Thunder in Carolina (1960) - full transcript

[upbeat music]

[motors revving]

- And Les Cooper
picks up another lap.

This man is driving
a fantastic race.

If Cooper can hold
his pace, he's set.

He's got this afternoon's
exciting race in his pocket.

Yes sir folks, it
looks like Cooper

is finally going to break
that heavy load of bad luck

targeting him on the
Southern 500 three years ago.

[engines revving]

Hold on folks, that's
Eric Lang at number 41



making his bid and he's
really highballing.

Old Mitch is going
to get a run for it.

There goes Terry, going
to pass on the high side.

And it's Cooper,
face him into it.

[tires screeching]

[car thudding]

That was Tara Lang at number 41,

out of the race thanks
to Mitch Cooper,

the man who know all the tricks

and doesn't hesitate to use 'em.

Wait a minute, looks
like someones in trouble.

It's Cooper in number eight,
and he's blown a tire.

He's in real trouble.

[tires screeching]



[car thudding]

[sirens blaring]

[jazz music]

[engine starting]

- Hi there, got some troubles?

- Yeah sorta, where will
I find Ben Williams?

- Well I'm afraid you won't.

Old Ben died about
three years back.

- Oh, I'm real
sorry to hear that.

- Yeah, I took over the place.

Can I help you though?

- Well you know, I used to work

right here for old
Ben, helped him out.

As a matter of fact, you might
say that I lived right here.

Looks like Ben expanded
the place quite a bit.

- No, I did most of that.

Hey, what can I do for you?

- Oh nothing much I guess.

- Well wait a minute, what'd
you come out here for?

- Well I told you,
to see Ben Williams.

- Well why, what about?

- Oh I don't know,

a man gets a little broke, his
stomach gets a little empty,

gets a little lonesome,
so comes crawling home.

Well I, I was born back
up there in those hills.

As a matter of fact, I built
my first car right here

out of old junk heaps that Ben
used to buy up for salvage.

Boy that first car
really can scorch.

- Yeah I bet, well listen I--

- You know I had a real
ball driving these hills.

As a matter of fact, that's
where I learned how to race.

I was running moonshine
from the revenuers. [laughs]

Yeah, I had a ball, a real ball.

Well boy, I'll be seeing you.

- Hey what a minute,
that's yours?

- Yeah, what's left of it.

- [Les] How many horses?

- 230.

- [Les] Mitch Cooper,

didn't I read you got
clobbered in some race?

- Yeah, both of us.

- Wow, what a mess.

Honey, come here for
a minute will you.

My wife.

Meet Mitch Cooper, he
won the Southern 500

three years ago, right?

- Right.

- So.

- So he's used to pushing round

some of the hottest
iron in auto racing.

I've watched you win quite
a few races Mr. Cooper.

- Well this is one
you didn't see me win.

[iron knocking]

- Well, I guess you
can't win 'em all.

Where are you heading?

- Well that's a good question.

I was gonna come down here
and get a job with old Ben

till my leg got well
enough to drive again.

- So you're broke too?

- [Mitch] That's right
lady, don't I look it.

- Yeah, you look it.

- Say, I could use some
help around the garage.

Why don't you give me a hand?

I can afford it, now the
way things are going.

Maybe in our spare time we
can even fix up your wreck.

[Mitch laughing]

I got every tool
you ever heard of.

You can even stay with us
for a while if you want to.

- Where will we put him?

- Well, what about that
storeroom in the garage?

Put a cot in there.

How 'bout it Mr. Cooper?

- Best offer I've had today.

- My name's Les York,
this is my wife Rene.

I'll tell you what, why
don't you two get acquainted.

I promised this guy I'd have
his car ready by five o'clock.

Then we can all sit down
and have some dinner, huh.

- Sure Les.

- You know this is
a nice little place.

Ben used to make a
good living here.

- We do too, Mr. Cooper.

[dramatic music]

- Why don't you
just call me Mitch.

- Because somehow,
I just don't think

we're going to get to
know each other that well.

- Well if it's gonna
'cause any trouble.

- It won't.

If you need more hangers.

- Thanks, mighty
fine meal tonight.

- Glad you liked it.

- First home cooking
I've had in a long time.

I wouldn't want 'em to get cold,

we better tuck 'em
in good for tonight.

- Good night Mr. Cooper.

- Like I said,
just call me Mitch.

- Good night.

- [Mitch] Same to you.

[water splashing]

- Hey Mitch, hand me
that 5/8 socket will you?

Thank you.

[water splashing]

What do you figure on
doing with your car,

now that we almost got it ready?

- Sell it.

- [Les] What made
you decide that?

- Well I'm gonna have my leg
in a cast for a while yet,

and a racing car is no
good without a driver.

- You know I could
drive it for you.

[Mitch laughing]

I've dona a lot of hot
rodding, drag strip stuff.

I was pretty good too.

- Yeah.

- Listen Mitch, I know
what makes an engine tick.

I can tear 'em down and put
'em together blindfolded.

- Yeah, but that
doesn't make a driver.

A lot of drivers can't
even change a tire.

- Yeah, I guess that's true.

We could go partners,
split everything 50/50,

right down the line.

- Look forget it.

You got a good business here,

you're making money, you got
a pretty wife, forget it.

- Oh that's something else.

Mitch, I always wanted to
try my hand at auto racing.

You could be my chance.

- Look, I said forget it.

- Well just tell me, why not?

- All right, I'll tell you why.

10,000 guys.
- Oh I know, sure.

- Wanna be drivers
see, and maybe one,

just one's gonna make it.

You don't just get into
a car and start driving.

You're either born
with it or you're not.

Or maybe you don't
know what I mean.

- Yeah, I know what you mean,

and I think I've
got it, otherwise--

- Otherwise you'll spend
the rest of your life

winding up in seventh place.

You got to have ability,
natural ability.

