Original subtitles

Come on. Come on. Hurry up. Hurry up.

Come on. Come on. Hurry up.

[ Chattering I

[ Door Closes ]

- How do you do, Mrs. Doray? - How do you do, judge Blake?

- Won't you sit down? - Thank you.

What can I do for you?

Well, I have to read a paper on thejuvenile court at-

at the next meeting of our women's club...

and I thought perhaps you would be kind enough to give me the information that I need.

- I'll be glad to help you all I can. - Thank you

Why don't you sit with me this morning and watch what happens?

- Could I? - I wish you would.

I like to encourage interest in thejuvenile court.

It's more important than most people realize.

You see, I know all about every boy before he faces me-

mentally, morally and physically.

George, if I were sittin' over there and you were sittin' here...

what would you do with a fella like yourself?

- I'd like another chance. - Sure you would That'; what theya/I want.

In the past, your chances have all been your own way.

This time it's gonna be my way.

I'm gonna give you a chance to work hard, to study, to make good.

- I'm gonna commit you to the state school- - [ Sobbing]

Stop crying-

You're not crying because you're sorry for what you've done.

You're crying because you're sorry for yourself.

Get the right slant on things.

Forget what's happened and go up to the state school...

with the right attitude and make good.

Hold up your head.

And look the world straight in the eye.

Will you do it?

Yes, sir.

Now this young lad is above average mentality...

comes from honest, hardworking people...

but for some reason insists on running away.

Freddie, from the number of times you've been running away lately...

it seems as if you want to be a traveling salesman.

Is that it?

Seven times in one month.

That's a lot of times for one boy to run away from home.

- What's the matter, don't you like your home? - Yes, sir.

- Are you the boy's father? - [ Man] Yes, sir.

Just can't seem to keep this youngster of yours at home, is that it?

Judge, I've done everything but tie him, but it doesn't seem to do any good.

Freddie, you got me wondering about you.

I like to find out about boys.

Do you want to tell me just why you keep running away from home?

You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, but I'd like to know.

I want to see my mother.

Why can't Freddie see his mother?

WelLJudge, I-l kind of thought you knew about that.

It's pretty hard to explain to a boy why he can't see his mother.

- Freddie, you know your mother's been sick, don't you? - Yes, sir.

Well, she's just been too sick to have any visitors.

That's why you haven't been able to see her.

But if I promise you that just as soon as she's well enough you can see her again...

will you promise me that you won't run away from home anymore?

Yes, sir.

All right, now go on home with your father, and rememberyour promise.

Yes, sir. And-

And you'll rememberyours, won't you?

- Washington Lincoln jackson. - Yes, sir.

Have you ever been here before?

No, sir. And I wouldn't be here now '“lessin“' I was forced to come.

I suppose you know why Officer Weems arrested you.

Yes, sir. Because I was the smallest kid he could catch.

[Clears Throat]

Well, you're charged with stealing Simon Bittke's vegetable wagon.

Are you guilty or not guilty?

What else has you, judge?

Did you take the wagon or didn't you?

Oh, the wagon.

Oh, you mean the wagon.

The wagon. Oh, yeah.

Is Mr. Bittke here?

No, Your Honor. His horse was sick today and he had to take him to the doctor.

What were the circumstances of the arrest, Officer?

WelLJudge, uh, Bittke come up to me a-hollerin' and a-pointin'...

and I seen this kid here driving his wagon off with a lot of the other boys, sol chased 'em.

The, uh- [Clears Throat]

other kids got away, and I arrested this one.

Were you trying to steal Mr. Bittke's vegetables, Washington?

Oh, no, sir. I just wanted to drive a horse, that's all.

- Oh. So you just wanted to go for a ride? - Yes, sir.

Washington, I'm gonna let you go...

but I want you to promise me never to take anything that doesn't belong to you.

And I don't want to ever see you in this courtroom again.

How comeJudge? You gonna quit?

