Original subtitles

[peaceful music]

[peaceful music]

[dog barking]

[girls talking]

[girls talking]

[dog barking]

[dog barking]

[cat meowing]

[playful music]

[playful music]

- New housing going up on the north hill.

- New housing going up on the north hill.

Too close to town, if you want my opinion.

Too close to town, if you want my opinion.

- I had a letter from Uncle Breese,

- I had a letter from Uncle Breese,

and he said that the smog in California

is killin' all the petunias.

is killin' all the petunias.

Kimberly Jo if you don't hold still

you'll be nothing but a mass of snarls

you'll be nothing but a mass of snarls

when that man takes you picture.

- Sorry, Grandma.

- Sorry, Grandma.

- [First Woman] Anna Mary Schmidt got her foot caught

- [First Woman] Anna Mary Schmidt got her foot caught

in a dog's mouth on her way to Girl Scout meetin' Tuesday.

in a dog's mouth on her way to Girl Scout meetin' Tuesday.

- They're such an awkward family, aren't they?

- They're such an awkward family, aren't they?

Kimberly.

Kimberly.

- Sorry, Grandma.

- Jenny and Bennett Twain have returned from their visit

- Jenny and Bennett Twain have returned from their visit

to her brother's at Wichita Falls.

to her brother's at Wichita Falls.

- [Grandma] I've always wondered about Jenny Twain's brother

- [Grandma] I've always wondered about Jenny Twain's brother

in Wichita falls.

[pruning shears clipping]

- Ooh, what's the matter Billie Jo, huh?

- Ooh, what's the matter Billie Jo, huh?

- [First Woman] You have a hoard

of aphids this year on the roses, Leona.

of aphids this year on the roses, Leona.

Well, thanks for the summer seat, Leona.

Well, thanks for the summer seat, Leona.

I'm on my way.

I'm on my way.

- We'll walk on down with ya.

- We'll walk on down with ya.

- You have a blessed garden, Leona.

- You have a blessed garden, Leona.

Leona...

Leona...

- Yes?

Oh, yes.

Oh, yes.

- Kimberly Jo, tell Mrs. Bowers how pleased you are

to have had your hair brushed in her gazebo.

to have had your hair brushed in her gazebo.

- Pleased to have had my hair brushed in you gazebo,

- Pleased to have had my hair brushed in you gazebo,

Mrs. Bowers.

- My pleasure, Kimberly.

- My pleasure, Kimberly.

- Bye bye.

- See ya later.

- See ya later.

- 'Till later.

[lighthearted music]

[lighthearted music]

[horn honking]

[door shutting]

[door shutting]

- Behold the slave, he shall one day be raised up

by his own will.

by his own will.

- Next week you get the garden and Billie Jo.

- Next week you get the garden and Billie Jo.

- Yeah, but that's next week.

- Yeah, but that's next week.

[car door opening and shutting]

[car door opening and shutting]

[pruning shears clipping]

[pruning shears clipping]

[dog whining]

[dog whining]

- What's the matter, Billie Jo?

What happened, girl?

[dog whimpering]

It's alright now. It's alright.

It's alright now. It's alright.

[dramatic music]

- Take you in the house and fix you right up,

- Take you in the house and fix you right up,

it's alright now.

C'mon.

[dramatic music]

[dramatic music]

[peaceful music]

[peaceful music]

[dog whimpering]

[dog whimpering]

[doorbell ringing]

[dog growling]

[dog growling]

Stay.

- Live here?

- Live here?

- Yeah.

- Name?

- Lincoln Case.

- Lincoln Case.

- Got a complaint.

- Complaint?

- Mmm hmm. Doing bodily injury to a dog.

- Mmm hmm. Doing bodily injury to a dog.

- What are you talking about?

- Mind if we look around?

- Mind if we look around?

- Injuring a dog? That's crazy.

- I'd say so.

- I'd say so.

Mind if we look around?

- Yes, I mind.

- Yes, I mind.

- We can get a search warrant.

- We can get a search warrant.

- Get it.

- Look, I don't blame you gettin' steamed.

- Look, I don't blame you gettin' steamed.

If a man knock at my door, accuse me of cuttin' a dog,

If a man knock at my door, accuse me of cuttin' a dog,

probably take a shot gun to him.

probably take a shot gun to him.

But we get a complaint, we gotta investigate it.

But we get a complaint, we gotta investigate it.

Now, where's Mrs. Lindstrom's dog?

Now, where's Mrs. Lindstrom's dog?

[door closing]

[door closing]

[dog whimpering]

[dog whimpering]

- I don't know how it happened.

- I don't know how it happened.

She came home, her belly was cut.

So I brought her in the house and washed her off.

