1959
C.C. "Bud" Baxter, an ambitious insurance clerk, attempts to climb the corporate ladder by lending his apartment to his superiors for their extramarital affairs. Bud falls for Fran Kubelik, an elevator operator, unaware that she is having an affair with his boss, Mr. Sheldrake, who also uses Bud's apartment. On Christmas Eve, Bud discovers Fran unconscious in his apartment after she attempts suicide with pills, prompting him to care for her with the help of his neighbor, Dr. Dreyfuss. After Fran recovers, she learns that Sheldrake plans to divorce his wife and continue their affair, but Bud, having fallen in love with Fran, refuses to give Sheldrake his apartment key for a New Year's Eve rendezvous and quits his job.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Baxter, an insurance clerk, lends his apartment to his superiors for their secret trysts, hoping to climb the corporate ladder.
Open full beat sheetC.C. Baxter is listed as Insurance Clerk. Serious, hard-working, unobtrusive, about thirty. In the parsed data, C.C. Baxter is connected to 44 scenes, 114 dialogue lines, 115 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
44 scenes / 114 dialogue linesFran Kubelik is listed as Elevator Operator. Appealing, individualist, wears a carnation. In the parsed data, Fran Kubelik is connected to 26 scenes, 98 dialogue lines, 99 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
26 scenes / 98 dialogue linesMr. Sheldrake is listed as Director of Personnel. Substantial, authoritative, middle-aged, family man. In the parsed data, Mr. Sheldrake is connected to 16 scenes, 65 dialogue lines, 86 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
16 scenes / 65 dialogue linesMr. Kirkeby is listed as Supervisory Personnel. Dapper, middle-aged man. In the parsed data, Mr. Kirkeby is connected to 9 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
9 scenes / 5 dialogue linesSylvia is listed as Switchboard Operator. Redheaded, saftig, first baseman of a dame. In the parsed data, Sylvia is connected to 9 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
9 scenes / 3 dialogue linesMiss Olsen is listed as Sheldrake's Secretary. Flaxen-haired, handsome, wears harlequin glasses, incisive. In the parsed data, Miss Olsen is connected to 6 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 42.
6 scenes / 3 dialogue linesMargie MacDougall is listed as Bar patron. Middle twenties, wears a ratty fur coat. In the parsed data, Margie MacDougall is connected to 6 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 23.
6 scenes / 2 dialogue linesJoe Dobisch is listed as Administration. Hearty man of about forty-five, obnoxious. In the parsed data, Joe Dobisch is connected to 5 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
5 scenes / 4 dialogue linesMrs. Lieberman is listed as Landlady. Middle-aged woman with a Scottie dog. In the parsed data, Mrs. Lieberman is connected to 4 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
4 scenes / 8 dialogue linesDr. David Dreyfuss is listed as Doctor. Tall, heavy-set man of fifty, bushy mustache. In the parsed data, Dr. David Dreyfuss is connected to 4 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 30.
4 scenes / 6 dialogue linesKarl Matuschka is listed as Fran's brother-in-law. Stockily-built cab driver. In the parsed data, Karl Matuschka is connected to 3 scenes, 20 dialogue lines, 22 text mentions, first appearing around scene 46.
3 scenes / 20 dialogue linesMrs. Dreyfuss is listed as Neighbor. Jovial, well-fed middle-aged woman. In the parsed data, Mrs. Dreyfuss is connected to 2 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 36.
2 scenes / 1 dialogue linesMr. Vanderhof is listed as Public Relations. Junior Chamber of Commerce type. In the parsed data, Mr. Vanderhof is connected to 2 scenes, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 7.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesMr. Eichelberger is listed as Mortgage Loan Department. Solid citizen of about fifty. In the parsed data, Mr. Eichelberger is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 7.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesMr. Kirkeby and Sylvia are finishing a tryst in Bud's apartment while Bud waits outside.
C.C. Baxter, Mr. Kirkeby, SylviaBud waits outside his apartment and encounters his landlady.
