All language subtitles for Route66 - S03E15 (A Bunch of Lonely Pagliaccis)

[upbeat jazzy music]

[upbeat jazzy music]

- Good morning Beth,
I picked up those--

[engine stars up]

[engine stars up]

How's his mood today, Oliver?

How's his mood today, Oliver?

- Fine, about 10 pages
of centigrade, Mr. Tod.

- Fine, about 10 pages
of centigrade, Mr. Tod.

- Well we could
all use a good day.

Tell me I'm here, on
time, in my office.

Tell me I'm here, on
time, in my office.

Ready and willing
whenever he needs me.

- Yes Mr. Tod.

- Yes Mr. Tod.

- Thank you, Oliver.

- Thank you, Oliver.

- [Tod Narration] I'm
sorry you won't have

the chance to meet Warren Barr.

the chance to meet Warren Barr.

How many prize-winning
novelists does

a guy meet in a lifetime,
let alone work for?

a guy meet in a lifetime,
let alone work for?

Incidentally, this
is quite a job.

Incidentally, this
is quite a job.

I'll tell you when I see
you how I lucked into it.

I'll tell you when I see
you how I lucked into it.

Secretary, consultant,
researcher grammarian

Secretary, consultant,
researcher grammarian

and chauffer.

And the pay, more
satisfaction than scratch.

And the pay, more
satisfaction than scratch.

Just being around him
a mind as boundless

as Warren Barr's,
who care about money?

as Warren Barr's,
who care about money?

Not that he's easy to be around.

Not that he's easy to be around.

But he makes you think.

But he makes you think.

New thoughts, you know Buz?

New thoughts, you know Buz?

Just two weeks here in
this rundown plantation,

I've already come
to feel timeless.

I've already come
to feel timeless.

See what I mean old buddy?

See what I mean old buddy?

It's not for you.

And the town, how
'bout this for a name.

And the town, how
'bout this for a name.

Hernando.

Hernando.

Yeah, H-E-R-N-A-N-D-O.

Yeah, H-E-R-N-A-N-D-O.

Hernando, Mississippi.

Hernando, Mississippi.

If you were here, one
look at this main street

and you would say
it's bust out time.

and you would say
it's bust out time.

But not me.

In a way these things sometimes
happen, I'm part of it.

In a way these things sometimes
happen, I'm part of it.

I understand why Warren Barr has

chosen to spend his life here.

chosen to spend his life here.

Now I see what he
means when he says that

Now I see what he
means when he says that

standing still can be more
creative than going fast.

standing still can be more
creative than going fast.

Believe it or not,
Buz old buddy,

I've come to value the peace

I've come to value the peace

and quiet of
Hernando, Mississippi.

and quiet of
Hernando, Mississippi.

Undisturbed, and
therefore undisturbing.

Undisturbed, and
therefore undisturbing.

I'll write again next
week, meantime heal.

I'll write again next
week, meantime heal.

Always, Tod.

[gun fires]

[dramatic music]

[dramatic music]

- [Man] Is there any other
place to stay in this town?

- [Man] Is there any other
place to stay in this town?

- [Business Man] I don't
care about the view.

- [Business Man] I don't
care about the view.

- [Man] You spell it
with an F, not a V.

- [Man] You spell it
with an F, not a V.

- That'll be $15 Mr.
Russel, in advance.

That's 15 a day.

That's 15 a day.

- You mind if I
see your rate card?

- You mind if I
see your rate card?

- Tore 'em up,
new rate card now.

[Men talking over each other]

[Men talking over each other]

- Set up your darkroom
and lab out front.

- Lance!

- Lance!

Lance!

You'd think he had
more readers than I do.

You'd think he had
more readers than I do.

Say, I haven't seen you before.

Say, I haven't seen you before.

- Well I've never been
in New Zealand either.

- Well I've never been
in New Zealand either.

- Say now, I'm Dixie Martin.

- Say now, I'm Dixie Martin.

Never been lovelorn?

- Only clean wounds.

- No kidding, you mean
you've never read my column?

- No kidding, you mean
you've never read my column?

Or don't you care about
the woman's point of view?

Or don't you care about
the woman's point of view?

- How do you think
I got the wounds?

Excuse me.

- Now about this town.

Wouldn't you think
a girl who's old man

Wouldn't you think
a girl who's old man

won all those prizes
would have more sense

than to kill her husband in a
broken-down place like this?

than to kill her husband in a
broken-down place like this?

than to kill her husband in a
broken-down place like this?

