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!