All language subtitles for Magic Town (1947).eng

Morning, Joe. Another one, huh?
In or out?

Out. Rip Smith.

Institute of Public Opinion. Going out of business.

Rip Smith...18th floor, inside office,
tall man, brown shoes,

dark polish three times a week,
25 cent tip.

Too bad. Nice man.

No wonder he's going out of business,

getting opinions from the public.
That's a screwy way to make a living.

There's nothing screwy about it.

Lots of people do that, look at Galop.

Big corporations pay a lot of money
to find out what you and I think.

They do?

Now, you take this cigar, for instance.

People stop buying it, sales fall off,

manufacturer wants to know why.

I can tell them why in one word.

Hey, George, is it true about Rip Smith?

Yes. I saw them moving the furniture out.
Isn't that swell?

Did you hear about Rip?
Mack cancelled his contract.

Good morning, George.

They're moving the furniture out of his office.

We already knew it.

He talked to me about jobs
for some of his people.

His People?
What about himself?

Let's grab him.
before Galop does.

We have discussed it for an hour.

What is there to discuss?

Talk to Henry,
He thinks we'd be foolish.

Why, Henry, that's the hottest piece of manpower...

Yes, I know. Brilliant.
But too much of a dreamer for me.

To hear him talk, we're all idiots.

Our method of polling public opinion
is apparently ridiculous.

Thinks we're wasting money
questioning people all over the country.

He's going to find some miraculous shortcut.

...and reduce the cost by 10%.
- Well, maybe he can.

It's called his mathematical miracle -

how to question 50 or 100 people

and find out how the whole country's thinking.

If it could be done, he'd make a fortune.

If, if, if. He was forced out of business.

Henry, that's because he operated on a shoestring.

What makes you think he'll come with us?

Rip's burning with ambition. He'll go it alone.

We'll get him. Don't worry.
In his present condition, he's a cinch.

Yes, sir.

Like I said to my wife,
sometimes asking too many questions don't pay off.

"When I got your letter, "I tested public opinion in my hometown

"on the subject you suggested,

"and here's the result.

"In favour, 69.1 Not in favour, 22.6
"Don't-knows, 8.3..."

We just laid one egg, what are
you hatching now? What are they about?

What good is that handful of cards?

- Who's that from, Mr Twiddle?

- You're awake?

Frederick Hoopendecker. A schoolteacher.

Shall I go on?

Sergeant Hoopendecker.

What a man.

- Handled a bazooka like a toy pistol.

Shall I go on?

Getting a bunch of ex-doughfeet....

to canvas their home towns!
What for?

I'm still hunting for that short cut, Ike.
- Mathematical miracle.

My goodness, shall I go on?

No. I thought I had an idea. File that
with the rest of them, Mr Twiddle.

- Everybody get paid off?
- Uh-huh.

Good.

Why don't you give up?

Stop chasing rainbows.
- Go to work for somebody.

Yes, I could open a bowling alley right here.

A lot of good guys got kicked around when they were kids.

They're not out to capture the world.

A dancing academy maybe.

- May I?
- Stop it .

- This is no time to...
- It's good for the soul.

Qu demonios estn haciendo?

twirling, Mr Stringer.

- Thank you.

- Thank you.

I've got a proposition, Rip.

Really? Okay...

There might
be an opening in our outfit for you

if you'll accept a reasonable salary

Let's say 10% of profits.

You can take Ike with you and Mr....

- Twiddle.
- S, Twiddle.

Thanks, Charlie. I'll think about it.

Think about it?

Don't be an fool, Rip
you're in no position to be fussy.

You and your mathematical miracles.

Look at the job you did for Mac.
No wonder he cancelled.

We released our figures today.
for the same subject.

Look at it. You weren't even close.

You can't do polls without national coverage.

and that takes mony, a lot of money.

Accept it once and for all, There are no short cuts.

Why are you grinning about?

Charlie, I love you.

With all my heart, I love you!
But the answer's no.

Yup, it's no. See you around.

Give me that.

- Get off that desk!

- What's hits you?

Lock that door.

If I can just find this letter.
Where is it?

Here it is.

This might be it, Ike.
This might be it.

The short cut I was looking for..

Look at Hoopendecker's
letter andLook at Stringer's figures.

Stringer canvassed thousands of people
all over the country,

Hoopendecker only a handful in one small town.

Look at the results.

69.1... 69.1.
They're identical!

This might be it.

Escucha... piensa en esto:

One small town
that thinks exactly the way the nation does.

- You're talking about Utopia.

Utopia, Utopia.
Maybe. We'll find out now.

Mr Twiddle,
Get me the almanac... No, I'll get it myself.

Call up the Census Bureau
and get Hoopendecker on the phone.

No, no. I can get the national figures
from the almanac,

Now give me the data on Grandview

How about the sex ratio?

Males to females?

- Prohibition?
- Alright.

- About 1,400. I got it.
- Alright.

What was that last one?
OK.

Democrats? Yes.
Republicans?

I knew it! I knew there was somewhere, someplace, a town like this.

Even the population breaks down
like the country.

The same percentage of males, females,
farmers, labors...

Democrats, Republicans, everything!

Hello? Yeah, I'm still here.

Look!, here is the set-up

We'll have to poll the same people
over and over.

It'll be good for years, You know...

but sooner or later
they'll get self-conscious, that's fatal.

The people on that town can't
know what we're doing there.

We need a cover....

Here it is, We're three insurance salesmen
from Hartford.

Insurance? Oh, my.

Talking to a man
about when he's going to die.

Hello?

Yes, That's what I said, Mac.
I can deliver too.

Listen, Stringer's been doing a poll...

...for you on progressive education in puplic schools...

He's been at it for months.
Alright, Suppose I start now...

and finish ahead of him?
what do you say to that?

I tell you, It IS possible!

What? What?

I'll come within one per cent.
That's how close.

I'm not going to tell you how i'll do it.

No, no other polling company
is going to find out about this.

I can make a million bucks on this.

What?

Yeah.

Let me understand this.

You'll put me on trial, huh?

If this thing goes
over, you'll renew my contract, right?

That's all I want to know.

OK, Mac.

Thanks.

Grandview, you good old mathematical
miracle...

Here we come!

Thanks Grandview.

The moment Columbus sighted land
must have been like this.

Would you mind...?

Do you want to get off, please?

Excuse me.

Moody's Mansion House, Bus for Moody's Mansion House
leaving right away!

Moody's Mansion House?

It's the name of the hotel, sir.

That's a Wonderful name, perfect name for the hotel.

Well, maybe it is or maybe it isn't,
what I want to know is if you want to go.

Yeah. See that fellow over there...

with the bags, looks like he popped out of Dickens?

Tell him to check us out.
We're going for a walk.

- Yes, sir.
- Will you do it for me?

Moody's Mansion House. Wonderful.
Moody's Mansion House.

How do you do?

It's wonderful to be around a town...

that you know like an old family album.

Look at that fellow over there.

I know all about him.
He's married. He has 1.7% children.

Out of his income he spend, 11.2% is rent, 23.5% food,

17.2% for clothing...

Poor guy is a series of fractions.

He ought to stop acting like a human being.

Hello...

Glad to see you again.

Glad to see you!

- How have you been?
- I'm Fine. And How have you been?

Can't complain.
You're looking well.

- Thanks. You seem fit yourself.
- Not bad for an old man.

- How have you been?
- Can't complain.

- And you?
- Fine, Fine...

