Original subtitles

[lively music]

[moves to ceremonial music]

[moves to ceremonial music]

[light music]

[light music]

[moves to pastoral music]

[moves to pastoral music]

- Lake Chisholm, five minutes.

- Lake Chisholm, five minutes.

[moves to light music]

[moves to light music]

- Thanks.

We made pretty good time today.

We made pretty good time today.

- Yeah.

- Say fellas, oh excuse me, miss.

- Say fellas, oh excuse me, miss.

Listen, you know where a man can buy

a pair of shoes around here?

a pair of shoes around here?

- Where you goin', to a weddin' or something?

- I just came from one.

- I just came from one.

It's cute, isn't it?

The well-groomed groom.

The well-groomed groom.

- Where'd ya leave the bride?

- Where'd ya leave the bride?

- I knew I forgot something.

[laughing]

[laughing]

- Musta been some weddin' if you ran

right outta your shoes.

right outta your shoes.

- Well, you know how it is.

Suddenly it hit me.

Suddenly it hit me.

Egad, you can't send a mere boy up in a crate like that.

Egad, you can't send a mere boy up in a crate like that.

Uh, this is the road to Memphis, Tennessee?

Uh, this is the road to Memphis, Tennessee?

- Well, what's in Memphis?

- I don't know, but I'm gonna find out.

- I don't know, but I'm gonna find out.

[laughing]

- And Voltaire thought that the only adventure

- And Voltaire thought that the only adventure

open to the coward was matrimony.

open to the coward was matrimony.

- A man of letters.

- A man of letters.

What are you doing in this enchanted village?

What are you doing in this enchanted village?

- Well now, he is a college man,

but long as he does a full day's work,

we don't hold it against him.

we don't hold it against him.

- America.

- America.

- What country are you from?

- What country are you from?

- You ever hear of a wasteland called Hollywood?

- Vaguely.

- Vaguely.

- That's all you need to know.

- Well listen, I'll be seein' y'all.

- Well listen, I'll be seein' y'all.

- Is there a shoe store in town?

- Is there a shoe store in town?

I'm just about ready to start walking on my hands.

I'm just about ready to start walking on my hands.

- Well, there might be some work shoes

over there by the general store.

over there by the general store.

If you like, I could show ya the way.

If you like, I could show ya the way.

- I'd like.

- Hey.

- Hey.

Your bus is gonna be goin' in about two minutes, mister.

Your bus is gonna be goin' in about two minutes, mister.

- Hey, that's right.

- Hey, where ya goin', mister?

There's not another bus for three days, ya know.

There's not another bus for three days, ya know.

- Hmm.

- I thought you were goin' on, to Memphis.

- Well, as you said a moment ago, what's in Memphis?

- Well, as you said a moment ago, what's in Memphis?

Is there a hotel around this town,

Is there a hotel around this town,

or is that a foolish question?

- There's a sort of a boardinghouse where I'm saying.

- There's a sort of a boardinghouse where I'm saying.

- Home cookin'?

Spoon bread and corn pone hog jowls

Spoon bread and corn pone hog jowls

and hominy grits, hot ziggity dog!

and hominy grits, hot ziggity dog!

- We gotta get on back to work.

Come on, Tod.

Come on, Tod.

- I'll ask Mrs. Phillips if she can put

you up for a couple of days.

you up for a couple of days.

- Handmade, Esposito's of Beverly Hills,

- Handmade, Esposito's of Beverly Hills,

$85 a pair.

Always burn your bridges in front of you.

Always burn your bridges in front of you.

- What is that supposed to mean?

- We got a room we'd be right glad to let you have.

- We got a room we'd be right glad to let you have.

- We got a room we'd be right glad to let you have.

I mean my folks.

- Well, I insist on paying of course.

- Well, I insist on paying of course.

- Oh, you won't have to insist.

- Oh, you won't have to insist.

[dramatic music]

- Easy, boy.

- Easy, boy.

Haven't you ever heard the saying don't judge

a man until you've stood in his shoes?

a man until you've stood in his shoes?

Come on.

Come on.

Back in the days of 49

Great-grandma was in her prime

Great-grandma was in her prime

She picked up her things and the kids right glad

She picked up her things and the kids right glad

And headed for the west with great-gradndad.

And headed for the west with great-gradndad.

Great-Granddad built a house of sod

Great-Granddad built a house of sod

By hustle and bustle and the grace of God

By hustle and bustle and the grace of God

Just as he was finishin' the roof

Just as he was finishin' the roof

A cyclone came and the house went poof

A cyclone came and the house went poof

- Well go ahead, go ahead.

