Original subtitles

(ambient orchestral music)

(ambient orchestral music)

- [Air Traffic Controller] She's coming in, Mr. Royce.

- Right.

- Right.

(chattering)

(chattering)

- Now, point to the map.

- Now, point to the map.

The place where you figure he went down.

Now look at us.

Now look at us.

Look at us, please.

How well do you know him?

- Started working here.

- Pretty eccentric character, isn't he?

- Pretty eccentric character, isn't he?

- I said, I just started working here.

- I said, I just started working here.

- Well, let me put it another way.

Is he still a lush?

Is he still a lush?

- What makes you so sure he went down in the swamps?

- What makes you so sure he went down in the swamps?

- I had this couple--

- [Male Reporter] Talk a little louder, huh?

- [Male Reporter] Talk a little louder, huh?

- I had this couple up showing 'em some property from

- I had this couple up showing 'em some property from

the air, the last time I saw Major Barben he was flying

southeast towards the Everglades.

southeast towards the Everglades.

- But you didn't actually see him crash?

- If I had, half the country wouldn't be looking for him

- If I had, half the country wouldn't be looking for him

now would they?

- Don't you think it's a bit ironic, Mr. Stiles,

- Don't you think it's a bit ironic, Mr. Stiles,

that one of this country's leading war time aces,

that one of this country's leading war time aces,

a man who shot down 22 enemy planes--

- 24, I checked in Miami.

- 24, I checked in Miami.

- Should end up in a swamp flying a tiny plane

used to show real estate to buyers?

used to show real estate to buyers?

- Mrs. Barben just landed.

- Hey, let's get this.

- Hey, let's get this.

- See how they run.

- See how they run.

Oh well, why not?

Oh well, why not?

Barben's still big news.

- Yeah.

- Yeah.

But where was everybody before he crashed?

- Tod?

- Tod?

Go home, hit the sack, huh?

Go home, hit the sack, huh?

- We still have a couple hours of daylight.

- Well tomorrow if they haven't found him,

- Well tomorrow if they haven't found him,

we can look some more.

When you get your eyes back open.

When you get your eyes back open.

- The flashbulbs woke me up.

- The flashbulbs woke me up.

(ambient orchestral music)

(ambient orchestral music)

- Mrs. Barben.

We understand you kept the name,

We understand you kept the name,

is it true you haven't seen him in 12 years?

is it true you haven't seen him in 12 years?

- About that.

- And you wanted to rush down here and stand by in his

- And you wanted to rush down here and stand by in his

hour of need, right?

- Anything wrong in that?

- Anything wrong in that?

- Okay, Mrs, Barben, how about another pose, huh?

- What about the movie rights?

- What about the movie rights?

In case they don't find him.

In case they don't find him.

- Come on, fellas, can anyone use a drink?

- Come on, fellas, can anyone use a drink?

- You know as well as I know Barben,

he never mentioned a wife.

he never mentioned a wife.

(somber orchestral music)

(somber orchestral music)

- Clear!

- Clear.

(airplane engine humming) (somber orchestral music)

(airplane engine humming) (somber orchestral music)

(upbeat orchestral music)

(upbeat orchestral music)

- Case, this just came in.

- Case, this just came in.

Does it look like what you asked for?

Does it look like what you asked for?

- Yeah, where is it?

- Out in the field, do you know him, Case?

- Out in the field, do you know him, Case?

- I'd love to try and help.

- [Radio Reporter] The search for Major Barben

enters a second fruitless day.

enters a second fruitless day.

A search which has called into place cause of aircraft

and hundreds of men.

and hundreds of men.

A search which to this moment unhappily has not

A search which to this moment unhappily has not

yielded a single trace of the Marine hero,

who was the terror of Japanese Zeros from Guadalcanal.

who was the terror of Japanese Zeros from Guadalcanal.

who was the terror of Japanese Zeros from Guadalcanal.

(somber orchestral music)

- [Man] Cape Coral Airport.

- [Man] Cape Coral Airport.

(ambient orchestral music)

(ambient orchestral music)

- [Linc] What about the weapons?

- [Linc] What about the weapons?

- [Officer] Right here.

