Original subtitles

Turn over to the right.

You're squinting. Don't look into the sun. Look at the camera.

Okay, run your fingers through your hair.

Open your eyes, wide open.

One hand on your hip.

And smile.

Well, we are finished here. These will be great.

- Thank you, Bunny. - Well, go have fun with your boyfriend.

He's waiting so patiently.

- So Armond, what'd you think? - Beautiful as ever.

So you can spend a few more days here?

No, you know l have to get back to work.

Well, we'll just have to make the most of the time we have.

Maybe l'll come back some day.

- Hello, lrving. - Good afternoon, Bettie.

- How was your trip? - lt was fabulous,

but you know l always miss New York.

Well, you're too late today, so you'll have to come back tomorrow.

How was your week?

Weeks are better when l put out pictures of you.

Stop joshing me. See you tomorrow.

Chop chop. Time is money.

l'm ready if Paula is.

Bettie, are you ready?

l am, lrving, but can we please have some music?

There's no time for that. We are ready to shoot.

l'm ready!

All right, action!

And cut. Okay, we're done.

Everybody, same time, same place, tomorrow.

lrving? lrving?

Do you mind if l get paid now instead of the end of the week?

lf l give you an advance, can you do some other shoots tomorrow?

l've been getting some special requests.

Sure, l'll be there.

Thank you.

- You look so pretty with your tan. - Thank you.

Do you think l can go to Florida with you next time?

- Maybe, if you're nice. - l'll be nice.

Oh, l see how nice you are.

So, Marvin,

what do you say that we study our script

for tomorrow's audition?

- All right. - Okay?

- Yeah. - All right.

l'll be back.

Okay, one for you.

All right, let's go.

You know how l feel about you,

with your raven hair and bronze skin.

But you know we cannot marry.

Father would never hear of it.

He has promised me to another.

Run away with me.

Sometimes l-- l don't think

you even see us as a couple.

l do.

l picture us happy...

in our home...

with the white picket fence,

two kids and a dog.

l do think that way about us.

You mean the world to me.

l see you in my dreams every night,

but then Father and Mr. Reynolds come and take me away from you.

Run away with me.

Okay.

- So l think we did pretty good. - Yeah.

l hope l get the part tomorrow.

You're gonna get bigger roles than that.

Look how popular your pictures are.

l know, but l wanna be an actress.

You will.

- You will. - Thank you for having faith in me.

So how do you like the new spurs?

l like them.

- What are we doing today? - You're tying the ropes.

Your hair looks great. Come on, let's go.

Come on Bettie, let's go.

Jack, we are all set.

Bettie, why don't you spank her with the hairbrush?

Great, Bettie. How about some stills?

Beautiful.

Oh, yeah.

Yeah, how about one more?

Perfect. Great.

- Nice job. - Thank you.

Why don't you go get changed? And Jack, why don't you pack up?

We'll go meet lrving and get something to eat.

- Thank you. - Yeah.

- Yeah, should be fine. - l think it will be too.

Okay.

Okay, lrving, what are they saying about "Teaserama"?

Well, let's see.

"'Teaserama' stars stripper Tempest Storm.

Other girls include Chris LaChris,

Twinnie Wallen, Vicki Lynn,

Cherrie Knight, and Trudy Wayne.

Bettie Page as the showcard girl is underrated.

She has the beauty, the build, and the presence to steal my heart.

Her expressions are classic,

and she's more amazing in motion than she is in her stills.

Miss Storm is one of the biggest tease artists of all time.

You can see why she is such a delight.

However, Miss Page steals the scene as Miss Storm's maid."

Wow.

And here's some more about you, Bettie.

"'Teaserama' is the biggest burlesque film ever.

The sexy Tennessee tease Miss Bettie Page

teams up with that hurricane of delight, Miss Tempest Storm

in a boudoir bit that scorches the screen.

l'm convinced that there will never be another like Bettie.

Forget the comics. They're awful.

And enjoy the ladies. Bettie Page completely outshines the rest."

- Bettie. - Y'all have very big imaginations.

Hey, listen to this.

"l was pleasantly surprised

by the fresh, sexy, and flirtatious 'Teaserama.'

Miss Page always seems to be having a good time--

the most attractive and alluring woman ever."

Here, and what about this one?

"With her girl-next-door smile and hourglass figure,

Bettie Page performs two stylized dance numbers.

As a favorite photographer's model

and a girlie film cutie, she isn't a real stripper,

but rather a lovely 'come-on girl."'