- Well, Glad to have seen you again.
- I'm very glad to have seen you.

Who was that?

- Who's that man?
- I don't know.

- Sure you don't know him?
- No, I don't.

If he knows who you are, we're sunk.

He was just being friendly, don't you think?

ESCUELA PRIMARIA Y
SECUNDARIA DE GRANDVIEW

Where can I find Professor Hoopendecker?

- I don't know.
- He ain't down here.

- So you're not, huh? Wise guy!
- Thanks.

You have missed...

Pass me the ball!

To me, to me...

Here! Here!

Throw it at me!

Here! Here!

- Wow!
- It's incredible.

- Did you see that?

- All the way from there.
- That was really something.

Company, atten-shun!

Hit the dirt!

Rip!

Rip Smith!

Good old Sergeant Hoopendecker.
Hi, dirty face.

Captain, I love you!

Ratted.
It took me years to build up dignity.

Rip Smith!
So that's who he is.

Sorry I couldn't meet you at train.
We're having exams.

How it's going?
The survey I did was good, huh?

- Right on the nose for the nation.
- You don't say?

- What about this insurance thing?
- You're taking an awfull chance, aren't you?

We'll sell a few insurances if need be.

Is that him, Mr Hoopendecker?

Sure. That's he.
That's he alright.

Jeepers. Rip Smith.

It's fabulous.

Mr Hoopendecker said you were coming.

Oh yeah?

We read about you
in the basketball guide.

I'm coaching them.
and that is part of the training.

Here's my assistant.
The mascot of the team.

- Hi.
- Hi, Rip.

Hey? What's going on down there?
It's a nickel a look.

- That's the 9 O'clock bell.
Come on boys, move along, move along.

- Bye, Rip.
- Bye.

See you later, Rip.

Have you seen anyone yet?

No, I've been walking around,
I'm going see the mayor now.

Fine. Meet me after school at the town meeting hall.
I'll introduce you to folks.

OK. So long, dirty face.

How do you do?

- Why!
- The very idea!

- Imagine A man his age doing such a thing!

- Wait here, please.
- Thank you.

Where'd you disappeared?

Dropped in on my pal Hoopendecker.

Why, what goes on here?

His Honour the Mayor's in conference.

Ah. What a town.
The only thing to do...

We put the decimal
points in the right place and we're home.

Yes. Let's pray these good people...

stay average and don't change.

They haven't changed in 50 years.
Forget it.

Yes. These changes will make this town.

The park and playground will be placed here.

The hospital and the nursery here...

The library here and the high school here.

As mayor I'm neutral...

a servant of the people...

but i still insist, this plan's preposterous.

Is'nt it, Richard?
Isn't it preposterous?

I'm little tired of hearing about it.

She's been coming before the council
for years.

It's like a filibuster.
There ought to be a law against...

Now, Lou, This is a free country,
the girl has a perfect right to speak her piece.

All right.
All right.

Thanks, Mr Nickleby.

And I'll exercise continue to exercise
that right at every council meeting...

until i drill into fixed skulls realise...

Grandview
needs a new civic centre.

That's quite right, Mr Mayor.
You're excused.

- Yes, Excuse me of course.

Now, What is it?

- You said it was important.
- Yes, sir.

My name's Lawrence Smith.
This is my associate, Mr. Sloan.

We just got into town and we
thought you could help us out...

Just a moment.
Just a moment.

Notes for visitors' diary.

At 9.46, a gentleman by the name
of Lawrence Smith came in.

"Visitors are welcome," I said.

"What can I do for you?"

Visitors are always welcome.

What can I do for you?

Speak up, young man, speak up.

In the matter fact,
We want to open an insurance office.

We thought you could recommend....

... us a real estate agency.

Mr Smith requested that I recommend...

a real estate agent.

"You place me in a difficult position,"
I said. "A mayor cannot show partiality."

Just a minute. I'll get Lou Dickens
out here.

Best real estate man in town.

Rest of them aren't worth a hoot.

What about the maintenance costs?

That means more watcha-call-it... taxes.

Excuse me.

Now Dick, Why not approve the plan...

principle and let the voters decide?

Seems to me that Mr Nickleby's
being very unselfish about this.

As the leading contractor in town,

he'd naturally benefit.

We can't afford anything so ambitious.

Did it ever occurred to you, Mr. Nickleby...?

That social Improvements will attract new people,

...and new industries,
new wealth, so we could afford it.

Glad to be of watch a call it... service.

Well. Like a fella says... thank you.

Always with changes. Change this, change that...
How big a town do you want?

Of course I want changes.

It's time for us to take off our
diapers and start growing up...

...and let's make the town a decent place to live.

Changes.
There goes your mathematical miracle.

When it comes to community planning...

...I always trust Mr. Nickleby.

You talk as if it's a bad community...

This is a very fine community!

Of course it is,
It's a beautiful community!

I beg your pardon. I didn't mean to butt in like this...

That's all right, young fellow. Come in.

What do you think of Grandview, youg man?
What do you think of it?

Think of it?! I've been searching
for a town like this for years.

You like it? Speak up, young man.

You know, When I got off that train this morning,
I said to myself, "This is it."

I've just walked through your town, folks...

with its shade trees and lovely parks...

I stood before your impressive buildings....

embellished by age and I said to myself...

"Here's a true challenge to the evils of the modern era."

I watched your people on the street.

and felt their vitality and sense of security.

- All in less than one hour.
- Hmm?

Your children are happy.

Happy.

You can see it in their dear faces
and hear it...

... in their wholesome talk.

Oh, there's beauty here.
It's almost indescribable.

You're used to it.
You're all part of it.

You take it for granted.

To me,

it's a hope and a dream of a lifetime.

I too want to become a part of it.

Please don't change it.

I'm very sorry. I didn't mean to intrude.

He's right. Absolutely right.

That makes me watcha-call-it... proud.

That's the kind of youngmen this town needs.

I move to you Gents forget this
whole silly thing about high school.

All those in favour?

Aye! Aye! Aye!

Meeting adjourned.

It took a stranger made us see sense.

I hope it'll be the last time we hear about this civic centre.

You fascinate me.

- We nearly fell for watcha-call-it... that scheme of Mary's.
- got to know him better.

Ed, Ed Schwarz, I want you to meet
My friend Laurence Smith.

How do you do? Sir...

Mel Hanley.

Mr. Hanlley, How do you do?

My pleasure.

Hey, fellas.

I want you to meet my friend
Laurence Smith. Insurance.

- Hello, Mr. Smith.
- Delighted.

- Welcome to Grandview.
- How are you?

Any friend of Hoopendecker's always welcomed here.

Thank you very much, gentelmen.

Everything takes place here -
political rallies, concerts, dances....

Hey, there it is.

Great American institution: the pot-bellied stove.

That one's been there for
same spot for over 100 years.

Folks wouldn't throw it away.

Sit round that stove and find out
what Grandview's thinking.

And what the country's thinking.

Yeah.

If you want to find our Senator hides...
Yup. I'm right.

Senator Wilton,
meet my friend Laurence Smith.

- Glad to see you.
- Glad to see you.

Oh, yes!

But? is it Senator Wilton?

United States Senator Wilton.

Of course, No wonder your face was familiar!

The Senator was brought up in Grandview.
He Comes back 2-3 times a year to visit.

Pressure in Washington gets pretty strong sometimes,

... easy to lose your perspective.

Issues become very simple in this room.