- [Linc] Red and white flares?

- Three of each.

- Three of each.

- [Male Reporter] This time, let's have a

little more feeling, hmm?

little more feeling, hmm?

- Joe, grab one of these.

- [Joe] Let's see your eyes, Mrs. Barben.

- [Joe] Let's see your eyes, Mrs. Barben.

- I want a drink.

Go away.

Get out of my husband's house.

Get out!

(glass shattering)

(somber orchestral music)

(somber orchestral music)

Barben.

You rotten heel.

You rotten heel.

(sobbing)

- [Major Barben] I can't live in one town, Vi.

One apartment and one marriage, I tried.

One apartment and one marriage, I tried.

- [Vi] Then get out right now.

- [Vi] Then get out right now.

- [Major Barben] You mind if I put on my shoes first?

- [Major Barben] You mind if I put on my shoes first?

- You walk out, you walk out barefoot.

- You walk out, you walk out barefoot.

Oh no you don't!

Oh no you don't!

- If it's any comfort to ya, I don't know where I'm going.

- If it's any comfort to ya, I don't know where I'm going.

I'm going no where with no one.

Now how about a shirt?

Now how about a shirt?

Can I get a shirt before I go?

- Go ahead you wanna go.

- Go ahead you wanna go.

Walk out like that, like the barefoot bum you are.

Walk out like that, like the barefoot bum you are.

- There's one thing I want you to know, Vi.

- There's one thing I want you to know, Vi.

If I could live married,

If I could live married,

I'd live it with you.

(sobbing)

(door clicking)

(door clicking)

(dramatic orchestral music)

(dramatic orchestral music)

- He never got married.

He never again came back.

Honestly he was the slob of slobs.

Even in service.

Even in service.

You a friend of his?

- I met him once.

- I met him once.

A long time ago.

- Yeah, that's my story.

It was a ticker tape coming from every

window in Wall Street.

window in Wall Street.

He rode by.

Sitting up there on the tunnel of the car,

waving like Rex.

waving like Rex.

I was a blob in the crowd.

I was a blob in the crowd.

The bells rang,

and I don't mean Trinity Church.

and I don't mean Trinity Church.

Vi, he's for you.

- I come from Baltimore to find him.

- I come from Baltimore to find him.

I have a son in business in Baltimore.

I have a son in business in Baltimore.

- Look at these.

Do you know why they're so worn out?

Do you know why they're so worn out?

Because I keep him good and broke, that's why.

Because I keep him good and broke, that's why.

Because I keep him good and broke, that's why.

Every month for the last 10 years he's had to mail

me my alimony.

me my alimony.

Well that was our agreement.

Well that was our agreement.

$270 a month until remarriage death us part.

$270 a month until remarriage death us part.

- I live with my son now.

And his wife, and my grandchildren.

And his wife, and my grandchildren.

I have a chair in their garden.

I have a chair in their garden.

- Sure.

I married him for the confetti and the parties.

I married him for the confetti and the parties.

And ribbons on his chest.

And ribbons on his chest.

But he overlooked this one little matter.

- My son (mumbles) asked me,

- My son (mumbles) asked me,

as useless as a store in the summer,

as useless as a store in the summer,

it fine in the winter.

- Want to laugh?

I fell in love with a big slob,

I fell in love with a big slob,

but afterwards,

but afterwards,

after the parades.

after the parades.

Everybody forgot him.

Everybody forgot him.

His old clothes and his worn out old shoes.

His old clothes and his worn out old shoes.

Then I began to love him.

Then I began to love him.

But you can't hold on to Barb.

Nobody ever could.

Nobody ever could.

So I wait.

So I wait.

And I take those checks.

Those $270 a month.

I keep him in shabby shoes.

I wait.

Oh, I'm sorry.

I didn't catch what you said.

I didn't catch what you said.

You Barb's friend?

You Barb's friend?

- I met him once, a long time ago.

(dramatic orchestral music)

(dramatic orchestral music)

- I asked you over here because I'm the kind of kook who

- I asked you over here because I'm the kind of kook who

thrives on disapproval.

thrives on disapproval.

Now, which one of you saw him last?

