Halls of Anger (1970) Movie Script

Jenny! Jenny!

Jenny: Alan!

Hi, how are you?

Okay.

How are you?

Fine.

What did you do

this summer?

Jenny: Oh, visited

my grandparents

in Woodstock,

and went to that festival.

It was really great!

How about you?

Alan?

Hi, Mr. Davis.

Hello, Jenny.

I'm in your class

again, Mr. Davis.

Wasn't once enough?

Mr. Davis!

Yeah?

Principal would

like to see you.

Oh, thank you, Jenny.

Sorry, fellas, got to go.

Oh, come on,

Mr. Davis.

Maybe tomorrow.

Saved by the bell.

Oh, Mr. Davis.

Thank you for coming.

From the board

of education,

Mr. Cargyll.

Hi.

Hi, glad to see you.

And Mr. Willis.

How are you?

I'm well.

Let's see, now, must be

eight or nine years

since I saw you.

The all-pro game

when I was in New York.

Sit down, gentlemen.

Tell me, Mr. Davis.

Do you know Lafayette

high school?

Downtown? Yeah.

Cargyll: It's a fine

physical plant.

And the board thinks

you'd be very good there.

But I have sort of

settled in here.

I know it's rewarding here.

But it can be rewarding

there, too.

If we promoted you,

to say, vice-principal?

But I like teaching.

You could still have a couple

of english classes.

Mr. Cargyll, may I ask

you a question?

Why are you being

so good to me?

Well, to be frank with you,

we have a situation

down at Lafayette.

They have reapportioned

the district

and they transferred

200 white students in there.

First time

in five years.

Two hundred white kids

and 3,000 black, eh?

You're already a day

late in opening.

Gentlemen, I can't say

I don't know what

you're talking about.

But it seems to me

that what you need

is a professional

disciplinarian.

Not an english teacher.

I think I better pass.

Mr. Margolin,

I understand you have

a new science lab.

I'd like to see it.

Yes, yes, of course.

Excuse us, gentlemen.

Quincy, you don't want

to go back there,

do you?

Why?

I already told you why.

I wonder if there

isn't another reason.

I don't have to give you

all my reasons.

Sure, you don't.

Especially the real one.

All right.

I don't wanna go back

to the ghetto.

It took me 20 years

to claw my way

out of there.

So, what do I wanna

go back for?

We need you

down there.

They need me here.

These kids never

see a black face.

Do you?

Hell!

White man makes it,

nobody comes running

asking him to go back.

White man goes,

he's gone!

You are not

a white man.

So?

How far would

you like to make it?

Principal?

Big wheel downtown?

Maybe.

You buck the board

of education now,

and you'll never

get anywhere.

They'll freeze you

in your tracks.

Like I said,

they need you

down there.

Not here.

* do you hear it?

* can't you hear it?

* reachin' out to you

* trying to

touch your hand

* asking you

to understand

* do you see it?

* see it

* can't you see it?

* see it

* reachin' out to you

* trying to

show your eyes

* trying to

make you realize

* rising

* like a muddy river

* falling

* falling like

the evening sun

* don't you

hear me crying?

* crying out

to every brother

* telling it

to everyone

* telling it

to everyone

* telling it

to everyone

* do you feel it?

* feel it

* can't you feel it?

* feel it

* can't you feel it

in your heart?

* asking for love

to start

* reachin' out to you

* do you hear it?

* you can hear it

in your head

* do you see it?

* you can see it

with your eyes

* can't you feel it?

* you can feel it

with your heart

* all around you

* asking for love

to start

* reachin' out to you

* oh, yeah, yeah

* reachin' out

* reachin' out to you

* oh, yeah, yeah, yeah

* reachin' out to you

* oh, listen to me,

yeah, yeah

* reachin' out to you

Hey, save it.

All right.

Who's that?

Say, man.

Ain't you Quincy Davis?

Yeah.

What you doing

down here?

Teaching.

You kidding.

I'm not kidding.

Hey, man, you know

who that is?

That's Quincy Davis.

Dunk one, quince.

Quincy: I haven't

known to miss.

Whoo!

Vanilla ice cream.

And I'm gonna

take me a big lick!

Anyone of them niggers

give me any crap,

I'll lay 'em out.

You do that, leaky.

Yes, sir, white folks.

This is the plantation

sure enough.

But miss Scarlett,

she ain't up yet.

Now, look

who's here.

They done sent us

our token white.

Honkies with their

wrinkly white asses.

I thought

there'd be 200.

Where's the rest

of them?

Here's the rest

of them.

How did they get out?

How? Some move,

some went

to private school.

Some kids suddenly came

down with heart trouble

and can't travel.

Would you believe,

27 requests for

classical Greek?

Ah, these will get

washed up on the shore.

I suppose

their parents couldn't

find the escape hatch.

Maybe some of them

didn't want to.

They were those who

were trying,

but in the last

couple of years,

everything's become so

complicated down here.

That's why I asked for...

For someone like you.

I know

you didn't like it.

I'm adjusting.

I knew you would.

And frankly, I'm sure

it is going to be

a learning experience

for both of us.

However, in order

to teach we have

to stabilize things.

Stabilize?

Well, as vice-principal,

your main job is

to prevent trouble.

Keep the lid on it.

After all, we don't want

the stew boiling

all over the stove.

Well, doesn't that

more likely to

increase pressure?

I mean, maybe there

are other ways.

Look, Mr. Davis,

let's be practical.

We have a school to run.

I think it's best if we let

the rules guide us.

But we also have

to teach.

Of course.

And in order to teach,

we have to prevent trouble.

Let that be understood,

Mr. Davis.

Well, I understand.

It's your school.

I don't think,

I'm gonna like it here.

Hey, what do you know?

A, a, b.

A, b, a.

All a's and b's.

Doug, baby,

you must have kissed

a lot of behinds.

You got a big mouth,

don't you, leak?

I never got an a or b

in my whole life.

