Zebra in the Kitchen (1965) - full transcript

A young boy lets the animals out of their cages at the Zoo, to set them free, but the animals start taking over the town.

I'm trying
to convince Timmy here

that he should give this pet
to you, Mr. Hawksbill.

It belongs here at the zoo,
not at a family home.

I won't give him up!

Nobody can take him
away from me!

Whoa, whoa, hold it
a minute, son.

When you said that,

you nearly scared me
half to death.

You don't need
to be scared of Harry.

I'm not scared
of Harry.

He's a nice
little fella.



We found him
on a camp-out.

What scares me,
son, is that,

well,
not too long ago,

a little guy said
just what you said.

Because
what he said,

everything
started to happen.

Just that
one little remark,

and before anybody could
say or do anything,

he nearly stood this
whole city on their ear

and nearly
landed me in jail.

I don't care. I don't
want Harry in a zoo.

Putting him in a zoo
is like putting him in jail.

Jail?

Son, you just scared the
other half of me to death.



Will he be any trouble
for the zoo?

Trouble? Harry?

Oh, no. He'll get so
much love and affection

that, well, he'll just
never quit purring.

I don't care! I still
won't give him up!

Whether
you give him to US

should be
your decision, Tim.

Right, Mr. Lionel?

Yes, sir. That's right.

Come here, Timmy.

I want to tell you

about this
other little boy.

Well, his name was Chris.

Instead of a cuddly,
little old Teddy bear

like Harry here,

his pet was a full
grown-up mountain lion

named sunshine.

[Mr. Hawksbill]
Now there's hardly anything

more fierce or independent

than a mountain lion.

But there's always
an exception to anything,

and this here sunshine--

well, he was different.

Why, even the deer knew

that sunshine wouldn't
bother them at all,

except maybe
to play with them.

But there was
an important reason for this.

You see,
Chris had showered sunshine

with love and affection

from the time he was
just a teeny little cub.

So, naturally, he was
friendly as all get out.

Why, he just loved
dogs and people,

especially his playmates
prince and Chris.

But there was one thing

that sunshine loved just about more than anything else--

corn on the cob.

Yes, sirree,
that's how different he was.

Well, what with
sunshine and prince

and all his other friends

in the field
and the forest around him,

I reckon there wasn't
a happier boy

anywhere in the country
than Chris.

Until one day...

[Cowbell ringing]

Hi, uncle Travis,
cousin Wilma.

You're going already?
Can't you stay?

We never get
to see you.

You're going to see
a lot of US from now on.

Hey, you moving out here?

No. The other way
around.

The other way around?
I don't get it.

Well, son, you see,
we're, uh...

We're moving away
to the city.

To the city!
Away from here?

[Mother] Yes, Chris. You
remember we discussed it.

But for how long?

Chris, we're
giving up the farm.

But you can't! We can't
go live in the city.

I don't know
anybody there

except uncle t.
And cousin Wilma.

Might as well get things
started inside, Annie.

But, mom, I didn't know
it was going to be this soon.

Chris, your father feels
badly enough already.

Ever since
he was hurt,

the farm's been
too much for him.

So uncle t.'S found him
a very good job in the city

in a garden supply shop.

He'll be making
more in a week

than we do here
in a month.

We should be
grateful.

But what about sunshine?
I can't leave him.

I can get a job right here
with Mr. Richardson.

I always help him
do his chores.

And leave US?
Your dad and me?

I guess not.

[Father] Annie, tell me
the things you want to take.

I'm coming, Adam.

Chris, we've
got to go now.

Bye, uncle t.,
cousin Wilma.

Bye.

But, Mr. Richardson,

all I'm asking is that
you keep sunshine for me

for just a little while.
Please, Mr. Richardson.

Son, I once knew a fella
up in Taylor county

named three-finger
Billy Dee.

He lost two fingers
to a mountain lion.

That mountain lion
didn't need those fingers

half as much
as Billy Dee,

but he got too close
to the mountain lion.

But that's not sunshine.
He's gentle.

So is my wife, but even
she gets ornery sometimes.

You better let sunshine
go his way, boy.

But he doesn't know
any other way,

except being a pet.

I've had him
since he was born.

He doesn't know
how to hunt or kill

or how to look
after himself.

He'll learn, boy. You'll
be surprised how fast.

He just doesn't know
about running or hiding.

He'd walk right up to the
first hunter that came along,

and he'll be shot!
I know it!

I wish I could
help you, boy.

Forget about
sunshine, will you?

Forget sunshine?

How could I forget the
very best friend I've got,

forget somebody
in my very own family,

the one person who--

sunshine's
not a person, boy.

He is to me.

One way or another,

I'm not going to leave him
behind to get killed or hurt

or wander everywhere
looking for me.

Please.

I'm sorry, son.
I can't.

I hope
you'll understand.

Yeah. Well, thanks.

I understand.

I guess.

Good luck
in the big city, boy.

Come on, prince!

