Original subtitles

FPS 25

You are looking at England's newest town.

Today marks its first anniversary.

Renowned not only for its architectural beauty,

its inhabitants claim that they are better housed,

healthier, and happier

than any other people on the face of the globe.

Today they pay tribute to the man who is responsible

for this unique, social phenomenon.

In the town's spacious central square,

a statue is being unveiled to its founder and benefactor.

- Mr. Mayor, distinguished councillors,

ladies and gentlemen.

On this historic occasion, we are doubly blessed,

not only by this magnificent statue

that is here to grace your square,

but also by the presence of the man himself.

Let us then give thanks that he is with us here today.

No my friends, not by cheers but by giving thought.

Let us think of the great moral lesson

we can learn from this man's life.

Goon.

Shoo!

- I was privileged to know him long before

he came to your town.

I knew him in less happy circumstances,

for he, for he...

For he is a man

who has known hardship and suffering in the past.

Orphaned in his youth, cast adrift

in a harsh world

To make his way at a young age

when most youngsters are still at their school desks,

Davy Cooper met the challenge of life resolutely

and unflinchingly.

Come back with me through the years

to a cold winter's night,

when the tide of Davy Cooper's fortune

had reached a low ebb.

- Taxi! Taxi!

Just a minute boy.

Thank you very much.

Number six, Drive Court.

- Taxi!

Taxi!

There you are.

- Oh I'm so sorry.

No, you were here first.

- No it's yours. - No it's your taxi.

- But I-- - I insist.

Go on, in you go.

There, sir.

- I don't want one. - Go on driver!

Where to, mate?

- This'll do here.

- One and four pence.

Here!

- You only moved a couple of yards.

- One and four pence.

- I've only got threepence.

- Let's have it then.

Now where's that other shilling?

- Hey.

You free?

- When I'm finished with this layabout, gov.

- Davy Cooper!

- Danny.

Danny!

- I haven't seen you since--

- Where is the other shilling?

- Hey are you in a spot of trouble?

- He wants to charge me and I didn't move.

- I'll look after it.

Tripoli, that's where it was.

Tripoli.

- 17th Caledonians, wasn't it?

- Well those were the days, hey Davy?

Well how you been, boy?

- Things are a bit slow.

Looks like you're doing all right.

- Well, I can't complain.

Wait a minute!

- What sort of a job you doing?

- Varies, bit of this, bit of that, you know.

And you?

Aw, chin up Davy.

You never know what'll happen tomorrow.

Hey, hop in, I'll give you a lift.

Well, come on!

Ready for your second helping, dear?

- Well I've finished this one.

- Take your time.

- Thank you.

Do you like it?

You work late, don't you?

- Mostly nights.

- So seeing as how the Dutchman here is incapacitated,

I'd reckon that Davy's experience in this particular field

might be of some use.

- Indeed, a most fortunate encounter.

- He's flat broke, governor.

Ready for anything.

You'll do anything, won't you Davy boy?

That's what you said, didn't ya?

- Well let's hope

he's a little more expert with explosives

than old butterfingers here.

- Anyone can make a mistake.

- Yeah, sure, sure.

Mr. Cooper, if you could spare a moment, please.

Oh, no, no, carry on.

I quite understand.

- You sure you don't mind?

- Not a bit.

- Only 'cause it's a pity to waste good food.

- Of course, of course.

- Dan here tells me you were with the commandos.

- Yeah.

- Quite an expert at blowing things up.

What sort of things?

- All sorts.

Submarine depots, ammunition dumps, bridges.

People.

- Any references?

Excellent, excellent.

Well, there's no doubt you're highly qualified.

Of course, in our profession,

a particularly delicate touch is required.

- Just need a chance that's all.

I'll show you what I can do.

- And you're fully aware the nature

of the services we require of you?

- Now don't you worry about me, governor.

I can blow anything up.

You just name it.

- Good.

Right, let's get down to business, shall we?

We'll be more comfortable in here, Mr. Cooper.

Or may I call you Davy?

- It's a pleasure.

- Good.

There's the intel of the building,

that's the extel of the building.

But I think you'll get a clearer picture

of the layout from this ground plan here.

- Oh I like working from a blueprint.

Evenin'.

- Excellent, so do I.

It avoids the possibility of error.

- We don't wanna blow up the place next door, do we?

Have the police after us.

- What?

- The police.

Who's got a nice sense of humour.

But we have work to do.

Now there's Bond Street, Conduit Street, right?

That's the rear alley

and that's a corridor leading to the showroom there,

that's the door to the manager's office.

Desk, filing cabinet, and there in the corner, is the safe.

- Yeah it's a Burlington safe manufactured in 1947

with a triple tumbler combination lock.

- Safe.

You're crooks.

You want me to join a bunch of crooks.

- What did you think you were joining?

The boy scouts?

Didn't you explain it to him?

- Well not exactly, governor, but he said he'd do anything.

You said you'd do anything.

- Providing it's honest.

I'm not turning crook for anyone.

- What do you think you're doing?

- Dialling 999, that is what.

- What you waiting for?

There's no charge.

- My friend, eh?

- Dan, put that thing away.

Davy, why're you so upset?

- You're trying to make a crook outta me

and you're asking me why I'm upset.

A crook, me?

- Now what's wrong with being a crook?

- What's wrong?

It's just wrong.

You're taking things that don't belong to you.

- And what harm does that do?

- What about the poor jeweller you're planning to rob?

- We're doing him a good turn.

He'll collect the insurance and make himself a stack.

- What about the poor insurance company then?

- Did you ever hear of a poor insurance company?

Of course not.

They're always boasting of their assets aren't they?

A little wonder.

They've been collecting premiums for years.

It's time they paid up for a change.

- It's not right!

- Davy, listen.

Davy, I want you to think of that young policeman

that's going to answer that call if you make it.

Now, he's probably married and got two kids, right?

But if it weren't for crime

he'd be out of work, wouldn't he?

And thousands more like him.

Do you realise there are 40,000 policeman in London alone?

- But I-- - Do you

want to see them all starving?