Beautiful, beautiful.

I don't think

I'm gonna like it here.

Look, why don't you wait

and see, huh?

Hey, don't tell me

you wanna be here?

Look, I'm not

knocked out about it,

but I'm gonna

make the best of it.

Look, no diploma,

no college.

I'm not gonna be

punching machine like

my old man all my life.

How come you

couldn't get out?

Well, my parents tried,

but there were too many

Caucasian transfers

already.

The board of education

put the brakes on it.

Yeah, well, we're all

in that bag.

Stuck.

Uh-uh, no, no, no.

What do you mean?

This here fountain's

for blacks only.

Yours is in the back.

Keep your eye

on that one.

J.t. Watson.

He's no good.

Well, I wanna thank you all

for letting me take a part

of your lunch hour.

Sure, I haven't

covered everything.

Whatever I've left out

was no accident.

I don't know

anything about it.

Anyway, we'll be

going over all this again

in greater detail

before I start

giving you orders.

Thank you very much.

I'm Rita monahan.

History.

Good to have you

with us.

Thank you.

We need dedicated

black men like you

down here.

It's very important.

Mmm-hmm.

Tell me, how are the kids

taking to history?

Not bad.

As long as you don't...

Oh, how shall I put it?

Make excessive

demands on them.

They really

make no demands,

just stretching

their muscles.

That's very good.

But before the negro

can enter the mainstream

and gain upward mobility,

he must have...

Tell him how

sympathetic you are

to the black problem

later, Rita. Excuse me.

Ivan Fowler. Civics.

Hello, Fowler,

how are things going?

Well, it's always

been tough to teach

at Lafayette.

Now, with

the white kids.

Yeah.

Frankly, I'm afraid

the place is gonna explode.

Hey, nothing's gonna

explode, Fowler.

Harry greco.

Hello.

What department?

Well, you might say

I teach conduct.

I'm the security

guard here.

Ernie: Hey, Harry.

Better be careful how

you handle that thing.

You might shoot

your pecker off.

Oh... now you're

a real riot, McKay.

Or shouldn't

I say "riot"?

Excuse me.

Sure.

Ernie McKay,

head jockstrap.

I could tell.

Listen, don't let

them rattle you.

There's a lot of

potential down here.

A lot of talent.

The things is,

you gotta find a way

to deal with it,

to channel it.

Must be frustrating.

Oh, stick around,

you'll find out.

Hi, there!

Now, here's a man

with real potential.

Selling real estate.

Right, Phil?

Phil Stuart. Algebra.

Look,

I gotta do something

to earn money?

Yeah, sure.

Come on, I'll introduce

you to a teacher.

Mr. Davis, miss Nash.

Hello.

Excuse me.

See you around.

Right.

Nash? Lorraine Nash?

Mmm-hmm.

I hear it's easier

to get into fort Knox

than dealing this class.

Oh!

I can see why.

What did you say

your name was again?

I can't remember.

Coffee?

Thank you.

Well, welcome

to Lafayette.

We can sure

use the help.

Where's it most needed?

You're looking at it.

Well, I'll do

whatever I can.

No, no. You see, we only

handle situations now,

we don't settle them.

So, when this year

is over, I leave.

You're not gonna go

and leave me here

all by myself, right?

I know that hasn't

happened to you much,

but you'll live with it.

Okay, turn 'em off.

Turn 'em off.

Sit anywhere for now.

I'll assign seats later.

Wait a minute.

I don't wanna sit

next to him.

This cat smells

like tuna fish.

Lerone: Hey!

Get off my chair!

This is my chair!

Sabin: Your momma smells

like tuna fish.

Students: Oh!

And that's my name.

We know who you is, man!

You're the quince.

Don't call out.

My name is Mr. Davis.

And I'll be teaching you

english 11b.

Nineteenth century,

American literature.

Oh, darling, oh!

Come on, settle down,

settle down.

Yeah, you two.

Now, the curriculum,

calls for us to start

with the early poets.

Men like

William Cullen Bryant,

Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Waldo!

Quincy:

John Greenleaf whittier.

And James Russell lowell.

Aw, shit!

Them old mothers again?

I know they're not

on your top 40.

Now, most of these men,

like, James Russell lowell,

though they lived over

100 years ago...

Say, what do you think that

James Russell whatever cat

would have done

under the boards

against bill Russell.

Hey, man. What's the most

you ever scored in a game,

man?

Hey, didn't you play

in the Olympics?

Come on now,

not now.

Knock it off!

All right.

Knock it off.

If you want,

we'll talk basketball

later, all right?

Now, we're talking books.

I bet you were better

than any white cat

in the game.

Weren't you?

I didn't think so

against Jerry west.

Okay, back to work.

Now, like everybody else,

these writers had

their own special bag.

Quincy: Some of them were

called transcendentalist.

Be back in a second.

Hey, man.

Let me sit next

to the brother here.

What?

Sit next

to the brother.

Dig?

Yeah, sure.

There you go, man.

I wanna sit next

to the brother.

Why are you standing up?

Why don't you take a seat?

I forgot

where it was.

And I thought

all you honkies are

supposed to be so smart.

Knock it off, j.T.

You're not taking

the honky's side

against us, are you?

Next thing, you'll be

calling me a white racist.

Okay, back to work.

The book

we'll be reading

is the house of

the seven gables

by Nathaniel hawthorne.

Are you Mr. Davis?

Yes.

Police.

You know him?

No. But I'm new here.

Excuse me.

Miss Nash, do you know

this young man?

Well, I'm not sure.

He looks familiar.

We thought

he might've gone

to school here.

Who's it?

We don't know.

He looks about 16,

so we figured he'd be...

Wait a minute!

Ellis. Deroy Ellis.

Lorraine: He was

in my home class,

but he dropped out

last year.

What's wrong

with him?

He's dead.

Burglary.

They had to shoot him.

Lorraine: Oh, no!

Nothing they could do.

He had a gun.

But he was a baby!

