When love goes wrong
Nothing goes right
This one thing I know
When love goes wrong
A man takes ight
And women get uppity-oh
We're having a heat wave
A tropical heat wave
The temperature's rising
It isn't surprising
You certainly can
I started this heat wave
By letting my seat wave
And in such a way that
The customers say that
I certainly can
Can-can
We're having a heat wave
A tropical heat wave
The way that I move
that thermometer proves
That I certainly can
Can
Everyone remembers
their first job.
This is the story of mine.
I was the youngest
in a family of overachievers.
My father was a world-famous
art historian,
and my brother was ahead
of me in everything.
I was always the disappointment.
I found my solace in the small cinema
I went to every Thursday night.
Alfred Hitchcock. Orson Welles.
Laurence Olivier.
These were my heroes.
I wanted to be a pan'
of their world.
When I was 23, I got my chance.
Colin, come in.
Have you met James and Anna,
- my two very brilliant pupils?
- Hello.
- I'm off to London now, Pa.
- Your silly job interview.
Well, bonne chance, dear boy.
I can always get you
a research position at the V&A
once you've grown up a bit and got this
film idea out of your system.
- So I'm off now, Ma.
- Off?
- My job interview, Mother.
- Oh! Can't you stay for dinner?
There's nothing to eat, but I'm sure
the conversation will be charming.
I don't want to be late in the morning.
I'm sure they won't mind. You'll be
a famous film director in no time.
I had everything to prove to my
family, but more to prove to myself.
Like every young man,
I had to make my own way.
- So I decided to leave home
and join the circus.
- What do you want?
- A job on your next film.
You're an actor, aren't you?
No, I want to work
on the production side.
We don't start shooting
for another eight weeks.
- Come back nearer the time.
- May I wait until there's a job?
Vanessa!
- Good night.
- Good night, sir.
There are no jobs.
I'll come back tomorrow
morning just in case.
It's a free country.
- Good morning.
- You're very determined.
Well, I'd do anything
to be in the film business.
- Anything?
Sir Laurence Olivier Productions.
No, I'm afraid he's at Notley
till the end of the week.
- Vanessa asked me to...
- Oh, did she?
I need a number for Noel Coward.
It won't be in the book.
Hello, Vivien.
- Hello.
- Sir Laurence.
- Hughie!
Simply impossible to get Marilyn Monroe
on the telephone.
The darling girl spends
the entire day asleep.
- Hello, boy. Remind me.
- Darling, you remember Colin.
- You met him at the Clark's party.
- Of course. What are you doing here?
You said there might be a job
on your film.
Have a cigarette.
Keep the pack.
Thank you, sir.
There won't be a film unless Miss Monroe
gets her splendid posterior out of bed.
The house committee is threatening
to withhold Miller's passport.
They say he's a communist.
No Arthur, no Marilyn.
I'll have a word with
the American ambassador.
I'm taking him to see Vivien's play on
Thursday. Terry's rewrites, are they in?
Not all of them, of course.
When did that ever happen?
He's the first actor since du Maurier
to have his own brand.
They pay him an absolute fortune.
I'm afraid they're rather ghastly.
- Isn't he gorgeous, Vanessa?
I suppose he's all right.
Darling, you must do something for
Colin. You absolutely promised.
Hughie, let's try to
find him something to do.
- Yes. Of course.
- Come on, darling.
You'll look after my precious
Larrykins, won't you?
Come on, darling.
- Christ.
Do you like it?
That's
absolutely splendid.
- You were absolutely born for it.
- Door.
- Sorry.
And could you turn
all the way around, my darling?
- Thank you.
- This is the dress Larry likes.
- There?
- The camera's ravishing you.
Oh, dear.
That sounds serious.
That's wonderful.
- Too much?
Oh, God. Not for me.
- Arthur Jacobs,
Miss Monroe's publicist,
is flying in tomorrow.
He wants to see the house
where she'll be staying.
Find something suitable.
- Yes, sir.
- More importantly,
- how does it make you feel?
- And leave the bloody tea.
- Oh. Sorry.
Out of the question. I can't have
a lot of awful film people traveling
- through the house in dirty boots.
- But we'd be paying
a hundred pounds per week
for 18 weeks.
- My wife would never agree.
- That's a pity, Mr. Cotes-Preedy.
I'll have to tell Miss Monroe
to look elsewhere, then.
- Marilyn Monroe?
- Yes.
Suppose I'd have to be introduced.
Good morning, Mr. Jacobs.
Hope you had a pleasant flight.
Is this the fucking car?
Who built this place?
Hansel and Gretel?
It's one of the best houses
in the area.
All right. We'll take it.
But ditch the wallpaper.
It's giving me a migraine.
That house was perfect for Marilyn.
- Can't use it now.
- Yes, we can.
I knew that Cotes-Preedy
wouldn't be able to keep this quiet,
so that's why when you asked me
to find a house for Miss Monroe,
I took the precaution of finding two.
So the other one, Parkside,
is much better.
And the owner is very discreet.
So we've got two expensive houses now
where we only needed one.
I thought that someone else
on the production might want it.
Oh, did you?
I guess Milton could use it
and it's near the studio. Near Marilyn.
What are we paying you, boy?
- Nothing, sir.
- Let's see to it, Hughie.
Well done, boy.
Nice job, kid.
Colin Clark,
Laurence Olivier Productions.
The film was then
called The Sleeping Prince.
Marilyn was to play a naive American
showgirl called Elsie Marina
who is seduced by an Eastern-European
prince played by Olivier.
It was the lightest of comedies.
- You in the union?
- No.
Then you can't have a job on the film.
Well, how do I get into the union?
By getting a job on the film.
It's called a closed shop.
I suppose I might be able
to do something for you.
The union owe me a few favors.
We don't have a third yet.
- A third?
- Third assistant director.
- You do know what the job is?
- Assisting the director?
That's the last thing you do!
thirds job is to
do whatever the fuck I tell him.
- And what are you waiting for?
Colin!
don't shit
on your own doorstep.
- Got it?
- Got it.
The third always stays nearby.
