- 4 weeks ago
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Short filmTranscript
00:00:00.
00:01:31Ashby!
00:01:32Where's Ashby?
00:01:34He had to go out, Chief.
00:01:37May I see you, Mr. Caldwell?
00:01:44What is it?
00:01:45Just this.
00:01:46We've got to do something about Ashby, sir.
00:01:50His garden beautiful column is going to seed.
00:01:53I haven't noticed anything wrong with it.
00:01:55No, of course you haven't.
00:01:56That's because I've been padding it with clippings from home and garden.
00:02:00Now, Ashby was all right until this epidemic of fire started.
00:02:04But now, he spends all his time chasing fire engines.
00:02:08Chasing fire engines?
00:02:09What for?
00:02:10Well, some people have it in their blood, you know.
00:02:12They'd rather follow a fire than eat.
00:02:15Possibly Ashby is afflicted with this same mania.
00:02:18All right.
00:02:18I'll speak to him when he comes in.
00:02:20Now, Mr. Caldwell,
00:02:21I have very definite theories regarding the garden beautiful.
00:02:26Good morning, Ashby.
00:02:28Greetings and sanitation, slaves.
00:02:30Well, I want one hole.
00:02:31The wanderer has returned.
00:02:32Good morning, Ashby.
00:03:02Where did this shrubbery come from?
00:03:05From your admiring and devoted poppera.
00:03:09Tokens of love and appreciation for the helpful hints
00:03:11contained in your most enlightening column,
00:03:14the garden beautiful.
00:03:15Whoops.
00:03:18Garden beautiful.
00:03:19Garden fiddlesticks.
00:03:22Two months on this sappy column,
00:03:23and I see red as a mention of anything connected with botany.
00:03:26What do I care about daffodils, snails, or mealybugs?
00:03:29You're right.
00:03:30What I want's action, excitement.
00:03:31I'm a police reporter, not a florist.
00:03:34Atta boy, Ashby.
00:03:47What do I know about garden beautiful?
00:03:49Nothing, and I care less.
00:03:51It's Caldwell wants to see you, Ashby.
00:03:53All right, Willie.
00:03:54I'll be right in.
00:04:03Do you want me, boss?
00:04:05So, you finally condescended to come to work.
00:04:09Got a complaint about your garden beautiful column.
00:04:11A complaint?
00:04:12A woman writes that you advise using arsenic to kill bugs and her rotors.
00:04:17Well, didn't it kill them?
00:04:19Sure it did.
00:04:20But it also killed her pet poodle, and she's furious.
00:04:23Well, I didn't recommend it for poodles.
00:04:25And on top of that, Moseley tells me that you've been laying down on the job.
00:04:31Well?
00:04:32What have you got to say to yourself?
00:04:37Nothing, I guess.
00:04:40Yes, I have too.
00:04:42Did you ever run a garden beautiful column?
00:04:44I?
00:04:45No.
00:04:46Do you know anything about a garden beautiful?
00:04:48No, I don't.
00:04:49Well, neither do I.
00:04:50But I'm teetotally fed up writing about them.
00:04:53Well, I wouldn't care if the snails and mealy bugs ate up every plant, shrub, and flower that ever grew.
00:04:58Are you dissatisfied with your job?
00:05:00Yes, I am.
00:05:02Look, I quit the Kansas City Tribune to come here because I thought there were more possibilities in a city of this size.
00:05:07More opportunities, more excitement, more action, more fire engines.
00:05:11Does it run in your family?
00:05:13What, fire engines?
00:05:14No, chasing them.
00:05:16Well, it's true.
00:05:17I have gone to a couple of fires, but...
00:05:19Why don't you join the fire department and go to all of them?
00:05:22I couldn't make the grade.
00:05:23I'd fall down on the hook and ladder test.
00:05:26The what?
00:05:27You know, the hook and ladder test.
00:05:29Climbing a building on a scaling ladder.
00:05:31I get too dizzy.
00:05:32I can't stand the height.
00:05:38Yes?
00:05:39What does she want?
00:05:42Oh, she insists on seeing me about the garden beautiful column.
00:05:48Holy mackerel, maybe that's the lady with the poodle.
00:05:51Well, tell her I'm busy.
00:05:53Oh, you did?
00:05:55And she keeps on coming back?
00:05:57Well, get her name and telephone number.
00:06:01Let me see.
00:06:03Where were we?
00:06:04Oh, on the hook and ladder.
00:06:07I was saying I couldn't stand height.
00:06:09It's hereditary, I guess.
00:06:11Come on now, Ashby.
00:06:12Come clean.
00:06:13Just what is your reason for chasing to all of these fires?
00:06:17It's just a hunch.
00:06:18Maybe I'm all wet, but...
00:06:20I've got an idea there's something more than a fire bug in back of these fires.
00:06:25Excuse me.
00:06:27Are you the managing editor?
00:06:29I am.
00:06:31But who said you could come in here?
00:06:33Well, no one.
00:06:34But the girl at the desk outside said you wanted my name and telephone number.
00:06:38Listen, lady, I'm terribly sorry about the dog.
00:06:41You're sorry?
00:06:43Yes, it was too bad about the dog.
00:06:46But I'll gladly pay for any damage.
00:06:48I can make out a check.
00:06:51Or maybe you'd rather I picked you out another poodle.
00:06:53I didn't come here about a poodle.
00:06:56I'm looking for a job.
00:06:58I'm sorry, but there's no opening.
00:07:01Well, that may be.
00:07:02But the point is, I could turn out much better stuff than some of the people you have writing for you.
00:07:07You think you could, eh?
00:07:08Certainly I could.
00:07:10Take this column, for instance.
00:07:12The Garden Beautiful.
00:07:13What's the matter with it?
