(dramatic music) (film clicking) (gentle music) (dramatic music) (gentle music) (suspenseful music) (gentle music) (dramatic music) (gentle music) (dramatic music) (triumphant music) >> Man: We're all ready to shoot, Mr. Coffee.

>> Man: Ready whenever you are.

(ropes snapping) (door thudding) >> Say Henry, the rope you gave us for that last hanging bounced that guy up and down like he was on a rubber band.

>> Williams only weighs 134.

>> Add in a couple of pounds for breakfast, the way those guys always eat, that brings it up to 136.

Maybe it'll help you to get the spring out of it.

We want this one's neck broke.

>> All right.

(glass crashing) >> Hey, what's the idea of throwing things out of the window?

>> Quit playing with that gallows.

How do you expect us to do any work?

>> Cut out that yelling.

(man spits) I'll get the sheriff after you tramps.

>> (laughs) Ain't much respect for the press around here.

How's the wife, Ed, any better?

>> Worse.

With me having to hang around all day and all night waiting for them to hang that cuckoo.

>> Hard work, all right.

>> Crack it for dime.

Hey Schwartz, what'll you do?

>> By me.

What time is it anyway?

>> 12:30.

(Ernie gargling) >> Stay.

>> Me too.

>> Mike: These cards are like washrags.

>> Wilson: Let's chip in and get a new deck.

>> Schwartz: These are good enough for me.

I'm $0.80 out already.

(gentle music) >> Mayborough 1059.

(phone ringing) Hey, take this phone.

(phone ringing) Ernie, you aren't doing anything.

(phone ringing) Oh, are you guys crippled or something?

Criminal Court Building, press room.

Uh, just a minute, please.

Hello, Sarge.

McCue.

Yeah, I told him.

Anything doing?

All right.

Thank you, Sarge.

Two germs.

Say Ernie, why don't you take your instrument into the library and play it?

(gentle music) Hello, is this the home of Mrs. F.D.

Margolies?

This is Mr. McCue at the City News Bureau.

Is it true, madame, that you were the victim of a peeping Tom?

>> Ask her if she's worth peeping at.

>> Oh, no, madame, that ain't the right attitude to take.

All we want is the facts.

>> Tell I can run up for an hour.

>> Tell her to come over here.

We'd like to reenact the crime.

>> Just a minute, madame.

Is it true, Mrs. Margolies, that you took the part of Lady Godiva for a charity seven years ago?

Hello?

She cut off.

>> What, her hair?

Tell I'll be right over.

(phone ringing) >> Yep.

No, he'll be gone for the... Oh, oh, hello, Mr. Burns.

No, Hildy hasn't shown up yet.

Yeah, sure, Mr. Burns.

>> Hello, Bensinger.

>> I've just had an interview with Williams over in that in death house.

That jail, that jail is reeking with germs.

Oh, believe me, the Board of Health is going to hear about the conditions over there, through my paper.

It's amazing to me that those prisoners can live long enough to get hung.

What's the idea, Mac?

Say, is that the only telephone in this place?

>> The only one with a mouthpiece.

>> How many times have I got to tell you fellows to let my phone alone?

You want to talk through a mouthpiece?

Go and buy one, like I did.

>> Whitney 9000.

>> The germs of the mouth are the most contagious.

>> Oh, shut up, Listerine.

>> Whitney 9000.

>> What is this, a hospital?

>> Yeah, Roy, how's your pimple coming along?

>> Hello, Sarge.

McCue.

Anything going?

>> Say, you don't have to use my desk for a garbage can either.

>> Say, how'd you like to stop stinking up this place with those antiseptics?

>> Yeah, anything new around the hanging, Bensinger?

>> Wilson: My deal, ain't it.

>> Hey, Zonite.

>> What is it?

>> Question before the house, the gentleman wants to know if there's anything new on the hanging?

>> Oh, nothing special.

>> Did you talk to the sheriff?

>> Why don't you get your own news?

(banjo twangs) >> Somebody ought to see the sheriff.

(phone ringing) >> Criminal Court's press room.

No, Hildy's gone to make... Oh, yes, Mr. Burns.

Why, why no, Mr. Burns.

Uh, yes, Mr. Burns.

Goodbye, Mr. Burns.

Walter Burns for Hildy again.

Something must have happened.

>> I'll tell you what's happened.

Hildy's quit.

>> Ah, nertz.

You know Hildy's a fixture on the "Morning Post."

>> Yeah, he goes with the woodwork.

>> Well, he told Lee he was going to quit.

>> Say listen, Walter Burns wouldn't let him quit.

He'd find a way to keep him here somehow.

>> Remember what he did to Fenton when he wanted to go to Hollywood?

(Murphy laughs) >> Got him into a fight and then had him thrown into jail for assault and battery.

>> McCue: And here we lie.

>> Well, if he ain't quit, why ain't he here, covering the hanging?

I wish I could quit.

>> Ready.

Nurse Isabel Zobel, Z for zebra, O for onion, B for baptize, E for anything.

L for, uh, L for what?

>> Oh, don't tell him, anybody.

>> L for Listerine.

Swedish masseuse with rooms at 608 Inverness Avenue.

Well this dame was arrested tonight on the complaint of a lot of angry wives.

They claim she's been treating their husbands with electricity at $1 a time.

>> Well, the Swedish tease is in again.

>> I understand she massages them, too.

>> Well, anyway, she's arrested.

And the station house is full of her patients claiming she's innocent.

Half the Stock Exchange is there, too, trying to provide bail.

(laughs) All right.

Main 6800.

(banjo twanging) >> Say, Ernie, why don't you take up electricity instead of that noise?

>> Oh, it's got no future.

(phone ringing) >> Press?

No, Mr. Burns, Hildy Johnson ain't.

I'm not lying, Mr. Burns.

(whistles) Walter's acting like he's burst a blood vessel.

>> Did you find Johnson, sir?

>> No.

>> Then I'll have to put another man on the job.

>> In your hat, Duffy.

I'm after that bunch of lily-livered, pockmarked, peanut politicians who think they're running this town.

And Hildy Johnson's the only man on the staff I can trust tonight.

>> But we've got to have a- >> We've got to have Johnson.

>> But you haven't got him.

(machines roaring) >> Oh, Butch.

Oh, Butch!

Oh, Butch, I want Hildy Johnson.

Tell the boys in the down front deliveries to find him and find him fast.

$50 to the man that brings him in.

Where's Diamond Louie?

>> Right there.

Hurry, we're (indistinct).

O'Rourke?

>> Hey, Louie?

Hey, Louie, come here.

>> Hi, boss.

>> Louie, Hildy Johnson's missing.

I want him.

Get going.

>> Don't worry, boss, I'll tell you when I meet him.

>> Is Hildy Johnson here?

>> He's on the wagon.

>> I ain't.

You remember me?

I was here last night with Mr. Bensley.

>> Mr. Bensley's still here.

>> Great.

(upbeat music) >> Hi.

>> Hi, baby.

Hey, Dawn, have you seen Hildy Johnson?

>> Dawn: I haven't seen that newsie in months.

>> No?

Hello, baby.

>> Hello, Edie.

I'm looking for, uh, Hildy Johnson.

>> Why?

>> Walter Burns wants to see him.

>> And I want to see Walter Burns.

>> What for?

>> $2.

>> Clerk: $2, please.

$2, please.

>> Oh, I'm sorry.

Well, darling, you're almost mine.

Honey, I'd write the society note to get a look at Walter Burns' face when he hears of this.

Oh, I'd write it for a year to see him when he hears I'm getting married.

Oh ho, ho.

I'd write if for two years to get a load of what he says when I'm leaving this town to head to New York.

(laughs) What's the matter?

>> Oh, so that's why you got that, Walter Burns.

That's why you're going to marry me, Walter Burns.

That's why you're going to New York, to spite Walter Burns.

>> Gah, honey, you're crazy.

Now listen, listen, did you ever come up out of a sewer?

Honey, did you ever come up?

Mm.

You ever come up out of a sewer and have the cool, fresh air hit you?

Well I did.

And honey, you're the cool, fresh air.

You've made a fresh air fiend out of me, dear.

And I'm not going back there unless you send me.

>> Then Hildy, you go right up to Walter Burns and resign.

>> What, and have him get his hands on me?

That's why I've been hiding out at your place, to keep away from that double-crossing maniac.

Tell you what I'll do.

I'll resign by phone.

And to get a look at that snake's face.

>> Oh, no you don't.

Here.

>> A 500 and in one bill?

>> Uncle sent it to me for a wedding present.

I wasn't going to give it to you until we got there.

But you take it.

After you take me home, you get the ticket.

Instead of getting married tonight, we'll get married tomorrow.

Instead of going to New York tomorrow, we go to New York tonight.

(traffic whooshing) (car horns honking) >> All we have to do is throw the old underwear in the trunk 24 hours earlier, that's all.

>> What is it, Mother?

>> Do you know what I think?

>> What?

>> I think you must be a sort of irresponsible type or you wouldn't do things this way.

>> Now, Mother, you stop picking on my Hildy.

>> He didn't do one little thing to help our getting away.

>> You better get busy.

>> Okay.

(people chattering) Now that's the dress you had on the first night I met you.

♪ You're the one I care for ♪ >> Here.

>> Wait a minute.

Is that the dress you had on the night you said no?

Come here.

(sirens wailing) (Hildy whistles) >> The movie house.

Boy, this could be another Iroquois Theatre.

And I could, baby, if had only a camera with me, a full page of pictures, frightful carnage, death in the "Morning Post," faulty fire exits execute hundreds, expose appears on the top of the "Morning Post."

City boy to investigate.

Oh, what a chance.

What a chance.

Listen, honey, I'm going to go downtown and get those tickets.

See that mother gets the flowers.

See you later.

>> Hildy?

(people chattering) >> Hello, Hildy.

I'd like to have a little talk with you for about 15 minutes.

>> No, not a chance, Walter, I'm quit.

>> You're not to busy to be playing around the neighborhood turning in false fire alarms.

>> What?

>> Hello, Mac.

>> Hello, Mr. Burns.

>> All right, Walter.

>> Boy, I wish I could find the guy that did this.

I'd make that box his tombstone.

>> Aren't you going to ask me how I found out where you were?

>> Ah, great scoop.

But everybody in the county has been looking, right?

>> Man: I was just in the middle of a hot meal.

>> Set them up.

>> None for me.

>> He'll take the same.

So you're leaving me for marriage.

Why?

>> None of your business.

>> How'd it happen?

>> There was a moon.

>> Well, I guess that lets me out.

I'll give you a farewell party.

>> Thanks.

But it hurts, Hildy, your not telling a fellow after all I've done for you.

>> You mean after all you've done to me.

That time you sent me down to the lake to test that trick diving suit.

That suit was about as waterproof as your straw hat.

It filled so fast, it took them a half an hour to pull me up.

It was lucky I'll only went deaf.

>> Didn't I go the the expense of hiring an airplane to take you up so you could get your hearing back?

>> Out of the further expense of hiring the pilot to land me in the middle of a strike massacre at Herrin, Illinois?

>> You scooped the whole world on the story.

You made yourself the envy of every newspaper man alive.

>> Oh, then it was worth it at that.

Even if I did get ridden out of town on a rail with eight bullet holes in a hat that cost me six bucks.

>> And charged on the expense account at 15.

>> And got away with it.

(both laughing) Ah, those were the days.

>> You certainly have a lot to tell the kids.

>> Yeah.

What kids?

>> You're getting married.

>> Well, why not?

A guy's got to settle down sometime, get a home and wife and, if there's kids, it'd hold it all together.

>> That's right.

I was never big enough to let a nice girl reform me, so I could stay in a two-room love nest at night, with a wife and kids, while the fellows were out having a lot of fun.