Bettie, you're a star.

lrving, you're being silly.

Let's just enjoy our dinner.

Could you pass me the water, lrving?

- Yeah, sure. - Want some wine, sweetie?

- Yeah, l'll have some wine. - Here you go, Bettie.

Hello? lrving.

Yes.

So you saw Bettie in a magazine.

Yes.

Well, how can l help you?

Screen test?

Hollywood?

For Howard Hughes?

l think she would love to do a screen test.

The number is Greenwich-543...

Hello, Miss Page. l hope your flight was a pleasant one.

- lt was, thank you. - Well, good.

- Right this way, then. - Okay, thank you.

Here are some costumes to try on. Pick whatever you like.

Okay. Thank you.

Come in.

Mr. Hughes, Miss Page is changing right now.

Thank you, Jimmy. That'll be all for now.

Okay, just tell us about yourself.

Okay. Hey there, my name is Bettie Page.

l am 5'5" tall.

l have black hair and blue eyes.

l live in New York City.

l'm originally from Tennessee.

l was the second runner-up

in the Miss New York Pageant in 1 951 ,

and uh...

l guess that's it. Thank you.

Great. Thanks. We're done here.

Well, thank you. So do l meet Mr. Hughes now?

We thank you very much for your time, but Mr. Hughes has left for the day.

Okay, did you want me to come back tomorrow?

Actually, we're done. So you can change,

and have a safe flight back to New York.

Thank you.

Run away with me.

Sometimes, l wonder if you ever see us as a couple...

together, happy,

in our home...

with a white-picket fence,

two kids and a dog.

l do see us that way.

l think about you every night in my dreams

and it's wonderful,

but then it turns into a nightmare

when Mr. Reynolds and my father come and take me away from you.

Run away with me.

You all right, Bettie?

lrving had me do the strangest thing today.

He had me down on all fours,

with this leather harness on my head.

You couldn't even tell it was me.

You know, l wish you didn't even do the bondage stuff.

Marvin, you know l have to do the bondage.

l don't get paid if l don't do it.

l don't get hurt and it pays twice as much as the regular stuff.

Yeah, l know, but l mean, maybe--

maybe that's why Howard Hughes never called you back.

l thought we agreed not to talk about my trip to L.A.

- l'm sorry. - lt's okay.

lt's just-- l wanna be an actress, Marvin.

l'm not getting anywhere.

All right, you know what? Why don't we skip the review?

Who cares what a bunch of stupid critics think, anyway?

What matters is that you and l had fun.

No, l wanna hear it.

All right.

"The dry drama 'Lovers Down the Lane'

starring Mr. Marvin Greene and Miss Bettie Page,

will pass with no more notice than this.

While Mr. Greene's performance is adequate,

Miss Page attempts to play a Boston socialite

with a Tennessee accent.

This pin-up model ought to leave her clothes at home."

l can't believe this. l'm going home.

Bettie. Bettie.

All right, Peggy, you're all set.

Bettie?

Do l pass muster?

Well, you will with one more pair of panties.

- One more? l've already got two. - You know l can't have any hair visible

- down there. - All right,

give me a minute.

- Paula, are you ready? - As ready as l'll ever be.

The cameras are all set up and loaded.

All right, everyone, let's go.

That was great, ladies.

We have time for one more.

- Okay. - Okay.

Does my hair look all right?

Looks good, let's go.

Bettie, we have a session next week in the woods.

- Are you interested? - Sure.

Good.

So, wanna go meet those other photographers later?

- ls that tonight? - Yes.

Sure, just let me get changed.

Good evening, ladies. So nice you could join us.

- Good. Hello. - Hi there.

- Hello. - Can l...

get you something to drink?

- Sure. - How about for you?

- l would love a root beer. - A root beer?

Oh, that can't be right. Let me make you something stronger.

- Cigarette? - Thanks.

Nah, l don't smoke, thank you.

Just use the glass as a prop. You don't have to drink it.

Well, you boys are so cute. l guess it would be okay.

Well, what do you say?

- Wanna take some pictures, l guess? - Mm-hmm.

Oh, that's very nice.

- You look very friendly. - Just one little sip?

For me?

Oh, see?

- Cheers. - This is her first time.

Why don't you two get friendly?

Very nice.

Okay.

Peggy.

Turn around.

lt's hot in here, isn't it?

Button button, who's got the button?

- How many buttons do you got? - One.

One.

Two.

- Three. - Give me three.

- Are my two Janes ready? - Ready as l'll ever be.

