All language subtitles for Ransom.1956.1080p.HDTV.x264-REGRET

To millions of people,
the name Stannard

used to be just the name
of a vacuum cleaner.

But just a few months ago,
it suddenly became more than that.

To people all over the country,
it became...

a man and his family,

a man who lived
here in this house,

one of the most beautiful
houses in town,

a man with a wife
and an eight-year-old boy,

and a warm family life.

Watch yourself, Shirley Lorraine.
Watch who-self?

Whichever self that's thinking
all those sinful expressions.

Uncle Jesse,
it's you that's thinking sinful to think

that I'm thinking sinful.

Watch yourself,
Shirley Lorraine.

Good morning, Chapman.
Good morning, ma'am.

Your orange juice.
Thank you.

Which tie today?

Oh, never mind, darling.

It's the brown
knit one there.

You'll get an ulcer
doing that.

This country was built
on ulcers, my dear.

Hey, why all the unholy quiet
around here this morning, huh?

No space bandits, no cattle
wrestler, no.

Your son and heir rose
as usual at 5:30,

tiptoed down the stairs like
an avalanche with rocks in it,

and is now engaged in some
tremendous engineering project

among mice and others.

Where do kids get all
that energy, huh?

From the male parent,
I daresay.

Oh, you daresay?

Hey, look at that time.

Dave, are you all right?

It's a booby trap, huh?
Are you hurt?

No, I merely fractured
myself, pulled.

Let's take a look at this.
Now, isn't this spooky?

Now how come there's only
one slat in this bed?

Uh-hmm.
Uh-hmm.

Hi, Andy.
Hi, Mom.

That boy.

Oh, now, Dave,
wait a minute.

You know Andy is just
exactly like you.

Was that supposed
to be a compliment?

You talk that way to Andy,

you're ready to wail
the daylights out of him.

Oh, where's your sense of humor?

Whack him a couple for me, too.

This new vacuum cleaner and me

just don't seem to take
to each other, Mr. Stannard.

Old man sales business is down

on anything that wasn't
used back in the Stone Age.

Watch yourself,
Uncle Jesse.

It's your dad.

Oh, no. Hold it, son.
Hold it, son.

Just a minute.

Just a minute, son,
just a minute.

Hi, Dad.
Never mind the amenities.

How many slats
are there to a bed?

On the average?
On the average.

How many?
Well...

About three.
About three, huh?

How many slats are there in the
beds in this family's house?

Right now?
Uh-hmm, right now.

Well, on average,
about one a piece.

About one?

It's what I thought.

Andy, one of these days, boy.

Well, I can't figure out
how you're able

to lift all eight of those box
rings by yourself.

I didn't lift them.

What do you mean
you didn't lift them?

I just sort of slid under them

and give them a big twist.
I see.

I'll give your neck a big twist.

Go ahead. Don't stop.

Go ahead. Let me see.

Wait a minute,
wait a minute.

I told you a dozen times

you don't hold
a hammer up by the...

This is my hammer.

I've been looking for that
hammer for about a week now.

Come here. Give me a nail.
I'm gonna show you how to do it.

You just watch
your old man here.

Main thing,
keep your eye on the nail.

Oh, Dad.
Oh.

Let's see it.

That's how I did
when I first began.

Oh, it was, huh?
Get along with you.

Hey, you know what, Dad?
What?

I'm getting awful
short on planks.

Well, don't forget there's
the ironing board

and there's a leaf
from your mother's mahogany

dining room table.

Gee, that figures.

Wait a minute.

It's supposed to be funny, son.

I'll tell you what I'll do.
I'll stop on the way home from work,

I'll buy you some lumber.
How's that, huh?

Buy it?
Yeah.

Oh, that wouldn't be fair, Dad.

Why? Oh, I see.
I think so.

Okay.
I'll see if I can swipe some lumber for you.

How is that, huh?
And you and me will build this fort together.

You mean you'll really build
my fort with me, Daddy?

You bet I mean we'll really
build this together.

In fact, I'll leave work
early and come home.

And you and I,
we have a date right here

after school, all right?

Now, the first thing we got to do is we
got to put a door in this place, you know.

You got to have a door, about here, right?
Gee.

I bet there aren't many fathers

who would neglect their
businesses for their kid.

You know, I think so far,
it's been the other way around, Andy.

I'll try to do better.

Are you kidding?

Where does he like
his Times Chronicle?

Anywhere but in the jelly.

I just can't make this
contraction work right.

Mrs. Stannard, at least
the old 1938 Grover

didn't throw her belt every time
a man took off down the road.

Chapman, don't mention
that name in this house.

Besides, our new production schedule
calls for a quarter of a million

of this very model during
the next fiscal period.

Well, fiscal or not, this one has bugs in it.
Bugs?

Chapman, if you insist on getting string
wrapped around that master pulley,

there isn't a machine on the
market that won't throw its belt.

Now, you look inside.
Your eggs and bacon.

Now, wait a minute.
I want you to look inside while I'm here.

You'll see what I mean.
Inside?

That's right. Inside.

You know, I'm getting a
little...

hmm, bugs, huh?

Bugs.

I don't know.

That a wonderful sound?

Stannard switched
the country for sure.

For Stannard is sweeping the country.
All right.

The floors were never so clean.
All right. All right.

Honestly, if I have to listen
to that just once more

on an empty stomach.
I know. I know, you'll scream.

Well, that's exactly
what we intend for you to do.

What do you suppose we're paying
interstate TV $3,700 a week for?

Sometimes, I wonder.

Oh, that dear, nice,
sincere Mr. Portalis.

His hair is so slick and he wears
that beautiful cashmere jacket.

Working all right now.

No kidding.

My bus.
Oh, Andy, you can't go that way.

Dave, hold him right here
until I get a clean shirt.

Shirley?

Hey, buddy buddy,
come here.

Well, at least you can't get
to my neck this morning.

Mrs. Partridge doesn't like
for us kids to be late.

Yeah. Hey, tell me something,
just between you and me,

are you the dirtiest boy
in your classroom?

Uh-uh.
Yeah?

Richie Will is the dirtiest.
Oh.

I'm only second dirtiest.

Well, I'd tell you maybe
we're not really trying, hmm?

Just this dress up
one left.

I'd hate to think of what it'll
look like during the night.

Oww, my ears.
It's all right.

Now, they get pulled
in the other direction.

Come on. There.
Here we go.

Don't forget about after school.

That's it. Go naked.

Go on, boy.

Andrew?

Oh, Mom.

Come on.

Bye-bye.

Hiya, fellas.

Hello, Joe.

At least we have only
the one, huh?

Oh, don't even mention that.

Your car is ready, sir.
All right, Chapman.

I'll be right there.
What's this about after school?

Oh, he and I have a big deal.
I'm coming home from work early.

Bye. What?
Good. David?

Honey, look, I'm five
minutes late already.

All right. Come and get it.

Come on.

What does a girl have to do
for a kiss around here?

We're four months early.

Why, we put an all new machine
just eight months.

