Joe:
You used to be in silent pictures. You used to be big.
Norma
: I am big. It's the pictures that got small.
Joe:
I knew there was something wrong with them.
Norma: We didn't need dialogue. We had faces!
Norma:
I think I'll have De Mille direct it...We've made a lot of pictures together.
Joe:
And you'll play Salome?
Norma:
Who else?
Joe:
Only asking. I didn't know you were planning a comeback.
Norma:
I hate that word. It's return - a return to the millions of people who
have never forgiven me for deserting the screen.
Joe:
Fair enough.
Norma:
Salome - what a woman! What a part! The princess in love with a Holy Man.
She dances the Dance of the Seven Veils. He rejects her, so she demands his
head on a golden tray, kissing his cold, dead lips.
Joe:
They'll love it in Pomona.
Norma:
They'll love it every place. Read it. Read the scene just before she has
him killed.
Joe:
Never let another writer read your material. He may steal it.
Norma:
I'm not afraid. Read it!
Norma: I can't go on with the scene. I'm too happy! Mr. De Mille, do you mind if I say a few words? Thank you. I just want to tell you all how happy I am to be back in the studio making a picture again! You don't know how much I've missed all of you. And I promise you, I'll never desert you again because after Salome we'll make another picture, and another picture! You see, this is my life. It always will be! There's nothing else - just us - and the cameras - and those wonderful people out there in the dark. All right, Mr. De Mille, I'm ready for my close-up.