Original subtitles

Speak to Fox, Chicago.

It's a struggle to survive.

You can play to win or just give in. Let the city eat you alive.

You can make it to tomorrow.

If you take care of today, you'll have a shot if you have got to take the break

away. Because I'm the man in the world.

It's the one who knows the right way to go. I'm the man in the world.

He's strong inside.

He'll never hide.

When he's up against the wall, the man who tries and won't say die is the

toughest man of all.

Man, it's rough.

Man, it's rough. It's a hard life in the city. It can bring you to your knees.

The town is cold. It has no soul. It's concrete and steel.

You face the face with trouble.

Look at danger in the eye.

you're on your own but never alone with courage on your side man in the world

Oh,

there you go, yeah.

Leave the man alone.

Oh, pal, get out of here. This ain't none of your business.

When punks start happening to decent people...

I make it my business.

Now give the man his money back.

No, that's not going to happen.

Now get out of my way.

Put the knife away, son. I said get out of my way, and now you're going to move?

Or am I going to finish off that goofy-looking haircut of yours?

Give it to him.

Thank you, mister.

Don't mention it. Glad I can help.

You boys ought to be ashamed of yourselves.

Save the violin.

Come on, guys.

Let's blow.

Man, that wasn't worth it.

Oh, pal.

What do you say you give me back my life?

Let's talk about it.

Come on, it's special to me. Ain't nothing special about those things.

Any fool could find trouble with them.

Come on, I need it.

My father gave it to me.

Do it mean enough to you to show up at this place tomorrow afternoon at 4 o

'clock?

Francis Willard, Junior High?

Hey, I'm dead meat on this turf.

If anybody hassles you, you show them that card. 4 o'clock.

I could be there earlier.

No skipping school.

Now, if you want to see your knife again, four o'clock. Maybe.

What's your name?

They call me the dude.

Come on, you can do better than that.

Billy Green.

Okay, Billy Green.

I'll see you tomorrow.

Four o'clock.

Hey, what's your name?

They call me Bruce.

Hi, Bruce.

How did the kids do in the game?

We won.

Oh, good, good.

Now you get to work before I report you to the manager. Okay, I'm going, I'm

going. Oh, too late. The manager has arrived already.

Good evening, Mr. Richards, sir. Hey, Mom.

Are you going to supervise your restaurant? You're just passing through.

I'm supervising, Mom. I'm supervising. Bruce, go look like a bounce.

Hey, uh, how'd you do in the game?

We won.

Hey, great. So the kids are in the finals, huh?

Next week.

Someday I am going to learn not to bet against you.

What do you think you're doing? Look, don't start in again, okay?

Then get decent and get home. And do what?

Wait while you're out beer drinking with your bowling buddies?

Hey, you guys, keep it down.

Alice is on a big attraction.

Man, I hate her work.

Yeah, I know.

Hey, what a night. Guess who's here?

Donna Summers? Oh, no, much better.

Tanker Weems.

Tanker Weems look better to you than Donna Summers? Come on. We are talking

about the three-time defending champion, the toughest man in the world

competition. Oh, what's he doing here? He's in town to promote this year's

contest. Oh, feel free to go to work, huh?

Steve, give me the usual.

Straight up or on the rock?

Don't be cute.

Hitting the bottle kind of hard, aren't you? I hate it. My ulcer loves it. Your

ulcer? Man, what you got to worry about?

My ulcer.

Ulcer is the price of doing business.

This place has got something, though, you know?

Cockroaches.

Come on!

I can't believe it's been so long, man.

Oh, it's too early for this. Look, I hate to tell you this, but the guy with

the big mouth has also got muscle to match that hankering.

Man, I don't care who he is. You still don't have to ask who.

Just be careful.

Excuse me, sir.

Would you mind holding down until World War III, please?

Listen, little man.

You get that dancer back here or you're going to wish World War III was your

only problem.

I'm sorry. He's going to have to leave.

Now, let's get out.

You think you're muscle enough to throw me out?

Well, champ, it would be more dignified if you was to walk out on your own.

Dignified? You know where I come from. Dignified don't sell many tickets.

Are you ready to get down?

Huh? Come on. You ready to get down? Come on. Easy, champ. I don't have too

much to drink. Come on. He's right, Janker. Besides, we don't need a lot of

bad publicity.

Come on, come on. There are a lot of people here.

Let's go. Come on.

It looks like you're the longest.

What's going on? It's okay, Ma. It's okay.

Bruise and I took care of it.

You got a car?

Yeah, it's over there.

Hey, Chet, why don't you go home with your manager, okay? That's a good idea.

Come on, let's go.

Good, all right. Okay, Bruce.

Oh, yeah, ma'am. Great shot!

Oh, you made me mad!

Come on, come on, come on!

Hey,

you need any help?

Hi, Ernie.

Want me to book this guy? Oh, hey, wait.

Listen, please.

Don't let him book him. It'll really foul things up for us.

How long are you in town?

Well, we're here for the toughest man contest.

What, several weeks?

I'll tell you what.

I run a center for kids.

And they'd be really impressed if the toughest man in the world come back

someday sober.

You got a deal. We'll do a weight demonstration.

Anything you want.

All right, I'm going to hold you to that. Come on.

Thanks,

Ernie. Everything is cool.

I can tell by looking at your bars.

Hey, Dick, you all right? Yeah, yeah, I'm okay, I'm okay.

Just tell my mama I was ahead on points, huh?

Yeah, points.

bad self.

You guys begin to look good. Now you see the difference when you wait for the

shot? Outside we're not so strong, but inside we are deadly.

