The Pursuit of Happiness (1971) - full transcript
A young college student is sent to prison as much for killing a pedestrian with his car as for not paying his parking tickets. When the opportunity presents itself he escapes and is ...
(LET ME G PLAYING)
* Maybe
I'll write you a letter
* Maybe I'll give you a call
* Maybe I'll drop you a line
when I'm feeling better
* Maybe I won't after all
* Somewhere a river is flowing
* Rolling on into the sea
* Somewhere
a flower is growing
* That don't mean
anything to me
* Let me go,
let me go, let me go
* Don't give me the answer
* 'Cause I don't want to know
* Just let my heart
go on beating
* A little bit longer
* I'm so young
* I'm so young
* Don't hold me up
* You think
you see me falling
* I've been waiting
so long to fall
* Don't come to me
* When you think
you hear me calling
* Won't be me that called
* Let me go, let me go,
let me go
* Don't give me the answer
* 'Cause I don't want to know
* Let my poor heart
go on beating
a little bit longer
* I'm so young
* I'm so young
* I'm so young
* I'm so young
(SCREAMING)
Hold it! Hold it!
Cut it out!
You tell me one point
that is relevant to us...
(STUDENTS CLAMORING)
Everybody
sign the petition here.
Sign the petition here.
Hey, Joe! Joe! Joe!
You got to go to
a meeting tonight.
There's a mass meeting,
8:00 near College.
Hey, you better go
over to the north gate.
Got to make sure
all the petitions
are brought back here.
For God's sake,
will you just go? Just go!
Hey.
Hi!
Hi!
I'll see you back
at the apartment, okay?
Okay.
Hey, William!
A minute!
Hey, Nora, will you
take my place? Wait!
You won't believe
what's happened.
You won't begin to
believe what's happened.
I can hardly believe
it myself. Guess who's
coming to the meeting?
Sidney Poitier.
No, come on. Guess.
You'll never get it,
not in a million years,
but try. Go ahead.
I give up.
Zinovsky!
Zinovsky?
Isn't that something?
And they said I'd never
be able to get him,
that I was crazy even to try.
He's only in town
for three days,
but I picked up the phone,
and I called his hotel,
and there he was.
Oh, my God, William.
I was so nervous.
But I had everything
written down in advance so
I wouldn't make any mistakes.
He was marvelous. Sexy voice.
What do you think
I should wear?
A muzzle.
(LAUGHS)
Will you come?
Where?
To the meeting.
No.
William?
No.
I thought sure
you'd want to
meet Zinovsky.
I've met Zinovsky.
I know I promised
not to ask again, but this
isn't just another meeting.
This is Zinovsky.
I don't know
what to ask him.
I mean in person.
You'll be fine.
Okay?
Okay.
You left the window
open again.
Yeah, I know.
Want one?
Uh-uh.
(SIGHS)
(WATER RUNNING)
Okay, I'll think about it.
Oh, baby, thank you.
Thank you.
I said
I'd think about it.
Why don't you warm
up the water?
I could use a shower myself.
I love you.
Get in there and
warm up that water.
Okay. Okay.
Melvin, wake up. Wake up.
Come on, man. Red alert!
I'm cool.
That's it. Come on.
Hold on. What?
Here you go. Come on.
That's it. Come on.
Come on.
Great. You're doing fine.
I'm gone.
No, no. Over here.
Okay.
Great. See you later.
Take it easy. Yeah.
Oh, man, wow. A dream.
What a fantastic dream I had.
Let me tell you about it.
No, Melvin.
Oh, man, let me tell you.
You'll flip, man.
Your ass, Melvin,
move it out.
I'll swallow my thumb.
JANE: What's
going on out there?
It's Melvin.
Goodbye, Melvin.
You see. Now, will
you please go home?
No place to go.
Rachel threw me out.
All my clothes, too.
What took her so long?
That's what I kept wondering.
I tell you, man, the suspense
was driving me crazy.
Just listen. Let me tell you
about this dream, all right?
Just sit down.
This dream was like a movie.
Titles and everything.
Me, Melvin Lasher,
and the Statue of Liberty.
Isn't that wild?
Opening shot, her face.
Close-up, my face.
I make an opening gambit.
She's unimpressed.
I make my move.
I start at the hem
of her gown. Underneath,
I can feel her legs.
They're enormous, but I keep
on going up the length
of that great, green body.
Soon, I can see her eyes.
Those eyes!
And they're coming to life!
And those breasts.
I mean, did you ever really
take a good look at that body?
She sways, and her crown
kind of tips to one side,
and she drops her books.
Then move for move,
pressure for pressure,
slowly, inexorably
and then uncontrollably,
Miss Liberty...
And that's when
you woke me up.
Gee, I'm sorry
about that, Melvin.
No! I mean, like,
you saved me. Dig?
And destroyed me
all in one beautiful move.
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
Like you were
plugged right in, man.
Like yin and yang.
(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)
Aunt Ruth.
Hello, William.
Come in.
I was in the
neighborhood and I...
How you doing, Aunt Ruth?
Goodbye, Melvin.
Aunt Ruth,
your nephew is beautiful.
He saved my life.
(EXCLAIMS)
Keep in touch.
My clothes. Beautiful.
See you later.
Yeah.
MELVIN: Beautiful.
I hope the car
is safe on this street.
You wouldn't have
any tea, would you?
Yes, I think so.
Sit down, Aunt Ruth.
You wouldn't have anything
to go with it, would you?
Just some chocolate
digestive biscuits.
Never mind.
They're very good.
Sir Francis Chichester,
he couldn't have
made it without them.
I'm exhausted.
I've just been
to see your grandmother.
How is she feeling?
She talked about cutting
you out of her will.
That good.
Well, I must admit you
fixed this up quite nicely.
Very nice indeed.
Thank you, Aunt Ruth.
Very nice colors.
Well, what have you been
doing with yourself?
You're not still a communist?
Milk or lemon?
Milk. You know
what I mean.
What about after graduation?
Have you made any plans?
No.
You have to
do something.
My draft board
will figure something out.
Exactly.
What about law school?
Medical school?
Well, you've got
to do something.
A friend of mine
shot off his toe.
Be serious.
Is that the shower?
Mmm-hmm.
Aunt Ruth, did you
really come here
to discuss my future?
Yes, I did. William,
what about your father?
I mean, he's become
so inaccessible lately.
Since he set up that office
in Darien, he won't come
into the city at all anymore.
He never phones.
What does he do
with himself?
I don't know. He paints.
He reads. He gardens.
He's happy.
When was the last time
you saw him?
A couple of months ago.
Why don't you call him?
All right, I will.
Good.
He must be lonely up there
all by himself in that house.
Perhaps he'll come
into town for dinner.
Why don't you drive up
to see him? Talk to him.
Who would I report back to?
You or Grandmother?
Thanks a lot.
I'm all shriveled up from...
Jane, this is
my Aunt Ruth.
Aunt Ruth,
this is Jane Kauffman.
Hello.
How do you do?
Well, I'd better be going.
It's late. Never mind
the tea, William.
And, William,
promise me
you'll call him.
Yes, I promise.
Well, goodbye,
Miss Kauffman.
Goodbye.
Goodbye, Aunt Ruth.
(LAUGHING)
(BOTH LAUGHING)
You really
are shriveled up.
I know.
Hey, listen. I won't be
able to go to that meeting
tonight after all.
Okay?
Oh!
I have to go
and see my father.
Aunt Ruth really put me down
about how long it's been
since I've seen him.
He gets lonesome
up there.
Oh, come on.
Well, it's been
a couple of months
since I last saw him.
Look, you promised me.
I mean, any other night,
any other night you could see
your father, but tonight...
I mean, you promised.
I didn't promise anything.
I said maybe.
Boy, you're something.
You really are something.
You know,
I don't understand
you anymore, William.
With your toy boats
and your...
Models.
Models!
Your toy models.
Hey, wait a minute.
Jane?
Hey! What time
will you get back?
JANE: I don't know.
Meet you here at 10:00.
10:30.
Okay. Hey, I love you.
Thanks a lot.
(BABY CRYING)
(ROCK SONG PLAYING ON RADIO)
(LOUD CRASH)
(TIRES SQUEALING)
(INAUDIBLE)
(TURNS OFF RADIO)
CROMIE:
Previous arrests?
WILLIAM: What?
CROMIE:
Ever been arrested?
Yes, sir.
Date and charges?
(TYPEWRITER CLACKING)
Last September,
disturbing the peace.
I was in a march at the UN.
And then Chicago, 1968...
I didn't mean that.
I mean
criminal charges.
No, I guess not.
About drugs,
you on anything?
No, sir.
You ever
use anything?
No, sir, I don't.
Methedrine, speed,
bennies?
Nothing. You sure?
Yes, I'm sure.
How about pot?
Ever used pot?
Not tonight. No, sir.
And how about
this driver's license?
You knew it expired.
No, I didn't.
It expired
eight months ago.
Number 3, Hart Hill Road,
Darien, Connecticut.
You live there?
That's my
father's address.
Do you live there?
No, sir.
I grew up there.
Nice country.
Nice homes.
You sure you didn't know
about this license?
Yes, I'm sure.
Some people know.
They just don't
give a damn.
How about these
parking violations?
Twenty-two found
in your glove compartment.
You know about them?
Yeah, I knew about them.
Now, this could be trouble.
AIS report says
"inadequate brakes."
No, sir, the brakes
took hold right away...
I didn't say that.
I said "inadequate brakes"
and "no appreciable tread
on your rear tires."
You'd better call
your insurance company.
They'll want to check it out.
I'm not insured.
That's another violation.
You better make
that phone call.
(TYPEWRITER CLACKING)
What's the matter?
She won't be home yet.
Who?
My girl.
I didn't mean her.
I meant your lawyer
or your father.
Your father has
a lawyer, hasn't he?
Yes, sir, he does.
Well, you'd better
call him.
Right.
I called your Uncle Daniel.
He was good enough to break
away from a dinner party.
Don't worry now.
We'll have you out
of this place in no time.
William.
Uncle Daniel.
How are you?
I'm okay.
We can talk later.
I'm sure you're much
too upset right now.
An accident like this.
It's a very sad thing,
very sad.
Daniel, how much longer
before we can leave?
We can go now.
The bond's been posted.
Everything's been
taken care of.
Sergeant, thanks
for everything.
Why in God's name
are you barefoot?
They got soaked.
And your socks?
I don't wear socks.
Do you own any?
Really, Daniel,
does that matter?
It could
to a policeman.
You didn't make
a very good impression
in there, I'll tell you that.
I wasn't trying to.
All right.
Now, the main thing
is to keep telling yourself
it was an accident.
It was.
No one is to blame.
Did you cry?
Shed tears at any time
at the accident
or since the accident
where people might
have seen you?
No.
Did you kneel
by the body?
No.
Well, did you cry out
or display
any visible grief?
No, I don't think so.
I can't remember.
Well, try to remember.
Daniel, is it really
all that important?
Yes, John, it is.
His reaction
to what happened
is very important.
He's been charged
with vehicular homicide.
The maximum sentence
is four years in prison.
But that isn't likely.
I mean, it won't go
that far, do you think?
Well, in all likelihood, no,
but he has been charged.
The district attorney thinks
he can get an indictment.
The newspapers
will jump at it, prominent
family and all that.
Would it be a good idea
to send flowers
to the Conroys?
Yes, good idea,
but we stay away
from the Conroy family.
Avoid any contact with them.
We'll still have
the civil suit to consider.
Now, take him home with you
until this is settled.
No, I want to go to my place.
Your place?
No, you go home
with your father.
I've got to see Jane.
Look, stay away
from that girl.
In fact, forget about
school for the present.
If it comes to an indictment,
the more shock and remorse
you can prove, the better.
Believe me,
your behavior
from here on in
will be as much
on trial as the details
of the accident.
Do I make myself clear?
Call me tomorrow.
I'll have more information.
(CAR DOOR CLOSING)
JOHN: Right.
(GIRLS LAUGHING)
Dad, I'd like
to tell her myself.
Of course.
You sure it's not
inconvenient,
my coming here tonight?
I'm sure.
I want you to meet her.
Can I get you
some coffee, Dad?
No thanks.
Oh, dear.
You still have it?
It isn't very good,
is it?
I like it.
Well, I've improved
since then.
Is this
the Gipsy Moth?
No, it's over there.
Where've you been?
I need some bread, like now.
Melvin, I'd like you
to meet my father.
Dad, this is Melvin Lasher.
Your dad?
How do you do?
Hey, wait a minute.
Sir, you couldn't lay, say,
$5, $10 on me, could you?
