When the sun starts to dip in the Hollywood Hills
the light often takes on the saturated loveliness of color by Technicolor.
The homes of the movie stars in the late 1930s,
said to be fabulous, were.
And the cocktails and dinner gatherings saw the film colonies crème de la crème
draining highballs , exchanging rumors,
making deals and trading gossip.
No A-list affair was complete without the presence of Phil Stern,
one of the towns most high powered agents
and his lovely wife, Karen.
Brilliant and dynamic, Stern could invariably be found holding court.
I saw Paul Muni on stage in New York
and I was the first one to determine that he could do films.
I pegged it. I saw him long before anyone else knew he would be a film actor.
- You had the idea? - I knew that he could make the transition.
What was his quality?
Watch the spilling please.
It's a good party.
Excuse me.
- A telephone call, Mr. Stern. - For me?
I better take this. I'm expecting a call from Ginger Rogers.
I told her I could be reached here.
She's not happy with her representation, so who knows?
Phil Stern here.
Phil, it's Rose.
Rose?
Your sister!
How did you find me here?
Your housekeeper gave me the number.
What's wrong?
Bobby quit Marty's jewelry business.
- And he's coming to Hollywood.
I was hoping you could find something for him in your agency.
Who?
Bobby.
My son.
Your nephew.
Phil.
We're talking to Warner Brothers for next summer if they get the rights to the book.
- And Bette Davis would be perfect.
If they get the rights to the book, we'll talk.
Until that happens, trying to make that deal is like trying to light a wet match.
- Let me just get off this call. - Get off the phone, we'll sit down.
- Hello? Yes? - He does not know a soul out there.
So what the hell is he coming out here for?
I mean, I don't know what I can do for him,
meanwhile this call is costing you a fortune.
Look...
I gotta go.
Ginger Rogers is trying to get in touch with me.
Two weeks later, a cab from the train station
pulls up in Hollywood at the Ali Baba Motel.
And emerging from it was a young man hoping to make a life for himself.
This was Robert Jacob Dorfman.
Bobby Dorfman, from the Bronx,
away from home for the first time.
The son of the poor jeweler, Marty Dorfman,
and his beleaguered wife, Rose.
His parents bickered on all subjects, particularly Phil Stern.
He's not a Jewish man...
And what are you?
You're no example.
You don't prey, you don't fast...
and you don't have a traditional Jewish head.
You're stupid!
Then there was the middle sister Evelyn, the school teacher...
married to Leonard, the intellectual,
the professor, the Communist.
"Religion is the opium of the people."
A ponderer of big questions.
A mench,
A match made in heaven for Evelyn.
Finally there was the eldest brother, Ben.
Simply put, Ben was a gangster.
Bobby loved his brother
and chose to see Ben's livelihood as the restaurant supply business.
But while Ben serviced bars and nightclubs...
there was a darker aspect to his life.
And so, on a sun drenched day on Wilshire Boulevard,
Bobby Dorfman approaches the office of his Uncle Phil Stern.
Hi, I'm here to see Phil Stern.
- You have an appointment? - I do...
I'm Bobby Dorfman, his nephew.
He is actually in conference at the moment.
Why don't you have a seat.
Mr Dorfman?
- Yes? - Mr Stern will not be available today.
There's a little bit of a crisis that's come up.
Can you come back Friday?
Er, that's three days away.
Yes, the 19th.
Thank you.
Always to Sid
I'm sorry,
Mr Stern had to leave for Acapulco.
He said to tell you he had promised the trip to his wife for her birthday.
Christ, he went from Mexico to Chicago on business
I'm here 3 weeks, I can't get near him...
It's M.G.M., it's Ginger Rogers, it's Ronald Coleman...
That's why Phil Stern is a big man.
He'll be back so make the best of it.
Here, your brother, he came over for potato pancakes.
Take the phone.
Hey pal, you bored already?
I was there for 3 weeks, that's why I never go back.
It's sunny and warm but it's not New York. I don't know anybody here.
here they call danish "sweet rolls" and they give you coffee before you eat...
the minute you sit down, even before the orange juice.
Let me give you some phone numbers. Ok hang on...
Toni White, Klondike 0079.
She knows lots of girls.
I know you're shy. You don't have to make conversation...
Just pay em' $20 bucks.
She knows some beauts.
Hey, I'm not paying for it. There's nothing sexy about a commercial transaction.
You're right kid, its the worst but some nights it's the only game in town.
Good bye.
He's a good kid, he'll do ok.
Meanwhile her phoney brother is giving him the runaround.
He is busy!
You don't know what is is to be busy!
The man eats with Fred Astaire and Gary Cooper.
I'm impressed.
Here.
Good pancakes. Buy yourself a hat.
What's this?
1500$ ?
So go to Florida a few days.
I don't want this money if it came from anything fishy.
My partner and I might buy a nightclub. Would it make
you feel better if I was in the nightclub business?
As long as it's all above board.
- When will you know? - We have to see if the owner will sell.
We're trying to persuade him.
If you ask politely, people listen.
I'm at the Ali Baba Motel,
it's on Grace and Yucca...
It's room 222, I'm Bobby Dorfman, so...
10.15?
That seems fine, 10.15.
No, I don't care... No, of course not...
Blond, brunette ... whatever.
Great. I'll be waiting.
This is the room you want.
Your dig got my room by mistake.
Oh God, oh sorry!
Hi, come on in. Sorry, sorry...
Jesus. What the hell did you do?
I'm sorry, I wrote it down wrong.
I live here so now everybody has to know.
- Do I look like a working girl? - Look at yourself, are you kidding me?
Where were you ? I'm ready to go to sleep.
I know, I know my car got a flat. I'm sorry I'm late. My name's Candy.
You're late, you get the wrong room ...
I could use one.
Yeah? Fine help yourself.
You know, I do not usually do this.
Oh, can I let you in on a secret?
I've never taken money before so we're both in the same boat.
What are you saying, this is your first job?
It is...
so if I seem a little disorganized...
My god. Tony sent you over here and you're not even a real pro.
Not yet.
You don't have any qualms about going down this road?
I need a job.
My acting career is not going anywhere...
Ok, but think.
I need the money.
You know what...
You don't have to sleep with me but I'll give you the money.
No it's ok. I've made up my mind.
I don't want it on my conscience, it's too much for me.
It's alright, I'm willing.
Willing? thank you very much, like taking medicine?
No, you're not some big fat schiener.
Hey look, you're nervous and now you're making me nervous.
I'm not nervous to go to bed. I actually just got out of a pretty hot romance...
But I've never paid anyone to do it with me before.
Incidentally I need the $20 in advance.
There's nothing sexy about the two of us going through the motions...
Take the money and go.
Don't you want to try me?
I'm so lonely I would have been happy just to talk but now I'm too tired for that.
Am I not attractive?
You're ok, you're fine, it's me I have a headache.
This town is full of fantastic looking girls.
They come from all over looking to get into the movies.
So you don't want to go to bed with me?
I'm not in the mood, sorry. I lost it.
Oh Jesus, don't cry.
Come on, if it's going to kill you we'll do it.
All I ask is that we turn the lights out.
I got a feeling this line of work is not really right for you.
Hey look...
I came over here a little late...
but now it's you that's backing down.
Because you're making me tense. Give me the bottle I need another drink.
Maybe if we just took our clothes off and got into bed.
No I can't, it's too mechanical. Here, just take the $20.
Forget it, I'll go. I'm sorry I screwed everything up.
I'm sorry too. I should never have started this, it's not really my style.
