Original subtitles

Thank you.

We'll get a showdown on this and we'll get it now. I've seen the time when a

thing like this would create a riot in this town.

All I say is wait till we hear from him.

We're waiting, aren't we?

First floor.

Third door on the right.

Court's adjourned.

Oscar?

Frank? Hello, Judge. Hello, Mr. Wells.

Judge Hardy, what's this crazy rumor around town that you're going to grant a

restraining order against the new Ecuador?

What's crazy about that?

Then you are?

Why, Judge... Now, just a minute.

A taxpayer has brought suit to halt construction of a public work on Quo

proceedings.

Under the law, I can do nothing but grant a temporary restraining order

the facts are determined.

Even if that means a great loss to my company?

I'm sorry for that, Mr. Wells.

Well, it not only means a great loss to Mr.

Wells as the contractor, it stops everything.

Why, we've been running 24 pages in the Star and 36 on Fridays for a month.

Folks won't like it, Judge.

I'm sorry about that, too.

Let's face the facts, Judge.

Here's a project which has been under discussion for years.

It means taking water from you people here who don't need it to a city of a

million people who do need it. Work is about to start. Money is already

beginning to pour into Carville. And suddenly, out of a clear sky, you stop

everything. No, the law stops it.

Well, who invoked the law?

A petty larceny scribbler. A disgrace to the newspaper profession.

A dirty blackmailer. I resent that.

I file suit as a taxpayer because I don't like the smell of this whole

deal. It wouldn't be because I had you thrown out of my office when you hinted

that I'd better advertise in your sheet or else.

Would it, Nichols?

That's slander.

Make a note of that, Mr. Adams.

Gentlemen, this is all beside the point.

Mr. Nichols is a taxpayer.

Taxes on what?

That tumble -down shanty that he calls the office of the weekly vigilante?

Mr. Stubbins?

I'll be the judge of the qualifications of the litigants in my court.

Mr. Nichols has brought an action through a member of the bar of this

I realize the urgency of the situation as well as any of you, and I'll do all I

can to speed up the processes of the law toward a final settlement.

Good day, Mr. Nichols.

Oh, all right.

Good day.

You'd better speed things up sufficiently to throw this bare -faced

hold -up out into the gutter before Thursday, Judge Hardy.

The nominating convention, Judge.

You've never had any opposition before.

I understand Stubbins here is your campaign manager.

He can tell you what chance you'll have if you go against the sentiment of the

people.

Oh, I see.

Well, good day, gentlemen.

You see?

I said he'd understand.

Then we can go ahead.

Just a minute.

This is a temporary restraining order.

Under the law and the showing of the attorney for the petitioner, I have no

alternative but to sign it.

Now, I'm not trying to call with you. Well, then don't tell me how to run my

court. I won't tell you how to build bridges.

Good day.

Good day.

Good night.

I wish we could have gotten Beulah to help out with the serving.

She was busy at Mrs. Parker's bridge party.

Oh, we'll manage. It's only the children, not like strangers.

But home all at once. It'll be like Christmas.

Ma, where's my screwdriver?

How should I know?

Andy, aren't you going to get cleaned up for Marion getting home from school

first time in a year?

And I thought you were supposed to go to Mary Sutton's party tonight.

Shh, Aunt Millie, keep it dark.

I don't want to go with everybody home.

But your mother accepted for you. You can't disappoint them.

I better answer it.

Judge Hardy's residence.

Huh? Yes, it's Marion, your sister. Hello.

I'm down at the station.

Well, all right, Andy, I'll take a taxi home. Give my love to everybody and tell

them I'll be there in a little while.

Give them my love, too.

Well, that's fine, dear.

All right, I'll see you soon.

Well, thanks for drowning me in conversation across the country. I like

You talked an arm off me. Let's have a last cup of coffee together.

Oh, but I told Andy... Oh, you can't get a cab. Now there's not one in sight.

You're just a caveman at heart. I thought the first morning you spoke to

the dining car.

Hello, dear.

My, don't the flowers look pretty.

Is Marion here yet? She phoned from the station. She's taking a taxi.

I'm expecting Joan and Bill any minute.

You're tired.

Why don't you lie down and rest?

I think I will till the children get here.

Say, Emmy, you haven't got any baking soda in the house, have you?

I'll get you some. You just lie down and rest, dear.

I will.

Mom!

Will Dad let me take the car and go down and get some ice cream? No, he will not

let you take the car.

You ought to know that by this time.

Hello?

This is the Daily Star speaking.

We want to inquire about your dinner party tonight.

Oh, it isn't a big dinner, really. Just a family gathering.

Marion's getting back from college, and her sister Mrs. Joan Martin will be here

to welcome her.

Will Mr. Martin be there?

Bill? Why, of course he'll be here.

Oh, you're quite welcome.

Goodbye.

Who was it, Millie?

Oh, just the star.

They want an item about our dinner party.

Party.

That's it. Andrew.

Andrew? Yeah, Mom.

Come here a minute, please.

I remember what he wants to tell you. Tonight is the Suttons' party. I

Mrs. Sutton you'd be there.

Oh, Mom.

Hurry now. Get ready so you can leave right after dinner.

Holy jump of Jerusalem.

A party with girls.

If that's the item you've been getting over the phone from Judge Hardy's house,

you can can it, beautiful.

What do you mean?

