Mission: Impossible (1966–1973): Season 3, Episode 2 - The Contender: Part 1 - full transcript
Phelps & Co. go after a crooked fight promoter who has gained a stranglehold over boxing and wants to extend the Syndicate's influence into other sports worldwide. The promoter is ruthless, as demonstrated when he orders a boxer killed because he would not take a dive. The IMF recruits a former fighter whose hands were ruined for boxing because of his military service. Barney trains as a boxer, assuming the former fighter's identity. Barney attracts the interest of the crooked promoter and is scheduled to box in a demonstration fight. Phelps, who is installing "special" equipment for the demonstration match is about to be discovered when hoods working for the crooked promoter return to the gym where the fight will take place.
[ "MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE" THEME
PLAYS ]
YOU GOT A FIVE-EIGHTHS
HORSEPOWER?
Man: GOOD MORNING, MR. PHELPS.
THE MAN YOU'RE LOOKING AT
IS CHARLES BUCKMAN,
WHO IS ATTEMPTING TO OBTAIN
A STRANGLEHOLD
ON ALL FORMS OF PROFESSIONAL
AND AMATEUR SPORTS.
IF HE SUCCEEDS,
THE U.S. WILL BE OSTRACIZED
FROM THE WORLD COMMUNITY
OF ATHLETICS
AND OUR ENEMIES
HANDED A PROPAGANDA WEAPON
OF IMMEASURABLE VALUE.
BUCKMAN'S MAIN FINANCING
COMES FROM BOXING.
HE WORKS IN ASSOCIATION
WITH THIS MAN,
DAN WHELAN, WHOSE SYNDICATE
CONTROLS THE BETTING
ON THE FIGHTS BUCKMAN RIGS.
YOUR MISSION, JIM,
SHOULD YOU DECIDE TO ACCEPT IT,
IS TO ELIMINATE BUCKMAN
AND HIS PLAN, ONCE AND FOR ALL.
AS ALWAYS, SHOULD YOU OR ANY
OF YOUR I.M. FORCE
BE CAUGHT OR KILLED,
THE SECRETARY WILL DISAVOW
ANY KNOWLEDGE OF YOUR ACTIONS.
PLEASE DISPOSE OF THIS
RECORDING IN THE USUAL MANNER.
GOOD LUCK, JIM.
IF THAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE
FUNNY, IT DOESN'T MAKE IT.
NO, THERE'S NOTHING FUNNY
ABOUT ANY OF THIS, RICHY.
A FEW YEARS AGO,
BEFORE YOU WENT IN THE ARMY,
YOU WERE
A TOP-RATED CONTENDER.
I WANT YOU TO MAKE A COMEBACK.
I WANT YOU
TO WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP.
I DON'T GET IT.
DIDN'T THEY TELL YOU?
I COULDN'T PUNCH MY WAY OUT
OF A WET PAPER BAG WITH THESE.
I KNOW ABOUT
YOUR HANDS, RICHY.
I KNOW HOW YOU BURNED THEM
RESCUING THAT PILOT.
THEN WHAT
ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?
I'M TALKING ABOUT
PUTTING RICHY LEMOINE
IN THE RECORD BOOK
AND BOXING BACK
IN THE HANDS OF HONEST MEN.
SOMEBODY ELSE FIGHTS FOR ME?
MM-HMM.
HOW DO YOU KNOW
THIS FIGHTER OF YOURS CAN WIN?
WE'LL SEE THAT HE DOES.
THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT.
FORGET IT.
NOW, WAIT A MINUTE, RICHY...
NO, Y WAIT.
I WAS NEVER A PART
OF A FIXED FIGHT IN MY LIFE,
AND I WON'T BE NOW.
SUPPOSE I GIVE YOU MY WORD
THAT NO FIGHT THAT GOES
INTO THE RECORD WILL BE FIXED?
AT LEAST NOT FROM OUR END.
THEN YOU MIGHT HAVE A DEAL.
YEAH, I CAN MAKE BARNEY
LOOK ENOUGH LIKE RICHY
TO GET BY WITH IT.
DON'T FORGET, ROLLIN,
I'VE GOT TO TAKE A LOT
OF PUNCHES.
DON'T WORRY, BARNEY.
I PROMISE YOU, YOUR FACE
WILL HOLD TOGETHER.
OKAY. SO, HE CAN
LOOK THE PART.
BUT HAS HE EVER DONE
ANY FIGHTING?
HE WAS 6th FLEET CHAMPION.
THAT WAS
A FEW YEARS AGO, JIM.
YOU LOOK LIKE
YOU'RE IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE.
I'M STILL GOING TO NEED
A LOT OF HELP.
YOU'LL GET PLENTY.
CINNAMON, WERE YOU ABLE TO
CHECK OUT ANY
OF BUCKMAN'S GIRLFRIENDS?
ONE OF THEM HAS HER HAIR
DONE TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS.
I NOW GO
TO THE SAME HAIRDRESSER.
ROLLIN, HOW ABOUT THE ACCIDENT?
WHELAN ALWAYS USES
THE EMPLOYEES' TUNNEL
TO GET FROM THE PARKING LOT
TO THE ARENA.
AND THE STEAM HEAT LINES
ARE IN THE SAME TUNNEL.
WELL, THAT'S IT, THEN.
BUCKMAN'S BEEN LOOKING
FOR A LIKELY CONTENDER
TO MATCH WITH STACZEK.
LET'S GIVE HIM ONE.
MOVE!
[ BELL RINGS ]
HOW'S HE DOING?
FINE, MR. BUCKMAN.
FINE.
HIS SPARRING PARTNER
KNOW WHAT TO DO?
YES, SIR.
YOU BET HE DOES.
ALL RIGHT.
YOU TELL ERNIE
I WANT TO SEE HIM
OPEN UP THIS ROUND.
[ BELL RINGS ]
LOOKS PRETTY GOOD
TO ME, MR. BUCKMAN.
FOR A STREET FIGHTER.
HE DOESN'T KNOW THE FIRST
THING ABOUT BOXING.
Man: ALL RIGHT, RICK,
YOU KNOW
WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO.
[ BELL RINGS ]
THAT'S WHAT
THE CROWD'S PAID FOR,
EVER SINCE
THE EARLY ROMAN GAMES --
KILLER INSTINCT.
YOU LOOK LIKE
A CHAMPION, ERNIE.
I'M READY, MR. BUCKMAN.
I'M REALLY READY.
SQUAT THRUSTS.
[ BELL RINGS ]
YOU'RE WORKING HARD,
ARTIE.
I DECIDED YOU DESERVE
A LITTLE BONUS,
SO I PUT A BET DOWN
FOR YOU.
GOOD ODDS.
MR. BUCKMAN,
THIS BET'S ON DRISCOLL.
THAT'S RIGHT.
HE'S GOING TO WIN THE FIGHT.
LOOK, MR. BUCKMAN,
I CAN BEAT DRISCOLL,
AND I'M GOING TO.
LET'S NOT ARGUE
ABOUT IT HERE, ARTIE.
WESLEY WILL BE AROUND
FOR A WHILE.
YOU COME UP TO MY OFFICE
WITH HIM THIS AFTERNOON.
WE'LL DISCUSS IT THERE.
TAKE ADVANTAGE
OF YOUR SIZE.
COME ON. PUMP.
JAB.
STEP.
GOOD.
KEEP THAT LEFT UP.
GOOD. GOOD.
COME ON. STICK ME.
THAT'S TOO HIGH.
SLOW MOTION.
RIGHT HERE,
SO YOU CAN HOOK IT.
THAT'S IT.
GOOD.
JAB.
LOOSEN UP.
LOOSE. LOOSE.
TIME.
YOU LOOK GOOD, BARNEY,
BUT THAT'S NOT MY STYLE.
GET OUT OF THAT CROUCH.
STRAIGHTEN UP.
I'M SORRY, RICHY.
IT'S JUST THAT'S THE WAY
I'VE ALWAYS FOUGHT.
BUT THAT'S NOT THE WAY
RICHY LEMOINE FIGHTS.
JAB, JAB, JAB.
KEEP MOVING.
IN AND OUT. IN AND OUT.
QUICK COMBINATIONS.
AND DON'T DROP THAT LEFT.
NOW, GO TRY IT AGAIN.
OKAY.
AND BOBBY, STAY ON HIM
LIKE STACZEK WILL.
HE'S A BRAWLER. HE PRESSES.