And what about the solicitors, barristers,

judges, hundreds and hundreds of them.

- Well what about them?

- Well they wouldn't be needed

if it wasn't for crime.

And the prisons.

Well?

No warders, no probation officers.

I tell you Davy boy, if it weren't for a small,

almost insignificant handful of crooks

there'd be mass unemployment, demonstrations.

Why, they'd be marching on Downing Street with placards

saying bring back crime, England needs crooks.

- I never thought of it that way before.

- Well then it's time you did, isn't it?

- Seems like it.

- Davy, my boy.

I predict a great future for you

if you'll throw your lot in with us.

Now, I've always had brilliant plans

but what I've needed is somebody with your skill

to execute them.

Now look, I don't want to put any undo pressure on you

but you must admit you do know a little too much about us.

However, the decision is up to you.

But I'd be very grateful if you'd make up your mind

as quickly as possible, please,

because we've got to be at this

particular little job of ours by 9:30 this evening.

Now, what's it going to be?

The police and a rather sticky end

to what might have been a very profitable career, or?

At the first stroke, it will be 8:47 precisely.

At the third stroke, it will be 8:47.

- Better synchronise your watches hadn't you?

- And yours?

- Haven't got one.

- You will have.

It's a jewellers.

- The time has come, gentlemen,

to put into operation our most ambitious plan so far.

At the risk of sounding immodest,

I must say the daring and ingenuity of this plan

staggers the imagination.

When I first conceived it,

I believed it was impossible to carry out successfully.

However I'm the kind of man who finds the impossible

an irresistible challenge.

Hear, hear.

- And since our friend Davy here joined us.

Davy?

Do you mind?

Since Davy joined our organisation

I have become convinced

that the extremely difficult problems involved

in executing this plan can be solved

thanks to his skill.

And the operation will net us a clear profit

of 200,000 pounds.

I'm rich!

I'm rich!

- We'll all be rich.

- No, no.

I don't mean that.

I won a third dividend.

Four pound eight and nine pence per tuppence.

- Four pound eight and nine pence.

There's 200,000 pounds involved here.

- But this is honest.

I got it the hard way.

Oh you wouldn't understand.

All right, I'm with ya.

- Thank you.

I have broken down the overall plan

into minute detail.

Davy would you be good enough to elaborate,

that is if I'm not putting you to too much trouble, old boy.

- Certainly, old boy.

In fact, I deem it a privilege.

Now then, gentlemen,

if you would be so good as to turn

in order that you may observe the screen here.

Flash.

Now this is.

Adolf.

Gentleman, our objective,

the National Merchandising Bank Limited.

Now, next to the bank, thank you,

next to the bank is St. Michael's Hospital.

Now of course, your problem's always been

how to get into the bank vault undetected.

Simple.

- Now sister, I'm expecting an emergency.

That must be it now.

Thank you, sister.

Operating theatre B immediately.

- I don't seem to have any record of--

- What do records matter when a man's life is at stake?

Operating theatre B immediately.

Do you understand, sister?

Yes sir, I'm sorry, sir.

Psst.

- How dare you come in here, sister.

Don't you know we're all sterile?

- I'm very sorry, sir, I didn't realise.

There was.

- I'm sorry, sir, but theatre B is in use.

Well it's an emergency of some kind.

No, no, I don't know who the surgeon is.

I don't seem to have a record of it.

Yes sir.

I'll look into it at once.

- Porter's desk here.

- Casualty sister speaking.

Will you call the police at once?

There's something very strange going on in theatre B.

- Metropolitan Police.

St. Michael's Hospital, suspicious persons reported,

operating theatre B.

Very good, sir.

- Davy!

Davy!

Davy!

Davy!

- We shall never be able to spend all this lot.

Oh, I think I'm going to be ill.

Take me to hospital, will you?

Cooper!

Morning, Mr. Green.

- Now what do you think you're doing?

- The governor's garden.

It's Tuesday.

You know, digging.

And how many times do I have to tell you

you're supposed to wait until I come and let you out?

- But it's gone nine o'clock.

I'm late.

I overslept.

- That's no excuse.

Look, we can't have prisoners

letting themselves out of their cells.

- Well, I didn't want to trouble you, Mr. Green.

- It's no trouble, it's my job.

I've got to protect myself.

Suppose you took it into your head to escape.

- Oh Mr. Green now don't be daft.

I've been here for five years.

I don't want to escape.

I wouldn't put that there--

- But you can't go wandering in and out of your cell

as if you were at home.

- But this is my home.

This is the only real home I've ever known, Mr. Green.

- But you've got to follow regulations.

Now, go on.

Get back in your cell.

Please.

- Hey, what about the governor's garden?

- Look!

You get back in and I'll let you out!

- Can I come out now?

- No!

Shut the door properly!

- Isn't it marvellous.

- Now ask permission according to regulations.

- Prisoner 3-7-0-99-35 request permission to leave

for special duties in the governor's garden.

- Permission granted.

- What are you doing?

- I can't get it open.

- Well of course not.

It's bolted on the inside.

- It's what?

- Bolted.

Put it on last week.

I've got to have a bit of privacy, ain't I?

Red tape.

Morning, Fred!

Hi Bert!

- There he is, Padre.

Thank you, warder.

- The governor wants to see him.

He gets out next week, doesn't he?

- Yes, but, he doesn't know it yet.

I'm just about to tell him.

This is one of the very few gratifying moments in my work.

Davy.

- Morning, Padre.

- Enjoying yourself?

- Oh, this is the life.

Aren't they lovely?

- Yes, Davy.

God's works are wonderful.

- I beg your pardon, sir.

I did these.

Oh, Davy.

- Cooper!

Report to the governor as soon as the chaplain

is finished with you.

- Governor?

What do I want to see the governor for?

I've got no complaints.

- But don't you find prison a punishment?

- Oh no, sir.

No, it's peaceful and cosy.

Decent lot of fellas.

No worries, no responsibilities.

It's like being retired.

You really do like it here, don't you, Davy?

- You'll excuse me saying this to you, sir, but

well, heaven must be like this.