[Dog barking]

Here, dear--if you get
hungry before we stop.

All right, up we go.

Now, you hang on. Don't
move around too much, o.K.?

Yes, dad. I will.

Better take
a last look, honey.

[Chris]
Sunshine, hop on!

Let's go.

[Chris]
Stay down, sunshine!

You all right, son?

Stay here and watch things
till I get uncle Travis, o.K.?

Yes, dad.

I thought
you'd never get here.

Do you think you could get
a dish of water for prince?

Just bring him in the house.
It'll be all right.

No. You go get it.

We have
to guard things.

Aah!

[Growls]

It's just sunshine. He's
a pet. He won't hurt you.

See? You can pet him, too.

What kind of
an animal is he?

He's a mountain lion.
I've got to hide him.

Hide him! Where? How?

I don't know.

Someplace where there's
trees and bushes,

someplace before they
unload this doghouse.

Come on! I think
I know a place.

Prince,
you guard sunshine.

[Purring]

[Growling]

Aah! Aah!

No! Stop!

Sunshine!

Prince, I told you
to guard sunshine!

Show me
where he went.

[Dog barking]

Those folks called
the police department,

the mayor,
the fire department.

Finally, somebody decided
to call US over here at the zoo.

Well, by then,

a wonderful young fella
that I want you to meet--

Dr. Hardwood--
he's the head of the zoo.

He and his assistant
miss moon and me--

we hightailed it
over there.

By that time, why,

Chris had caught up
with sunshine,

and all those folks
had caught up with Chris.

There he was just hugging
sunshine for dear life.

Don't you worry, son.

Dad, I just got to keep
sunshine. I just got to.

There isn't anything we can
do with sunshine now, Chris.

Then let me
take him back.

We just drove
800 miles.

We can't
start back now.

It's up to the
people at the zoo.

We don't have
a mountain lion at the zoo.

We sure would like to have
your friend sunshine.

Sunshine might have
to be put to sleep.

You mean sunshine
would have to die?

No one's going
to let sunshine die.

Dr. Hartwood,

you'd take very good care
of him, wouldn't you?

Nobody is allowed
to work at our zoo

unless they
really love animals.

That's our first rule.

Isn't that right,
Mr. Hawksbill?

You're a cross-eyed lion
if it ain't.

My assistant
miss moon--

there's nobody that
knows more about feeding

and medicine
than she does.

And we'd let you
visit sunshine anytime.

That's right. I'll give
you special permission.

Chris, dear. It's
the very best place for him.

They won't take him
unless you agree.

It's a decision
you must make, Chris.

It's your pet.

You're the one
who has to decide.

Give me the net.

The boy will put him
in the truck for you.

Thanks, dad.
Come on, sunshine.

Well, looks like
it's all over, mommy.

Is it, now?
I wonder.

Which way's
the mountain lion?

That way.

If you don't see him,
you'll hear him.

[Mr. Hawksbill] The
very first chance he got,

Chris hurried over
to the zoo.

Well, that was when
Chris got his first good look

at our cramped cages
and beat-up equipment

and the whole old-fashioned
zoo layout and everything,

and of course, that
started him feeling real bad

all over again.

After all,
how could he know

we were doing
the best we could,

the very best we could?

[Elephant trumpeting]

[Growling]

Sunshine!

[Growling]

Sunshine!
It's me--Chris.

[Purring]

Well,
the next thing I knew,

somebody shouted
about a boy in danger--

too near
the mountain lion--

and I lit out
for that cage so fast,

I nearly split the stitches
in my britches.

Now, don't you know
better than that?

I've seen a mountain lion
like that one

kill a cow with
one swipe of his paw.

You must never do
a thing like that!

Why, you could
have been ki--oh.

I'm terribly sorry,
Christopher.

This is Chris, the boy we
said could visit sunshine.

Yes, and I'd like
to go in with him now!

Chris, he's been upset.

It's a little hard
for him to get adjusted.

I can see that.
I'll quiet him down.

Come on, sunshine.
Stop it.

You behave, sunshine.

That's it.
That's my pet.

Now can I go in, please?

Maybe that wouldn't
be such a bad idea.

He hasn't eaten
for days.

Do you think you
could get him to eat?

[Chris] Yes.

O.k., let him in.

Mr. Hawksbill, you better
get that key snap fixed.

Yes, ma'am. Come on.

Stop pouting and eat,
sunshine.

I know
how you feel, sunshine,

but you got to eat.

Well, right there
before my eyes

I could see it for myself--

sunshine eating
for the first time in days.

Now, don't you think
that made me feel real good?

That boy had a knack
for handling animals.

Around a zoo, that
makes you somebody special.

What's going on here?

Visiting hours.

[Purring]

Oh. Hi, Chris.
I'm glad to see you.

Sunshine hasn't been
eating very well.

Did you give him
corn on the cob, buttered?

In hot weather,
he likes ice-cold watermelon

with lots of salt on it,

oh, and peanut butter
sandwiches.