- Well, 5.2/21, how you ée/ing? - Just dandyJudge. And you?

Fine. Fine.

Don't know what to do with you.

- Your hometown won't take you back. - Is that so?

- No-Neither your mother nor your father want you... They wouldn't.

I have to hold your case over for a week and see what we can do.

You go back tojuvenile hall, Sam.

OkayJUdge-

That boy has a fine face.

He's one of the worst boys I've ever handled.

He's a gang leader, a daring thief and very, very tough.

Ifhe isn't restrained, he may develop into a dangerous criminal.

Well, he certainly doesn't look it.

We find that mostjuvenile delinquents come from broken homes.

- You mean divorced people? - Yes. Divorces. Separations.

Or many times where one of the parents is dead...

and the other one has to earn a living.

In that case, the child is deprived of a normal home life.

Now, take this next case-

an orphan living with a poor family.

He hasn't got into any serious trouble yet, but he may be headed for it.

- Arthur Simpson. - Yes, sir.

- Art, looks like you're in trouble. - Yes, sir.

What about this boy, Offcer?

[Clears Throat] Well, Your Honor...

this Art Simpson has got the reputation of being the worst boy in town.

Never mind that. Why'd you arrest him?

Well, he took a car belonging to Mrs-Ramsay for a joyride-.

- How about it, Art? That right? - No, sir.

But you did take the car, didn't you?

No, sir. I just moved it away from a fireplug.

[ Weems] The car was found four blocks a way Your Honor.

Seems to me you moved that car quite a distance, Art

Well, it's kind of hard to find a place to park these days.

The law says it's a crime to drive a car that doesn't belong to you without permission.

- Did you know that? - No, sir.

Well, remember the next time you see a car parked by a fireplug. You can go now.

Don? let me eversee you in this courtroom again.

Case dismissed.

Court's adjourned for an houn.

A few years ago, boys like that were committed to institutions.

Few people realize that in courts like this...

lies the solution to our entire crime problem...

and that results are had through correction and adjustment rather than punishment.

- That's wonderful. - Young America.

Boys from all walks of life.

Young America at the crossroads.

All we can do is to try to set their feet on the right road.

If you could pick one of these boys at random-any one of them-

and follow him to his home and observe his daily life...

you'd learn a great deal more about this problem.

Where'd you get the car?

Oh, it was parked by a fireplug and I didn't want the lady to get a ticket, sol moved it.

More darn fireplugs in this town.

Yeah. What you doing?

- Anotherinvention? - This here's a scientific experiment.

Yeah, I guess so.

Sure it is. I'm hypnotizing these chickens.

Hypnotizing them? Does it hurt 'em?

- Nah. - Will theystay like that?

Sure, till I unhypnotize them.

- How do you do that? - I ain't figured that out yet.

Wouldn't it be funny if you could hypnotize people like that?

- Boy, wouldn't we have fun. - Yeah.

Art!

- What are you doing with my chickens? - I didn't do anything to them!

- I caught you dead to rights this time. - I tell you I didn't do any-

I'm gonna take you down to the police station right now!

Confound you, Art Simpson! You're the worst boy in this town!

[Horn Honks ]

[Horn Honks ]

[Horn Honks ]

Thank you. Why, that was a very brave thing for you to do.

You might have been hurt.

- You're-You're Arthur Simpson, aren't you? - Yes, ma'am.

- What's the matter, Edie? - Well, this boyjust saved Sandy from being run over by a truck.

Oh, much obliged.

- Oh, that's all right, Mr. Doray. - [Woman] No more chocolate sodas.

Oh, Arthur! Wait there a minute, please.

Jack, you need a boy here at the store.

- Why not give thejob to Arthur? - Oh, now listen, Edie.

Oh, please. I-l know he needs the work.

And besides, I have a particular reason for wanting to help him.

Do you know that he's supposed to be the worst kid in town?

- I don't believe it. - Well, he's no rose geranium.