- I imagine so.
- Say...

There's something in the local paper about you.

- Here, Senator.
- Thanks.

They don't seem to like you.

Here, under Town Tidbits.

Here?

"The incident at the council meeting...

...indicates a complete lack of grace."

"On his first day in town, yet, Mr. Smith managed...

...to poke his unwelcome proboscis...
"into local affairs."

That's pretty cute.

"If you're really here to sell insurance, Mr Smith,

"you'd do well to start building goodwill
and confidence."

Where's the slaughterhouse
that turn this thing out?

- Right down the street. I'll go with you.
- Never mind, I'll handle it myself.

Excuse me, Senator?

- Take it easy. They're a tough
crew when they want to be.

well, I can be tough myself, you know.

Where's the editor? I want to see the editor
of this imitation newspaper!

Please say that again.

- I want to know...
- No, no, no.

- No. The same words in the same way.

You can bang the counter if you wish.

Please?

Where's the editor? I want to see the editor
of this imitation newspaper!

Thank you.

What's this?
What's this all about?

Your voice. It's the spitting image of his.

Never heard the likes of it.

No Sir, Never did.

Spitting image of who?

He used to say the same thing.
And bang on the counter too.

Every morning, When he came in.

That was his little joke.

Whose joke?

Who's he?

Lou Peterman.

Her husband.

He's the editor.

The editor. OK, That's the fella I want to see.
Where's he?

Lou got a little tired about ten years ago,
almost 11 now, eh?

Yep, Just about.

The year I got my new uppers.

Went out on the porch to take a bit of nap...

He was more tired than he thought.

Never seen such a wonderful funeral.

Everybody in town came.

And from out of town.

Lem Simpson was a pallbearer.

Stayed sober all day.

Just out of respect.

Yes Sir, Your voice is the spitting image.

Well, young man, what is it?

You came in to make a complaint.
I Believe.

This story about me. Have you seen it?

Yes.

- What's the idea?
- Are the facts incorrect?

- No, but...
- Is your name spelt wrong?

- No...
- Then what's your complaint?

It's snide, that's what it is.
Yes, It's snide.

Taking advantage of an innocent stranger.

What kind of hospitality is that anyway?

Those nasty weezlly little digs.
No decent newspaper...

Youngman, If you want to attack our policy of this newspaper,

write us a letter and we'll glad to print it.

In the meantime, you can do your complaining...

...to the acting editor who wrote the story.

OK. I'll talk to the acting.
I'll talk to the acting acting editor.

I've got it! A three-position signal.

Ouch and McOuch.

Jiggle it. Try jiggling it.

Sometimes they start
when you jiggle them.

See? as i tell you.

- Nice?
- Very nice. - Lovely. - Beautiful.

Pass me Panther.

Come on Sweetie...

You wished to see me?

Yes, Miss. I just wanted to thank you for
that pretty nice story you wrote about me.

I thought you came in to complain.

Me? Not at all.
Not at all.

I blam what the fellow said:

There's one thing worse
than being talked about...

And that's not being talked about all.

In that case you won't mind my
second story i'm writing about you.

Not at all.
Not at all.

No use looking over my shoulder.
This isn't it.

Well, As a matter of fact,

I was just admiring
how your hair sweeps up from your neck.

My, my, a real sharpie.

Now, look. Look at this story
you wrote about me.

Look, it says...

It says here...

Quote:

"If you're really here
to sell insurance, Mr Smith,

"you'd do well..." And so on, so on.

Why that?
That creates suspicion.

Mr. Smith, Grandview is already overcrowded
with insurance agents.

...most of them starving.

A clever man like you would stay away.

Simple.

A clever man like me doesn't mind
competition.

He has ideas.
He sees insurance...

...as a long-rang community service.

He doesn't care if he never sells a policy...

for six months or a year.

Now, Would you like to write a little retraction?

You know, Say you were a little hasty....

on further examination, this Smith...

...is he a charming guy?
Would you like to do that?

No, I guess you wouldn't.

It's sticky here, I'm think i'm going to have a Soda.

Give Panther his milk.

Sis, I got a great story for you.

Who do you think's in town?

I met him too.

Rip Smith.
Boy, He was over at school...

Hi, Son.

Hello, Mr Smith.

Hello, how are you?

We were just going to the hotel to see you.

The commity is here.

Ah.

We talked to Mr Hoopendecker said it was all right.

He says you're the greatest guy in the world.

I think he exaggerates a little.

He said if we ask you, you'd do it in a minute.

Do what Rob?

Coach the basketball team of course.

Would you, Mr Smith?

I'll leave you two to discuss business.

- Would you, Mr Smith?
- Well yes, of course.

We'll talk about that, I want to
straight some things with your sister first.

Make that two, will you?

- I ordered a headache powder.
- Just what I need.

Oh, Don't go.

I expect to be around here for
quite a spell. You have to get used to me.

Perhaps you're right.

I've got used to
the other weird goblins in this town.

Goblin, huh? let me see, How does that go?

"Well, You better mind your parents
and your teachers...

... fond and dear, and cherish them that loves you...

...and dry the orphan's tear...

Help the poor and needy ones...

....that clustered all about...

"Or the goblins will get you
if you don't watch out."

That's from a poem called "The Goblins Will Get You
If You Don't Watch Out."

That's from a poem called "Little Orphan Annie."

By golly, that's right.

Oh, headache powder. Chocolate flavour.

Tell me about this civic centre of yours.

Why?

I'm just interested.

After the way you shot your big mouth off this morning?

Yes, it was stupid, Not knowing anything about it either.

Yea.

I hope it didn't do any harm.

Only set progress back a few years, that's all.

It did?
I'm sorry.

Maybe I can make up for it.
Help in some way.

Come on, Tell me about it.

Why did you do it?

What?

Butt into the meeting...

I was just busting with good spirits.
That's all.

The city looked perfect to me, I didn't imagine why anyone want to change it?

Sure there wasn't some other reason?

If there was, it escapes me at the moment.

Say, Some of the fellas have got to go home...

and we thought maybe for a starter...

you could explain the back pass dilemma.

It says here: Rip Smith used it to perfection.

It does?

The what dilemma?

Quiet, please. This is technical talk.

Sure. I can show you. It's very simple.

Anybody got a pencil?

Here we are.
Get up around here.

I'd say...

We're on the attacking team.
I have the ball.

Here I am right there.
Here's my guard.

Here you are right here.
and here's your guard over there.

I pass to you and move in your direction.

My guard naturally crosses to cover me...

Then I suddenly fall in behind you like that.

and that brings the two guards close together.

You back pass to me and cut like that.

Your guard crosses, bumps into his
own man...

and give you a clear pass easy layout.

See?

but if there's nothing to told here.

Give me the ball. I'll demonstrate.

That's the best part of it.

Hey, you get over there.
You be his guard, you be my guard.

Follow me, men.

All out here.

Now, We'll use that tree for a basket.

Now, come on here.
We'll line up a defence right here.

You be his guard
and you be his guard, right?

Now, Remember what I told you.

You have the ball.
Remember, Pass, follow the pass,

back pass, loop pass, boomeroom.
got it?

And you check on this,
There is no mistake. Go on.

Over here, Shorty.

Come on, Pass it!

Pass it! Come on, Bob.

Let me have it.
Let me have it.

That wasn't bad. All but the boomeroom.

Ok now, Let's try some baskets.

Now, looks like Someone's gonna have to climb a tree.

Come on... you.