- Now why couldn't she have

found a more
convenient location?

found a more
convenient location?

Ah, somebody said
there's no bar in town.

Ah, somebody said
there's no bar in town.

- Dixie baby, I want you
to know this has been

one of the most refreshing
experiences of my entire life.

one of the most refreshing
experiences of my entire life.

Meeting you, becoming
good friends,

Meeting you, becoming
good friends,

and then forgetting the whole
thing in one bittersweet lump.

and then forgetting the whole
thing in one bittersweet lump.

- Tell Mr. Barr Stiles is here.

- I'll pick up the car
and meet him in front.

- I'll pick up the car
and meet him in front.

[reporters talking
over each other]

[reporters talking
over each other]

- Who'll take care of you, papa?

- Who'll take care of you, papa?

- Dove, just once, that's
all this fellow wants,

just one time around, you
can do that, can't you?

just one time around, you
can do that, can't you?

Do that for me.

- Who's gonna take
care of you papa?

- Who's gonna take
care of you papa?

- They say he picks up
where Daryl left off.

- They say he picks up
where Daryl left off.

He's a real
brilliant law fellow.

He could ease things
mightily, dove.

He could ease things
mightily, dove.

- Oh papa.

Forgive me.

- Larry is not the
first husband to die

- Larry is not the
first husband to die

in some alien
bedroom, nor the last.

in some alien
bedroom, nor the last.

Nor you the first to
strike away a life.

Nor you the first to
strike away a life.

Or God to pity, the last.

Remember what I
used to tell you?

Remember what I
used to tell you?

There's no such creature as
the wicked, only the stronger.

There's no such creature as
the wicked, only the stronger.

Forgive you?

You could slice me
down for dog meat

and I'd love you past
every cut of the blade.

and I'd love you past
every cut of the blade.

Now I'm gonna send
this fellow over here,

Shipley's his
name, from Chicago.

Shipley's his
name, from Chicago.

The best in his business.

He'll have you home in no time.

You just come honest with him,

You just come honest with him,

tell him how it was
with you and Larry.

With Larry and Cora.

With Larry and Cora.

- Oliver can't do
everything for you, papa.

- Oliver can't do
everything for you, papa.

- It's the curse
of a writing man

- It's the curse
of a writing man

that even when his
heart's breaking,

there's something inside of him

there's something inside of him

somewhere that makes him wonder,

why can't his fingertips be
as true when they touch paper

why can't his fingertips be
as true when they touch paper

as when they touch
his daughter's tears.

as when they touch
his daughter's tears.

Now you be obliging, you hear?

Now you be obliging, you hear?

Shipley, that's his name.

Shipley, that's his name.

Dove.

- I'll talk to nobody, papa.

- I'll talk to nobody, papa.

Not even to you if
you keep this up.

Not even to you if
you keep this up.

- All right, dove.

All right, I'll wait.

All right, I'll wait.

But if you don't mind,
I'll keep Shipley here.

Just in case.

Just in case.

- Papa.

- Papa.

I'm not like you.

I never was.

Nobody ever was.

- We come and we go.

- We come and we go.

- I know, papa.

And I'm ready.

And I'm ready.

Better send Mr. Shipley
back to Chicago,

Better send Mr. Shipley
back to Chicago,

because I'll never speak to him.

because I'll never speak to him.

I'll never speak to anyone
again as long as I live

except to the judge when
he sentences me to die.

except to the judge when
he sentences me to die.

And then just to
say, "Thank you."

And then just to
say, "Thank you."

And except to you, papa,
and only then to say,

And except to you, papa,
and only then to say,

"I always loved you.

"And I'm sorry I
brought you this pain."

"And I'm sorry I
brought you this pain."

[forlorn music]

[forlorn music]

- [Radio] The eyes of the nation
are focused this afternoon

- [Radio] The eyes of the nation
are focused this afternoon

on a small Southern town
for a true life story

more tragic than
any ever written

by the renowned novelist
Warren Barr being--

by the renowned novelist
Warren Barr being--

[reporters talking
over each other]

[reporters talking
over each other]

[car engine starting up]

[car engine starting up]

- Mr. Barr, I may
assume a little

- Mr. Barr, I may
assume a little

too much authority this morning,

but for a while
there if I hadn't

but for a while
there if I hadn't

grabbed a few
dilemmas by the horns,

some of your fans were ready
to march on Mississippi

some of your fans were ready
to march on Mississippi

and tear the courthouse
down to get Beth free.

and tear the courthouse
down to get Beth free.