I mean, a handout
from a millionaire.
Even a dime, a penny?
Melvin.
It's not the money, man.
It's the humiliation.
You understand, sir.
(DOOR OPENS)
Hi.
Hi.
Dad, this is Jane.
How do you do, Jane?
How do you do?
Melvin, can I see you
outside for a minute?
Okay, sure.
Lasher's function,
to be thrown out, right?
You see, Mr. Popper,
I perform an invaluable
social service.
Without someone
like me to get rid of
your serious people
would never get
down to business.
Well, it's been a groove.
Perhaps next year
in Jerusalem.
Perhaps.
Hey, he's beautiful.
What's up?
Come on, outside.
What's the matter?
(DOOR CLOSES)
Excuse me.
You have to excuse Melvin.
He's really quite brilliant.
No, really. I didn't think so
either at first, but he is.
He was William's friend,
and then I got to know him,
and we have
two classes together.
Do you and William
have any classes together?
Oh! No, no. We met at SNP.
Won't you sit down?
Students
for New Politics...
Thank you.
...last year while
William was still active.
I guess
you know all that.
Are you still active?
Yes. You know,
it's funny, but when
I first came here I...
I wasn't into anything.
It was William who hit me
to what was happening,
I mean, really happening.
The war research on campus,
the University
Development Program.
Well, William
was into all of that.
I mean, really into it,
and it made me feel
like I had to do something,
you know.
He made me believe
it was possible
to change things.
God, it was exciting.
It still is,
of course, but...
You think
William has changed?
I don't know.
Well, he's gone.
I'd better be going, too.
Jane, I'm glad we met.
Me, too.
Goodbye.
Goodbye.
Thank you.
You get some rest.
I like her, Billy.
I'm glad.
If you and Jane
feel like getting away
for the weekend,
I mean, if you have
nothing else planned...
Maybe we will.
Thanks.
Try not to worry.
Everything's
going to be all right.
Good night, Dad.
Good night.
He's nice.
Yeah, he is.
What's the matter?
I had
an accident tonight.
I killed somebody
with my car.
An old lady, she just
stepped off the curb,
right in front of me,
and it was raining.
I didn't see her until I was
practically on top of her.
It all happened so fast.
Oh!
It was terrible.
Senseless.
I mean, what the hell
was she doing stepping off
the curb like that?
(PEOPLE SHOUTING)
(DOORBELL BUZZES)
(DOORBELL BUZZES)
Yes?
Excuse me, is this the home
of Mrs. Verne Conroy?
She's dead.
Yes, ma'am, I know.
I'm William Popper.
Are you her daughter?
No, I'm her
daughter-in-law.
She lived with us.
You want the daughter?
No, ma'am.
Would you mind
if I came in?
Okay.
MRS. O'MARA: All right,
you get out of here.
You just get out of here.
You got no right to be here.
Go on, get out.
You understand?
WILLIAM: Yes, ma'am.
Just who in God's name
do you think you are?
Go on, get out!
College kids,
with your foreign cars
and your LSD.
You don't know
what you do.
You don't care
who you kill.
That's not true.
Don't think
you can get away with it.
You won't.
I'm not trying to.
There were witnesses.
No, ma'am, there
weren't any witnesses.
Well, we'll find witnesses.
(VOICE BREAKING)
Don't you worry,
we'll find witnesses.
Look, Mrs. O'Mara,
it was an accident,
just an accident.
You killed her.
Yes, I know,
but it wasn't...
You know!
So that's all.
But it wasn't my fault.
It wasn't
through carelessness.
Carelessness, accident,
what difference does it make?
She's dead now, isn't she?
Yes, I know.
Besides, an accident
is still carelessness.
No, ma'am, it isn't.
Accidents just happen.
Just happen...
Well, they're part
of living.
What, do you think
God makes accidents?
Well, I don't believe in God,
but I believe there are things
in which you can't...
I'm sorry.
(HORN HONKING)
An atheist? You told them
you're a goddamn atheist?
I was trying to
explain something.
Loudly and clearly, in
simple, basic English, I said,
"Stay away from the Conroys."
He not only ignores
advice of counsel,
he compounds his stupidity
by announcing,
in front of a nest
of Irish Catholics,
(PHONE BUZZING)
that he is an atheist. Yes.
WOMAN: Your son is here.
Ask him to come in.
When is he going to
see his grandmother?
As soon as we leave here.
Good.
She's been driving me
crazy all morning.
Sorry I'm late.
Cross-town traffic.
All right,
sit down and listen.
Hello, Terence. How are you?
Hello, Uncle John.
Terence will be
handling this in court.
Hello, Bill.
Hi.
Now, then.
No jury trial. A judge.
Why not a jury?
I'll take my chances
any day in front of
the right judge rather than
a bunch of housewives
and plumbers.
The right judge?
I mean, if he appears
before Judge Vogel,
I can say with some certainty
he will not be convicted.
If he appears before
Judge Morrow,
I would say he will.
By all means,
let's ask for Judge Vogel.
It's not that
simple, Uncle John.
The State determines
which judge
will hear the case.
They toss a coin, Dad.
Heads,
Judge Vogel, acquittal.
Tails, Judge Morrow,
conviction.
That's an oversimplification.
Well, whatever it is.
It's the due process of law.
Do you own a suit,
a shirt and a tie?
Yes.
You'll wear them
in court.
The kind of clothes
you are wearing
are not likely to
prepossess a judge
in your favor.
Do you understand?
What about socks?
William,
listen to me.
Keep your mouth shut
and listen.
I do not know what you are.
I can't pretend to
begin to understand,
but I do know what I am.
I am a black
Republican lawyer.
I know it's fashionable
in your set to sneer at me,
but when you got in trouble
you came straight
to the reactionary
establishment bastard, me.
But that's all right.
You're my nephew,
and I'll help you,
but get one thing straight.
In here,
you're not on cloud nine.
You're not having fun
and games at that hotbed of
communism you call a college.
You're in trouble
with the law,
with the law, William,
and that brings you
into my ballpark.
There's an indictment
against you,
so let's understand
once and for all
we're not at some
psychedelic bull session
to play intellectual ping-pong
with abstract ideas.
We're here
to save your neck.
In my ballpark,
you play my game
and we play it my way.
If you don't,
get yourself another lawyer.
Do I make myself clear?
Answer yes or no.
That's not asking
too much, Billy. Is it?
No.
DANIEL: No, what?
No, it's not
asking too much.
It's a reasonable request.
(HORN HONKING)
(CHILDREN CHEERING)
(DOG BARKING)
Go on.
(CHILDREN CONTINUE SHOUTING)
All over the place again
last night, Mr. John.
All those kids.
Did you call the police?
Yes, sir. They were
here, as usual.
Holmes, how's my mother?
Your sister's with her.
John, is that you?
Is William with you?
How are you, Mother?
Hello, Ruth.
My grandson arrested
for murder, and
no one comes to see me.
We were at Daniel's
office, Mother.
MRS. POPPER: William,
where have you been?
I left a dozen messages
for you to come here.
I'm sorry,
Grandmother.
Sorry, indeed.
Did you telephone me?
No.
What did
Daniel say?
Who cares
what a lawyer said.
How are you, Mother?
How are you,
Grandmother?
Will somebody remind
William that I can
always change my will?
Josephine, I assume
the silver's
polishing itself.
No, ma'am.
I was just going.
Have the groceries
arrived?
Yes, ma'am.
I'll be down presently,
just as soon as
I'm finished here.
You don't still check
all the groceries,
do you, Mother?
I most certainly do.
A woman's a fool
if she doesn't.
If you don't know
what goes
into your kitchen,
you won't know
what comes out.
Josephine, you are free
to leave at any time.
(DOGS BARKING)
Quiet! Be quiet!
There's no one out there.
My dogs. I bought them
to protect me from those
little black hooligans,
and last night, they climbed
over the fence and
messed up my garden again.
Could we have some tea?
And then what happens?
Those idiot dogs
attacked the police.
I wanted to put
an electrically-charged
wire around the fence,
and they
wouldn't let me.
Well, you wouldn't want to
electrocute somebody.
Who said anything
about electrocution?
A good sharp jolt
to keep them away.
Tea, Mother?
I heard you the first time.
Tea is at 4:00.
The only thing
you think about
is food.
I'm sorry.
Forgive me?
Well, if you're
going to sulk,
you can leave the room.
Maybe I will.
And if you're going to smoke
any of those cigarettes,
you smoke them outside
in the driveway.
Now, then, about that
Irish woman he hit.
She was probably drunk.
Mother, please.
Don't "Oh, Mother" me.
I know the Irish.
They go to bars
and drink all day,
all night,
and then they stagger
home blind drunk
and throw themselves
in front of
our automobiles.
Surely you don't think
that poor woman is to blame
for the accident.
I most certainly do.
You've never
understood women, John.
They've always been
able to fool you.
Mother, William's car
skidded into her.
If she'd been sober
and alert, she could have
jumped out of the way.
JOHN: Well, at any rate,
we can't prove
she was drunk.
No, we can't,
and we never will.
And you know why?
Because not one of you men
had the presence of mind
to have her blood analyzed.
Don't wag your head at me.
It's the truth.
Now, if you don't mind,
I'd like to speak
with my grandson alone.
Remember, tea is at 4:00.
Yes, Mother.
William.
Why do you insist upon
coming into my home
dressed like a grocery boy?
We're ladies
and gentlemen here.
Yes, Grandmother.
I have been sitting here
all day, all alone.
Well, Aunt Ruth was here.
Now, listen to me.
You must insist
on a post-mortem examination
of that woman,
and you must insist
it be done in front
of a Protestant doctor.
And don't
shake your head at me.
I know the Catholics.
You're just as foolish
as your father.
There's not a drop
of your grandfather's blood
in either of you.
You have no sense
of responsibility.
Look what happened
to this neighborhood
because people
wouldn't stand up
to their responsibilities.
They all cleared out
the minute
the Jews moved in.
Couldn't they see
that the next step after
the Jews is the Negro?
If they couldn't see it,
I could.
Well, if you could see it
coming, Grandmother, why...
Now, I want you to
go down to Wingold
and Dickinson,
645 Broadway.
Ask for Morris Wingold.
He's a private detective.
All we have to do
is find out what bar
that Conroy woman was in
before the accident.
I have no intention of letting
that woman walk all over me.
Grandmother, Mrs. Conroy
is in no position
to walk all over you.
William, if people like us
don't defend ourselves,
then the Catholics
and the Negroes and the Jews
will have the entire country.
Some of my best friends
are Catholics and Negroes.
I know they are.
I know you're living
with that Jewish girl.
Did Mr. Wingold
tell you that?
You don't even
try to deny it.
You're disgraceful.
(SHOWER RUNNING)
When was the last time
you wore it?
When I was
"Clean for Gene" in '68.
It's weird. It was
a costume then, too,
I suppose.
The only difference
is that then I believed
in the role I was playing.
Oh, well.
How's the tie coming?
Well, tomorrow morning
you won't be able
to tell the difference
between me and
my cousin Terence,
but I guess
that's the idea,
isn't it?
Maybe I won't
wear it after all.
Oh, come on.
No. Maybe I won't.
You're hanging up
on details.
Christ, to think that
ridiculous detail
might really be important.
I have to go into court
and play a part
in a stupid charade
to convince some judge that
I'm not really me in order
to receive some justice.
It's a suit.
No, it's not.
It's my bid
for better treatment
because them that
has suits gets it
and them that don't, don't.
All right. All right,
don't wear the suit.
Right.
JUDGE: In addition,
defendant was
operating his automobile
without a valid
driver's license.
While not contributory,
this has bearing
on defendant's
habitual manner of driving
and his attitude towards
traffic regulations.
This bears on
the question of negligence.
Further evidence
on this point,
22 parking violations
found in the defendant's car
at the time of the accident.
We find a disposition
on the part of the defendant
to disobey and ignore
traffic regulations.
This bears on the
question of negligence.
In cases involving death,
the State is not
required to prove
that some extraordinary
or exceptional negligence
has taken place.
Where even a minor degree
of negligence can be shown,
the action may be
determined as criminal.
William Popper,
please rise.
Your crime is one of
the most serious
that a person can commit.
There's no penalty
in criminal
or civil jurisprudence
that can make just restitution
for the loss of a human life.
A woman, a mother,
grandmother,
having spent a lifetime
in the service of
her children, grandchildren,
now ready to reap
the rewards
of a life so spent,
such a woman
has been crushed out of
her God-given existence.
This is the terrible
and fearful consequences
of a young man who,
as testimony has shown,
has clearly and
repeatedly demonstrated
that he is casually
irresponsible and consistently
contemptuous of the law.