Word just came from Redmond's office. Big fight on with Judge Hardy. Keep his

name out of everything unless it smells to heaven.

Do tell.

Well, there's one story about to break that they'll be glad to print.

What's that?

Joan Hardy Martin and husband Bill are saying it with boxing gloves any day

You don't say.

Then you won't come with me. I said I wouldn't, didn't I?

No, Bill.

Can't we start all over again?

Start making a sap out of me all over again?

No, thanks.

What about me?

What about the times I've pleaded with you?

Oh, you're the martyr now.

I get it.

Listen, Joan, we've talked enough.

Do you get out of this car or do I?

It isn't big enough for both of us.

Oh. Oh, Mother. Hello.

Aunt Millie.

Oh, the judge.

Oh, still judging.

Yet. Where's Bill? We've set a place for him. What's the matter? Is Mill coming?

I should have called you, Mother. He...

Had a business appointment.

The man he had to see tonight.

He said his regrets.

Oh, that's too bad.

He'll miss a good dinner.

Must be tending to business in earnest now.

Shucks, I wanted to show him the new stuff on my radio set.

You can show me.

Yeah, but Bill always knows what I'm talking about.

place it is.

These curtains are new. Your mother gave me those for my last birthday.

Johnny, where's Bill?

Bill's working tonight.

Bill working? Johnny, you're kidding the family.

No, really, he takes life very seriously these days. This is something about a

new aviation company. They may start and call you.

Gee, maybe I can be a test pilot.

Andrew, what are you doing with that suitcase?

I'm waiting for Marion to open it. Andrew.

I'm sorry, but you'll have to wait until the morning. Your present's in my

trunk. You didn't bring me another tie, did you? No. Where are your manners?

Well, shucks, Mom. I'm always getting socks or ties or things you're going to

buy me anyway.

You have to freshen up in a hurry, dear. Dinner's almost ready.

All right, Mother. Come up with me, Joanie. Andy, will you bring that up for

like an angel?

Oh, I always come in with a manual labor.

Hey, but I can't get messed up because I'm going to a party later on.

She's someone to be proud of, isn't she?

They all are.

Well, what's the matter, Mother?

So nice to have them all home again.

Well, that's nothing to cry about.

I know, but... Something's burning.

I hope it isn't the chickens.

Chickens?

That means I cough.

Oh, am I full.

Andrew. Well, people say they're hungry, don't they? Saying stomach full or

empty. That'll do, son.

Well, Millie, I suppose we might as well get out those dishes. They won't do

themselves. Oh, let's wait a while.

Yes, Mother, please wait.

If I get too comfortable in this chair, I'll never get up.

Oh, please, Mother, I... Well, there's a young man coming to call.

Young man?

Who? Wayne Trent III.

The third what?

Third Wayne Trent.

What happened to the other two?

Never mind about that, son. It's more important what happened to the third.

Witness may proceed.

Well, Your Honor, it was like this.

I was sitting in the train, all peaceable -like, minding my own

no attention to anyone, Your Honor.

It was at dinner, it was, Your Honor, and I was needing the salt, and there

a young man opposite me. Oh, a pickup, huh?

Andrew. That's just what it was, Mother.

He passed the salt, and we agreed the weather was fine, we liked to travel,

the country was interesting.

Second installment, the club car.

Have you read blah, blah, blah, blah? Have you been to blah, blah, blah? Do

like blah, blah, blah?

Third installment, the observation platform.

Oh, so you're from Carville.

Blah, blah, blah, blah.

I'm going to Carville. May I call?

You may call.

Finest.

Traveling all across the country together.

Oh, sure. She couldn't jump off the train just because there was a young man

aboard, could she?

Go on, Marion.

Well, that's all there is to tell.

You can see him for yourself any minute now.

I'll get it.

Hello?

Oh, just a minute. I'll call her.

It's for you, Mother.

Thank you.

Before I forget to get it, Andrew, please get a fresh handkerchief for your

breast pocket. Okay.

Yes?

Oh, hello, Mrs. Benedict.

Will you hold the wire just a second? I can't hear.

I'm sorry to keep you waiting.

No, no, Andrew hasn't left yet. The party doesn't begin till around nine.

Why, of course, he'll be delighted to take Polly.

Of course I understand. Just a moment, I'll let you speak to him.

It's Mrs. Benedict, Andrew.

Hello, Mrs. Benedict.

Huh?

Sure. I mean, yes, Mrs. Benedict.

Uh -huh.

I'll call for Polly about nine.

Uh -huh. Okay, goodbye.

For the love of Pete, Ma, why do I have to take old Polly Benedict to a party? A

girl I used to go to kindergarten with.

You should have told Mrs. Benedict you'd be delighted.

Delighted? Gosh, Mom, and you go to church.

Gee, why doesn't she go by herself? Why do I have to take her?

I don't know what to say to girls.

Well, there's nothing very difficult about it.

Just go in, take off your hat, and say, good evening, I've come for Polly.

Go in, take off my hat, say, good evening, I've come for Polly.

Oh, I think I smiled when I said that.

Good evening, I've come for Polly.

Perfect.

I'll bet that's Wayne now.

Well, here I am.

You look grand.

If I don't, it's not for lack of trying. I really worked around the back of the

ears this time.

Silly.

Look, come here a minute.

Look, go easy on our meeting on the train.

I told them about it, but Mother was rather shocked.

All right.