Not in some bloody palace in London.
Book a room at
The Dog & Duck down the road.
It's a bit rough. You'll get used to it.
Now make yourself useful.
Marilyn needs a bodyguard.
- Sort something out.
I'm sure you understand the sensitive
nature of the job, Superintendent.
Something about looking
after a cinema actress?
Well, not just any actress.
Marilyn Monroe.
I never had much time
for the pictures.
Excellent.
For the next four months,
you never leave her side.
Day or night.
Her behavior is reputedly
a little erratic.
- She drinks?
- Amongst other things.
- Pills?
- It would be useful if you could, uh,
keep us informed of
her domestic situation.
You want me to spy on her.
Well, the odd early warning
if you know she's going to be late.
That kind of thing.
Hello.
Colin Clark. I booked a room.
Ah, right. Here you are.
Sign this.
What brings you up this way?
I'm working on a film at Pinewood.
Oh. What film is that?
It's called The Sleeping Prince. With
Sir Laurence Olivier and Marilyn Monroe,
so I'll be working with them.
Room's three quid a week.
First week in advance.
Number two.
And, uh, hope you don't mind,
you'll be sharing with Grace Kelly.
This'll work fine for Marilyn. Oh, and,
uh, Paula will need the room next door.
- I beg your pardon?
- Sorry, who is Paula?
Strasberg. Marilyn's acting coach.
She's nuts about the Method.
Arthur, we've spoken about this before.
Stanislavski and the Method are
perfectly fine in the rehearsal room,
but they don't belong on a film set.
Time is too tight.
Larry! Some good news.
House committee have decided
Miller isn't a communist after all.
Of course he is.
All those pain in the ass
New York intellectuals are Reds.
Which means she'll be flying
in next week on schedule.
- Excellent news.
- She'll have to be met.
Well, naturally Vivien and I
will be there to greet her,
but let's keep it low key, shall we?
- You join us here at London Airport,
where it is absolute mayhem.
Marilyn! This way! Get out of the way!
With her is her new husband,
America's most celebrated playwright
and author of Death of a Salesman,
Arthur Miller.
Beautiful. You're looking at
tomorrow's front page, boys.
- We'll have to get them into the hall.
- Sir Laurence Olivier
and Scarlett O'Hara herself,
Vivien Leigh, are set to greet them.
American acting royalty
meeting British acting royalty.
Gentlemen, it is my especial pleasure
to introduce a woman
who clearly needs no introduction.
Marilyn! How do you like being married?
Well, I like it. I like it a lot.
- Is this third time lucky?
- You bet it is.
Is it true you want to be
a classical actress now?
Well, I want to be
the best actress I can be.
There's a rumor you're going to be in
The Brothers Karamazov, on Broadway.
Ooh.
I'm... considering it.
Which of them will you be playing?
I'll be playing Grushenka.
- Can you spell that?
- Sure. Can you?
Vivien, you created
the role of Elsie on stage.
Have you any advice for Marilyn?
I am sure if Miss Monroe
needs any advice,
she'll get it from her director.
- I hear he's terribly good.
- Marilyn!
Are you happy with your last film?
Marilyn!
Is it true you wear nothing
in bed except perfume?
- Ooh.
Darling, as I'm in England, let's say I
sleep in nothing but Yardley's Lavender.
Smile, Marilyn!
OK, let's get a snap of the newlyweds.
Smile, Arthur. It's not a firing squad.
This is some place you found.
You have my new assistant
Colin to thank for that.
Colin, this is Milton Greene.
You must be very nice to him.
He owns half of
Marilyn Monroe Productions.
- Forty-nine percent, Larry.
- Have a cigarette.
- I don't smoke.
- Really?
- And the studio, they want a new title.
- Nonsense.
Thank you very much.
- Marvelous, isn't she?
- She's all right.
- Larry fell desperately
in love with her in New York.
He's determined to seduce her.
Yeah, but she's only
been married three weeks.
I thought you were a man of the world.
Of course, Larry would never leave me,
but if anything were to happen
you would tell me, wouldn't you?
- I'm sure he loves you very much.
- Oh, don't be such a boy.
I'm 43, darling.
No one will love me for very much
longer. Not even you.
What a wonderful adventure,
Dame Sybil.
Such a lark.
I long to see her.
- Miss Monroe?
Sir Laurence sends his compliments.
He's ready for the read-through.
But Marilyn is not ready.
She's preparing.
Excuse my horrible face.
Ah! Marilyn, my dear.
Everyone is so excited to meet you.
Do... Come along, my darling, my angel.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Miss Marilyn Monroe.
Marilyn.
- How lovely you are.
- Here, I kept a place for you.
- I have to be next to Marilyn.
What a good idea.
I wish we could all bring a friend.
One does get so terribly nervous.
It's just like the first day
at school, isn't it?
So, welcome, dear Marilyn,
to our little fraternity.
We may seem a little strange
and, uh, quaint to you at first,
but I hope that in time,
you may come to find your
method in our madness.
So, my very noble
and approved good masters,
may we strive to create a work of art
that, led by your good graces,
will be cherished
as long as motion pictures
may be remembered.
Were you surprised
to get my invitation?
I'll say I was surprised.
I was so surprised, I couldn't
hardly think you meant me.
Oh, but of course I meant you.
I had your name most carefully
marked down in my program.
In matters of this kind,
I assure you I'm most methodical.
Who would you think I meant if not you?
Gee, Mr. Sir, I could just
listen to your accent all day.
- Oh, you darling, Marilyn.
You're amongst friends now.
Just plain "Larry" will suffice, really.
That's so sweet.
Um, whenever you're ready.
Well, Maisie Springfield.
No, not Maisie Springfield.
She is quite what
I would call "old hat."
Remember why you're
in the embassy, Marilyn.
What does the Grand Duke
want from Elsie?
You came here and you thought...
from experience, Marilyn.
It's only a read-through, Paula.
Marilyn has to begin
finding the character.
Oh, the character's on the page.
The words, maybe. Not the character.
Aren't we going to have fun?
Well, we'll pick it up
whenever you like.