And get a jump on the industry
for the next three.

But that's plowing the profit
back as fast as you make it.

We'll keep some.

Look, Al, will you go
along with me this time?

I tell you, I'll have Stannard
right up there on top

with the very best of them,
coast to coast.

Now, hold it, kid.

I'm Stannard, too, you know.

I remember Dad used
to come home,

take me up on his knee.

You were in your playpen, then.

And he'd say,
"Son, remember the dog

that was crossing the bridge
with the bone in his mouth.

He looked down,
saw his own reflection,

snapped at the bone in the water

and lost the one
he already had."

Dad manufactured
carpet sweepers.

All the same, Mr. Stannard,

our present model is still
going like hot cakes.

And right now, we're not
morally justified

in gambling
with the stockholders' money.

Look, it's my job
to take calculated risks

with the stockholders' money.

So far, a return of nearly 800
percent on their original investment.

Will you tell me what's wrong with that?
I'm sorry, Dave.

I can't go along with you on that.
And as far as I remember,

I still have a veto around here.

Al, if you would've kept
your ear to the ground,

you'd realize that the real veto

belongs to the purchasing
public.

And just what is that
supposed to mean exactly?

All right.
I'll tell you, Al.

I'll tell you what
it means, Al.

It's the rumor that's
starting to spread

about out current model.
What rumor?

Bugs in the master pulley.

It's a dirty lie.
Every time a chunk is stringed, it's got...

Now, Mr. Stannard...

Oh, this time it's bugs
in the master pulley?

Okay, Dave, you are president
of the company

and I have to admit, so far,
you've been money-lucky.

But just be careful that
you don't fall in the creek

and have to holler for your
big brother to pull you out

like in the old days.
Al, come on now.

What's the matter
with you, huh? Huh?

Now, I knew you'd get
along with me.

Hey, I got to get going
home right now.

So, go ahead and tool up
just like you told me

this morning right,
Mr. Stannard?

That's the general idea,
Mike.

♪...is going up,
going up, going up ♪

Dave, Mother's
anniversary present.

What would Freud say about that?

Now, never mind Freud.

You can't bring those filthy
things into my living room.

What...
It's construction materials.

Grand larceny at the site
of the new commercial building.

Sometimes I have
to remind myself

that all men
are certifiably insane.

You know, that's because
our wives and mothers

are usually women,
you see.

Nice headlines
in the Times Chronicle.

They dragnet you.
It's okay.

I slipped the honest
foreman five bucks

and he wanted to throw
in twenty feet of copper tube.

And now, don't tell
Andy about it, huh?

It kind of destroys
the kid's ethics

if he thinks this stuff
isn't 100 percent stolen.

Ethics?
Yeah.

Well, that's a fine
example you're setting.

No, Dave, don't laugh.
It isn't a bit funny.

A child can't distinguish
between big and small.

And if his own father goes...
Why do you look so attractive

every time you get
righteous.

Now, Dave, I'm serious...
Honey.

Baby.

I wish you'd come home
two hours early every day.

All I usually get
from you is a...

"Hey, kid, when do we eat?"

Yeah, when do we eat, huh?

Well, now,
let me fix you a drink

and I'll see where all this
is going to lead to.

Wait, come here.

Come here.

Hey, Chapman might come in.

It's all right.
Let him come in,

broaden his outlook.

And now, I know
why the unemployed

have such big families,
huh?

Hey, where is he?
Who?

What do you mean who?
Him.

Oh, well, he's not home
from school yet.

What are you talking about?
The bus was pulling out of the butter fields

when I was pulling down
the street here.

Are you sure?

What do you mean am I sure?

Course I was.
Look at the time.

What do you suppose...

that little demon's
run off somewhere again.

Oh, he knows perfectly well
he's supposed to check in here

before he goes any place.

How do you like that, hmm?

He and I had a date to finish building
that fort of his this afternoon.

Oh, Dave, he's only eight years old. He probably
forgot all about... Of course he forgot.

Besides, he isn't eight.
He's nearly nine.

If you do that every time
you lose your temper,

you'll turn
into an alcoholic.

Look, I haven't got time

to turn into an alcoholic.

"Share your
children's hobbies,"

the Board of Education
said, huh?

The Stannard residence.

Look, I leave in the middle
of a board meeting.

I leave the whole company,
just standing on its ear.

I come home
and I at least expect...

Will you hold the
line a minute, please?

It's for you, ma'am.

Mrs. Partridge at the school.

Thank you, Chapman.

I'll take it right here.

Thank you, Chapman.

Mrs. Partridge?

Yes, this is Edith Stannard.

Oh, I'm fine, thank you.
And you?

Good.

Yes, hasn't it?
Just pleasantly warm.

I...what?

I beg your pardon?
I'm sorry, Mrs. Partridge.

I didn't quite
understand what...

Dr. Gorman's nurse?

Well, that's strange.

Did Andy seem to be ill?

Oh, I see.

No, I...I...I most certainly
had not heard, Mrs. Partridge.

but...

perhaps my husband was afraid
that if he...he told me...

well, no, I'm sure that if it
were something contagious, he...

no.

Yes, I...I understand
your position.

Yes, I'm delighted you take
such an interest but...

Yes, yes, Mrs. Partridge,
I will.

I'll call you right back.

That's the most peculiar thing
I ever heard in my life.

What is?

Come on, come on, what is?

It seems that Dr. Gorman
sent his nurse for Andy

in a taxi about
11:00 this morning.

Why?

It seems that Dr. Gorman
thought that Andy

ought to be brought down
to his office right away.

The laboratory test came...

Laboratory test?

Dave, it's...
it's been five hours.

Edith, I...

You know, you ought
to keep me posted

on a thing like this, honey.

You mean you don't know
anything about this?

Look, I don't know anything.

I just work around here,
that's all.

David, you're keeping something from me,
please.

Never mind, it's all right.

Mrs. Partridge seemed
rather concerned

that it might be polio.

Hello? Hello?
Dr. Gorman's office.

Hello, I'd like to speak
to the doctor, please.

This is Dave Stannard speaking.

The offhanded way they treat other
people's kids nowadays, huh?

Hello? Hello, doc?

This is Dave.

Hey, what are you trying to do
that boy of mine down there, huh?

Gonna repossess him
or something, hmm?

Well, he's still down there
with you, isn't he?

What are you talking about?
Your nurse, she...

she picked him up at school
this morning in a taxi.

No, I'm not clowning, are you?

Are you sure?

Was she wearing a uniform?

Who?

The nurse!

Yes, Partridge mentioned
something about a...

a white uniform and a cap.

Yes, a white uniform,
uh- hmm, and a cap.

Yes, it does look like that,
doesn't it?

Just a minute, doc.

Um, look, would you try
and drop by the house

this afternoon for a minute
if you can?

Thank you.

Dave?

What's the matter?

Sit down, Edith.

Please just sit down.

Sit down.

What is it?

Andy isn't at the
doctor's office.

He hasn't been
there all day.

But that nurse, she...