00:07:15Well, it's obvious that this writer, this, uh, Hal Ashby,
00:07:19doesn't know a blessed thing about gardens.
00:07:22And from the construction of his sentences, he knows even less about grammar.
00:07:26What's the matter with the grammar?
00:07:30Read that paragraph.
00:07:32It's full of split infinitives.
00:07:34Well, how about it?
00:07:39Find any split infinitives?
00:07:42Not only split, but completely shattered.
00:07:45Hmm.
00:07:47Now, if she knew anything about gardens...
00:07:49Of course I know.
00:07:51Would you recommend arsenic for killing bugs on poodles?
00:07:55I mean, uh, roses?
00:07:58Certainly not.
00:07:59There are too many harmless mixtures that'll accomplish the same purpose
00:08:02without running the risk of killing other things.
00:08:05That's fine.
00:08:06Do you know how to control scale?
00:08:08Read the garden of snails and mealybugs?
00:08:10Of course I do.
00:08:12That's the elementary part of gardening.
00:08:14That's great.
00:08:15So you're the one that ought to be running this Garden Beautiful column
00:08:18instead of, uh, this, uh, Hal Ashby.
00:08:22Don't you think so, Mr. Caldwell?
00:08:25Maybe you're right.
00:08:26There you are.
00:08:27The job's yours.
00:08:28I'll show her desk, Mr. Caldwell,
00:08:30until she gets started right.
00:08:32Well...
00:08:32Sit down.
00:08:45Are you comfortable?
00:08:47Because if you aren't, I'll get you another chair.
00:08:49Now, uh, in there you'll find about a thousand letters waiting to be answered.
00:08:54All kinds of questions.
00:08:56How to kill the scale on rose bushes.
00:08:58What will prevent frogs from giving birth to pollywogs in exclusive fishponds?
00:09:03In fact, they're all about what to do and what not to do
00:09:06about nearly everything that does or does not happen in the garden.
00:09:10You'll find paper and envelopes in there.
00:09:14Well, these won't interest you.
00:09:16They're personal.
00:09:18Are you Hal Ashby?
00:09:20That's right.
00:09:22Oh, Mr. Ashby, I'm sorry.
00:09:24I didn't know it was your job.
00:09:25I don't want to take it.
00:09:28Don't feel sorry for me.
00:09:29You've really done me a great favor.
00:09:31You saved me the face of being...
00:09:33My...
00:09:33I have no...
00:09:34Forget it.
00:09:36Gang,
00:09:37I want you to meet the new head of Garden Beautiful, Miss, uh...
00:09:42Helen Smith.
00:09:43Miss Smith.
00:09:43Well, how do you do?
00:09:44How do you do?
00:09:45Now that you've hired that girl,
00:09:49what are you going to do?
00:09:49One thing I can do.
00:09:52So if you'll write out an order for the three-day salary still coming to me,
00:09:55I'll do it.
00:09:55Hey, Ashby.
00:10:02Then I'm not fired?
00:10:03No.
00:10:03Okay.
00:10:08Thanks.
00:10:08I'll be seeing you.
00:10:16He's off again.
00:10:17See you soon.
00:10:30See you soon.
00:10:38See you soon.
00:11:38I'm sure I don't know.
00:11:40You see...
00:11:41Anybody trapped in there?
00:11:43No.
00:11:44Nothing was Saturday afternoon.
00:11:45Everyone knocked off early for the day.
00:12:08Stand back, will you please?
00:12:11Stand back, will you please?
00:12:12Stand back, will you please?
00:12:13Come on, run out another way.
00:12:14The gloves are stored in the basement, Chief.
00:12:15Hold on, Valor.
00:12:16Get in there.
00:12:17Turn the building.
00:12:18Spread the lights, thanks.
00:12:19Come on, run out another way.
00:12:20The gloves are stored in the basement, Chief.
00:12:21Hold on, Valor.
00:12:22Get in there.
00:12:23Turn the building.
00:12:24Spread the lights, thanks.
00:12:25Come on, run out another way.
00:12:26The gloves are stored in the basement, Chief.
00:12:27Hold on, Valor.
00:12:28Get in there.
00:12:29Turn the building.
00:12:30Spread the lights, thanks.
00:12:31Come on, run out another way.
00:12:32The gloves are stored in the basement, Chief.
00:12:33Hold on, Valor.
00:12:34Get in there.
00:12:35Turn the building.
00:12:36Spread the lights, thanks.
00:12:37Turn the building.
00:12:38Turn the building.
00:12:39Turn the lights, thanks.
00:12:40Turn the building.
00:12:42Turn the building.
00:12:44Turn the building.
00:12:46Turn the building.
00:12:47All right.
00:12:59All right, please .
00:13:02All right, clear the building!
00:13:03Clear the building!
00:13:04All right, then, open it up.
00:13:05Get it all over there to the bin.
00:13:06Turn the building.
00:13:07Turn the building.
00:13:08All right, then, open it up.
00:13:10Get it all over there to the bin.
00:13:11Oh
00:13:41Do you know that fellow's name, Inspector?
00:13:58Yeah, Michael Sweeney.
00:14:02Much obliged.
00:14:05That's what we're up against.
00:14:06Explosives stored in main buildings.
00:14:08Fire extinguishers that won't work.
00:14:10I reported this place months ago.
00:14:12Said it was a menace to life and property.
00:14:14See how much good it did.
00:14:19Fire traps like this ought to be condemned.
00:14:21Why aren't the city fire ordinances enforced?
00:14:23Because Mr. Smith objects.
00:14:25Smith? What's Smith?
00:14:26Henry D. Smith, Smith Paper Factory.
00:14:29What's he got objections for?
