Hollywood...
It's a town that's always
attracted a certain kind of woman.
She arrives, ready to do battle...
...with lipstick and cleavage as her weapons of choice.
She is confident of victory
because she knows what life has taught her...
...that beauty
is power.
But this is not a story about a woman with power.
Oh, no.
This is about another kind of woman.
The middle-aged housewife no one ever talks about.
The drab sparrow no one has time for.
The plain Jane who is never invited to the party.
She has no beauty to draw upon.
No style.
No grace.
This timid creature moves through life...
...as if invisible.
Still, she never complains.
Years of neglect have taught her
not to expect too much from life.
She's been told it's best to wait.
That one day, "the meek shall inherit the Earth."
Yes, this is the story of Alma Fillcot.
A very meek woman, who, one day...
...got tired of waiting.
Alma Fillcot's journey from inconsequential to infamous
began with a story in the morning paper.
Her life began to change...
when someone else's life had ended.
Bertram. Wake up.
Vonda Van Essen is dead.
Who?
She's the founder of the Elysian Park Garden Club.
It's considered the finest in Los Angeles.
And it's very exclusive.
The competition to get in is fierce.
They never have more than 20 members at a time,
but Vonda's death means there'll be an opening.
Normally, I wouldn't dare to dream,
but we both know I've done wonders with my garden.
So, do you think I should apply?
Do you think I have any hope at all of getting in?
I think that the women in that club would
be lucky to have you as a member.
But they are all rich society types.
Their gardens are tended to by professionals.
And if the competition is as fierce as you say,
well...
You're right.
It's idiotic to get my hopes up. Forget I mentioned it.
-Okay. -Hmm.
-Bye-bye. -Bye.
Morning, Mom.
Oh. Dee, you're up.
Do you want breakfast?
I'll just grab a bite at the diner.
Oh, hold on. Your hem's undone.
Let me fix it for you.
I work behind a counter, Ma.
Who's gonna see?
Well, you might meet a nice man.
You don't want to seem sloppy.
I'll ask Sue to fix it.
She knows her way around a needle and thread.
Don't insult me, Dee.
I know how to sew a hem.
Heavens. Anyone can hem.
So, I heard you talking to Daddy.
There's some club you want to join?
I see these Garden Club ladies every week
at this bistro downtown.
I plan my shopping so I can walk by and get a look at them.
They're so chic.
And they seem to have so much fun together.
I'd be happy every day of my life
if I had a group of elegant friends like that.
So, how does someone join a club like that?
Oh, well, you have to be nominated by a current member.
And then they vote.
But I don't know any of those women.
Except Rita Castillo, the club president.
I met her at your father's clinic.
Talk to her. I bet she'd help you.
Oh, I don't know.
I've introduced myself to her a few times,
but she never seems to remember me.
Guess I'm just not very memorable.
I say give it one more try.
Nah, I'd just be wasting my time.
Maybe.
But what's that old saying?
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
There.
Your hem is done.
Good, because I'm really late.
Dee?
How would I go about it?
I can't just walk up to Rita Castillo
and say, "I'd like to join your club."
Can I?
It's what a memorable woman would do.
It was the great irony of Alma's life.
While she yearned for some kind of companionship,
her husband had more friends than he knew what to do with.
Yes, everyone who knew Dr. Bertram Fillcot adored him.
Especially his patients.
Hello. Oh.
-Morning, Rona. -Morning, Doctor.
Who's up first?
Maisie Moran and Biscuit.
Oh, dear.
-Is that today? -Mm-hmm.
Hello, Mrs. Moran.
How you doing?
Not so good, Doc.
I was thinking, maybe we could wait a couple of weeks.
You know? What's the rush?
Well, I understand, but...
Biscuit is in terrible pain.
And, uh, I hate to see unnecessary suffering.
You're right.
It's time.
You play music for the animals?
Yes. It's important for me that their last moments be beautiful.
Wow, Doc.
You're so sweet.
Okay.
Sweet little Biscuit.
You were always such a good boy.
Your mother's right here with you, like she's always been.
You were an exceptional dog.
And you need to know that your life had meaning.
You brought joy.
You were loved.
And you will be remembered.
Hello there.
