1996
David Wagner, a high school student obsessed with the 1950s sitcom Pleasantville, and his popular sister Jennifer are transported into the black-and-white world of the show after a fight over the television remote breaks it and a mysterious repairman gives them a new one. As David and Jennifer introduce modern concepts and emotions to the residents, the town slowly begins to transform from black and white into color, starting with a red rose and then Betty Parker, the mother in Pleasantville, after she experiences sexual pleasure. The changes cause both wonder and fear among the townspeople, leading to a divide between those embracing color and those clinging to the old, predictable black-and-white world. Big Bob McGee, the town leader, establishes a strict Code of Conduct to suppress the colorful changes, leading to the destruction of art and books and the arrest of David and Mr. Johnson, the soda shop owner who has discovered art. During their trial, David and Jennifer inspire the town to embrace individuality and emotion, causing Big Bob and many others to turn to color, and Jennifer decides to stay in Pleasantville to help the town continue its transformation while David returns to his own world, now with a deeper understanding of life's complexities.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Pleasantville begins by presenting the sterile, black-and-white world of a 1950s TV town and two modern teens who find themselves trapped inside it.
Open full beat sheetDavid Wagner is listed as Protagonist. A high school student obsessed with the 1950s sitcom Pleasantville. In the parsed data, David Wagner is connected to 49 scenes, 222 dialogue lines, 222 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
49 scenes / 222 dialogue linesJennifer Wagner is listed as David's sister. A popular, fashion-conscious high school student. In the parsed data, Jennifer Wagner is connected to 27 scenes, 94 dialogue lines, 94 text mentions, first appearing around scene 15.
27 scenes / 94 dialogue linesBetty Parker is listed as Mother in Pleasantville. A quintessential 1950s housewife. In the parsed data, Betty Parker is connected to 25 scenes, 46 dialogue lines, 46 text mentions, first appearing around scene 16.
25 scenes / 46 dialogue linesMr. Johnson is listed as Soda Shop owner. The owner of the local soda shop who discovers art. In the parsed data, Mr. Johnson is connected to 13 scenes, 64 dialogue lines, 66 text mentions, first appearing around scene 20.
13 scenes / 64 dialogue linesMargaret Henderson is listed as High school student. A popular girl who becomes David's girlfriend. In the parsed data, Margaret Henderson is connected to 13 scenes, 33 dialogue lines, 34 text mentions, first appearing around scene 33.
13 scenes / 33 dialogue linesBiff Martin is listed as High school student. Captain of the basketball team. In the parsed data, Biff Martin is connected to 12 scenes, 35 dialogue lines, 35 text mentions, first appearing around scene 17.
12 scenes / 35 dialogue linesGeorge Parker is listed as Father in Pleasantville. A stereotypical 1950s father. In the parsed data, George Parker is connected to 12 scenes, 26 dialogue lines, 26 text mentions, first appearing around scene 23.
12 scenes / 26 dialogue linesBig Bob McGee is listed as Town leader. The influential owner of several local businesses. In the parsed data, Big Bob McGee is connected to 8 scenes, 28 dialogue lines, 28 text mentions, first appearing around scene 31.
8 scenes / 28 dialogue linesDick Van Dyke is listed as Mysterious figure. A TV repairman who transports David and Jennifer into the show. In the parsed data, Dick Van Dyke is connected to 5 scenes, 12 dialogue lines, 12 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
5 scenes / 12 dialogue linesA college counselor lectures seniors about their bleak future prospects.
A health teacher discusses the risks of promiscuous lifestyles.
A science teacher discusses global warming and famine, while David Wagner sits in the front row.
David WagnerIntroduction to the black and white world of Pleasantville.
Betty Parker, George ParkerDavid watches Pleasantville on TV while his mother argues on the phone.
David Wagner, Betty Parker, George ParkerDavid rehearses asking a girl out, but realizes she is talking to someone else.
David Wagner, Margaret HendersonDavid and his friends discuss Pleasantville trivia.
David WagnerJennifer and her friends discuss boys and social plans.
Jennifer WagnerDavid and Jennifer fight over the TV remote, breaking it.
