“A turbulent journey from Hollywood’s glitter to aviation heights, traversing the troubled skies of genius and madness.”
Watch the original version of The Aviator
Prologue:
The dawn of the 20th century moonlighted the birth of a visionary, an enigma wrapped in a cloak of valor and insanity; Howard Robard Hughes Junior. The Texan-born maverick was a paradox of sorts; a film tycoon and aviation mogul who challenged the limits of possibility, and a recluse crippled by the cold grasp of severe obsessive-compulsive disorder. With an insatiable desire to pioneer and innovate, coupled with a fierce aversion for germs and disorder, Hughes’ life became a tumultuous cauldron, bubbling with accomplishments and controversies, fame and infamy, love and loneliness. His story was no ordinary tale, but instead, an intricate web spun from the threads of passion, ambition, fear, and madness.
Chapter 1: The Birth of a Visionary
The sun dipped below the horizon, giving way to the vast Texan night sky studded with stars. The year was 1927. Beneath this celestial canvas, a man in his early twenties fixated his gaze on the heavens, his mind ablaze with dreams bigger than the sprawling landscape before him. This was Howard Hughes, a man whose unfathomable aspirations were only matched by his unfaltering determination and obsessive compulsions.
Born into a family whose fortune was dug from the oil-rich Texan soil, Howard was a unique combination of inherited wealth and self-made success. Despite the tragedy of losing his parents at a tender age, he inherited a strong will and a mind unrestrained by conventional limits. It was these attributes, combined with an ample fortune, which would soon propel him to unfathomable heights.
Howard’s early fascination for technology and deep-seated obsession with perfection sowed the seeds of his budding movie career. He produced his first film, “Everybody’s Acting,” with the inherited Hughes Tool Company’s fortune, not just to create compelling stories, but also to innovate. His relentless pursuit of perfection culminated in micro-managing every aspect of his productions, from the storyline to the film’s minute technical details.
His second venture, “Two Arabian Knights,” was a critical success and bagged an Academy Award, thus marking Hughes’ arrival in Hollywood with a bang. The big win, however, did little to calm his passionate and obsessive spirit. If anything, it only ignited in him an unquenchable thirst for more. The world of cinema, he firmly believed, was his to conquer.
Simultaneously, Hughes’ heart harbored another profound ambition – aviation. His fascination with the boundless skies and sleek, mechanical birds was a flame that was kindled during his brief tutelage under his father. Hughes was a man possessed, a visionary with an insatiable desire to invent, to innovate, and, ultimately, to dominate.
As he stepped into his role as the head of the Hughes Tool Company, he decided to venture into the field that had always fascinated him. He founded the Hughes Aircraft Company, marking his foray into an industry that would bring him immense fame and success, but also breed a plethora of controversies, aggravate his obsessive-compulsive disorder and, ultimately, catalyze his descent into seclusion.
Thus, Howard Hughes embarked on his journey, a journey that would forever change the course of aviation and film history. Alongside, steadily and surreptitiously, his mental health would continue to teeter on the edge of a precipice, threatening to plummet into the abyss of insanity. The saga of this extraordinary man had begun in earnest, a saga that epitomizes the fine line between genius and madness, between pioneering spirit and obsessive compulsion.
Chapter 2: The Silent Heroes of the Silver Screen
In the bustling nucleus of Hollywood, where dreams assumed form, Howard Hughes, a young, audacious Texan, embarked on an exhilarating expedition within the world of filmmaking. Hughes’ ambitions were not just to be a part of Hollywood, but to indisputably own it. It was in this chapter of his life, the silent heroes of the silver screen emerged, painted in the hues of Hughes’ obsession for perfection. But beneath the glimmering surface of success, the shadows of Hughes’ escalating obsessive-compulsive disorder started to stretch longer and darker.
Even as his first film, ‘Two Arabian Knights,’ bagged an Oscar, Hughes was not content. His relentless pursuit for a perfect envisioning of his thoughts drove him to challenge conventional cinematography, introducing innovative filming techniques that stunned audiences and critics alike. The cinema, to Hughes, was not a mere entertainment medium; it was a canvas where he painted his visions, always striving for the extraordinary.
Hughes’ passion for aviation seamlessly seeped into his moviemaking. Each film he produced was an audacious gamble, a battle against the odds. He crafted mesmerizing airborne sequences, the likes of which Hollywood had never seen. However, these thrilling spectacles were a product of Hughes’ growing obsessions, which were beginning to emerge from the shadows of his brilliance.
