Original subtitles

(eerie music)

(loon warbling)

(eerie music)

(insects chirping)

(eerie music)

(eerie music continues)

(splashing)

- Pick up that slack, John Paul.

Get him in the boat.

- I know how to run a trout line, Evie Jo, I can do it.

- I feel more out here.

Boy, we're gonna have twice as many as Bruno today.

T-Fish, hand me some of that secret catfish Kool-Aid.

Be careful, don't spill any of that stuff on ya.

The smell will never come out.

It's the rotten alligator eggs that stink the most.

- Gator, T-Fish!

(John Paul chuckling)

- Stop it, John Paul!

You don't play jokes like that.

You're gonna make T-Fish scared to come with us.

Now move us on down, we gotta hurry.

We've still got another line to go.

John Paul, Momma's waiting on us!

- What ya shooting, T-Fish?

Cypress balls? They won't kill anything.

- T-Fish don't want to kill anything.

He just shoots.

- If it was a snake he'd wanna kill it.

- Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys don't ever kill anything.

They just scare it off.

And I'm gonna be a detective just like Nancy Drew.

(light music)

- [John Paul] Oh, we're gonna cream Bruno today.

- [Evie Jo] Yeah! Ha, ha!

(light music)

Remind me to tell Uncle Bo that we're about

out of catfish Kool-Aid.

- [John Paul] I think Bruno's finding our hiding places

and stealing it.

It's disappearing too fast.

(light music)

- [Evie Jo] I hope that smart alec, Renee Davis,

isn't at the landing today.

She makes me sick with those ribbons and dresses.

- [John Paul] We oughta bring her out with us one day.

I could really scare her.

- If I told you once, I told you 1,000 times.

Ain't nobody ever caught a bigger gar

than that one of mine.

- I did.

Me and my boy, we shot one down there in the channel

that's as long as your truck.

- I said, caught, Bo!

You killed that one.

I brought mine in still fighting.

He'd bite your hand off, even when I got him to town.

- Well...

I seen one one time bigger than yours.

- No, you never!

How come you didn't tell me that before, huh?

You didn't tell me 'cause it ain't so!

- Is too.

- No, it ain't!

If it was, I'd of heard about it.

If anybody bring in a gar bigger than that one,

I'd hear about it.

- Because it was before your time.

When you was just a little squirt.

I know lots of things went on around here

when you was just a little squirt.

- Now, that's a sneaky way to try to win an argument.

Dang, you could claim you saw anything before I was born.

You're 20 years older than me.

- Five.

- Yesterday it was 10.

You better make up your mind.

Why you was already married when I was born.

- You wasn't born.

The alligators left you and then run off

because they couldn't stand ya.

- Dang it!

You'd argue with the sunshine!

- Will you two quit it?

Why no one would ever believe you've been friends

for 40 years the way you argue.

Why you're worse than Evie Jo and John Paul.

Oh Grandpa, where are they?

They're supposed to be back by now.

- Well, they'll be here any minute.

Don't worry, we'll get you to work on time.

And remind me to get me more snuff.

- All right.

And be sure to pick up the shopping list, will ya?

Or you won't have any supper.

Well, I'll tell ya.

It's a good thing Henry needed me at the store this week.

That storm's coming up and it'll ruin the fishing for sure.

Oh.

- We got some good ones, Grandpa!

- Hey, that's a good fish!

Did you catch that big fish?

(Uncle Bo mumbling)

- Oh look at that one, must be 10 or nine pounds.

How many you catch, T-Fish?

- [Jolene] Come on, you kids!

Get the fish washed off your hands!

I'm gonna be late for work if we don't hurry.

- You do like your mother says and me and Uncle Bo

we'll put the fish in the truck.

- Sometime I worry about them kids.

Running around that bottom all by they-self.

- Oh, don't worry.

That Evie Jo knows about the swamp.

Why, she's a better fisherman than you.

And handles the boat better than lots of men.

- What about Big Bay-Ty?

What if that monster seem them kids?

- Big Bay-Ty don't stay in these bottoms no more.

That monster is gone.

- You don't know that.

- He's gone, I tell ya!

He got my boy, Johnny, and then he went away.

- You stop it.

There's no monster around here and you know it.

I won't have you talking that way

in front of the kids.

- I saw Big Bay-Ty as close as you to me one time.

Bo saw him too.

- I don't care how close you were,

no monster talk in front of the kids, you hear me?

- Okay, we won't talk about it.

- Uncle Bo, we're about outta catfish Kool-Aid.

Can you get us some more?

- Ha! Why, sure!

We'll make a new batch when I get back.

We're not gonna have that Bruno catching fish like you do.

Just one time don't drive like a wild man.

That landing is not gonna run off before we get there.

- You don't like the way I drive, you get out and walk.

- Oh, cut it out.

I wanna hear the radio.

- [Radio] The RBC time is 9:35.

This weather advisory, Hurricane Elsie is expected to...

- Uh, son, would you go to the van

and get my camera, please?

- [Radio] Winds up to 100 miles per hour.

- That was a fine snack, hun.

It might hold me to lunchtime.

- Honey, tell Charles to be careful.

And tell him not to let Concha get into the water.

