Chapter 18
Next chapter good for me lol. But for real, this was kind of a rush job, and I had to redo the first half of the chapter. That said, I think I did okay.
To answer a few questions.
poposwitch20, that isn't a bad idea, but I was never into silent film, so I don't know how to go about that. If you have any thoughts, let me know.
SovereignSloth, thank you, and I am happy you are enjoying the story. If you have any ideas, let me know. I try to answer all questions and add things my fans enjoy.
Dao_8teh, I am going to do the meeting with Hayes in this chapter, but I got in a rush, so I put it off till next. And I agree, I need parts with Naru. Hedy Lamarr will start to take center stage pretty soon if things work out right.
Roronoa, you are welcome as always. Fyi Moneytalks AC-DC to soon for that, but I know who is writing it later on lol.
Taoist_yuri, you're welcome, and thanks for reading.
Now on with the story.
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"Let's get straight to it. How long has it been since *Raging Bull*?" Johnny Carson asks his guest and longtime friend, Shirley Temple.
"Oh wow, how long has it been? Let's see, the movie came out in 1940. So it's been about 50 years," she replies.
"Wow, we are getting old, Shirley," Johnny says with a smile and a laugh.
Laughing along with him, Shirley responds, "You're only as old as you feel, Johnny."
"How does it feel? I mean, to think that even as we speak right now, some college student somewhere is likely studying *Raging Bull* for class," Johnny inquires.
Taking a moment to reflect, Shirley says, "To be honest, I just can't help but feel so happy to be a part of something that has stood the test of time for so long."
"You know, people still consider your scene in that movie to be one of the greatest moments in cinematic history," Johnny says as the crowd begins to clap.
Shirley playfully waves him off and replies, "Please stop. That movie was full of great moments. It was a masterpiece from start to finish."
"I agree, I fully agree. But Shirley, that scene was the turning point for the entire film and changed your career. Can you tell us how you did it?" Johnny asks, prompting more applause from the audience.
Smiling shyly, Shirley responds, "Okay, it all started during the preparations for filming. I was in a conference room with Jake, Joe, and pretty much everyone else while Ruth stood in front of us, pointing to the storyboards. Which, by the way, I had never seen anyone use before that day. As we were going over several key scenes, Ruth suddenly looked over at me and pointed."
Shirley mimics Ruth, saying, "Shirley, this is where you come in. Right here, this is the moment when the whole movie changes. You have to make everyone hate Jake's character—so much that they want to drag him out of the house and beat him to death. They need to want to kill this man, and it's your job to make that happen."
"Hahaha, oh my god," Johnny says, laughing so hard that it takes him a moment to regain his composure. "What… what was going through your mind in that moment?"
"Well, I don't really know. I was just stunned. I mean, I was 12 years old and had never acted like this before," Shirley responds as the crowd begins to laugh.
Looking at the audience, Shirley says, "No, really, I had no idea what to do. And worse, Jake was such a sweet man. How was I supposed to act scared of a guy who kept apologizing to me right up until the day of the scene?"
Smiling, Johnny replies, "Well, you got through it."
"I did, and that's because Jake was just so wonderful. He was a gem—a true once-in-a-lifetime find. It took me years to realize how much of an impact he had on me during filming and on my acting in general. He was able to get into his character so easily that everything else flowed naturally. So when it came time for my part in the big fight between the brothers, I saw my moment and ran up to him, yelling, 'Stop hurting my daddy!' Then I grabbed his arm, and he flung me across the room." Shirley demonstrates with a dramatic shove of her hands.
"You're telling me that wasn't planned?" Johnny asks in shock.
Shaking her head, Shirley responds, "No… no, not at all. It was completely improvised."
"Were you in any danger?" Johnny asks.
"Not really, maybe a little. But like I said, Jake was truly a master of his craft and could adapt instantly to unexpected moments. So, what you saw as a hard shove was actually just a light push. I merely sold it by flinging myself to the ground quite dramatically," Shirley explains.
"How hard did you hit the ground?" Johnny asks.
