All language subtitles for tucker_Eng

Announcer:
CHANCES ARE YOU'VE NEVER HEARD
OF PRESTON THOMAS TUCKER--

DREAMER, INVENTOR,
VISIONARY.

A MAN AHEAD
OF HIS TIME.

PRETTY, ISN'T IT?

MR. TUCKER'S CAR
HAS EVERYTHING--

POP-OUT SAFETY WINDOWS,
REAR MOTOR.

OH, BUT I'M GETTING
AHEAD OF MY STORY.

THE FIRST TIME
HE EVER SAW AN AUTOMOBILE,

HE WAS JUST
A YOUNG BOY.

IN HIS EXCITEMENT
HE FOUND HIMSELF

WITH THE WHEELS
OF THAT AUTOMOBILE
PASSING OVER HIS FEET.

BUT THE MUDDY
ROAD WAS SOFT--
HE WASN'T HURT--

AND THAT WAS
THE FIRST VIEW
OF THE MACHINE

THAT WAS TO MOLD HIS
THOUGHTS AND ACTIONS FOR MOST
OF THE YEARS OF HIS LIFE.

DETERMINED TO LEARN
HOW CARS WERE MADE,

HE WENT TO DETROIT
WHERE HE MET VERA FUQUA,

WHO WORKED FOR
THE TELEPHONE COMPANY.

THEY WERE MARRIED
AND, WASTING NO TIME,

BEGAN A FAMILY.

BUT HE NEVER LOST SIGHT
OF HIS DREAM,

WHICH WAS TO DESIGN
AND MANUFACTURE

THE FINEST AUTOMOBILE
EVER MADE.

HE SPENT EVERY
MINUTE HE COULD AT
THE INDIANAPOLIS SPEEDWAY

AND TEAMED UP
WITH AUTOMOTIVE LEGEND
HARRY MILLER,

ONE OF THE GREATEST
DESIGNERS OF RACING CARS
WHO EVER LIVED.

IN 1936

MR. TUCKER SAW
THE WAR CLOUDS LOOMING
ON THE HORIZON

AND BEGAN WORKING
ON A HIGH-SPEED COMBAT CAR.

IT WAS BULLETPROOF,
HAD AIR CONDITIONING,

AND MOUNTED
A POWER-OPERATED GUN TURRET.

THE COMBAT CAR
WAS TURNED DOWN
BY THE MILITARY.

IT HAD ONE DRAWBACK--
THEY SAID IT WAS TOO FAST.

THE WAR DEPARTMENT'S
POLICY AT THAT TIME WAS

"NO COMBAT CAR SHOULD
GO OVER 35mph."

HIS GUN TURRET,
HOWEVER,

WAS IMMEDIATELY
PUT INTO SERVICE.

WHO CAN SAY HOW MANY
BRAVE AMERICAN BOYS
OWE THEIR LIVES

TO THE TUCKER TURRET?

AND WHERE WERE THOSE
TURRETS BUILT?

IN THE MOST PRACTICAL PLACE
TUCKER COULD THINK OF--

IN THE BARN NEXT
TO HIS HOME IN MICHIGAN

WHERE HE AND HIS
FAMILY LIVED.

( honks )

OH MY GOD.

* HOLD THAT TIGER

* HOLD THAT TIGER

* HOLD THAT TIGER

* HOLD THAT TIGER

* HOLD THAT TIGER.

COME ON OUT.

WHAT'S THIS?

DID YOU PUT THIS
IN MY CAR?

NO.

- DID YOU?
WHAT IS THIS THING?
- OPEN IT, OPEN IT.

WHAT IS IT?
WHAT IS IT?

MY FRIENDS, YOU ARE IN
FOR ONE DOOZY--

WHAT CAN I CALL THIS?
( clears throat )

THIS IS HISTORY
IN THE MAKING.

IS THERE ANYTHING
YOU WANT TO EXPLAIN FIRST?

- ABOUT THE DOGS?
- Tucker: OH.

WELL, I TRADED
THE OLD PACKER FOR THEM.

- OH.
- ONE DOZEN TRAINED DOGS.

WHAT ARE WE GOING
TO DO WITH A DOZEN
TRAINED DOGS, PRESTON?

WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE?
YOU CAN'T WALK AWAY FROM
A TRADE LIKE THAT.

ARE YOU DYING
TO KNOW WHAT'S IN HERE?

HUH? NO?

- YES YES! YES YES.
- YOU'RE DYING, HUH?

- YEAH.
- Girl: YES.

GALLUP TOOK A POLL LAST WEEK
TO FIND OUT WHAT AMERICANS WANT
MOST WHEN THE WAR IS OVER.

87% OF THE PEOPLE
IN THIS COUNTRY

SAID THE FIRST THING
THEY WANT IS A NEW CAR.

NOW WHICH DO
YOU THINK THE PUBLIC
WOULD RATHER BUY?

THE SAME OLD MODELS
DETROIT HAS BEEN GIVING
US BEFORE THE WAR, OR...

( clears throat )

OR THE CAR
OF TOMORROW... TODAY.

- Man: WHOA!
- All: OOH.

IT LOOKS LIKE HE'S
GOING 90mph STANDING STILL.

AND YOU KNOW WHO'S GOING
TO BUILD THESE CARS? WE ARE.

IN FIVE YEARS, WE'RE GOING
TO PUT THE BIG THREE
OUT OF BUSINESS.

WHO ARE WE GOING
TO SELL THEM TO?
BUCK ROGERS?

UNDER THE HOOD

WE'VE GOT LUGGAGE.

THE ENGINE IS IN
THE REAR WHERE IT
OUGHT TO BE.

LOOK AT THIS.
INDIVIDUAL TORQUE CONVERTERS

- CONNECTED TO EACH OF--
- YOU'RE CRAZY.

YOU WOULD HAVE TO HAVE
A WHEEL TRACK 70" WIDE.

DINNER'S READY!

Preston:
ALL RIGHT, COME ON.
LET'S GO!

- HOW MANY?
- EVERYBODY.

HOW MANY OF YOU GUYS
ARE HUNGRY?

ARE YOU GUYS HUNGRY?
GO CALL YOUR MOTHER.
YOU'LL STAY TOO.

MILLIE! MILLIE!

AND OUR BEST DOG FOOD!

* HOLD THAT TIGER

* HOLD THAT TIGER

* HOLD THAT TIGER,
* HOLD THAT TIGER.

Man:
SO HOW MUCH ARE YOU
GOING TO TELL HIM?

- Preston:
I'LL TELL HIM EVERYTHING.
- WATCH OUT, COMING THROUGH.

I GOT DIRTY DISHES.
THEY'LL FALL ON YOU.

- SO OVER HERE...
- YEAH?

...THE FENDERS, LIGHTS.

Man:
WHO IS THIS GUY, KARATZ?

- HE'S A BUSINESSMAN.
- Man: KARATZ, HUH?

I JUST MET HIM
ON THE COMMUTER TRAIN.

- YOU KNOW, FINANCE.
- FINANCE?

COME HERE, JUNIOR.

- Vera: WHO'S THAT?
- Preston: THAT'S THE MAN
I'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT.

ABE KARATZ.

GOOD LUCK, HONEY.

WE'LL BE IN THE DEN.

- ( mumbling )
- LOOK AT HIM.

Boy:
YEAH, HE'S SCARY.

Vera:
HE'S NOT SCARY.
HE'S FROM NEW YORK.

Preston: ABE.

GEE, I APPRECIATE
YOU STOPPING BY.

HOW LONG YOU GOT
BETWEEN TRAINS?

YOU LIKE THIS, LIVING HERE
IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE?

IF YOU WANT A CUP
OF COFFEE AT 2:00,
3:00 IN THE MORNING,

YOU DIE FIRST.

YEAH, WELL,
YOU GO IN THE KITCHEN
AND YOU MAKE ONE.

WHO WANTS COFFEE
AT 2:00 IN THE MORNING?

YOU SIT THERE,
YOU READ THE PAPER,

YOU CHEW THE FAT
WITH THE WAITRESS.

HERE, YOU LOOK AROUND,
THERE'S NOTHING BUT SCENERY.

YEAH, WE'RE STUCK
WITH THE SCENERY.

SO HOW DO YOU LIKE
YOUR COFFEE?

IN THE CITY.

DOUBLE FIVES AGAIN,
AND HE DOES IT.

CARS?

YOU BROUGHT ME HERE
FOR CARS?

DOES THAT LOOK LIKE
A CAR TO YOU?

THAT IS A GOLD MINE
I'M HANDING TO YOU ON
A SILVER PLATTER.

FORGET IT.

YOU'VE GOT NO CHANCE.

NOW HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT?
YOU HAVEN'T EVEN HEARD
MY IDEAS YET.

IDEAS.

EINSTEIN'S IN
THE IDEA BUSINESS.

HE MAKES UP NUMBERS
SO HIGH ONLY A DOG
CAN HEAR THEM.

BUT WHAT'S IT COST HIM?

A PIECE OF PAPER,
A COUPLE OF PENCILS.

TO MANUFACTURE A CAR,
YOU NEED MILLIONS
OF DOLLARS.

WELL, THAT IS WHAT
WALL STREET IS FOR--

TO FLOAT STOCK ISSUES.

WHO ARE YOU?

WHAT DO YOU KNOW
ABOUT BUSINESS?

ANY EXPERIENCE
ON WALL STREET?

IT'S SO REVOLUTIONARY.
THIS IS THE WAY CARS ARE GOING
TO BE MADE FROM NOW ON.

ABE, AND WITH YOUR
CONNECTIONS--

I DON'T HAVE
CONNECTIONS.

I HAVE CONNECTIONS.
YOU HAVE CONNECTIONS.

AND SPEAKING FOR THEM,
AND MYSELF AND--

WHO DO YOU BELIEVE-- GOD,

HIM TOO,
FORGET ABOUT IT.

YOU'VE GOT NO CHANCE.

( laughing )

- Preston:
WELL, THINK ABOUT IT.
- Karatz: YEAH, SURE.

DRIVE SAFELY.

Driver:
YES, SIR.

PRESTON?

- ( engine revving )
- PRESTON?

PILE IN, CUTIE!

WHO WANTS ICE CREAM?
LET'S GO TO DOC'S!

- EVERYBODY!
- I'VE GOT THE TURRET!

- THE TURRET'S MINE.
- MAN YOUR POSITIONS.

LET'S SEE IF WE CAN
BREAK OUR RECORD TIME.

COME ON! HURRY UP,
GET UP THERE. COME ON!

- I GOT MY POSITION.
- ( turret whirrs )

( honking )

IT WAS PATHETIC
HOW HE LOVED THE IDEA.

EMBARRASSING, REALLY,
TO SEE A MAN LIKE THAT

TRYING SO HARD TO PLAY
ON MY HEARTSTRINGS--

ANYTHING TO GET IN
ON THE DEAL.

I'M GONNA MAKE HIM
SWEAT A WHILE FIRST.

WATCH THIS BABY
ACCELERATE!

* HOLD THAT TIGER,
HOLD THAT TIGER *

- * HOLD THAT TIGER...
- SOUNDS LIKE TUCKER AGAIN.

- * HOLD THAT TIGER...
- YEP, THAT'S HIM.
LET'S GO!

* HOLD THAT TIGER,
HOLD THAT TIGER *

- * HOLD THAT TIGER...
- ( sirens wailing )

* WHERE'S THAT TIGER?
WHERE'S THAT TIGER? *

* HERE'S THAT TIGER,
WHERE'S THAT TIGER? *

* HERE'S THAT TIGER,
WHERE'S THAT TIGER? *

* HERE'S THAT TIGER.
( vocalizing )

- ( excited chatting )
- WHO WANTS ICE CREAM?

MR. TUCKER, HEY.

HOW ARE YOU DOING, DOC?

I'M OKAY,
IF YOU DON'T
INCLUDE EVERYTHING.

HEY, HOW ABOUT
SODAS ALL AROUND?

- WE GOT TRIPLE
SCOOPS TONIGHT.
- TRIPLE SCOOPS.

YOU CAN HAVE CHOCOLATE,
PISTACHIO, STRAWBERRY.

YOU CAN MIX THEM
ALL UP, OKAY?

- Boy: STRAWBERRY SODA.
- Vera: HE WANTS CHOCOLATE.

- Children: I WANT CHOCOLATE.
- AIN'T THOSE PREFAB
HOUSES SOMETHING?

HAS ANYBODY SEEN
ONE OF THESE HOUSES?

HOW DO YOU KNOW
THEY'RE ANY GOOD?

THEY'RE NOT EVEN
BUILT YET.

SO WHAT?
IT SAYS SO IN
THE MAGAZINE.

Junior:
JOHNNY, STOP.
DON'T BE STUPID.

( children chattering )

* HOLD THAT TIGER,
HOLD THAT TIGER! *

Announcer:
WORKING WITH
A WRITER HE KNEW,

TUCKER GOT AN ARTICLE
ABOUT THE CAR PUBLISHED
IN "PIC" MAGAZINE.

BUT NOBODY, NOT EVEN TUCKER,
WAS PREPARED FOR WHAT HAPPENED.

WITHIN A WEEK,
MORE THAN 150,000
LETTERS POURED IN

FROM ALL OVER
THE COUNTRY.

"HOW CAN I SEE A TUCKER?"
"I WANT A TUCKER."

"WHERE CAN I BUY
A TUCKER?"

"HOW CAN I GET
A DEALERSHIP?"

OVERNIGHT, THE NATION
HAD GONE TUCKER CRAZY.

Man: JUST BECAUSE
THIS TUCKER CAN BUILD
A CAR IN HIS BARN,

DOESN'T MEAN HE CAN
MASS PRODUCE IT.

SO...

WHAT DO WE NEED
TO MAKE THIS WORK?

WELL, WE NEED A CAR.

A CAR WE GOT.

A WORKING PROTOTYPE.

IT SAYS SO
IN THE MAGAZINE.

WE ALSO WILL HAVE
TO HAVE SOME BIG
DETROIT NAMES

FOR THE BOARD, YOU KNOW,
FOR THE PROSPECTORS.

LIKE WHO CAN WE GET?

WELL, THERE WAS
A FELLOW WHO WAS
VICE PRESIDENT

AT FORD FOR MANY YEARS--
ROBERT BENNINGTON.

NOW HE'S THE PRESIDENT
AT PLYMOUTH AT THE MOMENT,

BUT I HEAR HE'S BEING
KICKED UPSTAIRS.