- Well how do you
know I haven't got it.

- You think you've got it?

- Yeah, I think I've got it.

- All right, we'll
just see if you got it.

We gotta check that
car out anyhow.

- Good, it's almost ready.

I'll pick up the
clutch this afternoon,

put it in tonight.

- Well, just don't make
all the noise in the world,

I gotta get my beauty rest.

- Yeah, you sure do Mitch.

- Hey you know, a little
of that fresh mountain air

might not hurt either
one of us. [laughs]

[dramatic music]

Now coming out of the
straight away on a track,

you hit the turn high and on
the outside, and don't drift.

If you drift on a turn with
all that traffic behind you,

you'll wind up in
somebody's lap.

So you say to yourself,
in slow and out fast.

- In slow and out fast.

- Yeah, you've picked your
groove and you stay with it.

Let's go for a ride.

What about your safety belt?

[upbeat music]

[tires screeching]
[engine revving]

Keep your hands opposite
each other on that wheel.

- Sounds pretty good.

We're only turning 3,600.

- We'll see how it handles
coming off the turns.

Just over that hill.

- Sure feels good Mitch.

- In slow, out fast.

- Okay.

- Pretty good boy.

Watch it!

All right, get back
in your groove.

You drive a race with both feet.

By the time you get your
left foot on the brake

with a pile-up in front, it's
too late, somebody gets hurt.

To say nothing, a
totaling of my car.

Say, you're all right.

- We got company.

- Revenuers.

- Mind if I keep ahead of 'em?

- Think you can?

- I can sure try.

- Let's go.

[tires squealing]

Come on boy, stomp on it.

They're closing the gap.

Nice stop.

- [Roy] Get out.

- Well any trouble sir?

- [Roy] Mitch Cooper.

- Hiya Roy.

- [Roy] I've been looking
for you for a long time.

Search the car,
I mean search it.

- Wait a minute, what for?

I'm just taking a
ride with my friend.

I was teaching him how to drive.

- [Roy] Get out, both of you.

- All right, you say so Roy.

I don't know what you
expect to find though.

- Hmm, what happened?

- Oh, I mashed my
ankle real bad.

- Sorry, so sorry.

Search the four floorboards.

- [Deputy] Yes sir.

- No man has ever caused
me more sleepless nights

than you have Cooper.

- Well why, 'cause I
used to like to drive

around these mountains
late at night?

- You know what I mean.

- He's clean sir.

- [Roy] Can't be, search
for dummy gas tanks.

- [Deputy] Okay.

- Hey, you know Les,

Roy here woulda made a
good driver on the circuit.

How come you never turned
your talents to race driving.

- Keep talking big boy,
you'll get used to the sound

of your own voice when
they turn the key on you.

- [Deputy] Not a thing.

- [Roy] Can't be,
no dummy gas tanks,

no false floor boards, nothing?

- Not a thing.

- Hey, just a minute.

You didn't stop me
'cause you thought

I was running shine did you?

- Aww get out of
here, both of you.

- Now wait a minute Roy,

you know I wouldn't
break the law.

- I'll get you yet, get out.

[dramatic music]

[engine rumbling]

- Hi honey.

- [Rene] You're late.

- And what are you doing up?

- Worrying about you.

- A big boy like me?

- I went to the bank today Les,

and money has been going out.

- I, I meant to tell
you 'bout that honey.

- Make it good Les.

- Well I, sort of loaned
the money to Mitch.

- That was charitable of you.

- Well you don't
understand honey.

He needed it to buy
new parts for the car.

- And what are we,
the finance company?

- Rene honey, I don't know
what you got against this guy.

He doesn't mean any harm,
he's working very hard.

In fact, he's the one
doing me the favor.

He's teaching me how to drive.

What I'm trying to say is honey,

I'm racing Mitch's car.

We're gonna split the purse.

- And what about the coffin

when you go and get
yourself killed?

Is Mitch gonna split
the purse on that too?

- [Les] Aww come on honey.

[dramatic music]

Don't you know you're married

to one of the
indestructible iron men?

Besides, I love you
too much to go out

and get myself killed.

[engine rumbling]

- Start working on
that timing Eddie.

Hey Mitch!

- Hi Buddy boy!

- [Buddy] Hiya Mitch.

- Hiya.

- Good to see you. [laughs]

Hey, how's the leg?

- Well it's okay.

You still making
music for Reichert?

- Oh sure, you know
coffee and cake money.

- You never drank
coffee in your life.

- Not so loud.

[men laughing]

Well, it's good to see you
back in business again.

But you're not gonna drive
with that ankle are you?

- No Les is.

Oh, Les York, Buddy Schaeffer.

- Hello.
- Nice to meet you Buddy.

Sorry, I ...

- It's all right,

I've been flying a long
time with one wing.

[men laughing]

Well let's see how
she checks out.

Number eight, you're not still
driving with that number.

- Well why not?

- Why not, the man
wants to know. [laughs]

Les, it's what we call
an upside down number.

It reads the same both ways.

That's the kind of
number I was driving with

when I got this, number
66, quite a race.

Well you remember Mitch.

- Yeah.

- Was out of Daytona, there
I was having myself a ball.

Way out in the front and
only two laps from home.

Well all of a sudden this
lightheaded character

running the group
decides to pit.

Saws me off and with
the door closed,

I got nowhere to go.

Well you remember Mitch.

- Yeah.

- And I wanna tell you,
right then and there,

I started the biggest
collection of iron,

this side of a war
surplus junkyard.

Man those cars were
all over the place,

and did those goats kick, and
me right under one of them.

[man laughing]

Oh, it was quite a
site, wasn't it Mitch?

- Yeah.

- Les, you won't believe this,

when that crash
wagon got out there,

they had to use a
torch to cut me out.

And that guy must've
been real nervous,

'cause the flame took all
the whiskers off my face.