So I brought her in the house and washed her off.

Bandaged the wound.

Is that what you call cruelty to animals in this town?

Is that what you call cruelty to animals in this town?

[dog whimpering]

Yeah. You'll be alright.

Yeah. You'll be alright.

- Lincoln Case.

C-A-S-E.

- Right.

- How long you been in town?

- Well almost four weeks.

- Well almost four weeks.

- How'd you happen to rent this place?

- How'd you happen to rent this place?

You, uh, know Ms. Lindstrom?

You, uh, know Ms. Lindstrom?

- No, my buddy and I got a job out at the shell factory.

- On Highway 41?

- That's right.

We came into town lookin' for a place to live.

We came into town lookin' for a place to live.

No chance.

You know, Florida in season.

Then we saw Mrs. Lindstrom's ad in the paper.

Then we saw Mrs. Lindstrom's ad in the paper.

Responsible party wanted to care for dog and garden.

Responsible party wanted to care for dog and garden.

Reasonable rent.

That's it.

That's it.

So we hustled over here and made the deal on the spot.

So we hustled over here and made the deal on the spot.

Next day, Mrs. Lindstrom took off for Sweden,

Next day, Mrs. Lindstrom took off for Sweden,

and we've got the place 'til she gets back.

- I'll be in the car.

- Then what?

Where you goin' next?

From Florida?

From Florida?

North or west, not much choice.

[dog barking]

[dog barking]

[door slamming]

- Sam.

[intense music]

[intense music]

- Hey!

- Hey!

- Make a move. Just make one move.

- Sam!

- Okay, okay.

Put your hands up there.

- Hey, honey. [knocking]

Hey, hey, baby.

Hey, hey, baby.

Hey, hey. Honey.

Hey, how are ya?

Hi, baby, how are ya?

What're ya doing there?

What're ya doing there?

[solemn music]

[solemn music]

[keys turning]

[keys turning]

[door opening]

[door closing]

[door closing]

- Walt, will you get your long nose out of my report book?

- Walt, will you get your long nose out of my report book?

- That little dachsie I saw out in the car,

- That little dachsie I saw out in the car,

oh, c'mon!

C'mon, I've had it to here with debatin' clubs.

C'mon, I've had it to here with debatin' clubs.

- He ripped his belly open with a pair of pruning shears.

- He ripped his belly open with a pair of pruning shears.

[phone ringing]

Charlotte County Sheriff Department.

Charlotte County Sheriff Department.

No, you need the fish and game department for that.

No, you need the fish and game department for that.

You're welcome.

- Where's he from?

- Lander, Texas.

- Well, why don't you put a call through to Lander, Texas?

- Well, why don't you put a call through to Lander, Texas?

- I ain't the investigatin' officer.

- I ain't the investigatin' officer.

- One call.

Take you about two minutes to get a rundown on him for me.

Take you about two minutes to get a rundown on him for me.

- No.

- Carl, old buddy.

I gotta hunch, I'm due.

I gotta hunch, I'm due.

- No.

- No.

- The wire service now pays by the line.

Pictures extra.

Pictures extra.

Now this one's got all the makin's.

Could be worth a lot of lines.

Could be worth a lot of lines.

Lincoln Case. Lander, Texas.

One call.

I'd be most grateful.

[Carl sighing]

- Lander, Texas.

Sheriff's office.

[dramatic music]

[dramatic music]

[drawer opening] [papers rustling]

[drawer opening] [papers rustling]

- Hey, war hero.

[boat motor roaring]

[people chattering]

[people chattering]

- You're in my moat.

- Ah, some kinda progress, isn't it?

- Ah, some kinda progress, isn't it?

Be careful, if I get across your moat,

Be careful, if I get across your moat,

I may knock down you castle door.

- Why not ring the bell?

- Why not ring the bell?

I'll answer.

- Oh no.

- Oh no.

That would ruin the great American male image.

I have to prove myself.

I have to prove myself.

Assume command.

Having been summoned to the challenge...

Having been summoned to the challenge...

Now, what'd ya do that for?

That messes me all up.

- Do men have to

break down doors, and climb mountains,

break down doors, and climb mountains,

and try to prove something all the time?

and try to prove something all the time?

- Why do you have to build a moat around your castle?

- Why do you have to build a moat around your castle?

- There were no crocodiles in it.

- There were no crocodiles in it.

- That's Judith Kane.

- That's Judith Kane.

First she's with you, then she's not.

- Well, now there's just a whole multitude

- Well, now there's just a whole multitude

of pretty, young, uncomplicated Floridian maidens

of pretty, young, uncomplicated Floridian maidens

available to you Mr. Stiles.

- You are not yet with me.

There are crocodiles in your moat.

