Dated 7, 1941, this is the script that 21 days later Orson Welles took with him onto the sound stage and began shooting THE MAGNIFICENT AMBERSONS.  Besides being one of the best written scripts I have ever read, what I found fascinating is that after having gone through the script and comparing it to the Tarkington book line-by-line, 95% of the dialogue—and I am being extremely conservative in this estimate—came straight out of the book. The same goes for the descriptions and acting directions; it’s all Tarkington. To quote Welles, “If the film of AMBERSONS has any quality, a great part of it is due to Tarkington. What doesn’t come from the book is a careful imitation of his style. I can’t pay enough tribute to Tarkington.”

In other words from the start to finish it was Orson Welles’ intention to turn this book into a film—faithfully transforming a work from one medium to another with as little alteration as possible. I had only known of this happening once before during this period and that was Huston’s THE MALTESE FALCON.  Yet, even as faithful as that film version is to its source material, it still can’t compare to what Welles accomplished with AMBERSONS.

Thus, the film version of THE MAGNIFICENT AMBERSONS is Booth Tarkington but—and this but is what makes all the difference—it is Tarkington filtered through the cinematic sensibilities of Orson Welles and in the process becomes an Orson Welles film. What Welles did change, and this is the all-important difference, was to alter the settings of scenes and their emotional impact. Conversations in the book that occur in a static bedroom setting, in the film are played out on the Amberson staircase as both the characters and camera are in motion. Scenes are improvised to enrich them. Welles combines two book scenes into one film scene so that the action is simultaneous; more complex thematically and far more interesting to watch. Dialogue is transposed from one character to another to both strengthen that character as well as to give them more complexity.

Yet, there are entire scenes done in a single take. I don’t think until Max Orpheus in the late 40s, Preminger in the late 50s and 60s and Woody Allen today, have I been aware of a movie filmed with so many single take scenes.   In the uncut version there are approximately 28 scenes done in a single or with an occasional seamless second angle compared to 11 multi-angle scenes. And many of those multi-angle scenes are composed of long individual takes. It is these kinds of choices that make a film a film and in this case an Orson Welles film.

Let me conclude  by stating that for anyone wanting to learn how to adapt a book into a screenplay, this script is the ultimate primer.   All that need be done is read Tarkington and then study this script—comparing and  then determining why certain choices were made.  By doing that everything that need be learned will be learned.

The complete film’s Cutting Continuity follows the shooting script for comparison purposes.

 

The Magnificent Ambersons

Screen Play

By

Orson Welles

FINAL SCRIPT

OCTOBER 7, 1941

 

 

 

FADE In on a dark screen

NARRATOR

The magnificence of the Ambersons began in 1873. Their splendor lasted throughout all the years that saw their Midland town spread and darken into a city.

IRIS INTO: (1885)

A house on a period street with a white picket fence. On the sidewalk, two ladies dressed in silk and velvet are passing three ladies dressed in silk and velvet. They greet each other.

NARRATOR

In that town in those days, all the women who wore silk or velvet knew all the other women who wore silk or velvet

A horse-and-carriage enters in the foreground on the right side of the screen and as it crosses, the occupants, dressed in silk and velvet, wave to the ladies on the street and the ladies wave back to the occupants. The moment the carriage leaves the frame:

NARRATOR

…and everybody knew everybody else’s family horse-and-carriage.

A mule appears on the opposite of the frame drawing the streetcar — an upper window of the house opens, a lady whistles, shuts the window and disappears as the driver pulls the mule to a stop. The passengers wait patiently -­ smoke, stroll around the car, chat or read their papers. The lady comes out of the house — a hat, cloak, umbrella and pocketbook added to her costume. She gets on the car, the passengers resume their seats, and the driver slaps the reins on the mule’s back.

NARRATOR

The only public conveyance was the street-car; A lady could whistle to it from an upstairs window and the car would halt at once and wait for her while she shut the window, put on her hat and coat, went downstairs, found an umbrella, told the “girl” what to have for dinner and came forth from the house.

The streetcar starts with a jolt and jumps off the Track. All the passengers get off and push it back on. This time it stays on. The moment it leaves the left side of the frame…

NARRATOR

Too slow for us nowadays, because the faster we’re carried the less time we have to spare. But in those days they had time for everything!

DISSOLVE TO:

The same house — winter — a moon. The house and street are covered with snow. A horse-drawn sleigh, filled with gay couples, rides through the foreground. As it leaves the screen

NARRATOR

Time for sleigh rides…

DISSOLVE TO:

The house again — summer — night — a party in progress. Carriages drawn up before the picket fence. All the windows are bright and Japanese lanterns are strung up in the front yard. Gay young couples are strolling on the lawn.

DISSOLVE TO:

NARRATOR

…and balls, and Assemblies, and cotillions, and open house on New Year’s — and all day picnics in the woods

The same house — night. The house is dark. EUGENE MORGAN and JACK AMBERSON, both tipsy, and a group of five or six musicians carrying their instruments, enter and walk by the house. The CAMERA PANS with them as they pass a statue of Neptune and come to a lawn. They get set for the serenade, right in close to the camera.   Eugene and Jack closest so their faces can be remembered when they again appear in the story.

NARRATOR

And even that prettiest of all vanished Customs – the serenade. On a summer night, young men would bring an orchestra under a pretty girl’s window – and flute, harp, fiddle, cello, cornet and base viol; would presently release their melodies to the dulcet stars.

Eugene trips over the bass viol, falls on top of it and collapses, sinking through the top of as if it were a tub.

DISSOLVE TO:

CLOSE SHOT of a window on the second floor of the Amberson Mansion. ISABEL, looking hurt, closes the window.

DISSOLVE TO:

CLOSE UP of WILBER MINAFER in a stove-pipe hat

NARRATOR

During the earlier years of this period while bangs and bustles were having their way with women, there were seen men of all ages to whom a hat meant only that rigid, tall silk thing known to impudence as a “stove-pipe.”

FULL SHOT of Wilbur Minafer rowing with Isabel in a boat. He wears a stove-pipe hat.

NARRATOR

In town and country these men would wear no other hat-and without self-consciousness, they went rowing in such hats. There were seen men of all ages to whom a hat meant only that rigid, tall silk thing known to impudence as a stove-pipe”

DISSOLVE TO:

CLOSE SHOT of Eugene, in his bedroom, observing himself in a mirror, as he puts on a derby hat with a bucket crown.

NARRATOR

But the long contagion of the “Derby” had arrived: one season the crown of this hat would be a bucket…

DISSOLVE TO:

CLOSE SHOT of Eugene, still at the mirror, putting on a spoon-shaped hat:

NARRATOR

…but next it would be a spoon.

DISSOLVE TO:

CLOSE SHOT of Eugene’s feet, in front of the mirror, one foot is part way in a high-topped boot, the other foot is unshod. His hands insert the bootjacks and pull the boot on. As he reaches out of the picture, presumably to get the boot for the other foot.

NARRATIOR

Every house still kept its bootjack — but high-topped boots gave way to shoes and “Congress gaiters”…

DISSOLVE TO:

SIMILAR SHOT of Eugene’s feet, shoeless. His hand returns with a shoe that has toes like the prow of a racing shell. He starts to put on the shoe.

NARRATOR

…and these were played through fashions that shaped them now with toes like box-ends and now with toes like the prows of racing shells.

DISSOLVE TO:

CLOSE SHOT of Eugene’s feet with shoes on. As he pulls a pair of trousers up over his legs, CAMERA PANS up and we see him in front of, and facing, a full-length mirror, looking at himself in a pair of un-creased trousers; the last hat we saw him try on and the shirt of a suit of long underwear.

NARRATOR

Trousers with a crease were considered plebeian; the crease proved that the garment had lain upon a shelf, and hence was “ready-made.”

DISSOLVE TO:

FULL SHOT of Eugene, his back to the mirror, his body facing camera, so that we see what he is inspecting as he looks over his shoulder at the reflection of his back in the mirror; a light-colored overcoat over his full dress, his black coattails hanging five inches below the overcoat.

NARRATOR

With evening dress a gentleman wore a tan overcoat, so short that his black coat-tails hung visible, five inches below the overcoat…

DISSOLVE TO:

FULL SHOT of Eugene at the mirror, now wearing an overcoat that touches his heels

NARRATOR

…but after a season or two he lengthened his overcoat till it touched his heels…

DISSOLVE:

FULL SHOT of Eugene, observing himself in the mirror dressed for the afternoon in a suit which includes trousers like great bags. He has on a straw hat now and carries a bamboo stick. Satisfied with what he sees he starts out of the shot.

NARRATOR

…and he passed out of his tight trousers into trousers like great bags.

DISSOLVE TO:

Eugene comes out of his house wearing the same outfit as in previous scene. Outside his gate he turns and starts walking up the street.

A SERIES OF CUTS of period houses as Eugene walks past them; a lawn where a croquet game is in progress; a blacksmith shop; a schoolhouse; a grocery store or hardware store; more houses: all evidences of the “homespun” background

NARRATOR

The people were thrifty in that Midland town because they were the sons or grandsons of the “early settlers,” who had opened the wilderness with wagons and axes and guns, but with no money at all.        The pioneers were thrifty or they would have perished;       they had to store away food for the winter, or goods to trade for food, and they often feared they had not stored enough. They left traces of that fear in their sons and grandsons. In the minds of most of these, indeed, their thrift was next to their religion.

Eugene walks past a little area of trees. Now CAMERA PANS with him and shows that his destination is the magnificent Amberson Mansion, its splendor a severe contrast to the homes Eugene has just passed.

NARRATOR

Against so homespun a background the magnificence of the Ambersons was as conspicuous as a funeral.

Just starting to take in the Mansion, we hear:

AN OLD CITIZEN’S VOICE

There it is! The Amberson Mansion! The pride of the town!

By the time the camera takes in the whole structure, it also includes in a corner of the shot, and close to camera, three men in a carriage, drawn up in front of a street signpost. The old man who has just spoken is lowering his arm from pointing at the Mansion. One middle-aged man is obviously an out-of-towner; the other middle-aged man is his friend and a citizen of the town; the old man is his father. The out-of-towner is being shown the sights. Eugene pays no attention to them. He continues up the road toward the front door of the Mansion as they talk:

THE MIDDLE-AGED CITIZEN

Sixty thousand dollars for the wood work alone! Yes, sir — hot and cold running water upstairs and down, and stationary washstands in every last bedroom in the place!

THE OLD CITIZEN

Well, Sir, I presume the President of the United States would be tickled to swap the White House for the new Amberson Mansion, if the Major’d give him the chance — but by the Almighty Dollar, you bet your sweet life the Major wouldn’t!

By this time Eugene has reached the front door of the mansion and rung the bell. The door is opening as we come to:

CLOSE SHOT of Eugene at the door, which is being opened by Sam, the colored butler. Then, right on top of the last word of the Old Man’s above speech

EUGENE

Is Miss Amberson at home?

SAM

No, suh, Mis’ Mo’ga’n –- Miss Amberson’s not at home.

Eugene looks at him for a moment.

EUGENE

Thanks, Sam.

He turns and starts away from the door.

REVERSE ANGLE — HOLDING the three men in carriage. CUT IN corner of frame.  We see the other arm of the signpost which says, “Amberson Boulevard,” and in background the little area of trees and the street up which Eugene has come. The men are looking up past CAMERA toward the mansion’s grounds.

THE MIDDLE-AGED CITIZEN

Look at that brick stable!

THE OLD CITIZEN

New kinds of fancy rigs — and harness!–Everybody in town can tell when Amberson’s are out driving after dark, just by the jingle.

Eugene enters from direction of the mansion.

THE OLD CITIZEN

‘Lo, Eugene!

Eugene tips his hat and continues down the street away from camera. The men look at him.

THE MIDDLE-AGE’D CITIZEN

Wonder if she’s still mad at him.

THE OUT-OF-TOWNER

Who?

THE OLD CITIZEN

Miss Isabel.

THE MIDDLE-AGED CITIZEN

Major Amberson’s daughter.

THE OLD CITIZEN

Eugene Morgan’s her best beau. Took a bit too much to drink last night and stepped right through the bass viol serenadin’ her.

DISSOLVE OUT:

DISSOLVE IN:

THE LITTLE AREA OF TREES AGAIN. Eugene enters again, on his way to the Mansion. He has on a different costume and this time a box of candy under his arm. CAMERA PANS with him to take in the Mansion. There is another group of people at the sign-post — two couples, citizens of the town, who have obviously been shopping and have met. Eugene does not notice them.

THE FIRST HUSBAND

(choking with laughter)

Old Alex Minafer — you know how close he is– Well, seems Miss Isabel Amberson’s got some kind of a dog –

THE FIRST WIFE

They call it a Saint Bernard.

THE FIRST HUSBAND

So Fanny Minafer was bound to have one, too. And, by golly, she says the Ambersons bought theirs, and you can’t get one without payin’ money for it!– Honest!

Eugene has reached the door, has rung the bell, and now the door is being opened by Sam.

CLOSE SHOT of Eugene at the door.

SAM

No, suh, Mis’ Ambuhson ain’t at home to you, Mist’ Mo’gan.

EUGENE (turns away)

Thanks.

SAM

Mist’ Morgan

EUGENE

Yes?

SAM

Dis time she really is out -­ wid Mist’ Wilbuh Minafuh – yest’day dey wuz row-boatin’

EUGENE

Thanks, Sam.

He starts away.

REVERSE ANGLE on the two couples.

TRE FIRST HUSBAND

They cost from fifty to a hundred dollars up! Old Alex wanted to know if I ever heard anybody wantin’ to buy a dog before. He saw some sense in payin’ somebody a dime, or even a quarter, to drown a dog for you, but to pay out fifty dollars or maybe more — well, sir, he like to choked himself to death.

At this moment Eugene enters from direction of the

Mansion behind the camera.

THE PIRST HUSBAND

Lo, Eugene.

Eugene tips his hat as he passes, and goes down the street away from camera.

THE SECOND WIFE

Does seem pretty much like squanderin’ — yet, when you see that dog out walkin’ with Miss Isabel, he seems worth the money.

THE FIRST WIFE

I haven’t seen her since she got back from abroad.

THE FIRST HUSBAND

Well, sir, she’s not more’n just about seventeen or maybe eighteen years old — and I don’t know as I know just how to put it — but she’s — she’s kind of a delightful lookin’ young lady.

DISSOLVE OUT DISSOLVE IN:

 

EXTERIOR – ICE CREAM PARLOR – DAY

A nickelodeon is heard playing inside. Isabel, with a St. Bernard dog on leash and Wilbur Minafer at her side, is coming out. They encounter Eugene. Eugene tips his hat. Isabel cuts him, Wilbur nods coolly and they cross him out of the scene, leaving Eugene looking after them sadly.

DISSOLVE:

 

INTERIOR – TINY BARBER SHOP – DAY

One man is sitting in the chair being shaved and a couple of others are sitting on a bench under the racks holding the shaving mugs.

A CITIZEN (incredulously)

Wilbur Minafer!

THE BARBER (dramatically, with a razor in one hand)

Yes, sir!

THE CITIZEN BEING SHAVED (looks up)

Well, Wilbur may not be any Apollo, as it were, but he’s a steady young businessman.

 

INTERIOR – SEWING ROOM — MRS. FOSTER’S HOME — DAY

Two matrons, a seamstress, and Mrs. Foster in a corset and the involved underwear of the period.

THE FIRST MATRON

Looks like Isabel’s pretty sensible -– for such a showy girl.

THE SECOND MATRON

Wilbur Minafer! To think of her taking him, just because a man any woman would like a thousand times better was a little wild one night at a serenade!

MRS. FOSTER

What she minds was his making a clown of himself in her own front yard! Made her think he didn’t care much about her. She’s probably mistaken, but it’s too late for her to think anything else now. The wedding’ll be a big Amberson­style thing, raw oysters floating in scooped-out blocks of ice and a band from out-of­town — And then Wilbur’ll take Isabel on the carefulest little wedding trip he can manage, and she’ll be a good wife to him, but they’ll have the worst spoiled lot of children this town will ever see.

THE FIRST MATRON

How on earth do you make that out, Mrs. Foster?

MRS. FOSTER

She couldn’t love Wilbur, could she?

Nobody answers this.

MRS. FOSTER

Well, it’ll all go to her children, and she’ll ruin em!

DISSOLVE OUT:

 

EXTERIOR – CHURCH – DAY (1890)

The same two matrons and Mrs. Foster are in CLOSEUP in the corner of the frame. In background is the church. As the scene starts, we see the backs of the matrons’ heads, for they are watching Isabel, holding a little boy by the arm walking up the steps of the church. Wilbur and Major Amberson are with her.

THE FIRST MATRON

Looks like Isabel isn’t going to have any more children.

MRS. FOSTER

(turning toward the camera)

Yes, I guess there’s just going to be the one — but I’d like to know if he isn’t spoiled enough for a whole carload.

DISSOLVE:

 

EXTERIOR – A SAND PILE – DAY (1894)

A laborer is sieving sand. George, aged 9, gallops his white pony through the pile, enveloping the laborer.

THE LABORER

By golly, I guess you think you own this town!

GEORGE (turns on his pony)

I will when I grow up. My grandpa owns it now, I guess you bet!

THE LABORER

Aw, pull down your vest!

GEORGE

Don’t haf to! Doctor says it ain’t healthy! But I tell you what I’ll do; I’ll pull down my vest if you’ll wipe off your chin!

With that he wheels the pony around, gallops back through the sand pile.

DISSOLVE OUT:

NARRATOR

There were people — grown people they were — who expressed themselves longingly: they did hope to live to see the day, they said, when that boy would get his come-upance! Something was bound to take him down, some day, and they only wanted to be there!

DISSOLVE IN:

SHOT of Georgie galloping along the street on his pony.

DISSOLVE:

 

EXTERIOR – THE REVEREND SMITH’S HOME – DAY (1885)

George, aged ten, wearing long curls and a Fauntleroy suit, is approaching at a gallop on his white pony. Elijah, the Reverend’s nephew, is sitting on the gatepost.

ELIJAH (shouts)

Look at the girly curly, Say bub, where’d you steal your· mother’s ole sash!

GEORGE (checking his pony)

Your sister stole it for me! She stole it off our clo’es line an’ gave it to me.

ELIJAH (hotly)

You go get your hair cut! Yah! I haven’t got any sister!

GEORGE

I know you haven’t at home. I mean the one that’s in jail.

ELIJAH

I dare ya to git down off’n that pony!

As George jumps to the ground, Elijah descends from the gatepost — inside the gate.

GEORGE

I dare ya outside that gate.

ELIJAH

Yah! I dare ya half way here. I dare ya –

George vaults the fence, catches Elijah who has started toward the house for shelter and starts pummeling him. The Reverend Smith rushes out of his house to intervene. A next door neighbor has also been attracted into her front yard by the noise. After a grotesque tussle -­ for George is hard, quick and remarkably tense in such matters — Reverend Smith separates the fighting boys and shakes George while Elijah dashes into the house.

REVEREND SMITH

Here boy –- Boy! — That’ll be enough of that. You little -­ Ow!

GEORGE (Fiercely, wrenching himself away)

You stop that, you! I guess you don’t know who I am!

REVEREND SMITH (angrily}

Yes, I do know! And you’re a disgrace to your mother!

GEORGE

You shut up about my mother!

REVEREND SMITH (exasperated, unable to close the dialogue with dignity)

She ought to be ashamed. A woman that lets a bad boy like you —

GEORGE

You pull down your vest, you ole Billy goat, you! Pull down your vest, wipe off your chin,– an’ go to —

 

EXTEROR – ARBOR – AMBERSON MANSION – DAY – (1895)

Isabel is reading a letter to George. Sam, the butler, is standing close by, his hand on the bridle of George’s pony.

ISABEL (reading)

…”this was heard not only by myself but by my wife and the lady who lives next door –”

GEORGE

He’s an ole liar!

ISABEL(putting down the letter)

Georgie, you mustn’t say “liar.” Dear, did you say what he says you did?

GEORGE

Which one?

ISABEL

Did you tell him to — to —

GEORGE

Lissen here, Mama; Grandpa wouldn’t wipe his shoe on that ole story teller, would he?

ISABEL

Georgie, you mustn’t —

GEORGE

I mean, none of the Ambersons wouldn’t have anything to do with him, would they? He doesn’t even know you, does he, Mama?

ISABEL

That isn’t what we’re talking about.

GEORGE

I bet — I bet if he wanted to see any of us, he’d haf to go ’round to the side door!

ISABEL

No, dear, we –-

GEORGE

Yes, we would, Mama! That kind of people, don’t see why you can’t say anything you want to, to ’em.

ISABEL

No, Georgie. They were terrible words for you to use, dear. From his letter he doesn’t seem a very tactful person, but —

GEORGE

He’s just riffraff.

ISABEL

You mustn’t say so. And you must promise me never to use those bad words again.

 GFORGE

I promise not to. (whispers under his breath) Unless I get mad at somebody

He runs away.

QUICK DISSOLVE:

 

EXTERIOR – DOWNTOWN STREET – AMBERSON BLOCK – DAY (1902) George, aged seventeen, is driving his dogcart at criminal speed down the street making pedestrians retreat from crossings and behaving as if he owns the earth. A hardware dealer, middle-aged, is forced to jump back on the sidewalk to avoid being run over.

HARDWARE DEALER (shouts)

Got ‘ny sense! See here, bub, does your mother know you’re out?

George, without seeming to look at him, flicks the long lash of his whip dexterously, and a little spurt of dust comes from the man’s trousers below the waist. He looks for a missile, then, finding none, yells:

HARDWHARE DEALER

Turn down your pants, you would-be dude rainin! in dear ole Lunnon! Git off the earth!

The dogcart turns a corner and halts in front of the Amberson Block — an old-fashioned four-story brick warren of offices. George ties his lathered trotter to a telegraph pole, looks at the building critically, goes in and climbs the worn stairs.

 

INTERIOR – 4^th FLOOR CORR – AMBERSON BLOCK BLDG – DAY

George goes down the dark corridor to a door. Its upper half, of opaque glass, bears no sign to state the business or profession of the occupants within; but overhead, upon the lintel, the letters “F.O.T.A.” are smearingly inscribed, and above the lintel there is a drawing of a skull and crossbones. George raps three times; three raps similar to his sound from within. The door is opened by Charlie Johnson, a well-dressed boy of 16. George enters quickly and the door closes behind him.

INTRTIOR – CLUB ROOM – AMBERSON BLOCK BUILDING – DAY. At one end of the room, beneath a damaged papier-mâché round shield with two battle-axes and two cross-hilted swards, is a little platform with a table on it. On the platform stands Fred Kinney holding, for a gavel, a Civil War horse-pistol. Facing him are seven boys of congenial age seated in a semicircular row of damaged office chairs.

FRED KINNEY (to George)

Welcome, Friend of the Ace

 GEORGE

Welcome, Friend of the Ace.

THE OTHER BOYS

Welcome, Friend of the Ace.

RRED KINNEY (to George)

Take your seat in the secret semicircle. We will now proceed to —

GEORGE (interrupting, turning to Charlie Johnson)

Look here, Charlie Johnson, what’s Fred Kinney doing in the president’s chair? Didn’t you all agree I was to be president just the same, even if I was away at school?

Fred raps loudly for order.

FRED (sharply)

All Friends of the Ace will take their seats! I’m president of the F.O.T.A. now, George Minafer. (again hammers the table) This meeting will now proceed to —

GEORGE

No it won’t. You put down that gavel. It belongs to my grandfather.

FRED

I was legally elected here.

GEORGE

All right. You’re president. Now we’ll hold another election.

FRED (shouting)

We will not! We’ll have our reg’lar meeting, and then we’ll play euchre, a nickel a corner; what we’re here for. This meeting will now come to order –

GEOBGE (to the members)

Who’s the founder of the F.O.T.A, if you please? Who got the janitor to let us have most of this furniture? You suppose you could keep this clubroom a minute if I told my grandfather I didn’t want it for a literary club anymore? I’d like to say a word on how you members been acting, too! If that’s what you want; you can have it. I was going to have a little celebration down here some night pretty soon, and bring some port wine, like we drink at school in our crowd there. Well, you got a new president now!

He starts toward the door.

 GEORGE (on way to door; plaintively, with disdain beneath his sorrow)

I guess all I’better do is -­ resign!

As he opens the door, Charlie Johnson shouts hastily:

CHARLIE JOHNSON

All in favor of having a new election say “Aye!”

ALL THE BOYS (excepting Fred Kinney)

Aye!

Fred Kinney begins a hot protest but it is immediately othered.

GEORGE (shouts)

All in favor of me being president instead of Fred Kinney say “Aye!”

ALL THE BOYS (except of course, Fred Kinney)

Aye!

GEORGE

The “Ayes” have it.

 FRED (gulping as he descends from the platform)

I resign.

Fred finds his hat and departs amid jeers. George steps upon the platform and takes up the horse-pistol.

GEORGE

Old red-head Fred’ll be around next week. He’ll be around boot-lickin’ to get us to take him back in again· Well fellows, I suppose you want to hear from your president. I had a good time at the old school, back East, had a little trouble with the faculty and came home. But my family stood by me as well as I could ask. Now, I don’t suppose there’s any more business before the meeting. Anybody that’s game for a little quarter-limit poker or any limit they say, why I’d like to have ’em sit at the president’s card-table.

He officially closes his speech by a pound on the table with the horse-pistol. The members start to re-arrange the semicircle of chairs for the card game.

DISSOLVE OUT:

 

During the Narrator’s first lines, the scene has been DISSOLVING in to a FULL SHOT of the Amberson Mansion. We now see it clearly — its three floors brilliantly lighted for the gala affair which is in progress.

NARRATOR

When Mr. George Amberson Minafer came home for the holidays at Christmastide, in his sophomore year, nothing about him encouraged any hope that he had received his comeuppance. — Cards were out for a ball in his honor, and this pageant of the tenantry was the last of the great, long-remembered dances that everybody talked about

Music is heard from within. Richly-dressed people are arriving in carriages, while crowds of the “uninvited” stand in the snow as close to the mansion entrance as possible, to watch.

DISSOLVE TO:

 

CLOSE SHOT at the Mansion door to which a Christmas wreath is fastened. Eugene Morgan, his back to camera, is at the door which is opened by Sam, the butler, now a very old man. All of this is played as the scene is

DISSOLVING IN:

GEORGE’S VOICE (heard the moment the door opens)

Remember you very well, indeed.

ISABEL’S VOICE

George, you remember your Uncle John Minafer?

During this, Eugene has started over the threshold and the DISSOLVE is completed.

 

INTERIOR – RECEPTION HALL·AND STAIRCASE- AMBERSON MANSION – NIGHT (1904) REVERSE ANGLE – LONG SHOT Holding the door in far background as Eugene comes through. We see him for only a second for he is blocked out by people who cross between camera and the door.

The hall and adjoining rooms are embowered in flowers. Music, supplied by a zither, harp, cello and fiddle is heard. (The orchestra is off to one side in a grove of palms.) Guests are talking and laughing above the music.

Major Amberson, Isabel and George, now age nineteen, are receiving guests. Uncle John Minafer is shaking hands with the Major, who is looking a little askance at the “Sunday suit” of black broadcloth which Uncle John is wearing.

GEORGE

Very well, indeed.

(Note: George’s above speech occurs the moment we come to this shot so that there is no pause after Isabel’s question on the preceding.)

Almost on top of George’s speech, Uncle John’s tremulous, strident voice cuts like the whine of a sawmill over the music and shouting for, being partly deaf, he hears his own voice only faintly — but he likes to hear it.

UUCLE JOHN (to the major)

Now don’t you look at me like that, Major! I never have worn an’ never will wear a swaller­tail coat. (turns to George and offers his hand) Georgie, you look fine – ha! Ha! — There wuz a time though durin’ your fourth month when you wuz so puny nobody thought you’d live.

George, in a fury of blushes, drops the old man’s hand an turns to the next in line — somebody’s spinster aunt.

GEORGE (fiercely)

Member you v’ry well ‘ndeed!

CAMERA PANS a little, HOLDING Uncle John as he walks off into the crowd, his sawmill voice directed at nobody in particular.

UNCLE JOHN

Always gotta think o’funerals when I smell so many flowers! Right here’s where the Major’s wife was laid out at her funeral. They had her in a good light from that big bow window. I suppose that’s where they’ll put the Major when his time comes…

Eugene Morgan enters the scene and CAMERA PANS back with him as he comes up to Isabel.

EUGENE

Isabel —

ISABEL

Eugene!

They look at each other. George regards Eugene sharply. At length Eugene looks at George.

EUGENE

Is this your boy?

George is taking in Eugene’s unfashionable hair, his preoccupied tie and his old coat.

ISABEL

George, this is Mr. Morgan

GEORGE (cutting in before Isabel finishes the name)·

Remember you very well ‘ndeed!

EUGENE

George, you never saw me before in your life. But from now on you’re going to see a lot of me – I hope.

ISABEL

I hope so, too, Eugene.

EUGENE

Where’s Wilber?

ISABEL

You’ll find him in the game room with some of the others. He never was much for parties. Remember?

EUGENE

Yes, I remember — I’ll come back for a dance.

ISABEL

Please do.

Eugene turns to the Major and offers his hand.

CAMBRA PANS away from George to favor Eugene and the Major, and over their dialogue we hear George’s voice as he receives a family group.

EUGENE (to the Major)

Eugene Morgan, Major  Amberson.

ISABEL

Hello, Ruth — Matt

MAJOR AMBERSON

Of course, of course. Heard you’d come back to town. Is it true you’re going to settle down here?

GEORGE’S VOICE

Remember you v’ry well.

GEORGE’S VOICE

Remember you v’ry well.

EUGENE

I plan to, Major – yes.

Eugene sees Jack Amberson close by.

EUGENE (calls)

Jack! (to the Major) Excuse me, Major Amberson

CAMERA PANS slightly as Eugene and Jack meet and shake hands heartily, then walk away in the crowd.

CAMERA NOW PANS back to George and Isabel. George is shaking hands with Lucy Morgan.

GEORGE

Remember you very well, indeed!

In the middle of his speech his tone suddenly becomes less formal and more gracious. He is visibly affected.

ISABEL (laughing)

George you don’t remember her either, though of course you will. Miss Morgan is from out of town.

Lucy is making a big impression.

ISABEL

You might take her up to the dancing. I think you’ve pretty well done your duty here.

 GRORGE

Be delighted.

He offers his arm and they move slowly through the crowd to the stairs, passing Jack and Eugene. They start up the stairs.                                               ·

LUCY (indicating Jack)

Who’s that?

GEORGE (indicating Eugene)

I didn’t catch his name when my mother presented him to me. You mean that queer-looking duck?

LUCY

Oh, I wouldn’t say that.

GEORGE

The one with him’s Uncle Jack; Honorable Jack Amberson. I thought everybody knew him.

LUCY

He looks as though everybody ought to know him. (with sly intention) It seems to run in your family.

  GEORGE (not catching the inference)

Well, of course, I suppose most everybody does, out in this part of the country especially. Besides, Uncle George is in Congress; the family like to have someone there.

 

INTERIOR – STAIRCASE AND – THIRD FLOOR – AMBERERSON MANSION – NIGHT – (1904)

George and Lucy continuing up the stairs. The music is loud and gay, and the guests are shouting over it. Uncle John is working his way through the crowd, his sawmill voice heard above all others.

UNCLE JOHN

Solid black walnut every inch of it, balustrades and all. Sixty thousand dollars’ worth o’ carved woodwork in the house! Like Water! Spent money like water! Always did still do! Like water! Gosh knows where it all comes from!

He sees Fanny close by.

UNCLE·JOHN

Hello Fanny

FANNY (joining him)

Hello, Uncle John.

By this time they are close to Lucy and George.

FANNY (to George)

Is this Lucy Morgan?

GEORGE

Misa Morgan — Miss Minafer.

FANNY

You must favor your mother, dear. I never knew her.

UNCLE JOHN

Come on, Fanny, the dancin’s broke out. Hoopla! Le’s push through an’ go see the young women folks crack their heels! Start the circus! Hoopse­daisyl

George starts dancing with Lucy as Uncle John sweeps Aunt Fanny past them in wild, dervish-like prancings. They have just gotten out on the floor when the music stops.

GEORGE

Give me the next one and the one after that, and give me every third one the rest of the evening.

LUCY

Are you asking?

GEORGE

What do you mean, “asking?”

LUCY

It sounds as though you were just telling me to give you all those dances.

GEORGE

Well, I want ’em!

LUCY

What about all-the other girls. It’s your duty to dance with?

GEORGE

They’ll have to go without. (with vehemence) Here! I want to know: Are you going to give me those–?

LUCY

Good gracious! Yes!

She laughs. Other male applicants flock around Lucy, urging contracts for what the remaining dances, but they can’t dislodge George from her side, though he makes it quite evident that they have managed to annoy him.

Uncle John crosses the picture, with Aunt Fanny.

UNCIE JOHN

D’want any more o’ that! Jus’ sliddin’ ‘round! Call that dancin’? Rather see a jig any day in the world!

Wilbur Minafer joins him and relieves Fanny. During this George has pushed his way out of the cluster of boys, with Lucy.

WILBUR (to George}

I’ll take Uncle John home.

GEORGE

All right, Father;

Wilbur walks away with Uncle John.

UNCLE.JOHN

They didn’t very modest, some of ’em. I don’t mind that, though. Not me!

George walks Lucy to the hall.

GEORGE

How’d those ducks get to know you so quick?

 LUCY

Oh, I’ve been here a week.

GEORGE

Looks as if you’d been pretty busy. Most of those ducks, I don’t know what my mother wanted to invite ’em here for.

LUCY

Don’t you like them?

GEORGE

Oh, I used to see something of a few of ‘em. I was president of a club we had here and some of ’em belonged to it, but I don’t care much for that sort of thing any more. I really don t see why my mother invited ’em.

LUCY (mildly)

Maybe she didn’t want to offend their fathers and mothers.

GEORGE (Smugly)

I don’t think my mother need worry much about offending anybody in this old town.

LUCY

It must be wonderful. It must be wonderful. Mr. Amberson. Mr. Minafer, I mean.

GEORGE

What must be wonderful?

LUCY

To be so important as that’

GEORGE (assumingly)

That isn’t “important.” Anybody that really is anybody ought to be able to do about as they like in their own town, I should think.

By this time they are sitting on the stairway, and the music has been playing for a few minutes. They look off toward the dancers.

SHOT on dance floor. Fanny and Eugene are dancing, rather gaily. Eugene sees Lucy and waves.

Stairway — Lucy and George. Lucy, smiling returns the wave with a little gesture, but George stares stonily off.

GEORGE

How’s that for bit of freshness.

LUCY

What was?

 GEORGE

That queer-looking duck waving his hand at me like that.

LUCY (not mollified)

He meant me.

GEORGE

Oh, he did? Everybody seems to mean you! You certainly do seem to’ve been pretty busy this week you’ve been here!

Lucy presses her bouquet of violets and lilies-of-the-valley to her face and laughs into it, not displeased. A short silence. The music stops and there is loud applause. The music starts again.

GEORGE

See here! Are you engaged to anybody?

LUCY

No.

GEORGE

You seem to know a good many people! Do you live in New York?

LUCY

We’ve lived all over. Papa used to live here in this town, before I was born.

GEORGE

What do you keep moving around so for? Is he a promoter?

LUCY

No. He’s an inventor.

GEORGE

What’s he invented?

LUCY

Just lately, he’s been working on a new kind of horseless carriage.

GEORGE (not unkindly)

Well, I’m sorry for him. Horseless carriages! People aren’t going to spend their lives lying on their backs in the road and letting grease drip in their faces.

LUCY

Papa’d be so grateful if he could have your advice.

GEORGE (flushing)

I don’t know that I’ve done anything to be insulted for!

LUCY (laughs gaily)

You know, I don’t mind your being such a lofty person at all. I think it’s ever so interesting — but Papa’s great man!

GEORGE (deciding to be good ­natured)

Is he? Well, let us hope so. I hope so, I’m sure.

LUCY (shaking her head in gentle wonder)

I’m just beginning to understand.

GEORGE

Understand what?

LUCY

What it means to be a real Amberson in this town. Papa told me something about it before we came, but I see he didn’t say half enough.

GEORGE (taking this for tribute)

Did your father say he knew the family before he left here?

LUCY

I don’t think he meant to boast of it. He spoke of it quite calmly.

GEORGE.

Girls are usual pretty fresh! They ought to go to a man’s college about a year! They’d get taught a few things about freshness!

The music stops and there is the customary applause.

Eugene, Isabel, Jack and Fanny are coming toward them. Lucy still has the flowers pressed to her face.

GEORGE

Look here! Who sent you those flowers you keep makin’ such a fuss over?

LUCY

He did.

GEORGE

Who’s “he?”

LUCY

The queer-looking duck.

GEORGE (laughs loudly)

Oh, him?       I s’pose he’s some old widower! Some old widower!

LUCY (becomes serious)

Yes, he is a widower. I ought to have told you before; he’s my father.

GEORGE (stops laughing abruptly,)

Well, that’s a horse on me. If I’d known he was your father —

Eugene, Isabel, Jack and Fanny reach them.

EUGENE (to Lucy)

I’m here to claim my dance but I guess I won’t insist on it.

ISABEL

George, dear, are you enjoying the party?

GEORGE

Yes, Mother, very much. Will you please excuse us? (offering his arm to Lucy) Miss Morgan -–

They walk away, the older people watching them as they go.

ISABEL

It’s charming, isn’t it

They look at her, not understanding.

 ISABEL (explaining)

Those children. It’s touching. But of course they don’t know it’s touching.

JACK

Do you know what I think whenever I see these smooth, triumphal young faces? I always think: “Oh how you’re going to catch it.”

ISABEL

Jack!

JACK

Oh, yes, Life’s got a special walloping for every mother’s son of ‘em!

ISABEL (troubled)

Maybe — maybe ‘some of the mothers can take the walloping for them.

JACK (with emphasis)

Not any more than she can take on her own face the lines that are bound to come on her son’s. I suppose you know that all these young faces have got to get lines on ’em?

ISABEL (smiling wistfully)

Maybe they won’t.  Maybe times will change, and nobody will have to wear lines.

EUGENE

Times have changed like that for only one person I know.

He laughs as she looks at him inquiringly, showing that she is the “only one person.”

JACK

What puts the lines on faces? Age or trouble? We can’t say that wisdom does it – we must be polite to Isabel.

EUGENE

Age puts some, and trouble puts some, and work puts some, but the deepest wrinkles are carved by lack of faith. The serenest brow is the one that believes the most.

ISABEL (gently)

In what?

EUGENE

In everything.

Again Isabel looks at him inquiringly and again he laughs.

EUGENE

Oh, yes, you do!

ISABEL (in a tone of surprise)

Why, I believe — believe I do!

Both men laugh.

JACK

Isabel! There’re times when you look exactly fourteen years old!

During the preceding dialogue, they have started walking toward a punch bowl, and now they reach it, joining the Major and Wilbur. Jack hands a cup of punch to Isabel and then one to Eugene.

EUGENE (rejecting it)

No, thanks.

MAJOR AMBERSON (laughs}

I see you kept your promise, Eugene. Isabel, I remember the last drink Eugene ever had. Well, well, there’s another thing that’s changed; hardly anybody drinks nowadays. I had a pretty time with you that night, Jack, getting you upstairs. (laughs again) Fact is, I believe if Eugene hadn’t broken that bass fiddle and given himself away, Isabel never would have taken Wilbur. What do you think, Wilbur?

WILBER

I shouldn’t be surprised, if your notion’s right, I’m glad Gene broke the fiddle.

MAJOR AMBERSON (emptying his cup)

What do you say about it, Isabel? By Jove! She’s blushing!

ISABEL (laughing)

Who wouldn’t blush!

FANNY (jovially as George and Lucy go by}

The important thing is that Wilbur did get her, and not only got her but kept her!

Eugene is as embarrassed as Isabel, but he laughs.

EUGENE (looking off screen)

There’s another important thing — that is, for me. It’s the only thing that makes me forgive that bass viol for getting in my way.

 MAJOR AMBERSON

What is it?

EUGENE (gently)

Lucy.

George has retrieved Lucy, and now crosses with her in front of the group at the punch bowl, carrying plates of ice cream and cake.

WILBUR (as they pass)

Do your ears burn, young lady?

George and Lucy continue on their way without stopping, CAMERA PANNING with them. Before Lucy can answer Wilbur, George is speaking:

GEORGE

What did you say your name was?

LUCY

Morgan.

GEORGE

Funny name!

LUCY

Everybody else’s name always is.

GEORGE

I didn’t mean it was really funny. That’s just one of my crowd’s bits of horsing at college.

LUCY

Is “Lucy” a funny name, too?

GEORGE (smiles)

No. Lucy’s very much all right! 

LUCY

Thanks about letting my name be Lucy.

Two couples enter from the opposite direction, their hands occupied with plates heaped with food. As George and Lucy pass them, one of the men has to leap out of the way. He spills a little of the food. George and Lucy walk on. The CAMERA HOLDS on the two couples.

MAN WHO JUMPED

Look at that! Look at that boy! (calls after George, not too loudly). Sorry, Your Highness!

Eugene and Jack have come up behind them at the end of the man’s speech. They pass by, or through them, on their way to the buffet table, the CAMERA PULLING back in front of them.

JACK (laughing a little)

I can’t see why Isabel doesn’t see the truth about that boy!

EUGENE

What’s the matter with him?

JACK

Too much Amberson, I guess, for one thing. And for another, his mother just fell down and worshipped him from the day he was born. I don’t have to tell you what Isabel Amberson is, Gene. She’s got a touch of the Amberson high stuff about her, but you can’t get anybody that ever knew her to deny that she’s just about the finest woman in the world.

EUGENE

No you can’t get anybody to deny that.

They have come up to the buffet table which is now in the extreme foreground, and busy themselves with putting food on plates during the following action and dialogue,

JACK

Well, she thinks he’s a little tin god on wheels. She actually sits and worships him! You can hear it in her voice when she speaks to him. You can see it in her eyes when she looks at him. My gosh! What does she see when she looks at him?

EUGENE (Smiles)

She sees something that we don’t see.

JACK

What’s that?

EUGENE

An angel.

People come up behind them and reach for food. They crane their necks looking over their shoulders down at something on the table.

A MALE GUEST

There they are.

A FEMALE GUEST (calls out to someone out of scene)

Roger, come over here and look at the olives.

Roger, aged 45, comes into the picture and looks vaguely toward the table.

THE FEMALE GUEST  (points triumphantly into camera)

You’re supposed to eat ’em.

Roger, interested, picks up an olive from beneath the camera and holds it up between thumb and forefinger, examining it. People move into scene around him to inspect the olive.

THE MALE GUEST

Green things they are, something like a hard plum. A friend of mine told me they tasted a good deal like a bad hickory nut.  (walks away)

ANOTHER

I hear you gotta eat nine, and then you get to like them. (walks on)

ANOTHER (ROGER)

Well, I wouldn’t eat nine bad hickory nuts to get to like them. (walks on)

ANOTHER

Kind of a woman’s dish, anyway, I suspect (walks on)

ANOTHER MALE GUEST (nudges Roger)

Well, I reckon most everybody’11 be makin’ a stagger to worm through nine of ’em, now Amberson’s brought ‘em to town.

Roger puts the olive back on the table and goes away with the man who nudged him, leaving one man who picks up the olive, looks around, and starts to eat it as he leaves.

Eugene and Jack are alone.

JACK (looking off}

Look at him — my nephew Do you see an angel?

EUGENE

No. All I see is a remarkably good looking fool-boy with the pride of Satan and a set of nice new drawing-room manners.