Oh dear, marriage does make a respectable citizen out of a man.

It must be grand.

None of this idiotic jumping around at all hours and having to be on the inside of all the crazy, excitement in this town.

Ah, the 5:15 out to some quite suburb, a home-cooked dinner every night at exactly 7:00, and by 10:00 in bed.

Unless, after the tapioca, the wife has a few friends in for a neighborly chat.

I don't blame you, Hildy.

It sounds great.

>> Excuse me a minute, will you?

>> Yeah.

>> Wilson: Come on here, sport, deal them out, boys.

Don't let that deck get cold.

>> See if you can deal me a decent hand, will you?

>> Throw away the twos.

Any news?

>> I've just been over to the death house.

Did you hear what Williams said to the priest?

>> Oh, forget it.

>> Hey, I know, I know, the paper's full of the hanging.

We ain't got room for the ads.

>> What did Williams say?

>> He said that.

>> Come on boys, ante up, ante up.

>> I've anted twice already.

>> He said to the priest that he was innocent.

>> He'll start crying in a minute.

Why don't you send the poor nut some roses, like that girl of his, Mollie Malloy.

>> Murphy: Oh, now there are.

There's an idea.

She thinks he's innocent, too.

>> Oh, you fellows don't understand.

Now I- >> Before you go on, Woodenshoes, would you mind running down to the corner and getting me a hamburger sandwich?

>> Personally, my feeling is.

>> Make that two hamburgers, like a good fellow.

>> Now my feeling is that Williams is of the dual personality-type.

>> Yeah, yeah, I know, I know, like the Dolly Sisters.

Yeah, tell it to the "Tribune."

>> It's on account of the way his head is shaped.

It's a typical case.

>> Snore.

Ask her to put a lot of ketchup on them sandwiches.

>> I thought you fellows might be interested in the psychological end.

>> Make mine plain lettuce on gluten bread.

>> Murphy: I'll see your (indistinct).

>> Wilson: I raise you.

>> Schwartz: Well I drop right now.

>> But am I ever going to get the dough for all these eats?

>> Oh, charge it.

You got a badge, haven't you?

What's it good for?

>> Four hamburgers.

(knuckles rapping) And a lettuce.

>> Bensinger: On gluten.

>> Man: L4.

>> Mike: Oh, hello, Mr. Burns.

Why no, we haven't seen Hildy.

>> Hiya, slaves.

What do you say?

>> Schwartz: He's turned insane.

>> It's Walter Burns on the wire.

Talk to him, will you, Hildy?

>> Tell that paranoid to take a sweet kiss for himself.

Come on, Ernie, sound your A.

♪ Goodbye forever.

♪ (banjo twangs) >> Listen, Hildy, will you do me a personal favor and talk to Walter?

He's been calling up about nine million times.

What's the matter, Hildy, are you afraid of him?

>> I'll talk to that maniac with pleasure.

Hello, Mr. Burns.

What's that, Mr. Burns?

Why, your language is shocking, Mr. Burns.

Say listen, you crazy baboon, get a pencil and paper and take this down and get it straight, because it's important.

This is the Hildy Johnson curse.

The next time I see you, no matter where I am or what I'm doing, I'm gonna walk right up to you and hammer on that monkey skull of yours till it rings like a Chinese gong.

>> Oh, boy.

>> That's telling him.

>> Listen to him?

(Mr. Burns shouting) No, I ain't gonna cover the hanging.

I wouldn't cover Washington crossing the Delaware for you, even if he did it all over again.

Never mind the Vaseline, Jacko, it won't do you any good this time, because I'm going to New York.

I didn't tell you that, did I?

And if you know what's good for you, you'll stay west of Gary, Indiana, because a Johnson never forgets.

And that, boys, is what is known as telling the managing editor.

>> Well, why'd you quit?

>> Getting married.

The old three to New York tonight.

>> Tonight?

>> Yes, sir.

>> What do you mean three?

>> Me and my girl and her darling mom.

>> Oh, look, he's in love.

Tootsie-wootsie.

>> Ah, is she a white girl?

>> Has she got a good shape?

>> Does Walter know you're getting married?

>> Does he know?

Shook hands like a pal.

Offered to throw me a farewell dinner.

>> That's his favorite joke, farewell dinners.

>> He's poisoned people at them.

>> Give me Tucker 2164, will you.

Yeah, he got me into Polack Mike's, filled me full of cheap booze.

I'd have been there yet if hadn't been for the window.

Can you imagine that guy trying to break up my marriage after shaking hands?

Oh, hello, Peggy.

How are you, darling?

Hm?

Well, I know, but.

Oh, you bet I resigned, right in his face.

Didn't I?

>> Yeah!

>> Sure did!

>> What?

The 11:18 tonight.

The press room, just dropped in to say goodbye to the boys.

Yeah.

No, not a chance, honey.

I got a taxi waiting.

Yeah.

10 minutes.

Bye-bye, honey.

>> Hey, where's the wedding?

>> Hildy: In New York.

>> Murphy: So you guys ain't gonna have any fun with it?

>> No fake warrants or kidnapping the bride with me.

>> Everybody's getting to New York craze.

>> I think it's a stinking village.

>> From one account, Hildy, they tell me all the reporters in New York use lipstick.

>> Remember that one last summer, with the topper?

>> Whoo.

There was a man.

Could any of you gentlemen tell me where the telegraph office is?

You won the card, Hildy, you'll be talking like that.

>> Which one of those New York papers are you going to work for?

>> I don't know.

Who wants to work at a newspaper?

A lot of hobos full of dandruff and bad gin, they wheedle out of Harlem.

>> What are you going in for, the movies?

>> The advertising business, $150 a week.

>> What?

>> 150 what?

>> There's the contract.

(bag thudding) >> Ain't you guys got anything better to do down there?

>> It is 150.

(Murphy whistles) You're gonna miss a sweet hanging.

>> I'm not interested.

>> He's going to write poetry about my lady's panties.

>> Can you imagine punching a time-clock, sitting around with a lot of stuffed shirts talking statistics?

Why, you'll be like a fire horse tied to a milk wagon.

>> Listen to who's talking.

Journalists peeking through keyholes, running after fire engines, like a lot of coach dogs, waking people up in the middle of the night to ask them what they think of Mussolini, stealing pictures off of old ladies of their daughters that get attacked in Grove Park, a lot of daffy buttinskis swelling around with holes in their pants borrowing nickels from office boys.

And for what?

So a million hired girls and motormen's wives will know what's going on.

>> Yeah, your girl must have handed you that line.

>> I don't have to have anybody tell me about a newspaper.

I've been a newspaper man for 15 years, a cross between a bootlegger and galoofer.

If you want to know something, you'll all end up on a copy desk, gray-haired, hunchbacked slobs dodging debt collectors when you're 90.

>> You'll be out on the street the minute your contract's up.

>> Not me.

My girl's uncle owns the business.

>> Has he got a lot of jack?

>> Choking on them.

What do you think he gave us for a wedding present?

>> A dozen doilies.

(men laughing) >> $500 in cash.

>> There ain't $500 in cash.

>> There it is.

Except what it cost to get those tickets to New York.

>> Let me count.

>> Ah, no, you don't.

>> Just a minute, just a minute, boys.

What about a little bite?

>> Hildy: Scram.

>> Jenny.

>> Hey!

Hey, how are ya?

>> How are ya?

>> Can I wash up now, please?

>> Yes.

The place is beginning to smell like a, like an owl's foot.

>> Oh, you don't want to wash up on a night like this, Jenny.

This is a holiday.

Come on, give us a kiss?

>> You, Hildy Johnson, keep away from me.

>> What's the matter, ain't I your fellow anymore?

>> Oh!

>> Tell you what we'll do, Jenny.

You and I will go around and say goodbye to everybody in the building.

Oh, but we can't carry this all over.

Come on, Jenny.

Come on.

Hey!

Look.

(water splashing) Come on, Jenny, you and I will say goodbye to the warden.

>> No, he'll do something.

>> Why I own this building.

♪ Walt me around again, Jenny ♪ ♪ Around, around again ♪ (Jenny giggling) ♪ Waltz me around again, Jenny ♪ ♪ Waltz me around again ♪ (all laughing) >> Look here, fellows.

>> Hi.

>> Hello.

>> Now listen now.

>> Hey.

>> Who dumped that out of this window?

>> We promised not to tell.

>> Who threw it?

>> Judge Mankiewicz through it.

>> He was in here with his robes on, playing fireman.

>> Come on now, fellows, I know it who it was.

It was Hildy Johnson, wasn't it?

Where is he?

>> Out with a lady.

>> I swear I don't know what to do with you fellows.

I've a danged good mind to take this press room away from you.

♪ Oh ♪ ♪ Da-da dum da da da dum ♪ ♪ Oh ♪ ♪ Da-da da da dum ♪ >> Ernie!

>> Wouldn't that be too bad?

Why, the place is so full of cockroaches you can't walk.

>> Personally, I don't give two hoots.

But how do suppose it looks to have a lot of hoodlums yelling and throwing things out of the window.

Besides, there's someone in that death house.

How do you suppose he feels listening to all this revelry?

>> A lot you care how he feels.

>> We're doing everything possible to- >> Schwartz: To get your whole ticket re-elected next week.

>> Yes, when Earl Williams drops into that trap tomorrow, it means a million votes.

>> Can we help it if the people rise to support this administration's stand against the red menace?

>> Personified by Mr. Earl Williams, the guy who loses the job he's held for 14 years, joins the parade of the unemployed.

And because he's goofy from lack of food, waves a red undershirt.

>> Williams is a dangerous radical.

And he killed a policeman.

>> Williams is a poor bird who had the tough luck to kill a colored policeman in a town where the colored vote's important.

>> And.

♪ They're hanging Danny Deaver in the morning ♪ >> You!

>> Keep your shirt on, Pinky.

>> And I don't want to hear any more of that Pinky stuff.

I've got a name, see, Peter B. Hartman.

♪ Oh ♪ ♪ Ta-da da da da da da ♪ ♪ Oh ♪ ♪ Ta-da da da da da da ♪ >> Stop this!

Pinky?

How does that look to the voters?

Like I had sore eyes or something.

>> Just a minute fellows, just a minute.

Now, Pete, how about the favor that, uh, certain party is asking?

Once and for all, will you hang this person at 5:00 AM instead of 7:00?

It can't hurt you, and we can make the city edition.

>> Roy, you can't hang a man in his sleep just to please the newspapers.

>> No, but you can keep postponing the hanging so it'll come just before the election.

>> Yes.

>> With this new alienist coming in, how do we know there'll be a hanging?

>> Yeah.

>> What if this professor finds he's insane or something?

>> Yes.

>> Well he won't find he's insane.

>> No?

>> No.

Because he ain't.

Williams is as sane as I am.

>> Saner.

(all laughing) >> Yes.

>> Now, here's the resume of the situation.

The newspapers have got to put their shoulders to the wheel.

>> Here you go, again.

>> They've got to, they've got to impress on these Bolsheviks that a death warrant for Earl Williams is a death warrant for every bomb throwing, un-American red in this town.

This hanging means more to the people of our fair city today.

That's a statement, Jimmy.

>> Why don't you go home?

>> All right, you'll just get scooped.

>> Oh.

>> We're going to reform the reds with the rope.

That's our slogan.

You can quote me if you want to.

Sheriff Hartman pledges.

>> Oh, Peoria.

We've been printing this chestnut for weeks.

>> Peter: Ain't you gonna use that?

>> Sure.

(men laughing) >> Get me the desk.

This is Bensinger.

The sheriff refuse to move the hanging up a minute.

>> No, I won't.

That hanging's coming off exactly as per schedule, Seven o'clock in the morning and not a minute sooner.