There are crocodiles in your moat.

- A multitude of moat-less crocodile-less maidens.

- A multitude of moat-less crocodile-less maidens.

- Child's play.

[Radio Announcer] Who found the still bloody weapon

half hidden in the garden hedge.

half hidden in the garden hedge.

A hero in the Vietnamese action, Case, from Lander, Texas

A hero in the Vietnamese action, Case, from Lander, Texas

has been jailed and is awaiting arraignment.

has been jailed and is awaiting arraignment.

The weather report for the beaches

calls for continuing sunny skies

calls for continuing sunny skies

and a high around...

[dramatic music]

[dramatic music]

- We haven't spoken three words to that woman

since we moved in.

since we moved in.

Why?

Why would she do it?

Why would she do it?

- Kafka.

Ever read Kafka?

- Does he write like this?

- Does he write like this?

- Well, there's a touch of that in his work.

- Well, there's a touch of that in his work.

- You're out there with a dumb smirk on your face,

and I haven't caught the humor of this thing yet.

and I haven't caught the humor of this thing yet.

- All the jokes are right there in the front page.

- All the jokes are right there in the front page.

Look, don't go away.

Did you get a hold of the judge yet?

- His wife don't know where he is.

- His wife don't know where he is.

- What time is he due back?

- She couldn't say.

- Well, find somebody else to set bail.

- Well, find somebody else to set bail.

- Ain't nobody can set bail but Judge Benton.

- Ain't nobody can set bail but Judge Benton.

- Well he's not gonna sit in there all day just because...

- All day.

- All day.

- What kind of a carnival are you running here?

- What kind of a carnival are you running here?

- Don't raise your voice to me, mister.

[intense music]

[intense music]

- Many times in the afternoon shadows,

- Many times in the afternoon shadows,

we think we see things we really don't.

Actually, if you were even to talk to my friend,

Actually, if you were even to talk to my friend,

why, you'd understand that he...

why, you'd understand that he...

Well, you'd understand, that's all.

Well, you'd understand, that's all.

I'd appreciate it if you'd try again to recall

I'd appreciate it if you'd try again to recall

what you really did see.

what you really did see.

- You're treating me as if I'm either vicious or senile.

- You're treating me as if I'm either vicious or senile.

- That isn't what I intended.

- That isn't what I intended.

- I resent your coming here like this.

My father, he helped pioneer this town.

My father, he helped pioneer this town.

And I grew up in this town,

and mine was a respectable family.

and mine was a respectable family.

I married a respectable man.

I married a respectable man.

Not some drifter who moseyed into town

for a bit of summer sun,

for a bit of summer sun,

but a ship's master.

Took me with him to Boston,

where I had great culture at my fingertips.

where I had great culture at my fingertips.

[Tod sighs]

He was a fine man, Leland Bowers.

He was a fine man, Leland Bowers.

And ours was a short but beautiful marriage.

And ours was a short but beautiful marriage.

He died a hero on his own ship.

And I returned here to my home,

and I've been here ever since,

and I've been respected ever since.

and I've been respected ever since.

And in all my years, I have never sent for the police.

And in all my years, I have never sent for the police.

Not more than five hours ago,

Not more than five hours ago,

I stood in my garden and watched your friend

take his pruning shears and drive them

take his pruning shears and drive them

into the stomach of a small, defenseless dog.

I saw it by the light of day

I saw it by the light of day

with no interference from noontime shadows.

with no interference from noontime shadows.

So I deeply resent your attempt to put shadows

So I deeply resent your attempt to put shadows

into my story.

into my story.

And into my character,

and into my personal reputation.

and into my personal reputation.

Good day Mr. Stiles.

Good day Mr. Stiles.

[solemn music]

[solemn music]

[door closing]

[door closing]

[car engine starting]

- I've been telling you for an hour

that my boss is the best lawyer in town.

that my boss is the best lawyer in town.

that my boss is the best lawyer in town.

- Let's go.

- We're in luck, his car's still here.

- We're in luck, his car's still here.

[door handle jiggling]

[door handle jiggling]

[knocking]

[knocking]

- Wait a minute.

- Before you hit town,

I used to be able to have my secretary work

I used to be able to have my secretary work

on Saturday afternoons.

Once in awhile.

Once in awhile.

- This is call for help, Parker.

- This is call for help, Parker.

- Alright, scream.

- This is Tod Stiles.

- This is Tod Stiles.

- I know his name.

- I know his name.

- Parker's the best lawyer in Charlotte County.

He wins 'em all.

He wins 'em all.

- Yeah, yeah I win 'em all.

- I wanna get him out.

- Pay the two dollars.

- There's no bail listed on the charge,

- There's no bail listed on the charge,

and no judge to set one.

