A TRAILER FOR A MOVIE YOU’LL NEVER SEE!

HOPE & CROSBY FACE DANGER ABOARD BATTLESTAR GALACTICA IN ...

THE ROAD TO EARTH

 

 

EXT. CAPRICA

Multiple edits showing the destruction of the planet Caprica by the Cylons (People running, Cylons marching through, buildings blowing up, etc.).  During all this, a NARRATIVE fades in and out on a black background every sentence:

NARRATIVE

Cylons were created by Man to make live easier in the Twelve Colonies. Then the day finally arrived when the Cylons decided to destroy the homeworld of their creator and wipe out those left. A few ships escaped, with the survivors in search of a new world. And with only one HOPE …

CUT TO:

EXT. SPACE

The camera pans on to BATTLESTAR GALACTICA as it moves away from the planet called Caprica.  The camera then begins to zoom in as we --

CUT TO:

INT. BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, NEAR WINDOW

Two men stand at a window, looking at the planet.

CROSBY

(sighs)

Well, there goes Caprica!

HOPE

(deadpan)

Wouldn't you know? Just when I paid off the car.

NARRATION

(swipe insert as scene continues – just as would appear in normal movie trailers)

 … And One CROSBY!

CROSBY

That old jalopy?  Whenever I saw you drive around town, the talk would be, “what a piece of junk”

(pause)

… then we would notice the car.

HOPE

Yeah, well –

(stops as realizes what was said)

Hey, it was better than what you had.  A horse and buggy.  Can you believe the cheapness of that?

CROSBY

Don't knock it, Junior.  It really caught the eyes of the ladies.

HOPE

That explains the drive-bys at the Old Folks Home.

CROSBY

(raises hands in a “oh well” gesture)

That's all gone though.  We're now stuck on this spaceship heading off to Gods-know-where.

HOPE

I heard it was a place called Earth.

CROSBY

Earth?  Sounds dirty.

HOPE

If Dorothy's there, I would hope so. (rubs hands together)

Intro to first musical numbers begins.

CROSBY

(grabs Hope’s arm to steady him)

Hold on, Kiddo.  I think we’ve just set up the band for our opening number.

HOPE

The open-bar must have closed.

NARRATION

(swiped insert as HOPE & CROSBY get ready for the number)

Hope and Crosby are at it again!  And this time they have all of civilization to entertain on –

(swipe to new NARRATION that fills screen)

THE ROAD TO EARTH!

HOPE & CROSBY begin to sing and strut a little with the music.

HOPE & CROSBY

(singing) 

Earth-bound, my buddy and me

Earth-bound, oh dangers we’ll see

HOPE

The Cylons blew the planet up

Our homeworld is now gone

CROSBY

But at least we have no worry

That we left the iron on

HOPE & CROSBY

No matter where we go to,

Or whatever we may do –

We’re bound to be together: Partner, friend and pal, true blue!

Bit of the ol’ soft-shoe from the pair during instrumental portion of song.

HOPE & CROSBY

(join arms for a moment as lyrics come back in)

Earth-bound, me and my chum

Look out for toasters with guns

CROSBY

We stuck here on Galactica

Stopping Cylons is our duty 

HOPE

Which is tough, ‘cause they look like us

And some of them are cuties

CROSBY

(speaking)

Did you see that Sharon?

HOPE

(speaking)

It’s enough to make your spine glow!  Grrrr!

HOPE & CROSBY

(singing)

No matter where we go to

Or whatever we may do –

We’re bound to be together: Partner, friend and pal, true blue!

CUT TO:

INT. PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE – COLONIAL ONE

DOROTHY LAMOUR as PRESIDENT is studying ancient text on a couch, with CROSBY and HOPE trying to cuddle up to her.

narration

(swipe insert)

And if BOB & BING are close by, then you know DOROTHY LAMOUR can’t be far behind!

LAMOUR

The ancient prophesies state that the road to Earth will be guided by the Arrow of Apollo.  A golden arrow that will be past down from generation to generation until it falls in the hands of two of mighty nose and ears. They will be known as the Twits of Density!

HOPE

You mean “Twins of Destiny.”

LAMOUR

(looks at text again)

No.  It says “Twits of Density” here.

CROSBY

Must be a typo. At least about the guy with the ears.