SO, SWING FROM THE FLOOR.
AND IF HE DROPS THAT LEFT
AGAIN, BANG HIM ONE.
YOU GOT IT, RICH.
PUMP.
MOVE AWAY.
DOUBLE UP.
GOOD.
MOVE AWAY.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
FIND THAT GLOVE.
HE'LL NEVER MAKE IT.
BUT HE'S GOT TO MAKE IT.
GOOD SHOT.
DON'T STOP THAT.
HE'LL KEEP HIS RIGHT HAND
UP NOW AND HIS LEFT.
HOW DO YOU FEEL?
I'VE FELT BETTER.
HIS LIP'S CUT.
YOU'RE KIDDING. FIX IT.
YOU'RE HIS HANDLER.
YOU MIGHT AS WELL
LEARN HOW NOW.
YOU'LL KEEP THAT LEFT HAND
UP NOW, WON'T YOU?
YOU'RE RIGHT, BOBBY.
I WON'T DO IT.
I DON'T CARE WHAT KIND
OF CONTRACT YOU GOT,
I DON'T GO IN THE TANK
FOR ANYONE.
HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A MAN
TRY TO CLIMB INTO THE RING
WITH TWO BROKEN LEGS, ARTIE?
MR. BUCKMAN, IF ONE OF
YOUR GOONS LAYS A HAND ON ME,
I SWEAR, I'M GOING STRAIGHT
TO THE BOXING COMMISSION.
WESLEY, WE HAVE HERE
A YOUNG MAN
OF GENUINE INTEGRITY.
THAT'S A QUALITY
I ADMIRE, ARTIE.
THAT'S WHY I'M GOING
TO TEAR THIS CONTRACT UP.
YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN NOW.
GOOD LUCK TO YOU.
DO YOU MEAN IT, MR. BUCKMAN?
IF YOU KNOW ANYTHING
ABOUT ME, ARTIE,
YOU KNOW I DON'T PLAY GAMES.
WESLEY, SEE THAT HE GETS OUT
ALL RIGHT, WILL YOU?
[ DOOR CLOSES ]
[ THUMPS DESK ]
WHAT ARE YOU
GOING TO DO NOW, KID?
I DON'T KNOW.
TRY TO GET A MATCH
SOMEWHERE, I SUPPOSE.
OH, THAT ONE'S
OUT OF ORDER.
WELL...WELL,
THERE'S A GUY IN JERSEY
WHO WORKS WITH A PROMOTER
OUT WEST...I KNOW.
I THINK I'VE GOT HIS CARD
HERE SOMEPLACE.
HOLD IT.
AAAAAHH!
[ HORN HONKS ]
HOW LONG YOU GOING
TO KEEP ME WAITING?
SEE YOU LATER.
[ CAR DOOR CLOSES ]
[ ENGINE TURNS OVER ]
YEAH, LOOKS GOOD.
WILL IT STAY ON?
IF HIS HEAD DOES.
THANKS A LOT.
IT'S A THICK PIPE, JIM.
IT'LL BE A LONG,
TOUGH JOB.
YES, IT WILL.
AND I THINK
IT'LL HELP ME
GET AN EASIER JOB
WITH DAN WHELAN.
I TOLD YOU BEFORE,
CHARLIE,
TAKE IT EASY
ON THE ROUGH STUFF.
I'VE TOLD YOU BEFORE,
YOU DON'T RUN MY BUSINESS.
WHICH REMINDS ME,
I'VE DECIDED TO BUY MYSELF
A SOCCER TEAM.
WHY SOCCER?
BECAUSE IT'S THE BIGGEST SPORT
IN THE WORLD,
OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES.
IN ANY EVENT,
IT'S, UH, COSTING ME MONEY.
SO FROM NOW ON,
MY SHARE OF YOUR PROFITS
IS RAISED TO HALF.
OUT OF THE QUESTION.
DAN, YOUR ORGANIZATION
IS IN THE BETTING BUSINESS.
BEFORE LONG, I'LL CONTROL
MOST OF THE SPORTING EVENTS
PUT ON IN THIS COUNTRY
AND A GREAT MANY
OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY.
BECAUSE OF ME, YOU DON'T
HAVE TO FIGURE THE WINNERS.
YOU KNOW.
NOW, WHERE ELSE ARE YOU GOING
TO FIND AN EDGE LIKE THAT?
OKAY, CHARLIE.
OKAY.
JUST DON'T GET TOO GREEDY.
DON'T DROP THAT LEFT HAND.
PUMP.
SHARP.
DOUBLE UP.
THAT'S IT.
NICE.
GOOD. THAT'S IT.
THAT'S IT!
Rollin: TIME!
Lemoine: BEAUTIFUL.
[ PANTING ]
HOW DO YOU FEEL,
BARNEY?
I DIDN'T KNOW
YOU COULD GET THIS TIRED.
YOU WENT SIX ROUNDS.
YOU'RE STILL ON YOUR FEET.
JUST BARELY.
NO, THAT'S GREAT, BARNEY.
YOU GET SHOWERED NOW.
ROLLIN, GET HIM READY
FOR TONIGHT.
WILLY, WE GOT
TO GET OUT OF HERE.
COME ON.
BOBBY,
THANKS FOR EVERYTHING.
MY PLEASURE, BARNEY.
[ INDISTINCT SHOUTING ]
[ BELL RINGS ]
[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ]
LOOKS LIKE ERNIE IS DOING
PRETTY WELL FOR HIMSELF.
WHO IS SHE?
I DON'T KNOW.
SHE WALKED INTO THE GYM
ONE DAY
AND PICKED HERSELF
A GLADIATOR.
YOU KNOW THE TYPE.
[ BELL RINGS ]
IN A VERY GOOD SEMI-MAIN EVENT,
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
WE HAVE A UNANIMOUS DECISION.
AND THE WINNER,
YOUNG DANNY OLVERA.
[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ]
HOW'S THE BETTING
ON THE MAIN EVENT?
NOT AS GOOD AS IT WOULD
HAVE BEEN WITH CALVITOS,
BUT WE'LL DO ALL RIGHT.
SO WILL YOU.
[ BELL RINGS ]
FANS, THERE'S A YOUNG MAN
AT RINGSIDE YOU'LL ALL REMEMBER.
RECENTLY OUT OF THE SERVICE,
AND NOW BACK WITH US,
OUR OWN RICHY LEMOINE.
LET'S BRING HIM IN HERE.
[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ]
I REMEMBER THAT KID.
HE WAS A CLASSY FIGHTER.
THE CROWD SEEMS TO GO
FOR HIM.
EVERYBODY LOVES A HERO.
HE LOOKS
A LITTLE DIFFERENT.
HE MUST HAVE GOT CUT UP
IN THAT ACCIDENT.
IS HE ANY GOOD?
IF HE EVER FIGHTS ME,
HE'LL REALLY KNOW
WHAT IT IS TO GET CUT UP.
[ BELL RINGS ]
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
RICHY HOPES TO BE BACK IN ACTION
IN THIS RING
IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE.
I THINK I'LL DROP IN
AT HALDEMAN'S GYM TOMORROW.
THAT BOY COULD BE
JUST WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR.
[ BELL RINGS ]
ALL RIGHT, FANS, HERE WE GO.
THIS IS THE MAIN EVENT
OF THE EVENING.
TEN ROUNDS OF BOXING.
VINCE, GO OUT TO THE CAR
AND GET ME A COUPLE
OF CIGARS, WILL YOU?
...FIGHTING
OUT OF THE DOWNTOWN GYM,
WEIGHING IN AT 144 POUNDS,
OLLIE JOHNSON.
[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ]
[ BELL RINGS DISTANTLY ]
AND HIS OPPONENT --
FROM HOUSTON, TEXAS, FIGHTING
OUT OF THE BLACK CORNER,
WEIGHING IN AT 142 POUNDS...
I'M SORRY, SIR.
THIS EXIT'S CLOSED.
NOT FOR ME, BABY.
I CAN'T LET YOU
IN THERE, SIR.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN?
I ALWAYS GO THROUGH HERE.
MY ORDERS ARE NOBODY USES
THIS TUNNEL DURING A FIGHT.
SO, NOW YOUR ORDERS
HAVE CHANGED.
I CAN'T LET YOU
IN THERE, SIR.
YOU DON'T SEEM
TO UNDERSTAND, FRIEND.
I GOT A PASS.
NOW, GET OUT OF MY WAY,
CLOWN!
