Welcome to Subterranean Cinema , The perfect place to watch classic movies exclusively from PBS Fort Wayne.

I'm your host, Kris Hensler.

And tonight, we have the 1954 film Suddenly .

And let's say hi to Rob, one of our producers here.

Rob, thanks for stopping by to hang out in the basement screening room.

Why don't you tell people what you do when you're not hanging out down here?

Sure.

In addition to working on our great weekly programs like arts IN focus and Subterranean Cinema , I also get to produce historical documentaries about our region like Electric Legacy: The Story of General Electric in Fort Wayne and Truck Town: A History of International Harvester in Fort Wayne.

And Kris, even though I get lots of help from our historians and our fabulous crew here, when it came time to make the final cut, just like Frank, I did it my way.

Very nice, Rob.

Thanks.

You know, you can watch some of Rob's documentaries through the PBS App, which you can download for free on your smart TV, Roku or Amazon Fire Device.

And of course, you can watch all of the great Subterranean Cinema movies, too.

Rob, for our superfans out there, why don't you tell them how they can get some exclusiv Subterranean Cinema merchandise With pleasure.

Due to very demand, we have come up with an exclusive Subterranean Cinema T-shirt.

It shows off our classic logo and some cool artwork on the back.

All of which was designed right here at PBS Fort Wayne.

And that's not all.

I'm sure you've been checking out our cool popcorn bucket.

And now you can have one of your own.

It's collapsible.

It holds a ton of popcorn.

And in keeping with our black and white movie theme, it's gray.

All of this can be found on your website.

PBSFortWayne.org/subcinema.

So, Kris, suddenly I'm feeling like I want to know more about tonight's film.

Yeah, I say we get into it.

So tonight we have Suddenly , an American crime drama starring Frank Sinatra and directed by Lewis Allen.

The story here centers around a small California town whose tranquility is interrupted when the president's train is scheduled to make a stop there.

Meanwhile, a hired assassin and his henchmen take over the home of the Benson family.

The Benson home just happens to provide a perfect vantage point from which to assassinate the president as a psychopath.

Dismissed from the Army.

Sinatra's character, John Barron, makes it clear that his only motivation here is the money.

But as usual, things start to go sideways.

You know, I seem to recall Frank Sinatra in one of our previous classic films.

Yeah, that's right, Kris.

One of our previous films with Frank was 1955s A Man with a Golden Arm , but it was for his work in the 1953 film From Here to Eternity, that he won the best supporting actor.

Frank Sinatra is an American icon, largely due to his wildly successful singing career.

But he also appeared in 62 films including Ocean's 11 , The Manchurian Candidate and Robin and the Seven Hoods.

Even though chairman of the board passed away in 1998, his contributions to music and film will live on forever.

You know, I couldnt agree more.

We should probably get out the popcorn, pour some drinks and settle in for a night at the movies with suddenly starring Frank Sinatra.

You're watching Subterranean Cinema only on PBS Fort Wayne.

(filmstrip whirring) (bright orchestral music) (birds chirping) (engine rumbling) (train whistle blaring in distance) >> Officer?

Can you tell me the way to Three Rivers?

>> About two miles to the first main intersection, then turn left.

It's about 60 miles.

>> Thanks.

What town is this?

>> Suddenly.

>> Suddenly what?

>> No, no.

That's the name.

>> (laughs) It's a funny name for a town.

>> Uh-huh.

Hangover from the old days.

That's the way things used to happen here, suddenly.

>> I see.

>> Road agents, gamblers, gunfighters.

>> Well, I take it things have changed.

>> Uh-huh.

Things happen so slow now, the town council is figuring to change the name to Gradually.

>> (laughs) Thanks, Officer.

>> Pleasure.

Come back.

(engine rumbling) (ominous music) (dramatic orchestral music) (car engine rumbling) (car tires screech) (car horn honks) >> Hello there, Pidge.

>> Hi, Tod.

>> Where's your mother?

>> We've been shopping.

I've got to put the stuff in the car.

Wanna come?

>> Yeah, sure.

>> Tod?

>> Uh-huh?

>> Well, no.

I guess not.

She wouldn't let me.

>> Who's she?

>> Mom, of course.

>> Well, then you'd better say Mom, Pidge.

It's kinda not polite to say she like that, especially about your mother.

>> Well, anyway, she wouldn't.

>> You know, I bet I can guess what's on your mind.

>> Bet you can't.

>> Well now, let's see.

You want an ice cream soda?

>> Hm, not a bad idea, but that's not it.

>> You want to go to the movies?

>> No, it's a war picture.

Mom won't let me see war pictures.

>> Boy oh boy.

This is tougher than I thought.

I got it.

You want that baseball bat.

>> No, but you're awful warm.

>> Is that it?

>> Sure, that's it!

Ain't it a beauty?

But shucks.

It's no use.

Mom wouldn't let me have it.

She doesn't like guns.

>> Tod: I know.

>> It's because of my father being killed in the war.

>> Look, Pidge, if you had the gun, what would you do it, stick up a filling station?

>> Stick up a filling station?

Heck no.

I'd be sheriff, and I'd catch all the road agents and cattle rustlers, just like you.

But what about mom?

>> Well, I think we can talk her into it, what with you wanting to be a peace officer and all.

>> We've got lots of time.

Mom's still in the market getting groceries.

>> Let's go.

(soft orchestral music) (cash register dings) >> Ah, hell!

>> I've got it.

>> (chuckles) Thanks, Tod.

Hello.

>> Hi.

Can I give you a lift up to the house?

>> Thanks anyway, but I have the car with me.

>> Going to church tomorrow?

>> Yes.

>> I'll pick you up about a quarter to 11, huh?

>> You never give up, do you?

>> Ellen, I know how you feel.

Believe me, I do, and I've tried to understand, but- >> Well, I haven't asked you to understand.

>> That's because I'm in love with you.

>> Tod, you, you shouldn't say that to me.

>> Well, why not?

It's true.

>> Don't, Tod.

>> Ellen, you can't go on being a widow forever.

It's been over three years since Pete died.

>> Don't you understand?

No one can take Pete's place.

>> I'm not trying to take Pete's place.

I'm trying to make a place of my own.

>> You've been wonderful, Tod, and, and I'm grateful, really I am, but I can't help how I feel.

>> Ellen, you've got to stop doing it yourself, because you're doing it to Pidge, too, as well as to me.

You're digging a big black pit and shoving all of us down into it.

>> Leave me alone, Tod, please.

Pidge, where did you get that gun?

>> I bought it for him, Ellen.

>> Tod, how could you?

>> We thought you wouldn't mind, Mom, 'cause I'm gonna be a sheriff just like Tod.

>> Take it off, Pidge.

>> Ellen.

>> I can't help it, Tod.

You know I can't stand seeing him play with a gun.

>> But the boy's got to learn sometime that guns aren't necessarily bad.

Depends on who uses them.

>> Tod carries one, doesn't he?

>> Yes.

>> Well then?

>> Just take it off, Pidge.

>> Ah, gee.

>> That's $3, please.

Thank you.

(cash register dings) >> Ellen?

I know you don't want the boy to see war pictures, but it seems- >> Teaching children the art of death and destruction, the cruelties, the torture.

>> He's got to know that these things exist.

Then he can fight against them when it's his turn.

You can't wrap the boy in cellophane.

>> I can try.

As long as possible.

>> Look, when a house is on fire, everybody has to help put it out, because the next time, it might be your house.

>> Tod, don't.

(people chattering faintly) (birds chirping) (door slams) >> Church tomorrow, Ellen?

>> No, Tod.

I can't go with you.

>> Well, I can't go on asking you and being turned down.

I mean that.

(door slams) (engine rumbling) (train whirring) (train signal dinging) (train whistle blaring) (cart rattling) >> Bebop?

Going over to Tilley's for a cup of Java.

You can handle things.

It's a quiet day.

>> Been a quiet day in this burg the 50 last years.

(machine tapping) You?

>> Good night shirt.

>> What's the word?

>> Get out of here.

Get the sheriff.

Tell him to get over here fast.

It's an emergency!