Don't forget your appointment.

You're right, gotta meet the landlady. Look here, you practice for about ten

minutes and I'll be right back.

like that but they do let us use the facilities maybe you want to stick

around play a little basketball nah i didn't come here to bounce no ball my

knife remember oh yeah nice figured me for a no show didn't you

no i never sell a kid short i expect the best because any of them can do it right

now that we're done with the chit chat where's my sticker somewhere somewhere

no No, don't give me somewhere.

I come all the way out to the cesspool and you give me somewhere, where is it?

Why, who do you need to see?

I ain't going naked, man. Too many guys would like to chop my butt.

Big man in the streets, huh? I carry some weight.

They wanted to see the guy I let you use on the basketball court. So I'll get

back in just a few minutes.

When do I get my knife?

Sometime.

Somewhere, sometime.

Yo, fathead, what are you trying... Just a minute. Let me lay down the rules of

this establishment.

I deal with every kid with an even hand.

And nobody give me no back talk.

Now go play.

All right.

All right.

For a little while.

next week.

So what is it?

Just killing time.

Yeah, well, we got an important game coming up. Maybe you ought to kill time

somewhere else.

Yeah.

Maybe I'll like it here.

What's it like?

I like your leader's haircut.

I'm thinking of getting me one.

Oh,

you know.

It's my cousin.

Very nice outside shot.

Oh, Mr. Brubaker, you're late.

Yes, ma'am, but that was a joke.

Please, come right in.

Excuse me, this will just take a moment.

Won't you have a seat?

Thank you, ma'am.

Now, you have been supervising the youth center since Mr. Denker resigned,

correct?

Yes, ma'am. Been coaching with Waterboy, too.

Are you aware that the youth center was supposed to be closed when Mr. Denker

left? But, Ms. Easton, the number of kids that more than tripled since I took

over. I don't take no salary.

Don't even want to.

Yes, well, I'm afraid that's beside the point, Mr. Brubaker.

You see, the city feels that without a certified and trained supervisor, well,

a program like this... Don't need no certificate to tell when the kid's in

trouble. Well, that may be, but this is a school facility.

Can't no kid stay in Mock Center unless he's doing well in school.

Mr. Rubegger, I feel that your efforts and your policies are commendable.

But I'm afraid the city has a very closed mind about these things.

Ain't nobody closing down Mock Center for my kids.

They already did.

What do you mean?

I mean that the funding has been cut off.

And unless you can come up with a great deal of money very quickly, well, I'm

afraid you're out of business.

I'm sorry, but you'll have to excuse me.

He's so characterless. I mean, we're talking downtown, pretty girl.

All right, I played, now fork it over. Flick tells me you're pretty good.

So? So why don't you play for us in the finals?

Then we'll talk about your knife.

What are you trying to pull?

I'm trying to pull you off the streets a little, brother.

Maybe you can do us some good, and maybe we can do you some good.

Great. You want your knife back, think about it.

Rude, the guy with the team shirts came by. He said if we buy 24, they're 9.50

each, plus tax.

Well, how much is that?

Beats me.

$241.68.

How you work that out?

It's easy. It's the same as a $24 bet paying nine and a half to one.

Instead of subtracting 6% runner's permission, you add it up.

Not only is he Freddie Brown, he's Nick McGree, too.

Don't matter how you figure it, we still don't have the money.

Why not?

Miss Ethan told me that the city is trying to close us down.

Well, what are we going to do?

First thing in the morning, I'm going down to City Hall and try to get some

apples.

This point is about tax expenditure. You should take it up with your district

councilman. It took me three days just to get in to see you.

I told you, Mr. Brubaker, we don't deal with budgeting matters here. Now, you're

going to have to take it up with the school board.

But yesterday you said... That was yesterday.

Uh, wait a second.

School board didn't help you, huh?

Why don't you try the Department of Parks and Recreation?

Mister, I've been here four times.

And you sent me to four different places.

Every one of them sent me right back here.

I've got to see the deputy mayor.

Then you're going to have to wait.

I'm prepared.

I will. Have a nice weekend.

Mr. Brubaker, I'm sorry. The deputy mayor won't be able to see you. But he

suggested you try the Department of Social Services.

Mr. A, I've been social.

Now I'm going to get some service.

Mr. Brubaker?

What's the meaning of this? You can't just barge in here like this.

Mr. Brubaker, you're in trouble now.

Oh, no.

What are you doing here, Mayor?

Well, when the Deputy Mayor called my school to tell me that one of my

employees... In point of fact, not one of my employees.

Is tearing up city property? I feel that I have to at least come down and see

what's going on. If you will sign here, we can get out of this place.

And don't thank me. Right there, sir. And also, you have to sign out for your

thing.

Yeah. Don't you want to check that first?

That's okay.

It says here he has keys.

Where is keys?

Here are keys.

I can assure you, Mr. Brubaker, that this kind of irrational behavior is not

going to accomplish a thing at City Hall.

Yes, ma'am. These are bureaucrats. They're used to professional form filers

and grant getters. They respond to the kind of people who make up their grocery

list in triplicate. The kind of people who are experts at detailed budgets and

proposals. Yes, ma'am. I bet you don't even know how much you're asking for. Do

you have any... idea how much it costs to run your operation for a year? Do you

have even the slightest clue?

No, ma'am. Here are your keys.

Thank you.

What's going on? Somebody die?

Just a shot of the time result.

While you were down playing cops and robbers in the slam, something didn't

kind of flip your mind?

Like the finals game today?

Today? So what happened?