[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ]
[ INDISTINCT SHOUTING ]
THAT'S IT, JOHNSON.
YOU'RE ROOTING
FOR THE WRONG GUY, HONEY.
JOHNSON'S A LOSER.
IF I DIDN'T KNOW BETTER,
I'D SAY JOHNSON
WAS OUT TO WIN.
DRISCOLL WILL FINISH HIM
ON SCHEDULE.
[ MIXED CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ]
[ BELL RINGS ]
[ BELL RINGS ]
Referee: 1...2...
3...4...
5...
6...
7...8...
9...10.
HOW DID WE COME OUT?
$188,000...
OR PRETTY CLOSE TO IT.
THAT WOULD MAKE
YOUR SHARE...
$94,000.
NOT BAD
FOR AN ELIMINATION BOUT.
[ BELL RINGS ]
ALL RIGHT, FANS,
WE HAVE THE TIME --
2 MINUTES, 49 SECONDS
IN ROUND NUMBER 3.
SCORING THE WIN BY KNOCKOUT,
TERRY DRISCOLL!
[ MIXED CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ]
Man: RICHY, IS IT TRUE
YOU'LL BE MAKING A COMEBACK?
Man: WHO DO YOU WANT
TO FIGHT FIRST?
WHAT ABOUT THOSE INJURIES
YOU GOT IN THE ARMY?
HEY, WAIT A MINUTE, FELLAS,
GIVE ME A CHANCE.
I HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT
TO MAKE.
YOU ALL KNOW
I WAS HURT PRETTY BAD.
THE DOCTORS SAID I'D
PROBABLY NEVER FIGHT AGAIN.
THEY'D HAVE BEEN RIGHT
IF IT HADN'T BEEN
FOR A GUY I WAS WITH
IN THE V.A. HOSPITAL.
HE TAUGHT ME WHAT COURAGE
AND DETERMINATION COULD DO.
I WANT YOU TO MEET MY
NEW MANAGER, LINK WEBSTER.
HI, HOW DO YOU DO?
HI. NICE TO MEET YOU.
RICH IS BEING MODEST.
I'M THE GUY HE PULLED OUT
OF THAT BURNING AIRPLANE.
AND, WELL, WHATEVER HE SAYS
I DID FOR HIM
IS NOTHING COMPARED TO
WHAT HE DID FOR ME.
ALL I KNOW IS THAT
A HUNDRED TIMES, I WANTED
TO THROW IN THE TOWEL,
BUT LINK TOLD ME
I WAS GOING TO FIGHT AGAIN.
AND THANKS TO HIM,
I'M GOING TO.
WHEN, RICHY?
WELL, AS SOON AS
WE CAN GET A MATCH.
MY FIGHTER'S IN GREAT SHAPE,
AND HE'S RARING TO GO.
IF YOU'LL EXCUSE US, I'VE
GOT A FIGHTER IN TRAINING,
AND HE NEEDS HIS SLEEP.
THANKS, FELLAS,
I'LL BE SEEING YOU.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU.
GOOD LUCK, RICHY.
I SEE THE SPORTSWRITERS
HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN HIM.
IF HE LOOKS AS GOOD
IN THE RING NOW
AS HE DID BEFORE HE WENT
INTO THE ARMY,
WE MAY HAVE OURSELVES
AN OPPONENT FOR STACZEK.
IT IS NOW.
THANKS FOR LAST NIGHT.
LOOK OUT!
THANKS.
IT'S OKAY.
HEY, WAIT.
HEY, WAIT!
WHAT KIND OF A GUY
IS THAT?
HE DOESN'T EVEN WANT
TO GIVE ME THE CHANCE
TO THANK HIM RIGHT.
ALL HE CARED ABOUT
WAS GETTING OUT
WITH HIS NIGHT'S TAKE
WITHOUT GETTING CAUGHT.
HEY, WAIT A MINUTE,
HE DROPPED HIS WALLET.
PICK HIM UP
FIRST THING IN THE MORNING.
[ MAN GRUNTING ]
[ BELL RINGS ]
Ernie:
MORNING, MR. BUCKMAN.
SEE THAT HE GETS
A REAL GOOD WORKOUT.
IF YOU LIKE THEM BULKY
AND NOT TOO BRIGHT,
HE'S REALLY
A PERFECT CHOICE.
OH, IT'S NOT HIM.
IT'S YOU.
OHHHH.
I JUST THOUGHT
IT WOULD BE MORE LADYLIKE
IF WE HAD
A MUTUAL ACQUAINTANCE.
MORE LADYLIKE?
THAN IF I CALLED YOU
ON THE PHONE
OR SHOWED UP
AT YOUR APARTMENT.
ALL RIGHT, I'M LISTENING.
YOU HAVE A LADY FRIEND
NAMED CONNIE.
GO ON.
WE GO
TO THE SAME HAIRDRESSER.
YOU KNOW HOW LADIES ARE
AT THE HAIRDRESSER.
THEY TALK ABOUT THEIR
HUSBANDS AND FRIENDS.
AND THE REST OF US KIND OF
LISTEN IN ON THE CONVERSATION.
DO YOU REALLY?
YOUR FRIEND, CONNIE, MADE
YOU SOUND SO FASCINATING
THAT I JUST
HAD TO MEET YOU.
Rollin: MOVE, MOVE, MOVE.
UNDER. GOOD. GO AHEAD.
BACK TO THE HEAD.
GOOD ONE.
MOVE. MOVE.
TO THE HEAD.
BACK TO THE HEAD.
GOOD. GO AHEAD. GOOD.
DON'T GO AWAY.
I'LL BE RIGHT BACK.
BACK TO THE HEAD.
GOOD ONE.
BOB, WEAVE.
MOVE, MOVE, MOVE.
KEEP YOUR LEFT UP.
LEFT UP!
KEEP YOUR ELBOW IN.
SNAP! SNAP!
GOOD ONE. GOOD ONE.
GOOD.
WEBSTER?
YEAH.
CHARLES BUCKMAN.
HOW ARE YOU?
I LIKE YOUR BOY HERE.
I MAY BE ABLE
TO GET HIM A MATCH.
YEAH, WHEN?
NOT SO FAST. I'D LIKE
TO SEE HIM IN ACTION FIRST.
HOW ABOUT A LITTLE MATCH
AT THE GYM HERE TOMORROW?
SURE. PUT HIM IN A RING
WITH STACZEK,
YOU'LL REALLY SEE
WHAT HE CAN DO.
HE'LL HAVE TO EARN THAT.
TOMORROW, IT'LL BE STEVENS.
2:00.
RIGHT.
AREN'T YOU FORGETTING
SOMETHING?
HMM?
MM. [ CHUCKLES ]
[ LOCK DISENGAGES ]
TAKE IT TO THE BODY.
TO THE HEAD.
GOOD ONE.
BOB. WEAVE. MOVE.
MOVE. MOVE.
GOOD. GOOD.
COMBINATION OFF THE JAB.
GOOD. OKAY, LET'S MOVE IT
AROUND A LITTLE.
MOVE. MOVE. MOVE.
UNDER.
GOOD.
MOVE. MOVE. UNDER.
MOVE. MOVE. MOVE.
GOOD.
UNDER. GOOD.
MOVE IT AROUND A LITTLE.
TIME.
YOU DROPPED THAT LAST NIGHT.
$1,000.
THIS ISN'T MINE.
IT IS NOW.
JUST MY WAY OF SAYING THANKS
FOR LAST NIGHT.
I'M SORRY IF VINCE
HAD TO GET ROUGH WITH YOU
IN THE HOTEL.
IT WAS MY FAULT,
BUT I WAS A LITTLE BIT EDGY.
THAT'S ALL RIGHT.
LOOK, MR. WHELAN,
THIS MEANS A LOT TO ME,
BUT A JOB WOULD MEAN
A LOT MORE.
IT'S KIND OF TOUGH FOR A GUY
WITH MY RECORD TO GET ONE.
WHAT WERE YOU IN FOR?
ARMED ROBBERY, SIX COUNTS.
WHAT KIND OF WORK
DID YOU DO INSIDE?
IN THE OFFICE,
UM, KIND OF AN ACCOUNTANT.
WHELAN.
I'VE GOT A NEW MAN FOR YOU.
HE CAN HANDLE FIGURES.
I'M SENDING HIM OVER
WITH VINCE.
[ RECEIVER CLICKS ]
UH, KEEP IT.