He had a gun.

We'll look him up.

Thank you.

Excuse me.

God, if I don't

get out of here.

Look, I... I know

how you feel.

No, you don't.

You know,

I'm still hungry.

Damn!

Hey, hey, Carter!

Carter!

Shane was trying

to score with

your chick, man.

Hey, j.T.,

what's happening, man?

Martin!

What's happening, man?

Nothing much.

Do you like it

here, man?

Yeah, yeah.

It's okay.

Listen, do me a favor,

will you?

Sharpen this for me.

Sure, j. T.

Hey! Hey, Martin!

Do you mind?

Thanks, man.

So, coach knackers comes

storming out of the door

and he raises his leg...

Screaming

and shouting.

It splits

right down the middle.

It wouldn't be so bad,

but he had on

flowered shorts.

Pink flowered shorts.

Okay, settle down.

Quincy: Okay, okay.

Let's settle down.

First page,

house of the seven gables.

First row, first seat,

Fairchild.

"Halfway down a by-street

"of one of our

new england towns stands

"A roust...Rusty,

rusty wooden house

"with seven...

"Accurate, accurate..."

"Acutely."

Oh, "acutely," yeah.

"...acutely peaked gables,

"facing towards..."

Thank you, Fairchild.

You'll have

to work on it.

Next.

"...various

"points of the

"com-pass.

"The street is

"Pynch..."

"Pyncheon."

"Pyncheon street.

"The house is the old

"pyncheon house."

All right, Mae,

thank you.

Johnson.

So far this is

one hell of a story.

Johnson.

"The...

"A... the ass."

That's what it says.

"The aspect."

"The aspect of the...

"Nebanale...nevanable."

"Venerable."

That's what that was?

I know that word.

"...venerable mansion

has always...

"Aff-lected

"Affected?"

"...me like a human..."

Did you prepare this

last night?

I did.

Hmm.

I'm playing, for real.

All right.

Next.

"...bearing the traces

not merely of outward

storm and sunshine,

"but expressive also,

of the long lapse

of mortal life,

"and accompanying

vicissitudes that

have passed within.

"Were these to

be worthily recounted,

"they would form a narrative

of no small interest

and instruction,

"possessing, moreover,

a certain remarkable unity,

"which might

also seem the result

of artistic arrangement.

"But the story would

include a chain of events

"extending over

the better part

of two centuries,

"and, written out with

reasonable amplitude..."

All right. Thank you.

That's enough.

Say, man.

Say...

You a surfer?

A what?

A surfer?

Uh, no.

I thought

all you white boys

were surfers.

You know what

they call this table?

What?

Rhodesia.

That's funny.

Well, I have

been trying to

laugh about it.

Hey, you got

your congas, man?

Yeah.

Hey, you too?

What you got

on your mind?

Nothing big.

We just going to blow

black on some folks.

Right on.

I told you I didn't

want trouble here.

Quincy: I know

what you told me,

Mr. Wilkerson.

There's only one thing to do,

get rid of that j.T. Watson.

Now, look, I don't like

this kind of thing

any more than you do...

By tomorrow we probably

will have a dozen

white parents down here,

yanking their kids

out of school.

Do you want us to

lose our federal money?

But nobody...

We've got to get rid

of trouble makers.

No one was hurt.

Now, you throw Watson out,

you throw him

on the garbage heap.

Mr. Davis, we can't

worry about every kid

who refuses to fit in.

But we'll only be

passing the problem

onto the streets.

There's got to be a way

to reach these kids.

No one can.

Then what are

we here for?

That's not what I meant.

I mean...

There are some kids who

just can't be reached.

Then will you let me try

and do something

with this one?

You know, if you fail,

it's your responsibility

not mine?

Let me try.

Boys: One, two, three...

Not bad.

How you doin', j.T.?

Doin' good.

Nice out here,

isn't it?

Yeah.

That's what you came

out here to tell me?

Oh, no, I came out here

'cause I wanted to

get a sun tan.

Yeah, me too.

You're cool, man.

Real cool.

Thanks.

You know, I mean it.

Checked your record.

Lots of ability.

Lots of brain.

That's cool.

But throwing away diploma

just to blow black

on some white kids,

that's not so cool.

All you want to do is

protect them honkies.

Man, you got honkies

on the brain.

Yeah, well,

your crazy if you think

sixty devils going

to come in here

and make it, Jones.

They are here.

Now, be cool.

Don't get yourself booted out

just because you got

a thing against whites.

Look, they don't want us

in their schools,

we don't want them in ours.

How's it going?

Fine.

As long as we stay

in the reservation.

I'm hip.

Look, it's not

going to be easy.

Some of the teachers

can help.

But I'm afraid you're

going to have to handle

most of it yourselves.

Yeah, but it's hard.

Sure.

Just because

you're outnumbered,

I don't want you

to start feeling

that all the black kids

are down on you.

That's the way

I find it so far,

Mr. Davis.

Good.

Now, there's always

somebody who wants

to play hard.

So, you got

to be with it.

How?

Well, for instance.

If you go to

the washroom,

it's always a good idea

to go in pairs.

Going alone is the easiest way

to get shaken down

for lunch money.

I go to the toilet

only at home.

Now, remember...

If you ever have trouble,

stand up to it

right away. Okay?

If you do need me,

give me a blast, huh.

Hey, any volunteers

for the John?

Move it out.

You Mr. Davis?

Yes.

Well, I'm rodger

Perkins' father.

Rodger...

No, no, look. I don't want

to make any long speeches.

I want to get my boy

out of this place.

Rodger.

Let's go.

We're going home.

Well, I don't understand,

he's doing fine.

Doing fine? Things are

running wild down here

with you people.

What people,

Mr. Perkins?

I think you know what

I mean. Come on...

Pa, I'm doing okay.

Shut up!

Now, listen.

I pulled some strings

with a councilman I know.

It's all taken care of,

Mr. Davis.