While the world marveled at his astounding feats on the silver screen, Hughes was gradually becoming a prisoner to his compulsions. He obsessed over minute details, spending hours perfecting a single frame, often causing delays and budget overruns. Still, he could not overlook even the most trivial aspect. It was apparent to those working closely with him that Hughes was not merely a perfectionist. Something far more crippling lurked beneath his relentless pursuit of excellence.
His film ‘Hell’s Angels,’ a testament to his love for aviation and his creative genius, proved his commitment to his obsessions. It was in this film that his passion for perfection teetered on the brink of madness. Hughes went overboard with details that ordinary eyes would miss. He insisted on shooting actual aerial dogfights, putting pilots at grave risk. He almost bankrupted himself, pouring his vast fortune into making ‘Hell’s Angels’ a masterpiece. No expense, no risk, was too great for Hughes if it meant achieving his desired level of perfection.
However, the film’s dazzling success came at a cost. Hughes’ mental health, already fraying, spiraled further. There were whispers about his eccentric habits and reclusive nature. His bouts of cleanliness became increasingly extreme, and he would suddenly disappear for weeks on end. Yet, the allure of his genius shielded these quirks from prying eyes.
So, while Hughes continued to command the silver screen, the silent, insidious progression of his obsessive-compulsive disorder was gradually birthing an entirely different narrative. Each film he produced, every new boundary he breached, was not just a testament to his genius. They were also echoes of his growing instability, the seeds of the chaos that was soon to consume his life.
As this chapter of Howard Hughes’ life closed, he was undoubtedly a Hollywood titan, a visionary who dared to stare into the sun. But as his eyes charred, the flames of his obsessions were ignited. As the silent heroes of silver screen bowed to his brilliance, the shadows of his tragic downfall were beginning to loom ominously in the background. Little did anyone know that the man who had conquered Hollywood was precariously close to losing himself in the labyrinth of his mind. The silent, relentless battle against his obsessive-compulsive disorder had just begun.
Chapter 3: Hell’s Angels: The Gamble
The year was 1927, the stakes were high, and Howard Hughes, in all his grandeur, was about to risk everything. Hell’s Angels, a passion project, the likes of which the film industry had never seen before, was under production. Already a year into shooting, worrying whispers floated around Hollywood about Hughes’ unrelenting perfectionism, his obstinance, and the unfathomable costs. Yet, for Howard, it was a calculated gamble, a testament to his genius mind and a challenge he relished. His vision, clear as day, yet as complex as a fugue, was a symphony of determination and obsession, both captivating and horrifying to the spectators.
The film industry buzzed with tales of Hughes’ audacious endeavours. He bought out entire airfields, recruited World War I fighter pilots, and adopted path-breaking aerial camera techniques, all in pursuit of recreating an authentic wartime saga. He rehearsed scenes over and over, pushing for perfection until it bordered on madness. The prevailing perplexity in Hollywood was when would Hughes’ obsession tip from perseverance to peril?
Simultaneously, the world of cinema was witnessing a tectonic shift: the advent of sound. As silent films began to wane, ‘talkies’ were the new frontier. Hughes, astute and adaptable, decided to convert Hell’s Angels to sound. This monumental decision required almost every part of the film to be reshot, further inflating the ballooning budget.
The film’s record-breaking expenses were now the talk of Tinseltown. Despite the mounting concerns, Hughes’ aura of persuasiveness kept his inner circle and the production team hinged onto his vision. His relentless pursuit for authenticity was both a magnet for creative minds and a cautionary tale of unchecked obsession. Even in his eccentricities, there was a fascinating sense of control, a paradox that embodied Hughes.
Accounts of Hughes directing fiercely intense dogfight scenes, weathering harsh conditions, and putting himself in danger’s path to achieve the perfect shot further amplified his legend. His audacity and disregard for personal safety were clear signs of a mind driven by obsession. Yet, his successes kept him on a pedestal, his flaws overshadowed by his triumphs.
His tumultuous relationship with actress Jean Harlow, Hell’s Angels’ leading lady, added another layer of complexity to Hughes’ persona. An ambitious man, he desired control over all elements of his life, including his love affairs. His burgeoning obsession with Harlow mirrored his fixation with Hell’s Angels. Hughes was a man wrestling with his own demons, a man who yearned for perfection in a world full of imperfections.