Nothing. We didn't have no adult supervisors to sign us in, so... Well,

they gave us the bomb's rush.

4-5-6.

We just hung around to say thanks a lot.

Hey, man, I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you.

Thanks in advance.

Come on, guys. Let's get out of here.

Well, Coach, you kind of let the team down.

Yeah.

What are you going to do about it?

Well, we're preaching to you guys about the importance of learning from your

mistakes. I've been sitting here a while trying to figure out how I'm going to

learn from this one.

So, what'd they tell you downtown?

Downtown. You know what they got downtown?

Bureaucrats. And bureaucrats want you to fill out budgets and forms and

proposals.

That's what old Dinker was good at.

Dinker? Where's he at?

He's split.

Say he didn't like the atmosphere in this part of town.

Boy, could he make out a budget.

Is that what you're doing, a budget?

This ain't no budget.

This is a mess.

But you're Nick the Greek.

You can take a mess and turn it into a budget.

Oh, I don't know about that.

Look, Billy.

They got an air machine down at my job.

So why don't you come to my job and help me get this mess organized?

Oh, I don't know.

It's getting kind of late. I got other obligations.

Look, this won't take long, and I'll even buy you dinner.

Oh, but Bruce, don't butt me. If they want grocery lists and triplet kit, then

that's what they'll get.

Whatever they want, we'll give it to them. If they want detailed budgets,

we'll give them that, too. Whatever they want, that's what they're going to get.

And we're going to get some money to save the center. You ain't turning into

a bureaucrat, are you? With your help, I am.

How fast he is.

This child is going to be either a very successful accountant or a very

successful crook.

You better be an accountant.

These your initials? Yeah.

Yeah, you authorized payment on the same thing three times.

This is the receipt you kept on paying it.

That's what you're here for.

Please don't go. Let me call the cops. Benny's out there with three guys, and

they're looking for trouble.

The way I feel right now, the approach is right, please.

You stay here.

Right here

what you're doing in the back?

Uh, no, not yet.

Well, let's throw it, brother. Ain't no breaks around here.

Okay,

here it is.

Read it and weep. What's the bad news?

25 Gs, no matter how you place it. You're gonna have to get $25,000 to keep

that joint going here.

How you gonna raise that kind of money?

Well, if you were 100 Jewish mamas instead of 100 street kids, you'd have a

fundraiser. What kind of fundraiser? Oh, you know, a carnival, a benefit, some

kind of a fiesta that you charge people to attend.

And then sell things.

Oh, I sell school.

Sounds like exactly what we need. But right now it's getting late. You better

get home before your mother starts to worry about you.

Oh, what about my dinner?

It is right here. Eat it on the run.

Wait, I want to talk to some of them dancers. Hey, don't you worry about them

dancing, girl. You just get to the center tomorrow. We got a benefit to

plan.

All right.

All right, I'll see you tomorrow.

Later on.

Sell tickets?

People pay to stay out of this part of town. They don't pay to come to it.

Yeah, yeah.

Sounds like it'll work out about as good as the basketball championship.

Hold it right there, Jason.

I made a mistake, and we got aced out the finals.

But right now, we got a bigger fish to fry.

Yeah, you're probably a lot to me.

I don't know about that, but I do know ain't nobody ever accomplish anything by

being caught up in self-pity.

That's not what I'm about.

And that's not what I want you to be about.

Now, what do you say? Are we going to get down with our own bad selves?

All right.

I can dig that, but I still don't see how we can sell tickets.

Maybe I can get a celebrity to come by.

They always draw.

Yeah, Breeze. Just exactly which one of your celebrity buddies did you have in

mind?

How about old Tanker Wings?

You're going to get the toughest man in the world to come down here.

Hey, we're like this.

Right.

And besides, he owe me a favor.

How many tickets we got to sell to this shindig anyway?

As many as we can. I was hoping that Nick the Greek would come by and help us

with that. How come he's not here?

I don't know. He said he was coming.

Mr. Brubaker?

Yes, ma'am.

I didn't realize that you would come up with such an ingenious solution to your

problem so quickly.

What do you think? Kind of a pretty neat idea, huh?

Well, it would have been nice if someone had asked me. After all, it is my

gymnasium. That's right. If you don't want us to... You can use the gym.

However, you are aware, of course, that you have to have a license.

License? Just to hold a benefit?

Absolutely.

You have to register as a charity. Otherwise, it's illegal.

Oh, boy.

I'm not too good at those city hall deals.

Yes, I recall.

I suppose that I could help with that part of it.

I appreciate any help I can get.

Well...

Hello.

Oh, Miss Ethan.

No, no, ma'am. I've been up for some time.

Oh, that's great.

So now we're a legal charity.

Thank you.

I was wondering, did you get to make that call on Billy Green?

Yeah, we haven't seen him all week.

Okay, I'll check it out.

Thank you.

No, no, no. I'm what you call an early riser.

Yeah.

Thanks a lot.

All right.

Bruce, Miss Green, I came to see Billy.

What's he been up to this time?

Nothing, I just... Who is it? Who's there? Nothing, honey, be just a minute.

Listen, I'm busy, okay?

Where's Billy?

Who knows?

And who cares?

Did he sleep here last night?

Nobody slept. Please, help down.

Yeah, I guess I ought to get going.

No, please, don't need, honey.

Is there?

Guess not.

Hey, I didn't pay for trouble like that. That guy ain't coming back. It's all

right. It's all right. Everything's fine.

Yo, Bruce.

What are you doing here, man?

Really? I've been looking for you.

You sleep here?

Yeah, sometimes.