[Mitch laughing]

Saved me a shave though,
and was I ever lucky.

That night I had a date
with a real honey bun.

Aww yes, quite a
race to remember.

Huh Mitch?

- Yeah.

- I'll tell you one thing
Les, you got a man with you.

Good luck.

- Thanks Buddy.

- Well you two, I
better be getting back

before Reichert starts
blowing his motors.

[Mitch laughing]

Oh, one thing, you
better shock her

down stiff on this track.

- Okay Buddy.

- See you two.

- He's quite a boy.

- Who's Reichert?

- He's a big man, industrialist.

His hobby's racing.

He buys cars, drivers, crews,

anything, anybody, that'll
help him win a trophy.

I think he'd rather win a trophy

than be on a deserted island
with a beautiful woman.

- To each his own.

I think I'd take the island.

- Yeah, me too.

[metal clanking]

Let's see if you can give him
a run for that trophy, huh?

- What do you mean run?

I'm taking that
trophy home to Rene.

- You stay between the fences.

- [Announcer] This boy Les York
is driving a beautiful race

his first time out,
and little wonder.

With Mitch Cooper, the man
behind the man behind the wheel.

York is green, but he's
not a back off guy.

He's goes in and out of a corner

just like the
master Mitch Cooper.

He's in trouble!

No, no, no, he's
coming out of it!

Hold it, hold it, well
how do you like that?

Came right out of that
spin and he's still going.

Well that cost him
five positions,

but he's fighting his
way right back up there.

Believe me, you're going to
hear lots more about Les York.

This boy's got lead in his
foot and brains in his head.

[engines revving]

- Rene, Rene honey,
I came in third.

I almost won second, but--

- Congratulations.

- Smell it, 160 bucks.

Of course I know it
hasn't got the rich,

ripe, full smell of green
that first place has,

but you'll smell
that too some day.

- Meaning what?

[dramatic music]

- [Les] Meaning, I'm
going to quit the garage.

From now on I'm
racing, full-time.

- Is this your idea
or Mitch Cooper's?

- Honey, I'm going to be big.

I know I can.

I know from the
way I drove today.

Well Mitch says I've got it.

- Les, this isn't the
way we planned it.

And I don't like it.

- Can't you see honey,
this is my big chance.

I don't wanna be a grease
monkey for the rest of my life.

That's not for me
and I don't want it.

[dramatic music]

- You don't want it,

well maybe you wanna end
up like Mitch Cooper!

[rain falling]

- Why did you do it to him?

You didn't have to let him.

- Look, why all me?

Les' idea.

- You could make him give it up.

- Give it up, he's
just starting.

And he's plenty good at it too.

You know somebody gets
into something like that,

they just don't give it up.

Les is a big boy and he's
old enough to get a license.

- You know what I mean.

It's your car.

- [Mitch] Yeah, well he's my
partner, I can't stop him.

- Then I'll play it this way.

I don't want us going broke,
crawling from track to track,

living out of a back
end of a station wagon.

Not knowing from
one day to the next

whether or not my husband's
gonna be driven off

to the hospital
or to a cemetery.

- Well, maybe it
won't happen to Les.

- What do you want
to happen to him?

- Look lady, drivers
are born, not made

and Les has got it.

- All right, I'll put
it to you different.

I had to scrounge for
everything I ever got.

- Well who didn't?

- I got my education
slinging hash at a diner

where truckers drove through.

I had to listen to all the small
talk, sweet talk, bed talk.

Then Les came along,
and he made me feel

like I was something special.

And I fell in love with
him, I married him.

And I still love him Mr. Cooper.

And I'd go back to slinging hash

if I thought it would help him.

I'd listen to the same small
talk, sweet talk, bed talk,

only this time
it'll be different

because I was married to Les.

And I wanna stay married and
have a live, whole husband.

- You know everybody
has to have something.

With Les it's racing,
and he's got it.

Right in the palm of his hand.

See some things get
in a man's blood.

Like a woman.

- Or poison.

All right, so it's no go,

only I'll tell you
something mister.

I'm going to go along with Les,

I'm gonna follow him
from track to track,

and I'm gonna make sure that
poison doesn't kill him,

like maybe it's killed you.

[upbeat music]

[upbeat triumphant music]

- Well, I got Joe to fix
that the other day Palmer.

Got my fuel pressure up
now, it'll hold five pounds.

- [Palmer] Yeah, good.

- Oh hello Weatherly.

- Hello Mitch.
- How you doing?

- Hey, you taught your boy
how to drive, how is he?

- Well he's pretty good.

- You gone give us
a run this race Les.

- Well I don't plan on towing
your friend my slipstream.

- Hey listen to this guy,
thinks he's gone win the race.

- That's right.

- We'll see.

- Good to see you.

- See you boys.

- Oh, you're beginning to
talk like a big man Les.

Hope you don't get too
big for your helmet.

- You just keep the iron
hot, I'll do the driving.

Come on, let's unhook.

- Look Higgins, I said
close the hood, I mean it.

Get the car ready for the track.

- Come on, knock it off Tommy.

You couldn't drive a kiddie
care in your condition.

Go on home.

- You go to hell.

- Come on boys.

- [Tommy] You just
try and stop me.

- Tommy.

[Tommy yelling]

Drop it Tommy.

Tommy, go on back to the hotel.

Have Myrtle fix you some black
coffee, get some sleep, huh.

Shorty, drive him over
to the motel will you.

Go on Tommy.

- What happened to his face?

- Ran off a racetrack
once, had a little fire.

- Hey, I didn't mean
to chew back at you.

- Well I did.

- Hey Mitch.

- [Mitch] Hi Joe.

- There was a girl
around a while ago,

seemed powerful
anxious to see you.

- Well I'm powerful anxious
to see her too, thanks Joe.

Say, would you mind
looking after the store,

I got a little unfinished
business to tend to.

