- 14 hours ago
Passion for Justice: The Hazel Brannon Smith Story
The flamboyant publisher (Jane Seymour) of a small-town newspaper takes a stand against racism in 1950s Mississippi.
The flamboyant publisher (Jane Seymour) of a small-town newspaper takes a stand against racism in 1950s Mississippi.
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00:00Although fictionalized, this film is inspired by three decades of the life and career of Hazel Brannan Smith.
00:00:30She's going to be awful tired.
00:00:44She stopped overnight in New York.
00:00:46New York? London and Paris and Rome? I'd give anything to see Rome.
00:00:52You expect Mr. Jones and Mr. Wiley going to show up?
00:00:55Hardly. I expect they're still off licking their wounds somewheres.
00:00:58That Clarence was a good catch, too.
00:01:02You know, Ruth's sake, Miss Brannan's been in more laps than a napkin.
00:01:05Oh, shut up.
00:01:11There she is.
00:01:17Honey, close your mouth for all the flies escape.
00:01:21Well, what you think?
00:01:23You look great.
00:01:25You sure do, Miss Brannan.
00:01:27Oh, Riley, I'm afraid you can't call me that anymore.
00:01:30I'm married now.
00:01:31What?
00:01:32And, Riley, I meet my husband, Walter Dias Smith.
00:01:36Hi. My friends call me Smitty.
00:01:38Well, hallelujah and amen, brother.
00:01:40I never thought I'd see the date.
00:01:42So you must be in, huh?
00:01:44It's very nice to meet you.
00:01:46Hazel says you're the next best thing since past your eyes note.
00:01:49Hush, Smitty. Next thing you know, she'll be asking for a raise.
00:01:51How did you do it?
00:01:53Every man in this county's been trying for near a decade.
00:01:56Well, I convinced her marriage was a noble institution and that she should be institutionalized.
00:01:59Don't start now, Smitty.
00:02:01No, I said, why suffer the attentions of so many men when you can have the inattention of just one?
00:02:06Besides, we're in love and there's only one cure for that, marriage.
00:02:09He stole all the lines.
00:02:11I said she wouldn't be complete until she was married.
00:02:13And now she's finished.
00:02:15Come on, kids.
00:02:17I want to get these pencil shortings off my feet and wiggle my toes in some Delta dirt.
00:02:20All right.
00:02:21You get that.
00:02:22All right.
00:02:41Accident up ahead.
00:02:54Looked like that truck took it head on.
00:02:56Oh, my Lord, it's a bad one.
00:02:59Start the car.
00:03:01Get out of here, boy.
00:03:03Come on, boy, move that car along.
00:03:06Ain't got company.
00:03:07Come on.
00:03:09Can't you hear me?
00:03:09Good to see you there, Mr. Brannon.
00:03:15Honey, stay back.
00:03:17You all right, sweetheart?
00:03:23Where's the ambulance?
00:03:26Someone's way.
00:03:27Let's go. Stay back, bro.
00:03:32That man's drunk.
00:03:35Ned says he's in the wrong lane.
00:03:37Well, any fool can see that's a lie.
00:03:39I'll take Ned's word over some poor white trash any day.
00:03:42I don't care.
00:03:43You're not going to arrest him?
00:03:45I'll conduct an investigation.
00:03:48How'd you sleep at night?
00:03:50With my eyes closed.
00:03:54I don't think you understand what I...
00:03:56Get that ambulance in here.
00:04:07Let's go.
00:04:09She was here today.
00:04:39Wait, wait, wait.
00:04:46And here we go.
00:04:53Surprise!
00:04:57Well, it looks like the surprise is on us.
00:05:00Did we come in at a wrong time?
00:05:02Everyone, meet my husband, Smitty.
00:05:05Come on.
00:05:06Well, congratulations.
00:05:10I've known Hazel since she was just a twinkle in her daddy's eye.
00:05:13Oh, boy.
00:05:18I ate all over Europe.
00:05:30Nothing came close to you, friend.
00:05:32I've been waiting 20 years to throw you a wedding and you go and eat low.
00:05:36You're going to love him.
00:05:38One more person to cook for.
00:05:40But no kitchen help?
00:05:43We're going to get us our dream house.
00:05:46We're going to have lunches and barbecues and cocktail parties.
00:05:49I might even join the bridge club.
00:05:52I'm married now, Ruth.
00:05:54I'm going to settle down.
00:05:56I had time, too.
00:05:58Be nice.
00:05:59And I might give you the earpops I bought you in Paris.
00:06:01He's six years younger than her.
00:06:09He was a porter, you know.
00:06:11He was a purser.
00:06:13And who cares?
00:06:14She's married now.
00:06:16Well, at least our men are finally safe.
00:06:18Phoebe, that is not fair.
00:06:20Hazel has never gone after a married man.
00:06:22She sure went after all the single ones, though.
00:06:24I wonder if it was a shotgun wedding.
00:06:26You are a big boss.
00:06:28Did you know that?
00:06:30My ears are burning.
00:06:32Which one of you flippity gibbis is talking about me now?
00:06:35We just love your hair, Hazel.
00:06:38Is that one of those new perms?
00:06:40No, it just curled up like that after Smitty ravished me down the engine room.
00:06:46How could you stand those two hypocrites kissing up like that?
00:06:49Oh, I think she envies them.
00:06:51Those jealous old tongue-waggers?
00:06:52Sure.
00:06:53Hazel pretends that she likes to be different, but deep down she just wants to belong, just like everybody else.
00:07:00Is this a party?
00:07:01Or is everybody posing for a portrait?
00:07:04Tell Ruth to spark the lemonade.
00:07:06If it gets any dinner, we'll have to hire an organ player.
00:07:08Miss Hazel?
00:07:09Hmm?
00:07:10I put the suitcases in your room.
00:07:11Thanks, Riley.
00:07:12Stop by the kitchen for your leave.
00:07:14Ruth's fixed you a plate.
00:07:16I tell you, the storm is gathering.
00:07:19And the time to act is before it strikes.
00:07:21Right.
00:07:21Is this the same storm that was gathering before I left town?
00:07:26I'd have thought you'd have taken care of it by now, Earl.
00:07:28My kids will stay home before I see them go to school with negros.
00:07:32Oh, Lyle.
00:07:33This storm will blow over like all the rest.
00:07:36I don't believe it will.
00:07:38Well, everybody's got to believe in something, and I believe I'll have another drink.
00:07:42Is this supposed to be a party and many good news?
00:07:46Well, you got the county printing contract.
00:07:49Does that count?
00:07:52Can I cat-link his whiskers?
00:07:54Come on, boys.
00:08:02Let's kick up our shoes and tie her up so hard.
00:08:06Come on, Lyle.
00:08:07Come on.
00:08:08Come on there, Lyle.
00:08:09Get up there.
00:08:12Yeah, that's some woman you married.
00:08:14Hmm.
00:08:15I mean, you must be some kind of man to tame Hazel Vanna.
00:08:18Oh, I didn't say Murr.
00:08:19I hope I never do.
00:08:22Isn't that Lyle?
00:08:23Dancing like a meal on Crutchfield.
00:08:26Must be hard, huh?
00:08:28Giving everything up.
00:08:30Moving to a strange place.
00:08:33I'd follow that woman into hell itself.
00:08:37Mississippi shouldn't be too bad.
00:08:39Woo!
00:08:40That's better, Lyle.
00:08:41Woo!
00:08:41Woo!
00:08:42Woo!
00:08:42Woo!
00:08:43Woo!
00:08:43Woo!
00:08:43Woo!
00:08:43Woo!
00:08:43Woo!
00:08:44Woo!
00:08:46Woo!
00:08:46Woo!
00:08:46Woo!
00:08:46Woo!
00:08:47Woo!
00:08:47Woo!
00:08:47Woo!
00:08:48Woo!
00:08:48Woo!
00:08:57Woo!
00:08:58Woo!
00:08:58Woo!
00:08:58Woo!
00:08:58Woo!
00:09:01It was an awful fun party.
00:09:04Thank you so much, audience.
00:09:06Nice to meet you.
00:09:06Congratulations.
00:09:07Y'all take care.
