy
You mean you're just beginning
It's going to be hard...
working without you, Billy
But we'll see a lot of each other, won't we?
Yes, but it won't be the same
It's all in the game, Baby
I guess it's the crossroads...
your path leads one way and mine another
Then I won't go!
You're going to be a big success, Baby...
And I'm going to watch every step
of your career
At the High Arts Studio preliminary tests
Were being made for Peggy's first drama
That's Marion Davies
Mr. Telfair, I want you to meet Miss Pepper,
your new leading lady
I understand you're quite popular also
You're at the Countess DeFray's reception
You look over there and see
the man you hate...
Then you look over there and see
the man you love
The man you love
The man you hate
It is six months later you have just
received a letter that your lover is dying
I know there's nothing written on it,
but read it anyway
Your lover is dying... suffer
Give me tears
Tears... please!
Would you please ask them to play
"Hearts and Flowers"?
Louder... and sadder!
Tears... tears... please, Miss Pepper, If you
have any respect for me, give me tears!
That's no way to let a lover die!
Imagine your poor old father
starving to death
You don't know my father
Can't you do something to bring tears?
Imagine forty thousand starving Armenians...
Now that we've got her going...
no film in the camera
Imagine you're very much in love
with someone...
you're at the crossroads of your lives...
Just once more... a big yelp!
That's what I call good commercial crying
Stop crying!
Stop it, I say...
we've got a big laughing scene to do!
Everybody go to lunch
Now that you have graduated from
cheap comedy, you must forget it...
You must acquire a new personality...
a superior manner... new friends...
I will be glad to introduce you to
the elite of Hollywood...
Confidentially, I am Andre d'Bergerac,
le Comte d'Avignon...
And so plain Peggy Pepper acquired the
manner of the "elite"...
And became known as Patricia Pepoire...
My paper is SO anxious to have a true
story of your past...
When I first came on a movie lot I
thought a pie was...
Miss Pepoire is fatigued. With her
permission I will speak for her
First, allow me to inform you that Miss Pepoire
is a direct descendant of General Robert E. Lee
This is going to make a splendid story
Being a lady of quality, she chose the
cinema as a medium of self-expression
She has the temperament of Nazimova,
the appeal of Garbo,
The sweetness of Pickford,
and the lure of Pola Negri!
Hold it! Hold it! Don't move!
My being in the picture will help get it
in the big magazines
While Billy struggled on in the same old way
INTIMATE VISITS with Patricia Pepoire
Patricia With Her New Rolls and with
her famous Wolf Hounds
Let's have Peggy come over and
have chow with us...
Peggy's too busy these days...
I seldom get a chance to see her
I'll bet if I ask her she'll come
Miss Pepoire won't be able to see you tonight
She has important business to 'tend to
We haven't seen each other for so long...
I was wondering if you'd come over and
have dinner... like we used to?
I'm sorry, but I have another engagement
You're not going out with your leading man,
are you?
It's all part of my work...
won't you please try to understand?
Sure I understand.
I'll see you some other time, eh?
No one realized Patricia Pepoire's
importance more than Peggy Pepper
I'm terribly, terribly sorry if I kept you waiting
Waiting is such sweet sorrow where you
are concerned, dear lady
Today we're going to do the kidnapping
and rescue stuff
Is it necessary that it be done so roughly?
...one thrust of his sword,
and he takes you in his arms
Ten thousand dollars or your life!
Another troupe on "location"
Now we'll take it once more
Better beat it... Miss Pepoire's nerves
ain't right today
Miss Pepoire, will you please freshen
your make-up?
...we're still making 'em, but the old troupe
sure misses you
Baby... it's a kick to see you doing so good
Why, Peggy... surely success hasn't gone
to the old bean!
Of course not! Don't be absurd
I knew you were only clowning. Same old
Peggy... anything for a laugh
I wish you would please refrain
from using slang
Oh, for crying out loud!
Patricia, they are ready for the next scene
Andre, this is Billy Boone...
I used to know him in the old days
Why, Andy used to serve me spaghetti
down at Tony's
Tony Award: The most important theater
award given to the winner for excellence
and competition in Broadway theater
How can you be so insulting!
Gee, Baby, I'll bet you miss the laughs
we used to have!
I never miss lowness, cheapness and vulgarity
...but I suppose you'll always be the same...
a cheap clown
Would that I had the right to
protect you... always
Come on, Billy... forget the sob squad and
jump off that rock
Studio lunch... at the stars' table
The boss wants you to come up to his
office right away
I'm having my luncheon
She's eatin'
He says you'll have lots of time for lunch
after he gets through talkin' to you
Pardon me, Doug... just another one of
those boring conferences
Read these... Miss "Patricia Pepoire"
New Orleans: Cancel Patricia Pepoire
features audience tried of her
Detroit: Cancel booking Patricia Pepoire
in "The Love Hour"
Our audiences do not like her work lately
Philadelphia: Cancel Patricia Pepoire
pictures not what she used to be
What's it to me if a few theatres
don't know art
Sit down... Bernhardt!
Bernhardt: French actress, regarded as one
of the greatest tragic actresses of all time
Peggy Pepper, when I first signed you, you
were human... regular... full of ambition...
You're not on the level with the public
that made you...
And from now on I want to see the real
Peggy Pepper on the screen
I'll give you one last chance to change...
and I want your answer now
If you'll pardon me, Mr. Morton,
I shall finish my luncheon
These producers are so disturbing...
to one's equilibrium
They don't appreciate what a great artist
you are
You are so understanding!
Screen Romance: Wedding of Patricia Pepoire
and Andre d'Bergerac, le Comte d'Avignon,
to be solemnized today
The wedding promises to be one of the
most outstanding social events of the season
And will be attended by many
screen notables
Just think, Patricia, you'll be a real countess
It must be wonderful to be in love!
Sorry, but I can't admit you unless you
have an invitation
I must see her right away
You tell her I've got to see her...
and I don't mean maybe
Pardon my depravity... but that terrible
comedian person is downstairs
You don't realize what you're doing
I do know what I'm doing, and I won't
have you interfering in my affairs
You've ruined your career...
just when you were becoming so successful
...and now you're going to marry a man
you don't care a rap for...
just for a phoney title
I'm not pleading for myself...
it's for your own happiness
Think a minute... remember the old days
I don't want to remember the old days
I'm going to bring you to your senses... now!
Don't worry... everything's quite all right
You were right! I'm all you said I was...
just a clumsy fool!
Look at yourself! Look at me! We're only
fakes... just clowns!
He was the only real person...
and now I've lost him!
But, Patricia... our wedding?
There will be no wedding!
Don't talk to me!... Don't touch me!...
You... you... pie-face!!!
Peggy's trip "down to earth" had brought
a clearer view of things worth while
Peggy, I hope you were right in
recommending this new leading man...
But can he really act?
He's marvelous, Mr. Vidor...
and we work together so well
Don't tell him I'm in the picture. Just start
the scene... I want to surprise him
Mr. Vidor, I want to thank you for
giving me this chance
It's up to you, Billy...
and don't let it enlarge your hatband
You boys have been separated from
your outfit... And make for this village...
The camera's going... you can't quit now
Take them on the chin... it's all in the game
THANKS GOD
Show People (1928)
Hamidreza Mirforughy
from Persia
v1.3 - 2022