In the shadow of Hughes’ drive and determination, his relationship with himself unfolded. His relentless pursuit of perfection highlighted his growing obsession-compulsive disorder. In his mind, Hell’s Angels wasn’t just a film; it was a symphony that had to be orchestrated to the last note, a machine that needed every gear in perfect synchrony.
The chapter closes at the cusp of the film’s release, the mood tensed with anticipation. Hughes’ gamble was finally about to be unveiled, his titanic venture ready for judgment by the world. The obsessively crafted frames, the heart-stopping aerial sequences, the massive budget – all culminated in one question: Would Hell’s Angels soar or nosedive?
Hell’s Angels: The Gamble poignantly encapsulates the duality of Hughes – a genius yet a deeply troubled man. His unmatched drive and determination, the maddening pursuit of perfection, and the price he paid for it hence serve as both an inspiration and a chilling warning. It was a complex period in Hughes’ life, marked by a burst of creative brilliance and the burgeoning shadows of his mental struggles. This chapter bears witness to his indomitable spirit, teetering on the edge of obsession and genius.
Chapter 4: The Soaring Magnate
Howard Hughes had always been a fervent dreamer. His dreams were grand, visions that transcended the limits of ordinary imagination. Aviation, in particular, held a fascinating allure for him. Hughes yearned to imprint his name in the annals of aviation history and in the hearts of the American populace.
In the early 1930s, the aviation industry was still in its fledgling state, struggling to unfurl its wings. Hughes saw potential in this nascent industry, an avenue perfectly aligned with his ambitious pursuit of innovation. His fascination with flight and his indomitable will to succeed fuelled his leap into the vast and uncharted realms of aviation.
Hughes was not merely content with contributing sporadically to the aviation industry. He wanted to control the airspace, to dictate the course of commercial aviation. Obsessive about his venture, Hughes formed the Hughes Aircraft Company. Many doubted his capability, questioning his pedigree in the world of aeronautics—a Hollywood mogul dabbling in the intricate world of aircraft engineering.
But Hughes was not untouched by genius. Gifted with exceptional innovative abilities, he threw himself into the challenge with fervid enthusiasm. His first creation, the H-1 Racer, was not merely a testament to his vision but a revolution in the world of flight. A paradigm shift in aircraft design, the H-1 Racer was an epistle of Hughes’s genius.
His company was initially dismissed as a passing fad, an indulgence of a man with more money than sense. However, the H-1 Racer’s record-breaking flight changed that narrative, erasing the skepticism. It established Hughes as a key player in aviation history, breaking the world airspeed record and rewriting the rules of flight. But this soaring success was marred by Hughes’s spiraling mental condition. His obsessive-compulsive disorder, once a whisper in his life, had amplified into a cacophonous intrusion.
As he scaled the heights of success, Hughes’s personal life plummeted. He became increasingly preoccupied with minute details. Obsessive hand-washing, a pervasive dread of germs, and an irrational fear of contamination imprisoned him in a cage of his own making.
But Hughes was not a man to be swayed by his internal turmoil. He charged ahead, unabashed, nose-diving into his next venture—the creation of a large-scale, commercial airline. Trans World Airlines (TWA) was a daring and audacious venture, its success a resounding testament to Hughes’s brilliance. He challenged monopolies, ruffled feathers, and stirred the stagnant waters of the aviation industry.
TWA blossomed under Hughes’s leadership, setting new standards in passenger comfort and aircraft performance. Yet, beneath this blossoming success, his obsessive-compulsive disorder lurked like a stealthy predator, prowling in the shadows, ready to pounce.
His company’s meeting rooms turned into battlegrounds, with Hughes’s obsessions dictating proceedings. Sanitizer bottles were as common as stationery, and strict protocols were implemented to cater to Hughes’s fear of germs. Many grimaced and scoffed, but his brilliance was undeniable; it shone through the quirks and compulsions, casting a spell on his adversaries.
Despite the ballooning anxiety and mental turmoil, Hughes never strayed from his vision. He remained steadfast, fortifying his position in the aviation industry. He pushed boundaries, broke records, and charted new territories. Nonetheless, the invisible fetters of his mental disorder continued to tighten, casting a gloomy shadow over his bright victories.
As Hughes’s star rose in the aviation world, his mental state plummeted, spiraling into dark depths. His obsessive-compulsive disorder, once an undercurrent in his life, had transformed into a raging storm. His fear of germs escalated, morphing into a formidable adversary that threatened to topple his empire.
