Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken (1991) - full transcript
Thrilled by a performance she sees at a fair, Sonora (Gabrielle Anwar) tries to land a spot as a daredevil who rides horses off of high dives. With the help of Al Carver (Michael Schoeffling), whose father runs the show, Sonora works toward her goal. An injury to star rider Marie (Kathleen York) paves her way, and Sonora finds herself on the diving platform. Her life looks complete now that she and Al are in love, but Sonora is about to be thrust into a very trying.
The reason for calling
this conference
at this particular moment
is that we are convinced
that we have overcome
a major financial crisis,
a crisis in severity
unparalleled
in the history of the world,
and that with its relaxation,
confidence and hope
have reappeared in the world.
¶ Happy days are here again ¶
¶ the skies above
are clear again... ¶
girl: All anybody
talked about back then
was the great depression.
How bad things were
and how the good times
had to be
just around the corner.
Well, I must have worn out
every corner
in waycross, Georgia,
looking for those good times,
before realizing
my destiny lay somewhere else.
Anywhere else.
¶ Happy days are here again ¶
¶ your cares and trouble
are gone ¶
¶ there'll be no more
from now on ¶
¶ happy days are here again ¶
¶ the skies above
are clear again ¶
¶ let us sing a song
of cheer again ¶
¶ happy days are here again ¶
ready, sonora?
You don't want to be
late for school.
I'll be right there.
[Chickens clucking]
Arnette, where's your sister.
She's comin', aunt Helen.
Sonora, you better quit
lollygaggin'!
[Laughs]
Sonora! What are you doin'?
What are you doing?!
My God, girl, what am I
gonna do with you?!
[Scissors snipping]
No, aunt Helen, don't!
Please!
You're gonna wear it
and that's final!
No more backtalk
or I'll smack your face!
Oh, get out of here.
I don't even want
to look at you.
[Horn honks]
[Snorts]
Come here, lightning.
What's wrong?
[Neighs]
Whoa, easy.
Whoa.
Hold still.
Uhh.
There.
There you go.
That's better, huh, boy?
Isn't that sweet?
Nice haircut, sonora.
Who cut it,
a blind man
with a butcher knife?
[Kids laughing]
The ugliest haircut
I've ever seen.
Ugly. She should
look in a mirror.
Come on, lightning.
Where are you takin' him,
to the glue factory?
[Laughing]
He's the best horse
in the county.
Boy: Oh, yeah, sure.
I'll bet.
Oh, yeah.
He is.
Lightning can outrun
or outjump
any horse around.
Can he jump that fence
over there?
[Cows mooing]
He can jump twice that high.
Prove it.
I would, but I don't
want to be late for school.
[Kids clucking] Chicken.
'Fraidy cat.
Bawk! Bawk! Bawk!
You're just scared.
Go on, do it.
I dare you.
I double dare you.
Ok.
You just watch.
[Material tears]
[Softly] I think my big mouth
just got us into trouble.
Come on, lightning.
Come on.
Wow.
Is she gonna make it?
She's gonna do it.
Come on, lightning.
Oh... Ohhhhh!
Ohhh! Oof!
[All laughing]
[Mooing]
Let's get out of here!
Come on!
[Kids screaming and shouting]
Wait.
Get back!
Ohh!
Uhh!
Help!
The noun of the sentence
is... Boy.
The verb of the sentence is...
[Door creaks]
You're late, sonora.
I'm very sorry, miss Simpson.
You're getting detention
for this.
But it's not my fault.
The cows got out and...
I don't want to hear
any excuses.
Take your seat.
Yes, ma'am.
Moo!
[Slams books on table[
[class in uproar]
Class!
Class, stop!
Quiet!
[Crying]
Clarabelle?
Oh, my God.
Sonora.
Leave this room immediately!
[Crying]
Young lady, remove yourself.
You must leave!
[Chair scrapes on floor]
[Kids laughing]
Sonora Webster
is officially suspended
from school...
For one week.
[Kids murmuring]
I'm informing your aunt.
No one talks to her.
She's not here.
[Dog barking in the distance]
[School bell ringing]
[Kids shouting]
[Dog barking]
2 red ones...
And a gray one.
No, no, please, right here.
Oh, sonora,
tell your aunt
that blue thread
she wanted
will be here
in a couple of days.
Ok, I will.
There you go, arnette.
Arnette: Thank you.
Oh, sonora, I'm going over
to see the bear.
I'll see you at home.
[Mooing]
[Vehicle approaching]
"Young girl...
"Diving horses.
Willing to travel."
You ready?
Yeah.
[Truck starts]
What's going on?!
What are you doing
with lightning?
I sold him.
No, you can't!
Why?!
Why are you doing this?
I didn't do anything wrong.
You let the cows out
this morning.
But that was an accident.
You got suspended from school.
You know, ever since
your mama and daddy died,
you've been
nothin' but trouble.
Lightning, wait!
Let me go!
Sonora?
What are you doing?
Nothing.
Sonora...
I took you and arnette in
because you're
my sister's children.
But ever since you came here,
you've been nothing
but a burden.
There's a depression going on,
there's... there's
extra mouths to feed.
So I've decided
I'm gonna turn you over
to the state.
The state?
Well, they'll feed you
and take care of you
until you...
Come of age.
You're just gonna
kick me and arnette out?
No, arnette's gonna
stay here with me.
It's just gonna be you.
Well, you're goin'
tomorrow, you hear?
Yes, ma'am.
Well, come on, now, and...
Help me with supper.
[Crickets chirping]
[Birds chirping]
[Jazz playing]
Ohh! Oh!
[Overlapping chatter]
[Gasps]
Wait! Wait!
[Shouting]
Wait! Wait!
[Shouting]
A cheat!
Get him!
Hey, hey, hey! Cheat!
Hey. Hey, come on,
I thought
this was gonna be
a friendly game.
You're hidin' an ace
in your hat,
and we're gonna find it.
Get him!
[Sounds of struggle]
You better say your prayers.
Looks like I was wrong.
Let him go.
I apologize.
You crumpled my hat.
That's ok.
I like it like this.
I'll see you fellas.
[Crowd chattering]
Man: Get your balloons!
Balloon on a stick,
right here!
A nickel apiece,
any color of the rainbow.
Sticks and balloons.
Sonora: Mmm.
Aah!
Son of a monkey turned fine.
Here, let me help.
Ah...
[Spits]
Never had a girl
spit on me before.
Well, this'll take
the sting right out.
The mud'll keep it
from blistering.
I guess selling hot dogs
can be a dangerous job.
This?
Oh, this isn't my job.
This is... Uh, temporary
until I get my act going.
What kind of act?
I'm not sure, exactly.
I'm still experimenting,
but it will be
death-defying.
It will...
Definitely defy death.
There ya go.
Feel better?
Uh-huh.
Sure is a funny way
of cooking hot dogs.
It's my own invention.
Do you want one?
Oh, I don't have any money.
Well, that's ok.
It's on the house,
for fixing my finger.
I'm, uh...
Clifford Henderson.
Sonora. Sonora Webster.
It's good to meet you.
Mmm...
Would you know where I can find
a Dr. w.F. Carver?
Uh, right through there,
across the fairgrounds.
Mm... thank you.
Ok.
Mm... thanks
for the hot dog.
You take care of that finger.
Yeah, thanks for...
Spitting on me.
[Crowd gasps]
[Splash]
[Cheering]
That's the last thing
I want to do.
I got a show to run, Al.
So I missed a couple.
A couple? You missed 3.
You think chasing women
and gambling
are more important
than doing your job?
No. But it's
a lot more fun.
Here, dad. Add that
to your profits.
Ah, get out of here, son.
Load the truck.
Dr. carver?
This is your lucky day.
You don't need this anymore.
I'm here to answer your ad.
What do you think of that?
Who are you?
Your new diving girl.
No, you're not.
[Sighs] Why not?
For one thing,
I don't like you.
Well, that's because
you don't know me.
Secondly, you're
interrupting my business.
And third, and most important,
you're too young and too puny
to be a diving girl.
Well, sir, I don't know
what a diving girl does,
exactly,
but I can do it.
'Cause I can do anything.
Good. Then you can
get out of here.
I am a very busy man.
I do not have time
to play with children.
Now, will you
get off that chair?
Not until you agree
to give me a chance.
I'm not giving you...
I only want a chance.
Let me explain
something to you.
A diving girl has to be strong.
A diving girl has to be
brave, fearless,
a showman.
Now...
There...
Is a diving girl.
You gotta have more...
Y-you gotta have more
that what...
You got.
Well, I'll get it.
What's your name?
Sonora. Sonora Webster.
Let me tell you
something, sonora.
Tell you what you do...
you go out that door...
Cross the fairgrounds,
turn left at the gate,
keep walkin' until
you get to the bus station.
I'm not gonna leave
until you give me a job.
[Grunts]
[Panting]
Have a good trip.
[Mooing]
Al?
Dr. carver sent me
to see you.
Oh, he did?
Yeah. I just had
a really nice talk with him.
And he thinks I'd make
a perfect diving girl.
That's what he said, huh?
Uh-huh.
And he said you're supposed to
explain the show to me?
Sure.
Come on.
The show is real exciting.
And that's the tower.
Ok, fine.
Thank you very much.
Oh...
you dropped this.
So now I'm a baby-sitter.
Oh, boy.
You're not afraid
of heights, are you?
Who, me? No.
How do you get
the horses to jump?
You train 'em.
Don't they get scared?
Nope. If they show
any sign of fear at all,
we don't even let 'em
get near the tower.
What do you do, push 'em off?
No. They jump
on their own.
And we don't use
any kind of devices,
either.
Do the horses ever get hurt?
Nope.
Just the riders.
It's rough.
