Script

Audition Central: Singin' in the Rain JR.

Script: R.F. Simpson

SIDE 1

SIMPSON

Kids, it’s a smash! Lina, you were gorgeous.

COSMO

Yeah, Lina. You looked pretty good for a girl.

(LINA is absolutely furious and turns on them. We hear her voice for the first time. It is high-pitched, nasal, and anything but attractive.)

LINA

F’heavens sake, what’s the idea? Singin’ a song at my opening? And can’t a girl get a word in edgewise? They’re my public too.

SIMPSON

Lina, the publicity department decided it’d be better if Don made all the speeches for the team.

LINA

Why?

COSMO

Let’s just say with a voice like yours, it’s a good thing movies are silent.

LINA

What’s wrong with my voice?

ROZ

Lina, you’re a beautiful woman, and the audience thinks you’ve got a voice to match.

LINA

What’s wrong with the way I talk? What’sa big idea – am I dumb or somethin’? 

SIDE 2

DEXTER

Roll film!

1ST ASSISTANT

Rolling!

2ND ASSISTANT

Rolling!

3RD ASSISTANT

Rolling!

DEXTER

Don, cross to her! Cross to her! You love her! Act with your eyes! Bigger eyes! You love her! Let’s see it!

(SIMPSON enters and crosses to DEXTER.)

SIMPSON

Hold it, Dexter! Hold it!

DEXTER

Cut!

1ST ASSISTANT

Cut!

2ND ASSISTANT

Cut!

3RD ASSISTANT

Cut!

SIMPSON

Tell them to go home! We’re shutting down for a few weeks!

DEXTER

Shutting down?


DON

What’s the matter, R.F.?

SIMPSON

The Jazz Singer, that’s what’s the matter. It’s a sensation. The public is screaming for more!

DON

More what?

SIMPSON

Talking pictures! Talking pictures!

DEXTER

Oh, that’s just a freak—

SIMPSON

We should have such a freak at this studio! Dexter, we’ve got to put our best foot forward. We’re going to make The Dueling Cavalier as a talking picture.

DEXTER

But we don’t know anything about talking pictures!

SIMPSON

(crossing to DON)

Don, believe me, it will be a sensation: “Lamont and Lockwood” – They talk!