The Duke of West Point (1938) - full transcript
An arrogant Cambridge student emigrates to America and enrolls at the West Point.
Subtitles: Lu?s Filipe Bernardes
I believe it's a penalty.
No, no, it's an out of bounds.
Holden playing.
Early takes it again!
Just Steve Early to make his exit
from Cambridge in a blaze of glory.
The Americans have a word
for him: colossal.
Righto!
The final moments of the Oxford
versus Cambridge rugger match...
...broadcast for the entire
British Empire.
The score is nought for Oxford
and nought for Cambridge...
...after 85 minutes of terrific play
by both the teams.
Cambridge, fighting desperately,
has been kept in the going only through
the magnificent play of Mr. Steven Early,
the sensational American, who is playing
his last game for Cambridge.
He's going to score!
It's the end of the match.
Mr. Steven Early, 3,
Oxford, nought.
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you
our departing hero.
Old Steve, who's spurning civilization
to return to the land of the Red Indians,
the galloping buffalos, the swing
bands, the, er...
By the way, why are
you going, Steve?
Duty, honor, tradition,
and stuff like that.
It wasn't bad for my colleague
running off just after downing Oxford.
Like... like barging off from
a dinner party.
- Will you miss me?
- Oh, dreadfully, Stephen.
Don't go away, I'll be right back.
In four years.
Come in, Steven, come in.
Good evening, sir.
It's very nice of you, Steven, to remember
me in the midst of your triumph.
Not at all, sir.
- You're sailing tonight, of course.
- Hm, Queen Mary, Southampton.
We'll be lonely without you, son.
Four years...
We're not going to have a scene, are we?
Not two old soldiers like us.
Rotten form, really.
I'm just a little worried
about you, Sreve.
You're going into a difficult world.
And I'm wondering how
you're going to fit.
I'll hold up my end, sir.
You'll find yourself surrounded by
two thousand typical American boys.
And... you're not a typical
American boy.
Oh, really?
Aren't you forgetting the five generations
of Earlys who've been West Pointers,
...and the jolly old Mayflower and all that?
You're banking on them heavily.
You're going to need them.
I promise to keep the Early escutcheon
forever untarnished.
I know you will.
Well... that brings us to goodbye,
doesn't it?
Not goodbye, sir, just au revoir.
Goodbye, Steve.
- The very best.
- Goodbye, sir.
And... if it's not being unmilitary,
I'd like to say that you're my
favorite father.
I'll overlook the familiarity.
Now will you get out of here.
Harris, John. Check.
Stand over there.
Albright, Henry. Check.
Stand over there.
Just put my kit down anywhere.
I say, old boy, can you direct me
to the superintendent?
Ask that man over there, duke.
He seems to be the bigshot.
I beg your pardon. That's English
you're speaking, isn't it?
- It ain't double talk.
- One likes to be sure, doesn't one?
How do you like that guy?
Is it English?
Maybe he's a spy.
Anderson, Harry. Check.
Stand over there.
I say, old man. Am I alright
for the Superintendent?
What?
I'm instructed to report to
the superintendent...
...of the United States Military
Academy.
What do you think those men
are waiting for, home relief?
Early, Steven. Check.
Stand over there.
Next.
Bell, Frank. Check.
Stand over there.
Well, I'd like to arrange for
a batman to bring my kit along.
- A what, to do what?
- A batman, a porter.
To carry my luggage.
You'll have to carry your own bag, son.
This is the army.
Not all of it, I hope.
Well, here we are.
In a good, substancial-looking place.
Oh, Owen, it looks so grim.
- Huh?
- Oh, not a bit homelike.
I just know that Sonny will be
homesick or something.
Aw, I will not.
No matter what anybody tells you,
we saw it first.
Somebody may beat us to it.
Come on!
Say, sonny, where'll I find...
Look, where'll I find the general?
I want to talk to him about Sonny.
As members of... shall we say
reception committee,
in charge of receiving the
incoming class, sir,
we'd be very glad to have talk
to us about Sonny.
Well, now, that's right nice of you boys.
Isn't it, Mother?
Oh, yes, I think it's awfully nice of you
to take such an interest in Sonny.
Oh, it's a pleasure, ma'am.
You just leave Sonny to us.
Gee, fellas, thanks.
Pick up the bags, Sonny.
Glad to have seen you, sir.
Left face!
Goodbye, Mom.
Goodbye, Da...
Goodbye, Sonny.
Goodbye, dear.
- I'm so glad he's met such nice boys.
- Yeah.
Why don't you get up braced,
Mr. Dumb Guard?
Chest up!
Eyes straight ahead!
Chin right back!
Eyes straight, halt!
Left detail! Attention!
Suck in those stomachs.
Pull in those chins!
Brace those shoulders!
Stand up, you question marks!
Mr. Strong, this is Sonny.
- Hello, fellas!
- Get in ranks.
- But Sonny belongs to us.
- You're welcome to him.
It had to happen, I suppose.
There's a Sonny in every plebe class.
Isn't he beautiful?
I dislike to disarrange such
a perfect picture, Mr. Rains.
- But the hat.
- Yes, I thought so too.
She loves me, she loves me not.
She loves me...
You know, I never was quite sure
about that blonde, Mr. Rains.
- Blondes are indeed fickle, Mr. Grady.
- She loves me not.
Thank you, Mr. Strong.
Roll up those trousers.
Take off that horse blanket.
- What?
- Climb out of that coat.
Ah, an athlete.
- Er, yes sir.
- Football?
- Yes, sir.
- I'll bet you were captain of the team.
Yes, sir.
- And scored all the touchdowns.
- I'd say he's a jolly good football player.
How did you get in here?
Quite easily, really.
Presidential appointment.
Is that so?
Where did you get that accent?
Perhaps it comes from having spent
eight years at school in England.
The last two at Cambridge.
Cambridge?
Yes, a university attended by...
gentlemen.
Maybe you're a football player too.
Oh, quite, sir. I was rather
fancied as a scrum half.
- A what?
- That's in rugger.
Rugger? My word, Mr. Rains.
We'll have to look into this.
Wipe those silly smirks off
your faces!
Is there anything else you do?
Oh, yes. I swim, golf, tennis...
- Row, cricket, soc...
- He crickets, Mr. Grady!
Can you bake a cake?
I forgot to mention, sir, that
I could box.
- You mean fight with the hands?
- Quite.
I suppose you're an expert at that too.
I doubt if I shall ever have the opportunity
to prove to you personally my...
...pugilistic expertness.
- Really? Why not, Mr. Limey?
- Because of those chevrons, sir.
You probably sleep in them.
I have a hunch you're not going to
last long around here, Mr. Limey.
I've seen plebes like you before.
A little too high-class for this place.
You're doing the army a favor.
And a little too smart too,
if you get what I mean.
But, while you are here,
it's going to be a pleasure for me
to have you on the B-squad.
Thank you, sir.
I'm looking forward to it.
Before I assign you men to rooms,
I desire to point out a few
facts of life.
You've been given a copy
of Bugle Notes,
which is a manual governing
the conduct of plebes.
From it you will learn that no plebe
is permitted to smoke outside his room,
or appear outside his room
without correct uniform.
A plebe must ascend and descend
stairs two at a time.
A plebe must enter and leave barracks
by the basement door,
never by the front door.
In fact, Mr. Dumb Guard,
you know what a plebe ranks?
Sir, a plebe ranks the superintendent's dog,
the commandant's cat,
the waiters in the mess hall,
the Hell Cats...
...and all the admirals in the whole
darn navy.
Where did you learn that?
I learned the whole plebe manual
by heart, sir, before I came here.
Right face!
Forward, double-time,
march!
Pick up those bags!
Duke, what you need is a guy
with a strong back and a weak mind.
- That's me.
- What I need is an octopus.
Detail, halt!
Three of you men will occupy
a room.
The last three men in this line
take this room.