HOPE

Be happy they didn’t mix up any vowels or we’d be talking to the FCC now.

Crosby

Another wardrobe malfunction, eh?

hope

You just had to show off your piercings.  Say, Mighty Ears, didn’t we inherit that arrow from Aunt Lucy?

CROSBY

Sure, but that’s back on Caprica.  Besides, it could be anywhere.

HOPE

(nods and smiles)

Because I hid it so you wouldn’t sell it.

CROSBY

(nods and smiles)

Yeah, and that was a good hiding place in the sock drawer of your dresser.  I would never have thought to look there.

HOPE

(stops nodding; frowns; mutters)

So that’s where my socks went.  And my magazines.

(grabs CROSBY by the shirt)

So what did you do with it, Tooth Fairy?

CROSBY

Relax; I had to make sure you didn’t try selling it.  That wouldn’t have made Aunt Lucy happy and you would have felt guilty.

HOPE

(smirking; doesn’t believe a word of it; sarcastic)

You were trying to make me feel better. Only looking out for me. I see. I get it. So where is it?

CROSBY

Phil’s Pawn Shop, corner of Fifth and Main.

HOPE

You sold it!  I knew it, you fink!

CROSBY

Now, now, Junior.  Look –

(pulls out stub from pocket)

– see, I still have the pawn ticket here.

HOPE

That’s great.  What if someone bought it?

CROSBY

Who would buy a crummy old arrow?  Besides if I hadn’t sold that the morning of the attack, we wouldn’t have been able to pay for our tickets to Galactica?

LAMOUR

(concerned)

We were a rescue operation. We didn’t make anyone pay to get on the ship.

crosby

(not quite understanding)

You didn’t?

lamour

No.

crosby

(snaps fingers)

I guess I shouldn’t have paid extra for king-size beds then.

hope

It does explain why the Magic Fingers doesn’t work.

LAMOUR

But you two are destined to lead us to Earth with the Arrow. We must have it to survive. If it is still on Caprica, then that means just one thing.

HOPE

We surrender?

CROSBY

No, I see where she’s heading, Junior.  And that’s right back to Caprica to get that arrow!

HOPE

(pats CROSBY on the knee)

Well, have fun on the trip.  I’ll make sure to remember you every time I listen to “White Christmas.”

CROSBY

On the contrary, my lad, I think you should be going.  After all, you were always Aunt Lucy’s favorite.  It wouldn’t be fair to send me.  Besides, age before beauty, y’know.

hope

In this case, I think you mean pearl before swine.

LAMOUR

Listen - both of you are prophesized to find the arrow, so both of you have to go.

HOPE

To Caprica?  Where there’s Cylons and radiation and spinach?

CROSBY

Why did you mention spinach?

HOPE

(shrugs)

Never cared for it.

LAMOUR

There are Cylons there, no doubt.  Not to mention radiation and possible human survivors out for blood.  Still, it is a risk we must take.

HOPE

I like the surrender idea better. 

LAMOUR

(ignores HOPE’S comment)

I’ll make the arrangements for us to ship out tonight.

HOPE

(nods)

I’ll make a break for the airlock.

CROSBY

I’ll join you.

Both begins to sit up but are pushed back down by LAMOUR, as the film swipes to the next scene.

CUT TO: 

INT. SCIENCE LAB ON GALACTICA

ANTHONY QUINN as BALTAR and JANE RUSSELL as NUMBER SIX are discussing the mission HOPE, CROSBY and LAMOUR are about to go on.

NARRATION

(swipe insert)

But there are those onboard working for the Cylons who are out to get our trio!

(insert next swipe narration)

Anthony Quinn …

QUINN

If those two lunkheads obtain the Arrow of Apollo and bring it back, we may never be able to destroy the final colony!

NARRATION

… or are really Cylons in human disguise!

(insert next swipe narration)

Jane Russell!

RUSSELL

(teasingly messing with QUINN’s hair)

Don’t worry, lover. I have ways of making men do my bidding.

CUT TO:

A DINGY BAR ON CAPRICA, full of resistance fighters who await a show on-stage.  The curtain pulls back to show HOPE and CROSBY in their vaudevillian attire.

NARRATION

(swipe insert)

Nor is meeting up with the resistance on Caprica any easier!