00:09:07Nice to meet you, Smitty.
00:09:08Nice to meet you, finally, Ann.
00:09:10Bye-bye.
00:09:10Bye.
00:09:10Bye.
00:09:18Hi, John.
00:09:46Morning, Nathan.
00:09:47Morning, Mary.
00:09:48You're looking good.
00:10:00Steerish service for us,
00:10:01metal and barrel.
00:10:04Three years in the building core.
00:10:07Why'd you run a paper route, Sam?
00:10:09Surely you can find something better than that.
00:10:11No, ma'am, I can't.
00:10:12Been taking some odd jobs here and there,
00:10:14but I got a family to feed.
00:10:16I need some steady work.
00:10:18Well, it's a sorry state when a war hero
00:10:20can't even find work.
00:10:25I'm doing renovation
00:10:26on the Old Harbor Mansion.
00:10:28I'll give you minimum wage
00:10:30plus 10% to oversee it.
00:10:34Ma'am,
00:10:34I'll take it.
00:10:36I'll take it.
00:10:37Good.
00:10:37Well, have Raleigh give you directions.
00:10:40I'll meet you there tomorrow at 4.
00:10:41Yes, ma'am.
00:10:42Yes, ma'am.
00:10:43I'll take it.
00:10:54I am.
00:10:56Someone named Jackson
00:10:57wanted to run a man.
00:10:58You told him no?
00:10:59It's Jackson's barbecue stand.
00:11:02Out on the highway.
00:11:02Well, anyway.
00:11:07Mr. Rollins,
00:11:07can I call you right back?
00:11:11Hazel,
00:11:11that ain't gonna sit well
00:11:12with our regular advertisers.
00:11:15You know,
00:11:15Jackson's is colored.
00:11:17Well, his money's green.
00:11:19Hi.
00:11:20So,
00:11:20they do have the best ribs
00:11:21this side in Mississippi.
00:11:24Oh,
00:11:25why,
00:11:25Lily,
00:11:25what a pleasant surprise.
00:11:27Hazel,
00:11:27I have a favor to ask.
00:11:29Well,
00:11:29come on in.
00:11:30Come on, Lily.
00:11:33How are you?
00:11:33Come on.
00:11:36Mr. Jackson,
00:11:37this is Ann Sinclair
00:11:37at the advertiser.
00:11:39We'd be happy
00:11:39to run that ad for you.
00:11:42So,
00:11:43if you can provide
00:11:44the ad space,
00:11:45we're hoping to be able
00:11:46to raise enough money
00:11:47to replant
00:11:48the Riverbanks Park
00:11:49before the 4th of July gala.
00:11:51I'd love to.
00:11:53In the meantime,
00:11:57why, Hazel,
00:11:58you are too generous.
00:12:00Not at all.
00:12:01I love what the
00:12:02Historical Society's
00:12:03been doing.
00:12:10Can you keep a secret?
00:12:13You have been nominated
00:12:14for membership.
00:12:16Well,
00:12:16they must be
00:12:16desperate for new blood.
00:12:17I thought hell
00:12:18would freeze over
00:12:19if they let me join.
00:12:20But you're married now.
00:12:22There are a few detractors
00:12:23who think you're
00:12:24a little bit bohemian,
00:12:25but
00:12:26you're a dear friend,
00:12:28and I want to sponsor
00:12:29you personally.
00:12:30I guess I have to act
00:12:31respectable now.
00:12:33Damn.
00:12:34Bad reputation
00:12:35is so much
00:12:35easy to maintain.
00:12:42This roast
00:12:43is turning
00:12:43into jerky.
00:12:44I can't imagine
00:12:45what's keeping him.
00:12:47I'll clean up
00:12:48if you want
00:12:48to take Selena
00:12:49on home.
00:12:50Oh,
00:12:50her mama's gonna
00:12:50pick us up
00:12:51on our way
00:12:51home from work.
00:12:59That is mighty
00:13:00fine printing,
00:13:00Selena.
00:13:01You been practicing?
00:13:03Yes, ma'am.
00:13:08Now,
00:13:09for a dime,
00:13:10who was the
00:13:10first president?
00:13:11George Washington.
00:13:13That's too easy
00:13:14for someone so smart.
00:13:16Now,
00:13:17for a quarter,
00:13:17we invented
00:13:19the light bulb.
00:13:22Well,
00:13:23I'm gonna put
00:13:23this quarter
00:13:24right,
00:13:24please.
00:13:25And when you know
00:13:26the answer,
00:13:27you can have it.
00:13:41Honey,
00:13:42my new cherry.
00:13:43Earl got me
00:13:44a great deal.
00:13:44What do you think?
00:13:46It's beautiful.
00:13:46You smell
00:13:49like a brewery.
00:13:51Oh,
00:13:52just a couple
00:13:52of toast
00:13:53for Memorial
00:13:54Hospital's
00:13:54new administrator.
00:13:56What?
00:13:56I am now
00:13:57gainfully employed.
00:13:58Well,
00:13:58that's incredible.
00:13:59I thought
00:13:59had some shots
00:14:00back from my image.
00:14:01And I was worried
00:14:02you would end up
00:14:02drinking beer
00:14:03and chasing
00:14:03bar girls
00:14:04with all the
00:14:04old veterans.
00:14:05I still have
00:14:06my evenings free.
00:14:06Not while I'm around.
00:14:08I'll have Ruth
00:14:08set another place.
00:14:09Oh, no.
00:14:10I know for a fact
00:14:12that Lily
00:14:13is at the
00:14:13Historical Society
00:14:14tonight,
00:14:14and you are not
00:14:15leaving until
00:14:16you've had
00:14:16something to eat.
00:14:17Well,
00:14:18all right.
00:14:20That was a
00:14:21mighty fine dinner,
00:14:22Hazel.
00:14:23My daughter's here.
00:14:26See you tomorrow.
00:14:27Good night, Ruth.
00:14:28Good night, Selena.
00:14:29Say good night,
00:14:30Priscilla.
00:14:31Good night.
00:14:32Good night,
00:14:32Mrs. Smith.
00:14:33Let's clean it up.
00:14:34Let her bring a little
00:14:41girl here while she
00:14:43works, huh?
00:14:44Her mother's working
00:14:45late tonight.
00:14:50Integration will
00:14:51never succeed.
00:14:53Not down here.
00:14:55I don't think you're
00:14:56in any immediate danger,
00:14:57Earl.
00:14:58Someone should probably
00:14:59tell the Supreme Court.
00:15:00Yankee intellectuals
00:15:03have never set foot
00:15:04south of the
00:15:04Mason-Dixon.
00:15:06No offense.
00:15:07Oh, don't worry.
00:15:07No one ever
00:15:08accused me of being
00:15:08an intellectual.
00:15:10They got the
00:15:10NAACP organizing
00:15:12them in Atlanta,
00:15:13Little Rock,
00:15:14now here.
00:15:16We need our own
00:15:18committee if we're
00:15:19going to fight them.
00:15:20Well, if the
00:15:21hospital supply of
00:15:22white sheets suddenly
00:15:22dwindles, you'll know
00:15:23where to find them.
00:15:24I'm not talking
00:15:25about marauding
00:15:26hooligans.
00:15:27I'm talking about
00:15:28concerned citizens
00:15:29trying to preserve
00:15:30this county.
00:15:31I think I'll leave
00:15:32local politics to
00:15:33you locals.
00:15:37Getting in on the
00:15:38ground floor wouldn't
00:15:39hurt your ambitions,
00:15:40Hazel.
00:15:42Well, if I attend,
00:15:44it would be in my
00:15:45capacity as a journalist.
00:15:48You come to the
00:15:49first meeting.
00:15:50Then you make
00:15:51your decision.
00:15:54Hmm?
00:15:54Hmm?
00:15:55Hmm?
00:16:25Don't you dare go to sleep on me.
00:16:30Latitudes of lovely land.
00:16:33That is the only thing you will describe Mississippi.
00:16:37You can drip honey better than any man I ever knew.
00:16:40I have a feeling we're talking big numbers.
00:16:44It doesn't matter how many men you dance with.
00:16:46It's only who takes you home.
00:16:49Are you happy here?