THAT WAS FOR LAST NIGHT.
WHAT YOU GET FROM NOW ON,
YOU EARN.
THANKS, MR. WHELAN.
THANKS A LOT.
JUST ONE THING.
YOU'LL BE HANDLING
A LOT OF MONEY.
DON'T EVER FORGET
WHOSE IT IS.
DON'T YOU WORRY.
TIME.
LET'S DO SOME PUSH-UPS.
ALL RIGHT,
DELAWARE JUST CLOSED.
KEEP YOUR EARS OPEN.
ALL RIGHT.
[ TELEPHONES RING ]
Man:
...THE AGGIES' QUARTERBACK...
ALL RIGHT, JIMMY, CHANGE
THE SPREAD ON THE AGGIES.
MAKE THEM
7 1/2 FAVORITES, HUH?
WHAT ARE THE ODDS ON BRONSKI
AND CARSON AT THE GARDEN?
SIX TO FIVE. PICK 'EM.
HEY, ALLEN, GO TO
THREE TO TWO ON BRONSKI.
I WANT IT FOUR TO ONE
BY FIGHT TIME.
YES.
HEY, EMMETT.
LET'S GO.
NOW, WE START EVERYONE OFF
AT ONE OF THE WINDOWS.
THERE'S LESS CHANCE
FOR MISTAKES THAT WAY.
BUT WHEREVER YOU ARE,
KEEP AN EAR ON THE P.A.
AND AN EYE ON THE BOARD.
NOW, THIS IS
FOR MAKING CHANGE ONLY.
ALL BETS GO INTO THE SLOT.
ANY BET WITH MORE
THAN A $5,000 PAYOFF
REQUIRES THE APPROVAL
OF A FLOORMAN OR MYSELF.
ALL THE BETS
ARE RECORDED ON THESE.
PINK COPY
GOES TO THE CUSTOMER.
THAT'S HIS RECEIPT.
THE YELLOW COPY GOES
INTO THE SLOT WITH THE BET.
THE WHITE COPY YOU TURN IN
AT THE END OF YOUR SHIFT.
AND HEAVEN HELP YOU
IF THEY DON'T ALL TALLY.
DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
YEAH.
GOOD.
TIME.
[ EXHALES DEEPLY ]
REAL GOOD.
GO GET COOLED OFF, HMM?
STEVENS?
BARNEY CAN'T GET INTO THE RING
WITH STEVENS.
HE'D GET KILLED.
I'M SORRY, BARNEY.
YOU'RE GOOD, BUT YOU'RE
NO MATCH FOR STEVENS.
HE'D BE
THE NUMBER-ONE CONTENDER,
MAYBE CHAMPION IF THEY
WOULD GIVE HIM THE BOUTS.
YEAH, WE KNOW THAT,
RICHY.
THAT'S WHY WE'RE GOING
TO GIVE BARNEY SOME HELP.
WE'RE GOING
TO SLOW STEVENS DOWN.
YOU MEAN DOPE HIM?
WELL, IT'S, UH,
IT'S A KIND OF GAS, RICHY,
BUT IT'S HARMLESS.
IT'S ALSO ODORLESS,
TASTELESS, AND COLORLESS.
AND THE FASTER HE MOVES,
THE QUICKER
IT'LL TAKE EFFECT.
LET ME SHOW YOU SOMETHING.
SEE, IT'S ALL IN HERE.
BARNEY, REMEMBER,
WE DON'T KNOW
WHICH CORNER STEVENS WILL BE IN.
DOESN'T MATTER, ROLLIN.
THIS IS RIGGED TO WORK
IN ANY CORNER.
NOW, WAIT A MINUTE.
YOU PROMISED ME THERE WOULD BE
NO FIX, NO FUNNY STUFF.
I PROMISED YOU THAT
WE WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING
TO PUT A MARK
AGAINST YOUR NAME.
BUT THIS ISN'T A REAL FIGHT.
IT DOESN'T GO
IN THE RECORD BOOKS.
THERE'S NO MONEY BET.
IT'S ONLY TO CONVINCE BUCKMAN.
WE'VE GOT TO.
IT'S OUR ONLY WAY.
OKAY...
BUT THIS IS THE LAST TIME.
THAT'S OUR DEAL, RICHY.
NOW, WHAT TIME'S
THE GYM CLOSE, WILLY?
8:00, BUT THE CLEAN-UP MAN
SLEEPS IN THERE.
HE'S AN OLD FIGHTER BY THE
NAME OF JOHNNY "KID" WILSON.
ROLLIN?
RICHY, TELL ME EVERYTHING
YOU KNOW ABOUT HIM.
ANY OF THE FIGHTS HE'S HAD,
ANY STORIES ABOUT HIM...
HOW ARE YOU DOING
WITH BUCKMAN?
A LITTLE HECTIC --
HE'S CLOSING A DEAL RIGHT NOW
FOR SOME EAST EUROPEAN
SOCCER TEAM.
AND THEN WE'RE LEAVING
IN HALF AN HOUR
FOR PHILADELPHIA
FOR TONIGHT'S FIGHT.
THE ONLY PROBLEM
I'M HAVING
IS BREAKING
FROM THE CLINCHES.
Man on Radio:
TOP OF THE SIXTH INNING.
[ KNOCKING ON DOOR ]
RUNNERS ON FIRST AND SECOND
AND ONLY ONE OUT.
WILSON, THE PITCHER, HAS...
[ KNOCKING CONTINUES ]
ALL RIGHT.
THE COUNT HAS GONE TO 3 AND 1.
[ KNOCKING CONTINUES ]
ALL RIGHT!
I'M COMING!
...OF PERSPIRATION.
HE'S READY NOW, BUT ECCLES
CALLS TIME AND STEPS UP.
ALL RIGHT!
HE'S BACK IN NOW,
AND WILSON IS READY.
I'M RICHY LEMOINE'S
MANAGER.
I LEFT MY MONEY CLIP
IN HIS LOCKER.
[ BALL THUMPS AGAINST BAT ]
AND IT'S
A HARD-HIT GROUND BALL --
UP THE MIDDLE.
THEY'RE ALL...
YOU'RE GOING TO
HAVE TO OPEN IT FOR ME.
RICHY'S GOT THE KEY.
COME ON.
AND THEY GET THE FORCE
AT SECOND BASE.
RUNNERS ON FIRST AND THIRD NOW
AND TWO MEN OUT.
[ BASEBALL GAME SHUTS OFF ]
HEY, HEY!
WAIT A MINUTE.
WAIT A MINUTE.
COME OVER HERE.
YEAH! YOU'RE "KID" WILSON.
JOHNNY "KID" WILSON, RIGHT?
I SAW YOU FIGHT COATES
IN THE GARDEN.
WHAT WAS THAT?
10, 12 YEARS AGO?
YEAH, YEAH, 1954,
J-JANUARY 20th, RIGHT.
YOU HIT LIKE A MULE.
YEAH, YEAH.
GREAT COMBINATION --
LEFT, RIGHT.
YEAH. LEFT, RIGHT.
RIGHT. RIGHT.
F-F-FORTY-SIX FIGHTS.
F-F-FORTY-SIX FIGHTS.
T-T-THIRTY-TWO KNOCKOUTS.
I-I-I FOUGHT 'EM ALL,
RIGHT?
MACHLIN. MACHLIN, HUH?
6'2", HUH? BIG, STRONG.
BROKE YOUR THUMB
IN THAT FIGHT, RIGHT?
RIGHT, RIGHT, LEFT THUMB,
FIRST ROUND.
I-I COULDN'T USE IT ANYMORE.
ONLY, ONLY USE THE RIGHT
THE REST OF THEM.
Wesley: JOHNNY?
JOHNNY?
LISTEN, GET OUT OF HERE.
GET OUT OF HERE,
WILL YOU?
JOHNNY?
OH, THERE YOU ARE.
WE'RE GOING TO BE USING
THE PLACE FOR A WHILE.
HEY, FELLAS, PUT ONE
OF THOSE BENCHES UP THERE.
WE'LL USE IT
FOR A BACKSTOP.
$100, HE LOSE.
I'LL TAKE A HALF.
I'LL TAKE
THE OTHER HALF.
WHO ARE YOU?
MANAGER.
LEMOINE'S MANAGER.
H-H-HE SAID HE LEFT
HIS DOUGH IN RICHY'S LOCKER.