So sorry to intrude.
I-I'm-I'm meeting a fellow gardening enthusiast
after lunch, and I brought this new bloom to show her.
It's a Lady Marchbanks hybrid tea rose.
Isn't it lovely?
I-I-I was sitting over there, at my table,
and I looked up and I thought,
"Oh, my. Are those the Garden Club ladies?
Maybe they'd like to see it, too."
I didn't want to disturb you.
I'm actually quite shy by nature.
But here I am...
rose in hand.
Do I know you?
Yes.
Yes, we've actually met.
Twice.
She's your veterinarian's wife.
That's me.
Alma Fillcot.
I know your cat Mr. Buttons.
How nice. We have mutual friends.
Um, if any of you would like to try growing this rose,
I do have some seeds here,
in my purse, and I'm more than happy to...
Alma, I've just had a fun idea.
Oh?
We're having a gathering at my place Saturday.
Why don't you come by?
Show us your little seeds then?
You're inviting me to a party?
Because of Mrs. Von Essen's passing,
we're now calling it a memorial.
Should I wear black?
Only if you want to look like a waiter.
Here you go.
Oh. Thank you!
I'll see you Saturday!
And just like that,
Alma became enthralled with the goddess
that was Rita Castillo.
She might have felt differently
if she'd known about Rita's private life.
Which was very sordid,
indeed.
Excuse me.
I'm looking for Vern Loomis,
the private investigator.
You found him.
And how can I help you, Miss...?
Mrs. Carlo Castillo.
Can I trust you to be discreet?
For the right price, I can be quiet as a tomb.
Wonderful.
I hear your specialty is investigating infidelity.
It's my bread and butter.
You think your husband is cheating on you?
No.
The man I need you to follow is my lover.
So you're the cheater?
Only if you're working for my husband.
This has been one hell of a lousy day.
But you were real sweet in there.
Thank you, Doc.
Look, forgive me for saying this, but, uh,
I'm worried about your color. You look ever so tired.
That's 'cause I work nights.
I'm a singer down at the Maui Lounge.
Ah. A chanteuse.
You should drop by sometime.
I'm there all week.
Show starts at 10:00.
It's, it's a bit late for us.
My wife and I tend to retire early.
Oh. You're married.
Happily?
Very.
Like I said...
one hell of a lousy day.
My lover's name is...
God help me, Scooter Polarsky.
That's his address and headshot.
An actor?
Has he ever been in anything?
Besides debt?
No.
So you like to support the arts?
This is not some tawdry affair, Mr. Loomis.
I care deeply about this young man.
The guy you want me to tail?
Scooter is immature.
He has not yet grasped the importance of fidelity.
That's funny...
coming from Mrs. Castillo.
Carlo is a vile man with a weak heart.
When we got married, he swore he wouldn't make it to 70.
He's now 80.
If he's not going to keep his wedding vows,
why should I?
Oh, Mrs. Yost.
Good morning.
Are you, uh, familiar at all
with the Elysian Park Garden Club?
Oh, yeah.
I used to know those broads.
Very la-di-da.
Why?
Rita Castillo, the president,
has invited me to a party.
This time of year?
Oh, no.
She invited you to their annual fundraiser.
A fundraiser?
Once a year, they open the gates
and let the peasants gawk at their fancy flowers.
And they charge ten bucks for the privilege.
Rita's going to charge me?
Sorry to burst your bubble.
Well, you know what?
M-Maybe it's worth it. You know?
A spot's opened up in the club.
This could be a chance for me to meet some of the members
and ingratiate myself.
Maybe one of them will want to nominate me.
Oh, honey.
What?
Why are you looking at me that way?
That club is an excuse for bored society types
to gossip and sip Chablis in the afternoon.
And they only do that with their own kind.
You're saying I won't fit in?
Sweetie...
you're a housewife.
So you dress for comfort.
You do your own hair.
Your idea of dolling up
is wearing lipstick to church.
You act like I'm not presentable.
Check your closet.
Got anything in there beside tweed and sensible shoes?
No.
Because you're a frump,
and there's nothing wrong with that.
But they don't let frumps
into the Elysian Park Garden Club.
Gigi, how's the party coming along?
