A Stranger in Town (1943) is a witty and heartwarming drama starring Frank Morgan and Richard Carlson. Blending humor, romance, and a sharp commentary on justice, this hidden gem captures the spirit of small-town America during the 1940s.
📽️ Plot Summary:
When Supreme Court Justice John Josephus Grant (Frank Morgan) takes a hunting vacation in a small town, he stumbles into a web of political corruption and injustice. Befriending young lawyer Bill Adams (Richard Carlson) and his spirited love interest Lucy (Jean Rogers), the judge uses his wisdom—and wit—to set things right while keeping his identity a secret.
🕰️ Year Released: 1943
🎭 Genre: Drama, Comedy, Romance
🎬 Directed by: Roy Rowland
🎞️ Starring: Frank Morgan, Richard Carlson, Jean Rogers, Porter Hall
🎯 Why Watch It?
✔️ Frank Morgan (the Wizard from The Wizard of Oz) in a warm, clever role
✔️ A charming blend of comedy, romance, and courtroom drama
✔️ A story about truth, integrity, and fighting corruption
✔️ A feel-good slice of Americana from WWII-era cinema
🔔 Don’t forget to LIKE 👍 | COMMENT 💬 | SUBSCRIBE 🔔 for more inspiring Golden Age dramas & public domain treasures!
👇 Explore More Vintage Classics & 1940s Films Here:
📺 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYSxyPafGbnT7hNTlq29mZQJKn7wrNglY
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🎞️ #AStrangerInTown #FrankMorgan #ClassicDrama #1940sCinema #PublicDomainMovies
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⚖️🌟 One man’s wisdom can change an entire town—discover Frank Morgan in A Stranger in Town (1943) Full Movie!
________________________________________
📽️ Plot Summary:
When Supreme Court Justice John Josephus Grant (Frank Morgan) takes a hunting vacation in a small town, he stumbles into a web of political corruption and injustice. Befriending young lawyer Bill Adams (Richard Carlson) and his spirited love interest Lucy (Jean Rogers), the judge uses his wisdom—and wit—to set things right while keeping his identity a secret.
🕰️ Year Released: 1943
🎭 Genre: Drama, Comedy, Romance
🎬 Directed by: Roy Rowland
🎞️ Starring: Frank Morgan, Richard Carlson, Jean Rogers, Porter Hall
🎯 Why Watch It?
✔️ Frank Morgan (the Wizard from The Wizard of Oz) in a warm, clever role
✔️ A charming blend of comedy, romance, and courtroom drama
✔️ A story about truth, integrity, and fighting corruption
✔️ A feel-good slice of Americana from WWII-era cinema
🔔 Don’t forget to LIKE 👍 | COMMENT 💬 | SUBSCRIBE 🔔 for more inspiring Golden Age dramas & public domain treasures!
👇 Explore More Vintage Classics & 1940s Films Here:
📺 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYSxyPafGbnT7hNTlq29mZQJKn7wrNglY
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🎞️ #AStrangerInTown #FrankMorgan #ClassicDrama #1940sCinema #PublicDomainMovies
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
⚖️🌟 One man’s wisdom can change an entire town—discover Frank Morgan in A Stranger in Town (1943) Full Movie!
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Category
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Short filmTranscript
00:00:00THE END
00:00:30THE END
00:01:00The Honorable Court is now adjourned until Thursday, the 10th day of December at 12 o'clock.
00:01:29Good afternoon.
00:01:34The front two and the spare are all right, but the left rear one is causing me great anxiety.
00:01:39Switched mine. If I don't get another year out of them, I shall be very disappointed.
00:01:42You know, that grandson of mine is the most unusual infant.
00:01:45At five weeks, he holds up his head without support.
00:01:48Here, I'll show you a snapshot.
00:01:49Good job.
00:01:52Goodbye, Grant. Have a good vacation.
00:01:54Happy holiday, Josephus.
00:01:56Thank you, gentlemen. Thank you.
00:01:57Mr. Justice?
00:02:04Well?
00:02:04Could we have a word with you, Justice Grant? Just a few questions.
00:02:07I stopped answering questions when court recessed about three minutes ago.
00:02:11What do you know about...
00:02:13Come in! Come in!
00:02:15Here we go.
00:02:20Well, gentlemen?
00:02:21Justice Grant, we understand you declined to preside at the Danville investigation.
00:02:25There's some speculation as to your reasons.
00:02:27Well, there needn't be. I've had a long, hard year. I'm tired. I'm going hunting.
00:02:32Miss Gilbert, would you put this in my bag, please?
00:02:35The Gazette referred to you last week as a terrible-tempered Justice Grant.
00:02:39How do you feel about that?
00:02:40I'm flattered.
00:02:42And this, too, Miss Gilbert.
00:02:44Where are you going for your hunting?
00:02:46Well, there are plenty of ducks and no reporters.
00:02:49When are you leaving?
00:02:51A moment after you do.
00:02:54Good day, sir.
00:02:55Good day, sir.
00:02:57Miss Gilbert, what is this nonsense? What does this resignation mean?
00:03:08I think it's obvious, sir.
00:03:10If it were obvious, I wouldn't ask the question, would I?
00:03:15Justice Grant, I've been with you for two years.
00:03:18And not once during that time have you expressed satisfaction with my work.
00:03:21Miss Gilbert, you can learn more law here in a week than you can anywhere else in a year.
00:03:26That's all that should interest you.
00:03:28I don't feel that I have to constantly remind you that you're a brilliant young woman and that you have a fine future.
00:03:34Now, if there isn't anything else, can I go?
00:03:42Oh, you wanted to look over the Hale and Twine opinion, sir.
00:03:45They won't be back from the printer until next week.
00:03:47Oh, yes.
00:03:47They'll need some revision.
00:03:48But I don't want to hang around here.
00:03:53Perhaps I can bring them up to you at Crownport, sir.
00:03:55That'd be fine.
00:03:57No, no, no.
00:03:58You need a vacation, too.
00:04:00From me.
00:04:00I don't mind at all.
00:04:04Miss Gilbert, are you heaping coals of fire on my head?
00:04:08I wouldn't dream of it, sir.
00:04:12Oh, I'll wire you before I come.
00:04:15And, Miss Gilbert.
00:04:16Yes, sir?
00:04:17No one must know where I'm going.
00:04:19No one.
00:04:19I want to get away from courtrooms, investigations, lawyers, black robes, everything.
00:04:33Everything but ducks.
00:04:37Hundreds and hundreds of beautiful ducks.
00:04:41Hey, you!
00:04:54Wait a minute.
00:04:59I'm Warren Todd's.
00:05:01Game inspector, let's see your license.
00:05:07Yeah, just like I thought.
00:05:09Stranger in town, ain't you?
00:05:11This license ain't legal.
00:05:12Well, I just bought it yesterday at the state capitol.
00:05:15Yeah, I know, mister, but this is Crownport, and you've got to have a Crownport stamp on there.
00:05:19Well, I didn't know that.
00:05:20I'll get one tomorrow.
00:05:21Yeah, but it ain't going to do you any good today.
00:05:24You know, I could haul you into court and let the judge slap a fine on you.
00:05:27But to say wear and tear on my attire, suppose I sell you one right here.
00:05:30It only cost you five bucks.
00:05:32You know, the five bucks is just for the stamp.
00:05:42I usually get a little something from a trouble, too.
00:05:44Well, you don't understand.
00:05:47I'm giving you a break, brother.
00:05:49Yeah, I never pay off twice, brother.
00:05:51Come on.
00:05:52Well, look.
00:05:53Let me explain it to you.
00:05:54Your Honor.
00:06:20Sir, it's not as though my client were trying to evade his financial obligations.
00:06:24Tom Cooney has been a member of this community for many years.
00:06:28And in all that time, his honesty and his responsibility has never been questioned.
00:06:32Now, he intends to make good the payments on these plows, but he's been sick, unable to work.