- You'll have to bear with us,
but it'll be a little while

before your room is
made up Mrs. York.

People just vacated,
but if there's anything

I can get you in the mean time.

- No thanks, I'll
just sit and wait.

- Hi, my name's Kay Hill.

- Hello, I'm Rene York.

- I know these all night
rides to a race track.

Why don't you wait in my
place, a nice cool shower.

- Oh heavens.

- Come on, it's this way.

- Kay, have you seen Tommy?

- Oh no, I haven't Myrtle.

- Well he's been gone all night.

And he hasn't been
off that bottle,

I'm so sick inside I could die.

- Now stop you're worrying,

Tommy can take care
of himself all right.

He always does.

- There he is.

Tommy.

- You get used to
it after a while.

- Do you?

Is your husband a driver too?

- Oh no, no husband.

Married to a car instead.

I own it, if they ever change
the rules about women driving,

I'll probably get
behind the wheel myself.

Well here we are,
make yourself at home.

- Thanks.

- Your husband drives Mitch
Cooper's car doesn't he?

- Yes, he and Les rebuilt it,

he's been living with us.

- Kind of fun to have
around the house isn't he?

I mean, you find him
easy to get along with.

- How do you happen to know him?

- He used to drive for me.

A woman, a race, Mitch
took 'em as they came.

- Meaning what?

- Meaning nothing.

Meaning maybe I hope you're
in love with your husband.

- I'm in love with him,
but thanks for the warning

and the advice.

- Just thought
I'd pass the word.

Only don't ever let
Mitch nick your skin.

He's got a way of
getting under it,

and it isn't easy
getting him out.

[jazz music]

[door knocking]

- Anybody home?

Well, hello.

Aren't you in the wrong place?

- No, but you are.

- I mean, how did you get here?

- I was invited.

- Now don't go believing
all those stories

that Kay told you about me.

- Outside mister.

- Look, I just came in
here to see an old friend,

I didn't know you were here.

- Are you gonna go
or do I have to yell?

- Hey you know, you
look cute in that thing.

I like it even better
than that car coat.

- I guess I yell.

- [Mitch] I didn't know
you were here, honest.

[jazz music]

- Please.

- [Mitch] Yeah,
maybe I'd better go.

- Thanks.

- [Announcer] There's number 25,

just in time for
the checkered flag.

Ladies and gentlemen
listen to this.

The average speed
ladies and gentlemen

for the four laps is
121.438 miles per hour

to establish a new record
here at the Southern 500.

- Well, he's a boy to beat.

Looks like Reichert bought
himself a bargain this time.

Little Junior's gonna
have a good position

when the starter drops the flag.

He's all foot and no brains.

Might make a good driver
some day, if he lives.

- Maybe, but that's still
not winning the race.

All right you guys lock it
up, I'm going out there.

- Not yet.

- Huh?

- See those clouds up there?

- [Les] Yeah.

- [Mitch] Well in
a couple of hours

this track's gonna cool off,
smooth your carburetion out,

might pick up an
extra mile an hour.

So we'll wait till
the last minute.

Let them burn their
tires up on the track.

[skin smacking]

We'll stick better.

[engine rumbling]

- [Mr. Reichert]
Nice driving Thorsen.

- Thank you Mr. Reichert.

- Take the car over to
the inspection area kid,

I'll make the arrangements.

- [Mr. Reichert] How'd
the tires hold up boys?

[engine revving]

- Hey, you know that Reichert

doesn't seem like
such a bad guy.

- He's not such a bad guy.

All depends on what price
tag you put on your soul.

- Now, what'd you do that for?

- Don't you ever
let me catch you

eating those things
around here again.

- But Mr. Cooper,
what'd I do wrong?

- Look Stoogie, you just
done eat peanuts in the pits.

- But I like peanuts Mr. Cooper.

I always eat 'em, ever
since I was a kid.

- The next time I
catch you eating

those things around here,
I'll ram 'em down your throat.

Peanut shells and all.

Now don't you forget it.

- Hey Stoogie.

- Mr. Schaeffer.

[Buddy laughing]

What's wrong with
eating peanuts?

- Well nothing, in a
circus or in a saloon.

Once upon a time
there was a stoogie

who worked at the tracks.

He used to eat peanuts, he
used to love peanuts more than,

well he used to eat
'em by the bag full.

He had 'em for breakfast,
he had 'em for lunch,

he had 'em for dinner.

And one race there was
an eight car pile-up,

and four of the drivers
got bent up all the way.

And you know what they found?

In four of the cars
there were peanut shells.

And you know what else?

From that race on, peanuts
has been the kiss of death.

You understand?

- Ladies and gentlemen,
the next driver out

for his qualifying
runs this afternoon,

from Kokomo, Indiana,
driving the 1957 Ford

number 91, Tommy Webb.

- Say Tommy, when
you want the flag?

One lap?

Say, are you okay?

[engine revving]

- [Announcer] He leaves
the starting line

in a veritable storm of dust
and piles the automobile

into the first turn.

- It's a milk run,
he's only going around

the tracks Myrt alone.

He's got it all to himself.

- Ladies and gentlemen,
Mr. Tommy Webb,

who's driving this
57 Ford, number 91,

is one of the real old pros

in this stock car
racing business.

Always a tough competitor,

always a driver
and a car to watch.

Keep your eyes on him here today

during these qualifying runs

and on race day, watch
that car, number 91,

driven by the old
pro Tommy Webb.

Tommy Webb bows that
automobile up the fourth turn,

down the straight away, this
time for green starter's flag.

And he's on the
official qualifying run.

He moves into the first turn,

high up against the guardrail.

Handled very nicely
indeed as he goes down

on the first and second turn.

Really battling, rolling
that automobile now.

[car crashing]

[flames roaring]

Send the ambulance
in, the fire truck,

everyone stay off
the track please.