"Well, you won't see it in the blooper reels because Ruth left that part out. When I hit the ground, everyone stopped and panicked, rushing to check on me. That's when I popped back up and asked, 'Did we get that? Please tell me we got that!' Ruth just hit the ground laughing at everyone who panicked."
Johnny chuckles and replies, "You're so bad."
"I know, I know! It was such a wonderful moment, and I think that was when everyone there realized what Ruth already knew: I could be a star outside children's films. I just needed the right opportunity."
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, Interview with Shirley Temple, 1989
-1940-
-Jack Dragna POV-
If you were to ask me what I thought of Ruth Luciano before she started her own movie studio, I would say that from the few times I met her alongside her father, she was a respectful, albeit mischievous, girl—just like any young child. She had her father's eyes and often got into trouble with the rowdy friends she hung out with as a child.
As the daughter of one of the most powerful bosses in the country, and the goddaughter of that fucking Jew Lansky, not to mention the honorary niece to that bastard Bugsy, it was wise to keep an eye on her. If only to make sure she stayed out of trouble; otherwise, her father might blame me for her actions. Despite her friends' reckless behavior, she never crossed the line into anything more serious than harmless mischief—sneaking into speakeasies and buying liquor and marijuana from my men. She always understood the boundaries and knew where the line was drawn.
Most importantly, she always treated me with respect. I wasn't naive; I understood how the New York families and the Outfit viewed me. Sure, I was the boss in LA, but to them, I was little more than a two-bit crook. I was so low on the totem pole that they had to look down to see me. It was a reputation I struggled to overcome, especially when that bastard Siegel came to town, and the New York families forced me to work with him.
These were the same people Ruth was very well connected to. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say she was nearly universally loved by most of the big-time bosses. In New York, aside from her father and Lansky, she was close to Albert, Bonanno, and even Profaci, as well as numerous made men and underbosses. Outside New York, she also had good relations with Ricca and Tony in Chicago because of her closeness to Capone.
In other words, Ruth was a girl with a lot of connections who didn't need my permission to start her business down here. What could I do to someone so well-connected? Nothing, of course, and she was well aware of it. Still, she wanted my approval, because that's how respect is shown in this world. She even gave me the chance to invest in her first film before anyone else got the opportunity—not her Godfather, not her father, and not that fucker Siegel, but me.
Unfortunately, I passed on that opportunity. To be fair, how was I supposed to know that the little troublemaker I had known could create a movie like 'Shane'? It was a mistake I didn't want to repeat, so I quickly invested in her second film. However, I still took a cautious approach and contributed only a small amount toward the film's overall budget. While I managed to double my investment, it was still only a fraction of what Lansky invested, as he provided the majority of the funding.
Once again, I found myself facing the consequences of my own mistake. This time, however, I had advanced her the entire budget for one of her upcoming films, convinced that I would not only recoup my money but also most likely double it. However, the project wasn't even being directed by her, which worried me a bit. She had confidently assured me that the film would be profitable, but little by little, my hope for big profits was fading. And all because I had overlooked something she had warned me about before I had invested with her again.
Taking a deep breath, I stood up and looked out the window, a frown on my face as I felt cheated by what Ruth had just told me. It wasn't entirely her fault; what was happening was inevitable. Deep down, I understood that, and she did too. In fact, she had been upfront from the beginning, warning me that the opportunity for maximum profit without giving the major studios a cut was limited. Still, I wasn't happy with what she had just told me.
After some time, I turned back to her and asked, "Do you think Raimondo will be able to negotiate a better deal with the studios?"
Ruth didn't answer immediately. Like her father, she thought about how to answer before saying in a controlled voice. "Honestly, it's not likely. Raimondo is good, but we still lack the bite that would let him come at them from a position of strength. MGM may lower its offer a bit, but not buy much. It doesn't help that they most likely already know what the other studios are offering. They have us over a barrel, and they're aware of it. Unless I resort to other tactics, we might have no choice but to accept their offer."
"And these other tactics—are you willing to use them if necessary?" I asked her.
"I would prefer to avoid using them for as long as possible," Ruth replied in a cold voice, making it clear where she stood on the matter.
