We Can't Go Home Again (1973) - full transcript

[ Nicholas Ray Narrating ] I had read of a festival of life...

being called in Chicago, Illinois.

I remembered that in the late-19th century...

a governor of Illinois had refused to allow a major political party...

to hold its convention...

on the grounds that such a demonstration...

might incite riots and violence.

Within three hours after being inside that city,

I had been maced...

and my camera had been smashed.

This is the federal court building.



On trial were men like Jerry Rubin,

Rennie Davis,

John Froines,

Dave Dellinger, a Quaker,

Abbie Hoffman, Bill Kunstler.

We heard that Fred Hampton had been murdered...

in one of the most shameful ambushes...

ever perpetrated on any group of people in the United States.

The confrontation had been too tough.

Most people began to disappear.

What really made me wonder was, where is everybody?

[ Man ] Hey, schmuck! What made you think of growing a beard?

Charlton Heston playing Moses.

[ Ray Narrating ] Fortunately I was offered a job...



in an upstate New York university.

Hell, I decided I'd buy a crooked cane,

grow a goatee, wear a crooked smile...

and impress them...

with my rhetoric, rebellion and ponderosity.

[ Ray ] What was the first traumatic experience you recall?

[ Woman ] What I remember most is the night of the Bay of Pigs.

John Kennedy's eyeballs must have been hanging down to his chin.

I ran to the telephone after he talked. I remember.

[ Woman #2 ] I ran to the telephone to call my friends, to say good-bye to them.

All of us thought the holocaust would happen before we saw morning.

[ Ray ] What are you talking about? You were only eight years old.

[ Woman #2 ] "Only"? My friends all called their friends.

We thought we'd all be dead, so we had to say good-bye.

I remember running to my father and begging him to build a bomb shelter.

[ Ray ] Education is very big business.

♪♪ [ Woman Humming ]

♪ God bless the family ♪

♪ That sings together ♪

♪ A song bursts from their throats ♪

♪ Booming out ♪

♪ Some rooted sorrow ♪

♪ They'll strain at every note ♪

♪ And these sad notes ♪

♪ Keep hope alive ♪

♪ And help this fragile ♪

♪ Love survive ♪

♪ Bless the family ♪

♪ That lives and dies ♪

♪ Together ♪

♪ Mm-hmm, mm-hmm ♪

♪ Together ♪

♪ Together ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Bless the family ♪

♪ That loves ♪

♪ Bring them some happiness ♪

♪ And shelter from loneliness ♪

♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh ♪

♪♪ [ Continues ] [ People Chattering ]

♪♪ [ Ends ]

[ Chattering Continues ]

[ Chattering Continues ]

Richie? Richie?

[ Laughing, Chattering ]

[ Man Speaking, Indistinct ]

[ Male Lecturer ] If it follows in words that "A" is the mother of "B"...

and "B" is the mother of "C"--

[ Lecturer Continues, Indistinct ]

[ Loud Shrieking ]

[ Rumbling ] [ Man ] Your machines make a lot of noise!

[ Man #2 Chuckling ]

[ Man #3 ] I don't even know why I came back to school.

These dumb machines are just making noise at me.

Is this what I have to do to graduate?

To get a job somewhere?

[ Knocking On Door ]

[ Man ] ♪ She was homeward bound ♪

♪♪ [ Singing, Indistinct ] [ People Laughing, Chattering ]

[ Laughing Stops ]

How you doin'? Hello.

Hello.

[ Man ] Hey, are you the new professor of cinema around here?

- Yeah, I guess I am. - [ Woman ] Don't you know?

Don't I know what?

Um--

Aren't you too old to be a new professor?

Well, I--

Didn't you, uh, direct that Eskimo movie with Anthony Quinn?

[ Chuckles ]

And Rebel Without a Cause-- you directed that also, hmm?

Yeah. Did you like it?

It was okay.

Yeah? Mm-hmm.

He was the guy that did They Live By Night. Right?

Yeah. You know quite a bit about film, don't you?

Johhny Guitar?

Uh, yeah.

Then what the hell you doing here, man?

Yeah. You must have a lot of money.

- [ Loud Thump ] - [ Woman ] What are you doing here, huh?

Now, look, we don't want to have anything to do with Hollywood, man.

I wanna do my own thing.

[ Ray ] I hear you've got pretty good eyes.

We wanna do our own thing still, though.

My name is Bock. Mine is Ray.

- And you're Beethoven. - [ Man ] No. Weisman.

Good night.

[ Ray ] Your name is Lola Montès.

[ Door Opening ]

Hey. Hey. Yeah?

Hey.

Maybe sometime...

you could tell me a little bit about Marilyn and Jane.

I could dig it.

Which Jane?

Jane.

[ Ray ] You're pretty heavy, love.

[ Chuckles ]

- Yeah? - Why do you wear that eye patch?

What do you mean by that?

[ Ray Narrating ] For my first assignment to the class, ♪♪ [ Piano: Jazz ]

I had given them the task of photographing demonstrations...

for the prisoners of the Attica prison.

[ Man On Loudspeaker ] Everything you do advocates change--

the way you dress, the way you change your hair.

You know, you stopped wearing a part in your hair, and you went natural.

And you look beautiful. You know?

But don't let this thing only be about physical beauty.

Let it be of mental beauty and a motive to keep you going.

[ Ray Narrating ] As we got to the demonstration,

I couldn't help but recall Chicago.

Because this was like a picnic on the lawn.

♪♪ [ Continues ]

[ Chattering ]

[ Ray Narrating ] So I assigned the students to find a boy-girl story.

Here's the boy.

Here's the girl.

