Miracle of the Bells, The (1948)

[bunniefuu]

BELLS RING

TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS

Hello, Nick.

Hello.

Looking for someone?

Yeah.

On the 2:30?

Yeah.

Well, there she is.

You Mr Dunnigan?

Yes.

I'm Nick Orloff.
How do you do?

Better unload.

Hurry up there.
We haven't got all day.

Uh, are you the husband

of the deceased back there?

No, I'm just a friend.

I see.

Quite a surprise when I got your
telegram from Hollywood.

Yes, sir.

Never had a client
from Hollywood before.

Hmm.

Thought I knew every
family in Coaltown.

Treskovna.

No. Never heard of them.

No.

No family in Coaltown by that name -

Treskovna - willing to bet you.

Olga Treskovna
was her professional name.

I see.

She was an actress.

You don't say.

Used to live in Coaltown, huh?

What's her, uh, real name?

Olga Truckee.

What?

You mean Stan Truckee's kid?

He was a coal miner.

Stan Truckee was no miner.

He was a lush.

I gave him a first-class
$100 funeral.

His kid, Olga,
arranged for it in person.

Deadbeats, both of them.

Never paid me.

BRAKES SQUEAL

Why are you stopping?

It's four years since I buried her
drunken pa for nothing.

I ain't burying any more deadbeats
until they pay up.

You mean right now?

I've waited four years.

It was a $90 funeral, not $100.

She told me.

She paid you 10. That leaves 80.

Give me $20.

Oh, no.

What about the extras -

the flowers for the grave
and pallbearers

out of my own pocket?

I'm a respectable businessman.

I never cheated nobody.

When I say 100 bucks,
it's 100 bucks.

My mistake, Mr Orloff...

not noticing your fine qualities.

People think dying is cheap,

but it costs more to be
buried than to be born.

Yes, sir. When you figure
all the incidentals...

Shut up.

I was only saying...

You've said enough.

THINKS: You'll be home soon, kid.

Why anyone would want to come back

to this flea-bitten
end of the world, I don't know,

but that's what you wanted,

so you're here.

That's all I can do for you -

ride with you

and tell you I love you.

That's what's driving me crazy,

that I waited till now to tell you,

but I've got to say it now.

I love you, baby.

I love you.

I guess I loved you

the first time I saw your face.

Show business is full
of beautiful faces,

and I'd seen them all,

but I never saw
one like yours, baby.

Never like yours.

RAGTIME MUSIC PLAYS

1...2...

3...4...

Bend it!

1...2...3...slide!

Travel!

1...2...3...slide!

Travel!

Hold it!

Hold it!

What are you trying to do to me?

You - what's your name?

Olga Treskovna.

OK, Olga.

The first rule of dancing -
a girl has to stay on her feet!

OK, get back in line.

Try it again.

Give them a pick-up, Freddy.

MUSIC PLAYS

Kick!

Kick! Kick!

1...2...3...twist!

Hold it! Hold it! Wait a minute.

Look, we open in four days.
So it's a burlesque show.

They pay to see you, don't they?

I'm not asking you to act.

I'm not asking you to sing good,
only loud.

There's only one thing I ask you.

Like a brother, I ask you.

Give me this! This is all I want!

Look. 1...2...3...

pivot!

OK, have you got it?

Have you got it?

All right, try it again.

Give them a pick-up, Freddy.

MUSIC PLAYS

Same place.

Kick, kick!

Kick, kick!

1...2...3...head...

Oh, wait a minute. You're breaking
my heart.

I haven't time for beginners.
Step out of the line.

Come back when you've
learned something.

Mr Elmo, please.

No. We'll do it without you.

Let me try again.

I'll learn. I will.

I'll stay after rehearsal.

Please give me another chance.

No can do. I haven't the time.

Please.

Go on, Tommy, give the kid a break.

Who's that?

Bill Dunnigan!

How are you, Tommy?

What are you doing, slumming?
How are you, big boy?

Saw you name outside,
thought I'd buy you a drink.

You buy me a drink?
I owe you a million.

The world's greatest press agent,
meet the world's worst chorus.

GIRLS: Hi, Bill.
Hi, girls.

OK, ladies, take a half-hour.

Hiya, white spats.

Freddy Evans. Nice to see you,
Freddy.

Tommy, do me a favour, will you?

Sure. Just mention it.

Let Freddy work with that new kid.
He'll have her dancing like Pavlova.

Oh, that kid's got two left feet.

Come on. She's a nice girl.

You know her, huh?

No. I just like her face,
and she needs the job.

Give her a break.

OK, if that's our pleasure.

Freddy, take her and work with her.

I'll be back in a half hour. You be
able to show me that pivot, or else.

I will. Thanks.
And thank you so much, Mr...

Dunnigan, you sap. Bill Dunnigan.

Never mind the thanks.

Just get that pivot.

I will, Mr Dunnigan.

Come on, big boy.

It's like old times
seeing you out front again.

THINKS: That's where it began,

and this is where it ends.

You're home, Olga.

Take that chair there, please.

Hello, Eddie? This is Mr Orloff.

I'm back from Nanticoke.

Anybody been trying to get me?

You don't have to use that tone of
voice.

Mr Dunnigan, I was stung once
on the Truckees.

I won't get stung again.

No hard feelings, I hope.

No hard feelings.

Just honest business.

That's right.

OK, the job will cost you 150 bucks.

150? That includes transportation
from the train to Coaltown.

Of course, that ain't including
pallbearers, in case you want them.

You don't have to have them.
I want them.

Then you'll need six. That's $2.00
apiece.

Could you get some
of her father's friends

or some people who knew her?

You mean free? No chance.

Stan Truckee was a sweet guy.

I'm sure he must've had some
friends.

You think I'm trying to shake
you down, huh?

All right, I'll introduce you
to some of his friends.

Come on. You'll see if you
can get them free.

Come on. You'll see.

BOISTEROUS CONVERSATION

Hey, pipe down, will you?

I want to ask you a question
in front of this gentleman.

I want to ask you if any of you
remember Stan Truckee.

Stan Truckee?

Yeah. I knew him.

What about Stan Truckee?

His kid d*ed. We're burying her
alongside her old man.

Would any of you like to act
as pallbearers,

on account of you knew Stan?

Don't try to put nothing over on us,
Nicky.

We'll be pallbearers
for 2 bucks apiece.

Count me in at 2 bucks too! Me,
too.

Who's that guy? A friend
of the deceased.

OK, gents, I'll use the first six.

Now I want four guys
to carry her inside.

Give me the stick, Billy.

You guys better be good now.
There's competition.

Put it down on the floor.

Now put your names
down there for pallbearers.

We don't want
no arguments afterwards.

I give you the bill
before the hearse pulls out,

and I get paid before the funeral.

You said that. I just want it
understood. It's understood!

Send in two more.

The first thing is to fix it up
with Father Spinsky.

His church is the big one
on Spring Street.

I'll arrange everything and you
won't have no bother whatsoever.

Now, make yourself comfortable.
I'll be back in a few minutes.

THINKS: I'll try to remember
that you loved these people, baby,

but it's hard figuring out why.

What a sap I was,

walking out of that theatre and not
seeing you again for a whole year.

Yes, a whole year before
I ran into you again.

I'll never forget that town.

I wasn't thinking of you that night.

I wasn't thinking about much of
anything

except what a cold and lonely place

'a small town can be
on Christmas Eve...

and wondering how to k*ll time till
I could get the next train out...

for my next stop.

Is Miss Treskovna
still in the theatre?

Yeah. She's number one,
right over there.

Great. Thanks.

Come in.

Merry Christmas.

Oh. Mr Dunnigan.

Well, that's a pretty good memory.

Katie - Miss Hallwin, this is
Mr Dunnigan.

How do you do? Pleased to meet you.

I saw your picture in the lobby.

Success, huh? This is the most
exciting thing

that could have happened.

I wanted to thank you so.

I've never forgotten how
kind you were.

"Give the kid a break."

And disappearing like Santa Claus.

If it hadn't been for you,
I'd never have become Smokey Sue,

the terror of the Ozarks.

She's good, huh? Oh, she's in there
hollerin'.

Show business?

I'm the advance man for the
Up In The Moon company.

I'm glad you've got
a date tonight, kid.

See you in the morning on the train.

Merry Christmas.

BOTH: Merry Christmas.

Well, if you've got a date,
I'll blow along.

I just wanted to say hello.

I haven't any date. You're not
going somewhere?

Just to the hotel, pretend it's
a real Christmas Eve.

I suppose you're with friends.

I won't keep you, Mr Dunnigan.

The name is Bill,
and I'm your date tonight.

Go and get your coat on.

You hungry? Yes.

Wonderful.

Must be some place
in this town that's open,

besides the county jail.

THINKS: There will never be a walk
again like the one that night.

Yelling in the snow and laughing.

You telling me to listen
to the reindeer bells.

I felt as though I were drunk,
but I didn't know what it was.