No. Shorty, come here.

Allez-oop!

Can you reach it?

It's easy, Ike.

You start gabbing about insurance...

...and then very gradually an cleverly,
you sneak up on your subjects. See.

Talk to a man about his life expectancy...

...but find out
what he thinks of progressive education.

Right. Here we go.
Here we go.

TABULATING SHEET

Now, here it is.
What did I tell you?

Isn't this beautiful?
You can see the whole town from here.

If I get to New York,
I'll show you the sights.

I brought the kids up here.
Good for their legs.

Oh! you mean i know, but
I don't expect to make the basketball team.

Don't be such an old whiney worm.

A what?

Whiney worm.
Always whining about something.

Just relax.

Yes, When you come face to face
with sheer beauty, just...

...let go.

Whose idea was it? Yours?

What?

The plan. You know.
The civic centre.

That was a legacy from my father.

He worked on it for years.
Never could put it over.

But you will. Won't you?

You bet.

Because you set me back a bit, but I'll put it over.

It's the only thing my father left when he died.
"It's my one possession," he said.

"A worthwhile job to do. It's yours.

"Consider yourself rich."

I thought he left you the newspaper.

No. We just work there.
Ben Moody owns it.

Oh. Moody's Mansion House.

You call yourself acting editor.
Who's the editor? Mr Moody?

No. Papa. There can only be
one editor for that paper.

He still runs it, sort of.

I like that.

You sound like him.

Sometimes you even look like him.

But you're not like him at all.

Papa wasn't so desperate.

What are you desperate for? Money? Power?

You been reading the bumps on my head?

The air becomes charged with electricity
around desperate men.

I always feel it when I'm near Nickleby.

I feel it now. Strong.

Having fun?

Mm. Do you mind?

No, no.

What is that? Let me see it.

MT14 rheostat.

Controls the speed of that little train
you saw in the window.

Was your childhood terribly ugly?

You know, That little model train is a very professional job.

Girl mechanic.

Was it?

It was cloistered - Swiss governess,

Lord Fauntleroy suits, that type of thing.

There's one thing that doesn't add up.

Electric currents
and selling insurance in Grandview.

Maybe you need a new crystal ball.

My old one's all right.

Want to know what I see in it?

Before you're through,
you'll run for mayor of this town.

The awful part is
I'll probably vote for you.

He and his kid brother were river rats.

People on excursions used to throw coins...

and the kids dive for them...

It meant food for the family.

He wants security, sure, in his fist.

Yes, of course.

Hey, sis, gonna watch us practise?

No, darling. I have a meeting in the dance committee.

So long.

What else, Hoop?

That's all I know.

Say, I've got to go home.
I have a lot of examinations papers to correct,

Night, Mary.

Thanks for dinner.

- Is the ladies' meeting over yet, Mr. Quincy?
- Yup. Just about.

Yup. Just about.

Goodnight, Mary.

- It was wonderful meeting.
- Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Well, the big diccession'd been made.
The basketball dance will be held

... a week from Saturday's night
at the Town Meeting Hall.

That's sure a plush.

Great!

That's the night we play the Waverley game.

We'll pin their ears back.

- Goodnight.
- Goodnight, Rip.

- Goodnight.
- Get some sleep now.

- Hi.
- Hi.

How did it go tonight?

Good.
Good.

Good, good, good.

- Did you go to school here?
- Mmm.

These are graduation pictures there.

- Yes.
- How incredible, look at that.

Look at that.
Wonderful.

- Are you here?
- Yeah.

Wait a minute. Don't show me.

Ah, There you are that.
I knew you right off.

Go on. I showed you.

No, you didn't. I pick it up myself.
It's simple.

You got the same...
Same this.

Same firecracker eyes.

You were pretty then too.

Think so?

Yeah.
Very pretty.

Well, that's Helen Kleinspiegel.
This is me over here.

Wise guy, huh?

That's amazing.

That grew up to be you?

What an age we're living in.

There's a smell about that fellow in the classroom
that always gets me.

You went to school here, huh?

What do you know?

- In this very classroom?
- Uh-huh.

I'll be darned.

Where did you sit?

Over there.

In the front row?

You had to stay awake all the time.

You know? I always had trouble
with these legs of mine.

Always stuck out in the aisle like this.

People kept tripping over them.

One day, the teacher was walking
down the aisle and she...

- ... and went kerplunk.
- Oh-oh.

She accused me of doing it deliberately.

You didn't, of course?

Not deliberately. I might have helped a little.

- And you sat there?huh?
- Mmm.

This seat had an awful squeak...

Yup. This is where I sat.

- Did you have pigtails?
- Mmm.

Anybody special to pull them?

Bertie. Senator Wilton's son.

He was a terror.

They moved to Washington
and I was heartbroken.

Oh, You were?

For how long?

Oh, Ages.
Almost a week.

Oh, look. "Hiawatha."

"By the shores of Gitche Gumee, by the..."

Always thought it was Gitche Gooey.

Well, It is gooey.

Me, Me,
I was always exclusively

a "Charge Of The Light Brigade" fella.

-I love Hiawatha.
- Charge of the Light Brigade.

Half a league, half a league...

#By the shores of Gitche Gumee...#

Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.

"Forward, the Light Brigade!

Charge for the guns!" he said!
Into the valley of Death

Rode the six hundred.
"Forward the Light Brigade!" Was there a man dismay'd?

Not tho' the soldier knew

Some one had blunder'd.

Their's not to make reply,

Their's not to reason why,

Their's was to do and die!

Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.

Cannon to right of them, Cannon to left of them...
Cannon in front of them...

Volley'd and thunder'd...
storms, like rain of shots and shells.

#"Ewa-yeah! My little owlet!"#
- Into the jaws of Death,

Into the mouth of Hell!

#"Ewa-yeah! My little owlet."#

Rode the six hundred!

Flash'd all their sabres bare,

Flash'd as they turn'd in air...

#Many things Nokomis taught him
Of the stars that shine in heaven,#

#Showed him Ishkoodah the comet,#

#Ishkoodah with fiery tresses...#
Sunk into the guns smoke, Right thro' the line they broke,

Cossacks and Russian Reeling from the sabre stroke,

Shatter'd and sunder'd...

#In the frost nights of Winter,#

#Showed the broad white road in heaven,#

#Crowded with the ghosts, the shadows,#

#At the door sat the little Hiawatha...#

"Forward the Light Brigade!"

Was there a man dismay'd?

Not tho' the soldier knew
some one had blunder'd.

Their's not to make reply,
Their's not to reason why...

But, soft, what light
through yonder window breaks?

It is the east and Juliet is the sun.

Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon

Charge! Charge!

who is already pale and sick with grief...

Open up, Twiddle. It's me.

Not in yet, huh?

Did you get them?

Yeah.
Three "Yes" and one "Don't know".

Good. That completes the list.

Figure, if he needs to make that plane,
You have to be here soon.

He told Mac he'd have the results tomorrow.

They're playing Preston tonight.
A very important game.

- Some sort of drink?
- No.

It's me.

Hi, boys. How it's going?

I'm a little late, sorry.

- How does it look, Mr. Twiddle?
- It's all blocked out.

Don't mind the parentheses,
Just give me the basic figures.

It'll take one second. Who won?

Who won?!

Don't be comical. 46 to 12.
We slaughtered them.

My God, that's peachy!

It'll be so peachy if you get this thing finished.

Come on, Mr Twiddle. Stop stalling us.