There's such a thing as being humane, you know.

>> All right, all right, let's wait till you want a favor.

Get me a re-write.

♪ Seven o'clock in the morning ♪ >> Jake, new lead on the hanging.

And say, Jake, don't use Hartman's name in this at all.

Just say the sheriff.

>> Why can't they start these guys at a reasonable hour so we can get some sleep.

>> This, uh, this new alienist, Dr. Max J. Englehoffer.

That's right, from Vienna.

He's going to exam Williams at the request of the, uh, United Federation for World Betterment.

Oh, my, one of the biggest.

Author of that book, "The Personality Gland."

>> And where to put it.

Bet a dime.

>> He just autographed a copy for me.

>> Did he find his initials in your pants, too?

>> Bensinger: Wait, there's more.

>> That doctor's the 14th pair of whiskers they've sent in on this case.

>> Say, those alienists make me sick.

All they do is goose you then send you a bill for 500 bucks.

Give me the deck.

>> Now, Jake, here's the situation on the eve of the hanging.

>> Hello, this is Murphy, more slop on the hanging.

>> From the jail, from municipal buildings, to railroad terminals and elevated stations to prepare for the expected general uprising of radicals, at the hour of execution.

>> Sheriff Hartman just put 400 more relatives on the payroll to protect the city against the red menace, which is leaving Moscow in a couple of minutes.

Up a dime.

>> Sheriff Hartman, uh, uh, the sheriff, just received four more letters threatening his life, which he's going to answer by a series of raids.

>> Prove to voters that the red menace is on its way, Sheriff Hartman has just written himself four more letters threatening his life.

Yeah, yeah, I know he wrote them on the count of the misspelling.

Drop.

>> That's all, Jake.

And then he said the condemned man ate a hearty dinner.

Oh, uh, mock turtle soup, chicken pot pie, hashed brown potatoes, combination salad, and pie a la mode.

>> The doomed man ate a heart meal as follows, noodle soup, roast-a beef, sweet-a potatoes, cranberry sauce, cranberry pie and a great, big hunk of pastrami.

Statement from who?

>> Bensinger: The sheriff?

Oh, quote him for anything you want.

He can't read.

>> Kruger calling.

Nothing new on the hanging.

>> And say, Jake, get this in as big favor for me, will you?

The whole meal was furnished by Charley Apfel.

And uh, Apfel.

Ah.

Ap, A for adenoids, P for psychology, F for Feen-a-mints, E for epilepsy, and L for, uh, um, L for, uh, lay an egg.

Certainly, this is Bensinger talking.

Well the proprietor of Apfel Wants to See You Restaurant.

That's it, yes.

Thank you.

>> All: Ah.

>> Shame, shame.

>> Wilson: I figure Bensinger is going in for petty graft again.

>> Mike: That means a new hat for somebody.

>> Wilson: I understand that's how Bensinger gets all his clothes.

>> Mike: Sure, the Greasy Spoon gave him that overcoat when George Kid Cuckor swung.

(men laughing) >> Murphy: If they ever stop hanging people, he'll probably go naked.

>> Kruger: Why don't you make a poem out of it, Roy?

>> Murphy: Hello, Molly.

>> Kruger: Uh oh, there's a gleam in her eye.

>> Murphy: Don't look at me, sweetheart, I ain't never said a word.

>> Hello, kid.

And how's the old tomato can?

>> Sure then, how are you, Molly?

>> Been looking for you tramps.

>> Murphy: Hey, those were swell roses you sent Earl.

What do you want done with them tomorrow morning?

>> A lot of wise guys, ain't you?

>> What do you want in here?

>> To tell you what I think of you, all of you.

>> Keep your skirts on.

If it was worth breaking my fingernails, ah, I'd tear your face wide open.

>> What's the matter, sweetheart?

What are you sore about?

Now wasn't that a swell story we gave you?

>> Yeah.

You crumbs have been making a fool out of me long enough.

>> She oughtn't be allowed in here.

Yesterday, I caught her using the drinking cup.

>> Mm.

>> I never said I loved Earl Williams and was wanting to marry him on the gallows.

You made that up, about my being his soul mate and having a love nest with him.

>> You've been sucking around that cuckoo ever since he's been in the death house.

Everybody knows you're his affinity.

>> That's a rotten lie.

I met Mr. Williams just once in my life.

He was wandering around in the rain without his hat and coat on, like a sick dog, the day before the shooting.

I went up to him, like any human being would, and asked him what was the matter.

And he told me about being fired after working at the same place for 14 years.

I took him up to my room because it was warm there.

>> Oh.

(men laughing) Put that on your Victrola.

>> Just because you want fill your lying papers with a lot of dirty scandal, you got to torture him, make a tramp out of me.

>> Got a match?

>> I tell you, he just sat there, talking to me all night, never once laid a hand on me.

>> Uh-oh.

>> In the morning, he went away.

And I never saw him again till that day at the trial.

>> Tell us what you told the jury.

(men laughing) >> Just laugh at the clown.

Go on, laugh.

I'd like to know some curses bad enough for your greasy souls.

Sure, I was his witness, the only one he had.

>> Witness.

>> Oh.

>> Yes, me, Molly Malloy, a common street-walker, the only one with nerve enough to stand up for him.

That's why you're persecuting me, because he treated me decent and not like an animal.

And I said so.

>> Go to your dance, kid.

This is the press room.

We're busy.

>> Why don't you go and see your boyfriend?

>> Better hurry, he's left a call for 7:00 a.m. >> It's a wonder a bolt of lightning don't come down and strike you all dead.

(bag thudding) What was that?

>> They're fixing up a pain in the neck for your boyfriend.

(Molly sobs) >> Oh, my.

>> Oh, what's the idea?

(Molly sobbing) Oh, now, now, don't, don't get hysterical.

>> Oh, shame on you.

>> Why, I didn't say anything?

>> (sobbing) A poor, crazy, little guy and never did anybody any harm, sitting out there alone, this minute, with the angel of death beside him, and you cracking jokes.

>> Say, listen, if you don't shut up, I'll give you something to cry about.

>> Oh, keep your dirty hands off of me.

>> Come on, outside.

>> You don't have to touch me.

>> Outside.

And come on, get out of here, get out.

(Molly shouting) Take it out on the lam.

(Molly sobbing) Well, you guys want to play some more poker?

>> Ah.

>> Here now, tickets for the hanging, two for each paper.

>> Murphy: What do you mean two?

>> What do you want to do, take your family?

>> Ah.

>> Hey, listen, Pete.

>> My boss wants a couple for the advertising department.

>> I promised a pair.

>> This ain't the follies, you know.

>> Oh.

>> Big-hearted Pinky.

>> I'm getting tired of your editors using these tickets to get advertising accounts.

>> Mike: You have a lot of nerve.

Everybody knows you use them to get in socially.

>> Yeah, you had the whole Union League Club over at the last hanging.

>> Trying to suck in with the swells, huh?

I suppose you'll wear a monocle tomorrow morning.

>> Now boys, that ain't the way to talk.

If any of you want a couple of extra tickets- (banjo twanging) I'll be more than glad to take care of you.

But for goodness sake, don't kill it.

>> Hildy: Hiya, boys.

We cleaned up.

>> Here, here, here.

Get that copy of "The Morning Post" out of here.

>> Look here, Johnson, what do you mean by throwing things out of the window?

Johnson, what do you mean by throwing things out of the window?

Who do you think you are?

>> Who wants to know?

>> Ooh, you think that you and Walter Burns are running this town.

Well, I'm going to send a bill to the "Post" tomorrow for all the wreckage been committed around here in the last year.

Now how do you like that?

>> That's swell.

Do you know what else you can do?

>> What?

>> Guess?

(men laughing) >> If you stick your ornery nose in this building tomorrow, I'll have you arrested.

>> Well that's almost worth staying for.

>> And I'll tell you something else, and you can pass it on to Walter Burns.

The "Post" gets no tickets for this hanging on account of the lies that they've been printing.

>> Now listen you pot roast, if I wanted to go to your hanging, I'd go, see, and I'd sit in the box.

>> Oh, no, you won't.

>> I'd only have to tell half of what I know.

>> You don't know anything.

>> I happen to know who occupied room 602 in a certain hotel the night before the last hanging.

(men laughing) >> That hotel crack has doubled him up.

>> Hey, you.

(phone ringing) >> Say, Sheriff- >> Press room.

>> Just what hotel was that?

(throat clearing) >> For you, Sheriff.

>> Hello, Hartman talking.

Oh, hello, dear.

>> McCue: It must be Irma.

>> No, I can't come home.

I got too many things to do.

Getting ready for the hanging.

>> Why don't you take him out to your house and hang him?

>> I'll call you up later, Irma.

>> McCue: It is Irma.

>> I got to see an alienist.

No, alienist.

Not for me, for Williams.

(men laughing) (phone ringing) >> Press room.

Who?

>> Hey, Hildy, your girl.

>> Hello, McCue.

>> Hello, Peggy.

How are you, darling?

>> Yay, sandwiches.

>> How about my plain lettuce?

>> Hamburger for me.

>> I ordered one, didn't I?

>> You did not.

This way Woodenshoes.

>> Hildy: Why, darling, what's the matter?

>> I distinctly said gluten.

>> Listen, darling, I just dropped in to say goodbye to the fellows.

Remember, I told you?

Say will guys talk or something.

>> All right.

>> All right.

>> Yes, I've got a taxi waiting.

>> Hey, go easy on that ketchup.

I'm responsible for it.

>> Yeah, I've got the tickets right in my pocket.

Now listen, dear, if you talk like that, I'm going to go right out and jump in the lake.

I swear I will, because I can't stand it.

Listen.

>> We're listening.

>> I love you.

I said, I love you.

(bright banjo music) >> Schwartz: Oh, give him a break, Ernie.

>> Well, that's more like it.

You feel better now?

Well smile.

Say something.

You know what I want to hear.

Tell me you love me.

Come on, tell me you love me.

>> Tell him you love him and we'll all go to sleep.

>> That's the stuff.

(phone ringing) >> Wilson: Yeah.

>> Listen, honey, will you wear that little, blue straw hat?

>> Wilson: Wait a minute, I'll see.

>> Well are you happy now?

Well I bet you're not as happy as I am.

Well, I bet you anything you want.

All right, dear, yeah.

Five minutes.

Bye-bye.

>> Wilson: Hildy, here's Walter, again.

Tell him to give us a rest, will you?

>> Oh.

Now you're just making a nuisance out of yourself!

What's the idea of calling up, what?

No, I'm through with newspapers.

I'm going to New York tonight, right now, this minute.

(phone ringing) >> Ah.

>> Hey.

>> What are you doing!

>> Hey, Pinky, stick that up on your souvenirs.

>> Wilson: Hey, Hildy, you'll get us in an awful jam.

>> And if Walter calls up again, tell him to put in writing and send it to Hildebrand Johnson, Waterbury Adams Corporation, 735 5th Avenue, New York City.

>> Please, Sheriff.

>> Huh.

>> Englehoffer: Please.

>> Oh, excuse me, professor.

>> I ain't afraid to die.

I ain't afraid.

>> Mike: Don't work too much the first day, kid.

>> Goodbye, Johnson.

>> Wilson: I'll drop you a line, Hildy, and let you know what Walter says.

>> So long, Hildy.

>> Bensinger: Be careful of that treacherous New York weather, Hildy.

>> So long, flap.

Don't forget to send us a postal card.

>> Kruger: Don't forget to drop in and see us if you ever come back, kid.

>> When will we see you again, Hildy?

>> Riding in a Rolls Royce, giving out interviews on success-y.

(men laughing) >> Hm.

Now, we can reenact the crime.