But heavy on the job with Hoyt Wells.

Okay.

Look, your mother's not really down on me on account of that stuff on the

Oh, no, no, of course not. It wasn't that. It was only, you know, when I

told her, she... Do you, uh... Do you feel funny?

Funny?

I do.

Oh, you mean scared?

I guess that's it.

Everything will be all right. Just you... I wonder... Where are you going?

I'm going to see what's the matter.

You'd better tend to your own knitting, Dad.

What are you smiling at?

Well, everyone says today young folks live in a new world.

They're doing the same old things.

Mother, this is Wayne Trent.

We're always very glad to meet any friend of Marion. Thank you, Mrs. Hardy.

My Aunt Millie.

How do you do, Mr. Trent?

My father.

How do you do, sir? How do you do, sir? I've certainly heard a lot about you,

Judge. My sister, Mrs. Martin.

How do you do? How do you do?

And this is Andrew, the kid brother.

Hey, you'll expect me to start sucking a lollipop.

How are you, bud?

Won't you sit down?

Thank you.

Andrew, get your Aunt Millie a chair.

How do you like our little bird, Trent?

Well, I like it.

All the shade trees and everything.

Nice and clean, too. Wide streets.

Everybody seems sort of friendly, too. You know what I mean?

I've met many people yet, but the people I have met, the boys down at the hotel

and everybody, all wanted to know where I came from, how long I was going to

stay, and everything.

Yes, well, they're naturally curious, you know. We're a bit off the main line

travel, so...

We don't get many tourists.

Well, I'm not exactly a tourist. I came here, as a matter of fact, to work on

the new aqueduct as one of the engineers.

Now, there, Andy, that's something you could be.

Oh, I want to be a flyer, Mom, a test pilot or a sky writer.

You'll have to learn to spell first.

I felt awfully lucky to get this job.

White Wells and Company is one of the biggest contracting concerns in the

Mr. Wills is a very fine man. You'll enjoy working for him.

Won't he, James?

Oh, he's a very successful contractor.

And he goes to church, too, so your family can feel comfortable about you.

I suppose you, uh... Do you belong to any special denomination, Wayne?

Presbyterian, aren't you?

Uh, yes.

Oh, yes, Presbyterian.

Oh.

We're Congregationalists.

Well, I guess they're a good deal alike, aren't they, Miss Hardy?

Oh, no.

No. Ours is the new brick church on Franklin Street.

Presbyterian is the old frame building around the corner.

You may have noticed it?

Well, what I meant was about the religious end of it. I guess it's pretty

all the same, isn't it? Well, they all believe in God.

They just take different roads to reach him.

Goodness, don't let's get serious.

That's the strange thing about you youngsters.

What's that, sir?

Well, in my day, it was the facts of life.

James!

There you are. That proves it.

We used to get awfully embarrassed if anyone brought up the subject.

But nowadays, let anyone mention religion or the deity, and you young

begin to squirm as though something scandalous had been said.

Andrew, you'll be late.

Hurry now, this minute.

Come, I want to have a look at you.

Oh, let me alone, Ma.

Here. You'd better take your top coat.

It might turn cold.

Now, don't forget to tell Mary Sutton and Mrs. Sutton, too, that you've had a

very nice time.

I'm going to take old Polly Benedict to the party, and I'm going to dump her.

I'm going to turn her over to Ben Davis or one of them la -di -da's that like

girls. Then I'm coming home, and I'm going to bed.

That's what I'm going to do.

I expect you could murder Mother for calling me, but I've been away so long.

don't know anybody in this town.

What's the matter?

Anything wrong?

It's nothing. It's you. You've changed.

Since kindergarten?

You're sweet, Abby.

I hope I have fun here this winter.

How many dancers are you going to dance with me, Polly, huh?

Oh, Andy.

Tell me, as an engineer, what impressed you most about the new Triborough

Bridge? Well, the size, of course, is the outstanding thing about it. The

paperwork on such a project is simply staggering.

The contraction and expansion due to heat and cold, for instance, has to be

figured out to a thousandth part of an inch. In the middle of each span...

Or am I wrong? I thought you were calling on me.

Oh, now, don't blame Wayne.

We just cornered him, that's all.

Sure you're dressed warmly enough, dear.

Well, Miss Hardy, thank you for a wonderful evening.

You must come in again.

Never mind, Millie. I'll go.

Bye. Good night. Awfully glad to have met you.

Oh, good evening, Oscar.

How do, Judge?

Busy? I'd like to see you.

Well, step right in the study there.

Be with you in a minute.

Goodbye, judge. Goodbye, son. It was very nice seeing you. I hope you'll come

again. Thank you, sir.

I'll attend to that, father.

Good night.

Good night.

Now, Mary, not too late, darling. I won't, mother. Good night.

Sit down, Oscar.

Well, now, what's on your mind?

The session this afternoon.

The boys got together later.

They're pretty sore.

Well, I'm not surprised. You see, they feel that you're opposing something that

will boom the town.

They're pretty bitter.

Go on.

After 20 years... Well, in a nutshell, the political machine is going to oppose

your renomination.

You're through, Judge.

Oh, I am, huh?

It's the end of your career unless you withdraw this restraining order.

Now, look, I'm on your side.

I've been your campaign manager for 20 years.

So I ask you to consider for just a little bit that you might... I say you

be wrong, you know.

It's law.

