TOOTSIE
Sereenplay by Larry Gelbart
March 8 1982
NEW YORK
MIRAGE ENTERPRISESMACRO SHOT. LIKE AN ABSTRACT PAINTING
Only one area in focus, It is an actors! character box.
We SLOWLY PAN to see: a monccle, difzeren® pairs oF
eyeglasses, rubber appliances, various makeups, a
collection of dental applications, an assortaent of
brushes. A hand comes into frame and removes a small
ottle. WE FOLLOW to see it is spirit gum. The other
hand enters frame and uncaps the sottlé. FOLLOW one
hand as it applies the spirit gum to a cheek. We see
only a portion of the cheek. Now the hands apply spirit
Sun ESS unser SCaPe PETS we Fone ane nee they
place the scar upon the actor's cheek. The ritual
continues as we watch a moustache being applied. The
hands then search out the dental appliances and pick
one. fe study the movement as the appliance is inserted
into the actor's mouth. Throughout the above we HEAR
Someone mumbling, but we cannot make out the words,
Suddenly we HEAR:
A VOICE
Next!
A BLACK SCREEN: OR SO IT SEEMS.
Really a darkened theatre. we're locking out toward
the auditoriun.
Worce
(continuing)
Michael ... Dorsey, is it?
PULL BACK to hold MICHAEL in fg., locking out toward the
Garkened auditoriun, ae is an actor, 40 years olé. te
holds a script.
CAMERA CIRCLES to reveal Michael's face, The scar is
present, as is the moustache. Ee also has perfect teeth.
vorcs
Top of twenty-three,
MICHAEL
(with feeling)
"Do you know what it was like
waking up in Paris that morning?
Seeing the empty pillow where ..,
wait a minute, cover your breasts!
Kevin is downstairs! My God
what are you?"
(conrrNuED)3
4
CONTINUED:
AN to reveal a BURLY MALE STAGE MANAGER, cigar butt
in mouth. ee
STAGE MANAGER
"I'ma woman, Not Felicia's
mother. "Not Kevin's wife ...
VOICE
Thank you. That's fine, We're
looking for someone a little
older.
ANOTHER BARE STAGE - MICHAEL WITH ANOTHER STAGE MANAGER
Michael is dressed in cut-offs, a T-shirt and sneakers,
He plays with a yo-yo.
MICHAEL
"Mom! Dad! Uncle Fete! some
thiag's wrong with Biscuit! 1
think he's dead!"
voice
(rom the darkness)
Thank you. Thank you. We're
locking for someone a little
younger,
A TRIRD BARE STAGE > MICHAEL WITH ANOTHER STAGE MANAGER
Michael has dark makeup on, his hair slicked back, wears
a zoot suit, another moustache. He has a "Walkman"
stereo hanging from his neck, and wears earphones.
STAGE MANAGER
(eyes on script)
"No, Julie, no. Get out of the
Barrio while you can.”
MICHAEL
"I don' go wi! out zsthella ... *
He suddenly whips out a knife and flicks it open under
the Stage Manacer's chin. The Stage Manacer lcoks op
from the script in terror.
MICHAEL
+++ an Iwan! you to look at me
when I walk, mon. Look at me!
(ConTmvED)