00:16:50I am happier than I have ever been in my whole life.
00:16:56No more wanderlust.
00:17:00Lost the wander part.
00:17:18That was a lovely sermon this morning.
00:17:20Thank you again.
00:17:21Thank you, sir.
00:17:23Now, I realize it's the 4th of July, but was that a sermon or a filibuster?
00:17:28Reverend Moffitt, it takes him a half hour to say hello.
00:17:31He's right, though.
00:17:33Communism's a threat to Christianity.
00:17:35Not as long as we've got Joe McCarthy.
00:17:38They always talk of Reds under the bed.
00:17:40I was starting to feel conspicuous in this dress.
00:17:44See y'all on a picnic.
00:17:46Come on, ladies.
00:17:47Let's go home.
00:17:50Let's go home.
00:18:13Let's go home.
00:18:14Look out.
00:18:16Thank you, Dora.
00:18:36I can't get all of the job that society's done over at the rest of the home.
00:18:39It's never a little better.
00:18:41It's due in large part to the generous donation you made.
00:18:44I thought it might help when the membership vote came out.
00:18:47Your social contributions account for a lot more than your monetary ones, Hazel.
00:18:51Well, nobody's more social than me.
00:18:56I enjoyed your special Founding Father's Day edition, Hazel.
00:18:58Well, everybody saw full of ancestor worship around here I knew couldn't lose.
00:19:02Hank thought you could have done just a tiny bit more on the Confederacy.
00:19:05Well, I remember next year.
00:19:08Don't forget my party now.
00:19:10Oh, of course.
00:19:11Bye-bye.
00:19:11I don't know you, Dora.
00:19:16A leopard doesn't change spots just because it's found a mate.
00:19:19She may be a little wild, but she's honest.
00:19:23I find that refreshing.
00:19:24Hi, Hazel.
00:19:41Isn't this fun?
00:19:42Hi.
00:19:43Fireworks in a few minutes.
00:19:45Hi.
00:19:45Oh, you're polishing more apples than a campaigner and politician.
00:19:50Oh, it's good for business.
00:19:52You know, bull.
00:19:53You'd wash their feet and drink the water to get in their silly club.
00:19:56Well, there's no need to act ugly.
00:19:57Now, wait.
00:19:58I just hate seeing you grovel to those women.
00:20:01I mean, hell, if they were fish, every one of them would have been thrown back in.
00:20:07They don't deserve you.
00:20:09I just want to belong, Smitty.
00:20:11Right.
00:20:12And then what?
00:20:14Maybe I'll run for office.
00:20:15I just want to belong, Smitty.
00:20:45I just want to belong.
00:21:15You
00:21:31Don't try to cause an accident no
00:21:39Boy's drunk, ain't you? Oh, so we're just celebrating a bit. That's all don't lie to me boy
00:21:45I heard you holler in half a block away. Just having a little fun. Well, I suggest you get your black butts out of here
00:21:51Before I have to haul them in
00:21:55Calm man. Calm man, just having a little fun like everybody else. What did you say?
00:21:58I didn't give it to you. You didn't know? No, man!
00:22:01I'm gonna go! Marsh! Marsh!
00:22:05No, man! No, man! You didn't have to shoot him!
00:22:15Yeah, hi, maple. 4-4-2-8, please. Thank you.
00:22:21Hi, hi, it's me.
00:22:23Uh, no, no, I'm fine.
00:22:25Um...
00:22:27Could you come down here for a second?
00:22:29Yeah, I'm fine.
00:22:31Uh...
00:22:33Could you come down here for a second?
00:22:35Yeah, I'm fine.
00:22:37I'm fine.
00:22:39No, no, there's just something that I would like you to see.
00:22:49Okay, thank you.
00:22:51What's the big secret anyway?
00:22:53No secret, I just want you to see this for yourself.
00:22:57Hi, Marsh.
00:23:13Feeling a little better?
00:23:17I want you to tell her exactly what you told me.
00:23:21That's all right.
00:23:23She's my wife.
00:23:33Not a bunch of animals.
00:23:35There's just a lot of tension on the air right now.
00:23:37You've been defending this town for the last ten minutes, Hazel.
00:23:39I have not made one accusation, all right?
00:23:41I know what you're thinking.
00:23:43Well, excuse me for thinking so loud.
00:23:45There are a few hateful men in any town, Smitty.
00:23:48Sheriff Cole just happens to lead the pack here.
00:23:51Right on the farm right now.
00:23:53Are you referring to him or me?
00:23:55Number three!
00:23:57Oh, my God.
00:23:58Bring him in here.
00:23:59On the sail.
00:24:00You're going to be just fine.
00:24:04Um, get Doc Callen.
00:24:06His hand is gone.
00:24:07This man's critical.
00:24:08I said get Doc Callen.
00:24:10Oh, he's an operating runner.
00:24:12I'll be right there.
00:24:14Excuse me, Doctor.
00:24:16Maybe you didn't hear me?
00:24:18Didn't I just say I'd be right there?
00:24:23And while you finish with your white patient,
00:24:25that Negro's going to bleed to death?
00:24:27Well, since I'm in charge of emergency,
00:24:29why not let me worry about that?
00:24:31Because I'm in charge of this hospital, Doctor.
00:24:33Now get over there.
00:24:37This one I need some newcomer.
00:24:39He only got the job because of his wife,
00:24:41telling me how to handle emergency.
00:24:51Hazel.
00:25:11Well, what a pleasure.
00:25:18I'm here about Sheriff Cole.
00:25:20I need your help, Earl.
00:25:22Yeah.
00:25:23Yeah, we all heard about that incident yesterday.
00:25:26He was resisting arrest.
00:25:28That's a lie, Earl.
00:25:29There was no crime, no charges made.
00:25:32Sheriff Cole was just in a bad mood,
00:25:33and it wasn't the first time.
00:25:35He's been reprimanded,
00:25:36warned to restrain himself in the future.
00:25:39That's it?
00:25:40That's his punishment?
00:25:42We got bigger fish to fry.
00:25:44Let me remind you,
00:25:45the Supreme Court outlawed segregation
00:25:47in the schools this week.
00:25:48The Cullens are real cocky.
00:25:50That's not the point.
00:25:52You're one of us, Hazel.
00:25:54They'll just spare us the liberal hogwash.
00:25:56Is Sheriff Cole one of us?
00:25:58Cole said those boys are agitators.
00:26:01N-A-C-P, probably.
00:26:03If you start defending them,
00:26:04you're gonna make some enemies.
00:26:06Damn it, Earl. That isn't you talking.
00:26:08He can't get away with this scot-free.
00:26:10We've known each other a long time, Hazel.
00:26:14But I can't help you.
00:26:16Not on this.
00:26:19I see it in the middle.
00:26:21Talking don't do no good, Earl.
00:26:34Might as well try talking to a stump.
00:26:38Don't underestimate them, buddy.
00:26:40They were smart enough to join the N-A-A-C-P.
00:26:43I got three colored hands working my farm.
00:26:46If they try to send their kids to the white school,
00:26:49I'll fire them.
00:26:52Hey, I'll tell you another thing.
00:26:55Half my customers are colored.
00:26:56Now, if I cut off their credit, they'll come around.
00:26:58You better believe that.
00:27:02Wait a minute.
00:27:03We can't fight integration with more ranting.
00:27:08We need a plan.
00:27:09Well, I plan to stop it.
00:27:11With a bullet if I have to.
00:27:15Sit down, you fool,
00:27:16before I have your bodily removed.
00:27:18Now, listen, I got just as much right...
00:27:20Appreciate it.
00:27:22Why don't you sit down?
00:27:23Now, does anybody have a more intelligent suggestion?
00:27:39Y'all know that I've always supported segregation.
00:27:44But the time has come to face the facts.
00:27:47The college have lousy schools, lousy wages, and no opportunity.
00:27:50Well, they've accepted this so far.
00:27:54But they won't sit still
00:27:56if they can't even expect equal protection under the law.
00:28:00Or, in some cases, from the law itself.
00:28:02All hell's gonna break loose unless we start making some changes.
00:28:06And the first one should be the removal of that man from office.
00:28:11Pete Cole and his deputies is what stands between them and us.