- Thank you!

- Come on, Concha.

(dog whimpering)

Dad!

It's a bear!

- [Perkins] What is it, Charles?

(dog barking)

- It was... it was a bear, Dad.

Right over there.

- What's all this about fellas?

- Concha saw it too.

- There's no bears in the swamp, son.

It couldn't have been a bear.

(dog barking)

- There, Dad!

(ominous music)

- Did you see that? What was that thing?

- Charles take Concha to the van, right now.

Let's go honey, please.

(merchants shouting)

- [Vendor] Fresh fish is $2.50.

Shrimp is $2.59 a pound.

(crowd chatting)

- Crawfish, shrimp, catfish!

(baby cooing)

(speaking in foreign language)

- You want a catfish, lady?

All right.

- Yeah, let's weigh it.

- Here, let me give you a hand here, Bruno.

- Okay, let's get it up there Bruno, what have you got?

- Good. Good catch.

- How much you got, Bruno?

(chatting)

- [Friend] Hey, Crawfish!

- How's it going, man?

- Are you guys fishing today?

(funky bluegrass music)

- Hey, Grandpa Landry.

- How you doing?

- I thought you were due with Doc Bladrew today.

- No, we just got here.

Ain't weighed in yet, Buford.

- Betcha you'll beat that Bruno again today.

(chuckling)

(funky bluegrass music)

- Oh no.

It's that Renee Davis again.

Let's go get an apple.

Morning Mrs. May.

T-Fish wants an apple.

- Plain or candy?

- Plain.

- How's T-Fish feeling?

His pa said he was poor yesterday.

- He's much better today now.

His sniffles were gone when he got up

and his stomach's a whole lot better than yesterday.

- That's good.

Swamp fever's out.

Glad T-Fish is better.

You tell him I said that and tell him to watch what he eats.

- Yessum.

- Who's that boy with Evie Jo?

Is he a Landry?

- Yep, that's Crawfish Charlie's boy, T-Fish.

You know Charlie's grandpa's youngest son.

- Does he ever talk?

- I ain't never heard him.

But folks say he talks to Evie Jo.

I don't know anybody that's actually ever seen

or heard him do that.

Somehow she always knows what he wants.

She even knows what he's thinking.

- T-Fish, it's okay.

They don't mean any harm.

Come on, let's go watch the fish.

- Well, Bruno, how you doing?

You get a good catch today?

- I got a good catch.

- Sure, but is it good enough to beat the Landry kids?

- Hey Bruno, he comes Evie Jo.

Must be at least 100 pounds in here.

What'd ya think, man? We got rocks in there?

That's all fish, bottom.

- How much was yours, Bruno?

- 41 pounds, six ounces.

- Evie Jo and John Paul Landry, 51 pounds!

(crowd cheering)

- Is that Evie Jo and John Paul's catch?

- That's right.

- I'll buy it.

I want Evie Jo's catch.

- I've already offered 65 cents a pound.

- I'll give 70!

Look, I already got in my menu.

Fresh Evie Jo catfish.

- Oh, okay, okay, Claude, it's yours.

- All right.

♪ We beat Bruno again ♪

♪ We beat Bruno again♪

- One day I'll beat you fishing.

One day I'll beat you good!

You and your secret formula.

- T-Fish!

John Paul, if Mom were here she'd wear you out.

Just look at what you're teaching T-Fish.

T-Fish, you must always be nice to everyone.

- Good advice, Evie Jo.

Let's see how she handles this, T-Fish.

- And I've got this beautiful...

I've got this other pair and it's so pretty.

- Ugh! No, it's Renee Davis, ugh!

- [Renee] Evie Jo! Evie Jo!

Evie Jo Landry!

- [Evie Jo] Oh, hi Renee.

- How do you like my new dress?

My aunt Matilda made it.

Mother fixed my hair, but I did the ribbon.

- Well, when I get my nurse's uniform

it'll be prettier than that.

- Nurse's uniform?

- That's right, nurse's uniform.

- Last week you were going to be an airline stewardess.

Which is it going to be Miss Landry?

- That's my business.

Who knows?

One day I might even be a detective like Nancy Drew.

- Well, I think a detective is better.

A nurse's uniform is so plain.

Besides, you might get a catfish on it.

Don't you ever wear anything else but jeans?

- Sure I do, but not to the fish market I don't.

- Well, I like to look clean and neat all the time.

- I'm neat and I'm clean, too!

Just because I don't wear a dress every time

I come to town.

- Well, I just wouldn't want to be caught in town in jeans.

It's just a little lady like.

Besides, I don't even have any just plain jeans.

All mine are...

(Renee screams)

My dress! It's ruined!

Who did that?

(boys chuckling)

- I just love your new dress, Renee!

- Good morning.

- Good morning.

- Fill it up, would ya, please?

- Okay.

- What's going on over there, a fair?

- Oh no, that's everyday.

The market's always like that.

- Honey, why don't you get out and stretch your legs?

I want some pictures of this.

The bridge.

Say, uh, we saw something pretty weird awhile ago.

We stopped over by the Boggy Creek Bridge

to take some pictures and we saw...

Well, you don't have any bears around here, do you?