We made splendid progress.
I made those changes to the menu.
-Excellent. -Mm.
And what about the music?
This is Uta Klug,
Poland's most famous concert harpist.
She's agreed to play Saturday.
-Miss Klug, what an honor. -Thank you.
Ooh, and are those the dahlias?
Oh, Gigi. They're lovely.
-You've outdone yourself. -Mm.
This will be my most elegant party ever.
Hey, Rita!
What do you want, Carlo?!
Where the hell is my blue suit?
Give me a sec! I'm busy!
I need my suit.
Yes, I can see that.
Would you put on some pants? We have company.
Oh, will you relax?
I haven't got anything
that these ladies haven't seen before.
Well, most of them, anyway.
Bertie.
Hmm?
I ran into Rita Castillo today,
and she invited me to a party.
All the Garden Club ladies will be there.
And if I present well,
I might have a real chance at being nominated.
Oh.
Oh, I see.
Of course, I, I would need a new dress.
Something exquisite.
That will take people's breath away.
Right, right, and, uh...
how much do you think that would cost?
Bertram, this is no time to pinch pennies.
That club is filled with stylish women.
And I, on the other hand, am...
drab and shabby.
If I have any hope of getting in,
I have to be just as chic as they are.
Yes. Of course.
Ah. Oh, what about the blue dress I bought you?
Why can't you just wear that?
Because no one ever remembers my name!
I go through life introducing myself
over and over to people that I've already met.
And when they finally do recall meeting me, they don't say,
"Oh, Alma." No, I'm...
I'm the veterinarian's wife.
I have got to start making an impression.
I can't do that in some dowdy old blue dress.
I need to be spectacular.
For once in my life.
Here.
Take it all.
Really?
Spend every last cent.
I want people to remember your name.
Oh, Bertie.
-Thank you. -Oh.
Thank you.
Maybe it's time we turn in?
Oh. I couldn't possibly sleep now.
I've got too much planning to do.
Only got two days till the party.
Two days to get a dress and shoes.
-I've got to have shoes. -Yes, shoes.
My Bertie...
You've made me so happy.
Oh.
Lovely.
Actually, I'm not that tired either.
I might go for a walk.
D-Do you mind?
No, not at all.
Lovely.
♪ To the sunny side of the street♪
♪ Can't you hear a pitter-pat?♪
♪ And that happy tune is your step♪
♪ Life can be so sweet♪
♪ On the sunny side♪
♪ On the sunny♪
♪ Sunny side of the♪
♪ Street.♪
I can't believe you came, Doc.
Curiosity got the better of me.
Thanks, Sid.
You're looking at my bruises.
I, I'm sorry.
I shouldn't stare.
Relax.
No one's roughing me up.
I got a condition.
So...
where's your wife tonight?
She not a music lover?
She's just had, uh, a lot on her mind lately.
Everything but you, huh?
Don't get me wrong.
I do love her.
Yet here you are.
Yet here I am.
It's getting late.
Come on, Doc.
Have one more drink with Maisie.
All right, yes, one-one more.
Hey, Sid.
Hello.
Evening, Mister.
Welcome to the Orange Grove Diner.
Our special tonight is meatloaf,
but between you and me, it's not that special.
Yeah, I'll just, uh, I'll just have some coffee.
Wise choice. How do you like it?
Blonde and sweet.
We're talking about coffee. Right?
Yeah, that's just, uh,
it's my fancy way of saying cream and sugar.
Cute.
You know, that paper you're pretending to read
is two days old.
So it is.
Well, you got something newer?
Well, I just finished this.
Give it a try.
Masters of Crime.
Huh. You read this stuff?
Oh, I love a good murder.
The bloodier, the better.
See...
violence doesn't bother me.
-Is that so? -Yeah.
Keep that in mind when you tip me.
♪ Life can be so sweet♪
♪ On the sunny side♪
♪ Of the street.♪
That was Joe's favorite song.
He was my brother.
Died in the war.
Oh. I'm so sorry.
Got any other family?
Nope. He was the last one.
Don't got many friends left either.
But, hey...
I got you now.
You certainly do.
Want to come up?
Have a nightcap?
Oh.
Well...
It's late, yeah.