[ Chattering ] ♪♪ [ Woman Vocalizing ]

[ Man On Loudspeaker ] I've been subjected to a different culture,

a different tone, different institutions,

different laws, different everything.

The way I dress now, this is not me.

But I got to be here because I'm here. You see?

So, being that I'm subject to this...

and I'm a guest in a strange house--

It seems like when a guest comes to your house, you're supposed to treat 'em very well.

Even better than yourself, you know.

And this submissiveness and this nonviolence--

No, there's no longer a choice between violence and nonviolence.

It's a choice between violence and not surviving.

♪♪ [ Woman Vocalizing ]

[ Man Laughing ]

♪♪ [ Vocalizing Continues ]

[ Ray Narrating ] That girl's name is Leslie,

the one the boy picked up in the park at the Attica demonstration.

She wants to be a dancer,

so I had her teach the class some exercises...

in the movement of their bodies...

so that the camera would always be steady.

♪♪ [ Piano Continues ] [ Students Inhaling, Exhaling ]

♪♪ [ Women Vocalizing ]

[ Projector Running ]

[ Woman ] Richie?

Hey, you! Turn that goddamn light off!

I'm sorry. Who the f-- Right now!

I'm sorry! Who do you think you are?

- I know you. - Right now. Right now!

Richie?

I know you're here.

[ Projector Running ]

Richie, this is insane.

Hi, Jill. How are you? Okay.

Here, sit down. Let me get you something.

Wow. How are you? Oh, okay.

I didn't know if you were gonna be in school.

I didn't know if I was gonna be in school.

I understand a lot-- I understand-- I don't know how to deal with it.

I need to see you.

Um--

How was your summer? Was it a good summer and everything? No.

I don't feel like playing tonight.

Quit lying back on the pillow and put it behind the stove. I'm really scared.

And don't talk to me now.

I didn't know when, you know, I-I would see you again.

I just wanted to see you.

I know that-- That's the way that I feel.

I know. I'm, uh-- I'm really, um-- I--

- How-- How was your day? - Miserable.

[ Woman ] So was mine.

Did you see Doug? Put your pants on and start cooking dinner!

It's your-- I don't have to put my fuckin' pants on, man!

- I am a lady, goddamn it! - Right.

You don't sleep with me tonight, baby!

Bastard!

Hi, Jane. How are you?

Was Doug in class today?

Why don't you come sometime? Maybe you'll find out.

- Why doesn't he ask me? - He doesn't run the class.

That's not what I mean.

I mean, why doesn't he ask me?

[ Jane ] I told you.

- That jive-ass professor! For Christ's sake! - What about him?

Why doesn't he ask me to come to class?

Why doesn't somebody ask me to come to class?

I told him.

I'll help you.

What are we having?

We're having, uh, raw cauliflower and, uh, ice cream and--

[ Richie ] I'm living with somebody else.

Would you put some pants on? You look cold as a witch's tit.

Is it cold out! God!

Holy God-- Hey! Why don't you put your pants on! It's cold outside!

You're so damn cold, why don't you make a fire.

Kevin, it's your turn to make the fire.

Hali, help me carry up some wood, will you, please?

[ Sighs ]

I'll be right down.

Oh, no, you don't! You bastard.

Does it all the time. I'm lonely.

♪ If I were he ♪

♪ I would love me who I am ♪

♪ I would love me ♪

♪ I would love ♪♪

- I like that song. - I don't know it.

I'm just writing it.

Hali, will you make dinner tonight, huh?

I promise, when we get the food stamps, I'll make us a hell of a meal.

And I'll invite him.

I'll invite him tonight.

[ Hali ] You'd better put some pants on.

You two.

He just lives in the next house!

Phil! Throw down some pants!

Take mine.

Hey, dinner's ready.

Ah.

- [ Chattering ] - Far out.

[ Woman ] I don't think it's cooked too much.

Richie, I wanna turn off the light.

Don't wanna turn off the light.

Look, we have to talk about what we're gonna do. I'm turning off the light now.

No. I don't feel right when you don't give me answers--

We don't have to figure out anything for the summer. We know what we're gonna--

We don't know what we're gonna do for the summer. I know what I'm gonna do.

I'm going to go away. I'm going to travel.

And I'm going to sleep with a lot of men.

Those are my plans for the summer.

Why do you say something like that? Huh?

You know that it's my-- I don't want any more.

What the hell do I want water for?

[ Electronic Beeping ]

The government that we're backing in Saigon is--

Hey, Richie. Come and take a look at this.

[ Fonda Continues, Indistinct ]

[ Echoing ] People who control the airports...

are the brothers and brothers-in-law of the foreign minister.

[ Editing Deck Running ] [ Richie ] Here you go, Nick. One, two, three.

[ Fonda Audio Stops ]

Hey, you got a cigarette?

Oh, shit. No, I don't have one. I think Steve does though.

Hey, Steve. Got a cigarette?

Here you go, Nick. [ Audio Resumes ]

You got the wrong end in there.

Oh, yeah, yeah. [ Muttering ]

[ Editing Deck Whirring ]

[ Man ] Vietnam is something straight out of 1984.

Uh, I assume there are people here who have read 1984,

the book where war becomes peace.

After the second term of the Nixon administration that comes to pass,

and after the two terms of the Agnew administration, it will be 1984.

[ Audience Laughing ]

[ Hayden ] But there is a--

There is sort of a rehearsal going on,

in that peace is about to arrive in Indochina.

[ Audio: Film Slows, Stops ]

[ Film Projector Running ]

Nick! You can kill somebody like that!

Sorry, Leslie. I thought it was a security officer.

Hey! [ Clanging ]

What have you got against cops?

[ Leslie ] Nick, can I talk to you now?

Well, I'll tell you what I've got against cops. I don't like 'em.

