Original subtitles

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. *