- Bears? Mister, we ain't never had a bear around here.

- Well I saw something.

It was as big as a bear and hairy.

But it walked upright.

- Where did you say you were?

- Sign on the bridge said Boggy Creek.

- Mister, you didn't see nothing.

You're better off just forgetting about it.

- My son and I both saw something out in that swamp.

- Folks around here don't do much talking about Boggy Creek.

Or what might be in it.

- You act like it was some sort of monster that we saw.

- Did he say he saw it?

- Where was it?

- Who saw it and when?

- What's the matter? Just what is it?

- He's a killer, that's what.

- There ain't nobody.

- Yes, there is.

Now, just what is it?

Who's seen it up close?

- Lots of people have seen it, but not up close.

- I saw it.

It took chickens right outta my yard.

- Ask Grandpa Landry.

It got his boy.

Try to tell him and Uncle Bo there's nothing out there.

- Yeah, somebody get Grandpa!

- Yeah, he and Uncle Bo will tell ya all about it.

- There they are now.

- I'm Harry Perkins, photographer from Little Rock.

- I'm Bertrand Landry.

This here is Beauregard Gidry.

We call him Uncle Bo.

They say you saw something in the bottom.

- Over by the Boggy Creek Bridge.

Big, hairy, but walking upright.

- Big Bay-Ty.

- He moving around on account of the storm.

Usually he stay down in the deep bottom.

But when it starts to storm he always move around.

- Folks say he got your son.

- Maybe, something got my boy Johnny.

He went back into the swamp five years ago

to take a man fishing.

They didn't come back.

- Just what is this thing?

- He's strong like a team of mules and fast as the wind.

One time he was tracked by 40 dogs

and killed every one of 'em.

Today, he might kill a cow around here.

Tomorrow he'd carry something off 100 miles away.

Big Bay-Ty has been shot maybe 10 times, but he won't die.

- Well, I want some pictures of this thing.

Will you take me out to look for him?

(crowd chuckling)

- I'm a good piece past 60, Mr. Perkins.

Them bottoms ain't no place for an old man.

Especially when Big Bay-Ty is around.

Oh, if he came for us, I'd slow ya up too much.

- Hey.

Hey.

I'll take ya, Mister.

- You'll take me looking for the monster?

- I'm a guide in these swamps and I'll take ya

anyplace you wanna go.

Got any kind of boat you need.

And I'm not afraid.

I'll take my gun.

And if there is a monster out there,

you'll get pictures of a dead one.

And when we get back,

you won't have anymore monster stories to tell, old man.

- When could you be ready to go?

- Anytime.

You pay my guide fee and I'll take ya anytime, anyplace.

- All right.

I have to take my family back to Little Rock,

but I'll be back here first thing

in the morning ready to go.

- What about the storm?

It's gonna hit tomorrow.

- That storm's gonna hit way west of here.

- Don't you worry about any storm, Mister.

You got the best guide in these parts.

- But I am a little worried about the storm.

Uh, what do you think...

(crowd chatting)

- What you reckon? He'll kill Bay-Ty?

- Hmm, that Bruno, he's looking for trouble, him.

Nobody gonna kill the Big Bay-Ty.

(ominous music)

- Snakey slime, mud and moss.

Big, dark water where the gator is boss.

Stirred it good when the day is late

or I'll bite your mojo, catfish bait.

(chuckling)

(pouring)

Now.

Just a little bit more of this deep bottom moss.

So it'll stick real good to that bait.

Ah, ha.

Ah and now...

Now for the secret, secret ingredient.

- Hey, watch out!

Don't put too much in!

Those kids can't carry no 60 pound fish!

- What is it, Uncle Bo?

- Ha, ha, ho no!

Oh no, that's what makes the secret formula so secret.

- But what is it?

- That's mojo!

Catfish magic!

Ah, no.

- Aw, just tell us, Uncle Bo.

If you tell me, I can make it when we run out.

- One day I'll tell you.

One of these days.

- Looks like it needs more Tobasco to me.

- We trying to catch them catfish, man, not kill 'em.

- If that stuff don't kill 'em, they can eat anything.

- Wait now, for the last thing.

The aging process.

One thousand.

Two thousand.

Three thousand.

That's it.

Fill up them bottle, Evie Jo.

- You've been playing with those kids long enough,

you lazy old man.

Now come on and help me work.

- Thinking Bruno can find the monster?

- Won't have to.

The monster will find him!

- Yeah, maybe we oughta help the monster.

(crow cawing)

I kinda like that photographer man.

He's not like Bruno.

- Bruno's always talking about killing something.

I hate guns.

- Here T-Fish, don't drop it.

And that's all of it.

Let's get it on the line.

- You kids catch a bunch of fish and be careful.

- Don't worry, Grandpa, we'll be all right.