00:14:30Well, his bank holds mortgages on most of the buildings in this town,
00:14:33and improvements cost money.
00:14:36Well, has he got a mortgage on the city, too?
00:14:38Just about.
00:14:38Well, he's president of the Manufacturers League.
00:14:41Now, they elected the present mayor.
00:14:43Oh, so that's the way it goes.
00:14:45Yeah.
00:14:46Well, thanks for the information, Inspector.
00:14:49Oh, Ashby.
00:14:50Now, I've spoken pretty freely, and, uh, well, if it gets out that I, uh...
00:15:01Don't worry, Inspector.
00:15:02You won't be quoted.
00:15:03I dug it up myself, see?
00:15:05But when I get ready to use it,
00:15:07this town's gonna see a real explosion.
00:15:09I hope so.
00:15:11So long.
00:15:11So long.
00:15:12Mr. Smith thought his way in.
00:15:28Good morning, Henry.
00:15:31I'm glad you think so.
00:15:32Well, what's the trouble, Henry?
00:15:41Have you read this morning's Times?
00:15:44Yes.
00:15:45Well, what are you going to do about it, Mr. Mayor?
00:15:47Well, what can I do?
00:15:49We're trying, but I can't see how one firebug can cover so much ground.
00:15:52Maybe you can't.
00:15:54But the fact remains, someone did.
00:15:56And it's up to you to find out who that someone is.
00:15:58To read this morning's Times wouldn't think the administration was...
00:16:01was delighted to have the entire city burned to the ground by a madman.
00:16:04The police are doing everything in their power.
00:16:05I don't want any excuses.
00:16:07I want action.
00:16:08If your organization cannot run down the incendiaries responsible for these fires,
00:16:13our organization is going to nominate a new candidate for mayor.
00:16:16But...
00:16:16We are not going to risk losing this election.
00:16:18I'll get after the police department.
00:16:20You can do anything you want, but you've got to do it now and do it quickly.
00:16:22Yes?
00:16:26The chief of police is waiting.
00:16:28Well, bring him in.
00:16:30Send him in.
00:16:35Good morning, Mr. Mayor.
00:16:42Did you see this morning's Times?
00:16:44Yes, I did.
00:16:45Your department has to get busy.
00:16:47To read that paper, one would think this administration
00:16:50would be happy to see a maniac set fire to the city.
00:16:53We're doing our best to catch him.
00:16:54I don't want any excuses.
00:16:56I want action.
00:16:57And unless I get it,
00:16:59there's going to be a new chief of police.
00:17:02That's all.
00:17:02You see, we're trying everything possible.
00:17:13What else can we do?
00:17:15Get Caldwell on the phone.
00:17:17Tell him to stop these attacks on the administration.
00:17:19Promise him anything.
00:17:20Everything, but get him to lay off.
00:17:21This is Mayor Bolson.
00:17:25I want to speak to Mr. Caldwell.
00:17:29Hello, Caldwell.
00:17:30This is the mayor.
00:17:32I think your paper was a little hasty
00:17:33in the attitude you took this morning.
00:17:36What's that?
00:17:37Yes, I read the article.
00:17:39Every word of it.
00:17:40What do you mean the police
00:17:42are doing everything in their power?
00:17:44Yesterday, while the fire bug
00:17:45was burning down the anchor paint factory,
00:17:47your police were busy arresting
00:17:49three small boys for shooting craps for pennies.
00:17:51A poor Italian peddler
00:17:52was arrested for selling bananas without a license.
00:17:55And one flapper for double parking
00:17:56while she left a pair of slacks at the cleaners.
00:17:59If you would forget these minor violations
00:18:01and concentrate on the important laws,
00:18:04we'd be better off.
00:18:05But in an emergency of this kind,
00:18:08your paper should cooperate with us
00:18:10instead of hindering us by playing politics.
00:18:12Playing politics?
00:18:14Now let me tell you something.
00:18:18There's no use to lose your temper, Mr. Caldwell.
00:18:21I merely wanted to say...
00:18:22Oh, give me that thing.
00:18:24You'll be apologizing for living in a minute.
00:18:27Now listen to me, Caldwell.
00:18:29The administration is doing the best it can
00:18:31in the present emergency.
00:18:32And unless you lay off,
00:18:34you're not going to get one more penny's worth
00:18:36of advertising from any member
00:18:38of the Manufacturers League.
00:18:41Yes, this is Henry B. Smith talking.
00:18:43I don't care if you're the grandfather
00:18:45of the Smith brothers.
00:18:46You might be able to run the city hall,
00:18:48but you can't dictate to the times.
00:18:52Nice work, Chief.
00:18:53Well, you've started something.
00:18:54And we've got to see this thing through.
00:18:56I want facts, proof,
00:18:58evidence that we can print,
00:19:00get pictures, everything.
00:19:01I don't care how away you get them,
00:19:02but get them.
00:19:03I got a lead.
00:19:03And unless I'm crazy,
00:19:04you're going to get just what you want.
00:19:05Mr. Ashby,
00:19:23I want to explain...
00:19:25Next on the apologies, girlie.
00:19:27And that reminds me,
00:19:29I owe you a vote of thanks.
00:19:30Why me?
00:19:31Because you kicked me out of the garden,
00:19:33beautiful,
00:19:33and one of the sweetest setups
00:19:35that ever was.
00:19:35Do you want to read it?
00:19:36Too busy.
00:19:37Leave him the desk.
00:19:38I'll give you a boy.
00:19:41Hey, Ashby.
00:19:41Howdy, boy.
00:19:42Ashby.
00:19:43Yeah?
00:19:43Gentleman to see you.
00:19:44Send him over.
00:19:45Okay.
00:19:46Are you Mr. Ashby?
00:19:58That's right.