Don't be upset. It has nothing to do with your looks. Don't take it personally.
- You don't want to do it? - If it's so important to you we'll do it!
Come on. We'll do it. Let's go.
Come on.
Here, take the money.
So what is your name, Cindy?
It's Candy.
Candy?
Is that a real name? What is that? Candice?
No, not really...
But it's a sexy name don't you think?
It's ok.
My real name is Shirley.
Shirley Garfein.
You're a Jew?
Yeah, so?
A Jewish hooker. Is this a first?
Don't act so shocked. I'm not going to make a career of it.
Take the $20 and go. Please go.
Oh no, what's wrong?
Nothing, I just, can't....
Please? Are you sure?
I'm very sure. It was nice to meet you. Please don't talk to anyone on the way out.
- I'm sorry. - It's fine.
It's just down this hall.
Come in! Come in!
Sorry I've been so hard to get to.
I've been going through all this Howard Hawks thing at Chicago.
That's okay, Uncle Phil.
Sit.
So...
what's the story?
Rose tells me you want to live out here?
Yes.
I could not go on in my father's business...
It was stultifying. I want to do something more interesting with my life.
Hello? Hi Paul.
Yeah it's a mess down there. Adolphe Menjou is threatening to walk off the picture.
I'll give you the details Friday. You'll be at the poker game, right?
Alright, we'll talk then.
I'm tied up right now.
Great.
You can't believe the last couple of weeks...
Christ, it's all about ego. This town runs on ego.
I'm Bobby. Ben is my brother though, so it's understandable.
So, what the hell...
What can I do for you?
Hold on...
Oh Jesus what?
Absolutely. Yes.
Lunch on Friday at the Brown Derby.
And bring Harry because I agree Joel McCrea would be perfect to play the lead.
Absolutely, see you Friday.
And don't disappoint me by canceling with some phoney excuse.
What do you think of Joel McCrea?
I think he's a great movie star.
What I like about Joel is he can play drama and give me the light touch...
Great range...
So? What are you plans? Are you planning on staying out here?
I thought if you know of something I can get started with? Something at your agency?
Here, like what?
I don't know. Like something...
I kind of need a job.
We have nothing here at the moment, if you're talking about the mail room.
The mail room? Yeah...
Sure, something to begin with.
If something comes in the mail room I could let you know.
There is nothing here now then?
Unless...
I put you on working for me.
We can come up with some title...
I always have some errands to run...
I'll do anything.
You know anybody in town?
No, I don't.
Hotel life is the worst right?
Karen and I will invite you over for dinner...
we have these parties...
Sunday brunches, we'll invite you. You'll meet some nice people.
Vonnie, come in here can you?
Check in with me each day and I'll have some odd jobs for you to do.
This is so nice of you Uncle Phil.
Stop with the "Uncle". It's Phil.
We don’t want to over emphasis the nepotism.
Bobby. This is my nephew.
He just moved out here...
Maybe you could help get him orientated.
Show him the town. Right now he's at sea.
Absolutely.
Anytime this weekend? Are you free Saturday?
Yes, great.
Fantastic. Very nice to meet you.
When you leave I'll get your information.
She looks nice.
Dear Evelyn, just a note to say hello.
I'd call more frequently but between Mom and Dad and you and Ben...
the long distance calls are probably bankrupting everybody.
Ben sent me a few bucks so I'm managing.
I gotta job with Uncle Phil...
not much of a job but he's going to have me to dinner and introduce me to some contacts.
His secretary is going to show me around this weekend.
She is very pretty.
Dear Bobby,
It's raining here today.
Very pretty, but a bit melancholy.
Leonard says it's the poignancy of life:
and not only do we have to embrace it's meaninglessness...
but celebrate life because it has no meaning.
It's too deep for me but Mom always boils it down to...
"Live every day like it's your last.
"And someday you'll be right."
- Thank you very much for driving. - Of course.
- So? - So...
So where shall we start?
The Beverly Hills homes? The fancy-smancy movie stars homes?
Great. I'm game.
This is Spencer Tracy's house.
I think it's one of the prettiest ones. It's not all done up.
And wait, who is that one?
I don't know.
A little pretentious though, don't you think?
Is it?
To me these all seem like the Taj Mahal.
I know the feeling.
And here is where Joan Crawford lives.
It takes your breath away. Look at that car.
- You know I met Miss Crawford once? - Really?
She is a client of your Uncle's.
- What is she like? - Beautiful.
You really knew why she was a movie star. She was larger than life.
I can not imagine what it would be like to be larger than life.
Sure it would be fun for a while...
I think I'd be happier being life sized.
This is Robert Taylor's house.
If you could choose one house to live in on the block...
which would you pick?
I don't think I would choose Beverly Hills.
Why not ?
I love living by the beach, you know...
My apartment is just a short ride from the ocean. I get to stare at it all day...
I feel sorry for these people, needing to feel important in these big houses.
I talk like this now...
I'm the same as every other girl in town with all the same ambitions, but...
You wanted to be a movie star?
I liked acting.
In school.
Where was school?
Nebraska.
I thought I'd come to Hollywood and live in one of these big houses with a swimming pool...
hob-knob with all the glamorous types.
Go to openings...
You grow up and...
quickly realize if you have half a brain what a silly life that can be.
Lovely, charming,
and uncorrupted by the values of a seductive city,
that worshiped fame and box-office records,
Vonnie enchanted him,
although he was too scared to ask if she had a boyfriend.
To quote his brother, the great philosopher:
"Some questions you don't wanna know the answers to."
Meanwhile, he labored at the trivial errands his Uncle had him doing.
and it was only the thought that she was free again the following Saturday
and he could see her...
that gave him something to look forward to.
- Here you go two beers. - Thank you sir.
Wow that movie!
- I loved it, did you like it? - Yeah, of course.
Barbara Stanwyckis really one of my favorites.
This place is great and you were not kidding when you said it was a joint.
It's not the Brown Derby or Chasen's,
where you have to make an entrance or sit at the right table...
next to Mr. Goldwyn or James Cagney.
Have you ever heard Mr. Goldwyn speak?
He sounds like a comic.
He's accent is extreme. It's hilarious.
I didn't expect that.
What are you thinking?
Just that...
you're very beautiful.
Thank you.
I don't think that a very good idea actually...
I'm seeing someone.
Oh. What's he like?
Doug is a journalist.
I just thought, since you have so much free time on your hands...
He travels a lot.
And I really like spending my time with you if that's ok...
You're very sweet. Have you heard that before?
You have this deer in the headlights quality.
Thank you.
If I was your boyfriend, I would not travel.
Or if I did I would take you with me.
I hope he knows how to kiss you and all the rest...
It's between us.
I'm just looking out for your best interests.
- Thank you! - I am.
- What would I do without you ? - I dunno.
Honey!
- You know Karen. - Actually we never really met.
Phil speaks very highly of you...
He's been meaning to invite you to one of our brunches for the longest time
Thank you so much and I appreciate everything he's done for me.
I may have some good news for you...
I thought I saw Joan Blondell here. Is that possible?
She's around here somewhere.
I hear Louis is going absolutely out of his mind...
because his new picture is gonna bomb.
Spencer is great. Spencer is always great. Am I right?
They'll never see their money back.
Gentlemen, say hello to Bobby Dorfman.
Hi, how are you?
Mike was just saying what a bath M.G.M.'s gonna take with their new film.
Howard, Rad, Steve, come on over here!
It's not the best news of your life?
Howard Fox, Bobby Dorfman.
