Original subtitles

Good time, anytime you need a payment. Good time, anytime you need a friend.

Good time, anytime you're up and under.

Not getting hassled, not getting hustled.

Keeping your head above water.

Making a way when you can.

Temporary layoffs. Good time.

You're still tough.

If you were alive, you'd be a Marine sergeant.

Back you go.

And I want you to hang in there till you tender up.

One, two, three, four.

One, two, three, four.

There you go. Mama!

Hi, honey.

Oh, you found the paper.

I looked all over the hall for it.

Yeah, it's a little messed up. One of our neighbors got to it before we did.

It must have been that Miss Crutcher.

She's always stealing our paper and then complaining about how the crime rate is

going up.

I want to see if they got anything in here about J .J. winning the award for

art exhibit.

Oh, my, you must be some kind of magician. You finally figured out a way

ham hocks smell like chicken.

I did better than that. I made chicken smell like chicken.

Biggest we had in months, J .J. winning the award.

When we celebrate, we eat chicken, right?

What do chickens eat when they celebrate?

Less fortunate chickens.

Hello?

Hello,

Alderman David.

No, J .J.

I'm expecting him any minute.

Yes, I'll tell him.

Well, there's a surprise.

That was Alderman Davis. He's coming over to see JJ.

Now, what does that buzzard want with our goonie bird?

Oh, here it is.

JJ Evans wins Urban Community Art Show second year in a row.

The award ceremonies were taped and will be shown tonight on the sixth...

is going to be on TV tonight.

Hey, Jenna.

Miss Crutchie told me. Now, what's your surprise?

Never mind. Turn on the TV. We don't want to miss JJ. Okay.

Let's get this thing rolling. Come on, let's get this picture happening.

On the national scene, Governor Carter was in Oregon today.

President Ford made a speech in Iowa, and it is reported that Secretary of

Kissinger was seen in Washington.

Now for the local. The Urban Community Center presented its coveted annual

awards for excellence in the arts.

Here was the scene as the director of the center made the presentation.

And now for the award in visual arts.

Hey, I'm standing up now. You're ready to walk down the aisle. In a second,

you'll hear me clear my throat.

This young man's painting of contemporary black athletic heroes was

highlight of this year's show.

That's me clearing my throat.

I can say.

I was so disappointed.

Give it to me straight, Wilona. Was I as great on TV as I am in person?

J .J., you were fantastic.

Well, you know, what can I say?

At the beginning, I had a little trouble seeing you. You were standing behind

the flagpole.

Only kidding, honey.

Now, come on, Wilona.

Tell me, truthfully, what did I say to the man?

J .J., what do you mean, what did you say? You were there. You should know

you said.

It's not the word.

execution. Well, I'll vote for that.

Ma, we gotta get a new TV set because that one's had it. Yeah.

I expect to be winning many more awards, Ma, and I can't stand to watch myself

blow up on TV every week.

Yeah, Ma, we're missing all the new shows.

That's right.

Missing all the new shows. My friends Pop on Head, they was telling me about

this new show called The Bionic Black Man.

But this black dude gets into an accident.

The white scientists want to save him, but they don't have enough bionic So he

put the dude together with old parts from his Cadillac.

Well, we can't stand a new TV, Seth. Well, honey, all you're going to see on

television is some kind of debate. They got a debate now between President Ford

and Jimmy Carter. Now, Jimmy Carter wants it to be winner takes all, and

President Ford wants it to be two falls out of three.

And both of the candidates come on the air with dyed hair, caps on the teeth.

Whole lot of TV makeup on. And they got the nerve to say, trust me.

And you'd be surprised how the debate has influenced the clothes coming into

boutique, honey. They got this new number called the election special.

Cut low. Making all kinds of promises you know you just ain't gonna keep.

of my checks. Tell her I'm busy till 1989.

All right.

Oh, Alderman Davis.

Hello, Florida.

It is indeed a rare honor to cast my eyes on my favorite family in the entire

precinct. And you too, Wilona.

Honey, hide the silver.

Thank you, Florida.

My, but your family has grown. I wouldn't have recognized you, Teresa.

Thelma. And you, Mitchell.

That's Michael.

And, of course, everybody knows you, J .J. Nice of you to remember my initials.

Son, I wanted to tell you how impressed I am with your current art exhibit. So I

decided to come over here and personally compliment you. Flo, hide the paper

napkins, too.

Down at the community center, they tell me that they never had so many young

people get so excited about an art exhibit.

You know, what can I say? When you got it, you paint it, you frame it, you hang

it. And Davis, you can stuff it.

J .J., you're a vital force among the young people in our community.

Get to the point.