Mr. Perkins, there are

problems here, sure.

Just as there are

out there.

Oh, yeah? Whose fault is it,

all these problems,

Mr. Davis?

Good question.

Well, you worry about it.

No.

You better worry

about it.

Mr. Davis. Sir!

It's your...

Oh. Well, thank you.

Oh, sir.

You got a minute?

Sure. Sure.

At my old school

I played basketball.

Yes?

Well, the trials are

coming up next week.

I thought I might go in

for the team.

Well, I don't know, Doug.

It's a chance.

Yeah, it is.

Now, remember

what's happening.

I don't know, man.

I don't dig the scene.

We are supposed

to be playing ball.

Man, when I was a negro

I had white friends,

but I'm a black now,

I ain't got none.

So, don't uncle Tom me,

you hear?

Cool?

Coach: Squad one and two.

Let's go!

Let's go. Let's go.

Hi. How's it going?

Hi.

J.t.

Get it, Rick!

I think you better

get him out of there.

Coach: Okay,

squads three and four.

Coach: Come on, junebug!

Move it. Get in there!

All: One kick, two kick,

hop, turn.

One, two, three, kick.

One kick, two kick,

hop, turn.

Halt! Jumping Jacks.

One, two, three,

four, turn.

One, two, three,

four, turn.

Six more for daddy.

All: One, two,

three, four, hey.

One, two,

three, four, hey.

One, two,

three, four, hey.

One, two,

three, four, hey.

One, two,

three, four, hey.

One, two,

three, four, hey.

One, two,

three, four, hey.

One, two,

three, four, hey.

One, two, three...

Johnson...

Don't you have

Mr. Stuart's class

right now?

Yeah, but I had to study

for a test, Mr. Davis.

Oh, come on, man.

You ain't studying

nothing but the foxes.

Mr. Stuart, he's...

Well, there's

the bell.

Johnson,

you come along with me.

I can't.

I got to go to work.

Come along, Johnson.

You got time

to study the foxes,

you got time for me.

It will only take

a minute. Come on.

But I got to go.

Come on, Johnson.

I thought that's what

them dudes do only

after they get rich.

Uh-uh, even low life

slum niggers likes them.

Come on, amory,

let's go.

Why don't you sisters

stop woofing on people?

Why don't you

just cool it?

Cool it?

You're always talking

about being black.

Soon as one of you niggers

see a little white stuff,

you go up in smokes.

All that "black is beautiful"

turns to bull shit.

Come on, she's crazy.

Yeah, go ahead, run.

Take your little

miss clairol with you.

Not any kid can

keep a class laughing

the way you do.

Must be pretty sharp,

have good tools.

Well, that's true,

I've a pretty good tool.

Well, how come

you can't read.

You know

I don't know.

Come on, man,

you do.

I don't remember.

Well, you better

call your boss

'cause we are going

to be here for a while.

Sit down.

I never got around

to it, okay?

How come?

I don't care.

Well, I care.

Now, you're going

to read.

Oh, man, what for?

You know as well as me,

long as I shows up here

you gotta promote me.

That's the way

it is down here.

I don't give a damn

how it is down here.

You're going to

learn to read.

What? This here

is a baby book

I know, I know.

But we are going

to start here and

work our way up, lerone.

I'll tell you what.

Take it home with you

and start reading tonight.

I gotta...

I don't want any

arguments about it.

Why do I have

to read this?

Don't ask any questions,

just do what

I tell you. Okay?

Quincy: Yeah, and there goes

your ball game.

Yeah.

Hold on a second,

will you?

Where did

you get that?

In a trash can.

Hey, let me

call you back, eh?

Yeah.

I gave it to Johnson,

so he could learn

how to read.

If the other kids

saw him with it,

he'd never live it down.

The three little pigs

just doesn't work here.

Then what does work?

Welcome to the club.

How do I get

him started, huh?

He's been going to

school for 11 years

and he can't read.

I mean, you can just see

how bright that kid is.

And that's what hurts.

This place is

like Disneyland.

One teacher walks

around eating carrots.

He doesn't care,

so why the hell

should the kids?

Monahan, she thinks

she's some kind of

missionary down here.

Sets no standards.

'Cause she's just so sure

us niggers can't learn

nothing anyway.

And wilkerson...

He'd like to put bars

on all the windows.

Christ!

Must be a way.

Maybe.

But when you've

banged your head

against the wall

as long as I have,

you'll feel the way I do.

And I'm going

to be retired

before I'm 30.

All: * three, four

gonna make that soar

* five, six...

But couldn't you have

picked a captain?

No. They wanted you.

Now, come along.

Hi, girls.

Hi, delores.

Hi, Angie.

Good afternoon.

How are you today?

Fine.

All right, girls, let's do

but can you dig it okay?

Girls: Okay.

He's gorgeous.

Keep quite.

He might hear you.

Can't help it if

I dig older men.

All right, girls,

do your thing.

All right, set,

one, two.

* something inside us

won't let us rest

* but can you dig it?

'Cause our team

is really the best

* but can you dig it?

Going in and out

of our minds

* but can you dig it?

Going...

Now, that one

will be better.

* but can you dig it?

Mighty lions are

what we are called

* but can you dig it?

Step aside and

give us the ball

* but can you dig it?

Here tonight looking

brave and bold

* but can you dig it?

Hey, the mighty black

and the gold

* but can you dig it?

Hey, the mighty black

and the gold

* but can you dig it?

Hey, man,

what's going down?

What do you mean?

You know what

I mean, man.

You keep your eyeballs

off our women.

Do you mind

if I breathe?

You're a smart dude,

ain't you, man?

* but can you dig it?

Hey, the might black

and the gold

* but can you dig it?

Hey, the might black

and the gold

* but can you dig it?

Come on, man.

Somebody's coming.

Let's go.

Don't touch me,

I don't want any

of you near me.

Okay, kid.

Take it easy.

I'm getting out of here.

All right, kid, okay,

we'll talk about it later.