It wasn't no nurse.

It wasn't.

Oh, God.

Edith, Edith, wait,
listen to me, please.

Edith, have I ever lied to you?

Have I ever broken
my word, darling?

Have I ever?

Now, listen.

I swear to God and I swear
to you right here and now

that we'll get Andy back.

We'll get him back,
darling, you hear?

Operator?
This is an emergency.

I'd like to speak
to the chief of police.

Hello, Chief Backett?

This is David Stannard
speaking,

of 1411 Elstead Avenue.

My son, Andy, was taken
from the Covey Lane Day School

at approximately
11:00 this morning.

I have reason
to believe.

Yes, kidnapped.

All units, special orders.

Report to the nearest phone box

for instructions.
That is all.

A phone box?

Why don't they use
the shortwave?

Somebody may be listening in.

Oh, Chief, come in.
Have you heard anything yet?

No, nothing. You?
No.

Well, it's a little soon yet.

Well, you know my wife,
Mrs. Stannard, this is Chief Backett.

Oh, hello, Mrs. Stannard.

Thank you for coming. Ma'am,
I want you to know the entire department

is out looking for your little boy.
I believe you know Dr. Gorman.

Oh, hi, doc.
Why don't you sit down, please?

Oh, thanks.

Mr. Stannard,
do you have any family problems?

Oh, not like this.
Business beefs?

Big personal enemies?
I have half a dozen.

They'd steal my shirt,
they wouldn't steal my son.

Well, this could be
quite a wait.

These people usually let the
families sweat blood for a while.

Then it's practically certain of the motive,
is it?

Nothing is certain,
Mrs. Stannard,

until that telephone rings or we
receive something through the mail.

And even then we can't
be sure.

So you mean at this time,
you don't want us to know

what measures are being taken?

Well, in my opinion,
it's better if you and your wife

aren't in on everything
at this stage.

I see.

Well, I think
it make sense we...

put ourselves in the hands
of the police department.

Now, one thing you can
depend on anyway,

we are not going to jeopardize
any possible arrangements

you might care to make
on your own responsibilities

as the father and mother.

Stannard residence.

Very well, sir.

It's your brother, sir.

He's calling from the golf club.

Thanks, Chapman.

Hello, Al?

Look, is the door
to the phone booth shut?

Yeah, it's just the way
Edith explained already.

I'm afraid so.

Who, Edith?

She's been wonderful,
just wonderful.

What? Don't come over here, Al.

What...you oughta know
better than that, Al.

I'm waiting here
for a contact.

Now, you stay right where
you are until I call you.

Now, wait a minute.
There's one more thing, Al.

I don't want you to talk
to anybody, understand?

Nobody at all.

I'm sorry, kid,
it's just that I'm so...

Okay. Okay, kid.

I'll call you if I hear
anything, huh?

Bye-bye.

Chapman, did you
call the plumbers?

Me? No, ma'am.

Well, tell them to come back
some other time, Chapman.

Hold on, just...
I'm expecting them.

You're expecting them? Why?

I'm having your phones
monitored.

This is Mr. Fred Benson with
the city telephone company

and my communication's man,
Sergeant Wenzel.

How many phones
do you have in the house?

Four extensions,
the upper hall...

There's the playroom, too.
Yes, and the study.

The playroom's downstairs.
You can make yourself...

in fact, you can have it
all to yourself.

Thanks.

How long will it take, boys?

Forty-five minutes.
Make it a half an hour.

Okay. It's all yours.
Now, here you are.

Here's your new second line.
It's unlisted.

Better use it
for all outgoing calls.

That'll leave your
regular phone open.

Now, the sergeant will be
listening on the extension

with a tape recorder.
I see.

Just a moment, dear.

Won't there be some
sort of click

that might warn whoever's
phoning us?

Oh, no, ma'am. You see,

this unit is what we call
our secretarial set.

Now, if the call isn't the
one that we're looking for,

the sergeant turns off
the tape recorder,

switches to the technicians
on the phone company.

Okay, Dan, she's all tied down.
Good.

Now, the alarm will ring
when this number is called

then get going.

I'll hold contact
with the police.

It must be something
pretty big.

We just place
the circuits down

to the source of the call,
got it?

Right.

Hello, switch room.

You can skip this one.

Just a minute, please.

It's Mrs. Blanchard.

She wants to know what time
for dinner tomorrow.

Tell her...tell her
I'll call right back.

It'll have to be called
off, ma'am,

but your friends
mustn't suspect anything.

Now, look, we got to figure
out some kind of a story

to tell the Blanchards,
you know, we just can't...

I'll take care of it.
Yes, you do.

Are you sure you can handle it?
Yes, certainly.

You and the chief
have enough to worry about.

May I use the new
telephone?

Yes, ma'am. Of course,
you'll have to hang up fast

if number one rings.

Well, hello,
may I speak to Mrs...

Oh, hello, Mitch.
This is Edith Stannard.

Well, about tomorrow night,

I...I don't think we'd better
plan on it.

I've got a virus or something.

Well, the whole household seems
to be coming down with it.

Yes. Andy, too.

Well, he'll be out
of school a few days.

Well, that's...that's
very sweet of you, Mitch,

but there's nothing you can do.

The...the doctor is here.

Yes, well, I'm...I'm very
sorry about tomorrow night

but we'll see you real soon.

When you catch
that kidnapper,

I want you to lock me
in the room with him

for 20 minutes and
throw away the key.

If you do that for me,
I'll never forget you.

I couldn't do a thing.
Please.

For God's sakes,
a man has a right

to anybody who'd
steal his son.

Dinner's been called off.

I'm fairly certain no
one suspected anything.

Okay, dear.
Well...

I'd better be getting along.

Thank you, Paul.

Woohoo, woohoo,
woohoo, woohoo.

Andy! Andy!
Edith, Edith, wait.

Edith, Edith, wait,
Edith, please.

Ms. Edith, it's all right.
It's all right.

It's...it's little Chuck
Butterfield and Butchie Ritter.

I'll...I'll go send them home.
Thanks, Chapman.

It's all right, dear.

It's all right.

This is the sort of thing
they rely on, Mrs. Stannard.

Is he sick?
No,

he just isn't able
to come out right now.

But how about finishing
the fort?

Well, I'll...I'll say
that you were here

and send him over just
as soon as he's free.

Here, Edith,
you take these.

No, I don't want anything
to make me sleep.

Oh, no, these will just
relax you a little.

Come on, Edith, please.
I'll be all right.

I'll get a hold of myself.
Stop it.

You've been hit by a street car.

Come on.

I'm...I'm going to go through
this just the same as Dave.

The same?

Edith, you carried
that child in your body.

David didn't.
Come on, Edith.

It's the sheriff.

Yeah, yeah, Jake.

Oh, no, no, no.

It's just a plain white,
size eight T-shirt

with a blue and red band.

Well, 70 pounds,
give or take a couple.

All right.
First molar, second incisors.

Bicuspids and canines,
either missing or partly grown.