- Ready as can be. - Love the bikini, Bettie.

Thank you, l made it myself.

Cut.

Jeanne, take that gag out of her mouth.

Are you all right? Do you need a minute?

Yes, please.

All right, let's get the stills done so we can get her down from there.

Okay, Jeanne, try spanking her.

Great.

Uh, one more.

Great.

That should do it.

Hi, we're with the FBl. l'm Agent Burke.

- This is Agent Swanson. - What's this all about?

We need to ask you some questions about lrving Klaw.

- lrving's done nothing wrong. - And how do you explain these?

These pictures were taken by some camera club photographers.

lrving didn't even take those pictures.

Here's a subpoena. You can explain that all in court.

Ma'am.

Pin-up king lrving Klaw was summoned to testify

before the Senate Obscenity lnvestigation Committee Thursday.

Tennessee Senator Estes Kefauver accused Klaw

of distributing pornography, contributing

- to the delinquency of minors. - Ladies and gentlemen,

l call this

the worst pornography

of any kind!

Mr. Klaw sells fetish, bondage, whipping

and torture photographs of women from his downtown New York shop.

According to Kefauver, the photos are obscene by any reasonable standard.

Because in any other words,

these images are obscene.

These images are immoral

in any standard we hold

in this country.

When questioned about the 1 2-year-old girls on his mailing list,

Klaw claimed they only request photographs of movie stars,

like Jimmy Stewart or Doris Day.

l assure you that these are for movie star stills only.

They are not cross-referenced with our other customers.

Klaw denied selling nude photographs,

insisting that he frequently made his models

wear multiple articles of the same type of clothing.

ln the entire history of my company Movie Star News,

neither myself nor my sister Paula Klaw

have produced, advertised or distributed

any photos containing nude models.

Earlier, Dr. William Olson, a psychiatrist,

testified that Mr. Klaw's cartoon and model parade catalogue

intends to stimulate people erotically in an abnormal way.

Mr. Kefauver summed up the day's proceedings saying to Mr. Klaw,

"Your products fall into a twilight zone of obscene material."

You're still here?

Pardon me. l'm here to testify.

They all left hours ago.

lt's 1 :00 in the morning.

l wish somebody would've told me something.

Come with me. l will unlock the door so you can go home.

How are you doing, lrving?

Are we gonna start shooting again?

Bettie, l'm not going to be shooting

any more pictures or movies.

Well, you're cleared of all charges.

- Why not? - l'm just too tired.

l'm really sorry, Bettie.

Good luck.

Well, thank you for everything.

You too, sweetheart.

Okay. Take care.

Okay.

Bye.

Oh, God!

Hi, operator? May l have the police, please?

Thank you.

Last time. Just stand here,

we will go that direction, and we will be watching you the entire time.

- Okay. - Do you have any questions?

No. No, l think l got it.

Great. Let's get into position.

We'll be at your side the moment someone goes for the package.

- Okay. Okay, l'm ready. - Okay.

Oh, God.

Hi, yes, operator? Yeah, Miami Beach,

50-432.

Okay, thank you.

- Hello? - Armond?

- Hi, it's Bettie. - Hey, Bettie.

- How are you? - Fantastic. l've thought of you.

Well, l've been thinking of you too.

What about your boyfriend? ls he there?

No, l'm not seeing him anymore.

l miss you.

l miss you too.

So how is New York?

Well, actually l was thinking about making a trip to Miami.

l just wanted to make sure you were there.

You wanna move to Miami?

Move to Florida? Yeah, right.

Where would l live?

You can live here. l've got a pretty big place.

l can't live with you, not unless we get married.

We could always get married.

Well, we would have to get reacquainted first.

Yes, l know.

Okay, we'll talk about it when l get there.

Okay. l'm looking forward to seeing you.

Okay okay.

- l'll see you soon. - Have a safe trip, all right?

- All right. - Okay?

Okay, l'll see you soon.

- Bye, Armond. - Bye.

Armond, it's New Year's Eve.

Can't we go out dancing?

We don't ever do anything.

What do you want me to do?

Look, all you care about is eating hamburgers,

watching movies and having sex.

At least l'm satisfied with what l have.

You know, we've been married five weeks and l'm already regretting this.

l am bored to tears.

You know, l never have trusted that bunch, though they tried to get close to me.

You know l don't hate colored folks, don't you, Archie?

Yes, sir, governor.

l ever tell you about old Carlton McKinness?

He's a old colored handyman around our place when l was growing up.

He must've been 80 years old.

llliterate.