The man who conquered the skies was slowly being encroached upon by his internal demons. Yet, Hughes’s story was far from over. The world had yet to witness the full gravity of his genius and the depth of his madness.
The chapter ends with Hughes at the helm of his flourishing aviation empire. Still, the storm clouds of his deteriorating mental health were gathering on the horizon, hinting at the turbulent times ahead. His life stands as a …
Chapter 5: A Turbulent Affair
Act one on this emotional roller coaster had Hughes, the audacious pioneer, crossing paths with the fiery Katharine Hepburn. A chance encounter morphed into something noteworthy, their chemistry was palpable, and despite two seemingly opposite worlds colliding, passion kindled like a match struck in a dark room.
Hughes, obsessed with perfection and progress in aviation and filmmaking, found an equally driven force in Hepburn; an accomplished actress never satisfied with mediocrity. Their mutual drive painted them as a power couple of the 1930s.
As the relationship matured, so did Hughes’ compulsive obsession. A man otherwise confident in the board room or on a flight deck, Hughes often found himself at the mercy of his own disorder. His need for cleanliness, symmetry, and order started taking precedence over the fundamental aspects of living. A silent battle ensued within him: a tug of war between his heart and his mania.
Hepburn, strong-willed as she was loving, bore witness to this internal struggle. She saw through his eccentricities to the passionate, brilliant man beneath. Despite countless concerns, she stood by him, a pillar of strength in his world of chaos. But even the sturdiest of structures crumble under relentless pressure. Hughes’ growing obsessions started seeping into their relationship, staining it with the shades of his deteriorating mental health.
The glimpses of Hughes’ madness were often understated yet unnerving. He would insist on things being arranged in a certain manner, an arrangement that made sense only to him, his mind’s twisted perception of order among chaos. Stevenson dinners were spent in silence, the incessant clinking of cutlery against china, the only reminder of normalcy.
Yet, amidst the growing storm, poignant moments of love and tenderness prevailed. In those fleeting moments, Hughes, the tormented millionaire, seemed just Howard, the man in love. The man who would hold Hepburn close, whispering promises of better days, promises that the dawn would wait for them.
It was these glimpses of tenderness that drew Hepburn closer to Hughes, their mutual understanding forging a bond stronger than his compulsions, stronger than the criticisms of a judgemental society.
But even as Hughes maneuvered through this dance of love and madness, his obsessive-compulsive disorder tightened its grip around him. The lines between his genius and obsessions blurred, his world spiralled into a vortex of paranoia and neurosis. Every dirty plate became a breeding ground for germs, every wrinkle in the bedspread, a symbol of disorder, every deviation from routine, a source of immense anxiety.
In the midst of his chaos, Hepburn- his beacon of sanity, his anchor amidst the tumultuous sea, started slipping. The relentless pressure of Hughes’ compulsions strained their relationship. The woman who once moonlighted as a comforting presence in his tormented life now found herself caught in the whirlpool of his madness.
The relationship was a struggle, a constant push and pull between love and madness. The man she fell in love with was gradually overshadowed by his severe obsessive-compulsive disorder. The strain of living with Howard’s condition started taking its toll on Hepburn. Despite her undying love and unwavering support, she started feeling the crushing weight of their troubled relationship.
Towards the climax, love seemed to be losing its fight against the formidable beast of Hughes’ disorder. There were moments when Hughes would spiral into a fit of hysteria, followed by periods of apologetic affection- a destructive cycle that tested the resilience of their bond. The once power couple of Hollywood was now crumbling under the pressures of a disorder that neither fully understood.
This chapter ends with a poignant conclusion to their turbulent affair: Hepburn, the resilient, the passionate, the loving, decides to part ways with Hughes. The goodbye was neither dramatic nor bitter; it was laden with a silent understanding, a shared sorrow, and a love that, despite its intensity, found itself smothered in the shadows of Hughes’ towering compulsions. She left with a tear-streaked face and a heavy heart, leaving behind the love of her life and the churning vortex of his madness.
A Turbulent Affair: a chapter encapsulating the love story of two driven individuals, bound by their shared ambitions, only to be parted by the tormenting claws of obsessive-compulsive disorder. It is a heart-wrenching depiction of how mental health can strain even the strongest of bonds, a tragic tale of a love lost to the ravages of a misunderstood affliction.