Stalling?
My godness, I said one second.

I only hope these figures
will be close to Stringer's.

Don't worry about that.
All you have to do...

I know! I know!

Put the decimal points
in their proper places.

- There. I've done it.
- Give me that.

There she is, boys.
Look at that.

Do you realize what it means?
This was done in two weeks.

From now on, we can do them in 24 hours if necessary.

Wait till Mac sees this.
Alright, ike, Here you are.

If you hurry, you'll catch that plane tonight.

If Mac starts asking you questions,

...about where we got it,
just turn your baby blues on.

I'd like to see his face.

You can accomplish that with alacrity and dispatch.

Why don't you go and see him yourself?

- Don't be silly, I can't get away.
We play Waverley tomorrow.

- Oh?
- There's a dance after.

- Oh.
- You know, my handling this team
has worked beautifully for us.

And I don't want to mess up.
It'll look awful funny if I just...

disappear myself from.

Here you are. And that was a beautiful job, Mr Twiddle.
Excellent.

Hey Rip?
How would you like to kick this deal over?

Kick it over?

It'll be all right with me and Mr Twiddle.

What? What you'r talking about?

- Isn't that right, Mr. Twiddle?
- Oh, Yes of course.

Don't keep going on our account...

- Save it! will you

Kick it over?
Nonsense! Nonsense!

What's the matter with you?
What are you talking about?

I've been working all my life for this.
And here it it's...

...wrapped in a nice neat package.
Kick it over? What for?

What kind of a lame brain
do you think I am?

Do you think I've been pushing that hill for all these...?

OK. OK.

I guess I was way off the beam.

I guess you certainly were!

Well... I gotta go now.

Ike, tell Mac that we can take
three or four jobs at one time.

Maybe more than that.

Call me as soon as you've finished
with him tomorrow night.

Ike...

Ike? You call me.

Did you ever do the Samba, Mr Quincy?

No. I can't say I did.

Well, never do it, I just had a two-hour demonstration.

Know what a back pass dilemma is, , Mr Quincy?

No.

Well, I'm going to get a demonstration of that.

Back pass dilemma.

This I gotta see.

OK. Now cut off quick, I'm gonna pass to you.

Oh, throw it, throw the ball!

Don't make love to it.

That's no way to throw a ball.

It's more of a snap forward like that.

No, no. Suppose there's a wolf
on the make.

What do you do?

You mean like this?

Yeah. Like that.

Let's try something else, shall we?

We'll try the lay up shot.
Stand over here.

No rough stuff now.

Now. The principle of this shot is to stretch...

...yourself out as far as you can...

...and lay the ball in the basket.

Well, you try it, go over there.

Remember, you try to stretch up and lay the ball in there.

Here, I'll help you.

Look. It got stuck up there.

Back pass dilemma, eh?

Ever asked yourself why they call me Rip?

Is it something to do with Rip Van Winkle? right?

I fall asleep at the drop of an eyelid.

I think I'll drop an eyelid right now...

... on this soft and lovely shoulder of yours...

... and never leave.

Oh, I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry.

You live and learn.

Sorry to cut in. You promised.

Certainly, darling. This is your night.

- Mind, Rip?
- No, no.

You made a mistake, Bob.
She's carrying concealed weapons.

Good work, son.

You Certainly licked those kids
into a fighting machine.

It's the first time we beat Waverley
in ten years.

Hi, Sergeant.

Must be you have a normal tussl
with your conscience of yours?

Don't worry about my conscience.

Hey, Bob. Now, remember,
stay far away from her.

You will find it difficult to drop that girl in a bracket.

She won't stay there.

# I keep a book within my heart #
Our school song.

# Where all my fondest memories art

# The temple bells on Christmas Eve

# The wishes on a falling star

# The lonely sound across the night

# The trains that always hurry through

# The patterns on the frosted pane

# The magic lands they took me to

# These are not only idle dreams

# That time will some day dim for me

# They're pages that I've put away

# Here into my book of memory

# The fun around the swimming hole

# The gang around the campus green

# The laughter of an April Fool

# The ghost that walks on Halloween

# The little hand I held in mine

# While walking through a secret lane

# The rainbow on a neighbour's lawn

# That sparkles after summer rain

# These are not only idle dreams

# That time will some day dim for me

# They're pages that I've put away

# Here into my book of memory #

Attention, please! Thank you.

Folks, Mrs Peterman
wishes to say a few words.

Thank you. Thank you very much.

The "Dispatch", you know,
rarely retracts a story.

Well, Obviously because the "Dispatch"
rarely makes mistakes.

Tomorrow, however, you will read the
retraction...

... of an item that appeared recently about Mr Lawrence Smith.

The "Dispatch" wishes to erase any doubt
it created...

... as to Mr Smith's integrity.

Mary and I have seen a lot of Rip
since he got here.

It's only been a short time,
yet already he seems an old friend,

and that's a good sign.

He's taken an interest in our civic affairs

and his devotion to the basketball team...

Everybody must admit
he performed a miracle!

But...

it took hard work at all hours

and I'm sure he neglected
his own business to do it.

We're very lucky
to acquire such a fine citizen,

and I thought this was the occasion to
apologise to him...

... and to tell him how we feel.

Rip...

We're all very happy and grateful

that in your search
for a permanent anchorage,

you chose to throw in your lot with us...

... and to grow with Grandview.

Speech! Speech!

I... er...

I wish Mrs Peterman hadn't said
all those nice things about me...

...I doubt whether I can live up to them.

I...

I prefer that you reserve judgment

until you... Well...

...until you got to know me better.

Much better.

Thank you.

How can people go around
making speeches?

I remember once in Italy, a bunch of us
got to talking..

... about home and Ma.

The pipsqueak started,

... then the other fellas back going.
They were all from small towns.

You were the only city slicker there.

You let your guard down that night, Rip.

You envy those guys.
You said that yourself.

You never knew what it was to have
neighbours, to have a sense of belonging.

What Ma said goes for all of them.

Just give me one year.

Just one year.

You've made a lot of friends here.
That's security, Rip.

The surest kind.

No. No! Look up there.
That light's in my office...

It's there for the calls coming in telling me...

...that I have the world at my tail.
Well, it may be a rat race...

... but I'm out in front!
And i'm going to grab mine!

He hasn't come back yet?

- I can't imagine that anything I said...
- Ma.

When Papa acted like a goon,

you didn't let him hide in the corner
and lick his wounds, did you?

Of course I didn't.

Oh, godness, I promised Ben Moody I'd dance with him.

I hope he's in the groove. I'm not.

It's the perfect job.

What did I tell you?
What did I tell you, Ike?

How close was it?

What?

I said, How close was it to Stringer poll?

Right on the nose.

No kidding?

What did old Mac say?

Said he was flabbergasted.
Totally flabbergasted.

This is it, Ike.

Henrichs? Yeah.
Tell him we'll take that Henrichs deal.

And Keeley. Keeley sounds pretty good.

We're home, Ike.
We're home.

Yeah. But If that Peterman girl doesn't grab it.

She won't grab anything.
Don't Worry.

She's hooked on changing the town.

If she ever puts that civic centre over...

I'll handle the Peterman girl.
Relax, will you?

Yeah. Guess you will.
You're an artist, my boy.

Cut it out, will you?

We have come to do a job and Nothing interferes with the job.
I told you that.

See you in a couple of days.

Yes, sir.

I came here to do a job....

...Anything else is just a blind alley.