Uh, with your gun, Sheriff.

A gun.

Now imagine that I'm the policeman.

Do you understand?

I am the policeman.

Now where exactly did you stand?

Show me.

Now.

>> Hey, Hildy, I hope you got a return trip ticket.

You'll be back next week.

>> And then what did you do.

(gun firing) Dementia praecox.

>> Goodbye you wage slaves.

When you're crawling up fire escapes, getting kicked out of front doors, eating Christmas dinners in one-armed joints, don't forget your old pal Hildy Johnson.

As the road beyond unfolds.

(machine gun firing) (alarm blaring) >> Spread out you guys.

>> It's a jailbreak.

>> Hey, Jacobi, what's the matter?

What's happened?

(machine gun firing) Jacobi, your answer, will you?

>> Officer: Watch the gate.

He's probably trying to escape.

>> Who got away?

Who was it?

>> Officer: Earl Williams.

>> All: Earl Williams!

>> Hurry!

Ring up, this is important.

>> Get me the desk.

>> Jailbreak, call you back.

>> Earl Williams has just escaped.

>> Call you back.

>> I don't know yet.

>> Look out, Williams just went over the wall.

>> Man: Look out.

>> Walter Burns, quick.

Hello, Walter?

It's Hildy.

Get this, Earl Williams just lammed out of the county jail.

Yes.

Yes!

Yes!

Don't worry, I'm on the job, right.

(alarm blaring) (sirens wailing) Hey, Jacobi.

A five-minute talk with me will get you 250 bucks.

(phones ringing) >> Endicott.

No, no one knows where he got the gun.

He ran up eight flights of stairs in the infirmary and got out through the skylight.

He must have slid down the rain pipe to the street.

>> Murphy: Murphy.

Get me the desk.

>> No.

I tell you no one knows where he got it.

Call you back.

>> No clue yet to where are Williams whereabouts.

>> The Crime Commissioner is offer a $10,000 reward for the capture of Earl Williams.

Call you back.

>> Hello.

Hello, here's the feature for you.

Tear-bomb.

Yes, yes, tear-bombs, criminals cry for it.

>> If any man wants me, he knows where I am.

>> This bomb went off accidentally in the hands of Sheriff Hartman's bombing squad.

>> What went off?

>> The following deputy sheriffs were taken to the emergency hospital.

>> A fine, fair-weather friend you are.

>> Benny J. Glaser.

>> After all I've done for you.

>> Herman Waldstein.

>> Putting things like that in the paper.

>> Sidney Matsburg.

>> That's gratitude for you.

>> And Danny Koo.

>> Kruger calling.

>> McCue, get me the desk.

>> A man answering Williams description was seen boarding a south-bound, Cottage Grove Avenue car by Motorman Julius A. Lindberg.

>> Sidelights on the manhunt.

>> Yeah, Lindberg.

I'd thought it would make a swell feature on account of the name.

>> Mrs. Richard West, Jr., age 55, scrub lady, while at work scrubbing the eighth floor of the Commerce Building, was shot in the left leg by one of Sheriff Hartman's special deputies.

>> I'll run right after him.

(machine gun firing) >> There goes the scrub lady?

>> Any dope yet on how we got out?

>> All I could get is the sheriff let him out So's he could vote for him.

>> Where do you suppose Williams got that gun?

(machine gun firing) >> Get me Walter Burns, quick.

Hello, Walter?

Hildy.

I just got the whole story from Jacobi.

>> Exclusive?

>> Right.

And it's a pip.

Only get this, it cost me $260, see.

>> Don't waste time, give me the story.

>> I'm telling you.

First I had to give Jacobi all the money I had on me.

And it wasn't exactly mine.

And I want it back.

>> How'd he get the gun?

>> Did you hear what I said about the money?

>> Yes.

Go on.

>> All right, then.

Boy, this the jailbreak of your dreams.

This profound figure from Vienna decided to make Williams reenact the crime.

>> Well, well, well.

>> Well, I'm coming to it.

Will you shut up?

Of course he had to have a gun to reenact it with.

And who do suppose supplied it?

>> Who?

>> Peter B. Hartman, B for brain.

No, I'm not kidding.

The sheriff gave his gun to the professor.

The professor gave it to Earl.

And Earl shot the professor right in the belly.

The professor's in the hospital.

Williams has evaporated.

And the sheriff's gone nuts.

Ain't it perfect?

(laughs) >> Fine work, Hildy.

>> Save the flatter.

Return with that money, 260 bucks.

No, I tell you, I'm not going to cover anything else.

I'm going away.

Listen, that's the money I'm gonna get married on.

I just did this as a personal favor.

I'm gonna leave to town tonight.

Ah, listen, I gave Jacobi every cent I had.

What?

Well, all right, why won't you send it over?

>> (laughs) Right away.

>> Yeah.

Well tell them to hurry.

I'll wait for them here.

Okay.

Oh, hello, Peggy.

How are you, darling?

>> What was that?

>> Oh, I was just telling Walter I was through, that's all.

>> You haven't done something foolish with our money?

>> Oh, no.

No.

>> Then I think I'd better take care of it from now on.

>> Ah, now, listen, sweetheart, everything's gonna be perfectly all right.

>> Then you haven't got it?

>> Well, no, not right now.

But he's gonna send it over.

Walter, I mean.

The boy will be here any minute.

>> Walter.

Oh, Hildy.

>> Listen, honey, I wouldn't have had this happen for the world.

Look it, this is what happened.

I was- >> I know.

>> Well I can't tell you if you won't listen.

I had to give Jacobi the money so he wouldn't give the story to the other papers.

>> Every time I've wanted you for something, my birthday, New Year's Eve when I waited up to 5:00 in the morning.

>> Oh, I know, but a big story broke.

>> It's always a big story, the biggest story in the world.

And the next day, everybody's forgotten it, even you.

>> What do you mean, forgotten?

That was the Clara Hamon murder on your birthday.

Oh, for heaven's sake, Peggy, it won't hurt to wait just a few minutes.

And the boy's on his way with the money now.

>> Mother's downstairs in a taxi.

I'm just ashamed to face her.

If she knew about that money?

It's all we've got in the world, Hildy.

We haven't even got a place to sleep, except the train.

>> Listen, honey, I'll tell you what we'll do.

You and mother go and have the baggage checked.

There are the tickets.

>> You mean you're not coming.

>> Sure, I'm coming.

I'll meet you at the information booth.

>> It's all that Walter Burns.

You simply can't resist him.

>> Him?

I wouldn't raise a finger if he was dying.

>> McCue talking.

>> Oh, hello, Mac.

Dear, this is Mr. McCue.

Mac?

This is my girl.

>> Pleased to meet ya.

Here's a feature on the manhunt that'll knock you right on your, excuse me, miss.

>> Wait a second, honey.

>> Mrs. Phoebe De Wolfe, 861 1/2 South Euclid Street, colored.

Well she became the mother of a pickaninny in a patrol wagon, with Sheriff Harman's rifle squad acting as nurses.

(laughs) Oh, you should have seen them, miss.

(laughs) >> Come on dear, we'll put our things in the cab.

>> (laughs) Well, Phoebe was walking along the street when, all of a sudden, she began.

Right.

So they coaxed her into the patrol wagon and started to raise with the stork.

When the pickaninny was born, the rifle squad examined him carefully to see if it was Earl Williams, who they knew was hiding somewhere.

(laughs) They named the kid, Peter Hartman De Wolfe, in honor of the sheriff.

(laughs) And they all pitched in $1 a piece on account of it being the first baby ever born on a manhunt.

(laughs) Wait a minute, here's the mayor, himself, maybe there's a statement.

>> Don't pester me now, please.

I've a lot on my mind.

>> His honor won't say anything.

>> Have you seen Sheriff Hartman?

>> No.

What effect's this jailbreak gonna have on the colored voters?

>> Not an iota.

In what way can an unavoidable misfortune of this sort influence the duty of every citizen, colored or otherwise.

♪ Mm, da-da dum da da da da da.

♪ >> Ah, your honor, tell me, is there a red menace or ain't there?

>> Hartman.

>> Oh.

>> I've been looking for you.

>> So have we.

>> What's the dope, Pinky?

>> Who engineered this getaway?

>> Just a minute fellows.

We got him located.

>> Williams?

>> Where?

>> Where he used to live.

The rifle squad's just starting out.

You can catch them if you hurry.

>> Pete, I want to talk to you.

>> I ain't got time, Fred, honest.

I, I'll see you after.

>> Pete!

Did you actually give Williams that gun?

>> Well the professor asked me for it.

I thought it was for something scientific.

>> Pete!

(man whistling) >> Kruger calling.

Here's a red hot statement from the governor.

The governor says, the mayor and the sheriff have shown themselves to be a couple of eight-year-olds playing with fire.

Quote him as follows.

It's a good thing for the city that next Tuesday is election day, as the citizens will thus be saved the expense of impeaching the mayor and the sheriff.

That's all.

Hi, your honor.

>> Pete, I've got a mighty unpleasant task to perform.

>> You're just gonna get me rattled, Fred.

I've sworn in 400 deputies.

>> Do you want to bankrupt this administration?

>> But I'm getting them for only $12 a night.

>> $12 for those rope-magic uncles of yours, out there, shooting everybody they can see for the fun of it?

>> Pete: But Fred.

>> Pete, you're through.

Now don't appeal to my sentimental side.

>> I don't know what to say, Fred.

A thing of this kind almost ruins a man's faith in human nature.

>> Pete.

>> And our families, Fred, I've always looked on Bessie as my own sister.

>> If there was any way out.

>> But there is a way out.

(phone ringing) Just, just give me a couple of hours, will you?

Hello?

400 suppers?

Nothing doing.

This is a manhunt not a banquet.

That $12 covers everything.

That gives you an idea of what I'm up against.

>> We're up against a lot more than that with that nutty slogan you invented, reform the reds with a rope.

>> Man: Is Sheriff Hartman in there?

>> It's for me.

I'm Sheriff Hartman.

Are you looking for me?

>> You certainly are a hard man to find.

>> Hm?

>> I've been looking.

>> Fred: What do you want?

>> I'm a messenger at the State House.

This is from the governor.

>> What's from the governor?

>> The reprieve for Earl Williams.

>> For whom?

>> Earl Williams, the reprieve.

>> Ooh.

And the governor gave me his word of honor that he wouldn't interfere, two days ago.

>> And you fell for it.

Pete, it frightens me what I'd like to do to you.

>> Oh, he's gone.

>> Woodenshoes, was there anybody here for me?

>> No, Mr. Johnson.

>> Oh, that double-crossing louse.

>> Everything will be all right.

Now, don't worry, all we want to do is to ask you a couple of questions.

>> The trouble is nobody's using the right psychology on him.

>> You got 260 bucks?

>> No, sir.

But I got a way of making it and more.

Search-ay la femme.

>> What?

>> Who is it that's been defending Williams, hanging around him?

>> Oh, I ain't got time for that drip.

I gotta get 260 bucks in the next five minutes.

>> It'll take longer than five minutes to get it.

I know where Williams is.

>> Sure, he's out getting his head blown off by the rifle squad.

But that don't get me my dough.

>> He's with that girl, Molly Malloy.

That's where.

>> Ah, shut up!

>> Remember, you never delivered this.

You got caught in a traffic jam or something.

Don't let anybody see you.

>> Yeah, but how do I know?

>> Come and see me at my office tomorrow.

What is your name?

>> Pincus.

>> All right, Mr. Pincus, now all you've got to do is to lay low and keep your mouth shut.

Here, you go to this address.

It's a nice, homey little place and you can get anything you want.

Tell them Fred sent you.

>> Okay, Fred.

>> Hildy: Can you imagine, Woodenshoes, this time tomorrow, I'd of been a gentleman.

