Original subtitles

Lived along the Merrimack and washed in the river

when the water ran clean.

I waited for the day I could buy me a Cadillac

and see a lot of things that I never have seen.

Hey, hey, hey, boys, I think I'm getting old.

Sitting by the fire when the weather gets cold.

I don't care down around the farm.

Where does Nadell want this one?

Take it to the Sherman weigh station.

Get out of here.

Right.

Another hijacked tanker.

What does that make, five, six?

That makes, uh, six in the last 14 weeks.

So what do we got on it?

Well, here, see for yourself.

One empty tanker, one driver with a major headache.

Mr. McCrea is in the conference room

now going through the books.

Hey, you know what?

My horoscope in the newspaper said this morning

that I was going to meet someone today who was

going to bring me good luck.

Well, maybe that good luck is Mr. McCrea in there.

But then again, the day is young.

Ha.

I'll see you in a minute.

Mr. McCrea?

How you feeling today?

Arms.

Have fun.

Side.

Side.

Front.

Thank you, everybody.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Great work.

Don't forget your exercises, because happy feet

make happy souls.

Bye.

Excuse me.

Excuse me, excuse me, excuse me, excuse me.

Hello, sugar.

Jake.

My breakfast just wasn't the same this morning

without my short stack.

Wanda, where are my manners?

Say hello to my cousin Bernie.

Hello.

Hello, Bernie.

Nice accordion.

Hey, he plays semi-professionally.

And he has offered to play at our wedding reception.

Did he?

Bernie, play something.

Excuse me.

Can I talk to you over here for a minute?

Yeah, sure.

He's not playing at my wedding.

Oh, Wanda, my family is really looking forward to this.

Oh, Jake, I've waited for this all my life.

I just wanted a nice dance combo.

Please don't make me go through the rest of my life

remembering that.

Oh boy, am I in trouble.

You know, every time I look into those green eyes of yours,

I can't deny you anything. Combo?

You got it.

Goody.

You still got the touch.

Bernie, wait in the car.

I'll talk to you later?

Thank you.

Did you pick out your best man yet?

Aw, come on. I haven't had the time yet.

He's a busy man.

He's not another one of your prison buddies, is he?

Wanda.

Wanda.

Would I do a thing like that to you?

I mean, he's a real first-class guy.

I mean, this guy is the best best man in the whole world.

OK, what's his name?

So, Mr. McCrea.

You're sure this is the guy who jumped you, right?

Yeah, sure as I can be.

I got a quick look at him just before he

lowered the boom on me.

Well, we do appreciate you coming in.

You go on home and get some rest now.

We, uh... we'll call you if we need you.

Mr. McCrea, thanks for coming down.

Appreciate it. - Sure.

OK.

Lonny Frost.

Run him through NCIC, see what you come up with.

Right.

Captain Charlie Devane.

Guess you never thought you'd see this kisser again, huh?

Ey, is he terrific?

He's looking at a new man here.

Oh-ho.

Ooh, Charlie, it's so good to see you!

Oh god!

Oh-ho!

Oh!

Oh-ho!

Oh-ho!

Oh!

Oh.

Ooh.

Ooh, Charlie. Charlie, what happened?

I think you put a few on, huh?

Well, you know how it goes.

Oh, do I ever.

Look, I had to really work so hard

not to get totally blimpoid on... on prison cuisine.

Uh, how much time did you do exactly?

Six years three months, but it could have been worse.

See... see, when you busted me, that was the best

thing that ever happened to me.

Well, the second best thing.

The first best thing was...

Was meeting Wanda.

And you're responsible for that too.

I don't know anybody named Wanda.

Oh-ho, you'll met her.

You see, I met her when I was in stir.

She was... she was participating in that... that pen pal program,

you know?

But... see, if you didn't bust me, I would've never done time,

I would've never met Wanda.

So you are single-handedly responsible for changing

my life, and Jake Hutton never forgets.

And that's why I want you to be my best man.

Jake Hutton, of course.

Well, Jake, listen, it's really nice of you to ask, but...

Uh, excuse me, can I just butt in here for a second?

You couldn't have picked a better best man.

Captain.

Commander Clayton on one for you.

Jake, I, uh...

No, no.

Listen, I know how busy you are, Chuckie,

so I'll just wait right inside.

It's no problem.

Listen, Captain, I know how busy you're

gonna be with wedding plans, so I'll just get on this Lonny

Frost thing right away.

I'll talk to you later.

Captain, the commander's on hold.

Hm.

Whoa!

Some place you got here, Mr. Nadell.

Nice action.

You're not here for the action, Sanders.

You're here because we don't like

the way you're doing business.