- Paper says you and your friend are drifters,

- Paper says you and your friend are drifters,

passin' through.

- Yeah.

We came for the fun in the sun.

- You bring any money?

- You bring any money?

Now look, that sign over my door don't read

Now look, that sign over my door don't read

Samaritan, philanthropist, or even nice guy.

Samaritan, philanthropist, or even nice guy.

You got any money?

- Some.

- [Parker] How much?

- Enough to pay a fee if it's fair.

- Enough to pay a fee if it's fair.

[phone dialing]

[phone dialing]

- Hello, Rita honey, get me Judge Benton will ya?

- Hello, Rita honey, get me Judge Benton will ya?

- Hello, Rita honey, get me Judge Benton will ya?

Yeah, yeah.

I read about it.

Absolutely. Terrible thing.

Absolutely. Terrible thing.

Now look honey, I'm kinda rushed,

will you get the judge for me please?

will you get the judge for me please?

From now on, we keep our mouths taped, you understand?

From now on, we keep our mouths taped, you understand?

And you tell that to your buddy too.

And you tell that to your buddy too.

If you wanna knock this little town,

you go into a little room and knock it in private.

you go into a little room and knock it in private.

This is one of them sensitive, little American villages,

didn't count on the tourist trade

when it settled by these shores.

when it settled by these shores.

So the best thing is, don't disturb it.

So the best thing is, don't disturb it.

Sensitive objects gotta be moved with care or they explode.

Sensitive objects gotta be moved with care or they explode.

Yeah, I'm holdin' honey.

Now, you and Case meet me here tomorrow at,

Now, you and Case meet me here tomorrow at,

Now, you and Case meet me here tomorrow at,

let me see...

I'm goin' fishin' in the mornin' with Bob Maxwell,

I'm goin' fishin' in the mornin' with Bob Maxwell,

uh, he's the county prosecutor...

Be here at four sharp.

Be here at four sharp.

That'll give me time to nose around a little and...

That'll give me time to nose around a little and...

Hello Bis, this is Parker.

Oh fine, fine, thank you.

Say Bis, if it wouldn't be too much trouble,

Say Bis, if it wouldn't be too much trouble,

I'd appreciate talkin' to Harold for just a minute.

I'd appreciate talkin' to Harold for just a minute.

Thank ya, I'll wait.

Thank ya, I'll wait.

Now whatever you do, you stay away from Mrs. Leland Bowers.

Now whatever you do, you stay away from Mrs. Leland Bowers.

Don't go near her, don't talk to her.

Don't go near her, don't talk to her.

Hanks.

Hello Harold.

Hello Harold.

We're off.

- I'll bet you need a new prescription today.

- I'll bet you need a new prescription today.

The whole town needs one today.

The whole town needs one today.

I'm awfully sorry Mrs. Bowers.

- Hand lotion Mr. Dellarever.

- Hand lotion Mr. Dellarever.

Butterfly tinge, please.

Butterfly tinge, please.

- Yes ma'am.

- I phoned my brother-in-law in Gulfport first thing.

- I phoned my brother-in-law in Gulfport first thing.

He said he'd come and talk to our city council

He said he'd come and talk to our city council

if we wanted him to.

Same thing happened down there,

Same thing happened down there,

and he could...

- A very sick, angry, and horrible man

- A very sick, angry, and horrible man

has done a terrible thing in our town.

has done a terrible thing in our town.

I'm sorry I had to be the one to see it.

I'm sorry I had to be the one to see it.

And I would appreciate it if you would all

allow me the comfort of not having to recall what I saw.

allow me the comfort of not having to recall what I saw.

Put it on my account please, Mr. Dellarever.

Put it on my account please, Mr. Dellarever.

- [Mr. Dellarever] Yes, ma'am.

- [Mr. Dellarever] Yes, ma'am.

[mumbling]

- Hey, war hero!

- The man said, "No comment," remember?

- The man said, "No comment," remember?

- Okay, no comment.

- Okay, no comment.

[dramatic music]

[dramatic music]

- What happened?

[car doors opening and closing]

[car doors opening and closing]

[car engine starting]

[car engine starting]

[intense music]

[intense music]

- I thought lawyers liked to talk.

- You might not like to hear what I have to say.

- You might not like to hear what I have to say.

- Are we payin' for that?

- Are we payin' for that?

Alright, what is it Mr. Smith?

Alright, what is it Mr. Smith?

- You've been to a lot of towns, haven't ya?

You wanna keep right on drivin' don't ya?

You wanna keep right on drivin' don't ya?

- Let's get outta here.

- No, wait a minute, wait a minute.

- No, wait a minute, wait a minute.

Yeah, we'd like to go right on driving.