We should talk. Just us.
- Yeah.
Thank you so much.
We can't have two fucking directors!
- Marilyn wants Paula.
- Why? She's got me.
Paula's costing us two and a half
thousand bucks a week.
We might as well use her.
Listen, Larry.
Accept Marilyn on her
own terms and you'll be OK.
Try to change her
and she will drive you crazy.
- Trust me.
- Christ, what have I got myself into?
- Come outwith me tonight.
- I'm working.
- Well, tomorrow night, then.
- I'm washing my hair.
- But your hair's lovely.
- Look, I've got two rules.
Everyone has a lot of rules around here.
One, never touch the talent,
and two, never go outwith thirds.
Why not?
Because they're all randy little buggers
who just want some fun during shooting.
I'm not like that.
Really.
I'm free on Saturday.
Colin!
Quiet on set, everyone!
How kind of you to meet us.
Dear me, you do look cold.
They're ready for you
in makeup, Dame Sybil.
How exciting. Don't you love
the first day of a new production?
I don't know, Dame Sybil.
I've never had one before.
Oh, to be young again.
She has kept Dame Sybil Thorndike
and the entire company
waiting in full costume
for two hours, Mr. Orton,
and it is simply not fair.
I can't do this.
- What's wrong?
- She's nervous.
I'll deal With it.
Would you like to sit down,
Dame Sybil?
Oh, yes. Colin, how kind.
- Why don't we all sit down.
- Oi!
That chair is a prop.
- Props are NATKE.
- But I was...
If ACTT members are gonna start doing
NATKE jobs, I'm calling my men out!
He's right.
- Right.
I'm sure we're all good
union members here.
There's no need to fall out
over something so trivial.
It might be trivial to you,
Dame Sybil, but it's my livelihood!
Put the chair down. Now!
I rather think you've made your point.
Solidarity is the most
important thing here.
When unions fall out,
it's management that benefits.
If I see you doing a NATKE job again,
I will close this set down
quicker than you can blink.
- Dave!
- Yes?
Dame Sybil would like a chair.
Right. There you are.
I was on the picket lines
in 1926, you know.
Now that really was a strike.
We were all Bolsheviks then.
Ready. Camera running.
- Very quiet, everyone.
- Speed.
Five, take one.
Action.
Now, before you meet
my mother-in-law,
I must remind you she's a little vague
and can be very deaf on occasion.
My dear, such boredom.
The decorations hideous
and the music catastrophe.
Our friend, the ex-king
of Moravia, drove me home.
He's now called the Duke of Strelitz.
He cannot, of course,
go to the abbey tomorrow,
but he's most anxious you
should invite him to the room
you have taken at the Ritz for Nicky.
- Maud?
- Yes, ma'am?
There you are. I didn't see you. Give me
a glass of champagne I see over there.
- Olga Bosnia...
- Might I present Miss Elsie Marina?
Yes, my dear, of course.
I remember you well.
- Gee, I forgot my line.
- That's a cut.
- I'm sorry.
- It's so easily done, isn't it?
I'm sure I went wrong somewhere there.
- Shall we have another go, Larry?
- Of course.
- Action.
Yes, my dear, of course.
- I remember you well.
- Oh, I'm quite sure you don't,
Your Royal...
I mean Your, uh, Imperial, uh...
Serene Majesty?
- What does she say?
She says she's flattered and compliments
you on your wonderful memory.
I'm in The Coconut
Girl at the Avenue.
Didn't I have a line somewhere there?
- Cut.
- Action.
- Sweetly pretty.
She should use more mascara.
When one is young,
one should use a lot of mascara.
When one is old,
one should use much more.
- What do you do, my dear?
- I'm in The Coconut Girl at the Avenue.
- Dear?
- She says she's an actress.
- Cut it there.
- Print.
- Check the gate.
- Gate's good.
- That was perfect, Marilyn.
You were Elsie to the life.
I wonder, could we practice
our lines together later?
You'd be doing me such a kindness.
At my great age,
it's just so hard to make them stick.
- Why don't you come for tea tomorrow.
- Can I?
- Sure.
She's impossible.
I should've cast Vivien.
If anyone can make her great,
it's you, sir.
Well let's just hope I'm as
brilliant as you think I am.
Now be a good boy
and keep an eye on her.
Yes, sir.
I can't
figure this stupid movie out.
You were wonderful, Marilyn. The
most gifted actress I have ever known.
- No.
- You were superb, Marilyn.
You were divine.
Have faith in your talent.
He was disappointed in me.
You are a great, great actress.
All my life, I have prayed for a great
actress I could help and guide.
- Oh!
- Like this, I prayed to God,
on my knees, and he has given me you.
You are that great actress, Marilyn.
Trust yourself.
Trust your talent.
- Come on, Paula, get up.
- No.
Not until you admit that you were great!
Oh!
- OK!
' Yes!
- I guess I was.
- Of course you were.
- There you are. Sorry.
- Thank you.
You really were very good, Miss Monroe.
Oh, thank you.
Uno
Dos
Tres
Uno
Dos
Tres
Are you sure you can afford all this?
It's fine.
Must be costing you a week's wages.
You are worth it.
You're not the average third, are you?
I'm not living off my parents,
if that's what you mean.
I want to make my own way.
Will you be signing
on your father's account, sir?
Um, no, I'm gonna pay cash.
- Thank you.
- There you are, sir.
I was always going to pay, you know.
'Course you were.
Do you think Marilyn's beautiful?
- Not compared to you.
You don't have to try so hard
to be charming.
You're nice enough as it is.
Well, you could be.
Wait a while, crocodile.
But I really do like you, Lucy.
- Maybe. That's my dad.
Time to be thinking about bed,
darling. Early start tomorrow.
Sorry, Daddy. We're just going
over tomorrow's schedule.
Yes, I should be off, sir.
Uh, Colin Clark. Lovely
to meet you, Mr. Armstrong.
This is a great place you have here.
Do you know this part of the world?
Um, no. My family
are more country people.
Oh. Well, good night.
Good night.
- Next Saturday?
- Yeah.
- Good morning, Dame Sybil.
