Text / Translated by Dustin Lance Black
/ Li Ershi Zhu and Mo The
camera fades in:
1. Interior scene, Harvey's kitchen in San Francisco, recording his last words, evening, 1978
close-up showing fingers pressing Press the "record" key, which is a recorder from the 1970s or so.
Harvey Milk (voice-over): I'm Harvey Milk, and the recording is on Friday, November 18th. The contents of the recording will only be released after the assassination occurred and I died...
Footage: Harvey Milk, 48, sitting at a table in the messy kitchen of an apartment in San Francisco.
Harvey Milk (voice continues): Just during an early campaign, I started repeating the same sentence as the opening line of my speech, and it kind of became a sort of marker for me...
2. EXTERIOR, SAN FRANCISCO At night,
in casual street clothes, Harvey held up a portable megaphone as he tried to dissuade an angry demonstrator rushing up the steps at the entrance of City Hall and returned to the crowd below.
Harvey Milk: Hi, I'm Harvey Milk and I want to recruit you.
3. INT - Harvey's kitchen in San Francisco, recording his last words, at night
Harvey is sitting at the table recording...
Harvey Milk: If the person I'm talking to is slightly hostile, or mostly heterosexual listeners, I'll tell a joke to clear their nerves...
4. INT. UNITED LOBBY - NIGHT
Harvey, in a plain but ill-fitting brown suit, is giving a campaign speech to a group of livid-faced union boys.
Harvey Milk: I know, I understand, I'm not what you expect, and that's just because I leave my heels at home.
A burst of laughter broke out from the crowd.
5. INT. Harvey's San Francisco Kitchen, Recording Last Words, Evening
Cut back: Harvey speaks into the tape recorder.
Harvey Milk: I am fully aware that the identity of a person like me — an activist, a gay activist — can be a source of help for people who are panicked, frightened, frightened and self-confused, Or a target for help at any time...
6. INT. SAN FRANCISCO CITY HALL OFFICES, montage, daytime
police and news reporters hurry through the lobby of the city hall, their radios buzzing constantly. A horrific event happened. There is chaos at the moment.
A stretcher rolls out from an office. On it lay a mortuary bag with a body covered with a white cloth.
News reporters rushed over to take pictures. The police quickly pushed the body into the elevator and quickly disappeared from view.
9. EXT. SAN FRANCISCO CITY HALL, FRONT STAIRS, DAY
Diana Feinsten, 45, struggles to enter a circle of reporters with a horrified face. The guards around him tried their best to keep the surrounding area quiet.
Diana Feinsten: As chair of the oversight committee, it is my responsibility to make a statement. Mayor Moscone and Ombudsman Harvey Milk were tragically shot...and dead.
Media reporters were in an uproar. Diana tried to raise her voice.
Diana Feinsten (continued): Police are searching for a suspect... Ombudsman Dan White.
10. INT. St. Mary's Cathedral, the
church is silent during the day. Marianne White, 28, found her husband Dan White, 31, sitting on a bench in prayer. Handsome, with a pious face, he was wearing a three-piece suit, completely typical of American men.
She sat beside him. There was a heavy atmosphere between them. He avoided her gaze.
Dan White: Something went wrong.
She stretched her arms around him and touched the pistol in his waist. She grabbed him and held on to the holstered revolver, as if to hide it so he wouldn't shoot anyone else, or kill himself.
11. INT. Harvey's San Francisco Kitchen, Recording Last Words, Evening
Cut back: Harvey is recording his last words on the tape recorder...
Harvey Milk: I know I could be assassinated at any time, and I think it's important to let some people know what I'm thinking. I think- (pauses, considering what to say) I wish I had time to explain what I did. Everything that has been done has basically revolved around starting points related to the gay movement.
The screen goes black. Clear white lettering begins to emerge: "Milk".
13. INT. NEW YORK SUBWAY PLATFORM, NIGHT
SUBTITLE: "NEW YORK CITY, 1970"
Harvey, 40, emerges from a subway platform and is walking up the steps. He was wearing a suit, but not that neat and tidy look. His hair was tucked behind his ears.
Harvey's eyes suddenly lit up: Scott Smith, 22, a very sexy hippie with curly hair, in skinny jeans and boots, was walking down the steps. Harvey tried to exchange glances with him.
Harvey Milk: Hi. My name is Harvey.
SCOTT SMITH (looks like that) Okay, Harvey...
Harvey Milk: Today is my birthday. (Scott laughs) No, it's my birthday today. Really, tonight. midnight.
Scott Smith: Really?
Harvey Milk: Believe it or not, I haven't figured out how to celebrate my birthday. Someone asked me out after work...
SCOTT SMITH (looking him up and down): Off work? Well, your job is...let me guess. American Telegraph and Telephone Company.
Harvey Milk: Great American Insurance Company. Huge and evil establishment, I'm a part of it, and let me guess, you think it's the cause of all the evil things in the world, from the Vietnam War to diaper rash.
Scott Smith: You smell so bad.
Harvey really thought this was what he was talking about, and covered his mouth with his hands. Scott smiled. They all laughed and understood each other.
A subway came in, and Harvey had to speed up.
Harvey Milk: So...you're not going to leave me alone to celebrate my birthday, are you?
Scott Smith (lightly teasing): Listen, Harvey, you look cute in a suit...but I don't hang out with men over 40.
Harvey Milk: Well, I'm so lucky.
Scott Smith: How do you say that?
Harvey Milk: Because I'm only 39 so far... (shows Scott his watch) It's 11:15.
14. INT. Harvey's New York apartment,
with two neat shots at night: Scott is pressed against the wall, and Harvey has sex behind Scott's back. Harvey is an agent, and thoroughly bohemian.
The record player played opera music (Wagner's Tristan and Isolde).
15. INT. Harvey's New York apartment, at night
Harvey scoops scoops of cream pie from a tray full of food to feed Scott. The tray was placed on the bed between them. It's full of ice cream, cookies, milk, strawberries, etc... It's all over the mouth, and it looks very affectionate.
Harvey Milk: Where are you from?
Scott Smith: Jackson of Mississippi (Note 1).
Harvey Milk: Oh, this isn't Jackson, you can't do that to every stranger on a subway platform.
Scott Smith: Now you tell me this.
Harvey Milk: Nothing is tougher than NYPD. They are arrogant, everywhere. I'll take you to a fishing spot, if you want to, if you promise you'll be careful... Little Scottie.
Scott Smith: Do you belong to high society or?
Harvey Milk: No, I'm just… ordinary and elderly.
Scott Smith: Are you afraid of the police?
Harvey Milk: I'm just being cautious. I know a lot of people here. If anyone finds out, my job won't be saved.
SCOTT SMITH (acting as a stealth locker): Oh, you're the "secret" type of person. (looking into Harvey's eyes) I think you need to switch things up and meet some new friends.
Harvey Milk: I need to change.
Scott Smith (looking at the clock): You're 40 now.
Harvey Milk (accepting the truth): 40 years old and still haven't done a thing that makes me proud.
SCOTT SMITH (pointing to dessert tray): Go on like this, and by 50 you'll be fat.
Harvey Milk (laughs): No. do not worry. I'm not going to live to 50 like this.
Scott didn't wait for him to say more, like a newlyweds frolicking at their wedding, and smeared a piece of pie on Harvey's face.