You didn't even hear what I said.

Why, what'd I miss?

The end of your career.

You're not so young.

What'll your family do?

You've still got a boy to raise.

Well, Oscar, I don't think I'll have to go back into private practice. Huh?

If they want to fight me because I'm trying to do my duty as I see it, why,

fight them.

I'll buck the machine, Oscar.

You're crazy.

Now, listen to me.

For 20 years, the people of this district have known I stood for what was

for what was best for the majority.

I haven't anything to hide.

I haven't anything I'm ashamed of.

They haven't got a single thing they can touch me on.

And if Hoyt Wells and Redmond are waiting for you to bring them my answer,

as I imagine they are, you tell them I said this.

Tell them I told them to go plumb to... Well, tell them I'm going to fight.

Isn't that just like young people?

Marion's hardly home and she's out again.

Well, when a girl captures a young man, it's natural for her to want to go out

and exhibit him.

It's half the fun.

Now, if there were any capturing done, it was the other way around.

I don't deny Wayne's a mighty nice boy.

Well, it's called a draw.

Anyway, we've got Joan for tonight.

It's a treat to have you for the whole evening, Joanie.

Been going much, dear?

Not too much, I hope. Just the usual thing.

Bridge, cocktail party, dance.

Then just for a change, bridge, cocktail party, dance.

You look kind of gandered down, as we used to say about horses.

Are you thinner?

Yes, I am.

I'm tired, too, Dad.

Terribly tired.

in the den the way we used to.

Let's see about that.

Now, you sit down there, Johnny.

And we'll put the case on the table.

Here.

Oh, you see it?

Oh, don't make me sit still. I can't. You do anything you like, darling.

Bill and I have separated.

Oh, Joan.

You know the crowd we travel with.

Well, when we were first married, I thought we could have a life like yours

Mother's.

Something peaceful.

Solid.

Well, I gave that up pretty soon.

It wasn't in the cards.

Why not?

Do you understand that?

I think I can guess, Joan.

It's a fast crowd, Mother.

Nice people, but going at a terrific speed.

Why, from the year after we were married, I've watched my home break up.

Just like the Andersons and the Tilsons and so many more.

I kept it to myself because I didn't want to worry you.

If you knew the hours I've spent hating myself, my life, everything about it.

Bill wouldn't change. There was no hope for that.

So then I got to the point where I didn't care.

I hope.

Oh, I hope you haven't done anything foolish.

There's a man in town paying a lot of attention to me.

No use saying who he is.

I've always kept him at a distance, even though he seemed to be on hand whenever

I needed company and Phil was out.

After five years, you get hungry for someone to say you look nice once in a

while. At least know that someone gives you a passing thought now and then.

Anyway, last week I was a fool.

I went to the Blue Rabbit Inn with him one night.

They have private dining rooms and music and all that.

I wish I'd succeeded in closing that place up when I tried to two years ago.

We had a room to ourselves.

A lot of champagne.

Too much.

I was feeling lonely and neglected and sorry for myself.

What I didn't know was that Bill was there too that night. With some friends.

When he saw us come in, he was furious.

Oh, I think he was pretty tight.

Anyway, it's easy to picture he...

Ripped the curtain open just as Jerry was kissing me.

It wasn't a nice moment.

Or a nice scene.

Then what, daughter?

Dad, I swear to you.

I'll give you my word of honor. It was just a silly, foolish flirtation.

It hadn't gone beyond that.

You believe me, don't you?

Yes, Joan, sure I do.

But Bill, I take it he doesn't believe it, huh? No.

For a week now, I've tried to patch things up, but he's gotten worse and

It's beyond mending now.

Oh, Joan, sweetheart.

Why don't we send Dad to talk to him?

I've humbled my pride enough.

Dad, if you even phone him... Now, Joanie, don't worry about it. I won't do

thing you don't ask me to do.

I've made such a mess of my life, I know that.

I'm sorry to bring it on you, but I'm so tired now. All I want is to be left

alone. We won't let anything or anyone come near you, darling.

Now, don't you worry.

Oh, what's a mother and father for if they can't stand by in time of trouble?

Oh, Dad.

And I meant my life to be so different.

I think you need a little rest before you talk any more about it. Yes.

Now, I'm going into the kitchen to make you a cup of hot cocoa.

Then I'm going to tuck you in bed myself.

I can't stand it, Dad.

No. I can't stand it.

You'll find human beings can stand almost anything, Joanie.

You just hang on. We'll see this thing through together.

I know the girls won't be down till noon.

Do I smell waffles?

Well, it's about time you got here. Saturday morning, there's a lot to be

Well, what happened to you last night? I thought you were going to come right

home and go to bed.

Oh, I got detained.

Oh.

You've got lipstick on your shirt, too.

Oh, uh, that's just some mouthwash I spilt.

Well, how was the party? Did you have a good time?

All right.

It's mine you're interesting.

How was Polly?

Well, Polly, she's a swell gal.

She sure is smooth.

Gee, there was a line of boys a block long waiting for a dance.

Oh, so that's why you got in so late.

Well, you told me to be polite, didn't you?

Gosh, who'd have thought when Polly and I were kids together in kindergarten

that I'd... That you'd what?

I'd be taking her for a ride today in a brand new V8.

Oh, where are you going to get the V8?

Oh, she's got the V8. I gotta hurry.

Anything new in the paper?