00:06:37Now, if the court could just grant him an extension...
00:06:39The law doesn't recognize good intentions.
00:06:42I shouldn't have to remind you of that, Mr. Adams.
00:06:44You're supposed to be a lawyer.
00:06:46But, Your Honor, am I not justified in asking the court's indulgence in this case?
00:06:51If you take Tom Cooney's farm tools away from him, you'll take away his only means of earning a living.
00:06:56Mr. Adams, this is a court of law, not an employment agency.
00:07:00Tom Cooney signed an agreement with Vincent Blackston of the Crownport Auto and Supply Company.
00:07:06This agreement stated if he missed a payment on those plows, Mr. Blackston could take them back.
00:07:11Is that right, Mr. Cooney?
00:07:13Well, yes, Your Honor, but...
00:07:15All right, Counselor.
00:07:17Judgment against Thomas Cooney.
00:07:19But it...
00:07:19It was just one payment.
00:07:21If you'd give me a chance to...
00:07:24I don't care whether you say it's fair or not.
00:07:26It ain't.
00:07:27Get him out of here.
00:07:28Come on, Tom.
00:07:29This isn't going to help.
00:07:30I know it ain't going to help.
00:07:31Nothing's going to help in a town like this.
00:07:33Officer.
00:07:34Come on.
00:07:35Let's go of me.
00:07:36Come on.
00:07:36Looks like you just lost yourself another boat, fellow.
00:07:39Come on.
00:07:39It ain't right.
00:07:40I know it ain't right.
00:07:42Crownport versus Joe Grant.
00:07:44Step up, Joe Grant.
00:07:53Name?
00:07:56Joe Grant.
00:07:57Shooting ducks without a Crownport permit.
00:08:00I didn't get a chance to shoot.
00:08:02You're going to.
00:08:03Of course I was, you fool.
00:08:05That's why I bought a state license.
00:08:06We also require a Crownport license, Mr. Grant.
00:08:10And ignorance of the law is no excuse.
00:08:13Hundred dollars or thirty days.
00:08:18Which one of you gentlemen do I pay?
00:08:22The clerk.
00:08:23Should have bought it for me in the first place.
00:08:25Save yourself a lot of dough.
00:08:26I assume that this hundred dollars will permit me to resume my hunting without further interference.
00:08:33Your assumption is wrong.
00:08:35You still need a Crownport stamp.
00:08:37And an officer enforcing the law is not interfering, Mr. Grant.
00:08:41As the judge, I advise you to be careful of your words.
00:08:44Next case.
00:08:47Crownport versus Burton Lyon.
00:08:49Step up, Burton Lyon.
00:08:50Hi, Tom.
00:09:01I'm sorry it turned out that way.
00:09:05Guess that's the only way it could have turned out.
00:09:07No, I thought we had a chance, but I guess I should have known.
00:09:11What are you going to do now?
00:09:14Farm's no good to me without tools to work it.
00:09:18Guess I'll lose it.
00:09:18The bank will start yelling for its money pretty soon.
00:09:23You know, Bill, sometimes there's just more than a man can stand.
00:09:29I've got to think of something to do.
00:09:32If I could only...
00:09:32Yeah, I know, Tom, I know.
00:09:34Look, why don't you come by the office later on?
00:09:37We'll talk about it, huh?
00:09:38Shave, Homer.
00:09:58Shave, Homer.
00:09:58I hear poor Tom Cooney lost his case.
00:10:04Yeah.
00:10:05He'll probably lose his farm now, too.
00:10:08It's a shame.
00:10:10You know, Homer, that's what I like about the fellas around your shop.
00:10:13They enjoy the good things of life.
00:10:15Like a guy who can't meet his mortgage,
00:10:17or a poor farmer getting rooked out of his plows.
00:10:19Maybe if Cooney had a real sharp lawyer...
00:10:21Maybe if we had a bank that'd extend an honest man credit,
00:10:24or a judge that'd give him a break.
00:10:26A fork like that isn't going to get you any bolts, Adams.
00:10:29If I could afford a 50 cent cigar, I could get yours.
00:10:31I could take the shave.
00:10:41Sure, mister.
00:10:43Stranger in town?
00:10:44Yeah.
00:10:45Aiming to stay long?
00:10:47Long enough to get a shave.
00:10:50Great little town, isn't it, old-timer?
00:10:53Yeah, Judge Harkley really gave you a welcome, didn't he?
00:10:56And our constable, Orrin Todd, that's Homer's cousin.
00:11:00Ah, he's all law and order.
00:11:02Regular minute man, isn't he, Homer?
00:11:05Uh, how many minutes did it take before he tried to shake you down?
00:11:08It's a shame.
00:11:09Ever notice how a fellow who can't make a living in a town
00:11:11always tries to run it down?
00:11:15You know, Mr. Grant, isn't it?
00:11:18Yeah.
00:11:19Mr. Grant, it might be fun to bust up one of the constable's little rackets.
00:11:22How about being a guinea pig?
00:11:24Let me turn this into a test case.
00:11:26Mister, there ain't a case this ambulance case it wouldn't take.
00:11:28There was two bucks and a vote in it for him.
00:11:31How's it, boys?
00:11:32How's it, Mr. Mayor?
00:11:34Uh, much of a weight, Homer?
00:11:35We'll get in a minute, Mr. Mayor.
00:11:36Hello there, my worthy opponent.
00:11:38I'm sorry about Tom Cooney.
00:11:40I hope he doesn't go to pieces over this.
00:11:42Well, he's really got something to go to pieces over it.
00:11:44You know, it's a funny thing about some fellows,
00:11:46no matter where you put them, everything goes wrong for them.
00:11:49Hiya, Tom.
00:11:49You looking for me?
00:11:50I'll be with you in a minute.
00:11:51Yeah.
00:11:52Look, Mr. Mayor, I...
00:11:53If there's anything I can do for you,
00:11:55if you're in need of a little ruddy cash or something...
00:11:57I don't want charity.
00:11:58I just want...
00:11:59But I can't change the law, Tom.
00:12:00You're the mayor.
00:12:01But I'm not a nursemaid to every man in town
00:12:03who can't take care of himself.
00:12:06All right, Tony, that's enough.
00:12:08Now beat it.
00:12:09Keep your hands...
00:12:09Let him alone, Blackson.
00:12:13No, don't.
00:12:14This is all my fault.
00:12:36I wish you hadn't had to do that, Benny.
00:12:38Ah, he's had a coming to him for a long time.
00:12:41That boy is turning into an awful radical.
00:12:44You could tell that by the speech he made
00:12:45except in the nomination.
00:12:47Well, that kind of talk
00:12:48is never going to make a mayor a crown for it.
00:12:50That's too bad.
00:12:52Nothing I'd like better than to see
00:12:53some bright young fellow come along
00:12:55who could take my place.
00:12:57But Bill Adams...
00:13:00Take a man to fill your shoes, Mr. Mayor.
00:13:02Now, Darryl dropped in this morning.
00:13:13Said to give you his regards.
00:13:20What's my bill?
00:13:22Just a shave?
00:13:23Yeah.
00:13:24Fifty cents.
00:13:25Hey, mister, I said fifty cents, not a quarter.
00:13:30Guess you made a mistake, friend.
00:13:35No.
00:13:36You made the mistake, friend.
00:13:41You picked the wrong custom at that time, Homer.
00:13:45First fellow in ten years
00:13:46never slipped a bash on me.
00:14:16Come on in, old-timer.
00:14:26Well, you interested in boats?
00:14:29Yeah.
00:14:31That's a rather interesting model.
00:14:33She's the Columbia, a square-rigged four-master.
00:14:37Nice work.
00:14:38Oh, and here's a nice one.
00:14:41This is a Barquentine.
00:14:43Former square-rig, the other-mast four-and-aft-rig.
00:14:46Rather unusual.
00:14:47For sale?
00:14:48Oh, no, no, no.