Harvey dodges, ripping off his eyelids, and wrenching his young and energetic new lover. They kiss. Makes the bed full of food, a mess. Harvey helps get the crumbs out of Scott's hair.
Harvey Milk (has an idea, then goes on half-truth): Why don't we run away together?
Scott Smith: Where to go?
16. INT, FLASH, Harvey's San Francisco kitchen, recording his last words, NIGHT
CUT back: Harvey speaks to the tape recorder. (Throughout the film, scenes like this give a sense of privacy, as if Harvey is telling us something no one else knows.)
Harvey Milk: In those days, San Francisco was the place to be… ...seeking refuge...love...
16A. INTERIOR, shaken shot, montage - (1972)
shot on 8mm home video: Harvey and Scott are totally hippie looks: long hair , with a beard, necklace and sunglasses, driving through the redwoods, over the Golden Gate Bridge, and into San Francisco.
Harvey Milk (voice-over): But by 1972, Haight Street was full. Crime and drug use are everywhere. The new place for us refugees is in the Eureka Valley down the road from the Irish Catholic Church. Six blocks around... Castro Avenue.
17. EXTERIOR Castro Avenue - Daytime
Harvey holds up his Nikon camera and begins his Street View series of Castro Avenue.
We follow Harvey's camera to see: a hardware store, a bar, vacant buildings, wood-clad windows...
Harvey turns the camera on the large protruding sign of the Castro Theater, with huge letters spelling out "" Castro".
Harvey turns the camera on the gray-haired owner of a bar across the street. Harvey focused his face for a series of pictures, the man showing a look of distrust.
Harvey took a photo of a sign in the bar's window that read: "Eureka Valley Chamber of Commerce."
Harvey's camera is on two young, cute hippie boys who have just passed by. To Harvey's eyes, it was a whole new environment. Everyone must have an open mind and a natural look. The overall tone is high-spirited.
Harvey snapped a photo of an empty shop with a "For Rent" sign in front of the house.
19. Harvey and Scott's vacant apartment,
with opera music from the jukebox floating in the house during the day. Harvey is loading a roll of film into the camera.
Scott lay there, buoyed, the sun was streaming in from the wide, uncurtained window.
Scott Smith: Cashed my last unemployment check yesterday...
Harvey Milk: Okay, I hope you did something useful with it.
Scott Smith: I bought an ounce of marijuana. I'm wondering if you have any plans or ideas...something we do on our own, you know, the kind that can bring in revenue.
Harvey Milk: Don't move.
Harvey straddles Scott. He started taking pictures continuously at Scott.
Scott Smith: I figured I could be a waiter.
Harvey Milk: No way. I just need you to stay here, with me... do you see that place downstairs for rent?
Scott Smith: Yes.
Harvey Milk: I thought we could open a store together.
Scott Smith: What kind of shop?
Harvey Milk: The one with very low overhead. Not a lot of work... small specs, like Morris and Minnie in Woodmere NY, we can do our own brand...
20. Exterior, Castro Avenue, photo store, day ( 1973)
Harvey renovated the vacant storefront into a photo shop (not many items, and no famous brands in sight).
Harvey walked out of the store to the sidewalk, instructing Smith in the store's huge window to hang the store sign: "Castro Photo Equipment Store".
Harvey Milk: A little further to the left...
McCaw Connery, the elderly bar owner I met earlier, looked across the street. Harvey greeted him warmly.
Harvey Milk (continued): Hi, my name is Harvey Milk.
McCaw Connery: Are you the new tenants?
Harvey Milk: Yes, welcome to Castro Camera.
Harvey held out his hand. McCaw Connery shook his hand, but looked wary.
Harvey Milk (continued): I want to join that, um...what's it called? Eureka Valley Chamber of Commerce. If possible, I would like to be able to help in some way. I'm not the type of unlicensed operator. Because I am Jewish, I hope you can understand.
McCaw Connery's eyes shifted from Harvey to Scott in the window.
McCaw Connery: I don't think your application will be approved, Mr. Milk. This is a family neighborhood. People like you should go over there in the Haight neighborhood.
Harvey Milk (as friendly as possible): What do you mean by "this type of person", sir?
McCaw Connery (uncooperative tone): If you open, the Chamber of Commerce will notify the police and confiscate your license.
Scott Smith: By what law?
McCaw Connery: This city, this neighborhood, enforces the law of man and the law of God. The San Francisco Police Department is also happy to reinforce this.
Harvey Milk (speaking as McCoy Connery walks away): Thank you for the warm welcome to us on the block!
Scott Smith: You know we pay taxes!
Harvey grabs Scott's hand...to stop him getting too excited to throw his fist at him. It's not yet time to attack.
21. APARTMENT ABOVE HARvey AND SCOTT'S STORE - DAY - DAY -
SCOTT SITTING ON BED while Harvey is talking in the kitchen, looking very excited.
Harvey Milk: We're going to start our own Chamber of Commerce! Just starting with the gay-run industry...we should write down the address of every customer who comes to the store to buy film. We should ask them what they want to do here...what change they expect to happen...we should attract money to this neighborhood. And then bring it back to life...
Scott Smith: Can I come in now?
Harvey Milk (Voiceover): Wait a minute! (talking back to his new plan) I'll go to the bank on the block. They will definitely accept some gay clients.
Scott Smith: Harvey, how is this different from political activist bullshit? I thought you were a goddamn Republican. Harvey walked into the small
dining room . He put two plates on the small dining table and walked slowly to Scott, who was in the bedroom.
Harvey Milk: I'm a businessman, Scott. I think people in business should be kind to their customers. Even if they are gay customers. For God's sake, this is San Francisco!
Scott Smith: Harvey, it's like every other city in this country. People hate us. We were an accident to them.
Harvey Milk: We should have at least one block in a city, right? It then spreads from that neighborhood to the entire community. (laughs) Well, you can come in now!
Scott went to the kitchen. The dining table has the atmosphere of a family feast because of candlelight and large bouquets of flowers.
Scott Smith: Wow. This is...
Harvey shoves a cream cake into Scott's face. It's a tick for a tick.
Harvey Milk: Happy Birthday!
Scott chased Harvey all over the house, wanting to do the same with Harvey.
22. EXT. Castro Street, daytime
Since the opening of the Castro Street Market, this large street has been crowded to the point of congestion. Most of the crowd was gay, and most of them gathered outside the "Todd Hall" bar.
Some old-fashioned Irish descendants who lived in the area wandered around, gazing suspiciously at the scene before them.
Harvey and Scott move through the crowd, shaking hands with one and greeting with that.
Man on the Street: Thank you for the party, Mr. Milk!
Harvey Milk: Thanks for joining the Castro Village Federation!
Harvey came to the Irish pub, and groups of people came and went. Harvey squeezed through the crowd and entered the store, leaving Scott to wait outside.
Harvey Milk (continued): By the way, gentlemen...ladies! (finds the owner) Hello! Mr McCoy Connery!
McCaw Connery stood in front of the cash register, toasted by the heat and enthusiasm of this rare business.
Harvey Milk (continued): I happened to be passing by to see how the business is doing here.
McCoy Connery: Good.
Harvey Milk: So you don't mind all these gay guys coming to you, right?
McCoy Connery forced a smile, uncomfortable. Some gay men were curious to hear the conversation. Harvey also clicked to the end, and then came a 180-degree turn.
