A Thousand Clowns (1965)
A Thousand Clowns tells the story of unemployed television writer Murray Burns (Jason Robards). Murray has been without a job for five months after walking out on his previous job. Eventually he must prove to Sandra Markowitz (Barbara Harris) that he is a productive member of society. Murray charms and seduces Sandra while trying to avoid any responsibility. After walking out of a job interview, Murray comes home to Sandra, who fully expects him to have a job.
Murray is busted and he starts vamping. Never was an apology more indirect yet hauntingly moving:
SANDRA MARKOWITZ: So, Murray, which job did you get?
MURRAY BURNS: . . . Now, picture if you will: I am walking on East 51st Street about an hour ago, practicing how to say "I am sorry" with a little style . . .
SANDRA: Sorry for what?
MURRAY: Oh, anything . . . just rehearsing . . . Uh, well [clears throat . . . You know how it is when you're walking down the street talking to yourself, how suddenly you say something out loud?
SANDRA: Uh huh . . .
MURRAY: So I said, "I'm sorry," and this fella walking by, a complete stranger, he looks up a second, and he says, "That's alright, Mac," and he goes right on! [laughs] He automatically forgave me! I communicated! Now, 5:00 rush hour in midtown you could say, "Sir, your hair is on fire," and they wouldn't even hear you. So -- I decided to test the whole thing scientifically. I just stood there on the corner of 51st and Lex saying "I'm sorry" to everybody that came by.
"I'm so sorry, Sir."
"I'm terribly sorry, Madam."
"Say there, Miss. I'm sorry."
Of course, I got a few funny looks, but I swear, Sandy, 75% of 'em forgave me! Something had happened to all of them for which they felt somebody should apologize. It was fabulous! I had tapped into some vast reservoir. I just said, "I'm sorry," and they were all so generous, so kind . . .
SANDRA: Murray . . .
MURRAY: Yeah, Sandy, I could run up on the roof right now, and holler, "I'm sorry!" and a half-million people would holler back, "That's okay, just see that you don't do it again!" [laughs]
SANDRA: Murray, you didn't take any of the jobs . . .
MURRAY: Uh, Sandy, uh, I, uh . . . I'm sorry. I'm very sorry.
SANDRA: [Silence]
MURRAY: Well, dammit, lady, that was a beautiful apology. I mean, you gotta love a guy who can apologize so nice. I rehearsed it for over an hour.
SANDRA: [More silence]
MURRAY: Aww, Sandy, that's the most you should expect from life -- a really good apology for all the things you won't get . . .
A Thousand Clowns was nominated for five academy awards, including Best Picture. It lost to The Sound of Music.
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