Tick, Tick, Tick (1970) - full transcript
This is the story of a black man who has been elected sheriff in a U.S. southern county, due to the vote of blacks. He receives a huge amount of hostility from the non-tolerant white establishment, making his job very hard. The white former sheriff has his own struggle, as he balances his devotion to the law with his family and community relations. Things come to a head when the black sheriff puts a white man, the son of a wealthy land-owner of a neighboring county, in jail, and his daddy comes after him. Everyone around has to decide where their values really lie.
[clock ticking]
[ticking continues]
[flies buzzing]
[ticking continues]
[flies buzzing]
[ticking continues]
[buzzing continues]
[ticking continues]
[ticking continues]
[footsteps]
[flies buzzing]
[laughing]
[laughing joyously]
[sighs]
Oh, Lord.
Much obliged.
[laughing]
Phew.
- What do you have?
- Drink of water.
[glass clinks]
You might as well
come out with it.
You never come in my place.
Thought you got here
to pick me to scratch.
You gotta back
room here, Junior?
- So?
- It's gotta bed in it?
Sometimes, I sleep.
There's rumor
going around.
This particular rumor has
you rented it out to teenagers.
- It ain't so.
- I'm betting it is.
I'm also betting
that ain't all it's used for.
What are you talking about?
Found a colored boy out on a
highway all beat up last night.
And somebody had painted
a white K.K.K. on his forearm.
You got no proof my
back room was used for that.
Not yet.
How you boys today?
- Okay, John.
- Good, John.
Heard your wife
had another baby, Tolbert.
- It makes ten, don't it?
- Last time I counted.
[Tolbert]
'Done run out of fingers
to count on.'
Asking Junior about that
back room of his, John?
No...I was telling him.
Unless my calendar's a liar,
this is your last day in office.
You out on your keister.
Tomorrow noon.
How'd you feel having
a nigger take your job?
[John]
'He's voted into office.
I was voted out.'
[male #1]
John, come around here. Just
can't understand how you let
that black boy walk in,
take a job away from you.
'You've been raised
around here and all.'
Because it's the law, Rankin.
You know as well as I do
he didn't get a single
white vote out
of the whole county.
According to the law, black and
white don't make no difference.
Votes a vote. That's the law.
Now, I reckon it is..
...who made that law,
you suppose?
[Tompall and The Glaser
Brothers singing]
♪ You looked upon the city
as it crumble beneath the dead ♪
♪ Watch the golden valleys
as they turned to commiserate ♪
♪ From the blood of fellow men
and yet you turned your head ♪
♪ And now in all the tears
for which you cried ♪
♪ Had a single tear been shed
you really shed ♪
[clock ticking]
- Everything quiet?
- I can hear the grass growing.
Who's got the duty tonight,
you or Warren?
- Me.
- Where's Warren now?
Out on state highway,
I imagine.
He needs to stop
running that trap.
Well now, can't rightly
blame him, can you?
We're all out
of work tomorrow.
Warren, this is Sheriff Little.
Where are you? Over.
[radio static]
I'm just sitting out here on
number 10. Scratching, chewing.
Not doin' much, nothing
to speak of. Over.
You wouldn't be running a Yankee
trap, would you, Warren? Over.
No, Sheriff,
I'm bird watching.
[whistling like birds]
[Warren]
'Over.'
Wrap it up, Warren.
Bring it on in. Over.
Ten, four.
[car speeding]
♪ ...Let's give love just
another try ♪
♪ Before it's too late
♪ Get in time we found
a little piece instead of hay ♪
♪ It took a million years
to complicate simplicity ♪
[siren blaring]
♪ One brotherhood's as simple
as to start with you and me ♪
♪ One brotherhood's as simple
as to start with you and me ♪
- How are you?
- Well, why you stoppin' us?
Just a habit. I ain't
learned how to break yet.
I wasn't exceeding
the speed limit.
Bet you were.
You ought to keep
everything inside.
[sighs]
[windows closing]
[sighs]
I'm just thinking
what comes after Monday.
I don't know
anything but the law.
I don't know how children
could be so cruel.
Margaret got off
the school bus crying.
I don't have much
money saved, Julia.
Yesterday there was
little in a wood pile.
Today it was catch a little by
the toe she hollers. Let her go.
I think I maybe apply
for the highway patrol.
[both mumbling]
Oh, God, I'm so tired.
Moment you get outta
Colusa County.
Always so sorry about
all this. So sorry.
Well, I have to show him
the files setup all at Monday.
He wants you.
Don't say nothing.
Oh, Jesus, he's military police
he'd probably knows more
about files than I do.
[vehicle skidding]
[boy #1]
'Hey, Little, you've gonna let
a nigger take your job, Little?'
'What's the matter, Little?
You chicken. Ha, ha, ha.'
'Show me, chicken.
Chicken Little. Chicken Little.'
[imitating chicken clucking]
'Chicken Little.
Chicken Little.'
Before that last election
nobody in this county
would have dare
do that to you. Nobody!
What you expect
me to do, Julia? Kill 'em?
- How do you feel?
- 'Like I'll be a good sheriff.'
If they let you, you mean.
'If they let me,
I'll be a good sheriff.'
They don't, you be
a dead one.
[clock ticking]
You mind if I go along
with you today?
- And hold my hand?
- Jim.
You haven't even got a deputy.
Those organizers who helped
get you elected.
Man, they flew back north
like-like big birds.
'You're all alone now
and no deputy.'
I have got a handful
of applications.
'Then why haven't
you hired one?'
Because I'm not
officially the Sheriff
of Colusa County until noon.
Come on, kids, let's go see if
your dad's honor guard is ready.
Well, I guess it's...
about that time.
[clock ticking continues]
You gotta look at the bright
side of things. Think about it.
For the first time, people have
a sheriff they can call, boy.
Mama, mama, mama. Now don't you
go worrying. See you later.
I just can't believe it.
Be careful, son.
Okay, mother.
Walk me outside.
There's a big crowd.
A dead hero makes
a poor father.
Look, even the dumbest white man
has to know if he kills me
a thousand will take my place.
And out of that thousand
there is not one
that can take
your place with me.
I'm your woman,
your children's mother.
And you are my life.
That's why I'm doing it.
[people cheering]
[cheering continues]
Thank you, thank you.
Thank you.
Hi, pretty, you gonna be
a good girl while daddy is gone?
Bet you, big man, gonna take
care of mommy? Come on.
Thank you, Jonas
Thank you, Reverend.
Thank you.
[people cheering]
- 'Good luck, Jim.'
- 'Good luck, Jimmy.'
[indistinct chatter]
You're a fool
if you're not scared.
I'm no fool.
[chicken clucking]
[people cheering]
[car stereo]
[song continues]
[crowd greeting]
'Good morning, Mayor.'
'Morning, Mayor.'
Morning! Hell it's noon.
What's the matter with you?
You got no work to do?
Get out of my way.
[clangs]
I ain't liking seeing the
glances all around Colusa County
at this moment.
'He's due here
at noon. Ain't he?'
There's not really any need
for you to be here, Mayor.
- All I'm going to do--
- Don't tell me.
As long as I'm here I know
there won't be any incidents.
What makes you think there would
be if you weren't here, Mayor?
This scratching, gum-chewing,
backwater nothing you got
for a deputy, that's what.
First deputy this county
ever had that I saw
that oughta be locked
up for loitering.
I know his daddy
and I know his daddy's daddy,
just like him.
Neither one of 'em
was anything. Nothing.
Mayor, you got no right
talking about my kin that way.
'And your grand momma,
old lady Sarah Springer'
She's the worst of the lot.
Know it for a fact,
used to go with her.
Terrible woman. Terrible.
Maybe you are
the Mayor this town--
No maybe to it, my boy.
I am the Mayor.
Anything happens to this
colored boy we'll have
the voice and peek-a-boos all
over Colusa County by sundown.
We don't want that.
You understand me?
Watch it, chee ya!
[The Glaser brothers singing
"All that keeps ya goin'"]
♪ When the princes
and the peasants ♪
♪ Each look back
at you the same ♪
♪ When a friend that
you had known before ♪
♪ Can't quite recall your name
♪ When each morning
there's a cloudy sky ♪
♪ To keep the sun from showin'
♪ Then you know
you are your own ♪
♪ Sometimes that's all
that keeps ya goin' ♪
♪ Neath the chimneys
and the rooftops ♪
♪ Of a village safe and sound
♪ No one sees the face
nor hears the feet ♪
♪ That walk the morning ground
♪ And the stillness
of the alleys ♪
♪ And the highways
keeps a growin' ♪
♪ So you say you are your own
♪ And that alone
will keep ya goin' ♪
Well, c'mon in.
♪ Through the dampness
of the dawn now ♪
♪ By the road you walk alone
♪ And you think on days
when you had laughed ♪
♪ Or of a love you'd known
♪ But your head is
low avoidin' thoughts ♪
♪ Of times you'll
soon be knowin' ♪
♪ When to say you are your own
♪ Ain't quite enough
to keep ya goin' ♪
Thank you.
These are the keys
to everything.
Files.
'Patrol cars.'
[keys clanking]
Cells.
There's a drunk sleeping
it off in the back.
Let him out when he wakes up.
Is that all I have to know?
[key clinks]
I got a clue for
you, boy. I'm--
Springer!
I'm the number one citizen
of this town, Price.
And this town is a comic.
I reckon you know
some of the problems
you're liable to run into.
I was born in this town, Mayor.
When you hit a wall, you think
you can't climb over
dig under or go through.
You come to me.
Don't go pickin' up that
phone to call Washington
or the "NAACP." You hit a
snag, you come to me first.
Might be I can get
it unsnagged for you.
- What if you can't, Mayor?
- What was that?
Suppose I have a problem and
you can't help me solve it.
All I may ask you to do
is give me a chance to try.
Is that askin' too much?
You weren't askin', Mayor.
You were telling.
Well, hell I'm used to telling.
I ain't used to asking.
What are you men still
hangin' around for?
Go away, all of you. Scat.
I wasn't voted out of
office because I have been
a bad sheriff.
I was voted out because
I ain't colored.
Did I say somethin' funny?
I've been meanin' to have a talk
with you about your complexion.
Oh, you..
[both laugh]
[snorts]
I am the first man
in the whole state
to get hit over the head
with black power.
'You think that's funny.'
Johnny, what is it?
Tell me.
You know, I am planning to
show him around the office.
I was goin' to explain the
files to him. You know all that.
When it come right down on it.
And when we was face to face.
I couldn't say a thing.
I walked out.
And I've a bad feelin'.
[John]
'I've a feeling
they're gonna get him.'
'Just a matter of time.'
[clock ticking]
[door rattling]
[male #2]
'Hey, let me out of here.'
'Come on, man.