00:19:59I'm Dr. Dexter.
00:20:01I read your fire article
00:20:03and found it most interesting.
00:20:04Thanks very much.
00:20:05Why don't you have a seat?
00:20:07I might be able to help you.
00:20:14You see,
00:20:14I'm a scientist
00:20:15specialized in chemistry.
00:20:18That's fine.
00:20:19I can tell you
00:20:20a great deal about fires.
00:20:23Years of intensive stuff
00:20:24have acquainted me
00:20:26with certain mystic qualities.
00:20:30I'm afraid I won't be able
00:20:31to go into that today,
00:20:32old man.
00:20:33Perhaps you think
00:20:34I'm crazy.
00:20:35On the other hand,
00:20:36I'm sure you're not.
00:20:37Ashby!
00:20:39I'm sorry we can't
00:20:39continue this discussion,
00:20:40old fellow,
00:20:41but that's the editor calling me.
00:20:42Perhaps you would like
00:20:43to read my theory.
00:20:44Yes, that should be
00:20:45very interesting.
00:20:47That's very kind of you.
00:20:50Here it is.
00:20:52You can read it
00:20:53at your leisure.
00:20:54The return address
00:20:55is under cover.
00:20:57Good day, Mr. Ashby.
00:20:59Good day.
00:21:01Are you leaving?
00:21:10I may be back later,
00:21:11Mr. Ashby.
00:21:13How old are you?
00:21:16I beg your pardon.
00:21:19H-A-L.
00:21:21Oh.
00:21:31Oh, it's you, Dad.
00:21:35Oh, stormy weather ahead.
00:21:39Helen, I want to talk to you
00:21:39about this crazy idea of yours.
00:21:41Which one, Father?
00:21:43This job you've taken.
00:21:45Oh.
00:21:46It's the craziest thing
00:21:47I ever heard.
00:21:48It's ridiculous,
00:21:49nonsensical.
00:21:50Reposterous and unthinkable.
00:21:51No, no, no, no, no.
00:21:52Hang it all.
00:21:53I'm furious.
00:21:54Why do you want to work?
00:21:56Because I want to accomplish
00:21:58something on my own hook
00:21:59and not just be known
00:22:01as Henry B. Smith's daughter.
00:22:02Oh, fiddlesticks.
00:22:03I guess I'm just not the type
00:22:06to sit home
00:22:07and twiddle my fingers.
00:22:08Oh, and if you must work,
00:22:10why not come to work for me?
00:22:11Oh, I'm sorry, Dad.
00:22:13Really.
00:22:14But I guess paper and cardboard
00:22:15just don't appeal to me.
00:22:17Well, at least it's respectable.
00:22:19Which is more than can be said
00:22:21of that mud-slinging paper
00:22:22you've gone to work for.
00:22:26You're just prejudiced
00:22:27because the Times doesn't agree
00:22:29with your ideas and policies.
00:22:31Not at all.
00:22:32The only reason Caldwell hired you
00:22:34was to get back at me.
00:22:35That's where you're wrong.
00:22:37I'm not wrong.
00:22:38But you are.
00:22:39Mr. Caldwell hasn't the least idea
00:22:41that you're my father.
00:22:43Told him my name, didn't you?
00:22:45Yes, of course.
00:22:45Don't you realize
00:22:47there are millions
00:22:48and millions of Smiths?
00:22:50Yes, I suppose I am.
00:22:51Of course, he may find out
00:22:54who I am.
00:22:55He won't if I can help it.
00:22:57And you're still determined
00:22:58to go through with this job?
00:23:00I guess I am, Dad.
00:23:02Look here.
00:23:04If I were a boy,
00:23:05you wouldn't feel this way about it.
00:23:09No, that's just the trouble.
00:23:12You should have been a boy, but...
00:23:13Oh.
00:23:15Dad wasn't such a disappointment
00:23:17when I turned out to be a girl.
00:23:19Oh, no, no, no.
00:23:19I didn't mean that.
00:23:21I didn't mean that, dear.
00:23:23Only...
00:23:24Well, since I had no son,
00:23:27I was looking forward
00:23:28to a son-in-law.
00:23:30That's why I've been carrying
00:23:31Vincent along in the business.
00:23:33I thought after you
00:23:34and he were married, I...
00:23:35Well, I might be able
00:23:37to step down
00:23:37and let you youngsters run it.
00:23:38I see.
00:23:41And no one but Vincent would do?
00:23:44Well, my dear, after all,
00:23:45there was some sort of an understanding
00:23:47between you, wasn't there?
00:23:49Yes, sort of.
00:23:51That was before I went away to college.
00:23:53Four years can make
00:23:54a lot of difference in people.
00:23:58Is there someone else?
00:24:00No, there isn't, Dad.
00:24:02There isn't likely to be.
00:24:03Not for a while, anyway.
00:24:05Now, you run along
00:24:07and let me finish dressing.
00:24:11All right.
00:24:13Don't be too long.
00:24:14Vincent and his mother
00:24:15may be here any moment.
00:24:33May I speak with Mr. Ashby?
00:24:43This is Helen Smith.
00:24:46Would it be too much trouble
00:24:47for you to call Maple
00:24:496314 in about an hour
00:24:51and ask for me?
00:24:54Why, no trouble at all, my dear.
00:24:56I'd be tickled to death.
00:24:58All right, what'd you say
00:24:59the number was?
00:25:00What?
00:25:01Maple.
00:25:066314.
00:25:07Okay.
00:25:09And if it wouldn't be
00:25:10too much trouble,
00:25:11would you mind saying
00:25:12that it's the paper calling
00:25:14and that they want me
00:25:15on an assignment right away?
00:25:18Yes.