I didn't know I'd feel the same way
every time I was with you.

This way, please.

How nice. Yes.

Here you are close to the snow
and to a radiator.

Are you Ming Gow?

Yes. My name's Bill. This is Olga.

I hope we're not a nuisance coming
in. I'm happy to have you.

Not much trade on Christmas Eve.

No. Everybody is home.

But show people.

And Ming Gow.

No, no. Please.

Will the lady and gentleman
allow me to prepare dinner?

Thank you.

In Iowa, we run into
a Chinese Santa Claus.

It's a wonderful night.

First, bird's nest soup
with lotus seed floating in it,

then fing han,

which is lobster fixed
in the Cantonese manner.

Oh.

Then a dish of gaiset gai
and some gai-lan soon,

which is only broccoli
with a Chinese accent.

Then hop tan yei -
chicken and walnuts.

Hold it, Ming. That'll be enough.

Please. There will be more.

Bill, let him.

You're so nice, Ming Gow.
We're so lucky to meet you tonight.

We were walking through the snow,
hoping to find some ham and eggs.

And the weary travellers came upon
a castle in the snow,

presided over by a magician named
Ming Gow,

who set before them pomegranates and
guinea hen from Zanzibar.

Give us the works. Let's have
a feast to remember.

You shall have a feast that you
shall always remember.

Ahh.

Ming, tremendous.

Calls for a cigar.

I'll bring it. No, I'll get it.

SHE COUGHS

Thank you.

How about some music, Olga?

Oh, I'd love it.

MUSIC: Silent Night

I always liked those tunes
on Christmas Eve.

Used to hear them
when I was a kid.

How are you, baby?

Fine, Bill. Good.

A toast from that eminent
philosopher Ming Gow

is in order.

The floor is yours, Ming.

A long time ago,

three wise men followed a star,

found a child in a cradle.

We also are all from far away.

Tonight, we were brought together

by someone who makes the snow fall.

I drink to what we shall find.

How nice.

You don't think it was an accident,
my running into Olga again?

No. These things are all written.

We follow the script, huh?
Yes. We follow.

Maybe you tell me something.

What would you like to know,
Ming Gow?

Your name.

Olga Truckee,
alias Olga Treskovna.

Truckee, huh?

Do you mind telling me a little?

No. When did you first decide to be
an actress?

When I was a little girl, I think.

Where was that?

I was born in Poland.

When I was quite young,

we came to America to a place in
Pennsylvania called...

..Coaltown.

Little Poland.

Near Wilkes-Barre?

Yes.

Coaltown k*lled my mother.

And then four years ago,

my father d*ed.

Coaltown k*lled him, too.

But my father was very sweet
and kind.

He played the accordion and sang,

and he used to say to me
when he had a hangover...

which was...very often...

.."Go away someplace, Olga,
and sing.

"Dance, act, and sing.

"Try to be happy.

"That will make
other people happy, too."

He taught me all the songs he knew.

Polish songs.

Sad ones, happy ones,

all kinds.

Sing one for us - a happy one.

Oh, no.

Yes. Please do.

SHE SINGS IN POLISH

That's good.

Just a little song.

Everybody in Coaltown knows it.

It's about coming home when you've
been away for a long time.

Now you're going to be a star.

Yes. I keep studying between shows
and on the trains.

I'll be ready when my chance comes.

You know our show's headed west?

That's where Hollywood is.

According to last reports.

I'm going to make good there.

I must.

Not so fast. You've just started.

You need a couple years in stock
playing the old plays.

You've got a lot to learn.

I haven't time for that, Bill.

I want to get there quickly.

When I am a big star
in my own dressing room

and all the interviewers ask me,

"How did this success
come to you, Olga?"

I'll tell them it came from...

..Bill Dunnigan, who once said,
"Give the kid a break."

And I'll be right there
taking a bow, too.

But a year in stock
is what you need.

You're only 20.

There are two kinds of people
who don't have enough time -

the very old...

..and the very young.

I think we'd better go.

It's late, and we have to catch
early trains.

Look. It stopped snowing.

I'll bet you the whole town's asleep
except us.

Well, let's have the check, Ming.

No check. Oh, come on. We ate
the whole restaurant.

No check, please.

On Christmas, people exchange gifts.

Let this humble meal be my gift

to the other two wise guests from
far away.

OK.

Admit Ming Gow and party.

There you are, Ming, for Up In
The Moon any night you want to go.

Just ask for Fred Cooper. Thank you.

Oh, here it is.

It's nothing very much,
just a little medal.

It's dedicated to St Michael,
the archangel.

He's my favourite saint.

Will you take it, please?

Thank you.

St Michael? What's his speciality?

Fighting...for God.

He is a very gallant saint, Bill.

I will carry this and hope for that
great success.

Goodnight, Ming Gow.

And Merry Christmas, Ming Gow.

Yes. Merry Christmas, Ming.

Merry Christmas to you.

Huh?

Which way?

The Iowa Hotel.

Oh, around the corner.

I'm at the Dexter.

What time are you pulling out?

6:30.

Are you going the other way?

Yeah. I go east - at 5:30.

It's a mill train, but it's the only
connection.

What is it?

Look.

The stars.

Yes.

There are a lot of them.

One of them's mine.

Oh? Which one?

Do you see over there, where the
V-shaped cluster is?

Yeah.

Just to the right of it.
The bright one.

Oh, yeah. I see it.

It's yours.

Yes.

My father told me
it appeared in the sky

for the first time
the night I was born.

Could be.

It's there to remind me every night
of where I'm going.

Oh, I am being very silly.

I won't see you again
for a long time, maybe.

Will you accept a Christmas present
from a strange young lady?

My star up there.

I'll give you half of it.

THINKS: Why didn't I say something?
But no, not a word.

Not even, where can I write you?

What's your route sheet?
I want to see you again.

Just old clam-mouth walking along
with his heart jumping

and never a word.

I got to start thinking, kid.

It can't end like this.

It can't end with Dunnigan the dummy
staring at a box.

Didn't keep you waiting
too long, I hope.

You got everything fixed?

Yes, sirree, I had a big talk with
Father Spinsky.

We worked everything out fine.

He's going to give you
a solemn Requiem Mass.

I got hold of a singer
from Wilkes-Barre.

She happened to be in town.

Let's see, that'll be
30 bucks extra.

I figured a blanket
of roses for the coffin,

then I figured a wreath as a
personal tribute from yourself.

Altogether, the floral tributes will
amount to 80 bucks.

We mustn't forget the charge

for the sexton of the church.

Almost forgot that.

You wouldn't want
to forget any charges.

I'll have to figure out a donation
for Father Spinsky's church.

Personally, I think
75 bucks will do it.

Not too much and not too little,
which brings the total up to 350.

350? That's a lot more than...

That ain't much for
a service at St Leo's.

St Leo's? Is that where
you made the arrangements?

Yes, sir. The biggest church in
town.

But that's the wrong church.

I wanted them made at St Michael's.

Oh, no, no. You don't want
St Michael's.

You don't want your friend buried
from there.

It a broken-down old church.

Nobody worthwhile goes there.

Father Spinsky's church is the only
place.

Mr Orloff, where is St Michael's?

All right. I ain't worried.

You ain't going to do business
with Father Paul.

He ain't got nothing to offer you.

You'll be back.

It's down at the end of the street,
right across from the hotel.

Thanks. Remember, Father Paul
can't do nothing for you.

He's got no connections in town,
just miners.

DOORBELL RINGS

Come in.

Are you Father Paul? Yes.

My name's Bill Dunnigan.

How do you do?

I brought a friend of mine
back to Coaltown - a girl.

She wanted to be buried
from your church.

From St Michael's?

Yes. She has a plot
in your cemetery.

It's already been paid for in full.

What I want to do now is arrange
for a church funeral.

How much do you charge?

Please sit down, Mr Dunnigan.

Her Father was buried from your
place five years ago.

His name was Stan Truckee.

That bill's unpaid.

I'll take care of that up to any
reasonable amount.

I wasn't here five years ago.

Did you bring this girl
from somewhere out of town?

From Hollywood. Hollywood?

That's where they make the movies.

Yes, I know.

Hollywood to St Michael's.
That's rather strange.

I understand there are certain
charges, fees and so forth.

If you'd give an estimate...

Maybe I'd better tell you first.

She wanted a few...extras.

She wanted organ music,
and she also wanted...

..six angels with wings to stand
beside the coffin.

The angels will be little girls.
That's an old Polish custom.

How much for the girls with wings
and the organist?

The children will be happy to serve
without any fee.

Sometimes our organist
receives $3.00,

but this is a poor parish.

She's used to not being paid.

Oh.

How much for you?

For me?

I, too, am used to not being paid,

and I'd rather not
break the precedent.

I am very proud that this girl
wanted to be buried from my church.

To a humble priest,
that's a great satisfaction,

and it is fee enough.

Please, put that away, Mr Dunnigan.