- Well go ahead, go ahead.

Didn't mean to disturb you.

Didn't mean to disturb you.

A priceless musical heritage that's dying out

a little bit every day, and nobody cares.

a little bit every day, and nobody cares.

By heaven, I wish I had my tape recorder with me.

By heaven, I wish I had my tape recorder with me.

Where did you get one of those?

Where did you get one of those?

- Mister, this is a general store.

- Mister, this is a general store.

- You take traveler's checks?

- You sign 'em, I'll accept 'em.

- You sign 'em, I'll accept 'em.

- All right.

I need a few other things.

I need a few other things.

Shoes.

You got any of these with leather patches on the elbows?

You got any of these with leather patches on the elbows?

- Mister, these are brand new.

- Mister, these are brand new.

- Oh.

[machine whirring]

[whistle blowing]

- That noise you hear in the background's a cotton gin.

- That noise you hear in the background's a cotton gin.

Gin, as in martini.

I don't pick it, Buz, I gin it.

I don't pick it, Buz, I gin it.

There's nothin' to it.

There's nothin' to it.

A fella named Skeeter's been showin' me the ropes.

Real bright kid, he knows more about cotton

than a bol weevil.

than a bol weevil.

How they treatin' ya?

Girls?

Girls?

Is that all you've got on your grubby little mind?

Is that all you've got on your grubby little mind?

Yeah, there's one, but she's kind of off limits.

Listen, aren't you interested in anything else,

Listen, aren't you interested in anything else,

uh, opportunities for industrial expansion?

uh, opportunities for industrial expansion?

Ecological balance?

Domestic political trends?

Domestic political trends?

[laughing] Yeah?

You too.

You too.

All right, buddy, take care of yourself.

Yeah Buz, I'll see ya soon.

Yeah Buz, I'll see ya soon.

Bye bye.

- How's your buddy?

- Well, he's bearing up.

He's beginning to ask about girls again.

He's beginning to ask about girls again.

I told him the only interesting girl in town

was already spoken for.

was already spoken for.

- I ain't so sure about that.

- I ain't so sure about that.

What is he doin' with that thing anyway?

What is he doin' with that thing anyway?

- I don't know.

Maybe it's something he does for a living.

Maybe it's something he does for a living.

- He stopped my old grandma yesterday morning

and tried to get her to sing him a love ballad.

and tried to get her to sing him a love ballad.

Now what kind of a thing is that?

Now what kind of a thing is that?

- Maybe he's a student of folklore or folk music.

- Maybe he's a student of folklore or folk music.

Might not have any value to you,

but it might to a collector.

but it might to a collector.

- Comin' down here to study us dumb southern

country yokels like some animals in a zoo.

country yokels like some animals in a zoo.

- What are you so touchy about?

He hasn't done anything.

He hasn't done anything.

- I figured you'd see it his way.

What are you doin' here, anyway?

What are you doin' here, anyway?

- Working, same as you.

- Working, same as you.

- No, not the same as me.

I'm gonna live and die right here in this county,

I'm gonna live and die right here in this county,

and if times get tough, I can't just

pick myself up move along.

pick myself up move along.

I have got roots.

I have got roots.

[dramatic music]

[dramatic music]

- [Woman On Tape] Well how 'bout White Christmas?

- No, no, no, that's tin pan alley.

- No, no, no, that's tin pan alley.

I want something authentic.

- I don't know what ya mean.

- I don't know what ya mean.

Um, well how about

Hush little baby, don't say a word

Hush little baby, don't say a word

Mama's gonna buy you a mockingbird

Mama's gonna buy you a mockingbird

If that mockingbird don't sing

- She's got a pretty voice, ain't she?

- She's got a pretty voice, ain't she?

- Lovely.

Mama's gonna buy - Lovely.

you a diamond ring

If that diamond ring turn brass

If that diamond ring turn brass

If that diamond ring turn brass

Mama's gonna buy you a looking

Mama's gonna buy you a looking

[upbeat guitar music]

[upbeat guitar music]

[children playing]

[children playing]

- I guess that's what they mean

when they say you took the words right outta my mouth.

when they say you took the words right outta my mouth.

- How do you suppose Gershwin did his

- How do you suppose Gershwin did his

homework on Porgy and Bess?

- Not with a tape recorder, and this place

- Not with a tape recorder, and this place

doesn't bear much resemblance to Catfish Row.

doesn't bear much resemblance to Catfish Row.

- That's a mistake all you young city intellectuals make

while lookin' down your noses at plain-old country

while lookin' down your noses at plain-old country

folk as if they hadn't made just as much

a contribution to American culture as--

a contribution to American culture as--

- It certainly didn't take you long

to pick up the accent.