William Popper,
can you show true cause
why judgment should not now
be pronounced upon you?
No, Your Honor.
William Popper,
I do find you guilty
of criminal negligence
in the death of
Mrs. Verne Conroy.
Therefore,
I do now sentence you,
William Popper,
to one year's imprisonment
at hard labor.
I'll grant a stay
to give the defendant time
to arrange his affairs.
Bail will be set.
The defendant
will not leave the city
until he surrenders himself
to the sheriff of this county
Friday morning at 9:00.
I'm going to miss you.
JANE: What are you thinking?
WILLIAM: How nice
it is here with you.
It would be nice
to just stay here
with you.
Why not?
It's just for
a week or so.
We'd have to go
back sometime.
Why?
(JANE SHRIEKS)
(BOTH LAUGHING)
I'm gonna miss you.
It'll do you good.
You'll appreciate me more.
Hold still, will you?
I want this to be perfect.
Come on.
Hold it.
(SIGHS)
There.
It should be ready.
PRISON GUARD:
Cell number two.
Watch the gates!
MAN: (CHUCKLING)
Hi, come on in.
You don't mind
an upper, do you?
Well, sit down and
make yourself at home.
First time, right?
I could tell.
The reason I ask is you get
a lot of recidivists here.
You know
what that means?
Yes, I do.
College man, right?
I spotted it right off.
Me, too. Plus one year
of law school, nights.
Moran's the name.
James J. Moran.
How do you do?
William Popper.
Now, do you mind
if I call you Bill?
Good.
First names
and old shoes,
that's me.
Well, what do you think
of our colors?
Psychiatrist's idea.
Supposed to keep us
from getting depressed.
In a way, I suppose
it does. Smoke, Bill?
No, thanks.
I don't smoke.
Smart. Very smart.
One of these days
I'm going to quit myself,
just like that, cold turkey.
It's the only way.
What are you in for, Bill?
Of course, if you'd
rather not say,
I'll understand. I never pry.
Vehicular homicide.
On appeal?
Rather, a certificate
of reasonable doubt
pending appeal, right?
Yeah, that's right.
Well, you'll be
out in a week.
Ten days,
two weeks at the most.
Would you like
a drink, Bill?
Yeah, sure.
Stand over
by the door.
If you see the guard,
just move away, understand?
Okay, Bill.
This is what we call yakydok.
The guys down in
the kitchen ferment it.
Cost me five
packs of cigarettes.
Thank you.
Well, here's to
Old Glory.
Long may she wave
o'er the land of the free
and the home of the brave.
(TOASTING IN SPANISH)
(COUGHING)
It's not a bad prison,
as prisons go. No riots,
not too much buggering.
Still, for people
like you and I, Bill...
Of course, you'll be
getting out right away.
Still, on the other hand,
as my father used to say,
"Treat every experience
like a sweetheart.
Who knows?
"You might wind up
having to get married."
(LAUGHING)
One for the road?
No thanks.
Come on. No one says no
to Senator James J. Moran.
State Senator Moran?
That's right.
I remember
reading about you
three, four years ago.
Yep. We had
seven newspapers then.
Made the front page of
every one, except The Times.
Well, l'chaim.
(EXHALES)
Embezzlement of state funds,
that's what
they called it, Bill.
That's what
they called it.
But there's two sides
to everything,
sometimes three,
sometimes 23.
You know what I mean?
Well, it's ancient history.
Harkins. Richard Harkins!
That name ring a bell?
I used my influence
to get that man
his job, Bill.
He owed me a lot.
And then he turned
State's evidence.
Him they only gave
two years.
Oh! I've done a lot of
thinking here in prison,
and I've come
to the conclusion
that you can trace
all our problems
right back to treachery.
Judas, Benedict Arnold,
Alger Hiss.
Why, if Benedict Arnold
hadn't been a traitor,
who knows,
today we might own Canada.
With the back, man,
with the back.
Don't keep them arms loose.
Keep them stiff.
Get your back into it.
That's more like it.
The first day
always the worst day.
I hope so.
Still, it's better
than sitting inside
doing laundry.
How's that?
Man, we're out of doors
getting all the fresh air,
all the exercise.
(LAUGHING)
Another two or three
weeks, you'll see.
You'll have muscles like me.
(INMATES CHEERING)
Hey, Bill, how goes it?
Getting the hang of it?
Well, I'm doing
my best.
Good.
You got to keep
your sense of humor.
Humor's important.
It's too bad you're not going
to be around here for long.
We have some
interesting types.
You'd be surprised.
A banker, some
corporation executives,
top corporations, too.
Hi, Bill. Hi, Senator.
Hi, George.
Sit a spell.
Rest your bones.
I'm sorry, we can't.
There's someone
I want you to meet, Bill.
No, thanks, Senator.
I'll sit here a while.
I'm really kind of tired.
To each his own.
Hurting bad? Huh?
Yeah, real bad.
Another two weeks
you'll be hard as nails.
Bill, you good
at writing letters?
So-so.
You ever write
any love letters?
Yeah, a couple.
I'm trying to write one.
Sure could use some help.
Sure.
How's this sound?
"I'd like to have you
with me all the time."
That's fine.
And what else
can I say, Bill?
Well, I don't know.
Tell me what she's like.
It ain't a she. It's a he.
It's my boyfriend.
He don't know it yet,
but he's gonna be.
Little blue-eyed boy
works over at the hospital.
He's so cute.
What else
can I say, Bill?
Well...
"I think of you
every minute."
Hey, that's good.
"I think of you
"every minute."
(CHUCKLES)
Could you say,
"You've got the most
pretty face I ever saw?"
Is that how you say it?
No. You'd have to say,
"You've got the prettiest
face I've ever seen."
Hey, give me that again.
"You've got the prettiest
face I've ever seen."
Look, Bill,
I'm no prude.
You know that.
But I feel
I just gotta speak up.
I hate to see a kid
like you from a nice family
getting mixed up in...
Well, after all,
you're only in
for a couple of days.
Why mess around?
Why go out
looking for trouble?
You know what I mean?
No.
Okay. Steer clear
of George Wilson. Okay?
Half the knifings
in this prison
are about sex.
You don't want to be mixed up
in things like that.
Look, he just asked me
to help him with the letter.
Well, you don't have to
help someone
just because he asks.
George Wilson happens
to be a very nice guy.
Have you got
a girlfriend, Bill?
Have you
got a girlfriend?
Why?
Come on, tell me.
Do you?
Yeah.
Well, that's good.
That's very good.
Still, a word to the wise.
You've only got a few days.
Why hang around queers?
You know,
especially that type?
People get ideas, Bill.
They talk.
The truth is
you don't draw
the line somewhere,
you're going to
find yourself mixed up
in all kinds of things.
After all,
it's a prison.
You don't believe me.
All right. I'll prove it.
I'll show you.
Look. Look at these.
A man wants me to buy them.
Can you believe it?
Disgusting.
What woman would pose
for a thing like that?
Disgusting.
Sure, it's hard on us all
not having women around,
but, still, sex can be
a funny thing, Bill.
Thank God I never had
any trouble with it,
but will someone explain
to me what possible kick
a man can get
from another man?
Like I told my eldest,
"Just do like I did.
"Keep your head up and
your fly zipped, and
you won't have any trouble."
GUARD: Hey, you boys
in that shower,
if you're finished
come on out.
Hey, Bill.
Hi, George.
I got the letter
through to the hospital.
Ain't that great?
Yeah, great.
Now I'm gonna get sick
in the hospital,
so I can see him every day.
(LAUGHS)
Hey, you, boy.
Hi, McArdle.
You wrote to him.
It was my boy
you wrote that
stinking letter to.
Your boy?
Yeah, my boy.
Yeah? Now
he's gonna be my boy.
See that?
If you want to play,
let's have some room.
Come on, man.
You bring it, boy!
(GRUNTS)
(GEORGE GASPING)
Guard!
Break it up.
Move! Move!
DANIEL: I've seen
the statement
you've given the warden
in which
you refer to the deceased
as your "friend."
That's right.
When you're questioned
at the hearing
you must avoid that word.
No one will assume
that a habitual criminal
with perverted sexual habits
is your friend.
Certainly, the prosecution
won't bring it out.
They'll attempt
to present you
as a reliable witness.
Friends
aren't reliable?
William, if you want
my advice,
don't provoke me.
Now, then, try to be definite
about the attack itself.
You'll be questioned
closely by the defense.
I've been thinking
about that,
and I don't think
McArdle meant
to kill George Wilson.
Just to scare him.
He's not being charged
with murder aforethought.
But it was more
of an accident.
George had control
of the knife,
then he slipped
and fell on it.
That's just the sort of thing
you shouldn't bring out.
First of all, it's conjecture.
Secondly, you're
a prosecution witness.
But it should be
important.
William, your first
responsibility is
to yourself and your family,
not to cause them
any more trouble
or humiliation.
The law will take care
of McArdle.
You're an impartial observer.
Remember that.
Besides, he's hardly
a man worth helping.
It's not a question
of helping.
It's what happened.
McArdle knew George
could take him.
He must have known that.
William, the warden
tells me there must
have been at least a dozen
witnesses to the murder,
yet you were the only one
noble enough
to come forward.
Now, why didn't
you just keep your mouth
shut like the rest of them?
My God, I don't know
how your father's put up
with you all these years.
Maybe he likes me.
KELLER: Now, then, Popper,
what prompted you
to help George Wilson
write that letter?
He needed my help.
KELLER: But what
prompted you
to help him?
He asked me to.
Why should he ask you?
I don't know.
We were friends.
You got to be friends
in just two days?
Well, not friends,
maybe, but friendly.
How friendly?
I don't know,
just friendly.
Just friendly?
According to your cellmate,
James Moran,
you publicly complimented
the deceased on his quote,
pretty face, unquote.
Moran said that?
KELLER: Yeah. He heard you.
Objection, Your Honor.
I fail to see where
this line of questioning
has any bearing
on the issue of murder.
Your Honor,
I intend to establish
that the witness had
an emotional involvement
with George Wilson,
which would
bring into question
the credibility of
his sworn statement.
Objection overruled.
Proceed.
Did you publicly compliment
the deceased
on his, quote, pretty face?
No, I did not.
I was helping him
write a letter.
You were aware that
it was a love letter?
Yes.
To another man?
Yes.
Are you in the habit
of writing
love letters to men?
No, I'm not.
Did you like
George Wilson?
Yes, I did.
Why did you like him?
He was nice.
Nice to you?
Yes. Nice to me.
In what way
was he nice to you?
He was friendly.
In what other way?
In what specific way?
He taught me
how to shovel coal.
Does that make me
a queer?
Young man, you will confine
yourself to direct answers.
Yes, sir.
In addition to the fact
that he was nice and friendly
and that he taught you
how to shovel coal,
is there any other reason
why you liked George Wilson?
No. No other reason.
In the shower that day,
who was the person
next to you?
George Wilson.
Why was he next to you?
He was taking a shower.
But why next to you?
He wanted to tell
me something.
Then he sought you out.
Yes.
To confide in you.
That's right.
Don't you find that strange?
No.
But I find you strange.
I find this whole
damn thing very strange.
Young man!
Look, I'm trying to
tell you what I saw,
what happened.
Young man,
you restrain yourself.
I don't even think McArdle
meant to kill George Wilson.
Now, how about that?
Isn't that strange?
Objection.
Sustained.
Your Honor,
I think the whole
thing was an accident.
What you think
is not germane.
The look on McArdle's face
when he saw all that blood...
That's conjecture.
Inadmissible evidence.
I'm trying to
tell you what happened.
Inadmissible!
Then what the hell
did you bring me here for?
(GAVEL BANGS)
Young man, that's enough.
I intend to examine
your record thoroughly
before I determine
the appropriate punishment
for this outburst.
This hearing stands
in recess until 2:00.
(GAVEL BANGS)
(SIGHS)
You blew it, kid.
Thanks a lot, Senator.
I'm telling you, Freddy.
It's a sure thing.
It's a gift.
I don't know.
They've been holding
it back all season
to build up the odds.
Believe me,
today they're gonna
let out the throttle.
I don't know.
Who's the jockey?
What does it matter?
Excuse me. Excuse me.
For what?
What's the matter?
I have to go to the can.
Oh, come on.
Who are you kidding?
Look, I'm only human.
I'm sorry.
If you gotta go, go.
So, are you in, or what?
I don't know.
It seems kind of chancy.
It's 40-to-1.