I don't want to talk

about it later. I want

a transfer right now.

Doug, listen to me.

There are

no more transfers.

You'll have to wait

till next term.

I'm sorry.

You mean

I gotta stay here

after this, huh?

If you want

to graduate.

You know I'll help you

as much as I can.

Man, you discriminate

against me,

just like they do.

I mean, you downgrade

my papers,

you're not giving me

the grades I deserve.

Man, you discriminate

against me

'cause I'm white.

Now, Doug, stop.

'Cause I'm white.

Stop getting paranoid.

Yeah, 'cause I'm white.

Now, look...

Don't tell me

about discrimination.

You know

how I see it?

Just don't.

You know how I see it?

They can't stand

being shown up.

They quit before they start,

so they take it out on me.

And you're doing

the same thing.

Man, you guys really

stick together,

don't you?

Oh, you're all alike.

All right. That's it.

Break it up.

It's all over.

Let's go.

Defending

the white folks.

Man, you just like them

darkies on TV.

Gang up time,

eh, j.T.?

Real tough.

Oh, look man.

Why don't you just

hustle on back

where you came from.

We got these honkies

on the run down here.

You know...

I don't even remember

liking this stuff.

Maybe it's because

of that kid I didn't eat

anything but.

Go on.

I grew up playing

basketball right

around the corner.

Where?

Oh, you know

I made a... a hoop

from a clothes hanger.

Attached it to a lamp post

so I'd have enough light.

I'd be out there shooting

10, 12 hours a day.

Even in college

it was all basketball.

Seven days,

40 hours a week.

It was my whole life.

Dint you ever do anything

but play ball?

Nope.

Oh, sure the coach said,

"education came first."

But you won

or you're out.

I mean, books,

forget it.

I never read a thing

I wasn't forced to

until one day

I picked up a copy

of treasure island.

You know, I stayed up

all night reading it.

Got so caught up in it

I couldn't stop.

And then I just read

myself right through

the public library.

Books, I mean,

just blew my mind.

And after that,

well, I took

a different road.

Because you didn't want

other kids to miss what

you had found, right?

No, I never thought

about that. I...

Yeah, I guess so.

And look where it got you,

Lafayette high school.

Could be worse.

Could it?

Oh, come on.

You're a teacher.

Oh, well, thank you

for telling me,

Mr. Davis.

Where have you been?

I've been there

four years.

And I'm telling you,

it is hopeless.

Okay.

There are no answers.

And nothing

works down there.

Well, damn it.

Let's find something

that does.

Are you kidding?

With those

old fogies downtown

running the show?

Oh, they are riding

into the sunset.

Well, they are taking

their own damn sweet

time about doing it.

Look...

I don't know

what the answers are,

but I tell you one thing,

if the mold

doesn't fit the kids,

then maybe we should

break the goddamn mold

and save the kids.

Oh, Mr. Davis.

Yes.

Rodger thornbush.

The state board

of education.

Hi.

The story of my life.

You don't know

why I'm here.

Well...

I'm conducting a test.

Test?

What sort of test?

Simply trying to

Gauge the comparative

achievement levels

in some of our schools.

We... we sent you

a letter about it.

Oh, yes.

Mr. Thornbush,

I'm sorry,

but I'd rather not.

I mean, this test may

do something for

you and the board,

but not for my class.

Mr. Davis, I have

my instructions.

In that case,

I'll have to take it up

with the principal.

I already have.

Now, do you

all understand?

All I want is

a simple definition

for some words.

We'll start with

this young lady

and work back.

"Collateral."

"Collateral." uh...

Uh...

Uh-uh.

Next, "utopia."

"Utopia"?

"Utopia."

That's some kind of, um,

special place, like, uh...

I don't know.

Next, "incentive."

Goal. Motivation.

Very good.

Next, "turgid."

Oh, yeah, yeah!

I know. He's the kid

who lives upstairs.

Mean mother.

Next, "thermofax."

Man, how come every test

we get these same old

bullshit words?

Mr. Davis.

Yes?

Next, "automated."

Oh, man, leave me alone.

Ask the honkies.

Next row, "escalation."

I think that's enough

testing, Mr. Thornbush.

Mr. Davis,

I haven't finished.

Oh, yes, you have.

Now just a...

Mr. Davis!

Okay, okay.

Now, I know that test

shot some of you down,

but just because you

don't know the meaning

of words like "thermofax"

and "utopia" doesn't mean

you can't cut it.

It all depends on what's

been available to you.

What you're into.

Whether your folks

come from Connecticut

or Georgia. Dig?

Now, just to show

you what I mean,

let's have another go

at a test that's

not in the book.

Carter.

What's a lowrider?

Why, everybody knows that.

That's when you got you

a Batmobile,

and you set it down

low to the ground,

and take off!

Sabin. What's "going

into a nod"?

It means you're

on the drugs, man.

Doug, who was

Wallace d. Fard?

I don't know.

Dupres.

Well, that's the cat

that started the muslims.

Who's irvine?

He... he's the fuzz.

What's "working the roof"?

That's old folks

casting spells.

Who died on February 21st?

Uh, Malcolm!

Students: Malcolm.

Swahili for "good morning,

what's happening, man?"

Blowing your box?

Playing am and fm.

Mat and tat?

Ma and pa.

A hog?

A Cadillac.

And what's lye

and potato peels

used for?

That's for

frying your cock.

Okay.

Okay, so now we know

just how much you

all have on the ball,

but you're gonna have to

have a lot more.

'Cause there's all kinds

of books and ideas

and words.

And you're gonna learn

about them, all of you,

black and white.

And there will be

no exceptions

and no excuses. Clear?

Beautiful.

Hi, Mr. Davis.

Hello, Greg.

Afternoon, Johnson.

Hi, Mr. Davis.

How is everything?

Fine.

Glad to hear it.

Well, listen, I've got

some reading to do.

Reading?

Is that right?

Uh-huh.

