1997
Retired director James Whale, debilitated by a stroke, hires ex-Marine Clayton Boone as his gardener, developing an infatuation that leads to a complex relationship. As their bond deepens, Whale shares his past while Clay grapples with his identity amidst Whale's deteriorating health and contemplation of suicide. After a tense confrontation where Whale asks Clay to kill him, Clay discovers Whale drowned in his pool, leaving a suicide note that exonerates him. Years later, Clay, now a father, reflects on Whale's profound impact while watching one of his films with his son.
Save the Cat beat sheet
A troubled young gardener, Clayton Boone, is hired by aging film director James Whale.
Open full beat sheetClayton Boone is listed as Protagonist / Yardman. 26-year-old handsome, rough-hewn former Marine who works as a gardener. In the parsed data, Clayton Boone is connected to 46 scenes, 217 dialogue lines, 219 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.
46 scenes / 217 dialogue linesJames Whale is listed as Protagonist / Retired Film Director. 67-year-old former director of Frankenstein, suffering from the aftereffects of a stroke. In the parsed data, James Whale is connected to 37 scenes, 274 dialogue lines, 280 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
37 scenes / 274 dialogue linesHanna is listed as Housekeeper. Squat, muffin-faced Hungarian woman in her late 50s. In the parsed data, Hanna is connected to 19 scenes, 55 dialogue lines, 65 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
19 scenes / 55 dialogue linesBetty Cartwright is listed as Bartender. Attractive woman in her early 30s, big-boned. In the parsed data, Betty Cartwright is connected to 4 scenes, 19 dialogue lines, 19 text mentions, first appearing around scene 17.
4 scenes / 19 dialogue linesEdmund Kay is listed as Interviewer. 22-year-old student and film enthusiast. In the parsed data, Edmund Kay is connected to 4 scenes, 10 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
4 scenes / 10 dialogue linesDwight Joad is listed as Neighbor. 30-year-old neighbor of Clay. In the parsed data, Dwight Joad is connected to 4 scenes, first appearing around scene 7.
4 scenes / 0 dialogue linesElsa Lanchester is listed as Actress. Actress who played the Bride of Frankenstein. In the parsed data, Elsa Lanchester is connected to 3 scenes, 20 dialogue lines, 20 text mentions, first appearing around scene 22.
3 scenes / 20 dialogue linesLeonard Barnett is listed as War Memory. Young soldier from Whale's past in the Great War. In the parsed data, Leonard Barnett is connected to 3 scenes, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 46.
3 scenes / 0 dialogue linesDavid Lewis is listed as Friend. 55-year-old friend and former partner of James Whale. In the parsed data, David Lewis is connected to 2 scenes, 13 dialogue lines, 16 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
2 scenes / 13 dialogue linesBoris Karloff is listed as Actor. Famous actor who played the Monster in Frankenstein. In the parsed data, Boris Karloff is connected to 2 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 22.
2 scenes / 6 dialogue linesClayton Boone wakes up in his trailer and prepares for his workday.
Clayton BooneJames Whale and David Lewis discuss Whale's health and the nurse situation while Hanna serves them.
James Whale, Hanna, David LewisWhale meets Clayton Boone for the first time while Clay is working as a gardener.
James Whale, Clayton BooneWhale meets Edmund Kay for an interview.
James Whale, Hanna, Edmund KayWhale and Kay conduct an interview that turns into a game of strip poker.
James Whale, Clayton Boone, Hanna, Edmund KayWhale recovers from his episode with Hanna's help while Kay leaves.
James Whale, Hanna, Edmund KayClay is woken up by his neighbor Dwight and deals with a girl named Daisy.
Clayton Boone, Dwight JoadWhale invites Clay for iced tea in his studio.
James Whale, Clayton BooneClay enters Whale's studio and asks if he is famous.
James Whale, Clayton BooneClay arrives at Whale's house for the first time and they discuss Whale's past as a director.
James Whale, Clayton Boone, HannaClay looks at his reflection in his truck mirror.
Clayton BooneWhale undergoes medical tests and discusses his stroke with Dr. Payne.
James WhaleClay returns to the house and has a tense exchange with Hanna.
Clayton Boone, HannaClay begins modeling for Whale and they discuss their pasts.
James Whale, Clayton Boone, HannaClay and his friends watch Whale's movie on TV.
Clayton Boone, Betty Cartwright, Dwight JoadWhale and Hanna watch the same movie.
James Whale, HannaClay and Betty argue about their relationship and Clay's interest in James Whale, leading to a heated confrontation.
Clayton Boone, Betty Cartwright, HannaClay and Betty continue their argument outside, ending with Betty driving away.
Clayton Boone, Betty CartwrightClay vents his frustration at the dump.
Clayton BooneWhale contemplates suicide but decides against it.