(LET ME G PLAYING)
* Maybe
I'll write you a letter
* Maybe I'll give you a call
* Maybe I'll drop you a line
when I'm feeling better
* Maybe I won't after all
* Somewhere a river is flowing
* Rolling on into the sea
* Somewhere
a flower is growing
* That don't mean
anything to me *
(WHISTLING)
(STUDENTS CHATTERING)
Where's Jane?
You broke out of jail.
Yeah.
How'd you do it, man?
What did you do?
Where's Jane?
She was called
to the dean's office
right out of class.
Come on, let's go.
I am flipping.
I am flipping.
Do you think
she's talking
to the press?
I don't know.
What are you going to do?
I don't know.
Well, you'll need bread.
Here you go,
two bucks.
Oh, no!
What's wrong?
I lost your car. I'm sorry.
I was at this party.
Forget it, Melvin.
At least I know the cat.
I can go back there.
Melvin, forget it.
Just drop it.
Hey, Bill,
you're out.
Yeah.
Great.
See you later.
Now, remember!
If he contacts you,
notify us at once.
Either number.
If you don't, you're liable
to prosecution.
You understand?
* Let me go,
let me go, let me go
* Don't give me the answer
'cause I don't want to know
* Let my heart go on beating
a little bit longer
* I'm so young
* I'm so young
(MELVIN LAUGHING)
Beautiful, man, beautiful.
I just can't get over it.
The window was open, right?
You walk right through.
Yup.
Man, what a prison break
you pulled.
No grabbing the guard,
no carving guns out of soap.
The window's open,
William Popper
walks through it.
Beautiful, man.
That is the...
Beautiful, beautiful.
Beautiful.
JANE: But why?
I don't understand
why, you know?
In a week
you would have been out.
I don't know.
It was open, I went.
Whose car can we use?
If you went back, you know,
if you explained it all to...
I don't want to go back.
Jerry Dempsey.
I don't wanna go back.
Jerry Dempsey's minibus.
It's orange.
We'll spray it.
Melvin, please.
What about the appeal?
What about that?
No, I've blown it.
Are you sure?
Yeah, I'm sure.
Blown it. Believe me,
he's blown it.
Forget about appeal.
That's past history.
He got out,
now he's got to go.
They're after him.
The police are after him.
The fact is you need a car.
You need bread,
and then out, baby. O-U-T.
Someplace. Anyplace.
But you gotta go.
He's right.
(SIGHS)
I've got to go.
Okay.
(DOGS BARKING)
(DOGS GROWLING)
Holmes, Josephine.
Call the police!
The dogs are barking.
We're being attacked again.
(BARKING)
MRS. POPPER:
They're up on the roof.
I can hear them.
Get off my roof,
you hooligans.
The police are coming.
You're going to jail.
Get off my roof,
immediately,
right this minute.
Grandmother,
it's me, William.
William, what are
you doing out there?
Please, let me in.
Not until you tell me
what you're doing out there.
I've escaped from jail.
What?
Please, let me in.
Come in. Come in.
Wipe your feet.
Thanks.
What do you mean
you just escaped
from jail?
Why didn't somebody tell me?
Does your father
know about this?
I don't know.
You haven't called him?
No.
Yes, it's William.
We have to hide him.
He's just escaped from jail.
Go make up the bed
in the fallout shelter.
No, wait, Josephine.
Grandmother,
I didn't come here to hide.
What did you come here for?
Money.
I'm leaving
the country, tonight.
You're what?
I'm leaving the country.
Ridiculous.
Don't just stand around.
Go make up the bed
in the fallout shelter.
No, no. Josephine, don't.
Grandmother, I'm leaving
tonight. I mean it.
That's ridiculous.
I won't stand for it.
You are my grandson,
and you will not
leave the country.
What would
your grandfather do?
Would he run away?
You will stay here
and fight like a man.
I don't want to
stay and fight.
Then you should
have stayed in prison.
Grandmother...
Don't argue with me.
This is nonsense.
You come with me.
Holmes! You, too.
Grandmother,
the police are after me.
Holmes, open the safe.
A Popper afraid
of the police.
I hope you're pleased
with yourself.
You've disgraced
the entire family.
Thank you, Holmes.
Read this.
Read it.
It's my will.
You see, in addition
to the money,
I'm leaving you this house.
When your great-grandfather
built it, it cost $200,000.
You couldn't build it
now for a million.
William, I think this country
is in very serious trouble.
People like us have to
fight to defend ourselves,
and it takes courage.
But that's what's made us.
That's what kept us.
I stood by my house,
and I want you to
stand by things, too.
I know.
But you can't
if you run away.
I'm not running away.
I'm going away.
But that's ridiculous.
Where would you go?
I don't know. Canada.
Canada.
You'll freeze
to death.
Grandmother,
I can't wait around.
Will you help me?
That's all. Yes or no?
But what will I do
with all this?
Who will I leave it to?
Your father?
That daughter of mine?
It's yours.
I don't want it.
Can you understand
that, Grandmother?
I don't want it.
Look, Grandmother,
it's not what you think.
I'm not running away
from a fight.
It's just
not that simple.
It's crazy, but right now
the police are after me
and that's crazy.
And I need your help.
Holmes.
Thank you.
There's $3,000
in there.
I love you, Grandmother.
I'll see you to the door,
Mr. William.
Thank you, Holmes.
(CHILDREN SHOUTING)
Those damn kids
again.
MRS. POPPER: Holmes!
Yes, ma'am.
They're here.
Call the police.
Well, what are you
standing around for?
Nobody listens
to me, nobody.
Holmes, put on
the outside lights.
(SHOUTING)
(DOGS BARKING)
Okay. Okay. But just
for a couple of minutes.
Well, as soon as I can.
Right away.
Yeah. So long.
Here you are.
Registration, keys.
Not bad for
600 bucks, huh?
Terrific.
Only 92,000 miles.
That's the tires.
And don't forget
a lube job
every 15 months,
and the windshield wipers
don't work.
Come along
for the ride?
I'm tempted.
Popper's law.
Always give into temptation.
I don't know.
It's probably
too sane there.
Too rational, you know
what I mean, man? I mean,
what would I do? I'd be lost.
And they put butter
on roast beef sandwiches.
(CHUCKLES)
Take care, Melvin.
Don't worry about me.
Survival of the fittest.
Hey, you really are
William Popper,
high Episcopal,
10th generation.
I mean, you're not just
some sort of ultimate
mind-blowing put on.
So long, Melvin.
Hey, can I have some of
your old dresses?
Like, to sell.
Take care of the guy.
(STARTS ENGINE)
Drive carefully.
Remember
St. Christopher's
been busted.
I'll make it as quick
as I can, okay?
Okay.
DANIEL: Billy!
I'll meet you
downstairs.
Come on inside.
We won't be bothered in here,
not this time of the night.
I asked them to come, Billy.
They're here to help.
You're just not thinking, Son.
You've got to
give yourself up.
Look, Dad, I came here
to say goodbye to you.
Seeing as you're all here,
I'll say goodbye to all of you
right now. That's it.
Wait a minute!
You wait just
one goddamn minute.
You're not going
anywhere, understand?
I'm not going back to jail.
I'm leaving the country.
I got into this mess
in the first place because
something happened by chance,
an accident.
And everything
that's happened to me
since then
has been just about
as absurd.
I mean, I'm sorry about
Mrs. Conroy, but I don't
feel guilty of anything.
Now, you listen.
Going through
that window was wrong.
It was crazy, all right.
So what? I did it.
I followed my instincts.
And right now
they're the only thing
that I can trust.
I mean, consider
the advice that I've had.
How to dress, how to speak.
Cool my friends.
Keep my mouth shut.
Screw the truth.
Now, when I get to Canada,
I'm going to try
and sort this all out,
and I'll let you know
where I'm at.
Because I like to make sense.
I like for
things to make sense,
and right now,
here, for me, they don't.
So, it's Canada
until I can figure things out
for myself.
That's it.
Billy.
What'll you do
about money?
I'm all right.
Grandmother gave me $3,000.
That can't
last forever.
Can we send something
to him in Canada?
I don't need it.
Uncle John,
he's wanted
by the police.
Daniel, can we?
We'll try to figure
out something.
But, Dad,
he's a fugitive.
I've got to go now.
So long, Dad.
Goodbye, Son.
Will you write?
Yes, I will.
I believe
that's for me, Officer.
You know what
that sign says?
Yes, sir.
What's it say?
"No parking.
Loading zone."
You'd better believe
in signs. It costs
money if you don't.
Yes, sir. Thank you.
Just the fuzz
doing its duty.
(SIGHS)
(VEHICLES HONKING)
(SPUTTERING)
(HONKING)
(ENGINE STALLING)
What's the matter?
I don't know.
It's stalled.
What's the matter
with it?
I don't know.
Let's go, you creep!
Let's go!
Okay, okay. I'm trying.
(ENGINE STALLING)
Can't you do something?
(HONKING)
I am.
What the hell is happening?
Let's go! God damn it!
(HORNS BLARING)
Come on, Mac, you're blocking
traffic. Don't just don't
stand there. Move it out.
Yes, I know. I'm sorry.
(BLOWING WHISTLE)
(HORNS BLARING)
(ENGINE STALLING)
Will you get that
thing out of here?
I'm trying.
Stop trying already. Do it.
Push it, man, push it.
(BLARING CONTINUES)
Push it over there.
Get it over to the right!
To the right!
Okay, you call a tow truck
and get this out of here.
Yes, sir.
And if it's not
out in 15 minutes,
I'm going to have the
Department tow it.
You understand?
Yes, sir. Right away.
Okay.
Thank you.
(OFFICER BLOWING WHISTLE)
Let's get outta here.
(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)
Wait here.
Come on.
What happened?
That car
you bought us, man.
It died.
Yeah? Where?
Someplace downtown.
Come on, we got to
go get another one.
Yeah, sure. Right.
Tonight, Melvin.
Right, right.
We gotta get out of here.
Wait a minute.
What if this one dies?
Wait a minute, I'm serious.
(SHUSHING)
Melvin, come on.
Okay. No car.
What?
MELVIN: No car.
WILLIAM: Hey!
(CAR DOOR CLOSING)
Hello!
Excuse me.
We're looking
for a Mr. Smith.
Mr. Harrison sent us.
He's a friend
of Mr. Lasher.
We want to fly to Canada.
Well, it'll cost.
How much?
Two passengers?
Yes.
$1,000.
Okay.
Now.
Okay.
You show up here
Wednesday morning
at 6:00 a.m.
Wednesday? We have
to go now, tonight.
Well, I'm sorry.
I got a flight to Mexico
first thing in the morning.
Canada is
on Wednesday.
But we have to go tonight.
That's the whole idea.
Forget it.
That is, unless
you want to go to Mexico.
Does that make
any difference to you,
Canada or Mexico?
When?
Couple of hours,
more or less.
Okay.
Still two passengers?
Yes.
Mexico's another $500.
(SIGHS)
I think you're going
to like Mexico.
Hey, where are
you going?
No, no, no.
You stay here.
There's a cot
and a hotplate
over in the corner.
Live it up.
Hey, wait a minute.
Hey, come on, man,
I got things to do.
You're not
my only love affair.
Relax, I'm under 30.
You can trust me.
(DOOR CLOSING)
(CAR DRIVING AWAY)
Do you want some coffee?
Well, like the man said,
"What difference
does it make?"
Canada? Mexico?
What if you went back?
What could they do?
I mean, it's just
all so un-thought out.
Let's think about it.
We could just sit down
and think about it.
If I went back now,
I'd be right back
where I was,
and that's nowhere.
And I don't mean just jail.
I mean,
there's a nervous breakdown
going on out there,
and I don't want to be
part of it anymore.
Not if I don't have to.
(SIGHS)
I guess in one way or another
I've been headed for this
for a couple of years,
haven't I?
(DOOR OPENING)
(SPEAKING SPANISH)
Let's go.
(AIRPLANE ENGINE STARTING)
SMITH: Come on.
Come on.
Throw that luggage
behind the seat.