You three men take that room.
Forward! Double time!
March!
Detail! Halt!
- Homely little place, isn't it.
- So cheery.
Oh, we'll get used to it, Duke.
Lots of others have before us.
Thanks awfully for helping me
with my kit.
Oh, think nothing of it.
I was traveling light.
Park yourself in that upper
bunk, Sonny.
Thanks.
Say, you sort of overdid it with
that yearling corporal, didn't you?
I thought he was bearing down
too hard on that chap Drew.
He was.
You know, it may be our solemn duty
to adopt that little squirt.
He might get lost or something.
I was thinking of that myself.
Well, I guess it's fate, or maybe
it's the mother instinct in me.
My son, you're about to perform
your first great sacrifice.
Huh?
See you later.
Gentlemen, I should like to propose
a business transaction.
I have here a particularly fine
specimen of young manhood.
Sound in wind and limb and guaranteed
to be gentle and kind to his mother.
I'm going to trade him free
and unencumbered in return for... this.
No, no, no, don't thank me. I just thought
that he was just more your type.
So long fellows, I'm sorry
I have to go...
Park yourself on that upper
bunk, sonny.
- Well, I got him.
- Gee, fellas, thanks.
My name's West, John West.
I'm from Michigan.
I'm Steve Early.
So, you're going to be my military
wife for four years.
Not exactly a raving beauty,
but a husky-looking wench.
I'm Robert Drew.
How do you do?
I'm going to be a military wife too.
It's a very beautiful thought, Sonny.
But you can never be more
than a sister to me.
Look at him, he isn't dumb,
not even in these barracks.
Gentlemen, meet my grandfather.
A most remarkable man.
- Grandfather, meet the gentlemen.
- How do you do?
Attention!
Within the next four hours...
you will draw articles of uniform
equipment from the cadet store.
Getting utensils necessary
to the proper care of your room.
You will learn to make a bed, police a room,
arrange a locker and stand inspection.
In addition, you will learn requirements
of military courtesy.
To salute properly, do dress aligned,
to do squads right and left,
to form a hollow square, to march in column
and answer calls to formations.
And just before retreat tonight,
you will be sworn into the military
service of the United States.
See if you have that memorized, Sonny.
My word, what an optimist.
All men outside!
- Silly, isn't it?
- Uh-huh.
I think informal introductions are
so much nicer, don't you?
You know? You're the first pleasant
thing I've seen all day.
If I knew when you'd pass here,
I might drop in like this often.
- Pick up that mattress, mister!
- Yes, sir. Yes, sir.
In a jiffy, sir.
Very sorry, sir.
A most charming lady, sir.
Must be the chevron, sir.
What's that?
Well, sir, if it's not the chevron, sir,
then we have no explanation,
have we, sir?
Who's he?
A particularly poisonous specimen
of plebe...
...complicated by a suet pudding accent.
Really? What's his name?
Plebes don't have names.
Right Turn!
Left Turn!
March Halt!
You will raise your right hands.
You are about to take the oath
of service and allegiance...
...which will make you members of the
corps of cadets, United States Army.
When I pause,
at the proper place, each of you
will utter his own name aloud.
- I...
- (names)
do solemnly swear that I will support
the Constitution of the United States...
...and bear true allegiance
to the national government;
that I will maintain and defend
the sovereignty of the United States...
...paramount to any and all allegiance.
Gee, fellas, just think,
we're in the army.
I'd rather not think about it.
I've been through enough the last four
hours to be a major general.
It reminds me of a rest home.
It's so different.
- Aren't you chaps tired?
- Who me?
Things move pretty fast. I haven't had
a chance to think about being tired.
Grandfather warned me
it would be like this.
Who's the handsome-looking gent
with all the hardware?
Oh, that's my father.
I didn't know you were an army brat.
Well, I'm not exactly.
Say, that's a Distinguished Service
Cross he's wearing.
- Yeah.
- Nothing like having a hero for a father.
He was killed in action.
Sorry, Jack.
Say, I wonder what the idea is,
a button on a string.
Oh, that's your absence card.
Everytime you go out
of the room...
...you have to show where you are
by that little button.
Well, suppose you're someplace
else when your...
...little button says you're
someplace else?
You better be where the little
button says you are.
You're on your honor to be there.
And you can't go anywhere else until
you come back and change the little button.
You see, the honor system here
is more than just a name.
It's everything.
You can get away with an offense
against military discipline,
but nobody yet has survived
an offense against the honor code.
You know, the army enforces
the military code
but the code of honor is enforced by
your own classmates and by the corps.
Now let that be a lesson to you.
And listen.
If they ever catch you with even one red
cent in your pocket, it's the firing squad.
You can't even mention money
around here.
Gee, fellas...
Just think, maybe all them, the greatest
men the army ever had,
or "Lighthorse" Harry Wilson,
or even Red Kegel lived right
in this very room.
Gee, aren't we lucky?
Jake, don't you think we're...
Aw...
Aw, that's army spirit for you.
Shut up and go away,
we don't want any.
Patch Webley, you'd better get
out of bed.
Hey, you've just got five minutes
to be outside in the line.
- Don't tell me it's another day.
- Yessir!
Dismissed!
How can you study with all
this going on?
Tomorrow we go back into barracks.
Academics come next week.
I'm brushing up on Euclid.
Euclid and I are just like that.
Yeah, well Euclid and I are
just like this.
Go on, you're just a doughboy, huh?
Sure, doughboys are the backbone
of the service. XXX
Uh-uh!
The spirit of the carnival is
creeping up on me.
Adventure, romance,
the slither of silk,
the sizzle of champagne,
the lure of lovely ladies.
I think I'll go out and get better
acquainted with Mr. Strong's girl.
Now look, you go after that blonde
with Strong...
...and you'll have half a dozen yearling
corporals on your neck.
Ah...
Don't wait up for me, Jack.
- Keep it Hawaiian, Mr. Drew.
- Yes, sir.
Now what?
Pardon me. I'll only be a minute.
Women and children first.
Nothing to be afraid of.
- This way, please.
- But why? I don't understand...
If you feel faint, I could carry you.
Being able to take command of emergencies
like this is what counts.
Yes, I was right, you are beautiful.
You see, I wasn't quite sure.
The last time I saw you you were
upside down.
Well, what are you thinking.
I'm thinking that you're
conceited, fresh,
a goldbrick and an army brat.
That's rather an understatement,
but let it pass.
Your book of clippings must be
enormous, Mr. Early.
Cuttings is the word.
No, I've never gone in for cuttings.
It's such a waste of time.
Perhaps you need an assistant.
You know, to compile the personal history
of Steve Early for posterity.
Marvelous. I'll see you have a front-row
seat for all my performances.
Oh, there was one point you failed
to cover in your survey.
- Really?
- Oh, yes. I have one weakness.
Moonlight, sentiment, romance.
One of my first duties, Mr. Early,
will be to protect you against yourself.
Ann, for the love of Pete,
what happened to you?
- Oh, it's you!
- Yes, sir.
Strange how I get about, isn't it?
I was fortunate enough to rescue
Miss, er... Ann in the confusion.
Is that so.
Mr. Early was showing me how
beautiful the river looks from here.
Oh, a beauty lover, eh?
Look, Mr. Dumflicket.
If I could prove the suspicion I have
about you and those lights I'd...
- Do you mind?
- Not at all.
Brace, Mister.
Suppose you just stand there
and admire the river...
...until called to quarters?
Three.
One, two, three.
One, two, three.
Come on.
- Hello, you again?
- Yes, it's me.
You guys run like ???
Alright, backfield take over.
Slumming, aren't you?
Coming out to watch the plebes?
No, just curiosity.
I wanted to see the great Early.
Why not arrange for a
private showing?
Alright, come on, come on. Get in there
and show a little light.
Lately I've had a lot of company.
Most of them bow-legged.
Well, if you're talking about
Mr. Strong, you...