Now, which one of you saw him last?

- I did.

- Well, then I'll make my little speech to you.

- Well, then I'll make my little speech to you.

I came down here for the publicity.

I came down here for the publicity.

I get tired of gray.

I get tired of gray.

Gray days, gray nights,

Gray days, gray nights,

gray thoughts.

gray thoughts.

Gray life, okay?

Gray life, okay?

Barb turns up missing and I end up on the front page.

Barb turns up missing and I end up on the front page.

Know what?

Gray paper.

You will find him for me, won't you?

You will bring him back to me.

You will give me another chance.

To help him.

- Mrs. Barben, I don't know how to say this.

- Mrs. Barben, I don't know how to say this.

I'm not even sure what I'm saying is accurate.

The thing I haven't told anybody, except Mr. Royce

The thing I haven't told anybody, except Mr. Royce

and now you,

when I saw the Major heading for the Everglades,

when I saw the Major heading for the Everglades,

he was flying strangely.

Doing acrobatics.

Doing acrobatics.

Doing things to his plane as though he wanted to fly

the wings off.

the wings off.

I got the feeling he was trying to--

I got the feeling he was trying to--

- To kill himself.

(laughing)

(laughing)

(sobbing)

(sobbing)

(dramatic orchestral music)

(dramatic orchestral music)

- [Pilot] Check the right mag, will ya?

I think I'm losing RPMs.

I think I'm losing RPMs.

- Tod.

Johnny Evans spotted the wreck.

Johnny Evans spotted the wreck.

You called it, right in the center of the Everglades.

You called it, right in the center of the Everglades.

- What about the Major?

- What about the Major?

- You better round up your buddy

and get him right back here.

We're gassed up to jump plane now.

We're gassed up to jump plane now.

(ambient orchestral music)

(ambient orchestral music)

- [Male Reporter] Let me put it another way.

Is he still a lush?

Is he still a lush?

(glass shattering)

(punches thudding) (grunting)

(punches thudding) (grunting)

- I fight my own fights.

- I fight my own fights.

(punches thudding) (grunting)

(punches thudding) (grunting)

- They spotted the Major's plane.

- They spotted the Major's plane.

- Okay.

- Where do you put the parachute?

- [Linc] It all works out.

- Linc?

- Linc?

- Forget it.

- Wait a minute, will ya?

- Wait a minute, will ya?

- Look, if I'm lucky I'll find the Major,

bring him out, I can't bring you out, too.

- Linc, old buddy.

- Linc, old buddy.

My Roman Spartan, Apache friend.

Maybe you know a few jungle tricks,

Maybe you know a few jungle tricks,

maybe you're an expert on survival and I'd get lost

in Times Square.

in Times Square.

When it comes to plain old muscle and stiff upper lip,

When it comes to plain old muscle and stiff upper lip,

I'll match ya from here to Mandalay.

- You ever jump from a plane?

- With or without a parachute?

- With or without a parachute?

- Now we've got planes all over the area,

but the undergrowth is so thick, nobody can see too much.

but the undergrowth is so thick, nobody can see too much.

There's one thing we're sure of.

The Major's not in the wreck.

The Major's not in the wreck.

He either walked or crawled out.

Now if he went east, north or south,

Now if he went east, north or south,

it's all saw grass and quicksand.

it's all saw grass and quicksand.

Gators and water markers in there.

But, if he went west, he's got a chance.

But, if he went west, he's got a chance.

Only seven miles of swamp until he reaches this area.

Only seven miles of swamp until he reaches this area.

- We can get an air boat in there and bring him out.

- We can get an air boat in there and bring him out.

Raise him by hoist onto a 'copter.

But first we gotta find him.

But first we gotta find him.

- Now they promised us some paratroopers from Fort Bragg,

- Now they promised us some paratroopers from Fort Bragg,

but we can't get 'em till tomorrow.

They're on maneuvers.

They're on maneuvers.

So we're lucky to have a man right here in Cape Coral

who served in Vietnam.

who served in Vietnam.

A trained paratrooper who's jumped in worse country.

Linc Case.

Linc Case.

