Original subtitles

♪♪

♪ IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT

♪ I'VE GOT TROUBLES WALL TO WALL ♪

♪ IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT

♪ YEAH

♪ MUST BE AN ENDING TO IT ALL ♪

♪ OH

♪ BUT HOLD ON

♪ IT WON'T BE LONG

♪ JUST YOU BE STRONG

♪ AND IT'LL BE ALL RIGHT

♪ IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT

♪ IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT ♪

THANKS, LADIES. MERRY CHRISTMAS.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

[PHONE RINGING]

I CAN'T BELIEVE SHE'D EVEN COME IN THE STATION.

MILLIE TURNBY'S GOT NERVE. NOTHING STOPS HER.

LEAST OF ALL A POLITE LITTLE "NO."

WHICH THE CHIEF SEEMS TO BE GIVING HER.

[INAUDIBLE]

BOYS, WE GOT A LOT MORE CANNED GOODS TO PACK HERE.

COME ON.

SHE COVERS THE SOCIAL SCENE?

SHE'S THE HERALD'S REPORTER-AT-LARGE.

COME ON, GUYS, EXCUSE ME.

[PARKER] I'LL BET SHE KNOWS AS MANY PEOPLE IN SPARTA AS I DO.

[BUBBA] WHATEVER SHE DOES,

CHIEF DON'T WANT TO GET INVOLVED.

SHE WANTS AN INTERVIEW.

SHE WANTS TO WRITE AN ARTICLE

ON RACE RELATIONS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE.

IS THAT RIGHT?

YEAH.

HOW'D YOU KNOW THAT?

I WAS HERE WHEN SHE CALLED.

CHIEF GILLESPIE WON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO

WITH ANYONE CONNECTED TO THE SPARTA HERALD.

NOW, ISN'T THAT JUST TOO MEAN?

MA'AM, THAT NEWSPAPER EDITOR'S THE ONE THAT'S MEAN.

JETHRO PULLER'S NOT WRITING THIS ARTICLE. I AM.

AND I WAS HOPING TO HAVE A CHANCE

TO WRITE SOMETHING FLATTERING ABOUT THE CHIEF.

AND NOW HE WON'T BE GIVING YOU ANY COOPERATION?

WELL, NOT EXACTLY.

YOUR CHIEF WON'T TALK TO ME,

BUT HE SAID YOU ALL CAN.

IF YOU'D LIKE. [CHUCKLES]

PUBLIC RELATIONS IS VERY IMPORTANT, YOU KNOW.

Hmm.

WELL, I LEARNED SOMETHING A LONG TIME AGO--

A MAN IS A FOOL FOR TRYING TO PAT THE DOG THAT ONCE BIT HIM.

WE JUST HAVE TO MAKE SURE

SHE DOESN'T WRITE ANYTHING UNFAVORABLE.

IF SHE HAS A MIND TO WRITE SOMETHING UNFAVORABLE,

THAT IS WHAT SHE'S GOING TO DO.

AND NOTHING YOU CAN SAY

WILL INFLUENCE HER ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

WE JUST HAVE TO TELL THE TRUTH.

OH, WELL, NOW...

THERE'S A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT YOU TELL HER,

AND WHAT SHE'S GOING TO TELL THE WORLD.

GO AHEAD AND TALK TO HER, IF YOU WANNA.

AT LEAST SHE CAN'T SAY YOU GAGGED YOUR MEN.

THAT'S WHAT YOU THINK.

RIGHT. RIGHT.

GOT A MINUTE?

I'M GOING TO THE COURTHOUSE FOR A MEETING.

I GOTTA GO.

JUST ONE LITTLE QUESTION.

I'LL WALK ALONG WITH YOU.

MY CAR'S JUST OUTSIDE, BUT OK.

SO, WHAT WAS IT THAT BROUGHT YOU BACK TO SPARTA?

I CAME BACK FOR MY MOTHER'S FUNERAL,

WHICH IS WHERE THE CHIEF FIRST MET MY WIFE ALTHEA.

ALTHEA?

THIS IS CHIEF GILLESPIE. I'VE TOLD YOU ABOUT HIM.

MRS. TIBBS.

OH, YES, CHIEF.

WHEN VIRGIL CAME BACK TO PHILADELPHIA

AFTER HIS LAST VISIT HERE,

HE COULD HARDLY TALK ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE.

WELL, BAD AS THAT, WAS IT?

WELL, I WOULDN'T SAY BAD.

COLORFUL.

VIRGIL MADE YOU SOUND VERY COLORFUL.

WELL, I GUESS I'VE BEEN CALLED WORSE.

AH! SO, RIGHT AWAY THERE WAS SOME TENSION

BETWEEN YOU TWO AND THE CHIEF.

NO.

NO, NOT AT ALL.

PARKER!

COME HERE!

LISTEN, I HAVE TO RUN,

BUT I'LL PICK UP WITH YOU ON THIS LATER.

OK.

PARKER, WOULD YOU TALK TO MISS TURNBY, PLEASE?

YES, SIR. BE MY PLEASURE.

UH, MY CHARIOT AWAITS.

[CAR DOOR CLOSES][CAR ENGINE STARTS]

ALL RIGHT, ASK ME A QUESTION.

OK.

DO VIRGIL AND THE CHIEF GET ALONG?

YES, MA'AM.

ALWAYS?

YOU KNOW HOW IT IS--IT TAKES TIME TO FEEL EACH OTHER OUT.

MUST HAVE BEEN A FEW ARGUMENTS.

I REMEMBER A FUNNY ONE ABOUT THE OFFICE.

AT LEAST, I THOUGHT IT WAS FUNNY.

OH, I'M SURE IT WAS.

THE DETECTIVE, HE WANTED TO GET STARTED RIGHT AWAY.

IF YOU'LL SHOW ME WHERE MY OFFICE IS, I CAN GET TO WORK.

WE GOT NO SPARE OFFICE AROUND HERE.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS ONE?

IT'S MINE...

THAT'S WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT.