Yeah. Just a minute.

Any distinguishing marks
or blemishes?

Andy.

He had some freckles here...

Oh, it's freckles, Jake.

Yeah.

Well, I...I...I don't know.

You check with the coroner's
office.

I think they ought
to be able to tell you.

I should think they'd show
up in either case,

Yeah. Yeah. Yup, yup.

We're running the MO
list right now.

And Jake, next time,
call me on central 77409.

It's a new...new line
here, yeah.

All right.

What exactly is being
accomplished here?

We're handling this the best
we know how, ma'am.

Then why haven't you
located him?

Edith, please, they're
doing what they can...

You, too, Dave Stannard, acting as
if we had all the time in the world.

Please, will you, Edith?

What is an MO anyway?

It's time every house in this
city were being searched.

Mrs. Stannard, if we push these people
too far, they might get nervous.

Look, Edith,
why don't you stop fighting my sedatives?

Please, Paul,
you don't understand.

Andy has to be brought
home this evening.

He's never been away
from home before.

He won't understand.

He'll be frightened, he...he...

All right.

Move in there.

Don't try anything cute.

Oh, Charlie, for Pete's sake.

How did you latch
onto this?

Who is he?
Oh, he's a friend of mine.

Charlie Telfer
of the Times Chronicle.

What are you talking about?
I thought you said

that was the thing we
were supposed to avoid.

No newspapers, no publicity,
then what's he doing here?

So, it is a snatch, huh?
Now, Mr. Stannard you can't..

you can't fool a good newsman any
more than you can a good detective.

How long do you expect to keep
this thing covered up anyway?

Besides, you don't really think
the guy who made this grab

doesn't know we're looking
for him, do you?

Just the same, if your
print this,

we'll have every crime...

this side of the Mississippi
ringing that telephone,

and we will have no idea
in the world

which one really has the boy.

Well, I.

All right. I'm pretty sure
the policy in my paper

would be able to hold up
until they make a contact.

When do you plan
on calling Washington?

I hope it won't be necessary.

Oh, you wanna
yourself.

Oh, Charlie, you know me
better than that.

Put it down.

My paper's on your son's side.

We wanna see him back
in his mother's arms

just like you do.

I said put it down.

Hello?

It's for you.

Hello.

Oh, yes, yes, Danny.

Oh, are you sure then?

Well...well, Danny, look,

run a routine
recheck anyway.

Yeah.

You got a pencil handy?

Now, write this number down.

central 77409

and next time,
call me on it.

Three hours ago,
I had 21 possible MO suspects.

Last three alibis just
checked out negative.

So, probably can't be
professional mobsters, huh?

Pretty well-planned job though.

Well,
and our plan to rule out the psycho angle?

That's just a technical
point, Mrs. Stannard.

I don't believe any of this.

That poor woman must have seen
Andy some place.

You know wherever we go,
everybody always notices him.

It was only natural with
no little boy of her own.

But, you see, the thing we must do
is get in touch with her right away

and let her know that everything
is perfectly all right.

As a matter of fact...
Get her upstairs.

I'll give her a shot
to make her sleep.

...only...she must bring
him home right away.

Tonight, do you understand me?
Tonight.

Edith, Edith,
let me take...

No, please...
Edith.

No. I'm all right.

I'll just sit right here.

I won't say a word.

You know what they do
to them, don't you, Dave?

They hurt them.

They do all sorts
of things to them.

They make you listen
on the telephone.

I'll get it, Mr. Stannard.

Good evening, Chapman.
Good evening, ma'am.

The family isn't home.

Chapman,
under the circumstances,

I'm sure that is meant
to apply to me.

I'm sorry but those
are my instructions.

Who is it, Chapman?
Oh, Mr. Stannard...

Mr. Stannard, now,
don't worry about a thing.

I've seen the police...

Ah, Chief Backett,

I know exactly
what I'm supposed to do.

I haven't mentioned a word
about this to anybody.

oh, Mrs. Stannard,

what a dreadful day
this has been.

If there's anything
I can possibly do.

Why don't you arrange to
call us in a day or two?

Mr. Stannard,

I certainly didn't expect
you to take this attitude.

This is no attitude.

Mrs. Stannard and I don't,
in any way,

hold you responsible
for what had happened.

Responsible?
That's right.

Responsible?

I'm sure nobody could give the
children more devoted care

than I and my girls do.

After all, it is a matter
of actual fact, Mr. Stannard.

I was the first victim.

Now, I've heard everything.

And who is this gentleman?

Jack The Ripper,
Times Chronicle.

The reporter.

I wish it clearly understood

that if you or anybody else
should give out the least bit

of adverse publicity regarding
me or Covey Lane School,

I should be obliged
to put this whole...

I must ask you to leave now...

...matter into the hands
of my attorneys.

Mrs. Stannard,
you're a woman.

You understand, I'm sure.

Get out.

Mrs. Stannard.

Get out.

Mrs. Partridge, please,
you better go.

Stop it, Edith.

Chapman, please take her out.

Look, Edith, Edith,
I'm sorry, Edith.

Hello?

Look, please,
you've got to stop this.

You've got to stop this
calling and calling.

What?

Who?

Who did you say?

I understand.

Yes, I...yes,
I can hear you.

Switch room,
this is it.

Get your standby line
to headquarters.

Right.

May I speak to my son,
please?

Why not?

Well, would you...

would you tell me the color
of his eyes then?

What...what kind of...

what kind of clothes
is he wearing now?

Route 20, terminal 6.

Record, route 20,
terminal 6.

Andover 31598.

I beg your pardon?

All right.
Will you just...

just one minute, please.

No, it's not a trap.

No, I'm not stalling...

I'm not stalling, really.

I just wanna get a pencil
and piece of paper.

Just please,
just one minute.

All right.

Yes.

Go ahead.

How much?

Yes. I...I follow you.

What...what denominations?

Uh-hmm.

All right.

The number is located
at the corner of...

Thank you.

Captain, your call
originated

at Andover 31598. Located.

I see.

I see.

No, I...yes.

Yes. I understand.

All right.

Wait a minute,
how long... hello?

How long afterwards?

Hello?

Now, everything is going
to be all right, Edith.

It's gonna be all right now.

It's so funny.

He sounded just like
anybody.

It will be so wonderful
to have him home again.

Paul? Paul?

See that this girl gets some sleep,
please, Paul.

I want to take
you upstairs now.

All right?

This way.

I'm sure no one else could
do it half so well...

only Dave.

You won't let anything
go wrong, will you?

Nothing will go wrong,
darling.

Oh, dear Lord in heaven...

send him home soon.

Send him home soon.

He got out ahead of us.

Stannard.

Will you join me?

Hello, Al?

We've had contact.

Now, look...

Well, get a hold
of Langly, will you?

And both of you come
on over to the house

and bring the books.

Okay, kid, I know.

What's the matter?

Chief wouldn't let
you hear the recording?

Well, give us until 4:00
tomorrow, will you?

Exclusive.

Well, you know, we're gonna have
to hold out some of the terms.