(birds chirping)

(light bluegrass music)

♪ Down to the creek ♪

♪ And the swamp they go ♪

♪ John Paul, T-Fish ♪

♪ And there's Evie Jo ♪

♪ Past the trees and the stumps they row ♪

♪ To a hiding place ♪

♪ That they only know ♪

♪ Boggy Creek ♪

♪ So mean, they say ♪

♪ It ain't no place for ♪

♪ Little children to play ♪

♪ Danger lives there ♪

♪ And men have died ♪

♪ That old creek ♪

♪ Has a secret to hide ♪

♪ What's that log ♪

♪ Saw it crawl ♪

♪ Ha ♪

♪ She ain't no log at all ♪

♪ It's a croc-o-gator man ♪

♪ And he ain't small ♪

♪ Shoot him deepish ♪

♪ With that cypress ball ♪

♪ Boggy Creek ♪

♪ Mean, they say ♪

♪ Ain't no place for ♪

♪ Little children to play ♪

♪ Danger lives there ♪

♪ And men have died ♪

♪ That old creek ♪

♪ Has a secret to hide ♪

♪ A secret to hide♪

(light bluegrass music)

- [John Paul] T-Fish, bring those cool bottles.

- [Evie Jo] Have you got the string, John Paul?

- [John Paul] Got it.

- Wind's really been lifting the water.

- Yeah, let's get through with this in a hurry.

(ominous music)

- [Evie Jo] Be careful John Paul, don't fall.

- Evie Jo, I can climb this tree blindfolded.

(tense music)

Ah.

(John Paul grunting)

Come on, Evie Jo.

It was a brown one.

Thinking Bruno's finding our hidden catfish Kool-Aid?

- He wouldn't know what to do with it if he did.

- He'd probably drink it and die.

(chuckling)

- Can't kill anything mean as Bruno.

He's half catfish, anyway.

- Evie Jo.

(tense music)

(creature growling)

(tense music)

- What is it, T-Fish?

What'd ya see? What is it?

Oh, don't be scared.

Evie Jo and John Paul are right here.

- What'd ya see, T-Fish?

Was it something like this?

(ominous music)

- You saw the monster?

You really saw it?

(distant growling)

(splashing)

- Did he get ya, T-Fish?

Did he try to hurt ya?

- He just stood there and looked at ya?

- He coulda got T-Fish if he wanted to.

He could have got all of us and eaten us.

But he didn't.

- Reckon why he didn't?

- I don't know.

Maybe he knew we weren't out to hurt him.

Come on, let's get home.

- Yeah, let's hurry.

(birds chirping)

- [Evie Jo] I wanna see Big Bay-Ty again.

- [John Paul] What you gonna do?

- [Evie Jo] Don't know.

Hey, tomorrow let's follow Bruno and Mr. Perkins.

It'd be all right.

We'll stay behind 'em.

And Bruno will have a gun.

Besides, that's just what the Hardy Boys

and Nancy Drew would do.

Another thing.

We don't tell anyone what we saw, okay?

- Okay.

- Blood oath?

- Blood oath.

- T-Fish?

Stop him, he's gonna tell!

(grunting)

- If we tell about the monster, Momma

will never let us go out again.

We can't run trout lines or anything.

We gotta know more about it before we tell.

We'll stay close behind Bruno and Mr. Perkins.

Everything will be all right.

T-Fish, you just gotta keep the secret.

You won't tell, will ya?

- Blood oath?

- [Jolene] Come on, kids, time for supper!

- All right, soon as we're finished up, John Paul,

we'll start getting things ready.

- T-Fish if you ever break a blood oath,

all your hair turns to snakes and black widow spiders

will bite you.

Nobody breaks a blood oath.

(light bluegrass music)

- Tomorrow night will be a bad one.

I hope Bruno don't keep that city feller out in it.

If Bruno finds Big Bay-Ty, it's gonna be trouble.

Why you reckon he came back?

- Ain't no way of telling what that creature's gonna do.

He got a mind of his own.

- [Grandpa] Bay-Ty will get Bruno.

Like he did my boy, Johnny.

- Mom.

Will you tuck me in?

- Of course.

- Dearest God in heaven above.

Protect our home, send your love.

Plus Mommy, Grandpa, and Uncle Bo.

Plus John Paul and T-Fish.

Say hello to Daddy for me, up in heaven.

Thanks, God, goodnight.

- Hey!

Oh, we don't do enough of this, do we?

- Momma.

What really happened to Daddy?

Did the monster get him?

- No, darling.

No, it was the swamp that got him.

Oh, your daddy was such a good man.

He was kind, gentle.

But he had an I can do anything attitude about some things.

You have to treat the swamp right

if you expect to survive in it.

Your daddy wasn't kind to the swamp.

He never listened to the warnings.

He...

He'd row over the creeks and the bogs like he owned them.

Get up every morning and dare the bottoms to stop him.

He challenged the Boggy Creek

to a personal duel.

One day...

One day he lost.

Sweetheart, that's why Grandpa and I

have tried to teach you kids to respect the swamps.

- I can still remember what he looked like.

But I still love him.

- Oh, of course you do, angel.

I do too.

Goodnight.

- Goodnight, Momma.

- Love you.

(light bluegrass music)

Oh, Johnny.

I miss you so much.

- Hey! Are you ready!

- Go ahead, you old goat!

(engine revving)

(funky music)

- Hey, Charlie!

How you feeling this morning?

- We're fine, pa, fine.

How are you, Uncle Bo?

- Yeah, okay.

- How's that T-Fish?

- Fine, he's fine.

- Don't you make Jolene late, you hear?

