1992
Edward D. Wood, Junior, an aspiring but untalented filmmaker, struggles to make movies in Hollywood, often casting his aging idol, horror star Bela Lugosi, and a motley crew of eccentric friends. Ed's first film, “Glen or Glenda,” a semi-autobiographical story about cross-dressing, is a critical and commercial failure, leading to a rift with his girlfriend, Dolores Fuller, who discovers his secret. Undeterred, Ed attempts to finance his next project, “Bride of the Atom,” by pitching to various investors, eventually securing funding from a wealthy meat packer and a group of Baptist church members, who impose their own creative demands. The production is plagued by financial woes, stolen props, and the declining health of Bela Lugosi, who eventually passes away. Ed marries Kathy O'Hara, who accepts his cross-dressing, and he continues to make films, culminating in the premiere of “Plan 9 From Outer Space,” which is met with a chaotic audience reaction but leaves Ed feeling a sense of accomplishment.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Ed Wood is a chronicle of a dreamer’s relentless pursuit of filmmaking against all odds, interwoven with his relationships—especially with Bela Lugosi and Dolores.
Open full beat sheetEd Wood is listed as Director/Writer/Actor. Charismatic, optimistic, classically flawed, loves wearing women's clothing. In the parsed data, Ed Wood is connected to 112 scenes, 185 dialogue lines, 190 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
112 scenes / 185 dialogue linesBela Lugosi is listed as Actor. Aged, frail, Hungarian horror star, struggling with addiction. In the parsed data, Bela Lugosi is connected to 40 scenes, 49 dialogue lines, 56 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
40 scenes / 49 dialogue linesDolores Fuller is listed as Actress/Ed's girlfriend. Sharp, ambitious ingenue. In the parsed data, Dolores Fuller is connected to 20 scenes, 14 dialogue lines, 15 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
20 scenes / 14 dialogue linesTor Johnson is listed as Wrestler/Actor. Giant, bald, jolly, Swedish wrestler. In the parsed data, Tor Johnson is connected to 19 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 40.
19 scenes / 8 dialogue linesCriswell is listed as Psychic/Narrator. Eccentric, dramatic, self-important. In the parsed data, Criswell is connected to 16 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
16 scenes / 4 dialogue linesKathy O'Hara is listed as Ed's wife. Solid, reflective, dry sense of humor. In the parsed data, Kathy O'Hara is connected to 15 scenes, 31 dialogue lines, 31 text mentions, first appearing around scene 85.
15 scenes / 31 dialogue linesPaul Marco is listed as Actor/Ed's friend. Young, eager, loyal. In the parsed data, Paul Marco is connected to 15 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 27.
15 scenes / 5 dialogue linesJohn 'Bunny' Breckinridge is listed as Actor/Ed's friend. Wealthy, theatrical fop. In the parsed data, John 'Bunny' Breckinridge is connected to 14 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 26.
14 scenes / 4 dialogue linesGeorgie Weiss is listed as Producer. Exploitation film producer, rug merchant. In the parsed data, Georgie Weiss is connected to 11 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 17.
11 scenes / 8 dialogue linesConrad Brooks is listed as Actor/Ed's friend. Friendly, simple-minded lug. In the parsed data, Conrad Brooks is connected to 11 scenes, first appearing around scene 3.
11 scenes / 0 dialogue linesVampira is listed as TV Hostess/Actress. Sexy, pale ghoul. In the parsed data, Vampira is connected to 10 scenes, 12 dialogue lines, 17 text mentions, first appearing around scene 66.
10 scenes / 12 dialogue linesLoretta King is listed as Actress/Investor. Pale brunette, wealthy. In the parsed data, Loretta King is connected to 8 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 59.
8 scenes / 7 dialogue linesJ. Edward Reynolds is listed as Landlord/Producer. Sanctimonious, Southern Christian. In the parsed data, J. Edward Reynolds is connected to 5 scenes, 15 dialogue lines, 15 text mentions, first appearing around scene 86.
5 scenes / 15 dialogue linesCriswell introduces the story of Edward D. Wood, Jr. from inside a coffin.
CriswellEd Wood and his cast deal with a missing prop during a play.
Ed Wood, John 'Bunny' Breckinridge, Dolores FullerEd and his cast read a bad review of their play.