JACK

Then what–

EUGENE

Mothers are right. Mothers see the angel in us because the angel is there.

JACK.

You mean Georgie’s mother is always right.

EUGENE (lightly)

I’m afraid she always has been.

JACK

She was wrong once, old fellow. At least, so it seemed to me.

EUGENE {a little awkwardly¥)

No — no —

JACK (laughs, relieves the slight  embarrassment both are feeling)

Wait till you know young Georgie a little better.

EUGENE

Jack, if you were a painter, you’d paint mothers with angels’ eyes holding imps in their laps. Me, I’ll stick to the Old Masters and the cherubs.

JACK (looks at him musingly)

Somebody’s eyes’ must have been pretty angelic if they’ve been persuading you that Georgie Minafer is a cherub!

EUGENE (heartily)

They are. They’re more angelic than ever.

The music has stopped.

EUGENE

Good-bye, I’ve got this dance with her.

 JACK

With whom?

EUGENE

With Isabel, of course.

The music starts.

JACK

Eighteen years have passed but have they? Tell me, have you danced with poor old Fanny too, this evening?

EUGENE

Twice!

JACK

My gosh! (groans, half in earnest) Old times are starting all over again.

EUGENE (laughing gaily)

Old times? Not a bit! There aren’t any old times. When times are gone, they’re not old, they’re dead! There aren’t any times but new times.

CAMERA PANS with Eugene as he leaves Jack. He passes behind George and Lucy and continues on his way in the background while the CAMERA HOLDS on George and Lucy, PULLING BACK ahead of them as they walk.

LUCY

What are you studying in school?

GEORGE

College — Lots o’useless guff!

LUCY

Then why don’t you study some useful guff?

GEORGE

What do you mean: “useful”?

LUCY

Something you’d use later, in your business or profession?

GEORGE (impatiently)

I don’t expect to go into any “business or profession.”

LUCY

No?

GEORGE (emphatically)

Certainly not! 

LUCY (mildly)

Why not?

GEORGE  (indicating the people within  range of their vision)

Just look at ’em. That’s a fine career for a man, isn’t it! Lawyers, bankers, politicians! What do they get out of life, I’d like to know. What do they ever know about real things? Where do they ever get?

LUCY (in lowered voice with deference)

What do you want to be?

GEORGE (promptly)

A yachtsman.

Lucy looks at him for a moment and then looks away to the ballroom.

DISSOLVE WITH MUSIC UNBROKEN

 

INTERIOR – BALLROOM – AMBERSON MANSION – NIGHT – (1904)

The dance floor, instead of being filled with people, now has only three or four dancers. The music is very sentimental. Eugene and Fanny are dancing.

DISSOLVE OUT

DISSOLVE IN

 

INTEERIOR – RECEPTION HALL – AMBERSON MANSION – NIGHT (1904) Members of the dance or orchestra — their coats on, and instrument cases and hats on the floor beside them -­ are standing in the middle of the ball, playing. Eugene and Isabel are dancing. Jack and Fanny are watching from one side; George and Lucy from another side near the stairway. Obviously the Morgans are the last guests to go, and Eugene has prevailed upon the musicians to play one final waltz.

LUCY (gently)

How lovely your motner is!

GEORGE

I think she is.

LUCY

She’s the gracefullest woman! She dances like a girl of sixteen.

GEORGE

Most girls of sixteen are bum dancers. Anyhow, I wouldn’t dance with one unless I had to…The snow‘s fine for sleighing; I’ll come for you in a cutter at ten minutes after two.

 LUCY

Tomorrow? I can’t possibly go,

GEORGE

If you don’t, I’m going to sit in the cutter in front of the gate, and if you try to go out with anybody else he’s got to whip me before he gets you,

The music stops. Eugene and Isabel nod thanks to the musicians who pick up their cases, put their instruments away and leave. During this Eugene gets his overcoat and hat, and Lucy’s wrap.

EUGENE

Come on, Lucy,

Lucy crosses to him, Jack joins George near the stairs, and for a moment they watch the others as they collect near the vestibule door, Eugene helping Lucy into her wrap.

George turns to Jack,

GEORGE

See here: just who is this fellow Morgan?

JACK (laughs)

Here’s a man with a pretty daughter, Georgie.

GEORGE (impatiently}

He seems to feel awfully at home here, the way he was dancing with Mother and Aunt Fanny–

During the above, they have started moving slowly toward the door. As they near it, they speak in increasingly hushed voices,

JACK (laughing)

I’m afraid your Aunt Fanny’s heart was stirred by ancient recollections, Georgie,

GEORGE

You mean she used to be silly about him?

JACK

She wasn’t considered singular. He was — he was popular. Do you take this same passionate interest in the parents of every girl you dance with?

GEORGE

Oh, go on! I only wanted to know–

They are too close to the group to speak any more. There are final good nights. Eugene starts out the door, Jack following. Isabel and Fanny exit.

EUGENE

Don’t come out, Jack.

JACK

I want to look at that horseless carriage of yours. If we’re going to ride in it tomorrow. I want to see if it’s safe.

George holds open the door for Lucy.

GEORGE

If you think I’m not in earnest you’re at liberty to make quite a big experiment!

LUCY (laughs}

I don’t think I’ve often had so large a compliment as that; especially·on such short notice and yet, I don’t think I’ll go with you.

GEORGE

You be ready at ten minutes after two.

LUCY

No I won’t.

GEORGE

Yes, you will. Ten minutes after two.

LUCY

Yes, I will.

She goes through the door, George closes it.

As George turns into the room from the door·, he sees Isabel standing in the center of the room, looking a little ·worried. George crosses to her.

GEORGE

Well, old lady, what’s the matter? Isn’t everything all right?

ISABEL

You’re going away so soon!

GEORGE

Well, I’m coming back, don’t you suppose? Commencement’s only four months away. Is that all that worries you?

ISABEL (smiles but, shakes her head)

I can never bear to see you go -­ that’s the most of it.

They walk to the stairs and start up them, CAMERA FOLLOWING.

ISABEL

And I’m a little bothered about your father, too.

GEORGE

Why?

ISABEL

It seems to me he looks so badly.

GEORGE (laughs)

He isn’t much different from the way he’s looked all his life·, that I can see.

ISABEL

Het s been worrying about some investments he made last year. I think his worry has affected his health.

QEORGE (demands)

What investments? He isn’t going into Morgan’s automobile concern, is he?

ISABEL (smiles)

No. The “automobile concern” is all Eugene’s. No, your father’s rolling mills —

 

INTERIOR – SECOND FLOOR – AMBERSON MANSION – NIGHT (1904) Isabel and George enter, coming up stairs. They see Wilber, in bathrobe and dressing gown, who has come out of his bedroom. Isabel puts a restraining hand on George’s arm.

ISABEL (to Wilbur)

Hello, dear — have you had trouble sleeping?

GEORGE (abruptly)

Look here — how about this man Morgan and his old sewing-machine? Doesn’t he want to get Grandfather to put money into it? Isn’t that what he’s up to?

During George’s speech, Fanny has come up the stairs and started for her bedroom. She stops.

FANNY (sharply)

You little silly! What on earth are you talking about? Eugene Morgan’s perfectly able to finance his own inventions these days.

GEORGE

I’ll bet he borrows money from Uncle Jack.

ISABEL (gravely perplexed)

Why do you say such a thing, George?

GEORGE (doggedly)

He just strikes me as that sort of man. Isn’t he, Father?

WILBUR

He was a fairly wild young fellow twenty years ago. (glancing at Isabel absently) He was like you in one thing, Georgie: he spent too much money — only he didn’t have any mother to get money out of a grandfather for him. But I believe he’s done fairly well of late years, and I doubt if he needs anybody else’s money to back his horseless carriage.

GEORGE

Well, what’s he brought the old thing here for then? People that own elephants don’t take their elephants around with ‘em when they go visiting. What’s he got it here for?

WILBUR’

I’m sure I don’t know. You might ask him.

Wilbur exits into his bedroom.

ISABEL (to George)

I’ll be in to say good night.

She follows Wilbur exiting. Fanny starts toward her room, but is stopped by:

GEORGE (to Fanny)

Look here!

FANNY

What in the world’s the matter with you?

GEOR GE

I suppose you don’t know why Father doesn’t want to go on that horseless carriage trip tomorrow —

FANNY

What do you mean?

GEORGE

You’re his only sister, and yet you don’t know!

FANNY

He never wants to go anywhere that I ever heard of’. What is the matter with you?

GE ORGE

He doesn’t want to go because he doesn’t like this man Morgan.

FANNY (impatiently)

Good gracious Eugene Morgan isn’t in your father’s thoughts at all, one way or the other. Why should he be?

GEORGE (hesitates)

Well — it strikes me — look here, what makes you and — and everybody — so excited over him?

FANNY (jeers)

Excited! Can’t people be glad to see an old friend without silly children like you having to make a to-do about it? I’ve just been suggesting to your mother that she might give a little dinner for them.

GEORGE

For who?

FANNY

For whom, Georgie! For MR. Morgan and his daughter.

GEORGE (quickly)

Look here! Don’t do that! Mother mustn’t do that. It wouldn’t look well.

FANNY (mocking him; sharply)

Wouldn’t look well! See here, Georgie Minafer, I suggest that you just march straight on into your room! Sometimes you say things that show you have a pretty mean little mind!

GEORGE (astounded by this outburst; curiously)

Why, what upsets this you this way?

FANNY (sharply; her voice lowered)

I know what you mean. You’re trying to insinuate that I’d get your mother to invite Eugene Morgan here on my account because he’s a widower!

GEORGE (gasps nonplussed)

I’m trying to insinuate that you’re setting your cap at him and getting Mother to help you? Is that what you mean?

FANNY (gives him a white- hot look)

You attend to your own affairs!

She sweeps out, leaving him alone. George, dumbfounded looks after her.

GEORGE

Well, I will be shot! I will — I certainly will be shot!

 

INTERIOR – A STABLE – NIGHT – (1904)

A couple of horses in their stalls whinny as Eugene drives his car in. During the ensuing dialogue, he does whatever is necessary to keep the car motor from freezing — covers the hood with horse-blankets, drains the water from the tank, etc. Lucy watches him in thoughtful silence for a few moments, then:

LUCY

Papa.

EUGENE

Yes, dear.

LUCY

Do you think George is terribly arrogant and domineering?

EUGENE (consolingly)

Oh, he’s still only a boy. There’s plenty of fine stuff in him – can’t help but be, he’s Isabel Amberson’s son.

LUCY

You liked her pretty well once, I guess, Papa.

EUGENE (quietly)

I do still.

LUCY

She’s lovely – lovely! Papa (pause) — I wonder sometimes —

EUGENE

What?

LUCY

I wonder just how she happened to marry Mr. Minafer.

EUGENE

Oh, Wilbur’s all right.

LUCY

You know, I wish George wasn’t so conceited and bad-tempered. He –- he’s really quite nice. Maybe I shouldn’t call him exactly bad-tempered.

EUGENE

Of course not. Only when he’s cross about something…You know, Lucy, you need only three things to explain all that’s good and bad about George.

LUCY

What?

EUGENE

He’s Isabel’s only child. He’s an Amberson. He’s a boy.

LUCY

Well, Mr. Bones, of these three things, which are the good ones and which are the bad ones?

 EUGENE

All of them.

 

INTERIOR – GEORGE’S BEDROOM – AMBERSON MANSION – NIGHT – (1904) George is seated in a chair, staring moodily off into space. There is a light tap on the door, the door opens and Isabel comes into the room. George bends over and begins to unlace his shoes. Silence. Isabel searches his face with fond puzzlement,

ISABEL

Dear, I wish you’d tell me something —

GEORGE

Yes, old lady?

ISABEL

Why don’t you like Eugene?

GEORGE

Eugene Morgan? I like” him well enough — in his place.

ISABEL (hurriedly)

No dear, I had a feeling tonight that you didn’t quite take to him. When you feel as you do about his daughter–

George stops unlacing abruptly and sits up.

GEORGE

How do I feel about his daughter?

Isabel smiles.

GEORGE

Well, what of it? You’ve probably got plenty of friends, for instance, that don’t care much about your son–

ISABEL (protests quickly)

No, indeed! And if I knew anybody who felt like that, I wouldn’t–

GEORGE

I don’t say I don’t care about Mr. Morgan — I don’t say I care for him —

Isabel, sti11 searching his face with her troubled gaze, seems not to have heard this last. George rises, goes to her and pats her reassuringly upon the shoulder.

GEORGE

There, old lady, I won’t let him see it! It’s all right and you’d better toddle along to bed, because I want to undress.

ISABEL (earnestly)

But, George — you say you don’t dislike him. Why don’t you like him? What is it that you don’t?

GEORGE

There, there! It’s all right and you toddle along.

ISABEL

But, George–

GEORGE

Now, now. I really do want to get into bed. Good night, old lady.

ISABEL

Good night, dear. But–

GEORGE

Good night, old lady. I’ll be polite enough to him, never fear — if we happen to be thrown together. So good night!

ISABEL

But George, dear–

GEORGE

I’m going to bed, old lady; so good night.

Isabel kisses him and leaves.

Isabel comes out of George’s room, closes the door and stands there for a moment, thoughtful.

FADE OUT:

FADE IN:

 

EXTERIOR. SNOW-COVERED ROAD – DAY – 1904

CLOSEUP of the runner of George’s cutter, as it snaps off.

FULL SHOT of the cutter and horse as the little sleigh upsets and, after dragging Lucy and George several yards, leaves them lying together in a bank of snow.

FULL SHOT of Eugene’s car, a short distance down the road. In the car are Isabel, Fanny and Jack, looking horrified toward the overturned sled. From beneath the car appears Eugene who has been working on it. Eugene starts running toward the sleigh as the others quickly start getting out of the car.

SHOT at the overturned sleigh. The vigorous horse kicks himself free from the gear and gallops off. George and Lucy look at each other without speaking, flushed and breathing heavily. Suddenly George grabs Lucy and kisses her. She resists, but George prevails. Eugene rushes up and Lucy, catching his eye, pushes George away, terribly embarrassed. Eugene turns, grinning, to Isabel who is running toward them ahead of Jack and Fanny.

EUGENE

They’re all right, Isabel! This snowbank’s a feather bed — nothing the matter with them at all.

Isabel comes into the scene.

ISABEL (gasps)

Georgie! Georgie!

GEORGE

Don’t make a fuss, mother! Nothing’s the matter. That darned, silly horse–

ISABEL (tears in·her eyes)

To see you down underneath dragging – oh! (starts, with shaking hands, to brush him off)

GEORGE

Let me alone. You’ll ruin your gloves. You’re getting snow all over you, and–

ISABEL (continues to brush him off

No, no! You’ll catch cold; you mustn’t catch cold!

Jack has brought Lucy’s hat. Aunt Fanny acts as lady’s maid, and as they all help to restore George and Lucy to their usual appearance, they begin to laugh — all but George.

GEORGE

That darned horse!

JACK

Oh, Pendennis’ll be home long before we will. All we’ve got to depend on is Gene Morgan’s broken–down chafing-dish yonder.

They are moving toward the car.

EUGENE

She’ll go.

JACK

What!

EUGENE

All aboard!

Eugene offers his hand to Isabel. Fanny gets in the rear seat, George helps Lucy climb in beside her and as he himself starts in after Lucy, Isabel sees that his light patent leather shoes have snow clinging to them. She rushes to him, taking out a lace handkerchief, and begins to wipe the snow off the foot he has placed on the iron step, to mount.

ISABEL

You mustn’t catch cold!

GEORGE (furiously withdraws his foot}

Stop that!

ISABEL

Then stamp the snow off. You mustn’t ride with wet feet.

GEORGE

They’re not wet! For goodness’ sake get in! You’re standing in the snow yourself. Get in!

Isabel turns to Eugene, who is watching her apprehensively. He helps her in, climbs in after her.

EUGENE (in a low voice as he helps her in)

You’re the same Isabel I used to know! You’re a divinely ridiculous woman.

He gets in beside her. Jack has climbed aboard from the other side.

ISABEL (not displeased)

Am I, Eugene? “Divinely” and “ridiculous” just counterbalance each other, don’t they? Plus one and minus one equal nothing; so you mean I’m nothing in particular?

EUGENE

No, that doesn’t seem to be precisely what I mean.

He has been tugging at a lever and now, as dismaying sounds come from beneath the floor:

EUGENE

There!

The car plunges forward, then rolls on noisily.

JACK

Look! We’re going! It must be another accident.

EUGENE

She breathes, she stirs; she seems to feel a thrill of life along her keel!

 

EXTERIOR – SNOW-COVERED ROAD – DAY (PROCESS) (1904)

Group in car. Eugene starts to sing THE MAN WHO BROKE THE BANK AT MONTE CARLO. Jack joins him lustily.

FANNY (to Lucy)

Your father wanted to prove his horseless carriage would run, even in the snow. It really does too.

 LUCY

Of course!

FANNY

It’s so interesting! He says he’s going to have wheels all made of rubber and blown up with air. I should think they’d explode — but Eugene seems very confident. It’s so like old times to hear him

Talk. (becomes thoughtful)

LUCY (turning to George)

You tried to swing underneath me and break the fall for me when we went over. I knew you were doing that, and — it was nice of you.

GEORGE

Wasn’t any fall to speak. (quietly) How about that kiss?

ISABEL

When we get this far out-you can see there’s quite a little smoke hanging over town.

JACK

That’s because it’s growing.

EUGENE

Yes, and as it grows bigger, it seems to get ashamed of itself so it makes that cloud and hides in it. You know, Isabel, I think it used to be nicer.

ISABEL

I know what you mean, Eugene. It’s because we were young.

EUGENE

Maybe — It always used to be sunshiny, and the air wasn’t like the air anywhere else. As I remember it, there always seemed to be gold dust in the air.

Jack turns around ·to Lucy and George

JACK

How about it, young folks? Notice any gold dust?

LUCY (laughs)

I wonder if we really do enjoy it as much as we’ll look back and think we did?

JACK

Of course not!

LUCY

I feel as if I must be missing something about it, somehow, because I don’t ever seem to be thinking about what’s happening at the present moment. I’m always looking forward to something -– thinking about things that will happen when I’m older.

GEORGE (gently)

You’re a funny girl, but your voice sounds pretty nice when you think and talk along together like that!

Eugene bursts into song again, joined by Jack, and finally Isabel. They are driving by a section of the Amberson Estate.

GEORGE

Look at Minerva!

He points to a statue, a cast-iron sculpture, which has a blackish streak from Minerva’s forehead to her nose-tip, and a few more streaks upon the folds of her drapery.

LUCY

That must be from soot. There’re so many houses around here,

GEORGE

Somebody ought to see that these statues are kept clean. My grandfather owns a good many of these houses, I guess, for renting Of course, he sold most of the lots — but he ought to keep things up better. It’s getting all too much built up. He lets these people take too many liberties: they do anything they want to.

Lucy lifts her muff to her face and laughs into it.

GEORGE

What are you laughing at now?

LUCY

Why?

GEORGE

You’ve got that way of seeming quietly superior to everybody else. I don’t believe in that kind of thing.

LUCY

You don’t?

GEORGE (emphatically)

No. Not with me! I think the world’s like this: There’s a few people that their birth and position, and so on, puts them on the top, and they ought to treat each other entirely as equals. (his voice betrays a little emotion) I wouldn’t speak like this to everybody.

Lucy laughs again.

GEORGE

I had a notion before I came for you today that we were going to quarrel.

LUCY

No, we won’t. It takes two!

She starts to sing with the others.

LONG SHOT toward back of car as it rides away from camera. The lusty singing grows fainter. The car climbs a little hill and, as it dips over, out of view,

FADEOUT:

FADE IN:

 

EXTERIOR – AMBERSON MANSION – DAY (1904)

FULL SHOT. A number of funeral carriages, and at least one automobile, are drawn up in the foreground.

DISSOLVE:

 

EXTERIOR – AMBERSON MANSION – DAY (1904)

CLOSE SHOT at the door to which a crepe is fastened. Eugene is in the foreground. Over his shoulder we see the door open. He starts across the threshold.

 

INTERIOR – HALL – AMBERSON MANSION – DAY (1904)

LONG SHOT, HOLDING Eugene coming through the door in the distance. He is blocked from view for a moment by a person in mourning who crosses through the scene close to camera. When we see Eugene again, he is walking across the hall in the background.

CAMERA PANS to HOLD him. Another person enters close to camera; he looks down sadly as he goes by and we see that, in panning, the camera has picked up the edge of a coffin which now forms the bottom of the frame. When the foreground is clear, we see Eugene has stopped to talk with the Major and Jack, but they are far away and what they say is not heard.

Mrs. Foster, Mrs. Johnson, Uncle John Minafer, Lucy and others pass by the coffin, during which time Eugene comes forward — seen for short moments when the foreground is clear.

Eugene walks by the coffin, CAMERA PANS to HOLD on him as he passes Fanny to join Isabel and George by the window. Fanny is in a chair, her face swollen and terribly drawn from excessive weeping, and when Eugene passes her, she looks up at him and turns her head slowly, following him with her eyes.

REVERSE – CLOSE SHOT on Fanny. Her back is to camera, but her head is turned toward it as she watches Eugene over her shoulder. The tears, which had been checked before she saw Eugene, now begin to course down her cheeks.

DISSOLVE OUT:

DISSOLVE IN:

 

EXTERIOR – CEMETERY – DAY (1904)

This is a scene of stone only — not a tree or shrub in sight. In the background a white marble column, taller than any other in the neighborhood, with the name “AMBERSON” carved on it. In the foreground a granite block with the name “MINAFER” chiseled upon its one polished side. In the intervening space, headstones marking the graves of Amberson and Minafer families. Close to camera is Wilbur’s grave with a new headstone bearing his name and date of birth and death, and heaped high with flower tributes.

DISSOLVE:

 

EXTERIOR – CEMETERY – DAY (1904)

The same scene. Months later, after a rainfall. The headstones are wet and the graves surrounded by puddles reflecting the sky. Some of the dirt has been washed off of Wilbur’s grave, and on it is only a small bouquet.

FADEOUT:

FADE IN:

 

INSERT – A DIPLOMA which exactly fills the frame. It is a very impressive document, but its message is the usual one to effect: “This is to certify that George Amberson Minafer has completed the requirements of (name of college) and is therefore entitled, etc., etc.”

DISSOLVE:

 

INTERIOR – KITCHEN: AMBERSON MANSION – NIGHT – (RAIN) – (1905) George, in mourning, is seated at the table, eating hungrily. His wet overcoat, hat and an umbrella are near the stove, drying out. A few pieces of luggage nearby. Fanny, also in mourning, enters with more food.

FANNY

Where did Isabel go to?

GEOHGE (his mouth full)

She was tired–

FANNY (absently)

It never was becoming to her to look pale.

GEORGE

What’d you say, Aunt Fanny?

FANNY

Nothing. I suppose your mother’s been pretty gay at the Commencement? Going out a lot?

 GEORGE

How could she? In morning, of course all she could do was just sit around and look on. That’s all Lucy could for that matter.

FANNY

I suppose so. How did Lucy get home?

GEORGE (astonished)

Why, on the train with the rest of us.

FANNY

I mean from the station. Did you drive out to their house with her before you came here?

GEORGE

No. She drove home with her father, of course.

FANNY

Oh, I see. So Eugene came to the station to meet you.

GEORGE

To meet us? How could he?

FANNY (drearily)

I don’t know what you mean. I haven’t seen him while your mother’s been away.

GEORGE

Naturally. He’s been East.

FANNY

Did you see him?

GEORGE

Well, naturally, since he made the trip home with us!

FANNY

He did? He’s been with you all the time?

GEORGE

No; only on the train and the last three days before we left. Uncle Jack got him to come.

Her eyelids droop and she is silent. George rises.

GEORGE

You’re a fine housekeeper, Aunt Fanny. You know just how to make things look dainty and taste good, too. I don’t think you’d stay single very long if some of the bachelors and widowers around town could just once see–

FANNY (not listening)

It’s a little odd.

GEORGE

What’s odd?

 FANNY

Your mother’s not mentioning that Mr. Morgan had been with you.

GEORGE (carelessly)

Didn’t think of it, I suppose.

Jack comes in the door behind Fanny. George stops him with a wink.

GEORGE

I’ll tell you something, in confidence.

FANNY (looks up)

What?

GEORGE

Well, it struck me that Mr. Morgan was looking pretty absent-minded most of the time; and he certainly is dressing better than he used to.

JACK

He isn’t dressing better. He’s dressing up! Fanny you ought to be a little encouraging when a prize bachelor begins to show by his haberdashery what he wants you to think about him.

GEORGE

Uncle Jack tells me the automobile factory’s been doing quite well — won a race, too! Honestly, Aunt Fanny, I shouldn’t be a bit surprised to have him request an interview with me any day and declare that his intentions are honorable, and ask my permission to pay his addresses to you. What had I better tell him?

Fanny bursts into tears.

GEORGE (surprised)

Oh, Aunt Fanny!

JACK

Fanny, we wore only teasing—

FANNY (lifelessly)

Let me alone.

JACK

Please, Fanny —

GEORGE

I didn’t mean anything–

FANNY

Just let me alone.

GEORGE (distressed)

I didn’t know you’d got so sensitive as all that.

Fanny rushes out of the room. A moment’s silence. Jack sighs, lights a cigar.

GEORGE

You just can’t joke with her about anything anymore. It all began when we found out father’s business was washed up and he didn’t leave anything.

Jack doesn’t answer.

GEORGE

I thought she’d feel better when we turned over father’s insurance to her — gave it to her absolutely without any strings to it. But now–

JACK (interrupting)

I think maybe we’ve been teasing her about the wrong things. Fanny hasn’t got much in her life. You know, Georgie, just being an aunt isn’t really the great career it may sometimes seem to be. I really don’t know of anything much Fanny has got except her feeling about Eugene.

George has moved to a window and is looking out.

GEORGE

Holy cats!

He rushes out of the room.

JACK

What’s wrong, Georgie?

But George is gone. Jack picks up the umbrella and follows him.

 

EXTERIOR – Amberson Mansion – LAWN AND EXCAVATIONS – NIGHT – (RAIN) – (1905) The sweep of lawn has been made unsightly by excavations for the cellars of five new houses, each within a few feet of its neighbor. Foundations of brick are already laid; everywhere are mud puddles, drenched piles of brick, stacked lumber, sand heaps, and mortar beds. George rushes in from the house and stops, oblivious of the rain. Jack joins him a moment later, and holds the umbrella over the two of them.

GEORGE

What is this? Looks like excavations! Looks like (turns to Jack; points dramatically

at the muddy chaos about them)

Just what does Grandfather mean by this?

JACK (gravely)

My private opinion is he wants to increase his income by building these houses to rent.

GEORGE

Well, can’t he increase his income any other way but this?

JACK

It would appear he couldn’t — your mother said not to tell you till we got home, so as not to spoil commencement. She was afraid you’d be upset.

GEORGE

Upset! I should think I would be upset! He’s in his second childhood. What did you let him do it for?

JACK

Well, I thought, myself, it was a mistake.

GEORGE

I should say so!

JACK

I wanted him to put up an apartment building instead of these houses.

GEORGE

An apartment building! Here?

JACK

Yes, that was my idea.

GEORGE

An apartment house! Oh my gosh!

JACK

Don 1t worry! Your grandfather wouldn’t listen to me, but he’ll wish he had, some day.

GEORGE

Is he getting miserly in his old age?

JACK

Do you think so, Georgie?

GEORGE

I don’t mean he’s a miser, of course. He’s liberal enough with mother and me; but why, on earth, didn’t he sell something or other rather than do a thing like this?

JACK (coolly)

I believe ho has sold something or other, from time to time.

GEORGE

Well, in heaven’s name, what did he do it for?

JACK (mildly)

To get money. That’s my deduction.

GEORGE

I suppose you’re joking — or trying to!

JACK(amiably)

That’s the best way to look at

FADE OUT:

FADE IN:

 

EXTERIOR – Eugene’s FIRST FACTORY – DAY – (1905)

Over the entrance is a sign reading: “MORGAN HORSELESS CARRIAGES.” Parked in front are Eugene’s car and George’s runabout. The vehicles are empty.

 

INTERIOR – FACTORY – DAY – (1905)

George, Isabel and Fanny are being escorted through Eugene’s factory by Lucy and Eugene. The noise of machinery is great and we can tell more by their pantomime than by what we hear that Lucy is going through involved explanations about the machinery in answer to Isabel’s eager questions. Eugene looks on and laughs at Lucy’s mistakes. Isabel offers everything pleased exclamations. George is bored, and Fanny bleak. They have been slowly walking toward CAMERA from the background, pausing occasionally for Lucy’s explanation of some special feature.

Now CAMERA PULLS back ahead of them and brings them to a brand new car which is receiving a final checkup from a mechanic or two,

LUCY (proudly before we see the car)

And were now turning out a car and a quarter a day.

They come to the car and observe it from all angles. Isabel’s face glows with compliments. George’s boredom disappears in spite of himself, and he laughs to see Isabel in such good spirits

GEORGE (to Isabel)

All this noise and smell seems to be good for you. You ought to come here every time you get the blues.

FANNY (with a wan smile)

Oh, she doesn’t get the blues, George. I never knew a person of a more even disposition. I wish I could be like that!

ISABEL

No — What makes me laugh so much at nothing is this place. Wouldn’t anybody be delighted to see an old friend take an idea out of the air like that -­ an idea most people laughed at him for – wouldn’t any old friend of his be happy to see how he’d made his idea into such a splendid, humming thing as this factory — It makes us all happy!   Eugene!

She stretches her hand out to him. He takes it quickly, giving her a look in which his laughter tries to remain but vanishes before a gratitude threatening to become emotional.

ISABEL (turning to Fanny)

Give him your hand, Fanny.

Fanny obeys mechanically

ISABEL

There! If Brother Jack wore here, Eugene would have his three oldest and best friends congratulating him all at once. We know what Brother Jack thinks about it, though. It’s just beautiful, Eugene!

LUCY (leaning toward George; in a whisper)

Did you ever see anything so lovely?

GEORGE (not misunderstanding but wishing to prolong the pleasant neighborliness of whispering)

As what?

 LUCY

As your mother! Think of her doing that! She’s a darling! And Papa (imperfectly repressing a tendency to laugh) Papa looks as if he were either going to explode or utter loud sobs!

EUGENE (commanding his features and resuming their customary apprehensiveness)

I used to write verse — if you remember —

ISABEL (gently)

Yes, I remember.

EUGENE

 I don’t recall that’ve written any for twenty years or so. But I’m almost thinking I could do it again, to thank you for making a factory visit into such a kind celebration,

DISSOLVE:

 

EXTERIOR – EUGENE’S FIRST FACTORY – DAY – (1905)

George and Lucy come out and get into George’s runabout.

LUCY

Gracious! Aren’t they sentimental!

GEORGE

People that age are always sentimental. They get sentimental over anything at all.

They drive off.

DISSOLVE OUT:

DISSOLVE IN:

 

EXTERIOR’ – OPEN ROAD – DAY – (PROCESS) – (1905)

George and Lucy in the runabout. They hear a siren, and before the sound dies away, Eugene’s car, with Isabel and Fanny in it, comes from behind and passes them.

GEORGE

I’ll still take a horse, any day.

He checks Pendennis to a walk.

LUCY

Oh, don’t!

GEORGE

Why? Do you want him to trot his legs off?

LUCY

No, but —

GEORGE

No, but what?

LUCY

I know when you make him walk it’s so you can give all your attention to — to proposing to me again! George, do let Pendennis trot again!

GEORGE

I won’t

LUCY

Get up, Pendem1is! Trot Go on! Commence!

Pendennis pays no attention and George laughs fondly.

GEORGE

You are the prettiest thing in this-world, Lucy! When are you going to say were really engaged?

LUCY

Oh, not for years. So, there’s the answer.

GEORGE

Lucy! Dear, what’s the matter? You look as if you were going to cry.  (plaintively)  You always do that whenever I can get you to talk about marrying me.

LUCY (murmuring)

I know it.

GEORGE

Well why do you?

LUCY

One reason’s because I have a feeling that it’s never going to be.

GEORGE

Why?

LUCY

It’s just a feeling.

GEORGE

You haven’t any reason or–

LUCY

It’s just a feeling.

GEORGE

Don’t you care enough about me to marry me?

LUCY (pathetically troubled)

Yes.

GEORGE

Won’t you always care that much about me?

LUCY

I’m — yes George. I’m afraid so, George. I never do change anything.

GEORGE

Well, then, why in the world won’t you drop the “almost”?

LUCY (her distress increasing)

Everything is — everything

GEORGE

What about “everything”?

LUCY

Everything is so — so unsettled.

GEORGE

If you aren’t the queerest girl! What is “unsettled”?

LUCY

Well, for one thing, you haven’t settled on anything to do. At least if you have, you’ve never spoken of it.

She gives him a quick side glance of hopeful scrutiny; then looks away, not happily. George permits a significant period of silence to elapse before making any response.

GEORGE (with cold dignity)

Lucy, haven’t you perfectly well understood that I don’t mean to go into business or adopt a profession?

LUCY

I wasn’t quite sure. I really didn’t know — quite. But what are you going to do George?

GEORGE (with simple genuineness)

I expect to live an honorable life.           I expect to contribute my share to charities, and to take part in — in movements.

LUCY

What kind?

GEORGE

Whatever appeals to me!

Silence.

GEORGE

I should like to revert to the questions I was asking you, if you don’t mind.

LUCY

No, George. I think we’d better—

GEORGE

Your father is a businessman

LUCY (interrupting quickly)

Het s a mechanical genius. Of course he’s both — and he’s done all sorts of things.

GEORGE

Very well. I merely wish to ask if it’s his influence that makes you think I ought to “do” something.  (his face darkening with resentment) It’s your father’s idea, isn’t it, that I ought to go into business and that you oughtn’t to be engaged to me until I do?

LUCY (starting; with quick denial)

No! I’ve never once spoken to about it Never!

GEORGE

But you know without talking to him that it’s the way he does feel about it?

LUCY (nodding gravely)

Yes.

GEORGE (his brow growing darker still)

Do you think I’d be much of a man if I let any other man dictate to me my own way of life?

LUCY

George! Who’s “dictating” your–

GEORGE

I don’t believe in the whole world scrubbing dishes and selling potatoes and trying law cases. No, I dare say I don’t care for your father’s ideals any more than he does for mine! Giddap, Pendennis!

Pendennis quickens eagerly to a trot. They pass the Major’s sleazy old buggy going the other way.

 

INTERIOR – MAJOR AMBERSON’S BUGGY – DAY – (PROCESS) – (1905) Major Amberson and Jack are inside.

JACK

He seems to have recovered. Looks in the highest good spirits.

MAJOR AMBFRSON

I beg your pardon —

JACK

Your grandson. Last night he seemed inclined to melancholy.

MAJOR AMBFRSON

What about? Not getting remorseful about all the money he’s spent at college, was he? I wonder what he thinks I’m made of.

JACK

Gold. (gently) And he’s right about that part of you, Father.

MAJOR AMBERSON

What part?

JACK

Your heart.

MAJOR AMBERSON (laughs ruefully)

I suppose that may account for how heavy it feels, sometimes, nowadays. This town seems to be rolling right over that old heart you mentioned, Jack -­ rolling over it and burying it under! When I think of those devilish workmen digging up my lawn, yelling around my house–

JACK

Never mind, Father. Don’t think of it. When things are a nuisance, it’s a good idea not to keep remembering ‘em.

MAJOR AMBERSON (murmurs)

I try not to. I try to keep remembering that I won’t be remembering anything very long. (becomes mirthful and slaps his knee) Not so very long now, my boy. Not so very long now. Not so very long!

DISSOLVE OUT:

DISSOLVE IN:

 

EXTERIOR – VERANDAH – AMBERSON MANSION – EVENING – (1905) George is sitting with Isabel and Fanny on the verandah. He sits on the copestone of the parapet, his back against the stone pilaster; his attitude not comfortable, but rigid, and his silence not comfortable either, but heavy. However, to the eyes of his mother and his aunt, who occupy wicker chairs at a little distance, he is almost indistinguishable except for the stiff, white shield of his evening frontage.

The five new houses on the lawn have progressed some in construction; one is already completed.

In the street flash the lights of silent bicycles riding by in pairs and trios, striking their bells, the riders’ voices calling and laughing. Surreys rumble lightly by, and frequently there is a glitter of whizzing spokes from a runabout or sporting buggy. Interspersed, disrupting the peace of the night, comes an occasional racketing auto — causing bicycles and people to scatter to cover.

 

ISABEL

It’s so nice of you always to dress in the evening, George. Your Uncle Jack always used to, and so did Father, for years; but they both stopped quite a long time ago. It seems to me we don’t see it done any more, except on the stage and in the magazines.

Isabel accepts his silence as acquiescence and turns her head to gaze thoughtfully out at the street.

FANNY (in her lifeless voice as a lull falls after an auto roars by)

I don’t believe we’11 see as many of those automobiles next summer.

ISABEL

Why?

FANNY

I’ve begun to agree with George about their being more of a fad than anything else. Like roller skates. Besides, people just won’t stand for them after a while. I shouldn’t be surprised to see a law passed forbidding the sale of automobiles the way there is with concealed weapons.

ISABEL

Fanny! You’re not in earnest?

FANNY

I am, though!

ISABEL (laughs, sweet­toned)

Then you didn’t mean it when you told Eugene you’d enjoyed the drive this afternoon?

FANNY

I didn’t say it so very enthusiastically, did I?

ISABEL

Perhaps not, but he certainly thought he’d pleased you.

FANNY (slowly)

I don’t think I gave him any right to think he’d pleased me.

ISABEL

Why not? Fanny?

FANNY (hesitating — then almost inaudibly but more reproachful than plaintive)

I hardly think I’d want anyone to get the notion he’d pleased me just now. It hardly seems time yet — to me.

Silence except for the creaking of the rocking chair; then a low musical whistle is heard, softly rendering an old air from “Fra Diovolo.” The creaking stops.

FANNY (abruptly)

Is that you, George?

GEORGE

Is that me what?

FANNY

Whistling “On Yonder Rock Reclining”?

ISABEL

It’s I.

FANNY (dryly)

Who

ISABEL

Does it disturb you?

FANNY

Not at all. I had an idea George was depressed about something; and I just wondered if he could be making such a cheerful sound.

Resumes her creaking.

ISABEL (quickly leaning forward to peer at George)

You didn’t eat a very hearty dinner, but I thought it was probably because of the warm weather. Are you troubled about anything?

GEORGE (angrily)

No!

ISABEL

That’s good. I thought we had such a nice day, didn’t you?

GEORGE (muttering)

I suppose so.

Satisfied, Isabel leans back in her chair. After a time she rises, goes to the steps and stands for several minutes looking across the street. Then her laughter is faintly heard.

FANNY

Are you laughing about something?

ISABEL

Pardon?

FANNY

I asked: were you laughing at something?

 ISABEL

Yes l was. (laughs again)

 

REVERSE ANGLE – SHOOTING past Fanny, Isabel and George on the veranda, toward Mrs. Johnson’s house beyond the passing traffic in the street. One of the windows is lighted and Mrs. Johnson’s form can be discerned silhouetted in the window frame.

ISABEL

It’s the funny that old Mrs. Johnson. She has a habit of sitting at her bedroom window with a pair of opera glasses.

FANNY

Really?

ISABEL

Really. You can see the window through the place that was left when we had the dead walnut tree cut down. She looks up and down the street, but mostly over here. Sometimes she forgets to put out the light in her room, and there she is, spying for all the world to see.

 BACK to original set-up.

FANNY

I’ve always thought her a very good woman.

ISABEL  (agreeing)

So she is, and if her poor old opera glasses afford her the quiet happiness of knowing what sort of young man our new cook is walking out with, I’m the last to begrudge it to her! Don’t you want to come and look at her, George?

GEORGE

What? I beg your pardon. I hadn’t noticed what you were talking about.

ISABEL (laughs)

It’s nothing. Only a funny old lady — and she’s gone now. I’m going, too — at least, I’m going indoors to read. It’s cooler in the house, but the heat’s really not bad anywhere, since nightfall. Summer’s dying. How quickly it goes, once it begins to die

Isabel exits into the house. Fanny stops rocking, leans forward, drawing her black gauze wrap around her shoulders. She shivers.

FANNY (drearily)

Isn’t it queer, how your mother can use such words?

GEORGE

What words are you talking about?

FANNY

Words like “die” and “dying.” I don’t see how she can bear to use them so soon after your poor father – (shivers again)

GEORGE (absently)

Seems to me you’re using them yourself.

FANNY

I? Never!

GEORGE

Yes, you did.

FANNY

When?

GEORGE

Just this minute.

FANNY

Oh! You mean when I repeated what she said? That’s hardly the same thing, George.

GEORGE (not interested enough to argue the point);

I don’t think you’ll convince anybody that mother’s unfeeling.

FANNY

I’m not trying to convince anybody. I mean merely that in my opinion — well, perhaps it may be just as wise for me to keep my opinions to myself.

She pauses expectantly, anticipating that George will urge her to reveal her opinion. But George is too occupied with himself. Fanny, disappointed, rises to leave. She halts with her hand on the latch of the screen door.

FANNY

There is one thing I hope. I hope at least she won’t leave off her full mourning on the very anniversary of Wilbur’s death!

The door clangs shut behind her, and the sound annoys George. He sits by himself on the steps — worrying. Now Lucy appears in old-fashioned transparency (the shadowy ghost figure from the silents). She throws herself on the steps at his feet.

LUCY

George, you must forgive me! Papa was utterly wrong! I have told him so, and the truth is that I have come rather to dislike him as you do, and as you always have, in your heart of hearts.

GEORGE

Lucy, are you sure you understand me? You say you understand me, but are you sure?

LUCY (weeping, head bowed almost to her waist)

Oh, so sure! I will never listen to Father’s opinions again. I do not even care if I never see him again!

GEORGE (gently)

Then I pardon you.

This softened mood lasts until he realizes that it has been brought about by processes strikingly lacking in substance. Abruptly he swings his feet down from the copestone to the floor of the verandah.

GEORGE

Pardon nothing!

Then George pictures Lucy as she probably really is at this moment: sitting on her own front porch in the moonlight with four or five boys, all of them laughing most likely, and some idiot probably playing a guitar.

GEORGE

Riffraff!

George, still harassed by his thoughts, begins furiously to pace the stone floor.

GEORGE

Riffraff! (again and again) Riffraff! Riffraff!

DISSOLVE:

 

EXTERIOR – GRAPE ARBOR – AMBERSON MANSION – LATE AFTERNOON – (1905) Isabel and Eugene are sitting together in the arbor. Silence between them.

ISABEL (smiling gently)

Sometime it may come to that —

Silence.

ISABEL (smiles another kind of a smile)

It’s been a happy summer, hasn’t it, Eugene? (sighs still smiling) It must have been a happy summer for George, too — and Lucy — a real ”summer of roses and wine” — without the wine, perhaps. “Gather ye roses while ye may” — or was it primroses? Time does really fly, or’ perhaps it’s more like the sky — and smoke —

Silence.

EUGENE

How’s that, dear?

ISABEL

I mean the things we have that we think are so solid — they’re like smoke, and time is like the sky that the smoke disappears into. You know how a wreath of smoke goes up from a chimney, and seems all thick and black and busy against the sky, as if it were going to do such important things and last forever, and you see it getting thinner and thinner — and then, in such a little while, it isn’t there at all; nothing is left but the sky, and the sky keeps on being just the same forever.

Another silence.

EUGENE

Isabel, dear.

ISABEL

Yes, Eugene–

EUGENE

Don’t you think you should tell George?

ISABEL

About us?

EUGENE

Yes.