'Cause I think anybody who puts on a uniform...

should know how to write and answer a few questions.

I think there are stupid people--

What about that photograph there, when you almost hit this girl?

You just get angry for nothing.

I mean, you almost hit her.

Well, I said I thought it was a security officer.

Does this guy always throw darts at you?

Yeah.

My father is a police detective...

in New York City.

Works on the Homicide squad.

Don't call him a pig.

Why not? I love my father.

But we don't get along.

Why not?

- Politics. That's why. - Oh.

He's also talked a lot of people out of committing suicide.

Saved lives.

Don't you believe people who commit suicide...

have the right of their own destiny?

What kind of question is that, huh?

I have to talk to you. Can I talk to you now? Please?

Can you wait for me for 10 minutes? Please?

And then when I went home on vacations,

I sometimes picked up my father's gun and put it to my head.

Why'd you leave home?

I decided to become a priest just to get away from home.

What are you saying?

What do you have to bring this up for?

Won't you let me talk?

Go ahead. Talk.

You're just like the other professors.

You always talk, and you never listen to people.

You think you know it all just 'cause you made movies and you're old?

Huh?

Can't answer that question.

'Cause I don't give lectures. I don't know how to give lectures.

Do you mind holding the slate for us, please?

Higher, please. Higher.

Turn around the other way.

Scene: Student. Take one.

Oh. Yeah. Right.

What are you doing now? I don't understand.

[ Ray ] Well, as I said, everybody here works.

This summer I have to go to the Republican convention...

in Dallas.

What?

Did I say Dallas?

[ Conversing, Indistinct ]

[ Student ] Did I say Dallas?

I'm sorry.

Remember when you first said, "Hey, why do you wear an eye patch?"

Yeah.

I did something tonight that, uh, I think you should know about.

I'm not sure though.

I hustled.

I was walking along the street today,

and this guy picked me up when I wasn't even hitching.

And he's a cab driver-- W-Wait a minute. Start over again, will ya?

I'm starting from the beginning. This is where it happened.

I was walking along by Harpur...

and this guy picked me up and he said,

"Wow! Wow, I'm so excited! You don't know what just happened to me!

I picked this guy up in my cab-- I'm a cab driver, you know.

And he offered me $50 if I could follow"-- Was he in a cab?

Mm-mmm. No. He had a car.

This guy's name was Butch. He had a gun.

He's a hitter, in all ways.

Here in the quiet Susquehanna Valley?

Yeah. He's a pimp around here too.

And he told me that it was only the first time he did that, and he was lying.

And the big guy, who we were gonna do it for,

he owns about 500 department stores all across the country...

and he comes to Binghamton about once or twice a month.

And he has this girl do-- do these things for him.

And I was gonna masturbate and come,

and it was supposed to take about a half an hour.

That was the time limit.

And then he was supposed to-- [ Snickers ]

I was supposed to leave. I-I'm sorry--

The money was supposed to be under the pillow.

This is so goddamned unreal, darling. I-- It's true!

It just happened.

He's a pimp! I didn't know either! How did I know?

The guy who owns the stores isn't a pimp.

Well, he's a pig, you know.

What do you mean, you can't believe that there's--

All those capitalists are pigs.

They're pigs. Wait a minute. No, no.

I know some pretty nice capitalists.

Well, I don't. I do.

Well-- [ Sighs ]

Anyway, I liked the guy that was pimping for me-- Butch.

And he really-- he really promised to give me a lot of the money.

[ Laughs ]

What's so funny?

I really felt good, you know. I really felt good.

For the first time in my life, I felt as though I had no problems.

You know what I mean?

I felt one-- I felt at peace with who I was.

I walked into that motel room, and I just remember looking in the mirror...

and I just said, "Wow."

You know? "I'm all right." You know? "I'm together."

Yeah. "I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing."

How I can help? I don't know what the hell you're talking about.

And I'm supposed to do it tomorrow.

[ Whistles ]

So I--

Because, uh--

I mean, it didn't work, and I didn't get what I wanted, and I'm upset.

What did you want?

I wanted the money.

Why did you need the 1,200?

Why did I need it? Yeah.

'Cause I wanted--

I wanted it for everybody...

so we could finish the film...

and have some money to work with.

Two thousand dollars.

Yeah.

And I was gonna say, "Everybody, I've got the money."

- Who's he? - That's Joe Lederer.

He's a journalist.

I asked him to do sound for us tonight...

because, uh, we were short on crew.

He's a journalist from Harper's, and he's a very--

Hi. Who are you? I've never seen you here before.

My name is Joe.

I'm not a professional sound man.

I'm a professional writer.

Who do you write for? Harper's.

Harper's magazine.

You mean Harper's Bazaar? Is that what you mean?

- No, not the fashion magazine. - Are you some professional?

- Well, I'm a professional writer. - Oh.

Oh.

I work... for--

You were splendid in the last scene.

I really did-- Thank you.

You, uh-- It had a sense of immediacy and-and spontaneity.

I-I wish I'd had a rehearsal for it.

You see, I've never done this before.

Oh.

- Uh-- - Are those your notes?

Yes, just journalist notes.

May I see them?

Certainly.

I-I've never done this before.

What do you mean?

I mean I wish we'd had a rehearsal so I--

I could have had the levels right for Nick on the mike, you know.

There are no rehearsals here.

Not in this film that we're making.

We don't work like that.

That's far out!

"Far out"? Far out!

Wow! Far out!

What's the cab driver's name?

I'm not gonna tell you.

[ Ray ] It's all right, dear. He was--

[ Muttering ]

Look, did he really have a gun?

Mmm. Yeah, he did.

And had killed--

I don't know.