I'm sorry, Father.

I came in here like a sorehead.

It was just that...

Well, it's a pleasure
to run into a human being

in Coaltown or anywhere.

I was beginning to think the world
had run out of them.

Look, Father, I might as well lay it
on the line.

Ever hear of poverty?

Yes, an old friend of St Michael's.

I'm down to $300 and with no visible
means of support at the moment.

I've made millions for people I've
worked for.

A press agent can do that.

I never got around
to making myself rich.

I never wanted
to be a millionaire.

I just wanted to live like one.
That'll keep you poor, you know.

Father, I hate the thought of her
being in Orloff's place.

That's a little rough even on a
brave kid like Olga.

Could we have her brought here to
your church?

Certainly. She belongs here.

She'll like that.

I mean, she would've liked that.

That's the whole trouble
with this trip,

all these arrangements
about the funeral.

To me she isn't dead.

It's as if she were here
and we were doing all this together.

Oh, I don't mean that I see her
or anything like that.

I mean...
I know what you mean.

Hello?

Hello, this is Father Paul.

Hello, Hattie. Would you get me
Nick Orloff?

Yes. Thank you.

Telephoning in Coaltown
is sort of different.

Mr Orloff, this is
Father Paul speaking.

Yes. Yes, I know.
He's - he's here now.

I've called to tell you to bring the
body of Stan Truckee's daughter

to St Michael's immediately.

Not tomorrow, Mr Orloff.

Immediately. Now. Right away.

You're a greedy and stupid man,
Mr Orloff.

No, I'm not afraid of you
and all your friends.

Bring the girl here immediately
without any further discussion.

Goodbye.

You can be tough when you have to.

You didn't look it.

My adviser, Michael the archangel.

Oh, yes. I've heard of him.

He had to be, as you say, tough.

Mr Orloff will be here
in half an hour.

Thank you, Father.

I'm probably taking up your time.
I'll wait in the church.

No, please. Wait here.

Talk to me about Olga.
I can see you loved her very much.

You can, huh?

Are you sure I won't bore you?

No. Come, Mr Dunnigan.

I'd like to hear what's
in your heart.

I only met Olga twice before I took
a job on the coast.

I'd become tired of hopping around
peddling a road company

to a lot of antitheatrical towns,

so I figured on settling down
in the lotus land of Hollywood.

And I get me a job as personal
drumbeater for the great
Marcus Harris.

Marcus Harris?

You've never heard of him?

Well, Marcus Harris
is one of the greatest

motion picture producers in America,

who at the moment was giving birth
to his greatest production,

a $3 million epic
called Joan Of Arc.

Now, gentlemen,

I want this trouble
with Anna Klovna settled.

I don't want to have
a fight going on.

Hard enough to make pictures
without fights.

It's Miss Klovna who's doing
all the fighting.

Where's Dunnigan? I sent for
Dunnigan. Why isn't he here,
Miss Mulhauser?

OVER INTERCOM: He's on his way,
Mr Harris.

Thank you very much.

I sent for you an hour ago.

Well, here I am, chief.

Whenever he's late,
I get promoted to chief.

Bill, we're in trouble.

Yeah, I heard rumours.

Uh, Miss Klovna
is playing nasty again.

Let's not call anybody any names.

I've got a million dollars invested
in Miss Klovna,

so I would like to think she isn't
nasty, just a little nervous.

I'm assigning you the job of
handling Miss Klovna.

Thanks very much, but I don't think
that'll solve any problems.

I'm asking this as a favour.

Two days after she landed in this
country,

you got her the keys
to the city of New York,

arranged a parade in her honour,

kept her picture in the papers
for 55 days.

Have another.

She'll listen to you and nobody
else. I don't know, Marcus.

Fame is very bad for some people.

It goes to their heads.

Come on, gentlemen, we'll go
with Mr Dunnigan

and give him all the help we can.

With all the respect
in the world, Miss Klovna...

Respect? That is what
you do not give me.

I have played Joan in Europe.

Shaw's Joan. Schiller's Joan.

What have I to learn from you?

That was the stage.
This is the movies.

Hello, Anna. What's all
the fireworks?

Oh, Mr Dunnigan!

This imbecile is trying
to tell me how to act Joan.

Me! He wants me to get here
before I'm awake - to rehearse.

He needs rehearsal, not me.

Relax. Be yourself.
You're a great artist.

Don't act like a two-year-old.

Then I want to be treated
like a great artist.

And if I am a little late,
I don't want to be screamed
at like a servant girl.

A little late? Two hours late
every morning this week!

A full crew and 300 extras, standing
around waiting for her nibs.

They are waiting, eh? Who cares?

Come on, Anna, let's talk it over
in your dressing room.

He tells me it costs Mr Marcus
Harris $10,000 because I'm late.

Let it cost him!

What do I care how much money it
costs that stupid upstart?

The only education he has
is vending from a pushcart.

No ignorant peasant can give orders
to Anna Klovna.

We don't talk like that
in America.

No. All you talk in America
is money, money, money!

What do you know about art
in America,

you and your Marcus Harris?

Oh, I spit on you both.

I'm finished!

I quit!

I go back to the theatre!

No more here! No more!

You ought to have some sense
knocked into you.

Enough, Mr Dunnigan.
I'll talk to Miss Klovna.

You can't make me do anything,
you and all your money.

I don't want you to do anything.
You can quit.

I'm sorry you don't
like me, Miss Klovna,

but that's all right.

I'm sorry you don't like America.
That isn't all right.

So many people from your country
have learned to love America.

It's too bad you couldn't see
something nice

in such a wonderful place.

We'll pay Miss Klovna off in full
and shelve the picture.

Send out a notice that Anna Klovna's
had a...nervous breakdown

and won't be able
to finish the picture.

Oh! Oh!

Well, you surely called
her bluff, Marcus.

She'll be back in half an hour ready
to play marbles.

I don't want her back.
I like this country.

I won't work with anyone
who doesn't like it.

We'll get somebody else. Klovna
isn't the only actress in the world.

There's nobody else available
who can play Joan of Arc,

at least nobody who's
available for some time.

Not a very nice woman, Miss Klovna,
but she's a great talent.

She was made for the part of Joan.

Well, that's too bad.
I'm shelving the picture.

I'll see you in my office, Mr Dolan.

Ladies and gentlemen, I'm sorry
this has happened.

Maybe next time
we'll have better luck.

Thank you.

Wrap it up, boys!

Mr Dunnigan!

Mr Dunnigan!

Bill! Holy Ike! Am I dreaming?

Hello, Bill. Olga, look at you.

Don't tell me you're in pictures.
I was. I lost my job.

I was a stand-in for Anna Klovna.

No! No more Anna Klovna, no
more job, at least for the moment.

I didn't know you were working
for Mr Harris.

Sure. I nearly fell over
when I saw you.

Let's get out of here. Pardon me.

So you're a stand-in, huh?

Not much of a job for a foolish
young lady who dreamed of
being a star.

You quit dreaming, huh? No, I
haven't.

Only it's taking longer
than I thought.

You know, it makes me happy just
to look at you.

I've got to go hold Marcus' hand
for a while.

Where would you like
to go for dinner?

Bill, let me cook dinner for you.

I've got a sort of
apartment with a stove,

and I've been dying to have a guest.

No guests?

No.

I'm glad.

What's the address?

1461 Curson Avenue.

It's over a garage.

1461. I'll be there.

I have to go home and change.

Will it be all right if I get there
about 7:00? I'll see you later.

More coffee?

Oh, no, thanks.

Won't you finish the pie?
I couldn't handle it.

I've had three big pieces and two
pounds of goulash. Have a heart,
will you?

You know, it's a very cute layout.

Restful.

I was lucky to get it.

Come furnished?

Oh, yes.

I painted the floor myself.

Oh?

Oh.

I think it's just
as good as a carpet.

Oh, sure.

Better.

Thanks.

HE SIGHS

Well, baby,
now tell me the rest of it.

There isn't any rest of it.

I kept going round and round
the studios,

and sometimes they said,
"Come back,"

and sometimes they said,
"Don't come back."

But whatever they said, it always
ended the same way -

no job for a new young movie star.

So I tried to get an agent

because the girls I met
all told me,

"Olga, you cannot become
a star without an agent."

So I started going round
and round the agencies.

I sang for them,

I acted for them,

I even danced for them...

..and ended up without an agent.

Imagine. Olga Treskovna
without an agent.

Bill, you are not listening.

I'm listening, baby.

I'm listening to a lot of things.

What's the matter, Bill,
did the pie upset you?

No, no, no, I'm just thinking.

Can you act?

Who, me?

Who else would I mean?

You know I can act.

How do I know?

I told you. Oh, yeah. So you did.

I'm much better now.

I spend all my spare time
reading plays, learning parts.

Juliet and Meg Wiley.
Elizabeth Barrett.

You're better-looking
than she is.

Who? Anna Klovna.
You're younger, prettier.