ISABEL

There’s still time–

EUGENE

He should hear it from you.

ISABEL

He will, dearest — soon -– soon —

DISSOLVE:

 

INTERIOR – DINING ROOM – AMB RSON MANSION – DAY – (1905) The whole family is present, and Eugene is a guest. They are just finishing their dessert.

MAJOR AMBERSON

I miss my best girl,

ISABEL

We all do. Lucy’s on a visit, Father. She’s spending a week with a school friend.

EUGENE

She’ll be back Monday.

FANNY

George, how does it happen you didn’t tell us before? He never said a word to us about Lucy’s going away.

MAJOR AMBERSON

Probably afraid to. Didn’t know but he might break down and cry if he tried to speak of it! Isn’t that it, Georgie?

The Major’s chuckle develops into laughter at George’s silence and embarrassment.

FANNY (during this)

Or didn’t Lucy tell you she was going?

GEORGE (growls)

She told me.

MAJOR AMBERSON

At any rate, Georgie didn’t approve. I suppose you two aren’t speaking again?

Jack is nice enough to change the subject.

JACK

Eugene I hear somebody’s opened up another horseless carriage shop somewhere out in the suburbs.

MAJOR AMBERSON

I suppose they’ll either drive you out of the business, or else the two of you’ll drive all the rest of us off the streets.

EUGENE

Well, we’ll even things up by making the streets bigger.

MAJOR AMBERSON

How do you propose to do that?

EUGENE

It isn’t the distance from the center of a town that counts, it’s the time it takes to get there. This town’s already spreading; automobiles are going to carry city streets clear out to the county line.

JACK (skeptically)

I hope you’re wrong, because if people go to moving that far, real estate values here in the old residence part of town are going to be stretched pretty thin.

MAJOR AMBERSON

So your automobiles are going to ruin all your old friends, Eugene. Do you really think they’re going to change the face of the land?

EUGENE

They’re already doing it, Major; and it can’t be stopped. Automobiles–

GEORGE (in loud and peremptory voice)

Automobiles are a useless nuisance.

Silence

MAJOR AMBERSON

What did you say, George?

GEORGE

I said automobiles were a nuisance. They’ll never amount to anything but a nuisance. They had no business to be invented.

JACK

Of course, you forget that Mr. Morgan makes them, and also did his share in inventing them. If you weren’t so thoughtless he might think you rather offensive.

GEORGE (coolly)

I don’t think I could survive it.

EUGENE (laughs cheerfully)

I’m not sure George is wrong about automobiles. With all their speed forward they may be a step backward in civilization. It may be that they won’t add to the beauty of the world, nor to the life of men’s souls. I am not sure. But automobiles have come, and almost all outward things are going to be different because of what they bring. They’re going to alter war, and they’re going to alter peace. I think men’s minds are going to be changed in subtle ways because of automobiles. And it may be that George is right. It may be that ten or twenty years from now, if we can see the inward change in men by that time, I shouldn’t be able to defend the gasoline engine, but would have to agree with him that automobiles “had no business to be invented” (looks at his watch)  Well, Major, I hope you’ll excuse me — and Isabel — I’ve got to get down to the shop and talk to the foreman.

Murmured “good-byes” —

MAJOR AMBERSON

I’ll see you to the door.

FANNY

I’ll come, too,

EUGENE

Don’t bother, sir, I know the way.

He goes out. Silence.

 ISABEL

George, dear, what did you mean?

GEORGE

Just what I said.

Takes one of the Major’s cigars.

ISABEL (murmurs)

Oh, he was hurt!

GEORGE

I don’t see why he should be. I didn’t say anything about him. He didn’t seem to me to be hurt — seemed perfectly cheerful. What made you think he was hurt?

ISABEL (half­ whispering)

I know him!

JACK

By Jove, Georgie, you’re a puzzle!

GEORGE

In what way, may I ask?

JACK

It’s a new style of courting a pretty girl, I must say, for a young fellow to go deliberately out of his way to try and make an enemy of her father by attacking his business! By Jove! That’s a new way of winning a woman.

George slams out of the dining room.

DISSOLVE:

 

INTERIOR – STAIRCASE AND GEORGE’S BEDROOM – AMBERSON MANSION – DAY – (1905) Fanny goes up to George, and they play the following scene going up the stairs to George’s bedroom.

FANNY

George, you struck just the right treatment to adopt. You’re doing just the right thing!

GEORGE (chilly)

Now, what on earth do you want?

FANNY (a vehement whisper)

Your father would thank you if he could see what you’re doing.

GEORGE

You make me dizzy! Quit the mysterious detective business!

 FANNY (huskily)

You don’t care to hear that I approve of what you’re doing?

She breaks down into silent weeping.

GEORGE

Oh, for Gosh sakes! What in the world’s wrong with you?

FANNY (wretchedly)

You’re always picking on me. Always — ever since you were a little boy!

GEORGE

Oh, my Gosh!

FANNY

You wouldn’t treat anybody in the world like this except old Fanny! “Old Fanny” you say. “It’s nobody but old Fanny, so I’ll kick her — nobody’ll resent it. I’ll kick her all I want to!” And you’re right; I haven’t got anything in the world, since my brother died – nobody nothing!

GEORGE (groans)

Oh, my Gosh!

FANNY

I never, never in the world would have told you about it, or even made the faintest reference to it, if I hadn’t seen that somebody else had told you, or you’d found out for yourself some way. I–

GEORGE

Somebody else told me what? I’d found what out for myself?

FANNY

How people are talking about your mother.

GEORGE (incredulously)

What did you say? Of course I understood what

you were doing. It puzzled other people when you began to be rude to Eugene, because they couldn’t see how you could treat him as you did when you were so interested in Lucy. But I knew you’d give Lucy up in a minute, if it came to a question of your mother’s reputation, because you said that —

GEORGE (voice shaking),

Look here. Look here, I’d like  (greatly agitated)  Just what do you mean?

FANNY (woefully, wiping her reddened nose)

I only wanted to say that I’m sorry for you, George, that’s all — But it’s only old Fanny, so whatever she says — even when it’s sympathy — pick on her for it! Hammer her!  (sobs) Hammer her! It’s only poor old lonely Fanny!

GEORGE (harshly)

You look here! Uncle Jack said if there was any gossip it was about you! He said people might be laughing about the way you ran after Morgan, but that was all.

FANNY

Yes; it’s always Fanny! Ridiculous old Fanny – always — always!

GEORGE

You listen! You jumped on me because I said Morgan was coming here too often. You made me think Mother let him come just on your account, and now you say-–

FANNY (desolately)

I think he did. I think he did come as much to see me as anything — for a while it looked like it. Anyhow, he liked to dance with me. He danced with me as much as he danced with her–

GEORGE

You told me there wasn’t any talk.

FANNY (protesting)

I didn’t think there was much, then. I didn’t know how much there was.

GEORGE (fiercely)

You told me Mother never saw him except when she was chaperoning you.

FANNY

You don’t suppose that stops people from talking, do you? (choking) They just thought I didn’t count! “Only old Fanny Minafer,” I suppose they’d say! Besides, everybody knew that he’d been engaged to her–

GEORGE

What’s that?

FANNY

Everybody knows it. Everybody in this town knows that Isabel never really cared for any other man in her life. !Poor Wilbur! He was the only soul alive that didn’t know it!

 GEORGE (gazing wildly at her)

I believe I’m going crazy. You mean you lied when you told me there wasn’t any talk?

FANNY

It wouldn’t have amounted to anything if Wilbur had lived.

GEORGE

You mean Morgan might have married you?

FANNY (gulps)

No. Because I don’t know that I’d have accepted him. I certainly didn’t care enough about him to marry him; I wouldn’t have let myself care that much until he showed that he wished to marry me. I’m not that sort of person! What I mean is if Wilbur hadn’t died, people wouldn’t have had it proved before their very eyes that what they’d been talking about was true!

GEORGE

You say — you say that people believe — they believe my mother is — is in love with that man?

FANNNY.

Of course!

 GEORGE

And because he comes here and they see her with him driving — and all that — they think they were right when they said she was in — in love with him before – before my father died?

FANNY (gently)

Why, George, don’t you know that’s what they say? You must know that everybody in town thinks they’re going to be married very soon.

George is on the verge of nausea from shock.

GEORGE

Who told you?

FANNY

What?

GEORGE

Who told you there was talk? Where is this talk? Where does it come from? Who does it?

FANNY

Why, I suppose pretty much everybody. I know it must be pretty general.

GEORGE

Who said so?

FANNY

What?

GEORGE

How did you get hold of it?

FANNY (hesitates)

Why–

GEORGE

You answer me!

FANNY

I hardly think it would be fair to give names.

GEORGE

Look here. One of your most intimate friends is that mother of Charlie Johnson’s. Has she ever mentioned this to you?

FANNY

She may have intimated–

GEORGE

You and she have talked about it!

FANNY

She’s a very kind, discreet woman, George; but she may have intimated–

George starts toward the door.

FANNY

What are you going to do, George?

But George leaves. Fanny stares after him, terrified at what she has done.

DISSOLVE:

 

EXTERIOT – MRS. JOHNSON’S HOME – DAY – (1905)

George strides through the gate, up to the house.

 

INTERIOR – MRS.JOHNSON’S HOME – DAY – (190S)

The front doorbell is ringing insistently. Mrs. Johnson hurries to it and opens the door, admitting George.

MRS. JOHNSON

MR Amberson — I mean Mr. Minafer. I’m really delighted.

GEORGE (in a strained loud voice)

Mrs. Johnson, I’ve come to ask you a few questions.

MRS. JOHNSON (becoming grave)

Certainly, Mr. Minafer. Anything I can–

 GEORGE

I don’t mean to waste any time, Mrs. Johnson. You were talking about a — you were discussing a scandal that involved my mother’s name.

MRS.JOHNSON

Mr. Minafer!

GEORGE

My aunt told me you repeated this scandal to her.

MRS.JOHNSON (sharply)

I don’t think your aunt can have said that. We may have discussed some few matters that’ve been a topic of comment about town–

GEORGE

Yes! I think you may have! That’s what I’m here about, and what I intend to–

MRS.JOHNSON (crisply)

Don’t tell me what you intend, please. And I’d prefer it if you wouldn’t make your voice quite so loud in this house, which I happen to own.

GEORGE

I can’t stand this!

 MRS. JOHNSON

I had a perfect right to discuss the subject with your aunt. Other people may be less considerate.

GEORGE (viciously)

Other people! That’s what I want to know about — these other people! How many?

She doesn’t answer.

GEORGE

How many? What?

MRS. JOHNSON

What?

GEORGE

I want to know how many other people talk about it.

MRS. JOHNSON

Really, this isn’t a courtroom and I’m not a defendant in a libel suit.

GEORGE(losing control)

You may be! I want to know just who’s dared to say these things, if I have to force my way into every house in town, and I’m going to make them take every word of it back! I mean to know the name of every slanderer that’s spoken of this matter to you and of every tattler you’ve passed it on to yourself. I mean to know

MRS. JOHNSON (rising)

You’ll know something pretty quick! You’ll know that you’re out in the street. Please to leave my house!

George stiffens sharply – bows and strides out the door.

DISSOLVE:

 

INTERIOR – JACK ‘S BATHROOM – AMBERSON MANSION – NIGHT – (MOONLIGHT) – (1905) Jack and George. Jack is in the tub.

JACK (in dismay in a low voice)

Oh, now you have done it!

GEORGE

What have I done that wasn’t honorable and right? Do you think these riffraff can go around bandying my mother’s good name?

JACK

They can now.

GEORGE

What do you suppose I’ll be doing?

JACK

Nothing helpful.

GEORGE

I’m going to stop this thing if I have to force my way into every house on National Avenue and Amberson Boulevard!

JACK

Georgie, gossip’s never fatal till it’s denied.

GEORGE

If you think I’m going to let my mother’s good name

JACK

Nobody has a good name in a bad mouth! Nobody has a good name in a silly mouth, either.

GOERGE

Didn’t you understand me when I told you people are saying my mother means to marry this man?

JACK

Yes, I understood you.

GEORGE

If such a — such an unspeakable marriage did take place do you think that would make people believe-they’d been wrong in saying — you know what they say.

JACK (deliberately)

No. I don’t believe it would. There’d be more badness in the bad mouths and more silliness in the silly mouths, I dare say. But it wouldn’t hurt Isabel and Eugene. If they’ve decided to marry

GEORGE

Great gosh! You speak of it so calmly!

JACK

Well, why shouldn’t they marry if they want to? It’s their own affair.

GEORGE

Why shouldn’t they? Why shouldn’t they?

JACK

Yes. Why shouldn’t they? I don’t see anything precisely monstrous about two people getting married when they’re both free and care about each other. What’s the matter with their marrying?

GEORGE (shouting)

It would be monstrous! Monstrous even if this horrible thing hadn’t happened, but now in the face of this — oh, you can sit there and even speak of it! Your own sister!

JACK

For Heaven’s sake, don’t be so theatrical! (seeing that George is leaving the room) Come back here. You mustn’t speak to your mother of this.

George stops and looks at him.

JACK

I don’t think she’s very well.

GEORGE

Mother? I never saw a healthier person in my life.

JACK

She doesn’t let anybody know but she goes to the doctor regularly.

GEORGE

Women are always going to doctors regula11y.

Silence.

JACK

I’d leave her alone, George.

George exits.

 

INTERIOR – SECOND FLOOR HALL – AMBERSON MANSION – MOONLIGHT – (1905) George comes out of Jack’s room and starts toward his own. As he nears it, the door of Isabel’s room opens.

ISABEL

Georgie, dear?

George steps into shadow and does not answer. Isabel crosses to his door, opens it and looks in. The light has been left burning. Seeing George is not in his room, she returns to her own. George noiselessly goes to the stairs and exits up them to the ballroom.

 

INTERIOR – STAIRCASE AND BALLROOM – AMBERSON MANSION – MOONLIGHT – (1905) Moonlight, coming through the glass ceiling, floods the room. George walks to the center of the ballroom and stands there, reflected in the pier glass mirrors that line all sides of the room. Then he hears a quick footfall, and Isabel’s voice again.

ISABEL

Georgie — is that you?

Isabel is heard coming up the stairs. George has nowhere to retreat, so he just stands there. Isabel stops on the stairs, seeing his lonely figure standing in the ballroom.

ISABEL

I’ve been wondering where you were, dear.

GEORGE

Had you?

Silence.

ISABEL (timidly)

Wherever it was, I hope you had a pleasant evening.

Silence.

GEORGE (without expression)

Thank you.

ISABEL

You wouldn’t care to be kissed good night, I suppose? (with a little flurry of placative laughter) At your age, of course!

Silence, blanker than those which had preceded.

ISABEL (her voice blank, too)

Good night.

She goes down the stairs.

FADE OUT:

FADE IN:

 

INTERIOR – LIBRARY – AMBERSON MANSION – DAY- (1905)

George enters, unwraps a framed photograph of Wilbur, places it on a table, and stands looking at it.

GEORGE (whispering brokenly)

Poor, poor father! Poor man, I’m glad you didn’t know!

He walks to the drawing room.

 

INTERIOR. DRAWING ROOM – AMBERSON MANSION – DAY-(1905) George goes to a front window and sits looking through the curtains. The house is quiet. Then a ripple of song by Isabel is heard.

ISABEL’S VOICE  (singing)

Lord Bateman/was a noble lord, A noble lord of high degree; And he sailed East and he sailed East, Far countries for to see….”

The words become indistinct; the air is hummed absently, the humming shifts to a whistle, then drifts out of hearing, and the place is still again. George looks out the window.

 

EXTTERIOR – AMBERSON MANSION – DAY – (1905)

ANGLE past George peering through the drawing room window curtain, toward the street. An automobile stops, and Eugene jumps lightly down from it. The car is of a new pattern, low and long, with an ample seat in the tonneau; a professional driver sits at the wheel, goggled out of all personality. Eugene is richly dressed in the new outdoor mode: his motoring coat is soft gray fur; his cap and gloves of gray suede. He looks like a millionaire as he comes happily up the path. George leaves the window.

 

INTERIOR RECEPTION HALL – AMBERSON MANSION – DAY-(1905)

The doorbell rings. George enters and waits at the entrance of the reception room until Mary comes through on her way to answer it.

GEORGE

You needn’t mind, Mary. I’ll see who it is and what they want. Probably it’s only a peddler.

MARY

Thank you, sir, Mister George. (she exits)

George goes slowly to the front door and halts, regarding the misty silhouette of Eugene upon the ornamental frosted glass. After a minute of waiting, Eugene’s arm can be distinguished outstretched toward the bell — to ring a second time. But before the gesture is completed, George abruptly throws open the door and steps squarely upon the middle of the threshold. A slight change shadows the face of Eugene; happy anticipation gives way to something formal and polite.

EUGENE

How do you do, George? Mrs. Minafer expects to go driving with me, I believe — if you’ll be so kind as to send her word that I’m here.

QEORGE (making not the slightest movement)

No.

EUGENE

I beg your pardon. I said —

GEORGE

I heard you. You said you had an engagement with my   mother, and I told you, No!

Eugene gives him a steady look.

EUGENE (quietly)

What’s the — the difficulty?

 GEORGE  (keeps his own voice quiet; this does  not mitigate the vibrant fury of it)

My mother will have no interest in knowing that you came here today. Or any other day!

Eugene continues to look at him with a scrutiny in which begins to gleam a profound anger.

EUGENE

I’m afraid I don’t understand you.

GEORGE (raising his voice slightly)

I doubt if I could make it much plainer, but I’ll try. You’re not wanted in this house, Mr. Morgan, now or at any other time. Perhaps you’ll understand — this!

He slams the door in Eugene’s face. Then, not moving away, he stands just inside the door and notes that the misty silhouette remains upon the frosted glass for severa1 moments; the silhouette disappears. George exits toward the drawing room.

 

EXTERIOR. AMBESISON MANSION – DAY-(1905)

MEDIUM LONG SHOT past Eugene’s car toward mansion doorway. Eugene, in baffled retreat, walks slowly down the steps and comes down the path to his car.

REVERSE ANGLE through drawing room window — over George’ shoulder as he watches Eugene get into his car slowly, not looking back at the house. Observing the heaviness of his movements, George indulges in a sickish throat rumble which bears a cousinship to mirth. When the car has left George leaves the window.

 

INTERIOR – LIBRARY – AMBERSON MANSION – DAY – (1905)

George again seats himself beside the table where on it he has placed the photograph of his father, he picks up a book and pretends to read it. Isabel, still whistling “Lord Bateman,” comes into the library. She has a fur coat over her arm. As the large room contains too many pieces of heavy furniture and the inside shutters exclude most of the light of day, she does not at once perceive George, She goes to the bay window: and glances out expectantly; then bends her attention upon buttoning a glove; after that she looks out toward the street again, ceases to whistle and turns toward the interior of the room.

ISABEL

Why, Georgie!

She comes to him, leans over from behind him and kisses his cheek.

ISABEL

Dear, I waited lunch almost an hour for you, but you didn’t come! Did you lunch out somewhere?

George doesn’t look up from the book.

GEORGE

Yes

ISABEL

Did you have plenty to eat?

GEORGE

Yes.

ISABEL

Are you sure? Wouldn’t you like to have Maggie get you something now in the dining room? Or they could bring it to you here, if you think it would be cozier.

GEORGE

No.

A bell tinkles and she moves to the doorway into the hall.

ISABEL

I’m going out driving, dear. I–

She interrupts herself to address Mary who is passing through the hall.

ISABEL

I think it’s Mr. Morgan, Mary. Tell him I’ll be there at once.

MARY

Yes, ma’am.

A few seconds pass and Mary returns.

MARY

‘Twas a peddler, ma’am.

ISABEL (surprised)

Another one? I ‘thought you said it was a peddler when the bell rang a little while ago.

MARY

Mister George said it was, ma’am; he went to tho door. (leaves)

ISABEL

There seem to be a great many of them. What did yours want to sell, George?

GEORGE

He didn’t say.

ISABEL

You must have cut him off short.  (she laughs and then, still standing; in the doorway, notices the big silver frame)  Gracious, Georgie! You have been investing!

(she comes across the room for a closer view; then, half-timidly, half-archly) Is it – is it Lucy?

But the next instant she sees whose likeness it is – and she is silent, except for a long, just-audible.

ISABEL

Oh!

George neither looks up nor moves.

ISABEL

That was nice of you, Georgie. I ought to have had it framed myself, when I gave it to you.

He says nothing and, standing beside him, she puts her hand gently on his shoulder, then as gently withdraws it and goes out of the room. After a time George rises and goes warily into the hall.

 

INTERIOR – HALL AND RECEPTION ROQM –AMERSON MANSION – Day – (1905) George comes out of the library and, taking care to make no noise, obtains an oblique view of Isabel through the open double doors of the reception room. She is sitting in a chair looking out the window expectantly — a little troubled. He goes back to the library.

DISSOLVE:

 

INTTERIOR. HALL AND RECEPTION ROOM – AMBERSON MANSION – (1905) A half hour later George returns noiselessly to the same position in the hall where he can see Isabel. She is still sitting patiently by the window.

DISSOLVE:

 

INTERIOR. SECOND FLOOR RECEPTION ROOM – AMBERSON MANSION – DAY (1905) The door of George’s room is open. As we hear the sound of the front doorbell, George comes out of his room and crosses to the stairs.

 

INTERIOR – STAIRCASE AND LOWER FLOOR – AMBERSON MANSION – DAY – (1905) REVERSE ANGLE – SHOOTING down the stairs to hall below. George enters, goes halfway down the stairs and stands in foreground of shot to listen. Mary appears in the hall below him, but after a glance toward the front of the house she turns back and withdraws. Isabel has evidently gone to the door. A murmur is heard.

JACK (quick and serious)

I want to talk to you, Isabel.

Another murmur. Then Isabel and Jack pass the foot of the stairway, Isabel carries her cloak upon her arm, but Jack has taken her hand and as he leads her silently into the library there is something about her attitude and the pose of her slightly bent head that is both startled and meek. They disappear into the library and the massive double doors close. Through the doors comes the indistinct sound of Jack’s voice. He is explaining something at considerable length. There are pauses when Isabel is speaking, but her voice is too low to be heard. Then suddenly:

ISANEL VOICE (clear and loud)

Oh, no!  (it is a cry of protest and  a sound of sheer pain)

The sound of vehement sniffling breaks out just ·above George. He looks up past camera.

 

INTERIOR – STAIRCASE AND SECOND FLOOR – DAY – (1905)

ANGLE LOOKING UP stairway past George. He sees Fanny on the landing, leanings over the bannisters and applying her handkerchief to her eyes.

FANNY (whispers huskily)

I can guess what that was about. He’s just told her what you did to Eugene!

GEORGE

You go on back to you room!

He begins to descend the stairs, but Fanny rushes down and catches his arm, detaining him.

FANNY (whispering huskily)

You’re not going in there? You don’t —

GEORGE

Let go of me!

FANNY (clings to him savagely)

No, you don’t, Georgie Minafer! You keep away from there!

GEORGE

You let go of–

 FANNY

I won’t! You come back here! And let them alone!

She clutches and tugs at him with determination; and though George tries to wrench away, nevertheless she forces him, stumbling to the landing.

GEORGE (furious)

Of all the ridiculous–

Fanny takes one hand from its grasp of his sleeve and claps it over his mouth.

 FANNY (still in a husky whisper)

Hush up! Hush up! It’s indecent — like squabbling outside the door of an operating room! Go on to the top of the stairs –- go on!

George unwillingly obeys and Fanny plants herself in his way on the top step.

FANNY

There! The idea of your going in there now! Jack’s telling Isabel the whole thing — You stay here and let him tell her; he’s got some consideration for her

GEORGE

I suppose you think I haven’t!

FANNY.

You! Considerate of anybody!

GEORGE (Hotly)

I’m considerate of her good name! Look here: it strikes me you’re taking a pretty different tack–

FANNY

I thought you already knew everything I did! I was just suffering so I wanted to let out a little — Oh, I was a fool, Eugene never would have looked at me even if he’d never seen Isabel. And they haven’t done any arm. She made Wilbur happy, and she was a true wife to him as long as he lived. And here I go, not doing; myself a bit of good by it, and just…(Wrings her hands again)...just ruining them.

GEORGE

My Gosh, it’s sickening. You told me how all the riff-raff in town were busy with her name and then the minute I lift my hand to protect her, you begin to attack me and–

FANNY

Sh! (she checks him, laying  her hand on his arm). Your uncle’s leaving.

The library doors are heard opening and a moment later there comes the sound of the front door closing. George moves toward the head of the stairs, and stands listening, but the house is silent. Fanny makes a slight noise with her lips to attract his attention and when he glances toward her she shakes her head at him urgently.

FANNY (whispering)

Let her alone. She’s down there by herself. Don’t go down. Let her alone.

She moves a few steps toward him and halts, her face pallid and awestruck, and then both stand listening. No sound comes to them.

Fanny breaks the long silence with a stifled gasp and retires softly to her room.

After she is gone, George looks about him bleakly, then on tiptoe crosses the hall and goes into his own room.

 

INTERIOR GEORGE’S ROOM – AMBERSON MANSION – DUSK (1905)

Still tiptoeing George goes across the room and sits down heavily in a chair facing the window. Outside there is nothing but the darkening air and the wall of the nearest of the new houses. George’s gaze at the grayness beyond the window is wide-eyed and bitter. Darkness has closed in when there is a step in the room behind him. Isabel kneels beside the chair, her two arms go round him with infinite compassion; her gentle head rests against his shoulder.

ISABEL (whispers)

You mustn’t be troubled, darling.

INTERIOR – LITTLE OUTSIDE PARLOR – MORGAN HOME – NIGHT – (1905) Jack, looking sad and uncomfortable, his overcoat on, his hat in his lap, is sitting, waiting.

CAMERA PANS around a wall into an adjoining room where Eugene is seen sitting at a desk writing a letter. He lifts the pen from the paper, and looks down at what he has just written.

CLOSEUP – Eugene looking down at the letter before him. He starts to write again, and on sound track we hear the scratching, of his pen, and his voice speaking the words he is writing, but his lips do not move.

EUGENE’S VOICE (on the track)

Dearest one, yesterday I thought the time had come when I could ask you to marry me, and you were dear enough to tell me “some time it might come to that.” But now we’re faced not with slander and not with our own fear of it, because we haven’t any, but someone else’s fear of it — your son’s. And, oh, dearest woman in the world, I know what your son is to you, and it frightens me! Let me explain a little: I don’t think he’ll change — at twenty-one or twenty-two so many things appear solid and permanent and terrible which forty sees are nothing but disappearing miasma. Forty can’t tell twenty about this; twenty can find out only by getting to be forty. And so we come to this, dear: Will you live your own life your way, or George’s way? Dear, it breaks my heart for you, but what you have to oppose now is the history of your own selfless and perfect motherhood. Are you strong enough, Isabel? Can you make the fight? I promise you that if you will take heart for it, you will find so quickly that it has all amounted to nothing. You shall have happiness, and only happiness. I am saving too much for wisdom, I fear. But oh, my dear, won’t you be strong — such a little short strength it would need! Don’t strike my life down twice, dear — this time I’ve not deserved it.

 

INTERIOR – GEORGE’S BEDROOM – AMBERSON MANSION – NIGHT -(1905) George, wearing his long black velvet dressing gown, has just finished reading Eugene’s letter. Isabel is standing at the other end of the room, her back to him, her head drooping a little. George tosses the letter abruptly from him so that one sheet falls upon his bed and the others upon the floor. At the faint noise of their falling, Isabel comes and, kneeling, begins to gather them up.

ISABEL

Did you read it, dear?

GEORGE

Yes, I did.

ISABEL (gently, as she rises)

All of it?

GEORGE

Certainly! It’s simply the most offensive piece of writing that I’ve ever held in my hands!

Isabel steps back from him, startled.

ISABEL

But, dear, I thought–

GEORGE

I can’t understand your even showing me such a thing! How did you happen to bring it to me?

ISABEL

Your uncle thought I’d better. He thought it was the simplest thing to do, and he said that he’d suggested it to Eugene, and Eugene had agreed. They thought–

GEORGE (bitterly)

Yes, I should like to hear what they thought!

ISABEL

They thought it would be the most straightforward thing.

GEORGE (draws a long breath)

Well, what do you think mother?

ISABEL

I thought it would be the simplest and most straightforward thing; I thought they were right.

GEORGE

Very well! We’ll agree it was simple and straightforward. Now what do you think of that letter itself?

ISABEL (hesitates looking away)

I — of course I don’t agree with him in the way he speaks of you, dear —

GEORGE (breaking in)

Don’t you think this was a pretty insulting letter for that man to be asking you to hand your son?

ISABEL

Oh, no! You can see how fair he means to be.

GEORGE

Do you suppose it ever occurs to him that I’m doing my simple duty? That I’m doing what my father would do if he were alive? That I’m doing what my father would ask me to do if he could speak from his grave out yonder? Do you suppose it ever occurs to that man for one minute that I’m protecting my mother?

He raises his voice, advancing upon Isabel fiercely. Isabel bends her head before him.

GEORGE

He’s got my mother’s name bandied up and down the streets of this town till I can’t step in those streets without wondering what every soul I meet is thinking of me and of my family, and now he wants you to marry him so that every gossip in town will say, “There! What did I tell you? I guess that proves it’s true! He said he and you don’t care what they say, but I know better! He may not care — probably he’s that kind — but you do. Is it fair of him to want you to throw away your good name just to please him? That’s all he asks of you — and to quit being my mother! You’re my mother and you’re an Amberson — and I believe you’re too proud! You’re too proud to care for a man who could write such a letter as that!  (he stops, faces her, and speaks with more self-control)  Well, what are you going to do about it, Mother?

Her head droops.

GEORGE (demanding, like a judge on a bench)

What answer are you going to make to such a letter?

ISABEL (murmurs)

I — I don’t quite know, dear.

GEORGE

Do you think if you did what he wants you to I could bear to stay another day in this town, Mother? Do you think I could ever bear even to see you again if you married him? I’d want to, but you surely know I just-­couldn’t!

Isabel makes a futile gesture, and seems to breathe with difficulty.

ISABEL (faltering)

I — I wasn’t — quite sure about — about it’s being wise for us to be married — even before knowing how you feel about it. I wasn’t even sure it was quite fair to — to Eugene. I have — I seem to have that family trouble like father’s — that I spoke to you about once. (she manages a deprecatory little dry laugh) Not that it amounts to much, but I wasn’t at a11 sure that it would be fair to him. Marrying doesn’t mean so much, after all -­ not at my age. It’s enough to know that — that people think of you — and to see them. I thought we were all — oh, pretty happy the way things were, and I don’t think it would moan giving up a great deal for him or me, either, if we just went on as we have been. I—I see him almost every day and–

GEORGE (loudly and sternly)

Mother! Do you think you could go on seeing him after this!

Isabel had been talking helplessly before — her tone is a little more broken now.

ISABEL

Not — not even — see him?

GEORGE ·

How could you? Mother, it seems to me that if he ever set foot in this house again – oh! I can’t speak of it! Could you see him, knowing what talk it makes every time he turns into this street, and knowing what that means to me! Oh, I don’t understand all this — I don’t! If you’d told me, a year ago, that such things were going to happen, I’d have thought you were insane — and now I believe I am!

His anguish is none the less real for its vehemence; and the stricken Isabel comes to him instantly and bends over him, once more enfolding him in her arms. She says nothing but suddenly her tears fall upon his head. She sees them and seems to be startled.

ISABEL

Oh, this won’t do! I’ve never let you see me cry before, except when your father died. I mustn’t!

She runs from the room. A little while after she has gone, George rises and, happening to catch sight in his pier glass of the picturesque and medieval figure thus presented in his dressing gown, he pauses to regard it; something profoundly theatrical in his nature comes to the surface· His lips move.

GEORGE (half-aloud, whispering)

Tis not a lone my inky cloak, good Mother, Nor customary suits of solemn black. . .

His own mirrored princely image with hair disheveled on the white brow, the long tragic fall of black velvet from the shoulders, reminds him of that other gentle prince and heir whose widowed mother was minded to marry again.

GEORGE

“But I have that within which passoth show; These but the trappings and the suits of Woe.”

He looks and feels like Hamlet.

DISSOLVE OUT:

DISSOLVE IN:

 

INTERIOR – ISABEL’S ROOM – AMBERSON MANSION – NIGHT (1905) CLOSE SHOT of Isabel at her writing table. The scratching of her pen is heard and over it on sound track, her voice speaks the words she is writing, but her lips do not move.

ISABEL’S VOICE (on sound track)

George, my own dearest boy -­ I think it is a little better for me to write to you, like this, instead of waiting till you wake up and then telling you, because I’m foolish and might cry again, and I took a vow once, long ago, that you should never see me cry. Not that I’ll feel like crying when we talk things over tomorrow. I’ll be all right and fine”(as you say so often) by that time –- don’t fear. I think what makes me most ready to cry now is the thought of the terrible suffering in your poor face, and the unhappy knowledge that it is I, your mother, who put it there. It shall never come again. I’ve written Eugene just about what I think you would like me to — though I told him I would always be fond of him and always his best friend, and I hoped his dearest friend. He’ll understand about not seeing him. He’ll understand that though I didn’t say it in so many words. You mustn’t trouble about that — he’ll understand. Good night, my darling, my beloved, my beloved! You mustn’t be troubled. I think I shouldn’t mind anything very much so long as I have you “all to myself” — as people say — to make up for your long years away from me at college. We’ll talk of what’s best to do in the morning, shan’t we? And for all this pain you’ll forgive your loving and devoted–

 

INTERIOR – GEORGE’S BEDROOM – AMBERSON MANSION – DAY (1905) George is lying in bed, reading Isabel’s letter. Pinned to the cover of the dressing table beside him is a crumpled square envelope with the words, “For you, dear” written on it. Obviously George has pulled the letter out of the envelope without removing it from its mooring. There is no pause on the sound track between Isabel’s last word “devoted” and:

GEORGE (looking at the letter)

–Mother.

FADE OUT:

FADE IN:

 

EXTERIOR – STREET – DAY – (1905)

George, walking up National Avenue, sees Lucy coming toward him on the same side of the street. For a moment he thinks of facing about in flight. He expects her to rebuff him. But Lucy comes straight to meet him, smiling, her hand offered to him.

GEORGE (stammering, as he takes her hand)

Why — you – haven’t you–?

LUCY

Haven’t I what?

He sees Eugene hasn’t told her.

GEORGE (gasping)

Nothing. May ‘I — May I walk with you a little way?

LUCY (cordially)

Yes, indeed.

They start walking down the street.

GEORGE (huskily)

Lucy, I want to tell you something.

LUCY

I hope it’s something nice. (laughs) Papa’s been so glum today he’s scarcely spoken to me.

GEORGE

Well–

LUCY

Is it a funny story?

 GEORGE (bitterly)

It may seem like one to you. Just to begin with: when you went away you didn’t let me know; not even a word –- not a line —

LUCY

I just trotted off for some visits.

GEORGE

Hell, at least you might have–

LUCY (briskly)

Why, no. Don’t you remember, George? We had a quarrel and we didn’t speak to each other all the way home from a long, long drive! And since we couldn’t play together like good children, of course it was plain that we oughtn’t to play at all.

GEORGE

Play!

LUCY

Yes. What I mean is we’d come to the point where it was time to quit playing — well, what we were playing

GEORGE

At being lovers, you mean, don’t you?

LUCY (lightly)

Something like that. It was absurd!

GEORGE

It didn’t have to be absurd.

LUCY (cheerfully)

No, it couldn’t help but be! The way I am and the way you are, it wouldn’t ever be anything else.

GEORGE

This time I’m going away. That’s what I wanted to tell you. I’m going away tomorrow night — indefli1itely.

LUCY (nodding sunnily) .

I hope you’ll have ever so nice a time, George.

GEORGE

I don’t expect to have a particularly “nice” time.

LUCY (laughing)

Well, then, if I were you I don’t think I’d go.

It seems impossible to make her serious.

GEORGE (desperately)

This is our last walk together.

LUCY

Evidently! If you’re going away tomorrow night.

GEORGE

Lucy — this may be the last time I’ll see you ever — ever in my life .

At this she looks at him quickly, across her shoulder, but she smiles as brightly as before.

GEORGE

Mother and I are starting tomorrow for a trip around the world. We’ve made no plans at all — for coming back.

LUCY (admiringly)

That does sound like a long trip! Do you plan to be traveling all the time, or will you be in some one place the greater part of it? I think it would be lovely to-–

GEORGE

Lucy!

He halts and she stops with him. They have come to a corner at the edge of the business section of the city and people are everywhere about them, brushing against them, sometimes, in passing.

GEORGE (in a low voice)

I can’t stand this. I’m just about ready to go in this drug store here and ask the clerk for something to keep me from dying in my tracks! It’s quite a shock, Lucy.

LUCY

What is?

GEORGE

To find out just how deeply you’ve cared for me! To see how much difference this makes to you.

LUCY (her cordial smile tempered with good nature)

George.

GEORGE

I can’t stand this any longer. I can’t! Good-bye, Lucy.

She doesn’t say anything.

GEORGE

It’s good-by. I think it’s good-bye for good, Lucy!

LUCY

Good-bye! I do hope you’ll have the most splendid trip. Give my love to your mother.

He turns heavily away.

CAMRA PULLS back ahead of him, holding Lucy in back ground. A moment later he pauses, glances back at her over his shoulder. She stands watching him, the same smile on her face. She waves cheerily. George strides savagely onward, not looking back. Lucy remains where she is until he is out of sight. Then she goes slowly into the drug store.

 

INTERIOR. DRUG STORE – Day-(1905)

Lucy walks up to the clerk.

LUCY (with the utmost composure)

Please let me have a few drops of aromatic spirits of ammonia in a glass of water.

CLERK

Yes, ma’am!

CAMERA STAYS on him as he turns to the shelves to get the spirits of ammonia. When he turns back with the bottle in his hand, his expression changes to one of astonishment, and he makes a quick move toward the counter.

CLERK

For goshos’ sake, Miss–

 

INTERIOR. POOL HALL – NIGHT – (1905)

The drug store clerk is telling his friends what happened.

CLERK

…an’ ‘f I hadn’t been a bright, quick, ready-for-anything young fella she’d a’ flummixed plum! I was watchin her out the window – talkin’ to some young s’iety fella, and she was all right then. She was all right when she came in the store, too. Yes, sir; the prettiest girl that over walked in our place and took one good look at me. I reckon it must be the truth what some a’ you town wags say about my face!

FADE OUT:

FADE IN:

 

EXTERIOR. FIVE NEW HOUSES – NIGHT – (1910)

The five new houses, built so close to where the Mansion’s fine lawn had been — a sad panorama. Before this is a steady stream of passing automobiles, with now and then a bicycle, or, at long intervals, a surrey or buggy.

REVERSE ANGLE toward the Mansion, where Major Amberson and Fanny are dimly seen, seated on the verandah.

CLOSE ANGLE on Major Amberson and Aunt Fanny seated on the verandah. The Major is looking toward the houses.

MAJOR AMBERSON

Funny thing — those now houses were built only a year ago. They look old already — Cost enough money, though — I guess I should have built those apartments after all

FANNY

Housekeeping in a house is harder than in an apartment.

MAJOR AMBERSON

Yes. — Where the smoke and dirt are as thick as they are in the Amberson Addition, I guess the women can’t stand it. Well, I’ve got one painful satisfaction — I got my taxes lowered. (laughs ruefully)

FANNY

How did you manage such an economy?

MAJOR AMBERSON

I said it was a painful satisfaction, Fanny. The property has gone down in value, and they assessed it lower than they did fifteen years ago.

FANNY

But farther out–

MAJOR AMBERSON

Oh, Yes, “farther out!” Prices are magnificent “farther out” and farther in, too! We just happen to be in the wrong spot, that’s all.

He sighs; and both are silent, looking out at the constantly passing traffic.

 FANNY (thoughtfully)

There seem to be so many ways of making money nowadays. Jack had some scheme he was working on before he went abroad.

MAJOR AMBERSON (laughing)

Yes — that invention. “Millions in it!” Some new electric headlight. He’s putting half he’s laid by into it. Had a letter from him the other day asking me to go into it, too.

FANNY

He seemed certain it would pay twenty-five percent the first year, enormously more after that; and I’m only getting four on my little principal.

Again both are silent, watching the passing traffic.

MAJOR AMBERSON (gravely)

Isabel wants to come home. Her letters are full of it. Jack writes me she talks of nothing else.

No answer from Fanny.

MAJOR AMBERSON

She’s wanted to come for a long while. She ought to come while she can stand the journey

Another pause.

FANNY

People are making such enormous fortunes out of everything to do with motor cars, it does seem as if — I wrote Jack I’d think it over seriously.

MAJOR AMBERSON (laughing)

Well, Fanny, maybe we’ll be partners. How about it? And millionaires, too!

FADE OUT:

FADE IN:

 

EXTERIOR – DRIVEWAY – MORGAN MANSION – DUSK – (1910)

The Morgan mansion is a great Georgian picture in brick with four acres of its own hedged land between it and its next neighbor. A car appears, driven by a chauffeur, with Lucy and Jack inside. It turns in between the stone and brick gate pillars and starts up the driveway.

SHOT of Lucy and Jack in the car.

JACK (laughs wistfully)

I wonder, Lucy, if history’s going on forever repeating itself. I wonder if this town’s going on building up things and rolling over them, as poor father once said it was rolling over his poor old heart. It looks like it.

The car comes to a stop at the house. Lucy, and Jack get out and go up the stairs.

JACK

Here’s the Amberson Mansion again, only it’s Georgian instead of nondescript Romanesque; but it’s just the same Amberson Mansion my father built long before you were born.

Lucy doesn’t quite understand, but she laughs as a friend should, and they go into the house,

 

INTERIOR. HALL & LOWER FLOOR ROOMS – MORGAN MANSION – (1910) Lucy and Uncle Jack come in. A butler relieves his hat and coat.

JACK.

By Jove! You have been going it! Fanny tells me you had a great house-warming dance, and you keep right on being the belle of the ball, not any softer-hearted than you used to be. Fred Kinney’s father says you refused Fred so often he got engaged to Janie Sharon just to prove that someone would have him in spite of his hair.

Lucy laughs, a little embarrassed. Jack has moved to a window.

JACK

Well, you’re pretty refreshingly out of the smoke up here.

LUCY (laughing}

Yes, for a while. Until it comes and we have to move out farther.

JACK

No, you’ll stay here. It’ll be somebody else who’ll move out farther

 

INTERIOR. LIBRARY – MORGAN MANSION – NIGHT – (1910)

A grey and shadowy room. Lucy, Jack and Eugene are having after-dinner coffee. Jack’s attention for a moment is occupied with a cigars, then he speaks in a casual tone of Isabel and George.

JACK

I found Isabel as we11 as usual, only I’m afraid “as usual” isn’t particularly well. It struck me Isabel ought to be in a wheel-hair.

He pauses, bestowing minute care upon the removal of the little band from his cigar. Eugene speaks out of the shadow beyond a heavily shaded lamp.

EUGENE (quietly)

What do you mean by that?

JACK (still not looking at either of them}

Oh, she’s cheerful enough. At least, she manages to seem so. But she’s pretty short of breath for such a slender person. Father’s been that way for years, of course; but never nearly so much as Isabel is now. I told her I thought she ought to make George let her come home.

EUGENE (in a low voice)

“Let her?” Does she want to?

JACK

She doesn’t urge it. George seems to like the life there in his grand, gloomy, and peculiar way; and of course she’ll never change about being proud of him and all that — he’s quite a swell. But she does want to come. She’d like to be with father, of course; and I think she’s — well, she intimated one day that she was afraid it might even happen that she wouldn’t get to see him again. (he can hardly say it) I think she was really thinking of her own state of health.

