The Slasher (1953) - full transcript

Not tonight he won't.
Not if I can help it.

[ Lady singing ]

Ow!

Help .. help!

Do you think she'd know me?

I had to hit her Walshie
or she wouldn't leave go.

I don't like hitting 'em, Walshie.
- Ah, shut up.

Give me that bag.

How much is there?
- Twenty-five bob.

We'll go 50/50. Here you are.

Fifteen bob for me, ten bob for you.
- Thanks a lot, Walshie.



Cor, she didn't half scream, didn't she.
- Ah, the silly old cow.

That copper must have been just
round by the pub. - So what?

Come on, let's get out of here.

Here.

You take this. I don't want it.

Alright, alright.
What are you scared about?

I ain't scared only I wish you'd do
the coshing sometimes, Walshie.

Now listen.

I do the planning and you do
the coshing and we go 50/50.

That's fair, isn't it?

Yes, sure Walshie.
- Alright then. Now shut up.

Okay.

Now remember, if your mum asks we stayed
to see the big picture round again.

Okay.



You got it all sewed up,
ain't you, Walshie.

I know the game.

I bet them coppers ain't
half in a state, eh.

Coppers? A bit of brain.
That's all you need.

Fool the coppers any day.

Come on.

Now just a minute you two.
Where have you boys come from?

Been to the pictures. Any objection?

Recognise them, constable?

I wouldn't swear to it sir,
but I'm fairly certain.

What time did you leave the cinema?

I don't know. What time was it, Walshie?

About ten minutes ago.

No we're off home. Come on, Alfie.
- Oh no you don't.

Let go of me you dirty ..
- Heh, what's this?

Alright. Put them in the car.

My mum says I've got to be home by ten.

No. No, let go of me.

I ain't done nothing wrong.
- Come on. - Let go!

You realize don't you Mrs Walsh
just how serious this matter is?

Happily, the victim of the
assault was not gravely injured.

But that was more by
fortune than design.

Well, what have you to say to me?

It's evident.

The Inspector says that
the boy is mixed up in it.

Mrs Walsh.

I can't hear a word you are saying.

I'm sorry, sir. I'm not used to ..

I've never been.

I suppose you ..

Really want to tell me that
your son is a good boy?

Yes, sir. He'll have never
done a thing like this.

Not by himself. I just know he wouldn't.

You heard what Wimbush said about him.
- Oh yes.

His employer gives him a good character.
His mother stands up for him.

He's not known to the police.

A good boy, in fact.

Until now. Is that it?
- Yes, sir.

And who do you suggest
has let him stray?

Collins? Is he the ringleader?

I don't know, sir. I don't want to.

According to Mrs Collins,
her boy has been led astray too.

I never meant you to
think sir that I was ..

Quite, Mrs Collins. You weren't trying
to put the blame on Walsh, were you?

No, sir. I'd never do a thing like that.

I'm quite sure you wouldn't.

Very well.

Have you anything to say, Collins?

It's all been a terrible mistake.

And you, Walsh?

All I can say is sir, that ..

I am very, very sorry and
it will never happen again.

Very well.

Is Mr Easter in court?

Yes, sir.

These two boys are first
offenders it appears.

At least it's the first time
they've been found out.

I've no doubt in my mind that one is the
ringleader and deserves more punishment.

I have my own idea as
to which of them it is.

But failing more sure evidence, I must
give them both the benefit of the doubt.

Are you willing to be put
on probation, Collins?

Yes, sir.
- You, Walsh?

Yes, sir.

Very well.

I shall put them on probation
to you for one year, Mr Easter.

Very well, sir.

Next case.

It was nice of you to speak
up for Roy Mr Wimbush.

That's alright.
- Ha!

I'm glad Alfie got off too.

No thanks to you.

I didn't say anything ..
- Oh no, you didn't say anything.

No. "My boy wouldn't hurt a fly".

"Somebody must have put him up to it."

"My Roy's a little angel."
Like hell he is.

Now half a minute.
- You shut your gob.

A fine pair you two are.

Your kid goes around bashing old women.
- That's not true.

Oh isn't it? Well go back and ask
the beak who he thought done it.

You go and ask.
- I don't need to. I'm quite sure Roy ..

Don't say it. Don't say it.

Now now, Mrs Collins. That will do.

Off you go now and take Alfie home.

I've had a talk with him and Roy and see
they understand what's expected of them.

I hope so anyway.

I can look after Alfie.
I don't need your help.

The sooner you start the better.

Thank you for nothing.
Come on, Alfie.

Get along home
- Goodbye, Alfie.

What about Roy?

He's coming back to the garage with me.

Really? That's splendid.

I've told him and Collins I'm arranging
for them to join the local youth centre.

Give them somewhere
to go in the evenings.

I'm sure Roy would like that.

Well, It's worth trying anyway.

Go along, Roy.

Yes, sir.

Goodbye, Mum
- Goodbye, dear.

And thanks for sticking
up for me in there.

It won't happen again, I promise you.

Okay, son?

And thank you, Mr Wimbush.

Come on then.

Well, I shall be coming to see
Roy of course from time to time.

You'll be very welcome, sir.

But you must do your part, Mrs Walsh.

Don't be too easy with him.
Keep a firm hand.

He needs it.

I'll try.

You're off to work now, are you?

I work at the Modern Caf?. I said
I'd be there in time for luncheon.

Yes.

Well, goodbye then.

Goodbye.

And thank you.

That's the boy.

That's right. Hold him down.

Jim, don't let him get you.

Hello, Walshie.
- Hello.

Yeah, Alfie has just been telling us.

Mucked up things proper, ain't it.

A year. Cor ..

Three times a week at the
youth centre, eh Walshie?

Knitting bed-socks for auntie?

Here, watch out old
Easter don't cop you.

You got to be a good boy now, you know.
- Yeah, that's what he thinks.

My mum says he's worse
than a copper. She reckons ..

Stop about your mum.
If she kept her mouth shut ..

And what about yours?
Who told the police ..?

Well shut up about both of them.

Who's the boss around here anyway?
- It will be difficult for you, Walshie.

Now listen.