00:14:50No, they're not that good.
00:14:51It's only a hobby, just for fun.
00:14:53I see you're running for mayor.
00:14:55Yeah.
00:14:56Sort of a hobby, too, just for fun?
00:15:00No, not quite.
00:15:03Mayor Coniston, you saw him in the barbershop.
00:15:06He and his boys have been running this town for a long time.
00:15:09Make it pretty tough for anybody who comes up against them.
00:15:11Yes, I gathered as much.
00:15:13A lot of people have been getting tired of it.
00:15:15And if I haven't much time myself, the army's going to grab me in a couple of months.
00:15:19But I thought I might at least get the ball rolling and for once give him a fight.
00:15:24But not too much of a fight.
00:15:25Something you wanted to see me about, Mr. Grant?
00:15:31In the barbershop, Mr. Adams, you mentioned the fact that you might like to make a test case of my fine.
00:15:36Were you serious?
00:15:37Yes.
00:15:38Yes, I think you've got a case.
00:15:40You do?
00:15:41How would you go about it?
00:15:42Well, we'd, uh...
00:15:44Of course, the law requires a stamp.
00:15:46I didn't have one.
00:15:47No, no, but I think I could work out an appeal.
00:15:49An appeal?
00:15:50On what grounds?
00:15:52Was the fine illegal?
00:15:53Oh, no, no.
00:15:54They had a right to fine you.
00:15:55The fact that I was unfamiliar with the law?
00:15:58Oh, no, that's no excuse, obviously.
00:16:00Obviously.
00:16:01Then what would you base your appeal on, Mr. Adams?
00:16:04The fact that it's Tuesday and the sun is shining?
00:16:08Look, I haven't had much time to give it thought.
00:16:11But I can figure out an angle.
00:16:13There must be one lying around somewhere.
00:16:14Oh, yes, I'm sure there is.
00:16:16In the meanwhile, you can always make a living as a carpenter.
00:16:20Hiya, Bill.
00:16:21Oh, you're busy?
00:16:23No, Charlie, come on in.
00:16:24Here.
00:16:25Mr. Grant?
00:16:26Charlie Craig, my campaign manager.
00:16:28How do you do, sir?
00:16:29Hi.
00:16:30Any new votes, Charlie?
00:16:31About enough to fill a dog's ear.
00:16:32Say, I just heard about Tom Cooney.
00:16:34Yeah, he's taking it pretty hard.
00:16:35I signed the same kind of note he did,
00:16:37so it don't look so good for that tractor of mine, either.
00:16:39You couldn't get me a couple weeks' postponement, could you?
00:16:42I'll try, Charlie, but there's no use appealing to Blackston,
00:16:44not with the way he's got his business set up.
00:16:46His hopping on my tail wouldn't burn me
00:16:48if I hadn't had so much trouble with that tractor.
00:16:50Every time I needed a spare part, I had to send for it myself.
00:16:53Well, Blackston never carried them in stock.
00:16:56Did, uh, did Blackston promise you such service?
00:16:59Well, no, there's nothing in the contract about providing service.
00:17:02Has Blackston lived up to all his legal obligations as a seller of the tractor?
00:17:06Well, sir, you, you sound like a lawyer yourself, Mr. Grant.
00:17:10Yes, well, I was about 20 years ago.
00:17:14Well, maybe you could give Bill here a pointer or two.
00:17:17Anyway, I'm glad to have met you.
00:17:18Be seeing you, Mr. Mayor.
00:17:19I'm going out and see if I can't agitate a few votes for you.
00:17:24Well, Mr. Grant, since you have some knowledge of the law,
00:17:27you've probably decided there's nothing much I can do for you.
00:17:29Well, uh, what about Craig?
00:17:31What are you going to do about him?
00:17:33What can I do for him?
00:17:34With Harkley on the bench, you saw what happened to Tom Cooney.
00:17:37You can't blame that on Judge Harkley.
00:17:39You went into that courtroom without a defense.
00:17:41That's why you got whipped.
00:17:43Well, then I guess I'll get whipped again.
00:17:44I guess you will.
00:17:46You're not much of a fighter, are you, Mr. Adams?
00:17:48Except in the barbershop brawls.
00:17:50Oh, stop it.
00:17:51You can't fight brass knuckles with spitballs.
00:17:54The trick in this town is either to play the game their way,
00:17:56and I haven't the stomach for that,
00:17:57or to be as smart as they are.
00:17:59The trick, Mr. Adams, is to be smarter.
00:18:04Well, does that wind up your business?
00:18:06Or are you going to stay and give me the first five lessons
00:18:08in how to win friends and influence judges?
00:18:10No, Mr. Adams, I'm not.
00:18:12Those lessons have been written,
00:18:14and very well written,
00:18:15in books like this and all the others.
00:18:18And somewhere in one of them,
00:18:20there's a lesson mentioning that
00:18:21in any transaction between a seller and a buyer,
00:18:24there are laws governing the behavior of both parties.
00:18:27But I doubt if you can keep afloat long enough to find it.
00:18:31You know, Mr. Adams,
00:18:32I've seen you in action now as a lawyer,
00:18:34as a candidate for mayor,
00:18:37and as a shipbuilder.
00:18:38And if you'll take my advice,
00:18:40you'll stick to shipbuilding.
00:18:41There's a great future in it,
00:18:43for lawyers.
00:18:44Excuse me, sir, for breaking in like this,
00:19:05but I think I found it.
00:19:07Yes, yes, that covers it.
00:19:13He said you hadn't practiced law for 20 years.
00:19:16Imagine remembering a thing like that.
00:19:19Have you had dinner, Mr. Adams?
00:19:21No, thanks.
00:19:22Not hungry.
00:19:23I think this will cover it.
00:19:25It should work,
00:19:26but I've been batted down by those guys so often,
00:19:28I guess I'm having too much confidence.
00:19:30How long have you lived in Crownport, Mr. Adams?
00:19:37Uh, 28 years with time out for college and law school.
00:19:40Mm-hmm.
00:19:41Never established residence in any other state?
00:19:44No.
00:19:45You're sure of that?
00:19:47Well, of course.
00:19:49Well, we went to Mexico for a few months when I was seven, but...
00:19:56Did you file an income tax return for 1939 and 40?
00:20:00Well, sure.
00:20:01I didn't pay anything in 1940.
00:20:03I didn't earn enough,
00:20:04but I filed the return.
00:20:06And your figures were honest, correct,
00:20:09and would bear investigation?
00:20:10What?
00:20:11Why, of course they were.
00:20:12No, you're getting nervous, Mr. Adams.
00:20:14I'm not nervous.
00:20:15I'm really trying to...
00:20:16Oh, yes, yes, yes, you are.
00:20:16You're flustered.
00:20:17You're raising your voice.
00:20:18Well, why shouldn't I raise my voice?
00:20:20You've as good as accused me of falsifying my income tax.
00:20:22I've accused you of nothing, Mr. Adams.
00:20:23Now, look, I don't know what you have on there,
00:20:25but I want to tell you...
00:20:26Take a look.
00:20:32It's, uh...
00:20:34It's an old trick that Justice Brandeis used to play.
00:20:39I, uh, I read about it in Collier's once.
00:20:42You see, it's an unfortunate fact, Mr. Adams,
00:20:44that every man, even you and I,
00:20:46has done something that he doesn't want anybody to know about.
00:20:50Now, if you can make him think
00:20:52that you're holding in your hand
00:20:53the skeleton in his closet...
00:20:55You've got him.
00:20:58Well, let's say at least you've got him squirming,
00:21:01nervous, worried, as you were.
00:21:03But if that man
00:21:04happens to have a really guilty conscience...
00:21:07Your full name is Vincent Z. Blackston?
00:21:19Yeah.
00:21:21Tell me, Mr. Blackston,
00:21:22what does the Z stand for?
00:21:26Do I have to answer that, Your Honor?
00:21:28What can be your objection?