- MAYBE WE CAN GET HIM.
- AS WINDOW DRESSING

OR WILL HE WANT A SAY
IN RUNNING THE COMPANY?

WANT A SAY? BENNINGTON?
HE'LL RUN THE COMPANY."

WELL, I'M NOT SURE
TUCKER'S GONNA GO FOR THAT.

PEOPLE DON'T BUY STOCK.

THEY BUY PEOPLE
THEY CAN TRUST

OR BELIEVE THEY CAN.

- NOW IF THIS--
WHAT'S HIS NAME?
- TUCKER.

--TUCKER IS GOING TO BE
A PAIN IN THE ASS ABOUT IT,

WE MIGHT JUST AS WELL
FORGET IT.

DON'T WORRY ABOUT TUCKER.
HE'S A GOOD MAN.

WHAT ELSE DO WE NEED?

WE NEED A FACTORY.

THE CAR WE GOT.
YOU GET BENNINGTON,
WHATEVER IT TAKES.

I'LL GET THE FACTORY.

THANK YOU.

Vera:
PHILADELPHIA,
PENNSYLVANIA.

Noble:
NORFOLK, VIRGINIA.

NORFOLK, VIRGINIA.

OMAHA, NEBRASKA.

OMAHA, NEBRASKA.

OH, WOW.

LOOK, THERE'S ONE HERE
FROM ANCHORAGE, ALASKA.

OOH, THAT'S
THE FIRST ONE
FROM THERE.

ABE SHOULD HAVE
BEEN HERE AN HOUR AGO.

YOU KNOW
THE TRAINS, DARLING.

THEY'RE ALWAYS LATE.

( dogs barking )

WHO'S THAT?

I WAS WONDERING, SIR,
IF I COULD HAVE JUST A FEW
MOMENTS OF YOUR TIME.

- I'M WAITING FOR SOMEBODY.
- JUST FIVE MINUTES, SIR.

- Marilyn: BYE, DADDY!
- WHAT FOR?

- I'D LIKE TO SELL
YOU SOMETHING, SIR.
- WHAT?

ME.

ALL RIGHT,
FIVE MINUTES.

THANK YOU, MY NAME
IS ALEX TREMULIS, SIR.

SIR, I'M GOING TO BE
GETTING OUT OF THE AIR FORCE
IN JUST A FEW WEEKS,

BUT BEFORE THAT
I WAS STUDYING
AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING.

AND WHEN I SAW THAT
ARTICLE ABOUT YOUR CAR
IN THAT MAGAZINE, SIR,

IT'S BEEN DRIVING
ME CRAZY EVER SINCE,

SO I MADE
A FEW THREE-VIEW
PERSPECTIVE DRAWINGS,

IF YOU WON'T MIND, SIR,
TAKING A LOOK AT THEM.

WHAT YOU DID, SIR,
WITH THE STREAMLINING,
I THINK WAS FANTASTIC,

BUT IF WE TOOK
THAT ONE STEP FURTHER,

IF WE COULD APPLY
REAL AERODYNAMICS--

LET'S SAY,
LIKE A ROCKET SHIP--
TO A FAMILY CAR--

- YOU CHANGED MY DOORS.
- YES, SIR,

BECAUSE YOU ONLY HAVE
31" HEAD ROOM.

IN A FAMILY CAR,
FOR AN AVERAGE SIZED
PERSON NEEDS 36.

BUT EVERY TIME
YOU OPEN THE DOOR,

THEY HIT THE CURB.

SO I MADE THEM OPEN UP,
CUT INTO THE ROOF LIKE
AN AIRPLANE HERE.

- TIME'S UP, KID.
- TWO MORE MINUTES, SIR--

- WHAT DO YOU WANT, A JOB?
- YES, SIR.

- YOU'VE GOT IT.
- IN THE DESIGN
DEPARTMENT?

KID, YOU ARE
THE DESIGN DEPARTMENT.

( sighs )

ABE, DID YOU FIND IT?

TUCKER, DO I HAVE
A LOT TO TELL YOU.

IT WAS
A GOOD MEETING.

JIMMY!

JIMMY SAKUYAMA,
ABE KARATZ,

- MY PARTNER.
- HI, NICE TO MEET YOU.

HOW DO YOU DO?

JIMMY, IF YOU SEE EDDIE,
TELL HIM WE'LL BE IN
THE DINING ROOM.

YOU BET.

HEY, DIDN'T THEY PUT
THE JAPS IN CAMP SOMEPLACE?

- HE'S NOT A JAP.
- WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

- HE'S AN ENGINEER.
- HE'S STILL A JAP.

ABE, JIMMY AND ME,
WE'VE BEEN TOGETHER
FOR 15 YEARS.

I GOT HIM IN MY CUSTODY
TO WORK ON THE TURRETS,

BUT HIS MOTHER, HIS FATHER,
HIS 12-YEAR-OLD SISTER,

THEY'RE IN A SWELL
RELOCATION CAMP
IN COLORADO,

IF THAT MAKES YOU
FEEL ANY BETTER.

HI THERE,
MR. KARATZ.

HOW ARE YOU?

...WHICH LEAVES
THREE MORE SURPLUS PLANTS

WE'VE GOT A SHOT AT.
NOW IT'S A LONG SHOT,

BECAUSE EVERYBODY
IN THE COUNTRY IS
TRYING TO GET THEM,

BUT IT'S WORTH A TRY.

ONE OF THEM IS PERFECT--
NICE, LITTLE.

THE OTHER IS TOO BIG.

IT WOULD COST US
TWICE AS MUCH TO RETOOL,

BUT WE COULD SWING IT
IF WE HAD TO.

WHAT'S THE THIRD?

NO, IMPOSSIBLE.

THE DODGE PLANT
WHERE THEY MADE
THE B-29s IN CHICAGO.

HMM.
WHAT'S WRONG WITH THAT?

WELL, FOR ONE THING,

IT COVERS 475 ACRES
WITH 16 BUILDINGS.

ONE OF THEM IS
73 ACRES LONG--

ONE BUILDING.

IT'S THE BIGGEST
BUILDING IN THE WORLD
UNDER ONE ROOF.

IT'S PERFECT.

YOU'LL LOVE IT
IN CHICAGO.

LISTEN, THEY GOT
A DEPARTMENT STORE--

ONE OF THE BIGGEST
IN THE WORLD.

FANTASTIC!

I CAN BUILD EVERYTHING
I EVER DREAMED OF IN
THIS PLANT, ABE--

SPORTS CARS,
FAMILY CARS,
CONVERTIBLES,

TRUCKS,
EVEN AIRPLANES.

NOW ALL WE GOTTA DO
IS TALK THE GOVERNMENT
INTO GIVING IT TO US.

WHAT DID THEY SAY?
DID YOU REACH THEM?

YEP, I FINALLY GOT
A MEETING WITH THE WAR
ASSETS ADMINISTRATION

- IN WASHINGTON.
- WHEN?

MONDAY, 3:00.

- OH, THAT'S NO GOOD.
- WHAT?

I WAS GONNA BE
AT LUNCH SOMEPLACE.

DO YOU REALIZE
THE TROUBLE I WENT THROUGH
JUST TO GET THIS MEETING?

- DO YOU?
- WITH ROAST BEEF.

RARE, VERY RARE.

Preston:
EVERY 25 SECONDS,
SOMEBODY IS KILLED

OR CRIPPLED
IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT.

60% OF ALL NIGHTTIME
ACCIDENTS HAPPEN
ON THE CURB,

BECAUSE THERE IS
A TWO-SECOND BLIND SPOT

BETWEEN THE TIME
YOU TURN THE WHEEL,

AND THE TIME THAT
YOUR HEADLIGHTS GET
TO WHERE YOU'RE GOING.

NOW IN THE TUCKER
WHEN YOU TURN THE WHEEL,

YOU ALSO TURN THE FENDERS
AND THE HEADLIGHTS,

SO YOU SEE WHERE
YOU'RE GOING BEFORE
YOU GET THERE.

THIS WOMAN WAS THROWN
THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD
OF HER CAR.

IN THE TUCKER,
THE WINDSHIELDS POP OUT,

AND TO MAKE SURE THAT
NOBODY'S FACE GETS CUT,

WE HAVE
SHATTERPROOF GLASS.

WE ALSO HAVE
SEAT BELTS.

NOW, WHY--
TELL ME WHY,
GENTLEMEN--

HAS THE BIG THREE
IN DETROIT BEEN ALLOWED
TO MAKE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS

WITHOUT SPENDING
ONE DIME ON SAFETY?

WELL, I KNOW,
WHAT YOU KNOW,

WHAT THE PUBLIC KNOWS,

IS THAT THEY DON'T GIVE
A DAMN ABOUT PEOPLE.

ALL THEY CARE ABOUT
IS PROFITS.

WELL, LET ME
TELL YOU SOMETHING--

AND I MEAN THIS
FROM THE BOTTOM
OF MY HEART--

THE ENTIRE
AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY
OF AMERICA IS GUILTY

OF CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE,
AND IF IT WERE UP TO ME,
THEY WOULD BE TRIED

AND CONVICTED
OF MANSLAUGHTER.

THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN.
THANK YOU FOR THE TIME
YOU'VE GIVEN ME.

I APPRECIATE IT.

CONGRATULATIONS.

THEY HATE YOU
LIKE POISON AND SO DO I.

HOW DID I EVER
LET YOU TALK ME
INTO SUCH A CRAZY--

I'M OSCAR BEASLEY,
SPECIAL ASSISTANT
TO THE ADMINISTRATOR.

COULD YOU BE IN
MY OFFICE AT 3:00
TOMORROW AFTERNOON?

WELL, SURE.

GOOD, I'LL SEE YOU THERE.

MR. BEASLEY.

SEE HOW MUCH YOU KNOW?
THEY LOVED IT.

WOULD THEY WANNA SEE US
AGAIN IF THEY DIDN'T?

YOU'RE TALKING LOGIC.
THIS IS WASHINGTON--
A PUNCH AND JUDY SHOW.

- WHY WOULD HE WANT
TO SEE US AGAIN?
- POLITICS.

( whispering )
WE'RE BEING SET UP
FOR SOMETHING.

BELIEVE ME.
WE'VE GOT NO CHANCE.

HOW CAN WE KID OURSELVES
INTO THINKING ANYONE WOULD
GIVE US A LOAN?

ALL WE'VE GOT ARE
DEBTS AND MORE DEBTS,

ALL OF THEM
SO FAR PAST DUE.

HOW DOES HE DO IT,
THE GENIUS YOU MARRIED?
NO MATTER HOW MUCH HE MAKES,

- HE ALWAYS MANAGES
TO SPEND TWICE AS MUCH.
- YEAH.

( phone rings )

Vera: Hello?

WHERE THE HELL WERE YOU?
I WAS ABOUT TO HANG UP.

HOW DID IT GO?

Sweetheart, I had them
eating out of my hand.

THE TIME I LEFT,
I COULD HAVE ASKED
FOR THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

AND GOTTEN
ARKANSAS TO BOOT.

OH, DARLING,
I'M SO SORRY.

NO, IT'S NOT DEAD YET...
COMPLETELY.

I'VE GOT ANOTHER
MEETING TOMORROW.

- What does Abe think?
- EH, WHAT DOES HE KNOW?

- Hey, did you get the loan?
- THEY'RE GOING TO THINK
IT OVER.

YOU'RE A WORSE LIAR
THAN I AM.

CAN YOU PLEASE COME
HOME SOON, PRESTON?

PLEASE?

I WILL, DOLL.

- I LOVE YOU.
- I love you too.

- I'LL SEE YOU
SOON, SWEETHEART.
- All right, bye.

MR. TUCKER,
IN BRIEF,

THE COMMITTEE
HAS VOTED TO GIVE YOU
THE PLANT IN CHICAGO...

PROVIDED THAT YOU HAVE
CERTIFIED ASSETS

OF NO LESS
THAN $15 MILLION.

AND TO QUALIFY AS A LEGAL
MANUFACTURING COMPANY,

YOU'LL BE REQUIRED
TO PRODUCE AT LEAST 50 CARS

ONE YEAR AFTER
TAKING POSSESSION.

IS THAT SATISFACTORY?

WELL, I--

SURE, I MEAN, FINE.

THE PAPERS WILL BE READY
FOR SIGNATURE 5:00
TOMORROW AFTERNOON.

THANK YOU.

ABE, WHY DON'T
WE LET MR. BEASLEY
GET BACK TO WORK?

YIPPEE!

Karatz:
YEAH, GO AHEAD.
I'LL HOLD ON.

HEY, TUCKER.

UNITED AUTO WORKERS TOLD
ROOSEVELT THEY WANT SOME
LABOR VOTE NEXT ELECTION.

HE'S GOTTA GIVE
THE PLANT TO A CAR COMPANY
AND ONLY A CAR COMPANY.

WELL, WHY ME, HUH?
WHY NOT FORD, GENERAL MOTORS,
ONE OF THE BIG THREE?

THEY DON'T WANT IT.
IT'S TOO BIG.

HOW CAN NOBODY WANT
A PLANT LIKE THAT?

EVERYBODY WANTS IT,
BUT BELIEVE IT OR NOT,

YOU'RE THE ONLY LUNATIC
IN THE COUNTRY DUMB ENOUGH
TO WANT TO MAKE CARS IN IT.

- DOLL?
- Vera: Yeah.

- HE'S RIGHT HERE.
- * HOLD THAT TIGER!

- * HOLD THAT TIGER,
HOLD THAT TIGER... *
- WHAT IS IT?

- WHAT?
- * HOLD THAT TIGER.

- PRESTON--
- HOLD ON, BABE.

HOW SOON CAN
YOU GET THE CAR
TO NEW YORK?

- MONDAY, TUESDAY, WHEN?
- BABE, HOLD ON.

I'VE GOT THE BEST PRESS AGENT
IN THE BUSINESS ON THE PHONE.

TO KICK OFF THE SALE
OF THE STOCK,

HE WANTS TO UNVEIL
THE CAR IN THE STREET
OUTSIDE THE STOCK EXCHANGE

WITH A 100-PIECE BAND,
THE ROCKETTES,

ENOUGH RAZZMATAZZ TO MAKE
EVERY INVESTOR IN THE COUNTRY

GET DOWN ON HIS KNEES
AND B TO BUY
THOSE SHARES!

- YOU HEAR THAT?
- YOU BET I DID.

WE'VE GOT IT!