There's no need for that. I got plenty of room in my place.

There ain't no charity case.

Who's talking charity?

I need help with this carnival. It'd be pretty handy to have Nick DeGreek with

me all the time.

Okay.

I travel light.

I'm sorry I haven't been around lately, but I've had some business to take care

of. But I have been thinking about the carnival a lot.

Good. Boy, did we miss you a knack for numbers.

Okay, look.

Figure we're going to sell about 3,000 tickets, right?

Why not raise the rate by an hour or two?

Turn it into a couple door prizes, like a thousand bucks first prize, a couple

smaller prizes.

You know, a place like this holds sales real good.

Everybody's looking for a way out.

Well, looky here.

If it ain't the dude.

You're delayed on your collections, dude.

That ain't like you.

Now, Matty don't want his best runner getting in the bad habit.

No, I got him right here. I just can't get around.

Hey.

You're leaning on my car.

Oh, really?

You're causing static on my set. I can't get the scores.

Maybe your antenna need adjusting.

Hey. Hey, see how that works.

The name's Bruce, and this kid don't need no more of your chump change.

He just retired from the numbers game.

You listen to me, slick dog.

You're missing something that's way out of your league. And you, kid, you're

making a big mistake.

You got this, neighborhood.

Who's that guy?

Matty Todd, sir.

When you live like I live, Matty's the man you deal with, you know what I mean?

No, I don't. Why don't you tell me?

He's a kingpin.

You know, all neighborhoods got him. It's just that he's bigger than most.

More fingers and more pies.

He's always on the lookout for something extra.

So what about the law?

Come on, Matty's smart. He's got a legitimate business he uses as a front.

Restaurant supply place, probably.

A good cover to wheel and deal.

So he knows all the angles, huh?

Oh, you bet.

But you know, Matty's usually cool. I've never seen him blow up like that.

You know what you did to his car back there?

Well, he's a mean man with a grudge.

Well, it don't scare me much.

In fact, it don't scare me at all. How do you get mixed up with him?

Do you ever hear of a thing called money?

That simple.

Money. Just like you need money to run that center.

Well, some people need money just to simply survive.

You know, to eat and stay alive in this crummy world.

Quite a speech.

You asked me, I told you.

Hey, this place is pretty cool.

Hey, I like you.

Hey, why don't you put your clothes by the rack?

I got to change. I got an appointment.

So, your mother have a lot of company, huh?

No. Not as much as she used to.

She's getting too old and the competition's getting a little too hot.

You done playing Dick Tracy?

Yeah, I'm through.

Sorry.

Sorry.

Sorry, you pumped a lot of iron.

I try to stay in shape.

Can you lift this one?

No, as a matter of fact, I can't.

It's good and likely to have a reminder that there are some things you just

can't do.

From us to Bruce, without you, there would be no us.

You can't read all them signatures.

He's with that. He's one of a kind.

So, what'd you do? Save their lives or something? You some kind of hero?

Nope, I didn't do nothing they wouldn't have done in the same situation.

So tell me, man, what's with that haircut?

It's part of my African heritage.

It's from the Mandinka tribe.

I wish I got a trim.

You're looking awful sharp.

I mean, there must be some errand you got to run.

Yeah, Miss Easton called. Say she got a license for us.

Oh, great. You going to pick it up?

Yeah, she working today.

On Saturday?

I suppose you just happen to have them flowers lying around, too.

Yeah, flowers is a nice way to say thank you. Are you sure you don't need me to

come along now? No, no.

I think I can handle this alone.

Well, don't get yourself into anything you can't handle.

I thought I might come by and pick up the license.

Well, I'm glad you did.

The big barn gets pretty lonely on Saturdays.

Just happened to have these for you.

Oh, they're lovely.

How nice. Thank you.

Would you like a cup of coffee? I have some made.

Yes, ma'am.

Good.

These are going to be perfect on my mantle.

Here you go.

Nice looking dude.

That's my husband.

He was killed in Vietnam.

It was a nice place to be.

You were in Vietnam?

Yes, ma'am. The Marine.

Then you must have been lifted.

Only to stay out of jail.

The judge gave me a choice of signing up or doing time.

Doing time. I see.

I've been on my own since I was ten.

I wasn't exactly your model citizen.

Well, you certainly seem to be making up for that now.

Just trying to do right.

It's a promise I made to myself when I was in Vietnam.

Not everybody keeps those promises.

That's why the carnival is so important.

It's part of the promise.

Well, at least you have your license.

Now all you got to do is get people to come.

I'm afraid that won't be easy.

No, it won't.

Come on, what are you telling me? You don't need a thousand bucks?

Hey, hey, everybody needs a thousand bucks. Don't kid yourself.

All right, now you're exercising your right to good judgment.

25 tickets.

Have a nice day.

Ah, ladies, ladies.

We're talking a major event. That's right. We're talking fun. We're talking

games. We're talking music. We're talking muscles. You know, kangaroos.

Toughest man in the world.

Big muscles.

Yeah.

Yeah, now we're talking money.

Yeah, Steve, why don't you just pretend this is an awful you can't refuse.

Great.

What about the date?

You want me to bring a date?

Sure, why not?

All right.

What about another couple?

Don't you have some friends?

Another couple? Yeah, that's a good idea.

I'll bring another couple.

Steve,

what about your mother?

No, Bruce.

Not my mother.

I definitely do not want to bring my mother.

You're right, Steve.

I like you.

I talked to the guy at Ready Meats. He's going to deliver the hot dogs directly

to the gym tomorrow afternoon.

Good, good. Still got a lot to do. What's the count?