"Bad News" Strong, we call him.
What a shame he has to grow out
of being a yearling corporal.
He's so happy as he is.
Come on, show a little light in there.
Hold in, gang.
Come on, let's do this.
Fumble.
There's a nice, soft green spot
over there, Mr. Strong.
Just the place for a quiet little nap.
- Come on, let's go.
- Come on, gang.
You know, it must have been awfully dull
for you before I came into your life.
A blond island completely
surrounded by Strongs.
- What a life.
- It has its moments.
What does a 16-year-old know
about moments?
Eighteen!
Nineteen tomorrow.
I'd never believe it.
You don't show your age at all.
- I didn't know you were an army girl.
- I'm not exactly...
Hey, hey, hey, you want
to catch pneumonia?
Well, you look in pretty good shape.
How much do you weigh?
175. Feel great.
You know, there was a man in the
29th squad who looked just like you.
It's Murray. He's hurt.
He's just lovely to me. He's going
to keep me in perfect shape all week.
Until I can break a leg Saturday.
He reminds me of Drew
20 years after.
- Do you know who he is?
- Sure, he's Doc.
Why is it people like Doc never
have second names?
Doc's more than a trainer.
He's an institution.
He was a cadet. Never graduated.
He failed academically his attacking
classmen and had to resign.
He's been here ever since
as a trainer.
I often wonder where the army
got men like him.
How come you're so interested?
Maybe it's because he's my father.
Johnny, come in!
What's the matter with you? That's the third
shiner you've had in two weeks.
Don't you like yourself anymore?
Well, it's my eye, isn't it? I guess
I can get a shiner if I want to, can't I?
- Must be rather monotonous.
- Sure it is.
I have to get black eyes so you
guys can get touchdowns.
- Well, somebody's got to be a scrum.
- Not me.
Look, the first team is only
as good as the scrums are
The harder the scrums the fight,
the better the first team plays.
Yes, but a scrum gets none
of the glory, my friend.
You never heard of a scrum dying
for dear old alma mammy.
I believe if you have to get
a fractured skull,
it's better to have as many people
as possible witness your heroism.
I remember at Cambridge I had 125.000
to my broken collar bone.
I needed 200.000 to tend
to my concussion.
Yeah, well an army guy plays just
as hard if nobody's watching.
Oh, I remember you.
Rugger, isn't it? A much more difficult
game than American football.
Quite, sir.
In rugger there's no interference
in front of the ball carrier.
- Exactly.
- So that when a man runs for a touchdown,
A try is the word, sir.
He runs through the opposing
team all by himself.
Very well explained, Mr. Strong.
And as I remember, you were
rather fancied as a... crummy half?
Scrum half, sir.
And doubtless on many occasions
scored tries.
Oh, on many occasions.
Do you fancy you could run through
an army team, Mr. Early?
For a good old rousing try.
It would seem very simple, sir.
In football there are only eleven
men on the side.
In rugger there are fifteen.
Please. Wait till I get out.
Don't go away, I'll be right back.
Aw gee, Duke, what's the matter
with you?
You're just in time. I've just been invited
to run through an army team.
You'll sure get yourself in
some beautiful jam.
Those guys out there will
murder you!
Come on, Mister Rugger, we're waiting.
- Ready?
- Oh, quite!
- Who is that guy?
- The name is Early, sir.
Oh, the name is Early.
Hey, hey, Early!
Hey!
Wait a minute, Early.
I want to talk to you.
Yes, sir.
Walk along with me.
Mr. Early, I desire to remind you...
...that plebes are not permitted
to speak to, escort...
...or be in the company of ladies
without being in correct uniform.
And then only with special permission.
- Do I make myself clear, Mr. Early?
- Very, sir.
Football practice is not the place.
And football togs are not the uniform.
Oh, I'm so sorry, sir. I'll ask Miss Porter
not to speak publicly to me again.
Mister Early, you seem to have missed
the affection and esteem...
...the entire corps holds
for Miss Porter.
- And for Doc Porter.
- Oh, not at all, sir.
Nor the individual admiration Mr. Strong
holds for Miss Porter.
I think she's wonderful.
It's her birthday today.
I'm thinking of giving her a party,
a surprise party.
On the steps of Grand Hall,
I suppose.
Oh no, sir. At our house.
Tonight. You know, the second house
to the right beyond the gym?
Don't be silly. Plebes can't visit anyone
at night without special permission.
Mr. Strong, I'm afraid you're too
busy being a yearling corporal.
A girl like Ann needs romance.
Halt!
I'm not through with you yet.
I seem to remember, Mr. Early,
you once deplored the fact
that you couldn't prove to me...
...your pugilistic... expertence.
Oh, quite, sir. It was the chevrons,
wasn't it, sir?
- Good morning, Mr. Strong.
- Good morning, sir.
I think I'll give you an opportunity
to prove to me just how good you are.
Suppose you follow me, Mr. Early.
With pleasure, sir.
Does that make you feel better,
Mr. Early?
Very much, sir.
Before you begin the demonstration,
I suppose I should tell you.
I'm the heavy-weight boxing
champion of the academy.
Really? Material must be very scarce.
I didn't think I'd need the chevrons.
I wouldn't say that, sir.
- A surprise party, you said?
- Yes, but one man's surprise party.
Would you like to send a gift?
You go absent from quarters and
there'll be a surprise party...
...waiting for you when you get back.
- With the chevrons, I suppose.
- You said it!
I wouldn't go down there if I were you.
Strong is giving a little extra instruction
on the proper conduct of a plebe.
- Who?
- Mr. Early.
- It's about time.
- Attention!
- What's going on here?
- Boxing, sir.
Mr. Early and I were warming
each other up.
The gym is the place for
boxing, Mr. Strong.
Yes, sir.
See that you make use of it
in the future.
Yes, sir.
Hey, Steve, you'd better stop fussing
around. Taps will go in a minute.
Oh, don't rush me.
There's plenty of time.
12A, Taps! Lights out.
- 24!
- All right, sir.
- 23!
- Those the clothes you're gonna sleep in?
- Sure, I'm practicing to be a soldier.
- Quit clowning, will you?
As soon as I give the alright you're gonna
have to stay like that all night.
- 22!
- All right, sir.
- 21!
- All right, sir.
- 14.
- All right, sir.
- 13.
- All right, sir.
Okay.
Get a load of the Duke.
You might think he was
going somewhere.
I am. I'm going to call on Miss Porter.
It's her birthday.
Are you crazy?
You mean you're going absent
from quarters?
You can't do that.
Suppose you get caught.
Did I ever tell you about
my grandfather?
The most remarkable man.
He was never caught.
You'd better be as smart as
your grandfather...
...or you'll be an area bird instead
of a football player.
Remember Strong is subdivision
inspector tonight.
That's all right, I told him
I was going.
You...
That makes it a sporting proposition.
Yeah... some fun.
Don't wait up for me.
- Good night.
- Goodbye, Ann, happy birthday.
I'll call you two for a beer so we
can get together again soon.
I just love getting presents.
- Goodbye.
- Good night.
Hello.
I, er... decided to bring
the phonograph.
I don't sing so well.
What are you doing here?
It's your birthday, isn't it?
Aren't you suprised?
Well, I probably should be,
but I'm not.
I don't think anything the great Early
could do would surprise me.
Fine, now we're beginning to
understand each other.
I hope my being late didn't
dampen the festivities.
I was unavoidably detained.
Couldn't find the key to the
basement door.
It must have been quite a
dangerous expedition.
It would have been if the enemy
had been awake.
Napoleon, Alexander the Great, Hannibal.
They loved danger. All great soldiers
love danger.
Hannibal, crossed de Alps.
Early, crossed the plain.
If you're not careful, you'll be crossing
the Hudson on the way home.
This is very nice of you.
I really didn't expect it, though.
Oh.
Could someone have given you
just what I always wanted?