I have work in the morning.
Oh.
Rain check?
Yeah. Yes.
Uh, madam?
Found anything you like?
Oh.
Yes. Well, everything in here is just...
stunning.
Um, just out of curiosity,
do you have anything in a...
a slightly lower price range?
Not really.
Are you sure? I...
I'm on a somewhat limited budget.
"If you cannot afford fashion,
you must settle for clothes."
I'll take four yards of this fuchsia taffeta.
You know, I'm going to an elegant garden party
on Saturday, and I need to be noticed.
This should do it.
You drink too much.
Do I?
Oh.
It makes you do ugly things.
Like humiliate me in front of the help.
I like taking you down a peg
when you're, uh, playing the Grand Lady.
It's the role you hired me for.
You were late, uh, getting home yesterday.
Um, where did you go?
I had a dress fitting in Bel Air.
Liar.
I checked your car's odometer.
You drove three times that far.
Oh, now you're checking my mileage?
You have a lover.
I know it.
Lord.
We haven't made it to dessert, and you're already blotto.
I'll bet he's young and pretty and, uh, for sale.
Just like you were.
I'm not listening to this.
It must be tough...
getting old.
Hmm?
Having to pay
for what you used to sell.
That's it.
You pathetic son of a bitch.
I'm cutting you off.
No more whiskey.
He'll turn out to be more expensive than you ever were.
Because when I catch you, he'll cost you everything.
Go ahead.
Drink the whole bottle. See if I care.
Nice try, Mendoza.
But I want the money and the dame.
Nice try, Mendoza.
But I want the money and the dame.
Hello?
Scooter...
there's been a change of plans.
No.
Oh, no.
No, the needle.
No.
Ow.
What?
You're still up?
It's almost 4:00.
My dress isn't finished yet, and the party's tomorrow.
Um, I found this up in the attic.
Do you know where it came from?
Maybe it was Grandma's.
Did you ask Dad?
He's asleep.
The tag says "February 14, 1945"
and it's got the name "Enid Dolan" written on it.
-That's odd. -Hmm.
Well, it's in our attic.
Guess it's yours now.
-Good night. -Good night.
Hello, lover.
Are you sure this is safe?
Oh, relax.
Carlo's upstairs, dead drunk.
It's just, these are nice digs.
I'd hate to see you get evicted.
What if we did get caught?
Would I lose my appeal if I didn't have Carlo's money?
You think your only appeal is your money?
I thought a house this size might have some mirrors in it.
Oh, that was sweet. Thank you.
To tell you the truth...
I'm not that thirsty.
Rita?
Oh.
Carlo?
Are you up?
Who's down there?
I hear a man.
Shh. Um, it was just the radio.
Go back to bed.
I got you.
I got you. Got you. Got you.
Darling, we just heard Carlo's in the hospital.
What happened?
Oh, he took a nasty fall down the stairs last night
-and had a stroke.
The doctors aren't sure he'll make it.
Oh, Rita, you-you should go to him.
We'll-we'll hold the fort down here.
The last thing you want to do today
is host a memorial for Vonda.
No.
This is now a tribute to Carlo.
And the garden he loved so very much.
Excuse me.
May I pour Madam a glass of wine?
Are you insane?
My husband just had a stroke.
He's at death's door.
Put it in a teacup.
Oh.
Thank you.
Very much.
Mmm.
Excuse me.
Aah!
Alma?
Are you all right?
Rita. Yes.
I'm fine.
I was just admiring your flowers.
They're, they're glorious.
Thanks.
You have mulch in your bow.
Oh.
So I do.
Can't take me anywhere.
So...
splendid party.
Are you having fun?
My husband had a stroke last night.
-He might not survive. -Oh, dear.
I started the day convinced I would never laugh again.
And then...
you walked in, wearing that frock.
Oh, bless you, Alma.
You're late.
Sorry, Scooter.
It's Alma, right?
Yes. That's me.
Alma Fillcot.
Grace Burk. I'm glad you could make it.
Oh, me, too.
Yeah, everything is just...
lovely.
Do I still have mulch in my bow?
No, forgive me.
I-I was just looking at that cameo you're wearing.
Oh. It's pretty, isn't it?