Chapter 6: The Spruce Goose and the Senate Hearings
Howard Hughes, a man of undeniable intensity and vision, was now weaving a remarkable tapestry of triumphs and trials. His obsessive-compulsive disorder was like a ghost, shadowing his every move and decision. Yet, it was precisely this unwavering attention to detail that led to his grandest venture yet, the creation of the H-4 Hercules, known colloquially as the “Spruce Goose.”
Amid the rumble of World War II, Hughes had been commissioned to build a large aircraft that could circumnavigate the traditional shipping routes, now infested with enemy submarines. Made almost entirely of birch, not spruce as the nickname suggested, the colossal flying boat was an innovative masterpiece. Every rivet, every strut, and every panel carried Hughes’s indelible mark of precision, but, in turn, this perfectionism slowed down the plane’s progress.
Simultaneously, Hughes was summoned for a Senate hearing. Accused of war profiteering and financial mismanagement, he was grilled by Maine’s acerbic senator, Owen Brewster. The hearing, widely publicized, was a tense showdown as Brewster sought to tarnish Hughes’s image and accuse him of wasting government funds on fruitless ventures, primarily the Spruce Goose.
The battle with Brewster was not just a fight for his reputation. It was an intense power struggle, intertwined with the aviation industry’s fate. Hughes saw Brewster as a puppet for Pan American World Airways’ owner, Juan Trippe, who sought monopolistic control over international air routes.
Every minute of the hearing was a test of strength for Hughes. His obsessive-compulsive disorder, which he had fought to keep hidden away from the public eye, threatened to explode. The bureaucratic tedium and public scrutiny were antithetical to his being.
During one critical juncture, Brewster accused Hughes of diverting funds from the HK-1 project to his airline, Trans World Airlines. Hughes vehemently refuted this, defending his cause and dedication. The outcome of this heated exchange led to a spike in public approval for Hughes and mounting disdain for Brewster.
Hughes, not one to back down, argued his case eloquently, despite the growing mental turmoil brewing inside his mind. His meticulous attention to detail, usually a bane in his social life, was an asset in this intense setup. He presented receipts, documents, and testimonies that left no room for counter-arguments.
However, the victory was shadowed by the looming responsibility of making the Spruce Goose airborne. The public and the Senate were skeptical – a plane that size had never been built before, let alone flown. Hughes, emotionally and mentally drained, threw himself into the project with a renewed frenetic energy that alarmed even his closest aides. His obsession threatened to consume him, but he knew he had to prove them all wrong.
Finally, the day came when the Spruce Goose was ready for its inaugural flight. A massive crowd gathered, with bated breath, to witness Hughes’s promised marvel. The press was prepared to savage Hughes should the plane fail, yet they couldn’t help but admire the audacious vision behind the monolithic structure.
As Hughes piloted the aircraft down the waterway, there was a collective holding of breath. The engines roared to life, echoing Hughes’s determination. Then, in a moment that seemed suspended in time, the Spruce Goose lifted from the water and soared into the sky.
The flight lasted less than a minute, but it was enough. Hughes had proven his naysayers wrong. The moment was a glorious testament to his genius, yet it was tinged with melancholy. The excitement of that brief flight couldn’t mask the toll his obsessions were taking on his mental health.
Chapter six concludes with Hughes at the height of his power – victorious yet vulnerable. His achievements were monumental, but the cost was his sanity. Hughes had flown too close to sun, driven by his relentless pursuit of perfection, and just like Icarus, he was beginning to feel the heat of his flight. His descent into madness was a cruel paradox of his ascension to greatness.
Chapter 7: The Madness of Genius
The immense success and grandeur of Howard Hughes’ life had been as legendary as his downfall was tragic. As Hughes’s erratic behaviour became more pronounced, the former filmmaker and aviation pioneer found himself ensnared by the crippling grips of his obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Every waking moment had become a ritualized dance of needing to touch things a certain number of times, relentless handwashing, and a paranoid fear of germs. He began to avoid contact with people, retreating into lonely isolation. This dark shadow, juxtaposed with his larger-than-life personality, provided a stark reminder of the thin line separating genius from insanity.
The sprawling rooms of his mansion, once brimming with laughter and silver screen stars, now echoed the hollow, haunting loneliness Hughes felt. The man who once conquered both skies and screens had become a prisoner in his own home, battling invisible demons. His eyes reflected a haunted look, obscured by the gleam of unspent ambition, tarnished with the irrevocable stains of mental illness.