Also I might have offended
some of your friends,

Also I might have offended
some of your friends,

but I thought you'd probably
prefer to be alone right now.

but I thought you'd probably
prefer to be alone right now.

- When Beth was 10, she
opened her diary to me.

- When Beth was 10, she
opened her diary to me.

No dove, I told her, we all
need a place no one can invade.

No dove, I told her, we all
need a place no one can invade.

But she insisted.

But she insisted.

First boy she ever kissed,
the other Myer boy,

First boy she ever kissed,
the other Myer boy,

the one with no eyebrows.

the one with no eyebrows.

She came runnin' home later,

giggling and clapping her hands.

giggling and clapping her hands.

"Papa, his nose was so cold."

It was just after Christmas.

It was just after Christmas.

With a hard stick
of snow that winter.

"Is kissing better
in July?" She asked.

"Is kissing better
in July?" She asked.

[chuckles]

All these years, nothin'
hidden, until now.

All these years, nothin'
hidden, until now.

Jealousy, not a
bone of it in her.

Jealousy, not a
bone of it in her.

The Beth I know, when she
caught Larry with Cora,

The Beth I know, when she
caught Larry with Cora,

would've come softly
home, walkin' on tip toe.

would've come softly
home, walkin' on tip toe.

Countin' the leaves on the way.

Countin' the leaves on the way.

And the wickets in
every fence she passed,

until she's forgotten.

And forgiven.

There's more here
than she's tellin'.

More than I can understand.

More than I can understand.

- I'm starting a new movement.

- I'm starting a new movement.

Give men back their manhood.

So, you drive.

So, you drive.

- I didn't know we'd lost it.

- I didn't know we'd lost it.

- Did Little Bo
Peep lose any sheep?

- I dunno Dixie, for all I know
you may be wired for sound.

- I dunno Dixie, for all I know
you may be wired for sound.

- You know it's a
pretty funny thing,

- You know it's a
pretty funny thing,

giving advice to 18
million lovelorn,

giving advice to 18
million lovelorn,

for never mind how many years,

and all of a sudden having
to divorce your own husband.

and all of a sudden having
to divorce your own husband.

Was that a drag trying to
explain in 323 newspapers.

Was that a drag trying to
explain in 323 newspapers.

- Another war, another
night, okay Dixie?

- Look, I'm hungry,

and there's not a decent
restaurant in town.

and there's not a decent
restaurant in town.

All right if you think
I'm bugged, check me.

All right if you think
I'm bugged, check me.

But I'm warning
you, I'm ticklish.

You're wondering why
you should do with me.

Right?

Right?

Well dear wonderer,
keep it simple.

Well dear wonderer,
keep it simple.

Go for laughs, signed, Dixie.

- There's a spot about
10 miles outside of town.

Great fried chicken,
but on two conditions.

Great fried chicken,
but on two conditions.

- Done.

- One, we don't
talk about the case.

- One, we don't
talk about the case.

Two, after dinner I have a lot
of backwoods driving to do.

Two, after dinner I have a lot
of backwoods driving to do.

- Have you ever been to Spain?

- Have you ever been to Spain?

Then you've never
been to a Spanish inn.

Then you've never
been to a Spanish inn.

They're very bare, but they
do teach your something.

They're very bare, but they
do teach your something.

They teach you that
you only get from

They teach you that
you only get from

a Spanish inn what
you bring to it.

[car engine starts]

[car engine starts]

- Look Gus, TV!

When I was three, the
Red Cross came in.

When I was three, the
Red Cross came in.

The year the Mississippi
all this valley.

The year the Mississippi
all this valley.

- Before I'd come.

- Now it all come back.

- Now it all come back.

Makes you feel biggy inside.

Don't it make you
feel biggy Gus?

- I feel sorry for poor old
Larry Chance, that's all I feel.

- I feel sorry for poor old
Larry Chance, that's all I feel.

He's a right nice fella,

He's a right nice fella,

but he ought'nt have gone
messing around with Cora.

but he ought'nt have gone
messing around with Cora.

- You didn't know
Cora, did you Gus?

Fool was married.

Fool was married.

- Just you watch
your mouth, Mary.

'Course, it was
different with Larry.

'Course, it was
different with Larry.

He used to be sweet
on Cora no matter

what kind of reputation she had.

what kind of reputation she had.

But still, once he married.

[engine rumbles]

Well know wouldn't you
know she'd finally give up.

Well know wouldn't you
know she'd finally give up.