Oh, my Aunt Enid had one just like it.
Enid?
My mother's sister.
She died, um, four years ago now.
On Valentine's Day.
That's, um, February 14, isn't it?
I remember because I had gotten her some candy.
Then I walked into her home and I found her,
um, well, dead on the sofa.
Oh.
I'm, I'm very sorry.
Oh, my good... I don't believe it.
Bet-Betsy is here.
-Oh. Excuse me, Alma.
Betsy.
A waiter said you wanted to see me.
The doctor from the hospital is on the phone.
He needs to talk to you.
Hello, Doctor.
This is Mrs. Castillo.
Any news about my husband?
We've done some tests.
The stroke he suffered was very serious.
And...
But he's a fighter.
His vital signs are getting stronger
by the hour.
Stronger?
He may not regain his speech or basic motor function.
But with home nursing and loving care from you,
he could live another 20 years.
No! No! No! No! No!
Excuse me, Mrs. Burk.
-Oh. Sorry.
Um, I wanted to give you this.
Your cameo?
-Don't be silly. -No, I, I...
I think it was your aunt's.
Read the inscription.
Oh. I, I don't understand. H-How...?
Oh, I, I, I bought it.
Um, years ago, at a rummage sale.
At my church.
And here I always thought one of her nurses had sticky fingers.
W-Well, obviously I will reimburse you.
-Oh. -What did you pay for it?
Don't be silly. It's a family heirloom.
It was an honor to return it.
Oh.
It's-it's late. I have to go.
So, excuse me.
-It's nice to...
Was that the veterinarian's wife?
Her name is Alma.
And she is just the sweetest little thing.
I wonder if she'd be interested in joining our club.
That sure was nice.
And then some.
Go ahead.
You don't want to keep your rich girlfriend waiting.
Hello.
It's my agent.
Uh-huh?
Oh.
Oh, no. That's all right, Max.
Yeah, it wasn't much of a part anyway.
Mm-hmm.
All right. Bye.
The story about Lana Turner getting discovered
at Schwab's... it's a lie.
Careers take time. You just got to be patient.
You really think I have a shot?
Oh. With that kisser?
Of course you do.
I wish my rich lady friend was nice like you.
She pays your bills.
She doesn't have to be nice.
I feel really bad making you dress like that.
But if my lady friend found out about us...
It's okay, Scoot.
I know the score.
Who knows?
Maybe I'll kick her to the curb one day.
-And then you and I will... -Hey.
Do me a favor.
Don't make promises you'll never keep.
Hello.
Doc.
What are you doing here?
Well, I was in the neighborhood.
Thank you.
Come on in.
Ooh.
I wish I'd known you were coming.
The place is in such a state.
No. No, everything's fine.
I'll just go put these in some water.
Sure.
Oh, yeah.
I've been seeing some doctor.
He says I got cirrhosis.
It seems I'm dying.
I know.
What do you mean you know?
You're tired.
Your skin is jaundiced.
You have bruises.
Way I see it...
...we all got to die.
Sooner or later, right?
Yes.
That's why we need to enjoy ourselves while we can.
Chateau Bridgette.
It's a rather good year.
Aw, Doc.
You shouldn't have.
You sit.
I'll pour.
I didn't know you were in the Ziegfeld Follies.
Honey, what you don't know about me is a lot.
I started as a chorus girl.
Did a whole number,
coming down a long staircase,
never looking down, not even once.
"Eyes out to the audience."
That's what Mr. Ziegfeld always said.
I feel funny.
Wow.
-The room is spinning. -Let me help you.
Something's happening to me, Doc.
It's just the sedative I put in your wine.
It's relaxing you. That's all.
I can barely move.
Shh. Don't try and talk.
You know, it's, uh, it's funny.
We take such good care of our pets.
When a dog or cat is ready to die...
...we help them.
I'm very much of the opinion
we should show human beings the same kindness.
The disease you have is awful.
The end will come slowly...
cruelly.
Hearing you have no family, no one to take care of you.
I couldn't just stand idly by and do nothing.
You were an exceptional woman.
You need to know that your life had meaning.
You brought joy.
You were loved.
And you will be remembered.
Alma?