Exactly what do you want from J .J.? Now, Florida, why in the world would you

doubt my sincerity?

Oh. Oh, it's not that I doubt your sincerity.

It's just that I've never seen it.

Melona, I do what I do. Remember, I'm merely the people's servant.

Oh, servant, huh?

Do you do windows?

Melona, I am constantly amazed at your wonderful lack of humor.

But going from the ridiculous to the sublime, J .J., I want to congratulate

Your art speaks for all the young people in our community.

Well, as usual, it's been a pleasure seeing all the Evans glowing faces.

And yours too, Lola.

And I bid you goodbye.

That Davis has just got to be sick. He didn't ask for anything.

And that's like a fox going into a chicken coop ordering a vegetable plate.

There's one little thing I just remembered. Cancel the vegetable plates!

There's a pre -election dinner being given in my honor, and here's four

for you good people.

There's one in there for you too, Wilona.

By the way, they're $5 apiece. You can put the money in the envelope.

He's very thoughtful of you.

Now, Florida, don't beg for any more tickets. That's all I can spare you.

Well, it's nice to know he's his rotten self. This way we don't have to worry

about him going bad on us.

Well, well, well.

Long time no see.

There's one more little thing that I just remembered.

If these old nostrils of mine don't deceive me, that aroma I smell is

famous home -cooked chicken.

Bring along a few of those famous birds of yours, Florida.

Alderman, I'd love... to give you the bird.

Wilona, you can bring some coleslaw.

Anybody can cut cabbage.

But it takes a cabbage head to know that.

your influence with young people, J .J., I'd like for you to head up the YAM

committee. What's YAM?

Y -A -M.

Young Artist for Me.

Perfect. Yams go good with a stuffed turkey like you.

J .J., I'd like for you to sit on the dais with me and make a little speech in

my honor.

Yeah, but I ain't no speech writer.

No sweat, son.

We'll have an extemporaneous speech all prepared for you.

We'll be picked up at 7 o 'clock by a limousine from the Green Funeral Home.

Oh, I hope it's the one with the seeds in it.

All right, then it's all settled. I'll see you at the temple. Hold it,

Nothing is settled.

Now, I'm not about to let J .J. be bait for you to get in your young voters.

These young people nowadays can make up their own minds.

And I'm not about to cook you any chicken.

You cook your own bird.

Give it to her, Mama.

And, uh, Baldwin, you do know what you can do with your cabbage, don't you?

Tell them like it is, Wilona.

Well, we have a saying down at City Hall.

How soon they forget.

Florida, it pains me to remind you, but it was through the good graces of my

office that I got you this apartment in the first place. And you never let us

forget it.

Oh, look, Florida, now, what possible harm could it do if J .J. would say a

modest words to those young people?

Well, why don't we just ask J .J.? I agree with you, Ma. I wouldn't tie to

Alderman Davis coming up here blackmailing us about this apartment.

You know, Alderman, I think it would be a crime if the people in this district

re -elect you.

And I am not about to let J .J. become an accessory to a crime.

Right.

That's all you wanted, Mrs. Evans.

It's all well and good.

We have another thing down at City Hall.

The essence of democracy is the freedom of choice.

May I use your telephone? Hello, Bookman.

Alderman Davis here.

Bookman, an apartment has suddenly become available in your project.

The Evans family have freely chosen to leave.

Just what do you want, Bookman? Well, since you're giving out, Alderman Davis

requested that I take inventory for the lieutenant.

Well, he can't do this to us, can he? I mean, there are laws.

That's true, honey.

Unfortunately, it's politicians like David who make those laws.

This place will have to be completely redecorated.

Oh, yeah? What you plan on doing, bringing in a new set of roaches?

Bookman, how come you got a win with Ford Button and a win with Carter Button

each side?

Because Nathan Bookman's always on the side of the winner.

Yeah, but they both can't win.

And they both can't lose either.

Look here, no matter who's in the White House, a donkey or an elephant, there'll

still be a horses behind running this building.

Now, that's a cold shot.

You're right.

Now, J .J., you should not have said that, and I want you to apologize.

To horses everywhere.

I see how smart y 'all when you're living out in the streets.

Now I gotta get back to this inventory.

Let's see now.

One thing.

Chipped and rust stained.

Mint condition.

Two faucets. Needs washers. Excellent condition.

One stove.

Pilot light keeps going out. Ideal. Phase on gas.

came to look at the apartment.

What?

Is this the Evanston apartment?

Yes, it is.

Oh, I'm Mr. Gillard. This is my wife, Margaret.

Hello. Alderman Davis sent us over. He said this apartment is available.

Alderman may be rotten, but he sure works fast.

Oh, pardon, folks.