- I got dinner to get,
and Johnny's alone.

- I got dinner to get,
and Johnny's alone.

- Lights over there,
maybe a phone.

- Lights over there,
maybe a phone.

You go see and call Johnny,
tell them we'll be right along.

You go see and call Johnny,
tell them we'll be right along.

- To some extent,

every intellectual is the
dupe of his own rationality.

every intellectual is the
dupe of his own rationality.

He believes reality
is as logical as his

He believes reality
is as logical as his

thoughts about it.

And so, Warren Barr's tragedy,

and the tragedy of his
tormented daughter Beth,

and the tragedy of his
tormented daughter Beth,

raised within the
stockade of his genius,

raised within the
stockade of his genius,

is that both assume that he can

is that both assume that he can

think away the events
of the past week.

That he can shelter
his only daughter

That he can shelter
his only daughter

under the umbrella
of his mentality.

under the umbrella
of his mentality.

That mentality
which has produced

such incredible work as
Rainbow at Cottonfalls,

such incredible work as
Rainbow at Cottonfalls,

A Flutter in July, and his
prize-winning trilogy, Fereden.

A Flutter in July, and his
prize-winning trilogy, Fereden.

A Flutter in July, and his
prize-winning trilogy, Fereden.

Well, what have we here?

- I saw a light.

But you wouldn't have
a phone in there.

But you wouldn't have
a phone in there.

- Cashmere, Copenhagen, Buenos
Aires, all at our fingertips.

- Cashmere, Copenhagen, Buenos
Aires, all at our fingertips.

- Johnny gets a mite
fearful after dark.

- Johnny gets a mite
fearful after dark.

- Beth I found Cora.

- Beth I found Cora.

I felt that before
I go to your father,

before I wake him up
and take him to her,

you might want to
tell him something.

you might want to
tell him something.

I have to tell him, you
can see that can't you?

I have to tell him, you
can see that can't you?

All right.

By not saying anything,
you say quite a lot.

By not saying anything,
you say quite a lot.

Good night.

Good night.

- Do you have to wake him up?

- Were you asleep?

- It's not the end
of living, Cora.

- It's not the end
of living, Cora.

- How'd you find me?

- Young man named Stiles.

Cora, my little
girl wants to die.

Cora, my little
girl wants to die.

Jury is her only people, Cora,

Jury is her only people, Cora,

and bein' 12, that's something
less than 12 separate people.

and bein' 12, that's something
less than 12 separate people.

They get baffled by silence.

When they get baffled,
they get insulted.

When they get baffled,
they get insulted.

They get insulted,
they get cruel.

If Beth doesn't speak out, they
just might oblige her, Cora.

If Beth doesn't speak out, they
just might oblige her, Cora.

They just might say
the word guilty.

They just might say
the word guilty.

- New Orleans, that's
a town to get lost in,

wouldn't you think.

wouldn't you think.

- Cora, it's not in the
nature of life to want to die.

- Cora, it's not in the
nature of life to want to die.

- I got the money to go, and
they came took Beth away.

- I got the money to go, and
they came took Beth away.

They said, "You're a
material witness, Cora.

They said, "You're a
material witness, Cora.

"You better not cut out, girl,
we're gonna come after you."

"You better not cut out, girl,
we're gonna come after you."

And I wonder just how
much good my money was.

And I wonder just how
much good my money was.

- Cora, if it's
the way they say,

that she came in and
saw the two of you

why didn't she shoot you too?

why didn't she shoot you too?

- They won't kill her, Warren.

- They won't kill her, Warren.

She's a woman, he was a man.

And she found him with me.

And she found him with me.

Go home.

Go home.

Go home and sleep in peace.

Go home and sleep in peace.

Nobody will kill
your little girl.

Nobody will kill
your little girl.

[car honking]

[car honking]

- Evening, Warren.

- Evening Eric.

- Evening Eric.

- We've been keeping
an eye on Cora.

Can't have her influenced,

Can't have her influenced,

now that the trial's
about to start.

40 years you know me, Warren.

40 years you know me, Warren.

You know I've got no
special ambitions.

No eye for politics.

No eye for politics.

I may be the only county
prosecutor in 50 states

I may be the only county
prosecutor in 50 states

not lookin' toward
the state capital.

not lookin' toward
the state capital.

I got no taste for
walking on my friends.

I got no taste for
walking on my friends.

But this county's my
county, like it's yours.

But this county's my
county, like it's yours.

We both got our painful duty.

I got to prosecute Beth to
the full extent of the law.