C.C. Baxter, Mrs. LiebermanKirkeby and Sylvia exit the apartment and leave.
Mr. Kirkeby, SylviaBud cleans up the mess left by Kirkeby, who returns briefly to retrieve galoshes.
C.C. Baxter, Mr. KirkebyBud receives a phone call from Dobisch demanding the apartment.
C.C. Baxter, Joe DobischBud and Fran Kubelik share a brief conversation in the elevator.
C.C. Baxter, Fran KubelikBud handles various requests for his apartment key while managing his cold and his work duties.
C.C. Baxter, Joe Dobisch, Mr. Vanderhof, Mr. Eichelberger, Mr. Kirkeby, SylviaBud and Fran share a brief, friendly conversation in the elevator.
C.C. Baxter, Fran KubelikFran gives Bud her carnation for good luck before he enters Sheldrake's office.
C.C. Baxter, Fran KubelikSheldrake confronts Bud about the apartment key and demands it for his own use.
C.C. Baxter, Mr. Sheldrake, Miss OlsenBud asks Fran to go to the theater with him.
C.C. Baxter, Fran Kubelik, SylviaFran meets Sheldrake for a drink.
Fran Kubelik, Mr. SheldrakeFran and Sheldrake have drinks and discuss their affair, with Fran expressing her disillusionment.
Fran Kubelik, Mr. Sheldrake, SylviaBud waits for Fran outside the theatre.
C.C. BaxterSheldrake tells Fran he is getting a divorce.
Fran Kubelik, Mr. Sheldrake, Miss OlsenSheldrake and Fran take a taxi to Bud's apartment.
Fran Kubelik, Mr. SheldrakeBud gives up waiting for Fran.
C.C. BaxterBud moves into his new office.
C.C. Baxter, Mr. Kirkeby, Joe Dobisch, Mr. Vanderhof, Mr. Eichelberger, Mr. SheldrakeThe switchboard operators leave for a Christmas party.
SylviaA Christmas party is in full swing.
C.C. Baxter, Fran Kubelik, Sylvia, Miss OlsenBud shows Fran his new hat and realizes the truth about Sheldrake.
C.C. Baxter, Fran KubelikBud drinks alone and meets Margie.
C.C. Baxter, Margie MacDougallBud and Margie drink and dance while discussing their personal lives and Margie's husband in jail.
C.C. Baxter, Margie MacDougallSheldrake and Fran argue about their affair and his marriage.
Fran Kubelik, Mr. SheldrakeFran attempts suicide by taking pills.
Fran KubelikThe bartender closes the bar, and Bud and Margie decide to go to Bud's apartment.
C.C. Baxter, Margie MacDougallBud and Margie arrive at the house.
C.C. Baxter, Margie MacDougallBud and Margie climb the stairs.
C.C. Baxter, Margie MacDougallBud discovers Fran unconscious on his bed.
C.C. Baxter, Dr. David Dreyfuss, Fran Kubelik, Margie MacDougallDr. Dreyfuss finishes treating Fran and leaves.
C.C. Baxter, Dr. David Dreyfuss, Fran KubelikMrs. Lieberman confronts Bud about the noise.
C.C. Baxter, Mrs. LiebermanBud deals with his landlady, Mrs. Lieberman, who is suspicious about the noise from the previous night.
C.C. Baxter, Mrs. LiebermanBud checks on Fran and calls Mr. Sheldrake.
C.C. Baxter, Fran KubelikSheldrake receives a call from Bud while playing with his children.
Mr. SheldrakeBud talks to Sheldrake while Fran wakes up and realizes where she is.
C.C. Baxter, Fran Kubelik, Mr. SheldrakeBud borrows supplies from Mrs. Dreyfuss.
C.C. Baxter, Mrs. DreyfussBud and Fran play gin rummy while Mrs. Dreyfuss brings food.
C.C. Baxter, Mrs. Dreyfuss, Fran KubelikKirkeby and Sylvia arrive at the apartment.
Mr. Kirkeby, SylviaBud turns away Kirkeby and Sylvia.