We loved him like one of our own family.

Old Carlton got it into his head one time that he wanted to live up there...

...in Detroit with a daughter of his.

So we finally gave him a little money.

Wasn't long, though...

...before he showed up again at our back door.

He said:

''The way those folks live up there is something terrible.''

But....

We were as glad to see him as he was to see us.

When he got too old to get around...

...we'd take stuff down to him, to his little place.

And, like, every Christmas or so.

And l can still see old Carlton...

...just trembling and laughing when we'd tote in those hams to him.

Old Carlton.

Made us mighty sad when he passed on.

We sure loved him.

He loved us too.

What's the matter? You all right?

Oh, yeah.

Believe me, l know it's hard losing a daddy.

You better get on to bed now.

Yes, sir.

That, uh, Martin Luther King, you ever seen him preach, Archie?

No, sir.

l never quite had the chance.

l've never seen him myself, actually.

l mean live, in person.

But the federal court's probably gonna let him make his march...

...from Selma anyhow in the end.

Expect we'll both be seeing him out there on that capital lawn sooner or later.

Despite everything.

Seems like hardly any way to hold them back finally.

Well....

See you in the morning.

Yes, sir.

ln the dusty roadsand streets of this state.

Yes, sir.

So l stand before you this afternoon...

...with the conviction that segregation is on its deathbed in Alabama...

...and the only thing uncertain about it...

...is how costly the segregationists and Wallace will make the funeral.

--all over Alabama that prevents a Negro from becoming a registered voter.

No, we will not allow Alabama to return to normalcy.

-Because no lie can live forever. Yes, sir.

How long? Not long.

Because you shall reap what you sow.

That's right.

How long? Not long. Not long.

KlNG: Truth forever on the scaffold Wrong forever on the throne

Yes, sir.

Yet that scaffold sways the future

And, behind the dim unknown Standeth God within the shadow

Keeping watch above his own

KlNG: How long? Not long. -You tell them.

Because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.

-How long? Not long. Because: Not long.

Mine eyes have seen the glory Of the coming of the Lord;

He is trampling out the vintage Where the grapes of wrath are stored;

I do believe

We shall overcome someday

All right.

How'd it all go up in Cleveland, governor?

Hey, just like l figured. That march of King's only made folks more for us.

Auditorium up there was plumb packed.

You'd just go to say something, and damn...

...those folks would be out of those seats hollering.

You should've seen it.

Public works secretary needs you to call him as soon as you can.

That fella from Newsweek has called three times already.

American Legion has added a second appearance. First one is sold out.

l scheduled a conference with the Alabama Women's League...

...on Thursday morning at 1 0.

What's this?

Captain Alexander sent that over this morning.

Look at that, boys. How about that?

We just put that right over here.

-Get that Newsweek fella on the phone. SECRETARY: Yes, sir.

Yeah, all these magazine writers...

...they always calling me and asking me how l wanna be remembered by history.

History can take care of itself.

The governor of Alabama, he's just going on ahead.

Ain't you forgetting a little something, Wallace?

You can't just go on ahead. Not as governor, anyway.

Four-year term's all you get.

State constitution says you can't succeed yourself.

-You remember that little technicality? -We just gonna have to fix that.

After coming all this far, l gotta hold on to this public office...

...to keep this national thing going.

Sort of my aircraft carrier for launching the whole thing.

l ain't governor, suddenly l'm in oblivion.

l ain't nothing.

Can't be running for president in '68 like that.

Now, l've been thinking...

...what l'm gonna do is call an emergency session of the legislature.

Have them draw up a little amendment...

...for the people to vote on, wiping that thing out of the constitution.

Well, now, Wallace, you may be going a little too far this--

Let me get this straight, now.

You wanna call an emergency session...

...for a constitutional amendment so you can succeed yourself?

Legislature's gonna be a little bit reluctant to go along with that one.

Yeah, well, the people won't be.

Goddamn, boys, what's the constitution, anyway?

The people are the first source of power.

l sure as hell ain't letting a few pissant legislators...

...get between me and the people on this.

Anybody opposing us...

...l'll just damn well cut off state funds to every project in their counties.

Roads, colleges, clinics, everything l have to.

Governor, you're the one that put a lot of them things there in the first place.

Yeah, and l can damn well take them back too.

-That's all getting a little rough, George. -Billy...

...you don't seem to understand.

l'm gonna be running for president of the United States in 1 968.

Here l got to waste some time now just fighting to stay alive.