(LET ME G PLAYING)
* Maybe
I'll write you a letter
* Maybe I'll give you a call
* Maybe I'll drop you a line
when I'm feeling better
* Maybe I won't after all
* Somewhere
a river is flowing
* Rolling on into the sea
* Somewhere
a flower is growing
* That don't mean
anything to me
* Let me go,
let me go, let me go
* Don't give me the answer
'cause I don't want to know
* Let my heart go on beating
a little bit longer
* I'm so young
* I'm so young
* Don't hold me up
* You think
you see me falling
* I've been waiting
so long to fall
* Don't come to me
* When you think
you hear me calling
* Won't be me that called
* Let me go,
let me go, let me go
* Don't give me the answer
'cause I don't want to know
* Let my poor heart
go on beating
a little bit longer
* I'm so young
* I'm so young
* I'm so young
* I'm so young
* Maybe
I'll write you a letter
* Maybe I'll give you a call
* Maybe I'll drop you a line
when I'm feeling better
* Maybe I won't after all
* Somewhere a river is flowing
* Rolling on into the sea
* Somewhere
a flower is growing
* That don't mean
anything to me
* Let me go,
let me go, let me go
* Don't give me the answer
* 'Cause I don't want to know
* Just let my heart
go on beating
* A little bit longer
* I'm so young
* I'm so young
* Don't hold me up
* You think
you see me falling
* I've been waiting
so long to fall
* Don't come to me
* When you think
you hear me calling
* Won't be me that called
* Let me go, let me go,
let me go
* Don't give me the answer
* 'Cause I don't want to know
* Let my poor heart
go on beating
a little bit longer
* I'm so young
* I'm so young
* I'm so young
* I'm so young
(SCREAMING)
Hold it! Hold it!
Cut it out!
You tell me one point
that is relevant to us...
(STUDENTS CLAMORING)
Everybody
sign the petition here.
Sign the petition here.
Hey, Joe! Joe! Joe!
You got to go to
a meeting tonight.
There's a mass meeting,
8:00 near College.
Hey, you better go
over to the north gate.
Got to make sure
all the petitions
are brought back here.
For God's sake,
will you just go? Just go!
Hey.
Hi!
Hi!
I'll see you back
at the apartment, okay?
Okay.
Hey, William!
A minute!
Hey, Nora, will you
take my place? Wait!
You won't believe
what's happened.
You won't begin to
believe what's happened.
I can hardly believe
it myself. Guess who's
coming to the meeting?
Sidney Poitier.
No, come on. Guess.
You'll never get it,
not in a million years,
but try. Go ahead.
I give up.
Zinovsky!
Zinovsky?
Isn't that something?
And they said I'd never
be able to get him,
that I was crazy even to try.
He's only in town
for three days,
but I picked up the phone,
and I called his hotel,
and there he was.
Oh, my God, William.
I was so nervous.
But I had everything
written down in advance so
I wouldn't make any mistakes.
He was marvelous. Sexy voice.
What do you think
I should wear?
A muzzle.
(LAUGHS)
Will you come?
Where?
To the meeting.
No.
William?
No.
I thought sure
you'd want to
meet Zinovsky.
I've met Zinovsky.
I know I promised
not to ask again, but this
isn't just another meeting.
This is Zinovsky.
I don't know
what to ask him.
I mean in person.
You'll be fine.
Okay?
Okay.
You left the window
open again.
Yeah, I know.
Want one?
Uh-uh.
(SIGHS)
(WATER RUNNING)
Okay, I'll think about it.
Oh, baby, thank you.
Thank you.
I said
I'd think about it.
Why don't you warm
up the water?
I could use a shower myself.
I love you.
Get in there and
warm up that water.
Okay. Okay.
Melvin, wake up. Wake up.
Come on, man. Red alert!
I'm cool.
That's it. Come on.
Hold on. What?
Here you go. Come on.
That's it. Come on.
Come on.
Great. You're doing fine.
I'm gone.
No, no. Over here.
Okay.
Great. See you later.
Take it easy. Yeah.
Oh, man, wow. A dream.
What a fantastic dream I had.
Let me tell you about it.
No, Melvin.
Oh, man, let me tell you.
You'll flip, man.
Your ass, Melvin,
move it out.
I'll swallow my thumb.
JANE: What's
going on out there?
It's Melvin.
Goodbye, Melvin.
You see. Now, will
you please go home?
No place to go.
Rachel threw me out.
All my clothes, too.
What took her so long?
That's what I kept wondering.
I tell you, man, the suspense
was driving me crazy.
Just listen. Let me tell you
about this dream, all right?
Just sit down.
This dream was like a movie.
Titles and everything.
Me, Melvin Lasher,
and the Statue of Liberty.
Isn't that wild?
Opening shot, her face.
Close-up, my face.
I make an opening gambit.
She's unimpressed.
I make my move.
I start at the hem
of her gown. Underneath,
I can feel her legs.
They're enormous, but I keep
on going up the length
of that great, green body.
Soon, I can see her eyes.
Those eyes!
And they're coming to life!
And those breasts.
I mean, did you ever really
take a good look at that body?
She sways, and her crown
kind of tips to one side,
and she drops her books.
Then move for move,
pressure for pressure,
slowly, inexorably
and then uncontrollably,
Miss Liberty...
And that's when
you woke me up.
Gee, I'm sorry
about that, Melvin.
No! I mean, like,
you saved me. Dig?
And destroyed me
all in one beautiful move.
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
Like you were
plugged right in, man.
Like yin and yang.
(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)
Aunt Ruth.
Hello, William.
Come in.
I was in the
neighborhood and I...
How you doing, Aunt Ruth?
Goodbye, Melvin.
Aunt Ruth,
your nephew is beautiful.
He saved my life.
(EXCLAIMS)
Keep in touch.
My clothes. Beautiful.
See you later.
Yeah.
MELVIN: Beautiful.
I hope the car
is safe on this street.
You wouldn't have
any tea, would you?
Yes, I think so.
Sit down, Aunt Ruth.
You wouldn't have anything
to go with it, would you?
Just some chocolate
digestive biscuits.
Never mind.
They're very good.
Sir Francis Chichester,
he couldn't have
made it without them.
I'm exhausted.
I've just been
to see your grandmother.
How is she feeling?
She talked about cutting
you out of her will.
That good.
Well, I must admit you
fixed this up quite nicely.
Very nice indeed.
Thank you, Aunt Ruth.
Very nice colors.
Well, what have you been
doing with yourself?
You're not still a communist?
Milk or lemon?
Milk. You know
what I mean.
What about after graduation?
Have you made any plans?
No.
You have to
do something.
My draft board
will figure something out.
Exactly.
What about law school?
Medical school?
Well, you've got
to do something.
A friend of mine
shot off his toe.
Be serious.
Is that the shower?
Mmm-hmm.
Aunt Ruth, did you
really come here
to discuss my future?
Yes, I did. William,
what about your father?
I mean, he's become
so inaccessible lately.
Since he set up that office
in Darien, he won't come
into the city at all anymore.
He never phones.
What does he do
with himself?
I don't know. He paints.
He reads. He gardens.
He's happy.
When was the last time
you saw him?
A couple of months ago.
Why don't you call him?
All right, I will.
Good.
He must be lonely up there
all by himself in that house.
Perhaps he'll come
into town for dinner.
Why don't you drive up
to see him? Talk to him.
Who would I report back to?
You or Grandmother?
Thanks a lot.
I'm all shriveled up from...
Jane, this is
my Aunt Ruth.
Aunt Ruth,
this is Jane Kauffman.
Hello.
How do you do?
Well, I'd better be going.
It's late. Never mind
the tea, William.
And, William,
promise me
you'll call him.
Yes, I promise.
Well, goodbye,
Miss Kauffman.
Goodbye.
Goodbye, Aunt Ruth.
(LAUGHING)
(BOTH LAUGHING)
You really
are shriveled up.
I know.
Hey, listen. I won't be
able to go to that meeting
tonight after all.
Okay?
Oh!
I have to go
and see my father.
Aunt Ruth really put me down
about how long it's been
since I've seen him.
He gets lonesome
up there.
Oh, come on.
Well, it's been
a couple of months
since I last saw him.
Look, you promised me.
I mean, any other night,
any other night you could see
your father, but tonight...
I mean, you promised.
I didn't promise anything.
I said maybe.
Boy, you're something.
You really are something.
You know,
I don't understand
you anymore, William.
With your toy boats
and your...
Models.
Models!
Your toy models.
Hey, wait a minute.
Jane?
Hey! What time
will you get back?
JANE: I don't know.
Meet you here at 10:00.
10:30.
Okay. Hey, I love you.
Thanks a lot.
(BABY CRYING)
(ROCK SONG PLAYING ON RADIO)
(LOUD CRASH)
(TIRES SQUEALING)
(INAUDIBLE)
(TURNS OFF RADIO)
CROMIE:
Previous arrests?
WILLIAM: What?
CROMIE:
Ever been arrested?
Yes, sir.
Date and charges?
(TYPEWRITER CLACKING)
Last September,
disturbing the peace.
I was in a march at the UN.
And then Chicago, 1968...
I didn't mean that.
I mean
criminal charges.
No, I guess not.
About drugs,
you on anything?
No, sir.
You ever
use anything?
No, sir, I don't.
Methedrine, speed,
bennies?
Nothing. You sure?
Yes, I'm sure.
How about pot?
Ever used pot?
Not tonight. No, sir.
And how about
this driver's license?
You knew it expired.
No, I didn't.
It expired
eight months ago.
Number 3, Hart Hill Road,
Darien, Connecticut.
You live there?
That's my
father's address.
Do you live there?
No, sir.
I grew up there.
Nice country.
Nice homes.
You sure you didn't know
about this license?
Yes, I'm sure.
Some people know.
They just don't
give a damn.
How about these
parking violations?
Twenty-two found
in your glove compartment.
You know about them?
Yeah, I knew about them.
Now, this could be trouble.
AIS report says
"inadequate brakes."
No, sir, the brakes
took hold right away...
I didn't say that.
I said "inadequate brakes"
and "no appreciable tread
on your rear tires."
You'd better call
your insurance company.
They'll want to check it out.
I'm not insured.
That's another violation.
You better make
that phone call.
(TYPEWRITER CLACKING)
What's the matter?
She won't be home yet.
Who?
My girl.
I didn't mean her.
I meant your lawyer
or your father.
Your father has
a lawyer, hasn't he?
Yes, sir, he does.
Well, you'd better
call him.
Right.
I called your Uncle Daniel.
He was good enough to break
away from a dinner party.
Don't worry now.
We'll have you out
of this place in no time.
William.
Uncle Daniel.
How are you?
I'm okay.
We can talk later.
I'm sure you're much
too upset right now.
An accident like this.
It's a very sad thing,
very sad.
Daniel, how much longer
before we can leave?
We can go now.
The bond's been posted.
Everything's been
taken care of.
Sergeant, thanks
for everything.
Why in God's name
are you barefoot?
They got soaked.
And your socks?
I don't wear socks.
Do you own any?
Really, Daniel,
does that matter?
It could
to a policeman.
You didn't make
a very good impression
in there, I'll tell you that.
I wasn't trying to.
All right.
Now, the main thing
is to keep telling yourself
it was an accident.
It was.
No one is to blame.
Did you cry?
Shed tears at any time
at the accident
or since the accident
where people might
have seen you?
No.
Did you kneel
by the body?
No.
Well, did you cry out
or display
any visible grief?
No, I don't think so.
I can't remember.
Well, try to remember.
Daniel, is it really
all that important?
Yes, John, it is.
His reaction
to what happened
is very important.
He's been charged
with vehicular homicide.
The maximum sentence
is four years in prison.
But that isn't likely.
I mean, it won't go
that far, do you think?
Well, in all likelihood, no,
but he has been charged.
The district attorney thinks
he can get an indictment.
The newspapers
will jump at it, prominent
family and all that.
Would it be a good idea
to send flowers
to the Conroys?
Yes, good idea,
but we stay away
from the Conroy family.
Avoid any contact with them.
We'll still have
the civil suit to consider.
Now, take him home with you
until this is settled.
No, I want to go to my place.
Your place?
No, you go home
with your father.
I've got to see Jane.
Look, stay away
from that girl.
In fact, forget about
school for the present.
If it comes to an indictment,
the more shock and remorse
you can prove, the better.
Believe me,
your behavior
from here on in
will be as much
on trial as the details
of the accident.
Do I make myself clear?
Call me tomorrow.
I'll have more information.
(CAR DOOR CLOSING)
JOHN: Right.
(GIRLS LAUGHING)
Dad, I'd like
to tell her myself.
Of course.
You sure it's not
inconvenient,
my coming here tonight?
I'm sure.
I want you to meet her.
Can I get you
some coffee, Dad?
No thanks.
Oh, dear.
You still have it?
It isn't very good,
is it?
I like it.
Well, I've improved
since then.
Is this
the Gipsy Moth?
No, it's over there.
Where've you been?
I need some bread, like now.
Melvin, I'd like you
to meet my father.
Dad, this is Melvin Lasher.
Your dad?
How do you do?
Hey, wait a minute.
Sir, you couldn't lay, say,
$5, $10 on me, could you?
I mean, a handout
from a millionaire.
Even a dime, a penny?
Melvin.
It's not the money, man.
It's the humiliation.