Oh, pleaseJack. For me.

All right. But you're gonna find out that I knew what I was talking about.

[jack] Hey, come here.

- Do you want a job? - Yes, sir.

All right, be here tomorrow afternoon right after school. Six bucks a week.

- Yes, sir. - 3:30 at the latest.

Yes, sir. Thanks, Mrs. Doray.

I give him thejob, and he thanks you.

[Chuckles] Look at that old Clarence Paine.

- Every morning he walks to school with Lily Schmidt... Yeah-

- Always hanging around girls-Guys like him make me sick... Me too-

- Any guy that walks to school with a girl is a big sissy-- I'll say so-

- Hmm. You don't see us walking with any girls. - I should say not.

Of course, if, uh, two guys walk to school with a girl it's different, ain't it?

I suppose so.

- Hello, cutie. Want me to carry your books? - No, I don't-.

Ah, come on. Don't be like that. Nobody'll like ya.

Say, who is that fresh guy?

Why, that's Bull Butler.

He just got transferred here from the southside.

I heard he licked every kid there.

I don't care who he is. He's not gonna get fresh with Mabel.

So you're gonna red apple me, huh?

You let my apple alone, you big old thing, you.

- Were you looking for me, Mabel? - Yes, I was, Art.

I want you to walk to school with me.

Hey, wait a minute.

Don't get funny, shrimp.

You want to make something big out of it?

[Chuckles]

Well, well, well, well. Tough guy.

Battling Kid Four-eyes.

Don't you call me four-eyes.

Ah.

Now what are you gonna see with?

Give me my glasses.

[Chattering]

Four-eyes! [ Laughs]

Hey, wait a minute!

I'm gonna tell you just one thing.

Nutty doesn't like to be kidded about his weak eyes.

And if you do it again, I'm gonna knock the stuff in' out of you.

- Oh, yeah? - Yeah.

No matter where we are or what we're doing...

if you call him Four-eyes again, I'm gonna poke you good.

- Why don't you start in now? - All right.

- [ Bell Telling] - Well, come on.

- I'll wait for you after school. - Okay.

[ Telling Continues]

[Tolling Continues]

Four-eyes. Four-eyes. Four-eyes.

Four-eyes. Four-eyes.

Hey! You lay offofme, will ya?

- [Arthur] I told you I'd do it! - [BoyjArflAm!

Arthur Simpson! Arthur Simpson, how dare you!

I told him I'd do it, the big bully.

- I didn't do nothin', Teacher. - You big liar.

That will do. Come with me, Arthur.

- Don't forget about after school either. - All right. That's enough now.

Now I'll appoint Clarence Paine class monitor until I return.

And mind you, no noise and no talking.

- Yes, Teacher. - [ Chattering]

- Yes, Teacher. - [ Chattering]

- [ Rings] - Children, hush! I'll report everyone that talks.

- [Chatter/mg Stops] - [All Laughing]

Children, who did that? Come, come. Who did it?

You'll be suspended for this.

[Chattering]

- Come on! Come on! - Give it to him!

Come on! Come on! Come on! Come on!

[All Shouting]

[All Groaning]

- Come on, get up! Get up! - Guess I beat him there, boy.

[Grunts]

' Get up. Art! Get up! ~ Get up!

Come on, get up! Get up! Come on, get up!

Go on, you big bully. Always fightin' somebody who's smaller.

Three, six, nine, the fight's mine. I can iickyou any old time.

- Oh, yeah? - Ah, you big bully.

[All Shouting]

- That's a good fight. - Good fight.

- Are you hurt, Art? - No. That guy don't know how to fight.

Gee. I guess I'll have to go to work now.

- So long, Nutty. - So long.

- Hello, Mr. Doray. - Where you goin'?

You told me to come to work after school, didn't ya?

Yeah, I told you to come after school. That's half past 3:00, isn't it? Not 4:00.

All right, you don't have to come to work now. You can go home.