You travel from town to town
barely getting by.
The old man, he's tough.
He'll push you till you break.
You go back to wherever
it is you came from.
You don't want to be
a diving girl.
[Takes deep breath]
And I have a glorious idea
for a new poster.
A full-length shot of me,
you know, standing
next to the horse,
and in the corner,
inside an oval frame,
a picture of my face...
Smiling.
Well, I'll think
about it, Marie.
Well, I know
it'll sell lots of tickets.
And who knows?
Maybe the movietone people
will come by,
take a moving picture
of me diving?
I'll think about it, Marie.
Sonora: Hi.
I'm sorry, we're not
buying any pencils today,
thank you.
Oh, you're back.
What, did you miss
your bus?
I told you I wasn't gonna leave
until you gave me a job.
Huh. This young lady
wants to be
a diving girl, Marie.
[Laughs] Oh, that's
a wonderful idea.
She could bring
a little glamor to the act.
[Giggles]
What you doin'?
This way he gets
used to my smell.
That's right.
The Indians
used to do that
on the plains.
Really?
[Horse nickers]
Huh. I thought
I just made that up.
Can you handle a wheelbarrow?
Are you kidding?
I was born
handling a wheelbarrow.
Can you shovel manure?
You know, it just
happens to be my speciality.
I believe that.
What about your family?
They lookin' for you?
Nope.
Well, I tell you what...
I'm not gonna give you
a job as a diving girl.
But... We're leaving
tomorrow for Virginia.
I could use a good stable hand.
You interested.
Yeah. Let's go
to Virginia.
All right.
Sonora: Virginia.
I couldn't believe my luck.
I'd never been
to another state before.
I was really
seeing the world now.
Even if my view
was more where we'd been
than where we were going.
But I wasn't gonna complain.
I finally had a real job...
helping Dr. carver
with the horses
during the off season
at the farm he had.
And I was gonna be staying
in the most beautiful house
I'd ever seen.
Things were definitely
looking up.
From here on,
my life was gonna be
just swell.
You wouldn't mind
giving me a hand,
would you?
Oh...
Carver: Come on, we gotta
get them horses ready, too.
Hurry up. Everybody's always
a cow's tail around here.
We got a lot of work to do.
Lord knows what shape
the place is in.
Its ok. I got
everything under control.
Sonora!
Come get this horse, please.
Wash him down.
Make sure he's dry.
Think you can manage that?
[Vehicle approaches]
Yoo-hoo! Hi, Al!
How you doin'?
[Horse in truck neighs]
[Neighs] Whoa!
Red lips!
Easy, whoa!
Easy, boy.
Hold the horse.
Marie, come get this horse.
Get him in the stable.
[Horse in truck kicking]
Get him in there.
If you can't handle the animal,
don't go near him, you hear me?
[Neighing]
Al: Nice horse, huh?
That horse is spooked.
Where'd you get him?
I won him in a poker game.
Full house.
Queens over 3s.
Carver:
Looks loco to me.
All he needs
is a little training.
Do what you want.
I don't care.
Just keep him away from people.
I don't want anybody
hurt, you hear?
[Neighing and kicking]
Come on.
Just one little bite.
Come on.
[Stamping] Come on.
You know, I figured
I'd better get
to know these horses
if I'm gonna be a diving girl.
Yeah? You really think
you can do it, huh?
Sure. If Dr. carver
ever gives me a chance.
Oh, he's not gonna
give you a chance, unless...
[Horse stamping and neighing]
If you rode up
on this horse, he might.
We could train him.
Well, what are we waiting for?
No, not now.
We'll go out first thing
in the morning.
All right.
The old man can't know.
It'll be our secret.
Ok.
[Rooster crows]
Psst!
[Whispering] Al, get up.
[Groans]
Come on, Al, wake up.
We're supposed to start
training.
What?
Oh, right.
[Sighs]
[Neighing]
Easy, boy.
Easy.
Whoa.
Whoa.
Easy, boy.
Whoa.
Easy.
Whoa.
There we go.
Whoa!
[Whinny]
Good boy.
Whoa.
Sonora: What's this
horse's name, anyway?
Al: I don't know.
You don't know?
He's gotta have a name.
All right.
How about Clarence?
Clarence? That's no name
for a horse.
Well, if you're so smart,
you pick it.
Lightning.
Al: Stay behind.
Keep the whip on the ground.
Whip on the ground.
That's it.
Stay behind.
Come on.
Go, go, go, go, go.
Go on.
Let him see the whip.
[Out of breath]
Come on!
Whoa!
[Both laughing]
[Lightning neighs] Easy, boy.
[Al talking indistinctly]
What's your secret wish?
My secret wish.
Yeah. What did you
always want to be?
Well, when I was a boy,
I wanted to be a showman
just like my dad.
But not anymore.
What do you want to be now?
Anything but like him.
What's your secret wish?
To get to Atlantic city...
Where all your dreams
come true.
You believe that?
With all my heart.
It says so right here.
See?
It's the greatest showplace
in America.
And someday,
I'm gonna be there.
Al: What happened
to your parents?
Sonora: Died.
They got the fever.
What about you?
Where's your mom?
She's gone.
Where?
I don't know.
She left a long time ago.
It was my dad.
She left because of him.
Now, just sit there.
Don't rush it.
Ah, you worry too much.
Ohh!
[Neighs]
Aah! Ow.
Are you hurt?
No, I'm fine.
He's got ticklish flanks.
You should never
use your heels on him.
Well, I kind of
figured that out
as I was flying
through the air.
[Lightning nickers]
He's doing good, though.
So are you.
Come on, we got
a lot of work to do
before the old man wakes up.
Up.
Nice and easy.
Ok?
[Lightning snorts]
[Al clicks tongue]
Good boy.
Do you like the movies?
Like them? I'm gonna
be in them someday.
Well, how you gonna do that?
Be discovered, of course.
Diving horses
is great exposure.
You're pretty enough
to be in the movies.
You sure look nice tonight.
Thank you.
Al's taking me dancing
at the silver palm.
Dancing?
Oh, yes.
Al's a terrific dancer.
Smooth as hot honey.
That's nice.
You poor thing.
Who does your hair?
Well, I do.
Sonora, you should
take extreme care
with your appearance.
Having no natural beauty
of your own,
you really need to...
Help yourself.
Have a good night.
Carver:
Don't tell me how
to run my business.
All I'm saying is
you should think
about selling the show.
You're running all over
the country for what?
10 cents a ticket?
Gravy, Al?
Yeah, sure.
And it's old and it's tired.
The times have changed.
It's 1932.
We got the empire
state building.
Airplanes crossing the ocean.
Women are voting.
Is that too much gravy, Al?
I mean, this cowboy stuff
is old-fashioned,
like that fringe
jacket you wear.
That jacket
is a gift from
buffalo bill Cody.
That's what I mean.
It's from another century.
Would you pass
the peas, please?
Sonora, I see you got
your hair, uh... Done.
Did you do it yourself?
I walked down the road
to the clip and curl.
Would you pass the peas?
It's a good pork chop, Marie.
[Snickering]
[Marie snorting]
Thank you.
You're welcome.
I like your dress.
Oh, you scared me.
Sorry.
It's a hot night, huh?
Good night to go swimming.
Who, you and Marie?
No, you and me.
No, thank you.
Aw, come on. I know
the perfect place.
I'm not going swimming.
Ha ha! Aah!
[Laughing]
Hey.
Come here.
[Gasps]
Ha ha!
[Gasps]
I got to go.
I'm sorry.
Sonora, wait.
Sorry.
Sonora!
Good night!
Radio announcer:
...Where tonight
Roosevelt received
one of the largest
demonstrations ever...
[Whistling]
Radio: And now, let's return
to the skylight ballroom
and Walter kleig
and his orchestra.
Don't drink out of the bottle.
You better watch yourself.
What's that supposed to mean?
She's young.
She don't know any better.
I don't want you
messing up her life.
I haven't done anything.
Keep it that way.
Hey!
What?
Put the milk away.
[Horse snorts]
Nice day, huh?
Yeah, I suppose so.
[Neighs]
Oh, my goodness.
Would you
look at that?
Marie: What do you
think you're doing?
Sonora: Riding.
I don't suppose you know
anything about this.
I'm as surprised as you are.
All right, all right.
So you can ride.
I can dive, too,
if you just
give me a chance.
Don't be ridiculous!
She trained that horse.
I think she deserves a chance.
Oh, you do, do you?
Yeah.
I tell you what,
can you make a moving mount?
I've never tried.
If you can mount that
horse while he's moving,
I'll let you train
to be a diving girl.
Well, it beats
shoveling manure.
[Clicks tongue] Come on.
Reach out
and touch the harness.
Get used to the rhythm.
Ok, sonora, when he passes,
I want you to grab
ahold of the harness
and pull yourself on.
Concentrate.
Here he comes.
Get ready.
Uhh! Uhh!
Whoa!
Whoa, whoa. Stay
there. Don't move.
Just stay there.
Let me see.
Your nose may be broke.
Does it feel broken?
No.
But I don't know what
a broken nose feels like.
All right, that's enough.
Let's get you in the house.
Carver: Is that it?
You're gonna quit?
Let me look at the nose.
Nose ain't broke.
You can still ride.
What?! She's
not getting...
do it again.
She's hurt.
She needs to rest.
Shut your gate!
Sonora, you don't
have to do this.
It's all right, Al.
I can do it.
Fine.
You don't get anything
handed to you
in this world, sonora.
You got to earn it.
[Neighs]
Ohh! Oh!
You gonna cry?
You gonna cry?
I never cry.
Good.
Let's go.
Ohh! Uhh!
Aah!
Uhh!
Don't be in too big a hurry.
Just sense the horse's rhythm.
