I WANT YOU TO BE MY BABY: THE LILLIAN BRIGGS STORY (Screenplay Sample)
Lee Schiller The true story of Lillian Briggs, the very first "Queen of Rock & Roll" and how she fought for and achieved The American Dream ... Twice.
- I WANT YOU TO BE MY BABY: The Lillian Briggs Story
-Screenplay Presentation Videos -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9xUgktg9q4
And
http://vimeo.com/116459514 -
Registered: WGAw No. 1572559
- Austin Film Festival: Winner's Circle Award - http://www.austinfilmfestival.com
- Feature Film: 129 pp.
- Genre: Musical/Bio/Drama
- Legal: Copyrighted © Authorized by Lillian Briggs, Executed Rights and Releases on File
- Additional: Wm. Morris Agency Story Report, By Daniel B. Sweeney - http://www.wma.com
- Status: AVAILABLE - Inquire via 'Contact' page
- The Miracle Of Love/Lillian's Theme by Federico Vaona - http://www.federicovaona.com
- Graphic/Visual Design: by Samantha Perez at: http://www.artbysamanthaperez.com
- LILLIAN BRIGGS: Info, Lyrics, Photos, Music + More - http://pl.ayli.st/Lillian+Briggs
- Feel free to browse a few of Lillian's scrapbook photos by using the end-of-screenplay links and visit the Lillian Briggs Page on Facebook. - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lillian-Briggs/112526965428581
LILLIAN BRIGGS INTERACTIVE LINK:
http://www.mashpedia.com/Lillian_Briggs
LILLIAN BRIGGS BIO LINK:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lillian_Briggs
LILLIAN BRIGGS YOUTUBE CHANNEL:
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuYc7zghmGrepbn6SIsEtJg/videos
(Additional information: http://www.google.com)
"THE TONIGHT SHOW" (1955) Lillian Briggs Host: Steve Allen - First TV Appearance VIDEO LINK:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=156762581102557&l=251792390719852763 (VIDEO)
"WHAT'S MY LINE?" (3-21-65) Lillian Briggs - First Mystery Guest Star Panel:Carol Channing,Arlene Francis,Alan King VIDEO LINK:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?x-yt-ts=1421914688&x-yt-cl=84503534&v=-X6n1SLLo64 (VIDEO)
Lillian Briggs - "I WANT YOU TO BE MY BABY" - MUSIC VIDEO LINK:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWxOMEhkVI0
Lillian Briggs - "COME HERE" - MUSIC VIDEO LINK:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8VIyAbntAs
(Additional Lillian Briggs Music Videos: http://www.youtube.com and http://www.dailymotion.com)
I WANT YOU TO BE MY BABY
FADE IN:
CREDITS ROLL:
EXT. Rural Pennsylvania - Day (1952)
AERIAL SHOT as CAMERA searches the steely gray sky. Rain clouds hang heavy. The trees below are bare, leaving no color on the horizon. Dotting the bleak countryside are small farms, their fields reflecting the overpowering grayness everywhere. The landscape is unrelentingly oppressive and lifeless. Then, CAMERA ZOOMS IN on a small back road -
EXT. Pennsylvania Back Road - Day
A large truck with 'Hudsco Cleaners' lettered across the sides, roars around a corner. It splashes through puddles and sends the dead wet leaves flying into the air from the pavement -
ANOTHER ANGLE:
Travelling at break-neck speed, the truck veers off onto a dirt road leading to a new low-income housing development. The truck fishtails and skids wildly as it hits a mudslick. The brakes lock and the truck plunges head-on into a mudhole stretching across the road, and comes to a violent stop. Steam hisses. With the truck barely still, mud begins oozing up into the fender wells and towards the cab as it sinks faster and faster -
GOD-LIKE VOICE (O.S.)
Jump! JUMP!
ANOTHER ANGLE:
High on a telephone pole, a receiver in his hand, a telephone REPAIRMAN watches as the uniformed DRIVER splashes hip-deep into the mudhole. The truck continues sinking -
REPAIRMAN
(laughing)
Hey, fella! Every cowboy gets thrown
once in a while, huh?!