You got more heart. Bill, what are
you talking about?

Take it easy, baby. I'm incubating.

Bill, you don't mean Joan Of Arc?

Never mind what I mean.

Let me see you act.

Mr Harris would never hire
a stand-in for a star.

Never mind and his whims.

Bill. Don't argue. Do you know any
scenes from the script?

Bill, I know the whole script. Look,
I don't want the whole script,

I just want one scene,
one big scene.

When? Right now.

We've got to move quick. It's one
of those things.

All right. You ready?

Yes.

OK, now, come on.

The camera's rolling. You're on.

Action!

It's the scene when she comes
into the courtroom

in the castle of Rouen
for the first time.

They've brought her up
from the dungeon...

..and she walks down the hallway

with her chains hanging from her.

Then the doors
of the courtroom open.

She sees all the great
English aristocrats

and all the great philosophers

and doctors of theology.

They sit in a circle above her,

all those stone faces.

They're here in the courtroom

to make her confess she is a liar

and a blasphemer

and that the voices
she has listened to

come from the devil
and not from God,

because if they can
make her say that,

then her name would be
fouled and ruined.

The French have only
one w*apon left -

the name of Joan of Arc

and the belief that God
is helping them through her.

Cauchon, the bishop in
charge of the trial, speaks.

Do you consider yourself
in a state of grace?

If I am not,

I hope God will put me there.

And if I am,

I hope he'll keep me there.

We want you to speak the truth.

Truth is a sacred gift from God.

Do you believe that?

Yes...

..but people have been hanged
for speaking it.

Why did Satan first command you
to slay the English?

The voices of my saints
commanded me to fight for France.

You went into battle.

I led the battle!

You were present when English blood
was shed!

Yes! And what were the English doing
on the soil of France?

Why didn't they keep their blood at
home where French swords
couldn't spill it?

No...

..whatever you do to me...

..I will not say what isn't true.

And the truth is...

..I am a peasant girl,

and I love my mother
and father and my brothers.

And I would have stayed in Domremy

and cooked and sewed
and tended the sheep...

but God spoke to me,

through his angel Michael,

and he told me to go out
into the world

and help my people.

I went...

..and I fought...

..and if I escape from here,

I will continue to fight for them.

And if I do not escape

and you burn me for what I've
done...

..I will kneel in the fire

and give God my thanks

for his kindness to me

and my people.

OK.

OK, baby, sit down.

Where's the phone? Oh.

Was it all right? Yeah, yeah.

Hello. Mr Harris, please.
Bill Dunnigan calling.

Yes, will you, please? Bill. Shh.

Hello, Marcus. Bill Dunnigan.

I've got some very important news.
Hang on to your hat.

All right. Hang on to your pyjamas,
then.

You don't have to shelve the
picture.

Just keep listening, will you?

I found another Anna Klovna, plus.

Would I call you up
if I were kidding?

She's young, beautiful,
completely unknown.

Can she act?

Can Heifetz fiddle?
Can Joe Louis fight?

I'm telling you, this is it.

I want her tested first thing
in the morning.

Give me your OK and I'll set
everything up.

Sure, sure.
I've got her all tied up.

Nobody'll get to her
before you see the test.

I give you my solemn
word of honour.

I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight.

Bill.

Relax, baby.

I'm going to explode.
You're going to bed.

It's like the time
I heard you in the dark

saying, "Give the kid a break."

I don't know why
I deserve anybody like you.

I've got to talk Dolan
into making the test.

We don't want it made
by some stooge.

And you're going to bed right
now and sleep.

You didn't tell him
who I really am.

We'll come to that jump tomorrow.
Bill, how can I ever repay you?

By knocking 'em dead, baby.

Tomorrow's the big day.

Not as big as now.

Oh, Bill.

Thanks.

No, they don't have to worry
which side to photograph.

They're both perfect.

And those eyes.

All right, baby, I want you fresh
when you play that big scene
for the camera tomorrow.

Goodnight.

Goodnight. Now, don't worry
about anything.

I'll take care of wardrobe and
notify make-up.

See you on the barricades
at dawn, baby.

Somebody's crazy.

It isn't I, it's you.

You're the craziest man I've had
here. Will you listen to me?

I'm listening and hearing a lunatic.

How can you ask me to spend $3
million

on somebody called Olga Trestoogy...
Treskovna.

A stand-in, a girl who's never
acted, a burlesque girl.

Joan of Arc. No, wait a minute,
Marcus. Hold it!

You're a nice guy. I don't want to
get sore. He doesn't want to get
sore.

You don't have to test
Olga Treskovna.

You don't have to hire her, but
you're going to know this.

She's better than any star you ever
wanted.

Not only her acting, it's what's
inside her. What shines out of her.

It's something you don't see
in the world often.

Don't test it, don't buy it,
but take your hat off to it.

INTERCOM BUZZES

What is it?

OVER INTERCOM: Miss Olga Treskovna
is here.

Tell her to come in.

Olga Treskovna,

Mr Marcus Harris.

How do you do, Mr Harris?

I always wanted to come through that
door

and stand here in a lovely costume
and say, "How do you do, Mr Harris?"

Mr Dolan,

you will please make
a test of Miss Treskovna

for the leading part
in our picture.

And good luck. Thank you.

Well, the test was great.

We started sh**ting three days
later, and she was even better.

We were all set and away.

She had a special dressing room,
special studio car,

and everybody raving about her.

No gags. Real raves.

I'll tell you, Father,
you've never seen a dream come true
like this one.

Sounds wonderful.

DOORBELL RINGS

I think that's Mr Orloff.

Come in, please.

Where do you want the box?

Would you carry it into the church?

I got it uncrated for you.

Yes, you may keep the lumber,
Mr Orloff.

That don't pay me.

There's an extra charge - 5 bucks.

There you are.

Now b*at it.

You're going to hear from
Father Spinsky. Yes, sir.

I hope this isn't causing you any
trouble, Father.

Oh, no.

Father Spinsky is a man of God

with a rather expensive church to
keep up,

and I'm sure he'll understand the
situation when I explain it.

It's time for the evening services.
Would you care to come with me?

In church? Oh, I don't know, Father.
Please, come and see her there.

I wouldn't worry about Mr Orloff's
revenge, Mr Dunnigan.

There isn't anything that anyone can
do to St Michael's

that the wind, rain, and coal dust
haven't already done.

Not much of a house.

We're fixing the leaks in the roof.

Oh, I didn't mean that. I mean
nobody out front.

You know, attending.

Is this an off night?

No. We hardly ever have more than
a dozen or so.

The men are tired when they come out
of the mines. And the women...

The women also work very hard
here in Coaltown.

It seems they're almost
too tired to come to God.

Those statues look
rather lonely, don't they?

Say, isn't that our boy up there?

Yes, St Michael the archangel.
I thought so.

It's a shame, a house like this.

I think your church needs
a press agent, Father.

God doesn't need a press agent.
I'm not so sure.

Once upon a time, he had 12 very
good press agents.

Top men.

My, I never thought of the apostles
as press agents.
What else were they?

They sold the biggest story that
ever happened to a whole world -

and without the benefit of
newspapers and radio.

Terrific job.

Oh, yes, terrific job.

You'll stay for the services?

Oh, I don't think so, Father.

I guess I haven't been inside
a church since my mother stopped
taking me.

She d*ed when I was seven.

She was a Protestant.

You won't change your mind and stay,
as a Protestant?

No. I'll drop in some other time.

I'll see you tomorrow. Yeah.

Goodnight, kid.

Olga used to talk
to me about these hills.

"Mountains covered with flowers",
she called them.

Coaltown doesn't look so bad from
here.

The coal dust doesn't blow up here.

The flowers are always clean.

If I had to live down there,

I think I'd welcome coming up here
for a good long sleep.

Perhaps most of them do.

SINGING IN POLISH

Good morning.

Good morning, Father.

HE HUMS THE POLISH SONG

You know that song?

Yes. Olga sang it for me once.

She said it was about coming home
after you've been away for a long
time.

Yes. It's a sort of a Polish
"Home, Sweet Home".

It has an English translation, too.

# Ever homeward

# Ever homeward

# Yearns the weary rover

# Ever homeward

# Ever homeward

# Till the journey's over

# Warm embraces, friendly faces

# Sing welcome home

# Let me lie there

# 'Neath the sky there

# Nevermore to roam

# Ever homeward

# Ever homeward

# Yearns the weary rover

# Ever homeward

# Ever homeward

# Now the journey's over. #

Thank you, Father.

That song makes Coaltown seem
different somehow.

When you're up here, you can
understand Coaltown.

You realise that the sins of the
poor are mostly in their poverty,

not in themselves.

My own small troubles
seem very unimportant,

my failures insignificant.

Your failures, Father?

Oh, yes.

When I was ordained, I came here
filled with the zeal and confidence
of a crusader.