I'm running this gang.

I always was and I'm always going to.

Anybody who doesn't like it that way
gets that around their kisser, see.

Alright Walshie, keep your hair on.

Yeah, but we can't do no jobs
can we? What about old Easter?

Think I can't fool that old coot?

I had him and Wimbush and the old woman
sobbing their hearts out this morning.

I wish I could have done
that with my mum.

Why, what did she do?

Just gave me a sock on the
jaw and went off to the local.

What to do, Walshie?
What are we going to do?

We don't do nothing.
Not for a couple of months.

By then you'll all be
coming to the youth centre.

Eh? What, us?

But why, Walshie?

Alibis. That's why.

We'll do the jobs from
there and alibi each other.

I've got it all worked out.

Here, copper coming.

Okay, split up.

I'm off home.
- Cheerio, Walshie.

Gran, you'll ruin your eyes.

Roy is late.

I hope he's alright.

Of course he's alright.
Don't fuss, girl.

Mr Wimbush was so
kind to him this morning.

He's had too much kindness.

That's half his trouble.
- He's not looking well, Gran.

You don't think the garage is
too much for him do you?

They don't know what work is these days.

Eight hours a day, five days a week.

It makes me laugh.
- He's only a boy really.

You can't expect him to
take life seriously at his age.

My boys started taking
life seriously at 14.

And that includes your Dave.

It didn't do them no harm.

If only ..
- Now then. None of that.

You only lost one.

I lost all four.

It won't do no good to brood
on it. I can tell you that.

No it won't, will it.

Hello, Roy dear.

Gran told me all about it.

I'm so glad you got off.

Trust you.
- Yeah.

He had a bit of trouble.
- Oh, I'm sorry.

Roy. I want you to meet a very
dear friend of mine. Mister ..?

What's your name, ducks?

Uh .. Smith.
- Of course.

Silly of me. I never can
remember names. Well ..

Give my love to your mum, dear.

Yeah.

Here he is.

Hi, Mum.
- Hello dear.

Is everything alright?
- Yeah.

I feel dead tired though.

Well, your supper is all ready.

I've got some good news for you.
Mr Easter has been here.

Oh? What did he want?

He's fixed it all up for you
to join the Youth Centre.

Well, I suppose I'll have to go.

There's gratitude for you.
- Roy, it will be nice.

He's been telling us all
about it, hasn't he Gran.

They have people come to give lectures.
- Yeah?

They have games as well of course.
- Yeah, tiddlywinks and blow-football.

They have concerts too and dances.

Dances?
- Once a month.

All the boys take their girls.

Dances, eh?

And what sort of dames go there?

I bet it ain't like the Palidrome.

I didn't know you went to the Palidrome.
- Didn't you?

Well I have. Any objection?

No dear. Of course not.

It's just that.

Well I thought I might have
heard about it. That's all.

From me, you mean?

Yes.

Or just heard about it.

Well, who else if not me?

Roy, really.
- Have you been spying on me?

No dear, of course not.
Don't be so silly.

What are you getting at then?

Who else could have told you if not me?

Well, who else?

Well, I thought the man on the
door might have mentioned it.

He comes in the caf? quite often.
He knows you by sight.

Bob Stevens? The chucker-out?

He's not the chucker-out.

He is the assistant manager.

And he is a very nice man.

What the ..?

Have you gone nuts?

Roy.

What is this?

What's going on here?

Have you been going
out with Bob Stevens?

Well, why shouldn't she?
- You keep out of this. - Look here.

A kid like you. Talking like
that to your own mother.

Mother? Ha. A fine
sort of mother she is.

Well, I'll tell you this.
I'm not standing for it, see.

You bring Bob Stevens into this
house and I'll get out for good.

Roy, don't talk so silly.

I never heard such a fuss about nothing.
- Nothing? You call it nothing?

An old woman like you going
around with that .. - Old woman?

Roy, don't be silly.

I'm not forty yet.
- Well that is old, isn't it?

Of course it isn't.

Plenty of women don't get married
at all until they get to my age.

And have babies, too.
- Shut up!

It's horrible.

Roy, really.

I tell you I don't want to
hear no more about it.

Let me tell you something else.

You bring Bob Stevens
here and I'll kill him, see.

I'll kill him.

Roy.

And then you really will have
something to worry about.

So now you know.

Don't you.

Excuse me, please.

Hello Brian.

Excuse me Mr Beverley, but have
you got the prize for the spot waltz?

Oh yes. Here it is.

Thank you, sir.
- Everything alright out there?

Going fine. It?s an
"excuse me" dance next.

Your girl here tonight, Brian?

You bet, sir.
- Good, good.

Alright, sir.

So you think it's working
out do you, Beverley?

I think so.

I'm a bit doubtful about
Roy Walsh, I must say.

He's the clever one.

Collins is just an overgrown urchin.

Yes. It's hard to judge in a
couple of months of course.

Do they attend regularly?
- Yes. Fairly regularly.

They shy off at the first hint of
anything faintly educational.

Well, let me come.

I think I can do something with Collins.

He even introduced two
new members last week.

Oh? And Walsh, has be brought anyone in?

No. He brought a boy with
him tonight as a guest.

By the name of "Skinny" I gather.

Skinny?

Where did you leave the bikes?
- Outside. Behind the fire escape.

What's yours like?

A Rudge, drop handles.
Cream with white mudguards.

Okay. Got your cosh?

Yeah. A new one. Made it last
week in the leatherwork class.

How long do you reckon you'll be gone?

Twenty minutes. We'll make it snappy.
- Don't worry. We'll hold the fort.

They won't miss us.
- With all this going on, who's to know?

Why don't you cut in, Alfie?
Lost your nerve?

Who's that?

Do you know her?
- Know her?

Cor, that's rich. That's Rene.
- Well, who the hell is Rene?

Don't be soft. It's only my kid sister.

What are you talking about?
You ain't got no sister.

Ain't I?

Well, that's who my mum says it is.

Why did you never tell me about her?

Why should I? She only came home last
week. She's been down in the country.

Okay. We ain't doing the job.

Eh? You said ..
- I said we ain't doing it.

