Starlet Showcase: nearness

6/18/10

3/27/10

Barney's Whore

BARNEY (to Linda): This is Jim Allen, a pal of mine from the chain gang. He's just escaped.

JIM (to Barney): Listen, never mind the advertising.

BARNEY (to Jim): It's all right with Linda. (To Linda) Take good care of him, babe. He's my personal guest. (To Jim) So long, Jim. Hope you make it. (Barney leaves the room.)

LINDA (to Jim): You've got plenty of what it takes to pull an escape from that place.

JIM: I'm not safe yet, not until I'm out of the state.

LINDA: If there's anything I can do to help you, just say the word.

JIM: Thanks...there's nothing you can do.

LINDA: How 'bout a drink?

JIM: No.

LINDA: Don't mind if I take one, do you?

JIM: No, go right ahead.

(Linda crosses the room and pours a drink. Jim looks her over from head to toe.)

LINDA (raising her glass): Here's to you. A guy with your nerves has got the breaks coming to him.

(Jim gazes at her with a look she seems to recognize. She crosses the room to him. She sits on the arm of his chair.)

LINDA: I know what you're thinking. (She pauses.) I understand. (Linda touches his shirt, whispering now.) You're among friends.

I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang (1932) with Allen Jenkins (Barney), Noel Francis (Linda), and Paul Muni (Jim). Here is a very nice piece about Noel from Allure.