At last, Louie, have you got the dough?

>> Huh?

>> She sent him a lot of roses, didn't she?

>> Yeah, stick your roses.

Come on, Louie, I'm in a hurry.

>> I'll bet you I'm right.

>> Oh, you.

No, not you.

>> Hey, look, what are you talking about?

>> Didn't Walter send you over here?

>> Sure, in case you're really here.

>> Yeah, I know, but 260 bucks.

>> What 260 bucks?

>> The money I spent on the story.

Walter promised to send it over, but I can't wait so.

>> So what?

>> Listen, Louie, you always got a lot of dough on you.

>> Oh, so want it from me, huh?

>> Yeah.

>> Well, I don't know.

It's a lot of money, you know what I mean?

>> Ah, Louie, my whole future depends on this.

My girl's waiting for the train.

We're going to New York tonight.

I've only got 15 minutes.

If you help me out on this, I swear that I'll.

>> No, look, Walter's going to give-a to me the works, Hildy, if I help use run out on him.

>> Oh, no, he knows I'm going.

I just did him a swell favor and we're pals again.

>> Oh yeah?

>> Yeah.

>> Well I'll tell you what I'll do with you.

I'm going to take-a the chance.

>> Oh, that's the stuff.

I'll write a note for you to give to Walter, and you can get the money from him.

>> You're a white man, Louie.

Tell you what I'll do.

I'll give you 150 bucks for the debt.

>> Hey, wait a minute, that's taking advantage.

>> Well, it's the best of what I can do.

But I'd lose almost 100 bucks that way.

>> That's 110 you losing.

>> Hey, Louie, give me 200, will you?

>> 150.

>> All right, give me the dough.

>> There you is.

Hey, look, what he says on here?

>> Well, you read what it says on there.

>> Oh, sure, that's right.

Well, goodbye and good luck.

Oh, I'm gonna look you up in New York if there's anything wrong with this.

You know what I mean?

>> 10, 20, 30, 40.

10, 20, 25, 30, 30.

10, 20.

Oh, well, anyway, I get out of this place.

(gun thuds) >> After me, with searchlights.

>> Hildy: Put down that gun.

>> It ain't loaded.

I fired all the bullets already.

I surrender.

I couldn't hang off of the roof any longer.

I ain't afraid to die.

I was telling the fellow that went and handed me the gun.

Waking me up in the middle of the night, talking to me about things they don't understand.

Calling me a butcher, that I'm an anarchist.

It's got nothing to do with bombs.

It's the philosophy that guarantees every man freedom.

All those poor people being crushed by the system, and the boys, the boys that were killed in the war, and in the slums, all of those slaves to a crust of bread, I can hear them crying.

>> Shut up a second, will you?

>> Go on.

Go on and take me back.

Hang me!

I got my bed.

>> Get me Walter Burns, quick.

Yeah, right.

(phone ringing) >> Hello.

Oh, hello, Peggy.

Now listen, dear, please, something terrific has happened.

Don't start to bawl me out now.

Wait a minute, will you.

Hello, Walter?

Listen, it's Hildy.

Come over here, right away.

Hold the line the a minute.

Now listen, Peggy, please, now I'm in an awful jam.

Don't start to bawl me out now, please, honey.

Wait a minute, will you?

Walter, get this, I can only say this once.

I just captured Earl Williams, here, in the press room.

Yeah, honestly.

Hurry over here, I need you.

Right.

Hello, Peggy, please.

Listen dear, this is the greatest thing that's ever happened.

Wait till I tell you.

I just captured Earl Williams, the murderer.

Yeah, right.

(knuckles rapping) Wait a minute.

Please don't tell anybody, honey.

I know.

But listen, something terrific has happened.

And it's the greatest thing in my life, honey.

(fist thudding) Hold the line.

What, love you more.

Hey there, Molly.

>> They got him surrounded someplace.

They're going to shoot him like a dog.

>> Get out of here, Molly.

They're looking for you, too.

If you're smart you'll get out of here.

>> Tell me where they've gone.

I ain't afraid of them, the yellow murderers.

>> Lincoln, Lincoln and 1st.

>> Molly: Oh.

(knuckles rapping) >> Shh.

Who is it?

>> Woodenshoes: It's me.

I've got a clue.

>> I'll be right with you, Woodenshoes.

>> Get back in there.

>> What is this, a double-cross?

>> I'm trying to save him.

>> Woodenshoes: This is very important.

>> Keep him quiet.

Now that's a cop, and I'll get rid of him.

Hello, Woodenshoes.

>> Thank you for the roses, Molly.

>> How'd you get here?

>> I came down the rain pipe.

I didn't mean to shoot him.

I don't know what happened.

>> But you can't stay here.

They'll get you.

>> I don't care anymore.

>> Well you got to hide.

Those rats.

>> No, don't do anything.

I'm ready to go.

I don't care.

It's better to die for a cause than the way most people die, for no reason.

>> Oh, you won't die.

They'll never get you.

>> I ain't important.

It's humanity that's important.

Like I told you, Molly, humanity is a wonderful thing.

>> No, it ain't.

They're just dirty murderers.

Look what they've done to you and to me.

>> That's because they don't know any better.

>> You're too good for them, that's why.

>> You're, you're good, too.

>> Me?

>> Yeah.

I think you're wonderful.

I wrote out a statement today, and left it with the warden, so that when I was dead, people would understand what I meant.

There was a lot about you in it.

I said you were the most beautiful character I ever met.

>> Yeah?

>> So this is the time for you to print my theory of crime prevention.

>> Okay, you run along and write it up for me.

Hurry up, will you.

I tell you, the fellows are coming.

>> They'll find him.

>> There's no place else.

(knuckles rapping) >> Shh, shh.

>> Mike: Who locked the door?

>> Coming, Mike.

He's got to get back in there.

>> Oh.

>> Wait, I got an idea.

>> Okay.

(knuckles rapping) >> Wilson: What's going on in there?

>> What good'll it do?

>> Hildy: Just 10 minutes.

(knuckles rapping) >> Mike: Open up in there, will you?

>> All right, all right.

>> Lay still.

>> They'll find me anyway.

(knuckles rapping) >> Hildy: Keep quiet.

Don't even breathe.

>> I'll be right here.

>> Earl: Okay.

>> Hey, what were you trying to do, kick down the building?

>> Kind of exclusive, ain't you?

>> Molly.

>> Oh, I beg your pardon.

>> City desk.

What's the idea of locking the door?

>> Well, I was interviewing her.

>> The desk.

>> What was he doing to her?

>> With the blinds down.

>> Oh, well, you fellows don't understand.

>> You still here?

Boy, it's some Halloween going on out there.

They got the whole police department standing on their ear.

Murphy calling.

Get me the desk.

>> Any news?

>> I was never so tired in my life.

>> They surrounded the house, but Williams wasn't there.

>> No luck on Williams yet.

Call you back.

>> Oh, what a chase.

You miss your train?

>> Kruger calling.

I'm out with Sheriff Harman's deputies.

Yeah, I'm at a drug store.

Well call me back if you don't believe me.

>> Come on, come on, operator.

Fitzroy 2500.

(chair thuds) >> Molly, can't you flop somewhere else?

>> Mm, smell.

(sniffs) Fleur de Floosie.

>> (hums) Makes me passionate.

>> Look out, she'll start bawling again.

>> Well why don't you let her alone?

>> Say, when did you two get so chummy?

>> Told us he was interviewing her.

>> You back on the job again?

>> All right, go outside.

McCue.

Anything doing?

>> You still here?

>> Trying to handcuff the honors if you ask me.

>> All right, I'm waiting for Walter.

He promised to send a guy over with some dough.

>> Hey, this looks good.

An old lady just phoned the detective bureau and claims Earl Williams is hiding under her piazza.

>> Tell her to stand up.

(men laughing) >> Just the same, fellows, that sounds like a pretty good fit.

Shall we go out on it?

(men groaning) >> Say, I'll cover this end for you.

>> Don't let's do anymore going out.

>> Who pulled the shades down?

>> Molly liked it that way.

>> Hey, I got a hunch Williams ain't anyplace they've been looking for him.

He might be right here in this building.

>> Sure, hanging on like a duck in a shooting gallery, I suppose.

Bright guy.

>> Now there's the skylight he got out of.

But how could he get from there to the ground?

>> I'm pretending there ain't any Earl Williams.

>> Look, he could've jumped over to this roof.

It's only about four feet.

>> Yeah, once he got on this roof, he could slide down the rain pipe and come in any of the windows in this dive.

>> Well, if the story is gonna walk right in the window.

>> Well, the master minds at work.

Why don't all you guys go home.

Williams will probably call on you.

>> Mike: Well, there must be something in what Ed says, or they'd certainly have nabbed Williams by now.

The whole city is inside out looking for him.

>> McCue: Well if he came in this building, it's a cinch he's still here.

There hasn't been a chance for a flea to get through those cops downstairs, unless it's one that fell off of the sheriff.

>> What's happened?

(man whistling) Oh, you're still here, Johnson.

(laughs) Thought you were going to New York.

(laughs) Is this the only place can you find to sit in?

This chair and this desk are my property.

And I won't have anybody using it.

Anybody.

>> What are you looking for, Roy?

>> I forgot my aspirin.

>> Oh you don't want to get aspirin.

It's bad for your heart.

>> It is, really?

>> Yes.

>> I'd noticed palpitations every time I've taken some.

>> What's the matter, Roy, you sick?

>> Sick?

Say, if I haven't got the grippe coming on, I miss my guess.

>> (whistles) Get some Tonsiline.

>> Tonsiline?

>> Yep.

>> Never heard of it.

Any good?

>> Oh, it's great.

It broke up my cold in five minutes.

>> Five minutes?

>> Five minutes.

>> Five min?

>> Yep.

>> What was the name?

>> Tonsiline, T for taffy, O for occident, N for nuts, get the Tonsiline.

>> I know how to spell it.

Any drug store?

>> Any drug store.

>> I'll get me some.

Oh, that drinking cup.

(man whistling) >> Well, I wished Walter would get here with my dough.

>> Hey, speaking about dough, there's a 10-grand reward for that guy, Williams.

Let's get the cops and search the building, what do say?

>> And wouldn't it be funny if we found him right here in the building?

>> Supposing he is here the building?

The cops would grab the reward.

We wouldn't get a smell.

>> That's right.

>> Listen.

Let's all grab a floor.

Whoever finds him, we'll split the reward.

>> I'll stay here.

>> Ah, I don't know about that.

Getting my sunset blown off.

>> What else is it good for?

Besides, he can't hurt anybody.

Ah, come on, Mac.

>> Well.

>> Now, listen, Mother.

>> Don't you mother me.

If you've got anything to say for yourself after keeping us at that station all this time, you come downstairs and say it to Peggy.

>> Tell Peggy, I'll be there in five minutes.

>> No, sir.

I don't move out of here without you.

>> But I already told Peggy.

>> I know.

A lot of gibberish about a murderer.

>> No, I.

>> I don't care if you did catch him.

You come with me this moment.

>> What?

>> Well I knew something stunk around here.

>> Who said if he caught him?

>> What do you mean you caught a murderer?

>> I don't know what she's talking about.

I didn't say anything of the kind.

>> Yes, you did.

>> He never told her that.

>> All I said was I trying to catch him.

You see, mother, you got it all balled up.

>> What do you know about it?

How do you know he didn't?

>> Let go.

>> Hildy and she were here together.

>> Yeah.

She's one that knows.

>> What do you mean?

>> Search-ay la femme.

>> Where is Earl Williams?

>> How should I know?

>> Where is he?

>> Who you holding out on?

Come clean before we knock it out of you.

>> Sock him, Jimmie.