THE BIGGEST DAMN PLANT
IN THE WHOLE WORLD,

- AND WE'RE
THE ONES WHO GOT IT.
- OH, THAT'S WONDERFUL.

ALL WE NEED NOW
IS $15 MILLION AND A CAR.

- OH, THAT'S ALL, HUH?
- THAT'S IT.

- YOU LOVE ME?
- I LOVE YOU.

- I LOVE YOU TOO.
I'LL SEE YOU SOON, SWEETIE.
- ALL RIGHT.

WE NEED A CAR?

LET'S GO OUT SOMEPLACE
AND CELEBRATE, HUH?
HAVE A DRINK.

DO WE HAVE A CAR
OR DON'T WE?

WELL, NO, IT'S NOT
A MATTER OF HAVING A--

FRANK, I'LL CALL
YOU BACK.

YOU ALL RIGHT, ABE?

ANYTHING ELSE
YOU WANNA TELL ME?

WELL, I DON'T HAVE
A DIME TO BUILD IT WITH.

YOU ALL RIGHT?

NOW $50,000
FOR ONE CAR?

IT'S A PROTOTYPE--
HAND-BUILT,

DON'T FORGET.

HOW MUCH YOU
NEED TO GET STARTED?
FORGET THE $50,000.

Preston:
TO GET STARTED?

AT LEAST 10.

I'LL GIVE YOU SIX.

IF IT TURNS OUT
YOU'RE RIGHT,

WE CAN SELL
A FEW DEALERSHIPS NOW,

WHICH FRANKLY
SOUNDS CRAZY TO ME,

BECAUSE WHY WOULD ANYBODY
IN HIS RIGHT MIND
PAY REAL MONEY

FOR A CAR THAT ISN'T
EVEN IN EXISTENCE HERE?

I'M SITTING HERE
WRITING A CHECK IN
MY OWN HANDWRITING

CALLING THEM CRAZY.

( laughing )

ONE THING:

WE NEED IT,
ABSOLUTELY, IN 60 DAYS.

ABSOLUTELY.
ANY PROBLEM?

Man:
PROBLEMS?

IT'S IMPOSSIBLE.

60 DAYS?

- OR NEVER.
- WHY?

BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T SOLD
ENOUGH STOCK TO BUY
A DEAD HERRING.

BUT THE LETTERS,
ALL THE EXCITEMENT
WHEN THE ARTICLE CAME IN...

OKAY, THERE'S PEOPLE
WHO BUY CARS

AND THERE'S PEOPLE
WHO BUY STOCK.

AND RIGHT NOW,
NO MAJOR INVESTOR WILL
EVEN CONSIDER US.

YEAH, BUT WHY 60 DAYS?
I MEAN, WHY NOT--

BECAUSE IN 60 DAYS,
JUNE 1st,

WE TAKE POSSESSION
OF THE PLANT.

AND ON THAT DAY,
AND NOT UNTIL THAT DAY,

WILL THE MYSTERY CAR,
THE CAR OF THE CENTURY,
BE UNVEILED.

- Noble: UNCLE ABE?
- YEAH.

I WAS WONDERING
WHY YOU ALWAYS DID THAT
WITH YOUR NOSE.

NOBLE. NOBLE.

- WHAT WITH MY NOSE?
- YOU MOVE IT UP AND DOWN
LIKE A RAT.

- OKAY, EVERYBODY UPSTAIRS.
- I DO THAT?

- I DO THAT?
- OH, MURDER.

ALL STUDENTS
TO THE GRINDSTONE.

Children: BYE.

TELL ME.
DO I DO THAT?

- YOU DON'T DO THAT
WITH YOUR NOSE.
- ALL RIGHT.

MR. TUCKER, SIR,
IT TAKES FORD NINE MONTHS

TO GO FROM MODEL
TO PROTOTYPE--
NINE MONTHS.

CALL EVERY PITMAN
WE KNOW IN INDY.

MILTON,
MAYBE TULLY.

- ALL RIGHT, HAVE HIM
HERE BY TOMORROW.
- ALL RIGHT.

WE'VE GOTTA GET
MOVING RIGHT AWAY.
BUY CLAY.

WE'VE GOTTA GET
STARTED ON THAT MODEL.
WHAT ABOUT STEEL?

- WE GOT ENOUGH LEFT OVER
FROM THE TURRETS?
- JUST ABOUT.

THERE ARE 24 HOURS
IN EVERY DAY.

NOW IS THERE ANYBODY
IN THIS ROOM WHO CAN
LOOK ME IN THE EYE

AND TELL ME
WE CAN'T DO IT?

WE CAN'T DO IT.

EXCEPT YOU.

( laughing )

YOU'D BETTER GET WITH IT.

Man:
YOU CAN'T DO IT.

- DAD, I THOUGHT...
- MR. TUCKER?

- EXCUSE ME, SON.
- ...ABOUT COLLEGE.

DAD, LOOK.
I'VE BEEN TRYING
TO TALK TO YOU

ABOUT SOMETHING
THAT'S BEEN ON MY MIND,

AND EVERY TIME
I TRY AND BRING IT UP--

LET'S HEAR IT.

IT'S THE ANSWER
FROM NOTRE DAME.

I GOT ACCEPTED.

- HEY, CONGRATULATIONS!
- BUT LOOK, I DON'T
WANNA GO.

LOOK, I WANNA
LEARN EVERYTHING
ABOUT CARS FROM YOU.

I DON'T WANNA
BECOME PRESIDENT
OF THE UNITED STATES

OR SOMETHING.
THAT'S NOT WHAT
I WANNA DO.

WHO WANTS YOU
TO BECOME PRESIDENT
OF THE UNITED STATES?

I THOUGHT YOU DID.

AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED,
THE TWO CRUMMIEST THINGS
A PERSON COULD BE

IS A LAWYER
OR A POLITICIAN.

WHY THE HELL WOULD
I WANT YOU TO BE PRESIDENT
OF THE UNITED STATES,

FOR GOD'S SAKE?
MOST OF THEM ARE BOTH.

- SO IT'S OKAY?
- SURE.

YOU CAN STAY WITH ME.

I'M GONNA DEPEND ON YOU.

THEY JUST WON'T SELL US
ANY CLAY. THAT'S IT.

YOU CAN'T BUILD
A MODEL WITHOUT IT,

AND YOU CAN'T
BUILD A PROTOTYPE
WITHOUT THE MODEL.

EASY, KID,
LIFE'S FULL
OF SURPRISES.

Preston:
DOUG, CHRIS!

I WANT YOU FELLAS
TO MEET ALEX.

HE'S HEAD
OF THE DESIGN
DEPARTMENT.

THESE FELLAS ARE
THE BEST DAMN BODYKNOCKERS
IN THE BUSINESS.

THEY CAN GO FROM YOUR
SKETCH STRAIGHT TO METAL.
ISN'T THAT RIGHT, BOYS?

- YEAH, SURE.
- HOW'S THIS FOR A FRAME?

IT'S OKAY FOR A START.

WE'RE GOING TO FACE
THIS RIGHT NOW, PRES--

WE'VE GOT PROBLEMS
WITH THIS ENGINE.

OUR OWN ENGINE?

I SHOULD TALK YOU
OUT OF BUILDING ONE
FROM SCRATCH.

YOU CAN'T TALK HIM OUT OF
FALLING OFF A CLIFF ONCE
HE'S MADE HIS MIND UP.

THE REAR ENGINE IS
THE HEART OF THE WHOLE CAR.

JUST WORK
THE DAMN THING OUT.

COME ON,
YOU CAN DO IT, EDDIE.

"YOU CAN DO IT, EDDIE."

BUT I'M OFFERING
YOU THE OPPORTUNITY
OF A LIFETIME.

A NEW CAR DEALERSHIP.

THE MOST REVOLUTIONARY CAR
IN AUTOMOTIVE HISTORY.

- IT'S CALLED "THE TUCKER."
- EXCUSE ME, SIR?

- I'LL BE RIGHT WITH YOU.
- IT'S GOT ALL KINDS
OF SAFETY FEATURES,

TORQUE CONVERTERS
ON EVERY WHEEL.

DOUBLE TORQUE
CONVERTERS WON'T WORK.

WE NEED
A TRANSMISSION.

WHY THE HELL
WON'T THEY?

IF I HAD MORE TIME,
BUT WE DON'T HAVE TIME
TO WORK IT OUT.

DO YOU REMEMBER
THE CORD 810 TRANSAXLE?

THAT'S THE ONLY TRANSMISSION
I CAN THINK OF.

YEAH, IF YOU COULD
FIND ONE.

WHAT CHOICE DO I HAVE?
BUT ONLY FOR NOW.

THE MINUTE WE FINISH
THAT SHOW IN CHICAGO,

WE'RE GONNA START
BUILDING THE CAR THAT
WE ADVERTISED.

NOW YOU'RE TALKING.

$7,500.

I NEVER THOUGHT I'D LIVE
TO SEE THE DAY.

- HEY!
- I DIDN'T MAKE THE FENDERS
MOVE WITH THE WHEELS

LIKE YOU WANTED TO, SIR.

WHY THE HELL NOT?

WELL, DO YOU REMEMBER
FRANK LOCKHART

WHEN HE WAS DRIVING
THE STUTZ?

AT HIGH SPEEDS,
THEY ACTED LIKE RUDDERS.

HE GOT KILLED IN THE CRASH.
IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS, SIR.

SO WHAT I DID WAS I MADE
THE LIGHT IN THE MIDDLE TURN
WITH THE WHEELS INSTEAD,

WHICH DOES WHAT YOU WANT.
IT WORKS FINE

AND IT'S SAFE.

IF YOU EVER DO THAT AGAIN,
SOMETHING I TOLD YOU NOT TO,

SO HELP ME...

I'LL GIVE YOU A RAISE.

( gears grinding )

NO REVERSE!

- Preston: FIX IT.
- NOT BY MONDAY.

Preston: FORGET IT.
COME ON, JUNIOR,

GIVE ME A HAND HERE.
ALL RIGHT, WE'LL GET IT.

PUSH.

( men chattering )

ABE, I STILL DON'T
LIKE THIS IDEA.

WE'VE GOT
TO DO IT, TUCKER.

WE NEED SOMEONE
FROM DETROIT WITH EXPERIENCE

OR WE WON'T
SELL ANY STOCK.

WELL, AS LONG
AS HE DOESN'T TRY
TO RUN THE COMPANY.

MR. TUCKER,

I'VE ALWAYS ADMIRED
INNOVATIVE MEN

WHO ARE WILLING
TO TAKE RISKS.

YOU KNOW, I MYSELF
INTRODUCED THE NYLON SEAT
COVERS IN OUR NEW LINE.

OH.

SO, WHEN DO I GET
TO SEE THE CAR?

SOON, MR. BENNINGTON.

WELL, I HOPE
IT'LL BE SOON.

THE CAR HAS TO BE SHOWN
IN LESS THAN A WEEK,
DOESN'T IT?

( chuckling )

THE PISTON LOAD DURING
COMPRESSION IS THREE TIMES
THE NORMAL FAMILY CAR.

YOU NEED A 24-VOLT
BATTERY TO START IT,

WHICH DON'T EXIST.

WELL, HOW MANY
VOLTS ARE THOSE?
SIX, RIGHT?

- YEAH.
- WHAT ABOUT
TRUCK BATTERIES?

THEY'RE 12.
USE TWO TRUCK BATTERIES.
THAT'S 24.

VERA, WHAT DO YOU THINK
OF THESE PICTURES IN THESE
BROCHURES THAT I BROUGHT?

I WANNA TALK
TO YOU ABOUT THAT.

THAT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
THEY STUCK ME WITH--

I DON'T KNOW
IF BENNINGTON'S
AN UNDERTAKER

OR ONE OF THE STIFFS
HE EMBALMED.

PRESTON...

HOW MANY YEARS
OF TESTING? 15?

I'VE BEEN THINKING
ABOUT THAT CAR A LOT
LONGER THAN 15 YEARS.

THINKING ABOUT IT
IS NOT EXACTLY TESTING.

IT'S ADVERTISING.
YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED
TO BELIEVE IT.

I MEAN, IF YOU'RE
SELLING CANDY,

WHAT DO YOU ADVERTISE,
"IT ROTS YOUR TEETH OUT"?

( laughs )
YOU CAUGHT ME,
DIDN'T YOU?

UH-HUH. DON'T YOU
GIVE ME THAT CROOKED
LITTLE SMILE

YOU STOLE
FROM CLARK GABLE.

WHAT? I DIDN'T STEAL
THAT FROM CLARK GABLE.

- WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?
- I SAW YOU MANY TIMES
PRACTICING

WHEN YOU THOUGHT
I WASN'T LOOKING.

OH, NOW THIS
SMILE HERE, SEE?

THIS IS MY DOWNFALL.

THE REAL YOU.

THE CANARY
WHO ATE THE CAT.

THAT SMILE MADE
YOU DO THAT?

EVERY TIME.

YOU KNOW WHAT
THIS SMILE MAKES
ME WANNA DO?

IS PUNCH YOU.

LET'S STICK
WITH THE CANARY.

Preston:
MR. BENNINGTON,
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD,

WE HAVE
ONE MAJOR PROBLEM.

YES, MR. TUCKER?

JUST WHAT SORT
OF PROBLEM IS THAT?

WELL, THEY'RE PUTTING
THE SQUEEZE ON-- DETROIT.

WE CAN'T BUY CLAY,
MR. BENNINGTON,

WE CAN'T BUY STEEL,
WE CAN'T BUY ANYTHING.

- NOT ENOUGH
TO BUILD A KIDDY CAR WITH.
- THAT DOESN'T SURPRISE ME.

SO WHAT I'VE DONE
IS I'VE MADE AN APPOINTMENT
WITH SENATOR FERGUSON

TO STRAIGHTEN
THIS WHOLE THING OUT
EYEBALL TO EYEBALL.

- WAIT.
- NO, YOU WAIT, ABE.

WHEN YOU SPOT TROUBLE,
YOU'VE GOTTA NIP IT
IN THE BUD.

Bennington:
WHAT DO YOU THINK?

A BIG SMILE
AND A PAT ON THE BACK

IS GONNA MAKE HIM
FORGET HE'S A SENATOR
FROM DETROIT?

WE'RE MAKING CARS
IN CHICAGO.

HE'S MY SENATOR TOO,
DON'T FORGET.

THE SENATOR WILL
SEE YOU NOW.

