Once in a Lifetime

by George S. Kaufman, Moss Hart

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Act I, Scene 1

In a modestly furnished room in New York City, vaudeville partners George Lewis and May Daniels discuss their uncertain future. Their third partner, Jerry Hyland, is tasked with securing a booking for them. May is anxious because they only have $128 left in their bank account, while George remains optimistic, confident that something will come up.

When Jerry arrives, he shares the news that he has sold their act for $500. Jerry is convinced he has glimpsed the future with the first sound movie, The Jazz Singer. Despite May's objections, Jerry insists they should head to Los Angeles and break into the film industry. Since movies have been silent until now, actors didn’t need good speaking skills. Jerry believes that stage actors with voice training will soon be in high demand.

After agreeing with Jerry's plan, May proposes an idea for their venture in Los Angeles. They will establish a school of elocution, teaching film actors and actresses how to speak properly. They are confident it will be profitable, even though none of them have any teaching experience.

Act I, Scene 2

While traveling by train to Los Angeles, the trio prepares to launch their school. May discovers that Helen Hobart, the leading film critic in the United States, is also on the train. May and Helen have a history, having been in an acting troupe together. May persuades Helen to speak with them. They inform Helen that May taught elocution in England, Jerry is her business manager, and George is a doctor and May’s technical advisor. Helen becomes intrigued by their venture and agrees to introduce them to Herman Glogauer, the owner of Glogauer Studios.

Susan Walker, a young aspiring actress, finds Helen in the trio's train car, seeking her help to jumpstart her acting career. George takes an interest in Susan and escorts her back to her mother.

Act I, Scene 3

In the Gold Room of the Hotel Stilton in Los Angeles, actors, actresses, and hopefuls mingle, all striving to be noticed by others. Everyone, including the staff, is somehow connected to the film industry. Susan and her mother, Mrs. Walker, enter, and Susan is awestruck by the people in the room. George, May, and Jerry arrive to meet Helen and Glogauer regarding their school. George spots Susan and vows to help her meet the studio owner, a promise that displeases May and Jerry.

Following Glogauer's grand entrance, Helen, May, Jerry, and George have a meeting with him. They persuade him that their school would give him an edge over other film moguls, reminding him of his missed opportunity with Vitaphone, the technology behind talkies. George introduces Susan to Glogauer, but she fails to make an impression on him.

Act II, Scene 1

In the bustling reception area of the Glogauer Studio, the secretary, Miss Leighton, juggles a whirlwind of phone calls and visitors. Playwright Lawrence Vail waits impatiently for his appointment with Glogauer. After being shuffled from person to person, Vail is frustrated as his meeting is once again postponed.

Meanwhile, May's school is running at full capacity. Overwhelmed with work, she receives little assistance from Jerry and George. Jerry is too preoccupied with navigating Hollywood's social scene, which strains his relationship with May. George, curious about Susan's progress in class, tells her they will wed once she has a stable career. May advises him to speak with Susan before making any hasty decisions.

Their conversation is cut short when Mrs. Walker arrives, needing to take Susan to the hotel for a long-distance call from Mr. Walker. George accompanies them out....

(This entire section contains 1208 words.)

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Meanwhile, Vail continues to wait, only for Miss Leighton to forget who he is. Frustrated by the lack of work and inability to meet anyone, Vail storms out, just as Helen arrives in search of him. Miss Leighton is still clueless about his identity when asked by the movie critic.

May encounters Helen, who hints that the school's future is bleak. After Helen departs, Flick arrives to remove the names from their office door, confirming the school's closure. When Jerry and George arrive, May informs them they've been let go.

George's immediate concern is Susan's career. When Susan returns, she reveals her father wants her to come home. George decides to seek out Glogauer and runs into Vail, who is astonished to learn George has actually met Glogauer. Vail, exasperated, vents his frustrations to George and declares he is quitting.

Glogauer then appears, embroiled in a dispute with German director Rudolph Kammerling. Kammerling is upset over the miscasting of an actress. George intervenes, suggesting Susan as a better fit. When Glogauer insists on a well-known actress, George echoes Vail's criticisms of the movie industry.

Impressed by George's boldness, Glogauer agrees to cast Susan and sets the publicity wheels in motion. He appoints George as the studio's supervisor, despite Glogauer's initial objections, George immediately rehires May and Jerry.

Act III, Scene 1

On the chaotic set of Kammerling’s film, Gingham and Orchids, the final day of shooting is underway. As Kammerling begins explaining how the church steps scene will be filmed, Susan claims she is unfamiliar with it. May reminds Susan that they rehearsed it just minutes ago, albeit under a different name.

May’s sarcastic demeanor draws Jerry's attention. While Jerry is excited about the movie and its prospects, May highlights every flaw. George arrives, and for a moment, all eyes on set are on him. Just as Kammerling and his team resume their work, Glogauer appears. He is thrilled that the film is progressing exactly as planned. To show his gratitude, he gifts George a solid gold dinner set.

The scene is finally filmed. Once completed, Glogauer realizes that George had Kammerling working on the wrong script. Glogauer halts production and retracts his gift to George. Jerry scolds May for her sarcastic remarks towards Glogauer, while May retorts that Jerry was merely flattering him. Susan decides not to speak to George. Glogauer ends up dismissing everyone.

Act III, Scene 2

May is on a train headed back to New York. Vail joins her at a stop near a sanitarium. May asks Vail to read the reviews for Gingham and Orchids, and to her astonishment, they are overwhelmingly positive. Every error is commended. She receives a telegram from George, requesting her and Jerry's return. May decides to go back, if only to further her own plans.

Act III, Scene 3

At Glogauer’s studio, George is once again in charge, with numerous demands on his time. Susan visits him and talks about an upcoming premiere. George mentions that he has purchased several airplanes. Glogauer arrives, furious, demanding to know why George has bought 2,000 planes.

May comes in, and George immediately inquires about Jerry’s whereabouts. George tells her that Jerry went looking for her when she left. While May is curious about that situation, George is preoccupied with resolving the airplane issue. Jerry arrives and reassures May about their relationship. George remains anxious about the airplanes. Glogauer interrupts, declaring George a genius. Since George bought all the planes, they are now in demand by other studios. Glogauer is delighted with George’s achievements. George is considered even more brilliant as he allows the current studio to be demolished to make way for a larger one.

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