1952
Freddie Sutton, a troubled Navy veteran, struggles with alcoholism and erratic behavior after World War Two, working various jobs and making moonshine until he stows away on a ship and meets Lancaster Dodd, the charismatic leader of a philosophical movement called The Cause. Dodd takes Freddie under his wing, seeing potential in him and introducing him to the teachings of The Cause, which involves processing sessions to uncover past lives and emotional trauma. As Freddie becomes more deeply involved, his volatile nature clashes with the structured environment of The Cause, leading to confrontations with Dodd and his family, particularly Dodd's skeptical son, Val, and his fiercely protective wife, Mary Sue. Freddie's loyalty is tested when he is arrested alongside Dodd, and later, he is sent on a mission to Phoenix, Arizona, to retrieve a hidden manuscript, during which he experiences intense withdrawal symptoms. Despite his efforts to contribute to The Cause, Freddie ultimately rejects Dodd's offer to stay, choosing to leave the movement and eventually finding himself in London, where he has a final, poignant encounter with Dodd before walking away from The Cause for good.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Freddie Sutton’s journey begins with his hospital discharge and drifts through petty crime until he encounters Lancaster Dodd’s charismatic doctrine.
Open full beat sheetFREDDIE SUTTON is listed as Protagonist. A troubled, alcoholic Navy veteran with a history of erratic behavior and a penchant for making homemade liquor. In the parsed data, FREDDIE SUTTON is connected to 93 scenes, 150 dialogue lines, 155 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
93 scenes / 150 dialogue linesLANCASTER DODD is listed as Antagonist/Mentor. Charismatic leader of 'The Cause', a philosophical movement; red-haired, manipulative, and intellectually domineering. In the parsed data, LANCASTER DODD is connected to 40 scenes, 43 dialogue lines, 43 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.
40 scenes / 43 dialogue linesMARY SUE DODD is listed as Supporting. Lancaster Dodd's pregnant wife, fiercely protective of her husband and the organization. In the parsed data, MARY SUE DODD is connected to 16 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 14.
16 scenes / 2 dialogue linesVAL DODD is listed as Supporting. Lancaster Dodd's son, skeptical of his father's work. In the parsed data, VAL DODD is connected to 13 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 12.
13 scenes / 5 dialogue linesNORMAN CONRAD is listed as Supporting. Lancaster Dodd's right-hand man. In the parsed data, NORMAN CONRAD is connected to 10 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 58.
10 scenes / 1 dialogue linesBILL WHITE is listed as Minor. New York franchise owner for The Cause. In the parsed data, BILL WHITE is connected to 9 scenes, 25 dialogue lines, 25 text mentions, first appearing around scene 18.
9 scenes / 25 dialogue linesELIZABETH DODD is listed as Supporting. Lancaster Dodd's daughter. In the parsed data, ELIZABETH DODD is connected to 9 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 30.
9 scenes / 5 dialogue linesELLEN RODGERS is listed as Minor. A former burlesque dancer who encounters Freddie in a hospital. In the parsed data, ELLEN RODGERS is connected to 5 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 89.
5 scenes / 6 dialogue linesJOHN MORE is listed as Minor. A scholarly skeptic who challenges Lancaster Dodd at a party. In the parsed data, JOHN MORE is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 20.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesDONNA is listed as Minor. A department store model who has a brief encounter with Freddie. In the parsed data, DONNA is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 6.
1 scenes / 0 dialogue linesFreddie Sutton is discharged from the hospital after recovering from a burst appendix and discusses his future with a doctor.
FREDDIE SUTTONFreddie works as an elevator operator.
FREDDIE SUTTONFreddie steals from a patient and leaves a note for the doctor.
FREDDIE SUTTONFreddie wins money at a gambling hall.
FREDDIE SUTTONFreddie is jumped and robbed in an alley.
FREDDIE SUTTONFreddie works as a portrait photographer and meets Donna.
FREDDIE SUTTON, DONNAFreddie works as a bench chemist making moonshine.
FREDDIE SUTTONA worker falls ill from Freddie's moonshine, and Freddie flees.
FREDDIE SUTTONFreddie stows away on a ship and is caught by Lancaster Dodd.
FREDDIE SUTTON, LANCASTER DODD, MARY SUE DODD, NORMAN CONRADDodd offers Freddie a place in his organization.