C.C. Baxter, Mr. Kirkeby, SylviaSheldrake fires Miss Olsen and calls Bud.
Mr. Sheldrake, Miss OlsenBud talks to Sheldrake on the phone about Fran's condition and then puts Fran on the line.
C.C. Baxter, Fran Kubelik, Mr. SheldrakeMiss Olsen overhears Sheldrake's phone call and decides to call Mrs. Sheldrake.
Mr. Sheldrake, Miss OlsenBud returns home with groceries.
C.C. BaxterMrs. Lieberman warns Bud about a gas smell.
C.C. Baxter, Mrs. LiebermanBud discovers the gas leak and talks with Fran about her suicide attempt and his own past.
C.C. Baxter, Fran KubelikKarl Matuschka arrives looking for Fran.
Karl MatuschkaKarl Matuschka confronts Dobisch and Kirkeby about Fran's whereabouts.
Mr. Kirkeby, Joe Dobisch, Karl MatuschkaBud cooks dinner, Karl arrives to take Fran home, and Bud gets punched.
C.C. Baxter, Dr. David Dreyfuss, Fran Kubelik, Karl MatuschkaBud prepares to tell Sheldrake he loves Fran.
C.C. BaxterSheldrake tells Bud he is leaving his wife and promotes Bud.
C.C. Baxter, Mr. SheldrakeBud and Fran have a final encounter in the lobby.
C.C. Baxter, Fran KubelikBud and Fran have a final conversation in the lobby before Bud leaves.
C.C. Baxter, Fran KubelikSheldrake demands Bud's apartment key for his date with Fran; Bud refuses and quits.
C.C. Baxter, Mr. SheldrakeSheldrake confronts Bud about the key; Bud quits for good.
C.C. Baxter, Mr. SheldrakeBud leaves the office for the last time.
C.C. BaxterBud packs his belongings; Dr. Dreyfuss visits.
C.C. Baxter, Dr. David DreyfussSheldrake meets Fran for New Year's Eve; Fran leaves him.
Fran Kubelik, Mr. SheldrakeFran arrives at Bud's apartment.
Fran KubelikFran hears a pop and rushes to Bud's door.
C.C. Baxter, Fran KubelikBud and Fran reconcile and play cards.
C.C. Baxter, Fran KubelikMr. Sheldrake, I've got good news for you. All your troubles are over. I'm going to take Miss Kubelik off your hands. The plain fact is, Mr. Sheldrake, that I love her. I haven't told her yet, but I thought you should be the first to know. After all, you don't really want her, and I do, and although it may sound presumptuous, she needs somebody like me. So I think it would be the thing all around -- solution-wise.
Look, Jeff -- we had two wonderful months this summer -- and that was it. Happens all the time -- the wife and kids go away to the country, and the boss has a fling with the secretary or the manicurist -- or the elevator girl. Comes September, the picnic is over -- goodbye. The kids go back to school, the boss goes back to the wife, and the girl -- They don't make these shrimp like they used to.
Hello, Mrs. Sheldrake? This is Miss Olsen -- fine, thank you -- Mrs. Sheldrake, I was wondering if we could have lunch together? -- well, I don't know how important it is, but I think you might find it educational -- it concerns your husband -- all right, one o'clock, at Longchamp's, Madison and 59th.
Oh, sure, sure. But first the property settlement has to be worked out -- then it takes six weeks in Reno -- meanwhile, I'm going to enjoy being a bachelor for a while. Oh, by the way, you can now have lunch in the executive dining room --
I don't want to gloat, but just between us, you had that coming to you. Tch, tch, tch. Are you going to have a shiner tomorrow. Let me get my bag.
I think you should. I have to run down to the grocery anyway -- all that's left around here is one frozen pizza -- I'll be right back -- okay?
I know how you feel, Miss Kubelik. You think it's the end of the world -- but it's not, really. I went through exactly the same thing myself.
I wonder how long it takes to get someone you're stuck on out of your system? If they'd only invent some kind of a pump for that --
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