Peanut butter
sandwiches?

Yeah. But always
cut off the crust.

Always take off
the crust.

I'll remember that.

Is now a good time
to take him out, Dr. Hartwood?

I'll tell you
what, son--

why don't you
come out here

and we'll talk about it?

Yes, sir.

How about it,
Dr. Hartwood?

I'm sorry, son.
We just can't do that.

Why not?

I have to take sunshine
to see prince.

I can't turn
a mountain lion loose

to go romping with you
in the park,

much less walking
through the streets.

He'd frighten
people, Chris.

Sunshine?

I'll get my bike
and bring a leash.

You've got a bicycle?

There's things a boy with
a bicycle could do around here

to earn money
and be near sunshine.

Right now I've got an errand
worth, say, 25 cents?

No. That wouldn't help
prince or sunshine.

I'm sorry, Chris. You'll
just have to understand.

He's got to be free.

Anyway,
part of the time.

It's like
recess at school.

Son, this isn't
a school. It's a zoo.

It's not a zoo! It's
a jail! It's a prison!

[Moaning]

No!

Let me out!

Let me out!
Let me out!

Let me out!

Chris! Chris,
it's all right, darling.

It's all right.

It was just a bad dream.

What was it, son?

He's having a nightmare.

Are you all right now?

What were
you dreaming about?

I was locked in a cage--

sunshine's cage.

He couldn't get--

I mean, I couldn't get out.

Maybe we better talk
about it in the morning.

Sure, everything's always
better in the morning.

Do you want anything now?

No, thanks.
I'm o.K. Honest.

Good night,
sweetheart.

You'll be all right.

He never had
nightmares before.

What do
you think it was?

Giving up the farm?

That and
giving up sunshine.

He's been
a different boy

since we put sunshine
in the zoo.

Yeah, I know.

What are we going
to do, Adam?

Well, now that we know
what the problem is

and how deeply
he feels,

we'll just
have to be there

and see him through,
that's all.

[Prince barking]

[Bicycle bell rings]

[Mr. Hawksbill]
Well, what with everything

that had been happening

to him and around him,

the next time poor Chris
headed for the zoo,

he was just about ready
to go off the deep end.

Of course, none of US
around the zoo

had any reason to suspect

how desperate Chris
thought things were getting

for himself and sunshine,

and he sure wasn't going
to let US find out.

Are you all right,
Chris?

You haven't said
a thing.

I'm all right,
but sunshine isn't.

Chris,
a zoo is a zoo.

They have to keep
their animals in cages.

Even the regular
pets know

they can't just
run around.

Well, they have
to be on a leash,

like that pussycat
over there.

That pussycat doesn't
look very happy to me.

Look,
he's got a collar on.

[Chatters]

Christopher Carlyle,

why did you ever do
a thing like that?

Because I don't care
what animal it is.

If it can't be kept
so it's happy,

then nobody should
be able to keep it.

Chris, where
are you going?

[Chatters]

[Growling]

There you are.
Look at you--

eating and eating
and getting fat.

First thing you know,

you'll be bigger
than me.

Why don't you
go fight a fire

with your uncle smokey?

Ha ha ha!

Well, I'm going
to go over here.

Don't fall down, now.

Stand up there
by yourself.

There.
That's a good girl.

[Elephant trumpeting]

Don't worry, sunshine.

You won't be here
much longer.

Just let Mr. Hawksbill

be careless with his keys
just once.

Just once.

Mr. Hawksbill.

Well, I'll be
a razor-billed ruddy duck.

If it ain't
the little man come back.

I'm sorry,
Mr. Hawksbill.

I shouldn't have
gotten mad at you.

Oh, that's all right.
Forget about it.

You want to earn
your quarter?

Yes, sir.

You just
come along with US

and help US
with the feeding.

I'll give you
your quarter in advance.

No, sir. Not until
I've earned it.

Well...

That tiger's name
is captain.

That's because he
broke out of his cage

coming from India.

Until they got him
back in his cage,

why, he practically
ran the ship

for three whole days.

Ha ha ha!

Now, no banging.

No quick moves
around the cats.

You know that,
don't you, son--

that animals have much
more sensitive hearing

than humans?

Yes, sir. That's the way
it is around sunshine, too.

Any sudden banging
or clattering, and...

[Hissing]

[Grr]

You know, son,
we ain't sore at you

for saying this zoo
ain't what it ought to be.

We know
it's pretty shabby, too.

You do?

Sure. Now, you take
a first-class zoo,

their buckets would be made
out of plastic or rubber

or something that
wouldn't bang together.

Gosh. Maybe you'd
better keep that quarter

you were
going to pay me.

Heh heh heh!

All right, captain.
Captain!

Hey! Captain!

There you are,
captain.

[Elephants trumpeting]

What's the bike
doing in there?

This is Bruno.
He's a circus bear.