- Colin, dear.
I thought you looked cold
so I bought you this.
- Thank you, Dame Sybil.
- Film sets and rehearsal rooms
are coldest places on Earth.
She should be on time
like everyone else.
She's a star.
- I'm a fucking star.
She's the greatest
piece of ass on Earth.
With tits like that,
you make allowances.
- Marilyn, my darling,
you are an angel
and I kiss the hem of your garment,
but why can't you get here on
time for the love of fuck?!
Oh.
You have that word in England, too.
Marilyn has to prepare properly.
Acting isn't just a case
of putting on a costume or a false nose.
You must apologize to Dame Sybil.
Sybil?
- I'm so sorry.
- My dear, you mustn't concern yourself.
A great actress like you has
many other things on her mind.
You think I'm a great actress?
None of the rest of us truly
know how to act for the camera,
but you do. It's a rare gift.
This poor girl hasn't had
your years of experience.
She's in a strange country
acting a strange part.
Now, are you helping or bullying?
Oh, thank you.
Before you meet my mother-in-law,
I must warn you she's a little vague
and can be very deaf on occasions.
Uh, two is good, Jack. Yeah.
OK, let's cut it there.
- Speed.
- Five, take one.
- OK.
- Action.
When one is old,
one should use much more.
- What do you do, my dear?
- I'm The Coconut...
And once again, please.
Keep rolling.
- I'm in The Coconut Girl at the Avenue.
- Excellent.
I do need you to keep your eyes
open if you can, my angel.
Paula, would you give
the line, please?
Wait, I know it.
I'm in The Coconut
Girl on the Avenue.
At the Avenue.
- I'm at the Avenue.
It's not at the Avenue.
Uh, Sybil, would you
give her the line again?
- Thank you.
- What do you do, my dear?
I'm in The Coconut
Girl at the Avenue.
That one's pretty damn good.
You knocked it outta the park.
She says she's an actress.
- When Marilyn gets it right,
you just don't wanna
look at anyone else.
Cut it there.
We've only been shooting for four days.
Already, we're two weeks behind.
So why not only show her the good takes.
She might feel better about herself.
Well, the kid's right.
She could use the confidence.
No one's forcing her to watch.
Besides, she's an experienced actress.
- She should learn from her mistakes.
- But they only upset her.
Not half so much as they upset me!
Leave all that.
Go and find Marilyn's script.
Paula thinks she's left it
in her dressing room.
Yes.
- Your script...
- Oh, I found it.
You can go now, Colin.
David wants to know if you're ready
for the extras in the ballroom scene.
Tell him he can start
sending them up. Women first.
I'm looking forward to Saturday.
- Our date.
- Oh, I completely forgot.
I can't do Saturday.
Marilyn wants to go shopping.
Since when do you work for her?
Next Friday instead.
- Yeah.
- Yeah, I'll pick you up. Eight o'clock.
- Gee, it's quiet.
- Sure is.
It's a Saturday, so it's early closing,
but at least she can shop in peace.
That's awfully pretty.
Every building here looks like a castle.
Oh, I think so.
- Look.
- It's Marilyn!
- It's Marilyn Monroe!
- OK.
- It's her!
Slow down.
You'll get your autograph.
- Whoa!
- You're so kind!
- Boy, you're awfully excited.
- OK, guys, let's keep calm.
- Marilyn!
- Hold back a little.
- It's for my son.
Wait your turn!
- This is too much.
- Oh!
- Colin, get in the car!
Stand back a few feet, please.
Jeez, Marilyn, they really love you.
Well, we're still
the first ones, aren't we?
Gee, this is all right, isn't it?
Cut. Uh, the line is,
"Gee, this is all right, too, isn't it?"
It's a tiny word, my darling,
but it does matter. So we'll...
We'll do it again. Once more, please,
straight away. Thank you so much.
- All right, as soon as we can.
- Turn over.
Well, we're still
the first ones, aren't we?
- Gee, this is all right, isn't it?
- Cut.
- Can't we just drop it?
- Well, the thing is, darling,
you've already admired the downstairs
hall in the earlier scene,
and now you're admiring
this room as well.
If you see what I mean?
- Oh, sure.
- Thank you.
- Turn over.
- Paula?
Christ.
I don't get it.
He's such a strange man,
I think she's already figured out
that he only invited her here
to sleep with him.
I... What...
So, what is the...?
The reason Marilyn can't
remember the line
is because she doesn't believe
the situation her character is in.
Then she should pretend to believe it.
"Pretend"? We're talking
about the difference
between the truth and artificial crap.
We're in absolute agreement.
Acting is all about truth,
and if you can fake that,
you'll have a jolly good career.
Maybe we should try for another take.
Marilyn needs time
to give a great performance.
You should give her as long as it takes.
Chaplin took eight months
to make a movie.
Eight months of this?
- I'd rather kill myself.
- Oh!
I can't do this.
- I can't.
- Yes, you can. Yes, you can.
You can do it. You can't fail.
You'll have more pain,
you will suffer more,
but you will create.
All you need is time.
Think about the things
you like instead of him.
Frank Sinatra. Hmm?
Coca-Cola.
Use your substitutions
and make it work for you.
- OK.
- OK.
Two-eight-one, take 17.
Oh, we're still the first ones,
aren't we?
Gee, this is all right, too, isn't it?
Then she goes...
She...
Cut! What is the matter now?
You wait! Marilyn, please.
Please, tell me how I can help you.
I don't know who Elsie is, and I can't
act her if I don't know who she is.
You have her precisely. You understand
her inside out. I'm in awe of your gift.
- We all are.
- She's not real.
Then why not simply rely
on your natural talents?
So are you saying you
don't want me to act?
Marilyn, will you just try to be sexy.
Isn't that what you do?
I want Lee.
I want Lee.
- You've already got Paula...
- I want Lee!
- I'm the director.
- I'm Lee's representative.
It's 5:00 in the morning in New York.
I want Lee!
Oh, now forever,
farewell the tranquil mind,
farewell content...
Farewell the plumed troops
and the big wars that make
ambition virtue. Oh, farewell!