I got to prosecute Beth to
the full extent of the law.

We can't have the
common folk hereabout

We can't have the
common folk hereabout

thinkin' we're showing
partiality to anybody.

thinkin' we're showing
partiality to anybody.

'Specially your
daughter, Warren.

'Specially your
daughter, Warren.

You wouldn't want it
that way, would you?

- Tell me boy, who's born free?

- Tell me boy, who's born free?

- Kirk, open this
mic, will you please?

- Kirk, open this
mic, will you please?

Let me know when you've got it.

Testing, one two three four.

Testing, one two three four.

Testing, testing
one two three four.

Got it all right?

Got it all right?

Working about right?

Okay, let's go.

- Although I've been
wrongly criticized in

- Although I've been
wrongly criticized in

some quarters for
detaching myself from

some quarters for
detaching myself from

the hue and the cry
of the press pack,

the hue and the cry
of the press pack,

I feel it is my obligation
to give you, the reader,

a higher view of
what is happening.

a higher view of
what is happening.

Not to burden you
with such trivia as

Not to burden you
with such trivia as

what dress Beth Chance
wore to court this morning,

what dress Beth Chance
wore to court this morning,

or how her hair was styled.

Or how the contest is going
between a back-country

Or how the contest is going
between a back-country

prosecutor and a big
city defense attorney,

prosecutor and a big
city defense attorney,

who's getting no
help at all from

who's getting no
help at all from

a silent un-speaking defendant.

a silent un-speaking defendant.

No, I always watch
the courthouse steps.

No, I always watch
the courthouse steps.

To me, they're far more eloquent

To me, they're far more eloquent

than any plea before a jury.

When this trial has run it's
course and the verdict rendered

When this trial has run it's
course and the verdict rendered

the now-sealed doors
will either burst open,

the now-sealed doors
will either burst open,

the press will come
tumbling out, pell-mell,

the press will come
tumbling out, pell-mell,

and the verdict will be guilty.

and the verdict will be guilty.

Or, they will open sedately
and a gentleman of the press

Or, they will open sedately
and a gentleman of the press

will saunter down,
taking their time.

The verdict will be not guilty.

The verdict will be not guilty.

You see dear reader, guilty
makes the better story.

You see dear reader, guilty
makes the better story.

Not guilty is anti-climactic.

Not guilty is anti-climactic.

Leaves us with a strange
feeling of discontent.

Leaves us with a strange
feeling of discontent.

Could it be that in our
puritan middle-class society

Could it be that in our
puritan middle-class society

we're only at ease
with our own conscious

we're only at ease
with our own conscious

when we're punishing
someone else?

when we're punishing
someone else?

- Even before it comes,

- Even before it comes,

you make the victory
seem empty, dove.

you make the victory
seem empty, dove.

I never could have imagined
that a jury could take

your silence for the silence
of innocence, but they are.

your silence for the silence
of innocence, but they are.

And right now for the first time

I can almost hear them
crying not guilty.

In all my life I don't think
I've ever wanted to hear

In all my life I don't think
I've ever wanted to hear

anything quite as much as I
want to hear those two words.

anything quite as much as I
want to hear those two words.

So why do I stand
here now dismayed?

So why do I stand
here now dismayed?

- I wish you could've spent
more time with him, papa.

- I wish you could've spent
more time with him, papa.

Do you remember when I
first brought him home?

Do you remember when I
first brought him home?

How I loved you that afternoon.

And after you'd met him, I'd
took you aside and I whispered,

And after you'd met him, I'd
took you aside and I whispered,

"Tell me, please tell me,
what do you think of him?"

"Tell me, please tell me,
what do you think of him?"

And my knees where
shaking because

I knew he was uneducated.

I knew he was uneducated.

I counted 16 errors in grammar
while he talked to you.

I counted 16 errors in grammar
while he talked to you.

But I already knew I loved him.

But I already knew I loved him.

Still, I loved you
too, I loved you first.

Still, I loved you
too, I loved you first.

It had to be right.

It had to be right.

Do you remember
what you said, papa?

Do you remember
what you said, papa?

He is uncomplicated, isn't he?

He is uncomplicated, isn't he?

Oh papa, such a thoughtful word.

Oh papa, such a thoughtful word.

Uncomplicated.

And such positive thinking.

You know how a child will
talk to birds and animals

You know how a child will
talk to birds and animals

and how they answer back?

That's how Larry
was with people.