Howard's a two time academy award winner.
- Wow, congratulations! - Thank you.
If you've never heard of me I am writer.
Rad Taylor, Bobby Dorfman.
Rad and Steve are New Yorkers, just like you.
Steve runs our New York law firm.
I do run their New York law firm
but I have a question for you Phil...
you said that during this trip I could meet Greta Garbo. Where is she?
Oh, she's impossible.
She's alone somewhere, there's where she is!
- Bobby, who would you like to meet? - Er, Babe Ruth.
Present company excepted.
I don't care how many men she sleeps with, she'll never get that part.
Have you seen her in a bathing suit?
Huge thighs. Not M.G.M.thighs.
It is your faithful Hollywood reporter calling like he said he would...
Yes, yes it's me.
I think you're actually lucky that your boss doesn't invite you to these things...
It is everything that you can't stand, its...
all industry talk and name dropping and catty backstabbing.
Yeah but there are a few faces that you'd recognize from the screen.
Oh, me ?
I'm kinda half bored, half fascinated, I'm...
I would trade it for Tacos with you at that little Mexican joint.
Yeah, I'm sure if you were here we'd have a million wicked laughs together.
Yeah but, no of course, go...
No, no. I will speak to you later.
If you look closely I'm in there.
These photos are incredible. I recognize so many famous faces.
Keep going until you get to a unknown 10 year old.
What? No, is this you?
That's me, right next to DW Griffith.
Oh my goodness!
I grew up in this town but thank god I married a confirmed New Yorker.
Oh yeah, that's right. What do you do there?
I run a modeling agency.
Oh really?
Are there are more beautiful girls in Hollywood or New York?
Why? Is that how you'll decide where you'll live?
No, I'm just curious.
There's more out here.
I'm sure you'll have no trouble finding suitable companionship.
Unfortunately the most beautiful woman I've met out here already has a boyfriend.
That's life!
That's why Rodgers & Hart get rich.
Sorry, I think I'm a little drunk. I've never mixed champagne and bagels before.
Welcome to Hollywood.
What do you do?
Menial errands are my specialty but I don't see a big future in it.
- We met down stairs. - Absolutely.
he's a fellow New Yorker suffering from unrequited love...
Oh no. Unrequited love kills more people per year than tuberculosis.
I believe you!
- I'm kidding! - I know, but it sounds...
If you ever find yourself back in New York and you're still broken hearted...
call us and I will introduce you to any number of eligible young goddesses...
who, believe me, are just as lonely as you...
despite their fabulous measurements!
Thank you, maybe I'll take you up on that.
Listen Bobby, If you're bored out here we can always invite you to a screening of...
a new film I've wisely invested in last week.
Really? I would love to go.
- Does that sound good? - Yes, of course. thank you so much.
Bring your girlfriend if you can pry her loose from her lover!
There you are! I was looking for you.
I have some good news.
Vonnie...
Hi. You free tonight ?
I'm not.
You sure? I was hoping to take you out to celebrate.
- Celebrate what? - I got a promotion.
And a raise. I'm going to be reading scripts.
That is fantastic!
I'm so happy for you!
I was hoping to take you to a screening. I got invited by...
some big producer.
Can I take a rain check?
Yes! Of course, but I was hoping to buy you champagne.
How about dinner on...
Wednesday?
Yes Ok...
Dinner it is.
I'll take you someplace very fancy.
I will have to get all dressed up...
maybe we can stay at your place? And I can cook for us.
You cook?
I don't make pheasant or souffle or anything like that, but ...
I can manage spaghetti and meatballs?
Yes, that's great.
You can play me those Jazz records I've been dying to hear...
My mother cooks spaghetti and meatballs...
but when a Jew cooks something it's always overcooked.
they wanna make sure to kill all the germs, so...
I think I'll prefer yours!
It was his first experience of a private screening in a producers home...
and it was a good movie.
And he wished Vonnie could have been there with him to share it.
But she had warned him from the start she had a boyfriend.
Sorry I'm late. There was traffic, can you believe it?
Late or on time you always look beautiful to me.
Could I have a white wine please?
I'm sure it's just the candlelight.
I've made up my mind...
I'm going to have a talk with Karen as soon as she gets back from Toronto.
Her Mother is much better.
Are you sure this is what you want?
I can't go on sneaking around...
grabbing moments with you in hotel rooms and dark bars.
I'm in love with you.
You've been saying that, I just don’t want to feel that I've broken up...
your marriage.
I want to be honest,
Karen and I have a long history and not a bad one.
Would I walk out on her if I hadn't met you?
Probably not.
But I did meet you.
Of course I want to be with you. I just hate the duplicity of this.
I know. It's not fair for you to live this.
You've been so understanding about it.
Too understanding, really.
I love you, Vonnie.
Oh, my heart beats faster when you say that to me.
Looks like my hope not anxiety.
Yes, with excitement.
I'm excited.
Dare I kiss you?
I dare you not.
Dear Bobby,
I understand you met some girl you're crazy about.
Your last letter said she had a boyfriend. A journalist.
My advice is to not give up.
Send her some flowers and keep trying.
You said she's not the type that gets impressed with presents but women appreciate little gifts.
Just a word to the wise...
As for Ben, he's getting involved in the nightclub business.
What does he know of running a club?
He's up to his neck in Union problems but so far he's been able to deal with them.
Ben Dorfman, Benny to his friends.
Ten typewriters were stolen over the weekend!
He was always in trouble with the Law, even going back to school days.
He grew up in a Jewish neighborhood and most of the kids got educations...
and lots of them became doctors or lawyers.
But not all. Some were tough Jews and picked the streets.
Harry Cantor owes me $ 6,000.
Collect if for me, I'll give you a third.
You do it this week, I'll take you to Duffinetti's for a nice steak.
He wasn't going to struggle like his father going from one menial job to another.
His friend Abe got 20 cents an hour for lugging big crates of stationary.
He got $50 for fixing up some furs in the garment district.
Tony Rondalino taught them to hold up craps games.
The games were illegal and when he took the money they couldn't go to the cops.
He split the money with Tony.
One night he was sitting in his car with Tony.
He had enough to buy a car.
A guy came up, calm as can be...
put his gun through the window and killed Tony.
Education in the streets came violently.
Now he and his partners owned the club Hangover.
He wore expensive suits...
but under those suits he was still Benny from the streets.
Have a good trip.
I envy you. I miss New York so much right now.
My business can't be without me for too long or everyone falls apart.
I'm sure they do.
Good luck with everything.
Thank you. She's coming over to cook spaghetti this week.
I keep deluding myself...
If only I had the right wine, music, candlelight ...
Take it from me, she likes you if she spends so much time with you.
Steve and I are rooting for you.
- Stay in touch. - You too.
Bobby, I want to tell you that I can't make it tonight.
Something came up. It's an emergency. I have to reschedule.
But I've laid everything out. I've opened the wine to let it breathe.
Can I make it up to you? I promise I will.
I got you an anniversary present...
Look...
It's a letter written and signed
by Rudolph Valentino.
It's paper.
Our first year is paper, so...
I found this amazing memorabilia shop.
I can't do it, Vonnie.
Can't do what?
I can't leave Karen.
It was your idea...
I can't see you anymore.
This is putting me in an early grave.
I thought I could tell her...
But Christ, we've been married for 25 years, we have kids.
You don't owe me any explanation.
I can't lead a double life. It's not fair to you.
Or to Karen or to myself.
Okay.
It's not that I do not love you ...