You can understand that.

Good enough.

Well, this is Stannard stock

in government and city bonds,
property deeds.

If that isn't enough,
everything I have goes on the line with it.

That's mighty fine, Mr. A.

Well, I have to look in that mirror
every morning when I shave, don't I?

Well, this seems pretty
much to cover it,

and I'm sure the rest
of the board will go along

when they hear
the circumstances.

Will you excuse me, Mr. Danbo.
Yes?

The sack has just come
from the Milford City branch.

Will you countersign with me?

Why, certainly.

Will you clear a table, please?

All right.
Pardon me, gentlemen.

Have you got the key?
Yes, here it is.

Well, another six hours
getting the papers drawn.

Have you called Martin Dale
and Silverman yet?

Mr. Martin Dale, Jr.
is waiting in his office.

Fine.
Well, Mr. A...

I guess when the heat's on,

your kid brother still has
to count on the old wheel horse.

One moment, please, everybody.

May I have your attention,
please?

I wanna thank each one of
you individually

for getting out of your beds
and coming down here tonight.

I'm sure I can count
on the discretion

of anybody within these walls.

All of you realize, of course,
this is a life and death matter.

Thank you very much.

And thank you for the coffee,
Mr. Stannard.

Coffee?

I want every
one of these people

to get a $25 cash bonus

and charge it to
my personal account.

Thank you very much,
Mr. Stannard.

All the documents
will be in order

by the time you deliver
the money to the house.

Very well.

Boy, 25 bucks.

Hello, Al.

Hey, you look better
than I expected.

We've got everything here now?

Yeah, title deeds,
security pledges.

Oh, the attorney covering the bonds,
quite a few signatures.

Well, let's get
started, huh?

Langly is bringing the money.

I don't know what I'd
do without you, Al.

Stop it, will you?
What's a brother for?

I have to get downstairs
and check with Wenzel.

Now, look, leave the guy alone
until after the deadline.

Sure, okay.

Good afternoon, sir.

Which way to the kid's room?

Five bucks?

Look, all I wanna do is get
a picture of his little bed

with a teddy bear on it
for the second edition.

He doesn't have a teddy bear.

Here.

See, now, you look through
this, you press that.

You take the picture,
same five bucks.

Fifty?

Mister, you're insulting me.

Fifty bucks is an insult?

Huh.
Fifty bucks is an insult.

Big edition down the street,
Mr. Stannard.

Okay. We'll play ball with you.

The ransom agreed
on is $500,000.

A half a million?
That's right.

Man. What denominations?

Fives, tens,
twenties, used money.

Oh, this should make a pretty package
in tabulating all those serial numbers.

Can we talk in front
of this man?

Relax, Al.
How do you make payment?

What's your arrangements for
getting the kid back afterwards?

We haven't got
that far yet.

Well, first, we notify
them that the money is ready,

that the police will
keep their distance,

and then we stand by
for further instructions.

Well, how do you notify?
You're out on a bed sheet on the roof?

The standard TV program.

George Portalis will wear a white
dinner jacket on tonight's show.

Smart angle.

Can watch on any TV set
in the whole area,

another chance for a stakeout.
Portalis in on this?

George will just do
as he's told.

Yeah. I'll bet.

Of course, you realize,
Mr. Stannard,

this isn't strictly legal.

Boy.
It's FCC ruling.

No person-to-person
communication on public network.

You mean they'll keep a man
from trying to get his son back?

Charlie, in a case like
this,

public opinion would
never stand for it.

Yeah, I know.
By this time tomorrow morning,

your brother's gonna have a hundred
and sixty million personal friends.

Look, let's just stick to getting
the boy back before morning.

What was that for?

I asked you a question.

You wouldn't wanna be babied
on this, would you?

Come on. Let's have it,
Times Chronicle.

Good talk.
Well, Mr. Stannard,

under these circumstances,

well, no man could absolutely
guarantee...

Let's have it.

As of right now...

your boy could be dead
for 30 hours.

Dead?

Well, look at it yourself,
Mr. Stannard.

I mean, how does a crook figure?

If he's hot, he drops
his gun in an ash can.

It's evidence.

So these...these jokers who
were holding your boy,

how do you think they feel

being tied down in one
spot with him.

Maybe after a while, they...

well, they start to tell each other
that maybe if they had a little more

elbow room, it's...they're not
working for the PTA, you know.

It doesn't make sense. Here, they have
a valuable piece of merchandise now.

Shut up, Al.

Think it over.

Now, let me get this...let
me get this real straight.

The possibility

of what might happen to my son

that you two gentlemen have
been good enough to point out.

They...

you see, that doesn't
mean anything.

It doesn't amount
to a hill of beans.

Hot or cold, I have got to go
ahead under the presumption

that my son is alive.

That's the barrel
they've got me over.

They don't have to trust me.

I have to trust them.

That's right.

Trick or treat.

I'm supposed to be a big
businessman and...

they call me hardheaded...

they call me shrewd...

and here I am faced with the most
important negotiation of my life

and I don't know
what is starting.

I don't even know
what I'm up against.

You have to advise me.

Now, hold on. I...I just
enforce the law around here.

I don't know.
Don't look at me either.

I'm...I just report the news
like it falls.

You're in there on your own,
Stannard.

Not while I'm here.
We'll see.

Wait a minute.
I needed a word of advice.

That's a little extreme.

I think what I need most
is some expert information.

I...that's right.

I have to have somebody
who can tell me

what the true
percentages are.

If I do pay the ransom.

Dave, we haven't got
time for this.

We'll take time.

If I do pay the ransom,

then what are the odds
I'll get my son back?

You want him?

That's your odds.

What?

On the record,
it's two to one

you'll get the boy back
whether you pay or not.

You mean my paying
the ransom,

that won't affect
the outcome at all?

Mr. Stannard,
you can pay and get him back

or you can pay
and not get him back.

Or you can refuse
to pay and lose

or you can refuse to pay
and still get him back.

You see, it's still two
to one your favor either way.

Take your pick.

But why pay?

Why do people pay?

It'd be a lot easier for the
police if they never did.

What do you mean?

No pay-off, no kidnap racket,

the old profit motto.

Then why doesn't
the law step in?

Why don't you prevent people from paying?
Me?

How long do you think I'd hold
my job in this community

if I went around doing
what I thought was right?

When I was a kid, I saw this guy
kick his way into a liquor store

where two cons were waiting
for him with shotguns,

just in case you think that limp
is from fallen arches.

What do you want, Charlie?
A criminal code with guts?

So I can get a court order
and freeze his assets

or I can grab him for compounding
a felony if he pays the ransom?

This is the USA for Pete's sake.
We're a very humane people.

But you've seen it yourself.

The biggest man in this
country

openly making deals
with kidnappers

and the voting public
wouldn't have it any other way,

even though the child were dead

right straight through
from the beginning.

I'm...I'm sorry to be so frank
in front of you, Mr. Stannard.

What? No, no, that's...
that's okay.