Ed Wood, Paul Marco, Conrad Brooks, John 'Bunny' Breckinridge, Dolores FullerEd expresses self-doubt to Dolores.
Ed Wood, Dolores FullerEd works as a plant mover and dreams of making movies.
Ed WoodEd gets inspired by stock footage.
Ed WoodEd calls Georgie Weiss to pitch himself for a movie.
Ed Wood, Dolores FullerEd meets Georgie Weiss and reveals his secret.
Ed Wood, Georgie WeissEd meets Bela Lugosi.
Ed Wood, Bela LugosiEd drives Bela home.
Ed Wood, Bela LugosiEd visits Bela's home.
Ed Wood, Bela LugosiEd tells Dolores about meeting Bela.
Ed Wood, Dolores FullerEd and Bela watch TV on Halloween.
Ed Wood, Bela Lugosi, VampiraEd and Bela visit a cemetery.
Ed Wood, Bela LugosiEd returns to pitch Georgie again.
Ed Wood, Georgie WeissEd and Bela bond over Bela's Dracula persona in a field.
Ed Wood, Bela LugosiEd convinces Georgie to let him direct a film starring Bela Lugosi.
Ed Wood, Georgie WeissEd frantically writes his script and recruits Bunny and Bela.
Ed Wood, Bela Lugosi, John 'Bunny' BreckinridgeEd reveals his script to Dolores.
Ed Wood, Dolores FullerDolores discovers Ed's cross-dressing habit.
Ed Wood, Dolores FullerGeorgie confronts Ed about the script content.
Ed Wood, Georgie Weiss, Paul Marco, Conrad BrooksEd addresses the crew on the first day of shooting.
Ed WoodBela arrives on set and has a breakdown.
Ed Wood, Bela Lugosi, Georgie Weiss, Conrad BrooksEd and Dolores film their scene together.
Ed Wood, Dolores FullerGeorgie takes over the editing of the film.
Ed Wood, Georgie WeissThe cast and crew watch the finished film.
Ed Wood, Bela Lugosi, Dolores Fuller, John 'Bunny' Breckinridge, Georgie WeissThe cast and crew celebrate the film's completion.
Ed Wood, Bela Lugosi, Dolores Fuller, John 'Bunny' Breckinridge, Paul Marco, Conrad BrooksEd and Dolores move into a new house.
Ed Wood, Dolores FullerEd plans his next film with Bela.
Ed Wood, Bela LugosiEd arrives at MGM for a meeting.
Ed WoodEd waits for his meeting.
Ed WoodEd meets Mr. Feldman.
Ed WoodEd waits to pitch his film to Mr. Feldman.
Ed WoodEd pitches his film ideas to Mr. Feldman.
Ed Wood, Georgie WeissExecutives watch Glen or Glenda and mock it.
Ed Wood, Georgie WeissEd checks the paper for his film's ads.
Ed WoodEd argues with Georgie about the film's release.
Ed Wood, Georgie WeissEd watches wrestling and discovers Tor Johnson.
Ed Wood, Dolores Fuller, John 'Bunny' Breckinridge, Tor JohnsonEd meets Tor Johnson.
Ed Wood, Tor JohnsonEd and Tor discuss acting.
Ed Wood, Tor JohnsonEd receives a distressed call from Bela.
Ed Wood, Bela LugosiEd arrives at Bela's house.
Ed Wood, Bela LugosiEd comforts Bela.
Ed Wood, Bela LugosiEd gets rejected by Feldman.
Ed WoodDolores tries to cheer Ed up.
Ed Wood, Dolores FullerEd tries to get a loan.
Ed WoodEd pitches to dentists.
Ed WoodEd arranges a TV appearance for Bela.
Ed WoodBackstage at a variety show.
Ed Wood, Bela LugosiEd and Bela prepare for the show.
Ed Wood, Bela LugosiCriswell performs on stage.
Ed Wood, CriswellBela performs on live TV.
Ed Wood, Bela LugosiEd and Bela leave the studio.
Ed Wood, Bela Lugosi, CriswellEd, Bela, and Criswell drink.
Ed Wood, Bela Lugosi, CriswellBackers arrive for Ed's party.
Ed WoodEd hosts a party for potential backers.