Let me outta here.'
[clock ticking]
[keys rattling]
[laughing deliriously]
Wow.
[soft music]
[music continues]
I was worried about you.
When you didn't come
home for supper.
How long have you
been here?
About three hours.
Oh, Fred's stayin'
with the children.
Why didn't
you come inside?
I didn't think it would look
right. It's only your first day.
I don't want you
to do this again.
[engine spluttering]
- You been playin' the radio?
- Uh-huh.
[engine stalls]
What is it?
What's wrong?
You stay here.
I'll be right back.
I'm gonna let this town know
it's got a new sheriff.
[engine revs]
[tires screeching]
[siren wailing]
[wailing continues]
[tires screeching]
[wailing continues]
[siren continues]
What the hell!
[tires screeching]
[wailing continues]
[phone rings]
[wailing continues]
- Hello.
- What the devil's goin' on?
I don't know, Mayor.
I'm not your sheriff anymore.
Well, sounds like
the Russians are coming.
[wailing continues]
- How old are you?
- 28.
- Finish high school?
- Yeah.
What happened
in my town last night?
Nothing that I
know about, Mayor.
Nothing? It sounded
like a Chinese fire drill.
Look, Mayor, yesterday was
my first day on the job.
And if you take a look under
the hood of my car, you will
find over $100 worth of damage.
- You know who did it?
- No, sir.
- 'Any insurance to cover?'
- 'No, sir.'
Well, did you..
Well have it fixed
and bill the city.
I see, you didn't fill out
the space stating why you wanted
to be a deputy sheriff?
They've been whipping our
heads for years now.
I figure it's our turn.
- I can't use you, Harley.
- How come?
The job calls for
maintaining law and order.
Not whipping heads.
You was raised in this town.
And you know white's been down
on us ever since we were kids.
Now gonna tell me--
I'm telling you
I can't use you.
Oh, man. I mean I've been
thinking you was a soul.
First thing I hear
I come in here.
And you yessin'
at that old white Mayor.
Well, you ain't no soul.
You ain't nothing.
I am the Sheriff.
Not the white sheriff,
not the black sheriff.
Not the soul sheriff.
But the sheriff.
- That's it.
- No, man. That ain't it.
And I am gonna
tell you--
No, you're not gonna
tell me nothing.
Don't let your mouth get
you in trouble, Harley.
Now get outta' here.
Wilkes.
Have a seat, Brad.
How did you like Vietnam?
I ain't scared
of hell no more.
Special forces, eh?
Medical specialist.
It doesn't say uh, why you
wanna be a deputy sheriff.
I don't want
to be a deputy.
How is that?
I want to get married.
And that takes money.
And at...the present time this
seems to be the best job around.
You know it could be
the worst job around.
Could be.
It's yours.
Afternoon.
You got anything
else for me to do?
Drain pipe on the side
of the house needs to be fixed.
I did it.
There is a loose bolt
up here on the porch.
Not anymore.
Holes needs
a new washing.
Not anymore.
Hinge on the kitchen
cabinet is broken.
Not anymore.
Oh, Johnny, why don't
you just go fishin'?
Called the highway patrol
headquarters at the capital.
They..
Well, they're
hiring men.
In their twenties. All of 'em
high-school graduates.
Even some went to college.
Do I look old to you?
- Ain't you?
- I'm serious.
I know you are.
That's why I am not.
You're not going to seduce me
into any suicide path.
Make you feel so old.
Old and sort of worthless.
It's Warren.
How you today, John?
I'll make it.
What's up?
Bengy is over to pool hall.
Still wearin' his gun.
Why?
He wants to be the first
white man Price tries to arrest.
Says he'll kill him.
Why you comin'
to me with this?
It's still your county
as far as I'm concerned, John.
But I'm not
the law anymore.
If you ain't the law,
then there ain't none.
[kids singing]
[kids sobbing]
They don't mean nothin'.
Then why do they do it?
[male #3]
'Hey, boy.'
You're the new law
around here, ain't you?
Thought you might
want to know.
There's a man over
in the pool room wearing a gun.
'He says he'll kill you, you
try to take it away from him.'
[Tompall Glaser singing
"Home's Where The Hurt Is"]
♪ My glass is empty
♪ And so are my arms
♪ The lights are dim low
♪ And so am I
♪ I drink not to think
♪ I hate to go home
♪ Home's Where The Hurt Is
♪ My sweet love is gone
♪ Gone like a leaf
- Hello, John.
- Hello, Bengy.
What brings you out
in the heat of the day ?
It's funny that
you should ask that, Bengy.
I was just sitting at home
minding my own business.
A little birdie flew
in through the window.
You ought to be putting screens
on them windows, John.
That birdie said that there
was a fool out at the pool room.
Setting the law up
for a killer.
Rack 'em.
You got a stick, John?
I'll play you a game.
I sure do wish you take
that gun off, Bengy.
No. I reckon,
I'll keep it on.
Till the Sheriff...tells
me to take it off.
You wanna break?
I sure do wish
you take that off.
No.
I'll keep it on.
♪ Home's Where The Hurt Is
♪ My sweet love is gone
Now, you boys pass the word
around creeks and the gullies.
Nobody kills the law
in Colusa County.
He's just sleeping.
I wanted to show you what
a high-debt pool room
can do to a man.
[Price]
Mr. Little.
I don't want you to do
that again, Mr. Little.
I can't imagine what
you're talking about.
But I can tell
you this, Sheriff.
That boy lying on the floor
in there is a crack shot.
He comes from a long
line of crack shots.
I have to do my
own job, Mr. Little.
I don't want anybody
to do it for me.
I apologize for saving
your life, Mr. Price.
You're double parked.
- Afternoon, Mr. Little.
- Afternoon, Homer.
- Is the Mayor in?
- He's in his study.
The Mayor, he is feeling
kinda poorly today.
He celebrated last night?
[butler]
'That ain't for me to say.'
[knock on door]
Come in.
What's the matter, Mayor?
You come on
with some bad eyes.
That's not funny.
You know that's
not funny, don't you?
Sit down.
You did send
for me, didn't you?
Don't be impatient
with me, Little.
I'm an old man.
I'm not gonna live past
a 110. I'm certain of it.
Excuse me, Mayor.
But how long
you want me to sit here?
I don't care whether
you sit or not.
You could lie down
if you want to.
Homer, Homer!
Get in here.
Come here, come here quick.
You see him under the branch?
- You see him?
- I see him.
Quick. Get the gun.
Squirrel getting
all my pecans.
Little gangster is
out there every day.
Haulin' away more than him
and his family can eat.
When he can't find
them on the ground
he shakes them
off the limbs.
I hear you busted
Bengy Springer's head for him.
I wasn't gonna stand
and see him put a bullet
through that badge
I wore all those--
Then why didn't you
make a citizen's arrest?
At least we could've
got him sent away
to save pain
for awhile.
Bengy Springer is stupid.
He thinks he's a little Dutch
boy with his finger in the dyke.
He ain't the only one.
What are you doing?
Patching the wormholes.
So I can get a draw.
Good cigars are too expensive.
I buy seconds and thirds.
How many holes does
a cigar has to have for you
to give up on it?
Makes no difference.
As long as I don't have
to smoke it like a piccolo.
Homer, we got the bugger.
Mayor, you got anything
else to say to me?
Let Price handle things.
He wanted to be
a Sheriff, didn't he?
'This is Deputy Brooks
calling Sheriff Price, over.'
Sheriff Price, over.
I'm on road to town
about three miles north of town.
There's been a bad
accident, over.
I'm leaving now.
[siren wailing]
[female#1]
'Laurie, Laurie, honey.'
[ambulance siren]
'My baby'
'Laurie, Laurie.'
Leave me, go to her.
Laurie, what's the
matter with her?
Tell me, what's the
matter with her?
I'm her momma,
what's the matter with her.
Please, let me know.
Head on.
This little girl here
got thrown from the car.
[female #1 sobbing]
Oh, my God.
- How did it happen?
- Whiskey.
He's real shaky.
This whole situation
could be real shaky.
Yeah.
So you just keep
it real easy.
Okay.
Are you the driver
of this vehicle?
What's it to you?
May I see your
driver's license, please?
What for?
You should know that
you have the right
to remain silent.
Anything you say
can and will be used against
you in the court of law.
You also have the right
to have an attorney present
'during questioning.'
I am arresting you
for man slaughter.
Let's go.
Go?
I ain't going nowhere
with you.
You're wrong about that.
There's a little girl
over here that is dead.
And apparently
you've been drinking.
If you take one more step,
I'll have to charge you
for resisting arrest.
[screaming]
[music]
[cattle mooing]
[mooing continues]
[music continues]
[gasping]
Go ahead, boy.
Shoot me.
Ah.
Ugh.
[laughing]
[music continues]
[John Hartford singing
"Gentle On My Mind"]
♪ Though the wheat fields
and the clothes lines ♪
♪ And the junkyards
and the highways ♪
♪ Come between us
♪ And some other woman crying
♪ To her mother 'cause
she turned and I was gone ♪
♪ I still might run
in silence ♪
♪ Tears of joy might
stain my face ♪
♪ And a summer sun
might burn me ♪
♪ Till I'm blind
♪ But not to where
I cannot see you ♪
♪ Walking on the back roads
♪ By the rivers flowing
gentle on my mind ♪
♪ I dip my cup of soup
♪ Back from the gurgling
cracklin' cauldron ♪
♪ In some train yard
♪ My beard
a roughening coal pile ♪
♪ And a dirty hat pulled
low across my face ♪
♪ Through cupped hands
'round a tin can ♪
♪ I pretend I hold you
to my breast ♪
Hey.
Hey. That's my boat.
♪ Ever smilin' ever
gentle on my mind ♪
♪ That you're movin'
on the back roads ♪
♪ By the rivers of my memory
♪ For hours you're just
gentle on my mind ♪
♪ That you're movin'
on the back roads ♪
♪ By the rivers of my memory
♪ Ever smilin' ever
gentle on my mind ♪
[Brooks]
'Move back.
Please stand back, folks.'
'Please move back
and give 'em room.'
Folks, please move back
and give 'em room.'
Give 'em plenty of room.
'Move back. Miss, would you
please move back?'
Move back, will ya, miss?
Would you move back?
Please move back.
Please move back, people.
Give 'em room.
Move back.
Please move back, miss.
[screams]
You animal. You sadist pig.
You killed my little girl.
- You killed her.
- Get outta here.
Get outta here.
Oh, shut up.
You murderer.
She's six years old.
'You animal.'
[engine revs]
[people chatting]
[car accelerating]
At this speed, if you think
foolish we both gonna die.
Not me, black boy.
You're the one who's gonna die.
[music on jukebox]
[music stops]
He's done it.