Yeah, we'd like to go right on driving.

- Well then I'll tell you the facts.

And how they add up.

And how they add up.

Fact: eye witness.

Fact: corroborating physical evidence,

Fact: corroborating physical evidence,

the slashed body of a dog named Billie Jo.

the slashed body of a dog named Billie Jo.

Fact: one pair of pruning shears with dog's blood

Fact: one pair of pruning shears with dog's blood

on the blade.

Fact: The testimony of Dr. Joe Gannon, county veterinarian.

Fact: The testimony of Dr. Joe Gannon, county veterinarian.

You wanna hear it?

I'll tell it you just like he gave it to me

an hour ago on the phone.

an hour ago on the phone.

[papers rustling]

[papers rustling]

"The wound was a full inch cut

"made by a sharp metal instrument."

"made by a sharp metal instrument."

"Couldn't have been made by some other means,

"Couldn't have been made by some other means,

"perhaps by some other animal?"

"No, sir.

"I've been county vet for 30 years,

"and that wound was made by a sharp metal instrument."

"and that wound was made by a sharp metal instrument."

- So what?

- Fact: Leona Bowers, on the witness stand,

- Fact: Leona Bowers, on the witness stand,

tellin' the same story, word for word, detail for detail.

tellin' the same story, word for word, detail for detail.

Just like she told it when she first reported it

Just like she told it when she first reported it

over the telephone.

Just like she told it to Sheriff Winfield.

Just like she told it to Sheriff Winfield.

Just like she told it to the county prosecutor,

and just like she told it to me.

and just like she told it to me.

- Do you believe her?

- Fact: This town and all the people in it,

- Fact: This town and all the people in it,

and the way they feel about Leona Bowers,

and the way they feel about Leona Bowers,

and the way they feel about strangers,

and the things they think they know about war heroes,

and the things they think they know about war heroes,

because of what they read in those little magazines.

because of what they read in those little magazines.

How they come home and can go crazy

right in the middle of a rose garden,

maybe because the sun's just a little too hot.

maybe because the sun's just a little too hot.

- Alright, now just a minute Mr. Smith...

- Alright, now just a minute Mr. Smith...

- Let me finish.

Don't you understand that you are very large

Don't you understand that you are very large

in the Sunday edition?

And that the local radio station

And that the local radio station

is havin' a direct-from-the-scene ball?

is havin' a direct-from-the-scene ball?

And right now, any jury we impound from the

brain-washed citizens of this county,

brain-washed citizens of this county,

could hand you the death sentence if the law let 'em?

could hand you the death sentence if the law let 'em?

- Go on, Parker.

- I know all about heroes, Mr. Case.

- I know all about heroes, Mr. Case.

- You don't know beans about heroes.

- You don't know beans about heroes.

- Don't I?

[clanking]

Wood gentlemen.

100% steel reinforced wood.

100% steel reinforced wood.

Don't tell me I don't know anything about heroes.

Don't tell me I don't know anything about heroes.

When I came limpin' home,

When I came limpin' home,

people who wouldn't give me the time of day

couldn't do enough for me.

couldn't do enough for me.

They gave me a soft job and sent me back to school,

and paid my way.

Then one day I hung a shingle out above my door,

Then one day I hung a shingle out above my door,

and I had a profitable law practice goin'.

and I had a profitable law practice goin'.

They love me in this town.

They love me in this town.

Everybody loves a hero, didn't you know that?

Everybody loves a hero, didn't you know that?

Why I'll have the whole county sobbin' for Lincoln Case.

Why I'll have the whole county sobbin' for Lincoln Case.

They'll forgive you anything,

even cuttin' up a dog.

even cuttin' up a dog.

Plead guilty.

Believe me, that's the only chance you've got.

Believe me, that's the only chance you've got.

- Let's get outta here.

- I'm tellin' you, you've got a gimmick.

- I'm tellin' you, you've got a gimmick.

Use it.

- Know what that sign in front oughta say?

"Parker Smith, Gimmick."

"Parker Smith, Gimmick."

- You don't know anything about heroes, Parker.

- I'm tired of waitin' for you to grow up,

- I'm tired of waitin' for you to grow up,

find out what it's all about.

find out what it's all about.

Tired of waiting for you to discover that a man

don't have to water ski,

don't have to water ski,

or do the cha-cha-cha.

- All that pity for yourself, it makes me sick.

- All that pity for yourself, it makes me sick.

You're afraid to stand up for what you believe in

You're afraid to stand up for what you believe in

in this town, aren't you?

You're afraid that they'll pry that hero's plaque

You're afraid that they'll pry that hero's plaque

off the city hall,

and then you won't have any place to go.

and then you won't have any place to go.