I don't know what you're talking about.

What kind of business is that?

Your girls have been exporting their talents

beyond the backseats of cars in your parking lot.

My girls?

No.

Obviously, there's some mistake.

The only mistake you made was sending them

out on calls to local hotels.

Mr. Nadell, I...

I must tell you I'm taken aback that some of my employees

would freelance like that.

Don't play me for a patsy.

You know exactly what I'm talking about.

Should have torched this bozos' place a long time ago.

Wait a minute, wait.

I swear I don't know anything about this.

Cut the crap!

You're in business because I tolerate it.

And I tolerate it because my business

associates sell you booze.

And when a lowlife piece of scum like

you starts to cut into my business,

then I gotta make an example out of him

so that other lowlifes don't get ambitious.

Do you understand?

Completely.

If one of your bimbos so much as

comes out of a cake at a bachelor party,

I'm gonna take you apart!

You got my drift?

Get outta here!

So how'd it go?

I'm gonna hit Nadell.

And I'm gonna need a patsy to take the heat for it.

I know just the guy.

Lonny Frost?

LAPD.

I want to have a word with you.

Hey!

I said I wanted to talk to you.

You're sure about that, huh, Lonny?

Yeah, I'm sure.

Sergeant Hunter.

Thanks very much.

You're welcome, Sergeant.

You know what this is, Lonny?

It's your NCIC file.

A national computer keeps track of all the criminal activity

across the country.

Good thing too.

You move around a lot.

Hey, look, I paid my debt to society.

In 1980 you and Dirk Baker did three years in Folsom Prison

for hijacking a gasoline tanker in Bakersfield.

So what?

1985, you got four more years.

Dirk Baker again, same deal.

You're getting into a rut here, Lonny.

Hey, look, so I'm an ex-con.

So what?

Is that any reason to jump all over me?

I mean, hey, what's your point anyway?

The point here is was Dirk Baker

in on this hijacking with you?

I don't know what you're talking about.

Oh, come on now. You can tell me.

Was he or wasn't he?

I ain't telling you nothing.

Nothing.

Want me to ask him?

I can do that, you know.

OK.

Now, Dirk Baker is still a mechanic in the valley?

How should I know?

Jake?

Where are you?

I thought that you were coming to...

Bed.

Madam.

May I have this dance?

Oh, Jake.

You're incorrigible.

Don't tell my parole officer.

No wonder why women think you're just irresistible.

Ooh... well.

Wanda.

As long as we're down here alone.

Yes?

Oh, Jake.

So what about this Frost guy?

Well, he's got a prior in two different states

with a guy named Dirk Baker.

I don't think the guy's smart enough to work alone.

Well, look, as soon as he clears bail, you follow him,

all right?

Captain.

Wanda Crebbs is in your office, uh, Jake Hutton's fiancee.

Yeah, what's with this Jake Hutton guy?

He's some guy I busted for burglary 10 years ago.

He claims he met his fiancee in prison on a pen pal program.

Now he thinks I'm his best friend.

I don't know, it's like they're creeping into my life

and there's nothing I can do about it.

Give me some moral support here, OK?

Oh, Captain Devane.

Wanda Crebbs.

What a pleasure to meet you.

Jake's told me so much about you.

Captain this, Captain that.

Well, you know how Jake is.

No, well, actually, he doesn't.

Uh, Wanda, this is, uh, Sergeant Rick Hunter.

Uh, Wanda Crebbs.

Ms. Crebbs.

A pleasure.

So, Wanda, what can we do for you?

I'm here to take your tuxedo measurement.

Uh, excuse me, uh, don't they usually

take those measurements down at the tuxedo rental place?

Usually, but I'm making the tuxes, and yours is baby blue.

Jake's favorite color.

You don't mind, do you?

Uh.

Uh, Ms. Crebbs.

Don't you want to write some of these measurements down?

No, I have a photogenic memory.

Ah.

Well, you know, I don't know who's

more excited about this wedding, Captain Devane or Jake.

Oh, now I know why you're his idol.

You know, most civil servants are insensitive to the needs

of others, but here you are caring about two

nobodies like Jake and me.

Until Captain Devane came along, no one had the slightest bit

of faith in Jake whatsoever.

Oh, Captain.

You're gonna love this tuxedo.

You know, I think that blue might bring your eyes out.

Yeah.

Uh, look, Ms. Crebbs, it's been a pleasure.

Thank you. You too, Sergeant.

Bye.

Oh, uh, Ms. Crebbs.

When is the wedding?

Oh, thanks for reminding me.

The rehearsal has been changed to 2 o'clock this afternoon.