>> Who are you trying to cross?

>> Wait, you stool pigeons, he doesn't know where Williams is.

I'm the one that knows.

>> What do you mean, you know?

>> Go find out, you heels.

You don't think I'm gonna tell.

>> We'll make you.

>> Let her alone.

She's goofy.

>> Man: She ain't too goofy to know where Williams is.

>> Here, close that door.

>> Ah, no, no.

All right, you ain't getting out of here.

>> Now, where is he?

>> Where are you hiding him?

>> I ain't gonna squeal.

I ain't gonna.

>> You've got to tell, or we'll shake it out of you.

Do you want to have us call the cops and give you the boot.

>> Man: Come on, Woodenshoes, slap it out of her.

>> Where is he?

Before I hurt you.

>> Don't you come near me, you kidney foot.

Keep away.

Keep away from me.

I'll knock your heads off.

>> Put down that chair.

>> Get around.

Get on the side of her.

>> No, you don't.

You'll never get it out of me.

I'll never tell.

Never!

>> Grab her.

(Molly screams) >> Carl, Carl, get a stretcher.

>> Take me out of here.

>> Officer: She's moving.

She's alive.

>> Officer: Stand back there, don't touch her.

>> Get cops, Woodenshoes.

>> Come on, fellas.

>> Ah, gee, the poor kid.

Walter, did you see that?

>> Yes.

Where is he?

>> She jumped out the window.

>> I know.

Where is he, I said.

>> Oh, anyway, she ain't dead.

>> Come to, Hildy.

Where do you have Williams?

>> Huh?

He's in the desk.

Oh, the poor kid.

>> Earl: Let me out.

I can't stand it.

>> Keep quiet, you shouldn't breathe.

>> What's the matter?

>> Who's that?

>> That's my girl's mother.

>> What are you doing?

>> Shut up.

>> I won't shut up.

That girl killed herself.

Oh, you're doing something wrong.

What's in there?

>> Louie, take this lady over to Polack Mike's and lock her up.

And see that she doesn't talk to anyone on the way.

>> What's that?

What's that?

>> Take her out the back way.

Tell Mike it's a case of delirium tremens.

>> Walter, that's gonna get me in a terrible jam.

>> Oh, sure, anything you say, boss.

>> Now don't worry, Mother.

This only temporary.

>> Where do you think you're going?

>> I'm going out and getting my girl.

>> Your girl?

What are you, some puny college boy?

Why in time of war, you could be shot for what you're now, for less.

>> There's your story, smear it all over the front page, Earl Williams caught by the "Morning Post," and take all the credit.

I covered your story.

And I covered it right.

Now I'm getting out of here.

>> Why you drooling sap-head, what do you mean a story?

You've got the whole city by the seat of the pants.

>> I know, but.

>> You know?

You've got the brain of a pancake.

Listen, Hildy, if I didn't have your interests at heart, would I be wasting time arguing with you now?

You've done something big.

You've stepped into a new class.

>> What?

>> While we make such monkeys out of those ward heelers that nobody would vote for them, not even their wives.

>> Expose them, huh?

>> Crucify them.

We're gonna keep Williams under cover till the morning so the "Post" can break the story exclusive.

Then we'll let the governor in on the capture and share the glory with him.

>> I see.

I see.

>> Kick over the whole city hall like an apple cart.

You've got the mayor and Hartman backed against a wall.

You put one administration out put another one in.

Why this isn't a newspaper story, it's a career.

And you stand there belly-aching about some girl.

>> Well, yeah, I wasn't thinking about it that way, I guess.

We'll be the white-haired boys, won't we?

>> While they'll be naming streets after you, Johnson Street.

You and I and the governor are gonna run this town.

>> Yeah, but we can't keep Williams here, one of the fellows- >> We'll carry him over to my private office.

Where's our telephone?

>> That one, right over there, the white one.

But they'll see him?

>> Not if he's inside the desk and carried over.

>> Can't do that, it's swarming with cops outside.

>> We'll do out of the window with pulleys.

Hildy?

>> What?

>> Slip into it.

Get that machine.

Start pounding out a lede.

>> How much do want on it?

>> All the words you got.

>> Where's the paper?

>> Hello, give me Duffy.

Hello?

>> Can I call the mayor an animal that bays?

>> Call him a lovechild if you want.

Duffy.

>> How about the time he had his house painted by the firemen?

>> Give him the works.

Hello, Duffy.

Get set.

We've got the biggest story in the world.

Earl Williams caught by the "Post" exclusive.

Send word down to Butch McGuirk.

I want 10 huskies to land right over here, press room, Criminal Court Building.

Butch will get that desktop.

Nothing's ever stopped those boys.

>> What if they start shooting?

>> Fine.

Now listen, Duffy, I want you to tear up the whole front page.

That's what I said, the whole front page, out.

Johnson's writing the lede.

>> Hildy?

>> What the devil do you want?

>> Peggy: Hildy?

>> Miss, you can't come in here.

Sink the Chinese earthquake.

Wait a minute, Duffy.

Now look here, little girl.

>> You're doing this to him.

He was going and you stopped him.

>> Listen, dear, something terrific has happened.

I was going to tell you, but I couldn't.

>> Tell her nothing.

She's a woman, you fool.

>> I'm not going to let you do it.

You're coming, right now.

>> Holy jumping.

>> Darling, this is the biggest chance in my life.

>> Keep quiet.

>> You don't want to marry me, that's all.

>> That isn't true, just because you won't listen to me, you'll say I don't love you, when you know I'd cut off my hands for you.

I'd do anything for you, anything in the world.

>> Walter: What, Duffy?

What?

Junk the League of Nations.

Spike it.

>> You never intended to be decent and live like a human being.

You were lying all the time.

>> All right then, if that's what you think.

>> H. Sebastian jumping, I'm trying to concentrate.

>> Oh, I see what you are now.

Just a rotter, like him.

>> Sure, that's what I am.

>> No, leave the rooster story alone.

That's human interest.

>> You're just a heartless, selfish animal without any feelings.

It's all your fault.

And if you think I'm going to- >> Shut up, will you?

Let me talk to Butch.

>> Sure that's what I am, a rotter and that's all I ever want to be.

>> Well then get hold of Butch as fast you can.

>> You never did love me or you couldn't talk to me like that.

>> If you want me, you'll have to take me as I am, instead of trying to make a floosie out of me.

I'm no stuffed-shirt writing peanut ads.

I'm a newspaper man.

>> Let it come, Hildy, fast.

Get back in there you mock turtle.

The edition gone in yet?

Well don't.

Never mind the mail train.

You're not working for the advertising department.

Keep on this wire.

>> Ah, nuts.

(siren wailing) (crowd shouting) (Mrs. Grant squealing) >> Duffy.

Duffy!

I told him to stay on the phone.

And now the moon's out.

(hand thudding) Hi, three slaps is me.

Don't forget.

This isn't play, now.

Got enough air?

That's better?

Lam into them, Hildy, every punch below the belt.

Hello, Duffy, where have you been?

Never mind your diabetes, keep on this phone.

Listen, did you impress it on Butch to take a taxi?

That every minute counts?

You did?

All right.

Duffy's getting old.

>> Where is Butch?

>> He's on the way.

>> Better hurry, the fellows will be coming back to phone.

(man whistling) >> How is she?

>> Don't know yet.

>> What's your lede, Hildy?

>> While hundreds of Sheriff Hartman's paid gunmen stalked through the city shooting innocent bystanders, spreading their reign of terror, Earl Williams was lurking less than 20 yards from the- >> No.

That stinks.

Aren't you going to mention the "Post"?

Don't we take any credit?

>> I got that in the second paragraph.

>> Who's gonna read the second paragraph?

15 years I've been telling you how to write a newspaper story.

Have I got to do everything?

Get the story, write the story?

>> Now listen, you crazy baboon, I can sing better newspaper stories than you can write.

>> You ought to go back to chasing pictures.

You were good at that.

>> Why, you ungrateful windbag, who wrote the Fitzgerald confession?

Who wrote the Ruth Randall diary?

How about the Dayton flood, even the telegraph operator was crying.

>> Make me cry now.

Duffy, what's the name of that religious editor or ours, the fellow with the dirty collar?

Sipper what?

Well tell Sipperly I want to see him right away.

You know what I'm gonna do?

>> Yeah.

Talk yourself to death.

>> Yeah.

I'm gonna get Sip Sipperly to make up a prayer for fair city, in eight-column, old English boldface, right across the top of the paper.

Our Father, there were 421 murders in this, our fair city, last year.

All in religious lingo, see.

Our Father, what a prayer.

What an idea.

>> Uh huh.

You better pray that desk will float over to your office.

>> Wait.

Wait, wait, I've got an inspiration.

Now here's your lede.

Take this down just as I say it.

>> Someday you're going to do that and I'm gonna belt you right in the jaw.

>> The "Post," again, rode to the rescue of the city last night, in the darkest hour of her history.

Earl Williams.

Earl Williams, the bolshevik tiger, who leaped snarling from the gallows upon the flanks of the city was captured.

>> I got you.

I got you.

Go on from there.

(knuckles rapping) Who's that?

>> Who's that?

>> Bensinger: What's the idea in locking this door?

>> It's Bensinger.

That's his desk.

>> What's his name?

>> Bensinger, "Tribune."

>> I'll handle him.

(knuckles rapping) >> Bensinger: Come on, come on, come on.

>> Watch it.

>> What's the idea in locking that door?

Haven't you, haven't you any bit of sense at all?

This isn't a private room.

And you ought to know better.

Oh, Mr. Burns, oh my.

It's quite an honor having you over here.

>> Hello, Bensinger.

>> Yes.

If you'll excuse me, please, I just want to get my- >> Quite a coincidence, my running into you tonight.

Isn't it, Hildy?

>> Yeah.

>> Well how do mean?

I was just having a little chat about you this afternoon.

That's nice.

>> Oh.

>> With our Mr. Duffy.

>> Oh, really?

Nothing detrimental, I hope.

>> Well I should say not.

Say, that was one swell story you had in the paper this morning.

>> Oh, really?

You liked that, did you?

Did you like the poem?

>> The poem?

Oh, the poem was great.

>> Oh, wasn't it, wasn't it.

Especially that ending, and all is well outside his cell, but in his heart he hears the hangman calling and the gallows falling and his white-haired mother's tears.

>> Heartbreaking.

>> Isn't it?

>> How would you like to work for me?

>> Well.

What?

>> We need somebody like you.

All we've got over there now are a lot of low-brows and leg men, like Johnson here.

>> (laughs) Are you serious, Mr. Burns?

>> My dear Bensinger.

Ah, Duffy, I'm sending Bensinger over to see you.

Ah, Mervin isn't it?

>> Roy.

Roy B.

>> Aha, Roy Bensinger, the poet.

Ah, put him right on the staff.

What are you getting at the Tribune, Roy?

>> $75.

>> I'll give you $100 and a byline.

Give him everything he wants.

Now hustle.

>> Yes, sir.

>> And write me a story from the point of view of the escaped man.

He hides, cowering, afraid of every light of every sound.

He hears footsteps, his heart going like that.

And all the time, they're closing in.

Get the sense of animal at bay.

>> Uh, uh, uh, a sort of Jack London style?

>> Exactly.

>> Yes, sir.

I wonder if you'll excuse me, I just want to get my rhyming dictionary.

>> It doesn't have to rhyme.

>> Oh no, no.

(laughs) I can't tell you, Mr. Burns, how terribly grateful I am.

Yes, sir.

You don't suppose, sometime, there might be an opening for a foreign correspondent?

I parlez a little French, you know?

>> I'll keep you in mind, Roy.

>> Oh, thank you, sir.

Oh, thank you.