00:21:29Surely you have nothing to hide.
00:21:30Well, the Z...
00:21:35Well, the Z stands for Zephyr.
00:21:40It's a family name.
00:21:42Zephyr?
00:21:43Uh, means a little wind, I believe.
00:21:46Oh!
00:21:51Quiet.
00:21:53Mr. Blackston, you're the owner and manager
00:21:55of the Crownport Ardent Supply Company?
00:21:57Yes.
00:21:58The, uh...
00:21:59The sole owner?
00:22:01Uh...
00:22:01Well, sure, of course.
00:22:03No silent partners?
00:22:06No.
00:22:09Well, of course, sir, our people...
00:22:10Oh, then you're not the sole owner.
00:22:12I didn't say that!
00:22:14I just said...
00:22:14It's very strange to me, Mr. Blackston.
00:22:16You don't know whether you own
00:22:17your own business or not.
00:22:18I object.
00:22:19That question is irrelevant.
00:22:20Immaterial.
00:22:21And calculated to confuse the witness.
00:22:24Objection sustained.
00:22:25Counselor will restrict himself
00:22:27to the facts bearing on this case.
00:22:30Mr. Blackston,
00:22:31your company sells most of the used cars
00:22:34and tractors in this town.
00:22:36Almost a monopoly, isn't it?
00:22:38I do the most business
00:22:40because I sell my stock
00:22:41at the lowest prices.
00:22:43That's not monopoly.
00:22:45That's...
00:22:45That's the American way of life.
00:22:50Now, tell me, Mr. Blackston,
00:22:53carry spare parts for your customers?
00:22:55Sure.
00:22:55Do you have in stock at this moment
00:23:00piston rings for the 1938 tractors
00:23:02you sold in this town?
00:23:05Well, Mr. Blackston?
00:23:07Well, no, I don't.
00:23:09Oh, then you don't carry
00:23:09all the spare parts
00:23:10your customers might need.
00:23:12Well, I can always get them
00:23:13if they need them.
00:23:13Yes, but sometimes
00:23:14your customers have to wait.
00:23:15Sure, it takes two weeks.
00:23:17If I ain't got them,
00:23:20how can I have them?
00:23:22An intelligent answer, Mr. Blackston.
00:23:24And an honest one.
00:23:26And one which will require the court
00:23:28to enter judgment against you
00:23:29in this case.
00:23:31Will Counselor explain that statement?
00:23:33Certainly, Your Honor.
00:23:34Motor Vehicle Laws,
00:23:391919, Chapter 174, Section 52.
00:23:42The sale of any automobile
00:23:43or any other automotive vehicle
00:23:45is void unless the dealer
00:23:47carries in stock
00:23:48at all times
00:23:49and on demand
00:23:50parts that may be needed
00:23:52to repair the particular
00:23:53make of vehicle.
00:23:54Will you let me see that reference?
00:23:55Counselor would seem
00:24:05to be correct.
00:24:12You put it over, Bill.
00:24:13Say, this will take care
00:24:16of Tom Cooney, too.
00:24:17You're telling me.
00:24:25Oh, Mr. Grant.
00:24:36I thought you were going hunting.
00:24:38Well, all the ducks
00:24:39are inside today.
00:24:40I see you winged
00:24:41a couple yourself.
00:24:42Oh, of course.
00:24:43It's nothing really big.
00:24:45Who am I kidding?
00:24:46I'm so tickled
00:24:47I feel like a combination
00:24:48of Superman
00:24:49and a member
00:24:50of the Supreme Court.
00:24:52Really, I don't know
00:24:53how to thank you, Mr. Grant.
00:24:54Oh, no need to,
00:24:55my boy.
00:24:56First time I've enjoyed
00:24:57a cauldron in years.
00:24:58Hey, William.
00:24:59Hey.
00:25:00Thank you, fella.
00:25:03You know what this stuff is?
00:25:05No, Mr. Grant,
00:25:05he wouldn't.
00:25:06William, this is
00:25:07American money.
00:25:08Good old folding money.
00:25:10You know what you can do
00:25:10with this stuff?
00:25:11You can buy things
00:25:11that you need.
00:25:12You get it?
00:25:13What I don't get
00:25:14is where you got it.
00:25:15Well, seein' Blackston
00:25:16get trim, warm some hearts
00:25:17and unloosin'
00:25:18a couple of purse strings.
00:25:19The boys have kicked in
00:25:20for your campaign fun.
00:25:21You know what we're gonna do
00:25:22with this beautiful stuff?
00:25:23We're gonna get
00:25:24some posters printed.
00:25:25The great big ones.
00:25:26The kind that'll
00:25:26lift you right straight
00:25:27in the eye
00:25:27and follow you around.
00:25:34Why get frightened
00:25:35so Adams does win
00:25:36one rotten little case?
00:25:37Do you know
00:25:38what that case cost me?
00:25:40You can afford it.
00:25:41If it had happened
00:25:42to your hotel, Roscoe,
00:25:43you'd scream
00:25:44like a stuck pig.
00:25:45Stop it.
00:25:46Stop it.
00:25:46Seriously, Jim,
00:25:49you don't see Adams
00:25:51as real competition.
00:25:52Well, as things stand now,
00:25:54no.
00:25:55But if a lot of people
00:25:56start thinking of Bill Adams
00:25:57as the people's champion,
00:26:00well, Jim,
00:26:02there was nothing else
00:26:03I could do.
00:26:04I can give you boys
00:26:05the edge when it's
00:26:06a question of interpretation,
00:26:08but not when the law's
00:26:09right there in black and white.
00:26:10Oh, I'm not blaming you, Judge.
00:26:12It's just something
00:26:14to start thinking about,
00:26:15that's all.
00:26:16You think we'll have trouble?
00:26:18Well, now look, boys.
00:26:20On second thought,
00:26:22we may be getting
00:26:23all steamed up for nothing.
00:26:25Yeah.
00:26:27But suppose he opens
00:26:28a lot of old cases
00:26:29like Tom Cooney's.
00:26:31I think you've got
00:26:32something there, Zephyr.
00:26:37We'll just have to show
00:26:38the boy that he's wrong.
00:26:40We'll just have to show
00:27:10Miss Gilbert?
00:27:20No.
00:27:25Miss Gilbert?
00:27:26Yes?
00:27:27Oh, that's better.
00:27:28That's much better.
00:27:30I'm Bill Adams.
00:27:31Mr. Grant asked me
00:27:31to meet you.
00:27:32Yes, I know.
00:27:34Here, let me take that.
00:27:35The car's over here.
00:27:36Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.
00:27:43Have you?
00:27:43Shh!
00:27:44Shh!
00:27:46Uh, is it, uh, do you think we should try to scoop some of that up?
00:28:11Uh, no, I guess not, huh?
00:28:18Well, uh, everything seems to be under control, but...
00:28:22Would it be all right with you if we went to your car now?
00:28:25The car? Oh, no! No, yes! Right here.
00:28:29Uh, sorry to get off to such a bad start. I'm not always so clumsy.
00:28:44Oh, my hat!
00:28:47Oh, don't worry. We'll, we'll, we'll get it.
00:28:59Oh, my hat!
00:29:29Uh, how long have you worked for Mr. Grant?
00:29:50Uh, hmm?
00:29:55Two years.
00:29:57Quite a character, isn't he?
00:29:59Quite.
00:30:01You know, I, uh, I was very surprised when he told me his secretary was coming down.
00:30:05I had an idea the old boy was retired.
00:30:07The old boy is far from retired.
00:30:10Where is he now, Mr. Adams?
00:30:12Well, he went over to Wellbridge this morning to do some hunting. He ought to be back soon.
00:30:15Uh...
00:30:16I was going to drive you around the town, but, uh, I guess you'll want to get cleaned up now.
00:30:25Yes, I think I will.
00:30:27Well, I'll take you straight to the hotel.
00:30:28You are running for mayor?