Um, and-and who was the man outside?

Uh, he owned... department stores?

I don't know.

I shouldn't ask that, should I?

No.

What happened? How does this happen to a girl like you?

You're a university student who--

What do you mean a girl like me?

A girl like me?

How do you know who a girl like me is?

How do you know any--

anybody that's like me?

[ Sighs ]

[ Moaning ]

[ Moaning ] Richie.

Richie? Take off your mask.

Take off your mask!

Take off your mask!

It's not healthy, uh--

It's no... good.

I'm just scared!

Richie! [ Whimpers ]

- Hey, Jill, you have my key? - [ All Chattering, Arguing ]

You got all this--

It's not fucking-- I'm supposed to concentrate here!

[ Arguing Continues, Indistinct ]

Hey, what's going on? What are you doing?

Get the fuck out of here. Turn the light on!

Get the fuck out! No! No! You gonna make me?

I'm sorry.

It's over.

[ Richie Muttering ] Wha-- No, you don't.

Richie, no! Stop it! Please!

I'm sorry! No! Okay! I'm sorry! Stop!

Goddamn it! I'm sorry.

So am I.

We have to stop. [ Whimpers ]

Um, let's go out. Hey--

Yeah. Hey, why don't we go to the pool, huh?

We might be able to get into the pool. Okay?

At the school. Okay.

I'll get everything ready.

It's fucking hot.

[ Richie ] Should be nice.

[ Chattering ]

[ Phone Rings ]

- Hello? - Hello? Is Luke there?

Yeah. Hold on a second.

Hey, Luke.

Luke!

Hello, Luke? Hi, Phil.

You think you and three other guys can make it tonight?

Sure. What kind of help you need?

[ Indistinct ]

Okay. Just tell me where and when.

Great. Outta sight.

Listen. Meet me in Building "C," Corridor "F."

Don't use the front gym door.

I'll see you there in a little while.

- Luke. - What?

Listen. I'll be wearing a cop's uniform.

Okay. So long.

[ Projector Motor Running ]

[ No Audible Dialogue ]

Phil has decided to do something.

- What? - I want you to do something for me.

He's decided to take some action.

Just trust me.

I think that you're beautiful.

Come on.

[ Man ] Why don't you let him wait?

Wait a minute. What's with--

Phil! You're covering me!

Phil!

[ No Audible Dialogue ]

[ No Audible Dialogue ]

[ Projector Motor Running ]

[ Leslie ] Phil, get out of there!

What the hell do you have on? [ Laughing ]

[ Phil ] I'll be back later tonight.

[ Leslie Laughing ]

[ No Audible Dialogue ]

[ Projector Motor Stops, No Audio ]

[ Banging ]

[ Electronic Warbling ]

- [ Jill Screams ] - [ Splash ]

Richie! Are you crazy? [ Richie Yells ]

Are you trying to break my--

[ Footsteps ]

Richie!

[ Electronic Warbling Continues ]

[ Gasping ]

Bitch.

[ Jill ] You're crazy!

[ Phil ] Hey, you! You!

Get out of that pool right now!

- [ Richie ] What? - Man, who is he?

You heard me!

- Get out here! - [ Jill Gasping ]

Come on! Right now!

[ Richie ] Okay. All right. You can do that outside.

- Come on. - You come on! Take your girlfriend, and you get out!

And if you come back, I'll knock the living shit out of you!

[ Jill ] Ow! Get out! Get going!

[ Chattering ] Get a move on!

We just wanted to-- Don't give me any of your sorry puppy shit!

It was a hot day, man. We just wanted to come in and-- I'll lock you up!

Goddamn you! Don't you argue with me!

Goddamn you, man! You get outta here! And you too!

You got no business being here! Fuck you!

I could have you under arrest right now! Get out of here!

Stop it! Are you fuckin' crazy?

You're crazy.

At least he didn't take our names. That's one thing about it.

You ever see a security officer with hair and a beard like that before?

We're getting towards the end of the year. They must be running short on manpower.

[ Jill ] So am I. [ Richie ] Bitch.

Go! Go! Move it! Go, go, go!

[ Electronic Warbling Continues ]

[ Door Buzzer Buzzes ]

[ Phone Buzzing ]

Yes?

You think that it was for you?

- Who do you want? - Oh.

Oh, you-you must be an officer.

Where are you?

Well, I think that someone has locked me up as a prisoner here.

I'm in the physics laboratory. [ Sighs ]

And I don't know what's happening to me.

Wow, it's really been a weird week, man. You know?

Hmm. Wh-What sign are you?

Sign?

Hmm.

It's too dark to see.

- [ Static ] - Must be serious. I mean--

Hello?

- Why did you leave me? - You must be an Aries.

You get to the basement yet?

[ No Audible Dialogue ] Psst! Psst!

[ Groans ]

[ Chattering ]

♪♪ [ Piano: Ragtime, Upbeat ]

♪♪ [ Continues ] [ No Audio ]

♪♪ [ Continues ]

[ No Audio ]

♪♪ [ Ends ]

[ Projector Motor Running ]

[ Buzzer Buzzes ]

And again.

Everybody take 10 minutes.

Go on. Go on. It's stuffy in here.

Charlie, take a break. [ Chattering ]

What if I was really getting into it? What?

I was just really starting to get into doing it.

No. Come on. What?

[ Chattering Continues ] Ray, come on!

You too, David.

[ Editing Deck Motor Running ]

Um, Nick? Yeah?

You got a minute, Nick?

Let me show you something. Yeah, sure, David.

[ Editing Deck Stops ]

I was, um-- I was away this summer. I was down in Carolina.

I'm on a diet. There's a doctor down there. Oh, yeah.

In Duke University?

