Original subtitles

You men get into your uniforms.

Formation in ten minutes. Dismissed.

Sergeant.

My hat's too small.

Sergeant?

Lieutenant .. Major?

General?

I just wanted to shake hands with the one guy here who looks as bad as I feel.

You see, I never was in the army before.

That ain't possible. - No. Honest.

Feel how rough that shirt is.

Look at those shoes. I asked them for a nine and a half.

Just now, the Sergeant told me I got to throw in my new suit.

You wouldn't want to get a lot of bullet holes in that nice suit, would you?

That's what they got the uniform for.

Huh?

You better stay along with me, hayseed. I see I got my war picked out for me.

Pleased to meet you.

Squadron. Halt.

Squadron, left turn.

Squad. Halt.

Listen, you.

Are you chewing tobacco in ranks?

Yes, you.

No, sir.

Forward, march!

No, no. As you were.

Listen, men.

Them things on your rifles is bayonets.

And don't forget. Them German boys have 'em too.

Only you're going in on the run and get there first.

Can't you picture it?

You're crazy to slip it to 'em, see.

But maybe you're scared he'll get away.

You want to slip it in so you can see it come out the far side.

When you give the point I want you to look him in the eye.

Show your teeth and let it roar out of you so they'll hear you at headquarters.

Now men.

Here we have all the vital areas marked off.

First, the throat.

A little scratch will do the work here.

If that's gone, you try for the armpit.

There's a big nerve and an artery there just waiting for a 2-inch penetration.

But maybe the best target in the world is the lower abdomen.

It will take all the steel you got.

No-one will drop his guns when he needs both hands to hold himself together.

The thing to remember in this work.

Is you want beef at both ends of that rifle.

Alright.

Hey, you.

Four paces to the front.

He means you, kid.

What's your name? - Private Davis.

You ain't very husky, are you?

157, sir. - You're wrong.

With that in your hands you're bigger than any guy you run into over there.

Except he's a better target.

Alright.

What's this?

That's a dummy, sir. - You are wrong again.

This is that big Kraut you've been dreaming of a chance to go for.

Oh boy. I'll tell the world. - Alright. Give him the point.

Shove it in. What's the matter? There he is.

Over to you. Let him have it.

Got him. That's the ticket.

How he's dead, ain't he?

What do you want to fool around with a corpse for? Withdraw.

No, no.

Slide it around with a little twist to free it.

If she don't come out sweet, you discharge your piece.

There's always a round in the magazine to blast any obstruction holding her.

Private Willis.

Would you be so good as to lug this gentleman to his quarters?

Now, let 'em have it.

Now you're supposed to look around, dreamy-like, and say 'where am I?

Yeah.

What happened?

I suppose I got to go back now. - Wait a minute.

You're a guy smart enough to fake us out of formation and you talk of going back?

Hell, you're still in a swoon.

That's right.

What do I want to go back for?

What do I want to back at all for?

What's the matter with me thinking for all those guys?

I just joined the army to make a sap out of myself.

Somebody like me don't belong in this war.

Don't let it get to you. You'll learn.

That's where you're wrong. I'll probably do it every time.

Especially if that dirty dummy starts yelling at me in German.

Where you going? - Home.

You can get Leavenworth for that during wartime.

That's not half as bad as what they'll do to me when I do it in France.

You'll learn, I tell you.

Weren't you ever taught a man has to fight for his country?

I don't want to learn.

Anyway, I was taught: 'Thou shalt not kill'.

Ouch.

I'll work for my country and live for it.

Be any kind of good citizen they want.

But if they make me dress like a monkey and sail 3,000 miles to butcher people.

I'm walking out.

You talk like a crazy guy. The MPs will get you before you get a mile from camp.

You trying to give me orders too? - I'm trying to be your friend.

The captain. - Yeah?

I've been waiting for a long time to tell him what I think of him. Here goes.

Captain.

Did you address me, Private Willis? - No, sir.

Then could I trouble you to salute me with the proper hand?

Yes, sir.

It's okay.

I guess you ain't been away from home very much.

Yeah. One day I made an excursion to Niagara Falls with boys from the store.

That must have been fun.

I was doing good at the store until I got drafted.

I guess I just wasn't cut out to be a soldier.

Well, what do you think I was cut out to be?

I was a barker in a freak show when they caught up with me.

Don't you know us guys have to make the world safe for the democrats?

Personally, my only regret is I got a life to lay down for my country.

But will us dead have died in vain?

Be yourself. Remember the Alamo. Remember the Maine. 1854.

Don't give up until you see the whites of their eyes.

Are we going to stand for taxation without the pursuit of happiness?

E Pluribus Unum.

Hats off. Lafayette, we are here.

There you are. See?

Remember what Sergeant Meadowlark told you.

As long as you got one of them you're as good a soldier as anybody.

Yeah.

I guess he's right.

Only.

It will seem kinda funny the next time I write home.

Aha .. little me gets the wigwag again.

Any good scores here? - Davis got a possible.

Who got that possible? - Private Davis, sir.

Nice work, Sergeant. Keep it up. - Yes, sir.

Do you figure we'll be going over soon, Fred?

Not a chance. Don't start thinking about that.

Just what was you thinking anyway?

I don't know.

Just.

It ain't much fun only shooting at targets.

What holds the men up, Sergeant? - A machine gun, sir.

Out there someplace on those roofs.

We have to get them ahead nevertheless.

Out there is the part of my platoon that kept ahead, sir.

The Colonel expects us to reach our objectives.