It might interest you to know that
Mr. Strong gave me that frame.
Mr. Strong?
Oh, yes, lovely chap.
So thoughtful, too. Just the right
size to fit in the locker.
Uh-uh, I believe in fair exchange.
I suppose you never thought
of what would happen to me...
...if someone should come in here
and find... us.
Of course I have. We'd announce
our engagement immediately.
At a time like this he has
to go Romeo on us.
I'd like to guzzle him.
I've guzzled him four times
in the last four minutes.
What are you thinking about now?
I think you're fresh...
I know, conceited, a goldbrick
and an army brat.
- Oh, pardon me, have one.
- Thank you.
- Oh, I don't think that you ought to...
- Three thousand ways to boil and egg...
...or whatever young girls
should know.
Hm, I'm glad you appointed yourself
custodian of my personal history.
As far as I'm concerned, it ends
right here.
You're wrong, it's just started.
But I'll see you get plenty more
to keep this one company.
They'll make such nice reading
on those long winter nights.
I suppose you have it all figured out...
...what you're going to do in the event
they catch you and kick you out.
Oh, yes, I've decided to let
my hair grow in.
We'll go back to England.
You'll like England.
You're doing your best to make
me wish I'd never heard of it.
I think I'm going to kiss you.
- Oh, thanks for the warning.
- Uh-uh.
All little girls get kissed on
their birthdays.
Are you expecting someone?
- No, but I thought you might be.
- What at this time of night?
It's Father.
- Oh, you're back early.
- Early?
- That is, er... soon.
- Soon?
How long did you think it would take me
to drive the major and his wife home?
Well, I was hoping that it...
You've had too much excitement
for one day, young lady.
What you need is bed.
You're missing your beauty sleep.
But, uh...
Ah, that's what I like.
Plenty of fresh air.
Good night, darling.
- Happy birthday.
- You'll never know.
Relax, it's me.
Alright, you guys,
back to your rooms.
Ahh...
Romance.
As I was saying...
Ah, romance.
...five and six!
Well, I didn't know you two cared.
Steve!
Hey, I got a two seven in Math!
- Boy, is that a load off my mind!
- Shake hands with a millionaire.
I'll be in their block against
Harvard Saturday.
That's great, congratulations.
Wish come true for a fellow who works
hard, lives right, is nice to his mother...
Oh, speaking of Mother.
I brought this over for you.
- From home, isn't it?
- Thanks.
This isn't from Mother,
it's from the church.
That's funny.
Probably the sons and daughters have
widened their eyes wanting their back dues.
- Is something the matter?
- What's her name? I know a good lawyer.
I guess I'll need more than a lawyer.
Cut your clowning.
It isn't exactly a surprise to me.
I've been expecting it.
I knew she couldn't make it.
- What are you gonna do?
- Only thing I can do.
- Resign, go home.
- Oh, you can't do that,
we're playing Harvard Saturday.
Don't worry. You'll win without me.
You mean to say you're going
to walk out of here and resign...
...without even getting in touch
with your mother?
You don't know my mother, Steve.
She isn't the kind to holler for help.
All our lives Mother's fixed things
so I came first.
It wasn't easy because we
didn't have much.
She kept me in school...
...just because she knew how much
it meant to me to come here.
I guess I've been a little selfish.
But... well, I thought I could make
it up to her after I graduated.
It can't wait now.
Mother's got to come first.
How much would she need
to pull it through?
At least a thousand bucks.
You mean to tell me you're going to give up
everything you've worked so hard to get...
...for a silly thousand dollars?
A thousand dollars isn't silly, Steve,
...to a guy that's never had more than
ten bucks at one time in his whole life.
I think it's silly. I know lots of people
who have a thousand dollars.
- I know lots of people who haven't.
- I think you're silly.
Suppose you do resign and then you find
out that this letter is a false alarm?
Sure, Steve is right. If you resign,
you're through.
You'll make a bum second lieutenant,
ready to give up...
...before you even know the
strength of the enemy.
Will you promise me something?
Will you send your mother a telegram?
She'll let you know the truth.
Sure, and I can get that money
from my dad just like that.
Thanks, but I couldn't accept it.
I'll tell you what we'll do.
Right after recall this afternoon...
...we'll send your mother a telegram.
You'll get an answer in the morning
and if she says she needs you...
Well, Sonny and I will help you resign.
- Is that common sense?
- You said it.
Well... alright, I'll wire her
this afternoon.
Brace those shoulders!
Pull in those chins!
Suck in those stomachs!
Stand up, you question marks!
I might as well make a phone
call while I'm here.
I want to speak to Mr. Hayes,
National City Bank, New York.
Reverse charges, please.
Ask her right out if you have
to come home.
Mr. Hayes, I want you to
wire me $1.020...
...to Western Union, Highland Falls,
New York, right away.
You aren't in difficulty, are you,
Steven?
Oh no, not at all. I just want to make
a little business investment.
And I don't want any of the
bank's advice.
All right, I'll take care of it
immediately, Steven.
Thank you, sir. Goodbye.
- Well, did you send it?
- Yeah.
It's gone.
Aw, gee, Steve, you're not gonna
pull that stunt again, are you?
- Stunt?
- Steve, why don't you act grown-up?
This may be my last night.
The cavalier in me demands action.
Every TAC and cadet officer
in the place is laying for you.
Did I ever tell you about
my grandfather?
- Aw...
- I ought to clip you right on the jaw...
...and put you to bed.
Look, Steve, nobody's worth
the chances your taking.
Wrong again, Sonny. I know
somebody who's worth it.
Oh, and don't wait up for me.
- Can you identify yourself, Mr. Early?
- Oh, certainly.
I'll have to give you a check.
It's too late to pay you in cash.
I don't want the money.
I want you to transfer it...
...to the address on this telegram.
Steven!
In civilian clothes.
Oh, it's nothing really. Just a few things
I keep in town for emergencies.
Young lady, what are you doing
out at this time of night?
Someone else is having a birthday
I suppose.
No, not exactly.
"Neon Steve" they call me.
Seems my lot to go around spreading
happiness and light.
Unselfish, unspoiled, untouched by
human hands. Well, almost untouched.
Unselfish?
I don't suppose you ever had
a thought for anyone else...
...but yourself in your whole life.
Oh, I didn't, eh?
Well, just remember, if I get busted
in Math this month it's your fault.
And who's to blame for your committing
a dismissal offense at this time of night?
What's the matter?
It's only eleven o'clock.
It wouldn't be fun if you were
just making a fool of yourself.
But when you're making fools of men
who trust you and believe in you...
that's tragic.
You're not fit to know those men.
You laugh at them just as
you laugh at me.
Oh, you're wrong there.
Most of the time I'm laughing at myself.
You have a queer sense of humor.
Your classmates are playing Harvard
Saturday and they need you to win.
And you betray their trust.
I hope they catch you.
I hope they kick you out.
That probably would throw you
into stitches.
If you can climb a wall,
I'll see you home.
No, thanks.
I'm probably mistaken,
but I just saw a young chap
with a girl...
...in front of the Western Union office
who is Mr. Early or his double.
I'll check cadet Early at once, sir.
Relax, relax, it's me.
Nothing like a brisk walk in the night air
to get rid of that sleepy feeling.
Good evening, Mr. Early. I hope
you've had an enjoyable outing.
Oh, quite, sir. Nice of you
to wait up for me.
The pleasure was all mine.
You know, I was just sitting
here wondering...
...what your grandfather would do
at a time like this.
- Social engagement, I presume.
- Not at all. Business.
- It must have been very important business.
- Very.
Mr. Early, were you or were you not
in front of the Western Union office...
...in Highland Falls at approximately
11:00 tonight?
No, sir.
You wish to change that
statement, Mr. Early?
No, sir.
It's too bad you won't be playing
against Harvard Saturday.
You probably would have been
sensational.
Thank you, sir.
I'm sure I would have been.