Arrested a white man.
You owe me a dime, Springer.
Don't you hear what I said?
That nigger has got
a white man locked up in jail.
You were there, Bengy.
He killed that
little Dawes' girl.
Well.
Now that just ain't
the point, is it?
[sighs]
Let me have a dime, Bengy.
That nigger's got a white man
locked up in jail.
And you just gonna sit there--
The dime.
Sure.
Sure.
Here, Rankin.
Here's your dime.
Here.
Now you plug it back in.
I reckon I've seen
everythin' now.
Yeah.
I reckon I've seen it all.
[music continues]
They ought to chuck you
out of the clan, Rankin.
Watcha boys gonna do?
What boys?
You know.
Clan.
[exhales]
What clan?
[male #4]
'Gotta eat with 'em,
Washington says.'
Gotta go to school
with 'em, Washington says.
Gotta let 'em vote,
Washington says.
Next thing you know,
Washington's gonna say
we gotta sleep with 'em.
Hey, boy.
You spit on my boot.
Good for 'em.
Make 'em shine.
Yeah?
Spit on the other one.
Yeah, hello, John.
Catch anything?
Trade you four catfish
for a haircut, Joe.
Well, nice size.
Here boy. Let it easy.
You, uh..
You heard?
Yeah, I heard.
They say he's not from
around here. What's his name?
Braddock.
The Roper County Braddocks?
You know of any others?
Which one?
Johnny.
The old man's son.
Watcha goin' to
do about it, Little?
Nothing.
- Wanna make a telephone call?
- Nope.
You have the right
to make a call--
Don't tell me what
my rights are, boy?
I can make that call
anytime I want to.
Boy.
[sighs]
You know, I'm like
a time bomb in this jail.
Longer I'm in here,
madder my daddy's gonna get.
'You do understand, don't you?'
You don't care anything
about the little girl, do you?
Wake me up when
it's time to eat, boy.
You're back already?
Highway Patrol
took over.
That kid sure was
a mean one, ain't he?
Yeah, man. He's
real mean, you know.
It's like he has a disease.
He's got so much hate in him.
Something that's eating away
at him all the time.
Yeah, I know what ya mean, man.
You know, Jim.
Over in Nam, I got
to be pretty close
with some of the white boys
in my detachment.
They needed me.
And I needed them.
'One day, on patrol we got
into a fire fight with Charlie.'
It was a miracle that
we got out of it alive.
When we did, one of the
white boys came up to me.
Threw his arms around me
and he hugged me tight.
He was so happy.
Man, you know, I've been
there before, too.
Wait a minute.
When my tour was up
and I was coming home.
He came up to me and he
made me give him my address.
Said he wanted
to keep in touch.
'Now, you know, he won't.'
He admitted at that time,
you know. But he won't.
Do you wanna keep
in touch with him?
I think so.
If it wasn't for that wall, man.
I don't understand.
What wall?
You know, the wall.
The wall that somebody
painted a long time ago.
With one side white
and one side black.
[laughs]
'That sure is
a high wall, man.'
[chuckles]
[dog barking]
Alright, you two.
Up to bed now.
Mommy, can't we stay up
a little bit longer?
Nah. Come on.
Goodnight, honey.
I don't wanna hear
any talking you hear me?
[dog barking]
Kinda late, aren't they?
TV special.
"The Wizard Of Oz."
Johnny.
Mm-hm.
Johnny, why don't we move?
Move?
Move where?
I don't know.
A larger town.
Maybe uh,
Atlanta or Birmingham?
Maybe even to California.
Lots of people are goin' to Ca--
That'll be kinda
like running, wouldn't it?
I didn't mean
it like that. I..
I ain't running, Julia.
So you can get that idea
right out of your head.
It seems to me
that there would be
more opportunity
for you in another place.
It still sounds like runnin'.
I don't wanna hear 'bout it.
[tires screeching]
[boy #1]
'Chicken, chicken Little.'
Stay here.
[mimicking hen]
'Cluck-cluck.'
'Chicken.
Chicken.'
'Chicken, chicken.'
'Hey, chicken Little.'
'Hey, chicken.'
'Chicken Little.'
'Chicken Little.'
'Hey, chicken Little.'
'Cluck-cluck.'
[tires screech]
You one of the
Packard kids, ain't ya?
How old are you, boy?
Answer me.
Six-sixteen.
You think, you gonna
make 17?
I, I hope so.
Well, I'm gonna lay
something down for you, boy.
If you got a brain
you'd pick it up.
Next time you go by
the hardware store
you stay away from that
disinfectant corner.
You stay away from that
disinfectant. You hear me?
'Cause, you ain't nothin'
but a buck. Now get out.
[engine revs]
[insects clicking]
[door creaks]
'Here, boy.'
[Brooks grunts and groans]
[Brad]
'Stop!'
[Brad]
'Stop.'
[phone ringing]
Hello.
Speaking.
Who is this?
Hello.
Hello.
[gun clicks]
[Brad groaning]
[groaning continues]
- Who did this to you?
- I don't know.
I couldn't see.
How many?
Three. Maybe 4.
I don't know.
We better get you to a doctor.
Come on, partner.
[sighs]
You going hunting
or something, Jonas?
Who beat up Brad Wilkes?
If I knew that
I'd had him in jail.
Maybe we can find out.
If you do that, Harley,
will you lemme know?
We'll tell you where
to find the bodies.
Look, Harley.
I've got a job to do.
So don't go messing
around making it harder.
What you want me to say?
Yes, sir. Boss?
We can start with that.
Hell, Price. Why they
beat up your own deputy?
And you the sheriff. You know
better and we have a word.
[people bickering]
Alright!
Alright, man.
I'm doing what I can.
I'm doing it withinthe law.
Now you men gave me this badge
and I'm gonna use it.
You understand that, Harley?
If you go against
me you gonna have
a whole lot of trouble
on your hands.
Are you threatening me?
Sheriff?
No, I'm promising you.
Now, you men get
out of here. Come on.
Just go on home.
I'm surprised at you.
Good Baptist like you.
Don't worry, mama.
He'll be alright.
He can take care
of himself.
Mary, bring me
a cup of coffee, will you?
What happened Jimmy?
Mary, Wilkes got
stomped on last night.
- K.K.K.?
- I don't think so.
K.K.K. wouldn't have gone
to the trouble of busting
in a store to ambush him.
They would have jerked
him up wherever they found him.
It was you they were after.
You were supposed to have
that duty last night
but Brad Wilkes
took it for you.
I bet...John Little
could tell you who did it.
I'm sure. But after I've asked
him to mind his own business.
How can I turn around
and ask him for help?
Oh, God! Do you think pride
worth getting killed for?
Don't you?
You have any proofs
Springer did it?
No. I know he did.
Oh-oh. That would impress
a supreme court, Little.
It really would.
If he gets away with this,
we can kiss law and order
good-bye in Colusa County.
I'll tell you something that
concerns me more than that.
What do you think Braddock over
in Roper County is gonna do?
When he hears our black Sheriff
has his little white fucker
all locked up.
He don't know yet?
If he knew, he'd have been here.
Boy hasn't called him.
He wanted to make sure
that when he does
his daddy would get
real good and mad.
Then Price is gonna need help.
You didn't seem to think so
when they handed him your badge.
Hell, you didn't even show
him where the bathroom was.
[sighs]
Alright, I was wrong.
I know it.
You want to go home and find
Bengy Springer and lock him up.
Because he helped beat up
that deputy last night.
The answer is no.
You've got no authority.
But Price is gonna need help
and you won't let me help him.
I didn't say that. I said you
had no authority to help him.
Well, what am I supposed to do?
- That depends.
- On what?
On whether you mind being
called a nigger lover.
'Hello, daddy.'
'This is Johnny.'
'Yes, I'm over here in Colusa.'
Well, daddy, you ain't gonna
believe this. But I'm in jail.
Yes, I had a little accident
out on the highway
and uh, this new sheriff
they got, he locked me up.
Yes. Thatnew sheriff.
Daddy, I wanted to call you
the day he locked me up.
But he wouldn't let me.
Fine, daddy. Fine.
Be seein' you. You hear?
Why did you tell
your father that lie?
Oh, I don't know. Just seemed
like the thing to do.
Would you like
to hit me or something?
I've been raped.
[country music]
[music continues]
Anybody seen George Harley?
[male #5]
'You must be getting along
with whitey pretty good, Jim.'
You gonna start locking up
your brothers?
No man who rapes
a 15-year-old virgin
is a brother of mine.
Well, look who's here.
Oh, yes, sir. Boss himself.
Got a warrant
for your arrest, Harley.
I dont care nothin'
'bout no paper.
Look, Harley. Don't make it
harder on yourself.
Now look, Price,
I'm working on my car.
I got no time to go
nowhere with you, man.
I'm gonna take you in.
Set your mind to that.
You know, you gotta come
through us to get to him.
Big man.
Well, I don't guess
I can hear that.
Ah!
Ow!
[both grunt]
Ah!
Oh..
Alright. Come on.
Get over there.
Get over there.
I know you guys don't want
to get locked up. Take it easy.
Let's go.
Where you think you're going?
Where you taking my boy?
He's good boy.
He ain't done nothing.
I told you
he ain't done nothing.
How come you gotta
go messing around
with good-decent-black folks
anyhow, Mr. Muckitymup. Hm.
Your heads are all small up
called you to sheriff now, huh.
You no-good-stomped
down-hyper looting dog.
You white folks, nigger.
I'll get you for this.
You pig. You pig, you.
You better not come
back here. I'll fix you.
What I oughta do is
put you two in the same cell
and let you kill each other.
Welcome to the
Colusa County jail, sambo.
Shut your mouth.
You red neck, peckerwood.
Oh, now what's the matter?
You don't like us
kindly white folk?
You tell it like it is, honky!
You keep saying you won't
do it, but I know you are.
No, I won't. No chance.
My foot.
It's been all over you
like chalk on a black board.
If you're gonna be that
nigger's deputy, just assure us
the sun's gonna shine
in July.
You don't know
how silly you sound.
'I haven't lived with you
all these years
without learning something
about you, John Little.'
You make me aggravate,
you know that, Julia?
You think you know
everything about me.
'I know you're gonna do that
and I don't care'
'if my knowin' it
makes you mad or not.'
Everybody is gonna say
John Little's got a nigger-boss.
Ha, ha, ha. They're gonna say
John Little is a nigger lover.
But you're just gonna
do it, anyway.
'Every white woman
in Colusa County'
'is gonna look at me
with big, pitying eyes.'
'But that won't stop you.
The children are gonna get hurt'
'but that won't
stop you either.'
When you get it into your mind
that law is law
and right is right,
you're so blind stubborn
you don't stop to consider
anything or anybody.