St Michael and I would form a
partnership and make over Coaltown,

but I had forgotten
that the first lesson

a young student learns
in a seminary is humility.

Tell me more about Olga.

I asked a friend if she had heard of
Olga Treskovna, the movie actress.

She said she hadn't.

I told her she was very famous.

They wouldn't let her become famous.

But you said
she was very successful.

No, not that way.

She was great, but no-one will ever
know it.

A new star, but no-one will ever see
her.

Well, what happened, Mr Dunnigan?

You don't know Hollywood,
do you, Father?

Only from what I've seen in
pictures.

I'll tell you. Maybe I'll get
an idea if I talk.

You got time? Oh, yes.

Well, Marcus tripled her take after
two weeks of sh**ting.

That's how good she was.
Tore up her contract.

But she never changed.

It's quite a thing to jump
from nowhere into stardom.

One day nobody's talking to you, the
next day there's a world at your
feet.

She was hounded by reporters,

interviewers, columnists.
Helped along by me, of course.

She was a natural for publicity.
A real Cinderella story.

And all the time she was getting
thinner and more tired,

but she'd been working very hard,
and I thought it was just that.

I was too blind to even suspect
anything more serious

until one day in her dressing
room...

See you soon. Bye-bye.

Help me out of this.

It weighs a tonne.

Oh, what a day.
What a lovely, lovely day.

I've never worked so hard
in all my life.

Dolan's a regular sl*ve-driver,
but I love him for it.

Oh, I feel as light as air.

Does she have a temperature?

She's awfully hot.

You would be, too, under those
lights with all this armour on.

Let's have a wonderful party, Bill,
when the picture's over.

Yeah, we'll do that.

SHE BREATHES HEAVILY

Poor serious Bill.

He is so terribly serious.

He doesn't know how gay life can be,
how wonderful it...

SHE COUGHS

Get me that bottle, Mr Dunnigan.

Here, dear. Take this.

It's just some cough medicine
Dr Jennings has given me.

Dr Jennings?

I've been using my voice
so much lately -

all those long speeches -
10, 11 takes.

By the way, Miss Olga, the doctor's
office phoned.

He wants you to come in after work.
He'll wait for you.

Yes, I'll go. I told him you would.

Just think, Bill - three more days,
and the picture will be finished.

As soon as it's finished,

you're going down to Palm Springs
for a rest.

I'll arrange for a bungalow.

That would be wonderful, Bill.

You look so tired, you frighten me.

I don't see patients without
appointments,

but my nurse tells me
this is an emergency.

Maybe it is.

Doctor, I want to know what's wrong
with Olga Treskovna.

I don't discuss my patients
with strangers.

I'm not a stranger.

Is your name Dunnigan?
Yeah. How did you know?

I asked her as a matter of routine
her next of kin.

She filled in the name
of William Dunnigan.

How sick is she, Doctor?

She's a very sick girl, Mr Dunnigan.

She has been for a long time.

Coal dust weakened her lungs as
a child. We call that anthracosis.

It isn't always serious
if we get it in time.

I see.

But Olga has developed
tuberculosis.

Her X-rays are pretty bad.

She needs what we call
surgical rest.

She should have had this supervised
rest a long time ago.

If we could send her
to a sanitarium...

I tried to persuade her to,

but something seems to be
driving her.

She's determined to finish this
picture, even if it kills her.

Yeah, I know.

But she will get well?

If it's not too late.

Perhaps you and I, working together,
can save her.

There's always a chance.

No more than that, huh?

Well...

Thanks for telling me, Doctor.
Goodbye. Goodbye.

OLGA: Do you see over there where
that V-shaped cluster is?

Just to the right of it.
The bright one.

It's there to remind me
every night of where I'm going.

How is she? All right, I guess.

Everybody ready? Ready.

Start your background action.
Camera ready?

Ready. Take it up.

Background, action!

All right, roll it!

Action!

CROWD SHOUT

All right, cut! That's it!

Olga, I'm going to tell Dolan you're
not going to work any more today.

No. No, Bill. Please. Why?

Because you're all in, that's why.

There's just one more sh*t, then
it's finished, the whole picture.

Yeah, but look, baby, it doesn't
have to be finished today.

Marcus said we can pick up this last
sh*t tomorrow or next week.

Oh, please, Bill.

This is important to me.

Please.

We're ready, Miss Treskovna.

Coming.

Come along, Bill.

Here I am, Mike.

Oh. How are you?

Are you ready for the big scene?
Yes.

It's the last sh*t. Can you go
through to the finish? Yes.

OK. You're the best there is.

Get up there and give it all
you've got.

All right, put the chains
on her, boys.

Is the fire ready?

Yes, sir.

OK, let's turn them over.

Action!

All you who are here...

..I pardon you for what you do.

I am young, and I do not
know much of life,

but I know that this little place in
which I stand

is not the world.

There are places I've never seen

where men and women

are full of sweetness and hope.

I speak to them

out of the pain that comes.

Dream on.

Dream on of God and goodness.

Believe in truth and justice,

for the world is yours.

I will not die.

I will not die.

When the fire burns me,

my soul will remain

to sing the glory of God.

I will remain as a light,

a light for those in the dark.

My Jesus...

..bless him.

All right, cut!

APPLAUSE

DUNNIGAN: It was an inspired
performance.

The crowd knew it, and I knew it,
but it wasn't until the next day

that I realised it was more than a
performance

because it wasn't Joan dying,
it was Olga.

She d*ed the day after
the picture was finished.

I, uh...

I've decided not to release
Joan Of Arc.

I'm going to shelve the picture

and remake it when I can find the
proper person

to play the part again.

You're going to shelve it?

Marcus, you can't do that.

Nobody else will ever give you
a performance like that.

Don't argue with me, Bill.

I'm not going to release a picture
with a dead girl in it,

and that's final.

You've got to release it, Marcus.

Olga d*ed to make it.

She gave up her life to act in it,
to make something beautiful.

Where's your heart, Marcus?

You're a great guy. Do it for her.

I'm sorry, Bill. I can't.

If Olga had been a girl whom the
public had seen and known,

learned to love, I might be willing
to take a chance,

but they've never seen her before.

All they could be told would be that
they can't see her again.

We all gambled on an unknown
and lost.

We didn't know she was sick.

Now I'm going to take my losses,

and try again when I can recast the
part with an established star.

That's all, gentlemen.

I'm sorry, Bill.

She was a fine girl,

but my going bankrupt isn't going to
help her or you or me.

What are you going to do, Bill?

I'm taking her home.

That's what she wanted.

Take a rest for yourself.
You don't look well.

And then come back.

I don't think so, Marcus.

So long.

It's tough, Bill, but...it'll pass.

Everything does.

I don't think so.

It can't end like this.

But that's the way it did end -

picture shelved,

Olga's talent and beauty stuck away
in a vault...

..buried like we're going to bury
her.

It's kind of mean for a girl to have
two funerals,

one for her body

and one for her soul.

BELL RINGS

HE PRAYS IN LATIN

Church bells, aren't they, Father?

Yes.

What are they ringing for?

Why, they ring every day at noon
all over the world.

I guess I never listened.

They ring to remind us how the angel
of the Lord came to Mary.

Hey, I knew there was something I'd
forgotten.

It's been haunting me. Olga wanted
your church bell rung
at the funeral.

That's the kind of sap I am. I
almost forgot her last request.

I'd like to arrange that, Father.
Certainly. I'll tell the sexton.

Is it expensive? I just don't want
to short-change anybody.

We usually give the sexton $5.00,

and he rings the bell
for 15 minutes.

You've thought of something else?
Yeah.

Father, how many churches
are there in Coaltown?

Why, we have five churches.

Do they all have bells?

Well, yes. They have fine bells.

Five churches with bells, huh?

Mr Dunnigan, you're not thinking...
I'm thinking of a lot of things.

Yes, but you can't... Now, wait
a minute, Father.
This is pretty big.

I've been sleeping. I've been
walking around in a daze.

Look, Father. Five churches,
five bells.

I want all the bells to ring
at 8:00 tonight

and keep on ringing for three days.

But why? A brain cell moved finally.

I was sitting around moaning
like a beggar on a rainy day.

It's going to cost money.
What's going to cost money?

Ringing the bells for three
days and three nights.

You'll have to hire men
at so much per hour.

That will be taken care of. But you
told me you had no money.

You've heard of St Michael. Yes,
but I don't... He was a scrapper,
wasn't he?

Indeed. He was
the first warrior of Heaven.

He rescued Peter the Apostle
from prison twice

and fought and defeated Lucifer,
Prince of Darkness.

What are you worried about?

He's on our side, isn't he?

Sit down, Mr Dunnigan.

Thank you.

Father Spinsky,

I have been visiting
the churches of Coaltown.

St Leo's being the largest and most
important,

I saved it for last.

I've arranged to have their bells
rung starting at 8:00 tonight,

and I'd like to have
St Leo's bell included.

I'm doing this
to satisfy the dying wish

of someone dear to me.