00:30:40Mm-hmm.
00:30:41Surprised?
00:30:43That's putting it very mildly, Mr. Adams.
00:30:45Well, make the most of it, lady, because that's likely to be the only surprise you'll get in this town.
00:30:50Who's the girl with Adams?
00:31:01Don't know.
00:31:02What difference does it make?
00:31:06I'd like a room, please, by the day.
00:31:09No, but...
00:31:10Henry, show this lady out.
00:31:16But you don't understand.
00:31:17Yes, I do.
00:31:18Why, you...
00:31:19Uh, please, Mr. Adams, let me explain.
00:31:22I...
00:31:22Come on, sister, beat it.
00:31:23Take your hands off her.
00:31:25Oh, yeah?
00:31:38Nice work, pal.
00:31:39I tell you, you can't do this.
00:31:51Look facts in the face, mister.
00:31:53Oh, but, officer...
00:31:54Hey, officer!
00:31:57Hey, sergeant!
00:31:58Sergeant, I want to use that phone!
00:32:00Will you please keep quiet, your honor?
00:32:05Just trying to get us out of here, you know.
00:32:08Why didn't you think of that before you got us in?
00:32:10Look, I'm very sorry this happened, but it isn't my fault.
00:32:13I suppose I started the fight.
00:32:16Hmm, you sure did all right once it got going.
00:32:19Ho, ho, ho!
00:32:21What a gal!
00:32:22And what a wallop!
00:32:25Yeah, Miss G, you're really some scrapper.
00:32:27Hey, Roscoe Swade asked me to call you, Judge.
00:32:33We've got Bill Adams in here with a dame, Salt and Battery.
00:32:36How long do you want us to hold him here?
00:32:38Oh, we'll just let them stew for a while, sergeant.
00:32:42Adams will probably want to get in touch with me.
00:32:46And I...
00:32:47Oh, he does, huh?
00:32:50Well, I'm out of town.
00:32:51You can't reach me anywhere.
00:32:53That's right.
00:32:55Overnight.
00:32:57Will you have the chef prepare a couple of these for tomorrow night's dinner?
00:33:08And I'll have my key, please.
00:33:10Yes, sir.
00:33:11What, uh, what room did you put Miss Gilbert in?
00:33:15Gilbert?
00:33:15Gilbert.
00:33:17There's no Miss Gilbert registered.
00:33:19Well, that's strange.
00:33:21Anything wrong, Mr. Grant?
00:33:23Why, yes, I was expecting my secretary today.
00:33:25Mr. Adams was to have met her.
00:33:27Your, your secretary?
00:33:29Yeah.
00:33:30Miss, uh, Miss Gilbert.
00:33:31Miss Lucy Gilbert.
00:33:32Have you heard from her?
00:33:33No.
00:33:33No, not exactly.
00:33:34Well, that is, she was here, but...
00:33:37Where is she?
00:33:37Well, Mr. Grant, you see, we, uh...
00:33:40We had a little trouble.
00:33:41Where is she?
00:33:43She's with Adams.
00:33:45In the county jail.
00:33:46Well, you get them out of there.
00:33:48And fast.
00:33:49Yes, sir.
00:33:50Yes, sir.
00:33:50Right away.
00:33:52Bertie, get me Judge Harkley, quick.
00:33:54Yes, sir.
00:34:02Come in.
00:34:08Good evening, Mr. Grant.
00:34:10Well, good evening, Miss Gilbert.
00:34:11I'm sorry I couldn't meet you at the station.
00:34:18So am I, sir.
00:34:20However, Mr. Adams seems to have made your introduction to Crownport quite spectacular.
00:34:26Well, if it amuses you both, of course, it was quite worthwhile.
00:34:30I'm sorry.
00:34:31Sit down, Miss Gilbert.
00:34:33You, uh...
00:34:34You seem tired.
00:34:35What, what happened?
00:34:38Well, when I said the boys were, were playing with brass knuckles, I wasn't kidding.
00:34:42Look, I win a case from Blackston.
00:34:44That makes a good impression around town.
00:34:46So I walk into Swade's hotel.
00:34:48Roscoe says something, provokes a fight, and I land in jail.
00:34:51That's the way Crownport's run, Mr. Grant.
00:34:53I hope the fact that Miss Gilbert was involved won't upset you.
00:34:57The fact that Miss Gilbert was involved upsets me a great deal.
00:35:00It strikes me that Swade, Connison and company are just been a little too high-handed.
00:35:06Well, you can't fight the city hall, sir.
00:35:08As candidate for mayor, that's what you're doing, isn't it?
00:35:11Well, I suppose I am, but the boys are starting to play rough.
00:35:14Well, of course, if they play too rough, you can always go back to your ship building.
00:35:19Yes, I guess I could.
00:35:21But right now, I'm going to go home and get some sleep.
00:35:23Miss Gilbert and I have a date in court tomorrow.
00:35:26Good night, Miss Gilbert.
00:35:27Don't hold me against Crownport.
00:35:29All right, sir.
00:35:30Your notes.
00:35:41Perhaps you'd like to go over them.
00:35:43I gather somehow that you're not very much drawn to Mr. Adams.
00:35:49My personal reactions to him aren't important, sir.
00:35:52Well, I wouldn't be too hasty.
00:35:55He attracts too much trouble.
00:35:57He certainly does.
00:35:58His whole approach is wrong.
00:36:00He shuts his eyes and wades in and slugs.
00:36:03But he has good stuff.
00:36:07Do you think it wise to get involved with his problems?
00:36:10After all, you are on your vacation.
00:36:12Oh, I'm not involved.
00:36:13I'm just trying to give the boy a push.
00:36:16Come in.
00:36:19May I turn your bed down, sir?
00:36:21Oh, yes.
00:36:21Yes, certainly.
00:36:22Good night, Mr. Graff.
00:36:25Good night.
00:36:25Good night.
00:36:26Oh?
00:36:27Oh, I'm all right.
00:36:28Good night, Miss Gilbert.
00:36:34Good night, Miss Gilbert.
00:36:34Kind of skimpy, isn't it?
00:36:45They just ain't long enough, none of them.
00:36:48I keep a-telling, Mr. Swade.
00:36:51Well, there, that'll have to do.
00:36:53Good night, sir.
00:36:54Hope you rest well.
00:37:05Good night.
00:37:23Wrong number.
00:37:36Mr. Adams, wake up. This is Mr. Grant.
00:37:40What?
00:37:41Wait a minute.
00:37:44Yeah?
00:37:48You want me to what?
00:37:49I said get any of your clothes, get two yardsticks.
00:37:53Yardsticks.
00:37:54Come right over here and register for the night at the hotel.
00:37:57I'll tell you all about it when you get here, but get here.
00:38:00Right.
00:38:09Hello, Roscoe.
00:38:12Give me a single room next to Mr. Grant.
00:38:14I'll pay in advance.
00:38:15Yes.
00:38:214.13.
00:38:23What's the matter, Roscoe?
00:38:25You don't seem at all happy to see me.
00:38:27I, uh, dropped my luggage, too.
00:38:29Why should he sleep here with yardsticks?
00:38:37He's got a place of his own.
00:38:44Hello.
00:38:45Get me Miss Gilbert's room, please.
00:38:46Where do we start?
00:38:47Why should he want to talk to her in the middle of the night?
00:38:54I don't know.
00:38:58It's Grant.
00:38:59Yes, Mr. Grant.
00:39:02Yes, sir.
00:39:03Right away.
00:39:06He wants a bellboy right away.
00:39:07He wants to send something to Miss Gilbert's room.
00:39:09They're up to something.
00:39:11I know they are.
00:39:15Henry.
00:39:22Take this yardstick to Miss Gilbert.
00:39:24Yes, sir.
00:39:25Uh, Mr. Swade said with his compliments.
00:39:27My compliments to Mr. Swade, I don't eat fruit.
00:39:40Mr. Swade, I don't eat fruit.