Oh, I don't think so.

Work continues on local hotel.

City tax rate cut by council.

Andrew?

Joan's going to be home for a few days, and I want you to be careful not to tell

anyone. And don't annoy her with a lot of questions. Just leave her alone.

What's the matter? Did she have a fight with Bill?

Oh, nothing serious.

Remember now.

Michelle.

Tempt proceedings against Redmond and the Star?

You can't do it, Judge.

Can't is a dangerous word, Oscar.

Suicide. He wants to commit political suicide.

Well, save yourself.

I release you. You're no longer my campaign manager.

Make it a suicide pact.

I can't walk out on you.

Oscar, you're crazy.

I know.

So are you.

Joe Nichols is here to see you.

I'll go.

Now, show him in.

It's only Nichols himself.

He said he just had to see you right away or I wouldn't have butted in.

Well, show him in.

Well, good morning, Mr. Nichols.

I suppose you're worried about that article that appeared in the Star this

morning. Well, don't you concern yourself.

This court knows how to protect its litigants and itself.

No, Judge, it isn't that. You see, I think I... Well, maybe I went off half

-cocked. I want to drop the suit.

I had a talk with Mr. Wells.

Oh, you had a talk with Mr.

Wells. Yes, Judge.

We went into the whole thing, well, exhaustively. He showed me how much the

aqueduct means to everyone.

Including yourself, no doubt.

Why, yes, certainly, including my... Hey, wait a minute. Are you trying to

insinuate... Mr. Nichols?

Let me state for Mr. Welder's benefit, as well as your own, that litigation is

not to be entered into lightly in this court, nor abandoned lightly.

You saw fit to question the legality of a great public project.

You can't withdraw now and leave so grave a question shrouded in

I've granted a temporary restraining order.

I've taken steps to ascertain all the facts in the law.

When that is accomplished, this court will either dissolve the order or make

permanent.

I get it, Judge.

Listen, Judge.

You and I ought to trust each other, right?

Certainly. You're smarter than I gave you credit for, Judge.

Now, look.

You could do with a little piece of change, couldn't you?

Couldn't we all?

Well, now, look, I can handle this much better than you. I can talk to Wells,

and he'll know what I'm talking about.

Leave it to me. Cut me in for ten percent, and I'll handle everything.

Only ten percent?

That's all.

What do you say?

Why, just this, Mr. Nichols.

I'll get out of here before I kick you out. Go on, get out.

Mr. Nichols tried to take in too much territory. That's all, Dave.

Six feet in the graveyard's dang sight too much for him.

They ought to just pulverize him and spread him out for rat poison.

Something for me, Dave?

A voucher for a fee to Robinson and Fellows at Denver.

You signed it.

Oh, so I did.

I'm sorry I didn't explain that to you, Dave. It's an engineering firm, the best

in the West.

That confounded enabling act was a mass of technical descriptions. It had me

floundering around like a bull in a bog.

The court needed help, Dave.

If the board of supervisors won't okay it, I'll have to pay the bill myself.

Anyway, I sent the whole mess on to Steve Fellers.

Go on.

Scold me now.

Well, it's highly irregular, Judge.

No wonder I'm in hot water with the auditor all the time.

I don't want to fight with you, Marion, but my job means everything to me and it

looks like it's gone.

Do you blame me for wondering what it's all about?

You can wonder all you like, but you needn't blame my father for it. Well,

else is there to blame?

He's the one that's holding up the whole business, isn't he? Well, supposing he

is holding it up. Maybe he's right.

He's right and the whole town's wrong, huh?

Everybody out of step but him.

I wonder if you know how the town feels about this, Marion. They're all against

him, everybody.

You ought to hear what Mr. Wells says about him at the office and everybody

else. He's wrong and we all know it.

If that's the way you feel about it, you can drive me home and leave me there.

Okay.

Okay.

I don't know why you can't see my side of it. It's your problem as well as

What do you mean, my problem?

Well, we can't get married if I haven't got a job, can we?

Now what?

The gauge says so.

Now look at the fix we're in.

Well, there are places where they sell gas. Not within miles, I'll bet.

Here comes a car.

Get out and wiggle your arms. Maybe they'll help you.

Hey!

Hey!

What's the matter?

We're out of gas. Can you help us?

Got any gas?

No, Frank, got none.

No gas.

Well, would you mind towing us to the nearest gas station?

Give him a tow.

Hey, you got a rope?

Yeah. Come on, then. The more, the merrier. Okay.

Say, what's that fool trying to do?

Who became of those people?

What people?

Didn't we meet some people that wanted some gasoline or something?

I don't know.

Did we?

Look, there's a gas station.

They're going past it.

Somebody wants to pass.

Well, let that pass.

We got a right to this road. You bet.

I'll show them.

Hey there!

Stop! They've forgotten all about us, Wayne.

What time is it?

Idaho.

Moses. We're leaving the parade.

Come on, boy. Let's make it up, boy.

I'm all right.

As long as we're both alive and love each other the way we do, nothing else

matters, does it?

That's all that counts.

I don't care about jobs or anything else.

We're here and we've got each other, and that's all that makes any difference,

isn't it?

That's all.

Just you wait till I see my father.

If he thinks he's going to cheat you out of a job just to be stubborn, just you

wait.

Hello, Whitey.

Hi, Mr. Andy.

Nice old boat you got here.