Even if it means his reporting fifty percent casualties.

Nothing small about our colonel.

Go around that church. Try and flank them.

Shall I lead the men myself, sir?

No.

Send a corporal first with his own squad.

We need you here to get the attack started again.

Is one squad adequate?

Yes, sir.

Corporal Butler.

Corporal, it's up to us knock that gun off. I want to take your squad.

And go round past that church. Keep close in and keep your eyes open.

That means us. - Yeah.

Alright. Get going.

He made it. He made it. He made it!

No. Don't shoot.

Don't shoot, Kamerad.

What a dish.

Yes, boys. The fun is over.

Now, was that nice?

Kamerad .. Kamerad.

Kamerad.

Okay, gang. Come on through!

Here we come, Jimmy.

Jimmy.

Jimmy!

Can I get this dressed here? - Dressing station straight up the road.

This hospital is for stretcher cases only.

She says, straight up the road.

Dressing station. Straight up the road.

Got a cigarette?

Yeah. Here.

Thanks, lady.

You got a guy in here by the name of Jimmy Davis?

No Davis so far. Stand aside please.

Dressing station up the road. This station for stretcher cases only.

This guy is a pal of mine.

I'm sorry. There's no Davis so far.

Look, gorgeous. You don't have to get so tough about it.

Stand aside please.

Why not give yourself a break and squeeze some of that vinegar out?

Attention!

One moment, Colonel.

This station for stretcher cases only. The dressing station is up the road.

I'm quite rushed. I must have this wound dressed.

We have only two surgeons on duty, Colonel.

The dressing station is straight up the road.

Thank you.

What does a guy have to be before you quit singing bass?

Alright, boys.

Private Davis.

Alright. Take him in.

I need you on this, Duffy.

Doctor. - Yes?

Can you change this dressing?

Please report to the dressing station up the road.

Park me someplace, will you? - Park you?

Do you know about MPs? Military Police?

They're all big, tall guys. Seven feet. All of 'em. From Texas.

They is just aching to gun down on this poor Yankee unless you let him in there.

I can't possibly do that.

You can't make me believe there is any real cruelty in such a sweet face.

Come on, sweetheart. Let me in. This guy is a pall of mine.

See anything of that soldier today?

I've seen about 287 soldiers today.

You know the one I mean.

That bashful little deserter pal of Jimmy's.

I think I did catch some glimpses of him.

If you see him again, you tell him from me that what I said last time goes.

He's got to quit ducking in and out of this hospital as if he owned the place.

I'm sick of finding him under my feet every time I turn around.

I will tell him, dear.

Well?

We're looking for a guy who's been A.W.O.L for over a week.

Awol? - What?

That's how you spelled it: AWOL. - A deserter, lady.

Why not say so then?

Anyway, have you seen the guy? - Who?

The guy who's been A.W.O.L. - The deserter, lady.

No.

He don't make no sense.

Maybe you try explaining to her what this bird looks like.

A good idea.

Try to play ball, sister.

His name is Fred Willis. And he's a hard guy, see.

A strictly rough egg. He talks out of the side of his mouth.

He also has a dirty look in his eye. And don't comb his hair.

Does he chew tobacco? - That's the guy.

Haven't seen him.

Let's take a look around.

You can come out.

You can't go in.

Now if I'm careful not to breathe, I can look for my gear?

First you smoke all my cigarettes. Then get me sent home.

And the only one to have anything to show for it will be Rose Duffy.

Yes.

After a week of bawling me out she'll probably sell me to the two Texas guys.

You know Rose would not do a thing like that.

Where's my gun?

Sergeant.

I lost my gun.

I can't do anything without my gun.

Give it here.

No.

I can take care of any of them now.

She must be awful tired, huh?

She's a great nurse.

A 24-hour duty for her is his only chance right now.

No, no. Jim has a swell constitution.

Oh year?

This war isn't very good for 'swell constitutions'.

I'll get you a cup of coffee, soldier.

Thank you.

Thanks a lot.

Thank you, boy.

Hot.

You are?

Swim.

Is that better?

Swim, mom.

Go in?

Of course.

Only you'll be careful, won't you?

Not too far.

Cool.

So cool.

But not too far.

Not in the deep places.

Come back, boy.

Please.

Please.

Not too far.

Alright, Duffy. He'll do.

Thank you.

Here. You go and get some rest. Go on.

Get some rest.

What are you doing here?

I've been watching you hold a guy's life in them.

Take it easy, kid.

Why do all you slobs have to act like kids when you're hurt?

It must be alright being a kid.

Even like that?

Yeah.

That would be alright with me too.

I wish you hadn't done that.

Look, kid.

You're all in. Get some shut-eye. I'm going back to my own outfit.

They'll probably lock me up, but I'll find some way of getting back here.

Tomorrow about five I'll be in the orchard across the street.

Get some sandwiches. I'll grab a bottle of vin rouge and we'll have a binge.

But I can't do that. I couldn't get off.

I'll wait for you on the bench under the pear tree against the far wall.

But I'm not coming.

I am .. I'm not though.

Play me for a dumbbell, will she?

She will, will she?

Okay. I'll give her just one more 15 minutes.

I wouldn't give the cockeyed Queen of Sheba any more time than that.

Please take your nap, Jimmy.

I can't sleep unless you stay with me, Duffy.

It's awful here without you.

Well. Just for a while then.

No you don't.

I'm on duty now, Duffy.

No. I want her to stay. - You pipe down.

Who said?

I'm in charge here now and I order you to beat it.