You understand, sir.
(DOOR OPENS)
Hi.
Hi.
Dad, this is Jane.
How do you do, Jane?
How do you do?
Melvin, can I see you
outside for a minute?
Okay, sure.
Lasher's function,
to be thrown out, right?
You see, Mr. Popper,
I perform an invaluable
social service.
Without someone
like me to get rid of
your serious people
would never get
down to business.
Well, it's been a groove.
Perhaps next year
in Jerusalem.
Perhaps.
Hey, he's beautiful.
What's up?
Come on, outside.
What's the matter?
(DOOR CLOSES)
Excuse me.
You have to excuse Melvin.
He's really quite brilliant.
No, really. I didn't think so
either at first, but he is.
He was William's friend,
and then I got to know him,
and we have
two classes together.
Do you and William
have any classes together?
Oh! No, no. We met at SNP.
Won't you sit down?
Students
for New Politics...
Thank you.
...last year while
William was still active.
I guess
you know all that.
Are you still active?
Yes. You know,
it's funny, but when
I first came here I...
I wasn't into anything.
It was William who hit me
to what was happening,
I mean, really happening.
The war research on campus,
the University
Development Program.
Well, William
was into all of that.
I mean, really into it,
and it made me feel
like I had to do something,
you know.
He made me believe
it was possible
to change things.
God, it was exciting.
It still is,
of course, but...
You think
William has changed?
I don't know.
Well, he's gone.
I'd better be going, too.
Jane, I'm glad we met.
Me, too.
Goodbye.
Goodbye.
Thank you.
You get some rest.
I like her, Billy.
I'm glad.
If you and Jane
feel like getting away
for the weekend,
I mean, if you have
nothing else planned...
Maybe we will.
Thanks.
Try not to worry.
Everything's
going to be all right.
Good night, Dad.
Good night.
He's nice.
Yeah, he is.
What's the matter?
I had
an accident tonight.
I killed somebody
with my car.
An old lady, she just
stepped off the curb,
right in front of me,
and it was raining.
I didn't see her until I was
practically on top of her.
It all happened so fast.
Oh!
It was terrible.
Senseless.
I mean, what the hell
was she doing stepping off
the curb like that?
(PEOPLE SHOUTING)
(DOORBELL BUZZES)
(DOORBELL BUZZES)
Yes?
Excuse me, is this the home
of Mrs. Verne Conroy?
She's dead.
Yes, ma'am, I know.
I'm William Popper.
Are you her daughter?
No, I'm her
daughter-in-law.
She lived with us.
You want the daughter?
No, ma'am.
Would you mind
if I came in?
Okay.
MRS. O'MARA: All right,
you get out of here.
You just get out of here.
You got no right to be here.
Go on, get out.
You understand?
WILLIAM: Yes, ma'am.
Just who in God's name
do you think you are?
Go on, get out!
College kids,
with your foreign cars
and your LSD.
You don't know
what you do.
You don't care
who you kill.
That's not true.
Don't think
you can get away with it.
You won't.
I'm not trying to.
There were witnesses.
No, ma'am, there
weren't any witnesses.
Well, we'll find witnesses.
(VOICE BREAKING)
Don't you worry,
we'll find witnesses.
Look, Mrs. O'Mara,
it was an accident,
just an accident.
You killed her.
Yes, I know,
but it wasn't...
You know!
So that's all.
But it wasn't my fault.
It wasn't
through carelessness.
Carelessness, accident,
what difference does it make?
She's dead now, isn't she?
Yes, I know.
Besides, an accident
is still carelessness.
No, ma'am, it isn't.
Accidents just happen.
Just happen...
Well, they're part
of living.
What, do you think
God makes accidents?
Well, I don't believe in God,
but I believe there are things
in which you can't...
I'm sorry.
(HORN HONKING)
An atheist? You told them
you're a goddamn atheist?
I was trying to
explain something.
Loudly and clearly, in
simple, basic English, I said,
"Stay away from the Conroys."
He not only ignores
advice of counsel,
he compounds his stupidity
by announcing,
in front of a nest
of Irish Catholics,
(PHONE BUZZING)
that he is an atheist. Yes.
WOMAN: Your son is here.
Ask him to come in.
When is he going to
see his grandmother?
As soon as we leave here.
Good.
She's been driving me
crazy all morning.
Sorry I'm late.
Cross-town traffic.
All right,
sit down and listen.
Hello, Terence. How are you?
Hello, Uncle John.
Terence will be
handling this in court.
Hello, Bill.
Hi.
Now, then.
No jury trial. A judge.
Why not a jury?
I'll take my chances
any day in front of
the right judge rather than
a bunch of housewives
and plumbers.
The right judge?
I mean, if he appears
before Judge Vogel,
I can say with some certainty
he will not be convicted.
If he appears before
Judge Morrow,
I would say he will.
By all means,
let's ask for Judge Vogel.
It's not that
simple, Uncle John.
The State determines
which judge
will hear the case.
They toss a coin, Dad.
Heads,
Judge Vogel, acquittal.
Tails, Judge Morrow,
conviction.
That's an oversimplification.
Well, whatever it is.
It's the due process of law.
Do you own a suit,
a shirt and a tie?
Yes.
You'll wear them
in court.
The kind of clothes
you are wearing
are not likely to
prepossess a judge
in your favor.
Do you understand?
What about socks?
William,
listen to me.
Keep your mouth shut
and listen.
I do not know what you are.
I can't pretend to
begin to understand,
but I do know what I am.
I am a black
Republican lawyer.
I know it's fashionable
in your set to sneer at me,
but when you got in trouble
you came straight
to the reactionary
establishment bastard, me.
But that's all right.
You're my nephew,
and I'll help you,
but get one thing straight.
In here,
you're not on cloud nine.
You're not having fun
and games at that hotbed of
communism you call a college.
You're in trouble
with the law,
with the law, William,
and that brings you
into my ballpark.
There's an indictment
against you,
so let's understand
once and for all
we're not at some
psychedelic bull session
to play intellectual ping-pong
with abstract ideas.
We're here
to save your neck.
In my ballpark,
you play my game
and we play it my way.
If you don't,
get yourself another lawyer.
Do I make myself clear?
Answer yes or no.
That's not asking
too much, Billy. Is it?
No.
DANIEL: No, what?
No, it's not
asking too much.
It's a reasonable request.
(HORN HONKING)
(CHILDREN CHEERING)
(DOG BARKING)
Go on.
(CHILDREN CONTINUE SHOUTING)
All over the place again
last night, Mr. John.
All those kids.
Did you call the police?
Yes, sir. They were
here, as usual.
Holmes, how's my mother?
Your sister's with her.
John, is that you?
Is William with you?
How are you, Mother?
Hello, Ruth.
My grandson arrested
for murder, and
no one comes to see me.
We were at Daniel's
office, Mother.
MRS. POPPER: William,
where have you been?
I left a dozen messages
for you to come here.
I'm sorry,
Grandmother.
Sorry, indeed.
Did you telephone me?
No.
What did
Daniel say?
Who cares
what a lawyer said.
How are you, Mother?
How are you,
Grandmother?
Will somebody remind
William that I can
always change my will?
Josephine, I assume
the silver's
polishing itself.
No, ma'am.
I was just going.
Have the groceries
arrived?
Yes, ma'am.
I'll be down presently,
just as soon as
I'm finished here.
You don't still check
all the groceries,
do you, Mother?
I most certainly do.
A woman's a fool
if she doesn't.
If you don't know
what goes
into your kitchen,
you won't know
what comes out.
Josephine, you are free
to leave at any time.
(DOGS BARKING)
Quiet! Be quiet!
There's no one out there.
My dogs. I bought them
to protect me from those
little black hooligans,
and last night, they climbed
over the fence and
messed up my garden again.
Could we have some tea?
And then what happens?
Those idiot dogs
attacked the police.
I wanted to put
an electrically-charged
wire around the fence,
and they
wouldn't let me.
Well, you wouldn't want to
electrocute somebody.
Who said anything
about electrocution?
A good sharp jolt
to keep them away.
Tea, Mother?
I heard you the first time.
Tea is at 4:00.
The only thing
you think about
is food.
I'm sorry.
Forgive me?
Well, if you're
going to sulk,
you can leave the room.
Maybe I will.
And if you're going to smoke
any of those cigarettes,
you smoke them outside
in the driveway.
Now, then, about that
Irish woman he hit.
She was probably drunk.
Mother, please.
Don't "Oh, Mother" me.
I know the Irish.
They go to bars
and drink all day,
all night,
and then they stagger
home blind drunk
and throw themselves
in front of
our automobiles.
Surely you don't think
that poor woman is to blame
for the accident.
I most certainly do.
You've never
understood women, John.
They've always been
able to fool you.
Mother, William's car
skidded into her.
If she'd been sober
and alert, she could have
jumped out of the way.
JOHN: Well, at any rate,
we can't prove
she was drunk.
No, we can't,
and we never will.
And you know why?
Because not one of you men
had the presence of mind
to have her blood analyzed.
Don't wag your head at me.
It's the truth.
Now, if you don't mind,
I'd like to speak
with my grandson alone.
Remember, tea is at 4:00.
Yes, Mother.
William.
Why do you insist upon
coming into my home
dressed like a grocery boy?
We're ladies
and gentlemen here.
Yes, Grandmother.
I have been sitting here
all day, all alone.
Well, Aunt Ruth was here.
Now, listen to me.
You must insist
on a post-mortem examination
of that woman,
and you must insist
it be done in front
of a Protestant doctor.
And don't
shake your head at me.
I know the Catholics.
You're just as foolish
as your father.
There's not a drop
of your grandfather's blood
in either of you.
You have no sense
of responsibility.
Look what happened
to this neighborhood
because people
wouldn't stand up
to their responsibilities.
They all cleared out
the minute
the Jews moved in.
Couldn't they see
that the next step after
the Jews is the Negro?
If they couldn't see it,
I could.
Well, if you could see it
coming, Grandmother, why...
Now, I want you to
go down to Wingold
and Dickinson,
645 Broadway.
Ask for Morris Wingold.
He's a private detective.
All we have to do
is find out what bar
that Conroy woman was in
before the accident.
I have no intention of letting
that woman walk all over me.
Grandmother, Mrs. Conroy
is in no position
to walk all over you.
William, if people like us
don't defend ourselves,
then the Catholics
and the Negroes and the Jews
will have the entire country.
Some of my best friends
are Catholics and Negroes.
I know they are.
I know you're living
with that Jewish girl.
Did Mr. Wingold
tell you that?
You don't even
try to deny it.
You're disgraceful.
(SHOWER RUNNING)
When was the last time
you wore it?
When I was
"Clean for Gene" in '68.
It's weird. It was
a costume then, too,
I suppose.
The only difference
is that then I believed
in the role I was playing.
Oh, well.
How's the tie coming?
Well, tomorrow morning
you won't be able
to tell the difference
between me and
my cousin Terence,
but I guess
that's the idea,
isn't it?
Maybe I won't
wear it after all.
Oh, come on.
No. Maybe I won't.
You're hanging up
on details.
Christ, to think that
ridiculous detail
might really be important.
I have to go into court
and play a part
in a stupid charade
to convince some judge that
I'm not really me in order
to receive some justice.
It's a suit.
No, it's not.
It's my bid
for better treatment
because them that
has suits gets it
and them that don't, don't.
All right. All right,
don't wear the suit.
Right.
JUDGE: In addition,
defendant was
operating his automobile
without a valid
driver's license.
While not contributory,
this has bearing
on defendant's
habitual manner of driving
and his attitude towards
traffic regulations.
This bears on
the question of negligence.
Further evidence
on this point,
22 parking violations
found in the defendant's car
at the time of the accident.
We find a disposition
on the part of the defendant
to disobey and ignore
traffic regulations.
This bears on the
question of negligence.
In cases involving death,
the State is not
required to prove
that some extraordinary
or exceptional negligence
has taken place.
Where even a minor degree
of negligence can be shown,
the action may be
determined as criminal.
William Popper,
please rise.
Your crime is one of
the most serious
that a person can commit.
There's no penalty
in criminal
or civil jurisprudence
that can make just restitution
for the loss of a human life.
A woman, a mother,
grandmother,
having spent a lifetime
in the service of
her children, grandchildren,
now ready to reap
the rewards
of a life so spent,
such a woman
has been crushed out of
her God-given existence.
This is the terrible
and fearful consequences
of a young man who,
as testimony has shown,
has clearly and
repeatedly demonstrated
that he is casually
irresponsible and consistently
contemptuous of the law.
William Popper,
can you show true cause
why judgment should not now
be pronounced upon you?