You know, I'm very interested

in your reading, Johnson,

tell me about it.

Look,

there ain't nothing to tell,

I'm in a hurry, Mr. Davis.

Why?

I've got a class,

the teacher's a hard-nose.

Oh? Who?

You.

That's right,

isn't it?

I mean, if I'm here,

you can't be late,

can you?

By the way, I wanna

see you after class.

Okay, I'm gonna be there.

And you promise?

I promise I'll be there.

Johnson, don't let me down.

I'm not going to

let you down.

I cross my heart,

hope to die...

You're gonna be there?

Stick a needle in my eye.

I'm gonna be there.

All right, Johnson.

All right.

Go on then.

Mr. Johnson.

Look, that wasn't

no grass you saw

me smokin'.

That's not what I want

to talk to you about.

Oh, I've gotta be

at work by 5:00.

I know.

What kind of work

you do, Johnson?

Cleaning out air-conditioning

ducts downtown.

Is that what

you want to do?

Look, if you white, you write,

if you brown, hang around,

but if you black, get back.

That's where it's at.

Not if you push

your way to the front

and hold on tight.

Oh, yeah, I know.

It's been done.

Sure.

You're gonna tell me

about bill cosby,

Carl Stokes and o.J.,

but you cats are

super-spooks.

You'd make it

anywhere, anytime.

All I'm asking you

to do is try,

and you can't try

until you know

how to read.

I'm makin' it!

Like hell.

Hey, man,

cut me some slack.

Why didn't you read?

Oh, man, not that damn

baby book again.

It's no baby book.

Then it's

William Cullen Bryant.

Every time I hear

one of them dudes with them

three names, I goes under.

Come on, Johnson,

it's not what you think.

I'm not reading this book.

Read.

"He pulled her to him,

"her body soft

"but firm.

"Then he felt

"the press

"of her full,

"heavy..."

Read, Johnson.

"Her full,

"heavy breasts

"and heard her sigh

"with pleasure.

"He felt the

"warmth

"rising into his

"lions"?

"Loins."

"...into his loins

"And kissed her.

"She..."

Oh, man, you've

gotta be kiddin'.

Read, Johnson.

Okay with me.

"She reached for

"His manhood

"and gasped

with delight.

"Outside,

the trees shook

in the wind."

Oh, god, no.

"'I didn't know

it would be like this,'

she whispered.

"He had never known

a woman so..."

"In-sati..."

"Insatiable.""

"insatiable.

"'Softly at first,'

she moaned.

"The moan rising as

her body clung to his...

"As her body clung to his,

"her silken thighs writhing

"her fingernails clawing

his back."

Oh, man.

Davis: Come on in.

Well, what can

I do for you?

Uh, I just thought

I'd sit in

and listen a while.

You know.

Me too.

Mmm-hmm.

Well, if you wanna stay,

you gotta play.

Rules of the game.

That's it.

Go ahead.

"As their desire

"reached its

"pi...

"Pi-pineapple?"

"Pinnacle."

"...pinnacle,

"her whole body

"shuddered against his.

"'Don't stop,'

she cried."

Go ahead, I'm listening.

"Suddenly,

he felt a strange

"sen..."

"Sensation."

"Sensation.

"She had taken

"a piece of ice

"and jammed it

"into his flaming flesh."

"It was the most

exci...Exciting thing

"he'd ever seen.

"He felt a...

"Powerful longing

"in his

"lions."

"Loins."

"In his..."

All: "Loins."

"...in his loins."

That was pretty good,

Jimmy.

Next time we'll do

even better.

Okay, now let's try

something else.

A writer by the name

of d.H. Lawrence.

Anybody?

I want you

to start right here.

"He took her

in his arms again

"and drew her to him,

"and suddenly

she became small

"in his arms,

small and nestling.

"It was gone,

"the resistance was gone,

"and she began

"to melt in

a marvelous peace.

"And as she melted

small and wonderful

"in his arms,

"she became infinitely

desirable to him.

"And she felt him like

a flame of desire,

"yet tender,

"and she felt herself

melting in the flame.

"She let herself go.

"It came with a strange

slow thrust of peace,

"the dark thrust of peace

and a ponderous,

primordial tenderness,

"such as made the world

in the beginning.

"She dared to let go

of everything,

"all herself and be gone

in the flood.

"She was gone,

she was not,

"she was born a woman."

Man, that's beautiful.

Hey! Hi, Mr. Davis.

J.t.

How's about a little game?

Looks like you've

got enough already.

No, no, no,

a two-man game.

Just you and me.

Some other time.

Ah, you might be too old

some other time.

Come on, let's see

if your gun's still loaded.

Hey, man,

give me that,

give me that.

Hey, yeah,

keep scores, man.

Scores and time.

Yeah, all right.

Come on, quince!

Quince got two, man.

Right on!

All right!

All right, j.T.

Two all.

Come on, quince,

you can do better

than that!

Crowd: Aw...

Crowd: Oh!

Don't worry about it!

Don't worry about it, j.T.

Put him

in the popcorn machine.

Go ahead, j.T.

Go ahead.

Pop him, go ahead,

pop him in...

Eight-two, baby, eight-two.

Give me another one, j.T.

Hmm, looks like

they got a little

something going.

Goodnight, Phil.

I'll see you, Boyd.

Yeah.

Yeah!

All right! All right!

How come you're

not watching

the playoff?

The what?

The generations are meeting

on the basketball court.

Boy 1: That was a foul!

Boy 2: Come on, quince.

Boy 3: Come on, quince!

Boy 4: Looking good.

Looking good.

Boy 5: Come on, quince!

Come on, quince!

Boy 5: Come on, quince!

Come on, quince!

Oh, come on!

Come on, baby, come on!

Girl: Come on, quince,

come on.

That's right, quince,

you got it.

Tied score.

We need a basket.

Come on, j.T.,

get him, man, get him!

Come on, quince!

Davis: The little bastard.

He nearly ruined me.