If anybody can eat a hero sandwich, why not a couple

If anybody can eat a hero sandwich, why not a couple

of heroes?

- Well just because you're infantry you don't have to

stand in the mud, do we?

stand in the mud, do we?

I wanted to soak up some of your juices.

Taste some of those sparks before you lose 'em.

Taste some of those sparks before you lose 'em.

You lose 'em pretty fast when you get off the line.

You lose 'em pretty fast when you get off the line.

Just sort of (mumbles) back and you don't hear

Just sort of (mumbles) back and you don't hear

anything or you don't see anything.

- Steep price for tuna (mumbles).

- Steep price for tuna (mumbles).

- Whenever I left the deck of that carrier,

- Whenever I left the deck of that carrier,

cleared the jungle runway, boy my ears popped open.

cleared the jungle runway, boy my ears popped open.

I had true pitch.

My eyes could see fish hiding under the corrals of the

My eyes could see fish hiding under the corrals of the

chateau, I could smell a cumulus cloud 10 miles away.

chateau, I could smell a cumulus cloud 10 miles away.

Now I can't even smell the garlic in that sandwich.

Now I can't even smell the garlic in that sandwich.

- Linc, you got everything you asked for?

- Linc, you got everything you asked for?

- How about it, Linc?

- How about it, Linc?

- I'd appreciate you keeping someone on the radio.

I'll check in every hour, on the hour.

I'll check in every hour, on the hour.

If you don't get a contact during any two hour period,

If you don't get a contact during any two hour period,

send the planes out again.

Have 'em look for signals from the very pistol.

Have 'em look for signals from the very pistol.

I'll use a red flare for ready for pickup.

Don't pay attention to the white flares,

Don't pay attention to the white flares,

I might need 'em to light our way.

That's about it.

That's about it.

Better get some gear for Tod.

Better get some gear for Tod.

(dramatic orchestral music)

Bring your 'chute.

To sleep in, it'll keep out snakes and insects.

To sleep in, it'll keep out snakes and insects.

(ambient orchestral music)

(ambient orchestral music)

- Instruments do not lie.

- Instruments do not lie.

He flew the aircraft into the ground at full speed.

He flew the aircraft into the ground at full speed.

He flew the aircraft into the ground at full speed.

One of your newspapers arranged for my jump.

One of your newspapers arranged for my jump.

For a story I would bring back.

For a story I would bring back.

- Let me have the radio.

Don't go too far, it'll be dark in about 10 minutes.

Don't go too far, it'll be dark in about 10 minutes.

- Linc.

From his pants.

- Where'd you find it?

- Where'd you find it?

- In the water, came from that direction.

- In the water, came from that direction.

- He went east.

I'll check in later, let's get out of here.

(suspenseful orchestral music)

(suspenseful orchestral music)

The stream forks here.

The stream forks here.

(flare banging)

(flare banging)

Well up to this point, he didn't leave the river.

None of the weeds are broken down on either side.

None of the weeds are broken down on either side.

From here on it's guesswork.

From here on it's guesswork.

We might as well camp here for the night

We might as well camp here for the night

and decide in the morning.

Takasuka, freeze.

There's a moccasin six inches from your face.

There's a moccasin six inches from your face.

(snake hissing)

- I wish my son were here.

Not (mumbles).

He's neither Japanese or American.

But he's a (mumbles).

But he's a (mumbles).

I wonder if he were here now, (mumbles) as I sit.

I wonder if he were here now, (mumbles) as I sit.

Would he smile at my smile?

Is this what he calls a useless old man?

Is this what he calls a useless old man?

I have no regrets that I come here.

I have no regrets that I come here.

Already the heartbreak,

Already the heartbreak,

the disgrace of this long year.

the disgrace of this long year.

Start to slip from my shoulders.

Start to slip from my shoulders.

I begin to feel beautified.

I begin to feel beautified.

(snake hissing)

(snake hissing)

I told all my friends we are dead.

I told all my friends we are dead.

I was wrong.

You (mumbles) born.

You (mumbles) born.

(ambient orchestral music)

(ambient orchestral music)

- Sans everything.

Linc, he was here!

He was here all right, look.

He was here all right, look.

Went around all last week mumbling that under his breath.