See you later.

Okay, mine.

Got a nerve, haven't you?
- It's an "excuse me" dance, isn't it.

Yes I know, but ..
- Who's that you were dancing with?

Brian? Oh, he's just a fellah.
- Did he bring you here?

What if he did?
- He ain't taking you home. That's all.

Oh, isn't he?

We'll see about that.

Come out here.

What do you think
you're going to do now?

Talk to you.

Any objection?
- I suppose not.

What about?
- Well.

Alfie has told you all
about me I suppose?

How should I know?
- Well, I'm the ..

I'm Roy Walsh.

Pleased to meet you.

What am I supposed to do,
faint or something?

Okay, skip it.

You work in a shop or something?
- I'm a sales girl.

Where?
- Arcadia Stores.

Want to know all about me, don't you?

Yeah.

You don't want to go
back in there, do you?

Well of course I do. I'm enjoying it.

Besides, Brian will be
wondering where I've got to.

Brian.
- He's a very nice boy.

Training to be an accountant.
- Yeah?

Then he'll buy you a
pearl necklace I suppose?

I shouldn't be surprised.

Listen .. you stick with me and
you can have a pearl necklace.

What you talking about?
- I mean it.

You come out with me and I'll
get you anything you want.

I've got brains, see. I'm not like
the others. I'm going places.

I'm going to be a big-shot.
- What, you?

Yeah. And I'm not going to
work my guts out either.

I know the tricks, see.

What you going to do?
Rob a bank or something?

Yeah.

Now maybe that's what I will do.
- I'll bet.

And then you'll wake up.

Screaming for your mum.
- Shut up!

Let go!

You don't know all the tricks, do you.

Big-shot.

How did you do, Walshie? What's
the matter? Wasn't she having any?

Here, you won't be mucking her about ..
- Shut up.

Where is Darkie?
- Dancing. Why?

We're doing the job.
- Eh?

But you said ..
- I said the job's on.

Go on, you and Alfie get going.
I'll see you below in a few minutes.

It's okay, come on.
- Take it easy. Don't hurry.

Get after Darkie when he finishes.

If anyone asks, just say we're
around somewhere, see.

Yeah. Left it a bit late now
haven't you, Walshie?

I know what I'm doing.

Okay, be seeing you.

I shall not half cop it from my mum when
she hears about Walshie and our Rene.

Don't worry about that now.

I know, but she ..
- Alright, alright.

Come on, give me the cosh.
- Okay.

Only take care of it. It's a new one.

This is yours, the Rudge.

Is this it?
- Yeah.

There she is.
- Don't hit her too hard, Pete.

Don't worry.
I'll leave her some aspirin.

On your way.

Have you got a light, dearie?
- No.

Have a bit of this instead.

Stop that!

Help.

Help!

Help.

Cor, she's tough that Queenie.

Tough? Two to one? I don't know
why I hang around with you lot.

Do you want this bag, Walshie?

[ Police whistle ]

Blimey, they've found her.

Quick. Over here.

[ Dogs barking ]

Dogs. Walshie, we're in
the blinking dog's home.

Give me that bag.

Now you've done it.
- Here, come on.

Where you going?

Alright. All clear, come on.

Can you give us a
description of your assailants?

My what? That's quite enough of that.

How would you describe
the men who attacked you?

As a dirty lot of stinking
rotten sons of ..

Alright.

What did they look like?
- How the hell should I know?

Do you suppose they came up and raised
their blooming hats before they hit me?

No description .. available.

How about that bag? How much
money did you have in it?

I don't know.

Ten quid. Fifteen maybe.

Well, more than I could
afford to lose anyway.

Business not so good, eh?

Bit of a nuisance in
summertime, isn't it?

Very funny I am sure.

What about this black eye of mine?
- Better go home. Put something on it.

Bit of steak is the best thing they say.

Steak?

Is that the best you can do for me?

I can give you some advice.

Sooner have the money.

Queenie, be a good girl.

You want a tip?
- Well?

Don't go walking alone
along dark streets at night.

Blimey, you have not half
been a time. Where you been?

We got stuck in the dog's home.

Never mind all that.
Come on, one at a time.

Okay, you first.

How you going to split it, Walshie?

Here. A pound each for you and Pete.

Ten bob for the other two.

Better get inside, hadn't we?
- Wait a minute.

That sister of yours.
- Eh?

I want her to come out with me.
- You'd better ask her, hadn't you.

You got to see she does
come out with me.

I can't make her can I,
if she don't want to.

Listen.

I'm taking her out Sunday.

Be on the corner of Jessop
Street at half past ten.

You make sure she's there, see.

Or else.

Okay Walshie, I'll tell her.
- Yeah.

And don't forget.
- I won't.

She ain't like the other kids
around here you know.

She's been down in the country
ever since the war, see.

I reckon she'd be scared stiff of you.
- What are you talking about?

You trying to tell me she
ain't been with any fellahs?

I'm sure she ain't.
She's only a kid, see.

Yeah?

Well.

Maybe it's time she learned
a thing or two then.

Here Walshie, you ..
- You shut up.

And listen.

That powder thing you
pinched the other night.

You mean the compact, the gold one?

Gold? If it had been gold I'd have ..

Anyway, you still got it?
- Yeah, it's in my drawer.

Let me have it tonight on the way home.

What do you want it for?
To give to Rene?

Mind your own business.
- Yeah, but Walshie.

I'll give you half a dollar for it.

Now go on, get inside.

Alright.

Yeah, alright.

Oh Gran, I can't get over them.
They're lovely. They really are.

You shouldn't have spent all that money.
- Go on with you, girl.

If I can't give you a bit of
something on your birthday ..

Anyway, they didn't cost nothing much.
- You can't tell me that.

Look at the time. We're
going to get ready for church.

Give Roy another shout will you, dear.

He said especially to call him.
- Roy!

It's after ten.

Ah shut up. I know.

That's what you get for giving
him his breakfast in bed.

Well, he was so late in last night.

What did he give you?
- Huh?

You know what, Gran.

I'm going to keep this on all day.

I said: "what did Roy give you?".

Roy?