His trainer died,

and he wouldn't do
anything for anybody,

so they gave him
to US.

I put his bicycle
in there

hoping that someday we'd
have a bigger cage for him

and he could
start riding again.

Thank you.

Now, Bruno, don't
get anxious, old fella.

Don't get anxious,
Bruno.

There we go.

Come on, boy.
Come on.

Hey...

See here what I got.

Bruno, look.
Looky here.

Ha ha ha!

Oh! There you are!

[Bruno belches]

Got bad manners,
hasn't he?

Ha ha ha!

Ha ha ha!

Well, you see...

Even wild animals
are gentle

when you
treat them right.

O.k. Here we go.

Now...

Well, this old lion's
name is bronco.

That's because
nobody could handle him.

Here you are, bronco.

Now look at him--

just as gentle
as an old tomcat.

That's in spite of everybody
teasing him all day long.

I look over here
at these cages sometime,

and I wonder
what side of the bars

the animals are on.

[Grr]

Come on.

[Grr]

[Boys laughing]

Down! You dig?
Down!

Look.
I'm a tiger tamer.

You want some gum,
daddy-o?

[Aroo]

Down, cat!
You dig? Down!

[Grr]

Ha ha ha!

Hey,
somebody's coming.

Next time you'll know
who's king of the row.

Well, here you are,
Chris--

payday!

There's your quarter.

If I could just work
here all the time--

I mean
if I just could--

you wouldn't even
have to pay me.

Any boy worth having
is worth paying.

And you know something,
Chris?

Everybody around here
likes your work.

You'll let me
take sunshine out!

No, no, no, no.
I can't do that,

but I'll tell you
something.

I'm going to make you
my assistant.

That will be...

Real nice.

I'll get you a cap
just like mine,

and it will say
"junior head keeper."

How about that?

Mr. Hawksbill?
Up at the compound.

Injured elephant.

Which one?

Margie.

Come on, Chris.
You've got to get out.

Can't I just stay
a little bit longer

by myself?

Maybe you could
leave me the key.

Thanks, Isobel.

[Mother] Chris?

Chris?

They told me I might
find you here.

I hope I'm not
interrupting something.

Hi, Mrs. Carlyle.

Hello. Chris,
we were worried about you.

Wilma said you just--

I hope he hasn't been
a problem.

No problem at all.

He's been a big help.

[Mr. Hawksbill]
He's been a big help.

We got some big plans
for him.

What branch means is
that Chris is welcome

to work here
at the zoo this summer

if it's all right
with you.

Please, mom.

He'll be
in good hands.

Very well. Thank you all
for being so nice to Chris.

He's no trouble
to any of US.

No trouble at all.

Say good-bye
to everyone, Chris.

Bye.
Bye, Margie!

[Aroo]

Take a look
at that wolf.

They were left
on the desk, sir.

Oh, thank you.

Notice how weak
his hindquarters are.

He was injured by an
older wolf in a fight.

We didn't have the modern
equipment to break it up.

Every time I look
at him, I get angry.

Angry with whom?

At myself first
and then at you.

You're members
of the city council.

You're
the all-powerful

parks and recreation
commission.

Every year you take
your annual look around,

and we tell you
what we need.

Then we don't
see you again.

And every year
nothing happens.

We have two other parks
to visit today,

and then we're due
at lake Timmons.

Let's get on with
the inspection.

Yes, let's.

This is our only
female llama.

What happened
to its leg, del?

I'm glad you asked
me that, councilman.

Tell him,
Mr. Hawksbill.

We like to lost
her last week.

Chewed that leg
up pretty bad.

Got it caught

in some
of this fence.

Fence that's been patched
about four times.

This fence should be
replaced, not repaired.

Come now,
Dr. Hartwood.

I'm not going
to pull any punches.

This pitiful excuse
for a zoo

is 50 years
behind the times.

Maybe you're a bit
of an alarmist.

Zoo doesn't look
too bad to me.

The acid test
for any zoo

is the birth rate
among the animals

and the death rate.

Animals
don't breed well

in unhappy
surroundings.

Our birth rate here
is practically nil.

Our death rate

is higher than
any zoo this size

in this part
of the country.

You tell US the birth rate
is practically nil,

and over there
I saw a baby hippo.

Sure, you did,

but there's
no telling how long

it will stay alive.

If you feel
that strongly,

why don't you
just resign?

Oh, no.

That's what
your indifference

has caused every
other curator to do,

but you'll quit
before I do.

That we'll see.

We should be on our way
to the lion cages.

Down, cat! Down!

Come on! Come on!
Come on!

Come on!

Look at that
crazy cat!

[Aroo]

He's a jitterbugger.

Come on!

[Grr]

Come on!

Ha ha ha!

♪ He's the daring young man
on the flying trapeze ♪

Somebody's coming.

Some big wheels.

Yeah,
a square one.

Ha ha ha!

Shall I run them out?

No. You can't until
they do something

where we can see it.