You're through before you start.

- I'm awful sorry. - Are you? I'm not.

[ Doorbell Rings]

Oh, hello, Art.

- Hello, Mrs. Beamish. - Come in.

Come-Why, what's the matter?

- Been fighting again? - Yes, ma'am.

I got suspended from school today too.

Oh, now that's a shame. What happened?

I'd rather Nutty- I mean, Edward would tell you.

- Is he suspended too? - No.just me.

Well, well. Never mind, Art. It'll come out all right.

They got a lot to do putting you out of school. The idea.

Don't you worry.

Gee. You're the only one don't pick on me.

Everyone else thinks I'm the worst kid in town.

Nonsense! You're not bad at all.

There's a lot of mischief in you- and deviltry too-but no real badness-.

Wonder why a lot of people always pick on kids?

- A lot of folks think that boys are just small men, but... What are they?

Sometimes I think they're angels...

and sometimes I think they're devils.

- But whatever they are, I love 'em. - Gee, you're swell, Mrs. Beamish.

So are you, Mr. Simpson.

Why don't you call me Granny like Edward does?

- Gee, can I? - If you don't, you'll hurt my feelings.

All right, Granny.

- Hi. - Hi.

- What are you making? - Apple turnovers.

- Oh, boy. - And you'd better eat your fill of them this time.

There won't be any more till my next pension check comes.

Say, wait a minute. I just got an idea-.

Supposin' you put popcorn in the dough, then you put them in the oven.

The heat pops the corn, they turn over by themselves.

Now I've got an idea.

Suppose you go out and get me some wood in.

Okay, Granny. Practically done.

Did you tell her yet?

- I told her I was suspended, but you can tell her why... Why didn't you tell her?

Oh, sound like I was trying to make a big guy of myself.

- Baloney. - Hooey.

- Well, thanks for stopping that Bull Butler for me... Oh, shut up-

- You been home yet? - Not yet.

- She'll give you the dickens, I bet. - I'm used to it now.

- What are you gonna do? - Guess It'd better go home and get it over with-So long-

So long.

Oh, Mama, he's got my candy.

Let your sister alone.

Hurry up, Betty.

Hello, Aunt Mary. Is there something you want me to do?

Oh, there you are.

You never forget to come home in time to eat, do you?

Running the streets all afternoon...

when you could have been here helping me with the wash.

No, there's nothing you can do now except get out of my way.

Ma, he got put out of school today.

What's that?

- You did? - Yessum. But I was gonna tell ya.

More disgrace. More trouble.

You worthless, good-for-nothing brat.

If you weren't my poor sister's kid...

you'd been out in the streets long ago.

- Please, Aunt Mary, let me tell you how- - Tell nothing!

You got put out of school and I'm gonna give you a lashing you'll never forget.

Come back here! You'll get worse for running away!

Oh, dear. You' re "gust too good for me.

I never can beat you at this game.

That makes an even $10,000 you owe me.

- $10,000? - Well, you see, we usually play for a hundred dollars a game...

But Granny was getting behind and she wanted to get even, so we played for a thousand.

Serves me right for being so extravagant. Oh, 10:00. Bedtime.

Art, after what happened at your house tonight...

would you like to stay here with Edward?

If I go home, I'll get hit, and if I don't.... I'll get hit worse-.

You stay here then. I'll speak to your aunt in the morning.

You will? Then I'll stay. Thanks, Granny.

And I'll see that school principal too.

- Oh. - What-What's the matter?

- Oh, nothing. - [ Nutty] I'll get yourmezficine.

Just one of my spells.

It's empty. Is there any more?

- I'll run and get a doctor. - Wait a minute, Art!

Granny don't like doctors.

- She's afraid she might have to go to the hospital. - Why don't she go to a hospital?

Don't you know that in hospitals, if you're poor, they slipyou the black bottle?

- Black bottle? - Sure.