This time, Miss Smarty-pants,
you're dead wrong.
He wanted to be sheriff.
Let him work at it.
Not gonna pick up
his marbles for him..
Devil with him, I'm not
goin' anywhere near him.
You're as good as that
man's deputy right now.
- I tell you I'm not!
- Ha!
[whispers]
I'm not.
You've got my boy here.
- I come for him.
- What's your boy's name?
Don't you give me that.
You just get him out here.
Is your son named
John Braddock?
You better believe it.
Now get him out.
I'm in a hurry.
I'll release him to you.
His bail is set at $25,000.
- Twenty five thou--
- Mr. Braddock!
You're son is charged
with man-slaughter.
Driving under the influence
of alcohol.
Resisting arrest.
And leaving the scene
of an accident.
Man-slaughter?
He was in an
automobile accident.
A little girl was killed.
Some, uh, little-black girl,
I imagine?
Mr. Braddock, a little girl
is a little girl.
It so happens, she was
a little, white girl.
'Six years old. Named Laurie.'
Gimme the keys
to my son's cell.
- 'No way.'
- Hey!
Do you know
who my brother is?
Biggest man in Roper County
they tell me.
And, uh, that don't mean
a thing to you, huh?
Yes, sir, it does.
It means you're
away from home.
Well, what're we standing here,
talking to him for, Frank?
Let's go in and take him.
I hope you don't do that,
Mr. Braddock.
You do, I'll have to shoot you.
And if he misses, I won't.
'So..'
This is what it's come to
in Colusa County, huh?
Get out of my way!
[engine revving]
[tires screeching]
[honking]
He'll be back.
With an army.
Federal Troops?
You asked me to come to you
if I had a problem.
Fine, Price, fine.
I appreciate it.
But don't come in here
talking about Federal Troops.
I'm an old man.
You wanna kill me?
What do I do if
this town fills up
with those Roper County people?
Am I supposed to release
that boy to them?
We're releasing no prisoner
to any Roper County mob!
Want and deputize as
many men as you'll need.
- I thought about that.
- And?
And suppose all I can find
to help are black men?
You can see what will happen,
can't you?
'Twenty black men surrounding
a jail with shotguns!'
All the whole thing
will come to is a race riot
and all the riot
brings is Federal Troops!
There you go again
with Federal Troops!
You do see the problem,
don't you?
Of course, I see the problem!
You think I'm stupid?
Look, Price.
I'm an old man.
I don't see
too well anymore.
You tell me.
Is John Little
white or black?
Well, I'd say
he's kind of, uh
off-white.
Well, will you do
an old man a favor?
Will you have a talk with
that off-white deputy of yours
before you start dropping words
around like federal and troops?
Alright, Mayor,
I'll, uh
I'll have a talk with him.
Homer!
Homer!
I have something
to say to you.
You better pour yourself
a Bourbon.
A Bourbon, Mayor?
Well, you drink
while I'm not at home.
Might as well drink it
when I am.
Mayor, you got me wrong--
I haven't had you wrong
for a second.
Eighteen years
you've been with me.
Bourbon.
[soft music]
Pretty flag.
Don't try to snow me.
You think you've been
snowin' me for years.
You've had your ear
to my keyhole for so long
I'm surprised
it's not cauliflowered.
Year in and year out,
you've listened to everything
that's been said in this room
and then passed the information
onto every black man, woman
and child in Colusa County.
'Alright.'
Oh, come on, Homer.
I know you
and I know your people.
In this county you've
always told white people
what they want to hear.
And then gone off and laughed
at '‘em behind their backs.
So tell me what
I wanna hear now.
You can laugh later.
Alright, Mayor.
But this time what you
wanna hear is the truth.
I do what I can
for the cause.
Uh-huh!
You listened at the door
while Price was in here.
You wanted to know
whether he'd come
to play Footsie
with Mr. Charlie, right?
Somethin' like that.
And if he had
and did he wouldn't get
a single black deputy
when he needed one.
'Am I right?'
[soft music continues]
We're finally coming to
understand one another.
Oh, I think we've always kinda
understood one another, Mayor.
♪ All the songs of blues
[thundering]
- You ready?
- Nope.
I guess I'm as ready
as I'm gonna be.
Oh, no, no.
They're pretty good-old boys.
Most of 'em.
♪ Surrounded by sorrow
Pretty good old boys.
[thundering continues]
♪ Where has all the love gone
♪ Where has all the love gone
Well, look who is here.
♪ All the love is gone
The Sheriff has got something
to say to you boys.'
Nobody's interested.
I'll make a deal
with you, Jackson.
You keep your mouth shut
and I won't slap a knot
in your head, okay?
My, my, my.
[thundering]
I, uh
arrested a white boy
named John Braddock.
His daddy came over
this morning from Roper County
and demanded that I release him.
'I told him that the Judge
set the bail. $25,000.'
'And that would be the only way
he could get him out.'
Well, he didn't...
he didn't like that.
He left Colusa County
madder than a wet hen.
[thundering]
He'll be back over here.
With a lot of those
Roper County people.
And they're gonna try
to bust that boy outta jail.
'As long as there's
a breath in my body'
'they're not gonna do it.'
'I know that none of you men
voted for me.'
'But it was a fair election
and I won.'
I'm trying my best
to be a good Sheriff.
No man black or white
can be a good anything
without people behind him
backing him up.
I need backing up tonight.
'I wanna turn those
Roper County people'
'around on the highway
before they get into town.'
Now I've already deputized
ten black men to help me.
But that'll only make it
black against white.
And I don't want that.
'No good can come of that.'
Well, what do you
want from us?
Ten white deputies.
[murmur]
[male #6]
'He's not uppity,
he's super uppity.'
'Super nigger,
that's what he is.'
[crowd murmuring]
What about it, Warren?
[thundering]
John, I'm..
What about it, Warren?
[thundering]
[chattering]
- You wanna know what I think?
- We don't.
John Little and that
black buddy of his
have got an overload
of guts.
[chuckles]
Okay, men. You can see
the situation.
The whites are here
to see the fun
and our black brothers behind
them are sprawling for a fight.
When those Roper County
people get here
they're not gonna
take kindly to us.
'So keep everybody cool.'
'Mostly yourselves.'
I don't want any shooting
unless the Roper County
people shoot first.
But the one sure thing
is that nobody
gets through.
'Alright, let's move out.'
'Keep that crowd back
and take our positions.'
[crowd chattering]
How many do you think
he'll bring with him?
Everybody in Roper County
that owes him money or a favor.
How many do you think
that'd be?
Everybody.
[thundering]
Here they come!
What's going on here?
I'm afraid you're
gonna have to turn around
and go back,
Mr. Braddock.
This is a public highway.
Paid for by the people
of Colusa County.
Now back it up and turn
it around like the Sheriff said.
I am warning you--
No. Let me warn you.
If you try to bust
through this road block
you're gonna get fired on.
I didn't come alone.
No, Sir. I can see that.
But I hope you told them
if they try getting past us
they're gonna have to walk
through twelve gauge patterns.
'This is Colusa County,
Mr. Braddock.'
'Colusa County Law.'
♪ You looked upon the city
as it crumbled 'neath the dead ♪
♪ Watched the golden valleys
as they turn to crimson red ♪
♪ From the blood of fellow men
and yet you turned your head ♪
♪ And not in all the tears
for which you cried ♪
♪ Had a single tear
been shed ♪
- Wood!
- Yeah?
Open here among
these black deputies.
Come on, let's go!
[music]
♪ Let's give love
just another try ♪
We've done enough talking.
Okay, get 'em to turn around.
All of 'em.
Come on.
♪ Just a million years
to complicate simplicity ♪
Alright, you heard him.
Let's go.
What about it?
If you people think
you've heard the last of me
you are mistaken.
And you better believe it!
♪ Set yourself free
♪ Walk with me
- He means it.
- I know he means it.
I'm sending his boy
to the state capital
in the morning.
They'll keep him there
until his crowd comes up.
Back it up!
Go on! Get the hell outta here!
Go on!
How do you think
you're gonna like driving
when you learn how?
- I'm gonna remember you.
- You do that.
Name's Rankin.
'D. J. Ranki.'
I'm the easiest man
in this county to find.
Now move, boy.
♪ Change the letters
♪ They're all a mystery
♪ Try it and see
♪ What needs to be
Rankin, I appreciate it.
John, you and me used
to go fishin' together
when we were little.
You always was
a good old boy.
- Goodnight.
- Goodnight.
[thundering]
Hello, boy.
You want to draw your gun.
You go right ahead.
[clock ticking]
You don' know who I am.
Do you?
Sure don't.
Me..
and you.
We met in the dark place
a while back.
You remember now,
don't ya?
What do you want?
Oh, I got what I want.
I got you.
What'd you got against me?
You mean, you don't know?
You really don't know?
I suppose I do.
Yeah, I suppose you do, too.
Now then you just
get the key
and let that white boy
out of that cell back there.
And you and I talk about
what I got against you.
Not a chance.
If you're gonna kill me
go ahead and get it over with.
I'm just sorry
it's not a man doin' it.
Do what he says, Bengy.
Go on.
Kill him!
You keep away from me, Little.
You're just been tryin'
your best to make shambles
out of everything
I worked for all these years.
I warnin' you, Little.
Beat up on the law.
- Threaten to kill the law.
- Little!
You just won't learn.
Will you, Bengy?
Here. Here, you take it.
I don't want it.
Let's forget the whole thing.
Okay, Little?
Little!
[Bengy grunts and groans]
[Bengy screaming]
'Little, no!'
'A-ah! A-ah!'
What's goin' on back there?
Police brutality.
[birds chirping]
[sighs]
Wow.
Hey, Brad.
Come here.
Yeah.
Call my family,
will you?
And tell 'em uh..
Tell 'em I'm on my way.
It's done.
- Drop me off, okay?
- Okay.
Wait a minute.
Where are you all goin'?
Goin' home.
Mind takin' me home too,
Price?
Of course not.
Homer's usin' my car today.
He's out buying traps,
poison and clubs.
Chipmunks. Diggin' holes
all over my yard.
And eatin' the tender shoots.
Damn this seat.
[phone ringing]
Hello.
Yes. Yes.
Good-bye.
'He's coming home.'
This time.
[Price whistling]
I'm givin' you
fair warning, Price.
Come next election,
I'm gonna run your legs off.
I'm not gonna run
for Sheriff next election.
Why not?
My brother Fred
he's gonna run for Sheriff.
I'm gonna run for Mayor.