Hughes’s ambitions, instead of dwindling, seemed to grow in his solitude, fed by the insatiable monster of his disorder. He began to obsessively work on designs for new aircraft, never satisfied and always driven to improve the un-improvable. His dedication was admirable, yet alarming, as he lost himself in the drawings, often forgetting to eat or sleep. He would spend 72 hours, 96 hours, sometimes a week, lost in his work, the line between brilliance and madness blurring into an amorphous grey.
The only real contact Hughes had was with his team of aides, tasked with managing his affairs and enduring his increasingly bizarre behaviour. They would watch, helpless and deeply worried, as their boss repeated intricate patterns of behaviour and demanded that they throw away anything he touched, fearing contamination. Hughes had become a prisoner of his thoughts, holding onto reality by the most fragile of threads.
Unbeknownst to many, Hughes had also taken to flying his aircraft in the dead of night. These solitary flights served as his last remaining connection to the world he once dominated. The vast, open expanse of the sky and the hum of the engines were his only respite from the tormenting realities of his mind. The juxtaposition of Hughes, a fearful recluse on the ground, soaring fearlessly in the skies, painted a poignant picture of a man caught in the throes of his internal conflicts.
In the rare moments of lucidity, Hughes would find himself haunted by what he had become. How, he wondered, had he ended up this way? The answer, elusive and agonizing, always circled back to his compulsions. It was a brutal irony that the same drive for perfection and unflinching attention to detail that had once made him a pioneer was now his greatest tormentor.
But the spirit of Howard Hughes, the indefatigable dreamer and the tireless innovator, refused to yield completely. In the twilight of his life, Hughes made one final attempt to break free from his own mental shackles. In an act of defiance against his disorder, he forced himself out of seclusion and once again took the helm of his aircraft.
As he soared into the sky, the ghosts of his past seemed to retreat into the shadows. For once, his mind was quiet, devoid of the constant hum of obsessive thoughts. In that fleeting moment of clarity, Hughes saw himself not as the victim of his own mind, but as the man who had dared to conquer the skies, defying gravity and his own limitations. It was a brief freedom, but it was freedom nonetheless.
His landing was as smooth as his flight, a triumphant echo of his past glories. But as Hughes disembarked from the aircraft, the tormenting thoughts rushed back, consuming him. The brief freedom Hughes had experienced was just an illusion, a cruel reminder of what once was.
In the solitude of his mansion, Hughes would continue his solitary existence, his life a testament to the tumultuous ride that is the human mind. The world would remember him as the eccentric aviator, the reclusive millionaire, the troubled genius. But in his heart, Hughes knew that he was also a dreamer who dared to reach for the stars and nearly caught them, only to be brought crashing down by his own psyche.
Thus ends the tragic tale of Howard Hughes, the man who ruled the skies and cinemas, a poignant reminder that even the most brilliant minds can be subject to the harsh realities of mental illness. Yet amidst the tragedy, the legend of Hughes remains an inspiring example of the boundless human spirit: resilient, relentless, and perpetually yearning for the skies. Even in the face of immense turmoil and pain, Hughes held onto a spark of indefatigable spirit, illuminating the darkest corners of his existence. A testament to the resilience of the human spirit, his life reverberates as an enduring echo in the realms of cinema and aviation, a testament to the unyielding power of the human spirit and the unfathomable depths of the human mind.
Some scenes from the movie The Aviator written by A.I.
Scene 1
FADE IN:
INT. TEXAS – HUGHES FAMILY HOME – DAY – 1927
Young HOWARD HUGHES(23, dreamer, passionate) is coiled over a desk cluttered with sketches and model aircraft. A faint musty smell permeates the room, sunlight streaming through the window casts a soft glow on his passionate face.
ANABELLA, Howard’s mother (50, worried yet supportive) walks in, her gaze falls upon her son’s frantic work.
ANABELLA
(softly)
Howard, aren’t you working too hard?
HOWARD
(absently)
The harder we work, mom, the luckier we get.
He caresses a blueprint tenderly, his obsession with perfection apparent in the precise lines of his elaborate design.
CUT TO:
EXT. CALIFORNIA – MOVIE SET – DAY
A cacophony of CHATTER, LAUGHTER, and SHOUTING. Howard, now in director’s attire, commands the chaos with an intense gaze. His eyes never miss a detail, his compulsions complementing his vision for filmmaking.
