"American Playhouse" Who Am I This Time? (TV Episode 1982) Poster

Susan Sarandon: Helene Shaw

Photos 

Quotes 

  • [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!

  • [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.

  • [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?

See also

Release Dates | Official Sites | Company Credits | Filming & Production | Technical Specs


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