(frantic orchestral music) >> Hey, take it easy, (indistinct).

25-mile speed limit.

>> Where's the sheriff?

>> Try the office.

Hey, what's the?

>> Where's Tod?

>> Catch your breath.

He's- >> It's an emergency.

Ed Hawkins has got to see him right away.

>> Well, what happened?

>> I don't know.

Something came over the wire.

Ed wouldn't even show me.

>> Hey, that's funny.

Well, there's Tod now.

>> It's an emergency, real serious, Ed Hawkins has got to see you right away.

(frantic orchestral music continues) (engine rumbling) (tires screeching) (tires screeching) (keys clacking) >> Tod: Hello, Ed.

>> Thanks.

Get out of here.

>> Well, wait a second.

I wanna know what it's about.

>> It's top secret.

Get out of here.

>> For Pete's sake, Ed.

I run my pants off for you.

>> Blow!

>> Ah, shucks.

>> What's the word?

>> Listen to this.

I haven't finished typing it yet.

"Sheriff Tod Shaw, Suddenly, California, confidential code: Hangover.

Special train number 1019, carrying the president of the United States, will arrive Suddenly, 5:00 p.m. today.

President will detrain and drive to White Springs Ranch.

Will require adequate transportation.

Appreciate cooperation.

Your staff with Secret Service operatives, arriving 1:15.

Carney, Acting Chief, U.S. Secret Service."

>> No mistakes, huh?

>> (chuckles) Only in typing.

>> 5:00 p.m. (sighs) Now, can I use your phone?

>> Help yourself.

>> Uh, get me state police headquarters in Weatherby.

What's that code word again?

>> Hangover.

>> Hangover.

Hello?

This is Tod Shaw down at Suddenly.

I wanna speak to Captain Aarons.

(train whistle blaring) >> There's number 20.

The 66 crossing.

>> Hello, Cap Aarons?

It's Tod Shaw.

Say, look, I've got a message here.

The code word is Hangover.

Now, I'm gonna need five of your cars, two men to a car, and one Thompson gun to each car, and you.

Oh you did, huh?

Swell.

Right.

Thanks.

They got the same message.

Aarons has the show on the road already.

>> Gee, those state cops don't fool around, do they?

>> No, they don't.

Say, uh, you didn't spill this, did you?

>> It says "Confidential."

>> Yeah.

Let's just keep it that way.

I'll run over to Kaplan's garage and be back in a minute.

>> Ed: OK. (tires screeching) (birds chirping) >> Hello, Sheriff.

Be right with you.

>> That's not soon enough, Iz.

>> So?

>> I want the big black Cadillac at 4:30.

>> The limousine?

>> Yeah.

>> Park her to the station, backed in.

(train whistle blaring) >> Somebody getting married, like the sheriff?

>> Don't be funny.

This is police business.

Don't tell anyone.

>> (chuckles) I don't get it.

>> You're not supposed to.

4:30, huh?

No slip ups!

(car door slams) (train signal dinging) >> Mr. Carney?

>> That's right.

>> My name's Shaw.

>> Get my message?

>> What message?

>> Hangover.

>> May I see your credentials?

>> This is Wilson.

>> Hi.

>> Haggerty, Schultz, and Kelly.

>> Glad to make your acquaintance.

Yeah, I got your message.

>> You're a careful man, Sheriff.

>> Tod: Not always.

This seemed like a good time to be, though.

>> We always have to be.

May I see your credentials?

>> I, uh, I've got a limousine ordered for 4:30.

It'll be parked right here.

>> Good.

>> State police have five cars on the road from Weatherby.

>> Excellent.

>> I guess that's about it.

>> Not quite.

You can still be of help to us.

We'll have to check all of those stores facing the station.

>> (chuckles) Mr. Carney, I know every proprietor in this town.

You can take my word for it- >> I can't take your word for anything.

I'm sure they're OK.

It's just routine.

All right, boys.

We'll park the limousine between the tracks when the special arrives.

>> Pretty rough in there.

>> Maybe.

Easier to cover.

All state police cars can go in there too.

>> All right.

>> Oh, uh, who lives up there on the hill?

>> Pop Benson, his grandson, and his daughter-in-law.

>> We'll check it.

>> (chuckles) Mr. Carney, if there's one place in this town doesn't need checking, it's that one.

Pop Benson used to be in the secret service himself, before a bad ticker retired him.

>> Pop Benson?

You don't mean Peter Benson?

>> That's right.

>> Well, (chuckles) I'll be a monkey's uncle.

>> What do you mean?

(Carney laughing) >> Oh, Pete Benson used to be my old boss.

>> (chuckles) No.

How do you like that, eh?

>> Therefore, Mr. Shaw, he'll be the last one in the world to object.

(chuckles) Pete Benson, for heaven's sake.

>> Probably a rectifier.

Probably a tube.

>> Would you please call Jud and have him come up and fix that thing before you wreck it?

>> Wreck it?

Wreck it?

Look, I'll have you understand, I built a television transmitter in '38, before you even know what television was.

>> Yes, but did it work?

>> I don't know.

I never did get to finish the receiver.

>> Well, this is a receiver, and I do wish you'd call Jud.

>> I don't wanna bother Jud.

Besides, it's time and a half on Saturday.

>> Well, that'll be cheaper than what it'll cost when you get through diddling with it.

>> Oh now, Ellen, stop taking it out on me, just 'cause you and Tod had a fight.

>> You haven't touched your cake.

>> Don't want it.

>> Pidge, darling, I made it especially for you.

>> You made it 'cause you wouldn't let me wear my gun.

>> Drink your milk, darling.

>> Sissy.

>> What?

>> That's what the guys call me.

>> Well, I don't care what they call you.

I'm your mother, and I think I know what's best for you.

Pidge!

Pidge, you shouldn't walk out when I'm talking to you.

>> I thought you were finished.

>> Uh, the boy's just disappointed.

That's all, Ellen.

>> (sighs) Dad, please stop interfering.

>> First, you cancel him out on a hike with cub scouts, and the next thing- >> Pidge, go to your room.

>> I'll have this old set perking in a minute, son.

You and me'll watch the ball game.

>> Dad, I've had this for the last time.

>> Ellen, you're a grown up girl.

You've got a problem you haven't worked out.

That's no reason why Pidge should have your problem.

>> I've only done what I thought was right, Dad.

>> I read about an experiment once, kept germs away from a kid, raised him pure and scientifically.

First time he got out in the rough, he caught cold and died of pneumonia.

>> What does that have to do with Pidge?

>> Well, the kid hadn't been exposed.

He had no immunity.

There's cruelty and hatred and tyranny in the world.

You can't make believe they aren't there.

And Pidge has got to learn what is the law and what isn't the law, so's he can defend it.

>> Defend it?

So he can become a soldier and go out and be murdered like his father was?

>> My son was killed in the performance of his duty, Ellen.

>> Duty.

Being blown to bits on some godforsaken battlefield, thousands of miles from where he was born.

You call that duty?

>> Yes, Ellen.

>> Well, is that what you'd like for Pidge?

Would that make you happy?

>> If Pete could hear you now, I think he'd be ashamed of you.

>> How can you say a terrible thing like that?

>> When the old boys wrote those words, "Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," they sounded mighty nice, but they wouldn't have been worth a plug nickel if somebody hadn't made 'em stick.

>> Pidge: Grandpa!

Grandpa, Grandpa!

(sirens wailing) The window!

Look out the window!

Golly!

>> What is it?

>> Coming down the mountain from Weatherby, a whole raft of state troopers!

See 'em?

(sirens wailing) (tires screeching) >> Sure cut it fine.

>> You couldn't possibly be surprised with all those sirens blasting.

>> No, I tried to beat 'em.

>> State troopers.

Right on time.

>> Yeah, they're good.

>> The best.

All right, Bart.

Follow 'em in.

>> OK. >> Well, there are two routes to the White Springs Ranch.

You can go over the mountains here, or you can drop down to the main highway, go on into Three Rivers, and the ranch is about 40 miles farther on.

>> We'll take the main highway.

Too much chance of an ambush in those mountains.