And we got to go all-out to get this thing fixed fast.

Because l got a whole lot bigger fish to fry.

You see, it's about 2 centimeters by 4 centimeters, and as you can see....

-Well, you can see it in this one better. No-- -Jeff, Jeff, just....

Yeah.

Sorry, George.

Now, l'm sure you remember when Lurleen gave birth to little Lee.

And we did a cesarean, and we found some growths, and, uh....

-Well, several pathologists examined them. -Yeah.

-They just weren't sure-- -They were wrong, Jeff.

No. Listen to me, George.

They weren't wrong.

-They just weren't sure, but now, in fact-- -You're not telling me that....

l am.

l am afraid that l am telling you that she has cancer.

And, well, we're gonna have to do a rather extensive--

Well, a hysterectomy, you know.

Damn it, George, if we'd have found that tumor in time--

-lt's just-- -Well, she is gonna be just fine.

l know her.

Always been a tough little gal.

She'll whup this thing.

-She know yet? -No.

We gonna have to tell her, George.

All right, then.

l guess you better tell her, Jeff. l mean, l couldn't.

Yeah, no, all right now. All right, no, l understand, George.

You just wait right here.

Order.

Ladies and gentlemen, please come to order.

l call for order.

Please respect that, folks.

Neither do you, sir. Neither do you!

Ladies and gentlemen, please listen to me.

l asked for order.

Citizens of Alabama...

...l am here to ask the members of this body before you tonight...

...do you trust the people to have the sense to decide...

...whether a governor can succeed himself in this state...

...or is it you're afraid to let the people vote on that?

So l challenge this body.

Send this amendment for letting the governor succeed himself.

Send it on to the people of Alabama to vote on.

Let the people speak.

Wallace, Wallace, Wallace....

Hi, honey.

Why, George, you came all the way out here?

Figured this is where l'd find you.

Feeling some better?

Just fine.

l decided to let them handle the state themselves for a while.

Seems what they set on anyway.

l am sorry you didn't get that amendment.

Maybe this time you were a little too overbearing, honey.

You know, make them feel bullied?

They still have some pride too, you know.

-Anyway, l don't mean to be-- -You know that, uh, operation?

lt's gonna take care of everything.

Don't you worry about that.

What is it, George?

You wanna ask me something, don't you?

We need that office.

To keep on campaigning for president...

...we got to have the name Wallace out there as governor.

l see.

You'll make just a dandy governor, honey.

l'm gonna be right there helping you all the way.

-The power behind the throne. -Exactly.

Exactly. We just come too far now to let all this--

No, George.

Only reason, it'll be because l love you.

We better be going, huh? You about through here?

l guess l am.

LURLEEN: --and build more and better schools for your children...

...and great parks for your families.

And l promise you, l will.

So l am happy to offer the voters of Alabama...

...the opportunity for enjoying a continuation...

...of the progress and honest government...

...which has been so much in evidence during the administration of my husband.

With his wise counsel to call upon and God's help...

...l pledge to you that we will continue to stand up for Alabama together.

And l shall do my duty to you with conviction.

And l shall make you a good governor.

MAN: We love you, Lurleen.

And now, may l, at this time, present to you...

...the man who will be my number one assistant...

...my husband and your governor--

God bless you both!

--George C. Wallace.

-Good crowd tonight, give them hell. -Oh, you know l will.

-How you doing? Good job. -l'm gonna wait in the car.

No, no, stay here, honey. lt won't look good.

Billy, go on over and walk Lurleen to the car.

Thank you. How y'all doing?

All right.

-And l wanna let y'all in on something... WOMAN 2: What's that, George?

...that l haven't told you yet.

And all you married folks will know what l'm talking about here.

My wife's been actually running that show up there in Montgomery anyway...

...for the last three years.

She's just agreed to let me help her for the next four years, now.

Well, Billy, l guess l'm to be just one of the boys now, huh?

Are you all right?

-l been a little worried about you here lately. -Oh, hell, l'm getting along.

-lt's you that concerns me, Lurleen. -Oh.

Too many cigarettes.

Too much coffee.

l'm probably a hell of a one to talk, but l'm worried about you.

l'm fine.

l mean, aren't l?

l never knew so many people in Alabama chewed tobacco.

Seems they all for me.

-Yeah, they all kissed you too. -Heh.

-Thank you. -No, you doing just fine, honey.

They say she's only making this race for the office so l can run....

You know, this campaigning can take a hell of a lot out of anybody.

l promised George.

Well, l made that little varmint.