YOU WON'T MIND SHARING IT FOR A WHILE,

NOW, WILL YOU?

OH...

AND I'LL NEED A CITY CAR.

A CITY CAR.

YEAH.

YOU WANT A CHAUFFEUR WITH THAT CAR?

NO. A DETECTIVE WITH A CHAUFFEUR

MIGHT DRAW A LITTLE TOO MUCH ATTENTION.

[INDISTINCT CHATTER ON POLICE RADIO]

LOOK, I JUST DON'T REMEMBER ANY VIOLENT ARGUMENTS

ABOUT SHARING THE OFFICE.

WELL, I'M MERELY QUOTING PARKER.

I DIDN'T EXACTLY SAY VIOLENT.

WELL, MAYBE IT WAS JUST A SMALL, LITTLE ARGUMENT.

WHAT DO YOU RECALL?

WELL, THERE WAS A LITTLE DISCUSSION

ABOUT HANGING SOME PICTURES,

BUT IT DOESN'T MATTER, THEY'RE NOT THERE ANYMORE.

I'D LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT IT.

ONE TIME, WE WERE ALL GATHERED IN THE OFFICE,

WATCHING VIRGIL HANG THIS PICTURE OF MARTIN LUTHER KING,

WHEN THE CHIEF CAME IN.

WE GOT A LIVE ALLIGATOR LOOSE IN HERE?

[HAMMERING]

MORNING.

MORNING.

PUTTING UP A PICTURE? WE DON'T NEED ONE.

WE GOT ENOUGH PICTURES HANGING UP AROUND HERE

FOR A POLICE STATION.

I'M PUTTIN' UP A PICTURE OF A FAMOUS MAN,

REMIND US OF OTHER FAMOUS MEN.

ONLY FAMOUS MEN WE NEED TO BE REMINDED OF

IS THE FAMOUS MEN ON THE WANTED POSTERS.

LET'S GO FOR A LITTLE HIGHER INSPIRATION THAN THAT.

TALKIN' ABOUT WANTED, HERE'S ONE HERE THAT--

OH, UH, VIRGIL...

VIRGIL, THAT ISN'T GOING TO WORK.

YOU GOT SOMETHING AGAINST THE MAN?

NO, I'VE GOT NOTHING AGAINST THE MAN.

IF YOU WANNA HAVE A PICTURE OF HIM,

HAVE A LITTLE ONE FOR THE DESK,

SOMETHING YOU COULD SHOVE INTO A DRAWER QUICK

IF YOU HAD TO.

WELL, THIS IS A PUBLIC OFFICE,

AND THIS IS STILL THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.

YOU PUT UP A HERO OF YOURS, NOW ONE OF MINE'S UP.

OH, COME ON, VIRGIL!

THERE'S A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE THERE!

I MEAN, THIS MAN HERE--

YOU--YOU'RE--

YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A MAN UP HERE

THAT, UH...

THIS MAN HERE COME WITH THE OFFICE!

SO GILLESPIE MADE TIBBS

REMOVE HIS PICTURE OF MARTIN LUTHER KING.

NO, MA'AM, IT WAS SORT OF A TRADE-OFF.

SEE, BOTH PICTURES WERE--

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

BYE FOR NOW.

[TOW TRUCK ENGINE STARTS]

MILLIE? I MEANT TO TELL YOU--

THE DEPARTMENT HAS A PHOTOGRAPHER,

AND IF IT'D SAVE YOU TIME,

I COULD ASSIGN HIM SO HE COULD TAKE PHOTOS OF US...

IF YOU WANTED HIM TO.

OH, THANK YOU. I'LL THINK ABOUT IT.

OH, PARKER...

PARKER, WERE THE MEN OUTSPOKEN

ABOUT THEIR DISTASTE FOR A BLACK DETECTIVE?

UH, NO, MA'AM.

I TAKE THAT BACK. THERE WAS ONE FELLA.

ONE? [CHUCKLES]

YES, MA'AM, JUST ONE.

YOU EXPECT ME TO BELIEVE THAT?

YES, MA'AM, BECAUSE IT'S THE TRUTH.

THERE WAS ONE LITTLE FELLA ON THE FORCE THEN.

HE HAD A BAD HABIT OF CALLING BLACK MEN "BOY."

AND IT MADE NO DIFFERENCE TO HIM

HOW OLD OR GROWN UP THEY WERE.

HEY, BOY.

CAN'T GO BACK THERE.

CHIEF!

MAYBE YOU'D CARE TO EXPLAIN THAT I CAN

AND WILL BE GOING INTO THAT CELLBLOCK...

OR ANYWHERE ELSE I CHOOSE,

WHENI CHOOSE.

AND WE'D BETTER GET ANOTHER THING STRAIGHT.

YOU WILL NOT CALL ME "BOY."

I WANT TO LIKE YOU PEOPLE,

AND I WANT YOU PEOPLE TO LIKE ME,

BUT THERE CAN'T BE LIKING WITHOUT RESPECT,

AND UNTIL THERE IS THAT RESPECT,

YOU WILL CALL ME...

MR. TIBBS.

AND WE ALWAYS DID.

I ALWAYS CALLED HIM "DETECTIVE" OUT OF RESPECT.

THERE WERE NEVER ANY MORE PROBLEMS LIKE THAT.

DIDN'T YOU EVER HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH DETECTIVE TIBBS?

WELL...

HONESTLY, THERE WAS ON TEENY, LITTLE PROBLEM.

ONE TEENY PROBLEM ABOUT WHAT?

A MURDERED GIRL.

OH, DO TELL ME.

WELL, OUR ARGUMENT WAS ABOUT PROCEDURE,

IT REALLY DIDN'T MEAN A THING.

[CHUCKLES] WELL, IT'S THOSE LITTLE THINGS

THAT OUR READERS LOVE TO KNOW.

I WON'T PRINT IT,

I JUST NEED A LITTLE BACKGROUND.

PARKER...

WHERE'S THE BODY?

I--I CUT HER DOWN.

YOU DID WHAT?