ALWAYS ROOM
FOR A LITTLE FRESH BLOOD.
FOUR. TWO TO ONE
HE DON'T MAKE IT.
HALF.
I'LL TAKE THE OTHER HALF.
SEVEN.
$100, HE LOSE.
$50.
ALL RIGHT,
DON'T JUST STAND THERE.
GO GET IT.
[ "MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE" THEME
PLAYS ]
PLAYS ]
YOU GOT A FIVE-EIGHTHS
HORSEPOWER?
Man: GOOD MORNING, MR. PHELPS.
THE MAN YOU'RE LOOKING AT
IS CHARLES BUCKMAN,
WHO IS ATTEMPTING TO OBTAIN
A STRANGLEHOLD
ON ALL FORMS OF PROFESSIONAL
AND AMATEUR SPORTS.
IF HE SUCCEEDS,
THE U.S. WILL BE OSTRACIZED
FROM THE WORLD COMMUNITY
OF ATHLETICS
AND OUR ENEMIES
HANDED A PROPAGANDA WEAPON
OF IMMEASURABLE VALUE.
BUCKMAN'S MAIN FINANCING
COMES FROM BOXING.
HE WORKS IN ASSOCIATION
WITH THIS MAN,
DAN WHELAN, WHOSE SYNDICATE
CONTROLS THE BETTING
ON THE FIGHTS BUCKMAN RIGS.
YOUR MISSION, JIM,
SHOULD YOU DECIDE TO ACCEPT IT,
IS TO ELIMINATE BUCKMAN
AND HIS PLAN, ONCE AND FOR ALL.
AS ALWAYS, SHOULD YOU OR ANY
OF YOUR I.M. FORCE
BE CAUGHT OR KILLED,
THE SECRETARY WILL DISAVOW
ANY KNOWLEDGE OF YOUR ACTIONS.
PLEASE DISPOSE OF THIS
RECORDING IN THE USUAL MANNER.
GOOD LUCK, JIM.
IF THAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE
FUNNY, IT DOESN'T MAKE IT.
NO, THERE'S NOTHING FUNNY
ABOUT ANY OF THIS, RICHY.
A FEW YEARS AGO,
BEFORE YOU WENT IN THE ARMY,
YOU WERE
A TOP-RATED CONTENDER.
I WANT YOU TO MAKE A COMEBACK.
I WANT YOU
TO WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP.
I DON'T GET IT.
DIDN'T THEY TELL YOU?
I COULDN'T PUNCH MY WAY OUT
OF A WET PAPER BAG WITH THESE.
I KNOW ABOUT
YOUR HANDS, RICHY.
I KNOW HOW YOU BURNED THEM
RESCUING THAT PILOT.
THEN WHAT
ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?
I'M TALKING ABOUT
PUTTING RICHY LEMOINE
IN THE RECORD BOOK
AND BOXING BACK
IN THE HANDS OF HONEST MEN.
SOMEBODY ELSE FIGHTS FOR ME?
MM-HMM.
HOW DO YOU KNOW
THIS FIGHTER OF YOURS CAN WIN?
WE'LL SEE THAT HE DOES.
THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT.
FORGET IT.
NOW, WAIT A MINUTE, RICHY...
NO, Y WAIT.
I WAS NEVER A PART
OF A FIXED FIGHT IN MY LIFE,
AND I WON'T BE NOW.
SUPPOSE I GIVE YOU MY WORD
THAT NO FIGHT THAT GOES
INTO THE RECORD WILL BE FIXED?
AT LEAST NOT FROM OUR END.
THEN YOU MIGHT HAVE A DEAL.
YEAH, I CAN MAKE BARNEY
LOOK ENOUGH LIKE RICHY
TO GET BY WITH IT.
DON'T FORGET, ROLLIN,
I'VE GOT TO TAKE A LOT
OF PUNCHES.
DON'T WORRY, BARNEY.
I PROMISE YOU, YOUR FACE
WILL HOLD TOGETHER.
OKAY. SO, HE CAN
LOOK THE PART.
BUT HAS HE EVER DONE
ANY FIGHTING?
HE WAS 6th FLEET CHAMPION.
THAT WAS
A FEW YEARS AGO, JIM.
YOU LOOK LIKE
YOU'RE IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE.
I'M STILL GOING TO NEED
A LOT OF HELP.
YOU'LL GET PLENTY.
CINNAMON, WERE YOU ABLE TO
CHECK OUT ANY
OF BUCKMAN'S GIRLFRIENDS?
ONE OF THEM HAS HER HAIR
DONE TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS.
I NOW GO
TO THE SAME HAIRDRESSER.
ROLLIN, HOW ABOUT THE ACCIDENT?
WHELAN ALWAYS USES
THE EMPLOYEES' TUNNEL
TO GET FROM THE PARKING LOT
TO THE ARENA.
AND THE STEAM HEAT LINES
ARE IN THE SAME TUNNEL.
WELL, THAT'S IT, THEN.
BUCKMAN'S BEEN LOOKING
FOR A LIKELY CONTENDER
TO MATCH WITH STACZEK.
LET'S GIVE HIM ONE.
MOVE!
[ BELL RINGS ]
HOW'S HE DOING?
FINE, MR. BUCKMAN.
FINE.
HIS SPARRING PARTNER
KNOW WHAT TO DO?
YES, SIR.
YOU BET HE DOES.
ALL RIGHT.
YOU TELL ERNIE
I WANT TO SEE HIM
OPEN UP THIS ROUND.
[ BELL RINGS ]
LOOKS PRETTY GOOD
TO ME, MR. BUCKMAN.
FOR A STREET FIGHTER.
HE DOESN'T KNOW THE FIRST
THING ABOUT BOXING.
Man: ALL RIGHT, RICK,
YOU KNOW
WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO.
[ BELL RINGS ]
THAT'S WHAT
THE CROWD'S PAID FOR,
EVER SINCE
THE EARLY ROMAN GAMES --
KILLER INSTINCT.
YOU LOOK LIKE
A CHAMPION, ERNIE.
I'M READY, MR. BUCKMAN.
I'M REALLY READY.
SQUAT THRUSTS.
[ BELL RINGS ]
YOU'RE WORKING HARD,
ARTIE.
I DECIDED YOU DESERVE
A LITTLE BONUS,
SO I PUT A BET DOWN
FOR YOU.
GOOD ODDS.
MR. BUCKMAN,
THIS BET'S ON DRISCOLL.
THAT'S RIGHT.
HE'S GOING TO WIN THE FIGHT.
LOOK, MR. BUCKMAN,
I CAN BEAT DRISCOLL,
AND I'M GOING TO.
LET'S NOT ARGUE
ABOUT IT HERE, ARTIE.
WESLEY WILL BE AROUND
FOR A WHILE.
YOU COME UP TO MY OFFICE
WITH HIM THIS AFTERNOON.
WE'LL DISCUSS IT THERE.
TAKE ADVANTAGE
OF YOUR SIZE.
COME ON. PUMP.
JAB.
STEP.
GOOD.
KEEP THAT LEFT UP.
GOOD. GOOD.
COME ON. STICK ME.
THAT'S TOO HIGH.
SLOW MOTION.
RIGHT HERE,
SO YOU CAN HOOK IT.
THAT'S IT.
GOOD.
JAB.
LOOSEN UP.
LOOSE. LOOSE.
TIME.
YOU LOOK GOOD, BARNEY,
BUT THAT'S NOT MY STYLE.
GET OUT OF THAT CROUCH.
STRAIGHTEN UP.
I'M SORRY, RICHY.
IT'S JUST THAT'S THE WAY
I'VE ALWAYS FOUGHT.
BUT THAT'S NOT THE WAY
RICHY LEMOINE FIGHTS.
JAB, JAB, JAB.
KEEP MOVING.
IN AND OUT. IN AND OUT.
QUICK COMBINATIONS.
AND DON'T DROP THAT LEFT.
NOW, GO TRY IT AGAIN.
OKAY.
AND BOBBY, STAY ON HIM
LIKE STACZEK WILL.
HE'S A BRAWLER. HE PRESSES.
SO, SWING FROM THE FLOOR.
AND IF HE DROPS THAT LEFT
AGAIN, BANG HIM ONE.
YOU GOT IT, RICH.
PUMP.
MOVE AWAY.
DOUBLE UP.
GOOD.
MOVE AWAY.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
FIND THAT GLOVE.
HE'LL NEVER MAKE IT.