- Accent?

It's not they who are the foreigners here,

It's not they who are the foreigners here,

it's us, you and me.

- Julian, these people aren't noble savages.

- Julian, these people aren't noble savages.

They're just plain, ordinary farmers

who are darn glad at the end of the year

to have a sewing machine or a television set

to have a sewing machine or a television set

to show for all their sweat.

to show for all their sweat.

- They're close to the soil,

- They're close to the soil,

in touch with the things that really count,

the earth, the sun, the rain.

the earth, the sun, the rain.

As Jefferson said, those who labor in the earth

are the chosen people of God,

are the chosen people of God,

and I'm the man that's gonna sing their song.

and I'm the man that's gonna sing their song.

I'm sad and I'm lonely

I'm sad and I'm lonely

My heart it will break

My heart it will break

My sweetheart loves another

My sweetheart loves another

Lord, I wish I was dead

Lord, I wish I was dead

My cheeks once were redder

- They got their beats.

- They got their beats.

It's kind of crude and obvious now

It's kind of crude and obvious now

but still it does have an honest, primitive,

but still it does have an honest, primitive,

rugged American grassroots type of vitality,

rugged American grassroots type of vitality,

don't ya think?

Blessed few places left in this country

Blessed few places left in this country

with an authentic cultural heritage

that wasn't manufactured in some air-conditioned

that wasn't manufactured in some air-conditioned

rabbit warren on Sunset Boulevard,

and that's what I'm here to capture, capish?

and that's what I'm here to capture, capish?

He'll hug you, he'll kiss you

He'll hug you, he'll kiss you

He'll tell you more lies

He'll tell you more lies

Than the cross-ties on the railroad

Than the cross-ties on the railroad

Or the stars in the sky

Or the stars in the sky

I'll build me a cabin

I'll build me a cabin

In the mountain so high

In the mountain so high

Where the blackbirds can't see me

Where the blackbirds can't see me

And hear my sad cry

And hear my sad cry

I'm troubled, I'm troubled,

I'm troubled, I'm troubled,

I'm troubled in mind

I'm troubled in mind

If trouble don't kill me

If trouble don't kill me

I'll live a long time

I'll live a long time

- Isn't she wonderful!

- Isn't she wonderful!

Folks, I've got a special treat in store for ya right now.

Folks, I've got a special treat in store for ya right now.

I'd like another big hand for a young talent,

I'd like another big hand for a young talent,

someone who grew up in your very own midst.

someone who grew up in your very own midst.

The one and lovely

Miss Elva Dupree.

Come on, don't be shy.

Come on, come on, don't be shy.

- What did you do that for?

- Come on.

Miss Elva's gonna regale us with a little song

she learned at her mother's knee

or some other such low joint.

or some other such low joint.

[laughing]

Oh Charlie's neat and Charlie's sweet

Oh Charlie's neat and Charlie's sweet

And Charlie is a dandy

And Charlie is a dandy

Oh Charlie is a nice young man

Oh Charlie is a nice young man

Feeds the girls on candy

Feeds the girls on candy

Oh, I don't want your weevily wheat

Oh, I don't want your weevily wheat

And I don't want your barley

And I don't want your barley

It takes good flour and a half an hour

To bake a cake for Charlie

To bake a cake for Charlie

Oh the higher up the cherry tree

Oh the higher up the cherry tree

The riper grows the berry - Is he tryin' to make

The riper grows the berry - Is he tryin' to make

a fool of her?

- I don't think so. The more you kiss and hug

- I don't think so. The more you kiss and hug

The girls, the sooner they will marry

The girls, the sooner they will marry

- Well I think he's tryin' Oh I don't want your weevily

to make fools outta all of us. Wheat and I don't want

Your barley - Skeeter, you gonna let him

do this to your girl? It takes good flour

And a half an hour

And a half an hour

To bake a cake for Charlie - Take it easy.

It doesn't mean anything.

You know that. Oh the higher up

You know that. Oh the higher up

The cherry tree

The riper grows the berry - Maybe it don't,

not to people like you and him.

The more you hug and kiss the girls

The more you hug and kiss the girls

The sooner they will marry

Oh I don't want your weevily wheat

And I don't want your barley

And I don't want your barley

Um, it, uh takes good flour and a half an hour

Um, it, uh takes good flour and a half an hour

To bake a cake for Charlie

To bake a cake for Charlie

That's all

[crowd applauding]

[crowd applauding]

[happy music]

[happy music]

[happy music]

- Julian, let me ask you something.