- Tom!

[dramatic music]

Tom!

Tom!

[sirens blaring]

- I wanna go now.

- Not yet.

- What do you mean not yet, now.

Don't you understand?

- Okay kid.

- Your attention in
the pit area please.

Cotton Owens, you have a
long distance phone call

at the booth to the
rear of the pagona.

And now ladies and gentlemen,
the next driver out

for his time trial here today,

is the young driver Les York,

driving the Mitch Cooper
car, number eight,

the 1957 Chevrolet.

This young driver
has won so many

dirt track races this
year, that Mitch Cooper,

the old pro, feels that he
is now ready for the big one.

He's out on the
starting line now,

ready to start his
official time trial.

[engine running]

Another new record.

York just bit up Thorsen's mark,

set not 30 minutes ago at that
first lap at 40.09 seconds.

And he's still on it.

That second lap is faster yet.

44.07 seconds and that's
121.622 miles per hour.

Hang on ladies and
gentlemen, it's a fast one.

Les York in car number eight,
he enters the port turn.

[engine rumbling]

Uh-oh ladies and gentlemen,
something's wrong.

The motor's cutting
out, he's drifting into

the port turn slowly.

Now heading into his pit area,

and Mitch Cooper has walked
out on the apron to the track,

awaiting the arrival of the
car to determine what happened.

- What happened?

- Ah the motor quit, all
the guts went out of it.

- Take it easy
kid, we'll fix it.

[audience rumbling]

[upbeat music]

- Why I remember when
everyone was pig happy.

All them hot shots
wanted to hose big irons

with lots of horses
under the hood.

I told 'em they was
all clear crazy.

You remember Buck.

- I sure do Buddy.

[men laughing]

- So Mitch Cooper comes
along and bets me a century,

that he'd have 20 laps on
me at the finish to the 500.

Well I just loved that.

So you know what I did?

- Tell us, Buddy honey.

You already will anyway.

- Thank you Peaches. [laughs]

Well I went out and I
bought one of them real 66's

on the market, the
slowest dog I could find

to run against them big
dogs, and away we went.

- Tell us what happened
then, buddy honey.

You already will anyway.

- I was hoping you'd ask.

Well I pulled in second place

and had all 35 of them
tired dogs behind me.

- Why Buddy honey,
you're just marvelous.

[Buddy laughing]

- You're leaving
out the best part.

You forgot to tell 'em,
when they pulled that motor

for inspection, all the
cylinders were bored out so big

you could stick your
head in each one of them.

[everyone laughing]

- Aww, come on now Mitch.

You know I'd never
spoil a good story

for the sake of a little truth.

Honey, would you mind
filling my radiator?

[water splashing]
[upbeat music]

- Hey, how 'bout a hand?

Hello.

- Hi.

- I'm Eve, I hope
your name is Adam,

and I'll let you fix me a drink.

- The bars over there.

- Who is that?

- Her name's Eve Mason.

Three years ago her
husband spun out and died.

She's been trying to
forget every since.

- Well she doesn't have
to forget with my husband.

- It's not just Les honey,
it's any man, any husband.

- But I'm not just any wife.

Les never drank
whiskey straight.

- Want me to talk to him?

- You're the one
who said it Mitch,

he's a big boy, he can
take care of himself.

[Les coughing]

- Let me help you
catch your breath.

How 'bout another?

- Kiss?

- Drink silly.

- Well, like you said,
he's a big boy. [chuckles]

It's his hangover.

♪ I'm going away

♪ Soon to stay a little while

♪ But I'm coming back

♪ If I go 10,000 miles

♪ Look away

♪ Look away

♪ Look away

♪ Over Yandro

♪ Who will tie your shoes

♪ Who will glove your hands

♪ And who will kiss

♪ Your ruby lips

♪ When I am gone

♪ Look away

♪ Look away

♪ Look away over Yandro

♪ Oh he's gone

♪ He's gone away

♪ Sure to stay on
for a little while ♪

♪ But he's coming back

♪ If he goes 10,000 miles

♪ Look away

♪ Look away

♪ Look away

♪ Over Yandro

[audience clapping]

- Come on.

- Rene honey, where you been?

Rene I want you to meet Evie.

Evie this is Rene and
meet Mitch Cooper,

he's the greatest guy.
- We've,

we've met.

- You need a license
for hunting darling.

- It's a big jungle dear.

They roam around wild.

What do you expect?

- Mines fairly tamed.

And if I ever told
you how I tamed him,

you'd turn yours
in for a new model.

- I think it would
be sweet Les dear

if you fix me another drink.

- Go ahead fix it, and fix one
for yourself, for the road!

[upbeat music]

- A cup of coffee?

- No thanks, I'll
smoke this one out.

- You get Les to bed all right?

- [Rene] Yes.

- Not a bad party huh?

- Wonderful, wasn't it?

- All right, so Les
got a little drunk.

- Sure, and little Eve had it
all set up to be dollar day,

like Les is a big
bargain on sale.

Everything but the fig leaf.

- Don't be bitter.

A lot of people have something

they get lonesome
for in this world.

- Is that a personal
observation?

- Well, I've had my share of
things to be lonesome for.

- Like what?

- Well racing's all I know.

I like the smell, the speed,
the noise, I don't know.

- What about the funerals?

- Well I didn't expect
you to understand.

- Mr. Cooper, I don't.

- Well it's kind
of hard to explain.

It gets in your blood,
the money and glory.

I like all of 'em.

- The women?

- Well there's only
one kind I never had.

That was a woman like you.

Someone to follow me
around, be with me.

Be for me, Les is lucky.

Well, good night.

- Take her around for a few
laps kid, profile those tires.

Start practicing pulling those

inspection doors, just to check.

- I'll win this
race, even on rims.

- Well you just keep practicing
on those inspection doors

and checking those tires,

you'll come across that
finish line in a hearse.