[Tompall and the Glaser
Brothers singing
"Walk Unashamed"]
♪ Walk unashamed
with me ♪
♪ Out into the night
♪ Don't be afraid
to feel anything ♪
♪ It's alright
♪ Love is waiting there
for us to take ♪
♪ Let's take it now
♪ I'll show you how
♪ Pa pa pa pa pa pa
♪ Baby walk unashamed with me
♪ Out into the night
♪ Don't be afraid to
feel anything ♪
♪ It's alright
♪ Pa pa pa pa pa pa
[ticking continues]
[flies buzzing]
[ticking continues]
[flies buzzing]
[ticking continues]
[buzzing continues]
[ticking continues]
[ticking continues]
[footsteps]
[flies buzzing]
[laughing]
[laughing joyously]
[sighs]
Oh, Lord.
Much obliged.
[laughing]
Phew.
- What do you have?
- Drink of water.
[glass clinks]
You might as well
come out with it.
You never come in my place.
Thought you got here
to pick me to scratch.
You gotta back
room here, Junior?
- So?
- It's gotta bed in it?
Sometimes, I sleep.
There's rumor
going around.
This particular rumor has
you rented it out to teenagers.
- It ain't so.
- I'm betting it is.
I'm also betting
that ain't all it's used for.
What are you talking about?
Found a colored boy out on a
highway all beat up last night.
And somebody had painted
a white K.K.K. on his forearm.
You got no proof my
back room was used for that.
Not yet.
How you boys today?
- Okay, John.
- Good, John.
Heard your wife
had another baby, Tolbert.
- It makes ten, don't it?
- Last time I counted.
[Tolbert]
'Done run out of fingers
to count on.'
Asking Junior about that
back room of his, John?
No...I was telling him.
Unless my calendar's a liar,
this is your last day in office.
You out on your keister.
Tomorrow noon.
How'd you feel having
a nigger take your job?
[John]
'He's voted into office.
I was voted out.'
[male #1]
John, come around here. Just
can't understand how you let
that black boy walk in,
take a job away from you.
'You've been raised
around here and all.'
Because it's the law, Rankin.
You know as well as I do
he didn't get a single
white vote out
of the whole county.
According to the law, black and
white don't make no difference.
Votes a vote. That's the law.
Now, I reckon it is..
...who made that law,
you suppose?
[Tompall and The Glaser
Brothers singing]
♪ You looked upon the city
as it crumble beneath the dead ♪
♪ Watch the golden valleys
as they turned to commiserate ♪
♪ From the blood of fellow men
and yet you turned your head ♪
♪ And now in all the tears
for which you cried ♪
♪ Had a single tear been shed
you really shed ♪
[clock ticking]
- Everything quiet?
- I can hear the grass growing.
Who's got the duty tonight,
you or Warren?
- Me.
- Where's Warren now?
Out on state highway,
I imagine.
He needs to stop
running that trap.
Well now, can't rightly
blame him, can you?
We're all out
of work tomorrow.
Warren, this is Sheriff Little.
Where are you? Over.
[radio static]
I'm just sitting out here on
number 10. Scratching, chewing.
Not doin' much, nothing
to speak of. Over.
You wouldn't be running a Yankee
trap, would you, Warren? Over.
No, Sheriff,
I'm bird watching.
[whistling like birds]
[Warren]
'Over.'
Wrap it up, Warren.
Bring it on in. Over.
Ten, four.
[car speeding]
♪ ...Let's give love just
another try ♪
♪ Before it's too late
♪ Get in time we found
a little piece instead of hay ♪
♪ It took a million years
to complicate simplicity ♪
[siren blaring]
♪ One brotherhood's as simple
as to start with you and me ♪
♪ One brotherhood's as simple
as to start with you and me ♪
- How are you?
- Well, why you stoppin' us?
Just a habit. I ain't
learned how to break yet.
I wasn't exceeding
the speed limit.
Bet you were.
You ought to keep
everything inside.
[sighs]
[windows closing]
[sighs]
I'm just thinking
what comes after Monday.
I don't know
anything but the law.
I don't know how children
could be so cruel.
Margaret got off
the school bus crying.
I don't have much
money saved, Julia.
Yesterday there was
little in a wood pile.
Today it was catch a little by
the toe she hollers. Let her go.
I think I maybe apply
for the highway patrol.
[both mumbling]
Oh, God, I'm so tired.
Moment you get outta
Colusa County.
Always so sorry about
all this. So sorry.
Well, I have to show him
the files setup all at Monday.
He wants you.
Don't say nothing.
Oh, Jesus, he's military police
he'd probably knows more
about files than I do.
[vehicle skidding]
[boy #1]
'Hey, Little, you've gonna let
a nigger take your job, Little?'
'What's the matter, Little?
You chicken. Ha, ha, ha.'
'Show me, chicken.
Chicken Little. Chicken Little.'
[imitating chicken clucking]
'Chicken Little.
Chicken Little.'
Before that last election
nobody in this county
would have dare
do that to you. Nobody!
What you expect
me to do, Julia? Kill 'em?
- How do you feel?
- 'Like I'll be a good sheriff.'
If they let you, you mean.
'If they let me,
I'll be a good sheriff.'
They don't, you be
a dead one.
[clock ticking]
You mind if I go along
with you today?
- And hold my hand?
- Jim.
You haven't even got a deputy.
Those organizers who helped
get you elected.
Man, they flew back north
like-like big birds.
'You're all alone now
and no deputy.'
I have got a handful
of applications.
'Then why haven't
you hired one?'
Because I'm not
officially the Sheriff
of Colusa County until noon.
Come on, kids, let's go see if
your dad's honor guard is ready.
Well, I guess it's...
about that time.
[clock ticking continues]
You gotta look at the bright
side of things. Think about it.
For the first time, people have
a sheriff they can call, boy.
Mama, mama, mama. Now don't you
go worrying. See you later.
I just can't believe it.
Be careful, son.
Okay, mother.
Walk me outside.
There's a big crowd.
A dead hero makes
a poor father.
Look, even the dumbest white man
has to know if he kills me
a thousand will take my place.
And out of that thousand
there is not one
that can take
your place with me.
I'm your woman,
your children's mother.
And you are my life.
That's why I'm doing it.
[people cheering]
[cheering continues]
Thank you, thank you.
Thank you.
Hi, pretty, you gonna be
a good girl while daddy is gone?
Bet you, big man, gonna take
care of mommy? Come on.
Thank you, Jonas
Thank you, Reverend.
Thank you.
[people cheering]
- 'Good luck, Jim.'
- 'Good luck, Jimmy.'
[indistinct chatter]
You're a fool
if you're not scared.
I'm no fool.
[chicken clucking]
[people cheering]
[car stereo]
[song continues]
[crowd greeting]
'Good morning, Mayor.'
'Morning, Mayor.'
Morning! Hell it's noon.
What's the matter with you?
You got no work to do?
Get out of my way.
[clangs]
I ain't liking seeing the
glances all around Colusa County
at this moment.
'He's due here
at noon. Ain't he?'
There's not really any need
for you to be here, Mayor.
- All I'm going to do--
- Don't tell me.
As long as I'm here I know
there won't be any incidents.
What makes you think there would
be if you weren't here, Mayor?
This scratching, gum-chewing,
backwater nothing you got
for a deputy, that's what.
First deputy this county
ever had that I saw
that oughta be locked
up for loitering.
I know his daddy
and I know his daddy's daddy,
just like him.
Neither one of 'em
was anything. Nothing.
Mayor, you got no right
talking about my kin that way.
'And your grand momma,
old lady Sarah Springer'
She's the worst of the lot.
Know it for a fact,
used to go with her.
Terrible woman. Terrible.
Maybe you are
the Mayor this town--
No maybe to it, my boy.
I am the Mayor.
Anything happens to this
colored boy we'll have
the voice and peek-a-boos all
over Colusa County by sundown.
We don't want that.
You understand me?
Watch it, chee ya!
[The Glaser brothers singing
"All that keeps ya goin'"]
♪ When the princes
and the peasants ♪
♪ Each look back
at you the same ♪
♪ When a friend that
you had known before ♪
♪ Can't quite recall your name
♪ When each morning
there's a cloudy sky ♪
♪ To keep the sun from showin'
♪ Then you know
you are your own ♪
♪ Sometimes that's all
that keeps ya goin' ♪
♪ Neath the chimneys
and the rooftops ♪
♪ Of a village safe and sound
♪ No one sees the face
nor hears the feet ♪
♪ That walk the morning ground
♪ And the stillness
of the alleys ♪
♪ And the highways
keeps a growin' ♪
♪ So you say you are your own
♪ And that alone
will keep ya goin' ♪
Well, c'mon in.
♪ Through the dampness
of the dawn now ♪
♪ By the road you walk alone
♪ And you think on days
when you had laughed ♪
♪ Or of a love you'd known
♪ But your head is
low avoidin' thoughts ♪
♪ Of times you'll
soon be knowin' ♪
♪ When to say you are your own
♪ Ain't quite enough
to keep ya goin' ♪
Thank you.
These are the keys
to everything.
Files.
'Patrol cars.'
[keys clanking]
Cells.
There's a drunk sleeping
it off in the back.
Let him out when he wakes up.
Is that all I have to know?
[key clinks]
I got a clue for
you, boy. I'm--
Springer!
I'm the number one citizen
of this town, Price.
And this town is a comic.
I reckon you know
some of the problems
you're liable to run into.
I was born in this town, Mayor.
When you hit a wall, you think
you can't climb over
dig under or go through.
You come to me.
Don't go pickin' up that
phone to call Washington
or the "NAACP." You hit a
snag, you come to me first.
Might be I can get
it unsnagged for you.
- What if you can't, Mayor?
- What was that?
Suppose I have a problem and
you can't help me solve it.
All I may ask you to do
is give me a chance to try.
Is that askin' too much?
You weren't askin', Mayor.
You were telling.
Well, hell I'm used to telling.
I ain't used to asking.
What are you men still
hangin' around for?
Go away, all of you. Scat.
I wasn't voted out of
office because I have been
a bad sheriff.
I was voted out because
I ain't colored.
Did I say somethin' funny?
I've been meanin' to have a talk
with you about your complexion.
Oh, you..
[both laugh]
[snorts]
I am the first man
in the whole state
to get hit over the head
with black power.
'You think that's funny.'
Johnny, what is it?
Tell me.
You know, I am planning to
show him around the office.
I was goin' to explain the
files to him. You know all that.
When it come right down on it.
And when we was face to face.
I couldn't say a thing.
I walked out.
And I've a bad feelin'.
[John]
'I've a feeling
they're gonna get him.'
'Just a matter of time.'
[clock ticking]
[door rattling]
[male #2]
'Hey, let me out of here.'
'Come on, man.
Let me outta here.'
[clock ticking]
[keys rattling]
[laughing deliriously]
Wow.
[soft music]
[music continues]
I was worried about you.
When you didn't come
home for supper.
How long have you
been here?
About three hours.
Oh, Fred's stayin'
with the children.