00:25:21You must think
00:25:22this is very silly of me.
00:25:24Why not at all silly?
00:25:25As a matter of fact,
00:25:26I think you're showing
00:25:27exceptionally rare judgment.
00:25:28Now, let's see.
00:25:32You'll hear from me
00:25:33in exactly 60 minutes.
00:25:37Well, things are very different
00:25:39than they were
00:25:39when I was a girl.
00:25:41I remember,
00:25:42let me see now.
00:25:45Well, I must have been
00:25:46about Helen's age.
00:25:47You know, it's your play,
00:25:48Elizabeth.
00:25:49Oh, so it is.
00:25:51So it is.
00:25:54Let me see.
00:25:56A diamond was made.
00:25:58But I haven't any.
00:26:00Oh, there.
00:26:04Why, my...
00:26:05You have trumped
00:26:06your partner's trick.
00:26:06Oh, I just can't get
00:26:10my mind on it tonight.
00:26:11I never can't.
00:26:12Oh, well, really,
00:26:14I am a bit stupid.
00:26:15But if Helen doesn't mind,
00:26:17of course I don't,
00:26:18Mrs. Van Duesen.
00:26:19That's so sweet of you,
00:26:20my dear.
00:26:23I'm sure the children
00:26:24would have a much better
00:26:25time by themselves
00:26:26anyway.
00:26:26Glorious mother,
00:26:56moon tonight.
00:26:57Isn't it, Helen?
00:26:58Is it?
00:27:01Oh, yes.
00:27:02I really hadn't noticed.
00:27:04It's the same moon
00:27:05that we used to stand
00:27:06right here and watch
00:27:07before you went away.
00:27:08And we'd plan
00:27:09what we were going to do
00:27:10and...
00:27:11Oh, did we?
00:27:12It's been such
00:27:13a long time ago.
00:27:14I did so many foolish
00:27:16things when I was a child.
00:27:17I'd quite forgotten.
00:27:20I don't think it was
00:27:21so silly.
00:27:22And I haven't forgotten
00:27:23either.
00:27:24You know, Helen,
00:27:25I'm just like that
00:27:26you must say.
00:27:27Oh, are you, Vincent?
00:27:29I hadn't noticed it.
00:27:32That is, I mean,
00:27:33I haven't changed either.
00:27:34Oh.
00:27:35Helen, we...
00:27:37We made each a promise
00:27:38then,
00:27:39that when you were
00:27:40through college,
00:27:41we were...
00:27:42Oh, Miss Helen,
00:27:43excuse me.
00:27:44You're wanted on the
00:27:45telephone.
00:27:47Oh, thank you, Clara.
00:27:48Excuse me a minute,
00:27:50Vincent.
00:27:51Of course, no.
00:28:00But really,
00:28:01I don't see how I could
00:28:02possibly leave now.
00:28:04No, you see,
00:28:05I have guests.
00:28:06Very dear and intimate
00:28:08friends.
00:28:08And, and there's
00:28:13nobody else.
00:28:15No one at all
00:28:16who could find
00:28:17Mr. Caldwell.
00:28:20Helen has taken
00:28:21the job writing
00:28:22for the Times.
00:28:23Just a foolish
00:28:24whim.
00:28:25It won't last.
00:28:26May not.
00:28:28Now, as editor
00:28:29of Garden Beautiful,
00:28:29you must attend
00:28:30to this in person.
00:28:32And get in a treatise
00:28:33on the color and
00:28:34complexion of, uh,
00:28:35night-blooming
00:28:36Jasmine.
00:28:37Well, in that case,
00:28:38I'll have to go.
00:28:42Oh, no, don't,
00:28:42don't come for,
00:28:43I mean, don't send
00:28:45a car.
00:28:46No, I'll, I'll take
00:28:47a cab and, and save
00:28:48time.
00:28:49Say, you're really
00:28:50going to show up,
00:28:51aren't you?
00:28:54Okay, I'll expect you
00:28:55in front of the library
00:28:55in 15 minutes.
00:28:57I'll be there.
00:29:06I'm sorry, but I must
00:29:08leave.
00:29:08It's very urgent.
00:29:10It's all in the game,
00:29:10you know.
00:29:11The newspaper game,
00:29:12I mean.
00:29:13I know you'll
00:29:14understand, Mrs.
00:29:14And Dusan.
00:29:15Well, of course I do,
00:29:16Helen.
00:29:17Bye, Vincent.
00:29:18Goodbye, Helen.
00:29:20Get back as soon
00:29:21as you can, dear.
00:29:22All right, Dad.
00:29:24You take care.
00:29:25Oh, Helen,
00:29:26just a moment.
00:29:31I'll take you
00:29:32there in my car.
00:29:33Oh, oh, that would
00:29:33never do, Vincent.
00:29:34I mean, I wouldn't
00:29:36think of it.
00:29:37You see, they don't
00:29:39know who I am, and if
00:29:40they saw you, they
00:29:41might get suspicious,
00:29:42and I don't want them
00:29:44to know anything about
00:29:45me until the proper
00:29:46time.
00:29:47Dad knows all about
00:29:49it, Vincent.
00:29:49He'll explain it to
00:29:50you.
00:30:04Just a moment, lady.
00:30:24You're going the wrong
00:30:26way.
00:30:26Oh.
00:30:27The car awaited.
00:30:31After you, Your
00:30:31Highness.
00:30:37Can I tell you, Your
00:30:38Highness?
00:30:38Well, whither shall we
00:30:55goest?
00:30:56That is up to youest.
00:30:58Mr. Ashby, I didn't mean
00:31:00to put you to all this
00:31:01trouble.
00:31:02I didn't think you'd be
00:31:03here.