It's just the situation is too difficult.
And it's pointless to move on...
I understand. That's what you were going to say, right?
Something like that.
Look, I know ...
that we can't just both...
forget that this happened.
Your secret is safe with me if that's what your worried about?
I would never tell anyone.
Oh my gosh! Are you okay?
I'm probably too late for dinner, right?
Dinner? Well...
Are you OK?
I do not want to impose on you like this...
It's not an imposition. What's wrong?
I can't stop crying. This is so stupid.
Tell me what happened.
My boyfriend just dumped me.
Sorry.
Yes, it's all over.
I'm so sorry. What happened?
I brought him an anniversary present. It was our paper anniversary so one year.
It was a Valentino letter. It was beautiful...
signed and written by Valentino.
That is so nice.
He can't leave his wife, I know that...
- We can't go on like that forever. - I didn't realize he was married.
- Can we have a glass of white wine? - Yes, of course.
If it hasn't evaporated. It's been breathing for hours.
Sorry, that happens in this motel. It should be over soon.
I had never suspected he was married, although...
I am so slow to pick up on anything.
That is one of your sweetest qualities. You're very naive.
Thank you.
I guess you must have really loved him.
He was very wonderful.
I'm sure.
I'll forget about it.
I have to be honest...
I'm of two minds...
I feel sorry for you but I'm glad you don't have a boyfriend anymore.
But for selfish reasons.
I've always known how you've felt about me...
and it's been flattering.
I've been in love with you from the first moment I laid my eyes on you...
and I thought you were a movie star.
Honestly I don't think I ever want to fall in love again.
It just happened, you need time.
I'll get over it. I'm not usually such a fragile person...
but it took me by surprise. It really did.
That is always the risk, when you get involved with with a married man.
That's what my roommate said.
But he just over-whelmed me. He...
is incredibly alive and...
and very exciting.
That's a very imaginative gift you got for a paper anniversary...
a love letter from Rudolph Valentino. That is very charming.
I thought so.
Maybe next year I'll be lucky enough to get you a love letter from
your favorite actress Barbara Stanwyck.
It's sweet.
Maybe Vonnie was heartbroken the way things had turned out with the affair...
but Bobby decidedly was not.
He took it upon himself with great pleasure...
to try and help her forget her former lover...
and try she did.
They spent weekends at the beach...
and went to the movies almost every night.
-" I'll be there". -"You go right ahead, I trust you".
They visited all the great movie palaces in Hollywood...
which were grand and beautiful,
and not very expensive.
And as time passed...
Vonnie did start to succumb to Bobby's charm and loving attention.
And what began originally as a casual friendship...
blossomed into a genuine romance.
Lets move to New York.
What?
What I'd really like to say is...marry me and lets move to New York.
We'll get a spot in Greenwich Village...
I will find work there and I'll spoil you...
I think it would be great. Look the truth is...
I'm a little disillusioned with the whole scene out here.
I was like you, I dreamed of the house and pool, the exciting movie stars but...
but it is really kind of a boring, nasty, dog eat dog industry.
Come on, let's get married and move to New York. It will be great.
Greenwich Village, that's where all the poets and painters live, right?
I can't promise we'd ever be rich but we'd have each other.
And my brother Ben owns a nightclub. He's asked me to help him run it.
I don't know anything about it but Ben's a great guy.
And I'm a quick learner.
And a nightclub's not like working in some drab office.
Let's face it, even though you had a boyfriend you've had a feeling for me underneath.
You have.
We'd make a great team in New York.
It sounds exciting, it really does.
Yeah? Come here.
Phil, what's wrong? You sounded so upset on the telephone.
You want a drink?
No thank you. What's on your mind?
Just let me...
You alright?
Why do you ask?
Lately you've been smoking more and drinking more.
You're been a little crotchety at work.
I'm not alright.
I hope you are not ill.
I need to talk, Bobby ...
to somebody I trust.
You can certainly talk to me...
You're family.
So what's the matter?
I've decided I'm going to leave my wife.
I've been back and forth about this decision many times but the conclusion I've come to
is I've fallen in love with another woman and I can't live without her.
I'm no expert in this area but these things do happen.
Not to me, they don't!
I never cheated.
Never looked at another woman in 25 years.
Jesus, you know Karen, she's wonderful!
She's wonderful!
She is, I agree.
And the a year ago...
this dream, this angel ...
dropped out of the sky.
I became hooked.
I know...
but when it's right I think you just know it.
Yes, this is right!
This is right!
And this woman loves you I'm assuming?
I believe that she does.
Although I have jerked her around for a year...
telling her I was going to leave Karen...
and then I couldn't and then I would and I didn't.
I can't tell her I'm going to do it yet again and not...
get her hopes up.
I have to just do it. Hope she hasn't met someone else.
No, I'm sure if she really loves you...
She is much younger than I am.
So what is age? Nothing means anything if your actually in love.
I am so consumed with guilt over Karen because she has done nothing to alienate me...
She is bright and cheerful and loyal.
- Her sex was always very good. - Oh nice.
But with this other woman, it's fantastic!
Good, but ...
people go through these things and with time they come out ok.
I'm sure she'll be fine.
Yes.
Karen will be well taken care of.
Christ, she'll get half of everything I'm worth!
If there's anything I can do for you...ever...
I just wanted to talk.
I've been carrying this knot around in my chest for so long.
Sorry you've been burdened with that. You can always talk to me.
Thanks.
So is it true?
Maybe getting a little homesick?
Yes, I needed to move away from Manhattan to realize what a New-Yorker I am at heart.
Do you mind if I?...
It's understandable. People come out here all the time...
and decide the life's not for them.
You have a girl back in New York?
I'm hoping I will and If I have you can take 10% for it.
For what?
For introducing me to Vonnie.
I think she's going to marry me and move to Manhattan with me.
Phil Stern could not believe what he was hearing.
He had worried Vonnie had found someone else...
but never dreamed it was his nephew.
He had been taken with his new secretary from that first day.
Veronica Sybel.
I have a masters degree in English lit' and drama.
And yes, I can type.
He was smitten with her face,
and she was captivated...
by his charm and his take charge vitality.
And over the next months he overwhelmed her.
And took risks doing it.
I want to send fifty roses.
That's fifty ...
Fifty
percent.
Yes, fifty red roses.
And I want the card to read...
"Thanks for a fabulous weekend.
"I told you you wouldn't get seasick, with me there.
"I love you. Philip."
You know what? Make that a hundred red roses.
You are amazing.
- No, you are. - Thank you.
I was in the moon.
The thought of the two of us in some great village apartment...
Who would have thought when I first came out here...
I know.
Everyone's lives are so unpredictable.
It's funny,
my Uncle Phil, your former employer,
who's so dynamic and full of confidence actually confided in me...
He's been so hopelessly miserable lately.
Apparently he's been having an affair with a woman who he's very much in love with...
But he's been having trouble bringing himself to leave his wife.
But apparently he is so in love with this other person
that he has decided to leave Karen...
and plans to marry this other woman.
He's been suffering so much
because he likes and respects his wife but he can not live without the other woman.
I did not have the nerve to ask if it was a movie star!
- What's the matter? - Is he leaving his wife...?
He tried and backed down a dozen times, but he said...
he cannot live without this other person. That's what he said.
There is no question if you hear him, he is very much in love.
What are you thinking? You seem...
so lost in thought.
Sorry. No, nothing.
What are you thinking about?
Just, nothing.
Oh no...
I've made you nervous with my babbling about about marriage and us moving to New York.