I've seen a lot of guys like you.
Guys who could dish it out beautifully.
But there was only one trouble
with them.
They never learned how to take it.
I hope you can take it, Mr. Early.
In big doses.
I'll be looking forward to the
experiment, sir.
- Good night, Mr. Early.
- Good night, sir.
- I'm sorry I didn't slug you.
- Gee, what are you going to do now?
Me? I'm going to bed.
- Bed?
- Sure, haven't you heard?
There's nothing like a good
night's sleep.
So, look at you two birds.
One would think that you were going
in front of the Army Committee.
What are you gonna tell them?
Oh, I think I'll plead, er...
self-defense.
Yeah, that's just the trouble.
You haven't got a defense.
Maybe I can think one up
on the way over.
Here's a telegram for you, Mr. West.
Thank you, sir.
Well, go ahead, open it.
What does she say?
Sorry you were alarmed.
No cause for worry.
It's alright!
Everything's alright!
See, I told you that yesterday.
Oh, go on, you're no swami.
You didn't know she could fix it up.
Say, maybe she got the money
from the bank.
Oh, sure, banks are the
nicest people.
Oh, gee, that's swell.
Hey, Duke.
You know, all we gotta worry
about now is you.
Mr. Early, do you desire to make
a statement in your defense?
No, sir.
Mr. Early,
you have been reported for
uttering a falsehood...
...in answer to a question in the line
of duty in violation of the honor code.
To you, Mr. Early, the honor code
may seem childish.
but to the men who have worn
the uniform of the corps,
from the generals of the army
to the lowliest plebe goat,
it represents the cornerstone and strength
of the United States Army.
There has never been a place
for a liar in this institution.
Honesty is not a surface quality,
Mr. Early.
We know that since your entrance here
you have not been honest with the corps,
your classmates or yourself.
Ordinarily, Mr. Early,
the disposal of a case such as yours
would not be difficult.
This honor committee made up
of your fellow cadets...
...would report its findings to the
superintendent of the academy.
You would then be tried by the proper
authority and dismissed from the corps.
Your father is an officer and a gentleman
in the highest sense of the word.
We would like to spare him
and those members of your family...
...who preceded you here the shame
which must follow your official disgrace.
Mr. Early, the committee suggests
that you resign.
And if I chose not to resign?
We are sure such a choice would
be most unfortunate.
I dislike to inflict my presence
upon you, gentlemen,
but as you reminded me,
each generation of my family...
...has graduated a son from
this institution.
I cannot bring myself to break
such a tradition.
Very well, Mr. Early, you may go.
Good afternoon, gentlemen.
Watkins and Jones, report
to the Guard House.
- Look at him out there. Clowning.
- He doesn't fool me.
It may look like clowning,
but Steve wouldn't have missed...
...this game for a million bucks.
It won't even sound like a football
game without Steve.
Sixty-six hours extra duty.
Let's see, he can walk two off
on Wednesday,
two off on Saturday, that's four
hours a week.
Four to six... Aw, gee, that's
an awful lot of walking.
Bob, while you were outside the room
just now they passed the word along.
- Steve is silenced.
- Oh no, they can't do that.
Not to Steve.
Four years inside these walls...
...having to live among two thousand men
who won't speak to him.
Or even admit that he exists.
You mean we have to stop
talking to him too?
That's for us to decide.
As his room mates we can
talk to him.
Well, I don't have to decide anything.
- I'll talk to him.
- Yeah, same here.
Well, we'd better get ready
for the game.
Hey, brothers, remember those Harvard
guys wear the crimson jersey.
Don't forget that 17b play.
Miles tries to tackle and...
Hey, I've got a great idea for you.
When you...
Boy, are they burned up over
a little thing like a football game.
Maybe it's a lot of little things.
So, nobody's going to talk to me
for the next three and a half years.
Isn't that just ducky.
Well, that's no punishment.
It's been awfully tough trying
to talk to a bunch of yokels...
...whose conversation was limited
to gee and aw before they came here.
Well, what are you waiting for?
Are you going to move or shall I?
- Move?
- Sure!
You can't live with a guy who
has military B.O.
We're not going to move, Steve.
We kind of like it here.
Sure, southern exposure
and everything.
- It's not so easy to divorce your wife...
- Two wives!
Well... it's okay with me but...
I think you're asking for
a lot of grief.
Steve, you know we wouldn't
go back on you.
I suppose you guys don't believe
in Santa Claus.
He'll have an awful time passing
by the sentries.
Christmas comes but once a year.
And when it comes it is only
the 25th of December, to the plebes.
Back in London the Colonel is sitting in
solemn grandeur in front of the Yule log.
A hot toddy in his hand.
I cabled him Christmas greeting
number 12A. He'll like that.
This is the first time I've ever been
away from home on Christmas.
Back there everything is white snow
and green pine trees.
The air when you breathe it...
sort of explodes inside of you.
My mother makes the best turkey dressing
you ever stuck a fork into.
Well, if Christmas procceds according
to regulations,
you can stick that fork in an iced
pad of slump, and hope for the best.
Just a couple of pessimists.
The trouble with you fellows is
you don't believe in Santa Claus.
Oh, wait a minute... No!
Fellas, no, what are you
gonna do to me?
Wait a minute! No, no, no...
Now you stay right there, Sonny,
and wait for Santa Claus.
We don't want to miss him.
Come on, let me down.
It's dark up here.
How do you like that little monkey,
getting up while we're asleep
and filling our socks?
He just forgot to grow up.
Where is he now?
Someone called him on the phone.
Look, I got to go down to the Hotel.
Somebody wants to see me.
Come on fellows, walk down with me.
We can make it before dinner formation.
- Who is it?
- I don't know, it was woman's voice.
A woman? We'd better go
with him!
We ought to investigate this
business of Sonny...
...talking to strange women over
the telephone.
Merry Christmas, Jack,
some fun, eh?
Merry Christmas, dynamite,
what did Santa Claus bring you?
Oh, lots of things, thanks, Jim.
Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas, Drew.
Merry Christmas.
Well, at least it's Christmas.
They can't play around with that.
- Sonny!
- Oh, darling, darling, darling!
Oh... Oh, my...
how you've grown!
I hardly know you!
Look at him, Owen, isn't he
handsome in that uniform?
Oh, fellows, this is my mother...
and my father.
This is Steve Early and this
is John West.
Oh, Mr. Early, I'm so glad
to meet you.
Sonny has written me all about
your practicing to be a diplomat.
Oh, I just adore kings,
don't you?
I don't know, I never met one.
That's just what I like about them,
they're so exclusive.
Oh, anybody can meet a president.
Well, well, you look fit as a fiddle.
How are they treating you?
- Oh, swell, Dad.
- Good.
- Er, let's eat!
- Yes, surely!
You know, I can't get over how he
looks in a uniform. Isn't he beautiful?
- John!
- Mother!
These are the guys who didn't
believe in Santa Claus.
It was Sonny's idea, John.
He knew we were coming for Christmas.
So he insisted that we bring
your mother.
We'd have brought your
father too, only...
I'm such a poor sailor.
Oh, isn't it thoughtful of them?
To have a splendid hotel like this
right on the grounds...
...just so we mothers can
visit our sons.
Well, come on, let's eat, huh?
You sit right there, Mrs. West.
- Sonny, you go along with Mother.
- Alright, Dad.
Steven, you sit right there.
Oh, boy!
Don't anybody disturb me
for the next half hour.
- We don't turkeys in the army.
- I'll have somebody send you a nice one.
Oh, but look, darling, you're not eating
anything. Now please, please.
Ma! Gee, for a minute there
I thought it had me licked!
Hey, what's the matter, Duke?
Oh, I... I think I need a little
fresh air.
Do you mind?
I know Sonny's just dying
to tell you all about the army.
Oh, not at all, Steven.
You know, darling, just as soon as I can
I'm going to get a nice chocolate cake...