FREDDIE SUTTON, LANCASTER DODDMaster presides over his daughter Elizabeth's wedding on the ship deck.
LANCASTER DODD, FREDDIE SUTTON, ELIZABETH DODDA post-wedding party where Master tells stories and Freddie meets Val and the bartender.
LANCASTER DODD, FREDDIE SUTTON, VAL DODDFreddie reads 'The Cause' book in his room and falls asleep.
FREDDIE SUTTONFreddie eats breakfast with Mary Sue and asks about time-holes.
FREDDIE SUTTON, MARY SUE DODDFreddie observes a processing session where a woman recounts prenatal memories.
FREDDIE SUTTON, MARY SUE DODDFreddie listens to a recorded lecture by Master and meets an aide.
FREDDIE SUTTONMaster performs an informal processing session on Freddie.
FREDDIE SUTTON, LANCASTER DODDThe ship arrives in New York and the group disembarks.
LANCASTER DODD, FREDDIE SUTTON, BILL WHITEThe group arrives at a fancy apartment for a fundraiser.
LANCASTER DODD, FREDDIE SUTTON, BILL WHITEMaster gives a lecture on 'The Cause' and his past lives, followed by a heated confrontation with John More.
FREDDIE SUTTON, LANCASTER DODD, BILL WHITE, JOHN MOREThe group leaves the apartment in an elevator.
LANCASTER DODDMaster crashes his motorcycle and gets into a sedan.
LANCASTER DODDMaster rants to Mary Sue about the need to attack critics.
LANCASTER DODD, MARY SUE DODDFreddie listens to Master's rant and decides to target John More.
FREDDIE SUTTON, VAL DODD, BILL WHITEFreddie and Clark get information on John More.
FREDDIE SUTTON, VAL DODD, BILL WHITEFreddie and Clark discuss the Cause while walking.
FREDDIE SUTTON, VAL DODDFreddie and Clark break into John More's apartment and intimidate him.
FREDDIE SUTTON, VAL DODD, JOHN MOREFreddie and Clark discuss the 'Split Saber' manuscript.
FREDDIE SUTTON, VAL DODD, ELLEN RODGERSFreddie wakes up and meets with Master.
FREDDIE SUTTON, LANCASTER DODD, MARY SUE DODDElizabeth visits Freddie.
FREDDIE SUTTON, ELIZABETH DODDMaster lectures on communication.
LANCASTER DODDFreddie follows Val.
FREDDIE SUTTON, VAL DODDFreddie watches Val meet with other followers.
FREDDIE SUTTON, VAL DODD, BILL WHITEVal leaves the hotel, followed by Freddie.
VAL DODD, FREDDIE SUTTONFreddie watches Val meet with followers, then calls his cousin Bob.
FREDDIE SUTTON, VAL DODD, BILL WHITE, NORMAN CONRADFreddie reunites with his cousin Bob at a party.
FREDDIE SUTTONFreddie tells the boys about hidden jewels in the sewer.
FREDDIE SUTTONThe group enters the sewer to search for the jewels.
FREDDIE SUTTONFreddie finds the jewels.
FREDDIE SUTTONFreddie leaves the jewels for Bob and departs.
FREDDIE SUTTONFreddie returns to find Lancaster Dodd typing.
FREDDIE SUTTON, LANCASTER DODDHelen Sullivan proposes moving the Cause to Philadelphia.
LANCASTER DODD, MARY SUE DODD, NORMAN CONRADThe entourage departs for Philadelphia.
FREDDIE SUTTON, LANCASTER DODD, MARY SUE DODD, VAL DODD, BILL WHITEMary Sue questions Freddie about Val.
FREDDIE SUTTON, MARY SUE DODD, LANCASTER DODDA welcoming party is held at Helen Sullivan's home.
FREDDIE SUTTON, LANCASTER DODD, MARY SUE DODD, ELIZABETH DODDMary Sue confronts Dodd about his behavior.
LANCASTER DODD, MARY SUE DODDDodd processes a woman; police arrive to arrest him.
FREDDIE SUTTON, LANCASTER DODD, VAL DODDFreddie is arrested and struggles violently.
FREDDIE SUTTON, LANCASTER DODDDodd attempts to process Freddie in jail.
FREDDIE SUTTON, LANCASTER DODDFreddie finds Val has left.
FREDDIE SUTTON, LANCASTER DODD, MARY SUE DODD, ELIZABETH DODD, NORMAN CONRADDodd assigns Freddie a mission to Phoenix.