Went around all last week mumbling that under his breath.

Shakespeare from As You Like It.

They have their exits and their entrances

They have their exits and their entrances

and one man in his time plays many parts, et cetera.

and one man in his time plays many parts, et cetera.

(dramatic orchestral music)

(dramatic orchestral music)

(gun shot blasting)

(gun shot blasting)

- (mumbles) soldier, sudden and quick and (mumbles).

- (mumbles) soldier, sudden and quick and (mumbles).

Seeking what.

Seeking what.

- Seeking the bubble reputation,

- Seeking the bubble reputation,

even in the cannon's mouth.

- That's right, Stiles.

- That's right, Stiles.

But I can't remember all the words.

But I can't remember all the words.

- [Takasuka] No, do not touch him.

- [Takasuka] No, do not touch him.

- I know you.

- I know you.

(speaking in foreign language)

(speaking in foreign language)

- Name's...

Put your face.

- Can he be moved?

- I have set his leg.

And I wrapped his ribs.

And I wrapped his ribs.

There is nothing I can do about bleeding inside him.

There is nothing I can do about bleeding inside him.

- Okay, we'll make a float and ride him out in the water.

- Okay, we'll make a float and ride him out in the water.

- Kid.

- You're not obliged to talk, Major.

(mumbles) ask you why.

(mumbles) ask you why.

- That's pure infantry.

Here how he says Major?

Well, soldier, you listen to this Major.

Well, soldier, you listen to this Major.

I worked hard to get here, I intend to stay.

I worked hard to get here, I intend to stay.

- You make a float with the parachute.

- You make a float with the parachute.

- I'm gonna die right here.

(hand smacking)

(hand smacking)

- I have come a long way across many years.

- I have come a long way across many years.

Over many bitter memories.

No Major, you will not die.

You will live, I make you live.

- Okay, you explain it.

- I don't think I can.

- I don't think I can.

- All over the stinkin' world, people keep trying.

- All over the stinkin' world, people keep trying.

No matter how tough it gets, they keep tryin'.

No matter how tough it gets, they keep tryin'.

I've seen 'em, Tod.

From a simple bullet wound to the ones holdin' their

bleedin' guts with both hands and thanking ya for

bleedin' guts with both hands and thanking ya for

lighten' 'em a cigarette.

The mothers who give their last food to kids

to who are already dead, but they won't admit it.

to who are already dead, but they won't admit it.

All of 'em Tod, take one more step.

All of 'em Tod, take one more step.

Always one more step.

Always one more step.

Just in case something will happen to make it better.

Who gave him the right to quit?

Who gave him the right to quit?

- Who gave you the right to judge?

- Who gave you the right to judge?

We're just about set.

We're just about set.

- He calls for you.

- You look just like MacMillan.

- You look just like MacMillan.

For awhile, everyone looked like MacMillan.

For awhile, everyone looked like MacMillan.

He was a classy kid.

He was a classy kid.

No one would ever get near me when Mac was on my wing.

No one would ever get near me when Mac was on my wing.

I know we will,

when he was covering me.

He bought it.

They dissolved him in smoke.

Over and out, just like that.

Over and out, just like that.

- Takasuka said--

- Takasuka said--

- Hey.

Who is that guy?

Who is that guy?

I'm sure I saw him someplace.

I'm sure I saw him someplace.

- Your wife flew down from New York.

- Your wife flew down from New York.

- Why am I still awake?

- Why am I still awake?

Why can't I stop breathing?

Why can't I stop breathing?

How'd she look?

- I only noticed her eyes.

- I only noticed her eyes.

They were red.

- I can't even remember what she looks like.

- I can't even remember what she looks like.

She was cryin'.

She was cryin'.

Why?

Why?

Put your face up against the sky, let me see it.

Put your face up against the sky, let me see it.

Put your face up against the sky, let me see it.

Don't go.

Don't go.

No face.

Oh wait a minute.

Oh wait a minute.

Wait a minute, yeah.

Yeah, her ankles.

I remember her ankles.

Pretty ankles.

- Why'd you do this?

Kept telling myself I even told Linc,

Kept telling myself I even told Linc,

shut up and don't ask him.