- Go right ahead.

- Go right ahead.

The worst I can do is punch ya in the nose.

- A little while ago, while you were up

- A little while ago, while you were up

on the bandstand, it looked for one minute

like you might be making fun of these people.

like you might be making fun of these people.

- Tod, why, have you got any conception

- Tod, why, have you got any conception

of what this place means to me?

You know about Gauguin, how he gave up everything,

You know about Gauguin, how he gave up everything,

everything, wife and five children.

For what?

For a place where he wouldn't feel stifled.

For a place where he wouldn't feel stifled.

The moment he saw Tahiti, he knew that this was it.

Perhaps the one place in the entire universe

Perhaps the one place in the entire universe

where he could function as an artist and as a man.

where he could function as an artist and as a man.

- Julian, you can't pick cotton in Tahiti.

- Julian, you can't pick cotton in Tahiti.

- No?

I've ordered $40 worth of music paper

from Memphis, and I'm not budging from here

from Memphis, and I'm not budging from here

until I fill up every line of it.

- With what?

- With what?

- Well, I hope this country's big enough

- Well, I hope this country's big enough

for more than one Gershwin.

- Well let's see if we can catch a ride

- Well let's see if we can catch a ride

into town with some of these people.

- What for?

It's only a mile and a half.

You oughta walk more.

You oughta walk more.

It's the best exercise there is.

No wonder American youth are gettin' so flabby.

No wonder American youth are gettin' so flabby.

- Well I have a feeling there might just

be a couple of fellas up here waiting for you.

be a couple of fellas up here waiting for you.

- Oh?

- Yeah, I got the impression they wanted

- Yeah, I got the impression they wanted

to beat you up or something.

to beat you up or something.

- Me? [laughing]

Why would anybody...

Why would anybody...

Oh, I get it.

- You do?

- You do?

- Yeah you, it's you they're after, isn't it?

What did you do, make eyes at one of the little

What did you do, make eyes at one of the little

native damsels, huh?

- Julian-- - I'd say that's kinda

- Julian-- - I'd say that's kinda

surprisin' comin' from a fine, clean-cut

young fella like yourself.

You oughta know better.

You oughta know better.

These type of girls are not for you.

- Julian, it's not me they're after.

- Julian, it's not me they're after.

- And now you've latched on to me because

you think I might help to get you out of it, huh?

you think I might help to get you out of it, huh?

All right, all right, I'll do what I can.

We castaways among the savages have got to

We castaways among the savages have got to

stick together, don't we?

Show the flag, teach these foreign beggars

Show the flag, teach these foreign beggars

where we draw the line, what?

where we draw the line, what?

But you gotta promise me one thing.

From now on, you keep your nose clean

From now on, you keep your nose clean

and no more fraternizing with the natives.

- Julian, will you listen...

- Julian, will you listen...

[perilous music]

[perilous music]

- Now hold on a minute.

- Naw, Naw, Come on. - Hold on.

I'm handlin' this.

I'm handlin' this.

- Go on, Skeet, get him.

- You playin' on his side now?

- You playin' on his side now?

- Skeeter, you're making a mistake.

Julian didn't come here to-- [punch thudding]

Julian didn't come here to-- [punch thudding]

[dangerous music]

- Come on, boy, let the police handle this.

- Come on, boy, let the police handle this.

[light music]

[horn honking]

[horn honking]

- Mr. Roebuck, are you all right?

- Mr. Roebuck, are you all right?

What happened to you?

- Oh, I guess some of your young gentlemen friends

- Oh, I guess some of your young gentlemen friends

didn't cotton to the idea of you and your

didn't cotton to the idea of you and your

good folks extended the hand of hospitality

to a poor, friendless stranger.

to a poor, friendless stranger.

- What did they do to you?

- What did they do to you?

- Oh, we just sorta went round and round and oh.

- Oh, we just sorta went round and round and oh.

I guess we did each other a bit of damage all right.

I guess we did each other a bit of damage all right.

- Oh those no-account pack of juvenile delinquents.

- Oh those no-account pack of juvenile delinquents.

- Nice day, folks.

- I've seen worse.

[cautious music]

[cautious music]

- I'll freshen up a towel.

- I'll freshen up a towel.

[romantic music]

- Where were ya when I needed ya?

- Where were ya when I needed ya?

Lying on a starched pillow with a starched

nurse bending over ya soothing your fevered brow.

nurse bending over ya soothing your fevered brow.

Incidentally, I coulda used one

Incidentally, I coulda used one

of your nurses this afternoon.