00:28:15It's his job to uphold the law.
00:28:17Well, what are they gonna think if we fire him?
00:28:18They'll think they won!
00:28:23Sit down, buddy. Let her talk.
00:28:27Is this what we're becoming?
00:28:29Since Brown versus the Board of Education,
00:28:31there's been more than a hundred racially motivated arsons and bombings in the South.
00:28:37Decent, church-going citizens have been dripping from their homes in the middle of the night.
00:28:40Their children terrorized.
00:28:43Simply because they're coming.
00:28:47Well, if we don't speak out against the trash doing this, then we're accomplices.
00:28:51The ministers who fail to preach, the teachers who fail to teach, the lawmen and judges who fail to uphold the law,
00:29:01and the plain informed citizens who knows what's going on is wrong but doesn't speak out.
00:29:06We are all to blame!
00:29:09This meeting is adjourned.
00:29:13I hope you're talking about the sheriff's actions, not mine.
00:29:26You made a fool of me in there.
00:29:27Well, I couldn't have done it without you, Hale.
00:29:28You're caught in the devil, Hazel.
00:29:29I was thinking the same thing about you.
00:29:30Don't you expect any support from the committee.
00:29:32In fact, you can expect trouble.
00:29:34We already got trouble, Earl.
00:29:35And most of it, we're cooking up our sales.
00:29:38What do you expect from us?
00:29:40What do you expect from us?
00:29:42Hales.
00:29:43Can you expect any support from the committee?
00:29:45You're putting me down.
00:29:48It's okay.
00:29:50I'll just say you.
00:29:51It's okay.
00:29:53I'll have to laugh now, Hale.
00:29:55Let me know.
00:29:57And be careful.
00:29:58Oh, Sneddy, I dreamed of this house as I was a little girl.
00:30:25Come on, I'll show you.
00:30:28Well, what do you think?
00:30:32Oh, I think it's right.
00:30:34I want you to see something.
00:30:34Come on.
00:30:39Hey, Sam.
00:30:40Hey, Mr. Smith, how you doing?
00:30:42Not you, Mr. Smith.
00:30:44Hazel, this man is on time and under budget, and he should be in Congress.
00:30:47Well, I tell you, work just begun, Mr. Smith, so it's too soon for anything to go wrong.
00:30:52This here is my oldest boy, Ray.
00:30:54He wants to be in carpentry.
00:30:55Why isn't he in school?
00:30:56Well, it's summer, Mr. Smith.
00:31:02Your daddy said he wanted to be a carpenter.
00:31:05You give me the name of one famous carpenter, and I'll give you this corner.
00:31:10Jesus was a carpenter.
00:31:17Now, you come up with one other name before the next time I see you, and I'll give you a dollar.
00:31:21Thanks, Miss Smith.
00:31:22Now, listen.
00:31:25I'm going to build you that closet upstairs, and I'm going to line the whole thing in cedar.
00:31:29I hope she's got enough room for all those hats and shoes.
00:31:31Well, she do dress to kill, now, don't she?
00:31:33Yeah, it cooks that way, too.
00:31:34Oh, I've got a truckload of flowers I need to have planted this weekend.
00:31:39You know anyone needs to work?
00:31:40Well, now, Miss Smith, you know I could use the extra money, but why do you want to do all that work uptown when you're going to be moving down here in a couple of months?
00:31:47I'm going to have a big party.
00:31:49She's trying to impress a bunch of old babies she can't stand on the first one.
00:31:52Well, that's not so.
00:31:54It's just that I've got a husband now, so I'm respectable.
00:31:57This is my coming out party.
00:32:00All right, see y'all.
00:32:04Okay, let me see here now.
00:32:07It's time Sheriff Cole learned we are all members of the same human race.
00:32:12Perhaps his removal will result in more serious consideration being held for the personal rights of all men, white or black.
00:32:19Well?
00:32:23I don't know, Miss Hazel.
00:32:25You've always been one for causes, but this is like poking at a bad tooth with a bobby pin.
00:32:30It's going to cost us advertisers.
00:32:32I know you're going to help, but it's just going to make things worse.
00:32:36I'm not doing this to help.
00:32:39This is the truth, isn't it?
00:32:42This is a newspaper, isn't it?
00:32:45Run it.
00:32:49She's biting off more than she can chew this time.
00:33:08Phone rang all day.
00:33:11You should have heard someone speak if you bet Marlene, which is bad.
00:33:14You're expecting a medal?
00:33:15Well, I wouldn't expect it there.
00:33:17God, my mouth is dry as an old man's kiss.
00:33:24I've written tonight's meeting.
00:33:25The flowers call.
00:33:27If you want roses, there's going to be another $50.
00:33:29Fine.
00:33:31I want this party to be special.
00:33:32I want them to be thinking about it for months.
00:33:35I'll call them back.
00:33:43I don't deserve you.
00:33:44I don't deserve you.
00:34:05I don't deserve you.
00:34:06I don't deserve you.
00:34:08Not tonight.
00:34:16Sheriff, even hussies are allowed in church.
00:34:19Well, this is a private meeting.
00:34:21Besides, your name ain't on the list.
00:34:24I want to speak with Earl Claiborne.
00:34:26He's the one who gave the orders.
00:34:29Well, you tell Earl.
00:34:31The better men than him have tried to stop the press and failed.
00:34:33Do you think you can remember all that?
00:34:39Or should I write it down?
00:35:03Darn that Lily Claiborne.
00:35:25She's responsible for this.
00:35:27Yes, I'm so sorry that Lyle couldn't have made it.
00:35:31He was coming down with the flu or something.
00:35:36I guess we should feel lucky the epidemic hasn't reached us yet.
00:35:43Why don't we get this all loaded up and send it on to the orphanage?
00:35:47You think you're helping, but you're only stirring things up.
00:36:02I didn't create the situation, Rose.
00:36:04You tell that to them decent folk who stood you up today.
00:36:07They're just scared.
00:36:09They'd rather face the devil they know and the devil they don't know.
00:36:12Scared?
00:36:13They've been trying to scare us for a hundred years.
00:36:16You don't know what it's like waiting for your man to come home at night.
00:36:22Worried he'd be lynched or beat to death, shot in a pack.
00:36:26That's not just scared.
00:36:29That's snakes in the pit of your stomach.
00:36:32What the sheriff did was wrong.
00:36:35Where you been?
00:36:37That isn't the first time a white man has done something like this.
00:36:41Well, what do you want me to do?
00:36:42You do what you want to do.
00:36:45Like always.
00:36:46But in the meantime, your friends are spitting on my feet.
00:36:51Like I put you up to all of this.
00:36:54You want me to hush up too?
00:36:56No.
00:36:58No.
00:36:59Times are changing, like it or not.
00:37:06And for the first time in my life, I got hope that maybe things will be better.
00:37:12If not for me, then maybe for my granddaughter.
00:37:16What on earth?
00:37:36Food.
00:37:51Get in, you cowards!
00:37:53No!
00:37:53Take it again, Mikey!
00:37:55Hey, buddy.
00:38:25Hey, Mr. Klaver.
00:38:30Woo.
00:38:31Kind of hot, huh?
00:38:33You bet.
00:38:35I hear that Hazel had some trouble out her way last night.
00:38:42Well, boys will be boys.
00:38:44Yeah.
00:38:46You put them up to it?
00:38:51What if I did?
00:38:52Now, you let me make one thing perfectly clear.
00:38:58I don't cotton to vandals.
00:39:01I don't condone petty harassment, and I can't abide lawlessness.
00:39:05And by God, I won't tolerate it from any member of the Citizens Committee either.
00:39:11We supposed to sit around like a bunch of old ladies, huh?
00:39:13They had a meeting last week, too. Over 200 of them showed up.
00:39:16We'll devise an intelligent and effective strategy.
00:39:19We're not a mob.
00:39:20Now, you conform to the dictates of this committee, or you're out.
00:39:26Count me out.
00:39:39Well, you gotta do something, Hazel.
00:39:41They destroyed your property.
00:39:42What, call the police?
00:39:45How about if you call the marshal?
00:39:47This kind of conduct on the part of our highest elected peace officer
00:39:54has done serious injury to relations between the races.