Trouble with having a newspaper background...

...is it develops an instinct for snooping.

You must have found Ma's speech
tonight very funny.

We had to work secretly.

Nobody's been hurt by it, have they?

That's right. Nobody.

What are you going to do?

You couldn't stand any changes.

Could you?

By all means hold back progress...

... Mr Smith
has to make an extra dollar for himself.

I certainly think that's stooping very low.

I want to make a deal with you.

You kill that story and I'll never
show my face around here again.

This isn't for myself, Mary,
it's for the people here.

I wouldn't like to see them get confused...

What I was doing couldn't do them
any harm,

...but if they read that...
I don't know. They're human.

You can't go on telling people they're special.

Not even in a newspaper, That's deadly.

If you love them, Mary, don't do it.

Well, if you stop pounding on that machine
and listen to me.

I don't know, i suppose you think I've got some sort of an angle.

I don't know how to convince you, Mary.

You'll just have to take my word.

Set this story up, Mr Dingle.

This looks hot. Send Harry down.

Cover this.
Make a smallpicture layout.

Right.

So that's it. What a guy!

Take the truck.
We want sound.

Find out what the typical American wears.

We want daily sidewalk interviews.

According to Smith,
It's the perfect parameter of national opinion.

This unusual story was first given to the world by Mary
Peterman...

...of the Grandview Dispatch.

In a week's time...

I wouldn't give the wart
off my nose for anybody's opinion in this town.

OK, now.
You're typical Americans. Act like it.

Afraid we've opened the cave of dynamite.

I hadn't counted on arousing
the whole world.

Hey, sis,

some bigshot reporters
to see you from out town.

Sorry to barge in on you miss Peterman.

It's all right.

We thought you'd like to give us some information.

Would you mind talking about the survey?
How did you find out about it?

Mr Smith completed his poll...
He just handed me the story.

Could you till us anything about his plans?

- We can't see him.
- He won't talk to anybody.

He left a word that he's leaving for New York this afternoon,
and had nothing to say.

It's a lie! I don't believe it.

Rip wouldn't do anything like that.

He wouldn't walk out on us now.
Not with the Freehole game coming up.

Had 50 calls from families already...

...wanting to move to Grandview.

Kids!

Alright Mary, we're ready!

Bob said you wouldn't.

Yes, I said that you would leave before the Freehole game.
Nothing more important than that.

You bet.

Lived here all my life.

...Never knew we were
so terrific.

It's a landslide.
It's a veritable landslide.

There's Rip, our great discoverer.

Our great discoverer.
Insurance business, huh?
That sure was slick.

Rip's staying, coaching us for the Freehole game.

Watch this town grow.

All We got to do is to
take advantage of the opportunity.

You will.

It's in the air.
All those electric currents.

Come on, Bob.

Electric currents?

What's he talking about?
Looks like a nice clear day.

- We're already known from coast to coast.
- Look at that, People coming in on every train.

They're coming by car too and by bus.
Even on watcha-call-it... on foot.

I won't blame them?
Who wouldn't want to live in the perfect town?

I'll just have to build another hotel.
That's all.

Shouldn't we start planning?
Things are moving so fast.

Certainly, certainly. That's why we
want you to handle all the publicity.

Spread the slogan "Grow with Grandview."

I got a couple of ideas.
I'd like to talk about with you.

FixBerg and another factory wishes to set up a plant
so that it can later announce:

"Made in a typical American city."

They'll all be looking for watcha-call-it... building sites.
Where do we find them?

watch real estate values go up.
Just watch it!

Say, I've got a lunch date. I almost forgot.

Wait a moment Dick.
Can you just drop me at the hotel?

- Well!
- See you later.

I gotta get back to the watcha-call-it... office.

Call from Chicago, Mr Mayor.

Another one? This is traveliing like a fire.

Leaving in five minutes! See the people!

Get an opinion on any subject!

Typical Tour of the Typical Town!

A first-class view of the wonderful people...

...and a thorough explanation of how they got it.

- Railroad frontage is the stuff to buy.
- Cost 20,000? I offered him 30.

Yes Sir. A boom has certainly hit this town with a boom.

The shoeshine man is making money
hand over fist...

... He's keeping that rag's red-hot.

And if you are looking for a place to live...

...He can supply that too.

OH!. Here's something. Grandview sells its opinions.

They're putting up polling booths.
Maybe I'm crazy.

Twenty of these are spread around the city.

...You'll each occupy one.

A reference library goes with every booth.

We want to make sure folks are thinking right.

And don't forget.
Take plenty of blank forms along...

Wait a minute.

What's this all about?

Who's the idiot who dreamed this up?

I am...

I mean, what's the matter with it?
It was approved by the board.

You Mean you're gouing to conduct your own polls?

That's our chief export, Isn't it?
That's watcha-call-it... our opinions.

...Well ...
We're through giving them away.

From now on, we're selling them.

Well, I guess I've seen everything now.

Everybody will be instructed
not to give opinions to outsiders...

...only to our own official poll takers.

Excuse me.

All right, folks.

You all know your stations now.
Go to it.

May the best man
and woman bring back the best answers.

Bring the microphone over here.
I would like to give you...

... a few sidewalk interviews.
just to check what kind of people...

Oh, here, is a couple look as if they've just arrived.

...Why did you come here?

Wouldn't you mind to tell the radio audiunce?

Well, On account of my wife.

Her sister...

Her sister in New York has
is always kidded her....

...about being a hick.

And now we can say we live in Grandview.

I guess that'll shut her great big mouth.

- Yes. I'm sure it will, sir.
- Thank you.

Here's a very charming gentleman.

...Would you like to say a few?...

Yeah, I'll like to say something.

Give me that microphone. I'll...

Sit down...

The gentleman says he's too shy.

...Here's a very attractive little lady...

I can talk on the radio...

Come on, Rip. I told Stringer I'd phone
as soon as I have a talk with you.

Waiter!

He said his proposition's still open.

It ain't a bad seat.

Ringside!

No use hanging around.

You can't do this town any good.
Not now.

Ringside seats for a three-ringed circus.

Bring on your baboon!

Take it easy. Sound!

Yeah, yeah. Gotta be quiet.

You know,Ike, I helped put on this show here.

You did too! you know!

You helped put on this show. Old Ike.

Mr Ike Sloan, the great impresario...
impresario.

Come on, take a bow.

Come on. Come on.
Take a bow.

Ladies and gentlemen, introducing
Mr Impresario, the famous Ike!

Come on, take a bow.

All right. Sit down.

Waiter!

Give me business property every time.

Mary!, This is terrific. Made 15,000 this week.

We'll get those new printing presses this year.

It's all paper profit, Ben. Be careful.

Don't worry about me.
I wasn't born yesterday, you know.

Come on Rip. Let's get some black coffee
and phone Stringer.

Phone Stringer, Good idea.

What if it's judgement day?

Should a man bring his pay envelope
home to his wife or ...?

Who do you represent?

Nobody. I'm just naturally nosy.

Yeah...

Isn't all this just too, too divine?

That's me, just naturally nosy.

Sure, sure, I know. Come on son.

How do you like your town now?

How do you like your fancy beautiful
circus of a town now, huh?

# I keep a book within my heart #

# Where all my fondest memories are... #

Mr Twiddle took the earlier train.

All aboard!

But we were not satisfied.
No Sir.

- We've added one half million dollars to the project.
- Yes, sir!

One half million dollars.