Jake told me that he gave you the address.

Bye, Sergeant.

So long.

Mr. Snake.

Mr. Sanders.

To what do I owe the pleasure of this meeting?

Snake is supervising an upcoming

second-story job for me.

And since you and he were such good friends in the slam,

you emerged as his personal selection for the position.

Boy.

I'm really flattered, you know what I mean?

But I guess you guys haven't heard, you know.

I... I... I've been retired.

But you're so young to retire.

It's time for a change.

You know the funny thing about retirement, Jake?

Is the average schlub, he works his hump off his whole life.

Then he drops over like that the first year

after getting his gold watch.

How long has it been since you retired?

Eight months.

Ouch.

I'd be very careful of my health if I was you.

You know, this is a risky period, statistically speaking.

Like it was for Leon Bates when

he stole my smokes in prison.

You remember what happened to him, Jake?

OK, you fellas got yourself a boy.

Little rusty perhaps, but the, uh... the old know-how

is still filed right up there.

Look, everybody, he's coming.

He's probably out with his best man having one last brewsky.

Father, I'm going to wait out front.

10 bucks says Jake's got cold feet.

And that could be fatal, considering

the size of his feet.

- Hello. - Mr. Nadell.

This is Lonny.

The cops picked me up last night.

They leaned pretty heavy on me.

Oh, Lonny.

Hey, it's really good to hear from you, huh?

I've been really worried about you.

I didn't tell nothing, Mr. Nadell.

And I won't neither.

You can trust me on that.

You know, uh, loyalty like that is really hard to find.

Believe me.

Listen, uh, Lonny, I'm making arrangements for you,

uh, to leave the country.

You mean I won't have to stand trial?

That's right.

You just make sure you're not followed.

I got 50 grand waiting for you for travel expenses.

That's... that's great, Mr. Nadell.

Hey, what are friends for, huh?

You just meet me at the end of Butler Street

where it dead ends with the river.

5 o'clock, OK?

I'll be there.

I really appreciate this a lot.

I wouldn't leave you hanging.

I'll see you later, pal.

What right does a girl like me have to a fantastic

guy like Jake Hutton anyway?

He could have any woman in the world.

I was a fool to think that I could ever keep

a stallion like him for myself.

He's got to be free.

Captain Devane!

You made it!

Where's Jake?

Uh... gee, I don't know.

He isn't with you?

No.

Oh, come on now.

What's going on?

Look, Wanda, I've been trying to figure

that out for two days.

You don't have to sugarcoat it for me.

If it's another woman, just say so.

Wanda, I would if I could, but I can't.

Oh, so he swore you to secrecy, did he?

Wanda, believe me, I don't know this guy.

I know nothing about him.

Well, I've heard some pretty flaky stories

in my lifetime, Captain, but this one takes the cake.

Now, cut it out and tell me where Jake is.

R 20 Charles to 1 1 4.

1 14 by.

Show me code 6 LA River 6th and Santa Fe Avenue.

10-4.

Request backup.

10-4, 30 Charles.

Well, Lonny Frost's bail bondsman isn't

going to like this one bit.

If Frost took a fall in Arizona

and didn't rat on Baker, why is Baker afraid

he's going to do it now?

Well, that's just assuming Baker

had something to do with it.

Do you think he's responsible?

I don't know.

I'll find out tomorrow when I talk to him.

Hey, look, if you want this job done right,

I need more information.

Oh, yeah?

Like what?

Like me seeing Bert Nadell's building for myself.

Forget it.

I can't do that.

See, I operate under very strict professional rules, Mr. Snake.

Hey. You operate the way we tell you.

Listen, you want this job done right or you want it botched?

Because if that's what you want, no problem.

I'm beginning to think you're more trouble

than you're worth, runt.

Well, I guess a replacement is out of the question.

Don't kill yourself while I'm gone.

Come on.

Happy Feet Dance Academy.

Wanda speaking.

Wanda, listen.

It's me.

Where were you yesterday?

Listen to me, baby, listen.

I... I... I got into a little bit of a...

What are you doing, shrimp?

Tipping the cops?

Jake?

Hello?

Ah, just calling my fiancee Wanda.

She's probably worried sick about me.

Well, Wanda just might get sick

and die if you're not careful.

Your gal's gonna be dog food if you

don't come across on this job.

You got that?

I got that.

All right, let's go.

I'm taking you to Nadell's.

If you're not good, I'm gonna throw you off a bridge, OK?

OK.

The little zit will never know what hit him.

You just make sure this guy shows up,

or I'm going to have a tough time

explaining things to the cops.

And, Tex.

Don't you even think about double-crossing me.