VERY GOOD.

- THIS WAY?
- YES, SIR, RIGHT
THROUGH THAT DOOR.

SENATOR.

PRESTON TUCKER.

MR. TUCKER.

A.H. KARATZ.

K-A-R-A-T-Z, HUH?
( chuckles )

SIT DOWN, GENTLEMEN,
SIT DOWN.

Preston:
LET'S GET RIGHT
TO THE POINT.

YOU'RE ONE OF THE MOST
POWERFUL MEN IN WASHINGTON.
I KNOW THAT.

- OH.
- I ALSO KNOW

THAT YOUR MAIN JOB
IS TO MAKE SURE
THAT THE BIG--

LITTLETON, SENATOR.

WELL, I'M SORRY,
GENTLEMEN,

IT WAS JUST GETTING
INTERESTING,

BUT MY PLANS CHANGED
ON ME SINCE WE MADE
THIS APPOINTMENT,

AS THEY ALWAYS DO
EVERY TWO SECONDS,

SO I'M NOT GOING
TO BE ABLE TO--

ALICE, DID YOU,
YOU KNOW, TAKE
CARE OF THE--

- Alice: FIRST THING
IN THE MORNING, SIR.
- GOOD.

WALK ME TO THE CAR?

HERE, JOHN.

Alice: SENATOR,
DON'T FORGET THE 4:00 MEETING
WITH CONGRESSMAN MILLER.

- I GOT IT.
- Alice: SENATOR?

JUST PUT EVERYTHING
IN THE SHEET.

READ IT IN THE PLANE.

- YOU LIKE JACK BENNY?
- SENATOR!

- HE'S MY FAVORITE,
VERY FUNNY.
- TICKETS.

OH, THANK YOU.

"PROBLEMS ARE
JUST OPPORTUNITIES
IN WORK CLOTHES."

THAT'S A QUOTE
FROM MY FRIEND
HENRY J. KAISER.

- KARATZ--
- AFTERNOON, SENATOR.

OH, YOU GET THAT THING
WE TALKED ABOUT?

I GOT A PHONE CALL.

CALL TIM.
TELL HIM I TOLD YOU.

WHEN YOU WERE IN
WASHINGTON, DID YOU
MEET HARRY McDONALD,

- HEAD OF F.E.C.?
- NO, NOT YET.

HE'S A LOCAL BOY.
GOOD MAN, LOYAL.

SO WHO'S YOUR FAVORITE
COMEDIAN, MR. TUCKER?

SO THIS IS
THE WAY YOU KEEP
THAT FIGURE, HUH?

- THAT'S ONE
WAY, SENATOR.
- ( laughs )

A SPORTIN' IDEA OF YOURS
SELLING DEALERSHIPS FOR CARS
THAT DON'T EXIST.

YOU REMEMBER THAT SONG?

* MUSIC GOES
ROUND AND ROUND *
( vocalizes )

* AND IT COMES OUT.

"THE BIG THREE
SHOULD BE INDICTED
FOR MANSLAUGHTER," HUH?

( chuckles )

FUNNY LINE.

WHAT WAS THAT ALL ABOUT?

DID HE SAY ANYTHING?
WHAT DID HE SAY?

HE SAID STAY OUT
OF THE CAR BUSINESS

OR HE'LL CUT
YOUR NUTTIES OFF.

Preston: ALL RIGHT,
NOW WHAT DO WE DO?

- I CAN'T GIVE
YOU A FUEL INJECTION.
- NO FUEL INJECTION?

WE WANT THE CAR ON TIME,
THE ONLY HOPE WE'VE GOT IS
TWIN CARBURETORS.

GOD DAMN IT!

WHERE IS MY CAR?

WHAT'S LEFT OF IT?
ANYTHING?

- Vera: HI, ABE.
- HOW ARE YOU DOING?

Vera:
I'M GOOD,
COME ON IN.

UNCLE ABE!
UNCLE ABE!

WHOA WHOA WHOA,
MY GOODNESS.

LOOK WHAT
I HAVE FOR YOU.

IT'S A GIFT FROM ME
AND VERY MUCH YOUR FATHER.

- FOR ME?
- YEAH, I HOPE
YOU LIKE IT.

OH, I LOVE IT,
UNCLE ABE.

- I LOVE IT, I LOVE IT.
- IS IT ALL RIGHT?

I MEAN, WHAT
DO I KNOW ABOUT
LADIES' DRESSES?

- CAN I TRY IT ON?
- OF COURSE.

- Johnny: HE'S HERE!
- WELL WELL WELL.

- ( mimics gun firing )
- OH, YOU GOT ME.

( chuckles )
I GOT A PRESENT
FOR YOU, NOBLE.

- SOMETHING FOR YOU.
- OH, WOW.

Johnny:
WHAT'S THIS?

WELL, TELL ME GENTLY.

DO WE HAVE A CAR?

WELL, WE'VE GOT SOMETHING.

DOES IT LOOK LIKE THE CAR
IN THE ADS AT LEAST?

IT LOOKS LIKE IT.

SO WHY ARE YOU WORRIED?
WHY ARE YOU WORRIED?

ALL THEY HAVE
TO DO IS SEE IT.

Vera:
I MADE YOU
A MARTINI, ABE.

A DRINK, COME.

TO THE CAR.

- TO THE CAR.
- TO THE CAR.

( whistles )

DON'T YOU
JUST LOVE IT?

THANK YOU,
UNCLE ABE.

- YOU'RE WELCOME.
- THANK YOU.

DON'T YOU
JUST LOVE IT?

IT'S BEAUTIFUL,
SWEETIE.

DAD, DAD!
WHERE'S DAD?

DAD-- OH, HI, ABE.
YOU BETTER GET OUT
THERE RIGHT AWAY.

THE OIL'S LEAKING
FROM THE REAR MAIN SEAL.

IT JUST BLEW A HEAD GASKET
AND THE WHOLE THING IS
FALLING APART.

WHAT'S GOING ON?

I LEAVE FOR ONE MINUTE--
WHERE'S EDDIE?

- EDDIE, WHAT IS IT?
- YEAH YEAH.

JESUS CHR--

WHAT THE HELL
WAS THAT?

ARE YOU OKAY?
ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?

- ARE YOU OKAY?
- WE COULD HAVE
GOTTEN KILLED.

YEAH, IT'S ALL RIGHT.

- YOU NEED ANYTHING?
- I'M FINE.

JOSH.

WE NEED FOUR NEW ARMS
MACHINED FROM SOLID STOCK.

- CAN YOU DO IT?
- NO SWEAT.

WHAT THE HELL HAS
HAPPENED TO YOU?!

THAT KID ALEX
CAME THIS CLOSE

TO GETTING HIS
BRAINS SPLATTERED
ALL OVER THIS FLOOR,

AND YOU DIDN'T
EVEN NOTICE.

FOR WHAT?
THAT PILE OF JUNK?

THAT'S ALL IT IS--
A PILE OF JUNK.

LISTEN TO ME.
ARE YOU LISTENING
TO ME CAREFULLY?

NOW WE ARE GOING
TO BUILD THAT CAR--

THE ONE WE DREAMED OF
EXACTLY THE WAY
WE WANT IT.

( shouting )

- STOP, STOP IT, STOP!
- OKAY!

( shouting )

YOU FEELING BETTER?
THAT'S WHAT I CAME
DOWN HERE FOR.

- TO CHEER YOU UP.
- I'M FINE, I'M FINE.

- YOU CHEERFUL?
- I'M PLENTY CHEERFUL.

YOU THINK THAT'S CHEERFUL,
WATCHING A MIDDLE-AGED MAN
LOSE HIS MIND?

YOU KNOW WHAT'S
EVEN MORE CHEERFUL?

HAVING RINGSIDE SEATS
AT YOUR OWN CRUCIFIXION,

WHICH I MIGHT HAVE
IN CHICAGO.

( laughs )

HOW'S IT GOING?

THIS IS FRANK,
THE PRESS AGENT.

ABE. HE THINKS
"FRANK THE PRESS AGENT"
IS ONE WORD.

FRANK, PLEASE.

THESE ARE
THE SECURITY GUARDS?

TWO DOZEN,
THREE SHIFTS
AROUND THE CLOCK.

NOBODY, ABSOLUTELY NOBODY,
GETS NEAR THIS CAR.
YOU TOLD THEM THAT?

I TOLD THEM.

FRANK.
NAUGHTY NAUGHTY.

NO NO.
GO DOWN, DOWN.

STAN.

THIS IS STAN.
HE'S MAKING A PROMOTIONAL
FILM ABOUT YOU.

- GLAD TO MEET YOU, STAN.
- A PLEASURE.

IT'S A PUFF KIND
OF A PROMO FILM--

SALES MEETINGS
AND DEALERSHIPS,
THAT KIND OF THING.

TUCKER, IF YOU HAVE
ANY FAMILY ALBUMS,
SNAPSHOTS--

- HOME MOVIES.
- JUST SHUT UP--

SNAPSHOTS, HOME MOVIES--
ANYTHING LIKE THAT
WE COULD USE.

- WHAT'S THE POINT?
- SELLING STOCK.

I'M NOT SELLING
STOCK IN MY FAMILY.

WE'RE NOT JUST
SELLING CARS EITHER.

WE'RE SELLING YOU,
AN IMAGE,

WHICH INCLUDES
YOUR FAMILY.

TUCKER, WHO DO YOU THINK GOT
THAT NEWSREEL THING OF YOU
IN THE WHITE HOUSE?

YOU THINK THE PRESS
WOKE UP IN THE MIDDLE
OF THE NIGHT

YELLING AT ME, TUCKER?
COME ON, YOU CAN'T BUY
THAT KIND OF PUBLICITY.

- YOU DID.
- YEAH, FOR MONEY.

SURE.

NOTHING YOU SAY
MAKES ANY SENSE.

HOW COME I ALWAYS
KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN?

BECAUSE YOU
TALK WORSE THAN ME,
THE SAME LANGUAGE.

- ( laughs )
- Stan: MR. TUCKER.

I WANNA GET
SOME SHOTS OF YOU
LOOKING UP AT THE SIGN.

Frank:
DIGNIFIED,
SERIOUS, CONFIDENT,

A REGULAR CAPTAIN
OF INDUSTRY.

Reporter:
...BROADCASTING LIVE
FROM THE TUCKER AUTO PLANT.

THE LARGEST
PARKING LOT IN THE WORLD
COMPLETELY FILLED.

PEOPLE ARE COMING HERE
FROM EVERYWHERE.

THEY'RE HERE FROM
WASHINGTON D.C.,
NEW YORK.

THESE PEOPLE ARE HERE
WITH THEIR FAMILIES,

AND ALL LOOKING
VERY EXCITED ABOUT
SEEING THE INNOVATIONS

THEY'VE HEARD SO MUCH
ABOUT IN THE TUCKER
AUTOMOBILE.

THERE WERE
300 PEOPLE INVITED,

AND OVER 1,000
HAVE SHOWN UP.

Man:
SINCE THE AGE OF 13
WHEN HE WAS OFFICE BOY

FOR THE VICE PRESIDENT
OF CADILLAC,

PRESTON TUCKER HAS
BEEN IDENTIFIED--

NOBLE, YOU SIT HERE.

WHAT DID YOU
GET ME INTO?

THE BIGGEST DAY IN
AUTOMOTIVE HISTORY,
MY FRIEND.

WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?
I DIDN'T EXPECT ANYTHING
LIKE THIS.

WAIT TILL YOU SEE.
WAIT TILL YOU SEE.

OKAY, PUSH IT.

( groans )

HOW MUCH LONGER?
AN HOUR LATE ALREADY.

THE DAMN WHEELS
ARE LOCKED.

LET'S TRY TO ROCK IT.

COME ON, JIMMY.

YEAH, ROCK IT.

ALL RIGHT,
TURN THE OTHER WAY.
ROCK IT.

JIMMY, YOU GOTTA
GO UNDERNEATH.

HAVING A LITTLE
TROUBLE BACK THERE
IT SEEMS LIKE.

THEY'VE BEEN
UP ALL NIGHT,
POOR BASTARDS,

TRYING TO HOLD THAT
PILE OF JUNK TOGETHER.

- IT WON'T
EVEN BACK UP.
- NO.

NO KIDDING.
IT'S GOT NO REVERSE.

SAY, HOW WOULD YOU LIKE
TO HELP ME OUT ON LETTING
ME KNOW WHAT GOES ON?

( crowd chanting )
WE WANT THE CAR!
WE WANT THE CAR!

COME ON!

ABE, WHAT THE HELL
IS GOING ON?

I DON'T KNOW,
BUT THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
IS GETTING IMPATIENT.

( audience chanting )
WE WANT THE CAR!
WE WANT THE CAR!

WE WANT THE CAR!
WE WANT THE CAR!

SENATOR FERGUSON.

PRESTON, GET THIS THING
STARTED NOW.

WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING.
STALL, ANYTHING.

FRANKIE'S GONE CRAZY.

EDDIE, SIGNAL ME
WHEN YOU'RE READY
FROM THAT CORNER.

- THAT CORNER?
- YEAH.

WE GOTTA TAKE OUT
SOME WEIGHT.

( chanting )
WE WANT THE CAR!

WELCOME,
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.

I'M PRESTON TUCKER.

I'M SORRY FOR THE DELAY,
BUT PERHAPS THIS WILL
PERK YOU UP.

THE TUCKERETTES!

WHAT ARE TUCKERETTES?

THEY'RE GIRLS.
GIRLS!

Jimmy:
THE BACK TIRES
CAN'T MOVE

WITH ALL THAT WEIGHT
ON THE REAR WHEELS.

JUNIOR!

TRY THIS
FOR A BRACE.

Preston:
LET'S HEAR IT
FOR THE TUCKERETTES.

OKAY, JUNIOR.
TELL YOUR DAD.
LET'S GO.

WE'RE SET.

Preston:
AREN'T THEY
LOVELY CREATURES?

DAD, DAD!

BACK HERE.
BACK HERE.

DAD, WE GOT IT.
WE'RE SET.

AND NOW,
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

THAT HISTORY-MAKING
MOMENT YOU'VE ALL
BEEN WAITING FOR.

OKAY, COME ON,
LET'S PUSH GUYS,
COME ON.

HOLD IT, EDDIE!
IT'S GOT A LEAK AGAIN.

TELL YOUR DAD TO HOLD IT.
WE GOT A LEAK.

TELL HIM TO HOLD IT.