That it ?
That's it.
That is quite a big thought.
It is.
Sorry.
Thank you, have a wonderful night.
Phil, we've been over this a million times.
Things have changed.
can we go someplace and talk?
Where? Our usual dark bar? No, absolutely not I work here.
I told Karen.
That was a little presumptuous given the circumstances don't you think?
What do you mean?
Are you actually considering moving to New York with my nephew?
Do you know about that?
Who told you?
No secret is safe for very long in this town.
Ours was.
Don't tell me you've changed your mind?
Hi, Louis.
- Any word on the MGM thing? - We should know by the end of the week.
I love you. Is all that we meant to each other nothing?
I do not know what I think, I'm confused. Can you blame me?
No, I can't.
And if you tell me to go to hell I'll understand.
I will kill myself but I'll know where you're coming from.
First you're leaving, then you're not then you are then you can't.
I never pushed you to leave her. In fact I never even asked you to leave over me.
And now you're here telling me you've left?
What am I supposed to do with that?
I know, I've been wishy-washy but the thought of losing you ...
It is a white ermine fur.
Can you believe the studio requires us to wear fur in this weather!
- There you go. - That's the one. Thank you.
I understand that it hasn't been easy but if it is so hard...
why should we have to...
You've never got back to me about Bill Powell?
- On what? - William Powell, Paramount.
I think he's going to pass but I'll give him another call tomorrow.
Vonnie, I don't want you working here.
I want to marry you and take care of you for the rest of your life.
I can't believe you cooled on me so quickly!
And for Christ's sake with who? My nephew?
He's a nice kid but where the hell's he going?
You said it was possible yourself to have feelings for two people.
You love him too? I don't believe it.
Believe it. I do.
You love me.
I do not know. I think so...
I'm not sure. I'm very mixed up.
- We on for lunch Thursday? - Absolutely. Sure, sure.
I'm gonna bring Judy Garland. You'll love this kid.
I think we could end up representing her.
Really? Well ok, bring her along.
I met Judy over at Billy Wilder's dinner party so I know Judy.
- See you Thursday. - See you Thursday.
I'm not going to stand here pleading. I love you.
I have loved you for over a year.
I handled this as best I could. maybe poorly at times.
But of matters of the heart people do foolish things.
Think over my offer. I want you to be my wife. Now.
I will die if you say no.
I'm going home to tell Karen.
I thought you'd told Karen?
I told her that I will be speaking about a very serious matter this evening.
Charlie, I need to talk to you about that John Ford movie.
Vonnie was perplexed.
Two men were in love with her.
One a dynamic and successful powerhouse...
The other, a younger man who clearly adored her.
She shared her problem with her roommate, Rosalind,
who at first came down strongly for marrying Phil Stern,
but then wavered as she found Bobby very likable,
and passionately in love with Vonnie.
Sorry, I thought everyone on this floor had gone home.
- Have a drink. - That's ok.
We are family, we can drink together.
Is something the matter?
You're part of the only family I have left now I've left Karen.
Did you? I hope it wasn't too painful for you?
How are things going with you and Vonnie?
It's okay.
Although I think she's gotten a little nervous lately.
Did she say anything?
She's just nervous about our plans to get married and move to New York,
So I feel it's best if I don't push it.
Although she loves me, I know,
and I truly believe she's looking forward to marrying me,
because if there were too people ever meant for each other.
Come on! Don't look so glum.
I'm sure your situation will work itself out.
Although it may have been more prudent to wait until you'd told Karen.
Don't lecture me on being prudent!
I understand timing. Timing is everything in life.
The worst mistake you can make in business it being premature.
- I know that... - Just remember!
If you marry her I'm looking for my 10%.
Okay, it's a deal.
I don't want to ask you who you're in love with, I guess it must be a ravishing movie star.
No, she's not a movie star.
I'm not shallow.
I'm not seduced by cheap glamor.
I value substance and character. What the hell do you think I am?
I wasn't implying anything like that, I thought it might be Hedy Lamarr, I know how much she adores you.
Like all your clients do.
That is what makes you such a success.
That was a gift. I had it framed.
It's a love letter from Rudolph Valentino.
She gave me that on our one year anniversary, which is paper.
What a surprise. What are you doing here?
Are you going to marry me or my Uncle Phil?
I'm going to marry Phil.
It's so nice to get together for the Seder.
I have to say, selfishly,
It's been so nice since you're back from Hollywood.
And we're all together again.
So much for your brother taking him under his wing.
Phil was helping him, but he didn't take to it out there.
I knew you'd hate it out there.
I only wish my brother Phil was in New York so he could come tonight.
I'd love to meet his new wife.
Wouldn't you, Martin?
I don't have to. You know how I feel about your brother.
He's not a Jewish man!
What kind of man throws out his wife of 25 years...
to run off with a 25 year old secretary?
I hate to tell you how many go with their secretaries.
Bobby says she was really beautiful.
So is looks everything?
Where's character, where's loyalty?
You're no beauty contest winner but I stuck with you.
That's enough wine for you.
Love is an emotion.
And emotions are not rational.
You "fall" in love.
You lose control.
I have dated many wonderful women,
but the minute I laid eyes on your daughter I knew Evelyn was for me.
It was pure luck!
If my cab driver hadn't driven his cab through the plate glass window of a restaurant,
I never would have met Leonard.
He was having coffee. We barreled right into him!
It didn't spill.
Bobby, you met her.
It she so fabulous?
She is very lovely.
She's now one of those stuck up Hollywood movie queens?
No, she's a very down to earth girl. You'd like her.
I think she'll be good for Phil.
I think Daddy's right.
A wife is not like a car, you don't just trade her in after years for the latest model.
That’s what our neighbor did, he kicked his wife out for a cheap stripper...
then knocked her teeth out.
He's a lunatic.
We live next to a crazy man. I'm scared of him.
He pushed Leonard.
He didn't push me.
He's a hothead. He bumped me.
I was trying to explain that he was blocking our driveway.
Some people only understand a good punch in the nose.
That is not Leonard's style. Leonard thinks everyone can be reasoned with.
You have to accept the premise of common humanity,
otherwise you're in the jungle with the beasts.
The idea is to always get in the first punch.
You don't wait for the other guy.
How'd you like working for your big brother?
I am very lucky. Thank you.
When you came home you were a lost soul for a while.
I like working at the nightclub, it's very lively.
He took to it like a fish in water. You should see him work the room. Everyone likes him.
Not like that first manager.
That deadbeat who wound up stealing from you.
He's not around anymore.
Bobby looked up his socialite friends Rad Taylor and her husband Steve.
Who came to the club and spread the word amongst the beautiful models she worked with.
She got Bobby to re-decorate,
and change the name of the club to the more chi chi...
Les Tropiques? I just love it!
It sounds upscale and international...and hot!
I have you to thank.
Soon Les Tropiques was known as the place one could always find the driest Martinis...
and the prettiest women in Manhattan.
Beautiful girls attracted celebrities and sports figures.
Socialites mingled with politicians.
And with the smart set came the press,
and an ever growing reputation.
Bobby moved more and more gracefully amongst the rich and famous.
And learned the in's and out's of Café Society,
which included any number of prominent figures from New York's glamorous underworld.
There were the Rhinebecks, who came almost every night and ordered the finest wines in the world.
They seemed like an ideal couple,
except he was sleeping with his wife's sister.
And there was no shortage of royalty from all over Europe.
Like Count Henrick Van Goren who played backgammon for millions.
