1997
Blacklisted screenwriter Peter Appleton suffers amnesia after a car crash and is mistaken for Luke Trumbo, a presumed-dead war hero, by the town of Lawson and Luke's father, Harry. Believing he is Luke, Peter restores the family's Bijou theater and falls in love with Luke's former sweetheart, Adele, until his memory returns during a screening, coinciding with Harry's fatal heart attack. After Peter confesses his true identity to Adele, FBI agents arrive, revealing his past and communist suspicions, causing the town to reject him as he is subpoenaed to testify in Los Angeles. Refusing to betray others, Peter returns to Lawson, where the town, now aware of his integrity, welcomes him back as a hero, and he embraces his new life with Adele.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Hollywood screenwriter Pete Appleton loses his memory after a car crash, is mistaken for a missing WWII soldier, and helps revive his ‘new’ family’s decaying theater.
Open full beat sheetPeter Appleton is listed as Protagonist. A Hollywood screenwriter in his 30s, accused of being a communist, who suffers amnesia and is mistaken for a local war hero. In the parsed data, Peter Appleton is connected to 60 scenes, 52 dialogue lines, 54 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
60 scenes / 52 dialogue linesHarry Trumbo is listed as Supporting. An elderly man who believes Pete is his long-lost son, Luke. In the parsed data, Harry Trumbo is connected to 26 scenes, 9 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 14.
26 scenes / 9 dialogue linesAdele Lardner is listed as Supporting. Doc Lardner's daughter, a lawyer, and Luke's former sweetheart. In the parsed data, Adele Lardner is connected to 17 scenes, 10 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 28.
17 scenes / 10 dialogue linesOld Tim is listed as Supporting. Head usher and resident fix-it man at the Bijou. In the parsed data, Old Tim is connected to 15 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 37.
15 scenes / 2 dialogue linesElvin Clyde is listed as Antagonist. Majority Counsel for the House Committee on Un-American Activities. In the parsed data, Elvin Clyde is connected to 14 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
14 scenes / 6 dialogue linesDoc Ben Lardner is listed as Supporting. The local doctor in Lawson. In the parsed data, Doc Ben Lardner is connected to 13 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
13 scenes / 2 dialogue linesMrs. Irene Terwilliger is listed as Supporting. Head cashier and refreshments clerk at the Bijou. In the parsed data, Mrs. Irene Terwilliger is connected to 12 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 21.
12 scenes / 3 dialogue linesSandra Sinclair is listed as Supporting. Pete's girlfriend, an actress from Cleveland. In the parsed data, Sandra Sinclair is connected to 8 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 31.
8 scenes / 1 dialogue linesErnie Cole is listed as Supporting. Mayor of Lawson and owner of the local pharmacy. In the parsed data, Ernie Cole is connected to 7 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 31.
7 scenes / 2 dialogue linesLeo Kubelsky is listed as Supporting. Pete's agent. In the parsed data, Leo Kubelsky is connected to 5 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
5 scenes / 11 dialogue linesAerial view of Hollywood in 1951, introducing Pete Appleton and his girlfriend Sandra Sinclair visiting Grauman's Chinese Theater.
Peter Appleton, Sandra SinclairPete and Sandra watch a newsreel about the Hollywood Ten and the Red Menace.
Peter Appleton, Sandra Sinclair, Elvin ClydePete arrives at the studio and is treated coldly by the guard.
Peter AppletonPete discovers the studio is clearing out writers and meets his agent, Leo.
Peter Appleton, Leo KubelskyPete packs his office and Sandra visits, distancing herself from him.
Peter Appleton, Sandra SinclairPete drinks heavily and discusses his situation with the bartender.
Peter AppletonPete crashes his car into the wash and loses his memory.
Peter AppletonStanton Lawson finds Pete, who has amnesia.
Peter Appleton, Harry TrumboPete eats at the diner and meets Doc Lardner.
Peter Appleton, Harry Trumbo, Adele Lardner, Doc Ben LardnerDoc Lardner and Stanton bring Pete to the diner; Harry Trumbo recognizes Pete as his long-lost son, Luke.