Ashton Richards, 91 tickets.

Andy Castellone, 29 tickets. Flip Bartholomew, 36.

Eddie Morgan, 42.

Billy Green, 365.

Hold it. Wait a minute. How do you still have so many tickets?

All right.

Let's hear it for Charming Billy Green.

Pretty good, don't you think?

I feel like I'm being used.

Tanker, I told Booz that we... Hey, man, you're building a whole carnival around

me, and I don't like it. I made a deal.

Charlie, are you my manager?

Of course.

How many other clients you got?

None. Man, don't forget it.

Tanker, we got it. We got nothing.

Brubaker, you got 30 minutes tomorrow, understand?

One half hour, and I'm out of here.

Better than nothing.

All right, guys, take it back up.

What a jerk.

Yeah. Some people don't have that celebrity thing too well.

Yeah, you ought to enter that contest. Take him down a notch or two.

Hey, man, that's a tough dude.

You're crazy.

I'm not crazy.

I saw what you did to them four guys at the club.

Ain't no way Tanker leaves his company now.

It's true. He may not be my favorite person in the world, but that still

don't give me a reason to fight him.

How about $100,000?

$100,000 what?

Top prize in the tough man contest.

Think about it.

Hey, Bruce, somebody wants to see you in your office.

It's the man.

Well, then I keep the man waiting.

What do you mean, give all the money back?

It was obtained under false pretenses. It's got to be returned.

If it is and there are no complaints, we just might not prosecute.

I got a license from the city.

Yeah, but it's not a license to swindle.

I don't know what you're talking about, Sergeant.

And that's the truth.

In fact, I don't think I want to know.

Brubaker, right now there are at least 20 people who know, who know that

they're going to win that $1,000 draw.

What do you mean they know they're going to win?

One of your gang told them the draw was rigged. It's not a game.

One of your little angels then told them that they bought 25 tickets, that their

number was guaranteed to come up.

His name was Billy Green.

Billy? That's the name.

Get yourself a real loser there, Mr. Brubaker.

Right now, you better get busy and make sure that everybody gets their money

back. And I'll take that. It's been revoked.

Billy Green!

Boy, you're a liar. You swindled those people on tickets and now you're trying

to swindle us.

I just... You just killed any hope we had of keeping this son alive.

I thought I... You didn't think about nothing but yourself.

We trusted you, boy.

Everyone in this center trusted you. Then you bring the cops in and think we

were part of your scam.

Now get out of here.

Get out of my center.

Get out of my apartment.

And get out of my life.

You're a sinner.

Why don't I just warm this up?

What is

it?

Just a picture.

Somewhere out there, there is a way for you to keep the center going.

Billy seemed to think that you might have a chance at the tough man contest.

I don't know about that.

Well, he's been bragging about what you did to those four men at the club. And I

saw what you did to that door in the mayor's office.

I ain't too proud about that, ma'am.

Well, no.

You shouldn't be.

But it does show a rather strong potency for self-actualization.

What's that?

That's what my mom used to call bullish determination.

You know, I really don't have much of an appetite.

Maybe I'd better leave.

Just don't sell yourself short.

$100,000 would go a long way.

See you, okay?

A thousand dollars?

What was advertised?

But the prize is a hundred grand.

That's enough money to keep my center open for four years.

Plus, somebody's got to be the toughest man.

Bruce, you are my friend.

And you are the toughest man that I know.

But in the world?

I don't know.

Hey, Dick, I've got to give it a try.

And I need your help, buddy.

You want my help?

Come on.

I'm going to show you something.

You know, if you make it through the preliminary competition, you're still

going to have to face tanker weems, and those aren't fists at the end of his

arms. Those are wrecking balls.

That man knows his way around the ring. You still feel you can do it after this

little demonstration.

I'll back you.

You know, a good pro's got a dozen ways to embarrass you with his feet, his

gloves.

His feints, his experience.

How do you know about all this stuff?

I've been coming to places like this every Saturday morning since I was nine

years old. I'm what's known as a boxing aficionado.

What's that?

That's a guy who likes to watch other guys hit each other.

Man, I didn't fight that little guy.

Don't you worry about him. He can take care of himself.

He'll just worry about you.

Come on, Bruce.

Come on now. Put the pressure on him, Bruce.

Stay on your feet now. Come on, come on, come on.

A little balance there.

Go, Bruce. Come on.

Careful now.

Come on, Bruce.

for a change. Let's go.

Come on.

Come on. Don't back up.

Get him

now, Bruce.

Get him.

Whoa! Bruce! Bruce! Bruce! Bruce!

Stop! Stop! It's over. The round's over.

See what I mean? Even that little guy can blacken your eyes at will.

I was born with black eyes.

Don't get technical on me. You had enough.

Of what?

Of this. Your lesson. I wanted to show you that boxing is a science.

Man, Tinker ain't no scientist compared to that flea flicker. He's bigger,

slower, and more stationary.

Fighting him is going to be rough and tumble.

That's what I mean.

That's what

I mean.

Sex? Man.

Height? 5'11". Weight?

213.

doing? Taking a physical?

Uh, no, Ma. We are entering Bruce in the toughest man in the world competition.

Oh, terrific!

What didn't I think of that? Look at those muscles.

And that invincible person out. What do you mean we're entering him?

We're sponsoring him. How much?

A thousand dollars?

Tell me you're kidding.

A thousand dollars?

Honey, what were you thinking about?

Ma, I took him to the gym today and he's not bad.

not good enough.

Oh.

All right, Buster. If we're putting up our hard-earned money, you're going to

go to work, and I mean now.