That's my traffic detail.

There it is. 1411.

That's the house.

All right, kids,
move it on.

Yes, I'm positive.

The Stannard boy Andy.

Chuckie, Chuckie,
come back here.

You hear me?

Chuckie.

Ladies and gentlemen,
we interrupt our program

for a repeat news bulletin.

The eight-year-old son of one of
West Bridges leading citizens

has disappeared from his home,

little Andrew Stannard,

only child of D. G. Stannard,

millionaire manufacturer of a
well-known household appliance.

Kidnapping is feared.

Both parents are,
at present, in seclusion.

However, this program
will be interrupted

when we receive
further bulletins

regarding little Andy Stannard.

Here come the newsreel truck.
Shall we admit them?

No. No, wait, wait.

Shortwave headquarters,
just six or eight more men.

Look at those people.
Just look at them.

Here they come.

This time tomorrow morning,
the bus lines will be running excursions.

There'll be ice cream wagons,
hotdog stands,

kids to wipe your windshield.

Come on. Step right up.
Get you picture taken.

Get your pocket things.
Everybody will be a friend.

There's not a thing in the
world they wouldn't do for you.

They'll tear down
that picket fence out there

to get souvenirs the size
of toothpicks.

Hey, chief, here's my car.

Hey, they're not letting him in.

Of course
they're letting him in.

Where? Oh.

All right,
put them right on the table.

Let me pour you a drink,
Mr. Stanner.

No.

All right.
Stack them up there.

That's right.
We got a column. Stack them.

It's all here, Mr. Stannard.
Care to check it yourself?

No.
That's a personal favor, DG.

This has been a pretty big
responsibility, you know.

What good is it?

Sir?

What good is the money?

What's that you said, Dave?

I said what's the good
of paying the ransom?

But you have to... Half a million dollars?
What for?

To please the neighbors,

or because it's the socially
accepted thing?

What's your point, Dave?
Look, you were there, Al.

You heard, my son might
be dead right now.

And if he is dead, why?

Because they felt
absolutely certain

that that ransom money
would be paid.

He's right.

These babies don't fool
around with a murderer

unless they figured
they're onto a sure thing.

But I'm assuming that
my son is still alive.

And on what terms might
he still be alive?

A simple insurance against the risk of
that ransom money might not be paid.

Right.
Now, just a minute.

No, you just a minute.

The moment Portalis walks
on in his white dinner jacket,

they've got their green light.
You know that.

Mr. Stannard,
with your 500 G's,

you could be buying your little
boy a hole full of quicklime.

That's exactly my point.

Maybe you're right, Dave,
but I'm not sure.

But I do know you have to think of
protecting yourself a little bit.

Myself?

Well, how would you feel
about it afterwards

if you refuse to pay
and, well, if,

if anything goes wrong.

You mean if my son is murdered,
how will I feel then?

Al, is there
a "better or worse" in hell?

Lang, you talk to him.

Of course, I'm not exactly a member
of the family here, Mr. A...

but as a...as a long-time
loyal employee

with the best interest
of Stannard Vacuum,

mighty close to my heart...I...

It's all right,
Langly, go ahead.

Then what about your obligation
to the stockholders?

How is the public
going to like it

with our new line just hitting
the display windows.

Langly, you better get back
to the plant.

No, wait a minute.

Just...just wait a minute.

You know, in your own way,
you might have something there.

Just what is my public
obligation in this whole thing?

Perhaps that's the real
issue here.

And why do we find ourselves
in a situation like this?

My son, my wife upstairs.

Well, you two gentlemen have
given me the answer to that.

It's the profit motive.

That's why my family
has been wronged,

not so much by the kidnapper

as by every grief
stricken parent

who's been allowed to grovel
to these people in the past.

So now...

in spite of the possible
consequences to my son,

am I justified in handing
this insane thing

onto some other
unfortunate family?

I always said
if I ever saw you heading

for a real man-sized smash-up,

I think you better let me take
over for you, Dave boy.

I don't care what you think, Al.

I'm the one who has to make
this decision.

But that's gambling.
It's a gambler's decision.

That's right.

Either way...

so that brings it down
to a very simple issue,

right or wrong.

What about Edith upstairs?

Would she let it go at that?

At the present time,
probably not.

That's all I needed.

Gentlemen,
the ransom will be paid

and Dave, if you force
me to pick up the tab,

that'll be on your conscience,

but the whole country
will be with me.

Wait a minute.

Before you bite off more
than you can chew,

if you do step into my shoes,

are you prepared to assume
the full responsibility

for your nephew's death?

What I'd like to know
is how can you?

I happen to be the boy's father,
Al.

How long will it take to drive to
the Milford television studios?

In light traffic,
thirty minutes.

I want a police escort at 6:15.

She's asleep.

Is everything all right?

Yes.

Hold my hand.

Put your head down.

I've been saying
my prayers.

Edith.

Dave, do you remember
when he was born?

It snowed
the day before.

That night, it froze,

and the next morning,

all the
trees in town

were covered
with diamonds

like an honor,

like some wonderful
promise.

And just
towards sunset,

they brought him in
for the first time

and left him
with me.

He looked at me,

so big and serious,

like he was wondering

whether I was
really his mother.

And later,

I nursed him.

And they arrest people
for speeding.

Fancy!
I'm in the control room.

We've got three
minutes, folks.

It's not so bad,
Mr. Portalis.

Not bad?
No.

It looks
like a zoot suit.

Look at these lapels.

I don't mind playing
straight man

to a vacuum cleaner.

When the sponsor required me

to appear before my public

in a men's ready-to-wear
garment,

then it's time my agent
started hunting

for the escape hatch
in my contract.

Hey, wait a minute,
wait a minute.

What is this?

What's going on here?

Now, what's going on?

George.

Oh, Mr. Stannard.

There's a slight
change of plan.

No white dinner jacket.

You just introduce me.

Yes, sir.

They're all ready
for you, Mr. Stannard,

just like a telephone.

The director.

All right. Now, 20 seconds.

All right.
What do I say?

Over here, Mr. Stannard.

Stand by, everybody,
20 seconds.

Quiet, everybody.
Quiet, quiet.

Ten...

Stand by.
...nine,

eight...
Stand by...

...seven, six,

...five, four...
Roll the film.

...three,

two,

one.

Cue record.

Super camera one.

The EG Stannard Vacuum
Cleaner Corporation presents,

The George Portalis Show.

And cue.

Good evening.

This evening,
ladies and gentlemen,

before going on
with our usual program,

there will be a few words

from the president
of our company,

Mr. David Stannard.

Mr. Stannard.

I guess most of you have heard

about the kidnapping

of my eight-year-old son, Andy.

This is his picture.

His mother was unable
to appear with me

here this evening

but we both want to thank you

from...from our hearts
for the very,

very kind messages
that you've sent us.

However, my words aren't

directed at you, good people.

Now, tonight, my words
are directed

exclusively to the man

who telephoned me

at my home last night.