BUT HE'S GOT TO MAKE IT.
GOOD SHOT.
DON'T STOP THAT.
HE'LL KEEP HIS RIGHT HAND
UP NOW AND HIS LEFT.
HOW DO YOU FEEL?
I'VE FELT BETTER.
HIS LIP'S CUT.
YOU'RE KIDDING. FIX IT.
YOU'RE HIS HANDLER.
YOU MIGHT AS WELL
LEARN HOW NOW.
YOU'LL KEEP THAT LEFT HAND
UP NOW, WON'T YOU?
YOU'RE RIGHT, BOBBY.
I WON'T DO IT.
I DON'T CARE WHAT KIND
OF CONTRACT YOU GOT,
I DON'T GO IN THE TANK
FOR ANYONE.
HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A MAN
TRY TO CLIMB INTO THE RING
WITH TWO BROKEN LEGS, ARTIE?
MR. BUCKMAN, IF ONE OF
YOUR GOONS LAYS A HAND ON ME,
I SWEAR, I'M GOING STRAIGHT
TO THE BOXING COMMISSION.
WESLEY, WE HAVE HERE
A YOUNG MAN
OF GENUINE INTEGRITY.
THAT'S A QUALITY
I ADMIRE, ARTIE.
THAT'S WHY I'M GOING
TO TEAR THIS CONTRACT UP.
YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN NOW.
GOOD LUCK TO YOU.
DO YOU MEAN IT, MR. BUCKMAN?
IF YOU KNOW ANYTHING
ABOUT ME, ARTIE,
YOU KNOW I DON'T PLAY GAMES.
WESLEY, SEE THAT HE GETS OUT
ALL RIGHT, WILL YOU?
[ DOOR CLOSES ]
[ THUMPS DESK ]
WHAT ARE YOU
GOING TO DO NOW, KID?
I DON'T KNOW.
TRY TO GET A MATCH
SOMEWHERE, I SUPPOSE.
OH, THAT ONE'S
OUT OF ORDER.
WELL...WELL,
THERE'S A GUY IN JERSEY
WHO WORKS WITH A PROMOTER
OUT WEST...I KNOW.
I THINK I'VE GOT HIS CARD
HERE SOMEPLACE.
HOLD IT.
AAAAAHH!
[ HORN HONKS ]
HOW LONG YOU GOING
TO KEEP ME WAITING?
SEE YOU LATER.
[ CAR DOOR CLOSES ]
[ ENGINE TURNS OVER ]
YEAH, LOOKS GOOD.
WILL IT STAY ON?
IF HIS HEAD DOES.
THANKS A LOT.
IT'S A THICK PIPE, JIM.
IT'LL BE A LONG,
TOUGH JOB.
YES, IT WILL.
AND I THINK
IT'LL HELP ME
GET AN EASIER JOB
WITH DAN WHELAN.
I TOLD YOU BEFORE,
CHARLIE,
TAKE IT EASY
ON THE ROUGH STUFF.
I'VE TOLD YOU BEFORE,
YOU DON'T RUN MY BUSINESS.
WHICH REMINDS ME,
I'VE DECIDED TO BUY MYSELF
A SOCCER TEAM.
WHY SOCCER?
BECAUSE IT'S THE BIGGEST SPORT
IN THE WORLD,
OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES.
IN ANY EVENT,
IT'S, UH, COSTING ME MONEY.
SO FROM NOW ON,
MY SHARE OF YOUR PROFITS
IS RAISED TO HALF.
OUT OF THE QUESTION.
DAN, YOUR ORGANIZATION
IS IN THE BETTING BUSINESS.
BEFORE LONG, I'LL CONTROL
MOST OF THE SPORTING EVENTS
PUT ON IN THIS COUNTRY
AND A GREAT MANY
OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY.
BECAUSE OF ME, YOU DON'T
HAVE TO FIGURE THE WINNERS.
YOU KNOW.
NOW, WHERE ELSE ARE YOU GOING
TO FIND AN EDGE LIKE THAT?
OKAY, CHARLIE.
OKAY.
JUST DON'T GET TOO GREEDY.
DON'T DROP THAT LEFT HAND.
PUMP.
SHARP.
DOUBLE UP.
THAT'S IT.
NICE.
GOOD. THAT'S IT.
THAT'S IT!
Rollin: TIME!
Lemoine: BEAUTIFUL.
[ PANTING ]
HOW DO YOU FEEL,
BARNEY?
I DIDN'T KNOW
YOU COULD GET THIS TIRED.
YOU WENT SIX ROUNDS.
YOU'RE STILL ON YOUR FEET.
JUST BARELY.
NO, THAT'S GREAT, BARNEY.
YOU GET SHOWERED NOW.
ROLLIN, GET HIM READY
FOR TONIGHT.
WILLY, WE GOT
TO GET OUT OF HERE.
COME ON.
BOBBY,
THANKS FOR EVERYTHING.
MY PLEASURE, BARNEY.
[ INDISTINCT SHOUTING ]
[ BELL RINGS ]
[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ]
LOOKS LIKE ERNIE IS DOING
PRETTY WELL FOR HIMSELF.
WHO IS SHE?
I DON'T KNOW.
SHE WALKED INTO THE GYM
ONE DAY
AND PICKED HERSELF
A GLADIATOR.
YOU KNOW THE TYPE.
[ BELL RINGS ]
IN A VERY GOOD SEMI-MAIN EVENT,
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
WE HAVE A UNANIMOUS DECISION.
AND THE WINNER,
YOUNG DANNY OLVERA.
[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ]
HOW'S THE BETTING
ON THE MAIN EVENT?
NOT AS GOOD AS IT WOULD
HAVE BEEN WITH CALVITOS,
BUT WE'LL DO ALL RIGHT.
SO WILL YOU.
[ BELL RINGS ]
FANS, THERE'S A YOUNG MAN
AT RINGSIDE YOU'LL ALL REMEMBER.
RECENTLY OUT OF THE SERVICE,
AND NOW BACK WITH US,
OUR OWN RICHY LEMOINE.
LET'S BRING HIM IN HERE.
[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ]
I REMEMBER THAT KID.
HE WAS A CLASSY FIGHTER.
THE CROWD SEEMS TO GO
FOR HIM.
EVERYBODY LOVES A HERO.
HE LOOKS
A LITTLE DIFFERENT.
HE MUST HAVE GOT CUT UP
IN THAT ACCIDENT.
IS HE ANY GOOD?
IF HE EVER FIGHTS ME,
HE'LL REALLY KNOW
WHAT IT IS TO GET CUT UP.
[ BELL RINGS ]
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
RICHY HOPES TO BE BACK IN ACTION
IN THIS RING
IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE.
I THINK I'LL DROP IN
AT HALDEMAN'S GYM TOMORROW.
THAT BOY COULD BE
JUST WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR.
[ BELL RINGS ]
ALL RIGHT, FANS, HERE WE GO.
THIS IS THE MAIN EVENT
OF THE EVENING.
TEN ROUNDS OF BOXING.
VINCE, GO OUT TO THE CAR
AND GET ME A COUPLE
OF CIGARS, WILL YOU?
...FIGHTING
OUT OF THE DOWNTOWN GYM,
WEIGHING IN AT 144 POUNDS,
OLLIE JOHNSON.
[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ]
[ BELL RINGS DISTANTLY ]
AND HIS OPPONENT --
FROM HOUSTON, TEXAS, FIGHTING
OUT OF THE BLACK CORNER,
WEIGHING IN AT 142 POUNDS...
I'M SORRY, SIR.
THIS EXIT'S CLOSED.
NOT FOR ME, BABY.
I CAN'T LET YOU
IN THERE, SIR.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN?
I ALWAYS GO THROUGH HERE.
MY ORDERS ARE NOBODY USES
THIS TUNNEL DURING A FIGHT.
SO, NOW YOUR ORDERS
HAVE CHANGED.
I CAN'T LET YOU
IN THERE, SIR.
YOU DON'T SEEM
TO UNDERSTAND, FRIEND.
I GOT A PASS.
NOW, GET OUT OF MY WAY,
CLOWN!
[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ]
[ INDISTINCT SHOUTING ]
THAT'S IT, JOHNSON.
YOU'RE ROOTING
FOR THE WRONG GUY, HONEY.
JOHNSON'S A LOSER.
IF I DIDN'T KNOW BETTER,
I'D SAY JOHNSON
WAS OUT TO WIN.