Paula's not an actress!
She's not a director,
she's not a teacher!
Her only talent is buttering up Marilyn!
Larry, she needs her people.
We're the only family she's ever had.
Do you know what would make Marilyn
Monroe a real actor? A season in rep.
They wouldn't stand for this nonsense
at the Hippodrome in Eastbourne.
Larry, you have to be patient with her.
Trying to teach Marilyn how to act
is like teaching Urdu to a badger!
I better go see her. She'll need
something to help her calm down.
Christ! Pills to sleep.
Pills to wake up.
Pills to calm her down.
Pills to give her energy.
No wonder she's permanently
ten feet underwater!
- Maybe she's scared.
- We're all scared!
I've spent half of my professional life
in abject bloody terror!
It's what actors do!
But you have the training
to deal with it, sir.
I wouldn't buy the "little
girl lost" act if I were you.
Though heaven knows, it's tempting.
I think Marilyn knows
exactly what she's doing.
Look, you better get over to Parkside
and make sure the poor girl's all right.
Marilyn's OK. She's taken
some pills and gone to bed.
They like to keep her doped up.
It makes her easier to control.
They're terrified their
cash cow will slip away.
- Cheers.
Why does everybody
always think I'm crazy?
I'm not crazy.
Marilyn, come back to bed.
It's not about you.
It's not what you think.
It's just a few ideas.
Writer stuff.
Come on, let's get some sleep
and bring back my book.
Don't touch me.
Good morning, Miss Monroe.
- It's nearly lunchtime.
- She's not feeling the part.
It's a light comedy. How much
feeling can it possibly require?
Just give her a few minutes, Larry.
Boy, will you find out what
the hell is going on, please?
It's Colin. Come in.
Are you all right, Miss Monroe?
- How old are you?
- Twenty-four.
Nearly. I'm... I'm 23.
I'm nearly 24.
Do you know you remind us of
the young king in the movie?
- And so...
uh ...sweet.
And innocent.
I'm not sure I'm that innocent.
So, what's your job on this picture?
I'm the third assistant director.
So, it's a gofer, really.
"Go for this, go for that."
But you're Larry's assistant, too.
Yes.
What were you doing
in my house last night?
Did he send you?
He was worried about you.
Are you spying on me?
No, of course not.
Why would anyone spy on you?
Colin.
Whose side are you on?
Yours, Miss Monroe.
Call me Marilyn.
Marilyn's got a new boyfriend.
- Larry will get jealous.
- Nothing happened.
You were there for ten minutes.
Plenty of time for a kiss and a cuddle.
I dreamed last night
that I could hear singing.
And then I realized it wasn't a dream.
There was a male voice choir
serenading Marilyn under our window.
At two in the morning.
It's a circus. Freak show.
I'm going back to New York
for a few days.
I need a break.
I need to see my kids.
- That won't help Marilyn.
- I can't help her.
She wants me to protect her,
but... I can't.
She thought I could smash
all her insecurities.
That I can make her a new person.
She read some notes I made.
They were nothing.
Just... Just a few ideas.
- But about her?
- She took them the wrong way.
You do... love her,
your new bride and all that?
I can't work.
I can't think.
She's devouring me.
- Good morning, Vivien.
Uh, ladies and gentlemen,
my darling wife.
Hello. I hope Larry isn't
making you all work too hard.
I know what a dreadful
slave-driver he could be.
David. He would be lost without you.
- Just doing my job.
- And Jack, of course. Jack.
Oh. I'm getting old, Jack.
More beautiful every year, Vivien.
Well, I need you to work
your miracles on me.
Are you looking after Larry
like I told you?
I'm doing my best, Vivien.
Marilyn, darling.
Larry tells me
that you are quite superb,
- and I am wild with jealousy.
- Oh.
But everyone says you were
a wonderful Elsie on stage.
Oh, but I'm too old
to play her in the film.
Larry was quite brutal about that.
You see, the truth
is all that matters to him,
and that's why we all
admire him so very much.
I must let you work.
I just wanted to wish you good luck.
- Hi, Vivien.
- Goodbye, and you.
- I love the mustache. I do.
It suits you. Bye...
So I wasn't addressed.
Who cares?
Bull in the labyrinth. Oop!
Who the heck is Theseus anyway?
I didn't think she
would be so beautiful.
- Disgraceful!
- Oh, she shines on that screen.
Oh, darling.
Puss, don't upset yourself.
You are ten times
the actress she will ever be.
Oh, if you could see yourself.
The way you watch her!
Oh, Vivien, you're imagining things.
Please.
I hope she makes your life hell.
- Vivien...
Do you have a cigarette,
please, Colin?
No, not one of my awful things.
Remember, boy,
when it comes to women,
- you're never too old for humiliation.
Marilyn won't shoot today.
She's gone back to Parkside.
She's upset about
Arthur leaving England.
He's only going to visit his children.
You don't leave Marilyn alone.
She can't handle it.
She thinks that everyone's
going to abandon her.
Let's hope she's
changed her bloody mind.
- Yes.
- Sir Laurence?
- Roger, what's up?
- Is, uh, Colin there, sir?
- Yes, he is.
- Can I speak to him?
Colin, it's for you.
- Roger?
- Colin.
Miss Monroe.
Why don't you drop by here
on your way home.
- Uh...
- What?
What is Marilyn doing on the phone
with my third fucking assistant?
Yes, I'm sure I could do that.
Good.
Don't tell anyone, though.
Well, is she coming back?
No, she wants to see me.
He shouldn't be talking to her.
He's just a kid.
- Supposing he said something.
- I'm sure Colin knows what he's doing.
Don't you, Colin?
I know you're awfully busy, Colin,
but if you could manage to find
me a cup of tea before you leave,
that would be marvelous.
Miss Monroe said
for you to wait.
Help yourself to a drink.
Oh, I'm sorry. I was checking
that you've got everything.
Let me.
Are you frightened of me, Colin?
No.
Good. 'Cause I like you.
I want you to help me.
Well, I'm only the third.
I'm just... I'm a messenger, really.