Thank you, sir.

Au revoir, mon capitan.

>> Bon jour.

>> Oh, jour, oh.

(laughs) >> White-haired mother's tears.

Duffy, get this, a "Tribune" sneak is coming over to get a job, Bensinger, the fellow I told you about.

Tell him to get busy writing poetry.

No, we don't want him.

Handle him with kid gloves till he gets through, then tell him his poetry stinks and kick him downstairs.

>> Oh, you double-crossing rat.

>> That will teach him not to quit his job without giving notice.

(people shouting) >> Taxi.

Taxi!

The "Morning Post" Building, quickly.

Oh, I, I beg your pardon.

Taxi.

Taxi!

>> Yes, Duffy, pick up this wire.

Stand in the window, stand like a frozen robin.

>> Well, you've just jammed up my whole life, that's what you've done.

>> We ought to have our plans set when Butch gets here.

Mm, Butch, he'd go through fire for me.

>> Fine horse's bustle I turned out to be.

>> No.

The window's out.

He'll have to carry it out of the building.

>> Gee, she was the most wonderful girl I've ever known.

She had looks, brains, spirit, and everything.

>> Who are you talking about?

>> My girl, who do you think?

>> Mumbling about your girl now?

You've got a story to write.

>> Practically chased her out like she was some picken.

>> You acted like a man for the first time in your life.

>> I'll never love anybody else.

They don't come twice like that in a man's life.

>> Mm, you'll sleep it off.

>> See, when she was sick in the hospital and you sent me on that wild goose chase all over Kentucky, she never even complained.

>> Hm-hmm, sick in the hospital.

>> Well she was.

She nearly died.

>> I see, she never complains.

She just nearly died.

>> Gee, this time tomorrow, I'd have been on the train.

I'd have been on my way to New York.

And I'd have been as happy.

>> Hildy, I was in love once, with my third wife.

I treated her a wife, let her have a maid and everything.

I was sweet to her.

>> Oh, who wants to hear about your wife.

>> I trusted her.

And then I later let her meet a certain party in the "Tribune" and what happened?

One night I came home unexpectedly.

I let myself in through the bedroom window.

End of story.

>> I don't want to hear about your troubles.

>> And the very next morning, what do I read in the "Tribune"?

All over the front page, my corruption story that I'd been fool enough to tell my wife.

>> You know a lot about women, you do, you and that stable you keep.

You never met a decent woman.

You wouldn't know what to do with a pure girl.

>> Oh, yes, I would.

>> You take that back!

>> What do you think women are, flowers?

Now take that dame that shot the dentist.

And Mrs. Vermilya, husband comes home all worn out, hungry, takes a spoonful of soup, and falls over dead, arsenic.

And Mrs. Petras, burning her husband up in the furnace.

Oho, Hildy, when you've been in this business as long as I have, you'll know what women are, murderers, Borgias.

>> Boy, I'm a sap falling for your line of, Johnson Street.

>> You had a good rest, get back on the story.

Here, you're just nervous.

>> Sure, I'll take that.

I'll get stewed tonight, and I'll stay stewed for the rest of my life.

I'll be a newspaper man right in your class, on my bustle in a monkey cage.

(knuckles rapping) >> Shut up, you fat head.

Who is it?

>> Louie: Hello.

Boss.

>> It's Louie.

What's the matter?

>> Where's the old lady?

>> What did you do with her?

>> What happened?

>> Been in a fight?

>> Down to Western Avenue, going to 5th Street, we was going 65 miles an hour, you know what I mean?

>> Take that muck out of your mouth.

>> Where's the old lady?

>> I'm-a telling you, we ran smack into a police patrol.

Do you know what I mean?

We cut him in half.

>> Oh, was she hurt?

>> Tell me, where is she?

>> Louie?

>> I'm-a telling you.

Can you imagine bumping into a load of cops.

They come a-rolling out there like an orange.

>> But what did you do with her?

>> Oh, search me.

When I come-a to, I was running down 35th Street.

>> But you were with her.

You were in the cab with her, weren't you?

>> Yeah, was I?

The taxi driver, he's got knocked cold.

>> Butter-fingers.

I give you an old lady to take somewhere, and you hand over to the cops.

>> What do you mean, I hand?

The police patrol was on the wrong-a side of the street.

And there you got it.

>> Now everything's fine.

She's probably squawking her head off in some police station.

>> I don't think she's talking much, you know what I mean?

>> Oh, don't tell me, was she killed?

>> Was she?

Did you notice?

>> Say, with rap I got against me and the bank job and the big blow right here, I should stick around asking a-questions from a lot of cops.

Oh, sure.

>> Dead.

Well, that finishes me.

>> That's fait accompli.

What will be will be.

>> Oh, sure.

>> Oh, what am I gonna tell Peggy?

What am I gonna say to her?

>> You'll never see her again.

Now, snap out of it.

Would you rather have the old lady dragging the whole police force in here?

>> But I killed her.

I did.

What am I gonna do?

How am I ever gonna face her?

>> Look at you.

Look at me.

>> I'm looking at you, you murderer!

>> If it was my own mother, I'd carry on.

You know I would, for the paper.

>> Louie, where did happen, because I'm going out?

>> You stay here, I'll find out about everything.

(phone ringing) >> Western and 34th.

>> Hello, hello.

>> Give me Western 4557.

>> Who?

Oh, hello, Butch, where are you?

>> Mission Hospital.

>> What are you doing there?

Haven't you even started?

>> Was there an old lady brought in there from auto smash-up?

>> Oh, for H. Sebastian, Butch, listen, it's a matter of life and death.

Listen.

>> Nobody?

>> I can't hear.

You got who?

Speak up.

A what?

Well you can't stop for a dame now.

>> Is this the Community Hospital?

>> Butch, I don't care if you've been trying for six years, our whole lives are at stake.

Are you gonna let some round-heeled blonde ruin everything?

>> Hello, Eddie, Hildy Johnson.

>> I'd put my arm in fire for you, up to here.

Now you can't double-cross me.

She does?

All right, put her on, I'll talk to her.

Hello.

Oh, hello, madame.

Now, listen, tramp, you can't keep Butch away from his duties.

What kind of language is that?

Hello?

Hello?

I'll kill him.

I'll kill both of them.

Duffy.

Mousing around with some big, blonde Annie, (indistinct) that's cooperation.

Duffy!

>> Shut up, will ya?

You sure, nobody?

>> Duffy!

Diabetes.

I ought to know better than to hire anybody with a disease.

Louie.

>> Huh.

>> It's up to you.

>> Louie: Anything you want, boss.

>> Beat it out and get a hold of some guys, will you?

>> Louie: What you want I should get?

>> Anybody with hair on their chest.

Get them off the streets anywhere.

Offer them anything, only get them.

We got to get that desk out of here.

>> Boss, the shirt off of my back, you know what I mean?

>> Warren: Don't bump into anything.

>> Albiester 100.

>> Tell me he wouldn't flop on me?

I know it.

Can you imagine Butch falling out on me at a time like this?

(man whistling) >> Ed: Come on, let's go back to the press room.

>> Yeah, Ed, tell him to give us a ring there.

>> Yeah, tell him to ring us in the press room.

>> Ed: Ring us at the press room.

(whistling) >> Louie don't get back in five minutes, we'll get it out alone.

There are millions of ways.

Was there a fire and the firemen carry it out in the confusion?

>> Ring this number, will you?

>> Come here, see if we can move it.

>> Hello, is the Lying-In Hospital?

Did you have auto smash-up in the last?

>> Would you come here?

>> Oh, I see.

Well, I beg your pardon.

>> When I'm surrounded, with my back against the wall, you're not gonna lay down on me.

>> I ought to lay down on you and spit in your eye, you murderer.

>> Yellow, huh?

>> I don't care what you think.

I am, I'm going out and find my girl's mother.

Oh.

>> Your girl?

You and Butch McGuirk, woman lovers.

>> Hildy: I'm going out and find her.

>> Don't open that.

>> Here he is.

>> Ahoy, Hildy.

>> Oh, I, just a minute, Johnson.

>> Let go of me.

What's the idea?

>> What's your hurry?

>> Wait a minute, we want to see you.

>> Keep your paws off of me, will you?

>> Hold him, boys.

>> Wait a minute, Hartman, wait a minute.

Who do you think you are, breaking in here like this?

>> You can't bluff me, Burns.

I don't care who you are or what paper you're editor of.

>> Hildy: Let me go!

Fellas, something happened to my girl's mother.

>> Hang on to him, boys.

>> Wilson: We know what you're up to.

>> Probably going out to get Williams.

>> The door was locked.

>> He and Molly were talking.

>> I don't know anything.

I tell you there's been an accident.

>> Johnson, there's something very, very peculiar going on here.

>> Well you can send somebody out with me if you don't believe me.

>> I wasn't born yesterday.

Now the boys tell me that you and this Molly Malloy.

>> Oh, nobody is trying to put anything over on you.

I've got to get out of here, and you can't stop me.

>> Hey, you ain't going to get anywhere.

>> Sheriff, he's got the whole story sewed up, and that's why Burns, that's why, that's why Burns is here.

>> Where he's going?

>> Other end of town.

>> If you've any accusations to make, Hartman, make them in the proper manner.

Otherwise, I'll have to ask you to get out.

>> You'll ask me to what?

>> Get out.

>> Close that door.

Don't let anybody in or out.

>> Come on, see if you give him a little third degree.

>> Make him talk, Pinky.

He's got Williams.

>> Johnson, I'm going to the bottom of this.

Tell me, what do you know about Williams?

Are you gonna talk or ain't you?

>> What do I know about Williams?

>> All right, boys, take him along.

I've got ways of making him talk.

>> Look out, you.

>> Man: Oh, what's the use of fighting, Hildy?

>> Look out, he's got a gun.

>> Hey, Walter.

>> Give me that.

Where did you get this?

>> I'm allowed to carry a gun if I want to.

>> Not this gun.

>> I can explain that, Hartman.

He was having trouble on the Sprague case.

I gave it to him to defend himself.

>> Oh, you did, eh?

Well that's very, very interesting.

This happens to be the gun that Earl Williams shot his way out with.

>> Oh, getting married, huh?

>> Maybe Williams is going to be his best man?

>> That's pretty, Hildy, crossing your own pals.

>> What do you know about that, eh?

>> Are you trying to make me out a liar?

>> I know my own gun, don't I?

>> Oh, we might have known who gave Williams the gun.

>> Don't you ever make a mistake?

>> Ah, now we're getting the story.

>> Then Hildy got that gun from Earl Williams.

>> Where is he?

Where you got him?

>> You're barking up the wrong tree, Hartman.

>> I'll give you three minutes to tell me where he is.

>> He's over at the hospital to call on Professor Englelhoffer.

>> What?

>> With a bag of marshmallows.

>> Take a magazine along.

>> He ain't there.

>> Say, what about Mr. Burns?

Ask the mastermind what he's doing here.

>> Speak up, Burns, what do you know about this?

>> My dear Hartman.

>> Oh, can that, come on, now, where is he?

The "Morning Post" is not obstructing justice or aiding criminals.

You ought to know that.

>> No, well.

Johnson, you're under arrest!

You too, Burns.

>> Who's under arrest, you insignificant, pimple-headed, squared-toe spy.

Do you realize what you're doing?

>> We'll see about that.

Carl, get the mayor on the phone.

Ask him to come over here.

(knuckles rapping) >> That man, there.

>> Tell me, Mother, are you all right?

>> What's the idea, here?

>> This lady claims she was kidnapped.

>> What?

>> They dragged me all the way down the stairs.

>> Just a minute, lady.

What is this man to do with it?

>> He was the one in charge of everything.

He told them to kidnap me.

>> Are you referring to me, madame?