- I won't pa.

We'll see you tonight, huh?

- Goat, huh?

Are you ready!

(funky music)

- T-Fish, be careful now.

You mind Evie Jo.

- Kids, come here.

Now, I want you all to stay close to home today.

You hear me?

That storm is supposed to hit 50 miles from here.

Some time this afternoon or tonight, okay?

I'll be home early.

All right Charlie, I'm ready.

Oh, there's some sandwiches

in the refrigerator for your lunch.

Bye.

Bye, darling.

Bye, sweetie.

Bye.

- Bye Mom, bye Uncle Charlie.

- See ya, kids.

- Bye Mommy, by Uncle Charlie.

(engine starting)

Now, we've got a lot of things to do so we can be ready.

Come on, I've got most of the things we'll need

inside my detective kit.

- Wow, what ya got in there?

- I'll show you later.

First, we gotta make our plans.

Now, according to my deduction,

the two suspects should be departing the area about noon.

We've gotta be ready to follow them.

Now...

- But Momma said for us to stay close to home.

- Well?

- Well, we can't stay close to home if we follow them.

Besides, what about the storm?

- John Paul, our home is the bottom.

Anywhere we go in the bottoms is home.

And just look at this weather, it's beautiful.

Besides, good detectives aren't afraid of a little rain.

Now, the quarry will have a motorboat.

But they will have to stay in the main channel

all the way around Wilson's Point.

Then we can paddle through the cut and catch 'em.

- Evie Jo, what's a quarry?

- Dummy, it's not a quarry, it's the quarry.

The quarry's the folks you're after.

- Oh.

- Now, here's what we do.

We watch for Mr. Perkins car to go past,

then you can get on the other side of the bridge

and watch what's going on with this.

Then we'll know when Bruno and Mr. Perkins are leaving.

- Are they still the quarry?

- Oh yes, dummy.

Listen, we need some signals

for when you're on the other side.

That's the way Nancy Drew does it.

Oh, T-Fish, that's not for playing, that's for detecting.

Okay, here's the signal.

When they begin to load the boat,

hold up one hand like this.

And when they're ready to go, hold up a foot too.

Okay, we better change the signal.

Hold up one hand when they're ready to go

and two hands if there's two of 'em.

- Two of 'em is all there is.

- I know that.

- Then why do we need signals for that?

The Hardy Boys wouldn't do anything that dumb.

- Well, I've made the plans

and that's the way we're gonna do it.

- Well, what if there's three of 'em?

What do you want me to do then?

- Will you stop it?

- Well, I just want to know in case there was three of 'em.

(car approaching)

- That's Mr. Perkins.

I'll get the sandwiches and the lantern.

You get in position across the creek.

Okay, men, let's move out!

(birds chirping)

(Evie Jo sighing)

He's not supposed to be waving at us,

he's supposed to be spying on the quarry.

Ugh, he'll never make a good detective.

- They're loading up, Evie Jo!

- You're not supposed to yell,

you're supposed to give the signal.

- All right!

They're ready to go and there's two of 'em!

And now I'm coming back!

- If I pull this off it'll be a miracle.

(droning boat)

Hurry up, John Paul.

We don't want them to get too far ahead.

(light bluegrass music)

♪ Down that creek ♪

♪ To the swamp they go ♪

♪ John Paul, T-Fish ♪

♪ And Evie Jo ♪

♪ Past the trees ♪

♪ And the stumps they row ♪

♪ To a hidden spot ♪

♪ They only know ♪

♪ Boggy Creek ♪

♪ So mean, they say ♪

♪ It ain't no place for little ♪

♪ Children to play ♪

♪ Danger lives there ♪

♪ And men have died ♪

♪ That old creek has a secret to hide ♪

♪ Hurry up, now ♪

♪ Paddle a little faster ♪

♪ There go the folks ♪

♪ That we've been after ♪

♪ Watch out, children ♪

♪ Don't ya go too deep ♪

♪ Into no man's land ♪

♪ They call Boggy Creek ♪

♪ Boggy Creek, oh mean, they say ♪

♪ Ain't no place for little ♪

♪ Children to play ♪

♪ Danger lives there ♪

♪ And men have died ♪

♪ That old creek has a secret to hide♪

(light bluegrass music)

- Evie Jo, you think we can make it?

- We've got to, it's the shortest way.

(bright music)

- [John Paul] Evie Jo, it sure is getting cloudy behind us.

- [Evie Jo] Oh, don't worry.

Didn't you hear the man at the station?

We're not gonna get any of the storm.

- [John Paul] Maybe so, but I sure don't like

the way the sky looks.

And the wind's blowing too.

(bright music)

- Easy, John Paul.

We don't want them to see us.

(cracking thunder)

Come on, we'd better hurry.

- [Radio] Here's a late weather bulletin

from the KRBC News Center.

Hurricane Elsie has shifted to the east

and residents of low lying areas

are advised to seek immediate safety inland.

70 mile an hour winds are expected

late this afternoon and evening.

Heavy rains will accompany these winds.

Many businesses are closing and employers

are sending workers home to prepare for this.

- Charlie, it's not raining.

I bet it's not gonna be as bad as they said.