David Wagner, Jennifer WagnerA mysterious TV repairman arrives and gives them a new remote.
David Wagner, Jennifer Wagner, Dick Van DykeDavid and Jennifer are transported into the world of Pleasantville.
David Wagner, Jennifer WagnerDavid and Jennifer arrive in Pleasantville and meet their TV parents.
David Wagner, Jennifer Wagner, Betty Parker, George Parker, Dick Van DykeDavid and Jennifer are forced to eat a massive breakfast.
David Wagner, Jennifer Wagner, Betty Parker, George ParkerDavid and Jennifer walk through the town and encounter Biff Martin.
David Wagner, Jennifer Wagner, Biff MartinJennifer questions the teacher about what lies outside Pleasantville.
Jennifer WagnerJennifer questions the geography of Pleasantville, causing confusion among the students and Miss Peters.
Jennifer Wagner, Betty ParkerDavid displays unnatural basketball skills while Biff approaches him to ask about Jennifer.
David Wagner, Biff MartinDavid and Jennifer discuss the strange nature of their environment and the need to play along.
David Wagner, Jennifer WagnerJennifer prepares for her date with Biff.
David Wagner, Jennifer WagnerDavid works at the soda shop and interacts with Mr. Johnson.
David Wagner, Mr. JohnsonJennifer and Biff go on a date at the soda shop while David serves them.
David Wagner, Jennifer Wagner, Mr. Johnson, Biff MartinJennifer and Biff arrive at Lover's Lane.
Jennifer Wagner, Biff MartinDavid returns home and speaks with his parents.
David Wagner, Betty Parker, George ParkerJennifer and Biff are intimate in the car.
Jennifer Wagner, Biff MartinDavid talks to Mr. Johnson at his home.
David Wagner, Betty Parker, Mr. JohnsonBiff notices a red rose blooming.
Biff MartinThe basketball team loses their ability to play well.
David Wagner, Biff MartinDavid and Jennifer argue about the changes in Pleasantville.
David Wagner, Jennifer WagnerDr. Henderson examines Lisa Anne's red tongue.
David tries to talk to Mr. Johnson about his lack of motivation.
David Wagner, Mr. JohnsonThe men of the town discuss the basketball team's loss.
George Parker, Big Bob McGeeThe women's bridge club notices strange changes.
Betty ParkerBetty and Marge discuss the strange behavior of Bill Johnson while playing bridge; Betty discovers her hand is all red hearts.
Betty Parker, Margaret HendersonBetty asks Jennifer about sex and what happens at Lover's Lane.
Jennifer Wagner, Betty ParkerBetty and Jennifer discuss Betty's marriage and the concept of enjoying oneself without George.
Jennifer Wagner, Betty ParkerBetty takes a bath and experiences a transformation into color.
Betty ParkerA tree bursts into flames, and David rushes to the fire station to alert the firemen.
David WagnerDavid receives a commendation from Big Bob McGee for his heroism.
David Wagner, Big Bob McGeeDavid interacts with the local kids who are curious about the world outside Pleasantville.
David Wagner, Jennifer Wagner, Biff Martin, Margaret HendersonBig Bob McGee recruits George for the Chamber of Commerce.
David Wagner, Betty Parker, George Parker, Big Bob McGeeDavid helps Betty hide her color transformation with makeup.
David Wagner, Betty ParkerDavid brings an art book to Mr. Johnson, who is inspired by the colors.
David Wagner, Mr. JohnsonDavid asks Margaret on a date.
David Wagner, Margaret HendersonDavid is confronted by the TV Repairman on the television.
David Wagner, Dick Van DykeDavid and Jennifer discuss their situation and why Jennifer hasn't turned to color.
David Wagner, Jennifer WagnerDavid and Margaret go to Lover's Lane, where the world is turning into color.
David Wagner, Margaret HendersonBetty visits Mr. Johnson at the soda shop and admires his art.
Betty Parker, Mr. JohnsonBetty visits Mr. Johnson at the soda shop, where they bond over art and she reveals her true color.
Betty Parker, Mr. JohnsonJennifer reads Lady Chatterley's Lover and is interrupted by Biff.
