The Purple Rose of Cairo (fictional film)

The Purple Rose of Cairo is a fictional film released by RKO Pictures in 1935 set within Woody Allen's 1985 film with the same name. It is featured and mentioned throughout the film.[1] Principal filming was shot in Piermont, New York.

Plot summary

In the fictional film, Henry, a rich playwright resides in a lavish Art Deco penthouse in Manhattan with his companions Jason and Rita. When the film is first seen, Henry complains of boredom and Jason suggests that a vacation to Paris is just the thing. However, Henry responds that he did not have the Ritz in mind and was thinking of something more exotic such as Morocco or Egypt. Rita overhears the conversation and announces that she has "just the dress to wear for the Pyramids". Henry comes up with an idea that the three visit Casablanca and Tangiers and return in time for his new play. Jason toasts "to Cairo, Morocco and Tangiers, to all the exotic and romantic places in the world".[2]

The film moves onto a scene in an Egyptian tomb. Henry, Jason and Rita enter and Rita exclaims how everything is ancient while Jason exclaims how he doesn't "want to feel a bandaged hand around my throat". At that moment, a figure in a safari suit and pith helmet comes in through a secret entrance and startles the three. He introduces himself as "Tom Baxter, explorer, adventurer". Tom explains that he is looking for the Purple Rose of Cairo. According to the legend "a pharaoh had a rose painted purple for his queen. And now the story says, purple roses grow wild at her tomb. Jason comes up with an idea that Tom should come with them to Manhattan to meet the Countess and how "she loves anything in a pith helmet". Though Tom remarks it is impulsive, he agrees. He adds that a fortune teller foretold he would fall in love in New York.[2]

The film then moves on to a later scene at the Copacabana back in Manhattan. Jason, Henry, Rita and Tom are with the Countess and her suave "boy-toy" Larry Wilde. Jason requests a table for six and the party is escorted to a ringside table by the mustachioed maître d' Arturo. As they sit down, the bandleader presents Kitty Haynes, who makes her entrance and begins to sing "One Day At A Time". Tom is entranced by Kitty and her voice. Meanwhile, Henry and Rita have a private conversation. Rita then exclaims that its time to open the champagne and that she feels "like getting plushed to the scuppers."[2]

The next time the film is seen, the scene is in the penthouse and Tom is admiring the Art Deco living room. He then makes a brief speech on how he "still can't get over the fact that twenty-four hours ago I didn't know any of you...and here I am now...on the verge of a madcap Manhattan weekend." Jason says to Baxter "hope you like your martinis very dry". Tom declines politely saying he'd rather wait for "that glass of champagne at the Copacabana."[2]

Later, the film is seen after Cecilia is fired from her job. The scene is still in the penthouse, but earlier when the four return from Egypt. Rita exclaims how she "can't wait to get out of these clothes and hit some of the nightspots". Henry tells them not to waste time and that the "floorshow at the Copacabana starts in ten minutes". The scene where Tom makes his speech is then replayed.[3]

In a brief scene, Delilah, Rita's maid, makes the bed while Rita does her nails. Delilah asks Rita if something's on her mind.

Cast of characters

References

  1. ↑ "The Purple Rose of Cairo". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved 17 December 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Purple Rose Of Cairo Script - Dialogue Transcript". Script-o-rama.com. Retrieved 17 December 2010.
  3. ↑ Lee, Sander H. (1997). Woody Allen's Angst: Philosophical Commentaries on his Serious Films. McFarland. pp. 173–186. ISBN 978-0-7864-0207-6.
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