Uhh!
Carver:
That a girl!
We did it, boy!
We did it!
All right, all right.
[Snorts]
Ok. Good. Now...
Now you can train
to be a diving girl.
Come on down.
Go get cleaned up.
Whoa there.
What the hell were
you trying to prove?
Well, she did it, didn't she?
You pushed too hard.
Well, she didn't quit.
What, like me?
Or like my mother?
No matter how hard
anyone tries,
it's just
not good enough
for you, is it?
Stupid old man.
Unh!
Uhh!
Come on.
No, Al!
Come on, come on!
Al!
Al?
Al, wait! Where
are you going?
I should've left
a long time ago.
I can't keep fighting him.
He doesn't care about me.
He doesn't care about anybody.
The only thing he cares about
is his stupid show.
Please don't go.
[Door creaks]
I'm sorry.
Write me.
I promise.
[Carver walks away]
Al's voice:
Dear sonora,
hope you understand
why I had to leave.
I keep thinking about you.
I miss you.
Please write me.
Is that the mail?
Yeah.
Did I get anything?
Any letters?
Nope.
Get down. I'll show you
how it's done.
He's used to me.
I don't think
you should ride him.
Don't tell me my business.
Wait a minute.
She may have
a point, Marie.
Yeah, on the top of her head.
Get down.
[Sighs] Now, just watch.
You'll learn something.
Well, don't use your heels.
[Neighs] Aah!
Oww!
She used her heels.
Marie, crying:
I hate that horse!
[Sobbing]
[Sighs]
Is it as bad as it sounds?
Oh, Marie always did want
to be an actress, you know.
Is she gonna be ok?
Ah, she's dislocated
her shoulder.
Doctor's putting it
in the sling now.
Marie: Aah!
I can't take any more of this.
Lord.
He says she gonna be
stove up for 6 weeks.
6 weeks?
Yeah.
We got a booking in 3 days
in north Carolina.
Gee, I wonder where
you're gonna find
a diving girl.
[Indistinct chatter]
Sonora: Don't worry.
The tower's not
as high as it looks.
Honest.
I've been there.
Hi. Remember me?
Yeah. Hot dogs.
Not anymore.
My hot dog stand burned down.
I'm sorry.
Oh, it's ok.
Dr. carver
gave me a job.
I'm gonna be your new groom.
Oh, that's great.
Hey,
I heard you're diving today.
Yeah. My first time
off the tower.
Nervous?
Who, me? Nervous?
Heck, no.
Sonora!
Sonora!
Come in.
You all right?
I'm ready.
I feel great.
Good, good, good.
My bathing suit doesn't fit.
I look like a boy.
You'll grow into it.
What if it falls off?
We'll give refunds.
Now, remember,
let's do it just like
we practiced, right?
Keep your eye on...
The harness.
The harness.
And don't forget to...
Grip.
Grip.
And don't forget to put
your head to the side,
right?
All right.
You'll do fine.
There is one thing.
Yeah?
Uh, do I have to bow?
I've never bowed before.
I'll feel stupid.
I don't care if you
fall on your head.
You will smile in front
of those people,
and you will bow.
But I just don't...
bow.
What if I can't do it?
I mean, what if I lose my nerve
and I can't go through with it?
You'll do it.
But what if I can't?
Will you hate me?
Mm-hmm.
Oh.
Now, if you do
feel nervous,
look for me.
I'll be in front
of the crowd, ok?
Still don't want to bow.
Sonora...
And her brave horse lightning!
[Cheering and applause]
[Cheering and applause]
[Cheering and applause]
[Gasps]
Carver: Sonora,
ladies and gentlemen,
and her brave horse, lightning!
Sonora, ladies and gentlemen.
Sonora.
Ah, we got a new diving girl.
Ha ha ha!
And a new diving horse.
Mm-mwah!
Do we get to be on a poster?
Yeah, we'll get
some new posters.
It'll be, "Marie and sonora,
the diving girls."
I refuse
to share billing
with a stable hand.
Marie, she made the dive.
She is not the star
of the show!
I am.
All right, you're the star.
But we got 2 diving girls.
Well, since I'm the star,
I would like more money
and a bigger dressing room.
There's a depression
going on, Marie...
more money, my own
dressing room,
and a better poster,
or I quit.
I can't do that, Marie.
Well, then, I quit.
Marie! Don't be stubborn!
You can't quit!
I am an actress,
not a circus performer!
I am going to New York City.
The next time you see me,
I'm gonna be a big star,
and you will still
be shoveling manure.
¶ I used to dream ¶
¶ of highways that seem ¶
¶ to lead ¶
¶ to silver and gold ¶
¶ but those
old passions... ¶
sonora: All that spring,
we traveled
from one fair to the next,
doing 2 or 3 shows a day.
Lightning got better and better
with each dive,
and I got to tell you,
I wasn't bad, either.
Everything was going great...
Except for one thing.
¶ Now and then ¶
¶ it seems to me ¶
¶ it weren't so bad ¶
¶ what used to be ¶
¶ here and now ¶
¶ it seems so true ¶
¶ this feelin' blue ¶
¶ wishin' ¶
¶ wishin' it just
weren't true ¶
¶ my dreams are gone ¶
¶ yet I linger on ¶
¶ as hope drifts into despair ¶
¶ all around us ¶
¶ the blues surround us ¶
¶ why, lord, is life
so unfair? ¶
¶ now and then ¶
¶ it seems to me ¶
¶ it weren't so bad ¶
¶ what used to be ¶
¶ here and now ¶
¶ through and through ¶
¶ this sinkin' down ¶
¶ this feelin' blue ¶
¶ and I'm wishin' ¶
¶ wishin' it just
weren't true ¶
[ding]
[Typing]
What you doing now?
Finishing that letter
to Franklin county.
[Whistling]
He promised he'd write me.
Why doesn't he?
Thanks for your time.
Call us.
We'll see what we can do.
Sonora: What if
we can't book
another show?
What are we gonna do?
That's why
I'm driving over
to Franklin county,
see if I can
find some work
over there.
What if there isn't?
Well, I'm keeping
this show open.
I promise you that.
Well, if he doesn't, I will.
All right, now, listen.
You keep them horses fed,
and you keep them
watered, you hear?
It's very important.
Looks like we won't be back
before tomorrow morning.
You don't have to worry
about a thing.
I know that.
Uhh!
Hey, red lips.
[Groaning]
Lightning!
Oh, lightning,
what's the matter?
Come on, get up.
[Groans]
Oh, what's wrong?
[Thunder]
Al.
What happened?
I don't know.
He's awful sick.
Easy, boy, easy.
[Groaning]
What is it, Al?
What's wrong with him?
Did red lips
eat any of this hay?
No, I don't think so.
It's moldy.
It's given him colic.
What should we do?
We got to get water
and oil into him,
and we got to
get him to his feet.
Where's the tack trunk?
In the barn.
It's gonna be ok, boy.
[Groans]
All right,
now, hold this here
while I pump.
That's it.
Hold it there. Good.
All right.
Come here.
You take this,
and when I tell you to, pull.
All right, pull.
Come on!
[Grunts]
Pull!
Come on, lightning!
Come on!
Come on, boy!
Whoa!
That's it.
That's it, boy.
Good boy, lightning.
Good boy.
Come on. We got to
get him moving. Come on.
Come on, lightning.
He's gonna be ok, isn't he?
Yeah, he's gonna be just fine.
[Thunder]
Would somebody please
say something?
I thought you could
use a hand with the show.
Ain't no show.
So why didn't you
answer my letters?
I didn't get any letters.
I wrote you
just about every day.
Well, what did you say?
Stuff.
Lots of things.
What kind of stuff?
You know... Stuff.
Uh-oh.
I got here a telegram,
a telegram from a John slater,
from Atlantic city.
Atlantic city?
At steel pier.
It says he wants to negotiate
a contract with us
for 6 months.
You did this, didn't you?
Well, someone once told me
it's where all your dreams
come true.
You got us a contract
and you didn't say
anything?
Well, slater didn't
promise me anything.
He just said
he'd think about it.
What did you tell him?
I told him
the diving horse show
is a very exciting act,
one of a kind,
and that my father
was mean and stubborn.
That he was the greatest
showman on earth.
Sonora: ¶ on the boardwalk
in Atlantic city ¶
¶ life can be
peaches and cream ¶
¶ cinderella,
you will find your fella ¶
¶ someone that you waited for ¶
¶ in romantic,
enchanted Atlantic city ¶
¶ down by the old
New Jersey shore ¶
yep.
You know, sonora,
sometimes people
make mistakes...
And it's hard to admit
when you have.
Dr. carver, are you ok?
You look kind of pale.
I'm fine.
You know, uh...
When Al left
and he was gone
all those months
and you didn't hear from him...
I did...
I did something that, uh...
Are you sure you're ok?
Oh, I'm fine.
I'm fine, I just...
I think I'll pull over here
to just take a breather.
Unh.
Ohh.
Why did we stop?
Oh, I just thought
I'd take a little
breather.
Good. I'm hungry.
Why don't you rest
and we'll set up
a picnic?
Hey, dad,
when we get to Atlantic city,
the first thing
we're gonna do is
buy you a new suit.
Double-breasted?
Yep.
Pinstripes.
[Chuckles]
Yeah.
Yeah.
[Breathing hard]
[Groans]
And now,
as we've all read
in the book of God's word,
ashes to ashes, dust to dust,
we now return the spirit
of our departed brother...
[Birds chirping]
[Jazz playing]
I wasn't gonna give you
top billing,
but your dad wouldn't
have it any other way.
We get top billing?
See for yourself.
Al, that's me.
It sure is.
That's me,
and that's lightning.
Ha ha ha!
