Joe Buck
Joe Buck is listed as Protagonist. A naive, aspiring hustler from Texas who travels to New York City. In the parsed data, Joe Buck is connected to 141 scenes, 56 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
141 scenes / 0 dialogue lines224Scenes
11Characters
46Pages
1Dialogue samples
Save the Cat beat sheet
Midnight Cowboy Save the Cat analysis
Joe Buck arrives in New York full of ambition but quickly struggles with loneliness and exploitation.
Open full beat sheetKey characters
UNKNOWN
UNKNOWN is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, UNKNOWN is connected to 75 scenes, 2534 dialogue lines, first appearing around scene 1.
75 scenes / 2534 dialogue linesEnrico Rizzo
Enrico Rizzo is listed as Deuteragonist. A sickly, street-smart con man living in a condemned tenement. In the parsed data, Enrico Rizzo is connected to 62 scenes, 14 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
62 scenes / 0 dialogue linesSally Buck
Sally Buck is listed as Supporting. Joe's grandmother, a beauty parlor owner. In the parsed data, Sally Buck is connected to 13 scenes, 14 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
13 scenes / 0 dialogue linesShirley
Shirley is listed as Supporting. A career woman Joe meets at a party. In the parsed data, Shirley is connected to 12 scenes, 14 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
12 scenes / 0 dialogue linesTownsend P. Locke
Townsend P. Locke is listed as Supporting. A man Joe meets at an arcade. In the parsed data, Townsend P. Locke is connected to 9 scenes, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 182.
9 scenes / 0 dialogue linesO'Daniel
O'Daniel is listed as Supporting. A street-corner evangelist. In the parsed data, O'Daniel is connected to 8 scenes, 49 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
8 scenes / 0 dialogue linesCass Trehune
Cass Trehune is listed as Supporting. A wealthy, lonely woman Joe encounters in New York. In the parsed data, Cass Trehune is connected to 7 scenes, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 72.
7 scenes / 0 dialogue linesAnastasia
Anastasia is listed as Minor. A woman from Joe's past. In the parsed data, Anastasia is connected to 4 scenes, first appearing around scene 5.
4 scenes / 0 dialogue linesRalph
Ralph is listed as Minor. An aging cafeteria worker in Texas. In the parsed data, Ralph is connected to 3 scenes, first appearing around scene 178.
3 scenes / 0 dialogue linesWoodsy Niles
Woodsy Niles is listed as Minor. A cowboy from Joe's past. In the parsed data, Woodsy Niles is connected to 2 scenes, 14 text mentions, first appearing around scene 178.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesScene outline
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1. EXT. SIXTH AVENUE
Joe walks through the city while a talk radio show plays in the background.
Joe Buck -
1. INT. PUBLIC MEN'S ROOM
Joe is washing his feet in a public restroom sink while two men look on.
Joe Buck -
1. INT. TV STUDIO
A moderator introduces a discussion on the masculinity crisis in America.
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1. INT. TOWNY'S BEDROOM-SITTING ROOM
Joe attacks Towny after an encounter, leaving him toothless and unconscious, then places the receiver in his mouth.
Joe Buck, Shirley -
1. EXT. TIMES SQUARE DANCE HALL
Joe observes a crowd watching a go-go dancer, listening to an Air Force recruiting radio broadcast.
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1. INT. HOTEL ROOM
Joe gets dressed in his cowboy attire, preparing for his departure.
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1. METROPOLE
Joe stands outside the Metropole watching a jazz drummer while looking for a pickup.
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2. ARCADE
Joe plays an arcade game and meets a stranger named Towny.
Joe Buck, Shirley -
2. EXT. SIDEWALK INTERVIEW
An irate woman shares her opinion on sexual satisfaction.
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2. INT. RADIO STATION
Bonner hosts his radio program.
O'Daniel -
2. INT. REMEMBERED BEAUTY PARLOR
A flashback memory of Sally Buck complimenting Joe.
Joe Buck, Sally Buck -
2. EXT. GREYHOUND BUS TERMINAL
The bus engine revs up.