...and Owen and I are going to
send it to you...
Excuse me.
You don't mind, do you Steven?
I wanted to have a talk with you.
No, no, of course not.
You know, I feel as if I've
known you always.
John has written to me
so much about you.
I'm sure it must have been
very uninteresting.
I'm so glad he found someone
like you, dear.
He's had so few friends.
You'll never know what you've
done for him, Steven.
What it's meant to him
to stay here.
He never knew his father.
He never even saw him.
He's just dreamed.
And ever since he's been a liitle bit of
a boy he's marched towards that dream.
It's Christmas. I wish you'd
let me tell him, Steven.
Let's not tell him now,
Mother West.
He'd have queer ideas about
paying me back.
It might spoil things. I wouldn't have
that happen for the world.
God bless you, Steven.
And Merry Christmas.
Cutting in, Mr. Strong.
Please!
Thank you.
I had a great desire to look at you
and say Merry Christmas. Do you mind?
No, I don't mind.
Merry Christmas, Steve.
What made you decide to deliver
your Christmas greeting in person?
Oh, maybe it's because I'm sending
so few this year.
Thank you. Merry Christmas,
Mr. Strong.
Coach, it's the best-looking
plebe squad in years.
Why, Doc, that's what you said
about last year's plebes.
Did I?
- Coach, can I talk to you?
- What is it?
Sir, I understand a man's place
on any army team...
...depends entirely upon his
ability as a player.
That's correct, Mr. Early.
Sir, I'd like to offer myself as a candidate
for the plebe hockey squad.
As you probably know, sir, I'm socially
unacceptable to the corps.
It won't interfere with my ability
as a player.
In fact, it may have the
opposite effect.
Hockey is not entirely
a pleasant pastime, Mr. Early.
I understand, sir.
Any man eligible for the sport has
a right to try for a place in the team.
- Yes, sir.
- Doc.
- Issue Mr. Early hockey equipment.
- Yes, sir.
The trainer will take care
of you, Mr. Early.
Thank you, sir.
In case of accident or sudden
death, don't bother.
Are you sure those skates fit?
Can I have your attention,
please, men?
Gentlemen, a season without a defeat
brings a gloat to the heart of any coach.
And a regret that the last game
has been played.
I look forward to next season
with keen anticipation.
I believe the army will be represented
by its greatest squad.
To those men on this squad who have
borne the burden of the battle...
...and shared a little of the glory,
I can only say if it hadn't
been for you,
there would have been no
glory for anyone.
The athletic association has permitted
me the pleasure of bestowing...
...class numerals on members of this
squad who have earned them.
As your names are called, will you please
step forward and take your certificate?
West, John.
Johnson, Charles W.
Early, Steven.
Thank you, sir.
Shannon, Jack.
Look at him, he's trying to
wear out those books.
- Say, listen, who's top of the class?
- You are, you are.
Alright, I intend to stay there.
Boy, just one more hour
and we'll be yearlings.
Gee, I can hardly wait.
Hey, listen to this.
Suck in that stomach!
Pull in that chin!
What's your name, mister?
- I've been practicing to myself.
- Don't worry, I'll keep it a secret.
Aw... Gee!
We march back right after graduation
parading in the area.
The whole corps.
And then we won't be plebes anymore.
- We'll be recognized.
- For what?
- For what?
- Stop riding him, Duke.
I feel the same way he does.
You know...
We've put in a tough year here trying
to prove that we can make the grade.
Then some upper classman comes up
and looks at you and...
...sticks out his hand.
And somehow it's like...
it's like...
Well done, thow good and
faithful servant.
Yeah.
That goes for me too, fellows.
Only multiplied by twenty.
For twenty years the whole Early
family has been waiting for today.
Come on, you'd better shake a leg.
This is one formation we don't
want to miss.
About face!
Thank you, sir.
- Cangratulations, sir.
- Thank you, sir.
Thank you very much.
Hello, Doc, hello, Ann.
Swell, wasn't it?
It won't be long now.
Two years in the bottom.
- Well, shall we go?
- Where are you two going?
Class dinner and prayer.
In the opening, under the trees.
Dinner? Why, it's only six o'clock.
You don't know my classmates.
Will you be terribly angry
if I don't go?
Why, I...
Please.
You won't mind, will you, Dad?
No, I won't mind.
Do you want to come to class
dinner with me, Doc?
We're going to have three
kinds of ice-cream.
Hello, soldier.
Hello. How did you get here?
- Did not see you in the area.
- I followed you.
But took a shortcut.
How does it feel to be a yearling?
I wouldn't know.
Well, at least you're making use
of the privileges.
Usually the first time a new yearling
explores a flirtation walk...
...he has company.
Not my kind of yearling.
Even your kind of yearling should make
some concession to tradition.
You saw what happened
to me at recognition.
It hurt.
If only one of them had
stepped up to me.
This silencing business was
very funny to begin with.
It even amused me at first.
Then it got pretty terrible, like
something crawling under your skin.
I made up my mind I'd show the whole
corps they were wrong about me.
I worked my head off,
played my head off...
...hoping today at recognition they
might call it quits, but they didn't.
Funny thing is I don't hate them,
and I'm not mad at them.
They're only giving me
what I deserved.
Only, it wouldn't have hurt so much
if I hadn't been trying.
There's an old, old tradition
connected with this walk.
There seems to be an old, old, tradition
connected with everything in this place.
They say that if a cadet is refused
a kiss under here...
...a rock will fall, and after it
the whole mountain.
- Fairy tale, I guess.
- Oh, I believe in fairy tales.
For instance...
I wouldn't dare run the risk of
wrecking the whole of West Point.
Sometimes little girls get awfully mixed
up over very important emotions.
Ann, one thing I don't need is pity.
- Shall we walk?
- Shall we?
It's the only cup in the world
the winner never gets.
You see, it all started when the
Canadians beat us the first time.
They presented us with a cup and we've been
trying to give it back to them ever since.
This is the year.
Sure, football's a great game,
but it doesn't prove anything.
So you play in a Notre Dame
game, so what?
We've beaten Notre Dame and everybody
else, but we've never beaten a Canadian.
I'd rather play on the team that
gives the cup back to the Canadians...
...than get a star on my sweater
for beating navy.
You'll be perfectly safe.
When the Red Coats come down
here on Saturday...
...you'll be sitting on the bench
as usual.
Oh, is that so?
Well, how do you like this?
The coach looked at me twice yesterday.
Before the second black eye or after?
Oh, wouldn't you be surprised if he
called my name out for the varsity?
It'd be a misprint.
Huh?
Aw...
This'll be the last practice before
the Canadian game.
I want you men to polish on
your waffling.
And remember. Those Red Coats
won't be impressed...
...because we've beaten a few teams like
Dartmouth, Cornell and Harvard.
And I want you forwards to
remember this.
On the breakaway, the center man is
to drop the front row to the blue line...
...and skate one defense man
out of position.
Come on, take your positions.
Come on.
Come on, skate! Those Red Coats
are tougher than that.
Hey, Drew, go out there and show
Shannon how to play defense.
Huh?
I said go in as defense.
You said defense, didn't you?
- That's what I said.
That's all I want to know.
Coach sent me to show you
how to play defense.
I left a nice warm spot for you
on the bench.
Come on, let's chase those guys
off the ice.
Sonny!
He... he didn't score it, did he?
No.
Defense, that's me.
I'd better get a litter.
Is he all right?
I hope he's going to be all right.
Could we... just see him?
- Well, just for a moment.
- Thank you, sir.
Some guys have all the luck.
Imagine, he doesn't have to play
against the Canadians.
I think he's a goldbrick myself.
Ah, what are you guys talking about?
It's only Wednesday. Three whole
days before Saturday.
You suppose I'm gonna stay here
while you have all the fun...
...handing back that cup, do you?
You just take it easy, son.
We'll take care of the cup.