You know the guy that
runs the speedboats... frenchy?
He was gonna
throw this thing away.
Can you believe it?
Yeah, I can believe it.
That thing's a piece of junk.
No, I'm gonna fix it all up.
What are you gonna do with it?
I don't know.
I'll think of something.
Ladies and gentlemen,
presenting...
ladies and gentlemen,
we now present
carver's high-diving horse
and girl rider!
[Laughing]
I was rehearsing.
Ladies and gentlemen...
Clifford, I'm gonna
bust your head.
[Laughing]
I never introduced
a show before.
[Still laughing]
Do you think I should
wear this suit tomorrow?
I don't think it'll help.
Come here, Clifford.
Come here.
[Laughing]
Ow!
Ladies and gentlemen!
Stay here.
Ladies and gentlemen,
introducing...
[Neighing]
Al's voice:
Sonora, there was a time
when I couldn't imagine
spending my life
with just one person.
Now I can't imagine
spending it without you.
I love you, sonora.
I thought I lost you.
What?
What is it?
This is what you should wear.
Turn around.
See how it looks.
Shoulders back.
Raise your arms a bit.
Higher.
Higher.
[Playing ragtime]
[Cymbals crash]
Whoa, whoa, whoa!
Whoa!
Whoa. Whoa.
He's awful jittery.
Well, he's not used
to all the noise.
Maybe we should jump lightning.
No, he's not well enough yet.
[Cymbals crash] Whoa!
Whoa, whoa, whoa!
Whoa!
Easy.
[Music stops]
[Applause]
[Cheering]
Al, on microphone:
Sonora? Sonora Webster?
I want you for my wife.
Will you marry me?
[Laughter]
Take my hand in marriage
and make me a happy man.
What do you think you're doing?
You crazy?
Mm-hmm. About you.
I've never been so embarrassed
in my whole life.
I feel like a fool.
All you have to do is say yes.
Crowd: Yes, yes, yes!
Yes, yes, yes, yes,
yes, yes, yes, yes!
Yes, yes, yes, yes!
It's just tinted glass.
When things get better,
I'll get you a real one.
[Crowd oohing]
Are you gonna marry me,
yes or no?
Crowd: Yes, yes, yes, yes!
Yes, yes, yes, yes,
yes, yes, yes, yes!
Yes, yes, yes, yes,
yes, yes, yes, yes!
Yes!
[Crowd screaming]
Go on.
We got a show to do.
Go on.
[Band playing]
[Neighing]
[Crowd screaming]
[Cheering]
Take him.
Are you all right?
Fine. I'm fine.
Is red lips hurt?
I don't think so.
Come on.
Are you sure you're all right?
Just stunned, that's all.
When I hit the water,
I had my eyes open.
Clifford, is he ok?
He seems to be all right.
What about you?
Let's get you to the doctor.
Come on.
I'm not bleeding.
No broken bones.
I'm fine.
Don't worry about me.
Let's get him to the stables
and dry him off.
Come on.
Man: Excuse me, but you will
have to be still.
Sorry.
Al, what about slater?
He was pretty concerned.
You'll tell him not to worry.
All I need is
a couple of days rest
and I'll be fine.
Why didn't you see a doctor
right after your accident?
Well, I got some water in them.
They stung a little.
That's all.
When you hit the water,
your eyes were open?
Yes.
It caused a slight hemorrhage.
Unattended, this hemorrhage
has continued for days.
The blood has clotted
and detached the retina
in both eyes.
What does that mean?
Her condition is permanent.
No, it's not.
I'm sorry.
Why are you sorry?
I'm gonna rest
and then I'm gonna
get back to work.
It's only temporary.
I'm not blind.
It's a real tough break.
Now, uh...
About the show.
This may not be
the best time to
talk about this,
but business is business.
I got a lot of money
tied up in this show.
That diving tower wasn't cheap.
The publicity, I could...
publicity?! Come here!
Publicity?!
I don't care
about your publicity!
What are you, crazy?!
Look, I'm gonna give you
a break.
I'm gonna let you
close the show
for one week,
but that's all.
There's no way
I can find and train
a new girl in a week.
No way!
You better come up
with something, kid,
or I'm gonna take you
to court...
For breach of contract.
One, 2, 3, 4...
5, 6, 7...
ow.
One, 2, 3...
The blues are here,
right next to the Greens.
All right?
Blues...
Mm-hmm.
Greens.
Right.
Al, sonora,
I've been looking for you.
Come on. I want to
show you something.
What?
Come on, come on,
come on.
[Engine racing]
You know what that is?
Death.
And do you know
what I just did?
I defied it.
It's amazing, Clifford.
Swell, isn't it?
My very own death-defying act.
I'm very proud of you,
Clifford.
[Kiss]
Well, I guess if you
want something bad enough...
Anything's possible.
See my shoes?
Yeah, you kicked them off
over by the sofa.
I'll get them.
I'll do it.
They're right here.
I'll do it.
Your lipstick's
a little smeared.
Thank you.
[Al chuckling]
What?
You got a little problem
with your socks.
What's wrong with them?
Well, one's red
and one's green.
[Laughing]
I like it, though.
Well, it's the latest fashion.
It's all right.
It's all right.
Look, it's gonna be rough
for a while,
but I'm gonna be right here
to help you.
And it's gonna take time
to adjust.
If you want, we can
move the wedding back
until you feel ready.
There's not going
to be a wedding.
What?!
I don't want you
marrying me because
you feel sorry for me.
I'm marrying you
because I love you.
I don't want that kind of love.
I don't want you
cutting my food,
getting my socks,
cleaning up my messes.
As soon as my eyes clear up...
your eyes are not
gonna clear up.
Yes, they will!
It's only temporary.
It is not temporary!
It is!
It is!
Sonora.
Let me go!
Sonora, you've got
to accept this.
You're a human being,
and there are limitations.
You can't run away from it.
You can't hide from it,
and you can't change it.
It simply is.
It's permanent.
I know.
Sonora, I'm real sorry
about what happened.
And when Al called
and told me you were hurt,
well, I just figured
the movies had to wait.
Marie!
We're ready for you.
Excuse me, honey.
Here I am.
How about putting her
on the horse?
No, no. Just...
Have me stand
next to him.
Great. Great.
Marie, you used to be
a diving girl.
Why'd you decide to come back?
I love the audiences.
When Al called my mother,
she called the astoria studios
where I was auditioning
for a role in a movie.
How long are you going
to be in Atlantic city?
It's m-a-r-I-e.
Excuse me, sis.
You're in the shot.
Could you move?
Sonora?
What are you doing?
Al, I've been thinking.
About what?
I'm going to dive again.
Honey, you can't.
It's impossible.
I ca n do it.
I know I can.
Sonora, you've got to be
realistic.
With lightning...
Al, he knows what I'm thinking.
And I know what he's thinking.
Absolutely not.
It's too dangerous.
I have to do this.
Please, I need your help.
Here he comes.
Here he comes.
Uhh!
Here he comes again.
You ok?
Again.
Watch your step.
Ohh!
Oh... uhh!
Oh!
Again.
Are you nuts?
You can't let her do this.
Besides, you have Marie
to do the show.
This has nothing to do
with your show.
Do you think she can do this?
Huh?
Look me in the eye
and tell me she can do this.
That's just what I thought.
Come on.
Close out all other sounds
and listen to his hoofs.
Don't go to the horse.
Let the horse
come to you.
Huh-uhh! Uhh...
Let your hands
slide along his chest
and up his shoulder
to the harness.
When you feel
the harness, grip...
uhh!
Aah!
Let the horse's momentum
pull you up.
That's it!
Aah...
You all right?
This isn't working.
I just need a little more time.
No! It's gotta stop.
I don't want you hurt.
But, Al...
look, we tried, it didn't work.
This can't be done,
and it's gonna end
right here.
You understand?
Yes.
[Cheering and applause]
[Hoofs beating
louder and louder]
[Loud cheering]
[Splash]
[Cheering and applause]
[Thunder]
[Thunder]
[Whispering]
Hi.
Are you gonna be ok?
I've got to introduce the show.
I'm ok.
Ladies and gentlemen...
We now present
carver's high-diving horse
and girl rider
in a daring 40-foot plunge
on horseback.
[Cheering and applause]
Hi, Marie. Can I talk to you
for just a second?
What's goin' on?
Thank you, thank you.
[Pounding on door]
Clifford! Clifford!
Al: You'll witness
the courageous Marie
attempting this daring feat
on the bare back
of her trusted steed.
[Pounding on door]
Come open this door
right now!
It is the only act of its kind
anywhere in the world today,
an act in which
the safety of the rider
depends entirely
on the intelligence
and skill of the horse.
It is an act in which
no electrical device...
[Sonora counting]
No mechanical apparatus,
no force of any kind,
and no cue of any sort
is used the persuade the...
Hyah!
[Neigh]
[Screaming and pounding]
Please, somebody!
Al: Ladies and gentlemen,
please,
for the safety
of our performers,
hold your applause until...
Aah!
I am proud to present
the most popular act
in the history
of the steel pier.
[Lightning neighs]
[Neigh]
[Crowd murmuring]
Carver!
What is going on here?
I don't know.
I'm gonna find out.
Look, mommy, there's a girl
climbing the tower!
Oh, no.
Sonora!
[Crowd gasps]
What is she... these people
didn't pay good money
to see a blind girl
kill herself!
Sonora, don't!
[Neigh]
Sonora, no!
Carver!
No, sonora!
No!
[Hoofs beating]
[Hoofs beating louder]
[Wild cheering] Whoooo!
Whoooo!
Aaahhh!
Ah ha ha!
Did you see that?!
She was wonderful!
Did you see that?!
Sonora: That last dive
began 11 years of diving blind,
and the audience never knew.