And his wife, the Countess Van Goren,
who was actually Chickie Sherman from Passaic, New Jersey.
And that ring on Suzy Bancroft's finger,
was a mere 41 carats.
Of course along with the elite came the tabloid scandals.
Like Tom Price the Wall street genius...
married to the much taller automobile heiress Linda Ray Harmon.
He ran through her fortune on racehorses and showgirls,
until one day, out hunting,
she mistook him for a deer.
And Bobby met them all and shook their hands and joked with them.
And heard their sad and happy stories...
over thousand dollar magnums of Piper-Heidsieck.
And learned about life.
and how in the end, Rodgers & Hart had it right.
It is so beautiful out here and you two have been so great to me.
Oh please, don't suddenly become revoltingly sweet.
Your wife hates any show of emotion.
But your friendship has meant so much to me.
And Steve, you got me with such a brilliant financial adviser.
I know you're used to playing with millions and I'm a whole other league...
but at the rate I'm going you may see applying for membership at your golf club.
To get into his golf club you have to be a lawyer or stockbroker,
and can't be circumcised.
Well if nothing else, I owe you everything.
And I can never repay you for introducing me...
to the most wonderful thing of all...
my wife.
Enter en que!
He was just going to tell us again how you're like a Gershwin tune and you walked in.
Stop!
Hi darling, how's your martini?
Good! You caught me talking about you.
Bobby found a wife.
After assorted unsatisfying flirtations and affairs...
one night in the club, in walked a group.
And his eye was caught by an elegant young blond.
That's Veronica Hayes.
She just got divorced.
Her husband left her for her best friend. It came as a shock to her.
My goodness...
She's a great girl.
We all felt so bad for her.
Maybe we can cheer her up. Can you introduce me?
- Veronica, you look beautiful! - You too.
- Good to see you. - You too.
I'd like you to meet Bobby Dorfman. He runs the place.
Is this your first time here?
Yes. The papers were right, it's got real electricity...
It does, right?
- We're happy to have you. - Thank you.
My goodness... She's single?
- Yes ! - It's a criminal offense.
Excuse me.
What are you doing later?
Later?
There is no later it's 1.30am.
I get off in half an hour.
I'm usually in pajamas by 2 am.
I love pajamas.
What side of the bed do you like?
Slow down!
He's pushier than you!
Come on, you guys...
You like jazz music?
At 2 in the morning?
At any time in the morning.
Your name is Veronica, right?
Anybody ever call you Vonnie for short?
Not usually, no.
It's a pretty name.
But you like jazz though?
Yeah, I love jazz.
Well it's fate.
Who doesn't love jazz?
I have met one woman...
Terrible.
This is great.
I'd love another scotch.
My one regret in life is I can't play an instrument.
- I used to date a musician. - Did you?
A Sax player, very brilliant.
He'd play those sad songs with so much feeling.
It can make you cry.
It's a great gift.
I would have married him but he was a dope addict.
I don't like dope. It messes you up.
I tried it a few times when I was with him.
We smoked weed first and I even tried opium once.
Look at you! What was the effect?
I didn't Ike it. I don't have an addictive personality.
He did.
But Muggles made me feel sexy.
- Sorry, Muggles? - The reefers.
- You call them Muggles? - He did.
So you married a musician?
I married a stock broker.
You divorced?
he divorced me because my best friend was better in bed.
- Was she? - Yeah, I guess!
He should have saved some of the Muggles.
I learned too late that I can get where I need to with two or three drinks.
So what do you do?
I work in City Hall, the mayor's office.
- Really? Doing what ? - Public relations.
I hope you don't mind a Democratic liberal?
My whole family are democrats, we're Jews so...
How quaint!
That plays right into my rebellious streak.
In Oklahoma, we weren't even allowed to mingle with Jews growing up.
You guys are money lenders!
We control everything, actually.
I didn't even see a Jew until I moved to New York.
No horns...
I find Jews exotic and mysterious.
I wouldn't mind if you had horns.
You wouldn't?
Ok lets go. We'll go to my place.
No, I'm not gonna sleep with you...
No, Jew or no Jew, we just met!
Have one or two more drinks...
No thank you. You will just have to wait. My goodness!
It's true what they say! You people are pushy!
It's part of the charm.
- I had a great time tonight. - Me too.
Will you call me?
Yes I will.
I'll call you tomorrow.
And since it is tomorrow, I'll call you in 15 minutes.
So I should head home.
Good night.
In all that season they saw each other every single day.
And it was a beautiful summer.
Thank you, Rad. This is the last one.
Then one Saturday afternoon, some months later,
she made an announcement.
I am pregnant.
Are you crushed?
No, it's wonderful.
So what's our next move?
I would like to have the baby.
Unless you don't want me to, I could go to Mexico and have it done safely.
Vonnie, we are not going to Mexico we are going to...
Niagara Falls, if anywhere.
- Are you sure this is what you want? - Yes of course!
When they call our kid a little bastard, you don't want them to be right do you?
You called me Vonnie.
You've never called me that.
If I did, I think I've had too much champagne.
That's what you said your old girlfriend was called.
Well, ok...two Veronicas.
What do you want me to say? I'm lucky.
Are you going to marry me or not?
- Yes of course! - Good.
That's the right answer!
- We're having a baby! - I love you.
The wedding,
which was a simple affair, and took place at City Hall two months later...
was a happy event.
But as Bobby's brother in law said: life has it's own agenda.
Yes? What do you want?
Could you turn down the radio, just a little?
I'm not asking you to turn it off. My wife gets these migraines.
Don't tell me how to play my radio. Keep your nose outta my business.
She rarely gets them...
Just lower it.
if she's sick call your doctor!
We did. He gives her something but migraines are a terrible curse.
I work hard, I'm gonna play my radio. You don't like it? Too bad!
You're not understanding me...
I'm not asking you not to play it, just modulate the sound a little.
I don't want to call the police.
You think I'm afraid of the police?
I can play my radio!
What can I say? He has the law on his side.
I'll gonna have my brother Ben talk to him.
Ben is a hot-head. I am not looking for trouble.
Promise me you won't make this into an issue?
He makes this into an issue!
He needs somebody to read him the riot act!
It's not that big a deal.
You don't have the migraines!
Bobby and Veronica named the baby Susan.
In that fall, found the perfect house on the Hudson.
We called the police and they spoke with him.
and last week, he gets drunk and puts a dent in our car.
When Leonard speaks to him about it he threatens to beat him up.
He did?
I need to talk to this character.
Leonard doesn't want trouble...
But I think he needs someone to tell him we're not going to stand for this anymore...
and to stop making our lives miserable.
He accuses us of things we've never done.
He threatened to shoot our dog.
He's a crazy man!
And my husband keeps deluding himself that he's going to listen to reason, meanwhile...
it never stops!
He threatened to shoot your dog?
I think he's got a gun.
He's a security guard at a lumberyard.
Joe Wojehowitz.
- You Joe Wojehowitz? - Who wants to know?
Are you are Joe Wojehowitz?
Yeah. What?
Joe, get in the car...
- Why? - We want to talk.
- What? - Get in the car!
What are you doing? Get off me!
Café Society it was called and Bobby Dorfman was right in the thick of it.
There were the millionaire playboys like Buddy Winslow Fain,
who bought anything he wanted,
from high class models off the covers of every magazine in town...
to the best seats at every show and sporting event.
Then there were the politicians,
who fixed your streets, your parking tickets and your tax returns.
As long as the contributions kept coming in.
There was Norton Lockerbee and his underage fiancée, the dancer Cherry Grace.