I'll take the wheel after we get out of Carville a little ways.

Well, I don't know, Mr. Andy.

Well, if Polly says so, it's all right, isn't it?

Well, now, uh, now...

I'm so sorry, Andy.

But I'm afraid I can't go out with you this afternoon.

Huh? Well, I don't think Dad would like it.

Oh, what's the matter with you? Oh, it isn't you.

But Dad's awfully mad at your father. And he said at luncheon that your dad

pulling down the pillars of civic progress.

Oh, you mean that junk that was in the paper today? Yes, and Dad's just

And he said, you better not let me see that young whippersnapper.

My father's terribly old -fashioned about his grammar.

But I knew what he meant.

And I'm afraid it's goodbye, Andy.

Horse feathers. Why do our fathers have to run our lives for us?

Well, Dad said I couldn't borrow the car again. Well, I'm sorry I put you in any

trouble, Miss Benedict. Oh, Andy.

Now you're mad.

No. No, I'm not either.

Well, you needn't take it out on me.

Thanks for the buggy ride.

I think you're low.

Simply low. I'll never talk to you again.

not looking at anything. I'm watching for Dad to come home.

All right, I'll watch with you.

Evening, Ed.

Expect a frost, I say.

Yes.

Is it true that you... All right, let's adjourn to the den and hold court there.

What's that about the den? We'll hold court right now in the dining room.

Supreme Court reverses decision.

My, what a dinner.

I hope we don't have any more like it.

I suppose Joan's upstairs, crying, I know.

I wish now I'd better help move the dishes when she offered to. Keep her

busy. Andy acted as though the cat got his tongue.

And what was the matter with Marion?

Oh, what's the matter with all of us? Oh, I think worry is like some diseases.

It's contagious.

Oh, Andy, what's on your mind? Not that car again, I hope.

No, Dad, that's not it. It's... Huh?

Oh, Polly Benedict's father's sore at you. He says you're an old... an old...

Well, I get the general idea.

Most of the neighbors seem to feel the same way.

It's about the aqueduct, Dad.

Yeah, I thought so.

Well, what I want to know is that are you right or wrong?

Have you read the paper?

Yes, I have.

Well, I can give you only one answer, son.

This explains my stand.

You may not see eye to eye with me on this issue, but after you've read this,

you may be a little more lenient.

All right, Dad, I'll read it over carefully.

Why don't you watch where you're going?

What do you think you are, a herd of buffalo?

He didn't hurt you, did he, Marion?

No, I think I did the most damage.

Well, how does it feel to be home again?

Did you have a nice day?

A horrible one.

Oh, that's a strong word.

It's a strong situation, Dad.

I drove out to East Fork today with Wayne.

Powerhouse number one on the blueprint.

It'll stay there on the blueprint, thanks to you.

Oh, logic doesn't seem to run in this family.

You sound like your mother.

Don't you say a word against my mother.

Oh, wait.

Say, look here, young lady, a little more respect out of you.

At least she's not as old -fashioned as you are.

I'm surprised at you, Dad, taking a stand that'll stop every worthwhile

improvement in Carville, that'll keep us from growing, that'll keep Wayne from

his first job, the first break he's ever had.

Well, they're getting some players.

Do you know how hard it is to get a job?

Do you know what it's like to be young, to train yourself for a profession, and

then have them tell you that there isn't any room for you?

Do you know how it is to take that on the chin, and then someday get your

and come out to work and find that one man is stubborn enough to block the

wishes of the whole town and your job's gone? Do you?

Yes, dear, I do.

You do not. You're a judge up on a bench, secure, far away from the rest of

I've grown up today.

And I realized that I stand a chance of losing the man I want to marry.

Well, dear, aren't you being a little hasty? Why, you only met him... 24 hours

after I met him, I realized that I'd never want anybody else.

My mind's made up. A lot of good it does me.

Got to go away and find another job.

Well, is that so tragic?

Yes, it is tragic.

Today's a... a jungle.

He might meet somebody else. He might not get another job.

You got married when there was a little peace and a little security in life.

Try and find that today.

Well, what about my side of it, darling?

I've sworn to uphold the law.

To do my duty. I suppose it's your duty to ruin your family's life, too. Oh,

now, dear child, there's no use tearing your heart to pieces over this.

Then you stop doing it.

You talk about duty and law and all that bunk. They're just words to me.

All I can feel is that you're trying to ruin my life for me.

I don't care if you are my father. I think you're a... Blind old fogey,

what I think.

What's the matter, honey?

Oh, Marion, come here.

Come here, darling.

Tell me what it is.

I wish I could help.

Are you crying, too? Yes.

Come in.

Hey, you want to hear something?

What are you two bawling about?

For exercise.

Never mind us.

What do you want us to hear?

Something swell.

I do swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and

Constitution of this state, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of

my office according to the best of my ability.

So what, Andy?

So what? It's Pop's oath of office. You may not know it, but it's practically

the same oath the President of the United States takes.

Gee, the President.

Judge Hardy.

you two doing here?

I thought Stubbins made my views perfectly clear.

He did, but we thought you might change your mind.

Well, what do you want, and why?

Did you know your son -in -law told his lawyer to draw up papers for a divorce?

I don't see that that's any concern of yours.

Frank's reporters have ways of finding things out. They heard about a brawl at

the Blue Rabbit Inn.

You better let him finish, Judge. I'm warning you.