If I'd wake in the
dark, he'd wake too,

If I'd wake in the
dark, he'd wake too,

at that very instant.

at that very instant.

And we'd go to the window,
without a word between us.

And we'd go to the window,
without a word between us.

But all words, you know.

All the silence
would just go away.

All my alone-ness.

And the dawn would
break inside us.

And the dawn would
break inside us.

Papa, we were the dawn.

Papa, we were the dawn.

Just as long as he held my hand.

Just as long as he held my hand.

Last August, do you remember
that third Saturday?

Last August, do you remember
that third Saturday?

So hot and dusty.

So hot and dusty.

I said, "Larry not
even a dragonfly would

I said, "Larry not
even a dragonfly would

"venture out in a day like this.

"venture out in a day like this.

"Whole world's asleep,
except you and me.

"Whole world's asleep,
except you and me.

"Let's walk through our world.

"Let's walk through our world.

"Let's look as far as we can
see, and only see each other."

"Let's look as far as we can
see, and only see each other."

And he didn't say,
"Beth, it's too hot."

And he didn't say,
"Beth, it's too hot."

Then we went, and we walked.

Then we went, and we walked.

And oh, it was so beautiful.

And oh, it was so beautiful.

You know, I don't think I
ever did see Larry look up.

You know, I don't think I
ever did see Larry look up.

You know, up above his head.

You know, up above his head.

He'd always look straight
out, right at you.

He'd always look straight
out, right at you.

As though he were saying, take
my eyes, look through them.

As though he were saying, take
my eyes, look through them.

See the view through them.

- All these years,
I never knew him.

- All these years,
I never knew him.

Why was that, Beth?

My eyes just like everyone
else's, after all,

My eyes just like everyone
else's, after all,

focusing only on despair,
filtering out simple happiness.

focusing only on despair,
filtering out simple happiness.

- You look up, papa.

- You look up, papa.

You can't hep it.

You were born wondering.

You were born wondering.

Larry never wondered.

Larry never wondered.

He just knew.

He just knew.

- Dove, what he did he know
at the moment you killed him?

- Dove, what he did he know
at the moment you killed him?

- That I was killing
him because I loved him.

- That I was killing
him because I loved him.

- That I was killing
him because I loved him.

Papa.

What he did know was this.

Having killed him,
how can I live?

[jazzy saxophone music]

[jazzy saxophone music]

- Don't knock it,
it's The Vogue.

- Don't knock it,
it's The Vogue.

Instant vulgarity.

Well what do you do when you're

far from home on
a Saturday night?

far from home on
a Saturday night?

- The same thing you do.

- The same thing you do.

- It stinks, doesn't it?

- Well, and how are all
the brave young cannibals?

- Sharpening their teeth.

- Sharpening their teeth.

- Will you listen
to Dixie, honey?

- Will you listen
to Dixie, honey?

A piece of sandpaper's
got just so many rubs.

So don't rub yourself
out unnecessarily.

So don't rub yourself
out unnecessarily.

Now you think that's
bad taste in there?

Now you think that's
bad taste in there?

- About as bad as
bad taste can taste.

- You should try a
good orthodox funeral.

- You should try a
good orthodox funeral.

People put on weight eating,
and take it off dancing.

People put on weight eating,
and take it off dancing.

Honey let's face it.

We're all just a bunch
of lonely pagliaccis.

We're all just a bunch
of lonely pagliaccis.

So many laughs, so many tears.

So many laughs, so many tears.

And who cares?

Only dear old Dixie.

Only dear old Dixie.

- You know my mother did
me a great disservice.

- You know my mother did
me a great disservice.

She warned me
against older women.

She warned me
against older women.

- You know, that's
the nicest thing

anybody's ever said to me.

anybody's ever said to me.

- Excuse me.

- Excuse me.

I'll be an hour, maybe less.

I'll be an hour, maybe less.

- I'll be an hour
older, maybe more.

- Hurray.

- Hurray.

[smooth jazz music]

[smooth jazz music]

- Go to Cora and reminder
her what she said.

That it could go one
way or another way.

That it could go one
way or another way.

Tell them that I can't let
them defile Larry any longer.

Tell them that I can't let
them defile Larry any longer.

I'm sorry, I'm profoundly sorry,

I'm sorry, I'm profoundly sorry,

but now I see it could never
go any way but this way.

but now I see it could never
go any way but this way.

Tell her to tell the truth.

Tell her to tell the truth.

I can't go on.