00:40:00I just thank God we got men like him around here to keep them folks in line.
00:40:08Things a waste of paper.
00:40:10Not really, Carl.
00:40:11I use mine to line the cat box.
00:40:13You'd think some people would be ashamed to show their face.
00:40:20Some people ought to keep their stupid opinions to themselves.
00:40:23Thanks for the free advice.
00:40:26I guess you get what you pay for.
00:40:30Maybe you should write an article about comedy trash.
00:40:33Reba, I see you finally developed a sense of humor.
00:40:36This is a private conversation.
00:40:38Oh, yeah?
00:40:38Well, it's just too bad that you're IQing as big as those falsies.
00:40:42I am.
00:40:43Don't go getting into a battle of wits with these women.
00:40:46They're not armed.
00:40:47Oh.
00:40:48The reign of terror must be stopped.
00:40:54Along with the countless floggings, assaults, bombings, cross-burnings, and other acts of intimidation.
00:41:01It is not enough to remain aloof from the mob.
00:41:04We must create a climate of public opinion in which they cannot operate.
00:41:09What do you think?
00:41:10I'm not the one that you're convincing.
00:41:13Let it be, Miss Hazel.
00:41:14Miss Hazel, you ought to go on home.
00:41:18Your eyes look like two chairs in the snow.
00:41:21I'm almost done.
00:41:24Thanks, Riley.
00:41:26For everything.
00:41:44Let me reiterate.
00:41:48The man was critical, and in my opinion, Dr. Barnes-Seer was misdirecting his energies.
00:41:56If this were the only incident...
00:41:58You keep mentioning other incidents, other complaints.
00:42:01Well, what were they and who made them?
00:42:03Because certainly no one has confronted me directly.
00:42:07We're not at liberty to say...
00:42:08You are not at liberty to say.
00:42:12Then how am I supposed to answer these charges?
00:42:14You're not.
00:42:16We have taken a vote and decided to terminate your position here.
00:42:22Effective.
00:42:23Immediately.
00:42:28God help the man who holds up a mirror to this town.
00:42:32You get two weeks severance.
00:42:34It's ironic, isn't it?
00:42:38The greatest democracy in the history of mankind has produced this pathetic room full of bums.
00:42:44We all know what this is about.
00:42:46It has nothing to do with my performance.
00:42:49Now, if any of you had an ounce of guts, you would have called it like it was and spared me this silly little kangaroo court.
00:42:56Gentlemen.
00:43:14Frank.
00:43:16You scared the putting out of me.
00:43:19Sorry.
00:43:23Reggie's a cat.
00:43:24I've been hearing things all night.
00:43:29What's wrong?
00:43:31They fired me.
00:43:35It isn't about you, you know.
00:43:38Yeah, who the hell cares?
00:43:40I wasn't cut out for a desk job anyway.
00:43:45Come on.
00:43:50Let's go home.
00:43:50Come on.
00:43:54Well, it's a blessing anyway.
00:44:12Now you can supervise the ventilation.
00:44:13Stop, stop, stop, stop.
00:44:18Keep it up.
00:44:19Get down.
00:44:24Down, down.
00:44:25Down, down.
00:44:31Oh, God.
00:44:35Oh, God.
00:44:36Oh, God.
00:44:40Oh, God.
00:44:42It's just my daddy's desk.
00:45:00He gave it to me when I got the loan to buy the paper.
00:45:04That's all I had left of him.
00:45:09Thanks, Sonny.
00:45:10It's paper, glass, wood.
00:45:13It's all right.
00:45:14It's not all right.
00:45:1520 years of your life was in that desk.
00:45:17The last 20 years don't mean a thing.
00:45:19You weren't part of it.
00:45:27Ms. Hazel?
00:45:31How's the printing equipment?
00:45:32I'm going to need a lot of new parts, but I think I can save it.
00:45:35Mr. Smith, could you loan me a hand at the back door?
00:45:38It's kind of stuck.
00:45:40Will you be okay?
00:45:56Some mean folks in this world.
00:45:59Expect we ought to call the sheriff.
00:46:00What the floor?
00:46:04He spent about five minutes on his investigation of our fire.
00:46:07It would get worse before getting it better.
00:46:10Yeah.
00:46:11Help me get this down before I get this.
00:46:13I think that's a great idea.
00:46:22Look what I found.
00:46:25Good.
00:46:27Hey, Ray.
00:46:28Do you think any more famous carpenters?
00:46:30Yes, ma'am.
00:46:31My bad.
00:46:33Why don't you go down to Lucy's and pick up some burgers and soda spray along?
00:46:37And keep a dollar for yourself.
00:46:41Oh, Ray.
00:46:43Get some fries, too.
00:46:44Okay.
00:46:45Well, well.
00:46:51You here to help or just to clump?
00:46:53Just passing by.
00:46:55How's the investigation coming?
00:46:56Any new leads?
00:46:58Still looking into it.
00:47:00Of course, you stop to think.
00:47:02The property owner is always the prime suspect in any arson.
00:47:07Don't stop to think, Sheriff.
00:47:08You might never get started again.
00:47:10But you've been advertising with us for 14 years, Della.
00:47:19Businesses double.
00:47:20You said so yourself.
00:47:21I don't want to give them any excuse to shop in those new stores over in Jackson.
00:47:25You're not just hurting Hazel, Della.
00:47:27You're hurting everybody that works at the paper.
00:47:29Oh, Ann, honey, I'm sorry.
00:47:32The committee is organizing a boycott.
00:47:35No one's going to advertise.
00:47:36No one's going to subscribe.
00:47:37I just can't go against my own husband.
00:47:39All right.
00:47:44You need to be here.
00:48:02Committee's organized a boycott.
00:48:04Tell us at least 60% of my advertising.
00:48:07What kind of people are these?
00:48:09We sure do appreciate what you're doing for us, Miss Smith.
00:48:12Don't make me out of be so noble, Sam.
00:48:13I would have done the same thing if Morris Jones had been white.
00:48:15Well, it wouldn't have happened if he had been white.
00:48:17Well, one bad apple didn't spoil the whole bunch.
00:48:19What do you want, Sheriff?
00:48:32What do you want, Sheriff?
00:48:37Got something for you, Hazel.
00:48:41Wanted to deliver it myself.
00:48:42Have a nice day.
00:48:47Have a nice day.
00:48:51He just filed a liable suit against me for $100,000.
00:48:58I guess things can't get much worse.
00:49:01Yes, they can.
00:49:03My sister's coming to visit.
00:49:05Oh, Smitty.
00:49:10Oh, Smitty.
00:49:16Why, Lily.
00:49:18What a surprise.
00:49:20Hello, Hazel.
00:49:21I haven't seen you lately.
00:49:23I hope you haven't come down with that flu that's been going around.
00:49:26Um, I was going to call you, but, um, I've just been real...
00:49:31Oh, that's all right.
00:49:33Seems I'm very difficult to reach lately.
00:49:35Yeah.
00:49:36Now, that flu's left you looking a bit peevish.
00:49:39Or is it the hair?
00:49:41Yeah, it does start dragging the face down when you get older.
00:49:44Maybe you should consider wearing it up, something a bit like this.
00:49:48Yes, that's lovely.
00:49:49Thank you, Hazel.
00:49:50Oh, by the way, I'm afraid I'm going to have to withdraw my membership of the Historical Society.
00:49:55I'm sure everyone will be devastated.
00:49:58Oh, it can't be helped.
00:49:59But with rebuilding the paper and all, I just don't have a minute.
00:50:03Bye.
00:50:29Be the jury, fine for the plaintiff, sheriff cove, for libel.
00:50:47Damage is awarded in the amount of $10,000.
00:50:49Whoa!
00:50:49Ha!
00:50:49Ha!
00:50:49Ha!
00:50:50Ha!
00:50:50Ha!
00:50:51Ha!
00:50:51Ha!
00:50:52Ha!
00:50:52Ha!
00:50:53Ha!
00:50:53Ha!
00:50:54Ha!
00:50:55Ha!
00:50:55Ha!
00:50:56Ha!
00:50:57Ha!
00:50:57Ha!