And the Remsens, about whom it was said...
had stayed a week in Berlin at the home of Adolf Hitler.
And of course there were any number of colorful associates of Ben's...
some of whom were destined to end up on the front pages of the tabloids,
leaking blood on the sidewalk due to cranial lintilation.
It seemed Bobby knew everyone in Manhattan society.
His wife Veronica now rarely came in,
having succumbed to the joys of motherhood.
Then one evening,
in walked the past.
May I help you?
Yes. I understand my nephews are around usually. They own the place.
Mr Dorfman?
Bobby, yes. Or Ben.
Ben's not here tonight but Bobby's around. Would you like to be seated?
Please.
I made a very big deal today.
Champagne for the table! Before we start drinking for real.
Fred, how are you?
You remember Vonnie?
We're in town for a few weeks, we'll catch up.
It's going to be a very big stock. I'm telling you it's going through the roof.
Now's the time to get in on it, but you didn't hear that here!
- Didn't hear what? - Exactly.
Thank you, Marvin.
There are some people to see you. They say they know you.
Really?
Table 4.
Everybody knows me.
Robert! How you doing?
You remember Vonnie?
And this is Gloria and Craig Bennett.
Have a seat, join us.
I wish I could but I'm very busy tonight.
I can see!
This place has a reputation all the way across the country!
Please, join us.
Sit down for five minutes. You're going to offend us.
Five minutes.
- Look at you! - You look well!
He does look well.
We are celebrating because I just made a deal for Irene Dunne at Universal.
I just love her.
What is she like?
She's great, honestly.
He has a...for Irene Dunne. Sorry, honey!
- Tell her. - No, you tell her.
We met Irene first at the Coconut Grove.
We were with Errol Flynn and one of his gorgeous young "discoveries"
as he likes to call them.
And so...
I know his reputation is not so great,
but we adore him, he's lovely.
He hosted us off the coast of Catalina on his yacht and he was a gracious host.
Irene, is ...
a little...
gorgeous in person but proper.
We were at Busby Berkeley's partying...
She was asked to have a puff of a cigar.
It was if she'd been asked to take her clothes off.
She was mortified.
Then Errol leans in and introduces her to this teenage starlet.
Then she asks if it's his daughter.
Without missing a beat, Errol looks at her and says:
"No...
"This is my granddaughter."
I died!
In London, he was mobbed.
I didn't realize but he's a great hero to the British.
- I love London. - I could live there...
I love it but I love Paris more.
And Venice. We keep vowing to get a place there.
Bob Montgomery and his wife have one.
You ever met them?
They are lovely. A gorgeous couple.
Little Bobby...
Wow, you really made it big Robert.
I always knew you'd make it one way or another.
I was breaking this kid in as an agent and he said he preferred New York.
Which I completely understand.
You'll have to excuse me. I didn't expect such a mad house in here tonight.
We'll be in town 4 or 5 weeks.
Oh! And congratulations on becoming a dad!
Absolutely!
Frank, let me have a scotch.
- Hey Bobby. How's your wife? - She's fine, thank you.
We never see her around here anymore.
She's become very domestic since our daughter came.
That's what happens.
They become mothers and everything falls off.
If you know what I mean.
Because hormones...
Sometimes they never come back.
Now I see are diapers.
Listen.
If you say I told you I'll deny it.
The DA's office has had some serious discussions,
About your brother,
And his business friends.
Meaning?
I do not know yet,
but it's possible that things could get hot.
I'm just giving you a heads up.
Thank you. Can you do something about it?
Can I help it if we have a clean mayor?
So, what are they looking at?
Racketeering, extortion, tax evasion...
Maybe worse for Ben.
My advice to your brother:
is to go someplace for a while.
He likes Havana.
I will definitely tell him, thank you.
Thank you for the heads up.
Are you looking for something?
Just you. Just wanted to say hello.
Are you kidding me?
Meaning what?
Meaning that you should listen to yourself...
You've become everything you used to poke fun at. Everything you couldn't stand.
You know...
time passes, life moves on.
People change.
All the talk of the simple life...
It would be comical if it wasn't so sad.
You're not necessarily the same person you were either.
No, you're right.
Life moves on ...
People grow up.
Have lunch with me.
So you can impress me with name dropping and describing all the fancy parties you go to?
No, I'll behave myself. I won't babble on like a Hollywood wife...
if you promise to go easy on me for running off with Phil.
Let's just turn back the clock and take a walk.
We can do it.
I have a lot of time on my hands,
I'm dying to know what's going on with you.
I will say you're still...
amazingly beautiful.
I haven't seen our next door neighbor in quite a while.
Maybe he's away.
He was always out watering the lawn. It's getting brown.
And his mail is piling up.
You think something's wrong?
You think he's at home on the floor with a heart attack or something?
Count your blessings. It would serve him right if he dropped dead.
Don't say that. Take that back!
Shall I ask the police to come check?
I wouldn't. It's not our business.
Of course it's our business.
People are responsible for one another,
even if he is a louse.
I'd let it go if I were you.
What is that supposed to mean?
Is there something you're not telling me?
I'm worried, Leonard.
Why, Evelyn?
Is something going on I don't know about?
I may have done something wrong.
What are you keeping from me?
When we saw Bobby and Veronica's baby,
I told Ben that we were having trouble with our neighbor,
and the police were not very helpful.
Ben?
I was scared of him Leonard!
We have a child.
He was a volatile neighbor,
he was a drinker, he was nasty...
He constantly made trouble. He was a security guard so I know he owns a gun.
Who knew when he might fly off the handle!
You didn't have Ben threaten him?
Or hurt him?
I just asked Ben to talk to him.
You tried speaking to him but you're so mild mannered!
I thought Ben would tell him if he did not start behaving himself...
What?
That he would break his legs?
Has he broken his legs?
I just asked Ben to talk to him. Just to tell him to back off.
Or what?
Ben is a thug, a gangster.
Did he put him in the hospital?
I don't know, Leonard.
And I don't want to know.
It's wrong!
Is it a proportionate response that this poor guy,
is laying in some hospital bed all beat up.
This is delicious.
And I love this place.
It reminds me of our little Mexican joint, it's a dump.
It is.
It's not the Brown Derby, it's not Busby Berkeley's pool party...
You won't be running into Fred Astaire.
How's your wife? Tell me about her. I'm curious.
She is lovely.
What is her name?
Veronica.
- No it's not! - It is.
- Stop it. - She pronounces it differently.
- I'm flattered. - I know.
Life is a comedy,
written by a sadistic comedy writer.
I was in love with you and you decided to marry my uncle,
what makes you ... my aunt.
Aunt Vonnie.
I think I still have a crush on you Aunt Vonnie.
I'm in here.
Honey!
What is that?
Flowers?
- I can't believe you got me flowers. - Why?
What's the occasion?
I haven't gotten you flowers in a long time.
You've been in a very up mood all week, flowers...
Did your numbers come in or are you guilty of something?
A husband can't get his wife flowers without getting the third degree!
No. I love them.
Of course you can.
I love you.
Thank you.
With Phil busy, Bobby used every excuse to spend time with Vonnie.
He showed her around Manhattan and took her to Coney Island.
And when she remembered she still owed him that dinner she never got to cook for him in Hollywood,
he arranged for her to do it Downtown.
I hope that it's perfect, I make it the same every time...
but I've been going on about it for years now...
If it's not perfect then you can go back in the kitchen and re-cook the whole thing.
Or you could put that block of cheese on it...