Oh, yeah. I heard about that. That's where Burl Ives went.

Oh, yeah. There's a lot of famous people who were down-- Yeah, it's, uh--

It's a whole scene, like, uh--

Everyone goes down there to lose weight.

And, um, I had these, um--

How much did you lose? Eighty pounds.

The hell you did. Yeah. It was, uh--

How long did it take?

Oh, less than three months to lose, um--

I had these, uh-- these pictures in my book, you know.

Like "before and after" pictures. Like for a magazine or something?

And I thought, you know, you might want to see 'em.

It's, uh, kinda interesting.

My God. You were that fat?

Yeah, I, uh--

I really had it, you know.

Well, you know, I thought I'd, like, just solve all my problems and I'd go down there...

and, like, lose all this weight and everything would be okay.

But, uh, it-it's not that simple, you know.

Being an Adonis doesn't solve all the problems?

Uh, nah, it's not all it's cracked up to be.

It's like, um-- It's like my body is thinner, you know,

but I still have a fat head.

I'm still doing all of the same things that I was doing when I was fat,

that I had to do.

Like all these defenses and always guarding myself, you know,

and being very paranoid and acting, you know, like...

funny, you know, jokes and everything.

What used to be kind of cute is really sort of obnoxious.

When you talk about your fat, how do you talk?

Well-- Oh, there was one thing that was really amazing.

Like, everyone agreed to one thing--

that we all enjoyed food and liked food a whole lot more than sex.

You know? Yeah.

At first some people wouldn't admit it.

But after a while everybody did-- that it was more enjoyable...

and more secure...

and a lot more fun.

What did you do, compare-- Instead of girls' behinds, you--

Oh, yeah. You'd compare salad dressings?

Yeah. Corned beef.

Oh, man, one time we just started talking for, like, 45 minutes about corned beef.

You know, like all the different ways that we'd had it--

like, rye bread, pumpernickel, you know, club bread.

It was, like-- It was, like, sick, but it was good. I mean--

We had to do that because we were all like aliens,

like, living among these, like-- these thin people.

It's in here. Can I have my book, please?

Yeah, sure. Excuse me, David.

I'll see you later, huh?

[ Editing Deck Motor Whirring ]

[ Man ] You know, it's--

[ Woman ] Doug, why do you wear that eye patch?

[ Doug ] Um--

[ Ray Narrating ] Vanity.

[ No Audible Dialogue ]

One of the students has drowned in the river!

[ Editing Deck Motor Running ]

[ Man ] Honey, I'll get you yet.

[ Water Sloshing ] You make me feel so funny, honey!

Honey! You're worth all my money, honey!

[ Laughing ] Oh, honey, you make me feel so funny!

Honey! Honey! You make me feel so funny!

[ Laughing Continues ]

Oh, Lordy! [ Laughing ]

[ Man Coughs ] What the hell are you doing out there, old man?

This is my island.

Can you light a fire on the water?

I can try to. [ Chuckles, Coughs ]

I could show you romance, if I got a chance.

No. [ Laughs ]

I could cure your loneliness.

No, that's--

I have 18 nickels and a rusted gun.

They get me something most of the time!

Not me! [ Laughing ]

[ Woman ] It's nothing.

[ Man ] Make a-- Make it burn.

[ Engine Roaring ]

[ Woman ] I know. It's already been reported.

Don't come knocking on doors. Telephone.

Don't knock on doors. Telephone.

[ Ray ] Shit.

[ No Audible Dialogue ]

Hey, you wanna have a beer and a pizza?

Where's your eye patch? Forget it?

No, no. I-I--

It gets wet and soggy and very uncomfortable sometimes.

[ No Audible Dialogue ]

There once was a wise man.

Can you stand a story?

A wise man. Go ahead.

Once there was a wise man who-who traveled to every other wise man he knew...

throughout the world...

who had a reputation for wisdom and-- and sagacity.

And he said,

"Tell me something that you have learned...

that will help me pass on to other people...

something that will help them, guide them in their lives."

And he left every single one of them satisfied.

And he walked and walked and walked...

until he got to the Sphinx in Egypt,

And he looked up high and said, "Hey, Sphinx!

Hey, Sphinx."

And the Sphinx hadn't talked for 4,000 years.

He said, "Hey, Sphinx, would you open your mouth...

and tell me one single thing that I can tell man...

that will help him, guide him through his life?"

[ No Audible Dialogue ]

For the first time in 5,000 years,

the Sphinx opened her mouth and said,

"Don't expect too much.

Don't expect too much from a teacher."

[ Laughs ] Why'd you do that?

Just wanted to see if you were blind in that eye.

I'm-- Didn't you believe me?

I'm blind in the same eye.

The hell-- [ Laughs ] Yep.

How did it happen?

When I was 13 years old, I dared a kid to shoot at me with an arrow.

He did. Did you have an apple on your head?

No. [ Laughs ]

How'd you lose yours?

In the conspiracy trial in Chicago.

A trial? Yeah.

You were there? Sure. Of course.

Hey, I've got enough money for a beer.

I'll even treat you.

That gives us three beers and two pizzas. Let's go.

Can I tell you something? Yeah.

I think I'm falling in love with Leslie.

That's why I asked--

Why shouldn't you? about the darts.

Oh. Here it is. Don't take anybody for granted.

But I don't get along with Jewish girls.

Jewish-schmewish. Abi gezunt!

What the hell you mean you don't get along with Jewish girls?

You get along with any girls?

Just Catholic girls. Yeah?

When I was in the seminary.

Yeah, I remember you telling me that.

There was one girl in the seminary I liked.

Make it with her?

I was studying to be a priest.

What has that got to with it? I don't know.

You want to go in here for a minute?