No, Your Honor.
William Popper,
I do find you guilty
of criminal negligence
in the death of
Mrs. Verne Conroy.
Therefore,
I do now sentence you,
William Popper,
to one year's imprisonment
at hard labor.
I'll grant a stay
to give the defendant time
to arrange his affairs.
Bail will be set.
The defendant
will not leave the city
until he surrenders himself
to the sheriff of this county
Friday morning at 9:00.
I'm going to miss you.
JANE: What are you thinking?
WILLIAM: How nice
it is here with you.
It would be nice
to just stay here
with you.
Why not?
It's just for
a week or so.
We'd have to go
back sometime.
Why?
(JANE SHRIEKS)
(BOTH LAUGHING)
I'm gonna miss you.
It'll do you good.
You'll appreciate me more.
Hold still, will you?
I want this to be perfect.
Come on.
Hold it.
(SIGHS)
There.
It should be ready.
PRISON GUARD:
Cell number two.
Watch the gates!
MAN: (CHUCKLING)
Hi, come on in.
You don't mind
an upper, do you?
Well, sit down and
make yourself at home.
First time, right?
I could tell.
The reason I ask is you get
a lot of recidivists here.
You know
what that means?
Yes, I do.
College man, right?
I spotted it right off.
Me, too. Plus one year
of law school, nights.
Moran's the name.
James J. Moran.
How do you do?
William Popper.
Now, do you mind
if I call you Bill?
Good.
First names
and old shoes,
that's me.
Well, what do you think
of our colors?
Psychiatrist's idea.
Supposed to keep us
from getting depressed.
In a way, I suppose
it does. Smoke, Bill?
No, thanks.
I don't smoke.
Smart. Very smart.
One of these days
I'm going to quit myself,
just like that, cold turkey.
It's the only way.
What are you in for, Bill?
Of course, if you'd
rather not say,
I'll understand. I never pry.
Vehicular homicide.
On appeal?
Rather, a certificate
of reasonable doubt
pending appeal, right?
Yeah, that's right.
Well, you'll be
out in a week.
Ten days,
two weeks at the most.
Would you like
a drink, Bill?
Yeah, sure.
Stand over
by the door.
If you see the guard,
just move away, understand?
Okay, Bill.
This is what we call yakydok.
The guys down in
the kitchen ferment it.
Cost me five
packs of cigarettes.
Thank you.
Well, here's to
Old Glory.
Long may she wave
o'er the land of the free
and the home of the brave.
(TOASTING IN SPANISH)
(COUGHING)
It's not a bad prison,
as prisons go. No riots,
not too much buggering.
Still, for people
like you and I, Bill...
Of course, you'll be
getting out right away.
Still, on the other hand,
as my father used to say,
"Treat every experience
like a sweetheart.
Who knows?
"You might wind up
having to get married."
(LAUGHING)
One for the road?
No thanks.
Come on. No one says no
to Senator James J. Moran.
State Senator Moran?
That's right.
I remember
reading about you
three, four years ago.
Yep. We had
seven newspapers then.
Made the front page of
every one, except The Times.
Well, l'chaim.
(EXHALES)
Embezzlement of state funds,
that's what
they called it, Bill.
That's what
they called it.
But there's two sides
to everything,
sometimes three,
sometimes 23.
You know what I mean?
Well, it's ancient history.
Harkins. Richard Harkins!
That name ring a bell?
I used my influence
to get that man
his job, Bill.
He owed me a lot.
And then he turned
State's evidence.
Him they only gave
two years.
Oh! I've done a lot of
thinking here in prison,
and I've come
to the conclusion
that you can trace
all our problems
right back to treachery.
Judas, Benedict Arnold,
Alger Hiss.
Why, if Benedict Arnold
hadn't been a traitor,
who knows,
today we might own Canada.
With the back, man,
with the back.
Don't keep them arms loose.
Keep them stiff.
Get your back into it.
That's more like it.
The first day
always the worst day.
I hope so.
Still, it's better
than sitting inside
doing laundry.
How's that?
Man, we're out of doors
getting all the fresh air,
all the exercise.
(LAUGHING)
Another two or three
weeks, you'll see.
You'll have muscles like me.
(INMATES CHEERING)
Hey, Bill, how goes it?
Getting the hang of it?
Well, I'm doing
my best.
Good.
You got to keep
your sense of humor.
Humor's important.
It's too bad you're not going
to be around here for long.
We have some
interesting types.
You'd be surprised.
A banker, some
corporation executives,
top corporations, too.
Hi, Bill. Hi, Senator.
Hi, George.
Sit a spell.
Rest your bones.
I'm sorry, we can't.
There's someone
I want you to meet, Bill.
No, thanks, Senator.
I'll sit here a while.
I'm really kind of tired.
To each his own.
Hurting bad? Huh?
Yeah, real bad.
Another two weeks
you'll be hard as nails.
Bill, you good
at writing letters?
So-so.
You ever write
any love letters?
Yeah, a couple.
I'm trying to write one.
Sure could use some help.
Sure.
How's this sound?
"I'd like to have you
with me all the time."
That's fine.
And what else
can I say, Bill?
Well, I don't know.
Tell me what she's like.
It ain't a she. It's a he.
It's my boyfriend.
He don't know it yet,
but he's gonna be.
Little blue-eyed boy
works over at the hospital.
He's so cute.
What else
can I say, Bill?
Well...
"I think of you
every minute."
Hey, that's good.
"I think of you
"every minute."
(CHUCKLES)
Could you say,
"You've got the most
pretty face I ever saw?"
Is that how you say it?
No. You'd have to say,
"You've got the prettiest
face I've ever seen."
Hey, give me that again.
"You've got the prettiest
face I've ever seen."
Look, Bill,
I'm no prude.
You know that.
But I feel
I just gotta speak up.
I hate to see a kid
like you from a nice family
getting mixed up in...
Well, after all,
you're only in
for a couple of days.
Why mess around?
Why go out
looking for trouble?
You know what I mean?
No.
Okay. Steer clear
of George Wilson. Okay?
Half the knifings
in this prison
are about sex.
You don't want to be mixed up
in things like that.
Look, he just asked me
to help him with the letter.
Well, you don't have to
help someone
just because he asks.
George Wilson happens
to be a very nice guy.
Have you got
a girlfriend, Bill?
Have you
got a girlfriend?
Why?
Come on, tell me.
Do you?
Yeah.
Well, that's good.
That's very good.
Still, a word to the wise.
You've only got a few days.
Why hang around queers?
You know,
especially that type?
People get ideas, Bill.
They talk.
The truth is
you don't draw
the line somewhere,
you're going to
find yourself mixed up
in all kinds of things.
After all,
it's a prison.
You don't believe me.
All right. I'll prove it.
I'll show you.
Look. Look at these.
A man wants me to buy them.
Can you believe it?
Disgusting.
What woman would pose
for a thing like that?
Disgusting.
Sure, it's hard on us all
not having women around,
but, still, sex can be
a funny thing, Bill.
Thank God I never had
any trouble with it,
but will someone explain
to me what possible kick
a man can get
from another man?
Like I told my eldest,
"Just do like I did.
"Keep your head up and
your fly zipped, and
you won't have any trouble."
GUARD: Hey, you boys
in that shower,
if you're finished
come on out.
Hey, Bill.
Hi, George.
I got the letter
through to the hospital.
Ain't that great?
Yeah, great.
Now I'm gonna get sick
in the hospital,
so I can see him every day.
(LAUGHS)
Hey, you, boy.
Hi, McArdle.
You wrote to him.
It was my boy
you wrote that
stinking letter to.
Your boy?
Yeah, my boy.
Yeah? Now
he's gonna be my boy.
See that?
If you want to play,
let's have some room.
Come on, man.
You bring it, boy!
(GRUNTS)
(GEORGE GASPING)
Guard!
Break it up.
Move! Move!
DANIEL: I've seen
the statement
you've given the warden
in which
you refer to the deceased
as your "friend."
That's right.
When you're questioned
at the hearing
you must avoid that word.
No one will assume
that a habitual criminal
with perverted sexual habits
is your friend.
Certainly, the prosecution
won't bring it out.
They'll attempt
to present you
as a reliable witness.
Friends
aren't reliable?
William, if you want
my advice,
don't provoke me.
Now, then, try to be definite
about the attack itself.
You'll be questioned
closely by the defense.
I've been thinking
about that,
and I don't think
McArdle meant
to kill George Wilson.
Just to scare him.
He's not being charged
with murder aforethought.
But it was more
of an accident.
George had control
of the knife,
then he slipped
and fell on it.
That's just the sort of thing
you shouldn't bring out.
First of all, it's conjecture.
Secondly, you're
a prosecution witness.
But it should be
important.
William, your first
responsibility is
to yourself and your family,
not to cause them
any more trouble
or humiliation.
The law will take care
of McArdle.
You're an impartial observer.
Remember that.
Besides, he's hardly
a man worth helping.
It's not a question
of helping.
It's what happened.
McArdle knew George
could take him.
He must have known that.
William, the warden
tells me there must
have been at least a dozen
witnesses to the murder,
yet you were the only one
noble enough
to come forward.
Now, why didn't
you just keep your mouth
shut like the rest of them?
My God, I don't know
how your father's put up
with you all these years.
Maybe he likes me.
KELLER: Now, then, Popper,
what prompted you
to help George Wilson
write that letter?
He needed my help.
KELLER: But what
prompted you
to help him?
He asked me to.
Why should he ask you?
I don't know.
We were friends.
You got to be friends
in just two days?
Well, not friends,
maybe, but friendly.
How friendly?
I don't know,
just friendly.
Just friendly?
According to your cellmate,
James Moran,
you publicly complimented
the deceased on his quote,
pretty face, unquote.
Moran said that?
KELLER: Yeah. He heard you.
Objection, Your Honor.
I fail to see where
this line of questioning
has any bearing
on the issue of murder.
Your Honor,
I intend to establish
that the witness had
an emotional involvement
with George Wilson,
which would
bring into question
the credibility of
his sworn statement.
Objection overruled.
Proceed.
Did you publicly compliment
the deceased
on his, quote, pretty face?
No, I did not.
I was helping him
write a letter.
You were aware that
it was a love letter?
Yes.
To another man?
Yes.
Are you in the habit
of writing
love letters to men?
No, I'm not.
Did you like
George Wilson?
Yes, I did.
Why did you like him?
He was nice.
Nice to you?
Yes. Nice to me.
In what way
was he nice to you?
He was friendly.
In what other way?
In what specific way?
He taught me
how to shovel coal.
Does that make me
a queer?
Young man, you will confine
yourself to direct answers.
Yes, sir.
In addition to the fact
that he was nice and friendly
and that he taught you
how to shovel coal,
is there any other reason
why you liked George Wilson?
No. No other reason.
In the shower that day,
who was the person
next to you?
George Wilson.
Why was he next to you?
He was taking a shower.
But why next to you?
He wanted to tell
me something.
Then he sought you out.
Yes.
To confide in you.
That's right.
Don't you find that strange?
No.
But I find you strange.
I find this whole
damn thing very strange.
Young man!
Look, I'm trying to
tell you what I saw,
what happened.
Young man,
you restrain yourself.
I don't even think McArdle
meant to kill George Wilson.
Now, how about that?
Isn't that strange?
Objection.
Sustained.
Your Honor,
I think the whole
thing was an accident.
What you think
is not germane.
The look on McArdle's face
when he saw all that blood...
That's conjecture.
Inadmissible evidence.
I'm trying to
tell you what happened.
Inadmissible!
Then what the hell
did you bring me here for?
(GAVEL BANGS)
Young man, that's enough.
I intend to examine
your record thoroughly
before I determine
the appropriate punishment
for this outburst.
This hearing stands
in recess until 2:00.
(GAVEL BANGS)
(SIGHS)
You blew it, kid.
Thanks a lot, Senator.
I'm telling you, Freddy.
It's a sure thing.
It's a gift.
I don't know.
They've been holding
it back all season
to build up the odds.
Believe me,
today they're gonna
let out the throttle.
I don't know.
Who's the jockey?
What does it matter?
Excuse me. Excuse me.
For what?
What's the matter?
I have to go to the can.
Oh, come on.
Who are you kidding?
Look, I'm only human.
I'm sorry.
If you gotta go, go.
So, are you in, or what?
I don't know.
It seems kind of chancy.
It's 40-to-1.
(LET ME G PLAYING)
* Maybe
I'll write you a letter
* Maybe I'll give you a call
* Maybe I'll drop you a line
when I'm feeling better
* Maybe I won't after all
* Somewhere a river is flowing
* Rolling on into the sea
* Somewhere
a flower is growing
* That don't mean
anything to me *
(WHISTLING)
(STUDENTS CHATTERING)
Where's Jane?