I had found my destiny...
not in faraway places,
but within myself.
I also found happiness with Al.
We were married that fall
and had a wonderful life
together.
Captioning made possible by
buena vista television
captioning performed by
the national captioning
institute, inc.
this conference
at this particular moment
is that we are convinced
that we have overcome
a major financial crisis,
a crisis in severity
unparalleled
in the history of the world,
and that with its relaxation,
confidence and hope
have reappeared in the world.
¶ Happy days are here again ¶
¶ the skies above
are clear again... ¶
girl: All anybody
talked about back then
was the great depression.
How bad things were
and how the good times
had to be
just around the corner.
Well, I must have worn out
every corner
in waycross, Georgia,
looking for those good times,
before realizing
my destiny lay somewhere else.
Anywhere else.
¶ Happy days are here again ¶
¶ your cares and trouble
are gone ¶
¶ there'll be no more
from now on ¶
¶ happy days are here again ¶
¶ the skies above
are clear again ¶
¶ let us sing a song
of cheer again ¶
¶ happy days are here again ¶
ready, sonora?
You don't want to be
late for school.
I'll be right there.
[Chickens clucking]
Arnette, where's your sister.
She's comin', aunt Helen.
Sonora, you better quit
lollygaggin'!
[Laughs]
Sonora! What are you doin'?
What are you doing?!
My God, girl, what am I
gonna do with you?!
[Scissors snipping]
No, aunt Helen, don't!
Please!
You're gonna wear it
and that's final!
No more backtalk
or I'll smack your face!
Oh, get out of here.
I don't even want
to look at you.
[Horn honks]
[Snorts]
Come here, lightning.
What's wrong?
[Neighs]
Whoa, easy.
Whoa.
Hold still.
Uhh.
There.
There you go.
That's better, huh, boy?
Isn't that sweet?
Nice haircut, sonora.
Who cut it,
a blind man
with a butcher knife?
[Kids laughing]
The ugliest haircut
I've ever seen.
Ugly. She should
look in a mirror.
Come on, lightning.
Where are you takin' him,
to the glue factory?
[Laughing]
He's the best horse
in the county.
Boy: Oh, yeah, sure.
I'll bet.
Oh, yeah.
He is.
Lightning can outrun
or outjump
any horse around.
Can he jump that fence
over there?
[Cows mooing]
He can jump twice that high.
Prove it.
I would, but I don't
want to be late for school.
[Kids clucking] Chicken.
'Fraidy cat.
Bawk! Bawk! Bawk!
You're just scared.
Go on, do it.
I dare you.
I double dare you.
Ok.
You just watch.
[Material tears]
[Softly] I think my big mouth
just got us into trouble.
Come on, lightning.
Come on.
Wow.
Is she gonna make it?
She's gonna do it.
Come on, lightning.
Oh... Ohhhhh!
Ohhh! Oof!
[All laughing]
[Mooing]
Let's get out of here!
Come on!
[Kids screaming and shouting]
Wait.
Get back!
Ohh!
Uhh!
Help!
The noun of the sentence
is... Boy.
The verb of the sentence is...
[Door creaks]
You're late, sonora.
I'm very sorry, miss Simpson.
You're getting detention
for this.
But it's not my fault.
The cows got out and...
I don't want to hear
any excuses.
Take your seat.
Yes, ma'am.
Moo!
[Slams books on table[
[class in uproar]
Class!
Class, stop!
Quiet!
[Crying]
Clarabelle?
Oh, my God.
Sonora.
Leave this room immediately!
[Crying]
Young lady, remove yourself.
You must leave!
[Chair scrapes on floor]
[Kids laughing]
Sonora Webster
is officially suspended
from school...
For one week.
[Kids murmuring]
I'm informing your aunt.
No one talks to her.
She's not here.
[Dog barking in the distance]
[School bell ringing]
[Kids shouting]
[Dog barking]
2 red ones...
And a gray one.
No, no, please, right here.
Oh, sonora,
tell your aunt
that blue thread
she wanted
will be here
in a couple of days.
Ok, I will.
There you go, arnette.
Arnette: Thank you.
Oh, sonora, I'm going over
to see the bear.
I'll see you at home.
[Mooing]
[Vehicle approaching]
"Young girl...
"Diving horses.
Willing to travel."
You ready?
Yeah.
[Truck starts]
What's going on?!
What are you doing
with lightning?
I sold him.
No, you can't!
Why?!
Why are you doing this?
I didn't do anything wrong.
You let the cows out
this morning.
But that was an accident.
You got suspended from school.
You know, ever since
your mama and daddy died,
you've been
nothin' but trouble.
Lightning, wait!
Let me go!
Sonora?
What are you doing?
Nothing.
Sonora...
I took you and arnette in
because you're
my sister's children.
But ever since you came here,
you've been nothing
but a burden.
There's a depression going on,
there's... there's
extra mouths to feed.
So I've decided
I'm gonna turn you over
to the state.
The state?
Well, they'll feed you
and take care of you
until you...
Come of age.
You're just gonna
kick me and arnette out?
No, arnette's gonna
stay here with me.
It's just gonna be you.
Well, you're goin'
tomorrow, you hear?
Yes, ma'am.
Well, come on, now, and...
Help me with supper.
[Crickets chirping]
[Birds chirping]
[Jazz playing]
Ohh! Oh!
[Overlapping chatter]
[Gasps]
Wait! Wait!
[Shouting]
Wait! Wait!
[Shouting]
A cheat!
Get him!
Hey, hey, hey! Cheat!
Hey. Hey, come on,
I thought
this was gonna be
a friendly game.
You're hidin' an ace
in your hat,
and we're gonna find it.
Get him!
[Sounds of struggle]
You better say your prayers.
Looks like I was wrong.
Let him go.
I apologize.
You crumpled my hat.
That's ok.
I like it like this.
I'll see you fellas.
[Crowd chattering]
Man: Get your balloons!
Balloon on a stick,
right here!
A nickel apiece,
any color of the rainbow.
Sticks and balloons.
Sonora: Mmm.
Aah!
Son of a monkey turned fine.
Here, let me help.
Ah...
[Spits]
Never had a girl
spit on me before.
Well, this'll take
the sting right out.
The mud'll keep it
from blistering.
I guess selling hot dogs
can be a dangerous job.
This?
Oh, this isn't my job.
This is... Uh, temporary
until I get my act going.
What kind of act?
I'm not sure, exactly.
I'm still experimenting,
but it will be
death-defying.
It will...
Definitely defy death.
There ya go.
Feel better?
Uh-huh.
Sure is a funny way
of cooking hot dogs.
It's my own invention.
Do you want one?
Oh, I don't have any money.
Well, that's ok.
It's on the house,
for fixing my finger.
I'm, uh...
Clifford Henderson.
Sonora. Sonora Webster.
It's good to meet you.
Mmm...
Would you know where I can find
a Dr. w.F. Carver?
Uh, right through there,
across the fairgrounds.
Mm... thank you.
Ok.
Mm... thanks
for the hot dog.
You take care of that finger.
Yeah, thanks for...
Spitting on me.
[Crowd gasps]
[Splash]
[Cheering]
That's the last thing
I want to do.
I got a show to run, Al.
So I missed a couple.
A couple? You missed 3.
You think chasing women
and gambling
are more important
than doing your job?
No. But it's
a lot more fun.
Here, dad. Add that
to your profits.
Ah, get out of here, son.
Load the truck.
Dr. carver?
This is your lucky day.
You don't need this anymore.
I'm here to answer your ad.
What do you think of that?
Who are you?
Your new diving girl.
No, you're not.
[Sighs] Why not?
For one thing,
I don't like you.
Well, that's because
you don't know me.
Secondly, you're
interrupting my business.
And third, and most important,
you're too young and too puny
to be a diving girl.
Well, sir, I don't know
what a diving girl does,
exactly,
but I can do it.
'Cause I can do anything.
Good. Then you can
get out of here.
I am a very busy man.
I do not have time
to play with children.
Now, will you
get off that chair?
Not until you agree
to give me a chance.
I'm not giving you...
I only want a chance.
Let me explain
something to you.
A diving girl has to be strong.
A diving girl has to be
brave, fearless,
a showman.
Now...
There...
Is a diving girl.
You gotta have more...
Y-you gotta have more
that what...
You got.
Well, I'll get it.
What's your name?
Sonora. Sonora Webster.
Let me tell you
something, sonora.
Tell you what you do...
you go out that door...
Cross the fairgrounds,
turn left at the gate,
keep walkin' until
you get to the bus station.
I'm not gonna leave
until you give me a job.
[Grunts]
[Panting]
Have a good trip.
[Mooing]
Al?
Dr. carver sent me
to see you.
Oh, he did?
Yeah. I just had
a really nice talk with him.
And he thinks I'd make
a perfect diving girl.
That's what he said, huh?
Uh-huh.
And he said you're supposed to
explain the show to me?
Sure.
Come on.
The show is real exciting.
And that's the tower.
Ok, fine.
Thank you very much.
Oh...
you dropped this.
So now I'm a baby-sitter.
Oh, boy.
You're not afraid
of heights, are you?
Who, me? No.
How do you get
the horses to jump?
You train 'em.
Don't they get scared?
Nope. If they show
any sign of fear at all,
we don't even let 'em
get near the tower.
What do you do, push 'em off?
No. They jump
on their own.
And we don't use
any kind of devices,
either.
Do the horses ever get hurt?
Nope.
Just the riders.
It's rough.
You travel from town to town
barely getting by.
The old man, he's tough.
He'll push you till you break.
You go back to wherever
it is you came from.
You don't want to be
a diving girl.
[Takes deep breath]
And I have a glorious idea
for a new poster.
