That's too public a proposal for
me to say no to! I accept!
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It's time for the recording of Here's what I'm here for.
Since this is the 1950s, the entire orchestra is sitting in the studio
with their instruments. Esther is standing in the middle of the
studio wearing a blue dress and sings. "What am I here for /
it's time you knew / here's what I'm here for / I'm here for you".
Norman is sitting on the stairs and listens to her.
After the
first verse the chorus starts and Esther runs off to join him. A
sound technician lowers one of the boom microphones from the roof
and records their conversation. But we, the audience, don't hear
anything yet. A technician yells cut and Esther and Norman
go back to the center of the studio.
They stand next to a loudspeaker
when they hear what has been recorded. Everyone in the studio can
hear Norman proposing to Esther. Esther says no since Norman is too
unresponsible. But when the recording is over she accepts. Everyone
in the studio cheers.
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Oliver, we're gonna get married!
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Back at the film studio they announce they are getting married.
Oliver Niles drops his documents when he hears the news, but
give them his blessings. After they have left, Libby warns Niles
of things to come. Maybe it is what Norman needs, he replies.
Libby starts the wheels of a public Hollywood marriage. He calls
mrs. Markham and asks her to see if the mayor will close all
schools on the wedding day. This will be the wedding to end
all weddings. He also tells her that Time, Life, AP and UP all
will get special coverage of the event.
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Mr. and mrs. Gubbins just got married
but forgot to invite Libby.
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Cut to a sheriff's office where Ernest Gubbins marry Esther Blodgett.
Yes, it's the daring duo Norman Maine and Vicki Lester who marry with
only two prisoners and Danny McQuire as their witnesses, disregarding
Libby's intent of a public marriage. Outside the sheriff's
office they meet Libby, angry at them. They leave. They
have a right to get married quietly if they want to! Danny
tells Libby. No they haven't, he knows better than that!
Libby replies. Libby is furious. He has worked ten years, covering
up for Norman, smoothing out his insults to the press.
He needs me more than I need him. Just wait your turn, I always say. .
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They spend the wedding night at a motel. Norman hear Vickie Lester
singing on the radio but decide that he prefers a live concert in
the motel room. Esther sings A New World for him.
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They have instructed me to
buy out the rest of your contract
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Some time later they have a party for all the Hollywood celebrities
in their coastal home. While the other guests watch a movie. Norman
sneak out from the movie and start talking to Oliver Niles. It's bad
news for him though. The studio wants to release Norman from his
contract. Those big fat lush days when a star could get drunk and
disappear and hold up production for two weeks are over.
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At the publicity department, Libby is formulating a press statement
to his secretary. Not a true word of course, according to the
statement Norman himself has asked to be relased from his contract.
Libby regards this as a personal victory. He says
to himself:The wheel goes round and
round. If you just wait long enough it's finally your turn.
Outside his window, workers
carry away the big sign for Norman's latest movie 'Black Legion' and
replace it with Esther's latest 'Happiness Ahead'. How symbolic.
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Back at their house, Norman is spending his days playing in-door golf.
The phone rings and it's Art Carver, a journalist who wants to have
an interview with Esther. He promises to write in his column that
Norman is negotiating a new deal with another company, although
Norman is dead as an actor.
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