DIRECTOR (40, experienced)
(pointing to Howard)
That kid might seem eccentric, but I tell you, he’s going places.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. TEXAS – HUGHES FAMILY HOME – NIGHT
Howard, engaged in a heated discussion with his father RUPERT HUGHES (55, stern, disciplinarian), voices his dreams of conjoining the worlds of cinema and aviation.
RUPERT
(shouting)
You’re living in a dream, Howard!
HOWARD
(defiant)
And I swear, I’m going to make it a reality.
FADE OUT.
TO BE CONTINUED…
(Note: Each scene can be further detailed based on the descriptions of each chapter. Remember to include the elements of drama, character development, and the unique traits of Howard Hughes to make the script engaging.)
Scene 2
INT. HOLLYWOOD FILM SET – DAY
CAMERA PANS around a bustling film set. The creative energy of the golden age of Hollywood is in full swing. At the center, HOWARD HUGHES (mid-20s, ambitious, obsessed). He commands the set with the air of a man who will accept no less than perfection.
HOWARD
(Vigorously)
Remember, the devil is in the details!
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (worried and submisive)
Yes, Mr. Hughes.
Howard briskly walks away, checking every detail – costumes, makeup, set design. His mind whirls at a frenetic pace. Suddenly, Howard freezes, eyes wide. He spots a MINOR FLAW.
HOWARD
(STERNLY)
Sonny, that rivet on the airplane wing is not like the original! It’s a ‘28 model, not a ‘27!
SONNY (startled)
Right away, Mr. Hughes…
The set goes silent, everyone holds their breath – Howard’s obsession is making them all nervous. As they resume work, Howard walks away, his mind already on the next scene. His obsession with perfection is palpable, as is the toll it’s taking on his mental health.
Suddenly, a FLAPPER GIRL (early 20s, beautiful, radiant) walks onto the set, catching Howard’s eye. He’s momentarily taken aback.
HOWARD
(Whispering to himself)
A touch of perfection in an imperfect world…
As the day ends, the camera pans out showing a successful take. Howard looks pleased but deep down, the struggle against his OCD continues. The film set fades to black as the seed of an even more profound obsession is planted.
TO BE CONTINUED…
FADE OUT.
Scene 3
INT. LOS ANGELES MOVIE STUDIO – SET OF ‘HELL’S ANGELS’ – DAY
A busy, bustling set filled with crew and cast. The director’s chair reads: HOWARD HUGHES. Hughes, now in his late 20s, is a whirlwind of energy, barking orders, meticulously adjusting the set.
HUGHES
(to Crew)
I want clouds, lots of ’em, and make sure the planes are real. Audiences can spot a fake.
Cameraman nods, looking slightly overwhelmed. Hughes moves over to JEAN HARLOW, the starlet of the film, adjusting her costume.
HUGHES
(to Jean)
Remember Jean, you’re not just a character. You embody the spirit of the angels…
Harlow nods, clearly in awe of Hughes.
INT. HOWARD HUGHES’ MANSION – NIGHT
Papers strewn around, models of planes everywhere. Hughes studying a script, his face tense. He scribbles notes obsessively. There’s a knock, it’s NOAH DIETRICH, his right-hand man.
DIETRICH
You’ve spent a fortune on this, Howard. The studio…
HUGHES
(interrupting)
The studio doesn’t see what I see. This film will change everything.
Dietrich sighs, nods in resignation. The two men return to work, a storm brewing behind Hughes’ driven eyes.
FADE OUT.
INT. LOS ANGELES MOVIE STUDIO – SET OF ‘HELL’S ANGELS’ – DAY
Tensions rise as the complex filming continues. Hughes, haggard but resolute, directs a complex plane sequence, his obsession for perfection palpable.
FADE OUT.
TO BE CONTINUED…
Scene 4
INT. HUGHES AIRCRAFT COMPANY – HANGAR – MORNING
An ocean of aircraft parts, the HANGAR is a hive of activity. Engineers, designers, and workers all busily CONSTRUCTING, TESTING, and DESIGNING. At the center of it all is HOWARD HUGHES, surrounded by a sea of blueprints.
HOWARD
Remember, gentlemen, if it’s not perfect, it’s not worth doing.
Suddenly, a MAN in an expensive suit – SENATOR BREWSTER – approaches Howard, accompanied by a photographer snapping PICTURES.