He knows l can unmake him.

l'm gonna talk to him about lightening up on you a little bit.

lt wasn't supposed to involve you.

lt's gone too far. l don't like it a damn bit.

No, it's what l promised to do.

Least....

Least it will be one way finally to be spending more time together.

Can't beat them, join them, huh, Billy?

Would you mind shutting the door? l'm gonna try to rest a little bit.

Sure, little girl.

Anyhow, l'll let you all in on a little secret...

...these bigtime national politicians, like Lyndon Johnson, Humphrey and Nixon...

...they don't hang their pictures on the wall....

Today, the eyes of the nation are on Alabama...

...because Alabama is making of herself an example of leadership...

...and is contributing toward a strengthening of our nation.

Today, wherever you may be...

...be proud to be called an Alabamian.

We have always taken pride in the great people we represent.

We have always endeavored to stand in the front ranks for you...

...in defense of your philosophy.

lt is because of our respect...

...for the great people of Alabama and for their principles...

...that we have often said that we see no reason why a man from Alabama...

...would not make just as good a president as a man from New York.

Yeah! -Or California.

PEOPLE: Yeah! -Or maybe a better one than from Texas.

Yeah!

President Johnson's only encouraging these mass demonstrations.

And l tell you this.

l'll tell you this, when you elect me your president...

...a bunch of anarchists wanna lie down in front of my automobile...

...l'm gonna cure them of lying down in front of automobiles ever again.

l'll tell you that much.

When some street thugs go out...

...and murder a bunch of people and burn down half a city...

...the pseudo-intellectuals claim it's because they didn't get enough broccoli to eat...

...when they were little boys.

Or didn't get any watermelon when they were 1 0 years old.

Common, ordinary folks in this country work hard...

...save their money, teach their children to respect the law.

PEOPLE: That's right.

We people in the South feel it's gonna take the good people...

...and the rest of the country all combined...

...to force this country back to sanity.

WALLACE ...O VER RADlO... : Because they all had enough...

...of these hippies and beatniks, atheists...

...civil-rights agitators, welfare cheats and anti-Vietnam rioters...

...overrunning this government.

We're not going to allow hundreds of American servicemen...

...to be killed every week in Southeast Asia.

That's right. Throw something else.

You're a real fella, throwing things.

You better throw them now...

...because you're not gonna throw them after November 5th, l guarantee you that.

You may can chant here against us in Vietnam...

...but if you lived in North Vietnam, you couldn't chant for this country over there...

...l assure you of that.

And anybody stands up and waves a Vietcong flag...

...and says they long for victory by the Vietcong...

...and goes out raising blood and money for the Vietcong...

...against our American servicemen over there...

...then they ought to be drug by the hair on their heads before a grand jury...

...and indicted for treason, because that's what they're guilty of.

RlCKY: Could we clear the room, please, ladies and gentlemen?

Officers, open the door there, let's get some air in here.

Please, just clear the room.

Look at me.

You were always first, Lurleen.

l know that, George.

Deep down here, you're always first, you know?

Ever since...

...l first walked into that dime store and saw that--

Shh.

And l've always known that...

...deep down too, honey.

lt's all right.

l do know you.

lt's who l've always loved.

My blessing will always go with you, George.

Through whatever, it'll be all right.

Oh, God.

Please, let me live.

l wanna live.

But if l can't live...

...please, give me the strength and faith...

...to face whatever l have to face now.

Lurleen?

Lurleen?

Jeff. Jeff.

ls she gone?

l'm afraid so, George.

Say, that's who?

Oh, her?

-She's just a friend l met, George. -Mm-hm.

-What's her name? -She a runner-up Miss Alabama.

Waterskiing champion at Cypress Gardens.

Country singer too.

Sang backup to Roy Acuff.

Don't say.

Been to Hollywood.

Got a divorce.

George, Lurleen, she been gone more than a year and a half now.

A man needs a woman, governor.

All these road bunnies not enough.

Get you into trouble real fast.

That is one hell of a splendid beast of a woman.

Mm-hm.

Hello, Gerald, T.Y.

-Howdy. -Welcome aboard. Here.

Let me help you dry off, sweetie.

Cold, huh? Heh, heh, heh.

Ahem. This here's my brother, George.

Yes, of course.

Everybody knows him.

GERALD: Everybody.

Well, that feels awfully good, governor.

Why don't you turn around, then?

We've met before, you know.

l was wearing a night gown?

l met your wife Lurleen then too.

She said l had a lovely name and gave me a kiss.