Yes, Haggerty?

>> We could use a roof watch on those stores, Chief, besides a street check.

>> Look, Mr. Carney, every proprietor in this town has been there at least five years.

I know them.

I know their kids.

>> Oh, it isn't that, Sheriff.

It's the stranger that might use one of those stores for cover.

I'd like them to lock up at 10 minutes to 5:00, stay locked up until 10 minutes after 5:00.

Oh, and, uh, put a man on the roof too.

>> All right, Burt, give 'em the word.

>> No one, including the proprietors, are to remain in those stores at locking time.

Anyone seen inside after 10 minutes of 5:00 might be shot on sight.

>> Like the man says, it's important.

>> Yes, sir.

>> Tell Wilson to keep the station clear.

Shultz will take over troopers and block off traffic approaches from 4:30 on.

>> Right.

And there's another hazard, sir.

A house up in the hill.

>> Yeah, I know.

I'll check that one myself.

>> Yes, sir.

>> Tod!

What the Hades is going on in this burg?

Did some galoot make a uranium strike?

>> No, not exactly.

Now look, Slim, you take over here, and I'll catch up with you later.

From 4:30 on, I want all pedestrian traffic kept off Main Street between Oak and Alder.

The state boys will help you.

If anybody in town squawks, why, you smooth things over.

They know you, and this is all gonna seem a little strange to them.

>> I've confused myself.

Never have seen so many cops.

What goes on?

>> Ah, this is Mr. Carney, special agent of the Treasury Department.

Secret Service.

Mr. Carney, Slim Adams, one of my deputies.

>> How do you do?

Secret Service?

I get it.

They're shipping the national debt through here in gold bars.

(Carney laughing) >> Just don't worry about it.

You'll find out later.

>> All right, come on.

Let's go and check that car you hired.

(siren wailing) (tires screeching) (toy gun popping) >> Pidge: Bang!

Got 'em all!

>> Buffalo Bill, you'd better put that gun away before your mom sees it.

She'd tan your hide.

>> Dad, I do wish you'd call Jud and let him come up and fix that.

>> Shucks, Ellen.

I knew Ohm's Law before they even passed it.

>> Well, I don't want Pidge to miss the ball game, after missing the movie and everything.

>> All right, boy.

Come on, get ready to plug this set in, while I hold this screw down, and we see what happens.

>> OK. >> Dad, are you sure you know what you're doing?

>> Ellen, please.

>> Well, I know, but it says on the back of that that there are 5,000 volts, and that's dangerous.

>> Ellen, will you please stop being a woman?

Ready, boy?

Plug in.

(electricity sparks) (Pop groans softly) >> (gasps) Dad!

Dad, are you all right?

>> Well, I guess I'm all right.

It just scared the pants off of me.

That's all.

>> Golly!

Look at this!

>> I guess maybe you'd better call Jud, huh?

>> (sighs) Honestly.

>> That was a close call, boy.

>> Pidge: How much is 5,000 volts?

>> Enough.

>> To kill you?

>> Well, it'd probably pick you up and toss you across the room, that is, unless you were standing in a puddle of water, and then you'd be grounded.

If you were grounded, it'd kill you deader than a doornail.

>> Would it hurt?

>> Like blazes.

You stay away from that set now and stay away from those wall plugs.

Don't monkey with electricity, unless you know what you're doing.

>> Why did you, Grandpa?

>> You got me there, boy.

(DOORBELL RINGING) >> I'll get it.

Jud says he'll be up in a little while.

>> I'm sorry.

>> (chuckles) Honestly.

(birds chirping) Yes?

>> Mrs. Benson?

>> That's right.

>> Is your husband at home?

>> My husb?

No, I'm a widow.

>> John: What I should have asked was, are you the owner of this house?

>> No, I'm not.

It belongs to my father-in-law.

What is it you want?

>> I'm John Baron, special agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation.

These are my men.

Do you suppose I could have a few words with Mr. Benson?

>> Uh, just a moment.

Won't you come in?

Dad!

>> Oh, how are you, gents?

>> John Baron, special agent.

>> For heaven's sake, FBI.

>> May we come in?

>> Why sure, sure.

Come right in.

Come right in.

Make yourself at home.

>> Thanks.

>> Not at all.

I get quite a kick out of this.

Used to be with the Treasury Department myself.

>> Really?

>> Back in the old days.

>> Collector of Internal Revenue, eh?

>> Tax collector?

Not on your life.

Secret Service.

>> You don't say.

>> Grandpa was President Coolidge's bodyguard.

>> You don't say.

>> Yep.

Back in 1928, youngest retirement in the service.

'Count of my heart.

Not heart trouble, you understand.

An accident on one of Cal's fishing trips.

A hunter.

Got the slug right here.

>> Say, that's a nasty one.

>> How come you're still alive?

>> I don't know.

Lodged in my heart.

They took it out, I had to take it easy, so they retired me.

>> You're lucky.

>> Luckier still if it hadn't me.

>> I'm gonna be in the secret service someday.

>> Thought you was gonna be a sheriff like Tod.

>> Squirts like you are supposed to grow up and be president.

>> Name's Pidge, Mr. Baron.

>> Glad to meet you, Pidge.

>> I ain't a squirt.

>> Mr. Baron, what did you wanna see us about?

Is something wrong?

>> Nothing wrong yet, Mrs. Benson, but there might be.

We're just checking.

>> On us?

>> On the house.

Do you mind if we have a look around?

>> Help yourself, but what I wanna know- >> We're gonna have a look around, with or without your permission, Mr. Benson.

It's an emergency.

Check it.

>> There must be something the matter.

>> Anyone else live here besides you three?

>> Ellen: No.

>> Anyone been by here today?

>> No.

>> Just the usual routine.

Willy Harris left the milk.

What's this all about, Mr. Baron?

>> Just being careful.

I'll explain later.

>> Two bedrooms, one bathroom.

All clear.

>> One here, just like they said.

>> Kitchen, back pantry, back door, stairs go down the hill, the garage under kitchen.

Cellar door in hall.

Clear.

And car in the garage.

>> Look at this for a setup.

I'm sorry, folks, but I'm afraid we're gonna have to hang around for a while.

>> Why?

>> What's the matter?

>> Don't be alarmed.

There's nothing wrong.

>> Well, of course there's something wrong.

The FBI doesn't pay us a visit for the heck of it.

>> Well, I won't stay.

I'll take Pidge and go- >> No, Ma'am.

Nobody leaves the house until we do.

>> Why not?

What's happened?

>> Look, just go about your business, like it was any other Saturday afternoon.

Read your papers and look at your TV, anything you want.

But nobody leaves the house.

>> Something fishy about all this.

>> It's official business.

>> What sort of official business?

>> Mr. Benson, as a former agent of the Secret Service, you should understand.

>> Either I'm getting old and stupid or else I'm- >> At 5:00 p.m. this afternoon, the president of the United States arrives in town on a special.

>> What?

>> Golly!

>> The president?

Well, that's different.

>> You mean to say the president's gonna get off the train here?

>> That's right.

>> Golly, Gramps, we've got to go down and see it.

We've just gotta!

>> The president!

Why, that's the greatest thing ever happened to this town!

>> Can we go down and see it, Gramps?

Can we?

>> Sorry, kid.

No.

>> Benny, bring in the gear.

Put the car out back.

Bart, you see the back door is locked tight and check the cellar to be sure.

>> I still don't understand.

>> Mr. Benson, it should be obvious to you that if anybody wanted to kill the present, he could do a beautiful job of it right from this window of yours.

>> For the love of Mike, that may be true, but you don't think that Ellie and me- >> Of course not.

But we have to remain here to protect you and the president from somebody else who might.

>> Oh.

(lively orchestral music) >> Carney?

>> Yeah?

>> Uh, is this all routine?

Seems to me to be kind of overboard.

I mean, all this checking and everything as though you expected this town to- >> Sheriff!

Have you noticed any strangers in town during the past week?

>> No.

>> Are you sure?

>> Sure I'm sure.

I know everybody in this burg.

The only strangers we get are tourists.