Jimmy.

Please behave yourself. - Duffy.

I see.

So she will, huh? She will.

I'll tell her one thing. There's no dame in the world that can hold me up.

Anyway, what is this? Who does she think she is anyway?

I'll her tell one thing. If she ..

Rose.

I won't be able to stay long. - Oh, is that right?

You are a little late. You know that?

I've got a job. - You have, huh?

I got one too.

Did it occur to you that you may be holding up the whole army?

And I forgot the sandwiches. - You did?

That's fine. That's great. Because there ain't no vin rouge.

Good.

Ah, you're one of the prohibition dames? That wants the vote?

What you need is a bust in the eye.

Hold everything, chest-beater.

If you think that kind of talk will make me drape myself around your neck ..

You're pathetic.

In my time I've had a heel mark on every vertebrate.

At this late date, I'll not collect any more of them from a heel like you.

You web-footed gutter-pup.

Gutter-pup?

Gutter-pup.

Oh.

And on top if it all, you got to be a woman.

Okay.

Hey. Don't get so ..

Fresh.

I always takes them things from whence they come.

Maybe you feel better now, huh?

No.

I'm sorry I did that.

I guess I had it coming.

I had no right talking like that.

It was me that had no right acting like I wasn't a gentleman.

I noticed that I'm out of his class.

There's no need for you to be out of anybody's class.

It's because I never met nobody like you before now.

It was like waking up under the tent flap when I was a kid in summer.

It would rain.

There was a whole lot of little clouds up there taking the sun ahead of me.

Sometimes I'd wish I was up there with them.

Until I bawled.

It was like me and you, Rose.

I said to myself, what is this? Being alive without her?

But I got to be without you.

Fred darling.

Never mind the dirty names.

Would you mind .. trying it again?

You'll be careful, won't you?

You know me. Dugout Freddie.

If I could only stop thinking until it's over.

Rose. I don't know what you're worrying about.

You know, I ain't much of a guy. No kidding.

Of course, I got a heart like an elephant.

And I'm plenty bright, but ..

You know, most of my life I've lived like a prize mug.

A nurse knows about men, Fred.

She knows a man when she sees one.

Don't try to tell me.

Oh boy. I couldn't.

Anyway. That stuff is washed up, Rose. That's on the level.

This afternoon in that orchard a new guy was born.

Let's call him 'Fred'.

That's a good idea.

If it's any news to you, you might be astonished ..

What an up-and-up regular he's going to be when all this is finished.

You know, I wouldn't be surprised if he turned out to be good looking.

Wait a minute.

I want to recognize him when he comes back to me.

You big tomato.

You don't know how beautiful you look.

To me.

Maybe you'd better go and lie down for a while.

Here comes the gang.

Fred. There's no telling what may happen at times like these.

But I'll be waiting for you.

I know you will, kid.

Don't worry.

You know, it ain't far.

You'll probably be hearing the guns.

Yes. I probably will be hearing them.

Nurse Duffy.

I can't do a thing with him. You don't mind?

I'm glad to be busy. - That slob will be alright, honey.

Of course.

Duffy. Where were you?

I'm back now. - Hold my hand.

You must go to sleep, Jimmy. - I don't think I can.

Maybe if you kiss me goodnight.

Will you please?

Of course I will.

Nursie, don't forget Papa's turn. - I second that, nursie.

I want to be kissed goodnight too.

No favorites in this army. - Here I am, nursie.

Me too, dear.

Now you see what you've started?

[ Cannon blasts ]

Guns.

There goes the offensive, boys.

I love you, Duffy.

Do you love me?

You do a little, don't you?

Say it.

Say: I love you.

Please, Rose.

I love you.

I don't want to get well.

I don't want to get well.

I'm in love with a beautiful nurse.

Shush. Some of the other boys want to sleep.

Perhaps. When they could look at you?

Early every morning, night and noon.

The cutest little girlie comes and feeds me with a spoon.

Remember that night the guns started?

They stopped days ago.

Remember what you said?

That was part of my job.

But you're getting better now.

Duffy.

Yes?

I'll be back.

What is it?

A final check up from headquarters.

Rose.

What's the matter?

Fred .. didn't come out of the line.

No?

There isn't any doubt that ..

Get me out of here, will you?

I never thought they'd get Fred.

I never thought they could. He was like the world's champ.

If he is dead.

What is there left in the world that's really alive?

What are we going to do about it? Go crazy?

Yeah.

You knew what Fred was like, didn't you?

Yes.

I knew.

It had to come now when everybody talks of the war being over and us going home.

How can I go home?

And back to the store after all this. And be the same as I was.

How about you?

Nobody at all?

In a way, Rose, I guess we're in the same boat.

Maybe when the war is over.

It wouldn't be so bad if we tried to ..

Stick together and help each other.

I know how you feel, Jimmy.

After all.

Everybody in the world does have to have ..

Someone.

[ French language ]

And that's the Croix-de-Guerre.

With a palm. - What does that mean, Jimmy?

That's French for War Cross.

With a palm.

Ah, they're handing out them crosses out right and left nowadays.

Yeah. Only most of 'em are made out of wood.

How did you get two?

I got them both for the same thing.

It wasn't much. Anybody could have done it.

I guess.

Of course, it made it a little tough being wounded at the time.

Anyway, here I am with just my rifle.

This Dutch machine-gun battalion ..

Please, please. A picture for the Daily Bugle and Gazette.

No. I don't want any publicity.

Please, Monsieur. You know, the hands across the sea.