00:40:06Thanks.
00:40:07Oh, wait a minute, Miss.
00:40:08I've got a bowl of fruit for you.
00:40:10Mr. Swade said with his compliments.
00:40:12My compliments to Mr. Swade.
00:40:14Tell him I've lost my appetite.
00:40:28I couldn't see nothing.
00:40:30They blacked out the rooms.
00:40:35Some are playing.
00:40:36Now she's calling Grant.
00:40:40Yes, Miss Gilbert?
00:40:44Seven and a half.
00:40:45Same here.
00:40:46The other?
00:40:47Two and a half.
00:40:49That doesn't.
00:40:52Maybe it's a code.
00:40:57Oh, don't worry, Roscoe.
00:40:58I'll be back.
00:40:59I'll be back.
00:40:59I'll be back.
00:40:59I'll be back.
00:41:00Yes, sister.
00:41:22All right.
00:41:24Suede's hotel, give me Mr. Grant's room.
00:41:37Mr. Grant, you were absolutely right.
00:41:39It's 9 and 2.
00:41:41Yeah, I'll be back in a minute.
00:41:43Oh, I think Mr. Suede's going to be a little sorry tomorrow
00:41:46that he's bringing those charges against us.
00:41:54Good afternoon, Miss Gilbert.
00:42:09Mr. Grant, you're looking very beautiful, Miss Gilbert.
00:42:11Really? I didn't sleep at all.
00:42:14Probably nervous exhaustion due to the unfortunate experience
00:42:18you underwent yesterday.
00:42:20Ever spent any time in jail, Mr. Suede?
00:42:23Ever been sued for false arrest, Mr. Suede?
00:42:25Miss Gilbert, I made up my mind to drop the complaint against you.
00:42:29Well, what about the complaint against Mr. Adams?
00:42:32He spent a few hours in jail, too.
00:42:34You've got nobody but yourself to thank.
00:42:35You started it hitting Henry.
00:42:37I'll forget you hit me.
00:42:38He didn't hit you. I did.
00:42:41Well, I'll forget that, too, but...
00:42:44But six hours in jail is something I won't forget, Mr. Suede.
00:42:47I think $5,000 damages would be about right, Counselor, don't you?
00:42:51Well, I had thought of ten, but, uh...
00:42:53No, I think five is enough.
00:42:56Oh, don't worry, Mr. Suede.
00:42:57I'll see that the money goes to a good cause.
00:42:59I'll invest it in war bonds.
00:43:08Court is now in session.
00:43:09Judge Hartley presiding.
00:43:12Case of Suede versus Gilbert and Adams.
00:43:14Judge, I move you throw my complaint out.
00:43:24The complaint against Miss Gilbert?
00:43:26Yes.
00:43:27Adams, too.
00:43:28We settled it by ourselves.
00:43:31Both of them, huh?
00:43:32Yeah.
00:43:33Wow.
00:43:37Case of Suede versus Gilbert and Adams.
00:43:39Dismissed.
00:43:40You can thank Miss Gilbert for getting you off so easy.
00:43:45Thank you, Lucy.
00:43:49Oh, uh, Roscoe.
00:43:51Just a minute, Roscoe.
00:43:52We're not quite through yet.
00:43:54Joe, serve the papers on Mr. Suede.
00:43:56Roscoe Suede?
00:43:59What are you talking about?
00:44:00I took it if I dropped my suit against you, you'd drop yours against me.
00:44:04Relax, Roscoe.
00:44:04This is another suit.
00:44:06Your Honor, I find that in the management of his hotel, Mr. Suede is in violation of several important laws.
00:44:12What are the charges?
00:44:13I brought the evidence with me, Your Honor.
00:44:21The hotel laws of this state, 1909, Section 52.
00:44:25All sheets provided in all hotels, hostelries, inns, or lodging houses shall be a minimum of nine feet in length.
00:44:36Seven and a half feet, Your Honor.
00:44:38All pillowcases shall be a minimum of three feet.
00:44:42Two and a half feet, Your Honor.
00:44:45There should be a minimum distance between all twin beds of two feet.
00:44:49Now, the beds in my room at the Suede Hotel were scarcely half a foot apart, Your Honor.
00:44:53I, uh, couldn't bring them in evidence, but I have witnesses who can testify as to my veracity.
00:44:58Let me see this reference, sir.
00:45:08You'll be sorry for this.
00:45:10You wait and see.
00:45:11Will the court warn the defendant the threats and intimidation are punishable by law?
00:45:14My quiet, Mr. Suede.
00:45:16And don't you tell me how to run my court.
00:45:18The law provides a fine of $50.
00:45:22For each offense.
00:45:24Are you prepared to face these charges at the present time?
00:45:29Yes.
00:45:30Do you plead guilty?
00:45:33Yes.
00:45:35And pay the clerk.
00:45:40Nice work, Counselor.
00:45:41Congratulations, sir.
00:45:46Congratulations, sir.
00:46:00Now, for recess.
00:46:11Well, this couldn't by any chance be a little gift from Mr. Swade.
00:46:22I thought we might end our celebration in style.
00:46:25What vintage is that, Miss?
00:46:28California, 1938.
00:46:29Here, I'll do it, Miss.
00:46:34You can tell I'm an amateur. The bottle resents me.
00:46:39Well, it popped anyway.
00:46:46To the next player of Crownport.
00:46:48Yes, who's learned to use his head and his law books.
00:46:53Well, to my roofing section.
00:46:57I think you're on the right track, Counselor.
00:47:00You keep the Connorsons busy on the little things and they won't have time for the bigger ones.
00:47:04Neither will I.
00:47:05Well, I think I'd like to do a little hunting in the morning if you can keep your life fairly quiet for one day.
00:47:13Well, I'll try.
00:47:15Lucy might keep an eye on me. That'd help.
00:47:18I'll be responsible for him, sir.
00:47:20Starting with breakfast.
00:47:21Well, I think Lucy would probably like some more coffee.
00:47:28Yes, I would.
00:47:31It'll just keep you awake.
00:47:33Well, good night.
00:47:34Good night.
00:47:35Good night, sir.
00:47:35More coffee?
00:47:42Uh...
00:47:43I suppose you're a wonderful dancer.
00:47:50Fair.
00:47:51I'm awful.
00:47:52Good.
00:47:53That'll make me feel superior.
00:47:55May I have this down since that?
00:47:56It's charmed.
00:48:01Hey, I'm not so bad, am I?
00:48:03You're fine.
00:48:05I guess the trouble is I just never liked to dance before.
00:48:08Neither did I.
00:48:13You know, Lucy, Crownport's not such a bad little town.
00:48:17It's got a lot of nice people in it.
00:48:18You've just seen the worst side of it.
00:48:20Like you?
00:48:21Uh-huh.
00:48:22You know, but what I mean, Lucy, is...
00:48:25Well, can you see yourself living in a town like Crownport?
00:48:31No, pretty dull, I guess, huh?
00:48:33Very.
00:48:34Practically nothing's happened to me since I met you.
00:48:37Yeah.
00:48:38No, but seriously, sometimes I have whole days of peace and quiet.
00:48:42Now, we've been together for several hours and nothing very spectacular has happened.
00:48:49Not near enough has happened.
00:48:51Let's get out of here.
00:49:09Sorry.
00:49:11Sometimes we have whole days of peace and quiet.
00:49:15Good night, Mr. Adams.
00:49:16Oh, that date for breakfast still stands.
00:49:22Good night, Bill.
00:49:31Good morning, Herman.
00:49:33Well, goodbye, Mr. Adams.
00:49:35Oh, no.
00:49:36Oh, no.
00:49:37Mr. Grant said you were to look after me today.
00:49:39And what he says goes.
00:49:40He's your boss, you know.
00:49:41Well, I've had breakfast with you.
00:49:42Oh, yes, but I need much more looking after than that.
00:49:45Much more.