Jennifer Wagner, Biff MartinDavid and Margaret talk and share an apple.
David Wagner, Margaret HendersonGeorge returns home to find the house empty.
George ParkerBetty and Mr. Johnson react to the storm and the painting.
Betty Parker, Mr. JohnsonDavid and Margaret experience real rain.
David Wagner, Margaret HendersonGeorge arrives at the bowling alley, soaked and confused.
George Parker, Big Bob McGeeBetty tells George she is leaving.
Betty Parker, George ParkerBig Bob holds a town meeting to address the changes.
George Parker, Big Bob McGeeDavid and Margaret are confronted by Whitey.
David Wagner, Margaret HendersonDavid is confronted by the TV Repairman.
David Wagner, Dick Van DykeDavid sprints home, vaults a hedge, and enters his house.
David WagnerDavid enters the house and checks that it is empty.
David WagnerDavid retrieves the remote control.
David WagnerDavid attempts to hide the remote but encounters a mob harassing Betty.
David Wagner, Betty ParkerThe mob destroys the soda shop.
David Wagner, Betty Parker, Margaret HendersonDavid, Betty, and Margaret encounter a roadblock.
David Wagner, Betty Parker, Margaret HendersonDavid finds Jennifer fighting to save books from a bonfire.
David Wagner, Jennifer Wagner, Biff MartinDavid and others regroup in the damaged shop.
David Wagner, Jennifer Wagner, Betty Parker, Mr. Johnson, Margaret HendersonBig Bob announces a new Code of Conduct.
Big Bob McGeeDavid reads the Code of Conduct to the group.
David Wagner, Jennifer Wagner, Betty Parker, Mr. Johnson, Margaret HendersonDick Van Dyke visits David in jail.
David Wagner, Dick Van DykeThe trial of David and Mr. Johnson.
David Wagner, Betty Parker, George Parker, Mr. Johnson, Big Bob McGeeDavid and Jennifer stand at the edge of town; Jennifer decides to stay in Pleasantville to pursue her own path, and they share a heartfelt goodbye before she boards a bus.
David Wagner, Jennifer WagnerDavid and Margaret share a final, intimate goodbye before David departs.
David Wagner, Margaret HendersonDavid says goodbye to Mr. Johnson and Betty before using the remote to return to his own time.
David Wagner, Betty Parker, Mr. JohnsonA brief look at the modern world with security patrols and sprinklers.
David returns to his modern living room and reflects on his experience.
David WagnerSee, I know you want it to stay "Pleasant" but there are so many things that are so much better: like Silly ... or Sexy ... or Dangerous ... or Wild ... or Brief ... And every one of those things is in you all the time if you just have the guts to look for them. Look at those faces back there. They're no different than you are. They just happened to see something inside themselves that you don't want to ...
Have you seen him lately? The man doesn't look like himself. I was getting my sewing machine fixed across the street and he was sitting in the window of his shop just staring. Wasn't looking at anything in particular--just staring off into space.
Bud, your sister's a little older now and she's naturally going to start going out with boys. In fact pretty soon--she's even going to get married and make someone a good little home-maker like your mother here. That's IF she can learn to bake.
Thanks. But this morning I was thinking about it and I realized that I looked forward to it all year. And then I thought "Gee. That seems awfully silly. That seems like an awfully long time to be waiting for just one moment, don't you think?"
Okay look, this like--wasn't my fault. They asked me what it was about and I like didn't remember 'cause we had it back in tenth grade, But I told them what I DID remember, and the next thing I knew the pages had filled in.
See every year on Dec 3, I get to paint the Christmas decorations in the window. And every year, I get to paint a different thing ... One year it's the North Pole. The next I do Santa's workshop. Here I'll show you.
Said he didn't want to do it anymore. Just took off his apron in the middle of an order. Mrs. Thompson had her groceries spread all over the counter ... Took 'em four hours to sort the whole thing out.
... That's real rain out there gentlemen. This isn't some little "virus" that's going to "clear up on it's own." There's something happening to our town and I think we can all see where it comes from.
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