Well, he was so sleepy when
I brought his breakfast in.

Didn't he wish you many happy returns?
- Now, Gran.

He'll remember when he's properly awake.

Ha. Maybe.

Gran, please don't spoil everything.

They must have cost ever so much.

Are you sure ..
- For goodness sake, girl.

What's the good of me keeping
all that money under my mattress ..

If I don't use a bit
of it now and again?

There you are, dear.

Roy, you do look nice.

Are you coming to church with us?
- No, I've got a date.

You haven't been for a long while, dear.

I'll come next week.

Bye.
- Hey.

Ain't you got nothing
to say to your mother?

What is this?
- Don't you know what day it is?

Oh, for Pete's sake, I'm in a hurry.

It doesn't matter, Gran.
- It does matter.

If a boy can't remember his own
mother's birthday .. - Eh?

Go on.

Go on, Is it?

Cor, fancy me forgetting that.

Well, you've remembered it now.

Yeah.

Well.

Many happy returns.

Blimey, where did you get that?

Gran gave it to me.

Isn't it lovely.
- Yeah.

Yeah. That is just the sort
of thing I wanted to ..

Here.

Hang on a minute.

I told you he hadn't really forgotten.

So that's the best he can do
in the way of remembering.

Here you are, Mum.
I forgot all about it.

A gold compact.

It was just what I wanted.
- I've been saving up for it.

I'm afraid it is only second hand.

I couldn't get a new one.
Not good enough for you.

It's alright though, ain't it?
- Roy, its perfect.

That's alright then.

Well, I'm off.

Goodbye, dear.

Bye.
- Bye.

Bye, Gran.

Half a minute, Walsh.
Caught you just in time, didn't we.

In time for what?

The Inspector wants to
ask you a few questions.

Yeah?

Would you tell me where
you were last night, Walsh?

I don't mind.

At the youth club.
We had a dance on. Why?

Were you there at eleven?

I was there all the evening.
Finished at twelve.

Had the last waltz with Marlene
Smith. Not bad, either.

Got your alibi pat, haven't you, Walsh.

I'm on probation aren't I. You can't fool
me you're here for the good of my health.

What's it all about anyway?

A woman wash coshed last night by two
boys on the corner of Jubilee Terrace.

They got away on bicycles.

I ain't got a bicycle.
- You could have borrowed one.

Maybe I could, but I didn't.

You can't dance with a bicycle.
Or haven't you heard?

Cheek won't get you anywhere
my lad, except into trouble.

Is the woman bad?

She's in hospital.

Go on. Want me to send her some flowers?

Don't be too clever, will you Walsh.

The jails are full of people
who are too clever you know.

I'm only on probation.

Hey, Walshie.

Twenty-four.
- Oh. I thought it was thirty-four.

Twenty-four.

That makes you 270 right?

Blimey, get a load of
the whistle and flute.

Like the drapes? Latest cut.
- Very nice.

When do you go for the next fitting?
- That's not funny.

Where is Rene?

She went on the river for the day.

Who with?

Brian Edwards.

You told me you were going to fix it.

I've a good mind to cut your ear off.

Lay off, Walshie. He couldn't help it.

Why you always picking on him?

Do you want some too, Pete?
Because you can have it.

Alright.

Where they gone?

Greenwich from Westminster peer.
- What time they coming back?

Well mum said Rene had
to be in by half past ten.

That means they'll be coming down
Cripp's Alley about the o'clock.

Right. We'll be there too.

We'll show Mr Brian ruddy Edwards.
- What are you going to do, Walshie?

What do you think we're going to do?
Give him the treatment of course.

On your own?

I never do anything on my own.
Thanks for offering to help, boys.

But I've got to be home by ten.

I said thanks for offering to help.

Okay, Walshie. We're with you.

I wish I could see more of you, Rene.

It's so difficult with night
school three times a week.

You want to get on, don't you?

Look at that big boat there.

Montevideo.

Where is that?
- It's a port in South America.

I wish I was on that boat tonight.

Brian Edwards, Purser.

You and all those se?oritas.

What would you do in
South America, Brian?

Wait to get back to you.

That's nice.

Say it again.
- Wait to get back to you.

It don't make sense the second time.
- It does to me.

It don't make sense at all, really.

People like us, we never get out.

You will, Brian. You're
different from the others.

All the boys I know, they
just want a good time.

Do you want a good time too, Rene?

Yes. I suppose I do.

It's just like the pictures, isn't it.

Just like the pictures.

[ Rene scream! ]

Roy.

Hello, Rene. Where you going?
- It's Brian. They're beating him up.

I don't want to get mixed
up with the police. Get in here.

No, Roy.
- Get in here.

Roy!

Roy, let me go!

Let go of me!

Sorry about that, Rene.

But you can't get mixed
up with the police.

Not with Alfie on probation.

Yeah. I suppose you're right.

Well, thanks anyway.

I suppose I'd better go home.

What's the hurry?

Don't I get a reward?

Reward?

A kiss.

Don't talk soft.

You're behind the times, Rene.

You want to catch up with yourself.

You don't want to miss all
the fun in life, do you?

You shouldn't have done that, Rene.

I can get tough too, you know.

We're going to stay awhile.

Take off your coat.

Make yourself comfortable.

No, Roy.

No!

Come on, now.

What's this about you
going out with Roy Walsh?

What of it?

I'll tell you what of it, my girl.
It's got to stop, do you hear?

They say you've been going about with
him regular for the past two months.

Well?

I'm sixteen, and I can do as I please.

Roy Walsh knows how to treat
a girl. Give her a good time.

He's no good I tell you.
Look what happened to Alfie.

That's not affair of mine.
- Well, it is of mine.

And you're not going out with
that little swine and that's that.

Give me that!

You'll end up like your brother in the
police courts, that's what you will.

Yeah? Well it won't be
for coshing old ladies.

No. It will be for catching old men.
He'll have you at that soon enough.

Mark my words.
- Get away!

Her mum, what do you think?
- It's all your fault.

What did I do?
- You're always doing it.

Here, Mum.
- What?

I got a rise today.

Oh, Alfie love.