DAD, DAD, DAD.

HOLD IT, HOLD IT.
STOP, HOLD IT.

BUT FIRST, YOU DON'T
MIND IF I INTRODUCE
MY FAMILY, DO YOU?

OH, COME ON.

MY LOVELY WIFE, VERA.

( sparse clapping )

MY DAUGHTER,
MARILYN LEE.

- ISN'T SHE LOVELY?
- ( audience cheering )

JUNIOR, GET
THE SOLDERING IRON.

MY OLDEST SON
IS BACKSTAGE.

ASLEEP IN THE CAR?

Preston: LADIES
AND GENTLEMEN, THE CAR
EVERYONE CALLS THE TUCKER.

ALL RIGHT, LET'S GO.

Preston:
BUT FIRST--

DAD, DAD, WE'RE SET.

DOES ANYBODY WANT
TO SEE THE CAR?

HOLD IT!
WE'VE GOT A FIRE!

GET THE FIRE
EXTINGUISHERS!

BUT FIRST...

I'D LIKE TO SHOW YOU
THE CAR'S MANY FEATURES.

LADIES,
THE DETROIT MOBILE.

YOU'RE ON MY FOOT.
YOU'RE ON MY FOOT.

DON'T STOP THE FIRE.

Preston: BECAUSE
OF THE REVOLUTIONARY
TUCKER REAR ENGINE,

- OUR CAR HAS 800--
- WE GOT IT, LET'S GO.

STOP, THERE'S NO FIRE THERE.
WHAT TOOK YOU GUYS SO LONG?

WHAT, ARE YOU
PLAYING, CHECKERS?

DRIVE YOUR TUCKER
TO THE DUMBEST MECHANIC
ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD,

AND HE WILL BE ABLE
TO REMOVE THE WHOLE ENGINE
IN ONE PIECE

AND REPLACE IT
WITHIN 20 MINUTES.

THAT'S OUT.

DIDN'T YOU TELL HIM
WE'RE NOT DOING THAT?

WHAT'S HE SAYING THAT FOR?

LET'S HEAR IT
FOR THE TUCKERETTES.

- WHERE'S THE TUCKER?
- COME ON!

( shouting, booing )

( chanting )
WE WANT THE CAR!
WE WANT THE CAR!

OH, COME ON, TUCKER!

- BRING IN THE CAR!
- Preston: I APPRECIATE
YOUR PATIENCE.

I WOULD LIKE
TO ASK YOU JUST FOR
A LITTLE BIT MORE--

THAT DREAMS
CAN COME TRUE.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

DON'T LET A TUCKER
PASS YOU BY.

( chanting )
WE WANT THE CAR!
WE WANT THE CAR!

Preston: LADIES?

( chanting )
WE WANT THE CAR!
WE WANT THE CAR!

WE WANT THE CAR!
WE WANT THE CAR!

WE WANT THE CAR!

( cheering )

WHOA. GOOD.
THAT'S PRETTY GOOD.

GET UP HERE.
COME ON, COME ON, SWEETIE!

COME ON!

NOW, LADIES
AND GENTLEMEN,

MY LOVE,
MY INSPIRATION,

MY WIFE, VERA.

I USUALLY DON'T TAKE
A BATH UNTIL SATURDAY.

Announcer:
WE ARE PLEASED TO SAY

THIS NEWLY-CHRISTENED CAR
GETS OVER 20mpg,

IS CAPABLE
OF 130 MILES PER HOUR,

AND IT HASN'T EVEN
BEEN OPENED UP YET.

THE CAR FEATURES
SEAT BELTS, A REAR MOTOR,
HAS A SAFETY CHAMBER,

AND A SPONGE RUBBER
CRASH PANEL.

BUY A TUCKER.
DON'T LET THE FUTURE
PASS YOU BY.

Bennington:
THIS MAN, TUCKER,
IS A LOOSE CANNON.

HE JUST DOESN'T UNDERSTAND
HOW A CORPORATION RUNS,

AND HE'S NOT MUCH
OF AN ENGINEER EITHER.

YEAH, YOU'RE RIGHT.

IF WE DON'T WATCH OUT,
WE'LL NEVER BUILD THOSE
CARS IN TIME.

LISTEN, HE NEEDS TO GET
EXPOSURE IN THE PAPER.

WHY DON'T WE LET HIM
GO OFF ON A NICE LONG
PUBLICITY TOUR?

- NOT A BAD IDEA.
- I LIKE IT.

PRESTON, PRESTON,
I WOULD LIKE YOU
TO MEET MRS. MILLER.

- PRESTON TUCKER.
- MRS. MILLER.

OH, LOOK AT YOU.
ABSOLUTELY LOVELY.

GIRLS...

COME ON.

DOWN HERE.

MR. PRESTON TUCKER,

THE KEY TO OUR
FAIR CITY.

AND THIS BEAUTIFUL PLAQUE
TO COMMEMORATE YOUR
ACHIEVEMENTS.

THANK YOU.

THE TUCKERS ARE HERE.

- SIR.
- Noble: WOW.

- THIS IS IT, CHICAGO.
- Vera: THANK YOU.

THIS HAS GOT TO BE
100 STORIES HIGH.

THIS WAY, MA'AM.

WELL, HOW DO YOU LIKE IT?

HOLY MACKEREL.

I GOT A REAL BUY ON IT.
HELLO, MILLIE!

- HEY, HOW ARE YOU?
- HOW ARE YOU, DARLING?

- GREAT, YOU MADE IT.
- HI, MILLIE.

IN HERE THE KITCHEN.

YOU GOT AN ELEVATOR,
GOES UP AND DOWN.

- THIS IS BIG.
- IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

THAT'S WHY YOU
GOT IT SO CHEAP,

FROM A VAUDEVILLE FAMILY.

VERY WEALTHY,
BUT MIDGETS.

( laughs )

I WANT TO BUY
A STEEL PLANT.

Frank:
STEEL?

WE NEED ONE.

WELL, I'LL CHECK
WITH BEASLEY OVER
AT WAR ASSETS

TO SEE IF WE CAN'T
FIND ANOTHER PLANT.

WELL, HOW ARE YOU
GOING TO DO THAT?
HOW DO YOU GET ONE?

WELL, THEY GO
TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER.

THAT'S A HELL
OF A LIGHTER.

HERE ARE THE NEW SPECS
FROM MR. BENNINGTON:

64" HIGH INSTEAD OF 56"

AND THE WHEEL TRACK IS--

WHOA, WAIT A SECOND.
WHO ARE YOU EXACTLY?

I'M FROM ENGINEERING
UPSTAIRS.

NOW TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT
WE'VE DONE UP THERE.

GOD DAMN IT!
DAMN IT!

HEY, WHAT'S THE MATTER?

HEY, THIS IS BETTER.

THE ENGINE DEFINITELY
CAN'T GO IN THE REAR.

WE CAN'T DO IT.

NO REAR ENGINE?
NO REAR ENGINE?!

WE CAN'T GET IT TO WORK.

NO REAR ENGINE.

WE REPRESENT MR. TUCKER.
THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT.

I'M SORRY.
YOU CAN'T SEE HIM.
HE WENT OUT.

NEXT TIME
MR. BENNINGTON GOES OUT,

YOU SHOULD
TELL HIM TO TAKE
HIS BODY WITH HIM.

MRS. TUCKER.

WELL, WELL,
WHAT A NICE SURPRISE.

I'M REALLY DELIGHTED
TO SEE YOU,

BUT WOULD YOU BE
GOOD ENOUGH TO GIVE
MY WIFE A CALL?

MRS. BENNINGTON HAS
COMPLETE CHARGE OF ALL
OUR SOCIAL VISITS.

THERE'S NOTHING SOCIAL
ABOUT THIS VISIT.

SIT DOWN, GENTLEMEN.
WE CAN SKIP THE MINUET.

WHAT IS THIS?

AND THIS, AND THIS?

AND THIS IS RIDICULOUS.

( laughing )

I ADMIRE
THIS VERY MUCH,

WHEN THE LITTLE WOMAN
TAKES A KEEN INTEREST

IN HER HUSBAND'S
BUSINESS AFFAIRS.

WHY DID YOU
CHANGE THE DESIGN
OF MY HUSBAND'S CAR?

AND THE COLORS?

YOU KNOW, WALTZ BLUE
HAPPENED TO COME FROM

THE COLOR OF ONE
OF MY DRESSES.

MRS. TUCKER,
YOUR HUSBAND'S FANTASY
OF A REAR-ENGINE CAR--

WELL, IT JUST
DOESN'T WORK,
THAT'S ALL.

I'M AFRAID THERE'S
VERY LITTLE LIKELIHOOD
IT'LL EVER WORK.

I'M REALLY SORRY
ABOUT THAT.

WHAT ABOUT THIS?

PRESTON PROMISED
THE PUBLIC THAT HIS CAR
WOULD SELL FOR $1,000,

AND IN THIS MEMO FROM YOU
TO THE SALES DEPARTMENT

YOU'VE DOUBLED THE PRICE.

MY WIFE AND I WOULD
BE DELIGHTED TO HAVE YOU

AS OUR GUEST
FOR DINNER SOME EVENING.

I'LL BUY
MY OWN DINNER, BENNY.

ANSWER THE QUESTION: WHY?

STEEL. WE JUST CAN'T
GET ANY OF IT.

IT'S COSTING US
TWICE AS MUCH AS
THE BIG THREE.

NOW REALLY, MRS. TUCKER,
I DON'T MEAN TO BE RUDE,

BUT WE ARE IN
THE MIDDLE OF A RATHER
CRUCIAL MEETING HERE.

( all chuckle )

* WHEN YOU'RE
RIDING IN A TUCKER,
DOO-DOO-DOO *

* WHEN YOU'RE
RIDING IN A TUCKER,
DOO-DOO-DOO *

* WHEN YOU'RE RIDING
IN A TUCKER, OOH-AH *

- * THE CAR OF TOMORROW
- * THE CAR OF TOMORROW

- * THE CAR OF TOMORROW
- All: * TODAY

* THE CAR OF TOMORROW
TODAY. *

"HI FOLKS,
I'M PRESTON TUCKER.

- IT'S NOT POLITE
TO BLOW YOUR OWN HORN..."
- ( horn toots )

"...SO I'LL LET
THE SOUND MAN
DO IT FOR ME."

( honks )

"BUT SERIOUSLY--"
WHO WROTE THIS?

- Man: OKAY, CUT CUT!
- I'LL MAKE UP MY OWN
STUFF TO SAY.

Man:
TELEPHONE, MR. TUCKER.

I'LL CALL HIM BACK.

IT'S YOUR WIFE.
SHE SAYS IT'S IMPORTANT.

ALL RIGHT,
ALL RIGHT.

WE CAN DO BETTER
THAN THIS, FELLAS.

HEY, DOLL.

HONEY, YOU'D BETTER GET
BACK HERE RIGHT AWAY.

DAD, DAD, BENNINGTON'S
CHANGED ALL THE DESIGNS

to a standard
front-mounted engine.

He's changed the whole look
of the body and everything.

JUNIOR, DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.
IT'S ALL RIGHT.

ALEX TOLD ME
THAT IF BENNINGTON
KEEPS TOOLING UP

FOR HIS 1940
PLYMOUTH VERSION
HE'S GONNA BUILD,

IT'S GONNA COST MILLIONS
FOR US TO RETOOL
FOR OUR CAR.

JUNIOR, THE ONLY THING
THAT MATTERS NOW IS
SELLING STOCK.

IF WE DON'T,
THERE'S NOT GOING
TO BE ANY CAR TO RUIN.

SO FORGET
ABOUT BENNINGTON.
THE MINUTE I GET HOME,

I'll send him back
to the mortuary

- with the rest
of the undertakers.
- ONE MORE THING:

BENNINGTON SAYS
WE'LL HAVE TO DOUBLE
THE PRICE YOU ADVERTISED

the car would sell for,
because we're being charged
twice as much for steel.

WILL YOU TURN THAT
DAMN THING DOWN?

AND, PRESTON,
NO WALTZ BLUE.

- WHAT?
- Our color.

DOLL, I'M ON MY WAY BACK.

All right.

THE REAR ENGINE IS OUT.

YOUR OWN ENGINEERS
ADMIT THAT 589 ENGINE
IS A FAILURE.

THE CHAIR WILL
RECOGNIZE NO FURTHER
DISCUSSION ON THAT.

Preston: THE CHAIR?
WHO MADE HIM THE CHAIR?

ALSO DENIED
AND ELIMINATED

FROM ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION
ARE DISC BRAKES,

FUEL INJECTION,

HYDRAULIC
VALVE LIFTERS,

- SEAT BELTS--
- SEAT BELTS?

HOW CAN YOU OBJECT
TO SEAT BELTS?

OUR MARKETING DEPARTMENT
SAYS THEY IMPLY THE CARS
ARE UNSAFE.

PEOPLE ARE UNSAFE.

BENNINGTON, IF ONE PERSON
IS KILLED IN A TUCKER

BECAUSE OF SOME
SAFETY FEATURE THAT
YOU ELIMINATED.

- I SWEAR TO GOD--
- MAY I REMIND YOU, SIR...

--I'M GOING TO DRAG YOU
BY TEETH TO THE--

...YOU HAVE
NO VOICE IN MATTERS
OF POLICY HERE.

I'M IN COMPLETE CHARGE
OF THIS COMPANY.

WHAT COMPANY?
MY COMPANY?

( laughs )
I THINK YOU'LL
FIND IT STATED

UNEQUIVOCALLY
IN MY CONTRACT.

IS THAT TRUE?

WE NEEDED HIS NAME
TO SELL THE STOCK.
YOU KNOW THAT.

WE NEEDED
A MAN WITH EXPERIENCE
TO RUN THINGS,

BUT, TUCKER,

I GIVE YOU MY WORD,
I SWEAR TO GOD,

I DIDN'T KNOW THAT WAS
IN HIS CONTRACT.

YOU CAN'T
HAVE FALSTAFF

AND HAVE HIM THIN,
MR. TUCKER.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

WELL,

LITTLE BOATS SHOULD BE
KEPT NEAR THE SHORE.

HE TALKS LIKE
A FORTUNE COOKIE.

THIS IS MY COMPANY,
BENNINGTON.

THAT MEANS SEAT BELTS,
DISC BRAKES,

FUEL INJECTION,
AND A REAR ENGINE!

WE'LL SEE ABOUT THAT,
MR. TUCKER.