You're going to cover up. You don't want him to hit you.

Then you're going to get him. You're going to hurt him so bad.

Here he comes. Here he comes.

Ha!

There he is.

Ha!

There he is.

Thank you.

You've got to defeat their minds before you can defeat their bodies.

You've got to go in there thinking like a tiger or you're going to get killed.

folks. Once again, this is Larry Burroughs reporting on the final phase

of today's grueling, toughest man in the world elimination.

As you can see, it's been a rough afternoon for many of the contestants.

But the stakes are high in this $100,000 tournament to see who earns the dubious

distinction of the chance to go one-on-one with our defending three-time

champion, Tanker Weems.

Dubious distinction takes on a whole new meaning when...

former Marine drill sergeant, lumberjack, and pro football player in

Canada until a minor altercation with the law forced his retirement.

Tanker, tell me, is it true that it took half the police force of Moose Jaw to

arrest you that time? No, it's not true.

It took the whole force.

And 27 of them little pipsqueaks are still in the hospital.

There you have it, folks.

Right from the champ himself.

But think about it.

Would you want to climb into the fight ring with Mr. Weems for a measly $100

,000?

Not me.

But now let's talk to the men who will.

We started out here this morning with over 200 contestants from around the

world.

Now the field is less than 20, and after the powerlifting, even fewer will

remain.

Powerlifting is one of our key events. It was one of the critical events which

brought Taker Weems to the title.

Weight selection is made by the... Ah!

There he is! Look at him!

Here's one of Chicago's own, Bruce Brubaker.

Ex-street fighter, former enlisted man, and presently sports director for one of

the local youth centers.

Hey, you guys. Look at this clown.

There's your friend.

Hey, my friend.

That's a turkey that racked up your car, Maddie.

Yeah, and you were along with it.

Making a real jerk of himself in that Halloween getup.

I don't know.

What do you think, kid?

About what?

He's got a chance in this competition.

Well, I saw him down at the South Chicago gym.

This little Walter Raitt really made a fool out of him.

The Walter Raitt, huh?

And here we go. The strongest men in the world.

Folks, eight have qualified to return here next Saturday for the final event.

I don't know.

This Bruce character looks pretty good to me.

What do people think of him?

He's pretty popular on the South Side.

Hey, Ray Fox.

Oh, yeah.

Shoe shine boys, grocery clerks, cleaning ladies.

You could lay off $250,000, $300,000 easy.

What are you thinking, Matty?

I'm thinking maybe we should get together with Tanker and his manager and

talk a little business.

I need a manager. I'm available.

I remember that, Bobby.

This is Mr.

Crick's idea.

You're ready from that time around to enjoy it.

Yeah. That's the only thing that's missing.

I'm telling you, kid, it's easier to catch flies with honey than it is with

vinegar.

All right.

Let him in.

Charlie, come on in.

Thank us.

Huh?

So, how were things?

It was great.

Yeah.

So great, in fact. I don't know why we're here. You're here because they

could be great.

Well, let me ask.

What does this title thing do for you?

100 Gs. Plus endorsements and auto shows and all like that. That way we do okay.

Yeah.

If you got a taste for chicken feet.

How would you like to be in on a half million action we think we can move on

you against Bruce?

Beanie wins a prelims.

At the going odds, ain't worth the trouble. I'm talking even odds. Maybe

better.

Who's the chump? The whole South Side.

I got an idea that'll sucker every loose buck in town.

How's it work?

Huh?

You tell me you're interested. I'll tell you how it works.

We're interested.

All right.

Now, what I'm proposing is this.

What would happen if Tanker here looked like he wasn't going into this title

match in a number one shape?

Little showbiz twist I got buzzing around in my head.

This Bruce character's already doing half our work for us with his monster

act.

What are you talking about?

Have you ever heard of a little thing called whiplash?

You're going to have an accident.

And this good Samaritan citizen I happen to know gets you this doc I happen to

know.

Press grabs it, makes a big deal about Tanker's condition.

And everybody lays heavy money on Bruce because he's in better shape. In the

meantime, we got ourselves the real winner.

In our pocket, healthy and happy.

Hey, Mom, if I give you this money, are you going to spend it on food or do you

want me to go buy it and bring it for you?

Why are you coming up with so much loot these days, Mr. Big Shot?

I'm putting it in your purse, Mom.

Just don't go spend it on booze or anything, okay?

What are you doing snooping around here?

The door was open. Can I talk to you?

You said it all at the center, man.

There ain't no way I deserved that. I'm sorry, Billy. I just lost my cool.

Yeah, I know you lost your cool in front of all them guys, too.

I only did it for you and them. I wanted you guys to like me.

I realize that now, Billy.

You were just trying too hard. And I had my hopes too high, so we both blew it.

Don't touch me.

Don't come near me, you muscle-bound fake.

I see right through you. You're always preaching to them guys, man, you gotta

go to school, you gotta learn.

You can't read or write two words, can you? You can't read and you can't write.

I saw what you did to the bill.

True, Billy.

I can't read or write.

That's why I refuse to let you or any kid from the center go through life with

the same handicaps that I got.

Well, you're just breaking my heart, man.

I don't need you or your stupid philosophies.

We need you.

So tough man thing was your idea.

I'd like for you to see it through with me.

I gotta go.

I'm coming up in the real world.

Got company coming

Hey

Bruce,

how's it going?

Man, I think I'm licked. Ah, come on. Come on. Hey, man, I mean it, Dick.

I train real hard.

I'm faster. I'm stronger.

But this wall got me beaten. I don't know why.