I want to see what this faculty review's all about.

♪♪ [ Electronic Soundscape ]

[ Ray Narrating ] There was a time when Richie and Leslie...

made rendezvous outside Slugger Ann's on Second Avenue and 12th Street.

[ No Audible Dialogue ]

I'm sorry, Doug. I really didn't know.

I don't think you can help me.

Well, I don't see why not.

Hi, Les. Hi, Jane. Hello, Professor.

[ Leslie ] I don't think you can help me.

[ Jane ] She can't handle that.

Um, I-- I can't see.

I can't open my eyes.

Let me see. Don't you see? I don't--

[ Crying ]

I don't want to see.

I don't want to see anything.

I just-- I just wanna get out of here.

I want my mother. I don't want--

I want you to help me. I want to help you. How can I?

No, you don't. Sure, I do.

You don't wanna help me. No one's helped me.

How the hell can I help you? I'll do it if I can.

I don't know.

I don't know. You're-- You think.

You're the teacher. You're-- You're the teacher.

Who can teach? No. I--

I have cramps.

I took bad speed, I think.

And-And, uh, now I-- I just feel as though I wanna die.

That's all. [ Laughs ]

What-What can I tell you? What do you want me to tell you?

I want you to help me, you know?

I can only help you the way I know how.

Well, I think you can help me.

Will you try it with me? I think you can.

Okay. Come on. Yeah. Yeah.

I don't want to work. Come on now.

Are you sure? Are you sure? Yeah, I'm sure.

I'll try.

I think maybe-- maybe you can help me.

I feel so sick.

You're not gonna-- So fucking sick.

Maybe if I were warmer, I'd feel all right.

I got a nice warm corner over here for you.

Sunny as the Carolinas.

'Cause I remember that sometimes, on the grass and on the trees--

- And I'm glowing and I'm filled with life. - My tomato, please.

Not death, not hurt, not pain. But life.

♪♪ [ Snapping Fingers ]

♪ All day long it's Marianne ♪

♪ Sitting by the shore and sifting sand ♪

♪ All the little children love Marianne ♪

♪ Sitting by the seaside sifting sand ♪♪

[ Shivers ]

Last year,

when I lived in the Village, uh,

I liked to be involved with scenes, you know.

And I was dancing, and that was my cultural scene.

But I also like to feel, you know,

raunchy, you know, like-- like real degenerate, you know.

And, uh-- And I met this guy who, uh, was wanted by the F.B.I.

He was a dealer.

And I really remember how--

how I went over to him and I said,

"Listen, I know that you have the clap.

Will you give it to me?"

And he did.

And I felt so ugly, and now I feel so ugly.

[ Crying ] I don't wanna feel this way.

[ Sniffling ]

I'm always doing this to myself. Always.

I could always be a flower, but I'm not. I'm always ugly.

- [ Ray Shouts ] - [ Shrieks ]

I'm always ugly! I can't help it!

I'm always ugly! I can't help it!

You get outta here! You get outta here!

♪♪ [ Electronic Cacophony ]

[ Shouting ]

You get outta here! Get outta here!

♪♪ [ Continues ]

[ Machine Gun Fire ]

I mean, this is only bullshit anyway.

But, you know, we gotta hit her with tomatoes...

to prove, you know, like, the scene we're trying to make here.

You know, this point about, you know, why she's so sick.

She goes out and gets the clap from this guy.

- [ All Arguing ] - That's, you know--

We all want the clap.

[ All Talking Over Each Other ]

Let's get outta here, man. I've had enough, man.

I'm ready to blow outta here.

[ Man ] Hey, Leslie. Yeah?

Was that real, or were you--

Yeah, except for the tomatoes.

Will you take out the Bolex for me?

I don't think you can help me, Jane. Thanks.

I don't-- I don't think you want to help me. You don't know how.

[ Sniffles ]

I just want my mother. That's pretty mean.

[ Man ] Hi, Leslie.

I took some speed, and now I-- I feel really sick.

That's such a foolish thing to do.

[ Ray, Indistinct ]

Don't you know that speed kills?

[ Scoffs ] No.

All I know is that I feel-- I feel so nauseous...

and I want to vomit, but I can't.

It won't come out.

Can you help me? Yeah, sure.

Come in here, because-- I don't wanna go in there.

Come on. I'll take-- I'll take care of you. I can't see.

[ Leslie ] This place is so scary. You'll be all right.

Hi, Richie. Hey, Les. How you doin'?

Okay. I feel better. Will you help me feel better?

Yeah. Trust me.

Hello, darling. [ Kisses ]

I'll try to help. I really will.

Let's go at it again. Give me my tomato, please.

And where the hell's the salt?

I remember that sometimes I feel so good.

♪ All day long it's Marianne ♪

She's off-key. Cut the song.

[ Leslie ] She-She understood.

She said that when she was young, she used to be afraid and cold--

[ Ray Shouts ]

You fuckers! I'm always so ugly!

[ Shouting ]

You get outta here! You get out--

[ Leslie ] I had this, like, chronic case of vaginal infection.

And I tried to get penicillin, and no one would give it to me.

[ Bells Jingling ]

♪♪ [ Singing, Indistinct ]

Hey. Merry Christmas.

♪ Well, this may be the last time ♪

♪♪ [ Continues, Indistinct ]

♪ May be the last time I don't know ♪

♪ May be-- ♪♪ Hey. Merry Christmas.

How are you? Hi?

♪♪ [ Singing, Indistinct ]

Who the hell ever invented zippers?

[ Man ] Hey! Hey! Hey, mister!

[ Brakes Squealing ] [ Loud Crash ]

♪♪ [ Soundscape ]

- [ Man ] God! - [ Woman ] It's Santa Claus!