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2. INT. ALL NIGHT CAFETERIA
Joe eats crackers at a cafeteria but accidentally stains his pants with ketchup.
Joe Buck, Sally Buck -
2. EXT. SIXTH AVENUE
Joe flexes his muscles in his room while watching a fitness commercial.
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3. INT. HOTEL ROOM
Joe puts on his boots.
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3. SIDE STREET WEST OF BROADWAY
Towny pressures Joe into having dinner with him.
Joe Buck, Shirley -
3. EXT. SIDEWALK INTERVIEW
A cool woman comments on the image of the man-eating woman.
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3. EXT. LINCOLN TUNNEL
The bus enters the tunnel.
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3. EXT. SIXTH AVENUE / EXT. NEDICK'S
Joe spots Ratso inside Nedick's and approaches with anger.
Joe Buck, Enrico Rizzo -
3. INT. SUBWAY ARCADE
Joe wanders the subway arcade, gives directions, and talks to himself.
Joe Buck -
3. EXT. TIMES SQUARE PANCAKE HOUSE
Joe sees a sign for a dishwasher position and glimpses himself working behind the counter.
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4. INT. GREYHOUND BUS
Joe and Ratso discuss their travel time.
Joe Buck, Enrico Rizzo -
4. EXT. SIDEWALK INTERVIEW
A sad woman comments on her partner's work habits.
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4. STREET CORNER
Joe and Towny walk past O'Daniel preaching on the corner.
Joe Buck, O'Daniel, Shirley -
4. INT. SUNSHINE CAFETERIA
The manager scowls, looking for Joe.
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4. INT. NEDICK'S
Joe confronts Ratso; they discuss O'Daniel and Joe's situation.
Joe Buck, Enrico Rizzo -
4. EXT. FORTY-SECOND STREET
Joe stands on the street as a midnight cowboy.
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4. EXT. SIDEWALK CAFE
Joe watches a couple enter a cafe and attempts to flirt with a woman over the radio broadcast.
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5. E-Z LOAN OFFICE
Joe visits a loan office where he is rejected by the clerk.
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5. INT. ROOM 1014
Joe worries about money.
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5. INT. ROOM 1014
An open suitcase lies on the bed.
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5. TOWNY'S HOTEL ELEVATOR
Joe and Towny ride the elevator up.
Joe Buck, Shirley -
5. INT. CAFETERIA SCULLERY (TEXAS)
Joe Buck works in the scullery, interacting with pinups.
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5. INT. HOTEL ROOM
Joe packs his belongings.
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5. EXT. HIGHWAY
The bus travels south.
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6. INT. SUNSHINE CAFETERIA
The manager complains about dishes.
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6. MULTIPLE SPLIT SCREEN
A montage illustrating female control over wealth and purchasing power.
Joe Buck -
6. INT. GREYHOUND BUS
Joe and Ratso discuss the trip and Ratso's name.
Joe Buck, Enrico Rizzo -
6. INT. TIMES SQUARE PALACE LOBBY
The Desk Clerk denies Joe access to his room due to an unpaid bill.
Joe Buck -
6. INT. ALL NIGHT MOVIE
Joe meets with the Fat Boy in the movie theater balcony.
Joe Buck -
6. INT. NEDICK'S
Joe dismisses Ratso and walks out.
Joe Buck, Enrico Rizzo -
6. TOWNY'S HOTEL CORRIDOR
Towny talks about the history of the hotel.
Joe Buck, Shirley -
7. TOWNY'S BEDROOM-SITTING ROOM
Joe and Towny share a drink in the hotel room.
Joe Buck, Shirley -
7. EXT. TIMES SQUARE
Joe wanders into the crowd after being locked out of his hotel.
Joe Buck -
7. EXT. BRIDGE
The bus crosses a bridge.
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7. EXT. SIXTH AVENUE
Ratso tries to invite Joe to stay with him.
Joe Buck, Enrico Rizzo -
7. INT. HOTEL ROOM
Joe finishes packing and prepares to leave.
Joe Buck -
7. INT. REMEMBERED MOVIE HOUSE
Joe has a flashback to an intimate moment.