Of course, l looked a lot taller than you at the time...

...riding as l was on the shoulders of my uncle.

Son of a....

Folsom. You were riding on Big Jim's shoulders?

You're Big Jim Folsom's niece?

Mm-hm.

And my name?

-Cornelia. -Heh, heh, heh. Yes.

Cornelia, yeah, that little girl?

Well, l'll be damned.

But l've grown up now.

RlCKY: Here she is, here she is.

Bring that camera over here now and get ready. Cornelia, Cornelia, honey.

Cornelia, honey. Tell the gentlemen what it's like to be at your first convention.

Oh, well, this is my first time at a national political convention...

...as the wife of a candidate.

l believe l'm the only candidate's wife...

...who's traveled with her husband to every single campaign stop.

lt's all been very exciting.

...SHOUTlNG lNDlSTlNCTLY...

Mr. Chairman, and delegates to the Democratic National Convention...

...ladies and gentlemen.

l do appreciate this chance to address the convention tonight...

...though l guess l've already spoke to one political rally too many this year.

But anyway, I'd like to point out...

...that as a result of our campaign...

...other politicians are beginning to say identically the same thing we been saying.

And you gonna be hearing even more in the years ahead, I guarantee you that.

The average citizen is sick and tired of their tax money...

...going to every country from A to Z that spits in our face in the United Nations...

...and actively aids our enemies in Vietnam.

And to wind up my brief remarks, ladies and gentlemen...

...l just wanna say that l believe in quality of education.

l wanna see the American dream realized by everyone in this country...

...but every poll shows that 75 to 85 percent of the American people...

...are against the senseless, asinine busing of little school children...

...to achieve racial balance throughout the United States.

l can tell you...

...that any party that doesn't confront this issue...

...and confront it in the right manner...

...is going to be in jeopardy as far as success is concerned...

...this coming November.

l'm here because l wanna help the Democratic Party.

l want it again to become the party of the average citizen in this country.

As it used to be.

And not the party of the intellectual, uh, pseudo-snobbery...

...that has controlled it for so many years.

Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen.

Are you sure you don't want any champagne?

No.

What time you want us tomorrow?

Ten.

TROOPER 2: Ten it is. -Cheers.

That'll be all for tonight.

TROOPER 1 : Good night. -Good night.

How come those two fellas all the time with you these days?

Because l need protection.

l have to do a lot of traveling for you now.

Well....

After that speech of mine tonight, l don't know how damn much it really matters.

Didn't seem to connect there.

Couldn't connect.

Honey, no, no.

You were great.

There's nothing left you need to prove.

They know who George Wallace is.

And you were there.

And for actually making it here to give that speech...

...we are gonna have our own celebration.

Just you and me.

Honey, what you doing?

l'm dancing with you.

l can't dance.

Well, l'll dance you like this for both of us.

Honey, l want to but l can't....

l missed you.

Hm?

-This ain't working, honey. -Yes, it can, honey.

Try to touch me.

Just touch me.

Ugh, ow!

What's--?

lt's burning, honey.

Oh, the pain.

Okay. lt's okay, l'm sorry.

l'm sorry.

lt's all right. lt's--

lt's all right.

Goddamn it.

Oh, it's like fire.

lt's like fire, honey.

-God, l'm sorry. -lt's all right.

lt's all right.

Come here.

CORNELlA: Where's George?

Hey, y'all, l'm home.

Eddie, you help with the rest of the bags back there in the trunk.

Come on. Hurry up, now.

Where is he? Honey?

Honey, l'm home.

Hurry up now, Eddie. l got to be at TV station in an hour.

Oh, honey, there you are.

Leave those in the middle. l'm gonna change quick.

EDDlE: Oh, excuse me, ma'am. Shall l open it for you, Miss Cornelia?

That's fine.

Oh, honey, if you just could've been with me in San Diego.

There were hundreds and hundreds at that dinner.

And l got up to speak and whoo!

Lord, you've never heard so much cheering in your life.

l expect l have.

And next week, the correspondents' banquet in Washington.

And a publisher up in New York wants to talk about my doing a book.

l got a call from a record company about doing an album of country ballads.

You believe that?

That's all you doing now.

You just running around on these TV shows and personal appearances.

You got your own starring role now.

Honey, it's all to help you.

You're running for president again in '76.

lt's gonna be your best time ever.

You've just been elected governor again and all. And so you got that base.

And you named a lot of blacks to state positions...

...so they can't throw that old race thing at you again.

That'll be all, thank you.