HOPE

(stepping forward and singing) 

This is the story of Asteroid Sam

To all appearances, a happy young man

But now he was sad; sunk in the dumps

For he found that love was really for chumps

(steps back)

CROSBY

(steps forward, hat in hand)

I, Asteroid Sam, have traveled to planets afar

Saw all the ladies there were in the stars

None could move me ‘till Sue I sent eyes on

Then I found out that she was a Cylon

HOPE & CROSBY

(move together to harmonize)

Oh, what to do, Poor Sam said with tears

My true heart is an appliance from Sears

HOPE & CROSBY each fall on one knee and hold out their hats and arms as if awaiting applause. Audience looks angry and bored.

crosby

(mutters to HOPE)

Yeesh. Tough crowd.

hope

(mutters back)

I’m going to have to write to the board at the USO.

CUT TO:

EXT. CAPRICA VACANT CITY

HOPE & CROSBY are surrounded by Cylons (not the Humanoid ones, but the huge, nasty metal Centurion ones).  There is a Centurion between, and a little to the back, of them.  BALTAR/QUINN stands near-by, telling HOPE & CROSBY to surrender the location of the arrow.

NARRATION

(swipe insert)

…But wherever HOPE & CROSBY go to - trouble is sure to find them!

QUINN

Since you won’t tell us where the arrow is, you will be taken to the Cylon command center here on Caprica to be tortured.  We are through playing games.

HOPE

(smiles and looks at CROSBY)

Oh, they’re through playing games.

CROSBY

(smiles, as he knows what is coming)

Yes they are.  But we know a game they haven’t played yet.  Right, kid?

HOPE

Yesiree. Let’s show them, huh?

CROSBY

Sure.

HOPE & CROSBY

(bend over a little to play pat-a-cake)

Pat-a-cake, Pat-a-cake

Baker’s Man

Bake me a cake as fast as you – CAN!

HOPE & CROSBY swing a punch at the guts of the Cylon behind them.  Clanging sounds are heard as they connect their fists with the Cylon.  The Cylon doesn’t react and they withdraw their fists in pain.

HOPE

How come this never works anymore?

CROSBY

Too much iron in their diet.

HOPE

Talk about your abs of steel.

The Cylon grabs HOPE & CROSBY and they find they cannot get away, although they struggle.

QUINN

Take them away!

The Cylon drags HOPE & CROSBY away as they continue to mutter.

HOPE

Hey, wait! I want my lawyer! I want my agent! I want a mechanic!

CROSBY

Hey, watch the shirt, I have dinner plans later.

CUT TO:

EXT/INT. PRISON CELL

HOPE is inside at window with iron bars.  LAMOUR is outside, looking in as the two serenades each other with a song.

NARRATION

(swipe insert)

WITH SIX NEW SONGS!

LAMOUR

With planets afar

Like hearts ever are

Love is not easily

Acquired

CROSBY

But coldness of space

Can never replace

The fire within us

Desire

LAMOUR

Can this be the sun?

Has love finally won?

Will passion burn

In us always?

CROSBY

If stars must collide

All is right by your side

Infinity can’t compare

To our days

CROSBY & LAMOURE

(singing together)

Love is the world,

The stars and universe

Just say the word

In a song or a verse …

The songs continues, but since this is a trailer, we –

CUT TO:

INT. NUMBER SIX’S APARTMENT

It’s a cozy little place, and RUSSELL is vamping it up with HOPE on a loveseat in order to get information from him.

RUSSELL

I don’t wish to have them torture you.

(hides head in hands as if crying; turns away from HOPE; camera shows her rolling her eyes at her own words)

hope

(puts hands on Russell’s arms to calm her)

Oh, honey, I can take it.  I’m used to Bing’s singing after all.

russell

(turns back to HOPE)

You see, we Cylons are really not that different from you Humans, you know. We just have the one true faith, strict moral principles, and will wipe out all degenerates that would oppose us.

HOPE

Oh, you’re Republicans!

CUT TO:

INT. BALTAR’S OFFICE ON CAPRICA

QUINN has LAMOUR in his office, where she is obviously resisting him.  He grabs her by the arm to gain her attention.

QUINN

(threatens, as he holds up the arrow)

As you can see, we have located the arrow without the help of your two idiots. We have no need to torture them --

(pause)

--But we will unless you agree to marry me, Madame President!