James Whale, HannaHanna discovers Whale, but it is revealed to be a nightmare or imagined scenario.
James Whale, HannaWhale returns to reality and experiences a flashback to the set of Bride of Frankenstein.
James Whale, Boris Karloff, Elsa LanchesterWhale directs a scene for Bride of Frankenstein.
James Whale, Elsa LanchesterWhale takes his medication and has a surreal dream about Clay.
James Whale, Clayton BooneWhale wakes up to find Clay in his room, then realizes it was a dream.
James Whale, Clayton BooneHanna assists Whale with his personal needs.
James Whale, HannaHanna invites Clay to lunch on behalf of Whale.
Clayton Boone, HannaClay and Hanna talk while waiting for Whale.
Clayton Boone, HannaWhale greets Clay and discusses his mail.
James Whale, Clayton BooneWhale and Clay have lunch and discuss their lives.
James Whale, Clayton Boone, HannaClay and Whale discuss the portrait session and Clay's life, leading to a tense confrontation about Whale's past and sexuality.
James Whale, Clayton BooneWhale experiences a hallucinatory memory of his past while Clay storms out.
James Whale, Clayton BooneWhale wakes from his nightmare in terror.
James WhaleClay works at a client's house and deals with a difficult property owner.
Clayton BooneClay visits a bar, encounters Dwight, and meets a woman.
Clayton Boone, Dwight JoadClay is with the woman.
Clayton BooneClay reflects on his appearance.
Clayton BooneClay researches James Whale.
Clayton BooneClay returns to Whale's house to resume posing.
James Whale, Clayton Boone, HannaClay calls his mother from a phone booth.
Clayton BooneWhale prepares for the party and remembers the war.
James Whale, HannaWhale and Clay attend a party at George Cukor's house.
James Whale, Clayton BooneWhale and Clay attend a garden party where they interact with Princess Margaret, George Cukor, and David Lewis.
James Whale, Clayton Boone, David Lewis, Edmund Kay, Betty Cartwright, Dwight JoadWhale and Clay drive home in the rain.
James Whale, Clayton BooneWhale and Clay arrive home to find Hanna missing.
James Whale, Clayton BooneWhale prepares for dinner while Clay showers.
James Whale, Clayton Boone, Leonard BarnettWhale and Clay eat dinner and discuss their pasts.
James Whale, Clayton BooneWhale sketches Clay while recounting his war trauma.
James Whale, Clayton Boone, Leonard BarnettWhale forces Clay to wear a gas mask, leading to a physical confrontation and a request from Whale for Clay to kill him.
James Whale, Clayton BooneClay checks on Whale after the struggle; Whale prepares for bed.
James Whale, Clayton BooneClay wraps himself in a sheet to sleep.
Clayton BooneClay cleans up the room and settles in to sleep.
Clayton BooneWhale wakes up and begins writing a note.
James WhaleWhale has a surreal vision of the war and Leonard Barnett.
James Whale, Clayton Boone, Leonard BarnettHanna discovers Clay in the house and prepares breakfast.
Clayton Boone, HannaClay discovers Whale has drowned himself in the pool.
James Whale, Clayton Boone, HannaA flashback scene from Bride of Frankenstein plays.
Clay watches the movie with his son Michael.
Clayton BooneClay takes out the trash and reflects on the past.
Clayton BooneWe saw him at morning stand-to and evening stand-to. "Good morning, Barnett," we'd say each day. "How's ole Barnett looking this morning?" "Seems a little peaky. Looks a little plumper." His wounds faced the other way and his hat shielded his eyes, so one could imagine he was napping on bedsprings. He hung there until we were relieved. We introduced him to the new unit before we marched out, speaking highly of his companionship.
The morning after Pearl Harbor, he drove down to St. Louis to reenlist. He was so damn excited. World War II was going to be his second chance. They told him he was too old...fat ...nearsighted. Said he'd be more use to his country if he stayed home and looked after his family.
No. I have children, grandchildren too. I visit when I can. But now that Mr. Jimmy cannot be left very long, I do not get away much. Poor Mr. Jimmy. There is much good in him, but he will suffer the fires of hell. Very sad.
No, I'm actually kind of glad it happened. It made me wonder what the hell I was doing with my life. Letting you pull me into bed whenever the spirit moved you.
Don't think that, Mr. Whale. I love your movies. That's why I wanted you to come to this. So I could see you with your monsters.
Her Majesty's Loyal Subjects in the Motion Picture Industry... Cordially invited...Reception at the home of...Mr. George Cukor!
Sorry. My pajamas are tailored. Would it be too distressing to continue with the towel? No more immodest than a kilt, you know.
Exactly, I'm losing my mind. Every day, another piece goes. Soon there will be nothing left. Look at the sketch I made of you.
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