00:50:58Ha!
00:50:58Ha!
00:50:59Ha!
00:51:01Ha!
00:51:01Justice!
00:51:03That man needs to bully the way a flea needs a dog.
00:51:06You're going to appeal?
00:51:07Constitution guarantees freedom of the press, doesn't it?
00:51:10Yeah.
00:51:10Well, I'd rather eat bugs than give that parasite a dime.
00:51:16Everyone here would love to see me dragged over hot coals.
00:51:19And I already owe you a fortune in legal bills.
00:51:26Vern, can I call you right back?
00:51:28what's wrong sam's wife henry just called he was arrested this morning for stealing the saddle
00:51:38it's ludicrous sam's as honest as they come
00:51:42i'll arrange bail i'll get a lawyer it's too late miss hazel the man that had him arrested
00:51:51posted his bond about an hour ago what where's he now nobody's seen him since they let him go
00:51:57oh god
00:51:59oh god is heated in it hey errol can i do you for it well uh you know uh i've been thinking about getting
00:52:16me a set of those white walls well now you can't buy a finer tiger huh yeah and then i'm gonna need
00:52:24me a new battery for my tractor the problem is lyle you're still advertising in hazel's paper
00:52:32i never thought you'd line up with them lyle well you know that ain't true
00:52:38it's just maybe you happen to forget i sell advertising for hazel's paper not much from
00:52:42what i hear you all certainly made sure of that haven't you sneaking around like rats nobody's
00:52:47sneaking around what we're doing is completely above board what is blackmailing people and
00:52:53forcing them to join you nobody's forcing you you don't want to join go ahead look errol i got to
00:53:01advertise whether i like it or not she's the only game in town
00:53:06what's your choice lyle
00:53:11no you're right lyle lexington needs an alternative to hazel smith
00:53:23sorry
00:53:31sorry
00:53:35this town can't sport one paper much less two
00:53:50they'll be back in a month looking for their jobs citizens chronicle who they think they're
00:53:56kidding they're scared they just want to make sure they have a job in another year and you're not
00:54:04i got no choice hazel if i don't take the new job they're gonna put lyle out of business
00:54:14save your breath i understand hazel you can't win spare me the lecture iron
00:54:20i've already heard it a dozen ways
00:54:22hazel
00:54:26i'll let you know
00:54:36you judas
00:54:39not you two
00:54:51no
00:54:52no never miss hazel
00:54:54they found sam's body in the river
00:54:58he was beaten to death
00:55:01oh no no no thank you the speakers of me
00:55:08it's my fault
00:55:10this is just a hearing mrs burke what we want are just the facts
00:55:32now tell us what happened
00:55:34after mr dodd senior
00:55:38paid his bail
00:55:40sam called me
00:55:43and what did your husband say
00:55:46he
00:55:51said that mr dodd
00:55:55was getting him
00:55:56out
00:55:57was so that he could settle things personally
00:56:01for stealing a saddle
00:56:05sam didn't take that saddle
00:56:07they found it on two kids
00:56:12a week later
00:56:14and you never saw or heard from your husband
00:56:17again
00:56:19not till i identified his body
00:56:28i want you to know your daddy didn't do nothing wrong
00:56:38pull your head up and get proud
00:56:40you're a good man
00:56:42hi ray
00:56:44on hazel smith
00:56:47i know
00:56:49i saw you at the funeral
00:56:52he was so brave of you to come
00:56:55i never got to tell you personally
00:56:58how sorry i am
00:56:59sam's a fine man
00:57:02you talking to this woman
00:57:06what if i am
00:57:08she's under a gag order that's what
00:57:09you're in contempt
00:57:11and you're coming with me
00:57:13for your information
00:57:19a gag order means you can't talk to a witness
00:57:22i was unaware that she was in the custody of the court
00:57:25i was talking to her as my friend
00:57:26even if i chose to believe you
00:57:28which i don't
00:57:30ignorance is no excuse
00:57:31therefore
00:57:33i find you in contempt of court
00:57:35in order of you to pay a fifty dollar fine
00:57:38and serve fifteen days
00:57:40in the county jail
00:57:41yeah
00:57:41sentences suspended
00:57:45provided you behave yourself
00:57:47for the next two years
00:57:48miss smith
00:57:50i'm gonna be frank with you
00:57:52and speak my mind
00:57:53well why don't you
00:57:54you got nothing to lose
00:57:55before you go trying to clean up
00:58:00somebody else's house
00:58:02you best look after your own
00:58:04there are so few
00:58:06fewer of us left
00:58:07dismissed
00:58:11at least it's only fifteen days
00:58:19you have to take your shoes off
00:58:21to count me higher than that
00:58:22pompous idiot
00:58:23there isn't another court in the country
00:58:25that'll uphold it
00:58:26you're gonna appeal this one too
00:58:28it's the supreme court if i have to
00:58:29hazel what do you think you're doing
00:58:31it's not gonna make any difference
00:58:32these people are so narrow-minded
00:58:35they do not want to change
00:58:36these people happen to be my people
00:58:38and this is still my home
00:58:40all right
00:58:40i'm on your side remember
00:58:41so is my pimmocks
00:58:43hazel wait
00:58:44wait
00:58:44i'm wrong
00:58:46you're right
00:58:47is that good enough
00:58:48hazel i cannot stand
00:58:51to see them hurt you like this
00:58:52i would much rather
00:58:54that they hurt me
00:58:56silver tongue devil
00:58:58can i buy you a drink
00:59:02drink
00:59:04hell buy me the bottle
00:59:07and until the white south
00:59:10refuses to tolerate
00:59:12the bombings
00:59:13the shootings
00:59:13the beatings
00:59:14and murders
00:59:15southerners will continue
00:59:17to be hailed in scorn
00:59:18as barbarians
00:59:19to the rest of the nation
00:59:20it's brilliant
00:59:21what do we have to lose
00:59:23what now
00:59:29they've cancelled our printing contracts
00:59:37all of them
00:59:38i don't know how much longer
00:59:48i could pay you ruth
00:59:49you should probably start looking
00:59:52for something else
00:59:53i don't want to look for nothing else
00:59:55i'm too old and too spoiled
00:59:57don't be stubborn
00:59:59how are you going to pay the rent
01:00:00i've been trying to tell you for 20 years
01:00:03but you don't listen
01:00:04the lord will provide
01:00:07don't you worry about a thing
01:00:12we're going to make it
01:00:13oh hi
01:00:30and here she is
01:00:32i've been so looking forward to this
01:00:35smitty's told us such wonderful things
01:00:37about you
01:00:37not that he had to
01:00:38anyone to correct him after 36 years
01:00:40had to be pretty special
01:00:41well he's told me so much about you too
01:00:43i can't wait to find out
01:00:44how much of it's true
01:00:45smitty's been telling us
01:00:53about some of the troubles
01:00:54you've been having lately
01:00:54the violence and harassment
01:00:56are bad enough
01:00:57but to have it be done
01:00:58by the very people
01:00:58you go to church with
01:00:59and to lose your friends
01:01:01none that really mattered
01:01:03it's the best argument there is
01:01:04for better education
01:01:05you can't end racism
01:01:07until you end ignorance
01:01:09you all ended all your socials
01:01:10in massachusetts
01:01:11well no
01:01:12weren't there protests
01:01:13in boston last year
01:01:15yes
01:01:15and what about the riots
01:01:16in philadelphia
01:01:17well sure but that's
01:01:18we're not all a bunch of provincial
01:01:20high seats here
01:01:20i'll go see how the coffee's doing
01:01:26smitty
01:01:39i'm sorry if i embarrassed you
01:01:43john just doesn't know
01:01:47when to shut up
01:01:47i guess that makes two of us
01:01:51he'll get over it
01:01:54it's not bad
01:01:57it's the printing contract
01:01:58we'll figure something out
01:02:04what
01:02:05there's nothing left
01:02:07paper can't go on