Even a lion
will get lethargic

if it doesn't have room
to get proper exercise.

Lethargic animals don't
attract zoo visitors.

Gentlemen,
that's about it.

Your car's down there.

I hope you've gotten
some food for thought.

Mr. Hawksbill, you just got
to let me take sunshine home.

I don't want
sunshine to die.

I don't want
any animal to die.

Don't you worry
about sunshine

or any other animal
around here.

We won't let anything
happen to them.

But I heard
Dr. Hartwood say...

Wasn't that true?

Well, yes, but that's
statistics, ratio.

You and I will
take care of sunshine.

I wish we could give you
the money you need here,

but the public
has to care first.

Until the public cares,

my colleagues just
aren't going to care.

They know more than
the public does.

I wish they'd stop
being politicians

and start being
public servants.

Maybe you should try
being more of a diplomat.

I've been a diplomat

until I discovered that
people don't recognize

there are diplomats
and doormats.

If I can't be one
without being the other,

I'm not
going to be either.

The person
who refuses to resign

can always be fired.

Try it.

I will. Next week
you won't be here.

One thing
you can be sure of,

I'll keep fighting.

So will I.

[Car starts]

Ribs, there's
your girlfriend now.

That's not his girl.
That's a hippo.

Little one
likes you, greenie.

She's just about
your speed.

Yeah,
she's cute, too.

Hi. Come on.

Looky there. She
wants a smoke, too.

Let's give her one.
See what happens.

Come on. Open up.

Come on.

Ha ha ha!

I'm going to
give her another one.

Come on!

Ha ha ha!

Come on!

Ha ha ha!

[Hippo groaning]

Ha ha ha!

[Hippo groaning]

Ha ha ha!

We better
get out of here.

Come on. Let's go.

[Aroo]

Emergency. Dr. Hartwood
and branch hawksbill

report at once
to the hippo area.

It's the hippo.

What you been up to?
What did you do?

I was just feeding
the hippo some cigars.

Take these punks
to the zoo office.

Come on, boys.

You're getting out, too.

Sunshine, stay here.

Come on!
You're free!

Next!

If the mother dies,
her baby will die, too.

Breathing's depressed.

Give me 5 ccs
of scopolamine.

What she needs is
a gallon of mineral oil.

The animals
are all out.

They're everywhere.

Every cage is empty.

Isobel,
you take over.

Branch?

Coming, Dr. Hartwood.

I'm going to
the police station.

Get US
some sleep guns.

You'll have them.

Who could have
done this?

Maybe it was
those three punks

that were so sassy.

Whoever it was,

they're going to see the
inside of a jail cell.

Ace, get the truck.

[Radio]
♪ you won't wake up

♪ 'cause it isn't a dream

♪ the things you see

♪ are as real
as they seem ♪

♪ they just don't like
being locked in a zoo ♪

♪ they want to live
like people folk do ♪

♪ there are monkeys

♪ lots of monkeys

♪ in a corner toy store

♪ there's an elephant
moving water-- ♪

Wally moon hitting .301
has struck out twice,

bounced out, and walked.

Comes up with the ball game on the line.

Sandy koufax has--

[burp]

♪ Drop off to the floor

♪ don't chase them
all away ♪

♪ all they want to do
is play ♪

♪ all their-- ♪

Reese trying
to holler to koufax

to take
a little bigger lead.

[Burp]

[Music playing]

[Burp]

I'm Tarzan!

[Tarzan yell]

[Music playing]

We've got to
stay out of sight.

When it gets dark,
we'll head back to the farm.

Nobody will think
to look for US there.

Where you going,
son?

To the country.

[Whistle]

[Woof woof]

Chief, before you
start shooting,

you got to
give me a chance

to round
these animals up.

I can't endanger a single
citizen for any animal,

no matter how valuable.

Turn this job
over to me,

and I'll put those heads
right over there

as trophies
for your wall.

My living room's
full of them.

Look, mister--

I didn't catch
your name.

This is
Mr. Preston heston,

one of our
leading citizens.

He goes to Africa
on safari every year.

He has offered
to give US

the complete
and full benefit

of his African
hunting experience

and together
with his equipment.

That includes
my elephant gun, too.

One shot right
behind the ear, and pfft.

Oh, great.

Fortunately,
these animals were fed

just before they
were turned loose.

They're not going to be
hungry before tonight.

I could have most of them
rounded up before then.

I can't give you
that long.

The calls are coming
in by the hundreds.

Aah!

[Woof woof woof]

Stay down, sunshine.
Stay down, prince.

Zoo animals aren't
going to bother anybody

unless somebody
bothers them,

like this bloodthirsty
cannibal here.

My assistant can set up
a special switchboard.

We'll handle every call
fast. I promise.

All you have to do is
give a message to the people

to stay inside
until morning.

Chief, you owe these valuable
animals and me this chance.

I don't
owe anybody anything

except the right to walk
the streets in safety.

That's what
I'm talking about, too.

