Guilty by Suspicion

Mr. Nolan, you told us we could count on your loyalty.

You didn't say you were coming to defend the Communist Party.

We know they're out there, but--

but I'll be damned if I know how to find them.

It'd be a lot easier on everybody

if you all wore some identification like a pin or a bumper sticker.

Then we wouldn't have to sit here and go through this.

Make it a lot easier on everybody, wouldn't it?

I beg of you...

please don't make me do this.

Don't make me crawl through the mud.

You know who they are.

They're my friends.

They are Communists.

Why do you feel they should be protected?

We must protect this country from the ideas they're spreading

through their films and television shows.

When I joined the Party, they were trying to help people.

I thought they were trying to help people. It was the Depression.

People needed help.

It was a good thing then.

Son, you came here, and you confessed your membership.

All we're asking you to do in good faith,

and also to purge yourself of your mistakes in the past,

is to help us in identifying the people in those photographs.

I don't want to be an informer.

Real Americans have appeared before this Committee demonstrating loyalty.

How do you think we got your name in the first place?

I thought you were not a Communist anymore.

I'm not! I told you!

I think you're still a member.

And I know some people that would be interested to know that.

Would you speak up, please, son?

There's nothing to be ashamed of here.

David! Over here!

Welcome back.

What are you doing here?

Is this the hello I get after two months?

-Feels like I just left. How are you? -All right.

I missed you, though. Come on.

You leave anything in France?

Let me get this.

David, you don't have to buy everything you see.

Everything I can get my hands on.

Yeah. When I heard they sent a limo for you,

I decided all this success has gone to your head.

It's time we brought you back down to earth.

Thanks. So that's what friends are for.

So what's the news? Did Lisa finally say yes?

-Yes. -You're getting married?

-No. -You're not?

She wouldn't swear to a loyalty oath,

so it wasn't in my best interest to marry her.

-What wouldn't she swear? -She swore all the time.

She had a mouth like a sailor, drank like a fish.

-She wouldn't change? -Those things I liked.

Bunny, everything okay in town?

This place is going crazy, David.

I say we go back to France. Now.

Not before I see Zanuck.

What do we have to see Mr. Zanuck for?

He wanted me back. I guess we'll argue over casting and budgets.

He'll give in.

You can do no wrong around that guy. I swear to God he loves you.

Who loves me? God or Zanuck?

It is hard to tell them apart sometimes.

Did you see Ruth?

Bunny.

No, David, I haven't had any time.

I'm doing some rewrites for my dear friend Marilyn Monroe,

and I feel kind of funny since you guys got divorced.

Besides, I haven't had time to see anybody, honestly.

How about you? Think you might see her?

Who? Marilyn or Ruth?

That's what I thought.

They're here. Shh!

They're here.

Everybody be quiet and say "Surprise." Be ready!

Surprise!

What happened?

Sorry. I thought it was David.

-Couldn't you wait for me. -You didn't say you'd be all day.

I waited. I just wasn't going to miss this.

No, of course not.

You wouldn't miss seeing the great David Merrill.

What is the matter with you? He is our friend.

-Outside. Come on! -All right.

What?

What's going on?

Look who's here!

I surprised my own surprise party.

Now I have to act like I like everyone.

-Welcome back. -How are you?

When you get settled down,

there's this idea I want to talk to you about.

Right now you want to talk? Can't it wait till tomorrow?

I want to go home.

You're not doing this for me. You're doing it for yourself.

Friends, Romans, Comrades!

That got everyone's attention.

We welcome back our friend David!

Will you come on! Come on!

Our friend.

Larry?

A brave man.

Our friend, a brave man....

Our friend--

...who won't forget those of us who need work on his pictures.

To my dear friend....

What's your name again? Bunny Baxter, who'll never work for me again.

Just kidding.

Thanks, everyone. It's a terrific welcome.

I'm not surprised, but it's terrific.

Two months and I get a hero's welcome.

Anyone brave enough to come back to this town is a hero.

A great director, maybe, but a hero? Never.

You part of this conspiracy?

I deny having anything to do with any conspiracy.

I hope your trip went badly.

It went great. When can I see your movie?

You have to buy a ticket like everyone else. That's if I figure out the ending.

You always have problems with endings.

Let me know when you want me to see it.

I don't want your suggestions. How about Tuesday?

It's good to see you. I've missed you.

It's not easy times.

Let's have a drink.

Laugh!

Have a good time. Drink.

Let's make it painless, right?

Who are we trying to kid?

Everybody knows what's happening.

I'm afraid to talk to my friends.

My husband's crazy. We're all dead!

Dorothy, you all right?

Drink up! Don't let me spoil all your fun.

Are you all right?

Yeah. I have to go.

Bunny, follow me to Dorothy's house.

Dorothy! Dorothy!

-What's happening? -Bert, I'll be back.

-Where are you going? -I don't want you driving.

You've got a 9:00 with Zanuck tomorrow.

I got to see my kid. Can we make it 10:00?

Well, I don't think so. I can try.

All right, shit. Leave it. I'll make it.

-Meet me at the Brown Derby after. -All right, the Derby.

Larry, what the hell are you doing?

Reorganizing my library.

Ever realize how book bindings are so well made?

These are all good books.

The Catcher in the Rye, Tom Sawyer. What the fuck's the matter?

Wait till Wood puts your nuts in a vise.

-Who? -Your taste in literature changes.

Everything changes, David, real fast.

Of course, you don't have to worry.

You're Zanuck's golden boy, aren't you?

You're a brilliant man, David.

A brilliant man.

Good idea. James Joyce. Can't write like him, burn him.

Ask him who he named today!

-Ask him! -Don't listen to her. She's cracked!

No, Matt. Go.

How many of your friends did you sell out?

Did you name me?

Did you name your son?

-You could have hurt her! -What am I going to do with her?

The great actress!

If you come here again, I swear to God I'll kill you!

What did you do?

I did what any scared shitless, loyal American would have done.

Welcome home, David.

Welcome home.

Dad!

You're back, Dad! You're back!

You went across the street without checking the cars.

What did I tell you about that?

You're getting so big.

Jesus, you're bigger than I am.

You're way bigger than I am.

Are you going to take me to school?

Tomorrow or the next day I will, okay?

Close your eyes and hold out your hands.

A camera!

It's neat, Dad. It's so neat.

-Paulie! -It's a very, very good--

Can't you take me to school, Dad? Please?

Not today, pal. I got a lot of important things I have to do.

But tomorrow or the next day I'm gonna take you to school.

Let's go.

Let's get you on the bus, young man.

No talking to strangers.

Dad's not a stranger.

-Hmm. -Hmm.

Remember, sit in the front of the class, look the teacher straight in the eye,

-and she'll never call on you. -She calls on me. I tried it.

It only works in movies.

Give me the camera, I'll give it to your mother.

Give me a kiss. Be a good boy.

Bye.