Here.

What?

Put your feet in.

Huh?

Go on.

No...

No, I mean it.

Go on, it's great.

No.

Really?

Really.

Well...

Okay.

On the rocks?

Yeah.

Mmm.

Thanks.

Come on in.

Hmm?

Come on in,

the water's fine.

No.

Come on in.

You've got to

be kidding.

No, I am not.

Haven't you seen any

of those Japanese movies?

Yes I have, but you

ain't no Japanese,

and that's a fact.

Get your feet

in the water?

Wow.

Hey, that's really great,

you know?

Oh, man, it's not bad,

it's hot!

Hey! Watch that.

What?

You're not some kind of

sex-maniac, are you?

Yeah, didn't you know?

You know, it's funny

to see you laugh.

You're always

so serious down at work.

Yeah, I didn't know

how lonely I was

till I came down here.

Well, I'm glad

you're here.

What with parties

and friends...

Well, what did you say?

I said, I'm glad

you're here.

Then why are

you leaving?

Quincy,

don't do that to me.

That magazine job

pays good money.

So?

I need you.

I don't want to be needed

for any school.

Who said anything

about school?

Go dry your feet.

Carter?

Huh?

No cheating.

That's not cheating, man.

That's co-existence.

And bring your

papers with you.

What's up?

I finished this

screwed up test

a long time ago.

You come with me.

You're on your own

till I get back.

All right. What game

are you playing?

Man, what are you

trying to lay on me?

You know what I mean.

You got a 3.4 average,

that test was

a pushover for you.

Oh! Come on,

it was a drag.

You come with me, huh.

Do something with that.

Huh?

I want you to

paint a mural.

A what?

A mural.

Come on, man.

That ain't my thing.

Don't "shuck" me, j.T.

I've seen your stuff

and I've checked with

your art teacher.

You can paint up a star.

What, angels and chairs?

Come on, man, get off it.

Nothing like that.

I'm talking about a wall

of respect. Black heroes.

Crispus attucks, nat Turner,

Benjamin banneker, Frederick

douglass. Anyone you want.

And you can

take all the kids

you need to help you.

Yeah, but, hell,

man, the man he...

I'll take care

of the man.

You take care

of the wall.

All right?

Sorry about that.

Wait a minute.

Hold on, sister.

Hold on.

See, this here gesso

it seals the wall.

Dig?

Uh-huh.

All right, well, unless

you really lay it on heavy,

it ain't gonna seal.

And the paints gonna...

It's gonna seep in.

Oh... oh, I get you.

All right, okay.

Don't be afraid.

Go on.

How am I doing?

Out of sight.

Give me that,

would you?

Man, that don't look

like no mural to me.

You got to lay

the gesso on heavy

for a free drawing.

Then you got to draw

the perspective lines.

Otherwise you get

all messed up, man.

You dig?

I'm a free soul, man.

I don't see how come

we just don't go ahead

and paint the mother.

Girl: Will you leave

him alone?

Hi!

You get the message?

Not bad, huh?

Yeah, but there's

somebody left out.

Jimmy: Who?

Uh, John brown.

Hey, who that hunky?

That's no hunky.

That's John brown.

Even Malcolm dug him.

Damn it!

Hi.

Oh, say, listen.

Yeah?

What's the difference

between a cosine

and a tangent?

What?

All term long they've

been busting my back

with cosines and tangents.

And every time

I think I got it right,

I got it wrong.

Yeah, let me see it.

It's a lot of crap.

Oh, maybe old Johnson

would know.

Hey, Johnson.

Give me a hand here, man.

I'm a having a...

What do you say, leak?

Nothing.

Nigger lover.

Oh, lerone,

that's wrong.

Let me show you.

Watch.

Have a triangle, right?

Black power.

The only power they got

is in their pants.

Will you

knock it off, huh?

After what they did

to you, you're still

sucking up to them.

Look, man. I'm not

crazy about them all,

but I got to live here.

Oh, yeah? Well, I don't.

I'm getting out of this

one way or the other.

Hey, Johnson.

You... you got a minute?

Yeah, okay, man.

We'll see you.

Yeah, I got it.

Yeah, okay.

What you want?

Come here.

Come here, come here.

Listen, uh...

You got any chicks?

You know, a hooker.

No.

Come on, man.

You must know a hundred

colored chicks selling it.

Hey, man.

What's the matter

with you?

Hey, quit it, would you?

Leaky: Goddamn...

Hey.

Break it up, break it up.

I said, "break it up".

Damn, nigger!

I'll show you!

God, you want

to hit somebody?

Hit me. Go on.

Stop!

Stop it. Stop!

Stop it.

Lorraine: Stop it!

You'll hurt him.

Stop it.

You black bastard.

Somebody!

Stop it.

Lorraine: Stop him.

Bastard...

I'll give you

a goddamn Korean war!

Stop it.

Davis: No, it wasn't

Johnson's fault.

I don't care,

they both go.

Mr. Wilkerson,

if that kid can graduate,

I can get him...

We can't have them here.

I'm begging you.

Don't waste it.

When are you

going to learn.

This wouldn't have happened

if you got rid of that

j.T. Watson when I said.

Look, I can't afford to

have any more trouble here.

The newspapers and television

live on this sort of thing.

I have a reputation

to maintain.

Reputation?

Yes, a reputation.

And I'll not have it

said that Boyd wilkerson

can't control his school.

What do you

control this for?

So, I can get out.

I'm not wanted down here.

There's an opening on

the board next year

and I'm getting it.

And what do we

do till then?

These kids are

calling for help now.

What are we going to do?

I'll tell you what

you're going to do.

You're going back

to teaching.

From now on, there'll

be no more murals,

no more sex books.

No more basketball games

with the students.

We're going back

to the rules.

They don't work anymore.

I'm warning you,

Davis.

You do it my way or

you're out of the system.

We're going back to

established procedures.

To hell with

established procedures.

They are dried up

and they don't work.