A full-length shot of me,
you know, standing
next to the horse,
and in the corner,
inside an oval frame,
a picture of my face...
Smiling.
Well, I'll think
about it, Marie.
Well, I know
it'll sell lots of tickets.
And who knows?
Maybe the movietone people
will come by,
take a moving picture
of me diving?
I'll think about it, Marie.
Sonora: Hi.
I'm sorry, we're not
buying any pencils today,
thank you.
Oh, you're back.
What, did you miss
your bus?
I told you I wasn't gonna leave
until you gave me a job.
Huh. This young lady
wants to be
a diving girl, Marie.
[Laughs] Oh, that's
a wonderful idea.
She could bring
a little glamor to the act.
[Giggles]
What you doin'?
This way he gets
used to my smell.
That's right.
The Indians
used to do that
on the plains.
Really?
[Horse nickers]
Huh. I thought
I just made that up.
Can you handle a wheelbarrow?
Are you kidding?
I was born
handling a wheelbarrow.
Can you shovel manure?
You know, it just
happens to be my speciality.
I believe that.
What about your family?
They lookin' for you?
Nope.
Well, I tell you what...
I'm not gonna give you
a job as a diving girl.
But... We're leaving
tomorrow for Virginia.
I could use a good stable hand.
You interested.
Yeah. Let's go
to Virginia.
All right.
Sonora: Virginia.
I couldn't believe my luck.
I'd never been
to another state before.
I was really
seeing the world now.
Even if my view
was more where we'd been
than where we were going.
But I wasn't gonna complain.
I finally had a real job...
helping Dr. carver
with the horses
during the off season
at the farm he had.
And I was gonna be staying
in the most beautiful house
I'd ever seen.
Things were definitely
looking up.
From here on,
my life was gonna be
just swell.
You wouldn't mind
giving me a hand,
would you?
Oh...
Carver: Come on, we gotta
get them horses ready, too.
Hurry up. Everybody's always
a cow's tail around here.
We got a lot of work to do.
Lord knows what shape
the place is in.
Its ok. I got
everything under control.
Sonora!
Come get this horse, please.
Wash him down.
Make sure he's dry.
Think you can manage that?
[Vehicle approaches]
Yoo-hoo! Hi, Al!
How you doin'?
[Horse in truck neighs]
[Neighs] Whoa!
Red lips!
Easy, whoa!
Easy, boy.
Hold the horse.
Marie, come get this horse.
Get him in the stable.
[Horse in truck kicking]
Get him in there.
If you can't handle the animal,
don't go near him, you hear me?
[Neighing]
Al: Nice horse, huh?
That horse is spooked.
Where'd you get him?
I won him in a poker game.
Full house.
Queens over 3s.
Carver:
Looks loco to me.
All he needs
is a little training.
Do what you want.
I don't care.
Just keep him away from people.
I don't want anybody
hurt, you hear?
[Neighing and kicking]
Come on.
Just one little bite.
Come on.
[Stamping] Come on.
You know, I figured
I'd better get
to know these horses
if I'm gonna be a diving girl.
Yeah? You really think
you can do it, huh?
Sure. If Dr. carver
ever gives me a chance.
Oh, he's not gonna
give you a chance, unless...
[Horse stamping and neighing]
If you rode up
on this horse, he might.
We could train him.
Well, what are we waiting for?
No, not now.
We'll go out first thing
in the morning.
All right.
The old man can't know.
It'll be our secret.
Ok.
[Rooster crows]
Psst!
[Whispering] Al, get up.
[Groans]
Come on, Al, wake up.
We're supposed to start
training.
What?
Oh, right.
[Sighs]
[Neighing]
Easy, boy.
Easy.
Whoa.
Whoa.
Easy, boy.
Whoa.
Easy.
Whoa.
There we go.
Whoa!
[Whinny]
Good boy.
Whoa.
Sonora: What's this
horse's name, anyway?
Al: I don't know.
You don't know?
He's gotta have a name.
All right.
How about Clarence?
Clarence? That's no name
for a horse.
Well, if you're so smart,
you pick it.
Lightning.
Al: Stay behind.
Keep the whip on the ground.
Whip on the ground.
That's it.
Stay behind.
Come on.
Go, go, go, go, go.
Go on.
Let him see the whip.
[Out of breath]
Come on!
Whoa!
[Both laughing]
[Lightning neighs] Easy, boy.
[Al talking indistinctly]
What's your secret wish?
My secret wish.
Yeah. What did you
always want to be?
Well, when I was a boy,
I wanted to be a showman
just like my dad.
But not anymore.
What do you want to be now?
Anything but like him.
What's your secret wish?
To get to Atlantic city...
Where all your dreams
come true.
You believe that?
With all my heart.
It says so right here.
See?
It's the greatest showplace
in America.
And someday,
I'm gonna be there.
Al: What happened
to your parents?
Sonora: Died.
They got the fever.
What about you?
Where's your mom?
She's gone.
Where?
I don't know.
She left a long time ago.
It was my dad.
She left because of him.
Now, just sit there.
Don't rush it.
Ah, you worry too much.
Ohh!
[Neighs]
Aah! Ow.
Are you hurt?
No, I'm fine.
He's got ticklish flanks.
You should never
use your heels on him.
Well, I kind of
figured that out
as I was flying
through the air.
[Lightning nickers]
He's doing good, though.
So are you.
Come on, we got
a lot of work to do
before the old man wakes up.
Up.
Nice and easy.
Ok?
[Lightning snorts]
[Al clicks tongue]
Good boy.
Do you like the movies?
Like them? I'm gonna
be in them someday.
Well, how you gonna do that?
Be discovered, of course.
Diving horses
is great exposure.
You're pretty enough
to be in the movies.
You sure look nice tonight.
Thank you.
Al's taking me dancing
at the silver palm.
Dancing?
Oh, yes.
Al's a terrific dancer.
Smooth as hot honey.
That's nice.
You poor thing.
Who does your hair?
Well, I do.
Sonora, you should
take extreme care
with your appearance.
Having no natural beauty
of your own,
you really need to...
Help yourself.
Have a good night.
Carver:
Don't tell me how
to run my business.
All I'm saying is
you should think
about selling the show.
You're running all over
the country for what?
10 cents a ticket?
Gravy, Al?
Yeah, sure.
And it's old and it's tired.
The times have changed.
It's 1932.
We got the empire
state building.
Airplanes crossing the ocean.
Women are voting.
Is that too much gravy, Al?
I mean, this cowboy stuff
is old-fashioned,
like that fringe
jacket you wear.
That jacket
is a gift from
buffalo bill Cody.
That's what I mean.
It's from another century.
Would you pass
the peas, please?
Sonora, I see you got
your hair, uh... Done.
Did you do it yourself?
I walked down the road
to the clip and curl.
Would you pass the peas?
It's a good pork chop, Marie.
[Snickering]
[Marie snorting]
Thank you.
You're welcome.
I like your dress.
Oh, you scared me.
Sorry.
It's a hot night, huh?
Good night to go swimming.
Who, you and Marie?
No, you and me.
No, thank you.
Aw, come on. I know
the perfect place.
I'm not going swimming.
Ha ha! Aah!
[Laughing]
Hey.
Come here.
[Gasps]
Ha ha!
[Gasps]
I got to go.
I'm sorry.
Sonora, wait.
Sorry.
Sonora!
Good night!
Radio announcer:
...Where tonight
Roosevelt received
one of the largest
demonstrations ever...
[Whistling]
Radio: And now, let's return
to the skylight ballroom
and Walter kleig
and his orchestra.
Don't drink out of the bottle.
You better watch yourself.
What's that supposed to mean?
She's young.
She don't know any better.
I don't want you
messing up her life.
I haven't done anything.
Keep it that way.
Hey!
What?
Put the milk away.
[Horse snorts]
Nice day, huh?
Yeah, I suppose so.
[Neighs]
Oh, my goodness.
Would you
look at that?
Marie: What do you
think you're doing?
Sonora: Riding.
I don't suppose you know
anything about this.
I'm as surprised as you are.
All right, all right.
So you can ride.
I can dive, too,
if you just
give me a chance.
Don't be ridiculous!
She trained that horse.
I think she deserves a chance.
Oh, you do, do you?
Yeah.
I tell you what,
can you make a moving mount?
I've never tried.
If you can mount that
horse while he's moving,
I'll let you train
to be a diving girl.
Well, it beats
shoveling manure.
[Clicks tongue] Come on.
Reach out
and touch the harness.
Get used to the rhythm.
Ok, sonora, when he passes,
I want you to grab
ahold of the harness
and pull yourself on.
Concentrate.
Here he comes.
Get ready.
Uhh! Uhh!
Whoa!
Whoa, whoa. Stay
there. Don't move.
Just stay there.
Let me see.
Your nose may be broke.
Does it feel broken?
No.
But I don't know what
a broken nose feels like.
All right, that's enough.
Let's get you in the house.
Carver: Is that it?
You're gonna quit?
Let me look at the nose.
Nose ain't broke.
You can still ride.
What?! She's
not getting...
do it again.
She's hurt.
She needs to rest.
Shut your gate!
Sonora, you don't
have to do this.
It's all right, Al.
I can do it.
Fine.
You don't get anything
handed to you
in this world, sonora.
You got to earn it.
[Neighs]
Ohh! Oh!
You gonna cry?
You gonna cry?
I never cry.
Good.
Let's go.
Ohh! Uhh!
Aah!
Uhh!
Don't be in too big a hurry.
Just sense the horse's rhythm.
Uhh!
Carver:
That a girl!
We did it, boy!
We did it!
All right, all right.
[Snorts]
Ok. Good. Now...
Now you can train
to be a diving girl.
Come on down.
Go get cleaned up.
Whoa there.