If you start hunting
and killing these animals,

nobody's going
to be safe.

My way, nobody
will get hurt.

I've got guns
waiting outside, too--

sleep guns.

We'll bring these animals
down with harmless drugs

without injury
and without wounds.

Don't you know there's
nothing more dangerous

than a wounded animal?

My way
you won't have any.

His way
anything can happen.

My way there won't be
any wounded animals either.

When I shoot, I kill.

Chief, all I'm asking for
is a little time.

No. You're asking
for more than that.

You're asking me

to stretch my neck
from here to Alaska.

Well, stretch it.

Show what kind of a man you are.
Nobody's going to chop it.

I promise you.

Very easy for you
to say about my neck.

Look, it's my neck, too.

There are people
waiting to hang me

from the highest
telephone pole if I goof

by the ear lobes.

Maybe you deserve it.

Look, Dr. Hartwood,

maybe we should give
your methods a chance first.

O.k.

You've got
six hours.

All right, chief.

You've deliberately hung
yourself out on a limb.

I'll be back
in six hours or less

to pick up the pieces.

Good-bye, chief.
Good-bye, young man.

You won't
regret it, chief.

You don't mind
if I make sure

that I won't
regret it, do you?

Send in
sergeant freebee.

Sergeant freebee
is the best shot

in the department

with a pistol
or a rifle.

Chief.

From now on,
wherever you go,

I'm going to
have him standing

right behind you
every minute,

and any animal

that your gun
doesn't bring down,

his will.

[Grunting]

Aah!

[Television playing]

You keep out of this!

Oh, so you want to strike me, eh?

Ha ha ha ha!

Ha ha ha ha!

Ha ha ha ha!

Ha ha ha!

Ha ha ha ha!

Ha ha ha ha!

Ha ha ha ha!

[Hardy]
Sit down.

I want to talk to you.

All right,
but make it snappy.

[Crunch]

Ha ha ha ha ha!

[Laughing]

Wayne Thomas reporting
with the news.

Ladies and gentlemen,

the city today
was being swept by rumors

of an animal invasion,

rumors which we are
happy to assure you

are completely unfounded.

Sources have assured US
there is no reason at all

for any concern
of any kind.

[Snarling]

Attention! Attention!

This is
your police department.

There are wild animals
loose in the city.

We have the situation
completely under control.

You have nothing
to worry about.

Attention! Attention!

This is
your police department.

You are requested
to remain indoors.

There are wild animals
loose in the city.

Just remain indoors.

I'm very sorry

we couldn't have
been of more help.

You're welcome.

Allan, this is
miss Isobel moon.

She's from
the zoo staff.

She's here to take over
the switchboard.

Hello.

Do you mind if I
sort of stand by?

[Music playing]

[Burp]

...a high fly ball
to deep left field.

It is...Gone!

[People running
and screaming]

Adam, are you sure
about this?

The fellas at work
heard on the radio

that a whole zoo
has been turned loose.

Uncle Adam, the radio
also said stay inside.

I don't care
what the radio said.

Chris told you
he was going to the zoo?

If that's the way
they run things,

I don't want him
around there.

Come on. Let's go.

Adam,
what about your job?

What about it, honey?

Did they say it was
all right to leave?

Chris is more important
than any job, honey.

Excuse me, sir.

You got it!
You got it for me!

Got you what?

The pony! My pony!

The one you said you
might get for my birthday.

Yes, but
that was just--

you got it. You got it.

What pony?

The one in there.

[When the saints
go marching inplaying]

[Growling]

748 bosswin drive.

Oh, and Mr. Hawksbill,

don't try to tempt
little Bruno into the net

with an ice-cream cone.

He may not be
very interested.

Yes, bel.
I remember.

Hee hee hee!

Mr. Hawksbill.

Well, I'll be
a cross-eyed lion

if it ain't
the carlyles.

We came here
to pick up Chris.

Chris? You mean
he ain't home?

No. He's not here,
either?

No, no, no.
He's not here.

He--he--

well, he must be
somewhere in-between.

I'll tell you
what you do--

you go out
and look for him.

If you don't find him,
come check with me.

By the way,

keep the windows on
your truck rolled up.

Whew.

Adam, with all those
animals loose, I'm worried.

Well, don't be,
dear.

When it comes
to animals,

Chris can take
care of himself.

[Telephone ringing]

All right.
I'm coming.

[Coughing]

Hello?

Adam Carlyle. How are
things in the big city?

Uh, rich,
have you seen Chris?

Chris? No. No, why?

Why?
Is something wrong?

Look, if you
should see him,

will you
please call me?

Oh, sure, Adam.
Sure.

Look, is he gone?

No, no.
Everything's all right.

Thanks.

No. Nothing.

I think it's time
we call the police.

We had at the most
just about six hours

to get our animals back.

Maybe it didn't seem impossible to Dr. Hartwood,

but it sure seemed
impossible to me.