Harvey Milk: No, no. just joking. Mr. McCaw Connery loves people like us. Enjoy! (to McCaw Connery) Say hello to your wife for me.
Harvey found Scott in the crowd at a glance, pulled him to him, and started kissing on the mouth. The beautiful scenery is very pleasant. They exited the crowd and walked back into the street, where an Irish band was playing.
Gay men watch. Some applaud. Harvey put his arm around Scott, and suddenly there was a waltz. The lovers just jumped off in their new neighborhood.
23. INT, FLASH, HARVEY'S KITCHEN, RECORDING LAST WORDS, NIGHT
Harvey Milk: That's how people started hanging around, playing, gathering around our store. Some are not customers. There are activists, little kids, some people who have been kicked out of their homes and need a place to live...
26. EXT. Castro's camera store,
a new slogan appears in the window: "WE ARE ALL OPEN" .
27. IN CASTRO PHOTO EQUIPMENT SHOP - During the day
some young people are meeting in the shop and they are starting to become Harvey's followers. Harvey walked among them, enjoying the cartoon clips broadcast on Sunday, talking with them about politics, art, and introducing the elite soldiers among them.
Harvey Milk (voice-over): Among them was Danny Nickletta, the lovely art student I found at Todd Hall. It turns out he's also pretty good at running a photo shop...Scott and I have a pleasant surprise in him...
Danny Nickletta is young, a homeless kid, and a little helpless.
Danny Nickletta: Opera is out, Harvey. Street theater is now popular.
Harvey Milk: You haven't yet grasped the magic of opera, which contains emotions that are wider than life...
Danny jumped on the table and imitated the deep and open look of the opera's leading lady singing, provoking Harvey Laughed.
Harvey Milk (voice-over continues): Jim Rivaldo. First-class mind, superior intelligence. He was a Harvard graduate, and at the time, nobody in the Castro neighborhood cared about that...including himself.
Jim Rivaldo happened to be sitting down on the old-fashioned armchair in front of Harvey's desk. He looked like he was looking for something to feed his bright brain. A neatly dressed young man in his twenties, Dick Pabic, stepped forward and leaned over Jim's ear.
Harvey Milk (voice-over continues): He's a protégé Jim picked on the street, a lovely political kid from Wisconsin... named Dick Pabic. And, of course, Dennis Perron, who is doing a very successful business with a new generation of young people...
Dennis Perron handed Scott a roll-your-own cigarette.
Harvey Milk (voice-over continues): Occasionally we do have customers. But only occasionally.
In the other corner of the room, Scott was approaching a customer. He looked a little out of place: straight, grumpy, union man named Alan Baird, about 40 years old.
Scott Smith: Harvey... this guy wants to talk to you.
Harvey Milk (approaching Allen): Welcome. What can I do for you?
Alan Baird: Hello, my name is Alan Baird. I am a union representative for the United Council of Truck Drivers and the leader of the Coors beer boycott in California.
Harvey Milk: Attention everyone, this is Alan Baird. He's a great big man, so everyone is serious.
Alan Baird: I was told that you're like the mayor of Castro. I heard that you organized the Castro Business Federation. You should know some people in the bar industry.
Harvey Milk: I do know some friends, but they're all in very low positions and, as you know, aren't quite official.
Alan Baird: Which part are you referring to?
Harvey Milk: Municipal Power Section. I've thought about assembling a group of non-heterosexuals to march to City Hall, but they all pulled out. So far, these young gay men seem to be more obsessed with jeeps and jeans. But if I can be of any help, all ears!
Alan Baird: We can't unionize Coors. And people in unions are like me, they can't be unemployed for too long.
Harvey pulls Alan aside, trying not to be heard, which relaxes Alan's nerves. Harvey does this best.
Harvey Milk: Just curious. Are we your first or last person for help?
Alan Baird (clearly a last-ditch effort): It's a very tough job, Mr. Milk.
Harvey Milk: Well, you probably know that people like us drink a lot of beer. If we do as you ask, if you win this battle, I think you should give us a little bit of the benefit, right?
Alan Baird (uneasy) Is that really what you need?
Harvey Milk: That's our league. I'll get Coors out of all Castro bars by the end of the week. Is it a deal?
Alan Baird (nods, sincerely) Thank you, Mr. Milk.
The camera cuts to
Alan walking out. Harvey walks back to Scott behind the counter.
Harvey Milk: Ban Coors. It had to be offloaded from all bars. Gays and straights unite.
Scott Smith: What did he give you in return?
Harvey Milk: Give me nothing. This is a conversion of faith.
Scott Smith: Convert to what?
Harvey Milk: The gay business.
27A. Interior, various photo montages of San Francisco bars
A montage of still photos: Jim, Dick, Scott and Danny persuade all bars in San Francisco to not serve Coors, throw away all their inventory, put up a "Boycott Coors" sign, and "Pour out the Coors beer" signs were hung.
Harvey Milk (Voiceover): I mobilized "my people" to disappear from all gay bars. Thirty million bottles were reached in San Francisco alone. Coors quickly slipped from the No. 1 ranking. They surrendered. A week later, union leader Alan Baird hired the first openly gay workers to join the United Truck Drivers Council as drivers... We are no longer a bunch of weak, incompetent people. We build a community. We also have union support. And for the first time, we have a little bit of power.
27B. INT, FLASH, Harvey's Kitchen, Taping Last Words, NIGHT
Harvey Milk: Maybe this is the first day someone called me the "mayor" of the Castro neighborhood. (smile knowingly) Or I created it myself.
28. INT. Castro's camera store, another night
Harvey, Jim and Dick, Scott, Danny and Dennis discuss the advantages of working "inside the system" and outside the system. Each of them is stating their opinion on what the others say...
A gay youth breaks into the store.
Gay youth: Damn cops, guys, they're raiding Castro Street! Todd Hall Bar.
Harvey and the others rushed out of the photo equipment store.
29. EXT. CASTRO STREET, DAY
Harvey, Scott, Jim, Dick, and Dennis rush down the street toward the gay bars in the Castro neighborhood. The officers were getting out of their squadron of patrol cars and approaching the crowd of customers at the entrance to the bar.
Police: Clear the sidewalk!
Some gay men dodged police onslaught, but others didn't move quickly enough. The police started beating them.
Harvey, Scott and others tried to burst into the crowd to join the fight at close range. They pulled the cops away from their friends.
Danny swam in the back and quickly took a series of photos of the scene of the incident.
Scott shoved into the police. A policeman hit Scott hard in the head with his baton.
30. INT - Harvey and Scott's bathroom, with Scott sitting on the toilet that night
, Harvey using a white towel to remove the blood before coming back to help Scott clean his head wound.
Harvey Milk: ...if we have a guy in government that sees things the way we do, like the black community has its own black leadership protecting their rights...
Scott Smith: You're going to run for city ombudsman , is that the idea?
Harvey Milk (half-joking): I could run for mayor directly, but given that I have to go step by step...you can be my campaign agent.
Scott Smith (sarcastically): You think I have a lot of experience in politics.
Harvey Milk: Politics is drama. It doesn't matter if you win or not. You made your own statement. You say, "Here I am, watch me."
Scott Smith: Harvey, you do that every time you cross the street.
Harvey Milk: The Coors Group will all capitulate. The union members also owe me a friendship. Imagine if we got their votes...that would be fun!
Scott Smith: Interesting?
