Part 2

As Kathy adn Don make their way through a deserted soundstage to the studio commissary, Don assures Kathy that everything about Lina and him in the fan magazines is nothing more than sheer publicity. She apologizes to him for all the terrible things she said to him that first night they met. Don is taken with the charming girl, but doesn't quite know what to say to her. He realizes that he needs the proper setting to create the proper mood. He achieves this with a variety of lighting, mist, and wind machines that are at his disposal. With everything in place, he finally is able to tell Kathy just how he feels ("You Were Meant For Me").

Lina is desperately trying to improve her voice and is studying with Miss Dinsmore, the famous vocal coach. Miss Dinsmore tries very hard to work with her, but Lina is a poor pupil. She doesn't improve. What's worse, she doesn’t realize how awful her speaking is. Don, on the other hand, is having no trouble with his vocal coach. He conquers every tongue-twister given to him with the greatest of ease. Cosmo enters and watches the proceedings and joins in with Don and the teacher in a wild and frantic game of words ("Moses").

"The Dueling Cavalier" resumes production with sound equipment in place. The transition from silent to sound is not as easy as everyone originally thought. Dexter works with Lina on one of her close-up scenes and is quite exhausted by it all. Lina can't get anything right! She forgets to talk into the microphone. She moves around too much. Plus, her voice just sounds awful. Nevertheless, they all proceed because she is the star.

The movie receives its first preview and is an absolute disaster. Much of the dialogue is out of synch. The sound effects are terrible. Many of these mistakes can be fixed in the studio. However, the one thing that can't be fixed is Lina's voice. When the movie is finished, the audience is laughing hysterically. Simpson is most distraught since the film is booked to open across the country in six weeks.

Later at Don's house, Don, Kathy, and Cosmo are sitting together. Don admits defeat, but Cosmo and Kathy won't let him give up that easily. Cosmo suggests that they make "The Dueling Cavalier" into a musical. Pretty soon ideas are flying around, and Don is happy once again, ready to take on the challenge. They will make the movie into a musical, and they'll do it in six weeks! Don declares that today, March 23rd, is an historical day. Cosmo reminds him that it is now 1:30 in the morning. Therefore, March 24th is the history-making day ("Good Morning").

This celebration stops cold when Don reminds everyone that even though Lina is beautiful, she is a triple threat: “She can’t sing, she can’t act and she can’t dance.” Her voice cannot be disguised. Cosmo suddenly gets an idea! Why not dub Kathy's voice and let Lina just mouth the words? It sounds like a great idea. Don won't let Kathy think of it; she'd be throwing away her own career. Kathy assures him that it'll only be for one picture, and she'd be happy to help. The plan is in place and ready to go.

Don takes Kathy home in his white limo in the pouring rain. At her door he kisses her goodnight. Rather than run back to the limo, he simply motions for the car to drive off. He is in love and wants nothing more than to sing and dance in the rain. ("Singin' In the Rain")

ACT TWO
The next day at the studio, Simpson is ecstatic. He loves the idea of making "The Dueling Cavalier" into a musical. The only worry he has is about Lina. He knows that she doesn't like Kathy and wouldn't be happy to hear that her voice was being dubbed. They all agree that they must keep the entire thing hush-hush. They even re-title the movie "The Dancing Cavalier." Everyone is ready to work.

Kathy dubs all of Lina's scenes and songs late at night so that no one can find out, and she does a fabulous job ("Would You"). What's even more apparent through all of this is that Don and Kathy are very much in love. Don can't wait until the picture is finished so that he can let the whole world know whom he really loves. Just as Don and Kathy kiss, the door flies open and in bursts Lina and Zelda, another studio actress. Zelda has told Lina everything. Lina is upset about Don proclaiming his love for Kathy and is even more upset when Cosmo tells her that Kathy is going to get full screen credit for the dubbing. Lina is very upset and goes off to find Simpson. Nobody makes a fool of Lina Lamont! Don assures Kathy that there is nothing Lina can do.

Out on the lot, Lina thanks Zelda for telling her about “that little snake in the grass.” Lina is putting up a brave front. What's wrong with her and her voice anyway? She looks into her dressing room mirror and laments her situation ("What's Wrong with Me?").

In Simpson's office, the boss is telling Cosmo how upset Lina is about everything. Obviously Simpson doesn't know how to take charge of anything! The studio's future depends on this picture; he must make sure that it is a success! Cosmo calms down Simpson by reminding him that he is the "boss" and whatever he says goes. Simpson realizes that the picture doesn't have a production number. "The Dancing Cavalier" has got to dance! The picture's director, Dexter, reminds them that it is a period movie, but Cosmo suggests that they add a flash forward section to the picture complete with tapping hoofers. Dexter and Simpson are confused by this, so Cosmo has them close their eyes and imagine how it might be. ("Broadway Melody")

They finish the picture and it is premiered at Graumann's Chinese Theatre. Simpson and Dexter wait in the wings as the film is in progress. It is evident from the applause that the audience is crazy for the film. Rod enters with newspapers indicating that Monumental Pictures is ecstatic about Lina's talents while giving none of the credit to Kathy. Simpson is completely baffled by this since this is not the publicity campaign he approved. Suddenly, Lina flounces on the scene declaring that she gave every paper in town an exclusive story. In fact, her studio contract says she controls all her publicity, and if she doesn't like what is said about her, she can sue. Simpson admits defeat and wants to go out and watch the end of the film, but Lina stops him. Since Kathy did such a great job dubbing her voice in this picture, why not have her continue doing it? Kathy doesn't need to star in films of her own! Simpson declares that he would never do that to Kathy, but Lina holds up her contract and reminds him just who is in charge.

The film finishes and the audience goes wild with applause. Backstage, the creative team is celebrating. Don and Kathy kiss. Lina announces to everyone backstage that Kathy will continue dubbing her voice. Don is furious, but Lina shows everyone the paperwork she has in place. She reminds Kathy that she is under a five-year contract and must do whatever Mr. Simpson says. Right now, Simpson is going to do whatever Lina says. Through all of this, the audience is still applauding, and they want a speech. Hearing this, Lina perks up and declares that she is going to make a speech. Don and Cosmo quickly get an idea and encourage Lina to talk to the audience.

Lina triumphantly dashes out on stage and speaks in her flat nasal tone. The audience is r confused. This isn't the same Lina they just heard on screen. Someone yells out that Lina should cut the small talk and just sing a song. Lina runs to the wings panicked! What should she do? Don, Simpson, and Cosmo huddle in the corner and finally agree that Kathy will sing backstage while Lina mouths the words. Kathy is shocked that Don would let this happen; however, Don insists that Kathy sing. Simpson reminds Kathy that she is under contract and must do whatever he says. A very upset Kathy goes to the microphone, but not before she tells Don she will never see him again – on or off the screen.

Lina triumphantly walks back on stage and mouths the song from the picture ("Would You") while Kathy sings from behind the curtain. In the wings, Simpson, Don, and Cosmo raise the curtain to reveal Kathy singing. Lina continues, oblivious to what is happening behind her, even though the audience is laughing hysterically. Lina doesn't catch on until Cosmo pushes Kathy away from the microphone and sings into it himself. A horribly embarrassed Lina runs off the stage. Kathy runs down the aisle through the audience. She stops when Don runs on stage and declares that it is Kathy Selden who is the real star of "The Dancing Cavalier." It is her voice the audience heard tonight! Kathy returns to the stage and everyone, except Lina, is happy. ("You Are My Lucky Star")

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