1997
Hollywood screenwriter Peter Appleton is blacklisted for suspected communist ties during the Red Scare and, after a drunken car crash, suffers amnesia and is mistaken for Luke Trumbo, a local war hero missing in action. Pete, now believing he is Luke, returns to the dilapidated Bijou cinema with Luke's father, Harry Trumbo, and begins to restore the theater with the help of the townspeople, including Luke's former sweetheart, Adele Lardner. As Pete embraces his new identity and falls in love with Adele, he experiences flashes of memory, culminating in a full realization of his true identity while watching a film starring his former girlfriend, Sandra Sinclair, at the Bijou's grand reopening. Harry suffers a fatal heart attack, and Pete, now fully aware he is not Luke, confesses his true identity to Adele and is subsequently arrested by the FBI, who have been tracking him.
Save the Cat beat sheet
A blacklisted Hollywood screenwriter, Pete Appleton, flees Los Angeles and stumbles into the small town of Lawson, California, suffering from amnesia.
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 64 scenes, 18 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
64 scenes / 0 dialogue linesUNKNOWN is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, UNKNOWN is connected to 46 scenes, 1518 dialogue lines, first appearing around scene 1.
46 scenes / 1518 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 36 scenes, first appearing around scene 1.
36 scenes / 0 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 22 scenes, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
22 scenes / 0 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 21 scenes, first appearing around scene 3.
21 scenes / 0 dialogue lineschar_11 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_11 is connected to 18 scenes, first appearing around scene 6.
18 scenes / 0 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 12 scenes, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
12 scenes / 0 dialogue linesDoc Ben Lardner is listed as Supporting. The local doctor in Lawson. In the parsed data, Doc Ben Lardner is connected to 12 scenes, first appearing around scene 1.
12 scenes / 0 dialogue linesLeo Kubelsky is listed as Supporting. Pete's agent. In the parsed data, Leo Kubelsky is connected to 12 scenes, first appearing around scene 7.
12 scenes / 0 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, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
8 scenes / 0 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 7 scenes, first appearing around scene 1.
7 scenes / 0 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 5 scenes, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 21.
5 scenes / 0 dialogue lineschar_12 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_12 is connected to 4 scenes, first appearing around scene 2.
4 scenes / 0 dialogue linesAerial introduction to 1951 Hollywood followed by Pete and Sandra attending a screening of The African Queen, during which a newsreel about the 'Hollywood Ten' and the Red Scare is shown.
Peter Appleton, Sandra SinclairPete wakes up in his car on the beach from a drunken stupor and decides to drive north.
Peter AppletonHarry and Sheriff Eldridge drive Luke to the Bijou cinema, explaining his past.
Peter Appleton, Mrs. Irene Terwilliger, Old TimRory discovers a caravan of cars racing toward the town from a mysterious glowing fog.
Doc Ben LardnerMabel and patrons listen to Pete's testimony on the radio.
Doc Ben Lardner, Peter AppletonPete is mobbed by reporters after his testimony, Leo rescues him and they drive away in a limo.
Peter Appleton, Harry TrumboPete arrives at the studio gate and is treated coldly by the guard.
Peter AppletonPete drives along the moonlit coast.
Peter AppletonThe group arrives at the Bijou, which is in a state of extreme disrepair.
Peter Appleton, Mrs. Irene Terwilliger, Old TimReporters interview Mabel Lanier about Pete Appleton's true identity.
Doc Ben LardnerClyde confronts Pete about his accident and past membership in an organization.
char_12, Peter AppletonLeo informs Pete that he has cut a deal with the committee, requiring Pete to publicly name names to save his career.
Peter Appleton, Harry TrumboPete discovers his office building is effectively shut down; he meets his agent, Leo.
Peter Appleton, Harry TrumboPete realizes he is out of gas and heads toward a nearby town.
Peter AppletonHarry and Luke enter the theater lobby.
Peter Appleton, Mrs. Irene TerwilligerLeo pressures Pete to cooperate with the HUAC investigation; Pete is served a subpoena.