I looked her in the eye and was reminded of why I was so cautious around her. She may have been respectful towards me, but that didn't mean she was any less cunning or dangerous than her father. Even before she started bringing men in from New York, I knew she had inherited some of her father's traits. Being cautious around her was simply smart business.
Still, she was new to the business, and I felt I needed to advise her, "That's wise, you don't want to do so often. More often than not, it's more important to know when to remind people of who you are and who you're connected to. So pick carefully when to do so."
Instead of responding defiantly like most young people her age, Ruth calmly replied, "My father has told me much the same, as have my grandfather and my uncle. However, I've realized that knowing when to apply that pressure is more difficult to judge than I initially thought, especially since it can be so tempting to just use it whenever you are not getting your way."
"Hmmm," I said as I nodded my head. She was right after all, and it was good that she understood violence wasn't the answer to everything in this life or any other. After all, a mad dog doesn't last long in this or any other business.
I then added, "Perhaps a lesson is needed to teach those men at Fox who they are messing with."
Ruth remained silent for a moment before responding, "I can't say I'm not displeased with how they are treating me, Jack, but I would prefer that nothing happens for at least three months."
I smiled and replied, "Very well, three months it is. After that, a message will be sent on my behalf."
"Thank you, Jack," Ruth replied.
"Let's consider the worst-case scenario. I still expect to receive 10 percent on top of my investment," I said, shifting the conversation back to business.
"Of course, that won't be a problem. I'm not out of tricks just yet, Jack," Ruth said with a soft smile. For a moment, I saw her father's reflection in her eyes, leading me to wonder who was truly in charge here.
- Shirley Temple POV-
Today was a delightful day, and I felt a spring in my step as I skipped ahead of my companions while we strolled down the street. Behind me, Ruth and Judy Garland's laughter filled the air as they chatted about everything under the sun. Their friendship felt like a rare gem in this often superficial industry, where you never knew who your friends were or if you even had any. I didn't know the entire backstory, but according to Judy, their friendship had formed at an after-party at Mr. Gable's estate, following the last Academy Awards. Almost instantly, they became great friends, their shared passion for music and a keen eye for fashion weaving a strong connection between them. Oh, how Ruth and Judy reveled in every aspect of fashion, their eyes lighting up at the mere mention of the latest trends!
That was the reason they were out today. While Ruth made most of her own clothes—which I found delightful—she also enjoyed shopping. And for the first time in, like, ever, I was invited to join grown-ups as they went shopping. Many of the actresses at Fox often shopped together; Nancy Kelly, Myrna Loy, and Claudette Colbert frequently went out, but I was never invited to go with them. As I was too young, and honestly, I didn't wish to go with them. Seeing as I was pretty sure they didn't like each other and were only doing it because Fox made them.
They also didn't really like me that much. Despite their smiles and friendly appearances, many of the women at Fox were not very nice people. Often, when no one was looking, they would pick on me, telling me that I only mattered now because I was a cute little kid, but soon I would grow up, and those cute smiles would mean nothing to anyone anymore.
I didn't really like them for how mean they were to me. However, the people at Lucky Pictures were different. Everyone there was very kind, if a little peculiar. Take Toby, for example. After what had happened at MGM, I was very scared to be alone with a man again, but Toby was okay. Even though he flirted with my mom a bit too much and asked me if I thought he stood a chance with her, which annoyed me. I got back at him, however, after a pitching pennies, and I managed to win five whole dollars from him.
The best part was that he didn't even get upset when I beat him. That was something that always seemed to happen when I played with other kids. Maybe it was because they were children and Toby was a grown man. Whatever the reason, he was mostly fine, okay, so long as he left my mom alone.
Raimondo was my second favorite, of course, because he was… I felt my face heat up at the thought of him, so I paused for a moment and shook it off. Nope, I am definitely not thinking about his good looks, his strong hands, or his jet-black hair. Absolutely not.
My absolute favorite, however, was Ruth. Ruth was different from anyone I had ever met and was the only one who didn't treat me like a child. I appreciated that—I wasn't as stupid or naïve as people thought I was. I knew Momma and Papa were worried about what would happen next after my acting career ended. Oh, sure, they tried to hide it, but I overheard their whispers and noticed how the people at Fox treated me. It felt like milk that was about to go bad, with everyone wondering whether to drink it or toss it out.
