American Playhouse (TV Series)
Who Am I This Time? (1982)
Susan Sarandon: Helene Shaw
Photos
Quotes
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[after trying to audition, Helene leaves the room, sobs, and then returns]
Helene Shaw : I'm terrible, aren't I?
George Johnson : No! No, you're not, you're fine.
Helene Shaw : [attempting a laugh] No, I'm not. It was awful. I...
George Johnson : You were...
Helene Shaw : - It's like I'm a walking ice-box or something.
Doris : Oh, nobody could look at you and say that, dearie.
Helene Shaw : When people get to know me, that's when they *do* say it. I don't want to be the way that I am. I just can't help it. I feel like I'm in... Well, when I get to know somebody nice, you know, like, like in real life? I feel like I'm in... Like I'm...
[She lifts her hands and mimes being trapped in glass]
Helene Shaw : ...in some, some kind of, um, a bottle, a-a-as though I can't touch that person, no matter how hard I try. I know what this play is about. I know what's Stella's feeling, I -
[shakes her head]
Helene Shaw : - I know I should feel it, I, I just...
[She raises her hands again, pressing against the imaginary bottle, and lowers them]
Doris : You what, dear?
Helene Shaw : I, I just, I don't know how to begin!
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[In the phone company office, George can't help noticing that Helene is a nice-looking lady. He lowers his voice]
George Johnson : Uh, excuse me, um, have you, have you ever... acted?
[She stares at him with what might be hostility but is more likely bafflement]
George Johnson : Um, what do you do? With the machine?
Helene Shaw : I teach the local girls how to operate them.
George Johnson : Ahh. How long are you gonna be in North Crawford?
Helene Shaw : [still officious] I stay in each place eight weeks, sir, then I take a new machine to a new town.
George Johnson : You see, the reason I'm asking is, uh, well, I've got this idea. You see, we're having auditions for our Dramatic Club. We're doing a new play, and, uh... Why don't you come over? There's a part in there that'd be perfect for you!
[Helene looks down, and then looks up, but does not quite meet his eyes for a few seconds, as she is having a revelation]
Helene Shaw : I've been going from town to town for two years. That's the very first time anyone has ever approached me about participating in any community thing.
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[Right after Helene has sobbed her self-confession to George and Doris, they hear Harry shout from the doorway - in full Stanley Kowalski mode]
Harry Nash : Are you ready for me yet, George? There's nobody else outside!
George Johnson : Harry, come here. I'm, I'm sorry I kept you waiting, Harry. Excuse me.
[Helene surreptitiously wipes her eyes]
George Johnson : Uh, Harry, this is Helene Shaw. Helene, this is Harry Nash. Ehh, now, if you get the part of Stella, he'll be your husband in the play.
[Helene turns to look at Harry and her eyes widen. Music suggesting imminent romance begins to play. Harry is still in his dorky hardware-store outfit, with glasses, hat, and bow-tie, but he removes his glasses and smiles slightly as he looks her up and down appreciatively]
George Johnson : Say, I, uh, I wonder if, uh, if you two would read a scene for me from this play, all right? Right here.
[Helene tears her eyes away from Harry to look at the playbook]
George Johnson : Could you do that?
Harry Nash : Sure! If Stella's game.
[She looks up, still wide-eyed]
Helene Shaw : Huh?
Harry Nash : Stella! Stella, that's you.
[then, gently:]
Harry Nash : Stella's my wife.
Helene Shaw : [weakly] Oh.
[He turns away to remove his vest and shirt, and a heartbeat rhythm replaces the music. Stella sees Harry's muscular back and she can't look away. He begins shadow-boxing, and she begins to fall in love]
-
[last lines]
[Harry is proposing to Helene, and they quote - or paraphrase - "The Importance of Being Earnest."]
Harry Nash : I've never loved anyone in the world but you.
Helene Shaw : I hope that after we marry, you'll always look at me just like this...
[They kiss passionately. Then Helene realizes that they have drawn a crowd: George, Doris, and their other friends. She laughs in embarrassment]
Helene Shaw : ...especially in front of other people!
[the others gather around, clapping and laughing]
Helene Shaw : How are you all?
George Johnson : Obviously, not as happy as you two are.
Helene Shaw : Well, George, you know, this week I've been pursued by Marc Antony, and romanced by Henry Higgins, loved by Henry the Fifth, and I was just proposed to by Ernest Worthing.
[the others laugh and clap again, with exclamations of "awww!" and the like]
Helene Shaw : Now, don't you think I'm just about the luckiest girl in town?
George Johnson : Listen, not only do I think so, but most of the women in town think so too, may I say, hmm?
[Two young ladies pass by, glaring jealously at Helene]
Helene Shaw : Well, they had their chance!
Doris : Probably most of them couldn't stand the excitement.
George Johnson : See, I don't think, I don't know if you've heard or not, but I've been asked to direct the next play.
Helene Shaw : George, that's wonderful!
George Johnson : Thank you. I, uh, I was just wondering if you two might be available for the cast?
[Harry whispers into her ear]
Helene Shaw : [grinning with delight] Who are we this time?