Original subtitles

[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.