But you know everything
that's going on.
You can see both sides of the situation.
Please tell me everything.
- Uh...
- Relax.
I thought you weren't scared of me.
- Are you hungry?
- Uh...
I'll have them send in a tray.
I'm starved.
Oh, go... Oh, gosh, I'm sorry.
Am I interrupting something?
Maybe you have a Mrs. Colin
waiting for you at home.
There's no Mrs. Colin.
So we can talk as long as we like.
Why is Sir Olivier so mean?
He talks awful to me.
Like he's slumming.
I'll tell you what's wrong.
It's agony for him
because he is a great actor
that wants to be a film star.
And it's agony for you
because you're a film star who
wants to be a great actress.
And this film won't help either of you.
You sure you can handle that?
You don't look old enough to drink.
- I'm 23, Miss Monroe.
- Oh, it's Marilyn.
Hmm. I'm 30.
I guess that makes me
an old lady to you.
Seven years is nothing.
You know I've been
married three times already.
How did that happen?
Maybe you're just
looking for the right man.
They always look right at the start.
I'll get that.
- Hello?
- Colin, is everything OK?
Everything's fine.
Uh, Miss Monroe, she just.
She had some large packages
she needed handling.
OK, what does she want?
Colin?
- Let me speak to her, Colin.
Oh...
Let me talk to her. Sh!
- Let me speak to her.
- What is going on, Colin?
- I'm afraid she's tied up right now.
Let me talk to her, damn it.
- Let me talk to her.
- Colin!
- I'm sorry, Milton.
- I'm sorry. I have to go.
- Colin!
Let's go for a walk in the garden.
Let's go see if we can find any more
reporters in the bushes.
Oh, I didn't know
it was so pretty out here.
You should get out more.
You should see the sights.
- I am the sights.
You know, we're just like
Elsie and the young king.
What would Sir Laurence say
if he could see us now?
I don't think he'd mind.
But he thinks that I'm the enemy.
No, he doesn't understand
your kind of actor.
He's hated the Method ever since
Vivien worked with Elia Kazan.
It's all too strange and new.
So you're the future,
and that frightens him.
You know what?
Every time I walk into the studio,
I feel a sense of doom come over me.
He gives me the dirtiest looks,
even when he's smiling.
And the crew hates me.
No, that's not true.
The only person I can trust is Paula.
Except for you now, maybe.
Phone call from New York,
Miss Monroe. It's Mr. Miller.
- Goodbye, Colin.
- Goodbye.
Thank you for telling me the truth.
You'll be leaving now, I expect.
I don't care if he fucks her sideways.
Perhaps it'll calm her down.
Oh, hello, boy.
Hear you spent
last night with Marilyn.
I didn't spend the night with her.
We just... We had a chat.
- I heard them chuckling.
- Perhaps if Colin is very diplomatic,
Marilyn's more likely to behave herself.
- She just wants a chum, that's all.
- A chum?
Jesus Christ, what is this,
Goodbye, Mr. Chips?
Grow up, kid.
You know, I thought working with Marilyn
would make me feel young again.
But I look dead in the rushes.
Dead behind these eyes.
I wanted to renew myself through her.
But all I see reflected
in that magnificent face
is my own inadequacy.
You know, I admire Marilyn.
I really do, despite her behavior.
She's taken everything
Hollywood can throw at her
and she's triumphed.
That takes some bloody guts.
An actress has to be pretty tough
to get even a tenth as far as she has.
Be careful, boy.
She doesn't need to be rescued.
Not really.
It's you.
Marvelous!
Absolutely marvelous, darling.
That's wonderful. Well done.
Let's check that.
Three minutes, ladies
and gentlemen. Three minutes!
Colin! Arthur Miller called me.
He's not happy with you.
- He doesn't even know who I am.
- Marilyn must have said something.
Well, maybe she's trying
to make him jealous.
Listen, kid. I've known
Marilyn for seven years.
I fell in love with her
just as you've done.
We had ten days together,
and that was it.
She picked me up, she put me
down, that's what she does.
She breaks hearts.
She will break yours.
My advice to you is quit
before you get burned.
- I don't need your advice.
- Have it your way.
You don't see Marilyn again.
You don't even talk to her.
She's completely off limits to you.
Do you understand me?
Yes.
- I waited for you on Friday.
- Lucy, I'm so sorry.
I completely forgot.
I just... I've been so busy.
So I hear.
Well, you know how crews gossip.
There's nothing in it.
Of course there isn't.
Marilyn Monroe fancying you?
Come on.
- Oh, hi, Colin.
- Hi.
Hi, Lucy.
- I thought you were different.
- I really like you, and we have fun.
And now it's time to set
your sights a little higher.
Well, good luck.
- Get in.
- Any problem, Roger?
Uh, no. Just dropped by
to take Colin out to lunch.
You're not taking him to Marilyn.
That would drop us all
in a whole ocean of shit.
No, sir. Been looking forward
to this, haven't we, Colin?
Yeah.
OK. You have a nice time, boys.
- Surprise!
- Jesus!
Roger and I decided
to take you on an adventure.
- What the hell?
- Colin!
- Oh!
Get back here, you little bastard!
Colin! You're fired! You hear me?
Do you think he saw me?
Colin!
Snuggle up. This is fun.
This is the getaway car.
I oughta feel like this every day.
We have today, anyway.
We have one day to do
whatever you like.
Then we can go back
to real life tomorrow.
Only one day?
- Well, maybe the weekend.
- Or a week!
What should we do now?
We could go to Windsor Castle,
if you like.
Detective Chief
Superintendent Smith.
I'm escorting this lady
and gentleman for the day.
They'd like to look around the castle.
I need a contact name for the book.
You don't know Her Majesty,
by any chance?
Yes, we met at a movie premiere.
She said my dress was pretty.
I don't think that quite does it, sir.
My godfather works here.
He's the royal librarian.
Sir Owen Morehead.
- Hello, sir.
- Colin, my boy! Come in!
Forgive the dust.
Oh, you are very pretty, my dear.
Oh!
Gee, I'd sure like
to read all these books.