We have got to

find new ways.

Ways that will

give these kids

some kind of a chance.

What's going

to happen?

What happened?

Kick them out?

Johnson too?

Mmm-hmm.

But that ain't right.

This never

would've happened

if we got rid

of them honkies.

That wouldn't have

changed a thing.

Not for any of you.

Hell! You thought

he found his mind

down here?

You thought

he could do something?

But when

push comes to shove,

you can't do nothing.

Well, I know what

I'm going to do.

Quincy! Where you going?

I don't know.

I'm just getting

the hell out of here.

You just can't go away.

Why not?

What's the use?

Please, listen to me.

Quincy.

Now, you once told me

that if I left,

it was like

telling those kids

that there was

no way out. No hope.

Well, now I'm telling you.

You can't leave.

The hell I can't.

Look, they got

their indifference

and their hate.

So what do they

need me for?

* do you hear it

* can't you hear it

* reachin' out to you

* trying to

touch your hand

* and asking you

to understand

* you gotta understand

* reachin',

reachin', reachin'

* reachin' out to you

* tell me

* do you see it?

* can't you see it?

* reachin' out to you

* trying to

show your eyes

* trying to

make you realize

* reachin' out to you

* you know

you got to realize

* life is

* rising like

a muddy river

* falling

* falling like

the evening sun

* crying out

* they're crying out

to every brother

* to every brother

* telling it

to everyone

* to everyone

* reachin',

reachin', reachin'

* reachin' out to you

* do you feel it?

* can't you feel it?

* can't you feel it

in your heart?

* asking for love

to start

* asking for

love, love, love

* reachin' out to you

* feel it, feel it, feel it

* whoa, yeah

* feel it in your heart

* asking for love

to start

* reachin' out

* to you

Hi.

Tell us something.

Yeah.

Something personal.

Like what?

We wants to know

you blonde all over?

Hey! Hey, now look.

Hey, come on.

Let me through.

Hey, come on.

Don't do this.

Please don't.

Oh! Stop it.

Stop!

Stop, stop.

Stop or I'll...

Stop it.

Girl: What did I tell you?

Why don't you go back

where you come from, boy?

Oh, come on.

We don't

want you down here.

You honkies have

given us enough trouble.

Look, I had nothing to

do with Johnson getting

kicked out and you know that.

Girl: No, don't.

Boy: Punch him, j.T.

Punch him!

Hit him, j.T.

Break it up.

Stop it.

That's enough.

Stop it.

I want to see you both

in my office.

Quincy: Everybody,

back to class.

I want no honkies.

We're not going

nowhere.

Right on!

Strike!

Students:

Strike! Strike!

Stop it.

Strike! Strike!

That's enough. Now cut up.

Now cut it out!

Everybody,

back to class.

Strike! Strike!

Boy: I'm gonna kill

that goddamn honky.

Come on, fellas.

Now... now, boys!

I'm on your side,

but we cannot have this.

I demand that you return

to the class.

Students:

Strike! Strike!

Black power!

Power!

Strike! Strike!

Listen to me, all of you.

This is not a jungle.

I warn you.

Get inside, all of you,

or every single ringleader

will be expelled.

I warn you.

Get inside, all of you.

For the last time,

get inside or

I'll call the police.

Let me handle this,

will you?

You failed, Mr. Davis.

You failed me,

the school, everybody.

Mr. Greco,

call the police.

You don't give a damn,

do you?

Whether these kids

push brooms

or park cars

for the rest

of their lives.

Well, I do.

You're just serving your

goddamn time down here.

Get out. You're through.

One of us is through.

All right.

I'm asking you now,

go on back in there.

He's whistling

the same jive as them.

Listen to me now.

Listen... listen to me.

Listen! Listen to me!

Listen to me, will you?

Listen to me.

Listen, will you?

There's something

in there we need.

Man, why don't you

drop all that Tom jive.

That's right, sabin.

Something you need,

something we all need.

'Cause without it,

you ain't never

gonna make it.

Now, listen to me.

I know

things ain't the way

they ought to be yet.

But let me

tell you like it is.

The beginning.

The first step is in there.

Now, I know,

maybe some of you

don't want it at all.

Maybe some of you

are willing to give it up

just because

of a few whites

in your class.

Well, you going

to have to learn.

That white ain't right

and black ain't right.

Only right is right.

We've got one chance now

to make this place work

for all of us.

But I can't do it alone.

I need you.

Need any help?

No.

We can handle this

by ourselves.

Quincy: Johnson!

Get on in there.

All right.

I'm going back, man.

But I'm going back for

my thing. Not yours.

Well, that's fine, j.T.

You think you had

a hassle with me,

wait till you get

my kid brother.

Not me, man.

I've had it.

You won't graduate.

I don't care.

Then what?

I don't care,

I tell you.

Now, you listen to me.

You have

never understood why

so many black kids give up.

Well, you're doing

the same thing.

Don't, man.

It's not the same...

Well, damn right it is.

And you've only had a taste

of what they've had to live

through all their lives.

Maybe now you understand

why they're so full

of anger.

What it takes to

be black and survive

in a white world.

Come on, man,

don't con me.

Everybody knows they

had to drag you down here.

You're dying to get out.

I'm staying.

Well, I can't.

I've tried.

Then try again.

Aren't they for this?

Maybe and maybe not.

Sure, they're not going to

throw their arms around you.

You'll still be

a white kid

in a black school,

but at least they'll

respect somebody who

has the guts to say,

"I have the right

to be here."

Hell, they've been

saying that for a long,

long time themselves.

* rising

* like a muddy river

* falling

* falling like

the evening sun

* can't you

hear me crying?

* crying out

to every brother

* telling it

to everyone

* telling it

to everyone

* telling it

to everyone

* do you feel it?

* feel it

* can't you feel it

* feel it

* can't you feel it

in your heart?

* asking for love

to start

* reachin' out

* to you

Halls of Anger (1970) - full transcript