EUGENE (his voice oven lower than before)

I see. And you say he won’t “let” her come home?

JACK (laughs, but continues to be Interested in his cigar)

Oh, I don’t think he uses force! He’s very gentle with her. I doubt if the subject is mentioned between them, and yet — and yet, knowing my interesting nephew as you do, wouldn’t you think that was about the way to put it?

EUGENE (slowly)

Knowing him as I do – yes. Yes, I should think that was about the way to put it.

FADE OUT:

FADE IN:

 

EXTERIOR – RAILROAD STATION – DUSK – (1910)

Against a background of loud station noises, Jack and Fanny are standing beside a car platform with a wheel chair. George, carrying Isabel, appears and places Isabel in the chair. Isabel can’t speak, but she pats Fanny’s and Jack’s hands.

FANNY (finding desperate courage)

You look very sweet.

They wheel Isabel to a waiting carriage. George lifts her into the carriage, they get in and the carriage pulls away.

 

INTERIOR – CARRIAGE – DUSK – (1910)

Isabel, George, Aunt Fanny, and Uncle Jack. Isabel seems a little stronger. She has been holding George’s hands and looking out the carriage window. Now she takes her hand from George and waves it feebly toward the window.

ISABEL (whispering)

Changed. So changed.

JACK

You mean the town. You mean the old place is changed don’t you, dear?

ISABEL (smiles and moves her lips)

Yes.

JACK

It’ll change to a happier place, old dear, now that you’re back in it, and going to get well again.

Isabel looks at him wistfully, her eyes a little frightened.

DISSOLVE OUT:

DISSOLVE IN:

 

INTERIOR. SECOND FLOOR HALL – AMBERSON MANSION – NIGHT – (1910) At the end of the hall are Jack, George, and Major Amberson, clustered in a stricken group.

MAJOR AMBERSON

When are they going to let me see my daughter? They told me to keep out of the way while they carried her in, because it might upset her. I wish they’d let me go in and speak to my daughter. I think she wants to see me.

The Major is right — the doctor comes out and beckons to him. The Major shuffles forward, leaning on a shaking cane; his figure has grown stooping and his untrimmed white hair straggles over the back of his collar. He looks old as he creeps toward Isabel’s room. Isabel’s voice is stronger, for the waiting group hears a low cry of tenderness and welcome as the Major reaches the open doorway. Then the door closes. Fanny comes up the stairs and calls out in a whisper:

FANNY

George – George!

Jack moves off down the hall in the other direction. Fanny comes up to George.

FANNY (whispers)

Eugene is here.

There is no answer. She isn’t sure that George has heard

FANNY (a little louder)

George–

GEORGE

Hm?

FANNY (whispering)

He’s downstairs.

GEORGE (after another moment)

What?

FANNY

Eugene is here.  (after another moment) George. (still whispering) Eugene is here.

George looks at her sharply.

FANNY

He’s downstairs. (she gulps) He wants to know if he can’t see her. I didn’t know what to say. I said I’d see. I didn’t know — the doctor said

GEORGE (sharply)

The doctor said we “must keep her peaceful.” Do you think that man’s coming would be very soothing? Why, it would be like taking a stranger into her room. Doesn’t he know how sick she is? You tell him the doctor said she had to be quiet and peaceful. That’s what he did say, isn’t it?

Fanny goes. George watches her go down the stairs.

 

INTERIOR – RECEPTION ROOM – AMBERSON MANSION – NIGHT – (1910) Eugene seated. He rises as he sees Fanny coming toward him. She enters. He starts toward her and then is stopped by something he sees in her face.

FANNY

The doctor says she ought to be kept quiet.

EUGENE

If I could only look into the room and see her for just a second-–

FANNY (with a dull sniffle)

The doctor says she mustn’t see anyone

A short silence.

EUGENE

All right, Fanny.

He turns to go

INTERIOR – SECOND FLOOR HALL – AMBERSON MAUSION – NIGHT – (1910) George is standing at the window, looking out.

 

EXTERIOR. AMBERSON MANSION – NIGHT

SHOOTING over George’s shoulder — through the window ­ as he watches Eugene walk to his car.

NURSE’S VOICE

She wants to see you

George wheels, his mouth opens in terror.

 

INTERIOR. SECOND FLOOR HALL – AMBERSON MANSION – NIGHT – (1910) George’s terrified mouth shuts with a click and he nods and follows the nurse. She stays outside while he goes into Isabel’s room.

 

INTERIOR. ISABEL’S ROOM – AMBERSON MANSION – NIGHT – (1910) Isabel’s eyes are closed, and she does not open them or move her head, but smiles and edges her hand toward George as he comes to her bed and sits on a stool. He takes her hand and puts it to his cheek.

ISABEL ((whispering slowly and with difficulty)

Darling, did you — get something to eat?

GEORGE

Yes, mother.

ISABEL

All you — needed?

GEORGE

Yes, mother.

Isabel does not speak for a time, then:

ISABEL

Are you sure you didn’t — didn’t catch cold– coming home?

GEORGE

I’m all right, Mother.

ISABEL

That’s good. It’s sweet — it’s sweet–

GEORGE

What is, Mother darling?

ISABEL

To feel — my hand on your cheek. I — I can feel it.

She seems proud of this, as though it were a miraculous thing accomplished, and this frightens George. He cannot speak and fears she will know he is trembling.  But she is unaware, and again silent. Finally:

ISABEL

I wonder if — if Eugene and Lucy know that we’ve come -­ home.

GEORGE

I’m sure they did

ISABEL

Has he asked about me?

GEORGE

Yes, he was here.

ISABEL

Has he — gone?

GEORGE

Yes, Mother.

ISABEL (sighs faintly)

I’d like —

GEORGE

What, Mother?

ISABEL (just audibly, like a little regretful murmur)

I’d like to have — seen him.  (Pause) Just — Just once.

Isabel is still, as though asleep, but when George moves to go, a faint pressure on his fingers detains him and he stays, her hand still pressed against his cheek. After a while he moves again, to let the nurse come in, and this time there is no pressure of fingers. After he has left, Isabel opens her eyes and looks after him.

 

INTERIOR -GEORGE’S ROOM – AMBERSON MANSION – NIGHT – (1910) As George enters his room he is startled to find the Major and Jack there. The Major is lying on the bed dozing uneasily, even occasionally snoring. Jack is leaning against the wall.

JACK

The doctor thought we’d better –

George sits on the edge of the bed. From time to time he wipes heavy sweat from his forehead. The Major snores, stops suddenly and moves as if to rise, but Jack puts his hand on the Major’s shoulder to reassure.

GEORGE (finally gasping defiantly)

That doctor in New York said she might got better. Don’t you know he did? Don’t you know he said she might?

Jack doesn’t answer. Suddenly there is a sound in the hall and both men start violently – the Major sits up in bed. They hear the nurse speaking to Fanny and then Fanny appears in the doorway making contorted efforts to speak. Jack goes out with the Major. Fanny utters a long loud cry, throws her arms around George and sobs in agony of loss and compassion.

FANNY

She loved you! She loved you! She loved you Oh, how she did love you!

FADE OUT:

FADE IN:

 

EXTERIOR – CEMETERY – DAY (l910)

The Minafer plot. Beside Wilbur’s grave now is Isabel’s, his headstone aged with the weather — Isabel’s headstone bright and new, with the words: ISABEL AMBERSON MINAFER and the date. Her grave is heaped with flowers, and some have been laid on Wilbur’s grave also.

DISSOLVE:

The dark screen flickers, and when the DISSOLVE completes itself, we see from a LOW ANGLE, SHOOTING up, CLOSE SHOT of Major Amberson’s face He is seated, with the flickering light of a fireplace (not in scene)playing on him. (1910)

NARRATOR

And now Major Amberson was engaged in the profoundest thinking of his life. He was occupied with the first really important matter that had taken his attention since he came home after the Gettysburg campaign, and went into business; and he realized that everything which had worried him or delighted him during this lifetime between then and today — all his buying and building and trading and banking that it was all trifling and waste beside what concerned him now. For the Major knew now that he had to plan how to enter an unknown country where he was not even sure of being recognized as an Amberson — not sure of anything, except that Isabel would help him if she could

As soon as the Narrator’s voice stops, we hear:

JACK’S VOICE.

That’s true, Fanny — You know, it’s a funny thing about the deed to the house — Father

FANNY’s VOICE (interrupting)

But it must go right! We saw with our own eyes how perfectly it worked in the shop. I’m only glad you didn’t go into the confounded thing to the extent I did.

FANNY’S VOICE

But the light was so bright no one could face it, and so there can’t be any reason for it not to work. It simply —

JACK’S VOICE

It certainly was a perfect thing — in the shop! Our headlight just won’t work, Fanny — Father – Father!

The Major’s eyes brighten a little.

JACK’S VOICE

The house was in Isabel’s name, wasn’t it?

MAJOR AMBERSON

Yes.

JACK’S VOICE

Can you remember when you gave her the deed, Father?

MAJOR AMBERSON

No — no, I can’t just remember.

GEORGE’S VOICE

It doesn’t matter–

JACK’S VOICE

The whole estate is about as mixed up as an estate can get, and I haven’t helped out any by this infernal headlight scheme. You ought to have that deed, George.

GEORGE’S VOICE

No, don’t bother.

Suddenly the Major slaps his knee as if he has made a discovery or remembers something he has forgotten.

MAJOR AMBERSON

It must be in the sun! There wasn’t anything here but the sun in the first place, and the earth came out of the sun, and we came out of the earth.  So, whatever we are, we must have been in the sun. We go back to the earth we came out of, so the earth will go back to the sun that it came out of. And time means nothing — nothing at all — so in a little while we’ll all be back in the sun together. I wish–

He moves his hand uncertainly as if reaching for something.

GEORGE’S VOICE

Did you want anything, Grandfather?

MAJOR AMBERSON

What?

GEORGE’S VOICE

Would you like a glass of water?

MAJOR AMBERSON

No –- no — no — I don’t want anything.

He drops his hand upon the arm of the chair and after a few moments of silence resumes:

MAJOR AMBERSON

I wish — somebody could tell me!

DISSOLVE:

 

EXTERIOR – CEMETERY – DAY (1910)

The Amberson plot. The Major’s grave, with its new headstone and mound of flowers.

FADE OUT:

FADE IN:

 

INTERIOR – KITCHEN – AMBERSON MANSION – DAY (1911)

George is staring down at Fanny who has just sunk to the floor, her back resting against the hot water boiler. The kitchen has been dismantled. There is a pot of coffee on the stove and some glasses and broken dishes on otherwise empty shelves.

FANNY (gasps}

You’re going to leave me in the lurch!

GEORGE

Get up, Aunt Fanny.

FANNY

I can’t. I’m too weak. You’re going to leave me in the lurch!

GEORGE (protesting)

Aunt Fanny! I’m only going to get eight dollars a week at the law office. You’d have to be paying more of the expenses than I would.

She stares at him with forlorn blankness.

FANNY (feebly)

I’d be paying — I’d be paying–

GEORGE

Certainly you would. You’d be using more of your money than–

FANNY

My money! (her chin droops she laughs in misery)

I’ve got twenty-eight dollars. That’s all.

GEORGE

You mean until the interest is due again?

FANNY

I mean that’s all. I mean that’s all there is. There won’t be any more interest because there isn’t any principal.

GEORGE

Why, you told–

FANNY

I know. I told Jack I didn’t put everything in the headlight. But I did — every cent except my last interest payment — and it’s gone.

GEORGE

Why did you wait till now to tell me?

FANNY (piteously)

I couldn’t tell till I had to. It wouldn’t do any good (she takes out her lace handkerchief and begins to cry) Nothing does any good, I guess, in this old world! I knew your mother’d want me to watch over you and try to have something like a home for you (her voice, hoarse and wet, is tragically sincere) And I tried — I tried to make things as nice for you as I could — I walked my heels down looking for a place for us to live — I walked and walked over this town– I didn’t ride one block on a street car — I wouldn’t use five cents no matter how tired I – Oh! (sobbing uncontrollably) Oh! And now — you don’t want — you want — you want to leave me in the lurch! You —

GEORGE

Aunt Fanny! Quit spreading out your handkerchief and drying it and then getting it all wet again! And get up! Don’t sit there with your back against the boiler and–

FANNY (sniffling)

It’s not hot. It’s cold. The plumbers disconnected it. I wouldn’t mind if they hadn’t. I wouldn’t mind if it burned me, George.

GEORGE

For gosh sake, get up!

He lifts her to her feet and leads her to the dining room.

 

INTERIOR -DINING ROOM – AMBERSON MANSION – DAY (1911)

This room has also been dismantled and contains only two kitchen chairs and a rough table. George leads Fanny in from the kitchen and seats her in one of the chairs.

GEORGE

There!

He exits to the kitchen and returns with the coffee pot, some lumps of sugar in a tin pan, and a couple of water glasses. He pours some of the pale coffee into the glasses.

GEORGE

Let’s see where we stand. Let’s see if we can afford this place you’ve picked out–

FANNY (Brightening)

I’m sure the boarding house is practical, George — and it is a comfort to be among nice -­ people.

GEORGE

I was thinking about the money, Aunt Fanny. You see–

FANNY (quickly)

There’s one great economy. They don’t allow any tipping. They have signs that prohibit it.

GEORGE (grimly)

That’s good. But the rent’s thirty-six dollars a month; the dinner’s twenty-two and a half for each of us. I’ve got about a hundred dollars left. We won’t need any clothes for a year, perhaps–

FANNY

Oh, longer! So you see.

GEORGE

I see that forty-five and

thirty-six make eighty-one. At the lowest we need a hundred dollars a month — and I’m going to make thirty-two —

 QUICK DISSOLVE:

 

INTERIOR – BRONSON’S OFFICE – DAY (1911)

It is early and Bronson, who has just seated himself at his big, flat-topped desk, is surprised when George walks in. He is also pleased and rises, offering a cordial hand.

BRONSON

The real flare! The real flare for the law. That’s right! Couldn’t wait till tomorrow to begin! The law is a jealous mistress and a stern mistress, but a–

GEORGE (bursting out)

I can’t do it! I can’t take her for my mistress.

BRONSON

What?

GEORGE

I’ve come to tell you I’ve got to find something quicker. Something else that pays from the start.

BRONSON (getting ready to be angry)

I can’t think of anything just at this minute that pays from the start.

GEORGE

I’ve heard they pay very high wages to people in dangerous  trades; people that handle touchy chemicals or high explosives — men in dynamite factories. I thought I’d see if I couldn’t get a job like that — as soon as possible. I wanted to get started tomorrow if I could.

 

BRONSON

Georgie, your grandfather and I were boys together. Don’t you think I ought to know what’s the trouble?

GEORGE

It’s Aunt Fanny. She’s set her mind on this particular boarding house and — it seems she put everything in the headlight company — and — well — she’s got some old cronies there, and I guess she’s been looking forward to the games of bridge and the kind of harmless gossip that goes on in such places. Really, it’s a life she’d like better than anything else — and it struck me she’s just about got to have it.

BRONSON

I got her into that headlight business with Jack. I feel a certain responsibility myself

GEORGE

I’m taking the responsibility. (smiles with one corner of his mouth)  She’s not your aunt, you know, sir.

BRONSON

Well, I’m unable to see, even if she’s yours that a young man is morally called upon to give up a career at the law to provide his aunt with a favorable opportunity to play bridge whist!

George looks at him. Bronson returns a long stare.

BRONSON

All right. If you’ll promise not to get blown up, I’11 see if we can find you the job — You certainly are the most practical young man I ever met

DISSOLVE

 

INTERIOR – RAILROAD STATION – DAY (1911)

Jack and George are sitting together on one of the waiting benches. Jack’s valise is on the floor beside him.

JACK

…Just a hundred, George. I know you can’t spare it, but I really must have something to tide me over in Washington till things are settled.

George has already taken out his wallet. He looks around uncertainly.

JACK (with a grin)

Nobody’s looking.

George hands him the money. Jack puts it away and starts to laugh, but now with great cheerfulness.

JACK

We’ll survive, Georgie — you will especially. For my part, I’ll be content with just surviving, and I can do it on an eighteen-hundred-dollar a year consulship. An ex­Congressman can always be pretty sure of getting some such job, and I hear from Washington the matter’s about settled. I’ll live pleasantly enough with a pitcher of ice under a palm tree, and native folk to wait on me – that part of it will be like home-–

GEORGE (growing red)

I wish you’d take more.

JACK (declining}

One thing I’ll say for you, young George;  you haven’t a stingy bone in your body. That’s the Amberson stock in you. (puts his hand on George’s shoulder; his voice a little husky)  I — ah — may not see you again, Georgie — it’s quite probable that from this time on we’ll only know each other by letter — until you’re notified as my next of kin that there’s an old valise to be forwarded to you, and perhaps some dusty curios from the consulate mantelpiece. Well, it’s an odd way for us to be saying good-bye; one wouldn’t have thought it, even a few years ago, but here we are, two gentlemen of elegant appearance in a state of bustitude. We can’t ever tell what will happen at all, can we? Once I stood where we’re standing now, to say good-bye to a pretty girl — only it was in the old station before this was built and we called it the “depot.” We knew we wouldn’t see each other again for almost a year. I thought I couldn’t live through it — and she stood there, crying. Well, I don’t even know where she lives now, or if she is living — and I only want to think of her sometimes when I’m here at the station waiting for a train. If she ever thinks of me she probably imagines I’m still dancing in the ballroom at the Amberson Mansion, and she probably thinks of the Mansion as still beautiful — still the finest house in town. Life and money both behave like loose quicksilver in a nest of cracks. And when they’re gone we can’t tell where — or what the devil we did with ‘em! But I believe I’ll say now — while there isn’t much time left for either of us to get embarrassed about it — I believe I’ll say that I’ve always been fond of you, Georgie, but I can’t say that I always liked you. We all spoiled you terribly when you were a boy. But you’ve got a pretty heavy jolt — and you’ve taken it pretty quietly and -­ well, with the train coming into the shed, you’ll forgive me for saying that there have been times when I thought you ought to be hanged — but I’ve always been fond of you, and now I like you;         and just for a last-word: there may be somebody else in this town who’s always felt about you like that — fond of you, I mean, no matter how much it seemed you ought to be hanged. You might try – Hello, I must run.

He grabs his valise and jumps up.

JACK

I’ll send back the money as fast as they pay me — so good-bye and God bless you, Georgie!

He rushes off to catch the train and is lost from sight in the hurrying crowd.

DISSOLVE OUT:

DISSOVE IN:

George is walking slowly up the street away from camera. CAMERA FOLLOWS, MOVING FASTER than he does until it is so close that his body creates a dark screen for a DISSOLVE.

In a SLOW MOVING SHOT we see the following (with a sort of slight dissolve or wipe from one scene to the other, but retaining a moving-forward speed) for the camera, which is now George, is slowly walking along the street and we are seeing what George sees:

NARRATOR

George Amberson Minafer walked homeward slowly through what seemed to be the strange streets of a strange city; for the town was growing and changing as it never had grown and changed before. It was heaving up in the middle incredibly; it was spreading incredibly; and as it heaved and spread, it befouled itself and darkened its sky.

A shabby, stone-faced house behind a fence, its double front doors, of carved walnut, once glossily varnished, have been painted smoke gray, but the smoke grime shows; and over the doors a smoked sign proclaims the place to be a “Stag Hotel.”

NARRATOR

In this alley he’d fought with two boys at the same time, and whipped them. On that sagging porch a laughing woman had fed him and other boys with doughnuts and gingerbread.

Other houses that have become boardinghouses too genteel for signs, but many are franker, some offering “board by the day, week or meal,” and some, with the label: “Rooms.”

NARRATOR

Yonder the relics of  the iron picket fence he’d made his white pony jump, on a dare.

One, having torn out part of an old stone-trimmed bay window for purposes of commercial display, showed forth two suspended petticoats and a pair of oyster-colored flannel trousers to prove the claims of its black-and-gilt sign: “French Cleaning and Dye House.”

Its next neighbor also sports a remodeled front and permits no doubt that its mission in life is to attend cosily upon death: “J. M. Rolsener, Caskets. The Funeral Home.”

NARRATOR

And in the shabby stone-faced house behind the fence he’d gone to children’s parties — and when he was a little older he’d danced there often and fallen in love with Mary Sharon and kissed her, apparently by force, under the stairs in the hall.

A plain old honest four-square, gray-painted brick house decorated with a great gilt scroll on the railing of the old-fashioned veranda: “Mutual Benev’t Order Cavaliers and Dames of Purity.”

CAMERA IS MOVING up National Avenue to Amberson Addition. It stops at the intersection.

NARRATOR

This was the last “walk home” he was ever to take up National Avenue to Amberson Addition and the big old house at the foot of Amberson Boulevard–

CLOSEUP of the street sign. The arm of it now bears the name “l0th Street” where the name “Amberson Boulevard used to be.

NARRATOR

— But even the name had been changed –

Over this CLOSEUP we hear the sound of a car coming to a stop, very close to camera, and we hear:

YOUNG LADY’S VOICE

One sees so many nice-looking people one doesn’t know nowadays.

CAMERA PANS across to the car — a red one, glittering in brass, with half’ a dozen young people in it whose motorism has reached an extreme manifestation in dress. The ladies of this party are looking favorably at the camera.

YOUNG LADY

This old town of ours is really getting enormous. I shouldn’t mind knowing who he is.

YOUNG MAN (loudly)

I don’t know. I don’t know who he is, but from his looks I know who he thinks he is: he thinks he’s the Grand Duke Cuthbert!

SHOT of George, from ANGLE of the people in the car.

GEORGE (scornfully)

Riff raff!

The driver of the car is heard throwing it into gear. The CAMERA PULLS AWAY SLOWLY, then FASTER (as though it is the car), leaving George.

NARRATOR

The city had rolled over his heart and buried it under, as it rolled over the Major’s and the Ambersons and buried them under to the last vestige.

FULL SHOT of the Amberson Mansion, seen from behind George who is standing in front of camera. He starts walking toward the mansion. CAMERA FOLLOWS, moving faster than he does and soon is so close to him that his body creates a dark screen for a DISSOLVE TO:

CAMERA is on the steps of the Amberson Mansion MOVING up to the door and STOPPING. George’s hands enter the scene, insert a key in the lock and turn it:

NARRATOR

Tonight would be the last night that he and Fanny were to spend in the house which the Major had forgotten to deed to Isabel. Tomorrow they were to move out.

On the Narrator’s words “move out” the door opens and CAMERA MOVES thru it into the house.

NARRATOR

Tomorrow everything would be gone; the very space in which tonight was still Isabel’s room would be cut into new shapes by new walls and floors and ceilings.   And if space itself can be haunted as memory is haunted, then it may be that some impressionable, overworked woman in a kitchenette, after turning out the light, will seem to see a young man kneeling in the darkness–

 

MOVING SHOT as CAMERA WANDERS SLOWLY about the dismantled house — past the bare reception room; the dining room which contains only a kitchen table and two kitchen chairs; up the stairs, close to the smooth walnut railing of the balustrade. Here CAMERA STOPS for a moment, then PANS down to the heavy doors which mask the dark, empty library, HOLD on this for a short pause, then CAMERA PANS back and CONTINUES, even more slowly, up the stairs to the second floor hall where it MOVES up to the closed door of Isabel’s room. The door swings open and we see Isabel’s room is still as it always has been; nothing has been changed.

FADE OUT

Narrator talks through the Fade –

NARRATOR

— with arms outstretched through the wall, clutching at the covers of a shadowy bed. It may seem to her that she hears the faint cry, over and over —-

The dark screen FADES INTO a VERY CLOSE SHOT on George’s back, and immediately CAMERA PULLS AWAY showing George, kneeling beside Isabel’s bed, his hands clutching the covers. Right after the Narrator’s words: “over and over” we hear:

GEORGE

— Mother, forgive me! God forgive me!

CAMERA CONTINUES PULLING AWAY until it holds a FULL SHOT of the room, with George kneeling motionless at the bed. HOLD on this

NARRATOR

–Something had happened — a thing which, years ago had been the eagerest hope of many, many good citizens of the town. And now it came at last: George Amberson Minafer had got his comeuppance. He got it three times filled and running over. But those who had so longed for it were not there to see it, and they never knew it. The ones-who were still living had forgotten all about it and all about him

SLOW DISSOINE TO:

SHOT of the Amberson Mansion — massive as the old house is, it manages to look gaunt: its windows stare with the skull emptiness of all windows in empty houses that are to be lived in no more. Of course, the rowdy boys of the neighborhood have been at work; many of these haggard windows are broken; the front door stands ajar, forced open; and idiot salacity, in white chalk, is smeared everywhere upon the pillars and stone-work of the veranda.

FADE OUT:

FADE IN:

 

EXTEROR. GARDEN – MORGAN MANSION – DAY – (1912)

Lucy and Eugene are walking in their garden.

LUCY

Did you ever hear the Indian name for that little grove of beech trees?

EUGENE (laughing)

No — and you never did either!

LUCY

The name was “Loma-Nashah” and it means “They -Couldn’t -Help­it.”

EUGENE

Doesn’t sound like it!

LUCY

Indian names don’t.  There was a bad Indian Chief lived there — the worst Indian that ever lived, and his name was — it was “Vendonah.” That means “Rides-Down-Everything.”

EUGENE

What?

LUCY

His name was Vendonah, the same thing as “Rides-Down-Everything.”

EUGENE (thoughtfully)

I see.

He gives her a quick look, then fixes his eyes upon the end of the garden path

EUGENE

Go on.

LUCY

Vendonah was unspeakable. He was so proud that he wore iron shoes and he walked over people’s faces with them. He was always killing people that way, and so at the last the tribe decided that it wasn’t a good enough excuse for him that he was young and inexperienced –- he’d have to go. They took him down to the river and put him in a canoe, and pushed him out from shore; and the current carried the canoe out into the middle and then on down to the ocean, and he never got back. They didn’t want him back, of course. But still they didn’t elect another chief in his place. They hated Vendonah but they weren’t able to discover any other warrior they wanted to make chief in his place. They couldn’t help feeling that way.

EUGENE

I see. So that’s why they named the place, “They-Couldn’t­Help-It!”

LUCY

It must have been.

EUGENE (musingly)

And so you’re going to stay here in your garden. You think it’s better to keep on walking these sunshiny gravel paths between your flower beds, and getting to look like a pensive garden-lady in a Victorian engraving

LUCY

I suppose I’m like the tribe that lived here, Papa. I had too much unpleasant excitement. It was unpleasant — but it was excitement. I don’t want any more; in fact, I don’t want anything but you.

EUGENE

You don’t?

He looks at her keenly and she laughs and shakes her head; but he seems perplexed, rather doubtful.

EUGENE

What was the name of the grove? The Indian name, I mean.

LUCY

Hola-Haha .

 EUGENE

No, it wasn’t; that wasn’t the name you said

LUCY

I’ve forgotten.

EUGENE (his look of perplexity remaining)

I see you have. Perhaps you remember the chief’s name better.

LUCY (shaking her head again)

I don’t.

EUGENE

I hope someday you can forget it.

DISSOLVE:

 

EXTERIOR – BUSY STREET CORNER – DAY (1912)

As the scene is DISSOLVING in, an ambulance is swinging around the corner and coming to a stop. It backs around a big crowd of people. Attendants take a stretcher from the back of it, disappear with it behind the crowd for a few moments, and then reappear and return the stretcher to the ambulance with a body on it. During this a smallish young man in a duster fidgets among the crowd, explaining and protesting. Simultaneously with this, a policeman is talking to a fellow patrolman who has joined him. The policeman dominates the scene.

POLICEMAN

It’s wunnerful the damage them little machines can do -­ you’d never think it.– but I guess they ain’t much case ag’in this fella that was drivin’ it…

Funny what he says to the little cuss that done the damage. That’s all he did call him -­ nothing else at all -­ an’ the cuss had broke both his legs for him and gosh-knows-what-all!

YOUNG MAN (with bitterness)

You bet your life they ain’t no case on me! I’m sorry fer him, all right, but it wasn’t anymore my fault than the statehouse! Ho run into me, much as I run into him, and if he gets well he ain’t goin’ to get not one single cent out o’ me! I’m perfectly willin’ to say I’m sorry for him, though, an’ so’s the lady with me. We’re both willin to say that much, but that’s all understand?

During the above, the ambulance clangs away and the crowd disperses.

2ND POLICEMAN

I wasn’t here then. What was it?

POLICEMAN

Riff Raff!

DISSOLVE:

 

INTERIOR. EUGENE’s OFFICE – “MORGAN AUTOMOBILE PLANT – DUSK (1912) CLOSEUP — item in newspaper, under an out-of-focus headline – “AUTOMOBILE BUTCHERY” — reading:

“STREET ACCIDENT”G.A.Minafer, an employee of the Akers Chemical Co., was run down by an automobile yesterday at the corner of Tennessee and Main and had both legs broken. . . “

Eugene, with his hat on the back of his head and one arm through the sleeve of his overcoat, is looking down at the paper. He sticks the other arm into the coat, picks up the newspaper and puts it in his pocket.

DISSOLVE IN:

 

EXTERIOR. STREET OUTSIDE MORGAN AUTOMOBILE PLANT – DUSK (1912) CLOSE SHOT at Eugene’s car, ANGLING past the chauffeur in driver’s seat, toward back of the car. Eugene, the newspaper in his pocket, steps quickly into the car and pulls the door closed behind him.

EUGENE (during the above)

I won’t go home now, Harry. Drive to the City Hospital.

HARRY

Yes, sir. Miss Lucy’s there.

Eugene looks up sharply.

HANRY

She said she expected you’d come there before you went home.

EUGENE

She did?

HARRY

Yes, sir.

EUGENE (stares)

I suppose Mr. Minafer must be pretty bad.

HARRY

Yes, sir.

Harry puts the car in gear and drives off.

DISSOLVE:

 

EXTERIOR – CITY HOSPITAL – DUSK (1912)

Eugene’s car drives up and stops. Eugene gets out and goes into the hospital.

DISSOLVE IN

 

EXTERIOR – CITY HOSPITAL – NIGHT (1912)

Eugene’s car waiting. Eugene comes out of the hospital, sadly and quietly, and gets in the car.

EUGENE

Take me home, Harry.

DISSOLVE:

 

EXTERIOR – MORGAN HOUSE NIGHT (1912)

The car pulls up to the door. Eugene gets out.

HARRY

Good night, sir Mr. Morgan.

EUGENE

Good night.

He goes into the house.

DISSOLVE:

INTERIOR. LIBRARY – MORGAN MANSION – NIGHT (1912)

Eugene comes into the library, goes to his secretary and takes out his diary, unlocks the clasp with a tiny key on his watch chain, opens it, picks up a pen and starts to write.

CLOSEUP of Eugene as be writes. We hear only the scratching of his pen, and on the sound track his voice.

EUGENE’S VOICE (on sound track)

Dearest Isabel — your boy was hurt in a street accident today — run down by an automobile. I thought at first I wouldn’t go to see him at the hospital, but of course I did. I thought it would be hard not to be bitter but I found it was easy — he looked so much like you, dearest one. As I came in, he lifted his hand in a queer gesture, half-forbidding, half­ imploring, then let his fall back on the covers. He said, “You must have thought my mother wanted you to come so that I could ask you to — to forgive me.” Lucy was beside him and she shook her head. No she said, “just to take his hand — gently.” She was radiant. But for me another radiance filled the room — and I knew I’d been true at last to my true love and that through me you had brought your boy under shelter again. .

FADE OUT

THE END

 

____________________________________

THE CUTTING CONTINUITY

A cutting continuity for the  uncut version of  THE MAGNIFICENTAMBERSONS was discovered a number of years ago in the RKO archival records.  A “cutting continuity” is usually prepared before a completed film previews.  Fortunately, in Amberson’s case it was five days before the film was shortened for the Pomona preview. CC’s  are a technical instrument designed to help projectionists when the completed film is sent out to theaters.  It assists protectionists to efficiently and correctly remove sections of the film that a studio may want cut, or more importantly replace damaged portions of a print without the necessity–and expense–of replacing an entire reel.

Thus, this technical instrument, due to necessity, must describe in detail what is heard and seen in the film.  It also gives each shot a number while signifying the shot ‘s length in seconds and frames.  In no way are they created to resemble or read like a screenplay.   This being the case, when I reformatted the cutting continuity to the complete THE MAGNIFICENT AMBERSONS into a screenplay format, I was presently surprised.  Not only did it make a good read but compared favorably to many a screenplay that I have read.  Using it a reader will now be able to see  what was added, subtracted or changed during the transformation of THE MAGNIFICENT AMBERSONS from shooting script to completed film.  I found the comparison fascinating.  I hope you do as well.

 

THE MAGNIFICENTAMBERSONS

 

Production #340/Certificate #7800

March 12. 1942/No. of reels: 14

Footage: 11,858 feet/Running Time: 131 minutes 45 /3 seconds

 

 

FADE IN TITLE #1 –  To of broadcasting waves

 

AN RKO RADIO PICTURE

DISSOLVE

A MERCURY PRODUCTION

FADE OUT

BLACK SCREEN

NARRATOR S VOICE

The magnificence of the Ambersons began in 1873.

Music heard

NARRATOR S VOICE

Their splendor lasted throughout all the years that saw their Midland town spread and darken into a city. In that town in those days...

FADE IN EXT HOUSE-LSS  Camera shooting across street to house in background – Women converging before gate on walk – Carriages pass- Women move off in opposite directions-White horse comes on at left pulling streetcar, “Western-Midland Transit Co. No. 1”

NARRATOR S VOICE

… all the women who wore silk or velvet knew all the other women who wore silk or velvet, and everybody knew everybody else’s family horse-and-carriage. The only public conveyance was the streetcar. Woman leans out upper window in house, waves, calls –

WOMAN

Yoohoo!

Driver stops car – It goes off track – Passengers get off car – Men lift car onto track – Women get back on car – Woman running from house gets on car – Men push car – Climb onto it as horse pulls it to right –

NARRATOR S VOICE

A lady could whistles to it from an upstairs window, and the car would halt at once, and wait for her, while she shut the window, put on her hat and coat, went down¬ stairs, found an umbrella, told the “girl” what to have for dinner, and came forth from the house. Too slow for us nowadays, because the faster we’re carried the less time we have to spare.  But in those days they had time for everything...

LAP DISSOLVE

EXT HOUSE-LS – Snow over everything – Sleighs coming on at left- Go to right- Boys throwing snowballs – Music heard – People passing on walk –

NARRATOR S VOICE

…time for sleigh rides, and balls, and assemblies, and cotillions, and open house on New Year’s…

LAP DISSOLVE

NIGHTSEQUENCE

EXT HOUSE-LS – Camera shooting across to house in background – Moon shining – Lanterns strung along yard – Lights shining from windows of house – Couples milling – Music heard

NARRATOR S VOICE

...and all day picnics in the woods, and even that prettiest of all vanished customs, the serenade.

LAP DISSOLVE

EXT STREET-LS – House in background dark – Street light at left burning – Eugene and bop running on from right background – Run to foreground with instruments – Eugene trips in foreground – Camera pans to follow as Eugene rolls over on bass fiddle in extreme foreground -He sits up – Looks upward anxiously –

NARRATOR S VOICE

Of a summer night, young men would bring an orchestra under a pretty girl’s Window, and flute, harp, fiddle, ‘cello, cornet and bass viol would presently release their melodies to the dulcet stars.

EXT WINDOW-CU – Isabel looking out window to foreground – Frowning – Music heard

EXT HOUSE-MCS-Camera shooting up to window- Isabel standing in window-Turns- Exits –

Light shining through window –

NARRATOR S VOICE

DURING the earlier years of this period...

EXT SALOON DOOR-MS- Door in foreground swinging – Men in silk hats inside – Music heard –

NARRATOR S VOICE

...while bangs and bustles were having their way with women, there were seen men of all ages …

DAY SEQUENCE

EXT LAKE –MS – Camera shooting down to boat on water – Wilbur rowing – Isabel with parasol-Music heard – He turns boat around –

NARRATOR S VOICE

... to whom a hat meant only that rigid, tall silk thing known to impudence as a…

EXT STREET-ECU – Camera shooting up to Major Amberson with top hat on – Snowball hits it- nocks it off – He turns to foreground – Smiles – Music heard –

NARRATOR S VOICE

. . . “Stove-pipe”. But the long contagion of the . . .

INT ROOM-MCU – Reflection of Eugene in mirror in long underwear wearing derby – Music heard – He takes it off – Puts on another –

NARRATOR S VOICE

… “Derby” had arrived; ones season the crown of this hat would be a bucket, next it would be a spoon.

INT ROOM-MCU – Eugene’s feet pulling off boots on bootjack – Music heard – He kicks boot, then bootjack to right-

NARRATOR S VOICE

Every house still kept its bootjack, but high-topped boots gave way...

INT ROOM-CU – Eugene’s hands putting shoes on his feet- Music heard –

NARRATOR S VOICE

…to shoes and “Congress gaiters”; and these were played through fashions that shaped them now with toes like box-ends and now with toes…

INT ROOM-CU – Eugene’s feet with pointed shoes on – Toes wiggling – Music heard – He pulls on

Trousers – Camera pans slightly upward as he gets into them – He moves partly off left struggling with trousers – Mirror shows his reflection -.

NARRATOR S VOICE

...like the prows of racing shells. Trousers with a crease were considered plebeian; the crease proved that the garment had lain upon a shelf, and hence was ready made.’’

INT ROOM-MS- Reflection in mirror of Eugene walking to foreground – Wearing short coat over evening clothes – Then he comes on left foreground – Looks at himself in mirror – Exits left foreground – Reflection exits in background – comes on again in mirror reflection wearing long overcoat – Then he comes on again left foreground – Looks at himself in mirror – Camera tilts slightly upward – Eugene exits left foreground – Reflection exits background –

NARRATOR S VOICE

With evening dress a gentleman wore a tan over coat, so short that his black coat – tails hung visible five inches below the overcoat. But after a season or two he lengthened his overcoat till it touched his heels…and he passed out of his tight trousers . . .

EXT DOOR-MCS Camera shooting down to threshold of open door – Eugene’s legs come out wearing baggy trousers – Music heard – Camera tilts upward showing Eugene standing holding big candy box and cane – Smoking cigar – He starts to foreground –

 NARRATOR S VOICE

…into trousers like great bags.

EXT HOUSE-LS – Camera shooting across street to house – Eugene coming from house in back-ground – Others passing on walk – Music and Narrator heard – Eugene crosses on walk to left- Camera following – Children running on in foreground – Run down street to left background – Camera panning – Eugene going to left background – Tips his hat as carriage passes-

NARRATOR S VOICE

The people were thrifty in that Midland town because they were the sons or grandsons of the “early settlers,” who had opened the wilderness with wagons and axes and guns, but with no money at all. The pioneers…

EXT TOWN-LS – Man coming on in foreground with bicycle – Carriage going to background -General activity – Music and Narrator heard – Eugene and others walking across street – Children running in street- Camera panning to left following Eugene – He tips hat to women – Comes to foreground – Camera pans following him to left passing fountain – Tips hat to woman – Man drinking – Tips his hat- Eugene goes to background – Couple watching –

NARRATOR S VOICE

…were thrifty or they would have perished; they had to store away food for the winter, or goods to trade for food, and they often feared they hadn’t stored enough. They left traces of that fear in their sons and grandsons. In the minds of most of these, indeed, their thrift was next to their religion. To save, even for the sake of saving, was their earliest lesson and discipline. No matter how prosperous they were, they could not spend money either upon “art”...

EXT STREET-MCS – Camera shooting upward following Eugene going to left background – Crossing street – Tips his hat to ladies passing – General activity – He goes toward building in background –

NARRATOR S VOICE

…or upon mere luxury and entertainment, without a sense of sin.

LAP DISSOLVE

EXT STREET-MLS – Sign “Amberson Boulevard” – Boy on bicycle riding past right to left – Eugene on walk at right crossing to left. – Tips hat at townspeople off screen – Stone marker

“Amberson” in front of mansion – Eugene turns through gate toward mansion – Another bicycle passes left to right –

NARRATOR S VOICE

Against so homespun a background, the magnificence of the Ambersons was as conspicuous as a brass band at a funeral.

Voices heard –

JEROME S VOICE

There it is!

HOLMES S VOICE

The Amberson mansion!

EXT STREET-MS – Chorus of townspeople standing looking across right to Amberson mansion –

AUGUST

The pride of the town!

BAXLEY

Well, well.

EXT MANSION-MS – Camera shooting through statues in foreground – Eugene coming on at right on walk approaching mansion entrance –

HUMPHREY S VOICE

Sixty thousand dollars for the woodwork alone!

EXT STREET-ECU – Camera shooting up to faces of two women –

GEORGIA

Hot and cold running water… upstairs and down!

EXT STREET-ECU – Camera shooting up to man –

AUGUST

And stationary washstands in every last bedroom in the place!

EXT STREET-MCU – Camera shooting upward – Man at left foreground – Humphrey coming to him – Talking – Others in background –

HUMPHREY

Well, sir, I presume the President of the United States’d be tickled to swap the White House for the new Amberson Mansion if the Major’d give him the chance.

EXT STREET-CU – Camera shooting up by August talking –

AUGUST

But by the Almighty Dollar, you can bet your sweet life the Major wouldn’t.

BAXLEY

Well, well.

EXT DOOR-MCS – Eugene’s gloved hand ringing bell – He approaches door with box of candy – Camera pans to follow – He waits- Sam the butler opens door –

EUGENE

Is Miss Amberson at home?

SAM

No, suh, Mist’ Mo’gan. Mis’ Ambuhson’s not home.

EUGENE

Well thanks, Sam.

Sam closes door in Eugene’s lace – Music starts –

FADE OUT/FADE IN

EXT DOORS-MCS – Eugene’s gloved hand ringing bell – He approaches door with flowers – Camera pans to follow – He waits – Sam opens door – Says sharply before Eugene can speak –

SAM

No,suh. Mis’ Ambuhson ain’t at home to you, Mist’ Mo’gan.

EUGENE

Thanks.

Eugene turns away –

EXT STREET-MCS – Camera shooting up at group of townspeople looking off to left – Fanny at for left –

FANNY

I guess she’s still mad at him.

MAN S VOICE

Who?

EXT STREET

CU – Camera shooting up to Fanny and Mrs. Johnson looking to right foreground –

MRS.JOHNSON

Isabel.

FANNY

Major Amberson’s daughter.

EXT STREET-MCS – Mansion in background – Eugene climbing onto steam car – Sits down – Starts it – Drives to left – Camera pans to follow –

HUMPHREY S VOICE

Eugene Morgan’s her best beau. Took a bit too much to drink the other night right out here, and stepped clean through the bass fiddle serenadin’ her. Crowd heard laughing –

MAN S VOICE

Well, well.

EXT STREET-ELS – Eugene on steam car driving to left foreground away from mansion –Towns people enter in extreme right background –

MAN S VOICE

I haven’t seen her since she got back from abroad.

MAN S VOICE

Isabel?

EXT STREET-CU- Camera shooting up at three men – Bronson, in center, looks to man at right –

BRONSON

Weil, sir, I don’t know as I know just how to put it…but she’s – she’s kind of a...

EXT SHOP-MCS – Ice cream parlor door opening –

BRONSON S VOICE

…delightful looking young lady.