Oh.

Go ahead. - Do you mind?

Go ahead.

Very good, Monsieur. Terrific.

Do these show? - Those.

Put the hat a little further back on the face, Monsieur.

Now the head a little to the right.

Now to the left.

To the right. To the left.

To the right. To the left.

Now you can go and jump through a hoop, General Custer.

Fred!

Fred.

You remember me? Little Freddie, huh?

We all thought you were killed. - What do you think?

Then you weren't killed? - No. Not as often as I was captured.

How about buying? - Oh boy, you tell 'em.

I might just as well get used to this.

Who did?

The guy is crazy.

The coat? I forgot all about it. I'm sorry.

Thanks for letting me use it.

First, I was in the hoosegow, see.

But got moved to the guardroom because I was teaching a German guy how to play ..

Red dog.

He was a good German guy too. He kept a gun on me all the time.

He paid me off in bundles of Liebfraumilch.

Got a cigarette? - Sure.

Me and him had many a good time together.

Until one night I put one over on him.

'Attention', I said.

He was a good little German guy. - Go on, Fred. Go on.

That's all there is to it.

He fell for it and I gave him the Liebfraumilch and here I am.

I don't know what to say.

Here. Go on. You take one. - No.

I got it for you. - No.

Keep both of them until after the war.

The home town girls will go for them like dum-dums.

Besides, I got my own system.

Wait until Rose hears about this. She'll go crazy.

Yeah, Rose. Where's she at?

At the hospital. - The same one?

Sure.

Oh boy, is this perfect?

You for best man after all.

Wait a minute.

Quit kidding me. What was the last crack?

Her and me.

Rose and me. As soon as the war was over.

Oh boy.

What did ..

You mean you plan on getting married? - We're going to be married.

Pour me a big one.

You sure didn't lose no time after I was dead.

You know how it is in wartime, Fred. - I'm beginning to find out.

Rose and I could never forget you for a minute.

If not for this war and me meeting you I'd still be a penny ante bookkeeper.

It was okay.

Anyway, it's lucky you thought so. It turned me into a guy with these.

And these.

I know Rose wouldn't have looked at me if I hadn't been trying to be like you.

You're really gone on her, kid?

How am I going to make you understand the way I feel?

I guess everybody feels that way when the real thing comes along.

Yeah.

Only you can find it and lose it and let it go and ..

Find it again.

I wouldn't be able to look at another woman after Rose.

If I lost her now ..

I couldn't laugh and let it go and move on to the next one.

My life would be over.

I just wouldn't want to go on with it.

That doesn't seem to matter much.

But I hope I die before I ever make Rose unhappy.

Yeah.

Yeah. I guess you're the guy for her alright.

Anybody say different?

Well, I think it's swell.

Come on, let's surprise her. - What? And me all dirtied over?

No. I'll get cleaned up. Maybe see you both tonight.

Okay, Fred.

So long.

Gee, will Rose be happy?

Gar�on.

How much of this you got in stock?

Saxe.

Where is Rose?

Where's Rose, Saxe?

She's on duty, Where's the fire? - It's Fred Willis. He's back.

Alive. - You're crazy.

I just now left him at the Coq D'or. - Take this.

Sid down there and mind the switchboard.

I don't understand these things.

Rose. - Shush.

Jimmy, Jimmy. - What's the matter with Jimmy?

I didn't take his temperature, but he said he's been talking to Fred Willis.

Where?

Uptown. Just now. The Coq D'or.

Take this over.

Wait a minute. I can't. I just left the switchboard. What about Jimmy?

You go on tickling while I bawl it out. Come on.

Hello.

I want to talk to you.

Sure. Sit down, Flossie Nightingale.

Meet Zigzag and Toto.

Come outside, Fred. This is serious.

That's the trouble with you. Always so serious.

Sit down and join the chorus. We're having fun.

[ French language ]

Will you come outside before I have to slap them down?

There's a woman.

Kiss her a few times and she expects you to work the rest of your life for her.

When did you ever do any work outside of holding up a bar?

Will you either sit down or go home?

No. I won't do either. - Now listen.

You listen. - Hey, hey.

I said 'Hey'. What are you ..

What are you trying to do?

This is the time for you to get used to the fact you can't talk to me like that.

You come with me. If I ever catch you in there again, I'll snatch you bald.

You greasy-headed worm.

Okay.

Fred. What's this big act all about?

I happened to run into Jimmy.

That's just what we have to settle now.

What are we going to tell him? How will we break it to him?

Fred.

You don't think this would have happened if I hadn't thought you were dead?

Everything in me was dead too.

And I just ..

Jimmy is a good kid.

What?

Yeah.

He'll always be crazy about you.

Be faithful and good to you.

You poor bonehead.

You think I'd marry any other man in the world as long as you're alive in it?

Fred.

You do .. want to?

Yeah. Go to jail, huh? Sure, sure.

Fred, I don't get it.

Why didn't you leave it the way it was?

You saw I was trying to duck talking about it.

Maybe you'd better tell me.

Rose, look. The ball and chain would never let me loose.

I asked her often enough.

You don't think you're the first one I tried to shake?

Hey. You should see her sometime.

She cut a girl in Indianapolis .. - Fred.

They told me you were dead.

As far as I am concerned you are.

Dead.

And rotten.

Freddie. Freddie.

Where have I seen those two sweet faces before?

[ Gunshots! ]

Out of the way. To one side.

Davis. About face!

Fred. - Jim.

How are you?

Where you been? - Let me feel you.

