1985
As a lonely child, John Bennett wishes his new teddy bear, Ted, would come to life, and his wish is granted, making Ted a celebrity. Years later, John and Ted are still inseparable, but John's girlfriend, Lori Collins, insists that Ted's immature influence is preventing John from growing up, leading John to make Ted move out. Ted gets a job and a girlfriend, Tami-Lynn, but his continued antics, including hosting a party with Flash Gordon actor Sam J. Jones, cause John to neglect Lori, who eventually breaks up with him. After a failed attempt to win Lori back at a Norah Jones concert, John and Lori reconcile, but Ted is kidnapped by Donny, a disturbed man who has been obsessed with Ted since childhood.
Save the Cat beat sheet
A lonely John makes a Christmas wish that brings his teddy bear, Ted, to life and they become inseparable.
Open full beat sheetJohn Bennett is listed as Protagonist. A man who has never fully grown up, best friends with a living teddy bear. In the parsed data, John Bennett is connected to 51 scenes, 48 dialogue lines, 48 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
51 scenes / 48 dialogue linesTed is listed as Protagonist. A plush teddy bear brought to life by a childhood wish. In the parsed data, Ted is connected to 49 scenes, 49 dialogue lines, 55 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
49 scenes / 49 dialogue linesLori Collins is listed as John's Girlfriend/Wife. John's long-term girlfriend who wants him to grow up. In the parsed data, Lori Collins is connected to 28 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 16.
28 scenes / 8 dialogue linesDonny is listed as Antagonist. A disturbed man obsessed with Ted since childhood. In the parsed data, Donny is connected to 12 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 22.
12 scenes / 5 dialogue linesRobert is listed as Antagonist. Donny's son who helps kidnap Ted. In the parsed data, Robert is connected to 10 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 62.
10 scenes / 3 dialogue linesSam J. Jones is listed as Celebrity. The actor who played Flash Gordon, idolized by John and Ted. In the parsed data, Sam J. Jones is connected to 7 scenes, 12 dialogue lines, 12 text mentions, first appearing around scene 38.
7 scenes / 12 dialogue linesRex is listed as Antagonist. Lori's arrogant and sleazy boss. In the parsed data, Rex is connected to 7 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 36.
7 scenes / 3 dialogue linesTami-Lynn is listed as Ted's Girlfriend. A grocery store bagger who becomes Ted's girlfriend. In the parsed data, Tami-Lynn is connected to 6 scenes, first appearing around scene 25.
6 scenes / 0 dialogue linesNarrator is listed as Narrator. The voiceover narrator of the story. In the parsed data, Narrator is connected to 3 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
3 scenes / 4 dialogue linesThe camera pushes in on the East Coast of the US during winter while the narrator introduces the story.
NarratorKids play in the snow and bully a Jewish kid named Greenbaum.
Young John watches other kids play from his window, feeling lonely.
John BennettJohn receives a teddy bear for Christmas and names him Teddy.
John Bennett, TedJohn makes a wish for his teddy bear to come to life.
John Bennett, TedJohn wakes up to find Teddy is alive.
John Bennett, TedJohn introduces his parents to the living Teddy bear.
John Bennett, TedJohn and Ted are hanging out, smoking, and discussing Boston women.
John Bennett, TedJohn is reprimanded by his boss for being late.
John BennettJohn is reprimanded by his boss Thomas for being late and for his performance, but is promised a promotion if he improves.
John BennettJohn talks to his coworker Guy about his mysterious bruises and discusses his anniversary plans with his coworkers.
John BennettJohn and Ted watch Flash Gordon and discuss John's upcoming anniversary dinner.
John Bennett, Ted, Lori CollinsJohn and Lori prepare for bed, but are interrupted by Ted during a thunderstorm.
John Bennett, Ted, Lori CollinsLori's coworkers criticize her relationship with John, and her boss Rex harasses her.
Lori Collins, RexJohn and Lori have their anniversary dinner and reminisce about how they met.
John Bennett, Lori CollinsJohn and Lori celebrate their anniversary, exchange gifts, and argue about Ted.
John Bennett, Lori CollinsJohn and Lori arrive home; John struggles to find his phone.
John Bennett, Lori CollinsLori finds Ted hosting a party with women and discovers a mess.
John Bennett, Ted, Lori CollinsJohn tells Ted he needs to move out.
John Bennett, Ted, DonnyJohn helps Ted get a job at a grocery store.
John Bennett, TedTed is hired by Frank.
TedJohn and Ted meet Donny and Robert.
John Bennett, Ted, Donny, RobertJohn drops Ted off at his new place.
John Bennett, TedJohn and Lori reconcile.
John Bennett, Lori CollinsTed flirts with Tami-Lynn.
Ted, Tami-LynnEstablishment shot of Liberty Rent-A-Car.
John talks to Tanya about his breakup and receives a call from Ted.