[ Man ] Get that guy's number! [ Man # 2 ] You think he's dead?

[ Santa Claus ] Not yet!

♪♪ [ Piano ]

[ Woman ] ♪ Bless the family ♪

♪ That loves together ♪

♪ And brings themselves some cheer ♪

♪ Though the kids earn ♪

♪ Fame, no fortune ♪

♪ They will make it through the year ♪

♪ And these six walls will keep us dry ♪

♪ When all hell breaks loose from the sky ♪

♪ Bless the family ♪

♪ That laughs and cries together ♪

♪ Mm-hmm, mm-hmm ♪

♪ Together ♪

♪ Mmm ♪♪

[ Man ] ...in Arts and Sciences.

Will the candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Arts...

in the division of Humanities please rise.

[ Audience Applauding ]

[ David ] How come you don't have any cap and gown?

[ Tom ] I couldn't stand that. Why not?

I just couldn't take it. They march you in there like a herd.

I took a peek in at the gym. It was dull.

Tom, I'd like you to meet my stepmother and my father-- Hi. How you doin'?

Hi, Tom. Congratulations. Thank you.

It's good to-- Are you okay?

I haven't seen you since the old loading dock days.

Yeah, well, I got the diploma.

You got it too, huh? Yeah.

[ Chattering ]

[ Man ] What'd they say, Richie?

Not a goddamn word about the war in Vietnam, man.

[ No Audible Dialogue ]

♪♪ [ Soundscape ]

[ Whistle Toots ]

[ Ray Narrating ] It was a time when Tom had unconfused Dallas from Miami...

and had gone to the convention.

[ Tom ] Well, what I found in Miami in Flamingo Park...

was total confusion.

People walking around yelling at each other, raising their voices.

Very few of them said hello to me.

With the slight hum of Allen Ginsberg once in a while.

There were people representing every different kind of group,

from the Jesus freaks to S.D.S.

There were even evangelists on the campsite.

Abbie Hoffman is right. Politics is leveled.

♪♪ [ String Band: Old-timey ]

[ Man ] ♪ I am goin' where the water tastes like wine ♪

- ♪ I am goin' where the water tastes like wine ♪ - [ Indistinct ]

♪ Whoo-ooh ♪

♪ I am goin' where the water tastes like wine, wine, wine ♪

♪ And I ain't a-gonna be treated this a-way ♪♪

[ Whistle Toots ]

♪♪ [ Whistling ]

[ Door Rattling ]

[ Tom ] Is there anybody here?

- What are you doing here, Jane? - Hi, Tom.

Is anyone else here? No.

Got any scissors?

Here.

Hey. How are you?

[ Jane ] Wow.

[ Panting ]

[ Crying ]

[ Sobbing ]

[ Sobbing Continues ]

[ Sobbing Continues ]

[ Jane ] What's the matter? Huh?

[ Water Running In Sink ] What are you doing?

[ Whimpers ] [ Scissors Clatter ]

- [ Indistinct ] - Tom.

Come on. [ Murmurs ]

♪♪ [ Soundscape ]

[ Jane ] What's the matter?

- [ Indistinct ] - I need some help.

♪♪ [ Continues ]

I need some help.

My name is Tom Farrell.

I was born on May 3, 1950, in New York City.

I was studying to be a priest for five and a half years.

My father is a chief of the detective squad...

for the New York City police force.

I love him, but we don't get along.

He disagrees with my moral convictions.

[ Ray, Prompting ] And my political beliefs.

He disagrees with my moral convictions...

and political beliefs.

I love him.

[ Ray ] And don't ever call him a pig.

There are many that'll call him a pig just because he's a cop.

But he's a human being like anyone else.

[ Ray ] Just talk to me, Tom.

Tell me that again, will you?

Just talk to me, will you? Just talk.

Just take it from there.

Make me believe you.

Don't try to do this.

Just talk to me, Tom.

Tom, just tell me.

"Don't you ever call him a pig."

My name's Nick, you know?

Don't call him a pig.

He's a person.

He talked a lot of people out of committing suicide.

[ Water Stops ]

Want to go out and get something to eat? I haven't eaten.

Why don't you go clean up. Then we can go out.

Oh, that's not really it. You said you just got here from somewhere.

I just want to talk to you.

I just want to talk to somebody.

♪♪ [ Piano ]

[ Man ] ♪ O blissful fish ♪

♪ In your bubblin' stream ♪

♪ You have no wish ♪

♪ But dream and dream ♪

♪ Or do the sidestroke ♪

- Hey, Tom. Tom. - What?

♪♪ [ Continues ] Get up, man. Nick's outside.

You're tearing my blanket.

Nick's outside though, man. Get up.

All right.

♪♪ [ Continues, Indistinct ]

What's he doing out there at this time of night?

It's morning.

So, what's he been doing all night?

There was a faculty party. Probably--

Dressed like that?

He wouldn't go to a faculty party dressed like that.

He wouldn't go to a faculty party in the first place.

♪ But when I return ♪

[ Woman ] ♪ When I return ♪

♪ I'll have matured ♪

Richie. He's going to the barn.

♪ I'll be inured ♪♪

Well, get me the camera then.

Goddamn it.

[ Richie ] Come on.

Yeah, I knew he wouldn't go to a faculty party.

Get the camera.

[ Tom ] You haven't got enough light.

Oh, shit, there's enough light out there. I'll get it.

- Hey, Richie. - What?

You think he's gonna kill himself?

Why do you say something like that for?

First dead man I ever saw was hanging from a rafter in a barn.

Why don't we shoot him killing himself?

Nobody's ever done that before. Yeah.

But, Tom, let's not tell anybody...

because they'll all be coming down with cameras.