- Nah, it's just the calm before the wind comes.

- Hey, Jolene.

Grandpa done fell and hit his head.

He may be hurt bad and...

I can't find the kids.

- Charlie.

See if they're both gone.

I'll help you with Grandpa.

- Right.

- Grandpa.

- I'm all right, I tell ya.

It's just a little bump on the head.

We... we gotta go find them kids.

- Shh! Let me see.

Oh.

- It knocked him out cold.

I almost never get him to the house.

- We oughta get him to a doctor right away.

- The boat's gone, they're out on the water.

- Oh, Charlie.

They're just babies, what are we gonna do?

- Well, we're gonna get you and Pa,

and Uncle Bo to safety then I'll come back and find them.

- No!

I'm not going to leave while they're out there in the storm.

- We've got to.

We gotta get Pa to a doctor and you've gotta drive.

I'll follow you into town and I'll come right back.

Look, we've got to trust that Evie Jo can take care of them.

Now, it's starting to rain outside,

so we've got to go now.

Help me, Bo.

(pattering rain)

(gusting wind)

(creature growling)

- [Bruno] I think we'd better go back now!

- [Perkins] What?

Did you hear that, he's out there!

This is a chance of a lifetime for me!

Now, let's get going!

- No, we're going back now!

(gusting wind)

- I paid you your fee to take me to find the monster.

- No!

We're going in!

- [John Paul] What are they doing?

- [Evie Jo] They're fighting.

- [John Paul] What are they fighting about?

- [Evie Jo] I don't know, I can't figure it out.

- [Bruno] All right, I'll take you!

But you must be half crazy!

(cracking thunder)

- [John Paul] Now where are they?

- [Evie Jo] They're gone!

- [John Paul] Which way?

- [Evie Jo] That way, I think.

Come on.

(gusting wind)

- Is there a doctor in there?

- What?

- Is there a doctor in there?

- One's on the way!

We're setting up rescue teams here.

- Good.

- I'm going back, Jolene!

- Hold it! Charlie, where you going?

- The kids are out on the water,

I'm going back to find them!

- The bridge is out, Charlie, you can't get back now!

- You're crazy, I just came across it two minutes ago.

- I just heard it on the radio.

Some logs turned loose upstream.

Knocked the pilings right out from under it.

Look, we're setting up rescue teams here.

Come on inside and wait until a temporary bridge is up.

- All right.

- Dang it.

- Sit over here, the doc's on his way.

- It's just a little bump.

- Jolene.

The bridge is out.

I can't get back home.

- We've got to.

Listen, those children are out there alone!

We have got to find them, Charlie!

- It'll be all right.

- Jolene, our boats are standing by.

My men could do a better job than you can.

Charlie, you keep things under control now.

I'll go check and see, I'm gonna fence this road.

- No, please, no!

Please!

I can't stay here and do nothing!

(cracking thunder)

Please, they're just babies.

- [Evie Jo] I don't know which way they went.

T-Fish is getting cold and we gotta get off this water.

- Over there!

(gusting wind)

- [Evie Jo] Pull the ladder, T-Fish.

Let's get underneath that tree.

(gusting wind)

- [John Paul] Where are Bruno and Mr. Perkins?

- [Evie Jo] I don't know, I didn't see 'em!

- There they are!

Hey, Mr. Bruno! Over here!

- Hold up the lantern, maybe they'll see it.

(cracking thunder)

(splashing tree limb)

(gusting wind)

- I see 'em, there!

- They're hurt.

We've gotta help 'em.

T-Fish, you hold the lantern.

Hold it right on Mr. Bruno.

John Paul and I will go get them and bring them back here.

Hold the light steady so we know where you are.

They're hurt bad.

We've gotta find a place to get them out of the rain.

We've all gotta get dry.

(gusting wind)

Quick, John Paul, turn them

on their back so they won't drown.

They're stunned from the lightning.

(gusting wind)

Hold unto the bow, Mr. Bruno!

(gusting wind)

We'll come back for Bruno and Mr. Perkins.

First, we have to get T-Fish inside somewhere.

Look at that old boat.

Come on, let's hurry.

(gusting wind)

Come on, T-Fish. Get into the boat.

We saw a place where we can get outta the storm.

(gusting wind)

Let's get over to that old boat.

Push us, John Paul.

I'll try to keep T-Fish warm.

Push hard.

(cracking thunder)

(gusting wind)

Be careful.

- Okay!

It's kinda dry.

(gusting wind)

Come on, you gotta make it down.

Come on.

- Look, there are some sticks.

I've got some matches inside my detective kit.

We can build a fire.

(gusting wind)

- Come on up close, T-Fish.

You've gotta get warm.

- We still have to go outside

and get Bruno and Mr. Perkins.

They may be dying.

T-Fish, we have to go outside to get Bruno

and Mr. Perkins.

But I want you to stay here

by the fire where it's warm, okay?

Look, you can see where we're gonna go.

And it's not that far at all.

And we won't be gone but just a few minutes.

Now won't you be a big man for Evie Jo

and stay here and keep the fire going?

Good boy.

Now, you watch this fire real close

and don't you let it go out, okay?

Okay, come on, John Paul, we've gotta go.