Oh, I'm all right, but remember that nice

Oh, I'm all right, but remember that nice

kid I told ya about?

Yeah, Skeeter.

Well he and some of his buddies,

Well he and some of his buddies,

horny handed sons of the soil one and all,

beat the daylights outta me this afternoon.

beat the daylights outta me this afternoon.

Who said I was fighting?

They did all the fighting.

I didn't have to lift a finger.

I didn't have to lift a finger.

Yeah, you guessed it, but the trouble is

I'm not even interested in the girl.

I'm not even interested in the girl.

I was protecting a fellow American in distress.

I was protecting a fellow American in distress.

Look, you wanna call me Dr. Schweitzer,

Look, you wanna call me Dr. Schweitzer,

don't do it on my nickel.

Well, Monsieur Gauguin just walked in.

Well, Monsieur Gauguin just walked in.

I'll talk to ya later.

I'll talk to ya later.

- Hi.

- Hi.

- My professor at Julliard wanted me

- My professor at Julliard wanted me

to be a concert pianist.

Then, along came Hollywood, that happy hunting ground

Then, along came Hollywood, that happy hunting ground

where young artists go to die, where everything

where young artists go to die, where everything

comes too easy, art, love, money, even death.

comes too easy, art, love, money, even death.

Um, are you very angry with me?

Um, are you very angry with me?

- Forget it.

If I'd been able to, I probably would've jumped

on the truck with ya.

- Naw, naw, you wouldn't.

You're one of those rare ones who always stands

You're one of those rare ones who always stands

his ground no matter what the odds, the eternal spartan.

Me, I'm a moon jumper from way back.

Me, I'm a moon jumper from way back.

One of those happy few whose life is

One of those happy few whose life is

one long string of vacations, only I don't

one long string of vacations, only I don't

go home in between.

And the moment always comes when the walls

start pressing in and I can't function any more,

start pressing in and I can't function any more,

start pressing in and I can't function any more,

and that's when old Julian has to hit the road again.

and that's when old Julian has to hit the road again.

You understand that?

- Where does the road lead?

- Where does the road lead?

- Where?

Why Tahiti, of course.

Why Tahiti, of course.

- Julian!

Why tell me all this?

Why tell me all this?

- Why?

Because there are times when a fella needs a friend.

Because there are times when a fella needs a friend.

[gentle music]

[gentle music]

- It's funny how I had to hit you

to get through to him.

to get through to him.

- Hysterical.

- Well, Tod, I want him to cut mud outta here

- Well, Tod, I want him to cut mud outta here

and leave us be.

and leave us be.

- Skeeter, he's an artist.

- Well what does that make him, somethin' special?

- Well what does that make him, somethin' special?

- He looks at a town, he sees the raw

material for a work of art.

Whatta we see?

- Well I don't wanna be raw material for no man,

- Well I don't wanna be raw material for no man,

and my girl either.

- He needs this place, Skeeter, don't you understand?

- He needs this place, Skeeter, don't you understand?

If you run him out of here, you could

destroy what might be his life's work.

destroy what might be his life's work.

- Look, me and Elva have been going around

together for 19 years, and she never even

together for 19 years, and she never even

looked at another fella until that clown

looked at another fella until that clown

stepped off the bus.

Now you tell him for me, if he stays here,

Now you tell him for me, if he stays here,

it'd be like money in his pocket if he was never born.

it'd be like money in his pocket if he was never born.

[dramatic music]

[dramatic music]

Gone away for to stay a little while

Gone away for to stay a little while

But he's comin' back if he goes 10,000 miles

But he's comin' back if he goes 10,000 miles

Oh who will tie my shoes

Oh who will tie my shoes

And who will glove my hands

And who will glove my hands

And who will kiss my ruby lips

- What do you want?

- What do you want?

Well it ain't no use you hangin' around.

Well it ain't no use you hangin' around.

I'm in love with him.

I'm in love with him.

So now you know.

- I guess I never gave you much of a chance

to find out about other men.

to find out about other men.

- Oh, it ain't your fault.

You are what you are, and he is what he is.

You are what you are, and he is what he is.

Oh I didn't think I'd ever be able

Oh I didn't think I'd ever be able

to say all this to you,

about lovin' another man and all.

about lovin' another man and all.

- Why not?

I've loved ya 19 years.

I guess you're entitled to some time off

I guess you're entitled to some time off

for good behavior.

And you will glove my hands

And you will glove my hands

And you will kiss my ruby lips

And you will kiss my ruby lips

When you

When you

[xylophone ringing]

[xylophone ringing]

[knocking]

- Not now, please.