- I should have thought it was more like the other place.

- You're joking.

Yes, of course.

- Hardly a subject to joke about, sir.

- Davy, what are you going to do

when you take your discharge?

- Oh, that's a long way off yet, sir.

- You ought to be thinking of it.

I try not to, sir.

- But you have to face up to it.

Break clean away from the life you've been living outside

and go straight.

- Oh, don't worry about me, sir.

I've learned my lesson.

Straight and narrow's the only way.

You mark my words.

- Oh yes, yes, I quite agree.

And I'm so glad you feel that way because

I've arranged a job for you when you leave here.

- Well that's very kind of you, sir,

but well, we can talk about then when the time comes, eh?

- The time has come.

Congratulations my dear fellow.

You've got 24 months remission.

For good conduct.

- They're not going to put me out of here?

-Yes.

Now, you better run along and see the governor.

- But they can't do this to me.

What do you mean?

- Well I'm gettin' on marvellous here.

My little garden's coming on fine.

And if I go,

who's going to give out the hymn sheets in chapel?

The books in the library?

I can't go.

- My dear man, don't be silly. - I'm not going.

They can forget it.

- But everybody wants to get out of prison.

- Not me!

The judge gave me seven years,

I can have seven years.

With all do respect to you, sir.

- Oh, Davy.

- I've got my rights.

I'm a citizen.

Call this British justice.

- But that's just what you're getting, don't you see?

The governor is showing his appreciation

of your good conduct.

- Fine way he's got of showing it.

Good conduct.

I'll finish with that lark,

after the way I've

slaved in his garden for five years and now

I'll show him good conduct!

- Come back here!

You mustn't do that!

You mustn't!

Davy, Davy, think man.

Be reasonable.

At last, you are free.

- Please, can't I just stay for six months more?

- Come along and see the governor.

- Well, three months.

Come along.

- There we are, in we go.

Now the other one, there we are.

- At least I'm entitled to two weeks' notice?

- No Davy, we've been over all this.

It's your moral duty to take your place in society

and contribute to the common good.

- There's your railway ticket to Sleath.

- And here's your letter of introduction.

You have to report to the personnel department of

McKillup and Company.

Oh Davy, your heart should be overflowing with gratitude

at this golden opportunity to start life anew.

- All ready?

- We must hurry or you'll miss your train, won't you?

Come along, Davy.

- Hello, Davy boy.

- Adolf.

- That's right, Davy.

You didn't think we'd forget our old chum now, did you?

- Well it's taken you five years to remember.

- I don't blame you for being bitter,

but it wasn't our fault you got caught

and we got away now, was it?

- It's the luck of the game.

- Of course it was.

Let bygones by bygones.

Come on, hop in.

- No thanks, Adolf.

It's not far to the station.

- But you're coming back to London with us.

- Come on, we'll fix you up with some new clothes

and do a little celebrating.

- No.

I've got a job to do up north.

- Where?

- Little place called Sleath.

- Is it a safe drop?

- Recommended by the chaplain.

- Do you mean the chaplain's one of us?

- No.

I'm going straight, Adolf.

- Don't be a mug, Davy.

What good will that do, slaving away for seven quid a week?

Come on!

- No.

- We can make a fortune together.

Just a couple of months work

and then you can retire and spend the rest of your life

in the lap of luxury.

- No, no!

- You could go anywhere.

Bermuda, South America, Italy.

- Once and for all, no.

I promised Mr. Hodgekiss.

I'm sticking to the straight and narrow.

- Davy!

- Ah, let him go.

- But we need him.

- We'll get him.

I'll give him just 48 hours to get over that

straight and narrow nonsense.

Right, let's go.

Morning.

Can I leave this here, please?

- You better pick it up by seven.

Last train leaves at 7:05.

Oh I'm not leaving, I'm gonna live here.

- In Sleath.

I've got a job at the mill.

Start today.

- You're going to work for McKillup.

- How did you know?

- Everyone works for McKillup.

Don't do it.

Take my advice.

Get back on that train and go.

- Go where?

Anywhere, except Sleath.

No!

Go on hurry, you can still make it.

- No!

Well you can't say I didn't warn you.

Thank you.

Thank you, miss.

- Good morning, miss.

- Morning, can I help you?

Is anything the matter?

- Not with you, miss.

I've got a letter here, about a job.

- You're Cooper, then?

- Yeah, I'm from the--

- Yes, I know.

You'll start tomorrow.

Johnny, Mr. Cooper's starting tomorrow.

Fix him up with some working clothes.

You'll be working in number one shop.

- Thank you, Miss--

- Foster.

- Foster.

- All right, come on.

Well?

- Good evening.

I'd like a room, please.

Oh you would, huh.

- Well, just 'til I find some digs.

- Luggage?

- Oh, I left it at the station.

It's all right, though,

"cause I've got a job at the factory.

- Sign the book.

There.

And put your address.

- Well I haven't got one.

That's why I want a room.

Put your previous one, then.

- Anything wrong?

- I told you to get out of Sleath.

You're too late now.

Train's gone.

- Is there another hotel?

- There's only one of everything in Sleath

and McKillup owns the lot.

- Well I gotta stay somewhere.

Suppose I better start looking.

Anyway, thanks for helping me up.

- Here, wait a minute.

Better come with me.

- Oh, I don't want to put you to any trouble.

- Come along.

I've got a spare room.

Not very fancy but it's clean and I won't cheat ya.

Well?

- Something you ought to know about me.

I've been in jail.

- Then you'll feel right at home in Sleath.

Come along, we'll go and get your bag.

- Now I don't want to.

I feel I'm causing you and your family a lot of trouble.

- Don't worry, there's only me and my daughter.

- Nah, I better go.

- You're late, dad.

Hello Mr. Cooper.

- Hello.

- This is my daughter.

I've asked him to lodge with us but he doesn't want to.

- Mr. Foster, I've changed my mind.

- Well come in, Mr. Cooper.

- New here?

- What?

- Are you new here?

- Yes, yes.

- You'll soon pick it up.