Tell her if she doesn't tell,

Tell her if she doesn't tell,

if she's afraid for
herself or for me,

if she's afraid for
herself or for me,

somehow I'll find the strength

and I'll tell tomorrow
in the courtroom.

and I'll tell tomorrow
in the courtroom.

Can you remember all that?

Can you remember all that?

Those exact words?

Thank you Tod.

- Come in.

[door opens and closes]

[door opens and closes]

Come and sit by the warm fire.

Come and sit by the warm fire.

- Best doctors in the
state signed that.

- Best doctors in the
state signed that.

When she and Larry
went to Memphis.

When she knew it was
all through his brain,

When she knew it was
all through his brain,

and they couldn't operate.

and they couldn't operate.

And that he might live
a week, or a month.

And that he might live
a week, or a month.

She said she once she knew,

and she saw what the
pain was going to him,

and she saw what the
pain was going to him,

she thought, while
he's sleeping.

she thought, while
he's sleeping.

And she took that old
bird gun of yours.

And she took that old
bird gun of yours.

But she couldn't do it that way.

But she couldn't do it that way.

She knew I still loved
him from way back.

She knew I still loved
him from way back.

She showed me that report.

"Cora," she said,
"Give me the strength.

"I don't have enough," she said.

"I don't have enough," she said.

I was pressin' a dress.

I was pressin' a dress.

You remember the one.

Scandalized the whole
town two years back.

Scandalized the whole
town two years back.

I was pressin' and
I was thinkin',

I was pressin' and
I was thinkin',

"Why don't I move somewhere
where I can wear this."

"Why don't I move somewhere
where I can wear this."

And it's funny.

And it's funny.

How can you think about
pressin' the wrinkles

How can you think about
pressin' the wrinkles

out of chiffon and
a the same time

think about killing the
man you used to love?

think about killing the
man you used to love?

But all I said is, the
cyan's too hard honey,

But all I said is, the
cyan's too hard honey,

hand me that water.

hand me that water.

I'd just die if I burnt
this dress. [laughing]

I'd just die if I burnt
this dress. [laughing]

Even if they won't let
me wear it 'round here.

Even if they won't let
me wear it 'round here.

Well, maybe it was the steam
on the iron made me think.

Well, maybe it was the steam
on the iron made me think.

Way the water just
fried and disappeared.

Way the water just
fried and disappeared.

It made me think about Beth
and me if we got caught.

It made me think about Beth
and me if we got caught.

"We could hang for
this Beth," I said.

"We could hang for
this Beth," I said.

"You know that, you know
it could go that way."

"You know that, you know
it could go that way."

"Cora," she said.
"You should see him

"Cora," she said.
"You should see him

"when he thinks
I'm not watching.

"when he thinks
I'm not watching.

"He dies 20 times a
day, and I die with him.

"What's one hanging?"

But I said, "But
you're still young,

"you got a whole life
in front of you."

"you got a whole life
in front of you."

Me, all I've got left
is this old dress

and I can't even wear it.

and I can't even wear it.

But what I got left I still
want to keep, so lets be smart.

But what I got left I still
want to keep, so lets be smart.

I had a birthday coming.

I had a birthday coming.

I said he always brings me
a bottle on my birthday.

I said he always brings me
a bottle on my birthday.

And then goes.

Well this time I'll
ask him to stay.

Well this time I'll
ask him to stay.

Have a birthday drink with
me, for old time's sake.

Have a birthday drink with
me, for old time's sake.

And I'll have my robe
on, so it'll look like

And I'll have my robe
on, so it'll look like

like people will
think it oughta look.

like people will
think it oughta look.

And then you come in, and
you do what we have to do.

And then you come in, and
you do what we have to do.

And that way they'll
let you off after.

And that way they'll
let you off after.

"Cora," she said, "I
don't care about that.

"Cora," she said, "I
don't care about that.

"I just know I have to help him.

"And without your strength,

"And without your strength,

"I don't think I'm
gonna be able."

"I don't think I'm
gonna be able."

So, we did it.

So, we did it.

- Since yesterday's bombshell,

events have moved
swiftly here at

events have moved
swiftly here at

the county courthouse in
Hernando, Mississippi.

Cora Parks has been
indicted as an accessory

Cora Parks has been
indicted as an accessory

in what looked to be a surefire
acquittal of Beth Chance.

in what looked to be a surefire
acquittal of Beth Chance.

There's now an entirely
different situation.

There's now an entirely
different situation.

A quick count of the
mail shows which in the

popular attitude
with a growing volume

popular attitude
with a growing volume

of angry letters
questioning the right

of Beth Chance and
Cora Parks to play God.

of Beth Chance and
Cora Parks to play God.