Besides, George, people gonna forgive you for all that stuff back then, anyway.

They feel for you because you were shot.

lt could turn out a political blessing, you know that?

What the hell are you saying?

You telling me this is a blessing?

Goddamn you, woman!

You-- Well, you just wanna keep riding me, don't you?

Just riding me, riding me, even though l'm like this now.

Don't you feel anything for me anymore at all?

l'm still your wife.

Yeah.

How you fitting your trooper boys into that?

You're my husband.

l threw my body over you to protect you from death.

l want you out of the mansion.

What?

Even taping my goddamn telephone calls.

Yeah, l did. l did, because you have shut me out so completely...

...it was the only way to find out if l still meant anything to you.

l want you gone from here.

And where am l supposed to go?

l have made you my whole life.

-l don't have anywhere else to go now. -Get out!

But you don't understand the emotion of loyalty or Lurleen.

-Lurleen and Uncle Jim. -You shut up.

You don't understand. No, you don't-- You don't understand.

-You don't understand. -Get out!

...CORNELlA SHOUTS...

You don't understand how l could still love you...

...just because you can't.

l want you out of here!

You won't let me keep loving you, because you can't trust that.

lt's like you wish l were playing around.

Because that's something you can understand...

...can trust and feel safe in.

And anger and fighting and hatred!

Those old low mean fevers...

...they've finally burned out everything else that was inside of you.

lt's all you're left with now. lt's all you feel now.

You don't know what all l feel.

l have loved you so much, George.

WALLACE: l didn't have nothing to do with that thing.

You know that, don't you, Archie?

With what thing, governor?

That church in Birmingham.

Wasn't nothing l did.

l grieved about it, like everyone else.

Ma'am.

l'm Governor Wallace.

Oh, l know who you are.

ls, uh, Big Jim in?

l wanted to see him for a few minutes, if that's all right.

What about?

l just need to talk to him for a minute or two, ma'am.

Wait out here.

...LOCK CLlCKS...

He doesn't wanna see you.

Doesn't want...?

But, uh....

l just wanna--

l got to talk to him, ma'am.

He said he's got nothing left to say to you anymore.

Well, can't--?

Please, uh.

Please, just go on back in there and tell him...

...l ain't the same now.

-And l wanna tell him that-- -He's finished.

lt's all over.

No, no, wait, wait, wait.

Ca-- Can't--?

You're, uh....

You're his wife that was waiting out in the car...

...that one time you came by the mansion, ain't you?

Yes, l am.

You broke his heart, you bastard.

Come on, governor.

lt's time to go home.

LURLEEN: Now it's money and power. Power and money.

BlG JlM: George, I--

That's four little girls in Sunday school class.

Never gonna get out-niggered again.

--tomorrow and segregation forever.

l will not surrender.

He don't allow any of these wooly-bully agitators...

...to take over the public factories for us.

Stand with George Wallace.

-lt's not enough for me! -Please let me live.

Anger and fighting and hatred!

No.

Reverend.

Would you give me permission...

...to say a few words to your congregation?

Yes.

l, uh....

l don't hardly make many speeches anymore.

This could even be my last ever.

l don't know.

Lord could take me this very night.

Because the Bible says no man knoweth the hour.

So l didn't wanna wait any longer...

...to do this.

Because this was Martin Luther King's church...

...l wanna...

...tell y'all this evening...

...that l have learned...

...what suffering means.

l've learned it in a way...

...that l probably never would have if l hadn't been shot.

But...

...if that's what it took...

...well, l'm almost thankful for it.

Because as the hymn says:

''l once was lost...

...but now--''

l hope. ''--am found.''

Since l've been shot, l....

l have been in pain.

l think l now understand...

...the pain...

...that l caused the people...

...the black people of Alabama.

And the black people of the nation. And....

l'm sorry.

l was wrong.

And...

...knowing that...

...is hard for me...

...to bear sometimes.

And for what l'm doing here tonight...

...l'm finally turning to you all...

...and l'm asking you--

Whether you will or not...

...l'm asking you...

...to forgive me.

Thank you for coming today, governor.

Thank you. Sure appreciate it.

God bless.

Bless you. Bless you.

...CHOlR SlNGlNG JOHN NEWTON'S ''AMAZlNG GRACE''...

God bless you.

Heavenly peace.

You want me to leave the nightlight on again tonight, governor?

No, you can cut it out.

Archie?

Yes, sir?

You been mighty good to me.

l wanna thank you.

Sure.

Good night.