I KNOW IT WAS THE WRONG PROCEDURE, BUT...

I COULDN'T STAND TO SEE THAT LITTLE GIRL

HANGING THERE LIKE THAT.

HAS JAMISON TAKEN ANY PICTURES?

NO, SIR, HE'S ON HIS WAY.

YOU MEAN YOU CUT THE BODY DOWN, AND WE DON'T--

I'VE KNOWN HER SINCE SHE WAS A LITTLE BABY.

[GILLESPIE] IS THAT YOU, MR. TIBBS?

YES.

YOU BETTER GET ON DOWN HERE.

[PEOPLE TALKING INDISTINCTLY]

[BUBBA] ALL RIGHT, FOLKS. THIS IS POLICE BUSINESS.

BACK OFF.

VIRGIL.

THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE.

THE GIRL'S HEART HAS BEEN TAKEN OUT.

IN FACT, EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS IS JUST LIKE

BETTY JO BRADLEY'S MURDER 20 YEARS AGO.

I CAN'T BELIEVE WHAT I'M LOOKIN' AT.

THE BODY WAS CUT DOWN

BEFORE ANY PICTURES WERE TAKEN.

YEAH, WELL...

I'VE ALREADY TALKED TO PARKER ABOUT THAT.

OH, YOU TALKED TO PARKER.

THAT'S REALLY GOOD.

THAT'S REALLY GONNA HELP US ESTABLISH A PRIMA FACIECASE.

I'M GETTING FED UP WITH YOU ALWAYS SAYING

HOW MY DEPARTMENT DOESN'T MEASURE UP.

YOUR DEPARTMENT DOESN'T MEASURE UP.

IT MAY SURPRISE YOU,

BUT WE MANAGED TO SOLVE QUITE A FEW CRIMES

BEFORE YOU ARRIVED ON THE SCENE.

WE MIGHT SOLVE THIS ONE WITHOUT YOUR HELP.

WHAT'S THAT MEAN? I'M THE CHIEF OF DETECTIVES.

THIS INVESTIGATION IS MINE.

I'M THE CHIEF OF POLICE,

AND EVERY INVESTIGATION IS MINE.

BUT YOU GO AHEAD, VIRGIL, YOU DO WHAT YOU WANT.

I'M NOT GONNA STOP YOU.

BUT DON'T YOU KID YOURSELF

THAT WE CAN'T MANAGE WITHOUT YOU.

FINE. DO WHATEVER YOU LIKE.

I BELIEVE I JUST SAID THAT.

WASVIRGIL TRYING TO TAKE OVER?

WELL, I WOULDN'T PUT IT, UH, THAT WAY.

WELL, IT WAS MORE LIKE, UH...

HEY, PARKER!

SON, YOU DO KNOW

THAT YOUR SHIFT AT THE RADIO DESK STARTED FIVE MINUTES AGO?

IT DID?

OH, YEAH.

EXCUSE ME, MILLIE.

HOPEFULLY, WE'LL GET TO TALK AGAIN SOMETIME.

IT'S BEEN A REAL PLEASURE.

THANK YOU, SERGEANT.

OH, HE AIN'T A SERGEANT, MA'AM,

AND SHOWING UP LATE FOR WORK

SURE AIN'T A WAY TO GET THERE.

YOU'RE LIEUTENANT SKINNER--

THE ONE THEY CALL "BUBBA."

YES, MA'AM, I AM.

OH!

OH!

MAY I?

OH!

OH.

SO...

WHAT'S YOUR PROPER CHRISTIAN NAME?

OH, ANYTHING ELSE I CAN HELP YOU WITH?

HA HA HA!

I'VE HEARD ALL ABOUT THE EARLY DAYS, BUT TELL ME, UH...

DID CHIEF GILLESPIE RESENT VIRGIL'S SENSE OF SUPERIORITY?

WELL, I'M NOT SO SURE

I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU MEAN BY THAT, MA'AM.

OH. WELL, PARKER SAID THAT THERE WAS A TIME

THAT VIRGIL WENT AFTER THE CHIEF'S JOB.

YEAH, PARKER SAID THAT, HUH?

WELL, THAT AIN'T EXACTLY THE WAY IT HAPPENED.

YOU SEE, WE KINDA... GOADED VIRGIL INTO IT.

THIS IS THE MOST UNPROFESSIONAL DEPARTMENT

IN THE WHOLE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI!

YEAH...

BUT I EXPECT YOU'LL BE FIXING ALL THAT UP PRETTY SOON,

WON'T YOU, MR. TIBBS?

WON'T YOU?

WHEN THE CITY COUNCIL APPOINTS YOU CHIEF OF POLICE?

YOU'LL CLEAN UP THE WHOLE MESS.

YOU'LL HAVE US ALL AUTOMATED

AND COMPUTERIZED, AND ACTING LIKE ROBOTS.

DON'T GET ME WRONG-- I DON'T BLAME ANY MAN

FOR BEING KISSED ON THE LIPS BY AMBITION.

I DOBLAME YOU FOR NOT BEING MAN ENOUGH

TO COME FORWARD AND TELL ME.

THERE'S NOTHING TO TELL.

YOUR NAME DIDN'T COME UP AT THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING?

OH, THAT ONLY HAPPENED--

IT HAPPENEDBECAUSE YOU WANT MY JOB!

YOU DON'T THINK OLD POPS GILLESPIE AND HIS HILLBILLY BOYS

KNOW HOW TO DO ANYTHING IN SPARTA.

I'M NOT JUDGING YOU OR THIS DEPARTMENT.

I'M SICK AND TIRED OF BEING TREATED LIKE AN OUTSIDER!

YOU ARE AN OUTSIDER.

I WAS BORN AND RAISED HERE,

AND I CAME BACK HERE BECAUSE I WANTED TO.

YOU'RE FROM HERE,

BUT YOU TALK AS IF YOU DON'T BELONG HERE.

WHY DON'T YOU JUST PACK UP YOUR BAGS

AND GO ON BACK TO PHILLY?