You know, we get 'em all the time, stopping for gas, a bite to eat, that's all.

>> We wanna know, from either you or your deputies, the minute any stranger doesn't keep going through.

>> Then this isn't routine?

>> No, it isn't.

>> Can you tell me?

>> The Los Angeles Police picked up a small-time stool pigeon night before last, shot through the lungs and left for dead.

Smiley Bitter.

Before he died, he told them something was up.

>> What do you mean something was up?

>> An assassination attempt.

>> Well, can you believe that?

>> In our business, we can't afford not to.

>> I mean, the tip of a dying stool pigeon.

>> The stoolie seemed very proud of being an American before he kicked off.

>> Meaning crime is crime, but this is something else again.

>> Right.

So we can't take any chances.

Let's go.

>> Can we see the president, Grandpa?

>> Uh-uh.

>> Can we, Mom?

>> No, Pidge.

We have to stay here.

You can watch him from here.

>> But I wanna get up close.

>> Well, use your telescope, boy.

Bring him right up to your eye.

>> Aw.

>> Sorry, Pidge.

No dice.

>> Back door locked.

How about the phone in the kitchen?

You want me to yank it?

>> No.

We don't change the pattern at all.

Give Benny a hand.

>> Mr. Baron, uh, something I don't understand.

I was in the service myself.

>> So you told me.

>> And though we made every precautionary check, we never went to extremes like this unless- >> Unless you were tipped that there was to be an attempted assassination.

>> You don't mean it.

>> I mean it.

>> But you're FBI.

Secret Service is responsible for the safety of the president.

>> We're using everybody this trip, Mr. Benson.

Have a look down there.

State troopers, your local law enforcement agencies, and us.

>> You don't know if old Dan Carney is down there, do you?

He and I worked together in the old days.

He's chief of the presidential staff now.

>> That's confidential information.

>> This is a terrible thing.

>> That's your worry, Mr Benson.

>> Of course it's my worry.

I'm an American, ain't I?

It's everybody's worry.

>> Car.

Somebody's driving up to the house.

>> Who is it?

(car doors slamming) >> Pidge: It's Tod!

>> Ellen: He's the sheriff, Mr. Baron.

>> There's someone with him.

>> Who's with him?

>> Well, I don't know.

I've never seen him before.

(train whistle blaring) >> Well, for the love of Mike.

>> What?

>> Well, if it isn't old Dan Carney, gray as an old shirt and red in the face as ever.

(chuckles) (doorbell rings) >> Hi, Pop.

(men chuckling) Got an old friend of yours here.

>> Dan, you dirty old Irishman.

Dan Carney.

>> Hello, Pop, how are you?

It's grand to see you.

Hey, why aren't you dead?

>> Oh, buzzards like me live forever.

Hey, old hawk eye, you're getting bald.

>> Now just what do you expect after 25 years?

(men laughing) >> Come on in, come on in.

Make yourself at home.

This is my daughter-in-law.

>> How do you do?

>> Hello.

>> That's my grandson, Pidge.

>> Hiya, Pidge.

>> Pidge, this is Mr. Carney.

Secret Service.

He guards the president.

>> Like Mr. Baron?

>> Who?

>> Baron.

Oh, you didn't know.

Your boys got here ahead of you.

>> Sheriff!

(gun firing) (Ellen screams) >> Mom!

(gun fires) >> One sound from the kid, Pop, and he's dead.

(train whistle blaring) (train signal dinging) >> Train muffled it.

(gun rustling) Get rid of him.

Put him in the cellar.

And you'd better take the rug with you.

It's a giveaway.

You get the message, brave boy?

>> Mom!

Mom!

>> Pidge, now you've gotta be still.

No noise.

>> You stink!

>> Pidge, shut up.

>> Guts.

>> He's only eight.

>> Lots of guts.

(Ellen groans) >> Mom.

(Ellen sighs) >> No trouble with you.

You're all busted up.

(Ellen groans) All right.

Take care of her.

You've got it now.

Let's be practical.

I don't want any more shooting around here.

I want it nice and quiet and cozy.

Now get her up and bring her around and explain to her that one phony and she's got a kid with his throat cut.

Doesn't make much noise that way.

(Ellen groans) The same goes for you too.

Anybody steps out of line, the boy.

That's simple enough.

(Ellen sobs) >> Ellen.

Ellen, listen to me.

Ellen, pay attention!

Now listen to me and don't look like that!

Everybody is all right.

You've got to get ahold of yourself.

No matter what happens, you've got to hang on.

If you scream or make one false move, he'll murder the boy.

(Ellen whimpers) You understand?

He'll murder Pidge.

>> Did you hear him, lady?

>> Yes.

Yes.

>> Good.

Now we're all in accord.

All right, all right.

Inside.

We've got a long time to wait.

Relax.

Pull the kitchen table in front of the window.

All right, sit down, sit down.

Look at your TV.

>> It ain't working.

>> Well, work him over then.

Fix him up.

Don't sit there waiting to blow your cork.

Keep yourselves occupied.

I gotta think.

(objects clattering) >> Tod, Tod, are you badly hurt?

>> Pop: Bullet hit the bone.

Broke it, I guess.

He's bled a lot.

>> We need a doctor.

Look at his face.

>> (sighs) Tell her, Pop.

>> You're the doctor, Ellen.

We can't have no doctor.

>> We can't set a broken arm.

>> Tough.

>> Can you?

>> Me?

>> Straighten this fracture.

>> You couldn't take it.

>> You straighten it.

>> Hold on, brave boy.

(bone snaps) Tie it up.

>> May we take him into the bedroom?

>> Sure, but the boy stays here.

And leave the door open.

All right, let's go to work.

(objects clattering) (shirt ripping) >> Pop, we've got to do something.

>> Yeah, I know, I know, but what, what?

>> They've got Pidge.

>> Ellen, none of us count, not even Pidge.

>> We haven't got a chance.

>> As long as we're alive, we've got a chance.

We've got to find a flaw in his plan.

>> We'll think of something.

>> Pop, haven't you got a gun?

>> Gun?

Yeah, right in the drawer.

My gun.

>> Is it loaded?

>> No.

>> Tod!

>> I hid the cartridges on account of Pidge.

>> You're a dirty, lousy gangster!

>> Why, you- >> Leave him alone, Benny.

>> Did you hear what you said?

>> Yeah, I heard what he said.

He's been looking at too much television.

He ain't a bad squirt.

>> Just tell him to shut up!

>> Sure, sure.

(table knocking) This thing's metal.

>> Steel top, chrome legs.

>> I figured wood.

No difference.

Use the brackets.

Screw 'em to the leg and then to the floor.

That way the table won't dance.

>> You're a coward!

You're a bunch of cowards!

>> And you're getting too fresh, so button it.

>> Johnny, why all the trouble?

Big deal.

This is a lot of work.

>> Do it, Benny.

>> But Johnny, I don't see why we- >> I said just do it, Benny!

Once you get the gun anchored, you've got a solid base.

You'll see when we get to it.

This gun's got a heavy recoil and won't stand still.

And we got just three seconds to nail the president.

(tools whirring) And I don't want the table to shimmy when we get to it.

>> A Tommy gun would do just as good.

>> The Tommy gun stinks.

No accuracy, no punch.

Might as well use a revolver.

(gun tapping) This is the gun.

When I was in the army- >> So I wasn't in the army.

>> Tighter, tighter.

Pop, you find those cartridges yet?

>> Not yet.

>> This is quite a gun, Benny, quite a gun.

I did a lot of chopping in the war with a baby like this, a lot of chopping.

(gun slams) (tools whirring) You're wrong about me, Pidge, being a coward.

Last war, I got a silver star.

North of Casino, Park of the Resistance.

I killed 27 men all by myself.

I won a silver star, a medal.

>> Aw, you stole it.

(hand slaps) >> (gasps) They're hurting Pidge.

>> All right.

Take it easy, take it easy.

>> Get up in this chair.

>> Johnny, take it easy.

>> John: And stay there.

>> Johnny, relax.

For the love of Mike, what's a silver star?

>> I won it.

>> OK, Johnny.