See if you're as pretty as you look. - What you been doing?

Watching the mess across the street. Come on. Let's get out of here.

What's it all about anyway?

Another shooting?

A guy in the hotel heard something. - Yeah. He heard a barrage.

Say, how long you been in town? - I just blew in last night.

You didn't give us a ring. - How did I know you lived here?

Doesn't your show ever stop long enough for the mail to catch up with you?

I didn't get a line, so help me. Honest.

Is this your cottage here? - Just a business call.

What are you doing? You sure look like you're in the dough.

That's me.

'Merchant's Protection Association. Adjuster'.

It don't mean much to me.

Doing anything for the next two hours?

Not a thing in the world. - Come on.

The bus is around the corner. I'll show you my place.

Rose will be pickled to death. - Well.

Kid, I got to get out some 24-sheets.

So I'll knock 'em dead in the sticks.

The sticks can wait. - No, no.

You know, business is business.

Come up for dinner tonight then?

Dinner tonight? I can't come up tonight.

Say, how is Rose?

She is fine. Now look here.

Here's our home number.

If you don't call Rose and me the minute you're free ..

Well, what was the war about?

That's right. Sure. I'll call you.

So long, Fred. Rose is waiting for me.

I'll be seeing you soon and that goes. - Yeah. So long, kid.

Hey. Be sure and tell Rose I asked for her.

Yeah, sure.

Don't let them send you to city hall.

So long, kid.

That came from across the street.

Come on, boys. Let's try the hotel.

If it ain't old Sergeant Meadowlark.

Go on, boys. I'll be right with you.

How do you come to know me?

I asked you a question.

Never mind flashing a badge at me, Sarge.

I recognized you for a dick by your ..

Sweet face.

I just asked you a question.

Is it possible you have forgotten little Freddie Lewis?

Little Private Willis.

Ah, the old 310?

And me thinking it was the roach gallery.

Well, Sarge. You sure figured a great way to stay out of jail.

Yeah. That's right.

Quit horsing around. This is serious. - With you on the case? Impossible.

It's war, that's what it is.

With one mob of mugs knocking off the other mob all over public right-of-ways.

How has the department got this one figured out?

I get it like this. When Shay hops out of the bank.

One of the other mob was waiting for him four or five floors up.

Has he a permanent reservation up there or something?

He had to be. They had to clear the marquee and not be spotted.

Just one burst he took.

Yeah. I heard.

That's shooting, ain't it? - Shooting?

I ain't seen nothing like it since France.

They found the gun. Here's one of the empties.

Recognize that?

'U.S. Arsenal. Frankfurt'.

Like old times, ain't it?

Yes.

Well, I'll be seeing you maybe.

Don't let anybody send you to city hall.

It must be quite a building.

For the love of Pete. Come on in.

Well.

You sure took long enough thinking about it.

No. You've been on my mind a lot.

It is kinda funny-looking now you bring it up.

Come on and see Rose. Rose, guess who's here?

Hello Rose.

Hello Fred.

You sure look like married life agrees with you, Rose.

Thank you.

You don't seem much changed yourself.

Me? No, I'm the same boy.

I'll get it. - Jimmy.

I hope you don't have to go now. - I'll stall them.

And you. No more cute speeches while I'm out of the room.

Thanks.

Thanks.

I guess I didn't really remember what you were like, Rose.

How is Mrs Willis?

Huh?

How is your wife?

Oh. Oh, her.

She is dead.

Her boat blew up.

Fred, I am so sorry for you. - Yeah.

It's always kinda sudden, losing a wife.

You know, she was the kind of wife who's everything to a guy too.

A mother and sweetheart and a pal.

Don't let him kid you, Rose.

If you think that guy ever asked a girl to marry him, you don't know Fred.

Ha.

A wife.

Where are the lemons, kid?

Lemons, honey. - Lemons?

There's some already squeezed in the icebox.

You see.

I couldn't even locate a necktie without her.

I sure am glad to see you two together like this, Rose.

You.

Liking where you belong and looking the way you ought to look.

Jimmy standing on his two feet. And he's so crazy about you.

Of the things I wanted in my whole life, I never wanted anything as much as this.

I understand that now.

Listen to the mockingbird.

I bet you throw some swell parties up here.

We don't entertain much.

If I had this joint.

I'd invite the circus up every Saturday night just to give them the envy.

Jimmy and I get along very well with just ourselves.

Yeah. I bet you do.

And now .. you're back.

That was swell.

But what I mean is .. for instance ..

Look at that lamp there.

That one belongs to the landlord.

Gee, I sure would like to do some good for myself.

What does a guy have do to rate all this anyway?

What kind of business is Jimmy in?

I thought I told you, Fred.

I'm an insurance adjuster.

You should try adjusting one of my lions sometime with a toothache.

I'll fix some lunch.

Jimmy, will you please pour that before it's all ice-water?

Yeah.

How about you? - Jimmy never touches it.

You didn't used to be like that.

I figure it doesn't mix with business, Fred.

Well, the kind of business I'm in don't need no precautions.

Here's tilting at the moon.

You lucky stiff. - You think I don't know it?

I hope you do.

How long you in town for?

I got to pull out tomorrow.

The money is all in the south this time of year.

I'll see you again next spring, huh? - Yeah.

[ Loud bangs! ]

What are you doing, Jimmy? Adjusting insurance?

Okay.

Jimmy, how did you ever get in this racket?

What do you want me to be? A 15-buck-a-week bookkeeper?

This is sure a clean way of making a living.