THAT SON OF A BITCH IS NOT
GONNA TAKE OVER MY COMPANY!

DADDY.

- JUST TAKE IT EASY.
- FORGIVE ME, SWEETIE.

- ( phone rings )
- HELLO.

HOLD ON.

DAD, IT'S FOR YOU.

HE SAYS
HE'S HOWARD HUGHES.

HELLO.

IS THIS
SOME KIND OF--?

I'LL BE RIGHT THERE.

WELL, I'LL BE.

( laughs )

HI.

HOWARD HUGHES.

WHAT DO YOU THINK
OF IT, KID?

IT'S TOO BIG.

THAT'S WHAT
THEY TELL ME.

HERE, DO YOU LIKE
PISTACHIO NUTS?

LAWYERS--

ALL THEY CAN
THINK ABOUT

IS WHETHER
IT WILL FLY OR NOT.

WHO CARES
WHETHER IT FLIES?

THAT'S NOT THE POINT.

AND...

THE SPRUCE GOOSE.

NOW WHY DO YOU SUPPOSE
THEY CALL IT THAT?

THAT SEEM FUNNY TO YOU?

I CAN'T TELL ANYMORE.

PEOPLE.

DID I CHANGE,

OR DID THE COSMIC
SENSE OF HUMOR?

I USED TO LAUGH
WHEN THEY DID.

THIS....

PRICK,

HOMER FERGUSON,

HE'S AFTER ME TOO,

SUBPOENAED ME
FOR A CONGRESSIONAL
INVESTIGATION

WHICH EITHER
I SHOW UP FOR

IN PERSON,

OR HE'S GOING
TO SEND ME TO JAIL.

I'M ALREADY IN JAIL.

STEEL--

THAT'S WHAT
I CALLED YOU ABOUT.

THERE'S
A HELICOPTER PLANT

IN SYRACUSE

CALLED THE AIR-COOLED
MOTOR COMPANY.

AND THEY'RE NOT CONNECTED
TO ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY,

SO...

THE POLITICIANS CAN'T
SCREW YOU OUT OF IT.

WELL, THIS HELICOPTER
COMPANY

HAS ALL THE STEEL
YOU NEED.

AND THEY'RE ON THEIR ASS
FINANCIALLY,

SO IF YOU HURRY UP

THEY'RE READY TO DEAL.

AND THEY--

THEY MAKE A REALLY
FINE ALUMINUM ENGINE.

BUT LISTEN NOW,

FOR GOD'S SAKE NOW,

YOU DON'T--

I WONDER--

I WONDER HOW THEY
GET THE BLOOD OFF.

( distant dog barking )

Tucker:
WELL, WHAT DO YOU THINK,
JIMMY?

Jimmy:
IT'S A HELICOPTER ENGINE.

IT NEEDS
TO BE CONVERTED

FROM AIR-COOLED
TO WATER.

BUT AS A STARTING POINT--
MAYBE.

IT'S SMALL,
WHICH IS GOOD, SIMPLE.

TAKE IT APART, EDDIE.
I'LL WORK ON THE DRAWINGS.

OH, TIME TIME.

FIGHTING BENNINGTON
IN COURT WOULD TAKE YEARS.

MEANWHILE, HE'S
RETOOLING HIS CAR
AS FAST AS HE CAN.

THE ONLY WAY
TO BUILD THIS ENGINE
IS TO DO IT

RIGHT HERE IN THE BARN
OUT OF BENNINGTON'S SIGHT.

TV announcer:
The Senate War
Investigating Committee

headed by
Senator Homer Ferguson

has subpoenaed aircraft
designer Howard Hughes.

The committee will be
investigating charges...

WE NEED
A NEW CAMSHAFT.

INTAKE MANIFOLD'S GOING
TO HAVE TO BE REWORKED.

EXCUSE ME,
BUT IN A HELICOPTER,

DOESN'T THE ENGINE
STAND STRAIGHT UP?

IF WE LAY OURS SIDEWAYS,
WE'RE GONNA NEED AN OIL PAN
DOWN THERE.

( Jimmy and Tucker laugh )

OKAY, WHATEVER WE DO

HAS GOT TO FIT
INTO THE FRANKLIN
ASSEMBLY LINE.

THAT'S IT, GENTLEMEN.

HEY, COME ON.
EDDIE, COME ON.

WE ONLY GOT
TILL TOMORROW

TO GET THIS THING
TOGETHER.

CLICK IT OVER.

( engine grinding )

GET ANOTHER BATTERY.

( engine starts )

( cheering )

GOT IT!

( engine revving )

- ( all cheering )
- Noble: THERE HE GOES!

Tucker:
JUST LIKE A SWAN.

I WANT IT SMOOTH LIKE
A SWAN ON THE RIVER--

GET OUT OF HERE!
WHAT'S THE MATTER
WITH YOU?

YOU'RE IN THE SHOT!

( all chattering )

Man:
GO, EDDIE!

WHOO!

SOUNDS MIGHTY NICE.

- HEY, EDDIE!
- YEAH?

WE'RE GONNA DRIVE
IN RELAYS,

24 HOURS WITHOUT A STOP.
AND PUSH HER!

PUSH HER TO THE LIMIT!

GO!

I HOPE IT HOLDS UP.

GOOD.
GOOD.

- IT'S NEAT.
- HAVING FUN?

YEAH, IT'S NEAT.

WHAT HAVE WE
GOT NOW?

17 1/2 HOURS.

TO GO?

GOD DAMN!

ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT.
STAY WITH HIM.

( sighs )

CHARLIE?
HOMER.

THAT SON A BITCH TUCKER
BUILT THE DAMN THING!

WELL, NOT EVERYTHING
HE ADVERTISED, NOT YET,

BUT ENOUGH RIGHT NOW
TO COST BILLIONS

JUST TO KEEP UP
WITH HIM.

BUT DON'T
WORRY ABOUT IT NOW.
I'LL TAKE CARE OF IT.

WE DID IT! HA!

EDDIE!

OH MY GOD!

HOLD THE CAMERA!

EDDIE!

- EDDIE, ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?
- Man: GET AN AMBULANCE QUICK!

ALL RIGHT,
WATCH OUT.

WATCH IT. HOLD IT UP.
WATCH YOURSELF.

YOU OKAY?

BLECH.
YEAH.

( sighs )

POPPED OUT
JUST LIKE WE SAID.

( chuckles )
LOOK AT THAT THING.

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT.

( all laugh )

I BET YOU TWO BUCKS
IT STILL RUNS.

GO AHEAD, START IT UP.
LET'S SEE.

( starts engine )

( all laugh, cheer )

- TOLD YA.
- THIS IS GREAT.

WHOO!

( all cheering )

IT'S A HELL
OF A CAR.

IT'S ONE HELL
OF A DAMN CAR!

THAT'S A HELL OF A RIDE
THERE, PARTNER.

YOU GOT IT,
DIDN'T YOU?

WE GOT IT. WE GOT IT.
YEAH, WE GOT IT!

YOU LOOK LIKE
YOU DIDN'T GET IT.
DID YOU GET IT?

- YEAH, WE GOT IT.
- I HOPE SO.

I'M PRETTY SURE WE GOT IT.
WE GOT IT, RIGHT?

IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

Tucker:
THAT'S RIGHT.

WE'RE GONNA GO BACK
TO THE ORIGINAL DRAWINGS,

KEEP EVERYTHING THE SAME,
THE REAR ENGINE,
ET CETERA,

EXCEPT FOR
THESE NUMBERS--

TUCKER! TUCKER,
WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?

I SEE YOU'VE
RESUMED PRODUCTION

ON YOUR
REAR-ENGINE CAR.

MAY I ASK
BY WHOSE AUTHORITY
YOU'RE DOING THIS?

ACCORDING TO MY LAWYER,
THAT'S THE CAR

YOU SIGNED TO MAKE.
THAT'S THE CAR
WE'RE MAKING.

IF YOU THINK
YOU'RE GOING TO GET AWAY
WITH THIS, TUCKER--

"LITTLE SHIPS FINE,"
CONFUCIUS SAY.

"ROWBOATS LONG IN TOOTH
MAKE BIG NOISE,

GO NOWHERE."

( laughs )

MR. TUCKER,
YOU ARE GOING TO HEAR
FROM MY ATTORNEY.

YOU CAN COUNT
ON THAT.

GOOD MORNING, SIR.

THEY CAN'T
STOP US NOW.

OOH, "YOU'RE GONNA HEAR
FROM MY ATTORNEY."

Stan:
...THIS BEAUTIFUL SHOT
OF THE GRILL.

AND NOW WATCH--
YOU GO TO THE SIDE,

WE GET THIS BEAUTY SHOT
OF THE SIDE.

AND THEN THIS ATTENDANT--
HE'S COMING OUT.

HE WAS RIGHT--
REALLY, HE'S MUCH BETTER

THAN THAT FAT GUY WAS,
MR. TUCKER.

WAIT TILL YOU SEE
THIS SHOT.

YOU WON'T BELIEVE IT.
IT'S A GREAT ONE.

HE PUTS DOWN THE RAG,
THROWS IT DOWN.

I TOOK OUT
KICKING THE TIRE.

- Tucker: OH, NO. WHY?
- BUT THIS IS THE BEST.
WATCH.

OH! OH!
LOOK AT THE EYES.

( laughing )

NOW WATCH.
NOW HERE I DON'T KNOW--

WHERE YOU POINT,
I'M THINKING OF PUTTING
A CLOSE-UP ON YOUR FINGER.

I DON'T KNOW WHY YOU
LEFT THE TIRE OUT.

YOU LOOK GOOD.
YOU LOOK GOOD.

SO I DON'T KNOW
IF WE NEED THE FINGER.

NOT THE FINGER,
BUT THE TIRE.

ABE, COME HERE.
I WANT YOU TO SEE THIS--

STAN'S PROMO FILM.
HE JUST FINISHED IT.
IT'S GREAT.

COME HERE.
SHH. COME HERE.

ALL RIGHT,
ALL RIGHT.

TURN IT OFF.
I'LL COME BACK
IN A MINUTE

AND SEE THE END.

WHAT?

DID YOU LIKE IT
WHEN HE WENT--?

YES.

WHAT'S ALL THIS
CLOAK-AND-DAGGER
BUSINESS NOW?

YOUR OFFICE IS WIRED,
THE BOARDROOM,

- THE WHOLE PLANT,
EVEN THE WASHROOMS.
- WHAT?

EVER SINCE YOU ROAD-TESTED
THE NEW CAR,

40 G-MEN
HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING YOU
AROUND THE CLOCK.

WHAT FOR?

YOU MADE THE CAR
TOO GOOD.

THAT'S THE WHOLE IDEA,
ISN'T IT, TO BUILD
A BETTER MOUSETRAP?

NOT IF YOU'RE
THE MOUSE.

WHAT ARE YOU
TALKING ABOUT?

WE DID IT.
WE WON.

IN TWO WEEKS WE'RE GONNA
HAVE 100 CARS COMING OUT
OF THIS PLANT A DAY.

I JUST GOT OFF THE PHONE
WITH FRANK THE PRESS AGENT.

IN TWO WEEKS
YOU'RE GONNA BE DEAD

AND BURIED
BY THE BIG THREE.

HERE.

IT'S MY RESIGNATION.

TAKE IT.

YOU'RE BAILING OUT,
IS THAT IT?

CAPTAINS GO DOWN
WITH THEIR SHIPS,

NOT BUSINESSMEN.

LOOK ME IN THE EYE.

YOU'RE TOO GOOD
A SALESMAN, ABE,

NOT TO LOOK A CUSTOMER
IN THE EYES.

DO YOU THINK
I'M PLAYING GAMES?

YEAH, YOU'RE TRYING
SOME DOUBLE-WHAMMY HUSTLE
BACKWARDS. WHY?

I GOTTA
MAKE ME SAY IT?

YEAH, LET'S START
FROM THERE.

( quietly )
OKAY.

I DID THREE YEARS
IN THE PEN FOR BANK FRAUD.

SO WHAT?

SO THEY'LL USE IT
AGAINST YOU.

WHAT, YOU THINK BECAUSE
OF THIS PIECE OF PAPER

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO?

JUST LEAVE ME ALONE,
WILL YOU?

THE WHOLE 10 YEARS
SINCE I'VE BEEN
IN THE PEN,

IT NEVER BOTHERED ME
FOR TWO SECONDS
I'M AN EX-CON.

WHY SHOULD IT?

WHO CARED?

BUT FOR YOU AND VERA

AND THE KIDS TO KNOW--

I'M ASHAMED.

ABE, COME ON.

WHEN I WAS
A LITTLE KID

MAYBE FIVE YEARS OLD
IN THE OLD COUNTRY,

MY MOTHER USED TO SAY
TO ME-- SHE WARNED ME,

"DON'T GET TOO CLOSE
TO PEOPLE.

YOU'LL CATCH
THEIR DREAMS."

YEARS LATER I REALIZED
I MISUNDERSTOOD HER.

"GERMS," SHE SAID,
NOT "DREAMS."

"YOU'LL CATCH
THEIR GERMS."

I WANT YOU TO KNOW
SOMETHING, TUCKER.

I WENT INTO BUSINESS
WITH YOU FOR ONE REASON:

TO MAKE MONEY.
THAT'S ALL.

HOW WAS I TO KNOW

THAT IF I GOT TOO CLOSE
I'D CATCH YOUR DREAMS?

HERE.

IF YOU WANT TO KNOW
HOW THEY'LL FINISH YOU OFF,

LISTEN TO DREW PEARSON
TOMORROW NIGHT
ON THE RADIO.

- ( radio hissing )
- NOBLE, BRING IT IN!

DON'T YELL AT HIM.

Good evening.
This is Drew Pearson.

The hottest news
in Washington today

is about
Preston Tucker,

that promotion-happy
self-styled genius

and revolutionary
automaker.

- ( cheering )
- For several months

he has been under
secret investigation

by the Securities
and Exchange Commission.

And now they're ready
to blow the lid off

one of the slickest,
most cynical

multimillion-dollar
frauds

ever perpetrated
on the American people.

Not only
does the car have

none of the futuristic
features advertised,

but it was put together
piece by piece

from parts found
in city dumps and
junkyards.

Local wags,
who have dubbed it
the Tin Goose,

find it
particularly amusing

that what Mr. Tucker calls
"the car of tomorrow"

- can't even back up.
- BULL!

Neither can Mr. Tucker
at this point.