Doc Ben Lardner, Peter Appleton, Harry TrumboDoc Lardner examines Pete while Stanton observes.
Doc Ben Lardner, Peter AppletonLardner calls the Sheriff while Pete looks at photos.
Doc Ben Lardner, Peter AppletonHarry intercepts Sheriff Eldridge to tell him Pete is Luke.
Harry Trumbo, Elvin ClydeSheriff Eldridge questions Pete; Harry enters and embraces him.
Elvin Clyde, Peter Appleton, Doc Ben Lardner, Harry TrumboThe group leaves for the Bijou.
Harry Trumbo, Peter Appleton, Elvin Clyde, Doc Ben LardnerHarry explains to Luke that he was presumed dead in the war.
Harry Trumbo, Peter Appleton, Elvin ClydeArrival at the decaying Bijou theater.
Elvin Clyde, Harry Trumbo, Peter AppletonHarry shows Luke the interior of the theater.
Harry Trumbo, Peter AppletonHarry explains why the theater closed.
Harry Trumbo, Peter AppletonHarry shows Luke family photos; Luke falls asleep.
Harry Trumbo, Peter AppletonLuke wakes up to meet the theater staff.
Peter Appleton, Harry Trumbo, Mrs. Irene Terwilliger, Old TimThe group inspects the theater's condition.
Peter Appleton, Harry Trumbo, Mrs. Irene Terwilliger, Old TimHarry attempts to show the projector.
Harry Trumbo, Peter AppletonStaff work on the theater.
Mrs. Irene Terwilliger, Old TimLuke reviews the theater's old ledgers.
Peter Appleton, Harry TrumboHarry gives a speech about the magic of the theater.
Harry Trumbo, Peter AppletonAdele returns home.
Doc Ben Lardner, Adele LardnerLardner tells Adele about Luke.
Doc Ben Lardner, Adele LardnerLuke and Harry encounter townspeople.
Peter Appleton, Harry Trumbo, Ernie ColeThe town gathers to see Luke.
Peter Appleton, Harry TrumboLuke and Harry are at a crowded diner where locals welcome Luke back and discuss his plans to reopen the Bijou theater.
Peter Appleton, Harry Trumbo, Ernie Cole, Old Tim, Mrs. Irene Terwilliger, Sandra SinclairLuke and Adele walk together while the townspeople follow them, eventually dispersing.
Peter Appleton, Adele Lardner, Harry TrumboAdele takes Luke to the city hall basement to show him a memorial.
Peter Appleton, Adele LardnerAdele shows Luke a memorial statue with his name on it and they discuss their past.
Peter Appleton, Adele LardnerLuke enters the Bijou and finds a cat.
Peter AppletonLuke follows the cat to Old Tim's room.
Peter Appleton, Old TimLuke visits Old Tim in his room and they discuss the war.
Peter Appleton, Old TimLeo Kubelsky and the building super search Pete's apartment.
Leo KubelskyAgents arrive at Elvin Clyde's office.
Elvin ClydeClyde orders a federal investigation into Appleton's disappearance.
Elvin ClydeLuke reviews the theater's finances with Harry, Old Tim, and Mrs. Terwilliger.
Peter Appleton, Harry Trumbo, Old Tim, Mrs. Irene TerwilligerDoc Lardner struggles with his new TV; Luke arrives to pick up Adele.
Doc Ben Lardner, Peter Appleton, Adele LardnerLuke and Adele walk to the dance.
Peter Appleton, Adele LardnerA welcome home celebration for Luke with music and dancing.
Peter Appleton, Adele Lardner, Ernie ColeLuke and Adele dance while Fitts approaches Luke to offer to buy the Bijou property for a supermarket.
Peter Appleton, Sandra Sinclair, Harry Trumbo, Adele Lardner, Mrs. Irene Terwilliger, Old TimLuke and Adele dance; Luke observes Bob Leffert's social isolation.
Peter Appleton, Sandra SinclairLuke watches Mrs. Terwilliger play piano for a film screening.
Peter Appleton, Harry Trumbo, Mrs. Irene Terwilliger, Old TimHarry and Luke share a moment after the film ends.
Peter Appleton, Harry TrumboLuke asks the City Council for help repairing the Bijou.