Why didn't
you come inside?
I didn't think it would look
right. It's only your first day.
I don't want you
to do this again.
[engine spluttering]
- You been playin' the radio?
- Uh-huh.
[engine stalls]
What is it?
What's wrong?
You stay here.
I'll be right back.
I'm gonna let this town know
it's got a new sheriff.
[engine revs]
[tires screeching]
[siren wailing]
[wailing continues]
[tires screeching]
[wailing continues]
[siren continues]
What the hell!
[tires screeching]
[wailing continues]
[phone rings]
[wailing continues]
- Hello.
- What the devil's goin' on?
I don't know, Mayor.
I'm not your sheriff anymore.
Well, sounds like
the Russians are coming.
[wailing continues]
- How old are you?
- 28.
- Finish high school?
- Yeah.
What happened
in my town last night?
Nothing that I
know about, Mayor.
Nothing? It sounded
like a Chinese fire drill.
Look, Mayor, yesterday was
my first day on the job.
And if you take a look under
the hood of my car, you will
find over $100 worth of damage.
- You know who did it?
- No, sir.
- 'Any insurance to cover?'
- 'No, sir.'
Well, did you..
Well have it fixed
and bill the city.
I see, you didn't fill out
the space stating why you wanted
to be a deputy sheriff?
They've been whipping our
heads for years now.
I figure it's our turn.
- I can't use you, Harley.
- How come?
The job calls for
maintaining law and order.
Not whipping heads.
You was raised in this town.
And you know white's been down
on us ever since we were kids.
Now gonna tell me--
I'm telling you
I can't use you.
Oh, man. I mean I've been
thinking you was a soul.
First thing I hear
I come in here.
And you yessin'
at that old white Mayor.
Well, you ain't no soul.
You ain't nothing.
I am the Sheriff.
Not the white sheriff,
not the black sheriff.
Not the soul sheriff.
But the sheriff.
- That's it.
- No, man. That ain't it.
And I am gonna
tell you--
No, you're not gonna
tell me nothing.
Don't let your mouth get
you in trouble, Harley.
Now get outta' here.
Wilkes.
Have a seat, Brad.
How did you like Vietnam?
I ain't scared
of hell no more.
Special forces, eh?
Medical specialist.
It doesn't say uh, why you
wanna be a deputy sheriff.
I don't want
to be a deputy.
How is that?
I want to get married.
And that takes money.
And at...the present time this
seems to be the best job around.
You know it could be
the worst job around.
Could be.
It's yours.
Afternoon.
You got anything
else for me to do?
Drain pipe on the side
of the house needs to be fixed.
I did it.
There is a loose bolt
up here on the porch.
Not anymore.
Holes needs
a new washing.
Not anymore.
Hinge on the kitchen
cabinet is broken.
Not anymore.
Oh, Johnny, why don't
you just go fishin'?
Called the highway patrol
headquarters at the capital.
They..
Well, they're
hiring men.
In their twenties. All of 'em
high-school graduates.
Even some went to college.
Do I look old to you?
- Ain't you?
- I'm serious.
I know you are.
That's why I am not.
You're not going to seduce me
into any suicide path.
Make you feel so old.
Old and sort of worthless.
It's Warren.
How you today, John?
I'll make it.
What's up?
Bengy is over to pool hall.
Still wearin' his gun.
Why?
He wants to be the first
white man Price tries to arrest.
Says he'll kill him.
Why you comin'
to me with this?
It's still your county
as far as I'm concerned, John.
But I'm not
the law anymore.
If you ain't the law,
then there ain't none.
[kids singing]
[kids sobbing]
They don't mean nothin'.
Then why do they do it?
[male #3]
'Hey, boy.'
You're the new law
around here, ain't you?
Thought you might
want to know.
There's a man over
in the pool room wearing a gun.
'He says he'll kill you, you
try to take it away from him.'
[Tompall Glaser singing
"Home's Where The Hurt Is"]
♪ My glass is empty
♪ And so are my arms
♪ The lights are dim low
♪ And so am I
♪ I drink not to think
♪ I hate to go home
♪ Home's Where The Hurt Is
♪ My sweet love is gone
♪ Gone like a leaf
- Hello, John.
- Hello, Bengy.
What brings you out
in the heat of the day ?
It's funny that
you should ask that, Bengy.
I was just sitting at home
minding my own business.
A little birdie flew
in through the window.
You ought to be putting screens
on them windows, John.
That birdie said that there
was a fool out at the pool room.
Setting the law up
for a killer.
Rack 'em.
You got a stick, John?
I'll play you a game.
I sure do wish you take
that gun off, Bengy.
No. I reckon,
I'll keep it on.
Till the Sheriff...tells
me to take it off.
You wanna break?
I sure do wish
you take that off.
No.
I'll keep it on.
♪ Home's Where The Hurt Is
♪ My sweet love is gone
Now, you boys pass the word
around creeks and the gullies.
Nobody kills the law
in Colusa County.
He's just sleeping.
I wanted to show you what
a high-debt pool room
can do to a man.
[Price]
Mr. Little.
I don't want you to do
that again, Mr. Little.
I can't imagine what
you're talking about.
But I can tell
you this, Sheriff.
That boy lying on the floor
in there is a crack shot.
He comes from a long
line of crack shots.
I have to do my
own job, Mr. Little.
I don't want anybody
to do it for me.
I apologize for saving
your life, Mr. Price.
You're double parked.
- Afternoon, Mr. Little.
- Afternoon, Homer.
- Is the Mayor in?
- He's in his study.
The Mayor, he is feeling
kinda poorly today.
He celebrated last night?
[butler]
'That ain't for me to say.'
[knock on door]
Come in.
What's the matter, Mayor?
You come on
with some bad eyes.
That's not funny.
You know that's
not funny, don't you?
Sit down.
You did send
for me, didn't you?
Don't be impatient
with me, Little.
I'm an old man.
I'm not gonna live past
a 110. I'm certain of it.
Excuse me, Mayor.
But how long
you want me to sit here?
I don't care whether
you sit or not.
You could lie down
if you want to.
Homer, Homer!
Get in here.
Come here, come here quick.
You see him under the branch?
- You see him?
- I see him.
Quick. Get the gun.
Squirrel getting
all my pecans.
Little gangster is
out there every day.
Haulin' away more than him
and his family can eat.
When he can't find
them on the ground
he shakes them
off the limbs.
I hear you busted
Bengy Springer's head for him.
I wasn't gonna stand
and see him put a bullet
through that badge
I wore all those--
Then why didn't you
make a citizen's arrest?
At least we could've
got him sent away
to save pain
for awhile.
Bengy Springer is stupid.
He thinks he's a little Dutch
boy with his finger in the dyke.
He ain't the only one.
What are you doing?
Patching the wormholes.
So I can get a draw.
Good cigars are too expensive.
I buy seconds and thirds.
How many holes does
a cigar has to have for you
to give up on it?
Makes no difference.
As long as I don't have
to smoke it like a piccolo.
Homer, we got the bugger.
Mayor, you got anything
else to say to me?
Let Price handle things.
He wanted to be
a Sheriff, didn't he?
'This is Deputy Brooks
calling Sheriff Price, over.'
Sheriff Price, over.
I'm on road to town
about three miles north of town.
There's been a bad
accident, over.
I'm leaving now.
[siren wailing]
[female#1]
'Laurie, Laurie, honey.'
[ambulance siren]
'My baby'
'Laurie, Laurie.'
Leave me, go to her.
Laurie, what's the
matter with her?
Tell me, what's the
matter with her?
I'm her momma,
what's the matter with her.
Please, let me know.
Head on.
This little girl here
got thrown from the car.
[female #1 sobbing]
Oh, my God.
- How did it happen?
- Whiskey.
He's real shaky.
This whole situation
could be real shaky.
Yeah.
So you just keep
it real easy.
Okay.
Are you the driver
of this vehicle?
What's it to you?
May I see your
driver's license, please?
What for?
You should know that
you have the right
to remain silent.
Anything you say
can and will be used against
you in the court of law.
You also have the right
to have an attorney present
'during questioning.'
I am arresting you
for man slaughter.
Let's go.
Go?
I ain't going nowhere
with you.
You're wrong about that.
There's a little girl
over here that is dead.
And apparently
you've been drinking.
If you take one more step,
I'll have to charge you
for resisting arrest.
[screaming]
[music]
[cattle mooing]
[mooing continues]
[music continues]
[gasping]
Go ahead, boy.
Shoot me.
Ah.
Ugh.
[laughing]
[music continues]
[John Hartford singing
"Gentle On My Mind"]
♪ Though the wheat fields
and the clothes lines ♪
♪ And the junkyards
and the highways ♪
♪ Come between us
♪ And some other woman crying
♪ To her mother 'cause
she turned and I was gone ♪
♪ I still might run
in silence ♪
♪ Tears of joy might
stain my face ♪
♪ And a summer sun
might burn me ♪
♪ Till I'm blind
♪ But not to where
I cannot see you ♪
♪ Walking on the back roads
♪ By the rivers flowing
gentle on my mind ♪
♪ I dip my cup of soup
♪ Back from the gurgling
cracklin' cauldron ♪
♪ In some train yard
♪ My beard
a roughening coal pile ♪
♪ And a dirty hat pulled
low across my face ♪
♪ Through cupped hands
'round a tin can ♪
♪ I pretend I hold you
to my breast ♪
Hey.
Hey. That's my boat.
♪ Ever smilin' ever
gentle on my mind ♪
♪ That you're movin'
on the back roads ♪
♪ By the rivers of my memory
♪ For hours you're just
gentle on my mind ♪
♪ That you're movin'
on the back roads ♪
♪ By the rivers of my memory
♪ Ever smilin' ever
gentle on my mind ♪
[Brooks]
'Move back.
Please stand back, folks.'
'Please move back
and give 'em room.'
Folks, please move back
and give 'em room.'
Give 'em plenty of room.
'Move back. Miss, would you
please move back?'
Move back, will ya, miss?
Would you move back?
Please move back.
Please move back, people.
Give 'em room.
Move back.
Please move back, miss.
[screams]
You animal. You sadist pig.
You killed my little girl.
- You killed her.
- Get outta here.
Get outta here.
Oh, shut up.
You murderer.
She's six years old.
'You animal.'
[engine revs]
[people chatting]
[car accelerating]
At this speed, if you think
foolish we both gonna die.
Not me, black boy.
You're the one who's gonna die.
[music on jukebox]
[music stops]
He's done it.
Arrested a white man.
You owe me a dime, Springer.
Don't you hear what I said?
That nigger has got
a white man locked up in jail.
You were there, Bengy.
He killed that
little Dawes' girl.
Well.
Now that just ain't
the point, is it?