He, like yourselves,

somewhere, fifty,

hundred miles from here,

he's watching
a television set,

secretly waiting to hear

my reply to his demands.

Very well.

Listen.

On this table, you see
a large sum of money,

$500,000 United
States currency,

exactly as by
you stipulated.

It's our only hope,

our one defense,

our single weapon.

But you, Mr. Child-stealer,

sitting out there
so confidently,

will never come any closer

to this money than you are

right at this moment.

I wanna be very,
very clear about this.

No ransom money

will ever be paid for my son.

Not a dollar, not a penny.

And listen to this
very carefully,

because this is a matter
of life and death

to the both of us,

the minute that...

that my son is injured or...

or killed,

every last cent of this money

goes on your head as a reward,

dead or alive.

Blood money.

So, why don't...

why don't you be
fair to yourself

and think this over

before you incur the penalty

for a murder that can't
possibly pay off.

Instead, every police officer,

every detective
in the whole country

will be looking for you.

Every petty gangster,
every greedy corrupt man and woman,

your own accomplices
in this very crime,

even your own blood relations.

You don't believe that?

Well, look into the face

of whoever is listening
to this broadcast

with you right now,

and then look
into your own soul.

What loyalty can stand up

against a half
a million dollars?

None of them.

Wherever you go,

whatever rattle
you try to hide in,

this money that you
so greedily coveted

will track you down,

will smell you out,

and will finally bring
you to justice.

One word more,

for whatever human feelings

you might still have,

if you will turn my son loose

on any public thoroughfare
in this nation,

and you are later
arrested for this crime,

my wife and I

will bear witness to the fact

that in our time
of...of trouble,

you heard a mother's appeal,

and you had pity on a child.

And now, so that you know
that I mean business,

with my hand

on this testament,

I swear to you that as long

as I have life and reason,

I'll carry out every item
of what I have just said.

God hear me.

Listen, don't push
me again. I'm warning you.

No.
So, what if I do?

What are you gonna
do about it?

Listen, I got a right
to think and say

whatever I want
without guys

like you pushing me
around, or any of you.

Even though nobody around
here agrees with you?

That's right, ain't it folks?

Yeah.

Even if the president
don't agree with me,

I got a right.

Just as much
as that poor guy

in there has
got a right.

And why don't you
go home and leave...

What's the matter with you?
You're blowing the entire...

And why don't you shut up?

Guys, come on, break it up.

Let me at him.

Aren't things tough
enough around here

without all this?

They are juvenile.

...clear
at all times.

Oh, how about
the reward,

you heard he was
on the level?

Oh, grandstand play.

I've seen it happen
a dozen times.

Excuse me.
Oh, but I know.

What a terrible thing
to say, his own child.

Yeah, I say five bucks,

they return the kid.

Even money,
are you kidding?

Why don't you take
a buck on it, boys?

Sorry, mister.

Excuse me.
Come in, Charlie.

Hey, Fred,
how are you?

What makes this joker
a privileged character?

It's his town.

Look, I'm giving
you all the news

just as it happened.

Hey, Charlie,

what about
some pictures?

Yeah, just one
little candid shot

with the mother in it.

No, I got to deal with
these people. No pictures.

Hey, lover.

We're all over 18.

Now, what'd you say
if every one of us

would chip in $25
dollars apiece?

Now, believe it
or not, honey,

I'd say you're
insulting me.

And so it was
that David Stannard

went on the air
with a dramatic message,

a message that said,
"No ransom for Andy".

There's still no news,

no slightest inkling
of how the broadcast

may have affected
the kidnappers.

Now, there's nothing for
you and me to do, friends,

but to suspend judgment

and hope for the best

for little Andy Stannard.

I, for one, don't intend

to question
the father's motives.

Of course,

if it had been
one of my own kids,

I know I could never have
refused to pay the ransom.

Mr. Al is here, sir.

It's been 14 hours
since your broadcast.

Have you seen these yet?

They're all against you
except the Times Chronicle.

Langs is tabulating
the telegrams

over at the plant.

So far, it's three
and half to one,

thumbs down.

Thought of still
changing your mind?

That is if it
isn't too late.

No.

Well, there's nothing
I can do around here.

Has Edith heard about
what you've done yet?

I'll be at the plant
if you need me.

Oh, I'm sorry to break in on
you like this, Mr. Stannard,

but I got the mayor
right on my back.

You see, I'm...I'm just
an appointed official

and if we can't convince him

that I didn't put
you up to this,

it can mean my job.

Look, you can't
blame the mayor.

Next fall, he's got
to go out there

and beat the
bushes for votes.

He can't afford
to be identified

with this kind
of a crackpot idea.

Now, Mr. Stannard,
you know Sheriff Kessing.

Mr. Stannard, that
broadcast of yours

fixed this case
up but good.

I mean, you
really chucked

the monkey wrench
in the soup.

Take it easy, Sheriff.

Oh, sure,
I'll take it easy.

Right now, I've got
my whole technical staff

and three speech specialists
from the university

playing back the tape
recording of the contact.

So far, we found out
that the kidnapper

was born north
of the Ohio River,

west of the Rocky Mountains,

and has a post- nasal drip.

Now, that figures

because my boys ran
a sputum analysis

on the cigarette butt we found
in the telephone booth

and they found traces
of a codeine cough syrup

that can only be bought
with a doctor's prescription.

Yeah, and the 18
doctors in West Ridge

going without
sleep to keep up

with the virus
flu epidemic.

Oh, we'll trace
the prescriptions

down all right,
Mr. Stannard,

all 2,000 of them.

But that's keeping
our fingers crossed

that the cough mixture

was even bought
in this state.

Look, Mr. Stannard,

the chief and me
are police officers.

It's our job to
apprehend criminals.

But Jake, our
first concern

was to get the boy back safely.

Well, of course it is.

But everybody in
this country knows

that ninety-nine times
out of a hundred,

the law picks
up the kidnappers

the minute they start
passing the ransom money,

and that goes whether
the victim is returned or not.

Gentleman, look, uh,
how about stepping outside.

I'd like to get
some pictures of...

Keep your hands
off of me.

Listen, Sheriff, how would
you like a front page

cartoon of yourself

with bowlegs and six shooters?

You wouldn't dare
do a thing like that.

Listen, listen,

I could put you
in a space suit if I want to.

Take it easy, Charlie.

No ransom?

Who gave you that?

You bribed the doctor
to keep me drugged?

Edith, can you
listen to me?

I can hear you.
Then you remember

right after
the phone contact,

you wanted me to
handle everything.

Well, everything
I've done

I still believe
was advisable.

Why did you
do it, David?

Why did you do
it to our son?

Let me take you
upstairs, Edith.

No, don't
come near me.

I want you to
take it back.

Tell him you
never meant it.

Tell him
that you were...

you were influenced
by the police,

by the newspapers.

Promise that we'll
raise twice

the ransom
they asked,

anything they want.

You don't
understand, Edith.

You just
don't understand.

Oh, but I do.

The great D.G. Stannard,

always has to have his own way.