OK, you won it.

>> I got 'em!

>> They've been in there a long time.

>> Yeah, get 'em back in here.

>> What are you all trying to pull?

(Pop clears throat) All of you, inside.

Come on, come on.

>> Feeling better?

>> Yeah.

>> You're lucky.

He didn't mean to wing you.

He meant to blow your brains out.

>> Mm, he's a bad shot.

>> Yeah, but I'm not, so maybe you'd better sit down and stay there.

That way it'll be safer for everybody.

You've got that duty look in your eye.

I've seen it up on the line.

>> The line?

You up on the line?

>> Some other time.

Down.

Bart, you fool!

>> What?

>> His car's out front.

Put it in the garage, quick!

I have to think of everything.

>> Oh, great.

Just great.

>> Might as well advertise.

>> That was a close one.

(birds chirping) >> Hot in here.

(car engine rumbling) (clock ticking) See what time it is?

All right, suppose you tell me what happens in this house on a Saturday afternoon between 4:00 and 5:00.

>> Pattern.

>> Smart guy.

Sure, and we don't break that pattern.

We're here for a reason, and if we break it, we might blow the deal, you know?

>> Mario slings the paper over the fence around 4:30 or so.

>> John: Delivery boy.

Does he come in?

Anyone else?

>> Simon went up the mountain hunting jackrabbits.

He'll be by on his way back.

>> Will he stop?

>> Not unless he's got something to brag about.

>> Anybody else?

>> Nobody.

>> Anybody know that you and the other guy were coming up here?

>> That's an interesting question.

>> What's the interesting answer?

>> You guess.

>> Tell him, Tod.

>> Sheriff, if you think I have any qualms about killing this kid, you couldn't be more wrong.

The thing about killing him or you or her or him is that I wouldn't be getting paid for it, and I don't like giving anything away for free.

>> Neither do I, including information.

(door closes) >> Your guts are showing all over the place, brave boy.

>> No, no, not me.

I'm scared.

You see, the way I figure it, Baron, I'm a dead man anyway.

So is the boy, so is Ellen, so is Pop.

It's just a question of now or later.

And if it gives the president a bit of an edge, why then, we get it now.

>> They won't hurt us.

They won't hurt Pidge.

He said so.

>> Because it's convenient, Ellen.

You think these crums would kill the president and then take off, leaving us behind to identify them?

>> You said you wouldn't hurt Pidge.

>> Sure, sure, and I meant it.

Don't listen to this guy.

He's just being brave with your kid's life.

I knew guys like that in the army.

We're just doing a job.

That's all.

Identifying us is not involved.

By seven o'clock tonight, we'll be out of the country, and you'll never see us again.

>> Tell him, Tod.

Tell him.

>> Never mind, lady.

We'll just assume that they knew he was coming up here, so's if somebody else comes up to check on him, you can tell him the sheriff and his friend were here, but they had to go someplace else.

That's all.

>> I have to go to the bathroom.

>> Go with him, Bart.

>> I don't need any help.

>> Come on, come on.

>> OK. Table screwed down.

>> All right.

Get the tripod up there, drill a hole in each leg, bolt the tripod to the table, put it center in front of window.

I thought I told you to sit down.

>> Just stretching my legs.

You're a very careful man.

>> That's right.

>> Plan on everything, huh?

>> Sheriff, the first man they shoot to the moon on a rocket will take pains, too, because that's never been done before.

Neither has this.

>> Doesn't that worry you?

>> Haven't got time to worry.

I just make my plans and carry 'em out.

>> That's what John Wilkes Booth thought too.

>> Booth?

(scoffs) I'm no actor, busting my leg on a stage, so I can yell, "Down with the tyrants."

If Booth wasn't such a ham, he might have made it.

He got pretty far at that though.

>> The guy who killed Garfield didn't make it either.

>> Him?

(scoffs) He didn't plan anything, just took a lucky shot.

Strictly left handed, just like McKinley.

>> And Zangara got the chair for his try at Roosevelt.

>> He had to try it in a crowd.

I hate crowds.

>> So nobody ever made it.

>> Up 'til here.

I'm just a guy making a living, and I think you've stretched long enough.

As you were.

Bart, take over Benny's work.

>> OK. >> Benny?

>> Yeah, Johnny?

>> Go downtown, see what's going on down there, especially the station plan.

Leave the car here.

>> Why me?

>> Because Wheeler can fly a plane, and you can't.

>> Oh, but me, I'm expendable, huh?

>> No.

I just don't want anything to happen to Wheeler.

>> Well, why can't I take the car?

>> Because if they nail you, Benny, we need the car to get to the plane.

>> Johnny, that place is crawling with- >> You're getting paid, ain't you?

>> Yeah.

>> You can't say you ain't getting enough.

>> I'll be back.

>> Johnny.

(dramatic orchestral music) Look.

Nice and steady, just like you wanted.

(birds chirping) >> Open the curtain.

>> Trap.

Big, beautiful booby trap.

>> You can't do this.

You can't do it.

>> You're wrong, lady.

Take a look.

Go on.

Take a look.

I can do it, and I'm going to do it.

>> But you're an American citizen.

>> Sure.

And at one minute after 5:00, I'm gonna be a very rich American citizen.

>> You'll never get away with it.

>> Shut up.

>> I got a stomachache.

>> Take a pill.

>> Maybe the old man's right, Johnny.

It's a terrible thing.

A terrible thing.

>> Turn it off, will you?

Just another man.

A man.

>> But the president!

>> Yeah.

Yeah, I never killed a president before.

(horn honking) Who's that?

>> That's Jud Kelly.

Television set went on the blink.

Ellen sent for him to come and fix it, so that the boy could watch the ball game.

>> Why didn't you tell me?

>> Well, we simply forgot.

He's a harmless boy, Baron.

Don't hurt him.

>> OK, but if you cross me up- >> He won't.

He won't.

>> All right, Pop.

You've got the ball.

Let him in, but watch it.

>> Ellen, we've gotta keep this man talking.

>> Why?

>> Why, because that's his weakness.

Sooner or later, he'll drop his guard.

Gotta find a way to get Pop's gun.

>> Hi, Pop.

What's new?

>> Hello, Jud.

>> Figured I'd better get up and fix your rig before you electrocuted yourself.

>> Come on in.

>> Tod, what happened to you?

>> Ask him.

>> Same thing'll happen to you, unless you do exactly as you're told.

>> You're kidding.

Is that real?

>> It's real, all right.

>> What's your name?

>> Jud Kelly.

>> What are you doing here?

>> (chuckles) I came to fix the television set.

>> Drop it.

(toolbox thuds) All right, Bart.

Case him.

>> I don't have any dough if that's what you want.

What is this, a stickup?

>> Yeah, that's right.

It's a stickup.

>> You'll never get away with it.

>> Go over and sit down, Buster.

Take your luggage with you.

You too.

Sit down.

(tools rattling) >> I don't dig it.

Did they rob the bank?

What's the gun for?

What's going on?

>> Where's your store?

>> Main street.

>> Who runs it?

>> Just me.

>> All alone?

>> Do you have to point that gun at me?

>> Alone?

>> Answer him.

>> Yeah.

>> You locked up when you left?

Nobody knows you were coming here?

>> That's right.

Just a service call.

That gun makes me nervous, mister.

I'm not gonna be a hero.

You can put the gun away.

>> Sure.

But I'm telling you, Buster, like the others, one pass and the kid gets it.

That's right.

He gets it.

So you see, his life depends on you.

Got it?

>> Yeah.

(dogs barking) (birds chirping) >> Wilson?

Is Carney back yet?

>> No.

He's certainly been gone a long time.

(clock ticking) >> Maybe we ought to load the gun now to be sure, huh?

>> No.

That's just what the sheriff would like.

>> Forget about me.

I've had it.

>> Don't con me, Sheriff.

The minute this gun was loaded, one of you brave boys might decide to go for the ride just to fire it, and if you fired it, that might alert a few state cops down there and the game would be over, wouldn't it?

You got any food in the house?

>> Course I have.

>> I'm gonna grab a bite, Bart.

Watch 'em.