(tense music)

(cracking thunder)

- Let's try to get to that near bank,

then work our way back to Bruno and Mr. Perkins.

(gusting wind)

(creature growling)

- He's coming, John Paul!

He's coming!

(creature growling)

- Oh!

(cracking thunder)

(creature growling)

- He's gone!

- We've gotta get outta here.

- Where are we gonna go?

- I don't know, but we gotta go somewhere.

- There's no place to go.

At least here it's not dark.

Well, I'm sure not going out there in the dark where he is.

Come on, let's get back to the fire.

- Wow, looky here!

How do you reckon this got here?

- Oh, anybody coulda lost that.

- Not a hubcap in the middle of the bottoms.

Look how shiny it is.

Hey, there's all kinds of stuff.

A broken shotgun.

A bunch of jars and bottles.

And some bones.

Wow, looky here! Remember this?

- Hey, that's the bottle we use to hide

our catfish Kool-Aid in.

I wondered what happened to it.

Let me see that stuff.

These are from the same bottles we use

to hide our catfish Kool-Aid in.

- You mean the ones we thought Bruno got?

What kind of crazy place is this?

Does somebody live here?

- Yeah.

The monster!

- What?

- This is where the monster lives.

He's been stealing our catfish Kool-Aid and drinking it.

He musta been watching us for a long time.

This is the monster's house.

- Evie Jo, he ain't gonna like us being in his house.

We gotta get outta here.

(creature growling)

(sloshing)

- [Evie Jo] He's got a boat out there!

(sloshing)

Bruno and Mr. Perkins are in the boat.

He's got them out of the water.

Oh John Paul, look!

They're hurt bad.

I don't know if it was the lightning or the tree limb.

I've got to help them, monster or no monster.

We've got to get in the boat.

Help me with T-Fish.

Jump, John Paul, jump!

(cracking thunder)

Help me pull this tarp over the boat.

T-Fish, turn on the light.

Is everyone all right?

- I'm okay, Evie Jo!

- T-Fish?

Oh, let's take a look at Bruno and Mr. Perkins.

(Bruno groaning)

- Hand me my detective kit.

I've got some alcohol in it.

- There you go.

(heavy breathing)

(gusting wind)

- I'm gonna tell you a little story while we sit here.

It's a story about a little boy named Hansel

and a little girl named Gretel

and they lived on the Bayou.

And they got a mean, mean step momma.

She's so mean, she take 'em out in the woods.

And leave them so the big croc-o-gators

can eat 'em in the nighttime.

Oh yeah.

But they get away, they find their way outta the woods.

Because they find a pirogue.

And Gretel, she lay down in the bottom

of that pirogue so it wouldn't tip over.

And Hansel, he get him a pole,

and he pole all night long trying

to keep away from them croc-o-gators.

They got to make it out to the lake,

'cause if they make it to the lake,

they know they can find a landing, you know?

Yeah.

And they do that.

It was about daylight they get out to that lake

and they go past the point and there's

a big old croc-o-gator waiting right on that point.

And he slip off into that water just easy

and he follows that boat.

And he lets his tail go just like that,

right through that water.

And they don't see him, no.

And he gets close to that boat.

He's gonna bite them, you see.

And the closer he get, the wider his mouth open.

And he get closer and it's wide open.

And he gets closer and it's wider,

and then he goes, roo!

But he miss 'em!

(chuckling)

And they just row away.

And pretty soon they see that landing way over here.

And they see their daddy waiting for 'em.

And they get there.

And when they tell their daddy

what their mean step momma did to him, he get mad, yeah.

And he told her she better not do that no more.

And she said, okay.

And then she go and make the biggest gumbo you ever did see.

And they eat that gumbo, oh, 'til they're some full.

And they ever after happy, huh?

(Perkins groaning)

- Oh.

(Bruno groaning)

- There's not much more I can do

without the first aid supplies.

- Here's some kind of kit.

Maybe it's a first aid kit.

(gusting wind)

- This is Daddy's tackle box.

And this is all his stuff.

And his diary.

Daddy wrote this John Paul, listen.

We have both been bit by cotton mouths.

Mr. Johnson is dead.

I'm lost and too weak to get out.

Goodbye, my beautiful Jolene...

Evie Jo, and John Paul.

I love you.

Ah!

- We're moving!

(creature growling)

- It's him!

He's pulling the boat!

(creature growling)

- Mr. Bruno, Mr. Bruno.

Please wake up.

You've gotta help us.

The monster's got the boat.

Mr. Bruno.

(creature growling)

(gusting wind)

- I can't keep my mind on anything but those kids.

Oh, Grandpa.

Oh, they've just got to be all right.

They've just got to be.

- They gonna be.

And we gonna find 'em real soon, you'll see.

- How many boats can you come up with, Buford?

- [Radio] Three boats, with drivers.

When do you think this thing gonna break up, Charlie?

- Now hold on a minute, okay.

- [Buford] Okay.

- I'm lining up some boats.

When do you want 'em here?

- Who is that, Buford?

- Right.

- Oh, thank you.

The wind seems to be dying out some now

and all the reports say that it should break

just before dawn.

Have two of them get here as soon as they can.