[engine rumbling]

- Did you ever hear that
drinking and driving don't mix.

[men laughing]

- Hey Mitch, can I
see you a minute?

- Sure, you go on, take
your head with you. [laughs]

- Say I was wondering,
could I float a small loan?

- What's the matter,
doesn't Reichert pay y'all?

- Well sure, but somehow
it just seems to melt away.

- Yeah, like ice in a glass.

- Oh, I'll pay you back, you
know I always keep a record.

- Yeah I know.

- Thanks Mitch, the
pens inside there.

- Okay.

- Hey you know you, you
kind of sorta changed.

Now it could be my
imagination, maybe I'm wrong,

but well it's just striking me

that as I remember,
there was only one thing

that ever kept you
moving around one place

for any length of time.

Of course some times it was
two women, but. [laughs]

- You know, you got
a real smart way

with engines Buddy boy.

Why don't you stick to them.

[engines rumbling]

- Hello York,
you're pretty good.

- [Les] Yeah, not today I'm not.

- I've been watching you.

Anytime you wanna drive for me.

- Then what Reichert?

Live, breathe, and
die of a Reichert,

to bring the trophy home.

- I'm a liberal man Cooper.

- Yeah I know you are.

You tried to be
liberal with me once.

You can put up the
money all right,

but you take away the man.

Why don't you try using
robots for drivers?

[men laughing]

- I'm giving a little
party, you might call it

a pre-celebration for my
team and cars winning.

I just stopped over
to invite you two.

Hope you could come.

- [Les] Thanks Mr. Reichert.

- [Mitch] Yeah, thanks.

- So I still say, what's
wrong with Reichert.

His money talks big, pays
his drivers top salary,

even lets them keep
the purse, all of it.

- You know Les, I think
you're counting dollar signs

instead of sheep when
you go to bed nights.

[engine rumbling]

- Thorsten, you're fired.

- But Mr. Reichert
I couldn't help it,

the engine just blew.

- And your brains are lead too.

You made yourself a
good starting position,

so now you burn the car
out, just at its peak.

Now I've got to start over
again with a new engine.

- [Junior] Please Mr. Reichert,
let me drive the race.

If I win, don't pay
me, keep the purse.

- You're fired.

- Still think Reichert's
a great white father?

- Hey, a new motor costs
1500 bucks you know.

- That's like a 10 cents
to a guy like Reichert.

He's got a dozen motors in that
van over there, all set up.

See the kid hurt
Reichert's pride,

that's worse than
blowing 10 motors.

- You know Mitch,
the more you talk,

the more you're
beginning to sound like

you're turning into a do-gooder.

- Thanks for the ride.

- Maybe I'll see you later.

- Yeah, maybe.

Hi, honey.

- Hi.

- Oh boy that cold shower
is gonna feel good.

- How'd it go today?

- Okay, I must be
getting pretty good.

One of the big boys
offered me a job today.

- Driving?

- Of course.

- Why don't you take
me some place tonight?

We could go to a movie, or
just take a nice long walk.

- Well, we are going some
place tonight all right.

Mr. Reichert, the guy that
offered me the job today,

well he's giving a pre-race
party and he asked me to come.

Did you get my slacks back
from the cleaners honey?

- Yes, Les I don't
wanna go to that party.

Just a lot of strange
people I don't know

and you'll just sit around
and talk about racing.

Can't we just spend the evening
together tonight, alone?

There's a good movie.

Or we could just sit
around here and watch TV.

- Honey, well you
don't understand.

Mr. Reichert's an awful
big guy in auto racing.

And if he invites
you to go some place,

well you just can't ignore him.

- Are you going to quit
Mitch and drive for him?

- No, of course not.

But when Mitch's
ankle's all healed,

well, I might wanna
drive for Reichert.

- But that's some other time.

And I'm here now, tonight.

And I wanna be with you, alone.

- Look, suppose I just
go for a little while,

just long enough to say hello,

and then I'll come
right back home.

- I suppose Eve's
going to be there too.

- Well how do I know?

I didn't see any
list of invitations.

Aww come on honey, get
yourself all prettied up

and we'll have a good time.

- I'm sure you will.

You'll have a good time,
but it won't be with me.

- Why don't you lay off?

I told you this was
business and I've gotta go.

- Well go ahead and go and
have yourself a real ball,

because I'm going
to that party too,

but it won't be with you.

- Well that's fine,
that's just fine.

[upbeat music]
[party goers chattering]

- You know, we're very
much alike, you and me.

I mean I.

- How's that?

- Oh, you don't have
any home to go home to

when you wanna go home and
I don't have any home--

- Why all this talk
about going home,

we're at a swell
party, plenty of booze,

and you look very
pretty tonight.

- You don't understand,
nobody understands.

Bartender.

- Now just slow down,
you won't last the night.

Let's walk around for a
little while, come on.

- It cost about $10,000
to put one of those cars

on the track Les, and
I got five of 'em.

Just in case one of 'em
isn't running exactly right.

- That's a lot of loot.

- My boy qualified
for a front position

before he blew up that motor.

You could drive for
me if you want to Les.

You'd be so hot, they'd choke
on the smell of your rubber.

Well I'm afraid I
can't Mr. Reichert.

You see, Mitch and I, well--

- I know, loyalty.

I admire a man who's loyal,

but I also admire a man who
knows what's best for himself.

- That's my department,
isn't it honey?

Excuse us.

- Excuse me Mr. Reichert.

Sweeten this, will you please-

- You do like me, don't you?

- And I like you too honey.

Bartender, bourbon
and water please.

Now, who's going to
have him like whom?

You did say this was a big
jungle, didn't you honey?

You might not be able to tell
it my by sweet gentle looks,

but I'm a real cat when
it comes to my tiger.

And I have news for you honey,

I don't share him with
anybody, including you.

- Why you!