Come and have some supper dear.
I've got a nice chop in the kitchen.

Roy?

Are you there?
- Yeah.

I'm just going round to the
churchyard. Shan't be long.

Okay.

Where did you get those?
- From the store in Clancy Street.

Nice, aren't they.

What, Ted Moran's stall?

They'll be dead by tomorrow.

Dad used to grow these on his allotment.

He always liked flowers you dad did.

So does Ted Morgan.

He makes 20 quid a week
out of suckers like you.

Cor, what a racket.

Would you like me to lend
you a couple of hairpins?

Hello.

Not late am I?

Late?

I had a bit of a do with mum.
Same old stuff.

Where we going? Pictures?

You can go. I'm busy.
- Yeah, but you said that ..

I said I'm busy.
I got to go to the club.

What am I supposed to do then?

Listen, I'm in a hurry.

Well, if that's the way you feel.

I didn't tell you, did I.

Brian is out of hospital.

Perhaps he's like to
take me to the pictures.

Okay, big-head.

Don't bother to see me again.

I suppose I'd better go home.

How about tomorrow then?

Maybe. I'll see.

I've got to go now.

Thank you.

It's almost like being abroad.

The south of France or somewhere.

You'd never think we were
only a mile or so from home.

It's not a hard job to make
you happy, is it Elsie.

How do you mean?

A little walk and a bite
to eat in Battersea Park.

A lot of women wouldn't think much of
a man who couldn't do better than that.

I suppose I ought to try
and get myself a better job.

I don't know. Somehow ..

Have you ever thought
about going back to Canada?

That's a no-go. I want
to forget about Canada.

Surely after all this time ..?

That is dead. It's over.

This is the new life.

The only thing is I can't seem to
get interested in it by myself.

I know what you mean.

Let's take a look at the river, huh.

Oh by the way, I saw Roy last night.

Where?
- At the Palidrome.

Really? By himself, do you mean?

No, he had a girl with him.
There was dancing last night.

A girl? Are you sure, Bob?

Why? Don't you know about it?

I didn't know.

It's not that I mind really.

He was bound to get interested in
girls sooner or later. - Yeah.

How has he been behaving?

Now, Bob.

Elsie.

Why don't you face
the facts just for once?

The boy treats you like dirt.
- That's not true.

Yes it is. You never know where he is,
what he's doing, who he's with.

He's not a child.
- Look, he's on probation.

It's your job to see that
he behaves himself.

I know.

You spend your life with your
head in the sand, don't you Elsie.

Pretending he's the kind of boy you want
him to be and knowing so well he's not.

I don't know anything of the sort.
- Well, I do.

Won't you please let me
take a hand with him?

There is worse trouble ahead for
you if you don't. I'm sure of that.

Bob.

I know how you feel
about him. Believe me.

Will you marry me? If only for his sake?

No.

If I marry you at all it will be
because I want to be married to you.

You must believe that.

I want to talk to you. It's urgent.
- Right. Over here.

This will do it.
- What's this?

It's alright. I'll play you for a bob.

Okay.

Henry Whistler been on to me again.
He wants the fifty quid you owe him.

He said I should get it
from you tonight or else.

He gave me that dialogue too.

What are you going to do, Walshie?

Here.

Cop this.

Blimey. How much here?

Thirty.

Put it away.
- But you owe him fifty.

You shouldn't play
those doggies so hard.

Oh get stuffed, you.
- Alright.

Where will you get the other twenty?
- I'll think of something.

Maybe I know where you can get it.

And a lot more besides.

Yeah? Shoot.

You know that new job I've started?

What, at the Palidrome?

They've changed their
policy there now, see.

Instead of dancing every night.

They have three nights dancing and other
nights wrestling and that sort of thing.

So what?

There's a lot of money in the box
office at a wrestling match, Walshie.

Three times more than dancing.

That's a lot of money.

What are you getting at?
- Wrestling is alright.

The managers get a bit.

The wrestlers get a bit.

But the box office take the most.
- So?

Simple. If the box
office takes the most ..

Take the box office.

And what if the cops take us?

Nah, you can organise that, Walshie.

Yeah, maybe I can.

What's the drill?

While the bouts are on .. the corridors
and surrounds will be quiet.

The money is taken from the box
office to the manager's office.

In a leather bag carried by one man.

If our boys could be in
the corridor as he passes.

Cosh, snatch. Job is done.

No go, Pete.

I know Bob Stevens, the assistant
manager at the Palidrome.

He knows me. I'll be asking for trouble.

Bob Stevens? That's the
guy who carries the money.

That settles it. No go, Pete.

There's lights in the corridor. I can
switch them off. He'll never see you.

No, not this time, Pete. I'll get
the twenty from somewhere else.

If you change your mind, let me know.

I start a week of nights from
tomorrow at the Palidrome.

What are you trying to do, cheat?

Who, me?

Now, would I do anything so dishonest?

You oughtn't come back with me, Bob.

Oh, let the neighbours talk. We're
doing nothing wrong. - I know.

Look, if we were married they'd have ..

Elsie!

Gran, what is it?
- I want you to come.

Shall I ..
- No, you come with me.

Gran, what's the matter?

This is Bob.
- If I can help at all.

You'd better both come.

Why?

All my savings .. thirty pounds.

All the money I'd saved
up for Roy to have.

All gone.

Bits of newspaper.

Nothing left.

Just bits of newspaper.

Gran, who could have done such a thing?

How long since you last looked at it?

A month or so.

When I bought your birthday present.

Was it all there then alright?
- I think so.

I didn't count it.

Why did you look now, Gran?

I .. I was going to ..

I was going to get a
nice wreath for Dave.

Tuesday is the anniversary.

Yeah, I know, Gran.

Who could have done such a thing?

I never told no-one about it.

No-one at all but you .. and ..

Someone must have got in.

They could have got through
that window from the yard.

How would they get in?
- Over the wall if they had a ladder.

Unless they got in the
front while we were all out.

I never told no-one about it.

But they might have heard about it.

Just got in on the off-chance.
And come across it by accident.

Why would anyone think there was
anything worth stealing in this place?

Why shouldn't they?