- Heavy!

Easy to do?

Is it easy to do?

- Oh there's nothing in it.

- What?

- The axles!

- Where? - There!

- It's got three speeds, fast, slow, and intermediate.

Then if you want to stop

you've got to pull the ol' handle, stops you.

- That cuts it.

- No, no, no, that stops it.

- Do you stop it to put the oil on it?

- No, no, no.

You oil it as it's going along like that.

Otherwise the whole thing seizes right up.

Nothing in it.

Want to have a go?

- Me? - Yeah.

- Do? - Yeah, sure.

You wouldn't like to take over for five minutes

while I have a smoke, will ya?

Who is responsible for this?

- I don't know, sir.

- Well somebody is!

Well speak up!

Who is responsible?

It's me!

I'm in here.

- You idiot.

I'm very sorry, Mr. McKillup.

He's a new man, I'll sack him at once.

You've ruined a whole morning's work.

You're sacked.

Get your cards.

- I was just gettin' my oil can.

- You heard me.

Get your cards at once.

- Just a moment, Jacks.

You say it's his first day here?

- Yes sir.

- We all make mistakes, don't we?

I think he ought to be given another chance.

That would only be the fair thing to do.

It's always been my policy

to deal fairly with my employees.

- Thank you, Mr. McKillup.

Thank you.

- Just see it doesn't happen again.

- Oh it won't, I promise.

It was an accident, it won't happen again.

- Clumsy ass.

- Sorry, sir.

- Come along, Ashton.

- Really, McKillup.

No wonder you're in trouble

employing incompetents like that.

Why on Earth didn't you sack him?

- Good will, Ashton.

We'll need all the good will we can find

in the next few days, particularly tonight.

Especially tonight.

- Hmm, we better start.

- Yes, yes, don't rush me.

Ashton this stock issue,

I can't get into trouble, can I?

I mean it is legal, isn't it?

- Perfectly legal I assure you.

Don't worry, our firm doesn't guarantee

to get you into heaven,

but at least we'll keep you out of jail.

Come along now.

Let us get it over with.

- Ladies and gentlemen,

I won't mince matters.

We must face the fact that your town is dying.

- We'll be late for the meeting Mr. Cooper.

- Ready.

Well isn't he coming?

Well don't you want to see Sleath grow?

- What for?

If it were twice as big it would be twice as bad.

If I had my way I'd blow it up,

wipe it off the face of the Earth.

- All right dad, we've heard all that before.

That's enough now.

- But if you don't like it, why do you stay here?

- Same reason everybody else stays here.

Can't afford to get out.

- Come on, Mr. Cooper.

- Oh Mr. Foster, you sure you won't come?

- And listen to that big bag of wind, McKillup?

I know exactly what he'll say. - What?

- I have only the best interests of Sleath at heart.

The interests of Sleath are your interests.

He's off.

- Prosperity for Sleath means prosperity for all!

- Prosperity for Sleath means prosperity for all!

For you and you and you!

Prosperity for all.

Sleath must expand or die.

Which is it to be?

Faced with such a choice there could only be one answer.

- I'll tell you the answer!

There's no use flogging a dead horse!

That's right, flogging a dead horse!

If it's dead it should be buried!

Hear, hear!

That's what I say.

- I quite agree my friends.

Why not replace a dead horse with a healthy, energetic one?

That's the object

of the Sleath Redevelopment Corporation.

I personally have invested substantially in this venture

but we must have the backing of certain

financial interests in London.

My colleague, Mr. Ashton,

and the syndicate which he represents

has faith in the future of your town.

They are prepared to invest heavily in its redevelopment

if the people of Sleath are behind this project 100%.

But I must impress on you the fact

that if we are to succeed we must have the support

of every investor large and small.

Tomorrow morning, a large block of shares

will be offered to the general public.

I am confident that you, the ordinary people of Sleath,

will welcome this opportunity to share in the future

prosperity of your town with unbounded enthusiasm.

Surely you want new factories in Sleath?

- For your benefit!

- Why don't you do something about the old factories first!

Hear, hear!

- I was coming to that.

Reluctant as I am to do so,

I may be forced to shut down the mill.

- This town will be finished!

- Our only salvation lies in the success

of the Sleath Redevelopment Corporation.

Now that you realise the urgency of the situation,

I am confident you will give this project your approval

by investing your savings down to the last penny.

- Well aren't you going to do anything?

You ought to be ashamed of yourselves.

Here's a great man like Mr. McKillup,

Offering you the only chance to save yourselves

and you won't take it.

You haven't got enough faith in your own town

or your own future.

- Nobody's got a future in this town!

- Oh, don't talk nonsense.

What about him?

Why don't you think about his future

and all the other little kids like him?

Surely he's got a right to grow up strong and healthy

in a prosperous town?

Hasn't he?

I may be new here but I've got faith in this town.

And I've got faith in Mr. McKillup too.

And I'm going to prove it now

by investing in this, this little boy's future.

In here I've got every penny I've earned

in the last five years,

and believe me, it was hard labour.

There you are, Mr. McKillup.

I want to invest my life savings.

Four pound seven and six pence.

He wants to give the money to Mr. McKillup himself.

There, Mr. McKillup.

He's got faith in this town

and if you had any sense,

you would have faith as well.

If he can do it, so can we!

- He's right!

He's our only chance!

Hear, hear!

Aye, that's right! - We'd better save Sleath!

- Young man.

It has taken a stranger in our midst to open our eyes.

Sleath will be everlastingly grateful to you.

Listen to this.

Enthusiastic response to redevelopment scheme.

City syndicate offers full backing.

Price of shares rising.

I've done it, Ashton.

- You mean I've done it.

- We've both done it.

- Well actually, neither of us would've done it

if it hadn't been for that simpleton.

What's his name?

- Cooper, I believe.

We should be grateful to him.

Yes and we must show our gratitude in concrete fashion.

We may need his help again.

Sorry.

- Young man?

- Oh, hello Mr. McKillup.

- And how do you like being promoted to the fourth floor?

- Oh I'm very grateful, sir.