Gee, I...
I bet Steve skates them dizzy.
I don't mind, except that...
I just made the team and...
It's like running out on the fellows
when they need me.
Why don't you guys get out of here?
You want to miss your chow?
Gee, it's gonna be funny having
a room all by myself.
All right, men, let's go!
Show it for them, the RMC.
Hit it!
Horray-ray-ray!
Rah, Rah, Rah, Rah, Rah!
R-M-C-Team!
My name is Strong.
My name's Grady.
My name is Early.
West is my name.
Well, the corps gave them a
great welcome.
They're a great bunch.
It gave me an empty feeling inside.
The one fellow who would have given
them the biggest yell wasn't there.
- Ever think what it costs to get in there?
- No, why?
I have, lots of times.
It's the highest admission price
in the world.
You have to die to get in.
I never thought of it like that.
To me it's, well, something beautiful.
Like parades, and bands playing,
and flags flying.
I've never been in.
Now I'm going in for a reason.
Chancellorsville, Antietam,
Buena Vista,
The names are here, the flags are here.
The men are gone.
Not gone, Steve.
I'm glad I came.
I wanted to look at all this.
I wanted to make up my mind.
I came up here right after recognition.
Erected by his classmates.
All these plaques and all these
pictures were classmates.
Fellows like you and me,
fellows like... Drew.
Maybe next week our class
will have a meeting.
To toss some dollars into a hat to buy
Sonny a nice little plaque for the walls.
But it won't mean a thing to Sonny,
he won't be here to see it.
And the class will go on as before.
Mr. and Mrs. Drew will get a letter
from the War Department.
Dear Sir and Madam,
we are returning to you your son,
who broke his neck...
...playing hockey for the army
on his time.
Maybe he won't die.
Maybe he'll just lie in bed the rest
of his life eating his heart out.
And his classmates who didn't
break their necks...
...will be graduated from here and scattered
to the four corners of the earth.
Maybe in time they'll become generals.
But Sonny won't. He'll just be a classmate
who didn't keep in step.
That's his reward for being a true
son of the black, gray and gold.
That's why I'm getting out of here.
- That's why what?
- Oh, yes, I'm going to resign.
But before I do I wanted to get acquainted
with all the Sonnys around the world.
I wanted to prove to myself
how empty glory can be...
...and what a poor price is paid
for that good old army spirit.
Sonny didn't ask much of this place.
Just to be one of the gang.
And neither one of us made it.
The one thing that Sonny wanted most
was to beat the Canadians.
I kept thinking of that all the time we
were saying hello to the Canadian team.
And then later, when we'd show our Canadians
to the rooms to sleep in Sonny's bed,
I kept thinking of how he'd waited
two years for today.
I kept hearing him say,
"Defense, that's me."
And how he wanted to win this game.
I know it may sound silly
coming from me.
But when I go out to play against
those Red Coats,
I'm not going to be thinking of the
tradition, or the glory, or the excitement.
I'm going to be thinking of Sonny Drew.
If ever a man on an army team
tried to win, I'm going to try.
Not for the army, but for Sonny.
At least the kid has not much
coming to him.
When it's over, I'm getting
out of here.
Things have been pretty tough
on you, Steve.
Gee, there were times when I didn't
see how you could take it...
...and keep coming back for more.
A man can take a lot when he wants
something badly enough.
Hello, Steve.
I, um... I often come and look
at this place.
When there's nobody else around.
I, er... I kind of heard what
you said.
You know, Steve,
They tossed me out of here.
I felt pretty bad about it.
I was a whole lot like you.
Support other men in sports,
filled up to here with the good
old army spirit.
And they threw me out because
I neglected Euclid for Rodney.
It hurt.
But I told myself that I didn't care.
If the army didn't want me,
I didn't want the army.
I didn't want any part of the service
that could treat me that way.
I was wrong.
This place does something
to you, Steve.
It's down inside of you.
It's like... well, it's like a kind
of an ache in the middle of your chest.
And you never get rid of it.
I guess that's why I've come back
here year after year,
watch each class come in
and go out.
It's made that ache just
a little easier.
Oh, you'll have it too.
No matter where you go
or what you do.
Because this place gets in your blood.
It's part of you, whether you
want it to be or not.
There's one thing I found out
about this place, Steve.
No matter how tough the
going has been,
if you've been honest in your heart,
just when you think you can't
take any more...
something happens.
The best of luck, Steve.
And the best of luck to you two.
Well, er... we, er...
We'd better hurry.
I'll see you in the dressing room.
Yes.
Why aren't you inside?
I was waiting for you.
Is Sonny any better?
Nobody knows.
I'm glad you're here.
After tonight you'll be able
to write the end...
...to the personal history of Steve
Early at West Point.
- The end?
- Hm-hmm.
This is the last performance
of our young hero in an army uniform.
I'm getting out.
- You mean you're giving up.
- That's what I mean.
I'm sorry, Steve. I shan't even try
to change your mind.
- I know how hard you've tried.
- Thank you.
Do you remember long ago,
when I had a birthday?
You said that if you ever
had to leave here, that...
...you'd let your hair grow in
and we'd go back to England?
I remember.
I'm sure I'd love England.
Hey, you'd better hurry.
You're late.
Don't worry, I won't be late.
Not for this game.
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.
We're about to bring to you the 16th
annual hockey game...
between the Royal Military College
of Kingston, Ontario, Canada...
...and the United States corps
of cadets of West Point.
Tonight, tradition and sportsmanship
of the highest type...
...will enfold itself on the glassy
surface of perfect ice.
These two teams have met fifteen
times before tonight.
And fifteen times the gentlemen cadets
of the Royal Military College...
...have defeated the sons of the Army's
black, gray and gold.
Fifteen times these two teams have
fought each other like wildcats.
And during those games,
no penalty has ever been called
on any man on either side.
And that record, ladies and gentlemen,
stands alone in the annals of
higher sportsmanship.
As usual, the corps of cadets
is divided into two parts.
one of which is yelling for the Royal
Military College.
Others cheering them on...
...and the teams are assembling for
final instructions on the ice.
The first Army line, ladies and gentlemen,
will begin the game.
Oh, wait, wait a minute...
I don't see Steve Early.
Why, Early, Army's greatest hockey
player in years is on the bench.
Oh, yeah, trust that Kenny Scott
MacDonald,
Army's coach, to have one
up his sleeve.
I believe Mac is going to test
that Canadian defense...
...before he sends Early into action.
Alright now, Strong n.4, and Taylor n.5,
are in position for the face-off.
Referee drops the puck
and there they go.
Strongs passes to captain Muller,
races down the ice, but loses it
to Ross, the Canadian star.
He tosses back to Taylor,
who heads toward the Army goal.
Strong comes from nowhere
and takes the puck from Taylor...
...and is speeding down the ice.
They've thrown defense to the winds.
Five men are down the ice attacking
the Canadian goal.
And five forwards means suicide
or success.
There's a scramble...
Taylor 5 takes the puck,
He's skating like a madman.
It's a breakaway!
He's behind the Army forwards,
Good trap.
He's going down the ice...
And he scores!
Well, ladies and gentlemen,
the score in the first minute
of the Army-RMC game...
...is Royal Military College one,
Army nothing.
And what a match!
The Canadian section is cheering
them like madmen.
I see MacDonald, the Army coach
on the bench, with a very worried look.
Maybe the Army will change
its tactics.
Now the referee has the puck.
The two centers are facing each other...
The referee drops the puck,
Strong seizes...
He's skating into a pack of Canadians
but loses the puck.
Perfect pass to Taylor, he's breaking
down the ice toward the Army goal...
They're going into an Army defense,
West makes a beautiful sweep check,
comes up with the puck and is away
toward the Canadian goal.
West passes to Strong.
Again Army puts on a power play.
All the Army men are down the ice
in another desperate attack.
They're skating furiously!