Harvey started kissing all over his body.
Harvey Milk: We're going to make it a spectacle.
31. EXT. Castro Avenue, DAY
Harvey walks down Market Street with a suitcase. He waved, shook hands, greeted and laughed at everyone. He was greeted enthusiastically by a raunchy union worker. Behind Harvey, Scott pushed a shopping cart full of things.
Harvey placed the box right next to a San Francisco Police Department officer. "Soapbox" is written on the box. Harvey stood up. A group of people gathered around.
Harvey Milk: A week ago, police officers wearing their badges broke into our community and sent 14 of our fellow citizens to hospitals and prisons. They chanted "block the sidewalk".
Like a ring girl at a boxing match, Scott pulls a zoomed-in photo from his shopping cart to accompany the walk demonstration. The photo shows two San Francisco police officers dragging two gay men into a prison van.
Harvey Milk (continued): … We should pay taxes to protect us, not to persecute us. Go look at gun control, not marijuana control. The concern is school logistics, retirement, not what books we read...
Scott shows an old Muscle Boy magazine. The timing of Harvey's speech was also just right. Cheers erupted from the excited crowd.
Harvey Milk (continued): My fallen mates, I announce that I am running for city ombudsman of San Francisco!
Scott unfolds three handcrafted "Milk campaign for city ombudsman" signs stacked around the shopping cart.
32. EXT. 18 Castro Grand, Castro Avenue, DAY
Harvey sends a campaign statement to pedestrians on the street.
Harvey Milk: Public Dental Rehabilitation for Retirees...Cannabis Legalization, Vote Milk.
Harvey is distraught. Young long-haired Cliff Jones passed by. He's 18 and looks like 15. Harvey tried to get his attention.
Harvey Milk: Hey, I like the way your pants fit snugly...where are you from, boy?
Cliff Jones (laughing): Sorry, old man, not interested.
Harvey Milk: Where is home?
Cliff Jones: Phoenix (Note 2).
Harvey Milk: My name is Harvey Milk. I'm running for city ombudsman. What's your name?
Cliff Jones: Cliff… Jones.
Harvey Milk: Okay, Mr. Jones, we should stop by my camera shop and you should pre-select and register.
Cliff Jones: Fuck him. All elections are hypocrisy, bourgeois pretense.
Harvey Milk: Is that so? Are you fishing for people on Polk Street?
CLIFF JONES (just kidding): If I'm short of money...but I have a choice with my guests.
Harvey Milk: Then tell me one thing before you go back to work. What would it be like to be a slightly different gay in Phoenix?
Cliff Jones: I faked lung disease to escape gym class. So what? What are you, street psychiatrist?
Harvey Milk: Sometimes it does. What I want to say, though, is that Phoenix can change. But we have to start with our neighborhoods: rent caps, police abuse, marijuana regulation, park surveillance, aging issues.
CLIFF JONES (turning to go) Well, good luck with all of this.
Harvey Milk: You know what I think, Cliff Jones?
Cliff Jones: Do you think it's possible to keep talking about it?
Harvey Milk: No, I think you should do what you are good at. You should be a great man. Against City Hall. against the police. Fight against those who force you to do things here.
Cliff Jones: I'm sorry, old man. I'm going to Spain tomorrow. Europe. The cash I need is in my back pocket.
A group of Cliff's friends shouted at him to join them. Harvey watched him gallop across the road toward his friends.
Harvey Milk (voice over): I didn't come out as gay until very late in my life. No one can...
34. INT, FLIGHT, HARVEY'S KITCHEN, LAST WORDS
Harvey Milk: ...respectable to emulate, no hope for a better life. Those who do come out are homeless...either arrested...or kill themselves. And those young gays, they ran away from their families... to San Francisco, and then what...
35. EXT, Church Street, night
What it does: Paramedics place the bloody victim into a body bag.
Police: This 'gay man' was walking home with his 'male prostitute' when he was suddenly attacked.
What it does: Harvey picks up a bloody whistle from the street as the victim's last attempt for help.
POLICE (continued): (searches documents from victim's pocket) His name is Robert Hissborough. do you know him?
Harvey Milk: He used to visit my store. Are there no witnesses?
Police: Only this "male prostitute" is called Jerry Taylor.
Harvey Milk: Jerry's not a male prostitute. They are a couple.
Police: Call if you want. He was our only witness, but he said he could not identify the attacker.
Harvey Milk: If they felt you police were really willing to keep them safe, there would be a dozen or so witnesses.
Cop: You're the mayor of Castro Avenue now, aren't you, Harvey? Do you really need help? Then let your people be careful around the block, huh?
Harvey's View: Paramedics zip up the body bag. We then see the zipper slide over the victim's bloody hands, torso and face.
36. INT. Castro Photo Store, DAY
CLOSE-UP: During the ensuing political gathering, a series of photos of a customer is passed from hand to hand. (We glanced at the photo and saw bare skin.)
Jim Rivaldo: Well, it looks like these big guys and wealthy gays in San Francisco are going to support Diana Fernsten and others they think "right" Gay Friendly" heterosexual candidate.
Scott Smith: Who cares who those old women support?
Scott was lying on the large red sofa.
Harvey Milk: Why wasn't my campaign agent running the meeting?
Scott Smith: I'm exhausted, Harvey. I was handing out flyers for seven hours straight.
Harvey Milk: In the bathroom, right?
Scott Smith (quickly shoots back): The people in the bathroom also have the right to vote. I am sleepy. I'm going to take a nap.
Scott went up the stairs to their bedroom.
A customer walks in. Danny quickly put away the photo that was being circulated and put it back in the envelope.
Harvey Milk: Check the photo exposure. Is it your new boyfriend? He is so cute.
Customer (takes the photo, slightly embarrassed): Hmmmm...Thanks, Harvey.
Harvey Milk (to Jim): How to say who is the so-called "gay leader"? Then who assigned them? Do you have any suggestions, Jim? Do I need to go over and beg their support?
Sliding over Harvey, we see Selma, a grandmother-age volunteer, opening an email. Occasionally she read a letter, then she picked it up and walked towards Harvey.
Selma: Harvey...
Harvey Milk: Where did all the damn people go when we were here on the street and trying to help people?
Dick Pabic: David Goldstein is the publisher of The Advocate. He has a house...
Jim Rivaldo: A villa mansion...
Dick Pabic:...in Atherton.
Thelma (visibly horrified): Harvey, you gotta look at this.
Close-up of the camera is focused on the letter as it passes from Thelma to Harvey.
37. INT - Harvey's apartment/kitchen, later
Scott reads a letter. Harvey sat motionless.
Scott Smith: "Harvey Milk will get his dream trip to hell, Horror Nights. You'll be stabbed and your genitals, dick, balls and penis will be cut off."
Scott Smith: (Pause for a while to continue) I called the police.
Harvey Milk: Maybe they wrote it. (despite Scott's anxiety) Hi, if someone tried to kill me, I'd get a sympathy vote, right? This may be just the push we need.
Scott Smith: Do you think this is a joke? Look carefully.
Harvey reluctantly took the letter from Scott.
Harvey Milk: Totally a prank. The words have no rhythm, no humor. Just wanted to insult me.
Close-up on the letter: Someone has drawn a line drawing of Harvey's torture—with bullets, knives, fire, and more. Harvey made a decision: He posted the picture on the refrigerator so that was the first thing he saw in the morning.