It's unusual for St Leo's bell
to ring

for a funeral in St Michael's.

Oh, I appreciate that, Father,

and I'm ready to pay
for this unusual privilege.

I want the bell rung for three days
and three nights.

Three days and three nights?

Yes.

The other pastors have agreed that
$10 an hour would be satisfactory.

This is St Leo's, Mr Dunnigan.

We have much higher expenses
than the other little churches.

Oh, I can see that, Father.

How much will it cost?

I'm afraid St Leo's
could not ring its bell

for less than...$20 an hour.

I can understand that.

It must cost a lot to keep up this
magnificent church.

Now, that'll be a total of 72 hours
at $20 an hour.

That'd come to...

..$1,440. Is that right?

I don't carry
that much cash with me.

I assume a check will be all right?

If you haven't the cash...

..of course.

I'm honoured St Leo's
will be part of the...

..funeral services
for Olga Treskovna.

There you are. Thank you, sir.

Then it's agreed.

You'll start at 8:00 and ring
continuously

until the $1,440 are used up.

Yes, Mr Dunnigan.

You'll want a receipt? No, Father.

The cancelled cheque
will be my receipt.

Thank you. You've been very kind.

Good afternoon, Mr Dunnigan.

Oh, could I see you?

Just a minute.

Where do you want to go?
Nowhere. I want to send a telegram.

It's very important. The taxi driver
said you could handle it.

Well, come on in.

Oh, you come in yesterday
on the eastbound -

brought that body.

I want this sent straight.

Full rate, huh?

That'll come to something. Let's see
if I can read it.

I'm in a hurry to get that off.

Mister, if I can't read it,
I can't send it.

Let's see...

"Marcus Harris, Excelsior Studios,
Hollywood, Cal."

That's California, huh?
That's right.

"Dear Marcus, have terrific stunt
to save Joan Of Arc.

"Ask no questions. Wire...$10,000...

"immediately, care of Miners'
Bank and Trust Company,
Nanticoke, Pennsylvania..."

That's just a block down...
Yes, I know where it is.

Uh... "Must have it by noon.

"It will pay back $10 million...

"..gross for picture.
Doonigan is in great..."

That's Dunnigan.

"Dunnigan is in great form.

"Trust Dunnigan completely.

"Dunnigan is still world's greatest
press agent.

"Regards, Dunnigan."

Who's Dunnigan? I am.

You don't say?

I counted. It comes to $4.08.

There's 5.00. Keep the change and
buy yourself a drink.

Here's the number I want you to call
in Coaltown.

Call me when the answer comes
through. That comes to $4.08.

I paid you. Here's 5.00.

$10,000.

Nobody ever sent
$10,000 to Nanticoke.

I'll sure like to see
that return wire.

So will I. But just the two of us.

That's why I didn't phone it in.

Oh, yes, sir.
Get that right off, will you?

Yes, yes. This is something.

HORN HONKS

MAN HUMS

Where do you want to go now?

Back to Coaltown. Oh, I don't know
if we can make it.

HE HUMS

Hey, Sleski, you think
maybe I'd better drive?

No, I can drive all right.

CHURCH BELLS RING

What's the matter? I must have had
one too many.

I keep hearing a church bell.

Right on the dot - 8:00.

You hear that?

Yes, indeed.

Beautiful.

Sounds like all
the churches in town.

I never heard church bells ringing
in Coaltown at this time of night.

Hey, what's all the bells ringing
for? Is somebody dead?

Been going on since 8:00.

Yeah, but they wouldn't all be
ringing for somebody dead.

Hiya, Bob. What's going on in them
churches? Give me a beer, will you?

They've been ringing for ten
minutes.

Some dope must be getting married.
Guess again.

They're ringing all over town.

All I know is they started ringing
about 20 minutes ago,

and nobody's been able
to tell me why yet.

OK, I'll let you know.

That was the Nanticoke Journal.
Don't they know anything?

No, they don't know anything,
either.

BELLS CONTINUE RINGING

That's St Michael's.

St Leo's is ringing, too.

BELLS CONTINUE RINGING

Uh, uh, Mr Dunnigan? Yeah?

They're in there.

Who's in there? Newspapermen.
I stuck them in the parlour.

Newspapermen, huh? Thanks.

Mr Dunnigan? Yes.

I'm Tod Jones
from the Associated Press.

Briggs. Wilkes-Barre Sun.

Nanticoke - The Journal.
Tanner's my name.

Glad to see you, gentlemen.

We got a call from Nanticoke about
these bells. What's it all about?

Father Paul at St Michael's told us
to talk to you.

This is surprising, all this
interest.

I didn't think anyone outside of
Coaltown would notice the bells.

Who is this Olga Trotki - uh,
Treskovna?

She d*ed ten days ago in Hollywood.

She was an actress there -
a great actress, gentlemen.

When she d*ed, she wanted to be
brought back here

where she'd lived most of her life.

She wanted to be buried
beside her father.

Stan Truckee was sort
of a wandering minstrel.

He played the accordion and sang.

He was born with a gift
of laughter and song.

He passed these on
to his daughter.

She was a Hollywood star, eh?

Was she in any movies we've heard
of?

I don't see any reason for going
into that. Drink?

Yeah. Fine. Mr Cummer.

Yes? Will you bring a bottle of
bourbon and some glasses, please?

As I was saying, gentlemen, she'd
just finished making Joan Of Arc

for Marcus Harris.

You're Bill Dunnigan, aren't you?

"White spats" Dunnigan.

I haven't worn spats in quite a
while.

Well, fellas, this is really good.

You know who we're interviewing?
Bill Dunnigan, the press agent.

The big super-duper press agent.

I read an article about him.

He pulls big daffy stunts to put
over flop shows and movies.

So that's what's going on -
a press agent stunt.

Here you are, boys.

You must've thought we were a bunch
of rube journalists.

Bells ringing for three days.
Quite a gag.

If Marcus Harris really wants to put
over his picture,

tell him he can buy space
in the newspapers.

Maybe he hasn't heard about that gag
called...paid advertising.

I think I need this one.

OK, boys.

I was trying to pull a fast one,
but it's not what you're thinking.

Everything I told you is true.

How about the whole story?

The AP doesn't print press agents'
copy.

Maybe it's a press agent's story,
maybe it isn't.

Anyway, it's not going to hurt
you to listen as long as this bottle
holds out.

What I want to know is who's putting
up for the bells?

That's a fair question.

The bells are being paid for
by yours truly, Bill Dunnigan,
with the aid of four bad cheques

which I have sinfully given
the trusting clergy of Coaltown.

I've wired Harris for 10,000 to
cover me.

If he sends it, fine.
If he doesn't...

..our next meeting will be
in Coaltown's jail.

Why wouldn't he send it?

Because when Olga d*ed, he decided
to shelve the picture.

I'm doing this on my own. I figured
ringing the bells would be news -

he'd have to release it.

The public would demand it.
What's your interest in the picture?

I don't want to see Olga's talent
buried.

She d*ed for it.

You want to hear why she felt it
was worth dying for?

OK. Go ahead. sh**t.

I'll try to tell you
in her own words.

She finished the last scene in the
picture and collapsed.

They took her to the hospital
that night.

She was so bad, they wouldn't let me
see her.

But the next morning at daybreak,
they sent for me.

Hello, Bill. Hello, baby.

You tired?

Good long rest, and you'll be on
your feet again.

But you've got to take
it easy, hear?

No more of that getting there
in a hurry.

No more.

You're going to get better,
I'm telling you.

Shh. Shh. Bill.

Bill...

..will you promise me something?

Anything you want, baby.

I want to be buried in Coaltown,

beside my father and mother

on a hill

from St Michael's church.

Olga, don't talk like that.

And I want them
to ring the bell for me.

They didn't ring it for my father.

And six angels with white wings

beside the coffin.

Don't forget...

..St Michael's.

I like to think of the hill
outside of Coaltown.

I can see it.

Bill...

Is the picture really good?

It's wonderful. You're great in it.

I hope it's true...

..because I didn't play Joan alone.

A lot of people played her -

people you've never seen or heard.

My dad...

..and all the other poor,
sad people of Coaltown.

You'd better not talk, baby.

Let me talk, Bill,
a little while longer.

I want you to know
and remember why I did it,

why I kept on till this happened.

It's because all those poor people,

all the people I came from,

have hopes and dreams in them

that never get a chance.

They just work and die,

and all the nice things
inside them...never come out.

And, Bill...

..I came out of them.

When they hear me, they'll know...

..it's their own hearts speaking.

When they see my name shining
in all the theatres,

it will be something
of theirs shining.

Hang on, baby.

Hang on.

Oh, Bill, I'm...so happy.

I did my job.

Olga.

HE SOBS

BELLS RING

BELLS RING

Do you like them, Olga?

They're ringing your name, baby,

coast to coast.

KNOCK AT DOOR

Mr Dunnigan, newspapers.