- I'm grateful to you

for the support you gave me last night.

I hope you make a handsome profit.

- Oh, I didn't want to make a profit

any more than you did, Mr. McKillup.

It's for the good of the town.

- Yes, yes, of course.

Well, goodnight.

- Mr. McKillup!

- Well what is it now?

- Is it all right if I do your office now, sir?

- Certainly.

Goodnight.

- Mr. McKillup!

- Well what is it now?

- Could I have?

- Goodnight.

- That's a tedious journey from London.

McKillup leave those papers?

- Here they are. - Ah, right-oh.

Thank you, I'll check them now.

Oh no.

I might have been killed.

Just look at me, I'm soaked to the skin

with all this filthy water.

I shall have to go and change.

Hand me that bag, will you?

I'd like to lay my hands on the idiot

who left that pail there.

A week of disinfectant.

It's a good job McKillup's got a shower.

I'll take it.

Hello?

Morley?

Ashton's busy at the moment, this is Collins.

79'?

Are you sure?

Good, very good indeed.

Yes, yes, I'll tell him at once.

That was Morley.

Oh well, what did he have to say?

Good news.

- Good news.

- When the market opens tomorrow morning

the shares will be quoted at 79.

-79 eh?

We didn't expect it to reach that for at least a week!

We'll be able to sell sooner than we expected.

How high do you think they'll go?

- A hundred. - I bet.

- Might be even higher.

110.

120.

130.

The sky's the limit.

But I'll settle at anything over a hundred.

How long have you been here?

- I didn't look, sir.

- Well, get out of here.

- Oh yes, sir.

I'm sorry, sir.

And congratulations on the shares.

- What?

- Fancy 'em going up to 79.

Some of the people were saying they'd never go up.

You just wait 'til I tell 'em.

- No, no.

You mustn't do that.

- Why not?

You're gonna sell if they reach a hundred.

So if everybody sells their shares,

they'll all make a profit.

- No, no, it doesn't work that way.

If everybody sells then the shares go down.

- Oh I see.

- Now, look.

I'll tell you what.

If you keep quiet about this I'll,

I'll let you have a couple of my shares.

Then when the time's right, I'll let you know when to sell.

- That means we make a packet

and everyone else is in trouble, eh?

That's the stock market.

You catch on quickly.

But you must keep mum.

Can I rely on you?

- Oh yes, sir.

You can rely on me.

I better get back to work now.

-Yes.

It's Cooper, sir.

- Who do you say?

Cooper.

- Cooper?

Cooper?

Oh yes, I remember.

What is it, Cooper?

- There's something I've got to tell you.

Ashton is a crook.

- Ashton's a crook is he?

I see.

You told anyone else about this Cooper?

- No.

- I've had my suspicions about Ashton for some time.

Are you still in my office, Cooper?

Yes sir.

- Good.

- Hold on, here they come.

Hello, hello?

- Just hold on a minute, Cooper.

Police.

Hi inspector, this is the mayor.

I have reason to believe

that my safe in the factory's being robbed.

Thank you.

- Cooper?

Now listen carefully to me

and do exactly as I say.

- Yes, sir.

Safe behind the picture?

- Take out the brown envelope

and bring it straight to me here.

- Take the brown envelope, bring it to you.

Don't worry, you can count on me, sir.

Hello, Mr. McKillup, what was the combination then?

Hello?

Hello!

I shall have to do it the easy way.

- Evening.

- I'll take that.

Now come on, there's a good chap.

Don't give any trouble.

- You think I?

You don't understand.

I was just getting something for Mr. McKillup.

This envelope contains evidence

that's gonna send a crook to prison.

- It certainly will!

- You're making such a mistake.

You better phone Mr. McKillup.

Oh here he is now.

Here you are, Mr. McKillup.

I got it.

- Caught you in the act, eh?

Good work, sergeant.

- But you told me to get this out--

- I told you to rob my safe?

A somewhat feeble-minded alibi,

wouldn't you say, inspector?

- But you said, you know what?

He's a crook!

- So this is the thanks I get

for giving a hardened criminal a second chance.

Shakes one faith in human nature.

- You'll never get away with--

- Don't let him get away!

Oh, there he is!

This way!

There he goes!

- Here you are, dad.

Davy!

- What happened?

- They're after me. - Who is?

- The police.

- What have you done?

Nothing, I've been framed.

I found something out,

McKillup is a crook.

- I've known that for 30 years.

Sit down and have a cup of tea.

- It's all a big swindle.

I heard 'em talking.

- You've got to get away.

You stay here you'll just end up in prison.

- That's a good idea.

At least I'd be safe there, wouldn't I?

- Don't be a fool, Davy.

- Quick, the back way.

Take my bike.

- Wait a minute.

We've got to stop McKillup.

- The only way to stop McKillup

is to blow this miserable town of his sky high.

- I'm beginning to think you're right, dad.

Davy, please go while you have a chance.

- All right, I'll go, but I'll be back.

I'll get even with McKillup

if it's the last thing I do.

Go on!

Where is he?

We know he's here somewhere.

- You realise there are serious penalties

for harbouring a criminal?

- In that case you'd better get out of here.

- Try upstairs! - I tell you,

he's not here.

Oh, there, there!

- Hi.

- Get him, get him!

Quick, quick.

Get in, get in.

- Davy!

Davy boy!

- Danny boy.

Governor?

He's here, gov.

- Well, well.

So you're through with the straight and narrow?

- Don't ever mention straight and narrow to me again.

From now on I'm going to be

just as crooked as honest people are.

- Delighted.

Glad to hear you've reformed.

Let's have a drink and we'll get down to business.

- What are you doing back in this old dump?

- Oh Davy boy, I won't try to hide the fact

that fortune hasn't exactly smiled on us since you left.

Quite frankly, we can't do without you.

Hear, hear.

- You wait and hear about all the jobs

we've got lined up for you.

- I'm prepared to do anything,

but first you've got to help me to do a job.

- Anything, Davy boy.

We're partners again, aren't we?

- Yeah, well, that depends.