Oh, Gran.

Why did he do it?

He only had to wait.

He'd have had it anyway.

Just when I thought everything
was going to turn out alright.

Bob.

What are we going to do?

Where is he now?

He just said he was going out.

I left him here. I was going
round to the churchyard.

That's when he must have taken it.

Do you mind if I wait
until he gets back?

Oh, will you?

It's no business of mine, but ..
- Please.

It's about time there was
a man in this house.

Bob.

You won't be too hard on him, will you.

I'll treat him as if he were my own son.

Here he is.

Hi, Mum.

What are you doing here?

I want to talk to you, Roy.

Oh Bob.
- Leave him to it, Elsie.

What is this?

Who do you think you are
coming here? - Shut up.

I'm here because your mother asked me.

I didn't want to interfere, but ..
- Get the hell out of it.

Don't you talk to me
like that, young fellah.

I'm not afraid of you.

You big Canadian slob.

Hit me.

Go on, hit me and see
what happens to you.

Sit down, Elsie.

Where is that money?

Money? Don't know what you talk about.
- Your Gran's money. Where is it?

How should I know?

Under the mattress, I suppose. That's
where the old fool usually keeps it.

That money is gone and you know it.

Why should I know?
- Because you took it.

I did, did I?

What the ruddy hell has
it got to do with you?

Who do you think you are?
- I'll tell you who I am.

I'm a man who won't stand by
and watch a little rat like you ..

Messing up your mother's life.
Not if I can help it, you won't.

You done this, didn't you.

You've gone flirting around with
this fellow and just because I ..

Any more of that and I'll ..
- Yeah?

What will you do?

You ain't got no rights here.
You can't touch me.

You try ordering me around
and see what happens to you.

I'll tell you something else.

She ain't seeing you no more.

Roy, you can't.
- Can't I?

You'll see.

You go out with him and then listen
to what people are saying about you.

I'll show you who does
the talking around here.

No. Bob.

It's alright, Elsie.
I can take care of that one.

I am going to marry your
mother, Roy. If she'll have me.

Then you can talk your head off.

Only not to me you won't.

Because if you do, you'll feel what
it's like to have a belt around you.

Now .. what about that money, huh?

Roy!
- Roy, stop it.

Bob!

Hello Pete?

Listen. I've changed my mind.

That job at the Palidrome.
We're doing it.

Never mind why. I've got my reasons.

We'll fix it up tomorrow
night at the club.

Half past seven.

Now, you tell the others.

All of them.

Okay?

Pay attention. This is going
to be our plan of attack.

We'll have Robinson here.

Smith here and Johnson here.

Alfie here, and Darkie you're here.

Now, you must remember your positions.

How do you know he'll be on his
own when he takes the money out?

He always is. It's a regular thing.

I've got it all worked out I tell you.

They come to the box office
after the interval is over.

Then, when the girl has sorted out
the money, he takes it to the office.

Just like that, in his hands?

How can he carry hundreds
of quid in his hands?

He's got it in a bag.
That's what makes it so easy.

Pete puts the lights out just as we ..

Hello Mr Beverley.
- Hello there.

There is a young woman
out here to see you, Walsh.

Me?

Come along now, don't be shy.

Who is it, Alfie's sister?
- Rene wouldn't come here.

Girls. Always hanging round your neck.

Back in a minute.

What the hell do you mean
coming here? I told you ..

I had to, Roy. I had to.
- Why? What about?

We can't talk here.

Here.

Now.

I had to go and see a doctor today.

What's that?

Please don't be cross, Roy.

And he said.

I'm going to have a baby.

A what?

You'll have to marry me, Roy.
Mum will kill me if she finds out.

I don't know what to do.
You'll have to marry me.

Yeah? And what are we going to live on?

I can go working for a bit.
We'll make out alright.

Please Roy.

What do you take me for?

How do I know it's not that Brian?
- No Roy, it was you.

I've never been with anyone else.
I swear I haven't.

You can't prove that.
- Roy.

Anyway, I'm not marrying
you and that's all about it.

What am I going to do?

Do what you like. I don't care what
you do. Only keep away from me.

I thought .. I thought you loved me.

Don't give me that stuff.

Just because you got yourself into a
mess you're not mucking my life up, see.

Oh, but if we were married ..
- Yeah? And who would marry us?

You under age and me on probation.

A fine couple, aren't we.

Now come on.

Get out of here.

Roy.

Roy, please help me. Please.

I told you I don't want nothing more
to do with you. Now go on, get out.

Roy!

What did she want, Walshie?
- Oh, forget it.

Okay Skinny, watch it.

Now then. We're here, see.

As he comes along here, you
turn the lights out Pete, Right?

Right.
- Hey ..

But what if he shouts, Walshie? That
corridor is only just behind the circle.

Don't think we ain't thought of that.

Even if he does shout
no-one won't hear him.

Ain't you ever been to a wrestling do?

The crowd scream their heads off.
Hardly hear yourself think.

Yeah.

And if Mr Bob ruddy Stevens
does kick up a dust ..

Where'd you that, Walshie?

Bought it this morning.
Off a fellow I know.

Who's going to have it?
- Who do you think?

You're the heavy boy
of this outfit, ain't you?

What me, Walshie?
- Yeah.

But not until Friday, right.
- Watch it.

Double tops, go for it.
- Bet you a tenner he don't make it.

Up a bit.

Times up, boys.
- Last throw, sir.

Who's winning?
- Me.

It's in the bag, innit, Walshie?

Yeah, that's right.

It's in the bag.

And I now pronounce you man and wife.

There you are, and may I be the
first to congratulate you both.

And wish you long life
and happiness together.

Thank you.

God bless you dear.

Thanks for coming alone, Miss Lorraine.
Sorry it was such short notice.

Oh, that's quite alright. I'm never
very busy at this time of day.

Elsie dear, every so
many congratulations.

Thank you.

You're a lucky girl. Isn't she?

No luckier than what he is.
- That's true enough.

I must ask you all to sign the
register before you leave.

Of course.

I mustn't be late.
- Where do I sign?

Don't tell me you are
going to work today?