Scott Smith: Don't do that.
Harvey Milk: If you put it away and hide it in a drawer, it's going to make things bigger and scarier. It's posted here now. We can see it every day and there is nothing to be afraid of.
Scott Smith: All this effort...to make yourself a target? What is this all for? Just something we have no hope of winning.
Harvey put his arm around Scott.
Harvey Milk: I keep telling you, it's not just about winning or losing.
38. EXT. DAVID GOLDSTEIN'S VILLA, DAY
Harvey, wearing work boots and jeans, witnesses a door open to let him in. Scott stood beside Harvey, looking rougher than Harvey.
Harvey Milk (voice-over): The "most powerful gays" in San Francisco are David Goldstein and his lawyer Sedchick Rick Stokes. David, the wealthiest gay man in age, bought the biggest gay magazine, The Advocate. He distributes it to his subscribers in brown paper bags, so no one knows...that's his way of life, hidden and discreet.
The house kids took Harvey and Scott to the pool area. Inside stand statues, potted floral plants, and expensive marble buildings. Everything seems to be screaming "Good taste!"
Scott undressed and plunged into the pool.
40. LOOK,
DAVID GOLDSTEIN'S POOL "GAY CELEBRITIES": David Goldstein, 58, in gold and silver, full of jewelry, Goldstein's partner Rick Stokes, 45, is silent and reserved.
Rick's eyes couldn't help staring at Scott, who was naked in the swimming pool.
David Goldstein: I used to work for a financial company. I am very cautious. But I was seen at the opera house sitting in a box with my lover. Then I was fired. That's when I made up my mind to make a career out of it. So I bought the Advocate magazine. I keep a low profile with my money and my personal influence and do what I can...
Harvey Milk: Is funding heterosexual candidates the thing you think will help us the most?
David Goldstein: Yes, if they're friendly with our cause.
Rick Stokes (warningly): Politics is complicated in San Francisco, and the power of the Ombudsman is bounded by the city. So there needs to be a political alliance. You can't just move here from the other side of the country and ask to run for power.
Harvey Milk: But I'm already running. I am fighting for votes. I have a union background and support, as well as senior support, and I can make an impact with your magazine as well.
David Goldstein: Harvey, we're like the Catholic Church. We welcome the conversion of believers, but we cannot make him pope on the same day.
Harvey Milk: Why didn't you run for yourself?
David Goldstein: It's too early for gays to run for city ombudsman. Especially for you from the Castro neighborhood. The image of this community is not good.
Scott climbed up from the pool and sat down at the table, naked and wet.
Scott Smith: What's up with the Castro neighborhood?
David Goldstein: The people there have nothing to do. It's all about sex and drugs, and sex is rampant to the point that no one takes any responsibility for their own problems.
Harvey Milk: The police broke into our community and beat us. If any of us are murdered, they turn a blind eye to it.
Rick Stokes: Then we sue the government with the law. We're going to the city hall to ask for the help of our political alliance...
Harvey Milk: There's no real gay alliance there. Yes, our friends will be aware of our struggles, but they won't be able to feel it for themselves. It's not a matter of life and death for them. We need our own people in government power.
Rick Stokes: You can't ask for approval overnight.
Harvey Milk: Why not? How can we ask others to respect us if we don't show our dignity ourselves, David.
David Goldstein: The more you tell us to come out, the more you piss them off. Or take a step back and keep a low profile.
Harvey Milk: Back in the closet? Is this what you said? Because I know what it's like to be in an invisibility locker. Living in a secret repression long enough, I can't remember how long. (Rising to go) I don't need your sponsorship, and I won't beg anyone to accept us. I don't have time to plead.
David Goldstein: For you, politics is a game, a trick. Like performing at a rock festival, or putting on a "love party." You're too old to be a hippie, Harvey Milk!
Harvey turns around, preparing for a fight.
Harvey Milk: I'm not a candidate, I'm part of the movement. This movement is the candidate. There is a difference. You don't see the difference, I do.
Scott Smith (pulling Harvey out): Thank you for letting me swim. Sorry, I urinated in the pool.
41. EXT. Castro Avenue, Election Day
A slow-motion montage of people in the Castro community showing up to vote. Young, old, gay, straight...but the whole day was still heavy with suspense.
Harvey Milk (Voiceover): When the polls came on Election Day...there were 32 candidates competing for six seats...we were in 10th place. Just a few votes away, a big ear, a blowjob, a true homosexual, and it is possible to be elected to the government office.
42. INT, FLASH, HARvey's KITCHEN, RECORDING LAST WORDS, NIGHT
Harvey Milk: So...in 1975 I campaigned hard again...just made small...adjustments.
43. INT. Castro Street Thrift Store, DAY
CLOSE-UP PERFORMANCE: A set that just fits old and new, with Harvey looking out through a small hole in the bottom. He put the suit on anyway.
SHOOT CUT: Harvey comes out of the locker room wearing a brown suit. His hair was cut short, and his face was clean-shaven. It's really a makeover. Scott and Lily, the elderly store manager, review his clothes.
Scott Smith: No, not cute. The shoes are so ugly, and I hate your haircut. You can't fool anyone.
Harvey Milk: I'm not going to let those low-level critics pester me about my ponytail and demean me. I like this one.
Scott looked stunned. Harvey tore two movie ticket stubs from his suit pocket.
Harvey Milk (continued): Cabaret (note 3)? Movie tickets for two? Lily, is the original owner of this suit the same as us?
Lily: No, no. You won't meet the owner of this suit. He died in this suit.
Scott Smith: Not sexy at all, Harvey.
Harvey grabbed Scott and kissed him. Then in high spirits:
Harvey Milk: Too bad. No more marijuana, no more going to the bathroom. Me and my puppy are not allowed to do the same.
44. IN/OUT, CASTRO PHOTO EQUIPMENT STORE, DAY
montage representation: More political activity inside and outside the store. More volunteers have also emerged.
Harvey Milk (voice-over): We ran again, we lost again, and we lost the Ombudsman race for the second time, in 1975. But we got more votes than last time. So in 1976, despite everyone's disapproval, I really hated the Democratic Party political power because I was running on the same stage as "their candidate"...
a sign in a shop window "Harvey Mill" against the political machine".
Harvey Milk (voice-over continues): ...his name is Art Agnos, and he's part of the "political machine." Not running for city ombudsman this time. This time the target is higher, but the California Rep.
50.
INT HASTINGS LAW / CANDIDATE DEBATE - THE NIGHT HARVEY AND ART AGNOUS DEBATE AT TITLE, LIGHTNING.
Harvey Milk: It's a real misfortune. It was 1976 and still heterosexuals, whites, Catholics and men were allowed to enter the San Francisco police department. This is simply racist, homophobic practice.
Art Agnos: How many people do you count as your enemies, Harvey? I have five in total.
Art smiled. There were also bursts of laughter from the audience.
Harvey Milk: You're right, Art. Many people here are your close friends. You know, I don't think state House seats are meant to reward people who obey the Democratic political machine. Machines run on oil and lubricating oil. Machines are filthy, inhuman and not representative of any need, but merely to satisfy the demands of their manipulators.
Art Agnos: Mr. Milk, I've been a social worker in this city for many years. I know Sacramento (note 4). I know how to achieve the consensus we all need.