00:49:50What the...
00:49:52Wait, Bill.
00:49:55Hey!
00:49:56I've been trying to find you.
00:49:58Look.
00:49:58Hey, what's going on here?
00:50:00What do you think you're doing?
00:50:01You're being evicted.
00:50:02Here's your notice.
00:50:04Come on, boys.
00:50:04Don't take all day.
00:50:06Okay, folks.
00:50:07Because of the lumber I keep around, the place has attracted termites.
00:50:10How do you like that?
00:50:11It's fantastic.
00:50:14Look.
00:50:14Look.
00:50:15Can't you just wait until I call Ridges and get this thing fixed up?
00:50:18Sure.
00:50:19You can call him at Swade's office, but it won't do you no good, pal.
00:50:21He signed the notice himself.
00:50:23Okay, fellas, lift it.
00:50:25Yeah, but...
00:50:27But at least you can leave my stuff here until I can get another office.
00:50:30Sorry.
00:50:31Orders.
00:50:33Well, what difference does it make to you?
00:50:35Oh, boy.
00:50:43Pleasure, telephone.
00:50:44Hi, over there.
00:50:45Thanks.
00:50:51Listen.
00:50:52Will you stop reading me the Constitution?
00:50:53I'm just following orders.
00:50:55Oh, I'm asking you to do it.
00:50:56Hello?
00:50:57Hello, is this the Andrews building?
00:50:58Give me the superintendent, please.
00:51:00Miss Gilbert!
00:51:02Miss Gilbert!
00:51:03Miss Gilbert!
00:51:05I've been looking for you, Mr. Grant.
00:51:08They're evicting Bell.
00:51:10Evicting Bell?
00:51:11Why, what happened?
00:51:12Oh, something about termites.
00:51:13Well...
00:51:14Yeah, just drop my things at the hotel, will you?
00:51:17Now, tell me.
00:51:18Who's responsible for this?
00:51:24Seems that Roscoe Swade has a pal named Hart Ridges.
00:51:27Happens to be my landlord.
00:51:28Also happens to be one of Connison's boys.
00:51:30Well, so Roscoe gives Hart a call, and here I am.
00:51:34Don't worry, though.
00:51:35I'll get another office.
00:51:36Hello?
00:51:37Hello?
00:51:37Oh, this is William Adams.
00:51:39Yes, I want to rent an office.
00:51:41What?
00:51:43Oh, no vacancies.
00:51:44Can't we do stuff for you, Mr. Grant?
00:51:46Well, I don't.
00:51:48Wait a minute!
00:51:49Be careful of those!
00:51:49No vacancies at all, huh?
00:51:58I see.
00:52:00Not an office in town.
00:52:01Not even a loft.
00:52:03Oh, those boys think of everything.
00:52:05Connison?
00:52:06Are you sure?
00:52:07Who else?
00:52:08It's too clever for anybody else.
00:52:11Let me sit there with you.
00:52:13Who's Bill Adams?
00:52:14Do you mean Mayor Adams?
00:52:18I'm Bill Adams.
00:52:19What do you want?
00:52:19Electric Company.
00:52:20Got orders to discontinue service.
00:52:22They're fishing, aren't they?
00:52:24You can find the box in the back.
00:52:25Okay, thanks.
00:52:26What's the matter, Mr. Mayor?
00:52:28Can't you pay your bills?
00:52:30You shut your mouth.
00:52:32I'll shut it for you.
00:52:33Oh, no, no, Tom.
00:52:34No, that's what they want us to do, so let's not do it.
00:52:37Why not use my sitting room as temporary headquarters?
00:52:41Oh, well, that's awfully nice of you, Mr. Grant, but I couldn't do it.
00:52:44Why not, Bill?
00:52:46You're not going to let them put you out of business, are you?
00:52:48Where's Bill Adams?
00:52:54Oh, Mr. Mayor, you've got more company.
00:52:56Hey, Willie, bring out a couple of more chairs.
00:52:59I'm Adams.
00:52:59What do you want?
00:53:00Compliments over the mayor.
00:53:01He thought you might need some help.
00:53:03Well, you send my compliments right back to the mayor and tell him to...
00:53:06You tell Mayor Connison I'm staying right where I am, out on the street.
00:53:11And before I'm through, I'll have him out here with me.
00:53:13Ah, get a soapbox.
00:53:14You bet I'll get a soapbox.
00:53:16And if Connison wants to know what I mean, tell him to come down here and I'll try explaining it to him personally.
00:53:23Ladies and gentlemen, please.
00:53:24Please.
00:53:25Just give me a few minutes until I get my new office set up.
00:53:28William, you mean right here on the street?
00:53:30Sure.
00:53:30Why not?
00:53:31We'll hang my shingle on that lamppost.
00:53:33Bill Adams.
00:53:33Get out of the junction.
00:53:34You won't be here two hours.
00:53:36I know that, sir.
00:53:37But this time, Connison's gone too far.
00:53:39He's giving me more publicity than I ever dreamed of.
00:53:41I may be here only an hour, but it'll be a good one.
00:53:43I'll get you an office now.
00:53:45Oh, keep out of trouble.
00:53:46I'll be back in a few minutes.
00:53:48Oh, come on.
00:53:49Now, is this about right for the desk?
00:53:51Oh, no.
00:53:52I think it should be Caddy Conan.
00:53:53Okay, Lake.
00:53:54You're the boss.
00:53:55Uh-oh.
00:53:55Here.
00:53:56Let me take those.
00:53:57Watch this.
00:53:59Excuse me.
00:53:59Oh.
00:54:15Who pulled that?
00:54:36I'm fooling.
00:54:37I'll get him for a win.
00:54:38I'll get him for a win.
00:55:08Bill, stop this.
00:55:22How is he, nurse?
00:55:24Oh, he's coming along all right.
00:55:25Can we see him now?
00:55:26I think so.
00:55:27You fellas wait.
00:55:28We'll be right out.
00:55:29That'll do it, Mr. Grant.
00:55:30Oh, thank you.
00:55:31Well, where's Mr. Adams?
00:55:33How you feel, Mr. Grant?
00:55:33Maybe you'd better take it easy for a while.
00:55:34No, no, no.
00:55:35I'm all right.
00:55:36Where are Mr. Adams and my secretary?
00:55:37Well, he's in jail and she's trying to get him out.
00:55:42Oh, Lucy.
00:55:43Did the doctor say you could get out?
00:55:45Oh, yes.
00:55:45I'm fine.
00:55:46Where's Bill?
00:55:47Still in jail.
00:55:48I've tried everything.
00:55:50They're holding him for a $15,000 bail.
00:55:53Inciting to riot.
00:55:54This is outrageous.
00:55:55We'll have to find Judge Harkley.
00:55:56We've tried to.
00:55:58And he couldn't be found, as usual.
00:55:59You can find him at Connison's Rally.
00:56:01About an hour from now.
00:56:02Up there on the platform.
00:56:03Shoot me his big mouth off.
00:56:04No, we'll find him before them.
00:56:06It's no use, Mr. Grant.
00:56:07They got us all sewed up.
00:56:09They always do.
00:56:10Yes, but they took one stitch too many this time.
00:56:12They always do that, too.
00:56:13Come on.
00:56:19Do you think you should?
00:56:20I've got to get the boy out of jail.
00:56:24I'm glad you feel that way, sir.
00:56:26Yes.
00:56:26Well, let's not keep Judge Harkley waiting, huh?
00:56:40I want to talk to you, Mr. Harkley.
00:56:42Sorry, I haven't any time to give you right now.
00:56:44I'm afraid you'll have to find time.
00:56:46Say here, you.
00:56:47Judge Harkley, acting on my rights as a citizen,
00:56:50I demand that you swear out warrants
00:56:52for the arrest of Ridges, Swade, Blackston, and Mayor Connison.
00:56:56You're crazy.
00:56:56On what charges?
00:56:58Conspiracy, abuse of public office, inciting to riot.