DON'T YOU EVER TELL ME WHERE I SHOULD LIVE,

OR WHAT I SHOULD DO.

THAT'S AN ATTITUDE I WON'T TOLERATE!

IT'S ALSO AN ATTITUDE THAT MAKES ME THINK

THAT JUST MAYBE YOU SHOULDBE REPLACED.

BUT IT NEVER HAPPENED,

AND WE'RE SURE GLAD IT DIDN'T.

WHOA. HEY, I GOT TO HIT THE ROAD.

I'VE GOT TO GET BACK TO YOUR POLICE STATION.

BE A DEAR AND DROP ME OFF.

YEAH, I'LL BE A DEAR.

[HORN HONKS]

BYE!

OFFICER SWEET.

YES, MA'AM.

WAS CHIEF GILLESPIE AS ROUGH WITH YOU

AS HE WAS WITH DETECTIVE TIBBS?

[CHUCKLES] UM, IF HE WAS, I PROBABLY DESERVED IT.

OH. WELL, I'D LOVE TO HEAR ALL ABOUT IT.

I'VE GOT TO TAKE THESE CANS TO THE CHURCH.

THAT'S NICE.

WE CAN DISCUSS IT ON THE WAY.

[CAR ENGINE STARTS]

SO...YOU WERE, UH, FIXING TO TELL ME

ABOUT THE CHIEF BEING ROUGH WITH YOU.

[LAUGHS] MY FIRST DAY ON THE FORCE,

I WAS FRESH OUT THE ACADEMY.

I TOLD THE CHIEF THAT I WAS ENTITLED

TO A FREE EXPRESSION OF MY INDIVIDUALITY.

WELL, LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING, MR. SWEET.

I'M THE ONLY ONE AROUND HERE

WITH ANY FREE EXPRESSION OF INDIVIDUALITY.

EVERYBODY ELSE DOES WHAT I SAY, YOU UNDERSTAND THAT?

YES, SIR.

AND AS FOR RESPECT FOR AUTHORITY FIGURES,

DETECTIVE TIBBS WILL SEE

THAT YOU COME UP TO AN A-PLUS ON THAT!

HE'S GONNA BE YOUR TRAINING OFFICER.

UH, WHO, ME?

YES, ANY MAN THAT CAN WRITE A REPORT LIKE THAT

HAS GOTTA BE AN EXPERT ON AUTHORITY.

MY DUTIES DO NOT INCLUDE TRAINING ROOKIES.

VIRGIL, I WANT YOU TO TEACH THIS MAN

TO HAVE RESPECT FOR HIS SUPERIORS.

PLEASE DON'T START BY SETTING HIM A BAD EXAMPLE YOURSELF.

SO VIRGIL TIBBS WAS REALLY AFTER THE CHIEF'S JOB?

MAYBE.

I HAD AMBITIONS OF MY OWN.

DID YOU?

WELL, THIS THING ABOUT YOU RUNNING FOR POLICE CHIEF?

WELL, WHEN I TOLD YOU

I WANTED TO BE THE FIRST BLACK POLICE CHIEF,

YOU DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT YOU WANTING TO BE.

AT THE TIME, I DIDN'T HAVE ANY IDEAS ALONG THAT LINE.

WELL, MR. TIBBS, CAN I MAKE ANOTHER OBSERVATION?

I CAN HARDLY WAIT.

SEEMS TO ME THE TOWN OF SPARTA

ISN'T READY FOR EITHER ONE OF US TO BE CHIEF.

YOU MAY BE RIGHT.

WELL, LET'S FACE IT...

THERE'S A BIG DIFFERENCE

BETWEEN WHAT PEOPLE SAY AND WHAT THEY MEAN.

YOU DON'T BACK OFF, YOU JUST MIGHT GET YOURSELF LYNCHED.

LYNCHED?

YOU THOUGHT THAT WAS A DEFINITE POSSIBILITY?

NO, THAT WAS JUST JOKING.

TIMES HAVE CHANGED, AS I'M SURE YOU'VE NOTICED.

NOW, RIDING TOGETHER IN A PICKUP TRUCK LIKE THIS,

THAT MIGHT HAVE GOT USLYNCHED...

WHEN YOUWERE YOUNG.

OH!

OH!

HI, MILLIE.

I'VE GOT ANOTHER GREAT STORY FOR YOU.

SEE, BUBBA-- LIEUTENANT SKINNER--

HE FOUND THIS BABY ON HIS DOORSTEP.

WAS IT BLACK?

NO, MA'AM.

WELL, WHITE'S NOT TOO EXCITING.

EXCUSE ME...

BUT THAT'S THE MAN I'VE GOT TO CATCH.

HI!

HI, MISS TURNBY.

I'VE SPOKEN WITH OFFICER SWEET.

WOULD YOU SAY THAT CHIEF GILLESPIE

IS PARTICULARLY HARD ON HIS BLACK OFFICERS?

NO.

UH...

SORRY.

IN FACT,

I CAN RECALL AN INCIDENT

THAT DEMONSTRATES JUST THE OPPOSITE.

REALLY?

YES, YOU SEE,

I WAS ALWAYS A LOT HARDER ON MYSELF

THAN THE CHIEF COULD EVER BE.

[SIREN]

POLICE!

FREEZE!

[CAR APPROACHING]

[TIRES SCREECH]

YOU SURE THERE'S JUST ONE?

JUST ONE.

WHERE?

BACK THERE, I THINK I GOT HIM.

OKAY, COME ON.

WELL, YOU SURE DID GET HIM.

I TOLD HIM TO FREEZE.

HE TURNED AND STARTED BRINGING UP HIS GUN.

OH, GOOD LORD, IT'S A GIRL, VIRGIL.

SHE DREW ON ME.

I DON'T SEE ANY GUN.

LONNIE, GO GET AN AMBULANCE RIGHT NOW.

SHE HAD A GUN IN HER RIGHT HAND.

IT HAS TO BE THERE.

I SAW IT BEFORE SHE TURNED AROUND.