Pretty good for little old Grandview.

I still think we're bats.
The size of this thing!

At least Mary's plan made sense.

We're moving with the tide, Jim.

Yes Sir, This is no time for watcha-call-it... penny-pinching.

The high school, for instance.

Her plan called for 40 classrooms.
Not enough, we say.

150!

150 is what we'll have!

Hey Mister!. The bond issue hasn't been
underwritten yet, has it?

What if something goes wrong?

Listen, My friend,

you're one of our new citizens,
aren't you?

Well, You don't know us.

In 1890, our grandparents built
our city hall...

... with their own hands!
Yes, sir!

If it comes to it,
we can do the same thing.

That's the kind of people we are!

Look, Mary. Isn't it wonderful?

Kill it.

Set up a new front page with news.

But, Mary...

I,ve given instructions so that none of madness that's going around here should be printed.

I know, darling...

but the centre was something you wanted all your life, it's something...

...your Papa wanted.

Yes, I know.

Last day. Cast your opinion today.

Would you vote for a woman
for President of the United States?

Don't get shy, now.
Cast your opinion right away.

It's cockeyed. Where are the "Don't knows"?

Ask people if they still beat their grandmothers...

... and you'll get some "Don't knows".

Please, Mr Stringer...
He'd rather be alone.

He's thinking.

You mean sleeping!

How long is this going on?
He's been in a fog.

He slept most of the conference this morning.

Suddenly He woke up and said,

"I hope they
remember the back pass dilemma"!

Wht's the matter with that guy?

Makes a lot of noise, doesn't he?

I've been waiting to see you all day.

The first Grandview poll is out.

Gallup released their results -

almost opposite.

They'll be laughed out of existence.

The radio and newspapers
have been at it all day.

What are they saying?

Everythin. They're getting their teeth kicked in.

What that boy needs is a good dose
of sulphur and molasses.

Yes.

Grandview sulphur and molasses!

Yes.

So this little town that's always been right...

... turned out to be ridiculously wrong.

They were so completely out of tune with the country...

...people are beginning to wonder...

... where Grandview is.

Certainly It can't be in the United States.

There should be a moral in this.

No one has the right to assume they know it all.

What this little town of Grandview lost...

... was humility.

and when you've lost that, my friends...

... you've lost everything.

Poor Grandview - they're becoming
a subject of ridicule through all the country.

Bet you had to study hard
to become a moron.

Oh, no! No. I lived in Grandview!

This is my last broadcast
from this ghost town...

and ghost town it is...

... The people have even locked themselves in their homes.

They're ashamed
of their ludicrous behaviour.

No community action is being taken, whatever.

Oh, Exucuse me,
Here comes a gentleman...

I beg your Pardon Sir.
May I have your opinion?

I have no opinion.

It's kind of deserted, isn't it?

They don't come here anymore.

Won't even talk to each other anymore.

That's no good.

People ought to talk to each other.

How's Ma?

Oh, Ma's the same.

Senator Wilton dropped in on me
the other day, he came down from Washington.

He walked out
on the Foreign Affairs Committee.

He seemed restless, kinda lost.

He used to come here.

Yeah.

Mary, I had to come back. I had to.

I couldn't work, I couldn't think.
I couldn't...

I love you, Mary.

The nights I lay awake...

...hearing you say that.

The hinge on that door's
been broken for years.

Nobody seems to want to fix it.

I love you, Mary.

There was a story...

We ran a news story
the other day - usual one...

a married woman
who fell in love with another man.

Her husband stood in their way,
so they finally killed him.

They thought they were free...

...But their crime created a vicious wall between them.

till they destroyed each other.

We murdered a town, Rip - you and I.

Killed an idea my father
devoted a lifetime to.

- Oh, Miss Mary! I've looked every place.

The telephone in your office, you don't answer...
Your mama say, go get her.

It's that Mr Birch.
Your mama just heard he got...

...the blame freehold to ruin things here.

I guess that means Grandview is finished.

It's a shame and nobody cares.

Your mama say come right away.

All right, Helga.

Glad to see you, Mr Smith.

Goodbye, Rip.

Been all over town talking to everybody.

trying to get 'em together.

Old man Hawkins practically
slammed the door in his face.

- Good Morning, Rip.
- Good Morning, doctor Miles.

- How's it going?
- Oh, Fine, Fine.

Well, snow or rain, boom or bust...

...the mail's still got to be delivered.

They need a leader, Mr Nickleby.
They've always followed you.

Get them to do something startling...

Something to arouse
the admiration of the whole country,

Something to give them that bounce again,

...bolster up their confidence.

Why don't you get them go through with that civic center?

To start building the high school again?

With what? This town's broke.

With taxes. That's "What".

taxes yourselvs at such a fantastic rate,
it'll be the talk of the country.

The people who Sacrifice everything
for the sake of the community.

You're crazy.

OK, I'm crazy.
By just figuring It takes something crazy to wake 'em up.

Look, Senator Wilton's in town.

I've asked him to come.
He's willing to do anything to help.

And suppose If he and I get a group together to do
the initial financing,

... will you along with it?
will you take charge?

Try anything like that and I'll stop it.

Now, Excuse me.
I have my own problems to work out.

Now, Look Mr. Nickleby, I realise your own problems are very
serious.

But what about this town?

This was once a great team and you were...

...an important member on it. You're walking out.

Team? The team's through.

Anybody with
any brains would know that.

Now, please. Excuse me.

- But, Mr...
- Do you mind?

No, I don't mind.

By all means, Attend to your personal affairs.

So long, Hank.

So long.

Mr Birch, please.

Ben is signing a contract this afternoon.

Tomorrow, Mary and I are out of jobs.

Have a muffin before you drown
yourself in your own tears.

Go on. Have one.
It's my own recipe.

I know. I'd like to take toast.

It's Mr Smith, ma'am.

Come in, Rip.

- Sorry I'm late Mrs. Wilton.
- We didn't wait for you. Sit down.

- Hello, Ma.
- Hello, Rip.

- It's good to see you.
- Good to see you.

- We missed you terribly.
- Missed you too.

Stop that fiddle faddle
and let the boy have his lunch.

Stop that fiddle faddle.

What happened, Rip? Any luck?

Ever find yourself swinging at windmills?

That sums up the senator's whole career.

Take a muffin. I made them myself.

Oh, yes. I've heard about your muffins.

Take one anyway.

Thank you.

What about the high school?

Did you talk about the high school?

Yeah...

Thought I was crazy.

The high school.

I remember all
those big statements at the dedication:

"We'll build it with our own hands."

Hah! Inflated with their puny success.

I must admit i believed them.
Splashed it all on the front page.

You would.

Mary took one look and killed the story.

Excuse me ma'm . It's Mr Nickleby's boy.
He wants to see Mr Smith.

Don't stand here still, Let him in.

Excuse me, Mrs Wilton...

I heard that Rip was here and...

Hello, Hank.
You want to see me?

- Yeah...
- Is it private, boy?

Private?

No, I guess not.

What I wanted to tell you Rip is,
when you were talking to my father...

...he wasn't playing square with you.

He should told you that he's selling the site of civic centre.

He's selling it?

Yes, ma'am.

The council gave him a mortgage or something.

Right after you left, he called Mr Birch,

told him to work fast
if he wanted the property.

Why are you telling me this, Hank?

I don't know,
I figured maybe you could...

I don't know what I figured.

I guess I shouldn't be doing this.
I guess it's all wrong.