No matter what, he has
to be the big wheel.

Oh, Edith.

I'm sorry, Dave.
I didn't mean that.

They keep giving
me that stuff.

I'm so confused.
I don't...

I can't think.

But you will do
as I ask.

It's too late.

How can you
say that?

They have him
out there some place.

As soon as I finished
that broadcast last night,

the whole thing
was settled

for good one way
or the other.

Oh, we'd have
heard by now.

Look, they may not
want to run the risk

of exposing themselves
right now by returning,

but it could mean
that, Edith.

It could
mean...it could.

Lord God, please...

Please, Dave,
just this one thing,

this one thing.

I'll always remember
that you did it for me.

I'll never go against you
again as long as I live.

Please look
at me, Dave.

Please, he's your own
flesh and blood, please.

I can't stand any
more of this, Edith.

Will you get
on your feet?

Get on your
feet, Edith.

I ought to realize
this all along.

No matter what
you pretended,

you never really
loved Andy.

You're jealous
of him.

Oh, give me your
hands, Edith.

No.
Please give me your hands.

No.

Those people out there,

they'll help me.

They'll give me the money.

Help, help, help.

Please, Mrs. Stannard.

Oh, God, stop holding me.

You can't do this.

Help.

Help me.

What is it?

I can manage her.
You call the doctor.

I'll get you upstairs.

Help me.

Dr. Gorman, please.

I didn't mean it,
Uncle Jesse.

I meant right.

Mr. Stannard,
I don't know

how you hold
up at all.

Sometimes I...I...I...

I can hardly hold
up my own self.

May I get you
something, sir?

No, thank you.

You haven't
as much as laid

your head down
in two days.

That's not intelligent,
Mr. Stannard.

Who've we got
without you?

You're...

you're the powerhouse
around here.

I'll just sit
in here for a while,

just a little while.

Very likely I have
mentioned it to you, sir,

that I'm one
of the deacons

down at our
little church.

And we want
you to know

that we're all praying

right around
the clock.

How's your boss?

How do you think
it looks, Mr. Telfer?

After 10 years
in this racket,

I know enough
not to think.

Eighteen hours
since the broadcast.

I guess there's
nothing left to do now

but to pray.

Care to join me,
Mr. Telfer?

I just report
the news,

never attempt
to influence it.

I just can't believe
that your good Lord

would pull the rug

out from under
this guy, yeah.

You think He could?

Hell, I know I couldn't

if I was the good Lord.

You're...you're saying
there's still hope?

I'm not saying anything.

I just said ever
since that broadcast,

I've had those
kidnappers right here.

I know what
they're up to.

What?

What would you
be up to?

Supposing you're
holding the kid

out in some crummy
chicken ranch,

and you and your
fat girlfriend

are sort of this way,

whether you should
knock him up

so that maybe someday
he won't jump up in court

and identify you?

And you start to think about
this Stannard character

camping on your tail

and all that dough.

You tell me something,
Jesse, you feel good?

Not me.
Right.

Those babies are scared.

They're scared stiff.

They're scared of him.

They're scared something
will happen to the kid.

Right now, they are worried
spitless that that kid

will get hit by
some street car

while they bring
him back here.

The chief.

They're luring the press.

Where's Stannard?

Mr. Stannard.

All right, all right,

everybody, be quiet.

You're gonna get
your story.

Now, quiet.

All right.

Mr. Stannard,

I'm afraid I got
some bad news for you.

We found this behind
the cushion of a stolen car.

Could you identify if...

Look at that.
Oh, it's a shirt.

Where'd they find it?

Grab the details
while I phone the desk.

I guess this
winds it up.

And this is my letter
to the mayor

exonerating you from all
responsibility in my decision.

Thank you, sir.

Has the money been
returned to the bank?

Yes.

Oh, no.

No, they haven't
found him yet.

There were six in the field

on both sides
of the highway.

They're already
flying in dogs.

Flying dogs, latest
mythical animal,

that's a very
funny joke.

He's made
of iron.

I never saw
anything like him.

Yeah.

Okay, I'm, uh,

I'm gonna stay here
for the identification

and see if they find
the body.

All right,
I'll get back to you.

We'd better finish
this in the kitchen.

I take it this includes
all my personal property.

That right?
Yes, yes, sir.

Hey, let him alone.
That guy deserves it.

All right,
let this car through.

You people wanna stand
clear of those driveways.

We'll have to close
the whole street off.

All right. Come on,
you heard the speaker.

Come on.

Nice and easy.

Wait. Cut it out.

What are you trying to do?

Leave him alone.

Run along, that mob's
turning ugly out there.

Now does this issue
carry a redemption

penalty of any kind?

1.3%
I see.

Could I just have
a minute, please?

Now, listen, I have taken Edith
in with us for the present.

Dr. Gorman seems
to think it advisable.

And of course, it's what
she wanted herself.

The last time she was able
to talk to us, that is.

Any objection?

I left word
with Chapman

to call
if we're needed.

I'm sincerely sorry
for you, David,

in every possible way.

See you at the plant
tomorrow, Mr. A.

Now, I'm disposing
of this large block

of standard preferred.

I don't wanna
depress the market

so we'll conduct
our operations

over several
months' time.

Yes, of course.

What's the matter,
Charlie?

What do you
want me to do,

win the Pulitzer Prize?

Mr. Stannard.

Yes.

Is there something
you want of me?

No, sir.

Not anymore, sir.

Look at him.

He's got nothing left.

He's sitting
there trying

to make good
in his promise

and those goons outside,

buzzing rocks
through the window.

Yeah, the party's over.

Why are they hanging around?

Why? They're buzzards.

I'll get my boys.

I'll break this up.

Around the back way, Chief.

Okay.

I guess that takes care of it.

Everything clear?

Completely, D.G.

Well, what I have in mind

is a permanent foundation,

one which will operate

without my constant supervision.

Oh? And Mr. A will be giving
orders at the plant?

The end of, say,

10 years of the
murderers of my son

are not brought to justice,

then this entire fund...

Will be applied
to the next case

of a similar nature, huh?
I'll get on it first thing

tomorrow morning, D.G.

Get on it tonight.

Very well.

At least you'll have
the comfort of knowing

you did what you
thought was right.

Break it up.
Show's over.

All right, folks,
move along.

Charlie?

King David was much moved

and thus he said,

"Oh, my son, Absalom,

my son, my son Absalom,

would God I had
died for thee.

Oh, Absalom,
my son, my son."

Daddy.

Daddy.

Daddy.

Andy.

Andy. Andy.

Where's...

where did you
get the...the shirt?

The other one was all bloody.

They gave it to me after
I bit that nurse lady.

Oh.

You shaved, Dad.

Come on, son.

Your mother needs you.

Did you remember to bring
my planks home, Daddy?

Yes.

Yes, son.

Look, it's the kid.

The kid.

Leave them alone.

Andy.

Mommy.

Andy.

Andy.

Andy.

Andy.

"This my son was dead

and is alive again.

He was lost

and he was found."