Go on.

We've had our investigators at work. It's not a nice story, Hardy.

They caught your daughter dead to rights.

That's a lie and you know it.

We've got a pretty complete set of affidavits that says the truth, Hardy.

The waiter, the night watchman who just happened to be passing outside and

looked in under the curtain.

Even the proprietor. What you mean is you've got a complete set of perjured

witnesses. The waiter, watchman, proprietor.

Of the lowest dive in this end of the state.

Frequented by your daughter, Hardy. Don't forget that.

Ah, come on, Judge.

Listen to reason.

We want to see you re -elected. We want to spare your family.

Will you dissolve the aqueduct restraining order?

No. Then don't appear at the convention tomorrow.

Don't let your name be presented. And don't try to run independently.

I'll do as I see fit.

All right.

There it is. I've already got it set up. There is the front page proof.

And don't make us use it.

That is nice of Joan, isn't it? Mm -hmm.

I wish she'd get back from that walk she was so bound and determined to take.

All this rain, too.

She used to do the same thing when she was in high school, in the poetry

stage.

I'm worried about her. So am I. She feels things too intensely.

Yes, they didn't give Joanie a thick enough skin, so the slings and arrows of

outrageous fortune couldn't touch her.

Every time the telephone rings, I think she's going to faint.

Then when it isn't for her, she turns white.

Mm -hmm. I noticed that when Marion's young man was phoning her.

Have you been forgiven?

No, indeed.

Marion's going to meet young Trent down in the hotel lobby.

She says she doesn't care to bring him home here.

I don't like it, James.

Here's Joanie now.

I'll take her into the fire in my den.

Sit down, Joanie.

Nice fire.

Yeah, it doesn't draw the way it ought.

I tell your mother about it every year, and she says she's going to get us

fixed. She never does.

I sat in the park a while.

In all that rain.

I like rain. I know you do.

I remember as a little girl you wrote a sonnet about it.

Dad, I'm going to ask you a funny question.

You can laugh at me if you want to, but answer it.

Has it ever been on either side of the family?

No, it seems too silly, but everything seems so strange lately. I mean, it's as

if I'm walking on some sort of a brink or a tightrope, and if I take one step

the wrong way, I feel that something terrible is going to happen to me.

Isn't that strange?

Why is that?

Oh, I don't know, Joanie. It's natural for things to get sort of distorted in

your mind if you let pain of any kind get the upper hand of you.

I suppose it all hinges on Andy's pet phrase, can you take it or can't you?

Only it gets worse for me every day because I realize all the more how much

love the man I married.

What a mess I made of my marriage.

It seems cruel, but it's true, isn't it, Dad?

A marriage sort of depends on a woman, doesn't it?

Have the cases you've tried proved that?

I'm afraid they have, Julie.

Seems very unfair, but you're right.

I had to decide something this evening.

You see, I thought I might kill myself.

Have you ever wanted peace that badly?

No.

You see, there have always been things I wanted to do first.

By the time I got them settled up, I sort of forgot my other troubles.

I won't be allowed to forget mine.

I'm going to have a child.

Bill's child.

A year ago, I think it would have meant our salvation.

Now it's too late.

Horrible words, aren't those? Too late.

Dad, I'm sorry to bring all this on you and Mother.

I'll try and repay you someday.

Oh, we don't want any repayment.

All parents ever want for their children is some peace, a little security, as

much happiness as a traffic will bear.

You'll find you'll want as much for your child, Joanie.

And it's the greatest fun in the world trying to achieve it.

I'd be ashamed not to amount to something decent after that.

Yeah, Denver call? Yes, yes, put him on.

Hello? Hello, Steve?

Steve, fellas?

Yeah, I've been waiting to hear from you.

What'd you find out?

Well, the convention's tomorrow, you know.

Good night, Mother.

Good night, dear.

Aunt Millie?

Good night.

James? James, who was it?

Oh, just a little politics.

You go on to bed, Emmy.

All right, dear.

Come in.

Oh.

Bill, I'm sorry to rush in on you like this, but there's no time to waste

You've got to come along with me. Well, John sent you, hey? Well, I won't come.

Now, listen to me, son.

I've always been on the level with you, haven't I?

Well, haven't I, son? Well, sure, Judge.

Dad, I mean, but... But what? Well, now, just forget about Joan, will you? This

once. Forget about everything but this, that I need you. Will you come along

with me? But where?

But there's no time to talk about that now.

I'll tell you about that in the car.

Come on.

The more I think about it, the stranger it seems.

Dearest Emmy, I will be at the convention tomorrow.

Meet me there and tell Joan to come too.

This is an order. She must be there.

And don't worry. All my love, always, James.

The telephone bell was ringing as I came upstairs.

When I came out of Joan's room, he was hanging up the receiver.

He said he'd be right up.

Are you sure he did, Mother? Why, yes.

Oh, wait.

He didn't either.

He told me to go to bed.

Who was on that phone? That secluded everything.

That Parsons boy from the filling station out on the Elko Road just called

He said the judge stopped there for gas and left his gloves.

Just wanted to let us know in case the judge missed them.

Elko Road? What was he doing way out there?

He said it was just about 11 o 'clock. He closed up right afterward.

Well, I wonder, was he alone?

I didn't want to be too inquisitive. It might start gossip, but I did ask that.

The boy said he'd just turned out the big light when the judge drove in.