>> Bring me a little glass of milk, would you, Johnny?

My ulcer's murdering me.

>> Just watch 'em, Bart.

Watch 'em.

>> I don't dig it.

Would somebody tell me what's going on?

>> Sit down!

Be quiet.

(train whistle blaring) >> (gasps) Haven't you any feelings at all?

>> No, I haven't, lady.

They were taken out of me by experts.

Feelings a traps.

Show me a guy with feelings, and I'll show you a sucker.

It's a weakness.

Makes you think of something besides yourself.

If I had any feelings left in me at all they'd be for me, just me.

>> Don't do ever think of your mother, your father?

>> Think of 'em?

(scoffs) I used to think of 'em a great deal.

My mother wasn't married.

My old man was a dipso.

They left me in a home.

A home.

When I was a kid, I swore that one day, I'd kill them both.

But I didn't have to.

They drank themselves to death.

Feelings?

(chuckles) The experts took care of that.

>> Oh, it's no use.

It's no use.

>> You stink!

>> Johnny!

>> Pidge, come back here!

(chair rattling) >> The kid!

>> Hold it.

>> Pidge!

Pidge!

>> Get him.

>> Stick 'em up, or I'll blast you.

>> Nice going, Bart.

>> It's only a cap pistol.

>> I gave it to him myself.

>> Don't you touch her, darn you!

>> I ought to beat his brains out, the little- (John laughing) What's so funny?

>> You should have seen your face!

A cap pistol!

>> Go ahead.

Laugh yourself sick.

>> That's a pretty good model, though, isn't it?

They make 'em real today, don't they?

Here you are, Pidge.

Blow his brains out.

(toy gun popping) Couple of big, bold, bad men getting scared to death by a six bit cap pistol.

>> Bart: I ought to beat that kid.

>> I'm not sure that he couldn't take it.

Go put the milk on your ulcer and bring me (chuckles) a piece of the cake.

>> Yeah, I need some milk.

Pain's pretty bad.

Where's Benny?

Why don't we hear from Benny?

>> Sit.

>> If this isn't a stickup, what is it?

>> Did you come up here to fix the television set, Junior?

>> Yeah.

>> Well then fix the television set.

>> Tod, what's going on?

>> They're planning to assassinate the president, Jud.

>> Which president?

>> The president of the United States.

He arrives here this afternoon.

>> (chuckles) You're kidding.

No, no.

You're not kidding.

The president?

Kill the president?

They can't.

They couldn't do a thing like that.

>> They're stinking traitors.

They're Benedict Arnolds.

>> Are you guys crazy?

You can't do a thing like that.

>> John: Sit down, reckless.

>> Don't you realize what that means?

That's assassination.

He's your president too.

>> Make a deal with you, boy.

We kill you instead of the president.

That's even-steven.

OK with you?

Thought not.

Anybody else want to take the heat off the president?

How about you, Sheriff?

>> It's a bad joke, Baron.

>> Anybody else wanna volunteer?

>> They're Commies.

They're enemy agents!

(John laughs) >> All right.

Who is behind it, Baron?

>> I haven't the slightest idea.

>> Well, what's in it for you?

>> You're curious, aren't you, Sheriff?

>> While I last.

>> I like you, Sheriff.

You got guts.

You must have been a good soldier.

>> I got by.

>> I won a silver star.

>> That's pretty good.

>> Killed 27 Jerries all by myself.

>> You're a born killer.

That's all.

>> Yeah.

>> Some guys liked it.

I know a couple.

Funny thing.

In the war, you do a lot of chopping, and you get a medal for it.

You come back and do the same thing, and they fry you for it.

>> Hard to match up, isn't it, Baron?

Just when you get real good at something, you're a murderer.

(train signal dinging) >> Yeah.

Over there, you can knock over a whole platoon.

Or a guy invents a bomb and kills 100,000 people just like that, and maybe gets more medals.

(train whistle blaring) >> Here, you put a slug in a double crossing squirt that isn't even worth burying, you have to take the gas.

>> Smiley Bitters?

>> That's right.

>> You mean they got to him before he died?

>> Yes, Baron, they got to him, and he talked!

What do you think those troopers are doing down there?

Why do you think Carney- >> Who's Carney?

>> The man you murdered.

>> Oh, him.

>> Murdered?

Where?

>> Right down the hall.

>> Knock it off, Sheriff!

So they know about me.

Sure.

If Smiley talked, they know about me.

>> This isn't good, Johnny.

>> Of course it's good.

We not only get the loot, we get the glory too.

>> Baron, why do you hate the president so?

>> John: I got no feeling against the president.

I'm just earning a living.

>> By treason.

>> (indistinct) craps.

Don't give me that politics jazz.

It's not my racket.

I don't even know who's paying me, and I don't wanna know.

What's the difference?

>> Didn't it occur to you why they want you to do?

>> Certainly it did, but that makes them suckers, not me.

I'm the guy who's getting it made.

Listen, Sheriff, a man can stand for so much and no more.

Why, before the war, I drifted and drifted and ran, always lost in a great big crowd.

I hated that crowd.

I used to dream about the crowd once in awhile.

I used to see all those faces scratching and shoving and biting.

And then the mist would clear, and somehow, all those faces would be me, all me and all nothing.

>> But the war changed everything, eh, Baron?

>> I'm no traitor, Sheriff.

I won a silver star.

>> And learned how to kill.

>> Yeah.

Maybe I did.

Maybe that changed everything.

Maybe people began to know who I was.

After the show, I hooked up with an outfit for good dough.

The finger said where and how much, and Johnny Baron did the job.

You think anybody else could handle this job?

You think Benny or Wheeler could do it without me?

>> You're talking too much, Johnny!

>> There's nobody else can do this job, because they got too much feeling.

And feeling's no good.

I got nothing against the president, Sheriff.

He's just worth a half a million bucks to me, tax free.

Making my own laws about the taxes too, Pop.

>> The guy is goofy.

>> Shut up, Jud.

>> Listen to him, Buster, and don't ever say that again.

Ever!

>> You heard him, Jud.

Uh, half a million dollars, huh?

>> Yeah.

That's a lot of scratch, Sheriff.

A man could retire on that amount of scratch.

>> How do you know it'll ever be paid?

>> Half of it's been paid.

>> And the rest?

(gun taps) >> I'll get it.

>> I wouldn't be sure.

It's not just a man.

It's the president.

>> That's what's so funny.

The laugh is on the guys who are paying the freight.

All this loot, and they don't even know what they're doing.

A half a million clams for absolutely nothing, because tonight at five o'clock, I kill the president, and one second after 5:00, there's a new president.

What changes?

Nothing.

What are they paying for?

Nothing.

Otherwise, I wouldn't have taken the job, Sheriff.

>> You'd have taken it.

>> You think so?

>> Yeah.

>> Why?

(telephone ringing) All right, take it easy.

Come on, lady.

Do as your told and everything will be fine.

Answer straight, clean, and plain.

Answer it.

>> Hello?

>> Benny: Mrs. Benson, let me speak to the chief.

>> Benny?

>> Yeah.

Train's on time.

The car'll be waking in front of the station like you figured, facing you.

>> Fine.

Get back as soon as you can and don't be followed.

>> Benny: Check.

(dramatic orchestral music) >> There's the big boy's car now.

Lovely target.

>> Hey.

Hold it, mister.

>> Yes, officer.

What is it?

>> What's your name?

>> Fred.

Fred Whitaker.

>> What are you doing in town?

>> Just passing through.

>> Where's your car?

>> I don't have one.

I hitchhiked in from Three Rivers, waiting for the train out.

Figured I'd take the train on to L.A. >> What train?

>> The five o'clock.

>> The five o'clock?

Now, that's right strange.

>> Why, officer?

>> Because we don't have any five o'clock train that stops here, mister, except today, and that happens to be a special, that you don't know about, except that you do.

>> Must be some mistake.

>> You made it.

>> Oh now, look, officer.

I, I got identification.

I can prove who I am.

I got my driver's license right here.

(gun fires) >> Come on!

(gun fires) (siren wailing) (guns firing) >> Gunfire.