- What kind of job do you have in mind?

Jewellery? - No.

- Furs?

- Yes furs. - Cash?

- No.

This is a bit out of our usual run.

What's this?

Sleath redevelopment shares skyrocket.

Further jump forecast.

It's quite a neat swindle.

- How did you know?

- It used to be my old racket, Davy boy,

before I changed to a more direct approach.

Believe me, there's more money in safe cracking.

- But they've swindled a whole town.

They're gonna make a fortune

unless we swindle them the same way

they've swindled everyone else.

Now you're thinking big, Davy.

- And then when we've swindled

'em out of every penny they've got--

- Yeah?

- We'll give it all back to the people.

- Hark at Robin Hood.

- He's turning honest again.

- Are you Davy?

- Only temporary.

- You're asking the impossible, Davy.

- All right, then.

You don't help me,

I don't help you.

- Now, now, now, Davy.

Davy I didn't say I wouldn't help you.

This is gonna require a great deal of thought and money.

- Well, here's 3,825 pounds

to start with. - Hello.

- Well that's good work, Davy.

But hardly enough for a takeover bid.

Now, what we must do is to find some way

to establish ourselves as a group

whose credit is unimpeachable

with unlimited financial resources

whose honesty and integrity is beyond question.

- Yeah, that's the impossible, that is.

- But you're the kind of man

who finds the impossible an--

- Irresistible challenge.

Hear, hear.

- All we have to do is to find out

what kind of people fit these specifications.

Course!

Simple.

Well?

- Afternoon.

- Oh, good afternoon, sir.

- I'd like to know just how many rooms you have.

- We have 20, sir.

- I reckon that'll have to do.

- Oh, I'm afraid only 10 of them are vacant.

- I guess the men will just have to rough it, major.

Anything wrong?

- Oh, no sir.

Excuse me, it's just I had the feeling

I've seen you somewhere before.

- Time magazine?

Of course.

Would you like to sign the register, sir?

- Why, certainly.

General Perkins and staff.

Nationality, sir.

- I'm afraid I'm going to have to leave that blank.

For security reasons we are here incognito.

- Oh, of course.

- What's in there?

The lounge, sir.

- Fine.

Just fine.

This'll have to be my office, major.

- Yes, general.

- Where's this lot go, gov?

- Right in here, and watch that accent.

- Major? - General?

- Will you see the men are assigned to their quarters?

- Very good, general.

Sergeant.

Go check the rooms.

- Major? - Yes, general.

- Professor?

- General. - Are you still here?

You may go.

- Very good sir.

- We'll never get away with it, Adolf.

- It's worked so far, hasn't it?

- I dunno if I can keep it up.

- You're doing fine, Davy.

I bet the manager's on the phone right now.

- I'm not joking, Mr. McKillup.

Aye, that's right.

The American army.

Oh, they're being very secretive.

But I managed to find out who they are.

Rocket missiles.

Aye, that's right.

I think you better come right over, sir.

- All we have to do now is wait.

- He's here.

He'll recognise me.

- Not in that uniform.

- Hat!

Where's me hat?

Glasses.

Where are my glasses?

- Now calm down, Davy.

- I can't find my glasses.

- Thank you.

- He's taken over the lounge.

- He has, has he?

What'd you say his name is?

Perkins?

- Aye, that's right.

General Perkins.

A very big man in missiles.

You must have read about him in Time magazine.

- Time magazine?

- Aye, that's right.

- Yes, I believe I did.

- Watch it.

You know this is a private room?

I don't know who you are, sir.

- But I know who you are.

Oh yes, I know why you're here too.

I wasn't born yesterday, you know.

So shall we have a chat about this rocket base,

General Perkins?

- Now how ever did you find out?

- Well I read Time magazine too, you know.

- Well, pretty sharp, Mr.?

- McKillup.

- Mr. McKillup,

I guess I might just as well

lay my cards right on the table.

- Go ahead, general.

I'm listening.

- This one works.

Shall we get down to business?

Major?

Professor?

Now then, Mr. McKillup--

- Very odd, you remind me of someone.

- General, you have an appointment, sir.

- I'm sorry, general.

I am at your disposal.

- Now then, you see that?

- It's a map of Sleath.

- Yep.

I understand you're the mayor here.

- Yes that is so.

And you own a good bit of this here town?

- That's right.

The bits marked in pencil there?

- That's right.

- All those bits, why, we want to buy 'em.

- All of them?

- Professor, now, you are sure

this is the only spot for the launching site?

- According to my calculations,

the direction of the rocket B,

with the velocity D,

and the energy equal to one million--

- Whoa, whoa, hold it professor.

I tend to leave all that scientific stuff to you.

My job is to set up this rocket base.

Now if you say we need the whole square,

then we'll have to have it.

- Yeah, the whole square?

- Not only that, but the whole area around it.

We'll have to get all the people out

before they start demolition.

- But that's almost the entire town.

- Yes sir.

- I don't intend to haggle over the price.

- Cost a fortune buying this property.

Acquiring leases, paying people off to move.

- You're the mayor, so I can tell you this

in strict confidence.

I'm authorised to bid as high as a million.

- A million dollars?

- Pounds, sir.

- Pounds, do you say?

- Sir, I did not say peanuts.

Now as mayor of this here town,

it's up to you to expedite this matter.

Evacuate the area,

arrange for the transfer of the title deeds

and so on and so forth.

- Certainly, certainly general.

A busy man like you doesn't want to negotiate

with every Tom, Dick, and Harry.

Leave everything to me.

- Fine, fine.

Naturally we have to acquire the control and interest

in the Sleath Redevelopment Corporation,

buy up all the shares.

- Naturally.

There are just

one or two questions. - General,

your call to Washington, sir.

Washington?

- Yeah that's right, I almost forgot.

Would you excuse me, Mr. McKillup?

- Certainly, general.

I'll get working on this thing right away.

My questions are of no importance.

I can't help feeling we've met before somewhere.

- You can?

- I can't.

- The Ed Murrow show, maybe?

- No, no, it was right here.

Why you, you, well, that's ridiculous.