- But you have to know.

- Yeah.

- Even if I did tell ya,

- Even if I did tell ya,

you still won't know.

I did everything else there was to do except this.

I did everything else there was to do except this.

I wanted to try this.

Can't accept it, can ya?

Can't accept it, can ya?

- You bet I can't.

- All right.

Suppose I told you I was a hero and they forgot about me?

Suppose I told you I was a hero and they forgot about me?

I was war shot and I walked out on my wife.

I was war shot and I walked out on my wife.

That would make sense, wouldn't it?

Well listen.

Well listen.

You're lookin' at the very last of the hard heads.

You're lookin' at the very last of the hard heads.

I fought me a war for freedom.

I fought me a war for freedom.

Now I want that freedom to put the

eight ball in the side pocket.

eight ball in the side pocket.

I'm not going back!

I'm not going!

I'm not going!

(somber orchestral music)

(somber orchestral music)

(grunting)

Don't pull up!

- Try and keep him down.

- Try and keep him down.

- Yeah.

But I saw MacMillan shoot you down.

But I saw MacMillan shoot you down.

I saw you crash.

- It was my dishonor to survive.

- It was my dishonor to survive.

- How about that.

- How about that.

How about that.

I only cried twice in my life.

I only cried twice in my life.

First time was hearsay when I got born.

Second time,

Second time,

was not that day I saw you fall.

was not that day I saw you fall.

I wasn't thinkin' too clear.

Not with your bullets in my chest.

Not with your bullets in my chest.

Later at the hospital I,

Later at the hospital I,

I saw a fan in the ceiling.

I saw a fan in the ceiling.

Reminded me of your propellor.

Reminded me of your propellor.

Someone shut it off.

Someone shut it off.

I saw your propellor stopping and you falling.

I saw your propellor stopping and you falling.

I began to cry.

I began to cry.

I often wondered who he was.

God made me in a Zero.

Why didn't you kill me?

- You lost this, my eyes are trained

- You lost this, my eyes are trained

to shoot stars at noon.

And hellcats coming out of the sun.

(airplane engines rumbling)

(gun fire blasting)

(gun fire blasting)

I saw you shoot off (mumbles) wing.

I saw you shoot off (mumbles) wing.

I had 73 kills.

I had 73 kills.

I (mumbles) 74.

I (mumbles) 74.

No my ears seen (mumbles) this war.

No my ears seen (mumbles) this war.

You were the first enemy to move so swiftly to contact.

You were the first enemy to move so swiftly to contact.

I rolled to throw you off.

I rolled to throw you off.

But you were with me, then your guns reached for

But you were with me, then your guns reached for

the (mumbles) of my fighter.

(gun fire blasting)

Then you made your first mistake.

Then you made your first mistake.

I cut inside.

(gun fire blasting)

(gun fire blasting)

I knew your plan would cripple and that you were hurt.

I knew your plan would cripple and that you were hurt.

But never before had I been so tested.

But never before had I been so tested.

I had to see this man.

There was blood running from your mouth

There was blood running from your mouth

and your (mumbles) was dark with with blood.

and your (mumbles) was dark with with blood.

(mumbles) my mouth,

(mumbles) my mouth,

I could feel that blood.

I could feel that blood.

No Major Barben, let God and Zero.

No Major Barben, let God and Zero.

The 40 year old man, I could not take your life.

The 40 year old man, I could not take your life.

How can I punish you to waste it now?

How can I punish you to waste it now?

(gentle orchestral music)

(gentle orchestral music)

- Come on, come on let's get this, start moving!

- Come on, come on let's get this, start moving!

- Sans everything.

- I came here needing him.

- I came here needing him.

Needing the old glory and he needed me.

Needing the old glory and he needed me.

- What a stinkin' way to die.

- He died well.

He died wanting to live.

He died wanting to live.

One smiles.

One smiles.

(upbeat orchestral music)

(upbeat orchestral music)

- [Announcer] A Screen Gems presentation.

- [Announcer] A Screen Gems presentation.

Herbert B. Leonard, Executive Producer.

Herbert B. Leonard, Executive Producer.