One thing we were hoping for that might help--

soon as some of them had wandered around for a while,

they might just start
coming home on their own

just because
they missed US.

[Meow]

[Snarling]

Ah, he's up here
someplace.

I've got to
get close enough

to hit him in the flank,

so don't get
trigger-happy.

You know what
my orders are, doctor.

Don't miss,
because I won't.

[Growling]

Well, now I've seen it all.

I told mommy
you were out here

swinging on my swing.

She says
what she always says--

"of course, dear."

When I asked if you could
come and live with US,

she said the same thing--

"of course, dear."

So I hope you like it
in my room.

It's the one
right over there.

[Trumpeting]

Do elephants wear pajamas?

Anyway, we have
our own bathroom

and a big bed.

Elephant, don't go away.

Come back, elephant.

[Crying]

[Yawns]

[Music playing]

Now from our news room,

we continue
with our special interview...

Well, the ostrich is in,
too, music and all.

I'll bet if you
left them alone,

they'd all come home,
such as it is.

Well, in view of all that, councilman pew,

where do you place the responsibility

for all these animals being loose?

One man and one man
only is responsible--

the man in charge
of the zoo,

Dr. Del hartwood.

If a man
who is head of a zoo

is supposed to know
anything at all,

it is first
and above all

how to keep his animals
safely under his control.

He wasn't even
capable of that.

Now, directly because
of his incompetence

and nobody else's,

the citizens
of this community

cannot
leave their homes

with a feeling
of safety.

There is only one answer
which I will accept

as a member
of the zoo commission

to any more
of this bungling

on the part
of Dr. Hartwood--

his immediate
resignation

and nothing less.

That was councilman pew

interviewed by your reporter earlier today.

And now,
another development--

acting on descriptions
furnished by Dr. Del hartwood,

police have just taken
into custody three young men

suspected of having freed
the zoo animals.

Each faces a long jail sentence if convicted.

They are Henry houter
of 729 ridgendon street...

[Mr. Hawksbill]
Sure enough,

just like
we sort of figured,

many of the animals
were coming back by themselves,

especially the big eaters
like the elephants.

[Locks door]

[Pop]

[Train whistle blows]

Ooh, la la!

Ooh, la la!

Mama.

Yeah.

He's just passing me now.

It's as flat as can be.

Yeah.

Bruno on
Collins street.

Tell
Dr. Hartwood.

Mama.

Mama.

Mama.

[Snarling]

The tiger's in, too.

Good. That means
they're all rounded up

except
the mountain lion.

I wonder
where branch is.

Maybe he's got a lead
on the mountain lion.

[Telephone rings]

Hello?

He what?

And so the mystery
of who released the zoo animals

is solved by the confession
of the person who did it--

head keeper
branch hawksbill.

Reporters interviewed him

immediately after
his voluntary surrender.

Now
to the police station.

Aren't you
Mr. Hawksbill?

Is it dangerous to have animals running around like that?

It's bad letting
those cats out.

Which is more dangerous--
the tiger or lion?

You're the one who admits letting them out.

Sure, I turned
them animals out.

I wanted to wake this town up to what was happening.

Like what, sir?

When I first come
to work here, son,

we had a zoo that
anybody would be proud of.

We just didn't keep up
with the times.

Now the whole city ought
to be ashamed of itself.

Mr. Hawksbill, how can you justify this action?

Maybe after
what happened today,

somebody will give
a little thought to the zoo

and what's going on
over there,

and if I shook everybody up
real good,

then it was worth it.

How about the penalties that you're going to face?

Well,
I don't worry too much

about
what's going to happen

to an old cuss
like me anymore.

I was about ready
to retire.

And don't call them
dumb animals.

When it comes to dumb,

you've got some city councilmen that can match them.

Oh, no.

Released, of course,

were three young suspects
arrested earlier.

Now the sports and weather.

On the local front,

we have
slight changes of weather.

Branch couldn't
have done that.

He was with me
at the hippo pen.

Or just before.

[Telephone rings]

Yeah.

Look, Isobel,
I'm sorry, but--

Chris and sunshine?

Grady street alley.
Right.

I'm on my way.

Is freebee
still in the truck?

Afraid so.

[Prince whimpering]

[Dog barking]

[Whinnying]

Prince! Come on, boy!

Come on, prince!

Prince! Come on, boy!

Come on, boy!
Come on, prince.

We got
to get out of here.

They went
in that old warehouse.

Those animals
are going nuts.

It'll take
a couple bullets.

You better call
and tell the chief.

Car 78 calling headquarters.
Message for the chief.

They don't get you back,
sunshine, ever.

Don't you worry.

Are you Dr. Hartwood?

Yeah.

The chief sent a message
to remind you

that your
six hours are up.

He didn't agree to allow
any animal to endanger others.

He's also authorized
sergeant freebee

to proceed as necessary.

Where's the boy?

He walked inside
the warehouse door

with the mountain lion.

You stay here.

This time
I'd better go first.