Harvey Milk: Tell me, Mr. Agnos . As many as fifteen knives. The last words he heard before he died were "dead gay, dead gay, dead gay..." And you say it's appalling righteous indignation, so why is your system of liberal power refusing to respond to our accusations. Why can't you bring these murderers to justice?
51.
HASTINGS LAW SCHOOL EXT . Art Agnos walks out with Harvey on his shoulder later.
Art Agnos: You know, Harvey, your criticisms and accusations are frustrating.
Harvey Milk: Omg, you're so handsome, I can't help but want to tell you how much I want to lick you... at the polls.
ART AGNOUS (laughs): You say a lot that you object to. What are you supporting? In this city, you have to give people a reason to be optimistic, or you're done.
Art got into his car and left. Harvey doesn't have a car. He paused and pondered what Kiat had said...the words swirled in his mind.
51A. INT. Harvey and Scott's apartment - Night
Scott tries to make a simple pasta meal as he struggles to cook in a kitchen crowded with Harvey's political entourage and volunteers.
He finds Harvey, Jim and Dick in an adjoining bedroom for an impromptu campaign policy meeting.
Scott Smith: Harvey, it's dinner time.
Harvey Milk: …some unionized people in the crowd, they like me...
Jim Rivaldo: I can't control who's in the audience...
Scott Smith: Harvey, you Need something to eat. Now.
Scott walked back to the kitchen.
Scott Smith (continued): Ladies and gentlemen. Our apartment is over occupied.
He drove the volunteers out of the kitchen, out of the bedroom one by one... urging them to go downstairs...
Scott Smith (continued): Go downstairs. time to go. go, go!
Harvey showed up, trying to interject.
Scott Smith (continued): Don't say anything.
Harvey was silent for the first time. Jim and Dick slipped silently past Scott, leaving Scott and Harvey alone...
SCOTT SMITH (continued): Sit down and eat.
Harvey and Scott dine in tense silence.
Harvey Milk: Scottie…
Scott Smith: If you say anything about politics, the campaign, where are you speaking tonight, or who else you need funding… I swear to God, I will stab you with this fork.
Harvey Milk: I just wanted to say...it was the best meal I've ever had in my life.
Harvey gave a warm smile. Scott laughed, but he looked like he was about to lose something.
Harvey Milk: If we lose this campaign, we'll go back to the world of you and me. I promise.
Scott nodded. That was exactly what he needed to hear.
52. EXT. CASTRO STREET - NIGHT
Harvey walks alone on Castro Street, towards his apartment.
A car stopped behind him. A man jumped out of the car and the driver sped away at the corner of the street. Harvey turned the corner, and the man followed. Harvey quickened his pace. He searches his pockets for a whistle, a weapon, and accelerates straight to his storefront, nervously.
He came to the door of the photo store and met him: Cliff Jones. He no longer looked like the feisty young child he had met on the street. He had been sitting on the steps in front of Harvey's door, waiting with wet eyes.
Harvey Milk: Phoenix Kid? (with Cliff's smile) We should go inside.
They went into the house. Harvey locked the door behind him.
53. INT. Castro Photo Store, later
Harvey brews two cups of coffee and hands one to Cliff. Cliff sat on the big red sofa.
Cliff Jones: Are you going to stay with me?
Harvey Milk: There's a vote tomorrow. I wasn't going to sleep in the first place...is he good-looking?
Cliff Jones: No. He was ugly to die.
Harvey Milk: It's hard to say which is worse. In my opinion, my boyfriends are usually looking for handsome, so cheating.
Cliff Jones: I really thought we could spend the rest of our lives together.
Harvey Milk: Guess what I think, Cliff.
Cliff Jones: What do you think?
Harvey Milk: You're going to meet the most amazing men, the sexiest, the smartest, the funniest, and you're going to be in love with so many wonderful people that you don't know who you are until the end of your life Your best friend, who is your best lover.
Cliff Jones: Are you saying this to help me?
Harvey Milk: Maybe a little bit. Maybe not.
Cliff Jones: I went to Spain last month...long story. In Barcelona, there is a parade in memory of homosexuals who died during Franco's dictatorship. The police tried to break up the march, which resulted in a riot. A bullet pierced the scalp of a cross-dressing queen, and his fake hood flew away, but he kept fighting. Blood stained the canals along the street.
Harvey Milk: We can start a revolution too, right here. But you can't just use Castro as a place to hang out and fish for people. You have to fight.
Cliff Jones: Do you think you'll win?
Harvey Milk: Winning is not my thing.
Cliff Jones (confident look): Well, I don't "do" anything that has to be lost. Never ever. Maybe I should recruit myself to run and you can do it for me. (with Harvey laughing) If you can do it, I can do it.
Harvey Milk: Can you get a thousand people in an hour?
Cliff Jones: Yes, of course.
Harvey Milk: Well, if I'm still running, you're my right-hand man.
Cliff Jones: What if...?
Harvey Milk: Voting begins in three hours. Let's go to the bus stop first.
54. SAN FRANCISCO - DAY
Harvey is on the back seat of his motorcycle. The driver drove down Market Street. Voters stood in the polling line area, with colorful flags fluttering outside the polling place. The dome of the City Hall is also getting closer.
Harvey Milk (voice-over): We still lost the election for the House of Representatives, and that really made me a three-peat in politics.
55. INT. Castro Camera Store
- NIGHT CLOSE-UP PLAYING A 1970 Orange Juice commercial on TV, focusing on Miss America, Anita Bryant.
Anita Bryant (singing on TV): "Welcome to the Florida Sunshine Tree, and the natural and delicious orange juice that comes out of it, which is the vitamin-rich Florida Sunshine Tree. C's juice."
Harvey was alone in the store, surrounded by a group of remnants who were preparing for the big party that never happened.
Jim Rivaldo reluctantly entered the store. Some maps were rolled under his arms.
Jim Rivaldo (wanting to boost Harvey's morale): We lost, but we lost less! Got more votes than ever... (Harvey grins grudgingly) I remember saying that before and you'd be laughing. I want to show you something. This idea is amazing.
Jim began to unfold his trusted map, with the color blocks indicating the election results that night.
Jim Rivaldo (continued): The red constituency shows that you were at your best tonight. If we can get the zoning elections to pass, we can -- we can -- our new city ombudsman's area is up to Market Street. Right around the Castro neighborhood.
The area that Jim marked was all bright red.
Jim Rivaldo: If you're campaigning against a new area, you're likely to win by a landslide. You will be the first openly gay government official elected in the United States.
Harvey Milk: I don't know if I still have the courage. Or whether Scott can hold on.
But Harvey's eyes denied his words. Harvey had a determined look on his face—thinking about running for the fourth time.
56. INTERNATIONAL Castro Camera Store,
Crowd Watching TV at Night, with National News Clips, Anita Bryant Celebrating Her Florida Election Victory (Overturned) a pro-homosexual act).
The caption to accompany the image reads: "Overwhelmingly Negates the Florida Gay Rights Act."
Anita Bryant (on TV): Tonight, God's ordinances and human human values are defended. The people of Dade County (note 5), the majority of normal people, said, "Enough, enough, enough."
57. INT. Harvey's apartment, same night
TV: A story about security News coverage of Nita Bryant's victory in Florida.
TV Reporter: Homosexuals in Florida risk being fired if they don't rein in their "abnormal" lifestyles.