- Not now, please.

[knocking]

Please!

- [Woman] Mr. Roebuck, I gotta talk to you.

- [Woman] Mr. Roebuck, I gotta talk to you.

- Right this minute?

- [Woman] I'd be much obliged if you'd open up this door.

- [Woman] I'd be much obliged if you'd open up this door.

- Yes, Mrs. Dupree, what can I do for you?

- Yes, Mrs. Dupree, what can I do for you?

- Well...

- Oh, I'm terribly sorry.

- Oh, I'm terribly sorry.

I lost track of time, as you can see.

I lost track of time, as you can see.

- Mr. Roebuck, I don't know how to say this,

but I guess you better leave.

but I guess you better leave.

- Leave?

- Leave?

I can't, I couldn't possibly, look.

I can't, I couldn't possibly, look.

- Mr. Roebuck, that poor child's been up all night,

- Mr. Roebuck, that poor child's been up all night,

cryin' her eyes out.

cryin' her eyes out.

I don't have to tell you for who.

- Now Mrs. Dupree, I assure you,

I swear to you.

- Well, I guess you didn't mean to encourage her,

- Well, I guess you didn't mean to encourage her,

but all I know is that child's been lyin'

down in that room of hers like a sick calf,

down in that room of hers like a sick calf,

eatin' her poor little heart out for you.

eatin' her poor little heart out for you.

- I'm very fond of her too.

She's been a positive joy and inspiration

She's been a positive joy and inspiration

to me in my work.

- I think you better go away from here.

- I think you better go away from here.

- But, Mrs. Dupree, I just can't break off now.

- But, Mrs. Dupree, I just can't break off now.

Another six or eight weeks and for the first time

Another six or eight weeks and for the first time

in my life, I might have something to show,

something I'm not ashamed of.

something I'm not ashamed of.

It's all because of what I found here.

It's all because of what I found here.

This place, these wonderful people, your daughter.

This place, these wonderful people, your daughter.

- They'll be a bus comin' through here

- They'll be a bus comin' through here

tomorrow about 11.

Mr. Dupree and I, we want you to be on it.

Mr. Dupree and I, we want you to be on it.

- Mrs. Dupree, may I have the honor of

- Mrs. Dupree, may I have the honor of

asking for your daughter's hand in marriage?

asking for your daughter's hand in marriage?

[surprised music]

- That ain't what I come in here to talk to you about.

- That ain't what I come in here to talk to you about.

- Will you let me ask her, please?

In your presence.

- Elva?

- Elva?

Elva, honey, come in here for a minute.

[romantic music]

[romantic music]

He says he wants to marry you.

- It's you and me.

- How soon?

- How soon?

- Julian.

- Julian.

- Oh, just as soon as I finish my work

so I can concentrate on it.

so I can concentrate on it.

- And when will that be?

- Three or four weeks.

A couple of months at the most.

- Elva, that ain't no reason to forget how you was raised.

- Elva, that ain't no reason to forget how you was raised.

[light music]

[light music]

[dangerous music]

If that lookin' glass gets broke

If that lookin' glass gets broke

If that lookin' glass gets broke

Mama's gonna buy

Mama's gonna buy

[light music]

- Yes, Elva, what is it?

- Yes, Elva, what is it?

- Well, I baked ya some cookies.

- Well, I baked ya some cookies.

I thought you might be hungry.

I thought you might be hungry.

Feel 'em, they're still warm.

Feel 'em, they're still warm.

[chuckling]

[chuckling]

Julian?

- Yes, Elva, what is it?

- Yes, Elva, what is it?

You can see that Julian's very busy, can't you?

You can see that Julian's very busy, can't you?

- Julian, you ain't hardly talked to me all week.

- Julian, you ain't hardly talked to me all week.

- I told you before, the sooner I finish

- I told you before, the sooner I finish

my work, the sooner we'll have something to talk about.

my work, the sooner we'll have something to talk about.

- You're still gonna marry me, ain't you?

- You're still gonna marry me, ain't you?

You still love me, don't you?

- Now Elva, you're not gonna turn out to be

- Now Elva, you're not gonna turn out to be

one of those nagging, sniveling, demanding

one of those nagging, sniveling, demanding

Hollywood wives, are you?

- Oh honey, I swear I won't,

- Oh honey, I swear I won't,

as long as you just talk to me sometimes.

as long as you just talk to me sometimes.

You know, you said I was the right kind of a wife

You know, you said I was the right kind of a wife

for an artist, didn't you?

for an artist, didn't you?

Didn't you?