I'M GONNA GO LOOK FOR THE GUN.

[INDISTINCT TALKING]

YOU MUST HAVE BEEN BESIDE YOURSELF

WHEN VIRGIL SHOT THAT UNARMED GIRL.

NO, AS IT TURNED OUT, SHE WAS ARMED.

I SUPPOSE THE CHIEF DIDN'T APPRECIATE

HAVING AN OFFICER INVOLVED IN THAT.

I'LL BET HE WANTED TO FIRE VIRGIL.

ON THE CONTRARY--

THE CHIEF WAS VERY SUPPORTIVE.

GOOD AFTERNOON, MRS. TIBBS.

I WAS JUST THINKING ABOUT YOU.

OH, WELL, AND HERE I AM.

THEY CALL THAT "MENTAL TELEPATHY,"

IF YOU BELIEVE IN THAT KIND OF THING.

YOU'RE HERE ABOUT VIRGIL, AREN'T YOU?

YEAH.

SO, HOW'S HE DOING?

WELL, CONSIDERING WHAT HAPPENED,

I THINK HE'S DOING PRETTY WELL.

WELL, I KNOW YOU COUNSEL CHILDREN,

AND YOU STUDIED PSYCHOLOGY.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU EVER DEALT WITH A KILLIN'.

NO, I HAVEN'T.

WELL, WHEN YOU KILL SOMEBODY,

IT, UH, STAYS WITH YOU,

I'M HERE TO TELL YOU.

AND I'M WORRIED ABOUT VIRGIL.

I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW,

IF THERE'S ANY WAY I CAN HELP, I WILL.

I THINK VIRGIL'S GOING TO BE FINE.

THERE'S STILL SOME PAIN, BUT THAT'S TO BE EXPECTED.

HE'S A VERY STRONG MAN, CHIEF GILLESPIE.

WELL, ANYWAY, WE CAN STAY IN TOUCH, I HOPE,

AND YOU JUST CALL ME ANY TIME YOU WANT.

YOU'RE JUST AN OLD SOFTIE.

THAT'S WHAT YOU ARE.

[BABY COOING]

UH-HUH. THAT'S INTERESTING.

BUT NOW,

TELL ME SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF PERSONALLY.

DID THEY REALLY GIVE A DAMN

WHEN THAT WHITE FELLA RAPED YOU?

THAT'S AN ODD QUESTION.

WERE THEY PREJUDICED AGAINST YOU IN ANY WAY

DURING THE INVESTIGATION?

NO.

THERE WAS SOME PREJUDICE, BUT...

CERTAINLY NOT FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

INSURANCE?

WHAT?

HAVE YOU GOT INSURANCE?

WHAT THE LADY NEEDS RIGHT NOW IS A DOCTOR.

MOST OF THESE PEOPLE HAVE THEIR OWN DOCTORS.

MA'AM, LOOK HERE...

ARE YOU GONNA GET HER A DOCTOR,

OR AM I GONNA HAVE TO TAKE HER BACK THERE?

PLEASE STOP.

SHE SOMETHING TO YOU?

YOU GET HER A DOCTOR RIGHT NOW.

OH!

I HAVE JUST SPENT A MOST VALUABLE FEW MINUTES

WITH MRS. TIBBS.

YES...

YOUR WIFE TELLS ME

THAT SHE AND LIEUTENANT SKINNER HERE

HAVE A RATHER CLOSE RELATIONSHIP.

WELL, THE HUSBAND'S ALWAYS THE LAST TO KNOW, ISN'T HE?

YEAH, HOLD ON, NOW, HOLD ON.

I RECKON THERE'S ALWAYS A PRETTY CLOSE RELATIONSHIP

BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR COACH.

THANK YOU. MERRY CHRISTMAS.

SOMEBODY UP THERE BETTER MARK THIS DOWN FOR ME.

[INSTRUCTOR] STOP, TAKE A DEEP BREATH WHEN NECESSARY.

HEY, BUBBA.CHARLIE.

[INSTRUCTOR] VERY GOOD, EXCELLENT.

OK, YOU COME ON DOWN HERE.

COME ON. YOU GET COMFORTABLE, TOO.

PUT YOUR HAND ON HER THIGH, COACH.

SAY WHAT?

YOUR HAND RIGHT HERE.

AND ON HER BACK. OK, VERY GOOD.

[BREATHES RAPIDLY]

AM I HURTING YOU?

NO, NO, NO. IT'S JUST MY BREATHING.

GOOD, BOTH-- BOTH YOUR HANDS.

MOVING THEM, THAT'S VERY GOOD.

MM-HMM.

YOU'RE DOING REAL GOOD.

YEAH.

YES, MA'AM, YES, MA'AM...

ON TO MORE IMPORTANT TOPICS.

WERE Y'ALL JUST TESTIFYING AT SOME MURDER TRIAL?

NO, MA'AM, JUST A PLAIN ROBBERY.

WELL, IT'S MURDER THAT INTERESTS ME.

MORE PARTICULARLY, THE DEATH PENALTY.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF IT?

DOES CHIEF GILLESPIE THINK SOMETHING DIFFERENT?

THE CHIEF HAS STRONG OPINIONS ABOUT IT,

BUT WE DON'T KNOW WHICH WAY THEY RUN.

SO, THEN,

YOU THINK OUR WISE FOUNDING FATHERS THOUGHT

THERE WAS A BIG DIFFERENCE

BETWEEN EXECUTION AND TORTURE?

THEY MUST HAVE-- THEY KEPT THE ONE,

AND THREW OUT THE OTHER.

WHAT DO YOU THINK, BUBBA?

HMM?

OH, UH, BETWEEN EXECUTION AND TORTURE?

YEAH, YEAH...

I THINK THERE'S A HELL OF A DIFFERENCE.

WELL, I BETTER CHECK ON DUTTON THERE.

NOW, IT ONLY CAME TO ME, YOU KNOW,

WHEN I WAS DRIVING BACK FROM UP THERE.