Luckily, one doesn't really have to.
A lot of them just have
pictures in.
- This is by an artist called Holbein.
- She's beautiful.
She was the daughter
of one of the king's courtiers.
Nearly 400 years ago.
Gee, I hope I look that good
when I'm 400.
These are by Leonardo da Vinci.
Didn't he paint that lady
with the funny smile?
- The Mona Lisa.
- Do you have that one here, too?
Alas, that one got away.
- Oh.
- The Queen's sorry to have missed you.
- Really?
Oh, yes! Why, she was only
saying to me the other day,
"What must it be like to be
the most famous woman on Earth?"
Colin, look.
Gee, I sure never had a doll's house
like this when I was a kid.
- Can I?
- Yes, of course.
This is me.
That's you, and these are our kids.
Oh, our daughter's so pretty.
All little girls should be
told how pretty they are.
Should grow up knowing how
much their mother loves them.
There she is!
Shall I be her?
- Are you somebody, mate?
- No. I'm no one.
So this
is your old school, huh?
- Did you sing in the school choir?
- No.
That's a lie, I can tell.
- How old were you?
I was sent away to boarding
school when I was eight.
Why? Didn't your parents
like you very much?
That's just how they do it in my family.
Well, I'd never send my kids away.
Eton is 500 years old.
It was founded by King Henry VI.
No wonder it's so dusty.
Looks more like a palace.
That room there,
upper school, that's where you're sent
if you don't work hard enough.
You're whipped.
- No.
- Mm-hm.
- That's awful.
- It's Marilyn Monroe!
Oh!
- Look who it is!
- Come see Marilyn.
- Well, hello, boys.
- Pleased to meet you!
- Blow us a kiss, Marilyn!
Sure. All right, boys. Work hard!
I don't want anyone whipping you.
- You can whip me anytime, Marilyn!
- Ch!
- Oh!
- Maybe we should go.
- It's time to go. Lovely to see you.
Hurry up, slowpoke!
There's no...
We haven't got our... We can't...
Oh, God.
Oh, God.
This is great.
Oh, my God!
What if a boat goes past?
We'll be arrested.
Don't worry. Roger will fix it.
- Ooh!
- What?
- I have something in my eye.
- Let me see.
I can't see anything.
That's the first time
I've kissed anyone younger than me.
There's a lot
of older guys in Hollywood.
Ooh.
Don't be shy, Colin.
It's nothing you haven't seen before.
Oh, Colin. And you, an old Etonian.
- My God, it's cold. It's freezing!
- Here. Come here. Let me warm you up.
- Is that better?
I want this to be the perfect date.
I haven't had a real date
since I was 13 years old.
That was nice.
Ahem! Time to go home,
I think, Miss Monroe.
Be careful not
to get in too deep, son.
Hi, Milton.
The next time I come on set,
you better make sure Colin is there.
Take him home.
You spent the day with her.
What frame of mind was she in?
- She was fine, sir.
- Oh, how lovely.
Well, go and find out why
she's not standing here
right now in front of that.
There's a good chap.
And perhaps on this splendid
day we can persuade her
to do some of the work that she is
currently paying herself to do.
- Don't start, Dickie.
- You won't get any sympathy from me.
- She's trying her best.
- Oh, dear.
Little Colin's in love.
- Colin?
- What's the matter?
It's Marilyn.
She's asking for you.
She hasn't made a sound
for over an hour.
- So how many pills did she take?
- Jesus! Who knows.
- I wasn't counting.
- Marilyn? So how about the window?
Marilyn, darling?
Open the door, bubbeleh.
That's her window.
Marilyn?
Marilyn.
Colin?
Oh, hi, Colin.
Are you OK?
Everyone's worried about you.
Qh, phooey.
Colin!
- Get in.
- Colin!
- Colin, come on, open up!
- Colin?
- Colin!
Open this door.
She needs me. Colin!
You don't understand her.
- Come on.
- She's fine, uh...
Come on, open up!
- I'm gonna keep an eye on her,
and I will sleep on the sofa.
Colin, listen to me.
You can't talk to her.
I can't find the key.
Look, you can all go home now.
- You don't understand her. Come on.
- Go home.
Oh, my...
Colin. What are you doing here?
Uh, I came in through the window.
Milton thought that you were sick.
Oh.
The window.
How romantic.
That's just like Romeo and Juliet.
What... Why would
they say that I'm sick?
Please.
Please don't take any more.
- Who's this? Who's that?
That's my mama.
She bought me a white piano.
Right before they
took her to the asylum.
I grew up in other
people's homes, mostly.
Is that Abraham Lincoln?
That's my dad.
Well, I don't know who my real father
is, so it may as well be him, right?
Do you have a home, Colin?
A real one?
- With a mama and a daddy?
- Yes, I do.
Do they love you?
I'm sure that they do.
Mm. You're lucky.
Yes.
Do you love me, Colin?
Yes.
You're like some Greek goddess to me.
I'm not a goddess.
I just wanna be loved
like a regular girl.
- Mr. Miller loves you.
- No, I found his notebook.
He said the most
horrible things about me.
Writers, they scribble all kinds
of things. It doesn't mean anything.
No, he wanted me to find it.
He said he wished
he'd never married me.
Why do the people
I love always leave me?
I will never leave you.
All people ever see is Marilyn Monroe.
As soon as they realize
I'm not her, they run.
You're different.
You're not like that.
You should date that wardrobe girl.
She's so pretty.
I don't want to.
I love you.
This is nice.
It's like spoons.
I used to do this with Johnny.
- Who's Johnny?
- Johnny Hyde.
He was my agent back in the old days.
He was thin just like you.
Marilyn, do one thing for me.
Mm...
Come to the studio on-time tomorrow
and show everybody what you can do.
Show Larry that you are a great actress.
OK.
No matter what
others may say or do
Light of heart and fancy free
That's the way to start
There will be nothing to lose
Till you lose your
Heart
- Oh!
- This is intolerable!
- With deepest respects, sir.
My message was so important,
I had no choice but to intrude.
- Revolution?
- No, sir.