CUT TO:

INT. DOORWAY TO NUMBER SIX’S APARTMENT

CROSBY & LAMOUR are outside of apartment trying to convince HOPE to leave with them.  They have the Arrow of Apollo with them.  Hope is wearing an after-dinner jacket and smoking a cigarette in a holder.  He obviously doesn’t want to leave RUSSELL.

CROSBY

C’mon, Junior, we’ve got the arrow!  Now we just got to get out of here!

HOPE

I’m sorry, I have to get back to being tortured.

(rolls eyes to the heavens)

Oh!  The havoc my body has been through!

LAMOUR

But don’t you see?  That’s Number Six in there with you!

HOPE

If that’s a Six, I can’t wait to see what a Ten looks like.  Grrrrrr!

LAMOUR & CROSBY start dragging him out as we --

CUT TO:

EXT. SPACE

Three vipers – filled with our heroes – are trying to out-maneuver the Cylons.

CUT TO: 

INT. LAMOUR’S VIPER COCKPIT 

LAMOUR

(worried)

We’re done for.  We can’t outflank them.

CUT TO:

INT. CROSBY’S VIPER COCKPIT 

CROSBY

(spies something and squints)

Wait! What’s that behind that asteroid?

CUT TO: 

Millennium Falcon appears from behind an asteroid and begins blasting the Cylons away.

CUT TO:

INT. HOPE’S VIPER COCKPIT

RUSSELL is somehow squeezed into the cockpit with HOPE. No explanation as to why, but the Cylon has obviously fallen for the lunkhead.

HOPE

(smiles)

I called in a favor.

LUCAS

(voice-over)

Okay kid, you’re all clear!

CUT TO:

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON COCKPIT

George Lucas sits at the controls. Lucas gives a thumb’s up.

LUCAS

Good luck!

CUT TO:

EXT. SPACE

Millennium Falcon flies off, leaving the Vipers to go on their way.

CUT TO:

INT. HOPE’S VIPER COCKPIT 

 

HOPE

Yeah, I know he’s wanted to do that to the Cylons for a LONG time!

 

narration

(as Vipers slowly move away from the camera)

There are laughs and adventure awaiting you when you see –

BOB HOPE

BING CROSBY

DOROTHY LAMOUR

In

THE ROAD TO EARTH!

Coming soon!

 

 

 

For those that don’t follow BATTLESTAR GALACTICA:

 

  • There are two types of Cylons:  the Centurions, who are massive, nasty metal bipeds that are the drones of the Cylons; and the Cylons that look, act and sometimes even emote like humans.  They also tend to look like hot babes.  Just sayin’.  Sharon and Number Six are characters that turned out to be Humanoid Cylons.  Hence, Jane Russell as another.

 

  • Said humanoid Cylons have one peculiarity pointed out early in the new series – their spines glow neon red during sex.  One would think Cylons would avoid sex with humans in darkened rooms in such cases.  Then again, one would assume they would avoid sex entirely, but there you go.

 

  • When BATTLESTAR GALACTICA began in the 1970s, there were many complaints about it looking like a STAR WARS rip-off.  Thus, the Lucas appearance.

 

  • The Arrow of Apollo was an arrow left behind on Caprica that really did help direct Galactica to Earth. 

 

For those who don’t know THE ROAD TO pictures:

 

  • First off – shame on you.

 

  • Anthony Quinn played the villain in two ROAD TO pictures.  Therefore, he plays Baltar, the human villain of BG.

 

  • Jane Russell appeared in two of Hope’s biggest movies (THE PALEFACE and SON OF PALEFACE) as well as appearing briefly in one of the ROAD TO pictures (wearing an outfit from SON OF PALEFACE, come to think of it).

 

  • Musical numbers are a must, as well as “breaking the fourth wall” and guest appearances.

 

  • There must always be room for Pat-a-Cake.

 

Lastly – it sounds corny, but I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it!

 

Happy Holidays!

 

Dale Sherman

justabob@iglou.com

 

 

ROAD TO EARTH is copyrighted Dale Sherman 2006.  All names of characters and persons living or dead are that of original owners and the author does not assume ownership of such names.  Any wish to reprint, please contact the author.

 

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