I JUST THOUGHT TO MYSELF,

ABOUT THE ONLY WAY

YOU CAN EXECUTE A MAN WITHOUT TORTURING HIM,

IS TO TELL HIM YOU FORGIVE HIM.

THAT'S RIGHT.

TELL HIM YOU FORGIVE HIM...

AND YOU'RE GONNA TURN HIM LOOSE.

THEN AS SOON AS YOU SEE A HAPPY SMILE

COME OVER HIS FACE...

YOU SHOOT HIM IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD.

WELL, GOOD NIGHT.

OH, THERE'S THE CHIEF NOW.

HI, CHIEF GILLESPIE!

WELL, GOOD AFTERNOON.

HOW'S EVERYTHING GOING?

WELL, THE STORY WILL BE IN TOMORROW'S HERALD,

BUT MAY I FIRST HAVE ONE COMMENT FROM YOU

BEFORE I WRITE IT?

WELL, ALL RIGHT, MISS MILLIE.

WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO COMMENT ON?

I HAVE JUST HEARD--

I HAVE JUST HEARD THE MOST INTERESTING STORY.

I UNDERSTAND

THAT YOU BELIEVE IN SHOOTING CONDEMNED PEOPLE

IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD.

WELL...

UH...

UH, THAT'S FALSE.

HOWEVER,

I SUPPOSE IT'S JUST AS GOOD,

IF YOU MUST KILL A MAN,

AS FRYING HIM, OR CHOKING HIM,

OR POISONING HIM.

WISH I HAD TIME TO DO SOME GOOD,

MAKE UP FOR THE BAD.

BUT THERE AIN'T NO TIME--

THAT'S THE WORST OF IT.

ALL THE YEARS I'VE BEEN HERE IN THIS JAIL,

THERE WAS NEVER NO TIME TO DO NO GOOD.

AND NOW...

NO TIME AT ALL.

WELL, GEORGE,

UNLESS THERE'S SOMETHING ELSE

THAT YOU WANT TO TELL ME ABOUT--

THE WILL OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT...

YOU GOT TO GO?

YEAH. IT'S A LONG HAUL BACK TO SPARTA.

MM-HMM.

THOUGHT MAYBE YOU COULD STAY,

BE WITH ME WHEN THEY SEND ME OFF.

NO, GEORGE, NO, I--I COULDN'T.

I'VE REALLY GOTTA BE BACK THERE BY THIS EVENING.

MM-HMM.

TIME RUNS US ALL, DON'T IT?

I'M AFRAID IT DOES, GEORGE.

TIME AIN'T GOT NO MERCY.

DRIVES US ON,

WHIPPING US ALL THE WAY.

WON'T LET US WAIT TO DO NO GOOD.

MAYBE JESUS WILL GIVE ME SOME TIME

WHEN I SEE HIM--

IF I BELIEVE IN HIM, AND I BELIEVE.

I BEEN STUDYING FOR THE WORDS HE SAY...

AND I CAN'T FIND THEM.

WORDS THE PREACHER SAY WHEN HE BURY MY MAMA...

WHAT HE SAY JESUS SAY.

"I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE."

YEAH.

THAT'S WHAT HE SAID.

CHIEF, YOU KNOW IT.

TH-THAT'S WHAT HE SAID.

SAY IT AGAIN.

SAY IT AGAIN FOR ME.

"I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE,

"AND WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN ME...

SHALL NEVER DIE."

I AM...

THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE...

AND WHOSOEVER...

WHOSOEVER...

BELIEVETH IN ME...

IN ME...

SHALL NEVER DIE. SHALL NEVER DIE.

DIE...

WELL, I AM REALLY SURPRISED.

A WOMAN REPORTER, AND SHE DIDN'T EVEN WANNA HEAR FROM THE WOMEN.

THAT WOMAN WANTED TO TALK TO MEN, ONLY MEN, AND NOTHIN' BUT MEN.

SHE DIDN'T EVEN WANNA KNOW

HOW Y'ALL GOT YOUR FIRST GIRL OFFICER?

THAT'S EXACTLY THE STORY I WANTED TO TELL HER--

YOU KNOW, FIGURING SHE WANTED SOMETHING APPEALING TO WOMEN.

BUT SHE CUT ME OFF-- JUST LIKE THAT.

WELL...

WAS IT REALLY APPEALING TO WOMEN?

WELL, JUDGE FOR YOURSELF.

WE WERE STAKING OUT THE BOATYARD...

HOLD IT, BOSWORTH!

PUT THE GUN DOWN!

[GUN SHOTS]

OOPH!

RELOADING! ME, TOO.

[GROANS]

[GUN SHOT]

[TIRES SCREECHING]

SHE'S GONE.

NO, NO-- SH-SHE CAN'T BE.

PARKER...

HER CHEST IS ALL TORE UP.

SHE'S JUST GONE.

WELL, I HAVE TO DISAGREE, PARKER.

THAT PART IS NOT VERY UPLIFTING.

NO, MA'AM, BUT IT'S SOMETHING I THINK ABOUT EVERY DAY.

BUT WHAT HAPPENED LATER IS WELL WORTH THE TELLING.

WE ARE HERE, AND WE DON'T ANY OF US HAVE MUCH TIME.

NOW, LET'S SAY WHAT NEEDS TO BE SAID.

CHIEF, DO BEGIN.

OH, YES, MA'AM.

THE LETTER FROM THE COUNCIL

WAS DELIVERED TO ME LAST NIGHT, AND, UH...

I'VE READ IT. I WANNA SAY THAT, UH...

I APPRECIATE YOUR VOTE OF CONFIDENCE.

BUT IT CONCLUDES THIS WAY--

"YOU ARE AUTHORIZED TO FILL

"THE LATE OFFICER CHRISTINE RANKIN'S POSITION

"WITH ANOTHER OFFICER WHO SHALL BE BLACK,

"IN KEEPING WITH THE COUNCIL'S POLICY

"OF MAKING YOUR DEPARTMENT RACIALLY PROPORTIONATE.