That wasn't how Ruth saw me. When she looked at me, it wasn't as if I were some silly little kid or soon-to-be spoiled milk, but rather as if I were a grown adult, and she was curious about where I would fit in the grand play she was preparing to produce. It was exciting, it was new, and, most importantly, it made me feel like an adult ready to take on the world. Now, if only I could figure out how to play the part she had cast me in.
"Shirley, let's check out this shop next," Ruth called out to me, pointing to a store that showcased a few pretty dresses in the window.
"Okay," I replied with a smile as I followed her inside.
Once we entered, a salesman immediately noticed us and flashed that unnerving smile that so many salesmen have when they see my mom and me walk into a store. He was very pleasant and nice, but there was something about that smile that I didn't like—it felt so fake. Anyway, he led us deeper into the shop, where he got some people to help us. As they began to bring us dresses to try on, I heard Judy say something.
"So, Shirley, are you ready for your first serious role?" Judy asked.
Judy didn't know much about the role Shirley was going to play, only what Ruth had told her. Which wasn't much, as Ruth wasn't the type to share information like that openly, even with a friend. All Judy knew was that, unlike everyone else, Ruth saw Shirley not as a quickly aging novelty but as a young woman coming into her prime. At least, that's how Ruth described it to Judy, who frankly didn't see it the same way. Of course, that might be due to her own biases. Being eight years older than Shirley, she understood what it meant to be a young woman in Hollywood.
"Oh, yes, very much so," I replied with a smile, trying to hide my nervousness.
I still didn't have a clue how I was going to play the part I was given. Although my role in the film was small, it was, according to Ruth, a key moment. In her vision, my job was to ensure that the audience absolutely detested the main character, Jake Como, played by Mr. Jake Howard, whom I had just met a few days earlier. I found him to be a very sweet and kind man. However, Ruth wanted me to elicit such strong hatred for him that the line between reality and fantasy would blur, causing people to boo him even in the streets. It seemed like a terrible thing to do to someone so nice, but during our first cast-and-crew meeting, where every last detail of the movie was discussed, Mr. Howard assured me it was okay.
And wasn't that a fascinating experience? I was in a grown-up meeting for the first time, and while it was somewhat boring, it left me feeling good. I even got to ask my own questions without being ignored. In fact, everyone was treated with respect; not even Mr. Louis, who is Black, was overlooked. This respectful treatment was unusual to me, as I distinctly remember how Uncle Billy was treated by most of the people who worked on the set of The Little Colonel. Don't get me wrong; I was glad that Mr. Louis was treated well, but it was still strange—strange in a nice way. It made me wonder, not for the first time, why people didn't treat others of different races as friends instead of, well, lesser.
"You sound a bit unsure there," Judy teases, and I feel my cheeks flush.
Shaking my head, I respond, "No, I'm not."
This makes Judy laugh, but it's all in good fun.
"Judy, stop bullying Shirley. She's going to be great; I just know it," Ruth chimes in as she steps out of a dressing room, wearing a dark blue pencil dress and a matching hat.
I can feel my cheeks heat up a bit as I think about how pretty Ruth is, and I hope that when I reach her age, I will be just as beautiful. Judy seems to share this feeling, but for some reason, she looks away from Ruth with a slight blush on her own cheeks. Sometimes, Judy can be a bit strange like that.
"So, what are your thoughts?" Ruth asks us.
Without hesitation, I say, "You look so pretty, Ruth."
"Why, thank you, Shirley. Judy, what do you think?" Ruth asks.
Rolling her eyes for some reason, Judy responds, "You know you look great, Ruth."
Looking in the mirror, Ruth smiles and says, "Yes, I know, but I so love hearing it."
This causes us all to laugh at how arrogant she sounds. Then, she picks out a dress for me and tells me to go try it on.
That pretty much sums up the rest of our day—a nice, relaxing time spent with friends. I can't honestly remember the last time I had so much fun, and it was all thanks to my new friend and boss, Ruth. I can't wait to show her my stuff when we start filming.