Harvey's view out of the window: Angry gays swarming out of the bar, whistling, grabbing trash cans...likely to turn into a riot.
Anita Bryant (on TV): Gays can't have children, so they're bound to instigate young people to join their way of life...
TV reporter: Bryant, a spokesperson for the orange juice industry, vows to bring her The campaign's victory pushes to the rest of the country...
Harvey's phone rings. He grabbed the phone.
Harvey Milk: Scott?
BOY'S VOICE: I'm sorry, sir. I... um... read about you in the newspaper.
Harvey Milk: I'm so sorry. I can't answer the phone right now...
BOY'S VOICE: Sir, I think I want to kill myself.
Harvey Milk: No. You don't want to do this. (Pause) Where do you live?
Boy's Voice: Minnesota.
Harvey Milk: You saw me in the Minnesota paper? How do I look?
BOY'S VOICE: My family is going to take me to a place tomorrow, a hospital, to get me corrected.
Harvey Milk: You did nothing wrong. listen to me. You don't have to hurt yourself, understand? Are you still listening? (On the other end of the phone there is only breathing.) You can do as I say. are you still there?
BOY'S VOICE: Yes.
Harvey Milk: Get on a bus and go to the largest city in the neighborhood. New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles or Minneapolis. It doesn't matter. Just leave. (with the boy weeping) You won't be alone. There are people like you out there who will welcome you and love you.
Harvey Milk (continued): You're not sick. You are not wrong either. God will not despise you either. Just leave.
BOY'S VOICE: I can't.
Harvey Milk: No, you can. Just get in the car.
BOY'S VOICE: I can't...I can't walk, sir. I'm in a wheelchair... sir. are you still there?
Harvey forced himself to sound calm...
Harvey Milk: It's alright. everything will get better.
Over the phone, Harvey heard an adult voice, someone who seemed to have spotted a child on the phone, and then...
the phone line was disconnected. It was overwhelming for Harvey. A speech or an intimate conversation doesn't do anything, and it doesn't change anything. Harvey was about to collapse. Dick came upstairs.
Dick Pabic: Harvey, you'd better come downstairs. A riot is about to break out.
Harvey was a little dazed and overwhelmed by the call, but he still found the portable loudspeaker and came out of the house.
58. CASTRO PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT SHOP - SAME
NIGHTS FROM THE STORE, SCOTT SEES his lover hurried out of the store, his figure is reflected on the window glass, and there is a feeling of nostalgia in his heart. But he doesn't follow...
58B. INT Castro Street Bar, Night
Cliff bursts into the bar (indignation as if it's on fire) and blows the whistle to get everyone's attention.
Cliff Jones: Get out of the bar and onto the street! Anita Bryant is chasing after us and attacking us!
59. CASTRO AND MARKET STREET -
NIGHT Angry youths roam the streets, their anger spreading across the area. Someone threw out a trash can, and the trash can rolled on the ground. A police officer in riot gear walked up to Harvey.
Police: If you can't control them, we'll take over.
Harvey Milk: Do we need a permit to march?
Police: Where to go?
Harvey Milk: Go anywhere.
60. EXT.
CASTRO AND MARKET STREETS surrounded by a large crowd, climbs the massive enclosure of the Market and Castro Avenue subway buildings. Kind of like a stage. Harvey put the megaphone to his mouth.
Harvey Milk: I know you're outraged. I am also angry. Follow me to the streets of San Francisco and unleash our fury!
Harvey jumped off and started walking, not sure if the hustle and bustle would follow him. Finally, they all followed. Cliff came too.
Harvey Milk (continued) Are they following?
Cliff Jones: Yes. Where are we going?
Harvey Milk: I don't know. (ignoring Cliff's concerns)
Harvey Milk: We have to get them moving. Let them consume. Lead them on a march until they are too tired to walk. We can't have a riot tonight.
Harvey raised the loudspeaker. He sang the marching song. The crowd began to follow.
SHOOT CUT: Homosexuals glaring at the police. The cops, guarding their shields with batons, looked ready. Harvey led the group toward City Hall, and anger exploded. Dick and Jim came over.
Dick Pabich: The guys in the back are still too hot. They'll burn us out as a united team.
Harvey Milk: Help me lead them to Van Ness Street. We're going all the way to Broadway.
Dick turned back, trying to convince the parade. Harvey continued to lead the march.
61. EXT. CITY HALL - The crowd is still
furious when Harvey arrives . Police batted their shields with batons. Some police officers stabbed protesters in the march, trying to spark a fight. Anger is burning.
Harvey climbed the ladder, which was also his stage. He raised the loudspeaker.
Harvey Milk: My name is Harvey Milk...I want to recruit you.
Approval cheers erupted from the crowd.
Harvey Milk (continued): Here tonight, let me say, we're not going to be silent in the closet anymore. We must fight. Not just on Castro Avenue, or San Francisco, but wherever Anita's influencers go. Anita Bryant didn't win tonight. Anita Bryant has united us...she will create a national gay force! (Crowd cheers) Young people, in Richmond, Minnesota, or Jackson, Mississippi, or Woodmere, New York... They come out and hear Anita Bryant tell them they have a problem on TV, They are sick and also say there is no place for them in this world, in this great country...they are looking forward to hearing from us tonight...(his big moment, fulfilling his true mission) and what I'm saying is, we have to give them hope!
The crowd went wild. Harvey's speech prompts the camera to cut to...
63. INT. COMMUNITY CENTER, EVENING
Harvey speaks to the group "Parents of Good Schools - Teachers' Fraternity".
Harvey Milk (Voiceover): ---Hope for a better world...Hope for a better tomorrow...If it's too stressful for them to stay at home, we're going to give them a better place to live HOPE...
64. INTERNATIONAL HALL - NIGHT
Harvey speaks to a full hall of truck drivers' union employees.
Harvey Milk: Those workers who wake up from the American dream and find out that this country is putting them out of work, they have to have hope... We have to give them hope!
The camera pans to the faces of the truck drivers' union workers -- several faces of different skin tones. A close-up shot of Alan Baird (union leader for the Coors beer boycott). He started clapping. The others applauded.
Harvey Milk (voice-over continues): (previous rhythm, more intimate tune) Until San Francisco changes election rules --
65. INT, FLASH, Harvey's kitchen, recording last words, night
Harvey still talking The tape recorder speaks...
Harvey Milk: —The authorities allow citizens to elect city ombudsmen directly from their own communities. Black communities can elect their African Americans. Chinatown can elect a Chinese Ombudsman...and the Castro community can elect me or Rick Stokes, right? So the smaller District 8, the area two miles south of Castro --
66. EXTERIOR, District 8, Dan White's neighborhood, daytime
camera moves down the street, showing churches, shops, and neat houses .
Harvey Milk (voice-over): ---Guaranteed to stay the same forever. The people who lived there were conservative, Irish, Catholic, and a little bit poetic, and they elected themselves a handsome police-turned-ombudsman.
67. Interior, 1977, San Francisco Fire Department, daytime
Dan White holds a small press conference. His words were enthusiastic, but his manner of speaking and on-the-spot performance were not yet warm.
Dan White: I'm not going to leave San Francisco because of a handful of social activists, social heresies, and thugs whose vices are inexorable. You need to realize that there are thousands of frustrated and angry people like you, all eagerly waiting to vent their anger in order to root out the cancer in society and prevent malicious ruin from ruining our beautiful city life.