Have the other one put in at Buford's place

and work this way on the water.

- Got that, Buford?

- [Buford] 10-4.

- Buford, hurry up.

My boy's out there.

Somewhere.

(gusting wind)

- Where's he taking us, Evie Jo?

- I don't know.

I just don't know.

(gusting wind)

(creature growling)

(gusting wind)

(creature growling)

(gusting wind)

(creature growling)

- Wake Mr. Bruno up, Evie Jo!

- I can't! I tried!

(gusting wind)

(creature growling)

(tense music)

- He turned us loose.

He's gone, Evie Jo. The monster's gone.

(radio chatter)

- One of the men found Bruno's boat over to Wilson's point.

Looks like the smartest thing

would be to start the main search there.

- Any sign of the kids?

- Not yet, but no bad signs either, Jolene.

The rain's starting to let up.

It'll be light in an hour or so.

Let's get that gear and those blankets loaded--

- Hey.

I'm going with you.

I'm not going to stay around here any longer, please.

- Well, all right.

All right, we'll be leaving soon.

(insects chirping)

(tense music)

- [John Paul] We're stuck on the tree limbs!

- [Evie Jo] Be careful, John Paul!

- [John Paul] Help me, Evie Jo.

What are we gonna do?

We can't move the boat and the winds won't move.

(sloshing water)

- [Evie Jo] He's back!

(sloshing water)

(creature growling)

- [John Paul] He's moving the tree limbs!

Evie Jo, he's trying to help us!

(creature grunting)

(light music)

(creature growling)

(sloshing water)

- [John Paul] We're headed for the landing!

- [Evie Jo] Hey, it's Moccasin Bend.

And right around the point is Happy Landing.

Come on, let's get going.

- Oh, Charlie.

I'll go with Buford in his boat.

- Right.

- And listen, we've got to have

as many people on the water as possible.

People who know their favorite spots.

- Okay.

- Can you think of anything else?

- Yeah, a signal.

Something that'll carry across the water.

I'll see what the Sheriff's got.

- Okay. - Sheriff!

- Come on down, Charlie.

All right, Sheriff.

Got the men gathered together with their guns now.

- All right, men.

If you find anything fire one shot, then the second shot.

Then get to the scene as quick as you can.

- Hey, who's in that boat out there?

- There is a boat out there!

- Where?

- Right there!

- It's the kids!

Oh, Grandpa!

- It is the kids! - Ha, ha!

- All right!

(crowd cheering)

(droning boat)

- Hurry up, Buford!

(lapping waves)

- It's Johnny's boat.

- By golly, Bert, I think you're right.

That is Johnny's boat.

- Hey, Mom!

Coming in!

(crowd cheering)

- Come on, fellas.

(crowd chatting)

- You all right?

- Where's the line?

- Here it is.

- Okay, hold 'em tight here.

- Charlie, let's get 'em out of here.

Can we get home?

- Sheriff said there's a temporary bridge up.

Let's go.

- Charlie, Jolene.

The doc says Bruno and Mr. Perkins are gonna be all right.

They're coming around now.

They owe their lives to you kids.

I wanna thank you personally.

Jolene, y'all need anything else now,

you let me know, ya hear?

- Thanks, Deputy. - Thanks, Deputy.

- All right, see y'all later.

Bye-bye.

(light bluegrass music)

- How come you only shoot cypress balls in yours T-Fish?

I used to shoot rocks in mine.

That looks like fun, don't it?

Hey, that's neat.

Give me some cypress balls.

- You know, honey, this is the first plant

your daddy ever gave to me.

Now, where should we plant it?

- I think here would be nice.

- Well, we can plant it anyplace you want to,

but you know John Paul and T-Fish

run through here every day.

Any other ideas?

- I think I know the perfect spot, come on.

- Okay.

- What we gonna do about that new motor

for that boat for them kids?

- You know, I've been thinking about that, Bo.

I was thinking about that last night

and I think I gotta a plan as to how we can

raise that money.

- Look at that little boat.

- Well, you know I can't see that far.

If you'd spend more time sawing

and less time looking at who's coming down Boggy Creek

we might get this dock finished.

- That's Bruno.

Bruno and that photographer fella Perkins.

- Morning.

- Morning.

- How are you, Bruno?

- Morning.

We just stopped by to thank you kids.

You probably saved our lives.

- Me too, thank you.

Why don't you kids come on down to my place sometime

and see my hound Lulu?

She just had pups.

- Well, that was a nice thing you said, Bruno.

I thank you too.

But we still ain't gonna tell you the secret formula.

(chuckling)

- I've been by the landing and talked to the store keeper.

He has $20 worth of credit for the Landry children.

It's for candy or anything else you want.

But it's just for the kids.

One other thing.

When I was out in that storm,

just before the lightning struck,

I heard a roar and it wasn't like any animal I know.

Do you think there really is a monster out there?

- Well, everyone knows the monster's just a legend.

(droning boat)

That Mr. Perkins is a nice man.

- What about Mr. Bruno inviting us down to see his pups?

- May be hope for him yet.

- Grandpa, how much candy is $20?

(family laughing)

(funky bluegrass music)

(upbeat bluegrass music)

(bluegrass music continues)