You broke out of jail.
Yeah.
How'd you do it, man?
What did you do?
Where's Jane?
She was called
to the dean's office
right out of class.
Come on, let's go.
I am flipping.
I am flipping.
Do you think
she's talking
to the press?
I don't know.
What are you going to do?
I don't know.
Well, you'll need bread.
Here you go,
two bucks.
Oh, no!
What's wrong?
I lost your car. I'm sorry.
I was at this party.
Forget it, Melvin.
At least I know the cat.
I can go back there.
Melvin, forget it.
Just drop it.
Hey, Bill,
you're out.
Yeah.
Great.
See you later.
Now, remember!
If he contacts you,
notify us at once.
Either number.
If you don't, you're liable
to prosecution.
You understand?
* Let me go,
let me go, let me go
* Don't give me the answer
'cause I don't want to know
* Let my heart go on beating
a little bit longer
* I'm so young
* I'm so young
(MELVIN LAUGHING)
Beautiful, man, beautiful.
I just can't get over it.
The window was open, right?
You walk right through.
Yup.
Man, what a prison break
you pulled.
No grabbing the guard,
no carving guns out of soap.
The window's open,
William Popper
walks through it.
Beautiful, man.
That is the...
Beautiful, beautiful.
Beautiful.
JANE: But why?
I don't understand
why, you know?
In a week
you would have been out.
I don't know.
It was open, I went.
Whose car can we use?
If you went back, you know,
if you explained it all to...
I don't want to go back.
Jerry Dempsey.
I don't wanna go back.
Jerry Dempsey's minibus.
It's orange.
We'll spray it.
Melvin, please.
What about the appeal?
What about that?
No, I've blown it.
Are you sure?
Yeah, I'm sure.
Blown it. Believe me,
he's blown it.
Forget about appeal.
That's past history.
He got out,
now he's got to go.
They're after him.
The police are after him.
The fact is you need a car.
You need bread,
and then out, baby. O-U-T.
Someplace. Anyplace.
But you gotta go.
He's right.
(SIGHS)
I've got to go.
Okay.
(DOGS BARKING)
(DOGS GROWLING)
Holmes, Josephine.
Call the police!
The dogs are barking.
We're being attacked again.
(BARKING)
MRS. POPPER:
They're up on the roof.
I can hear them.
Get off my roof,
you hooligans.
The police are coming.
You're going to jail.
Get off my roof,
immediately,
right this minute.
Grandmother,
it's me, William.
William, what are
you doing out there?
Please, let me in.
Not until you tell me
what you're doing out there.
I've escaped from jail.
What?
Please, let me in.
Come in. Come in.
Wipe your feet.
Thanks.
What do you mean
you just escaped
from jail?
Why didn't somebody tell me?
Does your father
know about this?
I don't know.
You haven't called him?
No.
Yes, it's William.
We have to hide him.
He's just escaped from jail.
Go make up the bed
in the fallout shelter.
No, wait, Josephine.
Grandmother,
I didn't come here to hide.
What did you come here for?
Money.
I'm leaving
the country, tonight.
You're what?
I'm leaving the country.
Ridiculous.
Don't just stand around.
Go make up the bed
in the fallout shelter.
No, no. Josephine, don't.
Grandmother, I'm leaving
tonight. I mean it.
That's ridiculous.
I won't stand for it.
You are my grandson,
and you will not
leave the country.
What would
your grandfather do?
Would he run away?
You will stay here
and fight like a man.
I don't want to
stay and fight.
Then you should
have stayed in prison.
Grandmother...
Don't argue with me.
This is nonsense.
You come with me.
Holmes! You, too.
Grandmother,
the police are after me.
Holmes, open the safe.
A Popper afraid
of the police.
I hope you're pleased
with yourself.
You've disgraced
the entire family.
Thank you, Holmes.
Read this.
Read it.
It's my will.
You see, in addition
to the money,
I'm leaving you this house.
When your great-grandfather
built it, it cost $200,000.
You couldn't build it
now for a million.
William, I think this country
is in very serious trouble.
People like us have to
fight to defend ourselves,
and it takes courage.
But that's what's made us.
That's what kept us.
I stood by my house,
and I want you to
stand by things, too.
I know.
But you can't
if you run away.
I'm not running away.
I'm going away.
But that's ridiculous.
Where would you go?
I don't know. Canada.
Canada.
You'll freeze
to death.
Grandmother,
I can't wait around.
Will you help me?
That's all. Yes or no?
But what will I do
with all this?
Who will I leave it to?
Your father?
That daughter of mine?
It's yours.
I don't want it.
Can you understand
that, Grandmother?
I don't want it.
Look, Grandmother,
it's not what you think.
I'm not running away
from a fight.
It's just
not that simple.
It's crazy, but right now
the police are after me
and that's crazy.
And I need your help.
Holmes.
Thank you.
There's $3,000
in there.
I love you, Grandmother.
I'll see you to the door,
Mr. William.
Thank you, Holmes.
(CHILDREN SHOUTING)
Those damn kids
again.
MRS. POPPER: Holmes!
Yes, ma'am.
They're here.
Call the police.
Well, what are you
standing around for?
Nobody listens
to me, nobody.
Holmes, put on
the outside lights.
(SHOUTING)
(DOGS BARKING)
Okay. Okay. But just
for a couple of minutes.
Well, as soon as I can.
Right away.
Yeah. So long.
Here you are.
Registration, keys.
Not bad for
600 bucks, huh?
Terrific.
Only 92,000 miles.
That's the tires.
And don't forget
a lube job
every 15 months,
and the windshield wipers
don't work.
Come along
for the ride?
I'm tempted.
Popper's law.
Always give into temptation.
I don't know.
It's probably
too sane there.
Too rational, you know
what I mean, man? I mean,
what would I do? I'd be lost.
And they put butter
on roast beef sandwiches.
(CHUCKLES)
Take care, Melvin.
Don't worry about me.
Survival of the fittest.
Hey, you really are
William Popper,
high Episcopal,
10th generation.
I mean, you're not just
some sort of ultimate
mind-blowing put on.
So long, Melvin.
Hey, can I have some of
your old dresses?
Like, to sell.
Take care of the guy.
(STARTS ENGINE)
Drive carefully.
Remember
St. Christopher's
been busted.
I'll make it as quick
as I can, okay?
Okay.
DANIEL: Billy!
I'll meet you
downstairs.
Come on inside.
We won't be bothered in here,
not this time of the night.
I asked them to come, Billy.
They're here to help.
You're just not thinking, Son.
You've got to
give yourself up.
Look, Dad, I came here
to say goodbye to you.
Seeing as you're all here,
I'll say goodbye to all of you
right now. That's it.
Wait a minute!
You wait just
one goddamn minute.
You're not going
anywhere, understand?
I'm not going back to jail.
I'm leaving the country.
I got into this mess
in the first place because
something happened by chance,
an accident.
And everything
that's happened to me
since then
has been just about
as absurd.
I mean, I'm sorry about
Mrs. Conroy, but I don't
feel guilty of anything.
Now, you listen.
Going through
that window was wrong.
It was crazy, all right.
So what? I did it.
I followed my instincts.
And right now
they're the only thing
that I can trust.
I mean, consider
the advice that I've had.
How to dress, how to speak.
Cool my friends.
Keep my mouth shut.
Screw the truth.
Now, when I get to Canada,
I'm going to try
and sort this all out,
and I'll let you know
where I'm at.
Because I like to make sense.
I like for
things to make sense,
and right now,
here, for me, they don't.
So, it's Canada
until I can figure things out
for myself.
That's it.
Billy.
What'll you do
about money?
I'm all right.
Grandmother gave me $3,000.
That can't
last forever.
Can we send something
to him in Canada?
I don't need it.
Uncle John,
he's wanted
by the police.
Daniel, can we?
We'll try to figure
out something.
But, Dad,
he's a fugitive.
I've got to go now.
So long, Dad.
Goodbye, Son.
Will you write?
Yes, I will.
I believe
that's for me, Officer.
You know what
that sign says?
Yes, sir.
What's it say?
"No parking.
Loading zone."
You'd better believe
in signs. It costs
money if you don't.
Yes, sir. Thank you.
Just the fuzz
doing its duty.
(SIGHS)
(VEHICLES HONKING)
(SPUTTERING)
(HONKING)
(ENGINE STALLING)
What's the matter?
I don't know.
It's stalled.
What's the matter
with it?
I don't know.
Let's go, you creep!
Let's go!
Okay, okay. I'm trying.
(ENGINE STALLING)
Can't you do something?
(HONKING)
I am.
What the hell is happening?
Let's go! God damn it!
(HORNS BLARING)
Come on, Mac, you're blocking
traffic. Don't just don't
stand there. Move it out.
Yes, I know. I'm sorry.
(BLOWING WHISTLE)
(HORNS BLARING)
(ENGINE STALLING)
Will you get that
thing out of here?
I'm trying.
Stop trying already. Do it.
Push it, man, push it.
(BLARING CONTINUES)
Push it over there.
Get it over to the right!
To the right!
Okay, you call a tow truck
and get this out of here.
Yes, sir.
And if it's not
out in 15 minutes,
I'm going to have the
Department tow it.
You understand?
Yes, sir. Right away.
Okay.
Thank you.
(OFFICER BLOWING WHISTLE)
Let's get outta here.
(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)
Wait here.
Come on.
What happened?
That car
you bought us, man.
It died.
Yeah? Where?
Someplace downtown.
Come on, we got to
go get another one.
Yeah, sure. Right.
Tonight, Melvin.
Right, right.
We gotta get out of here.
Wait a minute.
What if this one dies?
Wait a minute, I'm serious.
(SHUSHING)
Melvin, come on.
Okay. No car.
What?
MELVIN: No car.
WILLIAM: Hey!
(CAR DOOR CLOSING)
Hello!
Excuse me.
We're looking
for a Mr. Smith.
Mr. Harrison sent us.
He's a friend
of Mr. Lasher.
We want to fly to Canada.
Well, it'll cost.
How much?
Two passengers?
Yes.
$1,000.
Okay.
Now.
Okay.
You show up here
Wednesday morning
at 6:00 a.m.
Wednesday? We have
to go now, tonight.
Well, I'm sorry.
I got a flight to Mexico
first thing in the morning.
Canada is
on Wednesday.
But we have to go tonight.
That's the whole idea.
Forget it.
That is, unless
you want to go to Mexico.
Does that make
any difference to you,
Canada or Mexico?
When?
Couple of hours,
more or less.
Okay.
Still two passengers?
Yes.
Mexico's another $500.
(SIGHS)
I think you're going
to like Mexico.
Hey, where are
you going?
No, no, no.
You stay here.
There's a cot
and a hotplate
over in the corner.
Live it up.
Hey, wait a minute.
Hey, come on, man,
I got things to do.
You're not
my only love affair.
Relax, I'm under 30.
You can trust me.
(DOOR CLOSING)
(CAR DRIVING AWAY)
Do you want some coffee?
Well, like the man said,
"What difference
does it make?"
Canada? Mexico?
What if you went back?
What could they do?
I mean, it's just
all so un-thought out.
Let's think about it.
We could just sit down
and think about it.
If I went back now,
I'd be right back
where I was,
and that's nowhere.
And I don't mean just jail.
I mean,
there's a nervous breakdown
going on out there,
and I don't want to be
part of it anymore.
Not if I don't have to.
(SIGHS)
I guess in one way or another
I've been headed for this
for a couple of years,
haven't I?
(DOOR OPENING)
(SPEAKING SPANISH)
Let's go.
(AIRPLANE ENGINE STARTING)
SMITH: Come on.
Come on.
Throw that luggage
behind the seat.
(LET ME G PLAYING)
* Maybe
I'll write you a letter
* Maybe I'll give you a call
* Maybe I'll drop you a line
when I'm feeling better
* Maybe I won't after all
* Somewhere
a river is flowing
* Rolling on into the sea
* Somewhere
a flower is growing
* That don't mean
anything to me
* Let me go,
let me go, let me go
* Don't give me the answer
'cause I don't want to know
* Let my heart go on beating
a little bit longer
* I'm so young
* I'm so young
* Don't hold me up
* You think
you see me falling
* I've been waiting
so long to fall
* Don't come to me
* When you think
you hear me calling
* Won't be me that called
* Let me go,
let me go, let me go
* Don't give me the answer
'cause I don't want to know
* Let my poor heart
go on beating
a little bit longer
* I'm so young
* I'm so young
* I'm so young
* I'm so young