- To put you out of the way and take the expense off the county... Gee, we gotta do something.

My-My medicine.

It's all gone. Got any money?

Come on. We'll get some.

We'll be right back, Granny.

[ Door Rattles]

- It's locked up, doggone it. - Let's go to Doray's.

Hey, what's the name of that medicine?

Dr. Watson's Famous Remedy.

[Tires Screeching]

- [ Door Rattles] - [ Knocking]

- Gee, what are we gonna do now? - I don't know.

Let's go to Doray's home and he can open up the store and get it for us.

[ Knocking]

[ Knocking]

- He must be out. - We gotta do somethin'.

We got to get that medicine for Granny.

Come on.

[Tires Screeching]

- Say, this is steaiin', ain't it? - I don't care.

But if we come around tomorrow and pay Mr. Doray, it'll be all right, won't it?

Sure.

- I'll come in and pull you in. - Okay.

- Do you know where it is? - I think so-.

[Engine Idling]

Here it is.

- How many did you get? - I took two.

Well, come on.

Hmm.

Here it is. Hurry up and take it, will you?

Well, well, well. I caughtyou right in the act, eh?

I knew I'd get you sooner or later. Say, who was that with you there?

Whose car is that out there?

You know what this is, don't you?

It's burglary and stealing automobiles.

Now if you tell me who was with you, I can make it a whole lot easier forya.

Oh, all right. Come along.

Hey, Sarge-

Say, I caught that Simpson kid breaking into Doray's Drugstore.

Yeah-I'm gonna take him over to Dorays for a minute before I bring him in-.

Yeah. See you later.

- [ Chattering] - [ Knocking]

- Hello, Officer... I caught this lad climbing out the back of your store-

He stole some stuff. I don't know how much yet.

He copped a car too.

All right, come on in.

Why, it's Art Simpson. What's the matter?

Why, your little pet was caught breaking into the store.

- Art, is that true? - Yes, ma'am.

Oh, Art, why did you do that?

I'll tell you why, because he's a bad egg, that's why.

I tried to tell you that and you wouldn't believe me.

Now maybe you'll realize that I was right.

All right, Weems, lock him up. I'll come down in the morning and sign a complaint.

Wait a minute, please-.

Don't you want to tell me whyyou did it?

No, ma'am. I can't.

All right, Weems.

Jack, I'm surprised at you.

Letting that boy be locked up before you've even investigated.

They ought to lock up all the bad kids in town. It'd be a better place to live in.

- That's right, Edith. - I think so too.

I don't think there's such a thing as a bad boy.

It's simply a matter of environment and-and opportunity.

- [ Woman] 0h, Ezfie, y0u're an idealist. - I should say you are.

Do you know what kids like that grow up to be? Murderers.

If people like us devoted more time to community affairs-.- ...

- there wouldn't be as many so-called bad children. - Got a matchJack?

I'm sorry to see you here again, Arthur.

Put it there.

Now we can talk.

- Who are the witnesses? - Just me, Your Honor.

- Who signed the complaint? - Mr. DorayJudge.

- Is he here? - Oh, he'll be here any minute.

What's the difificulty this time?

Well, I was making my rounds about 10:00."

when I come to Doray's Drugstore, corner of Main and Second.

I saw a car with the motor running, sol thought I'd take a look in the alley behind it...

you know, just for fun.

Well, just as I got around in behind there, I heard footsteps running'

Then I saw this lad here waving his hand out of the window behind there.

He was handing out a bottle, so I waited.

And when he climbed out, I nabbed him.

- Had the window been forced? - Yes, sir, it I120'.

And the car out front belonged to Ed Wallace.

And this kid here told me he'd borrowed it.

Did you find the car near a fireplug, Art?

- What 070' you steal 290m the drugstore? - I took some medicine.

Medicine? That's funny. I never heard of a boy stealing medicine before.

They usually have to be bribed to take it. What did you want with the medicine?

There was someone else with you in this, wasm' there?