00:31:03Well, I didn't expect you
00:31:04to show up either, but as
00:31:05long as you are here, and
00:31:06it's up to meeth, I think
00:31:08we shall stalketh the
00:31:10night-blooming jasmine in
00:31:11his lair.
00:31:12Oh, I see.
00:31:14Well, now what's the
00:31:15matter?
00:31:16You kissed me.
00:31:17Oh, no, I didn't.
00:31:18Well, you almost did.
00:31:21What is this, a gag?
00:31:23I don't know anything about
00:31:24a gag.
00:31:25Maybe I just dreamed you
00:31:26called me up.
00:31:27Oh, no.
00:31:28It really happened.
00:31:30But maybe I didn't make
00:31:31myself quite clear.
00:31:33Maybe you didn't.
00:31:35Or maybe I'm just plain
00:31:36dumb.
00:31:37No, it was my fault.
00:31:39I had to get away from my
00:31:41guests.
00:31:42So I called you.
00:31:44But you did rescue me from
00:31:45being bored to tears.
00:31:48Oh, I'm terribly sorry on
00:31:50the level.
00:31:51But I thought it was just a
00:31:52stall, so I didn't want to
00:31:53disappoint you.
00:31:54Quite all right.
00:31:55I understand.
00:31:56Can't be all right unless
00:31:57you forgive me.
00:31:59Can you give me 40 good
00:32:01reasons why I should?
00:32:04Listen, lady, if I take you
00:32:05somewhere and behave like a
00:32:06perfect gentleman the rest of
00:32:07the night, will you forgive
00:32:09me?
00:32:10I'll consider it.
00:32:12I see.
00:32:27I see.
00:32:29I don't know.
00:32:31I see.
00:32:32I see.
00:32:33I see.
00:32:34I see.
00:32:34Oh, my God.
00:33:04Break!
00:33:19Where's the fire?
00:33:21There is no fire.
00:33:29Well, what's the idea?
00:33:31Well, this is just a test on to drill the company.
00:33:34Oh.
00:33:36Just a test drill.
00:33:37That's what I thought.
00:33:43Move over.
00:34:04Come on.
00:34:06Come on!
00:34:07Come on!
00:34:09Come on.
00:34:09Come on.
00:34:13Come on.
00:34:14Well, how doth the busy be this bright and cheery morning?
00:34:34She doth very well, thank you.
00:34:38Ay, be careful of those hell.
00:34:40They are very rare flowers.
00:34:43Rare?
00:34:43You look well done to me.
00:34:46What's the matter with him?
00:34:47No pep?
00:34:49Night-blooming jasmine.
00:34:52Are you kidding?
00:34:53No, not unless the nurseryman was kidding me.
00:34:57Hey, Ashby.
00:34:58Yeah?
00:34:58The old man's been looking for you.
00:35:00All right, I'll go right in.
00:35:02What are you doing tonight?
00:35:03Nothing that I know of.
00:35:05You want to do something?
00:35:07Maybe.
00:35:08Well, how about the casino?
00:35:09Would you like to go there?
00:35:10I'd love to.
00:35:11It's a bet, then, huh?
00:35:19What's on your mind, Chief?
00:35:20I want to see that great story you promised me.
00:35:22Well, I'm not quite ready to break it yet.
00:35:24What's the delay?
00:35:25I've got nearly all the dope I need.
00:35:27I've just got to check up on Henry B. Smith, and I'm doing that today.
00:35:30You better go easy and be sure you know what you're doing.
00:35:32Henry B. Smith is dynamite.
00:35:34Yeah?
00:35:34Well, when he reads this story, he ought to explode.
00:35:37But how do you expect to accomplish all this?
00:35:39By getting inside Mr. Henry B. Smith's paper factory and proving a few things.
00:35:43Pardon me, Mr. Smith, but I caught this man snooping around the basement.
00:35:56Oh, thank you, George.
00:35:58All right, I'll attend to this.
00:36:05Well?
00:36:06Well, I suppose you know there's a law against trespassing?
00:36:14Yeah, I know that.
00:36:15And what was the reason for hunting here?
00:36:18Well, you could call it curiosity.
00:36:19I was curious to see just how much you respected the law.
00:36:24Well, what do you mean?
00:36:26You could call a fire ordinance a law, couldn't you?
00:36:29Are you from the fire department?
00:36:32You should say I'm not from the fire department or any other department connected with the city.
00:36:36If I were, I'd have more sense than you'd have caught anywhere around your place.
00:36:39Indeed.
00:36:41And may I ask just who you are and what you want?
00:36:44Sure.
00:36:45I'm Hal Ashley.
00:36:47The Times.
00:36:49The Times.
00:36:52Oh, that's what you were doing.
00:36:55Sneaking and crawling around, stooping to anything that might furnish material for one of your lying articles.
00:36:59Let me tell you something, Mr. Smith.
00:37:01The Times doesn't have to resort to lies.
00:37:03We deal in facts, and if you can't face the truth, it's just too bad.
00:37:06If your paper would print the truth, I'd be only too happy to cooperate with it.
00:37:10That's fine.
00:37:12Do you mind answering a few questions?
00:37:14Not at all.
00:37:18Hal, what do you want to know?
00:37:20Just why do you object to the enforcement of the fire ordinances?
00:37:25That's silly.
00:37:26How can I prevent the enforcement of any law?
00:37:29Look, I know that you're the political dictator of this city.
00:37:31And I can prove that you control a consolidated national bank.
00:37:35Now, that bank has got a mortgage on the plan of every member of the Manufacturers League.
00:37:41Everybody knows that the league is responsible for the election of the present administration.
00:37:44Well, even if your theory were true, why should I object to the enforcement of the fire ordinances?
00:37:50Maybe you don't want to spend the money for the necessary improvements.