Peter Appleton, Harry Trumbo, Doc Ben Lardner, Mrs. Irene Terwilliger, Old Tim, Elvin ClydeLuke and Mrs. Terwilliger play piano together.
Peter Appleton, Sandra Sinclair, Mrs. Irene Terwilliger, Old TimLuke realizes his past identity while watching a film.
Peter Appleton, Mrs. Irene Terwilliger, Old TimHarry suffers a heart attack while the film breaks.
Peter Appleton, Harry Trumbo, Doc Ben Lardner, Mrs. Irene Terwilliger, Old TimHarry's funeral service.
Peter Appleton, Sandra SinclairLuke sits by the war memorial and confesses to Adele that he is not Luke Trumbo, but Peter Appleton.
Peter Appleton, Adele LardnerFBI agents Saunders and Brett inform Sheriff Eldridge that Luke is actually Peter Appleton, a suspected communist.
Elvin Clyde, Ernie Cole, Doc Ben LardnerPete is questioned by the FBI agents and the Sheriff.
Peter Appleton, Doc Ben Lardner, Elvin ClydePete leaves the station and is met with cold silence from the townspeople.
Peter AppletonPete closes the empty theater.
Peter Appleton, Mrs. Irene Terwilliger, Old TimAdele joins Pete on the roof; they discuss his future and the truth.
Peter Appleton, Adele LardnerLeo Kubelsky tells Pete he has been subpoenaed by the HUAC.
Peter Appleton, Leo Kubelsky, Adele LardnerOld Tim visits Pete to tell him he still belongs in Lawson.
Peter Appleton, Old TimAdele sees Pete off to Los Angeles.
Peter Appleton, Adele LardnerPete testifies before the House Committee on Un-American Activities.
Peter Appleton, Elvin ClydePete Appleton testifies before the House Committee on Un-American Activities, using the First Amendment to defend himself.
Peter Appleton, Elvin Clyde, Ernie ColeSheriff Eldridge and Daley Thornhill listen to the hearing on the radio.
Adele watches Pete's testimony on television.
Adele LardnerPete exits the hotel and is swarmed by reporters.
Peter Appleton, Leo KubelskyLeo reveals to Pete that he cut a deal with the committee to clear Pete's name by naming Lucy Angstrom.
Peter Appleton, Leo KubelskyPete returns to his apartment and finds the inscription in the Constitution.
Peter AppletonPete returns to Lawson and is welcomed by the town.
Peter Appleton, Adele LardnerThat's the First Amendment, Mr. Chairman. It's the backbone of this nation. It's everything that gives us the potential to be right and good and just -- if only we'd live up to that potential. It's what gives me the right to sit in this chair and say my piece before this committee without fear. It's the most important part of the contract that every citizen has with this country. And even though this contract... the Constitution and the Bill of Rights -- even though they're just pieces of paper with signatures on them -- they're the only contracts we have that are most definitely not subject to renegotiation. Not by you, Mr. Chairman, not by you, Mr. Clyde, not by any member of this committee -- or anyone else -- ever.
Yet you're contradicting yourself. You earlier testified that you attended a meeting of a communist party-run organization, yet you just said, under oath, that you were not now -- nor ever -- a member of the communist party.
So, our lawyers had a talk with the Committee's lawyers. That Elvin Clyde fella won't be too happy about it, but we cut a deal. They cleared you -- and they're gonna thank you publicly for your testimony purging yourself.
I know more than you give me c-c-credit, that's for sure. Don't you see, it don't m-m-matter who you are? All that matters is what you g-g-gave us.
Oh dear, yes. You were an excellent student, before all that clarinet nonsense. You loved Chopin.
Well... everything. It started coming back a couple of days ago. I remember everything now.
That's not a contradiction at all, sir. I went to the meeting, but I didn't go as a member.
Her name was right there in front of them. They gave it to me, I didn't give it to them.
SlugDB turns parsed screenplays into scene, character, dialogue, trivia, semantic search, Save the Cat, and API-ready analysis.
Use SlugDB when you need screenplay API data, movie dialogue search, character evidence, scene context, or MCP tools without building a scraper first.