Or is that just too much heroism to ask of you?

Or is that just too much heroism to ask of you?

[calm music]

[calm music]

[door slamming]

[door slamming]

[knocking]

[knocking]

[chuckling]

[chuckling]

[knocking]

[door slamming]

[laughing]

[laughing]

- Afternoon.

- Hose dipper's right there.

- Hose dipper's right there.

[water splashing]

[water splashing]

- Ya get angry, ya get hot.

And the hotter ya get, the angrier ya get.

And the hotter ya get, the angrier ya get.

If ya knock on a man's door,

and you're angry and hot,

well, he's apt not to buy.

well, he's apt not to buy.

- I'm not a salesman.

- I'm not a salesman.

- You're the friend, aren't ya?

- You're the friend, aren't ya?

- Yeah, that's right.

- I used to do a lot of travelin' when I was a boy.

- I used to do a lot of travelin' when I was a boy.

'Course I didn't go as far and as fast as they can nowadays.

'Course I didn't go as far and as fast as they can nowadays.

But I learned a lot.

But I learned a lot.

And you know what I remember the best?

- No.

- No.

- Fried chicken. Maryland style.

Was ya ever in Maryland?

Was ya ever in Maryland?

- Yeah.

- [Old Man] Did ya taste that fried chicken?

- [Old Man] Did ya taste that fried chicken?

- Probably.

[laughing]

- That's the best fried chicken I ever tasted.

- That's the best fried chicken I ever tasted.

You know, and the nicest thing about that is,

there's better fried chicken someplace else.

there's better fried chicken someplace else.

But I don't know where,

But I don't know where,

but it's there.

And I always look for it too.

And I always look for it too.

Oh, yes, I looked for a lot of things when I was a boy.

Oh, yes, I looked for a lot of things when I was a boy.

Better things.

A man once said...

I don't remember his name now,

I don't remember his name now,

but he was a preacher somewhere.

He said, "The world has never had enough eggs and poultry

He said, "The world has never had enough eggs and poultry

"anymore than it's had enough fine horses,

"anymore than it's had enough fine horses,

"or kindness or justice.

"or kindness or justice.

"As we get better men, then we have to have better horses.

"As we get better men, then we have to have better horses.

"More people, better things.

"More people, better things.

"More problems, more answers.

"More problems, more answers.

"But we have to keep lookin'."

- Saturday morning Mr...

- Saturday morning Mr...

- Bell.

- Saturday morning Mr. Bell,

were sitting out here on the porch?

- Oh, yes. I'm out here every morning.

- Oh, yes. I'm out here every morning.

In and out.

- Well did you see anything,

anything unusual at all?

- No, no.

- No, no.

Nothing unusual Saturday mornin'.

- Well, thanks for the water.

- Lots of good people in this town, boy.

- Lots of good people in this town, boy.

- If you say so.

- It be like everything else, you gotta look for 'em.

- It be like everything else, you gotta look for 'em.

[peaceful music]

[peaceful music]

[girls mumbling]

[gate opening]

[gate opening]

[intense music]

[intense music]

[doorbell ringing]

- Hi. - Hi.

- Where's Tod?

- Where's Tod?

- I dunno. Why?

- Doesn't matter. He wanted to see you anyway.

- Doesn't matter. He wanted to see you anyway.

- Who?

- Parker. He just called from the airport.

He just flew in to Fort Myers

and he's chartering a plane from there and flying here.

He wants us to meet him.

He wants us to meet him.

- He's off the payroll, remember?

- He's off the payroll, remember?

- Well, forget the payroll.

He's learned something that'll help.

He's learned something that'll help.

Will ya move those long Texas legs of yours?

Will ya move those long Texas legs of yours?

Please, he's waiting for us.

[plane engine roaring]

[plane engine roaring]

- Now, Mrs. Bowers, not to belabor the point,

but just to get it absolutely clear,

but just to get it absolutely clear,

you looked up from attendin' your flowers

you looked up from attendin' your flowers

about 10:00 in the mornin', you say.

about 10:00 in the mornin', you say.

A clear day,

and not 50 feet from you,

and not 50 feet from you,

you saw a man cut a dog

you saw a man cut a dog

with a pair of pruning shears.

- That is correct.

- That is correct.

- Is that man in this room?

- He is.

- He is.

- [Prosecutor] Will you point him out to the court?

- [Prosecutor] Will you point him out to the court?

- There.

- You're certain?

- You're certain?

- I'm sorry, but I'm certain.

- The prosecution rests, your Honor.

- The prosecution rests, your Honor.

- Your Honor, with your permission,

- Your Honor, with your permission,

may this witness remain sworn and have a seat

may this witness remain sworn and have a seat

with the prosecutor?