- You have a terrible sense
of timing, my darling.

- You have a terrible sense
of timing, my darling.

The jury's about to
come in with a verdict!

The jury's about to
come in with a verdict!

- Now what is this?

- Now what is this?

- Oh come on now, don't
tell me that upset you.

- Oh come on now, don't
tell me that upset you.

- "What young man has
done more for Beth Chance

- "What young man has
done more for Beth Chance

than her high-priced
defense attorney,

"chasing her around
the country up and down

"back roads after midnight
to frustrate the prosecution?

"back roads after midnight
to frustrate the prosecution?

"back roads after midnight
to frustrate the prosecution?

"Could it be that Tod Stiles,

"special secretary
to Warren Barr,

"is the shoulder Beth
has been crying on?

"is the shoulder Beth
has been crying on?

"Should the verdict
be not guilty,

"is this the man
who will escort her

"on the round-the-world trip
her father has promised her?

"Or if the verdict is
guilty, is this the young man

"Or if the verdict is
guilty, is this the young man

"who will help her pick up the
pieces of a shattered life,

"who will help her pick up the
pieces of a shattered life,

"when and if she's
released from prison?"

- Well, I thought
it was a pretty

- Well, I thought
it was a pretty

stylish piece of
writing, myself.

Now do you mind if
I go back to work--

Now do you mind if
I go back to work--

- I believe in a lot of
things, Dixie Martin.

But one thing I
believe in real deeply

But one thing I
believe in real deeply

is that suffering without
meaning is just too much.

is that suffering without
meaning is just too much.

Now why did you come here?

Because you were sent,
because it's a job,

and somebody has to do it?

and somebody has to do it?

Or did you come
because you love it,

because you're fascinated
by other people's pain?

because you're fascinated
by other people's pain?

I say most of you are a
bunch of dirty-minded kids

I say most of you are a
bunch of dirty-minded kids

writing on the backs of barns.

I say you have no right butting
into other peoples' lives.

I say you have no right butting
into other peoples' lives.

I look at you Dixie Martin,

I look at you Dixie Martin,

and I wish I'd
never looked at you.

and I wish I'd
never looked at you.

[people talking excitedly]

[people talking excitedly]

- We've just had the
flash from inside,

ladies and gentlemen.

Beth Chance has
been found guilty

with a recommendation
for clemency.

Sentence will not be imposed
until tomorrow morning.

Sentence will not be imposed
until tomorrow morning.

Sentence will not be imposed
until tomorrow morning.

- Just person to
person Mr. Barr,

not in any other capacity
but in me to you.

not in any other capacity
but in me to you.

I'm sorry.

- What's your name, young man?

- What's your name, young man?

- Russel, Jimmy Russel.

- I'll tell you
something, Jimmy Russel.

- I'll tell you
something, Jimmy Russel.

I'm sorry too.

I wonder, are we sorry
for the same reasons?

I wonder, are we sorry
for the same reasons?

- [Russel] I don't know sir.

- I wonder other things.

- I wonder other things.

To kill a man out of jealousy,

would that have been acceptable
to those 12 people in there?

would that have been acceptable
to those 12 people in there?

Something to be applauded as
just and fitting by a jury?

Something to be applauded as
just and fitting by a jury?

Something to be applauded as
just and fitting by a jury?

And a large section of
the press, the public?

But to kill out of mercy,

But to kill out of mercy,

to cut off the agony
of a dying man.

to cut off the agony
of a dying man.

Is that what was unacceptable?

If I can find any comfort in
all of this, Jimmy Russel,

it's only in the
knowledge of out of

it's only in the
knowledge of out of

the turmoil and heartlessness
of these last few days,

the turmoil and heartlessness
of these last few days,

I can still see one
pure and noble act.

I can still see one
pure and noble act.

My daughter Beth and Cora,

very much together
yet very much alone.

very much together
yet very much alone.

Each accepting their guilt,

Each accepting their guilt,

but still making
their choice, freely.

Separately.

Separately.

After all, what's left to
us but our separateness?

After all, what's left to
us but our separateness?

And the dignity to bear it.

And the dignity to bear it.

[jazzy instrumental music]

[jazzy instrumental music]

- [Narrator] This has been a
Screen Gems film presentation,

- [Narrator] This has been a
Screen Gems film presentation,

Herbert B. Lenard,
executive producer.

Herbert B. Lenard,
executive producer.