Yeah. Come in. The door's open.

Here are the papers you ordered.

I put them on the bill, including
their delivery - $3.00.

Thanks. Father Spinsky's downstairs.
He wants to see you.

I'll be down as soon as I'm dressed.

Well, partner, we swept the country.
I got a wire from the office.

It went over big. Yeah? Father
Spinsky said it was important.

I'll be right down. Let me see one
of those.

Hey, Jonesy, get a load of this
Gazette. Not bad, eh? Wonderful.

"Born with the gift
of laughter and song,

"he passed these on
to his lovely daughter."

Thanks, Jonesy. Think nothing of it.

All that can happen is I get fired
and spend my life mooching drinks.

Hey, hey, hey, hey. Lookee, lookee,
lookee, fellas.

Oh, you've already seen them. Yeah.

Well, here's something
you don't know.

I heard it when
I was having breakfast.

The company's going to squawk.

The company? The mining interest.
The big company that runs this town.

Frederick Watson - that monstrous
house on the hill -

seems he doesn't like the bells.

Well, that's too bad.

Yeah, but it's serious.

He says they have a bad
psychological effect.

Takes the miners' minds off digging
coal.

Claims the bells are a nuisance.

He can't think straight, so he's
going to protest.

What can he really do?

Plenty. Seems he's the one who gave
that bell to St Leo's.

He can stop that one easy,
then force the others to quit

as a public nuisance.

Did Los Angeles carry our story?

Big. No wire from Marcus.
I don't understand it.

Or what's worse, maybe I do.

If Marcus doesn't kick through...

Don't let me think such thoughts.

You perhaps do not
realise, Mr Dunnigan,

how many friends Olga's father had
in Coaltown.

I met a number of them
in Mr Orloff's establishment.

All of them will want to attend
the funeral.

St Michael's would
never accommodate them.

Oh, good morning, Father Paul.

Good morning. Good morning,
Father Spinsky.

Did you see your name
in the paper?

St Michael is spread
over every front page.

I haven't had time to
read anything, Bill.

The most unusual thing happened -
really remarkable.

I mean, this morning at Mass.

You've already had Mass?
Before breakfast?

Yes. There were nearly 100 of them.

They came to view the coffin,
but they stayed for Mass.

I was just talking
of that, Father Paul.

I fear your little church
will be overtaxed.

There's a busload of sightseers in
from Wilkes-Barre already.

As a matter of fact, we're really
not equipped.

We've already run out of candles,
but I hope to find some.

I'm sure Father Spinsky
has some he can spare.

It must be clear to you,
Mr Dunnigan,
from what you've just heard,

that it would be wise and sensible
to move Olga to St Leo's

and let us conduct the funeral
from my church.

Perhaps it would be better, Bill.

If you wish to alter
your arrangements,

I won't stand in your way
or Father Spinsky's.

No, Father Paul.

Olga is going to be buried
from St Michael's.

I'm not altering
our arrangement.

Well, then you've got to tell him.

I hoped not to be forced into
this position.

I came here eager to be of service.

Both of us.

Please, Mr Orloff.

However,

I must now read you this telegram
which our bank received

from the Gotham Exchange
bank this morning.

"In reply to your query

"regarding financial rating,
William Dunnigan,

"he has account at this bank.
"Present balance $300."

I shall telephone
your bank again at noon.

If the money
is not in your account,

the bell of my church
will stop ringing,

and I shall inform my fellow pastors
of your swindle,

and they will also stop their bells.

Good day.

I'm notifying the town constable
just what's going on.

You had your chance
to stay out of jail,

but you were too smart.

Please, Mr Orloff.

You know, Bill, St Leo's is
a very fine church,

and she'd have a wonderful sermon
and...

Run out on St Michael's? Oh, no,
Father, forget it.

Hey, uh, Father, how much is the bus
fare to Nanticoke?

Uh, it's 10 cents.

$1.00 ought to cover it, then.

But I don't understand, Bill.

Look, Father, don't make it
difficult.

I'm putting the bite
on you for $1.00.

Oh, of course.

Thanks. Will that be enough?

Not quite. I need another 4,999,

but I may be able to pick it up
in Nanticoke. See you later.

Are you sure there isn't
a night letter

lying around Wilkes-Barre?

I've asked him five times. Oh,
that's impossible. He's got to
answer.

Try him again, will you?

Nope. Nothing.

People don't break their neck
giving $10,000 away.

Is that clock up there right?

Uh...yep.

MACHINE CLICKS

Ah, here comes something.

For me?

Uh...

..yep. Yep. Prepaid.

From Harris?

Shh.

Hey, wait. I can't read that.

Shh. Please.

Is he sending the money? Shh!

I can't make that out.
What is that, code or something?

Ah.

Go on, read it.

"William Dunnigan,
Coaltown, Pennsylvania.

"Have sent $5,000
to bank in Nanticoke

"as requested."

Cut you down, didn't he?

I expected that. They always do.
Go on. What's the rest?

"As settlement in full of your
unexpired contract with me.

"Never mind about saving the
picture.

"My decision not to release it
until remade with another star

"still stands. Marcus Harris."

Thanks.

Uh, the bank
is just a block down...

I know where it is.

Harris came through, eh?

Yeah. Here's his wire.

He's not sold yet.

We need something big. I've got to
get him boiling over.

If we could only get some new angle
to hand the papers.

We're hitting him with a human
interest story only - bells ringing.

Unless we get something big
to go with the bells,

they're worth a box
on page three.

We've got to cook up some new
coast-to-coast headlines.

Well, boys, you can calm down.
The party's over.

Listen while you can. They're mighty
pretty, aren't they?

They won't be ringing long.
What's up? The company.

Mr Watson's filed a protest.

He's on his way to Father Spinsky's
to stop St Leo's bell.

No. He can't do that.

St Michael, you've got
to stop this Watson.

St Michael can't do anything.
The company's too big.

Mr Watson's too important.

There must be somebody more
important.

The governor, maybe, or there's
always the president.

That's it.

Father Paul, do you know
the governor of this state?

Why, no. Only his name.

I don't know the governor, Dunnigan,
but his secretary Fred Frisby

is my wife's cousin.

Can I use the phone? Certainly.

Don't worry.
I'll pay the charges.

I'm not worried.
Merely bewildered.

Hello, Hattie?
This is Bill Dunnigan.

Look, this is an emergency.

Can you get me right through?

I want to talk to Fred Frisby
in the governor's mansion in...

What's the capital of the
state? Harrisburg. Harrisburg.
Yes, I'll hold on.

"Day of mourning
for Olga Treskovna.

"Pennsylvania governor
issues proclamation.

"All denominations
to observe star's funeral."

I've never seen a campaign like this
in all my born days.

It'll all be over Friday
after the funeral.

I know. I understand.

How much did he wire for?
Another 5,000.

We can't release Joan for months.

By then this publicity will be
as dead as Olga.

People don't remember funerals.

It's grown bigger every day.

But it can't go on, Marcus. I
told you yesterday,

it's just a flash in the pan.

It helps us in no way.

PHONE RINGS

Hello.

This is Mr Harris speaking.

Oh, hello, Danny.

Yes.

What?

That's wonderful.

I'm sincerely delighted to hear
that.

Goodbye.

Well, gentlemen, that settles it.

Miss Genevieve James is available.

I was beginning to hope we could go
ahead as Dunnigan wanted.

Ah, but you're right.

We'll remake Joan with a great
actress in the part.

It'll be a better picture, I'm sure.

More legitimate sales campaign.

Miss Mulhauser, take a wire
to William Dunnigan,
Nanticoke, Pennsylvania.

That's mighty pretty
writing, Tanner.

Take a look at this
subcolumn head. Detroit.

Yeah. If Harris doesn't soften up
after all this...

Mr Dunnigan, more telegrams.

Oh, thanks.

You've done a wonderful job, boys.

I don't know how to thank you.

Des Moines.

Signed picture article
for the Sunday magazine.

It must be almost 3:00. Why don't
you fellas knock off?

Good idea. I think I'll toddle off
to bed.

Sounds good to me.

Hey, wait a minute.

BELLS RING

What's the matter, Bill, bad news?

No. Someone wants to hire me.

They think I'm pretty good.
Well, goodnight. See you tomorrow.

Yeah.

Thanks for a swell fight, boys.

THINKS: Well, baby,

we didn't do so good.

You won't ever act for anybody...

but me.

I'll hear you.

Nobody else.

You can quit shining, baby.

It's no dice.

I let you down.

BELLS RING

BELLS CONTINUE RINGING

BELLS CONTINUE RINGING

The statues -
look, they're moving!

Look at them.

The statues are turning.

They're turning.

They're turning.

They're looking at the pulpit.

It's a miracle.

It's a miracle. Merciful Father.

They're looking at the coffin.

They turned to the altar.

Father, have mercy.

Have mercy, Father.

Have mercy.

Mercy.

BELLS CONTINUE RINGING

Father Paul.