BREWSTER
Hughes, this airline of yours, Transcontinental, what’s your plan?
Howard turns to face him, a glint of determination in his eyes.
HOWARD
Oh, you’ll see, Senator. We’re going to change the world.
EXT. CALIFORNIA DESERT – AIR STRIP – DAY
Howard, gripping the controls of a sleek, SILVER AIRPLANE, takes off, cutting through the sky at breakneck speed.
INT. HUGHES AIRCRAFT COMPANY – OFFICE – NIGHT
Howard, surrounded by stacks of PAPERWORK, pushes himself to work despite his obvious exhaustion. Suddenly, he sees BLOOD on a blueprint – from his own chapped, overwashed hands.
INT. HUGHES’ MANSION – BATHROOM – NIGHT
Howard stares at his reflection in the mirror. He practices a smile, but can’t hold it. His image blurs… is this Hughes the aviator or Hughes the recluse?
INT. HUGHES’ MANSION – PRIVATE THEATER – NIGHT
Alone, Hughes watches a newsreel showing the SUCCESS of his airline, his hands trembling. His accomplishments overshadowed by the demons in his mind.
HOWARD
(whispering to himself)
Perfect… has to be perfect.
FADE OUT.
Scene 5
INT. RECORDING STUDIO – NIGHT
HOWARD HUGHES, mid 30s, obsessed film producer, and KATHARINE HEPBURN, a fiery and charismatic actress, are together. They’re surrounded by the usual recording studio elements: microphones, soundproofing foam, and rows of records.
Hughes is looking attentively at Hepburn, who’s performing a scene for a movie.
HEPBURN
(performing passionately)
“…He made me see what Life really is!”
She finishes her performance. Howard remains silent for a moment, his gaze intense.
HUGHES
(sincerely)
That… that was amazing, Katharine.
She smiles at him, a blush creeping onto her cheeks.
HEPBURN
(slightly embarrassed)
Oh, stop it, Howard.
He walks towards her. They share a meaningful look.
HUGHES
You’re different, Katharine…
Suddenly, the SOUND ENGINEER interrupts.
SOUND ENGINEER
(off screen)
Hughes, we need that recording again.
Hughes sighs, irritated by the interruption, but nods.
HUGHES
(whispers to Hepburn)
…We’ll continue this later.
EXT. HEPBURN’S HOUSE – LATER
Hughes stands in Hepburn’s garden, anxiously waiting for her. She arrives, looking surprised.
HEPBURN
(confused)
Howard, what are you doing here?
HUGHES
(sincerely)
I needed to see you.
Unexpectedly, Hughes’ hands start to tremble, an apparent symptom of his obsessive-compulsive disorder. Hepburn notices, her eyes soften.
HEPBURN
(worried)
Howard, you’re not well…
Hughes looks away, fighting to control his symptoms. The scene ends with Hepburn holding him, their silhouettes merging with the fading sunset.
FADE OUT.
Scene 6
INT. HUGHES AIRCRAFT HANGAR – DAY
A vast space filled with ENGINEERS and WORKERS. At the center, the hull of the colossal SPRUCE GOOSE under construction.
HOWARD HUGHES (40s, charismatic, obsessed) oversees the work, instruction blueprints in hand, his demeanor reflecting a man on the edge.
One of his ADVISORS, JOHN MEYER (50s, prudent), approaches warily.
MEYER: Howard, the Senate Committee is here.
Hughes, engrossed in his blueprints, ignores him.
MEYER: (tense) Howard, they’re threatening to halt the construction.
HUGHES: (ignoring Meyer) Increase the wing span by another 5 feet.
Meyer looks despairingly at Hughes. Suddenly, a CLAMOR is heard at the entrance.
SENATOR OWEN BREWSTER (60s, power-hungry), enters, flanked by photographers and STAFF.
BREWSTER: (smirking) Hughes, this fantasy of yours is costing the taxpayers a fortune.
Hughes finally looks up, meeting Brewster’s gaze, defiant.
HUGHES: Senator, progress isn’t built on pocket change.
The room goes silent. The tension is palpable.
BREWSTER: Your monopolistic practices won’t stand, Hughes. We’ll see to it.
Hughes, unfazed, returns to his blueprints, leaving Brewster taken aback. As Brewster exits, Hughes mutters under his breath.
HUGHES: (to himself) We’ll see about that.
FADE OUT.
TO BE CONTINUED…