I won't.

[ Tom ] Now, what's she doing out here at this time of day?

I think it's her turn to feed the horses.

She screws up everything.

I think I'm gonna take a shower.

I made 10 goddamn Westerns, and I can't even tie a noose.

Hey, Nick, did you have a bad night or something?

Hi.

Oh, no worse than usual.

Well, listen, uh, can I be of any help?

Gee, I hope I didn't wake you up.

No, no. We saw you out there on the field,

and we thought you were gonna go and commit suicide or something.

Hi, Tom.

[ Laughs ] Hell, no.

Have you ever been to a faculty party?

Just the one that you took us to.

Oh, yeah.

Well, this one was worse.

Hey, listen, some of the people have moved out for the summer.

We thought maybe you'd like to, you know, come and stay at our house.

Yeah, it might be nice to live among people for a change.

♪♪ [ Flute ]

[ Ray Narrating ] It wasn't a pleasant time for lonely people like Jane,

who was now living alone in the cooperative house...

and who went out into the rain looking for someone.

♪♪ [ Flute Continues ]

Hi, Jane. Come in.

[ Stanley ] It's raining outside?

[ Jane ] There's no one at home.

So--

[ Crying ]

- I'm Michalyn. - I'm Jane.

Stanley told me you had an album you wanted to play.

- Why, has he gone to sleep? - I don't know.

Well, don't you live here?

I'll play it for you. Well, I mean--

♪♪ [ Piano: Ragtime, Slow Tempo ]

[ Stanley ] This is not my record.

♪♪ [ Continues ]

♪♪ [ "Chopsticks" ]

I'm cold. Can someone get me something warm?

- [ Stanley ] It's in the closet. - [ Michalyn ] Hey!

♪♪ [ Becoming Dissonant ]

[ Both Yelling, Laughing ] Zap! Zap!

- Zap! - Zap!

Zap! Zap!

[ Stanley ] Zap! Oh, that was good.

[ Yelling, Laughing Continue ]

Zap!

[ Michalyn ] Zap! I just kicked you.

- Zap! - Zap!

[ Jane ] I don't wanna go home to my parents.

They still think I'm a virgin.

They want me to be a virgin all over again. [ Michalyn ] I just got you.

[ Yelling, Laughing Continue ]

[ Ray ] Some of the guys were asking--

Excuse me. I forgot something.

They've asked me if I wanted to live here. [ Woman ] Phil.

- [ Phil ] It's a memento. - But if you're still living here, I thought I'll ask you.

Share the rent. Make it a little bit easier on you.

Will you hold this camera for me?

[ Ray Continues, Indistinct ]

Of course. Lots of beds here.

No one's gonna be here.

I'm leaving. So what difference does it make?

We're almost set.

So long. It's been good to know ya.

Take it easy, but take it. Thanks. So?

Why don't you learn to shut up sometime?

What?

I don't want to be photographed.

Where did Tom go?

Uh, why don't you go out and look for him?

Come on.

Where do you think Tom went? I guess he just went out.

Maybe we should go out and see where he went. Yeah.

I don't see how the hell you can be so insensitive.

Come here. He seemed very upset to me.

Of course he was upset. You pointed the camera in his face.

Ever since you moved in here, you started pointing that camera into people's faces.

Do you think we should try to help him?

- Maybe. - Why don't you?

We will. We will.

Go ahead then.

[ Richie ] Who are you to tell us what to do? We're thinking about it.

I'll see you later.

We're gonna go. Yeah, maybe you'll see us later.

Okay.

You think we should go? Yeah, about time.

Yeah, I think maybe we should go now. [ Sighs ]

[ Thinking ] Oh, my God. I left that noose hanging in the barn.

[ Alice ] Tom!

Alice, what the hell? He can take care of himself.

- Let's go. He can take care of himself. - All right.

Okay. You're right. You're right.

[ Door Slides Open ]

[ No Audible Dialogue ]

[ No Audible Dialogue ]

Hey, Tom. Tom.

Hey, Tom?

[ No Audible Dialogue ]

[ No Audible Dialogue ]

[ No Audible Dialogue ]

[ Grunts ] What?

[ No Audible Dialogue ]

I have been... interrupted.

[ No Audible Dialogue ]

[ Ray Narrating ] She's right, Richie.

Let him sleep for a short time.

Not too long a time.

Just long enough to get back his dream.

The floodgates are opening.

The water is rushing, like the people,

against the dams...

and the "goddamns."

But waken him in time.

Take care of each other.

It is your only chance for survival.

All else is vanity.

And let the rest of us swing.

♪ Bless the family ♪

♪ That loves together ♪

♪ And brings themselves some cheer ♪

♪ Though the kids earn ♪

♪ Fame, no fortune ♪

♪ They will make it through the year ♪

♪ And these six walls will keep us dry ♪

♪ When all hell breaks loose from the sky ♪

♪ Bless the family ♪

♪ That laughs and cries ♪

♪ Together ♪

♪ Mm-hmm, mm-hmm ♪

♪ Together ♪

♪ Mmm ♪

♪ God bless the family ♪

♪ That sings together ♪

♪ A song bursts from their throats ♪

Closed-Captioned by Captions, Inc., Burbank

♪ Booming out ♪

♪ Some rooted sorrow ♪

♪ They'll strain at every note ♪

♪ And these sad notes keep hope alive ♪

♪ And help this fragile love survive ♪

♪ Bless the family ♪

♪ That lives and dies together ♪

♪ Mm-hmm, mm-hmm ♪

♪ Together ♪

♪ Together ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Bless the family that loves ♪

♪ Bring them some happiness ♪

♪ And shelter from loneliness ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ Oh ♪♪