I love my father, Rip.
He's a swell guy, but...

You see, It's not the high school that matters...

...but what you said is right, A guy
shouldn't be walking out on the team.

I don't like to see Pop do it.
I begged him not to.

This certainly turned out to be a dopey town.

Took a lot to make that boy do that.

This town better start undoping itself, and quickly.

What are we going to do, Rip?

Say, Ma...

That... That front page..

... You know, the one with the story about
the high school - the one Mary killed.

Is there a copy of that around?

I think so.

What time do you go to press today?

Usually about 1:30.

1:30....

Senator, can I use your telephone?

- Yes...
- There's one right there.

What are you going to do?

We're going to get Nickleby back on that team.

Nickleby and everybody else.

We're going to print this story today's issue.

Quote all that big talk...

... and fancy statements.

Quote them? as if they were just made!

As if they were just made.

But... But that happened weeks ago, Rip.

Mislaid the story. Just found it.
Let 'em sue us.

Now, That's what i call: ramming it down their gullets.

Let me speak to Miss Peterman, please.

What will all this accomplish, Rip?

For onr thing, It'll wake these people up.

It might even get them back
around that stove again...

...talking to each other,
arguing, choosing sides.

Gosh, This sounds wonderful, Rip!

That's part of it.

- There's more?
- You bet, there's more.

We're going make sure this gets national publicity.

We'll give it to the wire services, the radio,
we'll get these people...

... so much flatering publicity.
Then they'll have to do something.

They'll string us to the nearest pole.
That's what they'll do.

OK. So they string us to the nearest pole.
That's fine.

At least they'll be doing it together.

Hello?

Hello? Mary?

Mary? Has the paper gone to press yet?

Good. Ma and I will be right over.
Will you wait for us?

Will, I want to try something that...

Listen, Mary, this town isn't dead yet.

...We have a good chance of saving it.

That's if you're crazy enough
to go along with...

Huh?

That's swell...

That's all I want to know.

Mary...

Thank you, Mary. We'll be right over.

Come on, gorgeous.
We got to get moving.

- Thanks for lunch.
- Pray for us, Doris!

Good heavens! I'm so excited,
I nearly ate one of my own muffins.

It's your kind of story G. H.

Here is a normal town,
they screw up to the bottom...

...they becomes a laughing stock. with a broken Humiliated.

I think they should fold up, but not these wondefull people....

Instead of that, they hitch up their britches...

...and start swinging.

- Thanks again.
- Look at this, boss.

You just sold me that property.

Here comes another bunch.
It's working like a charm.

We'll have the whole town
around that stove.

OK, now. Do your stuff....

- Where's Mrs Peterman?
- Where's Mary?

Mary,is what i want!

They're not in.

Playing chequers.

Down the meeting hall.

- Chequers?
- Are they crazy?

They can't get away with this.

OK, boys.

They won't get away with it.

This town can't afford it!

They've laughed at us enough already, it's intolerable!

That's right.

- We demand the story be retracted!
- This is a pack of lies!

- We'll sue for for watcha-call-it... libel or something.

Anybody claim they haven't been properly quoted?

But that was ages ago, under different circumstances.

What insolence! Somebody get Nickleby.

Yes. Nickleby know how to treat these people.

These people are cuckoo.
Playing watcha-call-it...

I can't find him.
I can't find Rip anywhere.

Here comes Mr Nickleby now.

I always thought you were a sensible girl, Mary.

Is this your idea of a practical joke?

If you're interested in practical jokes, Mr Nickleby...

...read some of your own statements.

Funny, Very funny.

Do you realize that all of us have a case against you.

...and against that fella Smith too.
He's behind this.

# And these magnificent people are plunging into a project...

..that vision will arouse the envy
of every community planner...#

Shut that off!

Just a moment Richard. I want to hear it.

#They're going ahead with a plan
to build the civic centre...

even though it may mean sacrifice of the profit...

......of every man, woman and child in the community.#

#Before I sign off, I want to say:...

... more power to you, Grandview.#

In your circumstances,
it takes a heap of courage...

...to tackle a programme of such magnitude.

It certainly does.

Some of you may go crazy, but not me.

No radio commentator
is going to sweet talk me into bankruptcy.

If you have any sence left,
You should all go home and forget this.

We'll deal with these people in court.

It's Rip!

What's this all about, son?

You promise for watcha-call-it... Pop...

... a new high school...
and we want it.

Hank, i want you to go home this minute.

Do you hear me?

Yes, sir.

We talked it over.

We decided if you
quit the team, we're gonna quit too.

We don't want to live in a town we're ashamed of.

Right now, they're saying swell
things about us in the radio....

... but If you don't go with the high school ...

...we'll be laughed at worst than ever.

And we don't want to live in a town
that's always being razzed.

Whay are we going to do?

Stand here and let a bunch of brats
tell us how to run our affairs?

We're not trying to run your affairs, Pop.

We're just trying to get you to stick by the team.

You and everybody else.

Rip says you're all wonderful people,
but you just lost your nerve.

Listen, folks!

Why not? Why can't we do it?

Your fathers and grandfathers didn't quit when they were in a jam.

...That's when they started to fight.

And what they did is part of our beautiful history....

Now, What's wrong with us?

It takes money to build! Where's it coming from?

Let me read a statement of yours, Mr Mayor.

"If necessary, we'll build it
with our own two hands."

What about that, Mr Mayor?

Say, Mary. Are you suggesting that we do that?

Actually, Build it with our own hands?
Contribute our services?

Certainly!

If everybody helped, Ed...

This is idiotic!

You're wasting your breaths.
The property has already been sold, the Council approved it.

Approved it?

First I heard of it.

Hey. Hey, Mike.

Go on.

Say, Mom, you're on the council.

Rip says you had no right to approve it.

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

Rip says, It's got to be put to the voters.

Of course it's got to be put to the voters.

That's city property.

What about that, Mr Nickleby?

We were going to do that, of course.

We intended to go through with the
formality of the vote of course...

...We've just assumed that you people wouldn't care.

Wouldn't care!?

Ed, this is terrible.

Rip Smith is right. We just lost our nerve.

Listen, everybody.

I don't know about the rest of you,
but I don't like the sound of any of this.

It's tough to admit you've been a fool,
but look at us.

Mr Nickleby assumed we wouldn't care.

Wouldn't care if we didn't get a chance to vote.

When I get to that point, I'm going to find myself...

...a nice comfortable hole and crawl in.

But i'm not ready for that yet,
in spite of Mr Nickleby.

No, Sir.

Maybe whether a town lives or dies isn't...

...important to some people, but it is to me.

I feel as if my own family's breaking up.

And i don't like it,

... and if building a high school can save it...

... I'm for it at any price....

Personaly, I'll organise every man in town
that can handle a tool...

...and guarantee first-class plumbing job.

Good for you, Pop!

I'm with you Ed. I'll do the same with the carpenters.

I'll look after the lighting fixtures.

You can count on my boys from my shop.

I'll line up the painters.

I'll close my office to and watcha-call-it... supervise the job!

Gee, That's whatcha-call-it... swell, Pop!

Is everybody willing to help?

Yeah...

Do you like what happened, sis?

I can mix morter.

- Hand me a paintbrush and stand back.

But this will take years.

Suppose it does. What's the hurry?

We've done it, my son. We did it!

Rip!

Rip!

Hey. Hey, there's Senator Wilton!

Mary! I'm here Mary!

Mary!