00:37:52Are you suggesting that I would see my city in ruins, merely to fatten my bank account?
00:37:58Sounds like that when you consider that your bank has profited from the insurance on every one of these disasters.
00:38:05Do you mean to insinuate?
00:38:06I don't have to insinuate, Mr. Smith.
00:38:08I'm talking facts.
00:38:09And the facts show that the insurance on these buildings amounted to more than they would have brought at a foreclosure.
00:38:14How dare you?
00:38:16Get out of my office.
00:38:17Get out of here.
00:38:18How dare I?
00:38:19Say, if you think I don't dare, you just get a flash of the Times in the morning.
00:38:22Get out of here.
00:38:52Say, if you think I don't dare, you just get a flash of the Times in the morning.
00:39:22How about a little dessert?
00:39:30No, thank you.
00:39:32I couldn't eat another thing.
00:39:34What's the matter with you?
00:39:36Nothing.
00:39:37You took me out to dinner.
00:39:39Then we went to a theater.
00:39:40And now we're here dancing.
00:39:43What more could I ask?
00:39:44Well, I could give you a little kiss.
00:39:47Oh, Mr. Ashby, I wouldn't think of it.
00:39:49Why, you've done enough for me already.
00:39:53Okay, but you'll regret it tomorrow.
00:39:55Why tomorrow?
00:39:57That's when my big story breaks.
00:39:59Be a big man in this newspaper racket then.
00:40:00Yes, sirree.
00:40:02If I'll be so big, I doubt if I'll speak to any of you common newspaper people.
00:40:06As a matter of fact, I might not even talk to myself.
00:40:08That's the story that you told me about, isn't it?
00:40:12The same, and believe me, it's a Lulu.
00:40:14It's even better than I thought it would be.
00:40:17Oh, I'm glad, Hal.
00:40:19Really?
00:40:19You'll read about it in the morning.
00:40:23I can hardly wait.
00:40:24Don't get excited, ladies and gentlemen.
00:40:42Everything's all right.
00:40:45Just be calm like I am.
00:40:48Just a slight mistake on my part.
00:40:51I'll only get five, that's all.
00:40:54I'll be right back.
00:40:55I'll be right back.
00:41:25Send me up a glass of beer and a hamburger sandwich, Bill.
00:41:33No, ladies and gentlemen.
00:41:35Looking around, I see that you all have just enjoyed your dinner.
00:41:39So I won't sing about anything to eat.
00:41:43But he's a real smart and epic killer.
00:41:46A very funny man was he.
00:41:47He never cared for chicken or four ham and eggs.
00:41:50And he never did eat a fricassee.
00:41:51A sour, a zoo, a zom.
00:41:53A bo-de-o-deo-do-deo.
00:41:55He never cared for turkey, hash, or four posses.
00:41:58And he never cared for coo.
00:42:00Ha!
00:42:00The only thing he ever seemed to relish,
00:42:03he'd order every evening.
00:42:05Morning, night, or noon.
00:42:07Which was, uh...
00:42:08Which was, uh...
00:42:10Well, it wasn't apple pie, but it was, uh...
00:42:14Buckwheat cakes are cooking on the bill,
00:42:19say, buckwheat cakes.
00:42:20Lord, ain't they fine buckwheat cakes.
00:42:22Sweeter music and a fiddle, sweeter than the water from...
00:42:25The water...
00:42:27The water...
00:42:28The water...
00:42:29The water...
00:42:30That's the water from...
00:42:34That's the water from...
00:42:37That's the water from...
00:42:39Not magnolia.
00:42:40Oh, no, no, no, yeah.
00:42:41And a vivo, and a Bible, and a vivo,
00:42:43Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, hit him up for all, riggedy-riggedy-riggedy-russs, we're not allowed to cuss, whenever else Moth, confess, nothing's the matter with...
00:42:52My
00:42:56Every thousand
00:42:58That we
00:42:59Gave
00:43:02Oh, thank you
00:43:07Oh, my God
00:43:22that was very funny wasn't it huh oh yes yes it was you know you don't have to be so high hat
00:43:32night because your story doesn't break until tomorrow i'm sorry honey i was thinking let me
00:43:38help you i'm a pretty fair thinker myself well uh the fella's considering matrimony what should
00:43:47he expect trouble i should think no i mean what should he look for if he wants to get married a girl
00:43:54see it's going to be great when i take you home mom meet your wife
00:44:17and i'm going to get a thrill when i take you home and say daddy look what i found i know he'll love you
00:44:27i'll have this man hellas be arrested he can't print stories like that about me i'm afraid that
00:44:38won't do much good the damage has been done with the men sir there's nothing whatever for the men
00:44:41to be worried about that's what i tried to tell him sir when they read that paper saying the plant was
00:44:46a death trap just a cheap trick to boost circulation the smith factory has stood for a good many years
00:44:51and is still standing it's as safe now as it ever was one wild newspaper story isn't going to turn
00:44:56the building into a into a fire trap overnight i can see your view perfectly mr smith
00:45:04george
00:45:08arrange a get-together party in the factory club room any night you like
00:45:11i may have something of interest to tell the employees that'll be fine mr smith go on
00:45:29i want you to get out of warrant for carlwell's arrest i'm going to put him and this smart aleck
00:45:35reporter in jail can you make it stick stick this is the most scurrilous attack ever made
00:45:40on a public official a pack of the most infamous lies but can we prove that they are lies he practically
00:45:47accuses me and my supporters of arson get carlwell of the times on the phone read it yourself he
00:45:54practically accuses me smith the consolidated national i've read it and it very carefully avoids making
00:46:01any direct accusations anything that we could hang a libel suit on and i'll show him he can't get away with
00:46:07this hello carlwell this is the mayor what do you mean by printing those wild rumors about me