You forget I got medals for it from 1918.

And a kiss from a French General. But this isn't the same.

That's a fact. Some of the German boys I wiped out were good guys.

Here, it's nothing but a bunch of hopped-up monkeys.

Listen, Jimmy. - Take it easy, pal.

Try listening to me for a change.

While other kids were in college picking up a trade ..

I was over in France getting my kind of diploma.

I found out that as long as a guy is wearing one of these.

You haven't forgot that church steeple, have you?

I learned a lot there. Don't think I'm such a sap I ain't cashing in on it now.

What about Rose? - Now take it easy, pal.

Looking out for my wife is my business.

Anyway, you don't hear Rose squawking about the kind of life I'm giving her.

I guess she figures she's doing alright.

You sap. Who do you think I'm in this for anyway?

I'd hock my soul to get her a pair of gloves.

If I bring them back with my heart shot out, she'd still be waiting for me.

Yeah.

I guess maybe you're right, Jimmy.

After all, it ain't none of my business.

Quit worrying, sucker. I can handle this.

I'll make my pile and blow.

If you don't wind up with your brains dripping down some sewer.

These mugs? Be yourself. This is kid's stuff.

So long, kid.

Jimmy. Don't you see you gotta quit?

So long, pal.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is not merely a pastime for the frivolous-minded.

It is a veritable feast of reason and a flow of soul.

Laro.

She blows on an ice-cream cone like you and I would handle a hot tomato.

This lady is really cold. Step right over and get your tickets.

Sit down.

Fred.

What's it all about, Fred?

I never got such a life and death message.

No?

Why wasn't I to bring Jimmy?

I almost didn't come at all. - No?

What we got to talk about anyway?

Of course, yesterday. Finding how wrong I had you.

But you must know I was sorry about that.

And now?

What else could there be?

What else could there be?

For once in my life I try to do a thing on the level and you make this of it.

You think I'll let it go at that, huh?

No.

Me thinking if one woman can make a man out of guy, it was Rose Duffy.

Fred, is this supposed to be funny?

Or is one of us crazy?

Don't stall. Don't stall. I am wise.

Wise to what?

To the kind of a dame you are, Duffy.

Setting yourself up to be too good for anything in pants.

Leading Jimmy into a dirty racket so you can live soft and lap up the gravy.

Listen.

I've no idea what this thing is about.

But if you think I came here just to hear you blow your mouth off ..

Sit down.

Don't waste your time trying to cover up.

I saw Jimmy come out of the hotel right after the killing.

And last night when it put it to him he spilled the works.

Jimmy in a racket?

Killing?

Maybe you'd better tell me just what you're trying to say.

Alright, Duffy. I'll tell you.

Are you kidding?

What is it?

I thought you was in on it, Rose. Honest. I thought you was in on it.

Please, Fred. This isn't true, is it?

Go on. Tell me about it then.

What does Jimmy do?

Fred. What kind of a racket?

Maybe things aren't as bad as we think.

Tell me.

What does Jimmy do?

It couldn't be no worse, kid.

Fred.

What am I going to do?

Rose. You cannot stay here.

You can't stay with a guy who's doing Jimmy's kind of work.

Something is bound to crack soon. Sure.

Let me take you out of it, Rose. While you're still clean of it.

Leave Jimmy now?

Fred.

This isn't another act, is it?

Rose. I swear I'm telling you the truth.

How do I know you are?

So that's it.

Okay.

Just remember.

The last thing I'll ever ask you, is to check up on what I've been telling you.

Laro.

What's up, boss?

We're breaking. - What now? There's a show on.

Give them their money back and chuck them out of there.

Have our us and the truck and on the road in half an hour.

Come on, Buck, Whitey. Get going, you roustabouts.

Come on, we're breaking. I'm in a hurry.

Jimmy.

Jimmy.

Jimmy.

You get the idea?

You go out of here with those civilian overcoats on over those uniforms.

Now get this. At 3:30.

That's in about half an hour.

I pick you up at the corner of Swan and Manson Street.

We drive three blocks down to their garage.

And you pile out the way you are now.

Listen. Take it easy. I don't want a lot of time wasted with crazy trigger work.

Sight where you're shooting.

What if some real beaus show up while we're working on the inside?

Nobody is going to interfere with the police, are they?

Okay?

Let's go.

I don't want any slip-ups.

Jimmy.

Jimmy.

Jimmy.

Give me police headquarters quickly.

Hello? Listen carefully.

At exactly 03:30 this afternoon.

A car will be stopping at the corner of Swan and Manson Street.

The driver will be armed.

Never mind who I am.

Only don't fail.

You've got to be there on time.

You got about 15 minutes.

Now you know.

Yes, Jimmy.

Now I know.

I figured maybe you wouldn't be around.

After all .. I am your wife.

I might have known you'd be like that.

Put your hands on the wire.

Don't look at me like that, Rose.

I'm going to beat this rap.

But Jimmy.

You're guilty.

What have we got a smart lawyer for?

He's pulled lots of guys off plenty tougher spots than this.

I'll be back home with you tomorrow night.

I suppose you've made some plans?

Yeah. Plenty.

As soon as I'm sprung, I start locating the guy that tipped the cops off.

I see.

I couldn't believe it at first.

I didn't want to.

It must have been an inside tip. And all the boys are right.

That leaves just one guy.

The biggest double-crossing stool in the world.

My pal.

Fred Willis.

I did it, Jimmy.

I don't get it.

I came to the warehouse all alone. And listened.

Then I telephoned the police.