01:02:09without money
01:02:10well we'll get a loan
01:02:13or sell the car
01:02:14maybe we should move on
01:02:17there's a paper for sale
01:02:19in arizona
01:02:20you've never run
01:02:22from a fight in your life
01:02:23well maybe it's time
01:02:24that i did
01:02:25it's not the fight
01:02:29i'm afraid of
01:02:30it's being shut out
01:02:33not having any friends
01:02:36always that smitty
01:02:39they're not gonna run us off
01:02:41hazel
01:02:41this is our home too
01:02:43you'll come around
01:02:47you'll see
01:02:48besides
01:02:50i just can't see you
01:02:52in a cowboy hat
01:02:53too bad
01:03:01we gotta go all the way
01:03:02to jackson for a loan
01:03:03mortgage to the hill
01:03:10we still haven't finished
01:03:11the renovation yet
01:03:12that'll teach me to marry
01:03:13for money
01:03:14my name is davis franklin
01:03:17i called riley sims this morning
01:03:19he told me where i could find you
01:03:21why'd you want to find me
01:03:22uh the church
01:03:24just down the way
01:03:25the pastor's letting us
01:03:26use it for a meeting place
01:03:27maybe we can talk there
01:03:29about what
01:03:30there's a group of us
01:03:31well we want to publish our own newspaper
01:03:35we got the financial backing
01:03:37only
01:03:38we can't find anyone to print it
01:03:41what makes you think i will
01:03:43riley said you're fair-minded
01:03:45and you need the business
01:03:48it's right about that
01:03:52why not
01:03:57what makes you think i will
01:03:59follow up to you
01:04:08when you close your
01:04:10earthly story
01:04:13will you join them in their bliss
01:04:18Will the circle be unbroken
01:04:23By and by, by and by
01:04:28In a better home awaiting
01:04:32In the sun, in the sky
01:04:48But if we think the present situation is serious
01:04:52We should take a long, hard look at the future
01:04:55It can and will get infinitely worse
01:04:59Unless we find the character
01:05:01And guts to change things that need changing
01:05:04No man, white or black
01:05:08Should live in fear
01:05:09Or be compelled to sleep with a loaded gun by his bedside
01:05:13That will raise them happens
01:05:17It's your paper
01:05:19Say a word and I'll rewrite it
01:05:22It's time to stand up and be counted
01:05:29In the sky, oh my Lord, in the sky
01:05:32Sleep on mother
01:05:35Open trust
01:05:36My God you say
01:05:38I'm gonna meet you
01:05:41In the judgment
01:05:43When you leave
01:05:45Your dust
01:05:46Be great
01:05:47To how do the circle
01:05:49He unbroken
01:05:51Bye-bye
01:05:53Bye-bye
01:05:54Bye-bye
01:05:55Bye-bye
01:05:56Bye-bye
01:05:57Let it come away
01:05:59In the door
01:06:00In the sky
01:06:01Oh my Lord
01:06:02I think Laura Stewart will be named deputant of the year.
01:06:26Lily's hired a band from New Orleans, too.
01:06:28Everyone will be there.
01:06:32Let's do something special, maybe up in Chinyon.
01:06:38Chinyon?
01:06:39Isn't that those little braids that the pickaninnies wear?
01:06:44That's enough.
01:06:48I've always been proud to say I come from Mississippi.
01:06:52You make me ashamed.
01:06:53The silence in these times is just as ugly as their words.
01:07:04I apologize.
01:07:07I'd like for you and Smitty to come to the ball as my personal guest.
01:07:11Thank you, Eudora.
01:07:15But we already have another invitation for tonight.
01:07:20You have dignity and grace under pressure, Hazel.
01:07:25That's a quality very few ladies have these days.
01:07:29Oh, hi.
01:07:49Just a minute.
01:07:49Hey, I'm glad you made it.
01:07:51Follow me.
01:07:52Your baby feels good tonight.
01:07:54Watch out now.
01:07:55Hey, Elroy.
01:07:56Don't hurt nobody now, all right?
01:07:59Oh.
01:08:00This is Ad Lane of the American Civil Liberties Union
01:08:03and Brewster Conway of the NAACP.
01:08:06Hazel and Walter Darius Smith.
01:08:08Now, Smitty, please.
01:08:09Eugene, these two people are dry.
01:08:12Take a martini and a scotch up, please.
01:08:15So you're the ones causing every cracker in the South
01:08:17throwing themselves.
01:08:19You look more like fraternity boys and revolutionaries to me.
01:08:22You hardly look the crusading editor.
01:08:24Well, I'm no crusader.
01:08:26That's someone that goes out looking for trouble.
01:08:28I can barely keep up with the trouble coming to my door.
01:08:31Well, we appreciate you printing our paper.
01:08:33No one else would touch it.
01:08:35I'm being paid.
01:08:36Well, regardless of that, we are awfully glad you're on our team.
01:08:40I'm a journalist, boys.
01:08:43I don't take sides.
01:08:44Like it or not, I'd say you have.
01:08:49Gentlemen, if you will excuse us, I'm about to pull up on politics.
01:08:52I would like to cut loose and dance with my wife.
01:08:54Sugar?
01:08:56Put it away.
01:08:57In the next couple of hours, I want the carefree brat I'm married.
01:09:12Forget those stuffed shirts back on, baby.
01:09:15This is living.
01:09:16Well, you know, you think of chili.
01:09:17Read this.
01:09:33Before you put down payment on that lake house you've been eyeballing, you better listen
01:09:54to this.
01:09:55Today, the Mississippi State Supreme Court held that editor Hazel Smith's right to publish
01:10:01the truth, with good motives and just ends, is inherent in the Constitution.
01:10:07Looks like telling the truth falls under my First Amendment racks.
01:10:15Score one for the nigger lovers.
01:10:17Get your sweet paper.
01:10:26My brother sent this from Ohio.
01:10:29Now, they are printing Hazel's editorials in here.
01:10:32And that's not the only place.
01:10:35Baltimore, Wilmington, they've been trying to make her high and mighty.
01:10:40And us look like a bunch of fools.
01:10:41That is right.
01:10:42Now, Earl, she's gone too far.
01:10:45Well, what do you suggest, Lyle?
01:10:48Her advertising's gone.
01:10:49She's got no subscriptions.
01:10:51The county contracts dried up six months ago.
01:10:53How does she keep printing, then?
01:10:55I don't know.
01:10:56I'm tired of waiting.
01:10:58If you've got a rotten tooth bullet.
01:11:00Yeah, that's right.
01:11:01That's right.
01:11:03Just wait a minute.
01:11:04Listen up here.
01:11:06I want Hazel Smith out of business as much as anybody.
01:11:10But you go to breaking the law, you're no better than those newspapers say you are.
01:11:13Earl's right.
01:11:14We're not hooligans.
01:11:15No, we're not.
01:11:17Now, let's just see if we can figure out how she's staying in business.
01:11:25Wake up, sleepyhead.
01:11:32Hey, I sure do appreciate this.
01:11:36The truck will be fixed by tomorrow.
01:11:38That's no problem.
01:11:38We had to come up for a meeting with the bank anyway.
01:11:40Okay.
01:11:41Oh, come on.
01:11:50There you go.
01:11:51Isn't this funny?
01:11:58Come on, boss.
01:11:59You know what to do.
01:12:00All right, Cal.
01:12:01What about the insurance?
01:12:16Won't they cover?
01:12:18Couldn't afford the premiums.
01:12:19They don't let up for one minute, do they?
01:12:34I would use a picture that makes my behind look as big as a truck.
01:12:37I'll get them for that.
01:12:40First, I'm going to get us a couple of beers.
01:12:42We're going to be here all night.
01:12:43Okay.
01:12:43Well, if I didn't, my dear friend Earl Clayton.
01:12:54Hazel, I'll...
01:12:56Oh, my God.
01:13:01Hazel, I want you to know I had absolutely nothing to do with this.
01:13:04You had everything to do with it.
01:13:06Hazel, I'm not a barbarian.
01:13:08I'd never be a party to anything like this.
01:13:10Of course not, Earl.
01:13:12That'll be the slimy tactics of the downtown clan.
01:13:15And everybody knows you're strictly uptown clan.
01:13:29How you doing, Earl?
01:13:32Hazel called you a brute and a bully.
01:13:35And this whole town stood up to defend you.
01:13:39I stood up to defend you.
01:13:42What the hell are you talking about?