Isabel coming out with a Saint Bernard on leash – Wilbur following her – Music heard – Isabel moves to left foreground – Camera pans to follow – Steam car heard –

EXT STREET-MCS – Eugene on steam car – Stopping it – Blows whistle – Music heard –

EXT SHOP-MCU – Wilbur and Isabel in foreground – Smiling – Whistle heard – They look to right – Music heard –

EXT SIDEWALK-MCS – Eugene taking bouquet from steam car – Music heard – He approaches them – Takes off his hat –

EXT SHOP-MS – Camera shooting up from street – Three standing in front of ice cream parlor -Isabel with dog on leash – Eugene at right – Music heard – Wilbur tips his hat – Crosses in front of Eugene – Camera pans to follow -Isabel turns coldly away from Eugene toward background – Pan continues as she and Wilbur walk away -They hurry down walk as Eugene starts to follow – He stops – Looks after them –

BRONSON S VOICE

Wilbur? Wilbur Minafer? I never thought he’d get her. Well, what do you know?

INT BARBER SHOP-MCS – Uncle Jack in barber chair with lather on face – Turns as barber exits left -Jack looking into camera -Addresses group of men seen behind him in reflection in mirror

JACK

Well, Wilbur may not be any Apollo, as it were, but he’s a steady young business man.

INT SEWING ROOM-MS – Camera shooting up through sewing machine and dress form in foreground – Women around room – One at left talking surprised – Mrs. Foster in background in corset and bustle –

FIRST WOMAN

Wilbur Minafer!

Mrs. Johnson stooped over at right- Raises up to address others-

MRS. JOHNSON

Looks like Isabel’s pretty sensible for such a showy girl.

FIRST WOMAN

To think of her taking him.

SECOND WOMAN

Yes, just because a man any woman would like a thousand times better was a little wild one night at a serenade!

MRS. FOSTER

What she minds was his makin’ a down of himself in her own front yard. Made her think he didn’t care much about her.

Foster steps down – Comes to foreground -Others gather around her as Mrs. Johnson helps on with kimono –

MRS. FOSTER

She’s probably mistaken, but it’s too late for her to think anything else now. The wedding’ll be a big Amberson-style thing— raw oysters floating in scooped-out blocks of ice…

Sits down by sewing machine as she talks – First woman comes partly on in extreme foreground – Hands coffee cup to Mrs. Foster –

MRS. FOSTER

…and a band from out of town. And then Wilbur’ll take Isabel on the carefullest little wedding trip he can manage, and she’ll be a good wife to him, but they’ll have the worst spoiled lot of children this town will ever see.

FIRST WOMAN

How on earth do you figure that out, Mrs. Foster?

MRS. FOSTER

She couldn’t love Wilbur, could she?  Well, it’ll all go to her children and she’ll ruin them!

LAP DISSOLVE

EXT STREET-LS – People moving around at left on walk – Pony and cart coming forward from Back ground – Young George driving – Music heard –

NARRATOR S VOICE

The prophetess proved to be mistaken in a single detail, merely…Wilbur and Isabel did not have children: they had only one.

George steadily moving toward foreground –

MRS. FOSTER S VOICE

Only one! But I’d like to know if he isn’t spoiled enough for a whole carload!

NARRATOR S VOICE

Again she found none to challenge her. George Amberson Minafer, the Major’s one grandchild, was a princely terror.

George in cart exits extreme left foreground.

EXT STREET-MS – Laborer leaning over pile of sand – George driving from background – Turning corner sharply – Laborer leaps out of way yelling –

LABORER

Hey! By . ..

Cart exits left foreground – Laborer rushes forward – Angrily throwing down tool.

LABORER

…golly! I guess you think you own this town!

GEORGE S VOICE

I will when I grow up.

EXT STREET-MCS – Laborer in right foreground running after George – George in can yelling back over shoulder – Laborer moves to left and stops-George races to background in cart- Music heard –

GEORGE

I guess my grandpa owns it now, you bet!

LABORER

Aw, pull down your vest!

GEORGE

Don’t haf to ! Doctor says it ain’t healthy!

He drives to left background – Man moves to right- Camera pans – George yells back at man –

GEORGE

But I’ll tell you what I’ll do…

Man runs after cart – George yelling –

GEORGE

…I’ll pull down my vest if you’ll wipe off your chin!

He races to background in cart- Music heard –

EXT STREET-MS – Camera shooting across street

People in front of buildings in background – George driving on at right background – Drives pony to extreme left foreground and exits – Music heard -I

EXT STREET-MLS – Camera shooting past cannon monument at left foreground – Buildings in

Back ground – George races on in cart- Exits left – Music heard –

NARRATOR S VOICE

They did hope to live to see the day, they said…

EXT STREET

MLS – Man in front of building in background – George riding on right back- ground – Passes lamppost – He turns corner rapidly – Camera pans to follow – Rides to extreme left foreground – Music heard –

NARRATOR S VOICE

…when that boy would get his comeuppance!

EXT SIDEWALK

MCU – Camera shooting up to woman and Bronson – She asks – Surprised –Music stops-

WOMAN

His what?

BRONSON

His comeuppance. Something’s bound to take him down, some day, and I only want to be there.

EXT YARD CU – Camera shooting up to boy looking left – Yelling derisively –

ELIJAH

Enh, look at the girly-curleys…

EXT YARD MLS – Boy watching street from behind gate in yard – George riding on from right –

ELIJAH

...enh, look at the girly-curleys.

George stops-

ELIJAH

Say, Bub, where’d you steal your mother’s ole sash!

George stands up in cart-

GEORGE

Your sisters stoled it for me!  She stoled it off our old clo’es line an’ gave it to me.

ELIJAH

You go get your hair cut! Yah! And I haven’t got any sister!

GEORGE

Yeah, I know you haven’t at home. I mean the one that’s in jail.

ELIJAH

I dare ya to git down outta that pony can!

George starts to get out of cart –

XT STREET MCS – Camera shooting upward past boy standing by gate at right foreground –

George in background jumping down from can –

GEORGE

I dare ya outside that gate!

EXT YARD MLS – Boy by gate to George standing on other side of fence –

ELIJAH

I dare ya half way here! I dare ya!

George runs to gate – Yelling –

GEORGE

Here I come!

He starts to leap over gate –

EXT GATE MCU – Camera shooting up over gate – George in foreground leaping onto boy in yard –

EXT YARD MCS – Two boys fighting – Struggling – Yelling indistinctly –

EXT WINDOW CU – Curtains parting – Bronson looks out- Boys still heard fighting –

EXT YARD-MCS – George wrestling Elijah to ground – Camera pans to follow

EXT WINDOW-CU – Bronson inside yelling at George – Knocks on glass- Boys heard yelling –

BOY S VOICE

Mother! Mother!

BRONSON

Boy! Boy!

Bronson turns away from window –

EXT HOUSE-MS – Camera panning left to front porch –

GEORGE S VOICE

Pick on someone your own size, you big bully!

Bronson opens door and rushes out – Claps hands and shouts-

 BRONSON

Hey! Boy!

He runs down to left foreground –

EXT YARD-MCS – Boys fighting on ground in foreground – George sitting on Elijah – Holding him down – Bronson running from background to them –

ELIJAH

Mother!

Bronson grabs George –

EXT YARD-MCU – Bronson dragging George off Elijah –

ELIJAH

Mother!

Camera pans up to Bronson tugging –

BRONSON

Boy! Boy!

EXT YARD-MCS – Bronson continuing to pull George away – George hits Bronson in stomach –

BRONSON

That’ll be enough of that! Oof!

Elijah runs off to background –

GEORGE

You stop that, you!

EXT YARD-CU – Camera shooting up at George hitting out to left –

EXT YARD-CU – Camera shooting up at Bronson groaning and doubling up –

EXT YARD-CU – Camera shooting up at George looking up to left-

GEORGE

I guess you don’t know who I am!

EXT YARD-CU – Camera shooting up at Bronson looking down to foreground –

BRONSON

Yes, I do! And you’re a disgrace to your mother!

EXT YARD-CU – Camera shooting up at George looking up to left –

GEORGE

You shut up about my mother!

He hits out to left again –

EXT YARD-CU – Camera shooting up at Bronson groaning and doubling up again as fists hit him –

BRONSON

She ought to be ashamed to let a bad little boy like you…

EXT YARD-CU – Camera shooting up at George punching left –

GEORGE

You pull down your vest, you ole Billy goat, you! Pull down your vest, an’ wipe off your chin, an’ — an’ go ta…

EXT YARD-ECU – Bronson, shocked, shouts –

BRONSON

WHAT!

FADE OUT/FASE IN

DAY SEQUENCE

EXT ARBOR-MS- Mansion exterior in extreme background – George standing defiantly near foreground with back to others – Major sitting at left – Isabel and Wilbur sitting at right –

Wilbur reading letter –

WILBUR

“This was heard not only by myself but by my wife and the lady who lives next door.”

GEORGE

He’s an ole liar!

MAJOR

Georgie! You mustn’t say “liar.”

ISABEL

Dear, did you say what he says you did?

GEORGE

Well — Grandpa wouldn’t wipe his shoe on that ole story teller.

ISABEL

Georgie, you mustn’t…

GEORGE

I mean, none of us Ambersons wouldn’t have anything to do with him.

ISABEL

That’s not what we’re talking about.

GEORGE

I bet if he wanted to see any of us, he’d have to go ’round to the side door!

Major laughs loudly –

ISABEL

No, Georgie.

WILBUR

Please! Father!

Major still laughing -I

ESABEL

From his letter he doesn’t seem a very tactful person, but…

GEORGE

He’s just riffraff.

ISABEL

Oh, you mustn’t say so.

George turns – Goes to mother –

ISABEL

And you must promise me never to use those bad words again.

GEORGE

I promise not to…

He crosses to left and behind Major –

GEORGE

…unless I get mad at somebody. He exits left

Music heard –

LAP DISSOLVE

EXT STREET-CU – Camera shooting up to three men – Bronson at left talks to others

BRONSON

Wait ’til they send him away to school — then he’ll get it. They’ll knock the stuffing out of him.

LAP DISSOLVE

EXT STREET-LS – Camera shooting from shadows near intersection – Men idling in sunshine alongside street in background – Older George racing on in buggy alongside street – Turns comer rapidly – Proceeds up street to background – Music heard –

NARRATOR’S VOICE

But George returned with the same stuffing.

EXT STREET-MCU- Man in apron bending over in extreme foreground – George racing on from right – Crosses behind man – Cracks man with whip – Camera pans to follow as man runs after George yelling – George looks back – Rides around corner in background and exits –

MAN

Got any sense? See here, Bub, does your mother know you’re out? Turn down your pants, you would-be dude!

EXT STREET-MS – Camera shooting up from ground – George racing to foreground – Camera panning to follow – Music heard – Man leaps out of way – Exits left foreground –

MAN S VOICE

Rainin’ in dear ole Lunnon!

Camera makes 180° pan to right following George – Buggy wheel fills screen as it passes – Man heard yelling –

MAN S VOICE

Git off the earth!

George races to background – People watching – He cuts in front of team of horses – They rear up – Making noises- He turns corner –

EXT STREET-MLS – Camera shooting up from ground – George races on from right – Camera pans to follow – George proceeds down street to left background – Music heard

LAP DISSOLVE

INT CLUB ROOM-MCS – Letters and club sign on door – George’s shadow comes on outside – He knocks on glass-

INT CLUB ROOM-MCS – Camera shooting past Fred sitting in foreground at desk – Others in background – George’s shadow seen on door in background – Boy at right background raps on glass with knife –

INT CLUB ROOM-MCU- Boy at right with knife – George outside door raps signal-Another boy comes on at left foreground – Opens door – One at right folds arms •Exits as George comes in opening door in front of him – Boy in foreground – Folds arms –

SECOND BOY

Welcome, Friend of the Ace.

GEORGE

Welcome, Friend of the Ace.

INT CLUB ROOM-MLS – Boys around room – Greet George standing in doorway at left back ground with others –

BOYS

Welcome, Friend of the Ace.

Boy talks to George – George looking at Fred at desk –

BOY

Hi, George.

Fred talks – George talking to other boy –

FRED

Take your seat in the secret semicircle.

GEORGE

Look here, Charlie Johnson…

FRED

We will now proceed to the business in hand.

INT CLUB ROOM-MCS – Fred sitting at desk in foreground – George and others in background – He motions to Fred – Talks to Bill at left –

GEORGE

…what’s Fred Kinney doing in the president’s chair?

Fred raps on desk – George turns-

GEORGE

Didn’t you all agree I was to be president just the same, even if I was away at school?

INT CLUB ROOM-MCU – Three in foreground – Look at Fred behind desk in background rapping on desk – Talking –

FRED

All Friends of the Ace will take their seats!  I’m president of the F.O.T.A. now, George Minafer.

INT CLUB ROOM-LS – Boys around desk in background – Fred pounding on desk –

FRED

This meeting will now come to order.

George shouts angrily –

GEORGE

No it won’t. You put down that gavel.

Fred pounds on desk – George grabs gavel away from him –

GEORGE

It belongs to my grandfather. Give it to me.

FRED

I was legally elected here.

GEORGE

All right.

INT CLUB ROOM-MCU – Fred sitting in foreground – George facing him – Boys around George –

GEORGE

You’re president.

He turns to boys –

GEORGE

Now we’ll hold another election.

INT CLUB-ROOM MCU – George and boys in foreground – Fred leaps up behind desk in back ground talking angrily –

FRED

We will nod

Fred talks sitting down at desk –

FRED

We’ll have our regular meeting, and then we’ll play euchre, a nickel a comer just what we’re here for. This meeting will now come to order.

He pounds on desk with gavel – George leans over – Grabs gavel-

INT CLUB ROOM-MCS – Fred in foreground – George on other side of desk trying to take gavel from him – Boys on other side in background – George takes it from him – Puts it on desk

GEORGE

That belongs to my grandfather. Who’s the founder of the F.O.T.A. if you please?

He looks around at other boys in background belligerently –

INT CLUB ROOM-MS Camera shooting up at group of boys around George – Fred sitting at desk in background – George talking belligerently –

GEORGE

Who got the janitor to let us have most of this furniture? You think you could keep this clubroom a minute if I told my grandfather I didn’t need it for a literary club anymore? And another thing…

INT CLUB ROOM-MCU ‘Boy at left foreground – George on other side of him looking around talking – Boy at right- Fred in background at desk –

GEORGE

… I want to say something on how you men been acting, too! If that’ s what you want, you can have it. I was going to bring some port wine down here and we’d have a little celebration some night like we do in our crowd at school.

INT CLUB ROOM-MS – Camera shooting up past Fred sitting at desk right foreground – To George turning from boys in background –

GEORGE

But, you men got a new president now!  He goes to door in background –

GEORGE

I guess all I better do is resign!

He stops in background by door as Charlie looks around – Talks quickly –

CHARLIE

All those in favor of holding a new election say, “Aye.”

Boys raise hands –

ALL

Aye!

Fred leaps up in foreground –

FRED

That’s unfair!

George in background turns-

GEORGE

All those in favor of me being president instead of Fred Kinney say, “Aye!”

ALL

Aye!

GEORGE

The “Ayes” have it.

George comes to foreground – Grinning- Fred hurries down around desk at left – Hurries to door in background –

FRED

I resign!

He rushes out door in background – Exits slamming door –

INT CLUB ROOM-MS – Boys looking to foreground laughing – George goes around behind desk

GEORGE

Meeting adjourned.

Boys laugh – Rise – Move around – Camera pans- They go to left – George talking to them –

GEORGE

I had a pretty good time at the old school, back East.

They gather around card table – Listening as George talks boastingly –

GEORGE

Had a little trouble with the faculty and had to come home. But the family stood by me as well as I could ask. Anybody that’s game for a little quarter-limit poker or any limit they say, why I’d like to have ’em sit at the president’s card-table.

Boys all sit down around table in foreground –

LAP DISSOLVE

NIGHT SEQUENCE

 

EXT AMBERSON MANSION-ELS – Camera shooting over grounds to lighted house in background – Sleighs and carriages along fence – Others passing in foreground – Music heard –

NARRATOR S VOICE

When Mr. George Amberson Minafer came home for the holidays in his sophomore year nothing about him encouraged any hope that he had received his comeuppance. Cards were out for a ball in his honor, and this pageant of the tenantry was the last of the…

LAP DISSOLVE

EXT DOORS-MCS- Lucy and Eugene advancing from extreme foreground toward background -Camera moving to follow them – Eugene holding hat on – Servants open doors- Sound of wind and music heard –

NARRATOR S VOICE

… great, long-remembered dances that “ everybody talked about.”

Camera continues to follow them across vestibule and inside – Sam greets them – Crosses right after they pass – Lucy looks to left-

LUCY

Hello, there!

She runs to left – Exits – Sam takes Eugene’s hat –

INT ROOM MLS-People around Christmas tree at left foreground – Crowd moving around in background talking – General activity – Eugene in extreme background removing coat and scarf – Music heard – Camera moving slowly to background – Guests crossing in front of camera – Camera gradually moving in toward receiving line – Uncle John speaking to Major – Isabel and George looking on at left

JOHN

1 suppose that’s where they’ll put the Major when his time comes. Now don’t you look at me like that, Major.

Camera moves closer -John comes to George extending his hand –

JOHN

Georgie!

MAJOR

Sam!

Major comes to right foreground – Exits-John shakes George’s hand – Laughs- George frowns – Eugene approaches receiving line – Camera moving closer –

JOHN

You look fine. Ha! Ha! There wuz a time though, in your fourth month, that you were so puny nobody thought you’d live.

George looks embarrassed -John turns to foreground –

JOHN

Where’s Fanny?

GEORGE

Member you very well indeed.

John exits right foreground – Eugene takes Isabel’s hand – Greets her –

EUGENE

Isabel.

INT ROOM-CU Isabel smiling up at Eugene partly on right foreground – George behind her frowning – Music heard –

ISABEL

Eugene!

INT ROOM-CU – Isabel partly on left foreground – Eugene facing her smiling – Looks up to Foreground – Music heard –

EUGENE

This your boy, Isabel?

INT ROOM-MCU-Isabel in center turning left to George to present Eugene – George frowning -Eugene lets go of her hand –

ISABEL

George, this is Mr. Morgan.

George shakes Eugene’s hand – Responds curdy –

GEORGE

Remember you very well indeed!

Isabel laughs embarrassed – Eugene smiles –

EUGENE

George, you never saw me before in your life. But from now on you’re going to see a lot of me…

INT ROOM-CU – Isabel partly on left foreground – Eugene at right looks at her- Smiling –

EUGENE

…I hope.

She smiles – Music heard

ISABEL

I hope so too, Eugene.

EUGENE

Where’s Wilbur?

INT ROOM-MCU – Eugene partly on right foreground – Isabel facing him smiling – George at left behind her frowning in disapproval- Music heard –

ISABEL

You’ll find him in the game room with some of the others…He never was much for parties, remember?

INT ROOM-CU – Isabel partly on left foreground – Eugene facing her at right nodding – Smiling –

EUGENE

Yes, I remember.

He turns slightly to right- Smiling –

EUGENE

I’ll come back for a dance.

INT ROOM-MCS Eugene at right foreground – Isabel smiling up at him – George behind her at left frowning – Music heard –

ISABEL

Please do.

Eugene looks to left holding out his hand –

EUGENE

Eugene Morgan, Major Amberson.

Major comes on at left- Grips his hand –

MAJOR

Well, well, well!

The two men exit right- Couple coming on in foreground – Greeting George and Isabel – Lucy coming on in foreground –

GEORGE

Remember you very well, indeed. Remember you very well, indeed.

Major heard talking indistinctly – Jack coming on in background – Lucy coming on in foreground greeting Isabel and George –

LUCY

Miss Morgan.

EUGENE S VOICE

Jack!

JACK

Gene!

Jack exits right- Lucy takes George’s hand – He smiles –

GEORGE

Remember you very well, indeed!

He smiles holding onto Lucy’s hand – Isabel smiles –

ISABEL

You don’t remember her either, Georgie, but of course you will. Miss Morgan’s from out of town…You might take her up to the dancing, I think you’ve pretty well done your duty here.

GEORGE

Be delighted.

He holds out his arm -She takes it-They turn – Come to foreground -Isabel watching after the two – Camera moving back -Showing people around – George talks to Lucy –

GEORGE

What did you say your name was?

LUCY

Morgan.

GEORGE

Oh.

Jack and Eugene come on passing camera in extreme foreground -Jack with arm around Eugene –

JACK

Well, I’m certainly glad you’re back.

EUGENE

It’s nice to be back, too, Jack. Been a long time.

Eugene and Jack crossing front of George and Lucy-Go to background- Continue talking- Lucy glances at Jack – Says to George –

LUCY

Who’s that?

He glances back at Eugene – Answers- As they walk to foreground –

GEORGE

Oh I didn’t catch his name when my mother presented him to me. You mean the Queer looking duck?

LUCY

The who?

GEORGE

The queer-looking duck.

LUCY

Oh, I wouldn’t say that.

They start up steps at right •Camera pans to follow – Pan continues past musicians playing in foreground – Camera moves to follow them up steps as they talk –

GEORGE

The one with him’s my Uncle Jack. Honorable Jack Amberson. I thought everybody knew him.

LUCY

He looks as though everybody ought to know him. It seems to run in your family.

GEORGE

Well I suppose most everybody does know him…

They exit at right –

INT BALCONY-MCS – George and Lucy coming up steps from left background – Camera pans to follow – Music heard – Others following – George and Lucy come to foreground –

GEORGE

… out in this part of the country especially. Uncle Jack’s pretty well known.

They come up to extreme foreground past camera to left foreground –

GEORGE

He’s a congressman, you know.

LUCY

Oh, really?

Camera pans following them up toward right background –

GEORGE

Oh, yes.

They continue to background – People around

GEORGE

The family always liked to have someone in Congress.

They go through crowd to right – Camera pans to follow – They exit – Music heard – George to talking indistinctly – people around talking –

GEORGE

It’s sort of a good thing in one way

Camera pans up to right – Showing crowd of couples going up steps and balcony above to background – Much talking and confusion –

INT STAIRCASE-MLS – Camera shooting up to balcony – Crowd moving up to background – John heard talking – Music heard – General talking and noises-

JOHN

Solid black walnut every inch of it — balustrades and all.

John stops up at right background slapping railing – Talking over music and crowd –

JOHN

Sixty thousand dollars’ worth o’ carved woodwork in the house! Like water! Spent money like water! Always did! Still do! Like water!

Fanny comes on behind him – He turns as he talks-

JOHN

Gosh knows where it all comes from!

He sees Fanny-

JOHN

Hello...

INT BALCONY-MCU -John turning to Fanny above at right by railing – Crowd passing – Music heard – General confusion -John talking to her –

JOHN

… Fanny!

FANNY

Hello, Uncle John.

Lucy and George come on at left – George talks to Fanny –

GEORGE

Aunt Fanny.

She goes to them talking surprised – The two stopping –

FANNY

Well…

JOHN

Hello.

FANNY

… is this Lucy Morgan?

 

GEORGE

Miss Morgan, Miss Minafer.

FANNY

You must favor your mother, my dear. I never knew her.

John grabs Fanny –

JOHN

Come on…

INT HALL-MCS – George, Lucy, Fanny, and Uncle John in foreground – Others moving around on staircases in background – Music heard -John holding onto Fanny talking – Bringing her to near foreground -John and Fanny smiling –

JOHN

…there’s dancing going on. Hoopla!

He continues bringing her to foreground – Camera moving back – Lucy and George following them -John talking loudly –

JOHN

Le’s push through an’ go see those young women folks crack their heels! Start the Circus!  Hoopse-daisy! Ha-ha-ha.

John and Fanny scan dancing – Dance to right foreground – Exit- George and Lucy dancing to foreground – Others dancing around – Music stops – People applaud – George coming to foreground with Lucy – Camera moving back through ballroom –

GEORGE

Give me the next one and the one after that, and every third one the rest of the

LUCY

Are you asking?

INT BALLROOM-MCU Camera shooting up at Fanny and John letting their breaths out – People moving around in background –

JOHN

Well, I don’ want any more o’ that!

He turns to Fanny at left as he moves to background – Wilbur coming on behind John – General noises heard –

JOHN

Jus’slidin’ ’round! 

 

Fanny talks to Wilbur –

FANNY

Wilbur…

John passes them to left background – Talking loudly – Fanny and Wilbur whispering – He follows John to left background passing behind George and Lucy –

JOHN

Call that dancin’?

Wilbur grabbing him trying to quiet him – He stops – Talks loudly to Lucy and George –

WILBUR

John! John!

JOHN

Rather sec a jig any day in the world! Hello, young lady.

 

He nudges her – Winks- Laughs – She laughs – Speaks –

LUCY

Hello.

Wilbur brings John to foreground – Talking to George –

WILBUR

I’ll send Uncle John home.

GEORGE

All right, Father.

John looks around laughing – Talking loudly – Wilbur nodding – Murmuring – Bringing him to foreground – Camera moving back – George and Lucy following – People around ballroom –

JOHN

Ain’t very modest some of ’em. I don’t mind that, though. Not me.

Wilbur exits left with John –

Camera continues moving back – George and Lucy following – Activity in ballroom in background – Group of boys come on in foreground – Ail smiling- Greeting Lucy – George looking around jealously –

FIRST BOY

Hello, Lucy.

LUCY

Hello.

SECOND BOY

Hello, Lucy.

LUCY

Hello, Argyle.

THIRD BOY

Hello, Lucy.

LUCY

Hello.

She sniffs bouquet as they come to foreground – Boys going to background – Camera moving back – George talks jealously –

GEORGE

How’d all these ducks get to know you so quick?

Music changes- She smiles-

LUCY

Oh, I’ve been here a week.

GEORGE

Seems to me you’ve been pretty busy! Most of these …Another group of boys comes on – Greeting her with smiles

BOY

Hello, Lucy.

LUCY

Hello.

George and Lucy continue to foreground – Camera moving back – George speaks disgustedly –

GEORGE

...most of these ducks, I don’t know what my mother wanted to invite ’em here for, anyway.

LUCY

Don’t you like them?

GEORGE

Oh, I used to be president of a club that we had here, and some of’em belonged to it. But I don’t care much for that sort of thing anymore.  I really don’t see why my mother invited ’em.

They stop in foreground – Camera stops –

LUCY

Maybe she didn’t want to offend their fathers and mothers.

GEORGE

I hardly think that my mother need worry about offending anybody in this old town.

LUCY

It must be wonderful, Mr. Amberson— Mr. Minafer, I mean.

GEORGE

What must be wonderful?

LUCY

To be so important as that!

GEORGE

Oh, that isn’t important.

Couple coming on at right foreground – Pass them – George greets them disinterestedly

MAN

Good evening.

GEORGE

Good evening.

He continues talking to Lucy –

GEORGE

Anybody that really is anybody ought to be able to do about as they like in their own town, I should think.

He looks off left – Lucy looks off left –

INT BALL ROOM-MLS – Eugene and Fanny dancing between columns – Couples dancing in background – Music heard – Eugene waves to right – Calls out

EUGENE

Hello.

The two dance toward background – George coming on at right – George staring at Eugene – Turns to Lucy as he comes on at right –

GEORGE

Well!.,how’s that for a bit of freshness!

LUCY

What was?

She crosses in front of him and joins him –

GEORGE

That queer-looking duck waving his hand at me like that.

LUCY

He meant me.

She waves at Eugene – George talks jealously again as they cross to left foreground – Camera pans to follow them –

GEORGE

Oh, he did? Everybody seems to mean you.

She smells flowers – Camera moves left to follow them – Music heard – They pass people

GEORGE

See here! Are you engaged to anybody?

LUCY

No.

GEORGE

You certainly seem to know a good many people!

LUCY

Papa does. He used to live here in this town before I was born.

GEORGE

Where do you live now?

LUCY

We’ve lived all over.

Camera moves to follow them to left foreground as they talk –

GEORGE

What do you keep moving around so for? Is he a — promoter?

LUCY

No, he’s an inventor.

GEORGE

Oh? What’s he invented?

Major comes on at left foreground – Speaks to George –

MAJOR

Georgie

GEORGE

Grandfather.

The two continue to foreground – Camera fellows as they go up steps to left –

LUCY

Just lately he’s been working on a new kind of horseless carriage.

GEORGE

Horseless carriage?  Ottomobiles?  Well, well.

Lucy turns to face him – Continuing up steps-

LUCY

Don’t you approve of them, Mr. Minafer?

GEORGE

Oh, yes, they’re all right.

She sits on steps at left background –

LUCY

You know, I’m just beginning to understand.

INT HALL-MLS Camera shooting from above on steps- Lucy sitting on steps at right with back to camera – George at left facing her – People seen dancing in ballroom in extreme background -Eugene and Fanny seen dancing together – Other guests moving around in hall- Music heard –

GEORGE

Understand what?

George sits at left- Looks down at her – She looks up at him –

LUCY

What it means to be a real Amberson in this town. Papa told me something about it before we came, but I see he didn’t say half enough.

GEORGE

Did your father say he knew the family before he left here?

LUCY

I don’t think he meant to boast of it. He spoke of it quite calmly.

She smells her flowers as he continues impatiently – Music stops – Eugene and Fanny approach from ballroom in background –

GEORGE

They ought to go to a man’s college for about a year. They’d get taught a few things about freshness.  Look here. Who sent you those flowers you keep making such a fuss over?

Eugene calls to Lucy –

EUGENE

Lucy!

Lucy glances at Eugene and continues-

LUCY

He did.

GEORGE

Who’s “ he”?

LUCY

“The queer-looking duck.”

EUGENE

I’ve come for that dance.

George talks derisively to Lucy – Eugene and Fanny come to steps and start up –

GEORGE

Oh, him? I s’pose he’s some old widower. Heh— some old widower.

LUCY

Yes, he is a widower.  I ought to have told you before; he’s my father.

George embarrassed –

GEORGE

Oh, well that’s a horse on me. If I’d known he was your…

Eugene comes up stairs – Isabel follows him – Eugene speaks to Lucy

EUGENE

This is our dance…but I guess I won’t insist on it.

ISABEL

George, dear, are you enjoying the party?

GEORGE

Yes, Mother, very much. Will you please excuse us? Miss Morgan?

Lucy takes George’s arm – They go down steps – Camera moving down to Isabel and Eugene -Others in background – Jack stepping up in background – Music heard – Isabel talks proudly -Jack watching the two exit down steps in background –

ISABEL

It’s charming, isn’t it?

EUGENE

Hmm?

ISABEL

Those children. It’s touching. But of course they don’t … it’s touching.

Jack talks – Two in foreground turning to him – Stan down to him –

JACK

Do you know what I think whenever I see these smooth triumphal young laces?

INT HALL- MS  Fanny below at left of steps – Isabel, Eugene, and Jack turning on steps – Start down -Jack talking – Music heard –

JACK

I always think …They come down –

JACK

…oh, how you’re going to catch it.

Isabel smiling – Talks to Jack –

ISABEL

Jack.

They come down to foreground.  People passing. Camera moving back. Jack talking -Others coming down steps behind them.

JACK

OK, yes. Life’s got a special walloping for every mother’s son of ’em.

ISABEL

Maybe some of the mothers can take the walloping for them.

They cross to right foreground – Camera pans following them -Jack laughing –

JACK

Not any more than she can take on her own face the lines that are bound to come on her son’s.

The four stop in foreground -Jack at right talking – People passing –

JACK

I suppose you know that all these young faces have got to get lines on ’em?

ISABEL

Maybe they won’t. Maybe times will change and nobody will have to wear lines.

EUGENE

Times have changed like that for only one person I know.

Eugene laughs at Isabel – The four come to foreground – Following camera as they talk –

JACK

What puts the lines on faces? Age or trouble? Ha, we can’t say that wisdom does it. We must be polite to Isabel.

They all laugh – Eugene talks as they come to foreground –

EUGENE

Age puts some, and trouble puts some, and work puts some . . .

They stop as Eugene talks – People moving around in background –

EUGENE

. . . but the deepest wrinkles are carved by lack of faith. The serenest brow is the one that believes the most.

ISABEL

In what?

EUGENE

In everything.  Oh, yes, you do.

ISABEL

Why, I believe— I believe I do.

Jack laughs – Talks as they follow camera through arch to foreground –

JACK

Isabel. There’re times when you look exactly fourteen years old.

Camera moves back over table in foreground – Major standing at left of table by punch bowl – Fanny, Eugene, Isabel, Jack approach –

MAJOR

Eggnog, anybody?

EUGENE

Not for me, Sir.

MAJOR

I see you kept your promise, Gene.

Wilbur approaches behind them – Major in foreground *Addressing Isabel -Jack at right pouring punch –

MAJOR

Isabel, I remember the last drink Gene ever had. Fact is, I believe if he hadn’t broken that bass fiddle, Isabel never would have taken Wilbur.  Major laughs –

MAJOR

What do you think, Wilbur?

WILBUR

I shouldn’t be surprised. If your notion’s right, I’m glad Gene broke the fiddle.

Major moves around Eugene to Isabel – Rests hand under her chin –

MAJOR

What do you say about it, Isabel? By jingo. She’s blushing.

ISABEL

Who wouldn’t blush?

They all laugh—Major moves right. – Camera follows – Eugene goes to Fanny – leads her to right following Major – Others turn right.

FANNY

The important thing is that Wilbur did get her…

Sam crosses with tray from right to left in foreground – Eugene gazing off to right –

FANNY

…and not only got her but kept her.

EUGENE

There’s another important thing — that is, for me. In fact it’s the only thing that makes me forgive that bass viol for getting in my way.

George and Lucy come on right foreground – Cross to left –

JACK

Well, what’s that?

EUGENE

Lucy.

George and Lucy stop in extreme foreground – Lucy makes half-turn right in response – Camera moves back –

JACK

You havin’ a good time?

Major comes on right – Holds Eugene’s arm – Group moves left – Camera pans to follow

MAJOR

I don’t suppose you ever gave up smoking.

EUGENE

No, sir.

MAJOR

Well, I’ve got some Havanas.

Group continues to background – Camera moves to follow – Stops at table –

JACK

Do your ears burn, young lady?

Lucy laughs – George and Lucy come forward to table in foreground –

GEORGE

Would you care for some refreshments Miss Morgan?

LUCY

Yes, thanks.

George serves her – Eugene and Jack in background lighting cigars –

GEORGE

What did you say your name was?

LUCY

Morgan.

GEORGE

Funny name.

Eugene approaching behind them –

LUCY

Everybody else’s name always is.

GEORGE

I didn’t mean it was really funny.

Jack advancing to join Eugene –

GEORGE

That’s just one of the crowd’s bits of horsing at college.

Lucy laughs – Eating olive – Eugene moves behind and between them –

GEORGE

I knew your last name was Morgan. I meant your first name.

Eugene interjects to George –

EUGENE

Lucy.

Eugene and Jack exit right – George looks after Eugene indignantly –

GEORGE

Well!

Woman leading man and Mrs. Johnson from room in background to foreground

GEORGE

No, Lucy’s very much all right.

LUCY

Thanks.

Woman and man stop at table – Mrs. Johnson exits right – Woman indicating olives –

WOMAN

Here they are. Here they are, Henry.

HENRY

Are they?

GEORGE

Thanks for what?

LUCY

Thanks about letting my name be Lucy.

She takes George’s arm – They turn to background -They go to background – Mrs. Johnson comes on at right

WOMAN

No, they’re not.

MRS.JOHNSON

No?

WOMAN

No.

Henry and the two women turn to right background –

INT BALLROOM-MS – Lacy and George coming to foreground – Others around – Man going to background – George bumps into one – Ignores him – The two exit right foreground – Man turns – Talks angrily – Jack and Eugene by table in background – Crowd noise heard – Man moving to foreground – Two in background coming to him –

MAN

Look at that! Look at that boy! Sorry, your highness.

Man exits right -Jack and Eugene come to foreground – Camera moving back – Music heard -They stop in foreground –

JACK

I can’t see why Isabel doesn’t see the truth about that boy!

EUGENE

Hmm?

JACK

Georgie

EUGENE

What’s the matter with him?

JACK

Huh, too much Amberson, I guess for one thing. Yes, and for another, his mother just fell down and worshipped him from the day he was born. Oh, I don’t have to tell you what Isabel Amberson is, Gene. Oh, she’s got a touch of the Amberson high stuff about her, but you can’t get anybody who ever knew her to deny that she’s just about the finest woman in the world.

EUGENE

No, you can’t get anybody to deny that. 

They come to foreground talking following camera – Through doorway – Crowd noise heard – Jack talking – Others around –

JACK

Well, she thinks he’s a little tin god on wheels.  Why she actually sits and worships him! You can hear it in her voice when she speaks to him. See it in her eyes when she looks at him. My gosh! What does she see when she looks at him? 

They stop by woman at left before mirror.

EUGENE

Huh, she sees something that we don’t see.

JACK

What’s that?

EUGENE

An angel.

JACK

Angel!

Little man hurries on – Talks to woman –

HENRY

There they are.

EUGENE

I’ll take one of these.

Eugene and Jack exit right – Two30 hurrying to foreground – Woman talking – Camera moving back –

MRS. JOHNSON

The olives.

MISS GILBERT

Roger

JACK S VOICE

Angel

MISS GILBERT

Come over here and look at the olives.

The two stop by group around butler holding tray of olives – General talking and activity as people gather around him – Looking at olives as picking them up – Talking –

HENRY

You’re supposed to eat them.

MRS. JOHNSON

Green things they are something like a hard plumb

ROGER

A friend of mine told me they tasted a good deal like a bad hickory nut.

MRS. JOHNSON

I hear you gotta eat nine…

HENRY

And then you get to like them.

ELLIOT

Well, I wouldn’t eat nine bad hickory nuts to get to like them.

ROGER

Kind of a woman’s dish, anyway, I suspect.

MRS.JOHNSON

Well, I reckon most everybody’ll be makin’ a stagger to worm through nine of’em, now Amberson’s brought ’em to town.

People laugh – Put olives back on tray – Go to background – Some exit – Butler coming to foreground with tray – Mrs. Johnson watching him –

JACK S VOICE

All mothers are like that.

EUGENE S VOICE

Um-hum.

Mrs. Johnson reaches around behind butler – Grabs olives from tray – Eugene and Jack coming on at right- Butler exits – She bumps into Eugene –

MRS. JOHNSON

Excuse me.

She rushes to background – Servant coming on with tray – Eugene puts glass down on tray –

EUGENE

Here you are.

The two cross to left – Butler crossing – Camera pans – Jack talks surprised as Eugene goes to Butler

EUGENE

Here, take this.

The two men come to foreground – Camera moving back through room – Men talking -That’s what she sees.

EUGENE

That’s what she sees.

JACK

Angel?  My nephew? Look at him. Do you see an angel?

EUGENE

No. All I see is a remarkably good-looking young fool-boy with the pride of Satan and a set of nice drawing-room manners.

JACK

What do you mean?

They stop – The two men talk –

EUGENE

Mothers are right Mothers see the angel in us because the angel is there.

JACK

A-ha. You mean Georgie’s mother is always right.

EUGENE

I’m afraid she always has been.

Eugene crosses to left -Jack following talking – Camera following them to fireplace at left background – Fire burning – Mirror over fireplace showing crowd dancing –

JACK

Yes, well, wait till you get to know young Georgie a little better.

EUGENE

Jack, if you were a painter, you’d paint mothers with angels’ eyes holding little devils on their laps.

Jack laughs – Eugene comes to foreground –

EUGENE

Me, I’ll stick to the Old Masters and the cherubs.

Music stops – People in Mirror seen Applauding

JACK

Well, somebody’s eyes must have been pretty angelic if they’ve been persuading you that Georgie Minafer is a cherub.

EUGENE

They are. They’re more angelic than ever.

Music heard – Eugene turns to Jack –

EUGENE

Good-bye, I’ve got this dance with her.

They begin moving to foreground – Camera moves back –

JACK

With whom?

EUGENE

With Isabel, of course.

JACK

Eighteen years have passed— but have they? Tell me, have you danced with poor old Fanny too, this evening?

EUGENE

Twice!  Wilbur…

Wilbur and Isabel come on right foreground – Eugene takes Isabel’s hand -Jack takes her other hand – They lead her forward with Wilbur following behind – Camera continues to move back –

JACK

My gosh! Old times certainly are starting all over again.

EUGENE

Old times? Not a bit! There aren’t any old times. When times are gone, they’re not old, they’re dead! There aren’t any times but new times.

Eugene takes Isabel in his arms – They dance forward as camera moves back – Others dancing around – Lucy and George come on at left- Follow Eugene and Isabel- Lucy and George smile -Eugene and Isabel dancing exit left – Lucy and George continue forward – Stop – Face each other in extreme foreground –

LUCY

What are you studying at school?

GEORGE

I beg your pardon?

LUCY

What are you studying in school?

GEORGE

College!

LUCY

College.

GEORGE

Oh, lots o’ useless gulf!

 LUCY

Why don’t you study some useful guff?

GEORGE

What do you mean, “useful?”

LUCY

Something you’d use later, in your business or profession.

GEORGE

I don’t intend to go into any business or profession.

LUCY

No?

GEORGE

No.

LUCY

Why not?

GEORGE

Well, just look at them…that’s a fine career for a man, isn’t it Lawyers, bankers, politicians! What do they ever get out of life, I’d like to know. What do they know about real things? Where do they ever get?

LUCY

What do you want to be?

GEORGE

A yachtsman.

Lucy and George dance into background – Other couples dancing around – Music swells – Camera moves back – Stops- Eugene and Isabel come on from left – Dance to foreground –

LAP DISSOLVE

INT HALL-LS.-.Musicians in foreground by Xmas tree – Playing – Eugene and Isabel in far background dancing.

INT HALL-MS – Eugene and Isabel dancing in foreground – Lucy and George coming down steps from above in background – Talking faintly heard – She sits down near foot of stairs –

GEORGE

What good are they? They always break down.

LUCY

They do not always break down.

GEORGE

Of course they do!

INT HALL-MCS – Lucy on steps- George sits down at left by her – Music heard – Camera slowly moving closer to them as they talk –

GEORGE

Horseless carriages! Ottomobiles!

LUCY

Hmm?

GEORGE

People aren’t going to spend their lives lying on their backs in the road letting grease drip in their feces. No, I think your father’d better forget about ’em.

LUCY

Papa’d be so grateful if he could have your advice.

GEORGE

I don’t know that I’ve done anything to be insulted for!

LUCY

You know, I don’t mind you being such a lofty person at all.  I think it’s ever so interesting.  But papa’s a great man

GEORGE

Is he? Well, let us hope so. I hope so, I’m sure.

He looks to foreground – She looks at him frowning – Both look to foreground off-screen-

INT HALL-MS – Isabel and Eugene dancing – She smiles up at him –

LUCY S VOICE

How lovely your mother is!

INT STEPS-CU – Two sitting on steps-

GEORGE

I think she is.

LUCY

She’s the gracefullest woman!  She dances like a girl of sixteen.

GEORGE

Most girls of sixteen are pretty bum dancers.

INT HALL-MCS – George rising helps Lucy up – Takes her arm – They cross hall to left – Camera moves back and pans to follow –

GEORGE

Anyhow, I wouldn’t dance with one of them unless I had to…Uh — the snow’s fine for sleighing; I’ll be by for you in a cutter at ten minutes after two.

Isabel and Eugene dancing on right foreground – Music stops – They stop – Smile at each other – George and Lucy stop –

LUCY

Tomorrow? I can’t possibly go.

EUGENE

Thank you, Isabel.

Applause heard – Eugene and Isabel look to foreground –

JACK S VOICE

Bravo! Bravissimo!

Lucy moves towards them from background

LUCY

Papa.

Eugene and Isabel in foreground turn to face Lucy and George in background –

EUGENE

Lucy…I’ll get your things.

Eugene goes to left background – Camera pans to follow – Moves forward toward George and Lucy –

GEORGE

If you don’t, I’m going to sit in a cutter at your front gate and if you try to go out with anybody else he has to whip me before he gets to you.