Senator Homer Ferguson,

head of the powerful
War Surplus Committee,

will spearhead
a congressional probe

to find out exactly
what happened

to the $26 million
Tucker raised.

One thing
for certain--

he didn't spend it
making cars.

On a lighter note,

the rumor
around Capitol Hill
this week is that--

( turns off radio )

( chuckles )

THEY CAN'T SAY THAT.

WE'LL KILL 'EM!

ARE YOU GONNA LET
THEM SAY THAT, POP?

WHO DO THEY THINK THEY'RE
DEALING WITH HERE,

SOME CREAM PUFF?

THEY DON'T KNOW IT,
BUT THEY JUST OPENED

AUNT DORA'S BOX.

WE LOVE YOU, DADDY,

BUT IT'S
PANDORA'S BOX.

OH, NO.

GOOD MORNING,
MISS YAMPOLSKY, ANN.

WHEN DID THEY
TAKE THE FILES,
LAST NIGHT--

THE S.E.C.?

NOBODY TOUCHED ANYTHING
HERE AT THE PLANT.

I CALLED ALL THE DEPARTMENTS
THE MINUTE I GOT IN
THIS MORNING.

- GET ME THE EDITOR
ON THE PHONE.
- YES, SIR.

CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?

NICE DAY.

WAIT A MINUTE.
YOU COME BACK HERE.

YOU CAN'T GO IN THERE.
YOU HAVE NO RIGHT
TO GO IN THERE.

Man:
MR. TUCKER, MR. TUCKER,

WE'RE FROM THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.

WE HAVE A COURT ORDER

CONFISCATING ALL FILES,

LETTERS,
ACCOUNTING BOOKS,

MEMOS,
ALL RECORDS.

- IF YOU SIMPLY COOPERATE...
- I GOT THE EDITOR
ON THE PHONE.

...WE'LL GET OUR WORK
DONE QUICKLY.

THAT'S ONE HELL
OF A NEWSPAPER YOU GOT
THERE, MISTER.

IT'S THE ONLY ONE I EVER SAW
THAT PRINTS THE NEWS
BEFORE IT HAPPENS.

SO SPEAKING
FOR MYSELF

AND THE OTHER MEMBERS
OF THE BOARD,

WE HEREBY SUBMIT
OUR RESIGNATIONS,

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.

WHAT ABOUT THE HUNDREDS
OF DEALERS

THAT ARE FILING
SUIT AGAINST YOU?

Woman:
ANY COMMENT ON
THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY

CONFISCATING THE ASSETS
OF THE COMPANY?

Clerk:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
PLEASE,

ADDRESS YOUR QUESTIONS
TO MR. BENNINGTON.

Man:
HOW LONG WILL
THE PLANT STAY OPEN?

THE PLANT IS
OFFICIALLY CLOSED.

- HEY HEY.
- HEY HEY!

IT'S DAD!

LET'S SEE YOUR
DRIVER'S LICENSE.

SWELL.
WHERE'S THE GIRLS, HUH?

- HE COMES ALONE.
- HOLD THAT.

THIS IS A GREAT
INTERIOR.

IN A WEEK

ALL WE'D HAVE TO DO
IS PUSH A BUTTON

AND WE'D BE TURNING OUT
100 CARS A DAY.

WELL, TELL ME
SOMETHING--

IF WE GOT 50 CARS
READY BY JUNE 1st,

THEY CAN'T TAKE
THE PLANT AWAY, RIGHT?

NOT ACCORDING
TO THE CONTRACT.

HOW MANY CARS WE GOT
READY RIGHT NOW,
ASSEMBLED?

- 47.
- ALL WE NEED
ARE THREE MORE?

WHO'S GONNA DO IT,
THOUGH?

WON'T BE THE FIRST TIME
WE'VE WORKED FOR FREE.

WE CAN'T
ASSEMBLE THREE CARS
IN FOUR WEEKS. HA!

CAN ANYBODY IN THIS CAR
LOOK ME IN THE EYE

AND SAY WE CAN'T?
DO IT.

WE CAN'T DO IT.

EXCEPT YOU.

- ( phone ringing )
- WILL YOU GROW A BEARD?

HE'S TALKING TO ME?

YEAH, YOU'D LOOK OLD ENOUGH
FOR A DEPARTMENT HEAD.

HA HA HA.

( thunder crashing )

( phone ringing )

HELLO.

WHO'S THIS?
YOU?

ABE?

TUCKER, DON'T GO HOME.
THERE'S TWO POLICE CARS

WAITING FOR YOU.
THEY'RE GONNA ARREST YOU.

DON'T GO HOME?

AND THIS YOU WON'T BELIEVE--
OUTSIDE THE POLICE STATION

MAYBE THERE'S
50-100 REPORTERS,

PHOTOGRAPHERS,
NEWSREELS EVEN.

THEY'RE GONNA
DRAG YOU OUT
IN LEG IRONS.

YOU'RE KIDDING ME.

GET OUT OF THERE.
GO SOMEPLACE

THEY CAN'T FIND YOU.
GO.

THEY WANT HEADLINES,
I'LL GIVE THEM A BEAUT!

Junior:
DAD, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

I'M GOING HOME.

( laughs, revs engine )

ONE OF YOU FELLOWS
WOULDN'T HAVE A LIGHT
ON YOU, WOULD YOU?

( sirens wailing )

WHERE'D HE GO?

I DON'T KNOW.
WE LOST HIM.

ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT.
BACK OFF, BACK OFF!

PIPE DOWN!

QUIET!

THANK YOU.

NOW WHAT IS
GOING ON HERE?

ASK THESE OFFICERS ABOUT
THE 100-MILE-AN-HOUR CHASE

I JUST GAVE THEM IN THIS
POOR OLD PATCHED-TOGETHER
JUNKYARD WRECK.

HOW ABOUT
CUFFING ME, BOYS?

GET IN THERE!

Reporter:
AND IN THE LOCAL NEWS,

PRESTON TUCKER
GOES ON TRIAL
THIS MORNING

IN THE SAME COURTHOUSE
WHERE AL CAPONE
WAS CONVICTED.

TUCKER HAS BEEN CHARGED
WITH 25 COUNTS

OF USING THE MAILS
TO DEFRAUD,

FIVE COUNTS
OF SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION VIOLATIONS,

AND ONE COUNT
OF CONSPIRACY TO DEFRAUD.

IF CONVICTED,
TUCKER, WHO IS OUT
ON $25,000 BAIL,

FACES A MAXIMUM SENTENCE
OF 155 YEARS IN PRISON

PLUS A $60,000 FINE.

BE SEATED.

Kerner:
AND REGARDING HIS
REVOLUTIONARY DESIGNS,

WE SHALL PROVE
THE ONLY THING
MR. TUCKER DESIGNED

WAS AN ELABORATE
SCHEME TO DEFRAUD.

ALL HE WANTED
WAS THE PUBLIC'S MONEY
FOR NOTHING,

AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT
THE PUBLIC GOT-- NOTHING.

THE GOVERNMENT
HAS SAID

THAT MR. TUCKER'S PURPOSE
WAS TO CON THE PUBLIC

INTO BELIEVING
A GREAT CAR WAS COMING.

HIS REAL PURPOSE
WAS TO LIE

AND GET MONEY.

ARE YOU ALL RIGHT,
MOMMY?

IT'S VERY HOT
IN HERE.

ONE MIGHT SAY
IT'S NOT THE HEAT,

IT'S THE HUMILITY.

THE TUCKER CORPORATION
WAS STARTED IN GOOD FAITH.

THE DEFENDANT INTENDED
TO MASS PRODUCE CARS,

BUT HIS FAILURE
TO DO SO WAS CAUSED

BY A LACK
OF ADEQUATE FINANCING

DUE TO SERIOUS
OUTSIDE INTERFERENCE.

I WOULDN'T PUT
$7500 DOWN

ON A CAR DEALERSHIP

WITHOUT A GUARANTEED
SUPPLY OF CARS.

THEY WERE GONNA PUT OUT
1000 CARS A DAY.

I RUN A SERVICE STATION

AND SELL
A FEW USED CARS.

Kerner:
THE PERSON WHO WALKED
INTO YOUR STATION

AND SOLD YOU
THAT DEALERSHIP--

- DO YOU SEE HIM?
- KIRBY.

HIM.

Kerner:
LET THE RECORD STATE

THAT THE WITNESS POINTED
TO MR. ABE KARATZ.

DID HE DISCLOSE TO YOU
THAT HE'D SERVED
THREE YEARS

IN A FEDERAL PENITENTIARY
FOR BANK FRAUD?

OBJECTION, YOUR HONOR.
GUILT BY ASSOCIATION.

OVERRULED.

MR. KARATZ,
IS IT NOT TRUE

THAT YOU WERE CONVICTED
IN JUNE OF OF 1935

OF CONSPIRING
TO EMBEZZLE FUNDS

AND YOU SERVED
THREE YEARS

OF A ONE-TO-FIVE-YEARS SENTENCE
IN A FEDERAL PENITENTIARY?

THAT'S TRUE.

TELL ME,
AS A CONVICTED FELON,

DO YOU EXPECT ONE PERSON
IN THIS ENTIRE COURTROOM

TO BELIEVE WHAT YOU SAY?

ONE.

A WELL-RUN CORPORATION
DOESN'T WASTE MONEY

TO RESEARCH
INNOVATIONS,

UNLESS, OF COURSE,

KEEPING UP
WITH THE COMPETITION
DEMANDS IT.

WELL, HERE IS A MAN,
MR. TUCKER,

WHO HAD
THE RESPONSIBILITY

FOR FORMING
A WELL-RUN CORPORATION.

HE HAS THE LARGEST
FACTORY IN THE WORLD,

CONTAINING
TWO FOUNDRIES,

A DOZEN
TOOL-AND-DIE SHOPS,

EVERY PIECE OF EQUIPMENT
EVER MADE.

CAN YOU SUGGEST
A SINGLE REASON

WHY HE WOULD CHOOSE
TO BUILD HIS ENGINE
IN A BARN?

- OBJECTION.
- SUSTAINED.

MOST OF THE WORK
HAD TO BE DONE
ON A KITCHEN STOVE.

PLEASE CONFINE
YOUR REMARKS

TO QUESTIONING
THE WITNESS.

THIS WHOLE TRIAL HAS BEEN
BOUGHT AND PAID FOR,

A CHRISTMAS PRESENT
DETROIT GAVE ITSELF.

I'LL BE LUCKY TO GET
10 OR 15 YEARS IN JAIL.

HE HASN'T PROVEN
ANYTHING YET,

NOT LEGALLY.

HE HAS
IF THEY THINK HE HAS.

I'M AN INVESTIGATING
ACCOUNTANT FOR THE S.E.C.

WHAT WAS THE AMOUNT
THE TUCKER CORPORATION PAID

FOR THE ENGINE
AND TRANSMISSION
OF THE PROTOTYPE

WHICH WE HAVE ESTABLISHED
WAS BUILT ENTIRELY

FROM PARTS FOUND
IN JUNKYARDS?

$223,000.

WHAT?
THAT'S A LIE.

WHO WAS ALL THIS MONEY
PAID TO?

YPSILANTI MACHINE
AND TOOL COMPANY.

YPSILANTI MACHINE
AND TOOL COMPANY.

CAN YOU DESCRIBE
THEIR FACTORY?

WHAT FACTORY?
IT'S A BARN.

I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY'D GO
THAT FAR, FORGING AN ENTIRE
SET OF BOOKS.

BILL, I'VE GOT EVERY
RECEIPT, INVOICE,

CHECK,
BANK STATEMENT--

- SHH.
- --EVERYTHING TO PROVE
EXACTLY TO THE PENNY

HOW MUCH MONEY CAME IN
AND WHAT WE SPENT,

WHICH IS NOWHERE
NEAR WHAT THEY SAID.

WHY WOULD THEY DO
SOMETHING SO STUPID
LIKE THAT

IF THEY KNOW WE CAN
PROVE IT'S A LIE?

SWEETIE, PEOPLE BELIEVE
WHAT THEY READ
IN THE PAPERS,

EVEN IF THEY DON'T BELIEVE IT,
WHICH DOESN'T MAKE
ANY SENSE, RIGHT?

BUT IF ENOUGH HEADLINES
SAY THAT I'M A CROOK,

THAT'S THE END
OF ME AND THE CAR, WHICH IS
WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT.

I'M GONNA GO HOME
AND I'M GONNA BRING BACK

EVERY SCRAP OF PAPER
FROM THE FILES.

IF THEY MAKE
HEADLINES WITH LIES,

YOU CAN MAKE BIGGER
HEADLINES WITH TRUTH.

I COULDN'T SLEEP.

WELL, WE COULD USE
SOME HELP.

AND ALL OF THE EVIDENCE
SUGGESTS

THAT MR. TUCKER DIVERTED
FOR HIS OWN PERSONAL USE

OVER A MILLION DOLLARS
OF THE STOCKHOLDERS' MONEY.

I HAVE HERE A COPY
OF "THE DETROIT NEWS"

WITH A STORY ABOUT
THE S.E.C. INVESTIGATION

OF THE TUCKER CORPORATION,

WHICH CONTAINS A NUMBER
OF SPECIFIC DETAILS

WHICH SEEM TO BE
VERBATIM

FROM THE S.E. C REPORT
ADMITTED AS EVIDENCE.

CAN YOU TELL ME
HOW "THE DETROIT NEWS"

MIGHT HAVE GOTTEN HOLD
OF THIS INFORMATION?

I HAVE NO IDEA.

MR. BLUE, I HAVE HERE
A DEPOSITION

FROM ONE
SUSAN McNAMARA--

I BELIEVE SHE'S YOUR
PRIVATE SECRETARY--

IN WHICH SHE STATES

THAT SHE SAW YOU HAND
A COPY OF THE REPORT

TO THE WRITER
OF THAT ARTICLE
FOR "THE DETROIT NEWS."

AND FURTHERMORE,
THAT YOU INSTRUCTED HER

TO SUPPLY HIM
WITH AN OFFICE
IN A FEDERAL BUILDING

IN WHICH TO WRITE
THAT ARTICLE.

EXHIBIT
FOR THE DEFENSE.

NOW, WHY,
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

WOULD THE S.E.C.
RELEASE

INFORMATION
ABOUT MR. TUCKER,

WHICH MAY
OR MAY NOT BE TRUE,

WHEN IT IS AGAINST
S.E.C. POLICY TO DO SO?