Yes. Bob has to be at the
Palidrome tonight anyway.

They've got something special on.
A wrestling match or something.

We're going off first
thing in the morning.

Come on, honey. Sign the book.

What will young Roy think
about this when he knows?

Be a bit of a shock for him, won't it?

Now don't you worry about that.

We'll face that when we come to it.

I don't like this, Walshie.

Here.

Is it loaded?
- What do you think?

Remember, use that
if I tell you. That's all.

Okay, Walshie.

Look, I have the cosh.
Won't it be better if you had it?

Do as you're told.

I got to keep myself clear so I can
change the plan if there's a slip up.

You always keep yourself clear,
don't you, Walshie. - So what?

Nothing. I was just agreeing
with you. That's all.

Alfie!

Alfie Collins!

Alfie Collins!

That's Marlene Smith.

Go on, see what it is.

Oh Alfie, I've been looking
for you everywhere.

Your mum sent me. You've
got to come home at once.

Why, what's up?
- Please come, it's Rene.

Rene? What's the matter with her?
- Come, she's ..

She's done herself in.

Eh?

She's threw herself in the river.
Please come, your mum wants you.

The river?

She was home dinnertime,
- Please, Alfie.

Yeah, I'll come.

Just a minute. Give me
back what I gave you.

What?

Oh yeah.

Go on then, if you go to.

Walshie, what did she
want to go and do that for?

How do you know she has done, eh?

Well, go on then.

Don't stand there.
- Come on, Alfie.

What about that, eh?

What are you going to do now, Walshie?

What do you think we're going to do?

What, you mean the job is still on?

Of course it is.

Just changed things around a bit.
That's all. It won't make no difference.

Cor, fancy young Rene.
- Shut up!

That ain't nothing to do with us.
- I know, but ..

Shut up about it then.

I want to think things out.

If she's done herself in,
she's done herself in.

And that's the end of that.

I'm sorry, Mum.

I didn't mean to.

That's alright, Rene.
I'm not blaming you.

It wasn't your fault. I know that.

You mustn't blame him.

Little swine.
- No, Mum.

Please don't.

He didn't mean to hurt me.

He loves me. I know he does.

He loves you and he
does a thing like this?

Mum.

I want him to love me.

I want him to love me.

Now, now, this won't do at all.

Come along now.

Mum, don't go. Don't leave me.

I'll be back, Rene.

Mum.

Ah, Mrs Collins.

That's alright.
Thank you, nurse. You can go.

We've done all we can for the moment.

Now you must go home
and try not to worry.

She'll be alright.
- Yes, I think so. She's young.

Did you know she was going
to have a child, Mrs Collins?

Of course not. If I had do
you think I'd have let her ..

She is, not married of course?

No? Well that accounts for her
doing what she did, I imagine.

Well, that's one problem
that's solved itself anyhow.

You mean she's not going to ..?
- No, there's not going to be a child.

The shock was far too great.

Thank God for that.

Well, that's a matter of opinion.

Look, Mrs Collins. Don't judge
her too harshly, will you.

After all, is she is fond of this man ..
- Fond of him?

Little swine. Just let me get at him.
- Now that's not way to talk.

Don't you talk to me.
I know what I's saying.

Now, Mrs Collins.

Out of my way. I'm her mother, ain't I?

Do you think I'm going to let the little
gangster do this and get away with it?

"Please, ladies and gentlemen."

"This is the main event of the evening."

"A heavyweight contest."

"Of six rounds, three
minutes each round."

"The first to have three falls .."

"Submissions or a
knock-out to the winner."

"Introducing with
very great pleasure .."

"From Blackfriars .."

"The wrestling world's favourite .."

"Donny McDean!"

What's going on?

[ Gunshot! ]

That was a close one.
- Yeah.

A tough nut that Stevens.

What's up, Walshie?

Supposing I've killed him?

I said you shouldn't
have carried that gun.

Suppose I've killed him?

Then you'll be taking the 9 o'clock
walk. You'll be topped for certain.

Shut up!

They've got to prove it first.

Maybe you only winged him.
- Yeah, maybe.

What are we going to do now?

What can we do?
We're in real trouble this time.

You mean you are, Walshie.
- Listen.

Maybe I did pull the trigger but to
the law we're all in this together.

The law don't worry me. I'm under age.

Still, it was fun while it lasted.
- Where do you think you're going?

Home.

You'll lie low with us, see.
- Not a chance. I'm starving.

Besides, my mum hates me being out late.

Listen, I'm the boss
and I say you're staying.

Nothing doing, Walshie. If they're going
to slap me in the corner tonight ..

I'm going in with a double helping
of my mum's steak and kidney pud.

You can hang around her if you
want to. Me? I'm getting out.

What are we going to do?

Do you think we could get on
a boat? Get abroad somewhere?

Yeah.

No, that's no use. If we go on
the run they'll know we did it.

Well, what are we to do?

I know what I'm going to do. I'm going
home and wait for them to fetch me.

You can't do that, Pete.

You can't leave me here by
myself. Not in this place.

Do you know, Walshie ..?

I think you're yellow.

I've got a gun, Pete.

I'll shoot you.

I'll shoot you!

Yeah?

Go on then .. shoot.

It's been a wonderful day.
- Well, there you are, dear.

My ironing ain't what it
was but I think it will do.

Thanks, Gran. It's lovely.

It's a pity you couldn't have got
away today. - Never mind.

We'll have two whole days. Just fancy.

Bob says our rooms are so
near the sea you can hear it.

I wish Roy would come home.

If you'd any sense you'd have gone round
to the garage and told him this morning.

As soon as you done it.
- I know.

Here he is.

You don't think he'll mind
too much do you, Gran?

He'll get used to it.
And if he doesn't ..

Roy!

What's happened?

Never mind all that.

You got to help me.
Give me all the money you got.

You've got to. I've got to get out.

How much you got?
- Roy, I ..

For Pete's sake, I'm in trouble I say.
Do you want the cops to get me?

No.

Don't give him anything, Elsie.
- You mind your own business.

Mum. I'll never ask you to
do anything for me again.

Only just this once, you got to ..