Ed Wood, Bela Lugosi, Criswell, Tor Johnson, Paul Marco, Conrad BrooksEd says goodbye to backers.
Ed Wood, Bela LugosiEd and Dolores argue.
Ed Wood, Dolores Fuller, Paul MarcoEd meets Loretta King.
Ed Wood, Loretta KingDolores finds out Ed gave her part to Loretta.
Ed Wood, Dolores FullerEd supervises the set construction.
Ed Wood, John 'Bunny' Breckinridge, Tor JohnsonEd supervises the construction of the Bride of the Atom set and discusses the script with Tor.
Ed Wood, John 'Bunny' Breckinridge, Tor Johnson, Loretta KingThe crew shoots scenes for the movie, including Bela and Tor's performances.
Ed Wood, Bela Lugosi, Tor JohnsonEd prepares for a scene with Bela, Tor, and Loretta, while dealing with financial issues.
Ed Wood, Bela Lugosi, Dolores Fuller, Tor Johnson, Paul Marco, Loretta KingThe production is shut down due to lack of funds.
Ed Wood, Bela Lugosi, Tor Johnson, Loretta KingEd hosts a backers party to raise money, but fails to secure funding.
Ed Wood, Bela Lugosi, Criswell, John 'Bunny' Breckinridge, Vampira, Paul MarcoEd and Dolores are evicted from their home.
Ed Wood, Dolores FullerEd and Bela visit a philosophical society.
Ed Wood, Bela LugosiEd pitches the movie to a wealthy meat packer to get funding.
Ed WoodEd calls Tor to inform him that production is resuming.
Ed Wood, Tor JohnsonProduction resumes with the addition of Tony McCoy.
Ed Wood, Dolores Fuller, John 'Bunny' Breckinridge, Paul Marco, Loretta KingTension between Dolores and Loretta on set.
Ed Wood, Dolores Fuller, Loretta KingThe crew watches dailies.
Ed Wood, Dolores Fuller, Criswell, Loretta KingThe crew drives to break into Republic Studios.
Ed Wood, Criswell, Tor Johnson, Paul Marco, Conrad BrooksThe crew breaks into the studio to steal the octopus.
Ed Wood, Criswell, Tor Johnson, Paul Marco, Conrad BrooksThe crew retrieves the octopus.
Ed Wood, Criswell, Tor Johnson, Paul Marco, Conrad BrooksThe crew sets up for the final shoot.
Ed Wood, Bela Lugosi, Conrad BrooksThe crew sets up for a night shoot; Ed argues with Conrad about the octopus prop.
Ed Wood, Conrad BrooksEd comforts a tired Bela, who secretly prepares to use drugs.
Ed Wood, Bela LugosiThe crew floods the riverbed; Bela struggles with the octopus prop and his own history.
Ed Wood, Bela Lugosi, John 'Bunny' Breckinridge, Paul MarcoGreetings, my friend. You are interested in the unknown, the mysterious, the unexplainable... that is why you are here. So now, for the first time, we are bringing you the full story of what happened... We are giving you all the evidence, based only on the secret testimony of the miserable souls who survived this terrifying ordeal. The incidents, the places, my friend, we cannot keep this a secret any longer. Can your hearts stand the shocking facts of the true story of Edward D. Wood, Junior??
No! I don't want you to show the movie, I want you to be in it! See, maybe I should explain: We started shooting, but then after three days we got shut down. So we're having a backers party, to raise some more money. Perhaps you'd like to come next door and meet some of the backers...?
Fine. Let them! There is no such thing as bad press. A man from New York even said he's putting me on the front page! First celebrity to ever check into rehab. When I get out of here, I will be healthy. Strong! I will be primed for my comeback!
I'm interested in the picture business. My associates and I wish to produce a series of uplifting religious films, on the Apostles. But unfortunately, we don't have enough money.
You want me to show it on my TV program? Well I got nothing to do with that. You should call up the station manager at Channel Seven --
Most people in this country, they know nothing, about Eastern mysticism. They are afraid of it. But I am open-minded. It gives me hope.
No, don't worry, I moved on. I was just calling to see if you want to attend the world premiere of my new film, "Bride Of The Monster."
Well, Mr. Weiss, I've never told anyone what I'm about to tell you... but I really want this job. I like to dress in women's clothing.
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