Before I cross-examine,

Before I cross-examine,

I want Mrs. Bowers to have the opportunity

of hearing the testimony

of hearing the testimony

of the two witnesses for the defense.

of the two witnesses for the defense.

- Would you please step down, Mrs. Bowers?

- Would you please step down, Mrs. Bowers?

- I know it's irregular,

- I know it's irregular,

but I ask the court's permission to have both witnesses

but I ask the court's permission to have both witnesses

for the defense testify together.

- Will the prosecutor please step up to the bench?

- Will the prosecutor please step up to the bench?

- Will the prosecutor please step up to the bench?

Now will you repeat what you just told me?

Now will you repeat what you just told me?

- My two witnesses are six years old,

- My two witnesses are six years old,

and they've asked to testify together.

and they've asked to testify together.

They've indicated their preference to hold hands

so they won't be so nervous.

so they won't be so nervous.

I think it'll be helpful to the court

if you allow it.

- No objections.

- No objections.

- Alright, Parker.

- Rachel, Carol.

What are you names, please?

- Rachel Marsden.

- Carol Long.

- Carol Long.

- Rachel, do you know what the word "truth" means?

- Rachel, do you know what the word "truth" means?

- Yes, sir.

- Carol?

- Yes, sir.

- Yes, sir.

- Now do you promise the judge and me and everybody

to tell only the truth?

Say it aloud, please.

Say it aloud, please.

- Yes, sir. - Yes, sir.

- Yes, sir. - Yes, sir.

- Now you know the Saturday mornin' we're talkin' about.

Tell us what happened.

Tell us what happened.

- We were playing.

Billie Jo came yappin' by.

She always yaps.

She always yaps.

Thomas was layin' in the sun.

Thomas was layin' in the sun.

- Who is Thomas?

- My cat. - Carol's cat.

- My cat. - Carol's cat.

- And what happened then?

- Thomas was playin' with the ladybug.

- Thomas was playin' with the ladybug.

- Billie Jo came yappin' by

and she yapped right onto the lawn.

and she yapped right onto the lawn.

- Thomas got mad and ran after her.

- I was on pigs in the pen, and she ruined it.

- I was on pigs in the pen, and she ruined it.

- You were playin' jacks?

- You were playin' jacks?

- I winned!

- You did not.

- You promised to tell only the truth.

- You promised to tell only the truth.

[crowd laughing]

[crowd laughing]

- You winned.

- You can't do pigs in the pen.

[crowd laughs]

[crowd laughs]

- Now, what happened after Thomas chased Billie Jo?

- Now, what happened after Thomas chased Billie Jo?

- Now, what happened after Thomas chased Billie Jo?

- Billie Jo ran into our garden.

- Thomas slapped at her.

- Thomas slapped at her.

Billie Jo jumped up, then she did it.

Billie Jo jumped up, then she did it.

- Did what?

- Tried to jump through it.

- Tried to jump through it.

- Through what?

- The wire fence.

- There's a hole in it.

- There's a hole in it.

- Go on.

Either of ya.

Either of ya.

- Billie Jo scratched herself on the sharp wires.

- Billie Jo scratched herself on the sharp wires.

She cried awful.

I didn't know what to do.

- [Parker] What did Billie Jo do?

- [Parker] What did Billie Jo do?

- She ran home crying.

- Did you and Rachel look at the fence

where Billie Jo got caught?

where Billie Jo got caught?

- It was blood on it, and we looked at it.

- It was blood on it, and we looked at it.

- I touched it.

But Carol's scared to touch it.

But Carol's scared to touch it.

- You're sure it was blood?

- It looked just like mine.

- It looked just like mine.

- Thank you, girls.

- Your witnesses.

- Your witnesses.

- No questions.

- No questions.

- You've been very fine witnesses.

- You've been very fine witnesses.

You can get down now.

[crowd mumbling]

- Mrs. Bowers, will you return to the stand, please?

- Mrs. Bowers, will you return to the stand, please?

Mrs. Bowers, sometimes the eye can play tricks.

Mrs. Bowers, sometimes the eye can play tricks.

- I saw what I saw.

- I saw what I saw.

- Then on the basis of the testimony you just heard,

you have no intention of...

- I have no intention, Mr. Smith.

- I have no intention, Mr. Smith.

- I believe you, Mrs. Bowers.

- I believe you, Mrs. Bowers.

That is I believe you are not lying.

That is I believe you are not lying.

Not consciously.

- Objection your Honor.

- Objection your Honor.

The defense is impugning the integrity of the witness.

The defense is impugning the integrity of the witness.

- Sustained. Strike the remark.

- Mrs. Bowers, your husband, Leland Bowers was a shipmaster,

- Mrs. Bowers, your husband, Leland Bowers was a shipmaster,

was he not?

was he not?