The DRIVER, wading to high ground looks up -
DRIVER
Don't just hold the phone! Call my boss
and tell him to send out a wrecker for
Lillian Briggs!!
The REPAIRMAN looks at the feisty dark-haired young woman and dials -
CREDITS END:
EXT. Hudsco Cleaners Parking Lot - Day
LILLIAN climbs down from the wrecker as the mechanic unhooks her truck. Her face is dirty and her white uniform is caked with mud. She walks toward the garage, where three drivers, HANK, JOHN and PHIL, stand smoking -
PHIL
(looking her over)
Hey, Lil! Run into a little trouble?
HANK
Looks like she ran into more than that!
PHIL
Did you chip any finger nails?
JOHN
I thought you were supposed to bring in dirty
laundry, not wear it back to the shop!
The three men dissolve into laughter -
LILLIAN
(standing straight)
I bring in more than you three guys combined.
HANK
Today you broke the record, that's for sure!
LILLIAN walks past them and into the garage -
JOHN
(calling after her)
Send a postcard from the unemployment line!
INT. Hudsco's Office - Day
HUDSCO, his face beet red, strains from behind his desk as LILLIAN stands in front of him -
HUDSCO
That's the third one of my trucks you've destroyed
so far!
LILLIAN
I told you the last time, when the roof caved in,
that it wasn't my fault!
HUDSCO
Not your fault!? The truck drove itself under a
tree whose branches were heavy with snow?
LILLIAN
Okay, I didn't account for the snow.... But when
the tire blew out the time before that, I did
everything by the book. Just like you taught me.
HUDSCO
No Shit?!!
LILLIAN
I stopped the truck, didn't I?
HUDSCO
Yeah. On it's side. In a ditch. And right on top
of Mr. Pickson's compost heap!
LILLIAN
He still gave me his laundry order though!
HUDSCO
I must have been crazy to hire a girl for this job!
LILLIAN
I'm doing as well as any MAN!
HUDSCO
I ought to fire you.....
LILLIAN
(softly)
I didn't mean to shout, Mr. Hudsco.
HUDSCO
.....But even with the towing, repairs and
re-laundering all the clothes, you're still the best
driver I've got.
LILLIAN
Huh?
HUDSCO
You've got guts, kid.
LILLIAN
Yeah! Don't forget the part about me getting
bit on the ass by four separate dogs, Mr. Hudsco...
HUDSCO
(heating up again)
The last GUY to make your run, got bitten SIX
times and never put a scratch on one of my
TRUCKS!! Now, shake what's left of that ass
of yours out there tomorrow, and drum up
more business!
LILLIAN
Yes, sir, Mr. Hudsco!
HUDSCO
(motioning to the door)
Out.
LILLIAN
You weren't gonna fire me. Were you?
HUDSCO
Out! OUT!! OUT!!!
INT. Diner - Morning
LILLIAN walks into the Diner, spotless in a new white uniform. She strides up to a group of drivers at the counter, all eating hot dogs. Among them are HANK, JOHN and PHIL -
JOHN
Didn't see your truck in the garage this
morning, Lil.
LILLIAN
That's right. I had it out.
PHIL
I guess Hudsco let you have it pretty good
yesterday, huh?!
HANK
Put you on suspension without pay?
A WAITRESS walks up to the counter, and rolling her eyes at the men, takes out her pad -
WAITRESS
Morning, Lil. What'll you have?
LILLIAN
Coffee and a sweet roll.
JOHN
Whatsa matter? Got a weak stomach from
yesterday?
LILLIAN
....Make that a hot dog, extra spicy chile, with
onions and mustard....and a cuppa coffee.
WAITRESS
(smiling)
Comin' up.
(to the cook)
Tube steak on a bun, heavy blood and guts,
ground-ball and a squirt!
(Winking at LILLIAN)
Enjoy your breakfast.
The WAITRESS goes for the coffee -
JOHN
So where'd you sneak off to this morning?
LILLIAN
Back to the new development.
The WAITRESS serves LILLIAN'S order -
HANK
(stifling a laugh)
You forget something in the mud?
