LOST WORLD 1925 Complete Script
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1 Full text of "The Lost World (1925) Script" The Lost World (1925) SLOW FADE IN (Through silk) 1. PRIMEVAL FOREST - huge tree trunks - silence - mystery - the dim twilight through which no ray of sunlight has ever pierced - (Hold this and dissolve in) MAIN TITLE THE LOST WORLD by SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE (Hold background and title and dissolve in) (Through silk) The tiny figure of a man (use Sir John Roxton character for this shot) - looking almost like a pygmy - as he stands in the dim light of the forest gazing about him in awe and wonder. As he looks, a Trachodon - also but dimly seen - appears, advancing slowly, browsing on the tops of trees. The man silently disappears behind a tree trunk and is seen no more. As the Trachodon advances - DISSOLVE INTO 2 CREDIT TITLES DISSOLVE INTO CAST FADE IN AND OUT FADE IN 2. CONAN DOYLE SEATED AT DESK - thinking. Smiles whimsically and writes - INSERT - I have wrought my simple plan If I give one hour of joy To the boy who's half a man Or the man who's half a boy BACK - Sir Arthur finished writing. Muses - smiles again - resumes writing, as if beginning his tale. DISSOLVE SLOWLY INTO IMPRESSIVE AND TYPICAL SHOT OF LONDON - on a foggy night (large miniature, with streets and buildings lighted. Illuminated signs used to further identify the city as London - all hazy and with interesting fog reflections). 3 DISSOLVE INTO EXT. MODEST HOME - (typical of one of the substantial old residence districts in London, occupied by fairly successful business men. Old English basement area, iron palings, etc., lamp-post with light on, glowing through the fog. House showing lights, not too glaring, behind drawn curtains). London "Bobby" patroling by house, emerges from the curtain of fog, passes under the street light, and disappears again - the fog engulfing him. Just as he goes, Edward Malone enters scene, makes the doorstep in two bounds and rings the bell of the Hungerford house. 3. C. U. AT DOOR TO HUNGERFORD HOME - Edward Malone, in cravanette, with the collar turned up and his soft hat pulled down to keep out the fog, is ringing the bell. While waiting he turns down his collar and adjusts his hat, making himself more presentable. A prim housemaid - a typical spinster of forty-five or so - opens the door, letting the hall light flood out into the enveloping fog. She recognizes Edward - a frequent caller at the house - with a cheery nod. Ed nods back, then asks eagerly: SPOKEN TITLE - "Is Miss Hungerford in?" 4. C. U. OF ED - as he finishes title - a look of eager expectancy in his eyes. We now 4 see that he is a clean-cut, likable, impetuous young Irishman of twenty- three or four. 5. C. U. OF HOUSEMAID - as she smiles at Edward - evidently a favorite of hers - nods, and replies - SPOKEN TITLE - "Miss Gladys is expecting you, Mr. Malone." 6. L. S. OF DOORWAY - as Ed enters and maid closes door. 7. INT. HUNGERFORD HALL - NIGHT - shooting toward entrance door, living room door at right or left - medium center of distance from camera to back wall. We follow Ed in. He puts his hat on a console or hall table. Maid takes his fog-soaked cravanette, then opens door to sitting room, announcing him. 8. INT. HUNGERFORD SITTING ROOM - M. S. - NIGHT - (Very homey, distinctly English sitting room. Coal fire burns in the iron grate. Shaded reading lamp). As Ed enters from hall, maid closes door after him to keep in the cheering heat from the fire this foggy night. Ed pauses, just inside of door, gazing off at Gladys, thrilled by the exquisite picture she makes. 9. C. U. OF ED - as he looks over at Gladys - completely enthralled. 5 10. S. C. U. OF GLADYS AND KITTEN - the firelight behind her - as she dangles the catnip mouse, watching the effect of her beauty on Ed through her lashes, her dimples half showing. 11. M. S. - as Ed hurries over to Gladys. 12. S. C. U. OF THE TWO - as Gladys extends a dainty hand, saying sweetly: SPOKEN TITLE - "Hello, Ed." BACK - Gladys finishing title, then letting her lashes sweep her cheek thrilled by what she reads in his eyes, Ed gazing at her. 13. C. U. OF THE TWO - still dangling the catnip mouse from her left hand, Gladys gives her right to Ed. He takes it, gazing into her eyes as he says "How wonderful you look tonight, Gladys." Gladys smiles and tries to release her hand. Ed retains it, growing more and more tense as he adds: SPOKEN TITLE - "You know why I begged you to see me alone tonight, Gladys--" CUT TO 6 14. C. U. OF FLOOR - of white Persian kitten getting ready to spring at the catnip mouse - its eyes shining with eagerness - its tail quivering with excitement. 