- Yes.

- He worked for the Johnson line, did he not?

- He worked for the Johnson line, did he not?

- Yes.

- Four years after your marriage,

Leland Bowers was lost to sea, is that correct?

- A hero.

- A hero.

- Mrs. Bowers, I visited the city of Boston last week

- Mrs. Bowers, I visited the city of Boston last week

on my client's behalf.

I went to the main office of the Johnson line.

I went to the main office of the Johnson line.

I visited the police.

And the dead files of the Boston Globe.

Would you care to tell the court the truth

about your marriage with Leland Bowers?

about your marriage with Leland Bowers?

- I object, your Honor,

this line of questioning seems to have no relation

this line of questioning seems to have no relation

to the case.

- Your Honor, if you will allow me to proceed,

I will show that this question has a direct relation

I will show that this question has a direct relation

to the case,

and to establishin' the innocence of my client.

and to establishin' the innocence of my client.

- Overruled. Proceed.

- Overruled. Proceed.

- Mrs. Bowers, if you don't tell this court, I will.

- Mrs. Bowers, if you don't tell this court, I will.

- When I met Leland Bowers,

- When I met Leland Bowers,

he looked at me in a way I had never known before.

he looked at me in a way I had never known before.

And I loved him very much during our courtship.

And I loved him very much during our courtship.

And I loved him very much during our courtship.

But after we moved away to Boston,

it was all very different.

it was all very different.

And I never knew why.

And I never knew why.

He drank a great deal,

He drank a great deal,

and sometimes he didn't come home for as much as

and sometimes he didn't come home for as much as

two or three weeks.

Then, when he did, he was brutal.

Then, when he did, he was brutal.

And yet I couldn't leave him and come back here.

And yet I couldn't leave him and come back here.

I was too ashamed.

He was vicious and sadistic and he had no friends.

He was vicious and sadistic and he had no friends.

And he died in a knife fight on the Boston docks.

And he died in a knife fight on the Boston docks.

And I came home a grieving widow.

And I came home a grieving widow.

But in the secret depths of my heart, I rejoiced.

But in the secret depths of my heart, I rejoiced.

His death was the happiest moment of my life.

His death was the happiest moment of my life.

Does that satisfy you, Parker?

Does that satisfy you, Parker?

Does that satisfy you, Parker?

- Mrs. Bowers, is this a photograph of your late husband?

- Mrs. Bowers, is this a photograph of your late husband?

Mrs. Bowers.

- Yes.

- Mrs. Bowers, look at the defendant.

- Mrs. Bowers, look at the defendant.

Doesn't Lincoln Case bear an amazing resemblance

Doesn't Lincoln Case bear an amazing resemblance

to your dead husband?

You heard a dog yelp with pain

You heard a dog yelp with pain

from behind your summer house.

You saw Billie Jo with her belly torn by that wire fence.

You saw Billie Jo with her belly torn by that wire fence.

You saw Billie Jo with her belly torn by that wire fence.

The man who looks like your husband

had a pair of pruning shears in his hand.

had a pair of pruning shears in his hand.

Cut the dog.

Isn't that what your husband mighta done?

Isn't that what your husband mighta done?

- Yes.

The same face.

The innocent face.

Tending so gently to the flowers.

Tending so gently to the flowers.

And then turning on the dog and slashing its belly.

And then turning on the dog and slashing its belly.

Haven't all of you your privacies?

The truths that are yours?

The truths that are yours?

And because they belong to you,

you can stand with some kind of pride?

you can stand with some kind of pride?

Now you know my ugliness.

Now you know my ugliness.

- Thank you, Leona.

- Thank you, Leona.

[peaceful music]

[car engine starting]

[car engine starting]

[doorbell ringing]

- We're going now.

- We're going now.

Mrs. Lindstrom's daughter is going to look after the house

and Billie Jo.

and Billie Jo.

I mean...

Just didn't seem right

that we should stay around any longer.

that we should stay around any longer.

And it comes to me that it's easy for us to go and...

And it comes to me that it's easy for us to go and...

Not too easy for you to stay.

Not too easy for you to stay.

So um...

So um...

Well I just wanted to say that I'm sorry

Well I just wanted to say that I'm sorry

about bringing back the bad part of your life,

about bringing back the bad part of your life,

and that it had to come out the way that it did.

and that it had to come out the way that it did.

[peaceful music]

[peaceful music]

[theme music]

[theme music]

- [Announcer] This has been a Screen Gems

- [Announcer] This has been a Screen Gems

film presentation.

Herbert B. Leonard, executive producer.

Herbert B. Leonard, executive producer.

[END CREDITS]