That's true. I'm sure it will be fine. In fact I've known the Pugioni's for years...
- Long time. - How long Vito?
Real long.
For me a really long time but I'm glad you've made good on your promise and cooked for me!
Good wine.
This is such an inspired idea...
You don't have to lie.
It was superb.
It was absolutely superb.
Vito, tell her.
- Delicious. - Thank you. Would he lie?
- Would I lie? - I don't think so.
Where are we going next? I don't want to go home yet.
Vito, anything?
There's a craps game at Brooklyn.
You feel lucky?
That's amazing!
Loaded dice!
Beginners luck. That's her second roll.
I just keep going and going?
Yes, of course if you're doing well.
New York really is fabulous.
And I would know, I've been traveling quite a lot.
I know you've mentioned that.
How could you choose anywhere else? I know Hollywood's occasionally exiting but...
but nothing beats Broadway or the cheesecake at Lindy's.
Listen to you...
Drinking wine in Central Park, we haven't slept. You've...
You've always had a touch of the poet in you.
Really? I'm not like them...
What could I do? I had to choose.
As my brother in law says: "Alternatives exclude."
Yeah, I loved you and I loved Phil.
I was with him a year and a half...
and you were this...
awkward but adorable,
frantic,
young, romantic, trying to find yourself.
And I had this big shot.
It was difficult.
I didn't know if it would work out. I didn't want to lose you both...
I thought maybe...
If you didn't make it the way you wanted you'd be resentful and we'd be unhappy.
Who knows?
I never stopped thinking about you.
Not for one day.
I still dream about you.
But...
I'm Phil's wife.
And he's been very good to me. And he loves me and he's changed his life for me.
I've been a good wife to him.
Yet you dream about me.
You're a happily married man with a child.
- You said it yourself. - I know what I said.
But we are alone in Central Park.
The light's reflecting off the building.
Satisfied?
As the investigation into Ben proceeded...
there was no shortage of evidence or informants.
and indictments followed, including murder one.
I can't get my mind around it. The whole thing is so horrible.
I am firmly against all execution.
Thank God, they never found the neighbors body.
What difference does that make?
We may not be criminally liable but we have to live with our conscious.
I only said Ben should talk to him!
Don't be naive. You wanted him threatened!
Warned!
I wanted him warned!
What difference does that make?
Your brother...
Don't keep on me Leonard.
Somebody had to deal with that crazy next door...
It was becoming intolerable.
You don't kill a man because he plays his radio too loud!
Calm down. She did not realize, and they have enough on Ben without your neighbor.
This is a different issue.
Meanwhile, there is a blood sin on our hands.
Oh Christ!
Don't get so biblical.
Evelyn, calm down. Take an aspirin.
I'm going to give you the name of a very good criminal lawyer,
Jake Murray.
He's the best you can do.
Thank you so much.
She is devastated. I think she'll have a nervous breakdown.
She's driving me crazy.
As if I'm not upset enough.
What did you think, Rose? Everybody seemed to know he was involved in shady activities.
I don't believe he killed anybody.
My father always knew he was a wheeler-dealer but as details come out it gets worse and worse.
What we need is a great criminal lawyer and I know just the guy...
my old pal Peter Bryce.
Not Jake Murray?
Bryce never loses, but if you like Murray we'll get him as well..
I don't know if Bryce can get him to walk but the trick now is to spare him the electric chair.
The trial went as anticipated.
The evidence against Ben Dorfman was overwhelming.
He was found guilty on all charges,
including murder in the first degree.
Despite the efforts of two high priced lawyers,
he was sentenced to die in the electric chair at Sing Sing.
This is Father Brolian. He's guiding me to understand Christianity.
Today we discussed the sixth psalm...
"Oh Lord, do not punish me in anger...
"Do not chastise me in fury."
That right Father?
I'm flabbergasted.
We both didn't have time for this bullshit but when the end is near you need something.
You don't want to be buried as a Jew in a Jewish cemetery?
The Jewish religion doesn't believe in an afterlife.
I guess but I can't believe what I'm hearing.
I have to know it all doesn't just end.
I have to believe part of me keeps going.
We all got a soul.
Right Father?
First a murderer,
then he becomes a Christian.
What did I do to deserve this?
Which is worse?
He explained it to you...
The Jews don't have an afterlife.
We're all afraid of dying Marty.
But we don't give up the religion we're born into.
I'm not afraid of dying.
You're too stupid to appreciate the implications.
I didn't say I like the idea.
And I'll resist death with everything I have.
But when the Angel of Death comes with his scythe to cut me down,
I'll go.
I'll protest.
I'll curse.
You hear me?
I'll go under protest!
Protest to who?
What the hell you gonna do? Write a letter to The Times?
I'll protest in silence!
I'll protest because my whole life... I pray and I pray,
and there's never an answer!
What are you saying?
No answer is also an answer.
Too bad the Jewish religion doesn't have an afterlife.
They would get a lot more customers.
In late July, Ben was executed at Sing Sing.
He died a Christian and stated he wanted to be cremated.
Ben requested his ashes be scattered in Manhattan.
And Bobby scattered them outside an establishment
that had given Ben many evenings of pleasure.
Bobby's friends, Rad Taylor and her husband,
stepped up to help Bobby.
and arranged financially to take over the club and run it.
And the scandal of its gangster charisma...
increased the public's fascination with it.
Certain investors asked them to go out to California,
and explore the idea of opening a nightclub in Hollywood.
This time he could afford to stay at the same exclusive place
where Rad and Steve always stopped at.
Of course, he looked up Vonnie.
This is the exact table where I took your hand...
and you told me you had a journalist boyfriend named Doug.
I remember.
So will you open a club here?
No, Hollywood already has its great clubs.
I don't want to compete with the Coconut Grove.
Phil and I will be stopping in New York for a brief time on the way back from London,
we're going to spend Christmas week with Willie Wyler.
The boys want to go to this New Years Eve party in New York so...
I guess I won't be seeing you.
Maybe it's just as well we don't...see each other.
It always...
stirs up feelings and...
I start dreaming...
You probably start dreaming.
And dreams are...
they're dreams.
I guess some feelings never die.
Is that good or bad?
And as a beautiful dusk sky enveloped New York...
the year came to a close.
How do I look?
Wow, beautiful!
Can you tell I'm pregnant?
No, not at all!
In fact you have the same girlish figure you always had.
It's true.
Here, help me.
Can I ask you a question?
You ever cheated on me?
Why would you ask that? No.
I had a dream that when you were in Hollywood,
you slept with your old girlfriend who has my name.
Dreams are dreams.
This is the happiest couple I know...
It's a perfect marriage. Tell us please, what is your secret?
What is our secret?
You tell them...
We share the same interests...
like the same movies,
we both love children...
- Other peoples! - Ok!
Time flies, another milestone...
on a bewildering journey leading where?
And why?
It's been an awful year.
Lets turn the page and move on.
You're right, you're right.
I was pondering the relentlessness of time.
Socrates said: "The unexamined life is not worth living."
But the examined one is no bargain.
10 !
9 !
8 !
Happy New Year!
- Happy New Year. - You too. I love you.
Happy New Year. You too.
Happy New Year, Bobby!
You have that far-out look in your eye.
- Do I? - What are you thinking?
Nothing. Just that er...
the year is changing.
It is!
Happy New Year my love.
You make every year a new and happy year for me.
Thank you, that's very sweet.
What are you thinking?
Nothing, I'm fine.
Your eyes look so dreamy.
Do they?