It couldn't be.

Good day, general.

- Good day to you, sir.

Do you think he fell for it?

- If he hadn't, my lad,

you'd be back in clink by now.

- He's a general!

- He's not a general, he's only a captain.

- How do you know?

- He's too small to be a general.

- Good afternoon, ma'am.

- Davy.

- Now how did you recognise me?

Davy.

You surely didn't think you could fool anyone

in that get-up, do you?

- Well, you know I've been doing mighty fine

so far, that is.

- You've been called up, son.

- Dad, that's an American uniform.

An officer's uniform.

You're a captain?

- Nah sir, am a general.

- You're out of your mind.

- I said I'd be back to get even with McKillup.

Well this was the only way I could do it.

- But Davy, listen.

- You've got to trust me.

I know what I'm doing.

- What can you do?

- Well I couldn't do anything alone and I know that.

But I've got the backing

of the richest country in the world.

The United States of America.

Mind you, they don't know yet.

- Whatever you're up to, I'm not going to let you--

- It's too late now, it's already been done.

But I need your help.

- You can count on me, general.

- Good, now listen.

McKillup is gonna try to buy back all those shares

of the Sleath Redevelopment Corporation.

He'll pay twice what they're worth.

So you spread the word, see.

- You leave it to me.

Tonight I'll make the round of every pub in Sleath.

- You do that every night.

Davy, do be sensible.

- Please, you must trust me.

If they hold out for a few days

they'll have enough money to get out of this miserable town.

- Why don't you declare war on us, general?

Then you could blow the town up.

I'd give anything to see that.

Maybe you will.

Yeah, I guess maybe you will at that, grandpa.

Here he comes.

- I still say he's only a captain.

- Go on, he's no captain.

He's too small for a captain.

- If you don't shut your gob

I'll give you a clip 'round the ear hole.

- Don't he speak good for a yank?

- Yes, I'll meet your price.

I want the entire southwest corner.

Have the deed of sale drawn up immediately.

- Look at that.

Still queuing to sell their shares.

- Three day's running.

I hope this costs McKillup every penny he's got.

- It will.

- Couldn't go wrong, could it?

- Now don't worry, Davy.

When Adolf Carter plans an operation

he leaves nothing to chance.

- You planned that operation in the hospital.

Didn't you?

What on Earth is the matter with you?

- Nothing.

I was in this pub, see.

- You were told to stay out of pubs.

- Well me and the other fellas,

we took the jeep over to the next town.

- Well?

- Well I was sittin' having a quiet pint

minding my own business

and these two American GIs came in.

- Americans?

- They're stationed at some airfield.

- You idiot.

- I didn't start it.

They come over to me

and one of them says, hi pal.

And naturally I says hi pal

and then they started to make fun of the way I talk.

And this other bloke, he says

I know where you come from, you come from Brooklyn

and this first bloke, he says well we're from Texas

and we don't like jerks from Brooklyn.

That was it.

Jerks from Brooklyn?

- You raving lunatic, you're from Bermondsey.

- Oh, yeah.

I got carried away

in the heat of the moment, you see?

And then the next thing I knew

we were rolling all over the floor

when these two MPs came in.

- MPs?

- That's done it.

- No, it's all right.

I got out the back door, we're in the clear.

- Are you quite sure?

You don't think for a moment we--

We're in trouble.

- Pull yourself together.

We'll be arrested.

- We're not in the American army.

- Then we'll be shot as spies.

- Come on, let's get out of--

- No!

Our only chance is to brazen this out.

You and you, go.

- He's a real American general, we'll never fool them.

- Now you keep quiet, I'll do the talking.

Come in.

- General Cummings, in command of northeast sector.

Area B.

- Won't you sit down, sir.

- No thanks.

Who are you?

- Major Horton, in charge of security

and public relations on special assignment, sir.

General, one of your men--

- Yes sir, we already have a report on that incident, sir.

- You're taking it very calmly.

I will not tolerate brawling in my command.

My policy has always been to maintain good will.

In a few days I am flying to Washington

to attend a general staff meeting on that very subject.

I Will not have this incident on my record.

I demand you accept full responsibility.

- Perhaps you better ask whom you're talking to, general.

- I don't care.

Well, who are you, general?

- Sorry, I'm afraid the general can't answer that.

- What are you doing here?

- Sorry, but we can't answer that either.

- Just a minute, major.

I addressed my question to the general.

Let him speak for himself.

This is my command area.

I have every right to know who you are

and what you are doing here.

- Don't you ever read Time magazine, sir?

- Time magazine?

- Yeah, Time magazine.

- No, I--

- Then however do you expect to keep in touch, sir?

Major, there's only one way to settle this.

I guess you better call Washington.

- Washington? - Yep.

The White House.

Yeah, on the private wire.

- Now, general!

- Go ahead, major.

- Yes sir, I'm just looking up the number, sir.

- Come on now general,

there's no need to drag Washington into this.

A harmless fistfight.

Why don't we just shake hands all 'round

and forget the whole thing?

- Just this time.

- My sincere apologies, General?

- Perkins, sir.

- Perkins, if there's anything I can do

to assist you on your mission, general.

- Well, now, as a matter of fact, there is.

It's very important that I have some explosives

and supplies in a hurry.

- Just you name it and it's yours.

Colonel!

You establish liaison with Major Horton here

and any requisitions made my General Perkins

shall be delivered without delay.

- Yes sir.

- Good luck, general.

Call yourself a public relation's officer, Elmer.

You never get my picture in Time magazine.

- But Harry, you're not in command of a rocket base.

General Perkins is.

- Yeah.

- They all seem happy enough

to be gettin' out of town.

- There's loyalty for you.

As soon as they got some money, they're off.

If I hadn't bought back those shares.

Made a fortune out of them, they did.

- So did you, Mr. McKillup.

- So I did.

Deeds are all there, general.

Gonna check them?

- Now, if we can't trust each other

at this stage of the game why--

- Of course.

Anything wrong?

- Oh no.

Would you excuse me, Mr. McKillup?

- Certainly.