(guns firing) (siren wailing) (Benny groaning) (tires screeching) (gun firing) >> Hold it!

Don't shoot him!

(gun firing) (Benny screams) I told you not to kill him.

>> Not to kill him?

After he- >> He was our only link.

Come on.

>> So long, Benny.

>> You think they got him?

>> I only hope he's dead.

>> Haggerty!

>> Yes, sir?

>> We got him.

Dead, unfortunately.

Wasn't Carney's last checkpoint the house on the hill?

>> Haggerty: That's right, but he and the sheriff were gonna check the White Springs Ranch route too.

We haven't been able to reach them.

>> Well, take two troopers and backtrack 'em.

Start with the house on the hill.

We've got to find Carney.

>> Right.

>> Now we got trouble.

Everybody except Mrs. Benson down in the cellar.

>> What are you gonna do?

>> Nothing, I hope.

Move.

Anybody gets brave, kill 'em all.

You can only hang once.

(door closes) >> Bad step there.

>> Now, look.

Get a grip on yourself.

I want you to look relaxed.

If you don't pull this off, everybody is dead.

Do you understand?

All of us, dead.

So be yourself.

>> I don't know what you mean.

>> They'll come up here to check whether Carney and the sheriff were here, and I want you to go out front.

I don't want 'em in the house.

>> I can't.

I don't know how.

I don't know what to say.

>> Just go out and water the flowers.

Do anything you like, but keep busy.

(siren wailing) (Ellen gasps) Lipstick and rouge, quick.

Now listen to me carefully.

They'll come up to check whether Carney and the sheriff were here.

Certainly, they were here.

They came up to check the house, but at three o'clock, they left here.

They went out on the White Springs Ranch Road.

They took Pop and the kid with 'em, and that's the last you saw of them, you got it?

You got it?

>> Yes, yes.

>> Think you look like a ghost.

Step on it.

Pull it off, lady, or everybody is dead.

Everybody.

(sirens wailing) >> He's getting rattled, Pop.

>> How do you mean?

>> He didn't expect Benny to get shot.

>> Got anything in mind?

>> Maybe.

Now listen- >> Shut up, you guys.

(dogs barking) (birds chirping) >> Mrs. Benson?

>> Yes.

>> My name's Haggerty.

>> Then you must be one of Mr. Carney's men.

>> That's right.

Has he been here?

>> Ellen: I haven't seen them since they left.

They, they came up here about three o'clock to check the house.

They said, uh, I don't know why.

>> Who is "They"?

>> Why, Mr. Carney and Sheriff Shaw.

Then they said they had to check the White Springs Ranch Road.

>> Is your father-in-law, Mr. Benson, here?

>> Well, no.

No, he isn't.

You see, he used to be Mr. Carney's chief.

>> Haggerty: Yes, I know.

>> So Mr. Carney took him along.

My little boy too.

>> Haggerty: Then you're alone?

>> Yes.

>> And you haven't heard from them since they left?

>> No.

No, I haven't.

Something's wrong.

I know something's wrong.

>> No, no, Mrs. Benson.

Nothing's wrong.

We're, uh, we're just checking.

That's all.

But if you see or hear from them before I do, please have 'em check the detail down at the railroad station.

It's very important.

Thanks.

(birds chirping) (dogs barking) >> All right, lady.

Inside.

Come on, come on.

Very nice.

Very nice job.

Congratulations.

You don't like me, do you?

>> You're an animal.

>> I don't like you either.

>> Animals kill each other to live.

That's what you're doing.

>> How do you like your roast beef?

Medium rare or well done?

(John chuckling) All right, Bart.

Run 'em in, it's clear.

>> I wish you were dead.

>> You haven't got the guts.

>> Just give me a chance.

>> Here's your chance.

Go ahead.

Take it.

But remember the squirt in the cellar.

(Ellen sobs) (gun thuds) >> That's right.

Think of the president first.

Let's not think of ourselves.

I didn't give you a whole chance, but you didn't even take half a chance.

>> Everything OK, Johnny?

>> Sure.

Everything's fine.

She played her part real good.

Should be in television.

You!

Didn't I tell you to fix the television set?

>> You told me to sit.

>> Get your stuff and fix it.

It'll keep you from getting patriotic.

>> If I don't do something, I'll blow my top just sitting here.

>> Fix the set and shut your mouth.

I don't like what you say anyway.

Now fix it.

We've still got time.

(clock ticking) Floor's yours.

Open 'em.

About 200 yards.

>> Tod: Baron, isn't that a German rifle?

>> Yeah.

You know it?

>> Yeah, I know it.

Where were you during the war?

>> All the way from the Kasserine Pass.

I won a silver star.

Where were you?

>> Normandy to the Elbe, by way of the Bulge.

You get up into Germany?

>> No.

Bet you were one of those big shot guys, huh, with the gold bar on the shoulder.

>> No, no.

I was a corporal.

How about you?

>> Corporal?

I made sergeant.

>> You didn't like officers?

>> Officers.

Big shots.

Yes sir, no sir, salute, sir.

(spits) Big shots.

>> You don't like big shots.

>> Not when you're bigger, Sheriff.

I killed more Jerries than any five officers put together.

I did some pretty good chopping in the war, pretty good.

>> Like I said before, you're a born killer, that's all.

>> Yeah.

They taught me how, and I liked it.

(laughs) My CO used to stand there and shake like a leaf while I chopped.

If more guys like me had- >> Tell me one thing, Baron.

How come you missed Germany?

>> They sent me home.

My tour was finished.

>> Your tour?

In the infantry?

Are you kidding?

Why, you finish a tour in the infantry, when they plant you in a box.

"Tour."

That was for the air corps.

>> Turn it off.

>> Yeah.

You probably went over the hill.

>> I said turn it off.

>> You know, Baron, you've got the yard look.

You look yard bird to me.

>> I'm telling you, Sheriff, turn it off.

>> Big shot with the yard birds, huh?

Come on now, tell me.

Where were you court martialed?

What was it for?

Rape?

No, no, not rape.

Killing.

That's what you like, killing.

Maybe shooting down (indistinct), huh?

>> Sit down and shut up.

>> But, by golly, you got away with it, so.

I got it.

Section 8.

You went out on a Section 8.

Section 8.

Psycho in charge of killing, huh?

You know, I knew guys like you.

Killing was sweet.

Rather kill a man than love a girl.

A real kick.

The thrill with the guts.

>> Stop it, Tod, stop it!

>> Or maybe you didn't like your CO. Maybe you shot him in the back, that it?

Maybe you killed.

(screams) >> Like I said, shut up!

>> Tod.

Tod, darling, it's hopeless.

>> (groans) It's not five o'clock yet.

>> Gonna keep your trap shut?

>> Yeah.

>> Hurts, huh?

>> It hurts.

>> Well, I can keep kicking, as long as you keep shooting your face off.

>> Tod: I know.

>> Pop, you were right.

You blew the power tube.

I have one here.

I'll have her perking in a second.

>> You know, I was thinking, Jud, if you were to clamp the main plate lead to a good ground like that table there, we'd get a better picture.

A lot of lines in it now.

Clamp the main plate lead (dramatic orchestral music) to the table, cut the static lines.

>> Expert?

First, he wrecks the set, and then he tells the kid how to fix it.

>> Main plate lead?

Yeah?

>> That's right, Jud.

All it needs is a high potential ground.

We're a long way from the broadcasting station.

>> What are you guys yapping about?

>> Technical talk, mister.

I'm an old radio man.

Battleship New York, World War I.

>> Gramps beat the Germans single-handed.

>> Not exactly, son, but I was there at Scapa Flow, when the German fleet surrendered.

>> All right, all right.

Stop the bulling.

And fix that set, will you?

>> Yes, sir.

>> Oh.

(groans) >> Dad!

Dad, what is it?

>> Pain bad.

>> What hit him?

>> It's his heart.

He has a bad heart.

>> Pidge, my pills.

Top drawer of the bureau.

>> I'll get 'em.

>> You stay put!

The kid'll get 'em.

(suspenseful music) >> Pidge, put down that gun and get some water for your grandfather.