DRISCOLL WILL FINISH HIM
ON SCHEDULE.
[ MIXED CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ]
[ BELL RINGS ]
[ BELL RINGS ]
Referee: 1...2...
3...4...
5...
6...
7...8...
9...10.
HOW DID WE COME OUT?
$188,000...
OR PRETTY CLOSE TO IT.
THAT WOULD MAKE
YOUR SHARE...
$94,000.
NOT BAD
FOR AN ELIMINATION BOUT.
[ BELL RINGS ]
ALL RIGHT, FANS,
WE HAVE THE TIME --
2 MINUTES, 49 SECONDS
IN ROUND NUMBER 3.
SCORING THE WIN BY KNOCKOUT,
TERRY DRISCOLL!
[ MIXED CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ]
Man: RICHY, IS IT TRUE
YOU'LL BE MAKING A COMEBACK?
Man: WHO DO YOU WANT
TO FIGHT FIRST?
WHAT ABOUT THOSE INJURIES
YOU GOT IN THE ARMY?
HEY, WAIT A MINUTE, FELLAS,
GIVE ME A CHANCE.
I HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT
TO MAKE.
YOU ALL KNOW
I WAS HURT PRETTY BAD.
THE DOCTORS SAID I'D
PROBABLY NEVER FIGHT AGAIN.
THEY'D HAVE BEEN RIGHT
IF IT HADN'T BEEN
FOR A GUY I WAS WITH
IN THE V.A. HOSPITAL.
HE TAUGHT ME WHAT COURAGE
AND DETERMINATION COULD DO.
I WANT YOU TO MEET MY
NEW MANAGER, LINK WEBSTER.
HI, HOW DO YOU DO?
HI. NICE TO MEET YOU.
RICH IS BEING MODEST.
I'M THE GUY HE PULLED OUT
OF THAT BURNING AIRPLANE.
AND, WELL, WHATEVER HE SAYS
I DID FOR HIM
IS NOTHING COMPARED TO
WHAT HE DID FOR ME.
ALL I KNOW IS THAT
A HUNDRED TIMES, I WANTED
TO THROW IN THE TOWEL,
BUT LINK TOLD ME
I WAS GOING TO FIGHT AGAIN.
AND THANKS TO HIM,
I'M GOING TO.
WHEN, RICHY?
WELL, AS SOON AS
WE CAN GET A MATCH.
MY FIGHTER'S IN GREAT SHAPE,
AND HE'S RARING TO GO.
IF YOU'LL EXCUSE US, I'VE
GOT A FIGHTER IN TRAINING,
AND HE NEEDS HIS SLEEP.
THANKS, FELLAS,
I'LL BE SEEING YOU.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU.
GOOD LUCK, RICHY.
I SEE THE SPORTSWRITERS
HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN HIM.
IF HE LOOKS AS GOOD
IN THE RING NOW
AS HE DID BEFORE HE WENT
INTO THE ARMY,
WE MAY HAVE OURSELVES
AN OPPONENT FOR STACZEK.
IT IS NOW.
THANKS FOR LAST NIGHT.
LOOK OUT!
THANKS.
IT'S OKAY.
HEY, WAIT.
HEY, WAIT!
WHAT KIND OF A GUY
IS THAT?
HE DOESN'T EVEN WANT
TO GIVE ME THE CHANCE
TO THANK HIM RIGHT.
ALL HE CARED ABOUT
WAS GETTING OUT
WITH HIS NIGHT'S TAKE
WITHOUT GETTING CAUGHT.
HEY, WAIT A MINUTE,
HE DROPPED HIS WALLET.
PICK HIM UP
FIRST THING IN THE MORNING.
[ MAN GRUNTING ]
[ BELL RINGS ]
Ernie:
MORNING, MR. BUCKMAN.
SEE THAT HE GETS
A REAL GOOD WORKOUT.
IF YOU LIKE THEM BULKY
AND NOT TOO BRIGHT,
HE'S REALLY
A PERFECT CHOICE.
OH, IT'S NOT HIM.
IT'S YOU.
OHHHH.
I JUST THOUGHT
IT WOULD BE MORE LADYLIKE
IF WE HAD
A MUTUAL ACQUAINTANCE.
MORE LADYLIKE?
THAN IF I CALLED YOU
ON THE PHONE
OR SHOWED UP
AT YOUR APARTMENT.
ALL RIGHT, I'M LISTENING.
YOU HAVE A LADY FRIEND
NAMED CONNIE.
GO ON.
WE GO
TO THE SAME HAIRDRESSER.
YOU KNOW HOW LADIES ARE
AT THE HAIRDRESSER.
THEY TALK ABOUT THEIR
HUSBANDS AND FRIENDS.
AND THE REST OF US KIND OF
LISTEN IN ON THE CONVERSATION.
DO YOU REALLY?
YOUR FRIEND, CONNIE, MADE
YOU SOUND SO FASCINATING
THAT I JUST
HAD TO MEET YOU.
Rollin: MOVE, MOVE, MOVE.
UNDER. GOOD. GO AHEAD.
BACK TO THE HEAD.
GOOD ONE.
MOVE. MOVE.
TO THE HEAD.
BACK TO THE HEAD.
GOOD. GO AHEAD. GOOD.
DON'T GO AWAY.
I'LL BE RIGHT BACK.
BACK TO THE HEAD.
GOOD ONE.
BOB, WEAVE.
MOVE, MOVE, MOVE.
KEEP YOUR LEFT UP.
LEFT UP!
KEEP YOUR ELBOW IN.
SNAP! SNAP!
GOOD ONE. GOOD ONE.
GOOD.
WEBSTER?
YEAH.
CHARLES BUCKMAN.
HOW ARE YOU?
I LIKE YOUR BOY HERE.
I MAY BE ABLE
TO GET HIM A MATCH.
YEAH, WHEN?
NOT SO FAST. I'D LIKE
TO SEE HIM IN ACTION FIRST.
HOW ABOUT A LITTLE MATCH
AT THE GYM HERE TOMORROW?
SURE. PUT HIM IN A RING
WITH STACZEK,
YOU'LL REALLY SEE
WHAT HE CAN DO.
HE'LL HAVE TO EARN THAT.
TOMORROW, IT'LL BE STEVENS.
2:00.
RIGHT.
AREN'T YOU FORGETTING
SOMETHING?
HMM?
MM. [ CHUCKLES ]
[ LOCK DISENGAGES ]
TAKE IT TO THE BODY.
TO THE HEAD.
GOOD ONE.
BOB. WEAVE. MOVE.
MOVE. MOVE.
GOOD. GOOD.
COMBINATION OFF THE JAB.
GOOD. OKAY, LET'S MOVE IT
AROUND A LITTLE.
MOVE. MOVE. MOVE.
UNDER.
GOOD.
MOVE. MOVE. UNDER.
MOVE. MOVE. MOVE.
GOOD.
UNDER. GOOD.
MOVE IT AROUND A LITTLE.
TIME.
YOU DROPPED THAT LAST NIGHT.
$1,000.
THIS ISN'T MINE.
IT IS NOW.
JUST MY WAY OF SAYING THANKS
FOR LAST NIGHT.
I'M SORRY IF VINCE
HAD TO GET ROUGH WITH YOU
IN THE HOTEL.
IT WAS MY FAULT,
BUT I WAS A LITTLE BIT EDGY.
THAT'S ALL RIGHT.
LOOK, MR. WHELAN,
THIS MEANS A LOT TO ME,
BUT A JOB WOULD MEAN
A LOT MORE.
IT'S KIND OF TOUGH FOR A GUY
WITH MY RECORD TO GET ONE.
WHAT WERE YOU IN FOR?
ARMED ROBBERY, SIX COUNTS.
WHAT KIND OF WORK
DID YOU DO INSIDE?
IN THE OFFICE,
UM, KIND OF AN ACCOUNTANT.
WHELAN.
I'VE GOT A NEW MAN FOR YOU.
HE CAN HANDLE FIGURES.
I'M SENDING HIM OVER
WITH VINCE.
[ RECEIVER CLICKS ]
UH, KEEP IT.
THAT WAS FOR LAST NIGHT.
WHAT YOU GET FROM NOW ON,
YOU EARN.
THANKS, MR. WHELAN.
THANKS A LOT.
JUST ONE THING.
YOU'LL BE HANDLING
A LOT OF MONEY.
DON'T EVER FORGET
WHOSE IT IS.
DON'T YOU WORRY.