'Cause I let you work, and I didn't carry on

'Cause I let you work, and I didn't carry on

like them sinful no-account girls in New York

like them sinful no-account girls in New York

or Hollywood, remember?

- Yes, dear, I remember every word.

- Yes, dear, I remember every word.

[sad music]

- Night.

- Good night.

- Good night.

[suspenseful music]

[suspenseful music]

- All aboard, please, who's comin' aboard.

- All aboard, please, who's comin' aboard.

- You think you can make me marry your daughter

by keeping me a prisoner here?

by keeping me a prisoner here?

- Ain't nobody gonna force you to marry Elva.

- Ain't nobody gonna force you to marry Elva.

Wouldn't let you marry my daughter

if every hair on your head was gold.

if every hair on your head was gold.

- You wouldn't?

- You wouldn't?

What's the problem, then?

Why wouldn't you let me get on that bus?

Why wouldn't you let me get on that bus?

- Get in here and sit down, honey.

- If you left now, she'd go after you or try, anyways,

- If you left now, she'd go after you or try, anyways,

poor, love-sick little pup.

But you're stayin' right here in town.

Now you go ahead, you finish your work.

Now you go ahead, you finish your work.

Finish writin' your opera or whatever you call it,

Finish writin' your opera or whatever you call it,

makin' sport of the simple country folks around here.

makin' sport of the simple country folks around here.

Ain't nobody gonna make you do nothin',

Ain't nobody gonna make you do nothin',

except try to leave town or go near my daughter.

except try to leave town or go near my daughter.

- You can't keep me here against my will.

You're insane, the whole lot of you.

All I've gotta do is go to the police.

All I've gotta do is go to the police.

- Want to call him?

- Want to call him?

Sheriff's name is Mckee.

He is my wife's cousin.

He is my wife's cousin.

Yep, I reckon you stay right here with us

Yep, I reckon you stay right here with us

till Elva is as sick of the sight of you

as you seem to be of her.

as you seem to be of her.

[gentle music]

[gentle music]

- I'll have breakfast in my room at 9:30, alone.

- I'll have breakfast in my room at 9:30, alone.

I like my eggs sunny side up, basted

I like my eggs sunny side up, basted

and no hominy on the side, if you please.

and no hominy on the side, if you please.

Bless you, child.

[crescendoing music]

[gentle music]

[gentle music]

[gentle music]

Hello, chicken.

Chick, chick, chick, chick, chick.

Your father actually thought I was tryin'

Your father actually thought I was tryin'

to run out on ya.

Reckon you did too, huh?

Reckon you did too, huh?

Well you know what I said to myself?

I said to myself, if a marriage can't

I said to myself, if a marriage can't

be based on trust, it ain't worth startin'

up in the first place.

- Trust?

- Trust?

- Just what do you think I was goin' to Memphis for?

- Just what do you think I was goin' to Memphis for?

- Just what do you think I was goin' to Memphis for?

- You mean you weren't tryin' to run away?

- You mean you weren't tryin' to run away?

Oh, Julian.

Oh, Julian.

Oh, Julian.

[laughing]

[laughing]

[gentle music]

- Well, I heard you had a busy day yesterday.

- Well, I heard you had a busy day yesterday.

- Yeah well, you know how the hillbillies get

- Yeah well, you know how the hillbillies get

when they feel that the honor of their tribe

has been impugned.

has been impugned.

- Oh come on, Julian, this isn't Dogpatch,

and you're not L'il Abner.

and you're not L'il Abner.

- For your information, Dogpatch, Kentucky,

and Lake Chisholm, Tennessee, both happen to belong,

and Lake Chisholm, Tennessee, both happen to belong,

ethnically speaking, to the Southern Appalachian Complex.

ethnically speaking, to the Southern Appalachian Complex.

You don't wanna believe me, ask the blushing bride.

You don't wanna believe me, ask the blushing bride.

Elva honey,

will you tell this young man

why I want to go to Memphis.

why I want to go to Memphis.

- Congratulations.

- Julian says we're gonna live in Hollywood.

- Julian says we're gonna live in Hollywood.

Right next door to Hollywood and Vine.

Right next door to Hollywood and Vine.

- Uh, you run along and get lunch, huh?

- Uh, you run along and get lunch, huh?

He's gonna pick us up at one o'clock in the morning.

We'll have breakfast in Memphis,

We'll have breakfast in Memphis,

pick out a diamond ring, come back with the marriage

license in time for dinner.

- All Right.

- All Right.

Bye.

- You stink.

- Tod, boy, I'm fighting for my life.

I can't work any more.

I'm drowning.

I'm drowning.

I'm crying out for help!