You can wait one
more minute, sergeant.

Chris?

[Growling]

Chris, I want you
to come out now, son.

Go away
and leave US alone!

I'm sorry, Chris.
I can't do that.

[Dog barking]

Prince and sunshine
are very unhappy!

I can hardly hold them.

You might as well
put that thing down.

You can't use your rifle

any more
than I can use mine.

The boy's in there

with his arms
around sunshine's neck.

Did they find
his parents yet?

They're still out
looking for them.

Doctor,
I've got my orders.

Now, I'm going to get
that mountain lion to charge.

When he gets clear,
he gets it.

Wait a second. Hold it.
I've got an idea.

The boy
isn't the only one

that can handle
a mountain lion.

I'll be right back,
o.K.?

This time,
I'm going all the way,

and no matter what happens,
you hold your fire.

Doctor, that depends
on what happens

when you get near
that cat.

Dr. Hartwood,
don't you come any closer.

Now, Chris, we don't want
to have to hurt sunshine.

[Sunshine growling]

Please go back.
Sunshine might kill you.

I don't think so, son.

Animals like me.
I like them.

Anyway,
I'm coming down now.

Don't worry, Chris.

In just about
five seconds,

I'm going to have
sunshine purring.

Don't, Dr. Hartwood!

What are you doing to him?

Well, don't worry.

It's not chloroform
or gas or drugs.

It's a new
secret weapon

branch hawksbill
invented.

Here. Try some.

Why, it's only whipped cream.

That's right.

Now, Chris,
I want you

to listen to me
carefully

and then think hard
about something.

Defendant,
how do you plead?

Guilty.

You realize I can sentence
you up to five years?

Yes, sir, I do.

Do you have
an explanation

for this utterly
irresponsible action?

Well, your honor,
it's just like I said.

If I shook
this whole city up,

I'll be a cross-eyed lion

if it wasn't
dang well worth it.

Very well.

This court imposes
a fine of $2,000

and a sentence
of at least--

uh, your honor,
I've only got

about 45 dollars
and 37 cents in here.

Your honor.

I'm Dr. Hartwood,
director of the zoo.

I have evidence to prove
this man is not guilty.

But I amguilty.
Now, this is a frame-up.

I'm the one
that did it, sir.

B-B-But, your honor,

this little boy is just like
my own flesh and blood.

Why, he's just saying that
to protect me.

Now, Chris,
you don't have to do that.

You go on home with
your folks where you belong.

This ain't
a fitting place for you.

I did it,
Mr. Hawksbill.

You know I did it.

He don't know
what he's saying.

He's been drinking--
or, well...

Permission is given
to address the court.

Let's get it on the record.

Well, your honor,

I'm glad the press
is here.

This may be
the last thing I say

as director of the zoo,

but I intend
to say it.

This little boy
loves animals.

He believes,
as he told me,

if an animal
can't be kept

healthy and happy
and contented,

he shouldn't be
kept at all

in a park, in a zoo,
or anyplace.

That reason
and that reason alone

is why he turned
these animals loose.

Your honor,
the crime isn't

that somebody turned
these animals loose

and upset
an entire city.

The crime is

that apparently
this had to happen

to make this city sit up
and pay attention.

When people
are indifferent

and apathetic
about the zoo,

they're indifferent
and apathetic

about their
schools and hospitals.

When people learn to be
kind to animals,

they're kind
to other people.

They're cruel and
indifferent to other people.

A zoo is kind of
the first test

of how we really are--

really civilized
or animals ourselves--

and that's what
this little boy

and this
wonderful old man

may finally have brought
home to this community.

Your honor,
I don't believe

they deserve any punishment
for what they did.

I believe this community
may come to realize

that the only thing
they deserve

is thanks.

If the district attorney
sees fit so to move,

the court will entertain
a motion for dismissal.

So moved, your honor.

You are dismissed, sir,

with my deepest respect.

I'll be
a cross-eyed lion.

Now, as to this young man,

you know you did wrong
releasing those animals,

don't you, son?

Yes, sir.

Your actions could have had
very serious consequences.

However,
under the circumstances,

I am going to make your
punishment an exemplary one.

I'm going to sentence you
to forced labor--

two hours a day
at the city zoo

until school starts

under the supervision
of Mr. Branch hawksbill.

Court adjourned.

And all because
of a boy who said,

"I won't give him up,

and nobody
can take him from me."

But what happened
to Chris and sunshine?

Come here.
I'll show you.

There you are.

Now, that's the new zoo
that the city council voted.

Polar bears.

Hey! No fence.

That's right, son.

You're catching on quick.

Who do you think
that is over there?

Chris and sunshine!

That's right.
That's them.

Pretty happy,
wouldn't you say?

Yeah, they sure are.

Well, what
do you say, Tim?

You can have him.

I know
he'll be happy here.

That-a boy.

Well, Harry, come on.

Welcome to the family.

Ha ha ha ha!

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