>> But, Mom, listen.

>> Ellen: You heard me, Pidge.

>> Oh gee.

>> You know what I think, Pop?

I got a feeling your heart attack's a phony.

>> Pain's bad.

>> I'm warning, if you're trying to pull something, you'd better watch it.

>> Baron, I've been thinking.

>> You've been thinking you'd like to take a crack at this rifle.

>> Do you think I wanna get myself killed?

>> Yes.

And frankly, Sheriff, I don't think you'd mind getting yourself killed.

>> Tod: Nobody wants to die.

>> Bart: Do we have to talk about it?

Why don't you shut up.

>> No guts.

>> Nerves.

That's all.

It gets on my nerves.

>> Tod: Now, why would I want to get myself killed?

>> Because it's five minutes to 5:00, and a shot might bring those state troopers storming all over the joint before the president arrives.

But, Sheriff, I can put you away in two seconds by twisting your arm again.

That way's no noise.

So don't go winning any post-mortem medals.

>> I wouldn't enjoy winning a post-mortem medal anymore than you're going to enjoy that post mortem money.

>> What'd you say?

>> What'd he say?

>> I said nobody ever made it, and you won't either.

>> You don't think so?

>> So you've got a plane.

You'll never reach it ahead of the police, and if you do, you'll never make it to the border.

You ever hear of the jet fighter?

You know how many airstrips there are between here and the border?

>> You know, a fellow could get an education just listening to this guy?

>> But maybe he's right- >> Look, you said half the money had already been paid.

A smart guy would hit the road right now, fly outta here, skip the president, spend the money in South America, alive.

>> He's right, Johnny.

Why take the risk?

We can lam now.

We can make it.

We don't have to fool with this thing.

It's too big, Johnny.

There's something wrong with it.

>> Chicken.

>> Chicken?

All right, so call it chicken.

Who wants to be rich and dead?

They'll get us.

They haven't missed yet, Johnny.

The guy's right.

You've got the loot.

Let's take off and get out of here for good.

Once we're across the- >> (indistinct) craps.

>> So, Benny wasn't chicken.

They didn't waste any time on him.

I tell you, we haven't got a chance.

>> Turn it off, Bart.

You're embarrassing me in front of the sheriff.

>> But, Johnny, even if we swing it, he's the president.

They'll never give up.

>> And you don't figure that the guys who are paying off are just gonna let you fly away, do you?

They'll be after you just like the Secret Service.

>> I thought of that too, Sheriff.

It might be an internationally embarrassing situation if the feds happen to catch up with us first.

>> So, Bart, you've just gotta realize that everybody's gonna be on your tail, from five o'clock until the day you die.

>> There's a hole in your argument, Sheriff.

>> Oh?

What is it?

>> We're already wanted for murder, so you can only take the gas once.

>> Bart: They'll get us, Johnny.

>> They won't get us, Bart.

Not us.

>> You sure, Johnny?

>> You leave it to me.

>> You're sick, man.

You're sick.

>> I don't like that.

>> Don't play God, just because you've got a gun.

(dramatic orchestral music) >> But you see, Sheriff, that's the way it is.

When you've got a gun, you are a sort of god.

If you had the gun, I'd be the chump and you'd be the god.

The gun gives you the power of life and death.

It's a funny sort of feeling to have control of life and death.

You must have had it during the war.

You could miss a man if you had a mind to, or you could kill him dead in its tracks.

And that made you kind of God, and I liked it.

Without the gun, I'm nothing.

And I never had anything before I got one.

First time I got one in my hands and killed a man, I got some self respect.

I was somebody.

Like this kid over here.

If that cap pistol was a real gun, and I didn't have a gun, he'd be a kind of a god too.

And if I wanted my life, I'd worship the ground he walks on, and I'd pay him a half a million dollars for my life, because life is all I have.

(desk bangs) But the squirt doesn't have the gun.

I have.

And I can loose the lightning.

>> Announcer On TV: The ninth inning.

The score's all tied up, 5-5.

>> No noise.

Just pictures.

>> Announcer On TV: For the first time this season.

(TV blaring) (glass clattering) (water splashing) >> Bart: Butterfingers.

>> Announcer On TV: They're gonna have that pennant two years in a row.

Now we pause briefly for station ident.

>> You're wrong about God and the gun, Sheriff.

Without the gun, you would never spit at me.

You would never have even noticed me.

But because of the gun, you'll remember me as long as you live.

(suspenseful music) (train whistle blaring) >> Where is it now?

>> Blowing for the 66 crossing, outside town.

>> All right.

Nobody moves.

This is it.

You, over there.

>> Hey, Johnny, let me see once.

>> We're gonna do it, Bart.

This is my meat.

We're gonna do it.

>> Just to see.

(train whistle blaring) (fire erupts) (Bart screaming) (gun firing) (Ellen screams) >> Return fire!

(guns firing) (glass shattering) (electricity buzzing) (guns firing) (gun fires) (lamp crashing) (guns firing) (train whistle blaring) Hold your fire!

(train whistle blaring) (John groans) (gun fires) (glass shatters) >> Tod: Kid!

(gun fires) (train whistle blaring) >> It didn't stop.

(train whistle blaring) It didn't stop!

It didn't stop!

(gun fires) (John groans) (gun fires) (John groans) No.

Don't.

No.

Please no.

No.

No.

(dramatic orchestral music) >> Are you sure you're gonna be all right, Mr. Benson?

(soft orchestral music) >> Oh, don't worry about me, Mr. Wilson.

I'll be right.

I don't need any nursemaid.

>> I'm certainly grateful to you.

>> How come the train went right through the station?

>> We simply canceled the stopover.

We couldn't take a chance on the president's safety, once it was proven the assassins were in town.

The president went on to Los Angeles.

>> Missed the station, huh?

>> (chuckles) I'm afraid so.

>> Someday, those guys are gonna stop taking you for amateurs, huh, Mr. Wilson?

>> I hope not.

Well, thanks again, Mr. Benson.

>> Not at all.

>> You too, young man.

>> Oh, that's all right.

Someday, I'm gonna be a bodyguard just like you.

>> Nonsense, boy.

You're gonna grow up to be president, and presidents have bodyguards.

>> And grandpops?

>> And grandpops.

Especially grandpops.

(melancholy music) >> Ellen.

>> How's Jud?

>> He didn't make it.

>> And Slim?

>> Critical, but they think he'll be all right.

>> I guess somebody had to make them stick.

>> What?

>> Something Dad said this morning, about principles.

Get in, Tod.

I'll drive you home.

>> No thanks.

I've got to go over to the office.

>> Can I pick you up for church tomorrow?

>> Yeah.

That'd be swell.

(engine rumbling) (tires screeching) >> Say, Officer?

>> Yeah?

>> Man: Could you tell me the way to Three Rivers?

>> Uh, you go down to the first intersection.

You turn left.

It's about 60 miles.

>> Thanks.

What's this town?

>> Suddenly.

>> Suddenly what?

>> (chuckles) No, that's the name.

>> That's a funny name for a town.

(engine rumbling) >> Oh, I don't know.

I don't know about that.

(bright orchestral music) (dramatic orchestral music) Hey, it's Kris and Rob, and we are still down here in the basement.

We hope you enjoyed the movie just as much as we did.

Rob, your recently finished Truck Town, about International Harvester here in Fort Wayne.

Have you been working on anything else?

Well, in honor of 2025 being our station's 50th anniversary, I did the documentary called Celebrating 50 Years in the Neighborhood: PBS Fort Wayne.

Turns out our history is pretty interesting.

And I also work with the production staff on programs and documentaries and live shows.

Usually when we're here in the studio like this, I'm floor directing these segments, which is probably why they go so well.

That's right.

You are the glue that holds us together, Rob.

Oh, don't forget to tell them about next week's movie.

Yeah, I got it.

Next time around, we have Pot O Gold starring Jimmy Stewart and Paulette Goddard, and we'll have a new guest host so Rob can be on the other side of the cameras.

Tune in next week for Subterranean Cinema.

It's only on PBS Fort Wayne.