68. INT. Harvey Milk's Apartment,
Harvey's apartment during the day. There are records in the room. Wagner's music hit the walls. Scott was folding his clothes into a box.
Harvey Milk: Evelyn Lear has come to San Francisco and is playing "Townhouser" at the Opera House.
Scott Smith: Understood.
Harvey Milk: What if she finds time to come down to Castro Avenue for a cocktail? (Scott continues packing) Just let me do it again. We can't let Rick Stokes get it.
Scott Smith: Just let Rick do it. No one here thinks you're a liar, Harvey. You're not in New York, you're no longer a bastard who hides in a closet and doesn't dare to identify himself. People here respect you very much. Just relax for a year. Let us each go where we belong.
Harvey Milk: Now that voters are taking me seriously, I have to win this election back.
Scott Smith: Since when did you ever care that someone took you seriously?
Harvey Milk: Anita wants to drive us back to the concentration camps. If she comes to California, Rick Stokes is too weak to be her match. I must be elected and in power to protect us from them.
Scott Smith: I can't stand another election. (Harvey doesn't say a word) I'll come back and get my sheets. If you're not at home, then we'll see you in the store next week.
Scott grabbed his suitcase of clothes and started walking out of the apartment. Harvey, at this time also insincere.
Harvey Milk: If you leave me now...I can find someone new.
Scott Smith: I know, you're a hunter.
Scott left. Harvey was greatly stimulated and could not suppress the loss in his heart. Unable/unwilling to keep the choices one has made.
69. INT. Castro's camera store, daytime
campaign members fully immersed in the new election (Cliff, Jim, Dick, and newcomer Mike Wang, 23, neutral in appearance, and keen on politics). Harvey, in a fit of rage, tore down the poster from the House election.
Harvey Milk: — Throw out the old one and put in the new one. This is over. It's over. I don't want to see any more fucking Rep on it. The "stinky gay" who has been defeated three times is going to run for the damn city inspector this time!
Anna Kronenberg, 23, parked her motorcycle outside, walked into the photo store, and stood at Harvey's desk. Cliff, Mike, Jim and Dick all watched her.
Jim Rivaldo: Who is she?
Harvey Milk (suddenly refreshed): Our new campaign agent. She called last week asking for help, and I asked her to come help.
Dick Pabic: Help or take over? What about Scott?
Harvey Milk: We need fresh blood. (Introducing the team) Guys...this is Anna Kronlenberg. (with everyone's surprised expressions) She's a lady...a lady who likes women. Kind of weird, isn't it?
Anna Kronenberg: Hello everyone. Mr. Milk... Rick Stokes has no intention of quitting. He has officially registered to run with you on the same stage. A friend of mine who worked at The Advocate told me that David Goldstein was behind him.
Mike Wang: Gay candidates against gay candidates. It's unfortunate.
Dick Pabic: That's going to spread out gay voters. Heterosexuals just divide us and win.
Harvey Milk: Go and find out when they make the announcement.
Dick Pabic: You got a female lesbian in place of Scott?
Harvey Milk: Ana worked for a waste recycling movement on the North Side and was very organized.
Jim Rivaldo: How did you know she wasn't an informant from Rick Stokes' side?
Anna Kronenberg: Are you guys always so jittery?
Mike Wang: Yes, we have to think about Harvey.
Harvey Milk: Don't you have someone else's clothes to wash?
Mike Wang: I'll go after you've redecorated my room.
ANA CORONLMBERG (pointing to Jim Rivaldo): Sir, my girlfriend says you guys don't like women. I just ask, is there a place for us here? Or are you all afraid of girls?
Harvey Milk: Gentlemen, we've got handymen, and we've got Wisdom Gods, and decent guys like Jim and Dick in three-piece suits. We need someone to manage the team. This time it's a lady. She's a fair price, just the right person, and she's more charismatic than we are.
Anna Kronenberg: Just give me all the registration materials by today. Should I call the San Francisco Chronicle and ask them to explicitly support us? Forget it?
Besides disproportionately adding a woman to the team, consider what's added to it.
69B. INT. Aisle Outside Lecture Hall, Night
Camera Pan: A giant poster that reads "Rick Stokes, City Ombudsman for District 5" Below, Anna Koronenberg is in the hall Leaflets with "Milk" were distributed outside to women and lesbians who were queuing to register.
Rick Stokes storms out of the lecture hall, sideways into an exasperated staff member, and confronts Anna.
Rick Stokes: Young lady, you must be mistaken. This is my publicity night, not Mr. Milk's.
Anna Kronlenberg (as genial as possible): No, sir. I'm Milk's new campaign agent. My name is Anna Kronenberg.
Rick Stokes: Then you should know that this campaign is for Castro District 5, not for all of you lesbians... darling—
a strong lesbian kisses Anna , glared at Rick, and stepped into the hall. Rick looked unnatural among the group of women.
Anna Kronenberg: Excuse me. Am I getting in your way, Mr. Stokes? I also hate to ruin your wonderful night.
Dick catches up to help more registrants. Dick started teasing Rick like he was playing a game.
Dick Pabic: Hi Rick, nice suit. Anna, do you have any extra handwritten cards?
Rick Stokes: These people don't belong in this community. They must leave. immediately.
Dick Pabic: No. Guess where we found all these people, Rick? There are many such people. Just above the Valencia neighborhood. Precisely live within the confines of our community. And you see, things show that Anna is very, very popular among these ladies.
Dick wrapped Anna in his arms. Rick is a little silly.
70. EXT. SAN FRANCISCO Ave.
Dozens of supporters line up along Market Street during the day, holding signs that read "Support Milk Elected Ombudsman" and waving to passers-by. Ana shuttled between the long lines, handing out new billboards to the newly joined volunteers.
Harvey is handing out leaflets. He was exhausted and had a sore throat. The election is also coming to an end.
An incredible moment: A child walks up to Harvey and hands him a flyer. When Harvey's eyes locked on the child's eyes, all the voices in the scene tended to be silent.
Harvey read the words on the flyer: "Unite and fight with Dan White."
Harvey looked back and tried to pat the child on the head, but he had disappeared. He looks to the sidewalk for the child--his parents... nothing...
71. INT. Castro Photo Store, NIGHT
Harvey is still looking at the flyer. Anna rolled away with a stack of the San Francisco Chronicle. Cliff came in, took a sheet from the stack of newspapers, and looked for the "Features Section."
Harvey Milk: They accuse me of a lot of things, but never as exaggerated as this big lie.
Anna Kronlenberg: This is the first ever newspaper funding.
Cliff Jones (reading the article): Are they funding you because you are a successful businessman? Did Scott see that? He will be pissed.
Harvey Milk: Really? Show it to him. (Cliff prepares to leave) Cliff, maybe you should get a boy to relax and celebrate. just in case.
Cliff Jones: I'm going to find someone with a burning desire. Come out with me.
Cliff is gone. His energy is limitless. Harvey sat alone at the window, watching the bar patrons walk back home, past his front window. There was a tinge of sweetness inside. A pair of lovers walk by, and one of them shouts:
Gay man: Are you going to win this time, Milk?
They moved on without waiting for an answer.
Then, a lovely drunk Latino, Jack Lira, 25, stopped. He stared at the propaganda posters in the window. Harvey noticed that he was drunk and unconscious, ready to fall. The two of them looked at
View more about Milk reviews