Now here comes a big fat close-up!
Someone at Last
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Esther comes home from the studio. Norman has at least managed to
fix a meal, milk and sandwiches. When he goes out to the kitchen,
Esther sees the golf balls and the solitaire game.
While eating, Esther tells him about the production number
they have been doing. She puts the practice record on and show it
to him.
Esther starts to sing Someone at last, using the furniture and
pillows as a replacement for the props in the studio. The
number takes place all over the world; Paris, China, Africa and
Brazil. Their hugging after the number is interrupted by the door bell.
It's a delievery man with a package for Esther. Sign right
there, mr. Lester.
Norman realizes that the public have forgotten him. When Esther
wants to go on with supper, he only wants to have a drink.
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I need a job!
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It's Oscar night. Esther
sits at a table with Niles and Danny.
Norman is missing.
Esther wins an award as Best Actress for A World for Two.
During her speech Norman finally arrives and gets up on the stage. He holds
a speech of his own. He's drunk of course. He tells them that he has made
a lot of money for them and now he needs a job in return. He
accidentally slaps Esther's face before they leave the stage together.
Norman has only made a fool of himself and his professional credibility
is now even lower.
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Loose that long face
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At the studio they are preparing a new number. Esther is sitting
in her dressing room
wearing a red sweater and a
straw hat. She plays a paper boy and sings Lose that
long face: "Does the day look painfull / the future gloom /
does the sky look rainfull /hey there say there / are you in a
vacuum / all this stuff and nonsense / you can overcome / a long
face gets you no where / you lose that month of may / like Peter
Pan / the sweeter pan wins the day".
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Back in the dressing room Niles come to see her. Niles has
been on a business trip for three months. He suggests that she take
some time off, a trip to Europe perhaps. He asks about Norman. He's
in a clinic, trying to quit drinking. Love isn't enough. I thought
it was. I thought I was the answer for Norman. But love isn't enought
for him. Esther is getting tired of all his failed attempts to
stop drinking. Niles promises to get Norman back into acting.
I hate his promises to stop. And then
the watching and waiting to see it begin again!
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Niles goes to the clinic to visit Norman. Norman is kept behind
locked doors and has a guard to watch him, Cuddles. When Niles
give him an offer to co-star in a movie, Norman lies and tell
him that he is negotiating with another studio.
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When Norman leaves the clinic he goes horse-racing. The only
one who wants to talk to him is his old friend the bartender,
who is surprised to hear that Norman has decided to quit drinking.
Libby is there, and gives him a few poisonous comments. I
don't like you. I never did like you. And nothing made me happier than
to see all those cute little pranks of yours catch up with you and
land on your celebrated face! Norman punches him but Libby is
stronger and hits him back. Norman falls to the floor. After
a bit of commotion Norman goes back to the bar and ask for a
double Scotch. Back in the habit.
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At their home, Esther is pacing around wondering about Norman who
has been gone for four days. The phone rings. Norman has been
arrested for being drunk. They go to the night court, where the
judge first sentence him to 90 days. When Esther promises the
judge to take custody of him, Norman is released without a sentence.
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