- I tell you he knows what he's doing.

- But don't you realise

he's going to blow up the town?

- Well it's time somebody did it.

- What are you doing here?

I told you to take her away from Sleath.

- She won't go.

- Davy you're not really going to go through

with this crazy idea, are you?

- Well I can't stop now.

- I'm not going to let you do it.

I'm going to go in there and tell McKillup.

- Wait Ellen, now be reasonable.

- Reasonable?

You're going to destroy hundreds of thousands

of pounds worth of property.

- But it's not mine. - But don't you see--

- You must trust me, please Ellen!

- I'm going to go in there and tell McKillup.

- Now wait.

You can't, what am I gonna do with her?

- Place her under arrest, general.

- Hear, hear. - He's no general.

- I'm afraid I shall have to, Ellen.

And treat her gently.

- Well general, shall we sign the documents?

- I'm ready when you are, sir.

If it's okay with you, I'd like to start demolition

as soon as possible, Mr. McKillup.

- The sooner, the better.

- Yep.

- General, Mr. McKillup, sir.

- The whole area is completely cleared?

- All yours, general.

- Cor, blimey.

- What did you say?

- Gosh.

Ah, now.

Watch it.

Why, you almost blew the whole thing up.

- Did I?

- I was only kiddin...

Everything's under control.

- When does the actual demolition begin?

- Right away.

I'll set up our control base in the return

at the end of the pier.

We're sure to be safe there.

-We?

Oh perhaps I'd better not.

- Oh now, Mr. McKillup, come on.

After all it is your town.

Remember seeing Sleath grow?

Well now you can see it go.

Better take your last look at it, Mr. McKillup.

- Everything's ready, general.

- That's good.

- And you're certain we're safe here?

- Half a mile of water separates us

from the actual scene of the operation, sir.

- These cables?

- Lead from the buildings in the town

to the detonator switches on the panel right here.

Just a touch of that button the town hall, sky high.

Not yet.

- Now you're not going to back out, are you, sir?

- Well no, but, go ahead.

- Major, go ahead.

- Very good, sir.

Go ahead, sergeant.

- Ready? - Ready.

- Ready? - Ready, sir.

- I'll reckon we'll start with,

you choose sir.

- Let's begin with something small.

- Well, how about the public--

The gentlemen's, yes, yes.

Ladies first, sir.

- Now the gents'.

Shall we do the town hall now, sir?

- No, no, the library.

It's falling down anyway.

It's my turn.

I wanted to do that myself.

- Aw now, don't be a baby.

Town hall.

Hey, it's fun!

- We are safe, aren't we?

- Of course.

- Now you're turn.

The factory.

- Oh, Mr. McKillup.

Why I can't blow up your factory.

- It's your factory now.

- Very well.

Mr. McKillup, no hands!

- Incredible, incredible.

Nothing's left.

I don't know how you did it.

- Sir, I was trained in the best army in the world.

General, just a few details.

- General, the professor must speak to you at once, sir.

- Would you excuse me, Mr. McKillup?

These scientists always bringing up problems.

Yep, professor?

What can I do for you?

- General, my calculations, it's a mistake.

- Mistake?

- Mistake?

- It's the wrong direction.

- The wrong direction?

- What's wrong?

What is it?

- It faces north.

- Then we just can't use it.

- Can't use what?

- All this.

- Now the buildings are down, why, it's obvious.

The town faces north.

- But it always did!

- Ah, then you should have

pointed that out to us before, sir.

Well, back to the drawing board.

- What about my money?

We have a contract.

- We'll have to exercise the cancellation clause, sir.

- But there is no cancellation clause!

- Well, should be.

Just a typographical error I suppose.

- What about my money?

My town!

You won't get away with this!

I'm going to report you to your superiors.

I'm calling Washington.

You hear me!

I'm going to call Washington!

- As you all know,

I visited 24 countries in nine days.

And the purpose of that trip was to check up on our policy

of good will.

And we must re-double our efforts to maintain,

I said no calls.

- This is urgent, sir.

The British ambassador.

- Oh these diplomats.

At least this is a friendly one.

- Good morning, Mr. Ambassador.

Mr. Ambassador, if you just--

We did what?

We couldn't have!

Oh no, Mr. Ambassador, I'm not calling you a liar.

The whole town?

General Perkins?

Hold on a minute, please.

Have any of you ever heard of a General Perkins?

General Perkins?

General Perkins?

- Did somebody say General Perkins?

- You know him, Cummings?

- Why, yes, he's a great friend of mine.

He's in my command area.

And I may add I gave him every assistance

on his recent mission.

- You were aware of the nature of General Perkins' mission?

- Well, I read Time magazine, sir.

Did he hit the moon?

- General Perkins has just blown up

an entire English town.

- On purpose?

That's not very friendly.

- And you helped him blow it up!

-I?

I didn't know anything about it.

- You mean to tell me your troops did this without orders?

- No, sir.

My troops are well disciplined.

They don't act without orders, no sir.

- Then you are responsible?

- Well I,

well it certainly looks that way.

- Yes, Mr. Ambassador.

No, no, I was merely checking the facts.

No, Mr. Ambassador, we accept full responsibility

and I assure you, sir,

full reparation will be made immediately.

I will authorise an appropriation of one million--

Three million?

Five million dollars,

and we'll rebuild the town from top to bottom.

Yes.

Goodbye, sir.

That gentleman, is good will.

- And today, this magnificent new town,

so aptly named Good Will,

stands as a symbol of the generosity

of our American cousins.

But, above all, it stands as a tribute

to the prophetic vision of your benefactor.

- You've got a grand town here, Mr. McKillup.

Now don't mess about with it.

- Davy, you ought to know me better, by now.

I've only the best interests of Sleath at heart.

- Of course.

- Davy!

Davy!

You all right?

Are you off?

- Oh fine.

Only thing is, one of these days

they're sure to kick me out.

- When you get out you come back to Sleath.

- You really mean that?

- Promise you'll come back?

- I'd like to see anybody stop me.

Take care of yourself, Ellen.

- I will.

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