FREDDIE SUTTON, LANCASTER DODD, MARY SUE DODD, ELIZABETH DODD, NORMAN CONRADDodd gives Freddie a secret task.
FREDDIE SUTTON, LANCASTER DODDFreddie prepares to depart.
FREDDIE SUTTONFreddie experiences withdrawal.
FREDDIE SUTTONFreddie arrives in Phoenix.
FREDDIE SUTTONFreddie finds the house ransacked.
FREDDIE SUTTONFreddie arrives at the ransacked Phoenix house and retrieves a hidden box from a crawl space.
FREDDIE SUTTONFreddie arrives at The Cause headquarters and meets Dick Breton.
FREDDIE SUTTON, NORMAN CONRADFreddie calls Master to report the break-in and the recovery of the box.
FREDDIE SUTTON, LANCASTER DODDFreddie stays at a motel, detoxing and guarding the box.
FREDDIE SUTTONFreddie prepares to leave the motel to deposit the box.
FREDDIE SUTTONFreddie spots a figure fleeing the motel.
FREDDIE SUTTONFreddie pursues the figure through the streets.
FREDDIE SUTTONFreddie deposits the box in a safe deposit box.
FREDDIE SUTTONFreddie addresses followers about the upcoming Congress.
FREDDIE SUTTONFreddie suffers from detoxing while working.
FREDDIE SUTTONFreddie and others clean the house.
FREDDIE SUTTON, NORMAN CONRADFreddie prepares the headquarters for the Congress.
FREDDIE SUTTONFreddie arranges radio airtime.
FREDDIE SUTTONFreddie reads a promotional piece on the radio.
FREDDIE SUTTONMaster and his family arrive in Phoenix.
FREDDIE SUTTON, LANCASTER DODD, MARY SUE DODD, ELIZABETH DODDThe entourage arrives at the house.
FREDDIE SUTTON, LANCASTER DODD, MARY SUE DODD, ELIZABETH DODDMaster inspects the house.
FREDDIE SUTTON, LANCASTER DODDFreddie returns the safe deposit key to Master.
FREDDIE SUTTON, LANCASTER DODDElizabeth and Freddie talk.
FREDDIE SUTTON, ELIZABETH DODDMaster and Freddie retrieve the box.
FREDDIE SUTTON, LANCASTER DODDRetrieving the box.
FREDDIE SUTTON, LANCASTER DODDMaster returns with the box.
FREDDIE SUTTON, LANCASTER DODD, MARY SUE DODDBill White confronts Freddie.
FREDDIE SUTTON, BILL WHITEPrinting the Book II manuscript.
FREDDIE SUTTON, LANCASTER DODD, NORMAN CONRADYou know what this all is? Huh? It's mental cruelty. That's what it is. It's just mental cruelty to invent all these new ideas and never follow through on it and just keep adding and subtracting and I gotta pay for this and that level and more and more-and Book II's coming. All the answers..."if you had that, it's no good 'cause here's the new thing.. .and oh no...you don't need that.. .that's old.. .this is new." And it's more and more and it's all just cruel.
If every individual in the world had one other individual to whom he could go with his troubles and his ideas; and if he could tell that Other all about his troubles and ideas; and if that Other would listen AND understand, but not evaluate or invalidate or approve or give advice or in any other way try to control the thoughts of the speaker; the people of the world would become sane, well and happy.
No More Secrets... This is a study of your last 83 trillion years.. .This is about the source of creation. Of good and evil ... . and the source of all... Now funny enough - the source of all is... You. I have a unlocked and discovered a secret to living in these bodies that we hold.. .and Ohhhhhhh yessss it's verrrye evre veryvery SERIOUS! The secret is laughter.
I hope that one day this place will be a museum to my father and everyone he has helped around the world will come and visit to see where he presented Book II. You did a wonderful job helping him...
He's been writing all night ...I think you've inspired something in hi,. When we're at home, on land, there's too much, pulling him in each direction.
Y'know that I've had no communications from this office for six weeks - no Journals, no answer's to my calls, I wrote a letter, was it received?
Do you remember me? you saved my life. you don't remember me? You told me where I could get some help. And I did. And it saved my life.
I loved Doris, but when I came back hom..and she was only sixteen, so...i couldn't wait for her-but she's happy and that's good. So...
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.