00:57:01I suggest that you come to the jail with us now
00:57:03and release Mr. Adams and sign those warrants.
00:57:07We'll need a couple more warrants, too, for some hoodlums.
00:57:09I have their names.
00:57:10You are crazy.
00:57:11You can't push away into my house in order to be around.
00:57:14Do you realize I can have you arrested for disturbing the peace?
00:57:17All of you.
00:57:18Let's just postpone that, Judge.
00:57:20Ladies and gentlemen, will you excuse us for just a minute?
00:57:23Uh-huh.
00:57:38Ladies and gentlemen, I have persuaded Judge Harkley to change his mind.
00:57:43He has kindly consented to release your candidate in time for the rally tonight.
00:57:48Are you going to tell Bill how you got him out?
00:57:51No, that's not necessary.
00:57:52What's the deal, Mr. Grant?
00:57:53You know something about him.
00:57:55No, on the contrary.
00:57:56He knows something about me.
00:57:57Ladies and gentlemen, I mean, my friends.
00:58:10For a long time, I've been hoping a man would come along.
00:58:15A young man.
00:58:16Because, like I always say, the future of our great country belongs to the young folks who
00:58:24could take over and give us old folks a chance to sit back and take things easy.
00:58:30Well, this year I said to myself, Jim, maybe this Bill Adams is the fellow.
00:58:39But he dashed my hopes and prayers to the ground.
00:58:42I saw that he's not the man we've been waiting for.
00:58:46That he's nothing but an agitator.
00:58:48A troublemaker.
00:58:49Stirring up neighbors against each other.
00:58:52He said he'd be here tonight.
00:58:54I wish he was.
00:58:57I hoped that when I got up to talk, he'd be here on the platform with me to debate with
00:59:03me the issues so close to our hearts.
00:59:19Bill Adams, if you think you're going to break up this rally, you're crazy.
00:59:22Did you let him out?
00:59:24Uh, Mr. Mayor, I, uh, well, Chief Perkins here, he's, uh, he's got a warrant for your
00:59:31arrest.
00:59:31And for the arrest of Blackston, Ridges, and Suede.
00:59:34Take your hands off me.
00:59:35Jim, I couldn't help it.
00:59:38Honestly, you'd just better come along.
00:59:45Attention, please.
00:59:46Quiet, quiet, everybody.
00:59:48My friend, I never thought he'd dare do this.
00:59:51But you can see for yourselves now to what lengths this radical will go to sabotage a peaceful
00:59:59meeting of the people.
01:00:00But I'm calling his bluff.
01:00:03I'm going to make him bring out the witnesses to prove this.
01:00:07As mayor of this town, I got a right to call a special hearing, and I do.
01:00:12So the issues will be clear when you go to the polls to vote tomorrow.
01:00:21You'll be sorry you ever started this.
01:00:28Better remain with us, Mr. Hartley.
01:00:30We wouldn't want you to prejudice the mayor's testimony.
01:00:32Any place there, Paul.
01:00:37I find a seat and sit down.
01:00:41That Adam's work's just bluffing.
01:00:43He ain't got a thing on the mayor.
01:00:44No?
01:00:45I find a seat and sit down.
01:00:52Mr. Grant, I still don't understand.
01:00:54Order, order, this hearing will come to order.
01:01:14Judge Hartley, my friend, I'm not on trial here.
01:01:20Bill Adams has made accusations against me.
01:01:23He's had a warrant sworn out for my arrest.
01:01:26This is a hearing to show you that he has no proof of anything he says.
01:01:31That he's trying by a cheap trick to win an election he can't win by fair play.
01:01:35Judge Hartley!
01:01:37Mr. Mayor, you'll have to moderate your tone.
01:01:40This is very irregular.
01:01:42Step one side and clear the aisle, please.
01:01:49Mr. Connison, it's true that you are not formally on trial here.
01:02:00You asked for this hearing.
01:02:02You demanded by what right we had you arrested.
01:02:05We're here to tell you and to accuse you of conspiring against men who honestly oppose you,
01:02:11of inciting a riot with reckless disregard for human safety,
01:02:14of abusing the office to which you have been elected by the people of this town.
01:02:19And these accusations we are prepared to prove.
01:02:21I hate to see the old boy get himself involved like this.
01:02:25Don't worry about the old boy now, darling.
01:02:29Mr. Mayor, Mr. Grant has obtained confessions from these men.
01:02:34They have told Mr. Grant that acting on your orders,
01:02:39they started the riot this morning in order to make possible Mr. Adams' arrest.
01:02:43They have sworn to these facts.
01:02:46Because of this, Mr. Grant was able to demand a warrant for your arrest.
01:02:53Mr. Grant swore out a warrant for my arrest?
01:02:57A man who doesn't even live in our town.
01:03:00A meddling old fool who does nothing but shoot ducks and start trouble.
01:03:04Jim, don't say that.
01:03:06I'll say anything I please.
01:03:08I demand to know who this man is.
01:03:10Who is this Joe Grant?
01:03:12Jim, do yourself a favor.
01:03:15Don't ask.
01:03:16That's all right, Judge Harkley.
01:03:18Mr. Connison, it's not Joe Grant.
01:03:21It's John Josephus Grant.
01:03:23Where are you from, Grant?
01:03:24Washington, D.C.
01:03:26Jim, please, no more questions.
01:03:29Mr. Grant...
01:03:30Shut up!
01:03:31I'll ask all the questions I please.
01:03:34By what right?
01:03:35And what do you do, Mr. Grant?
01:03:38Mr. Connison, I am a judge.
01:03:40An Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.
01:03:50Mr. Connison, you have asked by what right I've interfered in this situation.
01:03:57Do you still want an answer?
01:03:58Uh, Justice Grant, would you care to...
01:04:04No, no, no, thank you.
01:04:08Bill!
01:04:08Bill!
01:04:09Oh, just throw some water on him, Lucy.
01:04:11He'll be all right.
01:04:12Your Honor, Mayor Connison, it's only right that you should know why I, as stranger, have
01:04:26become involved in your affairs.
01:04:29Believe me, it's not because I am a Justice of the Supreme Court.
01:04:34It's because, like all of you here, I am a citizen of this country.
01:04:39Unfortunately, that is no little honor.
01:04:43Men have fought revolutions, have died to be called citizens.
01:04:49And as citizens, we carry a burning responsibility.
01:04:54It means that when we elect men to public office, we cannot do it as lightly as we flip a coin.
01:05:01It means that after we've elected them, we can't sit back and say,
01:05:04our job is done.
01:05:06What they do now doesn't concern us.
01:05:09That philosophy of indifference is what the enemies of decent government want.
01:05:15If we allow them to have their way to grow strong and vicious,
01:05:20then the heroic struggle which welded thousands of lovely towns like this into a great nation means nothing.
01:05:27Then we are not citizens.
01:05:30We are traitors.
01:05:31The great liberties by which we live have been bought with blood.
01:05:38The kind of government we get is the kind of government we want.
01:05:43Government of the people, by the people, and for the people can mean any kind of government.
01:05:48It's our duty to make it mean only one kind.
01:05:51Uncorrupted, free, united.
01:05:53I believe, Mayor Connison, that I've answered your question.
01:05:59Now, as soon as court adjourns, I'll meet you back here in my chambers.
01:06:16What's the matter, Mr. Justice?
01:06:17You seem nervous.
01:06:18Oh, no, no, not at all.
01:06:20How about you, Mayor Adams?
01:06:22Have you the ring?
01:06:23Do you know your line, sir?
01:06:29Well, I ought to.
01:06:30I stayed up half the night learning them.
01:06:42Hello there, Grant.
01:06:43I'm glad to see you.
01:06:45You're looking fine, Jusie.
01:06:46How was the hunting?
01:06:47Oh, best I ever had.
01:06:50Good morning, Your Honor.
01:06:53Good morning, Your Honor.
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