15. INT. HALL NEAR DOOR TO SITTING ROOM - S. C. U. taking in full figure of old housemaid down on one bony knee, her kindly, but curious old eyes applied to keyhole. She turns her face away, suppressing a smile, then back to the keyhole again. 16. AS SEEN THROUGH THE KEYHOLE - Ed and Gladys near fire. Ed evidently proposing - pleading his cause, with all the desperate earnestness of a boy's first love. Gladys is shaking her head. She leaves him, moving out of vignette toward sofa. SPOKEN TITLE - "Well, upon my word! What do young girls want nowadays?" BACK - she exits toward back of hall, shaking her head as she goes. 18. SITTING ROOM - S. C. U. - Near quaint horsehair sofa - Gladys is just sitting down onto the sofa, the kitten in her arms. She sends a sidelong glance toward Ed, keenly aware of his suffering and unconsciously enjoying it - shakes her head, saying firmly: SPOKEN TITLE - "I will only marry a man of great deeds and strange experiences - a man who can look death in the face without flinching!" 7 BACK - her eyes soften to a personal reaction as she adds coquettishly: "Surely, if you really care, as you say you do--" 19. NEAR FIRE, C. U. - Ed is frowning fiercely down into the fire, trying to cover the fact that he is deeply hurt. He swallows the lump in his throat, squares his shoulders, forces his eyes to meet Gladys' and demands: SPOKEN TITLE - "But Gladys, suppose I never get a chance at the big things?" BACK - as he finishes title. 20. C. U. OF GLADYS - she pouts, then her eyes flash as she cries: SPOKEN TITLE - "The kind of man I mean makes his own chances. You can't hold him back!" BACK - she softens again and asks her kitten babyishly: "Isn't that so, Pussykins?" 21. C. U. OF ED - thrilled as her demand challenges the man in him. He says boyishly: SPOKEN TITLE - "Gladys, it's women like you who inspire men!" 8 22. S. C. U. OF GLADYS - as her eyes gleam with triumph - she is ruling this man's destiny! Ed strides in, brushes the kitten off her lap, draws her to her feet, and exclaims eagerly: SPOKEN TITLE - "I'LL make you proud of me, yet!" BACK - Ed finishes title. He draws her to him and starts to kiss her, but she holds him off, saying: SPOKEN TITLE - "Not until all London rings with your name!" BACK - Ed swallows hard. This is indeed a large order. Gladys, freeing herself, half turns away, daintily dangling the mouse before the kitten on the floor. With a sudden rush of feeling, Ed sweeps her into his arms, pressing his lips to hers. 23. C. U. OF KITTEN - on floor as it springs at catnip mouse - catching it this time. 24. S. C. U. OF ED AND GLADYS - Gladys drawing back from his kiss - but Ed, still holding her closely, repeats hoarsely: "I'll make you proud of me, my darling!" The gleam of triumph in his eyes, now. Before Gladys can protest, he sweeps her into his arms for another kiss, then rushes out before she can rebuke him, leaving her breathless and somewhat rumpled - half 9 indignant, half pleased. 25. C. U. BEFORE FIRE - of kitten having a wonderful time ripping catnip mouse to pieces, with all the feline's joy of destruction. FADE IN 26. GLASS SHOT - EXT. LONDON GAZETTE BUILDING - (on the same foggy night) - the lights from the building blurred by the fog, but illuminating a sign on the building, to identify it. Some activity on the streets. Men entering the building, all more or less lost in the fog. DISSOLVE INTO As Ed hurries up and enters door of building: INT. EDITORIAL ROOM - NEAR NEWS EDITOR'S DESK - Old Scotch McArdle busy at desk. Sees Ed passing, nods cheerfully. Encouraged by this greeting Ed pauses, thinks, turns back to McArdle and asks: SPOKEN TITLE - "Mr. McArdle, will you do me a favor?" BACK - as he finishes title. 10 27. C. U. OF McARDLE - as he hears the word "favor" his cordial attitude is replaced by one of Scotch caution as he replies: SPOKEN TITLE - "Probably not, Eddie, what is it?" BACK - squints up at Ed forbiddingly. C. U. OF ED - his expression a fine blend of determination, appreciation of his own nerve, and a natural fear of his editor, as he stammers out: SPOKEN TITLE - "Do you think you could possibly send me on some mission for the paper? Anything - just so it's adventurous - and dangerous!" BACK - leans anxiously over desk as he finishes title and inadvertently tips over McArdle's ink.