- Why don't you go change
your makeup Eve, go on.

[jazz music]

- Take me back Les.

- What'd you have
to do that for?

- Why don't you
take her home Les.

- I don't need you to
tell me what to do.

I'll go if I want
to or I'll stay.

- Then stay!

Take me back Mitch.

- Sure honey.

- One big happy family.

- Not if he lets Mitch Cooper
play big brother to his wife.

Your wife does a pretty good
job once she gets started.

- [Les] Well that
wasn't like her at all.

She's not used to drinking.

- Did you two have a family
quarrel or something,

I noticed she came
here with Mitch.

- It wasn't much,
some things she just

doesn't understand, that's all.

- Well, maybe Mitch will get
everything straightened out.

He's got an
understanding nature.

Look honey, your wife's
had quite a few drinks,

and I don't think Uncle Mitch
was the ideal escort home,

you know what I mean.

- Yeah, thanks.

Wait a minute.

You two make a real
handsome couple, don't you?

- What do you mean by that?

- We go partners, 50/50,

well that didn't
include my wife.

- [Rene] Les, you're all wrong?

- Am I, stay out of this.

From now on you better stay
outta my life and hers.

- Look, I don't know
what you're thinking.

- I'll tell you
what I'm thinking,

I'm thinking you
and I are through.

As of tomorrow I'm
driving for Reichert.

- Well, what about the race?

What about my car?

- You can take the race and
your car and go to hell.

Or drive it yourself if
you've got enough guts.

Come on, you.

- Hi Mitch, any
chance you might be

looking for a ride home?

Well, yes as a
matter of fact I am

looking for a ride home.

Good to see you Kay.

[engine rumbling]

[motor knocking]

- [Buddy] I'll be
back in a few minutes.

- Where you going?

- Cooper's got trouble and I
think I know how to fix it.

He never was any good
at fixing them cars,

but he sure knows
how to drive 'em.

- Well you're working
for me, not Cooper.

- The boy's in trouble, he's
gotta qualify this afternoon,

it'll only take a few minutes.

- Well I'm not paying
you to work on cars

that are racing against me.

If he can't fix it,
that's his tough luck.

- Well Mr. Reichert, you can't
expect me to stand around

when a guy's in trouble.

- Well don't just stand around,

get busy on my
car, or get fired.

- Thanks Mr. Reichert, for
helping me make up my mind.

I'll see you around the pits.

- What's wrong with
the car Mr. Cooper?

- I don't know.

- You got a spot on your crew
for a one-armed tool slinger?

- Well don't stand
there staring sad eyed,

you heard it misting.

If you're gonna do something
about it, get going.

[Buddy laughing]

[engines rumbling]

- That was Mitch Cooper
in car number eight,

finishing his qualifying run.

But it looks like Cooper
will have to be content

with a field position in
this Southern 500 this year.

And ladies and gentlemen,
that's concludes our time trials

for this 10th
annual Southern 500.

Attention in the
pit area please,

will you drivers and pit
crews drive your cars

down to the inspection areas,

so that they may be
impounded until race morning.

[engine rumbling]

- Did you lose
something Mr. Cooper?

- You never drive a track
boy, without walking it.

Smelling out every inch,
checking the weak spots.

- But you know this track
like your own skin Mr. Cooper.

- Tracks change boy,

just like people.

Don't you ever forget that.

Hey Les.

Keep it between the fences kid.

[upbeat music]
[audience cheering]

[horn honking]

[sirens blaring]

- Dear God, a great event is
about to take place here today.

There will be danger
here today oh Lord,

and we who sit and
watch these young men

act out this great clean sport,

pray that you will watch
over them and protect them.

And although there will
be 50 of these young men

waging a fearsome battle
across the vast stage,

there can only be one winner.

But we do pray, dear God,

that you will grant
each loser his life,

that he may try again for
victory some other day, amen.

♪ Amen

- Attention all
race car drivers,

gentlemen go to
your cars please.

Attention all race car drivers,
go to your cars please.

Gentlemen, start your engines.

[engines rumbling]

Let's all stand up
ladies and gentlemen

and cheer them on their
way, this is the base lap.

Curtis Turner driving the
beautiful old space car,

winner of the Southern
500 here in 1956.

And Rebel 300, winner of
1958 has his passenger,

Bob Collins, president of
the Darlington Raceway,

and the beautiful
Ms. Carolyn Melton,

this years Ms. Southern 500.

50 of the nation's top drivers
make up the field here today

and 50 of the
nation's fastest cars,

painted in all the
colors of the rainbow.

Past Southern 500
winner, Bob Roberts,

Buck Baker, Speedy
Thompson, and Mitch Cooper

are matched against a field
on entries that include

new comers Bob
Curtis, Johnny Olive,

Buddy Baker, Les York, and
the father and son team,

three time Grand
National Champion,

Lee Petty and his son Richard.

[engines rumbling]

17 Chevys, 16 Fords,
eight T-birds,

three Pontiacs, three
Panhards, two Oldsmobile,

and one Buick make up this
starting field here today.

And they're both going
towards the starting line

and the green flag that will get

this Southern 500 under way.

[gun firing]

[engines rumbling]

Well, the fastest starting
in Darlington history.

And off the second turn,
down the back stretch,

it's Bob Robinson in
Pontiac number three.

Speedy Thompson in
Impala number 22.

Elmo Langdon in Buick number 10.

Rex White in Impala number four,

and Bob Bucker in
T-bird number 73.

[engines rumbling]

[tires screeching]

There goes Les York
in the Olds number 25

moving out between the
first and second turn

to contend for a front spot.

Watch that car number eight,
driven by the old veteran

Mitch Cooper, he's making
his bid early in this race

to place his car in contention.

[engines rumbling]

- You two check his
rubber when he comes in.

Stoogie, you get his windshield.

Too fast, too quick.