THE NEW OFFICER SHOULD BE MALE."

WHY?

WELL, YOU KNOW, BILL, IN VIEW OF WHAT HAPPENED,

WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT COMMUNITY FEELING.

HE MEANS...

PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO SEE

ANOTHER BLACK GIRL SHOT TO DEATH--

AT LEAST NOT RIGHT AWAY.

COME ON, HARRIET.

I'M NOT FINISHED YET, TED.

THERE ARE PEOPLE SAYING THAT

YOU WOULDN'T HAVE RISKED THE LIFE OF A WHITE GIRL

SO QUICK.

I WILL NOT, UH, REPLY TO THAT.

BUT TO SAY THAT I CAN'T HIRE A WOMAN

IS TO SAY THAT, UH,

I SHOULDN'T HAVE HIRED A WOMAN IN THE FIRST PLACE.

NOW, Y'ALL CAN SAY THAT IF YOU WANT TO, BUT...

I WON'T.

I WILL NOT DISHONOR THE MEMORY OF CHRIS RANKIN.

I WANT ANOTHER GIRL.

AND I GOT ONE.

VIRGIL TIBBS BROUGHT HER OVER FROM JACKSON TODAY.

THIS IS LUANN CORBIN, SHE'S 23...

TWENTY-TWO.

TWENTY-TWO.

AND SHE'S GOING TO BE WITH US UNTIL SHE RETIRES.

THIRTY YEARS?

WITH US?

OH...

YES, WITH US, OR...

UNTIL I RETIRE--

AND THAT'S FOR SURE.

DEAL?

[CHUCKLES]

I DO BELIEVE

SERGEANT JAMISON HAS A COPY OF THE SPARTA HERALD

HOT OFF THE PRESS.

WELL, I SURE DO.

DID YOU READ IT?

I SURE DID.

IS IT BAD?

OH, IT SURE IS.

ORDER IN.

[TIBBS] THIS IS TERRIBLE.

AND I FEEL TERRIBLE...

BUBBA, I BLAME MYSELF FOR THIS.

NO, HOLD ON THERE, VIRGIL.

I WAS RIDING RIGHT ALONG BESIDE YOU.

REMEMBER, IT WAS ME THAT SAID, "LET'S SHOOT THEM STRAIGHT.

THE PRESS WILL RESPECT THAT."

SHOOT, I OUGHTA BE WHUPPED.

LOOK.

HOW CAN THEY SAY THIS? LISTEN--

"CHIEF GILLESPIE, AN AVOWED RACIST,

"RULES BY FEAR AND INTIMIDATION,

"PUTTING BLACK OFFICERS IN HARM'S WAY,

"ADVOCATING SUMMARY EXECUTIONS OF SUSPECTS,

"AND RUNNING SPARTA P.D.

WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CHANGING TIMES"!

OH, READ ON, IT GETS WORSE.

IT ALSO SAYS

THAT HE'S INSENSITIVE AND RUDE TO WOMEN.

THE CHIEF IS GOING TO EXPLODE.

AND AIN'T NO WAY WE CAN KEEP IT FROM HIM.

RIGHT.

YEAH.

WELL, I'M OUT OF HERE.

OH, LORD...

OH, UM, AND REMEMBER--

EGGNOGS AND SUCH AT MY PLACE AROUND 8:30.

WELL, I'M STILL GONNA BE ON DUTY, VIRGIL, AND...

BUT I'LL BET I'LL FIND TIME TO INVESTIGATE THE DOIN'S.

GOOD--TELL THE REST OF THE GUYS, TOO.

YEAH, SURE WILL.ALL RIGHT, BUBBA. LATER.

[CUSTOMER] THAT ARTICLE IS JUST A DISGRACE TO THIS TOWN.

I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS.

YEAH...

[DOORBELL RINGS]

[MRS. TIBBS] OH, HONEY, CAN YOU GET THAT?

[VIRGIL] YEAH.

OH, COME ON, GUYS. LIGHTEN UP.

'TIS THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY?

I MEAN, IT IS THE DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS EVE.

NO--THE DAY BEFORE THE DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS EVE.

THANK YOU. THERE'S GONNA BE A GIFT IN YOUR STOCKING

JUST FOR THAT.

LUANN!

YEAH, HERE I AM.

HONEY, CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME HERE?

YEAH.

COME ON, YOU GUYS, CHEER UP. IT'S ALMOST CHRISTMAS.

OH, BOY.

I FEEL JUST LIKE A TRAITOR.

PARKER...

DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.

YOU WERE MISQUOTED, JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE HERE.

WELL, I KNOW THAT, AND...

I KNOW IT DOESN'T MATTER.

I FEEL JUST LIKE I DID BACK IN GRADE SCHOOL.

THIS KID, UH, BILLY JACKSON

TOLD ME HIS DADDY DRANK TOO MUCH...

AND I TOLD SOMEBODY ELSE.

BEFORE YOU KNOW IT,

THE WHOLE SCHOOL'S CALLING BILLY'S DADDY AN ALCOHOLIC.

BOY, I FELT TERRIBLE.

WELL, DID THE KID COME BACK TO YOU?

YEAH, THAT MADE ME FEEL WORSE.

WHAT? HE TOLD YOU TO FORGET IT.

NO, HE PUNCHED ME RIGHT IN THE FACE.

PARKER, WHAT DOTHIS HAVE TO DO WITH THE CHIEF?

I DON'T KNOW, IT WAS JUST SOMETHING THAT CAME TO ME.

HERE, HAVE SOME EGGNOG.

WELL, IF I EVER CATCH THAT MILLIE TURNBY

DOING EVEN A WHISPER OVER THE LIMIT,

SHE GOT A TICKET GUARANTEED.

LONNIE, THAT'S JUST THE KIND OF THING SHE'S ACCUSING US OF.

MIGHT AS WELL MAKE HER RIGHT ABOUT SOMETHING.

WELL, I WAS INVITED, WASN'T I?

YES!

COME IN, COME IN, COME IN, COME IN!

