Trivial Pursuit #58

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 1/6/05 at 2:28pm

In FADE OUT - FADE IN, Carol Burnett plays Hope Springfield, a movie usher who becomes a film star.


What stage name does her studio assign to her?


GOOD LUCK, Everybody!!!

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 1/6/05 at 2:30pm

Hope Springseternal? Seriously, Hope Springfield IS a great stage name!

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 1/6/05 at 2:32pm

Well, Rath, unfortunately, the brass at FFF Studios (where Hope worked) thought differently...

Interesting comment, though.


Would you care to try again?

[WOSQ]

Posted: 1/6/05 at 2:33pm

Lila Tremaine

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 1/6/05 at 2:38pm

EXCELLENT, WOSQ!


Yep, the brass at FFF Studios gave her the stage name of 'Lila Tremaine'!


CONGRATULATIONS on answering a VERY TOUGH one!!!


Now for your bonus points: At the end of FADE OUT - FADE IN, Hope/Lila receives true Hollywood imortality by getting to make an imprint in cement at the garden in front of Grauman's Chinese Theater.

But unlike other Hollywood stars, she doesn't imprint her feet in wet cement.

What part of her body DOES she imprint?

[WOSQ]

Posted: 1/6/05 at 2:43pm

Good Lord, I don't know.

[Hint to all: this is one of the very, very few Random House editions my collection lacks.]

Her mouth, which was as wide as the Hellinger?

(buzzer sounds) "Can you take it, America?"

[magruder]

Posted: 1/6/05 at 2:45pm

Her lovely ... smile.

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 1/6/05 at 2:52pm

WOSQ, you may lack the Random House Edition, but you certainly don't lack the correct answer!


YES, Hope/Lila tries to imprint her wide, "toothy" grin into the wet cement--and then cannot get her face out!!!

CONGRATULATIONS again!


And your prize?


An all-expense paid weekend trip to San Antonio, Texas--the birthplace of Miss Burnett.

I'm only a four-hour drive away, WOSQ, so let me know what weekend you're going to take advantage of the trip and I'll meet you by the River Walk!


Enjoy your day, everyone!!!

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 1/6/05 at 2:55pm

sorry, magruder, about that damn message criss-cross...


I'll throw in a free weekend for you to San Antonio as well!

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 1/6/05 at 3:08pm

Since FADE OUT - FADE IN is such an obscure show (I don't believe its had any major productions since it was done on Broadway in 1964), I thought some of you might be interested in a little background:

The musical is set in the 1930s during the heart of the Depression, when Hollywood represented escapism, fun and frivolity.

Eager fans stand around the famous F.F.F. Film Studio gate in Hollywood, waiting for the various stars. When Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald arrive in period costumes, they are surrounded by autograph-seekers. Billy Vespers, a studio casting director, tells Pops, the gate man, that Hope Springfield is coming from New York for a screen test. She arrives and is a surprise to everyone, for she is the antithesis of a Hollywood starlet.

However, since she was chosen by the owner of the studio, L.Z. Governor, the studio personnel greet her warmly. She climbs on a ladder for a publicity shot and expresses her joy at being in Hollywood (IT’S GOOD TO BE BACK HOME).

In the executive dining room, the six nephews of L.Z. Governor admit their fear of L.Z.’s changeable temper (FEAR). When Vespers enters with Hope, the nephews are astounded, but Ralph sends for Byron Prong who tells the nephews he refuses to play opposite the overanxious girl. Ralph orders him to play along or the studio won’t pay his gambling debts and Byron agrees to be in Hope’s film (FEAR [REPRISE]).

Rudolf enters the wardrobe department to introduce Hope to Myra, the sixty-year old wardrobe mistress, and is surprised to see Hope in a semi nude outfit laden with pearls that clink when she walks. Rudolf gives her his jacket but she brazenly tells him about her wild life as she cavorts about, imitating every movie sex goddess (CALL ME SAVAGE). Rudolf contradicts her while enjoying her sincerity.

Ralph tells Hope that her new movie script is ready for shooting, hands her a script and exits. Hope puts on a dressing gown and comments on her sudden rise from film usher to stardom (THE USHER FROM THE MEZZANINE).

On the set, Byron Prong sings as the dancers rehearse (MY HEART IS LIKE A VIOLIN). Hope outlines her ideas to the scriptwriter who gratefully copies down her words. The shooting begins and includes several comic sections with Lou Williams, a black actor who plays a Step-n-Fetchit ex-boxer, and Hope, who portrays a violinist.

The scene switches to psychiatrist, Dr. Traurig’s Vienna office where L.Z. is undergoing analysis. They discover he is unable to say the number four because he has a deep fear of his fourth nephew Ralph’s quest for power.

On the set, Byron and Hope perform a black and white costumed musical number complete with girls costumed as violins (I’M WITH YOU). The film is completed and everyone exits but Rudolf, who wishes Hope would notice him (NOTICE ME).

The next day, in the executive dining room, Byron tells Ralph that his own good looks are what will sell the picture. He takes a mirror from his robe and sings himself a love song (MY FORTUNE IS MY FACE).

L.Z. arrives for the viewing of Hope’s picture, calls her at the bungalow and tells her he is changing her name to Lila Tremaine. As the film progresses L.Z. discovers his inability to say the number four is what caused him to choose Hope, who was fifth in the ushers’ line. He fires Ralph, makes Rudolf head of production and sends him to fire Hope and get the real girl, number four, from New York.

In her studio bungalow, Hope thinks about the new name the studio has given her and tries to take on the qualities of a Lila Tremain (A GIRL TO REMEMBER). As the song ends, Rudolf enters and sadly watches her miming an Oscar acceptance. The curtain falls.

In the beginning of Act II, Gloria Currie, the dumb, sexy blonde who was L.Z.’s real choice for Lila Tremain, enters the wardrobe room to rehearse. Her acting is worse than her line readings but L.Z. covers for her. When Byron is introduced there is an obvious attraction but L.Z., not suspecting the explosive potential of their relationship, is confident they will work well together (CLOSE HARMONY).

Hope, who has been forced to earn her living costumed as Shirley Temple and advertising for a children’s school, meets Lou Williams, who is advertising for Madame Barrymore’s dance school. The two comment on their present status while spoofing a Shirley Temple/Bojangles number (YOU MUSTN’T BE DISCOURAGED). As the number ends, Rudolf discovers Hope and tells her he loves her and wants to help her.

Dr. Traurig has been flown from Vienna to L.Z.’s office to continue psychoanalysis. L.Z. confesses his past in operatic style (THE DANGEROUS AGE). Traurig demands L.Z. describe his nightmares about Hope Springfield. As he speaks, the dream is enacted, with L.Z. pursuing Gloria but being stopped by Hope. The nightmare ends as he approaches a bed that contains Dr. Traurig calling him a dirty old man. L.Z. ends his narrative screaming as the lights fade.

On the set, the final scene for the remake of Hope’s film is being shot with Gloria and Byron (THE FIDDLER AND THE FIGHTER). Rudolf refuses to finish the picture and urges his uncle to release Hope’s picture instead. Hope, disguised as Charlie Chaplin, warns Rudolf it is the end of his career, but he isn’t worried (FADE IN - FADE OUT).

L.Z., who overhears Gloria telling Byron that L.Z. is a stupid, dirty old man, fires both of them and agrees to use Hope’s film that Ralph shot.

Five years later, in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, Hope imprints her toothy smile in the cement as her new husband, Rudolf Governor, watches.