00:46:16we don't print rumors we print facts and those facts speak for themselves what's that what do you mean
00:46:23lay off we've just started either you print an immediate retraction of that infamous article or i'll
00:46:30haul you into court for libel great we wouldn't ask any better than the heir to hold case in court
00:46:37that'll hold him for a while that's his stuff chief now uh there's a little something that i'd like to
00:46:43talk to you about uh but you think after that last story i ought to get a little raise so that's what
00:46:49comes from giving you a little pat on the back do you think you deserve a raise in salary why sure oh i'm
00:46:56not gonna ask you for enough to bankrupt the sheet just to oh about 25 more a week for a starter for a
00:47:02starter maybe you'd like a little trip to europe thrown in as a sort of uh bonus hey that's a great
00:47:08idea chief especially now that i'm thinking of getting married getting what getting married spliced oh
00:47:17you know a reporter can't give his best to his paper without the restraining influence of a wife
00:47:21oh so there you are well darling congratulations are in order how dare your paper print such libel liable
00:47:33don't you worry about the times my dear we know just how far we can go without getting tripped how
00:47:38many reputations you can blast you mean how much mud it can fling how many lives it can ruin hey wait a
00:47:44minute that's great stuff i wrote it i suppose you think i don't know who did it and you bragged about
00:47:52it gloated over over slandering an innocent man innocent listen helen there isn't one of that bunch
00:47:58of old high binders knows the meaning of the word that's tame compared to what they're gonna get you
00:48:03i'm gonna rot them all out and show them what smith really is a grasping scheming conniving old cook
00:48:09that wouldn't stop it i won't have it i won't have you speaking like that about my father
00:48:20oh now i understand perfectly
00:48:27don't let a thing like that get you down we have work to do get the dope on the insurance smith's bank
00:48:33has collected to date we'll hit them in the morning wait a minute chief i i think we better lay off
00:48:38what do you mean lay off well i may be all wrong about smith and anyway i didn't know it was going
00:48:44to turn out like this i'm in deep enough now so that's it you want to run out of me lay down on the
00:48:51job very well i'll have someone else take it over report back at the garden beautiful
00:49:08what's the rush ashby
00:49:22What's the rush, Ashby?
00:49:38I gotta see a fellow named Dexter.
00:49:52I beg your pardon.
00:50:08Just a minute, Mabel.
00:50:10Does Mr. Dexter live here?
00:50:11Yeah, but I don't know whether he's in or not.
00:50:14He's always in and out, but you can see for yourself.
00:50:16His room is up at the top of the stairs, and if he ain't in, you can wait.
00:50:23Oh, uh, his door's open.
00:50:27Hello, Mabel.
00:50:28Did you think I got lost?
00:50:31No, it was just a man that came in.
00:50:33No, no, you don't know him.
00:50:36Honest, you don't.
00:52:20Your daughter has arrived, Mr. Smith.
00:52:40It's splendid.
00:52:41Members of the Smith Factory family, I have a surprise for you.
00:53:00We have an addition to our family in the person of my daughter, Helen, who is coming to work
00:53:06for us.
00:53:08Say something.
00:53:12Thank you very much.
00:53:13I don't know what to say except that I hope you're as happy to have me here as I am to
00:53:18be one of you.
00:53:30I don't know what to say except that I hope you're as happy as I am to be one of you.
00:53:50Yes, Mabel.
00:54:05I saw him last night.
00:54:07You know, I think he's better looking than Clark Gable.
00:54:11And did he show me a good time?
00:54:14Yes, Mabel.
00:54:16Well, I have to go now.
00:54:18Oh, I forgot to tell you, Mabel.
00:54:20You just die when you hear this.
00:54:23Excuse me.
00:54:24Good time, Mabel.
00:54:25Sorry, this is a report.
00:54:50The Smith paper factory is the next thing on his list.
00:54:57Get on my way over there right now.
00:54:59We're going to get out.
00:55:00Check them out.
00:55:01Check them out.
00:55:02Check them out.
00:55:06Oh, my God.
00:55:36Oh, my God.
00:56:06Oh, my God.
00:56:36Oh, my God.
00:57:06Oh, my God.
00:57:36Oh, my God.
00:58:06Get out, gentlemen, get out.
00:58:36Get out, gentlemen.
00:59:06Get out of this.
00:59:29Times reporter, fire hero, aides in saving Smith's daughter, leads police to firebugs.
00:59:34Boy, hot stuff, eh?
00:59:36How does it feel to be a hero?
00:59:38I'll cut it out.
00:59:39You mugs make me sick.
00:59:41Shy and modest.
00:59:42That's the way we like our hero.
00:59:44Sure, that's the way...
00:59:45Hell, Dad wants to talk to you.
00:59:53I'll see you in a moment.
00:59:54What do you want?
01:00:07Listen to me, Caldwell.
01:00:09I've taken your abuse long enough.
01:00:11Now I'm going to get even with you.
01:00:13What do you think you're going to do?
01:00:14I'm going to take away from you the only real man you ever had working for you in this place.
01:00:18Why, you can't do that.
01:00:20That boy belongs here.
01:00:21He wouldn't be happy unless he's working on a paper.
01:00:23That's what I thought.
01:00:25So I'm going to make him manage with my new paper factory.
01:00:27Oh, yeah?
01:00:28We'll see about that.
01:00:29Ashby!
01:00:32Ashby!
01:00:34You're going to take him away.
01:00:42Ashby isn't here, sir.
01:00:43He's left.
01:00:44Where the deuce did he go?
01:00:46Well, he told me to tell you.
01:00:48He'd gone out to pick some night-blooming jasmine.
01:00:59Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha
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