I'm Nathan Bookman, the supervisory engineer.

Better known as Buffalo Butt, the janitor.

We're going to miss that kid.

You folks excuse the conditions. The last tenants were a little sloppy in the

housekeeping department. Just a minute, Bookman. But with a little paint and a

little plaster, you folks will have a beautiful little honeymoon cottage.

Come on, let me show you the layout. Now, right over here, we have the master

bedroom. Right here.

Look, George, it has a separate bedroom.

Yeah, it sure is nice.

Where we live now, there are four of us and a single.

You see, this is one of our most sought -after apartments.

Yeah, right now it's 8 to 5. The rats will take it from the roaches.

You know something? You really won't be happy here. I mean, the bathtub leaks

and the pipe freezes, and sometimes we have to wait 20 minutes before the water

warms up. It's hot. Yeah, but your bathroom is in the apartment.

Ours is down the hall, and we have to share it with six other families.

Oh, hey, well, if you like snow in the wintertime, you don't have to worry

going outside to get it, because it comes right through that window.

Well, our windows are all boarded up.

Lots of vandals in our neighborhood.

Oh, you know, this neighborhood ain't exactly peaceful. You don't have to

TV to get sex and violence.

We got it on either side of us. One side, the battling Johnsons, and the

side, the religious fanatic known as Our Lady of the Streets. That's right.

It's all right. It's all right.

Look, Mr. and Mrs. Gillard, this may not be the best place in the world, but it

is our home.

Now, we are being forced out by your friend, David.

And he just might do the same thing to you.

We'll take that chance.

It's so much nicer than what we have now.

Then it's settled.

Yours is a lease, and yours, Mrs. Evans, is an eviction notice.

I'm so sorry.

It was nice meeting you.

The way I keep that place, it should be in a magazine.

Yeah, better slums than garbage.

Well, Ma, now what are we going to do?

The only thing we can do, son.

May I speak to Allman Davis, please?

And in conclusion, ladies and gentlemen...

This year, 70 million people in our country will not vote. A sad commentary

on my opponent who seems unable to attract a voter.

Why, in this war alone, hundreds of young voters will not go to the polls.

Just remember, young people, it doesn't matter who you vote for as long as you

vote. For Fred C.

Davis.

And now, I am honored to introduce a young man who is asked to say a few

on my humble behalf.

That is the humblest lie I ever heard.

Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of the Urban Community Award...

Mr. J .J. Evans.

Ladies and gentlemen, yams

and yamettes.

This is a rare honor to be able to speak on behalf of a great public serpent.

He has dedicated his whole life to his fellow man.

Forgive him, Lord, but apartments are hard to come by.

For Fred Davis, no sacrifice has been too great.

And I am thrilled to be able to say these things about this man.

And I am overjoyed that he's allowed me to speak on his behalf.

And I'm getting sick to my stomach saying all this garbage.

but I just can't go through with it.

Now I'm going to tell you about the real Fred Davis.

The Fred Davis who promised to increase the number of people working, which he

did. The unemployment officers have doubled their staff.

I'm talking about the real Fred Davis. You know what I'm talking about? The

Fred Davis. The Fred Davis you don't read about in the newspaper, but the

Davis that should be wrapped up in newspaper like a fish.

touch with the people matter of fact there's one of us tonight he hasn't

personally for five bucks whenever you hear the name fred davis you always hear

the words honesty integrity and trust unfortunately these words only apply to

his opponent

Grandma, I guess I blew it.

No, son.

You said what you had to say.

And I'm proud of you.

And I love you, Jay.

Hey, J .J., I'm proud of you, too, ma 'am. J .J., you are the greatest thing

that happened in politics since they kicked Earl in the butt.

All right, evidence family.

This time you've gone too far. I know, Alderman.

We're evicted.

Eviction is too good for you. No more Mr. Nice Guy.

I am not a crook.

But don't punish them. I was the one that did it.

That may be, but all of you are going to get it.

Hey, hey, Fred.

Hey, have you heard what the crowd is saying?

Hey, it's a success.

Yeah, for that pig -mouthed kid.

No, it's for you.

I sure enjoyed that. Better than any roast I've ever seen on TV.

And they say that politicians have no sense of...

They love you. They love me. Yeah, they think it's just like a Dean Martin

roast.

Oh, heavens, you're still my favorite family.

And you too, Walona.

J .J., I'm scheduling more campaign dinners for you. And, Florida, as long

I'm alderman, you'll be living in the project.

And that's the sad part.

As long as there are older men like Fred David, people like us will always live

here in the ghetto.

Just looking out of the window, watching the asphalt road,

thinking how it all looks and it dies.

Good times is videotape in front of a studio audience.