Maybe I shouldn't've asked to marry her,

Maybe I shouldn't've asked to marry her,

but she was the only store I could find to hang on to.

- What gives you the right to make

- What gives you the right to make

this girl your life preserver?

- Well an artist has a duty to his vocation,

- Well an artist has a duty to his vocation,

a duty to protect himself.

You don't agree?

You don't agree?

- No.

You wanna go through all that sweat and agony

You wanna go through all that sweat and agony

to express yourself to be an artist,

maybe starve like a dog, maybe make a million bucks,

maybe starve like a dog, maybe make a million bucks,

all right, that's fine.

You go ahead, but do it on your own time!

You go ahead, but do it on your own time!

Don't put up fake palm trees wherever ya go!

The world isn't Tahiti, Julian, not even on Christmas!

The world isn't Tahiti, Julian, not even on Christmas!

- The late Mr. William Faulkner would

- The late Mr. William Faulkner would

disagree with you, sir.

He allowed as though an artist has the right,

He allowed as though an artist has the right,

even the obligation, to be ruthless.

even the obligation, to be ruthless.

- Is that so?

- Is that so?

- I can't remember the exact language,

but he seemed to feel that if your grandmother

but he seemed to feel that if your grandmother

were dying and at the same moment you

had an inspiration for a great poem,

had an inspiration for a great poem,

it was your bound and duty to sit down

and write that poem.

and write that poem.

As he said, an ode on a Grecian urn is worth

As he said, an ode on a Grecian urn is worth

any number of old ladies.

- Not to me it isn't.

- Oh come on now, please, don't take it so personally.

- Oh come on now, please, don't take it so personally.

- So while the old lady is croaking in the other room

- So while the old lady is croaking in the other room

or your wife and kids are climbing a wall,

or your wife and kids are climbing a wall,

how can you be sure the blank space in front of you

is gonna turn out to be a great work of art?

is gonna turn out to be a great work of art?

And even if it is, one day in the life of one

human being is worth more to me than all

human being is worth more to me than all

of your Grecian urns!

- I'll be in front of the house at midnight.

- I'll be in front of the house at midnight.

- What are you gonna do when I don't show up?

- What are you gonna do when I don't show up?

- Ask for me tomorrow, you'll find me a grave man, Hamlet.

- Ask for me tomorrow, you'll find me a grave man, Hamlet.

- Julian, even if you were drowning,

I'm not sure I'd want to help you.

[laughing]

[laughing]

- Dear boy, it's not for me, but think of Elva.

That sweet, vulnerable, unspoiled little country girl.

That sweet, vulnerable, unspoiled little country girl.

Can you imagine how many kinds of pure hell

Can you imagine how many kinds of pure hell

it would be for her to be married to someone like me?

it would be for her to be married to someone like me?

- You know, Julian, I'm beginning to think

I really don't like you.

I really don't like you.

- Of course not, a type like me should be

- Of course not, a type like me should be

run outta town.

Well?

Well?

I appeal to your sense of civic responsibility,

which I'm sure is much greater than mine.

which I'm sure is much greater than mine.

- Be in front of the house at 12.

[gentle music]

- I thought she'd never get to sleep.

- I thought she'd never get to sleep.

I swear, I never saw anybody so clingin'.

I swear, I never saw anybody so clingin'.

- Maybe she loves you, did you ever think of that?

- Yeah, like a cat loves a mouse.

- Yeah, like a cat loves a mouse.

- You don't look much like a mouse to me.

- You don't look much like a mouse to me.

A mouse has character.

[dramatic music]

What are ya do--

What are ya do--

[metal clanking]

- Well, well, all right then.

- Well, well, all right then.

Come on!

[chase music]

- Here we go.

[moves to gentle music]

[moves to gentle music]

He's gone away for to stay a little while

He's gone away for to stay a little while

But he's comin' back if he goes 10,000 miles

But he's comin' back if he goes 10,000 miles

[dramatic music]

[dramatic music]

- A lotta water in that lake.

You don't suppose by any chance

he could of made it across?

- Who knows, but if he did, there's a body

- Who knows, but if he did, there's a body

of water somewhere in the world

of water somewhere in the world

with Julian Roebuck's name on it.

[gentle music]

[gentle music]

[horn honking]

[horn honking]

[surprised music]

[light music]

[light music]

[upbeat music]

[upbeat music]

- [Announcer] This has been a Screen Gems

- [Announcer] This has been a Screen Gems

film presentation, Herbert B. Leonard, executive producer.

film presentation, Herbert B. Leonard, executive producer.

[END CREDITS]