Listen, Henry, make sure this car's ready by 3 o'clock.

The guy's on our back now.

I'm leaving for a while.

If anybody asks, you don't know where I went

or when I'll be back.

Anybody.

You understand?

Hold it right there, Baker.

LAPD.

What... what do you guys want?

Where were you yesterday?

Working.

Yeah?

You're on probation.

Answer my question.

I was working all day here.

Were you out flying your helicopter?

I have no idea what you're talking about.

Do you know Frost is dead?

What?

Yeah.

Who killed him?

How should I know?

You stole gas with him.

Maybe you couldn't trust him anymore.

No, you're wrong.

You're all wrong on this.

Turn around.

Turn around!

What's the idea?

Look, I don't know what you're doing.

I...

I'm arresting you for suspicion of murder.

Look, I didn't kill Frost.

Yeah, we stole gas together, but I swear I didn't kill him.

Yeah.

Give me a name.

Give me a name!

Captain Devane!

Uh, hello, Wanda.

How are you?

Not so good.

Jake called me this morning and hung up.

First I was mad at him, but then I realized that there was

a strange tension in his voice.

Something's gone wrong.

Something's terribly wrong!

Calm down, now, calm down.

I'm sure Jake is just fine.

It's not like him to just disappear like this.

You know that better than anybody.

Well, maybe he's just having one

last session of hell-raising, don't you think?

I don't know.

Maybe he is at some hangout you and he used to frequent.

Well, I don't think that's possible now.

Why not?

Well, Wanda...

I've been trying to tell you this all along,

but Jake and I never really hung out together.

You're his best man.

Of course you hung out together!

Oh god, what am I gonna do?

I just want to get married!

I just want my Jakey back!

All right, all right, all right, all right.

Now... now, calm down.

Calm down, Wanda.

We'll find him for you.

Oh, Captain.

I knew you'd come through for me.

Mr. Nadell?

Are you in there?

Is anything wrong, sir?

Mr. Nadell?

Boy, is there ever.

Mr. Nadell?

Mr. Nadell?

Mr. Nadell?

Mr. Wood!

In here!

Mr. Nadell's dead.

What the hell was that, gunshots?

Get backup here.

This is R 30 Charles to 1 1 4.

Shots being fired in the vicinity of 8 7

6 5 1 Hollywood Boulevard.

Backup requested.

10-4, R 30 Charles.

Hold it right there!

Don't you move!

Put the gun down on the ground very easy.

Don't shoot.

Get against the wall!

Don't shoot.

You got the wrong guy.

You got him?

Got him.

Somebody just killed my boss.

They're getting away.

Someone killed your boss, huh?

Yes.

Come on.

I got the wrong guy, huh?

Yeah, I'm telling you you got the wrong guy.

Now, how does this tape tie Jake to Nadell's murder?

I know it's not clear how involved he is.

But Jake never committed a violent crime

in his whole career.

He's strictly penny ante.

Yeah, and... and besides, what motive

would he have to kill Nadell?

Yeah, it doesn't make any sense.

Look, Jake has got himself into some deep trouble,

and somebody put him there.

The poor schnook's gonna really be in for it

if we don't find out who's behind it.

I just did a check on Bert Nadell.

He owns several corporations, all of which

were fronts for drugs and prostitution and pornography.

But here's the good part.

Otis Wood, his right-hand man, is listed as chief executive

on all the documents of incorporation.

Well, wait a minute, is this a setup or what?

And whoever sent Jake in there last night's probably

looking for him right now.

We gotta talk to Wanda.

Happy Feet Dance Academy.

I'm at the Redmont Hotel.

I did not stand you up at the church.

Jake!

I'm in big trouble.

But when this mess blows over, we're gonna get married.

What mess?

I love you, sugar cakes.

Redmont Hotel.

OK.

Hi, Wanda.

Captain Devane.

You got a minute?

I... I was just going shopping.

Wanda, you said when you talked to Jake he

sounded like he was in trouble.

He did.

Has he called you again?

I... I don't know where he is.

Uh-huh.

Well, I don't want to upset you, but he is in trouble.

In fact, he's got a murder warrant hanging

over his head right now.

Murder?

Now, don't worry about it, he'll be all right.

But it's important that you call us the minute you

hear from him, OK?

Yeah, sure.

Uh, Wanda, we can put a black and white squad car right

downstairs if you want.

No, no, that's not necessary.

All right, you be sure to call us, now,

the minute you hear from him.

All right?

Yeah, sure.

So long.

Uh, thanks very much, Wanda.

Yeah.

Scuba diving, scuba equipment, scuba gear.