TIME.
LET'S DO SOME PUSH-UPS.
ALL RIGHT,
DELAWARE JUST CLOSED.
KEEP YOUR EARS OPEN.
ALL RIGHT.
[ TELEPHONES RING ]
Man:
...THE AGGIES' QUARTERBACK...
ALL RIGHT, JIMMY, CHANGE
THE SPREAD ON THE AGGIES.
MAKE THEM
7 1/2 FAVORITES, HUH?
WHAT ARE THE ODDS ON BRONSKI
AND CARSON AT THE GARDEN?
SIX TO FIVE. PICK 'EM.
HEY, ALLEN, GO TO
THREE TO TWO ON BRONSKI.
I WANT IT FOUR TO ONE
BY FIGHT TIME.
YES.
HEY, EMMETT.
LET'S GO.
NOW, WE START EVERYONE OFF
AT ONE OF THE WINDOWS.
THERE'S LESS CHANCE
FOR MISTAKES THAT WAY.
BUT WHEREVER YOU ARE,
KEEP AN EAR ON THE P.A.
AND AN EYE ON THE BOARD.
NOW, THIS IS
FOR MAKING CHANGE ONLY.
ALL BETS GO INTO THE SLOT.
ANY BET WITH MORE
THAN A $5,000 PAYOFF
REQUIRES THE APPROVAL
OF A FLOORMAN OR MYSELF.
ALL THE BETS
ARE RECORDED ON THESE.
PINK COPY
GOES TO THE CUSTOMER.
THAT'S HIS RECEIPT.
THE YELLOW COPY GOES
INTO THE SLOT WITH THE BET.
THE WHITE COPY YOU TURN IN
AT THE END OF YOUR SHIFT.
AND HEAVEN HELP YOU
IF THEY DON'T ALL TALLY.
DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
YEAH.
GOOD.
TIME.
[ EXHALES DEEPLY ]
REAL GOOD.
GO GET COOLED OFF, HMM?
STEVENS?
BARNEY CAN'T GET INTO THE RING
WITH STEVENS.
HE'D GET KILLED.
I'M SORRY, BARNEY.
YOU'RE GOOD, BUT YOU'RE
NO MATCH FOR STEVENS.
HE'D BE
THE NUMBER-ONE CONTENDER,
MAYBE CHAMPION IF THEY
WOULD GIVE HIM THE BOUTS.
YEAH, WE KNOW THAT,
RICHY.
THAT'S WHY WE'RE GOING
TO GIVE BARNEY SOME HELP.
WE'RE GOING
TO SLOW STEVENS DOWN.
YOU MEAN DOPE HIM?
WELL, IT'S, UH,
IT'S A KIND OF GAS, RICHY,
BUT IT'S HARMLESS.
IT'S ALSO ODORLESS,
TASTELESS, AND COLORLESS.
AND THE FASTER HE MOVES,
THE QUICKER
IT'LL TAKE EFFECT.
LET ME SHOW YOU SOMETHING.
SEE, IT'S ALL IN HERE.
BARNEY, REMEMBER,
WE DON'T KNOW
WHICH CORNER STEVENS WILL BE IN.
DOESN'T MATTER, ROLLIN.
THIS IS RIGGED TO WORK
IN ANY CORNER.
NOW, WAIT A MINUTE.
YOU PROMISED ME THERE WOULD BE
NO FIX, NO FUNNY STUFF.
I PROMISED YOU THAT
WE WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING
TO PUT A MARK
AGAINST YOUR NAME.
BUT THIS ISN'T A REAL FIGHT.
IT DOESN'T GO
IN THE RECORD BOOKS.
THERE'S NO MONEY BET.
IT'S ONLY TO CONVINCE BUCKMAN.
WE'VE GOT TO.
IT'S OUR ONLY WAY.
OKAY...
BUT THIS IS THE LAST TIME.
THAT'S OUR DEAL, RICHY.
NOW, WHAT TIME'S
THE GYM CLOSE, WILLY?
8:00, BUT THE CLEAN-UP MAN
SLEEPS IN THERE.
HE'S AN OLD FIGHTER BY THE
NAME OF JOHNNY "KID" WILSON.
ROLLIN?
RICHY, TELL ME EVERYTHING
YOU KNOW ABOUT HIM.
ANY OF THE FIGHTS HE'S HAD,
ANY STORIES ABOUT HIM...
HOW ARE YOU DOING
WITH BUCKMAN?
A LITTLE HECTIC --
HE'S CLOSING A DEAL RIGHT NOW
FOR SOME EAST EUROPEAN
SOCCER TEAM.
AND THEN WE'RE LEAVING
IN HALF AN HOUR
FOR PHILADELPHIA
FOR TONIGHT'S FIGHT.
THE ONLY PROBLEM
I'M HAVING
IS BREAKING
FROM THE CLINCHES.
Man on Radio:
TOP OF THE SIXTH INNING.
[ KNOCKING ON DOOR ]
RUNNERS ON FIRST AND SECOND
AND ONLY ONE OUT.
WILSON, THE PITCHER, HAS...
[ KNOCKING CONTINUES ]
ALL RIGHT.
THE COUNT HAS GONE TO 3 AND 1.
[ KNOCKING CONTINUES ]
ALL RIGHT!
I'M COMING!
...OF PERSPIRATION.
HE'S READY NOW, BUT ECCLES
CALLS TIME AND STEPS UP.
ALL RIGHT!
HE'S BACK IN NOW,
AND WILSON IS READY.
I'M RICHY LEMOINE'S
MANAGER.
I LEFT MY MONEY CLIP
IN HIS LOCKER.
[ BALL THUMPS AGAINST BAT ]
AND IT'S
A HARD-HIT GROUND BALL --
UP THE MIDDLE.
THEY'RE ALL...
YOU'RE GOING TO
HAVE TO OPEN IT FOR ME.
RICHY'S GOT THE KEY.
COME ON.
AND THEY GET THE FORCE
AT SECOND BASE.
RUNNERS ON FIRST AND THIRD NOW
AND TWO MEN OUT.
[ BASEBALL GAME SHUTS OFF ]
HEY, HEY!
WAIT A MINUTE.
WAIT A MINUTE.
COME OVER HERE.
YEAH! YOU'RE "KID" WILSON.
JOHNNY "KID" WILSON, RIGHT?
I SAW YOU FIGHT COATES
IN THE GARDEN.
WHAT WAS THAT?
10, 12 YEARS AGO?
YEAH, YEAH, 1954,
J-JANUARY 20th, RIGHT.
YOU HIT LIKE A MULE.
YEAH, YEAH.
GREAT COMBINATION --
LEFT, RIGHT.
YEAH. LEFT, RIGHT.
RIGHT. RIGHT.
F-F-FORTY-SIX FIGHTS.
F-F-FORTY-SIX FIGHTS.
T-T-THIRTY-TWO KNOCKOUTS.
I-I-I FOUGHT 'EM ALL,
RIGHT?
MACHLIN. MACHLIN, HUH?
6'2", HUH? BIG, STRONG.
BROKE YOUR THUMB
IN THAT FIGHT, RIGHT?
RIGHT, RIGHT, LEFT THUMB,
FIRST ROUND.
I-I COULDN'T USE IT ANYMORE.
ONLY, ONLY USE THE RIGHT
THE REST OF THEM.
Wesley: JOHNNY?
JOHNNY?
LISTEN, GET OUT OF HERE.
GET OUT OF HERE,
WILL YOU?
JOHNNY?
OH, THERE YOU ARE.
WE'RE GOING TO BE USING
THE PLACE FOR A WHILE.
HEY, FELLAS, PUT ONE
OF THOSE BENCHES UP THERE.
WE'LL USE IT
FOR A BACKSTOP.
$100, HE LOSE.
I'LL TAKE A HALF.
I'LL TAKE
THE OTHER HALF.
WHO ARE YOU?
MANAGER.
LEMOINE'S MANAGER.
H-H-HE SAID HE LEFT
HIS DOUGH IN RICHY'S LOCKER.
ALWAYS ROOM
FOR A LITTLE FRESH BLOOD.
FOUR. TWO TO ONE
HE DON'T MAKE IT.
HALF.
I'LL TAKE THE OTHER HALF.
SEVEN.
$100, HE LOSE.
$50.
ALL RIGHT,
DON'T JUST STAND THERE.
GO GET IT.
[ "MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE" THEME
PLAYS ]