LILLIAN
(wolfing down the hot dog)
Yeah. To open the territory. I got the whole
development. Exclusive.
The men are silent. They look from one to another -
PHIL
Nice going, Lil.
JOHN
Yeah. Good work.
PHIL
Tiger Lil strikes again.....You don't ever give up.
LILLIAN
Nope.
HANK
Lemme buy you another hot dog!
PHIL
Hey! Another chile dog for Lil!
LILLIAN
No, thanks guys.
JOHN
It's on us!
LILLIAN
(getting up)
Nah. I'm full. Maybe tomorrow morning, huh?
I gotta go. Don't want to be late for my regulars.
LILLIAN slips her money onto the counter and leaves -
EXT. Diner Parking Lot - Morning
LILLIAN stands at the back of her truck, out of sight of the Diner, vomiting her breakfast into the bushes. She takes out a breath spray and gives her mouth a shot, then climbs behind the wheel -
LILLIAN
(to herself)
Ugh! What a gross way to start the morning!
Those guys are nuts. Whatever happened to
Wheaties?
INT. Allentown Pool Hall - Night
The room is blue with cigarette smoke. Several trampy girls hang on the arms of small-time lotharios at the bar, bumming drinks. In the center of the floor, a crowd of men have gathered at the pool table -
ANOTHER ANGLE:
LILLIAN, dressed in black leather, chalks up her cue as the others look on -
LILLIAN
(taking a drag from her cigarette)
Six ball in the corner pocket.
MAN
She'll never make it.
ANOTHER MAN
You haven't seen her shoot.
STILL ANOTHER MAN
I got five dollars says she won't come close!
ANOTHER MAN
In a pig's eye! I got ten that says she will!
LILLIAN
Put your money on the table, fellas, I'm feeling
hot tonight!
MAN
You're always 'hot', Lil!
LILLIAN
Is that what you tell your wife?
The men laugh as they shell out their bets and the pile of cash grows on the table -
MAN
My wife ain't got what you have!
LILLIAN
Try turning on the lights next time! We all
got the same, Valentino!
STILL ANOTHER MAN
You gonna talk your way through it, or
shoot? My money's gettin' cold!
LILLIAN
That's what happens to nickles and dimes.
ANOTHER MAN
Hit the ball!
LILLIAN
Don't rush me! I gotta plan this out.
LILLIAN flicks her cigarette onto the floor and climbs onto the pool table, her tight black leather pants straining at the seams, and cues up for her shot -
MAN
Christ! Lil, hit the ball! Here comes your
brother, Joe!
The crowd parts as LILLIAN'S big brother, JOE, shoves people aside -
LILLIAN
What're you doin'?! I'm gonna clean up on
this shot!
JOE
Put down the stick, Lil. You're finished.
LILLIAN
Like hell I am!
JOE grabs her by the belt loops and hauls LILLIAN off the table as the men watch open mouthed -
LILLIAN
Let go-a me! Where do you come off....
You big baboon! Put me down! Put me
DOWN! I got a great shot over here!
JOE shoves her roughly towards the door -
JOE
Shut up! I'm double-parked, now get going!
LILLIAN tries to twist from his grip and get back to the table, but JOE is too strong for her -
LILLIAN
You stupid Ass! Who're you pushing around?!
Let go, or I'll punch out your lights!
JOE
I told you to shut up and move!
LILLIAN
Look at me, I'm shaking!
JOE
You act like a slut!
LILLIAN
It's a six ball in the corner pocket!!
JOE grabs the back of her leather jacket and carries LILLIAN out the door, kicking and screaming -
LILLIAN
I had that shot! I had that shot bagged! Let go!
You're gonna rip my jacket! You're gonna be
sorry! No...No...NO! Watch the jacket! That shot
was.....mine!
EXT. Lillian's House - Night
Gray clapboard, and on the wrong side of Allentown, Lillian's house stands back from the sidewalk on a small lawn. JOE'S car pulls up to the curb. LILLIAN jumps out in a rage, before the car rolls to a stop, and slams the door -
LILLIAN
(screaming)
You had no right! You made a fool of me
back there!