He's down there.

In the basement, sir.

Father Paul.

I saw it, Father Paul.

I was in the back of the church.

I saw the statues turn.

Yes, I know, I know.

I started the bells ringing as a gag

to get them to release Olga's
picture,

but I didn't do that upstairs.

I had nothing to do with it. I know.

The statues turned by themselves

and looked at Olga.

Yes. I've been
investigating it here.

Investigating what?

The statues turning.

Look. You can see. See what?

The ground is broken, Bill,

at the base of this pillar

and all the way across, over to the
base of the other.

These two pillars
support the statues.

Are you trying
to knock out the miracle?

There wasn't any miracle, Bill.

There are a lot of old mineshafts
under here.

The earth isn't too solid.

The movement of the pillars made
the statues turn.

That's it, huh? Yes.

At first I was worried
about the floor above.

It was just a slight sinking of the
earth.

I had to make sure, Bill.

It wasn't a miracle.
The pressure did it.

What pressure?

Of the people above who came to look
at the coffin.

Our flooring is unused to such
crowds.

What are you going to do, Father?

I'm going up to tell them the truth.

You know the truth?

Yes.

Wait a minute, Father.

You're not going to tell them
about those mineshafts?

I must tell the truth, Bill.

The church doesn't accept miracles

without investigating them
carefully.

It's my duty to tell them.

It's your duty to take the light
out of their faces?

I saw them when it happened.

I saw those poor, bitter faces
shining as if someone had turned
a light on inside them,

and I heard them giving thanks

to the somebody
who had turned the statues.

Now you're going upstairs

and ask them to thank
a couple of basement pillars

and a piece of broken ground.

Look, Father Paul,

maybe I want a miracle
because I'm a press agent,

but I'm not thinking of
putting over a movie now.

Whoever turned those statues

wasn't selling a picture
for Marcus Harris.

I tell you, Father,

God was trying to say,
"Life's all right.

"It's not as bad as it seems.

"I'm up here watching
and trying to help."

If he didn't say it, if nobody up
there said it,

it's been said, because it's
in their hearts now.

It'll go out all over the world.

And if God doesn't speak like that
out of Heaven,

he'll be speaking
out of people's hearts.

And what's the difference
where he speaks from?

Your job isn't
to hide his word, is it?

BELLS CONTINUE RINGING

No, it isn't to hide his word.

The saints came to Joan of Arc
because she believed in God

and wanted to help
the people of France.

Olga believed in God just as much.

She wanted to help
the people of Coaltown

just as much.

Give her the chance, Father Paul.

Come with me, Bill.

BELLS RING

Something strange
and wonderful has happened.

The faces of the Blessed Virgin

and St Michael

have turned to look on one
who lies among us in a coffin.

I will not speak of what
made the statues turn.

Others will tell you
the answer to that later.

I speak to you

of no other miracle
than the one we know -

the miracle of the Olgas
of the world...

..of those who live and dream

only to bring Heaven
into our lives,

if it is no more than
a smile of fellowship

or a moment of beauty.

Olga d*ed for this,

that the world might see

through her toil and sacrifice

the beauty there was

in the tired and lonely
hearts of her people.

I know what makes a saint,

and I also know what makes
a beautiful human being.

Such a one lies now at our feet.

Let us pray for her.

ORGAN PLAYS

PRAYING IN LATIN

This is Jones
of the Associated Press.

Get me the AP in New York and
reverse the charges. Hurry up.

Just a moment.

"Coaltown, Pennsylvania -
"the little mining town

"which is already the focus
of national attention

"as a result of its church bells
ringing

"for the funeral of Olga Treskovna

"is today the scene
of a new sensation.

Shortly before Mass began

in the church of St Michael,

two large marble statues weighing
many hundreds of pounds were seen
to move and turn

as if to look at the coffin of Olga,
which lies before the altar.

All who saw the turning of the
statues

are convinced that it was a miracle.

Explanations are being offered

that a movement of earth
beneath the church,

which is honeycombed
with old mining tunnels,

moved the pillars
on which the statues stand.

The bishop is sending
a representative

to Coaltown to investigate.

But whether miracle or not
attended Olga's coffin,

the life of this young actress

reads like the story
of a latter-day saint.

HE KNOCKS

Mr Harris.

Mr Harris.

Sorry to break in
like this, Mr Harris.

Something tremendous has happened.

There's a mob of newspaper reporters
downstairs.

What's happened? What are you
talking about?

The miracle. A tremendous miracle!

Wh-what miracle? Where?

In Coaltown.

Oh, no, don't tell me.

This is too much.

Listen, Marcus, a miracle has
happened to Olga Treskovna.

I won't hear such bunk.
It's sacrilegious.

If Dunnigan thinks... It
isn't Dunnigan.

Two huge stone statues at the altar
looked at Olga in her coffin.

What do you mean, it isn't Dunnigan?

Do you think God is interested
in selling movies for me?

I never heard such bunk,
and you believe it.

The whole country believes it.

Let me explain... Don't explain
anything. This time Dunnigan's gone
too far.

Miracles.

We're signing Genevieve James,
so he pulls a miracle.

When a man starts fooling people
about religion,

starts faking miracles
as a press agent's stunt,

I'm through with him.

This is the real thing.

The statues turned. People saw.

They paid someone to turn them.

Don't you believe in miracles?

You've just made a picture about
one, Joan of Arc.

I believe in miracles.

I was brought up to believe in God
and in miracles...

..if he made them,

but the difference is as follows -

Moses didn't pay anyone to hold back
the Red Sea,

Daniel didn't pay to get
out of the lion's den,

and Jonah didn't pay to get out of
that whale.

I won't stand for any press agent
miracles.

I'm going downstairs
and expose Dunnigan

and tell those newspaper people
he's the biggest faker in America!

Here it is on the radio.

RADIO: Here's the distinguished
correspondent

Mr Quentin Reynolds, who has flown
here to report on the amazing
happening

in the church of St Michael
the Archangel.

Mr Reynolds.

REYNOLDS: The whole country is
asking,

"Did a miracle occur in Coaltown?"

But here in the little mining
community, no-one asks that
question.

Every man, woman, and child here

believes that the grace
of God has touched them.

To them, a miracle has happened.

What is a miracle? The word
"miracle" comes from the Latin,

and it means, "a wonderful thing."

Well, most certainly a wonderful
thing has happened here,

something so wondrous that it has
torn the bitterness and the doubts

from the hearts of the people
and brought them back to God.

Whether this is a miracle or not -

that's up to the church authorities
to decide,

but I do know this - when Olga
Treskovna was brought home,

a wonderful thing happened,

and everyone here is convinced that
somehow divine providence

is blessing Coaltown and the people
in it.

BELLS RING

It'll take some time
to answer all these letters,

and tomorrow there'll be more.

You don't answer them. You get
a secretary to answer them.

A secretary?

Oh, no. They were written to me.

We are being given a new organ,
a new roof for the church,

a dozen new altar cloths,

and two stained glass windows,

and my desk is full
of cheques for the poor,

and the world has come
to St Michael's to pray.

I must thank you, Bill.

Thank me?

Isn't that a little funny coming
from you?

You mean you still
believe in the miracle?

I've been standing in the church
most of the day.

I haven't sent out a line of copy.

You remember when I told you

how I couldn't tell Olga what I
felt?

This is the second time in my life
I've been dumb.

I can't tell the world this.

That's how I know it's real, Father,

because I'm no good at selling
anything that's real.

I guess I'm through here.

You're through?

Mr Bill Dunnigan, you're just
beginning.

Marcus! I'm happy to see you.

Hello, Marcus. Hello, fellas.

This is Father Paul.
Mr Harris, Mr Wilde, Mr Tanby -

straight from Hollywood.

I'm very glad to know you.

Father.

Bill, I'm a man who knows
when he's licked. You win -

you, Father Paul,
St Michael, Olga...

..a couple of statues.

We've decided to release the picture
as quickly as possible.

You have, huh? We're going to put
Olga Treskovna

into theatres in every city
in the country.

You're going to make the picture
a tremendous success, Bill.

I'll tell you what she's going to
do, your Olga...

..she's going to build
a hospital for Coaltown,

the biggest, the best
that money can buy.

A clinic for her people

for the study of this
disease from which she d*ed,

so that someday soon there
will be no such disease -

people won't be dying from it -

because Olga Treskovna
d*ed for them,

worked and d*ed for them.

This is a great thing
you're doing, Mr Harris.

It's beyond anything
any of us dreamed.

Maybe.

I don't know how
all this started, but...

..in my religion,

when something happens
that makes the world

a little better place
that it was before,

then I know that God had something
to do with it.

I don't ask any questions.

In my religion, too, Mr Harris.

CHURCH BELLS RING

OLGA: When they hear me,

they'll know it's
their own hearts speaking,

and when they see my name
shining in all the theatres,

it'll be something
of theirs shining.

I am so happy.

I did my job.