You two get his gas,
I'll get the hood.

[tires screeching]

[car thudding]

[dramatic music]

[engines rumbling]

- Mitch Cooper is driving
a magnificent race so far.

Consistently moving up
through that traffic.

At lap 50, it's Les
York in the lead

in the '59 Olds number 25.

In second place is Joe
Eubanks in '58 Ford number 82.

[tires screeching]

Cooper running flat out,

past his time on
Carson on the inside.

Cooper now running
in fourth spot.

He's very much in
contention, keep your eyes

on that number eight automobile.

- Little boys don't
drive Darlington kid,

there goes a man,
give him a position.

- It's Les York still out front,

but all these boys had better
watch out for Mitch Cooper.

It's the old master
out to get the pupil

that he taught to rise.

And the pressure is
beginning to worry York.

[light knocking]

- Come in.

- Oh sorry ma'am.

- It's all right, go ahead.

[jazz music]

- You must have a
man at the race?

- Yes.

- Yeah, I been cleaning
these rooms a long time.

You'll get to know.

[engines rumbling]

- [Reichert] Ask him
if he needs anything.

- He's still good for 20 laps.

- And listen to this,
the track temperature

at this time is a
blistering 132 degrees.

Those tires are taking
a terrific beating

on this track today
and so are the drivers.

For your information
ladies and gentlemen,

those race cars aren't
air conditioned.

Cooper makes his bid, look
at that number eight go.

He gets around
Langford and Eubanks

to bid the number two spot.

Man, this is going to be a race.

There's some gloomy looking
faces in the Reichert pit

along about now, and
the pressure mounts.

[men laughing]

- How 'bout that Stoogie?

[tires screeching]

- At 230 laps, it's Les York
in number 25 at first place.

Mitch Cooper in
number eight second.

Joe Eubanks in number 82 third,
Shep Langdon in 64 fourth,

and Joe Weatherly
in number 12, fifth.

And the old pro, Mitch
Cooper, is now riding

in York's slipstream, way
to get York's rear bumper

by forcing him into these turns.

I'll bet that's a little trick
that Mitch didn't teach York.

And there goes Mitch Cooper
around York on the low side.

Well how about that?

Cooper feigned York
over to the left

and pulled up on the high side.

They'll now running
side by side,

bumper to bumper,
and wheel to wheel

as they charge off
the fourth turn

and down the straight away.

Cooper puts his foot all
the way in the carburetor

on his automobile, pulls
by York and grabs the lead.

Wow, what a battle.

[jazz music]

- Please call me a cab
right away, thanks.

- What's wrong Mr. Schaeffer?

We got the lead.

- I never saw Mitch
drive like that,

he's cutting out too quick.

Bring him in Stoogie,
it's time for gas anyway.

- Now it looks like it's a
battle between Cooper and York.

Right down to the finish line.

- [Mitch] Come on gas
it up, I'm in a hurry!

- You're not going any
place Mitch, you've had it

- Come on, hurry it up.

- You've got a
cracked brake driver,

it won't last till
the end of the race.

- Come on, come on,
get that tire back on.

- Mitch, you can't drive!

- I'm going to finish this race.

- In a coffin you do.

- Put the hood down.

Put the damn hood down.

- There goes Mitch
Cooper, out of the pits

and back into the race.

Seem to be some trouble
down in the pits that time

between Mitch Cooper and his
crew chief, Buddy Schaeffer.

It's all straightened
out now though

and Mitch Cooper is back
on the track running.

- What's wrong with
the car Mr. Schaeffer?

- Tired iron kid, tired iron.

- That pot stop cost
Cooper some laps,

but he's pushing
that number eight now

to make up some lost time.

Bobby Johns, the
young man in the entry

is still running
strong in car 72,

as is Richard Petty
in car number 43.

And Joe Weatherly,
the boy who always

brings this huge
crowd to their feet

is still very much
in contention.

[engines rumbling]

Uh-oh, it looks as if York
is getting ready to pit.

[tires screeching]

- [Reichert] You can take 'em.

- [Les] I will.

- That pit stop of
York's now puts Cooper

right back on even
terms for the lead.

Once again, it's the
old pro bantering

with the pupil he
taught to drive.

That pit stop of
York's now puts Cooper

right back on even
terms for the lead.

Once again, it's the old pro

bantering with the pupil
he taught to drive.

[tires screeching]

With only a few laps to
go, it's Cooper and York

side-by-side, bumper to
bumper, and wheel to wheel,

contending for first place.

If they keep this up, they
might finish in a dead heat.

Boy, we've never seen
anything like this.

[car thudding]

There may be a pile-up.

[car thudding]

[sirens blaring]

The coaches signal on,

the coaching car's on the track

and the track is
rapidly being cleared.

The track is clear, the
coaching lights turn to green.

And they're ready to go
again on the final two laps.

- I had the machine and Les
York was the man to do it.

- This is what you wanted,
so now you've got it.

[upbeat music]

- [Doctor] A pair
of scissors please.

- Hi.

- Well hi, how'd he do?

- He won.

- Ouch, take it easy doc.

- Everybody saw you
do it Mitch, why?

- Well, it was my pleasure.

Oww, doc.

[crowd cheering]

You won, huh?

- Yeah, I won Mitch.

Thanks, thanks for
a lot of things.

- Forget it.

- [Doctor] You folks
mind leaving now?

- Well, I guess
I got everything.

[dramatic music]

Thanks.

- Be seeing you
Mitch, good luck.

- You bet.

Hey, maybe I'll see you up
in Hillsboro next month.

150 laps, pretty big purse.

- Well gee Mitch, I don't know.

- You said I was
married to one of those

indestructible iron men.

- Yeah, yeah, maybe you will.

- [Mitch] I'll be seeing you.

- So long iron man.

Which way?

- Oh it doesn't make
much difference.

[men laughing]

[upbeat music]