Peter Appleton, Harry Trumbo, Elvin ClydeLocal store workers listen to the radio broadcast.
Peter AppletonLeo drops Pete off at his apartment building.
Peter Appleton, Harry TrumboLeo informs Pete that he has been blacklisted for suspected communist ties.
Peter Appleton, Harry TrumboPete finds a deserted gas station and continues toward town.
Peter AppletonLuke inspects the ruined interior of the theater.
Peter Appleton, Mrs. Irene TerwilligerPete confesses to Old Tim that he is not Luke.
Peter Appleton, Ernie ColeSheriff Eldridge and Daley Thornhill react to Pete's testimony.
Old TimPete returns to his apartment, finds an inscription for 'Luke', and decides to return to Lawson.
Peter AppletonPete packs his office and experiences a tense confrontation with Sandra.
Peter Appleton, Sandra SinclairPete swerves to avoid an animal, crashes into a wash, and is knocked unconscious.
Peter AppletonHarry shows Luke the apartment and old family photos.
Peter Appleton, Mrs. Irene TerwilligerPete departs for the hearings; Adele gives him the Constitution to read.
Peter Appleton, Elvin ClydeAdele watches Pete's testimony on TV with high tension.
Elvin Clyde, Peter AppletonPete travels back to Lawson by train.
Peter AppletonA drunken Pete drinks at a dive bar while reflecting on his situation.
Peter AppletonA dog discovers the unconscious Pete.
Peter AppletonLuke wakes to find the theater staff present.
Peter Appleton, Mrs. Irene Terwilliger, Ernie Cole, char_11The HUAC hearing begins; Pete is called to testify.
Peter Appleton, Harry Trumbo, char_12Pete makes a powerful speech about the First Amendment and leaves the hearing.
Peter Appleton, char_12Pete arrives in Lawson and is welcomed by the townspeople and Adele.
Peter Appleton, Doc Ben Lardner, Elvin ClydePete attempts to drive home while clearly impaired.
Peter AppletonThe group discusses the needs of the theater.
Peter Appleton, Mrs. Irene Terwilliger, Ernie Cole, char_11Adele and friends watch the hearing on television.
Leo Kubelsky, Elvin Clyde, Ernie Cole, char_11Harry demonstrates the projector, but it fails.
Peter Appleton, Mrs. Irene Terwilliger, Ernie Cole, char_11Staff continue cleaning while Luke checks the ledgers.
Peter Appleton, Mrs. Irene Terwilliger, Ernie Cole, char_11Luke reviews the ledger and questions historical barter practices.
Peter Appleton, Mrs. Irene TerwilligerStanton Lawson finds a dazed, injured man (Pete) by the wash and decides to take him to the town doctor.
Adele Lardner, Peter AppletonStanton walks Pete through town, pointing out the impact of the war, before heading to the diner.
Adele Lardner, Peter AppletonPete eats ravenously while Stanton and Mabel observe. Doc Lardner and Harry Trumbo arrive, leading to a strange recognition.
Peter Appleton, Doc Ben Lardner, Adele Lardner, Leo Kubelsky, Mrs. Irene TerwilligerDoc Lardner examines Pete; they discuss his memory loss and the name 'Ishmael'.
Leo Kubelsky, Peter Appleton, Adele LardnerLardner makes a phone call while Pete looks at office photos.
Leo Kubelsky, Peter AppletonHarry Trumbo intercepts the Sheriff to reveal he believes Pete is his lost son, Luke.
Old Tim, Mrs. Irene TerwilligerThe Sheriff interviews Pete, followed by Harry's emotional reunion with him.
Old Tim, Peter Appleton, Leo Kubelsky, Mrs. Irene TerwilligerThe Sheriff prepares to take Harry and Luke back to the Bijou.
Old Tim, Mrs. Irene Terwilliger, Peter Appleton, Leo KubelskyHarry leads Luke through the Bijou lobby to the auditorium, reminiscing about the theater's importance.