Jake, it's me, Wanda.

Open up.

Wanda.

Wanda.

What the hell are you doing here?

That's exactly the same question

I was ready to ask you. - You have to leave.

I do not want you involved!

But I love you.

And I am involved.

Captain Devane and Sergeant Hunter were just

at the dance studio, and they told me that you're

involved in a murder.

Oh, Wanda.

I... I didn't do it.

These guys I met in prison, they found me,

they forced me to do this job.

I had to do it.

Then everything just went crazy.

So where are we going?

We're not going anywhere.

I'm going to Mexico.

Well, so am I. I could open up a dance studio there.

I love the cha-cha.

You don't get it, do you, Wanda?

Aw, sugar cakes.

Look, you gotta be someplace where it's safe.

Why don't you go to the police?

Are you nuts?

I'm on parole!

You're getting out of here.

Jesus.

Wanda, your lied.

Captain, a woman will do anything to protect her man.

How could you miss him?

The police showed up.

Would you just relax, man?

I'll get him.

I'll get him!

Jake Hutton is on parole.

He's not about to do or say anything that

might put him back in the slam.

He ain't going to no cops.

He's a dead man.

If it's a choice between us or the cops,

who do you think Jake's gonna pick?

I'll tell you what he's going to do.

He's going to pick the cops.

He ain't going back in no slam.

So when that Snake, Snake Harris,

said he'd make Wanda shorter than me if I didn't cooperate...

I mean, I had to do it.

I mean, that's the whole story.

That's the truth.

I love you, sugar cakes.

Ditto.

Jakey's not going back to prison, is he?

I don't know, but you didn't do your parole record any good.

And you can still redeem yourself if you

cooperate with us completely.

You name it, you got it.

All right, good.

Put together a team.

Arrest Sanders and Wood.

I'll get right on it.

Jake, let's go downtown.

I... I... I guess I really let you down, huh?

Well, Jake, you know, sometimes in life,

circumstance just takes over.

Thanks, Chuckie babe.

Listen, when this all blows over,

you'll still be my best man?

Jake, I'll be your best man if you stop calling me Chuckie.

You got it.

Luther, give me a shot.

LAPD!

Don't anybody move!

Get your hands up!

Police!

Don't move!

You right there, don't you move!

Put it right there!

Hold it right there!

Police!

I got him!

Don't shoot, guys!

We are here today to solemnly witness the coming together

of our two dear friends Jake and Wanda in the holy bonds

of matrimony, and to support them

in their love and their friendship,

their complementarity and their uniqueness.

And so I ask do you, Wanda Crebbs,

take this man to be your lawful wedded husband,

to honor and cherish for as long as you both shall live?

Oh boy, do I.

Hm.

And do you, Jake Hutton, take this woman

to be your lawfully wedded wife, to honor and cherish for as

long as you both shall live?

Absolutely.

Then I pronounce you, Jake and Wanda, to be husband and wife.

You may kiss the bride.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present Mr. and Mrs. Jake Hutton.

Ho-ho, I am really having tremendous fun.

This is great.

Hey, ho, how about getting a picture of me and my best man?

Excuse me, Wanda.

Ah, Charlie.

I just... I... I can't thank you enough for letting

me get married after turning myself in.

So, slap 'em on.

Jake, Wanda.

First of all, congratulations.

And second of all, we're sure sorry we missed the ceremonies.

I'm sure they were terrific.

We were detained at the district attorney's office.

It seems that, uh, the DA has decided to drop

all the charges against Jake.

You mean my Jakey doesn't have to go back to prison?

That's absolutely right.

And you can thank Captain Charles Devane for everything.

They can?

Yes, they can.

You did it again.

I knew you'd come through for me!

God, I love this man!

Oh, Captain Devane, you're such a marvelous man.

Really, I didn't do anything.

Can you believe this man?

Modest to a fault. How can we ever repay you?

I know.

We'll name our firstborn after you.

That's it!

Charlie Hutton.

Boy or girl, no matter which, that's

what we're gonna call it.

You're gonna be the godfather.

You're gonna buy him his first mitt.

That's what... you're gonna play ball with him out on the grass.

You're gonna take him out there.

This is gonna be great!

Me and Wanda and chunky little Charlie,

we're gonna come to your house on the weekends for dinner.

We're gonna be a family!

What a neat idea.

Look, I really gotta get back to the office.

Oh, no, no, no, no. We have a reception...

You know, Charlie will make a good godfather.

Ah.

I think he's ready for the responsibility.

You're gonna take Wanda's garters off.

And then... and then Bernie... You with my cousin Bernie?

He's gonna play... what's your favorite song?