What the hell were
you trying to prove?
Well, she did it, didn't she?
You pushed too hard.
Well, she didn't quit.
What, like me?
Or like my mother?
No matter how hard
anyone tries,
it's just
not good enough
for you, is it?
Stupid old man.
Unh!
Uhh!
Come on.
No, Al!
Come on, come on!
Al!
Al?
Al, wait! Where
are you going?
I should've left
a long time ago.
I can't keep fighting him.
He doesn't care about me.
He doesn't care about anybody.
The only thing he cares about
is his stupid show.
Please don't go.
[Door creaks]
I'm sorry.
Write me.
I promise.
[Carver walks away]
Al's voice:
Dear sonora,
hope you understand
why I had to leave.
I keep thinking about you.
I miss you.
Please write me.
Is that the mail?
Yeah.
Did I get anything?
Any letters?
Nope.
Get down. I'll show you
how it's done.
He's used to me.
I don't think
you should ride him.
Don't tell me my business.
Wait a minute.
She may have
a point, Marie.
Yeah, on the top of her head.
Get down.
[Sighs] Now, just watch.
You'll learn something.
Well, don't use your heels.
[Neighs] Aah!
Oww!
She used her heels.
Marie, crying:
I hate that horse!
[Sobbing]
[Sighs]
Is it as bad as it sounds?
Oh, Marie always did want
to be an actress, you know.
Is she gonna be ok?
Ah, she's dislocated
her shoulder.
Doctor's putting it
in the sling now.
Marie: Aah!
I can't take any more of this.
Lord.
He says she gonna be
stove up for 6 weeks.
6 weeks?
Yeah.
We got a booking in 3 days
in north Carolina.
Gee, I wonder where
you're gonna find
a diving girl.
[Indistinct chatter]
Sonora: Don't worry.
The tower's not
as high as it looks.
Honest.
I've been there.
Hi. Remember me?
Yeah. Hot dogs.
Not anymore.
My hot dog stand burned down.
I'm sorry.
Oh, it's ok.
Dr. carver
gave me a job.
I'm gonna be your new groom.
Oh, that's great.
Hey,
I heard you're diving today.
Yeah. My first time
off the tower.
Nervous?
Who, me? Nervous?
Heck, no.
Sonora!
Sonora!
Come in.
You all right?
I'm ready.
I feel great.
Good, good, good.
My bathing suit doesn't fit.
I look like a boy.
You'll grow into it.
What if it falls off?
We'll give refunds.
Now, remember,
let's do it just like
we practiced, right?
Keep your eye on...
The harness.
The harness.
And don't forget to...
Grip.
Grip.
And don't forget to put
your head to the side,
right?
All right.
You'll do fine.
There is one thing.
Yeah?
Uh, do I have to bow?
I've never bowed before.
I'll feel stupid.
I don't care if you
fall on your head.
You will smile in front
of those people,
and you will bow.
But I just don't...
bow.
What if I can't do it?
I mean, what if I lose my nerve
and I can't go through with it?
You'll do it.
But what if I can't?
Will you hate me?
Mm-hmm.
Oh.
Now, if you do
feel nervous,
look for me.
I'll be in front
of the crowd, ok?
Still don't want to bow.
Sonora...
And her brave horse lightning!
[Cheering and applause]
[Cheering and applause]
[Cheering and applause]
[Gasps]
Carver: Sonora,
ladies and gentlemen,
and her brave horse, lightning!
Sonora, ladies and gentlemen.
Sonora.
Ah, we got a new diving girl.
Ha ha ha!
And a new diving horse.
Mm-mwah!
Do we get to be on a poster?
Yeah, we'll get
some new posters.
It'll be, "Marie and sonora,
the diving girls."
I refuse
to share billing
with a stable hand.
Marie, she made the dive.
She is not the star
of the show!
I am.
All right, you're the star.
But we got 2 diving girls.
Well, since I'm the star,
I would like more money
and a bigger dressing room.
There's a depression
going on, Marie...
more money, my own
dressing room,
and a better poster,
or I quit.
I can't do that, Marie.
Well, then, I quit.
Marie! Don't be stubborn!
You can't quit!
I am an actress,
not a circus performer!
I am going to New York City.
The next time you see me,
I'm gonna be a big star,
and you will still
be shoveling manure.
¶ I used to dream ¶
¶ of highways that seem ¶
¶ to lead ¶
¶ to silver and gold ¶
¶ but those
old passions... ¶
sonora: All that spring,
we traveled
from one fair to the next,
doing 2 or 3 shows a day.
Lightning got better and better
with each dive,
and I got to tell you,
I wasn't bad, either.
Everything was going great...
Except for one thing.
¶ Now and then ¶
¶ it seems to me ¶
¶ it weren't so bad ¶
¶ what used to be ¶
¶ here and now ¶
¶ it seems so true ¶
¶ this feelin' blue ¶
¶ wishin' ¶
¶ wishin' it just
weren't true ¶
¶ my dreams are gone ¶
¶ yet I linger on ¶
¶ as hope drifts into despair ¶
¶ all around us ¶
¶ the blues surround us ¶
¶ why, lord, is life
so unfair? ¶
¶ now and then ¶
¶ it seems to me ¶
¶ it weren't so bad ¶
¶ what used to be ¶
¶ here and now ¶
¶ through and through ¶
¶ this sinkin' down ¶
¶ this feelin' blue ¶
¶ and I'm wishin' ¶
¶ wishin' it just
weren't true ¶
[ding]
[Typing]
What you doing now?
Finishing that letter
to Franklin county.
[Whistling]
He promised he'd write me.
Why doesn't he?
Thanks for your time.
Call us.
We'll see what we can do.
Sonora: What if
we can't book
another show?
What are we gonna do?
That's why
I'm driving over
to Franklin county,
see if I can
find some work
over there.
What if there isn't?
Well, I'm keeping
this show open.
I promise you that.
Well, if he doesn't, I will.
All right, now, listen.
You keep them horses fed,
and you keep them
watered, you hear?
It's very important.
Looks like we won't be back
before tomorrow morning.
You don't have to worry
about a thing.
I know that.
Uhh!
Hey, red lips.
[Groaning]
Lightning!
Oh, lightning,
what's the matter?
Come on, get up.
[Groans]
Oh, what's wrong?
[Thunder]
Al.
What happened?
I don't know.
He's awful sick.
Easy, boy, easy.
[Groaning]
What is it, Al?
What's wrong with him?
Did red lips
eat any of this hay?
No, I don't think so.
It's moldy.
It's given him colic.
What should we do?
We got to get water
and oil into him,
and we got to
get him to his feet.
Where's the tack trunk?
In the barn.
It's gonna be ok, boy.
[Groans]
All right,
now, hold this here
while I pump.
That's it.
Hold it there. Good.
All right.
Come here.
You take this,
and when I tell you to, pull.
All right, pull.
Come on!
[Grunts]
Pull!
Come on, lightning!
Come on!
Come on, boy!
Whoa!
That's it.
That's it, boy.
Good boy, lightning.
Good boy.
Come on. We got to
get him moving. Come on.
Come on, lightning.
He's gonna be ok, isn't he?
Yeah, he's gonna be just fine.
[Thunder]
Would somebody please
say something?
I thought you could
use a hand with the show.
Ain't no show.
So why didn't you
answer my letters?
I didn't get any letters.
I wrote you
just about every day.
Well, what did you say?
Stuff.
Lots of things.
What kind of stuff?
You know... Stuff.
Uh-oh.
I got here a telegram,
a telegram from a John slater,
from Atlantic city.
Atlantic city?
At steel pier.
It says he wants to negotiate
a contract with us
for 6 months.
You did this, didn't you?
Well, someone once told me
it's where all your dreams
come true.
You got us a contract
and you didn't say
anything?
Well, slater didn't
promise me anything.
He just said
he'd think about it.
What did you tell him?
I told him
the diving horse show
is a very exciting act,
one of a kind,
and that my father
was mean and stubborn.
That he was the greatest
showman on earth.
Sonora: ¶ on the boardwalk
in Atlantic city ¶
¶ life can be
peaches and cream ¶
¶ cinderella,
you will find your fella ¶
¶ someone that you waited for ¶
¶ in romantic,
enchanted Atlantic city ¶
¶ down by the old
New Jersey shore ¶
yep.
You know, sonora,
sometimes people
make mistakes...
And it's hard to admit
when you have.
Dr. carver, are you ok?
You look kind of pale.
I'm fine.
You know, uh...
When Al left
and he was gone
all those months
and you didn't hear from him...
I did...
I did something that, uh...
Are you sure you're ok?
Oh, I'm fine.
I'm fine, I just...
I think I'll pull over here
to just take a breather.
Unh.
Ohh.
Why did we stop?
Oh, I just thought
I'd take a little
breather.
Good. I'm hungry.
Why don't you rest
and we'll set up
a picnic?
Hey, dad,
when we get to Atlantic city,
the first thing
we're gonna do is
buy you a new suit.
Double-breasted?
Yep.
Pinstripes.
[Chuckles]
Yeah.
Yeah.
[Breathing hard]
[Groans]
And now,
as we've all read
in the book of God's word,
ashes to ashes, dust to dust,
we now return the spirit
of our departed brother...
[Birds chirping]
[Jazz playing]
I wasn't gonna give you
top billing,
but your dad wouldn't
have it any other way.
We get top billing?
See for yourself.
Al, that's me.
It sure is.
That's me,
and that's lightning.
Ha ha ha!
You know the guy that
runs the speedboats... frenchy?
He was gonna
throw this thing away.
Can you believe it?
Yeah, I can believe it.
That thing's a piece of junk.
No, I'm gonna fix it all up.
What are you gonna do with it?
I don't know.