[sighs]
Let me have a dime, Bengy.
That nigger's got a white man
locked up in jail.
And you just gonna sit there--
The dime.
Sure.
Sure.
Here, Rankin.
Here's your dime.
Here.
Now you plug it back in.
I reckon I've seen
everythin' now.
Yeah.
I reckon I've seen it all.
[music continues]
They ought to chuck you
out of the clan, Rankin.
Watcha boys gonna do?
What boys?
You know.
Clan.
[exhales]
What clan?
[male #4]
'Gotta eat with 'em,
Washington says.'
Gotta go to school
with 'em, Washington says.
Gotta let 'em vote,
Washington says.
Next thing you know,
Washington's gonna say
we gotta sleep with 'em.
Hey, boy.
You spit on my boot.
Good for 'em.
Make 'em shine.
Yeah?
Spit on the other one.
Yeah, hello, John.
Catch anything?
Trade you four catfish
for a haircut, Joe.
Well, nice size.
Here boy. Let it easy.
You, uh..
You heard?
Yeah, I heard.
They say he's not from
around here. What's his name?
Braddock.
The Roper County Braddocks?
You know of any others?
Which one?
Johnny.
The old man's son.
Watcha goin' to
do about it, Little?
Nothing.
- Wanna make a telephone call?
- Nope.
You have the right
to make a call--
Don't tell me what
my rights are, boy?
I can make that call
anytime I want to.
Boy.
[sighs]
You know, I'm like
a time bomb in this jail.
Longer I'm in here,
madder my daddy's gonna get.
'You do understand, don't you?'
You don't care anything
about the little girl, do you?
Wake me up when
it's time to eat, boy.
You're back already?
Highway Patrol
took over.
That kid sure was
a mean one, ain't he?
Yeah, man. He's
real mean, you know.
It's like he has a disease.
He's got so much hate in him.
Something that's eating away
at him all the time.
Yeah, I know what ya mean, man.
You know, Jim.
Over in Nam, I got
to be pretty close
with some of the white boys
in my detachment.
They needed me.
And I needed them.
'One day, on patrol we got
into a fire fight with Charlie.'
It was a miracle that
we got out of it alive.
When we did, one of the
white boys came up to me.
Threw his arms around me
and he hugged me tight.
He was so happy.
Man, you know, I've been
there before, too.
Wait a minute.
When my tour was up
and I was coming home.
He came up to me and he
made me give him my address.
Said he wanted
to keep in touch.
'Now, you know, he won't.'
He admitted at that time,
you know. But he won't.
Do you wanna keep
in touch with him?
I think so.
If it wasn't for that wall, man.
I don't understand.
What wall?
You know, the wall.
The wall that somebody
painted a long time ago.
With one side white
and one side black.
[laughs]
'That sure is
a high wall, man.'
[chuckles]
[dog barking]
Alright, you two.
Up to bed now.
Mommy, can't we stay up
a little bit longer?
Nah. Come on.
Goodnight, honey.
I don't wanna hear
any talking you hear me?
[dog barking]
Kinda late, aren't they?
TV special.
"The Wizard Of Oz."
Johnny.
Mm-hm.
Johnny, why don't we move?
Move?
Move where?
I don't know.
A larger town.
Maybe uh,
Atlanta or Birmingham?
Maybe even to California.
Lots of people are goin' to Ca--
That'll be kinda
like running, wouldn't it?
I didn't mean
it like that. I..
I ain't running, Julia.
So you can get that idea
right out of your head.
It seems to me
that there would be
more opportunity
for you in another place.
It still sounds like runnin'.
I don't wanna hear 'bout it.
[tires screeching]
[boy #1]
'Chicken, chicken Little.'
Stay here.
[mimicking hen]
'Cluck-cluck.'
'Chicken.
Chicken.'
'Chicken, chicken.'
'Hey, chicken Little.'
'Hey, chicken.'
'Chicken Little.'
'Chicken Little.'
'Hey, chicken Little.'
'Cluck-cluck.'
[tires screech]
You one of the
Packard kids, ain't ya?
How old are you, boy?
Answer me.
Six-sixteen.
You think, you gonna
make 17?
I, I hope so.
Well, I'm gonna lay
something down for you, boy.
If you got a brain
you'd pick it up.
Next time you go by
the hardware store
you stay away from that
disinfectant corner.
You stay away from that
disinfectant. You hear me?
'Cause, you ain't nothin'
but a buck. Now get out.
[engine revs]
[insects clicking]
[door creaks]
'Here, boy.'
[Brooks grunts and groans]
[Brad]
'Stop!'
[Brad]
'Stop.'
[phone ringing]
Hello.
Speaking.
Who is this?
Hello.
Hello.
[gun clicks]
[Brad groaning]
[groaning continues]
- Who did this to you?
- I don't know.
I couldn't see.
How many?
Three. Maybe 4.
I don't know.
We better get you to a doctor.
Come on, partner.
[sighs]
You going hunting
or something, Jonas?
Who beat up Brad Wilkes?
If I knew that
I'd had him in jail.
Maybe we can find out.
If you do that, Harley,
will you lemme know?
We'll tell you where
to find the bodies.
Look, Harley.
I've got a job to do.
So don't go messing
around making it harder.
What you want me to say?
Yes, sir. Boss?
We can start with that.
Hell, Price. Why they
beat up your own deputy?
And you the sheriff. You know
better and we have a word.
[people bickering]
Alright!
Alright, man.
I'm doing what I can.
I'm doing it withinthe law.
Now you men gave me this badge
and I'm gonna use it.
You understand that, Harley?
If you go against
me you gonna have
a whole lot of trouble
on your hands.
Are you threatening me?
Sheriff?
No, I'm promising you.
Now, you men get
out of here. Come on.
Just go on home.
I'm surprised at you.
Good Baptist like you.
Don't worry, mama.
He'll be alright.
He can take care
of himself.
Mary, bring me
a cup of coffee, will you?
What happened Jimmy?
Mary, Wilkes got
stomped on last night.
- K.K.K.?
- I don't think so.
K.K.K. wouldn't have gone
to the trouble of busting
in a store to ambush him.
They would have jerked
him up wherever they found him.
It was you they were after.
You were supposed to have
that duty last night
but Brad Wilkes
took it for you.
I bet...John Little
could tell you who did it.
I'm sure. But after I've asked
him to mind his own business.
How can I turn around
and ask him for help?
Oh, God! Do you think pride
worth getting killed for?
Don't you?
You have any proofs
Springer did it?
No. I know he did.
Oh-oh. That would impress
a supreme court, Little.
It really would.
If he gets away with this,
we can kiss law and order
good-bye in Colusa County.
I'll tell you something that
concerns me more than that.
What do you think Braddock over
in Roper County is gonna do?
When he hears our black Sheriff
has his little white fucker
all locked up.
He don't know yet?
If he knew, he'd have been here.
Boy hasn't called him.
He wanted to make sure
that when he does
his daddy would get
real good and mad.
Then Price is gonna need help.
You didn't seem to think so
when they handed him your badge.
Hell, you didn't even show
him where the bathroom was.
[sighs]
Alright, I was wrong.
I know it.
You want to go home and find
Bengy Springer and lock him up.
Because he helped beat up
that deputy last night.
The answer is no.
You've got no authority.
But Price is gonna need help
and you won't let me help him.
I didn't say that. I said you
had no authority to help him.
Well, what am I supposed to do?
- That depends.
- On what?
On whether you mind being
called a nigger lover.
'Hello, daddy.'
'This is Johnny.'
'Yes, I'm over here in Colusa.'
Well, daddy, you ain't gonna
believe this. But I'm in jail.
Yes, I had a little accident
out on the highway
and uh, this new sheriff
they got, he locked me up.
Yes. Thatnew sheriff.
Daddy, I wanted to call you
the day he locked me up.
But he wouldn't let me.
Fine, daddy. Fine.
Be seein' you. You hear?
Why did you tell
your father that lie?
Oh, I don't know. Just seemed
like the thing to do.
Would you like
to hit me or something?
I've been raped.
[country music]
[music continues]
Anybody seen George Harley?
[male #5]
'You must be getting along
with whitey pretty good, Jim.'
You gonna start locking up
your brothers?
No man who rapes
a 15-year-old virgin
is a brother of mine.
Well, look who's here.
Oh, yes, sir. Boss himself.
Got a warrant
for your arrest, Harley.
I dont care nothin'
'bout no paper.
Look, Harley. Don't make it
harder on yourself.
Now look, Price,
I'm working on my car.
I got no time to go
nowhere with you, man.
I'm gonna take you in.
Set your mind to that.
You know, you gotta come
through us to get to him.
Big man.
Well, I don't guess
I can hear that.
Ah!
Ow!
[both grunt]
Ah!
Oh..
Alright. Come on.
Get over there.
Get over there.
I know you guys don't want
to get locked up. Take it easy.
Let's go.
Where you think you're going?
Where you taking my boy?
He's good boy.
He ain't done nothing.
I told you
he ain't done nothing.
How come you gotta
go messing around
with good-decent-black folks
anyhow, Mr. Muckitymup. Hm.
Your heads are all small up
called you to sheriff now, huh.
You no-good-stomped
down-hyper looting dog.
You white folks, nigger.
I'll get you for this.
You pig. You pig, you.
You better not come
back here. I'll fix you.
What I oughta do is
put you two in the same cell
and let you kill each other.
Welcome to the
Colusa County jail, sambo.
Shut your mouth.
You red neck, peckerwood.
Oh, now what's the matter?
You don't like us
kindly white folk?
You tell it like it is, honky!
You keep saying you won't
do it, but I know you are.
No, I won't. No chance.
My foot.
It's been all over you
like chalk on a black board.
If you're gonna be that
nigger's deputy, just assure us
the sun's gonna shine
in July.
You don't know
how silly you sound.
'I haven't lived with you
all these years
without learning something
about you, John Little.'
You make me aggravate,
you know that, Julia?
You think you know
everything about me.
'I know you're gonna do that
and I don't care'
'if my knowin' it
makes you mad or not.'
Everybody is gonna say
John Little's got a nigger-boss.
Ha, ha, ha. They're gonna say
John Little is a nigger lover.
But you're just gonna
do it, anyway.
'Every white woman
in Colusa County'
'is gonna look at me
with big, pitying eyes.'
'But that won't stop you.
The children are gonna get hurt'
'but that won't
stop you either.'
When you get it into your mind
that law is law
and right is right,
you're so blind stubborn
you don't stop to consider
anything or anybody.
This time, Miss Smarty-pants,
you're dead wrong.
He wanted to be sheriff.
Let him work at it.
Not gonna pick up
his marbles for him..
Devil with him, I'm not
goin' anywhere near him.
You're as good as that
man's deputy right now.
- I tell you I'm not!
