The Cutting Room Floor
Page Nine: The Calm Before...
The Cutting Room FloorPage Nine: The Calm Before... |
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The final loving moments shared between Quentin and Tracy before their relationship disintergrates nearly all fell victim to the MGM demanded edits. The first of the following two scenes occurs in the original Night of Dark Shadows script directly following the scene in which Quentin tells Carlotta he will no longer be painting in the tower room. It also takes place just prior to the sequences involving Carlotta's revelations. The second of these scenes takes place following those revelations. And not incidently, the first sequence also reveals the point at which Angelique's portrait was removed from the gallery. | ||
Night of Dark ShadowsScript Excerpt(red text - included in film / white text - deleted from film)It's the following morning. Quentin is at the easel, relaxing, sipping a cup of coffee, as Tracy ENTERS. Quentin stops, holds out his arms. Tracy runs to them. Good morning! (pointing outside) The world is ours, the gentleman said.
TRACY
QUENTIN
TRACY
QUENTIN What happened to her?
QUENTIN
TRACY
QUENTIN
TRACY
INT - GALLERY - DAY
It is later as Carlotta ENTERS. She carries the picture of Angelique. He stops painting when he sees her.
If you can. EXT - BACK OF COLLINWOOD - DAY SHOT favors Quentin, who stands moodily looking out of the gallery windows. RACK FOCUS to Tracy, who ENTERS THE SHOT F.G. She is carrying the groceries. She waves at Quentin, who suddenly notices her and as he waves back, she crosses toward the veranda. INT - GALLERY - DAY - HIGH ANGLE Quentin is back at his easel as Tracy ENTERS the room. I'm a genius with butchers. Of course, he thinks me quite mad...and very rich. The steaks are a masterpiece. She's back!
QUENTIN How about you and I getting out of this house? We'll take a walk.
TRACY | |||
Interestingly, the film deviates from what the script called for after the second of these scenes. The film now features a montage of moments with Quentin and Tracy, whereas the script only calls for a single sequence of the couple strolling the meadow, during which Quentin asks Tracy if she knows how much he needs her. As the film plays, this exchange is now delivered at the railroad footbridge. However, the only place the original script calls for a romantic scene to take place at the footbridge is during a dialogue-less montage of scenes that originally were to appear following Quentin and Tracy's picnic outside the greenhouse.
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