- [first lines]
- Johnny Midnight: [Narration] People often say there's no biz like show biz. Now if they're talking about Broadway, I agree. Hollywood's another matter. As far as I'm concerned, mostly "biz" and not much "show." But Hyer Studios were making a movie of a play I'd produced and the head man, Henryk Hyer, had suggested I supervise the filming, so I was on my way to Hollywood courtesy of the studio. Not a bad deal, even if they did ruin the play. At any rate, it was a convenient coverup. My real reason for going was to see a beautiful girl named Nina Wylie. Like people say, there's no biz like show biz... unless it's girl biz.
- Johnny Midnight: [Dream sequence. Johnny comes up behind a beautiful woman] Hi, doll.
- Nina Wylie: Don't get fresh. I'm waiting for someone.
- Johnny Midnight: A guy?
- Nina Wylie: A guy.
- Johnny Midnight: I'll take him out with a right.
- Nina Wylie: Not this guy.
- Johnny Midnight: Oh, tough, huh?
- Nina Wylie: Very.
- Johnny Midnight: Drop a name,. Who is he?
- Nina Wylie: Johnny Midnight.
- Johnny Midnight: [Johnny steps in front of woman] Hi, doll. Guess who?
- Nina Wylie: Lover.
- Woman on Airplane: Mr. Midnight, Mr. Midnight! You're Johnny Midnight and I know it. It's right here in this gossip column. You've come to see that girl!
- Johnny Midnight: I don't know what you're taking about.
- Woman on Airplane: Okay, mister, okay, for you I'm gonna fix it that you and that girl have bad luck. I'm puttin' the whammy on ya!
- Johnny Midnight: [Narration] It took awhile to find Gobo. We turned him up on the backlot, that bizarre world of settings: western towns, city streets, medieval courtyards. A land of fantasy where buildings are merely facades, front doors opening onto nothing. Typical of Hollywood - just phony front, no real solidity.