There was a man in the car, but he couldn't see who it was.

Gosh, I hope it wasn't some gangster taking him for a ride or something.

Don't be silly. The judge got out the telephone. That's where they found his

gloves. Well, maybe he was trying to arrange for a ransom.

Mercy! Andy, stop being a fool.

Dad has some reason. He knows what he's doing.

There's only one thing for us to do, and that's to hustle out to the convention

hall and trust in James K. Hardy.

Mercy, yes, we've got to go. And there's more excitement here, ladies and

gentlemen, than at any political convention in ten years.

Feeling naturally runs high over local issues, but what overshadows everything

else is the clash over the proposed $30 million acquittal.

That is why I say, my fellow citizens, that our next candidate for the

must first of all be spotless and absolutely free from any scandal.

Seen anything of him yet? Not a thing. We've got to do something quick.

Redmond will nominate Charles E. Rawlings. That's the slate. Then they'll

the nominations and vote by acclamation.

What can we do? James said he'd be here.

I therefore place your nomination a name well known to all of you.

One of the leading lawyers of Carvel, Mr.

Charles E. Rollins.

is one of the proudest achievements of the judiciary of this state.

He has never had a decision reversed by the Supreme Court.

He has always done his duty at whatever cost.

I nominate Judge James K. Hardy!

Tell the boys to let go of everything.

Spread the dirt about his daughter. Get that old mob spirit to work.

of sincere conviction.

What about the aqueduct?

We've got to stage this.

the accepted thing for a candidate to speak in his own behalf.

Well, then, shut up and sit down!

But I come before you... I come before you

not as a candidate, but as a fellow citizen, concerned in the things you're

concerned in, and as a father fighting for the good name of his daughter.

What do you mean, good name?

Let me dispose first of the thing nearest to my heart, my daughter.

Yesterday, my political enemies, who are raising this cry against me now, came

to me in my chambers. They tried to force me from this fight by threats to

that daughter's reputation.

My answer, ladies and gentlemen, is to defy them.

Mr. Chairman, I object.

are scattered through the hall destroying a woman's good name by jeers

innuendos. Shall I answer them?

Yes!

Is my son -in -law William

Booth Martin in the house?

Bill Martin.

Mr. Martin, it's stated in an issue of the Carvel Star, which is already set up

in type, ready for printing, that you're about to sue my daughter for a divorce.

Is that true?

It is not.

Have you any doubts of her faithfulness?

I have not.

In the event any article is printed reflecting on the honor of your wife,

will you do?

I'll super libel to the limit of the law.

But first, I'll kick the teeth out of the man that prints it.

Now, ladies and gentlemen, my opponents tried to hit below the belt.

I blocked that blow, thank heaven.

But this still doesn't settle the main question. Shall James K. Hardy be re

-nominated for district judge?

Yes!

Did you let the aqueduct go through?

Very well, ladies and gentlemen. You shall hear about the aqueduct.

Last night I flew to Denver, accompanied by my son -in -law, William Martin. I

received there the report of one of the foremost civil engineers in the country,

Stephen Fellows.

Mr. Fellows, on commission from myself as district judge, had completed an

analysis of the entire aqueduct project.

I have here Mr.

Fellows' deposition.

filed in the pending case of Nichols versus the Board of Supervisors of

County.

This deposition, ladies and gentlemen, will open the eyes of every one of you.

Just a moment.

I'm not a delegate to this convention, but neither is Judge Hardy. And if he is

allowed to make unsupported insinuations against the Aqueduct Project, I should

be allowed to defend it.

Very well, then.

What have you got to say to this?

This, ladies and gentlemen, is the Enabling Act, rushed through the closing

of the last legislature. It contains many pages, and I venture to say that no

one in this room except Mr.

Wells has ever read it through.

This is what it provides in an obscure paragraph in fine print.

That the board of water supply may divert the waters of the Carvel River to

50 % of its normal flow.

Now listen to this carefully, for here's the joker.

May impound the water, both surface and subsoil, of all valleys draining into

the Carvel River.

Now what does this mean?

It means that under the guise of purchasing the unused surplus of water,

great metropolis to the southward has obtained the right to demand more and

as its needs increase.

Under this act, it may appropriate to its own use one after another of the

fertile valleys which make up our countryside.

What's to become of Carville itself once the hectic days of construction are

past, with no back country to support it?

I'll tell you.

One by one, the mills will shut down. No power.

One by one, our industries that supply three meals a day and roofs over the

of 25 ,000 people will be forced to go somewhere else if they want to live.

Now, that's what the aqueduct will mean to Carvel.

Have you anything to say, Mr. Wells?

Nothing. This is neither the time nor the place to argue a question which the

legislature of the state has settled.

The legislature

has not settled it.

This morning I had recorded in the case of Nichols versus the Board of

Supervisors an entry making the restraining order permanent and

enabling act unconstitutional.

Hooray!

Now take that decision to the Supreme Court, Mr. Wells, and see if your

can get the first reversal to mar the record of James K. Hardy.

I second the motion.

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Aye. Aye.

Oh,

Wayne, don't you worry about that job.

They'll pass a new enabling act and give Carvel a square leave.

Oh. Hey, Pa, Pa, do they have trimotor planes on the Denver line?

Do they, Pa?

Have you got any bicarbonate of soda?

I thought you'd need some.

Here. Oh, you're a jewel.