Son...

I want to point out something that I don't think you realize.

According to testimony, you've committed burglary and theft ofan automobile.

That's a very serious offense, one for which we send men to the penitentiary.

It lies within my power...

to commit you to an institution during the term of your minority-.

- How old are you? - Thirteen.

That would be eight years then. Eight long years.

Now I don't want to do that. I want to help you.

But I can't do that unless you're frank with me...

and tell me all the hows and whys of this whole thing.

Who was with you?

Judge, I did break in the drugstore and I took some medicine...

but that's all I can tell ya.

I'm sorry to be lateJudge...

but I was taking inventory at the store, and I have to get right back.

If you want me to testify, let's get it over with in a hurry-.

Uh, Doray, john A. The truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth, so help me God.

[ People Chuckling]

Evidently, you haven't had any experience in courtrooms, Mr. Doray.

No, sir, I haven't. As far as I'm concerned it's a waste of time.

I'm a very busy man. Now just what was it you wanted to ask me?

I want to ask you with as much emphasis as the dignity of the bench will permit...

- to take a seat or leave this room. - What?

You've been guilty of contempt. Ordinarily you'd be fined.

But the court realizes that a man of your temperament and ignorance of court procedure-.-

may not be responsible for what he says.

So [simply ask you to take a seat or leave the room.

All right, sir, if that's what you want.

But frankly, with as-with as much emphasis as the dignity of my temperament will permit...

I never got such a raw deal in my life.

- Officer, arrest that man. - For what? I'm not the burglar.

You're in contempt of court, and I fine you $10-.

Thank you very much.

All right, there's your 1 O bucks.

This is only thejuveniie court, but it's dignity must be maintained.

It's all right with me. Maintain it.

I impose an additional fine of$25 upon you, Mr. Doray.

- Lool pay thejudgés salary... What's that?

All right, Art. I want to know just who was with you...

- the night you broke into the drugstore. - [Nutty] It was me.

Well, these two kids are pals, Your Honor.

He must be the one I heard running away

Come on up here, lad.

- What's your name? - Nutty-l mean, Edward Beamish.

- Do you know Arthur here? - Yes, sir.

- Pretty well? - Pretty.

Were you with him the night the drugstore was broken into?

Yes, sir.

Did you hearArthufs testimony just now?

No, sir. I just now sneaked in.

Just now sneaked in? Why?

Well, I didn't want Art to get all the blame for this.

I see. Well, now, you tell me just what happened.

Well...

Art and me hadjust moved the car from a fireplug...

and we took a shortcut through the alley by the drugstore.

And I saw the back window was open.

Sol said to Art, “I think we ought to close that window...

because if it's left open, someone might climb in and rob Mr. Doray's store.“

Sol climbed up and tried to reach in for the catch...

but I overbalanced myself and fell in the store.

Well, when Art saw me fall in...

he climbed up and tried to help me out.

He held my hand, but...

I slipped and pulled him in too.

I see. Well, now you're both in, then what?

Well, I managed to get out first.

- I heard someone coming, I ducked. _ Why;

Well, I didn't want anybody to think I was robbing the drugstore.

Certainly not.

Well, why didn't you come forward before and tell your story?

- Didn't you know your pal was in trouble? - Yes, sir.

Well?

I guess I was scared to.

- Is thatyoursto/Jq Edward? - Yes, sir.

You fell into the drugstore and Art fell in trying to pull you out.

- Is that it? - Yes, sir.

Well, then, how do you account for the bottle of medicine that was stolen?

- '(our Honor? - Are you concerned in this case, madam?

Yes, indeed I am. I'm his grandmother.

- Do you wish t0 testizj/as a witness? - Yes, I do.

[ Man] Kindly raise your right hand. Do you solemnlyswear to tell the truthm.

The whole truth, nothing but the truth, so help you God?

- [Granny]! do. - Now then, Mrs- Beamish, what do you know about this?