What's that?

[ Door knocks ]

Don't tell her I'm here, Mum.
Don't tell her I'm here.

She'll kill me if she gets hold of me.

Gran. Gran, what are we to do?

You'll have to open it, dear.

Alright. I'll ..

I'll go.

Now then, where is he?

Who is it you want, Mrs Collins?
- Don't you come that stuff with me.

Where is he?

When I get hold of him I'll break
every bone in his blasted little body.

Mrs Collins, what is it?

What is this all about?

It's about my Rene going off her
head and jumping in the river.

Because she's going to have a kid.
That's what it's about!

Going to have a baby?

Yes. My Rene only sixteen and
your dear little Roy gets hold of her.

That's not true.

Oh yes it is. She's lying
in the hospital now.

She's not going to have the kid, the poor
little swine, and she's not going to die.

If she had, your little archangel would
be a murderer if he's not one already.

What do you mean by that?

Come on! Where is he? Where is he?
- I'm going for the police, Elsie.

Don't bother. They'll be here soon
enough. Alfie has told them plenty.

The police come here?

Yes. And let him try a gun on
them and see what happens.

Gun?
- That's what I said.

A cosh ain't good enough for him now,
nor a razor. He's got to have a gun.

The best thing he can do is blow his own
brains out but he hasn't got the guts.

Now!
- No you don't.

Oh, so that's how it is.

Elsie, Elsie!

Nobody is going to stop me!

Let me get hold of him. I'll teach him.

That's enough of that.
- Let go of me!

Who do you think you are?
- Come outside.

Take your hands off me! I'm going to get
hold of him if it's the last thing I do.

Come out you little punk!

Come out! Come out!
I'll get hold of him.

Elsie .. I've got to talk to you.

Bob, what has happened?

She's been saying the ..
- Where is Roy?

He's in his bedroom.
He's locked himself in.

What has happened?

I can't say right now. The police
will be here any moment.

You and Gran go into your
bedroom and leave this to me.

What's he done?

You've got to trust me, Elsie.

Roy is in trouble. Real trouble.

That woman said ..

No. Not the girl.
This is something else.

Bob.

Gran, take her into the bedroom.

Come along, dear.

He's the boss now, you know.

But I must know.

Elsie.

Roy is going to prison.

For a long time.

Oh God.

There is no-one can help him.

Except me, maybe.

What are you going to do, Bob?

You heard what I said, Gran.

Please look after her.

You never ought to have married me.

That's the one good thing
that's happened today.

Go on up.

Roy!

Unlock the door.

If you don't, I'll kick it in.

You try and lay a finger on me, mister.

And you'll get a slash
across the kisser with this.

Put that razor down.

Try and make me.
- Don't be a fool.

The police are coming.
If they find you with a razor ..

Cops? So what .. they can't touch me.

They can put me in
the nick for 10 years.

And they will. You darned
near killed a man tonight.

If there hadn't been a doctor on
hand, you'd now be a murderer.

Fine. If the cops come,
I'm ready for them, see.

But they can't touch me. Nobody
can touch me. It's against the law.

If you think I'll give a bully
like you a chance ..

Put that razor down or
am I going to make you.

You make me? Who the hell do you
think you are giving orders around here?

I'll tell you who I am Roy since
you don't seem to know already.

I'm your stepfather.

Your mother and I were
married this morning.

What .. you filthy rotten ..
- That's enough of that.

I'll kill her, I'll kill her!
- Give me that razor.

Don't you come any closer.
I'm warning you.

Stay where you are or you'll get it.

Can't you see I mean that?

Now we'll see who's boss in this house.

Let me go! Stop it, you're hurting me.

That's nothing to what
you're going to get.

What you going to do? You can't
touch me, it's against the law.

You're not going to bash me up.
- No?

What of all the helpless
women that you've bashed?

I never! I never bashed nobody.
Honest I didn't. It was the others.

You're a rotten little coward.
Now listen to me.

You're going to jail. You deserve every
minute you're going to be there.

But for you mother's sake
I'll try and help you.

I don't know what you're talking about.
Let go of my arm!

The judge would order you a thrashing if
he could, but he can't do that nowadays.

If he hears you've had one from your
stepfather, he may let you off lighter.

Mum won't stand for it. She won't
stand for it I tell you. You ask her.

I'll scream for help.

She won't ever speak to you again
if you start on me. You'll see.

Mum! Gran! Gran!

Mum .. Mum!

Get over there.

If you've got any guts at all
you'll take what's coming to you.

I'm going to give you a thrashing
you'll remember until the day you die.

The thrashing you ought to have
had every day for the last year.

Let me go.

Let me go, I say.

Hand me over to the cops if you want to.

I'm sorry for what I've done.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!

I'll go straight if you
give me a chance.

I swear I will.

For my mother's sake, don't bash me.
- A pity you didn't think of her before.

Don't you realise you've
broken her heart?

Get up you little rat. You make me sick!

Alright.

I'll take the medicine.

I'll show I'm not what you think I am.

I'll take it.

I'll ..

Mum!

Ah, so here he is.

Well, Walsh?
- Alright. I done it.

Don't you worry. I'm coming.

I've won. I've won I tell you.

You can't touch me now.
Nobody can touch me.

So you can go ..
- No more of that, Walsh.

Where's his mother?

In her bedroom. Do you need her?
- Well, she ought to be here.

Who are you, a friend of hers?
- I'm her husband.

We were married this morning.
- Oh, I see.

Congratulations.

Yes, I see.

Sergeant, I think we'll get
the other boy first, don't you.

Skinny Johnson? Right, sir.
Just round the corner.

Be back in ten minutes.

Put Jones on outside.
- Yes.

Eh? No, wait.

You can't do that.

You got to take me.

Don't worry, Walsh.
We're going to take you.

In ten minutes. Come on, Sergeant.
- Stop! Stop. Wait!

Come back!

All yours, mister.
- You've got to take me.

You can't do this. Come back!

Keep away from me. Come back!

Come back. You ?an't leave me here.

What's the trouble, Inspector?

No trouble at all now, Queen?e.

The trouble is all over.

T-G ??