She laughs – Goes to Eugene in left background – Camera pans to follow –

JACK S VOICE

Hey, you two — I think you ought to take this in case you break down in that…

Jack comes on right with coat and robe – Goes to Lucy and Eugene in background – All talking at once –

JACK S VOICE

…horseless carriage.

Fanny rushes on from right- Goes to Lucy –

FANNY

You better take this scarf, Lucy dear.

George calls to Jack.

GEORGE

Uncle Jack?

JACK

What is it?

Isabel runs on in foreground – Goes to group in background -Jack coming to George in foreground –

EUGENE

Good-night, Isabel.

GEORGE

Come here.

ISABEL

Fanny, where are you going?

FANNY

Oh, just out to look.

ISABEL

Do you think you’ll be warm enough, Lucy?

Camera moves in to Jack and George –

JACK

Well?

GEORGE

Oh, nothing.

JACK

Here, hold this.

Jack hands fur blanket to George – Puts on coat as they talk – Others in background continue talking indistinctly –

GEORGE

Who is this fellow Morgan?

JACK

Why, he’s a man with a pretty daughter, Georgie.

GEORGE

He certainly seems to feel awfully at home here, the way he was dancing with Mother and Aunt Fanny.

JACK

Well…I’m afraid your Aunt Fanny’s heart was stirred by — ancient recollections, Georgie.

GEORGE

You mean she used to be silly about him?

JACK

Oh, she wasn’t, uh—singular.  He was, uh—he was popular.

GEORGE

Ohhh.

George hands blanket back to Jack –

JACK

Do you take this same passionate interest in the parents of every girl you dance with?

GEORGE

Oh, dry up! I only wanted to know.

They go to background – Camera moves after them –

GEORGE

Lucy — about that sleigh ride.

JACK

I want to look at that, uh, automobile carriage of yours, Gene.

Lucy comes on at left – Others gather in darkened entryway – All talking at once –

FANNY S VOICE

I’m coming out, too.

ISABEL

Fanny, you’ll catch cold.

JACK

If we’re going to ride in that thing tomorrow, I want to see if it’s safe.

EUGENE

Good-night, Isabel.

ISABEL

Good-night, Eugene.

Eugene exits left – Isabel in dark profile looks after him – Lucy behind her in reverse profile faces George – George talks sternly

GEORGE

You be ready at ten minutes after two.

LUCY

No, I won’t.

GEORGE

Yes, you will.  Ten minutes after two.

People heard talking indistinctly – Lucy smiles –

LUCY

Yes, I will.

She exits left

JACK S VOICE

C’mon, Gene! Show us how it works!

EUGENE S VOICE

If it does work.

EXT STREET-MS – Camera shooting through fence – Group running through snow to auto in background – Camera pans to follow – They laugh – Shivering –

FANNY

I suppose you’ll break down.

EUGENE

Come on, Lucy.

LUCY S VOICE

I’m coming, Papa.

FANNY

I hope you’re gonna be warm enough!

Eugene and Lucy get up on car – Motor starts – Jack tosses blanket to Eugene –

JACK

Here’s a blanket for you, Eugene. Catch!

EXT SREET-MCS.-.Eugene and Lucy settling down on seat – pulling blanket over their laps.- Motor heard  – Car shaking

EUGENE

’Night!

SEVERAL VOICES

’Night! Bye!

Car moving – Wind blowing – Lucy shivers making noises – Calls out over noise –

LUCY

Papa?

EUGENE

Huh?

LUCY

Papa, do you think George is terribly arrogant and domineering?

EUGENE

Oh, he’s still only a boy…Plenty of fine stuff in him…Can’t help but be, he’s — Isabel Amberson’s son.

LUCY

You liked her pretty well once, I guess, Papa.

EUGENE

Do still.

LUCY

She’s lovely. Lovely! Papa, I wonder sometimes…

EUGENE

What?

LUCY

… I wonder just how she happened to marry Mr. Minafer.

He laughs –

EUGENE

Ha-ha. Oh, Wilbur’s all right.

LAP DISSOLVE

INT HALL-MS – George and Isabel come on climbing steps ar right – Walk down hallway – Camera moves to follow.

GEORGE’S VOICE

I know that isn’t all that’s worrying you.

ISABEL

Well, several things. I’ve been a little bothered about your father, too.

GEORGE

Why?

ISABEL

It seems to me he looks so badly.

GEORGE

He isn’t any different from the way he’s looked all his life that I can see.

ISABEL

He’s been worried about some investments he made last year. I think the worry’s affected his health.

GEORGE

What investments? See here — he isn’t going into Morgan’s ottomobile concern, is he?

ISABEL

Oh, no. The automobile concern is all Eugene’s.

Door heard opening – Light shines on Isabel and George -They stop – Camera stops-They look to left

ISABEL

No, your father’s rolling mills. . .

INT DOORWAY-CU – Wilbur coming to foreground

ISABEL S VOICE

Hello, dear.

INT HALL-MGS – Isabel and George in foreground – Looking off left -Jack and Fanny coming from background –

ISABEL

Have you had trouble sleeping?

GEORGE

Look here, Father...

INT DOORWAY-CU – Wilbur looking to foreground – George comes on right foreground – Back to camera –

GEORGE

…about this man Morgan and his old sewing machine?

INT HALL-CU – Wilbur partly on left foreground – Facing George –

GEORGE

Doesn’t he want to get Grandfather to put some money into it? Isn’t that what he’s up to?

George looks to right as he hears –

FANNY S VOICE

You little silly.

IHT HALL-MCS – Isabel standing in foreground – Fanny in background talking – Jack exiting right background –

FANNY

What on earth are you talking about? Eugene Morgan’s perfectly able to finance his own inventions these days.

Fanny crosses to right behind Isabel-

GEORGE S VOICE

I’ll bet he borrows money from Uncle Jack.

Isabel speaks reprovingly

ISABEL

Gcorgie, why do you say such a thing?

INT HALL-CU – George looking over his shoulder to foreground – Wilbur on left facing him –

GEORGE

He just strikes me as that sort of a man.

George looks back at Wilbur –

GEORGE

Isn’t he, Father?

WILBUR

He was a fairly wild young fellow twenty years ago. He was like you in one thing, Georgie. He spent too much money. Only he didn’t have any mother…

INT HALL-MCS – Isabel standing looking to foreground – Fanny in background – Listening –

WILBUR S VOICE

…to get money out of a grandfather for him.

INT HALL-MCS – George at right foreground – Facing Wilbur – Wilbur turning to doorway in left background as he talks –

WILBUR

But I believe he’s done fairly well of late years…

Wilbur exits in background as he talks –

WILBUR

…and I doubt if he needs anybody else’s money to back his horseless carriages.

Isabel comes on in foreground – Crosses in front of George toward doorway –

GEORGE

Well, what’s he brought the old thing here for then?  People that own elephants don’t take their elephants with ’em when they go visiting.

INT HALL-MCS – George at right foreground – Isabel standing in doorway in background looking at him –

GEORGE

What’s he got it here for anyway?

WILBUR S VOICE

I’m sure I don’t know. You might ask him.

Isabel looks at George –

ISABEL

I’ll be in to say good-night, dear.

She closes door behind her – Hall darkens – George turns to foreground – Calls in whisper –

GEORGE

Aunt Fanny!

INT HALL-MLS – Fanny standing at right background – George comes on left foreground –

FANNY

What in the world’s the matter with you?

George goes to her –

GEORGE

I suppose you don’t know why Father doesn’t want to go on that horseless carriage trip tomorrow.

They walk together into background –

FANNY

What do you mean?

INT HALL-LS – Fanny and George in background coming toward foreground – Sam in extreme background putting out lights – George talks sarcastically –

GEORGE

You’re his only sister and yet you don’t know.

FANNY

Why, he — he — he never wants to go anywhere that I ever heard of. What is the matter with you?

GEORGE

He doesn’t want to go because he doesn’t like this man Morgan.

FANNY

Awwk,  Good gracious.

Door opens at left -Jack comes out

FANNY

Eugene Morgan isn’t in your father’s thoughts at all, one way or the other.

JACK

Good-night.

FANNY

Why should he be?

GEORGE

Good-night.

FANNY

Good-night.

GEORGE

Hey!

JACK

Are you two at it again?

She starts to foreground – Stops and turns toward George –

GEORGE

What makes you and everybody so excited over this man Morgan?

Jack speaks disparagingly –

JACK

This man Morgan.

FANNY

Excited!

JACK

Oh, shut up.

Fanny turns to Jack –

FANNY

Can’t . . .

Jack exits in doorway – Fanny continues impatiently –

FANNY

…can’t people be glad to see

She turns to left foreground – Moves down hallway- George follows her- Camera pans to follow them

FANNY

…an old friend, without silly children like you having to make a to-do about it?

They stop by door at left foreground – Peacock statue in background – George crosses in front of – Steps to left foreground –

FANNY

I’ve just been suggesting to your mother that she might give a little dinner for them.

GEORGE

For who?

FANNY

For whom, Georgie.

He mimics her –

GEORGE

“For whom, Georgie.”

Fanny hesitates-

FANNY

For Mr. Morgan and his daughter.

GEORGE

Oh, look here, don’t do that — Mother mustn’t do that,

Fanny speaks mockingly –

FANNY

“Mother mustn’t do that.”

GEORGE

It wouldn’t look well.

 

FANNY

“Wouldn’t look w—.”…See here, Georgie Minafer! suggest…that you just march straight on into your room! Sometimes you say things that show you have a pretty mean little mind.

She opens door – Goes inside – Slams it after her –

GEORGE

What upsets you this much?

JACK S VOICE

Shut up!

 

FANNY S VOICE

I know what you mean.

Door flics open – Fanny bursts out angrily –

FANNY

You’re trying to insinuate that I’d get your mother to invite Eugene Morgan here on my account . . .

JACK S VOICE

I’m going to move to a hotel!

FANNY

…because he’s a widower.

GEORGE

What?

 

FANNY

What!

He laughs – She laughs derisively – Glares at him – He continues in surprise –

GEORGE

I’m trying to insinuate that you’re setting your cap for him, and getting Mother to help you?

FANNY

Oohhhh!

She goes inside room –

GEORGE

Is that what you mean?

She slams door in his face – He smiles – Turns right – Moves down hallway – Camera pans to follow – Jack comes out door at left –

FANNY S VOICE

You attend to your own affairs!

George turns – Looks back toward Fanny’s room amazed –

GEORGE

Well, I will be shot!

He turns to Jack –

GEORGE

I will! I certainly will be shot!

Fanny heard raving –

FANNY S VOICE

Ohh!

JACK

Oohh!

Jack exits through doorway- George walks into background – Laughing – Door heard slamming –

LAP DISSOLVE

INT STABLE-MCS – Doors opening – Lucy runs inside – Horses heard neighing – Eugene driving auto to foreground – Yelling indistinctly –

EUGENE

Look out, Lucy. Look out, dear.

LUCY

Right.

She follows him to right foreground – He drives in – Stops- Horses heard – She comes to car – Talks as he climbs out – Noises heard –

LUCY

You know, I wish George wasn’t so conceited and bad-tempered. He’s really quite nice.

He talks to her – Stamping and neighing heard –

EUGENE

What’s that, dear?

LUCY

George! Maybe I shouldn’t call him exactly bad-tempered.

EUGENE

Of course not. Only when he’s cross about something.

He crosses to right- Talking – Camera panning –

EUGENE

Whoa—whoa— whoa.

He goes around auto – She laughs – He fixes light –

EUGENE

You know, dear, you need only three things to explain all that’s good and bad about George.

LUCY

What?

EUGENE

Whoa—whoa— whoa.

They come to right foreground – He kneels fixing light – Two horses stamping and rearing in stalls in background – Eugene talking –

EUGENE

Well, he’s Isabel’s only child. He’s an Amberson. He’s a boy.

LUCY

Well, Mr. Bones, of these three things, which are the good ones and which are the bad ones?

EUGENE

All of them

He blows out light – I

FADE OUT/ FADE IN

EXT STREAM-MS – Camera shooting down to stream – Snow on both banks – Reflections in water of sleigh moving – Musical bell motif –

EXT ROAD-MS – Horseless carriage stalled in road in foreground – Eugene at right cranking –Jack by him – Isabel and Fanny in left background jumping up and down in snow –

FANNY

Do you think you’ll get it to start?

They jump up and down squealing –

EXT COUNTRY-LS – Camera shooting through woods – Sleigh in background circling around to left foreground – Camera pans to follow – Bells heard – George driving – Lucy at his side

EXT ROAD-MCS – Camera shooting from below under car – Eugene trying to crank it –

JACK S VOICE

What’s wrong with it, Gene?

EXT ROAD-MCU – Camera shooting through Eugene’s legs – Eugene cranking car –

EUGENE S VOICE

I wish I knew.

EXT COUNTRY-LS – Camera shooting up slope – Sleigh races on from right – Crosses to left -Exits –

EXT ROAD-MCS – Camera shooting from above – Eugene with back to camera – Cranking car –

EXT SLOPE-MLS – Camera shooting through woods- Sleigh races on from right- Circles around bend to left foreground – Camera pans to follow – Bells heard – They nearly exit left –

EXT ROAD-MCU – Camera shooting through Eugene’s legs – Eugene cranking car rapidly -Motor catches with terrific noise –

EXT ROAD-MS- Eugene beside car at right-Jack behind him – Eugene leaps onto car-Isabel and

Fanny in left background come to car – Motor knocking – Much noise and confusion as they all talk at once -Jack, Isabel, and Fanny push car to right – Camera pans to follow -Jack falls into snow – Car stops- Laughter –

EXT ROAD-MCS – Camera shooting up through branches to road – Horse and sleigh race from right foreground into background

EXT ROAD-MS – Eugene on stalled car – Motions and yells to others to push –

EUGENE

C’mon, push! Push, Jack!  Car starts moving – Sleigh comes on at left background – Lucy laughing – Rises- Waves- George gestures mockingly –

GEORGE

Git a horse! Git a horse!

Sleigh passes car –

EXT ROAD-MS – Camera shooting over fence – Car partly on left – Sleigh continues past car – Circles to right background – Camera pans to follow –

GEORGE

Git a horse.

LUCY

Git a horse.

EXT SLOPE-LS – Camera shooting up snow bank – Sleigh coming on above at left background – Crosses to right- Camera pans to follow – Runner breaks –

GEORGE

Look out, Lucy!

Couple tumble into snow – Roll down embankment – Horse and sleigh exit right –

EXT CAR-MCU – Camera shooting over Eugene’s shoulder – Runaway sleigh in extreme back ground crossing right to left – Lucy heard crying out – Eugene leaps down off car –

FANNY S VOICE

What’s happened to them?

ISABEL S VOICE

Oh, Georgie!

Eugene runs to background –

EXT ROAD-MS – Camera shooting down – Four running from car in background to extreme foreground – All talking at once –

EXT SLOPE-Camera shooting up slope – George holding onto Lucy as they roll down to foreground – They stop in extreme foreground lying on ground – Harp glissando

EXT SLOPE-MS – Camera shooting up – Eugene running to foreground – Stops- Music heard – Looks down to foreground – Sees –

EXT GROUND-CU – Camera shooting down – Two lying on ground – George holding Lucy in his arms – Music heard – She smiles up at him – He kisses her – She tries to pull away –

EXT COUNTRY-MCU – Eugene looking down to foreground – Smiles –

EUGENE

Are you all right?

EXT GROUND-CU – Camera shooting down – George holding Lucy in his arms – They sit up – Look to foreground –

ISABEL S VOICE

Georgie!

EXT COUNTRY-MCU – Camera shooting up – Eugene in foreground – Turns to left –

EUGENE

They’re all right, Isabel. This snowbank’s a feather bed.

He runs to left foreground – Exits –

EXT COUNTRY-MS – Eugene running from extreme foreground to background – George and Lucy on snow in background by fence – Music heard –

ISABEL

Georgie!

Jack, Isabel, and Fanny run on – Isabel terrified –

EUGENE

Lucy, dear?

 

LUCY

I’m fine, Papa.

Eugene helps Lucy and George up –

EUGENE

Nothing the matter with them at all.

ISABEL

Oh George.

JACK

They’re all right, Isabel

Eugene helps Lucy to left foreground – Fanny crosses extreme foreground to them –

FANNY

Are you sure you’re not hurt, Lucy, dear?

George moves up bank right – Camera pans to follow -Jack in background – Isabel moves from extreme right foreground to George –

ISABEL

Georgie?

GEORGE

Don’t make a fuss, Mother.

Eugene, Lucy, and Fanny come on extreme right foreground – Follow Isabel and George to background – Camera pans to follow –

ISABEL

George, that terrible fall!

GEORGE

Please, Mother, please.

Eugene starts to jump over fence –

EXT COUNTRY-MS – Camera shooting through branches – Pans to follow group climbing over fence – Music heard –

GEORGE

I’m all right!

ISABEL

Are you sure, Georgie? Sometimes one doesn’t realize the shock.

They hurry through woods to right foreground –

JACK

Oh, Isabel.

ISABEL

I’ve just got be sure dear

Pan continues as they move to background –

GEORGE

I’m all right, Mother. Nothing’s the matter.

ISABEL

Let me brush you off, dear.

EUGENE

You look pretty spry, Lucy. All that snow becomes you.

JACK

That’s right, it does.

All laugh

EXT COUNTRY-MS – Camera shooting up – Group coming down through snow to foreground – Music heard –

GEORGE

That darn horse.

 EXT COUNTRY-ELS – Horse racing to background with overturned sleigh –

JACK S VOICE

Pendennis will be home long before we will. All we’ve got to depend on . . .

EXT COUNTRY-MS – Camera shooting through car in foreground – Group coming from background in snow – Car shaking – Sound of car heard – Music heard –

JACK

.. is Gene Morgan’s broken-down chafing-dish yonder

Laughter – Explosion in foreground heard – They all groan – Run to car –

EUGENE

She’ll go. All aboard!

EXT ROAD-MS – Group climbing up into car – All laughing talking – Music heard –

JACK

You have to sit on my lap, Lucy

LUCY

All right.

EXT ROAD-MCS – Camera shooting through car – Isabel brushing snow off George – Eugene at left – Music heard – George embarrassed –

 ISABEL

Then stamp the snow off. You mustn’t ride with wet feet.

GEORGE

They’re not wet. For goodness sakes, get in. You’re standing in the snow yourself.  Get in, Mother!

The two lift Isabel up into car – Eugene tucks her in –

EUGENE

You’re the same Isabel I used to know. You’re a divinely ridiculous woman.

EXT CAR-CU – Eugene in foreground – Turning to George at right beside him – Music heard –

EUGENE

George, you’ll push till we get started, won’t you? Push?

George stares at Eugene – Surprised –

ISABEL S VOICE

Divinely and ridiculous just counterbalance each other, don’t they?

EXT CAR-MCU – Eugene partly on in foreground -Isabel facing him-Lucy and Jack behind her –

ISABEL

Plus one and minus one equal nothing. So you mean I’m nothing in particular?

EXT ROAD-MCS – Isabel in foreground on car – Eugene and George standing on other side –

Eugene laughs – George glares at Eugene –

EUGENE

No, that doesn’t seem to be precisely what I meant.

He cranks car – Explosions heard – Car begins moving left – All yell and talk indistinctly – Car goes to left – Camera tilts down to show George pushing car – Car stops again –

EXT CAR-MCS – Eugene and sable on front seat.  Three behind laughing. .Car shaking – Explosions head

EXT ROAD-MCU-Camera shooting down to George behind car – Fumes from exhaust blowing in his face – He coughs – Group heard laughing – Explosions heard –

EXT CAR-CU – Lucy, Jack, and Fanny before camera -Jack calls –

JACK

Come on, Georgie, push!

EXT ROAD-MCU – Camera shooting down to George behind car – He looks up to foreground – Shouts –

GEORGE

I’m pushing!

EXT CAR-CU -Jack, Lucy, and Fanny laughing – Car shaking – Noises heard –

JACK

Push harder.

EXT ROAD-MCU – Camera shooting down to George behind car – Pushing – Noises heard –

 EXT CAR-MCU – Camera shooting up – Group on car in foreground – Eugene pulls back on steering rod – Explosions heard – Group laughing – Car moves forward –

EXT ROAD-MS – Camera shooting through tree branch – Car moving to left – George pushing -Mechanical sounds – General laughter – George leaps up on back of car – Car stalls again – All groan – He jumps down –

EXT ROAD-CU – George standing behind car – Fumes rising – He grimaces – Gasps – Groans – Pushes –

EXT CAR-MCS – Group in car -Jack climbs down – Eugene pulls back on steering rod – Laughter heard – Motor heard –

EXT ROAD-MS – Camera shooting through tree branch – Eugene, Isabel, Fanny, and Lucy on car -Jack comes around beside George – They push – Wheels spin in snow -Jack calls-

JACK

Come on, Georgie, push!

EXT CAR-CU – George pushing – Straining –

GEORGE

What do you think I’m doing?

He waves fumes away – Gasps for air

EXT CAR-MCS – Isabel and Eugene in foreground – Fanny and Lucy in back seat – Eugene climbs down – Fanny talks to Lucy –

FANNY

Your father wanted to prove that his horseless carriage would run, even in the snow.

EXT CAR-MCS -Jack standing in foreground – Fanny and Lucy sitting above in car -Jack starts to sing –

JACK

“As-s-s-s I walked along the Boy de Boolong…”

FANNY

It really does, too.

LUCY

Of course.

FANNY

It’s so interesting.

EXT CAR-MCU – Fanny talking to Lucy -Jack heard singing –

FANNY

He says he’s going to have wheels all made of rubber and blown up with air. I should think they’d explode.

Jack continues singing as Isabel joins in –

SINGING

“With an independent air

You can hear the girls declare

He must be a millionaire

You can …”

EXT CAR-CU – George behind car – Coughing at fumes – Pushing –

FANNY S VOICE

But Eugene seems very confident.

SINGING

“…hear them sigh”

EXT CAR-CU – Fanny talking rapidly to Lucy

SINGING

“ And wish to die”

FANNY

Oh, it seems so like old times to hear him talk.

SINGING

“You can see them wink the other eye at the man who…

Fanny starts to sing with others –

SINGING

“…broke the bank at Monte Carlo.”

JACK’S VOICE

Here we go!

EXT ROAD-MCS – Car coming to foreground – Jack leaps onto back seat – George leaps onto back runner –

GROUP

Hooray!

JACK

We’re off

Car moves to extreme foreground –

EXT ROAD-MS – Camera shooting through tree branch – Whole group on car – Car moving to background – George standing on back – All continue singing –

SINGING

“As I walked along the Boy de Boolong”

EXT CAR-MCS – Car moving to right foreground –

SINGING

“Hear the girls declare”

EXT CAR-MCS – Fanny and Jack sitting in back seat – Facing Lucy – Singing – George leaning over from back between Fanny and Jack – Car going to right –

SINGING

“Be a millionaire”

JACK

“Be a millionaire”

Lucy talks to George as others continue singing –

SINGING

“As I walked along the Boy de . . .”

LUCY

George, you tried to swing…

INT CAR-CU -Jack in foreground – Singing – George leaning over behind him –

SINGING

“ Boolong”

LUCY S VOICE

… underneath me and break the fill for me when we went over.

SINGING

“ With an independent air”

EXT CAR-CU – Lucy smiling to foreground –

LUCY

I knew you were doing that. It was nice of you.

SINGING

“You can hear the girls declare be a millionaire”

 EXT CAR-Jack in foreground dinging – George On right

GEORGE

Wasn’t much of a fall to speak of.  How ‘bout that kiss?

SINGING

“OHHHHHHHH…You can…

EXT CAR – ECU – Lucy joins the singing –

LUCY WITH OTHERS

“Can hear them sigh and wish to die”

EXT CAR-ECU – George grins – Smirks-Joins singing –

GEORGE WITH OTHERS

“You can see them wink the other eye”

EXT CAR-MCU – Fanny left foreground -Jack and George at right- All singing loudly –

SINGING

“At the man who broke the bank at Monte Carlo.”

George off key -Jack looks at him – Fanny starts again -Jack joining –

FANNY SINGS

“As I…walk along the Boy de…”

EXT CAR-MCU – Eugene and Isabel in foreground – Others in background singing – Isabel talks to him –

FANNY SINGS

…Boolong

ISABEL

When we get this far out you can see there’s quite a little smoke hanging over town.  Singing stops -Jack talks –

JACK

Yes, that’s because the town’s growing.

EUGENE

Yes and as it grows bigger it seems to get ashamed of itself so it makes that big cloud and hides in it.

ISABEL

Oh, Eugene.

EXT CAR-CU – Isabel in foreground – Eugene on other side of her – Car shaking

EUGENE

You know, Isabel, I think it used to be nicer.

ISABEL

That’s because we were young.

EUGENE

Maybe. It always used to be sunshiny, and the air wasn’t like the air anywhere else.  As I remember it, there always seemed to be gold dust in the air.

EXT CAR-CU – Lucy partly on right foreground – Sitting on Jack’s lap – He talks to her – George leaning in behind them disgusted –

JACK

How about it, young folks? You notice any gold dust?

Lucy laughs – George talks derisively –

GEORGE

Gold dust?

They talk – Car shaking –

LUCY

I wonder if we really do enjoy it as much as we’ll look back and think we did?

JACK

Of course not.

LUCY

I feel as if I must be missing something about it, somehow, because I don’t ever seem to be thinking about what’s happening at the present moment. I’m always looking forward to something. Thinking about things that will happen when I’m older.

George talks to Lucy – Jack Whistling

GEORGE

You’re a funny girl. But your voice sounds pretty nice when you talk along together like that.

George looks off to left – Yells –

GEORGE

Hey, look at those fences all smeared.

EXT CAR-CU – Fanny at right whistling – George at left holding on frowning – Car shaking violently

LUCY S VOICE

That must be from soot.

Fanny talks to him –

FANNY

Yes. There’re so many houses around here now.

GEORGE

Grandfather owns a good many of them, I guess — for renting.

FANNY

He sold most of the lots, Georgie.

GEORGE

He ought to keep things up better. It’s getting all too much built up. Riffraff!

EXT CAR-CU – Lucy laughing – Whistling heard –

GEORGE S VOICE

He lets…

EXT CAR-CU – George talking indignantly – Whistling heard –

GEORGE

… these people take too many liberties.  They do anything they want to.

EXT CAR-CU – Lucy whistling –

EXT CAR-CU – George looking to foreground – Car shaking –

GEORGE

You know, you’ve got that way  of seeming quietly…

He exits right –

EXT CAR-CU – Lucy partly on right foreground whistling -Jack at left whistling – George behind them – Talking angrily –

GEORGE

.. .superior to everybody else. I don’t believe in that kind of thing.

LUCY

You don’t?

GEORGE

No. Not with me.  I think the world’s like this.

Lucy gestures – Starts singing loudly –

LUCY

“ La, la, la.”

George glares – Continues talking as she and Jack sing loudly

GEORGE

There’s a few. There’s a few people that from their birth and position and so on, puts them on top, and they ought to treat each other entirely as equals. I wouldn’t speak like this to everybody.

EXT CAR-CU – George looking to foreground – Exasperated – Talks angrily – Lucy and Jack heard singing –

GEORGE

Oh, I had a notion before I came for you today that we were going to quarrel.

EXT CAR-CU – Lucy singing – Talks-

LUCY

No we won’t. Takes two!

She continues to sing – Smiling –

LUCY

‘La, la, la.”

She starts singing

LUCY

‘As I walked…

EXT CAR-MCS – Eugene and Isabel in front seat singing – Others behind them singing – Car shaking –

SINGING

. . walked along the Boy de Boolong With an independent air”

EXT CAR-CU – George looking exasperated as singing is heard –

EXT COUNTRY-ELS – Camera shooting over embankment in foreground – Town seen in far background – Group in car going along through snow to right background –

SINGING HEARD

“ Hear the girls declare

He must be a millionaire

You can hear them sigh

And wish to die ..

Singing and motor sound recede into distance as car moves to extreme background

IRIS OUT/FADE IN

DAY SEQUENCE

EXT DOORS-MCU – Crepe hanging on door – Music heard – Shadow of Eugene appears on door – Seen removing hat – Ringing bell – Sam opens door from inside –

SAM

Mr. Morgan.

‘Lucy comes on from right foreground with Eugene -They go inside – Sam closes door –

INT ROOM-MS – Camera shooting up as if from point of view of coffin – Townspeople coming in at left passing by looking into coffin – Eugene in group in background shaking hands with Major- Eugene comes to foreground with Lucy as people continue filing past- Eugene and Lucy pause to look – Move left as camera pans to follow them – Flowers in extreme foreground come into view – Eugene and Lucy pass behind George – George staring to foreground – Fanny stand-big beside George – Eugene goes to Isabel standing at left – Camera continues pan – Eugene and Isabel exit left – Fanny follows and moves to extreme left foreground –

INT ROOM-ECU – Camera shooting up to Fanny staring to left foreground – Watching tensely -Music picks up again –

LAP DISSOLVE

EXT CEMETERY-MS – Camera shooting up to tombstones of Amberson family – One at right with Wilbur’s name on it – Music heard –

FADE OUT/FADE IN

INSERT #1-College diploma in Latin – Camera Matte effect showing George’s name

GEORGIUM AMBERSON MINAFER

Camera moves back from diploma –

LAP DISSOLVE/

NIGHT SEQUENCE

FADE IN

EXT AMBERSON MANSION-ELS – Camera shooting across to house in background – Lights in windows – Rain heard pouring down – Thunder – Lightning flash –

LAP DISSOLVE

INT KITCHEN-MS – George sitting at table in foreground – Eating – Gulping down his food – Fanny standing by sink at window in background – Rain pouring down – thunder heard.  She comes to George with cake and talks – Camera pans to right to follow

FANNY

Where did Isabel go to?

GEORGE

She was tired.

She crosses behind George –

FANNY

Never was becoming to her to look pale…Look out.

She puts cake down before him – He talks delightedly with mouth foil –

GEORGE

Oh boy, strawberry shortcake.

FANNY

It’s first of the season. Hope it’s big enough.

She sits down at right beside him –

GEORGE

You must have known I was coming home.

FANNY

Hm.

GEORGE

What’d you say?

FANNY

Nothing.

He takes huge bite of cake – Makes approving sound –

GEORGE

Umh!

FANNY

Sweet enough?

GEORGE

Fine.

George gulps down cake as Fanny questions him – Pumping him for information –

FANNY

Suppose your mother’s been — pretty gay at the commencement?  Going a lot?

GEORGE

How could she in mourning? All she could do was sit around and look on. That’s all Lucy could do either, for that matter.

FANNY

How did Lucy get home?

GEORGE

On the train with the rest of us.

FANNY

Quit bolting your food!

George continues gulping food vigorously –

FANNY

Did you drive out to their house with her before you came here?

GEORGE

No. She went home with her father.

FANNY

Oh, I see…Don’t eat so fast, George!

Loud thunder –

FANNY

So, uh…Eugene came to the station to meet you?

GEORGE

To meet us?…How could he?

FANNY

I don’t know what you mean…Want some more milk?

GEORGE

No thanks

FANNY

I haven’t seen him while your mother’s been away.

GEORGE

Naturally. He’s been east himself.

FANNY

Did you see him?

GEORGE

Naturally, since he made the trip home with us.

FANNY

He did? He was with you all the time?

GEORGE

Unh-uuhh. Only on the train, on the last three days before we left. Uncle Jack got him to come along.

FANNY

You’re going to get fat.

GEORGE

I can’t help that — you’re such a wonderful housekeeper. You certainly know how to make things taste good.

FANNY

Mmmmm.

GEORGE

I don’t think you’d stay single very long if some of these bachelors or widowers around town should just want...

FANNY

It’s a little odd.

Thunder heard –

GEORGE

What’s odd?

Jack comes on above in background – George glancing back at him as Fanny talks – Jack walks down steps

FANNY

Your mother’s not mentioning that— Mr. Morgan had been with you.

Jack comes forward toward them – Stands behind them as they talk – George continues eating cake –

GEORGE

Didn’t think of it, I suppose.

George casts mischievous glance at Fanny –

GEORGE

But I’ll tell you something in confidence.

FANNY

What?

GEORGE

Well, it struck me that Mr. Morgan was looking pretty absent-minded most of the time. And he certainly is dressing better than he used to.

Jack enters the conversation -Talks teasingly – George eating and drinking – Fanny looking down stonily –

JACK

Oh, he — isn’t dressing better, he’s dressing up…Fanny, you   ought to be a little encouraging when a — prize bachelor begins to show by his haberdashery…what he wants you to think about him.

GEORGE

Uncle Jack tells me the factory’s been doing quite well.

JACK

Quite well?

GEORGE

Honestly, Aunt Fanny…

JACK

Why listen! Eugene’s got . . .

GEORGE

…I shouldn’t be a bit surprised to have him request an interview and declare that his intentions are honorable and ask my permission to pay his addresses to you. What had I better tell him?

Fanny begins to sob – Both men look concerned –

GEORGE

Oh, Aunt Fanny!

JACK

Oh, Fanny, we were only teasing.

FANNY

Oh, let me alone!

JACK

Please, Fanny!

GEORGE

We didn’t mean anything.

She leaps up – Brushes Jack aside – Rushes to background – George leaps up Following her – Trying to console her – She cries out through her sobs

FANNY

Let go of me! Please, please let me alone!

GEORGE

We didn’t know you got so sensitive as all this.

She runs up steps in background – Exits through door – Slams it after her – George turns slowly to Jack –

GEORGE

It’s getting so you can’t joke with her about anything anymore.

Jack comes to table in foreground – Sits down – George standing in background talks to him –

GEORGE

It all began when we found out father’s estate was all washed up and he didn’t leave anything…I thought she’d feel better when we turned over his insurance to her. Gave it to her absolutely without any strings to it. But now— mmmh.

Jack talks thoughtfully

JACK

Yeah…Think maybe we’ve been…teasing her about the wrong things.

George crossing to left to window –

JACK

Fanny hasn’t got much in her life…You know, George, just being an aunt isn’t…really the great career it may sometimes seem to be…I really don’t know of anything much Fanny has got..

George leans over sink – Looks out window staring – Rain pouring down –

JACK

…except her feeling about Eugene…You know, I think perhaps we ought to…

George shouts dumbfounded –

GEORGE

Holy cats!

George runs to background -Jack turning – Talking surprised –

JACK

What’s wrong, Georgie?

George runs out door in background – Jack leaping up calling after him –

JACK

Why, Georgie!

Jack runs to background – Stops- Grabs up coat and umbrella – Hurries to background putting on coat – Calling –

JACK

Georgie! Georgie!

He starts out door –

 EXT HOUSE

MS – Rain pouring down – George running from door in background to fore- ground -Jack running out after him – Putting on coat – Yelling as George exits right foreground

JACK

Georgie

Jack raising umbrella hurries to foreground –

EXT EXCAVATIONS-MLS – Buildings partly erected in background – Storm raging – Rain foiling – George runs on left foreground – Turns to foreground – Yelling –

GEORGE

What is this?

EXT HOUSE-MS – Rain pouring down – Storm heard – Jack running to foreground with umbrella – Waving –

GEORGE’S VOICE

Looks like excavations.

Jack exits right foreground –

EXT EXCAVATIONS-MCU – George standing at left foreground – Jack running on with umbrella – Rain pouring down – George yelling over noise of storm –

GEORGE

Looks like the foundations for a lot of houses   Just what does Grandfather mean by this?

He rushes to background toward partly constructed buildings-Jack following – Talking –

JACK

My private opinion is he wants to increase his income by building these houses to rent. For gosh sakes come in…

EXT STRUCTURES-MCS – Framework of buildings in background – George running on in foreground -Storm raging –

JACK’S VOICE

…out of the rain!

George runs to buildings in background – Yelling – Jack running on at right foreground with umbrella – Goes to him –

GEORGE

Can’t he increase his income any other way but this?

JACK

It would appear he couldn’t. I wanted him to put up…

EXT BLDG-Two standing.  Storm Raging.- Jack at right yelling – trying to hold umbrella over both of both of them

JACK

. . . an apartment building instead of these houses.

The two shout at each other –

GEORGE

An apartment building! Here?

JACK

Yes, that was my idea.

GEORGE

An apartment house!

EXT RAIN-CU – George looking to right- Water streaming down his face – He yells – Shocked –

GEORGE

Oh, my gosh!

Jack heard-

JACK’S VOICE

Don’t worry!

 EXT UMBRELLA-CU -Jack looking to left foreground – Shouting over noise of storm –

JACK

Your grandfather wouldn’t listen to me, but he’ll wish he had, some day.

 EXT RAIN-CU – George looking to right shouting – Rain pouring down his face –

GEORGE

But why didn’t he sell something or other, rather than do a thing like this?

EXT UMBRELLA-CU -Jack shouting to left foreground –

JACK

I believe he has sold something or other, from time to time.

EXT RAIN-CU – George shouting to right –

GEORGE

Well, in heavens name, what did he do this for?

EXT UMBRELIA-CU -Jack shouting to left –

JACK

In heaven’s name, to get money. That’s my deduction.

EXT RAIN-CU – George shouting to right-

GEORGE

I suppose you’re joking — or trying to.

EXT UMBRELLA-CU -Jack shakes his head – Storm heard

JACK

That’s the best way to look at it.

FADE OUT/FADE IN

DAY SEQUENCE

INT FACTORY-MS – Pounding anvil heard – Camera shooting over sparks in extreme foreground – Fanny, Isabel, Lucy, Eugene, and George gathered around watching – Worker comes on left foreground with white hot steel bar – Pounds bar on anvil- Sparks flying – Women  scream – Men laugh – Workman exits left – Lucy talks to others amid general noises and confusion

LUCY

And we’re now turning out a car and a quarter a day.

Worker crosses in extreme foreground right to left- Pushing partly assembled car – Camera pans to follow – Worker exits left – Fanny, Isabel, and Eugene come to left foreground – Camera moves with them as they proceed down assembly line – Loud factory noises – Laughing – Talking –

ISABEL

Isn’t that marvelous.

FANNY

What’s marvelous?

Men in extreme foreground hoisting up part of car –

ISABEL

They’re turning out a car and a quarter a day.

FANNY

OH

Camera continues to follow them through factory –

GEORGE S VOICE

Mother! Mother!

George comes on at right –

EUGENE

Fanny!

Eugene crosses to Fanny in background –

GEORGE

All this noise and smell seems to be good for you. I think you ought to come here every time you get the blues.

FANNY

Oh, she never gets the blues, George.  I never knew a person of a more even disposition.

They stop by Eugene’s old steam car in which he tried to court Isabel – Eugene, Isabel, and Fanny in foreground – George and Lucy in left background in shadows behind old car –

ISABEL

No, it’s this place.

FANNY

I wish I could be more like that.

ISABEL

Wouldn’t anybody be delighted to see an old friend take an idea out of the air like that — an idea most people laughed at him for…

Fanny turns her back to them – Moves a few steps to background –

ISABEL

…and turn it into such a splendid humming thing as this factory.

Fanny turns to face Isabel – Eugene moves toward car –

EUGENE

D’ya remember this?…Our first machine. The Original Morgan Invincible.

ISABEL

I remember

FANNY

How quaint.

Isabel turns – Takes Eugene’s arm – All resume walking left – Camera continues moving with them –

ISABEL

Of course I’m happy. So very, very happy.

LUCY

Just look at the Morgan now, Mrs. Minafer.

ISABEL

It’s beautiful — just beautiful.

They pause by model of new car at left – Eugene and Isabel exit in background – George inspects car – Lucy addresses Fanny –

LUCY

Did you ever see anything so lovely?

GEORGE

As what?

LUCY

As your mother!

George, Lucy, and Fanny resume walking – Move to foreground in front of car – Camera moving back –

LUCY

She’s a darling!

Lucy takes George’s arm – They come to right foreground – Eugene and Isabel come on at left as she talks –

LUCY

And Papa looks as if he were going to either explode, or utter loud sobs!

George and Lucy exit right – Isabel leads Eugene left – Fanny coming after – They pass photograph of Morgan car with caption “ Ideal for the Professional Man” – Camera moves and pans to follow –

ISABEL

It’s just glorious…It makes us all happy.  Eugene.  Give him your hand.  Fanny

Eugene holds Fanny’s hand – Three come together in tight shot –

ISABEL

There. If Brother Jack were here, Eugene would have his three oldest and best friends congratulating him all at once.  We know what Brother Jack thinks about it, though.

Eugene looks to left foreground and smiles – Isabel looks up at him –

EUGENE

I used to write verse about twenty years ago. Remember that?

ISABEL

I remember that, too.

Fanny stares off left grimly –

EUGENE

I’m almost thinking I could do it again…to thank you for making a factory visit into such a kind celebration.

FADE OUT

EXT FACTORY ENTRANCE-MS – Camera shooting over buggy to entrance in background -General noises heard – Lucy and George coming from entrance – At left – He helps her up onto buggy –

LUCY

Gracious! Aren’t they sentimental?

She sits down – Camera pans – He climbs in beside her – Amused –

GEORGE

People that age are always sentimental. They get sentimental over anything at all.

He picks up reins – Drives to left – Exits – Car comes out of factory in background – Eugene driving – Isabel and Fanny in back seat – Camera pans following them to left – They go down street to left background –

DAY SEQUENCE

EXT TOWN-LS – Auto in background racing down street to foreground – People on both sides of street watching – Dust rising – Eugene driving Isabel and Fanny – Turns corner in right fore*ground and exits – Dust clears – George and Lucy following same path in buggy –

EXT STREET-MCS – George and Lucy riding in buggy to right – Dust clearing – Music heard -Camera moves with them throughout entire shot – They ride through town –

GEORGE

I’ll still take a horse, any day.

Lucy laughs – They ride on silently –

GEORGE

Whoa.

LUCY

Oh, don’t.

GEORGE

Why? Do you want him to trot his legs off?

LUCY

No, but…

GEORGE

“No, but” what?

LUCY

…I know when you make him walk it’s so you can give all your attention to proposing to me again. George, do let Pendennis trot again.

GEORGE

I won’t.

LUCY

Get up, Pendennis. Go on! Trot! Commence!

GEORGE

Ha! Ha! Lucy, if you aren’t the prettiest thing in this world! When are you going to say we’re really engaged?

LUCY

Not for years.  No there’s the answer.

GEORGE

Lucy! Dear, what’s the matter? You look as if you were going to cry…You always do that whenever I can get you to talk about marrying me.

LUCY

I know it.

GEORGE

Well, why do you?

LUCY

One reason’s because— I have a feeling it’s never going to be.

GEORGE

You haven’t any reason or...

LUCY

It’s just a feeling. I don’t know — everything’s so unsettled.

GEORGE

If you aren’t the queerest girl! What’s unsettled?

LUCY

Well, for one thing, George, you haven’t decided on anything to do yet.  Or at least if you have, you’ve never spoken of it.

GEORGE

Lucy, haven’t you perfectly well understood that I don’t intend to go into a business or adopt a profession?

LUCY

What are you going to do, George?

GEORGE

Why, I expect to lead an honorable life. I expect to contribute my share to charities, and take pan in— well, in movements.

LUCY

What kind?

GEORGE

Whatever appeals to me. I should like to revert to the questions I was asking you.  If you don’t mind

LUCY

No, George, I think we’d better…

GEORGE

Your father’s a businessman.

LUCY

He’s a mechanical genius…

GEORGE

It’s your father’s idea

LUCY

…or he’s both!

GEORGE

Isn’t it your father’s idea that I ought to go into a business and that you oughtn’t to be engaged to me until I do?

Camera a speeds up – Begins to move in front of them – Entire Street now stretches into distance –

LUCY

No, I’ve never once spoken to him about it.