JOE
You made a fool of yourself, as usual!
LILLIAN
I was having a good time! What the hell is
wrong with that?!
JOE
(shoving her towards the house)
Keep your voice down! You'll wake up Mom and the
whole neighborhood!
LILLIAN
I don't give a damn, and get your slimy
hands off-a me!
LILLIAN kicks JOE in the knee, and storms into the house -
- Scene -
- Scene -
- Scene -
EXT. Wilson Farm - Day
Heavy slush covers the ground as LILLIAN, doubled over in pain, gets out of her truck. She carries two presents, wrapped in comics from the Sunday paper, and one dark suit on a hanger. MR. WILSON lets the screen door slam -
MR. WILSON
(smiling toothlessly)
Hey, Lillian! Glad to see ya!
LILLIAN
Hi, Mr. Wilson. You gotta stop staying
home from work!
MR. WILSON
Got no choice. The Mill laid me off.
LILLIAN
Oh, I'm sorry.
MR. WILSON
No need. They say it's only temp'rary.
Had a good meatloaf for Christmas
dinner. We have savings in the bank!
LILLIAN
First Federal will give you a free ball-point
pen if you transfer your account.
MR. WILSON
Thanks. Hey, what's wrong with you?
LILLIAN
I had an accident at home.
MR. WILSON
Nothin' serious, I hope.
LILLIAN
Nah, I just have to be careful of the stairs.
MR. WILSON
What you got in there?
LILLIAN holds out the presents to him -
LILLIAN
I wanted to get you and Mrs. Wilson something
for Christmas. You've been awfully good to me.
MRS. WILSON, wrapped in a tattered shawl, pokes her head out the door -
MRS. WILSON
Aw, Lil! You shouldn'ta done it!
MRS. WILSON, thrilled, takes her gift -
LILLIAN
Yours is a set of guest towels.
MRS. WILSON
From the Five and Dime?! In TOWN?! The
ones in their window display...with the
strawberries???!!
LILLIAN
I thought you'd like 'em. Mr. Wilson, yours
is that wood saw you wanted, to fix the fence.
MR. WILSON
(choked up)
I don't know whatta say....
MRS. WILSON
Well, I do! Come in here where it's warm, Lil.
I'm gonna make you a meatloaf sandwich to
take along for lunch!
LILLIAN hobbles into the farmhouse -
- Scene -
- Scene -
- Etc. -
**********************************************************************************
.... By the close of 1955, Lillian Briggs would be crowned "The Queen Of Rock & Roll" by Billboard Magazine and throughout the media... At the same time Elvis Presley was "King".... For a girl from Allentown, who didn't have indoor running water until the age of 10.... Dreams would come true beyond her wildest imagination.... She would tour the world, make millions, change history.... and pay a price for it all.... How? Here's a clue from "Tiger Lil"....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laH9_pXAji4
Lillian Briggs Photo Gallery Link:
Lillian Briggs Facebook Page Link:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lillian-Briggs/112526965428581
Reader Comments (54)
This is really interesting. I heard of Lillian Briggs, but didn't know that much about her. Will you publish more?
Dear Anonymous:
Thanks for taking the time to visit my site, and read the recent post of my Lillian Briggs screenplay sample. I honestly don't know if I'll publish more; this Blog entry has only been posted for a few days. Perhaps I'll add a sample of one of my other screenplays in the future... What do you think? If you are in the entertainment industry, use my "Contact Page" on this site, (since your comment had no return e-mail address) and I would be happy to put you in touch with the Rep for my work. LJS
Got the update about this post. Good stuff. READ YOUR E-MAIL. I want a copy of this. CALL ME. G.
Lee,
I remember Lillian Briggs from my days as a studio musician. She was great to work with, and I'm glad there is a script out there that tells her story! What a story! E-mail me if you get something going with this? Thanks, Willaim Davenport
I can't even spell my own name. Good thing I'm not the one who is a writer! Sincerely, W-I-L-L-I-A-M D-A-V-E-N-P-O-R-T
hi- like this so far. dialogue is good, music is good, bio is good. but the sample is too short. want to read more.
why didn't my comment post? i thought that this was good, but too short.