What are you going to do now, Jimmy?

Kill me?

Yes, Jimmy. I know.

I'm your wife.

And I turned you over to the police.

I'm a squealer and a stool-pigeon.

I know all that by myself, Jimmy.

But I had to do it.

No, Jimmy. Wait.

No. Come back.

You don't understand.

You've got to listen to the reason.

Alright. Go ahead.

It's what I should have expected.

Go on. Now. Run out.

Just what a man would do who cheats his wife from helping to keep him straight.

Letting me go on living off that kind of money.

Now you're not even man enough to stand and listen to what I think of you.

No, Jimmy. Don't. Wait.

It doesn't matter about me.

It's the things you've done.

It's what's happened to you.

Don't you see, Jimmy? Please listen to me.

You have to pay for what you've done.

And wipe the slate clean.

You have to go through with it, Jimmy. You've got to.

Let them punish you.

So when you come out you can look up to whoever watches over this world and say:

'I am clean'.

I only wanted to honor you in my heart.

I wanted to be so proud of my husband.

Okay. You hammered, didn't you?

Oh, Jimmy.

Jimmy.

Your Honor.

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury.

Today I mean to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt.

That the defendant James Davis.

Is not only innocent of the charge as stated by the prosecution.

On the contrary, when falsely arrested by overzealous police officers.

He was rather rendering an honorable and high-minded public service ..

To the people of this city.

Which one? - The ones sitting in front of Joe.

I shall further establish conclusively and incontrovertibly ..

That the defendant's previous record as an American citizen ..

Entirely precludes the slightest possibility of his being ..

Or ever having been, in any way identified with the underworld.

I object, Your Honor. Counsel's statements are immaterial.

And offered solely for the purpose of winning the sympathy of the jury.

I do not think it immaterial that the jury should be aware of the fact.

That the defendant was twice wounded on the field of battle.

That he was decorated by the French government for bravery in action.

And finally honored by the U.S. congress with the Distinguished Service Cross.

Objection sustained.

The jury is instructed to disregard the remarks of counsel.

I mention this not to play upon the sympathies of the jury.

But to show it was entirely consistent with the character of the defendant.

That he reacted without hesitation in the emergency which confronted him.

He had learned in France to think not of himself but of his comrades in peril.

And as a civilian, he held steadfastly to that code.

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury.

I do not offer this as a series of mere unsupported statements.

For I shall presently ..

Upon the sworn evidence of reliable witnesses who were present.

When the defendant discovered the crime car.

Prove to you absolutely.

That he is not guilty of the charges as stated.

What do you mean, 'not guilty'?

That ain't true.

Order.

Order.

I tell you I am guilty.

Double-crosser.

This is highly irregular.

Do I understand you wish to change your plea to guilty?

Yeah, yeah. I am guilty.

Tell the court the circumstances which induced you to this change of heart.

I'm guilty. Let it go at that.

Then you admit the State's charge?

Yeah. I admit it. Why not get it over with?

In that case, there remains nothing for me to do ..

But to find you guilty of the charge against you.

Jury dismissed.

It looks like Jimmy won't be able to take care of it himself after all.

Yeah. Darn it.

James Davis.

I hereby sentence you to three years in the State Penitentiary.

Sorry, lady.

This is okay by me. Whoever it was, tell the boys to lay off.

Sure.

Get this now. Tell 'em to lay off.

Sure. I'll tell them. - I mean it.

I know. - Tell 'em to lay off.

I'm a friend of Jimmy's. Anything I can do?

Let me drive you home.

No thanks. I'd rather be alone.

The boys would like to talk to you about Jimmy.

I don't want to talk about it. - We'd be glad to drive you home.

Let go of my arm. - Listen you.

Thanks then. The boys will be glad to drop in.

Taxi.

Hey. Take it easy, Duffy. Everything is okay.

Me and the boys are going to take you out of here.

Come on. Here, here. Everything is alright, Duffy.

What do you all want?

Not a thing.

They don't want nothing at all.

Hold everything.

Listen.

That's my mockingbird. Come on.

It looks like you had your money's worth out of that one.

Get the little lady to write you a nice note.

Keep your nose out of my stuff.

Take it easy.

What's your beef? - Rod on me.

First they learn us how to handle a gun.

Then they squawk holy Moses when we do.

Anyway, I ain't getting any more of it on.

I get it.

You figure on going straight when you're through with your stretch?

What's the angle? That billet-doux?

So what?

Take it easy.

I guess she must be alright.

She is my wife.

Oh. I see.

I guess there must be somebody looking out for her on the outside, huh?

Don't you want to get back to her, 751362?

Or do you like these bachelor quarters?

Sure you'll straighten up after your stretch.

Sure. She's okay.

Being looked after real swell by that pal of yours.

What's eating you, 751362?

Claiming you used to be a soldier.

With medals for how you can use a rod.

We pull out in the morning? - First thing.

Come down out of there. No more business tonight.

We've done alright as it is. - Yeah, We've been doing alright.

Next year we open with ten new animal traps and a real flying act.

Before we know it.

Circus Maximus will be playing Madison Square Garden during Christmas holidays.

Yes. And I ain't fooling.

You sure brought us luck, Rose. - Luck?

Just my way with gentleman customers.

Yeah. I know all about that.

We've had a tough day.

We've had a fine day, Fred.

Another one.

I'll get you back to the trailer before the storm gets up.

Sail in, boys.

Isn't it dark up there?

You'd think it would be more than just rain and wind coming.

A funny night.