Strong passes to Bowles,
who shoots but misses!
There's a match scramble,
The Canadians have broken
the Army power play.
Taylor takes the puck,
he breaks away again!
He whirls toward the side forward.
He comes around Dawn and Shannon.
The whole Army team is chasing him.
Again there's nobody between
them and the Army goal.
He breaks to the right...
moves the Army goalie
out of the cage,
he takes a shot, ladies and gentlemen,
and it's good!
It's good!
At this point of the game,
it looks like Macdonald's strategy...
...is backfiring on the Army,
because he overlooked a truly great
RMC star by the name of Taylor,
who is the number 5 in this game.
Now the Army team is skating
back to the center ice...
Wait a minute, wait a minute.
An Army substitution.
- Any instructions, sir?
- No instructions, Early.
Thank you.
It's Drew, Robert Drew.
Wait a minute, it couldn't be Drew.
Drew's the boy who was hurt
in practice.
It's Early, Steve Early.
He's coming into the game.
And he's wearing Drew's number 8
on his jersey.
MacDonald, the West Point coach,
is playing his ace.
Steve Early.
The Army attack is now made up
with Early at left wing,
Strong at center, Miller at right,
and now we're just about ready.
There's the whistle. The teams
take their positions,
Referee drops the puck...
Strong passes back, Early has it...
Here he comes, he turns,
it's too much for Taylor.
They're skating in fast from
the Canadian defense.
They're like wild men.
Early intercepts the puck
and is checked by Taylor,
manages to avoid Taylor's puck check,
he fakes a pass to Strong, he spins again
to avert a Canadian forward...
Again he strides the defense
with the puck...
slides against the goalie and into the cage.
And it's a score, ladies and
gentlemen. A score for the Army!
Say, here's one for the book.
The most sensational skating these eyes
have seen this season or any other season...
...has apparently been missed by the
West Point cheering section.
Centers facing each other...
referee drops the puck, Taylor takes
the puck in the face-off,
he backs it to Miller,
who returns it to Taylor,
Taylor takes a long shot
from the blue line!
But Johnson clears it nicely
and the puck goes to Shannon.
The stubborn Canadian forward
sweeps an attempt...
Oh, what a spill!
Boy, oh boy.
It's Shannon and Strong now
who race down the center ice.
Racing past the centers hopelessly
behind him,
he charges viciously into the
Canadian defense, shoots...
And it's goal, ladies and gentlemen!
Goal!
Nice going, Mr. Strong.
All right, all set to go once more.
Early has the puck. He's finding his way
through two Canadian forwards...
...against the sideboards, charging
through the whole Canadian team.
Goes moves to center, he shifts quickly,
fools Miller with the puck.
If you can still hear me, ladies
and gentlemen,
we're in the closing moments of the West
Point-Royal Military College hockey game.
If West Point is to win,
they must win now.
Because only seconds remain...
and the superior team's strength
of the Canadians...
will triumph in an overtime period...
...and that cup will again rest in
West Point's keeping.
The only cup that the losers hold.
Taylor has the puck,
he's headed for the Army goal,
He falls hard in front of the cage.
He must be a rubber man.
That's the sixteenth time he's
been downed tonight.
Early again, out of nowhere,
he steals the puck!
He hurdles the forward
attempting a poke check,
but Taylor, Taylor seizes the puck
from Early.
He's charging fast, he passes
and slips, falls hard!
He trips up from a strong dive and lands
like a ton of bricks, ladies and gentlemen.
They crash against the sideboard.
What action! Action!
A wall of human bodies
and hockey sticks.
West and Smith come together.
They tumble and go down.
Just thirty seconds left in this game
of chills and spills.
Both teams have thrown orthodox
hockey to the winds.
It's a personal duel between
Taylor and Early.
Taylor is checking Early very closely.
They call Early the Duke of West Point.
But tonight he's forgotten his
spats and umbrella,
and he's carrying a stick,
a hockey stick.
Early breaks away, he spins,
passes to Strong.
Pretends to pass to Early,
he's half-way...
...and his shot is wide.
Both teams heap up past the cage...
and the Canadian defense fends the Army
forward against the sideboard.
Fifteen seconds. Fifteen precious
seconds remaining in this game.
Fifteen seconds, the difference between
defeat and victory for either team.
Oh, this is glorious, this is insanity!
But it's not hockey.
Early has the puck, he jumps,
he's going past...
No, he carries!
It's a terrific play.
Three men are down on the ice
sliding headlong...
He dodges the Canadian forward,
he leaps a forward,
he slips through center,
He's swirling into the defense...
He shifts, he hits the puck
with the force of his body...
He's in the net and he scores!
It's a score!
Hooray!
Good boy, Steve!
And that was the gong,
ladies and gentlemen,
ending the most sensational hockey
game ever played on this house.
And if you don't mind...
Here... goes... me...
Hi, Jack. This came for you
after I left the hospital.
I brought it along myself.
The mail must go.
- Thanks. From home.
- Your mother, just after the battle, eh?
Yep, twice a week, Wednesdays
and Saturdays.
Ready?
Uh, no... no, you go ahead.
I'll be right out.
Alright, I'll wait outside.
Strong, I'd like to show
you something.
This was enclosed.
The date and time on that telegram.
Why, that's the night he broke limits.
- And I reported him.
- That's right.
He went to town that night to send
this money to my mother.
That's why I'm here.
And when you caught him
he told a lie...
not to save himself but to save me because
he knew I wouldn't have taken the money.
Why...
for over a year I've been living
on Steve's...
...heartache.
I'm going to do something about this
and right now.
I'd consider it a personal favor
if you'd let me in on this.
Mr. Early, will you follow me, please?
Certainly, why not?
Front and center, Mr. Early.
Remove your right glove, please.
Mr. Early, a deliberate oversight
on the part of the corps...
...occurred at recognition last year.
A man was punished.
The corps has discovered that he
was punished for the offense...
...of saving the service life
of his classmate.
I'm glad to know you, Steve.
Thank you, sir.
Do you mind if I introduce myself?
My name is Strong.
Nice going, Duke.
Dismissed!
Well played, Early.
Do you feel like seeing visitors?
- Oh, who said?
- Remember, no excitement.
Aw...
- Hello, bright eyes.
- Hello, Duke.
Mr. Drew, may I present Mr. Albright,
captain of the Canadian team.
Hello.
If Mr. Drew had been able
to play defense,
you never would have scored
that goal.
Here, Sonny, give them back
the cup.
You don't mind, do you?
It's an honor.
Here, I brought this for you
to put under your pillow.
It scored against Canada.
- Aw, gee, Duke, that's...
- Now don't get excited, Sonny.
Who's getting ex...?
How low will I have to drop in the class
before I can qualify as a doughboy?
I thought diplomacy was your dish.
Haven't you heard? The doughboy
is the backbone of the service.
Oh, that's great, Duke. Now we can all
be in the same outfit.
My father can fix that easy.
- He met a senator once...
- Please, Mr. Drew.
- Don't get excited.
- Who's excited? I'm not excited.
Always telling me I'm excited.
Everybody tells me I'm excited.
I'm excited if I want to get excited.
If I am, I want to get excited.
Besides, I never get excited.
- Is something wrong?
- Hm?
I've had a quotation running
through my head for months.
Who is it who said,
"You're fresh, conceited,
a goldbrick and an army brat"?
I think it's a direct quotation
from Ann Porter.
Oh, yes. Chapter one, volume one of the
Personal History of Steven Early, wasn't it?
Yes.
I hope you're revising the second edition.
Yes, yes, I'm eliminating the
army brat.
Army brat?
What else?
Well... goldbrick.
- And?
- Fresh.
- Conceited.
- That's better.
Oh, I brought you something.
That's the beginning of volume two...
...of the Personal History of Steve
Early at West Point.
It'll make such nice reading for us
on those long winter nights.
Subtitles: Lu?s Filipe Bernardes