Bill Davenport told me about your site with the Lillian Briggs script. Like Bill, I was a musician on a lot of Lillian's records back then. She was great in the studio, but even better when she was live on the stage. Great gal. Thanks for including the wikipedia link to her. I had no idea she went on to have an even more glamorous life after show business. GOOD FOR HER!
I came back and found more of the Lillian Briggs script! I am not LM-C, but agreed about the entry. it was too short before.
Hello! I was one of lillian's friends! She was a great lady. I saw her at the Rolls Royce dealership when she brought her Silver Shadow in for service, because i was the technician that maintained it for her. You can see her with the car at http://www.rockabilly.nl/artists/lbriggs.htm That was her car. She only liked white cars. Thanks
Only in America. I read your script sample and followed the music and bio links. Only in America could a girl who grew up without water in her house end up owning a yacht (that floats on water) involved in the scandal that brought down Gary Hart for President. How ironic! Only in America. Good luck with your script.
Donna
Lee: Thought the screenplay sample was excellent. Loved hearing the music from the links and finding out more about Lillian Briggs from Wikipedia! Now, WHO is this LM-C person who convinced you to lengthen the blog entry for us???? Roger
I have to chime in too! We both really liked the script you've shared so far----but who is LM-C? DS-P
i love lillian briggs! she was 'old-school' rock & roll back in the day. wish i could have seen her shows, and it would be cool to see an actress play her and do concert scenes in a movie!
Dear Lee,
I'm taking a screenwriting class at UCLA and my classmates were talking about your site. I thought it would be fun to visit and see the Lillian Briggs sample. Thank you for posting it, and congratulations on doing so well at the Austin Film Festival. I'm going to enter something in that one, too. I really liked your work, and was blown away by the music and bio that came up from your links. Good Luck with this script!
Brandi Connors
I thought this writing was pretty good like the other people. If Lilliam Briggs was the first woman to be in Rack and roll then her story should be told by a another woman. How cabn a man know what its like to be the first female to do somethinog?
Dear Nanae,
Firstly, thank you for visiting my site and taking the time to leave a comment about I WANT YOU TO BE MY BABY. I want to represent Lillian well, and am glad you thought the writing was adequate in that regard. With respect to your leaving a comment; although the site has only been up for 7 weeks, the web-host reports just under 3,000 visitors ... and it is relatively rare that someone reaches out, as you did, to express a viewpoint. I appreciate it.
Now, to your main concern. I can't entirely disagree that women's stories might be better told by women. There is the factor of first-hand experience that is undeniable. Nevertheless, Lillian's story resonated with ME and I am most definately a MAN. What to do? Perhaps, the answer is in reliance on craft, research and objectivity, along with whatever personal experiences I can apply to the story. From my Graduate School days at Pepperdine, I might not have been the first guy to have ever gone through the program, but I was very often the ONLY MAN in many classes. I hope that might inform what it would have been like to be Lillian ... as the ONLY WOMAN making it big in very early 1950's Rock & Roll.
You might disagree with my stance on this, and I totally respect your opinion. However, please continue to visit leeschiller.com to see what's new here and I invite you to keep leaving your comments.
Best Regards,
Lee Schiller 11/9/11
Hi Lee!
I found my way to this site from the link on your Facebook profile page and liked your writing very much. I can see from wikipedia that Lillian Briggs had quite a life story, and that it could be a movie. You mention a project for TV with Lisa Mason on your bio. I have always LOVED her when she was hosting on QVC!!! She was my favorite one there. Thank you for including her web site on your links page. I wondered what she was up to since she left the Q.
Carla Santorno
Liked the script entry and the story entry. The poem was a downer.
I agree witgh Carla! I liked the script and learning about Lillian Briggs and also I like Lisa Mason and learning her web page.
Do you really think young people today are interested in Rock & Roll?
To answer (RWP) the person who last posted, Yes! Finding out about artists like Lillian Briggs is fun on a Sunday afternoon. And I think the 1950s music is great. Lillian "Rocks"!