I'll think of something.
Ladies and gentlemen,
presenting...
ladies and gentlemen,
we now present
carver's high-diving horse
and girl rider!
[Laughing]
I was rehearsing.
Ladies and gentlemen...
Clifford, I'm gonna
bust your head.
[Laughing]
I never introduced
a show before.
[Still laughing]
Do you think I should
wear this suit tomorrow?
I don't think it'll help.
Come here, Clifford.
Come here.
[Laughing]
Ow!
Ladies and gentlemen!
Stay here.
Ladies and gentlemen,
introducing...
[Neighing]
Al's voice:
Sonora, there was a time
when I couldn't imagine
spending my life
with just one person.
Now I can't imagine
spending it without you.
I love you, sonora.
I thought I lost you.
What?
What is it?
This is what you should wear.
Turn around.
See how it looks.
Shoulders back.
Raise your arms a bit.
Higher.
Higher.
[Playing ragtime]
[Cymbals crash]
Whoa, whoa, whoa!
Whoa!
Whoa. Whoa.
He's awful jittery.
Well, he's not used
to all the noise.
Maybe we should jump lightning.
No, he's not well enough yet.
[Cymbals crash] Whoa!
Whoa, whoa, whoa!
Whoa!
Easy.
[Music stops]
[Applause]
[Cheering]
Al, on microphone:
Sonora? Sonora Webster?
I want you for my wife.
Will you marry me?
[Laughter]
Take my hand in marriage
and make me a happy man.
What do you think you're doing?
You crazy?
Mm-hmm. About you.
I've never been so embarrassed
in my whole life.
I feel like a fool.
All you have to do is say yes.
Crowd: Yes, yes, yes!
Yes, yes, yes, yes,
yes, yes, yes, yes!
Yes, yes, yes, yes!
It's just tinted glass.
When things get better,
I'll get you a real one.
[Crowd oohing]
Are you gonna marry me,
yes or no?
Crowd: Yes, yes, yes, yes!
Yes, yes, yes, yes,
yes, yes, yes, yes!
Yes, yes, yes, yes,
yes, yes, yes, yes!
Yes!
[Crowd screaming]
Go on.
We got a show to do.
Go on.
[Band playing]
[Neighing]
[Crowd screaming]
[Cheering]
Take him.
Are you all right?
Fine. I'm fine.
Is red lips hurt?
I don't think so.
Come on.
Are you sure you're all right?
Just stunned, that's all.
When I hit the water,
I had my eyes open.
Clifford, is he ok?
He seems to be all right.
What about you?
Let's get you to the doctor.
Come on.
I'm not bleeding.
No broken bones.
I'm fine.
Don't worry about me.
Let's get him to the stables
and dry him off.
Come on.
Man: Excuse me, but you will
have to be still.
Sorry.
Al, what about slater?
He was pretty concerned.
You'll tell him not to worry.
All I need is
a couple of days rest
and I'll be fine.
Why didn't you see a doctor
right after your accident?
Well, I got some water in them.
They stung a little.
That's all.
When you hit the water,
your eyes were open?
Yes.
It caused a slight hemorrhage.
Unattended, this hemorrhage
has continued for days.
The blood has clotted
and detached the retina
in both eyes.
What does that mean?
Her condition is permanent.
No, it's not.
I'm sorry.
Why are you sorry?
I'm gonna rest
and then I'm gonna
get back to work.
It's only temporary.
I'm not blind.
It's a real tough break.
Now, uh...
About the show.
This may not be
the best time to
talk about this,
but business is business.
I got a lot of money
tied up in this show.
That diving tower wasn't cheap.
The publicity, I could...
publicity?! Come here!
Publicity?!
I don't care
about your publicity!
What are you, crazy?!
Look, I'm gonna give you
a break.
I'm gonna let you
close the show
for one week,
but that's all.
There's no way
I can find and train
a new girl in a week.
No way!
You better come up
with something, kid,
or I'm gonna take you
to court...
For breach of contract.
One, 2, 3, 4...
5, 6, 7...
ow.
One, 2, 3...
The blues are here,
right next to the Greens.
All right?
Blues...
Mm-hmm.
Greens.
Right.
Al, sonora,
I've been looking for you.
Come on. I want to
show you something.
What?
Come on, come on,
come on.
[Engine racing]
You know what that is?
Death.
And do you know
what I just did?
I defied it.
It's amazing, Clifford.
Swell, isn't it?
My very own death-defying act.
I'm very proud of you,
Clifford.
[Kiss]
Well, I guess if you
want something bad enough...
Anything's possible.
See my shoes?
Yeah, you kicked them off
over by the sofa.
I'll get them.
I'll do it.
They're right here.
I'll do it.
Your lipstick's
a little smeared.
Thank you.
[Al chuckling]
What?
You got a little problem
with your socks.
What's wrong with them?
Well, one's red
and one's green.
[Laughing]
I like it, though.
Well, it's the latest fashion.
It's all right.
It's all right.
Look, it's gonna be rough
for a while,
but I'm gonna be right here
to help you.
And it's gonna take time
to adjust.
If you want, we can
move the wedding back
until you feel ready.
There's not going
to be a wedding.
What?!
I don't want you
marrying me because
you feel sorry for me.
I'm marrying you
because I love you.
I don't want that kind of love.
I don't want you
cutting my food,
getting my socks,
cleaning up my messes.
As soon as my eyes clear up...
your eyes are not
gonna clear up.
Yes, they will!
It's only temporary.
It is not temporary!
It is!
It is!
Sonora.
Let me go!
Sonora, you've got
to accept this.
You're a human being,
and there are limitations.
You can't run away from it.
You can't hide from it,
and you can't change it.
It simply is.
It's permanent.
I know.
Sonora, I'm real sorry
about what happened.
And when Al called
and told me you were hurt,
well, I just figured
the movies had to wait.
Marie!
We're ready for you.
Excuse me, honey.
Here I am.
How about putting her
on the horse?
No, no. Just...
Have me stand
next to him.
Great. Great.
Marie, you used to be
a diving girl.
Why'd you decide to come back?
I love the audiences.
When Al called my mother,
she called the astoria studios
where I was auditioning
for a role in a movie.
How long are you going
to be in Atlantic city?
It's m-a-r-I-e.
Excuse me, sis.
You're in the shot.
Could you move?
Sonora?
What are you doing?
Al, I've been thinking.
About what?
I'm going to dive again.
Honey, you can't.
It's impossible.
I ca n do it.
I know I can.
Sonora, you've got to be
realistic.
With lightning...
Al, he knows what I'm thinking.
And I know what he's thinking.
Absolutely not.
It's too dangerous.
I have to do this.
Please, I need your help.
Here he comes.
Here he comes.
Uhh!
Here he comes again.
You ok?
Again.
Watch your step.
Ohh!
Oh... uhh!
Oh!
Again.
Are you nuts?
You can't let her do this.
Besides, you have Marie
to do the show.
This has nothing to do
with your show.
Do you think she can do this?
Huh?
Look me in the eye
and tell me she can do this.
That's just what I thought.
Come on.
Close out all other sounds
and listen to his hoofs.
Don't go to the horse.
Let the horse
come to you.
Huh-uhh! Uhh...
Let your hands
slide along his chest
and up his shoulder
to the harness.
When you feel
the harness, grip...
uhh!
Aah!
Let the horse's momentum
pull you up.
That's it!
Aah...
You all right?
This isn't working.
I just need a little more time.
No! It's gotta stop.
I don't want you hurt.
But, Al...
look, we tried, it didn't work.
This can't be done,
and it's gonna end
right here.
You understand?
Yes.
[Cheering and applause]
[Hoofs beating
louder and louder]
[Loud cheering]
[Splash]
[Cheering and applause]
[Thunder]
[Thunder]
[Whispering]
Hi.
Are you gonna be ok?
I've got to introduce the show.
I'm ok.
Ladies and gentlemen...
We now present
carver's high-diving horse
and girl rider
in a daring 40-foot plunge
on horseback.
[Cheering and applause]
Hi, Marie. Can I talk to you
for just a second?
What's goin' on?
Thank you, thank you.
[Pounding on door]
Clifford! Clifford!
Al: You'll witness
the courageous Marie
attempting this daring feat
on the bare back
of her trusted steed.
[Pounding on door]
Come open this door
right now!
It is the only act of its kind
anywhere in the world today,
an act in which
the safety of the rider
depends entirely
on the intelligence
and skill of the horse.
It is an act in which
no electrical device...
[Sonora counting]
No mechanical apparatus,
no force of any kind,
and no cue of any sort
is used the persuade the...
Hyah!
[Neigh]
[Screaming and pounding]
Please, somebody!
Al: Ladies and gentlemen,
please,
for the safety
of our performers,
hold your applause until...
Aah!
I am proud to present
the most popular act
in the history
of the steel pier.
[Lightning neighs]
[Neigh]
[Crowd murmuring]
Carver!
What is going on here?
I don't know.
I'm gonna find out.
Look, mommy, there's a girl
climbing the tower!
Oh, no.
Sonora!
[Crowd gasps]
What is she... these people
didn't pay good money
to see a blind girl
kill herself!
Sonora, don't!
[Neigh]
Sonora, no!
Carver!
No, sonora!
No!
[Hoofs beating]
[Hoofs beating louder]
[Wild cheering] Whoooo!
Whoooo!
Aaahhh!
Ah ha ha!
Did you see that?!
She was wonderful!
Did you see that?!
Sonora: That last dive
began 11 years of diving blind,
and the audience never knew.
I had found my destiny...
not in faraway places,
but within myself.
I also found happiness with Al.
We were married that fall
and had a wonderful life
together.
Captioning made possible by
buena vista television
captioning performed by
the national captioning
institute, inc.