Hey, Bruce, look.

Come on.

You got to keep at it.

Hey, man, I've been here since 6 this morning. Here you come up at 10 o'clock

trying to give me some pep talk to get me to work harder. I don't know about

you, buddy. Just get over there. You got a wall to climb. Okay, come on.

Get ready.

Get tough.

bruise. Come on. Pull.

All right, now pull.

You got it.

Pull.

Okay, it's better.

Okay.

Okay, pal.

What you doing here?

The boy said that you wanted to see Billy. What happened?

He don't want nothing to do with me.

Says he's gonna make it on the streets now.

Seems that's my enemy.

I'm always fighting the streets.

Sure are.

The only chance you've got to keep by going is to concentrate on tomorrow.

Yeah.

What a long shot.

Bruce, you've been a long shot all your life.

Um, my mother gave me this charm when I went away to college.

Here.

You carry it with you tomorrow.

Good luck.

This is Larry Burroughs at the Chicago Coliseum. What air of excitement and

anticipation as we await the arrival of our eighth finalist in the toughest man

in the world competition.

Right now, our contestants are on the final leg of the 10K run, which will end

right here in the stadium.

But the real news today is the man one of them will face in the ring two weeks

from today in a free-for-all boxing match.

Tanker, I don't think there's a person watching who hasn't heard or read about

your auto accident and the medical updates on your whiplash.

How do you feel?

Well, Larry, I'm standing on my own two feet.

I guess we can say so far, so good.

What's the doctor's prognosis for your readiness in two weeks?

I don't think there's any spinal injury.

I'm prepared to let me pretty much decide for myself whether I'll be in

that ring.

The rules say that if you fail the show, you forfeit the match.

I can tell you one thing.

I'm not losing this title by default.

Isn't that great, folks? That's what true champions are made of.

Now, Tanker, let's talk about how this competition works.

As you know, Larry, it's mostly a test of endurance.

See who has the stamina to go against me. As I understand it, there will be no

recuperative breaks between events. The competitors will go directly from one

exhausting event to the next.

Ladies and gentlemen, the contestants are entering the arena.

As you know, Tanker, each of these events is time against performance.

The highest number of points going to the man who accomplishes the most in the

allotted time.

Hey, Bruce.

Bruce, where's the Bruce Brothers?

Looking good. Looking good. How do you see it?

We're tired.

We're tired.

Okay, you need to breathe. You got to get the oxygen for your muscles.

Thanks, Dick. I don't know what I do without oxygen. Sorry, I'm just getting

excited here. Now, long, steady pull.

Hang in there. Long, steady pull. Come on, let's go.

Why do they make them do everything so fast?

Why don't they let them rest?

It's the way it's designed. They're trying to wear them out.

Oh.

Oh, kid, looks like your man's losing his grip.

This has to be one of the toughest fields of contenders I have ever seen.

Four of the eight competitors have just tied with an incredible 111 push-ups

each in two minutes.

Banker, it certainly looks to me like we're going to have your work cut out

for you.

Sure is true.

Stop, Rose! Stop! Stop! It's the whistle! Stop!

That guy's brain is as big as his muscles. He'd be a millionaire.

Doyle just turned in 129 pinups, followed by Casey at 124 and Brubaker at

121. Brubaker got a bad break at the start when he slipped off the bar.

Yes, he did.

Remember now, bros, defeat their minds. Remember what Mom told you, defeat their

minds.

Hang on, hang on, it's okay, it's okay.

Of course, arm wrestling has no timers. The contest runs until four men have won

and four men have lost. But it is the final event before the all-important

obstacle course.

Come on, Bruce! Come on!

Not the worst.

Just tell me what I've got to do. Win.

Right now, there's two guys ahead of you on points. Second place isn't going to

do you a lick of good. But if you win the obstacle course, you move into first

place. Then you'll have your shot at tanker.

Tanker!

Tanker!

Okay,

guys, let's go. Let's go.

I'm going to get him.

He's the one.

Come on, come on. Come on. What are you doing?

A little gap here.

Runners to your positions.

Take your mark.

We'll be the first out of it now.

Doyle and Casey and Brubaker are all up at the same time. They're out together.

They're racing toward the wall.

Coming toward the wall, Casey and Doyle are on their way.

What happened?

What's the matter? What's going on?

Brubaker, where's Brubaker?

Let's get out of here.

Hey,

Matty. Hey, it's the dude.

It's like we struck gold.

One block alone.

That's great, but I got a guy here I think you should talk to.

Remember I told you about that little Walter Wade took Bruce apart down at the

South Chicago gym?

Yeah. Yeah, this is him. Got him.

He's got something to tell you.

Go ahead.

I kind of think old Bruce might be able to take Tanker.

He's putting 20 bucks on Bruce.

Wait. The way I heard it, you danced his pants off, took out the stitches.

Well, true enough.

The kid should have stuck around, though. This Bruce has got a flow, a

natural sense of boring in.

And he's training real hard.

Thought you should know.

Great.

Great. Fine time to find out.

Looks like I'm going to need some insurance.

A no-show for Mr. Match, Manny. If he's a no-show, all bets are off. We don't

make a dime.

Oh, yeah.

Bruiser's got to show.

We just got to make sure he ain't in such good shape.

Right?

Right.

Right.

Ain't nobody closing down my center for my kids.

They already did. They already did. They already did.

Somewhere out there, there is a way for you to keep the center going.

How about $100,000?

Top prize in the tough man contest.

Think about it. I can't read or write.

That's why I refuse to let you or any kid from the center go through life with

the same handicaps that I got.