OBJECTION.
THE S.E.C. IS NOT
ON TRIAL HERE.

IF MR. BLUE AND THE S.E.C.
CAN RELEASE INFORMATION

FOR THE PURPOSE
OF SLANDERING
MR. TUCKER'S NAME,

AND THEN LIE ABOUT IT,
AS YOU JUST HEARD
MR. BLUE DO--

- I STRONGLY OBJECT.
IT'S INEXCUSABLE.
- MR. KIRBY!

--HOW CAN WE BELIEVE
WHAT HE SAYS ABOUT MR. TUCKER
STEALING A MILLION DOLLARS?

MR. KIRBY,
YOU KNOW THAT'S
NOT PERMISSIBLE.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
I REMIND YOU

THE STATEMENTS
OF THE ATTORNEYS

ARE NOT EVIDENCE.

MR. KERNER,

ANY FURTHER WITNESSES?

THE PROSECUTION RESTS.

- NUMBER THREE!
- ( cheering )

NUMBER 50.

I'M SO PROUD!

HEY, WE DID IT!

Man:
A WEEK BEFORE DEADLINE.

IT'S A REAL BEAUTY.

TOMORROW
IT'S OUR TURN AT BAT.

WE'RE GONNA CHOP THEM UP
LIKE CAT FOOD.

WE'VE SUBPOENAED
FERGUSON, HIS WIFE,

EVERYBODY WE NEED
TO PROVE

WHO STARTED THIS THING,
WHY AND HOW.

I WANT EVERY ONE
OF THESE CARS

ALL 50 OF 'EM,
LINED UP IN FRONT

OF THE COURTHOUSE
TOMORROW MORNING AT 8:30.

( cheering )

* HOLD THAT TIGER

* HOLD THAT TIGER,
HOLD THAT TIGER! *

WHERE ARE THEY?
WHERE ARE THE CARS?

WE CAN'T WAIT
ANY LONGER.

ANY COMMENT
ABOUT THE NEWS?

- NO COMMENT.
- WHAT NEWS?

DIDN'T YOU READ
THE PAPER? HERE.

"LED BY SENATOR
HOMER FERGUSON,

A SPECIAL
COMMISSION APPOINTED
BY PRESIDENT TRUMAN

ORDERED THE WAR ASSETS
ADMINISTRATION

TO EVICT
THE TUCKER CORPORATION

FROM THE FORMER
AIRCRAFT FACTORY

AND GIVE IT
TO THE LUSTRON CORPORATION

FOR THE DEVELOPMENT
OF LOW-COST PREFAB HOUSING."

WHEW.

HEY, DAD!

COME ON
AROUND THE CORNER.

AROUND THE CORNER,
COME ON.

COME ON, HURRY UP.
HURRY UP.

AROUND THE CORNER, OKAY?
HURRY UP.

- Noble: HEY.
- HEY HEY HEY!

WOULDN'T YOU KNOW IT?
THEY'RE DIGGING UP
EVERY STREET IN TOWN.

WE HAD TO GO PLUMB
TO CHINA AND BACK.

Kirby:
PRESTON...

I DON'T GET IT.
THIS IS THE 24th.

I THOUGHT WE HAD
TILL THE 1st.

WE HAD TILL THEY DROPPED
THE OTHER SHOE.

- IT'S MY CHOICE.
- I'M NOT GOING TO
LET YOU DO IT.

WE'VE GOT AN AIRTIGHT
DEFENSE.

THEY HAD NO LEGAL RIGHT
TO TAKE THAT PLANT.

THEY CHANGED THE RULES.
THEY MADE IT LEGAL.

FORGET THE PLANT, OKAY?
THE TUCKER CAR IS DEAD.

THAT'S OVER.
THAT'S POLITICS.
THIS IS A COURT OF LAW.

I'M NOT GOING TO LET YOU
CUT YOUR OWN THROAT.

YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW
POWERFUL THE FORCES ARE

THAT ARE WORKING
AGAINST US HERE.

LOOK, I AM NOT GOING
TO LET YOU DO IT.

TUCKER, LOOK AT ME.

PRESTON,
I'M SERIOUS NOW.

IF YOU'RE NOT CAREFUL
YOU'RE GONNA SPEND

THE NEXT 20 YEARS
OF YOUR LIFE IN PRISON.

WE WILL BE DEVELOPING
PREFAB HOUSES.

GOOD TO SEE YOU,
SENATOR FERGUSON.

THESE WILL BE FOR PEOPLE
WITH LOW INCOME.

THAT'S SOMETHING
I THOUGHT I'D NEVER
LIVE TO SEE--

A POLITICIAN
WITH HIS HANDS
IN HIS OWN POCKETS.

THE DEFENSE HAS CHOSEN
NOT TO CALL ANY WITNESSES

BECAUSE WE FEEL
THE PROSECUTION HAS FAILED

TO MAKE ITS CASE.

AND IN ADDITION,
YOUR HONOR,

THE DEFENDANT
WOULD LIKE

TO BEG THE COURT'S
PERMISSION

TO MAKE THE CLOSING
STATEMENTS HIMSELF

IN THE FEELING
THAT PERHAPS ONLY HE

CAN PUT THIS TRIAL
IN ITS PROPER PERSPECTIVE.

NO OBJECTION.

WELL, PERMISSION
GRANTED.

BUT IF ANYTHING
YOU SAY

IS UNACCEPTABLE
IN A COURT OF LAW

I'LL STOP YOU.

THANK YOU,
YOUR HONOR.

THANK YOU,
SENATOR.

TELL THEM
AN HONEST ATTEMPT
MEANS NOT GUILTY.

THE PROSECUTION CLAIMS

THAT I NEVER HAD
ANY INTENTION AT ALL

OF BUILDING ANY CARS,

THAT ALL I WANTED WAS
TO TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN.

IF YOU DECIDE
THAT THEY'RE RIGHT--

WELL, I'M GUILTY.

BUT ACCORDING
TO THE LAW,

IF I TRIED
TO MAKE THE CARS,

EVEN IF THEY WEREN'T
ANY GOOD,

EVEN IF I DIDN'T
EVEN MAKE ANY,

BUT IF YOU BELIEVE
THAT I TRIED--

WELL, THEN
I'M NOT GUILTY.

BECAUSE IT'S NOT
AGAINST THE LAW THANK, GOD,
TO BE WRONG OR STUPID,

WHICH I WAS BOTH,
BUILDING THAT PROTOTYPE.

WHAT NOBODY HAS SAID
FOR THIS WHOLE TRIAL

IS THAT AFTER
THE PROTOTYPE

I BUILT THE CAR
THAT I SAID I WOULD.

AND THERE ARE 50 OF THEM
RIGHT NOW PARKED

DOWN THERE ON ADAMS STREET.
ALL THE JUDGE HAS TO DO

IS TO LET YOU WALK DOWN THERE
AND TAKE A RIDE
IN ONE OF THEM,

AND THAT'S IT,
THE TRIAL'S OVER.
OKAY, YOUR HONOR?

OBJECTION.
THIS IS A CLOSING STATEMENT.

- EVIDENCE IS
NO LONGER ADMISSIBLE.
- SUSTAINED.

WOULD YOU ALLOW
THE JURY, PLEASE,

- TO JUST
LOOK OUT THE WINDOW?
- Kerner: OBJECTION.

- ( gavel strikes )
- YOU CAN SEE THEM
FROM HERE, YOUR HONOR.

- WILL THE DEFENDANT...?
- THAT'S WHAT THE WHOLE
THING IS ABOUT--

WHETHER I INTENDED
TO BUILD THE CARS OR NOT.

WILL THE DEFENDANT ABSTAIN
FROM THIS FLAGRANT MISUSE--?

- ( overlapping )
- Judge: MR. TUCKER!

BAILIFFS,
RESTRAIN THE DEFENDANT.

- WHY DID I--?
- Man: LET THE MAN SPEAK.

LET THE MAN SPEAK.
LET'S HEAR THE REST OF IT.

IF THIS BEHAVIOR
CONTINUES,

I MAY HAVE NO CHOICE
BUT TO DECLARE THIS
A MISTRIAL.

I WILL NOT TOLERATE
ONE MORE OUTBURST

OF ANY KIND FROM ANYBODY
IN THIS COURTROOM!

I'M SORRY.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE,
MR. TUCKER.

THANK YOU,
YOUR HONOR.

WHEN I WAS A BOY
I USED TO--

I USED TO READ
ALL ABOUT EDISON

AND THE WRIGHT BROTHERS,
MR. FORD--

THEY WERE MY HEROES.

RAGS TO RICHES--

THAT'S NOT JUST
THE NAME OF A BOOK,

THAT'S WHAT THIS COUNTRY
WAS ALL ABOUT.

WE INVENTED THE FREE
ENTERPRISE SYSTEM

WHERE ANYBODY,
NO MATTER WHO HE WAS,

WHERE HE CAME FROM,
WHAT CLASS HE BELONGED TO,

IF HE CAME UP
WITH A BETTER IDEA

ABOUT ANYTHING,

THERE'S NO LIMIT
TO HOW FAR HE COULD GO.

I GREW UP A GENERATION
TOO LATE, I GUESS,

BECAUSE NOW THE WAY
THE SYSTEM WORKS,

THE LONER,
THE DREAMER,

THE CRACKPOT WHO COMES UP
WITH SOME CRAZY IDEA

THAT EVERYBODY
LAUGHS AT

THAT LATER TURNS OUT
TO REVOLUTIONIZE THE WORLD,

HE'S SQUASHED
FROM ABOVE

BEFORE HE
EVEN GETS HIS HEAD
OUT OF THE WATER

BECAUSE THE BUREAUCRATS--
THEY'D RATHER

KILL A NEW IDEA
THAN LET IT ROCK THE BOAT.

IF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
WERE ALIVE TODAY

HE'D BE THROWN IN JAIL
FOR SAILING A KITE
WITHOUT A LICENSE.

IT'S TRUE.

WE'RE ALL PUFFED UP
WITH OURSELVES NOW

'CAUSE WE
INVENTED THE BOMB.

DROPPED THE--

BEAT THE DAYLIGHTS
OUT OF THE JAPANESE,
THE NAZIS.

BUT IF BIG BUSINESS
CLOSES THE DOOR

ON THE LITTLE GUY
WITH A NEW IDEA,

WE'RE NOT ONLY
CLOSING THE DOOR
ON PROGRESS

BUT WE'RE SABOTAGING
EVERYTHING WE FOUGHT FOR,

EVERYTHING THAT
THE COUNTRY STANDS FOR.

AND ONE DAY WE'RE GONNA
FIND OURSELVES

AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HEAP
INSTEAD OF KING OF THE HILL,

HAVING NO IDEA
HOW WE GOT THERE,

BUYING OUR RADIOS
AND OUR CARS FROM OUR
FORMER ENEMIES.

( laughs)

I DON'T BELIEVE
THAT'S GONNA HAPPEN.

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT

BECAUSE IF I EVER
STOP BELIEVING

IN THE PLAIN OLD
COMMON HORSE SENSE

OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE,

THERE'D BE NO WAY
I COULD GET OUT OF BED
IN THE MORNING.

THANK YOU.

YOUR HONOR.

( applause )

WHY DID I
LET YOU DO THAT?

Judge:
BE SEATED.

HAS THE JURY
REACHED A VERDICT?

WE HAVE, YOUR HONOR.

WILL THE DEFENDANT
PLEASE RISE?

WE, THE JURORS,

FIND THE DEFENDANT,

PRESTON TUCKER...

- NOT GUILTY.
- ( cheering )

HOW ABOUT
EVERY ONE OF YOU

RIGHT NOW
TAKE A RIDE

IN ONE
OF THOSE TUCKER CARS
THAT DON'T EXIST?

LOOK.

THEY LOVE THE CARS,
THE PEOPLE.

DRIVES ME CRAZY--

THE TUCKER MOTOR COMPANY'S
DEAD.

THEY'LL NEVER BE MADE.

WE MADE THEM.

50 CARS.

( sighs )

WELL, WHAT'S
THE DIFFERENCE,
50 OR 50 MILLION?

THAT'S ONLY MACHINERY.

IT'S THE IDEA
THAT COUNTS, ABE.

AND THE DREAM.

HEY, WHAT'S THAT?
WHAT ARE YOU UP TO NOW?

IF I COULD
JUST FIGURE A WAY

TO MAKE THESE KEROSENE
REFRIGERATORS CHEAP ENOUGH

SO THE POOREST PEOPLE
IN THE WORLD COULD
AFFORD THEM.

THEY'RE JUST BIG ENOUGH
FOR TWO BOTTLES
OF MILK, SEE?

THAT'S ALL.

SO THEIR KIDS WON'T
HAVE TO GET RICKETS, SEE?

- Marilyn Lee: DADDY'S
AT IT AGAIN.
- Eddie: HERE WE GO.

* HOLD THAT TIGER

- * HOLD THAT TIGER...
- HE'S GOING INTO
THE FRIDGE BUSINESS.

* HOLD THAT TIGER.

( horns honking )

( swing music playing )

* I'M GONNA RING
YOUR BELL *

* BECAUSE I GOT
YOUR NUMBER *

* I'M GONNA KNOCK
AS WELL *

* WE GOT
A RHYTHM DELIVERY *

* I'M GONNA
STOMP AND YELL *

* WE GONNA BRING
THE DRUMMER *

* WE GOTTA BEAT
THAT SWELL *

* WE GOT
A RHYTHM DELIVERY *

* BABE, I'M GONNA
CHEER YOU UP *

* SET YOUR TABLE,
FILL YOUR CUP *

* DON'T YOU THINK
I SHOULD COME UP *

* CHECK THAT I GOT
WHAT YOU WANTED? *

* SO GET IT
WHILE IT'S HOT *

* AND GET IT
WHILE IT'S JUMPING *

* 'CAUSE IF YOU'RE IN
OR NOT *

* WE GOT
A RHYTHM DELIVERY *

* YES, I'M GONNA
ROCK YOUR SOUL *

* YOU WILL GO TO HIGH
FROM LOW *

* YOU FROM SQUARE
WILL GO TO HIP *

* BUT, HONEY,
DON'T FORGET MY TIP *

* SO GET IT
WHILE IT'S HOT *

* AND GET IT
WHILE IT'S JUMPING *

* 'CAUSE IF YOU'RE IN
OR NOT *

* WE GOT
A RHYTHM DELIVERY. *