Miss Marina's aunt has
been in a motor accident.
What?
Oh, go away, you silly man.
Miss Marina, your aunt. Do you realize
how serious her condition is?
Well, it's her own fault.
She has no right out
this time of night. She's 93!
- Cut it there.
Well, whatever it was you did
to her, boy, keep doing it.
- I've never seen her so happy.
- Yes.
- We need Colin
at the house right away.
Got a pain in my side,
for Christ's sake.
What are they trying to make me
think I'm crazy or something?
Is that what it is? You know I don't
just rev it up like a Model T.
I don't just crank it up.
No one's asking you to just crank it up.
We're worried about you...
Isn't that what you're saying?
I was sick, for God's sake!
- Can I be sick?
- Colin's here.
Colin.
Colin.
Colin thinks I'm a good actress.
Don't you, Colin?
- Yes I do. You were wonderful today.
- See?
- Marilyn's tired now.
- I want him to stay with me.
And what would Arthur say
if he knew Colin was here?
You heard what she said,
she wants me here. Come on.
You have no idea of your
position in the world, Marilyn.
You are the greatest actress
that has ever been.
Mm?
I love you like a daughter.
- Oh.
- My darling girl. I know it's hard now.
But you will survive this and go on
to better things. You're young.
Your life is ahead of you,
just beginning.
Sit with Colin, mm?
Oh, Paula, I'm sorry.
- Come here.
- Oh, no.
- Come here. I'm here now.
Colin?
- I'll look after you.
- Don't leave.
- I'm not.
- Please don't leave.
- I'm not. Sh.
- Please don't leave.
Please don't leave.
Oh.
Oh, it hurts, it hurts!
It's a baby! It's a baby!
I can't lose the baby! Colin!
Oh!
Roger! Call a doctor!
Who's in charge here?
I've given Mrs. Miller an injection
and the bleeding stopped.
But she needs to stay in bed tomorrow,
and after that she'll be fine.
I suggest someone stays with her.
She'll be safe with me. Thank you.
- Thank you.
- Good night, then.
Was she really pregnant, sir?
I think that's a private matter
between Mr. and Mrs. Miller, don't you?
Arthur's on his way back.
When this movie is over,
I'm gonna settle down
and be a good wife to him.
I'm gonna learn to make matzo-ball soup
as good as his dad.
We have to forget this
whole thing ever happened.
I don't want to forget.
Let me protect you from all this.
Oh. What are you gonna do?
- Marry me?
- Why not?
You could quit this.
Forget Marilyn Monroe.
Forget Hollywood. Let it all go.
Just let it go.
I couldn't just give it up.
Why not?
Why not, when it drives you crazy?
You think I'm crazy?
I just meant that you could be happy.
I am happy.
Of course you're happy.
You're the biggest star in the world.
You're right.
We have to forget all this.
So from now on, I'm just
the third assistant director,
and we will never look
at each other again.
Maybe just a wink.
Once in a while.
- My dear. My dear.
- Yes?
- They're ready for you on set.
- Marilyn?
- Just arrived.
Only an hour late.
Not bad by her standards.
Perhaps we'll finish this
bloody film after all.
- Five-two-seven. Take one.
- Cut it there.
- And check that, please.
Five-eight-four, take two.
Take five.
Six-four-nine, take two.
Let's cut it there.
- Very quiet, studio.
I found a dream
Laying in your arms
The whole night through
I'm yours
No matter what others may say
Or do
Light of heart and fancy free
That's the way to start
There will be nothing to lose
Till you lose your heart
First love is such sweet despair, Colin.
Cut. That's a wrap.
She's there.
I hope you will all forgive me.
It wasn't altogether my fault,
but I've been ill.
I'd like you to remember I tried.
Lucy, um...
I was wondering if you were
doing anything on Saturday.
I'm washing my hair.
Did she break your heart?
A little.
Good. It needed breaking.
We're back, everyone!
All right...
You do look, my son, in a moved
sort, as if you were dismayed.
Be cheerful, sir.
Our revels now are ended.
We are such stuff
as dreams are made on,
and our little life
is rounded with a sleep.
Prospero.
She's quite wonderful.
No training, no craft to speak of.
No guile, just pure instinct.
She's astonishing.
- You should tell her that.
- Oh, I will. But she won't believe me.
President Taft.
It's probably
what makes her great.
It's almost certainly what
makes her so profoundly unhappy.
Oh, Miss Marina,
won't you have some champagne?
Oh, I don't know, Your Grand Ducal.
You really think I ought?
I tried my best to change her,
but she remains brilliant, despite me.
Maybe just up to... Ah!
Do you know, I think directing a movie
has to be just about
the best job ever invented.
But Marilyn's cured me
of ever wanting to do it again.
- Well, now I'm back to the theater.
John Osborne's writing a piece for me.
Sir, I thought you hated
all that Royal Court stuff.
Well, Miller made me see
things a little differently.
Thank you, Colin, for all your help.
Glad you ran away to the circus?
- My dear.
Uh... ow.
I've got a solemn word
of warning for you.
What is that, my beloved?
You know what's going to happen.
I'm going to fall in love with you.
I'm going to fall in love with you
because I always, always do.
There you go.
Buy a girl a drink?
I'll get another one
of those, please, Barry.
I wasn't going to leave
without saying goodbye.
Don't forget me.
As if I could.
Everybody else on the picture
wishes they could.
They don't understand you.
Walk me to my car?
Nice place you got here.
Thanks for being on my side.
Looking a couple of inches taller
than when I first saw you.
Her embrace.
Her belief in me.
And the joy she gave.
That was her gift.
When I think of her now, I think
of that time when a dream came true.
And my only talent
was not to close my eyes.
That old black magic
Has me in its spell
That old black magic
That you weave so well
And down and down I go
Round and round I go
In a spin
Lovin' that spin I'm in
Under that old black magic
Called love
For you're the lover
I have waited for
The mate that fate
Had me created for
But every time your lips meet mine
Darling, down, down Down I go
Round, round, round I go
In a spin
Loving that spin I'm in
Under that old black magic
Called
Love