Mrs. Irene Terwilliger, Peter Appleton, Ernie Cole, char_11Harry waxes poetic about movie stars and the magic of the theater, urging Luke to remember his past.
Mrs. Irene Terwilliger, Peter AppletonDoc Lardner greets his daughter Adele, who has returned from a professional milestone.
Leo Kubelsky, Elvin ClydeDoc Lardner breaks the news of Luke's amnesia to a struggling Adele.
Leo Kubelsky, Elvin ClydeLuke and Harry are intercepted by townsfolk who recognize Luke.
Peter Appleton, Mrs. Irene Terwilliger, Doc Ben Lardner, Old TimLuke is paraded before the town, where he meets old friends and encounters a romantic moment with Adele.
Peter Appleton, Mrs. Irene Terwilliger, Doc Ben Lardner, Elvin ClydeAdele and Luke walk together, attempting to reconnect.
Peter Appleton, Elvin Clyde, Mrs. Irene TerwilligerAdele leads Luke into a hidden basement to show him a war memorial, triggering personal revelations.
Peter Appleton, Elvin ClydeLuke returns to the Bijou cinema at night.
Peter AppletonLuke enters the dark lobby and encounters a cat.
Peter AppletonLuke follows the cat to Old Tim's room.
Peter Appleton, Ernie ColeLuke and Old Tim converse about the past and the uniform.
Peter Appleton, Ernie ColeLeo Kubelsky and the building Super inspect Pete's apartment.
Harry TrumboAgents head to Clyde's office.
char_12Clyde learns of Appleton's disappearance and orders a federal investigation.
char_12Luke reports the high cost of renovation to Harry.
Peter Appleton, Mrs. Irene Terwilliger, Ernie Cole, char_11Luke visits the Lardners to pick up Adele.
Peter Appleton, Leo Kubelsky, Elvin ClydeLuke and Adele discuss the Bijou and his past.
Peter Appleton, Elvin ClydeSpencer Wyatt's band performs at the town square while Luke and Adele dance and discuss Luke's past involvement in Spencer's musical talent.
Peter Appleton, Sandra Sinclair, Doc Ben LardnerLuke and Adele interact with the McKenna brothers at the punch table.
Peter Appleton, Sandra SinclairAdele and Luke discuss his improved dancing, followed by speeches by Spencer and Mayor Cole.
Peter Appleton, Sandra Sinclair, Doc Ben Lardner, Old TimRoscoe Fitts approaches Luke with an offer to buy the Bijou theater for a supermarket.
Peter Appleton, Sandra Sinclair, Mrs. Irene Terwilliger, Ernie Cole, char_11Luke and Adele share a final dance; Luke observes Bob Leffert's social exclusion.
Peter Appleton, Sandra SinclairLuke enters the Bijou and finds Mrs. Terwilliger playing piano for a film screening.
Peter Appleton, Mrs. Irene Terwilliger, Ernie Cole, char_11Luke wakes Harry to head to the city council meeting.
Peter Appleton, Mrs. Irene TerwilligerLuke successfully petitions the City Council for help in restoring the Bijou.
Peter Appleton, Mrs. Irene Terwilliger, Old Tim, Ernie Cole, char_11The group finds supplies in the basement, followed by a montage of them fixing the theater.
Peter Appleton, Sandra Sinclair, Mrs. Irene Terwilliger, Ernie Cole, char_11Luke attempts to repair the theater sign, but a passing train causes letters to fall, mocking his efforts.
Peter AppletonErnie Cole and Avery Wyatt observe the installation of a war memorial.
The town group celebrates the completion of the new screen for the Bijou.
Peter Appleton, Mrs. Irene Terwilliger, Elvin Clyde, Leo Kubelsky, Old TimAnd that... was the altar. Would you remember if I told you, we felt lucky to be here, to have the privilege of watching them? This television thing. Why would you want to sit at home and watch a little box with a little screen? Because it's convenient? Because you don't have to get dressed and put on a coat and a tie and a hat? Because you can just... sit there? How can you call that "entertainment," all alone in your living room? Where are the other people? Where's the audience?
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