01:13:44Last night, you proved her right.
01:13:48So, who cares?
01:13:50This whole town's going to care.
01:13:53I'm going to see to that.
01:13:55You nothing but a sniveling hypocrite.
01:13:57You and all your blue-nosed friends.
01:14:00That may be.
01:14:00But you shouldn't have made us so aware of it.
01:14:20You really gave them a run for your money, Miss Hazel.
01:14:23No one can ever say you went out without a fight.
01:14:25I'm not out, Riley.
01:14:27And I'm not about to give up the fight.
01:14:30We can't print without a press.
01:14:32And then I will beg, I will borrow, I will steal until I have enough money to buy a new one.
01:14:37They can burn, they can boycott, they can tear me down a hundred times.
01:14:41But if they want to stop me from telling the truth, they're going to have to kill me.
01:14:47Uh-huh.
01:14:47I'll sign a personal note.
01:14:49Well, the Atlanta Herald, New Orleans Times, Miami Troop, they're all running our editorials.
01:14:54Okay, well, how about Hazel on the 23rd?
01:14:56We'll arrange transportation.
01:14:57That's highway robbery.
01:14:59Right.
01:14:59Make it prime plus 1%.
01:15:01Done.
01:15:04That's 5,500 so far.
01:15:05Well, people must be reading your articles, because I've got eight speaking engagements lined up.
01:15:09That's at least, what, another 5,000?
01:15:11I hate this.
01:15:12I feel like I'm standing on a street corner with a cup in my hand.
01:15:14The congregation at my church took this up yesterday.
01:15:22Oh, Riley.
01:15:24$2,832.
01:15:29I won't cry.
01:15:32I promised I wouldn't cry.
01:15:35If this doesn't work, maybe the new boycott will.
01:15:37What's new about it?
01:15:38They'll be boycotting me for months.
01:15:40Not that boycott.
01:15:42We figured two could play at this game.
01:15:44Not a colored person in this town going to buy from anybody boycotting you.
01:15:48Well, those people will have to drive all the way to Jackson to shop.
01:15:51I expect they're doing what they think is right.
01:15:53Just like you.
01:15:54Even if we can't sell this house, it's just not enough.
01:16:14I'll find work.
01:16:15We've been through that.
01:16:16No one's going to hire you.
01:16:19Besides, I'll need your help.
01:16:20If we don't scrape together enough to rebuild.
01:16:23If?
01:16:24What happened to when?
01:16:26Well, there's just nothing left.
01:16:28That's right.
01:16:29You're out of place, too.
01:16:32What new horror makes me...
01:16:34Yes?
01:16:40Of course.
01:16:44Right.
01:16:46I know where that is.
01:16:49Half an hour.
01:16:50Who was that?
01:17:05I don't know.
01:17:06A man.
01:17:08What do you want?
01:17:10Said he wanted to help me.
01:17:11I'm going to meet him down at the old cotton mill in half an hour.
01:17:18You're going to what?
01:17:20He said he'd been following our story.
01:17:21Fine.
01:17:22I'll go with you.
01:17:22No.
01:17:23He said it had to be anonymous.
01:17:25I have to go alone.
01:17:27You're actually planning to go?
01:17:28He mentioned other journalists I know.
01:17:31People I've worked with.
01:17:32So what?
01:17:32He did his research.
01:17:33This could be one of the sheriff's thugs.
01:17:35This man is no thug.
01:17:37He was too intelligent.
01:17:38He was sincere.
01:17:39No way.
01:17:40I won't allow it.
01:17:41I was on my own for 20 years before I met you, mister.
01:17:44And I took care of myself just fine.
01:17:45Those were entirely different circumstances.
01:17:48Don't you walk out that door.
01:17:50I'm a big girl, Smitty.
01:17:51And I'm sick and tired of everyone telling me what to do.
01:17:57You are acting like a lunatic just to prove how tough you are.
01:18:00Get out of my way, Smitty.
01:18:01Don't make me prove how mean I am, too.
01:18:05Fine.
01:18:08It's going to be all right.
01:18:09Please, don't go.
01:18:13You'll be a trap.
01:18:14No, it's not.
01:18:16How can you know that?
01:18:19Female intuition.
01:18:23I have to.
01:18:24I have to.
01:18:24I have to.
01:18:43I have to.
01:18:50You're out.
01:18:51who are you a friend of your friends i can count the friends i got left on one hand and none of
01:19:19you your friends are over miss smith people you don't even know i wish to god people quit making
01:19:24me out to be some kind of crusader i never wanted this damn battle in the first place
01:19:27where you from why are you doing this let's just say i'm somebody who doesn't want the bad guys to
01:19:43win what's with all the cloak and dagestad perhaps i just don't have the courage you do
01:19:49you're a newspaper man
01:19:57good luck miss smith
01:20:02you're a coward
01:20:09you're a coward
01:20:13you're a coward
01:20:17you're a coward
01:20:23Oh, it's me, it's me, it's me.
01:20:35For God's sake, Smitty, what are you doing here?
01:20:38You followed me.
01:20:40Actually, I was just running into town for some bread.
01:20:44Well, don't bother.
01:20:47We got all the bread we need.
01:20:49He gave us thousands and thousands of dollars.
01:20:54What?
01:20:57Let's go.
01:21:00It's ready.
01:21:05Here goes nothing.
01:21:07Oh!
01:21:07Now we're ready for them.
01:21:20Come on.
01:21:44What you whistling them Christmas songs?
01:21:47It ain't even Thanksgiving.
01:21:48I don't know any Thanksgiving songs do you gobble gobble gobble gobble gobble gobble
01:21:57How about a joke how do you know when a politician's lying, huh? Oh, watch out. That's all right
01:22:14Get the ambulance
01:22:18No
01:22:20Oh
01:22:22This just beat all
01:22:24We've been bombed burn boycott and bankrupt it I have to go and die in a ladder
01:22:31If you think you're getting away from me that easy you can forget it mister
01:22:37Think of some really clever last words
01:22:40It's okay
01:22:46It's me
01:22:48It's me
01:22:50It's me
01:22:52Oh
01:22:54You damn fool
01:22:56You damn fool
01:22:58It's me
01:23:00It's me
01:23:04It's me
01:23:06uh
01:23:08Uh
01:23:10Uh
01:23:12Uh
01:23:14Uh
01:23:20Uh
01:23:24Uh
01:23:28Uh
01:23:30Uh
01:23:32There's supposed to be a picket line outside Hazel's paper.
01:23:42Should we cancel?
01:23:45What do you think?
01:23:48Jim Bob thinks we ought to have a meeting this afternoon instead.
01:23:52Think up a new plan, maybe write a new editorial.
01:23:59Do whatever you like.
01:24:03I got other plans for this afternoon.
01:24:21Deal with courage, and he shall strengthen your heart.
01:24:25Open the Lord.
01:24:28For just as troubles and earthly suffering are over for our brother Walter...
01:24:34I came for Sneddy.
01:24:55I came for Sneddy.
01:25:01No, Miss Hazel.
01:25:02They came for you.
01:25:03As surely as he gave us life, heaven awaits us after death.
01:25:24A place where hunger is fed and fear forgotten, hatred and tired.
01:25:33And all God's children in peace.
01:25:36Let us pray.
01:25:37Let us pray.
01:25:37Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
01:25:45Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
01:25:49For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever and ever.
01:26:09Amen.
01:26:11Amen.
01:26:11Amen.
01:26:11Amen.
01:26:11In 1964, Hazel Brannon Smith became the first woman to receive the nation's highest honor in editorial writing,
01:26:34the Pulitzer Prize.
01:26:35Piano geh, the Pulitzer Prize, and Bill Holiness of Eve,
01:26:37nutzen Waitunción, hallowed be thy name.
01:26:38Amen.
01:26:38Amen.
01:26:39Amen.
01:26:40Amen.
01:26:40Amen.
01:26:41Amen.
01:26:42Amen.
01:26:43Amen.
01:26:44Amen.
01:26:46Amen.
01:26:46Amen.
01:26:48Amen.
01:26:48Amen.
01:26:49Amen.
01:26:51Amen.
01:26:53Amen.
01:27:02Amen.
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