Ma, I took him to the gym today, and he's not bad.

Not bad is not good enough.

Bruce, you've been a long shot all your life.

You're still going to have to face Tanker Weems, and those aren't fists at

the end of his arms. Those are wrecking balls.

Bruce.

You are my friend.

And you are the toughest man that I know.

But in the world, in the world, in the world... The dude's a kid's name.

He's moving inside, upstairs.

How about Big Time Billy Green?

Sure, why not?

Feeling any butterflies, kid?

What for?

Get up there.

You sure he's gonna be there?

Hey, I do my homework. They're all leaving from the club.

You guys go over to the club and wait. All right.

Give them a couple of minutes to get over there, and then you make the call.

Yeah, sure, the call.

Everybody listen up and listen good because I'm only going to say this once.

Whatever happens out there today, I want everybody to see and say that the kids

at my center reflect the good on the neighborhood.

Okay?

Hold it, hold it.

I don't mean okay like I'm asking for your opinion on something.

I mean okay like you better get it through your thick scars.

All right?

When he gets here, it's going to be a small tussle.

We slip the needle to him. He don't even know it.

Then we apologize all around.

You go off with him, and Tinker beats him to a pulp.

Get Bruce over here, kid.

You've got yourself a real great future.

We're going to win it for ourselves!

We're going to win it for ourselves!

All right! All right!

All right! All right, that's it!

You better get this!

Come on, hurry up. Come on.

It's Billy.

Hello? Hello, Bruce.

Yeah, this is Billy.

I am kind of in trouble.

Maddie's got me locked up.

Hold on, wait a minute. Come along.

This is Maddie.

The kid isn't joking. You want what's good for him, you get over here right

away.

Never mind where he is.

That's all taken care of. I'll let him go with you, okay? I just want to talk

to you first.

Don't worry. We'll get you to the fight.

Just go out. My limo's waiting for you. They know where to take you.

Yeah, sure. I'll put him back on.

Billy, stay cool.

I'll be right there.

It's coming.

All right.

I don't have time to explain.

Y'all take the bus to the stadium. I'll meet you there.

Where are you going?

It's Billy. I let him down once. I can't do it again.

I'll see y'all later.

Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.

Hang on, hang on. There's been a little change in plans. We're going to wait

here. He's going to go on ahead. We'll take the bus over to the stadium later.

Billy boy, let's get downstairs, huh? The party's about to go.

I think you should get the point, huh?

Yo, Matty, what's with all the muscle, man? I thought you said you were just

gonna zing him with the needle. Billy boy, I'm a man who believes in

insurance.

Depends on how much steam he needs letting out of him.

Yeah, at least a good crunch in the belly don't leave no permanent damage.

What kind of permanent damage is a needle gonna do?

Nothing you gotta bother your head with.

Hello, Matty.

Why aren't you guys at the Coliseum?

I, uh...

I think we ought to talk a little business.

Look for a minute.

What kind of business?

Well, you kept on about insurance.

Suddenly we ask ourselves, hey, what about our insurance?

We'd like a down payment before it gets in the ring.

I carry 50, 100 G's in my wallet.

This looks like a prosperous business.

You have a safe here?

Okay. Okay.

What if I big one show you I'm sincere?

Yeah,

I'd call that a nice gesture on your part.

Dick, hurry.

Who'd you call?

Nobody.

Grant. Mark, call the police and tell them to get down to Manny Thompson's

office as quick as possible.

Yeah. Taker, what are you doing here?

No. No, he's with them.

They're trying to dope you up before the fight.

And he's in on it with them.

The kid is leaving with me.

You and the kid are leaving when and how I say.

hundred thousand dollars.

We just were.

Let's go click.

I guess about time to get your knife back.

No, I don't need it. I thought you said your father gave it to you. I like.

But I'll never do it again.

How about ourselves?

Look, I got enough cars here. Let me take care of these bums. I'll give you a

ride down to Coliseum. Okay.

Come on, guys. Let's not keep our money wait.

Yes, because you have a youth center to run.

Hey, who is that guy? You don't know?

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Now, that's what I call getting down with our own bad self.

You guys are beginning to look good. Now, you see the difference when you

wait for the shot?

Outside, we're not so strong, but inside, we are deadly.

Now, you have been supervising the youth center since Mr. Denker resigned,

correct?

Yes, ma'am. I've been coaching Waterboy, too.

Are you aware that the youth center was supposed to be closed when Mr. Denker

left? But, Ms. Easton, the number of kids have more than tripled since I took

over. I don't take no salary.

Don't even want to. Mr. Rubegger, I feel that your efforts and your policies are

commendable.

But I'm afraid the city has a very closed mind about these things.

Ain't nobody closing down my center for my kids.

They already did.

Hey, man, you take it outside or bring it to me.

Right here.

I see right through you. You're always preaching to them guys. Now you gotta go

to school, you gotta learn.

You can't read or write two words, can you? You can't read and you can't write.

I saw what you did to the bill.

It's true, Billy.

I can't read or write.

That's why I refuse to let you or any kid from the center go through life with

the same handicap that I've got.

Well, you're just breaking my heart, man.

But the prize is a hundred grand.

That's enough money to keep my center open for four years.

Plus, somebody's got to be the toughest man.

Bruce, you are my friend.

And you are the toughest man that I know.

But in the world?

I don't know.

We'll be the first out of this now.

Doyle, Casey, and Brubaker, they're all up at the same time. They're out

together, they're racing toward the wall.

Coming toward the wall, Casey and Doyle are on the...

We'll make a movie.