GEORGE

But you know that’s the way he does feel about it.

LUCY

Yes.

Camera now directly in front of them – Streetcar tracks come into view at left

GEORGE

Do you think that I’d be very much of a man if I let any other man dictate to me my own way of life?

 LUCY

George! Who’s dictating your way of life?

GEORGE

I don’t believe in the whole world—scrubbing dishes or selling potatoes or trying law cases.

Camera slows down – They move alongside it again – Go to right foreground –

GEORGE

No, I dare say I don’t care anymore for your father’s ideals than he does for mine!

LUCY

George!

GEORGE

Giddap, Pendennis!

They exit right- Camera still moving – Enclosed carriage comes on from left behind them – Races across screen –

INT CARRIAGE-CU – Major and Jack seated in moving carriage – Conversing – Squeaking of carriage and hoof beats heard – Music heard

JACK

Well — seems to have recovered…Looks in the highest good spirits.

MAJOR

I beg pardon?

JACK

Your grandson. Last night he seemed inclined to melancholy.

MAJOR

What about?…Not getting remorseful about all the money he’s spent at college, is he?…I wonder what he thinks I’m made of?

JACK

Gold…and he’s right about that part of you, Father.

MAJOR

What part?

JACK

Your heart.

MAJOR

I suppose that may account for how heavy it feels, nowadays, sometimes…This town seems to be rolling right over that old heart you mentioned just now, Jack!  Rolling over it and burying it under.  When I think of those devilish workman yelling around the house and digging up my lawn.

JACK

Never mind, Father. Don’t think of it. When things are a nuisance, it’s a good idea not to keep remembering ’em.

MAJOR

I try not to. I try to keep remembering that I won’t be remembering anything now very long. Not so very long now, my boy. Not so very long now, huh. Not so very long!

LAP DISSOLVE

NIGHT SEQUENCE

EXT MANSION-LS – Camera shooting over barren yard – Mansion at right-Traffic lights passing in street in background –

LAP DISSOLVE

EXT PORCH-MS – Music heard – George sitting at left at top of steps – Fanny sitting in left background rocking in creaking chair – Isabel sitting at right – Her silhouette showing against lit window –

FANNY

I don’t believe we’ll see as many of those ottomobiles next summer,

Isabel and Fanny talk – George looks off glumly –

ISABEL

Why?

FANNY

I’ve begun to agree with George about their being a fad more than anything else. Like roller skates. Besides, people just won’t stand for them after a while. I shouldn’t be surprised to see a law passed forbidding the sale of ottomobiles the way there is with concealed weapons.

ISABEL

You’re not earnest Fanny.

FANNY

I am though!

ISABEL

Then you didn’t mean it when you told Eugene you’d enjoyed the drive this afternoon.

FANNY

I didn’t say it so very enthusiastically, did I?

ISABEL

Perhaps not, but he certainly thought he’d pleased you.

FANNY

I don’t think I gave him any right to think he’d pleased me.

ISABEL

Why not, Fanny? Why shouldn’t you?

FANNY

I hardly think I’d want anyone to get the notion he’d pleased me just now. It hardly seems time yet to me.

Isabel whistles – Fanny stops rocking –

FANNY

Is that you, George?

GEORGE

Is that me what?

FANNY

Whistling “On Yonder Rock Reclining”?

Isabel talks amused.

ISABEL

Oh, it’s I.

FANNY

OH

ISABEL

Does it disturb you?

FANNY

No, not at if all he , just had be an idea that George was depressed about something — wondered if he could be making such a cheerful sound.

ISABEL

Troubled about anything, Georgie?

GEORGE

No.

Isabel laughs – Fanny talks to her –

FANNY

Are you laughing about something?

ISABEL

Pardon?

FANNY

I asked: Were you laughing at something?

ISABEL

Yes, I was. It’s that funny, fat old Mrs. Johnson across the street.

Isabel rises – Goes behind George as she talks –

ISABEL

She has a habit of looking out her bedroom window with a pair of opera glasses.

FANNY

Really!

ISABEL

Really. She looks up and down the street, but mostly over here. Sometimes she forgets to turn out the light in her room, and there she is, spying for all the world to see. Can you see her, Georgie?

GEORGE

Hm?  Oh pardon me.  I didn’t hear what you were saying.

ISABEL

It’s nothing. Just a funny old lady— she’s gone now. I’m going too…

George rises – Isabel goes to right background –

ISABEL

…at least, I’m going indoors to read.

She exits talking –

ISABEL

It’s cooler in the house, though it’s really not warm anywhere, since nightfall.  Summer’s dying. How quickly it goes, once it begins to die.

Door heard – George sits down – Fanny talks to George – He talks curtly to her –

FANNY

It seems queer how your mother can use such words.

GEORGE

What words?

FANNY

Words like “die” and “dying.” I don’t see how she can bear to use them so soon after your poor father...

GEORGE

Seems to me you’re using them yourself.

FANNY

I Never.

GEORGE

Yes, you did.

FANNY

When?

GEORGE

Just this minute.

FANNY

Oh!  You mean when I repeated what she said.

GEORGE

Umhum.

FANNY

That’s hardly the same thing, George.

GEORGE

I don’t think you’ll convince anybody that Mother’s unfeeling.

FANNY

I’m not trying to convince anybody. I mean merely in my opinion— well, perhaps it’s just as wise for me to keep my opinions to myself.

She rises slowly – Goes to right background – Talking – Exits –

FANNY

There is one thing I hope. I hope at least she won’t leave off her foil mourning the very anniversary of Wilbur’s death.

 EXT PORCH-MCU – George leaning against railing – Staring off thoughtfully – Music heard –

EXT STEPS-MLS – George sitting up on step at left foreground looking off thoughtfully – Music heard – Vision of Lucy comes on at right – Kneeling – Holds our her hands to him – She talks Pleadingly – Music heard –

LUCY

George, you must forgive me! Papa was utterly wrong! I have told him so, and the truth is that I have come rather to dislike him as you do, and as you always have, in your heart of hearts.

GEORGE S VOICE

Lucy, are you sure you understand me? You say you understand me, but are you sure?

LUCY

Oh, so sure! I shall never listen to Father’s opinions again. I do not even care if I never see him again

GEORGE S VOICE

Then I pardon you.

His vision exits -.He leans back.

EXT PORCH-MCU – George leaning against post – Laughter heard – Vision of Lucy and boys comes on above at right behind him – They laugh – Talk – Sing indistinctly –

EXT PORCH-MLS – George sitting up at left at top of steps staring off – Vision of Lucy and group of boys sitting on steps – They laugh and sing – Happily – George leaps up – Yells angrily – Vision exits –

GEORGE

Pardon nothing! Riff raff! Riff raff!

He goes up to background toward door – Yelling –

‘GEORGE

Riffraff!

He opens door – Exits through it- Slamming door –

FADE OUT/FADE IN

EXT MANSION-ELS – Mansion in background – Eugene and Isabel sitting on bench by tree at right near foreground – Music heard –

LAP DISSOLVE

INT TREE-MCU – Eugene at left takes hold of Isabel’s hand – Music heard –

EUGENE

Isabel, dear.

ISABEL

Yes, Eugene?

EUGENE

Don’t you think you should tell George?

ISABEL

About us?

EUGENE

Yes.

ISABEL

There’s still time.

EUGENE

I think he should hear it from you.

EXT TREE-CU – Isabel at right leaning against tree -Talks to Eugene at left – – Music heard –

ISABEL

He will, dearest..soon…soon.

LAP DISSOLVE]

EXT MANSION-LS – Camera shooting to mansion in background – Car coming on around drive left background – Goes to right background –

LAP DISSOLVE

INT DINNING ROOM-MLS – Amberson – Minafer and Eugene seated around table – Music head – Servant Carrying tray  crosses to door in background –  Music heard

MAJOR

I miss my best girl.

INT DINING ROOM-MS – Camera shooting over Major’s left shoulder along table – Isabel at end of table facing Major – Fanny and George at left –

ISABEL

We all do. Lucy’s on a visit, Father. She’s spending a week with a school friend.

EUGENE S VOICE

She’ll…

INT DINING ROOM MS-Camera shooting between Isabel at left and George at right both partly on – Major at opposite end of table -Jack and Eugene at left –

EUGENE

…be back Monday.

Fanny leans forward into shot-

FANNY

George, how does it happen you didn’t tell us before? He never said a word to us about Lucy’s going away.

MAJOR

Probably afraid to.

INT DINING ROOM-MCU – Camera shooting up at Major looking to right foreground

MAJOR

Didn’t know but what he might break down and cry if he tried to speak of it.

INT DINING ROOM-MS – Camera shooting over Major’s shoulder –

MAJOR

Isn’t that so, Georgie?

Major laughs-

FANNY

Or didn’t Lucy tell you she was going?

George looks around sullenly

GEORGE

She told me.

MAJOR

At any rate, Georgie didn’t approve .I suppose you two aren’t speaking again?

Major laughs –

INT DINING ROOM-MGS – Camera shooting across table -Jack at left – Eugene at center- Major right –

JACK

Gene, what’s this I hear about someone else opening up a horseless carriage shop, somewhere out in the suburbs.

MAJOR

Ah, I suppose they’ll drive you out of business, or else the two of you’ll get together and drive all the rest of us off of the streets.

EUGENE

Well, we’ll even things up by making the streets bigger. Automobiles will carry our streets dear out to the county line.

JACK

Well, I hope you’re wrong, because if people go to moving that far, real estate values here in the old residence part of town will be stretched pretty thin.

INT DINING ROOM-MCU – George looks to left foreground sternly –

MAJOR S VOICE

So your devilish machines are going to ruin all your old friends, eh Gene?

INT DINING ROOM-MCS – Eugene partly on left foreground – Major in background at end of table

MAJOR

Do you really think they’re going to change the face of the land?

EUGENE

They’re already doing it, Major, and it can’t be stopped. Automobiles are…

George heard interrupting

GEORGE’S VOICE

Automobiles are a useless nuisance

The two look to right foreground – Startled –

IINT DINING ROOM MCU -Jack at left looking to right foreground – Frowning –

INT DINING ROOM MCU – Isabel facing camera – Glances down – Embarrassed –

INT DINING ROOM MS – Camera shooting between Isabel and George – Facing three men in background –

MAJOR

What did you say, George?

GEORGE

I said automobiles are a useless nuisance.

INT DINING ROOM-MS – Camera shooting over Major’s shoulder –

GEORGE

They’ll never amount to anything but a nuisance and they had no business to be invented.

INT DINING ROOM-MCU – Eugene at left looks down at table – Hurt – Fingers spoon –

JACK S VOICE

Of course you forget Mr. Morgan makes them— also did his share in inventing them.

INT DINING ROOM-MCU – Jack at left of table –

JACK

If you weren’t so thoughtless he might think you rather offensive.

INT DINING ROOM-MCU – George looking to foreground – Talks – Sarcastically –

GEORGE

I don’t think I could survive that.

INT DINING ROOM-MCU – Eugene looking to right foreground – Begins speaking – Fingers spoon – Glances down occasionally as he talks –

EUGENE

I’m not so sure George is wrong about automobiles…With all their speed forward — they may be a step backward in civilization…It may be that they won’t add to the beauty of the world or the life of men’s souls I’m not sure…But automobiles have come…and almost all outward things are going to be different because of what they bring…They’re going to alter war, and they’re going to alter peace…And I think men’s minds are going to be changed in subtle ways because of automobiles…And it may be that George is right.

INT DINING ROOM-CU – George glances down embarrassed –

INT DINING ROOM-CU – Eugene looking down to right foreground –

EUGENE

It may be that in — ten or twenty years from now, if we can see the...

Looks up to right –

EUGENE

…inward change in men by that time…

Looks to right foreground –

EUGENE

…I shouldn’t be able to defend the gasoline engine, but would have to agree with George…that automobiles had no business to be invented.

INT DINING ROOM-CU – George looking to left frowning –

INT DINING ROOM-CU – Eugene looking to right foreground – Glances down – Noise of his spoon firmly placed on table – He looks to right –

EUGENE

Well, Major…

He starts to rise –

INT DINING ROOM-MCU – George rising –

EUGENE S VOICE

… if you’ll excuse me.

George glances to left as he hears –

EUGENE S VOICE

Fanny?

FANNY’S VOICE

Oh, Eugene

EUGENE S VOICE

Isabel.

INT DINING ROOM-MLS – Eugene and George standing behind table – Facing each other – my and Isabel seated – Jack at right going to door in background – Major at left moves to escort Eugene to door –

EUGENE

I’ve got to run down to the shop and speak to the foreman.

MAJOR

I’ll see you to the door.

EUGENE

Don’t bother, sir. I know the way.

Fanny rises-

FANNY

I’ll come too.

She walks past men through door – Major follows – Eugene stops – Looks back at George and Isabel – Goes out.-.Jack starts out – Looks back – Goes out – Closes door behind him – George resumes seat at table –

INT DINING ROOM-MS – Camera shooting from Major’s end of table – Isabel seated at other end table – George at left –

ISABEL

Georgie, dear, what did you mean?

GEORGE

Just what I said.

ISABEL

He was hurt!

GEORGE

Don’t see why he should be. Didn’t say anything about him. Didn’t seem to me to be hurt, he seemed perfectly cheerful. What made you think he was hurt?

INT DINING ROOM-MCS – George and Isabel at table in foreground -Jack opens door in background – Enters – Closes door behind him – Crosses left to fireplace – Camera pans to follow -Takes cigar from inner pocket – Stops before mantel in background – Turns and addresses George –

JACK

By Jove, Georgie, you are a puzzle!

GEORGE

In what way may I ask?

JACK

Well, it’s a new style of courting a pretty girl, I must say, for a young fellow to go deliberately out of his way to try and make an enemy of her father, by attacking his business! By Jove! That’s a new way of winning a woman!

Jack turns to background and lights cigar – George throws napkin on table – Disgusted – Rises- Camera pans right – George hurrying to door in background – Isabel rises to follow – George opens door –

INT HALL-MS – George rushing out doorway at right- Crosses hall-Camera pans left to follow –Fanny comes on from extreme left foreground – Whispers-

FANNY

George! You struck just the right treatment to adopt.

George turns to go to steps in background – Camera moves to follow –

FANNY

You’re doing just the right thing!

GEORGE

Oh, what do you want?

Fanny follows him –

FANNY

Your father would thank you if he could see what you’re doing.

GEORGE

Quit the mysterious detective business. You make me dizzy.

FANNY

You don’t care to hear that I approve of what you’re doing?

GEORGE

For the gosh sakes, what in the world is wrong with you?

She starts up steps talking bitterly

FANNY

Oh, you’re always picking on me, always,

He follows her up steps – They argue – Camera following them up –

FANNY

Ever since you were a little boy!

GEORGE

Oh, my gosh!

FANNY

You wouldn’t treat anybody in the world like this except old Fanny! “Old Fanny” you say. “It’s nobody but old Fanny, so I’ll kick her. Nobody’ll resent it, I’ll kick her all I want to!” And you’re right. I haven’t got anything in the world since my brother died — nobody— nothing!

GEORGE

Oh, my gosh!

FANNY

I never, never in the world would have told you about it, or even made the faintest reference to it…

Stops on steps – Camera pauses – She exits right –

FANNY’S VOICE

. . . if I hadn’t seen that somebody else had told you, or you’d found out for yourself in some way.

GEORGE

Somebody else had told me what?

FANNY S VOICE

How people are talking about your mother.

Music starts to play – He pauses dumbfounded – Slowly goes up steps – Camera follows him up onto balcony  He stops facing Fanny

GEORGE

What did you say?

FANNY

Of course, I understood what you were doing when you started being rude to Eugene.

They go to right- Start up another flight of steps – Camera moves to follow –

FANNY

I knew you’d give Lucy up in a minute if it came to a question of your mother’s reputation…

GEORGE

Look here!

She stops – Turns – Looks down at him as they talk –

FANNY

…because you said that…

GEORGE

Look here! Just what do you mean?

FANNY

I only wanted to say that I’m sorry for you, George, that’s all. But it’s only old Fanny…

She turns- Goes up to right – He follows – Camera resumes moving –

FANNY

…so whatever she says, pick on her for it! Hammer her! Hammer her!

GEORGE

Uncle Jack said…

They confront one another on the landing –

FANNY

It’s only poor old lonely Fanny!

Music heard

GEORGE

…Uncle Jack said that if there was any gossip it was about you!  He said people might be laughing about the way you ran after Morgan, but that was all.

FANNY

Oh, yes, it’s always Fanny! Ridiculous old Fanny— always — always!

GEORGE

Listen! You said Mother let him come here just on your account, and now you say…

FANNY

I think he did. Anyhow, he liked to dance with me. He danced with me as much as he did with her.

GEORGE

You told me Mother never saw him except when she was chaperoning you.

FANNY

Well, you don’t suppose that stops people from talking, do you?…They just thought I didn’t count!…“ It’s only Fanny Minafer,” I suppose they’d say! Besides, everybody knew he’d been engaged to her.

GEORGE

What’s that?

FANNY

Everybody knows it. Everybody in this town knows that Isabel never really cared for any other man in her life!

GEORGE

I believe I’m going crazy. You mean you lied when you told me there wasn’t any talk?

FANNY

It never would have amounted to anything if Wilbur had lived.

GEORGE

You mean Morgan might have married you?

FANNY

No…because I don’t know that I’d have accepted him.

GEORGE

Are you trying to tell me that — because he comes here and they see her with him driving and all that — they think that they were right in saying that she was— she was in love with him before— before my father died?

FANNY

Why, George, don’t you know that’s what they say? You must know that everybody in town…

GEORGE

Who told you?

FANNY

What?

GEORGE

Who told you there was talk? Where is this talk? Where does it come from? Who does it?

FANNY

Why, I suppose pretty much everybody, I know it’s pretty general.

He grabs her by shoulders shaking her – Shouting angrily –

GEORGE

Who said so?

FANNY

Why!

GEORGE

How did you get hold of it?

 FANNY

Why!

GEORGE

You answer me!

FANNY

Why hardly think it would be fair to give names

GEORGE

Look here. One of your best friends is that mother of Charlie Johnson’s across the way. Has she ever mentioned this to you?

FANNY

Why she may have intimated…

GEORGE

You and she have been talking about it! Do you deny it?

FANNY

Why, George!

GEORGE

Do you deny it!

FANNY

Why she’s a very kind, discreet woman, George…

He turns- Rushes left down stairs – Exits as she talks –

FANNY

…but she may have intimated...

She leans over railing – Calling after him – Footsteps and music heard –

FANNY

George…What are you going to do, George?

She leans over to right foreground – Calling –

FANNY

George.

Music stops –

EXT DOOR-CU – Door opening – Mrs. Johnson looks out to foreground – surprised –

MRS. JOHNSON

Mr. Amberson— heh, heh — -I mean Mr. Minafer.

She opens the door wider.-.Camera pans to follow – She exists – She exits left – Camera slowly moves forward into Mrs. Johnson’s living room

MRS. JOHNSON’S VOICE

Eh, won’t you come in please?

GEORGE S VOICE

Thank you.

George comes on extreme left foreground – Goes into room – Camera following –

MRS. JOHNSON S VOICE

Well, how nice to see you Mr. Minafer.

He stops – Back to camera –

GEORGE

Mrs. Johnson…

He turns to face left foreground –

GEORGE

…Mrs. Johnson, I’ve come to ask you a few questions.

Mrs. Johnson comes on left foreground – Stops-

MRS. JOHNSON

Certainly, Mr. Minafer. Anything I can do for you.

He turns away – They walk to background – Camera follows –

GEORGE

I don’t mean to waste any time, Mrs. Johnson.

He turns to confront her –

GEORGE

You— you were talking about a— a scandal that involved my mother’s name.

MRS. JOHNSON

Mr. Minafer!

She walks to left background past him

GEORGE

My Aunt told me you repeated the scandal to her.

She turns to face him –

MRS. JOHNSON

I don’t think your aunt can have said that!

She comes to left foreground –

MRS. JOHNSON

We may have discussed some few matters that’ve been a topic of comment about town.

He crosses behind her to left- Looks over her shoulder –

GEORGE

Yes! I think you may have!

MRS. JOHNSON

Other people may be less considerate.

GEORGE

Other people! That’s what I want to know about— these other people! How many?  How many!

MRS. JOHNSON

What?

GEORGE

How many other people talk about it?

She crosses to left foreground – Camera pans to follow –

MRS. JOHNSON

Heh, really, this isn’t a courtroom and I’m not a defendant in a libel suit.

GEORGE S VOICE

You may be!

George comes on at right behind her – Talking angrily over her shoulder

GEORGE

I want to know just who’s dared to say these things.  If I have to force my way into every home in town.

She whirls to face him –

GEORGE

I mean to know just who told you…

 MRS. JOHNSON

 You mean to know! Well you’ll know something pretty quick! You’ll know that you’re out in the street. Please to leave my house!

He turns- Exits left – She glares after him –

INT BATHROOM-ECU – Camera shooting down on water pouring out of spigot in bathtub –

Pipes groan

INT BATHROOM-ECU -Jack bathing looking to left disgusted – Water heard – Music heard

JACK

Ohhhhh, now you have done it

INT BATHROOM-CU – George in foreground – Reflection of Jack bathing seen in mirror in background –

GEORGE

What have I done that wasn’t honorable and right?

JACK

Awww.

GEORGE

Do you think these riffraff can go around town bandying my mother’s good name?

JACK

They can now. Georgie…gossip’s never fatal till it’s denied.

GEORGE

If you think I’m going to let my mother’s good name be…

JACK

Good name. Look, nobody has a good name in a bad mouth! Nobody has a good name in a — silly mouth, either.

George exits right background – His reflection seen in mirror going to Jack in left background,

GEORGE

Didn’t you understand me when I told you people are saying my mother means to marry this man?

JACK

Yes, yes, I understood you.

INT BATHROOM-CU – George looking down to right foreground – Talking disgusted –

GEORGE

If such a— such an unspeakable marriage did…

INT BATHROOM-CU – Jack bathing looks up to left foreground – Talks impatiently –

JACK

Unspeakable marriage!

GEORGE S VOICE

… did take place do you think that would make people believe they’d been wrong in saying…Jack shouts – Washing himself –

JACK

No. No, I don’t believe it would. There would be more badness in the bad mouths and more silliness in the silly mouths. But that wouldn’t hurt Isabel and Eugene. Why if they decided to marry...

INT BATHROOM-CU – George looking down to right foreground – Incredulous – Pipes heard groaning –

GEORGE

Great gosh! You speak of it so calmly!

JACK S VOICE

Why shouldn’t they marry if they want to?

GEORGE

Why shouldn’t they?

JACK

It’s their own affair!

GEORGE

Why shouldn’t they!

INT BATHROOM-CU -Jack bathing – Looking up to left foreground – Shouting –

JACK

Yes, why shouldn’t they!

INT BATHROOM-CU – George looking down to foreground – Grimly

JACK S VOICE

I don’t see anything…

INT BATHROOM-CU -Jack bathing – Shouting impatiently –

JACK

…precisely monstrous about two people getting married when they are both free and care about each other. What’s the matter with their marrying?

INT BATHROOM-CU – George looking down to right foreground – Shouts angrily

GEORGE

Then it would be monstrous — monstrous if even this horrible thing hadn’t happened. Now in the face of all this—oh, that you can sit there and speak of it! Your own sister!

NT BATHROOM-CU -Jack bathing looking up – Talks impatiently –

JACK

Ohhh, for heaven’s sake, don’t be so theatrical.

INT BATHROOM-CU – George in foreground – Turns to background –

INT BATHROOM-CU -Jack looking to left foreground – Calls sharply –

JACK

Come back here!

INT BATHROOM-MCU – Camera shooting upward – George in background – Comes back up to camera

INT BATHROOM-CU – Jack looking to left foreground

JACK

You mustn’t speak to your mother about this, Georgie! I don’t think she’s very well.

INT BATHROOM-CU – George looking down to right foreground – Talks impatiently –

GEORGE

Mother? I never saw a healthier person in my life.

INT BATHROOM-CU – Jack looking up to left foreground – Talks sharply –

JACK

She don’t let anybody know. She goes to the doctor regularly.

INT BATHROOM-CU – George looking to right foreground –

GEORGE

Women are always going to doctors regularly.

INT BATHROOM-CU -Jack in tub looking up to left- Talks warningly –

JACK

I’d leave her alone. George.

INT BATHROOM-CU – George in foreground – Turns quickly to background – Camera tilts down – He goes to door in background – Opens it – Goes out slamming door*-

FADE OUT/ FADE IN

DAY SEQUENCE

INT ROOM-MLS – Reflection of George in mirror – George in background unwrapping box – Comes to mantel – Music heard57 – He puts picture up on mantel– His hands come on right foreground as he puts picture of Wilbur on mantel at right foreground – Hands exit as he looks around – Hands come on picking up picture – His reflection shown turning to background –

NT ROOM-MS – George in background coming to foreground with picture – Music heard – Camera tilts upward following him to left foreground – He stops – Looks at picture – Puts it on table before camera – He turns – Camera pans – He goes to left – Sits down – Nearly exits- Back to camera – Car heard –

EXT STREET-MLS – Camera shooting across to Mrs. Johnson’s house from Amberson courtyard – Statue partly on at right- Music heard – Eugene comes on from right driving car – Stops in right foreground – Gets out – Walks to right foreground – Nearly exits-

EXT WINDOW-MS – Camera shooting up to window – Music heard – Curtains part – George looks out

INT WINDOW-MCU – George looking out window- Eugene in extreme background coming up – walk toward house – Music heard –

EXT WINDOW-MCS – Camera shooting up to window – George looking down to left foreground – He closes curtains- Music heard –

INT VESTIBULE-MCU – Detail of doors- Music heard – Bell heard – Maid comes on left on other side of glass doors – Crosses to right – Starts to open door – George comes on right – Crosses behind her –

GEORGE

You needn’t mind, Mary. I’ll see who it is and what they want. Probably it’s only a peddler.

MARY

Thank you, Mister George.

Maid exits – Bell heard – Music heard – George opens door – Steps into vestibule in left foreground – Camera pans to follow him through vestibule to left- George with back to camera – He opens door showing Eugene standing on other side –

EUGENE

Good afternoon, George…Your mother expects to go driving with me, I believe.

Music stops-

INT DOORWAY-MCU – Camera shooting over Eugene’s left shoulder – Eugene at right foreground – Back to Camera – George standing at doorway facing him

EUGENE

If you’ll be so kind as to send her word I’m here.

George talks sharply –

GEORGE

No.

INT DOORWAY-MCU – Camera shooting over George’s right shoulder – George at left foreground – Back to camera – Eugene facing him – Stares at him surprised – Smiles slightly

EUGENE

I beg your pardon, I said George interrupts –

GEORGE

I heard you. You said you had an engagement with my mother, and I said no.

EUGENE

What’s the matter?

EXT DOOR-MCU – Camera shooting over Eugene’s shoulder – George glaring –

GEORGE

My mother will have no interest in knowing that you came here today — or any other day.

EXT DOOR-CU – Eugene looking to foreground –

EUGENE

I’m afraid I don’t understand you.

INT DOORWAY-CU – George looking to foreground –

GEORGE

I doubt if I can make it much plainer. But I’ll try. You’re not wanted in this house, Mr. Morgan.

EXT DOOR-CU – Eugene looking to foreground grimly

GEORGE’s VOICE

Now or at any other time.  Perhaps…

INT DOORWAY-CU – George looking to foreground –

GEORGE

…you’ll understand this!

INT VESTIBULE-MCU – George standing left foreground – Back to camera – Slams outer door in Eugene’s face – Eugene’s profile visible through frosted glass door panel – Music heard – After long pause Eugene exits left – George turns slowly to right – Walks to vestibule door – Camera pans to follow – He exits through doorway right *Slams door behind him

INT HALL-LS ‘George coming from hall in background – Comes into room in foreground – Music heard – He crosses to left foreground – Camera follows him to window at left – He looks it through curtains – Turns – Comes to foreground – Sits down at left foreground back to camera –

INT ROOM-MLS – George sitting at right near foreground – Isabel coming on through doorway left – Music heard – She looks around – Sees George – Talks to him –

ISABEL

Why Georgie! Dear, I waited lunch almost an hour for you, but you didn’t come!

Bell heard ringing

ISABEL

Did you lunch out somewhere?

GEORGE

Yes.

Maid coming on right background – Passes before Isabel -Exits through doorway into hall at left-

ISABEL

Did you have plenty to eat?

GEORGE

Yes.

ISABEL

Are you sure?

Isabel turns – Calls into hall –

ISABEL

I think it’s Mr. Morgan.  Mary, tell him I’ll be there at once

MARY

Yes, ma’am.

Isabel comes toward table as she talks to George –

ISABEL

Wouldn’t you like to have Aggie60 fix something now for you in the dining room? Or they could bring it to you here, if you think it would be cozier? She sits down by table – Talking –

GEORGE

No.

George rises as she talks – He comes to left foreground – Standing partly on left foreground

ISABEL

I’m going out driving, dear.

Maid comes in doorway left background – Talks to Isabel –

MARY

Twas a peddler, ma’am.

ISABEL

Another one? I thought you said it was a peddler when the bell rang a while ago.

MARY

Mister George said so, ma’am; he went to the door.

ISABEL

There seem to be a great many of them.

Maid exits into hall – Isabel talking to George –

ISABEL

What did yours want to sell, Georgie?

GEORGE

He didn’t say.

ISABEL

You must have cut him off rather short

She looks at picture on table – Picks it up – Talking –

ISABEL

Gracious, you have been investing!  Is it Lucy?

She looks at picture – Talks – George turns to her –

ISABEL

Oh! That was nice of you, Georgie. I ought to have had it framed myself, when I gave it to you.

She puts picture on table – He goes to her – Looks at her – Hurries to left – Goes through doorway – Exits in hall – She sits waiting – Music heard61

LAP DISSOLVE

INT VESTIBULE-CU – Glass door before camera – Music heard – George comes on other side -Looks through to foreground – Music heard – He looks down – Turns slowly – Exits –

LAP DISSOLVE

INT ROOM-MCS – Camera shooting through curtains – Isabel sitting by table looking to foreground – Photograph of Wilbur prominent at right – Music heard –

INT ROOM-CU – Isabel sitting at right foreground before camera – Bell heard ringing63 – She looks to right- Rises – Moves to background to door – Camera pans to follow –

NT HALL-LS – Camera shooting down from balcony through hall – Jack comes on below at right – Removes hat – Isabel comes on from his right – They are barely heard –

JACK

Isabel.

ISABEL

Yes?

JACK

I’ve just come from Eugene’s.

He walks toward library in extreme background – Isabel follows –

ISABEL

Yes?

He stops – Turns to her – Takes her arm – Leads her

JACK

I want to talk to you.

They go inside library -Jack closes double doors alter them – Music starts to play – Camera tilts upward to George looking down over balcony – He looks up above as he hears Fanny in loud whisper –

FANNY S VOICE

Well!

Camera tilt continues- Reveals Fanny above on second balcony –

FANNY

I can just guess what that was about!

She hurries to left above – Exits – Camera tilts down to George – He comes down steps at left – Camera pans to follow – Music playing – He comes down to foreground •Crosses before camera – Nearly exits- Stops on lower landing – Looks up to Fanny on balcony in background – She talks in loud whispers –

FANNY

He’s telling her what you did to Eugene.

GEORGE

You go back to your room!

FANNY

You’re not going in there!

GEORGE

You go back to your room.

FANNY

George!

She moves to left –

INT BALCONY-MS – Camera shoots down staircase – Fanny hurrying down to George – Music heard –

FANNY

George!

Camera pans across stair railing s following her

FANNY

No you don’t Georgic Minafer! You keep away from there!

She catches George – Takes hold of him –

GEORGE

You let go of me!

She struggles as he tries to get away –

FANNY

I won’t! You come back here! And let them alone!

GEORGE

Of all the ridiculous

She puts hand over his mouth –

 FANNY

Hush up! Hush up! Go on to the top of the stairs — go on!

He goes up steps to right – She follows him – Camera panning – Music heard – They come up steps to right foreground –

FANNY

It’s indecent…It’s like squabbling outside the door of an operating room! The idea of you going in there now! Jack’s telling Isabel the whole thing — and you stay here and let him tell her! He’s got some consideration for her!

They stop before camera –

GEORGE

I suppose you think I haven’t?

FANNY

You! Considerate of anybody!

GEORGE

I’m considerate of her good name!

FANNY

Oh!

GEORGE

Look here!  It seems to me you’re taking a pretty different tone.

FANNY i

I thought you already knew everything I did! I was just — suffering, so I wanted to let out a little…Oh, I was a fool! Eugene never would have looked at me even if he’d never seen Isabel…and they haven’t done any harm. She made —Wilbur happy, and she was a true wife to him— as long as he lived…And here I go, not doing myself a bit of good by it— and just ruining them.

GEORGE

You told me how all the riffraff in town were busy with her name, and the minute I lift my hand to protect her, you attack me and . . .

FANNY

Shh!

She looks over railing to left-

FANNY

Your Uncle’s leaving.

JACK S VOICE

I’ll be back, Isabel.

George starts down steps to background – Stops at Fanny’s entreaty –

FANNY

George, let her alone. She’s down there by herself, don’t go down.

She starts back up – Sound of door closing – He passes her – Comes to extreme foreground Glances down to her at left

FANNY

Let her alone.

George looks at her – Turns away – Exits right –

FADE OUT/FADE IN

INT ROOM-MCS – Camera panning to right showing Isabel standing by window reading letter – She comes slowly to foreground reading – Camera moving back – Eugene’s voice heard – Music heard –

EUGENE S VOICE

Dearest one. Yesterday I thought the time had come when I could ask you to marry me, and you were dear enough to tell me some time it might come to that. But now we’re faced not with slander and not with our own fear of it, because we haven’t any, but someone else’s fear of it — your son’s. And, oh, dearest woman in the world, I know what your son is to you and it frightens me

She stops before camera – Turns – Goes back to background to windows – Reading – Camera following her –

EUGENE S VOICE

Let me explain a little. I don’t think he’ll change. At twenty-one or twenty-two so many things appear solid and permanent and terrible which forty sees are nothing but disappearing miasma. Forty can’t tell twenty about this; twenty can find out only by getting to be forty.

She turns around toward foreground – Reading –

EUGENE S VOICE

And so we come to this, dear: Will you live your life your way or George’s way?

She lowers letter – Looks off – Backs to right – Camera panning – She sits down – Reads

EUGENE’S VOICE

Dear, it breaks my heart for you, but what you have to oppose now is the history of your own selfless and perfect motherhood. Are you strong enough, Isabel? Can you make the fight?

Isabel looks up and faces foreground – Rises – Walks across dark room – Camera moving back¬ ward with her – She stops in partial light – Continues reading – Eugene’s voice continues to be heard – Music continues –

EUGENE’S VOICE

I promise you that if you will take heart for it you will find so quickly that it’s all amounted to nothing…You shall have happiness, and only happiness…I’m saying too much for wisdom, I fear…But oh, my dear, won’t you be strong— such a little, short strength it would need.

She pauses – Moves close to camera

EUGENE

Don’t strike my life down twice, dear. This time I’ve not deserved it.

She looks off tears in eyes – Lowers letter –

INT ROOM-CU – Camera shooting up at George – He lowers letter looking to foreground grimly – Music heard – He turns- Goes to background – Camera pans down – He stops by fireplace – Starts to put letter in fire – Hesitates – Looks around – Comes to left Foreground – camera moving back – He goes to left to door – Opens it –

INT HALL SECOND FLOOR-MLS – Camera shooting down through columns in hall – George comes out door in background – Music heard – He crosses to right- Camera pans to follow – He  exits right- Knock on door is heard –

ISABEL S VOICE

Come in.

INT BEDROOM-LS – Isabel going to door right background – Opens it – George comes in

INT ROOM-MCS – Isabel standing by door at left – George coming in grimly – Comes to foreground – Exits left foreground as she closes door – She talks anxiously –

ISABEL

Did you read it, dear?

INT ROOM-MS – George turning by fireplace in background –

GEORGE

Yes, I did.

INT ROOM-MCS – Isabel moving to right to bench before dresser – Talking –

ISABEL

All of it?

She sits down facing foreground –

INT ROOM-MS – George standing by fireplace in background holding letter –

GEORGE

Certainly.

He goes to right on other side of bed – Stops by divan – Talking –

GEORGE

It is simply the most offensive piece of writing that I’ve ever held in my hands

He sits down looking to foreground –

INT ROOM-CU – George looking to foreground – Talking –

GEORGE

Don’t you think that this is a pretty insulting letter for that man to be asking you to hand your son?

INT ROOM-MCU – Isabel looking to foreground – Talks- Pleadingly –

ISABEL

You can see how fair he means to be.

INT ROOM-CU – George looking to right foreground – Talking –

GEORGE

Do you suppose it ever occurs to him that I’m doing my simple duty?

INT ROOM-MCU – Isabel seated looking to left foreground – Listening –

GEORGE’S VOICE

That I’m doing what my father would do if he were here?

INT ROOM-MS – George sitting on other side of bed right background – Rises – Goes to fireplace – Camera panning –

GEORGE

He said he and you don’t care what people say but I know better.

He throws letter into fire –

INT ROOM-CU – George by fireplace turning to foreground –

GEORGE

He may not care but you do.

INT ROOM-MCU – Isabel sitting facing foreground – Tears in eyes –

GEORGE’S VOICE

You’re my mother, and you’re an…

INT ROOM-CU – George looking to right foreground

GEORGE

…Amberson and you’re too proud to care for a man who could write such a letter.

He moves to foreground –

INT ROOM-MS – George in background before fireplace comes to right foreground – Camera to right- He passes Isabel seated at right foreground staring down – He goes to door – Opens it turns –

GEORGE

Well? What are you going to do about it, Mother?

INT ROOM-CU – George standing in doorway looking to foreground –

GEORGE

What kind of an answer are you going to make to such a letter as that?

INT-ROOM-MCU – Isabel seated looking to foreground – Tears in eyes – Talks brokenly –

ISABEL

Why — I don’t quite know, dear.

INT ROOM-CU – George standing in doorway – Frowning – Talking bitterly –

GEORGE

It seems to me that if he ever set foot in this house again    I …I can’t speak of it.

He turns- Exits in background –

INT ROOM-MCU – Isabel seated looking to foreground – Tears in her eyes

FADE DISSOLVE

NIGHT SEQUENCE

INT FLOOR-CU – Letter is slipped under door on floor to foreground – Shadow moving – Music heard

LAP DISSOLVE

INT ROOM-CU – Letter under door – Shadow moving across – George leans over – Picks it up – camera pans up following him – He goes to bed in background opening letter – Lies down – reads letter –

ISABEL’S LETTER

George my own dearest boy.  I think it is a little better for me to write to you like this because I’m foolish and might cry again and I took a vow once, that you should never see me cry. I’ve written Eugene just about what I think you would like me to.

He turns over on his stomach – Back to camera – Reads – Camera moving slowly closer to him –

ISABEL S VOICE

He’ll understand about not seeing him. He’ll understand that though I didn’t say it in so many words. He’ll understand

He opens page – Reads –

ISABEL S VOICE

My darling, my beloved. I think I shouldn’t mind anything very much as long as I have you all to myself — as people say— to make up for the long years away from me at college. We’ll talk of what’s best to do, shan’t we? And for all this pain you’ll forgive your loving and devoted…

INT ROOM-CU – Camera shooting up at George’s face – Letter before it – He whispers – Music heard –

GEORGE

Mother.

Gazes to foreground – Frowning –

FADE DISSOLVE

DAYSEQUENCE

EXT STREET-MCS – Lucy coming to foreground – George going past her toward background – Automobile engine heard – She stops – Turns to him and speaks –

LUCY

Hello.

She comes to left foreground looking back at him – He takes off his hat – Approaches her – She stops-

GEORGE

Lucy, you— haven’t you…

LUCY

Haven’t I what?

GEORGE

Nothing. May I walk with you a little ways?

LUCY

Yes indeed

They move to foreground – George puts on hat – Traffic heard – They stroll down street past shops – Camera moves with them – People passing on walk – Reflections of moving traffic seen in shop windows –

GEORGE

I want to talk to you — Lucy.

LUCY

I hope it’s about something nice. Papa’s been so glum today he’s scarcely spoken to me.

GEORGE

Well…

LUCY

Is it a funny story?

GEORGE

It may seem like one to you. Just to begin with—when you went away you didn’t let me know! Not a word— not even a line.

LUCY

Why no. I just trotted off for some visits.

GEORGE

At least you might have done something.

LUCY

Why no, George. Don’t you remember, we’d had a quarrel and we didn’t speak to each other all the way home from a long, long drive! And since we couldn’t play together like good children, of course it was plain that we oughtn’t to play at all.

GEORGE

Play!

LUCY

What I mean is, we’d come to the point where it was time to quit playing— well, what we were playing.

GEORGE

At being lovers, you mean don’t you.

LUCY

Something like that.  It was absurd

GEORGE

It didn’t have to be absurd.

LUCY

No, it couldn’t help but be! The way I am and the way you are, it wouldn’t ever be anything else.

GEORGE

This time I’m going away. That’s what I wanted to tell you, Lucy. I’m going away tomorrow night. Indefinitely.

LUCY

I hope you have ever so nice a time, George.

They pass in front of “ Bijou” movie theatre – Posters advertise Melies picture “Ghost at Circle X Camp” and Jack Holt adventure- Camera continues to move with them –

GEORGE

I don’t expect to have a particularly nice time.

LUCY

Well, then, if I were you I don’t think I’d go.

GEORGE

This is our last walk together, Lucy.

LUCY

Evidently! If you’re going away tomorrow night.

GEORGE

This is the last time I’ll see you — ever— ever in my life. Mother and I are starting on a trip around the world tomorrow and…

They stop before camera on corner- Face each other- People passing-Pharmacy in background –

GEORGE

…we’ve made no plans at all for coming back.

LUCY

My dear that does sound like a long trip.  Do you plan to be traveling all the time or will you stay in one place but the greater part of it?  I think it would be lovely…

GEORGE

Lucy!

LUCY

…to…

GEORGE

I can’t stand this!

She laughs lightly –

GEORGE

I’m just about ready to go in that drugstore there and ask the clerk to give me something to keep me from dying in my tracks!

She laughs harder –

GEORGE

It’s quite a shock, Lucy!

LUCY

What is?

GEORGE

To find out — just how deeply you’ve cared! To see how much difference this makes to you.

LUCY

George!

GEORGE

I can’t stand this any longer!…I can’t, Lucy, takes off hat – Speaks to her hopefully – She smiles lightly -Good-bye, Lucy…It’s good-bye.

He turns and walks away from her towards camera – Camera moves back.  Her smile fades.  He starts across the street – She recomposes her smile.  George looks back.

GEORGE

I think it’s good-bye for good, Lucy.

He turns away again –

LUCY

Good-bye, George. I do hope you have the most splendid trip.  He puts on his hat – Hurries away – Exits left foreground – She waves after him – Smiling -Calling –

 LUCY

Give my love to your mother!

Horns heard – People passing – She turns toward drugstore – Hesitates – Walks toward entrance –

INT DRUG STORE-MCS – Whistling heard – Lucy approaching from left – Enters – Clerk passes in front of camera left to right- Exits – She stops at counter – Clerk comes on again from right –

LUCY

May I please have a few drops of aromatic spirits of ammonia in a glass of water?

He nods – Goes to right crossing store – Whistling – Camera pans to follow – Takes bottle from shelf – Turns around – Looks off to left – Stares- Surprised –

NIGHT SEQUENCE

INT POOL HALL-CU – Camera shooting up to clerk turning to foreground – Bragging –

CLERK

And if I hadn’t been a bright, quick, ready-for-anything young fella . . .