>> You know you did.

>> What about this, Burns?

Kidnapping, eh?

>> Well, it's beyond me.

Who is this woman?

>> What a thing to say.

I was standing right there when the girl jumped out of the window.

>> You get the mayor on the phone, Carl?

>> Yeah, coming right over.

>> Oh, madame, be honest.

If you were joy-riding, drunk, or got into some scrape, why don't you admit it instead of accusing innocent people.

>> Oh, you ruffian.

You unprincipled man.

You, you, how dare you say a thing like that?

>> Oh, Mother, he's just crazy.

>> I'll say something more.

I'll tell you why they did it.

>> Come on, sheriff, we've got to get bail.

>> I was in this room.

They had some kind of murderer, hiding him.

>> Hiding him?

In here?

>> Hiding where?

>> No, mother.

>> Where was he?

Where do they have him?

>> Madame, you're a cod blind liar.

(knuckles rapping) >> He's in the desk.

>> Holy cow.

>> For the love of.

>> Duffy.

>> Give me that phone.

>> What a break.

>> Ah, I thought so.

Stand back, everybody.

>> Look out, he may have a gun.

>> Get your guns out.

>> Oh, he's harmless.

>> Don't take any chances.

Shoot right through the desk.

>> But he can't hurt anybody.

You've got his gun.

>> Oh, dear.

Oh, dear.

Dear, oh.

>> You gray-haired, old weasel.

>> City desk, quick.

>> Close that door.

>> Wilson: Get me the desk.

>> Guard that window.

>> Schwartz: City desk, hurry.

>> Pinky: You, stand over there.

>> Hey, look out where you're pointing that gun.

>> Get me Able.

>> Hildy, call Duffy.

>> Duffy.

>> No, you don't.

>> Let me have the desk, quick.

Do you want to get us scooped.

>> Now everybody.

>> Hold the wire, I got a flash for you.

>> Aim right at the center.

>> That's murder.

>> When I say three.

>> Hang on for a second.

>> Bob, Frank- >> Hold it.

>> One of you stand each side of the desk.

>> Something coming up.

>> Take hold of the cover.

>> Hold the phone.

>> We got you covered, Williams.

>> I'll have it in a minute.

>> Ready for an emergency.

>> Right away, now.

>> When I count three.

>> Something hot.

>> One.

Two.

Up with it!

>> Go on, shoot me.

>> Earl Williams was just captured in the press room in the Criminal Courts Building hiding in a desk.

>> Got you, Williams.

>> Williams found in a roll-top.

>> That went fighting.

>> Earl Williams hiding place.

>> McCue: Williams put up desperate struggle, but the police overpowered.

>> He offered no resistance >> Murphy: He tried to shoot it out with the cops.

But the gun wouldn't work, so.

>> Tried to break through the cordon of police.

>> Mike: Shooting towards the cops before they opened the desk.

>> Duffy, the "Post" just turned Williams over to the sheriff.

More in a minute.

>> Put the cuffs on those two.

>> Anonymous note received by the sheriff led to Williams' capture, more later.

>> Well-bred society woman tipped off the cops.

Call you back.

>> Kruger: An old sweetheart of Williams double-crossed him.

>> Following a well-defined trail of blood, the sheriff.

>> Murphy: Williams gave his whereabouts when he came out for food.

>> Sheriff is now tracing mysterious phone call which gave away Williams' hiding place.

Call you back.

>> Where's the old lady?

>> Hey.

>> Madame?

>> Where'd she go?

>> Where's the old dame?

>> Hello, darling.

Get me Jacobi, quick.

>> Hartman, you're going to wish you'd never been born.

>> Fine work, Pete.

You certainly delivered the goods.

I'm proud of you.

>> Pinky: They look kind of natural, don't they, eh, Fred?

>> A sight for sore eyes.

Well, it looks like you boys stepped into something up to your necks.

>> Aiding an escaped criminal and a little charge of kidnapping that I'm looking into.

That's the jail.

There must be somebody there.

>> Hey, there's the old lady, now.

>> Well, it looks like about 10 years apiece for you birds.

>> Does it?

You forget the power that always watches over the "Morning Post."

>> Your luck's not with you now.

>> Jacobi, I caught him.

Williams.

Yeah, single handed.

They're bringing him right over.

We'll precede with the hanging per schedule.

>> You'll be in office exactly two days more.

And we're pulling your noses out of the feedbag.

>> Get me the district attorney's office.

I'll tell you what you'll be doing.

You'll be making brooms in the state penitentiary.

Hello, Durant, this is Hartman talking.

Come over to my office right away, will you?

I just arrested a couple of important birds, and I want you to take their confessions.

>> Duffy, get Clarence Darrow.

>> All the lawyers in the world aren't going to help you.

>> This is the "Morning Post" you're talking to.

>> The power of the press, huh?

(laughs) >> Bigger men than you have found out what the power of the press means, presidents, yes, and kings.

Fred, whenever you think you've got the "Post" licked, that's a good time to get out of town.

>> Hildy: On a handcart.

>> Fred: You're whistling in the dark, eh?

Well, it isn't going to help you this time.

You're through.

>> Walter: The last man that told me that was Eddie Kane, a week before he cut his throat.

And I've got the same feeling right now that I had five minutes before that happened.

>> Here's your reprieve.

>> Get out of here.

>> You can't bribe me.

>> What's all this?

>> Get out of here, you.

>> I won't.

Here's your reprieve.

>> Hildy: What?

>> I don't want to be a city sealer.

>> Who is this man?

>> Who was bribing you?

>> They wouldn't take it.

>> You're insane.

>> What did I tell you?

The unseen power.

What's your name?

>> Irving Pincus.

>> You drunken idiot.

Arrest him.

The idea of coming here with a cock and bull story like that.

>> Yeah, it's a frame-up.

Some imposter.

>> Hey, wait a minute.

>> Murder, eh?

Hang an innocent man to get an election, huh?

>> It's a lie.

>> I never saw him before.

>> Why Fred.

>> When did you deliver this the first time?

>> They started right in bribing me.

>> Who is they?

>> Them.

>> That's absurd on the face of it, Mr. Burns.

He's talking like a child.

>> (laughs) The unseen power.

>> He's insane or drunk or something.

Since this unfortunate man, Williams, has really been reprieved, I personally am tickled to death.

Aren't you, Pete?

>> Huh.

>> Oh, you'd hang your mother to win an election.

>> That's a a horrible thing to say, Johnson, about anybody.

Now, look here, Walter, you're an intelligent man.

>> Wait a minute.

All right, Mr. Pincus, let's have your story.

>> Well, I've been married 19 years.

>> Let's skip all that.

>> Take those handcuffs off the boys, Pete.

That wasn't at all necessary.

>> I was just going to.

Well, what are you waiting for?

Why don't you take the cuffs off the boys?

>> Walter, I can't tell you how badly I feel about this.

There was no excuse for Pete to fly off the handle.

>> I was only doing my duty.

There wasn't anything personal.

>> Why don't you guys quit politics and take in washing?

>> What did you say your name was?

Pincus?

>> That's right.

Here's a picture of my wife.

>> Ooh, buy another woman.

>> Why she's good enough for me.

>> Boy, I'll bet she is.

>> Hildy?

What's the matter?

What are they gonna do?

Those reporters said that- >> Ah, Peggy, don't start to bawl me out now.

>> Nobody is gonna do anything to anybody.

>> Of course not.

My old friend, Walter Burns, and I understand each other perfectly, I trust.

>> And, uh, so do I.

>> So do you what, you hoodoo?

And now, Mr. Pincus, if you will come with us, we'll take you over to the warden's office and deliver this reprieve.

>> But, Hildy, they said they'd arrested you.

>> We were going to have a little feed, Walter, after the hanging, a sort of a buffet breakfast.

>> Fred: Hartman!

>> I'm coming, Fred.

What do you say if we eat it now?

Delicious ham and some of Mrs. Hartman's own preserves?

>> Hartman!

>> Oh, dear.

>> Wait'll those two read the "Post" in the morning.

Hildy, get that guy, Pincus, over to the office tomorrow.

>> Nothing doing.

I'm all washed up.

>> Walter: What's that?

>> I mean it this time, Walter.

>> Oh, Hildy, if I only thought you did.

>> Peggy, if I'm not telling the absolute truth, may I fall dead.

I'm going to New York tonight, with you, if you give me just one last chance.

I'm going to cut out drinking and swearing and everything connected with the crazy newspaper business.

Honey, I'll never even read a newspaper.

>> Walter: I've got an idea.

>> No, sir.

Nothing you can say will ever change my mind.

This time, I'm through, and I mean it.

Peggy, I got a lot of nerve to ask you to marry me.

I'm a prize package, all right, but if you'll take me, here I am.

>> Darling, don't talk that way.

I want you just the way you are.

>> Gosh, Hildy, I didn't know it was anything like this.

Why didn't you say something?

I'm the last person in the world to want step between you and your happiness.

You ought to know that.

I love you, you crazy mug.

You're getting a great guy, Peggy.

>> Yeah, well never mind the Valentines.

Goodbye, you turkey.

>> You're a great newspaperman, Hildy.

And I'm sorry to see you go.

>> Well if I ever come back to the business, which I won't, there's only one guy I'd work for.

You know that, don't you?

>> I'd kill you if you ever worked for anybody else.

>> You hear that, Peggy?

That's my diploma.

Gee, Walter, I don't know what to say except I'm gonna miss ya.

>> Same here, son.

>> 15 years we've been knocking around together.

That's before you were born, honey.

>> And what jams we've been in.

And what excitement we've had.

>> Say, do you remember the time we hid the missing heiress from the sauerkraut factory?

>> Do I?

Say, Peggy, get him to tell you about the time that we stole Old Lady Haggerty's stomach from the coroner's physician.

We proved she'd been poisoned.

>> But we had to hide for a week.

(both laughing) >> Darling.

>> Hildy: What?

>> You don't want to go to New York, down deep.

>> Well, I was just talking.

I, I'd feel worse if I stayed.

I guess.

>> If I thought you were going to be unhappy.

I mean, if you really wanted to.

No.

This is your chance to have a home and be a human being.

And I'm gonna make you take it.

>> I wouldn't let him stay.

Go on, before I make you city editor.

>> Hurry up, Peggy, he means it.

>> Any objections to my kissing the bride?

>> No, it's okay with me.

Go ahead, Mrs. Johnson.

>> Thanks.

What time does your train go?

>> There's another at 12:40.

>> New York Central, eh?

Gee, I wish I had time to buy you a little wedding present.

Wait a minute.

I've got it.

>> Oh, no, Walter.

Gee, you make me feel like I'm the bride.

>> Shut up.

It's a present from the big chief, himself.

And if you look inside, you'll find a little inscription, "To the best newspaperman I know."

And when you get to New York, you can scratch out my name and put yours in its place if you want to.

>> You know I wouldn't do that.

>> Take it, Hildy.

Mr. Burns wants you to.

And you don't want hurt his feelings.

>> Well, this is the first and last thing I ever got from a newspaper.

>> Goodbye.

I've always had a queer opinion of you, Mr. Burns.

In fact, I still think you're a little peculiar, but you're all right underneath.

I mean, I think you're a peach.

>> So are you.

You look just like a little flower.

>> Goodbye you big baboon.

>> Goodbye.

>> Goodbye, Johnson.

Be good to yourself and the little girl.

>> Hildy: Same to you and many of them.

>> Duffy.

Listen, Duffy, what's the first stop of the 12:40 to New York?

That's right.

I want you to send a wire to the chief of police there.

Tell him to stop that train and arrest Hildy Johnson.

Bring him back here.

Wire them a full description.

The son of a bitch stole my watch.

(dramatic suspenseful music)