John BennettTed talks to John on the phone while in the bathtub.
John Bennett, TedJohn lies to his boss Thomas to get time off.
John BennettJohn and Ted get high and discuss Ted's new girlfriend.
John Bennett, TedA tense double date between John, Lori, Ted, and Tami-Lynn.
John Bennett, Ted, Lori Collins, Tami-LynnTed's boss catches him with Tami-Lynn.
Ted, Tami-LynnDonny confronts Ted.
Ted, Donny, Tami-LynnJohn and Lori attend Rex's party.
John Bennett, Lori Collins, RexJohn and Ted discuss the arrival of Sam J. Jones.
John Bennett, TedJohn talks to Ted on the phone while at Rex's party, trying to decide if he should leave.
John Bennett, Ted, Lori Collins, RexJohn leaves the party in a rush.
John BennettJohn arrives at Ted's apartment and meets Sam J. Jones.
John Bennett, Ted, Sam J. JonesJohn, Ted, and Sam emerge from the bathroom after doing drugs.
John Bennett, Ted, Sam J. JonesJohn and Ted discuss opening a restaurant.
John Bennett, TedTed attempts a knife trick on a party guest.
TedJohn performs an impression of Ted.
John Bennett, TedTed draws on a girl.
Ted, Tami-LynnTed sings karaoke.
John Bennett, TedSam punches a hole in the wall.
John Bennett, Ted, Sam J. JonesThe neighbor confronts the group.
John Bennett, Ted, Sam J. JonesJohn realizes he is late and must leave.
John Bennett, Sam J. JonesJohn runs into Lori.
John Bennett, Lori CollinsLori breaks up with John.
John Bennett, Ted, Lori CollinsJohn sits alone in a hotel room.
John BennettRex asks Lori out on a date.
Lori Collins, RexEstablishment of the hotel where John is staying.
Ted visits John to tell him about Lori and Rex, leading to a physical fight.
John Bennett, TedLori and Rex attend a Norah Jones concert.
Lori Collins, RexTed and John meet Norah Jones backstage.
John Bennett, TedJohn performs on stage to win Lori back, but it goes poorly.
John Bennett, Lori Collins, RexLori leaves Rex after the concert.
Lori Collins, RexTed visits Lori to convince her to give John another chance.
Ted, Lori CollinsDonny kidnaps Ted.
Ted, Donny, RobertJohn and Lori meet and decide to end things on good terms.
John Bennett, Lori CollinsTed is held captive by Donny and Robert.
Ted, Donny, RobertTed plays hide and seek with Robert while planning his escape.
Ted, RobertTed attempts to sneak past Donny but makes a noise.
Ted, DonnyRobert responds to Donny.
RobertDonny questions Ted's presence, and Ted hides in a closet to fix his ear.
Ted, Donny, RobertTed calls John for help.
Ted, John Bennett, Lori Collins, DonnyTed discovers Donny's collection of mutilated bears.
Ted, Donny, RobertDonny and Robert kidnap Ted in their car.
Ted, Donny, RobertA car chase ensues as John and Lori pursue Donny.
Ted, John Bennett, Lori Collins, Donny, RobertThe final confrontation on the lighting tower.
Ted, John Bennett, Lori Collins, Donny, RobertLori attempts to sew Ted back together.
John Bennett, Lori Collins, TedLori wakes up, looks out the window, and makes a wish on a shooting star.
Lori CollinsA shooting star passes through the clouds.
Lori makes a wish.
Lori CollinsJohn discovers Ted has come back to life.
John Bennett, Ted, Lori CollinsJohn and Lori get married with Sam J. Jones officiating.
John Bennett, Ted, Lori Collins, Sam J. JonesThe wedding exit and Tami-Lynn's fight.
John Bennett, Ted, Lori Collins, Tami-Lynn, Sam J. JonesIt has been said that magic vanished from our world a long time ago. And that humanity can no longer fulfill its desires through the power of wishes. To those who have lost the wondrous vision of childhood eyes, submitted here is the story of a little boy, and a magical Christmas wish that changed his life forever.
John. There are moments in a man's life: Nathan Hale, "I regret that I have but one life to give for my country." Alan Hale, "Yes, I accept the role of the Skipper on `Gilligan's Island.'"
Rex. I gotta go. I'll be back in thirty minutes tops, but Lori cannot find out. She absolutely cannot know I was gone. If you can cover for me... we're cool on all that other stuff.
I'm gonna make traditional to your girlfriend. And then fuck her in the ass. All right. We have a game plan.
Yes, as you can see, you've been part of our family for quite some time. Welcome home.
You... well-- no, you-- god, that's a weird fuckin' question, no, just start countin'.
What? You're un-fucking-believable, you know that? How stupid do you think I am?
John, this is Sam Jones. Sam, this is my best friend in the whole world, John.
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