Camera moves back – He turns with cue – Pushing markers above –

CLERK

…she’d a flummixed plum’!

He turns to background – Talking – Turns back to foreground –

CLERK

One of the prettiest girls that ever walked in our place and took one good look at me. I guess it must be true what some a’ you town wags say about my face, huh?

FADE OUT/ FADE IN

NIGHT SEQUENCE

EXT PORCH-MCS – Fanny sitting at right foreground – Major sitting on other side of her – Autos seen passing on street in far background – The two talk – Music heard

MAJOR

Funny thing. Those new houses were built only a year ago. They look old already. Cost enough money, though I guess I should have built those apartments after all.

FANNY

Housekeeping in a house is harder than in an apartment.

MAJOR

Yes.  Where the smoke and dirt as thick as they are in the Amberson Addition, I guess the woman can’t stand it.  I’ve got one painful satisfaction…I got my taxes lowered, taxes lowered. 

FANNY

How did you manage such an economy?

MAJOR

I said it was a painful satisfaction. The property has gone down in value and they assessed it lower than they did fifteen years ago.

FANNY

But farther out…

MAJOR

Oh, yes, “farther out”! Prices are magnificent farther out and farther in, too! We just happen to be in the wrong spot, that’s all.

FANNY

There seems to be so many ways of making money nowadays. Jack had some scheme he was working on before he went abroad.

MAJOR

Yes — that invention. Millions in it! Some new electric headlight.  He’s putting half he’s put by into it.  Had a letter from him the other day asking me to go into it, too.

FANNY

He seemed certain it would pay twenty-five percent the first year, and enormously more after that! And I’m only getting four on my principal.

MAJOR

Isabel wants to come home. Her letters are full of it.  Jack writes me she talks of nothing else. She’s wanted to come for a long while. She ought to come while she can stand the journey.

FANNY

People are making such enormous fortunes out of everything to do with motor cars, it does seem as if…I wrote Jack I’d think it over seriously.

MAJOR

Well, Fanny, maybe we’ll be partners. How about it? And millionaires, too!

He laughs –

FADE OUT/FADE IN

DAY SEQUENCE

 

EXT BLDG-MCS – Jack Lighting Lucy out of touring car.  Jack talks as they go down walk to right background to entrance of mansion – Chauffeur closes door and exits left – Music heard

JACK

I wonder, Lucy, if history’s going on forever repeating itself. I wonder if this town’s going on building up things and rolling over them, as poor father once said it was rolling over his poor old heart. It looks like it.

They go up steps to entrance at right background -Jack talking – Camera panning slightly –

JACK

Well, here’s the Amberson Mansion again, only it’s Georgian instead of nondescript Romanesque; but’s just the same Amberson Mansion my father built long before you were born.

 EXT DOORS-MCU – Lucy coming on at left foreground – Turns at right-Jack coming on at left Talking – Music heard – The two looking around to foreground –

JACK

You’re pretty refreshingly out of the smoke up here.

Door behind them opens- Butler in doorway – Lucy talking –

LUCY

Yes, until the smoke comes and we have to move out farther.

JACK

No, no. You’ll stay here. It’ll be somebody else who’ll move out farther…

He chuckles slightly – She takes his arm – They go into hall in background –

LAP DISSOLVE

INT ROOM-MCS – Lucy sitting on divan at right foreground – Jack sitting by her at center – Eugene sitting in chair in left background – Fire in enormous fireplace in extreme background – Jack drinks from cup and places it on table –

JACK

I…found Isabel as well as usual. Jack picks up cigar and fingers it –

JACK

Only I’m afraid as usual isn’t …particularly well…It struck me Isabel ought to be in a wheel chair.

EUGENE.

What do you mean by that?

JACK

Oh — she’s cheerful enough.  At least…she manages to seem so…She’s pretty short of breath…Father’s been that way for years, of course, but…never nearly so much as Isabel is now…I told her I thought she ought to make Georgie let her come home.

EUGENE

“Let her”?…Does she want to?

 JACK

She doesn’t urge it…George seems to like the life there in his grand, gloomy, and peculiar way…She’ll never change about being proud of him and all that…He’s quite a swell. But she does want to come…She’d like to be with Father, of course, and I think she’s…well, she intimated one day that she was afraid it might even happen—that she wouldn’t get to see him again…I think she was really thinking of her own state of health.

EUGENE

I see…and you say he won’t let her come home?

JACK

Oh…I don’t think he uses force…He’s very gentle with her…I doubt if the subject is mentioned between them and yet…

Jack looks at Eugene as he talks –

JACK

…yet knowing my interesting nephew as you do…wouldn’t you think that was about the way to put it?

Eugene nods –

EUGENE

Knowing him as I do — yes. Yes I should think that’s about the way to put it.

Jack looks at Eugene – Smiling slightly embarrassed – Glances at Lucy in foreground –

FADE OUT/FADE IN

DAY SEQUENCE

EXT STATION-MS – Train noises heard – Camera shooting up towards entrance at left – George coming out carrying Isabel-Jack crosses in front of them – Rushes to open carriage door – Fanny following -Jack climbs in carriage – George starts to lift Isabel into carriage –

INT CARRIAGE-MCS – Jack helping Isabel in – Seats her at right – George and Fanny get into carriage – It drives away to right background -.Autos come on – Honking at carriage – Some go to background – Others pass camera –

LAP DISSOLVE

INT CARRIAGE-CU -Jack partly on in dark profile left foreground -Isabel and George sitting at right – Her head resting on his shoulder – She speaks weakly – Music heard

ISABEL

Changed…so changed.

JACK

You mean— you mean the town? You mean the old place is changed, don’t you, dear?

ISABEL

Yes.

JACK

It’ll change to a happier place, old dear, now that you’re back in it— and going to get well again.

LAP DISSOLVE

INT HALL-LS – George sitting at left foreground dejectedly -Jack standing on other side of him – Major standing in center looking to background – Nurse comes out of doorway in background – Comes to foreground passing Major – He turns – Talks as she comes to foreground –

MAJOR

Nurse, when are they going to let me see my daughter? I think she wants…

Nurse exits right foreground – Major comes to foreground – Stops before George and Jack Major talking bewildered –

MAJOR

. . . I think she wants to see me.

He stops – Talking bewildered – Door in background opening – Doctor standing in doorway

MAJOR

A…a…a…I’m sure she wants to see me. I’ve got something to say to her too.

Jack goes to him – Major mumbling.

MAJOR

if she don’t want …

JACK

Father!

MAJOR

… to let me in to sec   Major turns to Jack -Jack looks at doctor in background – Major turns-Sees him – Major goes to background -Jack glances at George – Exits right foreground as Major goes into room in background – Fanny coming on up steps at right- Calls in whisper to George –

FANNY

George…George…George…

Isabel heard talking –

ISABEL’S VOICE

Father…Father…

FANNY

…George!

They glance to background – Major and doctor exit in room in background – Fanny comes to foreground – Whispering to George –

FANNY

Eugene is here, George!

GEORGE

Hm?

FANNY

He’s downstairs.

GEORGE

What?

FANNY

Eugene is here.

George rises – Goes to her as she calks cautiously –

FANNY

He’s downstairs. He wants to know if he can’t see her. I didn’t know what to say—I said I’d see. I didn’t know— the doctors said…

He talks grimly –

GEORGE

The doctor said we must keep her peaceful. Do you think that man’s coming was very soothing? Why it would be like taking a stranger into her room. Doesn’t he know how sick she is?

He goes to right behind her – Fanny staring to foreground as he talks impatiently –

GEORGE

You tell him the doctor said she had to be quiet and peaceful. That’s what he did say, isn’t it?

She turns slowly – Goes down steps to right – Exits – He looks after her

NIGHT SEQUENCE

 

INT HALL-MLS – Eugene sitting at right foreground before camera – Fanny enters at left background – Crosses to right- He rises – Exits left as camera moves up closer to her – She stops –

FANNY

The doctor said she must be kept quiet.  She comes to left foreground –

EUGENE S VOICE

If I could only look into the room and see her…Eugene comes on at left by Fanny – Talks to her –

EUGENE

…just for a second.

She talks tensely –

FANNY

The doctor said she mustn’t see anyone.

EUGENE

All right, Fanny.

He turns – Exits left – She looks after him – Turns- Goes to left background – Watching Eugene going down hall to door in background -Camera panning – He opens door in background –Goes out- Exits –

EXT ENTRANCE-MLS – Left angle shot – Eugene’s shadow on door at left background – Music heard8 – He comes out entrance – Comes to right foreground down steps – Exits right of camera –

EXT WINDOW-MCS – Camera shooting up to window – George approaches- Opens and looks through curtains – Music continues –

INT WINDOW-LS – George’s reflection on window at left close to camera – He looks grimly out at Eugene in extreme background going through entrance gates – Eugene gets into automobile –

NURSE S VOICE

She wants to see you.

INT ROOM-CU – George turning head to face right background – Walks to background as camera pans to follow – Nurse seen by door in extreme background – George slowly approaches door –

INT ROOM-MCS – Door in center opening – George enters – Nurse follows him into room and closes door – George pauses – Approaches bed and kneels down – Camera pans and tilts to follow – George brings face close to Isabel’s face on bed – Light through curtain throws lace pattern on their faces – She speaks weakly – Music heard –

ISABEL

Darling, did you get something to eat?

GEORGE

Yes, Mother.

ISABEL

All you needed?

GEORGE

Yes, Mother.

ISABEL

Are you sure you didn’t—catch cold coming home.

GEORGE

I’m all right, Mother.

He picks up her hand in his – Kisses it

ISABEL

That’s sweet…sweet.

GEORGE

What is, Mother darling?

ISABEL

My hand against your cheek. I can feel it…I wonder…if Eugene and Lucy know that we’ve come home.

GEORGE

I’m sure they do.

She glances up directly at him –

ISABEL

Has he asked about me?

He lowers her hand – Answers with difficulty –

GEORGE

Yes…he was here.

ISABEL

Has he gone?

GEORGE

Yes, Mother

ISABEL

Oh…I’d like to have seen him…just once.

She stares off wistfully into distance

NURSE

She must rest now

Shadow crosses slowly over Isabel as curtains off screen are drawn – George turns ruefully away – Exits – She looks after him –

LAP DISSOLVE

INT ROOM-LS -Jack sitting at left foreground – Fanny at right- Door in background opens-The two rise – Major rising on bed in background – George comes in – Comes to foreground – Fanny exits hurriedly – George stops before Jack – Talks sharply -Jack going to background to Major –

GEORGE

The doctor in New York said she might get better! Don’t you know he did?  Don’t you know he said she might?

Major lies down -Jack stops by him – George moving to right – Jack goes to doorway in background – Stands in it

INT BEDROOM-CU – Major propped up on bed – Sleeping fitfully – Music heard – He awakens-Rises and walks toward camera – Camera moves back – Jack comes on left – Crosses in foreground – Exits right- Major stumbles after him – Camera pans to follow –

FANNY S VOICE

George!

Fanny facing camera in extreme foreground with arms around George – Major exits in background behind them –

FANNY

She loved you! She loved you!  Oh, how she did love you!

FADE OUT/FADE IN

NIGHT SEQUENCE

INT ROOM-CU – Major staring into camera – Firelight flickering on his face – Music heard –

NARRATOR’S VOICE

And now Major Amberson was engaged in the profoundest thinking of his life.  He was occupied with the first really important matter that had taken his attention since he came home after the Gettysburg campaign, and went into business. And he realized that everything which had worried him or delighted him during this lifetime between then and today — all his buying and building and trading and banking — that it was all trifling and waste beside what concerned him now. For the Major knew now that he had to plan how to enter an unknown country, where he was not even sure of being recognized as an Amberson. Not sure of anything, except that Isabel would help him if she could.

JACK’S VOICE

That’s true, Fanny. You know it’s a funny thing about the deed of the house. Father…

FANNY-S VOICE

But it must go right, we saw with our own eyes how perfectly it worked in the shop.

JACK’S VOICE

I’m only glad you didn’t go into the confounded thing, to the extent I did.

FANNY’S VOICE

But the light was so bright no one could face it, and so there can’t be any reason for it not to work. It simply must.

JACK’S VOICE

It certainly was a perfect thing in the shop. Well our headlight just won’t work, Fanny.

JACK’S VOICE

Father…Father…

Major glances to right –

MAJOR

Huh?

JACK’S VOICE

The house was in Isabel’s name, wasn’t it?

He nods slightly –

MAJOR

Yes, Yes,

JACK S VOICE

Can you remember —when you gave her the deed, Father?

He shakes his head slightly – Looks into camera –

MAJOR

No — no, I can’t just remember.

GEORGE S VOICE

It doesn’t matter.

JACK S VOICE

The whole estate is about as mixed up as an estate can get. I haven’t helped out any by this infernal headlight scheme.  You ought to have that deed, George.

GEORGES VOICE

No, don’t bother.

Major continues to stare into camera – Music continues –

MAJOR

Huh— it must be, in the sun…There wasn’t anything here, but the sun in the first place…the sun. The earth came out of the sun…and we came out of the earth…so — but whatever we are we must have been in the earth. We go back to the earth we came out of — so the earth goes back to the sun it came out of — and in a little while we’ll all be back in the sun together, and time means nothing. Just nothing at all. I wish...

He glances to right foreground – As he hears –

GEORGE S VOICE

Did you want anything, Grandfather?

MAJOR

Huh?

Major talks slowly –

MAJOR

No — no, I — I don’t want anything at all. I wish somebody could tell me…

UP DISSOLVE

DAY SEQUENCE

EXT CEMETERY-MS – Camera shooting up to two tombstones – For Major and Isabel – Music heard

FADE OUT/FADE IN

INT R.R. STATION-LS – People around in foreground – Others coming on in foreground going to background – General station noises heard -Jack and George sitting on bench at right near foreground – Bells heard -Jack talks to George – George taking out wallet-

JACK

Just a hundred, Georgie, I know you can’t spare it, but I really must have thing to tide me over in Washington ’til things are settled.

Man heard calling trains indistinctly – Man at left foreground – Rises – Goes to left – Exits Camera moves up dose to the two – George glances around –

JACK

Nobody’s looking.

George hands money to Jack – People moving in background –

JACK

We’ll survive, Georgie — you will especially. For my part, I’ll be content with just surviving.  An ex-Congressman can always be pretty sure of getting a consulship somewhere. Oh, I’ll live pleasantly enough with a pitcher of ice under a palm tree, and native folk to wait on me — that pan of it will be like home.

GEORGE

I wish you’d take more.

George putting wallet in pocket –

JACK

There’s one thing I’ll say for you, young George. You haven’t got a stingy bone in your body. That’s the Amberson stock in you. 

They rise as Jack talks – Camera following them – Station noises heard – Train whistle heard –

JACK

Well, I may not see you again, Georgie. From this time on it’s quite probable we’ll only know each other by letter until you’re notified as my next of kin that there’s an old valise to be forwarded to you and maybe some dusty curios from the consulate mantelpiece.

Jack at left foreground facing George at right foreground – General station noises heard

JACK

Well…odd way for us to be saying goodbye…one wouldn’t have thought it, even a few years ago, but we are…two gentleman of elegant appearance in a—state of bustitude.  Enh, you can’t ever tell what’ll happen at all, can you…Once I stood where we’re standing now, to say good-bye to a pretty girl — only it was in the old station before this was built — we called it the “ depot.” …We knew we wouldn’t see each other again for almost a year. I thought 1 couldn’t live through it. She stood there, crying…Don’t even know where she lives now, or if she is living…If she ever thinks of me she probably imagines I’m still dancing in the ballroom of the Amberson Mansion…She probably thinks of the Mansion as still beautiful — still the finest house in town…Ah, life and money both behave like — loose quicksilver in a nest of cracks…When they’re gone you can’t tell where, or what the devil you did with ’em! But I— believe I’ll say now while there isn’t much time left for— either of us to get any more embarrassed, I…believe I’ll say I’ve always been fond of you, Georgie, I can’t say I’ve always liked you .but we all spoiled you terribly when you were a boy, but you’ve had a pretty heavy jolt, and you’ve taken it pretty quietly and…

Jack glances around at sound of train pulling in –

JACK

…well with the train coming into the shed, you’ll forgive me for saying there have been rimes when I thought you ought to be hanged, and just for a last word there may be somebody else in this town who’s always felt about you like that — fond of you, I mean, no matter how much it seems you ought to be hanged. You might try…

Jack glances toward sound of conductor –

CONDUCTOR S VOICE

Calling names of towns

Jack begins backing to left

JACK

I must run. I’ll send back the money as fast as they pay me, so good-bye and God bless you, Georgie.

Jack runs with suitcases to left background toward station platform – Others pass back and forth – George in extreme left foreground with back to camera watches him go -George turns to right foreground – Exits –

FADE OUT/FADE IN

EXT STREET-LS – Camera shooting upward toward building in background – Camera moves slowly to left down street throughout montage of dissolves – Music heard –

NARRATOR’S VOICE

George Amberson Minafer walked homeward slowly through what seemed to be the strange streets of a strange city…for the town was growing…

LAP DISSOLVE

EXT GRAIN ELEVATORS-ELS – Camera shooting up –

NARRATOR’S VOICE

…and changing.

LAP DISSOLVE

EXT ELECTRICAL GENERATOR-ELS – Camera shooting up –

NARRATOR’S VOICE

It was heaving up in the middle incredibly…It was spreading incredibly.

LAP DISSOLVE

EXT FACTORY-ELS – Camera shooting up to traffic sign – “Automobiles SLOW” – Factory in background

NARRATOR’S VOICE

And as it heaved and spread…

LAP DISSOLVE

EXT STRUCTURES-LS AND MS – Superimposed shots of steel scaffolding and factory exterior –

NARRATOR’S VOICE

…it befouled itself and darkened its sky

EXT ALLEY-MLS – Camera shooting up – Clothes hanging on lines behind apartment building in background – Camera moving to left –

NARRATOR’S VOICE

In this alley he’d fought with two boys at the same time, and whipped them.

LAP DISSOLVE

EXT STREET-MLS – Camera shooting to shabby house and yard in background – Music heard – Camera moving slowly to left –

NARRATOR’S VOICE

On that sagging porch a laughing woman had fed him and other boys with doughnuts and gingerbread.

LAP DISSOLVE

EXT STREET-MLS – Camera shooting over to fence across street to building in background – Music heard – Camera moving to left –

NARRATOR’S VOICE

Yonder the relics of the iron picket fence he’d made his white pony jump, on a dare.

LAP DISSOLVE

EXT HOUSE-MLS – Camera moving past house in background to left- Music heard –

NARRATOR’S VOICE

And in the shabby stone-faced house behind he’d gone to children’s parties, and when he was a little older he’d danced there often and fallen in love with Mary Sharon and kissed her, apparently by force, under the stairs in the hall.

LAP DISSOLVE

EXT HOUSE-MS – Camera moves left in front of row of tenement houses – Music heard –

NARRATOR’S VOICE

This was the last “walk home”…

LAP DISSOLVE

EXT BUILDINGS-MS – Camera shooting up to exterior of large apartment houses.

NARRATOR’S VOICE

…he was ever to take up National Avenue to Amberson Addition…

LAP DISSOLVE

EXT BLDG-MS – Camera shooting up to sign -“New Hope APARTMENTS Single Rooms”

LAP DISSOLVE

EXT STREET-MLS – Camera moving slowly down street to left background -Two houses at right background – Music heard –

NARRATOR’S VOICE

…and the big old house at the foot of Amberson Boulevard…

LAP DISSOLVE

EXT AMBERSON MANSION-MLS – Camera shooting through gates to house in background –Music and Narrator heard – Camera moving closer to gate –

NARRATOR S VOICE

Tonight would be the last night that he and Fanny were to spend in the house which the Major had forgotten to deed to Isabel.  Tomorrow they were to move out…Tomorrow everything would be gone.

FADE OUT/FADE IN

NIGHT SEQUENCE

INT BEDROOM-CU – George in foreground – Camera moving back – Music and Narrator heard – George kneeling by dismantled bed –

NARRATOR S VOICE

The very space in which tonight was still Isabel’s room would be cut into new shapes by new walls and floors and ceilings. And if space itself can be haunted as memory is haunted, then it may be that some impressionable overworked woman in a “ kitchenette, ”after turning out the light, will seem to see a young man kneeling in the darkness, with arms outstretched through the wall

LAP DISSOLVE

INT ROOM-MLS – George kneeling by bed at right background – Music and Narrator heard –

NARRATOR’S VOICE

…clutching the covers of a shadowy bed.  It may seem to her that she hears the faint cry and an over

GEORGE

Mother, forgive me…God forgive me.

Music heard – Lights dim – Narrator heard – George kneeling by bed

NARRATOR’S VOICE

Something had happened…a thing which— -years ago — had been the eagerest hope of many, many good citizens of the town…and now it came at last: George Amberson Minafer had got his comeuppance…He got it three times filled…and running over…But those who had so longed for it were not there to see it, and they never knew it…Those who were still living had forgotten all about it and all about him.”

FADE OUT

INT – Kitchen-MCU – Fanny sinking down on floor by boiler – George partly on standing at right of camera – She stares up at him mouth open – Talks hysterically to him –

FANNY

You want to leave me in the lurch!

GEORGE S VOICE

Get up, Aunt Fanny.

FANNY

I can’t. I— I’m too weak. You’re going to leave me in the lurch!

GEORGE S VOICE

Aunt Fanny! I’m only going to make eight dollars a week at the law office. You’d have to be paying more of the expenses than I would.

FANNY

I’d be paying— I’d be paying?

GEORGE’S VOICE

Certainly you would. You’d be using more of your money than mine.

FANNY

My money!

She laughs hysterically –

FANNY

I have twenty-eight dollars. That’s all.

GEORGE

You mean until the interest is due again.

FANNY

I mean that’s all. I mean that’s all there is. There won’t be any more interest because there isn’t any principal. I know, I told Jack I didn’t put everything in the headlight, but I did— every cent except my last interest payment and — and it’s gone.

GEORGE’S VOICE

Why did you wait till now to tell me?

FANNY

I couldn’t tell till I had to. It wouldn’t do any good— nothing does any good, I guess in this old world!  I knew your mother’d want me to watch over you and try to have something like a home for you. And I tried—I walked my heels down trying to find a place for us to live. I walked and walked over this town. I didn’t ride one block on a streetcar. I wouldn’t use five cents no matter how tired I…

She laughs wildly – Hysterically –

FANNY

...oh— and now you don’t want— you want— you want to leave me in the lurch!

GEORGE S VOICE

Aunt Fanny! Aunt Fanny— get up! Don’t sit there with your back against the boiler. Get up, Aunt Fanny!

She laughs wildly – George talking – Impatiently –

FANNY

It’s not hot! It’s cold! The plumbers disconnected it…I wouldn’t mind if they hadn’t…I wouldn’t mind if it burned — I wouldn’t mind if it burned me, George!

George leans down – Pulls her to her feet – Shakes her – She laughs wildly and uncontrollably -Camera pulls back – They come to foreground –

GEORGE

Oh Aunt Fanny for gosh sakes, get up!

Camera moves back through doorway as they come through

GEORGE

Now stop it!  I listen to me, do you hear me?  Stop it.  Listen to me now.

They pass through several rooms of deserted mansion – Fanny calming down – Camera continues moving back –

GEORGE

There, that’s better. Now let’s see where we stand…Let’s see if we can afford this place you’ve picked out.

FANNY

I— I’m sure the boarding house is practical, George. I’m sure it’s practical.

GEORGE

I know it must be practical, Aunt Fanny.

FANNY

And…and it is a comfort to be among nice people.

GEORGE

It’s all right, I was thinking of the money, Aunt Fanny. You see . . .

Camera continues moving back – George leads her left into drawing room – Camera pans to follow – Fanny agitated – Twisting handkerchief –

FANNY

There’s— there’s one great economy. They— they don’t allow tipping. They— they have signs that prohibit it.

GEORGE

That’s good. But the rent’s thirty-six dollars a month. And dinner’s twenty-two and a half for each of us. I’ve got about a hundred dollars. A hundred dollars, that’s all. We won’t need any new clothes for a year. Perhaps…

They stop in shadows before slatted window – Furniture covered with sheeting in background – Shafts of light fall across room –

FANNY

Oh, longer! So— so you see. .

GEORGE

Yes, I see. I see that thirty-six and forty-five make eighty-one…At the lowest we’ll need a hundred dollars a month.

He moves back from her – Looks out Window – Says bitterly

GEORGE

And I’m going to be making thirty-two.

LAP DISSOLVE

DAY SEQUENCE

 INT OFFICE-MCU – Camera shooting upward – George crossing left to right in extreme foreground – Passes secretary who holds door into Bronson’s office open – Camera pans to follow – Reveals Bronson standing in background looking to right foreground –

BRONSON

The real flair!

Bronson comes to right foreground – Camera pans to follow showing George standing at extreme right foreground – Bronson pats him on shoulder –

BRONSON

Real flair for the law.

They go around desk to right background – Camera pans to follow –

BRONSON

That’s right. Couldn’t wait ’til tomorrow to begin! The law is a jealous mistress and a stern mistress.

Bronson sits at his desk –

GEORGE

I can’t do it. I can’t take up the law.

BRONSON

What?

GEORGE

I’ve come to tell you that I’ve got to find something quicker— something that pays from the start.

BRONSON

I can’t think of anything just this minute that pays from the start.

GEORGE

Well, sir, I’ve heard that they pay very high wages to people in dangerous trades—people that handle  touchy chemicals or high explosives—men in the dynamite factories. I thought I’d see if I couldn’t get a job like that. I wanted to get started tomorrow if I could.

BRONSON

Georgie, your grandfather and I were boys together. Don’t you think I ought to know what’s the trouble?

GEORGE

Well, sir, it— it’s Aunt Fanny.

George moves to window in background – Traffic noises heard outside –

GEORGE

She’s set her mind on this particular boarding house— seems she put everything in the headlight company…and, well, she’s got some old cronies and I guess she’s been looking forward to the—games of bridge and the— harmless kind of gossip that goes on in such places…Really, it’s a life she’d like better than anything else…and it struck me that she’s just about got to have it.

Bronson rises – Goes to window at left – Camera pans to follow – George turns to look at him as he talks –

BRONSON

I got her into that headlight business with Jack,…I feel a certain responsibility myself.

GEORGE

I’m taking the responsibility.  She’s not your aunt, you know, sir.

Bronson comes around desk to left foreground – George follows – Camera moves backward – Bronson turns back to camera – Moves to background as he talks –

 

BRONSON

Well, I’m unable to sec, even if she’s yours, chat a young man is morally called upon to give up a career at the law to provide his aunt with a favorable opportunity to play bridge whist.

George crosses to left in front of Bronson – Stops- They turn to face one another –

BRONSON

All right, all right. If you’ll promise not to get blown up I’ll see if we can find you the job.

Bronson comes to extreme left foreground.  Turns and f aces George

BRONSON

You certainly are the most practical young man I ever met!

FADE OUT/FACE IN

DAY SEQUENCE

 EXTGARDEN-MS – Lucy and Eugene in background walking to foreground – Camera shooting up – Moving backward as they advance – He knocks pipe on hand – Music heard –

LUCY

Did you ever hear the Indian name for that little grove of beech trees?

 EUGENE

No…and you never did either.

She laughs – They stop – He turns to face her

EUGENE

Well?

LUCY

The name was “ Loma-Nashah” and it means “They-Couldn’t-Help-It.”

EUGENE

Doesn’t sound like it?

LUCY

Indian names don’t.

They continue advancing to foreground – Camera continues moving back –

LUCY

There was a bad Indian Chief lived there, the worst Indian that ever lived. And his name was — it was…

They stop again – Eugene turns to face her –

LUCY

…“Vendonah.” Means “ Rides-Down-Everything.”

EUGENE

What

She turns to face him

LUCY

His name was Vendonah, same thing as Rides-Down-Everything.

EUGENE

I see…

Lucy laughs nervously –

EUGENE

… go on.

LUCY

Vendonah was unspeakable. He was so proud that he wore iron shoes and walked over people’s faces with them. So at last the tribe decided that it wasn’t a good enough excuse for him that he was young and inexperienced— he’d have to go. So they took him down to the river and put him in a canoe, and pushed him out from shore; and the current carried him on down to the ocean — and he never got back…They didn’t want him back, of course. They hated Vendonah…but they weren’t able to discover — any other warrior they wanted to make chief in his place…They couldn’t help feeling that way.

EUGENE

I see. So that’s why they named the place, “They-Couldn’t-Help-It.”

LUCY

Must have been.

They resume walking to foreground – Camera moving back – They stop and face one another again –

EUGENE

So — you’re going to stay in your garden…You think it’s better just to — keep walking about among your flower beds till you get old…like a pensive garden-lady in a Victorian engraving. Hm?

LUCY

I suppose I’m like that tribe that lived here, Papa. I had too much unpleasant excitement .I don’t want any more…in fact — I don’t want anything but you.

EUGENE

You don’t.

He glances sharply off to right –

EUGENE

What was the name of that grove?

He quickly faces her again –

LUCY

“They-Couldn’t…

EUGENE

The Indian name, I mean.

LUCY

Oh— “ Mola-Haha.”

They laugh together –

EUGENE

“ Mola-Haha”…that wasn’t the name you said.

LUCY

Oh, I’ve forgotten.

EUGENE

I see you have…Perhaps you remember the chief’s name better.

Lucy glances off to right –

LUCY

I don’t.

He puts his arm around her – Draws her near –

 EUGENE

I hope someday you can forget it.

They walk partly off arm in arm in extreme right foreground –

LAP DISSOLVE

EXT STREET-MS – Camera shooting up to crowd – Two interns carting George on stretcher to ambulance at right foreground – Policeman off heard shouting to crowd in Irish accent – Young man in driving coat also shouting – Another policeman standing by him.  Car partly on left foreground – Others heard talking indistinctly –

POLICEMAN S VOICE

All right, stay back there, now!

DRIVER

He run into me much as I run into him, and if he gets well — he ain’t going to get not one single cent out of me!

Policeman comes on in foreground and approaches driver – Camera moves closer to them – Second policeman joins them – Camera shooting up at them –

DRIVER

I’m perfectly willing to say I’m sorry for him, an’ so is the lady with me.

Irish policeman in center talks to other policeman at right-

POLICEMAN

Wunnderful the damage one of these little machines can do, you’d never believe it.

Policeman turns to driver – Commands him –

POLICEMAN

All right, Sonny, back in your car, back in your car.

Policeman takes driver by shoulder and pushes him toward car – Driver heard faintly –

DRIVER S VOICE

We’re both willin’ to say — understand?

Two policemen turn to background – Begin dispersing crowd – Camera following them –

POLICEMAN

All right, stay back there, now!

POLICEMAN

I guess he ain’t got much case to give that fellow that was driving it.

They talk indistinctly – Crowd noise heard-

POLICEMAN

… and tell me what did he say to the little cuss that done the damage.  And that’s all he did call him and nothing else at all…broke both his legs… and that’s all he did call them.

They talk indistinctly – Going to background –Truck passing

POLICEMAN

– And the cuss broke both his legs for him and gosh knows what all.

They stop – Face each other – Policeman at right talks –

SECOND POLICEMAN

I wasn’t here then —what was it he said?

POLICEMAN

Riffraff

FADE OUT

FADE IN INSERT #1-Front page of Indianapolis Daily Inquirer – Headlines –

INDIANAPOLOS INQUIRER

AUTOMOBILE BUTCHERY!

Governor Flays

Auto Deaths

PROMISES SWIFT ACTION

 

Picture of car

INSERT #2 – Detail- Camera zooming in on article in paper –

TODAY’S TOLL

Serious Accident G.A- Minafer, Akers Chemical Co.

both legs broken. G. A. Minafer,

an employee of the Akers Chemical Company

INT FACTORY-MCU – Eugene sitting in shadows at right- He rises – Goes to window at right – Looks out- Music heard –

INT ROOM-CU – Eugene looking grimly to foreground – Glances to right-

LAP DISSOLVE

EXT FACTORY-MS – Car parked inside gate on drive – Eugene coming out office building left foreground – Comes to car –

LAP DISSOLVE

EXT CAR-MCU – Driver behind wheel – Eugene coming on outside window at left –

EUGENE

I won’t go home now, Harry. Drive to the City Hospital.

HARRY

Yes, sir. Miss Lucy’s there.  She said she’d expected you’d come there before you go home.

EUGENE

She did?

HARRY

Yes, sir.

Eugene gets into car – Driver starts it

EXT FACTORY-MS – Car inside gates on drive -Comes out to foreground – Exits left foreground –

LAP DISSOLVE

EXT HOSPITAL- MLS – Camera shooting across street to hospital- Car drives on at right – Stops before entrance – Eugene gets out – Goes up steps- Exits –

WIPE DOWN LAP DISSOLVE

XT HOSPITAL-MLS – Camera shooting across street to hospital- Car parked before it- Eugene comes out in background – Comes down steps to car – Gets in – Car drives to left – Exits-

LAP DISSOLVE

EXT STREET-LS Camera shooting from street to tall buildings in background – Lights in some windows – Car comes up on right foreground – Stops before building at right.  Traffic noise heard.

EXT HOUSE-MLS – Eugene in foreground – Going through gates to house in background

EXT DOOR-MCU – Scene in darkness – Music stops- Doorbell heard – Door opens showing man in hall looking to foreground – Eating –Talking record heard indistinctly – Camera moving up close to him – He turns – Goes to background – Camera pans to left – Showing landlady rising from table in room left background – She comes through to foreground – Man stops by doorway in background – She comes through to right – Exits – Camera swings to left to mirror – Showing women in room in background – Reflection of Eugene and landlady in foreground –

LANDLADY

What may I do for you, sir?

EUGENE

I’d like to speak to Fanny Minafer, please.

LANDLADY

Just a moment.

Landlady’s reflection goes to room in background – She talks – Eugene walking slowly to background –

LANDLADY

Miss Minafer, there’s a gentleman to see you.

Fanny rises from table in background – Women watching curiously – She comes to Eugene – He talks to her –

EUGENE

Hello, Fanny.

FANNY

Hello, Eugene.

They come to foreground as he talks –

EUGENE

I missed you at the hospital. I’m sorry.

Their reflections cross to right – As she talks –

FANNY

There’s nothing to worry about.

Camera pans to right- The two come on right foreground – Going into room at left background as she talks – Women in mirror watching curiously –

FANNY

The doctor told me he’s going to get him all well.

EUGENE

Yes…

FANNY

I saw Lucy there.

EUGENE

Yes

INT ROOM-MLS – Fanning coming on at right – Talking – Eugene following her – Man eating at table in background – Talking record heard indistinctly.

FANNY

Lucy looks very well.

EUGENE

Yes.

She sits down at left- They look at man in background – Fanny talks to him – Chair squeaking -Man exits right background –

FANNY

Will you excuse us, Mr. Fleck?  You feeling any better?

Eugene talks to Fanny – She rocks –

EUGENE

Yes, she got there before I did. How are you, Fanny?

FANNY

Oh, I’m fine...

INT ROOM-MS – Camera shooting over Victrola in foreground – Record going around – Man sitting on lounge in background reading – Indistinct talking from record heard –

FANNY S VOICE

… fine.

Man rises – Throws book down – Crosses to right – Glances at Fanny and Eugene in background – Eugene standing – Camera pans to follow man crossing to right- Others exit – He goes out into hall closing doors-

INT ROOM-MCS – Two looking to foreground – Eugene turns – Looks at Fanny rocking at left background – Chair squeaking – Record heard –

EUGENE

You look fine.

He sits down –

EUGENE

About your nephew...

FANNY

George?

EUGENE

I thought at first I wouldn’t go to the hospital

FANNY

No?

INT ROOM-MCU – Eugene sitting glancing to left foreground – Talking – Chair and record heard –

EUGENE

I thought it would be hard not to be bitter, but of course I went.

INT ROOM-MCU – Camera shooting up at Fanny seated rocking – Chair squeaking – She looks to foreground unemotionally –

INT ROOM-MLS – Camera shooting over Victrola in foreground – Fanny sitting rocking in back ground – Needle on record in foreground scratching –

INT ROOM-MCS – Camera shooting past Eugene sitting at right of camera – Glances at Fanny sitting in background soberly rocking – Victrola needle heard scratching on record – He jumps up – Camera pans as he goes to left background to Victrola –

INT ROOM-MCU – Camera shooting up to Fanny sitting rocking glancing to left – Talks – Scratching of record heard –

FANNY

Think they’ll get married— after all?

INT ROOM-MLS- Camera shooting over Victrola in foreground – Past Eugene standing partly on by it – Fanny sitting in background rocking – Eugene’s hand lifting needle off record – Stops Victrola as he talks –

EUGENE’S VOICE

Think so, Fanny.

INT ROOM-MLS – Eugene turning from Victrola in background – Looks to right foreground – Talks – Chair heard squeaking –

EUGENE

Lucy says so.

He comes toward foreground –

INT ROOM-MCS – Fanny sitting rocking – Eugene’s shadow passing over her – He comes on at left before camera – Sits down at right foreground –

EUGENE

Funny how much like her, he looks 

She talks coldly

FANNY

Who?

EUGENE

George.

FANNY

Oh.

EUGENE

Like Isabel.

FANNY

Oh.

She smiles slightly – Talks to him –

FANNY

Well, it’s nice to see you, looking well.

EUGENE

Thanks, Fanny.

He looks off to left – Talking – Glancing at her as he hesitates – She listens stony-faced –

EUGENE

I just wanted to come here — and — you were always so close to Isabel— she was so fond of you. You know what he said to me when I went into that room?

INT ROOM-CU – Fanny’s face before camera – She looks to foreground – Talks sharply –

FANNY

George?

EUGENE S VOICE

He said…

INT ROOM-CU – Eugene’s face before camera – He talks slowly – Sadly

EUGENE

…You must have known my mother wanted you to come here today si that I could ask you to forgive me

INT ROOM-CU – Fanny’s face before camera – She glances down – Chair squeaking –

INT ROOM-CU – Eugene’s face before camera – He glances to left – Smiles slightly –

EUGENE

We shook hands.

INT ROOM-CU- Fanny looking off to left foreground – Makes noise –Rocking squeaking heard –

FANNY

Hm.

INT ROOM-MCS – Camera shooting past Eugene sitting at right of camera talking wistfully -Fanny rocking in background –

EUGENE

I wish you could have seen Lucy.

He looks down – Rises – Exits left-

INT ROOM-CU – Fanny rocking glances slightly to left – Eugene’s shadow passes over her face – She looks up to left as shadow exits – She rocks – Chair squeaking –

EUGENE S VOICE

Fanny, you’re the only person I’d tell this to, but it seemed to me as if someone else was in that room down there at the hospital…

She stops rocking – Squeaking stops – She stares off tensely – Eugene’s shadow passing over her face –

INT ROOM-MCU – Camera shooting up at Eugene standing at right in shadow – He crosses to left t foreground – Coming closer to camera – Camera panning to left – He stops- Looks down to left

EUGENE

. . . and that through me she had brought her boy under shelter again — that I’d been true at last to my true love.

INT ROOM-CU – Fanny staring off to left- Starts rocking – Squeaking heard – She looks down –

FANNY

Yes.

INT ROOM-MCU Camera shooting upward Eugene standing at right before Camera in shadow – Turns to right.

INT ROOM-CU – Fanny seated staring down – Rocking – Squeaking heard – Eugene’s shadow passes over her face – Exits –

INT ROOM-MCU – Fanny sitting partly on at right rocking – Eugene standing before her at left – In shadow – Talks to her –

EUGENE

Well, I’ll say good-night, Fanny. Fanny rises slowly – Draws up – Exits left – He turns – Exits after her –

INT HALL-MCS – Mirror before camera – Reflections showing women sitting in room in back ground around table – Door at right of mirror opens – Eugene and Fanny come out – Camera pans to right as they come to right foreground – Door heard closing as they stop in foreground – Man passes behind them – Exits left – Fanny looks down – Door heard closing – She glances at Eugene smiling grimly – Talks – Man coming out in hall in background watching –

FANNY

Well, good-night, Eugene.

Man exits in background – Eugene smiles slightly – Talks to Fanny –

EUGENE

Good-night, Fanny.

He comes to left foreground – Camera pans – She exits – He crosses – Exits – Showing reflections in mirror of Fanny standing looking after him – Women in room in background watching her curiously – Fanny turns- Goes to women around table in background – exits –

EXT STREET-LS – Car parked at right before boarding house – Tall buildings at end of street in background – Light in windows – Music heard – Car starts – Drives to background – Traffic passing on across street in background – Car turns corner in background – Exits –

FADE OUT/FADE OUT

NARRATOR S VOICE

Ladies and gentlemen, that’s the end of the story.

The Magnificent Ambersons…

CU OF COVER OG BOOK

THE MAGNIFICENT

AMBERSONS

BOOTH TARKINGTON

NARRATOR S VOICE

…was based on Booth Tarkington’s novel. Stanley Cortez . . .

LAP DISSOLVE

CU – Camera shooting up at 35mm Mitchell camera –

NARRATOR S VOICE

…was the photographer.

LAP DISSOLVE

CU of hand drawn musical score –

NARRATOR S VOICE

Bernard Herrmann wrote and conducted the music.

NARRATOR S VOICE

Mark Lee Kirk…

LAP DISSOLVE

CU blueprint of exterior of Amberson mansion –

NARRATOR’ S VOICE

… designed the sets. Al Fields

LAP DISSOLVE

MCH of chair and set dressing

 NARRATOR’ S VOICE

…dressed them. Robert Wise…

LAP DISSOLVE

 CU of film going around rewind –

NARRATOR’ S VOICE

…was the film editor. Freddie Fleck …

LAP DISSOLVE

CU pages of Magnificent Ambersons shooting script turning –

 NARRATOR S VOICE

…was the assistant director. Edward Stevenson...

LAP DISSOLVE

CU of dress material

NARRATOR S VOICE

…designed the ladies’ wardrobe. The special effects were...

LAP DISSOLVE

CU of optical printer –

NARRATOR S VOICE

.. by Vernon L Walker. The sound recording was...

LAP DISSOLVE

CU of hands working recording machine dials –

 NARRATOR’S VOICE

…by Bailey Fesler and James G.Stewart. Here’s the cast:

FADE IN/FADE OUT

CU of Eugene – Music heard –

LAP DISSOLVE

NARRATOR S VOICE

Eugene . . .Joseph Cotten.

LAP DISSOLVE

CU of Isabel

 NARRATOR S VOICE

Isabel . . . Dolores Costello.

LAP DISSOLVE

CU of Lucy –

NARRATOR S VOICE

Lucy … Anne Baxter.

LAP DISSOLVE

CU of George –

NARRATOR S VOICE

George . . .Tim Holt.

LAP DISSOLVE

CU of Fanny –

NARRATOR S VOICE

Fanny … Agnes Moorehead.

LAP DISSOLVE

CU of Jack –

NARRATOR S VOICE

Jack…Ray Collins.

 

NARRATOR S VOICE

LAP DISSOLVE

CU of Bronson –

NARRATOR S VOICE

Roger Bronson…   Erskine Sanford.

LAP DISSOLVE

CU of Major –

NARRATOR S VOICE

Major Amberson … Richard Bennet.

LAP DISSOLVE

INT SET ECU – Microphone before camera – Light shining in background from skylight

NARRATOR S VOICE

I wrote the script and directed it…My name is Orson Welles…This is a Mercury Production.

Microphone swings up to background toward skylight – Music rises to crescendo –

LAP DISSOLVE

 

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The characters and events depicted in this photoplay are fictional. Any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

 

FADE OUT