CHIEF, WOW...

[DOOR CLOSES]

HEY, EVERYBODY, LOOK WHO'S HERE-- IT'S THE CHIEF!

EASY, VIRGIL... VIRGIL, I EXPECT THEY ALL RECOGNIZE ME.

WOMEN: WELL, MERRY CHRISTMAS, CHIEF...

YOU'RE JUST IN TIME FOR PUTTING THE ANGEL ON THE TREE,

WHICH I KNOW YOU WON'T DO.

WELL, BECAUSE WHEN I PUT THE ANGEL UP THERE LAST YEAR,

IT FELL OFF.

EVERY TIME I PUT STUFF ON A TREE, IT FALLS OFF.

HI, PHIL, HELLO, MARTHA, HOW ARE YOU?

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

DEE OVER HERE, MERRY CHRISTMAS.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, CHIEF.

HI, CHIEF.

WHO'S THAT?

OH, WELL, WELL, HI.

DON'T YOU LOOK FINE THIS EVENING?

I'D LIKE YOU TO MEET MY FRIEND, MELVIN SPRINGER.

THIS IS BILL GILLESPIE.

HI, YOU HAVE A HOME GENERATOR BUSINESS OVER IN KENARD.

THAT'S RIGHT.

SOON TO HAVE A BRANCH HERE, TOO.

PLEASED TO MEET YOU, CHIEF.

HARRIET TOLD ME WONDERFUL THINGS ABOUT YOU.

WELL, THAT'S VERY KIND.

I BELIEVE YOU'LL DO WELL HERE IN SPARTA.

I SURE HOPE TO...

IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE.

WELL, WELL. HOW ARE WE?

WELL, WE GOT TO SAY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO THE CHIEF.

OH, LOOK, LOOK, THERE'S WILLIAM HERE,

THERE'S WILLIAM HERE SLEEPING THROUGH IT ALL.

[LAUGHS]

UH...CHIEF?

I JUST WANT TO SAY...

I FEEL REAL BAD ABOUT ALL THIS.

OH, PARKER, NOW, DON'T FRET YOURSELF OVER THIS.

WELL, CHIEF, NOT JUST PARKER,

ALL OF US, I ESPECIALLY.

NOW, LISTEN...

I WANNA TELL YOU ALL A LITTLE ANECDOTE,

I WAS THINKING ABOUT IT ON THE WAY OVER HERE.

MANY YEARS AGO,

BEFORE WE HAD ALL THIS INDOOR PLUMBING,

YOU KNOW, WE ALL HAD THESE LITTLE OUTHOUSES.

YOU STILL SEE SOME OF THEM AROUND, AND, UH...

WHEN I WAS A KID,

WE USED TO CALL THEM THE "CHICK SALE."

WE TOOK THAT FROM THE NAME OF A FAMOUS MOVIE COMEDIAN,

CHICK SALE.

AND HE HAD ONE OF THESE THINGS, SEE.

AND HE'D GO IN IT,

AND THE WIND WOULD BLOW IT OVER,

LEAVE POOR OLD CHICK IN THERE,

SITTIN' EXPOSED TO THE WORLD.

YOU MEAN THE PRIVY, DON'T YOU?

WELL, THAT IS GENTEEL TERMINOLOGY, MISS ETTA, YES.

WHAT WE USED TO DO WITH THE PAPER IN THOSE DAYS

IS, WE WOULD, UH...

TAKE IT, AND AFTER GLANCING THROUGH IT,

AND SURVEYING ALL THE VILLAINY IN THE WORLD, SEE...

WE WOULD JUST, UH... TEAR IT OFF LIKE THAT,

AND THEN WE WOULD FOLD HERE IT LIKE THIS,

AND THEN WE'D, UH, TEAR IT AGAIN.

WE'D TEAR IT INTO SIZES ACCORDING TO PREFERENCE.

AND THEN WHAT WE'D DO WITH ALL THESE STRIPS OF PAPER,

WE'D HANG THEM ON A HOOK INSIDE THE CHICK SALE.

NEED I SAY MORE? BUT...[CLEARS THROAT]

I DON'T THINK

THAT THE SPARTA HERALD WOULD BE GOOD FOR THAT.

NOW THAT LOOKED PERFECT TO ME, CHIEF.

WELL, NO, MISS ETTA,

SAVING YOUR PRESENCE,

THE SPARTA HERALDIS NOT A GOOD QUALITY PAPER--

IT'S LOW GRADE.

AND I THINK THAT, UH, YOU COULD HURT YOURSELF

USING THE HERALD.

[LOUD LAUGHTER]

HEY, LOOK HERE, Y'ALL...

I'D LIKE TO PROPOSE A TOAST.

TO VIRGIL, ALTHEA, THE FRIENDS HERE,

AND TO THE REST OF US,

THE GOOD OLD POLICE DEPARTMENT,

AND THE GOOD OLD STATE.

HEAR, HEAR. HEAR, HEAR.

ALL RIGHT, ALTHEA...

WHY DON'T YOU PLAY US A LITTLE CAROL?

OH, NO, NO, NO,

THE CHIEF DOESN'T WANNA HEAR ANY CAROLS TONIGHT,

HE SAID IT MAKES HIM SAD.

WAIT A MINUTE, NOW, I CONSIDER THAT A SLANDER.

I DON'T WANNA SAY THAT CHRISTMAS CAROLS MAKE ME SAD.

I DON'T LIKE A LOT OF THESE NEW ONES,

BUT YOU GIVE ME A GOOD TRADITIONAL ONE...

LUANN, HELP ME WITH ONE.

HERE I COME.

♪ O COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL

♪ JOYFUL AND TRIUMPHANT

♪ O COME YE, O COME YE TO BETHLEHEM ♪

♪ COME AND BEHOLD HIM

♪ BORN THE KING OF ANGELS

♪ O COME, LET US ADORE HIM ♪

♪ O COME, LET US ADORE HIM ♪

♪ O COME, LET US ADORE HIM ♪

♪ CHRIST, THE LORD