Maybe a sign.

I keep thinking that something is happening under that storm.

Well .. I guess it's time we said goodnight.

Rose.

[ Thunderclap ]

I'm sorry you did that, Fred.

We had no right to.

What did you expect from a guy who feels about you the way I do?

Being close to you all day. Watching every move you make until I'm crazy.

Then saying goodnight to you every night like this and watching that door close.

We had that settled long ago.

It ain't settled. It will never be settled as long as we lie to ourselves.

I'll have to go away.

If you do, you'll go hating to go. You'll want to come back.

Just like I want you to come back.

You'll go on wishing you hadn't done it. Just as long as I wish the same thing.

That will be until I'm dead. - Please don't do this, Fred. Please.

Nothing you can say will ever make us forget.

That I am still Jimmy's wife.

Maybe you'd better go inside.

I'll have Laro take the outfit south tomorrow.

I'll drive you up to see Jimmy the way you've been meaning to.

Fred.

Go on inside. What are you hanging around for?

Go on. Beat it.

Every day. 'Killer'.

Killer.

What do they know about Jimmy? - Shush.

Boss, when are you and Rose starting? - I'll let you know.

What's the idea of keeping the whole outfit here when the season is over?

You'll keep it here until it rots if I tell you so. Do you get it?

Yes, sir.

Don't you worry. Jimmy will be alright.

If we only knew what was happening to him.

If I know Jimmy, he's heading this way.

Right again, Fred.

Jimmy.

How are you, Fred? - Anyone see you duck in here?

No. I shook them two counties back. - Jimmy.

Jimmy dear, are you alright? - Let me look at you.

Yeah. I'm alright now.

Gee. Up there I almost forgot how pretty you are, Rose.

Are you glad to see me? - Of course I am.

What got into you? Why have you done this crazy thing?

If you could see yourself you wouldn't ask.

But you said you'd stay there. You promised to see it through.

I ain't no animal to live in a cage.

They're hunting for you like an animal now, aren't they?

Jimmy. You've got to go back and give yourself up.

Tell them the other man made you do it.

Fred and I will be outside working every minute to have your time cut down.

Yeah.

You think after I busted out and I've seen you I could go back there?

But I'll be waiting for you, Jimmy. No matter how long. I swear I will.

Get me a suit of clothes, will you Fred?

What's this? Cash? - It's the show money.

Stuff some stuff into a bag, kid.

I'm going to need a car, Fred. - Jimmy, we mustn't do this.

Fred will be alright. He can say we pulled a rod on him.

What about that suit of clothes?

Just what are you planning, Jimmy?

There's a mob up north my pal told me about.

If things get too hot up there we can duck over the border.

You ain't thought about this, Jimmy.

I don't get it.

Rose ain't going.

You're telling me what my wife is doing?

She's sticking with me. Where she belongs.

Well, she don't belong in no-man's land. And that's where you're headed, Jimmy.

Every time you stick your neck out there will be somebody trying to shoot it off.

You can't ask the woman you love to go 50/50 on a setup like that.

What do you know of love, living here in the sunshine and your belly full?

I've been in the choker and beating my head.

I chanced my life to get back to her.

I loved Rose since the time she bawled me out for visiting you in the hospital.

So that's the way it is, huh?

I stepped out because you were my pal and a great little soldier.

But I'm stepping back in now before you take her out of here this way.

So that's why I was supposed to put in three years getting clean.

Now you stay where you are.

Unless you want to see your boyfriend get what's coming to him.

It isn't true.

A nice idea, wasn't it?

Now I'm supposed to go back and do another 15 years.

Life maybe.

So that you two can be together.

Before we clear out, Rose, I'll show you just what kind of a picker you are.

Put up your hands, boyfriend.

Go on. Way up!

Going to be a hero, huh?

That's fine with me too.

What do you think of that, boyfriend?

Don't do it, Jimmy.

I'll go anywhere you want. I'll do anything you say.

I'll never leave you as long as you live.

Ain't that nice?

She wants me not to give you what you got coming to you.

What do you think, pal?

Am I going to give it to you or ain't I going to give it to you?

You figure it out.

You never did have no real insides, Jimmy.

You always had to have one of them things in your hand.

Before you looked like a man. Even to yourself.

You're still a scared little hayseed playing soldiers.

Remember on the marches, Jimmy? When I had to carry your pack for you?

Remember in the hospital?

When you whined for all the nursing there was in the ward?

What would a squirt like you want with a woman anyhow?

Except to be your Ma and keep the tough kids off?

Now give me that thing before I lose my temper.

Yeah. I guess that's the truth of it.

I'm sorry, kid.

So is she.

That's all it ever was.

Funny.

Taking all this time to find out it should have been you too.

After all.

Jimmy.

[ Police siren ]

The cops.

We'll put you in blackface, kid.

Be the wild man who eats snakes. All the way down to Mexico.

No. I'm glad they're here.

Rose was right all along.

I guess I got to ..

Go and ..

Pay for what I've done.

Don't worry, Jimmy.

We'll be doing all we can for you, kid.

Don't I know it?

Ever since the three of us got together it seems like that's been your job.

Doing things for me.

Put up your hands, Davis.

And be very slow about it.

Don't move fast.

Jimmy.

Jimmy.

Jimmy!

Jimmy Davis.

And to think that he was one of my boys.

Yeah.

You made a soldier out of him.

You gave him a gun and told him how to be a hero.

Why don't you pin a medal on him now, Sergeant Meadowlark?

He is your star pupil.

..t-g..