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7. INT. TV STUDIO
The moderator poses a final question about the marketable male.
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8. INT. STALL SHOWER
Joe sings in the shower while getting ready to move to New York.
Joe Buck -
8. TENEMENT STAIRS
Joe carries Ratso down the stairs.
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8. EXT. SALLY BUCK'S BEAUTY SALON
Joe passes his old beauty salon, which is now for rent.
Joe Buck -
8. INT. GREYHOUND BUS
Ratso insists on changing his name to Rico for the trip.
Joe Buck, Enrico Rizzo -
8. EXT. TEXAS TOWN MAIN STREET
Joe leaves the hotel.
Joe Buck -
8. EXT. TENEMENT STREET
Ratso leads Joe toward his condemned building.
Joe Buck, Enrico Rizzo -
8. INT. ALL NIGHT MOVIE RESTROOM
Joe demands money from the sick Fat Boy.
Joe Buck -
9. EXT. HIGHWAY
The bus passes a Florida hotel sign.
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9. INT. TENEMENT STAIRS
They climb the stairs in the dark building.
Joe Buck, Enrico Rizzo -
9. INT. CAFETERIA SCULLERY
Joe quits his job and talks to Ralph.
Joe Buck, Anastasia -
9. INT. ALL NIGHT MOVIE
Joe tries to sleep as a suicide call plays on the radio.
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9. INT. SUNSHINE CAFETERIA
A waitress searches for Joe Buck.
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9. INT. BAR
Joe drinks at a bar and rebuffs a panhandler.
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9. TOWNY'S BEDROOM-SITTING ROOM
Joe eats while Towny continues to talk, Joe becoming detached.
Joe Buck, Shirley -
10. INT. SUNSHINE CAFETERIA
Joe walks through the dining room.
Joe Buck -
10. INT. HOTEL ROOM
Joe prepares for his departure, getting ready in front of a mirror.
Joe Buck -
10. TENEMENT NEIGHBORHOOD
Ratso sits on a stoop while Joe hails a cab.
Joe Buck, Enrico Rizzo -
10. INT. ROOM 1014
A brief glimpse of the room Joe has been locked out of.
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11. INT. CAFETERIA SCULLERY
Ralph, the dishwasher, looks for Joe Buck.
Anastasia -
11. INT. BUS DEPOT
A policeman wakes Joe up at the bus depot.
Joe Buck -
21. EXT. TOWN MAIN STREET
Joe leaves the cafeteria and walks toward the bus depot in his small Western town.
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22. EXT. SALLY BUCK'S BEAUTY SALON
Joe passes his grandmother's shuttered beauty salon and remembers the sounds of the past.
Joe Buck, Sally Buck -
23. EXT. BUS DEPOT / HIGHWAY
Joe departs on a bus, heading toward the freeway.
Joe Buck -
24. INT. BUS
Joe interacts with passengers on the bus and reflects on his journey.
Joe Buck -
25. INT. REMEMBERED BEAUTY SALON
Joe recalls a memory of massaging his grandmother at the beauty salon.
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26. INT. BUS
A traveling salesman lectures Joe on the art of salesmanship.
Joe Buck -
27. INT. REMEMBERED BEAUTY SALON
Flashback to Sally giving advice about marriage to a client.
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28. INT. BUS
Joe tries to sleep on the bus and attempts to engage an old cowhand in conversation.
Joe Buck -
31. INT. REMEMBERED BEDROOM
Little Joe watches his mother, Sally Buck, with a cowboy named Woodsy Niles.
Sally Buck -
32. INT. BUS
Joe offers a cigarette to an old cowhand.
Joe Buck -
33. INT. REMEMBERED BEDROOM
Little Joe watches Woodsy sing drunkenly on the bed.
Sally Buck
Dialogue examples
Well, I am dumb, that's for sure. I don't talk right. I can't think too good. Just only one thing I ever been good for's loving. Women go crazy for me. Fact. Crazy Annie. Had to send her away. So I don't cash in on that, what am I? I'm shee-it. May's well flush me down that hole with the dishwater.
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