- Ha!
[whispers]
I'm not.
You've got my boy here.
- I come for him.
- What's your boy's name?
Don't you give me that.
You just get him out here.
Is your son named
John Braddock?
You better believe it.
Now get him out.
I'm in a hurry.
I'll release him to you.
His bail is set at $25,000.
- Twenty five thou--
- Mr. Braddock!
You're son is charged
with man-slaughter.
Driving under the influence
of alcohol.
Resisting arrest.
And leaving the scene
of an accident.
Man-slaughter?
He was in an
automobile accident.
A little girl was killed.
Some, uh, little-black girl,
I imagine?
Mr. Braddock, a little girl
is a little girl.
It so happens, she was
a little, white girl.
'Six years old. Named Laurie.'
Gimme the keys
to my son's cell.
- 'No way.'
- Hey!
Do you know
who my brother is?
Biggest man in Roper County
they tell me.
And, uh, that don't mean
a thing to you, huh?
Yes, sir, it does.
It means you're
away from home.
Well, what're we standing here,
talking to him for, Frank?
Let's go in and take him.
I hope you don't do that,
Mr. Braddock.
You do, I'll have to shoot you.
And if he misses, I won't.
'So..'
This is what it's come to
in Colusa County, huh?
Get out of my way!
[engine revving]
[tires screeching]
[honking]
He'll be back.
With an army.
Federal Troops?
You asked me to come to you
if I had a problem.
Fine, Price, fine.
I appreciate it.
But don't come in here
talking about Federal Troops.
I'm an old man.
You wanna kill me?
What do I do if
this town fills up
with those Roper County people?
Am I supposed to release
that boy to them?
We're releasing no prisoner
to any Roper County mob!
Want and deputize as
many men as you'll need.
- I thought about that.
- And?
And suppose all I can find
to help are black men?
You can see what will happen,
can't you?
'Twenty black men surrounding
a jail with shotguns!'
All the whole thing
will come to is a race riot
and all the riot
brings is Federal Troops!
There you go again
with Federal Troops!
You do see the problem,
don't you?
Of course, I see the problem!
You think I'm stupid?
Look, Price.
I'm an old man.
I don't see
too well anymore.
You tell me.
Is John Little
white or black?
Well, I'd say
he's kind of, uh
off-white.
Well, will you do
an old man a favor?
Will you have a talk with
that off-white deputy of yours
before you start dropping words
around like federal and troops?
Alright, Mayor,
I'll, uh
I'll have a talk with him.
Homer!
Homer!
I have something
to say to you.
You better pour yourself
a Bourbon.
A Bourbon, Mayor?
Well, you drink
while I'm not at home.
Might as well drink it
when I am.
Mayor, you got me wrong--
I haven't had you wrong
for a second.
Eighteen years
you've been with me.
Bourbon.
[soft music]
Pretty flag.
Don't try to snow me.
You think you've been
snowin' me for years.
You've had your ear
to my keyhole for so long
I'm surprised
it's not cauliflowered.
Year in and year out,
you've listened to everything
that's been said in this room
and then passed the information
onto every black man, woman
and child in Colusa County.
'Alright.'
Oh, come on, Homer.
I know you
and I know your people.
In this county you've
always told white people
what they want to hear.
And then gone off and laughed
at '‘em behind their backs.
So tell me what
I wanna hear now.
You can laugh later.
Alright, Mayor.
But this time what you
wanna hear is the truth.
I do what I can
for the cause.
Uh-huh!
You listened at the door
while Price was in here.
You wanted to know
whether he'd come
to play Footsie
with Mr. Charlie, right?
Somethin' like that.
And if he had
and did he wouldn't get
a single black deputy
when he needed one.
'Am I right?'
[soft music continues]
We're finally coming to
understand one another.
Oh, I think we've always kinda
understood one another, Mayor.
♪ All the songs of blues
[thundering]
- You ready?
- Nope.
I guess I'm as ready
as I'm gonna be.
Oh, no, no.
They're pretty good-old boys.
Most of 'em.
♪ Surrounded by sorrow
Pretty good old boys.
[thundering continues]
♪ Where has all the love gone
♪ Where has all the love gone
Well, look who is here.
♪ All the love is gone
The Sheriff has got something
to say to you boys.'
Nobody's interested.
I'll make a deal
with you, Jackson.
You keep your mouth shut
and I won't slap a knot
in your head, okay?
My, my, my.
[thundering]
I, uh
arrested a white boy
named John Braddock.
His daddy came over
this morning from Roper County
and demanded that I release him.
'I told him that the Judge
set the bail. $25,000.'
'And that would be the only way
he could get him out.'
Well, he didn't...
he didn't like that.
He left Colusa County
madder than a wet hen.
[thundering]
He'll be back over here.
With a lot of those
Roper County people.
And they're gonna try
to bust that boy outta jail.
'As long as there's
a breath in my body'
'they're not gonna do it.'
'I know that none of you men
voted for me.'
'But it was a fair election
and I won.'
I'm trying my best
to be a good Sheriff.
No man black or white
can be a good anything
without people behind him
backing him up.
I need backing up tonight.
'I wanna turn those
Roper County people'
'around on the highway
before they get into town.'
Now I've already deputized
ten black men to help me.
But that'll only make it
black against white.
And I don't want that.
'No good can come of that.'
Well, what do you
want from us?
Ten white deputies.
[murmur]
[male #6]
'He's not uppity,
he's super uppity.'
'Super nigger,
that's what he is.'
[crowd murmuring]
What about it, Warren?
[thundering]
John, I'm..
What about it, Warren?
[thundering]
[chattering]
- You wanna know what I think?
- We don't.
John Little and that
black buddy of his
have got an overload
of guts.
[chuckles]
Okay, men. You can see
the situation.
The whites are here
to see the fun
and our black brothers behind
them are sprawling for a fight.
When those Roper County
people get here
they're not gonna
take kindly to us.
'So keep everybody cool.'
'Mostly yourselves.'
I don't want any shooting
unless the Roper County
people shoot first.
But the one sure thing
is that nobody
gets through.
'Alright, let's move out.'
'Keep that crowd back
and take our positions.'
[crowd chattering]
How many do you think
he'll bring with him?
Everybody in Roper County
that owes him money or a favor.
How many do you think
that'd be?
Everybody.
[thundering]
Here they come!
What's going on here?
I'm afraid you're
gonna have to turn around
and go back,
Mr. Braddock.
This is a public highway.
Paid for by the people
of Colusa County.
Now back it up and turn
it around like the Sheriff said.
I am warning you--
No. Let me warn you.
If you try to bust
through this road block
you're gonna get fired on.
I didn't come alone.
No, Sir. I can see that.
But I hope you told them
if they try getting past us
they're gonna have to walk
through twelve gauge patterns.
'This is Colusa County,
Mr. Braddock.'
'Colusa County Law.'
♪ You looked upon the city
as it crumbled 'neath the dead ♪
♪ Watched the golden valleys
as they turn to crimson red ♪
♪ From the blood of fellow men
and yet you turned your head ♪
♪ And not in all the tears
for which you cried ♪
♪ Had a single tear
been shed ♪
- Wood!
- Yeah?
Open here among
these black deputies.
Come on, let's go!
[music]
♪ Let's give love
just another try ♪
We've done enough talking.
Okay, get 'em to turn around.
All of 'em.
Come on.
♪ Just a million years
to complicate simplicity ♪
Alright, you heard him.
Let's go.
What about it?
If you people think
you've heard the last of me
you are mistaken.
And you better believe it!
♪ Set yourself free
♪ Walk with me
- He means it.
- I know he means it.
I'm sending his boy
to the state capital
in the morning.
They'll keep him there
until his crowd comes up.
Back it up!
Go on! Get the hell outta here!
Go on!
How do you think
you're gonna like driving
when you learn how?
- I'm gonna remember you.
- You do that.
Name's Rankin.
'D. J. Ranki.'
I'm the easiest man
in this county to find.
Now move, boy.
♪ Change the letters
♪ They're all a mystery
♪ Try it and see
♪ What needs to be
Rankin, I appreciate it.
John, you and me used
to go fishin' together
when we were little.
You always was
a good old boy.
- Goodnight.
- Goodnight.
[thundering]
Hello, boy.
You want to draw your gun.
You go right ahead.
[clock ticking]
You don' know who I am.
Do you?
Sure don't.
Me..
and you.
We met in the dark place
a while back.
You remember now,
don't ya?
What do you want?
Oh, I got what I want.
I got you.
What'd you got against me?
You mean, you don't know?
You really don't know?
I suppose I do.
Yeah, I suppose you do, too.
Now then you just
get the key
and let that white boy
out of that cell back there.
And you and I talk about
what I got against you.
Not a chance.
If you're gonna kill me
go ahead and get it over with.
I'm just sorry
it's not a man doin' it.
Do what he says, Bengy.
Go on.
Kill him!
You keep away from me, Little.
You're just been tryin'
your best to make shambles
out of everything
I worked for all these years.
I warnin' you, Little.
Beat up on the law.
- Threaten to kill the law.
- Little!
You just won't learn.
Will you, Bengy?
Here. Here, you take it.
I don't want it.
Let's forget the whole thing.
Okay, Little?
Little!
[Bengy grunts and groans]
[Bengy screaming]
'Little, no!'
'A-ah! A-ah!'
What's goin' on back there?
Police brutality.
[birds chirping]
[sighs]
Wow.
Hey, Brad.
Come here.
Yeah.
Call my family,
will you?
And tell 'em uh..
Tell 'em I'm on my way.
It's done.
- Drop me off, okay?
- Okay.
Wait a minute.
Where are you all goin'?
Goin' home.
Mind takin' me home too,
Price?
Of course not.
Homer's usin' my car today.
He's out buying traps,
poison and clubs.
Chipmunks. Diggin' holes
all over my yard.
And eatin' the tender shoots.
Damn this seat.
[phone ringing]
Hello.
Yes. Yes.
Good-bye.
'He's coming home.'
This time.
[Price whistling]
I'm givin' you
fair warning, Price.
Come next election,
I'm gonna run your legs off.
I'm not gonna run
for Sheriff next election.
Why not?
My brother Fred
he's gonna run for Sheriff.
I'm gonna run for Mayor.
[Tompall and the Glaser
Brothers singing
"Walk Unashamed"]
♪ Walk unashamed
with me ♪
♪ Out into the night
♪ Don't be afraid
to feel anything ♪
♪ It's alright
♪ Love is waiting there
for us to take ♪
♪ Let's take it now
♪ I'll show you how
♪ Pa pa pa pa pa pa
♪ Baby walk unashamed with me
♪ Out into the night
♪ Don't be afraid to
feel anything ♪
♪ It's alright
♪ Pa pa pa pa pa pa